The Succession Struggle in the Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 54: Raising a Long Spear, It's Hard to Distinguish Between Friend and Foe

Quan Wenwei already knew that the prince in front of her was the kind of person who would respond to gentle persuasion but not force. Trying to negotiate by being stubborn would have almost no chance of success. If she told him what was going on first, he might save her life out of consideration for her small contribution.

Having figured this out, Quan Wenwei no longer hesitated and said, "Your Highness, as far as I know, the rebels have another army in another place besides this one. If my estimate is correct, this army has a thousand men."

There's actually another army, and quite a few of them. If it's true, it's a real problem.

Tu Chengyu asked, "Is what you're saying true?"

Quan Wenwei replied, "This humble citizen dares not lie."

Tu Chengyu didn't immediately believe Quan Wenwei's claim about the army, since it was impossible to verify at the moment, and who knew if this guy was just making it up to save his life.

Tu Chengyu decided to continue questioning, saying, "Gao Chonghe was arrested yesterday, and the Imperial Horse Administration's skilled interrogators tortured him all night, but they couldn't get any information about such a bandit group from him. You are just Gao Chonghe's subordinate; how did you know about this? What is your explanation for this?"

Quan Wenwei said, "Your Highness, Gao Chonghe doesn't know much about this bandit group either. According to Gao Chonghe, this bandit group is directly controlled by someone behind the scenes in the capital. Gao Chonghe only supplies the troops with provisions and pay every now and then, and he has never even seen the person who receives the provisions. Therefore, Gao Chonghe only knows that this bandit group exists, and he knows nothing else. So, of course, he dares not say anything, otherwise, if the interrogators find out, and he can't say anything more, wouldn't he just get beaten up for nothing?"

Quan Wenwei's explanation was barely plausible. Tu Chengyu then asked, "Since Gao Chonghe only knows a little bit of information, how do you know more?"

Quan Wenwei replied, "Your Highness, I have handled provisions for Gao Chonghe several times, and that's how I learned of the existence of this bandit army. By observing what they bought each time, I was able to deduce the number of bandits. As for anything else, I don't know much. I'm telling Your Highness this so that you can prepare in advance."

Tong Tu Chengyu said, "What you say sounds very convincing, but unfortunately there's no way to verify it. How can I believe what you say?"

Quan Wenwei said, “Your Highness, there is a way to verify what I said. The day before yesterday, I went with Gao Chonghe to purchase grain, which will be delivered to the handover location tomorrow. Gao Chonghe was arrested yesterday, and the people waiting to receive the grain may not have been heard from yet. Your Highness only needs to interrogate Gao Chonghe to find out the handover location, and then you can follow the clues and catch this group of people.”

Tu Chengyu asked, "Do they change locations each time they hand over the work, or is it always the same place?"

Quan Wenwei replied, "It's different every time."

Tu Chengyu asked again, "Besides Gao Chonghe, who else knew the location of the handover, and how did Gao Chonghe deliver the supplies to them?"

Quan Wenwei said, "Your Highness, as far as I know, only Gao Chonghe knows that he sends different people to purchase grain and fodder each time, and then randomly selects poor people in the Yingmao army to deliver them to the handover point. Therefore, I cannot guess either."

If what Quan Wenwei said is true, this matter really cannot be delayed. Once this opportunity is missed, it will be even more difficult to find this team in the future.

Thinking of this, Tu Chengyu asked Lao Yao and the other man to keep an eye on Quan Wenwei, while he went out to find someone to bring Wu Chun over and ask them if they had asked about these things during the interrogation.

However, Tu Chengyu had just stepped out of the gate and hadn't even instructed anyone to call Wu Chun when he saw Wu Chun come in from outside by himself. His arrival was quite timely.

Tu Chengyu then said, "Wu Chun, you've come at the right time. I have something to ask you."

Wu Chun said, "Your Highness, please give your orders."

Tu Chengyu asked, "When you were interrogating the traitor Gao Chonghe, did you learn from him that the traitors still had a band of soldiers numbering a thousand, and that they were currently hiding somewhere?"

Upon hearing that there was another bandit group whose situation was unknown, Wu Chun was also startled. He said, "When we were interrogating them, I didn't even think about this, so I didn't ask. I suppose Gao Chonghe deliberately concealed it. I will send someone back to interrogate them again now."

Tu Chengyu said, "That's what I mean too. Send someone back now to interrogate them, and make sure they find out exactly where the grain was handed over this time."

Wu Chun replied, "Your Highness, I understand. I will make the arrangements immediately."

After saying that, she hurriedly turned around and left, but after taking only a few steps, she suddenly stopped and turned back, saying with annoyance, "Look at my brain, I just said two words to the prince and forgot what I was supposed to report. Your Highness, please forgive me."

Tu Chengyu said nonchalantly, "It's alright. What do you need to report?"

Wu Chun said, "Your Highness, the sentry outside just reported that a group of people has arrived from the mountain. I can't see their numbers clearly, but I can tell they are carrying the imperial camp's flags. They must have been sent by the Emperor to protect you. I've come to ask Your Highness what we should do when they arrive?"

"The Imperial Guard?" Tu Chengyu asked in confusion.

Wu Chun replied, "Your Highness, they are indeed from the Imperial Guard, flying the banner of the Imperial Guard's Dragon Cavalry."

