I practiced magic in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 75: The Fall of the Fenyin Zhou Clan [Edit]

This move was intended not only to confiscate property and rob money, but also to make an example of others. Wang Jing wanted to set rules for the local noble families and wealthy families in Hedong, so that they would understand who was the one who could call the shots and give orders.

Wang Jing acted decisively and ordered Xu Huang to take with him more than a thousand surrendered soldiers who had just completed training. He then ordered Yan Hu to bring with him two hundred Iron Scale Sword Guards armed with black iron swords. The army marched straight to Fenyin County and without saying a word, they surrounded the Zhou family mansion three times inside and out.

Many of the wealthy families in the Han Dynasty were truly local tycoons. They built their mansions outside the city, with city walls and watchtowers. Some even had arrow towers and archers specially built like earthen forts, with very strong defenses.

In addition, the wealthy families would also keep hundreds or even thousands of private soldiers in the fortresses, equipping them with swords and some of the bolder ones even had powerful crossbows and armor, which was quite arrogant.

The Zhou family was just like that. The fortress built with mud bricks could be used to retreat and defend once encountering an enemy. This allowed the Zhou family of Fenyin to settle down and gain a foothold here for hundreds of years.

At this moment, facing the siege of the army, Zhou Rong stood on the gate with a dark face and asked Wang Jing loudly: "General Beizhong, what do you want to do by bringing troops here? Do you really think that you can do whatever you want just because you are born in the Wang family of Taiyuan?"

Wang Jing held the reins, and the famous horse Jueying exhaled two streams of white mist. He pressed his hand on the sword and said in a cold tone: "I came here today just to investigate the case! Your Zhou family has committed a crime. If you surrender now, I may show mercy and give you a lighter sentence. Otherwise, once the gate is broken, it will be too late for you to regret it."

"Investigating a case? What kind of case are you investigating?"

Zhou Rong looked at Wang Jing who was outside the door with murderous intent, and did not believe a word he said. Who would go out to investigate a case with more than a thousand soldiers?

These people are enough to fight the Baibo Army, you are just fooling around!

Wang Jing, who personally led the troops to kill people and establish his authority, naturally didn't care whether Zhou Rong believed it or not. Instead, he called the people from the surrounding villages to be witnesses. He loudly announced the crimes of Zhou Rong's family in front of everyone: "The Zhou family colluded with horse bandits and robbed passing merchants. They killed people for money. What do you think? Should I investigate this case? Should I investigate it?"

"check!"

"I've known for a long time that there's something wrong with the Zhou family. They're arrogant and domineering. My family's three acres of paddy fields were forcibly occupied by Zhou Rong. General, please help us!"

The Zhou family of Fenyin was rampant in the village. Relying on the fact that someone in the family was an official in Luoyang, they colluded with the local county magistrate. Therefore, even if the lawsuit was brought to the county government, it was the common people who suffered.

Due to years of lending money and large-scale land annexation, local residents have long hated the Zhou family, a powerful family that has been entrenched in the local area and acting tyrannically, but they dare not speak out on weekdays.

As soon as they saw that Wang Jing was going to punish the Zhou family, they immediately came over to cheer him on.

And in the crowd, there were people deliberately arranged by Wang Jing to use words to incite the people's hatred towards the Zhou family. Soon everyone at the scene was angry, and the situation became increasingly unfavorable to the Zhou family.

"Wang Jing, you are slandering me!"

Zhou Rong was horrified as he listened to what he heard while standing on the arrow tower. Gossip can melt gold, and constant criticism can destroy a person. The Zhou family’s reputation that has lasted for hundreds of years might be destroyed in an instant.

As for the accusation Wang Jing made, Zhou Rong did not dare to admit it and quickly retorted: "Wang Jing, stop talking nonsense! My Fenyin Zhou family is a descendant of a famous family and has always been virtuous. How can we allow you to slander us like this? I know, you must have taken the opportunity to retaliate because you failed to force donations last time! If this matter is reported to the court, Wang Jing, you will be held accountable!"

