A Scroll of Infinite Glory

Chapter 252 A Starry Night, Marching Across the River

Boundary river, border troops.

The starry night was brilliant, and the sound of the waves was incessant. Han Shizhong stood by the river, gazing into the distance, his hands behind his back, holding a scroll of imperial edict that had just been delivered.

Beside him, a trusted soldier was telling him information gathered from within the Song Dynasty.

"Chen Daozi's army of 100,000 was completely wiped out at Liangshan Marsh. He led his army too deep into the enemy territory. After the commander-in-chief died, the generals at all levels were captured. The vast expanse of water left the soldiers with nowhere to escape."

"Of the twenty large warships that could calm the winds and waves, one or two were destroyed, and the rest were all captured by the Liangshan forces. Quancheng once again fell under the control of Liangshan, and Qingzhou, Mizhou, and Yizhou were also successively suppressed by Liangshan."

"Wang Huan of Daming Prefecture was defeated and captured alive by Lu Junyi. Thousands of his remaining soldiers were killed or wounded, thousands surrendered, and more than 10,000 deserted. Only less than 20,000 troops remained to retreat."

"The Jiangnan navy pursued Gao Tuoshan's forces but fell into an ambush... Lu Shinang's men in Xichuan, all dressed in red, swallowed up Li Taizi, Yang Tianwang, and other bandits..."

"Shi Sheng of Liangzhe Road has also grown stronger. He has changed his indecisive ways and is now ruthless, wiping out the surrounding mountain bandit leaders and recruiting his underlings. Some people have seen that there is a female general in his army, carrying the banner with the character 'Chen' on it... Among the rebels in Guangnan Road, the banner of Lin Chong has appeared..."

Waves continuously lapped against the shallow riverbank, turning into patches of light white foam.

Han Shizhong's trusted confidants changed one after another, all of them acting on his orders to go to different places to gather information and then report back.

Finally, two female soldiers arrived, carrying magical iron umbrellas on their backs. These umbrellas were silvery-white and a size smaller than those used by the generals in the main tent. Small drums hung from their waists, and they exuded an air of exquisite craftsmanship, quick wit, and agility.

These two are from Liang Hongyu's command. One is named Sima Wenjiang, who was a highly skilled disciple of a martial arts master in her early years. She is also Liang Hongyu's sister. The other is named Ding Yuhuan, who is still young. She was personally recruited and trained by Liang Hongyu. She lacks some of the fiery temper but is extremely clever.

When Han Shizhong saw them, a slight smile appeared in his eyes, but his voice remained calm: "The people in your camp haven't been by the border river lately. Have they gone to gather information as well?"

"General, don't underestimate us."

Ding Yuhuan, full of youthful vigor and in her early twenties, said, "What the lady sent the sisters to inquire about might be exactly what the general's men haven't inquired about. Although we don't know needlework, we are still much more meticulous in checking and patching up omissions than men."

Sima Wenjiang smiled and stroked Ding Yuhuan's long hair, saying, "Sister Hongyu sent us to various towns and cities to find out where the rebel army had passed through and what the public opinion was like. We have recently made some progress and have specially ordered us to report to the General."

Han Shizhong let out a soft "Eh?" and said, "Tell me about it."

"Not long after we left the border army, we heard rumors about the leaders of various rebel groups in some restaurants and taverns, especially about the big leader of Liangshan. He was described as a monster, a lecherous demon who searched for all the women in brothels."

Sima Wenjiang recounted in detail, "However, when we continued our investigation, the public opinion changed drastically. Some people went to Liangzhe and learned that Shi Sheng's troops did not harm the crops. In his army, there was a man named Tao Zongwang, nicknamed 'Nine-Tailed Turtle,' who was extremely skilled in farming and sent people everywhere to teach him methods of composting and pest control."

"When someone arrived in Jiangnan, they heard that after the soldiers of Gaotuo Mountain changed into red clothes, they were all polite and respectful and no longer disturbed the villages. When they conscripted villagers to make straw sandals and quivers for them, they even paid them."

