The Great Bandit in Kangxi Year

Chapter 57 Wu Sangui's Tangle
Niu Mang, Luo Qian and the others also sensed that something was wrong, they held their weapons tightly and took two steps forward, not daring to be careless.

Monk Yuankong immediately felt several tyrannical murderous auras locked on him, and seeing that Jiang Tao was telling the truth, his expression relaxed, and he sighed: "Amitabha, the poor monk has a picture, the benefactor is really a man of temperament, the poor monk There are still important matters, so I will leave."

"Wait a minute, since the master has the heart of revenge, why don't you join us to fight against the Qing Dynasty and make it clear that it is not good?" Jiang Tao saw that he was quite knowledgeable about current affairs. In a few years, martial arts should not be bad.

"Amitabha, good, good, since the general has the heart to serve the country, why don't you go with the poor monk to visit the third prince Zhu, and then everyone will be happy when the name is justified." A master said that the flowers are blooming in the circle, and he clasped his hands and said solemnly.

"Haha, to tell the truth, although this general has the ambition to serve the country, he comes from a reckless background, and it is difficult for him to be elegant. The master can't laugh at this vulgar man." Jiang Tao shook his head and sighed, telling him to work for others. It is simply impossible, and besides, I have thousands of soldiers now, so why bother to rely on others.

"Amitabha, wonderful, wonderful, if the reckless people can be like the general, why worry about the Tartars not being destroyed? The poor monk has offended so much just now, and I hope the general forgives the crime. The green mountains will not change, and the green water will flow forever. "Yuankong also saw that this person was full of pride, and he would never sincerely surrender to the prince, so he simply stopped demanding.

Although Jiang Tao knew the result earlier, he still couldn't help sighing. A good reputation is too important. He forced a smile and said, "Come here, I will give the master a hundred swords and guns, a thousand taels of silver, and five hundred stones of food."

"You can't, you can't." Yuan Kong waved his hands again and again, and said seriously: "You don't get rewarded for meritorious service, you don't have to be polite, general."

"You monk." Jiang Tao became angry all of a sudden, and shouted loudly: "You are really pedantic. The great cause of rebelling against the Qing Dynasty did not happen overnight. If you have no money and no food, how can you rebel against the Qing Dynasty, and how can you restore the Ming Dynasty? I respect you as a righteous man who rebelled against the Qing Dynasty. However, you have been scruples about my status as a general, how can you increase your strength? How can you devote yourself to the third prince Zhu?"

Yuan Kong didn't bother to pay attention to it at first, but when he heard this, he showed a look of shame, and an old man beside him said: "The general really understands righteousness, if Xiangzhu refuses again, it will make the heroes of the world laugh at him."

Seeing this, Jiang Tao laughed and said, "Da Shan, if you can use this general in the future, just ask."

Seeing Jiang Tao's boldness, Yuankong sighed in his heart, and said without joy or sorrow: "The general's kindness is always in my heart, and the poor monk will not shirk it. Let's meet again in the future."

Jiang Tao nodded and sent them away respectfully. Niu Mang said angrily, "My brother, why bother with this fake monk? He's not happy at all, and the ways are different, so we don't conspire with each other."

"Brother is bad. Now there are not many people who dare to take the initiative to fight against the Qing Dynasty. Besides, it is always good to have more friends. Tell me to go on. After dinner, I will practice for an hour before resting." Jiang Tao stopped watching, turned around and sighed, In fact, he didn't take those money and food seriously in his heart, they were just robbed anyway, and it was just borrowing flowers to offer Buddha. As long as it can make Man Qing a headache for a while, he will be satisfied, but talent is rare, hey.

................................................

At this time, the picturesque Yunnan Mansion was very lively. Before Zhe Erken and more than [-] followers arrived at the gate of Prince Pingxi's mansion, he heard three earth-shattering cannon shots. The main gate of the majestic and majestic Pingxi Palace was opened. Hundreds of guards of honor, with swords hanging from their waists and banners held high, lined up in a neat, solemn, mighty and majestic team, surrounded by the white-haired Wu Sangui.

