Three Kingdoms King of the North

Chapter 491: Dark Chess

Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty appointed 39 people, including Yang Qi, as the prefect and county magistrate of Qingzhou in the court hall, which left all these parties dumbfounded.After the dynasty dispersed, they all gathered in Yang Qi's mansion to discuss countermeasures.

Yang Qi hosted a banquet in the back hall to greet the group of courtiers who were close to him.There was a new Penglai order, and seeing that the courtiers who had been demoted sat in the hall, he tentatively asked Yang Qi: "Master, should the Taiwei be invited to the banquet?"

Hearing Penglai Ling's words, Yang Qi waved his hands and said with a wry smile: "When the old man was leaving the court, he had already invited his younger brother, but he said that he felt cold and couldn't go to the banquet. It seems that he was also worried that the old man would implicate him, and he deliberately avoided suspicion. gone."

"Then what should we do?" Knowing that Yang Biao would not come to the banquet, Peng Lai Ling, who was still trying to keep calm, was a little panicked.Even though he was relegated to the county magistrate, he was still not in a panic. He felt that as long as the green hills remained, he would not have to worry about running out of firewood, and as long as Yang Biao continued to serve as a captain, it would take a year or two. I can transfer my group back to the court.But at this moment, seeing that the other party obviously didn't want to take this muddy water, he immediately panicked: "Shizhong Yang, if we don't have anyone to help us in the court, then I'm afraid we won't be able to leave the backwaters of Qingzhou in this life."

"Since the Holy Majesty has appointed us as Qingzhou officials, then we will take up the post as soon as possible." Yang Biao said helplessly: "As long as we gain a firm foothold in Qingzhou and then contact other governors and state shepherds, we may not be incapable of dealing with Marquis Anyang. As long as After eradicating the Marquis of Anyang, it is not a trivial matter to return to the court."

Penglai Ling was obviously not as optimistic as Yang Qi on this matter. He waited for the other party to finish speaking, then shook his head with a wry smile and said, "The waiter doesn't know that Penglai County, where the official is the magistrate, originally had a population of 340." There are 420 seven households and 600 people. But after the Yellow Turban Rebellion, there are only [-] households left in the county, and only [-] people. How can we fight against the Marquis of Anyang with this little manpower? ?”

After saying these words, Peng Lai Ling felt disheartened and unwilling to stay here any longer, so he cupped his hands and said to Yang Qi: "Servant, I have to go back to pack my luggage, so I won't be attending the banquet, so farewell!"

Seeing Penglai Ling leave, several county magistrates who were close to him couldn't sit still anymore, they also stood up to confess to Yang Qi, and followed Penglai Ling to leave the Shizhong Mansion.

With the departure of Peng Lai Ling and others, the back hall, which was originally full of seats, suddenly became much more empty.Although the remaining guests did not get up to leave, they also became absent-minded.Especially after learning that Taiwei Yang Biao refused to attend the banquet because he wanted to avoid suspicion, everyone couldn't help but feel sad.

Everyone gathered in Shizhong's Mansion, just to consider the relationship between Yang Qi and Yang Biao, hoping to get a promise from Yang Biao, so that everyone can leave Beijing to take office without any scruples.At the same time, I also hope to discuss a proper way to continue to deal with Han Zhan and eradicate him once the time is right.

But now everything is in vain, so there is nothing else on everyone's mind to continue eating.The atmosphere of the whole banquet was exceptionally silent. Even if there were singing and dancing in the hall, everyone seemed to be lacking in interest.

It was hard to wait for three rounds of wine and five flavors of food before a county magistrate Huang from a remote area got up and asked Yang Qi: "Master, everyone has been demoted to Donglai County. I don't know when we should leave? Are we together?" Let’s start, or go on the road separately.”

The magistrate Huang's words finally aroused everyone's sympathy, and they all asked Yang Qi, "Yes, Yang Shizhong, when will we go on the road, should we go separately or together?"

