In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 1027 A Hero's Twilight
The autumn sun shone on the official road of Fengyang Prefecture, casting a pale golden glow.

As soon as the migrating group stepped into this land, everyone felt a strong sense of loss.

Fengyang is the central capital, how could it be so dilapidated?
Compared to the hard cement roads that are ubiquitous in Yingtian Prefecture, the official roads in Fengyang Prefecture are mostly dirt roads.

Even after it has been compacted, it is still inevitably full of potholes and uneven surfaces.
Even the sturdiest carriage would bounce around on it, making your bottom ache.

At this moment, the wealthy households, seeing this scene,

The initial enthusiasm for relocating to Guanzhong instantly dissipated by more than half.

Even Fengyang Prefecture, which is so close to the capital, is so backward.

What would the Guanzhong Plain, known as the land of barren wasteland, look like?
When they were still three miles from Fengyang County, Xu Zengshou reined in his horse and raised his hand to signal the troop to stop.

"Rest here for half an hour!"

His voice carried on the wind.

The vanguard cavalry soon sounded their horns.

The mournful sound of the horn echoed across the open fields, long and far-reaching.

The wealthy men disembarked from their carriages, most looking distressed, many rubbing their backs.
Looking at the tall horses in the procession, his eyes were full of envy.
On this road, carriages are far less comfortable than warhorses.

Master Zhang, leaning on the shaft of his cart, gazed at the city walls of Fengyang in the distance and sighed to Manager Wang beside him:

"The businesses in Beijing need to step up their efforts; they're used to cement roads."
Stepping onto this dirt road, it really felt a bit strange.

"Hahaha, it's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. Brother Zhang is used to a life of wealth and luxury."

Xu Zengshou also overheard this conversation.

He had previously been puzzled as to why so many people were so vehemently opposed to moving the capital.

After these two days of walking around, I've finally come to some understanding.
The changes in the capital were gradual and imperceptible; life changed without anyone noticing.

Normally, you can't tell the difference in Beijing.
But once he left, he found it hard to adjust to the sense of loss.

"I've also traveled thousands of miles at high speeds, but now I'm finding it hard to keep up."

Xu Zengshou shook his head, his gaze sweeping over the drivers in the middle of the line.

They wore coarse cloth gowns, their faces were ashen, and they looked no different from ordinary porters.

But the sharpness and shrewdness that flashed in their eyes from time to time made Xu Zengshou realize that these were all skilled soldiers!

At this moment, Li Fangying rode over on horseback:

"General, we've scouted the area around the camp, but haven't found any suspicious people."

The Fengyang Inn is just ahead; we can rest there tonight.

The Fengyang government also cleared a large open space next to the post station, enough to house all the wealthy households.

Xu Zengshou nodded and reminded him:
"Fengyang is the central capital, a place where dragons and tigers hide."

Send someone to scout again, expand the search area, and see if there are any hiding people.

"Yes!"

Li Fangying responded and left, turning around to give orders.

Half an hour later, the group arrived at the post station.

Li Fangying looked at Xu Zengshou and asked in confusion:
"General, what's wrong?"
Ever since you entered Fengyang Realm, you've been frowning, like you've lost your soul.

Xu Zengshou's eyes were solemn:
"Many of the rebels in Beijing now have ties to Fengyang."

They're deeply entrenched here; if we bring people through, it's no different than walking right under their noses.

Li Fangying tightened the reins suddenly, and the warhorse neighed.

The ease on his face vanished instantly, and his eyes became wary.

"Will they make a move here?"

Xu Zengshou shook his head:
"I don't know, but we must be extremely careful."

Have someone keep an eye on the rear guard, making sure the wealthy households don't wander off.
In particular, prevent them from having too much contact with the local people, as this could easily lead to intelligence leaks.

"it is good!"

Li Fangying immediately agreed, turned her horse around, and hurried to the rear of the group.

His previously relaxed expression became tense.
He gripped the long sword tightly in his hand.

Xu Zengshou watched his retreating figure, then turned to look at Fengyang County, his unease undiminished.

Just then, a courier on a gray horse came galloping from the direction of the county town, clutching documents in his hand, shouting as he ran:

"Is General Xu of the Yingtian Guard here? There's news!"

Xu Zengshou's heart stirred, and he reined in his horse to go forward.

