Torches came from all directions, and the open space in the center of the military camp was brightly lit.
The garrison soldiers were awakened by the horn of the military camp and were gathering in formation.
There are more and more soldiers in the open space.
On a temporary high platform in the middle of the open space, there were eight or nine men wearing bright light, thin scales and other iron armor, standing quietly on the platform, as if waiting for something.
Behind them, there are two figures standing side by side.
One is a sturdy young man wearing a felt hat tilted sideways.
There was also a middle-aged scholar with a thin face, and his plain Confucian shirt was washed white.
At this moment, "Captain Du" and the middle-aged scribes who had arrived from Hongzhou overnight were looking at the garrison generals headed by Cai Qin on the high platform in front of them.
If Ouyang Rong, who was far away in Jiangzhou, were here now, he would definitely recognize these two passers-by from Xunyang City who he had warmly entertained not long ago.
Under the high platform, the sounds of armor hitting hard metal weapons could be heard one after another, and the light cast by the torches was filled with cold light reflected by thousands of bright metal surfaces.
The rearmed garrison soldiers were gathering in a hurry at night.
Compared with their sonorous movements, the high platform was silent.
The atmosphere between the two groups, Cai Qin and other eighty-nine garrison generals, and Du Xiaowei, a middle-aged scribe, was a bit delicate.
At this moment, Su Qian returned and walked onto the high platform.
Return to life.
"You mean, the person ran away early?"
Wei Shaoqi took the envoy's seal and the saint's handwriting and asked.
Su Qian nodded dullly.
Du Shuqing turned around and took another look at Su Qian.
"Thank you Captain Su for your hard work."
Wei Shaoqi looked calm, holding the envoy's seal and the saint's handwriting on his back. He walked forward and said to the thin-faced general standing quietly with his eyes closed at the front:
"General Cai, this eunuch is indeed guilty of being a thief. Now he should have no doubts anymore. This is the court's strategy to slow down the war and coax everyone to put down their weapons.
"The princes in the imperial court really have the overall situation in mind, fearing that the soldiers will be scattered on the road and cause trouble, so they cannot catch them all at once.
"What are you still hesitating about, General Cai? Do you still have expectations for that cold-blooded emperor?"
Cai Qin did not open his eyes, clenched the hilt of his saber with his hand, and took a deep breath.
When Wei Shaoqi saw this, he smiled and said no more.
Glancing at the empty space in the school grounds where the assembly had not yet finished, he turned around and looked at Du Shuqing.
Then he walked off the platform first.
Du Shuqing followed up tacitly.
The two stepped off the stage, walked to the side, and found a quiet place.
Du Shuqing suddenly said: "Mr. Wei, that Su Qian..."
Wei Shaoqi waved his hand and interrupted, "It doesn't matter, real or fake, it's the same, just run away."
After a pause, he looked north towards Hongzhou and Jiangzhou where a certain bearded eunuch fled, and shook his head:
"He was too late."
Du Shuqing nodded.
Wei Shaoqi stopped and looked back, "Besides, with them here, it doesn't matter whether the Khufu is left or not."
I saw him raising the envoy's seal and the saint's handwriting in his hand.
Du Shuqing hesitated and asked: "What if the court really agrees to the petition that Cai Qin handed over..."
"There are no variables."
Wei Shaoqi shook his head and sighed:
"No matter how Zhou Ting responds, the result is actually the same. Suspicion has been brewed."
"Mr. Wei still understands the court."
"No, it's not because I understand the court and the ruthless emperor."
Wei Shaoqi waved his index finger and said calmly:
"No matter what Cai Qin and the others thought, they were hesitant or deceiving themselves, and they were hopeful. The moment the petition was submitted, there was actually no turning back.
"At most, it's just a way to completely give up and occupy a greater cause."
His tone was profound:
"Shu Qing, if you look through the history of history, have you ever seen any generals who rebelled and surrendered halfway, but they started well and ended well? There is a reason for this.
"Even Hongzhou has a calm and proud Ouyang Lianghan, patching things up and putting out fires and emergencies, but to no avail. Do you know why?"
