In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 863 Each with their own agenda: Chaos in Liaodong
"Four stones! Four stones!"

At the foot of Mount Duoyan, a scruffy-bearded man in his forties shouted.

Instantly, countless eyes turned towards them.

The people outside the police line stared wide-eyed.

He stared intently at the vessel placed on the ground, his breathing rapid.

Hearing the commotion, Tuoluhuchaer ran over at his fastest speed, stared intently at the middle-aged man, and asked:
"How many?"

"Four stones and a bucket!"

"Good! Good! Good!"

Tuoluhuchaer's face flushed red, and his eyes were filled with barely suppressed excitement.

The surrounding tribespeople also heard this affirmation and were so happy they wanted to jump for joy.

The Doyan tribe is located in the northeast, where winter lasts for half the year.
Its demand for food was the highest in the entire Ming Dynasty.

In the past, the Doyan tribe could only exchange cattle and sheep for some grain, or go into the mountains to hunt in the wind, snow and danger.

Even so, countless people still starve to death every year.

Now that we have crops that yield four bushels per mu, it will be difficult for people to starve to death in the future.

Cheers erupted, and many tribesmen knelt down.

They kowtowed and knelt before Tuoluhuchaer, shouting:

"bless!"

Tuoluhuchaer looked at his kneeling tribesmen with a complicated expression.

The tribespeople were puzzled and believed that the object was made by him, the tribal chief.

But he knew very well that without the generosity of the military command, he would have been in serious trouble.

Countless more people will die in the Duoyan tribe this winter.

Taking a deep breath, Tuoluhuchaer looked around at the powerful and influential people, each of whom had a complicated expression.

Even those who were most opposed to cooperating with the commander,
They have all fallen silent and gone into hiding.

The facts are clear.

Fighting alongside the commander will ensure survival.

Not only sweet potatoes, but also many newly built houses in the tribe were built with money earned through trade.

Tuoluhuchaer suddenly awoke with a start.
Unbeknownst to them, the influence of the commander had already penetrated into all aspects of the clan.

Food, clothing, shelter, and transportation are all intertwined; even if he wanted to be self-reliant or rebel now, he probably wouldn't have anyone to support him.

"Ugh"

Tuoluhuchaer sighed inwardly.
Turning to the kneeling clansmen, he waved his sleeve and shouted:
"My people, the days of hunger and cold are over!"

Cheers erupted, with some even shouting "Long live the Emperor!" which made Tuoluhuchaer's expression turn strange.

He walked up to the platform, took the megaphone handed to him by someone, and shouted:

"Now that we have food, our people will no longer starve!"

"But we, the Duoyan Guard, are more than that!"

"We need to live a better life."

"Every household in our tribe should have iron tools, everyone should have clothes to wear, and everyone should be able to eat meat at every meal!"

Everyone listened intently, afraid of missing a single word.

With morale high, Tuoluhuchaer felt that speaking eloquently in public was very effective.

He continued:

"Next, the tribe will select the best hunters to go into the mountains to hunt."
Hunt the best game, select the best pelts, and then sell them in Daning City and Yingtian Capital City.

I hereby guarantee that as long as this matter is done well...
"The tribe will have an iron pot in every household, and everyone will be able to eat meat!"

"Wow—"

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became lively.

Even the local people digging sweet potatoes nearby straightened up and listened in silence.

In the past, one would only believe three-tenths of what this said.

But now, they have no choice but to believe.

Because a bountiful harvest is right before our eyes, a feast is in sight.

Tuoluhuchaer met the gazes of the crowd, his lips pressed tightly together, and shouted loudly:

"You may not know how much a fine fur can sell for in Daning."
I can tell you, ten taels of silver could buy one hundred and fifty iron pots!

The scene erupted again.

They didn't know how much ten taels of silver was.
But they knew about the 150 iron pots.

And a fine, flawless fur,

Even the worst hunter in the tribe, by sheer luck, can manage to catch one in a year or two.

The most skilled hunters in the tribe were able to navigate the vast, snowy landscape...
The bullet enters through the prey's eyes, thus damaging only its internal organs and leaving no trace of its fur.

