Dream of the Red Chamber: Rising from Refugees to Sweep Across the Land

Chapter 61 Killing to Proceed with Food

"drop!"

A drop of rain fell on the floor tile in front of the prefect of Datong.

The prefect of Datong, kneeling on the ground, repeatedly protested, "Every word I have said is true. I beg Your Excellency to judge for yourself and clear my name!"

clean?

Liu Feng sneered inwardly. If he hadn't obtained the evidence from the Datong commander that the Datong prefect was colluding with local powerful figures, he probably would have been fooled by the other party's fearful and innocent appearance.

However, the claim of information leakage doesn't seem like a lie.

It seems that the problem mostly lies with the Fan family.

Liu Feng thought for a moment, then asked, "Where is the Fan family mansion? What's the situation with the servants and guards there?"

The prefect of Datong raised his head, his Adam's apple bobbing: "The entire Fan family left the city before dark! I noticed something was amiss and feared something might happen, so I summoned all the yamen runners here."

"They've left the city?" Liu Feng's eyes flashed.

The prefect of Datong hurriedly explained, "The Fan family has built a manor outside the city, which is extremely well-fortified, comparable to a small city. The entire manor is built with high walls of blue bricks, and there is a watchtower every few feet, making it heavily guarded. The manor houses hundreds of guards and servants, and it is said that there are quite a few Mongols among them."

Liu Feng was stunned at first, then cursed the Datong commander, who had already lost his head, in his mind. Such important information, how could the commander's office not have it!

No wonder the Tartars have grown stronger in recent years, rendering their border intelligence network virtually useless. I wonder how much military supplies the Shanxi merchants have been secretly sending out.

Just then, a Jinyiwei guard, soaked to the bone and with his face covered in rain, rushed in and bowed, saying, "Sir, Lieutenant General Li has sent an urgent report that someone took advantage of the caravan leaving the city to attack the guards at the East Gate and escape."

"A caravan leaving the city?"

"It is said that the city gate official accepted money from the caravan and let people out of the city without permission."

A thousand mythical beasts raced through Liu Feng's mind in an instant; this guy really valued money over his life.

Since someone has escaped the city, it seems our previous guess was correct. Let's just hope things don't get too bad.

"General Li has already led his men to the armory to inventory the weapons and has instructed that if you are done with your work, sir, please go and check on the granary."

Liu Feng nodded approvingly. This Li Mu was quite good; he handled things reliably. The city's military equipment and provisions were fundamental to its defense. How long the city could hold out once besieged depended entirely on these two things.

Thinking it over, he glanced back at the prefect of Datong who was still kneeling there, said "Behead him," and strode out.

"Your Excellency, spare my life! Have mercy... You... you will suffer a terrible death!"

......................

"My lord, the imperial envoy has arrived!"

The granary clerk felt a sudden panic. Suppressing his anxiety, he quickly went out to greet him and bowed respectfully.

"Grain Depot Registrar greets Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy!"

The granary clerk smiled broadly. "I've prepared some tea in the duty room. It's damp and rainy outside, so why don't you take a break and have some hot tea to warm yourself up?"

Liu Feng: "Go to the grain depot."

Left with no other choice, the registrar led Liu Feng into the granary.

The warehouse was completely full, filled with grain bins as tall as a person.

Liu Feng casually lifted the straw cover of a grain bin, grabbed a handful of millet, brought it to his nose to sniff, and nodded in satisfaction.

He inspected three more grain bins, all of which contained plump, dry, and intact grains without the slightest flaw.

The group toured the granary and were about to leave.

Suddenly, Liu Feng flipped his wrist, drew his goose-feather knife from his waist, and plunged it into the grain bin beside him, splitting it open and golden millet tumbling out.

Liu Feng picked up a grain, put it in his mouth, tasted it carefully, and nodded in satisfaction: "You've done a good job of ensuring grain supply and protecting the granaries. Excellent! You're much more responsible than those officials in the capital's granaries who are just sitting around doing nothing."

The registrar quickly bowed humbly, saying, "Your Excellency flatters me. How could I possibly compare myself to my superiors in the capital..."

"If you have made a contribution, you deserve it; there is no need to be modest."

Liu Feng sheathed his sword and casually patted the bottom of the grain bin. "Those who have rendered meritorious service should be rewarded..."

But when he struck, Liu Feng's smile froze. He struck twice more heavily, and the registrar beside him turned deathly pale.

Liu Feng glanced back at him, then with a whoosh, drew his sword again and slashed it hard across the belly of the grain bin!

With a snap, the grain bin burst open, and this time it wasn't millet that spilled out, but soil!

Liu Feng's face darkened. Without saying a word, he swung his sword and slashed down three grain silos. Without exception, all that flowed out was mud.

"I deserve to die! I deserve to die..." The registrar's legs went weak, and he knelt heavily on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly: "The granaries of Datong have not been fully stocked for several years..."

