Chapter 207: Risking Life (Part 3)
Ten years after returning to this era, Huo Chong felt that the IQ of people in this era was absolutely fine. As long as they understood correctly, the people of the Qing Dynasty were no different from those of New China.
For example, payroll and allowances. For example, if the finance department miscalculates a few cents, people will come to the door to complain. This happens not just once or twice, but even dozens of times. This kind of pressure makes the calculation level of the finance department improve by leaps and bounds.
Just when Huo Chong wondered if he had some misunderstanding about the old era, the frankness of his Tianlijiao brothers made Huo Chong suddenly feel that the Qing Dynasty was actually not much different from what Huo Chong had imagined.
"Master Huo, it's not possible for you to be the King? Do you have to be the emperor?" The deputy helmsman of the Tianli Sect asked sternly.
Hearing this, the third brother Li Tieniu, who was in charge of security, became angry and shouted, "Why should you be the emperor? What's wrong with my eldest brother? Is he worse than your chief leader?"
Huo Chong quickly raised his hand to stop Tie Niu's impulse. Tie Niu had always been loyal to Huo Chong, and seeing that Huo Chong did not want to break up with the Tianli Sect, his face turned red with anger.
Huo Chongzhi had no choice but to pull Tieniu to sit down. Then he turned to the deputy leader of the Hebei Tianli Sect and said, "I haven't thought about it that much. Whoever can kill the emperor will be the emperor."
Hearing what Huo Chong said, the deputy leader of the Tianli Sect had a cunning light in his eyes, and he immediately nailed the words, "Master Huo, you said it! Don't regret it in the future! When we are in the martial arts world, a spit is as good as a nail!"
"Of course, of course." Huo Chong responded as sincerely as possible. Coming from P2P, Huo Chong felt that he was not really a good person. It was just that he did not deliberately seek other people's capital.
However, the innocence displayed by these brothers of the Tianli Sect even made Huo Chong feel a little guilty.
If the Tianli Sect really wanted to rebel and go to Beijing to kill the emperor, they would naturally become the target of Huo Chong's use. Huo Chong didn't even need to deliberately use them. As long as Huo Chong said nothing and let these people act, the Tianli Sect would help Huo Chong attract the attention of the Qing Dynasty.
It would be fine if everything was just verbal nonsense, but Huo Chong felt that Tianli Sect was serious about it. And from the intelligence gathering point of view, Tianli Sect was also serious about it.
"Since the chief leader has given me face and promised me the title of eight thousand years old and a king on equal footing, it is surely not something I can get without doing anything, right?" Huo Chong asked sincerely.
Huo Chong had such a ridiculous idea, which was probably the middle school age. Now Huo Chong understands why he was so stupid.
The Tianli Sect wanted Huo Chong to send troops to join them in the assassination of the emperor. The attack on the palace was left to the Tianli Sect, and all Huo Chong had to do was to make a big fuss and attract the attention of the Qing army guarding the city.
"Since everyone is not afraid, I have nothing to fear! Please go back and report to the chief leader. I will send people as soon as I am ready."
The deputy helmsman shook his head, "Master Huo, it's not that I don't trust you. Why don't you bring your people now? I'll be waiting for you. I'll go back with you?"
"Well. That'll take a few days. It'll also take a few days for me to gather my brothers."
"It doesn't matter! I'm willing to wait!"
After arranging for the members of the Tianli Sect to stay, Huo Chong met Mr. Ding.
The man who came with Mr. Ding looked like an official. When asked his name, he made up a surname, Ai. When asked how to address him, he replied, "Just call me Fourth Master Ai."
Huo Chong had no interest in such lies, so he just called him that.
Fourth Master Ai started to speak at length, describing the critical situation that Huo Chong was facing. Fourth Master Ai began to propose a solution , "...Master Huo, all I said before was for your sake. As long as Master Huo can rescue Eighth Master, such a kind master will not let Master Huo die..."
Huo Chong considered the credible parts of this man's words, but after a round of judgment, only one was probably true. After Yongzheng poisoned the ninth brother to death, he might really want to poison the eighth brother to death.
Those people in the court were really anxious. If the Eighth Prince was killed and the Fourteenth Prince was imprisoned, there would be no force in the royal family that could compete with Yongzheng.
Here, Master Ai Si said a lot of nonsense, and Huo Chong couldn't help asking, "Do you know where Master Ba is imprisoned?"
"Master Huo is going to rescue Master Ba?"
