Sweep Yuan

Chapter 84 Leaving Xuzhou as the First Chess Move

Shi Shan summoned Wu Liujin and Zeng Xing under the pretext of inspecting the training of each battalion. Naturally, he could not favor one battalion over the other, only inspecting the first and sixth battalions. He also inspected the other battalions and informed them of the upcoming reinforcements from their commander, Xue Xian.

The generals reacted differently to this.

Chang Tietou, the commander of the Second Battalion, was the most enthusiastic. He believed that with a major battle about to begin, the arrival of General Xue's army to provide reinforcements would help stabilize morale and deter the villains in the city. He suggested that Shishan prepare a banquet and personally welcome Xue outside the city.

Once Han Cheng, the commander of the Third Battalion, set his sights on Shishan, he saw no one else. On his way to join the army, he had a fight with the Red Turban Army of Lingbi. His attitude was similar to that of Wu Liujin: "I don't know any general, I only obey the orders of the commander."

Although the family of Zhou Shier, the commander of the Fifth Battalion, was impressed by Shi Shan's ability and spirit, they still hoped to maintain harmony between the Red Heart Battalion and the Red Turban Army of Xuzhou, believing that "the two armies working together will surely sweep across Huai'an Road."

Shao Rong, the commander of the Seventh Battalion, was from Lingbi. His family was still in Lingbi City. The core members of the Seventh Battalion were also mainly from Lingbi. They did not want Xue Xian to come to Hong County and block their future, nor did they want the feud between Shi and Xue to bring disaster to their families in the rear.

Shi Shan sought out Shao Rong not only to test his stance on Xue Xianlai's aid, but also for another important reason.

When the Shao brothers surrendered the city, Shi Shan learned that they had been traveling around Huaixi for many years. He was curious whether the Shao brothers had any dealings with Guo Zixing, but since Shao Rong had just joined them, it was inconvenient to ask this question.

After observing the situation from the sidelines for some time, Shishan was basically certain of his guess and took the initiative to bring up the matter.

"There are many bandits in Huaixi. Brother Shao has been trading sheep and horses in various places all year round. I'm afraid it's not enough for just a few of us brothers to make a living?"

Shao Rong had been keeping this matter in mind, and when Shi Shan asked him about it, he knew he couldn't hide it any longer and had no choice but to tell the truth.

“Our livelihood is not easy. We need places to rest and feed sheep and horses on the way. If we encounter highway robbers, without the help of local heroes, we may lose our sheep and horses and our money, or even our lives.”

To be honest, I've made many friends among the heroes over the years, but my closest friend is none other than Brother Guo Zixing from Dingyuan. Just last month, Brother Guo sent a messenger to Lingbi, inviting a few of us brothers to Dingyuan to join him in a great undertaking.

As fate would have it, if Commander Qian and Steward Xue had advanced a few days later, I might have already left Lingbi to join Brother Guo.

Shi Shan was overjoyed. It was even better that Shao and Guo knew each other and were so close that they could plot a rebellion.

"How powerful is this Brother Guo? Could he have succeeded without Brother Shao's assistance?"

When talking about Guo Zixing, Shao Rong looked very proud.

“Brother Guo is a wealthy man in Dingyuan, and he is also a generous man who likes to make friends with heroes of the Jianghu. It would not be difficult for him to gather seven or eight hundred men even if he gave up his wealth. Even without us brothers, we can still take Dingyuan, at most it will be a little later.”

After Shi Shan took independent command of the army, he began to plot to use Guo Zixing's uprising to his advantage. Since he knew that Shao Rong and Guo Zixing were very close, it would be foolish not to take advantage of it.

"Brother Shao, are you still willing to go to Dingyuan to assist Guo Zixing in his uprising?"

"this?"

Among Shi Shan's generals, Shao Rong was the oldest, and he always addressed Shao Rong as "brother" in private.

At this moment, Shao Rong felt that the address "Brother Shao" was somewhat different, and he was unsure whether Shi Shan truly meant it or was testing him.

Actually, he was also conflicted and didn't know what to choose.

On the one hand, after the battle of Hongxian, the position of commander of the 7th Infantry Battalion was already secure, and it was indeed somewhat unacceptable for him to abandon everything and start over in Dingyuan.

On the other hand, Xue Xian brought a large army to Hong County at this time not only to attack the city and seize strongholds, but also to suppress the rapid expansion of the "Red Heart Camp". He had to make Shishan overcome difficulties and exhaust its strength.

For his current wealth and status, Shao Rong has already sacrificed two of his brothers. How many more lives does he have left to lose?
The people in Xiao County have too narrow a vision and act without thinking. Following them in rebellion is not a long-term solution. By leaving the "Red Heart Camp" and breaking free from the control of the people in Xiao County, it is not impossible to create a new situation.

However, it's not nice to talk about switching sides midway through life.

"Brother Guo invited me, and I really wanted to go. But now that I've already become a commander, how can I help others?"

