The Great Rebel at the End of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 062 Mountain Top

As soon as Gao Yingxiang finished speaking, Wang Jiayin and Wang Ziyong couldn't help but show their joy.

Wang Ziyong, in particular, as Wang Jiayin's confidant, was secretly worried that Gao Yingxiang would not accept his suggestion when he made those remarks.

Although Gao Yingxiang's troops were not as large as Wang Jiayin's, they were still a force to be reckoned with.

With a force of over ten thousand men, and having marched all the way from south to north, capturing Baoan, Anding, and Qingjian, Gao Yingxiang's title of "King of Rebels" was quite impressive.

Even though his strength was slightly inferior to Wang Jiayin's, he was still second only to Wang Jiayin among the various rebel forces. In particular, after Wang Ziyong made his suggestion, none of the leaders of Gao Yingxiang's troops responded, but instead waited quietly for Gao Yingxiang to express his opinion, which was enough to prove his status in the rebel army.

Wang Jiayin was delighted by Gao Yingxiang's arrival, but at the same time, he was wary.

Before Gao Yingxiang arrived, he held a secure position as the leader of the rebel army. However, Gao Yingxiang's arrival created a problem: how to get along with this rebel force.

If Gao Yingxiang can stand with him through thick and thin, the rebel army will not only gain a significant boost in morale but also unite to resist the government forces, greatly increasing their chances of success in any future development. However, if Gao Yingxiang clashes with him and relies on his troops to resist, it will not be a good thing for the rebel army.

In particular, Wang Jiayin genuinely wanted to be the leader of the alliance, but he was afraid that if he said it directly, Gao Yingxiang would refuse.

He had intended to test Gao Yingxiang and his group by hosting a banquet for them today. However, there were certain things he, as the leader, couldn't say, but his subordinate Wang Ziyong could say them.

Using Wang Ziyong's status and position to test Gao Yingxiang would be most appropriate. If Gao Yingxiang agreed, everyone would be happy; if Gao Yingxiang objected, then Wang Jiayin would have room to maneuver and wouldn't have to completely break off relations.

But to his surprise, Gao Yingxiang not only agreed to the matter immediately, but also took the initiative to suggest that Wang Jiayin be the leader of the alliance. This surprised and delighted Wang Jiayin. He never expected that Gao Yingxiang would agree to this matter so readily.

"Brother Gao, is what you say true?" Seemingly unable to believe his ears, Wang Jiayin couldn't help but ask in surprise.

"Of course it's true! We are all leaders, and our word is our bond. Besides, Brother Wang was the first to raise the banner of righteousness, setting an example for us. I, Gao, and my brothers came here to join Brother Wang. Even if we don't mention this today, in my heart, Brother Wang has long been our leader. This position of alliance leader belongs to none other than Brother Wang!"

"good!"

Looking at Gao Yingxiang's sincere face, Wang Jiayin was overjoyed.

He hadn't expected things to be so easy and burst into laughter. Wang Ziyong, standing nearby, was secretly delighted, thinking Gao Yingxiang was so sensible and a truly good man. Since Gao Yingxiang had no objections and had even offered to make Wang Jiayin the leader, Wang Ziyong immediately decided to strike while the iron was hot and finalize the matter.

Thus, Wang Ziyong suggested: Since both sides have this intention, and now that the various righteous armies are gathered here, and all of you brothers are heroes of the world, why not form an alliance here, determine the order of importance, unite as one, and fight against the imperial court together?

Gao Yingxiang indicated there was no problem. With Gao Yingxiang's approval, his men naturally wouldn't object. Wang Ziyong immediately ordered the banquet to be cleared away and replaced with an incense table, inviting all the leaders to swear an oath of brotherhood by drinking blood.

Thus, in Wang Jiayin's main tent, the various leaders of the rebel army, with Wang Jiayin, Gao Yingxiang, and others at the head, swore an oath of blood.

