Chapter 872: Repercussions

In the past, the main branch of the Cai clan and their close kin enjoyed monthly incomes and comforts that were in no way inferior to those in Qingjiangpu and Yangzhou. Now the shopfronts in Qulipu had all been reclaimed. Originally, they could still maintain a decent life for the whole clan by relying on land rents, but after this incident, those who had commended their fields came one after another to take the land back. Commending fields had been a way to pay less tax, but now the taxes in Xuzhou were not heavy to begin with, and seeking shelter under the household of a degree-holding gentry family had instead become a loss.

In the past, because Senior Licentiate Cai was close to the Zhao Character Battalion, no one dared to do such a thing. Now that the Cai family was no longer in Xuzhou, who still cared? By the time the Cai family returned, the situation with the family property and fields would already be beyond salvaging.

In this era, great households valued the entire clan living together; dividing the family property was often seen as a sign of decline or internal discord. But having reached this point, the Cai family had no other choice but to divide.

At this critical juncture, Senior Licentiate Cai actually displayed some courage and decisiveness. He first yielded the position of clan head to Cai Huajun, then distributed the Cai family's private and clan assets, doing his utmost to ensure every household had enough to eat and wear. After that, he had the younger generation all go into trade or study martial arts. The Cai family did not force its scholarly descendants to change their path, but those unwilling to do business or study martial arts were advised not to remain in Xuzhou; relocating elsewhere was the better choice.

As for Senior Licentiate Cai Zhengde himself, he converted his large residential compound in Qulipu into shops and warehouses and rented them out. The rents in Qulipu were exorbitantly high, and such a vast compound in the central area was truly valuable. Senior Licentiate Cai then took his wife and children and moved into the city of Xuzhou.

The vast majority of the Cai clan were steeped in misery, but things were different for Cai Huajun. Because of his meritorious service, the Zhao Character Battalion gave him ample preferential treatment and care. Any Cai family property that was registered under Cai Huajun's name would not be questioned or interfered with by anyone. If Cai Huajun was willing to vouch for a Cai clan descendant, then whatever that person did within the Zhao Character Battalion's domain would be treated the same as anyone else.

Thanks to the Zhao Character Battalion's care, Cai Huajun's authority within the Cai clan was quickly established, and his family property expanded considerably as a result. However, Cai Huajun did not care much about this. He had enough silver in his own hands to support his family and had no desire to get too close to his former clansmen. Moreover, his future did not lie with the Cai clan, but with the Zhao Character Battalion.

This time, the Zhao Character Battalion had newly established the "Xuzhou Volunteers." In the past, the men of the rivers and lakes from Xuzhou, Pizhou, and various other places who helped the Zhao Character Battalion were a disorganized mob, coming and going as they pleased. Many of them did not really lack those few taels of blood money; rather, they felt that since the Zhao Character Battalion's power was growing ever greater, it was good to build connections and foster goodwill. Their enthusiasm was genuine, but the chaos they caused was of little use.

Besides, as the Zhao Character Battalion's strength and scale grew larger, dealing with personal favors and private connections became very troublesome. Sometimes, even when they wanted to extend care, they did not know where to begin.

Now, this "Xuzhou Volunteers" was precisely meant to bring unified command over the martial artists and men of the rivers and lakes from Xuzhou, Pizhou, and the surrounding areas. The Xuzhou Volunteers had a qualification requirement: one must provide one's own bow and horse, meaning that equipment and mounts had to be self-supplied and complete. They were to be registered in the books, and a muster and assessment would be held once every three months. Those who failed to attend the muster and assessment would lose their qualification.

After joining the Xuzhou Volunteers, a household's taxes would be reduced by twenty percent. If one could participate in the Zhao Character Battalion's operations, the household's taxes would be reduced by thirty percent. In the event of death or injury, the matter would be handled according to the compensation and arrangements for the Zhao Character Battalion's household retainers. Furthermore, as a member of the Xuzhou Volunteers, the local government offices could not arrest or interrogate them; only the Zhao Character Battalion had the authority to deal with them.

