The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 286 Some people are happy and some are sad

Since November [-]th, the weather in Kaifeng has been extremely weird.

Obviously the wind and snow have stopped and the sky is clear and cloudless, but there is a layer of gray fog over the capital, which prevents sunlight from passing through. When you look up, you will see that the sun is misty and foggy. Looking at it for a long time makes you feel dizzy.

At night, the wind howls like ghosts, and the northern and southern cities, which are usually noisy day and night, are deserted these few days. As soon as the sky gets dark, many shops and vendors are busy closing their stalls and going home, not daring to stay longer.

In the street squares of the northern and southern cities, hundreds of corpses in official uniforms have been taken away, leaving behind large black blood stains that are difficult to remove.

The smell of blood mixed with putrid smell filled the air and has not dissipated for many days.

Those high-ranking and low-ranking officials from the capital, who were usually inaccessible to the people of Kaifeng, were pulled by carts in the past two days and dumped in the middle of the market square like garbage.

This is a kind of punishment for criminals who have committed the most heinous crimes. Their bodies are exposed in the most prosperous areas of the city, and then taken outside the city and thrown into the wilderness without anyone being allowed to bury them.

To be a tyrant in life and to have a corpse exposed after death, without being able to bury him or her soul in peace, is the most extreme insult to a person before and after his life.

The prominent dignitaries were massacred overnight, and only a small number of violent corpses were found in the northern and southern cities. Most of them were executed and transported directly outside the city for a hasty burial.

The last time so many people died in Kaifeng City at the same time was when the Khitans attacked the city three years ago.

But this time, there was turmoil within the imperial court.

Even though the Kaifeng Prefecture had posted notices all over the city to make the crimes of the three major rebels Shi Hongzhao, Yang Bin, and Wang Zhang public, it still aroused considerable criticism among the people.

First of all, there are many different voices regarding the charges of rebellion by the three important ministers.

After all, the three of them had never done any obvious acts of rebellion. The imperial court issued an order to execute so many people at once and confiscate their homes and exterminate their clans, which made people in the city panic. The cries and howls of the women and children were horrifying, and the celestial phenomena were so strange. It's hard to avoid imagining.

Is the gray haze that permeates the city the result of the gathering of innocent souls?
Shi Hongzhao usually travels a lot, and there are rumors of his arrogance and domineering in several markets and restaurants in Kaifeng City where powerful people gather.

The people in the capital knew that he was a powerful man with a bit of a bad temper and that he was a self-proclaimed military general who despised intellectuals.

But it was limited to this. After all, Shi Hongzhao had never done any evil deeds such as oppressing good people and exploiting the common people.

On the contrary, Shi Hongzhao's deep relationship with his first wife, Yan, who came from a humble background, was compiled into a ballad by actors and actresses and a group of Liyuan children, which was widely sung.

People in Kaifeng simply believe that a person who can love his first wife and never leave her after a successful career can never be any worse, no matter how bad he is.

Suddenly being designated as a traitor by the imperial court, hundreds of people, including young and old, relatives and friends, were killed at will, even the old, weak, women and children were not spared. It was really ridiculous.

Those who knew it or not were all secretly complaining about the three of them.

However, in the past few days, the Forbidden Army has been dispatched everywhere, arresting many officials who complained about the three people. The people in the city watched in silence, and no one dared to say anything anymore.

But today, an even more sensational thing quickly spread in Kaifeng city.

Located southwest of Youyemen, on the north side of Hengjie Avenue, and next to Qishengyuan, the Situ Mansion was suddenly attacked by the Imperial Army, and the shouts of killing spread throughout most of the street.

A large number of forbidden troops blocked the streets and no one was allowed to approach.

This Situ Mansion is well known in Kaifeng, and you will know its specific location after just a little inquiry.

First of all, this mansion turned out to be the former residence of Zhu Wen, Taizu of Liang Dynasty. Because it occupied a large area and had many over-standard buildings, it was divided into several parts after the fall of Zhu Liang, and was awarded to senior officials by successive emperors.

