Chapter Seventy-One: Prerequisites for Cooperation

  At the end of the Ming dynasty, the law was in disarray, and riots broke out everywhere. Under the heavy tax burden, many civilians were forced to flee, and some even became bandits. It was not uncommon for families to be ruined and children to be sold. In times of famine, people would do anything, and there were many more criminal cases than in peaceful years. As a result, many people had become numb. However, when a bloody case occurred in Zhitong, it shocked the entire Long'an Prefecture.

  The Willow Palisade Murder Case

  The current situation is turbulent, and human life is as cheap as grass. To say that the death of an insignificant post-house clerk would not cause much of a stir, even the death of a county magistrate would not make a big splash. However, the blood case at Liu Bian Post House was like throwing a stone into the originally calm waters of Long An Prefecture, suddenly stirring up the entire prefecture. Not only did the prefectural governor personally inquire about it, but also nearby guards were sent to investigate, and even the provincial governor was alarmed, arriving in Pingwu County overnight to ask about the progress of the case.

  What drew the attention of so many big shots was that at the scene of the blood case, a white paper-cut lotus flower was left behind. On that white wall, someone also wrote in blood: "True emptiness hometown, no life old mother" eight bloody characters, is White Lotus Sect.

  The White Lotus Society, a sect that had a profound impact on Chinese culture, originated in the Northern Song Dynasty. At that time, Pure Land Buddhist societies were popular and were often referred to as White Lotus Societies or Lotus Societies. These societies were led by both monks and lay believers. During the Southern Song Dynasty, a monk named Mao Ziyuan (also known as Cizhao) from Kunshan in Wu Prefecture (now Jiangsu Province) created a new sect called the White Lotus Sect, also known as the White Lotus Teachings, based on the existing Pure Land Buddhist societies. The sect received support and suppression from those in power multiple times, resulting in the formation of various branches such as Jinchan, Wúwéi, Longhua, Wùkōng, Huányuán, Yuándùn, Hóngyáng, Mílè, Jìngkōng, and Dàchéng. Although these branches had varying degrees of connection to the White Lotus Teachings, later generations collectively referred to them as the White Lotus Teachings.

  In the eyes of the rulers at the end of the Ming Dynasty, the White Lotus Sect was synonymous with rebellion. People like Tang Sai'er during the Yongle Emperor's reign and Xu Hongru during the Tianqi Emperor's reign all rebelled under the banner of the White Lotus Sect. Therefore, the Ming Dynasty had always been ruthless in its crackdown on the White Lotus Sect. In the past, the White Lotus Sect was mostly active in Shandong and Gansu provinces, while Long'an Prefecture had always been peaceful and quiet. It seemed that those people also looked down on these remote areas. Now, suddenly, there were signs of the White Lotus Sect appearing, how could they not be anxious?

  Who knows if it's a rebellion in Long'an Prefecture, this matter can't be taken lightly, one careless move and that would be a case of losing one's head.

  News of the White Lotus Sect appearing at Liu Bian Inn spread like it had grown wings, quickly spreading throughout all of Long'an Prefecture, causing people's hearts to be in a state of panic. Many commoners were so anxious that they couldn't sleep well. In years of famine, what was feared most were bandits. Originally, life was already bitter, and with bandits plundering once, the government ransacking once, and the imperial army coming to wreak havoc again, even if there were mountains of gold and silver, it wouldn't be enough. As a result, many commoners, after hearing the news, voluntarily organized their households to patrol and keep watch, fearing that they would give bandits an opportunity to take advantage of them. Even at night, they had to dispatch people to stand guard before they could fall asleep.

  Of course, there are also people who are not afraid. At least two in Jiangyou County: one is Lu Haoshan, because the whole thing was planned by him. Seeing Yuan San complete his orders without any deductions, not only did he do it cleanly and efficiently, but he also cleverly diverted the spearhead towards the White Lotus Sect, which can be said to have exceeded his expectations. Lu Haoshan also fulfilled his promise and entertained Yuan San with a feast the next day, accompanying them in drinking and eating merrily. The other one who is not afraid is Zhao Yuqing, the old patriarch of Zhaojia Village.

