Chapter 553
Riot
Chapter 553 Riot
In the Mo'aochuan region, household registration is of paramount importance.
Although slaves and those of low social status were at the very bottom of the six-rank system, they were still subject to the control of local authorities and could commit wanton slaughter. Once verified, they would also be held accountable.
Those without household registration, commonly known as "black households," are not included in the local register and, strictly speaking, cannot even be considered normal people of the regional military governorship.
Normally, killing a few unregistered residents wouldn't have made Zhang Hai think "it's all over," but at this moment, he genuinely felt that things had gotten out of hand.
The more than 30,000 laborers in front of them were forcibly conscripted from Huwei Village and more than a dozen surrounding villages by their group of supervisors the night before last. Zhang Hai was one of the supervisors in charge of conscripting the laborers.
He knew very well that these laborers had been holding their breath ever since they arrived the night before last. They had been clearing the snow track for fifteen hours straight without eating a single bite, and the anger they were suppressing was palpable.
This wasn't the first time laborers had been conscripted in Changqing Valley, but there had never been such a public disturbance before. Zhang Hai knew the reason very well: the number of laborers conscripted this time was simply too large.
More than 30,000 people were conscripted to Huwei Village. The law does not punish the masses. With so many people gathered together, what wouldn't they dare to do if someone took the lead and instigated them?
He dared to kill people before because he had ten pots of meat behind him and was confident that he could appease them all. But as soon as the meat ran into trouble, his previous attempts to appease them were nothing more than putting a lid on a pressure cooker.
If there's nothing wrong with the meat, let's put an end to the laborers' emotions tonight, and then figure out a way to slowly prepare them later. Everyone will be happy.
But the meat, unfortunately, caused a problem...
Zhang Hai's back was suddenly soaked with sweat. He remembered that his first thought was to explain, but he was instigated by a few people in the laborers' group. When he saw the large group of laborers about to leave, he panicked and had the idea of killing them to intimidate them.
"There are those with ulterior motives among the laborers!"
He realized what was happening.
Unfortunately, it was still a bit too slow!
"With the resilience of frost, we will burn the land of Cai to ashes; we will resist the oppressive taxes and restore our food and clothing; we will smash the household registration system, so that no one is superior or inferior..."
A not-so-loud voice suddenly rang out from the middle of the crowd of laborers who had been silent for a long time. Although it was not loud, it was exceptionally clear and reached the ears of everyone around.
After reciting it once, the man didn't stop, but continued to repeat it over and over, until he repeated the sentence for the third time.
"With the resilience of frost, we will burn the land of Cai to ashes; we will resist the oppressive taxes and restore our food and clothing; we will smash the household registration system, so that no one is superior or inferior..."
Finally, some people started reading along.
"With the resilience of frost, we will burn the land of Cai to ashes; we will resist the oppressive taxes and restore our food and clothing; we will smash the household registration system, so that no one is superior or inferior..."
"With the resilience of frost, we will burn the land of Cai to ashes; we will resist the oppressive taxes and restore our food and clothing; we will smash the household registration system, so that no one is superior or inferior..."
More and more people started reciting it, and the words spread like a plague from the center of the crowd outwards. Of the more than 30,000 laborers, almost half of them started reciting it.
It was clear that many people were still somewhat dazed, obviously unaware of what had happened. However, upon hearing the contents of the three slogans, their expressions suddenly sharpened, and they clearly realized what was going on.
Zhang Hai was even more aware of what those three slogans meant. He looked at the crowd with a pale face, and tremblingly raised his hand as if to say something. But when he met thousands of fierce eyes, he was so frightened that he couldn't speak.
"You made us work without pay, and you wouldn't even give us a bite to eat! You even slaughtered us indiscriminately! Zhang Hai, Huwei Village, Caiqiu, you've gone too far!"
A roar suddenly rang out from the crowd, startling Zhang Hai and the other officials of Huwei Village.
"Brothers, these corrupt officials don't treat us like human beings. They kill us whenever they want. If we don't fight back, we'll be next!"
"We're not from Cai Qiu's side to begin with, so why should we put up with his nonsense?"
"Even if there are 30,000 pigs, they can't just stand there waiting to be slaughtered. Brothers, kill these corrupt officials! There's plenty of animal meat, blood, and silver in the Tiger Tail Village warehouse. Kill these corrupt officials and rob them!"
"With so many people, what are we afraid of? I don't believe Cai Qiu can send a large army to arrest and execute us all!"
