scourge the qing dynasty

Chapter 416
As expected by Fatty Lu, when he heard the news of Fatty's army increasing troops to Zhejiang and attacking southern Jiangxi, Geng Jingzhong and Monk Zhixin believed that the two youngsters were guilty of thieves, and immediately began to panic and panic all day long.

However, this is not surprising. In this era, the southern Jiangxi area is sparsely populated, with high mountains and dangerous roads, backward economy, and little strategic value. The Fat Army won this land. Unless only a small number of second-line troops are left to guard the place, otherwise The army stationed here is destined to lose money and food, but the fat man army just came, and it was [-] troops, killing chickens with a butcher's knife, and the hinterland is closely bordered by southern Jiangxi. Lord Shang, how can there be any reason not to be frightened?
The same is true for Lord Geng. In Wenzhou, Chuzhou, and Quzhou, Zhejiang bordering Fujian, there are already more than [-] Fatty Army land and water troops stationed there, threatening the stability of Prince Geng’s northern territory at all times. To increase troops to this area, and bring a large amount of food, grass and military supplies along the way, what is this plan to do?Is it true that Li Tianzhi, who was expelled from the Pingnan Palace, said that it was just to prevent Zheng Jing from Taiwan from harassing the coast of Zhejiang?Would Lord Geng believe such a lie to lie to a three-year-old child?Can you believe it?

Under the fear and anxiety, Prince Shang and Prince Geng had to quickly adjust the deployment of the army, transfer the elite main forces they could mobilize to the northern line, and strengthen the defense of the northern line. The Aid Covenant stipulates that as long as one party is attacked, the other party must unconditionally send troops to reinforce it.Another thing is to send envoys to contact Guo Zhuangtu to inform Fatty's army, and ask Guo Zhuangtu to be ready to send troops to rescue at any time, but Guo Zhuangtu's road is far away, and there is old Wu's traitorous cousin Zu on the road. Zeqing led a group of troops loyal to the Wu clan to make trouble, far away water is more difficult to save close fire, so the greatest reliance of Geng Wangye and Shang Wangye is always on each other.

Interdependence means interdependence. If you want to say that Geng Wangye and Shang Wangye can really rest assured of each other, can really give their backs to each other, and can really work together intimately, don't say Fatty Lu doesn't believe it, it is Geng Wangye and Shang Wangye I don't even believe it!Shang Zhixin, who is Lord Shang, he can even sell his own father and sister for profit, and he will not betray his brother-in-law, Prince Geng again for his own benefit, Prince Geng is the first to not believe it!But Prince Geng is not much better. A fire in Fuzhou burned to Qijing (the name of the street in Fuzhou city), and he could fabricate and spread rumors that "the seven stars will worship the true emperor again, and the fire will start from the ear". The ambition is so big. Said that Prince Geng is not interested in Guangdong, and Prince Shang was the first to not believe it!
Under mutual distrust, Prince Geng and Prince Shang had to dispatch a large number of spies and spies to closely monitor each other's every move and keep abreast of each other's words and deeds.At the same time, because of the close marriage between the Geng and Shang families, there are a large number of female relatives and servants in the Pingnan Palace and Jingnan Palace, and it is easier to spy on each other's movements, so basically Geng Prince went to sleep in the princess' room at night. Whether the prince is drinking Kweichow Moutai or Shaoxing Nurhong when drinking during the day, the other party can clearly tell.

When the wind was raging and the grass and trees were in full swing, an unexpected news suddenly spread into the Pingnan Palace. Prince Lu, the Prince of Yue in the Great Zhou Dynasty, sent Shi Zongyao, the official Cao Siwu of the Yue Palace, to bring the Yue Wangjun order to Guangdong via Jiangxi, saying that he had come to Xiang Shangzhi. Xin Wang Ye announced the decree, and especially emphasized that it was a happy event, and asked Shang Wang Ye's messengers to congratulate Shang Wang Ye in advance.Hearing this news, Lord Shang was of course both puzzled and depressed. The one who was puzzled was Fatty Lu’s emissary’s intention, but the one who was depressed was the passage of time. Fatty Lu, the seventh-rank sesame official who went to Huizhou to kowtow to him in order to see him, now unexpectedly They have already sent someone to convey the order to him, and they are riding on his head to dictate.

