Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 214 Bloody Hengzhou

Hengzhou, Pingcheng.

Sheung Shui Village.

As the cold wind blew, the trees on both sides of the road couldn't help but sway, their branches waving, and roaring like evil spirits along with the wind.

The road was solid, hard, and fairly wide.

Zhang Ning, carrying a package on his back, stood on a high ground and looked into the distance. He could vaguely see the tall city walls of Pingcheng.

He ignored the city, walked down the slope and continued walking on the road.

Under a tree in the distance, there were two people sitting with their heads down, not moving at all. Zhang Ning walked past them vigilantly, but they did not move until they were far away, still sitting there in the same posture.

When the wind blew, the two men suddenly fell down.

After crossing a stream, a village nestled in the woods came into view. The village was surrounded by dense forests on three sides. Even in the village, you could see big trees rising into the sky, but they were much sparser than the surrounding areas.

A small stream flows from the entrance of the village towards the low slopes in the distance.

An old man and a young boy were walking out of the village when they met Zhang Ning. They were both frightened and turned around to run.

"Uncle Guan!! Is that you?!"

Zhang Ning suddenly shouted.

Hearing this address, the old man stopped, turned around, and carefully looked at Zhang Ning in front of him. After examining him for a moment, he suddenly shouted, "Zhang boy?! Is it you?"

"It's me! I'm back!"

The old man was overjoyed and stopped hiding. He hurried forward and said, "You're back, finally back. We asked someone to read the letter you sent us earlier. I've been thinking about you ever since then!!"

The old man looked at the boy beside him and said, "Go to your uncle Zhang's house quickly and tell him that his son Dalang is back!"

The boy got up and ran towards the village.

Zhang Ning smiled and started greeting the old man.

"It's been a long time since we last met. How is your family? Are my brothers all right?"

Talking about family matters, the smile on the old man's face froze, and he just nodded stiffly, "Fortunately, fortunately, my grandson survived."

Zhang Ning paused and didn't dare to ask any more questions.

The two men walked towards the village, but the old man was a man who could not keep secrets, perhaps because he was too happy, he was shouting loudly all the way. Many people in the village had watched Zhang Ning grow up, and from time to time someone would go out to meet Zhang Ning. More and more people came, and when Zhang Ning's grandfather ran over, Zhang Ning had already been surrounded by the crowd and could not get away. It was the old man who pushed a few young men aside so that the father and son could meet.

Zhang's father was an honest farmer. When he saw his son finally found, he burst into tears and was speechless for a long time.

Everyone returned to Zhang Ning's home together.

It was a dilapidated farmyard. The walls were incomplete, not to mention the house. The windows were almost unblockable, allowing the cold wind to blow in. Everyone ignored the cold wind and sat directly in the yard.

Zhang's father went to look for food tremblingly, but Zhang Ning opened the package directly and called a few children over, "Come, make a fire. It's a rare opportunity for everyone to come, so I brought some food with me."

Everyone declined a few times, and then a woman took the initiative to step forward and took over the task of cooking, which made everyone even happier.

Father Zhang was not good at speaking. He just sat next to Zhang Ning and couldn't say a word for a long time.

Old Man Guan spoke for him, "A few years ago, you went to perform labor service in the frontier, and we lost contact with you. We all thought you were gone. Your grandfather was the most pitiful. He asked around for news about you and wanted to go and see you himself."

Everyone was silent, including Zhang Ning.

Old Man Guan looked around and waved his hand, "Let's not talk about this for now. Is what you said in the letter true?"

"People in the north are now distributing farmland and oxen?"

Zhang Ning came back to his senses and said with a smile: "Yes, since General Liu arrived, he has been distributing farmland and oxen according to the system."

Everyone listened very seriously, and Old Man Guan couldn't help but say, "This news is everywhere! Not long ago, many people passed by and said they were from the south and were going to the north, where farmland was being distributed. In this day and age, are there really people who are being given farmland?"

"The general is different from those traitors. He keeps his word. I am now a clerk under his command."

"Ah?? You became a senior official?"

"Incredible! Incredible!"

