Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 390 Zhao Er, your good days are coming~
Overnight, the king's flag changed, and the world, sun and moon, took on a new look.

The people of Chengdu were previously worried about an outbreak of urban warfare.

Under the brutal flames of war, even the slightest impact on ordinary families could lead to their destruction and death.

Unexpectedly, after a night of fear and anxiety, the army outside the city had already entered the city.

All city gates were tightly sealed off, and the garrison inside the city confiscated their weapons and kept them under strict guard in their camps.

The military arsenal, left-hand granary, and other important material storage areas were all taken into control.

The palace, government offices, high-ranking officials, and the residences of imperial relatives all became trapped like turtles in a jar.

A curfew was imposed in the city, and no one was allowed to go out on the streets.

The army worked tirelessly until dawn before finally gaining initial control of the situation in the city.

There is nothing we can do about this.

Chengdu is too big a city and has too many people.

The total number of troops that followed Lin Dao into the city was just over ten thousand.

Even if all the previously recruited civilians from outside the city were included, it would still be difficult to completely control the entire city.

If any Shu troops, unwilling to accept defeat, launch a counterattack, it will inevitably trigger a violent reaction.

Fortunately, no major issues arose, and the handover proceeded smoothly and steadily.

The Shu troops defending the city, in particular, readily laid down their weapons and returned to their camp after receiving the promise that prisoners would not be slaughtered.

"I'm just kind-hearted; after all, the people of Sichuan are all one of us."

If the Mongols came hundreds of years later, it would be a cruel, bloody, and inhumane massacre of the city.

The entire city of Chengdu was almost completely wiped out, and the tragedy was even worse than that in Yangzhou and Jiading!
The land of abundance has been transformed into a hellish place on earth.

The city is full of hibiscus, all serving as guides to the netherworld!
This is why Lin Dao has always valued martial arts over literature.

Warriors may have many flaws, but at least they won't let barbarian hordes storm into their homes, massacre the city, and laugh wildly.

When the Khitans conquered Bianzhou and established their own state, they were driven out by the warriors.

However, when the literati were in power, the Jurchens destroyed the entire city of Bianzhou, leaving millions of innocent souls with nowhere to seek justice!

Shaking his head, Lin Dao, suppressing his weariness, took out a packet of Nestlé instant coffee, brewed it, and drank it to perk himself up.

At this moment, he was in the Shu Kingdom's palace, taking inventory of all kinds of utensils and objects in the palace.

Those things that were taboo, such as those files, books, and official documents, all had to be compiled and sent to Chai Rong.

Other types of cashable assets need to be distinguished.

A portion of the conspicuous ones were gathered together and given to Chai Rong as spoils of war.

The rest need to be distributed to the soldiers.

After all, the soldiers risk their lives to fight alongside you, so they deserve to be rewarded.

Otherwise, it's hard to say whether the soldiers would turn on them and draw their swords.

But at least if there's another war, no one will be willing to risk their lives for you.

Just like the Shu army.

It's not that they can't fight, but that Meng Chang has spent all his wealth on enjoyment.

Without military funding, who will fight for you?
"Commander-in-Chief!"

Despite his exhaustion, Shi Shouxin rushed in to report, "All the major merchants in the city have been found."

He raised his hand and gestured, "Do you want to~"

Normally, during a massacre, only artisans, healers, and beautiful women are spared.

Those who suffered the most, besides high-ranking officials, were the wealthy merchants.

"From now on, this place belongs to the Great Zhou Dynasty. The city must not be massacred."

Lin Dao shook his head. "As long as the city exists, people can continue to provide taxes, goods, and resources every year."

"If the city is massacred, it may take decades to recover."

Pointing to the categorized goods, he said, "These things will be sold to merchants and converted into gold and silver to reward the soldiers of each unit."

Shi Shouxin lowered his head and pursed his lips.

What does the ability to continuously provide goods and taxes have to do with these soldiers?