Shi Shan did indeed intend to test Shao Rong, but he also genuinely wanted to send him to help Guo Zixing. "Brother Shao, you underestimate my magnanimity. Two months ago, when Marshal Li was trapped in Xuzhou, he consulted me, and I suggested that we issue a proclamation widely, sincerely inviting heroes from all over the world to join us in rebelling against the Great Yuan."

Now that I know Brother Guo aspires to great things, and Dingyuan is less than three hundred li from Hongxian, and I also have the ability to contribute, how could I let prejudice prevent Brother Shao from pursuing a better future!

Shao Rong understood the implication in Shi Shan's words, but he could hardly believe his ears.

"What does 'thousand households' mean?"

"You can choose any of the men and equipment from the Seventh Infantry Battalion. I'll also give you some sheep and horses so you can 'go back to your old ways.' Be careful on the road; you should be able to reach Dingyuan."

Guo Zixing wants to undertake a great undertaking, but a few hundred men are still too few, and what he lacks even more are talented people who have seen blood and know how to train troops. Brother Shao's trip will surely help him succeed."

Shao Rong was indeed tempted. If he could bring some veterans to help Brother Guo, and the uprising succeeded, he would most likely become the number one person after Brother Guo. This was much better than staying in the "Red Heart Camp" and being schemed against and suppressed by the Xiao County officials.

Even if Shishan eventually breaks free from the constraints of Xiaoxian and achieves great things outside of Xuzhou, with this incense offering today, he can always come back. He's betting on both sides, which is better than hanging himself on one tree.

Shao Rong thought about it more and more and felt that Shi Shan's suggestion was feasible, but he still had a question: Shi Shan and Guo Zixing were not related, and he was in need of people at the time, so why was he willing to spend so much money to help Brother Guo?

"Commander's heart is filled with the world, which I admire to the extreme. However, Brother Guo is unaware of your magnanimity. How can I explain this to you?"

Shishan saw no need to lie to Shao Rong, so he simply stated his thoughts directly.

"To be honest, Brother Shao, the Red Turban Army has been making great strides in attacking cities and capturing strongholds these days. However, their fatal disadvantage of lacking depth and strategic locations remains unchanged. Once the imperial court has freed up its resources, Xuzhou can be captured in no time."

Just as I advised Marshal Li that day, although the Yuan Dynasty was great, the number of soldiers that the court could sign was limited. For every able-bodied man who rebelled in various places, the court would have to sign one less soldier.

By causing a ruckus in Huai'an Road, we can tie down the troops in Haozhou, which will benefit Guo Zixing's uprising (Dingyuan is a county under the jurisdiction of Haozhou). If Guo Zixing succeeds in his uprising, he can also tie down the troops in Huai'an Road and relieve some of our pressure.

Helping Guo Zixing is saving Xuzhou, and saving Xuzhou is saving myself.

Shao Rong, who was over thirty and had been a merchant for many years, was used to weighing interests and did not believe that Shi Shan would really care about the life or death of Xuzhou. However, if Brother Guo could start an uprising, he could indeed restrain the actions of the government troops by working with Shi Shan.

"With such a heavy responsibility entrusted to me by the commander, Dingyuan, this humble general is off!"

Although Shishan allows the free selection of men and equipment, the Seventh Battalion has only just been formed and has not yet been fully recruited. Even if all the new recruits are brought along, they will not be of much help and may even cause trouble. Shao Rong would certainly not be so foolish.

"There are many tax checkpoints along the way, and having too many people would be counterproductive. I will only bring twenty-four men. If things go well, I will do my utmost to help Brother Guo and Commander Qian join hands. If misfortune befalls us, I ask Commander Qian to take care of my third brother and my family."

With Bu Ciyuan's full efforts to save him, Shao Rong's third brother, Shao Zhao, was out of danger, but he had injured his spleen and lungs in the previous battle and could no longer return to the army. Shi Shan immediately agreed to the task.

"Brother Shao, rest assured. I intend to establish the Veterans' Society, and I am in dire need of someone like you, Third Brother, who is worldly-wise and good at management. Once he recovers from his injuries, I will definitely give him an important position."

Shao Rong had no idea what the Veterans' Association, which was still under construction, was, nor did he care to know.

With his departure, his third brother, who remained here, became a hostage. If Shishan did something for him, it would save face for both sides; if he didn't, he would have no choice but to accept it.

"Thank you for your appreciation, Commander!"

After seeing Shao Rong off, Shi Shan summoned Tan Youyu, the commander of the supply battalion.

Tan Youyu knew he wasn't cut out for leading troops into battle, and he also guessed that Commander Shi wouldn't keep two supply battalions. He had been feeling lost these past two days, but when he learned that the two battalions had been merged and he would still be the commander, he was overjoyed.

Like Shao Rong, Tan Youyu was also focused on his own little world and had no idea what the Veterans' Association, built on the basis of reassigned personnel, would become in the future.

(End of this chapter)