"Oh, no need to look for me, forget it, forget it, I just came out and it saved me another trip." Yu Dalang took the three of them to Cunzhen's house and said as they walked: "Master Cunzhen didn't do it yesterday?" I waited all day at home, and today I delivered the letter, and he asked me to take you all from Mercy Temple to him, and you will no longer live in Mercy Temple."
"Why?" Lingbao was surprised.
"How did I know this?" Yu Dalang finally brought the people to Cunzhen's house.
Cunzhen's family was very big, with only one old servant. Yu Dalang ran away all the way, and the four of them waited until night to wait for Cunzhen.
Cunzhen saw the young monks and asked the old servant to take them down to rest.
"I heard the sound of soldiers and horses outside. What happened in the city?" Yingniang heard Cun Zhen's slightly messy footsteps and unsteady breathing from the moment she entered the door.
"Not in the city..."
Cunzhen pressed his slender, white fingers firmly on the chair, and his forehead was covered with cold sweat. When he heard Jianghuai's latest results in the Governor's Mansion, even a little person like him felt the horror that the building was about to collapse.
"Youzhou rebels captured Jinling City in the first month of the year. King Chu Ling who was stationed in Jinling failed to defend the city and committed suicide. Before that, General Wei of Anguo Army was defeated and jumped off a cliff. Now, the Jianghuai area has been completely occupied."
"The rebels are entrenched in the Jianghuai River and have hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Wherever the sword strikes, the defenders from all over the country surrender without fighting, and a large number of officials flee."
"The country is so weak that all the armies fear the enemy like tigers..."
Cunzhen squeezed the handle of the chair and said, "And the imperial court wants the governor to recruit him."
Obviously, the imperial court wanted to admit defeat.
But how to recruit?
The rebel army had already opened its bloody mouth, swallowing thousands of miles, selecting people to devour, and if he wanted to make this ferocious beast quiet and crawl down, Cunzhen could not even imagine this possibility.
Chapter 283
"Recruitment?"
Yu Dalang was an ignorant bastard. Even if he learned some words, he still didn't understand the meaning of "recruitment": "What does this mean?"
"Promising the rebels high-ranking treasures to make the rebels surrender to the imperial court is called recruiting." Cunzhen looked at Yu Dalang who didn't understand the seriousness of the matter. For a moment, he felt that he was ignorant, but also felt that he was a bit lucky.
Yu Dalang shouted: "Now, they are all rebels, why should we give them money to become officials?"
Cunzhen put his hand on his forehead. If he could spend money to buy peace now, the court would be happy. As for promotion, Youzhou Jiedushi was already the second king of the opposite sex in Chu, and the first king of the opposite sex was Wang Jingnan. He is a descendant of the founding hero of Da Chu. He has been stationed in the remote Nanzhao area and has not visited the Central Plains for hundreds of years.
Cunzhen didn't know how the imperial court wanted to promote the openly rebellious king of the opposite sex.
"We can't recruit them." Cunzhen shook his head: "The rebels can't stop anymore."
"The Grand Governor asked me to be prepared. When the people from the imperial court arrive, he will ask me to go to Jinling with him to recruit people." Cunzhen said.
"Wouldn't that mean you're going to die?" Yu Dalang asked in shock.
Cunzhen smiled, as if thinking of something from the past: "Actually, it's not that there is no chance of survival. I have an old friend who was a retainer at Youzhou Jiedushi."
This is also the reason why the Grand Governor came to find him. By then, the Grand Governor will definitely let him contact Senior Brother Sophora Sophorae. His appearance is so distinctive that the news that he fled to the north and worked as a retainer for a big shot spread in the world. It's very broad, and it's hard for Cun Zhen not to know.
Naturally, the Grand Governor also knew.
That big shot was Zhou Xu, the governor of Youzhou.
"That's not bad. There is always one or two points of friendship among the senior brothers." Yu Dalang understood that even if the recruitment failed, Master Cunzhen might be able to save his life with one or two points of friendship.
