Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 560

The year is 3866 of the Xia calendar, and spring has returned.

After a winter spent in strategic hiding, Lin Jiang convened his most trusted advisors on Qiyun Mountain, their minds fixed on the impending conflict. Lin Jiang himself was poised for decisive action.

"This council convenes to deliberate our war strategy following a period of winter concealment," Lin Jiang began. "Our righteous army has undergone a profound transformation, emerging significantly stronger. While I harbor no concerns about securing territories, today's focus shall be on other crucial matters.

Our initial objective is to establish a compelling slogan. My battle strategies are already formulated. The first phase involves conquering the eight counties surrounding Qishan Prefecture, just beyond Qiyun Mountain. Upon their subjugation, we shall publicly proclaim our slogan: to expel the Demon Humans and reclaim our ancestral lands and rivers. This ultimate goal is designed to rally the northerners currently migrating southward.

This critical task falls to Qin Yong. Prior to our main march, you will lead an advance contingent down the mountain. Accompanied by one hundred young soldiers, your mission is to disseminate our policies and rapidly spread our slogan throughout the affected regions."

"Understood, Commander," Qin Yong replied.

"Secondly, we must clearly identify our allies and our adversaries. It is not my wish for this land to be plunged into utter chaos; therefore, clear distinctions must be made.

Our enemies consist of those corrupt officials, steeped in avarice and incompetence, alongside the wealthy elite whose lives are marred by cruel deeds and callous disregard for others.

We shall employ distinct tactics against these enemies during our engagements. If they inflict harm upon our people, we must retaliate forcefully, particularly against those who have committed grave transgressions.

Conversely, should certain officials or affluent individuals refrain from opposing us, we may consider integrating them into our broader strategies…"

"Sir, may I interject with a point?"

"Proceed, Military Strategist."

"Sir, in adherence to your devised plan, we have inadvertently alienated a significant portion of the nobility and the affluent. Given our rebel group's limited resources, beyond our active military forces, we possess only a few thousand loyal followers. To effectively expand our dominion, manage the populace, and levy taxes, their cooperation is essential. Should they choose to obstruct us…"

"Worry not. I shall soon present more detailed regulations. Any unforeseen complications arising during the campaign will be addressed and rectified promptly. We possess ample methods to manage recalcitrant elements. We shall not suffer from a lack of capable individuals, nor shall we shy away from potentially offending them."

Lin Jiang then elaborated on his proposed solutions. For instance, they could undermine the influence of prominent family branches while simultaneously bolstering support for lesser branches, thereby creating internal counterbalances.

Regarding landowners and the wealthy, Lin Jiang suggested identifying small to medium-sized estate holders as prospective allies. These families often served as the wellspring for emerging intellectuals and elites from the lower classes, and by offering them avenues for advancement, their allegiance could be secured.

"Since you have already anticipated these challenges, I shall offer no further objections."

Lin Jiang continued, "My third point concerns military discipline and the governance of newly acquired territories. Upon descending the mountain, the paramount concern is military discipline: we must not disturb the common folk, claim credit for others' efforts, or appropriate war spoils for our own gain. All regulations pertaining to military conduct will be enforced with utmost rigor. I shall establish a supervisory corps of five hundred individuals; any transgressor will face severe repercussions, and pleas for mercy will be disregarded."

Concerning post-war governance, Lin Jiang outlined a clear protocol: upon occupying any area, the immediate actions will be to punish corrupt officials and wealthy individuals guilty of wrongdoing, and to redistribute their ill-gotten gains. Any surplus funds will be allocated to the army. As for land and property, these will be distributed amongst the impoverished populace, with particular attention paid to rural landowners. Furthermore, any instruments of high-interest debt will be publicly incinerated.

Additionally, the young soldiers and educated individuals within the righteous army will be organized into various units and dispatched to each township. Their duties will include disseminating our strategies to the populace, providing basic literacy education, and establishing local militias.

Lin Jiang proceeded to systematically explain the strategies he had meticulously developed over the preceding months. With each word, his advisors grew more inspired. While previously bewildered by the complexities of post-conquest governance, Lin Jiang's pronouncements offered them newfound clarity and direction. They felt a burgeoning conviction that, if flawlessly executed, these plans held the potential to conquer the entire realm.

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At the gates of Qishan Prefecture city, the Magistrate surveyed the vast multitude of refugees gathered outside with a heavy heart. Several hundred miles away, on Qiyun Mountain, the rebels posed a significant threat that weighed heavily on his mind. During the past winter, these insurgents had raided numerous wealthy homesteads across more than a dozen townships and had decisively routed two government military detachments in succession. Their timing for further resurgence remained alarmingly unpredictable, and the refugees now before him presented yet another potential source of instability.