Tu Chengyu thought for a moment and shook his head, saying, "No matter which guard it is, they couldn't possibly arrive so quickly. The person who sent the memorial has only been gone for a short time; they couldn't possibly have arrived so soon."

Wu Chun said, "This servant also has such doubts in mind, which is why I am asking Your Highness, what arrangements should this servant make?"

Tu Chengyu said, "The Longxiang Guard has only sent a small number of men out of the city this time. If Father Emperor wanted to send someone, why would he send the Longxiang Guard?" Wu Chun exclaimed, "So, this group of people claiming to be from the Longxiang Guard might be imposters. Their concealment of their true identities must mean they have ulterior motives. Your Highness, this place is dangerous. I beg Your Highness to take your men and leave first, leaving me here to deal with the situation?"

Tu Chengyu said, "It's not certain yet. Perhaps Father Emperor sent people ahead of time. You don't need to be so nervous. However, we can't let our guard down. You should have the people who are confiscating the property stop, gather their men, and prepare. We'll go and check things out first."

Upon hearing that Tu Chengyu intended to go personally, Wu Chun became anxious and said, "Your Highness, with us servants here, why risk your life to go and investigate?"

Tu Chengyu shook his head and said, "There are some things you don't know. If I don't go, you might not be able to tell the truth from the falsehood."

Since that's what they've said, what else could Wu Chun do but quickly retreat and gather more men to strengthen the prince's guard?

Tu Chengyu wasn't idle either. He felt he needed to test Quan Wenwei to see how he would choose when faced with the person who might save him.

Back inside, Tu Chengyu asked Quan Wenwei, "A force has come down from the mountain. I want to keep them out. What is the best place to do this?"

Upon hearing Tu Chengyu's sudden question, Quan Wenwei did not answer immediately, but instead closed his eyes as if he were calculating something.

Tu Chengyu said bluntly, "If you dare to have any other thoughts, and if the situation changes, I will be the first to kill you and your father."

Quan Wenwei was startled by Tu Chengyu's murderous words and dared not pretend any longer. He immediately said, "Your Highness, this humble subject would never dare to have any other thoughts. I was just thinking about how to answer Your Highness's question."

Tu Chengyu said, "Since that's the case, have you thought of a solution?"

Quan Wenwei asked, "May I ask, Your Highness, how many troops have come down from the mountain?"

Tu Chengyu, unsure of the exact number of those present, exaggerated and fabricated a figure: "Several times the number of my men."

Quan Wenwei gently stroked his short beard, pondered for a moment, and said, "With such a large difference in numbers, we can only outsmart them, not overpower them. The prince also said that the enemy is coming from the foot of the mountain. Therefore, we can choose a secluded spot to ambush them, and launch a surprise attack when they pass by. This will surely be very effective."

Tu Chengyu shook his head and said, "I cannot yet confirm whether those coming down from the mountain are friends or foes, so this method is not suitable."

Quan Wenwei stared at Tu Chengyu in astonishment, as if to say, "You haven't even distinguished friend from foe, yet you come to me asking for advice. Isn't that making things difficult for me?"

Tu Chengyu didn't care about any of that. He pressed, "Have you thought of any other solutions?"

Quan Wenwei frowned and said, "In that case, there is only one way to deal with it."

Tu Chengyu asked, "What method? Tell me."

Quan Wenwei said, "Your Highness can first send men to block the road on the east side of the palace garden. This road has a steep slope at the bottom and connects to a small hill at the top. If this road is blocked, others will have to cross the hill to get here. Then, Your Highness only needs to send men to guard the hill to deal with the situation calmly."

Tu Chengyu thought about the terrain he had seen on his way here and realized that Quan Wenwei's words made a lot of sense. Although he hadn't climbed that hill, based on what he had seen, it was indeed suitable for defense.

If this guy isn't lying to me this time, I might as well plead for him after this is over and ask my father to spare his life.

Tu Chengyu was still thinking when Wu Chunfang's voice came from outside: "Your Highness, I have gathered the men. Please give your instructions."

"Understood," Tu Chengyu replied to Wu Chun, then pointed at Quan Wenwei and said to Lao Yao and the other man, "Bring this guy along."

After saying that, he took the lead and walked out of the room. Once outside, he saw the courtyard full of Imperial Horse Guards soldiers in full armor and helmets. Even Wu Chun was in full armor.

It seems that the Imperial Horse Administration is not only skilled in gathering information and interrogation, but also dares to participate in serious battles between two armies.

Since they had to fight the enemy, Su Xuanbao, a junior officer from the Imperial Horse Administration's outer camp, naturally came as well. He was a proper general in charge of the outer camp of the Imperial Horse Administration, so he would naturally know some military strategy.

Tu Chengyu then told Su Xuanbao the countermeasures that Quan Wenwei had just mentioned.

After listening, Su Xuanbao said, "Your Highness, this humble general also thought of this countermeasure after listening to Chief Steward Wu's words."

It seems this method really works, so let's not waste any more time. Tu Chengyu said, "Wu Chun, you take your men and find a way to block the road to the east. The rest of you come with me to the mountaintop to set up the defenses."

Upon receiving the order, Wu Chun was the first to leave, followed by Tu Chengyu, who led Su Xuanbao and the others out of the side gate of the palace and headed towards the eastern hill.

(End of this chapter)