Everyone was noisy and Zhang Ning was chatting with them, but the sound of horse hooves coming from a distance interrupted them.

Hearing the sound of horse hooves, the people surrounding Zhang Ning were a little panicked. Some of the timid ones had already secretly left. Old Man Guan frowned and said nothing.

A moment later, a group of people appeared outside the courtyard gate.

“It’s really lively!”

Then someone shouted was heard, and the next moment, a chubby man led a few burly men and strode into the courtyard.

Everyone stepped back and bowed their heads.

Zhang Ning smiled and bowed, "Greetings, Lord Murong."

The man looked at Zhang Ning with a smile, examining him from head to toe. "You're back. I heard that you found a job at Beiheng. It seems that you have a good living. This outfit is just... Is there anything wrong with it?"

The man's eyes turned unfriendly. "You can't cross the state without a pass."

Zhang Ning nodded and took off his badge. "This is my official badge. With this badge, I can travel to all states."

"Using an official badge to cross the state? Who said that?"

"My general said so."

"Your general."

The man suddenly shut his mouth. He was silent for a moment, and then a smile appeared on his face again. "If this is General Anxi's order, then it does make sense. Are you here on orders?"

"The general is given leave every month, and the officials are no exception. I took a few extra days to come back and visit my family."

"Oh, good, that's good. You came at the right time. You see, our villagers won't run away. Why don't you go to my place first, we can have some meat, and then you can come back later to chat with them. How about that?"

"Okay."

Zhang Ning nodded and looked at the people beside him. There was some worry in Old Man Guan's eyes. Zhang Ning nodded slightly and asked everyone to eat first, while he followed the nobleman and left.

A group of ragged farmers watched them leave in horror.

They passed through the village and headed south. After walking for a long time, they finally saw the real Sheung Shui Village.

There were tall walls, neatly trimmed trees, neat and clean courtyards lined up in an orderly manner, dogs barking constantly, and children playing everywhere. It was completely different from what was just now.

Lord Murong held Zhang Ning's hand and walked on the road. The first thing he asked was about Liu Taozi.

"I heard that General Anxi was appointed as the governor of Hengzhou, why hasn't he taken office yet?"

"Turkic cavalry frequently appears outside the Great Wall, and the Pseudo-Zhou scouts set fire to Baima. The general cannot leave Wuchuan easily."

Lord Murong seemed relieved. He asked, "When will he come?"

Zhang Ning smiled bitterly, "Lord Murong, I am just an official from Beiheng, how can I know about such a big thing?"

Murong reacted and quickly laughed.

Zhang Ning told him the rest of the things about the frontier. While speaking, his eyes were always looking around, from the buildings, to the houses inside, to the patrolling guards in the distance.

Soon, Murong brought him to his mansion.

He arranged a grand banquet to entertain Zhang Ning who had come from afar.

"Mr. Zhang, I heard that there aren't many wealthy families left in Beiheng. They were either arrested or killed. Their wives and daughters were raped, and after being killed, they were used as military rations. Is this true?"

Zhang Ning paused, "I've never heard of it."

"Alas, my family has been here for many generations. Even if others don't tell you, you know that I have never treated the villagers unfairly over the years. I never forget to help them every year. Take you for example. If I hadn't sold you and sent you to serve in the army, how could you have such a good job now?"

"Now, I am afraid that the general will lead those barbarians to attack us. The border towns are full of barbarians who eat people."

Murong lowered his head and couldn't help complaining.

Zhang Ning smiled and nodded, "Yes, yes."

Zhang Ning stayed in his hometown for a few days, then said goodbye to everyone and left quickly.

The villagers came out to see him off. Looking at Zhang Ning going away, Old Man Guan couldn't help but sigh.

"Oh, it would be great if we were also under the jurisdiction of that general."

Zhang Ning walked on this road for a long time and saw several familiar people waiting for him at the intersection. After they gathered together, they immediately changed horses and galloped towards the Pasture Hill in the north.

When they rushed to the horse pasture slope, the horse farm here had become a training ground. There were knights patrolling inside and outside. Several people took documents and walked quickly into the camp, led by several armored soldiers.

