Chapter 99 Fellow Countrymen
At this time, Guan Shengyun and Luo Yonghao had already met the young military advisor Luo Shifan in Song County.
There will be no more threats to Luofu in a short time, so Guan Shengyun was not as cautious as Gao and You were earlier, avoiding Yiyang and making a big circle from Fuchang. Instead, he first cut off Luoshui in the northeast. Transportation to Luoyang Prefecture, and then sent Gong Derun to negotiate with Yiyang County magistrate in a big way - a small magistrate, of course, is not worthy of labor. Marshal Luo Junshi, Gu Baihua, Zhang Ding and others are all illiterate. Such things If he couldn't do it, Landlord Gong had attended private school for a few years, so the burden of negotiation fell on him without hesitation.
The Poxiao camp and the Pili camp were blocked outside the north gate of Yiyang, watching eagerly across the Luoshui River. The Gangfeng camp crossed the river downstream and stationed outside the east gate. ) was so frightened that he was so frightened that he was so frightened that most of the soldiers in the county had been taken away to help defend the Luo Mansion. Now they don’t know whether they are alive or dead, and they are watching tens of thousands of thieves. Guo Qinglin gave Gao You 2nd General 10,000 people, and now he has them in his hands. There are also a total of 20,000 to 30,000 auxiliary soldiers and civilians - the troops are approaching the city. How can this small and broken county in Yiyang be able to withstand it?
surrender? The imperial court is a dead end.
resistance? If the city is destroyed, there will still be a dead end!
Huo Jinyan was like an ant on a hot pot, eager to find a rope to hang himself. When he heard that a messenger was coming, he finally grabbed the life-saving straw. After all, Mr. Huo came from a decent background and was not stupid. If the thieves really wanted to fight, why would they send any military envoys? Sending someone to talk means that there is still a slight improvement in things! He hurriedly put on his official uniform, trotted away, opened the middle door wide, and invited Gong Derun and his entourage Gong San and Gong Si into the county government office as they were being hoisted to the top of the city in a basket.
It was the first time in Huo Jinyan's life that the army was approaching the city. Although he had some hope in his heart, he didn't know how to talk about it.
He had participated in high-level negotiations between Yulin Prefecture and Sansina of Shaanxi Province, and witnessed with his own eyes in Yanchang County that Gu Baihua's recruitment efficiency was much higher than his own plundering, coupled with the overwhelming military might. With absolute strength as the backing, Gong Derun can easily deal with a mere county magistrate. When the two parties met and talked, they were both a little surprised: they were both from Baoding Prefecture and fellow villagers.
Now Guan Shengyun is not short of auxiliary soldiers. After listening to Huo Jinyan's true confession that "it is a last resort to transfer Ding Zhuang under the order of Lord Futai, and it is not the intention to be an enemy of your army," Gong Derun felt confident in his heart. He waved his hands calmly: "It doesn't matter, Mr. Huo County, let's talk about business directly. Our army has no intention of entering the city, but the money and food in your county's treasury must be taken away. This alone is definitely not enough, and we have to trouble your county." Prepare more. You should also prepare some craftsmen, tools, pigs and sheep, copper and iron materials, etc. This is a list. Take a look at it. You can open the city gate if you want, and it doesn't matter if you close it. But those people on the wall should evacuate. Come down, you should know in your heart that if we really want to enter the city, these bastards will not be able to stop our army. If one of the brothers on the wall slips and shoots an arrow, and there is a misunderstanding, he will really take action. I'm afraid it will only bring trouble to you. Let's open the skylight and speak frankly, but don't have any thoughts of sending someone to report the news. First, your people will not be able to get out. Second, if they go out, others will not dare to come. Third, if you come, you will die. It will also cost the lives of your whole family. My commander-in-chief said that as long as you don’t use other ideas, our army will not enter the city."
Huo Jinyan tremblingly took the list written by Luo Yonghao, glanced at it, and said to himself: Although there are quite a lot of things needed, I can still get it together after some searching. However, what can I do when these guys leave? Still a dead end. His body couldn't help but tremble, and he couldn't speak anymore, and he was crying: "Gong, Gong, General Gong, Rong, Rong. I absolutely believe that I believe what the general said. But, even if I hand over these things to the army, I can't help but tremble. , your army has left, how can I explain my humble position to the court and the Luo Mansion!"
