In Tongdan County, the commander-in-chief Wang Huan ordered the military supervisor to record the major and minor battles during the crusade against Zhang Diji's southern army. At this time, the county had been conquered and restored, and the army was transferred to the garrison to protect the territory and the people. They also determined rewards and punishments for their merits and reported them to the Privy Council.
When reporting on the achievements of various officers and generals, he wrote:
The imperial officer general, deputy commander of the army, Zhongshan Anping Jiedu envoy Kai Kai killed the thieves generals Shi Ding and Wu Cheng; the commander of the Sima army left behind in Daming Prefecture made an ax to kill the thieves generals Fang Shun, Zhang Li and Dai Mei; Dezhou commanded Si Bu
The army commanders Wei Dingguo and Shan Yangui jointly killed the bandit general Zhang Neng. Among them, Wei Dingguo set up a fire attack in Linqing County to eliminate two thousand bandits. Shan Yangui offered a plan to flood Yongnian City. His merits should be recorded...
Among the villagers and villagers, Lu Junyi, a member of the Daming Prefecture, killed Ling Guang and Suo Xian; Shi Xiu, the general manager of the Xiao Mansion, led the villagers to defeat the thieves who invaded Zongcheng County;
, the sound of spears piercing leaves; Shi Qianhuo attacked the city of Quzhou and discovered the hiding place of the remnants of southern Hebei Province in Tongtan Mountain; Tang Long hammered the thieves and killed Lei Zhen and others, waiting to report to the court and get another reward.
Geng Gong, one of the thieves who surrendered, had merit in defrauding the city, so he should be admitted. The other thieves, Weng Kui, Su Ji, and Lu Hui (because they were Luocao's accomplice, Zhu Jing, rebelled against evil and returned to justice, fought hard several times, and had merit in killing the thief Xu Yue, etc.), they surrendered in time.
The merits and crimes were equal to each other. The government also captured the criminals Sun An and Qiao Daoqing, and helped the army to eliminate the thieves Fan Yuming and Wang Ji. When they returned to the court, they reported to the court and asked for pardon for their crimes. The rest of the thieves accompanied them and asked the emperor to send an imperial edict and send officials.
If the leader has no wrongdoing, he will be allowed to surrender and become a villager again.
There is also Hua Rong, a brave archer and horse martyr from Xiaojiaji Township, Zongcheng County. He is the son of a general and an official of the imperial court. He conquered the southern Hebei army bandit Zhang Dishi. He shot and killed the thieves Feng Yi, Zhang Xiang, Lu Yuan, Xiang Zhong, and Shi Jing one after another.
For those who have outstanding military exploits, they will be given official status and be rewarded with merits and honors after being approved by the Privy Council and awarded.
The one with the highest military exploits is Xiao Tang. After several battles, he killed the traitor generals Dong Cheng, Zhong Liang, Duan Ren, Yu Deyuan, Zheng Zhirui and others. He also recommended his close confidant Shi Qian to sneak into the city of Quzhou and persuade the traitor general Geng Gong to surrender.
Take Yiyang City, explore the Tongtian Mountain bandit's lair, and capture Zhang Di, a bandit from the Southern Hebei Army. These achievements are certain. Moreover, the army commander Wang Huan is not a person who pretends to be a leader, and he is particularly optimistic about Xiao Tang. In addition, Xiao Tang has a famous mansion staying behind.
In the relationship between Xianggong Liang Shijie, it is common for him to be promoted beyond the norm.
However, when discussing the case of Bian Xiang, the former general of the Southern Hebei Army, controversy arose among the generals.
"Wang Jiedu, the thief Bian Xiang has helped Zhou to suppress the heavenly army several times. According to my opinion, other thieves can be spared, but this guy cannot be spared!"
The speaker was Chen Zhu, the warden of Zhengzhou. Together with Wu Bingyi and Ma Wanli, the army was defeated in Feixiang of Mingzhou, causing Zhang Di to lead the southern Hebei army to flee Mingzhou, successively causing harm to Cizhou, Xiangzhou and even Longde Prefecture in Hedong.
