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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 155: Escape
Upon hearing Li Mi's words, Li Jian Cheng first thought not about persuasion, but rather about simply cutting him down. Li Mi was not someone of Zhai Rang's ilk.
However, after a moment's reflection, he realized that his responsibilities extended beyond mere survival in chaotic times; he also had to consider the more challenging task of governance. Someone like Li Mi could still prove useful.
He nodded, "Since Brother Fa has made up his mind, then let it be so."
Li Mi solemnly bowed, "I will remember this great kindness."
In the following days, Li Jian Cheng marched steadily and finally received news as they approached Hongnong County: Yang Xuangan had committed suicide, and his corpse had been captured by Yuwen Shu and others.
Yet the army did not rush back; instead, they continued to hunt down the remnants of Yang Xuangan. Yang Jishan and Li Mi were naturally the top priorities, and local prefectures were conducting extensive searches.
Li Jian Cheng knew that the military would surely be investigated, so he arranged for Yang Jishan to be sent to Zhuojun first and then had Li Mi disguise himself as a scout to exit the city.
Once the two left the military, he personally reported to the emperor that the remnants were missing and might be hiding within the military, requesting His Majesty to issue an order for inspection!
The emperor issued the decree without hesitation, causing widespread panic among the people. After all, they had fought hard for the country to suppress rebellion and had finally won; instead of receiving rewards, they were met with suspicion.
With Li Jian Cheng's assistance, Yuwen Shu uncovered many remnants within the military. No one was surprised; Yuwen Shu was notoriously greedy. As long as the promised reward was high enough, there was no one he wouldn't help.
Moreover, Yuwen Shu had an excellent reputation in this regard. The former crown prince Yang Yong had once regarded Yun Dingxing as a father-in-law and helped him regain his position after being deposed. Yun Dingxing had been severely punished by the emperor, reduced to exile while his wife and children were demoted to servitude.
Who would dare help someone like that? Even offering dozens of carts filled with gold and silver would not attract attention. Only Yuwen Shu opened his doors wide to accept him and disregarded past grievances to call him brother.
Now, with Yuwen Shu's assistance, Yun Dingxing not only regained his status but also rose high in court to become the Left Guard General, on equal footing with Li Jian Cheng.
Li Jian Cheng had been cautious for over a decade, never making a mistake, yet he owed his current position to Yang Xuangan's rebellion. In contrast, Yun Dingxing had reached his status by flattering the emperor alongside Yuwen Shu.
This clearly indicated that the current emperor rarely needed capable ministers; he only desired compliant sycophants.
...
Li Mi, who had just been released from prison, was captured by local soldiers after only two days of escape. Without Yang Xuangan's skills, even a proficient archer and horseman could not withstand the pursuit of over a hundred cavalry.
Although captured, Li Mi suffered neither injury nor humiliation. For someone of his noble status, the emperor could execute him, but if he dared to retaliate, he would have to face the consequences from the emperor's relatives and allies.
At this moment, the emperor was in Gaoyang County, preparing to return to Chang'an to handle various matters. Consequently, Li Mi and other important prisoners were being escorted to the emperor's presence, accompanied by many young nobles from various families.
Those of ordinary status had already lost their heads; only this group of individuals with special identities required such elaborate arrangements.
Li Mi did not wish to die, and neither did the others. As members of the emperor's closest circle, they understood all too well what awaited them.
"We are like morning dew; our time to dissipate is not far off."
Zheng Yan, son of the Minister of Justice, said, "We cannot sit idly by and await our doom!"
Li Mi replied solemnly, "Those with valuables should hand them over to me."
They had merely been stripped of their weapons; their possessions were too numerous for anyone to dare touch. One by one, they produced their accessories—gold-encrusted and jade-inlaid treasures of immense value.
Among them, only Wei Fusi remained unmoved. He continuously reassured himself that he could no longer associate with these treacherous rebels. It was wiser to wait until he could explain his grievances before the emperor.
Li Mi merely cast a mocking glance at Wei Fusi, then presented the valuables to the general escorting them: "After we die, please use this for our burial, and the rest will be a reward for your kindness."
The general greedily glanced at the items but dared not accept: "I cannot, please take it back."
Li Mi sighed, "Well, consider it the expenses for this journey; what use is it to keep worldly possessions?"
In the following days, Li Mi would request that they pawn their ornaments in exchange for fine wine and meat, drinking and weeping with Han Shiye, Pei Shuang, and others until they were thoroughly intoxicated.
He appeared to indulge himself before death, occasionally seeking to end his life but was always stopped. Gradually, everyone relaxed their vigilance, and each time they exchanged items, he would secretly pocket some.
However, the Muddy Wine from the prefecture was merely chicken and duck; how could it be that they needed to pawn their ornaments every few days? Each piece was worth at least a hundred coins; otherwise, why would they carry them?
Li Mi had also arranged for a confidant to lead the rebel leader Hao Xiaode from Pingyuan County to rescue them. One night, they coordinated their efforts but nearly failed.
The greatest concern of the escorting soldiers was that they dared not kill these nobles. According to Li Mi's instructions, these individuals claimed to be guardians of the Yu and Pei families.
Yu Shiji and Pei Yun were names even local soldiers recognized; seeing this, Li Mi immediately said: "Today, regardless of success or failure, even if you capture us again, it will lead to a dead end. How could Lord Yu Pei Gong allow you to live?"
As the fighting slowed down, Li Mi urged: "You risk your lives only for wealth and honor. Each of you can return home with your noble families; you owe us a great debt of gratitude. Why not serve as a humble soldier for the court?"
Some were swayed by Li Mi's words, while others began to hesitate. With hesitation came inaction.
Li Mi eloquently spoke while others began to promise that they would first follow him out to sea to avoid disaster. In a few years, they could return safe and sound. If they were concerned about their families, they could send someone to take them away for protection.
In the end, over a hundred escorting men had each chosen their master, casting cold glances at Wei Fusi and several Soldiers who had not sheathed their Weapons.
"Why not just kill him to prevent any leaks?"
Wei Fusi trembled but remained silent. Li Mi had once wished to kill Wei Fusi, but now that he had to make the decision himself, he felt a bit reluctant.
"Don't you understand the Tyrant's character?"
Wei Fusi replied, "I am not like you who actively betray the country. I was forced to follow the bandits and never truly plotted for them. When the Eastern Capital fell, I did not flee. His Majesty is wise and will surely understand me."
Li Mi scoffed and turned away from him, addressing the others instead: "Stay away from Chang'an and Luoyang; chaos in the world is not far off!"
Of course, the group could not leave together. Li Mi wished they could, but he knew these men would submit to Yang Xuangan but not to him, Li Mi. They had done so in the past, and it was even more true now.
Thus, everyone scattered, with no one knowing each other's destination. But it certainly would not be returning to their families because going back now could mean becoming sacrifices for their families to show loyalty to the emperor.
Even if they surrendered to Yang Xuangan, it was already a family decision, but now that they had lost, there was no justification left.
Li Mi then looked at Hao Xiaode. This man had originally gathered over a hundred thousand troops with Zhi Shilang Wang but was defeated by Zhang Suduo and had fled with only one or two thousand Troops remaining. Upon hearing about Yang Xuangan's uprising, he wanted to join.
…………
(End of Chapter)
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