Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Defeated Troops Are About to Rebel

At this time, Changzhou was already in utter chaos. Outside the city, defeated soldiers were wandering everywhere. Some, out of rage, even resorted to arson, murder, and pillage in the surrounding areas, leaving the common folk in dire straits. Fortunately, the Prefect of Changzhou, Sui Kuangfu, had anticipated the turmoil and ordered the city gates closed in advance, sparing the townspeople from disaster. However, now thousands of defeated troops were gathered outside the gates, appearing ready to storm the city, which left Sui Kuangfu deeply troubled.

Sui Kuangfu, a native of Gaoyi in Zhaozhou, had journeyed south to Southern Tang in the chaos that engulfed the realm. In the first year of Shengyuan, he passed the imperial examination, and the following year was appointed Prefect of Changzhou—a post he had now held for several years. Renowned for his courage and discernment, he governed with leniency and simplicity, earning distinction in his administration. The emperor had intended to promote him, but, mindful of Changzhou’s strategic importance, kept him in his current role.

Gazing at the restless defeated soldiers outside the walls, Sui Kuangfu was gripped by intense unease. The presence of these routed troops surely meant Li Zhenggu had been defeated. Would the Wuyue forces seize the chance to press their attack? Changzhou had enjoyed years of peace, and Sui Kuangfu could not bear to see his people suffer.

“Hurry and open the gates, or we’ll break in and slaughter everyone inside!” shouted a burly, bearded man, brandishing a notched broadsword. Spurred on by his outcry, many soldiers began yelling for Sui Kuangfu to open the gates, threatening to bathe Changzhou in blood if he refused. Sui Kuangfu frowned; the gates must not be opened under any circumstances. Yet if these thousands of desperate men launched an assault, he doubted he could withstand them. Changzhou had a garrison, but facing such frenzied troops, the outcome was uncertain.

Seeing Sui Kuangfu’s silence, the defeated soldiers grew more agitated. Some brandished their weapons, hurling them at the city gate.

A clang rang out as steel struck iron, echoing sharply. Sui Kuangfu knew these men were on the brink of losing control—if they gave in to madness, they would attack the city. He hurriedly ordered, “Pass the command: all captains are to hold their posts and defend the city. Not a single defeated soldier is to be allowed inside.”

The officials at his side, understanding the gravity of the situation, nodded solemnly. “Rest assured, Prefect. Even if we must die in battle, we will not let them enter.”

Sui Kuangfu nodded quietly, his anxieties deepening as he looked out at the defeated soldiers.

“We should be a little over thirty li from Changzhou now,” Yang Lian said, surveying the terrain and addressing Gao Shensi.

Gao Shensi’s wound had been bandaged, but only crudely; without a physician’s timely care, his arm risked infection and could even threaten his life. Thirty li was not a great distance, but even on horseback it would take more than half an hour.

“I can still manage,” Gao Shensi replied, though his pallor betrayed his true condition. Yang Lian took note and urged his horse onward.

After another ten li, as they drew closer to Changzhou, Lin Renzhao suddenly pointed ahead. “Look there.”

Yang Lian looked up and saw a village in the distance, thick smoke billowing into the sky—clearly something was amiss.

Li Zhenggu’s expression darkened. “Could it be the Wuyue forces?”

Gao Shensi shook his head. “I don’t think so. We’re close to Changzhou, which still has over three thousand troops. The Wuyue would not dare venture this far unless Qian Wenfeng was determined to take the city.”

Yang Lian considered for a moment. “Deputy Commissioner Li, Commander Gao, let me investigate.” With that, he spurred his horse forward. Lin Renzhao and Chen Tie followed, while Chen Keyan ordered fifty soldiers to accompany them; he himself stayed behind to guard Li Zhenggu, Gao Shensi, and the others on their way to Changzhou.

Galloping swiftly, Yang Lian reached the outskirts of the village in half the time it took an incense stick to burn. From a distance, multiple buildings were aflame. As he drew closer, fury welled up within him. Lin Renzhao, Chen Tie, and the others were equally incensed by what they saw.

Groups of soldiers in Southern Tang armor were looting the village. Old men and children who tried to flee were struck down, their blood pooling on the ground. The women—especially the young and beautiful, but even married women—were being assaulted by these defeated soldiers. The men had tried to resist, but being mere farmers, they were no match for armed soldiers and soon fell, one after another.

“Kill them!” Yang Lian roared, drawing his battered long saber and charging in.

“Ha! Don’t run, little lady. Come have some fun with me,” a leering soldier, about twenty-five or twenty-six, shouted as he chased a young woman. She stumbled and fell in terror. The soldier laughed, stopped before her, and began to disrobe, his intentions clear.

Suddenly, the thunder of hooves sounded. The man looked up in shock to see a warhorse bearing down on him, its rider swinging a saber. He barely had time to cry out before Yang Lian’s blade severed his head, spraying blood across his own body. The young woman, having just raised her head, was so terrified by the sight that she screamed and fainted dead away.