The victorious army and several other military states will be held accountable when the Privy Council investigates.
Who caused them to fall into such an embarrassing situation? It was not Bian Xiang who killed them and defeated them! When Xiao Tang begged Wang Huan to petition the court for Bian Xiang to pardon him for his merits, Chen Zhu was the first to do so.
Unable to bear the anger, he spoke directly to Wang Huan.
Xiao Tang glanced at Chen Zhu and said: "Bian Xiang captured Li Tianxi alive and killed Lin Xin and Zhang Xiong. They also made a lot of efforts to capture the culprit Zhang Di alive. Why can't he alone be pardoned?"
Chen Zhu stared at Xiao Tang closely, gritted his teeth and said: "This guy only surrendered when the bandits were already exposed. His heart is definitely not sincere! How can I be spared?"
Xiao Tang smiled coldly and turned to Chen Zhu and said: "There are people in the green forest who have been corrupted by corrupt officials, falsely accused by slanderers and temporarily led astray. Although there are many who fall into the trap and become bandits, they are unwilling to harm the good people. Given Bian Xiang's bravery, wouldn't it be a good thing if he was granted clemency and amnesty and the country helped him?"
Chen Zhu was overjoyed when he heard the truth in Xiao Tang's words. He said coldly: "Prisoner Xiao, you are only protecting the stubborn thief who is fighting against the imperial court. What benefits have you received from him? Besides, you said that there are crazy bandits everywhere. The harm is caused by the government and the court. Well, aren’t you slandering today’s saint as fatuous!?”
Xiao Tang's face remained as usual, and he said leisurely: "A wise man must make a mistake after thinking a lot. Even the most saints and sages have no faults? Does Chen Dujian think that the Song Dynasty has been in existence for more than 150 years, and all the officials in the past dynasties have been in office? How can we not tolerate the slightest resentment among the people under our rule? How can we not tolerate forgiveness when our career fails and we quarrel with the government?"
Chen Zhu forced the general to shout: "Isn't it? You are receiving the salary from the imperial court in vain, how dare you excuse the grass bandits! The nature of the grass bandits is hard to change. Today, if you are frightened by the power of the heavenly army and pretend to surrender, it will surely become a disaster in the future!" "
As soon as Chen Zhu finished speaking, he heard someone say coldly: "Okay, it turns out that I am also a thief who is hard to change. What kind of trouble do you think I can cause?"
Hearing that it was the deputy commander of the army who had spoken, Chen Zhu looked suffocated, and cold sweat oozed from his forehead. In his quick talk just now, he actually forgot about the many military envoys in the court, most of whom had passed the time of the late emperor. Those who were recruited, and Zhang Kai was one of them. If he said that thieves are hard to change in front of this once fallen lone tiger, wouldn't it be like slapping his immediate superior in the army on the face?
Looking at Xiao Tang's calm and complacent face, Chen Zhu couldn't help but cursed secretly: I thought he was holding Xiao Tang's hand, but he didn't expect that it was him who tricked me into causing Kai Kai's bad luck!
Seeing a pair of tiger eyes staring at him coldly, how could Chen Zhu dare to speak harshly? He murmured: "I'm sorry Zhang Jiedu, the young general made a mistake..."
"Shut that bird's mouth of yours!" He opened his mouth and shouted: "How to report to the imperial court is up to Wang Jiedu and I to decide. How can you, a bird-like person, say anything? You and other chaotic fools missed the military plane, what's the matter? You are not ashamed, but you dare to ask for my wildfire, get out! If you fart like a bird again, I will eat a hundred military sticks first!"
Seeing the hot-tempered Zhang Zhang Lei, how could Chen Zhu, Wu Bingyi and Ma Wanli dare to talk anymore? Zhang Zhang shouted back again. Wen Da, Xue Yuanhui and other generals looked at Xiao Tang sideways and snorted: "Okay You Xiaotang, you are trying to show off your power of words with others and you are planning on me. Isn't this asking for a beating?"
