The 'Involution King' Second Female Lead Quits [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Taking Taiyuan

Shu Heng blinked. When she finally realized what she was doing, she saw that she was holding Li Jianwei’s hand, and the surrounding personal guards were all staring at her. The thin-skinned Shu Heng couldn’t help but blush. She hurriedly got off the horse, stumbling a little in the process.

“Ahem, is the General here to replenish provisions?” Shu Heng used a light cough to cover her embarrassment.

“We don’t lack provisions, but the price of grain here has risen to two taels of silver for one shi of grain,” Li Jianwei said. “I plan to take out one-third of the grain in the granary and sell it to the people at a relatively low price.”

“A limit of three catties per person,” Li Jianwei added.

Shu Heng said seriously, “The General is sympathetic to the people, and the people will also understand the General.”

“I just want fewer people to starve to death because they don’t have enough to eat,” Li Jianwei said, slowly letting go of Shu Heng’s hand and striding towards the locked granary door. The granary guard hadn’t received any notice yet, but he was very sharp-sighted. He just stood on guard, not doing anything to stop Li Jianwei’s actions. Even when he saw Li Jianwei pull out her sword and cut the lock on the granary, he acted as if he had seen nothing.

Shu Heng was kind enough to explain a few words to the guard. “The prefect has already opened the city gates to welcome the Great General of the Northern Frontier. From today on, all of you only need to listen to the General’s orders.”

The guards looked at each other, then bowed in unison. “Greetings, General.”

“Mmm, rise. Who is in charge of managing the granary?” Li Jianwei asked, sheathing her sword.

“To answer the General, this humble one is the manager here. The granary has a total of eighty thousand shi of grain. Thirty thousand is reserve grain, and the remaining fifty thousand is from this year’s summer tax,” the manager did not dare to lie and immediately revealed everything.

“Why is the reserve grain so little? According to the granary of Pingyang Prefecture, there should be no less than one hundred thousand shi of grain,” Shu Heng frowned. “I remember I didn’t purchase any grain here last year.”

The manager looked terrified. “Sir, you don’t know, but since the year before last, the reserve grain in the warehouse has been less than fifty thousand shi. The taxes have been getting heavier these past two years. To prevent the people from not even having seeds to plant, the prefect has been lenient with many people’s land tax, letting them owe it for now.”

“However, the grain submitted to the court cannot be reduced, so the prefect can only use the reserve grain to make up the numbers, lest the people who cannot pay their taxes be affected.”

Li Jianwei nodded. “Tell the people of Pingyang Prefecture that as long as the Northern Frontier army is here, and as long as I, Li Jianwei, am here, they don’t have to pay this year’s autumn grain. And starting next year, the land tax will be collected at a rate of one-tenth.”

The manager was greatly shocked. The taxes were only something the Emperor could decide! For this General to speak so righteously, anyone with a brain would know what she was about to do. However, the manager did not dare to show the slightest emotion on his face. He covered his face and knelt on the ground with a thud.

“The General loves the people like her own children and has saved the people of Pingyang Prefecture from a living hell!” the manager cried.

He didn’t care anymore. The person who had taken over Pingyang Prefecture with an army was General Li. He would just do whatever she told him to do. If he was to be blamed, the prefect who opened the city gates would not be able to escape either.

Li Jianwei was very satisfied with the manager’s cooperation. She didn’t waste any time and immediately had her personal guards take over the granary.

“Little Minister Shu, I’ll have to trouble you to lead them to sell this grain to the people tomorrow,” Li Jianwei said. “It will take time for the news of the low-priced grain to spread. Try to save some grain for the people who come later.”

“Is the General planning to be stationed in Pingyang Prefecture?” Shu Heng asked.

Li Jianwei shook her head. “I will lead fifty thousand soldiers to continue forward tomorrow, and I will try to take Taiyuan before the court gathers a large army. Only then can I have peace of mind.”

Taking Taiyuan meant that the easily defensible city near the capital would be taken by Li Jianwei. After that, there would be no natural barriers all the way to the capital. As long as there were enough troops, there was no fear of not being able to conquer the capital.