Huo Chong shook his head. "It's okay to save Mr. Ba, but if I sent people to Beijing, all these people would have been seen by others, right? You just asked us to do things without telling me how to help me. It's not fair! How do I know you don't want to trick my people to die? If you can really kill thousands of my people, you will have done a great deed."
Hearing Huo Chong's impolite words, Master Ai Si really got anxious, "Master Huo, I won't hide it from you. Right now, Longkodo's people are in charge of Dezhou. As long as Master Huo passes Dezhou and goes to the capital, it won't be that difficult!"
"Haha. Our people entered the capital to rob people, and they are in the city. Without hundreds of people, we would be dead! If we really had hundreds of people, do you think our people would not be discovered? When will people in the capital be allowed to enter and leave freely?"
After hearing what Huo Chong said, Fourth Master Ai was speechless. It was obvious that Huo Chong's simple words hit the nail on the head. This was not about whether or not to go to Beijing to rob people, but that this plan was doomed to fail.
Fourth Master Ai remained silent, but Mr. Ding spoke up, "Master Huo, from what you said, you actually thought about going to Beijing!"
Unexpectedly, Mr. Ding remained calm. Huo Chong turned his head to look at this guy, and then said, "If this fails, Mr. Eight will be dead. The brothers I sent to the capital will not be able to come back. I have to take care of the lives of so many people!"
At this time, Master Ai Si was sure that Huo Chong really wanted to do something, so he said a few words to Mr. Ding, and Mr. Ding got up and left.
"Mr. Huo, can we just talk?" asked Mr. Ai Si.
Huo Chong looked at the guard, who was standing near the door.
Huo Chong pulled Fourth Master Ai up and walked to the window on the other side. Fourth Master Ai whispered, "There are more ways to save Eighth Master..."
In November of the fifth year of Yongzheng's reign, the weather had turned cold. In these freezing days, the Mongolian cavalry no longer moved southward, but instead stayed in their barracks north of the Daqing River.
Although he was eager to destroy all the villages in Huo Chong's territory immediately, Yongzheng still listened to the advice of the Ministry of War, especially the advice of his thirteenth brother, and did not give a death order for the cavalry to continue the attack.
Thirteenth brother said clearly that the movement of horses is limited in winter. Although the Jiaodong Plain is relatively convenient for movement, it will leave a lot of horse hoof prints when withdrawing. With horse hoof prints, it is easy to catch the movement track of cavalry.
Although the Mongolian cavalry had many advantages when going to the countryside to kill people, the Qing army was obviously not at an advantage when confronting Huo Chong head-on. Rather than taking such a big risk, it would be better to let Huo Chong live in fear for a whole winter. In the spring, the cavalry would continue to kill.
It was the first snow at this time, and Yongzheng was in the Old Summer Palace, watching the falling snowflakes, feeling the coolness and feeling a little relieved.
It snowed, and people from all over the country stayed at home, so at least nothing would happen. In the past two years, especially this year, Yongzheng even wondered if he had offended someone, why everything was going so wrong.
At this time, Yongzheng was in a relatively calm mood and was finally able to sort out his thoughts. Many things that he had felt before but did not dare to think about, and did not want to think about, all came to his mind.
The biggest puzzle is how Huo Chong suddenly has such a strong power. Yongzheng can hardly remember what happened when he met Huo Chong about ten years ago, leaving Huo Chong alone and having to rely on himself to maintain everything.
Huo Chong was extremely weak at that time. Not to mention the imperial court, the magistrate of Zibo County could easily kill Huo Chong.
A few years have passed in the blink of an eye. Why has this guy suddenly become so powerful?
Or is it that the imperial court has become too weak, so weak that it can't even deal with ordinary bandits?
With his hands behind his back, Yongzheng walked out of the courtyard and began to walk around in the Old Summer Palace. The eunuch next to him hurriedly held an umbrella for Yongzheng. Yongzheng coldly said to the eunuch, "Get out of the way!"
"Master, you can't get wet." The eunuch didn't dare to force Yongzheng and could only beg.
Fortunately, a maidservant came over and brought a hooded cloak to Yongzheng. Yongzheng stopped and asked the maid to put the cloak on him and put on the hood. Then he continued to wander in the snow.
After much deliberation, Yongzheng hardened his mind and decided to send out the Eight Banners to fight against Huo Chong next year.
The Eight Banners have less than 10,000 troops, but if they have more than 10,000, they are invincible! Next year, we will send the Mongolian Eight Banners cavalry to continue killing, and when Huo Chong loses his morale, we will mobilize the army and fight Huo Chong again. In the next few months, we will build artillery and muskets, and give the Eight Banners Army the best equipment. We will annihilate Huo Chong in one fell swoop next year.
