lady, please calm down

On the 21st, it was morning and noon.

Sang Yanting, the prefect of Jiangning, and Luo Ruji, the imperial envoy, sat in the second hall and looked at each other.

The King of Jin entered the city yesterday. There were still sounds of fighting in the city in the evening, but by midnight, the city had calmed down.

But last night they held a banquet to cleanse King Jin, but the latter did not attend the appointment. For a moment, Luo and Sang were confused about King Jin's attitude and couldn't help but feel anxious.

At this moment, Zheng Huaihan came from home.

As soon as they met, Sang Yanting couldn't wait to ask: "Sizhao, how is it outside?"

Zheng Huaihan bowed hastily to the two of them and said: "As I walked along the way, Xiaguan, the streets have basically returned to calm. Just now, I bumped into several military counselors visiting the merchants one by one, trying to persuade them to open their doors to meet the city's supply."

"Is there no one looting?" Sang Yanting asked subconsciously.

"The lower official didn't see the Qi army making trouble. Instead, he heard that in the early hours of this morning, Jian Shao's soldiers broke up and robbed people's houses, and were captured by the Qi army."

Zheng Huaihan looked quite complicated when he talked about this matter.

Hearing that the order in the city was generally in order, Sang Yanting breathed a sigh of relief, but Luo Ruji, who had not spoken yet, said, "Where is Jian Tongzhi now?"

"It is said that he was captured alive by King Jin last night."

The hall fell into silence. Zheng Huaihan glanced at the two adults and whispered: "The news I got this morning is that last night, dozens of Qi Army ships were transporting sergeants from the north to the south of the Yangtze River non-stop. It is said that the city There are already 20,000 to 30,000 people stationed in the Eastern Qi Army's barracks, and subsequent troops are still crossing the river."

After Luo Ruji heard this, he stood up anxiously and started walking back and forth in the hall. Since the Qi army pushed back towards Huainan in the twelfth month of last year, the main force of the Zhou Dynasty was divided into three parts, one set up defenses along the river, and the other guarded Lin'an. The most elite and The group with the largest number of people was tightly restrained on Jinghu Road by Qi general Jiang Huaixiong.

However, the Huaibei Army has already established a great reputation after the fierce battle in Tokyo. With the help of the thunder cannon, it is even more powerful.

The Zhou army that deployed defenses along the river was as fearful of the Huaibei army as tigers and wolves from top to bottom, and did not dare to fight with it.

Just like this Jiangning City, after detecting the movement on the other side, it did not fail to ask for help from Sakon Prefecture, but in the past few days, there was not even a sign of reinforcements.

It can be seen that the morale of the Zhou army has collapsed, and 'war' is no longer an option for the Lin'an court.

Only peacemaker Luo Ruji's task here is to control the impact of King Jin's rebellion to the minimum range.

It would be best to buy Lin'an two or three years to reorganize armaments, imitate thunder cannons, and rebuild military morale.

But when he heard that the Huaibei army was crossing the river and heading south, Luo Ruji immediately realized that Jiangning City alone seemed unable to satisfy the appetite of King Jin!

Sang Yanting was upset by Luo Ruji who kept walking around, and finally couldn't help asking: "Master Luo, what should I do now? There was a banquet last night, and the King of Jin declined. If the King of Jin continues to march south, It’s hard for us to explain this to the court.”

"If he doesn't come to see us, then we will go see him! Come and prepare the sedan."

At two o'clock in the morning, the three of them left the mansion in three sedan chairs and took the initiative to go to the residence of King Jin.

On the way, Sang Yanting paid special attention to the situation on the street.

Zheng Huaihan was right. Jiangning City was indeed calm. Many people had gone out, and many merchants had opened their doors. Sang Yanting even saw two Huaibei sergeants pulling in front of a merchant.

At first, he thought it was the sergeant who was trying to steal something but was blocked by the merchant. Later, when he took a closer look, he saw that it was the sergeant who paid the Huaibei cargo ticket, but the merchant didn't dare to accept it and forced him back, so the two sides pushed and pushed each other.

