The curtain was lifted, and Song Xiang, who had a scowl on his face, no longer cared about his image as a modest gentleman. His face was half washed and not yet dried. His clothes were open, revealing the small clothes underneath. His long beard, which was originally elegant and unrestrained, was now in a mess.
His lips moved and his hair flew up, and a few strands were still stuck to his wet face. It looked like he was really angry.
Su Jin couldn't bear it, so he took the risk and forced Song Xiang to a dead end. No wonder he was so angry, so he stepped forward to help the staggering Song Xiang, and said: "Master, please don't get angry, otherwise I will be the one who gets hurt."
An irreparable sin."
Song Xiang waved away Su Jin's outstretched hand, pointed at his nose and said: "Su Jin, you ignorant boy opened a warehouse to store grain without permission. Your crime is unforgivable. I will escort you to the capital to the emperor."
I will punish you before my eyes."
Su Jin said repeatedly: "It should be, it should be. I came here to plead guilty to the lord of the palace. The lord of the palace can take me to the capital to hold me accountable. I have no complaints."
Song Xiang said angrily: "Do you still dare to complain? No one involved in this matter can escape. I will question you all."
Su Jin hurriedly said: "This matter was done by me alone, and I have no pardon with others. I am the one who invited you to drink the Menghan medicinal wine, I am the one who forged the official documents, and I am the one who opened the warehouse and put the grain. The Lord of the Palace wants to question you.
Just take me alone."
"What? What did you give me to drink? I said, why did I sleep all day? It turns out that you are the villain who caused the trouble. I trust you so much in vain. I am really angry."
Song Xiang beat his chest and stamped his feet, shouting repeatedly: "Someone is coming, someone is coming, take Su Jin into custody immediately and escort him to Beijing."
Song Quan, who was standing aside, quickly stepped forward and knelt down and said: "Dad, dad, you can't do it. Special Envoy Su took risks for the sake of the people of Yangzhou. You can't punish him for this. Besides, my son knew about this beforehand. Then
The official document was forged by my son, and your seal was stolen by my son himself, so I want to take it with him."
Song Xiang was heartbroken and gritted his teeth and said: "Then we will take them together. Don't blame my father for being cruel. You have already committed a heinous crime. There is no way to forgive this crime. I will take you to Beijing even if you don't even think about it. Someone is here."
!Take these two down together.”
When the officials waiting at the door heard what happened to the master, they rushed over, but when they heard that the envoy and the young master were going to be taken away, they all looked at each other and didn't know what to do.
"Here, what are you waiting for?" Song Xiang picked up a tea cup and threw it at the hesitant yamen team leader, looking like he was crazy.
The squad leader had no choice but to shout and come forward, only to hear a voice in the corner: "Prefect Song, if you want to take it, you will take it with me."
Song Xiang turned around to look and saw the chubby Gou Dasheng sitting there with a look of relief on his face. Although Song Xiang was furious, he was not confused. He hurriedly raised his hands and said, "Gou Cangsi, you don't know the details. This
Two people..."
Gou Dasheng waved his hand and said: "Don't tell me, I know what happened. I arrived in Yangzhou City yesterday afternoon. When I came to see you, your son said that you were sick and lethargic, so he didn't dare to disturb you. Later, I went to Cangsi, and Special Envoy Su
I witnessed every move of his."
Song Xiang stamped his feet and said, "Then why didn't you stop them? Are you going to let them trample on the laws of the court and risk your own life?"
Gou Dasheng thought: You think I don't want to do it. After struggling for a long time and being whipped, in the end I was not dragged into the pirate ship.
"That's true, but I think... what Special Envoy Su did was the right choice." Gou Dasheng said.
"What? Goucangsi, are you kidding me? You actually say that using military rations is the right choice for such a serious crime. I think you are an old fool." Song Xiang cursed angrily.
Gou Dasheng scratched his head and said: "Prefect Song, don't be anxious. Just listen to me. The food shortage in Yangzhou City is getting more and more serious. If we don't take extraordinary measures, I'm afraid the people will starve to death and freeze to death. What's even worse is brewing
If a large-scale civil uprising occurs, something big will happen. If the matter is urgent, there is no need to use idle military rations. Moreover, Special Envoy Su said that the Luzhou grain transport team will arrive soon, and the warehouse will be filled quietly when the time comes.
That’s it.”
Song Xiang was about to burst into tears: "Luzhou Grain Transport Team? Do you believe his lies? He even dares to drug his own officials to make them unconscious. He even dares to forge official documents. What else does he dare not do? You don't want to do it."
