Moma Liangshan

Chapter 218 People's hearts are unfathomable; don't become a new sworn brother.

Lin Chong and Yang Zhi were both incredulous at Wang Hao's decision. Seeing this, Wang Hao smiled slightly, then said, "Do you two generals think there's anything wrong with this?" Lin Chong dared not answer immediately, thinking to himself, "A sufficient stockpile of weapons is to maximize the army's combat effectiveness. If, due to a moment of pride, you limit the army's size to a very small scale, then even if you fulfill your promise, I will become a sinner for all time." After hesitating for a long time, he finally said, "Please forgive this humble general for his innocence!" Wang Hao was quite helpless at Lin Chong's reaction and could only promise, "Speak freely, I forgive you!" Lin Chong finally tentatively asked, "Could you tell this humble general what size the Jiaozhou army will be in five years?"

The imperial court had no "Jiaozhou Army," so this question was rife with the implication of "separatist rule." Yang Zhi was shocked and immediately rebuked him, "General Lin, don't you think you've overstepped your bounds?" However, as he spoke, Yang Zhi cast a warning glance at Lin Chong. Lin Chong understood Yang Zhi's good intentions; he feared that he might inadvertently cross Wang Hao's line and invite disaster. But Lin Chong couldn't waver in his resolve. Once he embarked on the path of "separatist rule and recruiting a private army," there was no turning back. He had to seize the opportunity and cause chaos; otherwise, hesitation would lead to utter ruin. Therefore, whether to repay Wang Hao's life-saving grace or for his own safety, Lin Chong had to ascertain Wang Hao's true intentions.

Having said all that, Wang Hao suddenly felt the need to have an open and honest conversation with his subordinates. Otherwise, suspicion between superiors and subordinates would be a bad thing. Adjusting his approach, he said, "Three years from now, the standing army in Jiaozhou will number 30,000. If a life-or-death situation arises, the army can be tripled within a month!" Yang Zhi was dumbfounded, while Lin Chong was overjoyed. The two said in unison, "This humble general..." Seeing this, Wang Hao smiled slightly and said, "General Yang, please speak first!" Yang Zhi was a descendant of loyal officials. He could accept Wang Hao's factionalism and tolerate Jiaozhou's dominance, but rebellion was absolutely unacceptable. He said, "If..." "With your 100,000 elite troops, will the Chenqiao Mutiny and the forced ascension to the throne repeat themselves?" Wang Hao shook his head decisively, saying, "Do you think I recruited private soldiers for my own selfish gain?" For some reason, Yang Zhi suddenly felt intimidated by Wang Hao's imposing presence and hurriedly replied, "This humble general dares not!" Wang Hao snorted coldly and said, "You're not afraid, you shouldn't! You may still harbor the illusion that the Jurchens will stop north of the Great Wall, but I tell you, that's absolutely impossible! As long as the Liao Dynasty falls, within a year, the Jurchens will surely march south. At that time, among all the officials, who can turn the tide?"

Yang Zhi frowned and said, "If foreign enemies invade our borders, I will certainly follow the example of my ancestors and die on the battlefield!" Wang Hao shook his head and said, "During the Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang dynasties, countless elite soldiers and generals died far from home, causing countless people to sigh with regret! I have gathered money, recruited private soldiers, and mediated between various forces, all so that one day, when the enemy chieftains come to the city, the Jiaozhou army can unite as one and fight bravely against the enemy, without being controlled by those corrupt officials and shedding blood and sacrificing their lives in vain!" Yang Zhi was dumbfounded upon hearing this, while Lin Chong was full of ambition. Wang Hao felt his anger wasn't burning bright enough, so he deliberately said, "If anyone, for their own selfish gain, wants to get rid of me, even if they are the Heavenly King himself, I will never surrender!" Lin Chong, upon hearing this, excitedly echoed, "If anyone dares to harm you, young master, I, Lin Chong, will surely lead my elite troops to destroy their ancestral temple and exterminate their entire clan!" Yang Zhi remained silent for a long time, finally understanding, and said, "Exterminating their entire clan is unnecessary; you are the son-in-law of the Song Dynasty!" Lin Chong laughed heartily upon hearing this, saying, "General Yang is right; this humble general deserves to die!"

Prince Qin, Yelü Ding, and Prince Zhao, Yelü Xinilie, escorted by thirty imperial guards, marched south and then west, finally arriving near the camp of the twenty Khitan tribes after a day and night of rapid march. Exhausted from the day and night's march, Yelü Ding, seeing their destination in sight, urged, "Hurry up! We must reach the tribal camp before nightfall. Then we'll treat everyone to good wine and meat!" Yelü Xinilie, however, remained motionless, seemingly making a decision. The soldiers, seeing the two princes so conflicted, were caught in a dilemma. Yelü Ding rode forward and said, "Why does Fourth Brother stop? Our army camp is only fifteen li ahead." Yelü Xini Lie sneered and said, "Your Highness Prince Qin, you call me Fourth Brother, so I can't be ungrateful and just watch you jump into the fire pit!" Yelü Ding, who was used to a life of luxury, had never faced such a situation before, and inevitably lost his composure, saying, "What do you mean by that, Fourth Brother?" Yelü Xini Lie ordered the guards, "Set up camp here. His Highness Prince Qin and I have something to discuss. You all keep watch thirty paces away!" The head guard looked at Yelü Ding, who nodded in agreement.

After the soldiers left, Yelü Xini dismounted, and Yelü Ding followed suit. Yelü Xini took a wine jug from his horse and handed it to Yelü Ding, saying, "Try the fine wine of the Song Kingdom!" Yelü Ding didn't hesitate much, took the jug, and drank a full gulp. Yelü Xinilie was somewhat moved and laughed, saying, "My silly brother, aren't you afraid I'll poison the wine?" Yelü Ding, however, remained calm and said, "Does my fourth brother think it's more advantageous for me to die than live?" Yelü Xinilie was surprised and replied, "Given the current situation, our joining forces is the only way out!" Yelü Ding nodded and said, "There are some things that my fourth brother can see clearly, and I might not be so blind to them." After saying this, he shook the wine pot and said, "This is good wine, I'll accept it!" Yelü Xinilie was somewhat reluctant. With the army at the gates, the entire capital city was already short of food supplies, let alone this heavenly wine. He said, "The twenty tribal kings are each ruling their own territory, suspicious of each other. They have 200,000 troops, but they are a disorganized mess. Who can truly control..." "If they fall, who will become the uncrowned king of the grasslands!" Yelü Ding said. "Your Majesty, I will be the deputy envoy, and you, my brother, the chief envoy. Together, we will command these 200,000 troops!" Yelü Xini Lie suddenly understood his younger brother. Yelü Ding was cunning and sharp-witted, but because he had been pampered for a long time, he was often naive in his decisions when in danger. He slowly said, "Just with these thirty guards of yours and mine?" Yelü Ding pointed to the bundle on his horse and said, "And Father's royal banner!" Yelü Xini Lie shook his head and said, "Among the twenty tribal kings, some still belong to the Khitan, while others want to betray their masters for personal gain. But you can't see into someone's heart with your eyes. If we brothers fall into the hands of the latter, we will become the initiation certificate of those traitors!"