On September 23rd, in Baima City, East County, just two days after a light rain that did not last continuously, the temperature was mild, dry and humid, and the weather was pleasant.
Just after noon, Captain Dou Bing, the captain of the county, received an invitation from Li Tingwen, the resident commander of the county. He said that the chrysanthemums in the back house were in full bloom and it was a good time to watch them, so they held an impromptu banquet and invited Captain Dou to come with them to enjoy the flowers and drink.
Dou Bing didn't want to go at first, because as the county's deputy minister in charge of military matters, he had clearly noticed the commotion among the county soldiers in the city in the past few days. From the most important Baima Jin to the city defense guards, the atmosphere was a bit tense.
In this regard, Dou Bing, who was born in the Guanlong clan, certainly knew what was going on... At the beginning of the month, hundreds of thousands of bandit troops captured Dengzhou, and then they attacked the city and territory unscrupulously. The news spread along the river and Jishui, so naturally it would
It had a severe impact on Dongjun, which was also the hometown of Dongqi.
But how to say it?
The days are getting sadder day by day, and it didn't start from these few days. Compared with the impact and impact of the three million marches to Dongyi in the spring and the sudden southern tour of the saints in the summer, this news came earlier than most
As expected.
Probably because of this, Dou Bing accepted his wife's advice after hesitating for a while, and chose to suspend his inspection to Baimajin and head to Li's house instead. After all, his wife was right about the geography of Dongjun.
The position basically guarantees that it will be assigned by Dongdu, and Uncle Cao is arbitrary in Dongdu. There is no doubt that Jing'antai's status has been greatly improved. It is not appropriate to get into trouble with Li Tingwen at this time, even if the other party is from Hebei.
Having made up his mind, he put on his casual clothes, washed up and dressed up a little, then the thirty-year-old Captain Dou said goodbye to his wife, rode on horseback and armed himself with a sword, and headed boldly to Li's house with only three or five soldiers.
Dou Bing arrived first, and Li Tingwen immediately opened the middle door to welcome him in with proper etiquette, which made Dou Bing feel a little relieved.
However, after the two exchanged greetings, Li Heishou did not personally lead the people to the backyard. Instead, he just pointed to a family member to lead the way:
"Excuse me, Captain Dou, please go sit in the backyard for a while. I have also invited Zhou Juncheng and our Lord Liu, who have to wait here with courtesy."
Dou Bing was a little surprised. If he went by what the other party said, this would be considered as inviting a county guard from the East County in Baima City together with the military and political minister. Plus Li Tingwen himself, wouldn't it mean that the military, political, and special officials of the same county were gathered together?
?
Is there something big going on?
Why don't you go to the county hall to discuss important matters?
Thinking of the recent situation, although Dou Bing still followed the other party's servant to the backyard of Li's house, he couldn't help but hold on to the saber and walked to the screen wall. He suddenly stopped and looked back at his entourage through the concierge, magnanimously.
Make a sound:
"I didn't know that the Lord was coming before. I was just preparing for it. It would be rude. Dou Qi, please go back and tell your mistress about this and ask her to bring the jar of 'Blue Water and Spring Moon' for fun."
Dou Qi was originally a close subordinate of Dou Bing's father in the battlefield. When Dou's children went out to serve as officials, they were often accompanied by such a general. His position was unusual and he always knew the secrets and important events... It sounded natural to him at this time.
It was his master who became suspicious, so he immediately responded, got on his horse, and drove away.
The whole process was so fast that no one had time to react.
However, when Li Tingwen, who was standing outside the door, saw this scene, he just smiled awkwardly and said nothing.
Dou Bing felt relieved again and went directly to the backyard. He saw the simple seats and some tea and snacks set up. He hurriedly sat down and looked around, but he didn't see any chrysanthemums... But there was still nothing to say, because it was very difficult to say anything.
It may be a potted plant, or it may even be temporarily purchased from the real flower owner's home.
After waiting for a while, the county magistrate Zhou Weishi, who was born in the southeast, also arrived, and the two chatted for a few words.
After waiting for another quarter of an hour, the local host Li Tingwen finally turned back, but he was only one person. Then he hurriedly sat down and spoke directly:
"The Junjun sent a general manager over. He said that the Junjun himself has been feeling unwell recently and will not come..."
