Chapter 2 "Against the Current"

"I couldn't believe it, I actually encountered the famous Incident at Mawei!" I was taken aback, and for a moment, my blood surged with excitement at the thought of stumbling upon such a renowned historical event. In the midst of my overwhelming emotions, I inquired further about the reason from Wei Jiansu, only to discover that the cause of death of the infamous traitor Yang Guozhong was actually linked to a pig.

They were led by Gao Lishi to the front of the Buddha hall, under the pear tree, when suddenly they heard the sound of drums and gongs from outside, causing the soldiers to stir. They thought it was the chaos of battle, and were greatly alarmed, unaware that a dramatic scene was unfolding outside the palace. The thousands of soldiers, who had just been filled with fervor, began to stir and disperse. Then suddenly, someone caught a whiff of meat, and a stomach growled loudly. Following that, countless stomachs echoed like thunder, and they exchanged knowing smiles, retreating in unison like a receding tide. Only a few exhausted civil and military officials remained, hoarsely urging the soldiers, their efforts yielding little effect, looking foolish as they stood there, perplexed. It took a while for them to understand what was happening, and they finally breathed a sigh of relief. A few of the weaker civil officials could no longer support themselves and sat down heavily, too tired to get back up.

The surrounding crowd was taken aback, all thinking that something terrible had happened, wondering if this esteemed person had suffered a calamity and was now in a state of madness due to excessive worry. What could be done about this? Just as they were exchanging glances in confusion, another thunderous shout interrupted my train of thought: "What should we do, my lord?" I then noticed their astonished expressions, all looking at me, clearly at a loss regarding the situation before the books.

As she gazed at the approaching white silk, Yang Taizhen felt little turmoil within her heart. She had no particular feelings regarding the death of her brother, and even upon hearing the news of her sisters' deaths, she did not experience much sorrow. She believed that she had already received enough favor from heaven. When the supreme ruler's request to exchange all the treasures of the palace for her life was once again rejected by the restless ministers, she had long been psychologically prepared for her fate. She believed that she had already received enough favor from heaven. When the supreme ruler's request to exchange all the treasures of the palace for her life was once again rejected by the restless ministers, she had long been psychologically prepared for her fate.

The Ming Emperor, filled with sorrow, felt his already exhausted tear glands heat up once more, yet he still dared not turn back. He could only lightly sigh, "May you... be reborn kindly." After uttering these words, it seemed as if he had exhausted all his strength.

I couldn't help but smile wryly as I looked at the scale of the crowd. It was indeed a matter of weighing options and hesitating. I had to admit that my small number of people was hardly significant, and with my qualifications, I was even less impressive than those leading generals. Deploying troops to suppress these chaotic soldiers would inevitably result in countless casualties, and there was no guarantee of victory. Yet, my heart surged with excitement and my thoughts raced. I never expected to hit the jackpot. If... perhaps the opportunity for prosperity was right before me. The indescribable thrill made it hard to contain my excitement. The thought of possibly meeting the legendary figures from history, the four great beauties of ancient times, made me unable to resist breaking into a wide grin and laughing heartily.

Wei Jiansu, despite his head still bleeding, grasped my sleeve and tearfully implored, "General Liang, please send troops to rescue the emperor." Then he collapsed to the ground. Considering he was the father of my deputy general, I instructed to take good care of him. I hurriedly led a group of trusted military officers inside, only to find chaos everywhere, with shouts and cries of pursuit and dragging echoing around. After dispersing several groups of disordered soldiers, we arrived at the temporary post where the emperor was staying, only to discover that the area outside the temporary palace was surrounded by thousands of aggressive soldiers, forming layers upon layers, making it impossible to enter. From time to time, thunderous shouts erupted. The banners and ceremonial vehicles that originally symbolized the emperor's authority lay scattered on the ground, trampled underfoot. The scene was extremely chaotic

In another place, within the palace, the historically renowned Emperor Ming of the Tang Dynasty appeared to have aged considerably. He embraced Yang Guifei, both weeping, immersed in the sorrow of parting life and death. Silent and trembling, he gently stroked the hair of his beloved, who, though no longer young, still retained her grace. He made the painful decision after watching the last dance of the jade figure. Supporting each other, they arrived at the northern wall of the horse path, gently turned to cover their faces. To Gao Lishi, who had accompanied them for many years and now bowed his head, choking on his sobs, he silently waved his heavy hand. Gao Lishi, holding back tears, also trembled as he stroked the hair of his beloved, who, though no longer young, still possessed her charm. After witnessing the jade figure's final dance, they supported each other to the northern wall of the horse path, gently turned to cover their faces. To Gao Lishi, who had accompanied them for many years and now bowed his head, choking on his sobs, he silently waved his heavy hand. Gao Lishi, holding back tears, called upon two strong young eunuchs behind him to bring a piece of plain silk slowly forward. Yang Guifei, her voice hoarse and tears exhausted, could no longer cry, only intermittently sobbing, "Please... preserve... the books! I have indeed failed... the grace of the nation, and even in death... I harbor no resentment! I only wish... to die... before the Buddha..."

