lady, please calm down

Chapter 309 Special Day
April 25.

In just one morning, the news that the Wu family in Yingchuan attempted to commit misdeeds but was killed instead spread throughout Caizhou City.

People in today's world will always unconsciously put a positive filter on when looking at aristocratic families, thinking that they are a group of modest gentlemen who are elegant and observant of etiquette and can be called the conscience of the world.

As soon as this happened, the filter was shattered.

Would such a nasty thing happen to a famous family?
Before the people could finish digesting this breaking news, another more eye-catching thing happened.

At early noon that day, a girl named Qing'er from Yunxiu Pavilion was carried to the government office and sued Mr. Wu for attempted murder.

In order to present evidence, the dying girl Qing'er, with the help of a maid, naked her back on the spot, only to see braid marks all over her delicate back.

What was even more shocking were the black bruises on his neck.
It is said that all the government officials present and even Chen Tongzhi shed tears.

Qing'er, who was the first to stand up and fight, was like a role model. On that day, seven or eight women came to sue Wu Yifan, either because they were owed prostitution money or they had been beaten.

But it was difficult for the Caizhou government office to handle this matter because Wu Yifan was dead. Even if they wanted to help these girls get some compensation, there was no executor.

The next day, "Caizhou Five Days Talk" published an article, adding fuel to the fire.

This is an interview with girl Qing'er.
According to Qing'er's self-report, she was originally born in a farming family. When she was 12 years old, her mother was seriously ill and there was no cure. In order to prevent her mother from dying of the illness, Qing'er sold herself to prostitution in exchange for money for her mother's life-saving soup.

Although this job is despicable, there are not many paths she can choose in this busy world.

This was not the first time that Mr. Wu had tortured her when she met him. But Qing'er knew that Mr. Wu had a powerful background, so she could only swallow her anger. Unexpectedly, she almost lost her life this time.

After experiencing life and death, Qing'er thought clearly, even if she risked her life, she still wanted to find an explanation for herself and for the woman who had no way to appeal to the world.
Such rhetoric has caused many people who originally had a disdainful attitude toward this industry to sympathize.

Hey, this is not a frivolous and dissolute prostitute. This is a filial daughter who is willing to fall into the fire to save her mother!
Just like what was written in the newspaper, what can the daughter of a poor family do in this world?
At the end of the report, the pen changed its tone and began to secretly accuse the investigating imperial envoys headed by Wu Weiguang, vaguely describing them as evil officials who harassed the local area and the fish and meat village.

He also used the example of Chenzhou where there was a civil uprising. It seems that without them coming, Huaibei would be a paradise.

When they arrived, Huaibei was immediately thrown into chaos.

The people of Caizhou were very angry. As for the truth or falsehood of Qing'er's tragic life story in the newspaper, and whether the arrival of the imperial envoy had a bad impact on Caizhou, no one took a closer look.

Sometimes the truth is not important. It is often 'emotions' that control people's behavior, likes and dislikes.
On that day, the Caizhou Fireworks Guild looked back on Sai Diaochan and organized hundreds of people from more than a dozen large and small brothels in the city to take to the streets in order to prevent the sisters from having the same fate as Qing'er.

Starting from Baihua Lane, we finally stopped at the inn where Wu Weiguang stayed temporarily.
More than a hundred gorgeous orioles and swallows blocked the door of the post house, demanding that the Wu family apologize to Wu Yifan and compensate for the cost of the soup and medicine.

He also put up a banner and wrote a couplet.
'Women are weak, why can they destroy flowers with ruthless hands?
He died undeservedly, and the father came to repay the sins owed by the son! '

The description of "death with no regrets" is simply gouging out the Wu family's heart.

Let the elders of the Wu family apologize to the prostitute?

This request alone is a huge humiliation to the Wu family.

Wu Weiguang, on the other hand, was able to keep his composure. He hid in the post house and pretended to be dead, staying behind closed doors.

Seeing that her respected brother was so useless, Wu, who was eager to protect the Wu family's face, couldn't help it.

He led several stout women to the door, pointed at Sai Diaochan who was standing at the front, and said, "Hit me! Beat me!"

Sai Diaochan obviously came prepared. She immediately stood back in the crowd and shouted sternly: "Sisters, you saw it! We just want to ask for an explanation, she is going to beat someone."

Group behavior can easily get out of control.

The anger that had been building up since yesterday reached the critical point in an instant, and the "law is not punishable" heart made many prostitutes who were accustomed to tolerate humiliation and flattery break out again.
People, after being depressed for a long time, need to vent.