This situation made Sang Yanting sigh again. With such strong military force and such military discipline, it is no wonder that the Huaibei Army has the momentum to sweep the world less than ten years after its founding.
Those ruffians in the Zhou Dynasty who are not good at fighting, but are very good at fighting with the common people, fight with others on their heads!

After walking forward for a while, I passed by an intersection and saw several Huaibei sergeants standing on a high platform, holding bamboo boards and singing happily: "With such a beating of bamboo boards, we won't praise anything else, just praise. We, the common people, will be famous as soldiers." The world, drive away the Tartars and protect China."

Above the small stage, there is a banner that reads, "The army and the people are in harmony with each other, and the world is one family."

Sang Yanting sneered at such a naked way of winning over people's hearts. But it was this down-to-earth and people-friendly way that gradually attracted a group of shocked people to come and watch.

When I heard the rise, there were sporadic cheers from below.

Sang Yanting could clearly sense that the uneasiness of the people of Jiangning, who had experienced great changes, was quickly dissipating. The cheerful and straightforward lyrics were also quickly closing the distance between the people of Jiangning and the unfamiliar Huaibei army.

If it weren't for the Huaibei sergeants who walked every three steps and one sentry every five steps on the streets, Jiangning City would have looked like it had just experienced a war.
I'm afraid we can't hold on to this big week!

After his first contact with the Huaibei Army, Sang Yanting could not help but have this idea in his mind.

Luo Ruji, who was in the other sedan chair, noticed all the unusual things in the city, but his worries were far more serious than Sang Yanting's.

In the early years, he and Wan Qixi were both the right-hand men of Prime Minister Qin. However, in recent years, he has been suppressed by Wan Qixi, and he feels quite frustrated.

This time, he was promoted to imperial envoy by the front line and came to negotiate peace. This task, which others thought was extremely difficult, was also regarded by him as an opportunity.

As for Jiangning, the people, and the Zhou Dynasty, they are not his priorities. The only thing he values ​​​​is how to obtain political capital in this peace negotiation.

At noon, the three of them arrived at the post house where the King of Jin was temporarily staying.

After entering, the three of them sat in the side hall for half an hour. Before King Jin came, they saw Wang Shipeng slowly walking in accompanied by a beautiful woman.

"Our army has entered Jiangning for the first time. The affairs are complicated and complicated. I have thanked you for your long wait."

Wang Shipeng’s attitude was impeccable, but Luo Ruji came to see the King of Jin. He couldn’t agree with you even if he was from the same palace as you to discuss joining the army. See."

Wang Shipeng said hurriedly: "What a coincidence, General Zhang Duofu, the loyal general, arrived at the camp in the east of the city this morning to take over the Jiangning Xiang Army. The prince went out of the city to discuss with General Zhang the reorganization of the Xiang Army."

The seemingly casual explanation of the whereabouts of King Jin revealed an important piece of news. Zhang Duofu was from the Huainan Old Xiang Army and was a fourth-rank general conferred by the Supreme Emperor. His arrival in Jiangning seemed to indicate that King Jin intended to occupy Jiangning for a long time.

Luo Ruji couldn't help but be anxious and said hurriedly: "Please ask the king to take me out of the city to meet the King of Jin."

Wang Shipeng looked troubled and said, "The King of Jin has many responsibilities and it is really difficult to spare time. If you have something urgent, you can discuss it with Concubine Cai first."

At this time, Cai Hua had already taken her seat at the head of the table. Luo Ruji was still wondering about the identity of this charming and charming woman, until he heard the title of "Concubine Cai", and he guessed that this woman must be the beloved concubine of the Jin Dynasty. Cai, the daughter of the prime minister of Qi, has mixed reviews and is known as the "demon concubine" in Zhou!

Zheng Huaihan and Sang Yanting confirmed the identity of this woman. After a moment of hesitation, they both handed over their hands and said, "I have met Mrs. Cai."

But Luo Ruji was here to discuss peace, how could he discuss such a big matter with a woman, even if she was the favored concubine of the King of Jin and the daughter of the prime minister!

What a shame!

Luo Ruji showed displeasure and said to Wang Shipeng: "Wang consults, what does this mean?"

Cai Hua, who had not said a word since she came in, squinted her eyes at Luo Ruji and said before Wang Shipeng: "Master Luo, right? Let me ask you, did you come to my prince for the purpose of establishing a truce between the two countries?" No. The rules make no sense!
Chicken Sichen!

