Qing Yao

Chapter 374 Could Lord Zhao be a scoundrel?
Anqing Prefecture and the Salt Commissioner agreed to cover part of the military expenses for various reasons. How was this done?

After the two officials returned to their respective offices, they settled their accounts with their respective clerks. After a quick calculation, they both seemed to have a tacit understanding and thought of apportioning the expenses, but their methods were quite different.

On that day, officials at all levels of the prefecture and county government, gentry in the city, and leaders of major business guilds all received notices from the prefectural government to hold a meeting.

The large council hall was crowded with people whispering among themselves, none of them knowing why the prefect had summoned them so urgently.

Soon, the prefect arrived.

With a solemn expression, the prefect surveyed the entire room and, without any concealment, reported the situation of the White Lotus Rebellion in northern Anhui and the fact that Governor Zhao was going to personally lead the army to quell the rebellion.

As soon as he finished speaking, it caused a huge uproar among the officials, gentry, and merchants present. Everyone's face showed fear and indignation. They cursed the damned White Lotus Sect for being so persistent. The people of Anhui had just started to have some hope, and they came out to cause trouble. Did they not want people to live?
"Since taking office in our province, Lord Zhao has done so many practical and good things for the people of our province by cleaning up officialdom, punishing corruption, and promoting industry and commerce. All of you have witnessed these things. Now, the White Lotus bandits are once again threatening northern Anhui. If those evil people are allowed to grow stronger, then not to mention doing business, even your lives and property will be in danger!"

Why did Lord Zhao personally lead the army to northern Anhui to quell the rebellion? Wasn't it for the sake of the people of Anhui, and for the safety and well-being of all of you?

In that case, shouldn't we also repay Lord Zhao's kindness?
This government hereby hopes that you will generously donate funds to support the army, so that Lord Zhao can quickly suppress the White Lotus Rebellion, restore peace to the people of Anhui, and allow you all to conduct business with peace of mind.”

The prefect kept his words brief, calling on officials and gentry to donate money to raise funds for the army, on the premise that everything was voluntary.

Originally, it was estimated that this voluntary donation would raise at most 20,000 to 30,000 taels of silver. However, because Zhao An was known as "Qingtian" (a righteous official) and his approachable image was deeply rooted in people's hearts, his various actions in Anhui won the heartfelt support of officials, gentry, and merchants. Therefore, upon hearing that it was to raise funds for Zhao Qingtian to quell the rebellion, and that the White Lotus Rebellion did indeed threaten their own interests, a spontaneous wave of donations quickly swept through Anqing City.

In particular, businessmen who responded to Zhao An's policy of "revitalizing the province through industry and commerce" were extremely enthusiastic.

A Mr. Wang, who owned a large textile factory, sent people to deliver three thousand taels of silver to the government office. He said loudly, "If it weren't for Lord Zhao clearing up the long-standing problems and eliminating the corrupt officials, my factory would have been devoured by those parasites and all sorts of shady practices long ago. This three thousand taels is our token of support for Lord Zhao in quelling the rebellion. We hope that you will return in triumph soon!"

Another mine owner donated eight thousand taels of silver, saying generously, "If there is chaos in northern Anhui, the source of pig iron will be affected, and trade routes will be cut off. At that time, no one will have anything to eat. Supporting Lord Zhao in quelling the rebellion is to protect our livelihoods!"

The iron boss's words were the most practical; isn't that the truth?

In a short time, businesses, workshop owners, shopkeepers, and even some wealthy artisans in Anqing City enthusiastically donated money. Merchants from other places who came to Anqing to invest also contributed money for various reasons.

The government office was bustling with activity, with carriages and horses coming and going in an endless stream. Donations of one hundred, three hundred, and five hundred taels of silver poured in one after another. Even some teahouses and taverns put up signs that read "Half of today's profits will be donated to support the military," attracting many people to patronize them. They not only quenched their thirst and filled their stomachs but also contributed to the military, greatly boosting morale.