Wu Sangui wore a golden dragon crown on his head, and was wearing a five-clawed golden dragon's four-tuan men's suit. When he saw the imperial envoy Zhe Erken, holding the imperial edict, and his deputy Fu Dali came to the door, Wu Sangui lightly shook his hands and put down the snow-white robe. The horse kicked his sleeves, bowed first and hit a thousand: "Slave Wu Sangui respectfully invites Long Live Sheng'an!"

Then he calmly performed three kneelings and nine kowtows to the sound of drum music.

Wu Sangui was so respectful, so respectful, and arranged such a grand receiving ceremony, which made the imperial envoy Zhe Erken very satisfied. He was worried all the way, and finally let go of it for the time being, and said: "My lord, bow!" Qing, it is regarded as a gift on behalf of the heavens.

Then he changed his smile, passed the imperial edict to Fu Dali, the deputy imperial envoy behind him, and supported Wu Sangui with both hands.I knelt down on one knee and slapped a thousand sons: "Your Majesty, greet the lord! Congratulations to the lord! Nine years ago, I saw the lord once in Beijing, and now I look much younger. The lord is as blessed as the sea!"

"Haha, old friend, you don't have to be polite. Please come in, Master Fu! You too!" Wu Sangui said, pulling one into the main hall of the palace.

After the imperial envoy was seated and the tea was served, Wu Sangui said with a smile, "My lords, not long ago, Lord Wu Dan came to Yunnan with an edict, and was rewarded with many things by the sage. Wu Sangui, what virtue and merit, can bear such a generous favor from the master! In fact, the emperor What's the matter, just summon Xiao Wang to Beijing to give an interview, what a waste of effort to come here again and again! Hey! Kangxi entered the pilgrimage in the third year, and it has been nine years of spring and autumn. I really miss my master. The year before the eve My master called me to Beijing, but I happened to be ill. I asked Zhu Zhongcheng to pay my respects to Shengdai. He said that the master worked hard day and night and was very thin. Is it better now? I must have grown taller—oh, old people Now, far away in this wild and desolate place, it is not easy to see the master!"

Wu Sangui said these words with deep affection and sincerity, and there was no trace of involuntary sorrow. Fu Dali felt that things were not as bad as Yunnan governor Zhu Guozhi said, so he sat there smiling and nodded, drinking tea in peace.

But Zheerken knew Wu Sangui's temperament well, so he couldn't guess him with common sense. After hearing Wu Sangui's confession, he laughed heartily and said, "The prince is very right. Long live the prince is really thinking about the prince! It can be said that Guan Shanwan Seriously, it’s not a matter of the hearts of kings and ministers—Master Fu, please bring the long live handbook and present it to the prince for review.”

Zorken's arrangement had already been discussed by them.According to the normal procedure, Wu Sangui should kneel at the door to accept the imperial edict, welcome him into the main hall, set up the incense table, and listen to the imperial envoy's reading.However, Zheerken and the others knew in their hearts that this imperial decree was a reminder to Wu Sangui, if they were too serious, there might be an accident soon.

So, on the way, they discussed several times before deciding to deal with it according to the power, not to suppress Wu Sangui with common courtesy, and coax him to obey the holy order and withdraw from the feudal clan smoothly.

Now, when the imperial envoy had spoken, Fu Dali quickly held up the imperial edict with both hands, and presented it to Wu Sangui, letting him take it and read it himself.However, Wu Sangui is not easy to coax, he will not be fooled by this. Seeing Fu Dali holding up the imperial decree, he quickly got up and left his seat and stood down, shaking his sleeves and robe, saying: "Slave Wu Sangui respectfully accepts the imperial decree. Long live the emperor." , long live!"

Then, after kneeling three times and kowtowing nine times, he took the imperial decree and opened it, and first praised him loudly: "What a stroke of words."

Then, I slowly unfolded it and read it carefully and seriously.He is also acting, he has already known the content of the imperial decree, and has already arranged countermeasures, but at this time, he read it three times in a row, and held the imperial book in a proper manner , offering it on the incense table in the middle, then turned around and sat down, sincerely and sincerely, but said casually and kindly:

"I expect that the emperor will treat me with great kindness, and he will definitely accept my petition. The imperial edict says that my merits are in the country, which is a long live reward. As the saying goes, 'falling leaves return to their roots', I am from the north, and I have long wanted to go back to the north for a happy reunion Yuan An spent his dying years. After living outside for a long time, it is inevitable that someone will provoke right and wrong in front of the Holy Majesty. Now that Long Live said so, I am relieved. Long Live is called the body, the sky, and things, and you know the heart of the elderly!"

