Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 155: I am willing to take full responsibility for this matter

After eating a meal in the palace, he left, but he was not full.

Tong Guan had arranged to go to his house. Tong Guan's mansion was indeed not small, but it was actually deserted. He had no children and grandchildren around him, no wives and concubines, but only a huge mansion...

Sit down in the hall, have good tea, and eat until you are full.

Tong Guan said, "The Privy Council has all accepted your order. Your majesty is so gracious!"

Cheng Wanli immediately replied: "Xu Ziqing doesn't know this official position yet. To be honest, in the Privy Council, apart from the Privy Council Affairs, the Associate Privy Council Affairs, and the Signatory Privy Council Affairs, the next one is the Privy Council's imperial decree."

Su Wu was stunned when he heard this. He really didn't quite understand it. But now he understood. This Privy Council Yamen is also strange. The top leader is a second-rank official, and then he goes directly to a fifth-rank official in the Privy Council. All of them are authorized to accept the emperor's orders. So there are no officials in between?
Su Wu also understood that this official position, although seemingly of a low rank, was actually of great importance.

Tong Guan then spoke: "Tomorrow, go sit in the Privy Council and look around. Let the people in the Privy Council recognize your face. After all, you should be an acquaintance in the Privy Council. You should build friendships with your colleagues."

"Understood." Su Wu nodded.

Tong Guan turned to look at Su Wu and said kindly: "Don't be so restrained. I have lived for most of my life and am about to die. It is rare that you hit the nail on the head. Today I am praising Pengyuan and you. You are really good today. It is beyond my expectation that even Pengyuan has benefited greatly from you..."

Cheng Wanli also smiled when he heard this. Compared with Su Wu's promotion, he was the biggest beneficiary today. He just smiled and said, "Ziqing, what a good son-in-law!"

Tong Guan also laughed: "Your family is so lucky."

Cheng Wanli raised his hands to answer, but before he could say anything, Tong Guan turned around and asked, "What did Pengyuan learn today?"

Cheng Wanli was slightly stunned, and immediately replied: "I do have some insights, but they are not so real."

Tong Guan looked at Su Wu again and asked, "What about you?"

Su Wu heard that his future father-in-law was not sure, how could he be sure? He just shook his head and said, "I am not sure either."

Tong Guan shook his head and laughed: "Pengyuan is not sincere, but he is telling the truth. Ziqing is not sincere, so he must be telling lies."

When Su Wu heard this, he was immediately embarrassed. This Tong Guan was really a shrewd man.

Cheng Wanli was not upset, so he said, "Hmm? What Prime Minister En said must make sense, then Ziqing, just tell me..."

Su Wu could only reply: "Perhaps the Prime Minister is talking about the way to serve the emperor..."

"That's right!" Tong Guan nodded with satisfaction and asked again: "Tell me more details..."

Su Wu nodded again: "The way to accompany the emperor is to cater to his preferences. The emperor today values ​​affection, so I should accompany the emperor with the way of affection and righteousness!"

Tong Guan heard this and said to Cheng Wanli: "Look at you, you are such a good son-in-law..."

"Oh... I understand. I couldn't express it clearly just now. It was just that there was a feeling that I couldn't put into words. Ziqing's words made it real. Thank you very much for your teachings. This is the way to accompany you, and I will keep it in mind." Cheng Wanli really suddenly realized.

Tong Guan nodded: "Okay... at least there will be someone to take over."

How could Cheng Wanli not be moved when he heard this? He just said: "You treat me like a parent."

Tong Guan suddenly looked serious and waved his hand: "Don't say that. You must not say these words again in the future. You can't say them behind people's backs, and you can't say them in front of people."

Cheng Wanli stood up immediately, and of course he wanted to say something...

Tong Guan suddenly raised his hand: "Go, go back, remember my words, go, go..."

Cheng Wanli was unable to say anything and could only bow. Su Wu also stood up and the two of them walked out.

Get in the car and go home!
Although it was just an engagement, they were already father-in-law and son-in-law, so how could Cheng Wanli not bring Su Wu home to see him? In fact, Su Wu should live in Cheng's house.