They burned yellow paper, chopped off chicken heads, cut off fingers, squeezed out blood and dripped it into a wine bowl, burned incense to offer sacrifices to heaven, and each person took a sip of the blood wine, thus forming an alliance.

After the alliance was formed, Wang Jiayin naturally became the leader of the righteous army, while Gao Yingxiang, nominated by him, became the vice-leader, second only to Wang Jiayin in status. As for Wang Jiayin's various leaders, including Wang Ziyong, as well as Zhou Lun, Li Wanqing, Wang Er, and Zhao Sheng's troops on Gao Yingxiang's side, they were also members of the righteous alliance, treating each other as brothers. Heaven above, this oath is our witness; any breach of this oath will be condemned by heaven and earth!

After drinking the blood wine, the alliance was formed, and everyone instantly felt closer to each other; they were all brothers now.

Overjoyed, Wang Jiayin ordered fine wine to be brought out and the banquet resumed. He drank and laughed heartily with everyone. "Today's pledge: we won't leave until we're drunk!"

The drinking session lasted until dark. Many of the leaders in the main tent were completely drunk, and after drinking too much, they put their arms around each other's shoulders, becoming very close.

Zhou Lun also drank quite a bit.

However, he was someone who had been "tested by alcohol." Back when he was starting his business, he would drink several kilograms of 50-proof liquor with his clients almost like water. The alcohol content of liquor in the late Ming Dynasty was not high to begin with, so this was nothing to him. Besides, Zhou Lun had a habit: he would never actually drink himself into oblivion; he would slow down appropriately when he was about to finish.

After everyone got drunk, some lay down on the ground, some slept soundly on the table, and others, too drunk to resist talking incoherently, their eyes bloodshot like rabbits. But Zhou Lun remained clear-headed; apart from his flushed face and slight intoxication, his drunkenness was entirely feigned.

"Why are you so drunk?"

After the banquet ended, the swaying crowd was helped back to their tents by their respective guards. Zhou Lun, naturally supported by Gao Yigong, staggered back to his own tent.

Seeing her husband completely drunk, Gao Guiying couldn't help but complain.

Gao Yigong couldn't explain it either, and could only chuckle awkwardly. At the leaders' gathering, a mere bodyguard like him was only allowed to stand guard outside; he had no right to enter the main tent. Besides, everyone was drunk at the party, and compared to the others who had to be carried back, Zhou Lun's return was already quite good.

After helping Zhou Lun lie down on the couch, Gao Guiying asked Gao Yigong to quickly bring some hot water so she could wipe Zhou Lun down.

Being drunk is the worst thing, and seeing Zhou Lun like this, Gao Guiying felt both resentful and heartbroken. After the water was brought, she sent her younger brother away, took off Zhou Lun's outer clothes, and gently wiped his body with a towel soaked in hot water...

Just as he wiped her twice, Zhou Lun, who was lying down, stirred.

"Give me the towel, I can do it myself." Zhou Lun, who had been fast asleep with his eyes closed just a moment ago, opened his eyes and sat up abruptly.

"Honey, you're not drunk?" Gao Guiying asked in surprise, her eyes wide.

"Hehe, the wine that can make your man drunk hasn't been brewed yet," Zhou Lun said with a smile, taking the handkerchief from Gao Guiying's hand and wiping his face cleanly.

"and you……?"

"Everyone's drunk, how can I not be?" Zhou Lun said with a smile.

Gao Guiying chuckled and covered her mouth after hearing this. She hadn't expected her man to pull such a stunt. But it was all for the best. She had been worried that Zhou Lun's excessive drinking and drunkenness would be bad for his health, but it turned out he was just faking it.

"Aren't you afraid someone will notice?" Gao Guiying took the towel from his hand, soaked it in hot water, wrung it out, and continued to wipe his body without letting Zhou Lun do it.

"Who would notice a small leader like me?" Zhou Lun said with a smile. At the banquet today, apart from exchanging a few words with Zhang Cunmeng, who was sitting next to him and was known as the "mud-free" rebel leader, he didn't say much else.

