Chapter 1971: The Impending Military Disaster

Wang Furen murmured, "No wonder it's bustling and busy everywhere."

Fan Shuang added, "I've only just realized, after looking at the accounts these past few days, that the former county magistrate and gentry of Miancheng were executed by the Black Armored Army. Their properties were put up for sale at low prices, but with conditions: the government takes a stake and receives annual dividends, and there are additional requirements like immediate operation, prohibiting hoarding or leaving properties idle. For example, the tin mine on the back mountain – the new owner must immediately recruit workers to dig, and provide the Yangshan Chamber of Commerce with 2,000 jin of roughly smelted tin ore monthly. I checked, and before it changed hands, this mine only produced 800 jin per month. The new owner is under considerable pressure, so they've hired many more people, and the mine has been working overtime recently."

"When I went to audit the accounts at the mine, I noticed a small village had sprung up at the foot of the mountain, catering specifically to miners. There were quite a lot of people there."

Wang Furen asked curiously, "What's going on? Does Yangshan need to acquire so many mines?"

"The Yangshan Chamber of Commerce and the Dragon God Army both belong to He Xiao; he's fighting a war and conducting business at the same time." Fan Shuang had been pondering this for days. "But with the front lines capturing cities and territories, money is being spent most fiercely. Yet, the rear is still spending so lavishly. I wonder how many mountains of gold and silver Brother He has to dare spend so recklessly."

Of course, the authorities and Yangshan also encouraged private merchants and gentry to acquire ownerless assets, especially large ones, promoting employment and increased operations. After all, Yangshan couldn't monopolize all the business in Shanjin, nor did the Dragon God have enough money to support everyone.

Wang Furen incidentally inquired about the wages, exclaiming, "So low?"

It was no exaggeration to say that the money to hire one full-time laborer in Tianshui City was enough to hire four manual laborers here.

Labor in Shanjin was incredibly cheap, beyond imagination.

"It's no exaggeration to say that these people were lucky to get even a bite to eat before, so these wages are very generous in Miancheng," Fan Shuang chuckled. "From what I see in the accounts, wages are settled every three or five days, with no delays, which makes people very happy. So there are plenty of people willing to work! Shanjin Plain is different from the former Yao State. If the wages you offer are enough for a man to support himself, he'll work diligently; if they're enough for him to support his wife and children as well, he'll work his heart out."

Fan's father interjected, "When these people earn money, they'll eventually spend it, which is why Miancheng's markets and commerce have become so lively, just as we see them now."

Where there is demand, there is trade; where there is trade, there is circulation. With both supply and demand thriving, a city gains vitality.

"He Xiao spoke several times at the Yuanxiang Assembly, saying that the chaos in Shanjin stemmed from poverty – poverty breeds all evils. As long as the common people have a livelihood and a way out, hearts will naturally stabilize, and half the troubles will resolve themselves. At the time, some said he was just spouting empty theories, and that the root cause was an intractable problem." Fan Shuang clapped his hands in admiration. "Who would have thought He Xiao not only identified the root cause but also intended to cure it? He is truly extraordinary."

The prerequisite for living in peace and working contentedly is that people can earn money; the prerequisite for peace in all directions is that people hold hope. He Xiao was now providing commoners with opportunities to work hard and earn money, thereby stabilizing the crucial rear area that the Black Armored Army had fought so hard to secure.

Simply put, if the common people can eat their fill and earn money in the future, who would be willing to risk their lives to rebel?

"Didn't they say he's the reincarnation of the Dragon God? Then, of course, he's not an ordinary man," Wang Furen said, puzzled. "To fund so many massive projects, even mountains of gold and silver wouldn't be enough. Where does he get so much money?"

"That, I don't know," Fan Shuang shrugged. "But I've seen records in the ledgers showing several large transactions settled directly with Xuanjing."

What immense wealth!

Xuanjing was also a hard currency and could be used as money, though its high denomination made it impractical for ordinary transactions. For example, one jin of medium-yellow Xuanjing was currently worth approximately twenty thousand taels of silver, enough to buy over thirty-five thousand shi of grain.

"Also, when the Black Armored Army first took Miancheng, the county magistrate and several wealthy families were raided and beheaded for their evil deeds and exploitation of the common people. A significant amount of money was confiscated and deposited into public accounts, and funds for road construction also came from there."

At this point in the conversation, Fan's father's expression grew serious. "I received news at the yamen that the grain transported from the west to Miancheng was intercepted twice by Guo Baiyu. This man is truly relentless, and he's becoming increasingly brazen even in the Dragon God's territory. According to the intelligence the yamen received, Guo's army has grown significantly in just the past half-month, with troops arriving from other areas specifically to join him."

"When will the Black Armored Army put a stop to them?" Wang Furen interjected. "Doesn't the Black Armored Army specialize in fighting villains? And isn't our benefactor, your friend Mr. Tu, part of the Black Armored Army?"

Wang Furen's three rapid questions left both father and son silent.

Fan's father could only reply, "Military operations are not as simple as you imagine."

Fan Shuang scratched his head. "Brother Tu doesn't seem to have come with the main force."

"What? Just a few of them?" Wang Furen said, disappointed. "What good will that do!"

"I tried to ask, but he wouldn't say," Fan Shuang replied. "However, the county defender is very respectful towards him, and he often goes to the villages."

Fan's father added, "When I went to Cotton Village, two military officers told me that Captain Tu was training their troops. He taught them how to listen to whistles, how to interpret hand gestures, and how to read flag signals. Of course, what he taught most was how to kill on the battlefield, how to support teammates, and he even said killing enemies was like chewing tobacco: you might spit the first time, choke the second, but by the third, you can't stop."

"Training troops?" Fan Shuang understood, but his mood grew heavier.

Black Armored Army soldiers coming to train local militias was not a good sign in itself; it meant the Dragon God Army wouldn't be arriving anytime soon. To resist Guo Baiyu, Miancheng would have to rely on itself.

Five days later, bad news arrived: Guo Baiyu had captured Tuocheng, a place not far from Miancheng.

Fifteen days later, Guo Baiyu successively conquered a village and a county. His appetite seemed to be growing, and according to the descriptions of refugees pouring into Miancheng, Guo's army appeared to be swelling even further, with strange demonic beasts appearing on the battlefield that ordinary mortals found hard to resist.

In those defensive battles, the military and civilians fought valiantly, but suffered heavy casualties and were ultimately unable to turn the tide.

The Fan father and son couldn't understand why Guo Baiyu, who was far less formidable when serving under Dan Zezhong in Yao State, seemed to have divine assistance after arriving in Shanjin Plain.

The local militias from those districts and counties also retreated to the remaining cities, causing a surge in Miancheng's military and civilian population. The atmosphere was one of extreme tension, with everyone on edge.

Everyone understood that Guo Baiyu would attack Miancheng sooner or later.

They abandoned all illusions and prepared for battle.

Addressing the fear and unease among the city residents, the authorities also vigorously mobilized everyone: "Take up arms and defend your homes!"

Externally, Miancheng urgently worked to heighten its city walls and deepen its moats.