Chapter 15 Deal
After reading the letter, Xiao Changhua summoned the guerrilla general Lu Youde and asked the master to take fifty or sixty taels of scattered silver and hand it to the latter: "You are only allowed to lose, not to win! You can't lose too fast. Today's is all here. , you can pay for it yourself!" Then, Zhou Chizheng, who was almost hoarse from shouting at the gambling table, took his place.
In line with the golden rule of the Ming Dynasty officialdom, which is to be reserved only for those who are lucky, and those who are difficult to share, Xiao Changhua pulled Zhou Chizheng and called the deputy general Wu Duogui and Li Changfa to come over and read Feng Jixiang's letter together again (Wu and Li were Listen), several people stared at each other, but no one said anything for a while.
Seeing that no one came forward, Xiao Changhua cleared his throat and analyzed for everyone: "My lords, according to the distance of the post horse, the side report signed by you should be delivered to the capital in the next two days. There is no small matter in the side town. In such a situation, the General Secretary will definitely not delay the obstruction." He gestured to the east and raised his hands, "The Holy Emperor will definitely know about it. Director Jia just came here a few days ago, and I guess that the Ministry of War will certainly try to protect Yu Mansion, and the various ministries will The adults should also wait and see for a few days, waiting for the good news of our big bandits to be delivered! If it is handled properly, firstly, we will live up to the grace of the saints and the adults' painstaking cultivation, and secondly, we will be loyal to the country and share your worries with the saints. I have no shirking responsibility. The Holy Emperor is a good pastor all over the world, and you are all in need of the imperial court's grace and rewards." As he said that, his face became solemn and he changed the topic, "But! If this matter is not done well, no one will survive, let alone if the Yulin Mansion is broken into. , even if you are lucky enough to escape with your life, no one can stop the mouths of the censorship masters! You all know in your heart that the adults will only be the icing on the cake. At that time, the adults in the ministries will not have anyone to replace you and me. Speaking of which, I'm afraid the fate of the rest of us will not be much better than falling into the hands of thieves! I think that we only have three or two days at most. This good news..." Xiao Changhua paused deliberately and strengthened these two Character. "This good news should be sent up in a hurry for six hundred miles! Let's discuss how to break this current situation."
Li Changfa said in a low voice with a bitter look on his face: "Mr. Xiao, I'm afraid the two battalions of the general are not very useful. A while ago, for fear that the death row prisoners would cause trouble, the general had put away all the swords and guns, and he hasn't sent them out yet. , and even sent a personal team to watch in the camp... Although the general doesn't know the situation of other camps, I'm afraid it's about the same..." As he said that, he looked at Wu Duogui pitifully.
Wu Duogui glared at Li Changfa: "Come on, shut up! It's your turn to spit shit in front of all the adults!"
Then he turned to Xiao Zhou and said with a smile: "Master Xiao, Master Zhou, and the generals are all rough people who don't understand anything. They obey your orders in everything."
Xiao and Zhou Zhou looked at each other, and Zhou Chizheng said slowly: "Master Futai, I think that there is a good chance that this matter can be settled. The thief definitely did not keep Chief Feng as a hostage. They also know that the life of a ninth-grade official is not worth a lot of money. Beizi thinks that the main purpose is to be a messenger - Beizi thinks, the thief must know that the news from his mouth is in my It seems more believable. But the weight of the ninth grade is indeed a little lighter. Even if you promise something randomly, the thief won't believe it." After saying that, he smiled bitterly and said, "It's better to take a humble job. But, Your Excellency, you need to give me a clear answer so that the thief will not open his mouth. I also have a sense of proportion in my heart. The long-term pain is worse than the short-term pain. It will be convenient to get this matter done as soon as possible so that everyone can feel at ease. Moreover, it is best to trouble which general to accompany Beizi for a while. He is both civilized and military. He can win the trust of thieves, and he will be easy to explain to the court in the future..." As he spoke, he glanced at the two military attachés.
Wu Duogui hurriedly stood up and clasped his fists: "Lord Zhou is right. A general who is unable to manage an army at the end of the year is already worthy of his death. If the thieves come to attack, and we have to bother Lord Zhou to take action, if we continue to act like a coward, we will be cut to pieces by a thousand cuts!" I will accompany Master Zhou for a while, cough cough." As he spoke, he coughed twice intentionally or unintentionally.
Li Changfa was not good at fighting, but he was not stupid in other respects. He knew it was his turn, so he shouted "No way!" and fell to his knees: "Deputy Commander, you must not do it! The Deputy Commander is the backbone of the army, and thousands of men are counting on you!" I will go with you at the end of the day, and I will go with Master Zhou at the end of the day!"
