The Jiujiang Plain, located on the coast of the southern continent, has endless fields of golden rice.
When the wind blows, the fragrance of wheat wafts across the plains.
This is the granary of the Song Dynasty. People plant and harvest here all year round, and some of the produce is transported to the north via the Tongyun (transportation system).
A large portion was transported to large ships docked at Jiujiang Port and shipped along the coast to Hangzhou and Mizhou.
The largest naval port in the southern part of the ocean is located here.
The South China Sea Navy has a total strength of 20,000 men. Since Li Bao destroyed Srivijaya, all other island nations have been terrified of him.
Warships flying the flags of the Song Dynasty navy traveled back and forth in Hainan, intimidating other countries and greatly facilitating the southward migration of the Song imperial family.
Duke Zhao Chen of Chongguo was then transferred here.
This area originally belonged to the Yue Kingdom, but the Yue Kingdom had virtually no sovereignty over it; apart from the right to govern, everything else belonged to the Song Dynasty.
On this day, Duke Zhao Chen of Chongguo led a naval battalion to a county town thirty miles north of Jiujiang naval port to drink and eat meat.
This small county town is called Nanwang County. It was formed naturally after the establishment of the naval port and the opening of the transportation line.
It was small in scale and very rudimentary.
However, because the navy would occasionally come here to drink, Nanwang County developed very quickly.
Drinking was not forbidden in the Song Dynasty army, and there was alcohol in the army. However, these soldiers would often go north to taste a kind of wine made from sugarcane by the locals.
Zhao Chen led his men to the largest restaurant in Nanwang County, where about a hundred people filled the entire restaurant.
Everyone was enjoying their drinks when two people suddenly ran in from outside.
Both men were wearing the uniforms of low-ranking officials from the Yue Kingdom, clearly local patrol officers.
"Something terrible has happened, sir! There's a rebellion! There's a rebellion!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Chen immediately grabbed a long, slender saber and said sternly, "Don't talk nonsense! Under the Emperor's glorious rule, who would dare to rebel!"
"I dare not speak nonsense! The traitors are right outside right now!"
Zhao Chen frowned and said solemnly, "Men, come with me to take a look!"
After saying that, the hundred naval officers followed Zhao Chen out of the hotel.
Sure enough, at a street corner not far away, a group of more than two hundred people gathered together and smashed and looted shops on both sides of the street, causing pedestrians to retreat.
"How dare you! In broad daylight, you defy the law!"
Zhao Chen roared. He was eighteen years old this year, the age when a man begins to grow up and his blood and energy were very vigorous.
He drew his sword: "My men, follow me to quell the rebellion!"
Everyone shouted in unison.
The leader of the "rebellion" was a Han Chinese named Zhang Chunying. He had come to the southern continent to make a living thirty years ago and had some influence. After the establishment of the Yue Kingdom, he submitted to Zhao Zisong.
Zhang Chunying held a worn-out axe in her hand, her face fierce.
According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, commoners were not allowed to carry knives or axes, so Zhang Chunying had clearly violated the law.
What's more, he's currently vandalizing things in the street.
However, this place is currently a no-man's-land.
Of course, this only applies at this time.
There are very obvious tidal characteristics here. Before the wheat harvest, and before the arrival of caravans or official transport teams from the imperial court, there is a window of opportunity left for the bandits.
It was during this period.
Once the wheat is ripe, caravans will stop here for a rest, and security will be very strict.
Having lived most of his life as a Han Chinese bandit, Zhang Chunying had accumulated some wisdom, so naturally he would behave himself in that situation.
But that time has not yet come, and this operation is being supported by Zhao Zisong behind the scenes.
The more you can grab, the stronger you'll become.
In Zhang Chunying's view, these small vendors earn so much money from the caravans in the north every year, so it's only right that they contribute some of it to him.
Of course, 70% of the protection money he collected had to go to Zhao Zisong.
In order to boost Zhao Chen's reputation, Zhao Zisong made the difficult decision to betray Zhang Chunying.
Zhang Chunying had no idea that the Navy would be here drinking today. In fact, he knew nothing about it; otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to act so recklessly even if he were given a hundred lives.
Now, when Zhang Chunying saw Zhao Chen and his hundred or so naval soldiers suddenly appear, her eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
Zhang Chunying quickly replied, "Sir, let's keep to ourselves and not interfere with each other. I will definitely send you a generous reward in the future."
"Thieves even tried to bribe the Song Dynasty navy, they deserve to die!"
"Sir! This is a misunderstanding. We have obtained the Vietnamese..."
Before he could finish speaking, the navy had already rushed up, and every one of them drew their swords and began to slash.
Zhang Chunying's words were instantly drowned out by the shouts and sounds of fighting from the crowd.
The ordinary people around naturally retreated as far away as possible.
These bandits had absolutely no fighting power to speak of in a head-on confrontation with the Song Dynasty's navy.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, some fled, some scattered, and some died.
Zhao Chen was not satisfied, especially since he could not let Zhang Chunying live.
When Zhang Chunying fled a few miles outside the city, she was shot by Zhao Chen, who was chasing her, and fell to the ground groaning in pain.
"Sir, I am from the King of Yue..."
Zhao Chen didn't give him a chance to speak, and with a single slash, he severed Zhang Chunying's head, causing blood to splatter everywhere.
Zhang Chunying's head rolled to the ground, her eyes still wide open.
He seemed to be asking: How did I suddenly die?
Zhao Chen felt an unprecedented sense of accomplishment.
It was a thrill of climbing over the corpses of others, and a ruthless glint appeared in his eyes. When he killed Zhang Chunying just now, he did so without hesitation.
Soon, the county magistrate of Nanwang County reported the matter to the authorities of the Yue Kingdom.
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