Chapter 39: Nanyang in Chaos

  The Taiping Dao rebellion, the Yellow Turban rebels spread like wildfire across the land, quickly sweeping across the country. Although Chenliu was not a severely affected area, it was inevitable that there were still Taiping Dao believers within its borders who stirred up trouble.

  Fortunately, after Zhou Jian took office, he rectified the corrupt officials several times, not only being kind to the people, but also opening granaries to provide relief, and many people had no worries about their livelihood. Only a few extreme followers of the Taiping Sect came out to stir up trouble, but they were unable to achieve anything significant.

  In recent days, several rural townships have had incidents of rioting, with some involving over a hundred people and others involving dozens.

  A hundred people make a fuss, but it's just a small stir in nature.

  Zhou Jian led the new army to put out fires everywhere, and with little effort, he annihilated all the rioting civilians who had stirred up trouble. He also ordered Xu Chu and his entourage to lead a branch of troops each day to patrol the countryside, and soon they would eliminate the bandits.

  Compared with other counties in Chenliu, Jiyu can be considered a paradise.

  That fat rich man lived in Xishan Ting and didn't leave because he coincidentally encountered the outbreak of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, with chaotic armies rising up in various states and counties across the country. Since his own territory was still relatively peaceful, he relied on that to refuse to leave.

  Jiang Qin hastily ran over and asked: "Sir, what shall we do with the captured rioters?"

  "Kill them all."

  Chiang Qin sighed and waved his hand, indicating that the remaining rioters be beheaded.

  Zhou Jian glanced at him and said, "Gong Yi doesn't have to be soft-hearted. Keeping these rioters will only cause trouble."

  Chiang Qin said dejectedly: "Subordinates understand, these rioters are all fanatical followers of the Taiping Sect. Even if they were released, they would definitely cause trouble again. It's just that subordinates have a soft heart."

  Zhou Jian nodded, as long as the people's livelihood is stable and they are not forced to a dead end, no one will dare to rebel. These rioting mobs, indeed as Jiang Qin said, are all die-hard followers of the Taiping Tao, deeply believing that Zhang Jiao can overthrow the imperial court and establish a peaceful and prosperous world, their minds have been thoroughly enslaved, cannot be pardoned, and can only be beheaded.

  Pfft!

  Hmph!

  Pfft!

  The dull sound of sharp blades cutting through flesh continued to echo, the sharp cavalry sabers brought up streaks of blood arrows, and the remaining dozens of Taiping Heavenly Kingdom fanatics were quickly beheaded, the ground in front of the Ting She Gate had already been dyed a deep red.

  The people in the pavilion had never seen such a scene before, and they were all frightened to the point of almost fainting.

  Bang!

  Dian Wei rushed over with big strides and threw Elder Du in front of Zhou Jian like a sandbag.

  "The lower officials pay their respects to your lordship."

  Lao Du saw that it was Zhou Jian and couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief, hastily paying his respects, only to find that his legs were still a bit sore.

  Especially when he was dragged out by the evil Han Dianwei, he happened to see the soldiers beheading dozens of Yellow Turban rebels, which scared him so much that he almost peed his pants. However, seeing County Magistrate's face unchanged, a chill suddenly rose in his heart.

  Zhou Jian glanced at Lao Du with a frown, "You actually let the rioters get to the pavilion, what's the use of having you as the pavilion head?"

  Lao Du was so frightened that he shivered with cold sweat and didn't dare speak.

  The pavilion was surrounded by rioters, and he indeed had an inescapable responsibility. Otherwise, if he had been a little more cautious, he would have made preparations as soon as the rioters gathered, and the pavilion would not have been surrounded.

  If Zhou Jian hadn't happened to pass by Xishan Pavilion while on patrol, the pavilion would probably have been destroyed.

  Zhou said coldly: "Settle the people's minds properly. If there are any more riots, you can also forget about being a village head."

  Lao Du wiped his sweat and bowed lower, saying: "The subordinate obeys orders."

  Zhou Jian glanced at the soldiers who were still cleaning up the battlefield and said to Jiang Qin, "There's no time to waste, let the people from Ting Sha handle the aftermath. We need to head to the next pavilion in case there are more rioters causing trouble."

