218: The capital city rewarded him with a plan to rebel against the Qing dynasty. His former subordinates rebelled, demonstrating the strength of the masses as they gathered troops and prepared weapons, awaiting the new dynasty.

The horse caravan returning from the Black Water River to the capital was grand and imposing. The hooves of the Black Armor Cavalry struck the bluestone pavement, making the leaves of the roadside trees rustle and fall. Wei Xiaobao rode at the very front, clutching the saber of the Russian commander in his arms, showing it off to everyone he met: "See this? This is the saber of the Russian devil commander, I snatched it from his hands myself! If Big Brother Mao were here, he would definitely praise me!"

Xie Hui followed behind, leading General Tu Hai's warhorse—Tu Hai had been afraid he would get tired and insisted he ride it, but after pushing back and forth for a long time, they finally walked side by side. "General Tu, we were able to defeat Russia this time thanks to your Black Armor Cavalry," Xie Hui said, looking at the bright silver armor beside him. "In the upcoming anti-Qing campaign, we'll have to rely on you to lead more brothers who know how to fight."

Tu Hai smiled and pointed his horsewhip toward the capital city gates ahead: "Lord Xie is too polite! The sacrifice of the righteous Mao the Eighteenth, along with the drive of the new recruits, was the key to winning the battle. If the Emperor knows we not only drove off the Russians but also captured their commander, he will surely give us a heavy reward—perhaps he will even grant us the horse ranch in the outskirts of the capital, making it more convenient to recruit troops and buy horses then."

As they were speaking, they saw a squad of Imperial Guards running out from the city gate tower. Leading them was Xiao Lizi, the eunuch close to the Kangxi Emperor, holding a bright yellow imperial decree: "The Emperor has decreed! Xie Hui, Tu Hai, and Wei Xiaobao are to enter the palace immediately for an audience. The rest of the generals are to return to camp to rest and reorganize. A reward of a thousand taels of silver and a hundred jars of wine is granted!"

Upon hearing "reward of silver," Songgotu immediately jumped down from the carriage, not even having time to put away his small scale: "Eunuch Xiao Lizi! Should this official not be the one to count the reward silver? I am the best at bookkeeping and guarantee not a penny will be missing! And that wine, is it the palace's imperial wine? If so, two jars must be offered before Brother Mao's spirit tablet!"

Xiao Lizi, pestered by him until he had no choice, nodded: "Rest assured, Lord Suo, the reward silver and imperial wine are waiting outside the palace gates; you may go and count them. However, the Emperor is still waiting for Lord Xie and the others, so do not delay them."

Xie Hui, Tu Hai, and Wei Xiaobao followed Xiao Lizi into the palace. In the Imperial Study, hot tea had long been prepared. The Kangxi Emperor, wearing his dragon robes, came forward from a distance to meet them, grabbing Xie Hui's hand: "Xie Hui! You've finally returned! Fifty thousand Russian cavalry, and you actually won and captured their commander; you've truly brought honor to me!"

He then looked at Tu Hai and patted his shoulder: "General Tu, I knew sending you was the right choice! The Black Armor Cavalry is indeed formidable. In the future anti-Qing campaign, you will follow Xie Hui and lead more troops!"

Wei Xiaobao quickly leaned in and handed over the saber from his arms: "Your Majesty! This is the Russian commander's saber, I snatched it! Also, although Big Brother Mao sacrificed himself, the saber techniques he taught were very useful; the new recruits used those techniques to cut down many of the devils!"

The Kangxi Emperor took the saber, looked it over repeatedly, then placed it on the table, his tone turning somber: "Mao the Eighteenth was a true man. I have already ordered the Ancestral Shrine of Loyal Martyrs to be prepared. In a couple of days, his tablet will be sent inside, and he will be posthumously titled 'Count of Loyalty and Righteousness.' I will also send people to look after his family; I will never let a hero's heart grow cold."