Furthermore, the fireworks business is not limited to those delicate ladies, there is no shortage of shrewd ones among the prostitutes.

Several women from the Wu family who rushed forward were drowned by the crowd in the blink of an eye.

The hands that are usually used to make Shandong pipes for customers still hurt when they are clenched into fists and hammered.
Seeing something was wrong, Mrs. Wu immediately wanted to retreat to the post house, but Sai Diaochan, who was always paying attention to her, stepped forward, raised her hand and grabbed Mrs. Wu's bun, and pulled her into the crowd, "Come here!" "

"Ah~ Bold whore, I am the wife of the magistrate of this mansion!"

"It's you who beat me!"

At noon, Caizhou Posthouse.

Wu's clothes were torn and torn, with clear slap marks on her face and bleeding scratches all over her neck.

The gang of prostitutes outside were very aggressive. They also went to the lower third street to greet them, grabbing their hair and tearing their clothes.
Wu had never been so humiliated before. When she thought about her son who had just died, she couldn't help but feel sad and cried: "Brother, Fan'er died inexplicably, and I was humiliated by those lowly prostitutes again! Brother, please give up." The Imperial Guard captured them, and the Caizhou Five Days Newspaper Office must also be sealed!"

Wu Weiguang knew that his sister was sad, so he could only patiently explain: "Lian'er, how could a group of prostitutes with a life as low as ants have such courage? There are people behind them. In Huaibei nowadays, a single move can affect the whole body. For the sake of important things, Lian'er has to be patient."

After hearing this, Mrs. Wu smiled sadly and said directly: "What's the big deal? My little sister doesn't understand what's going on with her brother. She only knows that Fan'er is dead and no one in my Wu family will avenge him. Little sister only knows that she was humiliated by a lowly status just now. But my brother advised me to be patient."

Wu Weiguang had always doted on his little sister, but seeing her so devastated, he finally couldn't help but reveal some information, "Don't worry Lian'er, you only need to wait for more than a month, and I will definitely bring this gang together for my brother's sake." Catch the cheap prostitutes and beat them to death in front of you to vent your anger."

'Wait for more than a month', the amount of information was huge, Wu couldn't help but look up and stare at Wu Weiguang, excitedly and expectantly: "Brother, we have something planned!"

"You don't need to worry about these, you just need to wait patiently. I, the Wu family, will not die in vain."

Wu Weiguang knew that this matter was of great importance, so he only mentioned it vaguely.

But this bit of information instantly revived Wu. She stood up slowly, looked in the direction of the government office with cold and sinister eyes, and said: "Brother, when the time comes, the mother and daughter of the Chen family will need to be left to me." Concocted!"

"Brother, I promise you, but Lian'er has to endure it before now. Do you understand?"

"Well. I can't help Fan'er. Since he can't forget the little bitch of the Chen family, I will help him fulfill his last wish. Fan'er will take his time on the road to Huangquan. After a while, I will send Miss Chen off. I can't spare her lightly and put you both in the same coffin. Haha. We were born in different quilts but died in the same hole. Fan'er is still satisfied with my mother's arrangement."

Wu looked towards the empty front, sometimes talking to herself, and sometimes smiling kindly, as if Wu Yifan was really standing in front of her.

Unspeakably weird.

After two heart-wrenching laughs, Mrs. Wu raised her head and said shyly and timidly like a twenty-eight-year-old girl: "Brother, I have promised Alian that when the time comes, I will sacrifice the Chen family's little bitch to Fan'er."

"what ever."

The next day, April 27.

The Caizhou Five-Day Talk suddenly printed an extra edition.

In addition to continuing to report in depth on the imperial envoys' use of the investigation into Mo Shaohong's death case to blackmail the people of Chenzhou, the extra note also mentioned the word 'searching' for the first time.
The search was well known among Qi officials, but ordinary people knew little about it.

The Five-Day Talk not only mentioned searching, but also explained the meaning of the homophonic word "Xunfang".
Measure the material resources of Qi and bring happiness to the country.

The women of the Han family were searched and given money to those who wanted to play with them.
The Han people, who have been influenced by Confucianism for thousands of years, are naturally sensitive to things like "paying tribute and making peace".

Not to mention this kind of behavior that is not even considered a marriage, but purely treating Han women as playthings and paying tribute.

For a time, Caizhou was in an uproar and Huaibei was in an uproar.

In the following days, the crowd gathered outside the post house more and more, and the atmosphere gradually became a little strange.
April [-]th, late at night.