The carriage kept moving. The Cheng family mansion was actually shabby at first, and even in Tokyo, the housing prices were ridiculously high.

Su Shi used to be an official in Beijing and he even reached the third rank, but he could only rent a house to live in.

Needless to say, we drove south to Cheng Wanli's home. The streets were crowded with people and there were traffic jams from time to time. It took us almost an hour to arrive.

The gatehouse is low and the entrance does not show any wealth. If this house is placed in Dongping Prefecture, it will look even more shabby.

There are door knockers and stone drums, which show that this family is an official. However, there are so many officials in Tokyo, so what is the real Cheng Wanli?
After getting off the car, Cheng Wanli looked up at the doorknob and suddenly sighed. He said, "When we have time, should we change the doorknob?"

How can I not change it? Cheng Wanli is so glorious now. He is a senior official and the director of Longtu Pavilion. Is he joking?
In the past, when Bao Zheng was meditating in Kaifeng Prefecture, he was just the Longtu Pavilion attendant. Later, he was promoted to Direct Scholar. That's why Bao Zheng was called Bao Longtu.

Now, just waiting for Cheng Wanli to leave, who would dare not bow and call him Cheng Longtu?

There is still something shabby about Cheng Longtu's house. There is not even a servant outside the door. Why? First, he is poor. Second, in the past, it was probably deserted and there was no need for such a show.

Just go and knock on the door, and an old servant will hear the sound and come to open the door.

The old servant had missing teeth and blurred vision. He was the old servant that Cheng Wanli brought from his hometown to Beijing to take the imperial examination. It has been twenty years since that year.

"Who is it?" the old servant asked.

Cheng Wanli walked in with a smile, saying, "You are really old."

The old servant heard the voice and identified the person, then exclaimed: "It's the master who has returned!"

Cheng Wanli walked across the courtyard, which was also small, and only took a dozen steps to walk through. When he entered the main hall, he asked, "Where is the rebellious son?"

The old servant's heart tightened, and he could only answer: "I went out this morning..."

Obviously, neither the old servant nor the rebellious son knew that Cheng Wanli was coming back today, and it must be that Cheng Wanli did not notify them in advance.

But logically speaking, today's event of offering captives should be known to everyone in the capital. With people from both east and west coming to offer captives, how could that rebellious son not know that his father had returned?

Cheng Wanli was furious and asked, "Why did you go out today instead of waiting at home?"

The old servant had a helpless look on his face, and could only continue: "A group of students came this morning to invite us. They said it was a big happy event, so we went to celebrate..."

"Alas..." Cheng Wanli sighed, turned around and smiled at Su Wu again: "Don't stand here, isn't this your home? Just sit down anywhere..."

Su Wu smiled and nodded, then sat down.

Cheng Wanli added: "Send someone to find him!"

Su Wu was a little stunned. He didn't see a second person after he entered the door. Were there any servants?
Actually, there are. There is also a servant, who is also the book boy of Cheng Wanli’s son. Although the son is not good at studying, there is still a provision.

There was also a maid who was taken to Dongping Prefecture at this time.

There are three people in the family, one for each of them. Cheng Wanli’s ex-wife has been dead for six or seven years. She died when she was only thirty-four or thirty-five, which is not considered...short-lived.

As for concubines, Cheng Wanli in the past did not think much about these things. In fact, he was still poor. In the Song Dynasty, not all officials became rich, but the salary was still not low. At least this house was bought with money, not rented.

Mr. Cheng asked the old servant to send someone to look for it, who else could he send?
But the old servant replied: "Then I will go out and look for it right away."

Cheng Wanli understood what was going on. The bookboy had gone with his rebellious son, so there was no one else to send. He waved his hand and said, "Forget it... Let him go..."

Su Wu was listening at the side and found it interesting.

Come to think of it, there doesn't seem to be even a maid in the house to make fire and cook, so I guess it's this old servant who does all these chores.

When I was in Dongping Prefecture, I only thought that Mr. Cheng was a noble and wealthy family in Tokyo. But when I really arrived in Tokyo, I realized that he was not a noble or wealthy family at all.

Of course, after Cheng Wanli's hard work, he can now be considered a wealthy family!