When the courier arrived, he dismounted and handed over the envelope with both hands:

"General, this was sent by a servant from the Duke of Xin's mansion. They said you must take a look at it in person."

If it's convenient, the Duke of Xin would like to meet you at the post station.

"Xinguo Gong?"

Xu Zengshou opened the envelope; the note inside was very brief, containing only one line:

"Fengyang is a dangerous place. Let's meet at the inn in the city after dinner."

"Alright, I understand. You may leave."

After dismissing the courier, Xu Zengshou had no interest in arranging for the wealthy households to set up camp, and went straight into the post station.

He stared at the note in his assigned room, lost in thought.

According to the previous plan

He didn't plan to meet anyone along the way, lest he reveal any flaws.

But now that the Duke of Xinguo has invited me, should I go or not?

Fifteen minutes later, Li Fangying returned and her expression turned serious upon seeing the note:

"You can't go!"
Who knows if this letter is from a traitorous party member?
What if it's a trap?

Xu Zengshou held the note tightly, his brows furrowed.

He knew Li Fangying was right; the rebels were capable of anything, and it wasn't impossible for them to impersonate the Duke's mansion to deliver a message.

But then he thought again, Tang He was one of the six founding dukes, and now he was seriously ill in bed.

If even he can't be trusted, who else in the world can be trusted?
"Fangying, you're overthinking it. Let's go see him anyway."

As the sun sets, the fiery red sun hangs in the sky, casting orange-yellow rays that bathe the camps outside the city in a golden glow.

Once the wealthy households are all settled,
Xu Zengshou mounted his horse and entered the city with several personal guards.

It was already evening, and there weren't many people on the street, mostly vendors packing up their stalls.

Upon seeing him wearing bright silver armor, everyone made way for him.

The post station was located at the east end of the county town. It was a house with blue bricks and tiles, and a wooden sign for Fengyang Post Station hung at the entrance.

Two couriers stood at the door.

Upon his arrival, he quickly bowed and greeted him:
"General Xu, the Duke of Xin is already waiting in the east wing."

Xu Zengshou followed the courier into the post station, passed through the old locust tree with its lush branches and leaves in the courtyard, and arrived at the east wing.

The courier pushed open the door and gestured for them to enter.

Xu Zengshou took a deep breath and stepped inside.

The room was dark, with only the light of the setting sun filtering through the paper windows, casting a hunched, aged figure.

The man sat at the eight-immortal table, wearing a plain blue satin robe, his hair gray but neatly combed.
Holding a teacup in his hands, it was none other than Tang He, the Duke of Xin.

"Yun Gong is here? You've grown so much. Please have a seat."

Tang He raised his head, his voice hoarse, but did not get up.

When Xu Zengshou saw Tang He, he was immediately stunned.

The renowned Duke of Xin, at this moment, had half of his face drooping to one side, looking lifeless.

Even with a smile on his face at this moment,

Only half of his face could be moved.

"Greetings, Duke Xin! What's wrong?"

Tang He smiled, pointed to the chair opposite him, and poured Xu Zengshou another cup of tea:

"Birth, aging, sickness and death are the natural course of human life."

At the beginning of the year, I couldn't even speak, but now I'm much better, except for half of my body that I can't move.

Come, try some of Fengyang's clear tea.

Xu Zengshou suddenly felt a pang of melancholy. Even such a hero could not escape the fate of being plagued by illness and losing his former glory when he grew old.

He took the teacup with both hands, but didn't drink it; he just stared at the soup.

"Uncle Tang, why don't you go to the capital?"

The Imperial Medical Academy has many renowned doctors who may be able to treat you.

"It's incurable."

Tang He shook his head:

"His Majesty sent people from the Imperial Medical Academy to examine me. If it weren't for them, I might not even be able to speak right now."

You don't need to worry, I'm used to it.

After a long while, Xu Zengshou finally came to his senses and lowered his voice:

"What urgent matter do you want to discuss with me?"

Tang He put down his teacup, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke:
"You took three thousand wealthy households to Guanzhong. Everyone in the capital knows about this, but some other people also know about it."

"some people?"

Xu Zengshou's heart tightened:
"Are they rebels?"

"Rebel?"

Tang He looked strange, and after a moment he nodded: "That makes sense. They are going against the court, so they are rebels."

