In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 758 The Turmoil in the Capital: The Enemy at Headquarters
The summer night was as dark as ink, pressing heavily on the plains outside Yingtian City.

The sky hung low, and the stars were hidden behind thick clouds.

Only a few sparse rays of moonlight managed to penetrate the gaps in the clouds.
The sunlight spilled onto the winding official road, adding a hazy silver glow to the quiet night.

The South City Inn was usually bustling with people coming and going.
At this moment, it seemed to be swallowed by the night, so quiet that one could hear the occasional cry of an owl in the distance.

The wooden building swayed gently in the night breeze.

It made a faint squeaking sound, and frogs could be heard croaking in the distant rice paddies.

Beneath this calm surface, Lu Yunyi's troops were scattered and hidden.
Some hid in the wheat fields, while others huddled in large pits.
Some also disguised themselves as travelers and rested at the inn.

A small number of soldiers did not conceal the truth.
Just like ordinary soldiers on their way, they were stationed at the post station.

Under the eaves, Lu Yunyi was still sitting on the bench.

Leaning against the wall, waving a palm-leaf fan, he gazed at the darkness not far away.

Beside him, Xu Zengshou sat there somewhat idly.
Since arriving here, he seems to have reverted to his original self.

I felt incredibly relaxed, as if the heavy burden on my shoulders had vanished in an instant.

Everything, everything, is because he knew...
With adults around, he doesn't need to use his brain.

All we need to do is follow orders, and we will surely win the war.

"what"

Xu Zengshou yawned widely, his vision blurring and his voice slurred:
"Sir, when will they arrive? I'm so sleepy."

Lu Yunyi pursed his lips and shook his head helplessly:
Be careful, or you might accidentally capsize in a ditch.

"How can it be."

Xu Zengshou shifted his body back and slumped onto the bench.
"My lord, the situation in the capital has been stabilized. My family tells me that we only need to be wary of hidden attacks from now on."

"Family members? People from the Duke of Wei's mansion?" Lu Yunyi asked.

“My father’s former subordinate, after retiring from the army, has been staying at home and teaching classes on weekdays.”

Xu Zengshou replied.

Lu Yunyi frowned slightly and reminded him:
"Military operations must keep pace with the times, and so should the assessment of the situation."
You should find some veterans or generals who have retired from the battlefield.
We will impart the latest battle formation knowledge to you, and combine it with past battle formations.

Combining the two is the right approach.

Xu Zengshou understood the meaning behind his words, sat up slightly, and his expression became somewhat solemn:
"Sir, is what my family members are saying incorrect?"

Lu Yunyi spoke decisively:
"No, I've said it countless times, fighting a war is like climbing a mountain."

The most dangerous time is when you are about to reach the summit, when you are about to win.

The situation is currently very favorable; important figures have been arrested where necessary. However, we cannot let our guard down at this crucial moment.
This might be the moment to fight to the death; it's always good to be cautious.

Xu Zengshou sat up straight, recalling the words he had repeatedly told him, and his expression became solemn:
"My lord, I have remembered."
After this incident, my subordinates invited some retired veterans from the front lines to return home.

To impart knowledge and analyze the situation.

"Yes, military operations are a matter of either advancing or retreating."
If you don't study and prepare in advance, some things will...

They will only realize this after suffering a great loss on the battlefield.

However, if one stays at the forefront and continuously improves, the true test will be on the battlefield.
You might achieve a victory even easier than you imagined, because you've advanced faster and farther than the enemy.

Lu Yunyi spared no words in his earnest instruction.

Xu Zengshou was the kind of "good boy" that adults talked about.

Attentive in class and reliable in work.
He wrote these words down, deciding to study them carefully after returning to the capital.
"My lord, I understand."

"Um"

Lu Yunyi stood up, stretched his limbs, and looked into the distance.

"Has anything major happened in the capital recently?"

Xu Zengshou thought for a moment and replied:
"In the past two months, Minister Qin of the Ministry of Works and Lord Ji have been locked in a fierce battle."
My older brother told me they're all vying for control of the construction of dikes and reservoirs next year.

Lu Yunyi raised an eyebrow, thinking of Li Zhigang who had appeared in Henan, and said:
"Minister Qin won?"

Xu Zengshou nodded:
"The newly appointed Minister of Revenue, Zhao Mian, supported Minister Qin and allocated a considerable amount of silver."
The two parties must have agreed long ago that flood control measures would begin next year.

"Zhao Mian? Where's Yang Jing?"

Lu Yunyi frowned slightly and asked a question.

