Chapter 1912: Three Strict Orders

Chen Ru grew even more agitated. "Lord Shao, we are all willing. My eight thousand taels may not be much, but in a few days, the merchant association will receive another payment. At that time, I will..."

Not taking it? Refusing would cause significant trouble! What they desired was more than just the merchant association's money!

Shao Boyuan's expression hardened. "I come bearing the will of the Dragon God. Let's be frank: you do not need to spend money to save your lives! The Dragon God has his own plans; Qiao State's future development will only get better. The new regulations to be introduced soon will also bring more business opportunities to all of you. Just put your minds at ease and conduct your businesses peacefully."

The merchants exchanged bewildered glances, unable to believe what they heard.

The Dragon God didn't want their money, but would instead provide them with more avenues to earn it?

It sounded too good to be true, almost entirely unbelievable!

"Have you forgotten that the Dragon God also oversees the Yangshan Merchant Association? He himself walks among the people; to build such a vast enterprise, he naturally values and respects merchants. He understands your struggles and hardships, so why would he easily strip you of your hard-earned profits?"

This statement was highly persuasive.

Everyone realized, indeed, the Yangshan Merchant Association's business spanned across Shanjin, always operating with benevolence and truly embodying the principle that "harmony generates wealth."

Merchants, after all, best understood their own kind.

After receiving repeated assurances, Chen Ru finally felt a measure of relief and sighed deeply. "The Dragon God is wise and understands the ways of the world!"

The Dragon God was truly unique, unlike the former tyrannical rulers and "righteous heroes" who only indulged in plunder.

"Since the Dragon God has taken control of Qiao State, you will have more opportunities to interact with Yangshan in the future," Shao Boyuan continued. "My first directive is that all businesses and shops must open as usual after dawn! If anyone fails to open their doors, they will answer to me!"

The merchants immediately assented, smiles spreading across their faces.

After offering a few more words of reassurance, Shao Boyuan dismissed the merchants. He then turned back to continue his meeting with the officials, emphasizing the crucial need to fully protect the people's livelihoods and ensure supplies, thereby preventing famine and social disorder.

During these extraordinary times, stability was the paramount concern.

County Magistrate Yu, now a little bolder, quietly said, "Lord Shao, all the food and supplies have been distributed to the common people. Without official salaries and military pay, there's no one to maintain order."

Just then, a Black Armored Army soldier quietly approached to report that their search of the Qiao King's treasury had revealed scant remaining wealth.

However, several corrupt officials and wicked bureaucrats were quite wealthy.

Shao Boyuan nodded. This outcome was also anticipated in Emperor Jiuyou's instructions.

"You need not worry about official salaries, military pay, or even food supplies; the Yangshan Merchant Association will provide assistance. A new batch of provisions will arrive as early as tomorrow afternoon!" It wasn't far from Duocheng, and according to the Dragon God's pre-arranged plan, Duocheng's supplies were intended to provision several cities.

"Furthermore, Qiao State's army will be taken away by the Black Armored Army, and the resulting vacancies will be filled by Yangshan guards. There will undoubtedly be a temporary shortage of personnel, so I ask for your patience."

The officials repeatedly affirmed their understanding, their hearts full of gratitude for surviving the catastrophe.

On the night of the regime change, they had not only saved their lives but also retained their official positions. What more could they possibly ask for?

In the distance, Weng Xing observed Shao Boyuan. "Wow, this fellow is so impassioned and eloquent, full of vigor! Where did the Dragon God find someone like him?"

The Dragon God truly commanded an abundance of talent, both familiar and new, emerging in droves.

"I heard he was selected from the Yuanxiang Association, an organization personally established by the Master," said Dr. Li. "To be chosen by the Dragon God, he must possess remarkable abilities. When he arrived in Duocheng, he spoke constantly of the Master and was eager to prove himself."

The Yuanxiang Association had gathered many like-minded young talents from across the Shanjin Plain. In retrospect, it seemed Emperor Jiuyou had established the Yuanxiang Association specifically for this day's rebellion, a testament to his remarkable foresight.

"I just hope he's not another sycophant, but someone with actual substance," Weng Xing muttered, watching the merchants disperse with a regretful click of his tongue. "We finally won a battle, and all these plump sheep were let go without being butchered, alas."

In the past, these were precisely the types the Weng brothers loved to prey upon.

Merchants, by nature, hoarded goods and inflated prices; robbing them was merely enacting justice on behalf of Heaven.

Oh, perhaps that's not quite right to say. The Master himself was a merchant when he established the Yangshan Merchant Association.

"The Master has repeatedly emphasized that we are strictly forbidden from harming ordinary merchants and wealthy gentry," stated Dr. Li, who, as a leading general, was obligated to fully grasp the intent of their orders. "Plundering them offers only temporary gratification but severely damages order and the people's livelihoods. The supply of resources for a territory as vast as Qiao State cannot solely depend on the Yangshan Merchant Association."

The Weng brothers paid no heed to such concerns, instead following him gleefully. "It turns out destroying a country is simpler than killing Xue Zongwu! If we'd known that sooner, it would have been wonderful to just seize a throne and have some fun!"

"Qiao State is weak, its area only one-third that of Luodian," Dr. Li said, casting a sideways glance at them. "Conquering Qiao isn't hard; the challenge lies in the preparation beforehand and the management afterward. Such a large enterprise cannot afford any slip-ups. Can you two handle that?"

Weng Xing rubbed his nose. "Never mind."

They couldn't even support themselves; how could they possibly sustain an entire state?

Dr. Li sighed. "Only Lord Dragon God could achieve this with such apparent ease."

Weng Xing asked, intrigued, "You're smarter than both of us. Yet, I sense you revere the Dragon God even more than we do?"

They had only become utterly convinced after personally witnessing Emperor Jiuyou defeat Xue Zongwu.

Dr. Li sighed slowly. "Precisely because I am smarter than you, I can better appreciate the Dragon God's true magnificence! My own meager talents, when compared to his, are as insignificant as a distant star's glimmer next to the brilliant moon."

Weng Xing clapped his hands. "Impressive! Even a clever person's flattery sounds better!"

He immediately added, "Oh no, it seems the Pang brothers of Ruhai have already captured their second town. We can't let them outdo us!"

"They're taking towns while we're conquering entire states, so naturally, our progress is faster!" Weng Su rubbed his hands, eagerly pressing Dr. Li. "Where do we attack next? Bicheng?"

"Yes, Bicheng," Dr. Li replied seriously. "However, according to the Dragon God's plan, we will divide our forces here. You two brothers will go to Bicheng, and I will head to Guaizipo. We are fighting from the locations designated by the Dragon God, and it will become increasingly challenging the further we advance, so be mentally prepared! Now, we must reorganize the existing Qiao State army, especially the capital guard, and lead them away in separate divisions. Time is short, so let's move quickly."

Meanwhile, Chen Ru returned to his Bingji Merchant Association, his legs still feeling a little unsteady.

Tonight's regime change had been incredibly intense. As he watched people come and go on the street, he felt an unsettling sense of unreality, as if he had been transported to a different era.

His home was just an alley away from the Bingji Merchant Association; he could reach it by simply exiting the association's back door.

The moment he stepped through his door, his wife and children clustered around him, asking in hushed tones, "Master, are the bags packed? Are we leaving now?"

With Qiao State's sudden upheaval, this place was no longer safe to stay.

Prosperous families like theirs, with a bit of wealth, were constantly eyed by countless people. Should local unrest erupt, they would inevitably suffer.