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

Chapter 131 Deng Yang's Pledge of Allegiance
Deng Yang's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked:

"What great achievement?"

Jiang Han smiled faintly and explained:
“We’re heading south soon, so Jingle County and Kelan County will naturally be vacant.”

"You can 'recapture' both of these cities."

"When the time comes, you can report to your superiors that it is you, Deng Yang, who led your troops in a series of bloody battles against the bandits."

"Finally, the two counties of Jingle and Kelan were 'recovered'."

"Tell me, is this achievement significant enough?"

Upon hearing this, Deng Yang's eyes lit up immediately.

This was like a windfall; he didn't have to do anything to reap the credit for recapturing two counties.

If this were reported, the imperial court might reward him with the position of adjutant.

Thinking of this, Deng Yang nodded hurriedly in agreement:

"Enough! Big enough!"

"Thank you for your kindness, General! Thank you for your kindness, General!"

Seeing his overjoyed expression, Jiang Han changed the subject:
"However, I also have a small request."

Jiang Han stood up and continued to explain.

"As you can see, my men suffered heavy casualties in this battle with Cao Wenzhao."

"Bringing so many wounded soldiers south would make movement difficult and could delay their treatment."

"Therefore, I plan to place all the wounded soldiers here with you so that they can recuperate in peace."

"what do you think?"

Deng Yang thought it was something serious, but it turned out to be just taking care of the wounded. He quickly patted his chest and agreed.

"Don't worry, General, leave it to me!"

"I will report back to my superiors and say that my unit fought a fierce battle with the enemy and suffered heavy losses. We need to rest and recuperate in Jingle and Kelan."

Deng Yang felt that his idea was absolutely flawless.

However, he didn't notice that the smile on Jiang Han's face slowly faded.

Jiang Han stared at Deng Yang and slowly said:
"General Deng has considered things very carefully."

"However, even with just that, I'm still a little worried."

Deng Yang's heart skipped a beat, and he had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

"What other concerns does the general have?"

Jiang Han smiled slightly, did not answer, but simply clapped his hands.

Then the side door was pushed open, and two guards escorted in a emaciated prisoner.

Although the prisoner was pale and filthy, it was still possible to vaguely discern that he was wearing an official robe from the Ming Dynasty.

As soon as he entered, his gaze fell on Deng Yang.

"Is it Daotai Xu?"

Deng Yang recognized the man as Xu Dingchen, the former deputy commissioner of the Shanxi Provincial Surveillance Commission who had been captured earlier!
Why is he here?

Xu Dingchen, whose gaze had been unfocused, suddenly had a glint in his eyes the moment he saw Deng Yang clearly.

He looked at Deng Yang and immediately began to curse:
"You good-for-nothing Deng Yang! The court has treated you well, and I also have high hopes for you!"

"I thought you were a loyal and brave general, but I never expected you to defect to the enemy and become a bandit!"

Xu Dingchen's curses lashed at Deng Yang's face like whips, making him instantly blush and at a loss for what to do.

He could only look to Jiang Han for help, and stammered, "..."
"General, what is the meaning of this?"

Jiang Han's expression remained unchanged, his tone icy:
"Means nothing."

"General Deng, you now only have two choices."

He held up two fingers and said slowly.

"Either you kill Xu Dingchen yourself now, or I'll kill you right now!"

As soon as Jiang Han finished speaking, his personal guards and several captains immediately drew their knives and held them to the necks of Deng Yang and his personal guards.

Deng Yang was struck dumb, his face turning deathly pale instantly.
"General, didn't we agree on this before?"

"You also promised me you wouldn't force me to raise the flag of rebellion!" Jiang Han shook his head, looking completely matter-of-fact.
"I didn't tell you to raise the flag and rebel. I just told you to infiltrate the government army and be my inside man."

"If I entrust so many wounded soldiers to you, and you become disloyal, wouldn't these brothers who fought for me be in danger?"

He took a step forward, staring intently at Deng Yang.

"So, you have to give me a pledge of loyalty, right?"

"Otherwise, how could I put my mind at ease?"

Deng Yang was completely dumbfounded. He felt like he had fallen into a carefully designed trap, and he was getting deeper and deeper into it.

He remembered that not long ago, Jiang Han was telling them the story of "Water Margin" with great enthusiasm, and even commented that the most terrifying thing in it was luring people to join the bandits.

Thinking of this, Deng Yang quickly spoke up:

"General, didn't you say before that you wouldn't follow the example of the Liangshan heroes and lure people to join you on the mountain?"

"But why is it that they're doing this to me?"

"Does that mean the general's words don't count?"

Jiang Han smiled:
"General Deng, you seem to have forgotten something."

"Back then, you came to me on your own initiative, crying and begging me to help you find a way to avoid Wang Jiayin's military might."

"Moreover, you personally promised that as long as I help you accomplish this, your life will be mine from now on!"

"Have you forgotten what I said?"

Jiang Han's voice suddenly rose in pitch.

"Now, I'm not only helping you avoid Wang Jiayin, but I'm also going to give you a great service."

"All you need to do now is kill a high-ranking official of the imperial court, pledge your loyalty to me, and I'll entrust the wounded soldiers to you with peace of mind. Is that so difficult?"

"Isn't this just common sense?!"

Every word Jiang Han said was like a heavy hammer blow, striking Deng Yang's heart.

Deng Yang opened his mouth, but found that he couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.

Indeed, he was the one who took the initiative to approach Jiang Han; he did so for his own future and for money.

Deng Yang is now filled with regret. If only he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have done it in the first place.

He thought of He Lei, the garrison commander of Guangwu Village.

He Lei may have realized that Jiang Han and his group were not good people, which is why he gradually cut off contact after a few encounters and chose to protect himself.

He himself was greedy for wealth and status, and wanted to be promoted to a higher official rank.

If I hadn't been clinging to wishful thinking and hoping to play both sides between the government troops and the rebel army, how could I have ended up like this?
But now, it's too late for regrets.

You choose your own path.

Jiang Han had made his point very clear: either kill Xu Dingchen, or die himself.

He reached out with trembling hands and took the unsheathed knife that Shao Yong handed him.

Xu Dingchen looked at Deng Yang's hand holding the knife, a hint of disbelief flashing in his eyes:
"Deng Dengyang, you..."

Deng Yang's face was ashen, and his hand holding the knife trembled uncontrollably.

Although Xu Dingchen was extremely weak, his eyes were filled with contempt and anger as he looked at him.

Deng Yang dared not meet his gaze, abruptly closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and thrust his waist knife forward with all his might!
puff!

There was a dull sound as a sharp blade entered the flesh.

Warm blood instantly splattered onto Deng Yang's robes, leaving behind glaring crimson spots.

Xu Dingchen's body stiffened abruptly, his eyes widened, then he lost all his luster and collapsed limply to the ground.

Deng Yang staggered back two steps, and the knife in his hand fell to the ground with a clang.

He looked at Xu Dingchen's corpse on the ground, then at his own blood-stained hands and robes, his face drained of color, and collapsed to the ground.

Xu Dingchen, the former governor of Shanxi and the current deputy commissioner of the Shanxi Provincial Surveillance Commission, died at the hands of Deng Yang.

Jiang Han's pirate ship is probably one he can never get off again.

　Stop talking, family, it's past four o'clock, past four o'clock, and I haven't had dinner yet.

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(End of this chapter)