Chapter 14 Gathering of Heroes in the Water

Lake Yang, Mount Yue Lake, Dragon King Fort.

Some days had passed since the triumphant return of the army. All the trivial matters had been settled, and now, with unchallenged dominance in Lake Yang, the day for officially establishing the hierarchy had finally arrived.

Warships were arrayed across the lake, lined up in formation, facing the fort. Great banners fluttered in the wind.

*Dong, dong, dong—*

The drums sounded, gathering the masses with a thunderous roar. A sea of people quickly gathered by the riverbank, surrounding a wooden platform erected near the shore.

On the platform were incense burners, candles, and dozens of bowls of wine.

As the crowd quieted, Zhou Jing and a group of leaders strode up the steps, ascended the platform, and stood before the incense table.

Zhou Jing scanned the crowd, taking in every face. Then, he channeled his inner force and spoke in a loud voice that carried far and wide:

"We gathered in Lake Yang, unwilling to rot away like grass and trees, determined to make something of ourselves. Today, we brothers swear an oath to the heavens that from this day forward, we will be of one heart, share weal and woe, and entrust our lives to one another... This world is dark, filled with corrupt officials, landlords, and wealthy gentry. We shall act on behalf of Heaven, may the heavens and earth bear witness!"

"We are willing to serve as the Fort Master's grooms and whip-bearers!"

The crowd roared in response. Each person picked up a stick of incense, bowed before their foreheads, then burned yellow paper, swore a blood oath, drank their fill of strong liquor, and smashed their bowls in unison.

Immediately afterward, Zhou Jing began to loudly announce the rank and position of each person, and rewarded merits.

Guo Haishen was the well-deserved second-in-charge, followed by the third-in-charge, Duan Yunfeng, the fourth-in-charge, Du Ying, the fifth-in-charge, Hong Dingxian, and the sixth-in-charge, Fang Zhen, among others.

In total, the fort now had ninety-six leaders, mostly those who had joined later, including some talented individuals.

After assigning the ranks, Zhou Jing's gaze sharpened as he surveyed the crowd and said in a deep voice:

"Brothers, you all know my past. I have traveled through villages and counties, punishing the wicked and eliminating evil, acting on behalf of Heaven. Now that we have such a great foundation, based in Lake Yang, we must protect our homeland.

"From today onward, we will establish a Grievance Hall. If the poor people of the Lake Yang region have grievances, they can come and tell us. My brothers, do not neglect them. If the accusations are verified, I will stand up for them... No matter if the target is wealthy or powerful, we will repay grievances with grievances, and revenge with revenge!

"At the same time, we will establish a Martial Training Hall, where we will teach martial arts to the people every day. Regardless of wealth or status, anyone who wants to learn martial arts as a means of survival will be welcomed."

"The Fort Master is righteous!"

As his voice fell, the many brothers cheered.

Zhou Jing watched the excited crowd and nodded inwardly.

Now was the time to accumulate grain and build walls. It was not yet time to raise the banner of rebellion, so he did not shout slogans about overthrowing the imperial court, nor did he immediately establish new laws independent of the court.

Instead, he used methods like redressing grievances for the people to test the waters, in order to create a lasting impact among the populace.

'Without directly touching the imperial court's bottom line, it's still within the scope of banditry. They will consider the cost of suppressing bandits, and the local officials and soldiers have already been crippled by me, posing no threat. I can properly develop Lake Yang for a few years...'

Zhou Jing thought to himself.

The ceremony was quickly completed. Witnessed by many minions, the group officially established their hierarchy and set down rules. Then, they held a grand feast in the fort for three days, drinking until they were completely drunk.

…

News spread far and wide. Not only in the Lake Yang region, but soon everywhere knew of Dragon King Fort's rules of redressing grievances for the people and teaching martial arts to the masses, causing much discussion.

Some praised it as a benevolent act of standing up for the people and acting on behalf of Heaven, while others cursed it as an evil act of doing as one pleased and defying the law.

Many people in the Lake Yang region rejoiced, while the local wealthy gentry felt like they had been screwed over, crying out in despair and fear.

This Chen Feng has picked up his old profession again!

