Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Returning to the main hall, I saw Wen Zhen, Fang Ji, Lei Tai and others coming together with thousands of powerful households. Their expressions were solemn, and it was obvious that something had happened.

Jia Cong sat down and said calmly: "What's the matter?"

Fang Ji hurriedly bowed and said: "Your Excellency, I have just received news that the green forest bandits and Huishe Daomen in Hebei and Shandong provinces suddenly rebelled. In the past few days, they have captured Cangzhou Prefecture, Hejian Prefecture, Wuding Prefecture, Jinan Prefecture, Seven prefectures and twenty-three counties, including Dongchang Prefecture, Tai'an Prefecture, and Qingzhou Prefecture, cut off water transportation, and the capital...the capital was shaken."

Wen Zhen said cautiously: "Your Majesty, we just received news that the nearly 30 million taels of stolen money we transported from Jiangnan were... blocked by the rebels on the canal near Liaocheng. They are in danger..."

Jia Cong was shocked. He was not afraid of local rebellion. It had nothing to do with him anyway. But if he lost these tens of millions of silver, how would he explain it in front of the emperor?
"Bastard! What is Qiao Yin doing! He lost his money, and I will cut him into pieces!"

Snapped! Jia Cong was so angry that he picked up the valuable enamel and pastel glazed three-cai bowl on the table and smashed it to pieces on the ground, causing the tea soup to splash everywhere.

Everyone hurriedly knelt down to apologize.

Jia Cong took a deep breath, suppressed his emotions about to go berserk, and said coldly: "How was this batch of stolen money transported?"

"Sir, this batch of money was escorted by the Liangjiang Governor's Yamen and the Jinling Guards together, and a total of more than a hundred watercraft and dozens of warships were mobilized.

The Governor's Yamen and the Jinling Guards each sent a thousand sergeants to accompany them, and there were also Caobiao Navy escorts from various places along the way. "Leitai said.

"Does the court know?"

"Your Majesty, eight hundred miles of Shandong and Hebei provinces have been sent to the palace urgently. However, the transportation of stolen money is a top secret and the local government does not know about it." Wen Zhendao.

Jia Cong suddenly stood up and said in a cold voice: "Pass my order. The entire army will be organized immediately and more spies will be sent to Hebei and Shandong areas to investigate the news. You go to the commanding envoy's yamen and wait while the governor enters the palace immediately to meet the emperor!"

"I humble my duty and obey my orders."

Jia Cong rushed to the palace and went straight to the Yangxin Hall.

"Here comes my brother. The Holy Emperor is looking for you." Dai Quan followed him outside the palace.

"Brother, how is the wind direction today?" Jia Cong whispered.

Dai Quan looked solemn, shook his head, and said softly: "Officials in Hebei and Shandong provinces are greedy for life and afraid of death. They are ineffective in suppressing bandits and have wasted the opportunity to fight. Now the situation has become corrupt and His Majesty is furious.

Moreover, the Governor-General of the Fifth Army has been trying to push the envelope and delay the situation, which seems to mean that he will listen to the instructions but not the announcement. Your Majesty is in a difficult situation. "

Jia Cong nodded, feeling worried. If he reported this bad news again, it would be unpredictable.

However, he did not dare not to report such a shocking event, so he had to bravely walk in.

"Your Majesty, Jia Cong, see you. Your Majesty is safe."

The six military masters in the hall, the three governors of the Fifth Army Governor's Office, and several officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of War all stopped talking when they saw Jia Cong coming in.

Emperor Xifeng looked solemn and said: "Pingsheng. You already know the things in Hebei and Shandong."

Jia Cong said: "I only know this now. There is another matter that I can report to Your Majesty."

"explain."

"Last time, I gained nearly 30 million yuan from the looting of homes in Jiangnan, but the rebel army blocked it at the border of Liaocheng, Shandong. It is in danger..." Jia Cong said bravely.

What? ! Everyone in the palace was shocked. If the money was gone, it would be like cutting out a piece of the imperial family's heart.

Although this windfall has not yet been received, everyone has already included it in next year's budget. If it is just gone, who can bear it?

"Bastard!" Emperor Xifeng was shocked and angry, and slapped the imperial case hard.

"Your Majesty, calm down and take care of your dragon body." Everyone knelt down to persuade him.

Emperor Xifeng was so angry that his lips trembled, his chest rose and fell sharply several times, and he shouted: "Thirty million silver is about to fall into the hands of the bandit army, and you are still telling me to calm down. Do you think I have to wait until they break into Shenjing before I can do it?" Angry?"

