Chapter 36: Shocking Both Sides

  Luoyang is the capital of Great Han, it is the most prosperous city in this era, without exception.

  On the third day of the first month, the New Year's festival has not yet passed, and Luoyang City is filled with a festive atmosphere, completely different from other states.

  Even if the common people in local counties and villages are struggling to survive, with famine spreading everywhere, the officials and nobles inside Luoyang City still live a life of luxury, feeling not even half a point of the boiling public anger, living a life of extravagance.

  Luoyang, Beigong, Deyang Hall.

  The civil and military officials of the court are all gathered in one hall, discussing important national affairs.

  The Ling Emperor knelt on the imperial case behind him, constantly yawning and drowsy.

  Eunuch Zhang Rang stood beside him, carefully attending his ancestors.

  Situ Yuanwei stepped forward: "Your Majesty, Chenliu Governor Zhang Miao has submitted an urgent and confidential memorial of 800 li."

  "What's so urgent? What is it that you're reporting?"

  The Spirit Emperor opened his dazed eyes, somewhat uninterested.

  Zhang Rang hastily stepped down from the imperial desk, took over the memorial, and then hurried back to the imperial desk, holding it with both hands to present to Emperor Ling.

  The Ling Emperor did not accept it, and weakly waved his hand: "Let Zhang, read it for me."

  Yuan Wei hastily said: "Your Majesty, this is a secret document, it's not suitable to announce it to the public."

  The Emperor Ling reluctantly took the memorial from Zhang Rang's hands, yawning as he unfolded it, and carelessly glanced at it a few times. However, his face suddenly changed, turning from white to green, his mouth agape, unable to close for half a day.

  Your Highness and all officials are secretly puzzled in their hearts, unaware of what Chenliu Taishou has reported.

  Zhang Rang stood behind Emperor Ling and glanced at the contents of the memorial, his expression also changed immediately.

  It wasn't until quite some time had passed that Lingdi finally came back to his senses.

  "This, this, this..."

  The Emperor's hands and feet were trembling, and he didn't know whether it was from anger or anxiety, and for a long time he couldn't say a complete sentence.

  The civil and military officials were shocked in their hearts, unaware of what had happened.

  The Emperor suddenly slapped the imperial case with a loud "slap", angrily scolding: "Good Zhang Jiao, a daring rebel, actually dared to call himself 'Great Virtuous Teacher', gathering crowds to plot rebellion, how can this be reasonable."

  "What's this? Gathering a crowd to rebel?"

  The pot immediately exploded on the top of the Deyang Hall, and the civil and military officials began to discuss it.

  There was a minister who hastily came out of the ranks and memorialized: "Your Majesty, be cautious in your words! Zhang Jue is kind and generous, rescues those in trouble and saves those in distress. How could he possibly gather people to rebel? This is truly a case of sowing discord among the people, I implore Your Majesty to clearly investigate."

  All civil and military officials looked at him together, and it was only then that they saw the one who had stepped forward to speak was none other than Yang Zhong, the Shangshu Cheng.

  Seeing someone taking the lead, all the civil and military officials hastily agreed, because previously there were officials who had petitioned the imperial court, all saying that Zhang Jiao's Taiping Dao was the source of chaos, asking the imperial court to deal with it as soon as possible. All the officials said it was a heretical speech that deceived the masses, at this time they naturally could not retreat.

  The Emperor slammed his hand on the imperial desk, his face red with rage: "What benevolence and kindness, what rescue of the afflicted and relief of the distressed? I have already ordered Zhou Jian to arrest over twenty followers of the Taiping Way, all of whom say that the Taiping Way is secretly plotting to rise up on the fifth day of the third month. At that time, thirty-six regions will rise up together, seeking to destroy my great empire. The rebels are in the Chenliu prison, awaiting trial by the imperial court. You still dare to say this is a rumor to deceive the people? This is utterly absurd!"

  "This..."

  All civil and military officials were shocked in their hearts and did not dare to speak again.

  Zhang Jue is determined to rebel, if he persuades him again, wouldn't he also become an accomplice.

  Yang Zhong, the Minister of Works, was frightened out of his wits and hastily retreated into the imperial court, drenched in cold sweat.