Within the organizational structure of the units attached to the Zhao Character Battalion, the Xuzhou Volunteers was formed as a large company. The company commander was temporarily held by Liu Yong, but the one actually managing affairs was the company vice-commander, and that vice-commander was Cai Huajun.

Martial artists and men of the rivers and lakes who could afford a bow and horse would not be lacking in skill or family background, or they would have already carved out a sphere of influence for themselves. Such people naturally possessed outstanding combat ability. With such standards acting as a filter, those selected would certainly be capable hands.

As soon as this news was released, the martial artists and men of the rivers and lakes in Xuzhou and the surrounding areas eagerly rushed to sign up. Some who did not have a mount insisted on borrowing money to equip one just to participate.

Even though Xuzhou valued martial prowess and its folkways were fierce, the kind of people who produced these sons willing to lick blood from a knife's edge were not the farmers peacefully tilling the land. They often engaged in various kinds of trade, both legal and illegal, and it was not uncommon to see them trafficking private salt and illicit goods. Currently, these lines of business were all permitted within the Zhao Character Battalion's territory, but the taxes were not light. If one could become a member of the Xuzhou Volunteers, it would greatly ease the burden on oneself and one's family.

More crucially, anyone could see the intent behind this Xuzhou Volunteers. Master Jin was about to bring order to the martial artists and men of the rivers and lakes in Xuzhou who were not part of the household retainers or local militia. When it came to fighting and risking lives, the Zhao Character Battalion's household retainers and local militia were already sufficient. When it came to the skills of the rivers and lakes and the greenwood, the Internal Guard had experts from the teaching sects and the Depot Guard, and they had no shortage of those from Xuzhou. The reason they were still giving everyone a way out was purely Master Jin's mercy.

With this Xuzhou Volunteers identity, one could go on to achieve great deeds and enjoy various benefits. But the other implication was that if you lacked this identity, then you had better not go swaggering around Xuzhou with a blade and a horse. The lands under the Zhao Character Battalion's jurisdiction could no longer tolerate your presence.

Setting aside the significance of the Xuzhou Volunteers, as the vice-commander of this large company, Cai Huajun was now, in a vague sense, the dragon-head of the rivers and lakes and greenwood of Xuzhou and Pizhou, governing these people on Zhao Jin's behalf. His status had soared dramatically.

Many in the Cai clan also saw this advantage. With Senior Licentiate Cai gone, it would be good to throw in their lot with Vice-Commander Cai and enjoy some reflected power and prestige. However, Cai Huajun had a clear head in this regard. Any Cai clan descendant who wished to study martial arts was, without exception, recommended by him to the stockaded villages in the Wild Grass Flats, or to the manors near Suzhou and the Kong Family Estate. He kept none of them by his side.

Cai Huajun's style of doing things allowed Cai De on the Yellow River to discern some underlying principles. Although they both bore the surname Cai, they had no clan or blood ties. Unlike Cai Huajun, Cai De had always looked after his own direct family and clan; the Yellow River boat fleet had almost no one of a different surname.

Moreover, despite having pledged allegiance to the Zhao Character Battalion for so long, the Cai family fleet had received only very limited care. They could also vaguely sense, whether real or imagined, that they were being watched very closely from all sides. After this great battle, Cai De and Cai Huajun became acquainted. Because they shared the same surname, Cai De had wanted to claim kinship, but Cai Huajun was very cold toward him, though he would always offer a pointer or two.

This time, Cai De understood Cai Huajun's handling of the matter. He also took the initiative to propose to Zhao Jin that he wanted the younger generation of his family to go out and learn skills in various places. After he made this proposal, the Zhao Character Battalion immediately made arrangements. Quite a few of the Yellow River Cai family's descendants were transferred to the Yu family's side to learn maritime skills, while the manpower shortage in the Cai family fleet was filled by sailors recruited from Qingjiangpu. Then, the managers of the Cloud Mountain Firm took the initiative to come to the Cai family's docks to discuss shipbuilding and modifications. This made Cai De regret even more, regretting why he had never thought of such things before.

