Chapter 104: Thunderbolt Tactics: First Grip of Order

At dusk, Chen Wen's unit finally reached the outskirts of Linhe County City.

Rather than calling it a city, it was more like a vast ruin barely encircled by low earthen walls.

The walls collapsed in many places, and the gaps were haphazardly plugged with thorns and rotten wood.

The moat had long dried up, exposing silted trash and filth that gave off a foul stench.

On the city tower there were no garrison banners, only a few ragged figures clutching broken spears, huddled behind the crenels.

They gazed in terror at the troops below, whose armor was bright and whose killing intent lurked faintly.

The city gate was half-open, half-closed.

Several gate guards leaned crookedly against the wall base, their eyes dull.

They paid no heed to those coming and going, let alone inspecting them.

The whole county seat was permeated with an aura of despair and decay.

"Is... this really Linhe County?"

Colonel Li Yan sucked in a breath of cold air.

He had long served in the Chen Prefecture army; though he knew border prefectures were poor, he never imagined they could have deteriorated to this extent.

Zhang Cheng's face grew solemn:

"The people's livelihood is exhausted, military defenses abandoned—it has come to this."

Chen Wen sat upright on his horse, his gaze sweeping over the scene before him like icy cold.

This was worse than he had anticipated.

He did not immediately order an entry into the city, but instead gave Shi Dun a look.

Shi Dun understood, waved his hand, and the thirty elite troops of Jiao Tu Zhen scattered like leopards.

They swiftly seized advantageous positions near the gate, subtly controlling the entrance.

This caused the numb gate guards to jolt awake, panicking as they tried to raise their weapons.

But they were cowed by the elites' fierce gazes and gleaming weapons, frozen in place, daring not to move.

"Who are you lot? Dare, dare to barge into the county seat!"

An old soldier who seemed the leader mustered courage, shouting in a trembling voice, though his tone was all bluster and no substance.

Chen Wen didn't even glance at him; a personal guard beside him had already raised the baton of the Border Pacification Commissioner.

He bellowed:

"Pacification Commissioner of the Circuit Commander's Office, Lord Chen, has arrived! Full authority over Linhe's military and civil affairs! Make way!"

"Pac... Pacification Commissioner?"

The gate guard leader stared, having never seen such a high official in his life.

Nor had he ever seen a "pacification" unit bristling with such killing intent.

Just then.

Qian Gui slipped out like a ghost from a side alley inside the city, quickly approaching Chen Wen's horse.

He whispered, "Sir, I've ascertained the situation."

"County Magistrate Zhou Tao is currently drinking and making merry in the rear quarters of the county office..."

"His core followers, County Assistant Zhao Kui, with a dozen or so confidants, are at the 'Happy Forest' gambling house west of the city."

"Chief Clerk Qian De is in his residence in the southern part of the city."

"The county office is basically empty, with only a few old clerks on duty."

"Several major households in the city, led by the rice merchant Sun Baiwan and the gentry Li Lao Taigong, are merely watching and waiting."

"The members of the largest bandit gang, the 'Black Mountain Wolf,' showed up a few days ago at the Black Wind Stronghold twenty li outside the city, but so far no large bandit force has been detected sneaking into the city."

The intelligence is spot-on, the timing is perfect!

A flash of cold light crossed Chen Wen's eyes; he hesitated no more, and gave a low order: "Colonel Li Yan!"

"Here, sir!"

"Take your men and immediately seize control of the four walls and the armory!"

"Block the gate—allow entry, forbid exit! Anyone daring to assault the gate or armory shall be killed on sight!"

"Received!"

Li Yan clasped his fist, instantly mustered his troops, and surged like wolves and tigers toward their respective objectives.

The city defenders had long since lost their courage; they met hardly any respectable resistance, and the key points of the gate and walls quickly changed hands.

"Shi Dun!"

"Here!"

"Take your men and follow me straight to the county office! Zhang Cheng and Zhao Lao Cian, come along!"

"Yes!"

Chen Wen kicked his horse's belly and led the charge into the city.

Shi Dun led the thirty elites close behind, like a steel torrent, crashing into the lifeless Linhe County City.

