There is no such thing as the Kangxi and Qianlong eras

Chapter 243 Chen of De'an Righteousness

Jiangxi's flourishing literary tradition is no exaggeration; as early as the Ming Dynasty, there was a saying: "Many scholars in the Hanlin Academy come from Jishui, and half of the officials in the court are from Jiangxi."

During the Qing Dynasty, although Jiangxi declined from its former glory due to local unrest and dynastic changes, it still remained a major province in the south thanks to the profound cultural heritage built since the Song Dynasty.

How big is it?

In the early Qing Dynasty, Jiangnan Province accounted for one-third of the nation's tax revenue, while Jiangxi's tax revenue was roughly half of that. After Jiangnan Province was split up, Jiangxi even surpassed Anhui and Jiangsu, the provinces that inherited Jiangnan, to become the province with the highest tax revenue among the three provinces of the two rivers.

Regarding the imperial examination system, although the Manchu Qing dynasty was the most resistant to Han Chinese, it still held 112 imperial examinations during the Qing dynasty. Jiangxi province alone produced 1855 successful candidates, accounting for 6.91% of the national total.

Of the 114 counties in China that were successful in the imperial examinations during the Qing Dynasty, nine were located in Jiangxi Province alone, demonstrating that even a weakened camel is bigger than a horse.

However, being good at studying means being bad at fighting.

This isn't about regional discrimination, but rather that to excel academically, one needs a relatively stable social environment. Jiangxi is located in the heart of the inland region, at the border of Wu and Chu, bordered by the nation's granary to the west and a major financial center to the east.

It's hard to say about southern Jiangxi, but northern Jiangxi has the Poyang Lake Plain and the Yangtze River waterway. There haven't been any major upheavals or disasters for decades. The gentry and common people here haven't seen soldiers fighting for a long time, let alone seen what a rebellion looks like.

And why rebel? It's not like we can't survive if we just grit our teeth and bear it.

De'an County Town.

"Han traitors... Weren't the Han traitors going to attack Nankang Prefecture? How come they suddenly came to De'an County?" Chen Xu, the magistrate of De'an County, asked with a face full of surprise and uncertainty as he looked at the Han army that had already set up camp outside the city.

County Magistrate Gao Bo, who followed him onto the city wall, was equally incredulous: "Could it be that Nankang Prefecture has already fallen, which is why the Han rebels are heading south to attack De'an?"

Chen Xu vehemently denied it: "Impossible. Nankang Prefecture has high walls and thick walls, and Magistrate Zhang has already sent a message to this county saying that he is recruiting soldiers to defend the city. The Han rebels only came south a few days ago, so it is impossible for them to have captured Nankang Prefecture so quickly."

Gao Bo suddenly said, "But the county magistrate, Jiujiang Prefecture was also captured in just a few days. The Han traitors are no ordinary rebels. Even the bandits in Ji'an that the governor gathered troops to suppress were defeated by the Han traitors of Huguang."

Chen Xu said, "The bandits of Ji'an are nothing to worry about. They are just a bunch of stray dogs driven out by Han traitors, a rabble. Once the governor has pacified them, and then dispatched tens of thousands of elite troops from Jiangxi to the north, even the most powerful Han traitors will not be able to withstand them!"

It was clear from just a few words that these two men did not have a clear understanding of the Han army.

This is normal, because the Han army was in Huguang, and those far away in Jiangxi certainly didn't know the true strength of the Han army. Moreover, the puppet Qing court wouldn't allow too much information to leak out, to prevent local officials from being cowardly and fleeing, or simply surrendering the city.

Not only was the puppet Qing court keeping it a secret from the local officials in Jiangxi, but Zhang Chengji and Wan Ning were also colluding to cover up the news. In any case, the local officials in Nankang and Jiujiang prefectures were unaware that the governor's army, on which they had placed their high hopes, had suffered a huge defeat at the hands of the bandits in Ji'an Prefecture.

Even the elite Nanrui Town was decimated, and its general was killed in battle!

If they knew this, those two might even consider surrendering and joining the rebels.

Gao Bo said, "Magistrate, even if the bandits in Ji'an are a motley crew, the problem is that if the governor stays in Ji'an Prefecture for too long, how can De'an County be defended?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xu, who had been full of confidence, immediately fell silent. After a long while, he said, "We have to defend it even if we can't. You and I are both officials from other places, and our families are not here. If we die in battle, that's fine, but if we join the rebels, our families, wives, and children will not be safe."

After saying that, he took the initiative to comfort them, saying, "Moreover, I think the Han rebel army is not large, so it is probably not the main force of the Han rebels. The city of Nankang should still be there. If we ask the gentry and wealthy households in the city to donate more money and grain, we should be able to defend the county."

"That's the only way." Gao Bo nodded.

Chen Xu then said, "The task of persuading gentry and wealthy households to donate grain is all entrusted to Brother Wenruo."

