Chapter 76: Observing a Vegetarian Fast

Cao Yao was like a demolition fanatic — the moment explosives came up, he was beside himself with glee.

But this time, they would have a hard time putting explosives to use.

For one, the things were too loud; for another, the city gate was too thick — their "dung-scooping treasures" probably wouldn't do the job.

A bunch of guys fussing around in the gate tunnel for ages without blasting it open would make them look awfully stupid.

Over the next few days, the whole of Black Dragon Mountain stirred into action.

Liu Chengzu petitioned the county office for an extension, saying they were trying to figure out how to raise funds and grain.

The shops Cheng Yun had earlier bought for Liu Xiangyu in the prefectural city were all mortgaged and sold off — they wanted only silver, not copper cash.

And the gold and silver vessels looted from Wangzhuang Fort were all melted down into easily portable gold and silver bars.

After discussing with Cao Yao, Chengzu and Chengzong divided the Liu Family Village's two thousand seven hundred mu of land among relatives within the five degrees of mourning, in exchange for their land on Black Dragon Mountain.

They kept all this secret; outsiders simply thought they were desperate to save their father.

Rebellion doesn't implicate all nine clans, but blood kin three generations up and down are done for — relatives with close blood ties, like the carpenter Liu Xiangliang, had to be taken along on the day of the operation.

Those who didn't need to be taken, if left behind on Black Dragon Mountain, would still be affected, so they compensated those people with a bit more land.

Apart from that, the grain moved into the mountains was secretly transported to Tiger's Hollow under cover of night.

Whether Tiger's Hollow could be preserved after the incident was still up in the air, but as the saying goes, a crafty rabbit has three burrows — having a place to store grain was better than having none.

And the family ancestral graves and the spirit tablets from the ancestral hall were also secretly moved at night into the cave where Liu Xiangyu had hidden his grain.

They dared not leave any gravestones; they could only return to continue the incense offerings if they got the chance later.

The ancestors going hungry for a while was still better than the imperial court later digging up the ancestral graves and exposing the corpses.

The two of them also dared not tell their mother about this.

Lady Cai, an atheist for half her life, had suddenly taken to Buddhism, spending all day saying she was observing a vegetarian fast for the Master, and that the Buddha would surely let Old Master Liu turn calamity into blessing, just like the year before last.

In truth, even if she didn't believe in Buddha, there was no meat to be had on Black Dragon Mountain anyway.

Even Little Zuanfeng and Mei Dianmei were on a vegetarian diet.

If anyone wanted meat, they'd have to eat those two.

Later, Liu Chengzong also donned his official cap and robe and entered the prefectural city under the pretext of a visit.

Li Wanqing, Cai Zhongpan, and Guo Zhashi disguised themselves as attendants; once inside the city, Cheng Yun led them to identify the residences of wealthy households, guard-battalion officers, and retired military officials.

Liu Chengzong went straight to the west office of Fushi County and used money to gain a visit with Old Master Liu.

"Father's in pretty good spirits, but the jailers are all scum — they threw him into a cell with seven or eight robbers."

After leaving the prefectural city and regrouping with Liu Chengzu, Liu Chengzong said, "Luckily those robbers know how to behave; Father spends all day in there teaching them to read."

"If not with robbers, who else would they put him with? These days, the jail holds only robbers, tax resisters, and murderers. Put a tax official in with the tax resisters."

Liu Chengzu took it in stride and laughed. "Wouldn't he get beaten up?"

Cheng Yun chimed in, "Then being with the robbers is better — Second Uncle can still civilize them."

The group burst into roaring laughter. In times like these, even if you invited a grand master of education, let alone their father, you couldn't civilize thieving commoners.

The road to Tiger's Hollow grew more and more remote, and gradually there were no more travelers on the path.

Seeing no one around, Cheng Yun spoke at a rapid-fire pace, as if his mouth were borrowed, and said, "Centenarian Yang has already smuggled the twelve waist sabers into the city, temporarily stored in the shop south of the city, along with a cart of hay.

Only two shops in the city remain unsold. Best to make our move at Facing-Sun Gate; the other shop is west of the city, where there's no city gate, and going to East-Triumph Gate would be a long way."

Liu Chengzong nodded and made a mental note. "Facing-Sun Gate it is, then. Have the wealthy mansions, military officer residences, and money-and-grain shops inside the city been scouted?"

