He was still waiting, waiting for a chance to turn defeat into victory!
Yang Zaixian smiled modestly as he clasped his hands in return: "A donkey’s tricks are limited, I have amused General Xu."
The man in black shook his head with a smile and spoke seriously, "Let’s get to the point... Erlang has entrusted me to offer General Yang and the other generals a way out."
Yang Zaixian asked with confusion, "What way out?"
The man in black: "A way to live!"
Yang Zaixian furrowed his brow in thought for a moment but was still puzzled: "I am a simple man, not well-versed in the written word, please enlighten me, General Xu."
The man in black pondered for a moment, then answered: "Forgive my bluntness... General Yang and the other generals, your downfall is imminent."
After hearing this, Yang Zaixian nodded in agreement without changing his expression: "General Xu has good insight."
The man in black knew he was feigning ignorance and said with a light laugh: "Erlang has secured a way out for you generals from the court. If you cease fighting and surrender to the throne, Erlang guarantees that your wives, children, and extended families will be spared from death."
Yang Zaixian’s frown was imperceptible, but he quickly regained his composure and asked softly, "And what of me and the other family heads?"
The man in black replied without hesitation: "You generals will lead your loyal soldiers north to the border to fight against the Tartars, to protect your homes and country until your last breath!"
Yang Zaixian’s eyes relaxed slightly, he slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, and smiled as he nodded, "I have long heard of Erlang’s uprightness and immense righteousness. Today, I have truly seen... he is no ordinary man!"
He spoke with heartfelt sincerity.
If he were truly in a desperate situation, and someone offered him such a lifeline, he would indeed be tearfully grateful, remember it deeply, and never forget.
The man in black saw the eased expression between Yang Zaixian’s brows and smiled, "General Yang thinks... you still have a chance?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Zaixian forced a laugh and replied with difficulty, "Well... the world is in flux, anything is possible. General Xu, not being a soldier, I cannot explain in detail."
The man in black smiled, shook his head, and spoke slowly, "I know that General Yang has a card up his sleeve, still has the strength for one more fight... but you have no chance!"
Yang Zaixian smiled and went along with his words, "Oh? How do you figure that?"
The man in black pointed to the sky: "Erlang has already begun to set the land in order. Whoever causes further chaos will die!"
"This..."
Yang Zaixian once again slowly furrowed his brow and said earnestly, "I and the other family heads have strictly followed Erlang’s orders and have not offended the people of the southwest... We have not violated Erlang’s taboo, have we?"
His underlying message: Isn’t Erlang being a bit too tyrannical?
The man in black shook his head, then said, "You must have heard about the soaring grain prices in the provinces that remain stubbornly high? Half a month ago, to address this, Erlang entered the capital. With one man and one sword, he defeated thirty thousand imperial guards, almost wiped out half the court, and forcefully brought the grain prices down."
"Although you generals have not harmed the common people, the supplies and money consumed in your battles against the court come from the fat and blood of the commoners..."
"If Erlang allowed you to continue creating such disturbances, then he would not be Erlang!"
"Furthermore, let me remind General Yang... the rumors are still out there that you generals are in a desperate situation, and the imperial army will triumphantly return any day now!"
"General Yang, do you realize how much liability Erlang has taken on by finding this way out for you under these circumstances?"
After hearing this, Yang Zaixian fell silent with an astonished expression for a long while before he sighed faintly: "I am naturally aware that Erlang is offering help in our time of need, but the war has come to such a point. How can we be willing to resign ourselves to fate and cease fighting at this stage?"
"Actually, there’s not much difference."
The man in black shook his head slightly: "From the moment Erlang decided to emerge and rectify the realm, there was no longer the slightest chance of chaos under Heaven, with heroes vying for power. Even if you win against the court’s four hundred thousand troops, it won’t change anything."
