Without money, what is the point of being a traitor?

Chapter 199 The situation is quite explosive

Under the impact of the Bazhou rebels, ordinary people lost their land due to the difficulties of life, became tenant farmers, and took shelter in the homes of the powerful.

A large number of vibrant small families that could provide consumption and tax revenue disappeared from official view, and wealth and resources eventually fell into the hands of the powerful who had ample means to legally avoid taxes.

Afterwards, these lands and wealth will completely disappear in the name of donating to temples, seeking protection from officials and gentry, etc.

It can be said that this process was proceeding slowly throughout the Ming Dynasty.

The arrival of the Bazhou rebels only accelerated this process.

Pei Yuan was thinking about it, and suddenly remembered the guy named Xue Songqi whom he met on the way south.

According to Cheng Leixiang, Xue Songqi, who served as the vanguard in the Bazhou rebels, was the leader of the Baishihui Daotang, who was secretly supported by Prince De Zhu Jianlin.

The appetite of the Ming vassal king is so big that he wants to swallow up the entire Dongchang Prefecture. The affairs of just two counties are really nothing.

Captain Pei calmed down.

Nothing to mess with.

He said to Song Chunniang, "Go and call them all in."

After everyone came in, Pei Yuan first looked at Sikong Sui.

Although this old guy has initially gained Pei Yuan's trust, there are some things that are still not convenient to tell him directly.

The main reason is that this old guy is determined to get rid of the burden of taxes and silver.

Once they learn that Huai'an Wei wants to take over, they might be happy to cooperate.

However, Pei Yuan was limited by his previous promise to him and Tan Tai Fang Tu, so it was not easy for him to stop it openly.

Pei Yuan first said to Sikong Sui, "Sikong Baihu should pay more attention to the matter of contacting Han Qianhu. In addition, the people from Huai'an Guard just told me that the rebels of Bazhou are showing signs of moving south. In order to divide the enemy forces, Huai'an Guard plans to place bait in Suqian and Shuyang to lure the rebels of Bazhou over. They hope to use our Jinyiwei's way to handle this matter."

After saying that, Pei Yuan added calmly, "It's not in vain."

Sikong Sui had no objection to what he heard. Although the Jinyiwei's ability to collect intelligence was not as good as before, it was still no problem to pass on some information thanks to some methods that had been operating for a long time.

Sikong Sui said, "There are indeed a few of our people among the Hebei rebels. Although they are just a few small leaders, it is still easy for them to accomplish this task. I met some of them when I was working with Han Qianhu before. I will give the list of those people to you for your review later."

What Pei Yuan wants to plan can only be done by talking to the leaders of the Bazhou rebels. These small leaders are of little significance.

Besides, he has Liu Qi's location and can accurately find where Liu Qi is.

The two sides had some friendship before, and when they came into contact, they could even call each other old friends.

This is more reliable than asking the traitors among the Bazhou rebels for recommendation.

So Pei Yuan said, "This is a serious matter. I have to go there in person."

Everyone was shocked and hurriedly stopped him, saying, "Captain, just let your subordinates do it. Why take the risk yourself?"

Several people even volunteered to do this job.

Pei Yuan didn't have the patience to say anything. He just glanced at everyone and asked rudely, "Do you want to listen to me or you?"

Now no one dared to say a word.

Sikong Sui relied on his seniority and asked, "If the captain is not here, who will be in charge of the overall situation here?"

Pei Yuan paused when he heard this. When he was away, the two centurions with the highest status were naturally Sikong Sui and Tan Tai Fangtu.

But Pei Yuan didn't intend to involve them too much.

In the future, the Northern Bureau of the Qianhu Suo will no longer need someone who can replace him at any time.

Pei Yuan simply said, "Captain Han should be not far from here. If you are undecided, just report to her directly."

After saying that, Pei Yuan looked at Sikong Sui and Chen Toutie and said, "You two can go and take care of your own business. I'll let Cheng Leixiang accompany me on this trip north."

Wait until they all retreat.

Pei Yuancai asked Cheng Leixiang, "You have been in the martial arts world for many years. Do you know much about Liu Qi?"

Cheng Leixiang replied cautiously, "Reputations in the martial arts world cannot be taken for granted. My Lord has seen Mr. Liu Qi in Jining with his own eyes, so he must have made his own judgment."

Pei Yuan pondered for a while and said, "I heard that this man has always been known for his generosity and righteousness. It is precisely because of this that he was able to gather such a large team after the rebellion. The last time I saw him in Jining, I can say that his reputation is well-deserved."

