Chapter 6, Pre-War (Part 2)

Zhao Wentou suddenly raised his head, his brows furrowed, his eyes bloodshot, his teeth grinding audibly, "I will go and bring that corrupt official here!"

When it comes to money and grain, they remain unmoved; when it comes to tea, wine, silk, and cotton, they also do not stir. Yet, when the topic shifts to weapons and armor, they become animated. Are they truly here for wealth?

Looking at the curled-up figure of County Magistrate Zhang on the floor, Zhao Yu sneered, "Is the Prefect at ease?"

Waving his hand to signal Zhao Wen to step aside, Zhao Yu approached Zhang Yu, circling around him twice. Leaning in from behind, he said ominously: "Governor Zhang, one does not speak falsehoods in the presence of the living. Our gang from Langgang Zhai is attacking the county town this time solely for the wealth within. As long as the governor reveals the whereabouts of the county treasury's contents, I will provide you with provisions, beat drums, and send you out of the city. However, if the governor harbors any illusions and refuses to speak, I also have my methods. Although the eighteen styles of the prison city are not something I can perform, the skill of slicing meat is something everyone here can manage." Zhao Yu extended his cold fingers, scratching Zhang Yu's thick neck with his nails, and was satisfied to see goosebumps rising on the skin. "Have you ever experienced the sensation of being cut into a thousand pieces, my lord...?"

Oh, really? Zhao Yu elongated his tone, and suddenly he slapped the armrest, shouting: "Dare you deceive me again? The money and grain can be lent out, but what about the tea and wine in the treasury? What about the silk and cotton? Can these miscellaneous items be lent out?"

Note 3: This refers to sashimi. In ancient China, there was a long-standing tradition of consuming raw fish, known as "yukui." This practice emerged during the Spring and Autumn period, reached its peak during the Han, Tang, and Song dynasties, gradually declined after the Yuan and Ming dynasties, and by the Qing dynasty, it had nearly disappeared. Today, it can only be found in Japanese cuisine.

When Zhao Wen finally returned, disheartened and dejected, to report, the scene at the beginning unfolded

"Where is the corpse?" Chen Wu asked with a cold expression. "When a person dies, there is still a corpse. When this weapon decays, does it just turn to ash? There must be something left behind."

Zhao Yu was not particularly concerned about whether there were provisions in the warehouse or in the books, as he only needed to hold out for one day; nor did he care much about the missing silks and silver, as they were merely unexpected gains—fortunate to acquire, but inconsequential to lose. However, the disappearance of his weapons and armor ignited his anger, which was difficult to contain. Especially the bows and crossbows; without these ranged weapons, how could he defend the city walls? Would he resort to pouring boiling oil with a ladle or throwing bricks?

Zhao Wen was ordered to take over the county treasury, initially thinking that the treasury would be filled with weapons and armor, abundant provisions, piles of silk and cotton, and rooms full of tea and wine. However, upon opening the treasury door, he was taken aback to find it completely empty. Undeterred, Zhao Wen searched every storage room, only to discover that it was so clean that not even a mouse could be found.

Chen Wu's voice is ten times colder than the freezing northern wind over the sea: "Then we should ask County Magistrate Zhang."

Zhao Yu kicked Zhang Yu down, turned around, and returned to his seat, coldly saying: "You scoundrel are deceiving me. In the world of lending, is there any reason not to settle accounts by the end of the year?"

This matter is easy. The Zen Master Zhi Shan said after listening, There are only two such good men in the city, and San Shu knows them both; they have even drunk together a few times. If we persuade them, we might be able to recruit them into our group

Note 1: Abbot: Originally used in Buddhism to refer to the residence of the elder or the abbot of a Zen temple. After the Song Dynasty, it became a title for the abbot.

Zhao Yu was flipping through the inventory ledger taken from the county office's storage (Note 2), briefly overlooking the sections on money and grain, and focusing solely on the item concerning bows and crossbows

In the pirate army, there are indeed bows and crossbows, but how can those poorly made civilian goods compare to the high-quality military-grade products manufactured by the Tokyo Bow and Crossbow Institute? Moreover, during this nighttime raid, there is no need for bows and crossbows; having them on hand would only hinder movement, which is why they were not brought along. When formulating the plan, Zhao Yu was counting on obtaining reinforcements from the county treasury.

