Take control of Wei Zhongxian at the start and confiscate 100 million from him!

Chapter 150 contains an old saying: "Those who understand the times are wise!"

The autumn wind is like a knife, sweeping across the barren plateaus of northern Shaanxi. The swirling yellow dust blinds the eyes and gradually sinks the heart into an ice cellar.

Outside Fugu County, Wang Jiayin's camp stretched for several miles.

This former border soldier, now the leader of the rebel army, sat silently in his command tent, looking at a map.

It was a rough sheepskin map, marked with cinnabar to indicate his sphere of influence, and with ink dots marking newly emerging names that kept him up at night—"Tianzitun".

Outside the tent, the previous clamor and restlessness had long been replaced by a silent observation. The brothers no longer shouted curses at the government, nor did they dream of how much grain they could seize after capturing the next county town. They gathered in small groups, whispering among themselves, their eyes always involuntarily drifting into the distance.

There was land, food, and a "reason" for survival promised by the emperor.

This principle, like mercury seeping into the ground, relentlessly erodes the foundation of his army.

His soldiers were starving people who couldn't survive, and all they wanted was a way to live. Now, the government was openly offering a way to live, making him, the leader who was leading everyone to find a way to live, seem so superfluous, even ridiculous.

"Brother, Sun Chuanting's envoy has arrived," a guard whispered outside the tent.

Wang Jiayin didn't even lift his eyelids, as if he had already expected it. He waved his hand, signaling for the person to come in.

The newcomer was a scholar, dressed in a blue robe, which seemed out of place in the grim military camp, but his eyes were calm and fearless. He bowed respectfully, neither servile nor arrogant: "By order of Governor Sun of Shaanxi, I pay my respects to General Wang."

Wang Jiayin clearly understood the implication behind the address of "general" rather than "traitor."

"Go ahead."

"Lord Sun said that the Emperor cherishes life and knows that the generals are all forced into this situation by hunger and cold, which is understandable," the scholar said loudly.

"His Majesty has already established the 'Emperor's Garrison' in Shaanxi, and surveyed the land, intending to ensure that farmers have their own land. If you, General, are willing to lead your troops to surrender, the court has three promises: First, all your troops will be incorporated into the Emperor's Garrison, and land will be immediately distributed to you, just like ordinary people; second, past offenses will be forgiven and no further investigation will be pursued; third, given your prestige and familiarity with military affairs, you can be appointed as the 'Garden and Farming Commandant,' leading an entire garrison, allowing you to atone for your crimes through meritorious service, with a bright future ahead."

The tent was completely silent, with only the occasional soft crackling of the charcoal in the brazier.

Wang Jiayin's leaders looked at each other, their faces filled with shock and disbelief. The terms were too good to be true.

Wang Jiayin finally raised his head, a trace of world-weary wisdom flashing in his eyes that had witnessed too many lives and deaths: "What a grand gesture. Aren't you afraid that I, Wang, will surrender and then betray you again?"

The scholar smiled slightly, a smile that conveyed a sense of confident composure:

"Lord Sun said that this was not your doing, but the Emperor's open scheme. What the Emperor wants is not the General's head, but the long-term stability of the entire Shaanxi. The Emperor's camp needs someone to manage it, and the newly arrived refugees need someone to suppress them. Rather than letting those bloated officials do it, it is better to let someone like the General, who has prestige and understands people's hearts, do it. What the Emperor wants is for you to live, to be the most conspicuous living billboard, to demonstrate the vastness of the Emperor's grace, and to let the wise people of the future know which path to take."

“Signboard…” Wang Jiayin chewed on these two words, his heart churning with turmoil.

This emperor is truly different from emperors of the past!

“Go back and tell Sun Chuanting,” Wang Jiayin said slowly, “I want to see his sincerity. Send 10,000 shi of grain first; my brothers have been starving for too long.”

The scholar bowed again: "The general will see it. Lord Sun also asked me to pass on an old saying: 'Those who understand the times are the heroes!'"

……

At almost the same time, in Anse, hundreds of miles away.

Gao Yingxiang, the fierce leader who raised an army in Ansai, was vigorously wiping his beloved waist knife with a rag.

His camp was completely different from the deathly stillness of Wang Jiayin's camp; it was still filled with a ferocious, beast-like aura.

He was known for his white robes and white turban, and he fought fearlessly, earning a fearsome reputation among the bandits. His brothers respectfully called him "Brother Gao" in private.

"Brother Gao! It seems Wang Jiayin has made contact with the government!" A trusted leader rushed over, lowering his voice.

Gao Yingxiang's hand, which was wiping the knife, suddenly stopped. He looked up, a glint of light flashing in his eyes: "Oh? Tell me about it."

After hearing the government's terms for amnesty and Wang Jiayin's response of "demanding 10,000 shi of grain as a sign of sincerity," he let out a wild, earth-shattering laugh.

"Hahahaha...I'm dying of laughter! Military Colonel? Has Wang Jiayin, that old soldier, been kicked in the head by a donkey? Does he really believe what the government says? They give you a colonel today, and tomorrow they can find an excuse to chop you into mincemeat and feed you to the dogs!"

