Chapter 337: Sixty-five, Should Accomplish Great Things

Sixty-five, Should Accomplish Great Things

Military camp station in the valley.

Torches from all directions illuminated the open space in the center of the military camp brightly.

The border soldiers were awakened by the military horn and were lining up to gather.

There were more and more soldiers in the open space.

In the middle of the open space, on a temporarily erected high platform, eight or nine men in bright light, fine scale, and other iron armor stood quietly, as if waiting for something.

Behind them, there were two figures standing side by side.

One was a strong young man wearing a felt hat tilted.

And there was also a thin-faced middle-aged scholar, his plain-colored Confucian shirt washed white.

At this moment, "Captain Du" was watching the border soldier generals led by Cai Qin on the high platform directly in front with the middle-aged scholar who had rushed from Hongzhou overnight.

If Magistrate Ouyang Rong, who was far away in Jiangzhou, were here, he would definitely recognize these two guests who had been warmly entertained in Prince Xunyang City not long ago.

Under the high platform, the sound of armor hitting hard metal weapons came one after another, and the cold light reflected by the thousands of metal surfaces was overflowing with the light cast by the torches.

The re-armed border soldiers were rushing to gather in the middle of the night.

Compared with their clanking movements, the high platform was silent.

The atmosphere between the eight or nine border soldier generals led by Cai Qin and the group of Captain Du and the middle-aged scholar was somewhat subtle.

Just at this time, Su Li Qian returned and walked onto the high platform.

Report.

"You mean, the person ran away in advance?"

Wei Wei Shaoqi took the envoy badge and imperial edict and asked.

Su Li Qian nodded dully.

Du Du Shuqing turned his head and took an extra look at Su Li Qian.

"Hard work, Captain Su."

Wei Wei Shaoqi's expression was natural, holding the envoy badge and imperial edict behind his back, walked forward, and said to the thin-faced general who was standing quietly with his eyes closed at the very front:

"General Cai, this eunuch is indeed guilty of a guilty conscience. Now there should be no more doubts. This is the imperial court's delaying tactic, coaxing everyone to lay down their weapons.

"The imperial court officials are really taking the overall situation into account, for fear that the soldiers will collapse and cause trouble on the road, and cannot be wiped out in one net.

"General Cai, what are you still hesitating about? Do you still have expectations for that cold-blooded Emperor?"

Cai Qin didn't open his eyes, gripped the hilt of his saber tightly, took a deep breath.

Seeing this, Wei Wei Shaoqi smiled and said no more.

He glanced at the open space of the drill ground that had not yet been fully gathered, turned around, exchanged a glance with Du Du Shuqing,

and then walked down the high platform first.

Du Du Shuqing followed tacitly.

The two went down the platform, walked to the side, and found a quiet place.

Du Du Shuqing suddenly opened his mouth: "Master Wei, that Su Li Qian..."

Wei Wei Shaoqi interrupted, "It doesn't matter, true or false, it's all the same, run if you run."

After a pause, he looked north toward the direction of Hongzhou and Jiangzhou where the bearded eunuch fled, and shook his head:

"He won't make it."

Du Du Shuqing nodded.

Wei Wei Shaoqi stopped and looked back, "Besides, with them here, it's the same whether Hu Fu is left or not."

I saw him raise the envoy badge and imperial edict in his hand.

Du Du Shuqing hesitated and asked: "The petition submitted by Cai Qin, what if the imperial court really agrees..."

"No variables."

Wei Wei Shaoqi shook his head, sighed:

"Regardless of how the Zhou court replies, the result is actually the same. Suspicion has already been brewed."

"Master Wei still understands the imperial court."

"No, it's not because I understand the imperial court, understand that heartless Emperor."

Wei Wei Shaoqi shook a finger and said indifferently:

"But because no matter how Cai Qin and the others think, hesitation, self-deception, or holding expectations, the moment the petition was submitted, there was actually no way back.

"At most, it is to give up completely and occupy a great righteousness."

His tone was meaningful:

"Du Shuqing, look through history, which general who rebelled halfway and regretted and surrendered could end well? This is not without reason.