However, it was later said that many of these teahouses and restaurants that voluntarily put up signs were forced to do so by the prefectural government.

Whether the reality is as described or not is not important; what matters is that the money is there.

Looking at the rapidly increasing numbers on the donation register and the silver boxes gradually piling up in the warehouse, Prefect Song felt gratified and deeply impressed by Lord Zhao's enormous appeal to the people, especially the business community. At the same time, he became even more determined to follow Lord Zhao closely.

So young, so adept at officialdom, so popular, and possibly even of royal blood, how could a local official not rise to a central government position in the future!

The final statistics showed that the donations from officials and gentry amounted to 36,000 taels, while the donations from the business community amounted to more than 69,000 taels. The total amount was more than 100,000 taels, which greatly reduced the pressure on the Anqing treasury and made Prefect Song very happy.

On the salt route, Magistrate Cui didn't engage in any voluntary donations to support the army. He directly summoned all the salt merchants in the city to the yamen and told each of them bluntly that they had to pay three thousand taels of silver to support the army.

"The immense profits from salt are known throughout the land. But you should all know that the foundation of these profits lies in the smooth flow of government-supplied salt and, more importantly, in the stability of the local area. Now that the White Lotus rebels are causing chaos in northern Anhui, if we allow them to cut off the westward and northward routes of Huai salt, or even to attack the Yangzhou salt fields from the south, where will your profits come from?"

"The purpose of asking you all to donate today is actually to ensure your own livelihood. If you are unwilling to contribute generously, I will not force you. However, I, as the salt commissioner, cannot guarantee whether your businesses will be as prosperous as in previous years."

Cui Daotai used a combination of coaxing and threats, but what he said was also a very real and reasonable argument.

Salt merchants are all shrewd and calculating; how could they not know the potential benefits and risks involved?
As long as the salt bandits in northern Anhui are not eliminated, their salt will not be able to sell well there.

They had previously funded the Green Standard Army in Fengyang to suppress salt bandits, but unfortunately, the government troops failed. This time is different; the provincial governor has personally mobilized the entire province's Green Standard Army to participate in the war. How could they possibly lose?

How could they not open their wallets?

Soon, whether they liked it or not, the salt merchants raised 70,000 taels of silver. The remaining shortfall was made up by Cui Daotai himself, so the pressure was not great.

With enough money and provisions, Zhao An could no longer stay in Anqing. He chose an auspicious day to swear an oath before setting off on his campaign, and the ceremony was very grand.

The scene at the Fubiao drill ground can only be described as "banners waving and bugles sounding everywhere." The Green Standard Army soldiers marching off into battle were impeccably dressed, their swords and spears gleaming; their mere presence was absolutely intimidating.

Zhao An, dressed in military uniform, wore an imperial yellow riding jacket and an imperial Ebilun sword at his waist. The morning sun shone on him, as if gilding him with a layer of gold. Whether he looked imposing or not is hard to say, but he was definitely intimidating.

There was nothing I could do; my entire outfit was there for all to see!
Around the training ground, representatives from all walks of life "spontaneously" came to see off Commander Zhao as he went to war. The scene was truly bustling with people.

The personnel arranged by the "Publicity and Political Affairs Office" lined up along the street, holding various fruits, snacks, and hot tea, waiting for the Green Camp officers and soldiers who were about to pass by.

This was Zhao An's special request. Although it was a formality, this formalism could strengthen the "fish and water" relationship between the Green Standard Army officers and soldiers and the people, thereby gradually changing the officers' and soldiers' perception and attitude towards the people.

Don't underestimate this change. Little by little, it will have a qualitative impact in the future and greatly improve combat effectiveness.

"The White Lotus bandits have once again wreaked havoc in northern Anhui, disrupting the peace of our Anhui. As officials and soldiers of the imperial court, it is your duty to protect our home and country. Today, I, the commander, will lead you into battle. I hope you will fight bravely and restore our peace!"

Zhao An originally wanted to draw his sword to match the atmosphere, but then he remembered that Ebilun's sword was damaged and drawing it would damage his image, so he gave up the idea.