"Someone arrived in Guangnan and inquired for many days. They learned that many of the rebels in Guangnan practiced evil arts and used human and animal bones to make musical instruments and magical artifacts. They originally killed prisoners and animals, but later they were not allowed to kill prisoners, so they changed to digging up graves. After that, even those who dug up graves were punished and made public. More and more people wore red clothes and fewer and fewer evil arts."

The more Han Shizhong listened, the deeper his gaze became, his brows furrowing. He couldn't help but ask, "Did you hear and see all of this with your own ears and eyes?"

Sima Wenjiang nodded affirmatively and said, "I went to Jingdong East Road, passed through Jinan, went deep into Jizhou, and even disguised myself as a beggar, mingling with a group of refugees for half a day."

"Those refugees were originally laborers conscripted by Chen Xizhen when he attacked Liangshan. When they heard that Chen Xizhen had been defeated, the laborers scattered and fled in fear. However, they were given some assistance by the nearby villages and directed to the place where Liangshan distributed porridge. After resting for a while, they were arranged to be settled in wasteland."

For a farmer in the countryside to say such a thing, one can imagine how highly respected the people of Liangshan were in the area.

But this kind of thing is just too much...

Han Shizhong still couldn't quite believe it.

He knew that the so-called rebels in Liangshan were originally just young men who had fled from various places, so he felt a little pity for them. However, he never thought that the people of Liangshan could maintain the simple morality of ordinary people after raising the banner of rebellion.

Don't assume that just because they were once farmers, they will necessarily be considerate of farmers.

On the contrary, throughout history, most people who rebelled would soon seize grain and poultry with their weapons, beat those who dared to defy them, and even set fire to houses.

The saying goes, "He who possesses a weapon will naturally harbor murderous intent." It's perfectly normal for someone who can't survive to become a complete bandit.

However, the existence of Liangshan seemed to violate countless precedents and common sense, and even led other rebel forces to act in a way that defied common sense.

"Liangshan..."

Han Shizhong pondered for a moment and said, "Even if Guan Yu and the leaders of Liangshan were truly so noble, how did they manage to control the rebel armies in other places?"

Without needing anyone else to answer, he had already figured it out: "Is it that woman in red?"

Sima Wenjiang nodded and said, "That red-clothed figure is said to originate from a divine Gu controlled by the leader of Liangshan. It can devour the cultivation of government soldiers, turning elite soldiers into ordinary people, and then transforming them into the red-clothed figure. Even if someone was just an old man in the village the day before, as long as they can withstand the pressure of the red-clothed figure's possession, they can possess strength no less than that of demonic elite soldiers."

Han Shizhong said knowingly, "All those who wear red in the world are his descendants, and he can easily strip them of their right to do so. Naturally, no one in the various rebellions dares to disobey his rules."

"This person is truly an extraordinary individual, transcending worldly norms!"

His words left a lingering sense of emotion and reflection.

—In this sense, Liangshan and the righteous armies across the land now truly have the potential to rival the imperial court in terms of ambition, military discipline, and strength.

In fact, if we don't even count the 300,000 border troops stationed along the border river, the imperial court is actually at a huge disadvantage.

Han Shizhong remained silent for a long time, his face as cold as iron, before glancing at the imperial edict in his hand.

Tiny white flashes of lightning streaked across the sky between the clouds.

Han Shizhong turned around suddenly, his figure vanishing like a wisp of smoke in the wind.

Ding Yuhuan gripped the umbrella handle with one hand, looked around, and asked in surprise, "What's wrong?"

Sima Wenjiang looked up and said uncertainly, "It seems that a master who has refined the Golden Elixir is approaching the Boundary River."

The lightning flashes in the dark clouds on the horizon were so faint that not even a sound of thunder could be heard here.

However, in the blink of an eye, Han Shizhong had reached a place where he could hear the thunder. With another step, he went deep into the dark clouds and intercepted the figure who was using thunder magic.