“General, you are…” Shu Heng was about to say something when she found her shoulder was patted twice.

“I don’t not trust your ability, but Pingyang Prefecture is more suitable for you to show what you can do,” Li Jianwei said, cutting her off. “Didn’t you say that? Your small body is not suitable for fighting on the battlefield.”

Shu Heng frowned slightly. “But I can be a lobbyist for the General, just like today.”

“If I were going to advance to De’an Prefecture instead of taking Taiyuan, I wouldn’t let you stay here,” Li Jianwei reminded her. “The Prefect of Taiyuan is a foolishly loyal person. If you go to be a lobbyist, you will only have your head chopped off.”

Shu Heng still wanted to try. “But…”

“Alright, the matters of the Pingyang Prefecture granary will be your responsibility, Little Minister Shu. I will have General Liu lead twenty thousand soldiers to rest here,” Li Jianwei interrupted Shu Heng again. “This is an order.”

“Yes…” Shu Heng could only comply.

…

The Prefect of Taiyuan was considered one of the Emperor’s confidants. After learning that Li Jianwei had started a rebellion, he immediately gathered all the troops he could mobilize and issued a death order for them to live and die with Taiyuan. After two days of forced marching, Li Jianwei led fifty thousand soldiers to the city.

There were not many garrisons near Taiyuan. Even if they drew troops from nearby cities, they couldn’t gather fifteen thousand people. To defend the city, they would have to use people’s lives to fill the gaps.

As usual, Li Jianwei first tried to be courteous before resorting to force. She sent General Han, who had a loud voice, to shout.

“The General has no intention of making things difficult for the soldiers who are also here to protect the people. We only need you to open the city gates so we can rest for a while.”

“The General is not rebelling. She is here to seek justice for the soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the border and to plead for the people who are crushed by taxes!”

“The people of Pingyang Prefecture no longer have to pay the autumn grain tax and can buy grain at a price of one tael of silver per shi! This is the justice the General wants to fight for on behalf of the people!”

“The General truly cannot bear to see His Majesty being misled by treacherous officials, ignoring the people who are suffering from the drought! He is stubbornly increasing taxes to build palaces and indulge in extravagance!”

“The General is here to eliminate treacherous officials! To purify the court! To seek welfare for the people!”

“Eliminate treacherous officials! Purify the court! Seek welfare for the people!” The soldiers shouted in unison.

The sound of tens of thousands of soldiers shouting together was very infectious. Many soldiers on the city wall couldn’t help but think of their own situation after hearing this. It was one thing for their military pay not to be fully distributed, but the taxes and forced labor were getting heavier year by year. They could be exempted from some land taxes as soldiers, but they also had friends and family. How could they not know that the court’s taxes were harsh and numerous?

“Nonsense!” The Prefect of Taiyuan was furious. “Men! Fire the arrows!”

The soldiers had many opinions in their hearts, but the obedience ingrained in their bones still made them draw their bows and fire arrows, raising their weapons against General Han and the soldiers.

General Han was prepared for this. He immediately had his men raise their shields and continued to shout the slogans. After half an hour of this, when the defending soldiers’ arrows were mostly depleted, General Han immediately had his men climb the scaling ladders and start the attack. The morale of the enemy had already been scattered. It was a good time to act!

“Prefect, the southern city wall is being attacked by a large army! The soldiers are about to lose!” A chiliarch reported in a hurry, his face covered in dust.

“Why is there an army on the south side as well?” The prefect was shocked and couldn’t help but look at the dense crowd below the west city wall.

“Prefect, the southern army seems to be personally led by the Great General of the Northern Frontier! If there’s no support, they might not even last half an hour!” the chiliarch said.

“Have the yamen runners from the prefecture yamen go and reinforce them! Quickly recruit soldiers from the city! All able-bodied men must come and defend the city! We must hold on!” the prefect shouted.

The Prefect of Taiyuan had some brains. He knew how important the geographical location of Taiyuan Prefecture was. Once the news of Taiyuan Prefecture being besieged spread, the court’s reinforcements would arrive in three days at most.

