Chinese New Year

Chapter 603 Conspiracy
Smoke rose into the sky and the villagers were filled with cries of grief.

When Lu Shen saw this, he did not dare to stop at all. He turned his horse's head and rushed into the wild.

Xu Shi reached out to take a look and was also horrified, so he rode away at full speed.

Nearly a hundred followers drew their bows and swords, and followed closely behind Lu Shen and Xu Shi, rushing towards the northeast.

Dozens of riders chased out of the village, and there seemed to be some cavalry cruising in the wild. After hearing the horn sound, they all looked up.

A sergeant climbed off the woman and fastened his pants while shouting.

Someone was wearing colorful silk and upon hearing the noise, he subconsciously drew out his weapon.

Others were boiling water and sharpening knives. Under the sad gaze of the farmers, they slaughtered the oxen and sheep. After hearing the sound of horse hooves, they were also hesitant.

It was as if a hornet's nest had been stirred up. Knights from all over the place rushed over and chased in the direction where Lu Shen, Xu Shi and others had fled.

After chasing for more than thirty miles, he finally gave up.

Although the group of "beasts" only had a hundred people, they had two or three hundred horses and ran very fast. They also had horses, but they had been taken away and released into the wild, and it was difficult to gather them in a hurry, so they decisively gave up the pursuit after the horsepower was insufficient.

"Go back." The leader wore a round felt hat with a ribbon hanging from the brim and a sable fur decoration on his forehead, dressed like a Wuhuan noble.

He took one last look at the direction where Lu Shen and Xu Shi fled, sneered, and said, "It doesn't matter if it gets out. Wang Pengzu asked us to help in the battle, but he didn't give us much money. What's wrong with us taking it ourselves?"

When everyone heard this, they all agreed.

Is it reasonable that the Youzhou shogunate summoned them but did not pay them enough money?
If it was the Han Dynasty, they would have rebelled directly. The imperial court suppressed them and beat them. Is it reasonable not to pay them?
The cavalry that had gathered from all directions gradually dispersed and returned to the village.

There are only a hundred or so households in the village, and they are not locals. No one knows where they moved from. They occupied a piece of land with fields and rivers, started to cultivate it, and built earthen walls.

But this low wall would not even be enough to stop the bandits, let alone them.

A small earthen wall is not enough to quench our thirst! We have to continue searching tomorrow to seize more villages, towns and fortresses.

On the other side, Lu Shen and Xu Shi ran all the way, not daring to stay.

The horses only stop to rest when they can no longer run.

The road was full of dangers, and there were robbers everywhere. It was as if a door had opened overnight, releasing countless evil spirits, and wantonly ravaging the people of Youzhou.

Neither of them said much.

The fact is obvious. Wang Jun hired people to help him fight, but with the lack of money and the decline of his own prestige, he could no longer effectively command these Hu tribes. Even some Han generals did not buy into his account. They said, "Robbery, killing, I have done evil, what can you do about it?"
Fortunately, they were of high status, and there were many forts and manors along the way for them to stay and rest. After hurriedly traveling, they arrived at the southern border of Ji County on September 20th.

It's not very peaceful here either.

On the desolate land, the crops have been harvested and tents can be seen everywhere.

The average Hu tribe in the Youzhou area has about seven people in a family. They like to form a group of three families, with a total of more than 20 people gathering in one place to graze.

This is the case in the southern part of Ji County.

Han forts and Xianbei tents were interspersed, and the two sides were generally peaceful without too many disputes.

Of course, this peace is very fragile. Once there is a change in Youzhou, the two sides will inevitably clash. It may not be that the Han people and the Hu people attack each other, but more likely that the Hu and Han people will merge and attack another force that has merged with the Hu and Han people.

This is the law of the jungle, the strong prey on the weak.

Lu Shen and Xu Shi did not enter the city, but went directly to the manor of Zao Song, the Shogunate's chief secretary, outside the city.

******
"Master, please take another closer look." Inside the manor, Zao Song, Zhu Shuo, You Tong, Pei Xian and others sat on the couches and said to a monk.

The wizard really had some magical powers. He stared at it for a long time without blinking.

Zao Song, Zhu Shuo and others actually became a little nervous.

Suddenly, the wizard's expression changed drastically. He closed his eyes and chanted a spell quickly.

