Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 291: Hard Work as a Paperhanger

"Thank you for your hard work, Zhining."

The once bustling West Market of Liaoyang Prefecture, the capital of the Jin Dynasty, no longer had the prosperity of the past. Apart from the soldiers, there were only the private soldiers of the wealthy families.

Speaking of private soldiers, they exist in every dynasty.

Even though the Song Dynasty had a stupid decision to ban the personal guard system when it was founded, the ban was lifted again after Li Yuanhao rose to power and established the Western Xia, and treated the various Song armies like spinning tops.

However, what makes the Jin Dynasty different is that their Meng'an Mouke system is a promotion system that can be linked to administrative power, military power, and titles at the same time.

To put it simply, as a hereditary Mouke, he would have the authority to govern 300 households, which is roughly the size of a larger village or a smaller county.

The military power that extends from the ruling power means that the hereditary Mouke can draw one hundred soldiers from these three hundred households as his private army.

Therefore, in a place like Tokyo Liaoyang Prefecture where nobles are everywhere, there are too many hereditary Mouke and even hereditary Meng'an, and they can easily gather a considerable military force.

It is not surprising that in the West Market at this time, in addition to the 5,000 cavalry brought by Hesheli Liangbi, there were also thousands of private soldiers.

Hesheli Zhining did not humiliate Wanyan Yong, but just followed him closely with a sword in hand. It was more like a guard than an escort.

"For the sake of national affairs, I dare not complain." Zhining knelt on one knee and saluted.

Hesheli Liangbi smiled at Wanyan Yong and said, "Wulu, how are you?"

Although Wanyan Yong was somewhat embarrassed, he still maintained his composure: "Lou Shi, where is Chief Mou Yan? Did you actually take his life?"

Hesheli Liangbi waved his hand, and Wanyan Mouyan, who was trapped by the soldiers, was brought up from behind the army. "I am here to quell the rebellion, not to cause it. How could I kill people without reason?"

"Duke, I am ashamed." Wanyan Mouyan knelt on one knee and saluted, his face full of shame.

Wanyan Yong breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward to support Wanyan Mouyan: "I'm glad you're okay. I'm glad you're okay."

After saying this, Wanyan Yong looked at Hesheli Liangbi again and said, "Sir Liangbi, you have won a great victory. It is up to you to decide how to deal with me, whether to kill me or to slice me up."

Hesheli Liangbi looked at Wanyan Yong deeply, then looked around at the Jurchen nobles with their private soldiers who were gathered around the West Market Square, and remained silent for a while.

"Let me stay here!"

One of the hereditary Moukes finally lost his patience and stepped forward, pointing his finger at Hesheli Liangbi and shouting, "Traitor! How dare you attack and plunder the Tokyo garrison?!"

His private soldiers also took a few steps forward, slammed their swords on their shields, and started shouting and cursing.

Many nobles followed suit and also began to make a fuss.

Hesheli Zhining laughed in anger. These people failed to kill the enemy in battle, but they were still good at turning the tables. Without further ado, he snatched a shield from the guards and rushed out like a cannonball.

The hereditary Mouke who had been making a fuss at the beginning never expected that even with more than a hundred private soldiers at his side, Hesheli Zhining would dare to rush up alone. Even though they were more than thirty steps away, the hereditary Mouke did not react in time and was directly knocked to the ground by the shield. He was then dragged in front of Liangbi like a dead dog.

The more than one hundred private soldiers reacted and wanted to snatch their leader back, but Hesheli Zhining simply drew out his knife and cleanly cut off the Mouke's left ear. Amidst the wailing and screaming, the private soldiers dared not move forward.

Seeing Hesheli Zhining so brave, the nobles were speechless for a moment, and the entire West Market was as silent as a ghost cave.

"Whoever wants your family to stay behind, don't just rush around and talk. Come to me and talk." Hesheli Liangbi didn't even look at the hereditary Mouke who was dragged back. He said loudly, "What are you doing, yelling in the crowd? What are you doing, you coward?"

In less than a moment, more than twenty people of different ages and ranks stepped out from the crowd, dismissed the personal guards, and stood in front of Hesheli Liangbi.

