Chapter 522: Putting Them All To Work

The substance of Yang He’s proclamation had long been anticipated by the group, who had already prepared their counterstrategy.Xing Honglang offered a cupped-fist salute with a smile. “My lord Yang, this subordinate recklessly raises a minor request…”

Yang He’s brow furrowed deeply. Outlaw bandits accepting appeasement always demanded concessions; the question was what she wanted, and whether he could afford it.

Xing Honglang said, “All across the underworld know this Xing Honglang hails from Yongji. Since I’ve become an official of the court, I naturally wish to return home in glory. I petition the court to grant me the position of Puzhou Defender. Afterwards, I shall lead my troops to protect the peace of my homeland. What could be more splendid?”

This request wasn’t unexpected!

The position could be granted. However, the fact that the deputy assigned to Puzhou just days ago had been slain by her, followed immediately by her demand to become Puzhou Defender—something felt distinctly off.

Could it be… she killed him to seize his position?

This thought circled in Yang He’s mind.

Just then, Xing Honglang added, “My lord also knows I was once a salt smuggler. My knack for trade is passable. My people can all sustain themselves through business endeavors, requiring no further resettlement funds from the court.”

This statement instantly delighted Yang He.

The lingering suspicion vanished. Who cares if she killed Wang Guozhong to take his position? As long as she doesn’t demand money from me, everything is fine!

Yang He agreed without hesitation. “Good! Then it is settled.”

He was the Three Boundary Governor, possessing immense authority. Appointing a mere Defender required no consultation; with a single stroke of his pen, the matter was sealed.

He intended to offer a few more words of encouragement, when suddenly, a fast rider burst into the city. The mounted warrior looked utterly disheveled, frantic as if his mother had died. Reaching Yang He, he tumbled from his saddle and shouted breathlessly, “My lord Yang! Terrible news! Catastrophic news! Shen Yikui has rebelled again! He’s captured Ning Sai county town!”

Yang He’s heart lurched. Shen Yikui was the strongest of the outlaw bands that had remained in Shaanxi without crossing the river into Shanxi. Not only was his force large, but it also contained veterans from the border army as its core, making it exceptionally battle-hardened. Yang He had desperately maintained appeasement towards this group, yet barely after his departure, it had defiantly rebelled again. He sighed deeply. “What is his grievance now?”

“Unknown. But… Ning Sai county town has already fallen,” the rider reported hurriedly. “Request Lord Yang mobilize troops immediately, lest a vast region descends into ruin once more!”

Yang He demanded, “Where is Du Wenhuan? His whereabouts?”

An attendant leaned in close, whispering, “Lord Yang, after Shen Yikui slaughtered Du Wenhuan’s clan, you insisted on appeasing Shen Yikui. Du Wenhuan was infuriated. He disregards your orders now. We cannot mobilize him.”

Yang He: “…”

An eerie silence lasted several seconds before Yang He asked, “What about Cao Wenzhao? Where is he now?”

A subordinate stepped forward. “Report! Cao Wenzhao is pursuing the remaining forces of Wang Jiayin near Jinyang, at this moment.”

Yang He ordered, “Tell him to cease pursuit! Wang Jiayin is dead; his remnants pose no threat. Spare those crabs and shrimps. Have him return immediately to Shaanxi to deal with Shen Yikui.”

The subordinate saluted and hurried off.

Yang He turned to Xing Honglang with a sigh. “General Xing, you heard the tidings. Truly! I implore you not to imitate Shen Yikui’s treacherous volatility. Serve the court loyally, and the court will surely reward you justly. This official must hasten back to Shaanxi to address Shen Yikui’s rebellion. Farewell for now. Coordinate subsequent matters regarding your appointment directly with the Governor of Puzhou.”

With that, Yang He immediately set off with He Renlong, swiftly returning to Northern Shaanxi.

Xing Honglang exchanged a glance with Ground Rabbit, momentarily at a loss for words.

Governor of Puzhou, Qiu Qianfan, approached and cupped his fist respectfully towards Xing Honglang. “General Xing, hereafter we two—one civil, one military—shall jointly govern this territory. Please offer your guidance and support, General.”

His attitude towards Xing Honglang was incomparably better than it had been towards Wang Guozhong, genuinely considerate and pleasant.

How does the saying go?

As the soil, so the crop.

Do good, be good, and others will treat you well. And those who consistently face poor treatment wherever they go? It’s because their own manner invites it.

Xing Honglang returned the salute towards Governor Qiu. “Well then, let us support each other accordingly.”

Governor Qiu’s tone immediately shifted. Lowering his voice, he said confidentially, “This official actually sent inquiries. So General Xing has established a textile factory at the docks! Ai-ya, how many people are at those docks anyway? Far better to build one within Puzhou City! The population here is dense; hiring workers would prove much simpler.”

Xing Honglang gave a low chuckle. “Governor Qiu, those are your words. I truly will relocate my textile factory here.”

Governor Qiu chuckled in return. “Come, come, hasten it! This official’s head swells just looking at these refugees! Best if you take them all into your factories!”

Xing Honglang whispered conspiratorially, “This madam has lofty ambitions! A cement factory, a fertilizer factory, mines to dig, iron to cast, a carpentry workshop, a ceramics kiln… In any case, you knew this madam was a salt smuggler. Making money is her favorite pastime. She’d skin every copper coin off this spinning ball and stuff it into her money sack if she could. Preferably every soul in the city would be working for her!”

Governor Qiu beamed with delight. “Splendid! Simply splendid! Build factories with abandon, General! Build as many as you wish! Level mountains, dig mines—do as you please! This official guarantees approval for it all. These accursed times yield no harvest. The common folk toil uselessly, all gaping at this official, begging for congee. Hah! As if this official could magically summon any! My own pot scrapes bottom! Take them all to work! So long as you pay them, this official welcomes it with open arms and legs raised high!”

Xing Honglang: “Heh heh heh!”

Governor Qiu: “Heh heh heh!”

In the blink of an eye, the two reached an agreement: to transform all the refugees into laborers. The poor populace of Puzhou remained oblivious—a spectre, a spectre of capitalism, had already extended its claws towards them…

Yet, when that spectre seized them, they felt no suffering, only relief. Because capitalism, for all its faults, held at least a sliver more grace than feudalism.

Meanwhile, in southern Jinyang, on Shennong Mountain.

Li Zicheng was leading his Old Eighth Team—the core fighters who’d followed him from Mizhi to forge their fortune—in a desperate uphill flight.

He had just suffered a devastating defeat!

Though fierce and brutal, when the Old Eighth Team met Cao Wenzhao leading the Guanning Iron Cavalry, they were thrashed dizzyingly.

Cao Wenzhao pierced through the Old Eighth Team in a single charge, scattering Li Zicheng’s forces until they fled deeper into Shennong Mountain. And still Cao Wenzhao gave chase relentlessly, showing no intent to let him escape.