I was a conman in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 344 Raising the Flag and Rebellion

Chapter 344 Raising the Flag and Rebellion

Wang Wenzhou frowned and asked in confusion, "Ruru, what exactly do you mean?"

Liu Rushi gently stroked Wang Wenzhou's bald head and said softly, "Wang Wenzhou, there are some things you don't know. Although I've been in prison these days, I've been able to keep in touch with Sheng Lan and Zhang Rong through letters. The new prefect of Hanshan has started to infiltrate the area since taking office. Li Yinshui was promoted to county magistrate but was transferred away. Ma Bantou was promoted to general but was also transferred away from Hanshan. The Hanshan Garrison has not been abolished. The Emperor has mobilized troops from all over the country to replenish the soldiers. The soldiers of the Hanshan Garrison can be said to be the best-trained and most elite garrison soldiers in the Ming Dynasty at present."

"Damn it!" Wang Wenzhou broke out in a cold sweat. "That bastard Zhu Youjian is ruthless and quick! I was gone for over a month, and Zhu Youjian not only stole my money, but he also stole the territory I worked so hard to build!"

Since his transmigration, Wang Wenzhou has not only been making money in Hanshan, but he has also genuinely dedicated himself to its development. Otherwise, Hanshan wouldn't have grown from a small county of 10,000 people to a metropolis of over a million in such a short time. When Wang Wenzhou left Hanshan, he made it a unified entity, intending to use it as his base. Even if the Manchus invaded, he would fight them to the death if they didn't give him the treatment he wanted.

Wang Wenzhou was immediately enraged and shouted, "Babies, babies, that bastard Zhu Youjian is going too far! Not only did he steal my money, but he also stole my territory! Zhu Youjian wants to kill me! Since he is so heartless, he can't blame me for being unjust! Babies, babies, let's rebel!"

"Yes!" Gao Guilan nodded repeatedly, looking at Wang Wenzhou with admiration, and said excitedly, "My father was able to dominate a region, and with your talent, Uncle, you will surely conquer the Central Plains in the future."

"Pfft..." Wang Wenzhou's other babies were all dumbfounded. This nemesis of theirs, without a ruler or father, actually dared to rebel!

"Wang Wenzhou!" Chen Yuanyuan complained, "You are the heir of the Earl of Xinjian, and your family has received the emperor's favor for generations. How could you utter such treasonous words?"

Wang Wenzhou cursed, "Not only will I say it, but I will also do it! Xiao Lanlan, you immediately write a letter of divorce to your father and make him cooperate with our operation! Babies, hurry up and pack your things, we'll escape back to Hanshan tonight! Once we get to Hanshan, it won't be so easy for Zhu Youjian to kill me!"

Wang Wenzhou continued, "Zhu Youjian is muddleheaded, incompetent, and stubborn, ruling the country to the point that the people are suffering. As long as I stand up and raise my arms, my brothers will surely kneel down and worship!"

"Wang Wenzhou, what's wrong with you now?" Wang Ying said irritably.

“Sister-in-law! Zhu Youjian is petty and vindictive! All I did was sleep with his wife! He stole my money, seized my territory, and even tried to kill me! If I don’t rebel now, what other way out do I have?” Wang Wenzhou said angrily.

"Sigh..." Wang Ying sighed. Her husband was crazy; he was capable of anything when he was in a rage. Knowing she couldn't persuade Wang Wenzhou, Wang Ying looked at Liu Rushi.

Liu Rushi turned pale with anger and roared, "Kneel down!"

"Thump!" Wang Wenzhou knelt down in response.

"Waaaaah..." Liu Xiaohua was awakened by Liu Rushi's loud shouts and burst into tears.

Liu Rushi rushed over, picked up Liu Xiaohua, and checked that his diaper was dry, so the child must be hungry. Liu Rushi quickly unbuttoned her clothes and fed her son.

Wang Wenzhou crawled over, grabbed Liu Rushi's leg, and coaxed, "Rushi, there is only one path in front of us now, and that is to rebel! If we don't strike first, and Zhu Youjian clips my wings one by one, then we will truly become fish on the chopping block!"

