novelAbuy Chapter 53 He had nowhere else to go.
Chapter 53 He had nowhere else to go.
Wu Yong did not bring any attendants.
He rode a horse from the official granary west of the city, heading southeast along the Guangji River. Liangshan Marsh was located southeast of Yuncheng County, a journey that could be reached in half a day on horseback.
He didn't take the main road, but instead took a detour along a side path. Along the way, he saw several groups of refugees, families in tow, heading south. They were emaciated and pale, their eyes listless. Wu Yong reined in his horse, watched them for a moment, sighed, and continued on his way.
In the afternoon, he arrived at a bay north of Liangshanbo.
This is one of the ferry crossings where the Nguyen brothers often stayed. Several small boats are moored to willow trees on the shore, and some pieces of wood and reeds float on the water.
A shirtless man was squatting on the bank mending nets when he saw Wu Yong and looked up.
"Scholar? What brings you here?"
It's Ruan Xiaoqi.
Wu Yong dismounted and threw the reins to him.
"Let's go up the mountain. Is Instructor Lin here?"
"Yes. They've been practicing on the mountain since early this morning." Ruan Xiaoqi pushed the small boat into the water. "Scholar, get on board."
The small boat meandered through the reeds, passing through several narrow waterways, until the view suddenly opened up. The main peak of Liangshan lay ahead, with rows of newly built wooden houses at its foot, smoke curling from their chimneys. Several flags were planted on the mountain pass; they were neither government troops' flags nor those of any mountain stronghold, but were made of white cloth, with nothing written on them.
The small boat docked. Wu Yong jumped onto the pier and walked up the stone steps.
On the flat ground halfway up the mountain, more than a hundred men were practicing.
They wore clothes of various colors, some were shirtless, and their weapons were not uniform—some carried broadswords, some spears, some forks, and a few carried wooden sticks. But the ranks were orderly, their movements were synchronized, and not a single person slacked off.
Lin Chong stood at the front of the line, holding a white waxwood pole without a gun head in his hand, and shouting work chants.
"Thrust! Retract! Thrust! Retract!"
More than a hundred spears thrust out simultaneously, their tips gleaming in the sunlight.
Wu Yong stood to the side and watched for a moment without saying a word.
Lin Chong caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of his eye but didn't stop. Only after this round of drills was over did he toss the white waxwood staff to his deputy beside him and stride over.
"What brings this scholar here?"
"Brother sent me to take a look," Wu Yong said with a smile, "and to pass on a message to the instructor."
Lin Chong wiped his sweat and led Wu Yong into the village.
The village was small, with a low wall built of wood and stones, inside which were several rows of wooden houses. The innermost, slightly larger house was where Lin Chong lived and also served as the council hall.
The two went inside and sat down. A henchman brought in two bowls of water and then left.
"What does brother want to say?" Lin Chong asked.
Wu Yong recounted Yang Zhi's story. From the news from Zengtou City, to Yang Zhi sending troops to garrison there, to Liu Bei sending Zhou Fu to make contact, and finally Yang Zhi coming to Yuncheng to see his brother.
Lin Chong listened without much change in expression. When he heard the name "Yang Zhi," he tapped his knee lightly with his fingers.
"What does brother mean?" Lin Chong asked.
"My brother said that Yang Zhi's five hundred soldiers might join Liangshan in the future. Not now, but in the future. He wants the instructor to be prepared."
Lin Chong remained silent for a moment.
"If he comes, he will be my subordinate."
Wu Yong looked at him.
"The coach doesn't mind?"
Lin Chong picked up the bowl of water and took a sip.
"Scholar, I, Lin Chong, am not a petty person. In that battle at Huangni Ridge, we each served our own masters. Now that he has nowhere else to turn, he has come to seek refuge with you, brother. If I were to bring up old grievances, would I still be human?"
Wu Yong smiled.
"I knew the coach would say that."
Lin Chong put down the bowl.
"However, there is one thing that the scholar must tell my brother for me."
"Please speak, Instructor."
"If Yang Zhi really comes, we can't just break up his five hundred soldiers. They have their own organization and rules. Forcing them into our ranks will only make things worse. In my opinion, we should let them form their own battalion, led by Yang Zhi himself. In time, they will naturally integrate."