"Second Master isn’t an imperial soldier. When he wants to kill someone, he never needs to fight through five passes and slay six generals, nor does he have to proceed with such bothersome caution. He only needs to know where the condemned man is, then ’whoosh,’ he flies over, and with one stroke of his blade, the man’s head is severed, and the deed is done."
"Though your army of over a hundred thousand may seem mighty in number, if Second Master were to strike with lethal intent, it would perhaps take only a hundred or so blows before you would cease to exist in this world..."
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With his hands, he gestured, showing Yang Zaixian how Second Master could swiftly go from one place to another with a ’whoosh,’ swinging his sword and embarking on a killing spree.
As Yang Zaixian watched his gestures, he felt both speechless and in despair.
It is said that one should regard a person with new eyes after a mere three days’ absence.
Since the embarrassing revelation of his ignorance last time, he had spent a good amount of time meticulously understanding the affairs of the martial world, learning about Yang Erlang’s life. He was no longer the southwestern naif who was once utterly clueless about the martial world.
But precisely because he now knew more than he had before, he felt fear and despair!
’Such a monster should not exist in this world!’
With a wry smile, he lamented in his heart, "Is there really no room for negotiation? If I call a halt now, even if I, Yang, were willing to acknowledge it, the various clan leaders would not accept it."
The man in black, with unwavering eyes, pondered for a moment and nodded thoughtfully, "It’s not like there’s absolutely no chance..."
Yang Zaixian, seizing a glimmer of hope, bowed with clasped hands, "Please, instruct me, Emissary!"
The man in black, while thinking aloud, said, "The outcome cannot be altered. Second Master’s will is unshakeable by anyone. But as for the process... if General Yang is willing to do the Tower Beyond the Tower a favor, I could indeed lend a hand to General Yang!"
Without any hesitation, Yang Zaixian clasped his hands together, "Emissary, just say the word, and I, Yang, will certainly comply!"
"As for the specific matter, we can discuss that later..."
The man in black waved his hand and lowered his voice, "Looking at General Yang’s military deployment map, you must be planning a battle to turn defeat into victory, right?"
Yang Zaixian nodded.
The man in black asked, "Is ten days enough?"
Yang Zaixian glanced at him, venturing uncertainly, "It should... probably not be enough?"
The man in black, patting his shoulder, assured, "It has to be enough. Second Master passed the message to the Tower Beyond the Tower, and although there was no set time limit, the Tower Beyond the Tower can only delay relaying the message for at most another ten days. If the General can fight a splendid battle to turn defeat into victory within the next ten days, then discussions about submission afterward would allow both Second Master and the General to be somewhat more at ease... What do you think, General?"
His words were measured, but Yang Zaixian understood completely.
If he could turn defeat into victory, the negotiation of amnesty would be far more than ’somewhat at ease.’
Forget simply guaranteeing the lives and safety of their families, it would be outrageous not to award them several high-ranking official titles by then!
And Second Master’s side would be much more relaxed too, no longer needing to carry such a heavy burden!
"Let’s do it!"
Yang Zaixian slapped his thigh decisively and bowed deeply with clasped hands, "The favor from the Emissary and the Tower Beyond the Tower, I, on behalf of the clan leaders, will engrave in my heart. Should you have any orders in the future, there will be no hesitation!"
The man in black smiled and shook his head, "General, you are mistaken. It is Second Master’s timely aid that you must remember. I am but a mere errand runner under his command, hardly worth mentioning, hardly worth mentioning at all!"
Yang Zaixian readily agreed, "You are right, Emissary. From now on, Second Master will be the great savior of the Southwest, the heavenly king, and the father above. From here on, in the three southwestern provinces, Second Master’s word is sure to be more potent than the imperial edicts!"
The man in black squinted his eyes and advised, "General, respect is not just lip service, it must be proven with concrete actions..."
Yang Zaixian asked, "What do you mean, Emissary?"
The man in black responded, "Look at people in Jiangzhe. After erecting those Erlang Temples for Second Master, haven’t they reaped many benefits?"