112: Eight major mergers

Chapter 111: Eight Great Merchants of Bing

October 17th, the sixth year of zhengyong.

The New Army breached Changan City, successfully occupied Changan Prefecture, and accepted the surrender of three hundred thousand rioters.

October 20th, the sixth year of zhengyong.

Minister Miao and Shi Heilang led their troops to rendezvous with the new recruits, bringing their forces to over one hundred thousand men.

October 25th, the sixth year of zhengyong.

By recruiting refugees, surrendered troops, and the surrounding Imperial Guard, their troop strength temporarily reached two hundred thousand men.

October 27th, the sixth year of zhengyong.

Minister Miao garrisoned Changan Prefecture, while the New Army's three Great Masters and Shi Heilang split up their forces to suppress the rebels.

Within half a month, they captured over twenty counties in succession.

November 9th, the sixth year of zhengyong.

The allied forces of the New Army and Minister Miao caught up with the main rebel force in Chencang Commandery, and the two sides launched a final showdown in the mountains and forests.

The fierce battle lasted for two days and one night, and in the end, the majority of the rebels were wiped out, their leader Lizhishan was killed, and his head was severed and sent back to the capital.

November 12th, the sixth year of zhengyong.

Qu Bo, commander of the New Army's 1st Division, produced Your Majesty's imperial secret edict to secretly arrest more than fifty officials in Yong Province.

November 18th, the sixth year of zhengyong.

The New Army headed north, successively uprooting seventy-nine fortified manors established by local landlords, powerful gentry, and aristocratic families within the borders of Yong Province, killing over six thousand people.

The aristocratic families of Yong Province were swept clean, but the news released to the outside world was that they were killed by the rebels.

The New Army turned around and killed them back, avenging the Yong Province aristocratic families and occupying their land.

Under Zheng Yi's orders, the five hundred thousand refugees who had surrendered earlier and later were immediately stationed within the territory of Yong Province.

Wang Anshi was promoted to Prefect of Changan Prefecture and headed to Yong Province to preside over land distribution matters and govern Yong Province.

In addition, the construction of the Yong Province Grand Canal was restarted.

While Yong Province achieved a great victory, Shu Province saw slow progress.

This was because Shu Province was difficult to traverse; even with the advantage of the New Army's firearms, they found every step arduous and could only advance slowly.

November 5th, the sixth year of zhengyong.

Evening.

Liu Chengen led his army to Jinyang Commandery, and after arranging for the New Army to pitch camp outside the city, Liu Chengen brought a few guards and came to Cui Xiawu's military camp.

Cui Xiawu had been stationed here for more than half a month. Because signs of rebels had also appeared in Bing Province, local officials strongly requested Cui Xiawu to stay and suppress the bandits.

As for Cui Xiawu, he stayed behind under Zheng Yi's order.

The compensation and other supplies from Wu Country were assigned to the dispatched Imperial Guard to bring back.

"Lord Cui!"

Inside the military camp, the travel-weary Liu Chengen finally met Cui Xiawu, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

The last time the two met was at the imperial examination grand ceremony more than two years ago.

At that time, Cui Xiawu was the top scholar of the military examination, and with just a single word from Zheng Yi, he was conferred the title of general—what immense imperial favor and prestige that was!

As for Liu Chengen back then, he was an old eunuch by Your Majesty's side.

Now, it was still the same.

"Long time no see, is Father-in-law in good health?"

Cui Xiawu stood up and said warmly, his words exceptionally respectful.

Liu Chengen secretly relaxed inside and said, "Have you received Your Majesty's decree?"

"Your humble subordinate has already received it."

"Have you forgotten the solemn oath you made to Your Majesty on the day of the imperial examination grand ceremony?"

Cui Xiawu said, "Xiawu rose from humble beginnings, and it is entirely thanks to Your Majesty's high regard and trust that I am able to reach where I am today."

"Therefore, this subordinate's loyalty and righteousness towards Your Majesty can be verified by heaven and earth, and in this life, I will definitely not fail Your Majesty!"

"From now on in Bing Province, no matter what happens, Xiawu will always put Your Majesty first!"

"Very good."

Liu Chengen slowly nodded. "Then tonight, this old servant will inform you of all Your Majesty's tasks."

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Cui Xiawu's breathing became somewhat hurried.

"Your Majesty's goal is the Eight Great Merchants of Bing, as well as the northern aristocratic families? This..."

"What, is General Cui scared?"

"Scared?"

Cui Xiawu sneered, "Ever since the day I became the top scholar of the military examination, this subordinate has had nothing to fear!"

"So what if they are aristocratic families?"