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck me, and I finally made a decisive resolution. I led the troops back to the military camp and ordered the flag officers to arrange the formations, causing the horns of the enemy to sound and the drums to beat thunderously. I instructed the soldiers to roast live sheep over a fierce fire, with the fat sizzling and the skin and fur intact. Additionally, I gathered all the large pots to stir-fry fresh barley and beans over a roaring flame, creating a thick, smoky aroma that wafted through the air, drifting towards the heads of the disordered enemy troops. I instructed the soldiers to roast live sheep over a fierce fire, with the fat sizzling and the skin and fur intact. Additionally, I gathered all the large pots to stir-fry fresh barley and beans over a roaring flame, creating a thick, smoky aroma that wafted through the air, drifting towards the heads of the disordered enemy troops.

As the heart lay still like dead water upon the spring stool, supported by two strong young eunuchs, the white silk ribbon tied to the pear tree was about to be tightened around her jade neck. Suddenly, a small figure darted in, tearfully shouting, "Your Majesty, please do not die." She rushed forward and tightly embraced her, crying like a weeping person. The crowd exclaimed, "Your Highness!" It was none other than the missing Yueyue, whom everyone believed to be lost amidst the chaos of battle, their hearts filled with worry yet powerless to act. Without regard for anything else, she too began to weep uncontrollably.

I divided my troops into two parts; one part was assigned to guard and distribute food, while the other was dispatched in dozens of teams to restore order. I personally led a team of soldiers, killing more than ten individuals who attempted to take advantage of the situation to assault women. We fought and drove away many chaotic soldiers who were running amok and reluctant to let go. The aroma of the food also alleviated the frantic and tense emotions of many, attracting a considerable number of them to come over. Gradually, we managed to regain control of the situation.

He hurriedly ordered his subordinates to rescue him. Upon inquiring about Wei Jiansu, who was beaten and bloodied, he learned that there had been a significant upheaval in the military. The Yang clan had almost been entirely exterminated. Now, the soldiers were either besieging the imperial palace or indiscriminately executing nobles and ministers associated with the Yang family

After several days of continuous escape, the soldiers were utterly exhausted. It was July, and the weather was hot, causing discontent among the troops who were unwilling to proceed. The attendants scoured all nearby villages and managed to find a little food and only one pig. Just then, an envoy from Tubo arrived, and naturally, they were invited to a feast. However, the cook from the Yang family mishandled the situation, and the starving soldiers seized the food. The guards of the Yang family killed several soldiers to reclaim it, which further incited the anger of the other soldiers. When Yang Guozhong and the foreign envoys were indulging in their meal, they finally came out to intervene, resulting in even greater fury among the soldiers. Among the troops, someone uttered, "Yang Guozhong is conspiring with Tubo," and with some instigators fanning the flames, the long-standing grievances erupted. The soldiers surged forward and chopped him into pieces, displaying them on spears for all to see. The impulsive soldiers, knowing they were doomed, decided to go all out. They shot Lady Han and her son Yang Xuan, turning them into porcupines. This incited even more people to hunt down Yang Guozhong's family and associates. Several commanding generals could not suppress the chaos, and the ordinary soldiers had long harbored dissatisfaction towards the Yang family, unwilling to intervene despite their outward compliance. This led to the mutiny spiraling out of control, evolving into a full-scale rebellion. Even the more reputable officials like the Grand Minister Wei He, who attempted to intervene, were hacked to death by the enraged soldiers, and other nobles and ministers also suffered collateral damage.

Originally, this batch of provisions, consisting of cattle and sheep, was a stroke of good fortune that seemed to have fallen from the sky. I promptly ordered the slaughter of sheep to prepare a meal, and the soldiers, having enjoyed a hearty feast, were in high spirits. However, we soon caught up with the traces of a large troop on a small slope, only to find that there was not a single sentry on the periphery. The temporary camps were eerily quiet, with no one around. While I felt puzzled, I did not let my guard down. I instructed the troops to remain vigilant. Suddenly, we heard faint shouts and curses coming from within, creating a chaotic uproar. I quickly took a few soldiers with me to investigate, only to encounter a group of soldiers cursing and chasing a civil official dressed in purple. Someone recognized him as the Vice Prime Minister of our dynasty, Wei Jiansu, a senior official from the Ministry of Rites. I wondered how such a high-ranking official had fallen into this disgraceful situation. Another person chimed in, mentioning that this official had a decent reputation and was apparently a guest at the residence of the Vice General Wei Tao, who was still with the rear guard.

Many disorganized soldiers, upon hearing the alarm, instinctively rushed back to defend, colliding with those who were in the heat of battle, resulting in immediate chaos. The aroma of food intensified their hunger, which had been building up from days of fasting, causing them to erupt in desperation. They abandoned their weapons and armor, fleeing with a speed surpassing that of rabbits.

No way. I deeply feel the seriousness of the situation and quickly had someone bandage Wei Jiansu.

The calculated transformation of Mawei originally referred to a pig