Chapter 65: Opening the City Gate to Welcome Young Master Zhu
Cast Zhu?
No, absolutely not.
"The red thief is neither Qing nor Ming. What he said about the Chinese capital is clearly nonsense. He is like a rabbit whose tail cannot grow. You will die if you seek refuge with him."
Another yellow-faced scholar also said: "Yes, the red thieves still divide the fields, despise the scholars, and get mixed up with them. Aren't we going to be the same as those mud-legged people? No, absolutely not."
At this time, the short scholar sneered: "If you don't want to be like the mud-legged man, then now you have nothing to eat or drink, and you live in a ruined temple. Let alone a farmer, I'm afraid I will become a beggar."
One sentence made several scholars break their guard.
He looked down at the dirty clothes on his body and touched his dry belly.
They were the only ones sleeping in the ruined temple wearing long robes.
"I have an idea, let's go visit the Qi family!"
The yellow-faced scholar suggested.
The Qi family took their families with them, and so many people came to Surabaya. They had money and people, and their families were rich. They took some money to support the big guys, and at the same time helped the court defend the city against red bandits.
Soon, five or six scholars decided to set off to find the Qi family.
As for the short scholar, he snorted coldly and did not follow.
He knew the virtues of the Qi family well and would definitely not help.
If he wanted to survive now, he could only invite Mr. Zhu into the city... He thought for a while, and after everyone else had left, he got up on his own and went directly to the horse and carriage shop to contact his friends.
At the same time, the county magistrate Yang Zhen had come to see the Qi family.
Qi Shijiao died a few years ago, and now it is Qi Shijiao's younger brother, Qi Shiyuan, who has the final say.
"Now that the thieves are rampant, I hope that Duke Qi will act righteously and donate money to recruit troops. When the thieves are defeated, I will be greatly thanked. The court will also reward Duke Qi."
Qi Shiyuan pretended to be sincere and fearful and said: "I came here in a hurry and just tried to survive. I am really powerless."
Yang Zhen naturally didn't believe his lies, "Mr. Qi, it's not just you, but also other big families in the city. As long as the big guys contribute money together and think in the same direction, it won't be difficult to defeat the red thief."
Qi Shiyuan still said with a bitter face: "Your Excellency, our family really can't afford the money. Otherwise, I will go to someone else's house first. Even if I sell iron and pawn all our clothes, I still have to get some money for you."
money!"
Yang Zhen almost fainted with anger. Can you say this? There are so many of you here. If you don’t transfer money in advance, will the whole family drink the northwest wind?
It's a pity that no matter what Yang Zhen said, Qi Shiyuan just refused to agree.
Coming out of the Qi family's residence, Yang Zhen looked up and smiled helplessly.
"These are the scholar-bureaucrats of the Ming Dynasty! When Emperor Chongzhen asked them to donate money, they were unwilling. As a result, Li Zicheng came in and all their property fell into the hands of King Chuang. Now, with the appearance of the Qi family, I really want to
Open the door and let the red thief enter the city and let him take care of you!"
It's really a good thing to be able to make the magistrate so angry that he wants to become a thief.
The yellow-faced scholar also wanted to ask the Qi family to pay, but as soon as they arrived, they were beaten out by the Qi family's servants.
You beggars, who gave you the courage?
He fled back in embarrassment and wanted to go to the City God's Temple to rest, but he came back late because the previous spot had long been occupied by a few beggars.
When the two sides met, they immediately became tense. The few scholars wanted to fight for their sleeping places, and the beggars didn't want to go outside to get cold.
Seeing that a tragic war is about to break out.
"Brother Liu, you've reached this point, what's the point of being dignified?"
A short scholar shouted angrily.
It turns out that the yellow-faced scholar’s surname was Liu. After hearing this sentence, he no longer had a yellow face, but a completely red-faced one. If he cracked an egg on it, he would immediately turn into a poached egg.
What a shame!
"I really have no shame in living." As he said this, the guy turned around and ran outside, intending to jump into the river to find a well, but he was not alive anyway.
The short man grabbed him.