Horse hooves struck the uneven, potholed streets, kicking up murky mud.

This drew countless fearful, numb yet slightly curious gazes from the ruined eaves lining the road.

The county office stood at the center of the county seat, one of the few buildings in the city still relatively intact.

Yet the bronze rings on its vermilion lacquered gate were also mottled with rust.

There was not even a gatekeeper yamen runner at the entrance; the gate stood ajar.

Chen Wen reined in his horse and waved his hand.

Shi Dun, with a few elites, surged forward like a whirlwind and kicked the gate open with a foot!

Inside the gate was an overgrown courtyard, and several bailiffs in ragged uniforms were sitting on the steps gambling.

Translation: Inside the gate was an overgrown courtyard, several yamen runners in tattered uniforms were sitting on the steps gambling.

We need to keep it concise but faithful.

He was startled by the sudden turn of events, jumped up, and stared dumbfounded at this group of soldiers who looked like grim reapers.

Translation: Startled by the sudden change, he jumped up, staring dumbfounded at this group of god‑like warriors.

Where is Zhou Tao?

Translation: "Where is Zhou Tao?"

Chen Wen's voice was icy, like the cold wind of the twelfth month.

Translation: Chen Wen's voice was ice‑cold, like the wind of the twelfth lunar month.

A bold bailiff stammered, pointing to the rear courtyard: "In... in the rear residence..."

Translation: A bold yamen runner stammered, pointing to the rear courtyard: "In… in the rear residence…"

Chen Wen ignored these minor figures, leaving a few to guard the front office while he led the rest straight to the rear residence.

Translation: Chen Wen no longer paid attention to these minor figures, leaving a few to guard the front office while he led the rest straight to the rear residence.

Just after passing through the moon gate, he heard the sound of string and bamboo instruments and women's teasing voices coming from a relatively elegant flower hall.

Translation: Just after passing through the moon gate, he heard a strain of string and bamboo music and women's teasing voices coming from a rather refined flower hall.

Inside the flower hall, candles burned brightly.

Translation: Inside the flower hall, candles blazed brightly.

A pot-bellied middle-aged man in silk casual robes was embracing two heavily made-up women as he drank.

Translation: A middle‑aged man with a bloated belly, dressed in silk informal robes, was embracing two heavily made‑up women while drinking.

Nearby, several musicians played wind and string instruments, presenting a scene of peaceful music and dance.

Translation: Beside them, a few musicians played wind and string instruments, presenting a scene of peaceful music and dance.

This formed a cruel contrast with the miserable scene inside the city. This man was none other than Zhou Tao, the magistrate of Linhe County.

Translation: This formed a cruel contrast with the miserable scene inside the city. This man was precisely the magistrate of Linhe County, Zhou Tao.

"Bang!" The flower hall door was flung open.

Translation: "Bang!" The flower hall's door was flung open.

The music stopped abruptly, and the women's screams rang out.

Translation: The music stopped abruptly, and the women's screams rang out.

Zhou Tao, his vision blurred by drink, lifted his head, about to flare up.

Translation: Zhou Tao, his vision blurred by drink, lifted his head, about to flare up in anger.

But he saw a group of armored soldiers, helmets on their heads and blades in hand, surge inside.

Translation: But he saw a group of helmeted, armor‑clad soldiers wielding sharp blades surge in.

Leading them was a young, handsome man; beneath his official robe one could see armor, his eyes cold and sharp as a blade.

Translation: Leading them was a young, handsome man; beneath his official robe armor could be glimpsed, his eyes cold as a blade.

"Who... who are you? Dare to break into this official's rear residence!"

Translation: "Who… who are you? Dare to break into this official's rear residence!"

Zhou Tao shouted, his voice stern but his courage faltering, as he was half sobered.

Translation: Zhou Tao shouted, putting on a brave front though half‑sobered by the wine.

Chen Wen walked steadily up to him, his gaze sweeping over the exquisite food and drink on the table.

Translation: Chen Wen walked forward with steady steps, his gaze sweeping over the exquisite food and drink on the table.

Then his gaze fell upon Zhou Tao's swollen face, bloated from excessive drink and lust; his voice was not loud, yet it carried immense force.

