I'll steal Gao Qiu's life and lead the Song Dynasty to prosperity.

Chapter 63 A Thunderous Crackdown, A Warning to Others

The permanent market outside Shanzhou city is attracting more and more merchants and herdsmen.

Inside the wooden fence, the sounds of people, camels, horses, and the clinking of goods gradually increased.

Outside the wooden fence, smoke occasionally rises from newly built, simple tea stalls and food stands.

In the river valleys outside, the first batch of veterans, indigenous people, and refugees who volunteered to cultivate the land had already begun clearing the frozen soil in the cold wind.

They are preparing for next year's spring planting.

However, behind the light, the shadows never truly disappear.

The establishment of any new order inevitably disrupts the existing power structure.

Markets and military farms, seemingly beneficial to the country and its people, actually destroyed some people's livelihoods and cut off some people's sources of income.

For example, those powerful merchants who used to monopolize border trade, hoard goods and speculate, or even secretly exchange goods with the tribes and smuggle contraband.

There are also those local tyrants and bullies who take advantage of the war to bully and dominate the local market, and forcibly seize grasslands and water sources;

Even some local bullies who originally made a living by extorting "protection money" and blackmailing passing caravans during the lulls in tribal conflicts —

Zhao Mingcheng cut off all of these people's sources of income.

The fair trade and land allocation decrees of "Jiachagabu" were like sunlight shining into a dark corner, making these rats restless.

The local Han Chinese merchants and wealthy landowners, especially those who had some indirect relationship with the military commissioner Sun Lu or who thought they had powerful backers, were the most vocal in their opinions.

In a dark, secret room, a group of people whispered amongst themselves.

"That young upstart surnamed Zhao, relying on his title of imperial envoy, really thinks the Hehuang region is his backyard? Opening markets and redistributing land, he's stirring up such a mess, is he trying to make our lives impossible?"

"Exactly! Before this damn market existed, the Tibetans' furs and medicinal herbs had to be sold to us at low prices, which we then transported out to make a fortune. Now, the Tibetans bring their goods directly to the market, and even merchants from the interior dare to directly target them!"

"And those military farms! They fenced off such a huge expanse of good land, claiming it was ownerless, bah! I've had my eye on that grassland east of Wild Buffalo Gully for a long time, but I just didn't have the time! Now look what's happened, it's all government land!"

"We need to think of a way to stop him from getting away with this so easily—"

These rats dared not openly defy the imperial envoy and the garrison, but they had plenty of underhanded methods.

Soon, various "rumors" began to circulate near the market and the settlement: "Have you heard? That market is a trap set by the Song people! Once they figure out our situation and the transactions increase, they'll impose heavy taxes and conscript laborers!"

"Reclamation of farmland? It's all a lie! The government tricks you into clearing the land, then takes it back once it's cultivated, or adds 70-80% rent! You'll have nowhere to cry then!"

"Chief Xisheluosa has assembled his troops and is about to return! Those who follow the Song people will be the first to be beheaded!"

"That Zhao Fuyu talks a good game, but all he wants is to seize our land and turn our people into his slaves!"

Rumors are like poisonous weeds, growing wildly in soil lacking trust.

Some of the Tibetans who were originally eager to participate in the land reclamation hesitated, and the herders lingering outside the market had doubts again.

Even some refugees from the mainland became uneasy.

These underhanded tricks, of course, could not escape the notice of Tong Guan's all-seeing eyes and ears.

The scouts under Tong Guan.

He mingled among all sorts of people and knew the ways of the local shady characters, wealthy merchants, and corrupt officials like the back of his hand.

When the market first opened, Tong Guan had instructed them not only to be wary of the scouts from Xisheluosa, but also to be cautious of anything on the market.

Unusual signs of trouble, especially those attempts to sway people and disrupt deals.

Therefore, Tong Guan received a tip shortly after the rumors began.

He did not immediately alert Zhao Mingcheng, but instead quietly intensified his covert investigation.

