Chapter 989: Sweeping Southward

Everyone knew Colonel Zhou was about to bring up Dong Bingfeng, but just then, Zhao Jin's expression darkened. Colonel Zhou immediately caught himself, smiled wryly, and waved his hand as if to distance himself from the matter. "This old man is truly muddled," he said. "Things have already come to such a pass—why bother worrying so much? Since Young Master Zhao insists, I shall gratefully accept this kindness."

Zhao Jin nodded. In a deal like this, it was enough that both sides understood each other clearly; there was no need for pleasantries. Colonel Zhou Baolu stroked his beard. As some thought crossed his mind, his helpless expression gradually shifted to worry, then to fear, until his body began to tremble slightly.

"Young Master Zhao, I am no native of Xuzhou, yet I have spent many years here. Though I cannot claim to have never wronged the people or to have loved them as my own children, the troops under my command have been reasonably disciplined. Our dealings with your side, Young Master Zhao, have been fairly amicable, and the few misunderstandings were matters of necessity. I... I am old now, and my life is of little account..."

Colonel Zhou trailed off, unable to continue. Zhao Jin listened with an impassive expression. Colonel Zhou took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and pressed on: "If it ever comes to that inevitable moment in the future, could I ask Young Master Zhao to show a sliver of mercy and spare my family? This old man... this old man begs you, Master Jin!"

As he spoke these words, Colonel Zhou Baolu seemed to age several more years. His form of address even changed at the end as he looked toward Zhao Jin with the utmost unease. Ji Xiang, who had always disliked the man, now found himself unable to bear the sight and lowered his head, looking away.

The impassive Zhao Jin shook his head, a smile surfacing on his face. "Sir Zhou is so many years my senior," he said. "I cannot accept a title like 'Master Jin.' Besides, Sir Zhou has rendered great merit this time and is certain to be promoted and reassigned. When that happens, your entire household will accompany you to your new post. Though we shall be far apart in the future, we must keep up our correspondence."

At present, Colonel Zhou Baolu's entire family was in Zhao Jin's hands. What Colonel Zhou Baolu feared most was being coerced by Zhao Jin using his family as leverage. Having spent so many years in Xuzhou, he knew all too well how ruthless and merciless this young man could be. Yet Zhao Jin's words just now had given him a pleasant surprise. With this merit credited to his name, promotion was now a certainty. According to the conventions of the Great Ming bureaucracy, the promotion of a garrison commander like a Colonel would never take place at his original posting; there would be a corresponding transfer to prevent him from becoming too entrenched to control. Once he was sent elsewhere and his family followed, that would mean leaving Xuzhou entirely, escaping this perilous place and never having to deal with it again.

Seeing Zhou Baolu's delight, Zhao Jin added, "Sir Zhou has lived in Xuzhou for so long; I imagine you can sense it. This place is peaceful and prosperous. If you ever wish to return and settle here in the future, Zhao would welcome it."

At first hearing this, Zhou Baolu cursed inwardly. Xuzhou was territory of the Great Ming, yet from Zhao Jin's mouth it sounded like his own private domain. You may run rampant in Xuzhou, but what is that compared to the entire Great Ming? Still, once he himself left, whatever happened in Xuzhou in the future would have nothing to do with him. But as he thought this, Zhou Baolu recalled the rout of the government troops in Shandong, and then the unstoppable, devastating northward march of the Zhao Battalion. If in the future...

Colonel Zhou Baolu drifted off in a discourteous daze for a moment. The delight on his face faded, replaced by a solemn expression. He rose and bowed to Zhao Jin with clasped hands. "This old man accepts Young Master Zhao's generous goodwill in his heart. In days to come, I ask Young Master Zhao to look after me kindly."

After Zhou Baolu was escorted out, Ji Xiang was somewhat confused by the latter part of their conversation. Unable to contain his curiosity, he asked, "Big Brother, that scoundrel was definitely up to some trick, but at the end he seemed genuinely convinced. What was that about?"

"Nothing more than securing a favorable connection for when we meet again in the future," Zhao Jin answered with a smile.

Early the next morning, Zhao Jin began summoning the city's powerful families, gentry, and leading figures from all circles. Before the assembled crowd, he publicly brought forth Xuzhou Colonel Zhou Baolu and declared openly: the recapture of Xuzhou and the great victory over the bandit rebels were all thanks to Colonel Zhou's masterful command and the valiant fighting of the troops under his leadership, combined with the united loyal efforts of everyone in the city. It was this that had achieved such a great triumph. He further stated that the main force of the government army would soon arrive, and requested that before they did, everyone assist Colonel Zhou in maintaining the city's defenses and public order.

In ordinary times, Colonel Zhou would have been a figure of great importance to Jining. But at this moment, someone directly asked: Where is Master Jin going? Zhao Jin answered openly and honestly: the busy farming season had arrived again in Xuzhou, and he needed to return to look after his estates and properties. His words left the crowd speechless for a long while.

Coming so quickly, leaving so quickly, and then making such an unconventional move—no one really knew what to say. When the Incense-Smelling Sect incited the refugees to revolt and broke into Jining, everyone in the city had assumed the siege would last at least several months, or perhaps half a year or even longer. It would take time for the government troops to assemble, and besieging such a strong city would be even more time-consuming. Who could have imagined that the Xuzhou troops would arrive just like that, and break through the city just like that, with astonishing speed? They had thought the Zhao Battalion would settle in and manage Jining for a good while, plundering wealth, supplies, and manpower. They never expected them to leave as suddenly as they had come, without the slightest warning.