"Even if there is an Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan who is calm and contented in Hongzhou, patching up, saving fire and emergency, it is of no avail. Do you know why?"

Du Du Shuqing was silent for a while, and said dully: "The villain steals the position, the gentleman is humiliated, Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan is also squeezed and suppressed."

Wei Wei Shaoqi nodded:

"Besides that, there is also human nature. Who has no suspicion?

"The smarter the person, the more so, and the Emperor and Princes are even more so, because they have too much, ancestral family business, glory and wealth, and they can't afford to lose."

Du Du Shuqing suddenly said:

"So... is it the same for the Prince Xunyang Prince's Mansion? That's why Lord Yan and Master stayed for so long?"

Wei Wei Shaoqi nodded and shook his head.

"It's just a pity that we didn't meet in the end. However, with Wang Junzhi here, he has the talent of a lobbyist, it depends on him."

He smiled and sighed: "But this is a bright scheme, let's see how Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan responds. The smarter he is, the harder it is to choose."

Du Du Shuqing glanced sideways.

Wei Wei Shaoqi looked at him and asked indifferently:

"Walking along the way with the border soldiers, the terrain maps of various prefectures and counties, as well as the troop deployment and troop deployment of various important checkpoints... have you written them all down?"

Du Du Shuqing nodded woodenly:

"In my head."

"What does Du Shuqing think?"

"Peace for a long time, military preparation is slack, most of the main officials are wine bags and rice bags."

"As expected."

Wei Wei Shaoqi nodded, carefully rolled up the envoy badge and imperial edict in his hand, stuffed it into Du Du Shuqing's hand,

and then raised his hand, carefully tidied the collar for this talented descendant of the Jingzhao Du family who was praised by the old Duke of England, and waved his hand:

"Go, send them to Rao Prefecture with them,

"Lord Yan is waiting for you."

"What about Master Wei?"

Wei Wei Shaoqi lowered his head, patted his sleeves casually, "I'll stay here and send the soldiers home."

Laughed loudly, "Return to Hongzhou first."

Du Du Shuqing asked again: "Where is Brother Yue?"

Wei Wei Shaoqi said indifferently: "Hongzhou Prince Teng's Mansion, talking happily with that young vassal."

"What did the Hongzhou Governor Zhu Zhu Lingxu say?"

"Yue Zi'ang has persuaded his eldest son Zhu Zhu Yuheng, and with that young Prince Teng on the side, when I left, Zhu Zhu Lingxu replied, giving three days to consider."

After a pause, Wei Wei Shaoqi waved his sleeves:

"The general trend has been formed, the backing, relatives, and situation have all tilted. Whether you welcome it or not, you have to welcome it. Zhu Zhu Lingxu has no way to choose. Even if he is greedy for life and afraid of death, he can only follow."

Du Du Shuqing thought for a while and reminded dully:

"Master should pay attention to it. Be careful of the conflict between General Cai and Zhu Zhu Lingxu. After all, regarding the delay, except for the culprit Lan Changhao, Zhu Zhu Lingxu is also an accomplice, and he must be panicked."

Wei Wei Shaoqi looked at him quite unexpectedly and admitted:

"That makes sense. However, the petition submitted by Cai Qin specifically didn't mention the main official Zhu Zhu Lingxu, which is considered giving a step down. Just pick out a scapegoat to vent anger, and you can also easily control the Zhechong Prefecture.

"However, this still requires Lord Yan's appeal, after all, Zhu Zhu Lingxu was also a subordinate of the old Duke of England, and there is a incense fire relationship."

"That's good."

Just at this time, from the high platform not far ahead, a man's vigorous voice came.

It was Cai Qin.

Wei Wei Shaoqi and Du Du Shuqing turned their heads to look together.

I saw that in the open space, all the border soldiers had gathered, and were lined up by the captains.

The light of the torches all around vaguely illuminated faces that were curious, excited, or confused.

Cai Qin stood with his eyes closed, his voice resounding through the whole scene:

"Brothers, the envoy sent by the imperial court just ran away."

The whole scene was in an uproar.

Under the gaze of all, Cai Qin suddenly opened his eyes, and his pupils were already covered with bloodshot eyes:

"Do you still remember why we returned north without authorization in Guizhou?

