Huangming

Chapter 258 The surrendered are in danger, the horses drink from the grasslands

Outside Fushun City, the Eight Banners camp.

In the morning mist, squads of disheveled Manchu soldiers trudged back through the mud.

Their armor was covered in murky mud, and the feathers in their quivers were drooping from being soaked.

Several soldiers from the Plain White Banner, wringing out their soaked cotton armor, cursed in Tungusic: "The Ming dogs are cunning! How dare they ruin our Great Jin's plans!"

The aftershocks of last night's bloody battle on the Hun River are still spreading.

Huang Taiji's meticulously planned water attack strategy was foiled by the Ming army, and all seven water diversion dams were destroyed.

The surging Hun River washed away the official road, turning the Eight Banners army's marching route into a vast expanse of water.

The supply wagons, laden with grain and fodder, were now stuck in the mud, their mules and horses nowhere to be seen.

"My fifty suits of fine iron lamellar armor!"

A Boshku, who was wearing a red flag, beat his chest and stamped his feet in frustration.

The military vehicle he was escorting was swept away by a sudden flood, and now not even a single wheel can be found.

Under such a series of blows.

Resentment filled the air both inside and outside Fushun city.

And this moment.

Deep within the Xianghongqi camp, Li Yangeng stood outside his tent, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips.

The surrounding noise of footsteps and curses did not disturb his joyful mood in the slightest.

"Well done! Well done, Liu Xingzuo!"

He murmured to himself, his eyes filled with envy.

As the defeated soldiers returned to their camp one after another, the details of last night's thrilling battle were now fully presented in his mind like a jigsaw puzzle.

The Ming army's iron cavalry launched a night attack on the watershed, and the two blue banners hastily responded.

Degelai, the Gushan Ejen of the Zhenglan Banner, led his troops to besiege the Ming cavalry, but he never expected Liu Xingzuo to suddenly appear!
That long, gleaming spear not only beheaded Degelai, but also shattered the morale of the two Blue Banners.

In the chaos, the routed Eight Banners cavalry trampled each other, and most of the dead and wounded died under the hooves of their own horses!
Even more remarkably, on their way back, this Ming army relieved the siege of the White-Spear Army.

Thinking of Amin's ashen face, Li Yangeng almost burst out laughing.

He picked up the teacup and took a sip, but the warm tea couldn't quell the boiling blood in his chest.

"Now that Liu Xingzuo has succeeded, it's my turn."

Li Yangeng thought to himself, his hand trembling slightly with excitement as he lifted the tent flap.

But the moment he stepped into the tent, he suddenly froze.

In the dim candlelight, Li Yongfang sat upright in the main seat, her wrinkled face so gloomy it seemed to drip water.

"Rebel!"

Li Yongfang suddenly roared, her voice like thunder.

"Are you only satisfied when your entire family is executed?!"

Li Yangeng was shocked, but quickly put on a blank expression: "Father, what do you mean by that? I really don't know."

"Snapped!"

A stack of secret reports was slammed onto the desk.

Li Yongfang abruptly stood up, the sword at his waist clanging: "They stockpiled gunpowder, scouted the location of granaries, and even knew the exact patrol times of the Great Khan's tent."

Li Yongfang grabbed his son by the collar and scolded, "Do you really think your father is blind?! You want to burn down the Great Jin granary and assassinate the Khan? How dare you!"

The footsteps of the Red Banner Goshkha patrolling outside the tent grew closer.

Li Yangeng could clearly feel his father's hands trembling, unsure whether it was from anger or fear.

The tent was quiet for a moment.

The patrolling Goshha gradually disappeared into the distance with heavy steps.

Li Yongfang stared intently at his audacious son and lowered his voice, saying, "Furthermore, you frequently visited the Zhenghongqi camp a few days ago, secretly meeting with that traitor Liu Xingzuo. Did you really think you could get away with it? Now that news of Liu Xingzuo's defection has spread throughout the army, do you know what a grave crime that is?"

"What heinous crime?"

Li Yangeng sneered, his eyes flashing with a resolute light.