"After I leave, it will be difficult for people to live in Mercy Temple, and Guichen will no longer be there. From now on, Lingbao and the others will live here. If Lady Ying doesn't mind, you can live here as well." Cunzhen restrained himself to Lady Ying. The corpse of Master Guichen was very grateful.
Ying Niang has been in a trance ever since she heard the word Youzhou. She seems to have heard and then not heard what Yu Dalang and Master Cunzhen said later. The pictures in her mind are messy and messy, like movie clips flashing by at high speed. For a moment, it is like a flood. It was snowing again in Mobei, and the flags of the army were waving as far as the eye could see. The battlefield was filled with blood. Many people were talking to her, their faces blurred into a ball. Some people ran towards her, tilted their heads to look at her, and opened and closed their lips. Together, with a smile, like a baby bird throwing itself into the forest, clinging to her.
Ying Niang's heart beat violently, and as Master Cunzhen mentioned the Youzhou Jiedushi, a voice exploded in her heart like thunder.
"lady…"
The sound was exactly the same as the previous few days.
The man's deep and deep voice echoed in Ying Niang's ears. Ying Niang suddenly raised her head and looked into the hall, and the voice disappeared like a bubble.
When she returned to the place where she was resting tonight, Ying Niang reached for the bedside and put down the bamboo stick. She rubbed her head in discomfort. Master Cunzhen was kind-hearted and allowed her to live here.
Ying Niang couldn't help but take out the jade plaque around her neck and rub the words on it. Maybe she was from Youzhou? Otherwise, why would I be so familiar with the place name Youzhou?
She should have a family, probably a child.
As soon as this idea came up, Ying Niang became extremely convinced.
Even though her head was tingling, Ying Niang still felt a sense of peace of mind. She was not alone in this world.
She wanted to find her family and go home.
Ying Niang is no longer so confused about the future.
In the days that followed, the whole city was under martial law, and even Ying Niang felt it. Perhaps because it was on the same street as the Governor's Mansion, Ying Niang often heard the sound of horse hooves coming and going.
More and more people entered Luoyang, including many high-ranking officials and nobles who fled south. At the same time, the news of Jianghuai's defeat also spread to Luoyang City. Even the common people in the city could say a few words, and everyone was frightened. Uneasy.
Ying Niang opened the door and looked at Princess Huayin through the crack in the door.
Listening to Cunzhen, the officials who escaped from Jianghuai followed the princess in the name of protecting the princess. In the end, those officials also followed into Luoyang.
Separated by many people, Ying Niang could only see the red fox fur on Princess Huayin in the front, which was as red as blood.
Cunzhen was also looking at Princess Huayin. He and the governor had been waiting for people from the court to come to discuss the recruitment.
Behind Princess Huayin were many Jianghuai officials in official robes, as well as many guards protecting the princess. The crowd went to the Governor's Mansion in Luoyang. Cunzhen saw that although Princess Huayin was gorgeously dressed, her Her face was haggard and cold, and her anger and sadness made her look full of murderous intent.
A group of people entered the Governor's Mansion.
Not long after, the Chu officials who followed Princess Huayin in were pushed out and chopped down by the soldiers.
Heads rolled to the ground.
Ying Niang looked at the red field in the distance and heard the order coming from the Governor's Mansion: The national crisis was imminent, and anyone who abandoned his official position would be killed without mercy. Bloody orders were sent everywhere.
Princess Huayin stood at the door of the Governor's Mansion, with a crazy voice and no manners, accusing the Governor of Luoyang who had chased her out: "You Shi Zhi, as the Governor of Luoyang, have commanded Huai, Zheng, and Ru, the four states of Luo, and have been ministers for many generations. My son died for the country, and you actually proposed to recruit rebels? Are you sorry for my son? Did my son's death be in vain?"