A few breaths later, two figures landed and stood on a protruding boulder at the edge of the river.

This giant rock and the surrounding jumbled rocks resemble a reclining ox, and are called "Da Gu Ji" locally.

After Lin Lingsu landed, she was surrounded by pure white fairy energy, but a corner of her sleeve was missing.

He lowered his eyes to look at his sleeve: "I never thought that the young general who was wrongly credited and suppressed by Tong Guan back then would have reached this level. You know I've arrived even from ten miles away."

"That's because Mr. Yuanmiao is still the same as before. Whether he likes or dislikes, he is always open and aboveboard. If it were a sneaky person who had disappeared without a trace, I wouldn't be able to detect it so easily."

Han Shizhong, with his hands behind his back, said, "I've heard that Mr. Yuanmiao has rebelled and now holds a seat on Liangshan. May I ask what brings you to visit our Great Song border army so late at night?"

Lin Lingsu waved her sleeve, releasing Wanyan Zonghan and the others, and said, "Guan Luoyang asked me to send these Liao envoys to you."

"The Liao envoy."

Han Shizhong glanced at it and asked, "Does the Liao Kingdom want to form an alliance with Liangshan?"

Lin Lingsu dusted off her sleeves and smiled coldly: "Don't ask me about these things. Anyway, Guan Luoyang said that the Liao Kingdom will attack you soon. He finds these people an eyesore, so you can do whatever you want with them."

Han Shizhong stared at the Liao envoys.

"The Liao Kingdom is coming? My main army hasn't been divided to Liangshan, so how could they possibly launch a large-scale invasion?"

He suddenly laughed, "However, I would like to trouble Mr. Yuanmiao to pass on a message to Guan Luoyang, saying..."

A strong wind blew across the river, creating towering waves that crashed against the boulders.

Amidst the roar of the waves and the fluttering of her clothes, Lin Lingsu heard Han Shizhong's words clearly and couldn't help but show a hint of surprise. As she was about to leave, she turned around and bowed to the general.

After Lin Lingsu left, Han Shizhong loosened his grip, and the imperial edict slipped from his hand and fell onto the giant rock, rolling down the slope and into the water.

With a surge of waves, that patch of bright yellow vanished without a trace.

Not long after, Han Shizhong returned to his residence and whispered something to his wife.

Upon hearing this, Liang Hongyu resolutely replied, "No."

Han Shizhong frowned slightly, then understood, and smiled, "What does Madam mean by 'no'?"

Liang Hongyu glanced at him sideways, her eyes sparkling: "One Wanyan Zonghan is far from enough. Even if you're trying to fool your own people, you should at least have some sincerity. After all, there are some people in the army, like Yang Zhi, who aren't like you, putting on a cold and stern act."

Han Shizhong put his arm around Liang Hongyu's shoulder and said gently, "What you say is true, Madam. Then you can handle the granary situation. I'll go and find some sincerity to bring back."

Liang Hongyu sighed softly, hugged his waist, and nestled close, saying, "Such a big decision, and you've settled it in just a few words? Aren't you going to reconsider? Are you sure this is the right thing to do, and you won't regret it later?"

"Didn't Madam already intend to do this by having Wenjiang and the others report the information they gathered to me? As for the future, even if I regret it later, what does that have to do with me now?"

Han Shizhong gently kissed Liang Hongyu's forehead, took two steps back, and drifted away.

Liang Hongyu tapped her forehead, chuckled softly, and left the Han residence, heading to the place where the army's provisions were stored.

This is a heavily guarded military location, protected by countless elite soldiers and powerful sorcerers, but given Liang Hongyu's status, she would not face any obstacles.

She cast a spell in the warehouse, methodically transferring all the grain ten feet below the earth to seal and hide it, leaving only some empty boxes in the warehouse.

On the other side, Han Shizhong crossed the river alone and strolled leisurely along the Liao army camp. He saw that in addition to the thousands of soldiers on duty and patrolling at night, there were also many consecrated mirrors by high monks hanging high in the camp and fortress, illuminating the surroundings and making it impossible for demons and monsters to hide.

