In the early morning on the road, a carriage bumped by. The dense woods of the past were now only bare versions of themselves. The snow on the roadside was crushed by wheels and turned into dirty water, exposing the muddy land. The person in the carriage wrapped their cotton-padded clothes tighter around themselves and rested against the wall of the carriage. He was around thirty, his face pale and without a beard. His body was thin, his appearance that of a defenseless scholar. The servant sitting on the side handed him the water flask, the hot water inside had cooled off already, and barely had any remaining warmth left.

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Luo Ben took a sip of water and asked the servant: “The journey is difficult. Have you seen any people?”

The servant shook his head: “Most of the villages along the way are all deserted.”

All the people had fled from their hometowns. Luo Ben sighed.

He had ambitions to support a sage king, but of the choices, Fang Guozhen submitted to the Yuan, Liu Futong remained holed up in one place, and while the Red Turban army had revolted all around but most did not last long. Although they held the banner of restoring the Song Dynasty, they all acted in their own power, divided and spread like scattered sand.

After he got the letter from Gaoyou, he thought it over again and again. In the end, he couldn’t resist his inner desire, and finally chose to go to Gaoyou.

Luo Ben had lofty ambitions, but he had nowhere to employ his talents and strengths.

The servant asked: “Why is Gongzi worried?”

Luo Ben: “Lin Yuan is a person I can’t figure out.”

This person occupied Gaoyou and Taizhou. These two places were clearly important locations, but the court had not sent punitive troops over. This person eased the people and won their hearts, and at the same time acted diplomatically with the court. This kind of person, could he only be conspiring for those few acres of land under his rule?

But yet he did not show any signs of claiming kingship, and the people only praised him for his generosity and kindness.

If this person was ambitious, then he, Luo Ben, would be able to employ his talents and strengths. He only hoped that this person deserved his reputation and was not just a short-sighted person.

The carriage driver pulled the reins and the horse stopped. The carriage stopped outside the outer city wall that was being built. He was just about to find the city guards, when he saw a man in an orange vest approaching. The man stood next to the carriage and asked: “What are you here for? Are you here to seek shelter or find relatives? What did you bring? Do you have any proof?”

The servant got out of the carriage and bowed to the person before saying: “We are here to accept an offered position, this is a letter of appointment.”

After speaking, he handed over the appointment letter written by Lin Yuan.

The little official in the orange vest quickly said: “Please come with me. I have already set up a house for Lord Luo. The South Bodhisattva has previously ordered that Lord Luo is his beloved person and must be treated carefully.”

The ancients have always been sappy, and Lin Yuan had become more and more sappy as well recently.

Think about it, calling their trusted aides and officials as beloved qing or even just qingqing and both the monarchs and their ministers were both very happy about this. So in comparison, Lin Yuan using ‘beloved one’ was not much of a big deal. (TN: qing=old term for a high ranking official or a term used by the emperor for his subjects)

Luo Ben in the carriage also heard this. He couldn’t help being surprised. After all, he also knew that he wasn’t as famous as the other scholars out there. He went to school at the age of seven and followed his father in business after the death of his mother when he was fourteen-year-old. However, he had no interest in business, so he went to Cixi city to study with Zhao Baofeng. Even if he had a local reputation how could it reach Gaoyou?

The South Bodhisattva actually regarded him with such respect and affection?

Luo Ben was in a daze, and at the same time his lofty aspirations were aroused.

On the way into the city, Luo Ben lifted the window curtains of the carriage and looked at the streets. Unlike the dilapidated and desolate settlements he had seen along the way, the people of Gaoyou lived and worked in peace and contentment. The small vendors hawked on the streets, and many women even walked around at will. When the bailiffs with knives walked by on the streets, he did not see anyone retreating in fear, nor did he see the bailiffs yelling at the vendors and asking for money.

Luo Ben raised his voice and asked the person leading the way: “I would like to ask this lord to solve my confusions, why are these women……”

The person in the front replied: “Lord Luo may not know this but this is due to the rules set by the South Bodhisattva. Everyone is responsible for the flourish and decay of our world. How can we draw a distinction between men and women?”

“If the burden is only entrusted to men and women only have to give birth to children, but nowadays where can we find so many men to do the work?”

The person smiled and said: “Most men have enlisted in the army. If women don’t farm or go out to make money, the people of Gaoyou can hardly survive.”

Luo Ben was taken aback: “Women are physically weak, how can they be put to work……”

The person: “Lord doesn’t know this but, they are enjoying themselves. In the past, women had no private property. South Bodhisattva pitied them and feared that they would be oppressed and beleaguered by others. Now they can make money by making clothes and cooking. Who of them is not willing? Besides, even if they don’t rely on this to make money, don’t they still do the same job at home?”

Luo Ben was stunned: “Didn’t their parents and brothers ever stop them?”

Asking all the women in the family to go out to work, this face would definitely be lost.

The person: “Why block them? The entire family goes out to work, the mother goes to the laundry bureau, the father also finds a job to do, whether it’s to open up new land for farming, or other random jobs. The sons are the same as well while the daughters go make clothes or be a cook. Tell me, wouldn’t they earn more than before? Everything else is empty, only the money you get is real.”

“Now if you were to tell them to go back, I am afraid that none of them would be willing.”

In the past, the widows who had lost their husbands could not avoid criticisms. And if they were to remarry, they wouldn’t even dare to go out lest the criticism from others overwhelmed them.

