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Chapter 512: Wang Guozhong Has Truly Arrived

As the bullet factory was established, a large number of porters and cooks from the Yongji Ancient Ferry Dock transitioned to become workers at the arsenal. The number of general laborers outside the core operation immediately dropped significantly. To replenish the workforce, everyone naturally turned their attention to the populations of the surrounding counties.

Puzhou City, about thirty li from the Yongji Ancient Ferry Dock.

This was the location of what would later become Yongji City. At this time, industry and commerce were already highly developed, and salt smugglers were ubiquitous. At least nine out of ten households in the city had dealings with them; the entire populace walked a fine line between legality and illicit activity.

Tie Niaofei, the notorious salt smuggler kingpin, walked the streets of Puzhou City with a sense of being completely in his element. Periodically, someone on the street would greet him: "Boss Tie, what brings you to Puzhou today? Another big deal brewing?"

Tie Niaofei turned his head. If the person speaking to him was also a salt trafficker, he would pull out a salt permit he'd seized from Huang Yunfa, flashing it with a smirk: "I've got an official salt permit here, good for ten thousand jin of salt. What do you say? What's the point of your piddly little business? Come work for me."

This made his competitors' eyes turn red with envy! Some genuinely started considering whether to join him.

If the person greeting Tie Niaofei was a local Puzhou resident, his answer would be different. He'd flash a mysterious smile: "I'm here to recruit. Do you know anyone skilled and clever, looking to earn a bit of money? Men and women, no restrictions. I'll lead them to prosperity."

Meanwhile, on another side of Puzhou City, Zhan Seng, wielding a staff, moved through the dilapidated shanties where the poor congregated.

The poor here lived in dire conditions, especially in the past few years of drought, which made things even worse.

However, in the past year, their lives had already begun to improve significantly. That was, of course, thanks to the vast quantities of grain Gao Family Village had transported, constantly shipping it from the Yongji Ancient Ferry Dock to Puzhou City. Grain prices steadily dropped; while still slightly higher than in normal years, the prices were now affordable even for the impoverished.

Seeing the "enlightened monk" from Pujiu Temple, the poor bowed and greeted him. There's an eternal truth in this world: the poorer people are, the more they turn to Buddhism and Daoism.

Because when humans are powerless to change their own fate, they often seek divine intervention to alter their destiny.

Burning incense worth a single copper coin, they dared to wish for ten thousand taels of silver. Better to trouble the Buddha than to trouble oneself.

"Master, my family is too poor. Please guide me, show me a path to prosperity."

"Master, I haven't seen you the last two times I visited Pujiu Temple. Where have you been?"

The devout men and women greeted him one after another.

Zhan Seng joined his palms in a gesture of reverence: "Amitabha! This humble monk has come precisely to guide you, my benefactors, from your confusion. About thirty li to the west, at the Ancient Ferry Dock, they are actively recruiting a large number of porters and female cooks. If you wish to earn a modest living and eat your fill, I suggest you try your luck there."

Tie Niaofei and Zhan Seng, one working through illicit channels, the other through legitimate ones, had put out their advertisements. News quickly reached people on both sides of the law, and a small number immediately began to act, heading towards the Ancient Ferry Dock.

Their outreach work was progressing perfectly when—

Suddenly, a clamor erupted from the east city gate. People came running through the streets and alleys, shouting loudly, "Soldiers are coming! Soldiers are coming!"

As a small prefecture capital, Puzhou ordinarily had no garrisoned troops. Upon hearing of approaching soldiers, many townsfolk excitedly rushed towards the east gate to witness the rare sight.

Tie Niaofei and Zhan Seng also approached the east gate simultaneously from different parts of the city. They met in the crowd, but instead of greeting each other, they merely exchanged a glance, pretending to be strangers.

The Puzhou Prefect met them at the city gate. Outside the city, a large banner grew closer, bearing the character 'Wang'. It was indeed Wang Guozhong who had arrived. Behind him, three thousand soldiers exuded a palpable aura of menace.

