It was late at night. In a house with three courtyards and two courtyards in Jinan Prefecture, Gao Yingming, a colleague of Jinan, was sitting alone in the flower hall drinking. On the table in front of him, there were three small plates of pickles, two plates of meat, and a small stove in the middle. Above, the casserole was tumbling, and the mutton inside exuded a human aroma.
Gao Yingming picked up the wine glass and drank it in one gulp. A stream of heat flowed down his throat and directly into his stomach. However, Gao Yingming still frowned and did not feel at all comfortable drinking alone.
Today, Gao Yingming took his family servants to "report" to various ministries of the shogunate. Not only did he pay back the taxes owed for the past five years, which amounted to more than 7,300 taels of silver, but he also returned more than 4,000 acres of military land that he had occupied. .
At this time, almost half of Gao Yingming's family fortune was wiped out. The income from more than 4,000 acres of military farmland was lost, and Gao Yingming's financial path was even cut off. Nowadays, dozens of people in the house still have to eat, and colleagues and superiors also have to take care of things. Gao Yingming fell directly from a wealthy life to a broken family. The huge gap made him almost cry.
"Liu Yan!"
Gao Yingming gritted his teeth and called out Liu Yan's name. He couldn't remember how many times this happened tonight, but the anger in his heart did not diminish at all. As the saying goes, judging someone's money is like killing their parents. Now Gao Yingming almost broke his family because of this, and the anger in his heart can be seen.
Before going to the various ministries of the shogunate, Gao Yingming also approached the prefect Zhao Caiming to find out whether the entire Jinan government would submit a letter to the court together. Maybe the matter could be slowed down, and at least they could pay less. He hoped that Zhao Caiming could take the lead.
But what Gao Yingming didn't expect was that Zhao Caiming was the first person in Jinan Prefecture to pay back tax arrears.
Those who returned the cultivated land, and persuaded Gao Yingming to go to various ministries of the shogunate to pay the tax arrears and return the cultivated land as soon as possible.
Before Gao Yingming left, Zhao Caiming also gave him a message: "There are already so many heads in the two Jingguan outside the city. Lord Governor probably won't mind having one more. Lord Gao should think about it carefully." .”
Gao Yingming suddenly lost his thoughts. After the various departments of the shogunate "emptied out" most of his family property, he returned home in despair and drank alone until late at night.
"grown ups?"
Suddenly, the voice of a servant came from outside the door. Gao Yingming was interrupted from his thoughts and immediately shouted angrily: "What's the matter!"
"Sir, it is General Zhu Shuxing of the auxiliary country who is here to visit. He is waiting in the front hall."
"What is he here for?"
"I don't know, but I see Master Zhu is not in a good mood and is clamoring to see him."
"Bring him here."
"yes."
Zhu Shuxiao was also from the lineage of King De. According to the clan lineage, Zhu Shuxiao was also the nephew of King De Wang Zhu Youjue, and was awarded the title of general of the auxiliary country. However, Zhu Shuxie did not have a close relationship with Prince De's Palace. Instead, he was closer to the prefect's Yamen and other civil servants.
Especially with his colleague Gao Yingming, the two of them were close friends for eight worshippers, and they moved around frequently on weekdays. This was a well-known fact in Jinan Mansion.
A moment later, Zhu Shuxian opened the door with a gloomy expression and sat directly opposite Gao Yingming.
Gao Yingming glanced at Zhu Shusheng, then waved his hand and said to the servant: "Give General Fuguo a pair of bowls and chopsticks, get some dishes to go with the wine, and get a pot of Shaoguo wine."
"yes."
After the servant went out and closed the door, Zhu Shu Xiancai said angrily: "My lord, do you still have the heart to drink? This is so hot."
Now that you have sex, you are not in a hurry? "
Gao Yingming sneered, took another sip of wine, and said, "What's the use of being anxious? My family's money, grain, and land have already been handed over to the governor. Now I'm a destitute, a pauper. I can only eat as much as I can." , there is nothing to be anxious about!”
Zhu Shuxian said in surprise: "You also paid the tax arrears and returned the cultivated land? Why didn't Mr. Gao put up a fight and bowed down so easily?"
"What else can we do? Are we waiting for the New Army to raid our homes and take people away?"
"Hey!"