Wu Yong thought for a moment and nodded: "That makes sense. I'll go back and tell my brother."
Lin Chong added, "Also, there's not enough food on the mountain. It's barely enough to feed a hundred people, and if we add another five hundred, it won't last more than a few days. Tell my brother to find a solution quickly."
Wu Yong stood up.
"Don't worry, Instructor. Yang Zhi's matter hasn't been settled yet; we'll discuss it after that."
He took two steps outside, then suddenly turned back.
"Coach, do you think Yang Zhi will come?"
Lin Chong did not answer immediately. He walked to the door and looked down at the men who were finishing their exercises below the mountain.
"Yes. He has nowhere else to go."
……
Lei Heng, dressed in his official robes and carrying a broadsword at his waist, rode a tall horse. Song Jiang, having changed into a clean blue cloth robe, looked like an accountant and followed behind on an old horse.
The two followed the official road out of Yuncheng County and headed north.
Lei Heng was a chatterbox; he kept talking the whole way.
"Brother, do you think Yang Zhi will have second thoughts if he sees us?"
Song Jiang said, "Let him think what he wants. We're just going to make the trip; it's his business what he thinks."
"What if he doesn't give me face?"
"He wouldn't dare." Song Jiang glanced at Lei Heng. "He's just a convicted military supervisor. When he sees the clerks and captains of our Yuncheng County, he has to be extremely polite."
Lei Heng chuckled and remained silent.
The two arrived at the outskirts of Zengtou City after noon.
Yang Zhi's camp could be seen from afar. The camp gate was open, and a few soldiers were sunbathing at the entrance. The camp was not large, but it was fairly well-organized. However, it was clear that the food supplies were running low—there were only seven or eight horses in the stable outside the camp, and the hay piles were only knee-high.
Lei Heng spurred his horse to the camp gate and showed his waist badge.
"Lei Heng, the head constable of Yuncheng County, was ordered by the Prime Minister to inspect the area. He passed by your camp and came to pay his respects to Supervisor Yang."
The guards were stunned for a moment, then quickly ran inside to report.
Not long after, the camp gates swung open. Yang Zhi strode out, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Commander Lei, Clerk Song, I've heard so much about you. Please come in."
Yang Zhi didn't look well. His eyes were dark circles and his lips were chapped, as if he hadn't slept well for several days. But he stood ramrod straight and his voice was steady.
Lei Heng glanced at him and smiled, "Commander Yang, you've worked hard. When Master Shi heard that you were stationed here, he specially sent us to give you his regards."
Yang Zhi said, "You've gone to so much trouble, Prime Minister Shi."
The three walked into the camp. As they walked, Song Jiang observed discreetly—the tents were dilapidated, the soldiers looked pale, and some of their clothes were torn and unpatched. The weapons were relatively intact, but the scabbards were rusty.
Once inside Yang Zhi's tent, the three of them took their seats as host and guest.
Yang Zhi personally poured two bowls of water and brought them over.
"The camp is simple, and there's no tea. Please make do with this."
Lei Heng took the bowl and drank a sip. Song Jiang didn't drink and put the bowl on the table.
"Supervisor Yang, you've heard about the situation here, as has Master Shi," Song Jiang said softly. "Supervisor, if you have any difficulties, please speak frankly. Master Shi is of low rank and may not be able to help, but he can act as an intermediary and pass on a message."
Yang Zhi looked at Song Jiang and remained silent for a moment.
"Sir Song, let's not beat around the bush. Everyone knows my predicament. Our supplies won't last ten days, we can't take Zengtou City, and the imperial court has no reinforcements. As for Lord Liang..."
He didn't continue.
Song Jiang nodded and did not ask any further questions.
After exchanging a few more meaningless words, Lei Heng and Song Jiang put away the small booklet handed to them by the old steward, then got up to take their leave.
Yang Zhi escorted him to the camp gate.
"Song, the clerk," Yang Zhi suddenly called out to him.
Song Jiang turned back.
Yang Zhi hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Please thank Chief Justice Chao on my behalf."
Song Jiang smiled.
"Rest assured, Commander, I will definitely deliver the message."