Everyone was nervous and waited patiently.

After a long time, the master opened his eyes and sighed, "You all have the appearance of being rich and noble. How strange."

Zao Song was overjoyed. He pointed at the followers behind them and asked, "Do all of them look rich and noble?"

"Indeed." The mage replied.

Zhu Shuo coughed and whispered to Zao Song, "Tai Chan, how capable is this Shamen Taoist priest?"

Zao Song also replied in a low voice: "Don't doubt it, Qiu Bo. This Taoist priest is a great man from Jianye. He traveled around the northern states to spread Buddhism. He is proficient in the art of monks, has studied physiognomy, and has cultivated supernatural powers."

"What magical powers?"

"The divine eye, divine ear, divine mind, divine destiny, and divine wish-fulfilling knowledge are acquired through the practice of the four meditations. Only the cessation of defilements has not yet been cultivated, but its wonders have already been achieved."

Zhu Shuo stood in awe.

The followers behind them were even more delighted when they heard this.

These people were all confidants, including guests in the palace, retainers and servants, and even officials in the shogunate. They were originally worried, but when they heard about the wealth and honor, their worries suddenly disappeared and they gradually became determined.

Zao Song glanced at Pei Xian again inconspicuously.

Pei Xian looked unhappy.

Zaosong winked repeatedly.

Pei Xian finally sighed and said, "I heard that Master met Mr. Chen in Yezhong last year?"

"I have met him once from a distance," the wizard replied.

"What does Mr. Chen look like?" Pei Xian asked. The mage's face showed a look of surprise and doubt, which soon turned into fear and even regret.

His expression aroused everyone's interest.

You Tong asked: "Master, why do you need to hide anything? Just tell us what you saw."

The wizard remained silent.

Just when everyone was getting impatient, he finally spoke: "I was watching Mr. Chen from thirty steps away, and my cultivation was damaged."

Zhu Shuo was surprised and asked, "Why?"

"Mr. Chen has a dragon, not a human subject." The master sighed, "I used my magical powers to spy on him, but was injured by the dragon. I am ashamed, ashamed."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the audience was shocked.

Everyone looked at each other with different expressions.

Some people doubted it and thought it was not very reliable. Although we usually like to talk about mysterious things and read and write ghost stories, "a dragon on the neck" is too exciting! Is it true?

Some were extremely excited, as if they had mastered a "big secret". When others were still confused and hesitant, wouldn't it be wonderful to have firm faith, become a loyal follower, and lay the foundation for the family's wealth? Just thinking about it makes me excited!

There are also some people who are clear-headed but don't speak out. This type of people are ruthless and don't talk much. They like to consider things from the perspective of benefits. The mage said that it doesn't matter if Mr. Chen has a star on his head. He has made a decision and got on the boat, ready to take a chance. Nothing can change their will.

Overall, today's meeting was very effective.

In a metaphysical society, you have to adapt to these weird things, and there are really many people who believe in them, including high-ranking officials in the court.

The descent of the star spirit Taibai, the prophecy of the stopping of the flow of Luo River, the legend of Xiang You Panlong, etc., all make Chen Gong shroud in a layer of mystery, which seems to be worthy of following.

What? Wang Pengzu? I don't know him!
The mage quickly went to rest.

Zhu Shuo and You Tong were about to say something when Zao Song stood up and said, "Everyone, take a rest for a while, and then we will go to the main hall for a banquet. Lu Zili and Xu Yizu have returned from Fanyang."

******
After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became lively.

Something big happened today, and I'm not going to accept it.

As soon as that thing enters the stomach, the whole body becomes hot and one can't wait to take off all clothes. Then, the penis becomes erect and the vitality is strong.

Do you really think that everyone is so low-browed that they have to imitate animals and mess around in broad daylight? It's really the effect of the drugs.

Everyone was preoccupied with something. After they had almost finished eating and drinking, Zao Song, the host, dismissed the servants and prostitutes, cleared his throat, looked at the shogunate's Sima Youtong, and said, "Guangming, recently there have been a lot of Hu and Han soldiers and horses from various counties, making the situation chaotic. Can you control it?"

You Tong hesitated for a moment and said, "It's difficult."

"Why?"

"Wang Youzhou's generosity is hard to part with, what can we do?" You Tong sighed, "All the money in the treasury was given away as rewards, which was barely enough, but Governor Wang kept most of it and scolded us for not knowing how to live, so we spent all the money in a flash."

