Moma Liangshan

Chapter 47 Gold and Silver Scattered, Fierce Battle in the Wind and Rain

Yangzhou, located between the Central Plains and Jiangnan, was a major town in Huainan with a vast territory. Wang Hao resided at the Yangzhou North Post Station. Traveling south along the official road for eighty li, passing through Yangzhou city, one could reach the Yangzhou South Post Station. The Yangzhou North and South Post Stations, connecting the Central Plains to Jiangnan, were among the busiest of the thousands of post stations in the Northern Song Dynasty. From the Yangzhou South Post Station, it was a day's journey to Guazhou Town. Guazhou Town was both the confluence of the Grand Canal and the Yangtze River, and a harbor for ferries traveling between the two banks. Wen Da and Suo Chao entered the post station at night and left quietly, leaving no trace. The next morning, after breakfast, Wang Hao and his party packed their bags and set off as usual. Wen Da dispatched two elite soldiers to track them along the way, while he and Suo Chao led the main force two li behind, proceeding at a leisurely pace. Two hours after noon, Wang Hao arrived at the Yangzhou South Post Station. Wen Da and Suo Chao, with their troops, stayed overnight at a nearby inn. In the dead of night, under sparse starlight, Wen Da and Suo Chao, carrying a hacksaw, scaled the wall and entered the post station. Eight large carts were neatly lined up inside the courtyard. Wen Da and Suo Chao exchanged a glance, then crouched beneath the two middle carts. They laid out burlap sacks on the ground and used the hacksaw to damage the axles. A few breaths later, the axles were mostly cracked, splintering wood. They gathered all the wood chips in the burlap sacks and carried them away. Back at the inn, Suo Chao said, "Jiangnan is humid, and tonight the clouds are thick. There's likely to be wind and rain tomorrow and the day after." Wen Da nodded and said, "Prepare straw hats and raincoats tomorrow. If Wang Hao stays at the post station, we'll wait for our chance; if he braves the rain, we'll accompany him to the end."

The next morning, the weather was overcast. Wang Hao summoned a courier and asked, "Will it rain today?" The courier replied respectfully, "During the plum rain season, dark clouds mean rain, and it will be continuous. It's unlikely to clear up for at least six or seven days." Wang Hao looked at Yang Zhi and said, "Set off immediately. We must reach Guazhou Town today." Yang Zhi agreed, and the group hurriedly departed. The elite soldiers outside the post station, seeing Wang Hao's convoy depart, quickly returned to report. Wen Da and the others, carrying straw hats and raincoats, followed closely behind. By midday, they had traveled more than twenty li from the post station. The road began to become rugged, and the farmland on both sides gradually thinned out, replaced by barren forests and grasslands. A mountain breeze blew through the forest, making the air even more damp. Ruan Xiaowu looked up at the sky and joked, "These thick, dark clouds look just like Second Brother's son's wet cotton pants; you could squeeze water out of them." Everyone laughed. Ruan Xiaoer laughed and said, "What's the point of wearing cotton pants in summer? Besides, that kid's six years old now; he doesn't wet his pants anymore." Ruan Xiaoqi also said, "It's been over a year since we left Dongping Lake. We really miss the brothers in the village!" Hearing the three Ruan brothers express their homesickness, Wang Hao said, "Once we've finished dealing with things in Mingzhou, I'll definitely give everyone a long vacation so they can rest and recuperate." The three Ruan brothers were overjoyed. Ruan Xiaoqi asked, "Young Master, are you serious?" Wang Hao replied, "A gentleman's word is as good as his bond!" The three Ruan brothers exchanged glances. Ruan Xiaoer said, "We brothers thank you in advance, Young Master!" Wang Hao said, "We're brothers; there's no need for thanks." Just then, a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, followed by a thunderous roar. Wang Hao shouted, "Speed ​​up! We must reach Guazhou Town before nightfall!" The sound of whips cracked, and the convoy accelerated. However, after traveling only three miles, as they passed a riverbank, the axle of one of the carts suddenly broke, scattering gold and silver across the ground. Wang Hao rushed over and asked, "Can the axle be repaired?" Ruan Xiao'er poked his head out from behind the wheel and said, "The axle is completely broken and beyond repair." Wang Hao asked, "The axle is sturdy; why did it break so easily?" Ruan Xiao'er replied, "Half of the break is smooth; clearly, someone did it intentionally!" Wang Hao frowned and said, "Quickly check the other vehicles to see if there is any damage!" A moment later, Ruan Xiao'wu said, "There's another one; the axle has been sawed off in half." Wang Hao said, "Abandon these two carts, distribute the goods to the other vehicles, and set off immediately." Just then, the sound of hooves rang out, a rapid and urgent rhythm. A burly man's voice rang out, shouting, "Young Master Wang, don't you think it's too late to retreat now?"

