stray dog

With Song Ren's promise secured, the massive stone hanging in Hong Wantong's heart finally fell, and he immediately summoned his confidants to discuss the matter.

"Diannan Circuit? That sounds like a good place. I've heard that soldiers there not only get generous pay but can eat meat every day."

"But I heard that the military discipline in Diannan Circuit is very strict. You can't visit prostitutes, can't drink, and have to drill every day."

"Exactly, and I heard they often fight against foreign tribes. This could cost us our lives!"

"I actually think it's pretty good. What's the point of being a soldier if you're always fighting your own people?"

"Exactly, I also want to kill a few foreign tribes to satisfy my craving. Maybe I can even leave my name in history and be remembered for ages."

For a moment, the group's opinions were hard to unify, and seeing they were about to argue, Hong Wantong finally spoke.

"Everyone has their own aspirations, and I won't force anyone. After we leave the city, if you don't want to go, find your own way."

"General, are you going to Diannan Circuit?"

Hong Wantong revealed a helpless smile, shaking his head, and said in a low voice:

"If I don't go to Diannan Circuit, where else can I go? If I can die on the battlefield against the foreign tribes in the future, that can be considered dying in the right place."

Former Crown Prince did not know about the changes that had occurred and was very proud that his confidants had easily seized military power. At this moment, he was discussing with his "Wolong and Fengchu" how to control more military power.

"Your Highness, I believe Hong Wantong must have sensed something by now. We need to speed up and firmly grasp military power in our own hands as soon as possible."

"That's right, the longer the night, the more dreams. Delay leads to variables."

Former Crown Prince nodded in agreement.

"I was afraid that if I pressed too hard, Hong Wantong would rebel. Now that I see he is quite obedient, let's do it tomorrow—oh no, the day after tomorrow, I will summon him again. But as for who will lead the troops..."

Lu Daoyuan stepped forward.

"Your Highness, Prime Minister Ji and I have been reading military books since childhood. If Your Highness is willing, I am willing to lead half of them with Prime Minister Ji."

"Good, good, good! You two are truly my pillars of support."

The plan was set, but it was a pity they no longer had the opportunity to implement it.

The next night, the surroundings were quiet. Former Crown Prince was hugging a tender young woman and had just fallen asleep.

At the north gate of Guchang County, five bonfires were lit on the city wall. Seeing this, Song Ren was overjoyed and immediately ordered:

"Sword and Shield Soldiers, move forward. After entering the city, quickly take over the city defense to avoid any changes."

A quarter of an hour later, the north gate of Guchang County slowly opened. At the same time, the east gate also slowly opened, and those who did not want to be constrained quietly left with the wealth and women they had seized.

The Jiannan Army quickly took over the city defense. After confirming there was no danger, Song Ren entered the city surrounded by his Personal Guards.

Hong Wantong stood by the roadside and bowed to Song Ren.

"The defeated general Hong Wantong greets Commander Song."

Song Ren sat on his horse, looking down at his disheveled opponent, and nodded slightly.

"General Hong, I am very pleased that you were able to turn back from the wrong path. Please lay down your weapons and wait outside the city with your subordinates and family members. After I have completely suppressed the rebellion, I will resettle all of you."

Hong Wantong took his people and left. Song Ren put away his smile and ordered with a solemn expression:

"Pass the order to surround the residences of all the bandit leaders. Ensure that not a single person escapes."

"Understood!"

Former Crown Prince's sweet dream was awakened by a burst of noise. He climbed out of bed, putting on his clothes while angrily scolding:

"Who is making noise outside in the middle of the night!"

However, the reply from outside made Former Crown Prince's soul fly away in terror.

"I, Jiedushi of Jiannan Circuit, Song Ren, respectfully welcome His Highness the Prince of Yuzhang to return to Luoyang to face The Emperor."

Former Crown Prince was so scared that he sat on the ground, pointing at Song Ren who had stepped into the bedroom.

"Song... Song... Song Ren, how... how... how did you get in?"

Song Ren showed a smile.

"Naturally, General Hong Wantong opened the door and let me in. Guards, please invite His Highness to the carriage!"

"Hong Wantong, it really is Hong Wantong! This traitor, this traitor!"

