Huan Rong

It was almost evening when the convoy arrived outside Xuyi City.

The sky was still cloudy, and the air was humid, but it didn't rain for a long time.

The city gate is about to be closed, and the county soldiers guarding the city will strictly check the passers-by, and all bamboo baskets and cloth bags must be opened for inspection.Occasionally, some common people go out of the city with groceries on their backs, and it is rare for business travelers and pedestrians to enter the city.

Huan Rong felt strange, it was not like this the last time he passed by.They sent people to inquire and found out that a group of bandits pretended to be business travelers, escaped the inspection of the city gate guards, and entered the southern city to commit serious crimes.

Theft and robbery are not counted, but they even hurt people's lives.

The two passing caravans were all slaughtered, and all their goods and money were robbed.The inn where the caravan was resting also suffered disaster. A fire destroyed half of the houses, and all the shopkeepers were buried in the flames.

The tragedy was appalling, and Taishou Zhu personally ordered a strict investigation.

In order to prevent bandits from committing crimes again, the gates of the city are strictly ordered to be opened at the end of Mao every day and closed before You, and anyone suspicious will be arrested and sent to prison.

Anyone found guilty will be severely punished according to the law.

Those who are found innocent will be released on the same day if they have a yellow nationality, and those who have a white nationality will be released after checking their fellow villagers.Those who don't even have a Bai nationality are directly issued as Tian slaves, even if they are refugees who have just arrived outside Xuyi City.

On the bright side, this move is to eliminate banditry and ensure the safety of the people in the city, which is considered a wise move.

The truth is quite the opposite.

All those who were arrested, regardless of whether they had household registration or not, except for the few who were released at the beginning, the rest disappeared without a trace.

When the family asked the county government, the answer they got was "the person has been released".

As for why not?

That's not the county government's problem.Maybe he met a bandit on the road, or he hid on purpose to make his family come to blackmail him!

A good living person suddenly disappeared. Most of the families were photographed in the county government, and they could only admit that they were unlucky. A few of them lost the pillars of their families. It was like a thunderbolt.

Qian Shi and others made inquiries outside the city, and learned that no less than dozens of families had suffered disasters. Among them, two widowed mothers lost their only sons and were hanged on the beams by a belt.

"It's too miserable." The refugee who spoke was surnamed Jia Mingbing. He was about forty years old. His short robe and trousers looked worn out, but they were clean. There was no dust or sand on his face or hands. He was very different from other refugees. .

Jia Bing sighed as he spoke, and took the steamed cake from Qian Shibi, but he didn't eat it himself, but broke it and distributed it to five or six children around him.

The children were obviously very hungry, and they started to gobble up the steamed cakes after receiving them. One or two rolled their eyes until they choked, and they were still reluctant to spit out the steamed cakes in their mouths.

"My lord is laughing."

Jia Bing apologized, and quickly unscrewed the water bag.The children didn't fight for it anymore, but gave it to the choking companion first, and then passed it on one by one.

"They are all poor people. These two little ones just escaped from the north. Their father went to the city to look for work, and their mother went to look for them. They never came back."

Hearing Jia Bing's words, Qian Shi couldn't help but clenched his fists when he got in touch with the city, left another bag of steamed cakes, and turned around to return to Huan Rong.

For convenience, the convoy removed its flags on the way, and did not enter the city in a hurry after arriving in Xuyi.

Huan Rong had just finished eating, and was sitting by the fire, holding a bowl of honey water and discussing with Zhong Lin when to start, when suddenly Qian Shi strode towards him with a gloomy expression, as if a storm was about to come.

"Your Majesty!"

Qian Shi clasped his fists in salute, explaining the news he found out one by one.In the end, his eyes were even more angry, and his teeth creaked.

"My servant thinks that there is something strange about this matter. I'm afraid it's a thief calling for a thief!"

"How do you know that?" Huan Rong put down the lacquer bowl and motioned Qian Shi to explain in detail.

"I traveled around in my early years, and I have seen many bandits' methods. Entering the city like this to kill and set fire is unscrupulous. It is either bold or there are internal agents hidden in the city. And the bandits who have internal agents can retreat unscathed after committing major crimes. It may be connected with the people of the county government."

Qian Shi's personality has always been calm, and he is rarely so excited. Obviously, this matter touched his sore spot.

