Xiang Danian personally escorted the Japanese captives to Yanjing. He entered the palace hall and saw Yang Peng. He kowtowed and said, "Brother, I have been ordered to escort the captives here!"
Yang Peng said with a smile: "Why did you personally escort the prisoners?" Xiang Danian said: "Reporting to the elder brother, the younger brother ordered the massacre of tens of thousands of Japanese surrendering troops, which violated military law, so I came here to ask the elder brother to punish him!" Everyone present After hearing this, they were all surprised. Yang Peng frowned and said: "The prohibition of massacre of prisoners is an important military law of our army. Anyone who violates it will be severely punished. Do you know?"
Xiang Danian nodded and said: "My younger brother knows, so I came here to ask my elder brother to punish him!" Everyone looked at Yang Peng with worried faces, but no one dared to intercede. Yan Yun's military law was as high as the mountains, and even Yang Peng, the king of Yan, was subject to military punishment. The committee was restricted by military law, so no one dared to intercede in such a matter.
Yang Peng stood up, walked to Xiang Danian, helped him up, sighed, and asked angrily: "You have done such a thing, what should I do?" Xiang Danian said cheerfully. : "Brother, there is no need to be embarrassed. Military skills are as good as mountains. I am willing to be a military master!" Then he pulled out the horizontal sword and was about to kill himself! Everyone was shocked. Yang Peng grabbed his wrist and said angrily: "You guy, you have such a hot temper!" Xiang Danian opened his eyes and said: "Brother doesn't want me to kill myself. Is this going to be execution?" Me?" Then he nodded and said: "That's fine, let's show the public the righteousness and serve as a warning to others!" He looked at Yang Peng and said proudly: "But I don't want the executioner to look at my head, so I'll ask my eldest brother to do it himself. Got it!"
Yang Peng said angrily: "Who said they were going to kill you? Have you broken the law? What kind of punishment will you get?" Xiang Danian was stunned and looked at Yang Peng in confusion. Yang Peng frowned and said: "The Japanese massacred so many of our people. They have already committed a capital crime. According to Yanyun law, they should be executed!" Xiang Danian became excited and echoed loudly: "Yes! Brother, this is absolutely correct. No more!" The others also laughed, and their hearts were relieved.
Yang Peng looked at Xiang Danian and said angrily: "Don't be happy yet! Although those Japanese people deserve to be executed for their crimes, you should not use lynching. What you did is very inappropriate. If you don't deal with it, people with great power will Will you still take Yanyun's law seriously?" Xiang Danian clasped his fists and said, "I don't care what I do with you! Even if I kill my head, I won't even frown!"
Yang Peng smiled and said: "It's not that serious. Your crime is just a procedural issue. You were executed without trial. I'll demote you to the third level of nobility." Xiang Danian was overjoyed and said: "Thank you, brother!" "
Yang Peng smiled, patted Xiang Danian on the shoulder, and praised him: "You fought a great battle! The Japanese army of 300,000 was wiped out. It's been a long time coming!" Xiang Danian said with a smile: "Little brother Don't dare to take credit, this was all commanded by Kou Yan!" Yang Peng smiled and nodded.
He returned to his boss and sat down, and asked: "How many Japanese prisoners did you bring?" "About three or four thousand, including the Japanese commanders Ueno Morinao, Tatsumoto Taro, Noda Yoshihiko, etc. Brother, these Japanese prisoners are here." It’s no use, they have killed so many of our people, let’s just execute them all.”
Yang Peng thought for a while and said: "They killed nearly ten thousand of our people. It's enough for you to kill tens of thousands of them and bury them with them. The other Japanese people should be sent to work in the mines. It's very difficult there now." Lack of people!" More and more mines are opening in Yanyun, but fewer and fewer people are willing to engage in this industry. After all, Yanyun is becoming more and more prosperous, and you can support your family by doing anything, so there are fewer and fewer people. Some people are willing to engage in the dangerous business of mining. In Yanyun's government-run mines, more and more prisoners are used for this work. The benefits of using captives are huge, the biggest of which is the low cost. Apart from the food to sustain their lives, there are no other costs. Because of this, the heads of government-owned industries, such as Meng Yulou and Zhang Ping, often came to compete for prisoners from Yang Peng.
Yang Peng thought: "Ueno Morunao is the commander-in-chief of the Japanese. He must be responsible for everything!" Xiang Danian nodded with deep understanding and said: "Exactly! Noda directly led the troops to do this. Jiayan must also be responsible!" Yang Peng nodded and said: "Wait a moment, you and Mr. Yang will explain the matter." Xiang Danian responded.