Then I heard someone at the door calling, "Is Brother Cheng home?"

Cheng Wanli could see the main entrance directly from the hall, and there was no screen wall in the middle to block it. Cheng Wanli took one look and stood up: "I'm at home, Brother Lin, please come in!"

The man walked into the room, wearing a red official robe, and his official rank was obviously not low. He was followed by two servants on both sides, and their hands were full.

Brother Lin came into the room and bowed from a distance: "Oh, I really met you, Brother Cheng. It's been a long time since we last met. You're back. Congratulations..."

Cheng Wanli walked out of the hall and bowed: "Please, please, please!"

Su Wu also stood up...

But Brother Lin saw Cheng Wanli bowing and immediately bowed down: "Hey, how dare I let Brother Cheng come to greet me? It's embarrassing for me!"

Cheng Wanli was stunned for a moment when he heard this, but then he understood. He straightened his body and asked, "Why are you here?"

"Didn't I just hear that Brother Cheng is back home? How could I not come to see him? It's just a small gift, not a token of my respect!" Brother Lin bowed repeatedly, and even when he entered the hall, he raised his hand to invite Cheng Wanli to go forward first.

Cheng Wanli was not polite at all. He sat down first and then asked others to sit down.

Su Wu was standing aside, thinking to himself that the news in the capital was spreading very fast.

Just looking at the small gifts, they were placed one after another towards the door, and the old servant came forward to greet them.

Cheng Wanli also smiled and said, "There's no need to be so polite between you and me."

"No, no... I just think of the time when I worked with Brother Cheng in the Ministry of Revenue. Time flies. At that time, Brother Cheng was the most diligent and took good care of me. We would go downstairs to have a drink or listen to music together from time to time. Many years have passed in a flash. Thinking about it now, it makes me sigh..."

Cheng Wanli nodded slightly: "Back then, the paperwork was tiring, but also a lot of fun..."

But he had just said a few words when he heard someone outside the door shouting, "Is Cheng Longtu in the mansion?"

Cheng Wanli looked up, but this time he didn't stand up. He didn't recognize him for a moment, so he looked at him a few more times before smiling, "Brother Zheng!"

Su Wu saw the opportunity. Cheng Wanli did not stand up, so he stood up and went to the door of the hall to greet him. There was another man in a red robe, with four or five servants behind him, carrying something on their shoulders and hands.

Brother Zheng approached, and Su Wu came to greet him. He took a look at Su Wu first, then pretended to be shocked and asked, "Is this the newly appointed General Su, the Chief of the Privy Council?"

Su Wu was also stunned, and bowed: "That's right, Mr. Zheng, you are polite."

Brother Zheng waved his hand and said, "Oh, how can you be so polite? Brother Cheng is so lucky to have found such a good son-in-law who is both civil and military. I envy him so much!"

As he said this, Brother Zheng pulled Su Wu's arm and led him into the hall, where he began to exchange pleasantries again.

After a short while of the pleasantries, Cheng Longtu was called at the door.

Su Wu understood, and Cheng Wanli seemed to be used to it. The son-in-law welcomed the guests, and the father-in-law sat upright, really sitting straight.

It was obvious that neither of them had expected this kind of scene when they returned home.

The old servant was even busier, accepting gifts, serving tea, and looking around with his eyes half-closed. At this moment, he was walking briskly and his movements were extremely agile. Even if one was ignorant, one could tell that the young master, whom he had watched grow up, was now on a successful path.

Just look at the door where people come in one after another, exchanging numerous pleasantries, and then leave one after another. The Cheng family's house is really not big and can't accommodate many people, otherwise they might not leave.

Su Wu's face was stiff from smiling. Even at night, people were still coming. As soon as they entered the door, they said, "Please forgive me, I'm late because of my busy work..."

It wasn't until late at night that things finally quieted down.

Looking at the house and yard piled high with things, some people did not come in person, but only sent someone to deliver a gift to congratulate Cheng Wanli on his promotion.

Cheng Wanli sat in the hall, laughing, and said, "Once upon a time, who could have imagined that this day would come..."

Naturally, these words were spoken to Su Wu.