After speaking, he took a memorial from a drawer and handed it to Xie Hui: "This is the anti-Qing plan I've drafted. Since you've defeated Russia and morale is high, I want to take this opportunity to first seize the Qing Army outposts on the outskirts of the capital, then combine the forces of the Heaven and Earth Society and Prince Mus Residence to push southward. Tu Hai will lead thirty thousand Black Armor Cavalry, Xie Hui, you will lead the new recruits and the Heaven and Earth Society brothers, and Wei Xiaobao will be responsible for contacting the old departments in the palace. We will strike from both inside and out."

Xie Hui took the memorial and unfolded it to see five outposts on the outskirts of the capital detailed on it, along with the distribution of the Qing Army's forces—the Kangxi Emperor had long wanted to revolt against the Qing, and this victory over Russia finally made him resolve to do so. "Rest assured, Your Majesty! We will definitely take down the outposts! Long'er is still improving the cannons; when the time comes, we'll use the new cannons to blast the outposts, ensuring it's done quickly!"

Tu Hai also cupped his hands: "I will go and mobilize the troops immediately; the Black Armor Cavalry is ready to set out at any time! It's just... there might be Wu Sangui's former subordinates in the outposts. They are colluding with the Qing Army, so we must be careful of their poison smoke bombs."

While they were discussing, an urgent report suddenly came from outside the palace. An Imperial Guard soldier ran in and knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty! It's bad! In the Fengtai Camp on the outskirts of the capital, Wu Sangui's former subordinate Tiger Wang has rebelled with five hundred men. They also seized ten cannons from the camp, saying they want to avenge Wu Sangui by burning down the Heaven and Earth Society's branch!"

The Kangxi Emperor's expression changed: "What a bold Tiger Wang! To dare cause trouble just after we defeated Russia! Xie Hui, take some brothers to quell the revolt. Tu Hai, go and mobilize the Black Armor Cavalry to guard the capital's gates; don't let them rush in!"

Xie Hui immediately stood up and drew his black iron sword: "Rest assured, Your Majesty! I guarantee I'll bring Tiger Wang back! Wei Xiaobao, come with me and take two hundred new recruits; Fang Yi must be at the Heaven and Earth Society branch, we'll meet up there first!"

The two of them rode fast horses toward the Fengtai Camp. On the way, they happened to encounter Fang Yi leading the Green Wood Hall brothers running this way—she had already received the news and was intending to go and provide support. "Brother Hui! The men Tiger Wang is leading have cannons in their hands. The brothers at the branch have already gone into hiding; we must seize their cannons first!" Fang Yi's green dress was stained with mud, and the short sword in her hand was still flashing with a cold light.

Xie Hui nodded and had Wei Xiaobao lead the new recruits to ambush behind the branch, while he and Fang Yi circled to the side of the Fengtai Camp—Tiger Wang's men were pushing the cannons toward the branch, each one acting arrogant and powerful, not noticing their rear at all. "Move!" Xie Hui leaped up, his black iron sword sweeping across, directly severing the wrists of two soldiers pushing a cart. The cannon fell to the ground with a 'clang'.

Fang Yi also rushed forward, scattering anesthetic powder into the crowd. The Green Wood Hall brothers took the opportunity to charge in, tying up the soldiers who hadn't been knocked out by the anesthetic. Seeing things were going poorly, Tiger Wang wanted to flee on horseback, but was blocked by Long'er, who suddenly rushed out—Long'er had just finished modifying the cannons at the Ministry of Works and, hearing there was trouble, immediately rushed over. Her long sword was placed directly against his neck: "Trying to run? It won't be that easy!"

"Don't come any closer!" Tiger Wang pulled a poison smoke cylinder from his robe, "I have poison smoke bombs in my hand. If you come any closer, I'll blow up the entire camp!"

Mu Jianping ran over at this moment, holding a small porcelain bottle and shaking it: "Tiger Wang, this is the detoxification powder from Prince Mus Residence; your poison smoke bombs are useless. Furthermore, Sister Shuanger has already led the brothers from the medical station to evacuate the surrounding Civilians. Even if you blow up the camp, you won't hurt anyone."