“Caiqiu’s 20 troops have all gone south to fight. They might be defeated by other warlords. At that time, the entire Changqing Valley will change hands. We are not originally from Caiqiu. If we rebel now, it will be perfect to join another family!”
"kill!"
………………
Zhang Hai was completely bewildered. Of course he knew about the Frost Ash Society, but this organization originated in Chencang, which was their main base. According to his father and several adults in the city, the Frost Ash Society in Caiqiu only had a handful of members, not even a single one at the Xianyang level, and was simply not worth mentioning.
Evergreen Valley, we've never heard of Frostbite causing trouble before.
Why did this group of laborers suddenly start shouting the slogans of the Frost Ashes?
While his mind was in complete disarray, at the very front of the laborers' procession, hundreds of cold-resistant soldiers were already charging towards them.
"Rebellion? They think they can turn the world upside down with just these iron chisels and shovels!"
Although Zhang Hai was somewhat flustered at the moment, he realized that these laborers were really going to rebel, so he reacted quickly, drew his weapon, shouted angrily, and led the more than one hundred managers beside him to meet them.
"Quickly kill these rebels in the front row, as long as they are killed..."
If all 30,000 laborers were to riot, not to mention the hundred or so stewards around him, even if all 500 members of the Tiger Tail Village defense force were mobilized, they would not be able to stop them.
Quickly killing the hundred-odd people leading the way would be enough to intimidate the remaining laborers. If they gained power, things would get much worse.
Fortunately, these laborers had no weapons, only the chisels and shovels they had been given the night before when they were clearing the snow.
Iron chisels and shovels are civilian-use items, made from the most common ten-fold iron. How could you possibly fight them to the death with these?
Zhang Hai charged straight forward, several thoughts flashing through his mind. A sinister smile appeared on his face as he gave orders to the hundred-plus people around him.
Unfortunately, before he could finish speaking, a cold glint of light shot from the side, interrupting him.
call out…………
When the laborer produced a weapon, Zhang Hai was stunned for a moment, then quickly swung his sword to parry. However, the speed of the cold light was too fast. He had only just raised his sword when his chest was already struck.
puff!
It was a long spear.
The cold glint was the spearhead. Zhang Hai was not wearing armor, so the spearhead encountered almost no resistance, directly piercing through his skin and penetrating his flesh. The person wielding the spear was not only incredibly strong, but also seemed to be attacking with hatred in his heart. After succeeding in the attack, he suddenly roared and increased the force of his blow.
"drink…………"
click!
With the spear's edge pressed against his bones, a deathly aura rushed into his nostrils, and the ferocity on Zhang Hai's face vanished completely, leaving only fear and panic.
"Father, save me!"
This wasn't a case of calling for one's father only when facing certain death. Zhang Hai knew very well that his father had been watching him from the village's arrow tower the whole time. The force of that spear was at least 20 jin. The group of stewards around him couldn't react at all. At this moment, only his father could save him.
However, his beloved father did not appear to save him.
puff!
After the bones shattered, the spearhead continued forward, piercing straight through the heart and then exiting through the back of the body.
"laugh…………"
Blood splattered from his back, and Zhang Hai flew backward. A gray glint flashed in his pupils. Despite being hit by the spear, he still turned back to look at the village entrance, wanting to know why his father hadn't appeared in time to save him.
However, when he turned around, he discovered that at the village entrance, his father and Huang Qingyuan from Qinghua City were already fighting with someone.
"Young Master Zhang, do you still remember me?"
Zhang Hai was already on his deathbed, but when he heard the spear owner's somewhat incoherent voice, he still turned his head to look over. However, after seeing the other person's face clearly, his eyes were still full of unfamiliarity.
The owner of the spear was a middle-aged man with an exceptionally frightening appearance. The reason he was frightening was that there were seven or eight long scars on his face that resembled giant centipedes, and the sides of his mouth were also covered with healed scars. Combined with his slurred speech, it was highly likely that his tongue had been severed.
Did he know this person? Just as this thought flashed through Zhang Hai's mind, a sharp pain shot through his throat.
It turned out that the middle-aged man opposite him seemed to have realized that Zhang Hai did not recognize him. In his anger, he quickly drew his spear and pierced Zhang Hai's throat bone.
"You've disfigured me, cut out my tongue, destroyed my family and my elder brother's, and killed my youngest son in prison. And you don't even remember me, you bastard, you bastard, you bastard..."