Depressed, there is no other way. Lord Shang is now an honorary official of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Fatty Lu has the power given by old traitor Wu to control the army of officials and people in the Great Zhou Dynasty. According to the rules, Lord Shang must bow to his brother-in-law. The difference in strength is too far, Lord Shang dare not offend Lord Lu directly, so there is no other way, Lord Shang can only endure the nausea like eating a fly, and send his younger brother Shang Zhizhang and his confidant Shen Shangda to Shaozhou to welcome Shi Zongyao according to the etiquette Came to Guangzhou.

When Shi Zongyao, who once served as the county magistrate of Yixing, arrived in Guangzhou, it was already May 26, the second year of Honghua. At the same time, the Fat Man’s Jiangxi South Expeditionary Army Wu Yonghua’s team had already reached Yudu County in the northeast of Ganzhou, Jiangxi. , less than four hundred miles away from the Guangdong border.That's why Prince Shang didn't dare to neglect his brother-in-law's envoys. For the first time, he went out of the city to meet Fatty's army envoys in person. The lackeys meet and try to use this family relationship to build a good relationship with Fatty Army.

Although Fatty Lu had sent people to Guangdong to deliver letters to Shang Wanyi several times before, Shang Wanyi couldn't help but burst into tears when she saw her husband's lackey handing over her husband's handwritten letter again. A tearful person, Shi Zongyao hurriedly comforted: "Princess, please don't be sad. Before Lu Wangye, the land road was blocked, the sea was too stormy, and the navy full of dogs and Zheng Jing intercepted him. He was afraid that you would be in danger. I didn't take you back. But it's different now, the prince's army has already reached Yudu, and in at most another month, he will be able to border on the prince's domain. At that time, you can return to Beijing at any time, princess, and The prince is reunited."

Shang Wanyan, who had lost a lot of weight, nodded with tears in her eyes, but she couldn't stop her tears, sobbing again, she asked, "What about my child? Did my husband take Bang Jing back to his side?"

Shi Zongyao smiled bitterly, and answered bravely: "Princess Wang, my son is still in Kunming. I heard that he is living with General Hu Guozhu and his wife, so he needs to be taken care of. But the concubine does not need to worry. The prince now has seven provinces, and his generals Like clouds, counselors like rain, 50 armored men, even with Guo Zhuangtu's [-] courageous rebels, he would not dare to let the prince lose a single hair."

The nature of mother and child, I heard that the only son is still detained in Kunming, Shang Wanyi inevitably cried bitterly, but the face of Prince Shang at the side was a little pale, I don't know whether Shi Zongyao's words were threatening Guo Zhuangtu or Own.But fortunately, Shi Zongyao, who was born as a Jinshi, understands etiquette very well. Apart from comforting Shang Wanyi with these few words, he never said a word similar to stimulate Shang Wangye's fragile nerves. Soon the fat man's army envoys were led into the city of Guangzhou and placed directly in the Gongbei Building of the Pingnan Palace.

Immediately afterwards, when Shi Zongyao was led into the Yinluan Palace of the Pingnan Palace, the thing that had always made Lord Shang extremely difficult finally happened——Shi Zongyao held Fatty Lu's Yue Wang Junzhi in the center, and sang loudly: "The imperial decree of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the order of the king of Yue, the king of Fude, Shang Zhixin, knelt down to accept it."

No one moved, and everyone's eyes turned to Lord Shang. When Lord Shang took action first, Lord Shang's face turned green and pale, not knowing what to do.In the end, it was Shi Zongyao who kindly reminded: "Master Shang, you are the county king now, and Lord Lu is the Prince Regent, only one level lower than Lord Lu, and you can half-kneel to accept the order."