He never intended to repair the imperial sword, mainly because he felt that the crippled Ebilun was a better testament to his bravery.

I'm also worried that even if it's repaired, the old man might want it back someday.

"Fight bravely against the enemy and restore peace to our land!"

More than two thousand Green Standard Army soldiers, led by their officers, shouted in unison, creating a great atmosphere that drew cheers from the onlookers.

Zhao An gave the order to set off at the right time. Surrounded by his personal guards and the cavalry of the provincial governor, he rode ahead. When the procession reached the city gate, they suddenly saw a special group waiting there. It turned out to be the educators led by Master Xu, the esteemed scholar of the province, who came to see off Lord Zhao.

The Provincial Education Commissioner was dressed exceptionally neatly today, his official robes and ceremonial attire impeccable, followed by officials from the Provincial Education Commissioner's office and a large group of students from the prefectural school.

The scholars, dressed in blue robes and square scarves, exuded an air of refinement, a stark contrast to the Green Standard Army soldiers in military uniforms.

To show his respect for the education sector, Zhao An immediately dismounted and strode forward.

The Provincial Education Commissioner also stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Excellency's leading the army into battle is a heroic act for the country and the people. I am but a scholar, unable to take up arms to defend the nation. Today, I have specially led the students of the prefectural school to see you and your soldiers off. I hope that Your Excellency will rely on the Emperor's might to achieve a great victory and return in triumph soon!"

After saying that, the Academician recited a poem he had specially written the night before as a farewell poem. Although it sounded somewhat literary, it had a certain charm.

Zhao An accepted the gift with a smile, clasped his hands in return, and said, "Thank you very much, Master, for your generous gift of this excellent text. I will certainly live up to the Emperor's grace and the trust placed in me by the people of Anhui, so that all the scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants of Anhui may live in peace and that students may devote themselves to reading!"

After speaking, he accepted the farewell wine offered by the provincial education commissioner and drank it all in one gulp. Then he mounted his horse, waved his hand, and led the Green Standard Army soldiers northward.

The people lined the streets to bid farewell, handing out food and tea to the passing soldiers and officers, chanting, "May Lord Zhao return in triumph soon! May the soldiers return safely!"

Zhao An's deliberate arrangement of formalism proved effective. The Green Standard Army soldiers were moved by the people's support and the officers and soldiers, who had never experienced such treatment before, naturally felt a sense of honor in defending their country.

As the procession receded into the distance, those who came to see them off lingered, including the students from the University of Political Science and Law.

He didn't want to come, after all, he had been tormented and hated Zhao An enough before, but the 50,000 taels of silver that Zhao An guarantor borrowed for him was like a fire in winter, not only warming his heart, but also bringing new life to the paralyzed education office.

With the provincial governor's office no longer causing trouble, the education administration office got back on track and everything returned to normal.

Moreover, Zhao An led the army to war for the sake of the people of Anhui and for the sake of the Qing Dynasty. If the White Lotus Rebellion were to cause a great upheaval, the scholars of Anhui would probably not even be able to find a quiet place to study. Therefore, it is only right that the scholar-official of the province should come to see him off.

After sighing to himself for a while, the provincial education commissioner was about to return to his office when suddenly a thought struck him: Zhao Youlu went to Fengyang to suppress the White Lotus Rebellion. Who would pay back the money owed by Emperor Xianfeng at the end of that month?
He immediately chuckled self-deprecatingly. Zhao Youlu was, after all, a second-rank acting governor. How could he possibly cheat him out of this little bit of money?
I offended Zhao Youlu before because I always held a prejudice against him. Now that the relationship has been repaired, how can I still judge a gentleman by my own petty standards?
It's just 50,000 taels. Even if Zhao Youlu is away and can't pay it back right away, can the money shop really come to his door and demand repayment from the emperor of the province?
Just relax.

Zhao Youlu isn't a bad person at heart; haven't you seen how much the people support him?

(End of this chapter)