Chapter Twenty-Six: Calling for Reinforcements

Xu Yaozu fell into a pit. Over a dozen minions hooked him out with iron hooks, tied him tightly, and shoved him into a large hall. When the hood was removed from his head, Xu Yaozu saw the room was packed with men, all shouting at him to kneel. Looking at their fierce, menacing faces, Xu Yaozu felt no fear. He thrust out his round belly, threw his head back, and burst into hearty laughter, leaving the crowd utterly confounded.

The man seated at the head slammed the table and bellowed, “How dare you! What is so funny?”

Unfazed, Xu Yaozu replied loudly, “I laugh because you claim to be righteous rebels—champions of justice, saviors of the people—yet you resort to such sneaky, underhanded tricks!”

The man was enraged. He leapt from his seat, strode over, seized Xu Yaozu by the collar, and snarled, “Tell me, what underhanded tricks have we played? If you can’t answer, I’ll have you hacked to pieces!”

Xu Yaozu turned away disdainfully and said, “I came all the way from Black Earth City to find you. Not only did you refuse to meet me, but you also set traps and played dirty tricks on me. Is that how heroes behave?”

The man, skeptical, stepped back and scrutinized Xu Yaozu from head to toe. “You’re from Black Earth City?” he demanded. “What proof do you have?”

Xu Yaozu glanced down at his chest and winked. “Check inside my coat. You’ll find a letter as proof.”

The man reached into Xu Yaozu’s coat, took out the letter, and examined it closely. Though the handwriting was not particularly neat, it carried a refined and spirited air. The prose was sincere and fluent, full of earnestness—certainly the work of Murong Yan herself, he surmised. His demeanor changed at once, a smile replacing his scowl.

“Untie him! Untie the ropes from this venerable hero and give him a seat!” he ordered.

The minions hurried to untie Xu Yaozu and fetched a chair. Xu Yaozu sat down expansively.

“My apologies, old hero. Please forgive the offense!” the man said, then ordered, “Bring wine and a feast to help our honored guest recover from his ordeal.”

After several rounds of wine and a variety of dishes, the host laughed and introduced himself, “Old hero, don’t laugh at me. I am Feng Rusong, chieftain of Mount Menglian. This has all been a misunderstanding.”

Xu Yaozu cupped his fists in greeting. “Too polite, too polite. As they say, no fight, no friendship!”

Feng Rusong continued, “Though our two righteous armies have never met, we are kindred spirits. Now that Black Earth City is besieged by demonic forces, we at Menglian Mountain will, of course, lend all aid and send troops to your rescue!”

On hearing this, Xu Yaozu could hardly contain his joy. Rising from his seat, he offered a deep bow. “Many thanks for your righteous deed, Chief Feng! Black Earth City will never forget your kindness.”

Feng Rusong laughed heartily, waving his hand. “No need for such formality! We’re on the same side!”

Before he could finish, a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar approached and whispered a few words in Feng Rusong’s ear, causing Feng’s expression to change at once.

From that moment, Feng Rusong grew cold and distant toward Xu Yaozu. Not long after, Feng found an excuse to leave the banquet. The gathering dispersed in awkward silence.

The next day, Xu Yaozu tried to see Feng Rusong again, but was denied. Day after day, Xu Yaozu was blocked by the minions, growing as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

One morning, he thought to himself: “The grain in Black Earth City is nearly gone. Reinforcements are as urgent as fire. If I delay any longer, the city will fall, and all will be lost! No matter what, even if I must walk through fire and blade, I, old Xu, will break in today and drag Feng Rusong out for a straight answer! If he refuses to send troops, I’ll take his head and cut all ties with Menglian Mountain!”

With this resolve, he left early and waited outside the council hall. Not until the sun was high did he see Feng Rusong, surrounded by his subordinates, heading toward the hall.

“Old friend! It’s me, Xu Yaozu! Don’t pretend you don’t know me!” Xu Yaozu shouted from afar.

Feng Rusong ignored him and continued walking, almost entering the council hall. Xu Yaozu called out to the minions, “Pardon me, make way! I have urgent business with your chief!” and tried to barge inside, chest thrust forward.

But the minions blocked him. Xu Yaozu flew into a rage, clenched his fists, and shoved, knocking down a swath of them. He strode forward, covering the distance in a few quick steps.

Two minions shouted, “How dare you, ruffian!” and lunged with spears. Xu Yaozu reacted instantly—clap! clap!—catching both spearheads in his hands and snapping them with a crack. Then—thud! thud!—he floored the two with his fists and burst into the courtyard.

