As an official, what's wrong with raising a few monsters?

Chapter 218 Do you regret it?

"You are the magistrate of Wangyang County?"

A thousand soldiers in blood-stained uniforms roared in, led by a young general named Chen Hua.

He was wearing a bright suit of armor and a red turban.

He raised his head, looking down at the old man standing in front of the city gate.

His uncle had mentioned it to him, saying that he absolutely had to save this person's life.

"Fellow righteous men, I am Zhang Boxing, the magistrate of Wangyang County."

Looking at this group of fierce soldiers, Zhang Boxing cupped his hands in greeting and said, "The State of Chen is tyrannical. I am willing to abandon darkness and embrace light, open the city gates and surrender to the righteous army. I hope to live in harmony with you all."

Wangyang County has no natural defenses and is not a fortified city.

Zhang Boxing could not possibly defend the city.

"Okay, okay~"

"Lord Zhang has made a sound judgment; your choice was correct!"

Chen Hua said with a smile.

This start alone seems to be fine.

The two sides got along harmoniously.

The Blood-Clad Army entered the city.

"Tsk tsk... The county town under Lord Zhang's jurisdiction is quite nice!"

Once inside the city gate, the scenery before my eyes was completely transformed.

The roads are well-maintained, and the houses are arranged in a neat and orderly manner, suggesting that the people are living quite well.

At the very least, Chen Hua had marched south all the way and, apart from some major cities, had not seen many cities as prosperous as Wangyang County.

Pairs of eyes peeked out from the walls and through the cracks in the doors, some with curiosity, others with fear, watching them.

Chen Hua looked around, his eyes filled with amazement, and said to Zhang Boxing beside him.

"Ahem... You flatter me! General Chen, you flatter me!"

Zhang Boxing coughed lightly, noticing that the way these blood-clad soldiers were looking at the city was a little strange.

He narrowed his eyes and said, "General, you must be tired from your journey. I have prepared wine and food. Please come with me to your residence to rest."

I just want to get rid of these disreputable rebels as soon as possible.
"Don't rush!"

However, Chen Hua shook his head.

The soldiers under his command looked around eagerly, clearly impatient.

Zhang Boxing's heart sank: "What? What does General Chen mean?"

Chen Hua raised an eyebrow: "Lord Zhang, are you unaware of the rules of our Blood-Clad Army?"

Having stumbled upon such a prosperous city, how could they possibly just leave like that?
Then, without waiting for Zhang Boxing's reply, he answered on his own: "Lord Zhang, we need provisions and supplies for our march, otherwise how can we fight? Our Emperor has personally set a rule that we will be resupplied for three days after entering the city."

The system of Daqi has some loopholes.

Wang Huai has excellent war attributes; he possesses a powerful spirit and always leads from the front, truly making him an unparalleled warrior.

However, as a grassroots riseer, his vision was bound to be limited. Mingchen enlightened him, but did not teach him what to do next.

He only had grand ideals and aspirations, but his political acumen and vision were not particularly broad, and his focus was always on the war.

He overestimated the ideological awareness of his own people; not everyone is like him.

Wang Huai was too kind to his own people; he only wanted to be good to the common people, but he lacked many rules and regulations for punishment.

Before gaining power, he made many promises, which garnered a large following and support from the people.

However, as the company grew larger, some drawbacks began to emerge.

That is the contradiction between overly fanatical faith and the actual availability of resources.

Mingchen had previously stated that the Blood-Clad Army was merely a rebel army with numerous problems and was not qualified to establish a nation.

The elderly are alright.

Some young people joined the Blood-Clad Army with fervor, but did not engage in production.

If all you need to do is parade through the streets every day and shout slogans to get food, be well-fed and clothed, then who would bother to do any hard work?
You should know that farm work is by no means easy; you have to work in the wind and sun, and there's always something to do.

Laziness is a virus. People always seek the easiest way of life. If one person can live a good life by being lazy, it will make those around them feel unbalanced, and will also lead to others following suit and imitating, eventually forming a vicious cycle.

