Huangming

Chapter 346 The Will of the People, the Enemy in the Light, We in the Dark
The old locust tree had bare branches, which looked quite desolate.

Li Hongji and his confidants waited under this tree for "Brother Han".

Before Li Hongji could wait long, two footsteps came from the alleyway in the distance.

The boy walked ahead, his steps light but with a hint of nervousness, followed by a tall man.

The man was about thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old, wearing an old military robe that had been washed until it was faded, with several patches on the hem, but it was washed very clean.

A rusty knife was tucked into his waistband. The bronze ornaments on the scabbard had long lost their luster, but the traces of the owner's frequent wiping were still visible.

The man had a dark complexion, with a shallow scar on his forehead that slanted across his brow bone, adding to his fierce appearance. What was most impressive about him were his eyes, sharp as an eagle's. When he swept over Li Hongji and his guards, he did so with undisguised scrutiny, clearly a veteran who had spent many years fighting on the battlefield or in the military.

"General Li, this is Brother Han."

The boy walked quickly to Li Hongji, tilted his face up, which was red from the cold, and introduced himself to Li Hongji.

The man, referred to as "Brother Han," stepped forward, standing ramrod straight. Though dressed in old clothes, he exuded the uprightness of a soldier.

He clasped his hands in a fist salute, his movements precise and swift, his voice booming like a bell, breaking the silence of the alley: "This humble citizen, Han Hu, greets General Li!"

Looking at Han Hu in front of him, Li Hongji's initial doubts gradually dissipated, replaced by a greater sense of certainty.

Such demeanor and skill are no ordinary people. He must have served in the army and then went into hiding in the city because he couldn't stand the corruption of the border general. No wonder he can win the trust of hundreds of military families' sons.

He raised his hand in a gesture of support, his tone sincere: "Brother Han, there's no need for such formalities. I've invited you here today to discuss a very important matter with you, a matter that can truly enable all the suffering military households in Jizhou to live a good life."

Upon hearing this, Han Hu did not show much excitement on his face. Instead, his brows furrowed slightly, and his scrutiny in his eyes intensified.

When the young man went back to deliver the message, he had already given a general idea of ​​Li Hongji's identity and purpose. However, having spent many years in Jizhou and seen the hypocrisy and deceit in officialdom, he no longer dared to easily believe promises of "good days".

He paused for a moment and asked, "General Li, if I may be so bold, does His Majesty the Imperial Envoy truly intend to reorganize the Jizhou Garrison? Or is it just a formality like before, and then it's over?"

Seeing the doubt in his eyes, Li Hongji understood.

"Whether it's true or false, Brother Han, there's no need to rush to ask me. In a few days, you'll naturally see the truth."

In fact, Li Hongji also had his own plans.

Although he knew of Han Hu's prestige from the boy, he did not know whether this man was a real leader of a down-on-his-luck military household or a spy planted by the local military authorities.

After all, Wang Yingzhi and his associates had spies all over Jizhou. If they rashly revealed their secrets and the news leaked out, not only would their plan with Yang Lian fail, but it would also implicate the people who were willing to stand up.

"How can I risk the lives of hundreds of brothers, and my own life, if I don't explain this clearly?"

Han Hu frowned even more deeply, and his voice deepened.

“If General Li truly wants to help us, he should reveal the truth. Otherwise, I, Han Hu, dare not agree. We cannot afford to be deceived again.”

Li Hongji listened to Han Hu's questioning and simply said, "No matter how much you say, it's better to see for yourself. Take me to meet your brothers."

Han Hu felt a chill run down his spine and instantly understood.

The adjutant in front of him was still wary of him and wanted to see with his own eyes whether he was a spy for the military and whether he really had the ability to gather the people before he would really tell him the truth.

After a moment of silence, he finally nodded: "Alright! Lieutenant General Li, come with me."

The two walked one after the other through several narrow alleys and finally stopped in front of the City God Temple in the east of Jizhou City.

The year this City God Temple was built is unknown. The vermilion gate has long been peeling and the three characters "City God Temple" on the lintel have been blurred by wind and rain. Several ragged beggars huddled at the entrance. When they saw someone coming, they just glanced at them and then lowered their heads again, looking numb.

"here?"

Li Hongji raised an eyebrow slightly, somewhat surprised.

Han Hu didn't say anything, but simply pushed open the slightly ajar door.