Dou, people on Tuesday feel completely relaxed when they hear this, and they start to joke, stealing half a day of leisure.
However, Li Tingwen's next words made the two of them stunned on the spot:
"To tell you the truth, I don't have chrysanthemums in my house. This banquet is just to hide people's eyes and ears. I want to avoid some people and talk to the prince and the two of you about something... Either today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow at the latest
, the wealthy families in this county are going to join forces to rebel!"
Dou, everyone on Tuesday was stunned for a moment. They looked at each other and were silent for a moment. Although they were obviously shocked by the news, no one reacted violently.
"It would be weird to say they don't rebel." Dou Bing sighed and took the lead in breaking the silence. "The key is whether the information is accurate? Who wants to rebel?"
"Not bad." Zhou Juncheng reacted, and he had some gestures that he had known would happen, but he picked up a piece of sweet-scented osmanthus cake and kneaded it there. "This year's autumn grain will be transferred soon, so the calculation should be reversed... The key is that everything is going to be transferred."
Anyone?"
"It was Sun Cheng, the junior jailer from Baimajin, who came to complain. He was encouraged to rebel by Zhai Qian, the jailer in the county. He had already agreed in a heartbeat. But at the party the night before yesterday, it was discovered that Huang Junhan, the big jailer in the city, was also among them, and he was with Zhai Qian.
Qian, the leader of the two brothers Zhai Kuan... Sun Cheng and Huang Junhan have always had a grudge, and they were not angry, so they thought about it all day yesterday, and early this morning, they suddenly came to my house and complained to me." Li Tingwen said seriously.
In response. "I urgently checked... Three or four out of ten county officials from the local area have already made an oath with Zhai Qian. It is precisely for this reason that they dare not go to the county government."
"Thirty-four out of ten..." Zhou Juncheng muttered half a sentence.
"Where is Xu Dalang?" Dou Bing lowered his voice and mentioned a character. "Is Xu Dalang involved in it?"
"It is said that there is, but there is no real evidence." Li Tingwen said something. "However, six or seven days ago, when Zhai Qian and Huang Junhan asked for leave together, Xu Dalang was not in the city. I have some doubts..."
"Although I don't understand military affairs, I also know that if Xu Dalang wants to rebel here in Dongjun, and with the Zhai brothers and the officials in the city so connected, I'm afraid they won't be able to suppress him." Zhou Weishi pinched his hand.
Osmanthus Cake responded solemnly. "Looking at the results of daily tax collection, you will know how powerful these families are in the countryside. They were all princes of the Eastern Qi 20 or 30 years ago. They really have soldiers and generals.
There is food, and since this year, there is no shortage of weapons."
"It would be fine if it was just Xu Dalang." Li Tingwen hesitated for a moment, but continued. "According to what Sun Cheng said, Zhai Qian and others claimed to be the leaders of the Dragon Slayer Gang. I then remembered that I had captured an imperial prisoner before.
I just thought that he couldn't bear the punishment and said some stupid things... Now that I think about it, that may not be the case... And according to that person, this Dragon Slayer Gang is not an ordinary gang, the two who are third and fourth on the blacklist
, are all in it..."
"Gushui killed Zhang Xing, Prime Minister Zhang, and Li Shu, the former conspirator of Yang Ni?" Dou Bing raised his head in surprise.
"yes."
Dou Bing immediately picked up the wine cup in front of him, took a sip directly, and then said: "If this is the case, I'm afraid it's not just Xu Dalang and Zhai brothers, it's not just White Horse, right? However, this is right, I wanted to say before
, Xu Dalang or the Zhai brothers, who is in charge and who is second? If Zhang and Li are both here, I am afraid that local tycoons such as Xu Dalang and the Zhai brothers will bow to you immediately, and the same should be true for the rest of the county."
"Is the whole county going to rebel?" Zhou Weishi asked with difficulty, leaning forward as if he was swallowing the sweet-scented osmanthus cake in his hand.
"It's not that the whole county is rebelling." Li Tingwen smiled bitterly. "It's that after the three campaigns, half of the country east of Liang County is rebelling!"