This results in a significant waste of productivity, and even leads to people being unable to make a living.

Those who believed in the state constantly exploited their own families, taking resources from their homes to supply the imperial court.

In order to improve their own political achievements, the officials of the Blood-Clad Army half-encouraged and half-forced the people to bleed them dry, and the intelligence they reported was also exaggerated.

As time passed, the rebel army that once rose up and held up half the sky seemed to have gradually changed its nature.

Moreover, the Blood-Clad Army was essentially a war machine wound up like a clockwork, constantly waging war, which resulted in a massive depletion of national resources and a deficit.

The grain accumulated in the Qianyuan granary over several years was quickly squandered.

Every time an army captures a city, it inevitably engages in looting and resource exploitation.

Most of these people who rose from the bottom lacked the grand spirit and ambition of Wang Huai, and were too easily corrupted by material desires.

Not everyone can remember their original aspirations.

Perhaps it should be said that... most people don't have any truly loyal ideals; they drift with the tide and indulge in desires.

Slogans gradually became just slogans.

The line between rebels and bandits is very thin, and the definition is not so clear.

Besides food, what if you saw rare treasures? What if you saw a beautiful young woman?
The world is not black and white, and people are not simply good or evil.

A passionate and righteous army may also be a vicious and terrifying bandit.

Once they gain power, the hero who slays the dragon will become the new dragon, indulging in desires and acting even more recklessly.

The city after the war was in ruins, filled with cries of despair.

When Wang Huai was commanding troops at the front, he would see the problems, but the soldiers were indeed short of food and resources, and these problems could not be avoided.

If you don't eat, you won't have the strength to fight, and you'll starve to death.

It's obvious that your own people are more important.

He allowed some food supplies to be provided in the occupied territories, but only permitted the looting of local gentry and officials, and encouraged minimal violence against the common people. He strictly prohibited the looting of property, destruction of houses, and rape of women.

Wang Huai commanded the most elite and loyal troops, and their military discipline was naturally the strictest.

There were some minor issues during the march, but from his perspective, they weren't significant.

However... after splitting the troops into four routes, they were no longer able to reach their destinations.

Elsewhere, it was a different story. The intelligence gathered and passed to him consisted only of battle losses, spoils, and captured cities—trivial matters not worth mentioning.

The supply order was passed down through the ranks and became a rule that allowed for three days of legal looting.

Even cities that surrendered were not spared.

The Blood-Clad Army already had limited influence in the north, and this behavior has further tarnished its reputation.

Surrendering also means death, and resisting also means death, so why not give it a try? This led to an increasing number of cities putting up desperate resistance.

As Chen Hua rose, his warhorse neighed, and many soldiers grinned maliciously, looking around, clearly impatient.

The sound reached Zhang Boxin's ears, but it made his heart sink.

His warm smile gradually faded: "General Chen, what do you mean by that?"

"Now that I have surrendered, why should my people be made to suffer?"

Chen Hua raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, "Lord Zhang, rules are rules. My soldiers need to eat too!"

My uncle only said that it was enough to save the magistrate's life; he didn't say that looting was forbidden.

He had just seen a girl wearing a green bamboo necklace; she was quite pretty…

The worst thing has happened.

Zhang Boxing frowned and said to Chen Hua, "I can give you the grain, but please, General, restrain your soldiers and prevent them from committing any violence. Head north quickly."

He had no doubt whether Mingchen and Xiao Xinyue had put in a good word for him.

He was a smart man and he could see that the Blood-Clad Army's system was a bit strange. He figured that... the Blood-Clad Emperor's decrees must have gone wrong in their transmission.

Chen Hua was a young man who commanded troops and achieved early success.

Seeing that Zhang Boxing's attitude had hardened, he couldn't help but frown.

Are there still officials willing to stand up for the people these days?
Along the way, he saw officials abandoning the city's inhabitants, running faster than anyone else.

Of course, he did not respect Zhang Boxin: "We can do it ourselves, there's no need to trouble Lord Zhang."

Having said that, he didn't bother to say anything more to Zhang Boxin, and simply raised his hand and waved.

