"Master, there's someone from the state!" While Yuan Ke and Zhang Hong were energetically discussing the conspiracy, a confidant reported from outside the door.
Hearing this, Yuan Ke stopped from the active discussion. It was obvious that he still had something to say, and he ordered with some confusion: "Please come quickly!"
Weiji, a lean man with a dark complexion walked in, with hurried steps and an anxious face. As soon as he entered, he first heard Yuan Ke's hearty laughter: "Brothers Mashan, you are here. What's going on in the state?"
What happened?"
The visitor’s name was Mashan, and he was one of the relocated residents. He was originally a scoundrel in Zhoucheng. Later, he imitated the heroes of Yanzhou and went to Yuanjiazhuang to visit and have a drink, and established a relationship. Moreover, with the support of Yuan Ke, he started selling sheep.
At the same time, he also helped him get information, helped Zhizhou solve some problems, and acted as an intermediary liaison.
Yuan Ke greeted him with a smile, but Ma Shan couldn't smile at all. I don't know if it was because of the exhaustion of the journey or because he was nervous, and his forehead was sweating. He ignored the greetings and said directly: "Brother Yuan, something is wrong!"
Yuan Ke was shocked when he heard this, the smile on his face disappeared, he frowned, and stretched out his hand to comfort: "Don't be anxious, speak slowly!"
"Liu Zhizhou has been arrested!" Mashan said a major event that shocked Yanzhou.
Yuan Ke had a look of astonishment on his face. He was stunned for a moment before he realized what was happening. He asked in shock, "What's going on?"
Mashan took a deep breath and reported the news like he was pouring beans: "An hour ago, a group of soldiers from the Wude camp suddenly came to Zhoucheng, and soon the news came out that Liu Zhizhou was arrested by people from the Wude Division.
!Soon after that, the state government was sealed off, and no more news came out. I felt something was wrong about this matter, so I came to report it immediately!"
"Wude Si!" These three words made Yuan Ke a little frightened. He suppressed the ripples in his heart, forcibly stabilized himself, and said to Ma Shan: "Brother Ma has great righteousness, and Yuan must be very grateful!"
However, Mashan shook his head, looked at Yuan Ke, and said worriedly: "Brother Yuan said this out of context, how can I thank you? It's just that the state government has suffered such drastic changes. Where will we people go? Brother Yuan needs to think more about it."
!”
There was no reason why Mashan wasn't anxious. Zhizhou Liu Fang was the biggest protective umbrella for them. If the protective umbrella leaked, and there was a heavy downpour, how could they, who were wandering in the dark and gray area, not be hit in the face?
In the past, every time the imperial court took down a corrupt official, it was always necessary to clean up the implicated officials. He didn't think that people like him were special and could escape. What's more, this time, Wude Si took action.
For more than a year, Wu Desi has taken frequent actions in the northwest region, but it is very rampant.
After all, Yuan Ke knew his own affairs, and all his plans were based in the dark, where he carried out conspiracies and tricks. Although there were times of adventure, he always kept himself in a relatively safe situation.
But the sudden bad news really frightened him. The danger was approaching unknowingly. At this moment, Yuan Ke suddenly felt a chill on his neck.
"What Brother Ma said is true. The current situation is unpredictable. We can't be in a hurry. How to deal with it? Let me think about it. Let me think about it." Yuan Ke's brows were almost twisted into twists and he spoke comfortingly, as if he was masturbating.
.
The dog-headed military advisor Zhang Hong on the side also recovered from his shock, with a worried expression on his face, and pointed out keenly: "Brother Ma, you said that Wu Desi arrested Liu Zhizhou. How dare these lackeys and minions be so bold? Even a dignified Zhizhou can say that
Just catch him?"
Without waiting for Mashan to answer, Yuan Ke had a gloomy face and explained: "Mr. Zhang was away before and didn't know anything about it. In the past few months, Wu Desi has been attacking all over the northwest. In the name of official administration, he has attacked various places in the northwest. The Dao officials were cleaned up, and dozens of state officials were arrested in Guannai, Longyou, Hexi, and hundreds of powerful county officials had their homes ransacked.
In the past few months, the government and the people were wailing in misery and the wind was roaring. In the northwest four roads, Yulin was alone. I originally thought that the court was concerned about the party's desire to change, and the situation was unstable. But now it seems that it was just a moment in the night. This move has made the situation unstable. We are being attacked in Yanzhou."
Zhang Hong took a deep breath and just digested the news, he couldn't help but be confused: "It's just that the imperial court clarified the administration of officials. The Ministry of Personnel and the Metropolitan Procuratorate have always been the main ones, and everything was done in accordance with the law and regulations. This caused Wude to dispatch and directly approve the arrests of the state capital. Senior official, aren't you a bit sensational? Aren't you afraid of the world's criticism? Also, Zhizhou is Wang Shijun's protégé and former official, so Wude Si has no worries at all?"
