Among the forty or fifty people in the hall, there were not only officials, but also a third of them were wealthy merchants from Guangzhou, while there was not a single gentry from Guangdong Province.
These people had obviously just learned of the White Lotus Sect's impending rebellion, and their faces showed shock and fear.
According to past practice, rebellions of the White Lotus Sect's caliber usually start off with unstoppable momentum, only to be suppressed after their initial surge of power falters and eventually gives way to exhaustion.
They are currently in the most vulnerable position, and even if the White Lotus Sect is eventually suppressed, it will usually have little to do with them.
Once the White Lotus Sect breaches Guangzhou, the first to suffer will be high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants like them, so it's no wonder they are so shocked and afraid.
"Enough! What kind of behavior is this? What kind of behavior is this?"
"Look at the way you all are now, you don't look like officials of the Qing Dynasty at all."
Zhang Shusheng, the two governors in charge of the entire Guangdong Province, looked at the forty or fifty men in front of him with a gloomy face. They were shocked to learn that the White Lotus Sect was preparing to rebel. The first thing they thought of was to defend Guangzhou to the death. He wanted to slap them to death.
After calming the crowd who had turned the council chamber into a chaotic marketplace, Zhang Shusheng asked in a deep voice:
"Nalan Yuanshu, are you sure the news that the White Lotus Sect is preparing to revolt in three days is accurate?"
"The source of this information is our high-ranking member within the White Lotus Sect; there's no mistake about it," Nalan Yuanshu nodded and said.
"The White Lotus sect in Guangdong Province will start an uprising in three days, and the White Lotus sects in Shandong, Hubei, Hunan, Henan, and Guangxi will follow suit."
The White Lotus sect in Guangdong was certainly not the entirety of the White Lotus sect. In fact, Guangdong could only be considered a branch of the White Lotus sect, and the rebellion was naturally an action taken by the entire White Lotus sect at the same time.
In fact, the situation in Guangdong Province played a decisive role in the White Lotus Sect's decision to rebel at this time. Their power was expanding too rapidly, and they also had the support of the gentry.
The White Lotus sect's headquarters were misled by this illusion, believing that the time was ripe to overthrow the Qing dynasty. Little did they know that the White Lotus sect in Guangdong had reached its current state because the government had deliberately indulged it under the influence of the Po Chi Lam (a famous Hong Kong slang term for a religious sect).
"General Changshan, what about our Eight Banners Army and Green Standard Army?"
Changshan was the General of Guangzhou. In terms of rank, he was actually a little higher than the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi. However, as the Qing army became increasingly corrupt, its power was constantly weakening. Now, even the General of Guangzhou had no choice but to submit to the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi.
When Chang Shan saw Zhang Shusheng mention the Eight Banners Army, he smiled wryly and said, "Governor Zhang, let's not beat around the bush. You are well aware of the situation of the Eight Banners Army and the Green Standard Army."
The Eight Banners Army and the Green Standard Army in Guangdong were already so corrupt that they were beyond redemption; otherwise, they would have done something when they massacred the underground forces in Guangzhou at Baozhilin.
The current Eight Banners Army and Green Standard Army are so weak that you can't find even one truly capable fighter out of ten. Moreover, the generals in charge of the troops are all falsifying their reports and receiving salaries without actually fighting. The official number of soldiers is 30,000, but in reality, it's probably only about 30% of them.
If the White Lotus Rebellion were to break out, the Eight Banners Army and Green Standard Army in Guangdong alone would be lucky to even hold Guangzhou, let alone quell the rebellion. As for other cities besides the provincial capital, they would have to rely on local militias and pray for their own good fortune.
Seeing the silence, Nalan Yuanshu said, "My lord, since the White Lotus Rebellion is a foregone conclusion, the only way out is to ask Mr. Li from Baozhilin for help."
"By the way, why isn't Li Boyang here?"
"Governor, go find Li Boyang quickly. If he is willing to help, at least Guangzhou can be defended."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
With the White Lotus Rebellion, it can be said that all the influential officials and truly wealthy merchants in Guangzhou were present, and many people only then realized that Li Boyang was not there.
None of the people present were without a vested interest in Baozhilin, and Baozhilin's power, even just on the surface, was enough to make people feel suffocated.
"Enough, all of you, be quiet."
Seeing that everyone had started talking again, Zhang Shusheng sighed and said, "I've already sent someone to invite them. Everyone, please calm down."
In reality, Zhang Shusheng was well aware of the true nature of the White Lotus Rebellion and the roles played by Baozhilin and the gentry class.
This White Lotus Rebellion was actually a contest between the gentry class and the Po Chi Lam faction. He chose to side with Po Chi Lam, so apart from those who had made the same choice, there was not a single gentry member in the council hall.
Zhang Shusheng understood perfectly well what Baozhilin was planning to do, but taking action against the gentry would have too great an impact, and he would be completely pushed to the opposite side of the gentry.
Although he had originally planned to take sides, he wanted to avoid offending the gentry class if possible. So, after Po Chi Lam was allowed to tolerate the White Lotus Sect, he was happy to cooperate.
In fact, Zhang Shusheng had already noticed some clues about the White Lotus Rebellion, but he dared not take any action because he was afraid of offending the gentry and because of Baozhilin's warning.
The situation has developed to an unexpected degree. If the White Lotus Rebellion breaks out, he, as the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, will bear the main responsibility.
The only solution now is to suppress the White Lotus Rebellion as soon as it takes hold and atone for their crimes. However, while the Green Standard Army and the Eight Banners are capable of defending the city, suppressing the White Lotus Rebellion is simply a joke.
To suppress the White Lotus Sect as soon as possible, the only option was to rely on the power of Baozhilin. As for what Baozhilin wanted, Zhang Shusheng knew very well.
Circumstances dictate that he is in a difficult position; for him now, the only option is to sacrifice his fellow Daoists rather than himself.
Just as the meeting hall was falling into an awkward silence, a yamen runner guarding the gate of the Governor-General's Mansion rushed in and said:
"Your Excellency, Li Boyang of Baozhilin requests an audience."
"Mr. Li has finally arrived."
"With Mr. Li's arrival, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief."
Although Wong Fei-hung is nominally the highest leader of Po Chi Lam, and Toothpick So is the real decision-maker in Po Chi Lam, these are all appearances as seen by ordinary people.
Those who can stand here today are all figures who, with a stomp of their feet, could cause a cold throughout Guangdong Province. How could they not know that the true mastermind behind Baozhilin is actually the infamous Li Boyang?
It can't be said that his reputation has faded. Since killing Yagyu Jubei, Li Boyang has gained fame in the martial arts world. But apart from Nalan Yuanshu, everyone here today is someone who is used to talking.
In their eyes, what does reputation in the martial arts world matter? If Li Boyang were just a martial artist, no matter how famous he was, he wouldn't be of any interest to them.
What truly deserves their respect is the economic and military strength possessed by Po Chi Lam.
The Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, Zhang Shusheng, also breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said:
"Quickly, invite them in."
Upon entering the council hall, Li Boyang found it already filled with people, all of whom had vested interests in Baozhilin. It was not surprising that they were there at this time.