Chapter 057 Fierce Confrontation II
Chen Cao was smiling, but there was a strong murderous intent in his smile. Tian Laohu glanced back at Chen Cao, and then lowered his head. Being so disturbed by Yang Yipeng, Chen Cao estimated that even Wang Chong and Wang Li were It is useless to testify against him. He is even more difficult to deal with than Li Weihan.
"Report..."
Chen Cao let out a long breath and finally came. If he continued like this, he would definitely fall into passivity.
Lin Yaoyu frowned: "What's the matter?"
A government official ran into the lobby and said, "Sir, there are soldiers coming quickly, saying it is an urgent report."
"Report..." As soon as the yamen officer finished speaking, a captain in Jinyi quickly ran into the lobby and saluted Chen Cao: "Your Majesty, urgent military information."
Chen Cao turned to look at Xu Hongji, who said, "Let the soldiers outside the door come in."
Chen Cao signaled, and the captain handed over his hand: "Your Majesty, this is a big event. The Cao Gang rebelled in Suqian. A large number of people gathered there. Yesterday they captured Suqian County, captured Suqian officials, and then sent them to Qinghe County by boat. The rebels The thief is powerful, please make a decision."
Boom...
Xu Hongji hammered the handle of the chair, and then cursed angrily: "The Cao Gang is so brave. Chen Cao immediately ordered the arrest of the leader of the Cao Gang and other important personnel. I want to see who is so bold."
The soldiers walked in, all dressed as Han, and saluted to the group of people: "Dear sirs, this is a big event. The rebels of the Cao Gang rebelled in Suqian, affecting Yanzhou, Jinan, Huai'an, Xuzhou, Guide and other five prefectures in Shandong Province. In the county, a large number of people gathered, as many as 200,000, and the Xuzhou government was in emergency..."
ah...
Xu Hongji only knew that such a thing might be happening, but he didn't know that the scope of the impact was so wide. He was really panicked and looked at Chen Cao.
Lin Yaoyu's face was sullen, but it could be seen that he was showing off his anger.
Yang Yipeng and Liao Fan reacted the most. Such a big thing happened in water transportation and affected such a wide range. Regardless of how this rebellion happened, his career was already over.
"Master Chen, you are really good at it..." Yang Yipeng once again said those familiar words.
Chen Cao pretended not to hear, and then asked the captain: "Do you know why they rebelled?"
The captain suddenly took out an official document from his arms and said, "Yes, they are distributing so-called memorandums everywhere, directed at the Governor of Huai'an Water Transport and the General Military Yamen."
"Nonsense," Yang Yipeng was completely angry: "Chen Cao, what exactly are you planning? Why are you targeting me everywhere?"
Yang Yipeng's gaffe was seen by others as a sign of guilty conscience. Although Lin Yaoyu didn't like Chen Cao, he didn't have a good impression of the Donglin Party either, so he shook his head in disappointment.
No one would think of plotting this kind of thing. Who could have the ability to interfere with it and make the 200,000 people in the Caogang rebel?
Xu Hongji's face changed immediately, and he was very angry: "Yang Yipeng, you'd better not talk now. What is written in the official document?"
The lieutenant said: "It is a manifesto for the rebels. It mentions that they were forced to rebel by Yang Yipeng, the governor of water transportation, Wang Yiqing, the commander-in-chief, Liao Fan, the prefect of Huai'an, and many other officials. The words are all written on the manifesto."
When Liao Fan heard this, he fainted at that time. His performance was enough to prove that the matter was not simple. Yang Yipeng felt cold in his heart when he saw this. When he saw Chen Cao looking at him with a sneer, he slumped in his chair.
After Xu Hongji took the letter and read it, he sneered and handed it to Lin Yaoyu: "Mr. Lin, what do you think?"
After Lin Yaoyu looked at it carefully, he shook his head: "How does Wei Guogong want to deal with it?"
Xu Hongji said coldly: "First dismiss Yang Yipeng, Liao Fan and other relevant persons and investigate and deal with them, and then report to the court and ask the court to make a decision. There are 200,000 people in our garrison in Southern Zhili."
Lin Yaoyu nodded: "That's it. Come here, Yang Yipeng, Liao Fan and others will be dismissed from their posts and imprisoned. All relevant people involved in the petition will be arrested and await the court's decision."
"Sir, please bring Pan Yourong to Cao Bang."
Pan Yourong didn't know about the rebellion. He was brought here in a daze. He only had what happened last night in his mind, so he prepared a set of excuses to excuse himself.
Bang...
Xu Hongji slapped the table angrily to show his dignity, and then scolded: "Pan Yourong, you are so bold, you actually dare to instigate the Cao Gang to rebel. Someone is here to take him into prison and take him to the capital for questioning."
"Ah..." Pan Yourong was shocked. How did he know that someone was rebelling? Rebellion was a serious crime against the nine tribes. He immediately became anxious: "The adults are wronged, the little ones are wronged..."
