Seeing that Yuan Dezhi had no reaction, Magistrate Fan looked at him, sighed again, his voice was slightly hoarse, and said self-deprecatingly: "I would rather change the commander from the same direction... He will defend the city, and I will defend the city.
Outside... In this way, even if you die in battle or are captured by the Xu family army, you can still save your family..."
So... can you understand me, dear brother?
After all, there are still government officials around, so it's hard for him to be too straightforward.
"..." When Yuan Dezhi met the strongly suggestive eyes of Magistrate Fan, and the eyes that seemed to contain some kind of longing, he was startled for a moment, and then he suddenly understood.
Got it...
Got it!
His Yuan family and Xu family are inseparable, so he doesn't mind being this evil person in order to achieve the best of both worlds - he can not only let the Xu family's army enter the city without fighting, but also preserve the reputation of his friend's loyalty, thus avoiding the family members.
The pain of being implicated.
But...it happened suddenly, and he was unprepared!
His hands were empty. He couldn't just use his bare hands like this?
Although he has been traveling all over the country for business all year round, and has learned some simple kung fu to strengthen his body, but if he just grabs the other person's throat and tries to hold him hostage, I am afraid it will be somewhat unconvincing...
After all, he is not a master...
Yuan Dezhi thought for a moment before hearing Magistrate Fan speak again: "Tomorrow will be the day when the Xu family's army attacks the city. At that time, Fan will probably have to die to show his loyalty. I hope this can reduce some casualties..."
As he spoke, he let out a helpless sigh, and then said with a sense of resignation: "So, this may be the last time that my dear brother and I sit down to have tea together... My dear brother, you might as well try this crisp pear. I just ate it in the backyard today."
Picked."
Yuan Dezhi also sighed.
My friend even said that he would die to express his loyalty. If he is still in the mood to eat pears, is he still a human being?
But he still subconsciously looked at the fruit plate on the small table beside his elbow.
In the white porcelain fruit plate, the pear flesh, peeled and cut into small pieces, looks crystal clear and juicy.
Next to the fruit plate, there is a burnt blue handle fruit knife——
Seeing this fruit knife, Yuan Dezhi was slightly startled.
If I remember correctly, he gave this fruit knife to Magistrate Fan last year. He cherished it very much and rarely used it on weekdays...
Not only is the handle and scabbard of this knife beautifully crafted, but the blade is also particularly sharp.
"Yin Zhi tastes whether it's sweet or not." Fan Zhifu urged.
Yuan Dezhi nodded, picked up the fruit fork, pricked it together and put it into his mouth.
“Sweet and crispy…”
While giving the affirmation, he put down the fruit fork and put the fruit knife into his sleeve.
He picked up the tea cup with his other hand, took two mouthfuls, and then said: "Brother Fan, don't be too pessimistic. In my opinion, things may not turn around tomorrow..."
Seeing that he seemed to be strategizing, Magistrate Fan moved his eyes slightly and asked tentatively: "I wonder what your wise brother has?"
"Brother Fan, would you like to hear it?"
"Of course!" Fan Zhifu hurriedly raised his hand and said, "Please tell me clearly, dear brother."
Yuan Dezhi glanced around hesitantly, then stood up, took two steps forward and came to Magistrate Fan's side: "Brother Fan, please come over here."
Magistrate Fan leaned forward slightly and approached him.
"..." Yuan Dezhi bent down.
The next moment, the fruit knife hidden in his sleeve was placed across Magistrate Fan's neck.
Magistrate Fan looked shocked and his face was as white as snow.
The blade was so sharp that he was really scared!
But after hesitating for a moment, he finally shook his hands and dropped the tea cup he was holding. It was his first time acting and he was inexperienced. Thinking about it carefully, it seems unreasonable that his hands would not shake in this situation.
His voice also trembled: "You...what are you going to do!"
The two government officials were shocked when they saw this sudden change.
"Let go, sir!"
At special moments, the government officials all had long knives at their waists, and they all drew their knives immediately.
"You two, please don't act rashly." Yuan Dezhi sneered and said, "Yuan is a businessman and his subordinates are not important. It would be bad if he accidentally hurts Brother Fan."
Magistrate Fan was surprised and secretly satisfied.
Yes, that’s what it tastes like!
He already felt like he was being held hostage!
Xiandi brought the whole scene to life in an instant, which shows how important it is to have a good partner!
"...I originally thought that I had wronged you by detaining you in the government office because of the Xu family army incident. But now it seems that I have misjudged you! You and the Xu family rebels are indeed related.
Collusion!" Magistrate Fan was heartbroken and extremely angry.
"Who makes you so stubborn? Yuan did this out of necessity!" As Yuan Dezhi spoke, the blade was almost close to Fan Zhifu's throat.
"You...what on earth are you going to do?!"