His men disguised themselves as merchants, vagrants, and even beggars, blending into the crowd and listening intently to trace the source of the rumors.

Soon, several faint lines were revealed.

The rumors initially spread from the two largest warehouses in the city and a village outside the city that had close ties with the Tibetan tribes. The spreaders were mostly local ruffians or hired Tibetan idlers.

Tong Guan sneered and personally made the arrangements.

One night, under the pretext of cracking down on smuggling, he mobilized some of the guards who were responsible for official business, along with a small squad of elite cavalry assigned by Liu Zhongwu.

With lightning speed, they launched a surprise attack on the two warehouses and the manor outside the city.

The warehouse manager, the estate owner, and several key figures spreading rumors who were plotting their scheme were captured in one fell swoop, and some correspondence and valuables that had not yet been destroyed were found.

These people were directly taken to Tong Guan's temporary "public escort" in the city.

This place was less of an official office and more of a secret intelligence and torture chamber run by Tong Guan to manage border affairs.

Those arrested initially remained defiant, especially the managers of the two warehouses.

These two fools, relying on their familiarity with certain officials in the Military Commission, even subtly mentioned the name of Military Commissioner Sun Lu, attempting to intimidate Tong Guan.

"Master Tong, what do you mean by this? We are legitimate merchants, and we are old friends with Liu Kongmu, who is under the command of General Sun! You are arresting people without cause. I'm afraid it will be difficult to explain this to us, won't it?" A fat-headed shopkeeper tried to remain calm.

Tong Guan sat upright in his chair, slowly sipping his tea without even lifting his eyelids.

"Oh? An old friend of Sun Lu? What a prestigious background. It's a pity that in my eyes, there are only imperial envoys and the orders of the Imperial Envoy. You people are spreading rumors, disrupting the market, and destroying the military farms. You are tantamount to colluding with the enemy."

Tong Guan gently put down his teacup. "Listen up, everyone. Let these old friends wake up and think about how to explain themselves."

The eunuch standing nearby, with a cold and hard expression, immediately stepped forward.

Without much questioning, they went straight to torture.

These eunuchs were masters of torture, capable of inflicting unbearable pain without immediately killing the victim.

Whipping, clamping, pouring vinegar, needle torture —

The agonizing screams echoed in the closed torture chamber.

In less than 45 minutes, some people couldn't withstand the torture and confessed with tears streaming down their faces.

It turned out that they were acting under the orders of a wealthy man named Hu, who owned a manor outside the city, and the money was provided by Hu himself.

Meanwhile, Master Hu was also implicitly under the command of another wealthy merchant in the city with a deeper background, "Li Bancheng".

As for the content of the rumors.

Part of it was made up by Master Hu and Li Bancheng themselves, while the other part seemed to be mixed with information from outside.

"Outside? Where outside?" Tong Guan pressed.

"It's—it's the people from Xisheluosa in the mountains!" the tortured man wailed intermittently. "Master Hu—and Master Li, they used to have—some private dealings with Xisheluosa. This time, Xisheluosa sent people to contact them, gave them money, and asked them to find a way to disrupt the market and the military farms—those rumors that Xisheluosa is going to fight back, that's—that's what came from over there—"

A cold glint flashed in Tong Guan's eyes.

As expected, it was the work of Kishirossa!

Moreover, these local powerful figures actually betrayed their own people and secretly colluded with the enemy chieftain!

"Li Bancheng, Master Hu—who else?" Tong Guan continued to press.

After another round of torture, the list gradually became clear.

In addition to those who have already been arrested, three or four other local tycoons who were quite influential in the area have also been implicated.

Two of them were related by marriage or from the same hometown as the steward of Sun Lu's residence, and they often used Sun Lu's name to bully the villagers.

This time, feeling that the market and the military farms were harming their interests, and relying on their powerful backers, they colluded with the people of Xisheluosa and acted as their pawns.

Tong Guan obtained the confession and signed it. Without delay, he immediately sought an audience with Zhao Mingcheng that very night.

