EBE Chapter 523 A Bright Future
Chapter 523 A Bright Future
Chapter 523 A Bright Future
Gaoling County, Shaanxi Province.
"Brothers, Wang Wenzhou, Lord Wang, is now unjustly imprisoned. As you all know, Wang Wenzhou is my elder brother and my idol. I do not believe that my elder brother would be a traitor colluding with foreign powers!" Wang Qiang muttered to his men.
The Wang Qiang of today is no longer the petty scoundrel who followed Wang Wenzhou around doing all sorts of bad things. He is now the upright and just Wang in the hearts of the people of Gaoling County.
Wang Wenzhou had killed the magistrate of Gaoling County and left Wang Qiang to temporarily act as the magistrate. Zhu Youjian was quite accommodating and subsequently appointed Wang Qiang as the magistrate of Gaoling County.
During this time, Wang Qiang applied everything he had learned while working under Wang Wenzhou in Hanshan to Gaoling. However, compared to Wang Wenzhou, who was accumulating wealth, Wang Qiang was simply throwing money away. Those in the Gaoling county government who knew the inside story all vehemently criticized Wang Qiang for his extravagant spending.
Now, Gaoling County has been developed by Wang Qiang into a county with a population of over 400,000, making it the largest county in Shaanxi. In less than a year, Wang Qiang has spent more than three million taels of silver. Such a large sum of money would make a splash even if thrown into water, let alone when it is invested in infrastructure. As a result, there are fewer migrants in Shaanxi, because Wang Qiang has governed Gaoling County well, and anyone who comes to Gaoling can find food.
Wang Qiang's money all came from Wang Wenzhou's children. The eldest sister-in-law was like a mother, and the younger brother-in-law like a son. They all supported Wang Qiang's need for money to develop Gaoling.
Although Zhu Youjian seized all of Wang Wenzhou's property, the young men still had ways to make money; even a starved camel is bigger than a horse.
Wang Qiang and Wang Wenzhou were as close as brothers. Now that he learned that Wang Wenzhou was in prison, he immediately prepared to go and rescue him.
Of course, Wang Qiang wouldn't go alone. He now has three thousand men in Gaoling, and he has mobilized them all.
These three thousand people won't cause too much trouble. The key is that Wang Qiang, in order to save Wang Wenzhou, also brought He Renlong along.
He Renlong commanded 20,000 elite Qin soldiers. When Wang Wenzhou arrived in Shaanxi, He Renlong tried to curry favor with him, but he was unsuccessful. Later, when Wang Qiang stayed in Gaoling, He Renlong, knowing the relationship between Wang Wenzhou and Wang Qiang, frequently went to flatter Wang Qiang.
Over time, the two became familiar with each other. Now that Wang Qiang was preparing a military coup, he pulled He Renlong along. He Renlong knew that a bright future was right in front of him, and anyone who didn't want to take the risk would be a fool. "The bold get rich, the timid starve"—this saying is the crystallization of the wisdom of our ancestors.
"Brothers! People everywhere are now feeling indignant on behalf of Wang Wenzhou and Lord Wang. We, the people of Gaoling, should feel the same way. Therefore, I have decided to take you brothers to the capital to petition. Are you willing?" Wang Qiang asked loudly.
"We are willing! We are willing!" the soldiers shouted in unison, tens of thousands of them, their voices shaking the heavens.
Wang Qiang waved his hand and ordered, "Let's go!"
The soldiers, now dressed in civilian clothes, began their march under the guidance of their respective officers.
He Renlong was in a dilemma. On one hand, he knew this was a golden opportunity for him to make a name for himself. On the other hand, following Wang Qiang's lead might be a one-way trip.
He Renlong asked, "Young Master Qiang, what should we do if we encounter soldiers blocking our way?"
"Hmph!" Wang Qiang snorted coldly, saying irritably, "Brother He, although we brothers are all dressed in civilian clothes, we still carry our weapons with us. Are the swords and knives in our hands just for show?"
He Renlong frowned deeply. If he fought against the soldiers who tried to stop him, he would truly be on a dead end with no chance of turning back.
