Chapter 48 Just in Time
Wagangzhai is located in the southeast of Weicheng County, Dongjun. If it weren't for the Wagang rebels, Weicheng County, which was separated from Baima County, would not have been frequently mentioned in the official documents from Dongjun and Jiyin County to the court, thus becoming famous.

Previously, Zhai Rang led his army to successively capture Xingyang, Chenliu and Shangqiu. However, with the arrival of the army of Murong Ding, the King of Wei of Dayan, the Wagang Army fled without a fight and quickly moved to Dongjun and Jiyin counties.

The Yan court regained control of the canal and recaptured the cities. It also left behind a strong general like General Zhao Yi of the Left to lead his troops to guard the canal and continue to clear out the bandits on the canal.

This made the strategy that Xu Maogong had previously proposed to Zhai Rang no longer suitable for the current situation.

Therefore, the Wagang Army could only retreat to their old nest, Wagang Village, and then make long-term plans.

However, at this time, a man named Yang Sui came to recommend himself. When the people in Wagangzhai heard that he was Yang Xun's cousin, they all advised Zhai Rang to kill him. After all, Yang Sui was from the Hongnong Yang family, and had nothing to do with these Shandong bandits. If he took in the remnants of Yang Xun, wouldn't he attract more attention from the court?
However, Zhai Rang was still a little hesitant, so he locked Yang Sui up and asked Xu Maogong, who was always full of wisdom, to discuss the matter.

"Mao Gong, in your opinion, how should we deal with Yang Sui?"

In the lobby of Wagangzhai, Zhai Rang and Xu Maogong sat around a brazier.

Xu Maogong stretched out his hand to warm the fire, looked up at Zhai Rang and said, "Mr. Zhai, please don't ask how to deal with Yang Sui first. Let me ask you one thing first: what is your ambition?"

After hearing this question, Zhai Rang did not answer for a long time.

He was originally a legal official in Dongjun. He was imprisoned for releasing a criminal privately. Later, he was released. He raised the banner of rebellion out of necessity, just to save his life.

Later, the team continued to grow, and the Wagang Army now had tens of thousands of people. They once captured important cities such as Xingyang, and attracted the King Wei of Dayan to personally lead an army of more than 100,000 to attack.

Among the many rebel armies in the world, this one was already quite powerful, and became the best among the anti-Yan rebel forces in the Central Plains, with unparalleled reputation.

But the current strength of Dayan is still obvious to all. Even though there are countless people rebelling in various places, Dayan's million-strong army still allows the court to continue functioning.

Even if he rebelled now, he did not dare to set his goal on overthrowing Dayan and establishing a new dynasty.

So Xu Maogong's question really confused him.

Seeing that Zhai Rang did not answer, Xu Maogong continued: "Since you have already raised the banner of rebellion, how can you kill people who share the same aspirations as you raised the banner of rebellion just because you are afraid of the court? Although Yang Xun was defeated, I heard that he failed because he did not follow Yang Sui's strategy, so I suggest that Zhai Gong should meet with Yang Sui first before making a decision."

Zhai Rang nodded, then called his son Zhai Sixun and asked him to go and invite Yang Sui over in person.

At this time, Yang Sui was being held in a tent, along with his cousin Yang Kan, Yang Xun's younger brother.

Yang Kan was born very tall. He was the youngest son of Yang Su. He followed his elder brother Yang Xun to study and practice martial arts since he was young. His martial arts skills were even better than those of his elder brothers Yang Xun and Yang Shancai.

Originally, he did not agree with Yang Sui coming to Wagangzhai. According to his idea, he could recruit soldiers on his own and continue his brother's unfinished anti-Yan cause.

But Yang Sui insisted on coming to Wagang to give it a try, and as a result, both of them are now prisoners.

"Sixth Brother, why don't you agree with my suggestion? What should we do now?"

