The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 82: Eliminating Thieves

Chapter 82: Eliminating Thieves

“Go quickly to Jinzhou and eliminate the rebels!”

Xu Ying scratched her head, wondering why they still didn’t believe her.

Xu Lang knew she had her little secrets and quickly changed the subject: “Your Majesty, with such generous rewards distributed at once, future rewards might need to be even greater, but we don’t have that much silver in the treasury.”

Xu Ying waved her hand and calmly said: “There won’t be any future rewards. The national treasury is nearly emptied. From now on, they’ll have to rely on themselves for everything.”

It’s time to divide the family property – let them strive on their own from now on.

Misunderstanding her meaning, Xu Lang sighed with deep emotion.

Indeed, as long as everyone works together with one heart, all industries will prosper, and the national treasury will naturally fill up, enabling rewards for those who contribute to the people’s livelihood and state affairs.

After the busy farming season, joyful smiles of harvest could be seen everywhere. This year’s harvest was good, and with the tax reductions shortly after the empress’s accession, the people could peacefully pass the winter. Every household felt unprecedented happiness, planning to scrape together some money to send their children to school. The Winter Examination required the least expenditure, so they might as well try – even if they didn’t pass, they would learn some characters and gain another path in life.

The trees faded from green to yellow, their colors deepening day by day. A layer of pale white frost covered the ground, and the sun grew cold, losing its warmth. A procession broke the village’s tranquility – a squinting yellow dog immediately stood up and barked fiercely at the strangers, while frightened chickens ran about in chaos.

The village chief hurriedly dressed and came out to welcome them. This was the team sent to distribute reward silver, consisting of Fang Rong from the Hall of Gathered Talents, Han Yu from the Ministry of Revenue, Yu Jin from the Surveillance Agency, a lieutenant general, and the county magistrate. Han Yu was responsible for reading the imperial decree and the list of recipients, the lieutenant general and guards maintained order and carried boxes of silver, Fang Rong verified the records, while Yu Jin and the county magistrate supervised.

Han Yu ordered the village chief to urgently gather the villagers to hear the decree. Households hastily tied their clothes and ran out. When everyone had assembled, Han Yu unrolled the imperial decree and began the procedure.

Unlike previous practices, they first distributed reward silver to conscripted civilians before moving up to reward county and prefectural levels.

Commoners who were confusedly called forward received their silver in a daze. One hard-of-hearing old woman mistakenly thought this was consolation money for her grandson who had died in battle and began weeping mournfully.

A neighbor quickly leaned close to her ear, explaining that this was compensation from the court in recognition of her grandson’s service in resisting the Western Rong during the national crisis.

The old woman was astonished – it had been a forced conscription, yet there was compensation, and such a large sum at that. Overwhelmed with emotion, tears welled in her eyes as she bent her body and knelt to thank Han Yu and the village chief.

Everyone hurried to help the old woman up, apologetically explaining: “His Majesty originally considered the drought and was reluctant to go to war, but the Western Rong launched a fierce attack and Jade Gate Pass was in emergency, leaving no choice but to conscript men for battle. Now that the war has ended and the national treasury is full, this is His Majesty’s small compensation.”

The old woman wiped her tears, not knowing what to say, only repeatedly murmuring: “Long live His Majesty…”

Similar scenes played out in different places one after another. When news of the emperor distributing rewards everywhere reached Zheng Song and the Crown Prince’s old faction, the fence-sitters swung back to Xu Ying’s side. This time, they completely lost their composure.

Pressed for time, Zheng Song carried the child and fled Youzhou overnight, evading surveillance. He went with Wei Qiandao to their stronghold in Jinzhou, raising the Young Imperial Grandson to start an uprising, loudly proclaiming: “This is the Mourning Crown Prince’s son, the legitimate Xu lineage successor! The current ruler should immediately abdicate and return governance to the imperial grandson!”

Many former officials and nobles responded one after another, forcing Xu Ying to abdicate. However, their voices were mostly concentrated around Chang’an, while Youzhou remained very quiet. The court affairs operated as usual, and the departure of a few people had no significant impact on Youzhou.