"Everyone, please be quiet." Seeing that the back hall was as chaotic as a vegetable market, Yang Qi got up quickly, raised his hands and pressed down hard, and said to everyone: "We are incompatible with the Marquis of Anyang, don't look at him today. It’s just that the Holy Majesty demoted our officials. Who knows what conspiracy and tricks are behind him. If he takes office separately, as long as he sends out a sentry, he can eradicate us one by one on the way. Therefore, we must leave Beijing at the same time to take office , so that even if he had any intentions, he would not dare to act rashly in order to block the mouths of everyone."

"What Yang Shizhong said is very true." As soon as Yang Qi finished speaking, someone below echoed: "We will leave Beijing together at that time, let's see how brave the Marquis of Anyang is, and dare to attack so many of us at the same time."

After the back hall became quiet again, Yang Qi twirled his beard and said to everyone: "It's getting late today, everyone go back and pack your bags early, we agreed to meet in the east at Chenshi two days later and head to Donglai County together Go to office."

The officials in the hall agreed in unison: "Here!" Afterwards, they bid farewell to Yang Qi one after another, returned to their respective mansions, began to pack their bags, and prepared to go to Dongnai County to take up their posts.

Soon after the officials left, the spies lurking in the Shizhong's mansion reported the news of the party that night to Jushou.When Ju Shou heard that Yang Biao did not attend the banquet that night, he couldn't help nodding his head slightly, thinking that it was a very wise choice for Yang Taiwei to keep a distance from these people.

Ju Shou raised his head and said to the spy: "Next, Yang Qi will go to Dongnai County to take up his post. I want you to consider whether to continue to follow Yang Qi to Dongnae County to take up the post, or stay in Beijing? If you want to stay in Beijing , I will definitely arrange a good job for you."

After listening to Jushou's words, the detective couldn't help but be moved.But after thinking about it, although I have not been an undercover agent in Shizhong's mansion for a long time, I have already gained Yang Qi's trust. If I stay in Beijing at this time, all previous efforts will be wasted.So he pondered over and over again, and finally answered bravely: "Master Supervisor, the young one was ordered to stay by Yang Shizhong's side. As long as he is not dead for a day, the small task will not be completed. The young one has already made a decision. I am willing to follow him to Dongnae County to take office, and send his information back to Beijing at any time."

The choice of spy made Jushou feel a little surprised, but also very relieved.Because if this spy chooses to stay in the capital, he still needs to send someone to lurk by Yang Qi's side again. As for when he can gain the trust of the other party, that is an unknown.And this spy was deeply trusted by Yang Qi, if he went to Dongnai County, he would definitely be relied on by Yang Qi, and he would be able to pass on all kinds of news continuously.

Thinking of this, Jushou got up and walked in front of the other party, raised his hand and patted the other party's shoulder twice, and said with a smile on his face: "Since you are willing to go to Donglai County with me, I will not treat you badly. The family members in Jingzhong , the official will send people to deliver money and food on time to ensure that they have no worries about food and clothing."

"Thank you, Lord Supervisor." The spy quickly expressed his gratitude to Ju Shou: "Young man must serve Lord Hou wholeheartedly, serve the Supervisor, and promptly pass all the news about Yang Shizhong back to Beijing."

Chapter 492 Han Zhan Tells a Story

In the early morning of the next day, Yang Qi arrived at the east gate of Yedu leisurely with more than forty domestic servants and three carriages carrying family members and luggage.According to his idea, the 39 officials who go out to serve will bring their family members, plus domestic servants, there will be at least fifty or sixty carriages and nearly a thousand people.With a troop like my own, even if they encounter robbers cutting the path along the way, they will probably back away.

Unexpectedly, after leaving the east gate, he couldn't help but be surprised when he saw the situation outside the city.There are not dozens of carriages and nearly a thousand servants here as he imagined, only a dozen or so carriages and less than two hundred servants from various prefectures.

He saw Penglai Ling with a mournful face, riding a horse and standing in a daze on the official road not far from the city gate. He hurriedly rode over, and after bowing his hands to salute him, he asked in surprise, "Penglai Ling is about to set off, why only Are there so many people here?"

