Chapter 153: Misfortunes Never Come Alone
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“What! The cement was stolen?”
“Exactly, Your Highness. I just received the report.” Pang Yukun said.
Xian Xingchang was responsible for repairing Cangzhou City’s defenses, but logistics and transportation fell under Pang Yukun’s jurisdiction. Naturally, he was the first to know when something went wrong.
Xiao Ming’s anger over the saltpeter crisis had barely subsided when this new outrage ignited his fury again. “You’re coming with me to the Qingzhou military camp immediately. Those remnants of the noble clans—I won’t rest until they’re torn limb from limb!”
Pang Yukun paled. He had never seen such violent rage from Xiao Ming before.
But it wasn’t unwarranted. The local aristocratic clans had been either exterminated or absorbed by Xiao Ming’s reforms. However, after centuries of entrenchment, eradicating them completely was no easy task.
In Qingzhou, the presence of the Qingzhou Army had allowed for swift and thorough suppression. But other prefectures, with weaker militaries, gave the clans time to react. Many had rallied their private armies and rebelled, throwing their regions into chaos.
Thankfully, with popular support and the disciplined New Army, the uprisings were quickly quelled.
Yet some remnants had fled deep into the mountains and marshes, emerging occasionally to cause trouble.
“Your Highness, there’s no need for haste. The bandits have already been cornered in a fortified manor by the Cangzhou Army. However, this particular stronghold once belonged to the Liu Clan of Cangzhou—it’s the most defensible of all the manors across the six prefectures. The Cangzhou Army has launched several assaults but were repelled each time, with dozens of casualties.”
“No need for haste? The cement is critical to Cangzhou’s repairs! Any delay could spell disaster!” Xiao Ming seethed. Now he truly understood the saying: Misfortunes never come alone.