  Jiang Qin responded with a sound and immediately gathered soldiers to assemble.

  After gathering the horses and men, Zhou Jian was about to leave Xishan Pavilion when several riders on fast horses came galloping from afar.

  Chen Fang and Zhou Sheng returned to the county government office, but didn't see Zhou Jian, so they hastily left the city to search for him. After running through several rural towns, they finally found out where Zhou Jian's group was heading, and then rushed over to Xishan Pavilion in a flurry.

  Before long, several swift horses rushed to the front, and several people dismounted. Chen Fang, although covered in dust, couldn't hide the joy on his face. Just as he was about to speak, he saw outsiders present, so he said: "Your Excellency, the imperial edict has arrived."

  Zhou Jian's expression changed slightly, and he immediately said, "Let's go, we'll talk about it when we get back."

  Several people responded in unison and hastily mounted their horses again, leading two hundred soldiers to rush back.

  When they left Xishan Pavilion, Zhou Jian asked Chen Fang, "Zhengnan, what was the outcome of your trip to Luoyang?"

  Chen Fang hastily said: "Not disappointing the great one's expectations, the Emperor has already decreed that you, sir, be appointed as the Colonel of the Valiant Martial Army. Upon receiving this decree, please set out immediately to the capital and report to General Huangfu Song, Left Central Major General, to join the army in suppressing the Yellow Turban rebels."

  "Commander of the Valiant Martial Guard?"

  Zhou Jian's spirits lifted instantly, and he couldn't help but strike his fist in excitement, saying: "Good, it seems my efforts weren't wasted after all."

  Dian Wei, Jiang Qin and several attendants congratulated him, saying: "Congratulations, sir."

  Zhou Jian burst out laughing and said, "Gong Yi, send a fast horse to the various towns and villages to find Xu Zhu and others. Hurry up and gather troops, follow me to lead the army to Luoyang, under the command of General Huangfu Song to fight against the Yellow Turbans."

  "Roger."

  Jiang Qin departed at once and arranged for swift horses to be sent to various townships to search for Xu Chu and the others.

  County government office, inner courtyard.

  Xu Chu took a big step forward, this fellow wore a dark iron armor, strong like an ox, when he ran fast the scales of his armor rattled loudly, just like an armored tank charging forward, his momentum was overwhelming.

  "Sir, he's back."

  Xu Chu rushed up to Zhou Jian's side and bowed his head, without removing his armor, then ran to Dian Wei's side and knelt down.

  Everyone is here now.

  Zhou Jian nodded and then said to Chen Fang: "Zheng Nan, let's tell everyone about the trip to Luoyang first."

  "Yes, sir."

  Chen Fang first bowed to Zhou Jian, then turned to the crowd and said: "Three days ago, the Emperor issued a decree appointing General as the Wuwu Colonel, ordering him to go to the Left Central Lang General's camp, Huangfu Song, to join the army to suppress the Yellow Turbans. The Emperor's decree cannot be delayed, fearing that he wants to set out quickly."

  Zhou Jianzhen said: "Things are like this, this time going to the capital Luoyang, joining the army to conquer the Yellow Turban rebels, 1,500 new soldiers will be taken away, Dianwei, Xu Chu and Jiang Qin will all follow me into the army, killing enemies and making achievements, waiting for the day of enfeoffment and appointment as a general."

  "Roger."

  Dian Wei, Xu Chu and Jiang Qin's eyes suddenly turned scorching hot.

  To be enfeoffed and appointed as a general, this is the dream of every hot-blooded man. It's just that in the past, even if they wanted to join the army and make achievements, there was no opportunity, especially for Dian Wei and Jiang Qin, who were both wanted criminals of the imperial court before following Zhou Jian.

  Now that the opportunity has arrived, how can one not be excited?

  Xu Chu was born into a wealthy family but was still a commoner and naturally wanted to establish his reputation and bring glory to his ancestors.