“No one is allowed to be a coward! Any deserters will be executed on the spot!” The Prefect of Taiyuan issued a death order.

The chiliarch gritted his teeth and complied. “Yes, this subordinate will go and do it immediately.”

The court’s taxes had not been reduced, and the military pay had never been fully distributed. If they died here, would their families really get the pension money? As a chiliarch, he had more sources of information than the average person. He had heard that the Great General of the Northern Frontier was wronged and harmed, and he also knew that the current General of the Northern Frontier had defeated the Xiongnu and defended the border of the Great Jin. He even knew that the Emperor had still not issued the pension silver for the fallen Northern Frontier army, only delaying the military pay again and again, and constantly increasing taxes and forced labor.

“What? You want us to have untrained people defend the city? This is not going to work!” The military general in charge of defending the south city flatly rejected the idea.

“Not to mention we don’t have enough armor and weapons, even if we did, it wouldn’t work. The people might not even understand military commands and the sound of the war drums. How can they defend the city! Are they going to use their bodies to block the enemy’s swords and spears? This is crazy!”

“But if we continue like this, our brothers won’t last long,” the chiliarch said with hesitation. “This is a death order from the prefect. He wants us to hold on.”

“The prefect doesn’t have the authority to command us in the first place. We are only standing here to protect the people,” the military general said calmly. “Tell the prefect that I will lead my soldiers to hold on to the death.”

“Have the fast-footed brothers tell the people in the city that if the Northern Frontier army enters, they must not panic. They only need to close their doors and windows and wait for the situation to stabilize.”

“I know General Li’s character very well. She is the most righteous person. I’m sure General Li won’t be much different.”

“But General, if that’s the case, why don’t we just surrender?” the chiliarch didn’t understand. Since the General of the Northern Frontier was truly rising for the people, why were they risking their lives to stop her?

“It’s not about right or wrong. It’s about duty,” the military general sighed heavily. “If we really can’t hold on, I will lead the charge. If I die, you can lead the soldiers to surrender. Remember to bury me in my hometown.”

The chiliarch wanted to say more, but the military general had already left, leaving him with only a back view.

The moment the city gates were opened, Li Jianwei knew that it was time for the two armies to fight. Without a word, she raised her spear and was the first to charge. With their general leading the charge, the rest of the soldiers were naturally full of morale and charged forward without any hesitation, even when their comrades fell beside them.

Li Jianwei knew that the soldiers were innocent and that they were just following orders. But that was how a battle between two armies was. It was either you die or I die. There was no room for sympathy. After piercing the defending general who charged at her with her spear, Li Jianwei saw a look of relief in his eyes, as if he had not come to fight but to die.

“The General has lost! We surrender! We surrender!” The chiliarch couldn’t stop the military general from dying. He could only hold back his tears, be the first to drop his weapon and raise his hands, using his actions to minimize casualties as much as possible.

“Those who drop their weapons will not be killed!” Li Jianwei said. She only wanted the city of Taiyuan, not the lives of these soldiers.

Just like that, in less than two hours after the shouting began, Taiyuan Prefecture was in Li Jianwei’s hands. All the local stationed troops who participated in the battle became prisoners and were watched over.

“General Li, this is what our general wanted me to give you.” The chiliarch knelt on the ground, holding the tiger tally that symbolized local command in both hands.

“This is for me?” Li Jianwei was a little confused. She did not know the general who defended Taiyuan Prefecture.

“Yes. The general knows that General Li is here for the people, but he cannot be disloyal, so he can only repay his debt to the ruler with his life,” the chiliarch kowtowed heavily.

Li Jianwei sighed. “Your general is the same as my father. It’s a pity that they did not meet a ruler worthy of their loyalty.”

“Men, give the fallen soldiers a proper burial. After verifying their identities, they will all be given pensions according to the standards of the Northern Frontier army,” Li Jianwei said. “They all died fighting for the people. We cannot treat them unfairly.”

“Just like Pingyang Prefecture, check the granary and then announce the cancellation of this year’s autumn grain tax. Let the people keep some grain at home so they don’t have to worry about their livelihood in winter.”

