Chapter 107: The Grassroots Take Shape, Power Emerges!

Mingri Tower, Xuanzhou.

Fan Zhao, the newly appointed military commissioner, sat in the main seat, clinking glasses with Cui Shao, his face beaming with smiles.

Although Fan Zhao outranked Cui Shao in official rank, his duties were limited to suppressing local bandits, unlike the inspector or the military governor who handled broader regional administration. Therefore, there was no superior-subordinate relationship between them.

Moreover, Cui Shao had a formidable background, so Fan Zhao treated him with great courtesy.

After their toast, Fan Zhao smiled and said, “Chengzong just mentioned that the bandit situation in Xuanzhou has improved significantly. What exactly does that mean?”

“Before I came, I specifically reviewed documents related to Xuanzhou and the surrounding districts. Xuanzhou is mountainous, and banditry has plagued the region for two to three decades, especially worsening in recent years. Didn’t the county magistrate Zhang of Shidai County get stabbed by bandits shortly after taking office?” Cui Shao replied.

“Your Excellency might not know,” Cui Shao chuckled. “When I first arrived in Xuanzhou, banditry was rampant. I even prepared to escort the tax grain to Yuezhou, but it was seized by a group of mountain bandits and vanished without a trace.”

“But I later heard that the suppression in Qingyang was effective, so I appointed Li Zhao, the captain from Qingyang, to eradicate bandits within Xuanzhou. After nearly two months, according to reports sent from Shidai, Li Zhao has dismantled seven bandit strongholds in less than two months.”

“While I can’t speak for other areas in Xuanzhou, at least in Qingyang and Shidai counties, the bandit situation has greatly improved.”

Fan Zhao stroked his chin, contemplating for a moment, then said, “It seems Li Zhao is a rare talent.”

“Whether he’s a talent or not is hard to say, but he is certainly brave. The two attendants I brought from the capital have trained in martial arts since childhood and are quite skilled, yet when they sparred with him, both were knocked down within moments.”

“One of them is still recovering from his injuries and may not fully heal.”

Fan Zhao praised, “To have your household guards beaten so badly, he must possess exceptional strength. I must meet him in person when time permits.”

“Your Excellency,” Cui Shao began, but Fan Zhao waved him off with a smile, saying, “No need for such formalities between us; we are brothers.”

At this, Cui Shao furrowed his brow slightly—what background did this man have to call him brother? But he quickly masked it with a smile and replied, “Brother Guangxian.”

“That’s more like it,” Fan Zhao laughed. “Chengzong was about to ask something?”

“I wanted to inquire about the former governor, Tian Jing. Has the court reached a verdict on his case?”

“No,” Fan Zhao shook his head with a bitter smile. “Gu Wenchuan acted too rashly, accusing Tian Jing outright of arson against the imperial envoy, leading to their arrest. Later, investigations revealed that Tian Jing and his associates had illegally raised taxes, provoking rebellion among Shidai’s populace. However, Tian Jing countered, claiming Gu Wenchuan set the fire himself to frame the local officials.”

“Originally, the court planned to send someone to question the Gu family about the events of that night, but somehow no one has been dispatched yet.”

Cui Shao lowered his head to drink, then slowly said, “It seems the dispute is fierce. Has His Majesty taken a stance?”

Fan Zhao glanced at him and smiled, “It is already the fourth year of the Xiande era. For over ten years, from the Guangye period to now, when has His Majesty ever taken a clear position?”

“Until a result emerges from the conflict, the Emperor will not declare a stance.”

Cui Shao wanted to say more but held back, unfamiliar as he was with Fan Zhao.

---

His Majesty has been inscrutable for over a decade, speaking in riddles with no straightforward words.

Those below struggle to discern his intentions, and his authority seems unfathomable.

In recent years, some at court have figured out the Emperor’s stance: as the Crown Prince grows and consolidates power after establishing his own office, the Emperor tolerates factional struggles to maintain a counterbalance within the court, thus securing his own authority.

This is why the court has been embroiled in endless disputes for over ten years.

Fan Zhao raised his cup and clinked glasses with Cui Shao, asking, “As I am new here, I must seek your counsel, Brother Cui.”

Cui Shao snapped back to attention and said, “Please speak, Brother Guangxian.”

“What is the current situation with the rebellion in Yuezhou?”