  The hall was silent for a moment, with no sound of birds chirping, and even the falling needle could be heard.

  Yuan Yi cleared his throat and stepped forward: "Your Majesty, may I take a look at the secret edict?"

  The Ling Emperor waved his hand and said angrily, "Take it away."

  Zhang Rang hastily received the secret edict and rushed down from the imperial desk to hand it over to Yuan Wei for review.

  Yuan Wei hastily read the secret memorial, his face immediately turned solemn, and he said: "Your Majesty, the memorial speaks clearly, but this matter is of great importance and cannot be taken lightly. I think it would be best to quickly send the captured people to the capital for trial and then make a decision."

  The civil and military officials were all shocked by this news, and did not dare to make any more arbitrary decisions, and they all hastily agreed.

  The Emperor Ling was indecisive and asked his close eunuch Zhang Rang, "Zhang Rang, what do you think?"

  Zhang Rang turned over a few ideas, and the eunuchs Feng Yuan and Xu Feng had spoken well of the Taiping Tao in front of him. However, since ancient times, rebellion has been the number one crime punishable by death. If something really happened, it would be a disaster of extermination. Not to mention the officials below who did not dare to speak rashly, even if they wanted to fight against the party people, they were not in a hurry at this time. He hastily said: "Your Majesty, I think Mr. Yuan is right."

  The Emperor Ling had no opinion of his own and could only say: "Approved as requested by Yuan."

  All officials were busy responding to the imperial edict, praising the emperor's sagacity and wisdom.

  The Emperor Ling then ordered Yuan Wei: "Yuan Ai Qing, quickly order the Chen Liu Taishou Zhang Miao to bring the rebels to the capital for trial."

  Yuan Wei hastily replied: "Your servant obeys your orders."

  I am in the county government's main hall.

  Zhou Jian wore official attire, sat upright at the head of the case, with a solemn expression.

  County Magistrate Cheng Kang, County Captain Wang Quan and more than 20 big and small officials stood on both sides, each with a very serious expression.

  The Taiping rebels are about to rise up and rebel, and all the officials in the county, big and small, have already received the news.

  Thinking that the Taiping rebels are scattered throughout the thirteen provinces of the Great Han, how can there be only a few hundred thousand? Once they rise up in revolt, they will surely sweep across the entire country. Just thinking about it makes one's heart tremble with fear. Such a major event has left these minor officials in the counties utterly bewildered and at a loss.

  The world has been at peace for a long time, and people who are used to peace and happiness always have an instinctive fear of war.

  More than twenty sub-officials and clerks, although trying to calm themselves down, couldn't hide the deep-seated fear in their eyes.

  Zhou Jian's eyes swept around, and he said calmly: "The Taiping rebels are about to make their move, let's discuss what to do!"

  County Magistrate Cheng Kang calmed down and hastily said, "Your Excellency can issue an order to the county to rectify its military preparations, repair the city defenses, organize the county's able-bodied soldiers to intensify their training, in preparation for any unexpected event."

  All officials nodded in agreement, showing great approval.

  Zhou Jian swept his eyes over County Magistrate Wang Quan and asked: "How many soldiers are there in the county who can fight?"

  Wang Quandao said: "This, after removing the old and weak, is less than three hundred."

  Zhou Jian's entire mind and energy were focused on training the new army, and he had always been laissez-faire towards the soldiers in the county government, after all, it involved the interests of many people, and if he rashly intervened, he would be making enemies everywhere, which would not be beneficial to the overall situation.

  However, with the Yellow Turban Rebellion about to erupt, it's just in time to take advantage of the situation to reorganize the county government troops.

  Zhou Jian said in a deep voice, "In the past, this official didn't pursue those absurd matters. From today on, quickly remove the old and weak from the military camp, but make sure to resettle them properly. Then open up the armory, recruit brave volunteers, distribute military equipment and weapons, and intensify training."

  "The subordinate obeys orders."

  Zhou Jian gazed at the officials, his expression stern. "Once the Taiping Rebellion breaks out, we'll be plagued by endless battles. I won't pursue your past mistakes, but from now on, you must all work together to respond to the impending disaster. If anyone dares to disregard the law at this critical moment, I will not show mercy."

