Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

Chapter 1053 Ah... Old Tong has already surrendered?

Tong Guan's camp was deathly silent.

Everyone was still processing this shocking news; no one could have imagined that one day they would become rootless.

"My lord, tell me, what should we do next?"

A commander broke the silence first, and once someone spoke up, the entire tent was filled with discussion.

"Yes, sir, what do we do now? Should we continue fighting?"

"My lord, why don't we retreat to the capital? We'll have 200,000 troops, and we'll march back! We're sure we can break through the city!"

"Yes! My lord, let's march back! Let's destroy Cai Jing's so-called Great Lai Kingdom! My lord, let's restore the Great Song Dynasty!"

"Yes! My lord! Rebuild the Song Dynasty!"

"What Great Song? My lord, how about we..."

"Shut up, Lao Zhang! What nonsense are you spouting!"

"What's wrong with me? Did Cai Jing do this? Can't adults do it?"

……

The entire tent was filled with the sounds of debate.

Many people hoped that Tong Guan would lead his men back to defeat Cai Jing.

However, since the Song Dynasty is gone, many people have suggested that we should just establish a new dynasty!

These two are the most common opinions. Some people also advocate waiting and seeing what happens, while others suggest continuing the attack on Nanjing first and then making further decisions after capturing the city.

Oh, and there's another one. He said he wanted to discuss things with the Liao people, but before he could finish speaking, Tong Guan threw a paperweight at him, hitting him on the head and causing him to bleed profusely.

"I actually have subordinates who want to defect to the alien race! Come on! Take them down!"

Yes, Tong Guan was that tough. He'd let me rebel, but to go and join the Liao people? I'd beat you to a pulp!

After the man who had suggested surrendering to a foreign race was taken away, Tong Guan looked at everyone in the tent again and slowly spoke:

"Gentlemen, I have something to discuss with you all."

"Sir, please speak."

"Sir, just tell us what to do! We'll do whatever you say!"

"Do you know that the Liao Kingdom's capitals, Tokyo and Zhongjing, have already fallen?"

"hiss……"

When Tong Guan announced this news, everyone gasped in shock.

No, Lord Tong, the news you've been spreading today is getting more and more outrageous.

The news that the capital had fallen and the Grand Tutor had rebelled was already quite outrageous.

And yet you actually said, sir, that two of the five capitals of the Liao Kingdom have already been overthrown?

So, if we've fought so hard for so long and still haven't taken Nanjing, doesn't that make us look stupid?

"What are you looking at me doing?"

Tong Guan spread his hands, appearing completely open and honest.

"It's true. You've all heard of the man who conquered the two capitals of Liao. His name is Ren Yuan."

Upon hearing this, the people in the tent began to murmur again:

"Ren Yuan...that name sounds so familiar."

"Yeah, I feel like I've heard it somewhere before."

"They must be from our Song Dynasty, but we don't know which general it is."

……

"Everyone, have you forgotten that the one from Liangshan, one of the four great outlaws of the Song Dynasty, was named Ren Yuan?"

Amidst the increasingly outrageous discussions, one of the commanders seemed to have an idea and spoke up somewhat uncertainly.

"Liang, Ren Yuan of Liangshan?"

The moment the name was revealed, everyone was shocked once again!

No, he was just a bandit!

How did he manage to conquer the two capitals of the Liao Dynasty?

"That's right, it's Ren Yuan from Liangshan."

Tong Guan nodded.

"My lord, shouldn't he still be at Liangshan? How come he's in Liao territory and even captured two of Liao's capitals?"

Someone questioned.

"I don't know exactly how I did it."

Tong Guan shook his head, indicating that he did not know.

"However, I know that he has already conquered a lot of territory in the Liao Kingdom and turned those territories back into the Han Kingdom."

"My lord, do you mean you intend to seek refuge with this Ren Yuan?"

Those with quick wits immediately guessed Tong Guan's thoughts.

"My lord, this is unacceptable! He is a bandit, and we are the army of the Great Song Dynasty. How can we become bandits?"

"That's right, sir! It's always been bandits who get granted amnesty, never government troops who voluntarily become outlaws."

"That's right, Ren Yuan somehow got lucky and managed to capture both capitals of the Liao Kingdom, but a bandit is still a bandit!"

