Chapter 1644

Huoshan County is beautiful in the hazy mist of rain.

Although the nearby mountains are bald, the tea plantations are green, and the crops in the fields are colorful. In the county, there are houses with white walls and blue tiles, stone-paved roads covered in moss, and the Pi River flowing through; by the river, people wearing bamboo hats and straw rain capes are fishing with rods.

Peaceful, harmonious, and beautiful.

At a time like this, having such a feeling is a luxury.

Outside, there is fighting everywhere; northern Anhui and Shandong are suffering from famine, the Qing court is still mobilizing troops to block the enemy, and the common people are being devastated by passing soldiers and bandits. Displaced people are fleeing in panic toward places with food, while some are taking the opportunity to trade women and children, and others are brazenly doing business in rice and meat.

Of course, Huoshan County is not truly that peaceful; one only needs to look at the large piles of shacks outside the city and the emaciated commoners within to be pulled back to reality. It lets people know that that is the truth.

The people of Huoshan County know that there is fighting outside and that there is a famine, but they don't have much worry or panic. After all, who doesn't have a young, able-bodied person in their family? They all work for Old Master Wang, and they all know that the bandit den in the mountains can house tens of thousands of people. It can be said that in Huoshan today, except for the eyesore of the County Magistrate and his ilk, everyone has a considerable sense of self-awareness about being a bandit, and they are even looking forward to it.

Because ever since hearing that Wuchang had fallen, Wang Yan had already ordered the people of Huoshan to stop paying taxes starting this year. And under Wang Yan's leadership over the past two years, the lives of the Huoshan people have been quite good. Naturally, they all actively support Wang Yan.

On this foundation, Wang Yan has made it clear that he intends to be a bandit, so the common people, having gained advantages and begun living good lives, are naturally willing. The force of several thousand men, the industries spread everywhere, and the grain piled high in the mountains are all things the Huoshan people rely on.

So they are all very composed...

Su Zixuan, who remained here, watched the scenes in Huoshan and clearly felt the fearlessness of the common people.

She found Wang Yan fishing by the river: "These commoners under your command are all waiting for a fight; they aren't afraid at all. I have never seen commoners like this."

Wang Yan shook his head: "That is because they have no other choice. They are all people who have lived here for generations; if they can find a way to survive, they are unwilling to leave. We have plenty of grain and plenty of people; we don't look like people with no way out. Over the past two years, for those who have performed meritorious service or died in battle, I have given many rewards and generous pensions. With their lives and deaths provided for, they are naturally not afraid to risk their lives."

"The Taiping Army is also not afraid to risk their lives!"

"Are they really not afraid? They are just being swept along together, not using their brains." Glancing at her, Wang Yan turned and said with a chuckle, "It's been over a month; why haven't those heroes you mentioned made a move? Are they all living good lives in the Heavenly Kingdom?"

"After fighting for more than two years without a single day of peace, now that there is finally time to catch our breath, we must naturally recuperate and build up our strength before undertaking the Northern Expedition."

"Comfort is for the dead. Never mind a month, even a single day is crucial. Once you enjoy peace, you lose your ambition. I heard that the goal you set at the beginning was to establish the capital in Jiangning, and the Heavenly King even said Jiangning is the 'Little Heavenly Kingdom.' That is wrong; from the beginning, you should have been thinking about establishing the capital in the Jingcheng.

Right now, several places in the north are suffering from famine, and with the refugees fleeing from the south, the Taiping Army should have made a one-time effort to cross the river for the Northern Expedition, sweeping these people along to march north until they reach the Jingcheng."

Su Zixuan was silent for a while and said: "Since you see it so clearly, why don't you make a move? Your subordinates are all seeds of military officers; it wouldn't be difficult to take those disaster-stricken commoners with you. Why don't you march toward the Jingcheng?"

"I naturally have my own plans."

"Then I wonder if this young woman can hear the Old Master's plans? This shouldn't be something that cannot be said, right?"

Su Zixuan was right; it was indeed not a secret. After all, if one wants to do things, one must take action, and with action, one is naturally noticed. Especially with this kind of rebellion, it certainly cannot be hidden; it is only a matter of time.

Wang Yan smiled and nodded: "It can indeed be said, but I won't tell you."

"I didn't expect that the always profound Old Master Wang would be so uninteresting, specifically teasing a young woman?"

"When it comes down to it, I'm only eighteen. What makes you feel I am profound? If you really want to talk about it, you are the first person to call me profound."

"Is that so? Then what do others say?"

"Naturally, they say I am a brainless brute who kills whenever he encounters a problem, saying I am unlikely to achieve anything great."