"I have a relative who used to be a loose official. He was framed and imprisoned innocently. The whole family was arrested and taken away by thieves in the name of questioning, but they never returned. In the end, it was found out that they all became private slaves of the county's tyrants! "

Compared with Tian slaves, such private slaves are worse than livestock, and they have nothing to do with life or death. As long as the news is not leaked, no relatives will come to look for them.

Many years have passed since the incident, and now that it is brought up, Qian Shi is still angry.

In his opinion, the robbery of the caravan was probably caused by someone in the county government colluding with bandits, and most of the missing young men were used as powerful private slaves, and the family had no strength, so they could not be found.

Huan Rong thought for a moment, then said: "Qian Shi, please go again and bring the person who revealed the news to you. Dian Kui, take 30 people to the refugee settlement and explain the conditions. Anyone who is willing to apply It is necessary to give enough food and salt.”

"promise!"

The two agreed in unison and began to split up.

"Cai Yun."

Hearing his name suddenly, Cai Yun couldn't react for a while, and was pushed by Gan Da before waking up like a dream. He walked in front of Huan Rong in three steps at a time, bowed and said, "I'm here!"

"You take people to cut wood in the forest and make wooden spears and spears. I will give you instructions on how to do it."

"promise!"

Cai Yun promised loudly, and rushed to the forest with Gan Da and others excitedly.This is the first time Huan Rong has used himself, even if it's just cutting down trees, he must perform well!

"Duke Ming intends to do something early?" Zhong Lin said.

"En." Huan Rong nodded, broke off a dead branch and threw it into the fire.

There was a crackling sound from Yanxin, and the flames jumped, illuminating a light line on the corner of Huan Rong's mouth.

"I wanted to draw it slowly, but a good opportunity came before me, how could I miss it?"

Zhong Lin nodded, turned around and saw Qian Shi who had returned, and said, "Ming Gong, Qian Sima brought someone here."

"kindness?"

Huan Rong raised his head when he heard the sound, and couldn't help being stunned for a moment.

Qian Shi brought back not only Jia Bing, but also two middle-aged men in short robes and trousers with pale faces.

"Gu Zang Jia Bing, I have met Envoy Huan."

Jia Bing cupped his hands and saluted with a detached demeanor, as if he had changed in an instant, completely different from before.

"You recognize me?" Huan Rong was somewhat surprised.

"The servant doesn't know the envoy, but he knows these big carts." Jia Bing smiled slightly, and said truthfully, "A few days ago, the envoy led the crowd into the city, and I have seen it twice. Because the ruts of the carriages are unusual, I will remember this in my mind." .”

Huan Rong looked back at the cart and frowned.If Jia Bing could recognize it easily, it must be very difficult to hide it from the people in the city.From this point of view, it is indeed right to start in advance.

Withdrawing his thoughts, he turned to Jia Bing who was standing in front of him, Huan Rong began to look carefully.

This person gave him a very strange feeling, similar to Xun You Zhong Lin, but seemed to have something more.

"Is the banditry true or false?"

"Of course it is true. If you have any doubts, you can inquire carefully after entering the city tomorrow."

"Are you deliberately telling two things at the same time?"

"Yes." Jia Bing did not deny it, "My servant thinks that both of them have inside information."

"Before you took the initiative to reveal the news to Qian Shi, what was the purpose?"

"Naturally, it's to see the envoy." Jia Bing cupped his hands again, "I'm not talented, I want to serve the envoy."

"..." Isn't that too straightforward?How subtle should a counselor be?

Seeing Huan Rong's doubtful expression, Jia Bing knew in his heart that he had waited many years to get this good opportunity, and whether he could make the family turn around, the success or failure depended on it.

"To tell you the truth, my ancestors were also enshrined as marquises and nobles. During the Yongjia period, my father was serving Emperor Hui and defeated Liu Cong in Luoyang."

Huan Rong knew a little about Emperor Hui of Jin, because he had a queen named Jia Nanfeng, who directly led to the rebellion of the Eight Kings of the Western Jin Dynasty.Who is Liu Cong?It seems to be some Hun leader?

Huan Rong shook his head, he really didn't know him well.

This person's surname is Jia. Could it be related to Jia Nanfeng?

However, Jananfeng's father's ancestral home is Pingyang, which is completely incompatible with Guzang in Liangzhou.

Is that a distant relative?