The only change might be that the women of the Zheng family were imprisoned. Madam Zheng, whose injuries had not yet healed, was thrown back into jail, cursing Zheng Song for failing to arrange their safety even in rebellion.

Wei Qiandao raised an army in Jinzhou, causing some locals to feel uneasy. They whispered among themselves, “Wei Qiandao is using the imperial grandson to wield power and intimidate others. We’d better flee into the deep mountains now before it’s too late. If Wei Qiandao comes to power, his oppressive taxes will be the death of us.”

With the imperial grandson in their hands, they couldn’t be sure the female emperor would win. Moreover, Wei Qiandao was entrenched in Jinzhou. If he couldn’t be quickly eliminated, their lives would only grow more difficult.

After careful consideration, some residents of Jinzhou packed their belongings and, under the banner of rebellion, fled to Geng Mountain.

The area around Jinzhou grew increasingly chaotic. One rebellion sparked another, and commoners who had suffered under local officials joined the trend, swelling the ranks of the rebels. Soon, nearly all the residents of Jinzhou and its surroundings had fled.

After reading the report, Xu Ying nodded in satisfaction. Just as she was about to set it down, a thunderous explosion sounded outside, shaking the building and sending dust falling from the ceiling. Startled, Xu Ying gripped the table to steady herself, brushed the dust from her hair, and urgently asked, “What happened?”

That explosive sound felt strangely familiar…

Xu Ying suddenly had a foreboding feeling.

Soon enough, her premonition came true. Xu Lang entered briskly with Tong Wan, both beaming with joy. “Your Majesty, great news! Tong Wan has developed a new weapon with earth-shattering power!”

Tong Wan modestly replied, “The Grand Princess flatters me. I merely proposed the idea; the craftsmen collaborated to bring it to life. It’s nothing extraordinaryjust the formula of one part saltpeter, two parts sulfur, and three parts charcoal.”

Xu Ying squinted and tested Tong Wan, “Imperial Jade Liquor Wine?”

Tong Wan blinked in confusion, dumbfounded, and asked, “What does Your Majesty mean?”

Disappointed, Xu Ying shrank back and forced a dry laugh. “It’s nothing. I’ll have a cup of Imperial Jade Liquor Wine sent to you later to help you relax.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. The noise earlier was from the new weapon. I apologize for disturbing you. However, this device can be buried underground, completely undetectable. When enemy troops step on it, it detonates, launching them into the sky.” Tong Wan’s eyes sparkled as she described her experiment.

Xu Lang chimed in, “Yes, it’s perfect for dealing with the rebels!”

Xu Ying choked back a cough. “Absolutely not. Landmines are too powerful, and they’ve just been developedthey’re still unstable. We can’t deploy them in battle so quickly, or we might harm our own forces.”

“Besides, the imperial grandson is in the rebels’ hands. What if he gets injured? How could I face the late Crown Prince in the afterlife?” Xu Ying quickly used the unfortunate crown prince as an excuse.

Everything had been stirred up because of that child. Xu Lang had initially been displeased and considered killing him, but then she reconsidered: if the imperial grandson were killed, wouldn’t the rebels pin the blame on Xu Ying and exploit it?

Calming down, Xu Lang realized Xu Ying’s approach was the most clever and immediately said, “The rebels are treacherous, using the imperial grandson to seize power. They deserve to be punished by all.”

Tong Wan, focused on the new weapon, clapped her hands excitedly and praised, “Your Majesty’s term ‘Landmine’ is so vivid and fitting!”

Xu Ying smacked her forehead in frustration. Why had she said so much?

The commotion caused by the landmines was considerable. Both Zhang Yu and Liu Xu came to inquire, and before Xu Ying could stop him, Xu Lang revealed that the Academy of Sciences had developed a new weapon. Xu Ying had named it the “landmine”step on it, trigger the fuse, and it would explode, splitting a person in two. Liu Xu felt a chill just hearing the description. Zheng Song and Wei Qiandao had truly bet on the wrong horse.