"What grievances do you have?" Chen Cao interjected.
When Chen Cao spoke, Pan Yourong said urgently: "Mr. Chen, help... help..."
Chen Cao said expressionlessly: "Pan Yourong, you have too many things to do, I can't save you."
"Report..."
As soon as Chen Cao finished speaking, another captain came hurriedly: "Your Majesty, Qinghe is reporting urgently. The Cao Gang rebels have captured Taoyuan County and are advancing towards Qinghe County."
Xu Hongji said urgently: "Quickly order the whole Dahe Guard battalion to set off and go to Qinghe County to defend against the enemy. If anyone comes, immediately take my tiger talisman and mobilize the Nanjing left guard, avant-garde, rear guard, right guard, Yangzhou guard, Chuzhou guard and other guards. I came to Huai'an to defend against the enemy."
"yes..."
Urgent reports came one after another. Just as the captain left, another captain ran in: "Sir, the leader of the rebel bandits has been identified and is Weng Linzhi, the third son of Weng Rentang of Caobang."
Pan Yourong suddenly collapsed to the ground. No matter who he is, as long as he is a member of the Cao Gang, he, as the leader of the Cao Gang, cannot escape the blame: "Sir, I was wronged... I was wronged..."
Chen Cao stepped forward and deliberately raised his voice: "Pan Yourong, this is a serious crime of rebellion. You will undoubtedly die, but if you really want to think about your family, you must find a way to make up for it."
When Pan Yourong was reminded by Chen Cao, he didn't care about anything at the moment: "Sir, sir, it's a small report, report."
"explain..."
Pan Yourong took the risk and said, "The assassination of your Excellency last night was carried out under the instruction of Mr. Yang Yipeng, the Governor of Water Transport."
"Don't talk nonsense, thief. When did I instruct you to commit such a serious crime of treason like killing an official?" Yang Yipeng angrily rebuked.
Chen Cao couldn't help but sneer, and even Lin Yaoyu shook his head slightly. Would the dignified leader of the Cao Gang take the initiative to admit to killing an official? Since it is admitted, there must be a reason.
Chen Cao then asked: "Then I ask you, why did you kill Taoyuan County Magistrate Huang Ming and me?"
"Does the younger one have the final say and make meritorious service?" Pan Yourong asked rhetorically.
Chen Cao nodded: "Forget it, I, Jin Yiwei, bear witness, and there are Duke Wei and Imperial Envoy Lin present today, so of course it counts."
"Okay," Pan Yourong composed himself: "I have been attached to Yang Yipeng for many years and worked as a cattle and horse for him. Last night, because I was afraid that Mr. Chen would find out the evidence that they colluded with thieves to steal the land, I ordered me to kill Huang Ming, the magistrate of Taoyuan County, and Mr. Chen. , there is no evidence to prove it. If you don’t believe it, my subordinate Liu Yizhong, the leader of Nantang Hall, is also a witness. I ordered him to do it, but all this is because of Yang Yipeng’s instigation."
"Premeditated, premeditated, if you frame me, I will report to the court." Yang Yipeng repeated his words as if he was crazy.
"Mr. Yang, seeing how guilty you are, I'm afraid something is really going on. Pan Yourong, the leader of the Cao Gang, probably has a higher status than all the adults here. Why should he admit his crime of treason by killing an official? The crime is just to frame you, a mere water transport governor?"
After Chen Cao finished speaking, he asked his men to bring paper and pen, and asked Pan Yourong to sign: "Pan Yourong, you are responsible for what happened last night, but you have to remember that now there is conclusive evidence that the 200,000 people in the Caogang rebelled, whether you have it or not If you participate, you will not be able to escape death, but today you have done meritorious service in exposing Yang Yipeng's crimes. I will definitely go to the Dusi Yamen to absolve your family of the crime. It is a good thing if you can survive."
"Thank you, Sir...Thank you, Sir..." Pan Yourong kowtowed repeatedly.
Lin Yaoyu stood up and announced solemnly: "Come here, Yang Yipeng has clearly committed the crime of instigating the Caobang people to kill officials. There is no need to take him into custody. He will be dismissed on the spot and awaits his dismissal. Liao Fan, the prefect of Huai'an, knows the law and breaks the law. He colludes with the thieves, which is a conspiracy of rebellion." , go to jail immediately and wait for retribution."
Lin Yaoyu said and handed over to Xu Hongji: "Wei Guogong, I am a civil servant. I am mainly here to deal with the case of Xia Liang being robbed. The case has been expanded and it is inconvenient for me to intervene. Everything is left to Wei Guogong to make a decision."
Xu Hongji stood up and returned the greeting: "You're welcome, Mr. Lin. Mr. Lin will go to rest first and leave the rest to me."
After sending Lin Yaoyu away, Xu Hongji ordered: "Chen Cao, mobilize the Caojiang Navy troops and block the canal. We must not allow these rebels to go south or north."
"I will take my orders..."
...