He stood up abruptly, his imposing figure like an iron tower, radiating a strong sense of oppression.

"Don't we know what kind of people the government is? That Emperor Zhu and his corrupt officials are all birds of a feather! When have they ever treated us like human beings?" Gao Yingxiang's voice was filled with deep-seated hatred. "This is a trap! They've tried the soft approach since they can't win with the hard ones. As soon as we put down our knives, we're like meat on a chopping board, at their mercy!"

He looked around at the brothers who had gathered around him, raised his arms and shouted: "Why should we believe him? Just because of his words? I, Gao Yingxiang, only believe in the knife in my hand! Only the knife can keep us alive, and only the knife can make those officials afraid!"

One of the leaders, looking worried, whispered, "But Brother Gao, over at Tianzitun... the brothers are saying in private..."

"What did you say? That we have food to eat and land to cultivate?" Gao Yingxiang grabbed his collar, his eyes bloodshot. "Whose land is that? It belongs to the emperor! He can give it to you today and take it back tomorrow! Only what we seize ourselves is truly ours! It's Wang Jiayin's business if he wants to be a dog of peace! I, Gao Yingxiang, will be a wolf that keeps the emperor up at night!"

He kicked over the fire with a sudden kick, sending sparks flying everywhere.

"Since Wang Jiayin isn't moving, then we'll move for him! Doesn't he want to see the government's sincerity? Let's expose their true colors!" Gao Yingxiang's face revealed a ferocious smile. "Qingyang Prefecture! The Tianzitun there is newly established and has the weakest foundation! Gather all the brothers, let's launch a night raid and slaughter that place! I want all the people of Shaanxi to see that the emperor's promises are nothing but a fart!"

In Gao Yingxiang's view, this was a brilliant plan that would achieve multiple goals at once. It would expose the government's deception, plunder money and grain to replenish his own supplies, and also deter those whose morale was wavering!

He firmly believed that power was the only truth in the world.

However, he was unaware that he and the power he represented had already been designated by the distant emperor as a chess piece destined to be captured.

……

Sun Chuanting stood on the city tower of Yansui Town, the night wind blowing his official robes, with two newly delivered secret reports in front of him.

A report from Wang Jiayin's camp details the internal turmoil and uncertainty within the camp.

Another source came from Gao Yingxiang's inner circle... The person who betrayed him only wanted thirty acres of paddy fields in Qingyang Prefecture and the identity of a villager.

Sun Chuanting took a deep breath. The emperor's methods were truly unpredictable. He had taken into account everyone's mentality, desires, and fears, and with a slight flick of his wrist, he had already determined the fate of the world!

The emperor's secret edict from Xi'an was concise and to the point: "Wang Jiayin can be appeased, but Gao Yingxiang must be annihilated. Use thunderous force to warn the world; use boundless grace to win back the hearts of the people."

This was a pre-ordained killing method.

The initial move was to appeal to Wang Jiayin's benevolence and openly offer him amnesty. The gesture was well-intentioned, and the conditions were generous, making him a living target to attract all the wavering eyes.

The real killer move was a thunderous strike, when Gao Yingxiang was at his most arrogant, a crushing victory to uproot him completely, and his blood to prove the consequences of resistance!

"Pass on the order." Sun Chuanting's voice was exceptionally clear in the night.

"Three battalions were reorganized in Yansui Town and stationed in Qingyang to establish a pre-set position."

"A messenger on horseback delivered a message to General Qin Liangyu, whose White-Spear Soldiers, the left-wing vanguard, were to circle around to the Maling River Valley and ambush him."

"Inform General Sun of the Beijing Garrison that your troops are the shield of the central army, facing the enemy head-on. You only need to hold your ground and there is no need for reckless fighting."

The order spread like wildfire throughout the army. The veterans of Yansui Town, who had just received their land deeds and full pay, had an unprecedented fire burning in their eyes.

They are no longer cannon fodder to serve the Lord, but warriors to protect their own property. Behind them is the land and their home!
The discipline of the new Beijing garrison was ingrained in their very bones; they silently formed an ironclad square, like an insurmountable wall. Meanwhile, the elite White-Spear Soldiers were like tigers lurking in the night, ready to unleash their sharpest claws at the first command.

The entire government and military system was like a huge, cold millstone, turning rapidly towards the same predetermined goal.

Its target, Gao Yingxiang, is still leading his army excitedly toward the cemetery he has chosen!
……

The darkness before dawn is the deepest.

In the wilderness of Qingyang, Gao Yingxiang finally saw the lonely "Tianzitun" – a simple wooden fence and low rammed earth walls, looking like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

"Haha! Heaven is on my side!" Gao Yingxiang's eyes were filled with greed and pleasure. "Brothers, charge in! Kill the men, and the grain and women are all yours!"

"kill--!"

Nearly seven thousand bandits roared and surged toward the seemingly fragile village like a flood bursting its banks.