The study in the old house was brightly lit.

Zhao Mingcheng carefully reviewed the confession presented by Tong Guan, his face calm and composed, with only the occasional flash of cold light in his eyes revealing his inner rage.

Liu Zhongwu and Wang Shan were also summoned overnight to hear Tong Guan's report.

"Good, very good."

-

Zhao Mingcheng closed his confession, his voice carrying a chilling edge, "Internally, there are lawless powerful figures who disrupt national policies for their own selfish gain; externally, enemy chieftains collude to destroy our foundation for border stability. They've even implicated people from the Military Affairs Department. It's truly a case of 'the tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease.'"

Zhao Mingcheng looked at Wang Shan.

"General Wang, are you familiar with Li Bancheng, Master Hu, and the other two most vocal individuals, Zhang Ba and Qian Gui, who are connected to General Sun's household, as mentioned in the confession?"

Wang Shan was already burning with rage, especially when he heard that these people might be related to Sun Lu, which stirred up both old and new grudges in his heart.

He slammed his hand on the table and roared.

"How could I not know! Zhang Ba and Qian Gui, relying on their kinship with the steward of Sun Lu's mansion, have been bullying and monopolizing the market in Shanzhou and Huangzhou, seizing farmland, and even secretly selling inferior grain to passing merchants and garrison troops. I have long disliked them!"

Previously, out of consideration for Sun Lu and because they hadn't committed any concrete serious crimes, we didn't dare to touch them. Now, they dare to collude with Xisheluosa, spread rumors, and undermine Your Excellency's new policies—they truly deserve to die!

Liu Zhongwu also frowned.

"My lord, this matter is thorny. Although these men are local scoundrels, they are still connected to General Sun. If not handled properly, it could cause further trouble."

Zhao Mingcheng stood up, walked to the window, looked at the deep night outside, and after a long while, slowly said.

"General Liu's concerns are not without merit. However, in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken. With the market newly established and the military farms just beginning to flourish, people's hearts are unsettled and rumors are rampant."

If, at this juncture, we condone such traitors and national villains out of consideration for our superiors' reputation, the new policies will inevitably collapse, all previous efforts will be in vain, and the Hehuang region will never have peace again!

Zhao Mingcheng turned around, his gaze sharp as a knife. "You can go ahead and do it. I'll handle Sun Lu's situation. These chickens in front of you must be killed! And killed cleanly and decisively!"

Zhao Mingcheng walked back to the desk, stared at Wang Shan, and gave the order clearly, word by word.

"General Wang, you are hereby ordered to immediately muster your troops, take this official's order and the evidence obtained by Tong Gongfeng, and set off overnight to seize all the properties of Li Bancheng, Hu Zhuangzhu, Zhang Ba, and Qian Gui, search their residences, and capture them, their core henchmen, and their families."

Remember, be quick, be ruthless, and leave no room for compromise! All money, grain, and goods obtained must be registered and recorded, and used as public funds for market maintenance and agricultural subsidies.

Those ringleaders, their crimes are irrefutable and require no further trial. Tomorrow at noon, they will be publicly executed in front of the market, their heads displayed for all to see! Their crimes of colluding with enemy chieftains, spreading rumors, disrupting border affairs, and harming the local area will be read aloud! I want everyone in the Hehuang region, whether Han or non-Han, to see clearly what the fate will be for those who oppose the court and undermine the grand plan for border stability!

This order was ruthless and left no room for negotiation, especially towards Zhang Ba and Qian Gui, who were related to Sun Lu.

Wang Shan's blood boiled upon hearing this.

He already had a bad relationship with Sun Lu and deeply resented these local tycoons. Now that Zhao Mingcheng was backing him up and had irrefutable evidence, he could take the opportunity to eliminate them!

He stood up abruptly, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said sternly.

"Your subordinate obeys! I will surely wipe out these parasites in one fell swoop and uphold the law!"

