Chapter 134: King of Grass Mountain
Seeing this, Xu Huiming became even more nervous, fearing that something unexpected might happen at this critical moment. So he shouted, "Archers on the city wall, throw all your arrows down from the tower! All soldiers inside the city, throw away your weapons and stand on both sides of the city road to welcome the new Lord of Lan County into the city—"
With the shout of "Kaesong surrender", the five thousand refugees outside heard it clearly and all jumped up excitedly. They ran around calling out to each other, eager to try.
Seeing that the refugees were emotional, Xu Yinxi was afraid that there would be more accidents due to the large crowds, so he quickly led people to suppress them, and repeatedly reminded them to follow the rules of entering the city and obey all orders!
She even brought up what Xu Zhenying had said before about the land distribution, and repeatedly emphasized that only those who were obedient and abided by the rules would be able to divide the land. This move was tantamount to grasping the refugees' death knell. What the refugees feared most was that they would always be homeless, without household registration, and without land.
Xu Yinxi's throat was choking with shouting, repeating over and over again, "Only those who are obedient and abide by the rules will get the land! Pass it on, pass it on!"
She made sure that every refugee who came into the city behaved well.
This was what Xu Zhenying instructed her before he left. He told her to maintain order when entering the city, otherwise there would be chaos and people with ulterior motives might take the opportunity to cause trouble.
"Oh my God! We can go into the city! We can go into the city! Finally we don't have to suffer from hunger and cold all day long!"
"Mr. Xu actually did it!"
"I told you that Master Xu wouldn't break his promise!"
"We robbed them of all their food as soon as we entered the city. Why are they so lucky and not suffering from disasters, while we have to wander around and beg for food..."
"Are you crazy? Didn't you hear the captain's repeated orders? We're not allowed to rob, steal, or kill people after we enter the city. If you dare to do that, you'll be expelled from Lan County! We finally have a place to stay, do you still want to live like this, begging?"
"I heard Master Xu say that he would give us some land once we got to the city. Is that true or not?"
"Really? We're going to divide the land? Then we... then we'll have a home, won't we? We'll be good citizens!!"
"That's what they said! I just heard it clearly, so we'll do whatever the boss says. If you don't obey and don't give you land, you'll be at a real loss!"
Xu Zhenying arranged a lot of matters before setting off. Soon, a vanguard team led by Dazhuang explored the way. They confiscated weapons from everyone in the city along the way, but only distributed them to a few trustworthy people in the exile team to suppress disobedient refugees who wanted to take the opportunity to cause trouble.
Xu Yinxi, Fang Ningmo, and the others shouted hoarsely, "Yes, yes, yes, let's do as we agreed last night. Twenty people in each team. The squadron leader will organize his twenty men! After the squadron leader has verified the number of men, report to us!"
"Captain, get your men to line up! The people from the Second Battalion will follow behind the First Battalion. Stop arguing, or you'll have a lot to say once we get into the city!"
"Where are the three teams? If anyone is missing, go call them!"
"Everyone!" Xu Yinxi got a gong from somewhere and started beating it loudly. She stood on a high place, not at all nervous. Her throat was congested and her voice was hoarse. "Everyone, repeat the requirements for entering the city!"
Then the refugees' intermittent and weak voices rang out: "Don't steal, don't rob, don't hurt others, obey orders, follow the rules, and be good citizens!"
“Boom boom boom!”
A few more gongs sounded.
At this moment, Xu Yinxi finally understood the truth of Feng'er's famous saying, "Sometimes you have to be a shrew." She pointed at the refugees below with a gong hammer and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Why, your voice is so low, did you forget or didn't you eat? Don't tell me you didn't eat, I just made porridge this morning! If you didn't remember, then don't even bother entering the city!"
The refugees then shouted at the top of their lungs: "Don't steal, don't rob, don't hurt anyone, follow orders, obey the rules, and be good citizens!"
This time the voices were finally unified and powerful.
It was strange that along with these shouts, a hint of smile miraculously appeared on the faces of the refugees.
It’s great to be in the city.
No more fleeing, no more using the ground as a bed and the sky as a mat...
They finally had a place to stay.