Zhu Shu said angrily: "What kind of world do you think this is! You are a high official, and I am a relative of the emperor. We are actually manipulated by Liu Yan, a warrior. It is embarrassing to tell you! What is the rule of the imperial government and the laws of the ancestors? You and I are going to be oppressed by warriors as we are, and we have to give money, food and land to the common people!"
"But I am the governor of Shandong and I have troops. What can you do? Now I hope Liu Yan will not settle the score with the future. As long as I can save my life, what else can I hope for?"
At this time, the servants brought bowls, chopsticks, appetizers, and Shaoguo wine. After setting them up, they went out again.
Zhu Shuxie stood up immediately, opened the door and stuck his head out to take a look. After making sure that no one was there, he closed the door and locked it again. He came to Gao Yingming's side and lowered his voice and said, "It's true that Liu Yan is the governor of Shandong, but you, Mr. Gao There are connections and backers in the court. Although I am only a general who serves the country, I am also a relative of the emperor. If you and I join forces, why can't we fight with that Liu Yan!"
Gao Yingming's eyes widened and he was speechless for a while. It wasn't until Zhu Shuxi patted the table and called to himself that he came back to his senses and said, "I've handed over all the money and land."
Okay, what's the use of telling me this now? Besides, who is Liu Yan? He is someone who really dares to draw a sword and kill people. How can we fight him if we don’t have any soldiers? "
Zhu Shuxi said: "We can't fight Liu Yan alive, but if he dies, who will make the decision in Shandong? Yan Jizu, the governor of Shandong! When the time comes, you will unite with the backers in the court and push Yan Jizu out to stabilize the situation. I will unite with the clans from all over the country. To build momentum for you, the court will definitely recognize what we have done."
"As for the proud and powerful generals of the Shandong New Army, as long as they are given promotions and titles, and more money and food rewards, who will have trouble living with so much money?"
After hearing this, Gao Yingming stood up suddenly and walked around extremely irritably. He was obviously shocked by Zhu Shuxian's words. This was a big deal, and he might have to kill everyone in his family. Gao Yingming had never thought about taking such a desperate risk. Although he also wanted to fight Liu Yan at this time, he still couldn't make up his mind.
"You are looking for death!"
After a while, Gao Yingming pointed at Zhu Shuxian and said, "You want to kill Liu Yan, how to kill him? Do you think you are Guan Yunchang who took the head of the general among the ten thousand armies?"
Zhu Shuxie sneered and said: "I have been planning this for several days and have found many like-minded people, both civil and military, as well as relatives of the emperor like me. As long as Mr. Gao nods, those civil and military generals will So I will take Sir Gao as my leader, and my relatives and friends will respect me. Let’s handle this matter together, how about it?”
"you!"
Gao Yingming was really scared at this time and said: "Kill a provincial governor, not to mention that the new soldiers will seek revenge on you and me, how can the court just let it go!"
"The imperial court?
Do you think Liu Yan won the great victory in Kaifeng? Why didn't the court promote him? Now Liu Yan means just eight words to His Majesty: the tail is too big to fall off, and the seal cannot be sealed! If we get rid of Liu Yan, not only will we not be guilty, but even the emperor will come forward to protect us! "
"Although those new soldiers and generals are in some trouble, when the time comes the imperial court will promote and transfer them, and you and I will give them some money, food and benefits, so we won't have to worry about appeasing them."
After Zhu Shuxiao finished speaking, he stood up, pulled Gao Yingming and asked: "What do you think? In one sentence, you Gao, do it or not! If you are afraid and don't do it, I will find others to join forces. Then you will pay the money, food and land." , and don’t even think about coming back!”
Gao Yingming was already a little shaken at this time and said: "But this will kill people. What if we fail to succeed?"
Zhu Shuxie sneered, looking down on Gao Yingming, and said: "Even if we miss, Mr. Gao will just pass the responsibility to me. I, Zhu Shuxie, am the general of the auxiliary country and a relative of the emperor. Liu Yan dares to kill officials and gentry, how dare he kill relatives of the emperor? I'll lend him some courage!"
After hearing these words, Gao Yingming also gained some courage. After all, this belongs to the Zhu family. Could it be that Liu Yan could still draw a sword against the Zhu family? Wouldn’t that be rebellion?
"good!"
Gao Yingming gritted his teeth, finally made up his mind, and said in a low voice: "I will fight with General Fuguo and let out the evil spirit in my chest!"