"How great is 'achieving something great'? You have several thousand men under your command, and your security firm is spread across several provinces; it is already the number one security firm today. If you were truly a brainless brute, how could you have today's achievements? A person who isn't envied is a mediocre person. In my view, those mediocre people are just venting their anger because you snatched their business."

Su Zixuan sneered, "I know every battle your Shunfeng Security Firm has fought was because others were unreasonable, broke the rules, or didn't keep their promises, and only then did you draw your blades. These people are used to taking advantage and bullying others, and they were scared out of their wits by your killing; of course they have to say sour things."

"Even if you say nice things about me, I still won't tell you." Wang Yan laughed out loud and directly changed the subject, "Tell me, what are you looking for me for this time?"

"Didn't you say the Heavenly Kingdom should launch the Northern Expedition as soon as possible? The matter of the Northern Expedition has already been decided, and it must pass through your side. Old Master, you and the Heavenly Kingdom have never been enemies; the Qing court is! We can completely..."

Wang Yan waved his hand: "If you want to pass through, then pass; no one is stopping you. As for whether we are enemies, that is not up to me; it is all decided by you. It is you who are uneasy and insist on making me submit to you. And that's not all; even if I submit, you still want me to lead the charge and seize my power? You want to take away all the soldiers under my command?"

"And you are afraid that I will stab you in the back, but you also feel it's not worth it to fight me; you're in a dilemma, right?"

"Old Master, you have truly misunderstood. Our Heavenly Kingdom values equality the most; everyone is the same. Once you come, you are brothers, you are one family."

"Do you believe that yourself? Then why does the Heavenly King live in the Imperial Palace while the common people below have no place to live?"

"You are being sophistical, Old Master. The Heavenly King is the Heavenly King; how can he be equated with ordinary commoners?"

Wang Yan smiled and shook his head, not arguing further, and returned to the main topic: "It is impossible for me to join you. If you want to pass, pass; if you want to fight, fight."

"The Heavenly King values talent the most. Old Master, if you come to the Heavenly Kingdom, you will definitely be enfeoffed as a king." Su Zixuan was still persuading, promising all kinds of conditions.

"Then tell me, why give me those generous conditions? Isn't it because I have my current power? It makes them hesitate to act rashly. Since I already have this ability, why must I find a father to put over my head, listen to others' commands, and be at the mercy of others? If you want to talk about a future, I raise more people, and naturally, I have a broader future."

Wang Yan lifted his fishing rod; a fish was struggling on the hook. He unhooked the fish, put it into the creel, and turned to look at Su Zixuan, "Miss Su, even if you let me be the Heavenly King, I wouldn't care for it. Developing on my own is the proper way."

"Then start an uprising."

"Isn't this going back to what we said before? I have my own plans."

"Then I wonder, for Old Master Wang, is the beauty trap effective?" Su Zixuan reached out and rested her hand on Wang Yan's shoulder.

"It's useless on others, but you..."

Amidst Su Zixuan's expectant, slightly upturned lips, Wang Yan said indifferently, "It's the same."

"Old Master is truly heartless."

"It is you who are heartless." Wang Yan shook his head and pointed at the refugees in the distance, "If I were there, could you say these things to me? I'm afraid you wouldn't even glance at me. The beauty trap is for wealthy and powerful nobles, not for commoners who can't even get enough to eat. Does Miss Su agree?"

"I truly value you as a person, Old Master. You walked out from among those people."

"Do you think that among those commoners, no great figures can walk out? Why don't you go and see if there is anyone you fancy?"

"Old Master is truly annoying; do you have to say it so clearly?"

"I'm just afraid you're playing dumb while knowing the truth." Wang Yan glanced at her, "I don't know if your Heavenly King values me or not, having you come to tease me? It's a good thing I'm not a real bandit; otherwise, you would have become my captive wife last time. Who knows, you might even be pregnant by now. Why don't you stay? Since you value me so much, you should support me here and work for me; it's no worse than the Heavenly King."

"Old Master only knows how to tease this young woman."

"I haven't even started having fun yet."

Su Zixuan gave a charming smile, then got up and left...

As a large force, every move in Huoshan County is noticed by others. Ever since hearing that Wuchang had been broken, Wang Yan began to shrink a portion of his power. After Su Zixuan's visit last time, he unreservedly increased his actions, looking like he was preparing for war.

But after more than a month with no movement, Wang Yan divided some people out to continue working and making money. And just as he began to disperse his troops, Su Zixuan came to win him over again. This was just playing with him. After all, the human and material resources consumed in coming and going were not small.

Su Zixuan's visit again was naturally to win him over, but at the same time, it could also be taken as a warning: the Heavenly Kingdom is really coming to fight you, oh...

