The Ming Dynasty: Starting with the border troops, it was overthrown and the Qing Dynasty was destro

Chapter 136 Being Manipulated
In an effort to force Shen Yikui to rebel, Hong Chengchou and He Renlong discussed the matter for an entire night.

The two meticulously considered every detail until the first rays of dawn appeared outside the window, finally settling on a well-thought-out plan.

When He Renlong stepped out of Hong Chengchou's camp, there was no sign of fatigue on his face, but he felt full of energy.

Without a moment's delay, he immediately took action.

He Renlong first sent out several of his spies who were skilled in disguise.

They were sent to infiltrate markets, taverns, and even the vicinity of Shen Yi Kui's troops' encampment in and around Ning Sai City, to secretly spread various "insider information."

For a time, undercurrents were swirling both inside and outside Ningsai City, and all sorts of rumors were rampant:

"Did you hear that?"

"News has come from Guyuan that Governor Yang was not satisfied with killing Ru Chengming, so he named several of Shen Yikui's lieutenants."

"They're all remnants of the rebel party; we'll deal with them all sooner or later!"

"People like Zhang Mengjin and Huang Youcai are on the list!"

People were discussing it everywhere—in the marketplace, in the taverns, and in the government offices.

"It's more than that!"

"I've also heard that the imperial court is very dissatisfied with the results of Governor Yang's pacification efforts and has dispatched an imperial envoy, who is on his way to Ningsai."

"An imperial envoy? What brings him down here?"

"What else can we do? Verify their identity!"

"It's said that they're going to verify the identities of Shen Yikui and all his men, escort them back to the capital, and execute them by slow slicing."

"Good kill!"

"In my opinion, these traitors should have been killed back then, to save us from living in constant fear and causing endless trouble!"

These rumors were so realistic that they precisely struck at the deepest fears of Shen Yikui and his subordinates.

The words "escorted to the capital" and "executed by slow slicing" terrified the rebels.
The news quickly reached Shen Yikui's ears.

This once-powerful bandit leader now looked like a frightened child, his face ashen and restless.

He disregarded all pretense of dignity and suspicion, and rushed to Hong Chengchou's headquarters that very night. He knelt down with a thud, pointed to the sky and swore an oath:

"Your Excellency! Your Excellency is wise!"

"Those rumors outside are all slander; someone is deliberately framing me!"

"I, Shen Yi Kui, swear to Heaven that since submitting to the imperial court, I have never harbored any disloyalty!"

"Now that I have submitted to the court and thanked the Emperor for his grace, I would never dare to, and will never again, harbor any thoughts of rebellion!"

"Please, Your Excellency, understand!"

Shen Yikui was originally from the lower ranks of the border army. Later, he rebelled and relied on his fierce courage.

But when it comes to manipulating power and understanding people's hearts, how could he be a match for Hong Chengchou, a scholar who had passed the imperial examination and had been in officialdom for many years?

Hong Chengchou looked at Shen Yikui kneeling on the ground, filled with fear and unease, and sneered inwardly, but his face remained gentle.

He personally stepped forward, helped Shen Yikui up, and said earnestly:
"Oh dear, what is General Shen doing?"

"Please get up quickly!"

"I have also heard about those rumors circulating outside."

Hong Chengchou shook his head and feigned a sigh.

"It must be that someone is jealous of the general's defection from darkness to light, or has some old grudge against the general, so they deliberately spread rumors and stir up trouble."

"General, you need not take it to heart."

He patted Shen Yikui on the shoulder, his tone sincere:
"I have witnessed General Shen's loyalty and bravery with my own eyes, so there is no need to worry."

"I have witnessed your performance since you surrendered, and I am well aware of it."

"Go back in peace. With me here, I will ensure your safety!"

After a few kind words, Shen Yikui felt somewhat at ease and left with tears of gratitude.

However, as soon as Shen Yikui left, the smile on Hong Chengchou's face vanished, replaced by a chilling expression.

"Your Excellency's acting was so convincing, I almost believed it!"

Inside the main hall, He Renlong strolled out slowly, chuckling.

"Alright, stop flattering me!"