At the Anshun Army Barracks in Bali, east of Yingzhou City, Guo Taoer, the commander of the Yingzhou Left-behind Division, who had not slept well for two days, turned over for the nth time and asked the soldiers outside the tent: "What time is it now?"

"Come back, sir, it's time."

The soldier replied from across the tent. Guo Tao'er, who was lying on the couch, stared at the roof of the tent. Thinking of the man he had seen two days ago, he was still hesitant and undecided in his heart.
Two days ago, Xia Zhizhong, the envoy ordered by the imperial court, came in secret wearing casual clothes and only brought two followers.

The conversation started with King Lu
Although Xia Xunfang's words were cryptic, Guo Tao'er also understood. Lu Anhou might have rebellious intentions. King Lu knew that Guo Dutong was a loyal and good man of Qi Dynasty and a pillar of Huaibei. At this time of instability, it was Guo Dutong who It’s time to unite to turn the tide
If Guo Tao'er can believe this rhetoric, then it's a ghost. Will King Lu know what kind of bird he is?

But Xia Xunfang then hinted: Guo Dutong is not the only loyalist in Huaibei. There have been secret contacts between the gentry and the righteous people for a long time, and they will eliminate thieves for the country as soon as King Lu gives an order.

Finally, he painted a cake. If the Chen thieves can be eliminated, the King of Lu will promote Guo Dutong to be the governor of Huaibei.
Guo Taoer didn't agree with what Xia Zhizhong said before, but this 'Huaibei Jiedu Envoy' made his heart beat wildly.

In the end, he gritted his teeth and made an agreement with Xia Zhizhong. As soon as he contacted the other gentry and citizens, they would work together on major events.

But as soon as Xia Zhizhong left, Guo Taoer calmed down.

These foreign officials from the capital did not understand how powerful the armies under the Huaibei Jiedushi were, but Guo Taoer, who had fought with the Huaibei army, could see clearly.
Even if it is true as Xia Xunfang said, there is a way to mobilize Chen Chu and the main force of the Huaibei Army to leave Caizhou, Guo Taoer is not sure that he can capture Caizhou City.

Because the Huaibei army is not only strong in combat power, but also has close ties with the local area and the relationship between the Yushui family, which is the biggest obstacle for any army that wants to attack Caizhou.

After thinking about this clearly, Guo Tao'er couldn't help but be shaken. How to choose such a major matter not only affects his future, but also the life and death of dozens of members of his Guo family.
Guo Tao'er once wanted to join Lu Anhou directly. After all, the latter's Huaibei army was so powerful that it was daunting.

But remembering that his base, Yingzhou City, was still occupied by the Huaibei Army, he couldn't swallow this sigh of relief.
As a result, it has become a difficult situation today.

Guo Tao'er had a headache and didn't fall asleep until Yinshi.
The next day, the first day of May.Guo Taoer, who was used to getting up early, only slept for two hours before waking up at midnight.

When I sat up from the couch, I saw two letters on the official case.
Guo Taoer couldn't help but be surprised. The public case was clean last night, but why did two letters appear out of thin air?
Frowning, he opened the letter. The first letter was extremely simple, with only a few numbers. Guo Dutong, please bring your son to Cai within three days.

There is no signature on the letter, only a private seal in seal script, with the word 'Chen Chu' left in Yinhong ink.

If this letter was said to be an invitation, the tone would be a bit strong.

But if it's an order, and it's not a formal document, it still uses the word 'please'.
The puzzled Guo Tao'er opened another letter, but it was a letter written by Zhu Da, the former commander of the Jingan Army with whom he had an old relationship.
Lao Zhu's letter has many more words and a much more cordial tone than Lu Anhou, but the content is a bit strange. He talks about various things about the university department of Caizhou Lanxiang Academy, such as how many famous teachers there are, and the content of the professors in the academy. Guantian Ren also told that Marquis Lu An served as the nominal principal, and finally said that his son became the master of the Marquis.
This sentence is the key, and Guo Taoer finally understands it!
Lu Anhou and Zhu Da, one with a red face and the other with a bad face, wanted him to send his son to Caizhou as a hostage!
As soon as his anger arose, Guo Taoer suddenly realized that Marquis Lu An was asking his son to be a hostage. Could it be because his private contact with Xia Zhizhong was exposed?
Immediately a thin layer of sweat broke out on my back.

