Chapter 204 Chaos
"Kill the eunuchs! Revolt against the Zhou Dynasty! Have clothes to wear and eat! Live like a human being!"
I don’t know who was shouting the slogans, but their deafening sound echoed throughout the entire county!
From Xu Degui's perspective, he just saw countless people rushing towards the restaurant, and Wang Jianjun and Zhou the eunuch had been held down and dragged into the crowd.
He heard someone shouting "Murder!"
He heard Eunuch Zhou screaming for help to Xu Zhenying at the top of his lungs, but he was quickly drowned out by the crowd that rushed over and his voice was instantly silenced.
The two men were dragged in by the crowd of people. They were fighting back and forth, punching and slashing each other. It was impossible to tell who started the fight first or who started it all. All they could hear was the two men's cries for mercy, which gradually weakened and then died away.
Lin Er and Liu Erwa mixed in with the crowd, and taking advantage of the large crowd, they stabbed the man several times, and did not stop until they were sure that the two men were really dead.
This scene made Xu Degui feel as if he was back in Zhangjia Village that night.
Countless fanatical people, those crazy eyes, and blood falling from the knives are now happening in Lan County!
Xu Degui stopped on the steps.
Then he seemed to have lost all his energy and fell down on the steps in despair.
It's over.
It's all over.
The Xu family... this time they've truly become traitors...
At this point, no matter how stupid or dumb Xu Degui was, he had already realized that this banquet was a Hongmen Banquet!
The purpose is to arouse public resentment and let these two people die at the hands of the people of Lan County!
In this way, Xu Zhenying could naturally raise the banner of rebellion!
All of this, one thing after another, linked together, pressing step by step. When did Xu Zhenying start planning this?
Did it start when they invaded Lan County, or when she recruited soldiers and expanded her territory, or when she deliberately spread the rumor about tax sharing to cause panic and anger among the people?
Xu Degui suddenly felt that his daughter was so terrible!
Xu Degui was trembling. Now the Xu family was in a difficult situation and could only follow her in rebellion!
Someone shouted, "Stop hitting him! He's dead! He's already dead!"
The crowd then withdrew with reluctance. Some frightened people pulled their companions back several steps, some immediately turned around and ran, and some just stood there in a daze.
In the middle of the empty space, two people were lying straight. There was not a single piece of intact skin on their bodies. It was obvious that they were beaten to death and then stabbed several times.
Qian Zhenniang frowned, thinking to herself: It's over, this corpse is not good-looking, I wonder if the medical school will dislike it?
A figure slowly walked down the stairs on the second floor of the restaurant.
Xu Zhenying came down with her people.
The woman was frail, with clear eyes and a commanding presence. Amidst the crowd, she came against the light, radiating the radiance of a goddess.
She walked slowly, step by step, but steadily, as if this moment was the most ordinary one.
The dust of history is flying up.
The open space in front of the restaurant was packed with people.
At this moment, countless pairs of eyes were staring at her.
Either fear, or anxiety, or excitement, or madness!
She walked to the front of the crowd, facing the scorching midday sun, her eyes more determined than ever before.
Her voice was clear, and every word she spoke had a deafening power. "Officials are forcing the people to rebel, and the people have no choice but to rebel. From this moment on, we are no longer the children of the Great Zhou Dynasty! From today on, we will fight for freedom and fairness! My sons and daughters who are willing to follow me, follow me to capture Jinzhou Prefecture and overthrow the Great Zhou Dynasty. We want to be the masters of this land!"
The city of Lan County was in chaos, and Ye County and Gaoxin County were also in chaos.
The people closed their doors and windows, blocking the doors tightly. Some of them were brave enough to rush outside directly, trying to find out what was happening.
All research institutes, schools, and shops are closed.
Only the people from the medical school prepared their bags and, under the leadership of Qiu Ju Niang, packed their things and were ready to rush to the battlefield at any time.
Military doctors are essential for marching and fighting.
Ever since the city lord announced the attack on Jinzhou Prefecture, their medical school has become the frontline doctors. However, except for Qiu Ju Niang and a few brave medical students, the other doctors have not made any moves.
At this moment, in the Wang family, Wang Yin was pacing in the house with an anxious look on his face.
He had heard the commotion outside a long time ago.
From the moment the people from the Transportation Bureau entered the city, he had a vague feeling that something was wrong. Until there was a commotion in the square and Liu Jianlin and others relayed the conversation between Xu Zhenying and him in the restaurant, it was obvious that they came prepared!
