northernbook Chapter 135 The Rebellious Army
Chapter 135 The Rebellious Army
Just as the soldiers were feeling smug, Mu Heng continued, "But do you know what kind of life your family members are living?"
"..."
The sense of pride that had just arisen was immediately replaced by homesickness. Even last year's new recruits had been in the barracks for half a year, not to mention the old soldiers, some of whom had not been home for several years. After hearing Mu Heng's question, everyone couldn't help but miss their families.
"Your families are still living in poverty! The rice and flour we eat in the army are all collected from the taxes and levies of your families! As for the little military pay you send back, it seems so insignificant in the face of the soaring food prices! The court wants to use your own food to support you and make you work hard for the court! And it also uses the hard-earned money of your family to support the corrupt officials under him!"
"Do you still remember the victims who escaped when the border city fell? They have not been properly resettled by the court until now. They are still wandering outside. They are also the people of the Dayu Dynasty! They also want to return home early, but they are penniless and even have little food left. They rely on grass roots and tree bark to survive. The children are crying with hunger, and the old parents would rather not eat or drink themselves but share the little food they have left with their children..."
Mu Heng's heartfelt words made those who heard them sad and those who saw them shed tears. The soldiers were all from poor backgrounds, and they could best understand how difficult life was for the poor people. For a moment, everyone's emotions were aroused.
"It turns out that the rice and flour we eat are all collected from our own homes, wuwu... When I came out, my mother was still sick..."
"The price of food has risen again? Such a powerful court actually wants us to work for it without paying a penny, while those wealthy businessmen are making a fortune. Why?!"
"That's right, all those officials are extremely wealthy, why do they treat us ordinary people as if we were not human beings?"
"General Mu, we all know that you are a good person. Thirty years ago, it was you who saved our Dayu and allowed the people to live a stable life. We all listen to you! Please help us poor people!"
"..."
The premise was laid out, and Mu Heng raised his hand and pressed it down, signaling everyone to be quiet. He sighed and continued, "Mu knows that I don't have much wealth, but I am willing to give it all to help those disaster victims return home!"
Xu Feng stepped forward and said to the soldiers below: "Brothers, we are the generals who followed General Mu to quell the rebellion in the north thirty years ago..."
Xu Feng recounted how they had returned to the capital with a great victory, and how they were suppressed, punished, and exiled by the emperor for various reasons. "This is the result of working for the Emperor of Dayu. He doesn't take us, the civilian generals with no background, seriously at all. If it weren't for General Mu and I and our families pleading for us in the capital, we would have ended up like these old generals!"
"Brothers, today, we can't remain silent any longer! We must find a way to survive for ourselves, our families, and millions of ordinary people!" Then he knelt on one knee towards Mu Heng, "General Mu, please lead us to fight for our survival!"
The other old generals behind him also knelt on one knee in front of Mu Heng and said in unison: "We are willing to serve General Mu! Overthrow the imperial court and establish a new dynasty!"
The soldiers were so excited that they knelt down and responded, "We are willing to listen to General Mu's arrangements!"
Mu Heng's eyes were firm, and he said loudly: "Okay! In this case, we will no longer work for this incompetent court! We must overthrow this corrupt rule and establish a new dynasty that truly cares about the people! Let the people no longer suffer from hunger and cold, and no longer be displaced!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the military parade ground was in an uproar, and everyone seemed to see the dawn of hope.
Mu Heng went on to say: "From now on, we are the rebel army. We must unite as one and move forward courageously! For our future and for the happiness of the people, we must fight!"
The soldiers shouted in unison: "Fight! Fight!" The shouts resounded through the sky.
After the cries died down, Mu Heng assigned the task of welcoming the victims home. After receiving the order, Xu Feng selected a team of soldiers from the vanguard battalion to go with him.
This made the soldiers very excited. Their choice was indeed correct. General Mu was a good general who really cared about the people! Only by revolting and overthrowing the court could their families have a good life!
......
Ye Ze was completely unaware of the changes in the military camp. At daybreak, the group continued their journey and rode at full speed, finally arriving at the next stop at noon, but still found nothing.
The group could only move forward along the way, asking at each stop, until they arrived at the post house outside Fengyang City in the evening of the next day, when they finally got some information.
According to Sun Yicheng in the post station, the officers and soldiers escorting the military pay had left the post station ten days ago.
General Wang was confused, "You said they left ten days ago?"
Sun Yicheng was stunned for a moment, then nodded: "Yes, I won't remember it wrong. They arrived at the post station to rest at night, and left early the next morning."
General Wang and Ye Ze looked at each other and asked, "How many people are there? How many carriages?"
Sun Yicheng thought for a moment and said, "There were about a hundred people. In addition to the two leading officials riding horses, there were also twenty carriages filled with large wooden boxes... That's right, a total of twenty-two horses were taken to the stables."
More than a hundred people and twenty carriages, it's impossible for them to disappear out of thin air, right?
Ye Ze took out the topographic map and spread it flat on the table. He pointed his finger at the Fengyang Post Station where they were currently, and then found the next station where the officers and soldiers escorting the military pay would pass. This section of the road was C-shaped and had to bypass Yunwu Mountain in the middle.
Yunwu Mountain extends vertically from east to west for several miles. The mountain terrain is complex. In addition, the mountain range is near the official road and far from the village, so few people set foot here.
General Wang frowned, his eyes falling on the topographic map, "General Ye, did you notice anything wrong?"
Ye Ze glanced at General Wang, then turned to ask Sun Yicheng, "Sun Yicheng, have you heard about the bandits on Yunwu Mountain?"
"Bandits?" Sun Yicheng's head shook like a rattle. "I've never heard of it. Besides, how bold would the bandits have to rob the military pay that the soldiers were escorting?"
Ye Ze: “…” Well, he was overthinking it.
"Okay, you can go out first." General Wang waved to Sun Yicheng.
"Yes, General, please call me anytime if you need anything." Sun Yichen respectfully left the room.
After the postmaster left, only General Wang and Ye Ze were left in the room. General Wang scratched his head and said, "This is difficult. Let's leave it to the government to investigate. We will return to the barracks tomorrow to report."
"Okay." That's all.
Therefore, early the next morning, General Wang sent two of his lieutenants to Fengyang government office to report the case, and asked them to stay temporarily in Fengyang government office to assist the prefect in investigating the case.
On the way back to the military camp, many disaster victims suddenly appeared in front of them, supporting each other and moving forward. Ye Ze and others couldn't help but slow down as they passed by.
After passing the victims behind, he saw that the soldiers leading the way were none other than General Wang of the Vanguard Battalion, but the leading general was not his subordinate.
......