Luo Ruji became even more dissatisfied when he heard that Cai took the initiative to talk about military and state affairs.

Seeing that he remained silent, Cai Hua was not annoyed. After waving her fan lightly, she said: "We in Huaibei have already spoken in advance. If the Lin'an Dynasty really wants to cease the war, it must unconditionally comply with all the conditions proposed by Qi State at the beginning of the next year. Since my prince is As the king of Jin in the Zhou Dynasty and the king of Chu in Qi, it is not easy for me to interfere in this matter. But as a Qi man, I am discussing compensation with you on behalf of Huaibei and Da Qi. What is wrong with Mr. Luo seeing that I am a woman? , don’t bother to discuss with me?”

Of course! Do you really think it’s appropriate for a woman to get involved in military affairs?
Even if Qi State wants to make the peace between Qi and Zhou Dynasties a prerequisite for Jiangning's ownership, can't you send Du Zhaoqing to negotiate? Do you have to come forward as a woman? Are there no men left in your country?

Luo Ruji continued to express his attitude with silence.

Seeing this, Cai Hua stopped talking and just sat quietly sipping tea. After the side hall was quiet for more than a hundred breaths, Ru'er suddenly came out from behind the screen, lay down in Cai Hua's ear and whispered: "Sanniang. , it’s ready outside.”

Cai Hua nodded, her face as usual, then stood up and walked to the back house. It wasn't until the figure was about to disappear that she called out from a distance, "Wang Counselor, please see off the guests."

Since you don't want to talk, then go back and forth wherever you come from.

But her way of seeing off guests was a bit rude after all, which made Luo Ruji hold back her anger. On the way out of the post house, she expressed her dissatisfaction in front of Wang Shipeng, "Wang Counselor, what happened today was actually the King of Jin's intention to humiliate me?" Wait, is it Mrs. Cai's own intention? Aren't you afraid of damaging the reputation of the King of Jin? How can you allow a woman to interfere in important military affairs? "

Wang Shipeng said nothing.

When they walked out of the post house, Luo Ruji and others couldn't help but be startled.

The streets, which had been peaceful when they arrived just now, were now surrounded by people from three floors inside and three floors outside.

In the open space in the middle, Wuhuada tied up dozens of people. Sang Yanting took a closer look, and hey, they were all acquaintances such as Prison Supervisor Zhang and other jailers, as well as Jiangning's military commander Jian Shao and his nephews.
As if waiting for the appearance of Luo Ruji and the others, a primary school student responsible for maintaining order at the scene received Wang Shipeng's look and immediately jumped on the horse-mounting stone, unfolded a scroll of complaints, and loudly listed the evidence of everyone's crimes.

Most of the incriminating evidence is true, and when exaggerated by the text, it is quite shocking.

At the end of the day, with a wave from the principal, Prison Warden Zhang, whose mouth was stuffed with rags, became the first person to be sacrificed to a flag in this public trial.

The Huaibei Army sergeant in charge of the execution was quick and precise. After a while, there were more than a dozen bloody heads on the open space in front of the post house.

Luo Ruji, Sang Yanting, and Zheng Huaihan knew with their toes that it was no coincidence that they were suddenly blocked here to witness the Huaibei Army's execution!
This killing of chickens to scare monkeys was most likely performed by the demon concubine in the post house specifically to remind them of their current situation.

At the beginning, in order not to show cowardice in front of the Huaibei Army, the three of them could force themselves to remain calm.

But when it was the struggling Jian Shao's turn to be dragged out, the three of them gradually lost their composure. Although there were differences in civil and military affairs, the orthodox system of the government was already a fourth-rank official, half a rank higher than Sang Yanting.
At this moment, he was dragged to the center of the field like a dead dog, without even a chance to cry out or beg for mercy. Then Jian Shao also noticed Sang Yanting standing on the steps, just like a dying person seeing a stick. A lifesaver.

Even though there were two sergeants dragging his arms on the left and right respectively, his strong desire to survive still made him burst out with the last bit of strength. He kowtowed to Sang Yanting crazily and looked at the post house pleadingly.