"I don't agree to the recruitment! You must send troops to suppress the rebellion. I will hang that barbarian on the city wall to avenge my son!"
Her questioning voice was so loud that Ying Niang could hear her clearly, and at the same time, she was inexplicably frightened.
Shi Zhi, the governor of Luoyang, looked at Princess Huayin who was talking madly and madly, and felt that she had lost her mind and gone crazy.
"Inform General Han Fuhan and ask him to pick up the princess." Shi Zhi ordered.
After the farce at the door was over, Shi Zhi looked at the ground where the blood was still wet with his hands, and sneered. Princess Huayin said simply that she wanted to suppress the rebellion and take revenge. She would send troops as soon as she said it, without even looking at the rebels. What kind of power has it reached?
Now that Wei Yunzhou is dead, the Anguo army is seriously injured, and Li Ruinian is also dead. Unfortunately, his soldiers did not catch up with the release of the order to kill and surrender, and the Yongping surrender army was bleeding and drifting. As for that idiot Wang Wanwan, he was The rebels cut their own flesh and strangled themselves to death in a horrifying manner.
Now the court is afraid that the rebels will go to Luoyang to force the palace. Once Luoyang is gone, Chang'an will be close at hand.
The emperor is in danger! The poor royalist faction in the imperial court was unexpectedly tough this time and strongly urged him to recruit troops. The imperial envoy was the upstart Qi Nanhua.
The major states and counties that participated in the Conquer You Alliance last year are now as honest as quails, saying nothing and not sending out a single soldier. Does Shi Zhi have the extraordinary ability to gather the troops of these states and counties to fight the rebels?
There is indeed such a person, that is Wei Guogong, but now Wei Guogong is dragged by the rebels in Xuzhou. According to him, the situation in Xuzhou may not be good.
Shi Zhi felt even more upset when he thought of this.
Chapter 284
Master Cunzhen was recruited by the Grand Governor of Luoyang again. As Yingniang lived in the master's house, she observed that Master Cunzhen rarely lived in his own home. Instead, she and two young monks lived most of the time. She was the only old servant in the mansion. He is very old, his hands and feet are not flexible, and he walks shaky. Yingniang is worried that he will fall every time she sees him, so Yingniang takes over the shopping for the house.
Since the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, it has snowed heavily in Luoyang. Snow disasters have occurred frequently. Prices in the city have risen a lot. There are many more beggars on the road than when Yingniang first came here, and there are no more people who freeze to death and starve to death. few.
Every time she went shopping, the two young monks insisted on following her. Yingniang knew that they meant well, so she would always buy some candied haws for the two young monks when they went out on the street.
Every time they go out, they wear the masks that Ying Niang bought. Maybe they have come into contact with people outside, and the two young monks are no longer as afraid of the outside as they were at first.
Master Cunzhen's house has a unique location. Next door is Fenghuangli in Shouyefang, which is also called Wanghouli by Luoyang people. Every time the two young monks pass by Wanghouli, they can exclaim.
After walking through Wanghouli and crossing Ziguang Bridge, Yingniang knew that she would arrive at Shanyue Square. The singing and dancing music in the square never stopped, and the fragrance of Jinfeng Yulu Tower enveloped the entire Shanyue Square, making people intoxicated.
Even during the day, Shanlefang is still decorated with lights. At night, people in Luoyang say that the lights of Jinfeng Yulu Tower are brighter than the sun in the sky. It seems like daytime, and the princes and grandsons spend a lot of money here, drunk and dreaming.
Jiang Jiasanlang sat lazily on the chariot and yawned. He was surrounded by many guards and slaves. He still had lingering powder on his body. After having fun all night, he was still very energetic. .
Last time he invited Tang Wu to let him take his cousin from the Xie family out to play, but the Tang family refused to let go and found several reasons to reject him. As a result, he didn't even meet his cousin from the Xie family. If Tang Wu hadn't recognized her, After playing with him for a few games, he must have felt that the Tang family was deliberately targeting him. Jiang Sanlang bit his cheeks and bulged. Then he thought of Jiang Huai's incident and his brows relaxed. His mood was indescribably happy. The always lawless little prince of Chu Ling died! This is really great news, die well, die well, after death, Wei Cixin will be Wei Guogong's only son.
