"In this world, unless a soaring dragon is enthroned, there will always be death. When a person dies and turns into ashes, there is still a distinction between severity and severity. Those who are heavier than Hongshan are like the soldiers of Lishan who defend their hometown and support the mountain. They are worthy of success. This means that there are those who are lighter than a feather, such as the Cao family's traitors, who help Wei to abuse and trap the city to death, and they also have the same intention.
…
Cao Shancheng seems to have quite a bit of talent and some personal ethics. Because of his talent, he can establish a county and make Qinghe peaceful for a while. His virtue can be maintained, he is honest and does not bribe.
Therefore, if you look at it roughly, it looks like a hero, but if you study it carefully, it is really lamentable and even ridiculous.
It must be heard that when heroes are born in the world, the first is those who cultivate their moral character, which is the symbol of wisdom; the second is those who love to give, which is the principle of benevolence; the third who is the one who takes what is given, the symbol of righteousness; the fourth who is shameful, the symbol of courage; Fifth, those who establish a reputation are extremely effective.
For example, Cao Shancheng lost his master and abandoned his land, and his life is not saved today. How can he be called wise? How can you be called benevolent when you are on the verge of death? How can you be justified if you use the people's power and money in Qinghe without any means and just sit back and watch the people have difficulties in spring farming and have no relief? How can you be called brave when you are complacent about helping a tyrant recognized by the world to abuse innocent people in the county? As for after this war, his bad reputation spread throughout the world and spread for thousands of years. He was hated and ridiculed by others. How can he be praised for his actions?
Without wisdom, without benevolence, without righteousness, without courage, without action, people have reached the extreme lowliness of human beings. They still don't realize it, but look around and say: "Today is a day of death!" How do you regard the importance of the world? How do you regard people as important? How important is virtue?
..."
"There is a section that I didn't understand." In the county office, Han Erlang lay on the desk and read for a long time, then spoke seriously to the two county princes in front of him. "What is this section about self-cultivation? What does the Talisman of Wisdom mean?"
"That is to say, if a person is wise, he must at least be able to cultivate himself; if a person is benevolent, he must at least be compassionate toward others; whether a person is righteous depends on whether he can take and give in a measured way. , and if a person doesn't even know the shame, he is not qualified to be brave...and if a person behaves properly, he will eventually have a good reputation." Mr. Wang County blurted out, if he said something think. "This article is too short, and some parts don't make sense, but it does have some insights."
Han Erlang lowered his head to look at the thin piece of paper on the table again. After being silent for a long time, he suddenly asked again: "Does the meaning of the following sentences mean that Cao Fujun has put thousands of people in this death place with him?" Is it actually unkind to die together?"
"That's probably what I mean." Magistrate Zhao of Qian County also sighed. "I think this is right." Han Erlang suddenly said.
The two county princes, King Zhao and King Zhao, were each stunned, but neither refuted nor agreed.
After a while, Magistrate Wang, who was still more familiar with him, looked at Magistrate Zhao seriously and asked, "Then what? So what? What is Captain Han going to do? Aren't you loyal to the emperor?" ?Aren’t you going to risk your life for him?”
"Even if you are loyal, you should not let Master Cao do such a wrong thing and bear such a stigma." Han Erlang said sincerely. "The defeat is definitely a defeat now, and it is a complete defeat. Fu Jun is bound to die in this state. I have no hope. I am only prepared to return my life to him. But other people do not deserve to die. If they can live, it is better to live a little longer. ······Be kind.」
"How to do it specifically?" Magistrate Zhao asked half a sentence.
"We should go to the enemy camp to negotiate before the other outflanking troops of the Deposed Dragon Army arrive, and use Zhang Longtou's own statement to ask Zhang Longtou, "Ren', let go of many of our people here, and tell him that our county soldiers They are all farmers' children who were temporarily recruited. They should not be beaten or killed. They can just be returned to work at home... If this is the case, it will be equivalent to them saving energy and directly breaking the city, and the people of Qinghe will definitely also I’ll be grateful.”
Zhao and Wang were obviously hesitant.
"Actually, they are just two..." Han Erlang continued. "If I can get a word from you, I can escape even if I can't."