They only care about their own income and interests.

'The Commander-in-Chief speaks like an emperor!'

‘Hiss~’

As if he had figured something out, Shi Shouxin, with a strange expression, ran out to find the merchants to deal with their money.

It's inevitable that there will be manipulation at the top and bottom, and it's also inevitable that merchants will be threatened and intimidated into paying high prices.

Lin Dao understood all this, but it was still far better than simply massacring the entire city.

Even as a transmigrator, Lin Dao still had many things to compromise on.

He hoped that his army would have unwavering beliefs and extremely high moral standards.

In an era of underdeveloped productivity, this was merely a pipe dream.

Given the rich and prosperous city of Chengdu, he had already done his best to prevent the army from carrying out a bloody massacre.

Of course, he could drive tanks and armored vehicles and slaughter any disobedient troops.

Who would be willing to serve him in the army and fight against foreign enemies after that?
"If only I knew magic."

Shaking his aching wrist, Lin Dao recalled the scenes that occasionally appeared in his dreams.

If he could command the wind and rain, overturn mountains and seas, and bring the dead back to life, that would be so awesome!
Pulling his thoughts back, he looked at the soldiers carrying out yet another batch of goods and supplies.

One of the uniquely shaped items caught his attention.

He got up and went forward to examine it. "What is this?"

The object before me resembles a teapot, not only is it exquisitely crafted, but it is also decorated with seven treasures, making it extremely beautiful.

Lin Dao picked it up to examine it, and asked uncertainly, "Could it be a wine vessel?"

"Commander-in-Chief!" The soldier carrying the goods cautiously reported, "This is Meng Chang's chamber pot."

Lindau'(°ー°〃)'

"What did you say?!"

"Yes, it's Meng Chang's chamber pot, a chamber pot."

'Bang! '

The seven-treasure chamber pot was thrown directly onto the ground.

Lin Dao, looking utterly dejected, went to wash his hands.

Returning to the exquisite chamber pot, Lin Dao frowned deeply.

"Your life has become so extravagant; it's a real waste of your 'Official Admonitions'!"

If we talk about "Official Admonitions" directly, you might not be very familiar with it.

Yet, almost everyone has heard those passages: 'Your salary and emoluments are the people's blood and sweat! The common people are easily oppressed, but Heaven is hard to deceive!'

Meng Chang, who wrote this "Official Admonitions," was himself a person who indulged in luxury and pleasure.

"It's just a chamber pot, yet it's so extravagant."

Lin Dao shook his head and registered it. "Pack it up and send it to Bianzhou."

These items used by the emperor were naturally not suitable for private distribution; giving them to Chai Rong was the best option.

"Commander-in-Chief!" Han Chongyun ran in excitedly to report, "There's something good, something really good!"

"Bring me anything good you have."

Lin Dao raised the pen in his hand. "Let's see if we need to register it."

Those that could be distributed were not registered; those that could not be distributed were sent to the emperor.

This has long been a consensus and rule in the military.

"I can't take it."

Han Chongyun laughed and exclaimed, "It's a palace!"

Lin Dao laughed at this, "What's wrong with a palace? Haven't you ever seen a palace before?"

“It’s different.” Han Chongyun simply stepped forward and pulled Lin aside, saying, “Commander, you’ll see for yourself.”

They followed Han Chongyun all the way to the edge of a pool in the palace.

The greenery along the water's edge is lush and verdant, with the red bridge nestled among the trees.

Even the well-traveled Lin Dao was astonished by the sight of the palace built in the middle of the pool.

The three main halls are all built with nanmu pillars, agarwood beams, coral-inlaid windows, and jade doors.

If that's not enough, then the palace walls, instead of being made of brick and stone, are inlaid with glass mirrors, which is truly astonishing.

"I don't remember ever selling Meng Chang such a large quantity of glass."

Lin Dao wondered, where did they get so many large glass mirrors in this era?
"This is the Crystal Palace."