Compared with the happy faces of the refugees, the people in the city looked as if they had lost their parents and were in a panic. They stood on both sides of the road with their wives and children, watching the refugees walk in.
They imagined that these refugees were so hungry that they would do anything. Not to mention burning, killing, looting and abusing, even rape and plundering were inevitable.
Although Lord Sun had sent people to inform them in advance that he had discussed with these bandits and that they would behave properly after entering the city, everyone would rather trust the axes in their hands than trust these bandits!
How can I put my life in the hands of others, especially when these people are just a bunch of ruffians!
Some of the elderly people in the city had experienced the bandits' seizure of the city. They could never forget that bloody and brutal scene. At this moment, they stood on both sides with terrified faces. When they saw Xu Zhenying and others who walked in first, they knelt on both sides and shouted, "Welcome the king to the city!"
No matter how reluctant they were, they were afraid of angering the new king, so they forced a smile and shouted loudly to show their enthusiasm.
Xu Zhenying felt that his life was over.
How come she can't get rid of the low and vulgar title of "King" when she is a girl?
"Everyone."
The new king spoke.
The people knelt on both sides, lowered their heads and glanced at each other, but also sighed, wondering whether the king wanted them to hand over grain or people?
There is not much food in the city!
What if this great king tries to seize it by force?
"Before I entered the city, I had already instructed my men not to steal, rob, or injure anyone. They were to obey orders, follow the rules, and be good citizens! If you find any of them violating these rules, please feel free to report them to me. I will punish them severely!"
Alas, how could this be?
Everyone looked up to see the new king.
The king was truly young, looking like a child, with a face full of childishness and two faint dimples on his lips. Despite his youth, he possessed a powerful presence and a sharp gaze, a presence that was not to be underestimated.
"Also, we're temporarily staying in your city. Whether or not we leave, and when, depends on the situation outside. As you know, bandits are everywhere right now, and we need a place to shelter from the wind and rain. Therefore, during this period of stay, I, Xu Zhenying, will take charge of all matters in Lan County. If you have any questions or any situations, you can report them to me, Xu Zhenying. From now on, I, Xu Zhenying, will be working in the county government office, and you are welcome to report them at any time."
It’s over, it’s over, this self-proclaimed king wants to take charge of government affairs.
Everyone was disheartened. Although they were dissatisfied, they did not dare to express it, for fear that they would lose their heads if they said one more word.
Everyone saw clearly the power of the black powder.
It's so unfair that God allows such a villain to master such a powerful weapon!
"Finally, I don't like people kneeling to me. From now on, you won't have to kneel when you see me." Xu Zhenying waved his hand. "That's it for now. Everyone, keep your doors closed for the next few days. Don't go out without my permission. If there's any problem, we'll come to your door."
Threats, naked threats.
It implies that if they don't obey, they will come and chop off your head.
Although everyone thought so in their hearts, they also felt that this king seemed a little different from other bandit leaders.
At least he spoke politely, explained the rules clearly, and did not start a massacre after entering the city.
Especially the refugees under his command, although they all looked disheveled and fierce, they were well-organized, noisy and orderly, and seemed to be quite organized.
When the residents of the city heard Xu Zhenying's orders, they immediately rushed home and locked their doors, as if they were afraid to stay there for even a second longer.
The shops in the city were closed and there was no one there except the refugees. As 5,000 refugees entered the city one after another, accommodation, food and excretion became a problem!
Siege is just a small problem, and the next big problem is people’s livelihood!
Xu Zhenying led his men into the county government office, quickly assigning tasks as they walked. "Master Sun, please have someone hand over the fish scale book. What is the county's population? How many villages and townships are under its jurisdiction? What are the population and cultivated land in each township? How much grain is currently stored in the county? Please also make a list of the wealthy households in the city for me!"
Sun Qingchen was somewhat stunned. He, along with the county magistrate, the chief clerk, and the legal advisor, were escorted in. He asked, "You won't kill me?"
Xu Zhenying frowned: "Why should I kill you?"
"How can you occupy the city if you don't kill me? I won't submit to you! I'm an official appointed by the imperial court. There's no way I'll surrender to a thief like you! Hurry up and kill me with your knife. I, Sun Qingchen, won't even frown!"
