The Revolt of the Three Feudatories: All-in at the start in Beijing

Chapter 160 Li Yong: Take a couple of steps forward.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Li Yong shared his thoughts, leaving everyone bewildered. One of the centurions scratched his head in confusion.

"Brother Li, you're a capable man in our Shuntian Prefecture. Just say the word when it comes to military campaigns, and we'll all listen to you!"

"But disobeying military orders is punishable by death!"

Upon hearing this, everyone else looked apprehensive.

The discipline of the Han army has become increasingly strict over the past six months. Those bad habits developed from the barbarians, such as looting villages, have cost many people their heads.

Disobeying military discipline is more serious than looting the countryside; nobody wants to lose their head for no reason.

Seeing this, Li Yong was not angry. He simply stood up, raised his teacup to the six people, drank it all in one gulp, and then looked coldly at everyone.

"Gentlemen, we are all men who came from Shuntian. How did the Manchu Qing treat us? How does His Majesty treat us now? If Governor Wang were to defect to the enemy, how would we face His Majesty? What would become of our families?"

"I, Li, have nothing left and am willing to die just in case. Therefore, I have decided to gather the soldiers tonight, leave the camp ahead of schedule, and then inform Governor Zhao of Shaanxi!"

As Li Yong finished speaking, he had already drawn his long sword!

"I will take full responsibility for everything!"

Li Yong's actions were practically tantamount to coercion.

All six men had grim expressions and drew their long swords to confront each other. If they didn't go, Li Yong would definitely kill them to ensure that the secret wouldn't be leaked.

This is where the advantage of personal combat ability comes into play.

Just as Guan Yu stood aside, Zhou Yu never dared to smash the cup as a signal, because he didn't know whose head would fall first, his or Liu Bei's.

The same was true for Li Yong; before his personal guards even entered, at least half of the people here would have collapsed.

The centurion, who spoke first, swallowed hard twice, his Adam's apple bobbing. Then, after sheathing his longsword, he picked up the teacup on the table and gulped it down in one go.

"We'll do whatever Brother Li says!"

When the other five saw someone lower their head, they all instinctively sheathed their swords.

"We are ready to obey!"

Seeing that the situation was settled, Li Yong breathed a sigh of relief. He also had an elderly mother and a young son, so why would he want to fight to the death?

But the thought of being forced to surrender to the enemy by Wang Fuchen reminded him of the dark times he experienced under the rule of the Manchu Qing dynasty.

……

Li Yong was a man of bold ideas and decisive actions. Taking advantage of the commotion of the assembled army, he seized the opportunity to lead six men and more than 1,600 troops to quietly leave the camp at dawn.

Why are there only these people?

Because the other six were all centurions, the marching order was also a lie, saying that they were the vanguard and would go to Guanzhong ahead of time.

As the army marched into the mountains, one of the centurions suddenly looked puzzled, because this was not the road to Guanzhong.

"Commander Li, where are we going?"

Li Yong looked at the rising sun.

"By now, Governor Wang should have already discovered our departure. If he has no ill intentions, he will take the official road and enter Chang'an openly. But if he has ill intentions, he will definitely pass through Luogu Pass and attack Chang'an!"

"Brothers, if Governor Wang doesn't come, take me back with you. We'll deal with you under military law, and you can get a lighter punishment!"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately showed admiration. They were also loyal to the Han Dynasty, but not to this extent. It was especially important that he was thinking of them at this moment.

Meanwhile, Wang Fuchen looked towards Chang'an City with a rather spirited air. Seeing that the army had been reorganized, he immediately waved his hand.

"Set off!"

With over a thousand men, the army spread across the mountains and fields, and the 30,000-strong force almost completely occupied the open space outside Yangxian County.

Just then, Tang Tao, who had followed Wang Fuchen for more than ten years, rode up on horseback with a nervous expression. Seeing that Wang Fuchen was surrounded by his own people, he stepped forward.

"My lord, we just scouted the troops, and a centurion and six platoon leaders have already left ahead of time!"

Upon hearing the words "Lord," the generals surrounding Wang Fuchen remained unmoved, undoubtedly all of whom were in the know.

Upon hearing this, Wang Fuchen was furious. He had returned to Chang'an with his troops to control the governor, and then arrange for his own people to take control of the troops stationed in various places before he planned to declare himself emperor and openly rebel.

Now more than a thousand people have suddenly left.

Maybe we'll discover something.

He immediately cracked his whip and took the first command!

"Tang Tao, take this token and immediately lead five thousand cavalry to attack Luogu Pass. If they are fleeing troops, try to trick them into opening the gate with your wits. Don't use force. Wait for me to decide everything!"

Wang Fuchen was very skilled at leading troops, and Tang Tao, as his deputy, was also a decisive and efficient person. He immediately took the token, mobilized five thousand cavalry, and quickly marched towards Luogu Pass!

……

At Luogu Pass, the sun is directly overhead at noon.

On the city wall, Li Yong stood motionless, looking towards the valley to the south. The six centurions beside him already showed expressions of doubt, since according to the marching speed, the army should have reached the pass in another hour.

If the cavalry were to pursue, they would have already arrived!

Li Yong glanced sideways, then nonchalantly continued looking south, though there was a faint dampness on the blue bricks he had just supported.

This indicates that Li Yong is also starting to lose his composure.

Just then, the sound of thunderous hooves came from the valley. Tang Tao, leading a hundred personal guards, rode at the forefront and stopped in front of the moat.

Tang Tao looked up at the city wall, and his expression turned cold when he saw Li Yong. Li Yong had been transferred from the capital garrison, and Tang Tao, who knew that his lord was preparing to become emperor, naturally did not get along with Li Yong.

He immediately pulled out the governor's token from between the armor plates.

"Where are the centurions guarding Luogu Pass? I am Tang Tao, the military advisor of Hanzhong Army, leading my personal guards to Chang'an today. Why don't you open the city gates immediately?"

Upon seeing Tang Tao, Li Yong on the city wall knew that Tang Tao had made the right bet. He then broke his previous silence and looked at the six centurions with a smile.

"It seems Mr. Li was right!"

"Wang Fuchen certainly harbors rebellious intentions!"

The six centurions were now completely convinced. This was an act of preventing a rebellion, second only to saving the emperor among all military achievements. How could they not be convinced?

One of the centurions immediately bowed.

"Commander Li, give the order!"

"Whether we lure them in to kill them or charge out to kill them, I, Niu Er, have no objection."

This Niu Er was a big, burly man who was the first to question Li Yong before the trip. Now he was speaking up, hoping to redeem himself.

Upon hearing this, Li Yong did not show any relief. Instead, he stroked his chin and pondered for a full quarter of an hour before speaking.

"No, Tang Tao is bluffing!"

"Once the city gates are opened, his hundred personal guards can block the entrance, and then the cavalry from the valley entrance will charge in, putting us in a predicament!"

Seeing that everyone had become serious, Li Yong quietly took down a bow and nocked an armor-piercing arrow onto the bowstring. He then turned his back to Tang Tao below the city and shouted.

"General, may I step forward a few steps? The sun is too bright, and I can't see the Governor's token clearly."