Gong Derun, who is already familiar with the job, grinned broadly and said, "Huo County is really worrying too much! In the future, of course you will get the top grade in the official performance test, and your promotion will be just around the corner!"
Huo Jinyan begged with a grimace: "Please, General Gong, please stop making fun of your humble position."
Gong Derun's expression was calm: "Has Huo County really not figured out this mystery?"
Huo Jinyan was stunned for a moment: "Mystery?"
Gong Derun smiled: "The thieves are coming, what will you do in Huo County?"
With a "pop", Huo Jinyan knelt down and kowtowed while crying: "General Gong, I don't dare! General Gong, please don't misunderstand me. I immediately removed the guards on the wall and opened the city gate to welcome your army into the city... …”
Gong Derun laughed and stretched out his hand: "Your Majesty Huo County has misunderstood, please get up and speak quickly. My commander-in-chief will not enter the city unless he says so, Huo County has no doubts. I am in charge of military affairs, and I have no grievances or enmities." , besides, we are still fellow villagers, I really didn’t mean to tease you. It’s important that you get up and let’s talk about business.”
Huo Jinyan carefully turned sideways, sat on the chair with half of his buttocks and leaned forward, listening to Gong Derun's words: "The thieves are coming, of course Huo County will fight to the death! Shut up and listen to me! So! You opened the treasury, distributed money and food everywhere, and recruited loyal and patriotic people to defend Yiyang! Hearing that the county magistrate personally came to the city and fought bloody battles with swords and hair, the wealthy gentry households in the city were greatly moved and destroyed their homes one after another. Difficult, fight to the death against the thieves! Yes, fight against us. Our army could not attack for a long time, and was even attacked by the elite leaders of Huo County at night. The corpses were in a mess, and finally they escaped in confusion! Well, you can also run and shout, 'Shake the Mountain' It's easy, it's hard to shake Yiyang, it's hard to reach the sky! Well, you can shout whatever you want us to say, and we can write whatever memorials we want, and we will recognize whatever you write... When our army leaves, won't you be able to report a great victory? ! All the money, food and materials have gone somewhere. The craftsmen we took away are the martyrs who died in this battle! Huo County Zun is loyal and brave, and saved Yiyang. Couldn't such great achievements be exchanged for a member of the staff? 'Big advantage'? For the rest, I don't need my general to teach you how to write a victory report, right? By the way, I have dozens of heads here, all marinated in lime, and I'll leave them to you later. Going up there is the ironclad proof of victory! Does Mr. Huo have any questions?"
Enlightenment.
"Pfft", Huo Zhixian cried and knelt down again, but this time he shed tears of gratitude and happiness.
The original plan was for Gong Derun to return to Guan Shengyun to resume his duties at the Central Army after the negotiation, but he failed to do so - Huo Jinyan refused to let him go, and he would not let him go. Firstly, Mr. Huo, who had been waiting for death, suddenly found his life. A golden road was suddenly paved before his eyes. This ecstasy urgently needs to be shared with others. Secondly, the thirteen in his hand turned into a big one in the blink of an eye. I am afraid that something unexpected will happen again, so taking good care of the person in front of me is the most reliable guarantee! The reason is ready: fellow countryman! What's this called? One of the four great joys in life is meeting an old friend in a foreign country! How can I leave if I want to? You must drink, you will not return until you are drunk!
Gong Derun was pulled up by his sleeves by the anxious Huo Jinyan, who said he would not let go. In desperation, he had no choice but to send Gong San back to the camp to report the news. Gong San, who had missed the banquet, was still a little reluctant at first. When Niu Xian Cheng, who accompanied him out of the city to report the news to Guanying, secretly stuffed him with two small silver ingots worth five taels of fine quality, he immediately became cheerful and smiling. : In the Ming Dynasty, it was enough to buy a good banquet, including rewards, with only one or two coins.
