Chapter 480: This Poor Monk Shall Persuade Him
Chapter 475 of "The Great Ming in the Box" begins revealing: The rebels of the King of Disruptionâs army were utterly defeated and retreated in disarray.The... Continue the adventure!
The rebels of the King of Disruptionâs army were utterly defeated and retreated in disarray.The officials and Huang Yunfa returned victorious.
After winning such a big battle, Huang Yunfa showed not a trace of joy on his face, as if he had just performed a very ordinary task. He dismissed it entirely, speaking lightly, âAlright, the bandits have retreated. Your Honor, letâs return to discussing the salt issue.â
The head of the salt tax office laughed heartily, âThese men of yours, Mr. Huang, are truly each exceptionally brave.â
Huang Yunfa gave an âMhmâ and wasted no further words. Together with the salt tax office official, they withdrew back into the official residence to engage in some awkward, low-toned small talk.
Iron Bird Flies was terrified by Huang Yunfaâs display of power. Eager not to linger there, he swiftly exited Hedong Road and headed west.
He hadnât gone far when a scout suddenly emerged from the woods, clasping his fists in greeting, âBoss Tie.â
Iron Bird Flies recognized him instantly as one from Boss Xingâs cavalry camp and quickly responded, âAh? Brother, what are you doing here?â
The scout answered, âThe Deity ordered us to scout near Jie Pond. If the salt craftsmen were in danger, we were to rescue them.â
Iron Bird Flies asked, âDid you see what just happened?â
The scoutâs expression was grave, âWe saw.â
Iron Bird Flies nodded, âMhm. Letâs head back together then and report to the Deity immediately.â
The scouts left a few riders behind by Jie Pond to continue reconnaissance, while a few others accompanied Iron Bird Flies back swiftly to Nitrifying Pond salt village. Zao Ying had been waiting there for a long time, and Xing Honglang had also arrived leading the infantry troops. The small Nitrifying Pond salt village was now crowded with three hundred infantry and Three Hundred Cavalry Troops, making it quite lively.
After hearing Iron Bird Flies recount the events, everyoneâs face took on a strange expression.
Even the puppet deity furrowed his brows deeply; his two eyebrows, made of glued fox fur, pressed tightly together.
Xing Honglang stated, âIs Huang Yunfaâs strength really that formidable? Stronger than the officials?â
Iron Bird Flies nodded firmly, âYes. Especially that small unit of cavalry at his frontâdamn impressive, exceptionally skilled in archery and horse riding⌠that is, Boss Zao, please donât take offense when I say this, but Huang Yunfaâs cavalry is better than yours.â
Zao Ying exploded angrily, âBullshit! My cavalry came from bandits specializing in robbing merchants. How can they possibly be worse than some merchantâs guards?â
âCease your foolish clamor,â the puppet deity spoke up. Zao Ying, startled, immediately shut her mouth.
The puppet deity sighed softly and said, âZao Ying, donât be stubborn. Iron Bird Flies likely speaks the truth. Your cavalry wouldnât defeat his⌠because⌠those cavalrymen are surely Jurchen elites.â
This declaration shocked everyone, âSurely?â
They might not easily believe others, but who would doubt the Deity? The moment Zao Ying heard they were Jurchen elite cavalry, she dared not argue anymore.
The puppet deity continued slowly, âAll of the Eight Great Shanxi Merchants are traitors. They have long been selling supplies beyond the Great Wall to replenish the Jurchens. Simultaneously, theyâve been passing information â about the interior, troop deployments of officials â to the Jurchens. Therefore, having Jurchen cavalrymen among Huang Yunfaâs followers is no surprise. This unit might have been specifically sent by the Jurchens to protect Huang Yunfa, ensuring he could deliver supplies and intelligence to them. Maybe he hired them himself beyond the Great Wall. In any case, their origin is certainly illicit.â
Everyone: â!!!â
Li Daoxuan didnât voice the second half of his thought: these Shanxi merchants ultimately succeeded in selling out the Great Ming. After the Manchus entered the heartland, they enfeoffed the Eight Great Shanxi Merchants as the Eight Great Imperial Merchants. Subsequently, these Imperial Merchants flourished for a full two hundred years before declining alongside the fall of the Qing dynasty.
