Chapter 181: Violent turmoil killing officials, beneath the facade of a cunning scheme.

The flood washed away the embankment of the Wo River, pouring down like an overturned sea. Trees were instantly twisted, and houses under the long embankment were shattered. A door, belonging to an unknown family, was swept away by the flood and collided with a black pottery water jar.

The shattered water jar split into pieces in the blink of an eye, scattering to different places.

The flood, resembling a towering wall of muddy water ten feet high, surged with a force to pull up dead trees and obliterate decaying structures. It engulfed fields and houses, leaving only some robust trees poking their heads out, helplessly gazing at the turbid and desolate world.

At the foot of Tu Mountain, Li Laosan stopped in his tracks and shouted loudly, “Don’t make a sound!”

“Don’t make a sound!”

“Shh!”

After a moment of silence, thousands of people were strangely quiet.

Li Laosan stood on a rock, squinting at the distance, then suddenly shouted, “Hurry up, quickly climb the mountain! The flood is coming!”

“Increase the speed! Fast!”

Li Laosan acted as a commanding officer, and everyone accelerated, climbing towards the mountain.

Li Jiu, seeing Li Laosan shouting desperately, ordered his family to climb the mountain first, then walked to Li Laosan and shouted, ‘Hurry up, a major flood is coming, survival comes first!’

“You also hurry up and climb the mountain!”

Li Laosan looked at Li Jiu and said sternly.

“Hehe, Old Squad Leader, you can’t drive me away. By the way, you really are amazing. How did you know the embankment wouldn’t hold?”

After Li Jiu urging with a loud voice, he asked Li Laosan.

Li Laosan grinned and said, “You younger generation only know about eating, drinking, and having fun, never bothering to take a look at the embankment. Inside the Wo River, there are already several large whirlpools. The whirlpools are almost next to the embankment, indicating that the embankment is leaking.”

“I listened to the noise from the embankment; the sound inside is not small. Moreover, under the heavy rain, it’s impossible to find the locations of the hidden currents and leaks in a short time. Even if we find them, there’s no time to seal them. Our manpower is simply not enough. Instead of wasting time and sacrificing ourselves, it’s better to escape together.”

Li Jiu gave a thumbs up in admiration and said, “Old Squad Leader is indeed the Old Squad Leader, awesome.”

“Stop flattering. I haven’t been a squad leader for fifteen years. It’s just a pity that Li Wu is a good squad leader, but at this moment, he’s going to suffer.”

Li Laosan looked somewhat worried, then shook his head and shouted, “Hurry up, hurry up!”

Central Capital, Fengyang.

On this day, Sun Yue, the Vice commissioner-in-chief, was resting in the central hall when suddenly a soldier came to report an urgent message from Huaiyuan.

Sun Yue didn’t dare to be careless and immediately ordered the person to come in.

The person was Yang Jun, the assistant commander of the Huaiyuan Guard. After paying his respects, Yang Jun quickly spoke, “Sir, there is a major issue. The Huaiyuan Wo River embankment has breached, and Huaiyuan City has turned into a watery land!”

Sun Yue was instantly alarmed, quickly standing up and asking, “How are the commoners and the Huaiyuan Guards? Any casualties? Why are you the one reporting instead of officials from the county office?”

Yang Jun shook his head, unsure of how to begin.

Seeing Yang Jun hesitate, Sun Yue’s heart sank. He stomped his foot and scolded, “Why are you being so evasive? I asked you a question, speak!”

Yang Jun looked at Sun Yue uneasily and said, “Though a portion of the commoners inside and outside the city were evacuated in advance, a significant number of them remain unaccounted for. The current casualties are not clear.”

“Why did you come here then? As the assistant commander, you should be involved in the rescue efforts, not running to the capital! Even if you need reinforcements, a simple messenger would suffice!”

Sun Yue’s mood was heavy, and he scolded Yang Jun.

Yang Jun lowered his head in acknowledgment, then raised it and cupped his hands, saying, “Sir, I came here because the county magistrate of Huaiyuan has died.”

“Dead? It seems this flood is not small. Even if he died, it would be considered sacrificing for the country. It’s not worth your trip here. Hurry back; I’ll go find the prefect.”

Sun Yue waved his hand, intending to leave.