"If you want to die, don't you have the guts to open the city gate and welcome Mr. Zhu into the city?"
The yellow-faced scholar was suddenly stunned, his expression full of entanglement and pain, "Is there no other way out but to seek refuge with the red thieves?"
The short man chuckled and asked, "Then who do you think can give us a way to survive now?"
The yellow-faced scholar was immediately speechless. Zhu Yiyuan treated the scholars rudely and did not regard them as superiors. But after all, he had land and had the opportunity to be a scribe. It was impossible to starve and freeze.
But after escaping and joining the Qing Dynasty, they realized that what the imperial court cared about was a wealthy family like the Qi family. They wanted officials and famous scholars who had nothing. In the eyes of the Qing Dynasty, they were nothing more than mules and horses.
Animals cannot even be considered human beings.
It's better to stay under Zhu Yiyuan's command. If he didn't come out this time, he wouldn't know what a waste he is!
"We have nothing left, let's fight!"
"Yes!" The short scholar nodded vigorously, "It's really a risk."
There were one to two thousand Qing soldiers in the city, local warriors, and servants brought in by big families, which was not a small number. But I heard that Ma Degong and others were killed, and saw that the rebel army was strong and orderly, so I didn't dare to
Just leaving the city.
It doesn't seem to be difficult to guard the city gate.
But since we are scholars, we can write.
They plundered their bodies, took out the last bit of money they had, and began to pretend to be Zhu Yiyuan and post notices in the city.
"Brother Liu, do you think we can be most effective if we stick to the point? After all, we don't have much money, so we can't survive. We must achieve immediate results." The short scholar asked for advice.
The yellow-faced man thought about it seriously and said, "Let's just write about what we can't stand the most!"
The short man was stunned for a moment and couldn't help but extend his thumbs. You have a great idea!
Sure enough, notices promoting Zhu Yiyuan's idea of dividing the land appeared in the streets and alleys of Surabaya... Abolition of slave-registered craftsmen's households and allotment of land to everyone.
Free the slaves and everyone can go to school.
The corvee is light and the tax is light, and the officers and soldiers are one.
…
All the propaganda is aimed at the lower class people in the city. Many of the servants are slaves. Don't they want to stand up and be human?
There are many refugees and odd-job workers in the city. They all came from bankrupt farmers. Although they have lived in the city for a long time, who can resist the temptation of land?
Even the garrison in the city began to waver. The thieves still knew that officers and soldiers were one. Look at them. They were worse than pigs and dogs.
On the eighth day of Zhu Yiyuan's blockade of Sishui County, some people finally couldn't stand it any longer and came down from the city to join the rebels.
"Zhu Qianshi, how should we settle down?"
Zhu Yiyuan had already prepared, "After asking about their identity, give them food and clothing and take proper care of them."
The soldier agreed to go and make arrangements. If there was the first one, there would be the second one.
As time goes by, more and more people come out of the city.
These people all came down from the city. The city gate is still there, and they are still holding on inside...
"What exactly do we need to do to open the city gate and invite Mr. Zhu in?"
The scholars gathered together again, but while they were discussing, suddenly a plume of smoke appeared in the east of the city.
It's the direction of the car and horse!
The short scholar looked at it for a moment and understood instantly.
"They took action!"
But no, if you are always discussing without making a decision, others will take action as soon as possible.
Once a fire started in one place, flames broke out everywhere else, and the city completely began to lose control.
The short scholar gritted his teeth and said, "Go to the city gate, open it, and welcome Mr. Zhu!"
The rest of the people were stunned for a moment, then nodded, and started to fight out together.
As they moved forward, people kept pouring in, including homeless people in the city and beggars.
By the time they reached the city gate, more than three hundred people had gathered.
When the officers and soldiers guarding the city saw this posture, they were not angry and did not stop them.
On the contrary, they were all smiles, finally relieved.
"Open the city gate and welcome Mr. Zhu!"
"Open the city gate and welcome Mr. Zhu!"
…
The city gates opened wide and the drawbridge fell.
After Qian Qianyi inspected Shandong, Zhu Yiyuan captured the first city with almost no bloodshed. This chapter has been completed!