Chapter 117: Truth Becomes Clearer Through Debate

Xianling Village was merely a small settlement with limited resources. If Lu Yao were to bring all 1,400 people up the mountain, how would they solve the food problem? Would they resort to gnawing on tree bark?

Nobody knew how long this rendezvous would last. At the very least, they would have to wait for the three factions to hold several meetings, engage in power struggles, determine who was in charge, and establish some ground rules. Only after re-mobilizing, re-invigorating, and re-deploying the rebels could they even consider it concluded.

“That means Wu and Pei didn't bring many people up the mountain either, similar to Lu Yao.” The truth, as expected, became clearer with discussion. “Combined, these three factions would amount to at most seven or eight hundred soldiers meeting by Xianling Lake!”

Madam Ying looked bewildered. “Why only seven or eight hundred people? Didn't that cannibal general already have seven hundred ambushers hidden at Whistle Rock?”

“Precisely!” He Chunhua interjected, his eyes gleaming. “These three factions must have agreed beforehand to bring only two hundred people up the mountain. On one hand, the village’s limited resources couldn't support more; on the other, it allows them to maintain mutual checks and balances, preventing outright conflict.”

This was to prevent any unintended skirmishes.

This explanation greatly reassured everyone.

Their own force of three hundred, enhanced by the Sheji Token, could exert the strength of four or five hundred soldiers. The opposing side, with seven or eight hundred, though double in number, no longer represented an overwhelming advantage.

Moreover, the opposing forces were all routed troops who had fled from Woling Pass, like stray dogs, their morale long shattered. As long as their own side united in sincere effort and bravery, they might very well be able to break through the enemy lines!

Defeating enemies two or three times one's own strength on the battlefield was no myth; there were numerous precedents. He Chunhua himself had even fought such battles in his early years.

“That is to say, these three factions have consistently been wary of each other, and we can leverage this. Lu Yao also brought seven hundred rebels from Desheng Town; though intended to plot against us, the other two factions are unaware,” He Yue said with a smile. “If Lu Yao doesn't attack us tonight, these seven hundred men will be completely useless. So, who knows why they were brought here? Perhaps he genuinely intends to intimidate the other two factions.”

Everyone exchanged glances, letting out a collective sigh of relief.

He Chunhua's expression had greatly relaxed. He then stated, “When these three groups of routed soldiers rendezvous, the three generals will inevitably have to establish a hierarchy and define military authority. Otherwise, these thousands of men will remain like scattered sand, impossible to effectively command in the future. In any army, there can only be one voice. If we make a few more strategic moves, we might achieve the effect of 'using a small force to move a great weight'.”

He added, “I've heard that Wu Shaoyi and Lu Yao have a long-standing feud. Wu Shaoyi had taken credit for military achievements several times, and Hong Xiangqian's greater appreciation for him greatly displeased Lu Yao. Wu once fancied a beautiful woman and even intended to marry her as his principal wife, but Lu Yao defiled her first. Afterward, he cooked her and sent her to Wu Shaoyi. It's said that when Wu Shaoyi saw this woman, she even had a smile on her face.”

He took a sip of water to moisten his throat. “General Wu immediately overturned the table and led his men to confront Lu Yao. Ultimately, Hong Xiangqian himself had to intervene, and only through his immense authority in the army was the matter settled. However, it's clear that the relationship between these two would never recover.”

“There was such a conflict?” He Lingchuan asked, surprised. “Lu Yao is a cannibal, and not even a founding elder of the uprising, so why did Hong Xiangqian keep him around?”

“This man is formidable in battle. After joining Hong Xiangqian, he achieved a brilliant record of seven consecutive victories. In one instance, he even blinded General Zhao Ronglüe, known as the 'Iron Bucket General,' gravely injuring him, which led to his death, and Woling Pass was subsequently captured by the rebels,” He Chunhua rattled off as if listing cherished possessions. “Both soldiers and opponents instinctively feared this ferocious cannibal, a fact Hong Xiangqian used to his advantage.”

A peerless weapon of terror, in the right hands, could become a peerless divine artifact.

“But Hong Xiangqian is dead,” He Lingchuan mused, as if realizing something profound. “Other rebels might now feel more disgust than fear towards Lu Yao. Why are they still meeting him here? With the one who kept order gone, shouldn't the subordinates be causing trouble?”

“I'm not sure about that either. Perhaps they each have their own agenda.”

He Yue considered for a moment. “The immediate priority is to locate the other two rebel forces.”

“If they are to rendezvous tomorrow afternoon, they should be heading up the mountain now, or already there,” Mo Zhejingxuan said. “They aren't here for a leisurely stroll. Even thieves scout a location before committing a crime; they would surely come up early to examine the terrain.”

“There are only two paths up and down the mountain, both leading to Xianling Village. Night travel is already difficult, so they wouldn't choose smaller, less obvious trails,” He Chunhua told his personal guards. “Find the guide.”

After some discussion, they quickly formulated a preliminary plan.

He Lingchuan had only just begun when everyone else chimed in, leaving no room for him to contribute further.

He went to fetch another apple; this one looked riper and presumably wouldn't be as sour.

As he was finishing the apple, the discussion concluded, and He Lingchuan added, “Words alone aren't enough, Father. You need to gain the trust of Wu and Pei, otherwise, the three of them will quickly reconcile and become like a happy family. Seeing is believing, after all. Ideally, um… ideally, you should let them personally witness you and Lu Yao having a pleasant conversation.”

“Personally witness?” Mo Zhejingxuan mused thoughtfully.

He Chunhua instructed his personal guards to bring paper and pen. “I will also write to the Hebei Zhechong Commandery, requesting them to send troops. This way, we’ll pursue a two-pronged approach.”

Madam Ying worried, “Will they agree?”

“If the rebels are in a weakened state,” He Chunhua said meaningfully. “A defeated general dares not speak of bravery. With our side riding on the momentum of the great victory at Woling Pass, how could we not defeat these easily startled rebels? It would be another significant military achievement.”

Mo Zhejingxuan cleared his throat. “If the rebels plan to establish a base here, how could the local prefect tolerate it? They must seize the opportunity to uproot this menace before it takes hold.”

He Chunhua wrote swiftly and fluently, completing the letter in one go. Before he sealed it, He Lingchuan stole a glance, noting that it stated “over a thousand routed soldiers,” which made him chuckle.

If the number of routed soldiers was too high, reinforcements might be reluctant to come. The figure of “over a thousand” was strategic: He Chunhua himself had three hundred elite soldiers. If the Zhechong Commandery and local government troops merely intended to provide support, an additional two or three hundred men would suffice. However, if they truly aimed to suppress the rebels, at least two thousand or more would be required.

Nevertheless, the number reported by He Chunhua was not entirely inaccurate; the actual number of rebels meeting at Xianling Village could very well be just over a thousand.

Soon, he finished writing everything and entrusted the tasks to the appropriate individuals.

He Lingchuan watched from the side, filled with admiration.

He Chunhua, despite serving as an official in a frontier region, was well-informed about events throughout the Yuan Kingdom. He had a clear understanding of everything, from the personalities of rebel leaders to the temperament of local prefects and the troop strengths of the Zhechong Commandery.

What a formidable mind this was!

The Yuan Kingdom's territory was vast; without express delivery, a postal horse would take over a month to travel from east to west. Yet, He Chunhua, stationed in the most remote and isolated frontier, still managed to have a comprehensive grasp of the domestic situation. This truly required an abundance of energy, financial resources, and connections.