The chaotic city of Nanjing finally became quiet. Seeing a large number of people leaving the capital of Nanzhili Prefecture, Zhang Pu and Chen Zhenhui finally breathed a sigh of relief. The expected internal strife did not come after all.

The two of them knew something about the grand gathering that took place at the Duke of Wei's mansion. The martial arts faction headed by Wang Siyuan and Xu Hongji were given more power by the local wealthy faction headed by Zou Yuanbiao.

The reason why these families were cleared was not because the Taicang Zhang family was involved. The Taicang Zhang family was blocked by Zhang Pu and did not send anyone to participate. There was no such thing as occupying the prefecture and county. There were not even any children in the family to replace them. Although Zhang Pu and Chen Zhenhui were assistants in the county government, they were extremely talented and had a unique vision, but they were still just small figures at this time. They knew this only because Zou Yuanbiao had a publication similar to the Imperial Daily.

The reasons why they started the army, what happened, their slogans, and their just purposes were all written on these, and then they were used to distribute them for free, expand their influence, and occupy the moral high ground.

Not to mention, this method is quite effective. At least it has deceived a lot of young scholars to come and seek refuge with him, hoping to bring peace to the world by being a big thief.

However, most people did not take any action, especially the smart and outstanding scholars, as well as those small and medium-sized families with a long history. They did not take any action at all, and they were very careful to draw boundaries with the participating big families. , distance yourself.

This is true even for many officials who are unable to resist the fierce momentum. They all look loyal and would rather die than surrender, and are not afraid of death at all. It is not that they are not really afraid of death, they just expect that the other party will not go on a killing spree. They are both scholars. The network of connections is intricate and complex, and no one will act recklessly and cause unnecessary trouble. This is what these officials rely on to carry on their lives.

Of course, not everyone in the world is so smart and cautious. Some officials who are not firm in their stance and full of ideas of making money, as well as local down-and-out scholars and small families obsessed with profit, all responded one after another and took control of the state capitals and counties. A wealthy family helps the other party control the local political situation and gain political capital for itself.

"What a bunch of brainless people. They didn't even fight a tough battle between the imperial court...the empire and this side, so they just couldn't wait to throw themselves in and act like doglegs. Are you out of your mind?"

When Zhang Pu and Chen Zhenhui learned about what was happening outside Nanjing through their relatives, friends, teachers and classmates, they both spat out in unison that they really didn't understand. Now the situation is unclear. The empire and Nanzhili are strong. How can you bet so rashly if you are so weak?

Look at the famous figures in the scholarly community. When they first scolded the emperor for plotting to usurp the throne, they were so daring that they almost swore that the emperor had actually done this. But now, when you look at it, none of those who scolded and shouted loudly showed his head. Everyone was watching the situation, but some little shrimps jumped out and jumped up and down.

What made the two of them even more speechless was that the group of literati and gentry actually started to form an alliance. After they dispersed from Nanjing, representatives of these local wealthy families gathered in Songjiang Mansion and made a fuss for a while. They elected an alliance leader to command all the troops. , Crossing the Yangtze River and Expedition to the North.

Do they think they are still in the Three Kingdoms, and do they think they are seeking Dong Lianjun? This kind of farce imitating the drama completely made Zhang Pu lose hope in these people, and he did not want to do anything to save the interests that his family was about to lose. In In his opinion, the emperor sent troops south, although there were only 10,000 troops, they were as overwhelming as Mount Tai, unstoppable.

Chen Zhenhui's father, Chen Yuting, was in the court at this time, serving as the Shaoqing of Taipu Temple. Although this was a Qingshui yamen with little authority, the people he came into contact with were all high-ranking officials, and the people he interacted with were all officials of the court, and they belonged to

The Ministry of War is a central agency and naturally well-informed.

Therefore, Chen Yuting often wrote letters to warn his family members about what should be done. Just like this time, Chen Yuting wrote again, telling family members not to get involved and to draw a clear line between themselves and those who take risks for the sake of profit.

Zhang Pu is smart and has an unusual sensitivity to the political situation, while Chen Zhenhui is also smart and has unusual sources of advice. Together, the two are a perfect match. After analyzing each other, they gradually grasp the context of current events.

And their response measures are also very simple, that is, the imperial examination has undergone many changes.

Both of them have decided that they must take part in this provincial examination, and pass it, and then go to the capital to take part in the general examination. The strong change of land, the changeable measures, and the crazy behavior of the local wealthy people all made them feel vaguely,

A big trend is coming.

"Hey, I don't know if it's possible." Looking at the large army of troops crossing the river at the edge of Nanjing City, Zou Yuanbiao sighed deeply.

Zou Yuanbiao is from Jishui County, Ji'an Prefecture, Jiangxi Province. This place is not simple. The poets Yang Wanli and Wen Tianxiang both came from here. Xie Jin, the three great talents of the Ming Dynasty, was also from here, and he and Zou Yuanbiao were fellow villagers.