Can't you just be a mountain king and leave us alone!

We didn't bother you, we can give you money and grain, why do you have to make trouble for us?!

According to this damn rule, wouldn't just any beggar with a life like grass be able to seek revenge and take our lives? What kind of reasoning is that!

Lake Yang is no longer a place to stay!

For a time, panic spread among the landlords and wealthy gentry, who were all terrified and sold their estates and fields, seeking another way out and fleeing to other regions.

In the past, when Chen Feng's small gang committed crimes, they would at most go out to avoid the limelight, but now that Chen Feng was going to occupy Lake Yang for a long time, they saw this place as a dragon's pool and tiger's den, and had no intention of ever returning.

They had no hope of the government suppressing the bandits. The local officials and soldiers in Lake Yang had been crippled and could not deal with Chen Feng at all.

On the other side, the various prefectural and county offices in Lake Yang were just as angry, but there was nothing they could do about Chen Feng.

The imperial court did not send a large army to suppress the bandits, so the officials of each state could only rage in vain and live in fear every day, fearing that someone would sneak in and cut off their heads while they were sleeping with their concubines, making all the pleasure on the bed meaningless.

And some Lake Yang officials with connections secretly began to operate, striving to be transferred to other regions as officials.

With such a plague god by their side, staying here was simply courting death!

…

The capital city, the imperial palace, the Hall of Purple Extremity.

The emperor sat on the dragon throne, with his ministers arrayed below.

"...That Chen Feng in Lake Yang is causing trouble and becoming increasingly rampant. Now he has tens of thousands of followers and is the undisputed leader. The imperial court is unable to suppress the bandits. If we do not curb him, he will surely become a great threat!"

A minister spoke up.

The emperor's face was ashen as he slowly said, "Last year, when I traveled to Ning Tian, the crown prince oversaw the country. Officials in Lake Yang had already reported banditry, and I told the crown prince to handle it. But a year has passed, and it has worsened to this extent?"

Because he was assassinated by Duan Yunfeng in Ning Tian last year, the emperor had no plans to travel this year and stayed in the capital.

Crown Prince Wang Jing heard this and quickly stepped forward, bowing and confessing, "Your son knows his mistake."

Grand Councilor Pang Hong stepped forward and said, "At that time, Chancellor Qin offered a plan to use one tiger to devour another, recruiting bandits from Lake Yang to deal with Chen Feng. Now it seems useless, and instead taught Chen Feng to annex his enemies and become stronger. I wonder if Chancellor Qin has any good plans now?"

Qin Song's expression remained unchanged as he bowed and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the recruited bandits from Lake Yang were so ineffective, it was indeed my oversight."

The emperor shook his head, without blaming him, and asked:

"This Chen Feng has no regard for the imperial court, it is truly hateful. I wonder what plans my beloved ministers have to eliminate this man?"

Pang Hong immediately spoke, solemnly saying, "This Chen Feng has boldly opened a public hall, coercing the hearts of the people, with signs of treason. In my opinion, we should send a large army to suppress him!"

"Treason?" The emperor frowned.

Although he didn't want to spend money on military expenses, if it was a rebel who was plotting treason, then even if it cost a fortune, he would have to suppress them.

After all, banditry and rebellion were two different concepts, and the imperial court could not sit idly by and watch the latter run rampant.

At this time, a minister stepped forward and said:

"Grand Councilor Pang has exaggerated the matter. Although Chen Feng is arrogant, unruly, lawless, and rebellious, he has not raised the banner of revolt, nor has he claimed to be plotting treason. He is just a group of bandits, doing the acts of rioters, and there is no need to make a big fuss."

Seeing this, Qin Song immediately spoke, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, dispatching a large army is a waste of money and effort. As long as Chen Feng does not intensify his attacks on the prefectures and counties, it would be better to wait for Tianwang Fort to pacify the bandits of Yanbei and Taidong, and then send them to deal with Chen Feng. At worst, they can both be wounded, and then the imperial court can send troops without delay."

The emperor heard this and pondered for a while, then nodded:

"What Minister Qin said is not without reason, so let's do as he says."

As long as it wasn't a rebel, his principle was to spend as little money as possible.

