Zhao Ying took Fu Jun and two guards into the county government office.
A servant led them through the vestibule and to the study in the atrium.
Wang Chong was wearing casual clothes and sitting in the study, yawning. When he saw Zhao Ying coming in, he bowed and asked: "Master Zhao, it's so late, why do you come to me for something urgent?"
Zhao Ying hesitated for a moment and stopped talking.
Seeing this, Wang Chong waved his hands to the left and right, and retreated. He asked curiously: "Master Zhao, what happened?"
Zhao Ying said: "The troops of Zhu Tiandu Department have set out from Caiyang to attack Deng County."
Wang Chong looked confused and asked suspiciously: "Zhu Tiandu Department?" After thinking for a moment, he reacted and said: "Chongling rebels?"
The Zhutiandu Division is the internal name of Liu Yan, Liu Xiu and others, and the official name in the imperial court is Chongling Rebel Army.
Zhao Ying nodded.
Wang Chong's expression suddenly changed and he asked urgently: "Where have the rebels arrived?"
"Inside the city." Zhao Ying said bluntly.
"What?"
"Master Zhang, it was I who gave the order to open the city gate and let Zhu Tiandu's troops enter the city!" Zhao Ying said with a calm expression.
Wang Chong stood up subconsciously, looked at Zhao Ying in disbelief, and stammered: "Zhao... Master Zhao, you... are you kidding me?"
Zhao Ying said sternly: "Master Wang, the world is in chaos now, heroes from all over the world have risen together, the imperial court has become a withered tree, it is really difficult to last long! Taking refuge in the Zhu Tiandu tribe, standing with the heroes of the world, this is the long-term goal we are waiting for. count!"
Wang Chong looked at Zhao Ying blankly. After a long while, he asked word by word: "Master Zhao, Zhao Ying, do you know what you are talking about now?"
Zhao Ying said: "I know very well what I am talking about, and I also know very well what I am doing. Mr. Wang, if you still stick to the court and offer foolish loyalty to Wang Mang, it is tantamount to self-destruction..."
Before he finished speaking, Wang Chong roared angrily: "Shut up!" As he spoke, he walked to the wall beside him and took off a sword hanging on it.
He drew out his sword, pointed the blade directly at Zhao Ying, and gritted his teeth and said: "As human subjects, we should eat the emperor's salary, repay the emperor's kindness, and be loyal to the emperor, but you betrayed the emperor, betrayed the court, and collaborated with the rebels. His crime is punishable!"
Although Wang Chong scolded her so badly, Zhao Ying was not angry, and just said contemptuously: "The imperial court? Deng County is still there, but the imperial court secretly sent people to Yanqu to kidnap my family. Such a imperial court , why should I be loyal to it? Mr. Wang, the court can do this to me, and it can do this to you. It is too late to regret it if you persist in it!"
Wang Chong looked at Zhao Ying, shook his head repeatedly, and said, "It's not that I'm stubborn, but that you're obsessed!" As he spoke, he shouted toward the door: "Come here!"
Following his words, a person walked in from outside, but it was not a county official, but Fu Jun.
After entering the study, Fu Jun glanced at Zhang Chong, who was holding a sword and furious, and said: "Master Zhao, Zhang Chong is bent on seeking death. It's useless for you to persuade him, why not help him!"
As he spoke, he took out an arrow from the quiver and played with it in his hand.
Wang Chong looked at Fu Jun in shock and horror, and asked in a solemn voice: "Who are you?"
"Zhu Tiandu Department, Colonel Fu Jun!"
"Rebel!" Wang Chong roared angrily, raised his sword and rushed towards Fu Jun. Fu Jun, who was playing with arrows, flashed a cold light in his eyes, swung his arm outward fiercely, and the arrow in his hand flew as fast as lightning. Shoot out.
Wang Chong was a civil official, not a military general. He felt his eyes blurred and his head was shaken. He didn't even understand what was going on. The bun on his head unraveled and his hair fell down.