Wang Hao looked closely; a dozen or so riders were already fifty paces away. The three Ruan brothers reached for their steel swords at their waists, while Yang Zhi took out his steel spear and said, "They're all warhorses from beyond the Great Wall; they're government troops." Wang Hao frowned and said, "We're marching south on imperial orders. Which government office would dare to openly obstruct us?" After a moment, he said, "Oh no, it's Liang Zhongshu's men!" Yang Zhi immediately understood and said, "The Beijing Garrison Command, who commands the army on horseback and governs the people on foot, can certainly send out such elite troops. But we have no grudge against Daming Prefecture; why would we make things difficult for you, young master?" Wang Hao's lips curled slightly, and he said, "If I told you that I sent men to rob the birthday tribute that Liang Zhongshu was sending to Cai Jing, would you..." "What choice should I make?" Yang Zhi was shocked. He thought, "The affairs of the court are fraught with hidden currents, which I, a convicted criminal, cannot fathom. The young master has done me a great favor and is highly regarded by the emperor. Following him will lead to a bright future." He immediately knelt on one knee and shouted, "I will fight to the death for the young master!" Wang Hao nodded and said, "Do you know that after today's battle, your glory and my loss will be intertwined?" Yang Zhi replied, "I understand!" Wang Hao helped Yang Zhi up, looked around at the crowd, and shouted, "Those who come here are not friendly! Brothers, forget about gold and silver, let's fight back against the invading enemy!" The crowd responded and quickly gathered around Wang Hao.

Seeing this, Suo Chao quickly closed the distance with Wen Da and said, "Wang Hao has gathered his troops in one place, depriving us of the opportunity to defeat them one by one. Should we force a charge?" Wen Da slowed down and said, "Wang Hao's identity is special; he cannot be harmed in the slightest. He can only be intimidated, not killed!" Wen Da agreed and said, "Since we cannot kill him, this humble general will go and challenge him!" Wen Da shook his head and said, "No rush!" He continued forward, and when he was ten paces in front of Wang Hao, he reined in his horse and called out, "Greetings, Young Master Wang!" Seeing that the enemy was prepared, Wang Hao said, "May I ask your name, sir?" Wen Da looked to his left and right and said, "I am Wen Da, the Left Commander of the Beijing Garrison, and eleven officers have come to pay our respects to Young Master Wang!" Wang Hao was surprised and thought to himself, "This man has quite the audacity. He is making things difficult for me to my face without any attempt at concealment!" He replied, "I dare not accept such a visit! The tampering with the axle was probably done by the Commander's men, wasn't it?" Wen Da smiled casually and said, "It was not done by my men!" Wang Hao frowned. Wang Hao said, "Why can't you recognize what the Commander did?" Wen Da replied, "I did it myself!" Wang Hao laughed and said, "Good! Good! Good! Commander, you certainly have a lot of spirit. May I ask what brings you here?" Wen Da said, "Naturally, it's for the jewels on the carriage." Wang Hao said, "Does the Commander intend to kill and rob?" Wen Da denied it, saying, "I only want the goods, not the people!" Wang Hao said, "The gold and silver on the carriage are for building a military port and constructing warships to connect with the Jurchens by sea, attack the Liao Kingdom from both sides, and then recover the Youyun region." Wen Da didn't want to argue and said, "We soldiers are willing to fight to the death for the court. But the gold and silver on your carriage, young master, are my master's birthday tribute to Grand Tutor Cai." Wang Hao neither admitted nor denied it, and asked, "How do you know?" Wen Da looked at the overturned carriage and said, "What your carriage carries are gold and silver utensils, pearls and jade treasures, not gold or silver ingots. In our dynasty, gold and silver ingots are currency, but jewels and utensils are not!"

