A single spark can start a prairie fire.
Xu Shitóu was merely a microcosm, a microcosm of the many villages near Menglianggu, and a microcosm of all the common people during the entire Qing Dynasty.
After all, it was during our Qing Dynasty. The unending exploitation by the government and gentry had already made it difficult for the common people to survive. And that deaf old dog of an emperor, who was so out of touch with reality, insisted on making his six trips to Jiangnan to inspect the river conservancy projects on young ladies—
When the emperor travels, the streets must be swept clean, and the roads paved with yellow earth. Every thirty *li*, there must be a temporary camp prepared, along with performances for the emperor to enjoy, though he might not actually watch them. The common people must also kneel in welcome beforehand.
Where would all the manpower come from? And where would the money come from?
Those who could be around the emperor were certainly not ordinary people, but the ones doing the work definitely were. While the wealthy gentry and merchants might be paying, the common people were also inevitably subjected to being extorted.
Each trip by the deaf old dog of an emperor made the already difficult lives of the common people even more arduous.
Therefore, beneath the calm surface of the lake lay surging undercurrents. Beneath the prosperous and peaceful era of our Qing Dynasty also lay the wails and unwillingness of the common people.
The emergence of peasant associations was like throwing a stone into a calm lake, providing an outlet for the undercurrents beneath the surface and a channel for the people’s unwillingness to be expressed.
Starting from Xuzhuang, a small village not far from Menglianggu, more and more villages began to choose to join the peasant associations, and more and more young and strong men chose to flock to Menglianggu.
Zhu Xiaosong's team also expanded exponentially from a scale of two to three hundred people to over a thousand.
However, just as Zhu Xiaosong was pleased with the growth of his team and was contemplating whether to expand towards Pingyi or Yinan, the Tiandihui brought news that surprised everyone.
The Shandong Provincial Governor's Yamen issued a proclamation stating that Zhu Xiaosong had already been annihilated by the authorities.
Zhu Xiaosong, looking bewildered, pointed at himself while facing Ke Zhiming, the head of the Qingmu Hall of the Tiandihui who had brought him the news, and asked, "I've already been annihilated by the authorities?"
Ke Zhiming clasped his hands and replied, "Yes, that's what the proclamation from the Shandong Provincial Governor's Yamen says. Proclamations from the Governor's Yamen have been posted in places like Yanzhou Prefecture and Tai'an Prefecture, only Mengyin has not posted it."
"According to intelligence provided by our brothers on the ground, the Governor's Guard under the Shandong Provincial Governor, as well as the river guards under the Grand Governor of the Jining River Affairs, have recently been replenishing their troops. It's highly likely they intend to encircle and suppress Young Master."
Zhu Xiaosong was not surprised by the news that the Provincial Governor's Yamen and the Grand Governor of the River Affairs Yamen intended to encircle and suppress Mengyin. After all, it was only about ten days before Emperor Qianlong's trip to Jiangnan, and Ming Xing, the Shandong Provincial Governor, couldn't help but be anxious.
As for how to deal with the encirclement and suppression by the Provincial Governor's Yamen and the Grand Governor of the River Affairs Yamen, Zhu Xiaosong already had a plan. It was simply a matter of meeting force with force and responding to circumstances as they arose.
However, what Zhu Xiaosong didn't expect was for Ming Xing, the Shandong Provincial Governor, to publicly announce in a proclamation that he had already been annihilated by the imperial forces.
Didn't this old Tartar fear that his attempt to suppress bandits would backfire?
Thinking this, Zhu Xiaosong asked again, "Is there any news from Third Brother?"
Ke Zhiming clasped his hands and replied, "Reporting to Young Master, Third Brother and Niubi have already passed Zouwu. In about half a month, they should be near Peixian. However, if Third Brother turns west from Peixian, he might very well run into Fuk'anggan, who is currently suppressing a rebellion in Shanxian. May I ask if Young Master wishes me to send someone to notify Third Brother?"
Zhu Xiaosong pondered for a moment and said, "Send someone to inform Third Brother about Fuk'anggan leading troops in Shanxian. The rest is up to him to decide."
