novelSusiti Chapter 72: Pacifying the Rebellion in Liaoxi
Chapter 72: Pacifying the Rebellion in Liaoxi
the other side.
Since Tadun brought back the terrible news from the north, the entire Liaoxi Commandery has been on tenterhooks.
Prefect Hou Chong, Assistant Prefect Shan Jing, and Yang Le Registrar Wang Lie were on duty day and night.
While suppressing rumors in the city, he kept a close watch on the camp of 60,000 surrendered Xianbei outside the city, and had not had a single day of rest for months.
Fortunately, a few days ago, a secret letter arrived from Jicheng by fast horse, saying that Liu Bei had led his troops back safely from Yanmen and was passing through Shanggu and Yuyang. He would arrive in Liaoxi soon.
Hou Chong and the other two clutched the secret letter, their hearts finally at ease after months of anxiety, and the weariness and unease of the past few days vanished.
But this peace did not last long.
The Xianbei camp outside the city, now in surrender, eventually descended into chaos.
The 60,000 Xianbei elderly, women, and children were already living in constant fear because of rumors that Liu Bei had "died in battle beyond the Great Wall" and that their men had nowhere to go.
In addition, some people with ulterior motives secretly instigated them, insisting that the Han people fabricated the victory report to deceive them, with the aim of killing them all.
In recent days, the camps of the surrendered people have frequently gathered and made a ruckus, driving away Han officials and seizing grain, fodder and farm tools, and a riot is imminent.
Inside the prefect's residence, Hou Chong paced back and forth, his face ashen. Wang Lie frowned, stroking his beard, while Shan Jing stood with his hand on his sword, his expression grave.
The three discussed the matter for a long time, but still couldn't come up with a solution.
The county's troops were few in number and mostly old and weak. To suppress 60,000 Xianbei people would be like throwing an egg against a rock.
However, simply trying to appease them did not work; instead, the incited Xianbei people became even more rampant.
"Your Excellency, if we don't intervene soon, things could descend into chaos!"
Dan Jing spoke in a deep voice, his knuckles turning white from the force, "Those Xianbei young commanders have already donned their armor and gathered their troops. If we don't stop them tonight, they will surely attack the city!"
Hou Chong sighed deeply, his face full of helplessness: "Easier said than done!"
"We have no soldiers to spare. Forcibly suppressing them will only incite rebellion, leading to widespread death and destruction in western Liaoning. How will we explain this to the imperial court?"
"How should we explain this to Xuande?"
Wang Lie shook his head, his tone full of helplessness: "Rumors have taken hold of them. They're convinced that our lord's army is dead. No matter how much we talk, it's useless."
"Only Xuande himself can stabilize the situation, but his army is still on its way back; it's too late to quench the immediate thirst!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than a soldier outside the mansion cried out in panic, "My lord! Something terrible has happened!"
"The Xianbei who surrendered have revolted!"
"They smashed down the camp gate and are heading towards Yangle City!"
The three men's expressions changed drastically. They quickly climbed the city wall and looked out to see smoke and dust billowing from the camp of the surrendered people outside the city.
Countless Xianbei people, armed with knives, clubs, and spears, roared as they surged toward the city, their momentum terrifying.
The soldiers guarding the city were all pale-faced, and their hands holding bows and crossbows were trembling.
Hou Chong gripped the battlements tightly, his heart sinking to the bottom. He was about to order a desperate defense.
But then, a huge cloud of dust suddenly rose up on the western horizon, and the sound of horses' hooves rolled in like thunder, shaking the ground slightly.
"That's...that's troops from somewhere!" the soldiers guarding the city exclaimed in surprise.
Hou Chong, Wang Lie, and Shan Jing all looked up at the same time.
Amidst the smoke and dust, banners fluttered in the wind, with a large banner bearing the character "Liu" leading the way.
Thousands of iron cavalry, arrayed in a disciplined formation, surged toward Yangle City like a black torrent, displaying overwhelming momentum and domineering presence.
It's Liu Bei!
Hou Chong and the other two felt their eyes well up with tears instantly, and their hearts, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled.