Upon hearing Li Jianwei’s words, the surrendered soldiers couldn’t help but get red eyes. Some even clenched their fists and pounded the ground. Why did the prefect want them to fight to the death? General Li was clearly a great person who was thinking of them! Why did the general have to die for a foolish ruler! It was not worth it at all!

…

Li Jianwei was very busy. After confirming the casualties, she began to arrange the resting places for the army tonight. The original garrison barracks could only accommodate a maximum of twenty thousand people. The remaining thirty thousand would have to set up camp in the open. The order within the city also needed to be maintained. The yamen runners were forced to the front line by the Prefect of Taiyuan. Less than half of them were lucky enough to survive, which was not enough to maintain order in the city.

Li Jianwei showed no mercy to the local officials who resisted with force. They were all imprisoned, and their families were controlled by the Northern Frontier army. Their gold, silver, and jewels were also confiscated.

Li Jianwei needed a good reputation now, so she was not in a hurry to chop off the heads of these corrupt officials. She specifically posted a notice stating that the officials of Taiyuan Prefecture would be dealt with in seven days and that the people could report any grievances during this period. To make it easy for the people to understand, the notice was written in simple language, clearly stating that the people could sue anyone, from the prefect to the yamen runners, and that all reports would be accepted. At the same time, it also kindly included a list of officials, clearly stating their positions, names, and original responsibilities. If an imprisoned person was not sued by any of the people, they would be set free after seven days. Otherwise, they would be punished strictly according to the current law.

“General Li is going to seek justice for us! I no longer have to worry about being bullied by officials!”

“Can we all sue? Can I sue the assistant prefect? He wrongly accused my son of theft and broke my son’s hand! Can I sue him?”

“Is it true? Will the General stay in Taiyuan Prefecture?”

The people accepted the change of ownership of Taiyuan very quickly. Their access to information was very limited. They only knew that with General Li in Taiyuan Prefecture, they no longer had to pay the autumn land tax and no longer had to worry about being forced to do corvée labor. The person who could make their lives better was the one they were willing to follow. This was the most simple idea of the people.

…

“What did you say! Taiyuan has also fallen! Where are the troops I told you to gather!” The Emperor’s expression faltered. He couldn’t even sit still and was so angry that he was pacing back and forth.

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger. There are fifty thousand troops stationed in each of Henan Prefecture, Huaiqing Prefecture, and Daming Prefecture. The stationed troops in De’an Prefecture, Xuzhou Prefecture, and other places are also rushing to the capital. In addition to the one hundred thousand soldiers in the three major camps in the capital, we can have two hundred thousand troops to defend the capital,” a minister said.

“Then why aren’t you going to quell the rebellion immediately!” the Emperor said angrily.

“Your Majesty, it takes time to mobilize a large army, and the provisions in various places are slightly insufficient. We need Your Majesty to allocate silver from the national treasury,” a Grand Academician stood out and said.

The Emperor waved his hand impatiently. “Then have the Ministry of Revenue give them the money! Give them as much silver as they want! Whoever takes down the rebel army, I will make him a Great General!”

“Your Majesty, the summer tax has not been fully collected yet. The Ministry of Revenue cannot come up with too much silver at this time. The military pay for the three major camps in the capital has not been issued yet,” the Minister of Revenue jumped out and pleaded poverty. “I hope Your Majesty can be understanding. The last few million taels of silver in the national treasury cannot be touched!”

Upon hearing that the money in the national treasury was for the three major camps, the Emperor couldn’t help but frown and didn’t ask the Ministry of Revenue for silver again.

Emperor: “Since the summer tax has not reached the national treasury, then have them collect grain on the spot and use the land tax prepared by the local governments as military pay.”

“Your Majesty, this might cause chaos and easily lead to soldiers embezzling military funds,” the Grand Academician of the Hall of Central Harmony stood out to object. “Why don’t we have the soldiers prepare a month’s worth of rations first, and after the rebellion is quelled, the confiscated military funds can be given to the soldiers.”

“Your Majesty can send fifty thousand elite soldiers to quell the rebellion, plus the assistance of one hundred and fifty thousand local stationed troops. A month’s time is enough.”