Tiger Wang looked at the people around him—Xie Hui's black iron sword, Long'er's long sword, Fang Yi's anesthetic powder, and the new recruits charging in from the distance. Knowing further resistance was useless, he had no choice but to throw down the poison smoke cylinder and squat on the ground: "I surrender! Don't kill me!"

Songgotu also arrived at this time, gesturing at the cannons on the ground with his small scale: "Can these cannons be modified? If they can be loaded with fireballs, they'll definitely be useful for the anti-Qing campaign later! And on Tiger Wang's person, is there silver hidden? this official will help you count it..."

"Let's escort the prisoner back first!" Xie Hui interrupted him with a laugh. "When we report to the Emperor later, these cannons and prisoners will all be credited as achievements; your reward silver won't be missing."

Upon hearing "reward silver," Songgotu immediately perked up, helping the Imperial Guards take Tiger Wang into custody, muttering: "If the Emperor rewards us generously, we'll be able to recruit more troops and then go to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to dig up the golden buddha. Then the military funds for the New Dynasty will be sufficient!"

When they returned to the palace, the Kangxi Emperor was waiting for news. Seeing them return with Tiger Wang in custody, he slapped the table in delight: "Good! My trust was not in vain! Hand Tiger Wang over to the Ministry of Justice for strict interrogation to see if there are other former subordinates colluding with the Qing Army. Xie Hui, you have performed another merit this time. I reward you with a horse ranch on the outskirts of the capital and fifty thousand taels of silver. Tu Hai is rewarded with a thousand taels of gold, and Wei Xiaobao is rewarded with a residence next to the Yihong Courtyard!"

Upon hearing "residence next to the Yihong Courtyard," Wei Xiaobao's eyes lit up: "Thank you, Your Majesty! In the future, when I go to the Yihong Courtyard to see Miss Xiao Hong, I won't have to travel a long way anymore!"

Everyone was amused, and the atmosphere in the Imperial Study lightened considerably. The Kangxi Emperor looked at Xie Hui, his tone serious: "The upcoming anti-Qing campaign will rely on you all. I have already ordered the troops at the five outposts on the outskirts of the capital to be moved away. You will set out the day after tomorrow to first take the outposts and then push southward. Tu Hai's Black Armor Cavalry, your new recruits, and the brothers from the Heaven and Earth Society and Prince Mus Residence together number over fifty thousand men. Combined with the improved cannons, we will surely defeat the Qing Army."

Xie Hui nodded, his heart full of drive: "Rest assured, Your Majesty! We will set out the day after tomorrow! Shuanger has already inventoried the armaments in the inner universe; there are thirty improved cannons, five hundred firearms, as well as sufficient medicine and dry rations. We guarantee there will be no delays."

Tu Hai also cupped his hands: "I will go and mobilize the troops now, have the Black Armor Cavalry make preparations, and we will meet at the capital's outskirts horse ranch on the morning of the day after tomorrow."

Coming out of the palace, everyone returned to the Zhuang family home. The courtyard was already bustling—Shuanger was counting the newly delivered reward silver, Mu Jianping was distributing imperial wine to the new recruits, Long'er was inspecting the improved cannons, and Fang Yi was sending messages to the brothers of Prince Mus Residence about setting out the day after tomorrow.

Songgotu squatted by the pile of silver, his small scale making 'ding-ding' sounds as he counted: "Fifty thousand taels of silver; if converted to gold, it could make five small golden buddhas. Add to that the horses from the ranch, if they were sold..."

"Lord Suo, don't sell the horses!" Wei Xiaobao ran over and snatched his scale away. "The horses from the ranch are for recruiting troops. If you sell them, Brother Hui will definitely have Long'er melt down your scale!"

Songgotu quickly snatched the scale back and tucked it into his robe: "this official was just saying! I won't sell the horses, I won't sell the horses! Once the anti-Qing campaign is successful, the Emperor will surely reward us with even more silver. It won't be too late to buy horses then."

