At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty was selling his officials and titles. He only needed to pay a small amount of money to get an official position in the court. From the ministers of two thousand shi to the officials of 100 shi, they could all be sold.
If Chen Ping were to travel back in time to the Eastern Han Dynasty, and if something like this happened, he would try his best to get an official position. After all, as long as he gets the official position, the money he pays is nothing. As long as he waits until Emperor Ling dies and the world is in chaos,
Then the purchased official position can become a lifelong one.
For Chen Ping, how similar is the deputy envoy to the southwest who is responsible for wiping out the White Lotus Sect to the rent-a-government official in the late Eastern Han Dynasty?
If the world is in chaos, he can advance and retreat in a controlled manner with his troops and horses in hand. If the world is stable, he can also suppress the thieves and perform meritorious service and return to the court calmly. It can be said that he will not suffer any loss no matter what.
After figuring this out, Chen Ping attached great importance to this matter, and the preparations before taking office were carried out in an orderly manner.
Suppressing bandits is not a simple matter. As the saying goes, before the soldiers and horses are moved, food and grass must be sent first. Suppressing bandits requires money and people. People are not difficult. Soldiers and horses from the southwestern states can be mobilized. In addition, you need your own army.
They can be recruited locally or directly transferred from other places.
But the money is hard to come by.
Last year, so much money was spent resisting the Hulu invasion of Northern Liao that the treasury became empty, but it is impossible to say that it cannot support the suppression of a White Lotus bandit.
The question is how to get this money?
The first thing Chen Ping thought of was the Ministry of Revenue, but he was not a newbie. He knew that this kind of money-demanding matter was difficult to handle, so he went directly to the young emperor Yongxing.
"Don't worry about money, food and grass. I have already asked the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of War to prepare it."
"The White Lotus Thief is a serious problem for me. If I don't get rid of it, I will never be in peace. Chen Qing, let me tell you clearly. Killing the White Lotus Thief is not only to cut off the scourge, but also an important step for me to establish my prestige!"
"I hope you will live up to your high expectations!"
Emperor Yongxing's words made Chen Ping speechless for a moment, "Good guy, why did you ask me to suppress the bandits without making any arrangements?
If I don’t have any money, I’ll take the lead and give orders to others? Wait until the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War are ready before sending them to the local area. The White Lotus thief will have already escaped thousands of miles without knowing it!
At any other time, Chen Ping would never have taken this kind of job, but now that the opportunity was rare, he had no choice but to bite the bullet.
"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of War have many affairs, and I am afraid I cannot afford to delay them."
"If something goes wrong, I would like to ask Your Majesty to grant me the power to act expediently so that I can flexibly raise funds to suppress the thieves."
It stands to reason that if an official is willing to spend his own money or find an enemy to pay to suppress the thieves, the emperor will be overjoyed and will not refuse at all, but what Chen Ping wants is the power to "act cheaply".
The plank road is built openly and used secretly, as the saying goes.
Sure enough, Emperor Yongxing was young, and when he heard Chen Ping's generosity, he was immediately moved and agreed.
When he was done, he patted his forehead, turned around, took off one of his swords and handed it to Chen Ping.
"I almost forgot how much effort it would take for you to do such a big thing if you were restricted by the local government. Here, I give you this Shangfang Sword. The officials of each state, except the prefects and prefects, can use this sword to cut off anyone who has violated the orders of thieves and thieves.
Wu Sha Mao will be detained, and officials below the sixth rank can be executed first and then punished!"
Chen Ping:???
He was mentally prepared for not getting money this time, but he didn't expect that Shang Fangjian and the power to act cheaply would come to him.
Kill first and tell later, royal authority, hiss... what a great feeling!
Chen Ping happily took the sword and bowed to express his gratitude. Both the emperor and his ministers were overjoyed.
Emperor Yongxing was happy that Chen Ping was considerate and never refused tasks assigned to him. He was trustworthy in his ability and loyalty. He was much more useful than the old men left behind by his father!