Translation: Then it fell on Zhou Tao's swollen face from excessive drinking and lust; his voice was not loud, yet carried the weight of a thousand jin.

"I am the Inspector‑General of Border Pacification, Envoy of the Chen Prefecture Military Commissioner's Office, Chen Wen."

Translation: "I am the Inspector‑General of Border Pacification, Envoy of the Chen Prefecture Military Commissioner's Office, Chen Wen."

But we need to translate titles accurately: 'Inspector‑General of Border Pacification, Envoy of the Chen Prefecture Military Commissioner's Office'. However we need to be faithful but not add.

He brandished the ceremonial baton in his hand.

Translation: He brandished the ceremonial baton in his hand:

"By the envoy's order, I have full authority to handle Linhe County's affairs."

Translation: "By the envoy's order, I have full authority to handle all affairs of Linhe County."

"Zhou Tao, you have embezzled river works funds, imposed excessive taxes, causing the people to suffer and bringing forth banditry on all sides—your guilt is undeniable!"

Translation: "Zhou Tao, you have embezzled river‑works funds, levied excessive taxes, driving the people to despair and spawning banditry everywhere—your crimes are proven!"

"Come, seize him!"

Translation: "Seize him!"

"How dare you! I am an appointed official of the court! You..."

Translation: "How dare you! I am an official appointed by the Imperial Court! You…"

Zhou Tao panicked, tried to struggle, and a stone guard stepped forward in a swift lunge.

Translation: Zhou Tao panicked, tried to struggle, and Shi Dun lunged forward a step.

Like grabbing a chick, they yanked him from his seat, twisted his arms behind his back, and bound him tightly.

Translation: Like grabbing a chick, he was hauled up from his seat, his arms twisted behind his back and bound tightly.

The two women and musicians had already been frightened into limpness on the ground, trembling.

Translation: The two women and the musicians had already collapsed in terror, trembling.

"Search!" Chen Wen ordered.

Translation: "Search!" Chen Wen ordered.

The sharp-witted soldiers sprang into action; shortly they found a large amount of gold, silver, jewels, and property deeds in Zhou Tao's bedroom and study.

Translation: The elite soldiers acted at once; soon they seized a large amount of gold, silver, jewels, and land deeds from Zhou Tao's bedroom and study.

And several secret ledgers recording the embezzled funds and bribery transactions.

Translation: And several secret ledgers recording the embezzled funds and bribery transactions.

Zhang Cheng glanced through them roughly, his face growing ever darker.

Translation: Zhang Cheng glanced through them roughly, his face growing ever darker.

"Sir, just from last autumn's flood relief funds for the river works, he has embezzled over seventy percent! Plus the extra levies and miscellaneous taxes imposed over the years— the amount is staggering!"

Translation: "Sir, just the river‑works funds from last autumn's flood, he has embezzled over seventy percent! Plus the extra levies and miscellaneous taxes imposed over the years—the amounts are staggering!"

"The evidence piles up like a mountain."

Translation: "The evidence is mountainous."

Chen Wen let out a cold snort.

Translation: Chen Wen let out a cold snort.

"Take Zhou Tao and his family into custody, keep them under strict guard! Seal all illicit property and register it!"

Translation: "Detain Zhou Tao and his family under strict guard! Confiscate all illicit goods and register them!"

"Yes!"

Translation: "Yes!"

Almost at the same time, the 'Happy Forest' gambling house west of the city and the residence of the southern city clerk Qian De.

Translation: Almost simultaneously, the "Happy Forest" gambling house west of the city and the residence of the South City clerk Qian De.

Were also respectively taken under control by troops dispatched by Li Yan; the county magistrate Zhao Kui and clerk Qian De were seized in astonishment.

Translation: Were also respectively taken under control by troops dispatched by Li Yan; the county magistrate Zhao Kui and clerk Qian De were seized in astonishment.

Their homes also yielded a considerable amount of illicit property and evidence.

Translation: Their homes also yielded a considerable amount of incriminating property.

With the force of thunder and lightning, it took less than half an hour.

Translation: With thunderous force, it took less than half an hour.