"Oh~~"

The blood-clad soldiers behind them cheered and scattered in all directions.

"stop!"

"stop!"

When a scholar meets a soldier, reason is useless.

Zhang Boxing never expected that the commander he encountered would be such a fool.

Communication between people with different perspectives is destined to fail in negotiation.

His face turned red, and he kept shouting.

However, the ravenous soldiers clearly wouldn't obey his orders.

"what!!"

"what are you going to do?!"

"My lord... save me!"

"Lord Zhang, didn't we surrender?!"

Similarly, not all the people obeyed Zhang Boxing's orders.

Some brainless and some daring people even went out to wander around, and some even watched the commotion from the sidelines.

Clearly, they became the first targets of these ruthless bandits.

When they were injured, they cried out in pain, either pleading for help from Zhang Boxing or cursing him.

All sorts of words, like axes and hammers, pounded on the old man who didn't look very tall.

"kill!"

"kill!"

Suddenly, shouts of battle arose, and more than two hundred local militiamen dressed in ordinary civilian clothes and carrying weapons came running from all directions.

Upon witnessing the Blood-Clad Army committing atrocities, they fought against them.

The once quiet city is now in chaos.

"Lord Zhang, what is the meaning of this?"

The Blood-Clad Army hated the officials of the old Qian Yuan dynasty the most. Wherever they went, any official from the Qian Yuan dynasty would not have a good ending.

In Chen Hua's view, saving Zhang Boxing's life was already an immense blessing.

What does this mean right now?
Is this old man taking advantage of me?

Even after the Blood-Clad Army entered the city, they still sent troops to resist.

He frowned, looking at the old man before him with some hostility: "Lord Zhang, if we start fighting, the nature of this matter will change."

"General Chen, I have restrained my soldiers to ensure that friendly forces are not harmed."

Zhang Boxing, with a stern face, said to Chen Hua, "How about we let this go? The Blood-Clad Army can lead its troops north through the city, and I can also provide supplies. I hope the general will not harm my people."

His two hundred-odd local militia were certainly no match for Blood-Clad's thousand-strong vanguard.

But it's better to avoid trouble. We could have lived in peace, so why start another war?
It seems that Mingchen must have put pressure on them as well.

If the other side has even a modicum of sense, they'll be willing to coexist peacefully with him.

Unfortunately, the person in front of him was a young and arrogant man who had been promoted through connections and had heard a lot of flattery along the way. He felt that no one could replace him and that he could not be disobeyed.

This old man has been an official for a long time, and he has a kind of temperament that Chen Hua finds very annoying.

Preaching, wisdom, authority... it's as if only following his opinions is the right thing to do.

Regardless of the downsides or the benefits... he simply didn't want to go along with the old man.

He also took a fancy to the girl in the city!

What kind of city is this, to slink away like this?
He stared coldly at Zhang Boxing, completely abandoning all pretense: "Lord Zhang, rules are rules! You don't think you and your few men can stop the Blood-Clad Army, do you?"

Zhang Boxin's local militia were ordered not to harm anyone, but the Blood-Clad Army had no such restrictions.

If attacked, they will retaliate without hesitation.

Casualties quickly followed. "Stop!!!"

idiot!

Looking at this arrogant and domineering young general, Zhang Boxing felt extremely frustrated.

His actions and words have an effect on anyone with a brain.

But as for idiots... it's really hard to say.

He suddenly drew a long sword, placed it against his neck, and shouted, "General Chen, please order your soldiers to stop and spare my people."

His voice carried far.

In an instant, whether it was the blood-clad soldiers, the local militia, or some of the bullied civilians, they all unconsciously shifted their gaze toward the county magistrate, who was somewhat controversial and little known to the public.

"Lord Zhang, what is the meaning of this?"

You're an official, living a life of luxury and wealth. I didn't rob you; I only robbed the common people. Why are you risking your life?!

Chen Hua frowned slightly as he watched Zhang Boxing's actions.

His uncle had specifically told him that it was a matter personally overseen by His Majesty, and that the old man's life must be saved.

