A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Starting from the Village Chief

Chapter 420: Low Damage, High Insult
Late March.

When Li Yi arrived at Wulao Pass, 20,000 soldiers from Henan were conscripted and gathered there. A group of Henan governors, prefects, generals of the cavalry, and generals of the chariots also arrived.

Inside the city gate, Li Yi hosted a banquet to welcome everyone and wash away the dust of their journey.

As a prominent and influential family in the vicinity, the Zheng family of Xingyang naturally received an invitation as well.

Zheng Shanyuan entered the hall, and someone came forward to arrange a seat for him.

"Who are you, and why are you sitting above me?" A loud voice boomed behind Zheng Shanyuan. Zheng Shanyuan turned around and saw a military officer dressed in a green robe.

"I am Zheng Shanyuan from Xingyang. May I ask your honorable name, General?"

“I am Liang Jianfang, General of the Cavalry of Dengfeng, a sixth-rank official. You are dressed in white robes, but you are a commoner. What gives you the right to sit above me?” Liang Jianfang’s voice was very loud.

Zheng Shanyuan clasped his hands and said, “I came here at the invitation of Li Shizhong. Although I do not hold any official position at the moment, I have been granted the title of Duke of Guichang County by His Majesty. The Minister of Ceremonies, Duke of Xin, is my elder brother.”

Liang Jianfang, however, showed no respect, saying, "If the Minister of Ceremonies were here, I would have nothing to say if he sat above me, but you are just a commoner, why should you sit above me?"

"Because I am a member of the Zheng family of Xingyang and hold the title of Duke of Guichang County, do you have any title?"

Liang Jianfang was furious. "What merit have you made to be granted the title of Duke of Guichang County?"

"The Zheng family of Xingyang is the leader of the Shandong gentry. The Crown Princess is also a daughter of the Zheng family, and even Minister Li is a son-in-law of the Zheng family. The Zheng family of Xingyang is loyal to the Tang Dynasty..."

The two exchanged barbs. At first, Zheng Shanyuan was quite polite, but later he couldn't contain his temper and directly mocked Liang Jianfang as nothing more than an unknown nobody, saying that he was only sitting with him because he was lucky.

"Damn you!" Liang Jianfang was skilled in riding and archery. Of humble origins, he was originally a subordinate general in the Prince of Qin's court. Last year, he was seconded from the Prince of Qin's court to Li Yi's army, commanding one hundred elite cavalry. He followed An Shan in pacifying Henan, rising through the ranks...
This year, he was transferred to Henan and became the first General of Chariots and Cavalry of Dengfeng Chariots and Cavalry Prefecture.

He wasn't good at verbal sparring, and when Zheng Shanyuan insulted him without using any vulgar language, he got so angry that he shoved her away.

Zheng Shanyuan was Zheng Yuanzhu's younger brother and Zheng Shanguo's cousin.

His title of Duke of Guichang was actually bestowed upon him by the Northern Zhou Dynasty for the merits of his father, Zheng Yi. The Sui and Tang Dynasties also preserved it for him because of the reputation of the Zheng family of Xingyang.

Zheng Shanyuan, a middle-aged scholar, was no match for the young Liang Jianfang; he was easily pushed flat on his back.

Due to a lack of exercise, he even dislocated his wrist in a fall.

He was clutching his wrists and wailing.

The scene was a little chaotic for a while.

As Li Yi walked out, he saw several members of the Zheng family running up to him to complain.

"Go and fetch a doctor."

Li Yi watched Zheng Shanyuan sitting there wailing with her arms crossed, her face expressionless.

"what happened?"

Liang Jianfang stepped forward with his head down, looking remorseful, and honestly confessed everything.

"Competing for a position? How old are you? One of you is from the Zheng clan of Xingyang, one of the five major clans in Shandong, known as the leader of the gentry. Lord Zheng is over forty years old and has the title of county duke."

Liang Jianfang, you are a dignified sixth-rank general of chariots and cavalry. Although you are only in your twenties, you have already made many military achievements and command a thousand soldiers.

"True skill lies in fighting for the lead on the battlefield, not in vying for seats at a banquet."

Liang Jianfang stepped forward,
“Your Excellency, I know my fault. I shouldn’t have acted so foolishly and fought over seating arrangements.”

"Hmph, you've only made some minor contributions and are only a mere General of Chariots and Cavalry, yet you're already so arrogant and ignorant of your own limitations."

I now fine you ten catties of copper and order you to personally apologize to Duke Zheng.

"The general will obey the order."

Li Yi looked at Zheng Shanyuan and said, "Master Zheng, you are old enough to be Liang Jianfang's father. You come from a distinguished family and are well-versed in the classics, unlike Liang Jianfang, who only practices riding and archery and has never been to school and does not understand the principles of sages."
Why are you arguing with him in the hall like a shrew?
Why risk a moment of verbal sparring only to end up with a hand injury?

