Chapter 440: The Great Trend of the World

At night, Li Xun lay in the room of the inn that had been tidied up again, staring blankly at the rafters on the ceiling.

Zhao Feng was snoring in the next room, shaking the walls.

Li Xun closed his eyes, but his mind was filled with those eyes of Wei Zhuang.

In those eyes, there was no loyalty, no awe, only calculation and ambition.

"I wonder how long I can wade through this muddy water."

He turned over, forcing himself to fall asleep.

And at this very moment, in the Imperial Palace of the capital, a candle was still burning.

A eunuch holding a document knelt before the dragon desk: "Your Majesty, an urgent report from Qingxi County."

The old man sitting on the dragon throne took the document, glanced at it, and suddenly laughed.

"Li Xun? This name sounds a bit familiar."

The eunuch lowered his head: "Replying to Your Majesty, three years ago this person impeached the Minister of Revenue for corruption and was demoted to the provinces to serve as an Inspector."

"Oh?" The man's eyes brightened, "He has backbone."

He put down the document and tapped the tabletop: "Issue an imperial decree: promote Li Xun to Acting County Magistrate of Qingxi County, concurrently serving as Civilian Militia Inspector."

The eunuch was startled: "Your Majesty, the position of Civilian Militia Inspector..."

"It exists now." The old man stood up and walked to the window, "The Imperial Court's troops are not enough, so let the local people fight it out themselves. If they win, give them official posts. If they lose..."

He paused, his voice turning cold.

"Then they are rebel troops."

In July, before the autumn harvest,

The Red Lotus Sect army's advance from the east stopped; they were all organizing the autumn harvest, making plans for the coming year.

Meanwhile, the Hong Sect in Qingxi County officially hung up the sign of "Civilian Militia," and Wei Zhuang, the Chief Instructor, also gained an official status—Junior Ninth Rank Patrol Inspector. The rank was not high, but it was enough.

Those people at the Lianshan Prefecture Yamen seemed corrupt, but in reality, they were very shrewd. With the Red Lotus Sect moving south, they did not want to go into battle themselves and die, yet they coveted military merit, so they tacitly allowed "Outer Members" like Wei Zhuang to charge into battle, intending to share the spoils once the deed was done.

This tacit approval was exactly what Wei Zhuang wanted.

"What did General Sui say?" Wei Zhuang asked.

"Sui Long was very straightforward, saying that as long as we don't touch his private salt routes, we can do whatever we want in Qingxi County." The deputy smiled, "He also said that if we need weapons or grain, he can spare some from the army as a favor."

Wei Zhuang nodded.

Sui Long was a Cavalry Lieutenant of the Lianshan Prefecture garrison, in charge of eight hundred cavalrymen, and usually made extra money by smuggling salt. The Hong Sect had cooperated with him many times before, and they knew each other well. This time, Wei Zhuang specifically sent two thousand taels of silver over; nominally it was a "tribute," but in reality, it was to buy him to turn a blind eye.

The rules of officialdom are like this: you don't touch my cake, and I won't flip your table.

"How are things prepared on our side?" Wei Zhuang asked.

"The granary is repaired, the armory has been inventoried, and the brothers are all settled." The deputy took out a list.

Wei Zhuang took the list and glanced at it; it was densely packed with the quantities of supplies, personnel distribution, and defensive key points.

This was a professional map that could only be obtained after becoming an official.

Looking at it as a whole,

Qingxi County is located in the northeast corner of Lianshan Prefecture, surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing a river on one, yet it can radiate to the surrounding counties and towns; it is a good base.

Wei Zhuang folded the list and tucked it into his robe, "The less movement now, the better."

The deputy was somewhat puzzled: "The Red Lotus Sect is almost attacking the neighboring prefecture; shouldn't we take the opportunity to earn merit?"

"Earn what merit?" Wei Zhuang sneered, "If we jump out now, we'll just be cannon fodder for those official lords. When they have fought until they are nearly exhausted, that is when we strike; that is what you call merit."

The deputy suddenly understood.

Heimu Prefecture, the Hong Sect's courtyard.

Cheng Feng lay on a lounge chair in the courtyard, basking in the sun.