  Zhou Jian looked at Chen Fang and Hu San, and said with a deep sigh: "Zheng Nan, you and Hu San, Mao Si will stay in Ji Wu. When the imperial army puts down the Yellow Turban rebels, I'll find a safe place to take refuge, and then come back for you."

  "Sir, don't worry, I will take care of it."

  Zhou Jian wasn't worried about Chen Fang, Chen Fang had been wandering around since he was young and didn't have a fixed place to live, so he was used to moving frequently and didn't mind it much. Only Hu San and Mao Si, these craftsmen, were afraid of moving, once they settled down, they didn't want to move again.

  Hu San saw Zhou Jian looking over and hastily said: "Don't worry, Your Excellency, no matter where you go, I will follow you."

  Mao Si gritted his teeth and also said: "I'm willing to follow you too, sir."

  "That's good, now the world is in chaos, nowhere is peaceful. Follow me, as long as I'm not dead, you'll have food and clothing without worry, just focus on doing things for me, don't bother with other things."

  "Yes, sir."

  Hu San and Mao Si simultaneously bowed their hands, and they didn't have anything to be reluctant about.

  Zhou Jian said, "After I leave, you all move to the manor outside the city. Be careful in your daily lives and organize a few hundred people to practice martial arts when there's nothing going on. In case something unexpected happens, you can also protect yourselves."

  Chen Fang, Hu San and Mao Si hastily nodded in agreement, this was no trivial matter and couldn't be taken lightly.

  Zhou Jian said to Chen Fangdao, "Now is the time, before the new county magistrate arrives, let your students in the county government and various townships resign and return. Recruit more clever and studious young people, teach them to recognize characters and read books, and cultivate more scholars."

  Chen Fang responded with a sound, but in his heart he had already begun to calculate how many more people to recruit.

  Everything was arranged properly, and Zhou Jian immediately went to the county government office to gather the officials and clerks. After instructing them, he led 1,500 new soldiers out of Jiwu the next day, taking the western route directly to Luoyang.

  Nanyang, formerly Sheyang County.

  "The blue sky has died, and the yellow sky should rise!"

  "In the year of Jiazi, great auspiciousness fills the land!"

  Tens of thousands of Yellow Turbans shouted slogans and charged towards the low-lying city of Bo Yang County.

  In the midst of the chaotic army, a majestic Han man rode on a donkey, vigorously waving his rusty saber and shouting hoarsely: "Brothers, charge! The imperial court doesn't give us a way out. The Great Sage will lead us to overthrow the great Han dynasty and establish a truly peaceful and prosperous world. As long as we overthrow the imperial court, we'll all be generals in the future."

  The eyes of countless Yellow Turbans suddenly lit up with fervor, as if they had already seen a beautiful future where they would become generals and officials.

  "Kill him!"

  "Kill the corrupt officials and become generals."

  "There is more food in the city than we have here, brothers. If only we could break through the city walls, we would no longer starve to death."

  On the chaotic battlefield, all kinds of shouts could be heard. The big and small leaders used clumsy tones to persuade and encourage their subordinates, the Yellow Turbans, to launch a charge towards the city of Bicheng County. Although these men were illiterate, the desperate Yellow Turbans were still stirred up, their eyes turned red as they shouted loudly and charged towards the city wall.

  Behind the battlefield.

  Chen Liang asked loudly to Zhou Wu, "Boss, what should we do?"

  Zhou Wu took a glance at the chaotic battlefield and said, "These rioters have gone mad, even looting civilians. If we don't restrain them, it's still the civilians who will suffer. I'll go kill that little commander later, you few go kill those leaders, let's control the riotous army in our hands, also to add restraint, don't let them harm the poor civilians again."

  Another attendant said, "It's also good this way. As long as we can control these unruly troops with our own hands, we will have the power and won't be cannon fodder for others. The chances of completing the young master's task are much higher."

  "Then split up and act separately."

  Zhou Wu said in a low voice: "Remember, we are all from Pei State Qiao County, Cao and Xiahou families, let alone leak the news."

  "Don't worry, I won't say anything wrong."

  The crowd of followers immediately responded with a sound, each dispersed and went to the chaotic army to find opportunities to kill the Yellow Turban bandits.

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