C21. Take the Leader's Life!
As they progressed towards Youzhou, the terrain became increasingly barren.
Entering Youzhou from Zhuo County, the scouts hurried back upon discovering a rebellion in progress at Beixincheng County, with an estimated twenty thousand rebels.
"Twenty thousand?" Yang Zhongfa exclaimed, his expression grim. "How could there be so many rebels in Youzhou?"
Frowning, Chu Hechao inquired about the situation. The scout reported, "They are pillaging and burning Beixincheng County, the magistrate's office has been destroyed, and they have raised the white flag of Du Liang Wang!"
Led by Du Nie, Liang Zhou, and Wang Jian, the rebels were known as the Du Liang Wang rebels, marked by white cloth with rice grains as their insignia.
Although Youzhou was the fiefdom of Prince Chu, his family had not actively managed it. Over time, local officials and powerful figures became like feudal lords, engaging in land annexations and increased taxation.
After the rebellion of Du Liang Wang and others, many people rose up to join the rebel army.
Yuan Li halted his horse, lips tightly pursed as he turned to face Chu Hechao, "General, with steep mountains on both sides, it's impossible to smuggle military funds through the mountains. We can only proceed forward, passing through Beixincheng County to Guangyang County in Jixian."
Guangyang County in Jixian was their destination.
If they turned back, they risked delaying their journey by another month.
The group stood frozen in the middle of the road, pondering their next move.
Having encountered scattered attacks from the rebels along the way, they were not disheartened due to the deterrent of their thousand cavalry. However, facing an organized force of twenty thousand rebels posed a formidable challenge.
After a brief contemplation, Chu Hechao made a decisive decision, ordering, "Yuan Congyun, lead five hundred cavalry to guard the military funds here. Remember, if the funds are lost, your life is forfeit."
Yuan Congyun solemnly replied, "Yes, I will follow orders."
"Yang Zhongfa, you and Han Jin, accompany me with another five hundred light cavalry to stealthily enter Beixincheng County," Chu Hechao commanded calmly. "Have them drop their baggage, remove their armor, and only carry bows and swords."
Yang Zhongfa and Han Jin responded in unison, "Yes."
Yuan Li immediately volunteered, "I will go with you."
Recognizing Yuan Li's combat and strategic capabilities, Chu Hechao nodded in agreement. He then turned to Liu Jixin and Wang Er, assigning them the responsibility, "This task falls to the two of you. Mr. Liu, with your tactful planning, please take care of everyone."
Liu Jixin and Wang Er assured in unison, "You can trust us."
Soon, the five hundred light cavalry assembled. Chu Hechao led them along a mountain path towards Beixincheng County.
Surrounded by mountains on all sides, they circled around for two bell times before reaching a high and concealed vantage point, overlooking the chaotic scene in Beixincheng County below.
War, whether ancient or modern, with cold or hot weapons, remains brutal.
Inside Beixincheng County, chaos reigned with bodies strewn across the land.
The rebels were mercilessly slaughtering the residents.
The citizens wailed as they were gruesomely cut in half, with limbs and torsos strewn across the ruins, grass huts ablaze, and billowing black smoke in multiple areas of the county.
The wind carried a strong stench of blood from within Beixincheng County, making the air thick with an unbearable nausea-inducing odor. The cries and pleas of the residents could be heard clearly even from where Yuan Li stood.
The white rice rebels brandished white flags, dispersed throughout the county. Their faces were twisted in anger, clothes soaked in blood, and their pockets filled with gold and silver treasures, clearly driven to madness.
In front of the burnt magistrate's office, a man dressed in brand new black armor, wielding a steel sword, surrounded by numerous white rice rebels, appeared to be their leader.
"I recognize him! This man is called Ma Renyi, a well-known local bully from Zhuojun. He once sent gifts to my residence through intermediaries, trying to use my influence to buy ranks from the general," Han Jin identified the leader, his face stern. "Among these twenty thousand white rice rebels, there are likely many of his subordinates and confidants."
Yuan Li coldly observed the scene before him.
In ancient times, when the population was valued as precious labor, rulers rarely ordered the slaughter of entire cities when faced with defenseless civilians. It was considered bad for reputation and pointless effort.
However, these rebels were composed of impoverished and famished peasants. While very few of them harbored a liking for killing, the dynamic changed when they besieged a city.
They went door to door, demanding wealth, and soon realized that the money from the populace was not endless. This led to violence when some residents were unable to comply.
Facing scarcity, the rebels quickly understood that they could use murder as a means to extort the residents for their wealth rapidly.
Give money, or face death.
The male populace had to die, while attractive women could be spared as spoils of war.
Once one household was looted, the next had to yield more riches than the one before.
Driven to fight by poverty and hunger, the rebels resorted to burning government offices, slaughtering officials, and pillaging the estates of the wealthy. Growing desperate, they turned on other civilians, transitioning from victims to aggressors.
The scholars and nobles behind the rebellion were well-aware of the consequences but cared little for the casualties among the common people.
These aristocrats knew that death would claim peasants, the wealthy, and scholars alike. Nevertheless, they opted to instigate the uprising, sacrificing the majority of the common folk and a few nobles to alter their own predicament and regain power.
Their motives were not truly altruistic but self-serving.