Among these people were veterans who fought alongside His Majesty to establish the empire, meritorious officials who retired from the court early, and others who were related to His Majesty and the various vassal kings.

They have taken root in Fengyang and the surrounding areas, infiltrating every corner of the country.

The imperial court's plan to relocate the capital would essentially cut off their source of income; they don't want you to safely deliver their people to Guanzhong.

Xu Zengshou tightened his grip on the teacup:
"They want to make a move in Fengyang?"

"possible."

Tang He nodded.

Seeing the look of surprise and disbelief on Xu Zengshou's face, he smiled:
"They're all people who rose to power through rebellion. They dare to take action even under the emperor's nose. What's there to worry about in Zhongdu?"

Xu Zengshou was startled.
My throat suddenly felt dry, and I felt parched.

The Duke of Xin's words almost certainly told him that things were not peaceful in Fengyang.

Tang He saw his expression, sighed, and gently stroked his beard:

"I stayed in Fengyang for three years, so I know a little about these people's backgrounds."

They thought I was too old and no longer needed, but they didn't know I was still watching them.

Your father joined the army with me back then, and we went through countless life-and-death experiences to get to where we are today.

As a member of the Duke of Wei's household, you cannot die here.

However, since I fell ill, I have been relieved of my duties at the garrison. I do not know who exactly is behind this action.

But judging from the clues in the city, you must be careful.

Xu Zengshou's expression was extremely solemn. He stood up and bowed deeply to Tang He:
"Thank you for reminding me, Uncle Tang. I will keep it in mind."

"no need to thank me."

Tang He waved his hand:

"Now I only have half a broken body left, and I just want to spend my old age in peace and tranquility. I don't want to see any more trouble in the court."

I heard that the capital is in complete chaos right now?

Xu Zengshou's expression was strange, but he nodded.

"Reply to the Duke: The rebels in the capital have been making a lot of moves lately, and have even come up with the Single Whip Law, which allows silver to be used instead of paper money, to lure important officials in the court."

Fortunately, the national treasury is still relatively well-stocked, and we haven't reached the point of starvation.

Otherwise, they might really succeed.

Tang nodded almost imperceptibly:
Every method in this world has its advantages and disadvantages.

The imperial court is now wealthy, and road construction is underway in various places, so there is no need for such methods. Furthermore, the paper money is still quite valuable.

But what if the court declines later?
Even if a bowl of poison were placed before them, the imperial court would have to grit their teeth and drink it.

So I want to tell you that the lines between friend and foe are not so clear.

Today he's a rebel, tomorrow you might become one.

Just like when we followed His Majesty to fight against the Yuan, in the eyes of the Yuan court, we were all traitors.

But after His Majesty seized Yingtian and occupied the Yuan capital, those Northern Yuan bandits became rebels.

Do you understand what I mean?

Xu Zengshou was slightly taken aback. These words sounded simple, but he always felt that they contained a deeper meaning, or even a hidden meaning.

But Tang He didn't give him time to think deeply, and instead asked:
"How is the Crown Prince?"

"Ugh"

Xu Zengshou sighed and said softly:
"I heard from my elder brother that the Crown Prince has been recuperating in the palace, and it will be difficult for him to recover in the short term."

As soon as he finished speaking, he was suddenly startled.
Could it be that the Duke of Xinguo in front of me is trying to gather information?
Seeing his reaction, Tang He

A smile appeared on half of his face as he casually waved his hand.

"In this Ming Dynasty court, no one can hide anything from me that I want to know, so don't worry."

His Majesty is probably worried about my old bones and health.
He never told the truth, always saying that the Crown Prince was healthy.

However, His Majesty's letter reveals a thing or two about the Crown Prince's health.

Xu Zengshou fell silent; what he said was indeed true.

"Uncle Tang, there is something I don't understand."

Why, in previous years, did the weather improve and the court prosper?
Now that the external enemy is gone, internal strife is raging, and they're even about to wage war outside Yingtian City?

Xu Zengshou was speechless for a moment, and after hesitating for a long time, he finally asked the question that had been bothering him:
"I really don't understand why this is."

Tang He suddenly laughed, a warm and relieved laugh.

He pointed to himself with his withered finger:

"I am only two years older than Your Majesty."

Xu Zengshou was stunned and didn't react for a moment.

The next moment, his expression changed drastically, and his pupils contracted sharply!

