Chapter 256: You? Only an Insignificant Seventh Rank Official?
Chapter 252 of "The Great Ming in the Box" opens revealing intense scenes: Although Fang Wushang was a reckless general, he felt great pressure. Last time he charged... Keep reading!
Although Fang Wushang was a reckless general, he felt great pressure. Last time he charged alone against the rebels, they immediately formed a spear formation and aimed hundreds of hand crossbows at him, instantly scaring him off and teaching the reckless man a lesson.âHonestly, I donât know what to do now. We definitely canât fight the border army.â
As Fang Wushang was Chengcheng Countyâs best fighter, even he thought âcannot fight them off by force,â leaving others even more frantic. A group of gentry exchanged perplexed glances, powerless to act.
Finally, they all looked to Liang Shixian.
Who could blame him? He was the county magistrate.
Liang Shixian saw everyone watching him and also felt great pressure.
No, I need to think carefully.
Liang Shixian, knowledgeable in many matters, instantly activated a âsurvival in desperate timesâ mindset. The current difficulties, the strong enemy force, the local militia in the county, the rebel band in Guyuanâs actions⌠all raced through his mind like a spinning lantern. Suddenly, with a âdingâ sound amid many dead ends, he unexpectedly spotted a path to survival.
âThe rebel band in Guyuan!â Liang Shixian said. âTo fight the border army, we must use the border army. The one from Huanglong Mountain doesnât seem bad; they only repelled Li Ying without disturbing Fengyuan Town at all. This proves they can be reasoned with. This official will go and talk with them, get them to aid Chengcheng County against other rebels, even help against bandits.â
Everyone froze: âThatâs possible?â
Liang Shixian replied: âWhy not? The border army rebelled due to unpaid wages; deep down, they probably didnât want to rebel. Perhaps theyâre waiting for a pardon. Iâll negotiate with them to make amendsâif theyâll confront other rebels, Iâll do everything to shield them from court repercussions. With that exchange, we can talk.â
The gentry heard this and reacted, âAh, thatâs right!â
âThen we must rely on the County Lord. Our words hold little weight; rebels wonât trust us. Only the County Lord speaking to them would make discussion possible.â
Liang Shixian knew this well. The rebel Captain Ghost in Huanglong Mountain was a distinguished Fifth Rank military official; gentry werenât qualified to negotiate. Only he, as magistrate of Chengcheng County, could converse with a Fifth Rank official.
Liang Shixian snorted: âFor Chengcheng Countyâs people, what risk does this official fear?â
Fang Wushang also spoke: âWang Zuogua of Yichuanâs rebels are stationed in those mountains too, highly dangerous. If we find Wang Zuogua instead of the Guyuan rebels, itâd be disastrous. I must go with Liang Sir.â
âGood. Better to act now than delay. Letâs go immediately.â
Thus, Chengcheng Countyâs top civil and military leaders set off together, leaving the county seat and heading north to Huanglong Mountain.
Li Daoxuan thought to himself: This is a fine opportunity.
The Gaojia Village Militia found wearing armor inconvenient for operations under official scrutiny; during the He Yang banditsâ Fan Shanyue incident, Fang Wushangâs arrival forced them back into the woods to remove armor before reappearing.
But now, with the Guyuan mutiny escalating Liang Shixian and Fang Wushangâs goal to recruit ârebels,â the Gaojia Village Militia had a valid reason to march out flamboyantly in armor and fight.
Excellent. Shifting focus to Gaojia Village, inform Cheng Xu, arrangeâŚ
Liang Shixianâs physical fitness was clearly better than Dian Deng Zi Zhao Shengâs.
Now he climbed a large stone, the very one Zhao Sheng ascended months earlier when rebelling into Huanglong Mountain.
Zhao Sheng had nearly fallen while scaling it to address his men, slipping twice and struggling up drenched in sweat; Liang Shixian merely rolled up his official garments and scrambled up without effort.
Perched atop the stone, he scanned the surroundings. After a full circle, he felt a tinge of disappointment: âCanât locate the Guyuan rebels. What can be done?â
Fang Wushang stated gravely: âLiang Sir, the Guyuan rebels are still a border army. Fully committed to hiding, theyâre not easy to find. Letâs roam the mountainsâtheyâll track us down.â
Liang Shixian reacted: âHuh? Have them find us?â
Fang Wushang confirmed: âExactly! Border army scouts, called Ye Bu Shou, spot us far faster than we spot them.â
The words barely ended when Fang Wushang suddenly frowned and whirled around. A man slipped silently from the woods behind, clad in mountain-patterned armor with a black face covering. His aura starkly differed from bandits; one glance revealed a former official of the court.
Soldiers under Fang Wushang raised weapons instantly. Liang Shixianâs household staff and runners swallowed nervously.
The figure emerging from the woods was Cheng Xu, of course.
âHey, you looking for me?â
Cheng Xuâs voice carried a cold edge.
Liang Shixian, rushing with pride, suppressed his fear and answered boldly: âThis official is Liang Shixian, Chengcheng County Magistrate. This mountain trip is indeed to find you, General.â
Cheng Xu knew their objective from the Deity but played ignorant, affecting an official tone: âThe court owes me three yearsâ wages; my guards face starvation. Iâve nothing more to say to the courtâpay up outright.â
Liang Shixian expressed awkwardness: âWell⌠about the wages⌠this official⌠could lodge an appeal to the court on your behalfâŚâ
âTch! Appeal? Treat me like a child?â Cheng Xu retorted: âIf that money could be appealed, would I have rebelled?â
This made sense. Liang Shixian felt a bit embarrassed: âGeneral, I know the court failed you, but⌠rebellion isnât sustainable. When imperial troops arrive later, your⌠arm canât possibly twist their thigh.â
Cheng Xu pretended intimidation and fell silent.
Seeing Cheng Xuâs reaction and sensing hope, Liang Shixian swiftly pressed on: âGeneral, rebelling over unpaid wages is understandable. You harmed no civilians at Fengyuan Town, proving youâre humane, not ruthless. Rebelling offers temporary relief, but a lifelong traitorâs stain is dishonorable. Why not heed my counsel to seek redemption?â
Cheng Xu challenged: âWant to pardon me? Based on one insignificant Seventh Rank official? What assurance can you give?â
Liang Shixian declared, rushing with pride: âThough not remarkable, I have friends in court. With their backing, I could assist you.â