After the Benimaru coup, the old man who had not been in office for decades was quite frustrated. He had finally waited for his faction to come to power, but ended up being deeply involved in the palace coup and still on the losing side. After the emperor ascended the throne,

, hold it and straighten it.

After a major purge, the entire Donglin Party was implicated and sent to farmland in Liaodong. Then, there was another drastic change in the power structure. Under a series of blows, the entire Donglin Party was suddenly scattered.

Go, the members each look for someone they can cuddle up with for warmth, change their families, and form their own factions.

Zou Yuanbiao, one of the Three Lords of Donglin, was forgotten under such circumstances. He himself was worried that the emperor would seek to vent his anger on him, so he acquiesced to this kind of forgetfulness and quietly stayed in his hometown alone, preparing for the rest of his life.

.

But Zou Yuanbiao was unwilling and full of resentment. As the characters on the stage became more glorious, the unwillingness and resentment in his heart became stronger.

These originally belonged to him.

Thirty years of enduring humiliation and burden, willing to stay in poverty for thirty years of teaching silently, only to end in loneliness. Just when he was about to appear on the stage and show his dazzling glory, he was suddenly knocked down and spent alone. Who replaced him?

No one is willing to accept it.

The same goes for Zou Yuanbiao. As soon as the incident in Nanzhili happened, he immediately got up and went to Nanjing, just to regain the stage he had lost.

The reality did not disappoint this old man. Relying on the remaining prestige of the Donglin Party and the popularity accumulated from thirty years of lectures, he finally succeeded in seizing the position of leader. Although this process was a bit childish and disgraceful, Zou Yuanbiao

He doesn't care about these. He prefers the results to the process, as long as the results are right.

After the alliance, everyone set out from Songjiang Prefecture. After a circle, they returned to Nanjing again, and then crossed the river from here, preparing to gather rebel troops from various places in the north and snipe the imperial troops who went south to suppress the rebellion. As for the city of Nanjing, the self-proclaimed

They turned a blind eye to Wei Guogong Xu Hongji, the commander-in-chief of the rebel alliance, and directly ordered him to come and meet with him as the leader of the rebel alliance to cross the river together to put down the rebellion.

To be honest, these people from big families are not stupid. They know that guarding the Yangtze River is the best choice. The reason for their opposition is just to seize the initiative. Literati are arrogant.

, especially the literati of the Ming Dynasty, they looked down on Xu Hongji, you are a warrior, why should you lead us. They also looked down on Wang Siyuan, the Moling Wang family was just a small family, and it was only when there was no way to purchase enough land.

He turned his attention to the sea and gathered weavers to produce and sell silk.

Although the Moling Prince family has a large business, their official career is not smooth, and there is no land for inheritance. Other families who raise soldiers are not very interested in it, and naturally they will not accept leadership. In this way, these wealthy families naturally have to choose

He was the leader he recognized, but if he wanted to do this, he had to take over the leadership first. This led to a scene of total opposition in the Duke of Wei's palace.

But as mentioned before, the correct strategy of defending the Yangtze River is impossible to achieve, even if the dominance is in the hands of the gentry families in these places. There are just as many big families in the north of the Yangtze River, and the relationship between these big families is always complicated.

, the marriages were very frequent, and in a series of intrigues and alliances, the rebel alliance finally reached a consensus on the conditions, prepared for war in Jiangbei, defeated the imperial court's counter-rebellion army, and then went north to overthrow the puppet emperor and support the

The fifth son of the emperor, Zhu Youjian, came to power.

And if you want to implement this plan, there is one person who is very crucial, that is Wei Guogong. Wang Siyuan can think of using the convenience of a two-state Duke, so naturally they will not think of it, so they have such a domineering order. The order

Duke Guo of Wei went to the alliance to make peace.

"Why, do you really want to go?" Wang Siyuan looked at Xu Hongji playfully, with a smile that made it difficult to see his true emotions.

"Why don't you go? I don't know who can use the water." Xu Hongji sneered, "Besides, they won't let me go if I don't go. I'm here to establish my authority. If I don't go, there's something happening outside the city."

Tens of thousands of people crossing the river rushed in and captured me. The city of Nanjing seemed peaceful, but I don't know how many people were waiting to open the door for them."

Xu Hongji sneered, and he analyzed the matter quite thoroughly, "It would be better if I went. Wei Guogong, who guards the southeast, has also been recruited by the alliance, which will increase their prestige and make them more righteous. In this case, I will go

Whether I go or not, there will be the same fate, so why don’t I go?”

"Excellent analysis. As expected of the Duke of Wei, he really didn't deserve to be the Duke of Wei. It's better if you go, it will save you trouble, and they are a bunch of literati who won't make big gains. If you go, you might be able to seize the opportunity to take over the military power.

"What I said is right, Mr. Xu." Wang Siyuan clapped his hands and smiled, but his smile was very cold, revealing a deep chill.

"Hehe!" Xu Hongji smiled silently and did not express his position at all, even if his plan was exposed.
Chapter completed!