Cultivation: I Can Reincarnate Into Various Worlds
Chapter 47. Three Poisonous Schemes (Request for More Reading)

Chapter 47: 47. Three Poisonous Schemes (Request for More Reading)

Yao Dang’s face lit up with joy instantly.

When average people flattered him, he considered it nothing special, his expression unchanged.

But when Xu Xing, with his great wisdom, commended him, claiming he had the aura of an enlightened ruler, even with Yao Dang’s political acumen, he found it hard to keep his emotions in check.

Depending on one’s status, the effect of a single word of flattery could be different.

Although the rank of the Eighth Rank Official seemed low, as a bureaucrat in the Capital, being transferred to the countryside meant a raise of three ranks, equivalent to at least a provincial governor.

Although there were Eighteen Rebel Kings on Mount Siming, their power wasn’t that significant. They possessed no more than ten thousand soldiers and fewer than a hundred generals. The territory under their control didn’t even amount to a single county. They only dared to claim kingship by occupying the mountains, holing up in secluded mountain areas...

The concept of official supremacy was ingrained in their minds.

"I beckon Fourth Brother to speak freely..."

Yao Dang collected his thoughts and bowed deeply towards Xu Xing.

「Outside the door.」

The King of Might and the Heavenly Kun King perked up their ears to listen to the conversation inside.

Heavenly Kun King chuckled in satisfaction. "When we revolted before," he said, "we aimlessly waved flags and ran about without any rules or procedures. It wasn’t just us; the flag bearers, the Five Tiger Envoys, the soldiers—everyone was in a confused state. They were uncertain of the future, fearing encirclement and annihilation by the Imperial Court, worrying about the ruin of their families, and just barely scraping by... Second Brother, have you noticed anything? The changes in the mountain stronghold since Mr. Xu arrived at Mount Siming?" he asked.

"What changes?" The King of Might was surprised.

These past few days, he had been hiding in Big Brother’s study, discussing with Yao Dang how to deal with Xu Xing. As a result, he had overlooked the recent changes in the mountain stronghold.

"There is hope!"

"Officials have joined us on Mount Siming..."

"We are no longer mere bandits on Mount Siming," Heavenly Kun King hinted persuasively.

「Mount Siming, Righteousness Hall.」

「Side Hall.」

Xu Xing held a brush in one hand, drawing a map of the administrative divisions of Fengxi Country on a piece of raw silk. "Fengxi Country is divided into sixteen regions. Jiangnan West Road is located in the south; it’s abundant in rainfall, with fertile land and beautiful waters. However, because the Imperial Court’s taxes are burdensome, the Common People of Jiangnan can barely afford to pay their taxes with their annual grain harvest. They even have to borrow food from major households..."

"The calamity in Jiangnan is due to harsh governance, conscriptions, and exorbitant taxation. This results in rebellions year after year. However," Xu Xing shook his head as he spoke, "it is difficult to establish an imperial foundation in Jiangnan West Road. Although the Common People are suffering, they aren’t desperate enough to rely on the rebels, unless there is another natural or man-made disaster."

"Furthermore, Jiangnan is a land of taxation, and the Imperial Court won’t let it be lost. Near Mount Siming alone, Sun Chengxiang’s Feijie Army and Wang An’s Baotao Army are stationed. These two armies have over thirty thousand soldiers and horses combined. Although they are not elite forces, if it weren’t for Mount Siming’s strategically defensible position, perhaps..."

Yao Dang understood what Xu Xing meant. He nodded and said, "Before Fourth Brother came to the stronghold, I also saw that Jiangnan West Road was not a suitable base for achieving great things. I wanted to escape to the north and find another way, but alas, the Imperial Court Army has blockaded us rebels."

He used a vermilion brush to delineate the areas of influence of the various rebels on the map, as well as the Imperial Court troops stationed to suppress them.

It was clear at a glance. The armies of the Imperial Court had trapped the Eighteen Rebel Kings.

Similar to the persistent problems of Mount Siming, everyone could see what was wrong, but it was difficult to propose an effective method of reform.

"The one in charge of suppressing the Eighteen Rebel Kings..." Yao Dang mused.

"To my knowledge, it should be Taiwei Wei Wentong in the Court. This man has managed military affairs for many years and is no benevolent figure. To escape from this dragon’s trap..."

Xu Xing put forward his trump card. "First, create public opinion. Spread rumors in Shenjing that Wei Wentong intends to rebel, hence he surrounds but does not attack, cultivating the enemy to consolidate his own power, aiming for the actual authority of a King Who Guards the South."