At this moment, Zhou Rong was in tears and kept refuting Wang Jing's accusations, as if he had suffered a great injustice.

Wang Jing was too lazy to argue any more, and directly ordered his soldiers to prepare for the attack. At the same time, he also issued an ultimatum to the Zhou family: "Whether there is or not, let me send someone in to search and we'll know. What? Don't you dare? I'll give you one stick of incense to think about it, and you won't be allowed to wait any longer!"

However, how could Zhou Rong, who had something to hide, dare to let Wang Jing's men in to search?
"General Beizhong, why are you so aggressive? All you want is money and food. My Zhou family will give it to you!"

Finally, Zhou Rong gritted his teeth and put forward his conditions. At this point, he still thought that Wang Jing was just forcing the Zhou family to make concessions. After all, the rules of the game had always been like this.

They are all prominent families based in the prefectures and counties. Although the power of the Taiyuan Wang family is far greater than that of the Fenyin Zhou family, they know each other well and there is really no need to fight each other.

Unfortunately, the rules that Zhou Rong was familiar with only applied in times of peace and prosperity, when there was not much conflict of interests between the aristocratic families and the powerful clans.

However, as chaos is approaching, Wang Jing's goal is to occupy the entire Hedong and suppress the local forces here.

Therefore, this is no longer simply a matter of money and food. Zhou Rong has walked into Wang Jing's trap and hindered the Northern Army's strategic plan. Who else should be dealt with if not him?

Wang Jing no longer responded to Zhou Rong. This man still holds on to his luck until now, thinking that he can make the Northern Army compromise and give in by exchanging interests. He is indeed a fool who cannot see the general situation of the world.

"Prepare to attack!"

With the command flag waving, Xu Huang immediately ordered his soldiers to form a battle formation, mobilize troops, and begin the attack.

Although the Zhou family's fortress is not big, it is actually a small city with complete internal functions. The mud brick walls are extremely solid and difficult to destroy without siege equipment. The fortifications are also quite complete, like a thick turtle shell.

Not to mention that there are more than 500 guards from the Zhou family inside this turtle shell. It is not easy to break into it.

It was precisely because of this confidence that Zhou Rong dared to challenge Wang Jing, because he felt that he could afford to waste time, while the Northern Army certainly could not, and in the end, finding that they could not capture the city, they would have no choice but to retreat.

"Fire arrows!"

Inside the fort, more than thirty sturdy archers drew their bows and began shooting arrows out through the shooting holes, specifically picking the gaps between the overlapping shields. The angles were so tricky that from time to time soldiers would be shot and fall to the ground, screaming.

Zhou Rong was overjoyed when he saw this, and said fiercely: "Yes, just shoot them to death! If you kill one person, I will reward you one string of silver!"

These people were wandering knights whom he usually treated with good wine and food. Some of them were particularly good at archery, and now they were of great use.

All that was heard was the sound of bowstrings, and arrows flew like locusts. In less than a moment, more than a dozen people were shot down.

Xu Huang was leading the surrendered soldiers of the Baibo Army. These people had not been trained for long and their fighting will was even weaker. They were immediately suppressed by the rain of arrows, their morale was low, and they shrank back.

"How dare you resist?"

Wang Jing laughed angrily: "Bring me my Overlord Bow."

Soon, the Overlord Bow that was like a black dragon flying into the sky was carried over by several sword guards. Wang Jing reached out and grabbed it, and then pulled out a heavy black iron arrow from the quiver. He immediately stretched out his arms, bent the bow and put the arrow on it, and shot in one go: "Hit!"

There was a sound of breaking air, and the arrow instantly crossed dozens of feet and accurately passed through a three-foot square shooting hole, killing the archer inside on the spot.