With the landmines in place, the people of Youzhou felt even more secure. An official directly proposed during court: “Traitorous rebels have stolen the state. I implore Your Majesty to dispatch troops immediately to quell the rebels and reclaim the Young Imperial Grandson.”

The ministers excitedly echoed in unison: “Quell the rebels!”

Xu Ying wore a troubled expression. “The Young Imperial Grandson is, after all, in their hands. We must not provoke them. Moreover, I have already ordered the evacuation of civilians from Jinzhou to Youzhou and Chang’an. Ensuring the people’s safety is paramount. The matter of quelling the rebels can be discussed later.”

In truth, many wished to seize this opportunity to distinguish themselves and earn merit. This was the great feat of suppressing a rebelliona rare chance. They had made full preparations, yet the emperor held back from issuing the order, leaving everyone somewhat anxious.

The imperial clan was even more impatient, wishing they could take command of the army and crush Jinzhou themselves. Those with fiefs near Jinzhou felt as if a juicy piece of meat were right before their eyes, yet Xu Ying refused to let them have it, driving them to frustration.

Amidst widespread anticipation, the army defending against the Western Rong returned to the court. Xu Ying had previously decreed that conscripted soldiers need not follow He Chongguang back to Youzhou and could return home directly to await further arrangements.

As the soldiers returned to their hometowns, they heard that rebels in Jinzhou were holding the Young Imperial Grandson hostage to force the emperor to abdicate. Enraged, they grabbed their iron rakes, gathered under trees, and raised their arms, shouting: “The sovereign has given us stable lives and cares for us wholeheartedly. Now it is our turn to repay her! I am going to Jinzhou to eliminate the rebels. Who will join me?”

Many responded: “Without the sovereign, we would surely return to the old daysheavy taxes, the cancellation of the Winter Examination, corrupt officials covering for each other, with no one left to speak for us!”

The mere mention of canceling the Winter Examination stirred unrest. The Winter Examination was the only test that required no fees, and those who passed received free housing and treatment akin to imperial consorts. Compared to the imperial examinations of the past, it was an enticing shortcut for the impoverished.

Canceling the Winter Examination was like killing their parents.

The soldiers incited the young men of their villages, and even women joined in. Packing dry rations and water, they set off together for Jinzhou to eliminate the rebels.

The common people’s spontaneous organization to march on Jinzhou and quell the rebels alarmed the local governments. The governors and magistrates had a sudden insight: the public fury was too intense to suppress. Thus, the troops sent to block the people ended up escorting them all the way to Jinzhou.

Near Chang’an, crowds stormed the mansions of prominent families supporting the rebels. The servants offered no resistance, allowing the people to smash objects and drag the high-and-mighty masters and mistresses to the government offices.

The people had risen up, yet not quitethey armed themselves, shouting “Execute the rebels,” and advanced unimpeded toward Jinzhou, with more troops joining them along the way.

Local officials reported to Xu Ying, lamenting: “Sovereign, the situation is dire. We cannot use force against the people, and their fury is hard to quell. We were unable to stop them from heading to Jinzhou and could only provide protection from the side, accompanying them on their journey. We, your guilty officials, are incompetent”

Xu Ying threw down the memorial. Since the campaign against Zheng Song and Wei Qiandao was universally demanded, suppression would be less effective than channeling the sentiment. She truly feared further complications and hurriedly declared, “Has He Chongguang nearly reached Youzhou? Immediately issue the order: command him to reorganize the three armies and swiftly proceed to Jinzhou to eliminate the rebels!”

The subordinates beamed with joy, responding in a resounding chorus, “Yes, Your Majesty!”

They had long awaited this day, finally receiving the command to campaign against the traitors.

As the opportunity to quell the rebellion arrived, memorials requesting to assist He Chongguang in Jinzhou piled up mountain-high. Xu Ying sighed, burying her head in her arms on the desk.

Author’s Note:

“One part saltpeter, two parts sulfur, three parts charcoal.” Landmine Warfare

This formula for gunpowder is recorded in Sun Simiao’s Dan Jing Nei Fu Liu Huang Fa (Inner Alchemical Method for Subduing Sulfur).

“Imperial Jade Liquor Wine.” Skit Strange Encounters While Working