Du Shuqing was silent for a while and said in a low voice: "The villain steals the throne, the gentleman is humiliated, and Ouyang Lianghan is also excluded and suppressed."
Wei Shaoqi nodded:
"Besides that, there are still people's will, who is not suspicious?
"The smarter the person, the more this is true, and the emperor and princes are even more so, because they have too much, including their ancestral family property, glory and wealth, and they cannot afford to lose."
Du Shuqing suddenly said:
"So... is this also true for Prince Xunyang's Mansion? That's why Duke Yan and Mr. Yan stayed so long?"
Wei Shaoqi nodded and shook his head.
"It's a pity that we couldn't meet each other in the end. However, Junzhi is there and he has the talent of lobbying. It depends on him."
He smiled and sighed: "But this is a conspiracy. Let's see how Ouyang Lianghan responds. The smarter he is, the harder it will be to choose."
Du Shuqing looked sideways.
Wei Shaoqi glanced at him and asked lightly:
"As the garrison walked along the way, the topographical maps of various states and counties, as well as the formation and deployment of troops at various important checkpoints... have all these been memorized?"
Du Shuqing nodded dullly:
"In my mind."
"What do you think of Shuqing?"
"Peace lasts for a long time, military equipment becomes lax, and most of the chief officials are like nothing."
“Expected.”
Wei Shaoqi nodded, carefully rolled up the envoy's seal and the saint's oracle in his hand, and put them into Du Shuqing's hand.
Then he raised his hand and carefully straightened the collar of this talented young man from Jingzhao Du family whom the old British man had praised so much. He waved his hand:
"Go and send them to Raozhou with them.
"Justice Yan is waiting for you."
"What about Mr. Wei?"
Wei Shaoqi lowered his head and patted his sleeves casually, "I will stay here to send the soldiers back home."
He put his palms together and laughed, "Go back to Hongzhou first."
Du Shuqing asked again: "Where is Brother Yue?"
Wei Shaoqi said calmly: "In Prince Teng's Mansion in Hongzhou, I had a very pleasant conversation with the young vassal prince."
"What did Hongzhou Governor Zhu Lingxu say?"
"Yue Zi'ang has persuaded his eldest son Zhu Yuheng, and the young Prince Teng is with him. Before I left, Zhu Lingxu replied that I would give it three days to consider."
After a pause, Wei Shaoqi waved his sleeves:
"The general trend has been established. The situation of backers, relatives, and the situation has tilted. If you don't want to welcome it, you have to welcome it. Zhu Ling has no choice. Even if he is greedy for life and afraid of death, he can only follow."
Du Shuqing thought for a while and reminded in a low voice:
"Sir, you'd better pay attention. Be careful of the conflict between Cai Duyu and Zhu Lingxu. After all, in addition to the culprit Lan Changhao, Zhu Lingxu is also an accomplice in the postponement, so he must be worried."
Wei Shaoqi looked at him in surprise and admitted:
"It makes sense. However, the petition submitted by Cai Qin specifically did not mention the chief officer Zhu Lingxu. It is considered a step down. He only needs to pick a scapegoat to vent his anger, and he can also control the Zhechong Mansion.
"However, this still requires Duke Yan's appeal. After all, Zhu Lingxu was once a subordinate of the old British Duke, and he has a passionate love."
"That's good."
At this moment, a man's deep voice came from the high platform not far ahead.
It's Cai Qin.
Wei Shaoqi and Du Shuqing turned their heads to look together.
I saw that in the open space, all the garrison soldiers had arrived and were arranged in formation by the captains.
The light from the surrounding torches dimly illuminated the faces that were either curious, excited or confused.
Cai Qin stood with his eyes closed and his voice echoed throughout the audience:
"Brothers, the envoy sent by the imperial court has just escaped."
The whole place was in an uproar.
Under the spotlight of everyone, Cai Qin suddenly opened his eyes, and his eyeholes were already covered with bloodshot eyes:
"But still remember, in Guizhou, why did we return north without authorization?