Chen Ping, on the other hand, was happy to get an advantage from Emperor Yongxing, and it would be much smoother to suppress the thieves here.
As for the capital city after he leaves, what kind of sparks will arise between Emperor Yongxing and King Chu is beyond his control.
Turning around and leaving the palace, when he arrived at the Hanlin Academy, Chen Ping saw that Lu Wei, the former minister of Taichang Temple, who was now the Southwest Recruitment Envoy and had the title of Minister of the Ministry of War, had been waiting for him for a long time.
"Master Lu!"
"Chen Ping, I didn't expect you and I to be officials in the same dynasty after we parted ways in the past. You are truly a gifted person, immeasurable!"
Chen Ping cupped his hands and smiled, and the scenes of Qianzhou's past appeared in front of his eyes, which made people sigh.
Lu Wei sat on Xie Jinan's right hand side, turned around and said: "I remember that the current governor of Qianzhou, Yang Qian, is your student, right?"
"The examination in the second year of Tianqi's reign is just a chance encounter."
Xie Jinan took a sip of tea and waved his hand.
Even so, both Chen Ping and Lu Wei knew that this relationship was not shallow, just because the whole government and the public were governed by Confucianism.
King and minister, father and son, master and apprentice, these are absolutely irreversible relationships. Although Xie Jinan only served as the examiner in the examination in the second year of Tianqi, the scholars who participated in the examination that year, as long as they see Xie Jinan
In Jinan, no matter how high or low one's official position is, one still has to be respectfully addressed as "mentor".
And Xie Jinan is now on the side of Emperor Yongxing and is a loyalist. Even if Yang Qian is from the King of Chu's faction, he still has to be wary.
What's more, both Chen Ping and Lu Wei have met Yang Qian more or less, and know that this person is unlikely to side with the King of Chu. In this way, the problem of Qianzhou will not be big, and Lingzhou will not be a big problem.
In this case, even if the officials of Daozhou and Zhongzhou follow the King of Chu, their situation in suppressing bandits in the southwest will not be too difficult.
"The situation in the capital changes three times a day. It is difficult to say whether it is good or bad for you to leave the capital. However, going here to suppress the thieves is both an opportunity and a danger. You must control the measure yourself."
"It will save you money if you lower your official position."
Chen Ping naturally accepted Xie Jinan's concern with an open mind, but since he accepted the job so readily, he must have his own trump card.
Jiulongtang and Tianxiang Pavilion are both based in Qianzhou, and there are also his classmates and old friends there. Since he is suppressing bandits in the southwest, the closer he is to Qianzhou, the more help he can receive. There is no longer King Yongxing of Chu and Emperor Yongxing above. If others suppress it, there will be more places for free expression.
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Besides, the person recruiting him for this trip was his acquaintance Lu Wei. All kinds of factors combined, Chen Ping was full of confidence.
Of course, he will not tell anyone that he is already prepared for the coming troubled times. In the eyes of outsiders, there are only two outcomes: success and failure in this suppression of bandits. However, in Chen Ping's view, whether the suppression of bandits is successful or not is just a matter of success. Add-ons, the real big deal is to control an army by killing thieves!
It has been nearly two hundred years since the founding of Dayu. Nowadays, there are internal and external troubles, high-level officials are fighting each other, and there are powerful enemies around outside. This situation really forces Chen Ping to make some preparations for his own future and the future of his relatives and friends.
To nip things in the bud, even if there are no troubled times, it would still have more weight to go to the capital and speak in the court with an army in hand.
After the three of them gathered in Xie Jinan's study for a few moments, Lu Wei got up and said goodbye to Xie Jinan, and Chen Ping also got up and followed him.
"What did Your Majesty say about the Ministry of Household Affairs?"
"Your Majesty said that he is preparing, but I have asked your Majesty for the power to act expediently. I still have a family income, so I can help the army with rewards. We can suppress the thieves regardless of whether the Ministry of Household Affairs pays money or not."
