Traveling through the late Ming Dynasty to promote Chinese civilization

Chapter 90 The Arrival of Wang Bao

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After parting ways with the Portuguese, Bai Lian asked Liu Ye, "Why did you help the rebels persuade Sun Yuanhua to surrender?"

Liu Ye looked around and, seeing no one else in the courtyard, whispered, "Master, Sun Yuanhua isn't a bad official. Compared to other officials in Shandong, he's quite honest. He's only focused on training a new army to fight the Tartars in Liaodong. It would be a pity if such an official died at the hands of the rebels. This is a delaying tactic to save his life."

Last night on the rooftop, Bai Lian's beliefs had already wavered. After witnessing the atrocities committed by the rebels, her desire to use them to help the Bai Lian Sect rise up had faded considerably. She was no longer as firm as she had been at the beginning. Hearing him say this, she nodded and said, "Within Shandong, this Governor Sun has a good reputation, better than Yu Dacheng."

“Fairy, you didn’t sleep a wink last night and fought fiercely with the rebels. Now that we’re safe for the time being, you should take Miss Ling and go rest. I’ll go talk to Sun Yuanhua.”

Bai Lian nodded, "Alright." She and Ling Xi'er then found a clean room to rest.

Inside the flower hall of the governor's yamen, Sun Yuanhua and Liu Ye sat facing each other once again. The last time they sat here, Sun Yuanhua was the powerful governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou, and Liu Ye was a merchant seeking his protection. This time, however, Sun Yuanhua was a prisoner, and Liu Ye was nominally an envoy for the rebels.

Sun Yuanhua gave a bitter smile and said, "Brother Liu, it feels like a lifetime has passed since we last met, everything has changed."

Liu Ye also felt a bit regretful. He had searched for Sun Yuanhua several times before the fall of Dengzhou City but to no avail. He could only say that this calamity was destined to be his.

"Why do you say that, Lord Sun? Although you have suffered a calamity, you are still the governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou until the court removes you from your post."

Sun Yuanhua shook his head and said, "Because of my mistake, the rebels captured Dengzhou City. I'm not even keeping my own life anymore, so what's the point of talking about the governor's position? As for you, how did you end up in the rebel army? Could it be that you're really acting as their advocate?"

"This is a long story," Liu Ye recounted in detail how he worked in coal mines in Huang County, was unable to return to Qiongzhou by sea due to the lockdown of Dengzhou, met Bai Lian and her companion, feigned compliance to protect himself, then followed them to infiltrate the rebel camp, and was subsequently sent to Dengzhou to contact Geng Zhongming. The events were all true, but he concealed his own motives and portrayed the rebel messenger as someone coerced into doing so.

This explanation was reasonable, and Sun Yuanhua believed it without a doubt: "So, you were forced to serve the rebels to protect yourself? And you even joined the White Lotus Sect?"

Liu Ye looked around to make sure no one was watching, and said in a low voice, "I was dealing with the White Lotus Sect, but I didn't join them. I was only trying to save my life. I was forced to deliver messages for the rebels. My reason for coming to persuade you to surrender to the rebels is also a lie. I know you have integrity, Lord Sun, and you would never submit to the traitors. Saying I'm here to persuade you is just a delaying tactic to prevent Li Jiucheng from getting angry and harming you."

Sun Yuanhua nodded: "From your willingness to sell cannons to the court, I know you have a loyal heart and would never willingly stoop to serving the rebels. As for me..." He suddenly realized that he was definitely not going to be the governor, so he changed his words, "As for me, the mistake has already been made. Since I cannot commit suicide, I will wait for the court's judgment. I only hope that Kong Youde will remember our past relationship and hand me over to the court. I would rather be executed at the execution ground than die at the hands of the rebels."

Liu Ye knew that his wish was most likely to be fulfilled. As long as nothing went wrong, he would soon be handed over to the imperial court by Kong Youde, where he would be tortured in the Zhenfu Division prison and executed along with Zhang Tao. However, with Liu Ye as a variable, anything was possible.

It would be a great pity to let Sun Yuanhua die like in the original history. When the time is right, whether he is willing or forcibly abducted, we must find a way to get him to Lingao. Where can we find such a talent in Lingao who understands Western technology, has governance experience, and can train troops?

However, Liu Ye knew that it was not convenient to reveal his true colors at this time, and it would not be easy to persuade him to give up his loyalty to the court and switch sides. So he just went along with him and said a few words, such as "Lord Sun, there is no need to be pessimistic. You should keep your useful body and serve the court" and "The Eastern Barbarians have not been destroyed. After the restoration of Dengzhou and Laizhou, we will still need you to take charge of the overall situation" to ease his thoughts of wanting to die.

After saying goodbye to Sun Yuanhua, Liu Ye was just about to find a place to sleep when Ling Xi'er arrived. She said worriedly, "Liu Ye, that scoundrel Wang Bao is here!"

Wang Bao? He's quick on his feet. He must have seen the rebels occupy Dengzhou City and was unwilling to let the White Lotus take the lead, so he wanted to take advantage of the chaos. The rebels had barely entered the city when he arrived.

"Let's go and meet Master Wang."

When they arrived at Bai Lian's room, the door was wide open. Bai Lian was sitting in the chair in the center, and next to her sat a man in a Taoist robe, who was none other than Wang Bao.

Liu Ye walked in with a smile and greeted him: "So it's the Taoist priest who has arrived. I'm so sorry for not welcoming you sooner."

Seeing Ling Xi'er following Liu Ye like a little bird, Wang Bao felt a surge of jealousy. Both Bai Lian and her disciple were incredibly beautiful, and he had fantasized about having a relationship with both of them. However, Bai Lian was the Holy Maiden of the main sect, and her martial arts were superior to his; he had the desire but not the courage. The scene before him displeased him, but he didn't show it on his face, and said with a smile, "According to the sect's rules, you must address me as Dharma Master, don't you think, Holy Maiden?"

Liu Ye replied with a smile, "That seems to make sense, but I'm not a member of the White Lotus Sect, so I can only respectfully address you as Daoist Master!"

Since joining the White Lotus Sect, Wang Bao, relying on the tricks and swindles he had learned while traveling the world, amassed a large following and a considerable fortune. His willingness to curry favor with those at the main headquarters quickly propelled him to the position of Protector of the Inner Dharma Hall. Whether believers or other leaders within the sect, everyone addressed him respectfully as "Dharma Master" or "Protector." The title "Daoist Master" hadn't been heard for a long time. Liu Ye's playful address of "Daoist Master" instantly brought back memories of his own impoverished days, wandering the streets and alleys to make a living.

He was furious. This kid surnamed Xia not only ruined his plans in Lizhuang, but also instigated Bai Lian to infiltrate the rebel army and steal his credit. Now he didn't even care about formalities. He was truly hateful.

Despite his hatred, he still wore a smile, showing no sign of anything amiss. There was nothing he could do; if this kid could see through his "spell" once, he could see it again. With the White Lotus protecting him, he couldn't kill him, so he decided to let bygones be bygones for now.

"Oh? Such a talented young man not joining our sect is a great loss to our sect. Holy Maiden, that is where you are wrong."

Bai Lian said calmly, "Whether Liu Ye joins the sect or not is a matter I will decide for myself. I don't need Protector Wang to worry about it."

"Hahaha..." Wang Bao chuckled dryly a few times.