When Huan Rong's thoughts were flying wildly, Zhong Lin suddenly let out an "ah", her surprise was hard to hide.

"Kong Yu?" Huan Rong turned his head, with doubts on his expression.

"Ming Gong, I just thought of Guzang Jia." Zhong Lin looked at Jia Bing and said seriously, "Is Lang Jun's ancestor Jia Xu Jia Wenhe, the Marquis of Wei Shou Township?"

"Exactly."

What? !

Seeing Jia Bing nodding, Huan Rong couldn't help but widen his eyes.

Jia Xu?

The fierce man of the Three Kingdoms who first served Dong Zhuo, then returned to Zhang Xiu, and finally returned to Cao Cao. As the founding hero of Cao Wei, he was worshiped as the Taiwei?

Gudong.

Huan Rong swallowed subconsciously.

He doesn't know much about the official history, but in the novels, Jia Xu can be considered exhaustive, a counselor who is on par with the ghostly genius Guo Jia, and is known as a poisoner!

Even though it wasn't him in front of him, Huan Rong felt his heart beating faster.

Clutching the little heart that was about to pop out of his throat, Mr. Huan felt very unreal.Although he said he wanted to pick up the leak, he didn't expect such a big leak, so he took the initiative to come to the door!

Sweeping his gaze over the men following Jia Xu, he knew that they were Jia Xu's brothers and cousins, and Huan Rong seemed to be playing a symphony in his ears.

It doesn't count if Dalu takes the initiative to come to the door, but buy one get two free.

With the help of long sleeves to cover up, Huan Rong pinched his thigh hard.

Sure enough, extremes are bound to reverse, and the extreme unlucky will start to get lucky?

"Minggong." Zhong Lin said suddenly.

"What's the matter with Kong Yu?" Huan Rong turned his head, grinning from the corner of his mouth to his ears.

"Image." Zhong Lin shook the corner of her mouth.He didn't want to complain, really didn't want to.

"cough!"

Huan Rong coughed, and finally stopped laughing with eight big teeth, as if picking up gold while walking.

However, today's luck is no different from picking up gold, right?Thinking of this, Huan Rong couldn't help feeling agitated, a smile stained his eyes, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help turning up again.

Zhong Lin turned her head silently, knowing nothing out of sight.

Jia Bing has a new understanding of Huan Shijun.

Before, it was just rumors about Huan Rong's actions, but he didn't see it with his own eyes. Looking at it now, the rumors are very unbelievable.Not to mention anything else, with Huan Rong's character, it is not at all likely that he would be able to "boil a living person".

It is a pity that this conclusion will be overturned soon, much faster than Jia Bing imagined.

At that time, a certain occupant will fully understand what is meant by "a person cannot be judged by his appearance, and sea water cannot be measured".A raccoon cat that looks harmless can still kill a person with a single paw.

Jia Bing was invited to the fire to describe in detail how the Jia family crossed the river after the Yongjia Rebellion.

Regardless of his current desolation, the refugee commanders near Xuyi have more or less accepted his "favor".Don't say an order, the crowd will respond, and be a lobbyist for Huan Rong, but there are more than enough people to recruit people.

"If you want to control Youzhou, you need to control Linhuai. But if you want to control Linhuai, you can't keep any officials in Xuyi city." Jia Bing said.

He is not afraid that these words will be heard by others.It would be good to spread the word, so as to show that he sincerely took refuge in him without any reservations.

Huan Rong blinked.

He thought he was ruthless enough, but he didn't expect this one to be even more ruthless.

What to say?

As expected of Jia Xu's descendants, he released satellites as soon as he shot.

At the same time, Dian Kui drove two carts with his servants and private soldiers, and walked all the way to the thatched hut built by the refugees.

The torches were blazing and thrust into the ground in rows.

The car panels were lifted one after another, revealing a full load of sea salt and corn.

Startled by the flames, the refugees walked out of the hut one after another.Dian Kui immediately ordered his private soldiers to line up, raised their spears obliquely, with the sharp points facing outwards, and protected the surroundings of the cart, preventing anyone from approaching.

More and more refugees were attracted by the flames. Dian Kui glanced around, nodded in satisfaction, and slashed the sack on the car with his backhand. The golden corn flowed down like a waterfall, attracting a burst of noise from the crowd. An audible swallowing sound.