"I just miss my wife and children and hate the greedy and selfish Shangguan.
"But now I heard that the imperial court has issued a secret order to Hongzhou and Jiangzhou's army. When we arrive, we will kill them all and exterminate them all!"
Cai Qin's voice paused here, and the whole place fell into deathly silence.
Some people are stunned and angry, while others are despairing and heartbroken.
Wei Shaoqi and Du Shuqing, who were standing with their hands behind their backs, saw on the high platform the Du Yu leader who was jointly elected by the mutinous soldiers. His cheeks were bulging, the nasolabial folds on his face were trembling, and his bloodshot eyes were looking around the audience.
:
"A real man will be ridiculed by the world instead of throwing himself into a trap.
“Why not do something big!
“Work together and go through fire and water.
"Not only can you avoid disaster, but you can also seek wealth and honor!"
In the silent field, if thunder falls, it will be deafening.
After a while, the desperate garrison broke out completely in silence, setting off a huge roar in the late night valley, and they all enthusiastically praised it.
Wei Shaoqi turned around and said:
"The Wei family usurped the throne, brought disaster to the Liqian River and the mountains, and caused chaos in Xianying Prefecture. Now they have gone against the grain and worked hard to build the central Buddha. People with lofty ideals in the world are resentful and unfair, and the hearts of the north and the south have been separated.
"The mutiny of the garrison soldiers during the statue creation in Guizhou is by no means an isolated case. It is also the beginning of the great chaos!"
He sighed to Du Shuqing:
"The weather is right, the place is right, and everyone is in harmony. Go and find Duke Yan. It's time for someone to step forward."
…
Jiangzhou.
Xunyang City.
The weather is getting warmer.
Ouyang Rong changed into a thin and breathable round-neck sweatshirt, washed himself in silence, and prepared to go out.
"What's wrong with Tanlang? He looks bad."
In the arms in front of him, Ye Weilai, who was carefully tying his belt, raised her pretty face and asked with concern.
"nothing."
Ouyang Rong relaxed his eyebrows and shook his head.
He assigned Ye Weilai some homework for the day and strode out.
Just the day before yesterday, the latest message from Ambassador Hu arrived in Jiangzhou.
He actually delivered a petition on behalf of the garrison soldiers to Hongzhou, the chief officer of Jiangzhou, and the Shendu court.
There are two requirements in the petition.
The first is to ask the military commanders of Hongzhou and Jiangzhou to deal with several generals in their respective Zichong Prefectures.
The second is to plead with the imperial court to add a new palace and place 1,500 northern garrison troops there.
Even Ouyang Rong, who was sympathetic, knew that it was almost impossible to agree to this.
I don’t know about Hongzhou, but in Jiangzhou Zhechong Mansion, many generals are in a nest with Wang Lengran, protecting each other, how can they possibly deal with it.
As for the addition of a new mansion, this is not non-negotiable and can be decided privately.
But it can't be made public by you mutinous garrison soldiers.
It is naturally threatening and makes the court look shameless.
In short, the Beigui garrison suddenly proposed this plan, which immediately made it difficult for Ouyang Rong and the Xunyang Palace to plead for mercy.
Fortunately, Li Xian's memorial has not yet been submitted, and it is lying quietly on Ouyang Rong's desk in Yin Bingzhai, waiting for him to check and polish it.
Otherwise, when you submit your case and just finish guaranteeing and explaining your feelings, Ouyang Rong and Li Xian will be very passive if you make a fuss.
The situation suddenly changed, and Ouyang Rong had a bad feeling in his heart.
afternoon.
The third floor of Yunshui Pavilion.
Ouyang Rong and Qin Heng met again.
"General Qin, do you know how Wang Lengran responded?"
Hearing from Qin Heng that Wang Lengran had convened his generals to discuss the matter yesterday and sent a reply to Envoy Hu, Ouyang Rong couldn't help but ask.
Qin Heng said with a straight face: "Wang Lengran agreed to the first condition."
Ouyang Rong couldn't help asking: "Did Captain Zhechong, Coach Zhechong, and Chief Zhechong be detained by him?"
