The Ming Dynasty: Starting with the border troops, it was overthrown and the Qing Dynasty was destro

Chapter 11 The Imperial Army Has Arrived?

The messenger received the order and quickly sent out several riders to scout ahead, while he himself turned around and went to beat the drum.

But after several drumbeats, no one paid any attention. Everyone was busy looting treasures and had no regard for military orders.

His soldiers were also in dire straits, having had a significant amount of their rations and pay deducted previously.

Now that they've seen the prosperous Liu Family Village, they've long forgotten their military orders and are happily robbing each other.

Seeing this, Li Xuan flew into a rage, snatched the waist knife from a nearby guard, mounted his horse, and plunged into the chaotic ranks, slashing left and right.

As screams rang out, several soldiers, their eyes bloodshot from the looting, collapsed to the ground, blood gushing out.

The soldiers, who were still frantically looting, were suddenly terrified by this scene and looked at Li Xuan, who was riding a white horse and whose blade was stained with blood, with horror.

Li Xuan brandished his long sword and roared at the soldiers before him:
"The drums have been beating on and on, are you deaf?!"

"If anyone doesn't have ears, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Then he turned to his personal guards and said, "Go, beat the drum!"

After the drumbeat ended, the soldiers finally stopped looting and killing, and slowly gathered together, carrying their spoils.

At this moment, the scouts sent out earlier finally returned and hurriedly reported to Li Xuan:

"Sir, it looks like the army of our Yansui Garrison, but it's too dark to see clearly."

Upon hearing this, Li Xuan frowned, his mind filled with doubt—could the mutiny be resolved so quickly? Could it be that Wu Zimian conjured up thousands of people out of thin air?
But he had no time to think further and could only grit his teeth and give the order:

"Pursuers are closing in! Tell them to abandon anything they can't carry and retreat!"

Li Xuan knew very well that no matter which army came, he was no match for them.

The soldiers under his command were bulging and puffed up, their bodies filled with food and gold and silver. They didn't look like soldiers capable of wielding swords and killing enemies.

Therefore, Li Xuan decisively ordered them to throw away everything they couldn't carry, take only some gold, silver, and valuables, and run away as soon as possible.

The soldiers were reluctant to listen, but due to Li Xuan's ruthlessness, they had no choice but to reluctantly abandon the large treasures they couldn't carry and hastily assemble.

Having finally gotten a chance to plunder, they now had to retreat halfway, leaving everyone feeling resentful.

After the rebel army had been gone for some time, Liu Sancai, a servant of the Liu family, mustered up his courage and peeked out to check the situation.

Wherever the firelight shone, the ground was a mess, littered with corpses. The once peaceful and prosperous Liu Family Village had now become a living hell.

Fortunately, the soldiers had left, and he was spared.

He had just breathed a sigh of relief when he suddenly saw another troop of soldiers pouring in from outside the manor.

The newcomer was Jiang Han, who had just led his troops into the manor and bumped right into Liu San.

Liu San caught a glimpse of the cold glint of the armor and was so frightened that his legs went weak. He turned around and tried to run away.

"Why the hell are you running away!"

Seeing this, Hei Zi strode forward and kicked Liu San in the buttocks, knocking him to the ground.

Liu San was sweating profusely, kneeling on the ground and kowtowing repeatedly.

"Sir, spare my life! Sir, spare my life!"

Jiang Han limped forward, grabbed Liu San by the back of his collar, and lifted him up:
"Get up, and I will ask you, where is that group of mutinous soldiers from before?"

Liu San was somewhat surprised, and looked up at Jiang Han with trepidation:
"Sir, you're not with them?"

Jiang Han nodded and said seriously:

"A mutiny occurred in the Yansui garrison yesterday."

"I have come specifically to pursue and quell the rebels. Where is your master? Is he still alive?"

Liu San shrank back slightly, his cloudy eyes darting back and forth, sizing up Jiang Han. Although the general before him was imposing and had an extraordinary air about him, Liu San still had some doubts:
"Does Your Excellency have any evidence? How can anyone believe you based on just a few words from Your Excellency?"

Jiang Han unfolded a scroll of silk from his robes and flashed it in front of Liu San:

"You dog, open your eyes and look carefully. This is the troop deployment seal of Yansui Town. How could it be fake?"

Jiang Han had naturally found this seal in Wu Zimian's tent. He originally intended to use it as a pass to go home, but he never expected it to come in handy here.

After seeing the seal, Liu San was relieved and asked Jiang Han to wait a moment.

Liu San hurriedly ran to the ancestral hall in the backyard and came to a floor tile in the northwest corner of the ancestral hall.

He cautiously looked around, and after confirming that no one was there, he bent down and pounded the floor tiles in front of him three times.

A moment later, the floor tiles were pushed open, and a furious shout came from inside:

"Liu San, what's wrong with you? Didn't I tell you to report this to the authorities?"

"Master!" Liu San couldn't hide his joy.
"The imperial army has arrived! The mutinous soldiers have retreated!"

The officials below were somewhat surprised. The imperial army had come to quell the rebellion? Those soldiers were usually so lazy and undisciplined, how come they were so swift this time?
Mr. Liu peeked out with half his face, his expression serious:

"Refund? Are you sure?"

Liu San nodded quickly, his face full of excitement:
"It's absolutely true! I was hiding in the woodshed, and only when I heard no more noise outside did I muster up the courage to come out and take a look. The mutinous soldiers really did run away!"

Liu San lowered his voice.

"The troops that came to quell the rebellion are from Yansui Town, the same company that does military horse trading with us!"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Liu breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's fine, that's fine."

"So you're one of us! Quick! Help me up, then we'll invite the general to the main hall for a chat!"

Liu San quickly helped Master Liu back to the main hall.

Upon entering, Mr. Liu nearly fainted upon seeing the main hall littered with corpses and scattered valuables.

"What sins has my Liu family committed to deserve this calamity!"

His body trembled slightly as he angrily pounded on the doorframe:

"Once I find out who did it, I will risk my life to go to the capital and appeal to the emperor! I will seek justice for all the victims of my Liu family!"

Liu San, who was standing to the side, glanced at the grief-stricken old man, leaned closer, and whispered in his ear:
"Master, I just went out to take a look."

"The soldiers left in a hurry, leaving behind some valuable large items in the yard, which they didn't have time to move."

Upon hearing this, Master Liu's eyes lit up, but he still feigned grief and indignation, covering his mouth and whispering the order:
"Quickly, send someone to move everything back. Find a few reliable people to prevent any dishonest dealings among the subordinates!"

At this moment, Master Liu was extremely fortunate that the soldiers from Yansui Town arrived in time, otherwise the losses would have been enormous.

A few pieces of gold and silver are not worth mentioning; it's good that the major items are still here.

These ignorant soldiers, even if they become bandits, won't be able to steal anything good!

Master Liu turned to look at Liu San, who was standing to the side, and instructed him:

"We really have to thank the soldiers and officers of Yansui Town this time. Go and prepare some food and drinks; we're going to drink until we drop tonight!"

Just as Master Liu was giving his instructions, the gatekeeper stumbled in:

"My lord, the general has arrived!"

　Dear readers, please bookmark this page and keep reading!
　　I'll post this early this morning; apparently, this will get it into the warehouse sooner. I'll give it a try.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)