Chapter 14: The Eastern King Yang Xiuqing (Part 10)

  Li Zhen and Huang Shi Hai went to Nanjing, advancing with great fanfare.

  On the way, Li Zhen sent someone to spread out the purpose of going to Nanjing, openly and honestly saying that it was for the lives of 10,000 Taiping Army soldiers to go to Nanjing for negotiations, showing his attitude.

  Li Zhen went boldly and safely because the Taiping Army did not dare to deal with Li Zhen.

  Whoever killed Li Zhen is the one who disregarded the lives of 10,000 soldiers.

  However, the closer they got to Nanjing, the more serious Huang Shi Hai's expression became. His task was to protect Li Zhen's safety, and if anything happened to Li Zhen, he would also be in danger. Moreover, the soldiers of the Sharp Blade Camp were also uncertain about their future, so Huang Shi Hai felt extra pressure. On the other hand, Li Zhen seemed more and more relaxed, without any pressure at all.

  ……

  Nanjing, Dongwangfu.

  In the great hall, a majestic man sat upright. He wore a yellow dragon robe and a golden crown on his head, exuding an aura of unyielding dignity that made people in the hall dare not look straight at him.

  This man was none other than Yang Xiuqing, the Eastern King.

  Li Yongbao was defeated and killed, and the news of the capture of 10,000 soldiers spread back. Yang Xiuqing was greatly enraged. Yang Zhengqing was his brother, and Li Yongbao was one of his generals. The defeat and death of the two led to a decline in his prestige. Yang Xiuqing wanted to turn the tide of defeat, so he pondered leading his army to attack the Jiangbei camp, to wipe out the shame.

  Yang Xiuqing's expression was stern, his eyes scanning the civil and military officials below him as he said: "Yang Zhengqing and Li Yongbao have been killed, the Qing rebels are becoming increasingly rampant, and the Jiangbei camp has also become a festering sore. I intend to personally lead an expedition against Qi Shan, what do you all think?"

  "Your Majesty, I think it's absolutely impermissible."

  A middle-aged scholar stepped out from the main seat on the left side of the grand hall and said.

  Zhao Qingquan, a middle-aged scholar, was once a down-and-out licentiate. When Yang Xiuqing raised the flag of rebellion, Zhao Qingquan followed him in resistance and became his advisor.

  Yang Xiuqing asked: "Qingquan, what's your opinion?"

  Zhao Qingquan replied: "Your Highness, if we fail in attacking the Jiangbei Grand Camp, what will be the consequences?"

  Yang Xiuqing's expression immediately turned gloomy upon hearing this.

  At this time, another general stood out on the right side of the hall, respectfully saluted Yang Xiuqing and said: "Your Majesty, if you lead the army to attack Jiangbei's camp, you will surely win. Zhao Qingquan, as Your Majesty's strategist, was relied upon by Your Majesty as his left and right arm, but he did not think of making plans for Your Majesty, instead he spoke alarmingly, and should be killed!"

  His name is Duan Zhenggang, a valiant general under Yang Xiuqing's command.

  Duan Zheng was also one of the earliest followers of Yang Xiuqing, and had fought bravely alongside him. That's why Duan looked down on everyone, especially those like Zhao Qingquan who only talked big but didn't take action.

  Zhao Qingquan retorted: "General Duan, you only know how to fight and kill, have you considered the prince's situation?"

  Duan Zheng just coldly said: "The King and the Heavenly King are on an equal footing, what kind of situation can they be in?"

  Zhao Qingquan said: "It is precisely because the king and the heavenly king are on an equal footing that we must be careful. Yang Zhengqing and Li Yongbao were killed, but it was only a minor injury, so there's no need to worry. If the king personally led the expedition, but was defeated by the Qing army, it would put the king in a passive position, so he cannot easily go on an expedition."

  Duan Zheng shouted loudly: "Nonsense!"

  Yang Xiuning nodded in agreement with Zhao Qingquan's words.

  A tall tree catches the wind, it's not easy!

  Zhao Qingquan continued: "As long as it is a military campaign, we must consider the worst consequences. I raised the consequences of Wang Ye's failure, and it is not alarmist talk, this is an existing thing. This point must be taken into consideration, this is to think about Wang Ye's great cause, for the future of the country. As long as Wang Ye controls the overall situation, the Heavenly Dynasty can stand firmly in Nanjing, without fear of the Qing dynasty's attack."

