Chapter 2: Bloodshed

Boom ... ... Boom ... ... Boom ... ...

In the current situation, preserving one's life is the top priority. As for randomly attacking these wealthy individuals whose names are heard for the first time, it can only be seen as a desperate measure

At this moment, dawn was approaching, and this group of Qing soldiers had already escorted Liu Chang for two or three miles, all feeling excited: "We will soon reach the county town, move faster!"

There are still people shouting incessantly in the local dialect, and the content of their shouts is roughly similar. The Red Turban Army across the way has slightly slowed their advance, yet they continue to press forward under the leadership of several yellow flags. It seems that the Heavenly Kingdom envoy from Nanjing does not carry enough weight.

The several yellow flags on the opposite side waved vigorously, and several hundred Red Turban soldiers charged forward with a roar. At this moment, Liu Chang fought fiercely, cutting and punching his way through the Qing soldiers, making a round of attacks. As he prepared to make another round, he turned around only to see that the dozen or so Qing soldiers had knelt on the ground, their weapons thrown all over the place: "General, spare us! Sir, spare us!"

The Qing army leader, with a face full of bushy beard and a waist sword, laughed incessantly. However, his leather armor was equally tattered, resembling a local ruffian. Liu Chang's address of "General Sir" brought him considerable joy, prompting him to say: "Let me tell you, this scout, it is now the fourth year of Xianfeng, and in a few days it will be the fifth year of Xianfeng, with Xianfeng still ruling the land!"

During this year, the Crimean War was in full swing, with millions of troops from Britain, France, Russia, and Turkey engaged in relentless battles for the so-called "Holy Land". They were temporarily unable to extend their grasp to the Far East, making it a time for heroes to achieve fame and success.

In the eyes of Lord Yao, the changes in Dongxiang are not a cause for concern; seizing the opportunity to make a substantial profit is the right path. It is important to note that although these wealthy households show considerable filial piety, no one ever thinks there is too much money. Moreover, as Deputy General Yao oversees military affairs, he cannot interfere much in civil matters and can only extract more from the soldiers. These local landlords do not show enough respect, and this time, he can take advantage of the situation to reap significant benefits.

"He is an envoy from Tianjing, so do not get it wrong!"

They were bargaining with the man with the big beard, while conversing in a language that Liu Chang could not understand. When they saw Liu Chang walking a bit slowly, one of them swung his fist and shouted: "Long-haired one, hurry up! Otherwise, I will deal with you right here!"

He could not immediately calculate which year was the fourth year of Xianfeng, but it was definitely in the 1850s. It could not possibly be the year 1862 planned by Yangzi. Currently, the Qing army and the Tian Guo are engaged in a deadly struggle, which presents an opportunity for a third force to rise. Unfortunately, he must first escape with his life from this group of Qing soldiers.

"Long-haired elder, I have both the elderly and children at home. Please be a little lenient with your blade; it would be an immense act of virtue!"

At this moment, a man in his forties, carrying two yellow flags, approached quickly. This man had a robust build and an imposing presence. He cupped his hands towards Liu Chang and said, "Are you truly the envoy sent by the Eastern King of Tianjing to make contact?"

In the fourth year of Xianfeng, why is my own mouth so cursed? If I had persisted for fifteen years, perhaps I could now be happily online with my book. But insisting on saying it was a hundred and fifty years ago, well, fine!

Liu Chang repeated it several times before saying: "Indeed, indeed, this esteemed general, I have nothing to hide. Can you ensure the safety of my humble life?"

As of now, he only knows that he should have traveled to the fourth year of Xianfeng, which, upon careful calculation, corresponds to the year 1854. The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom had already captured Tianjing two years prior, and the Northern Expedition and Western Campaign had reached the pinnacle of their endeavors. Meanwhile, the Shanghai Small Knife Society and the Huai Army took the opportunity to rise in rebellion, leaving the Qing Dynasty overwhelmed in their response

He quickly mentioned several names of ignorant local tycoons, and Liu Chang immediately memorized them, responding, "That's right, I am here to deliver a message to Liu Haoyu, and also..."

This unexpected turn of events pleased the bearded man greatly; as long as he could take the opportunity to bite into a few local wealthy landowners, even if he didn't wipe them out completely, he could still scrape together half a house full of gold and silver. He immediately asked, "Is your accomplice Liu Haoyu, and also..."

"Long-haired Lord, please stop cutting, I beg you!"

In the blink of an eye, Liu Chang had transformed from a small rebel into the leader of a bandit group. Several Qing soldiers had already shouted according to his instructions: "Stop, stop! Here is an envoy sent by Nanjing. If you come any closer, we will execute him on the spot!"

Only by preserving a useful body can one achieve great things. However, while Liu Chang carried the name, he was also contemplating his own future. Sincerely aligning himself with the Qing Dynasty was certainly not his desire, but the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was also a lost cause. Liu Chang held little affection for Hong Xiuquan's grand ambitions for the Heavenly Kingdom.

Liu Chang ignored him and instead shouted, "Bind all these Manchu lackeys for me"

The sound of three cannon blasts rang out simultaneously, followed by several yellow flags being raised. Then, groups of militia wearing red headscarves charged forward, shouting loudly. The bearded man could no longer hold onto his waist knife: "It is the bandits attacking the city, the bandits are attacking the city!"

