Chapter 132 - 130: Two Years of Turmoil
As the morning sun rose on the horizon, it was like a throbbing fireball, releasing immense heat and baking everything on the earth.
In this scorching weather, no matter what you do, you only feel exhausted as the moisture in your body rapidly depletes.
Before long, the gates of the Song Residence were knocked open.
Several men wearing heavy furs and shoulder armor escorted a carriage to the outside of the Song Residence.
These men carried steel sabers and short daggers at their waists, long bows on their backs, and around their necks were thick leather collars to protect against wild animal bites, along with several conspicuous wolf-tooth necklaces.
The necklace was their identity mark, belonging to a rather formidable hunting group in the city.
"Lord Song, we’ve brought you this week’s meat; here is the list for you to review." One tall and robust man said, cupping his hands when he saw that Song Changming had personally come out this time.
"I haven’t been a Patrol Guard for so long; there’s no need to call me Lord anymore, is there?" Song Changming shook his head and smiled, taking the list with one hand and glancing at it.
The variety of meat was still quite diverse, but it was not the usual farmed chicken, duck, cattle, sheep, or pig meat.
They were mostly wild game from the mountains and forests, such as birds and beasts.
"It seems there is a lot less exotic beast meat compared to the past few weeks?" Song Changming looked at the quantity on the list and asked.
"Yes, many of the exotic beasts usually seen have left due to the drought, and there’s not much we can do. Please forgive us, my lord," the robust man quickly explained, fearing that Song Changming would misunderstand and think they were skimming off his meat supply.
"Never mind, if you have more exotic beast meat in the future, I’ll take it all, price is not an issue," Song Changming said.
He knew that this hunting group’s clients were not just him; other families in the city also needed them to deliver wild game regularly.
"Alright, I’ve noted it down for you," the robust man nodded and said.
"Ping’an, come over and move the meat," Song Changming called towards the kitchen.
"Okay, Brother Song." Song Ping’an quickly stepped forward.
After taking the meat, he had to seal it quickly; otherwise, it would spoil rapidly in this scorching heat.
After moving the meat and collecting the money and silver, the hunters took their leave. With the carriage empty, they visibly relaxed compared to when they arrived.
Nowadays, the city is not safe, with chaos frequently occurring.
If it weren’t for them carrying sharp weapons and bows to deter others, this cart full of meat would likely be looted in the commotion as soon as it hit the streets.
The most bustling places now are the Patrol Armor Bureau’s prison and the execution ground at Caishi Alley.
Currently, the Public Security Bureau can only rely on constant executions to deter those causing trouble, so the city doesn’t descend into total chaos and disorder.
At noon, the family sat in the courtyard under the shade of a tree, enjoying the breeze while having lunch.
No matter how turbulent the outside world might become, at least within the Song Residence, it remained relatively calm, and life could still go on.
"The Yang Family from Three Alleys, I heard that their second son joined the military at the Imperial Court and became a general. After this was discovered, the whole family was raided by the government yesterday, leaving nothing behind..." Father Song learned of this and sighed deeply.
"A few years ago, I even held that Yang family child..." Song’s Mother murmured, seemingly not expecting that the once simple-minded young man would become a general years later, nor that the entire Yang Family would be gone because of it.
"Also, the rebel army, it’s said that they’re causing a stir in the city lately, and many people, having no other options, have gone to join them," Father Song continued.
"Father, in the future, you must not get involved with anything related to that rebel army, to avoid any trouble," Song Changming warned.
"I’m well aware of that," Father Song nodded, sipping a small drink.
These were just things he heard from the alley neighbors, and even if Song Changming hadn’t mentioned it, he would still steer clear of the rebel army.
No matter how they might boast about beautiful prospects or sweet-talk, it’s all just a bubble that bursts with a poke.
Throughout the history of the Da Han Dynasty, it wasn’t that rebel armies hadn’t appeared before, but without exception, they all ultimately faced reckoning and downfall.
Anyone with a bit of reasoning and knowledge of past history would not pledge allegiance to that rebel army.
Song Changming also didn’t believe those two forces raising banners in rebellion could last long.
Through Liu Dingsheng, he could learn about the latest developments of the world’s situation.
Currently, the Imperial Court has clearly changed its strategy, no longer relentlessly pursuing the four princes with the Emperor’s blood, but instead redeploying troops to vigorously suppress the two rebel forces in the north and south.
Clearly, for the Imperial Court and the New Emperor, the most important task is to destroy the rebel armies, especially before they further develop and grow, rather than suppressing the four princes of imperial lineage.
In this matter, both the New Emperor and the Imperial Court, as well as other members of the Imperial Family, can differentiate between what is urgent and what isn’t.