“Seize the assassin!” cried Feng Rusong’s men, rushing to shield their chief. In an instant, a clamor arose as armored minions swarmed from all directions, encircling Xu Yaozu in layers, spears leveled at him.

“Don’t move! Move an inch and we’ll run you through a hundred times!” they roared. Xu Yaozu waved his hands frantically, “I won’t move! I’m not moving! You’ve all misunderstood—I’m your honored guest, old Xu!”

He called out to Feng Rusong, “Old Feng, don’t play dumb! Just days ago you shared wine with me—how have you forgotten me so quickly?”

Feng Rusong didn’t spare him a glance. “Who is this brute? Take him away!” he barked.

The minions seized Xu Yaozu and dragged him off. Xu Yaozu cursed furiously, “Feng Rusong, you scoundrel! You go back on your word and refuse to save the dying—aren’t you afraid the world will call you a hypocrite, a bully in your own house, and a double-dealer?”

Before he could finish, Feng Rusong suddenly called, “Bring him back!”

Xu Yaozu shuddered. “What now? Did I anger him into wanting to chop off my head? Oh no! What trouble has my big mouth landed me in? Am I to lose my life here for nothing? How can I fetch reinforcements then?” Cold sweat broke out on his brow.

Brought back, Xu Yaozu saw the white-robed scholar from the banquet whispering again in Feng Rusong’s ear. Xu Yaozu realized this man was the one sabotaging him, and as he watched the scholar whisper more schemes, his cold sweat only grew.

What was this man advising Feng Rusong to do with him—steam him, boil him, skin him, or flay him alive? Light his lantern?

To his surprise, Feng Rusong burst out laughing, “Old Xu, forgive me! I failed to recognize you just now and gave you a fright.”

Xu Yaozu twisted his neck and rolled his eyes in scorn. “Don’t play games with me. Kill me or spare me—just get on with it!”

Feng Rusong maintained his good humor. “Old hero Xu, you don’t understand. I’ve long prepared troops for you, but I need a just cause before I can march.”

Xu Yaozu was incensed. “What just cause? You’re just making excuses to save your own strength!” he thought, but dared not say aloud. Instead, he asked, “Old Feng, just say it—what will it take for you to send troops?”

Feng Rusong’s beady eyes flickered shrewdly before he replied, “All you need to do is pledge Black Earth City’s allegiance to Menglian Mountain. Join our two forces as one. Then your cause becomes mine, and I’ll have the pretext to send troops.”

He laughed, adding, “Don’t misunderstand, old Xu! I have no desire to annex or dominate Black Earth City. But if I send troops rashly, my men may not accept it. Once we beat back the demon forces, we’ll each fly our own banners again—I won’t trouble you further.”

Xu Yaozu was furious—this was nothing but opportunistic extortion. But what choice did he have? Black Earth City stood on the brink of disaster; if no reinforcements came, tens of thousands would perish. He could only agree for now, planning to renege later if needed. Once Menglian Mountain helped drive away the demon army, what could Feng Rusong do if Xu Yaozu refused to honor the pledge?

With this in mind, Xu Yaozu nodded his assent. Feng Rusong ordered paper and brush brought, drafting a document for Xu Yaozu to sign.

Xu Yaozu scratched his head. “Old Feng, you ask too much. I can’t read a word—how can I sign? Best to skip the formalities, eh?”

But Feng Rusong insisted, “I can’t skip this. I have to answer to my men. Since you can’t write, just press your handprint.”

Xu Yaozu tried to refuse, but Feng Rusong grabbed his hand and, after some tussling, managed to get his handprint on the document.

After stowing the paper away, Feng Rusong immediately ordered Zhang Jixian, the infantry commander, to lead ten thousand men down the mountain to aid Black Earth City.

The next day, Zhang Jixian set out with his troops, but had barely left the gates when the white-robed scholar stopped him, pulled him aside, and whispered instructions, finally handing him a brocade pouch before hurrying away.

Xu Yaozu saw this and grew alarmed. That devious fellow was scheming again! He called out, “Old Zhang, the troops are ready. We’re all waiting on you!”

He hurried over as the scholar departed into the distance. When he caught up, he pointed at the scholar’s retreating figure and asked Zhang Jixian, “Who is that gentleman? He seems quite important here at Menglian Mountain.”

Zhang Jixian replied, “Oh, him? That’s our strategist, Du Anxun—known as ‘Little Zhuge.’ Our chief trusts him above all others.”

Xu Yaozu nodded, “Ah, so he must have some clever plan for defeating the enemy?”

Zhang Jixian’s face darkened, and he stammered, “Of course, of course.”

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