Great Calamity Is Approaching

The Zhang estate covered an immense area. Its East Courtyard spanned four mu and was marked by a serene, elegant, and towering pavilion.

The West Courtyard was even larger, covering twenty mu with a continuous stretch of buildings and neatly arranged courtyards.

Officials of all ranks in Hua County and the disciples and former officials of the Zhang family all lived in the West Courtyard.

Because the official offices were too small, they simply conducted their business directly from home.

Ji Cheng, our troop strength has reached its limit. If we recruit any more, tiny Hua County won't be able to feed them. Inside the West Courtyard of the Zhang Mansion, a group of people were handling government affairs.

Fine wine and delicacies were spread out before them. While listening to a singing girl play music, they perused the briefing reports submitted from various regions.

In the seat of honor sat a handsome young man, exquisitely delicate with skin like goose fat, wearing a light yellow Shu brocade ceremonial robe.

Holding a small blade an inch long, he was gently trimming his eyebrows before a mirror.

The many scholars seated below him were long accustomed to his demon-subduing behavior and could only quietly wait for him to finish trimming.

This person was surnamed Zhang, given name Xin, style name Ji Cheng. Although fourth in birth order, he was the younger brother of the family head born of the same mother, making him a direct descendant of the main clan. Thus, his status was vastly different.

Because his eyebrows were like ink paintings, he was nicknamed Young Master Eyebrow Painter. No one was allowed to disturb him while he trimmed his eyebrows.

With the family head currently away, military affairs throughout Hua County were decided by Zhang Feng, while government affairs were entirely controlled by Young Master Eyebrow Painter.

After a long while, Young Master Eyebrow Painter finally put down the small knife.

The scholars below him cupped their fists once more to report on government affairs.

Young Master Eyebrow Painter was still gazing at his reflection in the mirror. Who is more beautiful, Wei Jie of Hedong or I?

*...* The scholars were stunned, secretly deriding him in their hearts: Wei Jie is the number one beauty in the world, and even immortals are infatuated with him. How could you have the nerve to compare yourself to him?

Yet with his mouth, he still smiled and said, "The young master's appearance and demeanor are magnificent, and Wei Jie cannot compare."

The corners of Young Master Eyebrow Painter's mouth curved upward. He called for a maidservant to bring water forward, carefully washed his hands, and then wiped them with a silk cloth.

Only then did he reply, "The matter of conscription is naturally handled by Second Uncle. Why ask me?"

The scholar said, "Many more martial artists have gathered inside the city. General Zhang Feng has had a sudden brainstorm and wants to train another thousand elite soldiers. This is truly out of the question."

"The city already supports two thousand internal troops. Every day, the high consumption places a heavy burden upon us. Since we are trapped in a cornered land, if this continues for long, our Zhang family will likely be unable to make ends meet."

After Governor Gou Xi of Qingzhou suffered a crushing defeat, he completely lost control over the various commanderies of Qingzhou.

The noble families in each county and prefecture relied on their local influence to recruit troops and appoint officials on their own authority.

The Zhang family was an absolute authority in Hua County; the county magistrate, the commandant, and the scribes were all people of the Zhang family.

Every single official was either a clansman or a disciple of the Zhang family.

Over the years, they had spent heavy fortunes to forge an elite, non-agricultural force of two thousand men, divided into two divisions. Each division had one thousand troops and was further split into five tunes of two hundred men each—these were the internal troops.

They were all composed of martial artists, mostly of the third grade. Second-grade martial artists could serve as officers and military commanders.

Beneath the internal troops were garrison soldiers. One hundred men formed a garrison, composed of brave young men from the villages who had been taught some simple martial arts, all of them low-grade.

Half of each year was spent farming and garrisoning land, and the other half training. They were mostly distributed in fortified manors across the countryside and were self-sufficient.

Combined across all regions of Hua County, this portion of non-elite garrison soldiers numbered about five thousand.