Secondly, the current owner of this mansion is the famous Privy Councilor and Inspector Situ Guowei.

Everyone in the city knew that Guo Wei and his son led troops to guard Yedu to guard against the Khitan invasion from the south. However, his mansion in Beijing was besieged by the imperial army. How could this make sense?
It's a pity that no one dared to ask questions. Most of those who dared to ask questions were beaten as traitors and executed, and their bodies were dumped in the fields outside the city.

As the cries of women and children came from the huge Situ Mansion, the haze over Kaifeng City became even thicker.
The Zhao Mansion on the west side of Chongming Gate in the inner city is closed, but there are quarrels inside from time to time.

Wearing a black robe, wearing a plain knife hanging from his waist, and carrying a white wax gun in his hand, Zhao Kuangyin gathered a group of Zhuang Ding from the Zhao Family Farm outside the city. He wanted to go out of the house and rush to Situ's Mansion to save people, but was stopped by Zhao Kuangyi.

"Get out of the way!" Zhao Kuangyin yelled angrily, holding a gun in one hand and a knife in the other.

Zhao Kuangyi opened his arms, stood in front of him with his neck stiffened, and said loudly: "If brother wants to go out today, just step over my body!"

"You bastard! Do you think I can't do anything to you?!"

Zhao Kuangyin was furious and threw the pewter gun to a villager. He grabbed Zhao Kuangyi's collar with his big hand and lifted him up in the air with a little force.

Zhao Kuangyi put his toes on the ground, struggling hard to get away, his face flushed, and the freckles and pimples on both sides of his nose were particularly conspicuous.

"My father has not been home for three days. Last night, he asked someone to bring a letter, instructing us to close the door tightly. No matter what happens, we are not allowed to step out of the house. Do you want to disobey your father's orders?"

Zhao Kuangyi was unafraid and argued loudly.

Zhao Kuangyin was so angry that he gritted his teeth: "When father comes back, I will explain myself, and you don't need to worry about it! Situ's mansion is besieged by the Forbidden Army and is in danger. Privy Guo and Chai Shuai's family are all in the house. If they go late, their lives may be in danger!" Get out of my way now!"

Zhao Kuangyin pushed him away with all his strength, but Zhao Kuangyi couldn't bear the strength and fell backwards. Just as he was about to hit the back of his head on the ground, Zhao Kuangyin hurriedly stepped forward to hold him back.

Zhao Kuangyi took advantage of the situation and hugged his arm tightly, stamping his feet anxiously: "Brother is so confused! Shi Hongzhao, Yang Bin and others were all killed. It is obvious that the emperor wanted to kill the wrong person rather than let go. Guo Wei's family is in danger of escaping, so what's the use of you going?"

Three days ago, the emperor summoned a group of ministers in the Guangzheng Hall, and called all the generals of the Imperial Army to the Suanzaomen Urn City, just because he was afraid that the news would leak and cause a mutiny!
After Shi Hongzhao and several others were killed, the capital officials were released from the palace, but a large number of forbidden army generals detained in Wengcheng were still unable to leave. It was obvious that they had to wait until Guo Wei's family was killed before they could leave!

If the eldest brother shows up at this time and interferes in the affairs of the Situ Mansion, once someone discovers it, my father may not be able to come back!My Zhao family will also end up with everyone beheaded! "

Zhao Kuangyin said: "I covered my face and broke into Situ's Mansion to save as many people as I could. Who could recognize me? Guo Shuai and Chai Shuai's family were in danger, how could I stand by and watch?"

Zhao Kuangyi hugged his brother's arm with all his strength, clamping his legs tightly with his legs, like an octopus wrapped around his body.Zhao Kuangyin couldn't break free. He couldn't shake him off, and he didn't dare to be too rough. He was so angry that he couldn't help but curse.

"As long as the eldest brother promises me to stay in the house and not to interfere with the affairs of Situ's house, I can scold him as much as I want, no matter how unpleasant it is, I will bear it!"

