Before the outbreak of the Hedong War, Anyi could be said to be prosperous in commerce, mainly due to the exchange of goods between the north and the south. Among the markets in Anyi, the most common ones were fur shops, jade workshops, and nomadic and Han people's shops such as paint, salt and sugar.
specialty.
There is usually an endless stream of caravans traveling between the North and Guanzhong.
However, since the war started, the wars have been one after another. The merchants in the city have either closed down their businesses, or moved south, and many have even transferred their shops. Even the most famous fur shop in Anyi has been moved away.
Well, you must know that the furs produced by this shop were so outstanding that many dignitaries had to make reservations in advance, but now they are all gone...
They all went to Linfen.
Cao Jun is now besieging Anyi, and the trade in the city has almost come to a standstill.
The long street was deserted. The occasional sight was of terrified soldiers and civilians passing by in a hurry.
Pei Hui was walking on the street, his face not very good-looking.
Now the people guarding the four gates of Anyi are all the children of the Pei family. If other people are used, the Pei family will not worry.
The guards who followed Pei Hui back from inspecting the four doors were mostly silent along the way, but they looked at each other more or less, as if they were communicating something secretly...
Pei Hui noticed this and was a little annoyed. He simply stood still on the street, turned around and said to the guard: "Quickly blow your mind! Don't wink like a girl!"
Several guards pushed each other, and finally someone said tentatively: "Hun Langjun, do we really want to defend Anyi? If Cao's army really breaks into the city, it will be like... a chicken and a egg!"
At that time, we will have no people, no land, no money, no money. Even if we can escape a few, what will it mean?"
As soon as this person said something, other people immediately echoed it.
"Yes, if we lose all our people, property and property, it will be really difficult for us to stand up!"
"Now in the land east of the river, we are the only ones left to resist, and the hussars are not coming. Do you want to use up all of us?"
"As long as you have people and property in hand, you can eat and drink wherever you go without worrying about it. If it's all gone, then it's really gone!"
"If we really get to that point, even if the hussars come, who will we be?"
"If Cao's army really attacks the city and all the members of the clan are defeated, our ancestral heritage will be over!"
"Yes, Mr. Hui Lang, although there are four to five thousand defenders in Anyi City now, those who can really fight, haha... are only half, and... it is not easy to raise soldiers, and it is not easy to own the family business. You have to persuade me."
I would like to advise the head of the family...it’s better to make plans early!』
The guards were all talking, and they all had a pessimistic attitude towards defending the city. They were particularly worried that if they lost their own men, they would be kicked off the throne of a prominent family in Hedong.
It’s true that everyone can’t help but worry. It’s true that for most gentry children, family comes first, what about country…
For these people, there is a lantern in front of them and a tillage ban in the back. The national law is a hammer.
After all, when you see a cockroach in the light, you should know that it can no longer squeeze in the darkness.
These children of the Pei family all have acres of private property in Hedong. Even if they are not considered small landowners, they are still middle class. As the saying goes, only those with permanent property have perseverance. In order to protect their own private property, they naturally have to guard Anyi.
of……
But wouldn’t it be better if we didn’t have to fight?
Compared with the hussars, they are less organized and well-trained.
In terms of physical fitness and literacy, these guys are probably better than ordinary hussars, but their fighting spirit is not high.
These people are not willing to join the Hussars, and they feel that the treatment of the Hussars is not very good. Because they are middle class and above, how can they fancy the three melons and two dates of the Hussars' soldiers?
Most of the soldiers in the Hussars are poor people who have no land, no houses, and nothing. They want to make a living for their families through military exploits. And most of these Pei family soldiers have land and property, and live in poverty.
They don’t have to worry about it, and apart from training, they don’t have to worry about farming in the fields, because they all have tenant farmers who work hard to cultivate their fields.
Not only the Pei family is like this, but most of the noble families, powerful and aristocratic families in the Eastern Han Dynasty are also like this. There is no big difference.
