After having been stagnated for nearly two years, Lin Yuan once again felt the large-scale influx of the population. However, unlike before, in addition to the Han people from other places, there were even Mongolians flooding in——although the number was not large, about 20-30, and they were all from the same family.

They probably heard the news that Toqto’a was in Pingjiang. Although they were still not sure, they took the risk. Toqto’a was still very popular. He himself also sighed when he heard about this. The imperial court did not remember his good deeds but there were some people who still remembered.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

This family had a high degree of Sinicization, and even the oldest of them could speak Chinese. Only their clothing and dressing style maintained their own ethnic style. Lin Yuan could only have someone to settle them first, and then call Toqto’a over.

Unlike the Han people, the Mongols generally followed their own regime. When the Yuan Dynasty still existed, they all gathered at the capital whenever something happened. Later, when the Yuan Dynasty was defeated, they all migrated back to the northern grasslands. Although they lived mixed with the Han people, and after so many years there have also been many intermarriages, there were still very few truly equal interactions.

Toqto’a adjusted his clothes. Standing in front of the door, he was both nervous and uneasy.

“Father?” Hala Zhang was still holding fried dough sticks in his hand and a bowl of soy milk in his other hand. He asked strangely, “What are you doing standing at the door?”

Toqto’a turned around and glanced at Hala Zhang.

After all, Hala Zhang was still young, and young people easily forget.

He seemed to have already forgotten life back in the imperial court, and that his meaning in life was to inherit his father’s position.

Now no one mentioned this anymore.

In recent days, Hala Zhang was practically absent from home almost all day long. Toqto’a just watched and never asked for any explanation.

Hala Zhang was no longer the child who needed parental care. He was learning this new world by himself, wanting to find his own place in this new world and take back the glory that once belonged to his family.

How could Toqto’a say to Hala Zhang: “Give up, we are Mongolians, and you can only sit around waiting to die.”

He couldn’t bear to say this to Hala Zhang.

Rather than living soberly, sometimes it was better to be a little confused. This way life would be happier.

Hala Zhang and Chu Lin have gotten very close recently. The two were about the same age and they were also living in the same place. Hala Zhang was angry with Chu Lin at first. Although he knew that they had different standpoints and Chu Lin couldn’t do anything else. But it didn’t feel good to be deceived, especially since he was sincere on his part while Chu Lin’s sincerity was compromised.

It was Chu Lin who visited several times and made a bunch of guarantees before the two reconciled their relationship back to before.

Now Hala Zhang was doing business with Chu Lin. The business Chu Lin had to take care of was very varied. He could be found wherever there was a need for someone——no one dared to let him do important things as Chu Lin was really not someone who could do practical things, but small, unimportant tasks were still fine.

For example, receiving envoys from the imperial court.

The imperial court now sent people to Lin Yuan every few months, mainly for recruiting him over and expressing goodwill.

——

After Hala Zhang had breakfast, he separated from Toqto’a, the two having different things to take care of. Toqto’a looked at his son’s back and sighed silently.

In the eyes of Hala Zhang, was it likely that there was no place for the emperor anymore?

Even if there was, it was no longer the one in the Yuan imperial capital.

Hala Zhang was tall and vigorous. He was young and moved like the wind. He was like a young cheetah who while still being young, was able to stand on his own. In addition, as his appearance was obviously different from that of the Han people, no matter where he went there were always many people watching him.

“Brother Chu!” Hala Zhang ran to the side of Chu Lin who was chatting with people on the street.

Seeing that he arrived, Chu Lin hurriedly said to the stall owner: “I really am busy! I have to leave first, sorry!”

After saying this, Chu Lin grabbed Hala Zhang’s sleeve and ran away like a ghost was chasing behind him.

Hala Zhang was puzzled. So, after the two stopped, Hala Zhang asked: “What are you running for? That uncle doesn’t look like he has a bad temper. Did you offend him in some way?”

Chu Lin’s face blushed. He was born too good-looking, and when the blush stained his cheeks, it only emphasized his red lips and pale skin, his eyes seeming to be like two pools of spring. With just a glance from him like this, it could captivate 0and enchant people.

Hala Zhang swallowed, looked away and said, “Where are we going? What are you doing today?”

Chu Lin said depressedly: “Entertaining the envoys, I only sent one away last month, and another one is here again this month, ai, always eating and drinking with them, my dad said I even look a little fatter than before.”

Hala Zhang said seriously: “You’re not fat.”

Chu Lin smiled at Hala Zhang. And for some reason, Hala Zhang let out a shudder, and his face also turned a little red. But his skin was dark and it couldn’t be noticed as easily.

The two of them walked forward along the road. Hala Zhang wanted to say something several times, but when he opened his mouth he didn’t know what to say. He secretly looked at Chu Lin’s profile. Chu Lin was born too good-looking, no matter how one looked at him, he was always beautiful. If before Chu Lin’s beauty only existed on the outside, then Chu Lin’s beauty now went deep into his bones.

After washing away the low self-esteem and confusion, Chu Lin was like a gem that had the dust covering it wiped away.

Hala Zhang suddenly asked: “Your parents haven’t arranged a marriage for you yet?”

When these words were spoken, both of them were taken aback. Chu Lin shook his head and said, “I am not going to marry.”

He was now doing even better than his older brother. When going out, others would call him Lord Chu. Even if he did not have an exact official position, everyone knew that the South Bodhisattva liked him and was willing to use him.

Now if he was to find an in-law, it would definitely be a better family than that of his sister-in-law’s.

At that time, how would his older brother act?

Once he married, he would have to face a more complicated situation. Would he have to fight for the position of the next patriarch with his older brother in the end?

He would definitely win, but what about his older brother?

It was better not getting married, anyway, he didn’t have much interest in the female sex.

Hala Zhang felt his throat become hot and dry, and he felt that his face had become even hotter. He was clearly walking on the streets, with many people passing by. But when he heard Chu Lin say that he wouldn’t marry, his heart couldn’t help becoming hot. Impulsively and without thinking he also said: “I’m not going to marry either.”

Chu Lin looked at Hala Zhang strangely, and Hala Zhang was also looking at him.

Chu Lin quickly retracted his gaze as if frightened by something, and said, “Walk quicker, lest the envoy waits for too long. Although he is a member of the court, courtesy must not be lacking, and let others get a handle on us.”

While he said so, he quickened his pace.

Hala Zhang didn’t understand, but he also followed Chu Lin quickly. On the way, Hala Zhang wanted to talk to Chu Lin again. But every time he spoke, Chu Lin would change the subject.

Compared with Hala Zhang, Toqto’a’s situation was different. He was sitting in a carriage, and the destination of the carriage was the house of that Mongolian family.

The name of the head of this family was Bu He. He had a big dark face, broad hands and feet, a strong body, and his shoulders were also extremely wide, making his head look rather small.

Bu He married a Han Chinese wife. His wife gave birth to three sons and three daughters. Both the eldest son and the eldest daughter had already married.

According to what Bu He said——as early as a few hundred years ago, his family was likely servants of Toqto’a’s family. In short, he insisted on a relationship of some sort with Toqto’a.

When Toqto’a was invited to the main seat, he did not refuse. Only when he sat down could the others sit down.

“Where did you come from?” Toqto’a also felt strange. When most Mongolians see that something was wrong they would generally take their families to the imperial capital so how come they came to Pingjiang instead?

Bu He’s wife poured two cups of milk. Toqto’a took a sip, and suddenly sighed.

He hadn’t tasted such a flavor in a long time.

Bu He: “We came here from Zhongqing.”

He rubbed his knees and said with a smile: “On the road, I heard people say you are here, so we came.”

It was simply impossible to continue traveling on the road.

There were too many people and belongings. Although they didn’t bring cattle and sheep with them, they brought everything else they could.

With so many things, naturally they couldn’t make a long journey.

Toqto’a didn’t know what to say.

He thought they would have some other plans and considerations, but he was just told very honestly: “There is nothing else, we just couldn’t bear the cost.”

Toqto’a could only console: “Since you are here, then just live with peace of mind.”

Bu He still had his own worries. He said in a worried tone: “They are all Han people!”

The relationship between the Han people and them was not bad a few years ago. But as the state of the world got worse, their relationship also got worse. The Han people felt that the Mongols would harm them, and the Mongols also felt that the Han people would harm them.

Toqto’a asked him: “Then what can you do?”

Bu He counted with his fingers: “I only have two daughters left to be married, and two sons not yet married.”

He said: “I’m going to find a matchmaker!”

This was Bu He’s wisdom.

Becoming in-laws was the best way to assimilate into a new environment. He quickly found a son-in-law. There was no shortage of son-in-laws. There were young men eager to marry a wife all over.

But Bu He couldn’t find wives for his remaining two sons——so he did another shocking thing. After asking Toqto’a, he stuffed his two sons respectively into the homes of two widows.

Both widows were not newly widowed. They had been widows for at least ten years, since before the world became chaotic. They also had no children. Because they were widows, their parents and brothers could not visit them too much. They lock themselves up at home all year round, sometimes even the neighbors don’t even remember when was the last time they had come out.

