Chapter 353 The Third Worst News
Inside the blacksmith's shop.
Squatting by the stove, Ouyang Rong, who had rolled up his sleeves because of the heat, didn't turn around immediately.
They learned of Khufu's sudden return.
He did not immediately ask Yan Liulang for details.
But Ouyang Rong knew.
What are the likely events?
Because this was the third worst possible outcome he could imagine out of the thousands of possibilities he had considered.
First, Ouyang Rong believes that a clear understanding of the current situation is necessary.
The return of 1,500 soldiers from Guizhou to the north was a violent mutiny that erupted after a conflict was ignited.
Even if it is a tornado stirred up by two butterflies: the misappropriation of military funds to build a giant Buddha and the cruelty and harshness of local officials.
However, from the perspective of the court rulers, it was essentially a mutiny, without any embellishment or pretext.
There is no room for any tenderness or affection.
The real question is how to quell this unexpected mutiny.
The point that was the heated debate between the conservative faction, the Wei clan, and neutral courtiers during the imperial conference after the caning, which was vaguely mentioned in Xie Xun's previous letter, was precisely this.
The Wei family was acting from the perspective of needing to continue promoting the central government and the so-called national policy of creating a statue, as well as protecting those who had defected, such as Lan Changhao and Wang Lengran.
Therefore, it was determined that they were returning to their hometowns maliciously, and the local officials were almost blameless. They advocated violent suppression and cleanup.
The pro-Wei faction, under the influence of Ouyang Rong's pleas and the usual practice of attacking the Wei family, stood on the opposite side of the Wei family.
The statement characterized the mutiny as a result of the brutality of the commanding officers and the forced mutiny. It advocated sending envoys to appease the soldiers, striving for a peaceful resolution, minimizing conflict, treating the garrison soldiers leniently, and holding certain commanding officers accountable.
Neither side denied the nature of the mutiny.
However, subtle differences in the specific characterization of events profoundly influenced the subsequent actions of the imperial court, resulting in vastly different outcomes.
The final choice of the court, or rather Her Majesty the Empress, is now known.
A compromise solution was proposed: to send envoys to appease the officials without punishing them.
Aside from the neutral faction that didn't want to offend either side, there was also Empress Wei Zhao, who still skillfully employed imperial tactics.
Neither side in the conflict was satisfied.
Shen Xisheng and other pro-Wei faction officials were dissatisfied because they felt that the Wei family was being favored, that the officials were being protected, and that the law was being disregarded.
On that day, Shen Xisheng even quoted an inconspicuous phrase written by Ouyang Rong in his memorial to the throne:
If the main culprit is not found and severely punished, it will discourage the people of the world and cause endless trouble for the Great Zhou Dynasty.
At present, however, few people seem to care.
The two kings of the Wei family also seemed quite dissatisfied.
If we don't swiftly suppress the mutinous soldiers, wouldn't that leave room for later purging of the main officials like Lan Changhao and Wang Lengran?
Moreover, the mutiny of the Guizhou garrison soldiers was also strongly related to the Guizhou statue incident.
The officials involved, including Lan Changhao and Wang Lengran, were probably flustered afterward and used this as an excuse to deny and evade responsibility, elevating the matter to the level of boycotting the construction of Buddha statues.
For example, some people say that these soldiers are not mutiniing or protesting against them, but are clearly slapping Your Highness in the face.
And so on.
Are Wei Jisi and Wei Sixing idiots who can't see through the ulterior motives of their subordinates?
Of course not.
But as a faction leader, he doesn't care about right or wrong; he only cares about his own interests.
They were also dissatisfied with the court's compromise.
Even when the Guizhou garrison soldiers led a mutiny in protest against the erection of statues, they were appeased and tolerated.
What if other states follow suit and boycott the creation of statues and the collection of commemorative bronzes?
In the eyes of the two kings of Wei, this matter concerned the face and prestige of the Wei clan.
It was even more important than the fact that the garrison soldiers scattered after the thunderous suppression and might cause long-term harm to the heart of Jiangnan Road.
Since Her Majesty the Queen has chosen a compromise due to interference from the conservative faction, it cannot be changed.
Then the two kings of the Wei clan will surely exert their influence in other places in secret to get back at them.
What could establish authority better than purging the returning northern soldiers?
Only in this way can we warn those who secretly resist the central leadership's image and outwardly comply while inwardly opposing it, thus preventing problems before they arise.
To correct a wrong is to go to extremes.
As for the matter of creating the central statue, Her Majesty the Empress and the two kings of the Wei clan share the same interests.
Therefore, regarding the Wei family's subsequent reckoning and establishment of authority,
His Majesty likely guessed it, yet did not stop him, and even stood by and watched.
Ouyang Rong has never hesitated to assume the worst about his enemies.
He wasn't too clear about Hongzhou, but he had long known Wang Lengran's character from observing him from the sidelines.
The moment he sticks his butt out, you know he wants *that*.
Therefore, they had previously discussed with the Prince of Xunyang's Mansion how to indirectly protect the person.
