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

Chapter 429 Yanzhou Leopard: The Undercover Agent
Yunzhou, Xuchang City.

As the sun rose, casting its rays across the sky, the Tang banners on the city walls were replaced by Lu banners.

In the governor's mansion,

A burly, rugged middle-aged man, clad in gleaming armor, was wolfing down his breakfast. He had a square face, a broad forehead, prominent brow bones, long, narrow, and sharp eyes with phoenix-tail eyes, sharp cheekbones, and short, needle-like beard.

"Bring Sheng Yanshi and Jiang Shanhe up here," the burly man said. His voice was loud, fast, and impatient, with a strong Shandong accent.

The guards responded and left, while he continued to eat his flatbread and mutton.

Sheng Yanshi and Jiang Shanhe were brought in, bound hand and foot, disheveled and in a very sorry state.

"Your Majesty, the person has been brought."

Xu Yuanlang continued to eat the half-eaten flatbread and the piece of mutton in his hand before looking up.

"Hurry up and untie Sheng Gong. He's practically our fellow townsman."

Sheng Yanshi stood there with his head held high, ignoring Xu Yuanlang.

Xu Yuanlang poured Sheng Yanshi a glass of wine, "Master Sheng, have a drink to moisten your throat."

"I am from Yanzhou and Rencheng, while you, sir, are from Yucheng in Songzhou. We are not far apart. You were the magistrate of Chengcheng County in the previous dynasty, while I am a farmer from Rencheng. In the past, we were not worthy of each other's respect."

But the chaos in the world also gave me some opportunities.

"Lord Sheng, why don't you come and work for me? I am now the Grand Chancellor of Henan Circuit and the Prince of Lu, appointed by the King of Xia. If you work for me, I will recommend you for the position of Governor-General of Songzhou. You will retain your title of Duke, and if you perform well, you are even certain to be granted the title of Prince of a Commandery."

"Aren't we living a carefree and happy life, eating and drinking the finest food?"

Sheng Yanshi ignored him.

Xu Yuanlang poured him another glass of wine. "The Sheng family is a powerful and influential family in Yucheng, Songzhou. Send a letter to the Sheng family in Yucheng and ask them to respond when they seize the city."

"Bring paper and pen to Master Sheng."

Paper and pen were placed in front of Sheng Yanshi, who picked up the pen and began to write a letter. Xu Yuanlang laughed heartily, very satisfied.

Sheng Yanshi picked up his pen, wrote a hundred or so words, and then put it down.

"It's finished writing?"

A strategist nearby glanced at the letter and said, "Your Majesty, Sheng Yanshi deserves to be killed."

"What did you write?"

The strategist Liu Fuli conveyed his message to the illiterate Xu Yuanlang: "My dear brother, I was ordered to accompany Li Shizhong in suppressing the rebels. I originally intended to pacify Yan and Yun to repay the country's kindness, but unexpectedly, our army was defeated at Xuchang and we were captured by the rebel leader Xu Yuanlang. This wicked and cunning man coerced me into surrendering. However, I have read the Spring and Autumn Annals, how could I be disloyal as a subject? I swear to atone for my sins with my death."

My mother is old and suffers from rheumatism. My brother should personally serve her medicine at her bedside.

After my death, do not seek my remains; merely erect a cenotaph. My brother must diligently manage the household and uphold his integrity.

Overwhelmed with grief as I write this, tears streaming down my face, brother, I bow my head in reverence. April 13th, the fourth year of the Wude era.

This is a final letter to his family.

Xu Yuanlang, who had just been laughing heartily, slammed his hand on the table after hearing this, "You surnamed Sheng, don't be so stubborn. Do you think I wouldn't dare to kill you?"

Sheng Yanshi stood tall and composed, chest out and head held high.

Seeing his expression, Xu Yuanlang laughed again, "With such integrity as Steward Sheng, how could I kill you?"

He invited Sheng Yanshi to sit down, and they drank wine and ate meat.

"Chiang Kai-shek!"

Jiang Shanhe also refused to surrender.

Xu Yuanlang gritted his teeth and suppressed his temper, "Let's drink and eat meat."

Sheng and Jiang were not afraid of death. They calmly sat down to drink and eat meat, thinking they would die a full-bodied death.

After the meal, Xu Yuanlang tried to persuade them again, but they still ignored him. He had no choice but to send them away and have them placed under house arrest.

"Liu Changshi, what method can be used to get the two men to surrender?"

Liu Fuli shook his head: "My lord, I don't think these two will surrender anytime soon. However, they are in our hands. You can announce to the public that they have surrendered, and then appoint Sheng Yanshi as the governor of Songzhou, and also grant him official positions in Yucheng."