The Wang Shijun in Zhang Hong's mouth refers to Wang You, who was the northwest transit envoy at that time. This gentleman can be said to be another leader in the northwest officialdom after Lu Duoxun. He has served as chief minister in Guannai and Yulin. The former political affairs hall wanted to add a new prime minister, and Wang You was also under consideration. However, his competitors were a bit strong, and Emperor Liu believed that Wang You would be more useful if he stayed in the northwest, so he was defeated.
Liu Fang, the magistrate of Yanzhou, was promoted by Wang You himself. With such a strong backing, Liu Fang, the magistrate of Yanzhou, was naturally very stable. But even so, the people from the Wude Division took it anyway. How could this not make Xiaoxiao, who is under the wings of Yuan Ke, feel nervous?
Obviously, Zhang Hong, as a scholar, still knew something about some of the imperial system. When Yuan Ke heard what he said, he couldn't help but smile bitterly and said: "Wude Si has always been rampant in his actions. Such behavior that goes beyond the control of laws is... But it’s rare. It’s so rare and so unscrupulous that it’s even more terrifying.”
"What the owner means!" Zhang Hong's face changed slightly, and he couldn't help but cupped his hands toward the southeast.
Yuan Ke sighed: "With the arrogance of Wude Si, without the approval of the Emperor of Tokyo, I am afraid that he would not dare to risk the disapproval of the world."
After saying that, Yuan Ke shook his head and said: "Well, Tokyo is too far away from us. The current plan is how to deal with the changes in Yanzhou. There are no eggs left after the nest is overturned. If there is no state to protect us, if we people Without preparation, I am afraid that I will inevitably end up like those powerful men in the northwest who had their homes confiscated and exiled, and their wealth was wiped out!"
Ma Shan, who was standing by, nodded repeatedly when he heard this, and said quickly: "Brother Yuan is absolutely right! For the current plan, we should seek self-protection! Does Brother Yuan have any good strategies?"
Yuan Ke lowered his head, pondered for a long time, took a deep breath, looked at Mashan, and said: "The situation in the city is still unclear now. We can't get into trouble. We still need to wait for further news and follow the trend. Therefore, we need to find out clearly. The situation of Zhoucheng and Zhizhou is the most important thing right now. Brother Ma, I wonder if you would like to return to Zhoucheng?"
Of course, Ma Shan understood what Yuan Ke meant, but when he escaped from the city, he had the intention of taking refuge. However, Yuan Ke had to give him face, and in addition, he left in a hurry, and the city was not cleaned up. , at least a large number of belongings are still there.
After hesitating for a moment, Mashan gritted his teeth, cupped his hands and said, "I have received many favors from Brother Yuan, and since I have been entrusted with you, I dare not disobey you. I will return to the city to find out the news for Brother Yuan!"
"Be careful!" Yuan Ke showed a forced smile.
"Farewell!" Ma Shan handed over his hand, turned around and left, coming and going in a hurry.
After he left, Yuan Ke's face turned gloomy again. He turned around and sat down, picking up the tea cup, but his hands were trembling subconsciously.
Seeing this, Zhang Hong hesitated and said: "Master, I'm afraid this Mashan is not trustworthy!"
Yuan Ke nodded, but did not speak. He was silent for a long time, and then he raised his eyes and looked at Zhang Hong: "Mr. Zhang, how do you think we can break the situation for now?"
Zhang Hong was actually a little panicked in his heart. People like them, hiding in the dark, could still make trouble and make unscrupulous decisions, but once they had nowhere to hide, they would be at a loss what to do.
Taking a few steps, trying to stabilize his mind, Zhang Hong said: "When Zhizhou is in trouble, there must be something involved. With the sense of smell of Wude Secretary's minions, sooner or later the owner of the village will be found. Once things develop like this, our situation will definitely be dangerous. Yuanjiazhuang's side
, there are too many things to teach people. Master, the situation is extremely critical now, please make a decision quickly!"
"What do you mean, Mr. Zhang?" Yuan Ke raised his eyes with questioning eyes.
Zhang Hong gritted his teeth: "Why don't we start an attack immediately!"
After saying this, Yuan Ke was a little surprised. Previously, Zhang Hong had always been conservative on such matters, full of doubts and worries, which was quite disappointing.
But at this moment, Yuan Ke was so decisive that he was a little surprised. After carefully observing Zhang Hong, he found that he was serious. However, Yuan Ke himself hesitated.
He stood up and wandered in the study room, looking hesitant. Zhang Hong looked at him, silently, waiting for his decision. In the end, Yuan Ke did not agree and said: "No, we are not ready yet, so we have to launch a rash move."
, I’m just afraid that my efforts will fail and my family will be destroyed!”
Hearing this, Zhang Hong couldn't help but be disappointed and sighed: "But how can we avoid the current crisis?"
Yuan Ke hesitated for a moment: "I will take my brothers and go out to hide first. It is best if the storm can be overcome smoothly. If not, then we will do something about it."