Wang Youshan did not suffer any harsh treatment in prison, but his spirits were not good. The hurried rush back only aggravated this exhaustion, and after returning, he rested and recuperated for a few days in He Family Village.

Although Wang Youshan was merely an ordinary remonstrance official of the pure-stream faction in the capital, in the locality of Xuzhou, he was already a figure of the highest purity and eminence. Moreover, to Zhao Jin and his companions, Wang Youshan's experience and insight from the central government were incomparably precious. After all, they only had one such person by their side.

When Wang Youshan was in the capital, he often offered guidance in his letters. At this juncture, it was a critical time for Xuzhou's dealings with the imperial court, and Wang Youshan's experience and insight were needed. Yet, after Wang Youshan had recovered his health, he only had a deep, two-day-long talk with Wang Zhaojing, and then moved back to live in the city of Xuzhou.

"My father merely asked about our responses and the events during this period. After asking, he didn't say much else, only that he could no longer help us." Worried that Zhao Jin and the brothers might misunderstand, Wang Zhaojing explained everything without any concealment.

Besides Wang Zhaojing's account, Zhao Jin himself also went to pay a formal visit and saw him off when he returned to the city. News also came in from various sources, all saying that Wang Youshan was very disheartened and despondent, unable to muster his spirits. Zhao Jin also knew that Wang Youshan was urging Wang Zhaojing daily to bring back the remaining servants from the capital as quickly as possible.

Wang Youshan's decision not to live in He Family Village but to return to Xuzhou City instead caused some people to overreact considerably. If even his own family lacked confidence, how could outsiders feel at ease?

But gradually, news also came from the capital. The connections that various parties in Qingjiangpu and Yangzhou had in the capital began to send word back. The offices of the Fengyang Governor and the Grand Supervisor of Grain Transport were also closely watching that direction. As soon as the news arrived, rumors immediately began to spread, and soon the entire Southern Metropolitan Region came to know.

The managerial eunuchs within the Prince of Lu's estate had been purged and completely replaced with new men. Quite a few of the estate's subordinate officials were also replaced. However, that Chief Clerk Si still had some connections in the capital, and after spending a large sum of silver, he managed to keep his position, though it was said his standing within the Prince of Lu's estate was greatly diminished. In addition, the memorial from the Prince of Lu's estate in Weihui, Henan, attacking the Xuzhou local tyrants for their evil deeds was also struck down. A reprimand was likewise sent there: the Prince of Lu's estate is in Henan, what business is it of yours to meddle in the affairs of Xuzhou? Moreover, there are also many accusations of misconduct against your princely estate; you must exercise restraint and caution!

Since being enfeoffed during the Wanli reign, the Prince of Lu's estate naturally had no one in the locality who dared provoke them, and they were also very well looked after at court; it would be no exaggeration to say their every request was granted. Yet this time, they received such a severe reprimand that everyone in the Prince of Lu's estate was terrified. The unlawful acts committed by a princely estate in its locality were already numerous; if a serious investigation were truly launched, they would certainly not come out well. For a time, the Prince of Lu's estate was silenced by fear, desperately sending men to the capital to deliver gifts and lobby.

Both at court and among the common people, there was great excitement over these two matters, seeing them as a symbol of clean and upright governance. For so many years, the court had rarely taken any action against the princely estates, even though the princes stirred up foul chaos and made life unbearable for the people in their localities. This time, however, such a stern attitude was taken, and the reason heard was "contending for profit with the people."

Other places might be naive, but Xuzhou and the related areas understood perfectly. The Prince of Lu's estate and the Prince of Lu's estate were essentially the reason this fight had started. For the court to make such a disposition naturally meant the offer of amnesty and enlistment had succeeded. That Zhao Jin of Xuzhou was truly extraordinary; relying on the strength of a single family, he had actually forced the court to concede and soften. He was truly a heaven-sent genius.

Thanks to the two friends "Wu Liulang" and "User xs Feng Qingcai" for their tips. Thank you all for your subscriptions and monthly tickets. Thank you all.