In other words, there are no weapons in the city at all, only San Gu Zhai has them?" Chen Wu, utterly disappointed, spoke in a disordered manner

Zhao Yu pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "Let's forget it; there is no time to subdue them now. Just cut them down directly." Seeing the monk and Uncle San's gloomy expression, Zhao Yu quickly explained, "In the face of a great battle, the fewer variables, the better. Those civil and military officials we captured will still be executed on the city walls as sacrifices when the official army arrives."

Zhang Yu collapsed, grabbing Zhao Yu's clothing corner and screaming: "I said! I said! The money and grain in the county treasury have all been lent out, and it hasn't even reached the time for collecting debts yet!"

Zhao Yu sat back down in the armchair, supporting her forehead with her hand, appearing utterly dejected, exuding an air of disappointment all over: "How is this possible?"

Zhang Yu clutched his head in pain. Zhao Yu frowned and said, "Do not hit my head, I still have questions to ask."

Zhang Yu's body began to tremble uncontrollably. Her face turned pale, yet she gritted her teeth and feigned an air of righteous indignation

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuwen's eyes brightened once again, what a 'now'. Recalling the fleeing county lieutenant, everything became clear. 'So they did not intend to plunder the city, but to seize it!' Reflecting on what Zhao Yu had said last night— to become an official, one must kill and set fires to receive amnesty— Zhang Yuwen could not help but lower his head to conceal the surging joy about to overflow, 'My leader shall ultimately be preserved.'

Zhang Yuyi sprang up with a start and shouted, "You scoundrel, you insult me..."

After calling several times, a voice finally came from the abbot (Note 1) in the center of the meditation room, "Is that you, Yu? Please wait a moment, I will be ready shortly"

After a while, just as Zhao Yu was becoming impatient, Zhi Shan finally emerged. As the sunlight hit him, he squinted his eyes, his complexion weary, yet he did not appear to have been sleeping. Zhao Yu hurriedly approached him, just about to speak, when he caught a whiff of a damp, earthy smell coming from him.

Every time Zhao Yu thinks of those powerful bows and crossbows that rightfully belonged to him but were taken away by others, his heart bleeds. In the martial world, these are treasures that are worth their weight in gold and are extremely hard to come by

Indeed, upon seeing Chen Wu eagerly speaking, Zhang Yu's eyes lit up, "These weapons and armor are indeed what they care about the most, even more than the hierarchy of status."

The hour of the snake has passed, and the sun is approaching its zenith

Note 2: In ancient China, archives were established in various levels of administrative institutions. They were used to store "constitutional orders, maps, books, and documents"

Zhao Wen dared not look at Zhao Yu, his head lowered increasingly, his voice barely audible, "Indeed, there is nothing at all"

It was fine as long as they remained still, but once they moved, Zhang County Magistrate, who had been anxiously observing the expressions and movements of Zhao Yu and the other two, noticed it. Although his character was lacking and his appearance was rather unsightly, he was merely a graduate of the same class, yet within five years, he successfully transitioned from a selected candidate to an official (Note 4) and was promoted to county magistrate. His ability to read people's words and expressions, as well as to gauge their thoughts, was indeed exceptional.

Zhao Yu gritted her teeth, a hint of coldness seeping through her clenched jaws: "This time entering the city has been too smooth, with too little bloodshed. It might give some people inappropriate thoughts. If we don't kill a few significant figures, this city may not be able to maintain its stability"

Chen Wu pressed further: "Isn't it even worse if the warehouse is left empty"

Zhao Wen shrank his neck and said softly, "There is nothing."

The person below agreed. Zhao Yu turned her head and smiled as she explained to Zhang Yu: "Sashimi (Note 3) can be eaten raw, but human flesh, well, it's better to roast it thoroughly. The governor's delicate skin and tender flesh, round and smooth, must surely taste exceptional when roasted with blood."

At the Bell and Drum Tower, Zhao Yu's face was ashen, and Chen Wu's expression was equally grim

Zhao Yu was so furious that she gritted her teeth, when suddenly an angry voice from the stairs below shouted, "Let me go up!"

Zhang Yu shuddered and hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, please see clearly, I would not dare to deceive you. Tea, wine, silk, and cotton are all recorded in the accounts. The rewards for the New Year were distributed early, and the officials and soldiers in the county are all to receive their share. There are still many debts outstanding, and there is nothing left in the treasury."