He took a sudden step forward, staring intently at his father's face, which was contorted with fear: "Father, now that things have come to this, I'm not afraid to speak frankly with you. This Jurchen camp is not a place for us Han people to live!"

He looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping before continuing, "If we can burn down the Jurchen granary or assassinate the old traitor Nurhaci, either of these two great achievements will be enough to wash away the traitorous reputation that my father and I bear. At that time, the court will surely recognize our unwavering loyalty!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yongfang flew into a rage, his face turned ashen, and his eyes were filled with fury that seemed about to burst forth!

He slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups clink, and shouted sternly:
"Do you think the granaries of the Great Jin Dynasty are made of paper? That Nurhaci's Khan's tent is a execution ground? If it were that easy, would you have the chance to play the hero?!"

He pulled a roll of names from his pocket and slammed it down at Li Yangeng's feet.

Those were the entry and exit records he had bought at great expense from the duty officer of the Plain Red Banner, which clearly recorded Li Yangeng's frequent visits to the Plain Red Banner recently.

"If I hadn't secretly covered for you, do you think you'd still be standing here spouting nonsense? Your head would probably be hanging on the walls of Fushun by now!"

Li Yangeng glanced down at the roll of names, but felt no gratitude whatsoever. Instead, he sneered, staring intently at his father, and said in a low voice:

"Father, even now, are you still so stubborn? Do you really want to bear the name of 'traitor' for the rest of your life, and have no face to meet your ancestors in the afterlife?!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yongfang slowly shook her head and said:

"Do you think we have a choice? Even if we were to submit to the Ming, now is absolutely not the time! Nurhaci is extremely suspicious, and there are many spies throughout the Eight Banners. The slightest movement could lead to the extermination of our entire family! Do you think this is a child's play?!"

He clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles turning white, his voice low and fierce:
"If you want to live, behave yourself! Otherwise, don't blame me for turning against my own family for the greater good!"

A resolute glint flashed in Li Yangeng's eyes. He took a sudden step forward, his voice low yet sharp as a knife: "Father! You always say it's not the right time, but when is it? Liu Xingzuo's surrender to the Ming is a done deal, and the Jurchens have long harbored murderous intentions towards us Han generals!"

"When Nurhaci publicly whipped you a few days ago, how did those Tartars laugh at you? Do you really want to be their slave for the rest of your life, so that even your descendants can't hold their heads up high?"

"shut up!"

Li Yongfang roared, veins bulging on his forehead, his right hand unconsciously pressing on the hilt of his knife.

He was breathing heavily, his voice trembling slightly: "What do you know, you unfilial son! Making any rash moves now will only..."

Before he could finish speaking, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the tent.

The father and son both paled simultaneously. Li Yongfang's confidant hurriedly lifted the tent flap: "Your Highness! Something terrible has happened! The Khan has sent the Bayara Banner Commander with more than ten white-armored soldiers, who have already arrived outside the camp gate!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yongfang was struck dumb, and her face turned deathly pale.

He suddenly turned his head and stared intently at Li Yangeng, his eyes filled with both anger and deep fear.

After a moment of silence, he gritted his teeth and ordered his guards, "Keep a close eye on this wretched child! If he takes even a single step out of the tent, I'll take your lives!"

As he spoke, he slashed his neck hard with his hand, his eyes flashing with cold light.

"Whoo!"

The bodyguard knelt on one knee, his right hand pounding heavily on his chest.

Li Yongfang straightened his collar, which was soaked with cold sweat, took a deep breath, forced a fawning smile onto his face, and then quickly walked out of the tent to greet them.

Before leaving, he turned back and gave his son one last look, his eyes carrying a hint of warning.

Meanwhile, in Fushun City.

The main hall of the General's Mansion in the city.

Nurhaci sat high on the main seat, his hawk-like gaze sweeping over the crowd below, the oppressive killing intent emanating from him almost suffocating.

Daishan, Huang Taiji, Abatai, and other Beile and ministers lined up on both sides, each with their heads bowed, afraid of angering the raging Khan.

Just last night, an urgent battle report arrived.

Aisin Gioro Degelai, the beloved son of Nurhaci and Gushan Ejen of the Plain Blue Banner, was ambushed by the traitor Liu Aita and his elite soldiers while inspecting the camp and died from multiple arrow wounds!

