Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 227 Must Not Be Killed
A single choice could elevate someone to the top in an instant, which is an irresistible temptation for many.

This mob of Manichaeans, armed with their doctrines, seeks to control the world.

Opposing the imperial court was precisely their means of deceiving the world; they wanted to use this to let the world know that they dared to challenge imperial power.

The bigger the commotion, the more their divine power will be demonstrated.

This is why Xie Yuyan said these things to sway these Manichaeans.

She was certain that Mr. Wen would not refuse, just as she had said, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and those followers would immediately be able to do something earth-shattering.

Mr. Wen looked at Xie Yuyan: "Are you going with us?"

After killing the man, Xie Yuyan kept the bloodstained knife in her hand. She smiled slightly and said almost naturally, "Our Maitreya sect cultivates Buddhism through killing. Only through killing can one become a Bodhisattva of the Ten Stages. I will go."

As soon as Xie Yuyan finished speaking, Wang Hu couldn't help but interject, "I like this one too. I want to become a Ten-Stage Bodhisattva as well."

Mr. Wen, disregarding his reprimand of Wang Hu, raised his second question: "Do you dare to swear to Maitreya that everything you just said is true?"

"What is there to be afraid of?" Xie Yuyan said.

“No,” Mr. Wen retorted, “If you are not a follower of the Maitreya sect at all, then this oath is useless. You must swear an oath with your own life and your family.”

A look of disdain flashed in Xie Yuyan's eyes: "Why not?"

“I swear on my life and the lives of my family that if what I have done today goes against the Empress Dowager’s wishes and deceives the Manicheans, may I be struck by lightning and fall into hell forever.”

Hearing this, Mr. Wen finally felt relieved and nodded: "Let's attack the mountain now."

The Mani followers began to prepare, and Xie Yuyan also tore off a section of her skirt to avoid hindrance when climbing the mountain later. She brandished her long sword in the air a few times. She didn't know many sword techniques, all of which were taught to her by her master. However, they were not fancy moves, but practical methods of killing.

Perhaps her master foresaw from that time that her future path would not be peaceful, which is why he taught her these things.

Zheng Long led his men to throw away the black oil first.

The area at the foot of the mountain was already in chaos. When the soldiers discovered that more burning fireballs were being thrown, they immediately began to shout and flee.

At that very moment, Xie Yuyan drew his sword and charged forward without hesitation.

Seeing Xie Yuyan like this, Mr. Wen looked at Wang Hu beside him and said, "Go and protect her."

Jiang Sanniang cannot be allowed to suffer any mishap; they will still need her after finding Wang Yan. Without the secret arrangements of the Maitreya Sect and the Western Xia people, how could they have brought Wang Yan out of Daliang?
Wang Hu nodded in agreement, then shouted and charged to Xie Yuyan's side, beginning to kill alongside her.

The more lives a person gains, the more excited they become.

It gives you a feeling of having control over your life, and this was especially true for the Manichaeans, who quickly cleared a path up the mountain.

Zheng Ming's observations left him still unclear about the current situation.

A group of people suddenly appeared at the foot of the mountain, disrupting all his plans. Who were they? Were they reinforcements brought by He Tan, or men mobilized by the Wang family?
The only thing he was certain of was that they weren't sent by the government; otherwise, they would have summoned him for questioning first, instead of taking action directly.

"We don't know what they threw away, where it got stuck, or where it caught fire."

"It looks like kerosene, but it's not ordinary kerosene."

"Many people have already been burned to death."

"Those people are also hiding in the shadows, attacking lone soldiers."

As Zheng Ming listened to these reports and mobilized his troops to respond, a flash of light appeared not far away, and another fire broke out.

"Those people have made their move again."

This time, instead of scattering oil everywhere, they concentrated in one direction. Zheng Ming frowned: "This is bad, these people are going up the mountain."

The thought that Zheng Ming should not allow those reinforcements to join up with Wang Yan was coming to mind.

Unfortunately, it was too late to stop them.

Because the troops were already scattered in order to form an encirclement, they were now running around like headless flies. In the darkness, they could not transmit military orders in time, which made it impossible for Zheng Ming to control the situation.

He was careless. He thought he could definitely capture Wang Yan tonight, so he sent all his soldiers forward, but he didn't expect to be outflanked from the rear.

"How many people came?" Zheng Ming asked.

The junior officer whispered, "There are at least a hundred people." To underestimate their numbers would be to show their incompetence, allowing them to rush in almost instantly.

Zheng Ming frowned. The situation was not good. These people didn't need to rescue Wang Yan. As long as they could help Wang Yan get through the night, he would be in danger.

They only have control over Daming Prefecture; the troops in other nearby prefectures and counties are not under their control, and some of them will inevitably follow the Wang family's orders.

Of course, he also believed that Wang Yan had not sent a message to mobilize troops before the incident. Otherwise, the Wang family would not be able to explain themselves to the emperor, as collusion between the prime minister and a military official was a major taboo.

Therefore, mobilizing troops using the angel's decree was only permissible when Wang Yan's life was in danger, in accordance with the court's rules. If the Wang family wanted to deal with them, they first had to cleanse themselves of any wrongdoing.

Thinking about it this way, it's impossible for the surrounding troops to arrive now... So who could be coming now?
Zheng Ming said, "Capture and interrogate those reinforcements."

The junior officer responded, but... he was almost certain that those people would be difficult to capture. They were holding kerosene, and how many soldiers would be willing to step forward?
As soon as the junior officer left, a cold look appeared on Zheng Ming's face. He ordered his men to deal with the reinforcements, and he needed to find Wang Yan immediately.

Zheng Ming ordered his generals to go up the mountain with him. The group had only gone a short while when they were bumped into by soldiers who were fleeing in panic.

"What are you doing?" the general asked as he stepped forward.

The soldier pointed to the mountain: "General Xue is dead... killed by Wang Yan... dead... all dead..."

"What?" Zheng Ming rushed forward. "Xue Wei is dead?"

The soldier nodded: "There was a commotion at the foot of the mountain just now. Wang Yan took the opportunity to attack and killed General Xue with one stroke. We... we really can't handle it."

The truth is that when they learned that reinforcements had arrived, they immediately lost their will to fight, and with their general killed, they naturally scattered and fled for their lives.

This escape reversed the situation.

"Where is Wang Yan?" Zheng Ming grabbed a soldier and asked through gritted teeth.

The soldier shook his head frantically, "I...I don't know." He only survived because he ran fast. But since he escaped so early, how could he know what happened later?
"Kill this cowardly creature who clings to life."

In his terror, the soldier confessed the truth: "Governor, spare us! That...that was an imperial envoy sent by the court...you mustn't kill him...you mustn't kill him..."

"We'll die if we lose...and we'll die even if we win..."

How could Zheng Ming possibly let him survive on this?

The head was still severed, but the words were heard by the surrounding soldiers.

Zheng Ming's face was ashen. It was impossible for a soldier to say such a thing. He must have heard Wang Yan and his men shouting like that on the mountain and remembered it.

"Your Excellency is utterly loyal to the court, yet some petty officials within the court plot against you. But these schemes cannot escape the Emperor's eyes. He will surely clear Your Excellency's name. Your loyalty to Your Excellency is equivalent to serving the court..."

Before Zheng Ming could finish speaking, he caught a glimpse of a fireball coming straight at him from the corner of his eye to his right rear.

We'll meet tomorrow!