To be promoted to the position of Jinghe *Tu* Book Official, one must undergo a rigorous process of three terms and six examinations—each term lasting three years, with an examination held annually—ascending through various levels. After the completion of the examination period, one must also be recommended by someone, pass the review of the Southern Censorate and the internal selection, and finally receive approval from the Chancellor before being elevated to the position of a Jing official. This entire process is referred to as the change of official position.

Zhao Yu was astonished; someone had just died in this abbot's chamber, and it was killed by Master Zhishan himself. Although the pirates were not averse to such matters, his own room should be clean. Why should he sleep in a room of the dead

Zhao Yu leaped up from the chair, leaned in closer, and stared into Zhao Wen's eyes: "In such a large county treasury, how could it possibly be empty? There must be something, at the very least!"

When coming to inspect, borrow a batch from Sanguzhai to fill the numbers, and return it after the people have left

"Come here," Zhao Yu shouted, "bring me a barbecue rack."

Zhao Yu smiled, and it was a genuine smile. Seeing Magistrate Zhang trembling like this, it would only take a little more fire to pry open his mouth.

Zhang Yu lay on the ground, tears streaming down, sobbing: "I did not lie! If the accounts are not closed at the end of the year, the interest can always be increased by two points."

"What about the weapons and armor? Surely they haven't been distributed as well?" Zhao Yu said, patting the thick inventory list in his hands, "Everything is clearly documented here; all the items are in the warehouse!"

Forty bows, sixty crossbows, and ten thousand arrows each. This equipment is barely sufficient for the soldiers under Zhao Yu's command

Zhang Yu speculated on the reasons while replying, "Damaged weapons cannot be left in the armory; it would be unfortunate if they were discovered during inspections on the road or in the counties and prefectures."

"Nothing at all!?" Zhao Yu asked fiercely

Suddenly, there was a loud clattering sound from the stairs, and Zhang Yu was kicked up by Zhao Wen, rolling and scrambling.

At that time, he thought that even if Zhang Yu were to be greedy, at most he would deplete the treasury's funds and provisions, and it would be impossible for him to embezzle the armaments. However, the facts proved that in this world, there is nothing that cannot be done, only things that one cannot imagine. Zhao Yu underestimated the audacity of those corrupt officials.

Zhao Wen rushed down the stairs with a loud thud, while Zhao Yu and Chen Wu upstairs were holding their heads in despair. It is no wonder that they felt such disappointment and anger.

Zhao Yu stood in front of the meditation room behind the main hall, calling out loudly: "Has Third Uncle awakened? I have an important matter to request."

If only this city could have crossbows and stone cannons! Zhao Yu couldn't help but think. Soon, however, he shook his head. The Chang Kingdom, which was neither a strategic military location nor a wealthy large city, could not possibly be equipped with such heavy weaponry, and even if it did, he did not have that many skilled hands to operate them. They could only rely on bows and crossbows

"I see," Zhao Yu bowed his head in greeting, a cold laugh echoing in his heart, "No wonder he agreed so readily that day. The offerings hidden away by the deceased abbot must have fallen into this old man's hands. Yet, he did not expose the truth, instead pulling Zhi Shan along and explaining the matter in his own way.

Zhang Yuxin was contemplating in her heart, yet on the surface, she continued to respond: "Your Majesty may not be aware that this inventory is one thing, while the stock is another; there are indeed many discrepancies. Take Changguo County, for instance, located on an island, where the humidity is severe, causing weapons and armor to easily deteriorate. Newly manufactured bows and crossbows, if not maintained regularly, will have their strings come loose and break within just a year or two. Iron armor and steel swords, if not oiled frequently, will rust and decay within six months, making it impossible to store them for long periods. However, according to the regulations set by the Ministry of War, weapons in the arsenal must be kept for fifteen years before they can be reported as damaged. If the issue of weapon deterioration is reported, the higher-ups will not be understanding; whether large or small, it would still be considered a case of improper storage, resulting in an immediate reduction of two ranks in the annual assessment. Naturally, no one would commit such a foolish act. In summary, it is a matter of deceiving those above while not misleading those below."

Note 4: In the Song Dynasty, civil officials were divided into "selected personnel" and "court officials." Selected personnel represented the lowest tier among civil officials

Before the words were finished, Zhao Wen behind him struck him on the head with the handle of an axe, causing the rest of his words to be knocked back.

At the beginning of the hour of the Snake. Guanyin Temple

Hearing Zhao Yu's roundabout approach, she finally asked the question they were most concerned about. Chen Wu and Zhao Wen, who had been quietly waiting at the side, could not help but lean forward.