A single leaf could tell the tale of autumn. From the foot of the mountain to its peak, the path was strewn with fallen leaves. Dressed in black and wearing a large hat that hid his face from view, Xu Daniu walked through the sea of leaves into Yang Family Village.
Xu Daniu had expected a hostile reception from the people of Yang Family Village, but until he reached the main hall, he had only encountered patrolling guards.
Upon entering the main hall, he saw a young man in a blue robe and a headscarf. Though simply dressed, the man exuded a scholarly air.
Xu Daniu's guard was up. This man, who appeared frail, could command over five hundred people in Yang Family Village. He must not be an ordinary person. With clasped fists, Xu Daniu greeted the man with a smile, "Brother, are you Yang Duoming, the leader of Yang Family Village?" Xu Daniu was known for his easy-going nature and immediately adopted a familiar tone.
A faint, mocking smile played on Yang Duoming's lips. "You're a soldier, and I'm a bandit. Calling me 'brother' might invite gossip."
Xu Daniu laughed heartily. "If I cared about gossip, I wouldn't have come here today. Brother Yang, to be honest, the current Imperial Court is a total mess, leaving us commoners with no way out. If I hadn't joined my General, I might have become a bandit myself. So, I can be considered half a bandit too. Let's be honest. If you acknowledge me as a brother, everything else can be discussed. If not, I'll just go back down the mountain." If Yun Qing were here, he would surely frown and perhaps even punish him with military law.
Before Xu Daniu's arrival, Yang Duoming had asked Fu Qingluo about him, hoping to learn more. Unfortunately, Fu Qingluo didn't have much to share. Yang Duoming smiled and said, "As long as Brother Xu doesn't mind, this Yang certainly agrees." Strict adherence to Confucian principles would be impractical for someone who had resorted to banditry.
Xu Daniu sat on a chair and said, "That's more like it!" Then he turned around and said to Yang Duoming, "You sit down too!"
For some reason, seeing Xu Daniu act this way made Yang Duoming feel a strange sense of comradeship. In fact, Yang Duoming wasn't entirely wrong. Given Xu Daniu's personality, he would only follow someone like Yun Qing. Otherwise, he would definitely become a bandit himself. "Since we are brothers now, I won't beat around the bush. Ji Xuan has dispatched thirty thousand troops to suppress the resisting people in the southern city."
While others called these people rebels, Xu Daniu called them resisting people, implying that they were simply common people who had been driven to rebellion. The two terms had the same meaning, but the different terms conveyed a different attitude.
Upon hearing this term, Yang Duoming's heart softened slightly. Still smiling, he asked, "What does the suppression of the resisting people in Nancheng have to do with us in Yang Family Village?"
Xu Daniu smiled and replied, "Do you know who is the general leading the suppression? It's Bao Xiaofan." Xu Daniu paused before adding, "Bao Xiaofan is the younger brother of Bao Yong's younger brother from the same parents." Bao Yong was the man responsible for the unjust imprisonment and subsequent death of Provincial Prefect Yang and his family.
With so many officers under Ji Xuan's command, why did he choose Bao Xiaofan to lead this suppression? Although Bao Xiaofan wasn't directly responsible, Yang Duoming undoubtedly hated the Bao family. It seemed that fate was on Xu Daniu's side.
Yang Duoming's face immediately darkened. "Is this true?" He was very familiar with Bao Yong and Bao Xiaofan. The two brothers were both loyal followers of Ji Xuan and had an excellent relationship. However, these two had committed numerous heinous crimes. Having done so much evil, they were naturally worried about public retaliation, so they were cautious and discreet in their daily lives and heavily guarded when they went out. This also made it difficult for Yang Duoming to find an opportunity to kill Bao Yong. Even if he couldn't end Bao Yong's life, if he had the chance to take Bao Xiaofan's life, he could at least collect some interest.
Xu Daniu replied, "I wouldn't lie to you about this. The Rebel Suppression Army will be here in less than ten days." One would have to be out of one's mind to lie about something like this.
Although Yang Duoming wanted revenge, he had not lost his reason. He asked, "How many troops has Bao Xiaofan brought to suppress the rebellion this time?" When Yang Duoming heard it was 30,000, he looked at Xu Daniu and asked, "There are less than 10,000 people in Nancheng. How can we defeat Bao Xiaofan's 30,000-strong army?"
Xu Daniu had thought it would take at least half a day of persuasion, but he hadn't expected Yang Duoming to agree so easily. Xu Daniu didn't know how eager Yang Duoming was for revenge. Now that Yang Duoming had the opportunity, how could he let it go? Of course, the main reason was that Fu Qingluo had already confirmed Xu Daniu's identity. Otherwise, he would not have agreed so quickly. Xu Daniu said, "Although the Rebel Suppression Army is strong and well-equipped, they are unfamiliar with the terrain and will not take these rebels seriously. And that is the breakthrough."
Yang Duoming was eager for revenge but would not gamble with the lives of the more than 500 brothers in the Yang Family Village. Yang Duoming asked, "How sure are you that we can win?" When Xu Daniu answered 70%, Yang Duoming looked at him with doubt and asked, "70%? How can you be so sure?"
Xu Daniu took out a map from his chest, spread it out on the table, and pointed to the densely circled places, explaining how to set up defences in those places.