Su Wu also laughed: "It is worth it for you to take such a risk to go to Dongping Prefecture."

"Ziqing... I am lucky to have met you, and we are of one mind, which is why we are where we are today..." Cheng Wanli sighed sincerely.

Su Wu sat aside and asked, "Sir, what should we do with these things?"

"It's okay. Let that rebellious son come looking for someone tomorrow, and sell everything to get some cash. With some extra money, you can find a broker, look for a house, and buy a bigger one..." Cheng Wanli was still smiling, and his smile showed a sweet feeling.

The days are getting better and better, sweeter than honey. Looking at Su Wu beside him, Cheng Wanli feels more and more comfortable.

But there was another knock on the door, and someone said drunkenly: "Uncle Fu, Uncle Fu..."

Cheng Wanli stopped smiling, and pointed out to Su Wu: "The rebellious son is back, Ziqing, don't learn from him, and don't hang out with him."

Su Wu smiled and said nothing, wondering what kind of person this brother-in-law was.
The old servant Fu Bo went to open the door, and a drunk young man came in. He looked good, quite handsome, tall, but a little thin.

With drunken steps, he entered the yard with the help of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old servant, and started to speak: "What happened at home? Why are there so many things piled up here? Did they know that my father is going to be promoted?"

"Rebellious son!" Li Cheng Wanli in the hall shouted angrily.

The "rebellious son" straightened his body, looked into the hall, walked quickly, and knelt on the ground: "Father! Why did you come back today?"

Cheng Wanli had already stood up and looked around for something, but when he didn't find anything, he put his hands on his waist and said, "You rebellious son, can you be more careful?"

"I really didn't know that father was coming back today! Those classmates came to invite me, saying that father was going to be promoted and they wanted to celebrate. How could I offend them? Father, please forgive me."

Just look at this brother-in-law, his face is red, but he looks aggrieved. Cheng Wanli stood still, holding his forehead and shaking his head: "Alas..."

Cheng Wanli looked at Su Wu again and said, "Ziqing, look at this guy, look at him..."

What could Su Wu see? He said, "Brother Cheng is not in the officialdom, so it is normal that the news is not convenient."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Wanli said, "Stand up and talk."

The eldest brother-in-law stood up, took two steps forward, and asked, "Father, was it possible that you were also present at the Daqing Gate surrender today?"

"Get out and don't embarrass yourself here!" Cheng Wanli raised his hand and waved.

"Oh..." My brother-in-law really got out.

Cheng Wanli looked at Su Wu again and shook his head helplessly: "This guy is not even a fraction of what you are."

Su Wu was embarrassed when he heard this. If his brother-in-law heard this, he would not secretly resent him, right?
Su Wu only asked: "I don't know yet..."

Cheng Wanli slapped his forehead and said, "Hi... My name is Cheng Hao, which means great and great. My nickname is Zisheng, which means grand and great. I originally chose the homonym of a great scholar and had high hopes for him, but I didn't expect him to be so unbearable."

Su Wu nodded: "I'll remember it."

"Don't worry about him. Go to bed early today. I'm afraid I'll be busy these days. Just go to the Privy Council tomorrow morning to take a seat and get to know your colleagues. When you return to Dongping Prefecture tomorrow, you can go to the Privy Council to do some work for them. Also...look at the etiquette in this room. Choose some to stay. Tomorrow, after you recognize them, go to the homes of your colleagues one by one to pay a visit. This way, you will be polite and considerate. But don't be arrogant because you are favored, so as not to displease your colleagues."

Cheng Wanli is really teaching.

Su Wu just nodded: "I know."

Cheng Wanli suddenly wanted to say something, but was slightly stunned. Even if such a good son-in-law came to his home, he must live in a good house. There were not many rooms in the house, in fact, there were only three good side rooms.

He stood up and thought, "Whatever, whatever," and said to Su Wu, "Come with me."

Cheng Wanli personally arranged a place for Su Wu to live. It turned out to be Cheng Xiaoniang's former boudoir. As soon as he arrived at the door, Cheng Wanli pushed it open and said, "You can live here."