Xu Zhenying thought he had forgotten about this, so he ordered Dazhuang, "Take a few brothers and surround Magistrate Sun's house. No one inside can enter or leave, but they will still be given food."
He then said to Sun Qingchen, "You've reminded me that the lives of your entire family, young and old, are in my hands. I command you not to leave me within twenty steps. If you dare to leave even one step, I will kill one person from your family!"
Sun Qingchen's face turned pale, and he almost lunged forward, shouting, "You thief! You thief! I've already given you the city, so why are you trying to embarrass my family?!"
Xu Zhenying smiled slightly. "Since you've already called me a thief, why can't I embarrass your family? As long as you're obedient, I'll ensure your family's safety."
This Sun Qingchen is a rare talent for governance, and more importantly, he is ready-made! Ready-made!
There are so many government affairs in Lan County that even the donkey from the production team couldn’t finish them all!
She had to keep Sun Qingchen in her hands no matter what.
She then secretly instructed Dazhuang, "Be good to Magistrate Sun's family. Try to meet their needs, as long as they are not excessive. We want Sun Qingchen to work for us, so don't offend him."
Da Zhuang took the order and left.
Jiang Yongkang has taken his brothers to replace the city defenses and repaired the blown-up city gates. Now that they are in charge of Lan County, if the city walls are loose, it will be dangerous if they encounter other bandits.
Xu Zhenying sat in the main seat in the hall of the county government office. Below her was a crowd of people, all with bewildered looks on their faces, as if waiting for her instructions.
Xu Zhenying is a little overwhelmed.
With more than 5,000 people, the first problem is food.
Seeing that Sun Qingchen was righteous and unwilling to cooperate, Xu Zhenying started with Yan Zhubu: "Yan Zhubu, tell me about the situation in Lan County."
Yan Zhubu thought to himself, "You're just a brat, barely wet behind the ears, you probably can't even read a single word, and yet you want to take over Lan County's government?" Sun Qingchen had just been sidelined, so it was time for him to show his abilities.
He has to make people realize his own value in order to save his life for a short time.
"In reply to your Majesty, there are seven villages under Lan County, with a total population of 67,320. There are 5,297,000 mu of registered arable land. Currently, there's not much food in the granary, enough to feed the 10,000 people in the city for a maximum of ten days. Because the situation in the city is relatively good and the people have some surplus food, the granary hasn't been opened yet. Here's the key."
Yan Zhubu even handed over the keys to the granary.
This behavior was immediately despised by Lord Sun and County Magistrate Yang.
However, Yan Zhubu felt that these two people were ignorant of the current situation. The bandits had already been welcomed into the house, and it was ridiculous for them to talk about backbone now.
"Ten days." Xu Zhenying sighed. Lan County, a relatively wealthy county, had such little food reserves. One could imagine how much more stretched the situation was in other towns. "Rich families should have food."
Yan Zhubu immediately took matters into his own hands, acting in an unfathomable manner: "Yes, yes, that's right... not very cooperative..."
Xu Zhenying glanced at him indifferently, but ignored the question, which made Yan Zhubu feel a little embarrassed.
He had originally thought that the new king would at least ask him how to extort food from the rich, but he was ignored.
Yan Zhubu was secretly sarcastic in his heart, they are indeed a group of makeshift people, let's see how you guys are going to get food with so many people, it would be better for him to pack up and prepare to run away!
"Okay, you guys go down first. I'll call you if there's anything." Xu Zhenying dismissed the original administrative team of Lan County and only left County Magistrate Sun by his side.
"Let's resettle the refugees first. With so many people standing on the streets, if there's nothing for them to do, they're bound to cause trouble."
Xu Yinxi, feeling a bit bolder, suggested, "There must be some vacant houses in the city, or houses that are uninhabited by refugees. We might as well clear out a few of them and use them to house some of the refugees. As for the rest..."
Feng Er interjected, "Whoever has a bigger house should make some space for us! Aren't there many wealthy families in the city? They have bigger houses, so let them squeeze in."
Xu Huiming said, "I'm afraid these gentry aren't so easy to talk to."