There are private armed forces belonging to the family and huge land. The people in the family rely on the power of the family. Most of them have a moderate or above standard of living. Even if they are a side branch, as long as they are willing to bend down and have a share of food and drink, there is nothing wrong with it.
Big problem.
But for the same reason, they are also very worried about the loss of the asset strength of the clan, especially their own private property...
They are all willing to protect their own assets, but all their goals are just that.
As long as their money is not moved, who will be the master...
The problem doesn't seem to be big.
There was chattering for a while, and suddenly a guard said: "I heard that Feng Xian surrendered to Cao... to protect Zhuangzi..."
As soon as these words came out, everyone immediately became quiet and stared at each other.
"You bastard! That's what you can say!" Pei Hui lowered his voice and cursed, "Delete it quickly... Ahem, take it back! No, shut up!"
Everyone responded quickly, and then typed a string of **** to cover the previous words.
After a while, Pei Hui himself said in a low voice: "This is indeed the case... That guy was named Yang Chi Shou..."
"Yang Chi Shou?"
"On the Yangchi area, it was newly drawn from the land controlled by Cao Jun..."
"Oh, that's not bad!"
"If it's that, why should we seal it?"
For a moment, the soldiers of the Pei family were breathing heavily.
Pei Hui stared, and his guards also stared, their nostrils flaring.
One of the guards whispered: "Hunlangjun, the surrender letters sent in by Cao Jun are at least dozens of letters? Before both sides have a real fight, how about you... you advise the head of the family to simply
That, what, what, what, what, what?』
The rest of the people also agreed and whispered: "Only Mr. Hui Lang can make the decision for us..."
"That's right..."
Regarding Cao Jun's attitude, core disciples such as Fei Mao and Pei Ji are relatively clear, that is, they will not surrender!
Among them, the one with the most determined attitude and the most important one is Pei Mao.
But now that Pei Mao is old and sick, everyone can't help but feel a little worried. What if Pei Mao is old and fatuous, and is seriously ill and has a unclear mind?
But it is impossible for ordinary guard disciples to see Pei Mao's face, so Pei Hui, who has the opportunity to meet Pei Mao, becomes the person they place their hopes on, and that's why they say these words to Pei Hui...
Hearing everyone talking, Pei Hui was furious and suddenly shouted: "Shut up, everyone!"
The guards were shocked when they saw Pei Hui pointing at the guards and scolding them: "You idiots! We feel sorry for our own children, so doesn't the master of the house feel sorry for us?! What a bunch of idiots! What is the ancestral motto of the Pei family? Stand upright!"
It's "righteous"! Thinking all day about either surrendering to this or surrendering to that, what is it called?! Cao Jun, what are Cao Jun? They are rampant now, but what can they do? The Han Dynasty! Understand! What can they be?"
He held out a little finger.
Although Pei Hui was not very clear about Pei Ji's words, he understood one thing. What Pei values may not be valued by others. The lives and wealth of the Pei clan can only be maintained by Pei himself! Rely on heaven and earth.
They are all unreliable, and whether they rely on Fei Qian or Cao Cao, they are equally unreliable!
"Then what are the nobles in the world?"
He clenched his fists.
"Although I am stupid, I don't understand many things..." Pei Hui shouted in a low voice, "But I know that everyone has their own responsibilities! On the Prime Minister's side, You Feng went first, and on the Qiusi side, You Wen
Okay... that's enough! Now, we have to defend here by ourselves! It seems that things are not good in Hedong now, but who knows what the future will be like? There is no way that the Hussars army will come tomorrow, and the result is like this,
But we surrendered to Cao's army, and that would be a disaster!"
"I'm stupid, you are even stupider than me! If you vote for that side, you have to sacrifice your life for that side! You don't understand this principle? If you sell your life, you may be able to survive, but if the cunning rabbit dies, Yuzou will die.
Even if you cry, no one will listen to you!』
"Then what if...the Hussars really don't come with reinforcements...?" The guard shrank his head.
