Chapter 435: The troubled times have begun, Chide will be established

Lingyang City.

This city covers a small area and does not have a large population, but the terrain is quite strategic, with a large river flowing through it. It is not far from Jizhou City. To the southwest is Yunpan Ferry, and further south is the big city of Guchang. These three cities support each other and have a large river to block the enemy, making them easy to defend but difficult to attack, so they are called the Three Dangers.

Decades ago, these three passes had stopped the enemies from the grassland countless times, buying precious time for the cities behind the three passes. If the grassland barbarians wanted to go south to attack the grassland valley, they had to pass through these three passes, leaving many lives behind.

Due to years of war, the city of Lingyang was built and destroyed many times, and its population became sparse. In order to fill the city, the imperial court moved all the military households, exiled criminals, and banished prisoners here, and issued a special amnesty order, which would pardon those who had fought in hundreds of battles and made meritorious contributions. Not only that, their families would also be protected, and one of their sons would be allowed to inherit their military merits.

This special amnesty order was also known as the Enfeoffment Order. All military and civilians in the city could accept the order. Therefore, there were not only criminals escorted by officials in the city, but also soldiers who had only read a few books and could not recognize a few words, who tried to risk their lives for a good future.

The orders are good, and the laws are good, but when they reach the lower levels and pass through the hands of many people, they have often changed. There are military supervisors supervising the battles, chief clerks recording the merits, and generals distributing rewards, but these people are not alone, and they have many personal connections. When it comes to such profits, they naturally want to benefit their own family members first.

But if you want to trace back to the source of your military achievements, you need their corpses and armor as evidence. If you want to climb up, you need military achievements. The families of the superiors are not peasants who risked their lives for their families, otherwise they would not ask others for help. They only need to enter the battle and kill the enemy.

Fortunately, this matter is simple. All it takes is for the military supervisor to turn a blind eye and for the chief clerk to add a few more entries, and naturally there will be military merits for no reason. What matters is the collusion between the upper and lower levels, and the military merits will be misattributed. Then the soldiers with complaints can be sent to the most dangerous places. After clearing up the beginning and the end, the Lingyang City can still operate smoothly.

There is nothing new under the sun. Over time, this practice became an unspoken rule. When the soldiers killed the enemy, they would not report it to their superiors first. Instead, they would sell the animals everywhere, and the servants who would stand by would ask the price. As long as the price was right, the deal would be made. What mattered was that the price was clearly marked and no one was cheated. There were several people who were promoted to captains without even having to leave the camp. They were nicknamed "Captains with a Buddha's Heart" by the warriors who worked hard to earn merit. Not killing was a good deed, and their heart was like that of a Buddha.

A two-wheeled carriage slowly entered the city. The gatekeeper did not check it, but focused on counting the silver in his hand. This silver is a good thing. It can make people blind or make ghosts work.

The carriage was not luxurious, but it was tightly sealed, with a frame made of fine steel and filled with hardwood. It was better able to resist arrows than those carriages decorated with red tassels and jewels. As the iron frame of the carriage was extremely heavy, the horses pulling the carriage were all fine horses, tall and strong horses pulled from the grasslands, with erect ears and huge frames, which were far from comparable to the short ponies raised in the inland of Middle-earth.

There were four guards following the carriage, all on horseback. The carriage went along the official road and arrived at the most imposing residence, the official residence of the chief official of Lingyang.

Someone had been waiting here for a long time. The head of Lingyang, the town commander and the mayor of the city, Zhang Wenhe, had a smile on his face and glanced at the BMW pulling the cart with some envy.

He is the chief official of Lingyang City. Due to the special nature of this place, he is in charge of both civil and military affairs, and is appointed as the town commander and concurrently the city lord. If he were placed outside, his rank would be half a level higher than those with the same position. In Lingyang, he is like a local emperor.

But even with his power and influence, he might not be able to get a few such fine horses. The foreign tribes on the grassland valued these good horses very much. Even if the border markets were opened and they used the grassland's horse specialties to exchange for sundries such as salt and tea, what came out were inferior horses with mixed bloodlines. If one or two fine horses were released, they were either old and disabled, or had been castrated.

Zhang Wenhe was a military general, but he called himself a Confucian general. He liked things very much and he didn't even look at the castrated BMW. Riding such a defective thing, doesn't it mean that I, Zhang Wenhe, am a castrated dog?

The car door opened and a fat middle-aged man walked out. His fat body was trembling and he needed a maid to support him after walking a few steps. His clothes were luxurious and he had five rings on his hands, and a emerald green jade ring as a decoration.