Speaking of which, the top leaders of the Bazhou rebels still maintain their simple judgment.

After Yang Hu captured Huai'an prefect Liu Xiang alive, he released him directly on the battlefield because of his good reputation as an official.

When Zhao Sui captured Lingbi and captured the magistrate Chen Bo'an, he praised him for his loyalty and integrity and released Chen Bo'an, who was cursing and denouncing the Bazhou army.

When they attacked the hometown of Jiao Fang, a member of Liu Jin's gang, they dug up Jiao Fang's ancestral grave, dressed a wooden figure in Jiao Fang's clothes and beheaded him, saying triumphantly, "Let me kill this old villain with my own hands and apologize to the world."

Although the Bazhou rebellion gained momentum quickly, it did not last long, and many people still remembered their original intentions.

Those knights-errant of the past still had crude ideas in their hearts and were reckless in judging right and wrong.

They didn't even know that Jiao Fang, a well-known local gangster, was from their side...

However, these also gave Pei Yuan a basic judgment.

These people from the Bazhou rebels can still be dealt with, and some things can still be discussed.

It’s good to be able to talk.

It’s time to let these middle school students see what a devil of persuasion is.

Pei Yuan considered it for a moment, then said to Cheng Leixiang, "Go and prepare. If we get some news in the next two days, we'll head north."

Cheng Leixiang has followed Pei Yuan through many trials and tribulations, and after gradually becoming numb, he even began to become indifferent to life and death.

He said straightforwardly, "I will prepare it right away."

After Cheng Leixiang left, Song Chunniang asked, "What about me? Should I just contact Han Qianhu?"

Song Chunniang, who had just joined the team, was particularly active at this moment.

Pei Yuan said, "Well, don't underestimate this job. Once you get in touch with Captain Han, you will be in charge of communicating with them. Don't let people like Sikong Sui and Tan Tai Fang Tu have the opportunity to directly access the orders."

Upon hearing this, Song Chunniang immediately understood what Pei Yuan meant.

Just as Pei Yuan expected, Song Chunniang, who was wandering around Chanheji, soon got in touch with Han Qianhu.

When Captain Han heard that Pei Yuan wanted to see her urgently, he suspected that there was a problem with the tax money and hurriedly rode his horse to Shanyang County.

When Han Qianhu heard without any mental preparation that his subordinates were planning to resell the rebels in Bazhou, Han Qianhu began to doubt his life.

He actually planned to sell out the Bazhou rebels!
It still has to be sold to a vassal king of the Ming Dynasty!
Could it be that the extraordinary man who won the first place in the imperial court martial arts examination was of such a high standard? For a moment, Han Qianhu was so confused that he didn't know how to respond until Pei Yuan urged, "Sir? Sir?"

"What?" Han Qianhu looked at Pei Yuan blankly.

Pei Yuan asked Han Qianhu in a soliciting manner, "It's about the offer to King Ning. You are the seal holder of Qianhu, so I have to listen to your opinion on this matter."

Han Qianhu was furious, and he slammed the table and said angrily, "My opinion? What opinion do you want to ask me? At this point, do you still take me seriously?"

Pei Yuan saw Han Qianhu getting angry, and he also said angrily, "I am loyal to you, Qianhu. How can you doubt me?"

Han Qianhu slammed the table and yelled, leaning forward and questioning, "What do you mean by this? How dare you do such a thing behind my back!"

"Your humble servant, your humble servant..." It was the first time that Pei Yuan saw Han Qianhu lose his composure, and he could not help but be stunned.

Perhaps it was the confidence built on his strong personal strength and extremely high intelligence that allowed Han Qianhu to handle various matters with ease.

Even Pei Yuan, a subordinate who jumped very happily, was always looked upon by Han Qianhu with an arrogant attitude that he could not jump out of the Five Finger Mountain.

But now this stinky monkey is jumping too arrogantly, so arrogant that he is about to write "I was here" and then pee.

How could Han Qianhu remain calm?

Little did he know that Captain Han, who was always so heroic and dignified, suddenly broke down. His angry expression really made Captain Pei fall in love with him.

Therefore, Pei Qianhu's loyalty was obvious and became even more loyal than words could describe.

The sophistry that was about to come out of his mouth was immediately changed, "What does Qianhu mean? What does humble position mean!"

Han Qianhu was so angry that she almost laughed. At this moment, she suddenly thought of a possibility and asked Pei Yuan seriously, "Tell me the truth. Do you have any connection with those Bazhou rebels?"

"No." Pei Yuan was a little puzzled by this question.

Han Qianhu questioned, "Since there is no connection, why would you sell out the Bazhou rebels?"

