The Ming Dynasty: Starting with the border troops, it was overthrown and the Qing Dynasty was destro

Chapter 210 This thing is still the best!

Jiang Han also hardened his heart.

Damn it, he had only just decided on a conciliatory approach a few days ago, and these local bullies dared to show up and test his bottom line.

Do you really think Jiang Han is a vegetarian or a Buddhist monk?
He didn't even wait until dawn the next day before mustering his troops and marching towards Huangyang Pass overnight.

The area around Huangyang Pass was the private territory of the Pingwu Wang clan, which was recognized by the imperial court.

Although the Wang family's private army, numbering only five hundred, was stationed inside the pass, Jiang Han still needed to eliminate the military forces of these chieftains first.

Five hundred chieftain soldiers were naturally no match for Jiang Han's troops.

In less than half an hour, the battle was over. The entire pass was wiped out, with not a single survivor.

After capturing Huangyang Pass, Jiang Han did not delay for a moment. He immediately turned around and headed straight for the Wang family's stronghold, Mupi Township.

"Master! Master, something's wrong!"

"Outside! A huge group of soldiers suddenly appeared and surrounded our village!"

"Flames are shooting into the sky! The rioting soldiers are heading straight for our Wang family mansion!"

Inside the Wang family residence, a servant, looking flustered, hurriedly knocked on Wang Chengbi's door.

Wang Chengbi is the head of the Wang family in this generation. He is forty-two years old this year and was originally the hereditary chief magistrate of Long'an Prefecture.

He was startled awake from his sleep, and hearing the faint sounds of commotion and horses' hooves outside, his heart tightened, and he quickly put on his robe.

"What's going on? Where did these mutinous soldiers come from?"

The servant was panting heavily, his voice trembling:
"No, I don't know!"

"The scene was too chaotic, with soldiers everywhere. I didn't dare to look too closely!"

Wang Chengbi's face turned deathly pale, but he still tried to remain calm and issued a series of orders:

"Quick! Wake the old lady up right now and tell her to take all the women in the house and hide in the cellar in the backyard!"

"Summon all the servants and guards to hold the gate; we'll buy ourselves some time!"

As he spoke, Wang Chengbi hurriedly pulled a jade pendant from his waist and stuffed it into the servant's hand:

"Also, take my token immediately, slip out the back door, and go to Huangyang Pass to call for reinforcements! Tell them to come to our aid immediately!"

"Go!"

Ever since the Xue family's rebellion, the Wang family had taken extra precautions and dug an extremely hidden cellar in their backyard specifically to guard against rebel soldiers.

Before Wang Chengbi could even organize his men, Jiang Han had already led his troops to completely surround the Wang family mansion.

Jiang Han, mounted on his horse, looked at the enormous mansion before him and sneered repeatedly.

"Prepare!"

"put!"

With his command, the Wang family's thick vermilion gate was smashed to pieces by cannon fire, and even a large section of the surrounding wall was blasted down.

Looking at the collapsed wall, Jiang Han, without saying a word, gave the order to the soldiers behind him who were already poised for battle:

"All units, listen up! Charge in!"

"Take down anyone who can still breathe!"

"Anyone who dares to resist will be killed without mercy!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Cao Er, a centurion under his command, drew his mace and, leading the soldiers of the central army, roared as he charged into the Wang family mansion.

"Come on!"

The Wang family mansion was instantly thrown into chaos!

Dozens of guards and servants had just mustered the courage to step forward with their swords, spears, and clubs to resist when they were met by Cao Er and his pack of fierce and ruthless soldiers.

In a single exchange, Cao Er smashed the head guard's head with a hammer.

With a "plop," his head exploded like a rotten watermelon, spilling red and white blood all over the ground.

Upon witnessing this incredibly bloody scene, the Wang family members erupted in piercing screams of terror.

They no longer had any will to resist; one by one, they threw down their weapons and knelt down to beg for mercy.

Although Jiang Han did not order a massacre, the soldiers of the central army seized upon those richly dressed members of the Wang family and beat them mercilessly, creating a chaotic scene.

"Stop hitting me! Stop hitting me! Have mercy!"

Screams and pleas for mercy echoed throughout the courtyard.

