Anti-Qing: Starting from the Jintian Uprising

Chapter 288: Surrender at the Sight of the Storm (Part Five)
After hearing what his brother said, Weng Tong put down the wine glass in his hand with a look of shock on his face and reached out to touch his brother's forehead.

He touched his forehead and found it was not hot. Weng Tong withdrew his hand and said in surprise.

"I don't have a fever, brother, why are you talking nonsense?"

The corners of Weng He's mouth twitched, but he still patiently explained to his brother.

"I'm not talking nonsense, I'm serious."

Weng Tong couldn't help but frown.

"Brother, what are you thinking?"

"I heard from merchants who went to Southeast Asia that the climate there is extremely hot and humid, malaria is everywhere, and poisonous insects and ferocious beasts are everywhere. It is really not a good place."

"Of the ten people who normally go to Southeast Asia, only half will survive."

"Brother, you are doing a good job as the head of this household. It won't be long before you are promoted to the position of assistant county official. Why do you suddenly want to go to Southeast Asia?"

Weng He sighed and said.

"My family has been merchants for generations. Although we have some property, we have no connections in the court."

"If I follow the routine and serve as an official, I am not sure whether I can be promoted to the government in this lifetime."

"I really can't accept this!"

"This time the imperial court is selecting officials to go to Southeast Asia. Although it is dangerous, it is a rare opportunity for an official like me who has no background or foundation."

"The official document from the court said that those who are selected to serve as officials in Southeast Asia this time will have their ranks raised by one level, and will be given priority for promotion in the future."

"Besides, if we do a good job this time, maybe we can catch the eyes of the bigwigs in the court in the future."

"If I can get help from a noble person, I will be able to rise to the top!"

Weng He was ambitious, but his family background was not enough to support his ambition.

Therefore, if he wants to get promoted, he can only rely on his own efforts.

Upon hearing this, Weng Tong opened his mouth, but still tried to persuade him.

"Brother, you should think twice."

"I read in the newspaper that Jiangnan is also short of officials. In order to fill the vacancies, the court is even planning to hold another special examination this year."

"The situation in Jiangnan is uncertain right now. If you apply to be transferred to Jiangnan, I think you can be promoted, right?"

Upon hearing this, Weng He shook his head.

"It's not that simple!"

"The shortage of people in Jiangnan is not the same as the shortage of people in Nanyang."

"The situation in Jiangnan seems to be undecided, but after the battle of Jiangning last year, Jiangnan has actually been settled."

"To put it bluntly, the imperial court's special examination this time is for the people of Jiangnan."

"As soon as the imperial examination begins, no, as soon as the news of the imperial examination comes out, Jiangnan will surely be conquered by the imperial edict."

“Many people can see this.”

"In other words, the current shortage of people in Jiangnan is intentionally blocked by the imperial court. They are preparing to reserve some vacancies for people in Jiangnan to appease the gentry in Jiangnan, not because there is a real shortage."

"That's Jiangnan after all. Being an official in Jiangnan is a really lucrative job and is very popular."

"It's not our turn to rob without any connections!"

"On the contrary, it is Nanyang that is short of people. That is a real shortage."

"I asked around, and basically no one in the county government is willing to go..."

Weng Tong picked up the wine glass and took a sip, but still couldn't help frowning.

"Brother, I still feel it's not right. If you go to Nanyang, what about your sister-in-law and nephew? What about Dad?"

"If you really want to get promoted, we can spend some money."

"Give the higher-ups some money and transfer you to Jiangnan..."

Weng Tong began to think about bribing his superiors.

Anyway, he felt that spending some money to buy a chance of promotion was definitely more reliable than having his elder brother go to Southeast Asia to take a chance.

Weng He shook his head.

"No!"

"The Tang Dynasty has just established the Supervisory Department. The group of lackeys in the Supervisory Department are currently monitoring the officialdom and correcting the work style. Several senior officials have already fallen from power. We must not run into the trap at this time." Although Li Yi is tolerant of his subordinates, it is not tolerance without limits.

It doesn't matter if you are a little greedy to supplement the family income.

But if you dare to go too far, you'll be investigated.

Although the Tang Dynasty is now in the period of conquering the world, Li Yi would not launch a major case to purge the officialdom.

But the Supervisory Office never rested, and from time to time they would pick out a few typical cases to correct the officialdom's work style.

Weng He has been an official for such a long time that he has thought about bribery to get promoted.

But he was an honest and timid person, so he just thought about it and never dared to take any real action.

"As for your sister-in-law and the others?"

"Brother, aren't you going back to Hunan? Please take them back with you!"

Weng He explained to his younger brother.

Upon hearing this, Weng Tong knew that his brother had made up his mind, so he could only nod and say.

"Brother, go with peace of mind. I will take good care of my sister-in-law, nephew, and father."

After that, the two brothers stopped talking about it and started drinking together.

Weng He chattered on and on to his younger brother about what he had seen and heard during this period.

Weng Tong also shared the recent details of the family business with his brother.

Weng He said, patting his chest while drunk.

"When my brother has established a firm foothold in Southeast Asia in the future, we will expand our family's business to Southeast Asia as well..."

Weng Tong also laughed.

"Good! Good! Good!"

"From now on, I will rely on you to take care of me!"

"..."

……

April 20th, the third year of the Zhaowu reign of the Tang Dynasty.

The various units of the Tang army received telegrams from Guangzhou one after another, and the three major war zones began to launch general attacks on the Qing army south of the Yangtze River.

On April 21, Tang's army from the Guangdong-Guangxi war zone dispatched troops toward Fujian.

The army marched towards Fuzhou by land and sea.

On April 26, the Tang army arrived at the city of Zhangzhou and launched an artillery bombardment on Zhangzhou, which then surrendered.

On the first day of May, the Tang army arrived in Quanzhou. The Tiandihui in Quanzhou city launched an uprising, then captured the city gates and surrendered to the Tang Dynasty.

Afterwards, the prefect of Xinghua attempted to resist stubbornly, but was captured by the rebellious Xinghua Dusi Huang He, and Xinghua surrendered.

In just mid-May, the vanguard of the Tang army arrived off the coast of Fuzhou.

Looking at the dark mass of Tang army warships on the sea, the Qing army soldiers in charge of lookout on Langqi Island could not help but feel fear in their hearts.

"Quick! Go and report to the Admiral!"

"Tang thief, Tang thief is coming to kill us!"

A Qing soldier came back to his senses from shock and panic and shouted at the top of his lungs.

A group of Qing troops on lookout scattered and ran towards their own camp.

Soon there was a commotion in the Qing army camp on Langqi Island. The Qing soldiers ran around in panic, and the officers shouted at the top of their lungs, trying to get their soldiers to gather and prepare for battle, but it was of no use at all.

Shi Delu was hurriedly getting dressed and running out of the camp in a panic. Soon she arrived at the shore surrounded by a group of personal soldiers.

Looking at the dark mass of Tang army fleet on the sea.

Shi Delu couldn't help but gasp, muttering in panic.

"It's a disaster. The Tang thieves are coming. This is really going to be a disaster..."

……

It’s paid off!
The overdue update is finally completed!
Please give me a monthly ticket!

(End of this chapter)