When everyone was still watching the show, Bu He had already gained a firm foothold in Pingjiang.

The two girls married into a big local family——this kind of big family refers to the large number of people within the clan.

The two sons married the widows, and the widows’ natal family also started making contact with them.

Bu He also rented land outside the city near the mountains, bought cows and sheep, and quickly became familiar with the surrounding residents. The ewes and cows they bought had just given birth to their young, and were full of milk. So Bu He sold the milk bucket by bucket.

With a place to live, with “relatives and friends”, and with work, their hearts could finally be at ease.

——

Lin Yuan looked at the dairy products that his servants brought over. There was a lingering smell on the tip of his nose as unprocessed raw milk could not avoid such a smell.

Lin Yuan said to the servants, “Go and ask Bu He if his family can make milk tofu.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

If it could be made, the soldiers would have more convenient food to replenish energy when they march.

The people below would not report such trivial matters to him. If it was reported to him, he really would be annoyed to death, but if it was not reported to him, he would be unable to stop himself from thinking about it all the time.

Lin Yuan sighed, feeling that he was born to toil.

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The common people were unwilling to travel long distances. When they couldn’t even get enough to eat, it was even more impossible to find the means for transportation. Horses were military supplies and even if the people had money, they couldn’t buy them. Cows were also luxury goods and only the landowning class could afford to use them. As a result, if the common people wanted to travel they must do so with just their two legs.

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Hundreds of people in Haozhou embarked on the road of exile.

Those with males in the family were better off. They could pull a wooden cart while the females pushed from the back, the children following on the side of the cart.

If there were no males and only females in the family, they could only flee with light luggage. They would not bring clothes, but only some dry food and tinder.

Among the people who fled from Haozhou, not many were males.

Naturally, the officials also discovered this. They sent troops to station at exits to prevent them from leaving.

If a woman wanted to go out, they could ignore it. After all, with fewer people consuming food the better, but men were not allowed.

Men could farm, smith iron, and serve as soldiers. Even if their physiques were weak, they could also serve as auxiliary soldiers. In any case, they were useful in every aspect.

So the women escaped more smoothly. They gathered together, supported each other, and walked towards the unknown.

Yang Rong’s family was also stuck on the way out of the city. The men were driven behind temporary fences, like cows and horses, surrounded by soldiers. They didn’t dare to move in fear that their heads would be chopped off by the soldiers.

They sat on the ground, and the men around them were similar, sitting in place like stray dogs.

The females of the Yang family were still outside and have not left. They were waiting for their husbands and sons.

“Soldier sir, soldier sir.” The eldest Yang brother’s wife begged the soldier, who was about the same age as her son. She knelt down on her knees and grabbed the young soldier’s trousers. “We are all good citizens, we just want to go out of the city to see our relatives. Soldier sir!”

She kowtowed to the young soldier.

The young soldier looked less than fourteen years old, but his skin was abnormally rough, and there was an abnormal flush on his face. He looked at the eldest Yang brother’s wife and remembered his mother, so he whispered: “This is the lords’ business, they won’t die.”

The eldest Yang brother’s wife looked at him in confusion.

The young soldier said again: “…..Either be a soldier or go do hard labor.”

The eldest Yang brother’s wife felt as if the sky in front of her instantly darkened.

Whether it was being a soldier or a hard laborer, both were dead ends. Soldiers could not return home unless they became disabled, but what about the rest of the family if they became disabled? The family couldn’t afford to feed him, so being disabled was no different than being dead.

As for being a hard laborer, they would have to work till death.

When the eldest Yang brother’s wife returned to the group of female relatives, both the sister-in-laws and mother-in-law came to ask her.

“What did they say? What did the soldier sir say? When will they let them out?”

The eldest Yang brother’s wife was still in a daze.

Her mother-in-law scolded her: “Usually speaking more than anyone else, why did you become a sullen gourd now? Did you not kowtow just now?! Go kowtow! Kowtow until the skin on your forehead breaks! The soldier sir will definitely answer you!”

The eldest Yang brother’s wife shuddered. She lowered her head and said with tears: “The soldier sir said that they would either be soldiers or hard laborers.”

The female family members had no words for a while, and it took some time before someone broke the silence with a low sob.

Even her mother-in-law couldn’t say a word.

“What should we do?”

A female family member asked.

The eldest Yang brother’s wife sniffed: “Stay, or go.”

Her mother-in-law said at this time: “You all go, I will stay.”

“Mother-in-law!”

“Mother-in-law, I will stay, you follow eldest sister-in-law and them. Eldest sister-in-law and the others all have children, but I don’t have any. I will stay and accompany my husband.”

The mother-in-law shook her head and said: “I am old and can’t walk that long distance. Listen to me, take the children away, raise them well, and tell them not to forget their fathers. I won’t care if you remarry in the future. But you must not forget that the blood running in their veins is that of our Yang family! Otherwise, even if I die, I won’t be able to close my eyes!”

The female family members cried together, leaving only an old woman behind, and then left this sad place with the children.

The boys were dressed up as girls. Fortunately, they were still young. Unless they took off their pants, no one could tell the difference.

The eldest Yang brother and the others were also watching from a distance, watching the women crying, and watching the women walking away.

Yang Rong smiled on the side: “Fortunately, the children can go.”

Yang Fourth, the youngest son, said: “I don’t have a son yet!”

No one responded to him.

The children were led by their mothers, and the youngest asked: “Mom, what about grandma?”

The woman bit her lip and said, “Grandma is waiting for your dad and grandpa to go together.”

The child had a pair of innocent eyes: “Then how come we don’t wait?”

The woman said with difficulty: “You’ll know when you grow up.”

These words were often used to coax children, but when it was used too frequently, the children would also no longer believe it. Although the children were young, they could also sense the emotions of the adults. Their keen intuition would stop them from making further inquiries.

Yang Eldest and the others were detained for three days, and during these three days, more people were pulled in one after another.

Don’t know how many times this has happened.

They even encountered a few familiar people, and they also discovered that the soldiers didn’t care what they were doing or what they said to each other. So long as they obediently remain in place and not think of escaping, they would not easily come to trouble them.

After waiting for another period of time, don’t know how many days and nights, Yang Eldest and the others lived on a bean curd cake a day——their luggage was taken away, and whatever the soldiers gave them they must eat. If they could not stand the hunger they could only dig the grass roots from the ground to eat. In such a way, they actually managed to hold on for so long.

When the soldiers told them to go out, they had already forgotten how long it had been since they were locked up.

There should be no one trying to leave anymore right?

Everyone was thinking this.

They were driven together like cows and sheep, and the older soldier would pick them out.

Able-bodied men were shooed to one side, the old, the weak, the sick and the disabled were shooed to another side, and Yang Rong himself was also separated from his sons.

“Soldier sir, soldier sir, they are all my sons. They cannot be without me. Please be merciful, please be merciful!” Yang Rong cried painfully and refused to let go after grabbing the soldier’s sleeves.

The sons also shouted: “Soldier sir, he is our father, truly!”

The older soldier was unlike the newly recruited young soldier. He was accustomed to life and death on the battlefield, and his heart had learned to be as hard as iron. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been given this task. At this time, his face appeared cold, looking like the god of death as he said in a mocking tone: “Do you think you are a father and son army? Are you even able to hold a weapon at your age?”

“Don’t drag your sons to do hard labor with you!”

It was better to be a soldier than a hard laborer. Soldiers had food to eat and could also take an occasional rest. If you were lucky and made some achievements, you could rise up the ranks and become an official.

But as a hard laborer you were likely to do hard labor until death. A human shaped beast of burden that could not stop working until death.

The sons still begged: “My lord, my lord, please, please, my dad just looks old for his age, he is strong, he can serve as a soldier!”

But Yang Rong didn’t beg anymore.

He said to the older soldier: “Soldier sir, my sons are strong and capable, and they are sure to be good soldiers, so I will be a hard laborer!”

The older soldier couldn’t help looking at Yang Rong a few more times, and said with amusement, “You have a fatherly heart.”

“In that case, you father and sons can talk some more, and I will come again later.”

As the father and sons cried together, the older soldier sat on the side of the grass mound and looked on. He was also old. The next time he went onto the battlefield, he was afraid that he would not be able to come back alive. The soldiers of this age all suffered some pain of all sorts, the old wounds not yet healed only for new injuries to be added. The physique could not be compared with young people.

“What are you looking at? Thinking of your son?” After finishing his task, a fellow soldier sat down beside the older soldier.

The older soldier shook his head and said, “Where would I get a son? I don’t even have a wife, let alone a son.”

He was thinking of his father.

He remembered that his family was poor when he was a child, and his father sold him to support his younger brothers.

As time passed, he even forgot what his family was like. As a slave servant in a landowner’s family, being beaten and scolded was commonplace. The maids’ monthly salary was more than that of those who did rough work. As a slave servant, only those serving at the side of the masters would there be any future.

Later, the family he served died and the family property was confiscated. Servants like them had a new place to go.

Men became soldiers, and women…..

The older soldier sighed.

He turned his head and looked at the Yang family, feeling a little envious.