Lord Shang still didn't move immediately, and after hesitating for a long time, Lord Shang finally knelt down on one knee, and while madly cursing his brother-in-law's eighteen generations of ancestors in his heart, he clasped his fists and sang: "I accept the decree from Shang Zhixin, and my lord is a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old!" Years old." Lord Shang's confidantes on both sides also knelt down on one knee, and sang Yuewang Qiansui neatly, and even Shang Wanyi knelt down on one knee in an angry and funny way.

"The imperial decree of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the king of Yue holds the order of festivals." Shi Zongyao sang loudly: "The king of Fude, Shang Zhixin, was renamed the prince of Fude, rewarded the prince with double stipends, stayed in the Guangdong feudal land forever, and granted a gold medal to avoid death. Three times! Jun this!"

After all, Shi Zongyao waved his hand back, and his entourage had already brought a wooden plate covered with flat yellow silk and satin, and Shi Zongyao lifted the silk and satin with his own hands, revealing the pure gold death-defying card the size of the satin's chin. In front of the prince, he respectfully said: "My lord, please accept the reward."

"Why did the little fat man promote my title and give me a gold medal to save me from death?" Prince Shang was confused, took the wooden tray honestly, and replied: "Thank you, King Yue, for a thousand years, my lord."

"Congratulations, congratulations, lord." The lackeys of Lord Shang who were kneeling behind flattered him one after another. Lord Shang forced a smile, but as soon as he got up, Shi Zongyao said again: "My lord, wait a minute, there is one more thing."

"What else?" Lord Shang was even more puzzled, but Shi Zongyao took out a letter sealed with wax from his arms, put it in front of Lord Shang with both hands, and said with a smile: "My lord, please look carefully, is the wax intact? ? Lord Lu has a decree, this thing can only be seen by you alone, Shi Zongyao didn’t dare to peek at what’s inside.”

"Could it be that thing?" Lord Shang's heart skipped a beat, he quickly took the envelope and checked it carefully, and found that the sealant with Fatty Lu's small seal was indeed intact and had not been opened by anyone. Lord Shang crushed the sealant again, trembling When he took out the letter paper and took a closer look, the big stone in Lord Shang’s heart finally fell to the ground—this letter paper was indeed the original copy of the deed of prostitution he gave Kang’s name. Fatty Lu returned this thing to Lord Shang for self-evident, It is absolutely impossible to pursue Prince Shang's intention of plotting rebellion by stepping on two boats.

"My lord, have you seen it clearly?" Shi Zongyao took out a candle as if conjuring, asked his followers to light it up, then stretched out the lighted candle in front of Lord Shang, and asked with a smile, "My lord, do you need this?"

Lord Shang forced a smile, first reached out to wipe the cold sweat off his forehead, and then set the deed of sale on fire, personally destroying this ironclad evidence of the crime that was enough to ransack the family of Lord Shang.The lackeys of Prince Shang and Shang Wanyi behind were all very curious, but neither could read the content of the letter nor dared to ask, so they could only hide their full of questions in their hearts.

Fatty Lu sold such a great favor to Lord Shang, and he reciprocated it. Naturally, Lord Shang would not treat Shi Zongyao's team of envoys badly. That night, there was a big banquet in the Pingnan Palace, and Lord Shang personally led more than twenty younger brothers to accompany him. During the banquet, the guests and hosts had a great time, congratulations to Lu Shang and the two princes on their long lives, and the voices of wishing the friendship between the Great Zhouyue Palace and the Fude Palace will last forever. Someone chanted the slogan that the Yue Palace and the Fude Palace would join forces to divide the world equally.

Of course, Lord Shang is also a smart person. After the banquet, Lord Shang certainly had to invite Shi Zongyao into his study for a secret talk. What else does that brother-in-law, Lord Lu, have to say? If you have something to say, please speak up, we are all our own people, so there is no need to be polite."

"Prince Lu, what else can I say?" Shi Zongyao replied with confusion on his face, "No? The lord has nothing to do except to let the next official announce the decree, and to hand over the letter to the lord." what?"

"No?" Lord Shang's eyes widened, and he asked even more puzzled: "How could it be possible? My brother-in-law, really treats me so well? Give me so many benefits, and don't want anything in return?"

