Chapter 1911: Active Donation

Dr. Li had a subordinate retrieve a pre-prepared proclamation of peace, which was then read aloud.

The overnight change in the country, with surprisingly little bloodshed or conflict, left the people of Qiao somewhat bewildered. Black-armored warriors moved amongst them, carrying sharp blades and riding imposing horses. Though their appearance was menacing, the citizens felt no fear; rather, a sense of kinship stirred within them.

"This is the Dragon God's army," they reasoned. "They only punish the wicked and don't harm good citizens like us. What is there to fear?"

They had yearned for the black-armored army, and now it had arrived, bringing about the downfall of the detestable new monarch and his corrupt officials.

It was a dream come true.

What kind of wish should they make next?

Among the crowd, some began to murmur their wishes: "We hope for good officials, and that we can eat our fill this year!"

No sooner had the words been spoken than Dr. Li, standing on the high platform, proclaimed:

"Open the three great granaries, both within and outside the capital, and distribute grain to aid the populace!"

The crowd, who had been craning their necks, erupted in a roar of cheers.

Just when they were wondering about their future, the "black-armored army" suddenly opened the granaries and began distributing food!

In the previous change of power, the new monarch had allowed his soldiers to plunder the capital; this time, however, the black-armored army was distributing grain to relieve the entire city!

If they had harbored any lingering doubts before, they now felt a profound and tangible sense of goodwill.

Concrete actions spoke louder than any eloquent words.

The executed monarch and his courtiers had all their family assets confiscated. The remaining officials, including Administrator Yu of the capital and several old ministers and wealthy merchants, trembled at the sight, trying desperately to hide behind the crowd.

But the black-armored army, with their keen eyes, quickly pushed them forward under the torchlight. "Come here, all of you! Did you hear?"

Weng Xing stepped forward, arms crossed, and flashed a grin. "It's your turn!"

His presence carried the lingering aura of bloodshed, and the officials and merchants felt an overwhelming sense of menace, as if they themselves would be the next to face execution.

The entire group trembled like frightened chickens. The oldest merchant gasped and fainted, yet no one rushed to his aid.

Administrator Yu's lips trembled as he stammered, "Your Majesty… sirs, honorable soldiers, spare our lives! We have never committed any wrongdoing! We are willing to offer all our family wealth, only begging you to spare the lives of our families!"

He had merely followed the corrupt customs of officialdom, occasionally taking a small amount of illicit gain. Surely, that wasn't a capital offense?

Weng Su looked at him curiously. "If you've never committed any wrongdoing, why would you need to offer your family wealth to beg for your life?"

Administrator Yu was speechless.

Wasn't it obvious that this was about buying their lives? Why even ask?

"Stop causing trouble!" Dr. Li snapped, glaring at the Weng brothers before addressing the assembled officials and merchants. "There's no need to fear. We will not kill you."

At his words, everyone felt their souls return to their bodies, and they almost gasped with relief, clutching their chests. They wouldn't die!

After the shock, they found themselves drenched in sweat, on the verge of collapsing from sheer exhaustion.

"From this moment forward, there will be no Qiao Kingdom, only Qiao Prefecture. The Dragon God has appointed Shao Boyuan to serve as interim Prefectural Administrator. Look, he's right here!" Dr. Li gestured, and a scholar stepped out from among the black-armored troops, bowing to the crowd with a smile.

"My name is Shao Boyuan."

Dr. Li continued, "From this moment, Qiao Prefecture will be managed and supported by the Yangshan forces. All confiscated assets will be used for civil administration. A few of you present here have good reputations, both within the court and among the populace. By the Dragon God's decree, you shall remain to assist in governance."

The old officials exchanged bewildered glances. Administrator Yu gasped, "The Yangshan forces?"

He had never, in his wildest dreams, expected to hear those particular words.

"Indeed," Dr. Li replied with a smile. "The Island Master of Yangshan is none other than the Great Emperor of Nine Hells, another manifestation of the Dragon God walking among mortals."

Having said this, he paid no mind to the officials, who were left gaping in shock. He patted Shao Boyuan's shoulder. "This is in your hands now. If anyone dares to disobey, I'll have them slapped!"