Yet when everyone saw the legitimate, imperially appointed military officer Zhou Baolu, they inwardly breathed a slight sigh of relief. Over the past few days, as Zhao Jin swept away the Incense-Smelling Sect rebels, everyone had naturally followed his lead. With such overwhelming power present, the wise naturally understood what to do. But deep down, they had also harbored a hidden worry. This Zhao Jin had no official title or standing; what he commanded was merely local militia and village braves, yet he possessed such formidable strength. Still, compared to the Great Ming realm, what was he? If this Zhao Jin were to attempt some treasonous act, should they follow or not? And if they were forced to follow, would calamity follow? As the situation in Jining grew more peaceful and orderly by the day, this thought weighed ever more heavily on their minds.

But before they had fully thought it through, before they had decided how to choose, this Zhao Jin had simply left in an open and aboveboard manner—and had even yielded the credit to the government troops. What was he after? Had he led nearly ten thousand troops to the city walls and fought bloody battles for so many days, only to end up kidnapping people?

Whether they could figure it out or not, it hardly mattered at the moment. Now that a government general had taken over, everything had returned to normal. They could not fathom Zhao Jin's motives, but when it came to dealing with the authorities and the government army, they were all more than familiar. Some even thought they could take advantage of this moment to collude with the government troops and make a fortune.

"Jining is a land of excellent fortune. Zhao will also conduct some business here, and when the time comes, I shall need to interact frequently with all of you and ask for your kind assistance." This single sentence made everyone feel that things were normal. No one gets up early without profit, after all. But how many years would it take to earn back the cost of waging this campaign? That was another thing they could not figure out.

Of course, they all agreed enthusiastically, thumping their chests and promising every convenience. Setting aside the great kindness of this rescue, the very fact that the Zhao Battalion could fight its way here proved they could reach out their hand. If they could break into the city under such circumstances, what would stop them in peacetime? Who would dare refuse to help or offer convenience—unless they thought their lives were too long?

It was only when the various regiments and companies of the Zhao Battalion had all withdrawn from Jining, leaving behind just one hundred militia guards to protect the Cloud Mountain Trading Company branch warehouse, that everyone truly confirmed the Xuzhou troops were really leaving. Only then did they begin wholeheartedly to flatter Xuzhou Colonel Zhou Baolu, and also send word to the prefectural seat. If Ziyang City was not under siege, they needed to urgently request the prefect's office to send people to restore order in Jining. After all, having the wealthy merchants and gentry jointly manage affairs was ultimately irregular and lacked proper authority.

"If victims come forward to claim their property, verify their claims and return it. The rest of the seized gold and silver will be taken back with the ships. Bulky, unowned goods will be placed in the Jining warehouse; for those with claimants, retain ten percent and return the rest. As for women violated by the Incense-Smelling Sect, if their families can take them back and let them live, then let them be taken back. If returning means they will be forced to commit suicide to preserve their chastity, then do not release them—take them to the settlements on the east bank of Luoma Lake for resettlement."

The Zhao Battalion certainly had not come for nothing; this was their attitude toward the spoils of war. After the Incense-Smelling Sect took Jining, although they imposed military discipline, how could they possibly control every hand? They had thoroughly plundered the area, and many wealthy and prominent families had been destroyed. When the Zhao Battalion retook Jining, all these valuables naturally fell into their hands. Items with claimants were of course returned, but much of the loot had no claimants, or the claimants were sensible enough not to come asking. Beyond the gold, silver, and currency, there were also large quantities of cloth, silk, and satin. These were directly placed in the Cloud Mountain Trading Company's Jining branch warehouse. If someone came to claim them, they would be returned; if no one did, they would be slowly sold off—a perfect opportunity to build good relations with all sides.

As for the women, neither Zhao Jin nor anyone in the Zhao Battalion had any interest in capturing them for amusement. But the Incense-Smelling Sect's rebel army had acted without restraint and seized a considerable number of women. These women had lost their chastity. Although they had no choice in the matter and had merely been violated against their will, the vast majority faced certain death if they returned home. Only a very few could grit their teeth and endure it; most would likely be forced to commit suicide to preserve their chastity. Outwardly, it would be said they could not bear the disgrace and took their own lives to protect their honor, but there were also fathers, brothers, and even husbands who, to save the family from shame, would directly kill the woman and make it look like suicide.

When the Zhao Battalion had just finished purging the city, many of the rescued women tried to kill themselves. Perhaps they too had guessed what awaited them at home, and thought it better to do it themselves and leave a better name behind. But after the Zhao Battalion announced this plan, the number of suicides immediately dropped dramatically. After all, people want to live. If they could go somewhere else and start anew, why wouldn't they?

For Xuzhou, the various refugee estates were all currently facing the problem of having far more men than women. During times of famine and disaster, no one paid attention to this, but after so long a period of peace and stability, having so many hot-blooded young men had become a major issue. Among the captured refugees and prisoners, there were quite a few women, but even more men. Being able to send some women back was a great boon for the Zhao Battalion as well.

Because of this act of taking in women, in the Buddhist and Daoist nunneries and temples throughout southern Shandong, countless people burned incense and offered prayers for Zhao Jin. Quite a few figures also privately praised it, calling it a compassionate and virtuous act that saved countless lives. Though they could not bear to see their own women fail to preserve their chastity and die for honor, they still knew what was good and righteous.

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