After Su Wu entered, he just looked around. He knew in his heart that this was Cheng Xiaoniang's boudoir, so he didn't say anything to avoid embarrassment. He just nodded and said, "My husband, I will go to bed then."

Cheng Wanli also pretended that nothing happened and turned around and said, "Well, go to bed early. I'm afraid you and I have been busy these days."

After closing the door, there is a faint fragrance in the room. There are beds, quilts, and bookshelves piled high. There is also a dressing table and a bronze mirror...

Su Wu didn't even look at it any more. He just lay down on the bed and went to sleep.

When I got up in the morning, the old servant had prepared toiletries for me.

I will not go to the military training today. It takes an hour to go to the military camp. The armor is taken off and placed in the carriage frame outside the house. The spear and sword are also in the carriage frame. I go out to get the spear, and then I breathe a few times in the yard to stretch my muscles.

But just as he shouted, a door to a wing room opened, and the eldest brother-in-law Cheng Hao came out to see, and asked in a daze: "Hey... Is this my home? May I ask who you are, brother?"

Su Wu stopped his spear and replied, "I am Su Wu, the commander-in-chief of the two armies in Jingdong, General Xuanwei, and the chief secretary of the Privy Council."

Su Wu obviously said this on purpose. As soon as he finished speaking, the brother-in-law lowered his body, staggered, and walked out of the door. He looked up again, as if confused, and looked around.

He stammered and continued, "General Su... I'm sorry, I remember you were at my house last night. General Su was so majestic and young. General Su... uh, General Su... General Su, you just tease, you tease..."

The door of the main room was opened, and Cheng Wanli came out: "Rebellious son, I have something to do today, and Ziqing is also busy. He is not familiar with Bianjing. You follow him, just listen to his instructions and lead him the way."

"Hey, hey, hey, okay, okay, don't worry father. I know everything about Tokyo. Father, you go and do your business. Leave General Su to me..." Cheng Hao nodded repeatedly.

Su Wu nodded and smiled: "Sir, go and do your work."

Cheng Wanli had a gloomy face. He went out, got in the car and left.

Su Wu looked at Cheng Hao...

Cheng Hao also looked at Su Wu, sized him up and down, and said slowly, "General Su is very tall and strong. Where are you going today?"

"First go to the Tianwu Army's camp, get a few horses, then recruit a few people to use as assistants, and then go to the Privy Council." Su Wu also had his own plan.

"Okay, I'll lead the way, General, please follow me!" Cheng Hao really went forward, but turned back to ask.

Su Wu smiled and nodded, then went out with Cheng Hao.

To go out, there was no carriage, and it was difficult for the poor family, so they had to walk and buy a few cakes on the street to eat. Cheng Hao was beside them, constantly introducing the city of Tokyo to Su Wu.

Su Wu also took notes seriously, because he knew that remembering would always be useful.

Su Wu actually saw through some things. This brother-in-law was not that bad. He seemed to be good at socializing, warm-hearted, and even a little innocent.

After getting to know each other, he really feels like the boy next door.

Why is he a rebellious son? I think it's because he couldn't pass the exam. It's not that he couldn't pass the imperial examination, but he couldn't pass the imperial examination. In Cheng Wanli's view, he was a rebellious son.

As soon as they arrived at the Tianwu military camp, Su Wu handed in the official documents and took his elder brother-in-law into the camp.

Cheng Hao was suddenly startled and said, "Oh, I see, you are the general who surrendered the prisoners at Daqing Gate yesterday!"

"Did you go to see it yesterday?" Su Wu asked.

"How can I not go? It's just that I don't have a good spot, and I can't see anything from a distance."

"Then why didn't you know that Lord Cheng has returned?" Su Wu asked casually. He still had some way to go to find his own troops. The Tianwu and Pengri armies were the elite among the elite in the imperial guards, guarding the capital. Their military camps were quite large.

Cheng Hao made a bitter face and sighed: "I really don't know, how can I know?"

Su Wu nodded, and suddenly felt that maybe Cheng Wanli, as a father, was not doing a good job and was incompetent. He was dissatisfied with everything about his son because he could not pass the exam.

This brother-in-law has a hard life.