"boom!"

Nurhaci slammed his hand on the table, causing the teacups to overturn and the scalding tea to splash onto the kneeling scouts, but no one dared to move an inch.

"What a clever Liu Aita!"

He gritted his teeth, his voice low and thunderous.

"I have treated him well, yet he dares to betray the Great Jin and even kill my son?!" The hall was deathly silent.

Daishan slightly raised his eyes and met Nurhaci's bloodshot eyes. He felt a chill and immediately lowered his head again.

For a moment, everyone in the room was even careful with their breathing.

"Huang Taiji!"

Nurhaci's furious voice boomed like thunder, and his icy gaze was fixed on Huang Taiji, as if he wanted to pierce him through.

"This is the brilliant water attack plan you boasted about to me?!"

"You caused the death of Degelai—your own brother! And you made our army unable to advance an inch for a month, forced to watch helplessly as the Ming army fortified the defenses of Shenyang! What else do you have to say?!"

The air in the hall suddenly froze, and all the princes and ministers fell silent.

Huang Taiji, however, remained calm and immediately knelt down with a thud, his forehead pressed against the cold floor tiles, yet his voice was exceptionally clear:
"Father, please understand! I'm innocent!"

He suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with tears but his expression resolute: "The water attack plan could have taken the city in one fell swoop, but who knew that a traitor like Liu Xingzuo would appear! It must be because someone didn't discipline him properly that this villain had the opportunity!"

He glanced meaningfully at Dai Shan.

"Moreover, I have repeatedly warned my elder brothers Mangultai and Amin to be on high alert to prevent the Han army from destroying the water diversion dam. But they..."

He paused deliberately, then raised his voice abruptly: "But they turned a deaf ear! Although I was negligent, I bear the greatest responsibility."

Huang Taiji kowtowed heavily, his forehead hitting the floor tiles with a dull thud: "It's definitely not just me!"

These words immediately caused a stir in the hall.

"Humph!"

Nurhaci snorted coldly and turned to look at Daišan.

"Dai Shan!"

His voice was deep, yet sharp as a blade.

"What do you have to say?"

Mangultai and Amin were separated by the flood and were still reorganizing their troops at the camp outside Shenyang, unable to return in time.

At this moment, only Daishan, the banner chief of the Plain Red Banner, faced the Khan's wrath in the hall.

Dai Shan's heart sank suddenly, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

Liu Xingzuo was a general under his Plain Red Banner. What's even more hateful is that the traitor was able to successfully leave the camp and launch a sneak attack precisely because of the pass he personally signed!

"Father Khan."

He knelt on one knee, his voice trembling slightly.

"Your subject... Your subject misjudged people and deserves to die!"

Nurhaci sneered and slowly approached.

"Poor judgment of character? What a nonchalant way of saying poor judgment of character! My own Plain Blue Banner Gushan Ejen died because of your poor judgment of character!"

Dai Shan clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms.

He was both terrified and angry.

What terrified him was his father's boundless rage, and what angered him was that Liu Xingzuo had completely deceived him!

That traitor usually pretends to be more loyal than anyone else, always rushing to the front whenever he volunteered for battle. Who would have thought he was actually a traitor to the Jin dynasty!
At this moment, Nurhaci was so angry that he wanted to kill Daišan.

Seeing this, Daishan quickly tried to shift the blame.

"Father Khan, I will show you my wisdom!"

His voice suddenly rose, and a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

"This failed water attack must have been caused by those Nikans in secret! They appear obedient on the surface, but in reality they are two-faced—Liu Xingzuo is proof of that! Your subject begs to order the extermination of all these treacherous Nikans!"

"Only in this way can our Great Jin be united as one and eliminate future troubles forever!"

There was an uproar in the hall.

Huang Taiji frowned and immediately stepped forward, saying, "Your Highness is mistaken!"

He turned to Nurhaci, his tone earnest: "Father Khan, if we slaughter all the Han people, who will forge the firearms for our army? Who will cultivate the fertile fields of Liaodong? Over the years, it is Han craftsmen who have forged excellent equipment for our Great Jin, and Han farmers who have supplied our army with provisions."

