Chapter 310: Xuzhou Soldiers and Bandits

Xuzhou was a key garrison town near the capital, bordering Kaifeng Prefecture, right under the emperor's nose.

Changshe was the prefectural seat, nearly two hundred li from the Eastern Capital, with a long history and deep heritage. When the Jin fell and the Han rose, Khitan cavalry plundered the Central Plains, and Xuzhou, being so close to Kaifeng, suffered greatly.

Only after the Khitan withdrew and the Liu Han took the Central Plains did the officials and people of Xuzhou get a brief respite. Liu Zhiyuan then had Shi Hongzhao remotely hold the post of Military Governor of Zhongwu Army. Shi Hongzhao stayed in the Eastern Capital, leaving his subordinate officer Yang Yi to manage the prefecture's affairs—a man greedy, cruel, and bullying, relying on his master's power to oppress others.

Later, Liu Xin was transferred to garrison Xuzhou. With a beam like Liu Xin above, how could the rafters below be straight? Two successive military governors, neither of them good men. Not until Liu Chengyou demoted Liu Xin out of the Eastern Capital to take up his post at Changshe did things worsen for Xuzhou—from the officials and officers above down to the merchants and common folk below, their days grew harder still.

Liu Xin was by nature a greedy, vicious man. Driven out of the capital, he vented all his resentment and rage upon the officials and people of Xuzhou—cursing at the slightest word, meting out cruel punishments at the slightest provocation, and frequently seizing and plundering the people's property. Anyone expecting Imperial Uncle Liu to cultivate his character in Xuzhou and mend his ways was clearly hoping for too much.

In fact, for a full two years now, the officials and people of Xuzhou had known precious little peace. Elsewhere, the court had been suppressing bandits, pacifying the borders, and gathering refugees, and the population of surrounding prefectures and counties was growing—only Xuzhou saw a steady stream of people fleeing abroad.

Xuzhou's terrain was mostly plains and ridges. It was early spring, and along the Ying River, between Changshe and Linying, large stretches of wheat were already in their late growth stage. No matter how hard life was, the farming households under Xuzhou's jurisdiction kept tending their fields—clearing ditches, draining water, dredging irrigation channels—while also preparing for spring plowing: readying seeds, nurturing seedlings...

Guqiao Town sat on the banks of the Ying River, one of the larger towns under Linying County, with a population of over a thousand. It had enjoyed two or three months of peace through the dead of winter. But not long after the Beginning of Spring, that rare tranquility was shattered—unwelcome guests arrived at the door.

A force of several hundred government soldiers came in a menacing rush and camped at the town's entrance. Their banners marked them as yabing guards of the Zhongwu Army. The leading officer, a brutish-looking man, sat on his horse, glaring hungrily at the town.

The commotion outside had long since put the town's officials and people on alert. They beat gongs and drums, barred their gates, and gathered together to defend themselves.

Seeing the town's reaction, a Captain laughed heartily: "Commander, this town seems to be mustering troops to resist. They really don't know what's good for them!"

The Commander also wore a look of disdain and ordered: "Go, step up and call the gate. Have their town commander come out to see me. Tell him this commander has important matters to discuss!"

"Why not just charge in and slaughter them? This pathetic little town—can it really stop us?" The Captain was cocky.

"Bullshit!" The Commander immediately snapped at him: "We are government troops! Stop yapping at me—go now!"

"Yes!"

Guqiao Town did have a named town commander, appointed by the former Xuzhou Military Governor Liu Chongjin. Facing government troops with weapons drawn outside the town, even with doubts in his heart, he had no choice but to personally lead his men out to ask what was going on.

By rank, a mere commander of a town garrison battalion was beneath a proper town commander. But having soldiers in hand was the real authority. Scornfully sweeping his gaze over the wary town commander and his men, the yabing Commander raised his chin and said coldly: "We are the governor's yabing guards, sent by order of the Imperial Uncle to collect taxes. Return to your town and inform the households—prepare your tribute!"