A day passes in the blink of an eye.

The group left Fengyang just as dawn was breaking.

The morning mist, carrying the chill of autumn, clung to the official road, making the dirt road somewhat sticky.

The wheels left two deep ruts, like two scars on the ground, as the procession extended towards the border of the capital region.

Xu Zengshou rode a chestnut horse at the front of the procession, a thin layer of frost covering his armor plates.

He would occasionally pull on the reins and look back; the wealthy man's carriage was moving rather slowly.

Some of the wheels were stuck in shallow pits, and several drivers were bending down to help push the carts, their movements swift and efficient.

Nothing happened all night,
Instead, it made Xu Zengshou feel inexplicably uneasy.

This unease lingered with him all day, and as the main force was about to reach the border of Gyeonggi Province, there was still no movement.

A look of doubt flashed in Xu Zengshou's eyes.
Are the rebels not coming?
At this moment, Li Fangying rode up, holding a crumpled map in her hand, and pointed to the mountain pass ahead:
"General, Luoma Slope is just ahead."

After passing Luomapo, we'll enter Henan province. It's getting dark; should we set up camp here?

Xu Zengshou looked in the direction he pointed, and the distant mountain shadows became blurred in the twilight, like a giant beast crouching on the ground.

"That's it."

He nodded, his voice very low:

"Send the vanguard to scout ahead first, and set up camp only after confirming that there are no abnormalities."

As the group slowly entered Luomapo, Xu Zengshou finally got a clear view of the terrain.

It is surrounded on three sides by low mountains with steep cliffs covered with thorny jujube trees.

It's like a natural pocket, with only two mountain passes to the north and south for access.

The wealthy families dismounted from their carriages and began setting up camp and packing their belongings.

Xu Zengshou found a relatively flat rock to sit on, stroking his riding whip in his hand, but he was puzzled.
"Could it be that Uncle Tang is overthinking things?"

He frowned, and was about to ask Li Fangying to investigate the surroundings again when a figure emerged from the shadows—it was Gong Xianzhi.

He was still wearing the coachman's short shirt. He walked quickly to Xu Zengshou's side, squatted down, and lowered his voice to an almost inaudible level:

"General, we can't stay here!"

Xu Zengshou's heart tightened, and he straightened up:

"what happened?"

Gong Xianzhi pointed to the surrounding mountains:

"Surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only two exits to the north and south."

If the rebels block the north and south entrances, we'll be trapped like turtles in a jar!

I just walked around the western mountains. The valleys are deep enough to hide a person, and there are fresh hoofprints; it's definitely no more than three days old.

Xu Zengshou looked in the direction he pointed, but the mountain wall was dark in the twilight and there was nothing unusual about it.

Gong Xianzhi's words sent a chill down his spine. He had only been thinking about whether the rebels would launch a sneak attack on him on the way, and hadn't noticed that the place where they were setting up camp was a trap.

"you sure?"

He pressed on, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the riding crop.

"Can't be wrong."

Gong Xianzhi nodded, his tone certain:

"When I was fighting against Silunfa in Yunnan with Lord Lu, I saw many terrains like this."

The people of Silunfa always like to ambush in places like this, hoping to win by sheer numbers, but Lord Lu always sees through their schemes.

If I were a rebel, I would strike in the middle of the night, first firing arrows to disrupt the ranks, then blocking the exit.

With so many wealthy people with us, there's no way we can break out quickly!

Xu Zengshou stood up, took two steps towards the center of the camp, and looked at the tents that had already been set up and the wealthy households who were starting fires. He felt even more anxious:
"It's too late to move the camp now. The wealthy families are all exhausted, and moving the camp at night would only cause more chaos."

"We still need to be careful."

Gong Xianzhi speaks extremely fast:
“I took two brothers to explore the western mountain valley to see how many of them there were and where they were hiding.”

Tell your brothers to be on high alert, and that the soldiers should not remove their armor and should keep their bows drawn.

If there is any movement, do not panic!
Those wealthy people are not allowed to go anywhere; they must stay put. If they wander off, they'll be the ones who die!

Xu Zengshou nodded with a solemn expression:

"Be careful"

"Yes!"

Gong Xianzhi stood up in response.
The figure quickly disappeared into the twilight forest, leaving only a blurry afterimage.

(End of this chapter)