Martial Arts Across the Heavens: Becoming a Martial God Starting from the Big Boss in Tangshan

Chapter 246 No gimmicks, money for killing

Yuan Shikai's pupils suddenly contracted.

He stared intently at the person on the altar, his expression becoming extremely solemn, his eyes filled with astonishment and uncertainty.

This outfit—that Taoist robe, that disheveled hair—is surprisingly similar to the Taiping Rebellion's machinery of yesteryear!

But I've never heard of any interaction between the Boxers and the Taiping Army.

One in the north and one in the south — could there be some connection between them?

Yuan Shikai scrutinized the person on the altar, growing increasingly suspicious.

"Brother Chen," Yuan Shikai leaned closer, lowering his voice, "I've heard of this man. His name is Yan Zhendong, and he's rumored to be the leader of the Boxer Rebellion, a very powerful figure."

He was originally one of the leaders of the Boxer Rebellion, but he disappeared after the Boxer Rebellion failed.

"Some time ago, they suddenly appeared out of nowhere and displayed extremely powerful strength, integrating the various branches of the former Boxer Rebellion, such as the Red Lanterns and Blue Lanterns, in one fell swoop."

"I heard he's invincible, like he's wearing an iron shirt and a golden bell, impervious to swords and spears!"

"Of course, he still can't withstand musket fire, but ordinary swords and knives can't hurt him at all. Brother Chen, be careful."

Upon hearing this, a strange expression appeared on Chen Wen's face.

Of course he knew how formidable Yan Zhendong was.

They also knew how Yan Zhendong suddenly appeared.

Because this person was trained by him!

He understood things much better than Yuan Shikai.

It's not just about red lights and blue lights.

In the past few months, Yan Zhendong has also subdued bandits and outlaws in Shandong and Zhili, as well as several other scattered militias.

The Boxers of today are no longer the disorganized group they once were.

Of course, he couldn't tell Yuan Shikai any of this.

A strange look flashed across Chen Wen's face, quickly replaced by an expression of amazement: "Oh? Such a powerful figure? He's perfect for my use."

Seeing that he still wanted to use the other party, Yuan Shikai quickly reminded him, "Brother Chen, I know you want to use the Boxers to kill foreigners, but such people, though highly skilled in martial arts, are unpredictable. If you don't use them properly, they could hurt you."

Chen Wen smiled calmly and said, "Don't worry, I have my own methods."

Before Yuan Shikai could say anything more, a loud shout suddenly came from the altar: "What are you two Qing Dynasty lackeys whispering about?!"

Yan Zhendong's gaze sharpened as he stared directly at Chen Wen and Yuan Shikai, his voice booming like thunder: "Why aren't you coming forward to pay your respects at once!"

Yuan Shikai's expression changed, and a surge of anger rose to his head.

When has he, the newly established Army Superintendent, ever been treated like this?

But he took a deep breath and forced himself to hold it in.

People have to bow their heads under the roof.

Chen Wen, however, remained calm, as if he hadn't heard those words, and strode towards the altar.

Yuan Shikai gritted his teeth and followed.

Upon reaching the altar, Chen Wen stopped, cupped his hands, and smiled, saying, "Greetings, Altar Master. I have long admired your name, and seeing you today confirms that it is indeed well-deserved."

Yan Zhendong looked down at him, his face expressionless, and said coldly, "Hmph, so you're the ones who sent the message wanting to see me? What about cooperating to kill foreigners?"

"I think you have ulterior motives and are up to no good!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than the Holy Mother Huanglian beside her shouted sternly, "What good intentions could a lackey of the imperial court have!"

The surrounding believers and followers also joined in the clamor: "That's right! None of the Qing dogs are good!"

"How many of our brothers and sisters have they killed!"

"Kill them! Kill them!"

The shouts grew louder and louder, their momentum terrifying.

Yuan Shikai's face turned ashen, and his hand unconsciously gripped the hilt of his sword.

But he suppressed his anger, stepped forward, and said in a deep voice, "Master, we have come here with sincerity to discuss cooperation."