An overwhelming number of refugees had led to countless deaths from starvation and freezing throughout the winter, far exceeding the capacity for proper burials. Last year, he had managed to organize the affluent families within the city to distribute porridge for relief efforts, but with the current spike in food prices, those wealthy benefactors were no longer willing to pour their resources into what they perceived as a bottomless pit. The cessation of the porridge distribution left him deeply concerned about the potential for refugee uprisings.

In recent months, multiple refugee groups across various regions had resorted to rebellion, resulting in the deaths of numerous Magistrates amidst the ensuing chaos. Even those who survived risked facing accusations and the consequent loss of their official titles.

Pondering these dire circumstances, a sense of hopelessness washed over him, painting a bleak picture of the future. Perhaps it would be more prudent to swiftly secure a more stable official post through bribery.

Unbeknownst to the Magistrate, a contingent of dozens of individuals, posing as refugees, had been observing him. Having arrived two days prior, they anticipated that Mr. [Insert Character Name Here] would have already initiated his plans.

"Make way, make way…"

Suddenly, a troop of swift horses thundered down the main road, their riders shouting urgently. The soldiers stationed at the city gates instantly became tense.

These soldiers were remnants of the defeated forces from Qiyun Mountain. After being disarmed by Lin Jiang, the majority had retreated to the prefectural city. Following the Magistrate's unsuccessful second attempt to assault the mountain, he had kept them within the city walls, as they harbored lingering insecurities about venturing out.

"Who are you people?"

"Reporting to you, sir, I am Fang Datong, the constable of Pingshan County. The rebels from Qiyun Mountain have emerged; they have already breached Pingshan County and are advancing towards the prefectural city."

After the approaching rider was halted, the Magistrate inquired about his identity, but the response caused his countenance to drastically shift.

"What, how could this be, how could this have happened!"

The Magistrate stood dumbfounded, his mind a complete blank, utterly unsure of how to proceed.

"Your Excellency, quickly, shut the city gates! Muster the populace and the military, and organize the able-bodied to defend the city."

"Yes, yes, let’s hurry back."

Fortunately, someone nearby maintained their composure and quickly offered advice. The Magistrate, jolted back to reality, immediately commanded the city gates to be closed.

The soldiers and other personnel, upon hearing this news, were highly receptive to the idea of sealing the gates and were naturally eager to comply. Their immediate desire was to depart, and this information began to disseminate rapidly among the refugee population.

"Brothers, fellow villagers, the officials refuse to provide us with sustenance; we will perish from hunger."

"Fellow villagers, the rebels are marching to slaughter us! Remaining here equates to certain death; charge in with me now!"

"Enter the city to seek refuge!"

A group of scouts, numbering in the dozens, began to incite the refugees. The collective emotions of these refugees were akin to a powder keg, and with a mere spark of agitation, they instantly ignited, surging towards the city gates without much hesitation.

The gatekeepers were thrown into a state of panic, drawing their swords to attack the onrushing refugees. However, before they could inflict significant casualties, the scouts swarmed them, dispatching them swiftly.

Chaos erupted at the city gate, rendering its closure impossible as a massive influx of refugees poured in. By the time Lin Jiang arrived with a contingent of elite troops, the soldiers at the gate had all fled, and a portion of the refugees had yet to breach the city’s interior.

"Sir, it appears Qishan Prefecture has fallen."

"Indeed. Proceed inside and address the aftermath. Instruct Tian Xiong to show no leniency towards any corrupt officials. Hurry and intercept them."

Lin Jiang issued his commands, having employed a shrewd strategy to seize control of the prefectural city. This success was not a testament to his personal prowess but rather to the profound weakness that had pervaded Qishan Prefecture.

Lin Jiang led his forces into Qishan Prefecture. Many of the soldiers recognized him by his mask. Following the elimination of the recruited fighters and officers, the remainder surrendered. They understood that submission meant survival, while resistance guaranteed death.

Meanwhile, Tian Xiong's men apprehended the fleeing corrupt officials and wealthy landowners. Not a single one managed to escape; all were brought back to the city. The following morning, the rebel forces made their presence known.

"Re-establish order, prevent any looting by refugees or opportunists, and issue a decree of peace."

"All personnel, with the exception of the city's highest-ranking officials, are to be temporarily retained to assist in organizational efforts."

"Detain all prisoners of war and confine them securely."

"Dispatch personnel to the prisons to review ongoing cases, releasing those unjustly held and executing those deserving of such a sentence."

"Open the government granaries to aid the refugees, facilitate their departure from the city under proper care, and maintain close surveillance over the affluent households…"

"Integrate the remaining teams into the city and commence immediate work, adhering to the established procedures…"