RWNEFE -Chapter 160 Subduing Chang Daoyan

Cheng Zheng already had a plan and quickly wrote: “Lure him into a trap!”

Shen Lanxi: “Explain in detail.”

Cheng Zheng quickly wrote: “Deceive Tian Maofeng into coming, then kill him!”

Shen Lanxi pondered: “That’s the idea I had too.”

The others: “…”

Wei Dongzhu: “I agree!”

Xiao Fang: “I agree as well!”

Shen Lanxi: “That treacherous Tian Maofeng doesn’t trust me. If our men try to trick him, he won’t believe it!”

Shen Yuanjing hesitated, then said: “I’ll go.”

Shen Lanxi: “Why?”

Shen Yuanjing explained: “My surname is Shen, His Majesty is my uncle. I can tell Tian Maofeng that I hate His Majesty to the bone and secretly wish for the Eastern Liao King to rebel. Since the Eastern Liao King is also my uncle, I can say to Tian Maofeng that no matter who sits on the throne, I’m part of the royal family. Out of hatred for His Majesty, I want to help the Eastern Liao King eliminate his rivals!”

“On the surface, nobody knows Zhao Nanshan is Zhou Yanxing’s man. Then I can say Zhou Yanxing is trying to rally officials to support the court!”

Shen Lanxi nodded: “Reasonable, well-structured, the logic is sound.”

Shen Yuanjing was about to volunteer, but Shen Lanxi said: “You’re not the best candidate.”

Shen Yuanjing froze. If not him, who else could be better?

While Wei Dongzhu and others guessed, Shen Lanxi said: “I think Wang Songbai is perfect for this.”

Him—the sycophant?

“Have you ever seen someone flatter so naturally that you don’t even feel the slightest suspicion?”

Shen Yuanjing: “…” startled.

“What if he defects?”

Shen Lanxi thought for a moment: “Either the threat is minor, or the reward is minimal.”

“Not urgent yet. Tian Maofeng hasn’t set a deadline. In the meantime, disperse the surrendered soldiers, reorganize and train them.”

“Provide compensation for the families of the dead, reward and care for the wounded, punish mistakes as required!”

“Yes!”

Yesterday had been their first battle, and a brutal one at that. Now was the chance for the new soldiers to adjust mentally and reflect on their shortcomings. They needed to grow before entering the real battlefield.

The first day passed, but there was no activity at Shilipo.

By the second day, still no movement.

Just as Shen Lanxi decided it was time to act, the county magistrate of Shilipo arrived in official attire.

Immediately, he tried to assert his authority.

“I, the county magistrate, did not know Zhao Nanshan was ungrateful and treacherous. Now I do. I have severed all ties with him!”

Shen Lanxi scrutinized Chang Daoyan. Over the past two days, she had learned about his character.

He had a good reputation in Shilipo: caring for the people, honest, inspecting crops in spring, overseeing harvests in autumn. The people often saw him personally overseeing the land.

“Sir Chang, I think you may have some misunderstandings about me,” Shen Lanxi said, noting the wear on his official uniform.

Chang Daoyan had also heard some rumors about Lan Xi but very little. What stood out was that Lan Xi eliminated the horse bandits at Caotuo Ridge and, in just a few months, rose from obscurity to command hundreds of soldiers as a centurion.

But laws exist, and families have rules. By choosing to side with the Eastern Liao King, he had become a traitor.

If not for thinking of his family, Chang Daoyan would have openly cursed the rebels already.

“Hmph, misunderstanding? Aren’t you a subordinate of the Eastern Liao King?”

Indeed, it was a misunderstanding.

Liu Yanhui spoke righteously: “We are the righteous army, upholding justice. How can Sir Chang equate my lord with the Eastern Liao King?”

Wei Dongzhu: “Even though we have only a few hundred men, we know following traitors leads to no good end!”

Xiao Fang: “Sir Chang, even if you have rebels in your own family, don’t think everyone is a traitor. We are all upright, honorable men—” He glanced at Shen Lanxi and immediately corrected himself.

Not only men have integrity—women do too!

Chang Daoyan remained silent, stiff-necked, looking ready for a fight.

Wang Songbai stepped forward: “Sir Chang, Lord Lan is indeed a good man. The county office is now controlled by the Eastern Liao King’s men. They block all entrance and exit. Lord Lan could easily kill us. If he were like them, he wouldn’t waste words with us.”

Over the past two days, with Liu Yanhui and others’ threats and incentives, Wang Songbai had gradually softened. Now by speaking up, he was effectively pledging allegiance to Shen Lanxi.

He reminded: “Sir Chang, if not for yourself, think of your family!”

Chang Daoyan frowned deeply but ultimately gave in.

“What does Lord Lan want me to do?”

“I won’t follow anything illegal,” he added.

Shen Lanxi smiled: “Sir Chang, you see, even if I want to eliminate the traitors, I don’t have that kind of power. With my troops, I couldn’t even protect a small place like Baihe County.”

Chang Daoyan thought for a moment and sighed deeply.

“The trend is clear; they are many, we are few.”

Shen Lanxi: “If you are loyal to the court and the path of righteousness, stand with me and recruit soldiers!”

Chang Daoyan’s eyes widened.

“Once I eliminate the rebels, I will report to the court, recommending Sir Chang for loyalty and patriotism, for the good of the nation!”

Chang Daoyan looked uneasy—he was not one for vanity.

“Is what you say true?”

Shen Lanxi: “We are irreconcilable with traitors!”

Liu Yanhui and the others echoed: “We are irreconcilable with traitors!”

Chang Daoyan looked around and sighed deeply.

“Let this be my atonement for misjudging people.”

Shen Lanxi smirked and immediately began planning the trap.

“This will require Sir Chang and your family’s assistance.”

Chang Daoyan remained half-skeptical, but decided that if Shen Lanxi was truthful, he would help recruit soldiers after Tian Maofeng was dealt with.

As they set out, Shen Lanxi looked at Wang Songbai: “Magistrate Wang, your sister and brother-in-law’s lives are in your hands. Rise to glory, or die under the sword and take your family with you—it’s your choice!”

Wang Songbai was nearly knocked over by her pat on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry, my lord. I will complete the mission!”

Shen Lanxi signaled the secret guards and followed.

Two days later, Tian Maofeng was killed at Shilipo by “Zhao Nanshan.” Shen Lanxi risked her life to recover Tian Maofeng’s body and had Feng Ya swear a military oath on the spot: “If Zhao Nanshan is not killed, I will bring my head in!”

Feng Ya, looking at Shen Lanxi covered in blood, scanned the soldiers: “Any objections?”

All the troops were focused on capturing Yongzhou after spring; a minor county magistrate was insignificant. Wasting manpower on such a small county wasn’t worth it.