One of the elders, Jiagu Huila, stepped forward and first glanced at Wanyan Yong, whose armor was still stained with blood. He then turned to Hesheli Liangbi and said, "Sir Liangbi, I don't want to waste time talking. I'm just asking directly: What are you going to do with those who remain? Or rather, what are you going to do with us?"

Hesheli Liangbi laughed and said, "If I say that only one person is guilty, would you believe me?"

Jiagu Huila immediately responded loudly: "Of course I don't believe it!"

This was treason, and I'd never heard of a case where only the ringleader was executed while the rest were left alone. Not to mention there was a tyrant like Wanyan Liang, who would have been a miracle if he hadn't taken the opportunity to implicate others.

After just one reply, Jiagu Huila shouted to Wanyan Yong, "If that happens, don't expect anything. We will fight Liangbi immediately. If you injure the lord, I can only die as an apology. The rest of us will still support Hu Tuwa to ascend the throne!"

Hu Tuwa is Wanyan Yong's eldest son Wanyan Yonggong.

Wanyan Yong was frustrated at how a coup that seemed almost certain to succeed had become a life-or-death struggle. However, he also knew that it was impossible to back down at this point. If he showed any weakness, Hesheli Liangbi would likely exterminate all the Tokyo nobles one by one.

"That's exactly what should happen," Wanyan Yong shouted. "Prince Liangbi, do you really think that capturing me will bring peace to the world? Little do you know that it's you who are causing chaos in the world! Kill me, and there's still the nobles of Tokyo. Even if you clean up Tokyo, the entire Liao land will still rebel!"

"Wait!" Hesheli Liangbi finally lost his patience and shouted, "This matter ends here."

"What?" Wanyan Yong looked at Hesheli Liangbi in surprise, as if he couldn't believe it.

Can things like treason be stopped at the right time?

"The Great Jin Dynasty is marching south to attack the Song Dynasty, and most of the country's elite troops are fighting in the south. I want to stabilize the situation in the rear, not intensify the conflict." Hesheli Liangbi said with his hands clasped, "There are no excessive casualties at this time, it's just a mobilization of the army. Wulu has not rebelled, and we are not here to quell the rebellion, that's all." Wanyan Yong was stunned when he heard this, but he immediately realized that doing this... might not be impossible.

Can't we just put this matter behind us and pretend nothing happened?
But why did Hesheli Liangbi do this? Was it to play along and then settle scores later?

At this moment, Wanyan Yong suddenly reacted.

If Hesheli Liangbi is regarded as a loyal minister of Wanyan Liang, then his actions are as weird as if he has gone insane.

But if we regard him as a loyal minister of the Great Jin, then everything is natural.

The reason for stopping Wanyan Yong's rebellion was to prevent the Jin army fighting on the front line from being lost and wiped out due to changes in the rear.

The reason why Wanyan Yong was not killed and the matter was suppressed was to avoid a civil war in the ancestral land of Liaodong, which would have allowed the Khitans and Mongols to take advantage of the situation after killing people and flowing rivers of blood.

What a good idea!
What a truth!
Even though he was in the hands of others, Wanyan Yong still had a trace of admiration in his heart.

Those who are willing to sacrifice their lives for their country will be respected by both sides.

Even though he figured it out, Wanyan Yong still said, "Mr. Liangbi, you know I will rebel eventually. Even if I don't rebel today, I will rebel tomorrow!"

Hesheli Liangbi said calmly: "Then please ask Wulu to stay in our army for a few days. As long as the southern expeditionary army does not return, you cannot return to Tokyo.

As for the army returning from the southern expedition, I will naturally release you. Whether you obey me or not, I will not care."

Jiagu Huila gritted his teeth and said, "Who knows if Lord Liangbi is planning to trick the garrison into killing them? Then he'll eliminate us one by one. How can you guarantee the garrison's safety?"

"Because I'm Hesheli Liangbi! The current Shangshu Zuocheng, the chief of the Hesheli tribe! Just my word!" Hesheli Liangbi looked over and asked, "Do you have any other advice?"