Ke Zhiming clasped his hands in agreement and continued, "Young Master, I have one more matter."
Zhu Xiaosong asked, "What is it?"
Ke Zhiming said, "Reporting to Young Master, brothers in Dezhou sent news that there is a scholar in Dezhou who repeatedly failed the imperial examinations. He originally intended to achieve success by relying on a book titled "Thunderclap Divine Strategy" which he had purchased from an old book stall. However, he was stripped of his scholarly title and given one hundred strokes by order of Emperor Qianlong."
"Fortunately, the Prefect of Dezhou, Gong Mao, took pity on his madness, so this mad scholar was not beaten to death. However, no one expected that after receiving a beating, the scholar's madness was cured. From then on, he appeared to be eccentric in public but secretly focused on firearms."
"If Young Master thinks this mad scholar is capable of being used, can I send someone to apprehend this mad scholar and bring him to Mengyin?"
Zhu Xiaosong looked at Ke Zhiming with surprise.
This fellow was indeed a promising talent, knowing the importance of developing firearms and even thinking of inviting someone to Menglianggu?
After careful consideration, Zhu Xiaosong said, "There's no need to apprehend him. Since this person is dedicated to firearms yet appears to be erratic, he likely harbors dissatisfaction towards the Tartars. Just send someone to invite him. If he is willing to come, then so be it. If not, we'll discuss it later."
Ke Zhiming immediately understood Zhu Xiaosong's intention and clasped his hands in agreement, "Yes, I understand."
Zhu Xiaosong grunted and continued to instruct, "Send people to pay close attention to the movements of the Provincial Governor's Yamen. I would like to see how Ming Xing intends to annihilate me."
Ming Xing, the Shandong Provincial Governor, felt like he was going mad. He no longer cared whether it was Zhu Xiaosong or Zhu Dasong.
Originally, after posting the proclamation stating that the rebel Zhu had been annihilated, as suggested by Fuk'anggan, many restless forces in Yanzhou Prefecture and Yizhou Prefecture became quiescent. This greatly relieved Ming Xing, who planned to replenish the troops of the Provincial Governor's Yamen while gathering intelligence on Zhu Xiaosong.
However, no sooner had one trouble subsided than another arose. Before Ming Xing could finish replenishing the troops of the Governor's Guard, peasant associations began to emerge in many villages in Yizhou.
This was a critical issue.
Originally, even if those peasants wanted to kill the gentry and divide the money and grain, it was their spontaneous action. Some would succeed, and some would fail. Even if hundreds of villages succeeded, it would have little impact on the whole of Shandong, as more villages failed.
But ever since the appearance of the peasant associations, villages that had not yet killed the gentry and divided the money and grain, as well as those that had already failed once, quickly formed peasant associations. Moreover, several villages often colluded with each other.
Damn it, one village might not be able to deal with a gentry family, but what about several villages uniting?
The number of gentry families being wiped out increased dramatically!
What was even more dire was that the peasant association organization was not confined to Mengyin County but was spreading everywhere. Now, even villages in Yanzhou had peasant associations. These audacious peasants even repelled the yamen runners sent by the county magistrates to collect the spring taxes of the Qianlong forty-ninth year!
If this continued, it would be meaningless whether Zhu Xiaosong was annihilated or not, because these peasant associations alone were enough to cost Ming Xing, the Shandong Provincial Governor, his life—peasant associations uniting to resist taxes and grain, what was the difference between this and rebellion?
If peasant associations broke out throughout Shandong, wouldn't that mean all of Shandong had rebelled?
How could His Majesty then travel to Jiangnan?
In the end, Ming Xing, the Shandong Provincial Governor, would be held responsible!
These damn peasants!
Ming Xing, with a grim expression, looked at the prefects and magistrates under his command with displeasure. After a long while, he finally asked, "Who among you can tell me what to do now?"
The prefects and magistrates under Ming Xing exchanged glances. The Prefect of Yizhou, Yan Xiangqing, especially felt like he wanted to die.