Just then, a loud bang came not from the village, but from the horizon behind them.

Dozens of whistling arrows shot into the sky with a piercing shriek, exploding in the dark sky like fireworks announcing death.

Immediately afterwards, the earth began to tremble rhythmically.

"Boom-thump-thump-"

The dull and oppressive sound of war drums, like the heartbeat of death, came from all directions.

Gao Yingxiang abruptly reined in his horse, looking around in surprise and uncertainty. In the distance, countless torches lit up instantly in the darkness, forming a boundless sea of ​​fire.

Directly ahead, the Jingying garrison appeared silently, shields like a forest, spears like a thicket, gleaming with a cold light in the firelight. That steely silence was more oppressive than any shout.

From the valley to his left, shouts of battle filled the air as countless agile figures, wielding white-handled spears, slashed fiercely at his chaotic flanks like tigers descending a mountain.

His escape route had been blocked by the troops of Yansui Town at some point.

He was surrounded by enemies on all sides! This was a trap tailor-made for him, a net that stretched from heaven to earth!
"We've fallen for their trap! Stay calm! Everyone stay calm!" Gao Yingxiang roared hoarsely.

It was too late; his 'army' was nothing more than a mob driven by desire.

When prey that was within easy reach suddenly becomes a ferocious beast that will devour its prey, when the hope of survival turns into a certain death, the fierce aura that sustained them vanishes in an instant.

The collapse began on the flanks where the White-Clad Soldiers clashed.

These warriors from the mountains were exceptionally brave and fierce. The white-shafted spears in their hands swept, chopped, thrust, and parried with powerful and sweeping movements, each strike heavy and forceful.

The bandits' formation was torn apart by them with overwhelming force, like a hot knife cutting into butter.

The bandits facing the ironclad formation of the Beijing garrison endured a desperate massacre. Their swords struck the tower shields, only sending up a string of sparks, while the spears thrusting out from the gaps in the shields were calm, precise, and deadly.

Rows of bandits fell, without even uttering a proper scream.

"I surrender! I surrender, please don't kill me!"

The first person threw down his weapon and knelt on the ground, and then panic spread like a plague.

Large groups of bandits knelt down, crying and pleading, completely losing their will to resist.

Gao Yingxiang's eyes were bloodshot. He knew he had lost, utterly and completely. He was unwilling to accept it! He couldn't believe that the power he believed in could be defeated so completely!

"what--!"

Gao Yingxiang let out a beast-like roar and, leading his last personal guards, launched a desperate charge against the Beijing garrison's formation.

However, the army merely parted indifferently, creating a small opening.

He was not greeted by a duel with a general, but by a line of calm and standard spear-raising and thrusting attacks.

More than a dozen spears pierced his body without any fancy moves.

Gao Yingxiang, the notorious bandit who had once given the Shaanxi government a major headache, was easily crushed before he could even raise a decent splash of blood. His eyes were wide open, and he died without ever understanding why the world had suddenly changed.

The battle was over; all that remained was to clean up the battlefield.

When the news of Gao Yingxiang's execution and the annihilation of his main force of several thousand men arrived at Wang Jiayin's camp at the same time as the first batch of 10,000 shi of grain, everyone fell silent.

Wang Jiayin sat motionless in the command tent, like a stone statue.

All the leaders stared at him, not daring to utter a sound. They all understood that this was not a multiple-choice question, but a mandatory one.

The emperor had already used Gao Yingxiang's remains to write the only answer before them.

After a long while, Wang Jiayin slowly got up and walked out of the tent. He looked at the tens of thousands of faces under his command, which were filled with confusion and fear, yet also with a hint of relief and anticipation.

ended.

Wang Jiayin sighed, his voice not loud, but it carried throughout the entire camp.

"Order the entire army to lay down their weapons, set off, and head to Yansui Town... We're going home."

……

Three days later, outside Yansui Town, tens of thousands of former bandits, led by Wang Jiayin, laid down their weapons in an orderly manner.

Sun Chuanting kept his promise.

Food, cotton clothing, and medicinal herbs were continuously delivered to the camp.

A group of clerks began registering households, measuring land, and making land deeds. Wang Jiayin was publicly granted the official seal of "Tuntian Duwei" (military agricultural colony commander), and his trusted leaders were also appointed.

Seeing the brothers' tearful and laughing expressions as they received their land deeds, Wang Jiayin suddenly understood what the young emperor he had never met was up to!
Looking at the scene of the people's hearts turning to him, Sun Chuanting felt a temporary relief from his weariness and became even more devoted to the emperor.
The emperor was not suppressing bandits.

The emperor was using a gentle yet decisive method to completely erase the word "bandit" from this land!

This land, long ravaged by devastation, has finally seen a glimmer of true peace after being swept away by the might of thunder and nourished by the grace of rain.

The emperor, who was sitting in Xi'an, the young emperor who had stirred up the world, could finally free up his hands and cast his cold gaze on a wider and more dangerous chessboard!

　I'm still squeezing in. Still squeezing in.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)