Song Xiu

Chapter 140 A Shocking Turn of Events During the Banquet: The Cruel Official Exclaims (Bonus Chapter!)

Outside Qingzhou City, there is a small imperial guard force, only a few hundred men.

This imperial guard was dispatched by Zhao Dexiu to protect Zhang Yongde's safety along the way when he left Beijing.

Originally, after arriving in Qingzhou, this imperial guard of several hundred men should have returned to Bianjing, but this was prevented by Lu Duoxun, who held the tiger tally.

Zhang Yongde knew Lu Duoxun's identity. He had seen Lu Duoxun obstructing the Imperial Guards from returning to the capital, but he never asked why.

Lu Duoxun arrived at Zhang Yongde's camp the next day.

Upon learning of Lu Duoxun's arrival, Zhang Yongde personally went out of the camp and led him to his sleeping quarters.

After both parties were seated, Ludoson asked first:
"Is the commander still not planning to enter the city?"

In response to Lu Duoxun's question, Zhang Yongde calmly drank a glass of wine:

"An anomaly is about to occur; the area outside the city is safe."

In front of Lu Duoxun, Zhang Yongde frankly expressed his judgment.

Zhang Yongde's candor surprised Lu Duoxun.

No wonder Zhao Dexiu told him before leaving Beijing that "Zhang Yongde is usable".

With Zhao Dexiu's instructions and Zhang Yongde's frankness, Lu Duoxun decided to stop testing the waters.
"Has Ma Ximeng, who lives in the city, invited the military commander to a banquet in the city?"

Seeing that Lu Duoxun was getting down to business, Zhang Yongde put down his wine glass:
"I received an invitation."

I suspect he intends to bribe me with land, gold, and silver.

After hearing Zhang Yongde's answer, Lu Duoxun immediately asked:

"May I ask how the General responded?"

"Use feigned politeness to appease them."

Zhang Yongde's response pleased Lu Duoxun.

Lu Duoxun rose and bowed to Zhang Yongde, saying:
“Ma Ximeng has seized vast tracts of land, intending to resist the new policies of the imperial court. We hope that the military governor will assist us.”

Lu Duoxun's request puzzled Zhang Yongde.

"Hundreds of imperial guards, military power is in your hands."

If we want to eliminate evil, it is not difficult to annihilate the Ma clan once the military order is given.

How can I help?

Having lived in the area for a long time, Zhang Yongde was well aware that local powerful figures usually controlled armed forces.

However, no matter how powerful Ma Ximeng's forces were, they were ultimately limited to one state, and could support no more than a thousand retainers at most.

Even with a numerical advantage, the more than a thousand powerful local tribesmen could not possibly defeat the elite troops of the imperial court.

As for whether Ma Ximeng will ask the governor of Qingzhou for help.

Even if the governor of Qingzhou was foolish enough to follow Ma Ximeng in rebellion, there were no elite troops in Qingzhou; most of them were weak state soldiers scattered in various counties.

Gathering the weak and vulnerable requires considerable effort, let alone fighting against the Imperial Guards.

Zhang Yongde knew it, and Lu Duoxun knew it too, but he had his own considerations.

"Xun knew that several hundred imperial guards were enough to suppress the Ma family."

However, suppression must not occur within the city.

Firstly, the Ma clan's troops were familiar with the city's terrain; secondly, if battles were fought within the city, the calamities of war would spread to the common people.

The imperial court implemented new policies in an attempt to bring peace and stability to the people.

If possible, Xun Yu did not want war to befall the common people.

Furthermore, the imperial court's investigation into land ownership has attracted worldwide attention.

At this critical juncture, if the imperial court can suppress the rebellion of local powerful clans at minimal cost, it will serve as a deterrent to the entire realm and greatly benefit the new policies.

Lu Duoxun's explanation made Zhang Yongde look at him with new respect.

Scholars are fundamentally different from warriors.

Warriors generally only value the result, while scholars want both the process and the result to be beautiful.

After taking Lu Duoxun seriously, Zhang Yongde asked:

"How would you like me to help you?"

"I am not qualified to lead troops."