Soon, Wang Guozhong left his main force outside the city and entered with only a hundred personal guards. He rode into the city and stood before the Prefect. Here, we shall skip the proverbial "hundred million words" of pleasantries exchanged between the two and get straight to the point.

Wang Guozhong grinned broadly: "This general once strayed onto the wrong path, but fortunately, I pulled back from the precipice swiftly and corrected my ways. Moreover, by the grace of the imperial court, I have been appointed Deputy Commander of Puzhou. From now on, I, your humble general, will be permanently stationed here in Puzhou. Prefect, I hope for your continued support and guidance."

The Puzhou Prefect, named Qiu Qianfan, bowed to Wang Guozhong, though his expression was far from pleased. It turned out that Prefect Qiu had already received reports: upon entering Puzhou territory, Wang Guozhong's forces had plundered and burned their way through, devastating several villages.

Although this fellow was now officially an imperial officer, his actions were those of a bandit. And Prefect Qiu was powerless against him. If he were truly just a bandit, Qiu Qianfan could organize a militia to resist him. But as a military official, Qiu Qianfan could not openly oppose him; he could only write memorials to the court to lodge a complaint.

Once that memorial was sent, Heaven knew if it would make a damn bit of difference!

Qiu Qianfan said sarcastically: "With the general stationed in Puzhou, this official no longer has to worry about bandits harming the common folk. Truly, a cause for celebration."

Wang Guozhong grinned: "Are there any bandits or roving rebels here?" Wang Guozhong was eager to prove himself; he wanted to start making achievements as soon as he arrived. Throughout history, turncoat generals like him were always quick to eliminate other bandits, offering up their heads as a 'pledge of allegiance' and earning military merits to demonstrate their loyalty to the court.

Prefect Qiu cursed inwardly: *You're the bandit.*

But he couldn't say that aloud, so he replied icily: "Several months ago, an old bandit, Zhang Fei, from Bu Zhan Ni's forces, caused some trouble in Puzhou City for a while. Since then, there have been no more bandit disturbances."

"No more?" Wang Guozhong scoffed, refusing to believe him: "Prefect, your words are far from the whole truth."

Qiu Qianfan: "Every word I've spoken is true."

Wang Guozhong: "I have been appointed Deputy Commander of Puzhou and will be permanently stationed here, not merely passing through. Prefect Qiu, do you truly believe a lie of this magnitude can be kept from this general indefinitely?"

Qiu Qianfan's expression darkened.

Wang Guozhong: "Hmph! Even when I was a captain under Wang Jiayin, I knew about the notorious bandit, Xing Honglang of Yongji, who dominated the Yongji Ancient Ferry Dock in Puzhou. Yet, Prefect Qiu, you haven't mentioned this person at all. Could it be that Prefect Qiu has conspired with Xing Honglang, or perhaps accepted enormous bribes from him, becoming a patron of bandits?"

His words were severe, and Qiu Qianfan's expression grew even uglier: "Though Xing Honglang of Yongji controls the Ancient Ferry, she has never committed any heinous acts. She may be known as a salt smuggler, but she has never acted with brutality. Yet you, General Wang, arrive and already several villages have been ravaged to barren lands. And now you wish to make an example of her? Are you so opposed to Puzhou's peace that you must stir up trouble?"

Wang Guozhong snorted: "It seems there's a good reason why salt smugglers have run rampant in Puzhou all this time. I will certainly report to the imperial court your protection of a salt smuggler today, Prefect Qiu. At that time, who knows if your official's hat will remain on your head. Hmph, let's go."

He took his subordinates, turned, and left the city, returning to the military camp outside.

Qiu Qianfan let out a long sigh: *You don't know a damn thing! Salt smuggling in Puzhou is a historical problem. Eight or nine out of ten locals here have been involved in selling illicit salt. As long as no one committed heinous crimes, successive local officials have always turned a blind eye. It's you, you lout, who's a hundred times more loathsome than any salt smuggler! Don't you have any self-awareness?*

"Alas!"

Qiu Qianfan sighed to the heavens, at a loss for words.