N-A-A Chapter 1197 The real war has only just begun!
Chapter 1197 The real war has only just begun!
Fan Xian is the most unique variable in this game. Gao must understand that this young man's choices could influence the entire course of the game. Whether he is friend or foe, the answer may soon be revealed.
Meanwhile, Emperor Qing was reviewing memorials in his study. His vermilion brush lingered for a long time on the memorial mentioning the Gao Clan Merchant Guild, but ultimately he made no comment. This emperor, skilled at patience, was waiting—waiting for the famine to be completely resolved, waiting for the border situation to stabilize, waiting for an opportunity to eliminate the hidden dangers in one fell swoop without causing turmoil.
But what he didn't know was that Gao Yao wouldn't give him that chance. The food war was just the beginning; many more plans were yet to unfold.
The people of Qing Kingdom, those ordinary people pulled back from the brink of starvation, would never know the complexity and cruelty of this struggle. All they knew was that when they needed help the most, the imperial court did not appear, but a merchant guild and a merchant named Gao Yao gave them hope for survival.
Once this understanding is formed, it will take root and sprout in the heart like a seed. When the seed grows into a towering tree, what it supports will no longer be the old order.
Kyoto, Qing Kingdom, deep within the Imperial Palace.
Emperor Qing stood before the window of his imperial study, a newly presented secret report clutched in his hand, his knuckles turning slightly white from the pressure. Outside the window stretched endless palaces, resplendent in gold and jade, symbolizing the empire's supreme power. But at this moment, that power was facing an unprecedented challenge.
"The Gao Clan Chamber of Commerce..." Emperor Qing's voice was low, filled with suppressed anger, "What a Gao Yao, what a scheme."
The secret report detailed the recent activities of the Gao Clan Chamber of Commerce: setting up soup kitchens in the three northern states to provide daily relief to displaced people; organizing manpower to build dikes in flood-stricken areas of the south, purchasing building materials out of their own pockets; and digging deep wells in drought-stricken areas of the west to solve the drinking water problem for the people. Even more alarming was that the Chamber of Commerce also established "free schools" in various places, teaching poor children to read and do arithmetic for free, and publicly promising to select outstanding individuals to join the Chamber of Commerce every year.
These actions, taken individually, may seem like mere acts of charity by merchants, but when put together, they form a meticulously woven network. Today, most of the people in the Qing Kingdom have benefited from the merchant guild to varying degrees. Especially in this year of frequent disasters and inadequate government relief, the Gao Clan Merchant Guild has become a lifeline for many.
"Your Majesty," the old eunuch beside him said cautiously, "the latest news from the secret guards is that a folk song is already being sung among the people: 'The court's taxes are as heavy as mountains, but the Gao family's kindness is as deep as the sea.'"
Emperor Qing turned around abruptly, a cold glint in his eyes: "When did this begin?"
"It started about half a month ago in the northern border, and now it has spread to seven provinces." The old eunuch lowered his head, not daring to look at Emperor Qing's face. "The secret guards traced the source and found that it first appeared in several refugee settlements, where people taught children to sing it, and then it spread like wildfire."
"Well done." Emperor Qing sneered and slammed the secret report onto his desk. "Using the people's hearts as a shield and public opinion as a spear. Gao Yao, Gao Yao, I underestimated you."
He walked back to his desk, sat down, and tapped his fingers lightly on the surface. His mind raced as he weighed the pros and cons.
Legally, taking action against the Gao Clan Chamber of Commerce now—seizing its assets and arresting its leaders—would be perfectly legal—the secret police would have already gathered ample evidence of the Chamber's collusion with high-ranking officials and its bribery of bureaucrats. But what about politically?
The common people won't see the evidence; they'll only see that the court, in years of famine, not only lacks the capacity to provide relief but also attacks those who helped them. If someone with ulterior motives stirs things up, a popular uprising will be almost inevitable. Emperor Qing knows all too well what a raging flood of starving refugees can become once incited.