If he hadn’t been sold by his father back then, what would he be like now?

Would his father be willing to be a hard laborer for his sons, or would he ask his sons to be hard laborers with him so that he would not suffer too much?

The older soldier asked his comrade: “Have you finished writing your will?”

Comrade: “I don’t know how to read or write, and it costs money to find someone to write it for me. I told my wife and son that if I can’t go back, she can remarry if she wants to remarry. I only insist on one thing, my son can’t change his surname.”

The older soldier smiled and said, “You are better than me. You still have two people you can miss!”

The comrade also smiled.

It was difficult to marry a wife. Even ordinary village wives were more willing to find a farmer than a soldier for a husband.

At least farmers could farm the land and grow grain. Those who were soldiers couldn’t take care of the family as they were far away and couldn’t act as a pillar of support for the family back home——even the monthly salary might not be issued every month, or be able to reach their family’s hands.

For example, his comrade’s wife used to be a prostitute, one who had been driven out due to being too old. Otherwise he would not be able to even marry a prostitute.

The comrade said to the older soldier: “Next time if we can come back alive, I’ll treat you to a drink at my house. The tofu made by my wife tastes like meat.”

The older soldier: “Then I really have to try it.”

The both of them looked relaxed.

When so many comrades died around them, it seemed as if dying was no longer all that frightening.

They were afraid before and couldn’t stop shaking when they heard that they had to go onto the battlefield. But later they didn’t seem to be as afraid.

Death had become an extremely common thing.

The older soldier said to his comrade: “The weather is good today, I don’t know what kind of weather it will be on the day we leave for battle.”

The comrade also looked up at the sky: “Who knows, the heavens won’t let us know in advance. You also shouldn’t be too kind, it’s about time to lead the people over.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

The older soldier stood up, his feet stomping on the ground. His shoes were too big, and it always felt a little unstable when worn.

“Over there! Come with me!”

Yang Rong took his eldest son’s hand: “Son, listen to dad, don’t insist on fighting, escape if you can.”

Yang Eldest could no longer speak from crying so hard.

How to escape?

Who could even escape?

This was their fate.

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When trying to get up around five o’clock, it was fine in summer, but it was a huge torture in winter. Don’t know how much perseverance it took to get out of the warm bed.

Although it was already winter, it was not snowing here in Pingjiang. Lin Yuan changed into cotton clothes and languidly went to eat breakfast, a bowl of porridge, a dish of side vegetables and two steamed buns. Si Niang was still working as a cook. Her craftsmanship was average and couldn’t be compared with those craftsmanship that were handed down in the family, but Lin Yuan was used to eating it, and he was not ready to change.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Lin Yuan was lazy in the winter, but the common people were not like him. However, the winter days were better than in previous years, and the poor felt this change the deepest.

It had been more than a month since winter. This winter had not continued to cool down compared to previous years, but it had not warmed up either. However, none of the provinces and counties under Lin Yuan’s rule have reported large-scale deaths.

When winter arrived, what Lin Yuan feared most was the people freezing to death. A large decrease in the population would reduce the vitality of the market. There was no other solution but to increase the population. However, after several additions to the population before, the merchants had practically already bought all the people that could be bought in the entire north. So now if there was a big population decrease again, the only way was to wait for the people to reproduce slowly by themselves and recuperate the population.

But children were not able to inject energy into the market and enter the industry the moment they were born into the world, they needed at least more than ten years.

This winter, less than 10,000 people died from freezing, at least two-thirds less than in previous years.

Lin Yuan praised the governors and county heads of various places, and he himself also let out a sigh of relief.

Compared with Lin Yuan’s situation, other places were completely different.

After several consecutive years of non-income and major loss of labor, many rural families suffered a fatal blow. Most of them began to flee, some fled to the sites under Lin Yuan’s rule, and some fled to other places.

For example, Haozhou.

Without Zhu Yuanzhang, it was Sun Deya who inherited Guo Zixing’s position now. Sun Deya was a villain. He was a vengeful person and deceitful in many ways. He was not necessarily better than others in fighting wars but he was very talented in instigating discord. In history, he died before Guo Zixing but due to the butterfly effect brought on by Lin Yuan’s arrival, he was actually still doing quite well.

——

“General.” The personal guard walked to the side of Sun Deya. At this time, he did not dare to speak anymore but could only wait for Sun Deya to finish enjoying the singing and dancing. Under the high platform sat the officials on both sides. Most of these officials were military officials. Sun Deya was of military background so he attached importance to this. While he also had a lot of advisors, he was unwilling to call them officials.

The dancers were graceful and lovely, appearing like spring flowers, thin waists bent and swung like willow in the wind. They wore only thin gauze and had their nails painted red. They looked thin, but the places where one should be plump were very plump.

Sun Deya smiled as he watched, and generously let the dancers serve his subordinates.

He liked the feeling of rewarding and bestowing grace on others.

This gave him a feeling of control over everything. The joys, anger, and sorrows of his subordinates were all controlled by him.

Here, he was not the emperor, but he held the power of the emperor.

As for Xiao Ming Emperor?

The corner of Sun Deya’s mouth twitched into a sneer. A kid who had yet to even be weaned, what right and virtue did he have to tell him, Sun Deya, to bow his head?

After the dancers stopped singing and dancing and went to serve the men one after another, Sun Deya picked up the wine cup, retracted his smile, and said to the personal guard: “What is it?”

The personal guard whispered in his ears: “General, the report is here, the people from several villages were gone last night…..”

Sun Deya was taken aback: “They all ran away?”

The personal guard: “…..death from starvation, from the cold, can’t tell the difference…..”

Sun Deya: “How many people died?”

Guardians: “More than 20,000…..”

And this was what was reported, even more was not reported.

Sun Deya pondered for a moment: “Have people collect their corpses. If there is not enough food, tell the people there to give out food.”

The personal guard bowed his head and said yes.

——

Yang Family Village, the village head’s house.

“Where is there any food?” Yang Rong kept pacing inside the house, the dry cigarette in his hand was lit, but he didn’t take a puff. His sons sat in the chairs and didn’t say a word.

Yang Rong frowned, expression bitter. Although he was the village head, his family also had to farm to support the family. Grain was harvested every year, but the harvest was not good. Not every household could get good fertile land. There were several types of land. The first-class farmlands were allocated to those of the Yang surname in the village, the inferior ones were allocated to outside surnames, and the most inferior ones were allocated to foreign households who migrated over from other regions.

But as members of the same village, if some could not hand over the required amount of harvest, what could the rest do? It was not like they could just wait for the people above to punish them.

He, the village head, must find a way to collect and hand over the required amount of grains.

But after handing over the required grains, there wouldn’t be much grain left in the village at all.

Last year was not like this year. This year’s tax was heavier than last year’s. At least last year they were able to make it to the beginning of spring. But clearly, this year they were not going to be able to hold on until the arrival of spring.

Yang Rong’s hands trembled a little, and the dry cigarette fell to the ground: “The lords above tell us to give out grain…..but where is there any grain left in the granary?”

If they didn’t give out the grains, then they would be going against the lords above. If they did, then their family would be finished. Give out whose grain? Their family’s grain? But their own grain supply was not even enough for their family to hold on until spring?!

Even if they ate bean curd cakes every day, they would still not be able to make it through this winter.

There was not enough firewood and they could not afford coal either. Firewood seemed to be easy to get, but the trees that could be cut have all been cut down these past few years. If they went deeper into the forests, they would encounter wild beasts.

Yang Rong’s eldest son said: “Father…..let’s…..let’s run.”

Yang Rong’s sons all followed the lead of their eldest brother, and quickly said: “Yes, father, there is no way left to survive!”

The eldest son said: “I heard that in Gaoyou, as long as you can farm the land you can fill your stomach, no going hungry or suffering from the cold.”

“If we run to Gaoyou, the officials above won’t be able to do anything to us.”

Yang Rong: “Do you think dad didn’t think about this? Then why don’t you think about it, can our entire family be able to escape? How many people are in the Yang family? A hundred! So many people, how can we run? Are the officials all blind and can’t see so many of us?!”

“Your second granduncle, third granduncle, do you have the heart to leave them behind?”

The youngest son mumbled: “Our own lives are in danger, who cares about them…..”

Yang Rong yelled: “Absurdity! I’ll tell you all! So long as I am still alive, you will forget such thoughts as soon as possible! The reason our Yang family can have today is because of the family teachings! No matter when and where, the Yang family must remain united! Only in this way other people will not come to bully us, only in this way can we grow in strength. Is there anyone in this world who is more trustworthy than one’s own relatives?”

The youngest son grew up cherished by him. He was Yang Rong’s youngest son who he got when he was already quite getting on in the years. The old clam gave birth to pearls, thus, his nickname was Zhu Zhu. As a result, he was especially not afraid of his parents. He retorted, “Then it’s not as if the entire family of hundred should just die together? How about you go and ask them if they are willing to give out grain to help our family tide over this difficult situation?”

Yang Rong suddenly lost his words.

Grain was the lifeblood of farmers, and they could have nothing but they couldn’t not have grain.

