"Uncle Teng Ge, Zhou Fugui is back? Ah, my father the King is gravely ill, I truly have no time to greet him." Murong Kang said to Murong Teng Ge.
Zhou Fugui had led his troops to "cover the rear," allowing Murong Wang and his son to escape, for which Murong Kang felt grateful towards Zhou Fugui, but also somewhat jealous.
In the Battle of Niuzhu, the Yan army suffered a great defeat, and all the various units had incurred losses to varying degrees. Murong Kang's elite Bai Bo Army was also almost halved, while only Zhou Gugui's unit returned completely intact, having lost almost no men, and thus received great praise from Murong Teng Ge and others.
Zhou Fugui's charge and "counterattack" against the Xia army also earned him high praise from Murong Boli. Therefore, Murong Kang was quite jealous of Zhou Fugui, and not only Murong Kang but almost all Yan army generals were jealous and resentful of Zhou Fugui, especially the Xianbei, such as Albu Gu and others.
"Alas, such a small matter, it is not necessary for the Crown Prince to personally see to it." Murong Teng Ge shook his head and asked, "Xuzhou is in danger, and the King is also bedridden. What should we do next?"
"What happened?" Murong Kang asked.
"Teng Ge received news that the armies from Runan and Jiangxia have come from the west, and our Xuzhou has few soldiers. How shall we resist them?" Murong Teng Ge replied.
Murong Boli was leading troops outside, and Murong Wang, who was defending Xuzhou, was severely injured and unable to oversee its defenses. Although Murong Teng Ge was relatively lenient in his command, his ability to lead troops was mediocre. With the Xia army pressing in, he had come in a panic to seek advice. At the same time, Murong Teng Ge only had over ten thousand Han troops, while the Yan army's elite forces were mainly composed of Xianbei, Di, Qiang, Jie, and other ethnic groups, especially cavalry. At this time, Murong Wang and his son still had over thirty thousand elite cavalry under their command, and Murong Teng Ge could not command these thirty thousand elite cavalry.
"Armies from Runan and Jiangxia?" Murong Kang asked his subordinate, "Bring the map."
A moment later, the map was brought. Murong Kang studied it for a long time, then pointed to a spot on the map and said, "Station an elite force at this location. It can defeat a larger enemy with fewer men, and at least hold back these two armies from the Southern Dynasties."
"Hmm, the Crown Prince's skill in deploying troops is indeed remarkable." Murong Teng Ge also looked at the map and said, "However, Crown Prince, Teng Ge no longer has elite troops."
"Isn't General Zhou's White Tiger Camp an elite force?" Murong Kang said with a slight smile.
Murong Kang understood Murong Teng Ge's intentions perfectly. However, the thirty thousand elite cavalry currently on hand was almost the last asset of Murong Wang and his son. In times of chaos, troops were the greatest asset for survival. Therefore, how could Murong Kang hand over these over thirty thousand elite cavalry to Murong Teng Ge? As for Zhou Fugui and his White Tiger Camp, their mission was to block the enemy. Their survival or death mattered little. It would be best if they survived, but if they died, it would not have a significant impact on Murong Wang and his son. Instead, it would weaken Murong Boli's strength, as Zhou Fugui and his White Tiger Camp were under Murong Boli's command. As for Zhou Fugui himself, a small favor was insignificant. Besides, wasn't it only natural for a servant to risk his life for his master? Murong Kang mused to himself.
Thus, Zhou Fugui and his White Tiger Camp were once again in a dangerous situation.
...
The Yangtze River, also known as the Jiang River, the Great River, etc., is the mother river of the Chinese nation and the last barrier of Jiangnan. From ancient times to the present, many who wished to cross the river and conquer Jiangnan have been dashed against it. It was the same for the Great Yan Kingdom. An army of over six hundred thousand men had reached the north bank of the Yangtze River, only to suffer a crushing defeat and flee in disarray. After the Yan army retreated, the Yangtze River became safe, and the ferries to and fro gradually increased.
At this time, a medium-sized passenger boat from Xia was sailing on the Yangtze River, riding the wind and waves. The boat was riding deep in the water, clearly carrying heavy cargo.
"Brothers, do you think we've been tricked?"
"Liao Lao San, tricked about what?"
"After crossing the river, we will reach the capital, but Advisor Hong...?"
"What about Advisor Hong?"
"He doesn't mention distributing these treasures at all!"
"Yes, has he forgotten?"
"Forgotten? I think he wants to keep it all for himself!"
"Indeed, Liao Lao San is right. Why don't we just take these valuables, steal them, and run away? With these riches, we can live freely anywhere! Why must we hang ourselves on this tree?"
"Right, right, even being mountain bandits would be more comfortable than this!"
"Shh, keep your voices down, someone's coming."
On the passenger boat, over twenty Xia soldiers were gathered together, whispering and discussing their intent to seize the gold, silver, jewels, and other items from over ten large chests.
With a "bang!", the cabin door of the passenger boat was suddenly pushed open, and a Xia army captain looked at them and asked, "Liao Lao San, what are you talking about?"
"Nothing, Captain Liu, what brings you here?" Liao Lao San said with a fawning smile.
"Hmph!" Captain Liu snorted and said, "Come up, go to the advisor's cabin. Advisor Hong requests your presence!"
"Advisor Hong?" Liao Lao San was stunned and asked, "For what reason?"
