Chapter 182: Gloom: Chai Rong's Critical Illness

The aftershocks of the thunderbolt of Chai Rong's grave illness have not yet subsided, and another, even heavier pall hangs over, filled with the solemn authority of the imperial court.

It has rolled in from the direction of Bian Liang, swiftly covering Chan Prefecture, especially the skies over the three counties under Chen Wen's governance.

What arrived first was not troops, but a sternly worded imperial edict.

It was personally brought by the newly appointed Commissioner of the Northern Bureau of the Xuanhui Institute, the eunuch Dong Zunhui, who represents the will of the Imperial Court's central authority.

The edict was not issued to Chai Rong.

— this gravely ill military governor has been temporarily ordered to 'rest and recuperate'.

Instead, it was sent directly to all the military prefectures of Chan Prefecture and to Chen Wen, the Defense Commissioner of Chan Prefecture.

In the edict, the Imperial Court, citing 'Northern barbarians eyeing us, state resources strained,' issued a series of uniform decrees:

First, 'increase the autumn defense taxes on the circuits of North of the River.'

Nominally, this is to counter a possible autumn offensive by the Khitan taking advantage of Chai Rong's grave illness.

But the amount apportioned to Chen Wen's three counties far exceeds the norm, almost double or more than the same period in previous years.

Moreover, it demands that the taxes be delivered to Bian Liang by a deadline, without delay.

Second, 'reclaim part of the profits from the market control offices.'

It expressly stipulates that, including Gray Wolf Pass, several important border-market control offices must remit their levies and state trade proceeds directly to the Three Departments (Salt and Iron, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Revenue).

Local military governors and defense commissioners may not privately intercept or divert these funds.

This clause almost precisely strikes at the vital point of Chen Wen's financial resources accumulated through trade.

Third, 'inspect the granaries and armaments of all military prefectures.'

It orders the Xuanhui Institute, the Three Departments, and the Censorate to form a joint inspection team, which will soon head to the various states of North of the River to focus on examining grain reserves, armament quantities, and local fiscal income and expenditure.

Under the guise of 'coordinated allocation to support state needs,' it in fact points its sword at the foundations of powerful commanders like Chen Wen.

When Dong Zunhui read the edict at the Chan Prefecture government office, facing the pale-faced Chai Zongxun, who was acting in his father's stead, and the assembled civil and military officials of Chan Prefecture,

His tone was arrogant, his sharp gaze sweeping over those present, especially noting that Chen Wen himself had not come in person.

He lingered only a moment on the representative Chen Wen had sent to attend.

"Gentlemen..."

Dong Zunhui's thin, piercing voice carried an unquestionable tone.

"His Majesty knows well the hardship of the Hebei soldiers guarding the frontier, but state affairs are difficult; we must all unite and overcome these troubled times."

"All these uniform decrees must be strictly enforced without error. If anyone outwardly complies while inwardly defying, or delays and shirks responsibility, do not blame the state law for being merciless!"

Within Chan Prefecture city, a hush fell like cold cicadas.

Everyone can see that this is the Imperial Court in Bian Liang seizing the opportunity while Chai Rong is down, eagerly seeking to reclaim power and weaken the regional militaries.

Especially to restrain powerful commanders like Chen Wen, who are deeply entrenched locally and closely allied with Chai Rong.

Those heavy taxes, the confiscated revenues, and the impending inspection are like shackles seeking to bind tight any potential soaring flood dragon.

When the news reached Luo River, the atmosphere inside the Defense Commissioner's residence grew even more solemn.

"Too much bullying!"

Shi Dun's veins bulged at his forehead in anger.

"My lord has only just fallen ill, and they are already rushing to bleed and carve us up!"

"To impose so many extra taxes and seize the market profits is clearly meant to cut off our livelihood!"

Zhang Cheng held the preliminary calculations, his brow furrowed:

"My lord, if we levy this amount of tax and the market revenues are sharply reduced, the finances of our three counties will immediately be stretched thin."