His left shoulder was wrapped in bandages, and the wound had already scabbed over; it was no longer a hindrance.

Several osmanthus trees were planted in the courtyard, their fragrance faint, and when the wind blew, petals fell all over the ground.

"Master, a reply from Sect Master Wei." Leng Feng walked in quickly and handed over a letter.

Cheng Feng opened it, read it, and smiled.

"This guy Wei Zhuang is still as steady as ever."

Leng Feng was curious: "What does the letter say?"

"Telling me to lie down for a few more days." Cheng Feng crumpled the letter paper into a ball and tossed it into the nearby brazier, "He wants to wait for the situation to get even more chaotic before making a move."

Leng Feng scratched his head: "But the Red Lotus Sect is fighting more and more fiercely; what if they really attack our side?"

"That won't happen." Cheng Feng closed his eyes, "If the Imperial Court still watches and does nothing, then perhaps it really is the end."

Leng Feng seemed to understand, yet not quite.

Cheng Feng did not explain further, only calculating the upcoming situation in his heart.

This move by Wei Zhuang was brilliant; on the surface, he accepted the Imperial Court's amnesty, but in reality, he buried the foundation of the Hong Sect in Qingxi County, where he could advance to attack or retreat to defend. Once the Red Lotus Sect and the Imperial Court fought until both were heavily damaged, the Hong Sect might take the opportunity to grow strong.

This was the true way to survive in troubled times.

In the main hall of the Lianshan Prefecture Yamen, the Prefect was giving a lecture.

"Everyone, the Red Lotus Sect is rampant, the Imperial Court is furious, and every prefecture has received a death order to exterminate the rebels!" The Prefect slapped the table, his spit flying everywhere, "Whoever can achieve the first merit, I will personally request a reward for him!"

A group of officials sat below, all lowering their heads in silence.

The Prefect scanned the room, his gaze landing on Wei Zhuang, who was standing straight in the corner.

"Patrol Inspector Wei, how many people does your Hong Sect... oh no, your Civilian Militia have now?"

Wei Zhuang stood up and cupped his hands: "Replying to my lord, there are over eight hundred in total."

"Good!" The Prefect nodded with satisfaction, "I order you to lead the Civilian Militia to the eastern front, cooperate with General Sui to suppress the bandits, and you must capture a Red Lotus Sect stronghold within half a month!"

Wei Zhuang's expression did not change: "My lord, the Red Lotus Sect's forces are strong on the eastern front, I fear..."

"What is there to fear!" the Prefect interrupted him, "The Imperial Court has provided provisions and status; what more do you want?"

Wei Zhuang lowered his head: "Yes, this subordinate obeys the order."

The Prefect waved his hand, signaling for him to withdraw.

Wei Zhuang walked out of the main hall, and his deputy leaned in, lowering his voice: "Are we really going?"

"We are," Wei Zhuang glanced at the sky, "but not right now."

The deputy was stunned.

Wei Zhuang turned and walked toward the outside of the Fuya, his pace unhurried: "First return to Qingxi County and hide our assets before we talk about anything else."

The deputy followed, asking in a low voice: "What if the Prefect holds us accountable?"

"Accountable?" Wei Zhuang laughed, "By the time he remembers to hold us accountable, the Red Lotus Sect will have long since attacked somewhere else."

The two walked out of the Fuya gate; the street was bustling with people, and the cries of peddlers rose one after another.

Wei Zhuang looked up at the sky; dark clouds hung very low, as if it were about to rain.

"A chaotic world," he muttered to himself, "has only just begun."

That night, at the Hong Sect stronghold in Qingxi County.

Wei Zhuang sat in the main seat, with over a dozen leaders standing below.

"Starting from today, all brothers will enter Qingxi County in batches; on the surface, say it is for joint defense, but in reality, treat this place as our base," Wei Zhuang tapped the table, "Grain, weapons, silver—transport everything here; not a single tael can be missing."

"Master Wei, what about the Fuya side..." someone asked.

"I will handle the Fuya side," Wei Zhuang stood up, "Remember, we are government soldiers now, not bandits. Bow your heads when you should, and be tough when you should."

The crowd answered in unison.