"If you don't like talking, just kill a bunch of them. Establish your authority first, and you won't have to worry about them not obeying you!"
Feng'er actually also shouted for fighting and killing.
"When we first entered the city, we promised not to kill anyone. Now, in less than half an incense stick of time, we're already on a killing spree? What's the difference between us and bandits?"
Xu Zhenying raised her hand. "Fourth sister, take a group of people and go and resettle some of the refugees first. Don't let them stand there and cause trouble. I'll have someone vacate the house as soon as possible and make sure every refugee has a bed to sleep in tonight."
Xu Yinxi took the order and left.
"Fourth Uncle, take some people and ask the local gentry to gather together. Tell them I have something important to discuss and invite them to the county government office."
"For the rest of you, let's have a small meeting. The city has a lot of complicated affairs, so let's discuss the division of labor."
Sun Qingchen felt a little strange listening to Xu Zhenying's methodical arrangements. He had not expected this boy to be quite knowledgeable, and he became even more wary.
"Grandmother and the others are still in Ye County. I need someone to go there to check on the situation. If the situation is good, I can bring them to Lan County. Who do you think is suitable to go?"
Everyone looked at each other, and Xu Huijia stepped forward, "I'll go."
Huang Cui'e was somewhat reluctant, but she couldn't say anything.
She thought it would be so comfortable to be the mountain king in Lan County, but now that things had just settled down, she had to go back into the mountains. What would she do if she encountered bandits again?
"Okay. You'll be allowed to pick ten people to go. First, get the food from the granary. Speaking of the granary, mother, I'd like you to check the weight later. From now on, you'll be responsible for the food. How much we eat and how much we use each day, who received it, and who signed for it, all needs to go through you. You're responsible for the inflow and outflow of food in Lan County."
Miao was a little hesitant. She could not read many words and had never done such a thing before, so she was afraid that she could not bear the responsibility.
But her daughter always did things in an orderly manner, and she couldn't refuse in front of so many people, so she had to nod in agreement.
Xu Zhenying had her reasons for making such arrangements.
Now is an extraordinary period, and food is the most precious resource. She believes that she can still control the people in the team. She sent Miao because she is her mother. If others want to take the food, they will have to consider the importance of her, Xu Zhenying!
"Second Aunt, you have a lot of experience managing the backyard. The food, drink, and toilet of these five thousand refugees are all in your hands. You must manage them in groups and follow the team management method. You must ensure that the refugees entering the city behave well and don't cause any trouble."
Lian felt that the burden on his shoulders had become heavier.
"Aunt Si, there's not enough food in the city. I'd like you to gather some skilled women from the refugees who have experience in farming and planting, and have a meeting with me tonight to discuss this."
As for what they were researching, Lian didn't ask and Xu Zhenying didn't say.
Lian understood anyway, so she could just go find a woman who could do the work. As for the specific tasks, Xu Zhenying would definitely give instructions, so why would she bother asking?
"As for the city's defense and security, Jiang Yongkang will be responsible for that. By the way, Feng'er and Xu Yinxi will be my personal secretaries. They will follow me from now on and deliver messages and paperwork for me. Feng'er, please convey this to Jiang Yongkang later and ask him to work harder these next few days and ensure that the city's defense is well maintained."
Feng'er felt both emotional and frightened.
This wasn't business, this was government! It was something only a scholar could do, and it just happened to her?
Feng'er agreed in a daze.
At this moment, someone came to report that all the local gentry had closed their doors. Her people went up to them but were turned away and no one opened the door for her.
After the experience of exile, Xu Degui also had a bandit spirit. He said coldly: "I am afraid that we gave them face when we entered the city by saying that we would not kill anyone. They really thought we were weak and could be bullied. Now they want to ride on our heads and shit on us."
Xu Dekai also said: "Indeed! These wealthy people probably look down on us, and this is a way to intimidate us."
Sun Qingchen, who was standing behind Xu Zhenying, curled his lips into a cold smile.
The local gentry and powerful people are in collusion with each other, and their power is complicated. Some of them have close relations with court ministers. They can neither be touched nor persuaded. Otherwise, Sun Qingchen would not be in such a difficult situation.
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