Chapter 534 The Beginning of Decline
Chapter 534 The Beginning of Decline
When Wang Bo heard that Meng Rang was leaving, he hurried over to persuade him.
"Brother, you are an important cornerstone of the National Protection Association. Our development in Shandong cannot be separated from your support. Although the National Protection Association is weak now, it will surely revive and develop again. How can you leave at this critical moment? Stay!"
Meng Rang said coldly: "I appreciate your kindness, brother, but please forgive me for being blunt. The Baohui Association has never been able to develop over the years. Instead, it has gradually withered under repeated blows. The root cause lies with the leader of the association. He is not a leader with great talent and strategy.
On the contrary, he was narrow-minded, intolerant, and timid. At that time, so many people in Hebei supported the National Protection Association, but he never dared to raise the flag of rebellion. When the old generation of landlords who supported the National Protection Association died, who among the new generation of landlords would be willing to support us?
The most stupid thing was that he gave the last bit of his family property to Prince Qi Yang Ling, and mobilized all those who supported the National Protection Association to join the Prince Qi's rebellion. In the end, how did the Prince Qi deal with the National Protection Association? Was it the Prince Qi's fault that he turned his back on them? I don't think so. It was his own stupidity.
Everyone has seen it, otherwise why would Liu Badao, Dou Jiande, Hao Xiaode and other generals no longer want to follow the National Protection Association and go their separate ways, because everyone is disappointed. Look at the remaining twenty or so people now, the Gao clan accounts for the majority, how many people with other surnames are left?"
Wang Bo sighed and said, "If you don't manage a household, you don't know how expensive firewood and rice are. Things are not as simple as you think. We are indeed facing some difficulties now, but no matter what, the master treats you well!"
"Will you be nice to me?"
Meng Rang jumped up all of a sudden. "I am the county lieutenant of Zhangqiu County. I mobilized so many people to join the army. This is my territory. Logically, I should be appointed as the vice president after the flag is raised successfully. But Gao Zhu treated me so well. He actually sent me and my brothers to attack Licheng County. Do you know how I feel? There are too many troops and not enough food. He asked me to lead 5,000 troops to consume them. I feel like I was killed by someone else. Gao Zhu used Licheng County to deal with me. My brother died. Did he ask about it? Everyone has their own ambitions. Brother, there is no need to persuade me anymore. Let's go!"
Wang Bo had no choice but to nod, "I won't force you, brother. For the sake of our friendship over the years, can you please tell me where you plan to go?"
"I can only develop in the south, Langya County or Donghai County, I don't know, I'll just take it one step at a time!"
Wang Bo had no choice but to say goodbye and leave. At this time, Meng Rang's two men, Fu Gongyou and Du Fuwei, came in and said, "Brother, the grain cart has been tied up. The night is long and dreams are many. Why not leave now!"
Meng Rang had a shop in Licheng County, and his wife and children depended on the shop for their livelihood. He did not want to implicate his wife and children, so he decided to head south. Meng Rang sent a personal soldier to give his wife and children more than 1,000 taels of silver that he had saved, and he led more than 1,000 people and a hundred carts south.
Fu Gongyou and Du Fuwei were both constables in Zhangqiu County, and Meng Kuan was the head constable. The two were Meng Kuan's trusted subordinates. Meng Kuan died under Cheng Yaojin's axe, and Fu Gongyou and Du Fuwei became Meng Rang's subordinates. The two followed Meng Rang to develop in the south.
After Meng Rang left, Gao Zhu did not take it seriously. He appointed his cousin Gao Shida as vice-president and Wang Bo as chief secretary. He selected 5,000 soldiers who were willing to follow him to Donglai County and disbanded all the other rebel soldiers.
Two days later, Gao Zhu led an army of 5,000 and marched towards Donglai County.
Troops from all over the country arrived in Luoyang one after another. Yang Da, the governor of Xijing, was the first to arrive with 20,000 troops. Then Yin Shishi, the governor of Hexi Road, and Yuwen Chengdu, the governor of Longyou Road, each led 30,000 troops.