"Just go when you're told, no need to say more!" Captain Liu replied, his hand on his waist saber. "It must be something good. Weren't you all clamoring about splitting the money? The advisor has already agreed to you."
"Oh, thank you, Advisor. Thank you, Captain Liu." Liao Lao San and the others were overjoyed. They filed onto the deck and went to the cabin where Hong Wuji was. Although Liao Lao San and the others harbored some doubts, Captain Liu and the others had brought men with them, and they themselves were not armed. Since Hong Wuji had agreed to distribute the treasure, they would distribute some first and then consider whether to kill and rob them to keep the treasure for themselves.
"Brothers have worked hard!" Hong Wuji, seeing that Liao Lao San and the others had all entered the cabin, said with a calm expression and a smile, "I remember I promised you to split the money. Hong is not a man of his word. Today, General Liu will distribute the money to you. General Liu, distribute it to them. Those who worked harder should get more."
"Your subordinate obeys the order!" Captain Liu said with a knowing salute.
"Thank you, Advisor Hong!" Liao Lao San and the others cupped their hands in thanks.
"No need to be polite!" Hong Wuji waved his hand and, still smiling, said, "You distribute it, I'll go up and take a stroll."
After speaking, Hong Wuji walked out of the cabin and gently closed the door.
"Gui xing dai yu ji xian jue, yu xi feng bo yi zhu tan." Hong Wuji looked at the beautiful scenery on the Yangtze River and felt a poetic urge, wanting to express it.
"Ah!"
Just as Hong Wuji recited half a poem, a shrill scream came from the cabin behind him. The shrill screams echoed across the entire river.
"Puff puff!"
"Ah!"
The screams and the sound of blades entering flesh followed one after another, chilling the bone.
"Du xiang mu chao gou ling shang, xi jiang he jiao huan hua jian." Hong Wuji ignored it, as if he hadn't heard, and continued to recite the second half of the poem.
...
The next day, in a room on the south bank of the Yangtze River.
"My brothers..." Hong Wuji pointed to eighteen large chests with their lids open and said to Captain Liu and the other seventeen men, "Commander Min said that the country is in difficult times and these treasures must be handed over to the court. However, Hong believes that the court is corrupt and has plunged our Great Xia into ruin, leading the common people under the hooves of the Hu cavalry. Therefore, the court, hmph... is not worth our effort. Hong's promise to Commander Min will have to be broken."
The gold, silver, and jewels in the chests emitted a dazzling light under the candlelight, almost illuminating the entire room as if it were daytime, making it mouth-watering.
"Advisor, you..." Captain Liu and the other seventeen men were all confused about Hong Wuji's intentions and exchanged glances. Captain Liu asked.
Hong Wuji smiled slightly and said, "There are eighteen of us, and eighteen chests. Is this not heaven's will?"
"Haha, thank you, Advisor Hong!"
"Advisor Hong is truly an extraordinary person!"
Everyone was overjoyed, and they spoke words of thanks or praise. *To keep it for ourselves, why find so many excuses? And so high-sounding. Many people thought dismissively.*
"You are all my confidants..." Hong Wuji then said in a low voice to Captain Liu and the other seventeen men, "This matter must never be revealed. If even a single word leaks out, we are doomed!"
"Don't worry, Advisor!" Captain Liu replied, then cast a fierce glance at the other sixteen men and said, "Who dares to speak? Don't blame Liu for being heartless!"
"Advisor Hong, General Liu, rest assured!"
"This matter will rot in our bellies!"
Everyone responded.
"Good!" Hong Wuji nodded with satisfaction, then picked up a bowl of wine from the table and said, "With this bowl of wine, shall we form an alliance?"
"Yes!" Everyone readily agreed. They all picked up their wine bowls, made various poisonous oaths, and drank the wine in the bowls. Not a single one noticed that Hong Wuji had not drunk any wine.
"Puff! Puff! Puff!"
"Oh no, the wine is poisoned!"
The poison in the wine was extremely potent. In just a moment, everyone was poisoned and died. They died with their eyes wide open, all staring fixedly at Hong Wuji.
"Scoundrel..." A moment later, among the seventeen men, only Captain Liu had a breath left. His bloodshot eyes stared at Hong Wuji, and a wisp of black blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.
Captain Liu's death was imminent. Before he died, he gasped and asked Hong Wuji, "Scoundrel, Liu knew long ago that you were a ruthless person, but I never expected you to be so venomous. To keep this treasure for yourself, you actually killed so many brothers. Is this mere treasure really more important than brothers who have followed you for a long time?"
"Not so!" Hong Wuji shook his head, sighed deeply, and picked up a piece of gold the size of a fist. "This is not gold, but power! Hong's family suffered misfortune. Except for me, my entire family, young and old, died at the hands of the barbarians. Hong has an irreconcilable, blood-feud with the barbarian dogs. How can this hatred not be avenged? And to avenge this hatred, power is indispensable. Therefore, it is not that Hong is greedy for wealth. Hong had no choice but to resort to this method, and I regret having to trouble my brothers."
After speaking, Hong Wuji even smiled. His smile was as warm as a spring breeze, but in Captain Liu's eyes, it was as terrifying as a demon from hell.
After Captain Liu died of poisoning, Hong Wuji looked at the corpses all over the room and the eighteen chests of gold and jewelry, and was troubled.