"Who asked you to compete with others? So what if you are from a green forest background? Who among us old brothers is not? Someone mentioned it to you, but you were the only one who got angry." Coach Wang Huan laughed and said to him. After Zhang Zhang finished speaking, he asked Xiao Tang: "This Bian Xiang, he already knows his ability, but he doesn't know what he is like as a person?"
Xiao Tang reported to Wang Huan: "Wang Jiedu, a good teacher, learned that Bian Xiang broke into the granary of the gentry to help the villagers because he was evil and cruel to the officials. Although he devoted himself to the bandits of the southern Hebei army, he never harmed innocent and kind lives. "
Then Xiao Tang told how Bian Xiang protected Xiangzhou Han's family in Anyang City, and how he turned against Zhang Di and his gang of thieves in Tongdan Mountain. After hearing this, Wang Huan nodded and said: "Since he is such a righteous man, , it is not in vain that when the commander reported to the court, he petitioned to forgive his guilt... Xiao Tang, my brothers were favored by the late emperor and made military exploits in the east and west, but now, although we are officials, As a Jiedushi envoy, unless he was ordered to conquer by the official family, he could only enjoy a leisurely and comfortable life.
We are already half buried in the ground, and we are just outdated old guys. In the future, to promote the power of the Song Dynasty army, I want you, the younger generation, to do your duty more diligently. You must bear in mind my words: We are officers, even if we serve with sincerity
Even if your superiors give you military orders, you must be open-minded and honest, so that your whole life will not be in vain as a good man who stands upright and upright!"
Hearing that there seemed to be a different meaning in Wang Huan's words, Xiao Tang bowed respectfully and clasped his fists, saying: "Wang Jiedu's teachings must be remembered by all generals in the future!"
※
At noon of the next day, the expedition army still needed to make some preparations. After the general officer had slandered the patient, his condition would not worsen on the way to Panshi, and he had to stay in Tongda County for a few days. Xiao Tang, Hua Rong, Bian Xiang,
Sun An, Qiao Daoqing, Suo, Zhu Jing, Shi Qian, Wei Dingguo, and Shan Tinggui went to a restaurant in the county to arrange a banquet and drink happily. Among them, only Xue Yong and Bian Xiang's confidant Fu Xiang stayed in the camp.
After recovering from his injuries, after three rounds of drinking and chatting and laughing, another county lieutenant from the Yamen of Tongtian County came to celebrate.
The county lieutenant was a careful person. He knew that if the army had not arrived in time and asked the southern Hebei army bandits to break into Tongtian County, his life would not have been saved, let alone his official title as a county lieutenant. Xiao Tang is now also famous on Hedong Road.
His head was ringing loudly, and the county lieutenant was smiling all over his face, and he had no words to praise and thank Xiao Tang.
Suo fought against Bian Xiang twice and was very impressed by his ability. He raised his bowl and said, "You man, I am not as capable as you with a big axe. Now that I am no longer a sworn enemy, I am very happy!"
How about we compare our drinking capacity?"
Although Bian Xiang still had several serious injuries on his body, he didn't care. He also picked up the bowl and said proudly: "You and I also had a good fight. Seeing you fight and fight, I really live up to your anxiety."
Here comes the name of Pioneer!"
After Bian Xiang finished speaking, he looked at Hua Rong and said loudly: "And you, little Li Guang, are really good at using bows and arrows! Speaking of which, you didn't kill me with any arrow on the battlefield, so I should respect this bowl of wine."
you."
Hua Rong smiled heartily and said: "The ghosts under my arrow are mostly wolf-hearted and dog-like people with rat eyes and deer heads, but how can they destroy the lives of heroes? I, Hua Rong, also admire Brother Bian Xiang's ability.
Very, this bowl of wine is for us to drink together."
At this time, Xiao Tang said to Sun An and Qiao Daoqing: "At this time, you two are helping to defeat the thief. When the court approves, you will be pardoned. I wonder what your plans will be in the future?"