The moment Li Hongji stepped into the temple, he discovered that it was a completely different world inside.

Inside the dilapidated hall, there were no statues of gods, only a few piles of dry grass spread on the ground, yet it was crowded with men dressed in tattered clothes.

Most of them had sallow complexions, but their eyes were bright. When they saw Han Hu enter, they all got up from the haystack and quickly surrounded him, their tone full of respect:
"Brother Han, you're back!"

"Brother Han, any news today?"

"I saw someone watching outside just now, did nothing happen?"

A cacophony of greetings rose and fell.

When they caught sight of Li Hongji behind Han Hu, the warmth on their faces vanished instantly, replaced by wariness. Some of them quietly reached for the swords, spears, and halberds beside them.

"Brother Han, who is this person?"

A burly man stepped forward, blocking Han Hu's path, staring sharply at Li Hongji with a hint of hostility in his voice.

Han Hu patted the man on the shoulder, signaling him to calm down, then turned to the crowd and said in a loud voice, "Brothers, don't worry, this is one of our own, here to help us."

As he spoke, he led Li Hongji through the crowd and toward a small side room at the back of the main hall.

That was where he usually held meetings.

The side room contained only a dilapidated wooden table and a few chairs with missing legs. In the corner, there were several bags of coarse rice, which were obviously the food that everyone had saved by being frugal.

Han Hu closed the door, turned to look at Li Hongji, and said with a hint of composure, "General Li, now that you've seen it, you should be able to trust me, right?"

Li Hongji looked around, his gaze falling on the bags of coarse rice in the corner. He recalled the wariness and expectation in the eyes of the men in the main hall earlier, and the last trace of doubt in his heart completely disappeared.

He had once been a postman at the Yinchuan post station and had also joined the Wenxiang Sect in their uprising. The appearance of these people in front of him was very similar to his own when he was desperate but still holding his breath.

"Since Brother Han is so sincere, I won't beat around the bush."

Li Hongji sat down at the wooden table, leaning slightly forward, and his tone became serious.

"The Imperial Envoy's visit to Jizhou this time is by no means a mere formality. He is determined to thoroughly investigate the deep-seated problems here, from the shortage of standard troops to the embezzlement of rations and pay, and even the generals' collusion with foreign barbarians. Once it is found, no one will escape."

Upon hearing Li Hongji's words, Han Hu's breathing quickened.

"Is this true?"

"Of course it's true. You are acting under imperial orders. Once you succeed, you will have made a great contribution. At that time, it won't be a problem for you to obtain an official position in Jizhou."

If you want these people to help you with the work, you naturally have to give them something in return.

Upon hearing this promise, Han Hu no longer hesitated and immediately said, "Alright! I am willing to follow the general's command!"

But as if thinking of something, Han Hu's bright eyes quickly dimmed again.

"But those military commanders... they have soldiers and swords, how could they willingly surrender?"

“You’re right. They won’t just give up; they might even turn on the imperial envoy.”

"So, I need you to do a few things for me."

He paused, then looked intently at Han Hu:

"First, gather as many military households' sons and veterans in Jizhou City as possible who are willing to resist. Have them secretly keep an eye on the movements of the generals of each camp and help us collect information, such as where they hide their provisions and evidence of their collusion with foreign barbarians. We cannot let go of their daily whereabouts."

Secondly, if we encounter obstruction from the private soldiers of those generals once we begin our investigation, I need your men to step forward and help us restrain them.

Han Hu was shocked to hear this.

He knew that this meant confronting the military forces that had been entrenched in Jizhou for many years head-on, and that the slightest mistake would result in the execution of his entire family.

But when he looked into Li Hongji’s determined eyes, and thought of the brothers in the main hall who had endured hunger and thirst with him, and the villagers who had died because of their resistance, his hesitation was gradually replaced by a surge of passion.

"it is good!"

Han Hu slammed his hand on the table, the sound as loud as a bell.

"Don't worry, Lieutenant General Li. I, Han Hu, may not have much else, but I have plenty of brothers! As long as those officials pay the price and my brothers can live a good life, I'll do it even if it costs me my life!"

Seeing the fighting spirit burning in his eyes, Li Hongji finally felt relieved.

He stood up, reached out, and firmly grasped Han Hu's hand.

Those hands were rough and calloused, yet exceptionally strong.

"it is good!"

