Chapter 129: Swift and Thunderous Methods
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Night had deepened, and Haixi County was enveloped in a cold, silent stillness.
The main street connecting the two city gates was deserted; everyone had long since closed their doors and nestled into their warm beds.
Several taverns in the northern market remained open, the sounds of lively singing and dancing spilling out, sharply contrasting with the quiet of Haixi.
“A major incident has happened!”
Someone burst into a tavern, shouting to the innkeeper, “Close up immediately! Close up immediately!”
“What’s the matter?”
Those drinking inside were traders passing through. Though called itinerant merchants, they were a mixed bunch—people from all walks of life. Though they called each other brothers on the surface, behind closed doors knives were often drawn. Haixi County had never been short of desperados.
The newcomer panted, “Just got word that the new magistrate has intercepted Lord Chen’s shipments.”
“What?”
“I heard Lord Chen just acquired 5,000 shi of grain from outside, spending tens of millions of coins. Unexpectedly, it was robbed…” Tonight, something big is about to happen. Better head home to avoid being implicated. I’m off to spread the word elsewhere.”
“That corrupt official has some nerve!”
Inside the tavern, the patrons exchanged wary glances.
Deng Ji’s sudden and ruthless move took everyone by surprise. What gave him the confidence? If he wasn’t certain, how could he have done something so drastic—effectively severing all ties with Chen Sheng, with no chance of reconciliation? If Hua Ji could really take down Chen Sheng, who in Haixi would dare openly oppose him? After all, he was a government official!
“Corrupt official.”
A quarter-hour ago, no one cared about such a title.
But now…
“Settle the tab!”
A sharp-witted man shoved a naked woman from his embrace to the floor, tossed down some coins, and hurriedly left.
Where one left, another followed, then a third. In the blink of an eye, the once lively tavern became eerily deserted.
The tavern workers dared not slack off and hurriedly closed the doors.
Who would come out on top would be decided by dawn.
In the Chen residence’s main hall,
The guests had all departed, leaving only Chen Sheng seated at the head.
His face was ashen as he stared at the trembling servant bowing on the floor. After a long moment of suppressed fury, he growled, “Speak. What exactly happened?”
“Master, after purchasing grain in Quyang and Huaipu, we rushed home overnight. Unexpectedly, just after crossing the river, we were ambushed by a band of ruthless men. Our brothers were caught off guard and, facing such ferocity, over a dozen of us were killed instantly. We fought desperately, but they outnumbered us and their leaders were fierce—each could fight ten men. Many of our comrades fell, and only a few of us managed to escape with our lives.”
“Did you see who they were?”
“They were men under that corrupt official.”
“How do you know?”
“Master once ordered me to spy on the county office, so I’m very familiar with that official’s men. Two of the youths were the same who smashed our shop, and the man who defaulted on debts was among them... I also saw that official’s black-faced bodyguard. So I’m certain it was that corrupt official’s doing! Master, please do justice for us.”
Chen Sheng slammed his palm on the desk, enraged, “That corrupt official has gone too far!”
His refined demeanor vanished entirely.
He took a deep breath, pacing the hall, contemplating a strategy.
“Master, this cannot be tolerated!”
“Oh?”
Chen Sheng looked up at the speaker.
The man was Huang Yi, Chen Sheng’s advisor.
Huang Yi’s background was quite notable.
His uncle was the chief priest of the Taiping Dao and strategist of the Qingzhou Yellow Turbans, Huang Shao. But when the Qingzhou Yellow Turbans rebelled, they were crushed by Cao Cao. Huang You was pursued by Cao Hong and...
Huang Yi, having nowhere else to turn, came to work under Chen Sheng, becoming his chief strategist.
Huang Yi said, “This corrupt official’s actions are clearly targeted at you. By robbing your grain, he can stabilize Haixi’s grain prices and change the people’s opinion of him. If we raise prices now, the people may turn against you. At the same time, he uses your name to solidify his foothold in Haixi. This corrupt official is different from the others; he loudly proclaims he’s cracking down on pirates, but in reality, he’s targeting you.”
This was a warning to others through a brutal example.
The merchants of Haixi were the monkeys; Chen Sheng, the chicken.
Upon hearing this, Chen Sheng immediately understood.
“So what do you suggest we do?”
“Master, either do nothing or finish it once and for all. We take down this corrupt official.”
A sinister smile appeared on Huang Yi’s face.
“Oh?”
“Don’t forget, the corrupt official only has a small force. If he manages to bring the grain into the city, a counterattack will be difficult. Better to strike while his forces are weak. If we kill him, we can claim pirates did it, and no one will question it. This isn’t the first time something like this has happened; it’s become normal. Once he’s dead, Haixi will still listen to you. We must not show mercy now! Master, don’t forget where we came from.”
Chen Sheng narrowed his eyes.