"Wait a minute," Zhao Mingcheng called out to him, adding, "The action must be swift and decisive, but remember, only punish the ringleaders. Those who are coerced can be dealt with leniently, but avoid excessive killing. When seizing family property, ensure fairness and clear registration, and do not take the opportunity to plunder."

The execution tomorrow must be carried out solemnly, so that onlookers know that the perpetrator deserves his punishment, rather than that the innocent are being indiscriminately killed.

General Liu, please assign a reliable team to assist General Wang and be responsible for maintaining order during the execution.

"Yes, sir!" Liu Zhongwu replied.

"Tong Gongfeng," Zhao Mingcheng then looked at Tong Guan, "continue to dig deeper and see if there are any fish that have escaped the net, especially the Xishe Luosa line, we must cut it off."

Furthermore, after the execution, the rumors will likely resurface. Your men must continue to keep a close watch on the markets and settlements. If any further rumors are spread, arrest them immediately!

"Don't worry, sir, we'll take care of it."

Tong Guan bowed, a hint of excitement and ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

The knife he handed over was worthwhile, and Zhao Mingcheng used it with even greater decisiveness.

That night, Shanzhou City and its surrounding areas were destined to be sleepless.

Wang Shan and Liu Zhongwu acted separately, deploying troops and generals.

Hundreds of elite soldiers, like wolves and tigers, stormed into the deep courtyard, their torches illuminating the night sky in a fiery red.

Angered shouts, wailing, the clanging of armor, and the rummaging of drawers and cabinets rang out simultaneously in several places.

Li Bancheng and Master Hu were dragged out of bed while they were still asleep. Zhang Ba and Qian Gui tried to resist, but several of their servants were killed on the spot, and they themselves were tied up like dumplings.

The ill-gotten gains accumulated by the four families over many years.

Boxes of gold and silver, piles of copper coins, full granaries of grain and fodder, precious furs and medicinal herbs, land deeds and debt certificates—were hauled out by cartload, registered and sealed.

His family members, managers, and key henchmen were all detained.

The next day at noon, the sky was overcast.

A makeshift platform was temporarily erected in front of the largest market outside the East Gate.

Below the stage, a dense crowd of soldiers and civilians from the city who had been ordered to witness the execution, representatives of nearby tribal leaders, and a large number of merchants and herders who had rushed over upon hearing the news were gathered.

Everyone looked alarmed and whispered among themselves, wondering what had happened.

On the high platform, Zhao Mingcheng stood solemnly, while Wang Shan and Liu Zhongwu, fully armored, stood on either side with their hands on their swords.

Tong Guan, Xia Zheng, and others were also on stage.

All around the stage, armored soldiers with spears stood solemnly, their killing intent palpable.

When the time came, Wang Shan strode to the front of the stage and, in a booming voice, read out the charges against Li Bancheng, Master Hu, Zhang Ba, and Qian Gui.

"—Colluded with the Tibetan rebel chieftain Xisheluosa, accepted bribes from the enemy, spread false rumors, confused the military and civilians, disrupted the new policy of market trading and land reclamation, and intended to destabilize the border. His crime is equivalent to treason—the evidence is conclusive, and he has confessed without hesitation—according to the law, he is sentenced to immediate execution, and his family property is confiscated and used for public purposes! As a warning to others!"

After reading the announcement, before the audience could react, Wang Shan suddenly waved his hand.

"Execute!"

Li Bancheng and the other three, who were already ashen-faced and limp as mud, were dragged to the wooden stake in front of the platform by the ravenous executioners.

The ghost-headed knife flashed coldly, and four heads rolled off, their hot blood splattering onto the yellow earthen table, a horrifying sight.

Immediately, the four heads were hung high on the tops of four long poles that had already been erected, and blood dripped down the flagpoles.

This time, Zhao Mingcheng was much more used to watching the beheadings; he was not only unafraid, but even felt incredibly happy.

After the execution, the entire place was deathly silent.

Everyone was stunned by this swift, decisive, and ruthless approach.