With these words, the two magistrates cheered up, and Magistrate Wang volunteered: "If this is the case, I am willing to be the envoy. Even if I die, my family can survive, which is enough."
"No need." Han Erlang said seriously. "Although I don't know what the strategy is, I know that the few of us have never seen enough in front of Mr. Cao Fu, and Mr. Cao Fu has no idea in front of this dragon head.
There has never been enough to see anything. If we were to see this kind of person in person, some of his little thoughts would be immediately obvious. Even if he has no intention at all, he can be easily caught and resorted to tricks when being seduced by others. ·····》
"That makes sense." Magistrate Zhao nodded immediately.
"Then who should we let go?" Magistrate Wang was anxious for a moment.
"I have a team leader named Zhang Laowu. He is a typical farmer. He is very honest and stupid, but fortunately he is honest and reliable... Let him go and make our words clear and honest. If there are too many things, he doesn’t know how to say them even if he wants to.”
Han Erlang proposed his own plan. "What do you two say?"
"I remember him, it works!" Magistrate Wang immediately thought of this person and immediately nodded. "I never thought this person could be used here."
When County Magistrate Zhao heard the words, he could only nod his head: "I don't want Han Erlang to have such a burden."
After a moment, the three of them called Zhang Laowu in. As expected, they only talked about asking for mercy and nothing else. Captain Zhang got the words, repeated them several times and wrote them down. Then he was dressed in white, hung out from the city wall, and then raised his hand directly. Putting the document and notice on his forehead, he stood at the foot of the city and waited.
Sure enough, after a moment, the leader of the deposed dragon army leaped over. He was obviously proficient in using Qi. In the eyes of others, a simple leap seemed as if he was flying. He took advantage of this opportunity to obey the order in a dignified manner. The soldiers who dared to shoot crossbows flew over their heads and threw a few more newly copied notices at various strategic points in the city. Then they calmly flew back and grabbed Zhang Laowu's shoulders, who were still at a loss under the city. It was like grabbing a chicken or duck, so he grabbed it in the air and easily returned to the camp.
"Is this Cao Shancheng's idea?" Zhang Xing noticed the difference at first, and then thought deeply. "Or someone else's?"
The old man stood about ten steps in front of him, and he was submissive. He didn't respond for a long time, and he didn't dare to raise his head.
"You're just saying, who told you this?" Zhang Xing realized that this candidate was specially selected, and immediately changed his question.
"I heard Han Erlang explain it to Magistrate Wang and someone I don't know. It seems to be the magistrate here in Qian County." Zhang Laowu finally spoke smoothly.
"Is Han Erlang the former Vice-Captain Han of Licheng?" Zhang Xing continued to ask.
"yes."
"Which county is Magistrate Wang the magistrate of?"
"Licheng County."
"Did you withdraw together?" Chen Bin interrupted in surprise.
"yes."
"When did you withdraw?"
"Last night."
"That's right...how many people were originally in Licheng, and how many were evacuated to the city?"
"Originally three thousand, now two thousand."
"This Han Erlang is quite capable!" Xie Minghe also sighed.
"Han Erlang has always been able to withdraw troops. When Zhang Jin scaled in front of Douzigang, it was he who led a group of us to escape from the fire." Zhang Laowu answered honestly, as if to Han Erlang was convinced.
"It's interesting. A person with ten people is called a hero, a person with a hundred people is called a hero, a person with a thousand people is called a Jun, and a person with ten thousand people is called a Ying... This Han Erlang has always been heard to be serious about his duties, but I didn't expect it to be Qinghe at the critical moment. There are very few people here who can do anything, and they are just like talented people." Zhang Xing couldn't help but sigh.
At this point, he paused for a moment, thought for a moment, and then smiled again: "Okay, go back and tell Han Erlang that what he said makes sense. They are all ordinary people recruited temporarily. There is no need to care about it. We deposed the Dragon Army." It is indeed about benevolence and righteousness, and he also used my article to explain it, so it is accurate... Except for Cao Shancheng, no matter who else is, as long as they put down their weapons, just like you, Captain Zhang, when you leave the city like this I will not stop anyone who abandons his weapons and armor and goes straight back to his hometown; even the locals in the city and the officials in the county will be given preferential treatment as long as they preserve the treasury materials and put away the weapons... But It must be limited to before sunset today, because I will enter the city at sunset, and those who still hold weapons will still have to engage in military law."