During the inquiry, Zhang Yongde made it clear that he would no longer touch military power.

Seeing that Zhang Yongde had misunderstood, Lu Duoxun repeatedly said:
"The general need not lead troops; a letter suffices."

Seeing that Lu Duoxun's request was so simple, Zhang Yongde naturally did not refuse.

"it is good!"

The next day, Zhang Yongde's letter was delivered to Ma Ximeng.

After reading the letter, Ma Ximeng burst into laughter in front of Ma Xizhong.

Ma Xizhong, not knowing why his elder brother was laughing, quickly asked:

"Brother, what did Commander Zhang say in his letter?"

Seeing Ma Xizhong's curious expression, Ma Ximeng handed him the letter to look at.

When Ma Xizhong finished reading the contents of the letter, he was completely confused.

It turned out that Zhang Yongde had revealed his intention to solicit bribes from Ma Ximeng between the lines of the letter.

It must be that Zhang Yongde learned about the banquet the day before from Lu Duoxun and wanted to get a share of the spoils.

That's normal. From Ma's intelligence network in Bianjing, we know that Zhang has already sided with Prince Jin.

In Ma Xizhong's view, Zhang Yongde's solicitation of bribes meant that the family would have to bleed money again, and he really didn't know what Ma Ximeng was happy about.

Seeing the puzzled look on Ma Xizhong's face, Ma Ximeng, who was keen to mentor him, explained:

"Most of the military governors in the country share the same nature."

If Zhang Yongde is truly not greedy for money, I would rather worry about what his motives are.

Furthermore, if he isn't greedy, how can I win him over?

It seems strange that Zhang Yongde directly wrote a letter soliciting bribes, but in fact, it was quite in line with the integrity of military governors since the late Tang Dynasty.

After laughing, a look of disdain appeared on Ma Ximeng's face.

“A warrior is a warrior, yet he worries that I might secretly give Ludoson more money.”

He insisted that I personally go outside the city with the money and distribute it fairly in his camp before he would feel at ease.

That night, Lu Duoxun did not take the box of money with him, citing the fear of being reported by others, but instead temporarily left it at the Ma residence.

Ma Ximeng harbored disdain for martial artists.

Who told him to have manipulated Liu Zhu so easily?
"Fine! Let's get this over with in one go, so we don't have to go through all that trouble later."

Despite his disdain, Ma Ximeng had no doubts about the matter.

Willing to give up half of one's fortune in exchange for a talisman—anyone would be tempted.

Furthermore, it is only natural to share the benefits equally.

"Quickly prepare all the necessary valuables. Tomorrow I will go to the city with Prefect Zheng."

As soon as Ma Ximeng finished speaking, Ma Xizhong turned and left the hall.

After Ma Xizhong left, Ma Ximeng felt increasingly relaxed.
It seems we'll have to get through this hurdle with Ma again, albeit with some close calls.

Under the cover of night, it's the perfect time to do something sneaky.

On the second night, Ma Ximeng and Zheng Wenxin arrived at the camp outside the city as agreed, leading a large amount of gold and silver.

Only after escorting several cartloads of valuables to Zhang Yongde's sleeping tent did Ma Ximeng and Zheng Wenxin lead their trusted relatives and officials into the tent.

As soon as everyone entered the tent, they saw Zhang Yongde and Lu Duoxun sitting there.

The arrival of Ma Ximeng and Zheng Wenxin attracted the attention of Zhang Yongde and Lu Duoxun.

Whether it was his imagination or not, Ma Ximeng felt that Lu Duoxun's gaze towards him was strange tonight.

But since the goods had already been delivered, Ma Ximeng felt he had fulfilled his promise and didn't think much of it.

Zhang Yongde then gestured for Ma Ximeng and Zheng Wenxin to sit down. After Ma Ximeng sat down, he naturally launched into another round of flattery towards Zhang Yongde.

Faced with Ma Ximeng's flattery, Zhang Yongde remained expressionless, seemingly oblivious to the underlying meaning.

Seeing that Zhang Yongde seemed to dislike flattery, Ma Ximeng turned to Lu Duoxun and said:
"I heard that during the Battle of Luzhou last year, the Left Sima followed the Prince of Jin on his northern expedition and recovered lost territory. He was in high spirits, which I greatly admire."