Sun An drank all the strong wine in the bowl and said: "Xiao Renxia repaid evil with kindness. I, Sun An, will remember this kindness in my heart. However, if the murders I committed in the past were related to Xiao Renxia, my benefactor would be implicated. Now.
Since I can repay my innocence, if Xiao Renxia will not give up, I, Sun An, will be willing to sell my abilities to Xiao Renxia!"
Xiao Tang was naturally extremely happy to receive the help of Sun An, a powerful man with the strength of the Five Tigers. He looked at Qiao Daoqing again, and said with a smile in his eyes: "Daozhang Qiao, what do you say?"
Qiao Daoqing rolled his eyes strangely and said: "What's going on, are you forcing me to be grateful to you? Because you saved me and my brother Sun An from a lawsuit, but Master Dao, didn't I also take dangerous risks to help you capture Zhang Di?"
That guy? This is called grudges and grudges, and we don’t owe each other anything!”
Xiao Tang knew that Qiao Daoqing's temperament was somewhat eccentric, but he didn't take it seriously. He smiled and said, "That's it. Wherever the Taoist Master goes, how can I stop him?"
"But..." Qiao Daoqing changed the topic and said: "Now I have something important to do, but my old mother is old and frail, and now I am the only one who can take care of her. You are in Daming Mansion.
The family is big and the business is big. If my mother can be properly accommodated and my wish is fulfilled, I will really be grateful for your kindness."
Xiao Tang was a little curious when he heard this, and asked: "The Taoist priest has entrusted me to take care of him, so I won't neglect him. But what important things do the Taoist priest have to do?"
Qiao Daoqing was very happy and said, "You keep calling me 'Taoist' one after another, but although I have learned some magical arts, I am very poor at Taoism and Xuanmen! I have long heard that there is a legend in Erxian Mountain in Jiugong County, Jizhou, Liaoning Province.
Na Luo Zhenren, who has understood Xuanwei and mastered the art of Huang Lao, is a master of Taoism. Now that I have entered the Taoist sect, I will eventually wander around without knowing the talismans and Taoism, so I want to worship Na Luo Zhenren and learn Taoism from him. It is not in vain.
Return the emptiness and join the Tao, and understand the wish of ignorance."
Xiao Tangxin said that there is indeed this section in the original work. Before Qiao Daoqing surrendered to Tian Hu, he visited Zhenren Luo, but Zhenren Luo rejected Qiao Daoqing because he learned a heretic and not a true way. When Qiao Daoqing was defeated,
After understanding the sentence "When encountering virtue, the devil surrenders", he surrendered to Song Jiang's army, and then became a disciple of Zhenren Luo.
Qiao Daoqing is going to go this time, but I am afraid he will still be rejected, right? I just don’t know where the disciple of Zhenren Luo, the fourth person in Liangshan, Yunlong Gongsun Sheng, is at this time... Xiao Tang has such thoughts
He didn't want to speak clearly to Qiao Dao, so he said: "Don't worry, Taoist Master, there is no need to worry about supporting your father's hall. Besides, I have a close friend who went to Jizhou to drink machuan and fall into grass. His name is Deng Fei, the fire-eyed Suanni. If there is anything wrong with Taoist priest."
....."
While he was talking, he suddenly heard a loud noise downstairs in the restaurant, and saw fifty or sixty young and strong men gathered together in one place, running towards the restaurant.
Xiao Tang and others became vigilant after seeing this. Now that the thieves in southern Hebei have just been eliminated, could it be that there are remnants of thieves waiting for revenge in Tongdan County?
The county lieutenant of the Tongtian County Yamen saw this, but he spat and cursed: "These idle men are just worried about the world being in chaos! They are causing trouble on their own at this time of year! See if I don't punish them properly!"
After the county captain finished speaking, he turned to Xiao Tang and said with an apologetic smile: "Generals, don't be alarmed. They are just two groups of incompetent rogues in this county. They are used to fighting and killing each other. Today they have bumped into you!"