With a flurry of glances, more than one pair of eyes were cast toward the skilled hunters in the tribe, and many women even exchanged flirtatious glances on the spot.

"Cough cough."

Just as everyone was in a frenzy of shouting, Long Baiqiu, the deputy commander of the Duoyan Guard, coughed lightly.

He was also young, not yet thirty, but it was clear that he was a Ming dynasty man.

Because his skin, apart from being somewhat dry and cracked, was not pitch black.

Tuoluhuchar's face stiffened, knowing that this was due to dissatisfaction with what he had said, and he immediately tried to smooth things over:
"Fellow tribesmen, without the Commander's generous trade relations,
Think about it, how much money did it cost to buy an iron pot in the past?

Those unscrupulous merchants can't possibly take ten of our sheep!
Now you can buy an iron pot for only 65 coins! That's not even enough for half a sheep.

Therefore, we, the people of the Doyanwei, must know how to be grateful.
We need to know who led us out of poverty, out of the days of hunger and cold.

It's Commander Lu!
Therefore, we must thank Commander Du and Lord Lu!

The crowd erupted in cheers again, shouting loudly.

Long Baiqiu nodded in satisfaction.

As a commander stationed abroad, ensuring the loyalty of the Doyan Guard was his primary responsibility.

If the guards of Duoyan do not know how to be grateful.

With just one document, trade between the two places could be suspended.

At this very moment, this lively scene is being repeated at Duoyan Sanwei.

Given time, the control of the military will become increasingly stronger.

On the 13th day of the 11th month of the 23rd year of the Hongwu reign (1389), in Liaoyang City, Liaodong Commandery.

The heavy snowfall blanketed the world in white.
Only the long, winding official road ahead had been cleared by soldiers, revealing some yellowish-brown ground.

Because of Mei Yi's rebellion, Qi Jingfeng and Zhao Zunian, who were implicated, had their homes confiscated, making the Liaodong Military Command's office unusually deserted.

Now, only Zhou E, the Deputy Commander of Liaodong, and Xu Cheng, the Assistant Commander, are leading a group of men, quietly waiting outside Liaoyang City.

The gentle wind and snow covered their eyebrows and beards with frost, and their cheeks were red from the cold.

Xu Cheng opened his mouth and gasped for breath.
A white mist spread out, as if he were shrouded in clouds.

He looked at Zhou E, who was standing quietly not far away, exhaled a breath, and said softly:

"Sir, it's never been this cold in previous years."

Zhou E stamped his slightly frozen feet.
Even with thick fur lining the military boots, you could still feel the biting cold wind around you.

When he opened his mouth, white mist also filled the air:

Yes, it snowed late this year, but it got cold very quickly.
My ears are almost frozen off after just a few days.

Zhou E looked back at the soldiers behind him, and sighed with emotion:

"Fortunately, with your help, the winter coats were able to be distributed in time."
Otherwise, if I try to manage all this on my own, the brothers will freeze to death.

Xu Cheng smiled shyly:

"You flatter me, Lord Zhou. I was merely doing my duty."

When Lord Pan arrived, the commander-in-chief had a pillar of support.
"Once the vacant positions of assistant magistrate are filled, the adults won't be so tired."

Upon hearing this, all the adults present narrowed their eyes, a complex mix of emotions flashing through their minds.

Zhou E was the same; he chuckled twice.

"Is Lord Xu really looking forward to Lord Pan's arrival?"

Xu Cheng was taken aback and asked in return:
"What do you mean by this, Lord Zhou? Such a large military command would be in complete chaos without a commander."

"Not necessarily."

Beside him, a middle-aged man in his forties spoke up with a smile; he was Bai Wenzhao, the commander of Dingliao Central Guard.

“These days, Lord Pan hasn’t come, and the Commandery is being managed by Lord Zhou, but it’s still running as usual.”

"Yes, yes, although the Commandery cannot be without a superior for a day, Lord Zhou has done a good job."