Then Wang Jing used both hands to draw his bow from left to right and shot fifteen arrows in succession, killing fifteen skilled rangers, and without exception, all of them were killed with one shot.

Wang Jing activated the body-reporting mode and was able to lock onto the enemy with his thoughts. At this moment, it was as if he had activated a padlock, and every arrow he shot hit its target, killing everyone who was hit instantly!
Wang Jing alone suppressed all the remaining archers of the enemy team, and they dared not show their heads, for fear of being shot dead on the spot by Wang Jing's arrows.

Seeing their commander display such amazing archery skills, the Northern Army soldiers cheered loudly and shouted excitedly: "Victory! Victory!"

Xu Huang also took the opportunity to boost the morale of the troops: "The enemy is already frightened, follow me and charge in!"

He just raised his arms and roared, then wielded a huge iron axe weighing 64 pounds, and personally led more than a dozen strong and muscular Hedong soldiers, each of them wearing double-layer iron armor, and climbed over the wall using ladders.

When Zhou Rong saw Xu Huang attacking, he panicked and quickly ordered his men to surround him.

Among his servants, there were three masters who had entered the third realm of martial arts. Zhou Rong himself had also learned the Confucian teachings. Relying on his advantages in numbers and terrain, he wanted to surround and kill Xu Huang.

Zhou Rong was seen reciting the holy words: "Who says I have no clothes? I will share my clothes with you. When the king raises his army, I will prepare my armor and weapons and go with you!"

As soon as the holy words came out, the power of thought was instantly bestowed on the people of the Zhou family. In the midst of brilliant light, invisible armor protected Zhou Rong and others.

"I have the advantage, kill!"

"Just you?"

Xu Huang didn't take this mob seriously and shouted angrily, "Even if I have the power of thought, what does it matter? Don't I have it?"

Xu Huang raised the iron axe in his hand, and the scarlet evil spirits gathered and poured into it, making the axe vibrate and hum: "Break it!"

With one chopped down axe, under the impact of the murderous energy, the energy armor on Zhou Rong and others instantly shattered like fragile glass.

Xu Huang also took advantage of the situation and walked straight into the crowd with tiger steps. His axe was flying everywhere. He was killing with great vigor and chopped people like cutting vegetables. None of his men could match him.

In close combat, the role of a fierce general is really too important. Unless there is a master with equal strength, it is impossible to withstand this kind of frontal attack.

Moreover, Xu Huang was not a reckless man. After charging and killing for a while, he immediately led his men to retreat while killing, and came to the main gate, blocking the pursuers while asking his men to open the door. The crossbar was lowered, and the door of Zhou's family was suddenly opened.

The ferocious Northern Army soldiers swarmed in with red eyes. Some surrendered soldiers of the Baibo Army had a blood feud with the Zhou family. Now that they had captured the Zhou family's fortress, they immediately started killing without mercy.

In just a cup of tea, many servants of the Zhou family in the fortress were killed or wounded, and the rest all knelt down and asked for surrender. Among Zhou Rong's family members, there were many women and children, and they were all crying.

Soon, Zhou Rong, his cronies, and immediate family members were taken to the yard and made to kneel in three rows on the ground.

Zhou Rong, who had only just realized that Wang Jing was going to kill him, was furious and almost mad with hatred: "Wang Jing, you are so rude and overbearing, aren't you afraid of being punished by the court?"

Zhou Rong's hair was disheveled and the wounds on his body were so deep that the bones were visible, but he did not beg for mercy because things had come to this point and there was no room for easing the situation for both sides.

Wang Jing glanced at Zhou Rong coldly after hearing this: "I came here to investigate the case. It was your Zhou family who resisted stubbornly. Why would the court punish me? As for you, if you have any last words, please say them quickly. I'm afraid it will be too late later."

"Do you really dare to kill me? The common people are not treated with courtesy, and the officials are not punished. Although my Fenyin Zhou family is not as good as your Taiyuan Wang family, you can't destroy it just because you want to! Do you want to be an enemy of all the noble families in the world?"

