6th Year of Zhengyong, October 17.

The New Army broke through Chang’an City, successfully occupying Chang’an Prefecture, and surrendered thirty thousand rebels.

6th Year of Zhengyong, October 20.

Miaoo Xiu and Shi Heilang led troops to join the new recruits, their forces reaching over a hundred thousand people.

6th Year of Zhengyong, October 25.

Recruited refugees, surrendered troops, and surrounding Imperial Guard, reaching a force of two hundred thousand at one point.

6th Year of Zhengyong, October 27.

Miaoo Xiu stationed in Chang’an Prefecture, with the New Army’s Three Divisions and Shi Heilang splitting forces to eradicate rebel forces.

Within half a month, took over more than twenty counties.

6th Year of Zhengyong, November 9.

The New Army and Miaoo Xiu’s allied forces caught up with the main rebel army in Chencang County, and both sides engaged in a final showdown in the forest.

The battle lasted two days and one night, eventually leading to the destruction of most rebels, and their leader, Li Zhishan, was killed, with his head sent back to the Capital City.

6th Year of Zhengyong, November 12.

The Commander of the New Army First Division, Qu Bo, produced a secret edict from Your Majesty, secretly arresting over fifty officials in Yongzhou.

6th Year of Zhengyong, November 18.

The New Army moved north, consecutively dismantling seventy-nine dock fortresses established by local landlords, powerful figures, and noble families within the borders of Yongzhou, killing over six thousand people.

The noble families of Yongzhou were wiped out, but the message released was that they were killed by the rebels.

The New Army counter-killed in return, avenging the noble families of Yongzhou, occupying their lands.

Under Zheng Yi’s bright leadership, the fifty thousand refugees who had surrendered immediately stationed within the borders of Yongzhou.

Wang Anshi was promoted to Prefect of Chang’an Prefecture, sent to Yongzhou to oversee land division tasks and lead Yongzhou.

Moreover, the reconstruction project of the Yongzhou Grand Canal was reignited.

While Yongzhou celebrated a great victory, Shuzhou’s progress was slow.

This was because Shuzhou was difficult to traverse; even with the advantage of firearms, the New Army found it challenging to advance quickly, reducing them to a slow push forward.

6th Year of Zhengyong, November 5.

Evening.

Liu Cheng’en led the army to Jinyang County. After arranging for the New Army to camp outside the city, Liu Cheng’en, accompanied by several guards, visited the camp of Cui Xiawu.

Cui Xiawu had been stationed here for half a month. As signs of rebellion appeared in Bingzhou, local officials earnestly pleaded for Cui Xiawu to stay and suppress the bandits.

At Zheng Yi’s command, Cui Xiawu remained stationed there.

The compensation and other materials from Wu Country were entrusted to the Imperial Guard to transport back.

“Lord Cui!”

In the military camp, the travel-worn Liu Cheng’en finally met Cui Xiawu, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Their last meeting was during the Enke Ceremony over two years ago.

At that time, Cui Xiawu was the top scholar of the Military Examination, and Zheng Yi appointed him as a general—a mark of deep favor and impressive power.

At that time, Liu Cheng’en was a senior eunuch by Your Majesty’s side.

Even now, it remains so.

“It’s been a long time. How’s your health, eunuch?”

Cui Xiawu rose warmly, his words full of respect.

Liu Cheng’en quietly felt relieved and said, “Have you received the Emperor’s orders?”

“I have received them.”

“Have you forgotten the great oath you made at the Enke Ceremony for the Emperor?”

Cui Xiawu replied, “I emerged from obscurity solely because of the Emperor’s trust and favor, which is how I got to where I am today.”

“Thus, my loyalty to the Emperor is as clear as day; I will not fail the Emperor in this lifetime!”

“Henceforth in Bingzhou, whatever happens, Xiawu will uphold the Emperor’s interests first!”

“Very well.”

Liu Cheng’en nodded slowly, “Then tonight, I shall inform you of all the Emperor’s tasks.”

After a cup of tea time, Cui Xiawu was breathing somewhat urgently.

“The Emperor’s target is the Eight Great Bing Merchants and the Northern Family? This…”

“What, is General Cui afraid?”

