I Became a Sugar Mama to an Ancient General during a Famine! - Chapter 49

Chapter 49: General, Shall We Rebel?

Chen Kui reverently presented the emperor’s secret letter to Zhan Chengyin.

Zhan Chengyin unfolded the letter.

The Zhan family army had secured three consecutive victories, slaughtering tens of thousands of barbarians. News had already reached the capital, sending shockwaves through the imperial court!

Even the common people knew of these victories.

His reputation among the people had soared to unprecedented heights, subtly eclipsing that of the royal family.

The court intended to strip him of his military power—they couldn’t simply stand by and watch him grow stronger, amassing both fame and fortune.

The court was so determined to eliminate Zhan Chengyin that they would willingly sacrifice the strategic stronghold of Zhen Guan, with its twenty thousand soldiers and twenty thousand merchants, surrendering it to the barbarians.

The imperial court and its officials, having grown complacent in the capital’s comfort, remained oblivious that the barbarians’ next move would be to breach the Central Plains, occupy the capital, massacre the populace, and overthrow the Great Qi Kingdom!

The young emperor was short-sighted, narrow-minded, and obstinate.

Prime Minister Su was consumed by greed, spending his days devising new taxes and levies to amass wealth.

They were completely unaware that the kingdoms of Chu and Yong had long been eyeing Great Qi with ill intentions.

These two nations were willing to set aside years of enmity just to unite and devour Great Qi whole.

Zhan Chengyin’s brows furrowed deeply as he handed the letter back to Chen Kui.

Seeing his expression, Chen Kui hastened to explain.

“General, you know how you’ve treated us subordinates. Both Chen Wu and I are unwaveringly loyal to you.”

“We would never even contemplate assassinating you.”

“If it weren’t for the food and water you provided through divine means, my family, Chen Wu’s children, Mo Fan, and everyone in this city would have perished from starvation by now.”

“The drought in the Central Plains hasn’t lifted yet. Even if I had to kill that old fox Xu Huai, I would never kill you!”

Zhan Chengyin’s martial prowess was unmatched. Even if the two brothers joined forces, they stood little chance against him.

The young emperor had banished them to Zhen Guan, nearly starving them to death.

Now he sought to destroy their very livelihood.

Zhan Chengyin was the lifeblood of all of Zhen Guan!

How could they possibly murder their benefactor and destroy their own future?

Even if they were to rebel, they would never harm Zhan Chengyin.

Even Mo Fan, the pampered young noble, knew better than to cross Zhan Chengyin.

What could the emperor be thinking?

Without hesitation, Chen Kui tore up the secret letter and set it ablaze.

He turned to Mo Fan and declared, “Young master, about this secret letter—this general never received it, never read it. We know nothing of it!”

Mo Fan scratched his nose and glanced around. “I didn’t see anything either!”

Zhan Chengyin sighed, “There will be a second letter. Avoiding it isn’t the solution!”

At this, Chen Kui pulled Zhan Chengyin to a secluded corner of the warehouse and lowered his voice.

“General, why don’t we rebel? We’ll start by dealing with Xu Huai!”

“Look at your position—you have divine support. What can’t we accomplish? Must we continue bowing to the emperor? Continue enduring Prime Minister Su’s oppression? I’ve had enough of that old fox!”

Zhan Chengyin fixed his deep black eyes on Chen Kui. Clean-shaven and dressed in new clothes, his skin was dark but immaculate. He had filled out somewhat, his square face appearing fierce yet concealing a kind heart.

He asked, “After eliminating Xu Huai, what then?”

“We rebel, naturally! First, we’ll deal with the barbarians, then march back to the capital and eliminate them all!”

Zhan Chengyin shook his head. “I’m afraid that won’t work.”

“Why not? The emperor ordered me and Chen Wu to assassinate you. If we don’t act, we’re dead anyway. Since we’re facing death either way, why not aim higher!”

“We have food, water, advanced weapons, and explosives… Who in the capital could possibly stand against us?”

“Word is the capital’s already suffering from food and water shortages, with refugees everywhere. If we return soon, we might even save countless lives.”

Zhan Chengyin replied, “The armies of Chu and Yong are merely a hundred and fifty miles from our border, poised to strike Zhen Guan at any moment!”

Chen Kui’s eyes widened. “Those two kingdoms truly mean to attack?”

Chen Kui had only known of the Yong emperor’s attempts to recruit Zhan Chengyin.

