Chapter Fifteen: Wang Xichen Emerges from Seclusion

  Since Xue Yue and Liang Fangxu became close, they would often bicker with each other, leaving Liang Fangxu feeling frustrated. However, Xue Yue was a straightforward and bold person, so he didn't mind it either.

  Li Fangxu listened to the entire plan and also agreed that this was the only way, so he decisively began to deploy and prepare for the attack.

  Wang Wu and dozens of mountain bandits rushed to the back mountain, saw Wang Xizhen standing not far from Zhao Yan, but there was no major problem, so they put down their worries, ran to the front of the Imperial Forest Army and shouted: "You damned government troops, quickly release my son, otherwise next year's today will be your sacrificial day."

  Zhao Kan couldn't help but laugh, and the dozens of mountain bandits were indeed not enough to fill the gaps between the teeth of the Imperial Forest Army. But Wang Wu was also commendable for his bravery. Wang Xi Zhen walked forward and said: "Old man, surrender! For the sake of our brothers' lives."

  "What's wrong with you?" Wang Wu couldn't help but be shocked.

  "Old man, are you going down or not?" Wang Xichen said calmly.

  "Down! Your mother told me to take good care of you before she died." Wang Wu said with a sigh.

  "Never mind these useless things, I'm going down the mountain to command the troops." After saying that, he bowed and went down the mountain.

  Zhao Kan didn't expect that Wang Wu's surrender would be so dramatic and simple. Later, he learned that Wang Xi Zhen was intelligent and talented from a young age, and Wang Wu secretly sent him to the capital to study. Wang Xi Zhen studied very hard and became a top scholar, but when Wang Wu heard about it, he secretly ordered someone to tie up Wang Xi Zhen and bring him back to the mountain, forbidding him from going out. This was also one of the rare cases in history where a top scholar lost his title on the eve of his success. Although Wang Xi Zhen understood that his father's actions were motivated by good intentions, he was dissatisfied with his father's arbitrary behavior without consulting him first. He believed that his father was afraid that if he entered the imperial court as an official, he would be investigated and killed by those with ulterior motives. As a result, Wang Xi Zhen didn't give his father a good face for several years while living on the mountain, but in reality, he still cared deeply about his father. Wang Xi Zhen had long been worried that there was no such thing as a free lunch, and since King Yue had ordered Wang Wu to commit so many murders and robberies, how could he possibly let Wang Wu leave Mount Yue alive? This time, Zhao Kan's arrival presented an opportunity for the mountain bandits to survive, which is why Wang Xi Zhen was so enthusiastic about helping him. If one thought that Wang Xi Zhen was immediately won over by Zhao Kan's majestic aura, that would be impossible - it was just a matter of mutual utilization.

  Zhao Kan has decided to move all the civilians and mountain bandits to Jinlin Barracks, which not only strengthens his forces and expands his troops but also allows him to open up wasteland for farming to ensure self-sufficiency. Wang Xichen is a crucial person, it's necessary to take him under control.

  An hour later, three columns of smoke rose from the mountain, and Liang Fangxu gave a decisive order to launch an attack. Five hundred soldiers charged forward in one fierce rush, scattering the bandits on the mountain. In no time at all, they broke into the mountainside. Not far away, five thousand imperial guards were lurking in the dense forest, led by the burly man sent by King Yue. A small officer beside him spoke respectfully: "Sir, if we launch a surprise attack from behind now, we can definitely achieve great results." Seeing that the burly man was expressionless and didn't respond, he urged anxiously: "Sir? Sir? If we don't attack soon, we'll miss our chance!"

  The strong man suddenly pinched the little school's neck and lifted him up. The little school kicked his legs in mid-air, his face turned purple-red, and he was about to suffocate to death. The strong man threw the little school to one side with a cold voice: "Make another noise and I'll take your life." The little school quickly crawled to one side and didn't dare make a sound.

  After the army that was about to enter the mountain disappeared without a trace, the strong Han ordered the troops to follow quietly.

  Zhao Jiong also arrived at Wang Xizhen's side to see how he would deploy his troops. Wang Xizhen took over the military command from Zhao Jiong and first told several hundred Imperial Guards that when they saw the red flag waving, the army should halt and not attack; when they saw the white flag rising, they should throw out all the stones and logs and urge the mountain bandits to do the same. When both flags were raised simultaneously, they would charge down the mountain to intimidate the enemy. Those who disobeyed military orders would be beheaded on the spot. Wang Xizhen dispersed the mountain bandits and Imperial Guards, making each soldier a leader with about two men under his command. He arranged for large quantities of stones and logs to be placed nearby...