Another voice chimed in, this time from Liu Hongzhong, the commander of the Dingliao Left Guard. He was in his early thirties, young, handsome, and full of vigor.

The lining of the armor was made of precious materials.

Because he was a member of the Liu family of Liaoyang City, and came from a powerful and wealthy family.

As soon as he spoke, many of the officers in the military command nodded in agreement, finding his words to be absolutely correct.

Xu Cheng glanced at them, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes.

They knew that Zhou E was dissatisfied with not being directly appointed as the commander, which was why they were being sarcastic and unfriendly.

However, he gave Liu Hongzhong a somewhat strange look.

If I remember correctly, this person is a member of the Liu family and is also Lord Lu's brother-in-law.

He was definitely on Lord Zhou's side.
And why doesn't he support Lord Pan, who was strongly recommended by Lord Lu?
Xu Cheng was filled with doubts, feeling that although the position of Assistant Commander was good,

But there are too many things to think about, and it's not nearly as carefree as when I was in the Thirty Thousand Guards.

Zhou E probably sensed the awkward atmosphere and said with a smile:

"Lord Pan was handpicked by the officials of the Governor's Office to be the Commander-in-Chief."

We are here today to welcome you, in order to cooperate with Lord Pan and make Liaodong better and better.

Some of the group nodded, while others remained silent, creating an extremely strange atmosphere.

A quarter of an hour later, a black dot appeared on the official road at the end of the line of sight.
A dull thud sounded outside Liaoyang City.

The group looked in the direction of the sound and saw a black dot rapidly approaching.

As the distance closed, it grew larger and larger, eventually transforming into a long, dark dragon.

As the warhorses galloped, the snowflakes that landed on the ground fluttered and were kicked up into the sky along with the soil, creating an imposing scene.

"coming!"

Someone said something, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly became heavy.

The sound of horses' hooves grew louder and louder, and in the blink of an eye they rushed to the outskirts of Liaoyang City.

"end!"

With a loud shout, the warhorses reared up high before slamming their hooves down.

A soft thud resounded in everyone's hearts.

Pan Jing glanced at the group of people at the door, then dismounted with a stern expression.

Along the way, he witnessed firsthand just how terrible the roads were in Liaodong.

Everywhere was muddy, with melted snow mixed with the soil.
Once it freezes, even warhorses will twist their ankles when walking on it.

Not to mention compared to the official roads of the capital, it is far inferior even to the official roads of Da Ning.

At this moment, Zhou E and the other military commanders stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Lord Pan!"

Pan Jing's gaze swept over the crowd, and he nodded slightly.
He forced a warm smile onto his face and raised his hand in a gesture of support, saying:
"My lords, please excuse the formalities. On the way here, I have deeply felt the hardship of the wind and snow in Liaodong."

Your perseverance in this icy and snowy landscape is truly a blessing for Liaodong.

Zhou E quickly cupped his hands and respectfully said:

"Lord Pan, you flatter me. This is simply our duty."

My lord, you must be weary from your journey. Please, enter the city.

The military headquarters has prepared food and drink to welcome you, sir.

Pan Jing smiled and nodded, then mounted his horse along with the others.

The clatter of hooves echoed, leaving a trail of footprints in the snow as the group slowly made their way into Liaoyang City.

On the streets of the city, people stopped to watch.
Looking at this imposing group, his eyes were filled with awe.

Before long, the group arrived at the military headquarters.

Inside the yamen, the stove fire burned brightly, dispelling some of the chill.

Everyone took their seats in turn, and after several rounds of drinks and dishes, the atmosphere became more relaxed.

Pan Jing put down his wine glass, his expression turning serious.

"Gentlemen, I have come all the way from the capital and passed through Daning. In comparison, I am deeply aware of the arduous road ahead in Liaodong."

Pan Jing frowned, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the crowd.

Upon hearing this, everyone put down their wine glasses and listened quietly.

Zhou E frowned slightly, secretly trying to figure out Pan Jing's intentions.

Pan Jing stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.

