324: Chapter 324 Ruthless Peng Yue!

Yunmeng Marsh, also known as the Great Yunmeng Marsh, is a general term for a group of ancient lakes on the Jianghan Plain, encompassing various terrains such as mountain forests, rivers, and marshes.

The depth of the sediments in Yunmeng Marsh varies, with the deepest parts reaching over 20 meters and the shallowest being only a few meters deep.

During the Qin Dynasty, Yunmeng Marsh occupied a vast area, with the lake group having a perimeter of about 450 kilometers and an area of over 6,400 square kilometers.

The King of Chu once designated Yunmeng Marsh as a hunting ground, and people were forbidden from entering.

After the State of Chu was destroyed, Yunmeng Marsh lost its regulation.

Just like Mount Liang, a large number of outlaws began to gather within Yunmeng Marsh.

These people were all brave and ruthless types who, after committing crimes, entered Yunmeng Marsh to escape pursuit by the authorities.

Extensive reed beds, taller than a man, grew in the swamplands of Yunmeng Marsh.

After entering the reeds by boat, it was very easy to lose the pursuing government troops.

Over time, Yunmeng Marsh became a paradise for outlaws.

The remnants of the Mohist Sect also entered Yunmeng Marsh, while Cao Qiudao's assassin organization had already disbanded.

Cao Qiudao failed to assassinate Zhao Fusu; instead, his Daoist heart was shattered by Zhao Fusu using a revolver.

He had practiced swordsmanship for a lifetime, yet someone else only needed to pull a trigger to kill him.

He felt that his life was still very important.

No one knew where he had fled to.

As for Zhang Liang, he also followed the Mohist remnants into Yunmeng Marsh.

He would not rest until he had overthrown Great Qin.

Every night, he would always remember his family members who died tragic deaths.

These people all died at the hands of Great Qin.

Zhang Liang's eyes were bloodshot.

Since he could not assassinate the First Emperor or Zhao Fusu, he thought about subverting Great Qin.

Zhang Liang entered Yunmeng Marsh naturally wanting to take control of the outlaws within it.

After several consolidations, the current Yunmeng Marsh had already formed a significant force.

The number of people reached five thousand!

Every single one of them was a ruthless character with nothing to lose.

The hands of many were stained with blood.

Their temperaments were violent; even a passing dog would get a slap from them.

The man ruling Yunmeng Marsh was called Peng Yue.

He was a Man of Qi, which is to say, a modern-day Shandong person.

Shandong produces 'Xiangma' bandits, and Henan produces 'Tangjiang' generals.

Xiangma are bandits, but what are Tangjiang?

In fact, it means roughly the same as a bandit, but the title 'Tangjiang' sounds much better than 'Xiangma'.

In the southwestern region of Henan during the late Qing Dynasty, due to frequent droughts, local migrant workers were often organized to quarry stones and build embankments for flood control.

These craftsmen who made a living by building water conservancy projects were called 'Tangjiang'.

A craftsman work team, or 'Tangjiang Squad,' was called a 'Ganzi' (staff).

The lives of these Tangjiang were not good, especially toward the end of the Qing Dynasty with constant warfare; the mountain and wilderness areas where they made a living often became places where bandits operated.

Sometimes, in order to survive, the Tangjiang would temporarily pay off the bandits and act as accomplices.

Later, some Tangjiang squads simply gathered their own men and horses to directly rob the rich to help the poor.

At this time, the Tangjiang leaders gained the reputable name of 'Tangjiang' among the common people.

This Peng Yue was a ruthless man.

He often fished in the Juye Marsh and worked with a group of people as bandits.

The local people were unable to bear the harassment and reported it to the County Lieutenant.

After the County Lieutenant submitted a memorial to Zhao Fusu and received his permission, he led troops on an expedition and soundly defeated Peng Yue.

Peng Yue fled all the way and came to Yunmeng Marsh.

Unrepentant, he continued his work as a bandit.

Whenever he was pursued by government soldiers, he would flee into Yunmeng Marsh.

Because of his excellent professional skills, he often lived well, which left the over one hundred people in Yunmeng Marsh feeling extremely envious.

They all wanted to follow Peng Yue and acknowledge him as their leader.

Peng Yue refused, saying, 'I do not wish to work with you all.'

These people insisted on their request, and only then did Peng Yue agree.

Peng Yue made an appointment with them to gather tomorrow at sunrise; anyone who was late would be beheaded.