However, not everyone possesses Ouyang Rong's meticulous logic and clear understanding.
For example, the mutinous garrison soldiers in Guizhou.
At the beginning of the mutiny, Ouyang Rong observed their movements and guessed that the leaders of the mutinous soldiers had not understood the true nature of their mutiny and their return north as a "military rebellion".
They didn't hijack the ship or disturb the people; instead, they honestly went home, which reveals their true intentions.
It's a feeling similar to a spoiled child running away from home, filled with resentment.
They did not understand the true danger behind this mutiny.
The leading generals, namely Cai Qin and others, may have been hesitant. They didn't really want to rebel, but rather they were expressing some kind of helplessness and dissatisfaction, making a fuss to attract attention.
They hoped that the imperial court, as the "patriarch," would understand their intentions and then bring them back.
Moreover, leading so many soldiers back north was also intended to demonstrate that the law does not punish the masses.
Little did they know that in the eyes of the two kings of the Wei clan, 1,500 garrison soldiers and 1,500 households were just numbers, not even as many as the slaves and tenants under the name of their own royal palace.
Personally speaking, Ouyang Rong has been hoping that these returning soldiers could continue to maintain this naive mentality.
The power struggle behind the scenes is left to him and the pro-defectors who sympathize with the soldiers.
Because in a game between two parties, if one side is less suspicious, it will save a lot of trouble.
To prevent the situation from deteriorating into a "lose-lose" situation.
Not long ago, Hu Fu went as an envoy to comfort the people, and the good news that came back one after another made Ouyang Rong breathe a sigh of relief.
Ouyang Rong had contact with Khufu.
Logically speaking, eunuchs with the temperament of warriors and heroes should be well-suited to appease the soldiers stationed on the frontier.
With this private envoy of the emperor present, the situation should be able to be stabilized.
But the news that has come back in the last two days has been worse than the last.
In particular, the petition submitted by Cai Qin and other generals.
The situation between the returning garrison soldiers and the two prefectures of Hong and Jiang is suddenly becoming tense and escalating rapidly.
Upon seeing the petition, Ouyang Rong immediately and astutely observed its contents.
The change in attitude of Cai Qin and others was a complete 180-degree turn compared to before.
It's unclear what Khufu did wrong.
Or perhaps some event or news on their journey north triggered them.
Or perhaps they were instigated and misled by a malicious expert, who then broke through a certain barrier?
It is clear from that petition that Cai Qin and others were fully aware of their situation.
I have clearly understood the true nature of this mutiny and the return north; it was actually a military coup.
A mutiny in a fit of pique is still a mutiny.
It's not much different from rebellion.
Since it is a rebellion, there are only two paths to take besides victory.
Offer amnesty.
With surrender.
The soldiers, including Cai Qin, had laid down their weapons in Tanzhou Prefecture and followed Hu Fu back to Hongzhou without saying a word. In the eyes of the court, this was no different from surrendering.
For those who surrender, the victor can choose any method of disposal.
Whether to treat them leniently or severely, or to exterminate them completely, just like Wang Lengran who was secretly preparing, is an option.
This depends entirely on the will of the victors, like lambs to the slaughter.
But being granted amnesty is different.
The offer of amnesty was a concession and compromise between the two sides.
The party that is granted amnesty can set conditions and negotiate with the imperial court based on its strength.
Surrender is not an option; there is not much room for maneuver.
One fact is that Cai Qin and the other mutinous soldiers were unaware of the existence of forces such as Ouyang Rong and the Prince of Xunyang's Mansion that sympathized with them and could protect them; they merely personified the imperial court as a resentful entity.
Moreover, knowing full well that the culprits who were cruel and harsh and forced them into rebellion were still in power and had not been held accountable, it was no wonder they took such a risk.
This was something that Ouyang Rong had been worried about.
Once Cai Qin and other garrison commanders clearly understood the nature of their rebellion and their own predicament, a chain of suspicion would naturally form.
The situation will then rapidly deteriorate in a certain direction, making it difficult to reverse.
The petition they submitted not long ago, with its two requests, is the result of this chain of suspicion.
This also signifies that Cai Qin and others have changed their stance from surrender to accepting amnesty.
They want to be granted amnesty, not surrender.
As for how Hongzhou and Jiangzhou, who received the complaint, will respond...
Ouyang Rong remained silent for a moment.
All he knew was that even the northern garrison soldiers who had honestly followed Khufu in surrendering were secretly being prepared by Wang Lengran, who planned to frame them for rebellion on the day they entered the city and wipe them all out...
Moreover, they have just received that threatening complaint.
Wang Lengran was probably sneering, sharpening his knife.
Therefore, he was extremely annoyed and embarrassed by Ouyang Rong's recent actions of dampening his spirits.
This is still Jiangzhou.
As for Hongzhou, what choice will they make?
Although he issued a warning a few days ago in the name of the Jiangzhou government, he received no reply.
But the news of Khufu's sudden return has already given Ouyang Rong the answer.