The arrow thrown by Fu Jun passed by Wang Chong's scalp and nailed the wall behind him. It made a crisp clang sound and then bounced to the ground.
As if someone had tapped his acupuncture points, Wang Chong held his sword high and stood motionless, with large beads of sweat flowing down his forehead.
Fu Jun laughed out loud, took out another arrow from the arrow pot, still holding it in his hand to play with, and said slowly: "Zhang Chong, if you want to die, it's easy. You can take one step first, and then I will send it to you."
Your family will accompany you on the journey."
These words struck Wang Chong as if he was struck by lightning. He staggered, took two steps back, sat down on the ground, and stared blankly at Fu Jun and Zhao Ying.
Zhao Ying took two steps forward and said softly: "Master Zhang, the reckless traitor has usurped the Han Dynasty and killed the loyal and good people. This world is not his Wang Mang's in the first place. Now that Zhu Tiandu wants to restore the Han Dynasty and complete the great cause of Emperor Gaozu, it is actually
Teachers of justice and knowledgeable people in the world are all rushing to help and assist. I have always admired Master Wang's talent and learning. I hope that Master Wang and Huan Zhen will work together to assist the Liu family and restore the country of Han Dynasty!"
Wang Chong looked at Zhao Ying. After a long time, he took two deep breaths, slowly loosened his fingers, and the sword in his hand fell to the ground. He couldn't help but look up to the sky and lamented: "A good bird cannot perch on two branches, but a good minister cannot."
It’s nothing to do with the two masters!”
Zhao Ying said: "Before the ruthless thieves usurped the Han Dynasty, Mr. Wang was already an official in the county government. After the ruthless thieves usurped the Han Dynasty, did Mr. Wang resign?"
His words really gave Wang Chong a resounding slap in the face. You said, "A good minister does not serve two masters." You were originally a minister of the Han Dynasty, but later became a minister of Wang Mang. I didn't see you resigning at that time.
Can a good minister be told not to interfere with the two masters?
Wang Chong was speechless by Zhao Ying's words. He looked at Zhao Ying blankly and said nothing for a long time.
Zhao Ying continued: "Master Wang, General Liu Xiu Liu of the Zhutiandu Department is outside the county office now. Master Wang, don't hesitate any longer. It is not too late to join the Han army and make up for your mistakes!"
Wang Chong was shocked and said in surprise: "Liu Xiu... No, General Liu has also come to Deng County?"
"Yes! Lord Wang, General Liu promised me that as long as Lord Wang is willing to surrender to the Han army, the post of magistrate of Deng County will still be held by Lord Wang!"
Seeing that Wang Chong was about to speak in defense, Zhao Ying waved her hand to him and said: "I know Mr. Wang is not a man who covets official position, but the Han army does not understand the situation in Deng County. If the Han army governs Deng County, it will inevitably lead to bias and injury.
As well as the people of the whole county, Mr. Wang continues to serve as the magistrate of Deng County, which is not a kind of protection for the people of the whole county!"
The implication is that you, Mr. Wang, have taken refuge in the Zhutiandu Department now, not only to protect the lives of yourself and your family, but also to protect the lives of the people in the county.
Zhao Ying is really good at talking. In terms of justice, he just gave Wang Chong a slap in the face, and now he gives Wang Chong a step down in terms of justice.
Wang Chong held his forehead and thought about it. He couldn't help but sigh, and finally nodded to Zhao Ying and said: "My officer... I am willing to surrender to the Han army!"
When Zhao Ying heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up. He pulled up Wang Chong who was sitting on the ground and said, "Master Wang's righteousness is really a blessing to the people of Deng County!"
Wang Chong returned to his room, changed into his official uniform, rearranged his bun, and then walked out of the county government office with all the officials on duty.
When they got outside, Zhao Ying pointed at Liu Xiu who was walking over and reminded him in a low voice: "Master Wang, this is General Liu!"