"General Chen, someone must have told you that you must spare my life."

“If I were to die here, you would be held responsible.”

The cold blade pressed against his neck. The old man, sword in hand, stared coldly at him and uttered the same words once more: "Please, General, restrain your soldiers and spare my people."

Throughout, his only demand was that his city not be destroyed.

He believed that Mingchen must have spoken up for him, and the Blood-Clad Army must have given him some instructions as well.

Otherwise, this arrogant fool wouldn't have given him a friendly look in the first place.

"This this……"

"Lord Zhang, what are you doing?"

"How did he end up with a sword to his own neck?"

"Is he negotiating with that blood-clad bandit?"

"Lord Zhang..."

……

People could always hear Zhang Boxing's shouts and see what he did.

Looking at the thinly dressed old man in the cold wind, and listening to his resolute words about protecting the people.

For a moment, these people also had mixed feelings.

A few days ago, Zhang Boxing posted a notice saying he was going to surrender to the Blood-Clad Army. There were also some rumors that he was afraid of death and was only trying to protect himself. They said that the Blood-Clad Army would still burn, kill, and loot if they entered the city.

He was even accused of embezzlement by his own son!
Even though his reputation has improved over the past year, no one could have imagined that such a person would do something so ruthless.

The people opened their mouths, but for some reason, they couldn't even utter words of gratitude or praise.

"you!"

"Lord Zhang, are you threatening me?!"

Chen Hua was conflicted.

On one hand, he really didn't want the old man to die, but on the other hand, going along with him meant that he was wrong and he had lost.

Zhang Boxin's eyes seemed to see right through him, as if he had him completely under his control. He was really annoyed.

His anger surged, and he glared coldly at the old man.

He really didn't believe that these pampered officials could go to such lengths for these ordinary people.

"threaten?"

"It's not a threat; I was just reminding the general."

Zhang Boxing advised him, "Don't ruin your future because of a moment of impulse!"

"Humph!"

Chen Hua's eyes flashed with a complex mix of emotions, but he finally let out a cold snort: "Who told you that? Nobody told this general that they would save your life!"

The old man's lecturing manner annoyed him the most.

Why should we bow down to the weak when the enemy is weak and we are strong?
"You may die, but you're welcome!"

This old man dared to threaten him!
Chen Hua was a stubborn man, and he actually went up against this person.

He refused to believe that the old man in front of him would dare to commit suicide for the sake of these people.

He still did not stop his soldiers.

"no, do not want……"

"kill!!!"

"Hahaha."

"Lord Zhang...why are you surrendering?!"

"I'll fight you to the death! Help me..."

……

The city was in chaos, filled with screams, snarling laughter, and the sounds of fighting—a chaotic mess.

Various sounds entered his ears, and Zhang Boxing closed his eyes.

The biting wind stung my old face.

Having spent his entire life calming down and half his life scheming and plotting, he felt inexplicably weary.

The city he had built up over half his life was now a scene of utter devastation, and cries of agony echoed in his ears…

Once he calmed down, it was only a three-day raid; he could spend some time reorganizing the city...

Is it okay...is it okay?

A surge of passion welled up in his heart, and his hand gripping the longsword trembled slightly.

The general opposite him gave him a cold glance, still unconcerned and unwilling to speak to him, and walked towards the house he had already chosen.

But then the soldiers and civilians around them seemed to stop what they were doing, staring blankly at one spot, somewhat surprised...

"stop!"

There were shouts.

Chen Hua caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of his eye.

However, the next moment, his expression changed drastically, and his eyes widened.

"you!"

He trembled violently, his face filled with horror, and he quickly stepped forward to support the man.

A clear line of blood ran down the old man's neck, from which fresh blood continued to gush out.

His face was deathly pale, and his life force was rapidly fading. He just stared fixedly at Chen Hua, weakly murmuring, "Stop, stop..."

"You're a madman! You old madman!"

Are these people your father? Why are you risking your life?!

The young general who was arguing with the old man finally snapped.