“You should also apologize to Liang Jianfang in person, and let this matter go. Don’t hold a grudge.”

Zheng Shanyuan's hand hurt, and he felt even more embarrassed.

A dignified son of five surnames,
At Hulao Pass, so close to the Zheng family of Xingyang, we suffered such a great humiliation.

When the doctor arrived, he examined Zheng Shanyuan and confirmed that he had only dislocated his wrist. He immediately put it back in place, causing Zheng Shanyuan to scream in pain.

Today, the Zheng family of Xingyang has completely lost face.

"Please excuse me, I am feeling unwell and must take my leave." Zheng Shanyuan could not stay any longer and turned to leave.

Li Yi remained expressionless.

Chief Secretary Zhang Liang sat there and witnessed the whole process. He dared to say that what happened today was definitely not because Liang Jianfang was arrogant and brainless.

Even if he was brainless and illiterate, Liang Jianfang would not have dared to make a move when Zheng Shanyuan revealed his identity as a member of the Zheng family of Xingyang and his elder brother was the Grand Master of Ceremonies and Duke of Xin. Moreover, Zheng Shanyuan also held the title of County Duke.

Liang Jianfang was merely a sixth-rank cavalry general, and just last year, he was only a centurion in the Prince of Qin's mansion.

He's young, but he's not stupid.

Looking at Li Yi's performance just now,

Zhang Liang believed that this was all pre-arranged by Li Yi, with him and Liang Jianfang working in concert. As for why this was the case, he thought it might be because the Zheng family had become a bit arrogant lately.

After Zheng Shanyuan transported 5,000 shi of grain and 5,000 bolts of silk into Luoyang and lent them to the governor's mansion, Li Yi also met with Zheng Shanyuan in Luoyang. It is said that they discussed taking Zheng Rouniang as a concubine, but for some reason, they parted on bad terms.

Zhang Liang didn't know the specifics, but he knew that after that, the Zheng family of Xingyang made many underhanded moves, and even used their influence to spread rumors about Li Yi.

For example, the romantic affair between Li Yi and Huo Yu was spread by Zheng, who fabricated many versions of it.

There are even rumors that Li Yi killed his wife's brother, angered his wife's grandmother to death, and seized his wife's family's multi-million dollar assets.

These stories were not fabricated by them; they were compiled, arranged, embellished, and then spread around based on collected rumors.

this way,
This undoubtedly angered Li Yi.

Today, such a scene unfolded: a general of chariots and cavalry of ordinary birth dared to slap the face of the Zheng family of Xingyang in public, and even dislocated Zheng Shanyuan's hand.

Not much damage,

That was a huge insult.

This could even be considered a stern warning.

Today, all I did in front of everyone was argue over a seat with you, push you, and dislocate your wrist.

But next time, it might be more than that.

Zhang Liang looked at Li Yi with eyes full of admiration. Was the Zheng family of Xingyang, one of the five noble families of Guandong, so insignificant in Li Yi's eyes, something he could easily manipulate? When will I be able to marry a woman from one of the five noble families? If I could sleep with one of the five noble families in this lifetime, it would be worth it.

Zheng Shanyuan left with his family.
Li Yi raised his glass, "Come on, everyone, let's raise a glass together and wish for a resounding victory in this campaign to quell the rebellion!"

"Wishing you victory!"

Everyone raised their glasses.

Huazhou, outside Baima City
Du Caigan led a few riders to the city walls.

"Sir, we only have five riders. If the traitor Han Hong discovers us, we will surely die," the subordinate said anxiously, looking at the Xia flag on the city wall.

Du Caigan, however, did not take it seriously, saying, "Five riders are enough to take the head of the Han traitor."

Du Caigan was born into the Du clan of Jingzhao, and was a relative of Du Ruhui and Du Yan. In his early years, he first joined Yang Xuangan's uprising, and later followed Li Mi to Wagang. Two years ago, he married a woman from the Lu clan of Fanyang.

He was very loyal to Li Mi. Previously, when Li Yi attacked Henan, Du Caigan plotted to kill Bing Yuanzhen, seize Huazhou, and surrender Huazhou and Puzhou to the Tang Dynasty.

Li Yi also admired the young Du Caigan. After their meeting, the two even discussed their kinship. Du Caigan was Du Ruhui's cousin and Du Shiniang's brother, making him Li Yi's brother-in-law.

After the New Year, Li Yi issued an official document summoning his brother-in-law to Luoyang for discussions.

Du Caigan arrived in Luoyang on orders. Soon after, the imperial court abolished a number of general administration offices and prefectures in Henan, including the Huazhou General Administration Office.

Du Caigan was reassigned as the Prefect of Huazhou and remained in Luoyang. Han Hong, the former Assistant Prefect of Huazhou, was appointed as the Acting Prefect of Huazhou.

This was specially arranged by Li Yi; it was called luring the snake out of its hole, and also to protect his brother-in-law's safety.