Seeing his relatives about to be beaten to death by these soldiers, Wang Chengbi, as the head of the family, finally could not bear it any longer.

His eyes widened in anger, and he forced himself to stand up, attempting to use his status to stop the rioting soldiers:
"stop!"

"I am the hereditary Vice Prefect of Long'an Prefecture, and the current head of the Wang family! You are truly insolent!"

Before Wang Chengbi could finish speaking, Cao Er, who was already in a bloodthirsty rage, kicked him hard in the stomach without saying a word, knocking him to the ground.

"What are you yelling about! Do you even have the right to speak?!"

Cao Er pointed his hammer at him and roared angrily.
"Kneel down for me!"

Wang Chengbi was kicked so hard he fell flat on his face. He was a man of some importance in Long'an Prefecture, and he had never been treated like this before.
He lay on the ground, then suddenly raised his head, staring intently at Cao Er in front of him with eyes full of rage.

"You bastard, how dare you glare at me?!"

Cao Er wasn't going to tolerate his bad habit. Seeing Wang Chengbi's appearance, he grinned maliciously and stepped forward, giving him a brutal beating.

"Stop fighting! Stop fighting!"

"I am the head of the Wang family. I want to see your general! Ah!"

Wang Chengbi was truly a scholar encountering a soldier; reason was useless against him.

Faced with absolute violence, his pitiful status and dignity were shattered.

Left with no other choice, he could only cover his head and beg for mercy repeatedly.

Seeing this, Cao Er spat and let him go.

He tied Wang Chengbi's hands behind his back with hemp rope, and kicked and shoved him as he brought him to Jiang Han.

"General, everyone is under control."

"The brothers are searching everywhere to see if any have escaped."

Cao Er reported in a muffled voice.

"This fellow claims to be the head of the Wang family, or some kind of magistrate, and he's making a scene, insisting on seeing you."

Jiang Han nodded calmly:

"Okay, I understand. Tell the brothers to search thoroughly and not miss any corner."

After saying that, he turned his head, a warm smile on his face, and looked at the disheveled middle-aged man beside him, whose clothes were in disarray and whose face was covered in blood.

"I presume you are Wang Chengbi, the hereditary chieftain of the Wang family?"

Jiang Han cupped his hands in greeting.
"Disrespect, disrespect."

"My men are not very disciplined. If they cause any trouble, I hope Magistrate Wang will not take offense."

Wang Chengbi was the kind of person who never forgot what he had learned.

He saw that the soldier who had just beaten him up was gone, and the young man in front of him, who was the leader, was refined and easy to talk to.

And so, that pitiful bit of arrogance in his heart resurfaced.

He stiffened his neck, snorted coldly, and refused to reply, adopting a look of being ready to die.

Seeing this, Jiang Han's smile widened even more:

"Hey, why is Magistrate Wang still tied up? What kind of nonsense is this!"

He feigned anger and then gave an order to the guards beside him:

"Quickly untie Judge Wang."

"Go and bring over another set of tables and chairs. I need to have a serious talk with Magistrate Wang about what happened today."

Upon hearing this, the guards immediately brought over tables and chairs and untied Wang Chengbi.

Wang Chengbi rubbed his hands, which were sore from being bound, plopped down in a chair, straightened his appearance, and looked coldly at Jiang Han in front of him:
"What to talk about?"

"You're rebels from Pingwu County, aren't you? My Wang family hasn't provoked you!"

"You led your troops into my Wang family residence in the dead of night, and started attacking without saying a word. What exactly do you want?!"

Jiang Han still maintained a harmless demeanor. He smiled at Wang Chengbi and slowly began to speak:

“Alas, Judge Wang, don’t be in such a hurry. What you’re saying is somewhat biased.”

"What do you mean by 'we haven't provoked us'?"

"Weren't those farmers who caused trouble outside the east gate of Pingwu County today sent by your Wang family?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Chengbi frowned and immediately denied it outright:

"What common people and farmers? I don't know anything about that."

“Since you entered Long’an Prefecture, I have remained at home without venturing out. My family can testify to that!”

"Don't make baseless accusations; everything needs to be based on evidence!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Han laughed even more heartily.

“Prefect Wang, Prefect Wang, it seems you still don’t understand the current situation.”

"I have brought troops to your Wang family this time not to interrogate you, but to quell the rebellion."