Xie Hui walked to the center of the courtyard and clapped his hands: "Everyone come over, let's discuss the matter of setting out the day after tomorrow. General Tu Hai will lead the Black Armor Cavalry along the middle route to attack the outpost next to the Fengtai Camp; I will lead the new recruits and the Heaven and Earth Society brothers along the left route to take the Tongzhou outpost; Fang Yi and Mu Jianping will lead the brothers of Prince Mus Residence along the right route to the Shunyi outpost; Long'er will lead the former members of the Divine Dragon Cult, carrying the improved cannons behind the middle route to provide support at any time; Shuanger will stay at the medical station, and if any wounded are sent over, prioritize their treatment; Lord Suo, you stay with Shuanger to inventory the supplies and captured armaments, and don't let anyone embezzle anything."

Everyone responded in unison. Shuanger raised the account book in her hand: "Brother Hui, I have already divided the dry rations and medicine for each team. Each person has two catties of dried meat, three catties of steamed buns, and five Detoxification Pills, ensuring there is enough to eat. The horses in the ranch have also been inventoried; there are over two hundred, just enough to replenish the Black Armor Cavalry."

Mu Jianping also said: "Sister Fang Yi and I have already contacted the former members of Prince Mus Residence in Shunyi. They will ambush near the outpost and strike from both inside and out as soon as we arrive, ensuring we can take it quickly."

Late at night, the lights in the courtyard were still on. Long'er was oiling the cannons, the sparks splashing onto the two characters 'Foe Breaker' on the cannon bodies, making them particularly prominent. Fang Yi was drawing a map of the outposts, marking the positions of the Qing Army's sentries. Shuanger was mending the protective gear for the new recruits, her stitches fine and dense. Wei Xiaobao sat before Mao the Eighteenth's spirit tablet, holding that Russian saber, and said in a low voice: "Big Brother Mao, the day after tomorrow we're going to fight the Qing Army. I will definitely fight well and cut down a few more obstacles to the anti-Qing cause for you. Once the New Dynasty is established, I'll move your tablet to the New Dynasty's Ancestral Shrine of Loyal Martyrs so everyone remembers you."

Xie Hui stood by the spirit tablet, looking at everyone before him, his heart full of stability—with a famous general like Tu Hai, with the help of beauties like Shuanger, Mu Jianping, Fang Yi, and Long'er, with mood-boosters like Wei Xiaobao and Songgotu, and with over fifty thousand brothers ready to fight hard, the first step of the anti-Qing campaign would surely go smoothly.

He pulled out the blueprints for the improved cannons from his inner universe, his fingertips tracing over the parts—these had been modified by Long'er staying up all night, with a longer range than before and the ability to hold more fireballs. "Big Brother Mao, rest assured," Xie Hui said softly, "we will take your ideals with us, drive out the Qing Army, and establish a New Dynasty where there is no war and everyone can eat their fill. You will not have died in vain."

Early the next morning, everyone began packing their luggage. The Black Armor Cavalry gathered at the horse ranch on the outskirts of the capital, the new recruits wearing their new protective gear and holding their newly issued sabers. Brothers from the Heaven and Earth Society and Prince Mus Residence also arrived from all directions. Xie Hui rode on his warhorse, holding Mao the Eighteenth's great saber, and shouted to the crowd: "Brothers! We set out the day after tomorrow to take the outposts on the outskirts of the capital and fire the first shot for the anti-Qing cause! Let the Qing Army know we are not to be bullied! Let Big Brother Mao watch from the heavens as we take steps toward the New Dynasty!"

"Anti-Qing! Establish the New Dynasty!" everyone shouted in unison, their voices shaking the leaves of the trees on the outskirts of the capital until they fell. Tu Hai, riding his bright silver-armored warhorse, came to Xie Hui's side: "Lord Xie, we set out on time the day after tomorrow; we will surely win from the start!"

Xie Hui nodded, looking at the more than fifty thousand troops before him, as well as the improved cannons, warhorses, and supplies behind him, knowing clearly in his heart—the curtain on the anti-Qing campaign would officially rise the day after tomorrow. And he was already prepared, leading everyone beside him to move forward step by step toward the goal of establishing a New Dynasty.