Therefore, he returned home early, packed up all his gold and silver jewelry, and waited for the wrong opportunity to escape immediately.
If there is any disturbance in this city, the first ones to be affected are the rich families like these!
Therefore, Wang Yin always sent people to keep an eye on the situation outside.
All he knew at the moment was that the people from the Transportation Department increased the amount to one million taels of silver with a wave of their hands!
At present, the voices of opposition from the people in the city are getting louder and louder. Xu Zhenying taught the people to read and allowed them to discuss matters, so any of the people in Lan County can point fingers at the court.
Right now, if the issue of fixed taxation is not handled properly, it might cause a riot!
"If you ask me, Xu Zhenying shouldn't have taught the common people to read and write. He's just trying to keep the people ignorant. If the common people understood the truth, how could he manage them? Look at them now, they're all making a scene! He's got to make some trouble!"
"Master, since we are in such a state of chaos and war, and we have already packed up our valuables, why not ask Sanniang to come along with us?"
Mrs. Wang on the side was also anxious. She was worried that something might happen to Wang Sanniang during such a chaotic time.
Gaoxin County has the largest number of refugees, and they are the most ferocious. If something really happens, can Sanniang, a girl, suppress such a situation?
Mrs. Wang had a headache.
If I had known this would happen, I would have tried my best to keep Sanniang at home and not become a female soldier!
In this chaotic situation, not only can Sanniang not go home, she also has to be at the front!
What if it gets bumped or scratched?
"Leave? Where to?" Wang Yin frowned. He was in a bad mood, so he spoke even less patiently. "There's a war going on in the north, and Prince Ming is rebelling in the south. The Great Zhou Dynasty is in turmoil. It doesn't matter where we go! Besides, Sanniang has already established roots here. She's the most promising one in our family. If she leaves now, there will be no chance for our family to change its fortune!"
Mrs. Wang was stunned and looked at the man's back in disbelief.
Then I felt uncontrollable joy in my heart.
It turns out that the master thinks so highly of her daughter Sanniang that he places all the hopes of the whole family on her. How can Mrs. Wang not be proud?
Other people's status is determined by their sons, but she gave birth to a good daughter, so she can still hold her head high in the Wang family!
Not long after, the servant who had been sent out came running back, sweating profusely. "Master, the people from the Transportation Bureau were beaten to death by the people in the restaurant! The city lord has led his people in rebellion! He has mobilized 4,000 soldiers from the city and the medical school to attack Jinzhou Prefecture!"
"What?!" Mrs. Wang was so exhausted that she almost fainted.
Wang Yin was so excited that he almost stumbled. He took two quick steps forward and grabbed the servant by the collar. "Say it again?! Who rebelled?!"
"City Lord! The City Lord has led his people in rebellion! All the troops are urgently gathering now. We are about to attack Jinzhou Prefecture!"
"Where are the eunuchs from the Transportation Department?"
"I don't know. I heard he was beaten to death by the people, and his body was even dragged to the medical school! The city was in chaos, so I didn't dare to go too far. I gathered some information and then headed back."
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard the sound of gongs and drums outside. The propagandists under the Xu family team were walking from house to house with a loudspeaker, and the sound came from the alley in the distance.
"During this period of war, please keep your doors and windows closed and do not go out! The city security team has been dispatched. If you encounter bandits or other emergencies, just shout loudly!"
The servant said quickly: "Master, the city lord has really rebelled! If you don't believe me, just listen--"
"During this period of war, please keep your doors and windows closed and do not go out! The city security team has been dispatched. If you encounter bandits or other emergencies, just shout loudly!"
People kept shouting back and forth, trying to calm the panicked residents, and the streets gradually became quiet.
Wang Yin slumped into a chair, his face pale and blue, while Madam Wang anxiously pulled at his sleeve, saying, "Master, there's a rebellion! What should we do with our Sanniang? She's still in Gaoxin County!"
"Shut up!" Wang Yin shouted angrily, and Madam Wang's tears immediately shook in her eyes. "Why are you crying? Who is Sanniang? Do you still think she is the little girl in the boudoir? Calm down. Wang Sanniang is now the head of a county, in charge of an area, and the right-hand man of the city lord. If she can't protect herself, then what kind of female soldier is she?!"
Mrs. Wang crushed the handkerchief in her hand, but could not utter a word to refute.
Wang Yin sat in his chair, his chest heaving. He pondered for a moment, then, as if making up his mind, said to Madam Wang in a deep voice, "Go and take out all the gold and silver we've packed, and then sort out all the valuables in the house."
