Chapter 2790 - 2789: Gathering Storms of War

Chapter 2790: Chapter 2789: Gathering Storms of War

Back then, regarding the matter of King Li Yuanhao of Western Xia, Duke Song Gongming of Qi, along with Duke Chao Gai of Lu, Duke Lu Junyi of Yan, Duke Lin Chong of Wu and many other dukes and generals, interceded for Li Yuanhao and thoroughly offended Cai Jing.

Cai Jing found an opportunity to have Song Gongming imprisoned, after which Chao Gai rebelled without a word.

He had always been in correspondence with Song Gongming, and the prison head of the Capital’s Great Prison was Chao Gai’s man.

Song Gongming never wanted to rebel, but the road ahead was at a dead end.

He was completely disillusioned with the Great Songg, no longer hoping to save it through official channels.

As a duke of Qizhou, no matter how hard he tried, he could not reach the center of power.

Once he raised his banner, heroes from all directions responded immediately.

Song Gongming had a wide network of friends in Qizhou and the court, far surpassing Chao Gai.

The first to join him was none other than the three who almost dug out Song Gongming’s heart at Green Wind Mountain, Wang Ying and his companions.

They brought over a thousand soldiers and horses from Green Wind Mountain, and Songjiang treated them with respect, bestowing rewards at once.

Song Yuchan couldn’t stand them at all; if it weren’t for her father keeping them, she would have driven these three bandits away.

In her mind, the most minimum standard for her subordinates was someone like Yan Qing and Wu Song, who were from good, decent families.

When the news reached the Capital City, Tong Guan and Gao Qiu were almost scared to death.

Song Gongming was someone they vouched for, yet as soon as he was released, he rebelled.

If Huizong knew, wouldn’t he scold them to death?

Tong Guan called Gao Qiu over and made someone beat Gao Qiu in front of everyone.

Gao Qiu wailed and said to Tong Guan, "Forgive me, Privy Council Envoy; I am willing to make amends by capturing Chao Gai and Song Jiang’s rebel gang myself."

"At least you know what’s right!"

That was exactly what Tong Guan wanted to hear; getting angry wouldn’t solve anything now.

He only hoped to remedy the situation and please His Majesty.

Just as he finished losing his temper, someone came in saying Huizong summoned him and Gao Qiu to the palace.

"This is all your fault!"

Tong Guan glared angrily at Gao Qiu, got dressed in official robes, and took Gao Qiu to face the Emperor.

When they arrived, Wang Fu and Li Bangyan were already attending to Huizong.

The two had reported the matter; previously when Gao Qiu privately released Song Gongming, it infuriated Cai Jing.

Now they finally had an opportunity to punish Gao Qiu; how could they let it pass?

Upon confirming the news of Song Gongming’s rebellion, Wang Fu and Li Bangyan immediately informed the Emperor, reporting the matter to Huizong.

Huizong was indeed furious and called Tong Guan and Gao Qiu in.

Both stood awkwardly before the throne, not daring to lift their heads.

Huizong threw the memorial in his hand at them, scolding, "Didn’t you say Song Gongming wouldn’t rebel? Take a good look at what he has done since returning!"

Gao Qiu was troubled, thinking that Song Gongming originally didn’t intend to rebel, but who asked you to kill his son and make him eat him as buns?

Such a great insult, who could endure it!

Though he thought all this, how could he blame the Emperor, kneeling immediately in the hall, saying to Huizong, "Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, made a mistake in judgment and was deceived by Song Gongming. He pretended to be loyal while harboring treachery. I wanted to quell the rebels for the Great Songg and vouched for him against my better judgment. Who knew he would commit such heinous acts? Your Majesty can rest assured; I will lead the expedition myself and ensure the destruction of the rebel leaders Song Jiang and Chao Gai!"

Sitting on one side, Li Shishi charmingly smiled at Huizong and said, "Chancellor Gao couldn’t recognize the person, not his fault. It proves that Song Gongming indeed harbored malicious intentions. When a ruler commands death, a minister cannot refuse. It was just one son Your Majesty killed, yet he committed such treacherous acts. It shows his disloyalty to Your Majesty. Fortunately, it was discovered in time, and he didn’t continue to deceive Your Majesty. If Chancellor Gao can remedy this and eradicate the rebels, it wouldn’t be a bad thing."

