Chapter 6: The King of Yue's Substitute for Virtue

  "Really talented?"

  "No, it's not true, it's discerning, not genuine."

  "Hmm, you have talent." Wang Pu said, "Now I'm asking you, where are you from?"

  Zhen Youcai said: "The little man is from Qinghe, Shandong. Three years ago, he was kidnapped by Jian Nu to Liaodong. Because the little man's physique is small, he was originally going to be beheaded. However, because the little man had studied privately for a few years and recognized a few characters, his life was spared. Now, the little man serves as a bookkeeper at Su Dala Village, usually just keeping accounts, writing and calculating things, and doesn't have to go down to the fields to work."

  "Who is Sudarshan?"

  "It is said to be a younger brother of Nu Qiang, but I'm not very clear about it either."

  "Is that Sudalra's estate up ahead?"

  "Yes, this place used to be called Changyong Fortress, where the army of our great Ming Dynasty was stationed. Later, Changyong Fortress was destroyed by war and now it has become Sudala's manor."

  "Changyong Fortress? How far is it from Shengjing?"

  "Not far away, walking thirty miles northeast will reach Shengjing."

  "Are we going to arrive in Shengjing after walking another thirty miles?" Scarface burst out laughing, "I didn't expect that our mistaken wandering would actually bring us to Shengjing. Haha, this is indeed a blessing from heaven for the Jianzhou slaves."

  "Wang Pu asked again: 'How many people are there in the village?'"

  "There were over a thousand people in total, more than 700 Han Chinese, and over 300 slaves, but they were all just old men, women and children."

  "Alright." Wang Pu said, "Later General Ben will take people to the village to investigate. As long as what you say is true, nothing will happen to you. If there's one false statement, you're dead for sure."

  Zhen Youcai shivered with fear and replied tremblingly: "The humble one says... what was said is true."

  Wang Pu said to Xiao Qi: "Xiao Qi, you bring fifty people to stay and take care of the horses, also keep an eye on this guy, he must not be allowed to escape."

  "General, rest assured." Xia Qi sneered, "This humble person will definitely take good care of this talented Mr. Zhen."

  Wang Pu said to Knife Scar Face, "Knife Scar Face, go and select four hundred brothers, divide them into four teams, and occupy the four directions. No matter who escapes from the village, whether male or female, old or young, not a single one can be let off. You must remember, it's better to kill by mistake than to let anyone escape!"

  Scarface growled in response: "Don't worry, General. Not even a fly can escape."

  Wang Pu finally said to Big Beard: "Big Beard, gather the remaining brothers and follow me to the Zhuang's residence."

  The big bearded man responded fiercely: "I'll go gather our brothers."

  Wang Pu gave the order, and over a thousand household soldiers were divided into three routes. Xiao Qi stayed behind to watch the horses, while Knife Scar Face led 400 household soldiers in an ambush around the manor, preparing to intercept any escapees. Wang Pu and Big Beard led the remaining 600-plus household soldiers in a direct assault on the manor. Of course, Wang Pu didn't completely believe Zhen Youcai's words, so to avoid alerting the slaves on the manor, he ordered the household soldiers to march at night without torches, even if it meant getting bruised and battered.

  This time, Wang Pu's caution was a great help.

  Wang Pu and the six hundred households of Ding were just approaching the outskirts of the village when something unexpected happened.

  The courtyard suddenly burst into a fiery red glow, and the originally closed gate was also flung open. In the bright light of the fire, a large group of red-clad and red-armored Jian Nu cavalrymen rushed out from the gate, galloping towards Wang Pu and the 600 family guards. The big-bearded man's heart leapt to his throat, and he hastily stood up, wanting to draw his knife, but was pressed down by Wang Pu.

  Now Wang Pu is the leader of a terrorist organization, and his years of living on the edge of life and death have forged an unyielding temperament that remains calm in the face of danger. The more dangerous the situation, the calmer he becomes! Wang Pu keenly observed that this group of red-armored cavalrymen were only holding torches, without any swords, which means they didn't come out to fight, which also means that these cavalrymen had not yet discovered them.

  "Calm down."

  Wang Pu pressed down on the shoulder of the big bearded man and forced him back to the ground, and the six hundred family guards behind them also fell to the ground again.

