Chapter 732: Foundation

Haozhou City Wall Top, Mao hour, three quarters.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) watched as the "Blade-Plow Flag" made overnight rose slowly on the gate tower.

The flag surface snapped in the morning wind.

A dark red background, with a black blade and plow crossing pattern.

Simple, yet heavy.

On the streets below the city, surviving garrison prisoners and some bold civilians were being escorted by Xu Da's unit to clean the battlefield.

The bodies of the black-armored soldiers were piled separately, doused with fire oil, and burned.

The blue viscose was then covered with lime, placed into sealed ceramic jars, and prepared to be transported out of the city for deep burial.

"Leader, the preliminary tally is complete."

Liu Ji walked over holding a newly copied volume.

"Within Haozhou City, there are about four thousand households, over twenty thousand people."

"Less than three-tenths are able-bodied; the rest are mostly elderly, weak, women, and children."

"The Ever-normal Granary holds seven thousand two hundred dan of grain; the armory has two hundred seventy bows, over four thousand arrows, and six hundred each of swords and spears."

"The silver treasury has indeed been emptied; only three hundred taels of silver and twenty strings of copper coins were found in a hidden compartment of the government office."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) listened, his gaze sweeping over the city wall.

Haozhou's city wall is three zhang high, of brick and stone construction; although long neglected, its foundation remains solid.

Each gate has a barbican; the moat draws living water from the Hao River, two zhang wide and one zhang five deep.

This is a city that can be held.

"The city wall needs immediate reinforcement."

He spoke.

"Recruit city artisans and able-bodied folk to repair damaged crenels, deepen the moat, and set up anti-cavalry obstacles."

"Assign heavy guards to the granaries, distribute daily rations in fixed amounts, and strictly forbid private hoarding."

"Store all armaments in the armory, establish a ledger for issuance, and report any damage or loss."

Liu Ji recorded each point.

"There is one more matter."

He paused.

"Seventeen water sources within the city show abnormalities."

"Abnormal?"

"The well water turns blue, or has a sweet, foul smell. Ji has ordered the well mouths sealed, but in the long run, the people's drinking water will become a problem."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) frowned.

Again, Yuneng Pollution.

"Have you tried using 'Strange Iron'?"

"Tried. After throwing in chunks, the well water's blue gradually fades, but the chunks are consumed extremely quickly."

"A fist-sized chunk of 'Strange Iron' can purify only one well."

Liu Ji said softly.

"Our stock of 'Strange Iron' is insufficient to purify all the city's wells."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) fell silent.

This problem is more serious than imagined.

Without a clean water source, this city cannot be held.

"First, concentrate on purifying a few main wells for the garrison and artisans to use."

"For the people's water... let them fetch water from outside the Hao River, but it must be boiled."

"Send people to patrol the river; mark and isolate any polluted sections immediately."

"Yes."

Liu Ji hurried away.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) turned, looking toward the interior of the city.

In the morning light, this city that has just undergone blood and fire is slowly awakening.

Cooking smoke rose from some courtyards.

People began to move on the streets.

Panicked, but at least... still alive.

"Elder Brother."

Tang He climbed onto the city tower, his face showing weariness.

"The Sentinel Captain's eyes have been examined by the doctor."

"How is it?"

"Burned by strong light; needs rest, at least half a month without exposure to strong light."

"And the others?"

"He's sitting in the West Gate Barbican, refusing to come down."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) shook his head.

He walked along the city wall toward the west gate.

Inside the barbican, Chang Yuchun was indeed sitting on a stone slab.

His eyes were wrapped in medicated cloth, but his waist and back remained straight.

Beside him stood that "Strange Iron" sword with a notch cut out of it.

"Regular Scout Captain."

"Chief." Chang Yuchun turned his ear, "You've come."

"Why don't you go back to the barracks to rest?"

"Just sitting here is resting." Chang Yuchun grinned, "My eyes may not see, but my ears are still sharp."

"This western gate area, I'll take charge of it—nothing will go wrong."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) sat down beside him.

"Last night, thank you."

"What for?" Chang Yuchun waved his hand, "I didn't stop that black-robed man; I deserve punishment."

"You've already done very well."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) paused.

"Once your eyes heal, the cavalry unit needs to be rebuilt."

"I'll give you two hundred slots; you pick the people yourself."

