Chapter 8: Sorcery

He was intent on causing trouble. Although this group of loyal soldiers had witnessed Liu Chang's might, they still harbored some doubts. However, before Sun Bazong could say much, someone over there had already thrown a punch, sending the severely injured Sun Bazong flying to the ground: "I told you to stop talking nonsense, I told you to stop talking nonsense!"

Everyone is a local from Yueqing and knows the details about Qu Zhenhan very well. Who would genuinely support this mud-legged man from Dongxiang! In the temple, seven or eight out of ten are from Xixiang, especially several major businesses, all of whom are from Xixiang. They have longstanding grievances against Dongxiang.

Ni Tingmo also recalled the past humiliation inflicted by Sun Huzi, secretly harboring resentment: "If Sun Huzi dares to slander the backbone of the righteous army again, I will chop him into pieces with a single knife!"

All eyes in the venue were focused on Liu Chang, while Sun Huzi lowered his head, thinking disdainfully: "Don't fool people, Liu the Enchantress! I've seen all kinds of scenes; your tricks won't work!"

Sun's intention was to give Liu Chang eye drops, so he continued to shout: "Who is the boss between Liu Jian and Marshal Qu? Who listens to whom?"

He limped into the goddess temple, where he found the small temple already crowded with people, all of whom were local gentry and powerful figures from Leqing City. Normally, they were considered prominent individuals, yet now they stood there like elementary school students, waiting for Qu Zhenhan to deliver his speech.

Sun Huzi knocked his head as if he were pounding garlic, his mindset of watching the joke had already flown far away; he was only thinking about how to escape with his life amidst such a calamity of war.

Qu Zhenhan was still draped in that black cloak, but tonight he seemed to have experienced some grand event, his steps somewhat unsteady. He pointed at Liu Chang and personally addressed the elders of Lecheng: "Esteemed elders and scholars of Tushu, I, the commander, have received a personal edict from the Eastern King of the Heavenly Kingdom, leading the rebel forces into Lecheng. By the grace of Heaven, we have only eliminated a few bandits and taken the city. Today, His Highness the Heavenly King from the capital has sent Liu Chang, the inspector, to assist me in achieving great undertakings..."

Sun Huzi secretly sneered: "So this is the method of the White Lotus Rebellion; this Liu Yao must be a White Lotus demon."

The small local tyrant standing next to Sun Huzi, known throughout Xixiang for his audacity, now trembles all over, unable to stand steady. Upon seeing everyone, he kneels down, and in a moment of cleverness, he also kneels on the ground, peering through the gaps in his eyes at the scene on Liu Chang's notebook screen. His mouth is agape, yet he does not know what to say. After a long while, he finally exclaims: "Mom..."

Liu smiled at everyone, indicating his identity: "I am merely a leisure person from the Tianwang Mansion, favored by Grand Marshal Qu. I am obedient to his commands and will certainly assist Marshal Qu in achieving extraordinary accomplishments. When the time comes, Marshal Qu can sit facing south, and all of you esteemed gentlemen will not miss the rewards of nobility."

Liu Chang smiled and said, "No need, Commander Qu is in need of him, bring him in!"

Sun Huzi further contemplated whether he should expose Liu Yaoren's tricks by pushing someone out to confront him directly, realizing that this would entail even greater danger, especially since he was already marked in Liu Chang's eyes

Liu Chang made a round in the temple, allowing everyone to observe more closely before turning back. Jin Peiquan had already spoken on his behalf: "Do you see? This is the great calamity of war. Heaven has sent General Qu down to save the world. If you dare to resist us, I will ensure that the entire city perishes..."

Sun Huzi was so frightened that he lost all composure. He stared at the incredible scene, witnessing the volcanic eruption and the earth splitting apart, standing there like a wooden chicken. After a long while, he finally reacted, kneeling on the ground and crying out loudly: "Inspector Liu, Master Liu, please save me, I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong!"

Not only is Sun Huzi clear in his heart, but the gentry present are also watching Qu Zhenhan through narrowed eyes. They do not regard this so-called "Grand Marshal of the Armies of the World" at all, but are merely compelled by the situation to meet Qu Zhenhan. Some are even ready to stab Qu Zhenhan at any moment.

Qu Zhenhan's face suddenly flushed with color. Up until now, Liu Chang has never clarified the extent of his loyalty to the Heavenly Kingdom, and Qu Zhenhan has always been concerned about this matter. However, it is now made clear that he is willing to assist him in establishing his own domain and achieving imperial success: "Liu Jian is indeed my Zhang Zifang, Zhuge Liang, and Liu Bowen. As the saying goes, the founding heroes are paramount, and the strategist who crosses the river is unparalleled!"

The one who took action was Vice Marshal Ni Tingmo. Although Liu Chang did not take his seal, he was indeed worried about this matter. As soon as he exited the temple, upon hearing Sun Bazong's nonsense, he was truly enraged and exclaimed: "Sun Huzi, remember this: Liu Jian Dian is here to assist Marshal Qu and me, Ni, not to usurp power!"

He can undermine Liu Chang, and naturally, Liu Chang can also undermine him. Regardless, Sun Huzi is a seventh-rank captain, and when he goes to the countryside to suppress bandits, he does not take someone like Ni Tingmo, a minor local tyrant, seriously at all, having committed numerous heinous acts

The entire venue was initially so silent that one could hear a pin drop. Now, with Li Dadan's shout, chaos erupted as people began to cry and make a scene. It was a complete disorder, but everyone was kneeling on the ground, making Sun Huzi, who was the only one still standing, particularly conspicuous.

"What do I have to do with this?" Sun Huzi has already thought: "What does Qu Zhenhai have to do with the mud-legged man? Hmm, Liu Jian, I must stab you with this knife!"