Zhou Rong glared at Wang Jing with an angry smile. In order to save his life, he had no choice but to bring the original unspoken rules to the surface.

The "Zhou" in Fenyin Zhou family comes from the Ji surname. They are descendants of King Ping of Zhou and are a famous family that has been passed down for thousands of years!

Although the Fenyin Zhou family separated from the main family hundreds of years ago, they are still connected with each other, and the intricate connections and power behind them are no weaker than those of the Taiyuan Wang family.

Today, the Zhou family has spread all over the world. If you touch anyone in the Zhou family, it would undoubtedly be like stirring up a hornet's nest, and you will inevitably suffer the full-scale revenge of the entire Zhou clan.

Therefore, Zhou Rong was not afraid of Wang Jing at all, and shouted at Wang Jing frantically: "Just let me go if you know what's best for you, otherwise even the Taiyuan Wang family will not be able to bear the wrath of the Zhou family!"

Wang Jing raised his eyelids, too lazy to pay attention to Zhou Rong, just thinking he was just a dog barking.

"Someone, go into the backyard and search."

"Yes!"

Through severe torture and digging deep into the ground, Xu Huang and his men quickly dug out the cellar where Zhou Rong hid the treasure.

Almost all the savings of several generations of the Fenyin Zhou family were hidden in it. The jewelry and jade alone were worth 400 million coins, and the grain reserves exceeded 60,000 shi.

Among them, there was a reserve of ten kilograms of golden silk, a specialty obtained from Bingzhou alone, and a large number of various spiritual fruits and spiritual medicines. It was a great supplement for Wang Jing. At least his generals such as Zhang Liao and Xu Huang finally had the resources for cultivation.

Wang Jing couldn't help but sigh that Zhou Rong, this country tycoon, was really rich.

But it is normal to think about it. After all, the Zhou family of Fenyin has been rooted in Hedong for hundreds of years. It is natural that they have accumulated such a fortune by exploiting and oppressing the local people.

Xu Huang looked around with his tiger eyes, and soon he picked out the Boshan furnace with inlaid gold from the treasure mountain and handed it to Wang Jing: "My lord, the stolen goods have been found!"

The furnace body is shaped like a large tall wine glass, with a semicircular bottom and a pointed cone-shaped mountain on top, with mountains upon mountains, and figures and animals appearing among the mountains. The furnace body is supported by a short handle and a trumpet-shaped base, and is covered with inlaid gold cloud patterns. Its lines are rounded and integrated with the undulating mountains, full of agility.

There is no doubt that this is a rare treasure. Not only is it exquisitely crafted, but the gilded cloud pattern also shines with a bright glow. It must be a magical tool without a doubt.

However, Wang Jing does not know its specific function yet.

Wang Jing grabbed the handle of the Cuojin Boshan furnace and sneered at Zhou Rong: "Tell me, how come the stolen goods that Li Le robbed and killed the wealthy businessman in Yuzhou ended up in your hands?"

Zhou Rong was terrified, but he still said stubbornly: "I bought this thing. As for where it came from, I have no idea!"

"You know nothing about it. Then I want to ask you, you said you bought it, so who did you buy it from? Is there any witness or evidence?"

Wang Jing looked at Zhou Rong expressionlessly, the murderous intent in his heart no longer suppressed.

In order to save his life, Zhou Rong tried to make up an excuse, but Xu Huang's men found even more explosive things in the Zhou family's secret vault.

"Sir, we found hundreds of sets of cold iron armor!"

As soon as these words came out, Zhou Rong's face completely fell. He closed his eyes with a look of despair: "It's over, it's all over."

As for the robbery of merchants and travelers, Zhou Rong could still make an excuse as long as he was not caught and the stolen goods were not seized.