But if they don’t remarry, then there was no way to survive. Now, widows could choose to go out and find work, the money they earn was definitely enough to support themselves. They were no longer afraid of being forced by their brothers to remarry for dowry money or do chores at their natal homes. Those who do well and earn more even see an increase of suitors, all getting in line to ask for marriage.

What’s more, people were social animals and possessed a herd mentality. If sixty out of a hundred people do the same thing, the remaining forty would eventually follow suit, and would not even think about whether it was right or wrong to do it. So when Lin Yuan introduced the idea of women working, he first forced the women among the refugees to go out to work. When the duration of time these women worked had become longer, naturally women from some of the less wealthy families would come out to find work.

Slowly and gradually it would become the norm.

When most women had begun to work, the remaining small number of women would also come out because of the herd mentality.

Luo Ben closed his eyes slightly, thinking of something.

Luo Ben asked again: “Why are these bailiffs always walking around inspecting?”

The person: “We call then patrols. They specialize in managing troubles, fights, petty thefts, and if foreigners come, they can also provide directions. If there are vendors who deceive customers, they deal with them. If you have problems, you can also call them.”

This was the first time Luo Ben had seen this kind of bailiff before.

“Why is there a strange line on this road?” Luo Ben pointed to the red line drawn on the ground next to the carriage.

The person: “On either side of the red line are sidewalks, and inside is for the carriages to pass through.”

Luo Ben nodded: “This is a convenient rule.”

Luo Ben’s carriage stopped in front of a house. The house had two entrances and two exits. It was not too big, but it was not too small either. At first glance, it was clear that it had been cleaned and all the furniture in the house was all set up and available. It was clean and tidy, and it indeed expressed how much importance Lin Yuan regarded him with.

The person said again: “Please take a slight break while this one will wait outside.”

Finally able to rest, Luo Ben had his servant boil a pot of hot water so that he could finally drink some hot tea.

He also changed his clothes and tidied up his appearance. He finally felt a little bit more refreshed.

Only after noon did the person outside called out: “Lord Luo, the carriage is here to pick you up.”

Luo Ben almost couldn’t wait to walk out of the door and get into the carriage.

Lin Yuan was also waiting for Luo Ben in the study at this time, that was, Luo Guanzhong’s arrival. Luo Guanzhong arrived earlier than Song Lian. And it was conceivable just how much earlier he had set out, which also showed that Luo Guanzhong was much more excited about his appointment than Song Lian.

After all, Luo Guanzhong still had no reputation compared to Song Lian.

When he saw Luo Guanzhong, Lin Yuan’s eyes brightened. He practically strided over in large hurried steps. His words were gentle and the eyes that looked at Luo Guanzhong could be described as lingering and sappy: “Mr. Luo is finally here. I have been waiting for many days.”

Luo Guanzhong didn’t expect Lin Yuan to look like this. This was clearly still an extremely young man. He had a smile on his lips and a gentle demeanor. If one didn’t know better one would think he was a young master of a wealthy family.

“After I received the letter from Gongzi, I have been thinking of Gongzi both days and nights.” Luo Guanzhong also began to say sappy words sincerely.

The two clasped their hands together and walked in step with each other.

Lin Yuan: “Mister, please sit down.”

Luo Guanzhong sat on a chair. Lin Yuan’s study room was very large. It was not so much a study room as a place for discussion.

After Luo Guanzhong took his seat, he realized that he was not the only one in the room.

Lin Yuan introduced: “This is the business manager in charge of merchants and commerce, Manager Song.”

Luo Guanzhong and Song Shizhao both greeted each other.

Lin Yuan also introduced: “This is my sworn brother, the commander of the third battalion and also serves as the supply supervisor, Commander Yang.”

Luo Guanzhong and Yang Zi’an greeted each other.

After the introduction of the people, Song Shizhao and Yang Zi’an stepped back with extreme tactfulness. Although they didn’t know what talents Luo Guanzhong had, but they dare not give someone that Lin Yuan valued this much a xiamawei (TN: display of severity immediately on taking office, initial show of strength, or show someone who’s boss)

After the two of them left, Lin Yuan smiled at Luo Guanzhong and said, “Mister, have you encountered any trouble along the way?”

Luo Guanzhong: “On the way, I have witnessed farmers having no land, village women having no support, young children having no food, and the old, weak, sick and disabled having nowhere to stay. Compared with them, what kind of trouble could I encounter? The suffering of the people makes me unable to sleep and eat.”

Lin Yuan also sighed: “My strength is not enough, and for now I can only manage this small area. Mister’s pity and sympathy for the people makes me ashamed.”

Luo Guanzhong hurriedly said: “Why do you blame yourself? Now the reputation of Taizhou and Gaoyou has even reached the south of the Yangtze River. You are truly loved by hundreds of thousands of people. The world is so big and there are many heroes and great men, but there has never been anyone like you who loves and puts the people in your heart.”

Lin Yuan waved a hand and with the other he covered his face, sighing: “Unfortunately, it is difficult for Yuan to achieve anything without support, too few people are available to assist me.”

Luo Guanzhong: “This humble one is willing to assist you.”

Lin Yuan hurriedly stood up and bowed to Luo Guanzhong solemnly: “It is a blessing for Yuan to receive Mister’s support, and a blessing for the people!”

Luo Guanzhong also became very excited from Lin Yuan’s words.

The two joined hands and delved into a happy conversation. Luo Guanzhong had read many scholarly works, both history and poetry, his conversation was one full of humor and interesting anecdotes.

Lin Yuan had him stay for dinner, and even talked into the night by the light of the candles.

