Huangming

Chapter 216 Sword Shadows Cleanse the Trouble, Commander Takes Charge

The night was as dark as ink, and the lanterns hanging on the walls of Liaoyang swayed in the cold wind, casting flickering shadows.

Qi Jin tightened his armor, the cold metallic touch making him even more alert.

He glanced back at the elite Zhejiang soldiers standing in neat rows behind him, each face resolute as iron.

"Have you all remembered your respective goals?" Qi Jin asked in a low voice.

"Reporting to the general, we have remembered everything!" the soldiers replied in unison, their voices extremely low.

What do soldiers hate the most?
It wasn't the bloody battles or the hardships of food and clothing shortages, but the traitors hiding in the shadows, betraying their own side!

Upon hearing that they were to be sent to eliminate traitors, the soldiers gripped their sword hilts tightly, their eyes burning with rage, their teeth grinding together.

They are not afraid of death, but they hate those traitors who stab them in the back. Soldiers would rather die standing than live on their knees!
Moreover, His Majesty provides them with two taels of silver a month and a full meal every day. If they don't risk their lives to do it and cut off the heads of these traitors, they will feel ashamed!

"Let's go! Chop those sons of bitches up!" Someone shouted, which immediately drew a chorus of agreement.

Tong Zhongkui emerged from the shadows, followed by a troop of Sichuan soldiers, each with a long sword at their waist and a solemn expression.

"Brother Qi, I'm all ready on my side. The military guards from the military governor's office are in position and will guide us."

Qi Jin nodded, took out a list from his pocket, and checked it again by the dim light.

The list was densely filled with names, positions, and evidence of crimes, each line of writing seemingly dripping with blood.

"After tonight, Liaoyang will be completely transformed."

The two exchanged a glance, then turned around simultaneously, each leading their troops into dozens of small squads, disappearing into the pitch-black night.

Qi Jin's first stop was the residence of Li Tinggui, the commander of Liaoyang Guard.

According to a secret report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, this person had been transmitting military intelligence to the Jurchens for a long time, and even secretly assisted Jurchen spies in infiltrating military camps.

At the gate of the mansion, two guards were yawning, completely unaware of the approaching danger.

"Do it!"

At Qi Jin's command, more than ten Zhejiang soldiers pounced out like ghosts and subdued the guards in an instant.

Qi Jin kicked open the door and led his soldiers in single file.

The mansion was brightly lit, and Li Tinggui was having a private conversation with several trusted confidants in his study. On the table was a map of Liaoyang's defenses.

Upon hearing the sound of the door being broken down, Li Tinggui's expression changed drastically, and he reached out to grab the blueprints on the table.

"Li Tinggui!"

Qi Jin shouted sternly, "I am acting on the orders of the military commissioner, Jun. Your crimes of colluding with the enemy and betraying the country are irrefutable. Arrest me immediately!"

Li Tinggui's face turned ashen, but he still tried to remain calm: "Who are you? What do you mean by this? I am an official appointed by the imperial court. How dare you slander me like this!"

"I am Qi Jin, the commander of the Qi Family Army. Have you not heard of my great name, Qi Jin?"

Qi Jin sneered, pulling a stack of documents from his robes and slamming them on the table: "These are copies of your secret correspondence with the Jurchens, and a list of bribes you received from them. The Embroidered Uniform Guard has been watching you for three months; the evidence is irrefutable! Still dare to deny it?"

Upon seeing this, Li Tinggui's legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground.

The Zhejiang soldiers quickly stepped forward and tied him up.

During the search, the soldiers found more evidence of treason in a secret compartment of the study, including a seal granted by the Jurchens and documents promising official positions.

Upon seeing this irrefutable evidence, Qi Jin's disgust deepened.

He spat out a mouthful of saliva, which landed on Li Tinggui's pale face, and shouted angrily:
"Pah! You traitorous dog!"

He grabbed Li Tinggui by the collar, almost lifting him up, his voice filled with thunderous rage:

"You son who has no anus!"

"His Majesty provides you with a monthly stipend and ensures you have plenty of food every day, and you turn around and lick the boots of the Jurchens?! Are you even a Han Chinese? Have you knelt down and made your ancestors' bones weak?!"

Li Tinggui's face was ashen, his lips trembled, his eyes stared blankly into the void, and he kept repeating:

"It's over...it's all over..."

The voice sounded like it had crawled out of a grave, hoarse and out of tune.

Meanwhile, Tong Zhongkui was leading a raid on the military camp in the west of the city.

According to intelligence, three captains and dozens of soldiers here have been bribed by the Jurchens and are often used to pass on intelligence to them.

now.

The military camp gates were tightly closed, and sentries patrolled back and forth on the watchtowers.