Yang Rong knew in his heart that if he asked the Yang family to take out the grain, the first to turn their faces would be them.

“Besides, last time there was a draft, didn’t you think of a way to keep us from being drafted?” The youngest son said, “Our cousins ​​have all gone, and especially second uncle, none of his sons are left. Who knows, maybe in their hearts they have a lot of hatred for you!”

“Maybe as soon as they hear about this, they would pray that our whole family would die.”

Yang Rong: “Beast! Shut up!”

The youngest son was instantly displeased: “I’m telling the truth. If you are not willing to listen then what do you want to listen to? Listen to me say that the Yang family is still all of one mind now, that they all listen to you as the village head and they will do whatever you say?”

“I dare to say this, but do you dare to believe it?”

Yang Rong breathed heavily and coughed vigorously. The several sons hurried over to support him and pat him on the back.

The eldest son said at this time: “Dad, although what Zhu Zhu said sounds a bit ugly, it is still reasonable. Please think about it some more.”

Yang Rong grabbed the eldest son’s wrist and his turbid eyes stared at his already tall and fully grown eldest son, asking tremblingly, “Eldest, you think this way too?”

Eldest son: “…..Dad, because of the military draft, our uncles all hate us…..”

Yang Rong had five brothers in total, and including him there were six in total.

Of these five brothers, some had up to four sons, but some only had one.

Drafting applied to the same surname, that was, all with the same surname counted as a household.

In order to prevent his own sons from being drafted, Yang Rong would report only the sons of his brothers’ every year.

After they left, it was unknown whether they were still alive or not as not even a single letter was sent back.

His brothers hated him to his bones. After all, even the most harmonious relatives would become enemies after such a thing.

But Yang Rong was still pretending to be deaf and blind, wishfully thinking that the brotherly feelings between them were still there, it was just that they couldn’t get around this curve at the moment. But when this curve was bypassed, they would still be the same good brothers as before, their relationship as unbroken as ever.

Eldest son said: “Dad, you originally have selfish motives. It’s no wonder our uncles hate you.”

Yang Rong coughed painfully: “Who did I do this for? Who?!”

Youngest son: “Dad, you did this for our little family! Since it is all for survival, how come you can think about our family when it’s the military draft, but now you have to think about the whole family?”

Yang Rong: “I am the patriarch!”

The youngest son whispered: “Not many recognize you as the patriarch any more.”

Yang Rong became angry, and pointed at his youngest son as he breathed harshly and said, “You shouldn’t have been born back then! Even, even if, if you were born, you should have just been drowned! That way I don’t need to be vexed this much at my old age!”

Youngest son: “Dad, we are trying to talk reason here!”

His sons were all grown up and had their own ideas. The younger ones listened to the eldest and don’t know when it began but they now listened more to the eldest brother instead of him, their dad. Yang Rong knew that he couldn’t win against them anymore, no one would listen to him..

Yang Rong closed his eyes and said softly: “Eldest, we listen to you.”

“You have the ability, so take care of your brothers in the future.”

The eldest son replied in lowly: “Dad, I know, us brothers will remain united.”

Yang Rong: “…..Ai.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

He had harmed his brothers miserably, and he had no face left to say this to his sons.

And this same scene appeared in many villages and towns in Haozhou.

Sun Deya also couldn’t ever have thought that this method of benefiting and showing benevolence on the people would end up like this.

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“Laoye, you are actually not in a hurry at all.” The old servant had followed Song Lian since he was a child, and he had long become like family. At this moment, he said in a low voice while serving the rice, “Traveling thousands of miles over here, but I don’t see any show of regard from the South Bodhisattva…..”

He felt indignant on Song Lian’s behalf. In his opinion, there was no one more capable and smarter than Song Lian.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Song Lian sat down to eat, and said to the old servant, “What’s there to hurry?”

The old servant sighed again.

Song Lian did not explain to the old servant.

He knew in his heart that there were many people under Lin Yuan who wanted to succeed. If he was rashly entrusted with heavy responsibility, his life would not be easy in the future. The Song Shizhao of today would be Song Lian in the future. Everyone would be staring at the seat under him, wanting nothing more than to replace him.

Lin Yuan asked him to take care of the “spreading literacy” in order to help plate him with a layer of gold. With this layer of gold, he would be able to hand more important duties to him in the future.

Song Lian also knew that he was a signboard, but so what? His starting point was much higher than that of ordinary people. This was a good thing.

All the remaining members of the Little White Lotus Sect were arrested because of Bao Jianghe’s confession.

Most of these people didn’t know one character from another. They were poor people who were originally oppressed. Once they managed to finally gain a little power, they themselves didn’t regard human lives as human lives.

One of them in particular, every room in his residence had locked up captives that included both men and women. They were not given any clothes in order to prevent them from escaping.

The servants serving in his residence confessed that this person would visit different rooms every day, and sometimes several had to serve him together. Those who were still alive were the obedient ones, and those who were not obedient had died long ago.

Recently, Song Lian was thinking of how to settle these victims. Send them home? He was afraid l that they would die as soon as they returned home. This kind of thing could not be hidden. Putting aside their own family, just the stares and finger-pointing from outsiders could kill them.

So Song Lian sent them to the barracks, to be army cooks, or something else such as army nurses. Discipline was very important in the barracks and everyone was exhausted every day, so naturally there was no energy left for gossip.

This solution was actually praised by Lin Yuan, who said that Song Lian had mercy for the people, which startled Song Lian.

Song Lian also noticed that Lin Yuan was like a father to the common people, not at all stingy with his tolerance and benevolence. He had two faces, one reserved for the common people and one for the officials.

It had only been a little more than two months, but already many people in Pingjiang had come to sincerely support him.

The old servant said: “I think that South Bodhisattva may really possess something extraordinary. I heard that he was originally part of the landowning class. There are so many landowners in this world, but there is only one like him.”

Song Lian ate a bite of food: “Fate and circumstances are also important.”

If the world was peaceful, a person like Lin Yuan might be just a landowner his whole life.

Fate and circumstances made him what he was now.

——

Lin Yuan looked at the frontline battle report. Chen Baisong and Zhu Yuanzhang had set off to Chuzhou together.

Today Lin Yuan had nearly a million people in his army. Even though he included the auxiliary soldiers such as army cooks and logistics, this number was not to be underestimated. Although the number might not be the most crucial aspect, during war, people were the foundation of everything.

The imperial court had already lost any military advantage in front of him now.

Since the imperial court took away Toqto’a’s military power and disbanded his army on the spot, the imperial court had lost its last barrier. Now their military was just for show. They may still have money, but don’t even mention sending troops to attack Lin Yuan, in fact even just making a gesture of goodwill——there was a likely chance that Lin Yuan would just ignore it.

They could only place their hopes on the different rebel factions too busy fighting each other to the death. In this way they could eke out some breathing space.

After having ruled this great and prosperous empire, only to be forced to return to the grasslands. This kind of disparity gap was not something everyone could accept.

Looking at the battle report, Lin Yuan saw that the army’s march went gone smoothly and without any resistance. The wanhu of Chuzhou was surnamed Jiang, who did possess some skills. Despite being trapped in Chuzhou, he still clenched his teeth and persisted in holding off the siege. Daring enough to send out soldiers to directly fight with the enemy, he and Chen Baisong exchanged several rounds, so this time it was not a one-sided massacre.

Lin Yuan’s army was not without losses. According to the reported number of deaths, it was already more than 20,000. Although the casualties on Chuzhou’s side were even more serious, the 20,000 he lost still caused his eyebrows to furrow.

Song Shizhao took the battle report handed over by Lin Yuan and read it carefully before he said, “My Lord don’t need to worry too much. Now the Yuan Dynasty is just a grasshopper at the end of autumn. It won’t be a few days before they are unable to jump up and down anymore. Instead, there are others who we need to focus on now.”

Lin Yuan nodded: “It has been more than two years since Guo Zixing died of illness, and now his power has been inherited by Sun Deya.”

“My Lord…..wants to capture Haozhou?” Song Shizhao knew Lin Yuan’s meaning almost immediately. The days of the Yuan Dynasty were numbered, so if they continue to keep their sights on it now it would be a matter of neglecting fundamentals and concentrating on details. On the other hand, the momentum of the several rebel factions were now soaring, to the point that they had no choice but to guard against them.

Haozhou was Sun Deya’s base.

Lin Yuan wanted to eliminate Sun Deya and the others in one fell swoop, without leaving any chance at all.

Lin Yuan: “I’m only afraid that it is not the right time.”

Song Shizhao broke out in a cold sweat, but his mind was clear and he quickly said: “My Lord has acute foresight, but why not take things slowly? It cannot be captured this year, but next year or the year after next, it will definitely be captured!”

Although Song Shizhao knew that Lin Yuan’s objective was the entire empire, he did not expect that he was preparing to deal with both the imperial court and Sun Deya at the same time.

This caused him to be so excited that he could barely control himself.

Perhaps it was not far from the day when Lin Yuan would conquer the whole empire.

Song Shizhao said: “I wonder where is the Xiao Ming Emperor…..”

Lin Yuan thought for a while: “An Laosi should likely be about to make his move.”