Zhang Wenhe had a trace of disdain in his eyes, but he took a few quick steps and went forward to greet him: "Mr. Huang, you have been traveling a long way, please come in and have a rest."

The fat man walked with difficulty, and his body was covered with sweat and a layer of oil. Zhang Wenhe paused for a moment, but still smiled and welcomed the man into the house.

Huang Chunting also grinned, "It's okay, it's okay. Opening a trade route here is no small matter. As the president of the Chamber of Commerce, I naturally have to go there."

After entering the mansion, Huang Chunting served tea and drove away the idlers. He took out a silk handkerchief from his bosom and wiped the sweat off his face. "The road to Lingyang is not easy to walk on. There are many bandits. If I didn't have a few idlers under my command, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to see Lord Zhang."

The handkerchief must have been soaked in spices, and the subtle fragrance was fragrant, and together with Huang Chunting's body odor, it penetrated Zhang Wenhe's nose. His stomach kept churning, and he looked at the fat guest in the armchair and said, "It is a bit unsettled, but isn't this caused by the natural disasters in recent years? The people have no food to eat, so they have to become bandits to survive. Don't worry, Mr. Huang, as soon as our Wantong Chamber of Commerce arrives, I will order the troops to clean up these bandits, and it will not delay our major event."

After thinking for a while, he said, "Mr. Huang, you also know that Lingyang City is located on the border. It can only be established by the food and grass escorted by the court and the supply of various cities. I am an official with clean hands and no money in the treasury. I don't know our supply and demand terms..."

Huang Chunting watched Zhang Wenhe cry poor, then looked at the layout of the hall. Although it did not have an air of grandeur, it was actually quite elegant. Just the set of tea bowls in front of him with the patterns of "Fu Lu Shou" (meaning "Three Happinesses") were made in an old porcelain pit. If he took them outside and found a wealthy businessman who liked these items, it would be easy to exchange them for a property deed.

He pretended not to know and thought for a moment: "My Chamber of Commerce is here. As the landlord, Mr. Zhang will need your care in the future. So, I will first send a merchant ship on the canal to transport a few ships of food and grass to reward the soldiers and civilians of Lingyang."

Huang Chunting lowered his voice: "As for Master Zhang, there is a small boat accompanying the big ship. Master Zhang can send someone to secretly meet it. How to divide the things on the ship depends entirely on your wishes. I guarantee that you will be satisfied."

Zhang Wenhe laughed loudly: "Mr. Huang is such a wonderful person. It is a blessing for the people of Lingyang to have you in my Lingyang. It is a blessing for the court to have a loyal man like Mr. Huang. When I have time, I will definitely submit a petition to ask for a merit for Mr. Huang, so that I can get out of this lowly position."

Huang Chunting waved his hand and said, "I'm used to making money as a businessman and doing low-level things. It's enough to be a rich man with the title of a clerk. Mr. Zhang doesn't have to do this and give out some favors for nothing."

Zhang Wenhe was just speaking casually. There was no way he could help Huang Chunting to establish countless connections. He smiled and changed the subject. The two had a pleasant conversation and discussed many details before they drafted the contract and stamped it with the seal. When the moon rose and the sun set and it got dark, Zhang Wenhe sent Huang Chunting out the door.

When he returned to the mansion, his staff was already waiting: "Sir, Huang Chunting may have some ulterior motives in coming here. Should we really accept the invitation and let his Chamber of Commerce in?"

Zhang Wenhe held the tea bowl and chuckled, "What kind of person is Huang Chunting? He is just a businessman who was lucky enough to get help from God and climbed up the ranks of the Money Gang to make a fortune. But it's a pity that people are greedy and have set their sights on my border town."

"Border trade routes are profitable. Salt and tea can be exchanged for countless treasures. Silk and satin are even more coveted by the barbarian nobles on the grassland. Even hundreds of cattle and sheep can be given away, not to mention our private livelihood."

The staff members were naturally aware of this, and they were just giving Zhang Wen a pretext to show off their power. As for their own livelihoods, of course, they were all written in the laws of the court and were a business that could be turned around.

"It's time to scrap a batch of the heavy armor and crossbows in the warehouse. However, the military supplies from the imperial court have not been delivered yet. Once a war breaks out, the soldiers will have no weapons and armor to use, and the imperial court will blame them..."

Zhang Wenhe shook his head: "Do you think I am willing to do this business? It's because I, Zhang Wenhe, have the advantage of location. Ninety percent of the smuggled treasures will be sent to the capital for you to share the profits. The remaining little bit of money is ours."