His previously defiant demeanor crumbled instantly, and he could only shake the old man while cursing incessantly.

The old man lost his composure.

But his composure returned.

As he regained consciousness, he realized just how serious the trouble he had caused would be.

The old man died at his hands.

This is a matter personally intervened by His Majesty, and even his uncle... cannot protect him.

"stop!"

The old man just stared at him, his blood-soaked hands gripping the silver armor on his arm tightly, repeating the same words indistinctly.

The bright armor was stained with a touch of crimson.

"stop!"

"Stop everyone!"

This is serious, why bother with looting?
The young general's roar echoed through the chaotic city.

Everything came to a halt.

Everyone around stared blankly at the old man being helped up by the young general.

He was shrewd and calculating; he did not refuse bribes from the wealthy and powerful; he judged several cases that were not entirely fair; his son publicly accused him of corruption; and he lacked the backbone to surrender the entire city to the enemy...

But now, without hesitation, he slashed the sword against his own neck, bravely facing death in the biting cold wind.

It seems that no one in this city has ever understood the official who governs them.

“Stop…”

The old man still gripped the general's armor, stubbornly repeating the same thing, his eyes gradually becoming vacant, his life force dissipating further with the gushing blood.

He felt powerless, and the world before his eyes gradually became blurry.

In a daze... he seemed to be having a dream, a dream within a dream.

The main hall is magnificent, and the city is bustling.

With the reign of the holy ruler, the world was restored, and the people lived in peace and prosperity.

He wore proper official robes, wrote administrative documents, and managed the country without compromise or coercion from powerful figures. He was never tainted by any corruption, and the people sang his name, praised him, admired him, and loved him.

A good reputation will be bestowed upon him, and his name will be remembered for eternity...

He really wanted to...

The old man smiled.

If I had left this city back then and gone with Mingchen and that prince, would everything have become reality?

There are no "what ifs" in this world.

When the last glimmer of life was extinguished... the bloodstained hand finally released the general's armor and fell to the ground.

Blood stained the streets.

The biting wind seemed to stand still for a moment, and flakes of white snow drifted down from the sky, adorning the thin, motionless body of the old man.

On the occasion of the New Year and the day of celebration, some people quietly left.

……

Light and shadow shift and space moves.

In the dimly lit space, indescribable colors blurred before my eyes.

Heaven and earth are reversed, formless and without substance, beyond perception.

Only a solemn and majestic Dharma image appeared before Zhang Boxin's eyes. It was genderless, enormous, and its hands were forming mudras. It seemed to be thousands of miles away, yet also very close.

Throughout the entire process, Zhang Boxing remained rooted to the spot, seemingly trapped in some indescribable predicament.

Unable to speak, unable to think, memories and cognition seem to have vanished, everything... follows instinct.

After an unknown amount of time, the deathly energy shifted, and pairs of tightly closed eyes suddenly appeared on the statue, slowly opening.

In Zhang Boxing's eyes, these pairs of eyes were recording scenes he was very familiar with.

As he reclaimed this life, all his memories flowed into his body, bit by bit, through those eyes.

Born into a poor family, whose fortunes declined, he studied diligently and passed the imperial examinations.

He sought a minor official position in the capital, venturing into the most ruthless arena of fame and fortune. He struggled for half his life, married, had children, and achieved a minor official rank.

Later, he was framed and his wife died a violent death. He was also demoted to a county town and became a minor county magistrate.

In moments of despair, even lofty ambitions fade away.

He settled down to govern the county town, outwitted and outmaneuvered powerful figures, and secretly raised an army...

After a decade of mediocrity, a brilliant young man came into his view, and his long-dormant ideals seemed to be awakened.

only……

After entering the city in his blood-stained clothes, facing the arrogant young general and the city's people whom he both loved and hated, he finally slit his own throat.

Looking back on his life, all sorts of things, big and small, swirled before his eyes, and even some things he had completely forgotten became exceptionally clear.

While Zhang Boxing was lost in thought.

Suddenly, a mighty sound rang in my ears.

Do you regret it?

(End of this chapter)