Jian Shao's mouth was blocked and he was shouting something. Others could not hear clearly, but Luo Ruji and Sang Yanting understood from his eyes that he wanted to ask them to go to the King of Jin to plead for mercy and spare his life. .

Although Sang Yanting had a normal relationship with Jian Shao, they were still colleagues, which inevitably gave rise to a sense of sadness that things would harm their own kind.

But he couldn't do anything about begging for mercy!
Sang Yanting turned his head and looked away uncomfortably, but Wang Shipeng, who was always paying attention to him, chuckled and said: "Sir Sang, this Jian Shao has been causing trouble in Jiangning for many years. When the Jin King's army came to the city, he tried to resist stubbornly. , many soldiers lost their lives in vain, should this man die? "

"Damn, damn!"

Sang Yanting said hurriedly.

At noon, Jiangning's troops and horses controlled Jian Shao and executed him.

The people watching cheered. With Jian Shao's status, he no longer needed to personally bully the people to obtain benefits.

Most of the cheering crowd were blindly following the group effect and joining in the fun. After all, killing high-ranking officials was not common.

Furthermore, things have changed in Jiangning, and many people subconsciously expressed their stance of welcoming the Huaibei Army by cheering. Following power may not be correct, but it is relatively safe.

Luo Ruji and the three of them could not help but feel sad.

At the same time, it was also known that the woman in the post house deliberately beheaded the governor of the government in such an unseemly manner on the street, instantly crushing the little intimidation Jiangning government had over the people.

The Huaibei Army used good military discipline day and night to make the people in the city respect them.

Cai Hua's public execution today made the people more respectful and fearful.
Respect and fear are the ways to control people.

At a quarter past noon, the crowd of onlookers gradually dispersed. The three people with complicated moods were about to leave when they saw a group of squires coming against the flow of people towards the post house.

When both parties met, they were both stunned.

Among the gentry, Huang Gongliu said nervously: "Master Luo and Master Sang, have you met King Jin? You won't kill anyone anymore, right?"

Sang Yanting did not answer his question, but asked: "Why are you here?"

Huang Gongliu subconsciously looked back at the sergeant who was washing away the blood in front of the post house. He was about to burst into tears. He just said: "Just now, Madam Cai of the Royal Palace invited me to come to discuss matters about joint ventures. My lord, you can inquire." Who else will I kill when the prince comes?"

Yesterday, the gentry met with King Jin at Taipingmen. Although there was no time to talk in depth, King Jin's kind words made people feel like spring breeze, and all the gentry took their hearts into their stomachs.

Unexpectedly, they were summoned again today, and happened to witness the scene of beheading in front of the post house. They could clearly hear the charges read out just before the execution. Among Jian Shao's crimes was "exploiting weavers, breaking bones and sucking marrow." .

Among them, there are quite a few who have various spinning mills at home.

Seeing Jian Shao's head fall to the ground with their own eyes, how could they not be afraid? Looking at the post house at this moment, it looked like a dragon's pond and a tiger's den.

But now the whole of Jiangning is under the control of the Huaibei Army. Even if they are afraid, they dare not not come!

However, no one mentioned the 'rejection of joint venture' issue that everyone had urgently discussed on the way here. Nothing is more important than life!

"We didn't see King Jin"

Seeing that Luo Ruji and Sang Yanting didn't say anything, Zheng Huaihan, who had a good relationship with Huang Gongliu, replied.

Upon hearing this, Huang Gongliu and others became visibly more nervous. Although the King of Jin also had conflicts with the squire, as long as he took the initiative to move closer to him and did not stand in the way, the two sides could always find a balance of interests, and it was not uncommon for them to even join forces to make a fortune.

After all, anyone with a discerning eye can see that the King of Jin has ambitions in the world, so he naturally has to cherish feathers.

But Mrs. Cai is a snake and scorpion woman!

The gentry below were all worried, but Sang Yanting secretly said: Cai's murderous and intimidating tactics are not very clever strategies.
However, the simpler the method, the more effective it is!

Didn't you see it? The gentry were already so frightened before they even entered the house. I'm afraid they would have taken the initiative to contribute a large amount of benefits later without Cai's initiative. (End of chapter)