  Yang Xiuqing listened to these words and felt relieved all over, as if the gloom of a moment before had vanished.

  Duan Zheng just couldn't get the better of Zhao Qingquan and fell silent.

  Yang Xiuqing asked: "Qingquan, since I am unable to send troops, what about the captured soldiers?"

  "Your Majesty, this is the most difficult part."

  Zhao Qingquan shook his head and said, "If 10,000 soldiers were killed or captured by the Qing army after a fierce battle, it would be glorious. But now being trapped in Jiangbei Camp is indeed somewhat troublesome."

  Yang Xiuling frowned and said: "Can't this matter be dropped?"

  Just as Zhao Qingquan was feeling embarrassed, a guard from the East King's palace rushed in.

  The guard ran to Yang Xiuqing's side in small steps without reporting, and whispered for a while. After listening, Yang Xiuqing's face changed greatly, and he waved his hand to dismiss the soldier. Yang Xiuqing said: "Just now I received news that Li Zhenchao, a general of Jiangbei Dazheng, is rushing to Nanjing to negotiate the matter of more than 10,000 soldiers."

  Duan Zhengchun immediately said: "Your Highness, this scoundrel dares to come to Nanjing, I must flay him."

  Yang Xiuqing snorted and said, "This matter has already been made known to the whole city, all the people know that Li Zhen came with sincerity to negotiate. If Li Zhen is killed, resulting in the death of 10,000 soldiers from the Jiangbei camp, can you bear the responsibility? If we don't care about the lives and deaths of 10,000 soldiers, who will go to the battlefield to fight?"

  Yang Xiuling was impatient in her heart and spoke without reserve, directly leaving Duan Zhenggang speechless.

  Zhao Qingquan said: "Your Highness, this may be an opportunity."

  "What opportunity?"

  Zhao Qingquan said: "Since Li Zhenlai has come to discuss the matter, the king can redeem 10,000 soldiers and also ask for the ashes of the dead soldiers to be returned, showing that the king loves his soldiers like sons. After the news spreads, the 10,000 soldiers will be grateful to the king and the soldiers in the army will be more loyal to the king. The impact of Yang Zhengqing and Li Yongbao's defeat and death will also be weakened."

  Yang Xiuqing said: "Although things are not bad, the Heavenly King is unlikely to agree easily."

  Zhao Qingquan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the Heavenly King must agree. If he refuses, it will prove that he does not care about the lives of 10,000 soldiers, and no one dares to stop this matter."

  Yang Xiuqing heard this and a cunning smile spread across his face.

  He let out a sigh of relief and said bluntly, "Alright, let's talk to Li Zhen. But if Li Zhen is a softie, we can scare him off and easily take back the 10,000 soldiers."

  Zhao Qingquan said: "The king is wise, I also think that Li Zhen cannot be killed, but we must test him."

  Yang Xiuling asked with interest: "What should we do?"

  Zhao Qingquan replied, "Li Zhen has arrived in Nanjing and must enter the city to pay respects to the king. In that case, let someone block Li Zhen at the city gate or have someone take action against Li Zhen outside the palace. In short, make Li Zhen lose face and fall into bad luck. After meeting with the king, Li Zhen will lose his edge, and the king can then subdue him with one move, achieving our goal."

  "Your Majesty, I am willing to go."

  Duan Zheng just stood up, clasped his fists and requested. He had been holding back for a long time, feeling very unhappy in his heart, and was extremely disgusted with Li Zhen. Now that he had the opportunity to deal with Li Zhen, he wanted to take action.

  Zhao Qingquan frowned and said: "General Duan, you are doing things hastily, I'm afraid it's not good!"

  "Fart, how did I become so flustered."

  Duan Zhenggang's anger was about to burst, and he patted his chest to guarantee: "Zhao Qingquan, ask the other generals if anyone thinks I, Duan Zhenggang, am muddle-headed and truly unreasonable." He looked at Yang Xiuqing and clasped his fists, saying: "Your Majesty, this general will go to the city gate to wait for Li Zhen to take the bait, guaranteeing that nothing will go wrong."

  Yang Xiuqing's eyes scanned and saw Zhao Qingquan's mouth with a smile, knowing that this was Zhao Qingquan's trick. He nodded in agreement and said: "I believe you, take the soldiers to the city gate and wait."

  "Thank you, Your Highness!"

  Duan Zhenggong glanced at Zhao Qingquan with a pleased expression, then turned and left.

  P.S: Haven't revised yet, found repeated chapters, sorry.