novelSusiti Chapter 23: Rescuing Zangke, the Spy's Whereabouts Are Exposed
Chapter 23: Rescuing Zangke, the Spy's Whereabouts Are Exposed
Outside the city of Zangke, dust swirls in the wind.
Banners fluttered and jingled incessantly.
Li Hui stood with his hand on his sword.
His sharp gaze swept over the tribal envoy before him.
He exudes a calm and composed aura.
They showed no sign of panic despite the city gates being closed.
The envoy was dressed in the attire of a southern tribe.
He had a blue turban wrapped around his head and his arms crossed over his chest.
His expression was respectful, yet also somewhat wary.
He was none other than Meng Huo's trusted confidant, Aman.
"General Li, the chief has ordered me to come."
Aman raised her eyes, looked directly at Li Hui, and spoke solemnly.
"I have a question for the general—can His Majesty truly deliver on his promise of tribal autonomy and three years of tax exemption?"
Upon hearing this, Li Hui's lips curled into a slight smile.
He stepped forward, his voice firm and resonant: "I have come on His Majesty's orders."
"Every word and action represents the Shu Han imperial family!"
"His Majesty has always been compassionate towards the tribes of the south."
"If Meng Huo, the leader, surrenders, he will not only gain the right to self-government."
"Shu Han would also send officials to teach farming techniques to help tribes live in peace and prosperity."
He raised his hand, gesturing to his personal guards.
The guards took out several bolts of Shu brocade and a bag of grain.
He handed it to Aman, saying, "His Majesty instructed me to bring this."
"This is a token of Shu Han's sincerity; the leader can verify it with his own eyes."
Aman looked down at the Shu brocade in her hand.
It has a delicate texture and a bright color.
He then looked at the full load of grain and fodder.
The wariness in his eyes gradually dissipated.
[Aman thought to herself]: Shu Han is quite generous this time.
Judging from Li Hui's expression, he didn't seem to be faking it.
The leader was simply wary of Yong Kai's power.
Fearing that Liu Shan might change his mind later, they hesitated to make up their minds.
"I have already seen the general's sincerity."
Aman put away the Shu brocade and bowed, saying...
"However, the leader still has one concern—"
He changed the subject and lowered his voice.
"Yong Kai colluded with Eastern Wu and held considerable military power."
"If we surrender to Shu Han, we fear they will retaliate, and our tribe will be unable to protect itself."
Li Hui had already anticipated Meng Huo's concerns.
His expression remained unchanged, and he said in a deep voice, "Please rest assured, Chief."
"I have brought five hundred elite troops with me this time."
"His Majesty will also send General Ma Zhong to lead troops to reinforce the south and contain Yong Kai's forces."
"Moreover, Yong Kai only cares about his own selfish interests and colludes with foreign enemies."
"They have long lost the hearts of the people of the southern tribes."
"As long as the leader raises his arm and calls, the tribes will surely respond."
"With the help of both inside and outside forces, we will surely be able to eliminate Yong Kai."
[Li Hui's inner thoughts]: Although Meng Huo had concerns, his mind was already set on it.
With just a little more effort, we can persuade him to surrender.
The tribes of Zangke County were coerced by Yongkai.
As long as Meng Huo makes a statement, the city gates will open.
Upon hearing this, a hint of emotion flashed in Aman's eyes.
He was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "The general is absolutely right."
"I am willing to return and report the general's words to the leader truthfully."
"only……"
"Yong Kai had already sent people to monitor Zangke County."
"The tribal chief within the city was kept under the watch of his confidants."
"If the general wishes to enter the city to make contact, he must proceed with caution."
A cold glint flashed in Li Hui's eyes.
He nodded and said, "Thank you for informing me. I will have my own plan."
"Please have the messenger return and convey this message to Chief Meng Huo."
"The sincerity of Shu Han is right before our eyes."
"Whether to surrender or not, we urge the leader to make a swift decision, lest this opportunity be missed."
"I will keep your instructions in mind, General."
Aman bowed respectfully, then turned and strode quickly toward the small gate on the side of the city.
Before long, they disappeared behind the city gate.
After Aman left, a guard rode forward.
He whispered, "General, Meng Huo's envoy's attitude is ambiguous."
"They might not be truly willing to help. Should we try to breach the city gates first?"
Li Hui waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "No."
"A direct assault will only harm the tribe's people."
"It will also make Meng Huo wary of us."
"Since Aman is willing to reveal Yongkai's plans, it means he intends to surrender."
"We just need to wait patiently and be prepared."