He had An Laosi encourage Xiao Ming Emperor’s ambition and desire for power. There could only be one boss in a country. Liu Futong held heavy power, but Xiao Ming Emperor stood for orthodoxy. If Xiao Ming Emperor really wanted to fight Liu Futong for power, there was no guarantee who would lose or win in the end.

During the Qing Dynasty, Obai held heavy power and controlled the imperial court but didn’t the Kangxi Emperor still manage to pull him from his seat of power?

Because Kangxi was the emperor, he stood for orthodoxy and was the righteous ruler. Therefore, there would always be officials willing to gamble with him. Whereas in the hands of Obai, these people might not be able to succeed in their careers their whole lives. But so long as they won the gamble with Kangxi, they would instantly reach the summit of their careers.

Lin Yuan didn’t mind giving Xiao Ming Emperor a little push.

The fiercer and more chaotic Xiao Ming Emperor and Liu Futong fought, the more benefits he would get.

“What happened to Chen Youliang?” Lin Yuan asked.

Song Shizhao said: “He killed Ni Wenjun and annexed Ni Wenjun’s army, claiming to be a pacification commissioner (TN: high military officials supervising the peace in border regions), or manager of governmental affairs.”

Lin Yuan nodded: “I must leave it to Mister to pay attention to Chen Youliang’s news.”

Song Shizhao didn’t quite understand: “In my opinion, Chen Youliang does not seem to be a very important character now, just only occupying Huangzhou. Above him there is also a Xu Shouhui. I’m afraid he won’t be able to achieve much.”

Lin Yuan smiled and said: “There is a kind of person who is born different from others.”

Next year would be the year for Chen Youliang to shine, and he could not afford to ignore it, allowing Chen Youliang to grow stronger.

He didn’t want to leave it till he finally confronted Chen Youliang to regret not dealing with him in advance.

An Laosi who was far away in Anfeng let out a sneeze. He was currently standing out in the cool breeze while his wife was sorting out invitations. It had been more than half a year since they came to Anfeng. They used money to open the way, and even bought a minor official post. Although An Laosi looked rough and boorish, he was actually a bold and careful man. During the past six months, they had been busy with socializing, money flowing from their pockets like water, but they quickly became acquainted with the minor officials below.

“There is no letter from Pingjiang.” An Laosi sighed, afraid that the South Bodhisattva had forgotten him.

Lady An put away the invitations and took out paper and pen. She was literate and possessed good handwriting. Although she was a woman, she did not use the font favored by most women, but a cursive script that looked like flying dragons and dancing phoenixes. Because she was afraid that people would not be able to make out what she wrote, she could only restrain herself. As a result, the words that came out could only be considered neat.

Lady An wrote while saying: “You don’t have to worry about this. If you have time to sigh, why not go out and walk around.”

An Laosi: ​​”What’s the use of going out for a walk? The way I see it, if I don’t cut my lower half and become a eunuch, I won’t be able to see Xiao Ming Emperor at all in this life.”

Rather than saying that Liu Futong protected Han Lin’er too well, it was better to say that Liu Futong kept a tight grip on Han Lin’er. Other than special occasions, no one could see him. Except for the servants, the only people who could approach Han Lin’er were important officials. And these important officials were also Liu Futong’s people.

Lady An also sighed: “We have to think of other ways.”

An Laosi shook his head: “How is it that simple.”

But letting the opportunity to get promoted and become rich slip away from him, An Laosi could only feel heartache, wanting very much to beat his chest and stomp his feet.

This time, if he could complete the South Bodhisattva’s task and return later, even if he would not become an extremely important official, he would at least be entrusted with important duties. Wasn’t this exactly what he wanted?

“Isn’t it said that the prime minister wants to select concubines for Xiao Ming Emperor?” Lady An suddenly said, “All the daughters of the officials could attend.”

This was a forced levy. The daughters of high-ranking officials were to be concubines, and the daughters of small officials and minor officials were to be palace maids.

An Laosi: ​​”…..Give birth to a daughter now? It’s too late.”

Lady An: “We didn’t make any exact statements. The family members we told our neighbors about are on the road, so how about we say that we brought our daughter over here ahead of time?”

An Laosi: ​​”Where can we find this daughter?”

Lady An smiled and said, “Did you forget? Hong Xiu answered my letter, and I believe she is about to arrive in Anfeng soon.”

An Laosi’s eyes widened: “Wife, did you already think of this solution at that time?”

Lady An: “When you men do things, you don’t bother to hold any regard for women. I am a woman, so naturally I know what women can do.”

Hong Xiu was more restrained than Tian Xiang and the others. So long as she was dressed simpler, she would give people the impression that she was just a flower vase.

Only such a person would not be suspected——unlike Tian Xiang, who possessed a pair of eyes that appeared alluring even when not smiling. Even if she deliberately restrained herself, it was still easy for others to notice that something was out of place.

It was more than ten days later when Hong Xiu finally arrived. There were a few soldiers who were disguised as servants accompanying her, protecting her all the way to Anfeng. Hong Xiu had removed all makeup and when standing next to An Laosi, they really did look like they were father and daughter, the shape of their lips being somewhat similar.

Lady An walked over and took Hong Xiu’s hand. The two women walked ahead, and An Laosi followed them as they walked through the streets.

“A visiting relative?”

“This little lady is quite pretty.”

An Laosi smiled and said: “This is my daughter who was on the way here. Now because the Emperor is selecting concubines, I naturally must send someone to pick her up earlier. My father and mother are still behind.”

Everyone praised Hong Xiu while envying the An family for giving birth to such a fine daughter.

Even if she were to enter the palace to be a little palace maid, based on her looks she would definitely attract the eyes of Xiao Ming Emperor.

Xiao Ming Emperor was a young man, at the age where one had no scruples when it came to the business between men and women.

After walking through the streets, the three finally returned to the small courtyard residence.

Lady An sent An Laosi to get hot water for Hong Xiu clean up. After sitting in the carriage for so many days, no matter how good Hong Xiu’s physique was, it was not so good right now. She first wiped her face before leaning back on the chair and saying to Lady An, “This courtyard is not bad.”

Lady An smiled and said, “It costed three hundred taels.”

Hong Xiu was taken aback.

Lady An said: “How is it that easy to buy a house, finding the right connections, actually buying the house. Just the first part requires two hundred, and there are also the neighbors who we have to give some greeting gifts to. Sometimes, even three hundred taels are not enough.”

Lady An asked Hong Xiu again: “How is Gaoyou and Pingjiang? Although my husband and I are not in Pingjiang, we have always been thinking of the South Bodhisattva in our hearts.”

Hong Xiu took Lady An’s hand: “Our Lord is always thinking of you both too.”

Lady An sighed and said, “We have no choice. I’m afraid we must trouble little sister in the future.”

Hong Xiu: “No trouble.”

She had requested to come here herself, and the South Bodhisattva also promised her that if this matter succeeded, she would also be able to serve as an official in the future.

Even though she was a woman, she also wanted to try seizing this opportunity. What if she won in the end?

People like her didn’t have any illusions about men for a long time. She had seen too many men and knew that men were all like cats, and there were no cats that did not like to steal fish (TN: expression for fickleness). Instead of relying on men, it was better to rely on oneself. There was no opportunity before but now that there was, naturally she must firmly grasp it.

When there were more women who became officials in the future, they would be able to ally with each other and join in an opposition to the same adversary. That way, there would be no fear that there would be no place for them.

At night, Hong Xiu stayed in the same room with Lady An. There were always a lot of things to say between women. Lady An was also worried that Hong Xiu might feel discomfort, it being her first time in Anfeng, so she wanted to personally stay and accompany her.

After they cleaned their faces and washed their feet, they lay on the bed under the same quilt.

“You have suffered on the travel here. I wonder how it is back in Pingjiang.” When they left, the South Bodhisattva was still in Gaoyou.

Hong Xiu said: “Nothing major. Those little thieves below are like always. As long as Our Lord orders for rectification, where is there room for them to speak?”

Lady An looked at Hong Xiu: “When you are called into the palace, you will be a palace maid first. You are beautiful, so I am afraid that the women in the palace…..”

It would be bad if the task was not yet completed, only for Hong Xiu to be killed by those women.

Hong Xiu said with a chuckle: “Sister, don’t underestimate me. I grew up among women since I was a child. What methods do they have that I don’t know? If no one values ​​me after I enter the palace, naturally it will be convenient. If someone values ​​me, I will join the side of her opponent, there will always be a way to guarantee my life.”

Lady An: “Then you have to be careful, because there is a limit in how we can help you outside the palace.”

Hong Xiu nodded: “I won’t hide it from sister, when I think about what I’m going to do, I can’t sleep well day and night, the blood in my veins rushing and unable to calm down.”

She still remembered what the South Bodhisattva said to her: “You are going to be a spy. If you can succeed, you will topple an entire country. Are you afraid?”

She was so excited that she couldn’t even lift her head. She said, “This slave is not afraid!”

So long as she succeeded, even if she was a woman, there was even a chance of being recorded in the history books. Even if it was not fame but notoriety, it would be enough.

