The world is like a prison, my body is holy

News of the King of Qin's rebellion quickly reached Wang Wen through various channels.

Reports indicate that the King of Qin issued a proclamation, denouncing the usurper Chai Heng for his rebellion, coup, murder of his father, and usurpation of the throne, deeming him worse than pigs and dogs. He stated that he had no choice but to raise an army to cleanse the world and restore order to the original state.

There are also reports that the new emperor, after swearing an oath to his generals, declared himself the rebel king Chai You, who colluded with Qi Yuting, the general guarding Liaodong, to secretly harbor great ambitions, rebel against his superiors, and be disloyal, unfilial, and unworthy of being a son. He then dispatched 300,000 troops to the north to quell the rebellion.

In short, everyone has their own version of the truth, rumors are flying everywhere, and even ordinary people are discussing it; the rumors can be heard everywhere on the streets and alleys.

Wang Wen also wanted to know which of the two brothers was telling the truth...

However, he had too little information. No matter how he pieced together the information, the whole matter remained unclear, like looking at flowers through a fog.

He even suspected that Emperor Hongtai had not actually died, and that everything before him was just a farce orchestrated by Emperor Hongtai himself after he stepped back from the limelight.

The evidence, of course, was his previous empowerment of the Huangshan God, but his attempt to summon the spirit of Emperor Hongtai was unsuccessful.

However, he wasn't the kind of person with an intense curiosity who wanted to get to the bottom of everything. After a little thought, he realized that it was difficult to reconstruct the truth based on the current situation, so he decisively gave up on continuing his investigation.

Who's telling the truth and who's lying is none of his business!
In the latter half of the twelfth lunar month, the imperial court issued its first edict after the new emperor's ascension to the throne, establishing the reign title as Zhaode, with the following year being the first year of Zhaode.

Emperor Zhaode's imperial edict conferring upon Wang Wen the title of "Pacification Commissioner of Huainan" and the official document for his appointment followed closely behind, and were delivered to the General of the Demon-Slaying Army's residence.

This was a deal reached between Yang Ying, the Crown Prince's tutor, and Wang Wen when Emperor Zhaode was still the Crown Prince. In exchange, the Crown Prince recommended Wang Wen to be the Pacification Commissioner of Huainan, and Wang Wen guaranteed that the position of Transport Commissioner of Huainan would fall to the top of the officials of the Crown Prince's faction.

Wang Wendu never expected that Emperor Zhaode would still recognize this deal after ascending the throne!
But he had no reason to refuse such a deal that was practically like picking up money.

However, from this transaction, he could already tell that the new emperor's current situation was not good!

Or rather, it's very bad!
Otherwise, Emperor Zhaode would not have engaged in such a self-destructive act.

The title of Pacification Commissioner of Huainan was, in principle, a nominal and unfulfilled honorary title. However, within this framework, the Pacification Commissioner of Huainan was a high-ranking local military officer with the power to command 50,000 troops, and his military power was almost equivalent to that of the Border Military Commissioner.

However, specific issues need to be analyzed specifically. Is it possible to give a military general who commands troops in Huainan Road and is free from the control and checks and balances of local officials the title of Huainan Pacification Commissioner?

Emperor Zhaode dared to think that way, but Wang Wenyebao couldn't possibly agree with it!

After all, what he handed over was a real piece of financial power!
Emperor Zhaode had been the crown prince for twenty-five years; how could he not know this?
If he can't even grasp this point, he won't be able to sit on that dragon throne.

Yet he still entrusted this position, which could easily become too powerful and a major threat to the dynasty, to Wang Wen in exchange for the financial power of Huainan Circuit and Wang Wen's support.

Isn't this just drinking poison to quench thirst?
Wang Wen gladly accepted the imperial decree and, through the eunuch who came to deliver it, painted a whole host of promises to Emperor Zhaode, promising them free benefits.

He knew perfectly well that this position would definitely cause trouble in the future.

As the saying goes, one's position determines one's perspective. He holds a position that could potentially become a threat to the dynasty at any time. Once Emperor Zhaode has secured his throne and dealt with the Prince of Qin, he will surely start plotting against him!
This is beyond human control...

But what about the future? Of course, we'll talk about that later.

At least for now, Wang Wen is the most powerful military general in the entire Huainan Circuit, and even in the entire southern region!

We have to have some fun first!
……

As the year draws to a close, heavy snow has blocked mountain passes and made roads difficult to travel in the north.

Emperor Zhaode and the Prince of Qin, these two brothers, were engaged in a fierce verbal battle, their spittle flying everywhere, while each deployed their troops and accumulated strength, waiting to see who would prevail on the battlefield next spring.

Although the fighting hasn't started yet, the strong smell of gunpowder has already permeated the entire country...

Meanwhile, a strong smell of gunpowder wafted from the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion.