By the time Wang Yan gathered his people from outside again, the Heavenly Kingdom could choose not to come; the initiative was in the hands of the Heavenly Kingdom. Especially since the Heavenly Kingdom was actually quite comfortable now, because they hadn't encountered too many hardships or obstacles along the way, and in less than three years, they had already divided the river and ruled. Regarding a local force like Wang Yan, they were much more composed.

Of course, this was because they didn't have an urgent desire for a Northern Expedition, and even the later Northern Expedition that fought all the way to Jinmen was beyond their expectations. After fighting for more than two years, they already knew the Qing demons weren't much, but they didn't expect the Qing army in the Central Plains to be even worse...

However, Wang Yan gathering his people back looked like a defensive move, but in reality, it was an adjustment of personnel arrangements, not coming back from somewhere and going back when he left. At the same time, it was also to come back and continue to study for a period of time, to further unify their ideological understanding before the chaotic world arrived.

Unifying thought and ensuring organizational strength is the most important thing at any time, let alone in the current time when things are about to become completely chaotic...

Two days later, the newly appointed Huoshan County Magistrate, Lü Mocheng, requested an audience.

Speaking of which, the acquaintances in the original government office had all left, and the new team was quite uncomfortable. Although everyone treated them politely, no one listened to what they said, not even the clerks in the yamen. They could only use silver to bribe their subordinates to learn some news about the county.

Having been an official for so many years, it was unheard of for a County Magistrate to use silver for his subordinates; it was simply overturning the heavens! But what could they do? They could only protect their pitiful selves and cry silently in the cold midnight...

"This subordinate greets the Old Master."

In the study within the drill ground, Lü Mocheng met Wang Yan, who was processing documents there.

As his power grew, the problems from various places gathered here were naturally numerous. There were personnel, finance, operations, local interests, and so on. Even though he had established a secretariat and trained people to handle problems, there were always many things he had to handle personally.

"I wouldn't dare. You are the Great Master; for you to call yourself a subordinate to a commoner like me is truly insulting me." Although he said this, Wang Yan did not look at Lü Mocheng, nor did he stand up to greet him, just busily writing a letter with a brush.

"Old Master is joking. In this Huoshan, you are the superior official. No, even outside Huoshan, you are still majestic. For me to call myself a subordinate is only right and proper."

"Sit."

Lü Mocheng smiled obsequiously and thanked him, sitting there and nodding politely to the young man serving tea.

At this time, Wang Yan finished writing the letter, put down his brush, and looked at Lü Mocheng: "Speak, Great Master, what is the matter?"

"This subordinate is here to congratulate the Old Master."

"Oh? What is the happy occasion?"

"The Old Master has gathered local braves to protect the territory and bring peace to the people. The Imperial Court heard of the Old Master's righteous act and has enfeoffed the Old Master as the Regional Commander of Luzhou. The Old Master may not know, but this is a Grade Two high official; even the Governor of Anhui does not have a rank as high as yours."

Wang Yan smiled: "Is that so? Then if I become a Regional Commander, will people listen to what I say?"

"Uh... regarding that, Old Master, you are a military official, and the Governor is a civil official; you are not under each other's jurisdiction. And the Governor also has to raise military supplies for your army, and sometimes he has to offer some suggestions to you..."

Lü Mocheng spoke very tactfully. He dared not directly say that a Regional Commander was nothing in front of a Governor, nor did he dare say that he could command the Governor. What if Wang Yan truly submitted to the Imperial Court and found he couldn't command the Governor? Wouldn't he be looking for trouble? Wouldn't he be dead?

"Old Lü, you are not honest; you are not being sincere with me."

"Old Master, I am not! I am not! I haven't deceived the Old Master at all!"

Wang Yan shook his head as if very disappointed: "Then tell me, why is the Imperial Court enfeoffing me with an official title at this time?"

"To fight the Taiping Army..."

"Tell me again, they are giving me a Grade Two official title, so why didn't they send someone of sufficient weight? Why did they let a Grade Seven County Magistrate handle it? And they are being stingy; there's nothing good, just a broken official title, and they want me to lead my brothers to risk their lives? They didn't take me seriously at all. If they want me to risk my life, they don't give anything substantial; they are just dismissing me like a dog? You are truly bold to come; aren't you afraid I'll get angry and chop you down?"

"Who doesn't know that the Old Master is the most reasonable and would never do such a thing." Lü Mocheng said nice things with a smiling face, "This subordinate has no choice; it was ordered from above, and this subordinate dared not disobey. After all, this subordinate is not alone; there are parents, uncles, and brothers, and it is a helpless situation. Otherwise, this subordinate would truly like to work for the Old Master."

Wang Yan laughed and waved his hand: "Go back, write a reply to your superiors, and just say 'go to your mother'..."

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