Feng Yuan was the most anxious. He changed the way he had just buckled the rope and said loudly: "Your Majesty, if the thieves are not quelled soon, the country will be in danger. The Ministry of Revenue can first allocate one million taels of silver and 300,000 shi of grain and fodder to quell the thieves." chaos."

Emperor Xifeng looked at him sideways: "Didn't you just say that the Ministry of Finance has no money?"

Feng Yuan's face was not red, and his heart was not beating. He cupped his hands and said: "There is indeed no money in the treasury, but this is a national matter. I can sell iron to get money for Your Majesty."

Tu Fei, Cao Jin, and Li Meng secretly scolded Feng Yuan for being shameless, and started asking him to take out the money, as if they were trying to kill his whole family. When they heard that there was something wrong with the stolen money, they were even more anxious than their dead father.

"My dear friends, do you have any other suggestions now?" Emperor Xifeng said coldly.

"I believe that this is a personal problem that must be dealt with with thunderous force." Everyone did not dare to argue anymore and hurriedly reached an agreement.

"Qing Tu, you are in charge of the world's troops. Just come up with a charter." Emperor Xifeng said.

Tu Fei secretly cursed in his heart. He is in charge of the world's military. It sounds nice to say, but there are a group of grandsons like the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Households who are restricting them. They can't do anything. The uncles on Jiubian are not very obedient. At most, they can only control the Beijing army and the local guards. military.

Yin said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, Hebei and Shandong are adjacent to the capital. If the bandit army moves north, the capital will be uneasy.

If the capital is uneasy, the world will be shaken. Therefore, I believe that the troops and horses of the capital camp and the Xishan camp must not be moved lightly, and the most important thing is to defend the important areas of the capital.

The governor's yamen of the four provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Henan, and Jinling can be ordered to recruit local braves on the spot to cooperate with the local guards to suppress the bandits. "

This is what it should be, and no one has any objection.

Emperor Xifeng pondered for a moment and then said: "Who can take charge?"

Li Meng said: "I think that Dang Koubo is the best choice. Firstly, Dang Koubo has been on the battlefield for a long time and has a brilliant record. He also had experience in suppressing bandits in the south of the Yangtze River the day before yesterday, so he is very familiar with it. Secondly, the battlefield is changing rapidly. Dang Koubo is in charge of the Jin Yiwei and is well-informed. He is well-informed and can adapt to the situation." Change.

The three stolen funds from Jiangnan were transported by Jin Yiwei. Now that something happened, the gangster Kou Bo also did his part. "

"I second the proposal." Tu Fei and Cao Jin hurriedly agreed, "Dang Koubo is indeed the best candidate."

Shi Zhize, Su Haochu, and Song Rui also hurriedly agreed: "I also think that Dang Kou Bo is the best candidate."

Emperor Xifeng nodded slightly, looked at Jia Cong, and said, "Would you like to go to Dang Kou Bo?"

When Jia Cong saw Huo Peng and Dong Yi shaking their heads slightly, he knew that this was not a good job. The situation was unclear now. If something happened, his future would be over.

Yin shied away: "I have received the emperor's favor many times, and I should have refused even if I died. However, this matter is of great importance. I have few talents and little knowledge, and I have never done anything. If I make any omissions, I will be a sinner for the ages. Please send a veteran general in the army to take command. I am willing to be a pioneer."

It is better to be a vanguard. If you play well, everyone can see it. If you are in command, you have to take overall responsibility. The risk is too high.

Huo Peng and Dong Yi hurriedly said: "I think what Dang Koubo said is quite reasonable. Although he has a good family background and is a young general, he is still young after all. It is appropriate to send another general to shoulder such a big responsibility."

Tu Fei waved his hand and said: "You two are wrong in what you said. A few years ago, Dang Koubo galloped outside the territory, conquering thousands of miles and slaying Wuhuan. He was really the Huo Huqi of our great Wu."

How can we be afraid of a few bandits and evil spirits now? In the current situation, there is really no better candidate, so I strongly recommend Dang Koubo to lead the expedition. "

"I second my opinion, this appointment must be to destroy Kou Bo." Everyone said in unison, making it clear that they wanted to kill Jia Cong.

Although Emperor Xifeng understood what they meant, he also felt that Jia Cong was suitable for this important task, so he looked at him again.

Huo and Dong frowned slightly, but they couldn't open their mouths to refute. Considering the actual conditions, Jia Cong was indeed the best candidate.