"If I weren't so old, I would also like to follow the King of Jin in his conquests across the land."

Upon hearing Ma Ximeng's flattering words, Lu Duoxun chuckled softly.

"Recapture lost territory?"

Ludoson repeated those four words, his tone carrying a different meaning.

Ma Ximeng thought that Lu Duoxun liked the praise in those four words, and thought he should put in even more effort.

Before Ma Ximeng could speak, Lu Duoxun turned to Zheng Wenxin and said:

"Prefect Zheng, have you brought the completed land register?"

Before the banquet that night, Zheng Wenxin was vague about the matter of registering the land.

After the banquet that night, Zheng Wenxin surprisingly promised Lu Duoxun that he could present the completed land register that very night.

The speed of their attitude change and the extent of their efficiency improvement are truly astonishing.

Despite Lu Duoxun's questioning, Zheng Wenxin's smile remained unchanged.

He gave a wink to one of his subordinates, who then stepped forward and handed Ludoson a newly registered land register.

Upon first touching it, Lu Duoxun felt that the Honda booklet was too thin, so thin that it dampened his interest in opening it.

But Lu Duoxun wanted to see just how badly Qingzhou had deteriorated, so he suppressed his anger and opened the land register to examine it carefully.

As Lu Duoxun watched the field records and Zhang Yongde drank silently, neither of them spoke, making the atmosphere at the banquet suddenly quiet.

During the banquet, only the sound of Ludoson turning the pages could be heard.

In the tranquil atmosphere, the sounds that were usually heard took on a strange and eerie quality.

These eerie atmospheres made Ma Ximeng feel extremely uneasy.

To break the unsettling atmosphere at the banquet, Ma Ximeng had his clansmen bring in two large boxes from outside the door.

The two boxes made a dull thud when they were carried into the room and landed.

Then Ma Ximeng had the box lid opened, revealing a large amount of valuables inside.

Lu Duoxun had already examined the valuables in the box, so Ma Ximeng turned his gaze to Zhang Yongde and said:

"Zhang Jieshuai, please rest assured, your valuables are exactly the same as Zuo Sima's, without the slightest difference."

Ma Ximeng's words made Zhang Yongde put down his wine glass, and his gaze fell on the box at the table.

Even if he were to sell tea, it would take him a long time to acquire the valuables in the box.

"The Ma family truly deserves to be called the richest family in Qingzhou."

Zhang Yongde's tone, seemingly both praise and sarcasm, was difficult to decipher.

This tone shifted the atmosphere at the table further in a direction that made Ma Ximeng uneasy.

Ma Ximeng had realized that something was wrong.

While Ma Ximeng looked on with suspicion, Lu Duoxun finished reading the thin field book in his hand.

Lu Duoxun turned his gaze to Zheng Wenxin again:
“Lord Zheng, I have heard of the wealth of Qingzhou when I was in Bianjing.”

Given Qingzhou's current state, after years of war, there must be many unclaimed and abandoned fields.

Why are there so few fields listed in the land register?
The land owned by others was mostly subsistence land; I had no idea Qingzhou was so impoverished.

Ludoson's words were full of skepticism and sarcasm.

These words made Zheng Wenxin realize that something was wrong.

The smile vanished from his face, and his voice became somewhat heavy:

"If the envoy has anything to say, just say it directly. Why make veiled accusations?"

"I have been wholeheartedly devoted to the court and have never had a single selfish thought. Everything recorded in the land register is absolutely true."

Even after witnessing this moment, Zheng Wenxin was still trying to make excuses.

Ludoson couldn't help but laugh in exasperation.

Lu Duoxun stood up, holding the land register, and walked towards the center of the table. He first went to the two wooden boxes filled with valuables:
"These two are from you."

After saying this, Ludoson continued walking towards the tent entrance.

Because the wooden crates had just been moved inside, the tent doors were wide open, and the firelight outside was flickering. The people inside the tent, being on higher ground, could clearly see what was happening outside.