Fu Dali felt that Wu Sangui was amiable, not at all like what Zheerken and Zhu Guozhi said, so he smiled and bowed and asked: "I wonder when the prince's car can leave? The emperor has built a palace in Beijing to welcome the prince to Beijing. The eldest son is also looking forward to it every day. The prince is going north, the whole family will be reunited, and share the joy of the family relationship. Please give me the date and route, so that the next officials can play the Ming emperor, and make preparations early."

"Hahaha, Mr. Fu, although we haven't met before, we can tell at a glance that you are a sensible and reasonable pillar of the country. Is it hard to talk about my business? Now you can stand up and walk with the two of you. It's just a bitch Neighbors and family members have a lot of things to do with their mothers-in-law and mothers. The cheap nephew was caught in the wind and cold a few days ago and couldn't leave for a while. These trivial matters are nothing but the most troublesome ones are the soldiers and generals below. They have followed me for many years. Now all over Yunnan and Guizhou, rumors There are many, and it is very disrespectful to the emperor. Although I have punished a few people, I still can't suppress it. The two imperial envoys will gossip even more, if they don't comfort them properly, it will cause serious trouble!"

At this point, Wu Sangui looked up at Fu Dali's disappointed expression, and couldn't help but secretly smiled.But he continued, "About the end of October—" Before he could say a word, he heard a commotion outside the hall, and a middle-aged general with a "national" face pushed away the guards in front of the hall with both hands, and strode forward.The shiny riding boots under his feet stepped on the marble slab, making the sound of clanging gold and stone.

When Wu Sangui saw that someone broke into the palace and interrupted his words, his face was full of displeasure. He looked up and saw that it was his general Ma Bao, so he sternly scolded: "Is it Ma Bao? You dared to trespass into the palace without being summoned or reported in advance about the important matter of the feudal clan, what kind of dignity is this? Hmm!"

Ma Bao proudly bowed to Wu Sangui, but didn't answer his question, turned around abruptly, glanced coldly at Zhe Erken and Fu Dali, "You are imperial envoys, I heard that you are forcing our lord to go on the road?"

Zorken immediately understood that this was a prearranged scene.Originally, I also expected Wu Sangui to play some tricks, but I didn't expect the stage to open so early.

Seeing that Ma Bao's eyes were cold and he wanted to turn his face when he opened his mouth, he calmly picked up the tea bowl, glanced at Wu Sangui who was sitting dumbfoundedly, and casually flipped the floating tea with the bowl lid, and replied expressionlessly: "It's not possible" Forced. The prince asked himself to withdraw from the domain and return to the north for the elderly. The emperor granted it. We are just planning the return journey on behalf of the prince. This general has never met before. I don’t know your surname, and I don’t know if you are here today. What can I teach you? "

"Don't dare! I am Ma Bao, who is in charge of the army in front of King Pingxi's account! The imperial envoy knows that the prince is 'inviting' to withdraw from the feudal domain, and of course the schedule for the return journey is also 'determined' by the prince! As soon as the two of you enter the door, the glass of water is empty." Ask about the departure date, what does this mean?"

Wu Sangui blushed, slapped the table with a "snap", pointed at Ma Bao and shouted, "Presumptuous! Who taught you the rules. I have led the army for more than [-] years, Sangui, and I have never seen you act so wildly." **! Come on!"

"Boom out!"

"Hahahaha..." Ma Bao looked up to the sky and laughed, Zhe Erken and Fu Dali turned pale and their hairs straightened.

Wu Sangui was furious, his eyes widened, and he shouted sharply: "What are you laughing at, don't you know how powerful the Sanchi King's law is. Fork it out and punish the Forty Army Sticks severely, and destroy his gangster spirit!"