Some people looked down on Ren Yuan and made disparaging remarks, which made Ma Ling, who was behind the screen, frown.

"The government troops... to be honest, we're not like that anymore."

However, some people were more level-headed. After carefully considering the current situation, they did not strongly oppose Tong Guan's proposal.

After all, it would be easier to submit to a Han Chinese than to surrender to the Liao people.

"Now that the Song Dynasty is gone, we are an independent force. An independent force should be able to make any choice we want."

Of course, there were still quite a few people loyal to the Song Dynasty:

"My lord, although the court is gone, the emperor should be alright, right? I still hope that you can find the emperor and restore the court! My lord, you will surely be able to advance further then! This is a great opportunity to make a name for yourself in history!"

"Gentlemen, I am very pleased that no one has said anything about wanting to join the Liao people."

Tong Guan was very satisfied with the feedback from everyone this time.

"I will not force anyone. If anyone wants to go back to serve the emperor, that's fine; if anyone wants to follow His Majesty, that's fine too, His Majesty has gone to the Western Army; if anyone is willing to stay with me and cooperate with Ren Yuan to attack Nanjing and take back Yanyun, then I, Tong, will be extremely grateful."

Although Tong Guan did not say it explicitly, what he meant was that he wanted to cooperate with Ren Yuan.

"This is the main camp, and across from it is the Liao people's city. Now is a crucial moment in the battle between the two armies, so I implore those who intend to leave not to tell their men where they are going, nor to tell them that the court is gone. The morale of the army must not be shaken."

Tong Guan knew that among the people present, there were not many who were completely of one mind with him, and those who chose to stay might not immediately surrender with him. They probably intended to observe and see what Ren Yuan's situation was.

"My lord, take care."

Since Tong Guan had said so, these soldiers didn't bother to be coy anymore. Some of them stood up, bowed to Tong Guan, and then turned and left the tent.

Once there was a first, there was a second. However, before they left, they all bowed to Tong Guan to show their respect. During this period, Tong Guan had indeed earned everyone's respect through his actions.

Soon, about half the number of people remained in the tent. They didn't move, but just looked at Tong Guan.

"Gentlemen, aren't you leaving?"

Tong Guan asked.

"Sir, we believe you."

“That’s right, sir. If you think Ren Yuan is trustworthy, then we are willing to trust you!”

"I don't know anything about Ren Yuan, but I know that the adults wouldn't harm me!"

……

"Alright, all of you return to your respective units. Remember, the news of the court's demise must be relayed down the ranks, from commander to superintendent, superintendent to commander, and so on. I don't want to see morale collapse or mutiny within the ranks. Understand?!"

"Yes!"

After everyone received their orders and left the tent, Ma Ling emerged from behind the screen.

"Tong Guan, you really shouldn't have entered the palace back then. You should have gone to the outlaws. If you had, we might have run into each other on Liangshan Mountain long ago."

Ma Ling said, "Tong Guan, your performance just now was not bad."

"Brother Ma, we don't have 200,000, but 100,000 should be enough. I hope His Highness won't mind?"

Tong Guan stated that the people who stayed behind earlier had a combined force of approximately 100,000 men.

"My brother welcomes anyone, especially those willing to fight the Liao people."

Ma Ling nodded to Tong Guan:

"However, this matter is of great importance, so I will return to Zhongjing to find my brother immediately. Tong Guan, you stay here and watch over the camp. Wait for my news, and I will return tomorrow."

"Brother Ma, do you need me to provide you with a warhorse?"

Tong Guan stated that he could provide warhorses.

"Old Tong, my nickname is Divine Steed. My lightness skill is unparalleled, and I can travel a thousand miles a day. Do you think I need a horse?"

Ma Ling patted Tong Guan on the shoulder, then darted out of the tent and vanished in an instant!

Tong Guan was left alone in the tent, stunned.

Is it true that one can travel a thousand miles a day?

Thankfully, I decided to join them!

……

That night, Zhongjing.

Ren Yuan was also surprised when he heard Ma Ling's report after she rushed back.

Ah... Old Tong has already pledged allegiance?

Did they bring more than 100,000 people with them?