Liu Feng suppressed his anger: "How much grain is left?"

The registrar reported: "Your Majesty, the accounts state 110,000 shi, but the actual warehouse holds 60,000 shi. This includes a considerable amount of damp, moldy, and stale grain; the truly edible amount is less than 40,000 shi..."

Liu Feng's face darkened, and he asked again, "If Datong is besieged, how much food could sustain it for more than three months?"

The registrar thought for a moment and replied, "At least... 150,000 shi (a unit of dry measure) are needed."

Liu Feng nodded, then with a backhand slash, he knocked the man to the ground.

He casually flicked the blood off his knife and said to Wang Daniu, "Confiscate his property. Also, inform all the wealthy merchants and magnates in the city that this imperial envoy will be hosting a banquet for them here."

Wang Daniu was slightly taken aback: "That must cost a lot of money..."

Liu Feng raised his foot to kick him, and Wang Daniu was so frightened that he turned around and ran away.

Looking at the Imperial Guards at the door, Liu Feng said, "Go to the duty room and bring back the tables, chairs, benches, and that tea."

In his past life, Liu Feng loved to lie in bed at night and listen to the rain. The pattering rain would always calm his restless mind.

But now, in this city of Datong, the sound of rain only made him feel more and more irritable and anxious.

After an unknown amount of time, Wang Daniu's voice rang out from outside the door: "Sir, all the wealthy merchants and tycoons in the city have been invited."

Liu Feng slowly opened his eyes. There were more than twenty people standing in the courtyard. The old man at the head was dressed in the robes of a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations. He had a calm demeanor. Behind him stood several middle-aged men in scholar's robes. The rest of the people were all dressed in silk robes and brocade robes, exuding wealth and nobility.

"Come in, everyone." Liu Feng sat up straight.

The old scholar was the first to step in. As he passed the registrar's body, he paused slightly, then walked to the table with his expression unchanged and bowed to Liu Feng, saying, "Greetings, Your Excellency the Imperial Envoy."

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy!" The crowd behind him followed suit, those with official titles bowing with their hands clasped, and those without kneeling. The manners were passable.

Liu Feng raised his hand in a gesture of support: "Sit down."

The old scholar glanced at the cold tea on the table, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes, but he didn't show it on his face. He sat down to Liu Feng's right.

The others did not sit; they stood respectfully behind the old scholar with their hands at their sides.

After a few polite exchanges, the old scholar took out a bank draft from his sleeve, gently placed it on the table, and said with a smile, "Your presence in Datong, Your Excellency, truly brings honor to this humble place. I hope you will not find this small gift too offensive."

Liu Feng glanced at it; three thousand taels—not a small amount, but not much either.

He didn't mince words: "To be honest, there is a severe shortage of military rations in Datong City. I have invited you all here today to ask you to generously donate supplies so that we can get through this difficult time together."

Everyone looked at the old scholar, waiting for him to make a decision.

The old scholar pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Your Excellency is unaware of the situation. Although Datong has enjoyed favorable weather for the past two years, the Mongols have repeatedly raided and plundered southwards. Normally, each family not only has to contribute money and grain to the General's Office, but also support their own families and help their neighbors. Right now, the new grain hasn't even been stored yet, and everyone is truly strapped for cash. There are..."

I want to help, but I really don't have the resources to spare.

Hearing this, Liu Feng almost laughed in anger: "Think carefully, everyone. If the Great Harmony is lost, won't you all lose your fields, your gold and silver treasures, and your wives, children, and elderly parents?"

Then, changing the subject, he asked, "Or are you saying you're not afraid of an Mongol invasion?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed simultaneously.

The old scholar lowered his eyes and remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "When the country is in trouble, we should do our utmost to help. However, my family is in dire straits and we simply cannot afford to give any extra food."

As he spoke, he took out a bank draft from his sleeve and gently pushed it out: "Five hundred taels of silver, a small token of my appreciation."

Everyone else took out their money.

"One hundred taels."

"Fifty taels."

Thirty taels.

Liu Feng picked up the bowl of tea, which had long since gone cold, and drank it all in one gulp. He then looked up at everyone and said, "We've done our courtesy and said all the nice things. Now, it's time to settle the score."

His gaze shifted to the old scholar, "You colluded with the commanders of the Datong Thousand Household and the Datong Guard, oppressing your neighbors and exploiting the people. Not only did you forcibly seize farmland, but you even dared to embezzle and encroach upon military farmland..."

The old scholar, far from being frightened, scoffed, his eyes filled with contempt: "Do you have any evidence? Based solely on rumors from the streets, what do you intend to do? What can you possibly accomplish!"

"Good question!"

The teacup in Liu Feng's hand fell to the ground.

Wang Daniu drew his knife and slit the old scholar's neck in one stroke.

"Murder!"

The Imperial Guards rushed in and started hacking at anyone they saw...