Pei Hui stared, "What else can we do?! Defend! What, don't feel dissatisfied! If we surrender to Cao Jun, what will happen to these foundations in Hedong? What if Cao Jun can't attack Linfen or Guanzhong? When they retreat...
...What do you think Cao Jun will do? Huh?! Think about it with your butts! A bunch of idiots!』
Everyone was suddenly enlightened, nodded repeatedly, and said in unison: "Master Hunlang is still sensible, and we are stupid."
To put it bluntly, for the Pei family, these acres of property around Hedong are everything. Obviously, if Cao Cao has the ability to conquer the world, then the Pei family will immediately lower his head and kneel in front of Cao Cao. Cao Cao can do as he pleases.
lick……
It's just that if Fei Qian surrenders to Cao Cao before he shows signs of defeat, the price will be too high.
The situation between the two sides is unclear, and it is not the time to make a decision. The Hussars are obviously not at the end of their rope yet, so for the Pei family, surrendering to Cao's army now is obviously not a wise choice.
The guards thought for a moment and felt that what Pei Hui said was very reasonable, so they continued to blame themselves.
Pei Hui waved his arm and said: "What's more... all the generals of Cao's army were beheaded... It seems that Cao's army may not be in trouble... In this war, as long as we can hold on, Pei's reputation will definitely be even greater, and the loss will be Everything can be added in the future! In the end, we still have the final say in this area of Hedong..."
"The head of the family has a lot to consider now!" Pei Hui said, "Let's not disturb you for no reason! Do your own thing well, that's the best! Defend the city well! If you are half-hearted, you will definitely be finished! As for the future, that is the head of the family. Why are we thinking so much about things to consider? Is it possible that all of you want to be the head of the family?!』
The guards nodded repeatedly when Pei Hui said this, and they all cheered up. They all patted their chests, patted their thighs, and some patted their thighs...
Pei Hui shook his head proudly, feeling that he was showing off what he had learned from Pei Ji well, but he never expected that his own guards had already been shaken in their will. What did it mean? What……
…
…
Pei Jun looked at Anyi City, the muscles on his face couldn't help but twist a little.
As someone who "secretly" defected to Cao Cao from Anyi, he knew better than anyone else the changes in personnel and duties in Anyi City.
If a few years ago, he still had "nothing", or when he thought he had nothing, and he was asked to risk his life for a future, he would dare to gamble, and he would be willing to gamble!
This is the reason why he went to Pingyang first to meet Fei Qian.
But now, he neither dares to gamble nor is willing to gamble.
Because he has money and wears shoes, of course he is not willing to step on mountains of swords and seas of fire.
Now he wants to "preserve" more, to preserve his property, family, and the status he already has.
The Qiaoqi side couldn't give it, and the Anyi area couldn't be saved, so he surrendered to Cao Cao. This...
Who can blame this?!
Everyone needs to eat!
Does Pei Jun know that if he takes action, the members of the clan will kill each other, and the people of the Pei family will kill the people of the Pei family?
He also knows, but...
Back then, he sacrificed himself and took risks for the Pei family. Now is it the turn of the Pei family to sacrifice for him?
At least Pei Jun swore in his heart that as long as he could become the governor of Hedong in the future, he would concentrate on being a minister of the land for the rest of his life. At least, he would try his best to maintain the peace under his rule. The things he will do now...
Make amends and repent.
Just like after killing hundreds of babies, when you put down the butcher knife, you can become an angel protecting minors.
Pei Jun is the same as most of the Han nobles. Although he is also standing on the same land, his eyes can only see the little place in front of him. When he encounters a problem that is difficult to solve,
The only way you can think of is to always satisfy your own desires and needs first.
Obviously, the ruling structure of the Hedong gentry in Hedong will fall apart due to the passionate collision between Fei Qian and Cao Cao.
But Pei Jun never thought about why this happened?
How is the gentry system in Hedong different from Fei Qian or the political structure under Cao Cao? Can I have a better future by joining Cao Cao?
