Chapter 104: Chapter 104: The Fall of Nanyang
Nanyang has fallen, the Qingzhou army almost entirely obliterated. After the city’s fall, the Prefect of Qingzhou, Xia Liangqing, chose to die a martyr.
The refugees heading south are increasing in number.
This news is undoubtedly bad for Pingting County and the government office.
But for Chen Mo, it’s actually good news.
Moreover, Chen Mo has to admit, he hopes the Celestial Master Army in the north can win.
After all, he’s also embarked on the path of rebellion, trading private salt, committing crimes beyond redemption.
If the Celestial Master Army were to be defeated, the court would surely follow up with relentless persecution, and he wouldn’t be able to escape far.
Now that the Celestial Master Army has won, there will be a tall figure to bear the brunt, and the court’s attention will be entirely on them, providing him with time to grow.
As the saying goes, when the sky falls, there’s a tall person to hold it up.
The more chaotic it gets, the greater Chen Mo’s chances of survival.
...
At the eastern end of the village.
The house that once belonged to Wang the Pockmarked has now been converted into a school and expanded.
Scholar Zhao Daoxian has been hired by Chen Mo as the school teacher, with a monthly salary of one thousand coins, including three meals a day.
The school is filled with children from the village.
Song Min is also among them, studying while maintaining classroom discipline.
"This lesson is arithmetic. Before we begin, follow me and recite the Chant of Nines."
Wearing a fitting long robe, Zhao Daoxian walked back and forth in the classroom with a teaching ruler in hand, chanting, "One times one is one."
"One times one is one." The children sat obediently at their desks, reciting dutifully.
"One times two is two," said Zhao Daoxian.
"One times two is two."
Soon, the classroom was filled with the innocent voices of the children.
The Chant of Nines, known to everyone, is actually the multiplication table written by Chen Mo for Zhao Daoxian to teach the students.
The multiplication table was not a modern creation; it dates back to the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States.
The difference is, the original Chant of Nines started from "nine times nine is eighty-one" down to "two times two is four."
The expansion of the chant to "one times one is one" probably occurred during the Song Dynasty.
Suddenly, steady footsteps sounded outside the school, and a figure appeared at the school entrance.
A child saw Chen Mo, immediately poked Song Min who was listening attentively ahead, and said, "Sister Song Min, your Brother Mo is here."
Song Min turned her head to look, seeing it was Chen Mo, she blushed slightly. Although Chen Mo treated her like a maid, the villagers regarded her as the kind of "bed-warming maid" destined to serve in the future, hence they respected her greatly. Even the children at school saw her as their big sister.
Some bold children would even make cheeky remarks.
When Zhao Daoxian noticed that the students were not following his lead, he immediately frowned and slammed the teaching ruler on the desk: "What are you all doing, follow me!"
"Master, Immortal Master Chen is here," said a child.
Zhao Daoxian turned and looked, confirming it was true.
"Song Min, lead them in continuing the recitation," Zhao Daoxian instructed Song Min before stepping out of the classroom.
"Yes, Master."
...
Outside the school.
Zhao Daoxian saluted Chen Mo: "Immortal Master Chen."
"Master Zhao, no need for formalities." Chen Mo returned the salute, showing respect for the teacher, and said, "Teaching these children must be tiring for you."
"Not at all. Enlightening these children and helping Immortal Master Chen is my honor," Zhao Daoxian replied.
Chen Mo waved his hand: "No need for flattery, Master Zhao."
Zhao Daoxian nodded in acknowledgment, remaining silent.
"I came to ask you for help in drafting a document," Chen Mo stated.
"Please tell me, Immortal Master Chen," Zhao Daoxian replied.
Chen Mo explained his plan to Zhao Daoxian.
Zhao Daoxian was slightly stunned by Chen Mo’s words, pondering for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Is Immortal Master Chen planning to join the enemy?"
"This is not called joining the enemy," Chen Mo shook his head with a smile: "In a way, the Celestial Master Army and I are on the same path, both rebelling. So if you want to say it, it should be considered as pledging allegiance."
"Not so," Zhao Daoxian disagreed, saying, "Immortal Master Chen is magnanimous, accommodating, and does not kill indiscriminately. Moreover, establishing a village school is a commendable deed. Although the Celestial Master Thieves are mighty, they only know how to plunder women and wealth. How could Immortal Master Chen be the same as them?"
Chen Mo’s eyes flashed with surprise, but his expression didn’t change. He chuckled lightly, "Master Zhao, now that Nanyang has fallen and the Qingzhou army is almost entirely wiped out, it won’t be long before the Celestial Master Army will conquer the entire Qingzhou. What should we do then?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Daoxian was startled, then understood Chen Mo’s intention; he was planning to preserve the entire village.
One aspect was to preserve the village, and on the other hand, Chen Mo also wanted to temporarily cover himself with the Celestial Master Army’s mantle for growth.
After all, when the Celestial Master Army arrives, you need to show you’re aligned with them.
This was not about lowering oneself.
Just like when the eighteen dukes attacked Dong, you first join the ranks.
And at this time, hesitating between sides without clarity would please neither side, leading to one’s doom.
"I understand. After teaching these children, I will get to writing," Zhao Daoxian nodded, then asked, "When does Immortal Master Chen need it?"
"As soon as possible."
After leaving the school, Chen Mo found Zhang River and instructed him to disseminate the information. From now on, refer to the northern forces as the Righteous Army and refrain from using the term ’Rebel Army.’
...
In the city.
It’s chaos, complete chaos.
The news of Nanyang’s fall and the Qingzhou army’s obliteration spread through the city like a tidal wave, causing immense turmoil.
Countless people packed their belongings, hoping to flee south.
And these were just the ordinary townsfolk.
As for the Wang Family, a noble clan of the area, they also found themselves in a state of gloom.
In the hall, the Wang Family’s direct lineage gathered, each wearing a pained expression, whispering and discussing, the atmosphere heavy as though the sky were falling.
The Wang Family, unlike the previously relocated Li Family, had existed longer than the Great Song Dynasty, with roots in Pingting County for centuries. Initially, they were a major noble family in Qingzhou. Before the Great Song Dynasty was founded, the Wang Family’s direct lineage made a wrong bet and faced destruction.
The current Wang Family is a branch of the original family.
Deeply rooted in the area, the Wang Family naturally couldn’t relocate entirely like the Li Family.
Looking at the noisy crowd.
The Patriarch of the Wang Family, Wang Cultivator, sternly said, "What’s the panic?"
Then, turning to his second son, he said, "Ran’Er, take your wife, daughter, and part of the family’s assets, and leave Pingting County immediately, heading to a safer place in the South.
Your elder brother and I will stay at the Wang Family’s ancestral home."
It was conventional for noble families to hedge their bets.
After listening to the Patriarch’s words, the clansmen also understood his intentions.
Second Young Master Wang, Wang Ran, nodded solemnly.