Hong Chengchou glared at him, then gave the order:
"The rumors have already spread; now let's add fuel to the fire!"

He Renlong nodded, gave a sinister smile, and left to carry out his orders.

In the following days, the atmosphere at the government troops' garrison outside Ningsai City was unusually "lively".

He Renlong's troops were like they were on steroids, training every morning from early morning until nightfall.

The training locations were getting closer and closer to Shen Yikui's residence each time.

The deafening sound of drums and the murderous shouts clearly reached the ears of everyone in Shen Yi Kui's camp.

He Renlong even deliberately had the soldiers shout slogans in unison during drills:
"Slay the rebels and serve the court!"

"Eliminate the remaining evil forces and stabilize the region!"

The commotion terrified Shen Yikui and his soldiers.

Especially on the first day, upon hearing the murderous slogans and approaching footsteps, Shen Yikui thought that He Renlong had received Yang He's secret order to take action against them.

Shen Yikui immediately ordered all soldiers in the camp to don their armor and weapons, close the camp gates tightly, and prepare for a desperate fight.

However, they waited anxiously in the camp for most of the day, only to hear deafening drills, and did not see He Renlong leading his troops to attack.

After sending people out to investigate, they learned that He Renlong was only "practicing temporarily."

Even so, it terrified Shen Yikui and his men.

The immense pressure of a large army pressing in and the possibility of action at any moment kept them awake at night, greatly increasing their psychological stress.

They dared not slack off in the slightest, fearing that one day He Renlong's "training" would turn into a real fight.

Shen Yikui could only prepare for the battle with trepidation every day, under intense mental pressure.

Just as Shen Yikui's last nerve was about to snap, Hong Chengchou played his third card.

He secretly summoned Lieutenant General Wu Hongqi and Lieutenant General Fan Li.

They already harbored deep hatred for Shen Yikui, and because they had previously embezzled military merits and been beaten by Ru Chengming, they had lost face and were just looking for an opportunity to take revenge.

Hong Chengchou gave a slight hint, implying that they could, in accordance with military regulations, cause some trouble for Shen Yikui's men.

The two immediately understood.

As a result, life became even more difficult for Shen Yikui's men in the days that followed.

Today, Wu Hongqi sent someone to say that military supplies were tight and that Shen Yikui's troops needed to "support" them with a batch of grain.

The amount of provisions was enormous, and if Shen Yi Kui's men hesitated even slightly, they were immediately rebuked as "disobeying orders" and "harboring ulterior motives."

Tomorrow, Fan Li will again order Shen Yi Kui's men to repair the city walls or clear the silted-up moat outside the city. These are all arduous and exhausting manual labor tasks.

If Shen Yikui's men complained or were a little slow, they would immediately be scolded and beaten by Wu and Fan's soldiers.

They would even withhold their rations and deliberately not give them food.

They spread rumors, intimidated the enemy with their military might, and subjected them to increasingly severe harassment and humiliation day after day.
This series of combined attacks really took a toll on Shen Yikui and his soldiers.

They also understood what it meant to be dependent on others, and what it meant to be at the mercy of others.

In Ningsai, the surrendered soldiers felt like rats in the street, hated by everyone.

They were ostracized everywhere and constantly harassed, with no dignity or way to survive.

Combined with Ru Chengming's tragic death and the persistent rumors, the surrendered soldiers became increasingly convinced that:
All of this is the prelude to the imperial court's complete annihilation of them!
Fear and despair spread like a plague through Shen Yi Kui's camp.

Finally, someone couldn't help it anymore.

One night, the lights flickered in Shen Yikui's central command tent.

Shen Yikui's trusted subordinates, including Zhang Mengjin and Huang Youcai, gathered together with solemn expressions.

"Commander! You've rebelled!"

Zhang Mengjin looked at Shen Yikui with immense excitement.
"We can't take it anymore! If we keep going, we'll all die!"

"Those surnamed He, Wu, Fan, and that old man Yang He, they're all a den of snakes and rats, not a single one of them is any good!"

"They never intended to give us a way out!"

"Ever since the day they killed Brother Ru, these corrupt officials have been plotting how to wipe us out!"

