gnovel Chapter 33 Huazhou Guard
Chapter 33 Huazhou Guard
Wang Er paced back and forth in the back hall of the county government office, his expression somewhat complicated.
Ever since he entered Yijun County, he felt that things were getting out of control.
The number of people under my command is increasing, but they are also becoming more and more difficult to manage.
These past few days, he kept thinking about the time when he first started the uprising, when he led a hundred or so brothers into the county government office and killed the corrupt official. How exhilarating it was!
He now commands over ten thousand men, and while various leaders outwardly address him as "Great Leader," they all secretly act independently.
Before entering the city, he had repeatedly ordered that looting was forbidden and that discipline must be maintained, but once inside the city, some people couldn't control themselves.
He initially wanted to target a few individuals for severe punishment, but was stopped by Zhong Huaidao and his old comrades.
"Second Brother, you absolutely mustn't!" Zhong Huaidao grabbed his sleeve that day, pointing to the chaotic streets outside the window, earnestly pleading, "Killing our own people as soon as we enter the city will chill the hearts of our brothers. Who will be willing to risk their lives for us in the future? Besides..." He lowered his voice, pointing in the direction outside the city, "Luo Dai and his gang of convicts from Mizhi are watching. If we deal with our own old brothers first, won't we become a laughingstock for outsiders?"
He agreed, almost as if possessed.
Then things spiraled out of control.
Seeing that there was no punishment for robbery, others also flocked to the streets, and eventually, the entire camp was openly robbing people.
At that point, he couldn't control it even if he wanted to.
He originally thought that he would rob these brothers to vent his anger, and then he should stop and go back to camp.
After all, just a few months ago, we were all poor.
But he overlooked the fact that once human desires are aroused, they are endless.
His men not only wanted to rob, but also showed signs of killing everyone in the city, forcing him to seek help from "outsiders" to deal with them.
Although Li Chengye and Luo Dai were not his old brothers who had followed him before he started the uprising, they quickly distinguished themselves after joining his rebel army with their genuine abilities.
Luo Dai is understandable, after all, he was a border army officer who had served for many years and was very experienced.
But he couldn't quite understand Li Chengye.
Although both were from farming families in Baishui, this man focused on rigorous training and strict discipline after joining the rebel army, which was quite different from his fellow Baishui villagers who preferred to enjoy life.
Especially during the siege, he actually led only his own squad and broke into the city first, which was simply unbelievable.
Although these two men managed to send the troublesome veteran soldiers back to camp, they also caused resentment among the old comrades.
Behind his back, some people even gossiped that he, as the great leader, couldn't hold his own and was unworthy of the title.
This won't do.
Just as he was looking for something to prove that he was the real boss, a message came from the cavalry on guard outside.
"Second brother, it's confirmed, just over a thousand garrison troops."
Zhong Huaidao rushed into the back room, shouting before even seeing Wang Er.
Is the news confirmed?
Wang Er suddenly turned around and stared intently at him.
"It's confirmed. Liu Guoxing of the cavalry personally captured a lone bannerman and obtained the details."
They were garrison troops who came from Huazhou. We set off from Chengcheng towards Baishui, and they followed us. Later, we changed our route to Yijun, and these fools, without thinking, went straight to Baishui County. They only arrived from Yanshui yesterday.
Moreover, because they were pursuing across borders, their supplies were inadequate. The kid they caught said they were only getting two meals of thin porridge a day, and several had already fainted from hunger on the road.
"If that's the case, then things will be much easier."
After hearing Zhong Huaidao's explanation, Wang Er felt much more at ease.
This time, I must show my subordinates who the real leader is.
"Send the order!" His voice suddenly rose, "Summon all the leaders!"
"yes!"
-----------------
When Li Chengye arrived at the county government hall, there were already quite a few people inside.
Huo Tu, Black Scorpion, Luo Dai, Xu Youlu and others were all there. Seats were lined up on both sides of the hall, but no one sat down.
Luo Dai leaned closer to Li Chengye and lowered his voice: "I heard there was news of government troops, which is why the chief summoned us here."
Government troops?
Li Chengye's heart stirred.
"Are they border troops or garrison troops?"
"I don't know," Luo Dai shook his head. "I only saw that the cavalry had already left the city, and I don't know much else."
If it were border troops, they would have to consider withdrawing now.
After Liu Ye and Yang Chongwang explained the situation, Li Chengye had a full understanding of the current strength of the border army. Given their current situation, it was really difficult for them to fight back. However, if it were the garrison banner army, then they could see how things went.
After about a quarter of an hour, someone shouted, "The Great Chief has arrived!"
The hall fell silent instantly.
Wang Er was still wearing the old leather armor, but he had put on a brand new silk robe over it. He strode in, followed closely by Zhong Huaidao.
He walked straight to the magistrate's seat where he was presiding over the case, glanced at everyone, and said, "Please sit down, everyone."
Zhong Huaidao took the first seat on the right, and Luo Dai, seeing this, immediately sat in the first seat on the left. The two looked at each other across the distance.
Li Chengye originally thought he could just find any seat, but then Luo Dai waved to him.
In an instant, everyone subconsciously focused their attention on Li Chengye.
Black Scorpion, who was originally going to sit in the second seat on the left, was a little at a loss.
Seeing this, Li Chengye gave up on finding a random seat and walked over. Just as Black Scorpion was about to move aside, he sat down in the third seat on the left.
Li Chengye bowed to Black Scorpion and Luo Dai with clasped hands.
Luo Dai nodded, while Black Scorpion returned the greeting with a slightly flustered clasped fist.
Aside from this little incident, everyone quickly found their place.
Wang Er didn't keep them in suspense and got straight to the point: "The cavalry reported that they spotted a government army twenty li south of the city. They have already passed Kuquanpu and are heading towards Yijun City."
After the explanation was given, the audience erupted in commotion.
"May I ask, Chief, how many troops are coming? What is their equipment like? Do they have cavalry?"
Luo Dai was the first to ask a question.
"There were about a thousand men, with the vanguard of over a hundred all in armor. The situation of the rear guard was still unknown, and no cavalry was seen."
Wang Er answered all the questions he knew, and finally added, "These are garrison troops from Huazhou."
Upon hearing this last sentence, Luo Dai, who had initially frowned upon hearing that the opponent was "wearing armor," visibly relaxed and immediately clasped his hands in a gesture of invitation to battle.
"Then please let my unit lead the vanguard in fighting against the government troops."
"No, last time Brother Luo was the vanguard in attacking Yijun City, this time it's my turn."
The speaker was Zhong Huaidao, who then glanced at Luo Dai after he finished speaking.
Luo Dai was indignant because of that look and wanted to argue again, but Wang Er stopped him by raising his hand.
"In this battle, there's no need for vanguard or rearguard." Wang Er's gaze slowly swept over the crowd below, his voice not loud, but decisive. "Brothers, let's fight together! Let those officials see that the men of northern Shaanxi are not to be trifled with!"
----------------
Just then, Zhang Shixiong, the commander of Huazhou Garrison, who had just passed Kuquanpu, was riding a skinny horse when he suddenly felt his right eyelid twitching wildly.