“Your Wang family is secretly inciting the people to resist the new policies and obstruct the distribution of land.”

"According to the law, this is a capital offense punishable by the execution of the entire family!"

Upon hearing the words "execution of the entire family," Wang Chengbi jumped up from his chair in a flash.
"What law? Which article of the Ming Dynasty law states that such a thing warrants the execution of the entire family?!"

"Furthermore, my Wang family has never done this. How can you prove that it was our Wang family who did it?"

"Where are the confessions? Where are the witnesses and physical evidence?!"

Seeing that Wang Chengbi was still stubbornly denying it, Jiang Han decided to stop pretending altogether.

He suddenly drew the short knife from his waist and slammed it heavily into the mahogany table in front of him with a "whoosh"!

The blade continued to hum, making Wang Chengbi, who was opposite him, feel a chill run down his spine.

"The Great Ming Code? Who the hell told you I was reading the Great Ming Code?"

"Remember this, I'm a rebel! A traitor!"

"My words are the law!"

"This is the one I just compiled, specially made for your Wang family!"

"besides,"

Jiang Han leaned forward slightly and spoke in a highly authoritative tone, enunciating each word clearly.

"Now, it's not me, Jiang Han, who needs to show you evidence."

"On the contrary, it is you, Wang Chengbi, who needs to prove to me that your Wang family did not get involved in what happened today!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Chengbi on the other side was completely shocked.

He never expected that this seemingly refined and easy-going young man would be so shameless!

Looking into Jiang Han's cold eyes, he was momentarily at a loss for words.

Jiang Han didn't waste any words with him. He leaned back lazily in his chair, looking at him with a mocking expression.
"I'm a very reasonable person."

"I'll give you the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Think it over carefully."

"If you can't provide evidence after an incense stick has burned, I'll slaughter all of your Wang family relatives, one by one, right in front of you!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Chengbi broke out in a cold sweat.

He's now in a real bind. He was the one who sent his confidants to instigate this whole thing, so where is he going to find any evidence?

He originally just wanted to teach these newcomers a lesson.

Let them figure out who's really in charge of Long'an Prefecture, and they'll back down.

But to his utter surprise, these soldiers did not play by the rules at all.

Without a word, they came charging in with cannons, swords, and spears!

The time it takes for an incense stick to burn passes quickly.

Seeing that Wang Chengbi was still looking down and not saying a word, Jiang Han lost his patience.

"It's almost time."

He waved and shouted towards the distance:
"Bring the Wang family members here!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Cao Er, who was not far away, grabbed a young man dressed in brocade robes with fair skin from the crowd in the courtyard and dragged him in front of Jiang Han.

"General! This is good! Kill this one!" "I've interrogated him; he's Wang Chengbi's only son."

Cao Er looked excited as he spoke, and handed his waist knife to Jiang Han.

Jiang Han looked at Cao Er approvingly. Good lad, sensible.

He took the knife from Cao Er, looked at the trembling young master of the Wang family on the ground, and without saying a word, drew his knife as if to strike.

"Wait!"

Seeing that his only son's head was about to be lost, Wang Chengbi finally couldn't hold back and quickly interrupted Jiang Han.

But Jiang Han acted as if he hadn't heard.

He raised his sword high and slashed at the young master below without hesitation.

"Bohan!"

Upon seeing this, Wang Chengbi's eyes widened in surprise, and he couldn't help but exclaim.

"Shh!"

The sword flashed!
Wang Chengbi turned his head away, unable to bear watching any longer.

But after waiting for a while, he heard his son's voice:

"father!"

Jiang Han ultimately failed to kill the young master of the Wang family.

With a slight twist of his wrist, the sharp blade grazed the young master's neck, then sliced ​​off the topknot of his head.

"Wang Bohan, right? You're lucky you survived."

"Luckily your father spoke up in time, otherwise, this knife would have chopped off your head."

Jiang Han looked down at Wang Bohan and patted his pale face with the flat of his knife, speaking coldly.

"get out!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Bohan, who was on the ground, felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He scrambled back to the courtyard and huddled in the crowd, trembling with fear.

Jiang Han ignored him and turned to look at Wang Chengbi in front of him:
"Speak, Magistrate Wang."

