Chapter 283: Hand from the Shadows
Cui Hong and his troops had arrived just in time. To catch up with the Emperor, he had abandoned part of his army and advanced at full speed with just four thousand elite soldiers, eventually catching up to the Battle of Ao Granary.
By the time he arrived, it was already afternoon. Since Chai Yue’s forces had joined the battle, both sides had been fiercely fighting for over three hours. The Chu army had received reinforcements twice, finally surpassing the rebel and black-turban armies in numbers.
Shang-guan Sheng’s troops were already at the end of their strength. With their rear in chaos, they saw the newly arrived Chu army flags and, utterly exhausted, lost all hope. First, the black-turban army, then the rebel imperial guards, turned and fled.
Chai Yue also saw the reinforcements. Without time to consult the Emperor, he quickly ordered his soldiers not to pursue but to make way on both sides, allowing Cui Hong’s army to pass through and chase down the fleeing enemy.
After enduring a long forced march and battle, the Chu army was more exhausted than the rebels, with no strength left to pursue.
Han Ruzi understood Chai Yue’s intention. He immediately sent a messenger to Cui Hong, instructing him not to stop and to continue advancing to ensure the complete defeat of Shang-guan Sheng’s rebel army.
The newly arrived Chu troops entered the battlefield in units. Though they had also endured a forced march, they were fresh compared to the combatants.
Four thousand reinforcements joined the fight. Cui Hong, leading many generals, officers, eunuchs, and advisors, came to pay their respects to the Emperor. These individuals were not from the military and had struggled to keep up with the troops, suffering along the way. Seeing the Emperor, several fell from their horses, while others were helped down by soldiers, weakly kneeling from a distance.
Han Ruzi felt guilty but had no time for formalities. He approached Cui Hong and said, “Shang-guan Sheng is just outside Ao Granary. Others can be spared, but the main culprit must not be shown any mercy.”
“Rest assured, Your Majesty. I have already ordered Shang-guan Sheng’s capture,” Cui Hong replied. Seeing that the Emperor still seemed uneasy, he briefly reassured him before leading his generals into the battlefield to personally direct the pursuit. Han Ruzi felt somewhat relieved and turned to the kneeling officials and eunuchs, saying, “Rise, everyone. No need for formalities.”
Liu Jie, Zhang Youcai, and Ni Qiu had not come along. They stayed with the rear troops, monitoring the accompanying Tan family members as per the Emperor’s orders.
After a few exchanges with the officials, Han Ruzi returned to the soldiers to arrange post-battle matters with Chai Yue.
It had been a brutal battle, with heavy casualties on both sides. Even the elite Southern and Northern armies had essentially lost their combat effectiveness.
Chai Yue suggested setting up camp on the spot and resting for a day or two before making further plans, also to protect Ao Granary.
Cui Hong’s troops were sweeping the battlefield. Without forming an encirclement, many rebels and black-turban soldiers escaped. The four thousand soldiers could not capture them all, so they focused on key targets, especially Shang-guan Sheng. Both the Emperor and Grand General Cui Hong had ordered his capture, promising great merit to whoever succeeded.
Nearly an hour later, there were no living rebels or black-turban soldiers left on the battlefield, and the Chu army could safely set up camp. Some moved into the city, while others set up tents outside, all supplied by Ao Granary.
Han Ruzi summoned the commander of Ao Granary.
Although Ao Granary was an important city, its commander was only a minor official of the seventh rank. Qiao Wanfu had served for many years with no notable achievements. In this battle, he had caught the Emperor’s attention.
The timing of Ao Granary’s army’s attack on the rebels had been exceptionally well-chosen. Qiao Wanfu appeared both brave and intelligent, with Chai Yue also recognizing his talents.
When summoned, Han Ruzi was somewhat disappointed. Despite his grand name meaning “ten thousand men”, Qiao Wanfu was a short, unassuming middle-aged man in his forties, looking more like a minor bureaucrat than a soldier.
But since he was summoned, Han Ruzi couldn’t show no appreciation. He gave some general praise and handed Qiao Wanfu over to Chai Yue, internally concluding that the timely attack by Ao Granary’s army was probably a coincidence.
As evening approached, Shang-guan Sheng remained at large. Cui Hong continued organizing the pursuit. Exhausted, Han Ruzi finally entered the city to rest. He intended to take a short nap but fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow. Though his internal cultivation allowed him to endure longer, it couldn’t replace actual sleep, and he needed a proper rest.
When he opened his eyes again, it was still light outside. Thinking he had only slept briefly, he then realized it was morning. He had slept through the entire night.
Han Ruzi sat up, feeling soreness in his waist and back, his entire body uncomfortable. He couldn’t help but groan a few times. Immediately, a eunuch’s voice came from outside, asking, “Has Your Majesty awakened?”
Han Ruzi responded with a grunt, and two eunuchs entered. One helped him wash up while the other assisted with dressing.
It was then that Han Ruzi had the opportunity to observe his surroundings. The room was small and not luxuriously decorated. The furniture was old but extremely clean. This was likely the best room in Ao Granary, leading Han Ruzi to surmise that Qiao Wanfu was probably an uncorrupt official. Even if he lacked any other skill, he ought to be promoted a level or two.
As he ate, Han Ruzi ordered someone to gather the generals.
Prince Donghai, who stayed next door, came over to eat with the emperor. He looked tired, as though he had not slept enough, and occasionally glanced at the emperor. When the eunuchs were not around, he whispered, “Being the emperor is great. Before, we had to rely on schemes and force, but now, without saying anything, you have a group of people ready to risk their lives for Your Majesty.”
He was also jealous of his uncle Cui Hong’s timely arrival.