Thinking of Huo Chong, Yongzheng no longer expected to kill this villain on the battlefield. He must capture Huo Chong alive and send him to the capital. At that time, Yongzheng really had to ask Huo Chong in person what method this guy used and how he deceived everyone to achieve this.
After returning, Yongzheng called Liu Tongxun and asked him directly whether he wanted to work in the Ministry of Justice.
Liu Tongxun was a scholar-official, and if he could go to the Ministry of Justice, it would mean that he would end his years of being on the bench.
I thought Liu Tongxun would be happy, but he just thanked me according to the proper etiquette. Yongzheng was a little concerned. After all, Liu Tongxun was someone he had chosen and wanted to use him. If he didn't understand Liu Tongxun's thoughts, how could Yongzheng dare to use him with confidence?
"Why are you unhappy?"
"Your Majesty, I am very happy. But when I think about the complicated work of the Ministry of Justice and the many things involved, I can't be happy."
"You'll always have to offend people, which is not easy to do." Yongzheng pretended to understand and spoke in the manner of an official.
Liu Tongxun hurriedly shook his head, "Your Majesty. I am not afraid of offending anyone. I just want to do this well. If I am afraid of offending someone and just do it perfunctorily, it would be better not to do it."
"Then where do you want to start?" Yongzheng was a little satisfied.
"If possible, I would like to go to the Tianlao first. I don't even know what the prisoners look like or what they have been through. If I am still in the Ministry of Justice, how can I handle the case well?"
"Good! Good!" Yongzheng was finally satisfied. After that, he couldn't help but ask Liu Tongxun if he had found anything new in the Shunzhi Dynasty documents.
Liu Tongxun thought for a moment and then told Yongzheng what he had found out.
If one wanted to strike a heavy blow to Jiaodong, the most effective way would be to wait until the flood season, dig up the river embankments, divert the Daqing River and Xiaoqing River out of the river channel, and impact the plain area.
When the flood came, the plains suffered from waterlogging. When the flood season ended, the river water stopped flowing and drought struck the Jiaodong Plain again.
This water and cold disaster affected the Jiaodong Plain within the same year, and immediately caused severe damage to Huo Chong.
Yongzheng was overjoyed after hearing this and nodded repeatedly, "This is a good idea! This is the best idea!"
Seeing that Liu Tongxun was still hesitant, Yongzheng quickly encouraged him: "Tell me everything. Those people in Jiaodong have already joined the bandits, so they should be treated as bandits. Killing bandits, why should you be merciful! Sow good seeds and reap good fruits. Those bandits are only to blame for their own mistakes. If they rise up to kill Huo Chong, how can we defeat millions of people against ten thousand people!"
Encouraged by Yongzheng, Liu Tongxun continued to put forward his idea, "Your Majesty, there is actually another way. That is to sell grain from Shandong at a high price. In particular, try to buy grain from Jiaodong."
"Oh?" After all, Yongzheng was experienced in his work, and he quickly understood the key points that Liu Tongxun might say, and felt that he had chosen the right person.
Liu Tongxun told a story about the Spring and Autumn Period, where a big country wanted to destroy a small country, but it did not attack directly. Instead, it first bought the cash crops of the small country at a high price, causing the small country to switch to producing these cash crops. Then it used various economic means to toss and turn.
In short, the small country seemed to have made money, but apart from the money, all other materials in the treasury that could be used for war had been exhausted.
Food production was also in complete disarray, and there was no way to immediately raise enough food to supply the army for a long battle.
At this time, the big country launched an attack, and the small country died. In the end, the money in the national treasury was looted by the big country. It was quite effective as the Golden Bull on the Shu Road and the fake road to attack Guo.
"…Your Majesty, I think this method is slow but it is actually feasible. Moreover, Huo Chong has offended the gentry in the countryside. The court can send someone to contact the gentry and ask them to do this."
"Yes." Yongzheng nodded slightly. The strategies provided by Liu Tongxun were all fully practiced in history, and digging canals was something the Qing Dynasty had done themselves.
Yongzheng was a little hesitant. Was it a suitable choice to let Liu Tongxun go to the Ministry of Justice? Perhaps Liu Tongxun had other uses. However, Yongzheng did not like to go back on his word. Since he had given the order, he would just execute it first.
The next day, Yongzheng ordered the cabinet ministers and the Ministry of War to discuss several suggestions put forward by Liu Tongxun.
