lcionline Chapter 199 To untie the bell, one must tie it
Chapter 199 To untie the bell, one must tie it
??
News of the fall of Chengmai County to the bandit army and their extensive looting reached the prefectural government of Qiongshan County a few days later. Prefect Qin Bingyan nearly fainted upon hearing the news.
In truth, Qiongzhou Prefecture has suffered numerous misfortunes in recent years, and the previous prefect had been living a life of constant anxiety and trepidation. First, the failed attempt to organize the garrison troops to suppress Liu Ye and his forces resulted in his own death. Then, the incursion of the Guangdong army drained the prefecture's resources, and now the Qiongzhou camp was attempting to use force to suppress civilian officials. Qin Bingyan felt his newly appointed prefectural position was extremely precarious. If it weren't for the prefecture's remote location and the presence of a troublesome force like the Qiongzhou camp, making it difficult for anyone else to take over, he would have been impeached and resigned long ago to retire.
Qin Bingyan summoned Zhao Yue and his advisor to his study, rubbed his temples with his fingers, and asked wearily, "What do you think of this matter? How should it be handled?"
Master Qin looked at Zhao Yue and said, "Let me say a few words first. Please correct me if I am wrong. The fall of the county town is no small matter. We must take it back by any means necessary. Otherwise, we will settle all old scores and new scores together, and your position as prefect will be over."
Qin Bingyan nodded. Although his words were blunt and harsh, they were the truth. News from Changhua hadn't arrived yet, otherwise he would have been tempted to hang himself.
After a moment's thought, Zhao Yue said, "In my opinion, this bandit army is not a bandit army at all; it is most likely related to the Qiongzhou Camp."
Qin Bingyan felt a headache coming on: "Qiongzhou Camp again?"
Zhao Yue recounted in detail to Qin Bingyan the events at the wedding banquet in Lingao, emphasizing that Changhua County and Chengmai County had offended Liu Ye.
Qin Bingyan pondered: "So, on the surface, Liu Ye doesn't confront Liu Zezhong, but secretly sends people disguised as bandits to infiltrate Chengmai?"
Zhao Yue nodded and said, "That's exactly right. Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that Liu Zezhong returned to Chengmai and the bandits followed right after? Furthermore, I heard that these people are all carrying short guns. Although the bandits are not bloodthirsty, they are used to using broadswords and clubs, so where would they get short guns? And the only place in the entire Qiongzhou Prefecture that has firearms that can fire continuously is Qiongzhou Camp."
"If that's really the case, what exactly is the Qiongzhou camp plotting?" Qin Bingyan was completely baffled. "They have already been appeased and incorporated into the camp, receiving the imperial court's rations and pay. Attacking the county town is tantamount to rebellion, and sending people to impersonate bandits not only risks being exposed, but also doesn't actually bring much benefit."
After thinking for a moment, Master Qin asked in an inquiring tone, "Could it be that you just want to vent your anger by punishing Liu Zezhong?"
Qin Bingyan and Zhao Yue shook their heads at the same time. How could Liu Ye, who had single-handedly built up the current situation, make such a naive mistake?
Zhao Yue said after careful consideration, "No matter what, the fall of the county town is a fact. This matter must be resolved. The longer it is delayed, the more disadvantageous it will be for the prefect."
Qin Bingyan sighed, "The Qiongzhou Camp has made its move, and we can only respond accordingly. The one who tied the knot must untie it. We cannot resort to force; we can only outsmart them, and that task falls on the Qiongzhou Camp." In truth, given the current military strength of the prefecture city and the Qiongzhou Camp, the city is completely outmatched. To resort to force would only bring humiliation upon itself. Saying that we can outsmart them is just a nicer way of putting it.
A bad feeling rose in Zhao Yue's heart, and sure enough, Qin Bingyan's next words were exactly what he expected.
"The only solution now is to send someone to have a private talk with the Qiongzhou garrison to see how they can get Chengmai County to let go. Of all the officials in the prefectural government, you, Zi'ang, are the most suitable to go."