Gao Bo cupped his hands in greeting: "I will do my best."

Were these two going to grit their teeth and defend the city, or had they never witnessed the fighting power of the Han army and thought that if they held on, they could at least hold the county town?

Fearing this might not be safe, Chen Xu wrote another letter, ordering someone to leave the city at top speed and go to Nanchang Prefecture to request reinforcements.

Coincidentally, the Han army had just marched south, besieged Jianchang County, and blocked the Xiushui River along the county seat.

The messenger Chen Xu sent south to fetch reinforcements was intercepted by Han scouts halfway there, meaning the reinforcements probably won't arrive anytime soon.

Now, Gao Bo, as the county magistrate, should normally avoid suspicion and be a hands-off manager. But now, during wartime, Chen Xu, as the county magistrate, has to oversee the city's defenses. The new recruits in De'an are not much better than those in Nankang Prefecture, so the task of persuading wealthy families to donate money and grain to recruit soldiers falls to Gao Bo; no one else has the face or influence to do so.

Gao Bo went straight to the Chen family residence to pay his respects to the Chen family patriarch. This Chen family was no ordinary family; they were known in the county as the De'an Righteous Gate Chen, descendants of the first Righteous Gate Chen family in the land who remained in De'an County after the family split up.

Although the Yimen Chen family was forced to split up and relocate by the Northern Song court as early as the Song Dynasty because the family was too large, its prestige still made it a local power.

Even many local gentry in De'an County felt proud that the Yimen Chen family was located there.

The Chen family also knew how to leverage their ancestors' reputation and maintained harmonious relationships with the local gentry in De'an County. In terms of influence among the gentry in De'an County, even the county magistrate Chen Xu had to show them respect when he came in person.

As soon as Gao Bo entered the gate, he saw two prominent family mottoes: "Loyalty, filial piety, integrity and righteousness are the foundation; farming, reading and serving the public are the family's priorities."

The old patriarch of the Chen family had already come out, leaning on his cane. He was about to bow to Gao Bo, but Gao Bo stepped forward and helped him up, saying, "Sir, there's no need for that. This junior cannot accept such a grand gesture from you!"

The old clan chief Chen, his eyes cloudy, said, “I wonder what brings you here, sir? If it is to donate money and grain, my Chen family has already donated over a thousand taels of silver. With so many members in the clan, we really cannot afford it. I hope the county magistrate can be lenient.”

Gao Bo was extremely embarrassed by these words, but he could only bite the bullet and say, "The Han bandits have reached the outskirts of De'an County. Magistrate Chen is worried that the garrison in the city will not be able to hold it, so he wants to recruit more soldiers..."

The old clan chief Chen said, "The Chen family is penniless. We hope that Magistrate Gao and Magistrate Chen can be lenient."

Gao Bo also said, "Magistrate Chen just wants the Chen family to set an example. Moreover, if the Han bandits break into De'an County, the Chen family's tens of thousands of acres of farmland outside will be gone. The Han bandits will divide up the land of the gentry."

Elder Chen replied, “Since you’re setting an example, then this old man will personally contribute another hundred taels! The previous donation of one thousand taels has already drawn some criticism from the clansmen.”

The old man paid out of his own pocket and gave only one hundred taels, which was only one-tenth of the previous one thousand taels.

Even if Elder Chen were to give him the silver, Gao Bo himself... would have no choice but to accept it. If he didn't, he truly wouldn't have any silver at all. "Then thank you very much, Elder Chen."

Gao Bo was too embarrassed to speak, not only because the amount of silver was too small and there were obviously other intentions involved, but also because the Chen family had already given him a thousand taels.

If they continue to demand money, it will truly be bleeding the Chen family dry.

The fact that the Yimen Chen clan was powerful does not mean that all Yimen Chen clans were powerful. Even the powerful Yimen Chen clan of the Northern Song Dynasty did not actually have much cash on hand.

Assets are assets, and cash is cash; moreover, the more family members there are, the less money the patriarch can use for personal purposes.

The clan doesn't belong to you, the clan leader, but to all the clan members. If the clan leader acts recklessly, he will be overthrown by the clan members.

The previous thousand taels of silver may not seem like much, but to put it simply, Nie Yu's father, who was once the richest man in the country, only had one thousand taels of silver as his sole asset.

The servant of the Chen family brought over one hundred taels of silver. Gao Bo took the silver without keeping any more and left the Chen family to find other wealthy families in the county.

No sooner had Gao Bo left than the Chen family convened a secret clan meeting.

"De'an County cannot be defended," Elder Chen began.

The members of the Chen family from all branches were somewhat surprised and uncertain. It was Chen Jincheng, the eldest son of the clan leader, who asked, "Father, what makes you say that?"

Chen Jincheng is the eldest son of the old patriarch Chen. His name means "bright future". He is a steady and reliable person and is basically the only candidate to succeed the patriarch of the Chen family.