The same applied to Jiang Shanhe, who was appointed as the General Manager of Yunzhou.

The Tang people didn't know if their surrender was genuine or feigned; we could still use their names to create momentum.

"The Chief Secretary is indeed resourceful and wise. Do you have any other good plans to share?"

"Liu Shiche of Xuzhou, hailing from the Liu clan of Pengcheng, is the son of Liu Quan, the Prefect of Nanhai. This man possesses unparalleled talent, renowned throughout the Eastern Xia, and is skilled in military strategy. Why doesn't Your Majesty summon Liu Shiche and appoint him as commander? Your Majesty can remain in Yanzhou, while Liu Shiche leads a separate force to conquer Puji."

Then, Li Wuyi was appointed as the governor of Qizhou, and the troops of Tanzhou were used to take over Qizhou and Zouzhou.

Re-establishing connections with Jiangbei is the best course of action.

"Liu Shiche." Xu Yuanlang certainly knew Liu Shiche of Pengcheng. This man had a force of soldiers under his command. He was chivalrous, studious, and unconventional, and was highly regarded by his contemporaries.

During the chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty, Liu Shiche sent someone to Nanhai Commandery to see his father and persuade him to raise an army. However, his father, Liu Quan, actually killed the messenger and remained steadfast in Nanhai until his death.

In recent years, Liu Shiche has been moving among various powerful figures and warlords. Unfortunately, just like Li Mi back then, although they all respect his reputation and admire his talent, they are also wary of his fame and ability. No one is truly willing to trust him.

Today, the Tang Dynasty generals Liu Dewei and Liu Demin are Liu Shiche's cousins ​​by seniority.

Given this relationship, Liu Shiche should have submitted to the Tang Dynasty, but strangely, he has remained in the Xuzhou area for the past few years.

"If we have Liu Shiche's support, it will be easy for our lord to take Xuzhou."

Xu Yuanlang had previously been wary of Liu Shiche's reputation and abilities, but now that Li Yi was leading his troops to press forward, he could no longer care about those things.

"Alright, I'll send someone to fetch Liu Shiche right away."

Sheng Yanshi was placed under house arrest in the governor's mansion. He had no worries about food and drink every day. He chatted with the guards and inquired about news. He heard that Xu Yuanlang wanted to invite Liu Shiche and wanted to appoint him as commander.

I can't help but feel worried right now.

He said to Jiang Shanhe, "I have met Liu Shiche before. He is indeed very talented, especially in military affairs. In terms of ability, he is no less than the brothers Liu Dewei and Liu Demin, the Duke of Teng."

If he really comes, it might cause trouble for the Chamberlain.

"What should we do then?" Jiang Shanhou had also heard of Liu Shiche's name; he was very famous in the Huanghuai area.

Sheng Yanshi told the guards that he wanted to see Xu Yuanlang. Xu Yuanlang soon came to see him in person.

"I heard that Lord Xu is going to welcome Liu Shiche and hand over his troops to him for command?"

"That's true." Xu Yuanlang nodded.

Sheng Yanshi shook his head and sighed, "I am grateful to Lord Xu for not killing me and for treating me so well. Upon hearing about this, I have to remind Lord Xu of something."

Xu Gong must have been bewitched by someone's sweet talk; how could he hand over military power to an outsider? I've long heard of Liu Shiche's reputation.
Is Xu Gong's welcoming of Liu Shiche today not just like Zhai Rang welcoming Li Mi back then?
What became of Zhai Rang? Xu Gong witnessed it firsthand. What Liu Shiche has lacked these past years is soldiers. Zhai Rang is renowned and skilled in warfare. If he were to acquire your troops, he would hold the power of life and death, and your demise would be imminent!

Xu Yuanlang broke out in a cold sweat.

"What does Master Sheng think I should do?"

"In fact, the general trend of the world today is already clear. How could Lord Xu not understand it? Taking the initiative to surrender to Tang is the best and only choice."

Xu Yuanlang shook his head. "I don't think so. It's still uncertain who will win. Besides, if I don't rebel, the Tang Dynasty won't give me a good outcome."

"Disband my troops, summon me to the court and give me a sinecure, or even find a pretext to kill me. I, Xu Yuanlang, have been raising an army for ten years, and I refuse to accept this outcome."

“When Liu Shiche arrives, you can invite him into the city, then seize his troops, and then send him to assist your son in guarding the pass. Let him advise on military affairs, but do not give him the power to command troops directly. In this way, you can make use of his reputation and talent, and you will not have to worry about him turning the tables.”

After being told what Sheng Yanshi said, Xu Yuanlang could no longer trust Liu Shiche.