The courage that Jiagu Huila had just gathered up disappeared into thin air, and he immediately became stammering and dared not say another word.

Wanyan Mouyan also said at this time: "Duke, this time we are at the end of the tunnel. Our lives are in our hands. Liangbi has already shown me mercy by giving us the path. There is still a long way to go. Given the ambition and talent of the current emperor, I do not believe this southern expedition will go smoothly!"

Wanyan Yong nodded with difficulty and continued, "Mr. Liangbi, how can you guarantee that no one will inform Digunai? If that happens, not only us, but you too will be held responsible!"

Hesheli Liangbi said, "This is simple. Bring Gao Cunfu and Li Yanlong up here!"

Soon, Gao Cunfu, deputy governor of Tokyo, and Li Yanlong, the prefect of Liaoyang Prefecture, were brought up by soldiers.

"I've just explained the situation clearly to you. While I can annihilate our ancestral land, the remaining elite troops of the Great Jin will be decimated in battle, allowing the Khitans and Mongols to take advantage. This will also affect the war against the Song Dynasty." Hesheli Liangbi said, his hands clasped. "Now, this is the only solution. The two of you, important officials sent by His Majesty to stabilize the situation in Liaoyang Prefecture several years ago, have left Liao in this state. You are to blame."

As if he knew what Hesheli Liangbi was going to do, Wanyan Yong opened his mouth in surprise.

Li Yanlong knelt on the ground, closed his eyes and said nothing. Gao Cunfu looked up and tried to say something, but when he met Hesheli Liangbi's cold eyes, he dared not speak. He just turned his head and looked at Hesheli Zhining with a pleading look.

Hesheli Zhining knew that the other party was entrusting his family to him, so he could only nod slightly.

"I... I am incompetent, and I know my guilt." Gao Cunfu said tremblingly, "If my death can stabilize the situation in Liao and help Your Majesty, I am willing to die as an apology. I only hope that you can tell Your Majesty that I am truly loyal."

"Ordinarily, I shouldn't be too harsh on you." When the time came, Hesheli Liangbi offered some comfort: "But you're in such a high position, how can you escape?"

After saying this, the current Shangshu Zuocheng just waved his hand, and two armored soldiers stepped forward and chopped off the heads of Gao Cunfu and Li Yanlong with their swords.

As the heads of two of Wanyan Liang's closest associates fell to the ground, Hesheli Liangbi said to Wanyan Yong, "Wulu, what do you think? Do you have anything else to say?"

Seeing a deputy governor and a judge so easily lose their lives, Wanyan Yong's cheeks twitched a few times, and he forced a smile and said, "Mr. Liangbi's methods are truly remarkable. In this case, I will go with Mr. Liangbi."

Hesheli Liangbi nodded and looked at Wanyan Mouyan again: "Mouyan, do you know what to do?"

Wanyan Mouyan sneered and said, "Of course I know. With me here, no one can harm Duke Cao!"

Hesheli Liangbi nodded again and said, "Jiagu Huila, you people should also know what to say and what not to say, what to do and what not to do, right?"

Seeing that Wanyan Yong had given up resistance and agreed to be taken away by Hesheli Liangbi, the other nobles had no core and had to give up.

"Sir, you have a truly brilliant strategy." Seeing Hesheli Liangbi, through a combination of attack and defense, extinguish a rebellion that threatened the entire northern region, Jiagu Huila could only sigh, "But can this truly address the root cause?"

Hesheli Liangbi did not answer, but simply walked away with his hands behind his back. Only his voice could be heard: "Jiagu Huila, tell Wanyan Fushou that I will not care about the three Wanhu who have returned from Shandong, nor will I drive them back.

But if he dares to cross the line of Shicheng, then I, Zhining, Mouyan and Wulu will join forces to fight him.

Let Wanyan Fushou think about it, how many lives do you have to live before you dare to stroke the tiger's whiskers!"

After saying this, Hesheli Liangbi led his troops and withdrew from the city of Tokyo, leaving behind a group of Jurchen nobles looking at each other in bewilderment.

(End of this chapter)