The other clan members were also very curious about the question posed by the person who was to be chosen as the next clan chief.

The old clan chief Chen said, "Magistrate Chen just asked Magistrate Gao to come to my Chen family to persuade us to donate money and grain to help the government continue to recruit more local militia."

"Still donating money and grain? My Chen family has already given a thousand taels."

"That's right! We just donated money and grain a few days ago, and now they want silver again. Even the richest man in the county can't afford to keep going like this!"

"The clan chief didn't agree to that Magistrate Gao's offer, did he?"

"It shouldn't be. After all, my Chen family doesn't have much surplus grain. We can't give it all to the government. If we do, it will be a waste."

"..."

The crowd chattered and argued incessantly.

Elder Chen tapped the ground with his cane: "Silence."

The scene quickly quieted down, and the clan leader's authority was firmly established.

"I did refuse Magistrate Gao, but not because he asked for too much money and grain, but because it was no longer worth it."

The old clan chief Chen shook his head and said, "The actions of Magistrate Chen and Assistant Magistrate Gao seem to be to raise troops to protect De'an County, but in reality, the fact that the Han bandits have been able to reach De'an County means that Nankang Prefecture is probably in grave danger, and at worst, it will be difficult to rescue De'an. De'an is just a small county, isolated and helpless, and absolutely cannot stop the Han bandits. Magistrate Chen should also know this, which is why he suddenly wants to increase the number of troops."

Chen Jincheng asked, "What does Father mean?"

The old clan chief Chen said, "In a battle, the worst thing a commander can do is to be cowardly and afraid of the enemy. If he is, then defeat is not far off. Moreover, even I can see what will happen to the other families in the city if we refuse Magistrate Gao."

"..."

The group quickly figured out the key to it.

It should be said that, as fellow gentry, they were all too aware of each other's nature and the nature of the government.

When the Han traitors attacked, they were asked to donate money to recruit soldiers, and naturally they were willing to give it.

But such a thing can only happen once. Everyone knows what kind of credibility the government has. If they take whatever they want, it will be like throwing meat buns to a dog—gone and never to be returned.

Moreover, the Chen family alone contributed one thousand taels of silver. With so many wealthy households and gentry in the city, how much silver could they raise? It would be enough for the government to recruit soldiers.

“Then I’m afraid De’an County really can’t be held,” Chen Jincheng said. “Father, if De’an County falls, what will become of my Yimen Chen family? Those Han traitors will divide up the land. My Chen family owns tens of thousands of acres of fertile land. Are we just going to sit and watch the Han traitors take it all?”

Chen Jincheng was very anxious because he had not yet succeeded as the head of the Chen family. If the Han traitors came, what would happen to the Chen family's clan lands?
He is a steady and reliable person, so he doesn't like to make trouble and prefers to maintain the status quo.

Seeing that the land they were protecting was about to disappear, how could they not be anxious?

The old clan chief Chen remained calm and composed. He glanced at everyone and then looked at Chen Jincheng, saying, "Tomorrow, take a thousand taels of silver to Magistrate Chen. Tell him that the Han traitors are hateful, and the Chen family is willing to donate a thousand taels of silver and provide its own funds and provisions to assist the government in recruiting soldiers to fight the traitors. Such timely help will surely move Magistrate Chen to the extreme, and he will grant your request."

Chen Jincheng was taken aback, somewhat confused. The Chen family members below were also puzzled: "At that time, you will bring the family genealogy of your clan members and serve as recruited officers to help defend the city walls. You don't need to actually fight; Magistrate Chen certainly won't let you take any risks. Just watch how the Han rebels attack the city. If the Han rebels fail to capture it after a long siege, then you will be considered local militia resisting the rebels, and the government will not mistreat my Chen family. My Chen family will also be able to protect our land. If the Han rebels are really powerful, then you can defect to their side."

Good heavens, this was Chief Chen's idea all along. His previous refusal to pay was for the same reason, just to find an excuse to interfere in De'an's defenses later.

If we don't intervene in De'an's defenses, how will we know when De'an will fall, or what if it manages to hold out?
"De'an County may fall, but the Chen clan of De'an cannot perish!" Elder Chen declared firmly.

Chen Jincheng understood and bowed in submission: "I will take care of it tomorrow."

The following day, Chen Jincheng took the silver to Chen Xu and asked the Chen family to send men to assist the government in resisting the bandits and defending the city.

Chen Xu and Gao Bo, who had just been turned away by the wealthy family, were overjoyed to hear that the Chen family of Yimen had changed their minds. After accepting the money, all their requests were granted.

Chen Xu wasn't stupid; he knew the Chen family was up to something. But he only thought the Chen family wanted to gain merit and didn't realize they already harbored treacherous intentions. It all depended on how the situation evolved.

(End of this chapter)