Sweep Yuan

Chapter 72 Rebellion Requires the Blood of Nobles
Deng Youde was sent by his father to the West Market to investigate the situation. He returned a little late. As soon as he entered Qing Shi Fang, he was summoned by the Fang Zheng who was leading the way to Shi Shan, and he could not get away.

He shouted this before entering his own yard to warn the rebels that the contraband in his home might be discovered, giving his father and brothers some time to react.

Shi Shan saw through the burly young man's little scheme at a glance and gave Gong Wu a wink. The latter quickly led his men in and pushed open the door. Shi Shan, wearing leather armor, followed behind. As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw Deng Youlong helping Deng Shunxing out of the main room.

"This humble man, Deng Shunxing, pays his respects to Commander Qianhu."

Deng Shunxing made a move to kneel down, but Shi Shan strode forward and helped him up.

“We’re all rough men, no need for such formalities. Brother Deng is injured, please go back inside and sit down.”

Although Deng Shunxing had previously fought against the rebels and the two sides were enemies rather than friends, Shishan had posted a notice yesterday declaring "no repercussions for past grievances," and today he personally visited him, addressing him as an elder brother and emphasizing that "we are all rough men," so it must not be anything bad.

Having spent many years in the underworld, Deng Shunxing was quite experienced and could easily handle such a situation. He immediately and tactfully avoided mentioning his awkward identity, acting as if they were old acquaintances, and stepped aside to let him pass.

"Sir, please come inside!"

The group entered the house and took their seats according to their status as guests and hosts. Deng Shunxing instructed his two sons to serve tea and water, but Shishan stopped him.

"No need, Brother Deng is a straightforward person, and I don't like formalities. I've come today because I have important business to discuss with you."

The opportunity is coming!

Deng Shunxing suppressed his excitement and tried to keep his tone calm, not wanting to reveal his emotions.

"Please speak, Thousand Households."

Shi Shan was busy with many things and didn't want to waste time beating around the bush, so he directly stated his purpose.

“Hongxian is the gateway to Huai’an Road. The government troops will certainly not sit idly by and let the Red Turban Army establish itself here. I know that Brother Deng is bold and trustworthy and has a good reputation. I intend to ask Brother Deng to come out of the mountains and lead the local militia of Hongxian to assist our army in fighting against the Tartars. Brother Deng, are you willing?”

The two were meeting for the first time and had no real relationship. Deng Shunxing had even killed several rebel soldiers in battle, and many of his sworn brothers and militiamen had also died at the hands of the rebels. Even if he really wanted to take on this matter, he couldn't appear too eager.

"I have no special abilities and only wish to be a wealthy man. I am afraid I will fail the trust placed in me by the commander."

Shi Shan chuckled inwardly, realizing that Deng Shunxing was clearly not a law-abiding person, yet he was putting on a calm act in front of him. He said:
"Secretly controlling 30% of the private salt business in Hong County and collecting money from merchants in the East Market, is this how Brother Deng makes a wealthy man?"

Knowing that his secrets had been exposed long ago, Deng Shunxing realized that Shi Shan had come prepared, so he took another step back, his tone becoming even weaker.

"Compared to the grand business of a thousand households, my humble existence is nothing but petty theft, not worth mentioning."

Having said all that, Shishan simply stated it plainly:

"The Tartars are tyrannical, and the world is in chaos. How can a true man born into this world hesitate and be timid? Brother Deng, although there are many opportunities to gain wealth and status in chaotic times, they are fleeting. Hesitation will only lead to further chaos. If you don't sit at your desk, you will end up in the cauldron!"

These words were both a blatant threat and a wake-up call, striking Deng Shunxing directly into his heart. He finally understood where he had gone wrong. Being a decisive and bold man, he immediately rose, bowed, and said:
"The heart of the thousand households is as vast as the sea, and they do not hold grudges. Shunxing is willing to serve the thousand households, and from now on, we will go through water and fire!"

Shishan is not like Zhao Junyong. Since he has decided to win over Deng Shunxing, he will not hesitate to invest the necessary resources.

"Haha, good! I knew Brother Deng was a man of great things. Our army is newly established and is in dire need of soldiers and armor. We should have a high-quality army rather than a large one. In the initial stage, we can only give you a force of 500 men. You should first draft a plan for its establishment and submit it to us as soon as possible."