This manner was very in line with the times where one respected the wise and sought out talents eagerly.

In history, Luo Guanzhong helped Zhang Shicheng to repel Zhu Yuanzhang’s army. Lin Yuan also prepared to make the best use of him by having him take on the role of a military strategist. When the time came to attack Changshu, he would also be able to look at his ability. In any case, with Zhu Yuanzhang and Yang Zi’an on the side he waa not afraid of things messing up.

The news sent back by An Laosi was very detailed, the factions and conflict among Changshu officials were clearly recorded. And he even managed to drag Changshu’s Sub-prefect onto their thief boat.

The plan to attack Changshu was on the agenda and the military expedition was imminent.

——

Jiang Zheng’s recent days have been very good. Since he and An Laosi connected, gold, silver, and precious jewels have flowed into his mansion like running water. The female family members in his inner court wore delicate and smooth silk that looked as beautiful as sunset clouds. Compared with this silk, the cloth used in the past was no longer even comparable to the coarse cloth worn by farmers. Numerous exquisite decorations were also placed in the house. For all of this, he didn’t need to put much effort at all, but just make things convenient for An Laosi.

In the past, he had to worry about the fees and gifts from the people below him. But now even without any of this from those people, he could still live a luxurious life.

An Laosi also brought him beauties, curvy or slender, gentle or vivacious. There were all types and he had his pick. He was young and vigorous after all and had little resistance to the female sex. He lingered on the bed every day, and sometimes even bedded five different women a night.

If he became hollowed out due to bed affairs, An Laosi would also give him a pill that could replenish his strength and did not hurt his body. Moreover, it even increased his strength and vigor to the extent that all the beauties could not help crying out for mercy in his bed.

He had both money and beauties, and even the Emperor might not necessarily have a better life than him.

But his desire for power became more and more inflated, and he started to intervene into the affairs of the army under the instigation of An Laosi. This was originally not under his jurisdiction, but he could get his way in with money.

He also kept offering beauties to Sukhbaru.

In Changshu, his status had also become higher and higher. The people underneath him counted on the benefits he would give, so naturally they all appeared loyal.

Sukhbaru, having received his share of benefits, also looked the other way on the schemings of his subordinate.

This only caused Jiang Zheng to feel even more restless, and he developed thoughts that he shouldn’t have.

An Laosi sat in the seat under Jiang Zheng. The dancers in the hall put on a lively performance. Their movements were like immortals, their waists were pliable and curvy and their eyes were like spring pools, causing people to be unable to look away.

“I must say that only Sub-prefect Jiang knows how to enjoy the pleasures of life.” An Laosi sighed, “Not like An, who makes money but always has to run tirelessly around. This kind of lifestyle might not even be comparable to that of the servants at home.”

Jiang Zheng was also somewhat self-satisfied.

An Laosi was so busy that it was hard to even find the time to sit down and take a breath.

How could he compare to him, leisurely and content. He could get money even when he was just sitting there, all of his desires met.

Jiang Zheng also laughed: “Brother An is a rare talent, but when it comes to this, you are indeed not as good as me.”

An Laosi hurriedly said: “Ai, I am born to toil, destined to run tirelessly, if I could cast my lot in with Sub-prefect……”

Jiang Zheng’s eyes widened and his face became stern: “Brother An! Silence! Do you know what you are saying?”

An Laosi knelt down quickly, but raised his head and said firmly: “My lord! If An never met my lord, I could never have thought of this!”

An Laosi took a few steps on his knees: “I look at my lord and feel that it is guidance from the heavens! My lord is not only popular in Changshu, but also holds great power! My lord!”

Jiang Zheng calmed down quickly after the initial shock. He sat in his chair and his face had on an expression that was difficult to decipher. After a while, he said, “Brother An, be careful, don’t say this again! Nor can you let a third person know!”

An Laosi: ​​”My lord, you treat people with sincerity. But does the lord magistrate treat you with the same sincerity?”

An Laosi tried his best to persuade: “My lord! It’s not worth it!”

Jiang Zheng finally couldn’t help but cover his face with a hand and said, “Brother An, only you know my suffering, but if I follow what you say, can I still guarantee my life and wealth? There is no turning back when the arrow is loosened!”

An Laosi knew that the opportunity had come, and said sincerely: “Fang Guozhen turned against the court, and the court gave him a position as a governor. My lord has great talents. How can just a simple governor seat be worthy of you? My lord, the world is turbulent and unrest is everywhere, the court cannot pay attention to one thing without neglecting the other. This is your luck, my lord! You are the chosen one by the heavens, so why bother to belittle yourself and be overcautious?”

Jiang Zheng waved his hand: “I want to think about it, I have to think about it……”

An Laosi did not press further, only saying: “If my lord is interested, I would be willing to support my lord with my all. If my lord has any need, I will definitely not refuse! Even through a sea of ​​swords and fire, An can still charge forward!”

Jiang Zheng was unable to not feel moved by these words. He quickly walked down the steps and took the hand of An Laosi: “Brother An, I feel the sincerity and heart you hold for me. If there is one day, I will definitely share the prosperity with you!”

An Laosi squeezed out his tears and cried bitterly: “The heart this one has for my lord, the sun and the moon can be of witness! If there are any false words, let me be struck with thunder!”

The two looked at each other, and both felt that they saw what they wanted in each other’s eyes.

From that day on, An Laosi came to the Jiang manor every day. He came up with plans and made suggestions to help Jiang Zheng win over the minor officials. The minor officials seemed inconspicuous, but they were the ones in charge of the people’s livlihood. The big officials above only took care of the big things, but these minor officials were an important presence among the people. Gathering them together would present a force that could not be underestimated.