The Emperor felt that this made a lot of sense. Since the national treasury had no money now, he would have the soldiers bring their own rations first. As long as they won, would he have to worry about not having money to pay the soldiers? The Northern Frontier army had consumed who knows how much military pay. Maybe after replenishing the soldiers’ rations, they could even replenish the national treasury.

“Father, this might not be appropriate. If…” the King of Zhou couldn’t bear to watch. How could they fight a war if the soldiers had to bring their own rations? The enemy would only need to bluff a little, and their morale would collapse.

“What, do you want me to hand over your elder brother and the Senior Grand Academician? And let that traitor Li Jianwei deal with them!” the Emperor interrupted the King of Zhou, showing his authoritarianism to the fullest.

“Just do as the minister said. Anyone who objects will be executed on the spot! If the rebellion is not quelled in a month, the commanding general can come and see me with his head!”

As he spoke, the Emperor’s determination returned. What was there to be afraid of a mere one hundred and twenty thousand Northern Frontier army? The capital’s garrison had two hundred thousand soldiers, not to mention the local stationed troops could also gather two hundred thousand. Would Li Jianwei be able to defeat them one by one?

…

Haha, they’re having the soldiers bring their own rations to fight against me? Has the Emperor’s brain been eaten, or does he not have a brain at all?

“I’ve never seen anything so ridiculous,” Li Jianwei truly couldn’t hold back her laughter. Even if the Emperor’s brain was useless, were the brains of all the civil and military officials useless too? How could such a proposal be passed by the Cabinet and issued?

“It must be because the national treasury has no silver left,” Shu Heng, who had rushed from Pingyang Prefecture to Taiyuan Prefecture, analyzed seriously. “Last year, the silver in the national treasury was less than ten million taels. During festivals, the Emperor also held large banquets and rewarded officials with a lot of gold and silk. With other scattered expenses, the national treasury probably has less than five million taels.”

After a pause, Shu Heng continued, “The national treasury might not even have five million taels. There are already several rebel armies in the south, with at least one hundred thousand troops fighting continuously. The consumption they produce is also a considerable amount.”

“In that case, I’m now as rich as a country,” Li Jianwei said, casually handing over the results of the confiscation. “In the Prefect of Taiyuan’s residence alone, we confiscated five hundred thousand taels of silver. There were countless other antiques and calligraphy. If we confiscate the homes of the remaining officials, we might be able to gather six million taels.”

Shu Heng couldn’t help but frown. “A prefect’s term is three years. He hasn’t even been in office for three years.”

“The more silver we confiscate from his residence, the more it means that the people here are living in poverty,” Li Jianwei said.

“Little Minister Shu, I plan to rest in Taiyuan for two months. After we finish appointing officials, we will continue to advance to the capital. What do you think?”

Shu Heng thought seriously. She wasn’t an expert in commanding troops, but she knew what it meant to have the support of the people.

“The General can declare her actions. If the soldiers can’t even get enough to eat, their morale will surely be very low. The General might be able to easily subdue them.”

Li Jianwei nodded. “That’s a good idea, but if there are too many captives, we won’t have enough provisions.”

“The General can have those surrendered soldiers participate in farming. That way, they can also earn their own keep,” Shu Heng said. “Also, the General can use the confiscated silver to purchase grain. The grain merchants in Taiyuan Prefecture will surely be very willing to sell their grain at this time.”

Compared to the officials who were about to be beheaded, the wealthy grain merchants would surely not mind trading some grain for the safety of their heads.

“Can’t we just behead them all? They have indirectly caused many people to starve to death by inflating the price of grain,” Li Jianwei asked sincerely.

We’ve already beheaded the corrupt officials. It shouldn’t be a problem to behead a few more corrupt merchants, right?

Shu Heng’s face became serious. “No, the four major grain merchants in Taiyuan are century-old brands. If the General acts rashly, it will only make the other merchants frightened and try to escape from Taiyuan.”

“If the General really wants to punish them, you can settle the scores with them slowly after the overall situation is decided. There’s no need to rush.”

“Stabilizing the situation is the most important thing right now,” Shu Heng emphasized.