It is said that the Jiang family had some friendship with Wei Cixin's mother, Ye, in their early years. When Princess Huayin became powerful, Ye had no choice but to live alone in Luoyang and separated from Wei Cixin. Now that Princess Huayin's son is gone, Ye's good friend The day is coming, and the Jiang family's fortunes are about to rise.
Jiang Sanlang was trapped in the brocade, squeezing Concubine Ji in his arms, and chuckled.
Ying Niang took the two young monks and avoided the traveling nobles. She always felt that this person was a bit familiar. Later, when she thought about it carefully, she felt that this person was a bit like the person who asked Master Guichen to go to the Dudu Mansion. After all, the way this person traveled made Ying My mother was very impressed.
Ying Niang heard a slight whimpering sound and turned her head to look.
She could not see clearly through the curtain.
The sobs in her ears became louder. It was a girl crying. She begged her parents not to sell her. The cry went straight into Yingniang's ears. Her father cursed at the girl, and then kept saying that as long as If you give me fourteen liters of grain, this person will give it to you. She doesn’t need any money. Her mother-in-law is also crying...
Due to the large number of people selling recently, the two parties bargained over the price, and the people in Jinfeng Yululou were only willing to give twelve liters of grain.
Lingbao pulled Yingniang's hand but did not pull it away. She stood still, as if she had taken root, and could not move. When Lingbao was anxious, Yingniang walked towards the bargaining direction with a bamboo stick.
"Why don't you sell it to me?" Ying Niang's stick touched the stone steps. She stopped, lowered her head slightly, and her voice was a little hoarse: "I am willing to give you fourteen liters of grain."
The people arguing at the scene stopped. Turtle Gong from Jinfeng Yulu Tower took a look at the shabby and dusty clothes and patched curtain hat. At first glance, he saw a blind woman and the two skinny little monks behind her. He disdained He sneered and said to the man selling the product: "You heard this, there happens to be a kind person who wants to buy your baby girl. Just sell it to her. Our Jinfeng Yulu Building will not accept your baby girl."
Before that, Mr. Turtle carefully checked the girl's teeth and appearance. It could be said that they were all good, so he was a little disgusted. Jinfeng Yululou was not a good person. Even the maids who served people needed to be picked out. His girl It's really unsightly.
Naturally, the man also saw that the person who wanted to buy his baby girl was dressed in a very shabby and shabby way. He said angrily: "We won't sell it to you."
Ying Niang tightened her grip on the stick.
After the man finished speaking, he pushed the baby girl towards Mr. Turtle. He blushed and gritted his teeth and said, "Eight liters. If you only need eight liters, my baby will be given to you."
Turtle Gong glanced at the dark girl, calculated it again, and reluctantly agreed: "Okay, then eight liters, this person will no longer be yours after entering the building."
"Okay, okay." The man said with a flattering look on his face: "My baby knows how to work, so just give her a bite of food. When she grows up, she will still make money. She is obedient."
The turtle man interrupted the man impatiently and asked his men to bring the girl in. However, the girl held on to the hands of the other people who wanted to buy her, and begged her parents: "Daddy, Aniang, she bought it." There is a lot of food, you can sell me to her, I don’t want..."
Before she finished speaking, Aniang, who had been crying, slapped the girl hard. When Yingniang heard the slap, she threw away the bamboo stick and waved her hand in front of her. She wore a curtain hat and her vision blurred. Unable to see anything clearly, his whole body was pushed hard and he fell to the ground.
"Hey, what are you doing!" The two young monks were anxious and pushed away the seller who wanted to beat him: "If you don't want to sell, you won't sell. Why are you beating me?"