"I'm the Sima in front of the chariot of Youzhou's assassin!" Dian Kui carried the long knife on his shoulder, his tiger's eyes were wide open, his cheeks were tense, and he looked ferocious under the light of the fire.

"The Emissary Huan learned of the changes in Shouchun, and has now reported to the court. Please send soldiers to the counties and counties of Youzhou to wipe out the rebel army."

"Anyone who enlists will get eight taels of salt and two buckets of corn. After entering the camp, they will get food and salary every month, and those who perform well will be rewarded with silk cloth every season!"

"Killing the enemy in front of the battle is regarded as the first level, and there are other rewards!"

If Dian Kui was just talking in the open, it would naturally not cause much reaction from the crowd.However, the golden corn is in front of you, and the snow-white sea salt is clearly visible. The favorable terms were proposed, and everyone present was moved.

There is no way to survive if you stay outside the city, and you will be caught as a private slave if you enter the city.Rather than waiting to die, it is better to fight hard.

"A certain company applied!"

A loud shout suddenly sounded from behind the crowd. A big man pushed aside the crowd and walked to the front of the gun array with a few steps. His dark chest almost touched the tip of the gun, and blood would be seen on the spot if he moved half a step forward.

"Is what you said before true?" The big man had dark skin, a leopard head with round eyes, and a bearded face. He was three points stronger than Dian Kui.

"Nature is true!"

Dian Kui didn't say much, grabbed the ordered corn and sea salt and threw them in front of the strong man.

"Dare to ask the name of the ambition? Where is the place of origin?"

"A certain Xu Chao, whose ancestral home was in Qiaoxian County, Qiao State, and whose ancestors served in Cao Wei, was granted the title of Marquis of Guannei!" Without hesitation, the brawny man grabbed a handful of corn and put it in his mouth, chewed it until it creaked, and swallowed it alive .

Dian Kui took out another bag of bacon and handed it to the strong man himself.

Xu Chao laughed out loud, not being polite at all, he ate the bacon the size of his fist in two or three mouthfuls, and he couldn't get enough of it.

"If I can eat these every day, I will be willing to die for Huan Shijun!"

With Xu Chao at the beginning, the people watching didn't hesitate any longer, rushing forward, and the gun formation was almost dispersed.

There were more than a hundred applicants, and among them were strong men with tall arms and thick waists.The two carts of corn and sea salt were quickly distributed, but the crowd still refused to leave.

"You come with me."

Dian Kui stepped into the empty car and looked down at the man in the firelight: "Someone has something to say first, whoever dares to break the rules and has his own thoughts, don't blame the sword and gun for being blind!"

"Don't worry, Dian Sima!"

Xu Chao and several strong men took two steps forward, their fists creaking, their tiger eyes swept over the crowd, and the noise disappeared immediately.

"Whoever dares to surprise Huan Shijun will let him taste the fist of a certain family!"

After setting the rules, everyone returned to the camp with Dian Kui, and the accompanying clerks recorded and compiled books, and distributed wooden spears and spears.

It’s not that no one has ever thought of robbing them, but when they saw the murderous private soldiers in the camp, and met Cai Yun and other “professional” bandits who came back from the forest, the previous thoughts disappeared immediately, one by one. honest.

Dian Kui overfulfilled the task, and led Xu Chao and other strong men to come forward, and they all clasped their fists to salute Huan Rong.

Knowing what happened, seeing Dian Kui, Xu Chao and others who fell in love with each other when they first met, Huan Rong couldn't help being overjoyed when he saw Dian Kui, Xu Chao and the others who were so sympathetic to each other when they first met.

Naturally, the movement outside the city cannot be concealed from the inside of the city.

The lights were black and the city gates were closed. The defenders at the top of the city could only see the convoy and the gathered crowd. They didn't recognize the assassin's car at all, and thought it was the refugees who were going to gather to make trouble.

The county magistrate of Xuyi was shocked when he got the report, and immediately set off for the eunuch's mansion.

"Could it be that it happened before?"

Knowing that the refugees were causing trouble outside the city, the county magistrate's heart jumped wildly, lest there would really be civil disturbance.

Zhu Taishou's face was gloomy, looking at the startled Xuyi county magistrate, he said in a deep voice, "The matter hasn't been clarified yet, why are you panicking! It's not that the thieves attacked, and a group of refugees frightened you like this?"

At this time, I knew I was afraid, so what did I do earlier?