It was Ao Qing and Bai Zimo, the two masters of the Water Palace under the jurisdiction of the two generals' mansions. Finally, kings met kings. They sat on either side of the main hall of the general's mansion, staring at each other like two fighting roosters, each unwilling to give an inch, with a tendency to fight to the death if they disagreed.

Wang Wen sat upright in the hall, intently flipping through the registers of mountain spirits and monsters presented by the two water palaces, pretending not to notice the tension simmering below.

Why would he support Bai Zimo to become the master of Chaohu Lake when he already had Ao Qing, the general of Hongze Lake Water Palace?
Of course, it's to encourage them to take initiative and actively share their burdens!
Checks and balances?

No, that's not true. Ao Qing has the Heavenly Dao's oath as a guarantee. Even if it cultivates for another thousand years, Wang Wen won't worry that it will become too powerful and cause trouble.

But if the subordinates don't get involved, does he, as the boss, have to do everything himself?
The effect is evident, isn't it?
After Bai Zimo became the master of Chaohu Water Palace, Ao Qing was resentful that his former subordinate had become his equal. He suppressed Chaohu Water Palace in many ways, and at one point the monsters of Chaohu Water Palace could not leave the Chaohu waters.

In order to gain Wang Wen's support and relieve the siege of Chaohu, Bai Zimo risked his life to lead a team to traverse mountains and valleys to register mountain spirits and monsters. His KPI once surpassed that of Hongze Lake Water Mansion, which had spent most of its energy suppressing Chaohu Water Mansion, forcing Hongze Lake Water Mansion to spend a lot of effort to register mountain spirits and monsters in various places!

The work of registering and cataloging mountain spirits and monsters is not easy. Most of them are narrow-minded and untamed. Unless they are subdued, they are unwilling to use their brains to understand what the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion is, what registration and cataloging is, and what paying taxes is!

Such a massive workload, if entrusted to the Demon Suppression Guards of the General's Mansion, would hardly yield any results in less than one or two years!
It still takes experienced guides like Ao Qing and Bai Ziming to step in...

After a while, Wang Wencai in the hall closed the two booklets: "I have read your accounts. Overall, you have done a good job. You have made contributions and deserve a reward!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Bai Zimo jumped up and respectfully said with his hands clasped, "It is all thanks to the general's great reputation that has intimidated all sides. This humble general has only done a small job and dares not take credit!"

Ao Qing paused for two seconds before quickly standing up: "It's all thanks to the general's skillful command. I was just following the rules and dare not take credit!"

Wang Wen smiled happily.

Roll it up, roll it up! If you guys don't roll it up, how can I rest easy?

"Alright, merit is merit, and fault is fault. My general's mansion never starves its soldiers."

Wang Wen waved his hand and said generously, "Later, a demon will go to the Medicine King's Hall to collect a bottle of two-stage Golden Pills!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Zimo's face lit up with ecstatic joy, and he bowed deeply, saying, "This humble general thanks the general for the reward!"

Ao Qing stared blankly at Bai Zimo, habitually sticking out his forked tongue, until he caught a glimpse of Wang Wen's eyes suddenly turning cold out of the corner of his eye. He was startled, hurriedly retracted his tongue, and bowed deeply: "This humble general thanks the general for the reward!" Wang Wen's expression turned from gloomy to sunny, and he smiled and waved his hand, saying: "Alright, everyone, please sit down."

"Thank you General!"

The two demons rose and sat down, their eyes fixed on their noses, their noses reflecting their inner thoughts.

Wang Wen leisurely picked up the teacup beside him, took a sip, and said unhurriedly, "Let's talk about it one by one."

"Let's talk about these demons who have already been registered. Next year, your focus will be on strengthening their management."

"First, there's the issue of taxation. I'll have the Logistics Department come up with a unified tax standard as soon as possible, based on the different cultivation levels of the demons."

"I will take into account the actual situation when setting the tax standard. I will allow demons to use rare and precious materials as tax payments to ensure that all demons have taxes to pay and can live and work in peace. If they really cannot afford to pay taxes, I will also allow them to offset their taxes through corvée labor, such as clearing wasteland, dredging waterways, and pulling boats. Huainan Road is so big, there will always be jobs for them to earn money to pay taxes."

"You don't need to worry about that!"

Upon hearing this, the two demons, filled with excitement and joy, clasped their hands and said, "On behalf of our demon subjects, we thank the general for his magnanimity and compassion for us demons!"

Wang Wen waved his hand magnanimously: "It's nothing, it's all what I should do!"

He paused, then continued, "Secondly, there is the issue of dividing the cave dwellings. All registered demons should be divided into mountain peaks and demon caves as soon as possible. Large and medium-sized demon caves with more than a hundred demons should be split up, as should clans with more than a hundred demons. Furthermore, a responsibility system should be implemented, so that if one demon causes trouble, the entire cave will be held accountable, ensuring that humans and demons coexist peacefully and create a harmonious society!"

Upon hearing this, Ao Qing looked troubled.