Yet driven by the Zhang family's fear of the Tu Fa Clan in the north, that number continued to grow day by day.

Thus, the Zhang family possessed at least seven thousand troops. In times of war, if they armed the servants and menial servants under their command as well, their troop strength would be incalculable.

The population of the eight villages of Hua County was under seventy thousand, mostly consisting of the old and weak. With extremely heavy taxes, the people's strength could be said to be utterly exhausted. Of course, the enslaved tenant farmers under the Zhang family's name still numbered over twenty thousand; they actually shouldered the primary production.

Yet for a Hua County with a population of under one hundred thousand, supporting two thousand non-agricultural martial artists was already the limit. Supporting three thousand was practically impossible.

Unless nearly a hundred members of the Zhang clan were all willing to lower their living standards.

Yet no one dared even mention such a matter.

Young Master Eyebrow Painter calmly said, "The current situation is tense, and the Tu Fa Clan may move south at any moment. Second Uncle wanting to train another division of troops is also to defend the country."

"The rise and fall of the world rests upon us all. Everyone, state affairs are paramount."

After hearing this, that scholar was somewhat speechless. If state affairs were paramount, then he should offer a solution.

He looked at the financial expenditure briefing in his hands with a splitting headache. In truth, they were already unable to make ends meet; the Zhang family simply had a strong foundation.

He immediately offered advice again, "Since it is so, we might as well seize Fei City."

The Zhang family's frantic mass recruitment was naturally aimed at achieving a great enterprise. If they could continuously expand, their troop strength could naturally increase without stop.

However, the noble families in the surrounding areas were doing the exact same thing. Coupled with everyone's obsession with saving face, the noble families everywhere were recruiting troops and stockpiling grain, consuming resources without replenishment. No one dared to make a move against anyone else, while all remained mutually vigilant.

Young Master Eyebrow Painter asked, "The noble family of Fei County has a long-standing friendship with our Zhang family. On what grounds should we seize it?"

That scholar said ruthlessly, "Once we capture Fei City, the reasons will naturally present themselves."

This meant seizing it first and finding reasons later. Were reasons hard to find?

Er... Young Master Eyebrow Painter thought about it. "Inappropriate. Let's discuss it further when Eldest Brother returns."

That scholar sighed and said, "Then please open the clan treasury and draw upon the grain, provisions, and wealth stockpiled by the family head."

"How could that be! The treasury holds three years' worth of supplies. That was a strict order from Eldest Brother." Young Master Eyebrow Painter flatly refused.

The scholars below looked at each other in dismay. It seemed that achieving a great enterprise was merely an ideal; defending the city to the death and watching the changes in the situation from the sidelines was the reality.

No matter how many troops were raised, they would not take a single step out of the city when the enemy attacked.

At this moment, an elder offered advice: "Ji Cheng, we can raise the price of medicine once more. Many wandering knights have gathered in the city, and they too have contracted the epidemic while possessing considerable wealth. We can extract..."

"Very well, then raise the price once more." Without letting him finish, Young Master Eyebrow Painter agreed decisively.

"You cannot do that!" That scholar hurriedly stood up. "This trick can be tried, but not repeated. The commoners in the city can no longer afford medicine. To profit by this means is like drinking poison to quench thirst!"

"Zhou Shi! Step back." Young Master Eyebrow Painter addressed him directly by his full name.

With extreme helplessness, Zhou Shi said, "If the master plots a great undertaking, he should raise troops to attack the Hu, seize counties and prefectures to uphold justice, and establish a foundation."

"If he plots only self-preservation, he should manage the people, open the treasury to win the hearts of the people, and guard the family business."

"To do neither of these can be described as lacking righteousness above and benevolence below. Great calamity is approaching."

Young Master Eyebrow Painter was somewhat displeased and about to get angry, but seeing his beautiful self in the mirror and remembering that getting angry caused wrinkles, he immediately turned calm and composed again.