Wang Hao pondered for a moment and said, "Does the Commander believe that twelve men can defeat twenty of us?" Wen Da smiled slightly and said, "Does Young Master Wang think he has a chance of winning?" Wang Hao looked at Wen Da and said, "We have no enmity, only different stances. Chaotic fighting is pointless. I have a valiant general who is willing to challenge Daming Prefecture!" Wen Da was overjoyed and said, "Young Master, don't regret it." As soon as he finished speaking, Suo Chao and Yang Zhi stepped forward. Seeing Yang Zhi on foot, Suo Chao also dismounted.

The mountain wind grew stronger, the sky darkened, birds flew close to the ground, and schools of fish leaped from the water. Yang Zhi gripped a steel spear, clad in layers of cotton and linen armor, and wearing Imperial Guard infantry boots. His face, marked with dark circles like storm clouds, seemed to hold the promise of countless lightning bolts and thunderclaps. His eyes were wide open, his imposing presence like a tiger emerging from the mountains, surveying the beasts and shaking the forest. Suo Chao wielded a golden axe, wearing wolf-skin armor with iron leaf breastplates and border cavalry boots. His sword-like eyebrows flew like the wings of an eagle, sweeping across the mountain peaks. His arms were strong and powerful, like pine trees on cliffs, capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks. The two were only a few feet apart, yet their aura was like the Milky Way three thousand feet high, their power overwhelming and unstoppable. Suddenly, they roared, startling the dark clouds on the mountain peak. A bolt of lightning grazed their eyes, leaving afterimages a thousand miles away in the sky. The steel spear, like a silver snake emerging from its hole, coiled and pierced Suo Chao's throat. The golden axe, like a collapsing glacier, crashed down on Yang Zhi's neck. Seeing this, Suo Chao stopped, bent over, and pressed his steel spear to his throat, his hair standing on end. The golden axe's attack continued unabated, slashing diagonally at Yang Zhi. Yang Zhi pushed off the ground, his spear passing Suo Chao's face, the golden axe following closely behind, grazing the back of Yang Zhi's head before being retrieved. After the strike, the two stood back to back. Without any warning, Yang Zhi leaped up, his steel spear tracing a semi-circle in mid-air, aiming straight for Suo Chao's head. Suo Chao suddenly crouched down, the golden axe moving like a full moon, sweeping across Yang Zhi's lower body. The two, one above the other, were now evenly matched. Suo Chao rose, Yang Zhi landed. The golden axe swung upwards, aiming for Yang Zhi's armpit, while Yang Zhi swung his spear downwards, striking the blade of the golden axe. The weapons clashed, sparks flying, but both men's arms felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, instantly stopping the rebound. Suo Chao's lips curled slightly as he swiftly pressed the golden-tipped axe against the steel spear. Yang Zhi, disdainful, moved his spear towards the neck of the axe, rapidly swinging it upwards in circular motions. Suo Chao, losing the initiative, hastily gripped the axe handle and launched a flying kick at Yang Zhi. Yang Zhi, left with no choice, could only draw his spear to dodge. The two faced off again, but the dark clouds in the sky grew thicker, and a torrential downpour began. Wen Da, wearing a straw hat and a raincoat, approached Wang Hao. Wang Hao, holding an oil-paper umbrella, asked, "Who do you think will win between these two, Commander?"