Wang Chong didn't see clearly what Liu Xiu looked like. He lowered his head, knelt on his knees, held up the official seal of the county magistrate with both hands, and said in a trembling voice: "Wang Chong, the villain, pay homage to General Liu!"
Liu Xiu walked up to Zhang Chong, picked up the official seal he held high, looked at it for a while, then bent down, helped Wang Chong up, and said: "I have admired your name for a long time, Mr. Wang. Mr. Wang is in Deng County."
I often hear about political achievements! Sir Wang, hurry up and get up!"
Wang Chong stood up. Only then did he look at Liu Xiu carefully.
Liu Xiu was much younger than he imagined, much more handsome, well-mannered, graceful, gentle, and generous, completely different from the image of a rebel in his impression.
If Zhu Tiandu wants to find an image spokesperson for himself, then Liu Xiu is really the best choice. In terms of personal image, Liu Xiu is indeed easy to win people's favor.
Wang Chong's first impression of Liu Xiu was very good. He coughed dryly and said: "General... the general's words are serious. This villain cannot live up to his words!"
"Haha! Mr. Wang is too modest. In the future, Mr. Wang will continue to govern Deng County, and my brothers in the Han army can rest easy!" While speaking, Liu Xiu put the official seal of the magistrate of Deng County into Wang Chong's hand.
His words and actions undoubtedly gave Wang Chong great recognition and made Wang Chong feel useful. Suddenly, he felt that defecting to the Han army was not an unacceptable thing.
The change of ownership in Deng County can be said to have been carried out in calm conditions, and was a completely peaceful military coup.
The people of Deng County were not aware of this. They slept peacefully all night. When they got up the next morning, they saw the notices posted and the flags at the top of the city. They realized that Deng County no longer had the surname Wang, but changed its surname to Wang.
Liu.
Liu Xiu's side captured Deng County without any blood, while Liu Ji's side had already captured Xiangxiang.
Moreover, Liu Ji captured Xiangxiang faster than Liu Xiu captured Deng County.
Mainly because Liu Ji's troops rushed from Caiyang to Xiangxiang in only two days.
Traveling eighty miles a day and covering a distance of one hundred and sixty miles in two days was definitely considered fast at the time.
The speed of the march was mainly due to Liu Ji. Like other soldiers, he did not ride a horse and marched on foot.
All he asked of his subordinates was to keep up with him. Liu Ji walked in front, followed by Zhu You and three hundred soldiers. This is how they walked all the way to Xiangxiang. After arriving in Xiangxiang, they only took a short rest.
Then he ordered to attack the city.
There were not many defenders in Xiangxiang, only about a thousand people, but the number of Han troops attacking the city was even smaller, only three hundred people.
Under the sparse arrow fire of the defenders, three hundred Han troops rushed to the front of Xiangxiang City and already suffered more than ten casualties. Then people used long wooden poles prepared in advance to carry the people to the top of the city.
However, they prepared only ten spear poles in total. Even if they succeeded every time, only ten people could attack the city in one round. Under the siege of thousands of defenders, they would soon be overwhelmed.
In a sea of people.
After several rounds of attacks, there were between 20 and 30 casualties. The Han army attacking the city was no longer able to carry out a further attack and had no choice but to retreat.
When they were retreating, the defenders on the top of the city were still firing arrows. From time to time, some of the retreating Han troops were hit by arrows and fell to the ground. The remaining two hundred people were like a pile of scattered sand, with no formation at all.
Especially when standing on the top of the city and looking down, the Han army was in chaos, pushing each other, colliding, and making a mess. When the county magistrate and county lieutenant of Xiangxiang saw this, they invariably realized that they had an opportunity to perform meritorious service.
coming.
The two of them had no differences and agreed that now was a good opportunity to hunt down the rebels and expand their results.
These two men, together with more than a thousand defenders and government officials, opened the city gate and pursued the defeated Han army.