He said warmly, "Let's discuss the matters you raised when Eldest Brother returns. Do you have any other good strategies?"

*...* Zhou Shi let out a long sigh and left angrily.

Seeing him depart, the others continued to discuss how much it would be appropriate to raise the price at the apothecary.

All medicine throughout Hua County was monopolized by the Zhang family.

Therefore, as long as the epidemic raged through the city, whether it was the army, merchants, commoners, or wandering knights, all had to buy medicine from them.

The Zhang family supported so many internal troops. Because they were martial artists, simply feeding them their fill wasn't enough; there were also military pay and even rewards.

Those martial artists who contracted the disease and had money would certainly buy medicine. The Zhang family seizing the opportunity to raise prices was equivalent to recycling the reward money back into their own hands.

The epidemic was a natural disaster, so people wouldn't think about where their money went; they would only feel how wonderful their treatment was as internal troops of the Zhang family.

In this way, they simultaneously won over military morale and made money.

Martial artists were naturally robust to begin with, and with medicine on top of that, nothing would happen to them at all. Thus, their combat power wouldn't even suffer any losses. This could be called achieving three benefits at once.

Even though the epidemic spread quickly, it would cause people to be panicked, and many commoners would be driven to ruined families trying to treat their illnesses.

As long as the army remained stable, no turbulent waves could be kicked up.

The Zhang family had done this more than once; the method was tried and tested.

"Let's do it this way." After the discussion concluded, Young Master Eyebrow Painter stood up and adjusted his robes and crown. "Are there any other government affairs to handle?"

The crowd pondered: since you've already stood up, then there aren't any.

Just as they were about to disperse, someone suddenly brought news from outside.

"Bad news! Rebels have gathered in the city to cause chaos. There are thousands of people, and they have already killed their way toward the East Market!"

"What!" The assembled scholars broke into an uproar.

They had just been saying that rebellions couldn't kick up any waves, and as it turned out, people really were rebelling.

Young Master Eyebrow Painter was extremely calm. He looked at the messenger and asked, "Where is my second uncle?"

"This old man is right here!" Supporting her sword, Shen Leling walked in swaggeringly.

Everyone hurriedly bowed, only to be startled anew upon seeing that she was covered in blood.

Young Master Eyebrow Painter hurriedly went to meet her. "Second uncle, who injured you!"

At the same time, a white jade talisman hanging high in the hall emitted the sound of metal and stone.

Everyone was shocked. "Demonic aura!"

Shen Leling's heart sank as well. Sure enough, the Zhang family could not be underestimated—they still possessed a magic instrument!

This jade talisman was more refined than bronze contracts or iron tokens, and it should be the Zhang family's supreme treasure of the household.

Yet Shen Leling's facial expression did not change as she said resentfully, "Indeed! I was precisely injured by a monster. The ringleader of the rebels appears like a lowly commoner, but he is definitely no mortal!"

"That abomination is exceedingly formidable, and having bewitched a group of rebels, it has already occupied the East City Training Ground."

"Had the soldiers not risked their lives, I would have nearly died at the monster's hands."

Everyone was stunned. "A monster?"

For the time being, they harbored no suspicions; after all, anyone injured by a demon would also be contaminated with demonic aura, though it would quickly dissipate.

Hence, Shen Leling said urgently, "Yes! Immediately dispatch the internal troops of the estate to block them first, and prepare more demon-subduing methods!"

Young Master Eyebrow Painter hurriedly had people fetch the talisman paper and talisman arrows from within the estate, and instructed them to prepare more cinnabar and other evil-warding items.

Noble families were not places that just any demon could invade. Aside from the three major magic instruments, the Zhang family also possessed various types of talisman paper.

Detecting demonic aura was merely one of their functions; there were also talismans to resist spell harm, subdue demons, and suppress ghosts.

Although those talismans could not directly cast aggressive offensive spells, if a demon came into contact with a talisman, it would still have a tough time.

