Chapter 895: Rebels in Datong
Wu Shen nodded. “Yes, Yang Sichang did not wish to follow in his father Yang He’s footsteps. Appeasement was not even considered. As soon as he took office, he began deploying troops and entering the mountains to suppress the rebels.”
Human beings, when it comes to solving problems, often draw methods from their past experiences.
For instance, if you were tall and strong as a child, you’d lean towards violence. Every problem you faced would first bring violence to mind. Naturally, your physique would grow more developed, while your mind, used less, would simplify, eventually turning you into a big, brawny oaf.
Conversely, if you were small and relied on your intellect, your mind would naturally become sharper. But your limbs, used less, would grow weaker, ultimately leaving you a cunning, skinny stick.
Yang Sichang had witnessed his father’s failure firsthand. His takeaway was: “Bandits cannot be appeased!”
Therefore, his problem-solving methods inevitably leaned towards direct confrontation.
San Shier clapped Chen Yuanbo on the shoulder. “Having heard this, what are your thoughts?”
Chen Yuanbo replied, “Every situation must be analyzed individually, and solutions devised specifically for it. Past experience must not cloud one’s judgment of new circumstances. No getting stuck in a rut.”
San Shier smiled. “Well said! Daizhou depends on you.”
San Shier chuckled at his retreating back. “It is called... *chicken soup for the soul*.”
A few days later, Chen Yuanbo arrived in Daizhou with a special operations team.
Daizhou was still reeling from the shadow of the Manchu invasion. The countryside outside the state capital remained devastated, bearing the gruesome marks of their plundering.
Many villages had seen all their men slaughtered, while women and children were abducted. Only a few had managed to hide in the mountains or scramble into ditches when the attacks happened, thus clinging to life.
Once the Manchus retreated, they tried to rebuild their lives, only to find the difficulties insurmountable.
Humans are social creatures, after all; they thrive only when living in communities. If your village’s neighbors were all wiped out, leaving just your family, you wouldn’t survive either.
They had no choice but to abandon their villages and seek a living in Daizhou.
When Chen Yuanbo arrived, he found a desolate Daizhou. For a long time, no local official had been appointed, and the area was run entirely by the local gentry. The most prestigious among them, Sun Chuanting, had been “abducted” by Gao Family Village to serve as headmaster of the Yellow Pole Military Academy. The remaining gentry, lacking sufficient prestige and power, struggled immensely to maintain order.
Fortunately, Tie Niaofei, who often passed through Daizhou to deliver supplies to the border army, consistently brought grain that he sold at low prices to the common folk, allowing the refugees to barely hold on.
Otherwise... it would have been dire long ago...
Upon Chen Yuanbo’s arrival, he was immediately swarmed by the local gentry. These gentry members, resourceful as they were, had connections at court and had already discovered what kind of person the new prefect was.
One gentry member stepped forward and bowed deeply, “Lord Chen, we’ve heard that you managed humble Wenshui County with remarkable success, proving yourself an diligent and benevolent official who loves his people. This Daizhou, then, relies entirely on you!”
Chen Yuanbo, far from being modest, swiftly reeled off a slew of “Gao Family Village policies.” Since these policies have been mentioned numerous times before, a hundred million words are omitted here.
After finally sorting out the preliminary administrative tasks, another gentry member approached him, cupped his fists, and said, “Prefect, I am Xuan Yuan Ke. After Sun Chuanting’s departure, I took on the role of general instructor for Daizhou’s militia.”
Chen Yuanbo asked, “Mr. Xuan Yuan, how may I help you?”
Xuan Yuan Ke pointed north.
North of Daizhou lay a mountain range stretching east to west, with towering peaks, deep forests, treacherous paths, and abundant mineral resources.
This mountain range separated Daizhou from Datong Prefecture. The famous Yanmen Pass was built on a crucial artery within these mountains, guarding the Central Plains.
Xuan Yuan Ke continued, “Recently, on the other side of that northern mountain range, the Datong military garrison has been sending troops into the mountains, frantically suppressing the so-called ‘rebels’...”
Chen Yuanbo said, “Hmm, I’ve heard about this.”
Xuan Yuan Ke explained, “These so-called rebels are actually private mine owners and their workers, who hide in the mountains to dig for minerals. When the border army attacks, they have no choice but to flee south, cross the mountains, and come over to our side. Then, they find another spot on the southern slopes of the range and continue their mining activities.”
Chen Yuanbo secretly chuckled. *Isn’t this an inevitable development?*
Xuan Yuan Ke said, “These people occasionally come down from the mountains, leading to minor clashes with our villagers. The militia under my command has already fought several skirmishes with them. I ask for the Prefect’s guidance.”
Chen Yuanbo asked, “Since you’ve had several skirmishes, you must have also met and argued with some of the mine owners, right?”
Xuan Yuan Ke nodded. “Yes! I know where their mine shafts are located.”
Chen Yuanbo said, “Good! Gather your militia and accompany me into the mountains. We’ll have a chat with those mine owners.”
Xuan Yuan Ke was stunned. “Huh? Prefect, you wish to go personally?”
Chen Yuanbo smiled. “If I don’t go myself, and merely relay instructions through a subordinate, it’s difficult to guarantee there won’t be communication issues. It’s best if I handle this personally.”
Xuan Yuan Ke bowed deeply. “You lead by example, sir, a true model for us all.”
Chen Yuanbo, his special operations team, Xuan Yuan Ke, and five hundred militia members formed a large mountaineering party and set off into the range.
The mountains were indeed difficult to navigate! The terrain was steep, the paths rugged, and the forests dense.
Fortunately, there were hunters among the militia who knew the trails, guiding everyone along the easier routes. After a long trek, they arrived at a perilous ravine.
The lead hunter pointed ahead. “This is Wayaogou, where many of the rebels are entrenched.”
No sooner had he spoken than shouts echoed from the hillside ahead. Then, from the ravine, rushed a large group of people, ragged, covered in black dust, their faces smudged, only their eyes shining brightly—clearly coal miners...
They carried various mining tools: hoes, chisels, hammers, shovels, and more. A few hundred of them stood before the ravine, forming a rather imposing sight.
Behind the miners stood a man who was clearly a foreman. His clothes were slightly cleaner, and his demeanor suggested he was a small merchant who had studied for a few days and could read a few characters. He bellowed, “Daizhou fools, wasn’t the last beating enough for you? Are you here to die again?”
Xuan Yuan Ke shouted back, “Datong blockhead, watch your tongue! Open your dog eyes and see who has arrived this time!”
The man opposite stared intently, spotted Chen Yuanbo’s official robes, and instantly jumped in fright. He cursed silently, *Damn it, the Prefect is here! It seems we won’t be able to stay in Daizhou either now.*
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