Pei Yuan explained, "I just happened to catch them. I thought this was a rare opportunity and the money was like picking up something for free, so I sold them."

Pei Yuan's matter-of-fact tone almost made Han Qianhu at a loss for words.

These Bazhou rebels are so lucky to have met a guy like you.

Pei Yuan quickly dispelled Han Qianhu's concerns, "Don't worry, Qianhu, I have thought about this matter over and over again, and the success rate is more than 90%."

"We can squeeze no less than 100,000 taels of silver from Prince Ning alone."

"Besides, we didn't spend any money on this. The Bazhou rebels were not ours in the first place..."

"And this is also a double insurance. If the speculation in Huai'an doesn't go well, we will have another sum of money coming in."

As Pei Yuan kept talking, the expression on Han Qianhu's face gradually changed subtly.

——More than 90% sure, no less than 100,000 taels of silver, and no capital is even required.

When these keywords are combined together, they are full of persuasive power.

Han Qianhu couldn't help but think of the time when Pei Yuan suggested that he use the court's tax money to speculate in commodities.

Although my own reaction at that time was also, it was simply outrageous!
But now, aren’t things progressing step by step, only one step away from realization?
Thinking about this, Han Qianhu's mood became inexplicably calm.

Then, he began to try to sort out Pei Yuan's thoughts.

After thinking for a while, Han Qianhu asked Pei Yuan a fatal question, "What if the court finds out about this?"

Pei Yuan laughed and said confidently, "I don't think anyone would use such nonsense to test the wisdom of the cabinet."

Han Qianhu sighed.

indeed.

Not to mention others, even she, the nominal main culprit, didn't dare to believe it. How could those cunning people in the court cabinet believe such an outrageous thing?
Then Pei Yuan hinted again.

"For this great achievement in suppressing the rebellion in Bazhou, a large number of civil officials and military generals will surely be awarded titles, and some important officials in the court will also be rewarded. How can such a grand event and such a great achievement be tainted with flaws?"

Han Qianhu understood.

In order to encircle and suppress the rebels in Bazhou this time, a large number of Beijing troops and border troops were mobilized, and it is unknown how many civil and military officials were involved.

There will definitely be a phenomenal amount of rewards after the war.

But what if one day some reckless spy suddenly reports to the court, saying that the rebels in Bazhou were not wiped out at all, but were trafficked to Jiangxi?

Ha ha.

Han Qianhu didn't even dare to imagine what a devastating situation that would be.

There are really almost no consequences!

Han Qianhu thought about it and decided that the consequences of the matter were no longer an obstacle. Now it depended on the feasibility of the matter.

So, Han Qianhu asked Pei Yuan, "What exactly do you plan to do?"

Pei Yuan also had a plan in mind, and immediately replied, "I plan to go to the Bazhou rebels in person, and it would be best if I could talk to Liu Liu and Liu Qi in person."

"They may seem quite powerful now, but they are actually close to the end of their rope."

"The subordinates may not understand, but the leaders must have known it very well."

"My target is not the entire Bazhou rebel army, but the thousands of elite horse bandits at the core. As long as we can persuade them to surrender to Prince Ning, the rebellion can be eliminated in an instant."

"At that time, leaders like Liu Liu and Liu Qi will be able to live comfortably under the protection of King Ning, and they will also be able to control the core team without worrying about King Ning going back on his word."

"The remaining soldiers, their families, etc., will not be forced to die with them when they are left with nowhere else to go."

"As for Prince Ning, the terrain of Jiangxi where he is located is like a pocket surrounded by mountains. The only shortcut to get out of Jiangxi is to rush out from Jiujiangkou and go south along the river."

"So even if Prince Ning rebels, the real threat to the court should be the navy. Although these elite cavalry look beautiful, they have no place to use them before leaving Jiangxi."

"After paying such a large sum of money, even with the Ning Clan's accumulation over the years, it will definitely be severely damaged. There is absolutely no basis for rebellion in the short term."

"If these northerners were left to roam free on the barren mountains and islands near Poyang Lake, they would lose their fighting capacity in just a few years if they were left alone for a while."

"It's just that I don't have any way to help King Ning. I still have to see if Qianhu Office can provide assistance."

Han Qianhu roughly understood, "That is to say, I want to try to contact King Ning's people and negotiate with them the price of selling the Bazhou rebels?"

Pei Yuan made a slight correction, "Sir, it's not the price of the sale, it's the reward for your service."

Thanks to classmate Weixi Yuhuo for the reward, thank you for your support!

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(End of this chapter)