  Lu Haoshan raised his glass to toast Yuan San and the others, while Zhao Yuce was also drinking, but he used a small wine cup, and the object of his drinking was only his own daughter, Zhao Min.

  Yesterday, something happened in the clan, and Zhao Yuqing rushed to deal with it. Only now did he have time to sit down and talk to his daughter about yesterday's topic. After hearing what his daughter said Lü Haoshan wanted her to do, he couldn't help but burst out laughing.

  "Dad, what are you smiling at? Your daughter is being bullied and you're still smiling." Zhao Mian stomped her foot in anger beside him.

  I thought I could get some comfort from my old man, but instead I got ridiculed. How can my mood be good?

  Zhao Yuqing burst out laughing: "Our family's Min'er has been taken, and as her father, I'm naturally happy for her. Min'er, didn't you praise that young county magistrate to no end? As your father, I think he's quite good too - bold and meticulous, talented, and a tolerant person, not just anyone."

  "Dad, who said I'm satisfied?" Zhao Min said somewhat exasperated: "Daughter doesn't want to marry, daughter wants to stay by dad's side."

  "Fool, when a man grows up, he should get married, and when a woman grows up, she should be married off. What's the logic in not marrying? Alright, let's not talk about this for now." After joking around, Zhao Yuqing said seriously: "Min'er, that County Magistrate Lu said he can get the approval document, do you think it's credible?"

  Zhao Min exclaimed in surprise: "Father, you can't be serious, didn't you say to stop while we're ahead? Besides, that Lu County Magistrate is cunning, who knows if he's intentionally setting a trap to deceive us. You know that Chen Gui was able to dominate Jiangyou with just one hand, but this Lu fellow took him down without making a sound." After hesitating for a moment, Zhao Min said with some solemnity: "This person has an aura that makes it impossible to see through him."

  "Hehe" Zhao Yuqing suddenly smiled and said with a confident face: "I'm not worried about setting up the situation, I'm just afraid that his ability is not enough."

  "Dad, why say that."

  Zhao Yuqing said with a confident face: "A person without long-term plans must have near worries. Although our Zhao family is low-key, it doesn't mean we don't have any achievements. In this Jiangyou region, what can be hidden from me? I'm afraid it's not easy. That Lu County Magistrate is not an ordinary person. He secretly kept a team of strong private guards. Judging from their equipment and accent, they are likely to be the former private guards of Yuan Du Shi. It's said that Yuan Du Shi was thrown into prison, his family members were detained in the capital, and the Guan Ning Iron Cavalry returned to their original place soon after. However, there is no information about his private guards. I received news that the Jin Yiwei is now wanted for them. A small seventh-grade county magistrate dares to take such a big risk. It seems he's not content with being unknown and has great ambitions."

  The Zhao family has been operating in Jiangyou for a long time, and they have eyes and ears all over the place. Last time Lü Haoshan wanted to go to Zhaojia Village to raise funds, soon after he set off, Zhao Yuqing received the information, relying on this intelligence network. Even if he was careful, it would not be possible to keep a low profile when taking in Yuan San and his family members. Lü Haoshan still doesn't know that his so-called trump card has already been discovered by Zhao Yuqing.

  "Dad, you asked him about the overall situation in the world at the banquet yesterday, actually it was to test him, right?" Zhao Min finally understood why her father suddenly asked that strange question. Her father had always been extremely astute and cautious, but he made such a big mistake, scaring her half to death, thinking he was drunk and talking nonsense, but it turned out there was another intention behind it.

  It is indeed a very unwise thing for an official of the imperial court to discuss the overall situation of the world.