Wang Wenzhou cried out, "Ruru, even if you don't think about yourself, you have to think about our Liu Xiaohua! I slept with Zhu Youjian's wife. Given Zhu Youjian's vengeful nature, he will definitely not let my wife and children off the hook!"

Wang Ying said softly, "His Majesty is not that kind of person!"

“Sister-in-law!” Wang Wenzhou turned his head, glanced at Wang Ying, and said with a bitter smile, “How could Zhu Youjian not be that kind of person! Look at what he has done! I risked my life for him in the Qing Dynasty, and he not only imprisoned my wife and children, but also coveted my property and territory!”

Chen Yuanyuan pointed at Wang Wenzhou and said angrily, "Who was in the wrong first? Wang Wenzhou, you are an official of the imperial court, yet you want to carve out your own territory and become a king! How can Hanshan be your territory? Hanshan is part of the Ming Dynasty!"

Wang Wenzhou smiled bitterly, “Yuanyuan, that’s where you’re wrong! Why should I be loyal to the country? If I really carved out my own territory and became king, what would be wrong with that? Under my rule, the people of Hanshan live in peace and prosperity, enjoying happy and fulfilling lives. Under Zhu Youjian’s rule, the people of the Ming Dynasty are destitute and miserable! If the people had a choice, would they follow me, Wang Wenzhou, and be carefree masters who can sleep with girls whenever they want? Or would they follow Zhu Youjian and become beggars who sell their children for a bite to eat?”

Chen Yuanyuan had nothing to say. She looked at Wang Ying, who shook her head with a wry smile.

Liu Rushi said, "Wang Wenzhou, besides rebellion, you have another path: to become a monk."

"Ruru, stop fooling around! While I still have cards to play, let's return to Hanshan immediately! I, Wang Wenzhou, may not be confident in making you Empress, but I am very confident in making you a Princess!" Wang Wenzhou was not bragging. After the fall of the Ming Dynasty, it was a chaotic world, and in a chaotic world, having soldiers meant you were king! Wang Wenzhou was confident that with his knowledge and abilities, whether he risked his life for the Southern Ming, surrendered to the Manchus, or cooperated with the rebel leader, becoming a prince would be a piece of cake.

Liu Rushi understood that her words of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism were not only unconvincing to her enemy, but would also leave her speechless due to his sophistry.

Liu Rushi smiled slightly and changed Liu Xiaohua's pacifier.

"Are you hungry?" Liu Rushi asked Wang Wenzhou softly.

"Yes, yes!" Wang Wenzhou nodded repeatedly.

“Then listen to me and become a monk. If it were someone else, they could have tarnished their reputation to gain the emperor’s trust, like the Qin general Wang Jian, who did so to appease the king. But you’ve made too many enemies; the civil and military officials all want to tear you apart. If you tarnish your reputation, the emperor might actually use it to get rid of you!” Liu Rushi said softly.

"Ruru! You see it too, so why don't you let me rebel! Don't worry, with my abilities, I guarantee my life will be much better than it is now!" he said confidently.

"Sigh..." Liu Rushi said softly, "You eat the emperor's food and serve the emperor! Your ancestors were all loyal ministers of the Ming Dynasty. If you rebel, whether you succeed or not, will you have the face to face your ancestors after you die?"

Wang Wenzhou scoffed. "Ghosts? What afterlife?"

Liu Rushi stroked Wang Wenzhou's bald head and said softly, "Why don't you eat something first, and then consider whether you should listen to me?"

Wang Wenzhou smiled wryly, "Ru Ru understands me best. Let alone a taste, I'd be defeated just by looking at her!"

Liu Rushi smiled and said, "Wang Wenzhou, tomorrow you should resign from your official post and become a monk, to show the Emperor that you have no ambition."

Wang Wenzhou shook his head with a wry smile. "I'm such a damn fool! I'd agree to anything for a bite to eat! I'll be a monk tomorrow!"