Huizong nodded and coldly snorted, "Did you hear that? My consort has better insight than you all."

He decreed on the spot, "Gao Qiu, I appoint you as the Great Marshal to suppress the rebels, gather soldiers and horses, and personally confront Song Gongming and his cohorts. Unless both rebels are eliminated, do not return."

"Your humble servant accepts the edict!"

Gao Qiu knelt to thank the Emperor, accepting the assignment to save his own neck.

Wang Fu and Li Bangyan sneered beside him, thinking that Gao Qiu, who had switched allegiance, had his day too.

Tong Guan glanced at them, and after Huizong dismissed court, he brushed his sleeves and left, leaving Gao Qiu alone in the hall.

Gao Qiu glanced at Wang Fu and Li Bangyan, but still chased after Tong Guan.

He had no soldiers at his disposal and could only rely on Tong Guan to help him mobilize some troops.

After returning to Tong Guan’s residence, Gao Qiu fawningly said, "Privy Council Envoy, I took all the responsibility on the hall just now. Please, have mercy and help me gather troops to defeat the rebels. Otherwise, my small life will truly be over."

Tong Guan replied, "The Imperial Army of the Capital City, half of them have gone to the provinces to suppress rebels, and there isn’t even one soldier to mobilize. Gathering troops is your task to solve. Without the Imperial Army, you need to find a way to mobilize the Garrison Troops. I’ll give you the authority to deploy troops front; don’t trouble me further with this."

"The Garrison Troops?"

Gao Qiu was at a loss, thinking, can Garrison Troops even fight?

The Great Songg Dynasty had always been wary of local powers during its establishment and focused on developing the Imperial Army to concentrate power and prevent rebellion.

Garrison Troops were local militia for self-defense at best.

Given the conditions, Tong Guan had said as much, and Gao Qiu knew further requests would be in vain.

After retreating, he pondered over it and immediately wrote a letter to his uncle and elder brother in Qizhou, Gao Lian.

Gao Lian was the governor of Gaotang State under Qizhou, with some troops under him, and had learned the methods of Huang and Xuan.

With his brother’s help, Gao Qiu could establish himself firmly in Gaotang State and use it as a base to mobilize troops and fight Chao and Song’s "traitors."

On the land of Qi and Lu, armies were on the move.

War clouds gathered, and even ordinary people could sense the tense atmosphere preceding a great battle.

On Liangshan Island, Long Fei observed the sky.

He saw golden energy descending, stirring the wind and clouds.

A hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Generals manifested in the sky.

Clad in golden armor and divine robes, holding long spears and banners, they stood respectfully in the distance.

The disciples of Liangshan Island all looked up, some fearing the Heavenly Court’s army had come to attack Liangshan Island again and were ready to sound the alarm.

Lin Yingying ordered, arranging the disciples into formation, cleansing the ground with pure water in preparation to welcome the descent of great figures.

Thunder rolled in the sky, the wind stirring.

Countless phantom petals descended constantly, and among the clouds, nine golden dragons spiraled continuously.

Soon, an extremely luxurious and majestic chariot descended from the heavens.

Nine fiery red phoenixes pulled the chariot, followed by a group of fairies, landing directly on Liangshan Island.

The island’s defensive barriers had been removed, and as the chariot descended, the nine phoenixes bowed to the ground.

First, a woman came off the chariot, lifting the beaded curtain strung with gems in front.

A woman wearing a phoenix crown and dressed in a red phoenix-embroidered robe, her face showing three parts majesty, three parts nobility, and three parts smile, greeted Lin Yingying, Wang Xiaoya, and Lin Shanshan, saying, "Xian’er greets the Great Lady, Second Lady, and Little Aunt!"

Lin Yingying happily nodded and, accompanied by Wang Xiaoya and Lin Shanshan on her left and right, went up to support her arm and said, "Now that you are an Emperor of the Heavenly Court, why perform such great courtesy?"