Zhao Kuangyi smiled playfully, somewhat like a rogue.

The old steward of the house was persuading him earnestly, while a dozen Zhuang Ding dressed as warriors stood aside and looked at each other.

"If you delay any longer, I'm afraid there will be no more survivors in Situ's Mansion!"

Zhao Kuangyin was so anxious that he was sweating profusely, and his tone was a bit pleading: "Second brother, let go quickly, I will come back as soon as I go, and no one will find out!"

Zhao Kuangyi also worked up a stinky sweat, gritted his teeth and held on, smiling bitterly and saying: "If I let the eldest brother step out of the house today, I, the younger brother, will die! The eldest brother must not let the Zhao family step into a place of no return. !"

Zhao Kuangyin said angrily: "I am responsible for everything I do, and I will never involve the Zhao family! If you stop me today, you will be setting me up for injustice! How will I face Guo Shuai and Chai Shuai in the future?"

Zhao Kuangyin twisted Zhao Kuangyi's arm away hard. Zhao Kuangyi was hurt and shouted angrily: "Li Ye and others have many minions, and Hou Zan is a ruthless official who has heard of the trouble. Even if you cover your head and face, it won't take three to five days." , they will be able to trace the Zhao family! In order to protect your brotherhood, you have to ignore the elders and younger members of the family. This is not what a man would do!"

"You bastard!" Zhao Kuangyin got angry and winked at several villagers, asking them to tie up Zhao Kuangyi with ropes.

These Zhao family villagers are strong and strong, and they participate in training regularly. They are villagers in name, but in fact they are private soldiers of the Zhao family. When combined, their combat effectiveness is no less than that of the feudal soldiers.

Two Zhuang Ding tied up Zhao Kuangyi hurriedly with ropes. Zhao Kuangyi was angry and anxious, and blurted out: "Guo Wei's family is punished, which is of great benefit to my Zhao family! Brother, don't be confused and make me Zhao Kuangyi Missed opportunity!"

Zhao Kuangyin was stunned when he heard the words, and hastily ordered Zhuang Ding to wait aside, then dragged Zhao Kuangyi to a deserted place in the courtyard, and said in a deep voice, "Say what you just said again."

Zhao Kuangyi tied the hemp rope around his upper body and said angrily: "Please help me untie the rope first."

"Stop talking! Speak quickly!" Zhao Kuangyin slapped him on the back of the head angrily.

Zhao Kuangyi glared at him angrily and whispered: "Guo Wei cherishes his reputation and would rather tolerate and avoid Li Ye and others than bear the bad name of a powerful official. But people have a bottom line after all. Once the officials and Li Ye and others Guo Wei will never sit back and wait for death if he attacks his family, he will definitely fight back!

Right now Guo Wei is in charge of Yedu and has Hebei troops in his hands. When the news of the incident in Beijing reaches Yedu, Guo Wei will definitely mobilize all the troops from Hebei and go south to investigate!

When the time comes, there will be a bloody storm in Kaifeng City, and the banner at the top of the city may change!

Li Ye, Nie Wenjin and other villains wield power. If they are allowed to successfully eradicate the auxiliary ministers and take control of the government, loyal ministers and lofty ideals will never be able to stand out again!My Zhao family has been a member of the Zhao family for generations. If I take refuge in the services of these villains, wouldn’t it bring shame to my family?

But if you don't express your surrender, you will definitely be regarded as a thorn in the side by Li Ye and others, and they will be eliminated quickly!
Only by allowing Li Ye and others to anger Guo Wei and force the Tianxiong Army to rebel can this smoky court have a chance to change the situation!With my Zhao family's ability, I will definitely be able to reach a higher level when I arrive at the new court, instead of succumbing to a group of treacherous sycophants! "

Zhao Kuangyi's eyes shone with a hint of madness: "This is an opportunity for my Zhao family, and even more for the people of the world! How can Liu Chengyou, a stubborn and stubborn person, deserve to dominate the world? The troubled times are far from over. This great country needs A true hero!"