"Secondly, convene a Hero Assembly, remotely honor Monk Shang as the Alliance Leader, and lead the masses in a life-or-death battle against the official soldiers."

"Thirdly, gather the gold and silver from all Eighteen Rebel Kings..."

He proposed three insidious plans.

King of Sorrow Yao Dang could understand the first two, but the third one left him somewhat confused.

"The rebel kings may not necessarily hand over their gold and silver..." he questioned. "Besides, what use would the gold and silver be?"

"The Feijie Army and Baotao Army are Local Armies," Xu Xing explained. "The armies besieging the Eighteen Rebel Kings... are also likely mostly Local Armies. If I’m not mistaken, Wei Wentong is using the Imperial Court Forbidden Army to pressure the Local Armies, sending them to their deaths. This is a strategy of strengthening the central authority by weakening the regional powers..."

Xu Xing gave a light chuckle. "Wei Wentong does this for two reasons. Firstly, to eliminate local forces for the Imperial Court, strengthening the center while weakening the periphery. Secondly, the Shenjing Forbidden Army... they are all supposedly ’brave men’ who can’t withstand any real impact."

Having spent several years in Shenjing, he knew the character of these Forbidden Army soldiers. They excelled in feasting, drinking, womanizing, and gambling, but when it came to fighting, even their military drills were barely passable...

"Take the gold and silver from the Righteous Army, not to buy anything else, but to purchase grain from various regions at high prices. Discreetly transport it near the Forbidden Army camps, then move it again and sell it at low prices in neighboring areas... You must know, the Local Armies are almost as poor as beggars."

"This way, we can achieve two things. Firstly, create discord between the Local Army and the Forbidden Army. Secondly, sow suspicion between Wei Wentong and the Shenjing Forbidden Army Generals. Discord between commanders and their generals is a major taboo in military affairs."

"Once these schemes are implemented, as long as we concentrate our forces to break through here..." Xu Xing pointed at the map, specifically at Monk Shang’s Heyang Mountain region. "We will gather the Righteous Army, break through the Local Armies—specifically, the Whitestep Army and Wuyi Army—that are blockading the Righteous Army at Heyang Mountain. Then, we will strike directly at the Palace Front Army of the Forbidden Army..."

"Take a bite out of the Forbidden Army’s flesh, exposing the Imperial Court’s weakness to these local generals. And when the Imperial Court and local administrations are at odds, the local generals will seek to protect themselves; they won’t send reinforcements..."

When one’s position is weak, victory can only be achieved through stratagems. It is difficult to crush an opponent with overwhelming momentum alone. Xu Xing understood this very clearly.

"I am enlightened." After hearing Xu Xing’s analysis and plans, Yao Dang was completely convinced.

The third plan, buying and selling grain, was truly an insidious scheme. While Wei Wentong commanded the Imperial Court Forbidden Army, he could only order them into battle. In terms of personnel matters... Wei Wentong had no authority to interfere with the Forbidden Army’s operations. Therefore, Wei Wentong was completely unaware whether the Forbidden Army embezzled military pay and rations or sold off their grain.

Given the Forbidden Army’s reputation, outsiders would certainly believe this to be true.

If military discipline was not rectified, Wei Wentong would find it difficult to manage the army. However, if he punished the Forbidden Army Generals, he would inevitably alienate the Forbidden Army. Coupled with the ruthlessness of the first plan, Wei Wentong would surely be forced back to the Imperial Court by the combined pressure of the Forbidden Army Generals.

Changing commanders on the eve of battle, with the Forbidden Army and Local Armies already at odds with each other...

"With Fourth Brother..." Yao Dang sighed in admiration. "All under Heaven can be ours!"

"Big Brother, you overpraise me," Xu Xing said modestly. "I am merely deeply familiar with the Imperial Court’s chronic ailments, so I prescribe the right medicine for the illness, much like Butcher Ding carving an ox. If Big Brother were in my position, he could also devise such a plan."

He wasn’t speaking falsely with these words. Strong fortresses are often breached from within.

As one of the Imperial Court’s Civil and Military Officers, he was very familiar with its operational systems. When it came to dealing with Imperial Court Soldiers, it wasn’t that he would always succeed, but he definitely possessed a deeper understanding of their weaknesses than the leaders of the Righteous Armies.

"After the trapped dragon breaks free into the ocean, then..."

Xu Xing continued to elaborate on the grand future envisioned for Mount Siming.

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