"If you confess honestly now, I might let you off the hook today."

Wang Chengbi let out a long sigh, as if all his strength had been drained away in an instant.

He sat back down in his chair, looking dejected, and slowly began to speak:

"General Jiang, I admit defeat today."

"What happened during the day was done by my Wang family."

"I plead guilty and accept the punishment. I beg Commander Jiang to show mercy and spare the lives of my Wang family, which consists of hundreds of people."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Han's lips twitched slightly:
"If you had said so earlier, wouldn't that have solved everything?"

Why make such a scene?

Wang Chengbi remained silent, only looking at Jiang Han with hopeful eyes, wanting to hear what conditions Jiang Han would offer to spare the Wang family.

Jiang Han ignored him and continued speaking to himself:

"Although I am a rebel, I am also a reasonable person."

"But if you insist on using underhanded tricks to disgust me, then don't blame me for resorting to violence."

"I originally intended to get along well with you local gentry as a proper government official, but I didn't expect to be met with contempt in return."

"Since that's the case, there's nothing I can do about it."

"We can only use the weapons in our hands to reason with you."

Jiang Han paused for a moment before turning his gaze back to Wang Chengbi.

"Prefect Wang, I've always been quite puzzled."

“Just a few days ago, I beheaded a lot of corrupt officials in Pingwu County.”

"It hasn't even been a month or two since things calmed down, how come you guys have suddenly reappeared?"

"Tell me in detail, I want to hear what you were thinking at the time?"

Wang Chengbi dared not tell the truth; he stammered, unsure how to begin.
"This...I just..."

Seeing that he was unwilling to say more, Jiang Han knew that these gentry and landlords must have relapsed into their old habits.

Presumably, they did quite a few things like this, defying the government, under the rule of the Ming court.

He stopped wasting words and directly interrupted Wang Chengbi:
"okay!"

"I'll spare your life today and spare your entire Wang family."

Wang Chengbi looked up at Jiang Han in disbelief, about to say something to express his gratitude.

But Jiang Han's next words made his heart sink to the bottom.

"Right now, I'm short-handed to streamline civil affairs and implement new policies."

"Here's what we'll do: send out all the literate and mathematically literate members of your Wang family to work for me."

“Your Wang family has a good reputation among the people, so let them be in charge of measuring the fields and helping to distribute the land to the farmers.”

"I will let bygones be bygones regarding everything that happened before."

Upon hearing this, Wang Chengbi was greatly alarmed.

Oh no! These thieves are trying to drag the entire Wang family down with them and tie them to their cause!
If this gets out, wouldn't the Wang family's reputation for loyalty and integrity be ruined?
But now, with Jiang Han's knife to his neck, he dared not disobey.

Wang Chengbi could only speak cautiously, making a last-ditch effort:

"General, this...this matter of rebellion and execution is something my Wang family dares not get involved in."

“My Wang family has been loyal and virtuous for generations, and our ancestral teachings instruct our descendants to be devoted to the court and serve the emperor.”

"We, the descendants, dare not disobey our ancestral teachings!"

“In this way, my Wang family is willing to offer 100,000 taels of silver, 3,000 mu of fertile land, and 500 cattle and sheep, only asking that the commander-in-chief forgive us and let my Wang family go.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Han sneered inwardly.

What kind of bullshit ancestral precepts are these!
Isn't it because they see that my current strength is too weak and my foundation is not yet stable?

If I were in control of the three southwestern provinces now, with hundreds of thousands of soldiers under my command, your Wang family might have already knelt down and surrendered.

I'm giving you the opportunity to buy pre-IPO shares, and you still don't appreciate it?!
Jiang Han frowned, his face turning fierce:
"Ancestral precepts?!"

"Do you believe that I can bring men right now and dig up your Wang family's ancestral graves?"

"Lord Wang, you wouldn't want your ancestors to be left to rot in the wilderness, would you?"

"And another thing! Wasn't the Bao'en Temple in Pingwu County built by your Wang family ancestors?"

“I see the incense is burning very brightly. Well then, I’ll go and light a fire tomorrow and see if Bao’en Temple can withstand it.”

Terrified by this series of threats, Wang Chengbi was at a loss and hurriedly pleaded:

"Why must you press this so hard, General?"