Zhao Kuangyin looked at him blankly. The young man with a childlike face in front of him had a face that was very similar to his, and his face was full of enthusiasm!
But for some reason, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly felt a chill running through his body.

"Are these words what my father meant?" Zhao Kuangyin murmured.

Zhao Kuangyi looked at him calmly: "That's right, my father had already expected that Liu Chengyou would not let Guo Wei go easily! But I never thought that he would do it so decisively and viciously! He killed Shi Hongzhao, Yang Bing, Wang Zhang and his family members and friends." More than a thousand people did not give up, and the raised butcher's knife fell on Guo Wei's head after all.

He thought that with Kaifeng's 10,000+ forbidden troops and veteran generals such as Jiao Jixun, Hou Yi, and Murong Yanchao, he could stop Guo Wei's Hebei army?Hehe~ So naive!

The eyes of the world are not blind. Everyone knows who is more humane!If Guo Wei doesn't move, it will stop; if it moves, it will be thunderous, like mountains and seas overturning, destroying everything! "

Zhao Kuangyi said in a deep voice: "Father and I have discussed it in private a long time ago, and the current situation is also in our prediction. The reason why I don't tell you is because I am afraid that you will act on your own initiative. Now that the Situ Mansion has been destroyed, Guo Wei will rebel. I What the Zhao family has to do is to wait and see what happens and wait patiently for the day when Yedu’s troops arrive in Kaifeng!”

Zhao Kuangyin was silent for a long time, struggling in his heart.

Zhao Kuangyi said softly: "Two months ago, the eldest brother was expelled from the inner palace because he missed the time to guard the palace. Since then, he has been idle at home. My father has resigned from the duty of protecting the holy army and is recovering at home. Everything in the imperial army has nothing to do with it. My Zhao family has nothing to do with it. Everything Liu Chengyou, Li Ye and others commanded the imperial army to do in Kaifeng City, I, the Zhao family, have no idea about."

Zhao Kuangyin was suddenly startled and shouted: "Did my father arrange for me to be expelled from the inner palace for committing a minor offense?"

Zhao Kuangyi smiled slightly: "Only in this way can our Zhao family stay out of this turmoil. If destiny is really in Yedu, after Guo Wei takes over Kaifeng, he will not blame my Zhao family for not helping."

Zhao Kuangyin looked at him and couldn't say a word for a long time.

A graceful middle-aged woman walked to the front yard surrounded by her maids and servants. She was Du Shi, the mother of Zhao Kuangyin's brother.

"Da Lang, follow me back to the back house, I have something to tell you." Du Shi said calmly.

Her voice is slightly deep and sounds quite majestic. Combined with her dignified appearance and outstanding temperament, she is definitely a unique presence in this Zhao Mansion.

"Mother, my dear." Zhao Kuangyin wanted to say something else, but Du Shi said in a deep voice, "No need to say more, just follow me."

After saying that, Mrs. Du looked at him deeply, swept her skirt, turned and walked down the corridor, followed by the servants and maids behind her.

Concubine Geng held the young Zhao Tingmei in her arms, walked quickly to Zhao Kuangyin, and whispered softly: "Da Lang, go quickly, don't make your mother unhappy."

Zhao Kuangyin looked up and sighed, took off his sword and threw it on the ground. He bowed to Geng and followed Du back to the back house.

Zhao Kuangyi breathed a sigh of relief. After taking two steps, he realized that he was still tied with ropes. He angrily yelled at the villagers: "You have no eyesight, why don't you help me loosen it quickly? Those of you who tied me up just now Yes, go find the housekeeper yourself and get the ten pieces!"

The two village men said aggrievedly: "It's the big man's order, and the little people dare not disobey it."

Zhao Kuangyi gave them a hard look: "You still dare to talk back, add ten more words! Whoever dares to go to my brother to complain, be careful, I will drive his family out of the village! Hmph~"

Zhao Kuangyi rubbed his wrists, and trotted back to the back house.

(End of this chapter)