Hearing these words, Lu Wei couldn't help but his eyes lit up, and he said with a smile: "You are indeed Mr. Ye's favorite disciple. His ability and mind are among the best among his peers."
"Now that everything is ready, what are you waiting for? The farther away from the capital, the better!"
Chen Ping nodded with a smile, said goodbye to Lu Wei and left.
Well said about the right and wrong place in the capital!
When he went to the Su Mansion to get engaged, Chen Ping didn't make any big fanfare. The reasons were very simple. First, the situation in the capital was tense, and second, he didn't want to draw attention to himself.
Su Yiyi also knew this. The two of them were in love and not for any benefit. So when she learned that Chen Ping was leaving Beijing again, Su Yiyi stopped crying and just looked at Chen Ping with a hint of resentment. Tell him to be careful and pay attention to safety on the road.
"Don't worry, I am going to suppress thieves and not to die. Moreover, I am only a deputy envoy. Mr. Lu is the chief envoy." Chen Ping comforted him. He felt guilty in his heart, but there was nothing he could do to compare the situation. What about strong people?
Su Yiyi pursed her lips and said: "I know, I just hope you can come back soon. I heard from my father that your Majesty is not like a king. I'm afraid something will happen soon..."
Chen Ping nodded, feeling melancholy in his heart. Emperor Yongxing's nonsense was known even to ladies like Su Yiyi, and presumably the people in the capital knew it even more.
Thinking of this, the burden on his shoulders couldn't help but become heavier. Time waits for no one!
After telling Su Yiyi a little about the situation, Chen Ping stood up.
"It's getting late. Mr. Lu must be impatient to wait. I'll take the first step. I may return to Beijing at the end of the year or may not come back until next year."
"Well, you go ahead." Su Yiyi held the handkerchief and whispered.
Looking back at the lovely Su Yiyi for the last time, Chen Ping cut off the complicated nostalgia in his heart and turned around to leave.
When acting as a true man, you must not be trapped by the personal affairs of your children, otherwise you will end up like the overlord of Chu, a hero who is short of breath.
Walking out of the Su family garden, Chen Ping immediately saw Lu Wei sitting in the car with the window half open. The two men's eyes met. Chen Ping nodded in greeting, got into the carriage and drove towards the outside of the city.
“It’s extraordinary to be able to lift it up and put it down, and to be able to do so with ease.”
"Your Excellency, you are exaggerating."
Lu Wei did not continue speaking, but squinted his eyes to look at Chen Ping.
"How do you plan to defeat this White Lotus thief?"
Chen Ping perked up and focused his attention. It was true that his plan to go south to suppress the thieves was to accumulate strength, but if the White Lotus thieves could not be suppressed or controlled, everything would be empty talk.
"According to the Di newspaper and various sources, the White Lotus bandits should want to break into Zhongzhou. The White Lotus Sect has long been spread in Zhongzhou. Once they arrive in Zhongzhou, they will be able to contact all directions. Moreover, Zhongzhou is connected in all directions and it is difficult to carry out encirclement and suppression."
"You're right, this matter is very difficult."
Lu Wei said lightly that these explanations were just simple conclusions, and he did not think that Chen Ping could only do this.
Feeling Lu Wei's piercing eyes, Chen Ping pondered for a moment before continuing: "But I don't think the White Lotus Bandits will rebel in Zhongzhou!"
"Huh?" Lu Wei regained his energy and motioned with interest to Chen Ping to continue.
"It is true that Zhongzhou is connected in all directions, but the terrain of mostly plains gives them nowhere to hide. Once there is an encirclement and suppression by the army, they can only fight or flee, and there is no possibility of hiding and holding on."
"And Zhongzhou is not far from Xiazhou and Qingzhou Mizhou. As long as we transfer one or two cavalry of about a thousand people from the border army, we can pose a great threat to them. Previously, the White Lotus bandits mostly operated among the mountains and rivers in the south.