Fan Zhao set down his cup and spoke slowly, “Before leaving the capital, His Majesty summoned me once, emphasizing the situation in Yuezhou. He instructed me as the military commissioner to assist Duke Zheng of Jiangnan East Circuit in suppressing the rebels. But since the journey here takes a month or two, I’m curious—what is the current state of affairs in Yuezhou?”

“It’s very severe,” Cui Shao lowered his head and sighed. “That rebel named Qiu has already captured Yuezhou city and now controls several counties, commanding tens of thousands of troops. Duke Zheng is helpless against him for the time being.”

The title “Duke” here refers respectfully to high officials such as inspectors or military governors.

Fan Zhao frowned slightly. “The people of Jiangnan have always been docile. I thought it was just a minor disturbance but did not expect it to escalate like this.”

He looked at Cui Shao and said, “It seems neither of us can avoid involvement in this Yuezhou rebellion. We must both exert ourselves.”

“For the court, it is our duty to do so,” Cui Shao sighed. “I only worry that if Jiangnan East Circuit cannot hold, the conflict will spread and threaten Xuanzhou.”

“I am the chief official of Xuanzhou; how could I bear to see its people suffer...”

“Such kindness is commendable,” Fan Zhao toasted him with a smile.

“One must govern according to one’s position,” Cui Shao replied, smiling back.

“Speaking of Xuanzhou, being in Jiangnan, there are some beautiful women here. I have found a few for Brother Guangxian and will send them to your quarters tonight.”

Fan Zhao stroked his beard and laughed heartily. “Thoughtful of you, indeed.”

---

Shidai, beneath Black Dragon Mountain.

Li Zheng clasped fists toward Li Yun with a grin. “Second Brother, over forty men have volunteered to climb the rear mountain. They’re almost at Black Dragon Stronghold.”

Li Yun looked over the hundred or so men before him and smiled. “Get to work. Once we take Black Dragon Stronghold, most of the larger bandit camps around Shidai will be cleared.”

Li Zheng responded with a shout, waving his hand as he led his “bandit army” roaring up the mountain.

These men, all former bandits, knew the strongholds intimately. With their overwhelming numbers, they quickly charged into Black Dragon Stronghold and subdued it within half a day.

Over a hundred fierce bandits terrified the defenders into surrendering. This increased their numbers even further.

After taking the stronghold, Li Yun ordered the purchase of pigs, cattle, and sheep, which were brought to the mountain and slaughtered. By nightfall, the whole stronghold was filled with the aroma of roasting meat.

Li, the grand captain, sat with his legs crossed at the head of a table, watching his men feast and drink heartily, a smile spreading across his face.

Though only about a hundred strong, these men were very different from the tenants he had recruited at the Li family village.

In their hearts, they held no reverence for imperial laws, only submission to Li’s personal authority.

In other words, they were lawless.

Li Zheng sat beside Li Yun, gnawing on a beef bone, grinning broadly. “Second Brother, I finally understand why you say you’re half a governor. With the men under us, even that Governor Cui can’t compare!”

He put down the bone and said, “I heard the rebellion in Yuezhou is worsening. If it spreads to Xuanzhou, then that so-called Governor Cui will be nothing.”

“Second Brother, you will be Governor Li!”

Li Yun shot him a glance and laughed, scolding, “Drunk again?”

Li Zheng’s face reddened as he stretched his neck and shouted, “I’m not drunk! I’m not!”

Li Yun kicked him lightly and ignored him, instead rubbing his brow while watching his tough subordinates.

Zhou Liang, standing beside him, smiled and said, “Having many men brings many troubles, doesn’t it, Chief?”

“Yes. Even disregarding daily rations, managing them is a headache. These are former bandits—each unruly and hard to tame. Who knows when they might revolt?”

“When I am here, I can keep them in line. If I’m away, trouble might arise.”

Zhou Liang took a sip of wine, then after a pause said, “That’s why you need to reward some of them, letting them know your true identity as their chief, and that they won’t be handed over to the authorities.”

“Then, even without your presence, they will manage the others on your behalf.”

Li Yun’s eyes brightened. He clapped Zhou Liang on the shoulder. “Good idea. I’ll start selecting candidates among them in the next few days.”

Zhou Liang smiled but said nothing.

This was, after all, the foundation of military organization.

The third camp leader drank deeply and looked at Li Yun, knowing that with the establishment of grassroots organization, power…

Was beginning to emerge.

Overslept during his afternoon nap…

(End of chapter)