They understand clearly that even if those four princes eventually overthrow the New Emperor, at worst, another new emperor with imperial lineage will ascend the throne, and the Chu imperial authority remains unchanged.
However, if the rebel army isn’t contained, and if they truly succeed in the end, then the change of rulers in this land would be genuine!
The Chu Imperial Family, which has stood for nearly a millennium, would head towards complete decline!
The court officials, both civil and military, would face a grand purge!
Therefore, none of the officials in the Imperial Capital hope for the downfall of the Chu imperial authority and the current Imperial Court.
When dealing with the four princes, perhaps they each have their own thoughts, openly and secretly contending, considering their own interests.
But when it comes to suppressing the rebel army, it’s sure to be a united front!
This is the difference.
"With the existence of these two rebel armies, Donglai County City might at least continue to be spared from the ravages of war for the next one or two years," Song Changming pondered in his heart.
After the meal, Song Ping’an fetched the letters from the relay station for Song Changming.
Without guessing, Song Changming knew that it must have been sent by Liang Zhao Long, who was out traveling.
In the past, he received one or two report letters from Liang Zhao Long almost every month.
This time was no exception.
The content of the report essentially revolved around the Changming Association.
The new issues encountered in recent months, how they were resolved, what talents were recruited, and the many crucial pieces of intelligence gathered from outside.
All of it would be recorded on paper, informing Song Changming.
Sometimes, when short of silver coins for development, they would also consult with Song Changming.
Afterward, Song Changming would write a reply, offering his suggestions and attaching money and silver to be sent over.
At present, the Changming Association, operated by Liang Zhao Long, is just beginning to gain a foothold and showing positive development.
But to truly achieve success, it seems there’s still a long way to go, with much room for improvement and enhancement.
For now, what it can bring to Song Changming is only information collection content from various places.
In the evening, he wrote a two-page reply, placed it in an envelope, and waited for it to be sent to Liang Zhao Long’s current location the next day through the relay station.
"The rest is up to time..."
Song Changming gazed out the window, looking at the round moon high in the night sky, hoping in his heart to maintain the relatively stable life they had.
...
Spring turned to autumn, the sun and moon changed relentlessly, and battles across the land persisted.
In the blink of an eye, chaos reigned for another two years...
On this day, thick black clouds swept over the city, bringing prolonged torrential rain around Donglai County City.
The water level of Luolong River rose significantly as a result.
Riding a black horse, a man dressed as a fisherman galloped through the muddy wetlands.
Even as the rain soaked him through, he persevered, pushing the horse onward.
The bloodstains on his body gradually washed away by the repeated downpours, fading from bright red.
"Damn it, who leaked the information?" He Bo felt irritated and restless.
The horse continued swiftly without pause. After half a day’s journey, he finally glimpsed the silhouette of the massive port docks emerging in the distance under the rain curtain.
He let out a slight sigh of relief, for once on the boat and returning to the gang’s headquarters, he would be safe.
"There must be a traitor in the gang!"
He Bo continued to ponder. As he passed a small hillside, a saber suddenly flew towards him, slicing through the falling raindrops in the air.
He heard only the whistling sound just in time, instinctively dodging.
However, he barely avoided a fatal blow, as the unexpected saber struck the side of his shoulder.
The immense force directly threw him off the horse, landing him clumsily on the ground.
The black horse, startled, bolted away, disregarding its master’s plight, quickly disappearing from sight.
"Who ambushed me? Get out here!"
With his other hand, He Bo pulled out the long saber embedded in his shoulder, shouting angrily.
He never expected to be ambushed here, his guard down just as he’d approached the port!
Struck by a saber right away, the rain-soaked wound throbbed with pain.
At this time, the sound of rainwater pattering echoed faintly from the rain mist, suggesting a rhythm.
Soon, a figure came walking from the mist.
Tall and robust, the figure wore a rain cloak and a bamboo hat, holding a large black oil-paper umbrella, the raindrops creating a subtle sound as they hit its surface.
"In this heavy rain, without a raincoat or umbrella, be careful you don’t catch a cold,"
The voice drifted gently into his ears, and He Bo frowned, ignoring the irrelevant remark.
His eyes rested on the dragon-head hilt of the long saber behind the man.
"Song Changming, you’re no longer a Chief Patrol Guard! Why stop me today? Do you really think that you can bully the Dinghai Water Gang?" He Bo demanded harshly.
"That’s a heavy accusation; I’ve come for something on your person, not concerning the Dinghai Water Gang much," Song Changming said, continuing his approach.
Hearing this, He Bo quickly understood and replied coldly, "So you’re after the Mist Gold in my possession as well!"
...