But wherever Han Shizhong walked, those naked eyes and magic mirrors could not see his figure at all. The entire mirror surface would dim for a moment, as if some kind of giant object, much larger than a mirror, had passed by.

When the Liao soldiers glanced at it, the mirror was still smooth, so they didn't pay any attention to it.

Beyond the camp lies the city and mansions.

General Bao Misheng of the Liao Kingdom always liked to bathe and fumigate with boiling water using flower petals, sandalwood, and ambergris. He dug a large pool in his own mansion, with the edge of the pool shaped like a lotus flower. Many Buddhist auspicious objects were submerged at the bottom of the pool, and the water was light gold in color, warm and nourishing.

"Don't bother the master. The commander has already sent an envoy... Hmph, it probably won't be long before we really go to war with the Song army. This is no small skirmish as before. The master needs to conserve his strength. Let's go, let's go!!"

Bao Misheng dismissed several of his most favored maids and instead summoned several of his generals to soak in the pool with him. These grown men, all naked except for their chests and genitals, discussed cultivation and warfare.

Just as the group was getting into a lively conversation, they suddenly heard someone clapping.

"Good, good, good. People say that General Bao is brave but lacks strategy, but I never expected that he would also have such expertise in military strategy."

"What General Bao? My surname isn't Bao! Who are you...?"

Before Bao Misheng's laughter had even faded, he suddenly leaped out of the pool and pounced towards a corner of the courtyard wall.

There was no trace of a smile on his face anymore; his round face was now as solemn as a diamond mask, revealing a majestic and terrifying divine power.

The Buddhist practice he cultivated, known as the Vajra Invincible Skill, refers to cultivating an indestructible, invincible Vajra-like body that no enemy can defeat.

At this moment, his attack was absolutely overwhelming. If he were to strike the entire magnificent and spacious mansion, all the buildings would collapse, the pond would be filled in, the lotus pond would be disturbed, and it would be reduced to rubble.

Behind him, all his generals were gathering their strength, intending to take this opportunity to unleash the Buddhist mantra of the lion's roar, awakening the generals in the city and prompting them to seek help from the Southern King, Wuyan Guang.

These people were so familiar with that voice that they didn't even need to think to recognize it as Han Shizhong's voice.

But then, in mid-air, Bao Misheng let out a miserable scream. In the gloomy, dark night, every trace of the night's atmosphere seemed to be that incredibly heavy blade.

The voices of many generals in the pool were cut off, and their throats were severed.

The petals all rose from the water's surface, neatly splitting in two mid-air, becoming two thin layers of petals that fell back down, covering the already reddened pool water.

Thousands of blades and sword flows merged into this night scene, and the power of all the winding sword energy was held on the courtyard wall, and in Han Shizhong's gesture of reaching out and grasping.

He used his sword energy to encircle and carry away the corpses of these people. Throughout the entire process, no one outside heard anything unusual.

The maidservant, separated by a wall, was still waiting respectfully.

That night, the Song army's granary caught fire, burning countless grains and fodder.

Many generals discovered the figures of Liao general Bao Misheng and others in the fire.

Han Shizhong was filled with grief and rage. With a single blow, his long sword leveled the granary, leaving no trace of the Liao soldiers. It was unknown how many Liao elites participated in this ambush. Only Bao Misheng and others, whose cultivation was not bad, were left with their remains.

………………

When Lin Lingsu returned to Liangshan, she heard that Guan Luoyang had gone into seclusion, so she had to find Lu Da, Li Kaixian, Li Ying and others to convey Han Shizhong's words.

"On the night of the thirteenth day of the seventh month in the tenth year of the Tianming era of the Great Song Dynasty, the Liao army launched a surprise attack on the Song camp at any cost, burning the grain and fodder. The next day, the Liao army's banners covered the sun, and they launched a massive attack with thousands of arrows. The Song border army had no choice but to fight them to the death, striving to cross the river and seize the grain."

(End of this chapter)