The Mysterious Ming Dynasty: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom

Chapter 41 Heaven creates all things to nourish man, yet man has nothing to repay Heaven.

The next day.

Tianjin City.

Three bridges have been erected across the Haihe River, connecting the two banks.

The psionic warriors who patrolled back and forth all wore jade waist badges and carried water and fire clubs.

Furthermore, the Feathered Scale Guards looked down from a distance of three hundred paces in the air.

West of the canal, a closed passageway leads directly to the Palace of Saints.

The ice walls, made of antlers, block the way on both sides, leaving a smooth ice path about three zhang long.

The torchbearers, who had traveled from afar, could only pass quickly by sled.

To the left of the nine-story platform of the Liesheng Palace is a spacious and airy long building, the Taiping Jingguo Hall.

A forest of steles stands in the hall, all carved by Si Chen himself, using his own hands as a knife.

People gathered on either side of the stone tablet, silently reciting its inscription.

In order to obtain the qualification to make rubbings, some people even moved their entire families here, just to settle down and study.

The newly relocated Torch People and Tiangong groups set up their new camps on the east bank of the Haihe River, organized by family units, and were originally guarded by the Tianjin Weicheng.

Of course, there were also those Tiangong who couldn't tolerate the strictness of the Water Palace and left.

The most crowded place was the temple of Zhonghuang Taiyi.

The main hall, completely imbued with the colors of the Sichen Dragon Vein, ranges from sky blue to deep blue from the roof to the ground, standing out starkly from the surrounding buildings.

The nine-story platform of the Taiyi Temple is much higher than the surrounding area.

The surrounding buildings were mostly low, including the government office.

Surrounded by twelve tiger guards, Si Chen passed through the Taiyi Temple.

The ground was so smooth it was almost reflective, and several craftsmen were drawing patterns on it with their apprentices.

Arriving at the backyard, I pushed open the door and went straight in.

The twelve tiger guards stopped at the gate.

"Good day, Your Excellency." Liu Ding, Liu Jia, Liu Ji, and Cao Youyi all stood up in unison.

Si Chen sat calmly.

"Gentlemen, I will be traveling to Xichuan soon. Any objections?"

Everyone was caught off guard by this sudden decision, and their hearts were filled with anxiety. After a burst of noisy conversation,

"My lord, what important matter in Sichuan requires your presence?"

Si Chen said solemnly, "As the ancients often said, those whose virtue does not match their position will surely suffer calamity."

Therefore, one who is not in a position should not concern himself with its affairs.

Now, I can finally advocate for the people of the world.

To achieve peace and tranquility is my lifelong wish.

Zhang Xianzhong's invasion of Kuizhou is imminent, and his transformation into a powerful ruler is imminent.

I do not wish for Western Sichuan to suffer the ravages of war, and I also wish to preserve some vitality for the world.

Si Chen looked around and said, "In my youth, I was constantly on the move and all I wanted was a peaceful night's sleep."

He found peace and security in practicing in the family temple, and gradually developed the ambition to slay demons and monsters.

On the day of Tianqi's extermination of demons, seeing the suffering of all sentient beings in the world, I only wish for peace throughout the land.

Being poor cares themselves, being wealthy cares the world.

A person's aspirations are elevated as their horizons broaden.

He has the power to stop it, yet he doesn't; that is also an act of evil.

He can fool others, but he can't fool himself.

The enmity of those who obstruct our path is irreconcilable; who would dare to stop us?

long silence.

Jiazi stood up and asked, "The city's military strength is far from sufficient. It is enough to defend itself, but if something changes, I fear we will be unable to respond effectively and will be at a loss in the face of an emergency."

Si Chen said, "Expand the army. I'll give you a full complement of three thousand men."

Jiazi nodded. "In that case, my wish is fulfilled."

Everyone was stunned and stared blankly at Jiazi.

Why did you end it so easily?

Shouldn't we at least try to argue our case reasonably?

Cao Youyi looked left and right, then stood up helplessly. "Going on horseback with nothing is not a foolproof plan."

In this world, an individual's fighting ability is ultimately limited.

It can repel a thousand troops, but it can never withstand ten thousand men alone.

Si Chen slowly said, "If I don't take this risky move, how can I save the world and bring peace?"

Cao Youyi said no more.

Ding Chou stood up. "Your Excellency, you may have the Feather Scale Guards accompany you. There will always be someone to do some miscellaneous tasks."

Liu Ji folded her wings, looked at Si Chen, and indicated that she was fine with it.

Si Chen refused outright.

"No need, the journey is arduous, more than 2,800 li."

Even with the abilities of the Feathered Scale Guards, it would still take ten days, even if they worked day and night. That's too slow.

"I am alone with my sword; my journey will take no more than ten days."

Although they can fly, they are still heavily armored units, and this kind of long-distance flight is just too unfair.

This is the true value of sword light transforming into a rainbow, enveloping the physical body and allowing it to soar into the azure sky.