How could the imperial examination be so easy? Didn't Zong Ze only get the lowest score? Didn't Zhang Shuye fail the exam? He only got into the government as a clerk in the northwest.

I can't help but think of one thing, Enyin.

Su Wu then asked, "Maybe soon, Brother Cheng will be granted a favour. Which government office would you like to work for?"

"Huh?" Cheng Hao was stunned when he heard that.

Su Wu also knew that Cheng Hao might not even know what official position his father had been promoted to. In the past, if Cheng Hao wanted to receive favors from the emperor, he would have to wait at the end of a long line and might never see that day in his entire life.

Now, if Cheng Hao wants to receive imperial favor, he can be at the front of the line and enter the officialdom whenever he wants.

"How about going to the Privy Council?" Su Wu asked directly.

"Is it really possible?" Cheng Hao couldn't believe it.

"Why not? Even if Mr. Cheng is too busy to pay attention, I can go and ask for you..." Su Wu's tone was different now. This little matter was not difficult for him. As long as the Privy Council wanted him, it was just a matter of procedure.

Of course, it was not an official position to speak of. At most, he was an editor in the Privy Council, which was already considered an official position and came with a salary.

But Su Wu also thought long-term. This brother-in-law might not have any other abilities, but he was really good at socializing.

There is a kind of person who is born with an ability that makes people not dislike him and makes people inexplicably not guard against him. In fact, it is affinity, and Cheng Hao has it.

Cheng Hao is actually not bad. Even Su Wu thinks that Cheng Hao will be able to make use of his talents in the future, such as lobbying or serving as an envoy...

The prerequisite is that Cheng Hao really enters the government office and starts doing real work, and really gains experience.

Since his father-in-law didn't like him, Su Wu came to see him.

Perhaps Cheng Hao didn't know that he was the brother-in-law of the man in front of him, so he said, "Thank you for your kindness, General. But it's not a good idea to do this privately. If this is the case, I'm afraid my father will be unhappy and blame you, General..."

Su Wu smiled but did not answer. He was really a good person. It seemed that this child was really suppressed by his father...

Su Wu just wanted to find his subordinates. When he saw Wu Song, Lin Chong and others, he rode a few horses and left the military camp.

Cheng Hao also got on the horse, but it was his first time riding a horse, so he was very cautious. In Tokyo city, he couldn't gallop, but he could ride slowly.

First he went to the Privy Council, where Su Wu was busy meeting people everywhere. Everyone was very polite to him. Su Wu was good at handling matters of the moment, and it was not difficult for him to remember people's faces.

I've made note of everyone and will visit them one by one in the next few days.

Su Wu did have a room in the Privy Council, but it was likely that the room would remain vacant for a long time. He had an external position and would not actually sit there.

In the mid-afternoon, Tong Guan arrived, in a hurry. As soon as he entered the yamen, he immediately summoned Su Wu.

Su Wu quickly went to Tong Guan's classroom and saw that Tong Guan's face was black. He also saw that Tong Guan was wearing a purple robe and an official hat, which showed that he had just returned from a court meeting.

Seeing Su Wu coming in, Tong Guan said, "Ziqing, come and see quickly!"

Tong Guan handed over a piece of silk with words all over it and a big seal on it.

Su Wu took it and read it. Although he had expected it, he was still shocked. It came too fast. It was really Fang La's business. There were already 100,000 troops attacking the city of Hangzhou.

"Prime Minister, this..." Su Wu pretended to be shocked.

Tong Guan actually yelled, "You stupid bastard, you've caused me such a big trouble again!"

It was really a talented person who returned to Beijing and had not even had time to sit down. At the age of over 60, he had to go to the battlefield again. How could Tong Guan not curse?

Su Wu immediately said, "Don't worry, Prime Minister. I will die for you."

Su Wu quickly took the responsibility of himself.

Tong Guan glanced at Su Wu and nodded, "This is very different. The situation in Jiangnan is even worse than that in Liangshan. There are already 100,000 followers, wreaking havoc on more than a dozen prefectures and cities, destroying countless cities. Jiangnan is a wealthy place, and I don't know how much money and food supplies they have obtained. I think the rebel army has a large number of soldiers and generals, and their armor and weapons are very sophisticated... Alas..."