"Although Cui Mou comes from an aristocratic family, I have no relationship with them whatsoever."

"Be it the Cui Family or the Datong Wang Family, as long as Your Majesty gives the command, Cui Mou will gladly go through fire and water without hesitation."

Liu Chengen laughed, "It is not as serious as General Cui thinks; they are merely a bunch of merchants who collude with the enemy and betray the country."

"What does Father-in-law plan to do?"

"Lean your ear closer, this family plans to..."

The next day.

Many officials and wealthy merchants within Jinyang Commandery all received a visiting card.

Liu Chengen, the Directorate of Ceremonial's director and favorite of the current emperor, had actually come to Jinyang Commandery on official business and was hosting a banquet to entertain the numerous local gentry and officials within Jinyang Commandery.

After receiving the visiting card, countless officials, gentry, and wealthy merchants were overjoyed, and hurriedly dispatched their family members to go out and purchase a large quantity of gifts to pay a visit.

A month ago, border army general Cui Xiawu passed through Jinyang, accidentally encountered rebels, and suppressed them on the spot, subsequently taking charge of Bing Province.

Ever since then, many officials and merchants of Bing Province had gone to pay visits, wanting to win over Cui Xiawu.

Unfortunately, Cui Xiawu was impervious to reason and only met with officials who had official business dealings with him.

As for all other people, he refused to see them completely, giving local officials, merchants, and aristocratic families in Bing Province a massive headache.

But now, Your Majesty's favorite had arrived, and he was even a eunuch...

That very night, Liu Chengen generously entertained the many officials and merchants, talking at length about Your Majesty's heavenly might and the court's major affairs, repeatedly stating that the rebels were bound to be defeated.

Amidst the continuous toasts from the numerous officials, gentry, aristocratic families, and wealthy merchants, he drank himself into a complete stupor and was taken away by several maidservants arranged by the Jinyang Prefect.

It was heard that that very night, Liu Chengen began getting handsy with the maidservants, having a wonderfully merry time.

Unfortunately, he was a eunuch; after patting them around, he could only collapse and fall asleep.

After getting this news, the Jinyang Commandery Prefect and the various aristocratic families and wealthy merchants felt even more at ease.

"He's just a lustful eunuch, what's so hard about dealing with him?"

"It's strange, the Directorate of Ceremonial is an institution that wields supreme power just like the Cabinet; what is he running over to our Jinyang Commandery to do?"

"Hehhehe, so what if Liu Chengen is Your Majesty's favorite? Having stayed guarded within the deep palace for so many years, when would he have had the time to amass wealth? Isn't he seizing a great opportunity right now!"

"Brother Wang's meaning is?"

"Very simple! Liu Chengen must be taking advantage of the timing to suppress the rebels to come and raise military funds from us!"

"So that's how it is!"

"I was wondering, why would a great eunuch run all the way to our impoverished backwater?"

"Everyone, this is a great opportunity! If we can coax Father-in-law well, our future business..."

"Tsk tsk tsk, previously I was still afraid that our contact with Wu Country would be discovered, but now it seems Your Majesty cannot do without us either!"

"Just you wait, in no more than three days, that Liu Chengen will definitely show his fox tail!"

The officials, aristocratic families, and merchants of Jinyang Commandery still overestimated Liu Chengen.

At the banquet the next day, Liu Chengen began to reveal his "fox tail".

Raising military funds!

"Gentlemen, local gentry, and lords, you are all the capable pillars of the country. Right now, our Great Yu is tottering in the wind and rain, and the civilian rebellions in the north have lasted for five full years!"

"Your Majesty's hair has turned white with worry over wiping out the rebellious army; this old servant sees it in his eyes and is anxious in his heart!"

"Most importantly, the imperial court lacks money!"

"When a great army sets out, it's a matter of men eating and horses chewing, consuming a vast amount. Now the national treasury is already empty..."

Liu Chengen wept and complained up above, while the local aristocratic families and merchants of Jinyang Commandery below sat up straight, their eyes constantly exchanging glances.

Before he finished speaking, someone at the banquet stood up and said, "Father-in-law's great righteousness is deeply admired by us as well."

"How about this, on behalf of my Wang Family, I am willing to sponsor Father-in-law twenty thousand taels of silver—how's that?"

Just as the words fell, a commotion broke out among the surrounding people.

"Brother Wang's great righteousness! Then this younger brother is also willing to sponsor ten thousand taels of silver!"

"I'll chip in five thousand taels!"

"I'll chip in eight thousand taels!"

"This younger brother only runs a small business and can only sponsor two thousand taels; I hope all brothers won't laugh..."