"Since you have accepted my tribute, you must do your job. Let alone whether the imperial edict can arrive safely in Lingyang City, even if it does, what can they do to me? Although I have been demoted to the third rank, I still cannot take off my official uniform. After a few years, I will be promoted back."

He sighed, "I have given up on a career in politics. I've been promoted and demoted, and I still can't leave this desolate place. I can only accumulate some wealth and live a good life."

The staff was still a little uneasy: "Now that there are unusual movements on the grassland, I'm afraid they will send troops south. By then..."

Zhang Wenhe waved his hands and said, "I have already made a secret agreement with the Mongolian Khan Jinting. Even if you come, you can't take Lingyang. It's just a show. The ones who die are just some mud legs. What does it have to do with me?"

"Let's take a step back. If the imperial court blames me for the loss of the city, I can just defect to the Mongols. With what I have done over the years, I will still be a leader."

The aide was about to say something, but was interrupted by Zhang Wenhe's wave of his hand: "Stop it, as long as I am here, Lingyang City will not be in turmoil. The transaction date is approaching, this is a big deal, you need to pay attention, take the designated mountain road, deliver all the armor and crossbows, and bring back the gold, silver and jewelry, and it will be considered a great achievement!"

Zhang Wenhe dared to say this because his staff had been with him for decades and was his most trusted confidant. After he finished speaking, he looked at the armchair that Huang Chunting had sat on and the tea bowls that he had used. He couldn't help but feel a little disgusted and told the staff to leave. He said, "Wait, send this chair to the firewood room in the backyard and chop it up for firewood. Throw away this set of tea sets as well." He cursed as he spoke, "What a worthless slave! He dares to use my precious tea bowls. When that Chamber of Commerce comes, I'll take every last ounce of his fat from him. Wantong Chamber of Commerce? Changing his surname to Zhang is not bad!"

The aide remained silent and called the servant to take away the tea set and armchair.

It was late at night, and Huang Chunting was staying at a place. He was rich and powerful, so he sent people to buy a house for him to stay as soon as he entered the city.

Now he was still awake, sitting on a low stool as if waiting for someone, playing with a golden copper coin in his hand.

There was a rustling sound of footsteps, and a man appeared in front of Huang Chunting and bowed: "Boss, I am late, please apologize."

Huang Chunting waved his hand: "Forget it, you are a secret agent, undercover here, you can't move freely, and you are bound to be restricted. So, is there any unusual movement here?"

The man looked up and saw that it was Zhang Wenhe's staff. "According to reports from our brothers on the grassland, the Mongol Jinting has already moved hundreds of miles away, and all tribes are ready for battle. I think it will be difficult to stop the southward advance."

"Seven days ago, a spy reported that Jizhou City was destroyed, but for some reason no news was released."

Huang Chunting nodded: "The Mengwu have ruled the grassland for many years, but their power has declined in recent years. They have long been unable to suppress the tribes below them. It is imperative that they move south. They want to use the court to clean up some restless clans so that they can firmly sit on the throne of the Jin Court."

He sighed, "But judging from the current situation of the court, if we fail to deal with it properly, I'm afraid the three dangers will be breached in an instant. If the three dangers are breached, the inland areas will be open to the public. We can even drive straight to the capital and destroy the country."

Huang Chunting thought for a moment and said, "As for the Jizhou incident, I know about it. It was done by a group of elite Mengwu soldiers, accompanied by some unorthodox people who used a magic array to block the city of Jizhou, so that the news could not be spread out. It only delayed the situation for a few days."

"And these elite troops marched at high speed to penetrate the heart and throat of the imperial court. Now that I think about it, it is estimated that they have bypassed the three dangers and headed inland."

The aide was somewhat surprised. He had been hiding in Lingyang for a long time and was unaware of this matter, nor did he know that the situation had become so serious. In the blink of an eye, the dynasty was facing a situation of extinction?
"What's so surprising? The court is rotten from top to bottom. Talented ministers are not allowed to leave, and brave generals are imprisoned in a circle. Those who remain in the court are all petty and despicable people, selling official positions and titles, reselling military supplies, and imposing heavy corvée labor. The people are full of resentment. This is a sign that the officials are forcing the people to rebel."

Huang Chunting said: "You have seen enough in Lingyang. Even the most important gate of the country is like this, let alone other places."

"When the time comes, I'm afraid there will be smoke of war everywhere and the flag of rebellion will be raised," he smiled, "I forgot that we are the main force of the rebellion. I have been running the Money Gang for a long time, recruiting frustrated talents from all over the country and helping the people. If it were a peaceful time, it would only be a good reputation, but in troubled times, this is real prestige!"