After giving the orders, Young Master Eyebrow Painter asked suspiciously, "Why would an abomination assist rebels? Where did this abomination come from, and what is this all about?"

Shen Leling said, "I led five hundred elite soldiers to annihilate the rebels, only to discover that the enemy possessed a bronze contract handed down by the Old Ancestor. It must be that Zhang Quan failed in his mission, and the Water Nymph of Laoshan has returned for revenge."

Hearing this, Young Master Eyebrow Painter wanted to frown, but he immediately stopped himself. His expression remained poised, his eyebrows relaxed, neither hurried nor slow.

However, his tone was quite urgent. "To think Zhang Quan actually lost the family heirloom—he truly deserves death. Fortunately, this water demon is ignorant of consequences and dares to enter the city to cause chaos. We must retrieve the family heirloom at all costs."

Shen Leling spoke again, "I did not catch sight of the Water Nymph of Laoshan, so it could also be other demons."

"Hm, we must still be careful. There might be two demons: one engaged in frontal combat, while the other is the water woman transformed into a human, attempting to sneak into the army."

"Let's agree on a secret code first!"

Nodding, Young Master Eyebrow Painter said, "Second uncle's words are very true. Let the secret code be 'Eyebrows Like Ink Painting'."

Shen Leling's eyelids twitched slightly. What kind of joke/reference was this?

She looked at the other party, whose eyebrows truly were like ink painting, and thought to herself: Is this person constantly reminding others that your eyebrows look good?

It didn't matter; either way was fine.

She caught sight of the scholars fetching the talisman paper, and feeling the dread of the jade talisman hanging high in the hall, she thought to herself that this place was not suitable to stay long.

Consequently, Shen Leling produced her military order and shouted, "I am going to the west of the city to deploy troops right now!"

"You must immediately summon the clansmen from each fortified manor and bring troops back to reinforce us! We must reclaim the Old Ancestor's legacy!"

Faced with military affairs, Young Master Eyebrow Painter was not at all panicked. He asked in return, "Is there any need to make such a big fuss? We have two thousand elite soldiers in the city."

Shen Leling said loudly, "The five hundred elite soldiers in the east of the city have been annihilated! The guard detachment on the city wall has also been wiped out, and we have effectively lost the eastern city wall."

"What!" The entire scene broke into an uproar. There were only two thousand internal troops in total, and a quarter of them had already been wiped out just like that?

Young Master Eyebrow Painter had not expected such a crushing defeat. To think that mere small bandits could possess such formidable strength!

His expression remained calm as he hurriedly picked up a brush to write a dispatch, immediately having it sent off to the various fortified manors.

Then he called for a maidservant to bring water for him to wash his hands, and said faintly, "I am going to invite my father to make a move. Second uncle, you must hurry and deploy troops."

He swept his gaze over those scholars and disciples. "You all go ahead first to subdue demons and defeat rebels. If you can retrieve the bronze contract, you will be recorded for great merit! Everyone will be rewarded with ten gold coins and a thousand mu of land."

"Remember this: if you are unable to defeat them, the treasury cannot be lost either. You must defend it to the death to await second uncle's rescue."

Everyone hurriedly responded in assent. Carrying various talismans and talisman arrows, the many scholars led several hundred internal troops and family soldiers from the estate and immediately set out.

The rebels were attacking from the east of the city. First they had to break through the East Market, and only then could they attack the treasury.

Only last of all could they reach the magnificent garden of the Zhang Mansion, and they would arrive at the East Courtyard where Zhang Suwen resided first of all.

Thinking of this, Young Master Eyebrow Painter not only wasn't panicked, he was even somewhat excited. "To think that bandits have dared to rebel and attack from the east—splendid."

A look of admiration surfaced on his face. "I shall finally get to witness Father make a move once more. Mere small bandits can be destroyed with the flip of a hand; that scene must truly be beautiful."

p.s: Sorry.