"My lord, if you want to say that, then the official will dare to accuse you a few words." Shi Zongyao said sincerely: "Who are you from our Lord Lu? A direct wife and brother, and the uncle of our prince's son, As the saying goes, if a mother dies to an uncle, if a bone is broken and a tendon is broken, if we, Lord Lu, do something for you, do we have to reciprocate like outsiders?"

"Really?" Lord Shang was skeptical, it was the first time he found out that his brother-in-law was so nice.

"Of course." Shi Zongyao whispered more sincerely: "Your Majesty, I would like to say another word of criticism. We, Prince Lu, already hold the soldiers and horses of the seven provinces, and are the best places in the world. It is no longer a question of whether we can, but a question of whether our Lord Lu is willing. But if we want to achieve great things, our Lord Lu must have the help of his confidants, but you also know, Lord Lu, that his family is small and has no brothers. Sisters, and no cousins, the only two cousins, one stays in Nanjing, the other sits in Shanhaiguan, an important place in the capital, there are not many people around you who you can trust, and there are not many relatives and siblings who can fully talk to each other——My lord, you are Lu My lord's direct wife and brother, when our lord dived into the abyss before, and you were so kind to Lord Lu, is it possible that our lord Lu will not repay you or reuse you?"

"Bang!" Lord Shang slapped the table heavily, only to realize that he had forgotten an important issue - since ancient times, rebels and usurpers have all reused relatives and entrusted power to relatives and siblings!Fatty Lu's family is small, and there are very few immediate relatives who can be trusted. The first one in the selection of cronies is foreign relatives. As Fatty Lu's wife and eldest brother, he has land, strength and family affection. Fatty can rely on the number one object of reuse. If he doesn't hurry up to please his brother-in-law and win his trust, why should he join forces with outsiders to deal with his brother-in-law like he has taken the wrong medicine?Helping outsiders win the world, can it be more cost-effective to help your own brother-in-law win the world? !
"My lord, what's the matter? Did the officer say something wrong?" Shi Zongyao was taken aback by Lord Shang's action of slapping the table and smashing the bench.

"No...it's nothing, I suddenly thought of something." Lord Shang quickly waved his hands, and then asked in a low voice: "Master Shi, my brother-in-law really has nothing to say? If you have something, please speak up."

"Go back to the lord, there is really no more." Shi Zongyao smiled bitterly, hesitated again, and said in a low voice: "But our lord Lu still has a few words, and we are going to let the officials tell the lord. But these few words, unless the lord takes the initiative Ask the question about that letter, and then report it to the prince. Otherwise, Prince Lu will not allow the subordinate to bring it up, so as not to misunderstand the prince."

"What question did I ask about that letter?" This time it was Lord Shang's turn to be confused.

Shi Zongyao did not answer in a hurry, but took a sip from his teacup, and then said unhurriedly: "Don't you want to ask, why did our Lord Lu give you that letter? Please hand it over to me, Lord Lu." destroy?"

"Why?" Lord Shang finally remembered this important question.

"Lord Lu's original words, in order to prevent the prince from making mistakes and being used by outsiders." Shi Zongyao said with a serious expression: "When the Emperor Mangou was on his own expedition, in order to let one person join forces with the Mangou army to attack our prince from all sides, put The copy of that letter was given to that person, and he took the opportunity to lure that person to join forces with the Mangou army. You know what happened next, my lord. Our lord was surrounded by Mangou and some outsiders, and almost couldn't hold on. It was hard Just got through it."

"How did Lord Lu know about this?" Lord Shang's face changed drastically, and his fists could not help but clenched tightly.

Lord Shang's reaction shocked Shi Zongyao again. Shi Zongyao, who knew the inside story, couldn't help but wondered, "Everyone said that Shang Zhixin's letters were thick and thin, and extremely cunning. How could he be so easy to deceive? Do you believe such an unimportant thing immediately? Is it because the rumors are wrong, meeting is not as good as being famous?"

"Master Shi, tell me quickly!" Prince Shang urged nervously, "My brother-in-law, how did you know this secret?"