The first to respond was the Ministry of War, which quickly determined that digging the Daqing River and Xiaoqing River was easy, with no problem regarding the time, location, or number of people to be sent. It would definitely be successful.
The cabinet and the military ministers came to the conclusion much later. They did not think that the method of purchasing grain would work.
Doing this in small batches would only relieve the pressure on the Shandong garrison. If it were done on a large scale, Huo Chong would not be stupid, as long as he did not allow the grain to leave the country.
Compared with this old hand, Liu Tongxun still seemed a little green. Yongzheng was determined to send Liu Tongxun to the Ministry of Justice. Liu Tongxun came from a good family, with three generations of Jinshi. In addition, Liu Tongxun was quite upright, so he was a good candidate for the future Minister of Justice.
After the beginning of winter, it snowed heavily. The Old Summer Palace was already covered in snow. Not only the Old Summer Palace, but the entire capital was covered in snow. Even the smell of feces and urine that lingered on the streets for years was temporarily covered.
The soldiers and horses defending the city also hid in a sheltered place, preparing to slowly endure the cold winter as in previous years. Even if they had to fight, even if they had to toss and turn, they would at least wait until the weather warmed up.
At this time, if someone could fly in the sky, they would be able to see footprints on the snow. These footprints were made by many people, and no matter which direction they came from, they all ended up heading towards the capital.
Huo Chong finally met Chen Sihai, the leader of the Hebei Tianli Sect, in Lijiazhuang. This brother was in his forties, only four or five years older than Huo Chong. However, judging from his appearance, it would be believed that he was more than ten years older than Huo Chong.
However, Chen Sihai's eyes are bright and he is very powerful. He should not be a boastful person.
"Mr. Huo, after entering the city, where do you want to attack?" Chen Sihai asked as soon as he came up.
Huo Chong replied: "I wonder where Chief Leader Chen wants us to attack?"
"How about leaving a palace gate for Master Huo?"
Huo Chong quickly shook his head, "No need. Since the chief wants to attack the palace, we will start somewhere else. Lead the Qing army away first."
Such a humble attitude obviously won Chen Sihai's favor. Without waiting for Chen Sihai to say anything, the deputy leader of the Tianli Sect who came with Huo Chong reassured Huo Chong again, "Master Huo, our chief leader always keeps his word. Since he said he would give Master Huo eight thousand years old, he will give it to you. Please rest assured, Master Huo, as long as you make a move, we will do it!"
"Now that we are here, of course I can trust the chief." Huo Chong answered readily.
The agreement was made here. Chen Sihai provided Huo Chong with a guide. Huo Chong's men relied on the guides provided by the Hebei Tianli Sect along the way, taking the small roads. There were also people to pick them up, so they did not encounter the government troops along the way.
Now that we are near the capital, we need the guide provided by Tianlijiao even more so that we can rest temporarily in the village.
Huo Chong brought more than 100 people with him this time, divided into three groups. After waiting for a day, everyone had gathered, and the deputy leader who was in charge of leading Huo Chong and his group began to urge, "Master Huo, let's get started."
"Okay." Huo Chong did not refuse. He gathered his men and headed straight for the capital.
When they reached a point where they could see the city walls of the capital through the telescope, the deputy captain quickly sent someone back to report.
Huo Chong ignored him and the team took a detour. The deputy helmsman quickly ran over to ask, "Master Huo, this is the wrong road!"
"There's nothing wrong with that. We are all attacking the capital city. The imperial palace will be given to the chief leader. It doesn't matter where we attack." Huo Chong replied.
The troops continued to advance. When they reached a depression, they saw a group of more than a hundred people suddenly appearing from the empty area. The leader was Lei Hu.
Lei Hu and his men came here through Huo Chong's transportation line. When he saw Huo Chong, Lei Hu excitedly said, "Sir, the artillery is ready."
In fact, Huo Chong had already disassembled many weapons into parts earlier. In order to keep it secret, they were slowly transported to the storage point like mice transporting peanuts. This time, these weapons and personnel were finally assembled.
At this time, Huo Chong already had 300 people. Although it was less than a battalion, they were all selected people.
Amid the clatter of wheels, mules and horses came out, dragging more than a dozen three-pound cannons. Everyone put their weapons on the sports cars and began to form a battle formation with the mule and horse transport team as the center.
Huo Chong stood in front of everyone. The soldiers who knew how dangerous this battle was all looked at Huo Chong, waiting for the commander who had risked his life with them to give the order to attack.