"Nothing more than missing wives and children, hating greedy and selfish superiors.

"But I heard that the imperial court has issued a secret edict to the Hongzhou and Jiangzhou armies, waiting for us to arrive, to wipe us out and kill our families!"

Cai Qin's voice stopped here, and the whole scene fell into dead silence.

Some were staring in anger, some were desperate and cold-hearted.

Wei Wei Shaoqi and Du Du Shuqing, who were standing with their hands behind their backs, saw that on the high platform, the leader of the mutinous soldiers, whose cheeks were bulging, the decree lines on his face trembling, and his bloodshot eyes swept across the whole scene like a wolf:

"A man would rather not throw himself into the net and be shamed by the people of the world.

"Why not accomplish great things!

"Work together, go through fire and water.

"Not only can we avoid disaster, but we can also seek wealth!"

In the silent scene, it was as if a thunderbolt fell, deafening.

Moments later, the desperate border soldiers completely erupted in silence, setting off a monstrous sound in the valley in the middle of the night, and they all cheered.

Wei Wei Shaoqi turned and said:

"The Wei clan usurped the imperial throne, harming the Li Gan mountains and rivers, first the Rebellion in Yingzhou, now acting perversely, laboring to build the Great Buddha in the center, the ambitious people of the world are resentful, and the hearts of the people in the north and south have already dispersed.

"This Guizhou statue construction, border soldier mutiny, is by no means an isolated case, it is the general trend, the beginning of great chaos!"

He sighed to Du Du Shuqing:

"Heaven's time, geographical advantage, and human harmony are all ready, go find Lord Yan, someone should stand up."

Jiangzhou.

Prince Xunyang City.

The weather is getting warmer.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong changed into a thin and breathable round-collar shirt, washed silently, and prepared to go out.

"What's wrong with Tanlang, your face is not good."

In his arms, Ye Ye Weilai, who was carefully tying his belt, looked up at a delicate pretty face and asked with concern.

"Nothing."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong's eyebrows relaxed, and he shook his head.

Arranged today's homework for Ye Ye Weilai, and strode out.

Just the day before yesterday, the latest letter from the Hu imperial envoy arrived in Jiangzhou.

It was a petition conveyed on behalf of the border soldiers to the main officials of Hongzhou and Jiangzhou, and the imperial court in the Divine Capital.

The petition had two requests.

First, request the military officials of Hongzhou and Jiangzhou to deal with several subordinates in their respective Zhechong Prefectures.

Second, plead with the imperial court to add a new prefecture to settle the fifteen hundred returning border soldiers.

Even Magistrate Ouyang Rong, who was sympathetic, knew that this was almost impossible to agree to.

I don't know about Hongzhou, but in the Jiangzhou Zhechong Prefecture, many subordinates were in the same boat as Wang Wang Lengran, shielding each other, how could they be dealt with.

And adding a new prefecture, this is not impossible to discuss, it can be handled privately at discretion.

But it absolutely cannot be that you mutinous border soldiers come to propose it publicly.

It naturally carries a threatening meaning, making the imperial court lose face.

In short, the returning border soldiers suddenly proposed this plan, which made Magistrate Ouyang Rong and the Prince Xunyang Prince's Mansion, who were originally prepared to plead for mercy and protect people, difficult to do.

Fortunately, Li Wang Lixian's memorial had not yet been submitted, and was lying quietly on Magistrate Ouyang Rong's desk in Yinbing Study, waiting for him to check and polish.

Otherwise, if it were submitted, just after guaranteeing and pleading, you guys made such a scene, it would make Magistrate Ouyang Rong and Li Wang Lixian very passive.

The situation changed suddenly, and Magistrate Ouyang Rong had a bad premonition in his heart,

Afternoon.

Yunshui Pavilion, third floor.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong met Qin Heng again.

"General Qin, do you know how Wang Wang Lengran replied?"

Hearing from Qin Heng that Wang Wang Lengran had gathered his subordinates to discuss it yesterday and replied to the Hu imperial envoy, Magistrate Ouyang Rong couldn't help but ask.