His gaze then swept over the officials, sharp as a blade. Every official he looked upon immediately lowered their head.

Dr. Li then turned to his own tasks.

They could not linger long; they needed to prepare to move on to their next objective. Yet, conquering a nation left behind a vast number of affairs to settle.

He had little experience in such matters, and even with the Dragon God's meticulous arrangements, he found himself overwhelmed.

Meanwhile, Shao Boyuan led the former officials to the outer courtyard of the government office, reassuring them, "Those who deserved death have already met their fate. The fact that you are still standing here means the Dragon God has judged you free of major offenses. All of you may rest assured."

The black-armored army's role was to quell rebellions and execute; the task of calming the populace fell to him.

Administrator Yu nodded repeatedly, overwhelmed with gratitude. "The Dragon God is truly discerning! The Dragon God sees everything with perfect clarity!"

Having narrowly escaped death, their emotions surged. Amidst their relief, they felt a profound sense of awe and gratitude towards the black-armored army before them and the distant Dragon God.

Shao Boyuan then continued, "Qiao Prefecture has too many affairs; I cannot manage them all by myself. I will need your assistance."

Just then, someone from the back of the group of officials suddenly spoke up. "Boyuan? Are you... are you the third young master of the Shao family from Tapo in Pei Kingdom?"

Shao Boyuan's gaze sharpened. "And you are? Please step forward."

The man stepped forward and bowed to Shao Boyuan. "My name is Chen Ru, from the Bingji Merchant Guild. Seven years ago, I conducted business in Pei Kingdom; all of the Shao family's tea and wine passed through my hands."

"Ah, so you are the proprietor of Bingji," Shao Boyuan acknowledged. "I recall now. Master Chen, your business is quite extensive, spanning from here all the way to Pei Kingdom."

To have handled all the Shao family's tea and wine meant this man possessed significant wealth and connections. No wonder he was feeling anxious now.

The moment Shao Boyuan acknowledged him, Chen Ru visibly relaxed. He then tentatively offered, "Lord Shao, with the kingdom now a prefecture and everything needing to be rebuilt, we too wish to contribute our modest efforts. Bingji is prepared to donate eight thousand taels to assist the populace!"

He finished speaking, then watched Shao Boyuan with eager anticipation, fearing a refusal.

The overnight change of power had once again rendered them lambs awaiting slaughter.

Just over twenty days prior, when the new monarch of Qiao Kingdom took the throne, he had thoroughly "disciplined" them, claiming an empty treasury and extorting a hefty seventeen to eighteen thousand taels of silver.

Although it pained him, he considered it a cost to avert disaster.

Little did he know that Qiao Kingdom would collapse in less than thirty days. Now, with a new official taking charge, wouldn't he be subjected to yet another round of exploitation?

Merchants, despite their wealth, often found themselves adrift, lacking connections with both officials and commoners. Chen Ru well knew that no one sympathized with merchants, and historically, coups invariably targeted them. Therefore, he proactively offered the donation, hoping the new official would accept the money and spare his merchant guild.

Was seven or eight thousand taels too little? He was anxious, but the previous King Qiao had just drained his finances, leaving him with very little indeed.

With his lead, other merchants quickly followed suit. Major merchants pledged seven or eight thousand taels, while smaller ones offered three or four thousand, or at least several hundred.

Each one eagerly pledged a sum.

Though individual contributions were not immense, the sheer number of donors made the total sum quite substantial.

Weng Su happened to be passing by. Overhearing, he gestured towards Administrator Yu with a jut of his chin. "Those officials aren't being touched, so what are you all worried about?"

With that, he walked away.

"Crude words, but sound logic," Shao Boyuan remarked, glancing at Weng Su. He then turned to the officials and merchants with a smile. "We have just confiscated the assets of the tyrannical monarch and his treacherous ministers. This will be more than sufficient for a considerable time, until all affairs are running smoothly. You don't need to donate anything. Please, just take your money and continue with your businesses."

The merchants stood dumbfounded. The new official actually didn't want their money? This news brought them not joy, but rather an even greater sense of apprehension.