At this point, he was a little angry and laughed: "Yesterday, on my way back from Beiping, I encountered a group of Xiongnu (Youzhou Xiongnu). The carriage was full of wealth and women, and bloody human heads were hung under the saddles. I sent people to question them, and they said that Governor Wang summoned them, delaying their livelihood, but did not give them money, so they had to take it themselves. After returning to Jicheng, I met Governor Wang and explained the matter. Governor Wang remained silent, saying that we should be patient for a while, and he would go south to Jizhou next month. By then, the Hu and Han soldiers summoned can rape and plunder in Jizhou, and will not harm Youzhou."

After saying this, he thought for a moment and then said, "The elders of Beiping and Yan are very angry and increasingly disappointed with Governor Wang, but I don't know what's going on in Fanyang."

Zao Song looked at Lu Shen and Xu Shi.

Lu Shen cupped his hands and said, "The people of Fanyang are all resentful, and countless people say that Wang Pengzu should be killed."

Zao Song sighed secretly after hearing this.

The father-in-law has really squandered the last bit of his prestige. There is no hope for him.

All he could do now was to actively save himself and hope to be saved by changing his allegiance - Zhu Shuo accepted the gift, and Zao Song, who had always been greedy for money, rarely accepted the gift this time, but did his best to do his job, and he was afraid.

"Guangming, you are the Sima, can you transfer Sun Wei out of Jicheng?" Zao Song asked again.

"I can't do it alone." You Tong shook his head and said, "Wang Pengzu is just confused because of his old age, but he is not stupid. If we find a few more people and work together, we may succeed."

"Taichan, can you think of a solution from Madam Cui?" Xu Shi said, "Let Madam Cui coax Wang Pengzu, and then suggest that Sun Wei be transferred away. Just find a good reason."

Zao Song nodded and said, "Once Sun Wei leaves, things will be much easier. Yi Zu's move is brilliant. Madam Cui is more suitable than us to come forward."

"Everyone, hurry up and come here. Don't waste time." You Tong reminded again, "The Hu soldiers are unrestrained and reckless. If there is a change in Youzhou, they might take advantage of the chaos to rush into Jicheng and burn, kill and loot. The shogunate has ordered the troops of all counties to gather in Jicheng, so we can mobilize troops legitimately. By then, I will use some means to move the unreliable troops farther away. The tribes of the Lu, Hou, Kou, Tian, ​​Xianyu and other powerful families will be stationed outside Jicheng. If we move quickly, we can control the whole city before others. Wang Pengzu's criminal justice is not good, and he has lost the support of the people. No one will protect him, and they will all accept the fait accompli. Qiu Bo, I'll trouble you with the documents and seals for mobilizing troops."

"No problem." Zhu Shuo cupped his hands.

"Guangming, rest assured. My family has sent out 1,000 elite soldiers, 5,000 farmhands, and 500 cavalrymen to rush to Jicheng day and night." Lu Shen said, "After the matter is completed, several respected elders will come forward to appease the people, and there will be no major problems in the local area. In Jicheng, Taichan and Guangming will have to work together."

"It's our job." Zao Song and Zhu Shuo said one after another.

Lu Shi nodded.

The troops of the Youzhou noble families and the various Hu tribes gathered in Jicheng. This was a legitimate military mobilization that would not arouse suspicion.

Sima Youtong formulated the garrison and mobilization plans for each department, and Zhu Shuo, the chief clerk, drafted the order documents and used the seals.

Generals and officers loyal to Wang Jun, such as the Protector General Sun Wei, were transferred far away on some pretext.

The private soldiers of the aristocratic families seized and guarded Jicheng, and at the same time served as an armed force to deter the various Hu people and ensure that Zao Song and others could issue orders in the name of the shogunate.

During the whole process, Mrs. Cui was responsible for keeping Wang Jun from going out and keeping him unaware of the outside world.

After the event is accomplished, celebrities will come out to provide public opinion support for the action, influence the choices of local powerful groups, and eliminate negative impacts.

Even some alchemists would be used to build momentum for Lord Chen and further undermine the resistance of the scholars and people of Youzhou.

Almost everything we need is here, so we’re just waiting to get started.

(End of this chapter)