Dou, people are completely silent on Tuesday.
After waiting for a long time, the person who broke the silence was Dou Bing's family general Dou Qi. He walked straight in with a jar of wine. Li Tingwen obviously had an explanation, and his family members did not stop him along the way, causing the latter to go directly to the backyard, and then became embarrassed.
Put down your drink and stand aside.
Dou Bing looked at the wine jar in front of him and had no choice but to continue asking Li Tingwen:
"Brother Li, is there any way to save this situation? You asked us to come. If you have a plan, why not give us some advice? We will try our best."
"I originally wanted to hope that the Junjun would come." Li Tingwen's words were difficult to express. "Because of his great righteousness, we attacked in three directions... But if the Junjun doesn't come, some things will be considered arbitrary."
"Count on him?!" Dou Bing suddenly sneered and got angry for no reason. "I personally doubt him. I knew the situation was not good early, but he was greedy for life and afraid of death. He was incompetent, so he hid in the county mansion and waited for death! His brother did the same back then.
In this way, Wei Gong, who was in charge of state secrets as his consort, remonstrated with the late emperor to his face, saying that his brother Liu Yelong was always arrogant and had no experience in military affairs. The military aircraft was important and he was not worthy of it. He only wanted to get married, so he lived in Nanya...
...Think about it today, how similar are the younger brothers and the elder brothers? How could they live in this city if they hadn't married a woman named Sima?"
Dou Bing was from Guanxi, and he was from a rich family with a bright future. Naturally, he could mock Liu Yezhong, the governor of Guanlong, who was also from Guanlong. Li Tingwen was from Hebei, and Zhou Weishi was from Jiangdong, but they were not easy to communicate with each other, let alone the final analysis.
, venting itself at this time is meaningless.
"If he doesn't come, we'll be on our own, and I'll take care of everything from the east!" After venting, Dou Bing showed his background as a Guanlong disciple and gritted his teeth. "Brother Li, tell me, you originally
What’s the plan?”
"What kind of plan can there be?" Li Tingwen smiled bitterly. "It's nothing more than taking the lead and taking down the four leaders Xu Dalang, the Zhai brothers and Huang Junhan first, so as to stop the boiling water."
"Who are you going to get?" Dou Bing couldn't ask further. "Who should I get?"
"I will take the people from Jingantai to capture Zhai Kuan, one of the Zhai brothers. You go to capture Xu Dalang... Xu Dalang must use troops, and only you can go." Li Tingwen continued. "After the matter is completed, you go to defend it.
City defense... And Zhou Juncheng, your task is extremely heavy. You have to summon the county officials first and delay in the name of autumn grain. Then Captain Dou and I can go out. Wait until I capture Zhai Kuan, and then I will go to you.
Only then can we win Zhai Qian and Huang Junhan one after another."
"That's all!" Dou Bing stood up suddenly. "Are we going to imitate Liu Yezhong and just sit there and wait for death?"
Li Tingwen also stood up silently, and looked at Jun Cheng Zhou Weishi with Dou Bing.
The latter gave a bitter smile and had no choice but to throw away the sweet-scented osmanthus cake and stand up.
When Dou Bing saw this, he was about to leave.
"Hold on." Li Tingwen suddenly called to the other party. "Captain Dou... I've brought the wine, let's have a drink!"
When Dou Bing heard this, he was stunned for a moment, but he became serious again. He cut open the mud seal himself and picked up the wine jar to pour the wine. After pouring the wine, the three of them toasted at the table behind the case. They should have said something heroic.
They spoke, but for a moment they looked at each other and were speechless.
Finally, Lieutenant Dou looked around and sighed for a moment: "Without further ado, Dou is thirty this year, one is five years older than me, and the other is seven years older than me... I make a promise here, if I can
If you get through this, I, Dou, will make you two brothers...we will share the blessings and share the hardships!"
As he said that, he lowered his head to drink a glass of wine, dropped the glass and went straight away. The other two people also quickly drank the wine and hurried out.
Come out.
Dou Bing naturally went to the camp where the county soldiers were located in the city first. Halfway there, he suddenly turned around with a lot of thoughts, but he was slightly surprised:
"How come all the brave men in the family have followed?"