"Not to mention continuing to expand the army for war; even maintaining the current troop size, officials' salaries, and various livelihood expenditures will be difficult to sustain."

"Moreover, we still have to deliver the taxes to Bian Liang by a deadline…"

Wang Ru showed a worried expression:

"And there's that inspection team — they come with ill intent."

"If they are determined to find trouble, they will always be able to pick out faults. Then, I fear…"

Chen Wen sat in the chief seat, his expression calm, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the armrest.

The reaction from Bian Liang was within his expectations, and indeed came even faster and harsher than he had anticipated.

This is not mere suspicion.

But a systematic, all-encompassing political and economic strangulation, aimed at him while his wings are not yet fully grown.

To trap him firmly, and even take this opportunity to weaken or even annex his power.

"Livelihood has never been given by others; it is earned by oneself."

Chen Wen spoke slowly, his voice not loud, yet carrying a certain resolve.

"The court's move aims to confine me, weaken me, and force me to submit."

He looked toward Zhang Cheng.

"The levied taxes, not a single coin less on the books, prepare them as required."

"But when it comes time to deliver, we may send them in batches, using unsafe roads and the time needed to gather grain as excuses, to delay as much as possible."

"Furthermore, immediately begin clearing the accounts, especially the in‑out records of the grain storehouses and armory."

"We must make it watertight, superficially splendid, so they find no major faults, but the core data must remain firmly in our hands."

Zhang Cheng immediately understood.

"Subordinate understands, we will polish the outward appearance, delay where we can in secret, and never leak the core secrets."

Chen Wen then looked toward Wang Ru.

"The market revenues will be remitted openly according to the rules, but we must open new financial channels."

"The caravans from other counties of North of the River that previously traded with us."

We can offer more incentives, encouraging them to expand the variety and scale of trade, gradually shifting the trade focus from the border customs offices to the markets inside our three counties.

Moreover, the high-quality cloth, metalware, and ceramics we produce ourselves can also be organized into caravans for active external sales, avoiding the imperial court's cut.

Wang Ru's eyes lit up.

This plan is excellent! Pretend to repair the plank road while secretly crossing Chen Cang. As long as the goods are good and the prices favorable, there will be no worry about finding buyers.

However… this would require strengthening trade route security, to prevent anyone from taking risky shortcuts and banditry on the way.

This matter will be handled by Shi Dun.

Chen Wen looked toward Shi Dun.

Draft elite forces, form a merchant guard team, and ensure the trade routes of our three counties remain smooth.

If there are any clueless bandits, or… the black hands of other forces, they will all be killed without exception!

Understood! Shi Dun responded with a resounding assent, cracking his knuckles.

Finally, Chen Wen instructed Qian Gui.

Find out the personnel composition, itinerary, and preferences of the inspection envoy group.

After they arrive, every move they make must be under our control.

Find a way… to make them see what we want them to see, and hear what we want them to hear.

Qian Gui understood, giving a cold, sinister smile.

Rest assured, my lord, I will certainly 'treat them well'—these superiors from Bian Liang.

The assignments having been set, everyone received their orders and departed.

Chen Wen walked alone to the hanging map, his gaze deep and profound.

The gloom over Bian Liang is indeed heavy.

Yet it also presses him to break the old framework more quickly, establishing a more independent and resilient system.

Economically, we must free ourselves from reliance on the court's allocations and traditional customs offices;

Politically, we must become more adept at using stratagems, maneuvering among all parties;

Militarily, we must maintain absolute deterrence.

These layer upon layer of shackles cannot bind a true dragon.

On the contrary, they may become the whetstone that sharpens its claws and fangs.

He slowly exhaled a mouthful of turbid air, his gaze growing ever more resolute.

Since the court is unkind, do not blame him for forging another path.

This foundation he built with his own hands will never yield easily to a few documents and a few shackles.

Under the gloom, Luo Chuan and the three counties under its governance lie like a dormant beast.

It begins to operate in a more introverted yet also more dangerous manner.

Beneath the surface compliance lie surging undercurrents and an unyielding will.