Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 192 Northern Expedition
The people of the capital were not having an easy time either.

After King Qiao's rebel army occupied the capital, they committed numerous atrocities, including burning, killing, and looting. As many as 20% of the civilian population died in the turmoil.

This is an extremely horrific and astonishing number. Two out of ten households were wiped out. Initially, the bodies were left unburied, and the stench of rotting corpses permeated almost the entire capital. Later, due to the hot and dry weather, a plague broke out in the capital. Even Qiao Tianwang's rebel army was affected, suffering many deaths.

To eradicate the plague, King Qiao ordered all those afflicted to be gathered in one place and burned. Countless people were burned alive.

As the plague subsided, only about half of the survivors remained.

The officials who surrendered to the new dynasty had no other choice. To survive, they had to submit. To put it another way, the Jing Dynasty was already utterly corrupt and there was really nothing worth remembering about it.

Who sits on the dragon throne makes little difference to the ministers. The capital, personally conquered by King Qiao, certainly possesses some imperial fortune. Joining his service early could secure a good official position.

King Qiao's base was in Jiangnan, but after occupying the capital, he faced many troubles. Maintaining an army of 200,000 was no easy task. As a rebel of humble origins, he was also inept at governing the court. He had no choice but to recruit a large number of former loyal officials.

These seasoned officials, who had served the fickle Jianwen Emperor and the tyrannical and short-lived Prince Wei, are now adapting remarkably quickly to flattering an arrogant and conceited rebel.

The courtiers vied to send their beautiful daughters and granddaughters to the palace, along with lavish gifts of gold and silver. Surrounded by beauties of all shapes and sizes, and indulging in a life of luxury, he quickly lost himself amidst the praise and adulation of his ministers. His ambition swelled day by day.

The Jing Dynasty hasn't completely disappeared. There's still Xie Li, the Prince of Zhangwu! He actually established a court in Bohai Commandery, claiming to be the legitimate dynasty!
The country and its people belong to the capable.

The officials submitted memorials one after another, passionately urging King Qiao to launch a northern expedition. King Qiao quickly made up his mind and sent the second-in-command of the rebel army with 100,000 troops to attack Bohai County.

This second-in-command, surnamed Tao, was originally named Er Gou. When Qiao Tianwang started out, he only had a few dozen poor men following him. Tao Er Gou and Qiao Tianwang were sworn brothers. After they became successful, Qiao Tianwang called himself Tianwang (Heavenly King), and Tao Er Gou also changed his name to a majestic one, Tao Wudi (Invincible Tao).

Tao Wudi thumped his chest in the Golden Palace: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will lead my troops to Jizhou, kill the Zhang family father and son, and cut off the head of that brat Xie Li to present to Your Majesty."

Wearing a dragon robe, King Qiao, looking every bit the killing machine, grinned and said, "Good! I'll appoint you as the Invincible General! Once you succeed in your northern expedition and conquer Ji Province, I'll make you the King of Ji Province and give you the entire province!"

Tao Wudi's eyes lit up, and he didn't refuse: "I've remembered everything you said, brother. Don't go back on your word later."

Qiao Tianwang, who came from humble beginnings, looked at his sworn brother and laughed heartily.

The civil officials standing to the side were inwardly cursing and swearing, thinking how such a brute had turned the capital into a bloodbath. But the blade was far sharper than their own necks, so they dared not show the slightest contempt and had to instead lavish praise: "That General Zhang, what a boastful charlatan! He was once a disciple of the Heavenly King!"

"With the invincible general leading the troops, the Zhang father and son will certainly be no match for them!"

"We await the great general's triumphant return!"

Tao Wudi also had many beauties in his household. He took them all with him when he went to war. Dozens of delicate beauties were locked in the carriage. They were only released for his amusement when they camped at night.

There are also thoughtful subordinates who search for beauties in the countryside to present to the invincible general for his amusement.

Tao Wudi was also very generous to his trusted subordinates, casually giving away beauties he had grown tired of. Almost every day, female corpses were dumped by the roadside.

The rebel army plundered women, able-bodied men, grain, gold, and silver—they took almost everything. Their slow march left a trail of destruction wherever they went, like a locust plague, leaving the people destitute. Those who once had modest wealth were reduced to utter poverty in an instant, forced to abandon their homes and flee, and the number of refugees snowballed.

News of the rebel army's northern expedition quickly reached Bohai Commandery.

Emperor Jian'an was both shocked and furious: "I haven't even launched a southern expedition yet, and these traitors dare to launch a northern expedition."

Filled with patriotic fervor, Meng Liulang immediately stepped forward: "This humble general is willing to lead troops to stop the rebels. Please grant me permission, Your Majesty!"

Just as Emperor Jian'an was about to nod, he heard General Zhang say in a deep voice, "The rebels have come from afar. We should wait in comfort and prepare for battle. There is no need to take the initiative to attack!"

Meng Liulang, young and fearless, immediately retorted: "The rebel army has been looting and plundering all the way, causing immense suffering to the people. How can we stand idly by!"

General Zhang said coldly, "That's right. We must wait even longer. The rebel army's perverse actions have angered the people and aroused their resentment. Only then will they turn to the rightful ruler and wholeheartedly hope that the Emperor will recover the country."

Enraged, Meng Liulang retorted with a cold laugh: "In the eyes of the General, are the lives of ordinary people so lowly and insignificant? Or is the General afraid of the rebel army and dare not take the initiative to attack?"

These words were both hurtful and harsh.

General Zhang's face darkened, and he glared fiercely at Meng Liulang.

Meng Dalang forcefully nudged Meng Liulang's arm, stopping Meng Liulang's incessant stream of unpleasant words: "Sixth Brother is straightforward and speaks without thinking. He has absolutely no intention of offending the General. Please calm down, General."

Prime Minister Pang coughed and said, "General Meng is young and impetuous, but he is truly loyal and sincere. General, you are broad-minded and there is no need to hold a grudge against a young general."

Zhang Yun replied with a forced smile: "I've only ever seen the old bully the young, but today I've truly seen something new. This young general is so arrogant and unreasonable, and instead of giving him a good scolding, Prime Minister Pang expects my father to be magnanimous."

Prime Minister Pang, a cunning old fox who had been in the court for decades, displayed remarkable composure and magnanimity, saying, "If Young Master Zhang is unhappy, this old minister will bear it. Now is not the time for bickering and sulking; it is more important to discuss important matters."

The Zhang family father and son were locked in a power struggle with Pang Meng's in-laws, and the assembled civil and military officials couldn't get a word in edgewise, nor did anyone want to get involved. Everyone kept their mouths shut.

General Zhang snorted, his gaze sweeping over Prime Minister Pang and Meng Dalang, glancing at the foul-mouthed Meng Liulang, and finally looking at Emperor Jian'an on the dragon throne: "Whether to take the initiative or wait for the enemy to arrive, Your Majesty, please make the decision!"

Emperor Jian'an was restless and couldn't make up his mind at all.

The rebel army captured the capital, set fire to the city, killing the King of Wei and destroying the palace. This also shattered Emperor Jian'an's confidence and pride.

He often mentioned the southern expedition, but in reality, he had no confidence whatsoever. There was even a hidden, unspoken urge to escape, an unwillingness to face reality.

Meng Liulang volunteered to go into battle, but General Zhang insisted on waiting for the enemy to tire themselves out.

Whose advice should we listen to?

(End of this chapter)