Shi Zongyao coughed, and then said seriously in a low voice: "Of course that person told our lord personally that now our lord's army has approached his border, and he is afraid that our lord will settle the old and new accounts together and take his title and withdraw him." He secretly reported this important matter to our lord, and also submitted a copy of this letter, hoping to divert the disaster to the west, and expressed his willingness to lend the way to our lord, and even directly sent troops to help. Our lord Lu knows the matter It's very important, and I'm more worried that that person will use this letter to make waves, pull you into the water, and do something that even Lu Wangye can't cover up, so I asked the envoy to take the original letter that was confiscated from Mangounan's study. Send it to Guangzhou, please destroy it with your own hands, so that you can rest assured..."

"Geng Jingzhong! I'll fuck your mother's eighteen generations of ancestors!" Lord Shang jumped up violently, grabbed the teacup and smashed it on the ground, roaring wildly, "You bastard! You traitor! I'll fuck your mother!" Eighteen generations of ancestors! A duplicitous bastard! A bastard——!"

"Is that enough to believe it? Isn't this Prince Shang too useless?" Shi Zongyao was a little dumbfounded, and a lot of rhetoric prepared on the road was useless.

"Just tell me, you bastard, you are so kind, and you can't sell it for a good price when you catch me?" The more Prince Shang scolded, the more angry he became, smashing the desks and benches in the study madly and shouting, "Sure enough! That's right! It really is! While using Lao Tzu's excuses to blackmail Lao Tzu, at the same time selling Lao Tzu's excuses, I want to trade my life for your glory and wealth! Bastard, you have a good idea!"

"No way?" Shi Zongyao finally sensed that the smell was wrong, and exclaimed in his heart: "Could it be that we are playing the wrong way? Geng Jingzhong really has a copy of this letter in his hand, and he also took this letter to blackmail Lord Shang? There is nothing like this in the world. A coincidence, right?"

"Bastard, if you are unkind, don't blame me for being unrighteous——!"

At this time, Lord Shang, who was furious to the extreme, rushed to the side of the bookshelf and rummaged for a while, but he didn't know what mechanism was pressed, and a small hole appeared on the wall of the study room, and Lord Shang rushed there again Go, took out a stack of documents from the hole in the wall, handed them to Shi Zongyao, and said with a livid face: "Master Shi, you take these back to my brother-in-law! Geng Jingzhong accepted the title of Jinghai King conferred by my brother-in-law, In private, we have connected with all kinds of rebels, and we are going to join forces to attack you! Now Geng Jingzhong has temporarily stopped attacking Zhangzhou and Quanzhou, just to drag Zheng Jing into the water, and let Zheng Jing surprise your Nanjing by sea!"

Shi Zongyao was completely dumbfounded, and there was only one thought left in his mind, "Could it be that our lord is really the fate of the real dragon emperor, such a good thing, let our lord catch up?"

"Master Shi doesn't believe it?" Lord Shang misunderstood Shi Zongyao's reaction, pointed to the stack of documents and said angrily: "In it, there is the original alliance agreement between Geng Jingzhong and Guo Zhuangtu, with Geng Jingzhong's autograph on it There is also the letter Geng Jingzhong entrusted me to contact Zheng Jing and mediate the war between him and Zheng Jing, and there is also a letter signed by Geng Jingzhong's son! Also, because your army is going south, Geng Jingzhong's son is afraid that you will do something, so he wrote to urge me Hurry up to send troops to station in Jiayingzhou, and agree that once the war starts, we will join forces to attack your enclave in Chaozhou immediately, and your own letter will also be included! With this, you can also become famous and kill that bastard Geng Jingzhong with dignity. !"

Happiness came so fast and so violently that Shi Zongyao felt as if he wanted to faint.But Prince Shang was still angry, and shouted again: "Tell my brother-in-law, if you do it, I will do it right away, attack Geng Jingzhong's son from the north and the south, and cut off the water and land connection between Geng Jingzhong's son and Guo Zhuangtu's son! After the matter is completed, I will lend you a way to clean up Guo Zhuangtu, your team in Chaozhou, I can temporarily provide food and salary for you, and return it to me when you take Fujian!"

(End of this chapter)