Li Hongji's voice was tinged with excitement.

"With your words, this matter is half accomplished!"

When they came out of the City God Temple, it was already dark. Li Hongji didn't linger and immediately ordered his guards to bring two carts of supplies from a hidden granary.

Ten bags of brown rice, plump and heavy; five jars of rapeseed oil, gleaming with a clear luster; and two baskets of frozen cornbread—all substantial items that could fill one's stomach directly.

He personally delivered these items to Han Hu, then took out five heavy silver ingots from his pocket and placed them in the other man's palm:

"Use these silver ingots to buy some charcoal for the brothers to get through the winter, so that the elderly and children don't get cold."

Han Hu held the cold yet heavy silver ingot in his hand, looked at the supplies piled up like a small mountain in front of him, and his eyes suddenly reddened.

Over the years, they have witnessed the exploitation by officials, but no one has ever genuinely offered them a shred of warmth.

He gripped the silver ingot tightly and clasped his hands in a deep fist salute: "General Li, rest assured, I, Han Hu, will certainly not let you down!"

Li Hongji patted him on the shoulder and said nothing more.

He knew that saying more at this moment would be of no use; only tangible benefits could truly put these people, who had endured so much hardship, at ease.

Instead of returning the way he came, he walked around the outer city wall of Jizhou City through three quiet alleys.

He made a point of looking out for beggars at the alley entrances and vagrants at the corners of walls along the way, making sure there were no suspicious eyes watching him. Only after it was completely dark did he return to the pre-arranged secluded courtyard, change into an inconspicuous blue long robe, and then, under the cover of night, quietly slip into the Imperial Envoy's post station.

The candlelight inside the official post station was blindingly bright, and a faint scent of ink filled the air.

As soon as Li Hongji lifted the curtain, he abruptly stopped in his tracks.

In the inner hall, where Yang Lian should have been the only one, a familiar figure appeared: Liu Qu, the general of Jizhou.

At this moment, Liu Qu was dressed in casual clothes, but he sat upright with his hands clasped on his knees, his face even more solemn than when he was seen during the day.

"General Li is here? Please have a seat."

When Yang Lian saw him come in, she looked up, her brows still furrowed, and waved to him, her voice heavy as lead.

"It seems we underestimated the danger of Jizhou. The water here is much deeper than we imagined."

Li Hongji felt a chill run down his spine. He quickly walked to the table and sat down. His gaze swept over Liu Qu's tense profile, and he knew that something serious must have happened.

Just as he was about to ask a question, Yang Lian turned to look at Liu Qu.

"General Liu, please tell Lieutenant General Li what happened during the day again."

Liu Qu took a deep breath, his Adam's apple bobbing, before slowly opening his mouth.

He recounted word for word what Wang Yingzhi had said at the General's Mansion during the day.

From probing the purpose of the standard battalion's inventory, to hinting at the treacherous plot of "Mongol cavalry crossing the border," and then to the sinister scheme of "avenging the imperial envoy."

"They...they really dare to touch the imperial envoy?"

After hearing this, Li Hongji's relaxed expression vanished completely, replaced by a grim look.

These people have indeed resorted to any means necessary.

To dare to lay a hand on the imperial envoy is tantamount to treason!

Yang Lian said in a heavy tone, "Wang Yingzhi must have discussed this with Du Yingkui, Zhang Shixian and others before he said it. If we drag this out any longer, we might really 'die an accident' one day."

"Therefore, we must make an example of them!"

Li Hongji stood up abruptly, his tone resolute.

"And it has to be fast, swift as lightning! I think it would be better to use the pretext of an imperial envoy's inspection to issue a document recalling all the military commanders and guerrillas stationed elsewhere, and have them gather in Jizhou City. Once they arrive, we can simply detain them and suppress them all!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Lian slowly nodded, a hint of agreement flashing in her eyes, yet also a touch of concern.

"That's what I meant too. It's just... I'm afraid something might go wrong. These people have been operating in Jizhou for many years, and they might have a backup plan."

"There will definitely be trouble."

Liu Qu, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, his tone tinged with helplessness.

“They dare not disobey the imperial envoy’s summons, after all, you have His Majesty’s decree in your hands, and not coming would be disobeying the decree. But they will never come alone, they will definitely bring their own household guards.”