"Things are getting serious..." Xu Hongji frowned and stared at Chen Cao. It was difficult for him to talk in the governor's office just now, but this is his residence and they are all his own people: "Didn't you say that the maximum is 20,000 to 30,000, now? Well, there are 200,000 people, what if they don’t listen to the advice? What if they go towards the capital or Jinling?”
"Don't worry, sir," Chen Cao said with consolation, "Weng Meixin is still in my office, and Weng Shijie is still closed at the Governor's Yamen. The servants will bring him to the Lord later. Besides, Weng Linzhi is not here either." We don’t really want to rebel, but we are saying that the father and daughter are in our hands, and even if Weng Linzhi’s lies come true, we don’t dare to act rashly.”
"You tell me, since you have arranged these, why not just let them do it from the beginning, and let me come in person to worry about it. I will inevitably be criticized by the court. I am a big tree and attract trouble..." Xu Hongji said indeed Some regrets.
Chen Cao explained: "My lord, if it was like this at the beginning, the Weng family would not be able to be saved. Now all the evidence points to Yang Yipeng. As long as we wait until the court's order comes, we will let Weng Linzhi surrender. My lord, not only is he not guilty, but he has made merit." ."
"Seriously?" Xu Hongji frowned.
Chen Cao nodded: "Not only that, from now on we will control water transportation, sir, and we will have a lot of money."
He said that he would not have trouble with money, and Xu Hongji was the same, so he nodded thoughtfully: "What do you think about the statement?"
Chen Cao said mysteriously: "During the reign of Emperor Wuzong, Liu Jin was in power. In the end, Liu Jin was killed because he conspired to rebel. In fact, I don't know if Wei Guogong knew it. Liu Jin, the eunuch, never thought of rebelling, just because the person who was investigating him was his mortal enemy. Zhang Yong, this eunuch was good, he was killed because he co-authored with the civil servants at that time to add those swords, guns, swords, halberds and armor to Liu Jin's property."
"How do you know these secrets?" Xu Hongji frowned.
Chen Cao smiled and said: "At that time, the great scholar Yang Yiqing had not yet rehabilitated Zhang Yong. Do you think any upright civil servant would rehabilitate the eunuch?"
"Then you do this?"
Chen Cao added: "The Donglin Party is like Liu Jin. If you want to rectify water transportation, which is a big fat in the Ming Dynasty, you have to label them as rebels, otherwise the emperor will not be able to deal with them at all."
"Oh..." Xu Hongji suddenly realized: "Our co-writing character is the eunuch Zhang Yong..."
Chen Cao had a dark look on his face: "A metaphor...it's just a metaphor..."
...
"Your brother really spent a lot of money to save you. He actually summoned 200,000 people to rebel." Chen Cao poured a cup of tea for Weng Meixin: "It's really incredible."
Weng Meixin said disapprovingly: "What's the point? If we really want to rebel, I can gather 600,000 people within a month."
Chen Cao didn't feel that Weng Shijie was bragging to him at that time: "That's why I don't dare to let you out. You are impatient. If you really go astray, I will be the one who harms you. Your brother acts calmly. You should know convergence."
"Chen Cao, why are you so nice to me?"
Weng Meixin's nonchalant words came out of the blue. Chen Cao felt that girls in this era are more reserved, and there are few people who are as straightforward as Li Waner.
"Because I like you..." Chen Cao said, staring into Weng Meixin's eyes.
Weng Meixin was moved for a moment, and then said softly: "You asked my brother to directly rebel in the name of the Cao Gang. There are so many people this time, how will it end?"
Chen Cao didn't think the ending was important. What was important was how Wei Zhongxian grabbed the big piece of water transportation: "It's very simple. Now there are sporadic rebellions in various parts of the Ming Dynasty. Liaodong is at a time when people and money are needed. In the first few months of the capital, The big explosion destroyed the three main halls, and they need money for repairs. Your brother's rebellion is too big, and the country has no troops to mobilize in the north, so it can only be handled by Wei Guogong's Nanjing garrison. So, when it's almost done, let your brother After being recruited, how about being able to work as a commander, Dangdang? Not bad, right?"
Weng Meixin said disgustedly: "How come it's all a conspiracy to save people, and it's even become a gimmick for officials?"
Chen Cao's face turned dark immediately: "I tried my best and was almost killed last night, just to save you guys. Do you say that about your savior?"
Weng Meixin blushed and said, "I heard about it last night, are you okay?"
"It's okay. Their abilities are not as good as those of the Tartars and Japanese pirates. It's very difficult to kill me." Chen Cao patted his chest: "Your father will be transferred to the palace of Wei Guogong tomorrow. You can stay here in peace. When the time comes, you can Just come forward and let your brother be recruited and surrender, and you don't have to worry about other things."
"Well..." Weng Meixin nodded: "Then when will you..."
"What for?" Chen Cao saw Weng Meixin's hesitant look: "Say..."
"Ahem...it's nothing..."
