"Protect Zhang Sanniang and Aunt Gongsun." Lu Linghao did not forget to tell the guards.
His appeal has always been simple: he hopes the powerful are well.
Gao Chong seemed to have completely controlled the situation, as if he could cover the sky with one hand. But the next moment, a confidant came to report: "County Prime Minister, we found out that Du Wulang, Yin Liang and others are hiding in Cui Soo's house."
He should be taken down too... Meng Wu, go to Cui's house to get someone. "
"County Magistrate, these high-ranking families have countless slaves, and the villain is just afraid that they don't have enough manpower."
"Take the porters. Open the city gate and bring in more porters."
"Is this... too much?
Gao Chong also felt that he had forgotten a little, and even forgot how he got to this point from the beginning...
Oh, Xue Bai suddenly ransacked the secret house. How can I bear this?
What is he afraid of? The worst outcome is to flee to the north of the Great Wall and wait for a comeback.
But it is by no means so bad. Wei Ji has been bribed. So, as long as everything that happens in Yanshi County is kept in Yanshi County, Henan Prefecture will not care about it at all.
Remember URL
"Go! There is also Xue Bai. He is dead but his body is not visible. He must have come out of the secret passage and is also hiding in Cui's house."
"Here.
Zheng Bian and his servants followed Cui Xiang to Cui's house and talked about the situation.
"My nephew was a Jinshi when he was less than twenty years old, and Xue Bai was a No.1 in the seventeenth. They were both talented prime ministers. When they were investigating Guo Wanjin in Yanshi County, a merchant who robbed and sold his beloved people and minted copper coins privately died. Even though he is dead, Gao Chong refuses to take a step back. He already has a way to die, and we cannot sink the ship with him."
"It's just that over in Henan Prefecture, Linghu Shaoyin has always been in close contact with Guo Wanjin and Zhou Xian, so it can be seen that he is also one of their people. Although Wei Fuyin has a good reputation, he has a weak temperament. As Cui County Lieutenant said, can he come? ?”
"Even if you don't come, you and I, among the ten families with seven surnames, are afraid of a county magistrate?!
When Cui Zhuo finished talking, a servant already reported: "Alang, the county magistrate has sent people to search the house."
"Why?
"Talking to find the traitor Xue Bai...
"Absurd!" Cui Soo was furious, "Xue County Lieutenant has been buried in the sea of fire, how can he hide in my house?! Gao Chong is going to deal with me. Gather all your hands."
"Mr. Cui." Zheng Bian was very righteous and said with clasped fists, "I will advance and retreat together with Mr. Cui!"
The county officials were still outside the door, but the Cui family was already in full swing.
Not only the guards, but also the ordinary servants were ordered to pick up sticks, swear to protect the master's house, and help the county magistrate bring the traitorous county magistrate to justice.
At this point, Lu Linghao believed that the situation could still be dealt with.
As long as he and Xue Bai agreed to put all the blame on Guo Wanjin and sit down and talk, they might be able to turn conflicts into friendship.
He then sent someone to persuade Gao Chong one last time.
Gao Chong was already sitting in the courtroom. Hearing this, he said: "There's nothing to talk about. If you keep suppressing it, I can produce evidence to convict Xue Bai."
Immediately afterwards, someone came and reported: "County Prime Minister, Cui instigated a crowd to make trouble, and Zheng Bian's servants also scattered around the city to gather people. I'm afraid they want to surround the county office."
"A bunch of profit-seeking cowards.
Gao Chong actually laughed. He was afraid that these people would be weird. His sworn brother had told him why he wanted to rebel.
Aren't they the opposite of these cowards who steal the benefits of everyone in the world and are so elegant?
"What's the big deal? Do you know what a 'coward' is? Just like us, County Magistrate Lu, who only knows how to calculate benefits and curry favor with the powerful. He doesn't dare to take any risks but wants to take advantage of all the benefits. These worldly gentry, Not even as good as Lu Linghao, but you still want to gather a crowd?
Those people were not Wang Yansiam or Xue Bai. One was alone, lingering and unwilling to give up; the other was a new arrival, with no food and salt, so he opened his mouth and bit wildly.
Wang Yanxiang is a poisonous bee and Xue Bai is a mad dog. Over the years that Gao Chong has been in office, these two are the only two people who have almost caused him harm. As for the world gentry?