After all, as the vanguard of Gao Yingxiang's troops, the first person he met upon arriving here on his first day was Zhang Cunmeng. Today, Wang Jiayin is hosting a welcoming banquet, and he has specially arranged for his troops' leaders to sit together with Gao Yingxiang's men to foster closer relationships. As for the others, Zhou Lun, who has just arrived, has only heard their names and met them; he is not familiar with any of them, and even with Zhang Cunmeng, he is only slightly acquainted with him.

He briefly told Gao Guiying about the banquet and alliance meeting that day. Gao Guiying listened attentively, and after Zhou Lun finished speaking, she helped him wipe his body and brought him a dry set of clothes to change into.

"So, the King of Chuang will be the deputy leader of the rebel army from now on? And the leader is Wang Jiayin, the leader of the rebel army?" Gao Guiying couldn't help but ask.

"That's right. We just swore a blood oath, and this matter is settled."

"Chuang Wang, he..." Gao Guiying frowned slightly, her expression hesitant, but in the end she didn't say anything.

Seeing her like this, Zhou Lun reached out and took her hand, smiling meaningfully: "The alliance meeting is just a formality, and the leader is just a title. Besides, Chief Wang's forces are much larger than ours, and we originally came from the north to join them, so Chief Wang should naturally be the leader. Moreover, the vice leader is second only to the leader, which isn't bad. King Chuang is magnanimous; this was his suggestion, so why is he unhappy?"

"That's true." Gao Guiying smiled instantly.

Since my uncle has made such a decision, we can only go along with it. Besides, no matter who becomes the leader, my man is ultimately the leader of the rebel army, and Gao Yingxiang is currently the vice leader, a position second only to Wang Jiayin, which is not low.

After explaining these few words to Gao Guiying, Zhou Lun secretly praised Gao Yingxiang for his perfectly timed actions.

He had originally thought that after the two rebel armies joined forces, there would be a dispute over the position of commander. He was surprised that Gao Yingxiang would take the initiative to back down today and even proposed that Wang Jiayin be the leader of the alliance. However, after careful consideration, he agreed that Gao Yingxiang's move was appropriate.

In terms of both ability and reputation, Wang Jiayin was superior to Gao Yingxiang, and their trip north was originally intended to seek refuge with Wang Jiayin.

The saying goes, "Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake." On Wang Jiayin's turf, Gao Yingxiang's aggressive approach upon arrival was not a good thing. On the contrary, befriending him and forming an alliance would have been the best option.

Furthermore, the so-called leader was merely a figurehead, a nominal leader in name only. The various rebel factions remained unchanged.

Whether it's Wang Jiayin's or Gao Yingxiang's troops, each leader has their own forces, and they're essentially sticking together for mutual support. For example, on Gao Yingxiang's side, as the top leader, he only truly controls his own troops. Li Wanqing, Wang Er, and Zhao Sheng's troops nominally obey him, but their forces are actually under their own control. This is precisely the main reason why Gao Yingxiang has been secretly trying to win over all sides.

Factions naturally exist within the military.

A leader must be tolerant of others, and more importantly, make good use of subordinates and control all parties. Zhou Lun, as a former successful person, has more insights into this.

Furthermore, although Gao Yingxiang could not become the leader of the alliance, he was elected as the deputy leader, a position that would only bring him benefits and no harm.

On the one hand, he can continue to firmly control his troops, and on the other hand, he can use the title of deputy leader to enhance his prestige and status in the entire rebel army after the alliance is formed.

Moreover, in the future, this title of vice-leader would be the best stepping stone for him to intervene in other rebel armies. In Zhou Lun's judgment, Gao Yingxiang's quick agreement to Wang Ziyong's suggestion and his strong push for Wang Jiayin to become the leader today probably meant that he had already figured everything out. Taking advantage of this opportunity to return the favor and secure his own position as vice-leader was probably his real purpose.