“Yang Jing and Zhao Mian switched places, and Yang Jing became the Minister of Justice. I saw him several times in the capital and he always seemed sullen,” Xu Zengshou replied.

"Criminal Department?"

Lu Yunyi suddenly laughed.
From the Minister of Revenue, who was in charge of the nation's finances, to the Minister of Justice, who was in charge of criminal justice.
Although his official rank remained unchanged, his power and status in the court plummeted.
However, Lu Yunyi's expression quickly turned serious, and he asked:

"Did Zhao Mian go to the Ministry of Revenue because of my master or because Yang Jing did a bad job?"

Xu Zengshou frowned, pondering carefully in his mind, and said thoughtfully:

"My lord, it should be both."

At the beginning of the year, Tantanon offended quite a few people.

Minister Zhan of the Ministry of Personnel impeached him several times, resulting in his demotion from Hanlin Academician to Assistant Instructor of the Imperial Academy.

Just two months ago, His Majesty reinstated him to his position as a Hanlin Academician.

And he praised his knowledge several times at court assemblies.
Your Majesty must have cultivated relationships with some scholars, and this is partly why Zhao Mian was able to become Minister of Revenue.

Lu Yunyi's expression was solemn and thoughtful, and he nodded slightly:

"What about Yang Jing? What did he do that was out of line?"

"At the beginning of the year, when Liaodong was under attack, His Majesty repeatedly requested to send more troops there."

However, Yang Jing refused several times, citing insufficient funds and provisions.
Left with no other option, the emperor had to transfer him to the Tianjin Three Guards, but later transferred him to the Ministry of Justice.

Lu Yunyi was taken aback. Yang Jing had actually contributed to the Tianjin Three Guards' mission to Liaodong.

“Yang Jing was a Jinshi in the eighteenth year of Hongwu's reign, and was promoted by His Majesty himself. How could he refute His Majesty?”

Xu Zengshou's expression was strange, and he scratched his head:

"My lord, I believe the imperial court is short of funds."

There was a long-standing dispute over the construction of the new city walls in April.

In the end, they only managed to complete the construction after collecting commercial taxes from the Yingtian Trading Company.

"No money?"

Lu Yunyi blinked; this might be true.

Because this action was taken too hastily,
Almost as soon as the Marquis of Runan arrived in the capital, the palace immediately took action, making it seem like a hasty mounting of a horse.

Lu Yunyi continued to ponder, his thoughts expanding further, and asked:
"Has the imperial court taken any action regarding the maritime ban in the southeast?"

"Maritime ban?"

Xu Zengshou racked his brains, thinking carefully, and soon his eyes lit up:
"In May, Zhan Hui said at a court assembly..."

The ban on maritime trade in Southeast China has been repeatedly imposed but continues unabated.

Coastal residents should be strictly prohibited from engaging in illicit trade with foreign tribes; violators should be severely punished.
However, at that time, almost all the officials in the imperial court rose up against him.
Even several high-ranking officials from the Imperial Academy voiced their objections, and the matter was ultimately dropped.

Upon hearing this news, Lu Yunyi affirmed:
"With this news, it seems the imperial court is truly short of money."

After this is all over, someone will inevitably bring it up again.

By then, riding the wave of a great victory, this matter should be able to proceed.

If you are dissatisfied with your current official position, you can also get involved.
However, doing so will offend many people; you should consider it carefully.

Xu Zengshou shook his head vigorously.

"My lord, I'm exhausted from training in the military camp all day long, how could I dare to participate in such an important matter?"
"If I get promoted all at once, I'll be worked to death."

"what ever."

Lu Yunyi smiled, his palm-leaf fan moving continuously, the cool breeze making him feel comfortable.
The two chatted and laughed, enjoying themselves until midnight.

By this time, the official road was completely deserted.
The caravans that needed to stop either waited at the city gate,

They either rested at the post station, or there were very few travelers on their way.

Feng Yunfang, who had gone out to investigate, rushed back, his expression somewhat grave:
"Sir, we just received news..."

The army of Zhongdu, led by Marquis Jiangxia, has already passed Jurong County and will arrive here in half an hour.

Lu Yunyi's languid expression vanished instantly, and he abruptly stood up.
"Order the entire army to disperse and hide, and the troops stationed at the post stations and I will go to meet them."

"Yes!"

Feng Yunfang hurriedly ran away.

Xu Zengshou, standing to the side, had a solemn expression and said in a deep voice:
"Sir, what should our department do?"

Lu Yunyi ordered: "Head south and hide in the wheat fields on both sides of the official road."