He hadn’t realized they also sought his death.

It was a two-pronged strategy—recruitment in the open, assassination in the shadows.

Zhan Chengyin continued, “Their plan is to conquer Great Qi. Once Zhen Guan falls, they’ll unite with the barbarians and march straight to the capital, dividing our kingdom’s lands between them!”

According to the ancient texts bestowed by the gods, this was precisely how the Qi Kingdom would fall.

His own death was likely approaching.

Chu and Yong had originally wanted to make their move, but they didn’t expect the Zhan family army to be so formidable.

Tens of thousands of barbarians had been killed, and they had now retreated a hundred miles.

The southern and northern gates now stood unguarded.

Luo Ge had awakened to find both his legs destroyed by the explosion, condemned to life as a cripple.

For this failure, the Northern Desert court had stripped him of his command and dispatched a new general to Zhen Guan.

The Zhan family army had won three consecutive victories, and while they appeared triumphant, the situation remained precarious. The barbarians hadn’t fully withdrawn, and the kingdoms of Chu and Yong watched like hungry wolves from the shadows.

Now, the court was undermining them further by sending Xu Huai to cause internal strife.

“To repel external threats, we must first secure our internal position. We’ll turn Xu Huai’s soldiers into our own men.”

Chen Kui frowned. “General, these men have served Xu Huai for twenty years. Can they truly be persuaded to fight for us?”

“I have food!”

“Xu Huai came to usurp your military authority. He may not yield to you.”

“I have food and water!”

Chen Kui scratched his head. “Perhaps I’m overthinking this.”

Mo Fan, who had been standing silently behind them, had heard everything.

Military Advisor Zhuang Liang had recommended taking a diplomatic approach.

He spoke up, “General, how do you plan to win over Xu Huai’s troops?”

Zhan Chengyin contemplated for a moment. “We’ll integrate them into the Zhan family units. As veterans, each will receive ten kilograms of rice, five kilograms of flour, five packs of salt, and a barrel of oil monthly. Water will be supplied without restriction.”

Zhuang Liang smiled. “An excellent strategy. Even if their loyalty to Xu Huai runs deep, they won’t let their families starve. They’ll join the Zhan army.”

“Right, the notice we posted on the streets of Chu Kingdom said joining the Zhan family army would get 60 catties of rice and 30 catties of flour. There are already a thousand people who have come to the city gates with their families. Should we let them in?”

Letting in people from Chu carried the risk of spies infiltrating the camp.

But refusing them entry would expose the deception, and no one else would volunteer for service.

Managing these newcomers would pose a significant challenge.

Zhan Chengyin furrowed his brow in deep contemplation. “With no barbarian forces stationed at the southern and northern gates, we’ll settle the Chu recruits and their families within five miles of the gates. We’ll arrange proper accommodation for them.”

“Chen Kui, dispatch a hundred-man unit to oversee the integration of these new recruits. Provide them with military uniforms, weapons, armor, and footwear… Distribute the promised provisions and ensure daily water rations.”

“Register all family members and make it clear—by joining the Zhan family army, they become citizens of Zhen Guan, severing all ties with Chu.”

“All recruits must participate in daily gate patrols. Should war break out, their families will be granted sanctuary within the city walls, where we’ll designate a specific area for their residence.”

Chen Kui nodded with approval. “I’ll see to the arrangements immediately.”

After Chen Kui’s departure, Military Advisor Zhuang Liang smiled and remarked, “General, your plan is masterfully crafted.”

“By the way, one of the three Taoist we summoned earlier has arrived—the young one who came for provisions. He expresses a desire to join your ranks. He awaits outside the gates.”

“What business does a Taoist have joining the army?”

Typically, Taoist possessed either hereditary secrets or teachings passed down from great masters.

The National Advisor of Great Qi was himself a renowned Taoist —with his whisk in hand, he exuded an otherworldly aura befitting an immortal sage.

This young man’s desire to join the military ranks struck Zhan Chengyin as rather unusual.

“Bring him in.”

Zhan Chengyin took his seat at the head of Chen Kui’s reception hall.

Chen Kui’s family served him hot tea.

The young Taoist introduced himself as Shi Meng, also known as Xun Lin Zhenren. He was twenty-one years old and not a native of Great Qi. He had been stranded at Zhen Guan for half a year.

Now, with the great drought making escape impossible, he had resolved to remain.