Yang Peng asked: "What are the losses of the First Army, the Sixth Army, and the Seventh Army?" Qin Mingdao: "The losses are not big. The main reason is that we lost some men during the counterattack under Cangzhou City and the forced crossing of the Xuanhui River!" Yang Peng pointed. nodded. Xiang Danian cupped his fists and asked: "Brother, are our three legions going north or south? Everyone is waiting for brother's order in Cangzhou!"
Yang Peng said: "For the time being, we will stay where we are and wait for orders." "Yes!"...
The drinkers were drinking and chatting in the tavern. Suddenly someone ran in and shouted excitedly: "The leader of the Japanese pirates is about to be beheaded at the South City Gate. Why don't you go and see!" The tavern immediately became filled with people. He rushed out of the tavern.
In the open space in front of the south city gate, nearly ten thousand people were crowded and noisy. A temporary wooden platform was built in front of them. On the wooden platform, two people wearing white clothes and holding signs were kneeling on the ground. Two executioners dressed in red, holding steel knives in both hands, stood behind them. A circle of city defense officers and soldiers stood around the wooden platform, while the supervisor was sitting not far away, waiting for the arrival of three quarters of noon. Behind the supervisor, there is a row of drums, and there is a drummer waiting in front of each drum.
The common people were talking under the execution platform: "Is this the leader of the Japanese pirates? I heard that the Japanese pirates are quite fierce, but I didn't expect them to be such a small man. No wonder they are called Japanese pirates!" "Being fierce has no use! No matter how fierce, there is no use. Is our Yanyun army fierce? I heard that 300,000 Japanese troops wanted to occupy our territory, but they were killed by General Xiang Danian and others. They wiped out the whole army, leaving no chickens or dogs behind!" "Huh! The Japanese can't do it! I am so emboldened by my ambition that I dare to scratch the tiger's beard. I am really impatient with life!"
Dong dong dong dong... the drums suddenly sounded loudly. The people who were talking about each other immediately fell silent and stared at the two Japanese pirate leaders on the execution platform. The executioner stood up and said in a loud voice: "It's three quarters at noon, and by the order of King Yan, the criminals will be executed!" The two executioners immediately stepped forward and took down the signs inserted from the backs of Ueno Morunao and Noda Yoshihiko. He raised the steel knife high, and the steel knife reflected the sun and radiated a cold and fierce light. The common people couldn't help but feel shocked, and the women, timid, couldn't help but turn their heads.
The supervisor took out the token from the box in front of him. At this moment, Noda Yoshihiko screamed in horror. What he shouted was in Japanese. No one could understand his words, but everyone could feel his extremely fearful mood. Although Ueno Morinao next to Noda Yoshihiko said nothing, his whole body was shaking like a sieve.
The executioner threw the token in his hand to the ground and shouted: "Behead!" The steel knife in the executioner's hand fell suddenly, with a click, and the two bloody heads rolled down the execution platform as the blood rushed. …
In the back hall of the palace, Yang Peng stood by the window with his hands behind his back, looking at the scenery outside the window. Taro Ryumoto knelt behind him, feeling uneasy in his heart. Yang Peng turned around, glanced at Taro Ryumoto, and asked, "Do you know what time it is now?" Taro Ryumoto didn't understand what this legendary figure meant, so he turned his head and looked outside, only to see the sun. When he was in full swing, he said, "Yes, it's noon."
Chen Xiao said: "It's three o'clock at noon. According to the custom of us Han people, three o'clock at noon is the time to kill criminals." Taro Longben was shocked. He thought Yang Peng was going to kill him, so he quickly kowtowed and said, "Please spare my life, King Yan." ! The invasion of Yanyun was not my intention! I am just a small general. I have no choice but to do whatever is ordered from above! Please spare my life, King Yan!"
Yang Peng raised the corner of his mouth, "Slave?" Long Bentaro said: "A slave is a prisoner of King Yan, and a slave of King Yan!"
Yang Peng smiled and nodded, saying: "Very good! You are self-aware." He glanced at him and said: "You don't have to be afraid, I don't intend to kill you." Taro Ryumoto immediately felt relieved. After I felt relieved, I suddenly felt as if I had lost all my strength. Immediately, he couldn't help but feel ashamed of his cowardice, but he also felt lucky to be able to survive.
Yang Peng said: "The ones who were killed at three quarters today are Ueno Morinao and Noda Yoshihiko..." Taro Ryumoto felt a chill in his heart, and his heart was pounding. Chen Xiao asked: "Do you know why I killed them and why I spared you?" Taro Ryumoto swallowed his saliva and kowtowed: "King Yan is a god in the sky. How dare I guess the mind of King Yan with my naked eyes?" ! Even if you want to guess, you can’t guess it!”