"If there aren't enough warhorses, then buy them, seize them, take them as spoils."

Chang Yuchun fell silent for a moment.

"Chief, will those black-armored troops come again?"

"They will."

"Then next time, I want a cavalry that can charge head-on and break them."

"I'll give it to you."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) rose to his feet.

"But the precondition is that you must first heal your eyes."

"For half a month, you're not to go up on the city walls, not to touch your sword, and honestly just take your medicine."

Chang Yuchun still wanted to say something.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) had already turned and left.

"This is an order."

The voice came from afar.

Chang Yuchun opened his mouth, and finally spoke softly:

"……Yes."

At noon, in the main hall of the government office.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) summoned all officers of squad leader rank and above, as well as several esteemed elders and local gentry from the city.

"From today onward, Haozhou changes hands."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear.

"All old policies are abolished."

"Three fundamental laws are newly established."

"First, the military will oversee city defenses. The four gates are under curfew, from the hour of xu to the hour of mao; violators will be detained."

"Second, equalize grain distribution to pacify the people. The Ever-normal Granary opens to distribute grain, a set amount of one catty per person per day, with half for the young and old, distributed by household."

"Third, labor service in lieu of tax. All males aged sixteen to fifty must perform four hours of labor each day, strengthening city defenses, cleaning streets, repairing houses. Labor offsets tax, exempting this year's grain and money."

The crowd below showed varied expressions.

Some breathed a sigh of relief—at least there would be no looting or killing.

Some frowned—four hours of labor service is too harsh.

Yet no one dared to speak out in doubt.

"If you have any objections, you may raise them now."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) surveyed the crowd.

Silence.

"Then let it be carried out."

He looked toward Xu Da.

"The city defenses are to be entirely under your command."

"Yes."

"Tang He, you are in charge of grain distribution from the storehouse and labor allocation."

"Understood."

"Mr. Liu."

"Ji is here."

"You will oversee internal affairs, coordinate all parties, and handle daily legal matters."

Liu Ji solemnly clasped his hands.

"I will exert my utmost effort."

The crowd dispersed.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) remained alone in the hall.

He took from his bosom that lump of "Strange Iron."

On the surface of the lump, those faint blue lights flowed even faster.

As if it were excited.

It also seemed like … a warning.

He walked to the window and looked north.

The direction of White River Town.

The black-robed person fled.

But those 'nodes' are still there.

The 'being cultivated' White River Town.

The 'mature form' Fortified Town.

And … the 'abandoned point' of Huaiyuan.

He must figure out what these actually mean.

Chief.

Liu Ji left and then returned.

"Ji just checked the old records and discovered something."

"Speak."

"The former prefect of Haozhou suddenly died of a sudden illness three months ago."

"The successor had been in office less than ten days when that black-robed person sidelined him."

"And the prefect who died of the sudden illness … had a suspicious death."

Liu Ji lowered his voice.

"According to his servant, at death his skin turned blue all over and blue mucus flowed from his seven orifices."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang)'s eyes turned cold.

"What about the corpse?"

"It has been buried, but Ji has ordered people to dig it up."

"You suspect …"

"Ji suspects that the former prefect might be the first person in Haozhou to have been 'infiltrated'."

Liu Ji paused.

"And that black-robed person only appeared after his death."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) clenched the lump in his hand.

If Liu Ji's guess is correct.

"Then this kind of 'infiltration' might be more terrifying than a military invasion."

"It begins from within."

"It starts with those in power."

"Silently and without a sound."

"By the time you notice, the whole city is already …"

"Report—"

A scout rushed into the main hall.

"Chief, a large force was spotted thirty li to the north, marching toward Haozhou!"

"How many? What attire?"

"At least five hundred! Half under Yuan army banners, the other half … flying a blue‑field black‑crow flag!"

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) and Liu Ji exchanged a glance.

"They came really fast."

"Give the order: all troops to the walls, prepare for battle."

He grabbed his saber and strode out.

He reached the doorway and stopped again.

He turned back to look at Liu Ji.

"Sir, continue with the grave‑digging."

"I need to know exactly how that former prefect died."

"And—"

He looked at the knife‑plow flag flying on the city wall.

"Tell all the commoners in the city."

"Those who want to live, pick up whatever you can."

"Fight alongside us to hold this city."