Chapter 109
Book 10 Chapter 12 – In complete control
The huge army left Handan City via the east gate. Under the glowing rays of the setting sun, the gra.s.slands s.h.i.+mmered with their brilliance.
Xiang Shaolong and Teng Yi personally led the army to investigate the sighting of Xiang Shaolong at a village fifteen miles away.
This army of five thousand city guards is just a cover. When they reached a thick forest with adequate hiding places, they will stay hidden until night time. Wu Guo will a.s.sume command and march them to the appointed spot where they will engage the Qi army who are trying to enter Handan City through the South Gate.
Xiang Shaolong and Teng Yi slipped back into the city and resumed control of the city guards.
Hiding in the study, they receive intelligence reports from their spies.
After the sun eventually disappeared into the horizon of this ancient city, Handan City is soon filled with lights and everything is as per normal.
When Xiaocheng got word of Xiang Shaolong’s sighting, he acted accordingly to the plan and commanded Zhao Ming Xiong to a.s.sume Xiang Shaolong’s responsibilities at the Command Centre. Cheng Xu and the palace guards went on to impose a city-wide curfew. Everyone knew that Xiaocheng is terrified of Xiang Shaolong and no one suspected that it is a ploy.
From this moment, Zhao Mu is cut off from the outside world. Neither Zhao Ming Xiong nor anyone could communicate with him.
Zhao Ming Xiong did not suspect foul play as he led hundreds of his personal escorts to the main Command Centre. When he stepped into the main hall, he was surprised that all of his escorts have been locked out. With a ‘Bang!’ the huge door was closed behind him.
Zhao Ming Xiong was alarmed and he cried: "What is going on!?"
The city guards on two sides walked towards him in one smooth movement. Lowering their lances, they held him in position.
On the other side of the door, bows were heard firing and tragic shouting can be heard.
Xiang Shaolong and Teng Yi came out from a side door and faced him.
Zhao Ming Xiong’s face is drained of any colour. He angrily yelled: "General Dong! Why are you making things difficult for me? I did not commit any wrongdoings!"
Teng Yi coldly hissed: "Does conspiring with Zhao Mu to rebel count as a wrongdoing?"
Zhao Ming Xiong’s expression became more deathly white. His voice shook: "How dare you slander me!"
Adopting a sit-and-wait att.i.tude, Xiang Shaolong interrogated: "A grand tunnel was newly constructed right under your command centre. Don’t tell me you know nothing about it!"
Zhao Ming Xiong thought of his pretty wife and his lovely son at home. Both his legs turned soft and he kneeled down.
Teng Yi detested men without backbone. He called: "Tie him up!"
The city guards put their weapons aside and surged forward, tying him up.
Xiang Shaolong went up to this kneeling figure and promised: "If you will obediently cooperate with me, I will spare your life and send you and your family away from Handan City. If I speak a word of untruth, may I die a tragic death."
Zhao Ming Xiong was trembling and raised his head, disbelieving what he had just heard from this towering G.o.d-like hero.
Teng Yi cautioned: "But you must first tell us how to communicate with Zhao Mu. Once we verified your information, we will send you out from the east gate and supply you with horses, provisions and travel doc.u.ments. Men! Open the door!"
As the giant door opened, Zhao Ming Xiong’s entire household of over a hundred people were herded into the hall. His immediate family and servants were all present and panic is written on their faces. Amazingly, they were all dressed in travelling attire and carrying their own luggage.
Zhao Ming Xiong is extremely touched. He gratefully thanked: "I do not know how to repay you. I am convinced to carry out all your orders."
Xiang Shaolong knew that he has won the psychological battle and ordered: "Release Brother Zhao at once!"
The ropes binding Zhao Ming Xiong were severed immediately.
Zhao Ming Xiong stood up and Teng Yi smiled: "Escort Madam Zhao, Young Master Zhao and the rest into the horse carriages first and send them into the forests outside the city first. Do not be impolite and cause any worry to Madam."
The City guards received the order and herd the Zhao family out.
Xiang Shaolong took out the travel doc.u.ments he had prepared and handed them to Zhao Ming Xiong. He sincerely advised: "Handan City will be in peril in these coming days. As long as Brother Zhao can travel day and night, he can leave Zhao and spend his remaining days in peace. Brother Zhao surely knows this better than me."