Jia Cong's scalp was numb. When he saw Emperor Xifeng's unquestionable gaze, he risked his life and said with emotion: "Your Majesty, since you have recommended me so much, I will not hesitate to go through fire and water. In order to put an end to the chaos as soon as possible, I have two things. I beg your Majesty’s permission for this matter.”

Emperor Xifeng glared at him and said, "You know how to choose the right time, so let's talk."

"First, I boldly ask Your Majesty to grant Jin Gong's arrows to temporarily seize the officers and militia horses of the four provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Henan, and Jinling, and kill them first and then report them, so that the military orders can be like a mountain, and the orders can be sent out.

Secondly, I would like to ask you to select a few people who know military skills from among the nobles to serve as assistants. In this way, if you can't win, you will be willing to use military law. "

Jia Cong decided that instead of letting others plot against him, it would be better to take control of the situation in his own hands and do whatever he wanted to do.

A bright light flashed in Emperor Xifeng's eyes, and he nodded slowly and said: "That's right! Confess Jia Cong, the Dang Kou Bo, as the general to fight against the rebellion. He will give him gold and arrows to control the soldiers and civilians of the four provinces, and put an end to the banditry before Yuan Zheng!"

"I obey the decree." Jia Cong felt that the Yali Mountain was huge. Yuanzheng was the first day of the first lunar month. Now there are only two months before the Spring Festival. Time is very tight and a quick decision must be made.

Everyone discussed the military strategy again, and then resigned the emperor and came out.

Jia Cong pulled Feng Yuan and said: "Brother, I have a heavy responsibility this time. The supply of food, wages and weapons in the rear depends entirely on you."

Feng Yuan patted the fat on his chest until it trembled loudly, and said: "Don't worry, brother, although I'm not as good as Xiao He, I'm not far behind by a few points, and you will definitely have a lot of food. But..."

As he spoke, his voice lowered, "You have to rescue that batch of silver first, don't worry. Even if we let the thieves break through a few more cities, it doesn't matter. We have money in our hands so we can provide disaster relief. Do you understand?"

Jia Cong nodded: "Don't worry, Cong will understand."

Although this statement is a bit cruel, he is not a middle-aged boy. He knows that if the thieves get their hands on this money, it will definitely become a big problem, and many people will die.

As soon as he left the palace, Jia Cong gave orders non-stop.

"Go to Niu Jizong of the Zhenguo Prefecture, Liu Fang of the Liguo Prefecture, Hou Xiaokang of the Xiuguo Prefecture, Jinxiang Bo Han Yi, Chang'an Bo Chen Ke, Linchuan Bo Weiyi and their eldest son, as well as Dingyuan Bo Fu Feng Ziying, come to the Admiral Yamen to see me. , discuss emergency military situation!"

"Yes."

"Zhao Xingxing, Jie Hui immediately raised his troops and went south under the starry night to help Liaocheng. We must ensure the safety of Caoyin!"

"Yes."

Jia Cong didn't have time to go back to his hometown to explain the matter, so he went straight to the commander's office and convened everyone to discuss the military situation.

Looking at the map on the wall, Jia Cong thought for a long time and said, "Wen Zhen, Fang Ji."

"I'm here for my humble duty!" the two men came out and said, cupping their hands.

"Immediately restore contact with the various military posts in Hebei and Shandong, do our best to explore the military situation, coordinate with the center, and report to all armies as soon as possible."

"I humble my duty and obey my orders."

"Fan Ming, urge the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household Affairs to transfer the supplies of food and grass as soon as possible."

"I humble my duty and obey my orders."

"Lei Tai, please send my military order to all the government offices in Hebei, Shandong, Henan, and Jinling provinces. Immediately mobilize the brave people of the countryside to raise food and grass, protect the place, and protect the environment and the people. Anyone who delays will be killed!"
If the chief officer abandons the city and flees, behead him! Those who are poorly equipped, fearful of the enemy, cowardly, greedy for life and afraid of death, who tell the truth, turn traitor and become thieves, beheaded! "

"I humble my duty and obey my orders."

"Brothers, you already know the matter. The reason why I invited you here is because the emperor made me the general to fight the rebellion and gave me the golden arrows.

This is a good opportunity to make meritorious deeds. Will you all join me in the expedition? "Jia Cong said, wooing them can not only get help, but also take the opportunity to strengthen the power of the Duke.

Liu Fang, Hou Xiaokang and others hurriedly said: "It depends on the general's orders!" (End of this chapter)