Early the next morning, Gong Derun returned to the camp, and he was accompanied by a scholar in a long gown dressed as a scholar. When General Gong introduced them to both parties, the two of them knew that this person was Huo Jinyan, the magistrate of the county. After a big drink last night, Huo Zhixian had already become close friends with Gong Derun, and all he had to do was change his name and greetings, so Huo Zhixian, who was confident in his heart, simply went to Guan Shengyun's army in person. Huo Jinyan sent Niu Xian Cheng back to the city to prepare. After everyone had lunch, all the ferries and rafts that could be found around Yiyang had already gathered on the north bank of Luoshui - obviously, this Niu Xian Cheng was also a talent.
What Ming Dynasty does not lack most is talents.
The army began to cross the river in an orderly manner. Smaller rafts were nailed with planks to make pontoons for people to cross, and large ferries ferried heavy equipment and supplies. In a little more than three days, the entire army had crossed the Luoshui River.
To the southwest of Yiyang is Zhaobao Town. Between the two places are military camps stretching for several miles. Including Zhaobao Town, the surrounding residents have been driven into the city by Huozhi County's "Jianbi Qingye" - although the people are illiterate, and it is impossible to know how Huozhi County will report the victory document to Luofu in the near future, but some things still matter. The less you know, the better.
The busiest place right now is Guoqinglin. Crossing the river with tens of thousands of people is not a piece of cake. Rao Shi was not only methodical, but also received full assistance from Yiyang County Government. In three days, two boats capsized, three auxiliary soldiers were killed, and more than two thousand kilograms of grain were sunk. However, heavy equipment and large animals and pack animals were not available. Any loss, the national captain is very satisfied with the result.
Of course Yiyang's county treasury is empty. Not only the wealthy gentry, but all the residents were severely robbed by the wolf-like government officials. In some houses, even the copper basins and iron pots were confiscated, but everyone's lives were finally saved. The only exception is Mr. Tong, who is well-known in his own right and has a nephew in his clan who works as a doctor in the Criminal Department of Nanzhili. He has always been very prestigious in Yiyang. Huo Zhixian paid a visit in person, and the two talked in secret for more than an hour. While Mr. Tong respectfully sent Mr. Huo out of the house, everyone saw Mr. Tong's family members carrying out many boxes and baskets of grain while shouting. I stumbled along the way, and a lot of white money rolled out of a box... Since Mr. Tong took the lead, the gentry had nothing to say - everyone knew that there were bandits outside the city, and they were still greedy for money at this time. , not to mention that the city will be looted if it is broken, but in extraordinary times, Mr. Huo really breaks his face and accuses you of being a traitor, which is not something that can be settled with a little money and food.
No one noticed that that night, this group of people quietly carried the things from the Yamen back to the Tongfu, entering through the back door.
But this battle was a bit weird. It sounds very noisy outside the city during the day, and there must be tens of thousands of people shouting and neighing, but the thieves do not attack the city; at night when nothing can be seen, there is always a lively scene on the top of the city, and the noise sounds like There was a fight, but after just over an hour, all the sounds fell silent. It's impossible to go out for a look. There is already a curfew in the county. Niu Erya (Er Yamen is another name for the county magistrate) has already issued a notice to guard against night attacks by thieves. No one is allowed to go out after turning on the lamp, otherwise it will be a serious crime of committing a crime. ! It stayed like this for two or three days, and everyone got used to it. Anyway, the most important thing is to save your life. Who can care about other things?
When the army broke camp and left, Magistrate Huo Jinyan, wearing a long gown, rushed to Shili Changting in person again to say goodbye to fellow villager Gong. After drinking for an hour and a half, Huo Xian shed tears again. He drank to the point of emotion and passionately composed a poem "Farewell" for Gong Derun:
When you feel homesick thousands of miles away from home
Fortunately, I met an old friend at the end of the world
The wish to be comforted for three lifetimes
Go to Yaochi with flying wings in the sky
Of course Gong Derun could see that Huo Xianzun used the allusion of "the head is as new as new, the roof is as old as before" to express the best wishes for common development and progress between the two sides on the two completely opposite roads of countering the Ming Dynasty and protecting the Ming Dynasty but leading to the same goal.