If Marquis Lu An knew about this, there would be no need to send the Seventh Army of Huaibei gathered in Caizhou to take action. Liu Erhu and Xin Qiji in Yingzhou alone would be able to eat the Anshun army alive.

Before the cold sweat on his body had subsided, Guo Taoer suddenly realized another extremely fatal thing. The Chinese army's tent was closed, and anyone who entered without permission would be executed!

All the soldiers on duty know this iron law. Then, who put these two letters on their public records and when?

Guo Tao'er's scalp felt numb for a while.
If you can quietly put down two letters just a few feet away from him, you can also silently take his head!
Did you encounter a master who came and went without a trace?
Some of his own soldiers have already secretly defected to the Huaibei Army.
Guo Tao'er is more inclined to the latter guess. The Huaibei Army's actual military pay, large rewards after each war, and interest-free home loans for soldiers.
The officers and soldiers of the Anshun Army, who all saw it, cherished the various preferential treatment given by the Huaibei Army.

Guo Tao'er once inadvertently heard one of his own soldiers, He Paoze, complain that the salary and silver he saved after seven years in the army was not as much as the rewards that a leading soldier in the Huai Army would receive for his meritorious service.
It's not that Guo Tao'er treats his brothers harshly, it's just that he can't afford so much money for salary!

The allocation from the court is insufficient, and unlike Marquis Lu An, who has numerous businesses behind him, Sihai Commercial Bank, Luliuwei Farm and other gold-absorbing beasts to support him
It's understandable that the brothers have their hearts set on the Huaibei Army.

For a moment, Guo Taoer felt that his heavily guarded Chinese army tent was leaking from all directions, and there were Huaibei Army spies all around.

"Your Majesty, Madam and Young Master are here."

The soldiers outside the tent suddenly made a report, and Guo Taoer, who felt the danger looming, subconsciously grabbed the knife into his hand, and then realized, "Madam and the young master are here?"

"Yes. Already outside the tent."

"please come in"

A while later, Guo Tao'er's wife came in with her eldest son Guo Lin.

Guo Tao'er's official career was not smooth when he was young, but after his son was born, he rose through the ranks until he became the ruler of the entire government. Therefore, he loved and valued the eldest son of the Guo family very much.

The son also strives for excellence, is proficient in writing, and learns bow and horse.

Now the young man stands in the tent, neat and straight.

Guo Taoer couldn't help but smile, and then said: "Madam, how did you manage to come to the army?"

Mrs. Guo was stunned when she heard this and said doubtfully: "Hey, didn't the master write a letter asking us to come to the military camp?"

"letter?"

Guo Tao'er's face was ashen and he said in a solemn voice: "What was written in the letter?"

Mrs. Guo looked at her husband strangely and said, "Master sent someone a letter but didn't know the content? The letter said that Lin'er was to be sent to Caizhou to study. The slave family has even prepared our son's luggage this morning."

"."

At this point, Guo Taoer has no more luck.

The letter can be delivered to the Chinese army's tent without anyone noticing, and it can also be delivered to his back house. The meaning is self-evident.

Even if the method is gentler, it still cannot change the fact that this is a threat.
However, Lu Anhou did not break up, leaving Guo Tao'er a little room to turn around.

At this moment, he couldn't even think of resisting.
Guo Tao'er's biggest reliance is the Anshun Army, but he doesn't know how far the Anshun Army has been penetrated. But the lessons learned from Kou Shizhong of the Armed Guards at that time are still in front of him.

With a silent sigh, Guo Tao'er said in a resigned tone: "Madam, please go back to your home and prepare a generous gift. Our family will go to Caizhou together today."

"Is there a bundle for apprenticeship? The servant has prepared it."

"No, this generous gift is to apologize to Marquis Lu An."

The third day of May.

Guo Taoer's family entered the city quietly in a light carriage.

Chen Chu warmly entertained the family, and under the witness of the Chen brothers and Zhu Da, Guo Lin performed the apprenticeship ceremony on the spot.

There was a lot of fun during the dinner, as if it was impossible to see that the two sides had become enemies just a few days ago.

The banquet starts at noon and ends at Youshi in the evening.

The host and guest enjoy themselves
After the banquet ended, the Chen brothers stayed for a while. When talking about the current situation, Chen Chu said: "Yesterday, Director Cai said in a secret letter that Liu Chi was afraid of the troops stationed outside the city and was hesitant. He wanted me to take the lead. He dared to take action only if his troops moved closer to the capital in advance."

"Is Yuan Zhang going?"

"Of course I have to go. After I leave, my husband and third brother will follow the plan and make sure to take this opportunity to catch all the monsters in Huaibei."