What’s more, the lives of the minor officials was not easy now. They couldn’t get much out of the people below, and the big lords above don’t care about them. So long as Jiang Zheng gave some benefits, they would naturally bow their heads. An Laosi taught Jiang Zheng how to lead them onto the thief boat so that by the time they realized anything, they would have already become grasshoppers on the same rope and could only follow after Jiang Zheng.

Jiang Zheng also discovered much benefits.

Almost no one took him seriously before, but now it was different. Whatever he wanted to happen he only need to pass a word downwards, and there would be many people who would be eager to help him.

This encouraged his desire for power.

Gradually, he didn’t even hold Sukhbaru in much regard.

The man was just a boorish fool. He felt he was more capable and more popular than Sukhbaru.

The greater his desire for power became, the greater his appetite grew.

At first, he hoped that everyone would respect him.

Then he hoped that everyone would listen to him.

Now he hoped that more people could listen to him.

After the beginning of the spring, An Laosi felt that the time had come, so he bluntly said: “My lord, the time has come.”

Jiang Zheng: “Brother An, we shall discuss it in detail.”

Even Fang Guozhen, a rebel thief could sit on his head so how could he be willing to remain common all his life, having to answer to the likes of Sukhbaru?

He wanted to take over Changshu, he wanted to be king!

He wanted the people to kneel at his feet, and he wanted to achieve the highest pursuit of a man!

An Laosi passed on to Lin Yuan the day when Jiang Zheng would rebel.

Lin Yuan saw the letter from An Laosi, and his whole person was greatly shaken. He thought that An Laosi could only cause chaos in Changshu, but he did not expect that An Laosi could directly instigate the rebellion of an imperial court official……

What kind of talent for incitement was this?

Even Song Shizhao was speechless and said: “This person……is deeply scheming and can be of much use.”

Luo Guanzhong said: “When the time comes, we will go forward with our troops, and we will take the opportunity to capture Changshu as they are distracted with internal conflict. In this way, the cost would be the least.”

Lin Yuan took out a map of Changshu and pointed to three places: “This is the granary, this is the armory, and this is the barracks. These three places are the most guarded.”

Luo Guanzhong smiled and said: “We threaten the east and strike to the west.” (TN: create a diversion)

Lin Yuan nodded: “Yes.”

Luo Guanzhong also started to say: “Send people to the granary, but the target is the armory. At that time we split the troops on three fronts. Changshu has no more than 10,000 troops. When the people flee, it will be our opportunity.”

Lin Yuan smiled at Luo Guanzhong: “Then I entrust it to Mister.”

Luo Guanzhong startled.

Lin Yuan: “I forgot to say that for this attack on Changshu, Mister will serve as a military strategist.”

Luo Guanzhong never thought that he would be put in such an important position despite it just being over a month after he came here. After returning to his senses, he quickly said, “If I can’t take Changshu, then this official will bring my head to see you!”

He adapted quickly to his new status. When he didn’t have an official position, he referred to himself as this humble one, and when he had an official position, he referred to himself as this official.

His ambitions and abilities finally had a place to shine.

——

In the April of the 12th year of the current emperor’s reign, the earth recovered and the bare trees sprouted with new leaves.

Jiang Zheng stood in the courtyard, letting his family servant put the armor on him. He was a civilian court official but just wanted to try out wearing armor. Today was a big day. If he won then a bright future awaits. If he lost, he would lose everything. But Jiang Zheng felt that he would not lose.

He believed that he had the heart of the people and the small officials below were also dependant on him. Even the military officers in the army had recieved favors from him.

He benefited them and they considered themselves loyal to him.

Jiang Zheng said to the person next to him: “Is everything ready?”

The man wore tight practical clothes and had strong muscles: “Answering Sub-prefect, everything is ready.”

Jiang Zheng smiled and said, “Where is the lord magistrate?”

The person: “Still hunting outside the city.”

Jiang Zheng snorted: “Boorish lout.”

“Have someone close the city gates, and when Sukhbaru returns, kill him outside the city! Don’t let any of them go!”

The people Sukhbaru brought out with him were all confidantes. None of these people were Han people. They were Sukhbaru’s henchmen. Jiang Zheng was planning to seal off the entire city after he took Changshu to prevent anyone from leaking the news.

He planned to delay until the imperial court sent troops to attack other rebel thieves, and then declare himself as king.

He had even conferred his left and right prime ministers.

This was a method An Laosi taught him, to use empty positions to win over some people. When the time came, whether he wanted to confer the position to them or not, was it not up to him?

Sukhbaru was leading his people back to the city at this time. Hunting in spring had always been his custom, year after year. The prey that they caught would be shared among his subordinates. At that time, the soldiers and guards at the gate of the city would come and welcome him back, praising him as a Mongolian warrior.

But today, when he came back from hunting, he saw that the city gates was closed tightly. He was riding a horse and the horse was pacing irritably in place. Sukhbaru had a fierce look and shouted: “Where is everyone! Open the gates!”

When the words fell, he didn’t see any soldier appearing to open the gates, but many soldiers armed with weapons emerging from a side door of the city wall. Archers also appeared on the city wall aiming their arrows downwards.

Sukhbaru’s eyes widened: “You want to rebel?!”

