Chapter 831: Chapter 619: The Yang Family Is a Thick and Powerful Backer
Upon hearing Li Daguiâs words, Li Baoshan slowly sat up, âWho are you?â
âWe have met once before, perhaps you remember me!â Li Dagui said.
Li Baoshan held his long knife and lifted the curtain, staring at the figure sitting beside his bed.
The room was dimly lit, and he could barely see a silhouette, unable to discern the personâs face.
âCould you light the candle?â
Li Dagui casually took out a fire stick and lit the nearby candle.
As the flickering candle flame rose, the dark room brightened significantly.
Li Baoshan stepped down from his bed, put on his boots, and then carefully observed Li Daguiâs face.
âWho are you?â
Unfortunately, he did not remember Li Dagui!
Li Dagui was indifferent, presenting Yang Mingzhaoâs letter to him, âThis is a letter from my familyâs young master to you!â
Li Baoshan hesitated for a moment but still accepted the letter.
At that instant, he contemplated many things.
The person before him certainly wasnât a familiar acquaintance, but since the other claimed to have met him, they must have interacted, or rather, the otherâs faction must have interacted with him.
Moreover, it was certain that this person was connected to the rebel forces outside the city.
Besides the rebels outside the city, he couldnât think of anyone else who would visit late at night at this time.
He opened the letter and silently read its content.
Yang Mingzhaoâs letter was lengthy, not only revealing his identity but detailing the situation in Taiping County and clearly explaining how he would handle the cityâs officials and wealthy households.
This naturally included the Li family, which Li Baoshan represented.
Yang Mingzhao certainly wouldnât annihilate all martial arts forces; as long as they were willing to pledge allegiance, he would offer preferential treatment.
In the division of land, he would leave them more land.
Additionally, he would hand over several profitable businesses for martial arts forces to manage.
For instance, the Li family, where Li Baoshan belonged, Yang Mingzhao promised to provide ten salt wells as compensation for the land.
Besides the land, the Li family could retain their residences and shops within the city.
Truthfully, assessing the situation, the Li family would only suffer a minor loss.
Salt wells undoubtedly generate more profit than land, but to Yang Mingzhao, the significance of the land exceeds that of the salt wells.
Land can be distributed to ordinary citizens, whereas salt wells canât; regular citizens lack the capability and resources to manage a salt well.
Having the Li family manage the salt wells, they would have to hire workers; as long as they ensure income for these workers and stabilize the salt price, it would be a beneficial situation without harm.
As for the origin of the salt wells?
Naturally, they would be seized from those unwilling to allyâwealthy households or martial arts families.
Simply put, itâs about defeating some while recruiting others, using the assets of the defeated ones to entice willing martial arts forces.
Thus, Yang Mingzhao wouldnât become the common enemy of all martial arts forces and could also acquire a substantial amount of land to distribute among the populace.
Of course, this preferential treatment only applies to martial arts forces; for ordinary landlords or local gentry, apologies are in order.
If they cooperate with the land division, theyâll retain movable property; if not, the men will be sent to perform labor and women to remarry.
Rebellion is a cruel affairâit involves a redistribution of wealth and benefits.
Yang Mingzhao realized this point and developed these plans.
Furthermore, he had principles: he wouldnât accept martial arts forces with too poor a reputation, even if they proactively pledged allegiance.
After reading the contents of the letter, Li Baoshanâs gaze fell upon the private seal at the end.
âYang familyâs Mr. Si, Yang Mingzhao!â
He silently recalled in his mind; he knew quite a bit about the Yang family.
For example, Yang Zhenshan had four sons, Yu Qingyi was Yang Zhenshanâs second wife, and Mr. Si of the Yang family was Yang Zhenshan and Yu Qingyiâs biological son.
These were no secrets; previously, they could be easily learned by inquiring at the Martial Arts Pavilion.
âWhy is Mr. Si here?â Li Baoshan asked.
Li Dagui grinned, âThatâs a long storyâyou just need to know Mr. Si is the leader of the Taiping Army!â
Li Baoshan nodded, then placed the letter over the candle flame, burning it.
âHow is the old Marquis doing?â
He naturally referred to Yang Zhenshan, not Yang Mingcheng.
âVery well, he has been traveling for three years and hasnât returned home yet!â Li Dagui replied.
âSo the old Marquis isnât aware of this matter!â Li Baoshan stated.
âUnaware!â Li Dagui responded.
âThis truly is a difficult decision! If the old Marquis endorsed this matter, I would pledge the city without hesitation, but if itâs only Mr. Si, I need to think!â
The flames from the burning letter illuminated Li Baoshanâs face clearly, his expression was calm, his eyes deep.
Li Dagui silently observed him, then smirked slightly, âWell, Iâll give you a day to considerâIâll be back at this time tomorrow!â
Li Baoshan nodded slightly, âTake care!â
Li Dagui stood up, glanced at the ashes on the ground, âThis is an opportunity for you, hope you donât miss it!â
Li Baoshan watched his departing figure in silence.
Opportunity?
Indeed, it is an opportunity!
For him and for the Li family, it is an opportunity.
He currently has Postnatal Seventh Layer cultivation, but heâs nearing forty; without opportunity, his life cultivation wonât surpass the Postnatal Eighth Layer.
As for the Li family, he represents a major power in Baoning Prefecture, but once he dies, the family would instantly revert to insignificance, becoming an irrelevant minor family.
For him, the Yang familyâs influence is substantial enough; once he secures it, it surely represents a great chance.