Sun Huzi was clear in his heart that no matter how capable Qu Zhenhan was, these local gentry and powerful figures would never bow down and pledge loyalty to him. They would not only secretly undermine him but might even openly resist him.

Liu Chang, however, paid no attention to the commotion around him, slowly making his way through the crowd with a notebook in hand. The gentry, in their panic, parted to make way for Liu Chang, yet they found the apocalyptic scene before them to be strikingly real

As a result, this became the catalyst, and the enraged residents of the county immediately began to attack the Red Turbans. Subsequently, the surrendered Green Camp soldiers and county officials quickly responded, and the long-discontented residents of Xixiang also surged into the county to slaughter the Red Turbans, even to the extent of killing anyone who spoke with an Eastern Township accent on the spot. Within just two short hours, more than 1,400 people were killed.

Sun Huzi found Liu Chang's words to be overly sentimental, but in the next moment, Liu Chang had already stepped on him, delivering a kick and a blow that seemed to break two of his ribs. Following that, two slaps landed on his face, causing Sun Bazong to break into a cold sweat: "Sun Bazong, you are an elite in the Green Camp, how is it that you are now thinking for Vice Commander Ni!"

In the next moment, a space suddenly opened up in front of Sun Huzi, and the well-informed local gentry and gentlemen all knelt down. A merchant standing in front of Sun Bazong even raised his hands and repeatedly chanted: "Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, great compassion and great mercy! Great compassion and great mercy!"

"Then who listens to whom between you and Liu Jian?" Sun Huzi still does not forget to undermine: "The people from Guangxi cannot seize our territory!"

Sun Huzi merely regarded Qu Zhenhan's remarks as nonsense, letting them go in one ear and out the other, as if watching a monkey show: "This www.hetushu.com is the Liu Inspection Point, one of the thirty-six inspection points in front of the Hall of Heavenly Kings"

This couplet praises Liu Ji, also known as Liu Bowen, but it seems somewhat inappropriate when applied to Liu Chang, who does not correct it: "Ladies and gentlemen, Marshal Qu is the master of the heavenly mandate, the reincarnation of the Purple Star, here to save the people of the world from the great calamity of war!"

He let out a cold laugh: "Qu Zhenhai, do you think that after entering the county town, everyone won't recognize you, this monkey?"

The entire audience remained kneeling, and after a long while, someone finally stood up: "Demon, this is sorcery! I, Huo Qiu, must break this sorcery!"

However, he also felt that his previous actions were too obvious, and that he must employ more tactics moving forward. Yet, his thoughts remained unchanged: "You mud-legged monkeys in fine clothes, I will ensure that you die without a complete corpse!"

They have fallen into despair, they have collapsed! All faith has vanished in this moment!

Liu Chang, in a ghostly guise, spoke several lines, while beside him, Jin Peiquan also chimed in to stir the pot: "The heavens are about to unleash knives for nine days and nights, and also to rain down heavenly fire for nine days and nights. With so much land left uncultivated, what are we to do about this?"

Although Qu Jie had developed a good rapport with Sun Huzi over the course of half a day, he now stood there quietly, not daring to utter a single word: "Liu Jian Dian, Vice Commander Ni, this person usually talks too much; I will give him a beating!"

As for Qu Zhenhan, no matter what he says, they will superficially agree, but regardless of how grandiose your words may be, we will always secretly undermine him. The mud-legged people of Dongxiang are absolutely untrustworthy

This is an old trick used by rural shamans and Taoist priests to swindle money. Among the audience are not only scholars with degrees but also wealthy merchants with vast fortunes, and they all show signs of dissatisfaction towards such an extremely unprofessional performance

In history, Qu Zhenhan occupied the city for seven days. Although he did not harm a single person, he was ultimately unable to win the hearts of the county's residents. On December 24, a dispute arose between the residents and Qu Zhenhan over five hundred wen. Both parties sought his mediation, but Qu Zhenhan was unable to resolve the matter, which escalated into a heated argument between the residents of the East and West villages. As a result, one of Qu Zhenhan's subordinates uttered in anger: "If you dare to defy me, I will ensure that the entire city perishes..."

In the next moment, Sun Huzi felt a chill run down his spine; he heard Liu Chang's voice: "Naturally, I am listening to Deputy Commander Qu. I am merely a local from Guangxi, without any substantial background. Everything is at the discretion of Commander Qu and Deputy Commander Ni"

However, he is very clear that such nonsensical talk, even if spoken for ten days and nights, cannot persuade anyone. Liu Chang is also aware of this: "Esteemed gentlemen, do you know what the scene of war and disaster looks like? Please take a look at this Ice Moon Snow Shadow Divine Mirror of mine; the scene of the Ice Fire Catastrophe is contained within it!"

The western township, adjacent to Yongjia, is relatively affluent economically, with numerous families devoted to education. Politically, it aligns with conservative factions. In the western township of Yueqing County, the residents hold an advantageous position. Furthermore, there are longstanding conflicts between the eastern and western townships over clan interests, forest resources, and water disputes, leading to continuous armed clashes. The people of the western township regard Qu Zhenhan, a local tyrant from the eastern township who has played a significant role in these conflicts, as their arch-enemy.

Such tricks cannot deceive them; they are indeed experts in swindling and deception

According to custom, Yueqing can be divided into Dongxiang and Xixiang. The area towards Taizhou is referred to as Dongxiang, while the region towards Wenzhou's county seat is called Xixiang. Qu Zhenhan and his Red Turban Army were almost entirely composed of people from Dongxiang. The economy of Dongxiang is not very developed, characterized by poor mountains and bad waters, with many starving people and a prevalence of local tyrants. There has long been a tradition of resistance against the Qing dynasty, which is why Qu Zhenhan was able to rally widespread support when he initiated his uprising in Dongxiang.