In fact, Tong Guan was panicked. Even Su Wu could see that Tong Guan was really panicked.

Why panic?

If something like this goes wrong, it will be a disaster that will destroy the world, turn the heaven and earth upside down, and change the color of the sky and the earth.

Just like the Yellow Turbans of the Han Dynasty and Huang Chao of the Tang Dynasty.

How could Tong Guan not understand the danger?

What could Su Wu say? He could only reply, "Don't worry, Prime Minister. Just dispatch troops to suppress the rebellion. If the enemy comes, we will stop him. If the enemy comes, we will block him. If the enemy comes, we will block him. We will go to the battlefield to kill the enemy. It is our duty. We will die for the enemy. No matter how many enemies there are, we will not be a problem!"

"Ziqing..." Tong Guan sighed repeatedly, supported his knees with his hands, lowered his head, and after a moment, he spoke again: "Speaking of which, I really don't want to fight anymore. I just want to live out my days in Tokyo. I'm already dying, why do you still want me to run around like this!"

Sixty-five or sixty-six years old is considered very old in this era...

Su Wu knew that Tong Guan's words were a sigh, but he still replied: "How about the prime minister sitting in Tokyo?"

"Can I not go? Can I really not go?" Tong Guanzhen asked Su Wu.

Su Wu also replied: "Why not? If the Prime Minister can trust me, I am willing to take full responsibility for this matter. If I fail to achieve full credit, I will bring my head to you."

Tong Guan looked at Su Wu, thought for a moment, and then shook his head: "It's not that I don't trust Ziqing's talent, but this kind of catastrophe has shaken the government and the people, and the emperor is in turmoil. If I don't go, the emperor will be uneasy..."

Su Wu heard this and said, "The Prime Minister should just sail south, but he should not go to the battlefield south of the Yangtze River. He can stay in the north of the Yangtze River. I, your subordinate, should just charge south of the Yangtze River and wipe out the bandits!"

Su Wu had his own selfish motives. He wanted to take on not only tasks but also power.

Tong Guan seemed touched when he heard this, and nodded, saying, "It's not impossible, but it's not appropriate for you to face 100,000 bandits. If you go again, I'm afraid that when you get to Jiangnan, Fang La's bandits will probably have hundreds of thousands of people... This is a big war, a war that hasn't happened in a hundred years... We should allocate more elite troops to help you suppress it!"

Su Wu was overjoyed. He had finally taken on this power. He just nodded and said, "Of course the more the better..."

Tong Guan seemed to have aged a few years in an instant, and his energy and spirit had faded a lot. He rested his hands on the table, tapping the table lightly with his fingers, thinking...

Then he said: "Ziqing, come and grind the ink..."

Su Wu went forward to work.

Tong Guan sat up straight, picked up the pen and wrote it himself, asking people to die for him. How could his words not be sincere?
The army of the Song Dynasty was a mess. How many strong soldiers were there? And how many people were willing to die for the army?

Gao Qiu was ignorant of his own limitations. He mobilized 130,000 troops to suppress the bandits, but what did he achieve? He even lost his life. What was the point of 130,000 troops?
Now facing hundreds of thousands of bandits, how could Tong Guan not be stretched to the limit?
Tong Guan was writing earnestly, muttering: "Why did I have to encounter such a disaster in my life..."

At this moment, Su Wu thought of many people, those tailors. At the end of every dynasty, those tailors really had a hard time...

In such a situation, the broken house and broken windows are leaking air everywhere. How can human power save the situation?
After the letter was written, someone was asked to deliver it, rushing 800 miles to the northwest without any delay.

Tong Guan raised his head and looked at Su Wu again. Just looking at Su Wu in front of him made him like him more and more. He liked and felt close to him from the bottom of his heart. In fact, just looking at Su Wu made him feel less flustered...

(Brothers, I couldn't hold on last night and took a break. Here come 8,000 words. It took me nearly five hours to write. I think I have finished the chapters I owe. I feel relieved. Thank you again for your support. Thank you! I'm going to sleep now and will come back tonight...)
(End of this chapter)