The fourth person in the Hou Mansion entered the back house.

Guo Tao'er's family, who stayed in Caizhou tonight, was placed in an independent courtyard.

Keeping guests at home is of great significance.

The slightly tipsy Guo Tao'er couldn't help but feel ridiculous when he remembered that he had been plotting with Xia Zhizhong a few days ago on how to seize Caizhou.

Mrs. Guo on the side looked carefully at the gift list for Mrs. Ren, and said in shock: "Master, the gift we are giving you is not as heavy as the gift I gave you in return. You said you are here to apologize, how can the slave family not see that Mr. Marquis Do the couple have anything to blame?"

Guo Tao'er couldn't answer this. In short, now he only respects the world based on strength, and Marquis Lu An has done enough to behave like a courteous corporal.

He, Guo Taoer, can no longer be ignorant. From now on, no matter whether it is Yangguan Avenue or a dead end on a cliff, he can only follow the Marquis to the dark side.
During today's dinner, Chen Chu only said two things. One was to let him continue to work with Xia Zhi Zhongxu and Wei She to cooperate with the latter.

Second, ask him to write a letter to test his children's in-laws and the control of Suzhou in Qi'an.
In just a few days, Guo Taoer saw with his own eyes the depth of the rift between Huaibei and the imperial court, and both sides were even beginning to prepare to sharpen their knives against each other.

Higher-level information was not yet accessible to him, but Guo Taoer had an intuition that he had inadvertently stepped into the general trend of the world.

If he succeeds, he will be granted the title of general; if he fails, his body will be gone.

While he was thinking about it, he saw his son running in sweating profusely, picking up a cup of herbal tea and drinking it.

The anxious look made Mrs. Guo smile lovingly.

"Where did you run away like crazy? You are so tired." Mrs. Guo stepped forward and wiped the sweat from her son's forehead with a handkerchief.

Guo Lin happily shared, "Mom, just now I was playing around with my brothers Zhu Chun, Chen Yinglang and others. Like my son, they all learned the skills of both civil and military cultivation!"

"Civil and martial arts?"

Guo Taoer repeated this strange word.

"Ok!"

Perhaps because he was hungry after running outside, Guo Lin casually grabbed a piece of cake and stuffed it into his mouth. His eyes lit up, and he quickly took two more pieces and handed them to his parents respectively, "Dad, mother, try it quickly. Principal's Mansion." This cake is much more delicious than what we make at home!”

Mrs. Guo looked pleased. After taking it, she tasted it carefully. The cakes in Hou Mansion were indeed delicious.

Guo Tao'er became even more confused, "Principal?"

"Yes. Zhu Chun and Chen Yinglang are both seniors in the university department of Lanxiang Academy. They both call Mr. Hou the principal. By the way, Dad, Civil and Military Studies is also a name given by the principal. It means that students in the academy must not only study and be sensible. , but also to practice martial arts and keep fit! What did the principal actually say? I remembered it, it was called 'civilized in spirit, barbaric in body'!"

Perhaps due to the influence of Zhu and Chen, Guo Lin was full of respect when he talked about Lu Anhou.

Guo Tao'er knew that Zhu Chun and Chen Yinglang were the sons of Zhu Da and Chen Jing'an respectively. Seeing that his son had become familiar with the second generation of Caizhou in just half a day, he couldn't help but feel relieved.

Just as he was about to explain a few words, Guo Lin suddenly said righteously: "Father, mother, tomorrow the seniors of Lanxiang University organized students from more than ten private schools and official schools in Caizhou City to take to the streets to protest against the imperial court. Collecting women to offer money to men for their sexual pleasures, demanding that national traitors be punished! I will also participate tomorrow. This is the justice of the country. I hope dad will not stop me!"

"tomorrow?"

Guo Taoer couldn't help but be surprised. Although searching is despised, it is a national policy that has never been discontinued since the founding of the Qi State. The students are making such a fuss. They are resisting the "national thieves" on the surface, but in fact they are resisting the imperial court!

But Guo Lin got it wrong and explained: "Well, it's tomorrow, the fourth day of May! I heard from Zhu Chun that the principal said that this day is an extremely special day in Aolai!"

Guo Lin suddenly became excited, "That was the starting point for the Aolai people to resist foreign invasion, and the beginning for young people to take the initiative to take up the hope of the nation and the country and fight for it! The principal's hometown calls this day the May Fourth Youth Day. Festival!"

(End of this chapter)