“Afraid?”

Cui Xiawu sneered, “Since the day I became the top scholar in the Military Examination, there has been nothing for me to fear!”

“What are noble families to me?”

“Though I come from a noble family, I have no ties with them.”

“Be it the Cui Family or the Wang Family, as long as it’s the Emperor’s command, I shall march through fire and water, no matter the odds.”

Liu Cheng’en laughed, “It’s not as severe as General Cui imagines; these are merely merchants betraying the country.”

“What does the eunuch plan to do?”

“Lean closer, as my house plans to…”

The next day.

In Jinyang County, many officials and big merchants received an invitation.

The distinguished figure beside the Emperor, Chief Eunuch of the Ritual Department Liu Cheng’en, was unexpectedly on official business in Jinyang County, hosting a banquet for local gentlemen and officials.

Upon receiving the invitation, countless officials, gentry, and big merchants were overjoyed, promptly dispatching family to buy large gifts for the visit.

A month ago, Border Army General Cui Xiawu passed through Jinyang and, upon encountering rebel forces, suppressed them on-site and subsequently held his post in Bingzhou.

From then on, numerous Bingzhou officials and merchants attempted to curry favor with Cui Xiawu.

Unfortunately, Cui Xiawu was impervious to bribes, meeting only with officials he had official business with.

Everyone else was turned away, leaving many local officials, merchants, and noble families in Bingzhou utterly perplexed.

But now, the Emperor’s favored eunuch arrived—it was a matter that had to be addressed sooner or later…

That evening, Liu Cheng’en openly conversed with numerous officials and merchants, discussing the Emperor’s majesty and Imperial Court affairs, consistently declaring that the rebel forces would inevitably fail.

Amidst continuous toasts from various officials, gentry, noble families, and big merchants, he ended up exceedingly drunk, taken away by several maids arranged by the Jinyang County Magistrate.

It’s said that night Liu Cheng’en was quite touchy-feely with the maids, incredibly pleased.

Regrettably, as a eunuch, he could only caress before falling asleep.

After receiving this news, the Jinyang County Magistrate, along with various noble families and big merchants, felt reassured.

“Just a lustful eunuch, what’s so difficult to deal with?”

“Strange, the Ritual Department is an institution with power equal to the Cabinet. What is he doing in our Jinyang County?”

“Hehehe, so what if Liu Cheng’en is the Emperor’s favorite? He’s been confined in the deep palace for so many years, where would he get the time to amass wealth? Isn’t this a good opportunity for him now!”

“What do you mean, Brother Wang?”

“It’s simple! Liu Cheng’en must be using the opportunity of suppressing the rebels to come to us to raise military funds!”

“I see!”

“I was wondering, why would a Chief Eunuch come to our remote and poor place?”

“Everyone, this is a great opportunity! If we can appease Liu Cheng’en, our future business…”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, I was worried our connections with Wu Country would be discovered, but now it seems the Emperor can’t do without us either!”

“You’ll see, within three days, that Liu Cheng’en will definitely reveal his true intentions!”

The officials, noble families, and merchants of Jinyang County still regarded Liu Cheng’en highly.

The next day at the banquet, Liu Cheng’en began to reveal his “true intentions.”

Raising military funds!

“Gentlemen, you are all the backbone of the nation, and now Great Yu is in turmoil. The northern unrest has been ongoing for five years!”

“His Majesty is so troubled about quelling the rebels that his hair has turned white. This old servant sees it and is anxious!”

“The main issue is, the Imperial Court lacks money!”

“With the army mobilizing, the costs are immense, and the national treasury is already depleted…”

Liu Cheng’en lamented above, but the local noble families and merchants of Jinyang County sat upright, exchanging glances.

Before he finished speaking, someone at the table stood up and said, “Eunuch Liu, such righteousness, we are very impressed.”

“In that case, on behalf of our Wang Family, I am willing to donate twenty thousand taels of silver, how about that?”

As soon as he finished speaking, there was an uproar among the surrounding people.

“Brother Wang’s righteousness! Then I, a humble servant, am also willing to donate ten thousand taels of silver!”

“I’ll contribute five thousand taels!”