Han Ruzi chuckled a few times. If it were his first time as emperor, he would have seen Cui Hong and the others’ actions as a sign of loyalty. Now, he saw through it all; these behaviors were simply court “customs.” The forces genuinely at his disposal were still limited to a few, like Chai Yue.
The government office in Ao Granary was quite shabby. The main hall was just an ordinary room, too small to accommodate the emperor’s entourage. Han Ruzi ordered the chairs to be moved outside and met with the civil and military officials in the courtyard. Guards and eunuchs stood behind him, ceremonial guards lined up on both sides, and soldiers stood at the gate, their flags almost covering the entire courtyard. The emperor’s presence was immediately imposing, and no one would doubt his identity anymore.
The accompanying civil and military officials entered in a line, knelt, and bowed, saying in unison, “Your subjects greet Your Majesty.”
Han Ruzi was surprised. None of this had been arranged by him. His only decision was to move the chairs outside. The entire ceremony was prearranged, likely rehearsed in advance, especially the synchronized actions of the officials.
Officials from the Ministry of Rites had followed them, and this was probably their doing.
But this was not what Han Ruzi wanted now. Despite the brevity of the ceremony, it still took nearly half an hour, and only then did the generals have a chance to speak.
Cui Hong, holding the highest position, naturally spoke first.
The rebel guards had been completely routed. Shang-guan Sheng had not yet been captured, but a Chu army unit had found his trail and was in pursuit, expecting to bring him back at any moment.
The Chu army had captured many prisoners and interrogated them overnight. They finally learned about the origins of the black-turban army. They were a band of thieves and bandits, mainly from Cloud Dream Marsh. They had gathered forces from over a dozen mountain strongholds to form the black-turban army. They had secretly moved northward a month ago, hiding in the mountains outside Luoyang, and decided three days ago to attack Ao Granary in conjunction with the rebel guards.
The leader of the black-turban army was named Luan Banxiong, who called himself the “Heavenly Bestowed General.” He was well-known in the Cloud Dream Marsh area, but he did not come in person this time. Instead, he sent a “Holy Strategist,” whose real name was unknown. This strategist had left two days ago, leaving the black-turban army under Shang-guan Sheng’s command.
Standing beside the emperor, Prince Donghai exchanged a glance with him upon hearing the term “Holy Strategist,” both thinking of the fate seers.
What infuriated Han Ruzi even more was that the black-turban army had prepared in advance, moving north from Cloud Dream Marsh a month ago, waiting for chaos in the Capital to seize the opportunity.
Yang Feng might have overestimated the power of the fate seers, but he was spot on about one thing: there was indeed a force stirring up trouble behind the scenes, and for them, the more chaotic Great Chu became, the better.
Another piece of news made the emperor and his ministers uneasy: Prince Ying had not stayed with Shang-guan Sheng but had disappeared along with the Holy Strategist, like a hostage exchanged for the black-turban army.
Prince Ying himself was not much of a threat, but falling into the hands of these tricksters of the pugilist world could cause significant trouble.
The Chu army continued to rest and reorganize in Ao Granary.
That afternoon, Chai Yue sought an audience with the emperor and solemnly recommended Qiao Wanfu. “This man is not originally from a military background. He studied the classics in his early years and later joined the army. He has served as a civil officer within the military and was appointed as the magistrate of Ao Granary five years ago. Whenever a grain ship arrives, he hosts a banquet for the grain deliverers and discusses the situation in the eastern regions. He is exceptionally knowledgeable about everything east of Luoyang, especially the Qi region.”
Han Ruzi summoned Qiao Wanfu for the second time, this time only to listen.
Qiao Wanfu was a bit nervous in the emperor’s presence, not daring to look up, speaking with a slight stutter, and his words were somewhat verbose. He provided a detailed account of the situation in the eastern regions and concluded that the rebellion of Prince Qi was inevitable and would happen sooner or later. Although Shang-guan Sheng had failed to lead his troops to Donghai, whether he was alive or dead, there would still be chaos in Great Chu’s eastern borders.
The conclusion was alarming, and Han Ruzi didn’t fully understand the reasons behind it. He asked a few questions before dismissing Qiao Wanfu. Chai Yue, who had been listening the whole time, stepped forward to apologize, “Qiao Wanfu was too nervous and didn’t explain clearly. I’ll talk to him again.”
Han Ruzi smiled and said, “No rush. In any case, we need to send Prince Donghai to his princedom. We’ll bring Qiao Wanfu along and stay there a while longer. We might as well visit Qi. I want to see why there must be chaos in Great Chu’s east.”
Chai Yue withdrew, tasked with arranging an official position for Qiao Wanfu.
By evening, the Chu army returned one by one from pursuing fleeing soldiers, with one group bringing back Shang-guan Sheng’s head.
Shang-guan Sheng had refused to surrender, leading a last stand with dozens of his guards. He was shot by a Chu general, and another general cut off his head, earning first merit for both.
Han Ruzi personally inspected the head, confirming its authenticity, feeling a slight sense of regret.
Soon after, another Chu unit returned to the city with a named and identified prisoner. Han Ruzi immediately ordered the prisoner to be brought to him for a personal interrogation.
The fate seer Lin Kunshan had been by Shang-guan Sheng’s side but got separated during the escape. He and a group of the black-turban army entered the nearby mountains, got lost, and ran into the Chu army, resulting in their capture.
Recognizing the importance of adapting to circumstances, Lin Kunshan immediately knelt upon seeing the emperor, crawling forward on his knees and speaking urgently, “Your Majesty is still here? The Holy Strategist and the Imperial Seal are in Luoyang City!”
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