You will never hit a stone with a short attack or a long one with an egg."
It’s not like Chen Ping hasn’t done any research on the White Lotus Bandits.
He even knew about the White Lotus Sect a long time ago, just because this religion has contact with all three religions and nine sects in the world. Not only Lingshu, Cheng Yuanjian and his organization are also in contact with the White Lotus Sect, and even Jiulong Hall is doing business with the White Lotus Sect. Live business.
If it hadn't been so involved, the White Lotus Sect wouldn't have been able to survive until now, let alone launch a rebellion.
Speaking of which, the operation modes of the White Lotus Sect and the Cheng family are somewhat similar. They both bribe officials to earn money through smuggling, and the ultimate goal is basically the same, which is to rebel against the imperial court and replace themselves.
It's just that the White Lotus Sect is spread through religion, which has advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, this kind of cult has been going on for thousands of years, and predecessors have long discovered ways to deal with them.
What Chen Ping has to do is actually not difficult. The only thing is that he can't have too many pig teammates, otherwise he won't be able to accomplish even the most trivial things.
Fortunately, it was Lu Wei who recruited the envoys, and the officials and gentry in Qianzhou and Lingzhou were at least able to give orders. In addition, with the Shangfang Sword and the power to act expediently given by Emperor Yongxing, as of now, The problem is not big.
"Well said, where would they go if they didn't go to Zhongzhou?"
Chen Ping and Lu Wei looked at each other and said in unison: "Jingzhou!"
...
Jingzhou.
In the vast mountains and forests at the junction of Jingzhou, Zhongzhou, and Daozhou, groups of people from the White Lotus Sect have already gathered, and they haven't stopped yet. Believers from other places are constantly trekking over to unite under the leader's banner. below.
Nowadays, the number of White Lotus believers here has reached a terrifying number, but the local officials have not noticed the danger yet, or they know it but dare not pierce the window paper, covering their heads as if nothing happened.
"Master Cult Leader, the believers in Zhongzhou have already begun to take action to build momentum for us!"
"Very good, we have almost gathered the people. Without further ado, we will attack the city tonight!"
Outside Yunyang County in the northwest of Jingzhou, a group of White Lotus sect leaders were all excited after hearing the leader's order. The Holy sect had endured for many years, and finally it was time to raise the White Lotus banner and liberate the people of the world to welcome the birth of the Inanimate Mother. Is it time?
The beard leader glanced around and gave orders one by one: "Go and distribute the weapons to the believers. Also, inform the believers in Jingzhou to be ready to respond at any time."
"The King of Chu went north to Beijing and took away all the elites in Jingzhou. Now that Jingzhou is empty, it is a good time for us to flex our muscles."
"As long as we can capture a few cities in Jingzhou, the righteous people from all over the world will see the incompetence of the Dog Court. When the time comes, all places will rise up, so why worry about the Holy Religion not flourishing?"
"Brothers, last night I dreamed of Lord Maitreya, and he asked me to deliver a message to the congregation."
"Bai Lian was born and my mother gave her blessing. The time has come for us to establish the Holy Kingdom!"
This sentence inspired the high-ranking officials present. Although they were no longer the ignorant believers at the bottom, they could not resist the temptation to conquer the city and establish the Holy Kingdom. They all knelt on the ground and shouted "Wu Sheng"
Words like "Mom, empty hometown".
Not long after, the believers outside learned about Lord Maitreya's message, and cheers resounded throughout the valley. As weapons were distributed one after another, the believers armed with sharp weapons and eager to kill could no longer restrain their enthusiasm.<
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When the sun slowly set, countless White Lotus cultists poured out of the mountains and forests and killed them in the direction of Yunyang County.
All the villages and towns along the way were robbed, the men were killed, the young and old were tortured, and the women were all raped. After all the gold, silver, soft goods, etc. were looted, the villages and towns were burned to the ground.
The flames soaring into the sky reflected the figures of countless White Lotus cultists, as they rushed toward Yunyang County.