"Chief!" As the saying goes, once you've done something, you might as well go all the way. Deng Shunxing knew the rules of the Jianghu well. Since he was determined to join the righteous army, he could no longer be in a fence-sitting mentality. If he didn't hand over a pledge of loyalty and cut off his own way out, how could he gain Shishan's true trust?
“The grain stored in the official granaries of Hong County is limited and may not be enough to build the city or expand the army.”

It works!

Shi Shan looked at Deng Shunxing with great interest and said:

"To be honest, Brother Deng, there are indeed vacancies, and I'm really worried about this. Do you have any good ideas, Brother Deng?"

"I dare not offer a brilliant strategy, but I have some knowledge of the local situation. The Fan family of Fanwei colludes with Tartar officials to seize land by trickery and force, owning the largest tract of land and accumulating no less than ten thousand bushels of grain. The Liang family in the west of the city is rich but unkind and commits many illegal acts. If we can take down these two families, the righteous army will not have to worry about money and food for at least half a year."

The confessions given yesterday by Fang Zhongwen, Feng Yu, and three minor officials all mentioned the Fan and Liang families. The amount of evidence they listed may vary, but it was no more prominent than that of the other major families.

The reason why Shishan did not take immediate action was that he felt there was too little evidence and the charges were too minor. If he treated everyone equally and let it go lightly, it would be difficult to deter people.

Although he was eager to stabilize Hong County, he did not want a Hong County where nothing had changed except for the city guards and the officials in the government offices.

After all, if simply using a bamboo pole to knock a few tiles off the eaves of the government office constitutes a rebellion, then such a rebellion is far too childish.

The fighting on the city walls and the deaths of some ordinary people's sons are only one of the necessary costs of rebellion. Only by killing officials and wealthy families, shedding the blood of the powerful, and then distributing their spoils appropriately to the lower classes, can more people be encouraged to participate in the great cause of rebellion.

Deng Shunxing, having just joined the gang, was eager to prove his loyalty and immediately betrayed the local tycoon who had been oppressing him. However, this inadvertently made a crucial difference, filling a vital gap in the "Red Heart Camp's" foothold in Hong County.

However, having learned a lesson from the bloody revenge of the Chulan Station Ding, and especially after heeding Chen Cheng's advice, Shishan did not want to handle the matter too hastily.

"We are a righteous army, not thieves who rob and plunder. Even if we want to kill those corrupt officials and gentry, we must have a reason and evidence so that no one, inside or outside, can find fault with us. Brother Deng, do you have evidence of the illegal acts committed by the Liang and Fan families, and who are the victims?"

Not to mention that Liang and Fan have committed many unjust acts and have suppressed the Deng family in the past, the Liang family even forcibly seized their own ancestral land.

Moreover, there is no turning back from rebellion. If they do not kill to establish their authority and bring down the Liang and Fan families in one fell swoop, the Deng family will not be able to establish their superior position in Hong County. Even if they unite the local militia, there will be hidden dangers within the family.

Deng Shunxing quickly regained the ruthlessness he had when he first entered the world of martial arts, made up his mind, and gritted his teeth, saying:

"Yes! By this time tomorrow at the latest, Shunxing will present the plan for the establishment of the local militia camp, along with witnesses and physical evidence of the illegal acts committed by the Liang and Fan families, to the Qianhu household!"

"it is good!"

Shi Shan worried that Deng Shunxing, eager to make a name for himself, might handle things carelessly, so he added before leaving:

"I want the money and supplies, and I also want the stability of Hong County. This operation is limited to the Liang and Fan families and should not be expanded further. I urge Brother Deng to act in secrecy and not let the news leak out."

Deng Shunxing's roots are in Hong County. If he could, he wouldn't want to kill a single villager. But whether he wanted to establish his authority by killing people to coerce his fellow villagers or to pledge allegiance to gain more support from Shishan, he couldn't afford to be merciful at this moment.

However, the fact that Commander Shi clearly stated that his actions were limited to the Liang and Fan families still made Deng Shunxing, a local strongman, somewhat grateful.

"With the commander's benevolence and righteousness on my side, I will certainly not fail the commander's trust!"

(End of this chapter)