After rain one after another, the weather is getting hotter and hotter.
The officials in the Michigan Provincial Government Office were busy as always, but the atmosphere was a bit strange, and occasionally their eyes looked at each other and looked away in shock.
"The governor has approved all these matters." A scribe in blue shirt walked to the front of the hall and said, with two guards behind him carrying a box of scriptures. "Follow the governor's instructions."
The officials responded yes.
An older official asked: "Mr. Zhai, how are you doing, Commander-in-Chief?"
The scribe in green shirt was an aide to Chang Yuanshao, the governor of Yanhai Province. Hearing the official's inquiry and seeing other people's ears pricked up, he sighed: "To be honest, the governor was already well, and the young masters came back to visit the sick.
There was a quarrel over trivial matters in front of the governor, and the governor was angry again..."
He held up his hands and said nothing more, "Every family has unworthy descendants, and everyone understands it."
It was not easy to discuss other people's family affairs, and the officials responded in confusion, "The governor should be more open-minded." "Let the children handle the children's affairs." "Young masters all have their own sense of proportion." Such words were said to be obedient.
Mr. Zhai also responded one by one, "I persuaded you," "Young masters all know your mistake," and finally said thank you for your hard work, "We will have to work hard for the government affairs."
All officials should "do their job." I respectfully send Mr. Zhai off.
After Mr. Zhai left, the officials looked at each other quietly for a while, and then began to talk in low voices.
"It's not a quarrel, is it?"
"There were sounds of fighting inside."
"Someone saw blood seeping from the wall."
"There are soldiers and horses outside the city."
"The eldest son has never come back."
"Do you think it has a strange smell?"
"The Governor's Mansion said that for the Governor to kill animals and ask gods to drive away diseases...it doesn't matter that the smell of blood is strong, but why is there still a rotten smell..."
They gathered and discussed louder and louder. There was a sound of footsteps in the yard, accompanied by the sound of armors and weapons clashing, interrupting the officials' discussion. Everyone looked over and saw a group of officers and soldiers...
"The father and son of Ankang Mountain exterminated Shi Chao and fled north. Many rebels dispersed and fled..." the leading officer said, "Prefectural and city government offices must strengthen inspections to avoid colluding with the rebels again."
A few years ago, when Shi Chaogang fled to Jian'an Prefecture, Zhou Xian from Yizhou came to make trouble, saying that he had reported that Yanhaidao was colluding with the rebels. He had been making trouble here for a while, and Governor Chang spent a lot of effort to get rid of it.
He sent him away and lost a lot of money and manpower.
That Zhou Xian is still eyeing him in Yizhou, and his backer, Mrs. Chu, has now become a queen, so he will definitely become more domineering.
As he waved his hand, the guards dispersed and stood in the government office.
The officials nodded hurriedly, "Okay", "That's right", lowered their heads, found their respective documents, and left in a hurry.
At the same time, more officers and soldiers quickly dispersed in the city, and the people on the streets retreated in panic.
"Are we going to catch Ding again?"
"Isn't it? I was just arrested...and conscripted a few years ago!"
"Otherwise, we have to pay the rice and grain tax. I heard from the government servants that the summer tax will be increased by 30%."
"No way. Didn't the imperial court decree that taxes would be exempted for three years..."
There was a rapid sound of horse hooves, accompanied by the crack of a whip.
"No gatherings allowed!"
The officers and soldiers scolded and pointed at the people on the roadside.
The people were frightened and immediately dispersed, and the shops on the street were closed one after another. For a moment, people were in a panic.
The Yanhai Dao Jieduzhao's mansion, located near the Dao Yamen, is surrounded by soldiers and horses on three floors inside and three floors outside. No one can get close to it, and it is quiet.
Walking inside, there are no people in the houses one after another, and no chickens or dogs are heard. It feels like a deserted place.
Sitting in the main hall was a man in his thirties, holding his head with one hand and tapping the table with the other. The only sound in the quiet room was this short sound, which made people inexplicably nervous.
The sound of footsteps interrupted the tension, and the scribe in blue came in: "Third Young Master, everything is fine outside."
Young Master Chang looked at him sideways and tapped his fingers on the table: "Then what are you waiting for? Can we announce the news of father's death?"
Mr. Zhai said: "Let's wait a little longer. There is no news from the Eighth Young Master..."
Chang Sangong clapped his hands angrily: "Father's body will be too rotten to be seen any longer!"
He stood up and walked around, pointing outside.
"What's the point of making a show? Just tell them directly. Who can do anything to me?"
Mr. Zhai said softly: "Master, there is still a court."
Young Master Chang laughed: "The court? The court of that queen? Doesn't she know how she came to be the queen?"
He reached out and made a cut on his neck.