When Zhang Laowu knew that the matter was done, he wanted to kneel down and kowtow a few times, but he was stopped by Jia Runshi and others who knew Zhang Xing's temper and pushed him out.
Several leaders around were speechless. As Zhang Xing said, in the current situation, the further results will definitely be in Liaocheng and Qinghe. As long as we fight quickly, there is no need to commit more crimes. There is only one Cao Shancheng in front of us. .
On the other side, Zhang Laowu returned to the city and described it in detail. The two county magistrates were surprised and surprised to see Han Erlang, and felt a little strange in their hearts - to them, Han Erlang, a rough and honest man. They had always looked down upon him, but the people they feared and admired, whether it was Cao Shancheng or Zhang Xing, who was obviously a level above Cao Shancheng, actually said that Deputy Commander Han was a talented person. It is also difficult for them to understand and a little frightening.
Enlightenment at an early age, building a foundation at a young age, with a superior family background, and hard work in the officialdom, claiming that one day he would be able to get into the palace, but unexpectedly, in troubled times, would he be inferior to a country man who can run away and plead for mercy?
Of course, the thought only passed by in a flash, and the two of them knew that the opportunity had come. Magistrate Zhao hurried away, while Magistrate Wang handed them over before leaving.
However, the two smart men did not leave in a hurry. Instead, they went back to prepare themselves and then waited quietly.
Sure enough, after more than half an hour, when the afternoon sun was dazzling, under the auspices of Han Erlang, the soldiers in white clothes began to leave in order from the west gate and the north gate away from the main camp of the Dragon Army. They just followed the order of a group of fifty people. The detachment left, and as they watched the first few groups of county soldiers gradually move away under the surveillance of the Dragon-Deposed Army, the two county magistrates could no longer hold back. After discussing with each other, they went west and north, each with their family members. Carrying some water and food on his back, he walked out of the city like these county soldiers.
A few women and children who were well-dressed but covered in pot ash obviously attracted the attention of the Deposed Dragon Army, but that was all. The latter actually allowed these people without armor to leave.
It seems that the emphasis on military discipline in deposing the Dragon Gang is actually true.
Of course, I have to say that the two county magistrates are really smart people.
If you leave early, even if Zhang Dalongtou has no intention of breaking the contract, he will probably be intercepted by the Dragon Army due to the difficulty in conveying the order; if you are a little greedy, bring more wealth and foot power, or hide weapons secretly, you may be attracted Unwarranted trouble; if you observe for a longer time and leave too late, you will face risks in the other direction.
Sure enough, as more and more troops abandoned their weapons and left freely, the city finally couldn't hold back anymore. The county soldiers abandoned their weapons at will and rushed to leave through the two gates. The streets were littered with discarded armor and armor. Ordnance, the county officials and soldiers from the county who could not speak loudly cursed, but no one paid attention to them. Han Erlang himself gradually lost control of the situation.
At this time, realizing that he could no longer hide the movement, he no longer expected any order. Instead, he abandoned his subordinates and went to Cao Shancheng's residence alone, where he sat on the threshold of the courtyard in front of the hall and waited.
Only a quarter of an hour later, Cao Shancheng sensed something was wrong, and stumbled out, smelling of alcohol, with a ferocious look on his face, holding a crumpled notice in his hand, but he pushed it away and immediately faced him. Han Erlang jumped up to the roof next to him with the notice in his hand. He only looked around and then came down again to ask condescendingly:
"Did those two bastards Wang Zhao surrender in Kaicheng? Or did they just run away in Kaicheng?"
Lieutenant Han did not hide anything, he just raised his head from below and answered seriously: "It's not the two county princes, it's me. It's the prince who entrusted the city to me. I made the decision to ask for words from the deposed dragon army and let the county soldiers abandon it." Xiu went home, and the two county princes also wanted to go home, so I took the opportunity to let them go."
Cao Shancheng was stunned, and then walked a few steps on the roof, holding his abdomen. The glowing energy appeared scattered around, swinging away the tiles, and then suddenly stopped at the edge of the roof. He sat down and asked coldly:
"So, you surrendered too?"
