Free Web NovelChapter 1225: Chapter 1207: Encounter
The villagers in each village were mourning, with fear continuously growing in their hearts. In less than three days, military grain had been conscripted twice, and no one knew when the next conscription would occur.
However, after the autumn tax, there were two more military grain conscriptions. Few families had stored grain, and they didn’t know how to survive the lean months of February and March, let alone face another conscription.
Moreover, every household had lost a strong laborer.
Just as the sorrow was unbearable, the sound of wheels rolling through the village entrance was heard again. Anger surfaced on the villagers’ faces, and as they were about to grab knives from the kitchen, they heard the cheers of children outside the door.
A seven or eight-year-old child burst in, joyfully shouting, "Grandpa, my father is back, my father is back—"
The elderly man who was about to grab a knife was startled and hurried out the door, only to see the children who had been forcefully conscripted returning with an ox cart full of grain, smiling and greeting the people in the village.
The old man’s first thought was that the children finally couldn’t bear it anymore and had rebelled, killing the conscription team.
Many had the same reaction as the old man, and they quickly pulled people aside to ask about the situation. If a person had been killed, the whole village might need to hide in the mountains now, right?
The able-bodied men were not afraid at all and told everyone, "We didn’t escape on our own. We were rescued by the Zhao Family Army. The entire conscription team was captured by the Zhao Family Army."
The villagers were astonished and felt much more at ease.
Although Wang Dun forcibly conscripted military grain, he was reasonable enough. Since the conscription team was intercepted by the Zhao Family Army halfway and the men were released, he wouldn’t blame the able-bodied men, nor would he implicate the villagers.
Reassured, everyone took their grain back home, planning to find other places to hide it, and to hide it in multiple separate places just in case another conscription team arrived; maybe some could be well concealed.
The villagers also discussed having the young men in the family hide in the woods.
"Only the old and weak would be left at home. I don’t believe they’d even take away an old man like me in my fifties."
"Alas, the woods are very cold now, and it’s very damp; you can’t stay long. Who knows when the Zhao Family Army will be able to conquer Jiangnan."
"I also wish that General Zhao would govern Jiangnan. I heard that General Zhao is very generous, not only reducing taxes but also sending plowing oxen and farm tools to villages every year."
"Envious." Yet another day of envying the people of Jiangbei.
Watching the able-bodied men leave with the ox cart, Zhao Shi’s gaze fell on the captives.
The conscription team immediately begged for mercy. Since they had been sent out to gather grain and conscript soldiers, it was clear their combat strength was not impressive; the elite troops had long been moved or were fighting at the front.
So they knew when to retreat; even elite troops were no match for the Zhao Family Army, let alone them?
Zhao Shi did not make things difficult for them. After inquiring about what they knew regarding Wang Dun’s army movements, he released them.
The soldiers of the conscription team were somewhat disappointed. A young-looking, small soldier couldn’t help but ask, "General, aren’t you going to recruit us?"
Zhao Shi glanced at them and said, "Our troops are all cavalry. Do you have horses?"
The conscription team was disheartened: No, they didn’t.
If they had horses, would they have been sent to conscript grain?
They would have followed the elite troops south by now.
Zhao Shi told them, "Wang Dun’s tyranny won’t last long. Why make things difficult for the people? Since you’re already out, why not head all the way to Dayang County? It’s currently under Zhao Family Army control; surrender there, and the Zhao Family Army will surely arrange everything properly for you."
Everyone was tempted, but then quickly shook their heads.
The army dared to let them out to gather grain and conscript soldiers because they were not afraid of them running away with people and grain to become bandits, as there was a backup plan. Many of their family members were still behind the army lines.
They could die in battle or become prisoners and could surrender passively, but they absolutely could not escape and surrender actively; otherwise, their families and even their close comrades would be implicated.
Forget it, they had better go back. It seemed the Great General was moving south, and they were left behind, so they might be captured by the Zhao Family Army in a few days.
The morale of these soldiers left behind was not high, whereas the vanguard sent to Yuzhang was full of fighting spirit. Once in Yuzhang, they took a city with lightning speed and headed straight for the pass. If they conquered one more pass, the army could go straight from Yuzhang to Guangzhou.
This pass was in the hands of Dai Yuan.
Dai Yuan was not in Yuzhang. He had previously received a secret letter from King Langya and arranged for someone to impersonate him in Yuzhang, engaging in a standoff with Wang Xuan on the opposite side.
In secret, he quietly led fifty thousand troops around the city, heading straight for Jiankang.
His route was known to no one, not even King Langya, who had secretly summoned him to Jiankang.
Thus, King Langya believed he was still in Yuzhang and hadn’t left. With so many things happening lately—first Wang Dun’s open rebellion, then his own decision to submit to Zhao Hanzhang—he hadn’t managed to get his mind around it all. Zu Ti had crossed the river with the Jiangbei Army, and eventually the two sides met to discuss returning to Luoyang and the handover of local powers. King Langya had completely forgotten the secret letter he had personally written not long ago.
Until Dai Yuan encountered Chen Ban, who was hiding in the wild.
Chen Ban, lying in ambush outside Jiankang City, originally intended to catch King Langya off guard. However, when King Langya suddenly allowed the Jiangbei Army to cross the river, Wang Dun decided to take Guangzhou instead, leaving him in an awkward position.
Chen Ban had already quietly withdrawn with his army, but the Zhao Family Army acted swiftly and was perceptive. Each time he traveled a section of the official road, he attracted many scouts, so he no longer dared to take the official roads and instead traveled wild paths.
He also changed direction, abandoning the return to Lujiang, but headed east to Wu County, and then through Huiji, Linhai, and Jian’an to enter Guangzhou.
This area was mostly under the control of the native aristocratic families of Jiangdong. Zu Ti’s takeover of King Langya’s power wouldn’t reach here. The Jiangdong aristocrats were very xenophobic, especially the Zhou family, who held military power. Avoiding main cities could avoid the Zhou family’s forces.
Coincidentally, Dai Yuan thought the same.
He traveled north from Yuzhang to Jiankang to assist the king, knowing that west and south of Danyang were all under Wang Dun’s control, so he went east, from Xin’an County to Xuancheng County. To keep Wang Dun from discovering, he even detoured to the east side of Taihu Lake, and after passing Wu County, headed west toward Jiankang.
Specifically taking the wild roads, and then he ran right into Chen Ban.
Dai Yuan was startled; Chen Ban was a trusted and beloved general of Wang Dun. If he was here, could Jiankang have already fallen?
To maintain the secrecy of his marching route, Dai Yuan neither sent out any information nor received any, staying away from crowds, so he knew nothing of King Langya’s submission to Zhao Hanzhang.
Fortunately, both armies had belonged to the same side, so although surprised, Dai Yuan did not immediately attack. Instead, he sent someone to inquire, "General Chen, why are you here?"
Chen Ban thought for a moment and decided to bluff, "I am here to join the Zhao Family Army. In this world, only Zhao Hanzhang can bring stability."
He thought this reason might convince Dai Yuan.
But Dai Yuan was not up to date with the news and knew nothing. He only thought Chen Ban was crazy, talking about seeking refuge with Jiangbei while on Jiangnan territory?
Then why hesitate? Fight!
This place wasn’t far from Jiankang City, so fighting was nothing to fear; this was military merit!
Attacked, Chen Ban didn’t know what had exposed him—why was the other side attacking directly?