It was early in the morning when Hong Xiu was sent into the palace. The old palace maids and the eunuchs in the palace came to lead them away. The young girls got on the carriage, appearing nervous and excited. These daughters of minor officials were also dreaming, once they entered the palace, if they could catch the eyes of Xiao Ming Emperor, they and their families would be able to live a good life in the future.

For girls, marrying was their second birth. Only by marrying a good man would the rest of their days in this life be good.

But no good man could compare to the Emperor.

That was the Emperor, the master of all things, and naturally their masters.

If they could really become the Emperor’s women, they would also become half a master.

The girls were afraid to talk at first in the carriage. After a while, they found that no one bothered with them, so they started chatting.

“Which family are you from?”

“Ah, we have the same surname, maybe hundreds of years ago we belonged to the same family. “

They only started to talk about “business” when they finished making small talk.

“I wonder whether the consorts in the palace are easy to serve.”

“I heard that the Empress is a kind person, and treats the concubines like sisters.”

“I heard that the maids serving the Empress are all stunning!”

“I wonder where we will be assigned.”

Hong Xiu listened quietly.

Some people saw the beauty of Hong Xiu and started a conversation with her, “Which family are you from?”

Hong Xiu said: “The An family in the western part of the city.”

“An family? I haven’t heard of it.”

“I haven’t heard of it either.”

Hong Xiu said: “We just moved here half a year ago, so it is natural that sisters do not know.”

After all, Anfeng was only a county, the palace was not big, but the construction was not bad. For these girls, this kind of building was what they could only look at before. They never had the extravagant hope to actually live inside it. Each and every one wanted to move next to the carriage window. Only when the old palace maid outside gave them a look did they sit back again.

Hong Xiu didn’t feel much.

She had seen many exquisite or lavish buildings, and in truth they were all the same. They were just for living in and after a few days of living in it, there was really nothing all that special.

After entering the palace, the new palace maids first received their palace uniforms, and then their living arrangements were made. They had to learn the rules for a period of time before they could be assigned to serve in the palace.

The old palace maid saw that Hong Xiu had good looks, and she also felt that she would have a good future, so she was extremely strict on her training.

Although strict, Hong Xiu had a good relationship with her in private. Hong Xiu was different from the other girls. Before she entered the palace, Lady An gave her a lot of money which she could use to manage the relationships and connections in the palace. The old palace maid took the bribe and felt that she may not be without good luck in the future, so she began to help teach Hong Xiu even more meticulously.

“This sugar is good, you try.” Hong Xiu stayed in the old palace maid’s room, putting the cane sugar bought from the kitchen next to her with a respectful smile. Cane sugar was rare and even the kitchen did not have much. Hongxiu spent a lot of money just to buy this small piece.

Sure enough, the old palace maid couldn’t look away when she saw the sugar. She swallowed and said, “How can I take your things?” But at the same time she also put the sugar in her mouth and squinted her eyes with relish.

A palace maid like her who was in charge of the new palace maids didn’t have much chance to get any good benefits. Only those who served in front of the imperial family had any position. She herself was reluctant to buy such sweets.

After receiving the other’s benefit, the old palace maid took Hong Xiu’s hand and said: “Of the new palace maids who enter the palace, you are the most sensible and appropriate. The way I see it, everyone else is not as good as you. If you are lucky in the future, maybe you will…..” She glanced up towards the sky.

Hong Xiu quickly said: “It’s all because of your care, this slave is stupid and if not for you, I’m afraid I would not be able to live long. In this slave’s heart, you are this slave’s mother.”

“Ai, good child.” The wrinkles on the face of the old palace maid seemed to all be smiling, “In this case, let us recognize a godmother and goddaughter relationship, how about you calling me godmother?”

Hong Xiu’s eyes immediately turned red, and she knelt down quickly: “Godmother, please accept this daughter’s kowtow.”

The old palace maid helped her up: “Good child, good child, when you are successful in the future, don’t forget your godmother.”

Hong Xiu: “Naturally! This slave might not know anything else, but I know that one must pay back kindness!”

The old palace maid smiled and said: “Next month, I will send you to Consort Li…..Consort Li is the most favored. If you go to her, you will be able to see the Emperor more often. It may be your chance at that time.”

Hong Xiu shook her head: “Godmother, if I go to Consort Li, I’m afraid I will never have the opportunity to succeed, and I won’t be able to repay godmother.”

The old palace maid asked strangely: “Why do you say this?”

Hong Xiu whispered: “Consort Li is the Emperor’s favorite, when the Emperor goes to Consort Li’s residence, how can others enter his eyes, even if there are those who can, it can’t be in front of Consort Li…..”

Old palace maid: “Aiya! I actually forgot something like this!”

Hong Xiu lowered her head: “Godmother, how about sending me to the Empress’s side.”

Old palace maid: “…..They say that the Empress is a kind person but what’s the use of kindness? The Emperor doesn’t love her, so she can only earn some reputation. When you go to her residence, won’t you just wait in vain with her?”

“Godmother, it is exactly because the Emperor doesn’t love her, so I must go serve her.” Hong Xiu whispered, “The Empress is the Emperor’s legal wife, but she has been suppressed by Consort Li this whole time. Only because she is unable to gain favor herself will there be a chance for me.”

Hong Xiu understood women. The Empress had been suppressed by Consort Li for so long, even if it was not herself, so long as someone could suppress Comsort Li, she could also vent her discontent.

If the Empress was really as without wants or desires as in the rumors, then her reputation of kindness would not have spread far and wide.

These women were locked up in a courtyard, waiting for the same man every day. It looked complicated, but in fact it was simple.

As for how to let the Empress see her and be willing to use her, she had her own ways.

Wasn’t it the same in the brothel? They were all vying for the top spot, even if they themselves couldn’t make it, they were willing to support the newcomers to suppress their old rivals.

Sometimes what they wanted was no longer their own benefit, but to make the opponent uncomfortable.

The old palace maid thought for a while: “If you go to the Empress’s side, I’m afraid you can only start in the position of rough work palace maid.”

The Empress had her own confidants and these palace maids took care of the Empress’ internal treasury and daily life, controlling everything around the Empress. Naturally, they would not let other palace maids get ahead. It was really difficult indeed for a rough work palace maid to climb up the ranks.

Hong Xiu smiled and said, “Godmother, we must make the gamble.”

The old palace maid took the hand of Hong Xiu and said with a smile: “Okay, this godmother will wait to enjoy the blessing of our Xiu’er from now on.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Hong Xiu’s current pseudonym was An Xiu. The name Hong Xiu was too improper and ordinary girls would not have this kind of name.

The corners of Hong Xiu’s lips curved into a smile: “Thank you godmother.” 

She was full of confidence, the Hong Xiu at this moment felt as omnipotent as the gods. 

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TN: bonus chapter!💕

“The Little White Lotus Sect is no divine sect, it is simply a cult of evil! Inside is just a pile of filthy and nauseating things, completely unheard of.”

Scholars gathered to chat. There were many people in the teahouse. These scholars discussed this recent event on the side, and around them there were also many people listening with their ears perked. Scholars were trend-setters. Generally speaking, even if the common people did not understand they would still follow along and agree that whatever the scholars held esteem for was good, and whatever the scholars belittled was bad.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

“The lords should kill them all! Allowing such people to live in this world is just disgusting.”

“Some people don’t believe it. I heard that the followers of the Little White Lotus Sect all thought that their Leader was threatened.”

“There are certain people, even if they see it with their own eyes and hear with their own ears, as long as they don’t want to believe it, they won’t believe it anyway.”

“Pitiful yet hateful.”

“Most people in this world are like this, but they don’t know it themselves.”

Lin Yuan was sitting behind a screen in the teahouse, a pot of hot tea on his table. The tea master’s hand was trembling slightly as he served on the side. He did not expect that such an important character would come to their teahouse to drink tea, and he himself could come and serve him. When the tea master was pouring tea, his hand shook, and the tea spilled on the table. His breathing stopped for a moment, his body kneeling down before his brain even got the order.

“En?” Lin Yuan was puzzled.

The tea master couldn’t even say a complete sentence. As soon as he spoke, his teeth would chatter against each other: “South, South Bodhisattva forgive me…..caomin, caomin…..” (TN: personal reference used by commoners when speaking with royalty or high officials)

Lin Yuan just stood up, seeming not to see the spilled tea on the table, and said to the tea master: “You are excused, you don’t need to serve here.”

The tea master used both hands and feet to support himself, almost crawling out.

Just a moment longer and he estimated that he would not be able to hold on anymore. When he was far away, the tea master touched his crotch area and found that it was soaked through.

“The smell of urine!”

“Who urinated? You can’t even hold in your pee so what do you even come out in public for?”

The tea master quickly hid away, his face flushed red. It was unknown whether it was out of fear or excitement.

Lin Yuan went out to walk around for once. The people following him all kept a comfortable distance not too far away. These people were equivalent to security guards, but unlike security guards, if he really did fall into danger, these people would rather protect him even at the cost of their own lives.