The town commander held his temper against such arrogance, but at these words, his face could not help but darken. He said coldly: "Last autumn's tax was already paid in full to the county office. Why levy again? This visit by the yabing troops is hardly proper!"

"The late emperor's coffin will pass through here on its way to Rui Mausoleum for burial. The Son of Heaven himself is coming, and the Imperial Uncle must prepare goods and wealth to receive them. You are subjects of the Great Han—of course you must contribute your share to show filial piety..." The Commander's nose pointed to the sky, his words forceful: "The Imperial Uncle has issued a strict order: each household pays two thousand cash. No defiance!"

"Don't waste your breath before me. Go back and prepare now—I'll give you an hour and a half. When the time is up and I see no goods, I'll lead my men in to take them myself. If anyone ends up hurt or maimed, don't come crying later!"

Hearing this, the town commander drew a deep breath. Having understood their purpose, he wasted no more words, turned, and led his men back into town. Being a military man himself, he knew full well that words were useless—provoke these bandit soldiers, and they truly would ravage the town.

"Town Commander, what do we do?" his attendant asked worriedly.

"What else can we do? Announce it to the whole town—pay up in cash and grain! Within an hour, present the money and silk. Avoiding disaster is what matters!" The town commander said gloomily: "They're the governor's yabing guards. If we truly offend them and they charge in, can we stop them? The governor is the Son of Heaven's imperial uncle—how can we possibly contend with him?"

Hearing this, his attendant said indignantly: "An imperial uncle of the highest rank, court government troops—truly more greedy and cruel than bandits!"

But the town commander said dismissively: "How many years has this been going on? What's so strange about it?"

"Two thousand cash per household—how can the poor families in this town afford that!"

"Can't afford it? Am I supposed to front the money myself?" A shrewd gleam suddenly appeared on the town commander's face. He ordered: "Notify the whole town—those who lack cash can use grain, land, or houses as collateral. I'll lend them the money temporarily!"

"Tell them this is by order of Imperial Uncle Liu, to show loyalty to the late emperor and the Son of Heaven. To save their lives, they offer wealth to survive. They have one hour. If they miss the deadline, don't blame me for coming to collect in person—then things will get ugly!"

"Yes!" The attendant had followed the town commander for years and understood his meaning well—this was another chance to profit.

Soon, Guqiao Town was thrown into chaos and bustle. Amid the proclamations came voices of resentment and curses...

Outside the town, the Xuzhou yabing guards had settled in to rest, gathering in twos and threes, murmuring among themselves.

"Seems this Guqiao town commander knows which way the wind blows!" Looking at the commotion in the town, the Captain said cheerfully to the Commander.

The Commander couldn't help but feel smug: "Not bad. This kind of cooperation saves us the trouble. Seems this town deserves more visits!"

Hearing this, the Captain leaned in closer to the Commander, a look of concern on his face, and said in a low voice: "The Imperial Uncle ordered each household to pay a thousand cash. We've doubled it outright. If the Imperial Uncle hears about this..."

"What's there to fear! It's fine! I've followed the Imperial Uncle since Jinyang..." The Commander's arrogance did not diminish: "The Son of Heaven eats meat, the Imperial Uncle drinks the soup—he can't shortchange us soldiers either."

"Don't worry, this time, every brother gets a share!" The Commander waved his hand generously.

"Heh heh!" The Captain beamed: "With the Commander's word, we're at ease!"

"That pittance the town office pays each month—how's that supposed to feed a family?" The Commander said disdainfully.

What happened at Guqiao Town was no isolated case. It occurred across several counties under Xuzhou's jurisdiction, especially the more prosperous towns in the south. To receive the coffin and the imperial procession, Liu Xin had sent out nearly all his yabing guards, in bands of two to three hundred, plundering the prefectures and counties.