The Xianbei surrendered people, who had been roaring and rioting, stopped in their tracks and turned to look when they heard the thunderous sound of hooves.
When they saw the iron cavalry formation and the familiar faces of their fellow Xianbei comrades in the ranks, the noisy shouts and roars stopped abruptly, and the entire scene fell into a deathly silence.
Those Xianbei commanders who instigated the riot were ashen-faced, frozen in place, unable to utter a sound.
Meanwhile, the many elderly and weak Xianbei began to cheer, to rejoice, and to pray that their sons were also among the returning troops.
Subsequently, all the surrendered Xianbei people realized that the rumors about Liu Bei's supposed death in battle were all false!
And those rumors that Liu Bei led his troops to sweep across the eastern Xianbei, killing Queji, annihilating Mija, and even defeating the grassland chieftain Tanshihuai, are actually true.
Panic was instantly replaced by awe. The previously restless Xianbei surrendered troops dropped their weapons and knelt on the ground in fear, not daring to even raise their heads.
The riot that was on the verge of breaking out just moments before crumbled the instant Liu Bei's iron cavalry arrived, and no one dared to make a move.
Liu Bei reined in his horse, stood at the front of the formation, and glanced at the kneeling Xianbei surrendered soldiers, his expression calm and unwavering.
He spoke calmly, his voice carrying throughout the entire area: "You may settle down and cultivate the land in peace; I will forgive your past transgressions."
"Anyone who incites another riot will be executed."
A short sentence, yet it carries immense power.
The surrendered Xianbei people kowtowed and agreed in unison, daring not to disobey in the slightest. The previous riotous momentum vanished without a trace.
Hou Chong immediately ordered the city gates to be opened and personally led Wang Lie and Shan Jing out of the city to welcome them.
"Xuande, you're finally back!"
Hou Chong strode forward, looking at Liu Bei, who was covered in frost but whose aura was even stronger, and his voice was full of satisfaction.
"If you hadn't returned in time, western Liaoning would have suffered a great calamity!"
Liu Bei dismounted and bowed to Hou Chong, saying, "I'm sorry to have troubled you all, my lord. A few troublemakers are nothing to worry about."
He turned to look at the troops behind him and gave brief instructions to Cheng Pu and Han Dang to lead their troops to the military camp outside the city.
Managing the Xianbei auxiliary troops under his command and pacifying the surrendered people only requires sending a few military officers to the camp to proclaim military orders.
The chaotic situation that had just left Hou Chong and his two companions helpless and overwhelmed.
The problem was completely resolved by Liu Bei with just a few words and a casual remark.
The group escorted Liu Bei into Yangle City and went straight to the prefect's mansion.
After everyone was seated and tea was served, those around them were dismissed.
Liu Bei was just about to lead his troops to conquer the northern frontier when he was separated from his group by a blizzard and launched a surprise attack on the camp of King Tanshihuai.
Hou Chong was told everything, from Xia Yu's greed for merit to Qiao Xuan's admonition, the retreat of Ji City, and the planning for the future of the generals.
Hou Chong listened quietly for a long time without saying a word, and finally sighed and stroked his beard.
"Lord Qiao's insight is profound, and what you did was absolutely right!"
"The court is corrupt, the emperor is incompetent, and eunuchs hold power. If we insist on vying for credit, we will only bring trouble upon ourselves."
"It is truly rare that you can set aside your own empty fame, seek a way out for your soldiers, and prioritize the foundation of Liaoxi."
"Xia Yu was greedy for credit, and although he deprived you of your honorary title, he also ensured your innocence and paved the way for the future of other generals. Let this matter rest!"
Liu Bei rose and solemnly said, "The rest of you are one thing, but I have privately set strict rules, and I hope you will forgive Zou Dan and the others for their future!"
Hou Chong, however, didn't mind at all, waving his hand and laughing, "We're all family, so let's not be so formal!"
"The situation in the court is currently unstable, and I fear my time in office may be short!"
"They are the subordinates I personally promoted and cultivated; they will also be your network of connections in the future!"
"You've made this arrangement and won their hearts; I'm only gratified, and have no reason to blame you!"
"There's no need to mention such matters again!"