Zhao Yue really didn't want to deal with the Qiongzhou camp anymore, and waved his hands repeatedly: "This matter is of great importance. If Liu Ye makes demands, only the Prefect can make a decision. How dare I overstep my bounds?"
“Zi’ang, you must understand my predicament. As the prefect, how can I personally go to Lingao to meet with that Liu? It would be too conspicuous. I don’t trust anyone else. You are the person I trust most in the yamen. Moreover, you have dealt with him many times and know his temperament. We can prescribe the right medicine and solve the Chengmai problem as soon as possible.”
Qin Bingyan stood up and walked to Zhao Yue, taking Zhao Yue's arms in his hands, and said sincerely, "Zi'ang, I don't know how long I can hold this position as prefect. Now, you are the only one who can help me!"
Having been asked for this much by his superior and fellow student, Zhao Yue had no choice but to agree: "This humble official dares not disobey."
Qin Bingyan was overjoyed: "Then thank you very much, Zi'ang."
"But what if Liu Ye sets conditions that I can't make a decision about?" The sooner the crisis in Chengmai County is resolved, the smaller the negative impact will be. If we have to travel back and forth between Lingao and Qiongshan over the issue of authorization, and the negotiations drag on for a long time, then the trip to Lingao will be meaningless.
Qin Bingyan waved his sleeve and said, "As long as it's not treason or rebellion, you can decide whatever conditions he proposes. Just let me know when you get back." If he can't solve the immediate problem, he won't be able to continue as prefect. What else is there to worry about?
Having received the promise, Zhao Yue felt more confident and said to Qin Bingyan, "This humble official will do his utmost to resolve this matter for the Prefect."
"It all depends on you, Zi'ang. There's no time to lose, so please set off tomorrow."
"I obey your orders."
The next day, just as Zhao Yue was about to set off, news arrived regarding Changhua County. It was said that the Qiongzhou garrison had sent men to Changhua to assist in suppressing the bandits, but they encountered fierce resistance, breached the city walls, and inflicted heavy casualties on the bandits. The remaining bandits all escaped by sea, and the county magistrate, Lu Gengyu, was also killed by the bandits, suffering severe injuries and becoming disabled.
Upon hearing of Changhua's ordeal, Zhao Yue gasped. The term "thief" was clearly derogatory; anyone with eyes could see what it meant. Liu Ye was indeed decisive, ruthless, and vindictive. The Changhua magistrate was truly unlucky to have crossed him. However, he decided to leave the Changhua matter to the prefect and focus on completing his mission in Lingao.
It takes only a few days to travel from Qiongshan to Lingao, and even shorter to Chengmai. Three days later, Zhao Yue and his party arrived outside Chengmai County.
The city gates were tightly shut, and there were no patrolling soldiers on the walls. The city was quiet, like a dead city.
Zhao Yue stood at the East Gate for a while, shook his head, and instructed his attendants: "Go around the city and head to Lingao."
Upon arriving in Lingao, Zhao Yue was quickly led to Nanyuan, where he met Liu Ye. Liu Ye's expression suggested he had been waiting for a long time, further convincing Zhao Yue that the Qiongzhou camp had ulterior motives in attacking Chengmai and Changhua.
Liu Ye captured Changhua and trapped Chengmai, waiting for people from Fucheng to arrive, but it happened faster than expected.
"I wonder what brings Lord Zhao to Lingao once again?"
"Keep pretending." Zhao Yue thought to himself with disdain, but put on a sincere expression: "The Prefect sent me here because he has a request."
"To ask for something would be too much of an honor for me. May I ask what the Prefectural Governor needs the services of the Qiongzhou Camp?"
"Chengmai County has been occupied by bandits, the magistrate has been placed under house arrest, and the people have been robbed. The city gates are now tightly closed, and the only way to rescue them is to attack the city. However, the prefectural government is unable to organize troops to take the city, so we would like to ask General Liu to lead his troops to rescue the people of the city."