Like a single leaf heralding autumn...
"knew."
Inside the blacksmith's shop, Ouyang Rong clapped his hands, stood up, and walked past the hurried Yan Liulang, his gaze shifting from the flickering flames in the furnace.
Let's go.
Ouyang Rong remained calm and did not ask any further questions.
Yan Liulang, who was about to speak, was taken aback and had no choice but to follow.
Upon arriving at the main hall of Jiangzhou, Ouyang Rong saw Hu Fu, Wang Lengran, and even Yuan Huaimin.
All officials of any rank in the main hall of Jiangzhou were urgently summoned.
The matter was indeed quite serious.
"Prefect Ouyang! Why are you only arriving now?"
The crowd reacted hastily, like ants on a hot pan.
As Ouyang Rong entered the main hall, he couldn't help but glance at the bearded man, Hu Fu, whose clean-shaven face had lost its beard.
And there was the knife at his waist.
He paused for a moment, then asked with concern, "What's wrong with Ambassador Hu?"
Hu Fu didn't know if Ouyang Rong was asking about the bearded man or something else. His face was full of anxiety, and his tone was bitter as he said:
“It’s over, it’s all over. Chief Secretary Ouyang, Cai Qinjun went halfway and suddenly deviated from the route. They also gathered troops at the drill ground in the middle of the night. They intended to rebel. They almost killed me that night... I barely escaped.”
Ouyang Rong nodded and asked directly, "How is Hongzhou?"
Khufu said urgently:
"When the miscellaneous scholar arrived in Hongzhou after traversing mountains and ridges, it was already too late. The garrison soldiers had already made unimpeded approach to Hongzhou, broken through the strict passes, and occupied the terrain... Governor Zhu is sending his soldiers to attack them."
Ouyang Rong nodded: "How is the situation now?"
Hu Fu, Yuan Huaimin, and others couldn't help but glance at Ouyang Rong a few more times.
Seemingly surprised by his calm expression, the young official seemed completely unfazed.
Ouyang Rong remained silent. Since Hu Fu was alive and returned alone, there were only two possibilities:
If Hongzhou hadn't already fallen, he would have fled in panic.
Otherwise, a conflict would break out between Hongzhou and the garrison soldiers. Hongzhou has already made a decision, and the situation is beyond repair. He came to ask for reinforcements.
The former was the second worst-case scenario he could imagine.
The latter is the third worst situation.
As for the worst-case scenario... Ouyang Rong pursed his lips.
He was already quite relieved to hear that Hongzhou City was still standing.
Hu Fu shook his head: "I don't know yet. When I left, the people of Hongzhou were in a state of panic. Governor Zhu had just sent troops out of the city. I came to inform Governor Wang to rush to Hongzhou's aid!"
Hu Fu's suggestion was the same as Ouyang Rong's suggestion not long ago.
Wang Lengran's face immediately turned ugly, and he said coldly:
"What's the rush? It's only 1,500 men. Hongzhou has two military garrisons with over 3,000 elite troops in service. If we conscript more soldiers, we could even have over 10,000. They can defend the city. What is there to fear in the short term?"
"The petty thieves should be the ones who are afraid."
Khufu said with a worried expression:
"Lord Wang is unaware that those garrison soldiers, upon entering Hongzhou territory, committed no offenses whatsoever. They marched in a great force under the pretext of severely punishing the outrageous Commandant, Instructor, and Chief Clerk, winning the sympathy and indignation of the local elders and villagers along the way."
Despite repeated attempts to stop it, the Hongzhou government failed to achieve its goal. Instead, panic began to spread throughout Hongzhou city, and some people fled.
"When Governor Zhu learned of this, his face was grave. He warned me that civil war is different from foreign war. Rebels can easily grow stronger, and the hearts and minds of the people are difficult to control. Hongzhou City may be in danger, and I must come to seek reinforcements immediately..."
Everyone fell silent.
The families of the 1,200 garrison soldiers in Hongzhou all lived within the territory of Hongzhou. This time, the soldiers returned under the pretext of going home, and the Hongzhou government was in the wrong. One can imagine the public sentiment.
Ouyang Rong said directly:
"If Hongzhou falls, Jiangzhou will be wide open, and we will be in a situation where the lips are gone and the teeth are cold. Xunyang City can only be defended by relying on its natural defenses; leaving too many soldiers from the Third Zhechong Prefecture will be useless."
"If even Governor Zhu and the Hongzhou Military Prefecture couldn't hold out, how could the Jiangzhou Military Prefecture possibly retaliate? Does Lord Wang possess such military genius as to be able to save a collapsing empire?"
"Hurry and send reinforcements while the situation is still stable. Don't take my words lightly."
After a pause, Ouyang Rong added:
"Rest assured, neither I nor the Prince's residence will flee, so there is no need for defense. I will manage logistics in Xunyang City and await Lord Wang's return."
His words were so blunt that everyone turned to look at him, and they immediately began to offer their advice.
Urged on by everyone, Wang Lengran felt embarrassed and hesitated.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
