Chapter 158: Countermeasures

The arrival of the envoy from Bian Liang was like a huge stone thrown into a calm lake.

In Luo River, and even throughout the Chen Wen Group internally, ripples were stirred up.

However, under Chen Wen's clear directive, this ripple was quickly guided toward the set direction.

— outwardly compliant, secretly accelerated.

After seeing off the envoy who delivered the decree.

Chen Wen did not immediately convene a large meeting.

Instead, he summoned the absolute core — Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, Shi Dun, Qian Gui, Zhao Lao Nian, and others — to a secluded side room within the field headquarters.

Inside the room, candlelight flickered, illuminating the varied expressions on everyone's faces.

"Let's all speak up: how exactly should we 'comply' with this decree?"

Chen Wen sat in the chief seat, his tone flat, giving no hint of joy or anger.

Zhang Cheng spoke first, obviously having given it deep thought.

"Envoy, I believe the foremost task is to 'cry poor'."

"We need to let that envoy truly 'see' our difficulties before the Imperial Court."

"I have already ordered people to expedite the compilation of the household, land, and granary registers of the three counties, especially highlighting the losses from last year's war and the expenses of settling refugees this spring."

"When the time comes, the documents submitted to the envoy must be detailed and solid, every word dripping with blood, so that he can take them back to Bian Liang."

"It is not just the imperial edict, but also our predicament of being willing yet unable."

Wang Ru added.

"Moreover, we also need to let that envoy 'see with his own eyes'."

"We can arrange for him to 'unintentionally' see the places where refugees gather, and see that the government granaries, though somewhat replenished by the summer harvest,"

"but still far from abundant, and even let him witness one or two small-scale disputes arising from grain distribution."

"We must make him form the impression that 'Defense Envoy Chen Wen, though willing to serve the nation, has just taken charge of his jurisdiction, the people's livelihood is strained, and forced tax increases would provoke unrest.'"

Chen Wen nodded; this coincided exactly with his own thoughts.

In political maneuvering, often what is contested is the ability to shape information.

"This matter, Wen Ruo and Qing Yu, you two shall take full responsibility; make sure it is done naturally, leaving no trace."

"We understand," the two replied in unison.

"That tax... is it really to be increased by thirty percent?"

Zhao Lao Nian could not help but ask, his face full of anguish.

He oversees the Artisan Battalion and knows well how hard-earned every bit of money and supplies is.

"Increase, of course we must increase."

Chen Wen's mouth curled into a cold, sharp arc.

"How could we openly defy the Imperial Court's decree?"

"Not only Luo River must increase taxes; Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping and Riverside must likewise post notices announcing the Imperial Court's tax increase order."

Everyone was stunned, not understanding its meaning.

Chen Wen continued.

"However, how to levy, how much to levy, when to start levying — there is much room for maneuver in these details."

"Wen Ruo, when drafting the documents outlining our difficulties, you may additionally propose a 'staggered collection' strategy."

"State that the three counties' vitality has not yet recovered; if a one-time thirty percent increase is imposed, it would harm the foundation."

"Request that the Imperial Court permit a gradual increase over three years, keeping this year's amount unchanged to show the court's sympathy for the frontier garrison."

Zhang Cheng's eyes lit up.

"This plan is excellent!"

"It can both demonstrate our attitude of 'striving to comply' and push back the actual pressure, buying us at least a year's time!"

"If the Imperial Court stubbornly refuses, it would instead appear inhumane and lose face."

"That is precisely the reasoning."

Chen Wen nodded.

"Even if the Imperial Court ultimately rejects staggered collection and insists on this year's increase, we still have plenty of ways."

"The collection process can be 'fraught with difficulties,' and the progress can be 'exceedingly slow.'"

"The taxes gathered, during storage, guarding, and transport, are also bound to suffer some 'losses.'"

He swept his gaze over the crowd, the meaning self-evident.

— outwardly obey, secretly defy, delay and withhold.

These warlords' usual tactics in dealing with the Imperial Court must not be softened when employed.

Shi Dun felt a bit confused, but roughly understood that he didn't really have to hand over that much grain and money, and he immediately relaxed.