"No." Han Erlang met the other person's eyes and answered calmly. "I'm here to save Mr. Fu's life that day! But Mr. Fu did something wrong, so I made corrections for Mr. Fu."
"What did I do wrong?" Perhaps because of the drink, something was obviously wrong with Cao Shancheng. Not only did he look ferocious and his eyes were bloodshot, but as he waved the notice in his hand, his body became a little uncoordinated. "You will believe the thief once he writes an article."
"Reporting to the Lord, I don't understand anything else, but what 'Ren' said in the notice is absolutely right. I felt from the beginning that the county soldier
They are all civilians who were temporarily recruited and should be allowed to go home. "Han Erlang said seriously. "It wasn't because of the notice that I had this idea."
"You also think I'm unkind?" Cao Shancheng was obviously angry. "You want to teach me how to do things?"
"I don't want Mr. Fu to be infamous at this time..." Han Erlang remained serious. "Now that things have happened, we are both dead. I, an ordinary person from a rural background, will die if I die. But as for Mr. Fu, do you really want to refuse to repent?"
"What should I repent for?" Cao Shancheng, who was sitting on the edge of the roof, was full of surprise. He didn't know whether he was really confused or deliberately pretending.
"Then let me tell the truth." Han Erlang stood in the yard, raised his head, and still had the same serious tone. "I can't understand the notice in the hands of the governor at all. Even the two county governors said that the notice was not very well written, but the three of us all knew in our hearts that some of the words in the notice made sense. ····· Because we all know that the prince is too harsh in dealing with superiors and subordinates, in dealing with others and himself, in dealing with thieves, officials and people. They already hate Fu Jun! It’s just that they are afraid of Fu Jun and dare not say it in front of Fu Jun! Just like during the Three Expeditions, everyone in the world hated the saint, and no one dared to say it! But now, I In order to express the great kindness of Mr. Fu, you must say this and try your best to turn things around for Mr. Fu! If you can do something about it, do it one by one, instead of following Mr. Fu's wishes and boasting about what a loyal minister he is! Being a loyal minister to that saint is just a joke!"
When Cao Shancheng heard it halfway, he didn't know what he thought, and he felt like he was struck by lightning. When he heard the last word, he lost his composure and slipped directly from the roof. Han Erlang stepped forward to catch him.
But after landing, the Qinghe County Lord did not have the manners of a county leader, nor did he have the behavioral abilities that a master of condensation should have. Instead, he fell down and sat there. After a long time, he held his abdomen and said:
"Yes, you are to me what I am to a saint, but I am really not as good as you."
When Han Erlang heard this, his nose felt sour, and he tried his best to persuade: "Why is the Lord still thinking about saints at this time? Is he worth half of it? Even if the Lord of the mansion can be so honest, he will still be implicated in the end. If your reputation is ruined, I will write an article to scold you, so that everyone in the world will say that you are a tyrant's minion."
Cao Shancheng looked at the other party and did not reply. Instead, after thinking for a moment, he suddenly held the notice in his hand and smiled: "Han Erlang, do you have a loyal confidant? Just like you do to me, I do to the saints and the court? If so, Are you out of town?"
Han Erlang was puzzled for a moment.
"Call them here. My family is in Qinghe City. I have some things to entrust to them. I must find them before they leave the city and bring them over." Cao Shancheng said seriously. "The manpower must be sufficient, and they must be trustworthy."
Han Erlang woke up, got up and left quickly, looking for someone in a hurry.
When Cao Shancheng saw people leaving, he looked around the old house where there was no more people. He held his abdomen and stumbled back to the hall while exhaling his true energy. On the table in the main room, there was a pot of strong liquor and an empty paper packet of medicinal powder.
Mr. Cao Fu ignored these. He sat back in his seat, smoothed the notice in his hand next to the wine bottle, read it again, then raised his head and sighed.
Besides, according to Cao Shancheng's previous temperament, how could he die easily? Especially when Xie Minghe came to the city for the second time, he had already seen Zhang Xing's article, which made him feel resentful.
As for this pack of medicine, it is not a suicide medicine, but a medicine that forcibly stimulates and destroys the Dantian.