The camp was extremely lively. In addition to the soldiers, there were also many scholars. They gathered together, holding documents, and no one knew what they were talking about.

When Zhang Ning walked into a main tent, a burly general was sitting inside.

The general had a dark complexion, a stern face, and looked quite solemn.

"General Zhang!!"

Zhang Ning followed the others to greet him, and then handed him the document in his hand.

"This is the situation on Shangshui. I have already written down the number of Murong family's guards, their specific locations, and many other details."

"Ah."

Zhang Heizu nodded and said, "Go and rest first. We'll get up early tomorrow and set off."

"only!!"

The next day, Hengzhou.

Pingcheng.

It's quite lively outside the city.

There were servants sweeping the roads, and clerks running around carrying things.

Many officials gathered outside the city. They were all officials from various states, as well as prefects, county magistrates, county magistrates, and county secretaries.

The officials all looked worried, and they gathered together to discuss how to deal with the situation.

In addition to these officials, some local prominent people also appeared at the city gate.

"I would say there's no need to panic."

"What General Anxi can do at the frontier may not work here."

"Hengzhou is not some small, run-down place. It was the capital of the previous dynasty. Wei used Hengzhou as its foundation to gain the world. As for Pingcheng, which city can compare to it except Yecheng, Jinyang, and Luoyang?"

"Then Beishuo, Beiheng, and those border towns, all added together are not as good as Hengzhou!"

Many people are quite confident.

And their confidence was not blind. Hengzhou was indeed different from those shabby places put together by Liu Taozi. As the birthplace of the Tuoba family, it was home to a large number of nobles. Many clans of capable ministers and generals were here, and those who could come here to serve as officials were basically all nobles. It was difficult for the Han people to gain a stable foothold here. Bao Xian, as a Han general with a great background, did not have a very satisfactory life here after serving as a governor.

Many forces are intertwined, supporting each other, and intertwined, making it difficult for outsiders to fight against them.

The prefect Xi Dou Lu looked into the distance, wiped the sweat off his face, and looked at the senior officials around him.

"Everyone, now is the time when we need to work together."

"General Liu has come here suddenly. If he asks about the Equal Field Order, we must all give a unified statement and not reveal any flaws."

"Otherwise, considering the general's character, I'm afraid something big will happen."

Hearing Xi Dou Lu's words, another governor, Shi Lifa, was somewhat dissatisfied. He said, "We have implemented the government orders of the court according to the corresponding system. There is nothing wrong with it. Although he is an envoy, he cannot be unreasonable!"

"As long as we protect each other, nothing serious will happen. Don't back down!"

"If you want to punish one of them, the rest of them must plead for mercy and not back down, otherwise, they will be divided and attacked."

Everyone was talking in low voices, and each one seemed more confident than the other, but in fact, everyone was quite afraid. Xi Dou Lu was even wiping his sweat the whole time and never stopped.

"He is holding the emperor's envoy. He can issue orders on behalf of the emperor. If he wants to kill us, he doesn't need to ask the court. If he wants to appoint someone as an official, he can use him first and then report to him. Please don't be rude in front of him!!"

If Liu Taozi had only led a large army, everyone would be afraid, but they would not be so frightened. The main reason was that Chijie was too lethal.

Logically speaking, everyone is an official in the same dynasty, and even if you are of a high rank, you cannot kill officials. Only the emperor can kill officials.

Even if you are the prime minister, you cannot directly order the killing of officials. Even if you are a county magistrate, you cannot do that. You have to follow legal procedures.

Only the emperor could kill people directly without following procedures.

But with the bonus of holding envoys, the situation is somewhat different. Holding the emperor's envoys means inspecting the four directions on behalf of the emperor. Meeting the envoys is like meeting the emperor, and one has the power to kill officials and appoint and dismiss people.

Just as everyone was discussing anxiously, dust rolled in the distance and the ground began to tremble slightly.

Everyone looked up into the distance.