When Ludoson arrived at the tent entrance, he pointed to the numerous carts and valuables scattered in the open space outside:

"A dazzling array of goods, carts overflowing with gold and silver, all of which were given to me by you."

As he said this, Lu Duoxun's tone suddenly rose. He turned to look at Ma Ximeng and Zheng Wenxin, his hand trembling as he sternly demanded:
"This is what you gave to the imperial court!"

"If the imperial court cannot prosper, what use is there for me, Lu Duoxun, no matter how much I possess!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Duoxun threw the field book in his hand heavily to the ground.

Because the field was so light, it only made a soft sound when it landed heavily.

At this moment, Tian Ce's "light as a feather" contrasted sharply with the "heavy as Mount Tai" wealth outside the tent.

When Tian Ce landed, Zheng Wenxin, the governor of a prefecture, leaped up from his seat with the agility of a fat cat that had been threatened.

Knowing that Lu Duoxun harbored ill intentions, Zheng Wenxin angrily pointed at Lu Duoxun and said:

You're spouting nonsense!

Zheng Wenxin initially wanted to argue that those gifts weren't all for him, but then realized that openly involving Zhao Dexiu in this setting would not do him any good.

In desperation, Zheng Wenxin blurted out:
"I am a prefect personally appointed by the imperial court. What are you going to do about it?"

Upon hearing Zheng Wenxin's words, Lu Duoxun, who found it amusing, burst into laughter:

"How dare you mention it was an order from the imperial court?"

"Didn't you all just praise me for recovering lost territory?"

Today, I will take back all the land you have seized, in one go!

After speaking, Lu Duoxun took out the "Edict for Investigating the Land Across the Land" from his bosom and read it aloud with a resounding voice:
"The Central Plains are in turmoil, and the people are suffering. Powerful families are annexing land, and the fields are crisscrossed and the registers are in disarray. Although the country is gradually becoming more peaceful, the land system is not being reformed, which is a real threat to the foundation of the nation."

Based on ancient teachings and in accordance with new policies, this edict is hereby issued to rectify the borders and maintain order.

As the imperial edict was read from inside the tent, the imperial guards who had been waiting outside rushed in with their weapons drawn.

The sudden entry of several armed imperial guards startled Ma Ximeng, Zheng Wenxin, and their followers inside the tent.

Zheng Wenxin was so frightened that his whole body trembled, and he cried out in terror:

"I am a high-ranking official of the imperial court in a local area, how dare you?"

"Those clerks who collude with powerful and influential people shall be punished according to the law, and their property shall be confiscated. If county officials engage in favoritism and corruption, the people are allowed to appeal to the capital. If the allegations are verified, they shall be executed without pardon."

Zheng Wenxin's questioning voice was completely drowned out by Lu Duoxun's clear reading of the imperial edict.

As Lu Duoxun read this passage, Zheng Wenxin and his cronies were already pinned to the ground by the fierce Imperial Guards.

Compared to Zheng Wenxin's incompetence, Ma Ximeng's reaction was more agile.

Just as Ma Ximeng was about to have his tribesmen escort him out of the tent, several gusts of wind attacked him before his tribesmen could even draw their daggers from their waists.

After the strong wind swept through, the tribesmen guarding Ma Ximeng all screamed and fell to the ground.

Then, a dangerous look from Zhang Yongde, who was standing in front of him, made Ma Ximeng kneel down in fear.

How dare you ruin the fate of the Song Dynasty and prevent my Zhang family from sharing the fate of the nation?
Damn it!
After spitting at Ma Ximeng, Zhang Yongde returned to his seat and calmly drank his wine, as if the incident had not been his doing.

After being taken into custody by the Imperial Guards, Ma Ximeng stared at Lu Duoxun as he approached, his eyes wide with fury as he cried out in a shrill voice:

“I am one of the three elders of Qingzhou, and I am a kind-hearted person from Qingzhou. How dare you harm me?”

"Cruel official, you are a cruel official of the Han and Tang dynasties!"

Ma Ximeng's piercing cries elicited a disdainful smile from Lu Duoxun:
Whether he was a cruel official or not, only the people of Qingzhou can decide!

(End of this chapter)