Liu Ji lowered her head and sat down quietly in the corner, secretly pleased. These bastards, it's easy for them to talk when they're not in the situation. What can she protect?

Are they trying to work her to death?

Si Chen looked around and said, "For external affairs, we can consult the Six Ding Protectors. Military matters will be decided by Jia Zi. The salt fields will be handed over to Cao Youyi. The garrison city, the government office, and the Taiping Jingguo Hall will be decided by all of you."

The White Horse Cavalry split up and set up camp, while the Feathered Unicorn Guards and Tiger Warriors patrolled the left and right sides of the Liesheng Palace and the Taiping Jingguo Hall.

Everyone was helpless, saying, "We will obey your orders."

Si Chen waved his hand, "Everyone, please leave. There's no need to waste your time here."

A moment later, Jiazi returned and waited on the left and right.

Si Chen stood with his hands behind his back by the window, his fingers lightly stroking the glass panes.

These are byproducts newly refined by the Heavenly Craftsmen, mostly used in the army, with a small portion laid in the Palace of the Holy Sages and the Hall of Peaceful State.

"The Water Palace Treasury is full, but we still cannot be complacent."

Another locust plague is expected soon.

The merchant of Pu had been captured by Li Zicheng, Pingyang Prefecture was breached, and Han Kuang's descendants were seized.

They sent a letter explaining their predicament and offering to hand over the treasure ship without taking a single penny.

However, grain could no longer be transported to the capital.

Nothing in this world can always go as planned.

Jiazi bowed and said, "Your Excellency, I was just about to explain this matter."

Some people poison the grains, or bake them with sulfur, or soak them in water to make them moldy.

Grain prices remain high, costing more than ten thousand coins per bushel.

Si Chen suddenly turned around.

"Did you write down their names?"

Jiazi presented a list with both hands, saying, "Of course."

Si Chen took it and said, "I will handle this matter openly, you don't need to worry about it. I will make a big show of cutting off the heads of these unscrupulous merchants to celebrate our victory."

You maintain order, focusing most of your energy underground, secretly collecting in the ghost market.

Don't be afraid to spend money; food is the foundation of people's hearts, and wealth spent can be regained.

At this point, Si Chen's murderous intent intensified.

Heaven creates all things to nourish humankind, yet humankind has nothing to repay Heaven.

What a bunch of scoundrels! How dare they hoard goods and speculate at this time?

I'm afraid I might have the life to take it, but not the life to spend it.

"Lead the way, let's go to the barracks first."

They were to be sacrificed at noon to consecrate the flag.

"We'll head south under cover of darkness at midnight tonight."

Jiazi dared not slacken his efforts in the slightest, and replied, "Yes, sir!"

After a period of recuperation, the person in charge seems to have become even more murderous. With a weapon in hand, the desire to kill arises spontaneously.

There are still too many inhuman things in this world.

Those petty people fear power but do not cherish virtue.

What to do? Only kill.

Under the banner of the Seven Stars of the North Star, the Xuanhuang Banner.

Si Chen met with the newly recruited warriors. "How are these soldiers?"

Jiazi pointed to the back of the group, "Most of these have already entered the ranks of 'garrison warriors,' but their quality varies. Some are only slightly proficient in the six arts of military strategy, while others are illiterate and can barely summon cotton armor without even having memorized military tactics."

Jiazi pointed to the front of the group, "The other half are 'Jinyi Warriors,' who have studied and practiced martial arts at the Jinyi Martial Academy and are literate."

Si Chen looked around.

"Well, it's okay if there's a difference."

This can be made up for; I gave them a chance to learn.

If you still don't live up to expectations, then get out of the bandit group.

Gambling is strictly prohibited in the military; violators will be prosecuted and expelled from Tianjin.

You need to make this clear to them.

Order is the cornerstone of the military.

Of the three vices—gambling, prostitution, and drugs—gambling is the most detrimental to one's morale.

Jiazi quickly explained, "Don't worry, Your Excellency, this will absolutely not happen."

They also cherish this opportunity very much.

The camp provides closed training, preventing outside bad habits from getting in.

Si Chen glanced at him. "That was for the best."

After saying that, Si Chen raised his hand and made a loose grasping motion.

A brand new military token materialized in his hand.

The golden tortoise symbol gradually twisted and transformed into a fish-dragon, its entire body silvery-white, yet faintly permeated with a hint of golden light.

Following the old system, Si Chen enlightened the White Horse Righteous Cavalry one by one.

The brilliance of this military formation was immediately apparent.

The lives of three thousand people were intertwined, their breaths in harmony, seemingly influencing the course of heaven and earth in an invisible way.

If an ordinary cultivator were to cast a spell under these circumstances, the most likely outcome would be turning themselves into a bomb.

Si Chen turned and left, and a streak of light flew over.

"I'm leaving it all to you."

Jiazi reached out and took the fish-shaped tally, grinning, "Don't worry."