Tong Zhongkui signaled the troops to take cover, and he led two of his personal guards toward the gate.

"Halt! This is a military camp, no unauthorized personnel allowed!" the sentry shouted.

Tong Zhongkui brandished his token: "I am acting on the orders of the military commissioner, and there is urgent military business to attend to!"

The sentry recognized the token and hurriedly opened the gate.

"So you're a brother from the Military Governor's Office, please!"

The sentry's face lit up with a fawning expression, but it quickly turned into panic.

With a wave of his hand, Tong Zhongkui summoned the Sichuan soldiers hidden in the shadows, who quickly poured in and took control of the camp gate and watchtower.

"Everyone assemble!" Tong Zhongkui shouted the order.

Soon, the soldiers in the camp were awakened by the sound of drums signaling an emergency assembly, and they lined up in formation, still half asleep.

Tong Zhongkui stood under the torch, his gaze sweeping across every face with lightning speed.

"The military governor's office has determined that there are Jurchen spies infiltrated into the camp."

Tong Zhongkui's voice echoed in the night sky.

"Now, those whose names have been called, step forward!"

As each name was read out, the soldiers looked at each other in bewilderment.

Those whose names were called changed their expressions drastically. Some tried to escape, but were immediately subdued by the Sichuan soldiers who were waiting nearby.

"Injustice! We are loyal and honest, how could we be accused of being spies?" a constable struggled and shouted.

Tong Zhongkui took out a confession from his pocket and said coldly, "This is the confession of your accomplices, along with the route map of your intelligence transmission. On the fifteenth of last month, you took the opportunity to transmit the troop deployment of the Fushun defense line out of the city in exchange for one hundred taels of gold. Is this true?"

"This this."

The officer, who was being questioned, was speechless and turned ashen-faced.

"You son of a bitch, you're a real piece of shit!"

"Bah! You've completely disgraced us men of Liaodong!"

"Damn! How can there be such a traitorous dog hiding in the ranks? What a curse!"

……

The soldiers grew increasingly enraged by the insults, and some even picked up stones from the ground and threw them, still cursing under their breath.
"Smash those bastards to death!"

"You'll be a traitor! You'll be a dog of the Jurchens!" "Quiet!"

Tong Zhongkui raised his hand to stop the commotion and prevent the spies from being killed by the soldiers.

"His Majesty, showing compassion for the soldiers on the frontier, has paid the back wages and rations owed for years and has also confiscated the assets of Shanxi merchants to reward the army. You, instead of repaying his kindness, have colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country; your crimes are unforgivable!"

He turned to the other soldiers and said, "Tonight's operation is only to eliminate internal spies, and has nothing to do with the loyal and brave soldiers. The commander-in-chief has ordered that anyone who reports spies will be richly rewarded!"

These words reassured the troops, and the soldiers expressed their willingness to cooperate.

Tong Zhongkui left some Sichuan soldiers to maintain order while he led his team to the next target.

In the eastern part of Liaoyang City, the residence of Shi Tingzhu, the garrison commander of Guangning Guard, was brightly lit.

This man appeared loyal and brave, but in reality, he had already secretly defected to the Jurchens and repeatedly leaked intelligence about the Ming army's movements.

When Qi Jin led his team to the scene, they found the mansion heavily guarded, clearly indicating that the authorities were already on high alert.

"storm!"

Qi Jin made a decisive decision.

The Zhejiang soldiers were divided into three teams: one team launched a feigned attack from the front, while the other two teams scaled the wall from the flanks.

Shouts of battle erupted from the courtyard as Shi Tingzhu's servants fought desperately, arrows raining down from the windows.

Qi Jin personally led the charge, wielding a long sword, and successively felled two servants who blocked his way.

"Shi Tingzhu! Come out and face your death!"

From the second-floor window, Shi Tingzhu peeked out, holding a powerful bow and aiming it at Qi Jin.

"You scoundrel, I am innocent! Don't even think about taking me!"

Before the words were even finished, the arrow had already left the bowstring.

Qi Jin dodged to the side, the arrow grazing his shoulder and drawing a sliver of blood.

He roared and led his soldiers into the house.

A fierce close-quarters battle unfolded in the narrow stairwell, with people falling one after another amidst the flashing blades.

Seeing that things were not going well, Shi Tingzhu jumped out of the back window in an attempt to escape.

Qi Jin gave chase, and the two engaged in a pursuit through the streets shrouded in night.

"Stop him!"

Qi Jin shouted loudly.

A group of military guards from the military governor's office suddenly appeared at the alleyway ahead, forcing Shi Tingzhu to turn around, only to be forced into a dead end.

In this desperate situation, Shi Tingzhu turned around, drew his sword, and said with a ferocious expression, "Qi Jin! You and I are both generals of the Ming Dynasty, why must we be so ruthless? The Later Jin are powerful and will take Liaodong sooner or later. A wise man knows when to yield!"

