gnovel Chapter 163 Xu Maogong's Departure, Wagang on the Verge of Collapse
Chapter 163 Xu Maogong's Departure, Wagang on the Verge of Collapse
"Perhaps Uncle Bao has some difficulties. I will go and inquire about it myself."
Xu Maogong was the first to calm down. Although his voice was soft, it was exceptionally clear amidst the chaos.
He gently waved his feather fan, his brows furrowed, and his eyes gleamed with contemplation.
As the strategist of Wagangzhai, he was accustomed to remaining rational when everyone was emotionally charged, and to finding a way out of seemingly unsolvable predicaments.
He began to piece together the whole story.
Why did Qin Qiong appear with Luo Cheng?
Luo Cheng was the son of Luo Yi, the Prince of Beiping, so Qin Qiong must have sided with Luo Yi.
Lu Xiao had a grudge against Wagang. Upon learning that Qin Qiong was with Luo Yi, he ordered Luo Yi to send troops to annihilate Wagang in the name of the imperial court.
This would weaken Wagang, force Qin Qiong to make a painful choice between loyalty and righteousness, and also give Luo Yi a warning.
Three birds with one stone.
This was indeed Lü Xiao's doing.
"I can't think of any other possibility."
"Given Shubao's personality, he would never have led troops to attack his former brothers unless he was driven to the brink. There must be some hidden reason behind this."
Xu Maogong looked around at everyone and spoke slowly.
Wang Bodang rubbed his face vigorously with both hands, his movements revealing deep exhaustion.
These days, Wagangzhai is in chaos. Shan Xiongxin has left, and You Junda has also left.
Even Cheng Yaojin, who tried to persuade Shan Xiongxin to return, never came back.
Qin Qiong said he would contact others to rebel against the imperial court, but he ended up joining someone else's side.
Now that even Xu Maogong is leaving, he's really afraid that none of them will come back.
"Are you leaving too?"
Wang Bodang's voice was hoarse, coming through his fingers, carrying a hint of vulnerability that was hard to conceal.
Xu Maogong's heart tightened.
He sensed the helplessness in Wang Bodang's words.
"I'm going to discuss things with him, not that I'm not coming back."
Seeing the way everyone was looking at him, Xu Maogong quickly added.
Wagangzhai was built by him and others, and it was a place where he poured his heart and soul.
He would not abandon it under any circumstances.
Wang Bo stared at Xu Maogong for a long time before slowly saying, "Then be careful, Qin Qiong... may no longer be on our side."
"I will be careful," Xu Maogong solemnly promised.
He didn't say anything more, turned around and left the Hall of Gathering Righteousness.
Xu Maogong took only one personal attendant with him and followed the messenger down the mountain.
The mountain road was rugged, and the three remained silent the whole way.
Xu Maogong was torn between two conflicting emotions: he hoped Qin Qiong truly had his reasons, yet he was also afraid to face the possible truth.
What if Qin Qiong really has changed?
What if he really does defect to the imperial court?
Soon after, they arrived at the encampment of Qin Qiong's army.
From a distance, the camp appeared heavily fortified.
It is fully equipped with barricades, moats, and watchtowers.
The patrolling cavalrymen, in groups of five, patrolled back and forth around the camp.
The tents in the camp were neatly arranged, with wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys and the neighing of warhorses echoing throughout.
Xu Maogong was a man of military expertise, and he could tell at a glance that this army was extraordinary.
The soldiers were skilled, well-equipped, and disciplined; they were by no means a rabble.
This is the real elite force, a border army capable of fighting tough battles.
His heart sank.
If Qin Qiong was just going to make a show of it, why bring such elite troops with him?
This is clearly a serious move.
The guards at the camp gate checked their identities and led them to the central command tent.
"Master Mao!" Qin Qiong stood up abruptly upon seeing the newcomer, a hint of surprise flashing across his face, which was quickly replaced by worry.