"Master, are we still going to run?"
"Why are you running?!" Wang Yin was so angry that he kept coughing. His eyes were blazing like a hungry wolf awakening. "Donate all your stuff!"
Mrs. Wang's face changed drastically, "Master——"
"Stop talking nonsense and exchange all the valuables in the house for food and medicine, and donate them to the front lines in Sanniang's name. Since the city lord wants to capture Jinzhou Prefecture, these things are indispensable!"
Mrs. Wang was so shocked that she was speechless.
Not fleeing, but donating?
She couldn't wrap her mind around it for a moment and looked at her husband in a daze.
Wang Yin's voice was hoarse, his face flushed strangely, but his eyes were resolute. "Yes, donate everything, not a cent left. Our family's future depends on Sanniang alone. As long as Sanniang is well, our Wang family will be well! Madam, troubled times are coming. Xu Zhenying is a man of foresight and deep thoughts. He will definitely become a powerful force in the future! If we bet now, the Wang family will become the first on Xu Zhenying's ship! In the future... in the future... who knows if Sanniang will be made a marquis or a prime minister!"
Mrs. Wang exclaimed "Ah" and instantly figured out the whole thing.
Yes, what’s the point of being a merchant!
Sanniang is now highly valued by Xu Zhenying. If Xu Zhenying conquers the world, wouldn't the Wang family have the great merit of following the emperor?!
Mrs. Wang was so excited that she was speechless. After a while, she confirmed, "Master, are you really not going to leave a single cent?"
"If you want to do something, you have to do it thoroughly. What's the point of keeping these copper coins?! Since you want to surrender to the city lord, just surrender everything! When Sanniang becomes successful and famous in the future, will you still be worried about not having money to spend?!"
Mrs. Wang thought for a moment, then a look of determination flashed across her face. She stood up and started packing her things. "Wait a minute. I still have 20,000 or 30,000 taels of personal money."
Wang Yin was stunned and asked in surprise: "Where did you get so much money?"
Mrs. Wang twisted her waist, very proudly saying: "Do you think you are the only one in the family who can make money?"
The concubine, who witnessed the entire incident, gnashed her teeth in a corner, filled with anger and jealousy. She grabbed her daughter and warned, "Fourth Miss, see? The master has lost his mind. He has bankrupted everything for Third Lady. How are we going to live in the future? No, you can do what Third Lady can do. If the city lord recruits soldiers again in the future, you have to go too! Her mother has always been above me. You can't let her do that for you forever!"
The fourth daughter of the Wang family looked at her mother in confusion, then nodded solemnly.
Sun Qingchen, who had been under house arrest, obviously heard the noise in the city, but after he repeatedly expressed his unwillingness to obey Xu Zhenying, Xu Zhenying isolated him and his family in this inn.
Now, hearing the commotion coming from outside and the words about "Transportation Bureau" and "fixed taxation", Sun Qingchen had already guessed that it was about collecting taxes.
But why did such a big commotion occur in Lan County?
In the past, every time taxes were collected, there would be an earthquake in Lan County, but it had never been so lively.
Does Xu Zhenying have the ability to suppress these people?
Sun Qingchen fell into an indescribable anxiety. He was almost unable to sit still and asked the two soldiers guarding the door countless times, but the soldiers refused to say anything and even comforted him by saying that since he was not the county magistrate, he should not worry about the county magistrate.
Sun Qingchen realized from the attitudes of the two soldiers that Xu Zhenying had completely occupied the city.
The common people have gradually forgotten him, Sun Qingchen.
But why had even the Transport Department forgotten about him? The officials there had a handbook with information about Lan County. Logically, they should have known upon entering the city that Lan County had been occupied by bandits. So why had no one mentioned anything about him until now?
Did Xu Zhenying bribe the people from the Transportation Bureau with money?
It must be.
But bribing officials is not Xu Zhenying's style at all.
From the perspective of an opponent, Sun Qingchen has very complicated feelings towards Xu Zhenying.
He denounced her as a traitor, but he always felt a fear of her in his heart.
In his eyes, everything she did and said, including democracy, equality and justice, was treasonous and absurd.
But he also knew deep down that this set of tactics was an invincible weapon when used against ordinary people at the bottom of society.
It has to be said that Xu Zhenying gave the people "hope".
The word "hope" is the most precious thing. Looking at the people of Lan County who are full of vigor and stand tall with their backs high, Sun Qingchen seems to feel the decadent atmosphere of the Zhou Dynasty which is on the decline.
A kind of speechless sadness filled my heart.
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