He Renlong thought for a moment and then said, "Young Master Qiang, do you think we can make a compromise?"
"Hmm?" Wang Qiang frowned and asked, "Brother He, what do you mean?"
He Renlong said with a smile, "Young Master Qiang, didn't you say that petition groups are being organized in various places to go to the capital to petition? We can also organize some civilians, and if there are soldiers blocking our way, we can let the civilians charge into the enemy lines."
"Haha!" Wang Qiang laughed loudly, "Brother He, did you learn this trick from the bandits when you were suppressing them?"
"Hehe!" He Renlong said with a smile, "To be honest, Young Master Qiang, the bandits really did do that. Those who served as cannon fodder were all the old, weak, women and children. Facing the swarming masses of civilians, I was under a lot of pressure at the time."
"And in the end? You still treated them like thieves and killed them!" Wang Qiang said with a smile.
He Renlong quickly said, "Young Master Qiang, it's different. Back then, we had orders from the imperial court, and we were carrying out a bandit suppression mission. Even so, many brothers were still unwilling to attack these unarmed civilians. It was precisely because of this that the imperial army was often defeated by the bandits' charges."
“If government troops block our way, we will send civilians to charge. We will face unarmed civilians, who are not bandits. Even if we encounter the ruthless Sun Chuanting or Lord Sun, he will not order government troops to attack.” He Renlong was actually afraid of fighting government troops.
Wang Qiang thought for a moment and said, "Okay, let's do it that way. But Brother He, my little brother..."
"I should warn you, if we can't rescue my brother peacefully, we'll have to resort to force."
Seeing He Renlong's expression change, Wang Qiang quickly said, "Brother He, don't worry, I won't betray you. Following my brother will definitely lead to a bright future. As long as my brother gets out, even if we go to the Manchus, we'll still thrive. To be honest, Dorgon and my brother are sworn brothers. If the Emperor doesn't give us face, I'll just follow my brother and have breakfast! If my brother rebels, the throne will definitely be his! Brother He, you'll be a hero who helped the emperor rise to power!"
He Renlong was terrified, but he was truly desperate and filled with regret. He shouldn't have tried to cling to Wang Wenzhou and attach himself to Wang Wenzhou's name. If Wang Wenzhou was really executed by the Emperor, then he, as Wang Wenzhou's man, would certainly not have a good end. He was now following Wang Qiang to the capital to prepare for a mutiny, also for his own sake.
……
Shengjing.
When Dorgon learned of Wang Wenzhou's imprisonment, he was overjoyed, just like his brother Huang Taiji. Now that Wang Wenzhou had broken with Zhu Youjian, the desperate Wang Wenzhou had no choice but to seek refuge with his good brother.
Dorgon asked, "Mu Yiyun, can you contact Wang Wenzhou's wives and concubines?"
Dorgon knew that Wang Wenzhou's babies were all very powerful, and now as long as he contacted them, he could persuade them to rescue Wang Wenzhou.
Mu Yiyun smiled bitterly, "Your Highness, as you know, I don't get along with them, and they all reject me. But if it's for the sake of saving Lord Wang, I think they might consider my opinion."
"Haha!" Dorgon laughed loudly, "Very good! Go and tell them that no matter what method they use, they must rescue Wang Wenzhou. As long as it is within my power, I will do my utmost to help. The Ming Dynasty does not want Wang Wenzhou to live, but my Qing Dynasty will definitely treat him as an honored guest. Also, I entrust all my spies in the Ming Dynasty to you. You must help them rescue Wang Wenzhou."
"I will definitely convey your message. Also, on behalf of Wang Wenzhou, I thank Your Highness for your help!" Mu Yiyun said hurriedly.
"Haha!" Dorgon laughed loudly, "I have sworn brotherhood with Boxin, sister-in-law! No need to thank me."
Although Mu Yiyun still smiled and thanked him, she inwardly wished Dorgon dead. "It's all your fault! That's why I'm in jail! If you hadn't used my family as leverage, would I have ordered the fleet to attack the Ming Dynasty for you? Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law my ass!"