On the city wall, wearing an armor made of gold, Jiang Zheng looked down at Sukhbaru and his group of more than two hundred people condescendingly, shouting: “The Yuan Dynasty meets its decline. If you submit to me then kneel and beg for mercy and I will spare your life. If you don’t then this official can only send you on the road!”

“I, Sukhbaru will never bend my knees to vile characters like you!” Sukhbaru gritted his teeth and raised the heavy sword in his hand, “I’ll take your dog life!”

Jiang Zheng’s expression changed, and he shouted: “Shoot!”

The archers let out their arrows in unison.

Sukhbaru waved his heavy sword, and the arrows that lost their momentum fell to the ground.

He was surrounded by brave and combative Mongolians, and few were hit in the rain of arrows.

But the horses were unable to dodge and some people rolled off their horses, the tremendous impact causing them to break their legs and fracture them instantly.

After the arrows were released, the soldiers on both sides rushed forward with their weapons.

The two sides instantly engaged in battle. Sukhbaru was only wearing hunting attire made of cloth, not armor, and he received several wounds on his body. The blood stained his eyes.

“Jiang Zheng! You shameless villain!” Sukhbaru pointed at the city wall with his sword, “One day, I will have you die without a resting place!” After he finished speaking, he shouted to his confidantes: “Withdraw!”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e ir on tr ee bl oo ms. c o m )

Jiang Zheng yelled: “Catch up with them! One gold tael for each head!” “Whoever cuts off Sukhbaru’s head, I will appoint him as general!”

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*Edited by LazyCat

Taizhou and Gaoyou were very busy throughout the winter. Many people felt that they and the outside seemed to be two different worlds. Many poor people outside were unable to eat much food or be properly clothed; their lives were like that of savages. In winter, they could only rely on tree bark and the plant roots underground for sustenance. Many people simply could not survive to see the next spring.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e ir on tr ee bl oo ms. c o m )

After many people outside knew that Taizhou and Gaoyou could let them fill their stomachs, they embarked on a journey one after another, relying on their legs and feet to travel long distances. They didn’t even know the specific situation of Taizhou and Gaoyou, but they just felt that there would be hope for survival there.

“Be good, eat.” The sallow-faced and thin woman handed the bark to her short and thin son. She wanted to smile at her child, but she didn’t even have the strength to curve up her lips. She came out with her fellow villagers, and wanted to find a peaceful place where she and her son could settle down and survive. They wandered past many places like vagrants. She was a widow, and the child was the only blood left of his father. Her parents-in-law passed within a month after they left their hometown. They worked all their lives, and the aches and illness that had settled over time became exacerbated by the difficult conditions of a vagrant life, resulting in them passing away on the way.

There was nothing else the woman could do but to find support with a bachelor from her village in order to save herself and her son.

But she felt that she could barely hold on anymore. Maybe she would die here, and then go see her husband and in-laws who died early. But then what about her child?

She stroked the head of her son who was eating bark with her skinny hand, thinking in her heart that she could not leave her son alone in this world. If she were to die, she must first send him off, then the whole family could be reunited in the underworld.

The bachelor from the same town came to her. They were childhood sweethearts who grew up together, but the bachelor was too poor to marry a wife. Only after they had left their hometown did he finally know what a woman felt like. He was very good to the widow, otherwise he would not take care of this mother and child when he himself could barely eat enough.

“We will arrive there soon,” said the bachelor weakly.

The widow nodded. They had been comforting themselves that they would be there soon.

But this “soon” was too far away, as if they would never reach the destination.

The widow stretched out her hand, and the bachelor held it. The two sat quietly, watching the boy hungrily eating the bark, as if it was some delicacy.

The bachelor said again: “Soon.”

The widow forced a smile.

The sun rose, and they must continue on their way again. The boy took his mother’s hand. They walked in the snow, one step at a time. They were neither frozen to death nor starved to death. Of the hundreds of people who came out together, now only a dozen people were left.

After walking for a while, the boy couldn’t walk anymore. His nose was red. If one continued being exposed to the freezing air, they would soon turn purple, and then death would not be far off.

The bachelor carried the boy on his back and covered him with animal fur, which would ensure that the boy had a better chance of survival.

No one spoke, they were silent and walked quietly.

Silence could make people feel depressed and fall into despair.

But they had no strength to speak.

Just when they stopped to eat snow, someone suddenly shouted: “The city wall! I see the city wall! God! I see the city wall! We are here!”

The widow was stunned. She stood motionless, like an ice sculpture in the snow. In a panic, she went to hug the son who was still on the bachelor’s back. She lifted the thin layer of fur and reached out to touch her son’s face, to feel her son’s breathing.

Still alive.

The widow opened her mouth, and she could only make a gasping noise that resembled sobs. She squatted down holding her son and kept inhaling. She almost couldn’t breath. The bachelor hugged the two of them. There were already some people running wildly, using their last strength to run towards the city wall.

The hope of ​​surviving had never been as clear as it was now.

The bachelor once again carried the boy, and with the widow they supported each other towards the city wall.

But before they even arrived under the city wall, they were startled by the scene in front of them. Outside the city wall, there was a small outer city. There were many people walking on the streets. They were wearing thick clothes because of the cold. Their cheeks were reddened, but they were all smiling, and many vendors were selling things at stalls.

There were also shops selling cooked food and they could smell the scent of dough, some vendors were selling noodles.

Others were also selling yellow dough buns.

It was the smell of food, not bark, not grass roots, not meatless insects, but real food that could fill the stomach and make one feel happy.

There was no snow on the ground in the outer city. They saw people shoveling snow onto wooden carts and pulling them aside to boil it into hot water. Many people went to fetch water.