Former Crown Prince kept muttering the words "traitor" as he was carried away by the soldiers from the "Eastern Palace" where he had lived for only a few months.

Former Crown Prince's rebellion came fast and ended quickly.

He would never have thought that what decided all of this was actually the brother-in-law he had placed high hopes on.

Repelling external enemies, suppressing the rebellion, and capturing Former Crown Prince alive—Song Ren couldn't wait to go to Luoyang.

After returning to Chengdu, he first ordered people to pack up the five thousand captives as a thank-you gift and send them to Guchang County.

Then he ordered the construction of three sturdy prison carts, selected one thousand soldiers, and set off on the road to Luoyang.

Because the war in Guanzhong had not yet ended, he had to take the route through Jing Prefecture, Xiang Prefecture, and Deng Prefecture to reach Luoyang.

Speaking of Diannan Circuit, although they had gained a lot from a great battle, the losses were not small.

A large amount of military supplies were consumed, plus the pensions for the fallen soldiers and the expenses for recruiting new soldiers.

Gao Yuan held a bill written on three pages.

"I didn't send troops to help for free. Send someone to Chengdu and have that Song Ren reimburse me in full."

Song Yong took the bill and glanced at it. His facial muscles, which were sagging due to age, seemed to regain vitality instantly and kept twitching.

"Commandery Duke, this bill... in my humble opinion, should we reconsider?"

Gao Yuan took it back, looked at it, and handed it back to Song Yong.

"Reconsider what? I think it's not enough. Lord Song, don't be too greedy."

Song Yong's face twitched even more violently.

"Commandery Duke, what I meant is... with this many things, Jiannan Circuit probably can't afford it."

"That's true. As a Jiedushi of Jiannan Circuit, how could he manage such a large household? How about this: you select a few people, strong and loud-voiced, and send them to Luoyang by fast horse. Remember, whenever you pass through a town on the road, you must shout loudly, saying that the Diannan Circuit army defeated the Xikang Army, beheaded over ten thousand, and killed the enemy general Tuoba Hao."

Song Yong was completely defeated. He lost to Gao Yuan and could only rack his brains to write a memorial, which he sent to Luoyang along with the bill.

Because they had to shout and promote along the way, Gao Yuan's men did not travel fast.

So when Song Ren escorted Former Crown Prince and that pair of "Wolong and Fengchu" into Luoyang, he saw several fast horses pass them and rush into Luoyang City.

Then he heard those people shouting in hoarse voices:

"Great victory in Diannan Circuit! Great victory in Diannan Circuit! Commandery Duke Gao defeated the Xikang Army, beheaded over ten thousand, and killed the enemy general Tuoba Hao in battle!"

Song Ren was about to vomit blood. Why didn't he think of this trick?

Alright, now the first merit had been snatched by Gao Yuan, and he, the hero who won the Battle of Song Prefecture, had fallen to second place.

The Emperor on the Golden Throne was also twitching his face as he looked at the battle report and bill in his hand.

He had heard today that his close associate Song Ren was coming to Luoyang to present the victory, so he had specially held a Grand Court Meeting.

Alright, now everyone knew that the reason the Xikang Army retreated was because the Diannan Army was putting in the effort.

And the memorial was written so miserably.

It said something about how they had to go on a long expedition to rescue Jiannan Circuit, not only suffering heavy casualties but also consuming a great deal of grain and military supplies.

And now both Western Kang and Toungoo were intentionally retaliating. If the imperial court didn't provide some compensation, they wouldn't be able to hold the line.

Looking at the meaning in the memorial, if the imperial court didn't show something, Gao Yuan would just quit and let the foreign tribes invade the Central Plains.

Everyone in the main hall looked at The Emperor on the dragon throne, wanting to see how The Emperor would handle it.

The Emperor cursed Song Ren as an "idiot" a hundred times in his heart before biting the bullet and announcing:

"My imperial sister and her husband, Commandery Duke Gao, have worked hard to guard the borders for the Great Qian, which is truly not easy. However, the Great Qian still has rebels in various places that have not been pacified, and the national treasury is empty. Let the Jiedushi of Jiannan Circuit transport two hundred thousand shi of grain and one hundred thousand guan of money from nearby."