After all, it is easy to say that it is easy to say that the broken dantian changes violently, but it is actually very rare. This is not only because of human survival instincts and unwillingness to die unless it is absolutely necessary, but more importantly, broken dantian also requires specific conditions. Generally, Basically, it is necessary to empty the sea of true energy, and then forcibly circulate the true energy to trigger the self-destruction of the Dantian, and this process is very painful.
Therefore, he chose to use specific medicine mixed with strong alcohol to stimulate it.
Unexpectedly, the original plan to go to Zhang Xing with all his strength and anger, smash the notice into the opponent's face, and then die in the enemy camp as a loyal minister, but on a normal day, it was not so good at all. He lost his footing in front of the serious Han Erlang
.
The way the other party expressed his loyalty to him was indeed better than the way he expressed his loyalty to the saint and the court - this alone was enough to make him feel ashamed, and also allowed him to find a little extra value in death.
"In this world, unless a soaring dragon is enthroned, there will always be death. When a person dies and turns into ashes, there are still differences in severity. Some are heavier than Hongshan, and some are lighter than feathers, such as the Cao family's traitors who helped Wei to abuse. , trapped in the dead city, he also got what he wanted... Cao Shancheng seems to have a little talent and a little personal virtue. Because of his talent, he can settle a county and make Qinghe peaceful for a while. His virtue You can keep your integrity and be honest and don't bribe.
Therefore, at a rough glance, he looks like a hero, and looks like a hero. But upon closer inspection, it is indeed lamentable, even ridiculous. "
When Cao Shancheng read this, he laughed on the spot regardless of the severe pain in his pubic area. Then he raised the pot and drank freely, laughing again.
"You can't be inferior to that saint!"
After laughing, Cao Shancheng leaned over and took out a straight knife that had been prepared from the foot of the table with difficulty. He stabbed his Dantian with all his strength, stirred it again and again, causing his true energy to burst and blood to flow out like a fountain. He died. on the spot.
He died at the age of forty-one.
Moments after the death, Han Erlang rushed here with Zhang Laowu and other companions who might have been together when he fled from the Three Expeditions. Then he was stunned, then lost his mind, and even wanted to touch the knife.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Laowu and others noticed the situation and hurriedly swarmed up and hugged each other forcefully. Captain Zhang got away first and then trembled next to him to give instructions. He ordered everyone to take off Han Erlang's clothes and raise his arms. Drag him out of the city and return to his hometown together.
Han Erlang's body was stiff. He neither spoke nor resisted. He just stared at the body lying on the table.
Captain Zhang looked on at the side in confusion, and almost cried in anxiety: "Why is Erlang so crazy? The world is so chaotic. If you die for him, what will you do to us? Who will us fools run away with in the future?" "
Han Erlang didn't say a word, just stared at the corpse until he was dragged out by more than a dozen people, and then he was almost carried out of the yard and fled outside.
At this time, the entire city was almost empty. Seeing that the opportunity was not to be missed, the Dragon-Deposing Army had already sent troops and horses into the city from the south and east. Han Erlang and his party struggled to get out of the west gate until they reached the outside of the city gate. The inspectors of the deposed dragon army glanced curiously. After a pause, the deputy captain who was held high suddenly burst out and cried out.
By the way, Han Erlang didn't know that Cao Shancheng, who had been the tyrant of Qinghe for two years, gathered up his courage and benevolence before his death. He specially called his brother over and committed suicide in time, so that he could save his life. Take your own life.
As for now, Han Erlang just wants to live honestly until the moment when the saint dies, and then ask everyone present whether the saint ever showed any repentance before his death?
If not, can we say that Cao Fujun is better than that saint? The next day, at dawn, the two county magistrates fled to Qingping together. How could they rely on their feet so much? So neither my family members nor I myself can move. In desperation, the two could only reveal their identities and go to Qingping County Government for help.
When the Qingping County Magistrate heard that the two colleagues had arrived, he was frightened by the situation ahead and hurriedly entertained them and made inquiries.
But just after a few words were said here, Wang Shuyong, the leader of the deposed dragon army, had already arrived at the city. He entered the city almost unscathed and captured the three county magistrates together, preparing to hand them over to the rear for disposal.