The bachelor and the widow stood among their fellow villagers. They were afraid that these people would not accept them and drive them away. But even if they were afraid, they still would not leave.

“Manager Zhou! There are some refugees here!” A vendor shouted.

The manager sitting on the side of the road and warming himself stood up, wrapped his scarf around his neck, rubbed his hands and walked out of the stall.

Refugees were also ordinary people. They were afraid of officials. When they heard this, everyone’s face looked anxious.

Manager Zhou counted the number of people and then used a notebook to record down the date and then the number of people. He then said to the person next to him: “Give them hot water, bring them to the house, and buy some buns.”

The person next to him took the order, and manager Zhou said to the refugees: “Come with me.”

The refugees had no other choice. They dared not speak, and followed manager Zhou timidly.

Manager Zhou took them to a hut with a charcoal fire burning inside. Unlike the cold outside, the inside was warm like spring. The frozen bodies of the refugees warmed up, and feeling seemed to finally come back to their numb limbs.

Manager Zhou pointed to the bench in the house and said, “Sit down.”

These people followed the order and immediately sat down one by one.

Manager Zhou: “Report your names one by one, as well as where you came from, where you passed along the way, where is safer, and where is more dangerous. The more detailed the better.”

The refugees reported their names one after another, and manager Zhou wrote them down in a notebook, and then began to record their hometown and the places they passed by.

As manager Zhou recorded the information, the people sent to buy steamed buns returned and distributed it along with hot water to the refugees.

The refugees ate the buns hungrily. They couldn’t say a word, too focused on gorging until they ate up the three buns that each person had been allocated. It was only after they drank their bowl of hot water did they finally raise their heads again.

The steamed buns were warm, well made, very soft, and suitable for swallowing. Most of them barely chewed it in their hurry to eat.

Manager Zhou once again began to measure their heights, looked at their teeth and recorded their more obvious characteristics. Then each person was issued a small wooden sign: “You must keep this safe. You will need this for buying a house and registering work in the future. If it wears out, then come and have it replaced.”

He spoke in detail where they should be going to sign up for work. After signing up for work, they would then be allocated a house. But it was not that they did not charge money for the houses as the money would be deducted from their wages in the future.

Manager Zhou asked them: “Are there any questions?”

Everyone was taken away in a daze. The manager said, they should first sign up for work, and then they could be assigned to a house. They could rest for three days before going to work. They would be provided with food and hot water for these three days. After starting work, one month’s salary would be given in advance for daily expenses.

When registering, the bachelor said that the widow was his wife and the boy was his son.

After getting along for such a long time, the boy had already begun to call him father.

They were divided into a small house. A curtain separated the bedroom from the main room, which was enough for a family of three.

As for single people, they could only share the dormitory with others.

After seven days in Gaoyou, these people have quickly integrated. The officials never asked them for fees, nor did they come to them for anything but official business. The neighbors were also very friendly and no one looked down on them.

The widow now washed clothes with her neighbors every day. The workplace was in a large warm house full of hot water that wouldn’t freeze the hands or feet and cause frostbite. The children were kept in the day care where there were special staff to look after the children and even teach the children some simple numbers. These women were all very at ease leaving their children there.

“Use this to wash.” The person next to the widow said, “This will wash it clean.”

She had the widow go pick some plant ash and put it in the water. In this way, the clothes would be washed clean.

The widow smiled gratefully at the other woman.

When it was time for a break, the women would take out needles and threads to sew their own clothes.

The widow asked softly: “How long have you all been here?”

The women all answered eagerly.

“The outer city is full of outsiders. I have been here for half a year. I used to be in the inner city. Later, when the South Bodhisattva said that the outer city needed people, my family and I came out.”

“Me too!”

The widow asked strangely: “Isn’t the inner city better?”

The women laughed: “The inner city is crowded!”

The widow said again: “But there are walls around the inner city……”

There was no wall around the outer city, what if there was danger?

The women also said: “There are guards patrolling every night, and the barracks are also outside. If something happens, the soldiers will be able to come out immediately. It is very safe!”

The widow was finally reassured.

The women then began to ask how she arrived at Gaoyou.

The widow said: “In my hometown, the village head was killed by bandits. We were afraid that the court would send someone to take over the village so we could only flee. There was also no more food at home. If we continued to stay there, we would still have to die.”

The women sighed for a while.

If there was no other choice who would want to travel far away from home to find a new life in a strange place?

The women began to comfort her.

“It’s good to be here. The big lords above never trouble us, nor ask us to pay fees.”

“As long as we work hard, we can find a living, and we women can also have private possessions! Be diligent and you won’t starve!”

“Yes, the benefits for our Laundry Bureau is very good, and we can even get meat during the holidays.”

“If we want anything we can buy it ourselves.”

“They don’t charge us money for sending our children to the daycare.”

After comforting, the women began to teach her:

“The South Bodhisattva is a living god, and you can’t do things that would wrong the South Bodhisattva.”

“Otherwise, the heavens will punish you.”

After working in the Laundry Bureau for seven days and being brainwashed for seven days, the widow became a faithful believer.

The same went for the bachelor, even the son.

The family of three even saved money to buy a small idol statue of the South Bodhisattva.

The carving of the idol was not very good, but for them, this was the best idol they had ever seen.

Lin Yuan was not only their ruler, but also their spiritual leader.

Every refugee who arrived at Gaoyou experienced this baptism.

In modern terms, this was called a personality cult.