Those who originally harbored ulterior motives or were skeptical of the rumors felt a chill run from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads, and their calves trembled.

Many commoners and non-Han people who had suffered enough from the oppression of the local tyrants felt a complex sense of pleasure after the initial fear.

Wang Shan stepped forward again and shouted sternly.

"See this clearly! This is the fate of those who oppose the court, undermine Lord Zhao's sound border defense policies, and collude with foreign invaders! From now on, anyone who dares to follow suit, regardless of whether they are Han or non-Han, regardless of their background, will be executed without mercy! Disperse!"

The crowd, as if waking from a dream, dispersed silently, carrying with them a sense of fear and shock.

But those four tall poles hanging overhead are like four blood-stained totems, deeply imprinted in everyone's heart.

The rumors were disproven on their own.

At least for a long time to come, no one will dare to openly challenge the authority of "Gyachagabu".

After witnessing the execution, Zhao Mingcheng returned to his old study, spread out paper and pen, and began writing a letter to Sun Lu, the military commissioner of Xihe Road.

In the letter, Zhao Mingcheng first offered his respectful greetings.

He then abruptly changed the subject, reporting on a recent case in which "local tyrants Li, Hu, Zhang, Qian, and others colluded with the Tibetan rebel chieftain Xisheluosa to spread rumors, intending to disrupt the market and agricultural settlements and disturb the peace of the border," adding that "the evidence is conclusive, and their crimes deserve to be punished."

"—In order to deter villains, eliminate traitors, consolidate the foundation of the new government, and reassure the people and the military, I, together with General Wang Shan, have publicly executed these ringleaders, displaying their heads in public, and used their illegal gains for public purposes to meet the needs of the border."

In my actions, I uphold the principle of impartiality and adhere to the government's aim of "stabilizing the borders and ensuring the safety of the people." While there may have been oversights in this matter, my sincere intentions are as clear as the sun and moon.

Lord Sun is a pillar of the nation, with a heart as vast as the sea. He is loyal to the country and will surely be able to see through the helplessness of his subordinates and understand the difficulties here. The affairs of the Hehuang region are complex and multifaceted, beset by internal and external troubles, making it a precarious situation.

The road ahead is long, and we especially need the strategist of Xizhou to plan and provide strong support. If I have done anything wrong, I hope the strategist will not hesitate to instruct me, and I will certainly follow his teachings.

Furthermore, this matter is of great importance, concerning the Emperor's concerns about the west. In addition to submitting a written report to the military commander, I should also select the most important points and secretly present them to the Emperor, so as to prevent petty people from confusing His Majesty's understanding in the central government.

Your humble student, Zhao Mingcheng, respectfully bows.

Zhao Mingcheng's letter appeared polite in tone, but its contents were anything but.

Especially the last sentence, "One should also select the most important ones and secretly report them to the Emperor."

This was a clear message to Sun Lu: I will include this matter in my secret memorial to the Emperor.

How it is written is up to me. The emperor will know what happened here, and he will also know the rumors that these people "may have connections with the Military Commission".

If you, Sun Lu, are smart, you should know what to do next. If you still can't manage your subordinates, then it's hard to say what will be written in your secret memorials later.

The letter is finished.

Zhao Mingcheng blew the ink dry, sealed the seal, and said to Liu Zhongwu, who was standing to the side.

"Send someone with urgent delivery, six hundred li away, directly to the Xizhou Military Commission, to present it to Military Commissioner Sun in person."

"Yes, sir."

Liu Zhongwu took the letter and secretly admired him.

Zhao Fuyu's actions, which involved killing to establish his authority, served as a warning to others, and intimidated both those inside and outside the court, also put Sun Lu in a difficult position. His shrewdness and thoroughness of thought were completely unlike those of a young scholar.

After this incident, those restless demons and monsters in the Hehuang region will probably be silenced completely.

In addition to his reputation for fairness and benevolence, Gyaltsab Gabu's fame also carries an awe-inspiring air of iron-bloodedness.

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