"Haha, Mr. Gao is mighty, he is a man!"
"but……"
Gao Yingming took Zhu Shuxian and sat down, and then asked: "What are you going to do, General Fu Guo? You must be cautious about this matter, and Liu Yan is not a good person to deal with."
Sir, you and I must not rush into this. "
"Of course I know, I'm not a reckless person."
Then Zhu Shuxie lowered his voice and said: "Two days ago, Liu Yan brought his wife, two concubines and his only son to Jinan Fucheng. His son is more than three years old this year. I heard that Liu Yan was going to send him to a new school in the city. Enlightenment.”
Gao Yingming said: "I have also heard that the new school not only teaches people literacy, three hundred thousand, and sage classics, but also teaches many practical studies such as arithmetic, agriculture, astronomy and geography. There will be many ways out in the future, and it will not Many ordinary people are vying to go to Shushu Cultivation, and I heard that there are people in the capital who want to come to study."
"yes."
Zhu Shuxi said: "I am going to use this as an excuse to congratulate Liu Yan's son on his enlightenment, and arrange a banquet for him to earn Liu Yan money, and then we..."
Zhu Shuxing whispered in Gao Yingming's ear. Gao Yingming's eyes suddenly widened, a look of fear appeared on his face, and then a look of anger. The two expressions were intertwined, making him look very ferocious.
After a moment, Zhu Shuxiao finished speaking, stared at Gao Yingming and said: "I have already told you the plan, what do you think, Master Gao?"
Gao Yingming said with a gloomy face: "Okay! Let's do it like this. As long as Liu Yan comes, he will never escape from your hands!"
"Ha ha!"
Zhu Shu picked up the wine glass with a smile and said: "Come, let's borrow Mr. Gao's fine wine tonight. Let's celebrate in advance. Tomorrow, Mr. Gao will come to my house and meet our colleagues who are working together!"
"Okay, do it!"
The two clinked glasses and drank, then looked at each other and laughed loudly.
Now outside the flower hall, I just came here
The servant who delivered the food and wine was hiding in the shadows, looking into the flower hall through the railings and trees. He could still vaguely hear the laughter of Gao Yingming and Zhu Shuxiao. A trace of surprise flashed in his eyes, and then he turned and left.
Early the next morning, Gao Yingming drove to Zhu Shuxiao's house and saw Zhu Shuxiao in a wing room in the backyard. There were six people in the house, including the judge and warden of Jinan Mansion, and two members of the Jinan Guard. There are one thousand-household official and two hundred-household official.
When everyone saw Gao Yingming's arrival, they all clasped their fists and exchanged greetings. Zhu Shuxian even regarded himself as the "big brother taking the lead" and invited everyone to sit down. Then he ordered his trusted servants to guard outside and no one was allowed to come near.
"Everyone, you all already know the matter. Let's talk about the specific links today."
"Cong Qianhu, Zhao Qianhu, are you two warriors ready?"
The two Qianhu of Jinan Guard said one after another: "Ready, General Fuguo, don't worry!"
"good!"
Zhu Shu smiled and said: "We will hold a banquet at my house when the time comes. Mr. Gao will accompany Liu Tongpuan, Xu Dianjiu, Cong Qianhu, and Zhao Qianhu, and Zhang Baihu and Li Baihu will lead all the dead men." Come on, do you have any opinions on this arrangement?"
Everyone clapped their hands and applauded. Only Gao Yingming thought for a moment and said, "Liu Yan will be accompanied by the elite of the New Army's Guards Battalion when he travels. I wonder how many dead soldiers the two Lords of Qianhu have and what their combat strength is?"
Cong Qianhu said with a smile: "Don't worry, Mr. Gao, the dead soldiers that Zhao Qianhu and I have prepared are all servants of many adults. Their fighting strength is definitely not a problem, and there are more than two hundred people. This matter will definitely be accomplished!"
"How many servants raised the money?"
"There are more than twenty
Well, they are all strong players who choose the best. "
Gao Yingming looked a little ugly and said: "With so many people involved in this matter, the news will inevitably leak out. Do you think Liu Yan will get the news in advance?"
Everyone's color suddenly changed.
Zhu Shuxie said slightly dissatisfied: "Master Gao is overly worried. I am planning this matter, so it will be foolproof!"