It is truly a long-haired person, it is truly a hair thief

The big-bearded man, fearing that Liu Chang might recite it incorrectly, made him repeat it several times before finally concluding. He then questioned, "Is Liu Haoyu fifty years old, five feet tall, and bald..."

He added, "You spy, what are you asking this for? Hurry up and confess your accomplices, otherwise I will execute you on the spot!"

"Your Excellency, we have indeed captured a genuine bandit. Please say a few more words in front of Lord Yao, and perhaps we can deduct a few coins from this month's expenses."

Liu Chang looked ahead in the light, and before him was a county town that was not much smaller than a small town in later generations. The city walls were not very high, and it was unclear how many Qing soldiers were stationed inside. However, in the next moment, his eyes brightened.

The more than ten Qing soldiers under him were even more inept, trembling all over and at a loss for what to do. After a while, the bearded man finally thought of Liu Changqi as a valuable asset. He shouted loudly: "Stop them, make this group of bandits stop! These are long-haired spies sent from Nanjing, true long-haired ones. If they do not stop, I will kill this envoy from Nanjing, no, the chief!"

He has also experienced several battles, but they were merely child’s play against bandits. Over the years, following Vice General Yao, he has learned the skill of making money, completely forgetting the art of combat. Now, seeing the hundreds of Red Turban Army soldiers charging in, he is truly at a loss.

General, haha, you are quite an amusing long-haired spy. Have you been bewildered by the teachings of the Western missionaries?

Spare us, adults; we, the soldiers of the Green Camp, are merely trying to make a living and are not genuinely serving the Qing Dynasty with our hearts

Liu Chang then delivered an elbow strike, followed by a flying kick, sending the bearded man flying out. The waist knife in his hand fell into Liu Chang's grasp. The entire squad of Qing soldiers was stunned by Liu Chang's lightning-fast movements, their eyes wide open in disbelief, unable to comprehend that this seemingly insignificant bandit was such a formidable character.

They had no time to exclaim in astonishment, as Liu Chang had already charged into the ranks of the Qing army wielding a waist knife. He had not learned any knife techniques, but relying on the presence of several hundred suspected allies in front of him, he swung and slashed indiscriminately. The courage of the dozen or so Qing soldiers had already waned; even though they held a few dull short knives, once Liu Chang closed in, they fled in panic, and he managed to take down two or three of them in quick succession.

He is a trusted confidant of Deputy General Yao, fully aware that his superior is adept at making money, having plundered countless soldiers' resources over time. This time, with the upheaval in Dongxiang, Deputy General Yao is not only unperturbed but rather pleased, actively seeking signs of wealthy households in and around the city that may be in collusion with bandits

The man with the big beard spoke in a non-standard Mandarin: "If you are wise, this official might speak a few good words for you to Lord Yao, which could very well save your life"

Deep down, however, he was as clear as snow. Although this little rascal was perceptive, he could not be spared. Once a statement was recorded, he had to be silenced. He added, "Now come with me to meet Lord Yao; you know what you are supposed to say!"

As they were speaking, a group of Red Turbans charged over. Upon seeing Liu Chang covered in blood, wielding a still sharp waist knife, they truly exuded an air of murderous intent and authority. They shouted a few times, but Liu Chang did not understand what they were saying. After a while, someone remarked: "Is this the envoy sent by Tianjing? What a man!"

The corner of the big beard's mouth involuntarily revealed a smile: "This long-haired fellow is quite clever; Deputy General Yao is in need of such a clever person!"

He was still pondering when the bearded man raised his waist knife and struck down, then stepped on his back: "Rebel, will you not confess who your accomplices are? Who did you send the message to?"

However, his calculation is somewhat incorrect. It is now December of the fourth year of Xianfeng, which corresponds to January of the year 1855 in the Gregorian calendar.

Liu Chang felt a sharp pain in his body, which jolted him awake. Having navigated society for so many years, he had gained some insight. He immediately followed the big beard's lead and continued, "General, I have many accomplices; which one are you referring to?"

His eyes were filled with suspicion. Liu Chang casually threw his waist knife to the ground and loudly asked, "Who are you?"

Several waist knives and short blades were pressed against Liu Chang's side, forcing him to move forward. These Qing soldiers, who usually lived in hardship, seized the opportunity to negotiate with the bearded man: "Boss, now that we've captured this long-haired one, what should the reward be for this?"

The bearded man over there is already contemplating how to silence him. He has been following Deputy General Yao for several years, and this method has become quite familiar to him: "If this little bandit knows his place, he should just confess and be given a quick end; if he does not know his place..."

Upon hearing the words "the fourth year of Xianfeng," Liu Chang felt a wave of dizziness in his mind

The long-haired spy before me is truly a gift from heaven, having been personally touched by the bearded man. It is indeed short hair, and it is not just a temporary shave. Unlike those mud-legged individuals from Dongxiang who falsely claim to be part of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, this is undoubtedly genuine long hair, authentic and unaltered.

Indeed! If we are to be dragged out of our warm beds, we should at least be given a few words of appreciation

The group of Red Turbans across from them hesitated for a moment upon hearing Liu Chang's orders, and then proceeded to tie up the group of Green Camp soldiers as instructed.

I really cut it!" the big bearded man shouted, but over there, Liu Chang had already seized the opportunity. With a swift motion, he bent down and delivered a hook punch straight to the big man's nose. Caught off guard, the big man let out a grunt and nearly lost his grip on his waist knife, his whole body flipping backward.