Zhao Ming Xiong is moved to tears: "I will tell you everything I know."
Xiang Shaolong and Teng Yi smiled at each other. With the full cooperation of Zhao Ming Xiong who is knowledgeable about Zhao Mu’s rebellion plans, the Qi army and Zhao Mu will fall into their well-planned trap.
Accompanied by Xiang Shaolong and his men, Zhao Ming Xiong made his way to the North Command Centre. Gathering all his conspirators in the main hall, he proclaimed his new loyalty to Xiang Shaolong.
These men knew that their rebellion has failed. Kneeling all over the place, they beg for forgiveness.
Xiang Shaolong announced: "If you can acc.u.mulate merits to atone your sins, I will not inform the King of your betrayal. No one will know about this. However, you must follow my instructions with absolute obedience. Otherwise, you will lose your head and cause trouble to your household."
Everyone hurriedly pledged their loyalty.
Earlier as they rode to the north gate, Zhao Ming Xiong had divulged everything about the entire rebellion scheme. With the north gate under their control, victory is in their hands.
Realizing that their families are in the hands of Xiang Shaolong, and admiring their morale and thorough planning, they know that their rebellion has collapsed. Everyone did their best to cooperate and see to their duties under the command of Zhao Ming Xiong.
Xiang Shaolong got Teng Yi to a.s.sume command of the North Command Centre. Leading Ji Yanran, Shan Rou and his elite brothers, they left the north command centre. With Zhao Ming Xiong, they rode on Handan’s long and lonely street. The air is tense with the antic.i.p.ation of a big skirmish.
As they turned into another long street, Jing Jun and his army of a few hundred men met up with them.
The two forces merged together in the centre of the streets.
Jing Jun joyously reported: "Gan Zhu, Li Ming and Zhao Ming have been captured by Cheng Xu’s palace guards. Now, we are in control of the entire city."
This is the brilliance of Xiang Shaolong and Teng Yi. If they handled everything on their own, they may arouse Xiaocheng’s suspicions. But if they distribute some of the tasks to his own palace guards, Xiaocheng will has less considerations.
Zhao Ming Xiong saw that they were one step ahead in every encounter and experienced deep regrets. He agreed to help Zhao Mu as he hated Xiang Shaolong for s.n.a.t.c.hing the post of the City Commander from him. In addition, he is confident of Zhao Mu’s rebellion. Now, the rebellion has failed miserably.
Xiang Shaolong spoke to Zhao Ming Xiong: "I will send someone to escort you to meet up with your family outside Handan City. When the rocket signal is shot into the sky, my men will release your party instantly."
Zhao Ming Xiong shamefully sighed: "No being able to work with you is my greatest regret."
Xiang Shaolong intimately patted his shoulder and smiled: "Please take care Brother Zhao and have a fruitful journey."
He continued to ride forward.
Ji Yanran rode beside him and spoke with complete elation: "General Dong is full of creative and brilliant strategies. Yanran is bowled over by your extraordinary abilities. I fully submit to and admire your ingenuity."
On the other side, Shan Rou pouted: "This man only has some simple tricks up his sleeve; why is Yanran so fascinated?"
Xiang Shaolong and Ji Yanran exchanged a loving glance and smiled with mutual understanding.
Under the illumination of the street lamps, the long streets of this ancient city are filled with the blowing of cold winds. The singular galloping sounds of the horses added to the mysterious feel of the night.
With two great beauties at either side, Xiang Shaolong fantasized that this is indeed paradise as compared to the first time he came to Handan City. Even in his wildest dream, he would never have thought that the entire city will be at his beck and call. The future of this beautiful city is in his hands.
His thoughts drifted into the future 21st century. As he is busy day dreaming, the sound of footsteps brought him back to reality.
Zhao Ba stepped out of the shadows and greeted him.
Xiang Shaolong dismounted from his horse and greeted: "Hi Headmaster!"
Ji Yanran is afraid to be recognised and hid behind Xiang Shaolong. Zhao Ba gladly announced: "Everything is taking place as planned. The Marquis Residence is fully surrounded and not a soul is able to leave without running into our arms."
Xiang Shaolong informed: "I shall have to trouble Headmaster with the attack on the Marquis’s residence. When the first rocket is shot from the City north command centre, Zhao Mu’s men will pour out from his residence to attack the palace with the Qi army.