Yang Duoming was confused and said, "Wait a moment." He had read military books but couldn't understand this battle formation map. However, if he couldn't understand it, his wife could.
Fu Qingluo always liked bright clothes, especially red ones. Even after becoming a bandit, she didn't change this preference and still wore a bright red dress. The only difference was that the dress was looser, and her hair was simply pulled back into a bun without any ornaments. However, Fu Qingluo was naturally beautiful, and even with her face bare, she could not hide her stunning appearance.
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Xu Daniu smiled and greeted her, "Long time no see, Miss Fu. I trust you have been well since we last met." Back then, Fu Qingluo's clothes were very revealing, and her graceful figure would give anyone with a little less willpower a nosebleed. He had never expected such a beauty to fall into the hands of such an unknown, insignificant kid.
Thinking about this, Xu Daniu glanced at Yang Duoming. Well, he was very handsome, with clear brows and bright eyes. Xu Daniu realised that it was no wonder Fu Qingluo didn't like the men from the northwest. It turned out she liked pretty boys.
Fu Qingluo glared at Xu Daniu and said, "I have married Duoming and am now Duoming's wife; I am no longer Miss Fu."
Xu Daniu secretly sneered, without the three letters and six ceremonial gifts, how can this be considered a proper marriage? It's nothing more than an elopement. But he didn't show it on his face. Xu Daniu laughed and said, "Madam of the house, I apologize; it was a slip of the tongue." Xu Daniu felt a little sorry for Fu Tianlei. Fu Tianlei had doted on Fu Qingluo before, but because he disagreed with her about her marriage, she didn't even acknowledge her own family.
Fu Qingluo ignored Xu Daniu and focused her gaze on the map on the table. After looking at the map, she said, "Explain to me what these markings mean."
Xu Daniu immediately resumed a serious demeanour, meticulously explaining each marking on the map. Fu Qingluo listened intently, nodding in agreement with a look of admiration on her face.
Once he finished, she inquired, "Who made this map?" Her initial guess was Yun Qing, but she quickly dismissed it. Yun Qing, as the Commander-in-Chief of Yu City, couldn't leave the city, especially not for an extended period. Therefore, the map must have been the work of one of his subordinates.
Xu Daniu feigned a wounded expression. "Madam of the house, you underestimate me." He implied that he was the mastermind behind the plan. Although he had drawn the map, the strategy for defeating the army originated from Feng Dajun.
Fu Qingluo's lips twitched. If Xu Daniu had possessed such strategic brilliance, he would not have been Xu Wu's assistant but Yun Qing's right-hand man. However, the origin of the strategy was less important than its effectiveness.
Xu Daniu spoke seriously, "We have presented the plan to break the enemy. The pressing issue is how to convince the Nancheng resistance leader to adopt it." If Peng Lianggong didn't want to adopt their plan, it would be all for nothing.
Yang Duoming declared, "I have a way." He didn't elaborate on his confidence, and Xu Daniu didn't press him.
Xu Daniu replied, "It's so refreshing to speak with a brother." However, his words may not have reflected his true thoughts.
Fu Qingluo interjected, "As far as I know, Yun Qing is a man of clear principles. He would never help the resistance. Can you tell me now whose idea this was?" Old habits die hard; Yun Qing could not have changed so drastically in the few months she'd been away from Yu City. Besides, if the Imperial Court discovered his involvement, it would mean certain death.
Xu Daniu looked surprised as if to say, How did you know? After a pause, he confessed, "Ahem, since we're practically a family, I won't hide it from you. This was Madam's idea. She pitied the people of Nancheng who were involved in the resistance and wanted to help them. Even now, the General is still in the dark!"
Yang Duoming's lips twitched. Madam Yun had devised a military strategy out of pity for the resistance? Should he say that this person's ability to make things up had reached perfection or that they must think he was as gullible as a three-year-old?
Fu Qingluo's eyes widened. "Han Yuxi, actually…"
Yang Duoming coughed, surprised that this guy had fooled his wife. Hearing the cough, Fu Qingluo swallowed the rest of her sentence. Yang Duoming smiled at Xu Daniu. "I will leave for Nancheng immediately. Would Brother Xu like to accompany me?"
Xu Daniu chuckled. "I have said all I need to. My presence is no longer required. I've been away for some time and must return before our General becomes suspicious." He couldn't risk direct contact with the rebels; there might be spies among them. He wouldn't reveal himself until all the preparations were complete.
Yang Duoming didn't insist. "Farewell, then."
After Xu Daniu left, Fu Qingluo asked Yang Duoming, "What did you mean earlier? Did Xu Daniu lie to us?"
Yang Duoming explained, "No matter how influential Han Yuxi is, she couldn't command Xu Daniu and the strategist behind this plan without Yun Qing's consent." Even if Han Yuxi held considerable power, she couldn't force these soldiers to betray Yun Qing. They might follow her instructions, but only if Yun Qing agreed. If there was a conflict between Han Yuxi and Yun Qing, the soldiers' loyalty would undoubtedly lie with the General.
Fu Qingluo frowned. "Based on my understanding of Yun Qing, he wouldn't do such a thing." Yun Qing aiding the resistance against the Imperial Army seemed inconceivable.
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The Rebirth of Han Yuxi