Xiao Changhua took a deep breath, nodded to the two military attaches Li and Wu, stood up and left his seat and said: "In this way, I can feel relieved. I just have to thank Mr. Zhou." As he spoke, he gestured to surrender to Zhou Zhizheng. Zhou Chizheng hurriedly dodged to the side, and at the same time he bowed his head to the ground: "It's within my scope, and Mr. Futai has killed his humble position. That... Mr. Futai, please make it clear..."
Xiao Changhua sighed and smiled bitterly: "Brother, don't you know how much wealth Yulin Mansion has? I have full authority to make the decision. I am counting on you as my brother. Oh, take those two away too." After that, he walked towards the West Flower Hall. Nuzui said, "They are just two bastard desperadoes! If something unexpected happens, there is no point in killing them; it will be even more troublesome if they stay here and cause some trouble. I feel very upset when I hear them chattering in my ears all day long."
Guan Jianlin was extremely reluctant to leave Fucheng like this. Not to mention eating and drinking, I made more than a hundred taels of money in two days. Every time I yelled and pulled the "winning" money in front of me, I would proudly think that even though I didn't even know who my father was, I don’t know, but what is absolutely unmistakable is that the whole generation from my grandfather to my father have never had this much money, so they can be considered rich. As for the fact that I am a hostage who has to move at any time if the two parties cannot reach an agreement. Layer, I haven’t even thought about it in my mind! When Luo Shifan said he was about to leave, no matter how much he tried to persuade him, he always responded with a haha of "one last shot". In the end, Zhou Chizheng took out a small ingot and stuffed it into Lu Youde's arms along with the remaining pieces of silver: "Young Master The general is very lucky, you have won all this." He half pulled and half dragged him out of the city.
Just after leaving the city gate, Guan Jianlin suddenly remembered that he had never visited Yulin City before - well, except for Shenmu County, well, if that poor place can be regarded as a "city" - he had never visited any other city in his life. city". Seeing that he was about to regret it again, Luo Shifan and Li Changfa coaxed him to "come back tomorrow" and dragged them across the suspension bridge with one arm each.
From a distance on the camp wall, they saw Zhou Chizheng and his entourage wearing sixth-grade official uniforms approaching, and also brought back Luo Shifan and Guan Jianlin. Guan Shengyun and Luo Yonghao knew that they had won this round.
After getting off the wall, Guan Shengyun went straight into the commander's tent and waited. Luo Yonghao went to find Feng Jixiang, took out two large ingots of fifty taels of gold ingot (sent from Yulin Mansion the day before) and offered them with a smile: "Brother Feng, thank you for your hard work. , please accept it with a smile. Luo Mou’s hospitality was not good, Brother Feng is too generous.”
Although Feng Jixiang, who was under house arrest, did not see Zhou Chizheng and others, he immediately understood the general idea and was sure that he would not be stewed. He was completely relieved and thought about it. He put the money in his pocket and waited for home with peace of mind.
Despite Luo Yonghao's numerous warnings and instructions, Guan Shengyun was already very good at singing with a black face and making fun of him, but he got addicted to slapping the table and showing off his authority. No, seeing that the deal was almost settled, he suddenly made another jaw-dropping request: "I will also prepare two thousand swords and guns, two thousand armors, and two thousand collars for me!"
Hearing this, Luo Yonghao was almost scared to death! In his mind, he greeted all the female relatives of Marshal Guan: Why the hell didn't you just tell this guy surnamed Zhou, "I only have less than two thousand unarmed beggars here, and all the weapons are hung to greet you guys." You are showing off your body, and by the way, it also includes a total of six knives snatched from the guards who were put back. You can feel free to come over and chop us!"
Zhou Chi was holding a broken bowl that was used as a teacup, and was smacking his lips, pretending to blow tea leaves that had never existed in the water. Hearing this, his heart moved, as if he had caught something vaguely, so he took a sip of water while thinking about it.
Master Luo glared at Guan Shengyun fiercely, and pretended to be relaxed and agreed: "The commander-in-chief has considered everything comprehensively. Mr. Zhou, you have always said that Yulin Mansion is sincere, but...it's not that I can't trust you, that...as the saying goes , Discuss the deeds but not the deeds, don’t look at us who are at war with each other, this is a last resort! Our hearts are full of sincerity to the imperial court! As the saying goes, the deeds do not deem the heart, well, if Send all the weapons of the Yulin guards, what else can better reflect your government's infinite yearning for peace?"
Hearing this, Zhou Chizheng squirted out a mouthful of water and said hurriedly: "Sorry, I choked, I choked, cough cough." He thought to himself: When it comes to you guys who are openly rebellious, you are just talking about your heart and not your actions. , When it comes to our government, he just talks about his deeds and ignores his intentions? Anyway, your words are blocked at both ends, Mr. Luo, why the hell didn’t I notice your talent earlier? If I had known this, I would never have left this bastard in that godforsaken place to die! If you let this guy write official documents, maybe everyone's money will be more than doubled!