Yang Peng smiled and stopped playing riddles with him, saying: "The reason is very simple. Someone must pay the price for the massacre in Yanshan County! As the head coach, Ueno Mori Nao cannot escape the blame. Noda Yoshihiko is direct The executors are naturally unforgivable! So they must die!" Taro Ryumoto obeyed, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
Yang Peng sat down, glanced at Taro Long Bentaro, and said, "You have no evil deeds, so I won't kill you!" Taro Long Bentaro kowtowed quickly and said, "Thank you, King Yan, for your great kindness!"
Yang Peng leaned back, paused, and said: "I am very interested in your Japanese country, so I came to have a chat with you." Taro Ryumoto felt a chill in his heart. He keenly felt that this terrifying figure seemed to be... It seemed that he wanted to attack his own country, and he couldn't help but panic.
Yang Peng asked: "I heard that the actual person in power in your Japanese country is not the monarch, but a minister named Taira Kiyomori. Is that true?" Taro Ryumoto raised his upper body slightly and said: "The king of Yan clearly sees Wanli, and everything he said is true." Yes, the person who actually holds power in our country is Taira no Kiyoshi, and it was he who supported the current Emperor!"
Yang Peng asked with a smile: "Are you ministers loyal to the monarch or to Taira Kiyomori?" Taro Ryumoto said: "Reporting to King Yan, the ministers in the court and officials from various places, some are loyal to the emperor, and some are loyal to the emperor. But I am loyal to Taira Kiyomori.”
"Well, what's the comparison in strength between the two sides?" Taro Ryumoto asked: "Taira no Kiyoshi is stronger, especially in the army."
Yang Peng thought for a moment and said to Taro Ryumoto: "Okay, let's stop talking today." Then he raised his voice and said: "Come here!" When two secret guards came in, they cupped their fists and said: "What's wrong, master?" Order?" Yang Peng pointed to Taro Ryumoto who was still lying on the ground and said, "Take him down and imprison him in a better place." The two guards bowed and agreed, and Taro Ryumoto quickly thanked him: "Thank you, King Yan, for your grace. , Thank you King Yan for your grace!" Then he stood up and left under the escort of two guards. Yang Peng showed a thoughtful look and murmured: "Taira Kiyomori, the emperor... hum!" Yang Peng sneered.
A guard rushed in, bowed and said: "Master, Mr. Duan Yang is outside the door asking for an audience!" Yang Peng said: "Let him come in." The guard responded, ran down, and after a while he led a rich man in rich clothes. It was Duan Yang, the young master of the Duan family, who came in. The guard bowed to Yang Peng and stepped aside. Duan Yang took a step forward and bowed: "Duan Yang, a common man, pays his respects to King Yan!"
Yang Peng stepped forward to help Duan Yang up and said with a smile: "Young Master Duan, there is no need to be polite! Young Master Duan has made great contributions to Yan Yun. I haven't had time to thank you properly yet!" Previously, when Yanjing was surrounded, yeah The emissary from Qianhu City sneaked into the city to contact him. Duan Yang was conceited at first, and then immediately reported the matter to Yang Peng. Then under Yang Peng's instruction, he deliberately cooperated with Yelihu City and lured the emperor into the urn. In this way, Yang Peng was able to use the Wengcheng ambush to successfully defeat the enemy. At the same time, he personally commanded elite soldiers to leave the city secretly from other city gates, and then ordered a group to raid the Khitan army camp, while he led the main force to ambush halfway. Yeqianhu City's attack on the city was thwarted, and he suddenly saw a fire in the military camp. He was shocked and hurried back to help. As a result, he was first attacked by a large army coming out of the city, and then attacked and killed by an ambush led by Yang Peng. He was eventually killed. They were in disarray and fled in defeat. It can be said that Duan Yang made the first contribution in this great victory!
Duan Yang said quickly: "This is the common people's business, how dare you take it seriously!" Yang Peng smiled and said: "Let's sit down and talk." "Thank you, King Yan!" Yang Peng returned to sit down, Duan Yang said with a smile Then he sat down on the chair on the right. Yang Peng said: "Young Master Duan has extraordinary talents. I intend to let Young Master Duan take charge of his own affairs. I wonder what Young Master Duan wants?"
Duan Yang was flattered and stood up quickly, clasped his fists and bowed: "Thank you very much for your love, King Yan. However, the ordinary people have limited abilities and do business haphazardly. If you have to do it alone, I am afraid that you will miss the important events of King Yan!"