"The sons of my Wang family are all good-for-nothing playboys, each lacking in talent and learning. If they rashly join the commander's ranks, I'm afraid... I'm afraid they will ruin your important plans!"

Jiang Han, looking impatient, raised his hand to interrupt him and issued an ultimatum:

"Stop talking nonsense!"

"Today, your Wang family must provide me with twenty people who can write and calculate. If you miss even one, I'll level your Wang family's ancestral graves!"

"It doesn't matter if you're not very knowledgeable; just learn more and observe more, and you'll naturally learn it."

"You will lead these twenty people to survey the fields for me, compile the data, and then submit it to me."

"I will send people to conduct a thorough inspection."

He paused and added:

"I'm a very forgiving person, I'll give you three chances."

"It's okay if you make a mistake the first time, I can forgive you."

"But if you make the same mistake a second time, I will kill an entire member of your Wang family."

"If you dare to make a mistake a third time, I will slaughter your entire Wang family, leaving no one alive!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Chengbi felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, and he slumped back in his chair, unable to utter a single word.

He knew that he had to hand over the person today, no matter what.

These people don't seem to be trying to establish an official government at all; deep down, they're still rebels.

Jiang Han was furious when he saw Wang Chengbi looking like he had lost his parents.

In order to establish this base and win over the people, Lao Tzu has already been quite accommodating.

If it were Zhang Tutu who came to your Wang family, perhaps not a single person would be left alive today.

But Jiang Han also knew very well that simply suppressing the issue was not a good approach.

It's impossible for him to actually slaughter the entire Wang family now.

Although the Wang family is against me, they still have some use to me.

He can't be like Zhang Xianzhong, who only knew how to kill.

It's already October, and he needs to hurry up and sort out the fields in Long'an Prefecture to avoid delaying next year's spring planting.

After slapping someone in the face, you have to give them something in return.

Jiang Han's tone then softened:
"Of course, I won't treat your Wang family unfairly either."

"Your position in the Ming court is nothing more than a local sub-prefect, a sinecure."

"If you do this well, I can make you the magistrate of Pingwu County."

"Further down the line, we might even make you the prefect of Long'an Prefecture."

"I have nearly ten thousand elite troops under my command. It's only a matter of time before we sweep through the southwest."

"Right now, all I need to do is establish a secure rear. I don't need any of your Wang family members to fight for me."

"All I need are you to honestly manage civil affairs."

"Five years from now, it's up to you whether your Wang family stays or leaves!"

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of light finally appeared in Wang Chengbi's eyes:
"really?"

Jiang Han nodded:

"nature."

But then he changed the subject and added:

"However, your Wang family should not live in this poor and remote place. It is not in line with your status as a prestigious family."

"I remember, your Wang family also has a residence in Pingwu City, right?"

"I think it would be better for the whole family to move there."

"Not only will you enjoy comforts, but it's always safer in the city. My guards can protect you at any time."

"If there aren't enough rooms, that's okay, I can find you more."

"Anyway, there are plenty of vacant houses in Pingwu City."

Upon hearing this, the muscles at the corner of Wang Chengbi's mouth twitched uncontrollably.

What kind of bullshit is this about enjoying life and protection?
Isn't this just about bringing the entire Wang family under his nose as hostages?

If any member of the Wang family makes any unusual move, the entire clan will suffer a terrible fate!
But Jiang Han hadn't finished speaking.

"By the way, I don't need the gold and silver; you can keep them for your own use."

"I only want the land belonging to your Wang family."

"Of course, I won't take it for free."

“I will rent all these fields to the people to cultivate, forty percent will be handed over to the government, and one-tenth will be left to your Wang family.”

……

And so, under the gleaming steel blade, Wang Chengbi "happily" accepted all the conditions offered by Jiang Han.

At this point, Jiang Han finally withdrew his troops, thus sparing the Wang family from the clutches.

He then had Zhao Sheng write a letter to Shao Yong in Jiangyou County, instructing him to follow suit and bring in the Li family from Jiangyou County as well.

Stepping out of the Wang family's gate, Jiang Han gripped the long sword at his waist, and in the soft light of the morning sun, he couldn't help but let out a satisfied sigh:

"This thing is really useful!"

(End of this chapter)