"Regicide! She herself is a rebellious minister, how dare she interfere with others? Our Yanhaidao has not committed regicide and rebellion!"
Mr. Zhai said: "There is no evidence. She has the Empress Dowager and the Young Emperor as her guarantee. She has great righteousness. Young Master, although the Wei Dao is now independent of its own affairs, you see no one has rebelled like Ankang Mountain. Only by occupying great righteousness can we gain great benefits."
Young Master Chang knew his good intentions, so he stopped and said, "I understand that Sir is careful and considerate, I just don't think it's necessary to be like this..."
He stretched out his hand and pulled at the hem of his clothes to make breathing easier.
"In fact, we just told the court directly, so what if I want to succeed Jiedushi? There is an example in the court! What? I, Chang Ji, who is thirty years old, am not as good as a ten-year-old child?"
Mr. Zhai said: "It is precisely because of this example that we can do this, but before we do it, we must arrange the family well. Third Young Master, the ten-year-old is an only son."
Young Master Chang said harshly: "It's all my father's fault for having so many children!"
If it weren't for the fact that Governor Chang had so many wives and concubines and had so many sons and sons-in-law, and that his brothers fought against tigers with father and son soldiers, Chang Yuan's control of Yanhai Road would not have been so smooth in the troubled years of his youth.
When efforts are made, there are too few people, and when there are profit sharing, there are too many people.
Mr. Zhai smiled and said nothing.
There were noisy footsteps outside, accompanied by the sound of "Eighth Young Master is back."
Chang Third Young Master looked outside and saw a tall and thin young man with one arm missing coming in. He fell head over heels and said, "Third Brother!"
Chang Sangong hurriedly helped him: "Eighth brother, get up quickly! How are things going?"
Young Master Changba raised his head and smiled: "Fortunately, I did not disgrace my life."
He turned around and signaled to the soldiers outside.
"Bring it up."
The guard came forward with a box and opened it. Inside was a bloody human head, with features similar to those of Mr. Chang San.
This is the head of Master Chang.
The eldest son was stationed in Qingzhou and had the largest number of soldiers and horses among the other eldest sons. After receiving the news that the eldest governor was ill, he refused to come back and could not use troops and horses to attack the city directly, so the eighth son, who was friends with the eldest son, killed him with a sword.
I took my own arm and went to see the eldest son.
"The eldest son didn't believe me at first, but he didn't believe me until he saw that I had a broken arm." Master Changba told the story, "I took two followers into the city and succeeded when he was not prepared."
Without a leader, it will be much easier to attack from both inside and outside.
"General Zhao has gathered the troops and horses over there." Master Changba said, handing over the tiger charm, "This is the eldest son's tiger charm."
Young Master Chang took over and laughed. Mr. Zhai also smiled in relief. The eldest Young Master was now in peace.
"Xiaoba, it's all thanks to you this time." Young Master Chang San sighed, caressing Young Master Chang Ba's broken arm, "Speaking of which, I didn't treat you well before, but I didn't expect that you are the only one who is my biological brother!"
Mr. Changba shook his head: "Although when I was a child, the eldest lady asked me to work as a book boy for the eldest son, so that I could have enough food and clothing to survive, but when my biological mother died, you were the only one who was willing to give me money so that I could bury her decently.
."
Is there such a thing? Chang Sangong can't remember it. He spent a lot of money since he was a child. When he was happy, he asked his servants to bark like dogs, and he could also throw away a lot of money...
This Young Master Chang Ba said he was a young master, but he was actually the daughter of a maidservant. He didn’t even know which uncle he was from. He was just a local person at home. Fortunately, he was promoted by the eldest lady to give him the dignity of a young master and accompany him to play and study...
…
"No, that's not good luck." Young Master Chang Ba grabbed Young Master Chang Third's hand, "It's my good luck to be able to work for Third Brother."
Young Master Chang laughed and said, "Okay, from now on we brothers will work together to make great achievements!"
Seeing the two brothers enjoying themselves, Mr. Zhai thought of something and asked: "Have all the eldest son's children been dealt with?"
Young Master Changba said: "The eldest Young Master is cautious and sent his wife and daughters to his father-in-law's house very early. I will have someone pick them up and solve the problem halfway."
It's easy for something to happen on the road.
"I'll come back first to give Third Brother the good news and put his mind at ease."
As soon as he finished speaking, another soldier came hurriedly outside the door, with blood stains on his dusty body.
"The Third Young Master and the Eighth Young Master have searched the eldest Young Master's in-law's house." The general said, "We only found the eldest Young Master's wife, but the two children were missing."
Mr. Changba suddenly asked anxiously: "Can't you ask?"
"We've killed everyone in the family, but we still can't find out." The general said, "We've searched the whole city, but there's no trace."