After a long hesitation, he sighed deeply, “I never wanted to return to my old ways, but you leave me no choice.” He raised his voice sharply, “Gather my troops. We march to the county office to take that corrupt official’s life. Tell everyone: once this is done, I won’t forget them. Every participant will receive an extra hundred coins monthly... Whoever helps Chen Sheng, I will remember them.”
Huang Yi laughed heartily and cupped his fists, “Master is wise!”
“Bring me my spear.”
Chen Sheng’s face twitched as he gave the order.
He retreated to his chamber, donning his armor meticulously.
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A servant led a horse over, and Chen Sheng mounted, stepping firmly on the servant’s back to swing himself up.
At the same time, Huang Yi gathered over two hundred followers, each armed fiercely, assembling like demons outside the Chen residence.
Chen Sheng spurred his horse out of the gate, spear raised high.
“Brothers, this Haixi is ours! Whoever dares block our path, we fight to the death!”
There was no trace of the scholar’s demeanor in Chen Sheng now. His words and expression were those of a bandit chief.
The followers roared, “Kill the corrupt official!”
“Charge with me!”
Chen Sheng smiled with satisfaction, turned his horse, and led the charge.
The two hundred followers surged toward the county office like a swarm.
At the county office, in the main hall,
Deng Ji’s eyes were glazed with drink as he drained his cup.
“Magistrate Deng, please stop drinking!”
Deng Ji waved him off, “No worries, I’m not satisfied yet.”
“Why such enthusiasm?”
Mai Ren asked curiously.
Deng Ji smiled faintly, “Tonight’s feast was meant to showcase a spectacle. Unfortunately... no matter. After tonight, this Haixi will still be our Han Empire.”
“Oh?”
Mai Ren and Wang Cheng showed surprise and were about to ask for details when Hu Ban hurried in.
He whispered something in Deng Ji’s ear, causing a subtle smile to appear on Deng Ji’s face. The prior haze vanished. He stood abruptly, voice sharp, “Bring me my weapon.”
A servant immediately carried in a sword with an ornate hilt.
Deng Ji grasped the sword with his one arm and said to Mai Ren and Wang Cheng, “Gentlemen, care to see a grand spectacle with me?”
“Ah, honored sir, how could we refuse?”
Both sensed something was amiss. This was no ordinary banquet; it was a gathering of factions. Those present tonight would likely prosper in Haixi. Those absent would face misfortune.
Yet curiosity lingered.
What was Deng Ji’s plan to relieve the pressure from Chen Sheng?
Wang Cheng’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
Mai Ren’s previously unclear gaze sharpened.
They could clearly feel that this one-armed magistrate was unlike any before.
Emerging from the hall, Deng Ji came to the county office’s front courtyard.
There had once been a small courtyard here, but it had been torn down recently for renovations.
In its place stood a wooden watchtower about thirty feet tall.
Deng Ji, Wang Cheng, and Mai Ren climbed the tower and gazed out.
At the end of the long street, flickering flames glowed.
Deng Ji smiled, turning to say, “The show begins!”
Mai Ren and Wang Cheng focused intently outside.
Chen Sheng charged on horseback, spear twisting, leading his followers toward the county office in a grand assault.
For a moment, he seemed to be transported back to his wild days in Taishan Commandery—ten years ago.
Ten years had passed in a blink.
He had thought he’d left that life behind, but here he was, starting anew.
Had he ever truly escaped those days of blood and fire in the past decade?
Originally a schoolteacher at the foot of Mount Meng in Taishan Commandery, young Chen Sheng had been forced to become a bandit after killing a local tyrant.
In the first year of Zhongping, he joined the Taiping Dao.
But before he could make a mark, the sect vanished.
He returned to Mount Meng as a bandit, living freely for several years.
However, in the second year of Zhongping, Jizhou Governor Wang Fen plotted to overthrow Emperor Liu Hong and install the Marquis of Hefei as emperor.
When the plot was uncovered, Emperor Liu Hong was furious, sparking another round of purges.
Chen Sheng was implicated.
His Mount Meng stronghold was destroyed, and he fled to Haixi with plundered wealth.
Ten years on, Chen Sheng had established himself firmly in Haixi.
He had watched one magistrate after another come and go, as Haixi declined from prosperity to its current state.
Through the shifting tides, his power gradually grew.
This Haixi is mine!
I built this Haixi!
Whoever tries to steal it from me, I’ll never yield!
Riding his horse, Chen Sheng pumped himself up.
Once a formidable force, now he felt a tremor of fear.
Had he grown old?
Behind him, his followers brandished weapons boastfully.
Chen Sheng’s mind raced.
Beyond the gate lay the county office.
He took a deep breath. Now there was no turning back.
“Chen Ziqi, assembling rebels to attack the county office—surrender immediately or face death!”
Just as Chen Sheng resolved himself and reached the gate, a loud voice shouted.
Startled, he looked up and demanded, “Who goes there?”
“Your young master has been waiting long!”