Even Pei Jun didn't realize that although he always wanted to "protect", he was actually still "gamble"!
In this chaotic era of the Han Dynasty, the world is constantly changing. Who would have thought that Pei Jun, who was born in the Pei family and was born in Anyi, would now bring "outsiders" to pry open Anyi's protection?
No matter how many reasons, excuses and psychological construction Pei Jun gave himself, he could not avoid the fact that he would become the most direct murderer of many Anyi people's deaths!
However, Pei Jun feels that for his official title and his own future, necessary "sacrifice" is always inevitable...
"Come here! Send a signal to the city!"
Pei Jun didn't notice that when he said these words, his face was as ferocious as a wild dog, grinning.
…
…
"What is this kid going to do?"
Pei Hui received the alarm and hurried up to the top of the city and looked down.
After watching for a long time, Pei Hui couldn't help but shook his head and sighed, "Who knows what this guy is going to do? Does he want to answer questions before the battle? After all, what is there to say? What's more, since he has voted for Cao Jun, then...
Why don't you just stay behind? If you come down to the city and have no eyesight, you won't know who's last name is Pei!"
Pei Hui looked up again to see the movements of Cao Jun further away, and found that Cao Jun seemed to have no intention of dispatching. He became more and more confused and asked again and again, "What exactly do you want to do?"
Pei Hui lay with his hands on the crenellations at the top of Anyi City, puzzled, but heard some panicked shouts from behind him. Before he could react, he suddenly felt a chill in his waist, followed by a heat.
Then there was a burst of severe pain, like a volcano erupting, which made him unable to even stand still. He subconsciously reached out and touched it, and felt a cold blade inserted into his waist, with blood dripping from his hand!
Through the armor, the stabbing was not too deep, but it was very painful!
It hurts both physically and mentally!
This is my bodyguard, a member of the Pei family!
"Ahhhh..."
Pei Hui screamed loudly.
Several of his guards hacked each other to pieces!
The soldiers guarding the city not far away were also looking at all this in surprise, as if they were stunned by the sudden abnormality!
"Why is this? Why!"
Pei Hui screamed, full of doubts. He had clearly told and explained it to the guards before, and didn't the guards all agree?
Why did he look like this in the blink of an eye, and stab him in the upper back?
"Why?!" Pei Hui covered the wound with all her strength and shouted with anger.
The guards fought each other. Amidst the clash of swords and guns, someone responded to Pei Hui, "Why else?! For money!"
"Money?" Pei Hui covered his wound, feeling himself getting weaker and weaker, but also getting angrier, "Just for money?!"
"You are allowed to have money, but we are not allowed to have money?!" The guard who took action seemed to be risking his life. He bared his teeth and shouted like a crazy wild dog. His ferocious expression was almost the same as that of Pei Jun outside the city.
The expressions on their faces were exactly the same, "You asked us to endure hardships and hard work, but in the end you were rich in fish and meat! You asked us to suffer from hunger, but in the end you hugged us from one to the other! You asked us to wait any longer, and in the end we were
I’ve been waiting year after year! Year after year!」
"You can trick us for money, why can't we kill you for money!" The guard screamed, "Why?! This is why you want!"
Pei Hui leaned crookedly against the wall and heard sirens ringing around him, as well as more noisy sounds. Apparently, it wasn't just him who was involved...
"Haha, haha..." Pei Hui smiled bitterly, "No matter how much money you ask for, you won't be able to spend it all? You will die here too!"
"What about you?!" The guard was slashed in the face and shouted bloody, blood spurting out from between his teeth, "You all can't spend enough money?! Are you still asking for money?"
?! Anyway, I have spent all the money! Hahahaha! A lot of money! I am so happy! Money! So happy! I am worth it!"
"Kill! Kill him!" Looking at the almost crazy rebel, Pei Hui endured the severe pain, gritted his teeth and pointed, "Kill..."
Before Pei Hui finished shouting, he heard another earth-shattering shout, which almost shook him to the point of falling off the city!