The elite stood apart, indifferent to the deaths of the commoners, knowing that even if tens or hundreds of thousands perished, as long as the civilization endured, the remaining millions would survive.
Wars did not obliterate the land; as long as the land remained intact, the population could replenish over time.
Yuan Li gazed at the broken walls, the blood-soaked streets, and the littered corpses, remaining silent for a long while.
Muttering softly, Han Jin remarked, "This is akin to the underworld, isn't it?"
Yuan Li suddenly asked, "Is the underworld truly frightening?"
"Of course, it is. It's not just me, but also the people, nobles, and even the emperor who fear it," replied Han Jin.
"Is that so?" Yuan Li's voice remained eerily calm. "The commoners always think the underworld is the most terrifying place, but isn't the real horror right here on earth?"
Han Jin froze, turning to look at Yuan Li in surprise.
"If only I could..." Yuan Li trailed off abruptly, his hand resting on his chest, lost in thought.
The heart pounding vigorously, as if something he didn't yet understand was beginning to take root.
"If only I could..."
What could I do?
What do I want to do?
Yang Zhongfa interjected, "General, what should we do?"
Yuan Li snapped out of his thoughts and turned to look at Chu Hechao.
Chu Hechao's lips tightened, his jaw clenched as he said, "The white rice rebels are a rabble. Once we capture Ma Renyi, they'll scatter like ants. Twenty thousand men are no cause for concern. Yang Zhongfa, you and Han Jin each lead a hundred cavalry from the east and west, feigning an attack to create a distraction and amplify the commotion. When the white rice rebels pursue, feint an attack and lure them away to prevent reinforcements. Wu Kai, I'll assign you two hundred cavalry. Once both groups of rebels are drawn away, you'll launch a surprise attack from the southeast through the narrow passage. Do you dare?"
He seemed to understand Wu Kai very well.
Wu Kai saluted, head lowered, and replied in a muffled voice, "I dare."
Engaging numerous white rice rebels with two hundred cavalry might put them at risk once the rebels react, but lacking cavalry themselves, the rebels would be vulnerable. Seizing the initiative, the two hundred cavalry could potentially take out over a thousand rebels.
Afraid of the fierce onslaught, the irregular rebel forces would scatter and hesitate to approach, giving Wu Kai's group time to delay.
Chu Hechao cracked his knuckles and said calmly, "The rest of you come with me to claim Ma Renyi's head."
"General, I'll join as well," Yuan Li calmly added, "My archery skills are decent, I can try my hand at taking his life amidst a thousand soldiers."
Chu Hechao turned to scrutinize him, "Really?"
Yuan Li affirmed, "Indeed."
Just like a marksman, there was usually only one exceptional talent among a thousand soldiers, a formidable ace in the military.
Chu Hechao gave him a deep look, then turned to depart with his men, gradually approaching the mountains at the outskirts to circle around to the rear of the magistrate's office.
This location was still quite distant from Ma Renyi and his main forces.
Chu Hechao and Yuan Li stood silently with a hundred cavalry, waiting.
They were waiting for Yang Zhongfa and Han Jin to make their move.
Once they began their attack, the large army surrounding Ma Renyi would split into two groups to face the enemy. The louder the commotion they caused, the more support Ma Renyi would send to resist the enemy.
Then it would be time for Wu Kai to act. With three sides attacking, they would create a sense of being surrounded. Ma Renyi would undoubtedly flee, and his moment of panic and flight would be the opportunity to take his life.
In the midst of the silence, Chu Hechao suddenly spoke, "Sister-in-law, you only have one chance."
Yuan Li was checking his bow and arrows, adjusting the arrowhead as he replied, "I know."
If the plan failed, Ma Renyi would surely realize someone was trying to kill him, making another attempt much more difficult.
Chu Hechao trusted his people and said no more, patiently awaiting the opportunity.
Finally, chaos ensued.
Someone rushed in a panic to Ma Renyi, pointing to the east and west and speaking a few words. Ma Renyi's face turned pale, immediately dispatching men to face the enemy.
After sending his men, he anxiously awaited news of victory. Instead, there was no news of victory, only the sudden appearance of fierce cavalry.
Cavalry!
Ma Renyi looked frantic and decided to move the battlefield under his protection. Meanwhile, Yuan Li, under the cover of Chu Hechao and the cavalry, had already arrived at the rear of the magistrate's office.
The billowing smoke served as a cover for their movements but also hindered Yuan Li's vision, causing potential errors.
Chu He Rao frowned at the choking smoke, "Can you do it?"
With sweat trickling down his temples and a few strands of black hair stuck to his cheek, Yuan Li remained focused, scanning through the smoke at the rebel forces.
At his words, a relaxed smile suddenly appeared on his face.
"General," Yuan Li's gaze sharpened, he tilted his head and aimed at the panic-stricken leader hidden among the rebels, his voice light but piercing, "Do not underestimate the logistical troops."
His bowstring taut, Yuan Li released.
With a swift "swish" through the air, the arrow flew quickly through the smoke and flames, piercing through the crowd.
Ma Renyi's eyes widened in fear, his heart pounding and legs weak. He looked up just as the arrow, against his disbelief, struck him in the forehead, ending his life in an instant.