Dou Qi was extremely speechless: "The young master wants wine...does the young lady understand?"
Dou Bing was in a daze for a moment and immediately shook his head: "Send half of it back and ask my wife to guard the house from today on."
Dou Qi understood and immediately took half of the people back.
The journey was not far. After a while, Dou Bing arrived at Xiaojun City, which was located on the north side of the city, between Baimajin and Dacheng. Then he pretended to have nothing to do and continued his patrol as usual... After walking around twice, he went to the military city in the middle.
He sat in the city hall, waiting for Zhou Juncheng to deliver the message.
But Dou Bing was young after all, so he couldn't help but feel impatient. He knew that it would probably take half an hour to get there, but he still couldn't bear it. After sitting for a while, he came out of the hall to look at it. After looking at it for a while,
I felt that this gesture was too abnormal, so I had to turn back.
It was at this time that he suddenly noticed something and came to ask the local county soldier standing guard in front of the hall: "General Yuan, why do you have a yellow flower in your ear?"
The team general was startled for a moment and seemed a little nervous, but he immediately saluted and smiled: "To be honest with you, Lord Commander, it is customary here to wear flowers in September, and there is also climbing... but I don't know where there are in Guanlong.
No?"
"Yes, yes." Dou Bing suddenly realized, smiled, and then turned back to the account.
Indeed there is.
Then, without him noticing at all, in just a moment, the team of generals turned aside and headed straight for the small gate of the military city leading to Baima Jin.
Not to mention Dou Bingku and other signals, but on the other side, after all, Zhou Juncheng is the oldest and is from Jiangdu. He really doesn’t want to get involved in this muddy water, but when the matter comes, he has to agree, but his subsequent actions are unavoidable and hesitant.
Following Li Tingwen's instructions, he came to the warehouse compound two streets away from the county government and issued an order to summon all the county officials to discuss the autumn grain plan. As soon as the order was issued, he gradually lost his composure and became somewhat unable to restrain himself.
... Suddenly, officials from all over the place gradually gathered, but Zhai Qian and Huang Junhan were not seen. The county magistrate's heart beat like a drum and he was worried.
For half a day, he was really helpless and could only carefully ask other officials who had come early: "Where is Zhai Facao? Where is Prisoner Huang? Why don't they two come?"
Not in front of Guanlong people, I still couldn't help but use the customary word Cao.
But no one answered for a while.
After a long pause, suddenly a tall figure flashed in from outside the door and asked from a distance: "Duke Zhou, did you just come to see Zhai Da?"
Hearing the voice, he knew Zhai Qian, and Zhou Weishi felt relieved, but thinking that Huang Junhan hadn't arrived yet, he suppressed his posture and continued to assume his usual posture, frowning and asked: "Zhai Facao, why are you here so late?"
"I'll tell you the truth, Lord County Magistrate." Zhai Qian came over proudly. The surrounding county officials were like waves, but they came directly to him and bowed their hands in salute. "I was just drinking and wearing flowers at home. I didn't have enough flowers. I waited a moment.
, wait until new flowers are delivered from outside the city, then dare to come here."
Zhou Juncheng followed the other person's words and naturally saw a small yellow flower tied with a hairband on the side of the other person's ear. He couldn't help but nodded: "I see, that's it... I know that this custom also exists in the south."
Next, it seems that all we have to do is wait until Huang Junhan comes again.
However, as Zhou Juncheng turned his gaze away from the yellow flower beside Zhai Qian's ear and continued to glance at the others, he suddenly froze on the spot, then became cold all over, and even trembled faintly.
Without him, almost all the low-grade officials in the courtyard wore a small yellow flower, but Zhou Weishi did not.
After pausing for a moment, Zhou Juncheng's hands trembled obviously. He walked forward cautiously, held the hands of Zhai Qian who looked strange in the afternoon sun, and then spoke sincerely:
"Zhai Facao, September is high and autumn is high, and yellow flowers are planted everywhere. How can I be the only one missing? But there are still flowers, one for each brother."
PS: Thank you Mr. Liuliqin for your third alliance...how many times do you have to invite me to dinner?