Except for Lin Yuan, they did not accept any other leader.

Whatever Lin Yuan said was the truth and taken as divine speech.

When Lin Yuan found out about this, he was in a very complicated mood. He had thought that this phenomenon and people’s fanaticism would gradually fade over time, but now it seemed that there was not only no sign of a decline, but becoming stronger and stronger.

Song Shizhao thought this was a good sign.

“Boss, the time will be ripe next spring.” Song Shizhao was very excited. He had become more and more confident recently. He believed that it was only a matter of time before the great deed would be realized. Although the Red Turban Army was also developing rapidly, however as of now, in terms of scale and popularity they could not be compared with Lin Yuan.

Look at the people who have practically crossed most of the territory of Yuan to Gaoyou. Didn’t this represent the popular support?

Lin Yuan said to Song Shizhao: “Liu Ji, Song Lian, and Luo Guanzhong, have these three responded?”

Song Shizhao hurriedly said: “Song Lian and Luo Guanzhong have sent a letter and are on their way. As for Liu Ji……”

Lin Yuan sighed: “It seems that it is not the time yet.”

Liu Ji was much more proud than Song Lian and Luo Guanzhong, and Lin Yuan also understood this.

Song Shizhao said lowly: “Should I send someone to capture him and bring him over?”

Lin Yuan smiled: “Do you think it’s so easy to capture him? Besides, forced or sincere, which is more useful, you know in your heart.”

Song Shizhao sighed.

“How is the munition preparation?” Lin Yuan called Yang Zi’an over. Yang Zi’an had been in charge of the munition reserve during this time.

The munition included explosives, siege engines, trebuchets, swords, blades, and armour.

They still couldn’t replace all the armour with iron ones, but Lin Yuan had them make a batch of helmets. If the opponent’s weapons were relatively blunt, the attack on the body may not be fatal, but the attack on the unprotected head would be another story.

The helmet could save some people’s lives.

Yang Zi’an sat on the side. He was very tired. He barely slept for several days. He could only drink a sip of strong tea to keep awake. He said to Lin Yuan, “Enough. The food supply can last for two years and the people are re-polishing and refurbishing the weapons. It may not be completely perfect, but they are sharp enough. The production of explosives are also being rushed out these days, and the women haven’t closed their eyes for several days.”

Lin Yuan nodded: “It’s been a hard time for you all during this period.”

Yang Zian shook his head: “Not as hard as you have it, look at your eyes.”

Lin Yuan touched the bags under his eyes.

Sometimes Lin Yuan felt that the Emperor in ancient times was really pitiful. During the day, he was worked like a mule, and at night he had to deal with concubines. Being ridden by the courtiers in the outer court, and when he went back to the inner court he was slept by concubines. Perhaps they themselves were quite happy with their situation.

Sometimes it was much happier to be an incapable king than to be a sage king.

An incapable king could enjoy happiness.

A sage king must bring happiness to others.

Lin Yuan leaned on the chair, but did not dare to close his eyes, for fear that he would fall asleep when he closed them.

“It’ll be fine after this period of time. Next year, we put in a spurt of energy.” Lin Yuan smiled at Yang Zi’an.

Yang Zi’an exhaled a long breath.

“More than four hundred refugees have arrived in the outer city,” Song Shizhao said.

Lin Yuan nodded: “How many people have been arrested recently?”

There were still some people who did not appreciate the peace Lin Yuan bought and committed crimes. Now they were all thrown in prisons.

Song Shizhao: “More than a thousand people.”

Lin Yuan: “Pull them all out to build the city wall.”

Song Shizhao nodded: “The people are a bit few.”

Lin Yuan: “You can also recruit people. Raise the pay for building the city wall higher. Someone will go.”

There must be a city wall, otherwise the outer city would become a sitting duck.

——

Compared with Gaoyou and Taizhou, the winter in Changshu was not at all pleasant. Rich people could burn charcoal and have meat in all their meals, but ordinary people could barely make ends meet no matter how much work they did.

An Laosi, dressed in silk and pretending to be a merchant, managed to bribe his way in with the senior provincial government official. The prefectural magistrate’s name was Sukhbaru, a Mongolian. After seeing the grains brought by An Laosi he quickly had his servant bring An Laosi to him.

An Laosi pretended to be a merchant from Hangzhou. In addition to food, he also brought fine gold, silver and jade.

By his side he also brought with him a courtesan. This courtesan was Tian Xiang, but now Tian Xiang and An Laosi were working partners, and the two no longer had the same physical relationship as before.

Tian Xiang was responsible for dealing with the females in the inner court of the homes of the officials, and to try to find information from them. But because she was just a courtesan, all she could have contact with were concubines and not the legal wives.

But compared to the legal wife, these concubines knew more.

Because the lords would not bring their wives to certain venues, whereas with the conubines they didn’t have so many apprehensions.

And most of the concubines had no education. They didn’t know what they could say and what they couldn’t to outsiders. With just a little effort from Tian Xiang, they would reveal everything they knew.

On An Laosi’s side, however, it was not as easy prying information out of the lords and officials. In the end, he did not find much useful information.

The two of them would match their information in the room in the middle of the night. Since An Laosi knew how to write he became responsible for relaying the news back.

He had a book in his hand. Different words in this book corresponded to special symbols. He needed to write the letters with these symbols, so that even if the letter was intercepted, no information would be leaked.

If he sensed that something was wrong, all he had to do was just burn the book.

Tian Xiang told An Laosi of the news she had managed to learn that day. After An Laosi wrote the letter, he gave it to his servant. Then he said to Tian Xiang: “Did the South Bodhisattva say anything when he sent you?”