  "That's right," Zhao Yuqing nodded and said: "I just want to hear what he has to say. He is an official appointed by the imperial court, but he harbors a wanted fugitive. What kind of heart does he have? If he says that nonsense about loyalty to the emperor and love for the country, it means he's showing sympathy. But if he gives out ambiguous messages, hmmm, on one hand buying people's hearts, on the other hand cultivating his own power... now I can be sure, this Lu County Magistrate is very interesting."

  "Father, you still haven't said whether or not you're going to take the old tea-horse trade road again." Zhao Min asked persistently.

  Zhao Yuqing heard this, gently put down the cup, stood up, walked back and forth behind him for a few steps, before saying somewhat bitterly: "Min'er, your father indeed has thoughts."

  "But, Father, we've just managed to live a peaceful life, why do you want to take the old road again? You know that with the tea and horse trade, if everything goes smoothly, after deducting the respects and taxes, what's left is barely enough for running expenses. If we try to sneak around, even if we fail once, those bloodsuckers will get us, and there'll be no turning back. Father, you must think this through carefully."

  It's a fat meat, everyone wants to take a bite. Like the tea-horse trade, using worthless tea leaves from the Ming Dynasty to exchange for popular war horses, it's not just a ten-thousand-fold profit, but a hundred-thousand-fold profit. However, there are too many twists and turns in between, making money on tea and horses is like dancing on the tip of a knife, one misstep and it's a bloody lesson. Zhao Min has witnessed many people becoming rich overnight, but also witnessed many people losing everything and their families being destroyed overnight. She doesn't want to go back to living on tenterhooks after finally having a peaceful life.

  Zhao Yuqing sighed and said with a bitter smile: "Who wants to be poor when they have hair? As the saying goes, it's easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to go from luxury to frugality. Our Zhao family made a fortune in the tea-horse trade, and everyone in the family lived a good life. They got used to being rich, but now we're stopping, yet they still have to live. The expenses of nearly a thousand people in our clan, plus the many slaves, guards, relationship maintenance, intelligence personnel, etc., do you think those fields can sustain it?"

  "Min'er, you are more skilled in calculations than your father. These past few years, our fields have had poor harvests and the Zhao family has been barely scraping by, putting on a strong front but actually struggling."

  "This thing I've been wanting to say for a long time" Zhao Min, who was well aware of the situation, also felt a bit emotional and said: "I wanted to say it two years ago, but when it comes to increasing welfare, everyone in the clan agrees one by one. But if you slightly reduce some expenses, it's like taking their lives away. Whatever you say, it's always like this. If things go on like this, I'm afraid even a mountain of gold and a sea of silver won't be enough to deal with them."

  Zhao Yuqing nodded slightly, saying with some emotion: "Yes, if it were forced, I reckon even the words of this clan leader would fall on deaf ears. Otherwise, why would a father like me be moved to action?"

  "Dad, must we really go back to our old ways?"

  "Now the political situation is turbulent, as a father looking at the chaotic world to come, in order to survive in the chaotic world, it's better to rely on oneself than to ask others. I also want to strengthen my own strength. That County Magistrate Lu said he can get the approval document, and there are many guarantees for safety, with some effort, there will be a large income, why not? Especially now that wars are breaking out everywhere, the price of horses will only rise, it's absolutely a good opportunity to take advantage of the situation. In this era, the timid will starve to death, while the brave will die from overeating."

  Zhao Min's heart skipped a beat as she hastily asked: "Father, does that mean you've decided to cooperate with the Lu family?"

  "A bit of interest" Zhao Yuqing said lightly: "However, we still need to see his strength and whether he has the qualifications for cooperation. What this Lu guy said is right, without Zhang Tui's household, you can't even eat a hairless pig? He wants to eat this bowl of rice, not necessarily needing our Zhao family to join in, and our Zhao family wanting to eat this bowl of rice doesn't necessarily need to bring him along."

  "What does Dad mean?"

  "Father will write a letter to him, whether they can cooperate or not depends on him."