Huang Youcai also stepped forward and echoed:
"Yes, Commander! Rumors are flying everywhere outside, the soldiers outside the city are training every day, and Wu Hongqi and his men are always finding fault with us and cutting our rations."

"They're clearly trying to starve us to death!"

"Let's rebel! While the brothers still have a breath left, let's fight our way out and battle them!"

"It's better than sitting here waiting to die and being slaughtered!"

As soon as Huang Youcai finished speaking, he was met with a chorus of approval from those around him.

"You've rebelled, Commander!"

"Fight them!"

Inside the main tent, the crowd was filled with righteous indignation, and all the officers advocated raising an army immediately and launching a night attack.

However, Shen Yikui, who was sitting in the main seat, had an uncertain expression and a furrowed brow, and he hesitated to make up his mind.

Rebel? Easier said than done!

They are now short of food and weapons, their morale is low, and they are surrounded by government troops that outnumber them several times over.

If things turn out differently, what are the chances of winning?

Finally, he sighed deeply and shook his head wearily:

"Let's wait a little longer; perhaps things will take a turn for the better."

Shen Yikui still clung to a last glimmer of hope, or rather, he had been completely crushed by the immense pressure and lost the courage to draw his sword and fight back.

Still waiting?

Are we going to wait until everyone's heads are hanging on the city walls?
Zhang Mengjin and Huang Youcai below exchanged a glance, both seeing disappointment and resolve in each other's eyes.

They knew they could no longer count on Shen Yikui; he had been terrified.

If we wait any longer, we'll all face certain death.

Without further hesitation, the two exchanged a glance and launched their attack simultaneously:

"Commander! I'm sorry to offend you!"

Several guards who were already prepared rushed forward and, taking advantage of Shen Yikui's unpreparedness, pinned him down.

"What...what are you trying to do?!"

"Where are my guards! Where are my guards?!"

Shen Yikui was both shocked and furious, and struggled desperately to summon his personal guards.

But now he has long lost his prestige and is abandoned by everyone.

Zhang Mengjin said with red eyes:

"Commander, we were forced into this situation."

“I cannot stand by and watch my brothers die here.”

"If you don't dare to rebel, we'll rebel for you!"

Having said that, Zhang Mengjin and Huang Youcai no longer hesitated, immediately drew their swords, and rushed out of the tent.

They shouted sternly to the soldiers who had already gathered outside, who were also on the verge of exploding:
"Brothers, the imperial court has broken its promise and is going to exterminate us!"

"Fight our way out! We've rebelled!"

The camp, already gripped by fear and anger, responded instantly.

Huang Youcai's confidants acted swiftly, seized control of the camp gates, and killed a few soldiers who attempted to resist.

The entire mutiny process was swift and decisive.

That night, around midnight.

Suddenly, shouts of battle erupted from Shen Yikui's stronghold, and flames soared into the sky.

Zhang Mengjin, Huang Youcai, and others, holding the bound and gagged Shen Yikui hostage, led more than a thousand soldiers who had been driven to the brink of despair in an attack on He Renlong's troops outside the camp.

The news reached Hong Chengchou's headquarters immediately.

"Reporting! Your Excellency!"

"Shen Shen Yi Kui has rebelled! He's leading his men to storm the village gate!"

Upon hearing the news, Hong Chengchou was overjoyed:

"it is good!"

"Good thing they did!"

He immediately ordered:
"Send word to Wu Hongqi! Order him to immediately mobilize troops to support He Renlong and intercept Shen Yikui!"

"Beat them harder, but remember, you must let them escape!"

"Yes!"

In this way, Hong Chengchou successfully forced Shen Yikui's troops to rebel, and also sent someone to deliver the news to Yang He.

Poor Shen Yikui was completely manipulated by Hong Chengchou.

He probably never understood how he was forced into this situation, step by step, until his death.

Just as he was being coerced by his subordinates into rebelling again and breaking out of the encirclement,
Shen Yikui was still thinking about sending someone to Hong Chengchou to report the news of the mutiny.

　I'm not feeling well today, 6K, I'll add more tomorrow.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)