Moreover, that place in Lake Yang had always been plagued by water bandits, only now they had changed their leader, and it didn't seem to make much of a difference.

Pang Hong saw that his plan had failed again, and gritted his teeth in secret frustration.

The crowd quickly dealt with this problem in a few words and talked about other things.

At this time, a censorious official spoke:

"I want to impeach Shenxiao Fengling Zhenren (Spirit Wind Master) of the Directorate of Astronomy! This person is deceiving the imperial court under the guise of refining pills. Although he is on duty in the Directorate of Astronomy, he is idle all day long, not only associating with officials in private, but also recruiting disciples widely, and is an evil sorcerer with ulterior motives. I hope Your Majesty will investigate!"

As his voice fell, many of the courtiers present showed disgusted expressions, feeling that their ears had developed calluses from hearing it.

Ever since the emperor brought back that Yufeng Zhenren (Wind Riding Master), this group of censorious officials had been eyeing him, scolding him for half a year, and impeaching him every day. It was simply a daily post, and had become a necessary program for every court meeting.

It seemed to have become a trend. If they didn't scold this Lingfengzi (Spirit Wind Child) for spreading rumors and misleading the public, they couldn't show that they were censorious officials.

"Beloved minister, you are mistaken. The Zhenren's pill refining method is genuine and beneficial to the body. I often take them, and my spirit is much more vigorous than before..."

The emperor was also tired of hearing it, but he couldn't get angry, so he had to appease them once again and reject the impeachment.

Although Yufeng Zhenren (Wind Riding Master) was always targeted, the emperor had clearly felt that his body had become better in the past few months of taking the other party's pills, and he could even regain his virility for a long time, being able to bed several concubines at night without the medicine of the Imperial Hospital, and re-experience the joy of carnal pleasure.

This made him increasingly trust Yufeng Zhenren (Wind Riding Master)... Having obtained real benefits, he would not be shaken by the impeachment of others at all.

…

Yanbei, somewhere on the plains.

The army of Tianwang Fort was stationed here, with endless camps stretching as far as the eye could see.

While Lake Yang was bustling with activity, Yanbei and Taidong were also at war. Since being recruited, Lu Longchuan and other leaders had led their troops to suppress bandits and deal with various local bandits.

It was noon at this time. The camp was cooking and eating. Lu Longchuan and other leaders sat by the side of the camp, eating and chatting, unknowingly talking about the situation in Lake Yang.

"I didn't expect that Chen Feng would solve the Three Flood Dragons so easily, dominating Lake Yang and becoming a Southern Green Forest overlord."

"Yes, now the road is comparing his Dragon King Fort with my Tianwang Fort, which is really not simple."

The leaders said with a sigh.

It took them many years to build such a foundation as Tianwang Fort. They didn't expect that Chen Feng would become a Green Forest tycoon in just one year, almost on par with them.

Whenever they thought of the rapid rise of the other party, everyone felt like they had been washed away by the waves of the future, secretly sighing that they were old.

A leader sighed, "Alas, after our recruitment, we have mixed reputations in the Green Forest and are no longer the leaders. This position of Green Forest overlord, I am afraid it will fall on Dragon King Fort in the future."

Lu Longchuan heard this and comforted:

"Brothers, don't be discouraged. We have embarked on the right path, and we will serve the country in the future. The reputation of the Green Forest is useless to us. We are no longer on that level. We only need to pacify the bandits of Yanbei and Taidong, and everyone will be rewarded."

The expressions of the crowd varied, and they nodded.

Xiang Tianjie wanted to say something but stopped, and finally did not speak.

The deal of recruitment was to become a knife in the hands of the imperial court, selling their lives in exchange for official positions and fame.

The imperial court recruited them to pacify the bandits in the world. Even if Yanbei and Taidong were stable, they might be sent to conquer Lake Yang.

Thinking of Chen Feng's frightening deeds, Xiang Tianjie couldn't help but feel worried.

To be an enemy with such a ruthless character, even if they won, how much would they have to pay, and how many brothers would die?

For a time, Xiang Tianjie gradually felt shaken by the Village Master's decision to accept recruitment.

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