Crowned the New Han Dynasty

Chapter 577: Make Chen the king and the leader of Youzhou?

thump!
After hearing what Chen Zhi said, Zhu Hong suddenly knelt on the ground and pleaded with no grace: "Prefect, even if you don't think that I am helpless, you should consider the Zhu family behind me. , Now that the situation in Dai County is not yet stable, it is the time when people need to be united. If you kill me at this time, it is inevitable that someone in the Zhu family will have other ideas, and will it endanger the overall situation?"

"Overall situation?" Chen Zhi glanced at Zhu Liu and Zhu Xian, shook his head and said, "Could it be that the overall situation is used to absolve you of your crimes? In your opinion, in order to protect the lives of the people, this is to give advice to the Xianbei people and sacrifice the common people. Life is probably for the sake of the overall situation, right? This overall situation allows you to sacrifice others as a matter of course, and it also allows you to confidently beg for mercy for your own life. Naturally, you like this overall situation. "

Zhu Liu and others were embarrassed by these words, and wanted to speak again, but Chen Zhi did not wait for others to speak, and continued: "Since you mentioned the overall situation, I will tell you the overall situation. The most taboo thing in the battle between the two armies is unclear rewards and punishments. , Xianbei attacked and killed the people of Daijun, and I killed the leader to let those who came after know that if they attack our Daijun, they will die if they are defeated! And you help Zhou to commit evil and betray your ancestors to survive. If everyone follows suit, the country will be ruined. If I don’t kill you, I won’t even be allowed to obey the laws of the country! It’s also a warning to others, so that those who come after you will know the importance of treason!”

Zhu Hong's body began to tremble, and he kept kowtowing without asking for mercy.

"This is the overall situation of Daijun. I will talk to you about the overall situation of the Zhu family again," Chen Zhi did not stop. When he spoke, he was not looking at Zhu Hong, but at Zhu Liu and Zhu Xian who were sitting in a book. " You use your clan as an excuse to survive. There are many ways to survive, and the only way is to persecute the people. To persecute the people in order to gain access to the city is a crime of great treason. This crime belongs to the Yi tribe, and now you If a few people plead guilty, the family members will live. Didn't you say that you were forced before because you were eager to save people, so you had no choice? It's the same now. If you wait for justice, the family members will live. Is it okay to sacrifice your life? "

"No... no..." Zhu Hong's lips were trembling, and he could not speak clearly, but he defended himself, "Prefect Mingjian, we plead guilty, but as nobles, we are willing to use money to offset our guilt, and we are willing to..."

"Money? This is what should be handed over, how can it be used to pay off the crime!" Chen Zhi waved his hand and asked people to go over to pull Zhu Hong down, but his words made Zhu Liu hesitate to speak, and finally Nothing was said.

On the other side, as soon as Zhu Hong was caught, he struggled and twisted his body unwillingly, unwilling to be dragged down like this. He shouted to himself: "Prefect! Spare your life! Prefect! There are also Huns." In the territory, if we are really killed, how can we resist the Huns if our hearts are unstable?"

Even though everyone was finally pulled out of the door, his voice still kept coming in. When Chen Ju and others outside the door saw Zhu Hong's appearance, they thought of the person's elegant demeanor when he and others were escorting him. , look calm at all times, comparing the two, I can't help but sigh. This person usually maintains a simple demeanor, but once it comes to life and death, his true colors show.

In the hall, Zhu Liu, who had been holding back for a long time, finally couldn't help but said: "Prefect, what Zhu Hong did is really crazy. It is natural for you to punish him. Our Zhu family will definitely cooperate with us, but he What he said is correct. There are still Huns watching. In addition, the war on the grassland has not subsided. The general has led an expedition. The army in Youzhou is empty. It is very likely that the barbarians will take advantage of it. It is indeed difficult to have more troops. Touching."

"Killing people who surrender to the enemy will make people's hearts unstable?" Chen Zhi put down the scaffold, and the solemnity on his face disappeared. He looked at Zhu Liu with a half-smile, "The purpose of killing people like this is to shock people's hearts and make them People dare not follow suit. Isn’t it possible that these shaken people’s hearts are filled with ghosts? To take a step back, it is because of this understanding that Zhu Hong is emboldened and dares to surrender to the enemy and betray his country. That’s why he is going to die today! I made a very clear agreement that after this incident, everything Zhu Hong has done must be disclosed to everyone, and when the time comes, the two of us will have to work together in multiple ways."

Zhu Liu was speechless by Chen Zhi's words. If he said anything more, wouldn't he admit that there was something wrong in his heart?Is that okay?

Zhu Xian watched from the side, and when he saw this, he quickly spoke up and smoothed things over, saying: "Don't worry, Governor, this matter about Zhu Hong will never happen in the future. This incident has also served as a reminder to us that we will definitely go all out to resist Hu in the future." people."

"Don't get me wrong," Chen Zhi suddenly walked over, shaking his head as he walked, "I'm not saying that you deserve to die because you can't resist the barbarians. Strictly speaking, I am the prefect of Daijun and guard the people. This is what I am saying." When my responsibility is really irresistible, of course there are expedients and workarounds. But Zhu Hong's mistake was that his workarounds and expediency were based on the sacrifice of others. As he said, Xianbei In the past, there was also a method of driving people away and attacking the city, but this time it was he who made the plan, could it be that because other people are also at fault, this person's fault can be avoided?"

"That doesn't make sense." Zhu Liu also admitted this.

