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

Chapter 41 Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness

After Zhao Sheng and Lu Tao made their alliance, they hurriedly left Yangta Mountain with Li Jinwang, the third brother beside them.

The mountain path was bitterly cold. Prince Li Jin wrapped his tattered cotton-padded coat tighter around himself and couldn't help but turn his head to ask:
"Second Brother, are we really going to go with Lu Tao to cause trouble for the border troops? Is this a reliable plan?"

He paused, his brows furrowing, his voice filled with worry:
"Even the guards can chase us all over the mountains. Even if our two armies join forces, can we really compete with the border troops?"

Zhao Sheng glanced at him, but didn't stop walking:

"Lu Tao is determined to go to Majia Village to his death. We can't be that stupid."

Prince Li Jin was taken aback by these words, his face full of confusion:

"Then let's just reject him directly, why bother agreeing?"

Zhao Sheng turned his head and looked at the village on the mountaintop not far away, squinting as he said:

“I have an idea, I need to go back and ask the plate manager and the other brothers for their opinions.”

Back at Mizhi Mountain Village, the atmosphere inside the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness was tense, with swords drawn.

Zhang Cunmeng sat upright in the main seat, his face ashen, his tiger-like eyes fixed on Zhao Sheng below, as if he could see right through him.

The flickering firelight in the hall cast a long shadow behind him, adding to his imposing presence.

After a long pause, he suddenly slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup on it clang loudly.
"What? You agreed to Lu Tao's offer?"

"Should we send our brothers to cause trouble for the border troops?"

Zhao Sheng nodded, his expression calm, as if he had already anticipated Zhang Cunmeng's reaction:
“Not bad, take charge of the supplies. Lu Tao made me a condition: once the matter is settled, all the new weapons, armor, and provisions provided by the Li family will belong to us.”

His tone was calm, as if he were talking about a trivial matter, but his words, when they reached the ears of the crowd, were like a boulder thrown into a lake, stirring up a thousand waves.

"Really?" "They'll give him swords, armor, and provisions? Is Lu Tao really that generous?" For a moment, discussions filled the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness.

Zhang Cunmeng frowned, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

He had long coveted Lu Tao's armored veterans' camp. Although their armor was crudely made, it was still better than the ragged old farmers under his command.

The thousands of men under his command were nominally rebels gathered in the mountains, but in reality, they were nothing more than a group of peasants resisting and evading taxes.

Every time they encounter a tough battle, after a few people have died, these guys throw down their weapons and run away, as if they're afraid that if they're even a little slow, they'll lose their lives.

Although he has been training a lot lately and has finally started to look promising, is it possible for him to go toe-to-toe with the border troops? Even a fool would know that it's impossible!
Even the Imperial Guards could chase them so fast they had to run for their lives, let alone the Border Army.

Just as Zhang Cunmeng was about to refuse, his fourth subordinate, Tuo Yangkun, spoke up first.

Tuo Yangkun slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and roared:
"Second Brother, what do you mean? You're using our brothers' lives to exchange for equipment? Are you using us as pawns?"

His eyes widened, and the veins on his neck bulged.
"We're doing just fine staying in the village, why should we go out and risk our lives against the border troops?!"

"Just because you, Second Brother, acted on your own initiative, you expect the brothers to risk their lives?"

Zhang Cunmeng had seven captains under his command, who usually addressed each other as brothers.

Zhao Sheng, the lamp-lighter, was the second son in his family. Because he was a scholar, he also served as the military advisor.

Scorpion Block Tuo Yangkun is the fourth oldest in his family. He has a fiery temper and cannot tolerate any injustice.

As soon as he finished shouting, the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness erupted in chaos, with voices of doubt rising one after another.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cunmeng also looked at Zhao Sheng with displeasure. Although he usually followed Zhao Sheng's opinion and consulted him on everything.
But this time, Zhao Sheng acted on his own initiative and agreed to Lu Tao's request without consulting him, which made him feel very uncomfortable.

However, Zhao Sheng was, after all, a scholar, and perhaps had his own considerations, so Zhang Cunmeng didn't react immediately, but simply asked coldly:

"Second brother, why didn't you discuss this with me beforehand?"

“That Jiang guy is not easy to deal with. Third Brother Li Jinwang saw those people last time.” Third Brother Li Jinwang nodded quickly and chimed in:
"That's right. It seems that the Jiang guy came to Mizhi last time. Our people took a peek from afar, and the scale of it was impressive, with no less than one or two thousand men."

"Their walking, sitting, and lying down are on a completely different level from those guards. Most importantly, they can actually eat three meals a day!"

"None of the brothers who went to keep watch dared to get close to them, for fear of being mistaken for spies and captured and beheaded."

Upon hearing this, Tuo Yangkun, nicknamed "Scorpion Man," became even more enraged, pointing at Zhao Sheng and shouting angrily:

"Hmph! You surnamed Zhao, you've probably been bribed by Lu Tao, and you're trying to exchange our brothers' heads for your own wealth and status?"

“Ask the other brothers, we can’t even beat the garrison troops, how can we possibly fight to the death against these government troops who eat three meals a day?”

The hall was filled with voices of doubt. Several radical men had already picked up their weapons, eager to tie up Zhao Sheng at Zhang Cunmeng's command.

However, because Zhang Cunmeng, who was at the very top, did not speak up, they did not take action immediately.

Zhao Sheng stood in the center of the hall, facing the chaotic scene, and sighed softly. He looked down at the hem of his tattered robe and felt a pang of bitterness in his heart.

He was just a scholar, and he should have studied hard for years, passed the imperial examination with flying colors, and returned home in glory.

Who would have thought that the world would force him to become an outlaw, reduced to living among these peasants?

He had a bright future ahead of him, but he was forced to join the Liangshan rebels and became a traitor.
Zhao Sheng shook his head at the suspicious looks around him and slowly began to explain:

"Boss, brothers, I, Zhao Sheng, will never use your lives to exchange for my own wealth. I have other plans."

"Please allow me to explain slowly."

Zhang Cunmeng asked expressionlessly and indifferently:
"Second brother, then tell us properly what you were thinking and why you agreed to Lu Tao's request in private."

"If you don't speak well, don't blame me for not showing brotherly affection."

Zhao Sheng gave Zhang Cunmeng a deep look, then began to explain:

"Manager, I don't want to mess with those border soldiers, I want to mess with Lu Tao."

"I've got my eye on Lu Tao's old camp!"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cunmeng raised an eyebrow and instantly perked up:

"Second brother, what do you mean by that?"

Zhao Sheng smiled:
"We can sell Lu Tao!"

"Lu Tao is so obsessed with his daughter that he's afraid to act rashly, yet he dares to attack the border troops. He's truly gone mad!"

Zhao Sheng's tone grew increasingly somber as he spoke, and the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness was now completely silent.

“We from Mizhi Village are different from him; we’re not dogs raised by the Li family!”

"We just need to stay far behind and remain inactive, letting Lu Tao fight Jiang Han."

"At that time, both sides will be severely damaged, and we will reap the benefits!"

The fourth brother, Scorpion, was completely confused after hearing this. He scratched his head and asked, "Then, second brother, are we going to remain neutral?"

Zhao Sheng sneered:
"We'll help whoever wins!"

　Dear readers, please bookmark this page and keep reading!
　　Your continued reading is of utmost importance to me, thank you so much!!!

　　Thank you everyone for your monthly votes! Thank you so much, everyone!!!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)