From the shadows of the street came the rapid sound of hooves.
A white figure burst from the darkness like a shooting star.
Mounted was a young officer clad entirely in white battle robes, overlaid with simple silver armor, wielding a seven-foot-long saber.
The rider was almost fused with the horse, making it impossible for Chen Sheng to distinguish man from beast—only a streak of white lightning charging toward him.
The white horse was extraordinary.
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Twelve feet tall, with a robust and imposing physique.
When running, the horse’s body was nearly a straight line, tail parallel to the head.
Its hooves struck the cobblestone street, producing a clang of metal and stone.
The rapid “clack clack clack clack” sounded like thunderous war drums, stirring awe and dread.
Chen Sheng was startled, raising his spear and shouting fiercely, “State your name and prepare to die!”
Perhaps long removed from battle, he mistakenly said “state your name and prepare to die” instead of “state your name and die.” The meaning was off—essentially, “Give your name first, then I’ll kill you.”
Realizing this mistake, he tried to correct himself, but the rider was already upon him.
In a flash, the mounted officer rose suddenly from his saddle—something one should not do. The visual illusion was startling, as if a man had appeared out of nowhere.
The white horse accelerated sharply.
A cold glint flashed as the saber was drawn, slicing through the air with a piercing whistle.
“Ah!”
Chen Sheng cried out, raising his spear to block.
With a loud clang and snap, the bronze spear shattered like tofu beneath the saber’s ruthless strike.
The attack showed no sign of weakening.
Chen Sheng’s head buzzed with alarm, but his body stiffened, frozen atop the horse.
Man like a tiger, horse like a dragon!
The saber scraped against Chen Sheng’s armor, producing a grating metallic screech.
Sparks flew, yet Chen Sheng seemed oblivious.
The white horse swept past him, not looking back, charging into the crowd.
The mounted officer swung his saber, carving a path of destruction.
Blood and flesh flew as his blade cut through Chen Sheng’s followers, who screamed in agony.
The two hundred strong force was shattered instantly.
He reached the other end of the street, reined in, and lowered his saber.
A trail of blood dripped from the blade’s spine to the ground with soft plops.
Removing his plain helmet, the officer revealed a handsome, delicate face.
He slowly raised his saber, pointing it at Chen Sheng’s men without a word.
Chen Sheng tugged the reins, turning his horse around.
The saber grazed his body, sending a chill, but causing no major injury.
Yet when he moved, his armor clattered to the ground.
Looking down, Chen Sheng saw his chest garment soaked with blood.
The saber had torn through his armor and shoulder, trailing down to his waist before stopping.
The strike had been too fast—like lightning—he hadn’t felt it.
But the moment he moved, the wound opened, and his entrails spilled out.
He tried to speak but no sound came.
He raised his hand, pointing at the white-clad officer, his face full of disbelief.
His body swayed twice on horseback, then collapsed with a thud, lifeless.
The officer’s face remained expressionless, his saber still aimed at Chen Sheng’s followers, unmoving.
“Master Chen… he’s dead?”
“Bad news! Master Chen is dead…”
Chaos erupted among the followers.
“Everyone, drop your weapons at once or be killed on sight!”
“Drop your weapons! Or die!”
With the officer’s fierce command, roars echoed from both ends of the street.
Wang Mai and Xiahou Lan arrived from the county office with a dozen guards; Deng Fan appeared with a similar number from the opposite end, swiftly moving behind the white-clad officer.
The officer circled atop his horse, which whinnied sharply, echoes ringing through the street.
“I am Cao Peng, Haixi’s military registrar.
Drop your weapons immediately or face death.”
The followers stirred uneasily.
Before they could react, Xiahou Lan raised her silver spear.
At once, soldiers on both sides stepped forward shouting, “Kill! Kill! Kill!”
Advancing with fierce battle cries, the thirty or so veteran warriors brought by Xu Yi and Dian Wei filled the street with a palpable aura of death.
Chen Sheng lay dead in a pool of blood, seven or eight followers wailed in pain, morale plummeted, and the killers pressed forward relentlessly.
The timid among them soiled themselves in fear.
Though they bullied others in the market, faced with true warriors they cowered.
Clang.
Weapons slipped from trembling hands, triggering a chain reaction.
“We surrender! We surrender!”
“Mother! I want to go home…”
“Sir, we’re just innocent civilians forced by Chen Sheng!”
A faint smile appeared on Cao Peng’s handsome face.
He slowly lowered his saber and looked toward the county office.
There, atop the watchtower, flickering lights shone.
Deng Ji leaned on the railing, watching him.
Though distant, Cao Peng felt the concern in Deng Ji’s eyes.
He switched his saber hand and saluted toward the tower.
Though the image was unclear, Deng Ji understood it was a sign of safety.
A smile crept onto his lean face.
He turned to Wang Ren and Mai Ren, saying, “Wasn’t that quite a show?”