Chen Zhi took advantage of the situation and said: "So, after you two go back, you must make it clear that Chen killed Zhu Hong because he sincerely rebelled against his clan, and also made plans for the Hu people, murdered his fellow clansmen, and even wanted to destroy the city. This way There will be one character in the future, let Chen kill one!" When he said the last sentence, the murderous aura lingered, making Zhu Liu and Zhu Xian shudder.

Chen Zhi nodded, restrained his murderous intent, and said: "Well, the current situation is not stable enough, so I will not leave two of them, and keep everything simple. Zhu Hong and others will be beheaded at noon tomorrow and will be sentenced for collaborating with the enemy. There will be no disaster." And the same clan, but he is the first after all. If there is another one, Chen can’t guarantee that he will still have roots for his clan!”

Zhu Liu and Zhu Xian hurriedly left, not wanting to stay any longer.

As soon as the two of them left, looking at their backs, Chen Zi came over to Chen Zhi and said in a low voice: "Although the Zhu family cooperated this time, they were helpless. It was forced by the situation, and they may not be convinced in their hearts. In the future, we must If there is a chance, it is hard not to seek justice for Zhu Hong, not to mention that the prefect has to seize the fort and money of Zhu Hong's branch. This touches the sore point of the Zhu family, and is also what other aristocratic families are most concerned about. If there is one, there are two. If they all feel that their money and land are coveted by the prefect, it will not be easy to deal with them and get them to cooperate in the future."

Chen Zhi nodded and said: "You are right, but if my plan goes well, after this war, I can get a lot of people and tenant farmers from these families. As long as I have people, it will be convenient for me to do things."

Chen Zi heard this and said with emotion: "This Beidi family has squeezed the tenant farmers, subordinates, and tribes too much. It is really unfair. If we can liberate some from them, it will be the submission of these tribes."

"This is a bit hypocritical," Chen Zhi looked at Chen Zi and laughed, "Even if they come under your name and mine, they don't have to work half as hard as before and earn less, but in the end they are still subordinates and subordinates. , they are still exploiting them. Needless to say, they are just doing work for someone, let alone justice! I recruited them not to do good deeds, but to make them work for me. There is no need for two sets. Judgment criteria." Chen Zi was startled, then laughed and nodded.

At this time, Na Zhou Ao came from the side and told the news about the city. Yang Song asked if he wanted to go back to Bingdai County, saying that he also found Huns scouts there and was worried that the Huns would raid Dai County.

Chen Zhi shook his head and said: "It's not necessary for the moment. Let him stay in the city with peace of mind. Su Liao assisted him in marching and setting up the formation. Later, he should be allowed to use his military strength as the basis to frighten those who harbor disloyal intentions in order to cooperate with Su Liao." Take control of the situation in Dangcheng, and when I have almost finished handling the affairs of Daixian County, I will also take people to Dangcheng."

Zhou Ao was very surprised and couldn't help but ask: "Are you going to the city in person?"

"Yes, in the future, if we have to protect several cities and counties in the south, the northernmost city will become the top priority." Chen Zhi glanced at Zhou Ao, "Now there is a Xianbei tribe here, and there are also Xiongnu There are traces of cavalry, but in the future, as the forces in the northern grassland are reshuffled, most of the losers and frustrated tribes like the Kebo Zhenbu will choose to go north to Mobei, or south to the Central Plains, so Dai County will not be peaceful in the future. It is inevitable for the operation of the city."

There are some things he hasn't said yet. There are also mineral deposits in the city, which are also what Chen Zhi longs for.

After saying a few words, Chen Zhi explained some more things, and Zhou Ao turned around and left. As an old subordinate of Chen Zhi, he followed Chen Zhi all the way from Taileling, and from Luoyang to Beidi. Zhou Ao Chen Zhi's status in the group is still very high, at least more status than Liu Bao, Lan Luo and others, and his influence has gradually been established, so many things in this generation of counties have been gradually taken over.

After he left, he was busy until midnight before returning to his residence.

But as soon as he entered the house, his old steward came over and said that he had sent some letters from Luoyang.

"Are you sending another letter?" Zhou Ao didn't seem surprised when he heard this, as he had obviously received a few letters before.

The old steward took two steps forward as he spoke and whispered: "These letters bypassed the city defenses and were sent directly from home."

When Zhou Ao heard this, he frowned. Of course he knew what it meant. Now during the war, letters sent from all parties must first pass through the hands of those responsible for intelligence under Chen Zhi before they can be sent to various places. , but everything has loopholes and accidents. As Chen Zhi's confidant, Zhou Ao, his family and servants will not be strictly searched or interrogated when entering and leaving the city. Therefore, as long as they are willing, they can bypass the city defense and directly bring the letter. .

But having said that, since he is a confidant, there is no need to do such hidden things.

"Since this letter has been sent, it should be shown to the prefect first. How can we do this?" Zhou Ao took the letter and turned around to hand it over.

However, the old steward advised: "Your words are words of loyalty. However, since the letter has come to this point, it is better to see it before sending it off. Considering your position in the heart of the prefect, this is just an act."

Zhou Ao thought that this was also the case, so he took a look at the envelope and found that there were two letters from old friends in Luoyang, one was written by his colleague Dong Xu, and the other was actually sent by Ji Fa.

"This is amazing!"

After muttering something, Zhou Ao habitually opened Dong Xu's letter, but after reading only a few sentences, he was horrified.

"Someone in the court wants the prefect to take Wang Jun as governor of Youzhou?"

(End of this chapter)