Good heavens, now they've really revealed their true colors!
The magistrate of Zhao Prefecture had considered that these powerful families would oppose the imperial court and Liu Fu in order to protect their own interests, and that they would engage in a power struggle with each other.
But he didn't expect that these guys would unite to rebel, which is a real problem!
At this point, it seems impossible to have the upper hand and try to please both sides.
Since the Bai family head was willing to tell him this matter, and so thoroughly at once, Zhao Zhouling knew without a doubt that the other party had revealed such a hidden secret to him. If he didn't agree, he wouldn't be able to leave the Bai family mansion alive tonight.
The thought of this made Magistrate Zhao shudder.
"Teacher, I feel this matter is very important, may I...?"
As Zhao Zhouling spoke, he immediately noticed something in Bai family head's expression and sensed a chilling glint in his eyes, which seemed to be sweeping over him with an intimidating gaze.
He hurriedly probed:
"Could someone take me to the restroom? What you just said has given me a stomachache. I need to use the restroom and will return to give you an answer right away."
The Bai family head nodded and sent someone to lead Zhao Zhouling out of the reception room.
As soon as he stepped out of the reception room and onto the side corridors, Zhao Zhouling immediately began to investigate in secret. Sure enough, he discovered dozens of shadows lurking on each side of the corridors. Although those people were hidden behind the walls, their shadows were stretched very long by the moonlight, making them easily identifiable.
The magistrate of Zhao Prefecture had figured it out: if he agreed to today's matter, he would live; if he didn't, he would die.
After relieving himself and returning home, the magistrate of Zhao Prefecture became somewhat calmer:
"Teacher, is there a detailed plan for this uprising?"
"Liu Fu was able to fight ten against one in Dongjun, and even win against more than 100,000 with ten thousand. This shows that he was a man of exceptional martial arts skills and extraordinary strategy."
"I have also heard that when he was in the Liao Kingdom, he annihilated 30,000 Liao soldiers. Although it is just a rumor, there is no smoke without fire. Since this person is so proficient in warfare, if we raise an army to fight against him, can we leave ourselves a way out?"
The head of the Bai family coldly snorted:
"What do you mean by 'the death of 30,000 Liao cavalrymen'? It's just a gimmick. He uses this fabricated story to enhance Liu Fu's reputation. This is a common tactic of Liu Laowu, to build up his sons' prestige."
"How do you know?" asked the magistrate of Zhao Prefecture.
"Hmph, the Emperor of Liao personally replied to me. In addition, the Emperor of Later Jin has already sent 150,000 troops to support us. On the day of the uprising, the Linren Kingdom will also raise troops from the east to invade the border of Later Han. At that time, Later Han will be attacked from three sides and will be too busy to even quell the rebellion."
"My Bai family has been powerful for hundreds of years, yet we have remained steadfast and stable in Liaodong. Do you think I would do this without absolute certainty?"
"Even if Liu Fu is a god, his fiefdom only has three or four thousand men. Even if he mobilizes the soldiers from various prefectures and counties in Liaodong, plus some militia, can he gather ten thousand men? How can he then withstand the advance of the Later Jin's 150,000 troops?"
Upon hearing this, the magistrate of Zhao Prefecture broke out in a cold sweat.
I really didn't expect that!
The Bai family has been plotting this for so long; if I hadn't come to visit today and learned of it...
If we continue to act according to Liu Fu's orders, I'm afraid I'll soon be beheaded and killed by the Bai family and the Later Jin and Liao people!
Thinking of this, he clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, saying:
"The student already understands, but what does the teacher want the student to do?"
"Hand over the military tally to me. Your troops in this prefecture total three to four thousand men, all under my command. I also have secret elite troops under my command, and I have recruited soldiers from other places to form a large army. Now, you should fortify and repair the entire Pingcheng, and prepare rolling logs and stones. If Liu Fu dares to come and arrest people, we will defend the city. When the Later Jin and Liao troops arrive, his small force will be powerless to fight back."