"Shizhong Yang, everyone who can come is here." Peng Lai Ling replied indifferently: "Many colleagues returned home, and when they said that they would be sent to Qingzhou Donglai County as the county magistrate, the servants at home dispersed one after another. After dawn, there are only so few people left."

Yang Qi was stunned by Penglai Ling's words. He thought that his gang would use various means to deal with Han Zhan in order to prevent Han Zhan from monopolizing power and controlling the government, so that another Dong Zhuo would not appear again.Now that he has been demoted and released, countless people from the capital should have come to see him off. How come many of your colleagues' servants have escaped?

Seeing Yang Qi stunned on the horse, Peng Lai Ling bowed his hands to him, and said coldly: "Yang Shizhong, my road is far away, so I will take my leave first." After speaking, he turned the horse's head and took the waiting The two servants and a carriage next to him headed west along the official road.

"What's going on?" Yang Qi didn't notice Penglai Ling's departure. He was still in shock. He thought that the people in the capital would send his group farewell by the side of the road, so he could take the opportunity to say goodbye to them. Everyone say a few words.As a result, everything that happened in front of him has far exceeded his imagination.

"Master!" Seeing Peng Lai Ling leaving with his family and servants, one of Yang Qi's servants rushed forward and asked Yang Qi who was in a daze, "Should we stay here, or go on the road?"

The servant's words made Yang Qi wake up from the state of dementia. He turned his head to look at the other party, and he was stunned for a long time before he sighed and said helplessly: "It's getting late, let's go on the road."

Those officials who were waiting outside the city couldn't help feeling resentful when they saw Yang Qi taking his family members and servants on the road without saying a word, without saying hello to them.But they also knew in their hearts that even if they were dissatisfied with Yang Qi in their hearts, they couldn't fight among themselves at this time. Isn't this a joke for the Marquis of Anyang in the city?

Thinking of this, County Magistrate Huang couldn't help but look up at the top of the city, and saw many figures shaking behind the battlements.Although he was just a soldier on duty at the top of the city, but because of his guilty conscience, he felt that Han Zhan must have sent someone to monitor him. He was shocked and shivered, and hurriedly urged the housekeeper who was waiting respectfully: "Go away!" , hurry up, get on the road immediately, don’t stay here any longer.”

Just like that, a group of demoted officials, with their family members and servants, followed Yang Qi and headed in the direction of Qingzhou in desperation.Their mood at this moment is quite different from when they went to the banquet last night. Many people are thinking in their hearts that maybe they will never have the chance to return to the capital for the rest of their lives.

Although Han Zhan didn't care too much whether it was the demoted officials leaving Beijing or the three brothers Liu Guan and Zhang going out to wander, but his subordinate Ju Shou did not dare to neglect and sent a large number of spies to monitor these men who threatened Han Zhan. people.The large number of domestic servants around those officials fled. He sent people to instigate them. He thought that there would not be many people responding, but many of these domestic servants had experienced the Dong Zhuo era and knew what it was like for officials to be wiped out at every turn. After hearing the persuasion from the people sent by Jushou, they fled one after another.

After listening to the information reported by the spies, Ju Shou felt that he should report the matter to Han Zhan as soon as possible to see if he had any new instructions.He sorted out some information that Han Zhan should be interested in, and hurried to the state pastoral mansion.

Since Han Zhan returned to the mansion, he has been entangled by his sister Han Yan, insisting on asking him to talk about his experiences in Qingzhou.Although Cai Yan and others heard Xia Houyun talk about some things about Qingzhou, they still felt that it was not enough to listen to, so they also echoed Han Yan and asked Han Zhan to tell them about Qingzhou.

Han Zhan was so entangled that he had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "The Marquis is too tired recently, so I need to rest for two days. After I rest, I will tell you some stories that you have never heard before." That's it. , Han Yan, Cai Yan and others were sent away.

After everyone left, Han Zhan was thinking about what story to tell them.After thinking for a while, Han Zhan immediately realized that he didn't seem to have any stories to tell.Mulan joined the army instead of her father, which was very popular in later generations; but in this dynasty, even if a woman became a general, it seemed that there was nothing impossible, and the matter of joining the army instead of her father was out of the question.

