Fang Wushang, though a blunt officer, also felt immense pressure. He had tried to charge the rebels single-handedly last time, only for them to instantly form a spear formation and aim hundreds of hand crossbows at him, forcing him to retreat. It was a lesson even for this hothead. "To be honest, I don't know what to do now either. We definitely cannot defeat border troops."
(Ming Context: The term "sesame-seed official" was a self-deprecating slang used by low-ranking local officials like county magistrates (7th rank) to describe their relative unimportance in the vast imperial bureaucracy. Using it here shows Cheng Xu's calculated disrespect and highlights the vast gulf in status he's pretending exists.)
Fang Wushang was the most capable fighter in Chengcheng County. If even he felt they "could not win by force," others could only be more desperate. The gathered gentry looked at each other, at a loss.
Finally, they could only all look to Liang Shixian!
After all, he was the Magistrate.
Seeing everyone's eyes on him, Liang Shixian also felt the pressure mount.
I must think this through carefully.
The erudite Liang Shixian immediately activated "finding a way out in desperation" mode in his mind. The current difficulties, the powerful enemy, the county's local militia, the behavior of the Guyuan rebels… all flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern. Suddenly, ding! Amidst a pile of dead ends, he actually saw a path to survival.
"The Guyuan rebels!" Liang Shixian said. "To deal with border troops, we must use border troops. The Guyuan rebel force that emerged from Huanglong Mountain doesn't seem bad. They only repelled Li Ying and didn't touch our Fengyuan Town at all. This shows this rebel force can be reasoned with. This official will go and speak with them, persuade them to assist our Chengcheng County against other rebels. They might even help us fight bandits."
Everyone was stunned. "That's possible?"
Liang Shixian said, "Why not? The border troops rebelled only because of unpaid wages. Deep down, they probably don't want to be rebels. They might even be waiting for a chance to be pardoned. This official will go talk to them, let them atone for their crimes through service. If they are willing to stand up and deal with the other rebels, this official will spare no effort to ensure they aren't pursued by the court. With that as a bargaining chip, there's room for negotiation."
The gentry listened, and huh, that's right!
"Then this matter can only trouble the County Magistrate. We are people of little influence; the rebels certainly won't believe us. Only if the County Magistrate goes personally is there a chance to talk."
Liang Shixian naturally knew this. That "Ghost Battalion Commander" of the Guyuan rebels in Huanglong Mountain was a proper fifth-rank military officer. The gentry weren't qualified to speak with him. In Chengcheng County, only he, the Magistrate, was qualified to exchange a few words with a fifth-rank officer.
Liang Shixian snorted. "For the common people of Chengcheng County, what does it matter if this official takes a little risk?"
Fang Wushang also spoke up. "There are also rebels under Yichuan's Wang Zuogua stationed in those mountains. It's very dangerous. If we fail to find the Guyuan rebels but run into Wang Zuogua instead, that would be bad. I must go with Magistrate Liang."
"Good. This matter is better done sooner than later. Let's set off immediately."
Thus, Chengcheng County's top civil and military leaders set out together, leaving the county town and heading north towards Huanglong Mountain.
This is actually a great opportunity! Li Daoxuan thought to himself.
The Gao Village militia, because they wore armor, were very inconvenient to operate under the government's nose. This was the case last time when dealing with the Heyang bandit Fan Shanyue; once Fang Wushang arrived, the militia had to withdraw into the woods, remove their armor, and only then go out.
But now, with the Guyuan mutiny causing this uproar, and with Liang Shixian and Fang Wushang intending to recruit the "rebels," it gave the Gao Village militia a perfect excuse to swagger around in armor and fight openly.
Excellent. Switch view back to Gao Village. Notify Cheng Xu, make arrangements…
---
Liang Shixian's physical fitness was clearly much better than that of Lamplighter Zhao Sheng.
He now climbed onto a large rock—the very same one Zhao Sheng had climbed months ago when he rebelled and entered Huanglong Mountain to address his followers.
Zhao Sheng had nearly fallen off that rock, slipping twice, sweating profusely before finally making it up. But Liang Shixian just hitched up his official robes and scrambled right up without the slightest effort.
Standing atop the rock, he scanned the surroundings. After a full circle, Liang Shixian was a little disappointed. "We can't find the Guyuan rebels. What should we do?"
Fang Wushang said gravely, "Magistrate Liang, that Guyuan rebel force is, after all, a unit of border troops. If they are intent on hiding, how could they be so easily found? Let's just wander around the mountains. They will find us."
Liang Shixian: "Huh? Let them find us?"
Fang Wushang: "Exactly! The scouts of border troops are nicknamed 'night-prowlers.' For them to discover us is much easier than for us to discover them."
His words had just fallen when he suddenly frowned and whirled around. He saw a man had emerged silently from the woods behind them. This man wore mountain-pattern armor, his face covered with a black cloth. His bearing was clearly different from bandits; one glance told you he had once been an official of the court.
The soldiers under Fang Wushang immediately raised their weapons. The household guards and yamen runners Liang Shixian brought also swallowed nervously.
The man who emerged from the woods was, of course, Cheng Xu.
"Heh, you looking for me?"
Cheng Xu's voice held a hint of menace.
Liang Shixian's spirits lifted. Suppressing the fear in his heart, he mustered his courage. "This official is Chengcheng County Magistrate Liang Shixian. This trip into the mountains is indeed to find the General."
Cheng Xu already knew their purpose from Tianzun but pretended otherwise, adopting an official tone. "The court owes me three years of wages. Even my personal guards can't make ends meet. I have nothing more to say to the court unless they pay up, promptly."
Liang Shixian's face showed embarrassment. "This matter… regarding the wages… this official… could… on your behalf… petition the court… just a little…"
"Pah! Petition? You take me for a three-year-old child?" Cheng Xu said. "If that money could really be obtained through petitions, would I have rebelled?"
This was a valid point. Liang Shixian felt somewhat awkward. "Ai, General, I know the court has wronged you. But… rebelling and causing chaos is ultimately not a solution. When the imperial army arrives eventually, you… an arm, after all, cannot twist a thigh."
Cheng Xu pretended to be intimidated by these words, falling into silence.
Seeing his attitude, Liang Shixian felt there was hope and quickly pressed his advantage. "General, your rebellion due to lack of pay is understandable. In the battle at Fengyuan Town, you did not harm commoners, showing you are a man of conscience, not some vicious, evil rebel. While rebelling may bring temporary satisfaction, carrying the name 'traitor' for a lifetime isn't very honorable. Why not heed this official's advice and turn back from this path?"
Cheng Xu: "You want to offer me a pardon? With just a seventh-rank sesame-seed official? What promise can you give me?"
Liang Shixian's spirits lifted again. "Although this official is not some remarkable figure, I do have many friends in the court. With their help, I might be able to assist you."