"No." Qin Heng shook his head: "They are still fine. Instead, they are busy preparing."
Ouyang Rong was silent.
Obviously, Wang Lengran and others only agreed verbally and wanted to stabilize the northern garrison first, and then deal with it after returning.
The murderous desire is strong and obvious.
Ouyang Rong pursed his lips.
Wang Lengran once again went beyond him, the governor of Jiangxi, and made decisions involving the entire state without any consultation.
But I don’t know how Hongzhou reacts, whether it’s the same...
Ouyang Rong was worried that Zhongzhong would leave Yunshui Pavilion.
Return to Jiangzhou lobby.
In the main hall, Ouyang Rong lingered for a moment with his hands behind his back, and suddenly called Yan Liulang, ready to ask about Wang Junzhi.
Yan Liulang brought a piece of news:
"Mingfu, Magistrate Diao sent a letter this morning."
"Put it on the table." Ouyang Rong said indifferently, as if out of habit.
"oh."
Yan Liulang obeyed his order, thought of something, and turned back and said:
"By the way, the Ming Dynasty, the official from Longcheng who was sent to deliver the message asked me about the relationship between the newly appointed Duxian Cheng and the Ming Dynasty, and whether he is considered... one of our own."
"You're a member of your own family, don't form cliques all day long." Ouyang Rong raised his head, feeling angry and funny, but in the next moment, his smile faded and he whispered to himself:
"Why ask this properly?"
He walked over boldly, walked over, and opened Magistrate Diao's letter.
Ouyang Rong frowned more and more.
Magistrate Diao not only flattered him in his letter, but also casually mentioned that Du Shuqing had asked for leave a few days ago and was traveling to Yunmeng Daze with Yue Ziang.
The holiday came the day before yesterday, but I still haven’t returned home. I don’t know if I was delayed on the road.
Magistrate Diao felt that Ouyang Rong had a good relationship with this person. After all, the house was rented out.
So I came here to ask if Du Shuqing should be treated leniently, not punished with salary, and just pretend to be stupid and ignore it.
Ouyang Rong frowned and immediately ordered:
"You go to Longcheng immediately, ask the county government to send people to search, and then go to Meiluyuan to see if there are any clues about Du Shuqing who must be found.
"Tell me any news as soon as possible and report it once a day."
"Yes, Mingfu."
"Wait a minute, where is Wang Junzhi?"
"State Studies."
"Did you see it?"
"I saw it with my own eyes this morning."
"That's good, keep letting people stare."
After speaking, Ouyang Rong paced in the lobby, frowning.
"Du Shuqing is not in Longcheng, so where is he, accompanying Yue Ziang on his trip to Yunmengze? Why does it sound unreliable? Could it be that he is looking for Li Zhengyan and Wei Shaoqi?"
I don't know why, but my heart is getting more and more uneasy.
Ouyang Rong suddenly turned his head and asked Yan Liulang to get the map.
His finger landed on the location of Raozhou on the map. This state is located south of Hongzhou, on the route between Tanzhou Prefecture and Hongzhou.
Ouyang Rong took out the first few letters from Ambassador Hu and compared them, and was shocked to find that they happened to be where the garrison soldiers returning from the north passed.
"Where is Li Zhengyan now?" he suddenly asked.
Yan Liulang looked curious, "Didn't Li Zhengyan go to Raozhou Sima? He should be in office. Did the Ming Dynasty forget it?"
Ouyang Rong didn't answer, he seemed to be talking to himself just now.
He stood quietly for a while, as if remembering the conversation before parting that day, he lowered his head and murmured:
"There is a king's energy in the southeast... The king's energy is in Jiangzhou... I want to ask for orders for the people...
"Gong Li, ah Gong Li, what are you going to do... Once you are demoted, why not be like me and get drunk and never pour a thousand cups...
"Wait a minute, what do you want to do when you stay in Jiangzhou?"
Ahem, it’s the end of the month, and the monthly pass is about to expire. Good brothers, don’t forget it (desire)