However, Bai Zimo had already sprung up, crossed his arms and shouted, "Whatever the general points out, that is where this humble general will go! Once this humble general returns to the Chaohu Water Palace, he will immediately convene a meeting of the Water Palace's demon people to carry out the general's instructions!"

'Holy crap, you demon…'

Ao Qing stared at it in disbelief, then hurriedly stood up and said, "When I return to Hongze Lake, I will immediately convene a meeting of the water demons and people to lead the way in obeying the general's instructions. If any demon dares to disobey the general's benevolent policies, I will be the first to destroy it!"

As it spoke, it gave Bai Ziming a defiant glance: 'Don't think you're so great just because you worked at the General's Mansion for a few days. Flattery is nothing; I can do that too!'

Bai Zimo also glanced at it sideways with his silver vertical pupils and let out a silent snort.

"Not bad!"

Wang Wen waved his hand solemnly, but the smile on his lips was harder to suppress than AK's: "With the assistance of these two valiant generals, what is there to worry about in achieving great things!"

Bai Zimo: "General, you flatter me. I was merely doing my duty."

Ao Qing: "Whatever the general says, I will do; I will give my life and die for it!"

"Hahaha……"

Wang Wen clapped his hands and laughed: "Very good, I was right about the demon, everyone sit down, everyone sit down!"

"Thank you General!"

The two demons sat down again, glaring at each other fiercely, as if firelight flickered in the air.

"the last point……"

Wang Wenquan pretended not to see the conflict between the two demons, and gently tapped the table to draw their attention to himself: "Those will be two major water palaces. We must quickly set up patrol teams and implement a leadership responsibility system to prevent the recurrence of vicious cases of the strong preying on the weak and the merging of demon caves."

"You must clearly tell all the demon people under your jurisdiction that all the mountains and caves in Huainan Road belong to our Demon-Slaying General's Mansion. We only allow them to live there because they have paid taxes. Whoever we permit to live there can live there, and whoever we forbid to live there cannot be taken away. Anyone who dares to bully the weak or annex demon caves in private will be regarded as a provocation against my Demon-Slaying General's Mansion. At that time, I will personally take action to uproot them and leave no one alive!"

"And you must take on the leadership role, monitor the demon people under your rule, promptly discover and deal with such heinous cases. If a demon person is bullied, you must uphold justice for them; if a demon person is harmed by evil demons, you must protect their safety!"

"In short, since the demon people below have paid taxes, we must treat them all equally and without bias!"

"As long as the demon people abide by the rules of our Demon-Slaying General's Mansion and actively pay taxes, even if the Heavenly King himself comes, he will have to get past our General's Mansion first if he wants to harm them. If you can't hold them off, we still have 2,500 brothers in our General's Mansion. If our 2,500 brothers can't hold them off, we still have this general!"

"I am the protector of every law-abiding citizen who pays taxes according to the law!"

His words were resolute, and the eyes of the two demons below the hall once again showed excitement and gratitude.

The two demons rose again, clasped their hands in a bow, and said in unison, "On behalf of our demon people, we thank General for upholding justice for us!"

Wang Wenxin gestured with his hand in a gesture of relief: "No need for formalities. We are all family members who eat from the same pot. Outside this door, we are superior and subordinate, but behind this door, we are all one family. If you don't mind, you can call me 'Master'!"

The two demons, moved to tears, simultaneously changed their address: "This humble demon greets Your Excellency!"

Wang Wen: "Hahaha, not bad, not bad, everyone, please sit down!"

The two demons sat down again, exchanging another heated exchange of glances.

"All right!"

Wang Wen put away the two rosters in front of him and said seriously, "We've finished talking about the law-abiding and virtuous demons. Now let's talk about the lawless and unruly demons. Tell me, who are the troublemakers under your jurisdiction?"

Bai Zimo spoke first again, saying, "Reporting to the lord, I have a willow tree demon under my command who calls herself Granny Willow. She has occupied Toad Ridge and has gathered a large number of lawless demons and monsters under her command. They are draining the life essence and yang energy of innocent people for her. I have repeatedly assembled a navy to attack her, but all of them have suffered heavy losses and returned empty-handed!"

Ao Qing glanced at it, scoffed disdainfully, and said with his hands clasped, "Reporting to Your Excellency, there are no demons or monsters under my command who dare to challenge Your Excellency's authority. Only the subordinates of the Taihu Corpse King have repeatedly crossed the border to cause trouble and abduct innocent demons. I have been obedient to Your Excellency's orders and have been guarding the waters within my territory. I beg Your Excellency to grant me permission to fight that demon one-on-one!"

Wang Wen was both amused and somewhat surprised: "That old diver got beaten up last time, and he still hasn't behaved himself?"

Ao Qing asked in surprise, "Has the master seen that demon?"

Wang Wen nodded, casually showing off: "I saw that guy in Jiangxi not long ago. I chased him for half a day, but he escaped... Well, there's no time like the present. Let's go find that old diver and have a word with him today." (End of Chapter)