Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors
Chapter 260 - 204 Stratagem_3

Chapter 260: Chapter 204 Stratagem_3

"Generals, I have a strategy that can capture Ma Anbang alive."

"General Chen, accompany me with fifty cavalry to Ma Anbang’s camp, of course, and inform him thusly..."

"General Zhang, you stay here to rally the rest of the Rebel Army. After we seize Ma Anbang, we’ll head south together to seek refuge with the Qi Dynasty. Also, you’ll need to arrange fast horses along the way..."

After a series of instructions, Li Hongyun finally persuaded the two generals to follow his plan.

Soon, fifty elite cavalrymen were selected.

Leading them was General Chen Shilong, but the real mastermind was actually Yu Jiaxuan, played by Li Hongyun.

As for Zhang Jun, his task was to gather the remnants, arrange the fast horses, and ensure that as soon as Li Hongyun and General Chen Shilong captured Ma Anbang, they could immediately lead the Rebel Army southward to seek refuge with the Qi Dynasty.

...

Inside the military camp.

Ma Anbang was drinking merrily with several Jin Army generals.

"Lord Governor, your abandonment of darkness for light and your efforts to exterminate Commander Geng have truly merited great achievement. His Majesty is already aware of this matter. The position of governor is but one of your rewards; there are definitely more to come. Congratulations, Ma Governor!"

One Jin general lifted his cup, congratulating Ma Anbang in somewhat halting Chinese.

Since the establishment of Jin Country, its people had been learning the language and script of the Qi Dynasty, and their various systems also took cues from Qi. Even Wanyan Hailing, the current ruler of Jin, was himself a talented poet, having penned ’Leading a million troops to the riverfront, he stands upon the first peak of Mount Wu.’

The ambition to swallow Qi Dynasty wholesale was unmistakably clear.

Ma Anbang responded with a sycophantic smile, "What are you saying, General! If it weren’t for all of your support, how could I be where I am today? Without your troops, how could I have killed that man with the surname Geng?

"I, as Lord Governor, shall never forget the grace bestowed upon me by everyone. Drink up, drink up!"

Among the clinking of cups and exchanging of toasts, Ma Anbang’s face grew a bit flushed. Noticing the night had grown deep, he stood up to take his leave.

The group of Jin generals did not insist on keeping him and instead continued their own drinking.

Though they had exchanged pleasantries galore, Ma Anbang, after all, was an outsider. Once he had left, these Jin generals had other matters to discuss amongst themselves.

Leaving the feasting tent, the night breeze blew in. Perhaps it was recent success making Ma Anbang a bit complacent; the cool night air did not serve to sober him up, but rather deepened his intoxication, leaving him only wanting to return to his own camp for a deep slumber.

Just then, a messenger came to report.

"Lord Governor! There is someone by the name of Chen Shilong outside the camp. He claims to be an old friend of yours from afar and wishes to meet with you!"

Ma Anbang was taken aback, "Chen Shilong? What does he want?"

If it had been a name he’d never heard of, Ma Anbang naturally would not have entertained the visit.

But Chen Shilong, he knew.

The two had both served in Commander Geng’s Rebel Army before and had met on several occasions; although they were not close, they were indeed acquainted.

Ma Anbang knew that Chen Shilong still commanded at least a few thousand soldiers and was a known figure within the Rebel Army.

However, Ma Anbang did not go to meet him immediately, instead asking, "How many people has he brought?"

The scout reported truthfully, "Lord Governor, just over fifty cavalry."

Ma Anbang was taken aback, "Just over fifty cavalry?

"Could it be that... he’s coming to submit to me?"

When he first heard Chen Shilong’s name, Ma Anbang had been somewhat uneasy. After all, he had killed Commander Geng and had become sworn enemies with the Rebel Army.

But, the situation within the Rebel Army was extremely complex. Very few people were truly devoted followers of Commander Geng; many others, like Yunfeng Monk and himself, were opportunists, or simply fence-sitters without firm opinions.

Since Ma Anbang didn’t know Chen Shilong well, at first, he also wondered if this was an enemy coming for revenge.

But hearing it was only just over fifty cavalry, Ma Anbang dismissed this thought.

This was his territory, manned by fifty thousand men!

Even if the other side had ten times the courage, they couldn’t possibly consider seeking revenge with just fifty men, right? That wouldn’t be seeking revenge, it would be suicide.

If it wasn’t for revenge, then what could it be for?

Ma Anbang thought it through and realized there was only one possibility.

The other party had come to submit to him and exchange their service for wealth and glory!

After Commander Geng’s death, the entire Rebel Army had fallen apart. To attempt to head south again and seek refuge with the Qi Dynasty, as they had before, was most likely no longer feasible.

With the Rebel Army scattered to the winds, mouths still needed feeding, and a backer was necessary.

Now that Ma Anbang was a governor and had just received many benefits from Jin Country, Chen Shilong, if he’d come to his senses and wanted to submit to Jin, then approaching Ma Anbang, an old acquaintance, would be the best choice.

After all, Chen Shilong couldn’t possibly contact the Jin directly; he would have to start with this old friend.

And Ma Anbang was in fact coveting Chen Shilong’s several thousand men.

If he could persuade these few thousand men to defect, he would not only bolster his own forces but also report such merit to the Jin court.

Thinking it over, he definitely needed to meet.

On one hand, this was his home ground and therefore safer; on the other hand, he was enticed by the prospect of taking over those thousands of troops.

With this in mind, Ma Anbang waved a large hand, "Gather my personal guards! I shall go now to meet this old friend."

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