"Zha!" Several guards rushed forward in agreement.But Ma Bao didn't give in, he rushed to the entrance of the hall, drew his sword in his hand "shua", and shouted loudly:
"Whoever dares to move forward, I will immediately tell you to blood-smear the Yin'an Temple! My lord, the last general is bold. If you want to withdraw from the domain, you will be withdrawn. However, the date and route of the trip must be determined by Ma Bao! I have issued a general order , all the key passes in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces have been sealed, and there is no sign of my letter. A mouse can never get out! You two sour imperial envoys, wait here, the shortest is ten and a half months, and the longest is ten or eight years. When the prince's withdrawal of the feudal domain is settled, it will not be too late for us to go on the road! The prince forgives the sin, and we will leave!" He cupped his hands and sneered.

Seeing that the atmosphere was still well-behaved and friendly just now, it suddenly became murderous.In Ma Bao's words, he clearly revealed the meaning of detaining the imperial envoy.Zorken quickly planned countermeasures in his mind: "It seems that the matter is much more serious than originally expected. Instead of sitting still and waiting for death, it is better to come to him to turn against the guest. Make the point clear and see how Wu Sangui answers: "My lord, our It has been more than 30 years since I settled the settlement. You know that I am willing to go. Today, I am going to be an official to act according to the order.Just now General Ma said this, but the lower officials were puzzled.If the prince has already made arrangements, please speak up.What to do, Xiaguan and Fu Dali will follow orders. "

"Hey, what is this saying! Mr. Zhe is overthinking. Don't you know me, Wu Sangui? This Ma Bao was originally Zhang Xianzhong's subordinate. He was born in an adultery, what etiquette do he know? Afterwards, there are a lot of people commenting and suspecting. The "consolation" mentioned just now means this. You two, don't be as knowledgeable as these savages. Wait here for a while. Yunnan and Guizhou provinces, I have the final say. Around the end of October After that, we will definitely do it—this is a major court event, and it has been my long-cherished wish for many years, so I can't let these villains! Do you think so, Master Fu?"

Fu Dali deeply felt the bullying and humiliation, and was already filled with anger, but at this moment, unable to turn his back on Wu Sangui, he swallowed a mouthful of saliva, blushed and replied: "Xiaguan deeply appreciates the prince's affection. Since Fujin is not safe, the next army It doesn’t matter if the general refuses to obey orders like this, it’s okay to be a few days late. Today, after the officials go back, they will pay homage to the Emperor Ming and explain the reasons for it.”

"Why, don't you two agree to give me the honor to live in the cold mansion?" Wu Sangui said, then turned to look at Zheerken.

Zheerken knew that something was wrong, so he bowed his body, "If you go back to the prince, the posthouse has already been arranged. Zhu Zhongcheng also invited us to live in Fuya, and we also asked you to leave. Good luck, we are really happy." I don't want to be disturbed."

Wu Sangui knew that they deliberately expressed their distance from Zhu Guozhi, so he said tolerantly: "Actually, it doesn't matter where you live. You are ambassadors, so I have to do as you please-an order: hold a banquet to clean up the dust for the two imperial envoys!"

As soon as a word is said, the orchestra sings and the drums vibrate.Tables of ready-made food and wine were carried up one by one by four school captains, and the aroma of wine filled the hall instantly.Amidst the music, Wu Sangui's subordinates and generals filed in, holding a resume to meet the two imperial envoys.The two imperial envoys also got up and returned the salute one by one.Zheerken had many acquaintances, and occasionally held hands and chatted.Just now, the atmosphere with swords drawn and murderous intent was conjured up into a harmonious and enthusiastic scene.

Wu Sangui drank a few glasses of wine, and said with a flushed face, "The ambassador, drink a few more glasses, my king is too strong to drink, so please stay with us."

After finishing speaking, regardless of the reaction of the imperial envoy, he went straight back to the secret room, and received a secret report from the messenger that Sun Yanling of Guangxi had accepted the reward from King Linjiang. In this way, Geng Jingzhong from Fujian, Shang Zhixin from Guangdong, and Wang Fuchen from Shaanxi, There are also Wu Zhimao from the former Ministry of Sichuan, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of elite teachers under his command. Wu Sangui was determined and laughed wildly, as if he had already won the whole country and became the founding emperor. Suddenly thinking of his son Wu Yingxiong who was trapped in the capital, his heart With a sharp pain, he gritted his teeth and said, "Little Kangxi Tartar, just wait!"

(End of this chapter)