"You trash!" Master Changba was angry, "You can't even find a child!"
Young Master Chang waved his hand: "Forget it, the two children are so big in Yanhaidao that they can't run out and they can't make waves."
Whether he can survive or not is still a question.
There are more important things to do now!
"Mr. Zhai." Chang Sangong's eyes sparkled, "Now I can announce my father's death, and then with the support of the people, I..."
Before he finished speaking, someone else came hurriedly outside.
"Third Young Master, Third Young Master is in trouble!" The visitor was a little panicked and pointed outside, "Someone from the imperial court has come, saying they are here to express their condolences to the Governor!"
Mr. Zhai was stunned and shocked: "How did the court know?"
Young Master Chang was surprised and then calmed down: "It's okay if you come, just tell them."
Mr. Zhai stopped him: "Third Young Master, no!"
"Why not?" Young Master Chang asked, "Can't we declare my father dead?"
"You can declare to Yanhai Road, but you cannot declare to the imperial court." Mr. Zhai solemnly said, "We have the final say in Yanhai Road, but not in the imperial court!"
Chang Sangong was angry: "How dare the court reject me? A son inherits his father's legacy, and the court has a precedent!"
"Third Young Master, the court agrees that sons should inherit their father's estate, but what if you ask other sons?" Mr. Zhai was also anxious, "The court cannot hold a son accountable for inheriting his father's estate, but killing a brother can!"
Chang Sangong sneered: "How can they ask for guilt? Can they care about it? This is my Yanhaidao matter!"
Even after saying this, his momentum came back.
"Sir, they really don't dare to do anything. At this time, it's empty talk if they don't ask for punishment." Mr. Zhai said, "So why don't we do things more comprehensively? When the court sees the surge of public opinion, it will not even ask for punishment."
Wouldn’t it be better if we didn’t ask? This is the right step!”
Mr. Chang San took a deep breath and exhaled it, pointing outside: "Go, tell them my father is not dead yet! Don't curse my father! Let them leave Yanhai Road immediately!"
Mr. Changba immediately responded. He should take the lead in such things like this!
Although the third young master has a violent temper, he is the most suitable master in this world. Mr. Zhai knows how to appease the master: "When they leave, the master can make an announcement."
Young Master Chang snorted and flicked his sleeves.
"Let's see what the queen can do to me. Hit me if you dare!"
Beating him is not just beating him, it is beating all the guardians of the world.
The world is not at peace, so you are attacking Wei Dao. You, a thief, think the world is not chaotic enough!
………
………
The creaking truck passed through the checkpoint. The chubby merchant thanked the officers and soldiers, stuffed an extra bag of money, and said in a thick accent, "Thank you for your hard work, I will bring you better medicine when I come back."
Giving them medicine was not a curse, but a sincere concern. The officers and soldiers talked and laughed, "Old Yao, you are lucky to be born in Yizhou." "That is, without King Zhao, we can still live a good life."
The merchant Lao Yao chuckled, "It's the same no matter where I was born. I'm traveling around doing business, and I haven't been back for a long time." He lowered his voice again, "But now it's better to send my wife and children back."
The officers and soldiers could not talk more about this topic and signaled him to leave quickly.
Lao Yao handed them over and urged the guys, and he ran to catch up with the car in front and climbed up.
There was a woman and two children of seven or eight years old sitting in the car, huddled together, their eyes full of fear.
"It's okay." Old Yao whispered to them, "Don't be afraid."
The two children didn't feel relaxed at all. They hugged the woman tightly and murmured "nanny".
Old Yao hissed at them, "Don't call us wet nurses."
The two children did not dare to speak. The woman hugged them tightly to comfort them. Then she looked at Lao Yao and thanked him with tears in his eyes: "Thank you so much, my benefactor."
Old Yao waved his hand, "I can't help you much, Master Xu and his family..."
After saying this, I sighed and stopped talking.
Tears fell from the woman's face: "My benefactor, it is a great kindness to be able to rescue the young master."
After saying that, he bent down and kowtowed, and the two children kowtowed along with him, crying. Although several days had passed, the sudden incident had left them distracted and their bodies still trembling.
Old Yao hurriedly signaled them to get up: "In this world, people are more terrifying than ghosts!"
We grieve for each other for a moment, and since we are not dead yet, we have to find a way to live.
The woman looked desperate, how could she survive?
"It's useless to go to Yizhou now. There is no prince in Yizhou and he can't take care of Yanhaidao's affairs." Old Yao said, tapping the sole of his shoe, "But you can go to the capital."
Capital City? The woman looked at him and complained?
"Go find the First Marquis." Old Yao said, "She is a deity from heaven who descended to earth, with a bodhisattva heart..."