Tian Xiang drank the tea: “South Bodhisattva told me to watch you well, lest you do anything bad.”

An Laosi laughed dryly.

He asked again: “Whatever the result, we were like husband and wife once, can’t you be a little more polite to me?”

Tian Xiang curled her lip: “What is there to be polite to you for?”

An Laosi said lowly: “Then, do you want to be my concubine?”

Tian Xiang’s eyes widened: “In your fantasies. I think you are just a toad wanting to eat the flesh of a swan and don’t have any self-awareness!”

An Laosi quickly said: “It’s just a joke, just a joke, don’t be serious.”

Tian Xiang harrumphed: “Have you inquired into the matter that the South Bodhisattva asked you to inquire about?”

An Laosi sighed, with a troubled look on his face he said: “Those people’s mouths are too tight.”

Tian Xiang: “Useless man.”

Tian Xiang’s eyes wandered and she thought of something: “Next time you will take me with you.”

An Laosi asked strangely: “For what?”

Tian Xiang: “Men, it’s much easier to pry their mouths open on the bed.”

“My dear lady, please don’t mess with me.” An Laosi said helplessly, “If this is known by the South Bodhisattva, a layer of my skin will be flayed.”

Besides, if Tian Xiang managed to pry their mouths, wouldn’t he look like dirt in comparison?

That he was not as capable as a woman?

Unable to pry anything from the lords, An Laosi could only focus on the minor officials below.

Unlike the wealthy big lords, the small officials don’t have much monthly salary. They could only rely on the commoners paying them fees to maintain their dignity and lifestyle. But the commoners were already this poor, and they couldn’t squeeze much out of them even if they wanted to. If there were too many dead people, they still had to take responsibility. As a result, it was rather easy for An Laosi to bribe his way into their good graces.

But they didn’t know much, at least some confidential information could not be found from them.

But they did know the positions of the weapons armory and granary very well. It’s just that they weren’t clear on the distribution of troops that guard these locations.

In addition to this, the biggest gain was that they managed to gain a connection to the government sub-prefect of Changshu.

Unlike the prefectural magistrate, this sub-prefect was a Han Chinese named Jiang Zheng, a man of twenty-five years. He was one of the rare young men who managed to reach such a governmental position at such a young age. Young people were not so vigilant. When he knew that the minor officials under him had received benefits from An Laosi, he had An Laosi brought in front of him.

An Laosi might have difficulty dealing with Sukhbaru, but dealing with such a fellow, who practically had the desire for profit written on his face, it was much simpler. He took a pure gold tea set and another set of jewelry made of fake jade to visit.

When Jiang Zheng saw the pure gold tea set, he couldn’t look away at all.

The sub-prefect was only ranked 6B, and Changshu was one of the Zhongzhou provinces, so the prefectural magistrate in Changshu was ranked 5A (TN: 9 ranking system of officials in which officials are divided into principal (A) and lower (B) ranks, with 9 for both in total). The administrative division of the Yuan Dynasty and the ranking of local officials were divided according to Shangzhou, Zhongzhou, and Xiazhou (TN: provinces divided based on the number of households living in them, with Shangzhou having the most and Xiazhou the least).

Now in Changshu, the prefectural magistrate Sukhbaru was living an extravagant life that ordinary people couldn’t even imagine. Jiang Zheng, who worked under him, naturally saw it all personally, so developing greed and desire for a luxurious life was quite normal.

“Brother An is really capable.” Jiang Zheng gave the set of jade jewelry to his mother, while he kept the gold tea set for himself. Since he received the gift, he never used another tea set again.

An Laosi flattered: “As the saying goes, since ancient times, heroes have come out of youth and I think Sub-Prefect Jiang is a brilliant young man.”

Jiang Zheng smiled and said: “If I had known that we would be such kindred spirits, I would have invited brother An here earlier.”

The two chatted for a while. In the end, Jiang Zheng couldn’t restrain himself first and asked: “Brother An is so generous, don’t know what business you are doing?”

The eyes of An Laosi brightened: “Why? Is Sub-Prefect Jiang also interested? My business is simple. If the Sub-Prefect can help me out in Changshu, we……”

Jiang Zheng didn’t promise anything, but just asked: “The lord magistrate didn’t mention it to you?”

An Laosi: ​​”The lord magistrate is so busy, how can he be interested in my small business.”

Sukhbaru was smarter than Jiang Zheng. He didn’t take the bait at all. Besides, so long as An Laosi came to do business, he would inevitably send him gifts, so why bother and give himself extra trouble?

Jiang Zheng was different from Sukhbaru. He was not as powerful as Sukhbaru. If he wanted more money, it was of course impossible to seek fees and gifts directly from An Laosi.

Even if he did, could it even be comparable to what was given to Sukhbaru?

An Laosi said: “I do business for the nobles. There are always some nobles who have a hard time now and have to sell their possessions. I buy it for a low price and then……”

Jiang Zheng smiled: “Sell at a high price, but don’t those people know that they are selling at a low price?”

An Laosi blinked at Jiang Zheng and said: “Sub-Prefect doesn’t know it, but An has some face outside, and they have to sell it even if they don’t want to.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e ir on tr ee bl oo ms. c o m )

Jiang Zheng finally became convinced: “Brother An tell me more in detail, so that I can also learn more.”

An Laosi had a smile at the corners of his mouth.

The fish took the bait.

TN: Bonus chapter coming up!

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