  Wang Xichen walked up to Zhao Yan and said: "Finally, I ask you, sir, to reveal your identity and intimidate the enemy."

  "Alright, I'll do as you say." Zhao Yan replied.

  A group of robust men under the command of King Yue, numbering around 5,000, suddenly burst in. However, there were no signs of battle having taken place here. Just as the robust man was pondering this, Wang Xizhen raised a white flag, and thousands of stones came pouring down from both sides of the mountain road. Instantly, the sound of wailing filled the air below, with nearly a hundred soldiers killed in the sudden onslaught of stones. The wounded lay on the ground, moaning incessantly. By the time the stone-throwing had ceased, almost a thousand men had lost their combat effectiveness, with more than half of them dead. These soldiers were mostly auxiliary troops and not elite units, but they were well-equipped; otherwise, the casualties would have been even more severe.

  Wang Xizhen saw that the enemy's momentum had gone and ordered people to raise red flags and white flags at the same time. The Imperial Guard and the mountain bandits picked up their knives and shouted as they rushed down the mountain. These troops, if they were victorious in battle, could still have combat effectiveness, but once they fell into a passive position, their morale was completely lost and they had no courage to resist. Zhao Kan knew it was time for him to take the stage, standing on the waist of the mountain and shouting loudly: "I am the commander-in-chief, Zhao Kan, you bandits disguised as government troops, this is a capital offense punishable by death! Considering that you have been deceived by others, quickly surrender, otherwise, you will be killed without mercy."

  The defeated imperial guards were in disarray, their morale low. They had come to quell the bandits, but almost ended up being wiped out themselves and were even mistaken for fake government troops. At this moment, they didn't care about dying a humiliating death anymore. Suddenly, one soldier dropped his weapon, and others followed suit. In an instant, the imperial guards who had been so arrogant just moments before turned into helpless sheep waiting to be slaughtered. Just then, over a dozen imperial guards took advantage of the chaos and suddenly attacked the mountain bandits, specifically targeting the strong man under Yue Wang's command. They quickly escaped in disarray. Zhao Jiong wanted to give chase but it was too late. He had a feeling that there was something off about this strong man, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

  Thousands of troops were finally released, but none of them had been stripped of their armor and weapons, and they looked quite disheveled.

  Wang Wu and several leaders discussed and decided to agree with Zhao Kuang's opinion, and moved all of them to Jinlin School Field. The civilians drove cattle and sheep, while the Jinlin Army and the Imperial Forest Army carried some elderly people who had difficulty moving and lifted heavy objects. It was really rare to see such an army in the Song Dynasty.

  On the road, Zhao Jiong met Wang Xizhen in a horse-drawn carriage and said: "Sir, are you willing to serve under me?"

  "Not interested." Wang Xichen replied indifferently while eating his meal.

  Zhao Yan didn't mind and continued to ask: "What are your ambitions, sir?"

  "I originally wanted to take the imperial examination, but now it's enough to be a teacher."

  "With a talent that spans heaven and earth, being a teacher is actually a waste of his abilities."

  "So I dare ask, sir, what are your ambitions?" Wang Xichen put down his chopsticks and asked solemnly.

  "Eliminate the enemy state, restore our great Song Dynasty's rivers and mountains, reduce tax burdens, let the people live in peace and prosperity, appoint virtuous officials, and resolve hidden dangers." Zhao Bian replied seriously.

  Wang Xichen looked at Zhao Yan twice and suddenly "hahaha", burst out laughing.

  Zhao Yan did not get angry and asked: "Sir, why are you laughing?"

  "I laugh at the naivety of adults. The Song Dynasty is economically prosperous, with excellent equipment, yet it can't even defeat the weak and nearly extinct Liao State. The court appoints treacherous officials like Cai Jing, and military power is entrusted to people like Tong Guan. Are there any other capable individuals who can stand out? The army doesn't think about training, only bullying civilians. Brave soldiers are treated poorly, their families' livelihoods cannot be guaranteed. Although Yanjing is Song territory, it was redeemed with silver, if the Jin State comes again, we will absolutely not be able to resist. Tell me, shouldn't I laugh?"