As expected, Han Hong has rebelled in Huazhou.

Du Caigan returned secretly at this time, precisely because he was acting on Li Yi's orders.

"When I killed Bing Yuanzhen, I should have killed Han Hong as well, those fickle and treacherous dogs!"

Midday on the moon.

Five red lanterns were lit in the south of the city. Du Caigan dismounted and led four riders to the city wall.

They were lowered into the city by rope.

A group of armored soldiers escorted Du Caigan straight to the governor's mansion.
Under the dark night,
Fireworks lit up several locations in the city, and soldiers continued to gather at the governor's mansion.

Before Du Caigan arrived at the governor's mansion

Eight hundred armored soldiers had already gathered behind him.

This was the source of his confidence that he could kill Han Hong and quell the rebellion with only five riders. Although he had been away from Huazhou for two months,

However, their control over this area still far surpasses that of Han Hong.

He once beheaded Bing Yuanzhen, the governor of Huazhou, with a single stroke, and then raised his arm and called out, and all five prefectures of Huazhou and Puzhou responded.

Now he sneaks back to White Horse City late at night.

They immediately gathered eight hundred followers.

"Kill the traitor Han Hong and quell the rebellion!" With Du Caigan's order, eight hundred armored soldiers launched a fierce attack on the governor's mansion.

Li Yi's Tang army, tasked with suppressing the rebellion, was still hundreds of miles away at Hulao Pass.

Han Hong never expected the attack to come so suddenly.

Even more unexpectedly, the battle took place directly at the governor's mansion.

The surprise attack in the dead of night was very advantageous to Du Caigan and his men. Although the governor's mansion also had walls, they were ultimately not as good as city walls.

Soon, Du Caigan's men scaled the courtyard wall and engaged in close combat inside.

The gates of the governor's mansion were opened.

Armored soldiers charged in.
The battle did not last long.
Han Hong was captured alive, and this time Du Caigan did not spare him. He personally beheaded him with a single sword stroke, then carried his head around to announce his whereabouts.
When Han Hong's personal guards saw that their commander had been lost, they all lost their will to fight.

The governor's mansion was captured, Han Hong was executed, and Han's personal guards surrendered.
The other soldiers and civilians in the city, who were still unaware of the situation, could no longer cause any trouble. Du Caigan summoned the generals and powerful figures in the city and announced his return.

They executed the traitorous general and recaptured Huazhou.

Huazhou, once again, belonged to the Tang Dynasty.

Du Caigan only executed some of Han Hong's sons and confidants and confiscated their homes, but did not pursue the rest of the soldiers.

early morning,

The sun rose again.

The summer flags on the city walls were replaced with Tang flags once again.

It seems to have changed, yet it also seems like it hasn't changed much.

While sending someone to report the victory to Li Yi at Hulao Pass, Du Caigan also announced Li Yi's latest orders.

The five prefectures of Hua, Pu, Xing, Yan, and Zuo were merged into two prefectures, Hua and Pu, and the Hua Prefecture General Administration was re-established, governing the four prefectures of Hua, Pu, Cao, and Yun.

Du Caigan, the Duke of Wenxi County, was appointed as the Inspector-General of Huazhou and entrusted with the military affairs of the four prefectures of Huazhou and Puzhou.

Liu Deyi, Duke of Linhe County, was appointed Prefect of Puzhou; Lu Mu, Duke of Rongcheng County, was appointed Prefect of Caozhou; Jiang Shanhe remained Prefect of Yunzhou; and Wei Bao, Duke of Yangcheng County, was appointed Chief Administrator of Huazhou Prefecture.

Du Caigan's report of victory was delivered to Wulao Pass, and Jiang Shanhe, the prefect of Yunzhou, also sent someone to deliver the report.

Meng Haigong raised the banner of rebellion against the Tang Dynasty. After killing Yin Ashu, he invited Jiang Shanhe, the prefect of Yunzhou, to join him in raising an army. Jiang Shanhe agreed and led his troops south to Caozhou to join him.

In the middle of the night, Jiang Shanhe led his troops in a surprise attack, capturing and killing Meng Haigong, Meng Dangui, Meng Yi, and others, and seizing Caozhou City. Fan Yuan fled in panic.

With the deaths of Meng Haigong and the other two,
Jiang Shanhe annexed their troops and took control of the two prefectures of Cao and Dai, reporting his victory to Li Yi.

Meng Haigong's 30,000 troops were utterly no match for him.

Looking at the two reports of victory one after the other, Li Yi felt that things had gone too smoothly.

Originally, the Three General Administrations comprised eight prefectures. Han Hong and Meng Haigong rose and fell in a flash.

When Li Yi informed the generals of the good news, they looked at each other for a long time, somewhat incredulous.

After a long silence, Zhang Liang finally couldn't hold back any longer and said, "Minister, we must send troops immediately, otherwise this rebellion will be quelled and we won't get a single drop of soup."

(End of this chapter)