Yang Jun stopped Sun Yue, gritting his teeth, “Sir, I’ll just say it. There’s been a riot in Huaiyuan City. The commoners on Gui Mountain killed the county magistrate, vice magistrate, and the clerk, along with over ten family members of the county office.”

“Riot?”

Sun Yue was completely shocked. Floods were one thing; even if people died, it was a minor issue.

After all, if the Water Dragon King unleashed his wrath, the blame would be on Heaven, and it wouldn’t be his concern.

But a riot was different.

Huaiyuan was under the jurisdiction of Fengyang Prefecture, and if there were issues in Huaiyuan, with so many officials dead, Fengyang Prefecture would be held responsible.

Sun Yue now understood the saying, “Calamities strike from the heavens when you’re sitting at home.” The days of comfort seemed to be ending soon.

“What exactly happened?!”

Sun Yue’s expression turned extremely cold.

Yang Jun sighed helplessly and said, “With Huaiyuan embankment breaching, the city was flooded, and the commoners had no escape. They had no choice but to take refuge on Gui Mountain. Sir, you know that place, right?”

“Of course. I personally visited it during the inspection last year and even paid my respects. Bai Long Temple nestled against the mountain has a magnificent aura. Indeed, it is a good refuge.”

Sun Yue spoke with a deep voice.

Yang Jun nodded slightly and said with a gloomy expression, “The county magistrate foresaw changes due to the continuous heavy rain. Three days before the breach, he relocated his family, as well as the families of the vice magistrate, clerk, and others, to Gui Mountain, taking over the Dragon King Temple.”

“After the breach, the water spread to the base of Gui Mountain. The vice magistrate, following the magistrate’s orders, commanded the constables to occupy the mountain path and beat the villagers, preventing them from ascending the mountain and entering the temple. Due to the overwhelming water, some women and children were drowned at the foot of the mountain, triggering a rebellion.”

“The enraged populace stormed into the Dragon King Temple. Despite the magistrate using his official authority to suppress the people, he was beaten to death by dozens of villagers. Their bodies were thrown down from Gui Mountain into the river below.”

Sun Yue suddenly grabbed the teacup and slammed it on the ground, his neck veins bulging, shouting, “That Wei Bacai! Damned! Well done! If I were there, he’d be dead already!”

Yang Jun remained silent as he watched Sun Yue.

At this point, it was no longer just a matter of the death of a county magistrate; it was a rebellion with the people killing officials. If they didn’t punish the villagers, it would damage the dignity of the court.

However, if they did, considering the current situation of the people in Huaiyuan, it might lead to more uprisings and escalate into a rebellion or massacre. The imperial court wouldn’t spare the officials in Huaiyuan.

To secure the future and lives of all Huaiyuan guards, Yang Jun, a close friend of Sun Yue, was selected to be dispatched to Fengyang.

Sun Yue also understood the severity of the situation. Without delay, he, along with Yang Jun, approached Xu An, the prefect of Fengyang, and recounted the entire incident.

Prefect Xu An, a seasoned official, remained composed in the face of the situation. He organized his thoughts and calmly outlined the plan, saying, “The most pressing matter at the moment is disaster relief. Lord Sun, I ask you to lead three thousand soldiers, collect provisions from Fengyang, and rush to Huaiyuan. After I settle matters in Fengyang, I will follow suit.”

“Assistant Commander Yang, you immediately return to Huaiyuan. Only retain those directly involved in the violence; do not punish or execute them. Select a respected individual from the local officials to temporarily take over the county office, coordinate disaster relief, and involve all Huaiyuan guards in relief efforts, standing with the people. Do not alienate the hearts of the common folk.”

“In addition, assign people with water expertise to investigate the Huai River embankment, examine the damage, and assess the possibility of rebuilding the dam. If it is not feasible, and the water situation is critical, arrange for the relocation of the people to the jurisdiction of Fengyang.”

Sun Yue and Yang Jun, after hearing Xu An’s orders, bid farewell and hurriedly set off.

Xu An, with a furrowed brow, penned a memorial and dispatched it to the capital at the fastest speed.

In Huaiyuan, grief prevailed; in Fengyang, worries abounded. However, in the capital at this moment, joy filled the air.

The envoy from Srivijaya, Zheng Bo had arrived in the capital several days earlier and had been practicing etiquette at the Tianjie Temple. On the 19^th day of the seventh month, he was officially granted an audience.