But Lin Yuan felt that there was actually no need to be so vigilant——after all, few people had seen his face, and would not match his face with his identity. If he went out alone, at most he would just be regarded as a rich young master.  But with so many people following him, this would only let others know that he had a special identity at just a glance.

However, regarding this matter about him going out.

Song Shizhao, Song Lian, Luo Ben, Wu Changqing and the others all had the same opinion. Mainly that his identity was now too noble, and if he met with any accident then everything would be over. Therefore, he should avoid going out if at all possible, and it would be even better to stay in the government official manor and remain under heavy protection. This way the officials could feel at ease.

Lin Yuan coming out this time was his own stubborn decision. He felt that if he stayed in the government office, he would definitely get sick from the stuffiness. Faced with a bunch of official duties every day, his eyes were always dry and uncomfortable. There were no eye drops in this era after all. Many times, his eyes were so dry and sore that they teared up involuntarily. A few times, Song Shizhao stumbled upon his tearing eyes and thought that those were tears of sadness for the tragic situations of the common people in other parts of the empire.

And for some reason this kind of misunderstanding even spread out among the people.

Saying that he couldn’t bear to see the common people’s miserable state, crying every day, crying every night, crying so much his eyes almost went blind.

Several times Lin Yuan heard the rumors that he had cried himself blind.

Many people sincerely believed that he was blind.

And Lin Yuan could not specially explain something small like this, so he could only pretend that he didn’t know anything——the common people seem to think that he could handle political affairs well even if he was blind. Looking at this from another perspective, the common people were quite confident in him.

He was sitting in a teahouse now, listening to the scholars outside talking loudly. There were also smart scholars who read more books but did not study themselves into bookish fools. They were more wise and far-sighted than others.

“The way I see it, the South Bodhisattva is going to bring under control the chaos below.”

“To put it bluntly, the government is afraid that these cults will really encourage their believers to rebel.”

“Just don’t know how long it will take.”

“I think this is a good thing. The common people are too ignorant. If the people above remain inactive and ignorant as well, the world will be even more chaotic.”

“Isn’t the dog court like this? The emperor is enjoying debauchery and sumptuous entertainment in the palace every day. What does he care about the suffering of the people and what harm evil cults can do? The way I see it, he only cares whether the beauty serving him today is beautiful or not, and whether the wine served to him tomorrow is mellow or not. If you ask me, with an emperor like that, there is really no difference from a pig.”

“In fact, even pigs are better, pigs can be killed and eaten.”

Don’t know since when, but the awe these scholars had for the emperor of Yuan Dynasty had completely disappeared.

But such scholars were still a minority. Most scholars dared not say anything even if they knew the absurdity of the emperor above them. The emperor was the emperor, and the emperor could do no wrong.

It was the fault of the officials and ministers for not admonishing the emperor. In their opinion, even if the officials kowtowed until their heads broke open and they died, they must still try to convince the emperor.

Lin Yuan listened while sitting in the private room with a teacup in his hand. He listened with great interest. Having been sitting on the top for so long he hadn’t heard these words in a long time. The people that now surrounded him were shrewd human beings. Every one of them possessed twisting and turning schemes and thoughts, their words flawless of anything that could ve used against them——and even brother Dao rarely chatted with him like before.

The distinction between monarch and minister was becoming more and more obvious.

Although this was not a bad thing, Lin Yuan still felt lonely sometimes.

Despite having lived two lifetimes, this was the first time Lin Yuan felt this feeling of coldness that came from standing in a high place.

In such a position, he had no friends. The status gap was too great. He held the power of life and death in his hands and no one would be so lacking in self-awareness enough to try to be friends with Lin Yuan.

Sometimes when Lin Yuan thought about it, he felt that being an emperor was also a very miserable thing. In order to be a sage ruler, one must be busy every day, waking up earlier than a rooster and sleeping later than a dog. There were so many officials, but each had his own thoughts and interests. There were so many concubines who wanted to lay on the same bed as the emperor, but the emperor didn’t even know whether she was sincere or not.

There were so many children, but these children who grew up in an environment full of power struggles, every one of them just wanted to get the most benefit out of him.

Such a life…..seemed to be quite miserable.

That was why there were so many incapable monarchs. If you were a bit more incapable, you could live a bit more happier.

You could get rid of the officials you hated, and support the ones you liked, alienate the concubines you hated, and dote on the concubines you liked.

Now listening to these scholars chatting, Lin Yuan found it to be very interesting, a smile curling the corners of his mouth, his appearance looking very cheered.

The guards in civilian clothes looked at Lin Yuan’s expression, and they were relieved——they were afraid that these scholars would anger the South Bodhisattva with their thoughtless words. It was nothing if these people were unlucky but what if they vexed the South Bodhisattva badly?

If one asked where Lin Yuan’s most diehard fans were, it must be the people around him.

Sometimes Lin Yuan also found it incredible. These people followed him every day, and knew that he had to eat three meals a day and go to the toilet every day. How could they truly think he was a god? Was this not too bizarre?

The scholars had now shifted from the topic of cults to the people’s livelihood.

One of them said: “Say, the South Bodhisattva spends all his energy on lowly people. Does he know that one must rely on scholars to govern the country? I wanted to say this before, what is happening in Pingjiang now? Scholars put their energy into forming cliques to please surname Wu. It’s a mess. Have you ever seen any of them really become an official?”

Several other scholars did not speak. Lin Yuan continued to listen with great interest.

The man said again: “The way I see it, the South Bodhisattva is just letting them fight, and when they get tired of fighting, he’ll come out. At that time those people will be obedient.”

“Why do what you just said sound so chilling?”

“That’s right, this doesn’t look like selecting an official, it looks more like raising Gu.” (TN: Gu=legendary venomous insect)

“But I also think that the South Bodhisattva may look like he appreciates and respects talents, but it is just all words and not anything real.”

“What do you mean by this? Is it possible to have scholars ask for official posts? Everyone still knows some shame!”

The person who spoke at the beginning said again: “At first there were officials being conferred, and the title sounded nice and all. And the two courtesy officials didn’t have to do anything. Just that, and they were still forced to their deaths.”

Mentioning the two who died, the scholars didn’t know what to say.

Although they felt a bit of sympathy, but more so they only felt a sense of schadenfreude amusement.

They all knew that the South Bodhisattva would definitely use scholars, it was just that he didn’t want people to see him as being threatened by the scholars’ power.

So they didn’t have to do anything, but just wait quietly.

Those people who wanted to take the initiative could do so, and when those people hit their heads and bleed, wouldn’t they benefit in the end?

Lin Yuan sighed leisurely as he listened to the scholars talking.

If this was in modern times, where there were so many scholars and civil servants everywhere, no one would have this kind of thinking.

The root of the cause was that there were too few people who were literate in this era, and every one of them was precious. They were used to the days of being put on a pedestal.

“Brother Yang, having said so much, what are your good strategies?” Someone suddenly asked, his tone not very good.

This brother Yang said: “It is impossible to get anywhere with Lord Wu. If we want to go further, we might as well ask Magistrate Song.”

Magistrate Song was Song Lian.

Someone sneered: “That Magistrate Song has just arrived, and he has yet to even steady his feet, so how can he manage our affairs?”

Brother Yang: “This is just my simple suggestion, it doesn’t matter whether you believe me or not. Everyone, please enjoy yourselves, I will be leaving first.”

Lin Yuan turned his head and said to the guards around him: “That surnamed Yang, pay some attention to him.”

The guards quickly said: “Yes.”

A couple of guards had already followed the man surnamed Yang out, and it was likely that they would follow the other to his residence.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Lin Yuan didn’t understand. He had put up such a big sign like Song Lian there in front of them. Song Lian’s reputation was also quite prestigious. Moreover, there was still a shortage of people under his hand. Why didn’t those scholars go see him instead of stubbornly sticking to Wu Changqing’s side?

Was it possible that…..Wu Changqing had some kind of special personal charm, and it was just that he had not discovered it?

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The Little White Lotus Sect was one of the Pingjiang cults that was neither high nor low in terms of influence. There were three thousand believers and these three thousand believers included both men and women, but most of them were poor, not even any slightly well-off commoners. But this had one advantage. That was, people at the upper echelons of the sect actually didn’t receive many offerings. Probably enough to eat and drink, but it was impossible to buy weapons and raise soldiers.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

It took a huge amount of financial resources to raise soldiers, and even if it was just a few hundred soldiers, the money and food consumed was still not a small number.

After all, people who were willing to exchange their lives for a bright future would only be convinced if they could see the benefits. Even if they caught and dragged the people into the barracks, if these people wanted to run, they would always find a chance to run.

But the thing to be most afraid of was not that they would run, but these group of soldiers uniting together in the face of a common enemy, their capturers, and thus putting them in a dilemma.

Wu Changqing was quite proud and self-satisfied these days. He was originally just a county magistrate but after being transferred to Pingjiang he became the district head.

How can one not be unhappy about the joy of being promoted and getting rich?

Only now did he know what it was like to be flattered by others.

But the more he was flattered, the more serious he became. After all, he was an old official who had followed Lin Yuan since Gaoyou, and he knew Lin Yuan’s temper better than others.