Dai Shan interrupted with a cold laugh: "Has Eighth Brother forgotten? It was these Nikan who caused the water attack to fail and led to the death of Tenth Brother. If one Liu Xingzuo can betray us today, ten or a hundred can betray us tomorrow! These Nikan must be exterminated!"

"enough!"

Nurhaci roared, and the hall fell silent instantly.

After catching his breath, Nurhaci continued:
“These Han people need to be taught a lesson. They should be killed if they deserve to be killed, but not all of them.”

"Furthermore, our Great Jin suffered too many losses in this battle."

"The blood of the Dege people cannot be shed in vain! I demand that you swear here that within two months you will take Liu Xingzuo's head and avenge your brother!"

Dai Shan suddenly knelt on one knee, his armor striking the ground with a dull thud.

"Your subject swears in the name of the Aisin Gioro ancestors!"

He suddenly drew his sword, slashing a bloody gash across his palm, the blood dripping onto the ground.

"The entire army of the two Red Banners will surely come out in full force. If we don't tear that traitor Liu Xingzuo to pieces, your son is willing to suffer the punishment of being pierced by ten thousand arrows!"

Huang Taiji followed closely behind, kneeling heavily on the ground and cutting his own palm as well.

"Your subject is willing to lead the elite troops of the Plain White Banner as the vanguard!"

He held his sword above his head with both hands, his voice strong and clear.

"If we cannot capture Shenyang within two months and take Liu Xingzuo's dog head to appease Degelai, I am willing to be stripped of my Beile title and become a slave for eternity!"

Nurhaci looked at his two sons' bleeding palms, and a hint of satisfaction finally flashed in his eyes.

"good very good!"

He suddenly drew his golden knife, the tip pointing straight south.

"Two months from now, I want to see Liu Xingzuo's head displayed on the walls of Shenyang!"

Suddenly, a strong wind arose outside the hall, making the battle flag flutter loudly, as if even heaven and earth were responding to this bloody oath.

Daishan and Huang Taiji exchanged a glance, their eyes burning with the same hatred and ambition.

At this moment, they were not only brothers, but also avengers who vowed to wash away their shame with the blood of their enemies.

The matter of defeat has come to an end.

Nurhaci's words continued to come.

"However, we cannot waste the month that the flood has prevented our Eight Banners warriors from attacking the city."

The Jin dynasty's logistics were inadequate, and it suffered defeats, leading to resentment among the various banners and the tribes that had submitted to it.

Nurhaci knew he needed to plunder some things to stabilize morale and make up for his losses.

Nurhaci turned around, ripped off the sheepskin map hanging on the wall, and slammed his finger heavily on the location of the Chahar tribe:
"That jackal of the grasslands, Ligdan Khan, dared to take advantage of our army's predicament to repeatedly harass Kaiyuan and Tieling, cutting off our supply lines! What's even more hateful is that he actually allied with the Ming dogs!"

"Daishan! Huang Taiji! I order you two to immediately lead your troops north and utterly crush the Chahar tribe!"

Nurhaci's fingernails drew deep marks on the map, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light.
"I demand that you recoup tenfold, a hundredfold, the wealth and lives lost in Shenyang this past month from the Chahar and Inner Khalkha tribes!"

"If you can't even handle this simple task, you don't need to come back. Just find a rope and hang yourselves in front of your ancestors' spirits!"

Daishan and Huang Taiji trembled and knelt down on one knee simultaneously.

Their eyes met briefly, and they both read the same resolute determination in each other's eyes.

They knew perfectly well that no amount of explanation could quell their father's rage; only blood and spoils of war could undo the damage.

"Whoo!"

Two resounding responses echoed in the hall.

Daishan and Huang Taiji pounded their chests, their armor clashing with a dull thud, and shouted in unison, "Your subjects will make the Chahar tribe shed rivers of blood!"

A cruel smile tugged at the corner of Nurhaci's mouth:

"Good! We will set off on our campaign in three days! Remember, I want to see the women of the Chahar tribe weeping, the cattle and sheep bleating, and the tents burning!"

(End of this chapter)