Yang Sui shook his head and said, "Fifteen, what do you think of Dayan now? Has it reached the point of collapse? We raised the banner of rebellion this year, but in just two years, my brother was defeated and killed, and we could only flee in a hurry. If we continue to confront the Yan court under the banner of the Yang family, the court will definitely not let us go and will definitely send heavy troops to attack. So we can't make too much noise now. Zhai Rang of Wagangzhai has a reputation for being public-spirited and righteous. If he is willing to accept us, we can also use the power of Wagang to fight against the Yan court." "Oh," Yang Kan sighed, he knew that his cousin was right.

But at the moment, Zhai Rang doesn't seem to want to accept them.

But soon, a strong young man came and said, "Mr. Yang, my name is Zhai Sixun. My father wants to see you two. Please follow me."

Yang Sui saw that things were turning around, so he straightened his clothes and said to Zhai Sixun, "Please lead the way, sir."

Zhai Sixun nodded, then took Yang Sui and Yang Kan to the meeting hall, the core of Wagangzhai.

The lobby was very empty. There were only Zhai Rang and Xu Maogong, and together with Yang Sui and Yang Kan brought by Zhai Sixun, there were only five people in total.

"I have met Lord Zhai."

When Yang Sui saw Zhai Rang, he saw that this leader of the rebel army had a dignified appearance and looked like a man who could accomplish great things. He first bowed, and Yang Kan did not say anything but also raised his hand to signal.

Zhai Rang, who came from a wealthy family, still respected Yang Sui, a scholar from an aristocratic family. He returned the greeting with a smile and said, "Mr. Yang, there is no need to be polite. This is Xu Maogong, a talented fellow townsman of mine. Please take a seat."

Yang Sui bowed to Xu Maogong again, and then sat down with Yang Kan.

After sitting down, Zhai Rang said, "I have neglected Mr. Yang these days. Please don't mind. I have been thinking hard these days and I have heard that you are resourceful. May I ask, what is the future path for Wagang?"

Yang Sui did not expect that Zhai Rang would directly ask a big question. After a little thought, he bowed and said, "The current Tiansheng Emperor Murong Ying is incompetent and unjust. Since he ascended the throne, he has built the Eastern Capital, opened the Grand Canal, and fought wars year after year. Five or six out of ten of the laborers he used died. He himself was also extravagant. Zhai Gong, do you know that in the first year of Tiansheng, Murong Ying went to Yangzhou. He used tens of thousands of dragon boats that stretched for two hundred miles. There were hundreds of thousands of boatmen, and their waists were festering and maggots were growing. Liaodong was defeated twice, and the soldiers and generals were lost. The discarded items "The money is piled up like a mountain, all of which is the people's blood and sweat. The people suffer greatly from it, and the people are full of resentment. That's why the righteous men in the world raised the banner to rebel against Yan. Although my brother Yang Xun was defeated and died, it was because of the improper use of troops. I think the fate of Great Yan has ended. This is the time to destroy the tyrannical Qin and fight for the world like Liu Bang and Xiang Yu did. With your great talent and strategy, elite soldiers and generals, as long as you manage it properly, then you can seize Luoyang and Chang'an, eliminate the Xianbei tribe, destroy Great Yan, and restore the Han Dynasty. It's just around the corner!"

Zhai Rang and his son Zhai Sixun, who was standing behind him, were both stunned after hearing what Yang Sui said.

Can I (my father) be the same as Liu Bang and Xiang Yu? You didn't lie to me?

Although they rebelled against Yan, it was done out of necessity. But could they really destroy Great Yan?

However, looking at Yang Sui's burning eyes, Zhai Rang's heart suddenly surged with pride. Yes, Xiang Yu was a fallen general of the Chu State, and Liu Bang was just a village head. They were able to establish a great cause against Qin, so why can't I, Zhai Rang? Before I started the rebellion, I was a legal officer in Dongjun, a higher position than both of them when they started the rebellion!
Just in time!
He just stood up and bowed to Yang Sui.

"I have heard what you said, and it has opened my eyes. I hope you can teach me the way to destroy Yan and restore peace to the world!"

Yang Sui also stood up and bowed, saying: "Sui is willing to make plans for Lord Zhai and uphold justice for the public."

Yang Kan and Zhai Sixun were still surprised, only Xu Maogong clasped his hands together and smiled.

There is great potential for achievement and a promising future.

(End of this chapter)