  "The lower officials did not dare."

  All officials wiped away cold sweat and hastily replied in unison.

  No need to say more, at this time no one dares to be corrupt and lawless, after all, once the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom rebels, even their lives can't be preserved, what's the use of having more money and silver, after all, life is always the first priority.

  Actually since Zhou Jian cleaned up a piece of corrupt land at the beginning of spring, these officials have restrained themselves a lot.

  Now it's a matter of one's own life and death, as well as the safety of the whole family, so naturally no one dares to drag their feet at this time.

  After arranging all the big and small matters in the county government office, Zhou Jian returned to the backyard and gathered his subordinates to discuss countermeasures.

  Dian Wei, Xu Chu, Zhou Wu, Jiang Qin and Chen Fang were all gathered together, each with a solemn expression.

  Zhou Jian looked around at everyone and asked: "What does everyone think? Let's discuss it."

  Chen Fang led the way, saying: "Within our borders, more than 20 leaders of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom have already been captured. Moreover, Your Excellency has long been prepared and over a thousand new troops are sufficient to cope with the crisis. Even if the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom rises up in revolt, I reckon it will not stir up any great waves."

  Zhou Jian did not express his approval or disapproval, he had never worried about the Taiping Taoists in his own territory. What he was considering in his heart was how to expand his power as much as possible in the upcoming chaos and make some military achievements, so that he could become a governor.

  To know how to guard a prefecture is not just about official power, but also about the actual strength that can be grasped, which is much stronger than being a small county magistrate.

  Chen Fangcai was just a mediocre person who thought that as long as he guarded his family well and everything would be fine, but this idea clearly didn't sit well with Zhou Jian.

  Zhou Jian asked Zhou Wu, "What do you think?"

  Zhou Wu thought for a moment and replied, "Since the young master arrived in our territory, he has been kind to the people, resettled the refugees, and governed the people within his domain. Although they are not wealthy, at least they can live and work in peace. The Taiping rebels in our territory may not be few in number, but those who are truly willing to give up their stable lives and risk being beheaded by rebelling are actually not many."

  Everyone nodded in agreement, believing in the Taiping Tao was one thing, but whether or not they would rebel was another matter.

  The people rebel because they have no way out, and only then do they take up arms in revolt.

  However, as long as life is stable, who would follow and rebel? After all, ordinary people are the most down-to-earth.

  Zhou Wu continued, "I think that within our borders, there won't be many people who will follow the rebels, unless they have ulterior motives and want to take advantage of the chaos to loot. As long as the county magistrate recruits some more robust and diligent soldiers for training, it should be enough to deal with the crisis."

  Zhou Jian nodded secretly, and indeed, the situation within his own territory was just as Zhou Wu had said, there was nothing to worry about.

  However, what needs to be considered now is not a problem within the territory, but how to take advantage of the opportunity to expand its strength.

  Zhou Jian swept his gaze around the crowd and said in a deep voice, "As long as we are within our county's borders, there is nothing to worry about. However, with tens of millions of Taiping Rebels, if they were to rebel, every province and prefecture would be plagued by war. The imperial court will definitely dispatch troops to quell the rebellion. I intend to lead the new army to follow the imperial army in suppressing the Taiping Rebellion. Who can make a trip to Luoyang for me?"

  Chen Fang asked: "Sir, are you going to make friends with the ten attendants and seek the power to command troops when the rebellion breaks out?"

  "That's right, exactly."

  Zhou Jian nodded, everyone present was a trusted person, there was no need to hide anything.

  Chen Fangdao said: "I'll go on a trip, eunuchs are greedy for wealth and goods, I'm sure there won't be any mistakes."

  Zhou Jian said, "I have a few more tiger skins in my collection. I can bring one to give to Zhang Rang. Moreover, if the Taiping Sect rebels, the court will send troops to suppress them. The eunuchs will definitely want to install their trusted followers to compete for military power. Since the eunuchs do not have trusted followers leading the army, it would be best to put in some effort in this direction, and things should go smoothly."

  Chen Fangdao said: "Your subordinate obeys."