Qin Heng looked stern: "Wang Wang Lengran agreed to the first condition."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong couldn't help but ask: "Then were the Zhechong Commandant, Training Envoy, and Zhechong Chief Clerk detained by him?"

"No." Qin Heng shook his head: "They are still fine. Instead, they are preparing intensively."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong was silent.

Obviously, Wang Wang Lengran and others only agreed verbally, wanting to stabilize the returning border soldiers first, and then clean them up after they return.

The desire to kill is strong, and it is obvious.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong pursed his lips.

Wang Wang Lengran bypassed him, the Jiangzhou Chief Clerk, again, and made decisions involving the whole prefecture without discussing it at all.

It's just that I don't know how Hongzhou reacted, whether it was the same...

Magistrate Ouyang Rong left Yunshui Pavilion with worry.

Returned to the Jiangzhou main hall.

Inside the main hall, Magistrate Ouyang Rong paced with his hands behind his back for a while, and suddenly called Yan Yan Liulang, preparing to ask about Wang Wang Junzhi.

Yan Yan Liulang brought a piece of news:

"Magistrate, Magistrate Official Diao's letter arrived this morning."

"Put it on the table." Magistrate Ouyang Rong said indifferently, as if used to it.

"Oh."

Yan Yan Liulang obeyed, remembered something, and turned back to say:

"By the way, Magistrate, the minor official sent to deliver the letter asked me, what is the relationship between the newly appointed Assistant Magistrate Du and the Magistrate, does it count as... one of our own."

"What one of our own, don't form cliques all day long." Magistrate Ouyang Rong raised his head, both angry and funny, but the next moment, his smile faded, and he muttered softly:

"Why ask this for no reason."

He walked over, walked over, and opened Magistrate Official Diao's letter.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong frowned more and more as he read.

Magistrate Official Diao mentioned in the letter, besides flattering, that Du Du Shuqing asked for leave a few days ago, saying he was going to tour the Lady Yunmeng Great Marsh with Yue Zi'ang,

The leave had expired the day before yesterday, but the person had not returned for a long time, and he didn't know if he was delayed on the road.

Magistrate Official Diao felt that Magistrate Ouyang Rong had a good relationship with this person, after all, he lent him the residence to live in,

So he specifically came to ask, should Du Du Shuqing's absence be treated leniently, not deducting salary, and pretending to be stupid and ignoring it.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong frowned and immediately ordered:

"You go to Longcheng immediately, let the county government send people to search, and go to Meilu Pavilion to see if there are any traces of Du Du Shuqing. The person must be found.

"If there is news, tell me immediately, report once a day."

"Yes, Magistrate."

"Wait, where is Wang Wang Junzhi?"

"Prefecture School."

"Did you see it?"

"I saw it with my own eyes this morning."

"That's good, keep watching."

After speaking, Magistrate Ouyang Rong paced in the main hall, frowning.

"Du Du Shuqing is not in Longcheng, then where is he? Touring Lady Yunmeng Marsh with Yue Zi'ang? How does it sound unreliable? Could it be that he went to find Li Li Zhengyan and Wei Wei Shaoqi?"

I don't know why, but his heart became more and more uneasy.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong turned his head suddenly and asked Yan Yan Liulang to fetch a map.

His finger landed on the position of Rao Prefecture on the map, which was south of Hongzhou, on the route between Tan Prefecture and Hongzhou.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong took out the previous letters from the Hu imperial envoy to compare, and was horrified to find that it happened to be the place where the returning border soldiers passed.

"Where is Li Li Zhengyan now?" He asked suddenly.

Yan Yan Liulang looked curious, "Isn't Li Li Zhengyan serving as Rao Prefecture Yuan Sima? He should be at his post, right? Did the Magistrate forget?"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong didn't answer, just muttered to himself.

He stood still for a while, as if remembering the conversation before parting that day, and lowered his head and muttered:

"The southeast has the aura of a king... The aura of a king is in Jiangzhou... Must plead for the people...

"Li Gong, Li Gong, what exactly do you want to do... Once demoted, why not be like me, get drunk, and not fall after a thousand cups...

"Wait, you stayed in Jiangzhou, what is your intention."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 338 =====