They carefully surveyed the surroundings, and if any enemy appeared, they showed no mercy!

Xu Zengshou's lips were pressed tightly together, and his body stood ramrod straight:

"Yes, sir. May we use firearms?" "Prepare them. In the heat of battle, we will stop at nothing to achieve victory. Use them when necessary, without hesitation."

"Yes!"

Xu Zengshou's face was cold as he decided to set up the two cannons he had brought, just in case.

When Lu Yunyi and his men arrived at Hexiang Village in Jiangning County,

At a glance, I spotted a group of people slowly making their way forward at the end of the road.
Judging from the frequency and uniformity of the torch swaying, these five thousand men were definitely elite troops.

Upon seeing so many people, Lu Yunyi's initial nervousness completely dissipated.
Even if five thousand people were placed here,

Even if 20,000 or 30,000 men charged like that, the battle would last all night.
Moreover, it's a place so close to the capital.

It's difficult to gather even a thousand people, let alone tens of thousands.

Lu Yunyi and the others waited by the roadside until the main group approached.

He rode up to meet them, dismounted from a distance, and clasped his hands in a respectful gesture:

"This humble general, Lu Yunyi, the Deputy Commander of the Northern Expeditionary Army, pays his respects to Marquis Jiangxia."

A path parted at the very front of the battle formation.
An elderly man, who looked to be in his sixties, slowly rode out on a warhorse, clad in armor.

He looked somewhat tired, but his eyes were bright and piercing.

He sized up the two young men before him, paused for a moment, then nodded repeatedly with great satisfaction:
"Young, so young."

The military report from the Governor's Office said you were young and promising, which I initially scoffed at.

But seeing her in person today, she really is a little baby.

Lu Yunyi spoke in a deep voice:
"Marquis Jiangxia, the situation in the capital is currently complex."
There are traitors hiding among the people, both inside and outside the country.

We are here on orders to welcome and escort Marquis Jiangxia into the city.

"Yes, mount up and let's continue."
Let's talk once we're in town; it's not convenient outside.

Zhou Dexing waved his hand.
He glanced at the dark carriage in the center of the army, which was surrounded by his trusted soldiers, and a hint of relief flashed in his eyes.

He didn't dare close his eyes the entire way, fearing something might go wrong.
After all, the man in the carriage was the Duke of Han, who had dominated the world for forty years.

There are old subordinates and cronies everywhere.

Now, he can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Lu Yunyi mounted his horse and directed over a thousand soldiers to lead the way.

The long, magnificent torchlight procession continued to grow longer.

In the stillness of the night, only the sounds of horses' hooves and the clanging of armor echoed softly throughout the ranks.

From a great distance, one can see the dark city standing at the edge of the horizon.

For some reason, the closer they got to the capital, the more tense the atmosphere became.
It was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

After walking for nearly half an hour, the lights of the capital city could be seen faintly.
More and more silvery-white ribbons are stretching across the fields.

Seeing this, many people secretly breathed a sigh of relief; it would only take another quarter of an hour to reach the city.

Just as everyone's mind began to relax,

A sudden commotion arose within the central army escorting the central carriage.
The originally neat and orderly formation became slightly disordered.

Many people's hearts were in their throats, almost stopping.

As each general approached to inspect...

They relaxed only after discovering that it was just two warhorses that had sprained their ankles.
But they hadn't gone far when riots broke out in both the vanguard and the rearguard.

Without exception, it was the warhorse that sprained its ankle.

It walked unsteadily, even letting out some hissing.

Marquis Zhou Dexing of Jiangxia looked grave and cautiously surveyed the surrounding darkness.
With a whoosh, he drew his long sword and coldly ordered:
"All troops, be on high alert!"

"Yes!"

The messenger quickly relayed the military order, and the previously peaceful army suddenly became tense and deadly.

They drew their long swords and looked around warily.

Zhou Dexing looked at the dozen or so warhorses that had been brought over, his expression grave.
If too many coincidences occur, then they are no longer coincidences.
Moreover, it was a matter of a warhorse twisting its ankle; this wasn't a charge into battle.

Several guards stepped forward to examine it carefully.
Finally, a bodyguard in his thirties noticed something amiss.
He yanked something off the horse's hoof.
With a sharp "rip," the warhorse neighed in pain, its hooves trembling uncontrollably.

He strode forward, came to Zhou Dexing's side, and handed him the object he had pulled out:

"Sir, it's an iron nail, and a very sharp one at that."

"Nails?"