The numerous merchants, aristocratic families, and landlords pooled their money in twos and threes, and the military funds quickly exceeded fifty thousand taels.

Although Liu Chengen was smiling on the outside, he was constantly cursing inwardly.

These son-of-a-bitch aristocratic families and merchants—casually any single one of their family fortunes could amount to several hundred thousand taels, or even millions of taels of property.

Yet now they were only willing to fork out a few thousand taels as military funds; this fucking thing was dismissing beggars!

Seeing this scene, Liu Chengen slapped the table with a smack and said through gritted teeth:

"This family won't beat around the bush with you anymore. This family has made a military pledge before Your Majesty; coming to Bing Province this trip, we must raise ten million taels of silver!"

"Without ten million, this family won't have an easy time, and none of you need think you'll have an easy time either!"

What?

Ten million taels!

The numerous officials, aristocratic families, and merchants were all stunned. Is there anyone who demands military funds like this?

The Wang-surname youth who stood up first panicked: "Father-in-law, if it's tens of thousands or one hundred thousand taels, we can still scrape it together."

"But this ten million taels—this is simply taking our old lives!"

Liu Chengen sneered: "You are... Wang Yilong, right? You come from the Datong Wang Family, and Censor-in-Chief Wang Ze should be your grandfather, correct?"

The youth proudly said: "Father-in-law flatters me too much; this commoner is merely a man in plain clothes, currently just looking after a few shops for the main family, and cannot be considered a scion of the Wang Family."

"As for Censor-in-Chief Wang Ze that Father-in-law mentioned, he is indeed this commoner's grandfather..."

"Humph!"

Liu Chengen sneered: "Even if Wang Ze were standing before this family, he wouldn't dare speak to this family like this. Who the hell do you think you are!"

As he spoke, he casually picked up the wine pot on the table and fiercely smashed it against Wang Yilong's forehead, blood immediately gushing out.

Zhao Kezhi, the Jinyang Commandery Prefect beside them, hurriedly held Liu Chengen back and said: "Father-in-law, calm your anger, Father-in-law, calm your anger. Everyone here is our own people, why go to such great lengths to resort to violence?"

"Wang Yilong! Kneel down quickly! Apologize to Father-in-law, you are merely a man in plain clothes...!"

Under Zhao Kezhi's reminder, Wang Yilong gave a violent shudder, and only then did he snap back to reality.

Although this was Jinyang Commandery, their Wang Family's influence in this place was considered number one.

On ordinary days, he could look down on anyone, and even the Prefect had to yield to him by three points.

But right now, what he was facing was Your Majesty's favorite and the Directorate of Ceremonial's director—they simply didn't put him in their eyes at all.

Even if Censor-in-Chief Wang Ze came to this place, he would have to salute Liu Chengen first!

Thinking of this, Wang Yilong was immediately terrified and hurriedly knelt on the ground: "Father-in-law, calm your anger. It is, it is this villain who was bewitched, and I hope Father-in-law will be magnanimous..."

"Humph!"

Liu Chengen let out a cold snort and said: "For the sake of Lord Wang Ze, I will spare you this time."

"If there is a next time, this family will by no means let you off lightly. Understand?"

"Yes, the villain understands, the villain understands!"

"And there's more!"

Liu Chengen continued: "Ten million taels of silver must be raised within half a month; otherwise, when Your Majesty's wrath strikes, none of you will have an easy time!"

The people present were as silent as cicadas in winter, none daring to speak, frantically shooting eye signals at Zhao Kezhi.

Zhao Kezhi hurriedly poured another cup of wine and said: "Father-in-law, Jinyang Commandery is only a small place after all; I'm afraid the various aristocratic families and merchants cannot produce so much silver in a short time."

"Who said only Jinyang Commandery is asked to shell out money?"

Liu Chengen rolled his eyes at him and said: "This family has heard that the merchants of Bing Province are the wealthiest under heaven, especially led by the Eight Great Merchants of Bing, traversing north and south. Today, this ten million taels of silver for military funds still falls into their hands."

"Aside from Jinyang Commandery, the gentry, aristocratic families, and merchants of Quanyang Commandery, Yanshan Commandery, Beihe Commandery, and Yuanping Commandery must all chip in money."

"Ten million taels of silver is this family's bottom line."

"Rest assured, this family won't make you spend money in vain."

Liu Chengen sneered: "Right now, Your Majesty is presiding over the construction of the Yong Province Grand Canal, and even the Jing'an Grand Canal has already started."

"By then, there will be countless positions and opportunities on these two grand canals, enough for you to earn it back!"

"As long as ten million taels of silver are gathered, this family will leave immediately, hehhehehehe..."

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