To showcase the dignity of the Ming Empire and convey a sense of grandeur, yellow military flags were displayed on both sides outside the Fengtian Hall, and twenty-four elite Jinwu Guards were stationed.

Zhu Yunwen sat upright in the Fengtian Hall, with a solemn expression.

The Huitong pavillion’s envoy led Zheng Bo into the Fengtian Hall. The envoy knelt in reverence and reported, “Report to Your Majesty, the King of Srivijaya in South Seas, Liang Daoming, has sent his emissary, Zheng Bo, to present himself before the imperial court.”

Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly, acknowledging the information.

Beside Zheng Bo, an attendant softly reminded him to bow.

Stepping forward, Zheng Bo both hands holding the letter of credence, and knelt, saying, “The King of the Srivijaya, Liang Daoming, dispatches me with a letter of credence to pay respects to the Great Ming Emperor. He wishes the prosperity and well-being of the Great Ming Empire for generations.”

Zhu Yunwen inquired, “Is King Liang well?”

Zheng Bo replied, “Before I left, King Liang was able to consume ten catties of meat daily.”

Zhu Yunwen, upon hearing this, burst into laughter. While ten catties of meat per day seemed exaggerated, it was a way to convey that King Liang Daoming was energetic and not old.

“I heard that King Liang is also considered a Han Chinese. Is that true?”

Zhu Yunwen signaled for the attendant to take the letter of credence, asking the question.

Zheng Bo solemnly replied, “Reply to the Ming Emperor, King Liang is a native of Nanhai, Guangdong. He later wandered overseas and, with the support of both Han Chinese and locals, became the king.”

Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly, saying, “Grant a seat and begin the banquet.”

At this moment, twenty-four graceful women from the Arts Troupe moved gently along with the music, showcasing enchanting and graceful dances. Zheng Bo couldn’t help but admire, acknowledging that it truly lived up to the reputation of the heavenly kingdom.

Zhu Yunwen lowered his head, examining the letter of credence written by Liang Daoming. His eyes squinted slightly, and his brows furrowed.

The letter of credence contained many words, but its essence was distilled into a simple message:

“Allow me, Liang Daoming, to become a subject of the Great Ming.”

Zhu Yunwen took a deep breath, astonished that Liang Daoming desired to submit to the Great Ming, integrating the realm of Srivijaya directly into Ming’s territory!

Liang Daoming didn’t seek the entry of the Ming navy into the waters of Srivijaya, nor did he aim to ally with Ming. Instead, he sought to become a subject of the Great Ming, emphasizing his Chinese identity and the longing for his homeland, hoping to be recognized as a citizen of the Great Ming, standing on Ming’s soil.

“This is a stratagem that is hard to refuse.”

Zhu Yunwen was well aware of Liang Daoming’s intentions: to leverage the power of the Ming naval forces to firmly establish himself in Srivijaya thereby eliminating the threats posed by Chen Zuyi and Majapahit.

In history, Srivijaya was indeed part of the Ming Empire during the reign of Zhu Di.

However, using the term “territory” might not be entirely accurate.

That’s correct. If you were to find a map from the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, you would indeed see several regions in Southeast Asia marked with the Ming flag.

However…

Although the Ming Dynasty established Pacification Commissioners and Envoys in these areas, they mostly used local inhabitants, and there were no stationed troops!

This is a typical “One Country, Two Systems” approach, where the Ming Dynasty manages its own affairs, while each Pacification Commissionerate in the South Seas region has its own way of doing things. They independently handle politics, economics, military, and culture, deciding matters on their own terms.

In these territories with high autonomy and no Ming garrisons, calling them part of the Ming territory is, in practical terms, merely fulfilling the emperor’s dream of a celestial empire. They are, in reality, just transit points.

There’s no choice; these regions are too distant, transportation is underdeveloped, and it takes almost a year to make a round trip and present a report to the capital. If, by chance, someone catches a cold or encounters a traffic accident on the way…

Liang Daoming’s act of submission is shrewd because he understands that, for the Ming Dynasty, the South Seas region, particularly Srivijaya, is a distant and uncontrollable land.

So, he uses the name of submission, but in reality, he seeks to leverage Ming’s power.

Zhu Yunwen laughs. Liang Daoming, you think that being separated by ten thousand miles means Ming can’t control Srivijaya?

Using this strategy against the Ming Dynasty is choosing the wrong target.

The Malacca Strait, no, Palembang and its waters, is mine!