"Meng Chang really knows how to enjoy life."

Walking along the red bridge into the palace, Han Chongyun exclaimed, "Commander-in-Chief, transport this palace back to Bianzhou City and present it to the Emperor. He will surely be richly rewarded."

Looking around at the forest path, he frowned slightly upon hearing this and said, "Shut up, don't talk nonsense."

So many things were transported all the way to Bianzhou.

Especially those giant timbers used for beams and pillars, the cost of the journey alone would be well over a million.

This is a true waste of resources and manpower.

If Lin Daozhen were to do that, countless families in Sichuan would surely be ruined.

He walked around the crystal palace with his hands behind his back.

I don't know why, but I always feel like something is wrong, but I can't figure out why.

This crystal palace was where Meng Chang sought refuge from the summer heat.

The interior was decorated with extreme luxury, with countless gold and silver utensils.

Lin Dao sat on the rosewood chair for a while, then got up and went to the large bedside.

Silk curtains, jade pillow.

The bed was covered with an ice mat and folded with silk quilts, an extremely luxurious sight.

"No wonder the Shu army couldn't win."

Lin Dao scoffed, "All the money has been spent on extravagance and debauchery. The soldiers have no money, so how can they be expected to fight for you?"

"Not a single one of them is a real man. Do you think all the men of Shu are fools?"

"Who's willing to risk their life for you if you don't have money!"

"Commander-in-Chief!"

Han Chongyun ran over, laughing loudly as he raised his hands, "Look!"

Lin Dao turned his head and saw that he was holding a fist-sized pearl in his hands.

It has a smooth texture and emits a faint glow even in broad daylight.

Lin Dao's expression changed drastically.

"What...what is this?!"

"This is the luminous pearl that Meng Chang used in this Crystal Palace, making it shine brightly at night. It's a treasure, its value... Hey? Commander, where are you?!"

Before Han Chongyun could finish speaking, Lin Dao had already rushed out of the Crystal Palace like a gust of wind.

He staggered and looked extremely disheveled.

The soldiers outside, thinking there was an ambush, hurriedly drew their swords and went inside.

He ran to the forest path on the bank and shouted, "Come out, everyone! Come out now! Nobody is allowed to go in!"

The soldiers, bewildered, rushed out.

Han Chongyun, still holding the luminous pearl in his hand, followed along with a look of confusion.

"Don't come here!"

Seeing him run over, Lin Dao's voice suddenly rose, "Get away! Stay away from me!"

In nature, not all luminescent stones are radioactive to a dangerous degree.

But a luminous pearl, especially one that can light up the main hall at night, must be deadly radioactive!
Han Chongyun finally came to his senses and looked at the luminous pearl in his hand with a puzzled expression.

"Commander, this is the Moon Pearl, a priceless treasure of Shu!"

"Priceless!"

Lin Dao, who was retreating, waved his hand and said, "You, now, hand over this damned Bright Moon Pearl to Zhao Er! Tell him to ride back to Bianzhou as fast as he can and present it to the Emperor!"

"Get it done immediately!"

"And this Crystal Palace, call those merchants over, let them name their price and pay, and let them tear it all down themselves."

"Nothing inside, including the wooden and glazed tile walls of the main hall, is to be left behind!"

After saying that, Lin Dao turned and ran.

Han Chongyun was completely dumbfounded as he watched the Commander-in-Chief's retreating figure disappear into the distance.

He looked down at the Bright Moon Pearl in his hand, unable to understand why the Commander-in-Chief was so terrified of such a treasure as if he had seen a ghost.

Fortunately, he wasn't stupid.

With a determined effort, he summoned a soldier and handed him the Moon Pearl.

"Hand it over to Zhao Kuangyi immediately."

"Tell him that the commander-in-chief has ordered him to deliver this treasure to Bianzhou City."

"Remember to tell him that His Majesty will be overjoyed to receive such a priceless treasure; his good days are coming!"

(End of this chapter)