  Zhao Yan saw that Wang Xizhen had tears in the corners of her eyes and understood that she was also a scholar who took the world as her own responsibility, because only by caring would one be heartbroken, and no one would be heartbroken over something that had nothing to do with themselves.

  Zhao Yan made a bow to Wang Xichen and said: "Sir, you are wrong. If we don't make an effort, how can we know what the future holds? The matter at hand is of great importance, please allow me to use letters instead."

  Zhao Bian took out the four treasures of the study from the carriage, analyzed all kinds of situations that were about to happen and would appear in the future, and wrote them on paper. Wang Xichen picked up the paper page and didn't care at first, but as he read on, his expression became more and more serious. By the time he finished reading the analysis that 'Mongolia' would unify the world, his eyes were filled with incredulity. Wang Xichen put the letter into the copper stove beside him to warm himself up, and asked in a low voice: "Please ask the adult how to prove everything."

  "What about the siege of Bianjing by the Jin army next year?" Zhao Jiong asked confidently.

  "All right, I, Wang Xizhen, will follow you and 'muddle' along to eat my fill. If it's true that Bianjing is besieged by the Jin State next August, I'll naturally follow you, sir, and die after exhausting all my efforts."

  "Don't worry, you won't go hungry." Zhao Yan smiled and said.

  From then on, Zhao Xun's Wang Xi Zhen finally appeared, writing his own legend in the future struggle for hegemony, but that is a story for another time.

  The army returned triumphantly, and the Jinlin barracks naturally celebrated again. Xue Yue secretly brought out a large batch of silver from the birthday gifts that had been intercepted last time. Later, Zhao Yi learned that this batch of birthday gifts was sent to the treacherous Prime Minister Cai Jing, so he took it even more at ease.

  Zhao Kuang handed over all the silver he had taken to Xiuer, and now Xiuer felt very satisfied. She could quietly help Zhao Kuang, for her loved one, without asking for anything in return.

  Zhao Xiao took Wang Xizhen to prepare for a trip to Wu Jiaxuan's Shu Burg, and they were on the street preparing to buy some gifts. However, Zhao Xiao knew that the four major families had plenty of money, so giving light gifts would be disrespectful, while heavy gifts would not be appreciated by others. This was difficult to handle, especially since this time he wanted to secretly form an alliance with Wu's family, and the gift had to be serious. Originally, Zhao Xiao wanted to go to Wu's house quietly with Wang Xizhen today, but Xue Yue and Liang Fangxu strongly disagreed. Later, they agreed to bring guards, and the two of them quarreled over whether to bring the Imperial Guard or the Golden Scales Army, and even planned to go to the training ground to test their martial arts skills. Zhao Xiao couldn't bear it anymore, so each brought two people. The four of them could no longer quietly go to Shu Burg, so the six of them strolled around on the street.

  Wang Xichen smiled and said, "I'm telling you, young master, don't you have two very beautiful diamonds? Give one to Wu Zhiyuan's sister, isn't that a solution?"

  "What you said is right, let's send out the ring."

  Because of the long 'mix', Wang Xichen knew many secrets about Zhao Yan. Since seeing those two diamonds, Wang Xichen has been shouting every day to let Zhao Yan sell them as military funds. Zhao Yan did not agree, but today he surprisingly agreed after some thought.

  "Wow, you're really willing to let it go? How can you bear to part with it?" Wang Xichen was also quite surprised.

  "After this, I'd better hide this treasure well or give it to someone as soon as possible. I'm not afraid of thieves stealing it, but rather that they'll keep an eye on it." Zhao Yan emphasized the word "thief" and turned back to look at Wang Xichen with a meaningful gaze.

  "How dare you call me a thief, you white-eyed wolf! If it weren't for me, the eldest brother on the mountain, coming up with strategies for you, you would have died a long time ago." Wang Xichen said with a stifled tone. The soldiers behind him secretly sighed, only Mr. Wang and General Xue dared to joke around with His Highness like this.

  "I didn't ask you to come up with a plan, who made you so idle?" Zhao Yan smiled and said.

  "You..." Wang Xichen couldn't help but get tongue-tied. Just got off the train and rushed to write a chapter, wishing everyone a happy Lantern Festival, reunion and happiness.