"Yuan has no intention of hurting your life. As long as you are willing to cooperate, open the city gate, and welcome the Xu family's army into the city, Yuan promises that I will not hurt you at all——"
"Don't even think about it! I will never agree!"
"This is not up to you, sir!" Yuan Dezhi forced him to stand up from his chair, looked at the dozen or so government officials who had gathered around him, and said firmly: "Get out of my way, otherwise don't blame me for not having eyes on the knife in my hand!"
"..." After the officials frowned and exchanged glances, they finally gave way.
The magistrate must not let anything happen, otherwise there will be no one in Linyuan City to take charge of the overall situation!
Well, that's what they think, and they definitely don't have other thoughts...
Yuan Dezhi took Magistrate Fan hostage and left the government office gate, followed by a group of government officials armed with knives and following him vigilantly.
Outside the government office, the people gathered have not dispersed, and are becoming more and more numerous.
After all, the Xu family army will attack the city tomorrow, and the magistrate's behavior of insisting on toasting the enemy even though he knows he can't stop him is really disturbing.
At this time, when they saw Magistrate Fan being kidnapped by Yuan Dezhi, the crowd suddenly burst into shock and commotion.
Seeing so many people present, Magistrate Fan loudly said with grief and anger: "Kill if you want! Even if I die, there is no way I will betray Your Majesty and Daqing!"
He looked like a loyal minister who would rather die than surrender.
The crowd became noisy and confused, and the chatter was deafening.
"What is Shopkeeper Yuan trying to do..."
"The prefect is a good official..."
"Yes, don't really hurt the prefect!"
"Is it to let Xu Jiajun enter the city?"
"..."
"Master!" Several figures squeezed forward from the crowd, they were people from Yuan's firm.
Yuan Dezhi immediately confessed: "Prepare the carriage! Call Lao Liang!"
After learning about Lao Liang's origin, he also knew that the other party was not weak in skills. Even though it was just for show, it was a guarantee to have him by his side.
The carriage arrived soon.
Yuan Dezhi escorted Magistrate Fan into the car. Magistrate Fan tried to struggle, but to no avail.
"Quick, catch up!"
A group of government officials immediately followed on horseback.
"Where does Shopkeeper Yuan want to take the prefect?"
"Let's go and have a look..."
Outside the car, the sound of horse hooves shook, and the atmosphere was anxious. Inside the car, Magistrate Fan let out a long sigh of relief - the first half was finally over.
Just to ensure efficiency and the cohesion and smoothness of the whole scene, should we ask someone to secretly report the news to the Xu family camp?
This is also a problem...
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
At this time, several loud explosions of fireworks suddenly sounded over the roof of the car.
Magistrate Fan looked at his friend in surprise: "Could this be...a secret code between Brother Xian and Xu Jiajun?"
There was no collusion as promised!
Then... when he was held hostage this time, could it be that his friends were playing tricks on him and making it real?!
Yuan Dezhi smiled and explained: "It is indeed a code, but in this case, there is indeed no connection between my Yuan family and the Xu family's army. Using fireworks as a code is just an old agreement between the Yuan family and the Xu family for many years.
That’s all.”
Even if there was no such so-called agreement, if fireworks were set off in the city at this juncture, Xu Jiajun would definitely have people come to observe.
After all, the city is about to be attacked tomorrow, and if fireworks are suddenly set off at this time, isn't that unhealthy?
What he said has no connection with Xu Jiajun and is not a lie.
He had no prior knowledge of the uprising in the Xu family.
But when she went to the capital for the last time, the girl told him alone that if there was any trouble when she came to the Riyuan family, she must send a message to the Xu family in time -
He had a vague hunch at that time, but he was not sure.
Now that I think about it, it must be today...
And Xu Jiajun chose to occupy Linyuan first. He may not have wanted to save the Yuan clan...
The Yuan family and the Xu family had supported each other many years ago. However, before the death of their former boss, he chose to disperse most of his property and business. He also chose a name for him to hide, telling the Yuan family members not to get along with the Xu family openly.
Recently, if you think about it carefully, it is also a well-intentioned thing.
Now it seems that my uncle's intentions have not been let down.
Listening to this explanation, Magistrate Fan nodded with a complicated mood.
Why doesn't he have any relatives like Zhenguo Gongfu?
The carriage sped towards the city gate.
When Yuan Dezhi and Lao Liang escorted Magistrate Fan to the city tower, there was indeed a little light from the torch in the night, and the sound of horse hooves came like an overwhelming force from the direction of the Xu family's military camp.
Just by listening to the loud sound of the horses' hooves, you can tell that it is definitely not a small group of people coming to inspect the situation.
The leader is a pair of young faces.
The two of them were wearing armor and sitting on horses, with Qin Wu accompanying him on one side.
The army pressed down on the city. Countless torches were fanned by the night wind. The firelight reflected the soldiers, horses, and spears. The black shadows cast on the city wall also surged, like a giant beast trying to open its mouth, as if it would destroy the city in the next moment.