He paused, then said, "Pass down the order."
"The entire army set up camp outside the city and sent scouts to closely monitor the movements at the city gates."
"If Yong Kai's troops arrive, report it immediately."
"promise!"
The guard bowed in agreement and turned to make arrangements.
Li Hui gazed at the tightly closed city gates of Zangke County.
He gripped the tiger tally tightly in his fingers, having already made his decision.
If Meng Huo is willing to surrender, Zangke County can be easily captured.
The strategy of dividing the south and central regions will take a crucial first step.
Meanwhile, outside the Chengdu Imperial Palace.
As night deepened, moonlight shone on the bluestone path.
A faint silvery glow emanated from it, serene and cool.
The bodyguard who was lurking beside Liu Shan.
Disguised as an ordinary citizen, they sneaked out of the side gate of the palace.
He was clutching a piece of paper tightly in his hand.
That was the copy of Liu Shan's "fake secret order" that he had made.
He looked around to make sure no one was following him.
He then quickly walked toward a dilapidated temple on the street corner.
Inside the temple, a man dressed in black was already standing.
The man had his back to him, his posture upright.
"Did you bring the things?"
The man in black spoke in a hoarse voice and did not turn around.
The guard quickly stepped forward and handed over the note.
He whispered, "This is Liu Shan's secret order."
"They said they would send 5,000 reinforcements to support Li Hui, and they would set off within three days."
The man in black took the note.
I quickly glanced through it by the moonlight.
A cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
He then took out a copper coin from his pocket and handed it to the guard.
"Well done, Grand Tutor will reward you handsomely."
"The next time there's news, the handover will still take place here."
The guard took the copper coin and carefully put it away.
He bowed and said, "I understand, and I will not fail in my mission."
Just as he turned to leave.
Suddenly, footsteps could be heard outside the dilapidated temple.
Dong Yun, accompanied by several imperial guards, strode in.
He drew his longsword and shouted sharply, "Take him down!"
The guard's expression changed drastically.
He turned to run away, but was stopped by two imperial guards.
Unable to move, they could only struggle in vain.
Upon seeing this, a ruthless glint flashed in the black-clad man's eyes.
He drew his sword and was about to rush out, but Dong Yun blocked his way.
The two swords clashed, producing a piercing clang.
"Who are you? Sima Yi's spy?"
Dong Yun roared and exerted force with his wrist.
The long sword was aimed straight at the man in black's vitals.
The man in black had a sinister expression and remained silent.
He fought back desperately, trying to break through.
However, the number of imperial guards around Dong Yun is increasing.
He gradually fell into a disadvantageous position, and his defense became increasingly difficult.
[Dong Yun thought to himself]: We've finally caught the contact!
Once we capture him, we can follow the clues to find the rest.
Find all the hidden agents lurking in Chengdu.
Completely thwart Sima Yi's conspiracy.
After a brief but intense battle, the man in black was slashed on the shoulder by Dong Yun's sword.
Blood flowed freely, staining his clothes red.
The longsword in his hand also fell to the ground.
The imperial guards rushed forward and pinned the man in black to the ground.
Dong Yun stepped forward and ripped off his mask.
A strange face appeared.
"Tell me! How many more secret agents does Sima Yi have in Chengdu?"
Dong Yun questioned him sternly, his eyes filled with authority.
What are your methods of contact?
The man in black clenched his teeth, his eyes resolute.
He refused to speak, and suddenly bit his tongue hard.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and he instantly stopped breathing.
Dong Yun's face darkened, and he snorted coldly, "You've got a tough nut to crack!"
He turned to look at the guard who was being held down.
His tone was icy: "And you? Do you want to tell the truth?"
"If you are willing to reveal Sima Yi's plans, His Majesty might spare your life."
The guard was so frightened that he trembled all over and his face turned pale.
He immediately kowtowed and begged for mercy: "My lord, spare my life!"
"To tell you the truth, I was only coerced by Sima Yi's men."
"I dared to remain by His Majesty's side; as for other matters, I know nothing!"
[The guard was filled with panic]: It's over, we've been caught.
If they don't speak, they will surely die.
It might be better to tell the truth; perhaps then you can save your life.
"Coercion?" Dong Yun sneered.
"His Majesty has treated you well, yet you have betrayed him and colluded with foreign enemies."
"Still trying to argue!"
"Guards, take him back to the palace and hand him over to His Majesty for punishment!"
"yes!"
The imperial guards responded and stepped forward, escorting the guard away hastily.