Yang Peng waved his hand and said: "I know that you have earned this huge industry by yourself, and the Duan family has not helped you! Just relying on your own ability, in just a few years To be able to achieve such a situation, there is no doubt about your vision and ability! And in the previous matter of dealing with the secret envoy of Yeli Hucheng, you showed incomparable loyalty and the very rare ability to adapt to the situation. You are the most talented person in the world. There are many people, but those who have this kind of adaptability are rare! You are a rare talent. Don’t you want to contribute to the people of the world? Don’t you want people to still remember your name after thousands of years? ?”
Duan Yang couldn't help but feel a confidant in his heart, and said excitedly: "King Yan, King Yan values the common people so much..." Yang Peng smiled and said: "You are talented and loyal. I don't value such a person, but you can still Who do you value? What do you think, are you willing to be my subordinate?" Duan Yang was very excited. It is said that a scholar dies for his confidant. Since King Yan values himself so much, what else can he say? He can only die with all his strength! As soon as he thought of this, he wanted to agree, but suddenly he thought of the purpose of this trip. He couldn't help but look embarrassed and said: "To be honest, King Yan, the common people have taken the liberty to come here this time for the sake of my brother and father..."
Yang Peng stood up. When Duan Yang saw Yang Peng standing up, he quickly stood up too. Yang Peng walked to the hall and said: "I know what you are thinking. This is human nature and understandable. But according to Yanyun law, they committed the crime of rebellion and cannot be punished! The princes who break the law are the same as the common people, even if they are I am not immune either, so I can only apologize!"
Duan Yang hurriedly bowed: "The words of King Yan are serious!" Yang Peng said: "Everyone must pay for what they have done, and no one is an exception! I know that you have advised your father and brother more than once, but But they are stubborn and must go on the road of no return! As a relative, you have tried your best!" Duan Yang sighed, with a look of guilt on his face, and murmured: "It is ultimately my fault that I failed to convince them. !" Then he thought to himself: "How did King Yan know that I had persuaded them? There were no outsiders present at that time! ? 'I couldn't help but feel more in awe of King Yan.
Throwing away these thoughts, he knelt down and said: "The common people know that my father and brother have committed a crime that is worthy of death, and the crime cannot be punished. The common people dare not plead for them anymore! In fact, only the participants in the entire Duan family have been sentenced, and it is already the King of Yan who is special You are merciful, the people are grateful! However, the people beg the King of Yan to show mercy to the people and allow them to see their father and brother for the last time! I beg the King of Yan to be merciful!" He bowed before bowing.
Yang Peng sighed, helped Duan Yang up, and said with some emotion: "It's rare for you to be so affectionate! It's a pity that your father and brother are unwilling to listen to your good advice, otherwise why would this happen! If you want to see them one last time, that's It is human nature and does not violate the law, I promise you!" Duan Yang thanked him with great joy. Yang Peng shouted outside: "Come here!" Just as a guard came in, he cupped his fists and said, "What are your orders, master?"
Yang Peng pointed at Duan Yang and said, "Take Mr. Duan to meet his father and brother." The guard agreed. Duan Yang thanked Yang Peng again. Yang Peng said: "Come here after seeing me. I have something else to tell you." "Yes." Duan Yang bowed and agreed, and left the back hall with the guard.
After Yang Peng handled official duties for more than an hour, Duan Yang returned with the guards. He looked a little depressed and his eyes were red. It seemed that the meeting was not going well.
Duan Yang bowed and said, "Thank you, King Yan, for your kindness!" Chen Xiao asked, "Have you met your father and brother?" Duan Yang nodded, but sighed and said, "Yes."
Yang Peng comforted them: "As a relative, you have nothing to feel sorry for them. You have tried your best. There is no need to feel guilty!" Duan Yang nodded, still looking very depressed. Yang Peng said: "I have already sent an order. All the confiscated Duan family assets will be returned to you. ..." Duan Yang was taken aback and said hurriedly: "No, no, no, I can't have it! If I accept it, I can only Afraid, just afraid..."
Yang Peng smiled and said: "Are you worried that outsiders will gossip?" Duan Yang nodded, bowed to Yang Peng, and said: "The grace of King Yan will be unforgettable by ordinary people. However, if these assets are accepted, ordinary people will become I have killed a villain who killed my father and brother for the purpose of seeking assets! Please ask King Yan to take back his life!"
Yang Peng asked with a smile: "I see you are free and easy, but why do you care so much about other people's opinions?" Duan Yang sighed and said, "People's words are terrible!" Yang Peng stood up and walked to Duan Yang , patted him on the shoulder and said: "In this life, in just a few decades, a person should live for himself, not for others! Just let others say what they say, why care so much! If someone who achieves great things is hampered by other people's opinions, what else can he achieve!" Duan Yang's heart moved and he couldn't help but nodded.