Li Changfa had not intervened since he entered the camp. He suddenly found that the resourceful Mr. Zhou was choked by such a simple question. This was a chance to show off his hard-earned performance. He had to show off his cleverness! They immediately argued with reason: "Commander, don't ask for excessive prices! I have just collected weapons from two battalions, with a total of only two to three hundred swords and guns, and I can't even get ten pairs of armor. You ask for so much, but you don't want it." Where are you going to look for me?" After saying that, he glanced at Zhou Chizheng triumphantly, and his expression of waiting for the adults' praise was palpable.
puff!
Zhou Chizheng, who had just taken another sip of water to calm down, was "choked" again.
"Nonsense! Two battalions of border troops only have this little equipment. You can deceive others, but you can't hide it from Guan!"
"It's absolutely true! Is Mr. Li one of those villains who lies all over the place?"
"Huh huh, Guan, you are obviously lying, and you said you are not a villain!"
"Hehe! Li swears to God, this is really all he has!"
"Stop talking in vain! Do you dare to tell me what you swear to do?"
"Who wouldn't dare? Li swears to God, if even a single lie is made, his children will be thieves and prostitutes for the rest of their lives!"
"A son or daughter is a thief? How dare you accuse Sang and Huai and say that I am your son?"
…
Zhou Zhizheng's train of thought was completely interrupted and led astray.
He slammed the broken bowl onto the table, sighed, and decided:
1. No more drinking water.
2. Stop talking to these two idiots.
Zhou Tongpan looked at Luo Yonghao and said softly and firmly: "Mr. Luo, I'm sorry to comply with this request."
Luo Yonghao, who was in a hurry but couldn't say anything, got unexpected relief and hurriedly borrowed the donkey from Poxia: "Well...well, Mr. Zhou's concerns are indeed justified." He turned around and stared at Guan Shengyun without blinking, " Marshal. I think Master Zhou is indeed sincere. How about we talk about food and fodder..."
Guan Shengyun was extremely proud of his on-the-spot performance, but Luo Fuzi glared at him with eyes that were almost spitting fire. Although he didn't know what mistake he made, he was 100% sure that he was wrong - these days Luo Yonghao had become his backbone, his aura suddenly shrank, and he forced a smile: "Okay, okay, Master Luo has the final say."
After a lot of argumentative and argumentative bargaining, Yulin Mansion was eventually defrauded out of thirty thousand taels of silver, five thousand stones of rice and beans, plus several wheelbarrows of pigs, sheep's clothes, shovels and iron materials.
In addition, Luo Yonghao also received a guarantee from Zhou Zhizheng that he would take good care of the old and weak who stayed in Shenmu County. With Zhou Chizheng's acquiescence, Li Changfa bowed to Gu Baihua, he patted his chest and said generously: "Brother, don't worry, Mr. Luo. The old and young in Shenmu County can't eat much. I won't pay more." The establishment of a battalion is enough! Mr. Zhou, is it okay?" He said and looked towards Zhou Tongpan. Zhou Chizheng, who could no longer laugh, could only smile and nodded fiercely.
The smart Li Changfa was a little confused. He scratched his head and thought, "Didn't you just agree to it personally? I'm obviously helping you. Why do you think so of me?" After thinking for a long time, he concluded, "Mr. Zhou My illness is not completely cured yet”, and I felt relieved.
When leaving, Luo Yonghao took out a box and gave it to Zhou Zhizheng: "I'm sorry to trouble you, Brother Zhou. Please accept your kindness."
Zhou Zhizheng never expected that Master Luo would lift the altar table and pick up an offering of fruit to offer to the Buddha. He couldn't laugh or cry and waved his hands hurriedly.
Luo Yonghao said sincerely: "Mr. Zhou, I hope you can help cover up my affairs at your convenience. If you insist on refusing again and again, I will inevitably feel uneasy..."
Zhou Chizheng then thought: Anyway, it’s all for nothing if you don’t want it. Moreover, the fact that the imperial court ordered officials to obey the thieves happened under the rule of Yulin Mansion after all. If it really comes out, there will definitely be no good results. As long as you "don't recognize it", it won't be difficult to cover it up. In this way, we can maintain a good relationship with each other, and maybe we will get to know each other again in the future... So he expressed his shame and thanked him.
Gu Baihua also secretly gave Li Changfa a package.
Almost at the same time that Yulin Prefecture sent a six-hundred-mile-expedited victory report to the court, Guan Shengyun led this high-spirited, mighty and civilized division to the southeast and headed straight for Yan'an Prefecture.
Although all these black-box transactions were conducted in secret, they were easily discovered by Yang Mingzhen, the Minister of Personnel in Nanzhili, thousands of miles away.