"You must know that the Later Jin and Liao dynasties are full of elite troops and strong generals. Liu Fu's local troops are weak in combat, and half of his militia can't even gather enough armor and weapons. How can they oppose me? When things are done, we will cede Liaodong to ourselves and make you a hereditary governor. What do you think?"
Patriarch Bai's words really struck a chord with Magistrate Zhao. The great advantage was right in front of them. If they didn't do it now, when would they?
Magistrate Zhao bowed and knelt down, immediately clasping his hands in a gesture of respect.
"This disciple hereby offers my early congratulations to Master on ascending to the throne of King of Liaodong!"
"Your Highness, please accept my three bows!"
After saying this, the magistrate of Zhao Prefecture kowtowed three times.
Unexpectedly, it was at this very moment that things happened.
He had just kowtowed three times at the Bai family's residence when a similar loud "thump, thump, thump" sound came from outside Pingcheng City.
"Master, something urgent must have happened. I'll be right back!"
The magistrate of Zhao Prefecture immediately led his men to the city gate, where they saw Liu Fu personally leading his men to the city tower, about to enter the city.
Who goes there?
"The Loyal and Martial King of the Great Han Dynasty!"
Behind Liu Fu, Xun Yu immediately announced his name.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, the magistrate of Zhao Prefecture immediately ordered his men to seal the city gates tightly, and sneered:
"You audacious thief, daring to impersonate the king to deceive the city gates! Do you intend to take this opportunity to storm the city and rebel?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Fu, sitting on his horse, was both angry and amused:
"Zhao Zhou magistrate, you've only just left the Bai family mansion, and you're already this arrogant and overbearing?"
Magistrate Zhao, standing on the city wall, was immediately taken aback:
"What...what nonsense are you spouting here?"
Liu Fu chuckled coldly:
"The magistrate of Zhao Prefecture is truly forgetful; his memory is even worse than a dog's."
"Just now, didn't you acknowledge Beringhe as the Prince of Liaodong, and didn't Beringhe promise you that you would serve as the magistrate of Liaodong for all eternity? How come you've forgotten all of that so quickly?"
Magistrate Zhao was taken aback and thought to himself, "This is bad!"
But he was completely bewildered and couldn't understand what he had done no matter what.
"You man below the city wall, what nonsense are you spouting? I don't understand a word you say. If you dare to speak again, don't blame me for shooting you dead, in accordance with the laws of the court!"
Liu Fu laughed at this moment. Zhao Zhou Ling hadn't expected that neither Bai Ling nor the Bai family patriarch had expected that their treasure-hunting rat had already arrived at the Bai family mansion in advance to secretly gather information.
Intelligence is a crucial element, especially when it comes to military campaigns or capturing important criminals. It is essential to send out treasure-hunting rats to gather useful intelligence beforehand.
Therefore, Liu Fu was not surprised at all to have learned this information in advance.
On the contrary, after a night of marching, some of the soldiers and horses were exhausted.
He's thinking of putting on a good show of dogs fighting each other, but he doesn't know if it'll work. Anyway, he'll give it a try.
As they spoke, Liu Fu produced a carrier pigeon and waved a slip of paper in his hand:
"Your Majesty, I have witnessed your test of Magistrate Zhao's loyalty. As Your Majesty instructed, Magistrate Zhao has indeed betrayed his country and agreed to join me in a rebellion. He has also presented me with numerous lavish gifts, such as the Imperial Seal of the previous dynasty, a masterpiece painting, and a gold-embroidered crown. This man has been corrupt for many years. I have assisted Your Majesty in eliminating this traitor. I earnestly hope that Your Majesty will consider my family's loyalty to Your Majesty and not pursue the past of my Bai family. Sincerely, Bai Linghe, Head of the Bai Family."
After Liu Fu finished reading, he immediately shot the still-wet letter onto the city wall. When Magistrate Zhao saw it, he was so angry that his nose twisted out of shape!
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