“I’ll contribute eight thousand taels!”

“I’m just a small businessman and can only contribute two thousand taels, please don’t laugh at me…”

Various merchants, noble families, and landlords gathered money in threes and twos, and the military funds quickly exceeded fifty thousand taels.

Although Liu Cheng’en was smiling, he was cursing inwardly.

This group of damned noble families and merchants, any random household can amass tens of thousands, even millions in wealth.

Yet they were only willing to contribute a few thousand taels as military funds as if they were giving alms!

Seeing this, Liu Cheng’en slammed the table with a ‘bang’ and gritted his teeth:

“I’m not going to beat around the bush with you. I’ve promised His Majesty that I must raise ten million taels of silver on this trip to Bingzhou!”

“If there’s no ten million, neither I nor you will have an easy time!”

What?

Ten million taels!

The officials, noble families, and merchants were all stunned; is this how military funds are raised?

The young man surnamed Wang who stood up first panicked: “Eunuch Liu, if it’s a few tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands, we can scrape it together.”

“But ten million taels, that would be our death sentence!”

Liu Cheng’en sneered: “You are… Wang Yilong, right, from the Datong Wang Family, and Imperial Censor Wang Ze should be your grandfather, correct.”

The young man humbly replied, “You’ve exaggerated, Eunuch. I am nothing but an ordinary man, currently overseeing a few shops for the main family, not deserving of being called a Wang Family member.”

“As for Imperial Censor Wang Ze whom you mentioned, he indeed is my grandfather…”

“Hmph!”

Liu Cheng’en sneered: “Even Wang Ze wouldn’t dare speak to me like this, and who do you think you are!”

With that, he picked up a wine jug from the table and smashed it on Wang Yilong’s forehead, causing blood to gush out.

The Jinyang County Magistrate Zhao Keshi quickly held Liu Cheng’en back and said, “Eunuch, please calm down, we’re all on the same side here, no need to escalate.”

“Wang Yilong! Kneel down! Apologize to the Eunuch, you’re just an ordinary man…!”

Prompted by Zhao Keshi’s reminder, Wang Yilong snapped to his senses.

Even though this was Jinyang County, where his Wang Family held the greatest influence.

On ordinary days, he looked down on everyone, even the Magistrate had to give him some respect.

But now he faced the Emperor’s favorite, the Chief Eunuch of the Ritual Department, who had no regard for him.

Even if Imperial Censor Wang Ze came here, he would have to greet Liu Cheng’en first!

Upon realizing this, Wang Yilong was immediately terrified and quickly knelt: “Eunuch, please calm down, I was momentarily foolish…please show leniency…”

“Hmph!”

Liu Cheng’en snorted: “For the sake of Lord Wang Ze, I’ll forgive you this time.”

“If there is a next time, I won’t be so lenient, understood?”

“Yes, yes, I understand, I understand!”

“And!”

Liu Cheng’en continued: “The ten million taels of silver must be gathered within half a month, otherwise, if His Majesty punishes us, you’ll also suffer!”

No one present dared to speak, fearing the repercussions, and kept sending glances at Zhao Keshi.

Zhao Keshi quickly offered a toast and said, “Eunuch Liu, our Jinyang County is just a small place, many noble families and merchants may not be able to gather so much silver in such a short time.”

“Who said only Jinyang County had to pay?”

Liu Cheng’en scoffed: “I’ve heard that the merchants of Bingzhou are the wealthiest in the world, especially the Eight Great Bing Merchants, dominating north and south. Today’s ten million taels of military funds will fall into their hands.”

“Besides Jinyang County, the gentry, noble families, and merchants of Quanyang County, Yanshan County, Beihai County, and Yuanping County must also contribute.”

“Ten million taels of silver is my bottom line.”

“Rest assured, I won’t let you pay for nothing.”

Liu Cheng’en sneered: “His Majesty is currently overseeing the construction of the Yongzhou Grand Canal, and the Jing’an Grand Canal has also begun.”

“At that time, there will be countless positions and opportunities on these two grand canals, enough for you to earn it back!”

“As soon as ten million taels are gathered, I’ll leave immediately, hahahahaha…”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep