The anti-Qing movement began with the looting of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

"Fourth, there probably aren't many grains left in the granaries in various places, right? Hehe! I don't want to know where the grain went, and I don't care how you handled it before. Now go back and fill them all up."

"Whether you borrow, rob, or buy, I don't care. If you can't produce the grain when I need it, you'll all be going to jail!"

"Fifth, I am about to launch a large-scale military training exercise. I will recruit soldiers throughout the entire region. I have already written the proclamation here; take it back and post it in every township and village. Officials at all levels must cooperate. Anyone who dares to prevent the people from enlisting will be subject to my military law!"

Shen Lian picked up his teacup, took a sip, and glanced around. He noticed the officials were all listening attentively with their heads down, and nodded. They were all quite sensible! Why didn't any troublemakers step forward to challenge him? He wanted to make an example of them! Too bad they wouldn't do it.

"Alright, let's talk about the issue of troops stationed in various places!" Upon hearing Shen Lian mention the military, the group of officers who had just been dozing off immediately perked up.

"You all know the current situation of the troops stationed in various places without me having to tell you. Go back immediately to eliminate the old and weak and intensify training. I will inspect various places later, and you will be appointed as high as your soldiers. Anyone who embezzles military pay or oppresses soldiers will be investigated and dealt with immediately without mercy!"

“Sir, it’s not that we don’t train our soldiers. It’s just that the imperial court often delays paying their wages, and we have no choice!” A half-gray-haired officer stepped forward and said, bowing.

"Who are you?"

"Your humble servant, Chen Dalei, Commander of Dongchang Prefecture, pays his respects, Your Excellency!"

"Commander Chen, please rise! My father once told me that you are also a valiant general on the battlefield. You have rendered great service to the court. He greatly admires you!"

"You flatter me, sir! My humble contribution is nothing compared to General Shen's!" Chen Dalei said, his face flushed, bowing respectfully. He seemed quite pleased with Shen Lian's praise, his chin puffing out slightly.

"Rest assured, now that I'm here, I will definitely solve the soldiers' food and pay problem. Under my command, not a single soldier will go hungry!" Shen Lian said resolutely.

"Thank you, sir!" The officers all knelt down.

Just then, a gunshot rang out from outside. Several more shots followed.

"What's going on? Who's firing?" Shen Lian roared, and the officials below also changed their expressions drastically.

A moment later, a guard rushed in. "Reporting, sir, the soldiers guarding the city have mutinied and surrounded the general's mansion. They're demanding their pay!"

The officials below were in a panic when they heard about this, especially the civil servants, some of whom were looking for places to hide.

"What's the panic? What can a few rabble of soldiers accomplish! What are you afraid of! Come with me and see what's going on." Shen Lian said as he walked down from the hall.

"My lord, you mustn't! Your body is of great importance, how can you go into the midst of the chaos?" Chen Dalei was the first to step forward and stop Shen Lian.

Other officials also stepped in to stop him. They were joking; what wouldn't a mutinous soldier do? These military officers knew it best. If anything happened to Shen Lian, none of them would escape.

"What should we do? If I don't get out, we'll be in big trouble if the rebel army attacks!" Shen Lian struggled angrily.

“My lord, since it is a mutiny by the city’s garrison, it is naturally the city’s garrison commander who should pacify them.” Shen Lian turned his head and saw that the speaker was Wu Huiqing, the prefect of Linqing.

At this moment, Wu Huiqing cursed Zhang Dabiao, the garrison commander of the prefecture, and his ancestors for eighteen generations in her mind. His soldiers had made her lose face in front of the governor and her colleagues.

Where is the garrison commander of the prefecture?

"Your humble servant Zhang Dabiao greets Your Excellency!" Zhang Dabiao was still puzzled! His soldiers had been behaving very well! How could such a big incident have occurred today!

"What are you still standing here for? Hurry up and comfort the soldiers. Can you take responsibility if something goes wrong?" Shen Lian said angrily.

"I'll go right away!" Zhang Dabiao strode out, thinking fiercely to himself. Who the hell is causing trouble? I'll make sure he pays the price.

A moment later, Zhang Dabiao, his face covered in blood, scrambled in. The noise outside grew even louder.

"Sir, the soldiers outside are saying that Zhang Dabiao embezzled military pay, bullied the soldiers, and even forcibly took a soldier's wife. They're all shouting to kill him. If we hadn't stopped them, he might have been beaten to death just now."

The officials were terrified by the scene, their faces turning deathly pale. They trembled, completely at a loss for what to do!

"Isn't all he asking for is for the sound of gunfire and for Zhang Dabiao to be punished? Go out and tell them that I've agreed to his request! Tell them to hurry back to camp," Shen Lian said, trying to appear calm.

"Sir, the soldiers don't want to leave. They say they won't leave until they see Zhang Dabiao punished. Otherwise, they'll continue to surround him, and they're worried that the government will settle scores with them later."

“We can’t just believe whatever they say! Here’s what we’ll do: have them send in a few representatives. I’ll try Zhang Dabiao in court, in front of so many officials, and give them an explanation.” Shen Lian said after thinking for a moment, then walked back to his seat in the courtroom.

A short while later, three junior officers walked in.

"Your humble servants Zhou Xiong, Zheng Daniu, and Wang Er pay their respects to Your Excellency, the Circuit Intendant!"

"Zhou Xiong, do you know what you're doing? A mutiny in the army is punishable by death!" Shen Lian slammed his hand on the table and shouted.

"Your Excellency, we are not mutinying! We have neither plundered the people nor attacked the government offices. We simply demand that Zhang Dabiao be punished and that his military pay be returned. Our brothers have been oppressed by him to the point of no return." Zhou Xiong said, raising his head with neither servility nor arrogance.

Shen Lian nodded inwardly. This guy, whom Zhou Xiong found from Huang Sheng, seemed to be quite talented.

"I beg Your Excellency to grant me justice! My newlywed wife was only married three months ago when Zhang Dabiao abducted her into his household. He even nearly beat me to death!" Wang Er, kneeling beside him, cried and pleaded.

“Zhou Xiong, I have always treated you well, how dare you? And Zheng Daniu, Wang Er, do you want to die?” Zhang Dabiao cursed, covering his head.

"Shut up!" Shen Lian slammed the gavel.

"What else? Please continue!"

"Sir, Zhang Dabiao not only embezzled our military pay, but also ordered the soldiers to do his work..." Zhou Xiong then listed dozens of Zhang Dabiao's crimes. Zhang Dabiao, sweating profusely, thought, "Have I done so many bad things? I don't remember."

Which officer doesn't embezzle military pay? If I don't embezzle yours, what am I supposed to eat? As for seizing a woman or two, so what? Landlords and rich people do it, and I, a dignified garrison commander, consider this a big deal?

A loud "bang!" interrupted Zhang Dabiao's thoughts.

"Zhang Dabiao, what do you have to say about what they've accused you of?"

What's the point of talking about it! Which official hasn't done something like this before!