"All scouted."

Cheng Yun pulled the account book from his bosom and spoke as if reciting his own family treasures. "Two rice shops, neither has much grain stored, but the government granary has the grain Brother Lion sent — still four or five hundred dan.

More than enough for the starving refugees outside the city to loot. The gold and silver shop is east of the city. Next to it is a shop called Zhang's Exotic Goods of the Northern and Southern Seas. Despite the name, everything inside is made by their own craftsmen."

A mysterious smile spread across Cheng Yun's face. "Brother Lion, when you hit the gold and silver shop, don't forget to toss a torch into this exotic goods shop and set it ablaze."

Liu Chengzong raised an eyebrow. "What, you've got a grudge against the owner?"

"Heh, all the curios in that shop are made by military artisans. It's Battalion Commander Zhang's shop."

So there was indeed a grudge.

"So?"

Liu Chengzu asked, "Do you have a rough plan in mind?"

Liu Chengzong halted his mount and led his horse up an earthen slope.

The others followed and sat down on the slope. Liu Chengzong took a deep breath, thought for a moment, and said, "I have a rough plan. The city gate looks tightly guarded, but there really aren't many men there."

As he spoke, he picked up a twig and sketched the general layout of the prefectural city on the ground. "First, outside the city. The starving refugees are a critical piece — this part needs Sky-Collapsing."

Li Wanqing suddenly heard his own nickname and quickly scrutinized the map. "Tell me, Tiger General, what do you need me to do?"

"I need you to take two squads. Don't tell them what it's for. Infiltrate the starving refugees outside Facing-Sun Gate, spread out separately, and mingle with the refugees for three to five days until you're familiar faces."

Li Wanqing nodded firmly, then looked troubled. "But that moat is two zhang deep. Even if I get familiar with them, I still can't get in."

Liu Chengzong waved his hand. "You don't need to worry about that. Under the guise of training, arrange with the squad leaders to meet once each morning and evening. When the time comes to act, the moment they see a signal fire raised atop the gate tower, they stir up a clamor on all sides.

Come up with a slogan, something like 'The Tiger General's great army has entered the city, poor brothers come into the city to share the grain.'

Once inside the city, organize the refugees to loot the grain merchants and the prefectural treasury."

Li Wanqing didn't understand this and asked, puzzled, "Once they're all inside the city, why should I still manage them? Shouldn't I go help you?"

"No need to worry about me. If you don't manage them, once chaos breaks out, how many more commoners in the prefectural city will die?"

Liu Chengzong finished and looked at his elder brother. "Besides, right now Li Bei is in Yulin awaiting an official post. Once the prefectural city falls into chaos, the Yan'an Guard troops will move to suppress it very quickly. If we don't organize them, do we let the government troops chase right on our heels?"

Then he continued, "The city gate — I want to entrust that to Brother Cao. Brother Cao's men are all veterans; eight men should be able to seize the gate and secure the drawbridge."

Liu Chengzu nodded in agreement. "Squad Leader Cao's men can definitely handle this, but to ensure it goes smoothly, it'd be best to have a few more. I think twelve would be more appropriate."

"Fine, make it twelve then. On my side, four to six men — first go to the battalion commander's residence and take out Battalion Commander Zhang, then head to the county office.

Battalion Commander Zhang might not be there, but the magistrate and the warden will definitely be at the office. Take them out, rescue Father, grab the gold and silver, set a fire, and finally — elder brother."

Liu Chengzu said, surprised, "You're not planning to let me enter the city?"

"Not planning to."

Liu Chengzong shook his head. "The Yan'an Garrison infantry needs someone to guard against them. The only troops we have that are useful are the Black Dragon Mountain local militia, and no one but you, elder brother, can handle that. Take that cannon with you, and when the time comes, prepare at this spot.

Best if they don't come out. If they dare, elder brother, smash them."

Having said this, Liu Chengzong pressed his palms together, then spread them open again. "What's left is figuring out how we make our own escape. I still haven't decided — whether to flee east and join Zhang Tianlin, or head to Fugu County and join Wang Jiayin."

Liu Chengzong paused, then suddenly looked up. "Brother, can you feel it? The Great Ming is going downhill.

Us."

Liu Chengzong's hand traced a circle among the few of them. He said softly, "Give it a gentle push."