However, Landlord Gong had only gone to private school and had never been involved in officialdom, so he overlooked one detail: maybe Huo Xianzun was too excited, and after being drunk and soaked in thick ink, he threw the pen in a high-spirited way... Broken - and then, the poem lost its original meaning! Who wrote it, to whom, when it was written... I didn't make it clear. In other words: in the future, Gong Di was mainly unlucky and was captured by the army. If this poem is found again, no one can use it to "frame" Mr. Huo as a traitor! Even if Landlord Gong confesses in person, he can't count it - can you believe what the thief says? !
Gong Derun solemnly thanked him, then waved his hand, and his personal guard Gong Er brought over a large wooden box. There was another red-faced argument, and when Gong Derun offered the magic weapon "If you don't accept it, you will look down on me, a fellow countryman," Mr. Huo could only reluctantly accept it with thanks.
Returning to the county government house, Huo Zhixian was stunned for a while looking at the white silver ingots, and murmured: "How can a 'big plan' cost two thousand taels? This is good, not only does it cost nothing, Come on, I made a thousand taels* for nothing! It only cost me more than 20,000 taels to defend the city. It was so worth it!"
If I could figure this out earlier, I wouldn't have anything to worry about!
Thinking of this, Mr. Huo Xianzun felt a little regretful: Well, if a group of thieves come every once in a while... that would be the best thing!
*Knowledge points in this article.
One kilogram in the Ming Dynasty is almost equivalent to 600 grams today. Mingjin is sixteen taels, and one tael is about thirty-seven grams. Due to limited purification technology, generally speaking, the silver content of official silver is about 90%-95%. One thousand taels of silver is equivalent to less than forty kilograms. Considering the specific gravity of silver, the volume is actually not too big, just as big as a medium-sized watermelon. Of course, it is much heavier than a watermelon.
Due to technical differences in foundries, the purity of official silver varies. As for the People's Bank of China, let alone that. Of course, there are also many people who will find ways to fake it: adding lead, tin and other base metals of similar colors into it, so the silver content is lower and the color difference is greater, generally only 60% to 70%.
Therefore, the real ancient times are not as cool as in movies and TV dramas, where the hero throws a piece of silver into his mouth after eating in a restaurant and then floats away. It is even less likely that silver notes are flying all over the sky - that thing is similar to today's passbook, but it is exchanged in another place. Except for a few affiliated merchants, no one recognizes the proof of silver coins. On the contrary, it is very troublesome: if you resolutely resist copper coins and insist on paying with silver, the clerk will have to hire a master from the silver shop to appraise the quality on the spot, then calculate it, pick a piece of about the same size, and cut it with scissors. Then use a small scale to weigh... Finally, the master picked up some scraps to calculate the lifting fee, and left with you. The restaurant manager collected all the scraps. After saving enough, go to the silver building and cast it into large ingots of five taels, ten taels, or fifty taels, take them home, find a jar, put them in a jar, and bury them under the bed...
Therefore, in most cases, people prefer to use copper coins for small settlements. BTW, copper coins cast in the Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty were circulated in the Ming Dynasty and were more popular - the copper coins minted by the Donglin Party in the late period had an appallingly low copper content and were not used by the common people.
At the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China, the "guangyang" that flowed in from overseas, that is, silver dollars, was widely used as a general equivalent for the same reason. The purity of each silver dollar is 95%, and the silver content is very stable and easy to calculate. Moreover, the difficulty of the manufacturing process limits counterfeiting: folk workshops cannot cast fine patterns. The more famous one is the Mexican "Eagle Ocean", named after the eagle pattern on it. The other type is "Yuan Datou" from the Republic of China. The silver content of this kind is a bit different. In theory, it should reach 90%, but you know, since it is cast in various places, in fact it will definitely be a little bit different. Some individuals The silver content in this place is only over 70%.
Have you ever noticed that coins often have a serration on the outside? This is also the genetic characteristic of the silver dollar. In the beginning, the edge of the silver dollar was smooth, so some people used their brains to find ways to grind, cut or peel off a little bit. After a while, they melted it and got a small piece of silver! This kind of technology naturally spreads very quickly, so it won't take long for a silver dollar to become useless. So I simply cast the saw teeth - I asked you to grind them! If it's smoothed, it's considered a counterfeit currency. No one wants it, so just keep it for yourself and play with it!