The peasant associations first appeared in Yizhou, and the yamen runners who collected taxes and grain were first repelled in Mengyin County under the jurisdiction of Yizhou. While the magistrate of Mengyin County would be unlucky, Yan Xiangqing, the Prefect of Yizhou, would not fare any better.
As it turned out, although the governor was asking everyone, his gaze was fixed on this prefect!
Yan Xiangqing cursed the peasants in his heart for causing so much trouble. Suddenly, he had a stroke of genius and clasped his hands, replying, "Reporting to Your Excellency, your humble servant believes that since the peasant associations have appeared in various villages and cannot be suppressed, why not take the initiative and utilize the local peasant associations for our benefit?"
Upon hearing Yan Xiangqing's suggestion, Ming Xing's interest was piqued. He hummed and asked, "Explain, how do we take the initiative?"
Seeing that his proposal had piqued the governor's interest, Yan Xiangqing felt a surge of confidence.
Yan Xiangqing carefully considered his words and clasped his hands, replying, "As the saying goes, all bustle and excitement under heaven is for gain, and all striving is for profit. If we promise these members of the peasant associations official positions and some money, perhaps these people can be used by us?"
However, Ming Xing refused Yan Xiangqing's suggestion without thinking: "No! If we give them official positions, wouldn't that encourage everyone in the world to emulate them? Who would still be willing to study diligently for ten years? This trend must not continue!"
Yan Xiangqing did not give up. Instead, he bowed and said, "Your Excellency, please calm your anger. Your humble servant means to give them the status of clerks. They are not of high rank, but they will have official status. The county yamen in various places will also grant them some salary. Wouldn't these peasants be tempted?"
"If the members of the peasant associations can be used by us, then although the baojia system in the villages and towns is abolished, it would be even better than when the baojia system was in place."
"Without people covering up for the rebel Zhu, where could that rebel Zhu hide?"
Ming Xing suddenly became somewhat swayed.
If he were those peasants, what would be their purpose in joining the peasant associations? Wasn't it to improve their lives!
If they could obtain the status of clerks and receive money, wouldn't that be living a good life? Participating in peasant associations might carry the risk of rebellion and decapitation, but working for the government carried no such risk!
From another perspective, would they continue to participate in the peasant association or choose to become clerks? Isn't it obvious!
If they could use this opportunity to find the whereabouts of the traitor Zhu Xiaosong and annihilate him, wouldn't that be a great achievement?
Thinking of this, Ming Xing's expression immediately improved. He praised, "Good. Prefect Yan indeed possesses true talent and learning. It is not in vain that I value you."
Yan Xiangqing was overjoyed and clasped his hands, "All of this is due to Your Excellency's brilliant strategy, and it is merely spoken through your humble servant's mouth. Your humble servant thanks Your Excellency for your cultivation!"
Ming Xing grunted, his face showing even more delight, "Less flattery, and focus your efforts on serving the master. Right, this time we will first select a few villages in your Yizhou Prefecture for trial. If it works, we will promote it to other prefectures and counties."
Yan Xiangqing was even more delighted—implementing it first in his jurisdiction and then promoting it widely if it proved effective, wouldn't his name reach the imperial court? This was an opportunity for promotion!
With his heart burning even brighter, Yan Xiangqing immediately bid farewell to Ming Xing and hurried back to Yizhou Prefecture. He then hastily summoned all the county magistrates in Yizhou.
Yan Xiangqing first scolded all the county magistrates thoroughly, venting all the grievances he had suffered at the Provincial Governor's Yamen, and then explained the idea of transforming peasant associations into clerks to them, requiring these county magistrates to select a few villages for trial upon their return.
The county magistrates, both large and small, within the jurisdiction of Yizhou Prefecture also felt their hearts burning with excitement.
Originally, the emergence of an organization like the peasant association within their jurisdiction, resisting grain and taxes, was already a crime punishable by death. Even if they could barely save their heads, their official positions would most likely be lost. Now that the prefect had come up with such a good idea, this was simply a rebirth!