Objectively analyzing it, even traitors like Wu Sangui fall short in sheer âachievementâ compared to the Eight Great Shanxi Merchants. Wu Sangui betrayed his country to become a traitor when his family was humiliated by Li Zicheng and branded with the green hat (cuckolded). In contrast, the Eight Great Shanxi Merchants betrayed their country outright from the beginning to become traitors.
One acted under external pressure, the other was self-motivated and deliberate.
One did it for his father and wife, the other for profit.
One was not yet a traitor at this present moment, the other already was.
Although both are traitors, there is still a significant difference in their âaccomplishment.â
The puppet deityâs expression darkened. Of course, a puppetâs face doesnât actually darken, but he deliberately moved it into the shade of sunlight so it appeared dark. âEveryone,â he announced, âwe are going to kill someone.â
This statement stunned all present.
Those who joined Gaojia Village earliest had indeed seen the Deity kill beforeâone slap annihilating mountain bandits, another obliterating the Supreme Bright Kingâexceedingly efficient. However, those who joined later had not witnessed the Deity kill, because Li Daoxuan had rarely resorted to the decision of âkillingâ since then.
They all believed him to be extremely merciful and caring for humanity. Hearing the words âkill someoneâ from his mouth now inevitably shocked them.
The puppet deity decreed, âDo not let Huang Yunfa leave Hedong Road alive. Stop him from having another chance to supply the Jurchens. Kill him right here.â
His words, once spoken, became the Decree of the Deity.
Everyone mustered all their resolve to fulfill it.
Together they clasped their fists and solemnly chorused, âWe humbly obey the decree.â
Iron Bird Flies volunteered, âIâll return to Hedong Road. Iâll use my connection with the salt tax office to monitor him within, to find out where he intends to go next.â
Zao Ying declared, âIâll dispatch more scouts to prevent this man from escaping.â
Old Nan Feng pulled out a map, unfurling it with a snap, and began studying how to ensure this man wouldnât slip through their net.
Meanwhile, the married couple Xing Honglang and Gao Chuwu silently went off to inventory their equipment and prepare for battle.
Only Master Zhan Sheng seemed to have a different opinion. He brought his palms together prayerfully, âAmitabha! Kindly manage the situation! Deity, this humble monk feels that killing is not good; it harms Heavenâs harmony. Even if the adversary is utterly wicked, should we not first attempt reason? Perhaps it could be made clear? This poor monk intends to go see Huang Yunfa, to persuade him to lay down the butcherâs knife, turn back to the right path, and cease being a traitorâŚâ
Before he could even finish speaking, Iron Bird Flies suddenly winked vigorously at everyone, shooting several meaningful glances. âI think the Master makes a reasonable point,â Iron Bird Flies interjected. âWith such a traitor to the nation, we should attempt reason first. Only if persuasion fails should we resort to weapons. Mobilizing the army and fighting outright from the start would only waste resources and burden the peopleâthatâs not optimal.â
Everyone was collectively confused, puzzling over what was brewing in Iron Bird Fliesâs mind.
Iron Bird Flies winked even more frantically, even directing intense winks at Li Daoxuan (the puppet deity). First, he pointed discreetly at Master Zhan Sheng, then subtly made a drawing-a-knife-across-the-throat gesture.
Li Daoxuan understood instantly. He thought gleefully to himself, Ah! So thatâs the meaning. Well, now thatâs a perspective. Place the ultimate weapon right beside the enemy. Doesnât necessarily mean activating it, but it can be an insurance policy. Itâs Master Zhan Sheng himself whoâs willing to go. Canât blame anyone for taking advantage of that, right?
Seems like fun! No, I have to go too.
Thinking this, the wooden mouth of the wooden deity began clicking and clacking like a terrifying puppet performing clapper talk, âMaster Zhan Sheng speaks with reason! Everyone must follow procedure! Bring me along as well. I might also⌠persuade him a few words.â