Chapter 154: Rendezvous

This year, landlords, gentry, itinerant knights-errant, and gang forces in the regions north of the Southern Song fled south as best they could; there was no choice—those who did not flee had their properties confiscated at the very least, or were shot on the spot at worst.

Moreover, the revolutionary army launched a massive crackdown on banditry in response to the deteriorating security situation, ordering bandits nationwide to surrender to local governments within one month and confess their crimes; those with lesser offenses could be dealt with according to circumstances.

At the same time, public security departments across the country dealt with local hooligans, ruffians, and scoundrels from all walks of life, strictly investigating whether wealthy households had acted tyrannically; if so, they would be subjected to labor reform according to the severity of their crimes, while those with blood on their hands would immediately face public trials and execution by firing squad without mercy.

The anti-banditry crackdown lasted from February until November; to ensure the operation's success, the revolutionary army deployed seven hundred thousand regular troops to cooperate with local guerrilla units and public security departments in eliminating bandits.

Yet, looking at the freshly compiled statistics, Guo Jing was slightly stunned: "Why were only four hundred thousand people executed? Did they dare not strike hard? Is that all the bandits and evil forces in the entire north?"

"What should we do then? We can't possibly execute every petty thief or vagrant, can we? You know what the world was like before; they didn't want to do evil either. You must give them a chance." Hong Qigong, having been thoroughly awed by the revolutionary army's thunderous methods these past days, hurriedly advised Guo Jing upon hearing him doubt the army's leniency.

This group is truly ruthless; seven hundred thousand regular troops armed with firearms—such forces could slaughter over a hundred bandits on the open plains with just three men.

Yet in this crackdown and anti-banditry campaign, the number of revolutionary army personnel was nearly double that of the bandits, not even counting the local guerrilla units and police.

Now, martial arts forces across the nation are as obedient as they can possibly be; otherwise, why would they come here? It is simply because the martial arts factions want this old senior to ask whom the crackdown targets and, most importantly, when it will end.

It is unbearable; the feeling of "when the rabbit dies, the fox mourns" is felt daily, and if it does not stop, they will completely collapse.

"The reason we are so vigorously cleaning up the security environment is entirely because we are about to rendezvous with Zhang Chu'an and the others. Before long, we will hold a grand ceremony in Si Jiu City to celebrate the establishment of this government; before holding it, we must first sweep the house clean, right?" After speaking, Guo Jing stood up and looked eastward.

He recalled the meeting held earlier inside a Mongol yurt with Zhang Chu'an and the others; at that time, there were only four of them, and few shared their ideal of the proletariat and common people ruling themselves, but now the mountains are covered in red.

Riding fast horses all the way from the Guanshan region to Si Jiu City, from far away he saw Zhang Xiaofan leading people to welcome him; it had been a long time since they last met, and both of them had grown even more weathered.

"Brother Guo, we have finally met; Zhang Xiaofan and I missed you terribly." Zhang Chu'an enthusiastically rushed forward, and Guo Jing tightly embraced Zhang Chu'an, saying, "Yes, I missed you too; you have worked hard these days."

"It was indeed hard work, but seeing the people across the country live good lives makes me feel it was not hard. Come, Brother Guo, follow me into the city." Zhang Chu'an raised his hand and invited Guo Jing and the staff to enter the city.

Strictly speaking, this was Guo Jing's first time stepping into Si Jiu City in this timeline. Although in future years he did indeed set foot here, the Si Jiu City of that time, having undergone the vicissitudes of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, was already completely different from the present.

Upon stepping through the city gates of Si Jiu City, Guo Jing's eyes revealed deep curiosity. Although this city had suffered greatly from prolonged siege warfare, with most areas bearing the scars of battle, under Zhang Chu'an's careful repairs and meticulous protection, it had achieved astonishing restoration.

Even more astonishing was that modern technology was cleverly integrated into the restoration process, making the city retain its ancient appearance while radiating a modern atmosphere. The ancient-style buildings within the city combined perfectly with modern technology, forming a unique style that made people feel both the weight of history and the vitality of a modern metropolis.

Guo Jing strolled through the streets and alleys of Si Jiu City, as if traveling back to an era brimming with heroes, yet also seeming to be in a futuristic metropolis. This fusion of past and present made him feel both novel and excited.

"Hey, why haven't I seen Huaishang? I remember he rendezvoused with you all quite early; now that I have arrived, why haven't I seen him come out?" Guo Jing, having finished admiring the scenery while riding his horse, asked curiously.

"Him? He is currently chatting with the envoy sent by the Song. Do you think the Song was shocked to discover that our two factions wear the same underpants?" Zhang Chu'an asked Guo Jing teasingly.

"What point is there in asking this? Which of our two revolutionary armies could they defeat anyway?" Guo Jing did not wish to discuss this topic further.

The Song is absolutely a garbage dynasty rarely seen in historical records; after Qin Hui came Shi Miyuan, and after Shi Miyuan came Jia Sidao—truly, corruption begets corruption.

The Zhongdu Imperial Palace, once the residence of the Jin emperor, has become their temporary office; it is called temporary because this place will later be opened to the public as a scenic spot and museum.

Nie Huaishang sat lazily on the dragon throne with his feet propped up on the negotiation table facing the Song envoy, while the Song envoy Wang Nan sat upright and solemn opposite him.

"Hey, I heard your grandfather Wang Lun died in the north during the Jingkang Incident; Emperor Xiaozong searched for descendants and appointed you as an official. I am curious why you joined Shi Miyuan and sent Han Chengxiang's head to the Jin for peace talks. It is people like you who speak of the great righteousness of the Spring and Autumn Annals with your mouths but think only of fame and profit in your hearts. I won't discuss this further; since you killed our ally Han Chengxiang and made peace with the Jin, then you are the Jin's allies."

"Now that the Jin are about to be destroyed by us, when does your ally plan to send troops to help them?" As Nie Huaishang spoke, he looked at Wang Nan with a half-smile.

At this moment, Wang Nan broke out in a cold sweat; joking aside, they chose peace talks precisely because they could not defeat the Jin. These people are about to destroy even the Jin; how could the Song possibly send troops to help the Jin fight them? Logically, at this time, they should rise up and destroy the Jin to avenge the humiliation of the Jingkang Incident.

Wang Nan quickly smiled apologetically: "Great Khan, please calm your anger. The reason the Song made peace with the Jin and killed Han Chengxiang was entirely because Wu Xi rebelled against the Song and surrendered to the Jin; our Song army was defeated step by step, forcing us to choose peace talks."

"Heh, then you are truly a bunch of trash. The Jin are about to be annihilated by us, with their main forces currently engaging us in battle, yet your Song, mobilizing the entire nation's strength, cannot even defeat the Jin's local garrison. With such weakness, what right do you have to negotiate terms with us? Better to surrender outright; in consideration of our shared heritage, we allow your Emperor to become a glorious laborer."

"We will not sleep with his wife and daughter and then distribute them among our subordinates to play with, nor will we have anyone paint this process." Nie Huaishang said disdainfully.