But if they found hundreds of sets of fine armor made of cold iron, it would not be something that could be easily uncovered. This would be a serious crime that would lead to the confiscation of property and the extermination of the entire clan!

Wang Jing was overjoyed when he heard this, and his face was full of smiles. "Hidden armor? It seems that the Fenyin Zhou family really has no respect for the law and is so bold! I now suspect that you want to rebel, Zhou Rong, what else do you have to say?"

"What! Treason?"

"General Beizhong, we are wronged. My Fenyin Zhou family has been loyal for generations and has never thought of rebellion!"

Except for Zhou Rong and a few of his cronies who looked ashen, the rest of the Zhou family members all kowtowed and begged for mercy. No one could accept being dragged into a major case of treason without knowing it.

"Zhou Rong, why don't you make a few excuses?"

"Humph, the winner is the king and the loser is the bandit, why bother to say more?"

Zhou Rong turned his face away. At this moment, he was completely desperate.

In ancient times, privately possessing armor was a serious crime. Once discovered, the person would often be charged with treason.

Throughout the dynasties, the people were often prohibited from wearing armor but not soldiers. It was understandable that Zhou Rong kept a certain number of servants and private soldiers. Even if they were equipped with swords, he could explain that it was to guard against bandits or Yellow Turban rebels.

But the nature of hoarding armor privately is completely different, not to mention that there are hundreds of sets of cold iron armor. Once this number is exposed, even the Jade Emperor cannot save the Zhou family. This is a heinous crime that is enough to execute nine generations of the clan.

How noble was Zhou Yafu, the general who quelled the Rebellion of the Seven States during the Western Han Dynasty?

He was ranked as prime minister and was highly valued by Emperor Jing, second only to the emperor.

However, even so, when Zhou Yafu was old, his son made 500 armor shields as burial objects to show his filial piety.

As a result, this matter was reported, and Emperor Jing immediately sent the court to interrogate Zhou Yafu to ask if he wanted to rebel. Zhou Yafu of course tried his best to defend himself, but the court judge gave the verdict that Zhou Yafu wanted to rebel in the underworld.

In the end, Zhou Yafu was so angry that he went on a hunger strike for five days and died of vomiting blood.

In terms of achievements and status, can Zhou Rong be compared with Zhou Yafu?
Since even Zhou Yafu suffered the same fate, Zhou Rong and the entire Fenyin Zhou family would naturally not escape death.

Now Wang Jing didn't have to bother investigating the case and interrogating him. He could just convict him directly and carry out a reasonable and legal confiscation of property and extermination of the entire family.

At this point, Zhou Rong knew that he could not escape death, but he still wanted to pray for a way out for his family: "It is not a pity for me to die, please spare my family and do not kill innocent people."

But Wang Jing would never be such a pushover. The premise for not bringing harm to his family is that they must not benefit from it either.

So he shook his head and refused: "The country has its own laws. Why should I let you, the Zhou family of Fenyin, off the hook? Moreover, over the years, your Zhou family has bullied the people in the village and colluded with bandits. How many farmers have been forced to leave their homes? How many passing merchants have been killed? Your family has enjoyed the people's wealth from these plunders. How can you say they are innocent?"

"Wang Jing! Do you really want to do this to the extreme?"

"What a joke! Did you listen to me when I tried to talk to you nicely? You are the one who is so stubborn and insists on going down a dead end. How can you blame me?"

Wang Jing had no mercy on the Zhou family. Should the Zhou family’s wives and daughters be pitiful?
The refugees who lost their land and had to sell their wives and daughters because of the Zhou family's unscrupulous robbery were truly pitiful. And what about those passing merchants who were robbed and killed? Did Zhou Rong ever consider their families?
"All male members of the Zhou family within three generations will be executed, and all female members will be sent to the Jiaosifang."

"As ordered!"

When Zhou Rong heard the verdict, his eyes turned red, as if they were dripping blood: "Wang Jing, you will not die well!"

(End of this chapter)