He paused, lowering his voice even further: "Those guards are all elite soldiers they've paid a fortune to raise; each one is a formidable warrior. If they sense that you're going to investigate thoroughly or detain them... these men are truly willing to fight you to the death in Jizhou City."

Yang Lian frowned deeply; the threat from the servants and assassins was his deepest worry.

These men are the private soldiers of the border general, not bound by military regulations. They are ruthless and reckless. If they were to fight each other in Jizhou City, not only would the investigation be hindered, but innocent civilians might also be affected.

"There must be a road before the car reaches the mountain."

Seeing his silence, Li Hongji suddenly spoke up to break the deadlock.

"If it really comes to the worst, then Your Majesty should issue an edict to allow the brothers of the Beijing Garrison to march into Jizhou! I want to see if those parasites have the guts to defy even the imperial Beijing Garrison!"

These words were like a shot in the arm, causing Yang Lian's tense shoulders to relax slightly.

He took a deep breath, and the anxiety churning in his chest gradually dissipated, replaced by a resolute determination to burn his bridges.

From the day he accepted the task of inspecting the nine border regions, he knew that the road ahead was full of thorns and dangers were to be expected.

Now that the arrow is on the bowstring, how can we back down?

"That's right. Once we've chosen this path, we have to get through it, even if it's a mountain of knives or a sea of ​​fire."

Yang Lian's voice became steady again, and the hesitation in his eyes was replaced by determination. He turned to look at Liu Qu, his tone much firmer, clearly having thought of a solution.

"General, you should return to the General's Mansion first. After you get back, if Wang Yingzhi and the others ask about the progress of the investigation, just say that I was just conducting a routine check and did not find anything unusual."

But don't let them get too complacent. Have them find some minor, insignificant mistakes, like poor maintenance of equipment or lax soldier training. Let them "produce something" to show for it, so they can give me an answer.

Liu Qu was taken aback at first, then realized what was happening.

This is a strategy of "feigning weakness to the enemy"!

On the surface, they made Wang Yingzhi and others think that the imperial envoy was just going through the motions, so they lowered their guard; but in secret, they were seizing the time to make arrangements, waiting for the right moment to strike with lightning speed.

He immediately stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said solemnly, "I understand! I will certainly not fail the imperial envoy's trust!"

After saying this, Liu Qu immediately left.

Watching Liu Qu's figure disappear outside the curtain, Li Hongji stepped forward and recounted in detail what he had seen and heard at the City God Temple that day.

From Han Hu's composure and reliability to the patience and waiting of hundreds of military households' sons, and Han Hu's determination to gather more manpower and collect evidence, every detail is described clearly.

"Although these people were all ordinary citizens, they were all filled with a deep-seated hatred for those parasites who drank the blood of soldiers."

Li Hongji's tone was somewhat excited.

"When it comes to actually fighting, they can not only act as our eyes and ears, but also keep those household servants and private soldiers occupied. With their help, we won't be fighting alone!"

The more Yang Lian listened, the brighter her eyes became. Her mood, which had been somber because of the "threat from the servants," was instantly replaced by a surge of joy.

He had originally placed his hopes on Liu Qu's elite troops, but now he suddenly had Han Hu as a hidden force, which was tantamount to having an extra trump card to win.

"Good! Well done, Han Hu!"

Yang Lian couldn't help but slap the table. In the candlelight, a genuinely relaxed smile finally appeared on his face, the first one he had shown in days.

"The enemy is in the open, while we are in the shadows. They may suspect that we have Liu Qu as our ally, but they don't know that Han Hu and his people are watching us from the shadows. Not to mention, we are standing on the side of righteousness, with His Majesty's strong support behind us!"

He stood up, paced around the hall a couple of times, and gradually gained confidence.

"The Jizhou garrison is nothing but a bunch of parasites who exploit the people and unruly scoundrels who hold military power. They have knives, but we have the laws of the court and the hearts of the people. Are we afraid we can't suppress them?"

Seeing his spirited appearance, Li Hongji smiled as well.

The previous solemnity and worry seemed to have been dispelled by this sudden "hidden move".

At this moment, Li Hongji stepped forward and said:
"Lord, tomorrow I will send my personal guards to meet with Han Hu and have him find out the evidence of crimes committed by the generals on each side as soon as possible."

"Once we recall the generals stationed in the field, we can close the net!"

Yang Lian nodded.

The sky over Jizhen is about to clear up!

(End of this chapter)