"As long as you agree to cooperate, the imperial court will not only lift all arrest warrants for the Boxers, but will also provide you with a batch of equipment."

"In the future, the imperial court may grant you convenience in certain situations when you conduct your affairs."

Upon hearing this, Yan Zhendong narrowed his eyes.

The Holy Mother of Yellow Lotus sneered: "Provide equipment? Make things easier? Can you believe your talk about clearing out dogs?"

A burly Boxer leader strode forward, pointed at Yuan Shikai's nose, and cursed, "Bullshit! How many of our brothers did you kill back then? Now you want to cooperate? I'm the first to object!"

"Yes! We won't agree!"

"Kill them!"

"Killing these lackeys of the Qing dogs will avenge our fallen brothers!"

The crowd was outraged, and some people had already begun to surge forward.

Cold sweat beaded on Yuan Shikai's forehead. He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his whole body tense, ready to draw his sword and fight at any moment.

He lowered his voice and said to Chen Wen, "Brother Chen, something's wrong. If a fight breaks out, stick close to me!"

Chen Wen, however, remained calm and composed, with even a faint smile playing on his lips.

"I understand the concerns of you heroes and valiant men."

"Let's not talk about those empty words or polite phrases."

"Let me be frank, we capture a foreigner, give him ten taels of silver, and don't care if he lives or dies!"

The moment these words were spoken, the entire room fell silent for a moment.

Then it exploded.

"What? Ten taels?"

"Ten taels for capturing a foreigner?"

"No distinction between dead and alive? Living is acceptable too?"

The Boxers looked at each other, whispering amongst themselves, their voices buzzing.

What does one tael of silver mean these days?

In ordinary families, even if the whole family works hard all year, they can't save up more than a few taels of silver.

Ten taels of silver is enough to marry a wife, buy two acres of poor land, and provide for a family's food, clothing, and daily expenses for a whole year!

Now, killing a foreigner only earns you ten taels of silver?

Even if they hate the Qing Dynasty, they won't turn down money!

Some people's eyes turned red, some swallowed hard, and some had already started counting on their fingers.

Ten taels for one foreigner, ten taels for ten foreigners, one hundred taels for one hundred foreigners, and one hundred taels for one hundred foreigners—

"Shut up, all of you!"

With a stern shout, the Holy Mother Huanglian quelled the commotion in the hall.

Standing on the high platform, she glared at Chen Wen and said coldly, "How could the imperial court possibly give us money? Don't be fooled! They have ulterior motives; they're trying to trick us into killing foreigners, and they won't give us a single penny!"

Upon hearing this, many Boxers hesitated again.

Yes, what credibility can corrupt officials in the imperial court have?

Chen Wen laughed.

He stood with his hands behind his back, calm and composed, as if he hadn't heard the doubts.

"No problem, I can get an advance of ten thousand taels!"

Boom! The entire courtyard erupted in cheers!

Ten thousand taels!

Pay first, then kill!

This deal was totally worth it!

"Really?"

"Ten thousand taels of silver?"

"this----"

The Holy Mother of Yellow Lotus's expression changed, and she opened her mouth but couldn't utter a word.

Yuan Shikai grew anxious, grabbing Chen Wen's sleeve and lowering his voice, "Brother Chen! Brother Chen! We didn't agree on this much money! Who's going to pay for this?"

Chen Wen glanced at him, a faint smile playing on his lips: "You don't need to worry about that."

"As long as these conditions are sent back to the capital, someone will naturally step forward."

"They're already willing to pay so much money to the foreigners, this little bit is nothing!"

"For those who want to live forever, let alone this little bit of money, they'll have plenty of it.

Yuan Shikai was stunned for a moment, then realized, "The Emperor! The Empress Dowager!"

He felt reassured, but then Chen Wen continued, "I will not treat Brother Yuan unfairly in this matter."

Chen Wen looked at him with a meaningful gaze: "After you go back, you can directly report twenty taels per person."