The originally paralyzed administrative core of Linhe County was completely destroyed, and the chief culprits and their accomplices were all apprehended.

Translation: The paralyzed administrative core of Linhe County was utterly destroyed; the chief culprits and their accomplices were all netted.

The news spread like wind through the dead‑silent Linhe County seat.

Translation: The news spread like wind through the dead‑silent Linhe county seat.

At first it was an incredulous silence; then a long‑suppressed unrest began to spread through the streets and alleys.

Translation: At first there was an incredulous silence; then a long‑suppressed unrest began to permeate the streets and alleys.

Chen Wen understood that arresting people was only the first step; stabilizing the populace was key.

Translation: Chen Wen understood that arresting people was only the first step; stabilizing hearts was the key.

He immediately ordered Zhang Cheng to mass‑copy the already‑prepared placards to pacify the people.

Translation: He immediately ordered Zhang Cheng to copy in large numbers the already‑prepared placards to pacify the populace.

They were posted at the four gates of the county seat and main thoroughfares, and literate soldiers were sent to read them aloud.

Translation: They were posted at the four gates and main thoroughfares of the county seat, and literate soldiers were sent to read them aloud.

"The notice clearly announced Chai Rong's appointment and Zhou Tao's crimes, declaring that only the ringleaders would be punished, while followers would be spared."

Translation: The notice clearly announced Chai Rong's appointment and Zhou Tao's crimes, declaring that only the ringleaders would be punished, while followers would be spared.

At the same time, three measures to be implemented immediately were announced:

Translation: At the same time, three measures to be enacted immediately were announced:

"First, tomorrow at noon, open the granary at the county office gate and distribute grain to relieve the hungry!"

Translation: First, tomorrow at noon, at the county office gate, open the granaries to distribute grain and relieve the hungry!

"Second, starting today, recruit civilian laborers to repair waterworks, using work in lieu of relief, providing meals and wages!"

Translation: Second, starting today, recruit civilian laborers to rebuild waterworks, using labor in lieu of relief, providing meals and wages!

"Third, abolish all the surcharges and miscellaneous taxes imposed during Zhou Tao's tenure, survey the fields, and reduce this year's taxes according to the actual disaster conditions!"

Translation: Third, abolish all miscellaneous taxes imposed during Zhou Tao's tenure, survey the fields, and reduce or exempt this year's taxes according to actual disaster conditions!

When the phrases "open the granary and distribute grain," "work in lieu of relief," and "abolish the surcharges" were shouted aloud by the soldiers,

Translation: When the soldiers loudly uttered the phrases "open the granaries to distribute grain," "labor in lieu of relief," and "abolish the miscellaneous taxes,"

the watching crowd first fell into a deathly silence, then burst into uncontrollable sobs and cheers!

Translation: The onlooking crowd first fell into a deathly silence, then burst into uncontrollable sobs and cheers!

Many yellow‑skinned, thin elders and women and children fell to their knees on the spot, kowtowing toward the county office, tears and snot streaming.

Translation: Many sallow‑skinned elders and women and children fell to their knees on the spot, kowtowing toward the county office, tears streaming.

"Oh great heaven‑like lord!"

Translation: "Oh great and just Heaven!"

"We have a way to live! We have a way to live!"

Translation: "There is a way to live! We have a way to live!"

"Chen the Justiciar! Chen the Pacification Envoy!"

Translation: "Chen the Just Heaven! Chen Pacification Envoy!"

Despairing dead water was thrown into a huge stone, stirring up waves of hope.

Although the road ahead remains difficult.

But at this moment, Chen Wen with an iron fist swift as thunder and a benevolent governance that directly points to the people's hearts.

Successfully, on this bitter land, he preliminarily established order.

It also ignited the fire of hope, long extinguished in the hearts of the people of Linhe County.

Chen Wen stood before the county office gate, watching the excited crowd below.

Feeling the pale golden vortex in his sea of consciousness, stirred by the people's will, transmitting a clearer, more active fluctuation.

In his heart there was no pride, only a heavy responsibility.

He knows, this is only a beginning.

Next, suppressing bandits, construction, rectifying officialdom……

There are still more tough battles to fight.

But at least, this first step, he walked it quickly and steadily.