Yang Lian spared her a glance, then pressed on with his blade. A soldier dismounted to lift the woman, setting her to rest against a tree.

There were just over twenty defeated soldiers in the village. Busy with their atrocities, they were caught completely off guard by Yang Lian’s group. By the time they realized what was happening, seven or eight had already been killed. The rest tried to flee in panic, but two more were cut down. Those who remained dropped to their knees, begging for mercy, all arrogance gone.

“Tie them up!” Yang Lian ordered.

Chen Tie pulled a long rope from his saddlebag, bound their hands, and strung them together like candied hawthorn, driving them toward Changzhou. On the way, Yang Lian learned that these men were defeated soldiers from the Heavenly Brave Army. After fleeing here and running out of food, they began by begging, still maintaining some discipline. But with so many soldiers in disarray, it was impossible to keep order. Someone started looting, then others followed suit, even to the point of raping women. Like dominoes falling, chaos spread throughout the area.

Yang Lian frowned as he recounted this to Li Zhenggu. “If this is happening everywhere, Changzhou must already be in turmoil. I wonder how the Prefect is faring.”

“Prefect Sui is diligent and cares for the people—a true good official,” Chen Keyan said. “I think he’ll have sealed the city gates by now.”

Yang Lian bowed to Li Zhenggu and Gao Shensi. “No matter what the Prefect does, I suspect the area outside the city is crawling with defeated soldiers. Unable to find food, they may turn on the populace. I request permission to take two hundred men and suppress them.”

Gao Shensi recognized the gravity of the matter. If the defeated troops were swarming the area, they themselves would not be able to enter Changzhou, and with morale failing, the men might even blame Li Zhenggu for their plight. He promptly agreed, “Do as you suggest. Yang Lian, you must use both firmness and kindness to bring these men under control. Otherwise, if Changzhou falls into chaos, only the Wuyue will profit.”

“I understand,” Yang Lian replied, casting his gaze over Lin Renzhao, Chen Tie, and Chen Keyan. “Chen Keyan, you know Changzhou well; come with me. Lin Renzhao and Chen Tie, you two stay and protect Deputy Commissioner Li, Commander Gao, and Commander Zhu.”

Chen Keyan saluted. “I dare not disobey.”

Lin Renzhao nodded. “If that’s the case, I’ll remain here. Be careful, Brother Yang.”

Chen Tie protested, “I’m a simple man, and nothing pleases me more than fighting on the battlefield!”

Yang Lian waved him off. “Chen Tie, you are my subordinate; do you dare disobey?”

Chen Tie pursed his lips, clearly frustrated, but had no choice but to comply. “Understood.”

Gao Shensi narrowed his eyes. This Yang Lian was indeed decisive and seemed to command great respect among his peers; it was no wonder the Prince of Qi valued him so highly.

Thus, Yang Lian parted from the others. Chen Keyan led a hundred cavalrymen, galloping northwest. The closer they drew to Changzhou, the more defeated soldiers they encountered, cutting down many who were looting and burning along the way. Some villages, though, were already nothing but ruins, not a single living soul to be found—only corpses strewn everywhere, including women who had been violated before death.

The survivors, though grateful to Yang Lian and his men, were overwhelmed with sorrow; with their loved ones dead, what meaning was left in life? Yang Lian could only advise them to head north to Runzhou and wait for order to be restored before returning home.

Continuing toward Changzhou, they traveled for half an hour before Yang Lian halted and signaled his men to stop. Less than three li from Changzhou, with no idea how many defeated soldiers there were, he decided to gather information before acting. He had Chen Keyan let the men rest while he and several clever soldiers disguised themselves as stragglers to scout the situation.

Yang Lian loosened his hair, making himself look like a beggar who had not bathed in years. Bloodstains still marked his body, now dried and darkened. After some adjustments, he mounted his horse and crept toward Changzhou, with the other soldiers fanning out in various directions.

After less than two li, Yang Lian could see the mass of defeated soldiers gathered at the city’s base, a dark, moving cloud blocking the gate. “There must be at least five thousand,” he estimated. The Shenwu and Heavenly Brave Armies were both elite imperial troops—though not quite as seasoned as border forces, their discipline should not have broken down so completely. Moreover, many were locals from Changzhou itself; did they not fear killing their own?

Puzzled, Yang Lian edged closer. The defeated troops were still rowdy. If Changzhou had not been a fortified border city with strong walls and a surrounding moat, these men would have attacked long ago. Atop the ramparts, the defenders stood ready, bows and crossbows at the ready, prepared to unleash volleys should the besiegers assault the gate.

Yang Lian scanned the scene. About five hundred paces away, a makeshift command platform had been erected, with several men huddled together in discussion—apparently the leaders of these troops, though whether officers or mere sergeants was unclear. Yang Lian approached quietly, careful not to draw attention.