Zhou Dexing brought the object in his hand closer to the torch.

He squinted and moved away, only then able to see clearly what was in his hand.
It was a flat iron nail, a full three inches long, with a smooth surface and a point that had been ground to an extremely sharp edge.

"Why does this nail look so strange?"

At this moment, one of the guards spoke thoughtfully:
"My lord, some carriage guilds are causing trouble near the city."
One such incident involved using iron nails to damage horse-drawn cartwheels.
Could it be that the intention was to get him to a car repair shop in the city?

Zhou Dexing frowned slightly, thinking that this was possible.
Especially now that it's dark, it's the perfect time.
Nails were placed at night, and the carriages would go to the carriage shop during the day.
Lu Yunyi rode over and looked at the nail that his personal guards had just pulled out.
"Let me see."

The guard glanced at Zhou Dexing, and seeing that he did not object, he stepped forward and handed over the nail.

Lu Yunyi took the nail and examined it carefully, his brows furrowing slightly. He said in a deep voice:

"These are shovel nails used in shipbuilding."

Jiang Xiahou looked over, his face showing confusion:

"shipbuilding?"

Lu Yunyi nodded, held the nail close to the torch, and said in a deep voice:

"These nails have a wider head."
It is flat in shape, tapering gradually to a point, with the tip being particularly sharp.

These nails are generally used for splicing and fixing ship plates.

It can prevent the ship's planks from shifting due to stress during navigation.

These nails are only found in the Longjiang Shipyard in the northwest of Yingtian, and in nearby workshops.
In this location, southeast of Yingtian, there is absolutely no way that such a nail would appear.

They certainly wouldn't use such nails to damage a carriage.
Because the manufacturing process of shovel nails is complex, the final rust-proofing process requires at least three steps.
This also led to its high price, at least ten coins per piece.

After speaking, Lu Yunyi, holding the nail, sharply scanned the surrounding darkness, his voice sinister:
"Which car dealership is so rich and powerful that it can just throw away a few coins like that?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Marquis Zhou Dexing of Jiangxia's expression turned serious.

"Order the entire army to be on high alert and ready to engage the enemy!"

"Xiang Qianqiu, each of your troops will send five hundred men to the two sides of the main road to light torches and illuminate the way!"

"Yes!"

“Bian Chuzhen, lead three hundred cavalry forward and inform the Yingtian garrison that we have arrived.”

"Yes!"

"Hong Yu, be on guard against the rear guard and prevent enemy attacks!"

"Yes!"

As military orders were issued, the once quiet official road suddenly became filled with a cacophony of sounds, even a bit noisy.

Lu Yunyi frowned, holding the shovel in his hand, his mind filled with doubt.

What is the purpose of putting nails in?
In his view, this would alert the enemy and make the transporting soldiers wary.

"hiss"

Lu Yunyi, holding a nail, looked at the scattered formation of the front and rear armies.
An absurd idea suddenly popped into my head.
The goal is to alert the enemy and then disperse our forces!

However, the ensuing problem made Lu Yunyi frown.
Even if they are dispersed, the central army still has nearly two thousand men. How many rebels would it take to attack?

Lu Yunyi rubbed his temples; several days without sleep had left him feeling groggy, and his mind was working increasingly slowly.
When he glanced at the central army's formation, which completely enveloped the black carriages, his pupils suddenly contracted.

Another idea came to mind.
He subtly shifted his body slightly and whispered to Xu Zengshou, who was rushing over:
"Go ask Marquis Jiang Xia if the central army guarding the carriage is reliable. It would be best to replace them with your own men."

Xu Zengshou suddenly straightened up, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"Don't get agitated, don't look, go ask them."

"Yes"

Xu Zengshou nodded and pulled on the reins to walk towards Jiangxiahou.

As he approached, before he could even speak,
Then they saw Jiang Xiahou's expression suddenly change drastically.

Xu Zengshou followed the gaze and looked in that direction.

Suddenly, the curtain of the heavily surrounded carriage was lifted.
An old figure appeared!
His appearance seemed to have triggered some kind of switch.
The once quiet and silent central army instantly turned violent, their calm faces contorted with rage.
They didn't say a word, but quickly scattered in all directions.

He swung his long sword at the soldiers of the front and rear armies.
Zhou Dexing stared in shock at the scene before him.
My heart felt like it was being violently squeezed, and I couldn't speak for a moment.

Lu Yunyi reacted the fastest; he drew his long sword and shouted:
"Enemy at headquarters! Fire the signal arrow! Engage the enemy!!!"

(End of this chapter)