Xu Maogong grabbed Qin Qiong's arm, his eyes blazing, "Shubao, tell me the truth, are you really here to conquer Wagang?"
Qin Qiong did not answer immediately, but instead pulled Xu Maogong to sit down.
"It was all Lu Xiao's conspiracy," Qin Qiong finally said, his voice low and weary.
"He wants to see us kill each other. If I disobey, my uncle Luo Yi will be guilty of disobeying the imperial decree."
Luo Cheng added coldly from the side, "That's not all. Lü Xiao's move is intended to ruin my cousin's reputation."
To fight is unjust. To not fight is disloyal. Either choice is wrong.
Xu Maogong remained silent for a long time after hearing this.
He guessed right; it was indeed Lü Xiao's doing.
"Have you come up with a plan?"
Qin Qiong shook his head, his eyes full of helplessness: "My cousin and I have discussed this countless times along the way, but we still haven't found a perfect solution."
If they were to fight a real battle, both sides would surely suffer heavy losses.
If we retreat without a fight, we will hand over our weakness to Lü Xiao, who can use it as a pretext to launch an attack on Beiping Prefecture at any time.
"If all else fails... then let's just kill a few people."
Xu Maogong gritted his teeth, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.
When he said he would kill a few people, he meant he would find a few insignificant generals.
Both sides feigned battle, just to put on a show, and let a few people die to impress the imperial court.
"It can't be hidden." Luo Cheng shook his head.
Lu Xiao harbored deep resentment towards Wagang. Since he had set up this trap, he would definitely come to supervise the battle in person.
To act under his nose is tantamount to courting death.
"In my opinion, instead of hiding it, we should have a real fight. Only by killing each other to the death can we silence Lü Xiao."
These words were spoken with absolute certainty, without the slightest hesitation.
Xu Maogong stared at Luo Cheng in shock.
He had met this young man a few times. When they swore brotherhood at Jiajialou, Luo Cheng was a spirited young man. Although he was a bit arrogant, he was also very forthright.
But now, those eyes only held coldness and resolve.
"Brother Luo, you..."
Xu Maogong was at a loss for words.
"Am I really going to risk the entire Luo family for a few complete strangers with whom I've become sworn brothers?"
Luo Cheng stood up, walked into the tent, and spoke with his back to the two men.
He only became sworn brothers on a whim.
Who are the sworn brothers?
They were just bandits and outlaws.
If Qin Qiong hadn't been there, he wouldn't have even glanced at them.
These words were extremely harsh, and Xu Maogong's face instantly turned pale.
Qin Qiong opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found himself speechless.
Luo Cheng is right.
He did it for the Luo family, and for the families of the thousands of soldiers in Beiping Prefecture.
This responsibility is far greater than so-called brotherhood.
"Cousin...you're right." Qin Qiong finally slumped down, his voice bitter.
Xu Maogong looked at the two cousins and felt a chill in his heart.
He suddenly realized that everything was already destined from the moment Qin Qiong accepted the imperial edict.
"Mao Gong, I advise you to seek another wise ruler. Wagang is not a place to stay for long." Qin Qiong knew that Wagang would probably not be able to hold out after this battle.
"Among all the people in the world, who is a wise ruler?"
Xu Maogong waited for a long time, and finally met Li Mi.
Just as Wagang was thriving, Shan Xiongxin and Cheng Yaojin left.
Then Lü Xiao arrived and destroyed the Zheng family, the source of Wagang's funds and provisions.
He really didn't know who he could turn to now that Wagang was gone.
Qin Qiong pondered for a moment, then got up and walked to the table, laid out paper and ground ink: "Go and seek refuge with the Li family in Taiyuan. I have had a relationship with them before, so I will write a letter of recommendation for you."
He wielded his brush and quickly wrote a letter, which he then handed to Xu Maogong.
Xu Maogong took the letter; the thin paper felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.