He grinned and said: "Whatever the envoy says, I'll do! I guarantee our troops won't have to hand over an extra grain of rice!"

Chen Wen looked at him.

"Shi Dun, your task is the heaviest."

"Make sure all units, especially the new recruits, do not clash with the Imperial Guard coming from Bian Liang."

"If they swagger about the city, even deliberately provoking, endure it if you can."

"If it's truly impossible, also hold to reason, handle it discreetly; for now we must not give them a handle."

"I understand!"

Shi Dun patted his chest.

"I'll keep a close watch on those little bastards!"

Finally, Chen Wen's gaze fell on the perpetually silent Qian Gui.

"Qian Gui, your Inspection Bureau needs to keep its eyes sharp."

"Closely monitor every move of the envoy and his retinue; record in detail whom they meet and what they say."

"At the same time, watch for anyone inside the city taking advantage to spread rumors and incite unrest."

"In extraordinary times, internal stability is crucial."

Qian Gui nodded silently, his shadowy figure seeming to become a bit more substantial.

Having arranged these countermeasures, Chen Wen shifted his tone, his voice becoming firm and forceful.

"However, you all need to know, our strategy toward the Imperial Court is merely a stopgap, a 'defense'."

"Our true foundation lies in our own strength!"

"The 'deepen roots, consolidate foundation' strategy must not be slowed by this imperial decree; on the contrary, it must be accelerated!"

He looked toward Zhao Lao Nian.

"Lao Nian, the Artisan Workshop's technical R&D cannot stop; the Divine Crossbow and new armor must be produced as soon as possible."

"The more we produce, the stronger our resolve."

"My lord, rest assured! With your earlier… that help, progress is swift!"

Zhao Lao Nian eagerly promised.

"Wen Ruo, Qing Yu, the civil administration and oversight systems must become more efficient; refugee resettlement, spring plowing and summer weeding—everything as usual, and even more effort should be invested."

"Only with full granaries and settled hearts do we have the means to withstand wind and rain."

"Understood!"

"Shi Dun, drill training must not slack! I want a force that comes when summoned and fights upon arrival, not a bunch of farmers who only know how to till the soil!"

"My lord, rest assured! Those lads are now tough!"

Chen Wen rose, his gaze sweeping over each core member present, and spoke in a low voice.

"The Imperial Court seeks to bind our hands with taxes, weakening our foundation."

"We, however, will seize this opportunity to make these three counties more prosperous and stronger!"

"They want grain and silver; we want the future!"

"On the surface, we can be loyal subjects."

"But in secret, our steps of development cannot slow, not even a moment!"

"We must make Luo River, Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping, and Lin River into an impregnable iron barrel that needles cannot pierce and water cannot splash!"

"We must make it so that the next time the Imperial Court thinks to reach out, it will have to weigh whether it can still easily manipulate us!"

His voice was not loud, yet it carried a decisive, iron‑clad resolve.

His words echoed in the small interrogation room, igniting a fire in everyone's eyes.

"We will faithfully obey my lord's command!"

The crowd shouted their assent, the previous doubts and suppression gone, leaving only the resolve to break the cauldrons and sink the boats.

The meeting dispersed; each went off to carry out their orders, steps hurried yet full of strength.

Chen Wen remained alone in the interrogation room, walking to the window.

Outside, the lights of Luo River City joined together in the night, outlining the outline of this increasingly prosperous city.

The wind and rain of Bian Liang have already arrived, but he is no longer the small tree that could only sway in the storm.

Now he possesses his own foundation, a loyal core, and the power to change the rules.

He lightly clenched his fist, feeling the power within that, though not fully recovered from days of exertion, remained mighty.

"Come, let's see what this wind and rain can do to me."

He muttered softly, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.

The outward compliance and the secret acceleration are like two sides of the same coin.

Together they constitute Chen Wen's strategy for weathering this political storm.

A silent contest over taxes, power, and living and development space.

On this late‑spring early‑summer night, it formally opened its curtain.

And Chen Wen has readied himself to engage fully, continually strengthening himself in the process.