I wonder where he can get 500,000 shi of food to help Yangzhou?"
Gou Dasheng was so upset by what he said that he looked at Su Jin suspiciously. Su Jin knew that this was a critical moment. If Gou Dasheng had doubts about him at this time, the alliance between him and Gou Dasheng would collapse in an instant, so he said seriously
: "This envoy swears by heaven that Luzhou
If there is even half a lie about the food issue, I will die badly. I was about to send someone to urge me, but the long delay must be because of the snow. The official road is not easy to travel, and it is very troublesome for thousands of vehicles to travel along the way.
After all the twists and turns, how about I kindly ask the prefect to send someone to help?"
Song Xiang said angrily: "How long will you wait to deceive me? You are the emperor's messenger, but you do such a thing. Are you worthy of the trust that the Holy Emperor has placed in you?"
Su Jin's face changed suddenly when he heard this and said: "Prefect Song, I have said a lot of good and bad things. You just accept this as a dead thing. Is it worthy of the emperor to let the people in the city starve to death and freeze to death? I have been here since my envoy came to Yangzhou.
,well done
The state capital has become like this due to your inaction, Governor Song. Instead of reflecting on yourself, you blame us who try our best to save the people. Could it be that when the people are homeless and starving, you can sleep peacefully guarding your warehouse of military rations?
Can’t you wake up?”
Gou Dasheng stretched out his hand to pull Su Jin, fearing that his fierce words would irritate Song Xiang; Su Jin pushed him away, pointed at Song Xiang and continued: "In this case, you can tie up my envoy and go to the capital to question him.
Yes; I will never drag others down. I will bear all the blame. You keep your eyes open and open your eyes.
Er, go out and take a look. There are more than 100,000 people kneeling in the snow in the Yamen Square, just to thank you, the prefect, for your kindness. I, Su Jin, died without mercy, and the thoughts in the hearts of the people are not greedy for you.
At least, if you don't believe me, go and have a look outside the government office to see if I, Su Jin, told lies."
Listening to Su Jin's angry words, Song Xiang was also introspecting in his heart. If he really had the shame to defeat Su Jin and win the victory, Song Quan would also be questioned and escorted to Beijing. In fact, he couldn't do this.
Once it comes out, no matter how many parties you get involved, you will always be involved. I was filled with anger just now, but now I am slowly calming down.
After Su Jin said that, he stood there angrily, holding his neck and gnashing his teeth. Song Xiang sat down on the chair and rubbed his forehead and sighed. What Su Jin said was unreasonable. He always wanted to take that step, but he always couldn't.
Being timid and afraid to take action, Su Jin ignored the opening of a warehouse to provide relief as soon as he arrived. This courage was actually admired by Song Xiang from the bottom of his heart, but...how this matter ended was really a headache.
Several people in the yamen were silent, like clay and wood sculptures, but the noise outside the yamen became louder and louder. Suddenly, the people spontaneously let out loud shouts that drowned the entire Yangzhou city.
"Your Majesty is dedicated to serving the people. We, the people, wish you good luck and longevity!"
"The prefect is Lord Qingtian. Come out and see me. I will kowtow to you!"
"Master Cangsi came out to meet you. The people of Yangzhou thank you for your great kindness!"
"..."
The spontaneous shouts of the people made the teacups in the house buzz. Anyone in such a situation would inevitably feel emotional; Su Jin, Song Xiang, and Gou Dasheng had been in office for many years, seeking promotion and wealth.
In addition, who doesn’t want to be an official who is loved by the people? It’s a pity that for so many years, he has either been criticized secretly or reviled by others. Never before today has the people’s cries set off a huge storm in their hearts.
wave.
Finally, Song Xiang stood up slowly, with tears flashing in his eyes. He sighed and said: "The matter is over now. Let's slowly find ways to make up for it. You and I go out to meet the people of Yangzhou. We can't teach the people to suffer outside."
freeze."
Su Jin frowned and said nothing, thinking: I have to work with my head on my head to get you such a great reputation, and it's really not worth your words.
Song Xiang came forward and took Su Jin's arm and said: "My lord, please don't be angry. Please go out with me first to meet with others."
Su Jin said: "If you want to go, you can go, but I won't go."
Song Xiang hit a wall, his face turned red and he said, "Do you want me to kneel down to invite you?"
After saying that, he glanced at Gou Dasheng. Gou Dasheng understood and caught up with Su Jin. He picked up Su Jin's other arm and the two of them half dragged and half dragged Su Jin towards the Yamen.dd