Dong Yun stood inside the dilapidated temple.
He stared solemnly at the corpse of the man in black.
[Dong Yun thought to himself]: This man in black is exceptionally skilled.
This is by no means an ordinary subplot.
It seems that Sima Yi's plans in Chengdu were even more secretive than we imagined.
Although they captured one of the guards, they forced the main culprit to commit suicide.
They still couldn't uncover all the hidden clues.
He raised his hand, signaling to the Imperial Guards: "Clean up the body."
"Keep a close watch on this dilapidated temple and see if any other informants come to make contact."
"promise!"
The imperial guards bowed and agreed, and began clearing the dilapidated temple.
At this moment, in the Wei camp.
Sima Yi was sitting upright inside the tent.
He was still toying with the black jade pendant in his hand.
His expression was sinister as he patiently awaited news from his undercover agents.
A guard rushed in and knelt on one knee.
He said urgently, "Grand Tutor, something terrible has happened!"
"A message has come from our undercover agents in Chengdu."
"The contact was captured by Dong Yun and committed suicide."
"That personal guard has also been apprehended!"
The jade pendant in Sima Yi's hand suddenly fell to the ground.
His face instantly turned ashen.
A glint of ruthlessness and shock flashed in his eyes.
[Sima Yi was furious]: Useless! All of you are useless!
You can't even handle such a small thing.
This not only exposes my covert operations, but may also allow Liu Shan to discover my scheme.
You've ruined everything!
He slammed his hand on the table and shouted sternly, "Issue my secret order!"
"Have the secret contact in the south immediately contact Yong Kai."
"No matter the cost, we must eliminate Li Hui before he colludes with Meng Huo!"
"Furthermore, have the remaining covert agents lurking in Chengdu cease all activities."
"Do not act rashly; await further instructions!"
"promise!"
The guard trembled with fear and bowed in agreement.
He turned and left in a hurry, not daring to delay for even a moment.
Sima Yi stood up and walked outside the tent.
He gazed southward, his eyes filled with malice and resentment.
"Liu Shan, Dong Yun!"
He hissed in a low voice, his tone full of resentment.
"You've ruined my covert operations; I will avenge you!"
"In the lands of Nanzhong, I will make sure Li Hui never returns!"
Inside Yong Kai's camp on the border between South China and Vietnam.
The lights were bright, illuminating the inside of the tent.
A subordinate rushed in, bowed, and reported: "General, news has come from Sima Yi's spies."
"The contact person in Chengdu was arrested, and the covert operation was exposed."
"Sima Yi ordered us to eliminate Li Hui as soon as possible to prevent him from colluding with Meng Huo."
Yong Kai frowned.
A flicker of panic crossed his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by ruthlessness.
[Yong Kai thought to himself]: With the secret agent exposed, Liu Shan will surely strengthen his defenses.
If we cannot get rid of Li Hui as soon as possible...
Once he colluded with Meng Huo, I would be attacked from both sides.
At that time, death is certain!
He slammed his hand on the table and ordered sternly, "Pass down the order!"
"Gather all forces and I, the general, will personally lead the army to Zangke County."
"Li Hui must be killed before Meng Huo can express his opinion!"
"promise!"
His subordinate bowed in agreement and turned to gather his troops.
Yong Kai walked outside the tent.
He gazed in the direction of Zangke County, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
Li Hui, this time, I think you won't be able to escape!
Outside the city of Zangke, Li Hui was sitting in his tent.
He pondered how to contact the tribes within the city.
Suddenly, a scout rushed in.
His expression was urgent: "General, something terrible has happened!"
"Yong Kai has personally led his army here, and they are less than ten li away!"
Li Hui's expression changed, and he suddenly stood up.
He stood with his hand on his sword, his expression extremely solemn.
[Li Hui was secretly alarmed]: Yong Kai arrived so quickly?
It seems that Sima Yi has sensed something and is urging him to take action!
Meng Huo has not yet made a statement, and the city gates of Zangke County remain closed.
We are surrounded. How should we deal with this?
He strode out of the tent.
Looking towards the dusty direction in the distance.
His expression grew increasingly solemn, and the atmosphere around him became increasingly tense.
Yong Kai's army pressed in, and Li Hui was surrounded.
Will Meng Huo be able to express his willingness to help in time?
Will the guards in Chengdu reveal more clues about hidden plots?
When will Sima Yi's remaining hidden agents strike again?
The campaign to quell the rebellion in southern China has plunged them into a life-or-death predicament.
This contest of power and military might has intensified.
[End of Chapter]