In addition, Yang Gongren, the governor of Shuofang, also arrived in Luoyang with 20,000 Shuofang troops.
At present, except for Jiannan Road Governor Guo Yan and Jiangnan Road Governor Xiao Xia, all other governors have participated in the military operation to attack the rebel king Yang Ling.
On the tenth day of the eighth month, Emperor Yang Guang offered sacrifices to the gods of war and horses, and led an army of 200,000 to personally march into Hebei. Yang Guang led the army across the Yellow River from Heyang Bridge and marched eastward along Henei County.
Although the emperor led an army of 200,000 to conquer Hebei, the city of Luoyang was as bustling as usual, without any impact of the war, and the people did not take the rebellion of King Qi Yang Liang seriously.
In Jidefang, next to the east gate of Luoyang City, there is a large inn called Anping Inn. Although the inn is large, it is not of high quality. More than 300 guests from all over the world live in this inn, and there are all kinds of people. At noon that day, Yuan Wendu's carriage stopped in front of Anping Inn. He got off the carriage and walked into the lobby of the inn. The shopkeeper had already seen him. People who ride in carriages these days cannot be offended. The shopkeeper did not dare to neglect him and bowed quickly and said, "Welcome to our inn!"
"I'm looking for a big businessman who lives here, his last name is Xu!"
"Excuse me, I know there are four wealthy businessmen here with the surname Xu. Where are they from?"
Yuan Wendu hesitated for a moment and said, "I am from Dongjun!"
"I see. He is the youngest big businessman here. He lives in the easternmost room on the second floor. He should be here today!"
Yuan Wendu went up to the second floor. The inn was a large U-shaped structure with hundreds of rooms in a large circle. Yuan Wendu immediately felt the complex environment here, with all kinds of sounds and smells. There were all kinds of people in the corridors, including seductively dressed women, Hu monks from the Western Regions, and ruthless people who looked like bandits. There were also people secretly trading something in the corner, and they all looked at Yuan Wendu with suspicion.
Yuan Wendu walked to the end of the east side, where there was only one room. Opposite was a corridor to the north. He knocked on the door. After a moment, the door opened a crack, revealing a young and handsome face. "You are..."
"My last name is Yuan, and I'm looking for Xiong Kuohai!"
"Oh, come in!"
The door opened a little wider and Yuan Wen slipped in. The room was clean, bright and tidy, completely different from the mess outside.
Yuan Wendu took a look at the young man. Although he had a delicate face, he was very tall and strong. It was obvious at first glance that he was a man of great martial arts skills.
"My name is Yuan Wendu!" Yuan Wendu took the initiative to give his name.
The young man smiled and said, "I know. Xiong Kuohai has already told me."
Yuan Wendu raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "If I'm not mistaken, you are Xu Shiji, the third leader of Wagang!"
The young man is none other than Xu Shiji, the third most important figure in Wagang Camp. He is only nineteen years old this year, but he is talented in both civil and military affairs and is highly valued and trusted by Zhai Rang. Last year, with the support of Shan Xiongxin and Xu Shiji, Zhai Rang forced Cai Jiande, the former leader of Wagang Camp, to abdicate.
Zhai Rang became the leader of Wagangzhai. Based on the merits, Shan Xiongxin was rewarded as the second in command and Xu Shiji as the third in command, in charge of the intelligence and finances of Wagangzhai.
Xu Shiji came to Luoyang and lived there for several months. On the one hand, he was gathering intelligence, and on the other hand, he was doing business and selling the property looted by the Wagang Army.
Xu Shiji smiled and said, "I heard from Xiong Kuohai that Master Yuan has another business to hand over to him?"
Yuan Wen was a little hesitant. He originally wanted to hand over this business to Xiong Kuohai privately without going through Wagangzhai. This matter was of great importance.
Xu Shiji saw his hesitation and smiled faintly: "Although Wagangzhai is small, it has its own rules. Xiong Kuohai can take private jobs, but since he asked you to come to me, it means that Wagangzhai will take this job, and he is only responsible for execution. If Mr. Yuan has any concerns, you don't have to force it!"
(End of this chapter)