"No one can move this batch of military pay."

As soon as Ying Yi spoke, he emphasized the ownership of military pay for the third time, and then said: "The county honor is loyal to the court and is a good official. But because of this, the military pay cannot be handed over to him."

Zheng Wu held Park Dao tightly and suddenly laughed at himself: "I misread you. I thought you value friendship and loyalty and filial piety... The master is also a kind of kindness to you, but I didn't expect that... People are indeed greedy. You like these two million taels of silver and want to take it for yourself."

Ying Yi shook his head and nodded again: "I do like this batch of silver and do take it for myself. But there may be some difference from what you think."

Ying Yi said calmly: "Brother Zheng Wu, I will ask you a question."

Zheng Wu waved his sword and said decisively: "If you want money, kill me. There is no need to talk nonsense."

The soldiers were already at a loss at this time. They had a good impression of Zheng Yunzhi, but they also knew that Ying Yi was powerful. Isn’t they their own people? Why is it like this now?

There was a silence.

Ying Yiquan pretended that he didn't hear Zheng Wu's words and said to himself: "The county magistrate is a good official. Everything he does is from the court and from the perspective of the emperor. That's why I can't hand over the military pay to him. Not only can't hand over the military pay to him, but I won't hand over the three thousand-household soldiers to him," he said.

He said: "The Ming Dynasty is about to overthrow, which is visible. The upcoming thieves' suppression will definitely not be successful. I think you should know more than me about the intention of Zhengxian Zun's troops. Once the Huguang soldiers of Zuo Liangyu and others arrive, we will serve as support and surrender to the Huguang soldiers."

Zheng Wu's expression moved slightly.

Ying Yi said again: "What kind of dog thief is Zuo Liangyu? Even the governor of the Three-Borders Wang Qiaonian was sold by him, and he died miserably. Many times when he suppressed the thieves, such a man was the first to run away, ruining the good situation. Zheng County Zun was loyal to the court, but Zuo Liangyu was not. Zheng County Zun could give these three thousand people to Zuo Liangyu as cannon fodder, but I couldn't."

He looked iron-like: "So, I will never hand over the military pay to the county master. The army cannot be handed over to him. In the hands of the county master, I cannot control the army. If I cannot control the army, I will be treated as cannon fodder. Without the army, I will not be able to take revenge. Without these three thousand people, I will not be able to protect more than 20,000 people in this city. Zheng Wu, what should I do?"

Zheng Wu's face turned pale, but without waiting for him to speak, Ying Yi said again: "I will never give a dog thief a support, nor will he be sold by him because Zheng County Zun obeys the orders of a dog thief like Zuo Liangyu and is a cannon fodder. If I meet him, I will even kill him. This dog thief is no less than a thief. The thief wants to fight, but if he doesn't fight Zuo Liangyu, I will do it myself."

Then Ying Yi looked at the more than a hundred soldiers behind Zheng Wu and said, "What about you? Are you willing to follow me Ying Yi, or are you willing to obey the command of the county magistrate?"

Zheng Wu finally spoke: "Ying Yi, if you don't follow you, how will you stay?"

Ying Yi said lightly: "Then don't blame me for being ruthless."

The night was depressed, and the atmosphere suddenly condensed to the extreme. Heavy breathing sounds came one after another, as if a storm was about to come.

A sudden jingle sound broke the heaviness. I don’t know who started, but then the more than a hundred people threw down their weapons one after another, crossed Zheng Wu, and came behind Ying Yi.

Zheng Wu looked red and his whole body was trembling, pointing at them and unable to speak.

Someone mustered up the courage and said, "Brother Zheng, the county master is a good person. But... Lord Ying is right. We just want to protect our family, not for the court or for the emperor."

"Yes. I remember the severe drought the previous year, and the imperial court did not even provide relief. My elder brother just starved to death."

"When the thief comes, there will never be any shadow of the court."

The complaints suddenly made Zheng Wu's spirit completely disappear.

Ying Yi sighed: "The Ming Dynasty has long lost people's hearts. It's a pity that Zheng County Zun still turned a blind eye. Brother Zheng Wu, you are Zheng County Zun's close confidant. I think the first thing you consider is Zheng County Zun, not the court. If Zheng County Zun is involved in the battle to suppress the thieves, and with his personality after his failure, what do you think will be the consequences?"

Countless thoughts flashed through Zheng Wu's mind, and he closed his eyes.

After a long time, he said, "What are you going to do?"

Ying Yi smiled: "I must take the military pay in my own hands, and the army is even more so. I hope that Zheng County will focus on governing people's livelihood. There are more than 20,000 people in the mountains, and there are still many people who have not yet settled."

He paused and said, "Of course I will participate in the battle to suppress the thieves. But it is definitely not what Zheng County Zun thought. After returning, I will not go to see County Zun, but I hope you will convey my words to him."

"You want to put the master in house arrest?" Zheng Wu said.

"It's a last resort." Ying Yi said: "When it's time for this, let the county magistrate be free."

Then Ying Yi was excited and said, "It is important to get military pay first. It is indeed unsafe here. Everyone should act and don't waste time."

"Here!"

The soldiers' mentality changed very quickly. This is not to say that they are all ungrateful, but their wishes are contrary to Zheng Yunzhi. Zheng Yunzhi stands on the standpoint of the court, and in the eyes of the people, the court has long lost trust and is not worthy of his life.

In fact, at the end of the dynasties, the combat effectiveness of the army decreased rapidly, except for the Han Dynasty, all others were like this. There is only one fundamental reason, that is, the court lost its status in the minds of the people and was no longer worthy of the people's life or death.

Without this belief, how can you fight? Often, you will collapse at the right time and you will run away.

There was an army in later generations that could persist in such a harsh situation until they captured the world. Their equipment was not the best, the territory was the poorest, and the resources were the most demanding, but why could they persist until the end?

That is faith.

Some people are willing to die for it and go on one after another. This is the fundamental reason.

In contrast, it happened to be another army of the same era. Not only did it have more people and more well-equipped, it also occupied the world's righteousness. However, it was also because it lost the people's hearts and was finally driven to a small island to survive.

Zheng Yunzhi is not bad, talented and capable. But his position is contrary to the people's hearts.

This is the fundamental reason why Ying Yi can instigate the soldiers in just a few words.

Zheng Wu did not leave without authorization. He knew that Ying Yi would not let him go back at this time. Ying Yi had not completely seized military power and would have kept it from Zheng Yunzhi before the dust settled.

The two stood aside, watching boxes of money being carried out to load into a carriage and a ox carriage, each with different expressions.

Ying Yi suddenly said, "I admire the county master. But no matter how much I admire, I have different perspectives from him and stand in a different position. Brother Zheng Wu, if I were you, I would advise the county master to not be buried with the Ming Dynasty."
Chapter completed!