He recognized Qi Jin from the Qi Family Army's attire.

Qi Jin sneered: "Traitor to the country and defector to the enemy, and you still have the nerve to mention heroes?"

"You eat the Ming dynasty's food and receive the nation's favor, yet you willingly become the lackeys and dogs of the Jurchens, worse than pigs and dogs!"

"As for the Jurchens, they are nothing but barbarians, yet they dare to covet China? Today I will show you what the military law of the Ming Dynasty is!"

The two men clashed, their blades exchanging blows and sparks flying.

Shi Tingzhu was a skilled martial artist, but Qi Jin was an even more experienced veteran.

After more than a dozen rounds, Qi Jin seized an opening, cleaved through Shi Tingzhu's armor with a single slash, and then kicked him to the ground.

"Tied!"

Qi Jin sheathed his sword and looked at Shi Tingzhu, who was bound hand and foot, without a trace of pity in his eyes.

When Qi Jin led his team to escort Shi Tingzhu back, signals of the successful purge operation were already arriving from various parts of Liaoyang City.

The garrison commander of the granary in the north of the city, the postmaster of the post station in the south of the city, and several guild halls where scholars gathered in the city.
One by one, the spies and traitors were exposed; some were executed on the spot, while others were imprisoned.

In the darkest hour before dawn, Qi Jin and Tong Zhongkui met in front of the military governor's mansion.

The two men's armor was stained with blood, but their faces showed a sense of relief.

"Li Tinggui, the deputy commander of Liaoyang Guard, and Shi Tingzhu, the garrison commander of Guangning Guard, have been captured, and seventeen secret letters tampering with the enemy have been seized," Qi Jin reported.

"The cleanup of the military camp in the west of the city is complete. Thirty-eight spies have been captured, including one operative, two flag bearers, and three battalion commanders," Tong Zhongkui added.

Xiong Tingbi walked out of the mansion, looked at the two generals who were covered in dust from their journey, and bowed deeply: "Generals, you have worked hard. This night, Liaoyang City was stained with blood, but from now on you can sleep peacefully."

Qi Jin returned the greeting with clasped hands: "You flatter me, General. However, it is inevitable that some innocent people will be implicated in the operation."

Xiong Tingbi sighed: "In chaotic times, harsh measures are necessary; in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken. Compared to the overall situation in Liaodong, these minor grievances can only be put aside for the time being."

Seeing that Qi Jin and the others still had reservations, Xiong Tingbi waved his hand and said in a booming voice:
"Please rest assured, everyone! If the sky falls, I, Xiong Tingbi, will be the first to bear it. If the sword comes down, cut off my head first. If the court questions the matter, they will punish me first!"

Upon hearing this, Qi Jin immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute and said loudly:

"What are you saying, General? We're risking our lives in Liaodong, are you afraid of taking responsibility?"

Tong Zhongkui also stepped forward to echo him, his bushy beard bristling and halberd bristling.
"We're all going to die for the Ming Dynasty, anyone who cowers is a bastard!"

This time, by eliminating the spies in Liaoyang, they truly understood that these people were all secretly colluding with the enemy and betraying their country, with the blood of the Liaodong soldiers and civilians on their hands.

Xiong Tingbi did not take the opportunity to eliminate dissidents or use them as pawns.

Seeing that Xiong Tingbi did not shirk responsibility or pass the buck, and even took full responsibility, the pent-up resentment that had been building up in their hearts for many years suddenly dissipated.

This Liaodong military commissioner... is a man of courage and responsibility!

Qi Jin and Tong Zhongkui exchanged a glance, then simultaneously knelt on one knee, clasping their hands above their heads:

"This humble general is willing to follow the General and die for him!"

Xiong Tingbi laughed heartily and pulled the two of them up.

"They are not dying for me, but for His Majesty, and for the Ming Dynasty!"

now.

The eastern sky was beginning to lighten, and a new day was about to begin.

After a night of cleansing, the network of traitors hidden within Liaoyang City was completely destroyed, laying a solid foundation for the upcoming great battle.

Tong Zhongkui gazed at the gradually brightening sky and suddenly asked, "General, how will the Jurchens react when they learn of this?"

A cold glint flashed in Xiong Tingbi's eyes as he said softly, "Their spies have been removed, so naturally they will be furious. But more importantly, our morale will be more stable. The soldiers will know that there are no internal threats behind them, and they can fight the external enemy with all their might."

Opportunities and uncertainties are gradually accumulating.

Xiong Tingbi believed that disadvantages would one day turn into advantages.

Victory will ultimately belong to the Ming Dynasty!

(End of this chapter)