"When the time comes, we will raise our arms and rise up. Oh, no, we are patriots and we should raise the banner of clearing out the emperor and rebuilding our country."

As he was speaking, Huang Chunting, whose real identity was the leader of the Money Gang, froze. The jade ring on his right hand glowed faintly and then slowly shattered.

"Jingchu, the imperial court has lost its luck," he said with a serious face, "Let us start this era of great strife!"

"Jingchu, listen to my orders!"

"exist!"

"Give the order, lead the spies in the city, seize the city defenses, and place the city officials under house arrest. If there is resistance, kill them regardless of life or death. As for Zhang Wenhe, if you know what's best for you, spare his life and sacrifice him later. Otherwise, kill him on the spot!"

"I understand the order!"

Jing Chu was filled with murderous intent. He stood up and walked away, using his magical power and slightly opening his mouth, but no sound came out. If Zhang Wenhe saw this, he would definitely not believe that his aide, who seemed to be weak and powerless on weekdays, was actually a cultivator.

At the same time, figures ran around under the cover of the moonlight, and torches occupied various strongholds in the city like a long dragon. The sounds of fighting and shouting rang out, but they subsided in a moment.

Huang Chunting narrowed his eyes, looked at Zhang Wenhe's house, and sneered: "What a nobody, just a lowly official, how dare you hinder the great power of the Money Gang? It would be fine if you die obediently, but if you survive, I will also let you see my methods!"

At the same time, all branches and outposts of the Money Gang were in action. The Wantong Chamber of Commerce, gambling houses, and restaurants throughout major cities all got the news and took frequent actions, but none were as intense as the bloody power seizure in Lingyang.

After the situation had been fermenting for a few days, the people and officials from all over the country were somewhat incredulous, as if a new world had suddenly emerged.

In all parts of the dynasty, the flag of rebellion was raised. There were heroes who were proud of their ability in the mountains and forests, who rose up in rebellion and held high the banner of justice.

The once amiable members of the Money Gang all wrapped their heads with red silk, called themselves the Red Army, and shouted "The blue sky is dead, the red sky must be established", sweeping across the country.

Some soldiers who were escorting a criminal officer were killed, and the leader rebelled with a group of criminal soldiers. It was rumored that the man met a white snake when he was drunk. The white snake was psychic and said that he was the son of the White Emperor and was created by the dynasty's golden destiny.

That person held a red sword in his hand and slashed the snake with it, saying that he was the son of the Red Emperor, and that he slashed the white snake to start an uprising. The dynasty's gold virtue had been cut off, and the fire virtue was about to rise. There were countless people who responded, and it could be considered a unified force.

The dynasty spanned a canal from north to south. Recently, the waves were turbulent, and a stone man was washed up, but the stone man had only one eye. The corvée laborers who were repairing the river bank immediately killed their officials and rebelled. A song spread to all directions along the surging canal - the stone man with only one eye is inciting the world to rebel.

Someone once went fishing by the water and caught a fish with a swollen belly. When he cut it open, he found a silk strip inside with the words "The Blue Sky dies, the Red Emperor lives" written on it.

In addition, some people saw blazing bonfires and wild foxes howling when they were worshiping their ancestors. This kind of strange phenomenon was not uncommon and caused great chaos among the people. Even the officials who used to be domineering and arrogant stopped doing what they did, for fear that someone would sneak into their houses at night and cut off their heads to seek credit for the rebels.

However, the people's grievances have been accumulating for a long time, like a river bursting its banks, and are difficult to contain. Many people on the land are forced to live without any means of survival by officials and have turned to join the rebel army. The only reason for this is that they can get food by joining the rebel army.

Thanks to the management of the Money Gang, they have countless food and fodder, not only soup and rice, but also meat. In order to survive, people can do anything.

At the same time, Cihang Jingzhai, which claimed to be a recluse but always donated rice porridge and did all kinds of good deeds, and was very prestigious among the people, also published a book about entering the world, saying that the world was in chaos and that a wise leader would be chosen to establish a new world.

Zhu Qi in the imperial city had no time to celebrate his entry into Taoism before he heard the news and began to vomit blood and was in critical condition. He sent letters to various orthodox sects but received no response.

At this moment, two pieces of news came one after another: the important border city Jizhou had been lost, and the people of the city had died. The foreign tribes on the grassland moved south, and the Mongol army drove straight into the heartland of the dynasty and approached the capital Shengjing. The towns along the way surrendered, and the world was in an uproar for a while.

(End of this chapter)