Yang Peng said: "We in Yanyun have clear distinctions between rewards and punishments. The reason why your father and brother cannot be pardoned is because the law is merciless! And the Duan family's assets are returned to you because of your contribution. This is what you have earned for the Duan family." , it can also be said that it is your contribution on behalf of the Duan family! The announcement will explain the reasons for rewards and punishments. As for how the outside world will talk about it, you don’t need to care too much! When a man is alive, he only wants to have a clear conscience and don’t worry about those rumors! Not only is there no need to care about current discussions, but there is also no need to care about the so-called historical comments thousands of years later. What does the so-called "leaving a name in history" mean? I am who I am, and I did what I should do. As for Whatever those drunkards want to say about us, just let them do it, don’t worry!"
Duan Yang bowed excitedly: "Thank you, King Yan, for your enlightenment. The common people have learned the lesson!" Yang Peng asked with a smile: "Are you willing to accept it now?"
Duan Yang nodded and said: "As King Yan said, just have a clear conscience and don't care about rumors!" Yang Peng laughed loudly, patted Duan Yang on the shoulder and said: "Okay, that's right. .Follow me." Then he turned around and walked to the map, Duan Yang followed. After taking a look, Duan Yang found that he had never seen a map before, and he didn't know what territory the huge map in front of him depicted, so he asked: "King Yan, what is this place?" Then he saw the sky in the center of the map. Jing Xincheng saw Yan Jing again, and immediately understood, and said in surprise: "Is this the whole picture of our Yan Yun?"
Yang Peng nodded and said: "This is the complete map of the mountains and rivers in the area currently controlled by Yan Yun." Duan Yang looked at it with wide eyes, scanning the city, his eyes showing both novelty and excitement, emotion and emotion. With a friendly expression, he couldn't help but murmured: "I didn't expect that our Yanyun would be like this!"
Yang Peng said: "Master Duan, you might as well look for Datong." Duan Yang couldn't help but search for it on the map, and soon found it. Datong is in the north of Yanyun territory, and it can now be said to be an important town in the north that is as important as Yanjing. . Duan Yang couldn't help but pointed at Datong Mansion and said happily: "I'm here!"
Yang Peng smiled and said: "Not long ago, I, Yanjing, sent an order to establish a Datongfu Road, which was the original Xijing Road of the Liao Kingdom." He pointed to the area. Duan Yang looked at it and couldn't help but said: "This area is very large, it can be said to be the Pingfan in the north!" Yang Peng nodded, looked at Duan Yang, smiled and said: "What I mean is, appoint you as Datong Mansion Road The governor is in charge of the civil affairs of this area!"
Duan Yang was taken aback and waved his hands hurriedly: "No, no, no, common people, ordinary people have no talent or virtue, how can they take on such an important task?" Yang Peng smiled and said: "I have said before, your talent, I absolutely believe it! There are very few people in the world with your talents! Since you can manage such a huge industry and continue to grow and develop, you can naturally manage a place well. This is no more difficult than managing an industry! "
Duan Yang was both grateful and at a loss, saying: "The King of Yan loves so much, and the common people should repay it with death! However, the common people suddenly occupy such a high position, I'm afraid, I'm afraid that everyone will not be able to accept it!"
Yang Peng said: "Not long ago, I ordered people to write a report on the battle of Yanjing and circulate it everywhere. In the battle report, the names of those who made great contributions were listed, including generals, soldiers, and you, Duan. Yang. And the name Duan Yang is listed first."
Duan Yang was greatly surprised, and said at a loss: "Common people, how can common people deserve this honor!" Yang Peng said: "You deserve it! Without your wit and decisiveness, although our army would not be defeated, it would be so clean. It is absolutely impossible to defeat Yeqi Hucheng neatly! Therefore, you have made the first contribution to this great victory!" Duan Yang bowed gratefully: "Thank you, King Yan!"
Yang Peng helped Duan Yang up and said with a smile: "I should be the one to thank you!" Then he said: "Since you have made such a great contribution, naturally no one will have any objections when I appoint you as the governor of Datongfu Road. ! If you have no problem, go and take office immediately!" "Yes!" Duan Yang bowed and agreed. Yang Peng said: "You go back and make preparations. The relevant documents will be delivered soon." Duan Yang promised again and bowed: "If King Yan has no other instructions, the common people will leave!" Yang Peng said: "You Go." Duan Yang bowed again and left.
What happened after all, let’s see what happens next.