A biting wind, carrying snowflakes, lashed at his face. He pointed to the pristine white snow outside the window and said in a deep voice:

"The roads are muddy and impassable, and our troop movements will be hindered if the enemy attacks."

In contrast, Da Ning had flat and wide roads, allowing warhorses to gallop at full speed, making military defense and troop movements extremely convenient.

If the roads in Liaodong could be built like those in Daming, why would we worry about enemy invasion?

It's unlikely that the Jurchen invasion of last year will repeat itself.

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances. A glint flashed in Bai Wenzhao's eyes as he stroked his beard and spoke:

"What Lord Pan said is absolutely right. The roads are indeed a major hidden danger in Liaodong."

However, building roads is no easy task.
It would require a huge amount of manpower, material resources, and financial resources, but Liaodong has absolutely nothing.

Upon hearing this, Liu Hongzhong nodded in agreement.

"What Lord Bai said is correct; the Military Commandery is currently facing a financial crisis."
We're struggling to make ends meet, and we don't even know where we'll get our salary next month.

Even if we wanted to repair the road, we were powerless to do so.

Pan Jing had his back to them, his brows furrowed deeply.

He turned around, looking firmly at the crowd:

"My lords, temporary difficulties can be overcome, and so can the shortage of money."

But this road must be built.

This is a matter of utmost importance concerning the safety of Liaodong, and we must not back down because of temporary difficulties.

Zhou E sighed softly, stood up, and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Pan Jing, saying:
"Lord Pan, it's not that we're unwilling to repair the road."

However, the current situation in the capital is not optimistic.

Last year, Mei Yi's rebellion implicated a wide range of people.

Many people had their homes confiscated, and the imperial court not only failed to provide them with a single penny, but also...
They even made us deliver all the silver to the capital, causing the commander to lose a large sum of money for nothing.

"The department is currently handling numerous affairs, all of which require funds, and we are struggling to stay afloat."

After a pause, Zhou E continued:

"Replacing weapons, distributing soldiers' rations and pay, and repairing and reinforcing city defenses are all major expenses."

The silver in the treasury is now almost gone.
They simply cannot afford the cost of large-scale road repairs.
"I urge Lord Pan to rest and then review the documents from the Commandery before making any further considerations."

Pan Jing's face darkened, and his fist clenched tightly in front of him.
He knew things would be difficult, but he hadn't expected such strong opposition to something as simple as road repair.

This doesn't even include the massive project costing 300,000 taels of silver.

Pan Jing turned around, his warm demeanor returning, and said with a smile:

“I understand what Lord Zhou has said.”

But the defeat in Liaodong last year must not be repeated.

If the Jurchens attack, my Liaodong region has troops, but I am unable to deploy them to the border in time.
Even with millions of soldiers, it would be useless.

Road construction is a long-term plan.

I will make a decision after I have reviewed the documents.
If all else fails, the wealthy families in the city can pool their money to raise funds.
"The road is repaired; it's a good thing for everyone involved."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other, but no one spoke.

When Liu Hongzhong heard that Pan Jinggang was planning to target wealthy families like them, his face darkened.

"Lord Pan, the wealthy families of Liaodong have been contributing money and effort to the Commandery over the years."
Last year, when the Jurchens invaded the border, all military expenses and provisions were raised from wealthy households.

Now, even large households are being asked to pay for road repairs; this probably won't convince the public.

Pan Jing looked over, his eyes narrowed slightly, and after a moment's thought, he nodded gently:

"Is that so? Then let me investigate."
If all the wealthy families in the city are so loyal to the emperor and patriotic, I wish to meet them and bestow upon them high praise!

Hearing Pan Jing say this, everyone felt somewhat relieved.

Zhou E picked up his wine cup and said with a smile:

"Come, come, let's have a welcome dinner for Lord Pan today, let's not talk about these troublesome things!"

Everyone responded enthusiastically, raising their glasses in a toast.

The clinking of wine glasses echoed in the room.

Outside the window, the wind and snow continued to rage.
But different flames ignited in the hearts of everyone in the room, making the meal extremely strange.

(End of this chapter)