After a few days,
Liu Shiche arrived with 5,000 troops.

Xu Yuanlang did not come out of the city to greet him, but only sent his nephew to summon him into the city.

Looking at Xiaqiu City, Liu Shiche had a bad feeling. But he was already here, and if he left now, he probably wouldn't be able to leave anyway. So he had no choice but to bite the bullet and enter the city.

As soon as he entered the city,

Xu Yuanlang then sent troops to surround Liu Shiche's forces and announced the reorganization of his troops. When someone stood up to object or question it, he was immediately shot dead.

Xu Yuanlang hosted a banquet for Liu Shiche at the governor's mansion, and Sheng Yanshi and Jiang Shanhe were also invited to accompany him.

"General Liu is renowned throughout Dongxia. I am overjoyed that he has come to join us."

"The Tang bandits have invaded, and the flames of war have reignited. Fortunately, I have recaptured Yunzhou and killed Wang Bo, the governor of Qizhou. Now, Governor Sheng and Governor Jiang have come to surrender, and the situation is very good."

Someone decided to send Dalang to Rencheng to garrison and block Li Yi. This time, General Liu will also have to make a trip to assist Dalang.

General Liu is temporarily to be appointed as the Prefect of Yanzhou.

Upon hearing this, Liu Shiche was already extremely dissatisfied.

During the meal, he went to change his clothes.

Sheng Yanshi also got up to go to the restroom shortly afterward. The two met at the entrance of the East Division, and Sheng Yanshi quietly slipped a wad of paper into his hand.

Liu Shiche didn't say anything.

After the banquet, Liu Shiche was left in the city to rest.

Back in his room, he opened the note and examined it; his expression changed slightly.

The next day,

Liu Shiche then learned that his five thousand men had been transferred to Yunzhou by Xu Yuanlang.

Xu Yuanlang ordered him to immediately accompany his eldest son, Xu Qixian, to Rencheng for garrison duty.

Liu Shiche calmly followed orders and went smoothly, which surprised Xu Yuanlang.

Mid-April

Li Yi led his army up the Si River and defeated Xu Yuanlang's garrison at Luqiao.

Continuing north to Rencheng, which was once the state of Ren.

This place is a strategic location, a battleground between Song and Lu. South of Rencheng lies the treacherous Kangfu Pass, where two horses cannot travel side by side.

As long as a hundred men are sent to guard the strategic pass of Kangfu, even ten thousand enemies will find it difficult to conquer.

During the period of confrontation between the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Rencheng's status became even more prominent. Not far to the north was the Yellow River, and to the south was the important town of Xuzhou.

Rencheng is located on the upper reaches of the Sishui River. Controlling Rencheng would allow for a rapid advance to Xuzhou.

As the saying goes, "If Rencheng is there, Shandong will be at peace."

Xu Yuanlang sent his eldest son and Liu Shiche with 10,000 men to reinforce Rencheng. He himself was stationed in Yanzhou City to the north, while Zhang Qing was assigned to guard Xuchang City in Yunzhou. Li Wuyi was sent back to Tanzhou to attack Qizhou.

The garrison in Rencheng numbered 15,000 men.

Li Yi led his army to the outskirts of Rencheng and set up camp. At this time, news came that Yunzhou had fallen and Tanzhou was in rebellion.
Li Manyi, the prefect of Tanzhou, was killed by Wang Bo in revenge. Wang Bo, the governor of Qizhou, was then ambushed and killed by Li Manyi's nephew, Li Wuyi. There are also reports that Sheng Yanshi and Jiang Shanhou were captured and then surrendered.

For a moment, it was impossible to tell which was true and which was false.

The favorable situation in the north suddenly collapsed, leaving Li Yi somewhat speechless.

It is obvious that all of this was triggered by Li Yiman's death in Xuchang City.

Li Yi was also helpless at this point, and there was nothing he could do to change the plan of attacking from both the north and south. He could only change the plan to attack from one direction only.

The sun sets in the west, and the setting sun is like blood.

"Reporting to the Attendant-in-Ordinary, our scouts have captured a man who wants to see you, saying he has important news to report!"

“When we asked him, he claimed to be from Rencheng and said he had news of Steward Sheng.”

Upon hearing this, Li Yi said, "Bring the person here."

Inside the military tent, Li Yi met the visitor.

"Who are you?"

"The younger one is a retainer of Liu Shiche, the third son of Pengcheng. My third son is a cousin of Liu Dewei, the Duke of Teng of the Great Tang Dynasty. He is currently assisting Xu Yuanlang's eldest son in defending the city in Rencheng."

Li Yi wasn't very familiar with the name Liu Shiche.

"You said you have news about Steward Sheng?"

(End of this chapter)