Swallow it into your belly.
Xu Mingyi and Wu Chao both looked at the top of the tower.
Under the light of the torch, Xu Mingyi saw a familiar face.
It’s my cousin from the Yuan family——
She took another look at the person being controlled. Although she had never seen him before, she could guess his identity by looking at the official robe he was wearing.
"This is the prefect of Linyuan, Fan Ying." Wu Chao said.
Xu Mingyi nodded.
However, her cousin took care of what she and Wu Chaoyuan planned to do.
But... when she looked at this formation, why didn't she think it was her cousin's work alone?
Although there were many people around my cousin, he was not vigilant enough. If there were archers with good accuracy lurking in the dark, it would not be a problem to save Magistrate Fan.
It can’t be that Magistrate Fan was kidnapped... but it was just what everyone expected?
"Be careful of fraud." Wu Chao also noticed something strange and warned aloud.
In such a situation, and because there are their spies in the city, even if the other party is unlikely to cheat, they still need to be very careful.
Qin Wu has ordered people to put up shields.
"Prefect Fan has thought about it!" Qin Wuchong asked the people on the tower in a loud voice.
"My officer...uh huh..." Magistrate Fan just opened his mouth, but Lao Liang tightly covered his mouth.
He didn't know that the other party was acting, he only knew that it was better to shut up when the other party refused to cooperate.
"Brother Fan, now that the matter has come to this, you should order the city gate to be opened!" Yuan Dezhi advised: "No matter how stubborn you are, the result is unlikely to change, so why insist on blocking the car with your mantis!"
Magistrate Fan could not speak, but he still shook his head resolutely.
When Yuan Dezhi saw this, he didn't want to say any more, and shouted to the soldiers guarding the city: "Open the city gate! Otherwise, Fan Ying will be killed!"
The fruit knife lying across Magistrate Fan's neck has been replaced by a long knife, shrouded in cold light in the night.
The army was approaching, the magistrate was held hostage again, and there was no morale left among the soldiers guarding the city.
Hearing this request, everyone's mind was shaken.
Everyone knew in their hearts that they had no chance of winning this battle against Xu Jiajun——
Of course, as a soldier defending a city, there are precedents of fighting to the death for the sake of one breath.
But that must be based on grief and indignation and turn it into strength - there is no such atmosphere now!
Xu Jiajun said that not a single plant or tree would be harmed when entering the city. He was willing to wait for so many days without attacking. This is his sincerity, and everyone can see it!
They neither rob nor kill, nor are they aliens.
Unfortunately, the current imperial court is unpopular, and the founding of the Daqing Dynasty lasted only one generation. When many people think of the savior heroes, the first thing they think of is Zhen Guo Gong and Xu Jiajun. Even if they are younger, they are not without feelings for them - they have been in the family since childhood.
Hanging a statue of the Duke of Zhen Guo can prevent thieves, exorcise evil spirits, and stop children from crying. It can be said that one statue has many uses and is very versatile!
In this way, they really can't feel sad or angry, and their desperate mood can't be mobilized at all!
Therefore, the current situation is strange...
At this moment, a young voice sounded: "Sir, if something happens to you, Linyuan City will not be able to be saved!"
Magistrate Fan recognized this voice—it was his confidant Xiao Wang.
"Your Majesty is loyal and upright, and your reputation will not allow you to let go of this. Then Xiao Wang will be the villain!" This voice was firm and powerful, with the power of self-sacrifice, and he said in a concentrated voice: "Here is the prefect's token.
Open the city gate!"
Magistrate Fan's brows jumped when he heard this.
If you want to be a bad person, then you will be a bad person. How can this guy even announce his name in front of everyone?
Isn't this really an opportunity to leave a good impression in front of Xu Jiajun?
Good guy, ordinary people are still hesitant to open the city gate, but smart people have already paved the way back!
It’s simply unjustifiable that I won’t be a great person in the future!
The few soldiers guarding the city gate were obviously shaken.
Everyone knows that compared to a prefect token, the real living prefect is on top of the city tower, so it is obvious which one should be obeyed——
But in this current situation, to put it bluntly, we just need someone to push us.
One of the soldiers held the chain.
At this time, a stubborn voice sounded from the top of the city tower: "Can't open! We must not let these rebellious officials and traitors enter the city!"
This is a crossbowman.
"Boohoo!"
As the man spoke, he triggered the crossbow, and several cold arrows flew out immediately.
Magistrate Fan's eyes widened when he saw it - there really are people everywhere who can't think of anything!
The so-called loyalty to the court means loyalty, but there is also a time limit. If you have to go against the trend at this time, isn't that harming others and yourself?
If Xu Jiajun is angered and the situation is disrupted, then his efforts tonight will be in vain!