Moreover, the nomadic tribes on the northern border have been active recently. Scouts report that various tribes on the grasslands are secretly gathering. Although they have not launched large-scale invasions, small groups are constantly harassing the border, clearly testing Qing's defenses. If chaos breaks out in the country at this time, the nomadic tribes will certainly not let this opportunity pass.
"Three calamities are arising at once," Emperor Qing sighed with his eyes closed.
The Gao Clan Chamber of Commerce's reliance on popular support is one internal threat; the rebellion of displaced people in the western border, which the 150,000-strong provincial army has been unable to conquer for a long time, is another internal threat; and the covetous eyes of the northern barbarians are an external threat. These three intertwined threats are enough to make any emperor uneasy. Not to mention the constant probing attacks from the Northern Qi, a formidable tiger.
The Imperial Study was silent except for the ticking of the water clock. After a long while, Emperor Qing opened his eyes, his gaze now calm: "Issue an imperial decree to elevate the Sheng Clan Chamber of Commerce to the rank of Imperial Merchant, and bestow upon them the plaque 'Righteousness Spreads Across the World.' The Ministry of Rites shall select an auspicious day to hold the awarding ceremony."
Hong Siyang suddenly looked up, his face full of disbelief: "Your Majesty, this..."
"Do as instructed." Emperor Qing's voice brooked no argument. "Furthermore, order the Ministry of Revenue to allocate 500,000 taels of silver to establish soup kitchens and construct irrigation systems throughout the country in the name of the imperial court. Remember, all soup kitchens must be marked with inscriptions stating 'Relief by Imperial Grace'."
"This old servant understands." Hong Siyang suddenly realized that this was an attempt to regain control of the people's hearts in the name of the imperial court.
"Furthermore," Emperor Qing added, "order the secret guards to strengthen their surveillance of the Gao Clan Chamber of Commerce. All officials who have dealings with the Chamber, regardless of rank, must be secretly reported on their movements every month. As for the western border... tell the Ministry of War to give the state army another month. If they still cannot quell the rebellion, their commanders will come to me with their heads."
"According to the order."
Hong Si bowed and withdrew. Emperor Qing sat alone in the imperial study, his gaze once again turning to the window. The setting sun cast long shadows of the palace, much like the long night that the empire was facing.
He knew that this battle with Gao Yao had only just begun.
At the same moment, in the central military tent of the Huaxia Army in the western border of the Qing Kingdom.
Inside the tent, candlelight blazed brightly. Han Xin and Cao Can sat facing each other, a huge map of the western frontier spread out between them. Outside, the orderly footsteps of night patrol soldiers could be heard, along with the faint neighing of horses in the distance.
"We've been waiting for you!" Han Xin stood up and poured Cao Shen, who was weary from his journey, a bowl of hot tea. "You must have had a long and arduous trip."
Cao Can took the teacup and drank it all in one gulp, wiping his mouth: "What's so hard about it? I've been in the Chinese world for so long my bones are practically rusting. Tell me quickly, how's the situation here?"
Han Xin sat back down and pointed at the map: "According to Your Majesty's strategy, we used 50,000 refugees as bait, supplemented by 20,000 elite troops, and successfully attracted the attention of 150,000 state troops in the western border of Qing Kingdom. For the past half month, we have adopted guerrilla tactics, hiding during the day and going out at night, harassing the supply lines, and hitting and running away. Although the state troops are numerous, they have difficulty deploying in this mountainous area and have been led by the nose by us."
"What were the results?"
"We annihilated about 30,000 enemy troops, while our army suffered less than 5,000 casualties." Han Xin's tone was filled with pride. "The main reason for the heavy losses was the refugee groups, but they were not combatants to begin with, and it is a miracle that they have been able to hold out until now."
Cao Can carefully examined the markings on the map, which indicated the troop deployments of both sides. The red markers representing the provincial army formed a large semi-circle, partially encircling a mountainous area. The blue markers representing their own side were scattered throughout various strategic passes in the mountains.