Nearly three years later, although Hu Tiechuan's tongue has recovered, he can no longer speak like a normal person.
Upon seeing that Zhang Hai didn't remember him, Hu Tiechuan's anger, which had been building up for three years, surged into his mind instantly, and his pupils turned bloodshot.
Three years ago, the matter of being deprived of slave status and suffering was orchestrated by Zhang Yiqing, but ultimately, the root cause should be attributed to Zhang Hai.
Zhang Yiqing's idea of not returning his wife's status as a slave was instigated by Zhang Hai. The reason was that Zhang Hai, a young master who had just come from Qinghua City, had taken a fancy to his wife, Wang Qing.
In fact, Zhang Hai forced him to take the risk of stealing his wife's servitude certificate. His wife, Wang Qing, and his sister-in-law, Fang Jing, were both servants in the Zhang family. Zhang Hai harbored ill intentions, and if he could not free his wife from her servitude in time, she would be at risk of being harmed by this bastard if she stayed in the Zhang family for even one more day.
It's ridiculous, but after causing so much suffering to both of their families—he and his elder brother both lost their sons, and he himself almost died in Qinghua City—that beast Zhang Hai doesn't even remember him!
Fortunately, fortune and misfortune are always intertwined. Now, not only have our strength increased significantly, but we also have Lord Hong Yu as a powerful backer. As long as we can cooperate with the Grand Master to successfully launch an uprising, disrupt the rear of Cai Qiu's army, and help the Grand Master achieve victory, my elder brother and I will gain the Grand Master's favor and rise to the top in one step.
That Lord Hong Yu is not some prince, but a regional governor!
The thought flashed through Hu Tiechuan's mind, and he became unusually excited.
Although Su Xing'er didn't reveal much, in his opinion, the Lord Hong Yu who had pledged allegiance to Cai Qiu three years ago must also be a powerful regional warlord, capable of mobilizing 200,000 troops to march south.
Lord Fangbo, that Lord Hongyu is actually a Lord Fangbo!
Just as Hu Tiechuan was getting excited, the 30,000 laborers, who had been thoroughly mobilized, had already overwhelmed the officials of Huwei Village like a tidal wave.
The leaders of Huwei Village weren't stupid either. Some of them quickly retreated and called out the village's defense team, trying to close the village gate and block the mutinous laborers outside.
However, this is nothing but wishful thinking.
The defense force of Tiger Tail Village consists of only 500 people, of whom only one-third are at the Cold Resistance level. In addition, there are more than 200 Cold Resistance level people, including more than 100 stewards. The remaining 300 to 400 people are only at the limit of the Earth Digging Realm.
With just over 600 people, how could they possibly hold off more than 30,000?
As for closing the village gates, forget about it!
Hu Tiejiang, the eldest brother, led more than twenty people of the Cold-Resistant Rank and had already surrounded Zhang Yiqing and Huang Qingyuan. Not only the two of them, but also several other officials from Qinghua City, who must have come later, were also surrounded.
Zhang Yiqing clearly had a much better memory than his son. When he was being forced into retreat by Hu Tiejiang, he looked up and saw Hu Tiejiang's face clearly, and recognized him immediately.
"Hu Tiejiang, Hu Tiejiang, how could it be you..."
"I've waited three years, I've waited three years, and finally I have the chance to avenge my tragically murdered son and nephew. Zhang Yiqing, I swore to heaven three years ago that one day I would slaughter your entire Zhang family, and today I'll start with you!"
Hu Tiejiang's pent-up anger of three years erupted suddenly, and his iron spear shot out, each move aimed at Zhang Yiqing's vital points.
In three years, thanks to the abundant resources left behind by that person in the valley and driven by hatred, he and his younger brother have made rapid progress in their strength, and now they both have a strength of around 32 manes.
If we had this strength three years ago, how could the young son have frozen to death in prison, and how could Tiechuan have suffered such inhuman torture!
Thinking of this, Hu Tiejiang's anger surged even higher, and he seized the opportunity to plunge his spear into Zhang Yiqing's back.
Huang Qingyuan and several other experts from Qinghua City were surrounded by the people he brought. Zhang Yiqing was now isolated and helpless. With only the strength of 18 hairs, how could he possibly contend with Hu Tiejiang?
Click...