Mingming told him that as Xuyi's parents, things should not be overdone, and they should accept it as soon as it is good.

Rabbits don't even eat the grass beside the nest!

The results of it?

Sending someone to pretend to be a bandit to rob a caravan doesn't count, and even robbing private slaves under the pretext of catching a thief, fortunately he can do it!

In the end is not high.

It wasn't for the sake of being a nobleman with the surname Wu, how could I support him and let him sit in this position.

The county magistrate of Xuyi was ashamed, his ears flushed with embarrassment.

"My lord, how do you think this matter should be resolved?"

"If it's a civil disorder, it's natural to use the method of solving the disorder." Zhu Taishou sneered, "Tomorrow, the city gate will be opened half an hour earlier, and all the refugees outside the city will be arrested and their huts will be burned."

"What?!" Xuyi county magistrate was shocked, there were hundreds of people!

"Either don't do something, or do it absolutely!" Zhu Taishou insisted.

"When we started, we said that the thieves were hiding among the refugees outside the city. In addition, we quickly silenced the few people who were locked in the prison, and then arrested a few women in the city and threw them outside the city, saying that they were abducted by the refugees. How to arrange it? Want me to teach you step by step?"

"Don't dare!"

The magistrate of Xuyi hurriedly stood up and cupped his hands, his clothes drenched in cold sweat.

All the crimes are placed on the refugees, and the people who can't find their families naturally have a channel to vent.As evidenced by the people in the city, if the court pursues the question, the county government will not only have no fault but will have merit!

"Make the king famous!"

Taishou Zhu snorted and waved his hand to make Xuyi county magistrate retreat, as if chasing away a begging dog.

Civil unrest?

He had already decided to rebel against Jin with his brother, so what if Xuyi is in chaos?Just take the opportunity to control the defenders!

Think back to when Wu Guo was here, how beautiful the Zhu family was.Now, I and brother Cong can only live in Qiao County, being prefects that don't deserve the name.

What the Jin court, what Han orthodoxy, to put it bluntly, are just traitors and traitors who seek to usurp the throne of others!

That being the case, what's wrong with imitating yourself?

Thinking of this, Taishou Zhu showed cold eyes, looked out of the dark window, and sneered.

Jiankang

Princess Nankang received a private letter from Huan Rong, knowing about the affairs of Youzhou, she was furious immediately.

"Okay, really good! Queen Mother Chu, Chu Suanzi, I really underestimated you!"

"Sister?" Mrs. Li leaned over, and seeing Princess Nankang's angry face, she couldn't help feeling puzzled.

"Look at it."

Handing over the handwritten silk cloth, Princess Nankang gritted her teeth with hatred.If it wasn't for the fact that the gate of the palace was closed, she would have rushed in and caused an upheaval!

After reading the contents of the letter, Mrs. Li's eyes flashed a gloomy look.The plain hand lightly pressed on Princess Nankang's shoulder, and her delicate voice was cold, "The Queen Mother really counts everything."

"There are no omissions? She clearly sees our mother and child as bullying!" Princess Nankang said angrily, "It seems that she didn't take what I said before, otherwise she would dare to do such a murderous hand!"

The more I thought about it, the more angry I became, if the Empress Dowager Chu faced her face, Princess Nankang might pull out her sword on the spot, causing her blood to splatter five steps.

"Sister, your lord is safe after all, and you can seize the opportunity to control the military power in Youzhou." Mrs. Li said softly, "Sister will enter the palace tomorrow, so you might as well ask the queen mother for a fief as compensation for your lord."

"A fief? How could it be so cheap to her!"

"Sister, listen to me..."

Mrs. Li leaned over to Princess Nankang's ear, and whispered something like this, and the warm breath blew past the princess' ears, calming the burning anger.

"This is just the beginning." The small chin rested on Princess Nankang's shoulder, and her slender fingers brushed the neckline embroidered with auspicious clouds.

"The eldest son just arrived in Jiankang. My sister may as well mention a few words when I 'discuss' with the queen mother. Presumably the husband will not mind."

Princess Nankang closed her eyes slightly, feeling the night wind blowing in from the window, and finally calmed down.

"I will enter Taicheng tomorrow, and the house will be handed over to my sister."

"Sister, don't worry."

The moon is in the middle of the sky, and the room is warm and fragrant.

The light in the corner burns all night until dawn.