Chapter 1105: The Tujia People's Flowery Coverlet
Lian Guoshi, having seized Cui Weihua's naval base, immediately launched his "attracting investment" initiative.
This strategy, of course, was learned from the Heavenly Lord. When the Heavenly Lord developed the suburban market district in Xi'an, he had also employed this very tactic of attracting investment.
He first constructed a cluster of simple shelters outside Xi'an's East Gate, then drew merchants to set up shop there, instantly igniting the market district's popularity.
Lian Guoshi now merely needed to replicate the policy.
He first went to the riverside and waited for a cargo ship traveling from Gao Family Village to Anqing Prefecture. He relayed his ideas to the crew, asking them to inform his village and arrange for supplies to be sent to him.
Upon receiving the news, Gao Family Village naturally agreed wholeheartedly.
The construction of this port would facilitate the operations of Gao Family Village's cargo ships and advance the Heavenly Lord's four-phase ocean strategy. Full support was absolutely essential.
Soon, a substantial consignment of materials, disguised as Lian Guoshi's "family assets," was transported to Nanjing and delivered into his hands. Several middle school graduates even arrived, along with a group of Blue Hats, to assist him.
And so, Shanghai Harbor began its initial construction...
Now, they could continue their advance deeper into Sichuan.
Guided by the White Pole Soldiers leading the way, Cheng Xu's thousand-strong force proceeded upstream along the Yangtze River. Soon, they passed Wanzhou. This area had also been troubled by rebels, but as a prefectural city, its defenses were far stronger than a county town, and it hadn't been breached by the insurgents.
The prefect, leading a contingent of garrison soldiers and militia, stood guard on the city walls.
Seeing a massive fleet approaching on the river, filled with soldiers carrying flintlock rifles, he was terrified. He quickly ordered the city gates shut and the alarm bells rung frantically.
The White Pole Soldiers leading the column swiftly rode to the city walls and shouted, "Venerable Prefect, fear not! This army belongs to our Shizhu White Pole Soldiers!"
Only then did the prefect finally breathe a sigh of relief. "Ah, so it's the White Pole Soldiers! But where are your signature white pole spears? Why have you switched to flintlock rifles now?"
The White Pole Soldier replied, "Sir, times have changed."
Well, perhaps times truly had changed.
The prefect was no longer so easily startled.
Cheng Xu's army successfully passed through Wanzhou, continuing upstream. Soon, they reached Zhongzhou, where they disembarked and proceeded on foot, arduously trekking south into the mountain forests.
After a long trek, a peculiar stone mountain appeared ahead, a single stone pillar shooting heavenward, towering into the clouds.
The Stone Pillar was reached!
Qin Liangyu and Zhao Sheng (Dian Dengzi) were already waiting at the foot of Wan Shou Zhai.
Seeing Cheng Xu arrive, Zhao Sheng was quite pleased. He quickly introduced him to Qin Liangyu: "General Qin, allow me to introduce you. This is our Gao Family Village militia's chief instructor, named He Jiu."
Qin Liangyu cupped her fist in greeting, her gaze sweeping over Cheng Xu. With just a glance, she sensed he wasn't some untutored ruffian; his demeanor and actions clearly spoke of someone who had served in officialdom. Noticing his face obscured by a black scarf, she surmised, more or less, that he must be a disgraced military official from the imperial court, working under an assumed name. There could be no mistake.
Then, observing the thousand-strong main force of the Gao Family Village Militia behind him, Qin Liangyu couldn't help but draw a sharp, silent breath. These soldiers were extraordinary, each one brimming with vigor and exuding a commanding aura. Their equipment was exceptionally fine; not only did every man carry a strangely shaped long flintlock rifle, but each was also clad in armor.
They simply didn't wish to be too conspicuous, so they wore cloth robes over their armor, rather like... Guan Erye! Guan Erye always favored wearing a cloth robe over his armor.
After a single glance, Qin Liangyu already had a clear understanding. "Instructor He," she remarked, "this militia of yours is quite formidable."
Cheng Xu responded, "You flatter me. We are merely serving the common people; it's nothing extraordinary."
Qin Liangyu inquired, "I hear five thousand such militiamen entered Sichuan. You brought only a thousand, with the remaining four thousand now dispersed among the various county towns in Northern Sichuan?"
Cheng Xu nodded. "With the rebels splitting their forces and attacking everywhere, my men naturally had to divide to counter them. They are led by four other commanders, each with a thousand men, responsible for defending a county or prefectural city and radiating outwards to cover the surrounding area."
Qin Liangyu nodded. She knew this was an excellent arrangement, but then she sighed. "In that case, your men can protect about a dozen cities, but that's still not enough. Sichuan is so vast; protecting only a dozen cities won't suffice."
Cheng Xu affirmed, "We are well aware of that. What we are currently striving for is to cultivate local support and galvanize the initiative of the local chieftains. As long as we can mobilize the various tribal levies, resisting the rebel forces will become much easier."
Qin Liangyu raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Meanwhile...
In the Baren Stockade, nestled within the Bashan Grand Canyon, the ancestral home of Ran Ke, the Pacification Commissioner of Kaixian, a grand welcoming ceremony was underway.
Large groups of young Tujia men and women formed a great circle, performing a lively hand-in-hand dance.
Padi Tu was encircled in the center, as beautiful Tujia maidens would periodically spin and dance before him, offering him a cup of wine.
However...
The wine was a bit weak, though! It barely had any kick.
Padi Tu was accustomed to the 52-proof Wuliangye bestowed by the Heavenly Lord; the wines of the Ming era tasted little better than plain boiled water to him.
A large circle of beautiful women took turns dancing and toasting, a spectacle that lasted for half an hour. When the ceremony concluded, Padi Tu looked completely sober, showing no signs of intoxication.
This, in turn, startled the Tujia people. They thought: *What incredible drinking prowess this man possesses! He can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk!*
Ran Ke stepped forward, chuckling. "Master Tu, you are truly a brave warrior! I, Ran, have never in my life seen anyone who can drink like you."
Padi Tu roared with laughter. "I, Master Tu, can drink a hefty portion of celestial wine! Earthly liquor won't get me drunk, General Ran. This Baren Stockade of yours truly is an excellent place."
Ran Ke felt a touch of pride. "Indeed," he said. "This stockade of mine is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Looking across Northern Sichuan, only Qin Liangyu's Wan Shou Zhai can compare to it."
Padi Tu looked left, then right. "This place of yours," he declared, "is absolutely perfect for growing potatoes, corn, and sweet potatoes! I, Master Tu, can tell with one glance. As long as you plant our new crops, next year, not a single person in your entire stockade will go hungry."
Ran Ke was overjoyed. "That would be splendid! If we have a bountiful harvest next year, I will certainly select some beautiful women and send them to Master Tu's residence."
Padi Tu's expression straightened. "What are you saying?" he chided. "You must respect women! How can you send them around as gifts? This Master Tu certainly doesn't want beautiful women. Just a small local specialty, perhaps, as a souvenir, that would be perfect, hahahaha!"
Ran Ke pondered deeply: *Local specialty? What good produce does this impoverished region of ours even have?*
Then, suddenly recalling something, he waved to a beautiful woman nearby. "You are skilled at weaving Xilankapu brocade, aren't you?"
The woman nodded.
"Fetch the finest Xilankapu brocade woven in your home and present it to Master Tu."
The woman quickly departed, and shortly after, returned bearing a beautifully woven large coverlet. She presented it with both hands to Padi Tu. "Master Tu," she said, "this is a specialty from our region, called Xilankapu. In the words of the Han people, it is 'The Tujia People's Flowery Coverlet.'"
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