The spear's edge pierced his back, and excruciating pain surged through his mind. Zhang Yiqing was instantly thrown into a state of extreme panic. He endured the pain and ran quickly toward the interior of the village.
"You scoundrel, trying to run away!"
However, he had only run a few steps when he heard an incoherent voice ahead, and then a round thing flew towards him.
Zhang Yiqing was in a panic. He subconsciously thought that the round thing was an enemy, so he immediately drew his sword and thrust forward, trying to break through.
laugh…………
The sword pierced through the round object.
Upon seeing what it was, Zhang Yiqing's eyes widened, his expression suddenly stunned, and then he let out a mournful cry.
“Ah Hai…”
That thing was actually the head of his son, Zhang Hai.
He had just been entangled by Hu Tiejiang and his men, so he hadn't had a chance to see what was happening on the official road and was completely unaware that his son had been killed.
laugh…………
During a life-or-death battle, the worst thing is to lose your composure, especially when your emotions have completely collapsed like his.
Hu Tiejiang was filled with hatred. Seeing Zhang Hai's head only brought him relief. Seeing Zhang Yiqing's stunned expression, he immediately seized the opportunity, leaped up, and thrust his spear high into the back where Zhang Yiqing had just been stabbed.
The spear pierced through the back of Zhang Yiqing's neck, severing his spine and crushing him to his knees on the ground. But Hu Tiejiang was still not satisfied, so he thrust it hard, completely destroying Zhang Yiqing's spine and picking out five or six bloody, broken vertebrae.
"what…………"
The spine is one of the most important parts of the human body. Even a slight blow to it is painful, let alone being completely shattered and forcibly pulled out of the body.
Zhang Yiqing's mournful cry quickly turned into a agonizing scream. The intense pain caused his eyes to rapidly become bloodshot. In less than three or four breaths, his life force was completely exhausted, and his body collapsed with a thud, dead beyond any doubt.
"You've rebelled! You've really rebelled! The vassal army is right here in the valley! At this critical juncture, you dare to rebel? You're insane! You're all crazy!"
Huang Qingyuan was also in a bit of a mess at this moment. Although he had a strength of 37, he was surrounded by too many people and could only dodge and flee, trying to break through the encirclement. The problem was that the 30,000 laborers were still surrounding him. How could he break through?
Unless one is at the Manifestation Yang level and has the ability to fly, for those at the Cold Resistance level, no matter how strong they are, once surrounded by a large number of enemies, they can only wait to die.
Huang Qingyuan clearly realized this as well, and in his despair, he let out a startled and angry curse. Although his words contained a threat, anyone could hear the underlying weakness in his tone.
"The 20-strong army of the regional military governor has been marching for more than three hours. They may have already engaged the enemy forces in the south. Almost all of the Xianyang-level troops in Qinghua City have been mobilized for this southward march. Who cares about this place now..."
Hu Tiejiang spoke loudly, deliberately raising his voice, clearly intending it for all the laborers involved in the riot to hear.
He paused for a moment, then continued with a cold laugh: "You don't think that the Frostfire uprising will only happen in Tiger Tail Village, do you? The other four villages in Red Tiger Ridge, including the laborers you conscripted in the south, all have our people. Cai Qiu is going to suffer a big setback this time!"
Upon hearing this, Huang Qingyuan's heart skipped a beat, and his face turned deathly pale.
"Brothers, Cai Qiu is ruthless, so don't blame us for being unjust. We all know what kind of life Changqing Valley has been living all these years. Rather than let Cai Qiu continue to harm us like this, it's better to surrender to the foreign vassals than to continue being treated like pigs and dogs and killed by them!"
The clamor from the laborers earlier was from Hu Tiejiang. He was a burly man with a bold and magnanimous voice that instantly captivated everyone.
"Whether you stick your neck out or not, you'll still get stabbed. We've already done it, so what's there to be afraid of? Kill these corrupt officials, seize the warehouse in Tiger Tail Village, kill them!"
"Evergreen Valley might change masters soon, what's there to be afraid of?"
"Brothers, kill!"
"There are quite a few good things in the warehouse of Tiger Tail Village. Kill the corrupt official first, then seize the warehouse. What this gentleman said is right. Surrendering to the outer domain is better than continuing to be treated like pigs and dogs by Cai Qiu!"
"Kill them!"
………………
As more and more shouts rang out, the 30,000 laborers who had been meek and submissive had completely transformed into thugs. They raised their chisels and shovels and charged madly into the village.
(End of this chapter)