The South Bodhisattva did have the heart of a Buddha, but this heart was only for the common people, and not for officials like them.

He still remembered what Lin Yuan once said to them: “If you do a good job, I can give you money and power. If you don’t do a good job, I will cut off your head. There are countless heads who want to take your places, and I can always find the next suitable one.”

At that time, those officials who heard this were all terrified and struck with fear.

The South Bodhisattva was not a monarch one could control. He was not a weak monarch, on the contrary, he had the potential to be a tyrant.

The biggest feature of tyrants was that they always meant what they said, their methods cruel and vicious.

It was just that the viciousness of this tyrant was used against the enemy and his officials.

Wu Changqing had his servant pour a cup of tea for the man in front of him, and asked with a smile on his face: “Little White Lotus Sect?”

The surname of the Leader was Bao, Bao Shisan, but he changed his name after becoming the Leader to Bao Jianghe. Wu Changqing sighed in his heart when he first saw this person. People with such a righteous appearance were very rare indeed.

He had a wide face, big eyes and thick eyebrows, his aura righteous. No wonder he could attract believers. If he was crafty-looking and shifty-eyed, people would suspect that he had other intentions, let alone gain any believers.

At this time, people believed that a gentleman had the appearance of a gentleman, and a villain had the appearance of a villain, and each person’s appearance was a reflection of one’s heart and nature.

Bao Jianghe carried himself with magnanimity. Even if he was not such a person, he had been put on a pedestal for so long, so while the inside might not have changed all that much, the outside would still show a trace of change.

At least he exhibited no timidity in front of Wu Changqing.

Bao Jianghe said: “If my lord can protect this humble one, this humble one will tell you everything I know.”

Wu Changqing smiled: “Have some tea.”

The two of them just sat like this, and Bao Jianghe soon did not appear as at ease as before, as if there were needles under his buttocks.

Wu Changqing looked at Bao Jianghe and knew that the time had come. He said, “Recently, His Lord can’t tolerate even a speck of sand in his eyes. Even if you didn’t come here, the Little White Lotus Sect will not last much longer.”

Bao Jianghe’ breathing stopped for a moment. He could feel the threat, and this threat made him shudder.

Wu Changqing also said: “However, there is something you can tell me so that I might be able to help you be spared.”

Bao Jianghe did not dare to speak, he was afraid that if he said, those people would try to kill him no matter what.

Wu Changqing also seemed to see his worries, and said softly: “If you want to surrender, then don’t leave any retreat route. If you do then neither of the two sides will be pleased, and you will be put in a difficult situation.”

The cold sweat on Bao Jianghe’s forehead fell, and after a while, he said with shaking hands: “This humble one knows the identities and addresses of the Leaders of other cults and their capable subordinates.”

Wu Changqing: “Very good, virtuous brother, those who act decisively are wise men.”

“Come in, send this virtuous brother to Lord Song’s manor. Serve him well the whole way, no slacking off.” Wu Changqing had someone send Bao Jianghe out. He knew that Lin Yuan valued Song Lian, so being able to effortlessly express his goodwill in such a way, why not? It was not like he would lose a pound or two of meat.

He expressed his goodwill, and no matter how much it was worth to the other, he still got some advantage.

Thus, Bao Jianghe was sent to Song Lian’s manor. Song Lian was one of the literati, cultured and refined, his mannerisms and gestures polite and with a hint of a scholarly air. But at the same time he wouldn’t give people an aloof feeling. Bao Jianghe didn’t even know what he was saying, but after coming back to his senses, he realized that he had given away everything he knew.

Then Bao Jianghe was locked up in a courtyard residence. He knew that he might not be able to get out of this place, but his mistress was also sent in with him. He had food and drink every day, and he didn’t have to work to support himself. Being kept and fed for free, he was also content enough.

——

“Leader Bao is missing!”

“He hasn’t been seen for a month.”

“What happened?”

“Quickly, go to Zhang’s Teahouse!”

“That Leader of the Little White Lotus Sect is telling his life story in the teahouse!”

“What a rare novelty, nobody actually cares to stop him?”

“How do I know, maybe the big lords above also discovered the benefits of the Little White Lotus Sect?”

The common people and the sect believers flooded into the Zhang’s Teahouse. There were so many people that it couldn’t fit in anymore. They could only watch from the windows, crowds against crowds. There was not even such a big scene during the New Year’s. The owner of the Zhang’s Teahouse smiled so much that his eyes disappeared and all of his teeth could be seen. When today was over, his Zhang’s Teahouse would be known throughout Pingjiang!

This was also the first time Bao Jianghe also saw such a big scene. He had never been so nervous when facing believers in the past as he did now facing this crowd.

He remembered what Song Lian said to him last night.

“Leader Bao must also not want to remain here all the time. If you want to go out, you must share the worries for our Lord.”

He had come here to share in His Lord’s worries.

Bao Jianghe swallowed.

“My surname is Bao, and I was originally the Leader of the Little White Lotus Sect.”

The believers cried: “Leader! Leader! We are here!”

Bao Jianghe looked at the believers, his feelings conflicted. Those who came here were all ordinary believers. They didn’t know the twists and turns inside. Those who hadn’t come were probably thinking about how they could kill him before he could tell the truth.

Having already reached this point, there was no turning back.

“A few years ago, Bao was just like everyone else, just an ordinary commoner. My parents and brothers died early, and all I had to worry about was just feeding myself. I supported myself by working as a porter and the days were difficult.”

Bao Jianghe’s emotions finally calmed down. He remembered the days before, busy running around everyday for a living. He used to feel bitter, but now that he thought about it, it was not all that bitter really. While he was looked down on, he could still fill his stomach.

Life was simple, even just a single dish of meat had him feeling content.

“Later, I heard that the White Lotus Sect in the north was so powerful that they lived a life of lords, so my thoughts slowly turned.”

“I borrowed the name of the White Lotus Sect to create the Little White Lotus Sect. At that time, I just wanted to accept some believers who would give me some offerings, so that I could live a better life and save up enough money to marry a wife.”

“But for some reason, there were more and more believers, and the number of people who followed Bao became more and more. Like being driven to join the Liangshan Mountain rebels, I had no choice but to move forward.” (TN: driven to join the Liangshan Mountain rebels=to force sb to desperate action)

“The subordinates around me also have their own thoughts and interests. Since Han Shantong could establish himself as emperor and Han Lin’er can claim to be the emperor, they also felt that I could do the same. At that time, everybody could be an official and enjoy glory and wealth.”

Speakimg up to here, the believers listening below had already gone half crazy.

“Leader! Someone must have forced Leader to say this!”

“Leader!”

“Don’t say anymore, don’t say anymore!”

Bao Jianghe remained unmoved: “The sect believers offered virgin boys and girls. I didn’t keep any of them. My subordinates took them away and kept them instead. After playing them to death or disability, towards the believers they would say that the gods had taken their children away to live a good life.”

………

“You beasts in human skin!” The woman was in her forties, her face malnourished and thin. She wore a cloth attire and had a look of bitter sadness. In the beginning she was just listening numbly but at this time, she screamed like she had gone crazy, “I know! I already know everything! I saw the bones of my son! They just threw him in the wild! I saw it when I went to pick wild vegetables! My son was only twelve years old! How can you do such a thing, how can you do such a thing! You beasts!”

The person next to her who was not a believer asked her: “Then why didn’t you tell others?”

“That’s right, your son died, but as the mother you didn’t seek justice for him?”

The woman was too skinny, so thin she looked like a skeleton, her eyes protruding out and her lips trembling as she said, “I did, I told my family…..”

The others asked the man standing next to her: “That was not only her son, but also your son. You, as the father, actually don’t care about your son’s life?”

The middle-aged man with a crouched back looked like an old man, his temples white. If one didn’t know his age, he would be taken as a person in his sixties. His lips trembled slightly and he didn’t dare to look up at the people: “How can that be spoken? The people in our village are all followers of the Little White Lotus Sect. They all believe in the Leader, who will believe me? A scholar in the village said that the Little White Lotus Sect was just pretending and deceiving us, and then died in the middle of the night. My family…..my family can’t even compare to that scholar…..”

“I still have two daughters and three more sons…..” A tear fell from the man’s eyes. “With one already dead, how could I let the whole family join him below?”

The people looked at this family with pity.

Some believers also shouted: “Where is my son?”

“Where is my daughter? I even prepared a dowry for my daughter!”

Bao Jianghe continued: “Most of those who are good-looking are still in the houses of my subordinates. Those who were not either died or were sold to the brothel.”

Those young boys and girls thought that they could live a good life when they were sent to the Leader.

But only when they went there did they know that it was hell on earth waiting for them.

Bao Jianghe: “Bao has sinned.”

He looked at the tearful believers and the ignorant commoners, and then slowly bent his knees and knelt in front of them.

He was originally just one of these people.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Since when did he stop treating human lives as human lives?

When did he begin to feel that it was natural to give away the offered child virgins to his subordinates?

Bao Jianghe lowered his head.

After he was dead, would he go down to the 18th level of hell?

TN: bonus chapter coming up!

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