Then they saw a large army slowly marching towards the city. The knights raised their flags and banners. The officials did not dare to speak, and tremblingly began to form a battle formation and returned to their respective positions, ready to welcome the general.

The army slowly approached.

The knights arrived first. They patrolled and controlled the surroundings, and some knights took over the city gate.

A moment later, a war horse carrying its owner appeared in front of everyone.

Xi Dou Lu hurried forward, "Xi Dou Lu Hui greets General Anxi!"

"I am not General Anxi."

The man spoke, and Xi Dou Lu raised his head in a hurry, only to see a burly general with a dark face. The general looked at everyone calmly, "I am Zhang Heizu, a general under General Anxi. I came to Hengzhou on the order of General Anxi."

The officials who were kneeling stood up one after another, and the scene suddenly became noisy.

Many people were a little unhappy. Didn’t they say that the general would come in person?

Why did you send a random guy here?

Xi Dou Lu did not dare to look down on Zhang Hei Zu in front of him. He smiled and saluted again, "It turns out to be General Zhang. I have heard of your great name for a long time!"

"I wonder what orders General Anxi has?"

Zhang Heizu frowned, looking at the people in front of him coldly, "My general has captured a scout under Yang Zhong. According to the scout, an official from Hengzhou has contacted Yang Zhong privately, betrayed military intelligence, and made black clothes and chanted 'The Black Clothes of the Dead High'. This is truly treasonous, so I was specially sent here to investigate!"

Xi Dou Lu was shocked. Just as he was about to speak, Zhang Hei Zu immediately ordered, "Catch him!!"

The knights rushed out immediately, and Xi Dou Lu noticed that these knights were not wearing armor, and their clothes and weapons were different from those of the border soldiers. They were much thinner, but they did not hold back at all. They pounced on them, knocked the officials to the ground, and tied them up. Everyone was stunned and shouted, and some wanted to resist, "Puchi!" The knight hacked him to death with a knife, and the officials dared not resist immediately.

Xi Dou Lu was also tied up by the knights. He looked incredulous. "What is General Anxi going to do?! Is he going to kill all the officials in Hengzhou?!"

"We are wronged!!"

Zhang Heizu waved his hand and said, "During the investigation, you will stay by my side for the time being and do not go out."

Zhang Heizu ordered them to be brought into the city for guarding, and then quickly began to assign tasks.

The knights rushed everywhere, some rushed into the city, some rushed outside. The army of more than 10,000 people dispersed in a moment and rushed away to carry out their respective missions.

Zhang Heizu led his trusted men into the city, and he also had his own mission.

The knights galloped through the city, causing the people to be extremely frightened. They hid in their homes and locked their doors.

The knights did not walk around randomly. Led by the leader, they changed direction and finally stopped in front of a mansion.

"kill!!!"

The knights rode into the palace on horseback and stabbed the guards who were running towards them with their spears.

Shouts and cries of killing were heard from all over the city, and suddenly flames were seen rising.

Inside the government office, the officials were driven to the front yard helplessly, trembling in fear.

A scholar stood in front of them surrounded by warriors. "From today on, we will be the patrol officers, the historian of affairs, and the historian of personnel. You must remember us! From now on, obey our orders! "

"Starting now, check the number of people in the office, and then start a thorough investigation of the entire city!!"

In the countryside, several knights were wantonly killing guards who blocked their way, and their horses were covered with heads.

An official rode a horse, followed the knight, and shouted to the distance: "Don't be afraid! We are the local officials sent by General Liu! From now on, this place will be under the jurisdiction of the general! Once we kill the evil bandits here, we will start to distribute land and winter grain! ”

In Shangshui Village, Murong knelt on the ground, flames were blazing everywhere, and the roars of the knights and the howls of the guards were intertwined.

He knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, and kept kowtowing and begging.

"Please, let us go, for the sake of the relief I give to the villagers every year."

Zhang Ning was wearing official uniform and holding a sharp blade. He stabbed Murong in the chest with the sword and then pulled it out. Murong fell to the ground immediately.

"If it weren't for you, a beast, there would be no need for relief every year for the fertile land and good water here?!"

(End of this chapter)