  As expected, the group of red-armored cavalry charged forward for about a dozen steps before suddenly reining in their horses and parting to either side, forming two neat columns. The formation looked like it was meant to be an honor guard for some important figure from the Jianshen clan. And indeed, after a short while, another group of red-armored cavalry emerged slowly from the manor gates, surrounding a single rider in a protective circle.

  "General, we've been deceived by that little brat! Now there are over a hundred Jin Nu iron cavalrymen outside, and who knows how many more are inside the manor?"

  "Hmm." Wang Pu nodded and replied evasively, "Judging from the situation, it's probably a noble of the Zheng Hong Banner, maybe even a close relative of the emperor. We've caught a big fish this time, heh heh."

  "General, what did you just say?"

  Wang Pu said in a low voice, "Big Beard, quickly disperse the brothers and hide in the high ridges on both sides of the road. Without General Ben's order, you are not allowed to act arbitrarily!"

  Big Beard responded with a sound, crouching down and hastily retreating, passing on Wang Pu's military orders one by one. The more than 600 household servants who were originally lying flat on the main road quickly dispersed and hid in the tall millet fields on both sides. At this time, the dignitary of Zheng Hongqi had already walked over under the protection of the Red Armor Cavalry, and Wang Pu swiftly dodged to the side and hid in the millet thicket.

  ■■■

  Today can be said to be a lucky day for Dai Shan.

  Dai?an was the second son of Nurhaci, and once ranked first among the four senior Beile, far above Hong Taiji. Unfortunately, he did not have Hong Taiji's deep mind. In the end, it was Nurhaci's eighth son Hong Taiji who inherited the Khanate. After Hong Taiji ascended to the throne, Dai?an was granted the title of He?uo Liren Wang and sat facing south with Hong Taiji, receiving the homage of his ministers, a position that was also extremely honorable.

  The Battle of Songshan, Huang Taiji led the Eight Banners army to conquer, Daisan and Prince Zheng Zhirhalang were ordered to guard Shengjing.

  Prince Zheng Xiang, Jirhalang was the nephew of Nurhaci. His father, Shurhazi, was Nurhaci's third brother and was executed early on for causing divisions. Jirhalang's older brother, Amin, was one of the four regent princes during Nurhaci's reign but was later demoted to commoner status by Hong Taiji. Jirhalang succeeded in inheriting Amin's position and property, thus he was deeply loyal to Hong Taiji.

  These days, Daishan was extremely bored and suddenly wanted to go hunting in the mountains. He also heard that Suda La had trained a fierce sea eagle, so he brought his guards from Shengjing to Suda La's mansion to ask for it. When Daishan arrived, the sky was already dark, at this time Xiao Qi had already taken Zhen Youcai away, so he didn't know that a group of Jianluo cavalry entered the mansion later.

  He Shuo Liqin Wang personally came to the door to ask for Haidongqing, Su Dala naturally did not dare to refuse, and had to reluctantly lend his carefully trained Haidongqing to Daishan. He also personally escorted Daishan out of the villa, repeatedly reminding him on the way: "Master, this Haidongqing is fed with human flesh, if you feed it other meat, it will get angry."

  "Alright," Daishan said impatiently, "It's just human flesh, isn't it? This palace has so many slaves, killing one of them would be enough to feed this beast for half a month."

  "There's more," said Sudala, "It only eats tender flesh of children under ten years old."

  "What's the fuss about?" Dai Shan furrowed his brow and said, "There are plenty of kids under ten years old in our village who aren't starving."

  Su Da La gazed longingly at the Eastern Bluebird perched on Dai Shan's shoulder, chattering incessantly: "Master, you must keep your word. After we finish hunting, this Eastern Bluebird must be returned to me. It is my ***, without it I won't be able to eat or sleep, and I'll lose my life."

  "Alright, alright." Daishan waved his hand impatiently and said, "You go back, go back."

  "Psst!"

  Dai Shan's words had just fallen when a sharp whistle was heard, and immediately a strong gust of wind swept past his ear. Behind him, Su Da La let out a muffled grunt. Dai Shan quickly turned around to see Su Da La clutching at his throat with both hands, his eyes already bulging out, and crimson blood seeping from between his fingers. Only then did Dai Shan notice that a short arrow had been lodged in Su Da La's throat.