The story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai is also very famous, but now there is no imperial examination, and to become an official depends on being filial and honest. Even if a woman disguises herself as a man to study, no matter how good her books are, she has no possibility of becoming an official.

Han Zhan knows a lot of stories, but every time he thinks of a story, as long as he compares it with the current era, he immediately rejects it.He picked up the pen and ink, and wrote out the stories he knew one by one, but quickly erased them one by one, showing that these stories could not be told.

After repeated smearing, he unexpectedly found that there were still two stories left to tell, one was Journey to the West and the other was The Legend of the White Snake.Buddhism was introduced in the Han Dynasty, and it is barely reasonable to arrange for anyone to go to Tianzhu to learn Buddhist scriptures, as long as the dynasty is changed from the Tang Dynasty to the Han Dynasty.

As for The Legend of the White Snake, the historical background is set in the Song Dynasty.After telling the story to Han Yan and others, as long as the background is downplayed and Xu Xian and the white lady's son won the number one prize, it is still a pretty good story.

Be careful, he took another blank piece of paper, wrote two revised outlines of the story on it, and planned to tell stories to Han Yan and the others according to the contents of the outline.

Just after writing a few lines, I saw Chen Dao hurried in from the outside.Han Zhan quickly stopped the pen in his hand, looked up at the other party and asked, "Uncle Zhi, what's the matter?"

"Report to my lord!" Chen Dao bowed and saluted, and replied, "Ju Supervisor has something to see."

When Han Zhan heard that Ju Shou wanted to see him, he quickly rolled up the paper on the table and told Chen Dao, "Uncle Zhi, let the Ju Supervisor Army come in."

Chapter 493 Han Zhan Tells a Story

After Jushou entered the door, he saluted Han Zhan, then walked quickly to the table, put the materials he had compiled on it, and said: "This is the speech of those officials collected by the subordinates, please read it, my lord. .”

After reading the materials that Jushou handed over at a glance, Han Zhan put them on the table, looked at Jushou and said, "Gongyu, these people were kicked out of the capital after being demoted. Some complaints are inevitable. Besides Besides, is there anything else?"

Hearing what Han Zhan said, Ju Shou showed a surprised expression on his face, and he asked in puzzlement: "Is my lord really planning to let them go like this? You know, these officials, including their family members and servants, are no more than Hundreds of people, as long as a battalion of cavalry is sent, it is enough to kill them all."

"That's right, as long as we send out a battalion of cavalry, it's enough to kill all the officials who offended me." Han Zhan asked back: "But if we kill them all, what should the prefects and county magistrates in Qingzhou do?" Who will be in charge?"

"There are a lot of people in the world who want to be officials. As long as the lord reveals a little word, I think those who seek an official will surround the state pastoral mansion with water." Ju Shou said disapprovingly: "When the lord grants them official positions, these People will be grateful to you, and then we will be able to manage Qingzhou like an iron bucket."

In all honesty, what Jushou said is very reasonable. Let these demoted courtiers go to Qingzhou to serve as prefects or county magistrates. They will definitely make a lot of small moves below, and even instigate the local people to oppose Han Zhan .But if a group of officials promoted by Han Zhan were to manage Qingzhou, they would definitely do their best to do their job well.

Why didn't Han Zhan think about it that way, but the reason why he decided to let these courtiers go was because he didn't want to ruin his reputation.You must know that once your reputation is ruined, no one with lofty ideals will come to take refuge in you even if the power is in the hands of the public.Once these celebrities turn to their opponents, they will become serious troubles sooner or later.

However, the idea that Jushou gave to himself was also a good intention. If his heart was chilled by this incident, he might not be as concerned about doing things for himself in the future as he is now.Han Zhan picked up the materials on the table, flipped through them again, took out a copy, looked at Jushou and said, "Gongyu, the new Penglai order seems to have a heart for Yang Qi. Make a fuss."

Hearing Han Zhan's denial of his proposal, Ju Shou was still a little disappointed, but now hearing what Han Zhan said, his eyes lit up, and he hurriedly asked, "My lord, what do you plan to do?"