Dare you see blood?
Gao Chong ordered: "Go to the dock and tell Zhuang Asi to bring the most obedient waterman to suppress him for me."
pier.
Zhuang Asi was sitting by the campfire drinking tea to refresh himself.
He has already gathered all the members of the Cao Gang.
Everyone also knew that something happened tonight, and they were talking about it.
"He is so handsome. Are you afraid that we will have to choose a new handsome guy tonight?"
"How to choose? Besides Li San'er, who else can twist the various Cao gangs into one rope."
"It's all a mess..."
Listening to these discussions, Zhuang Asi thought that these river workers were ridiculous, and his heart was full of twists and turns, unlike the cheerful men in the north.
"Brother, the county magistrate has come to give orders...
"Not enough manpower?" Zhuang Asi was very surprised. He thought it would never reach this point, so he asked: "What happened?
"The trouble is getting bigger and bigger. Several big households must have felt that there were too many major cases and they couldn't suppress them. They wanted to sell out the county magistrate and rebel...
After hearing this, Zhuang Asi thought for a while and realized that it was impossible not to suppress the situation. He stood up, summoned several small ditch leaders from the Cao Gang, and said: "You guys, bring the most capable people here."
As if seeing him gathering people, the lights suddenly turned on in the upper reaches of the Luo River, and a huge official ship came slowly.
"It's over! Henan Yin has come to suppress the county magistrate...Brother, please take the county magistrate and run away."
"Why are you panicking?" Zhuang Asi said: "I have seen the county magistrate and the governor drinking. Let's take a look and talk about it."
He was far away and couldn't see clearly, so he walked forward and called for people to report all kinds of information to Gao Chong at any time.
In front of him, the watermen also stood up and stood on the shore watching.
Finally, a call came.
"The transporter is here!
Zhuang Asi knew a little better and knew that it was impossible for the land and water transfer envoy Wang to come to Yanshi. He pushed through the crowd and pushed forward. He saw a big flag hanging high on the boat and a letter: "Transshipment Envoy Henan Water and Land Transfer Envoy Du Youlin" ".
There is a world of difference between a transfer envoy and a deputy envoy. Unfortunately, almost everyone here is illiterate and does not recognize the word "vice". Although Zhuang Asi knew it, he couldn't explain why.
But there is one thing. The Transshipment Department is also called "Caosi", and it is in charge of water transportation.
"What?
At the county office, Gao Chong was shocked when he heard that an official ship was coming from Luoyang.
"It's impossible. I've already taken care of Henan Mansion. It must be impossible."
Fortunately, the news on the dock did not surprise him for too long. Not long after, someone came to report: "County Prime Minister, the person here is Du Youlin, deputy envoy of land and water transport."
"Du Youlin? He wants to use water transport? Let Li San'er...
Gao Chong spoke smoothly, and when the words reached his lips, he remembered that Li San'er was dead.
He suddenly realized that Xue Bai's deeper purpose of killing Li San'er was to win Cao Fu's support, but everything happened so fast that no one could react.
From the confiscation of the secret house, the murder of Guo Wanjin, and the murder of Li San'er, Xue Bai cut through the mess quickly. While it provoked him to respond violently, it also gave him no time to integrate his forces.
However, his power was very mixed, including merchants, officials, servants, and cattlemen, and the cattlemen were divided into several gangs.
"No, I have to go to the dock myself."
"County Magistrate, there are still troubles in the city..."
"With Li Saner gone, I am the only one who can control Caobang."
Gao Chong stood up, and Meng Wu hurried over again, reporting: "County Magistrate, a villain is incompetent. Cui instigated him to drive him out, but he didn't get anyone. Several big families are now approaching the county office with their people."
At this time, the men who besieged Xue Bai in the secret house had gathered at the county government office. Gao Chong still had nearly two hundred people in the city. Naturally, he did not have to be afraid of anyone. He walked straight to the gate and ordered: "If you dare to besiege the official office, rebel Undoubtedly, there is no need to hold back and let them see blood."
"Here.
Those who were pushed to the front were the sword-wielding servants of the Guo family.
At this time, they already knew that the head of the family and Erlang were dead, and had been framed as rebels by the county captain. The only way to survive was to listen to the magistrate Gao.
They were all people who had followed Guo Wanjin in the slave trade and coinage business, and they were forced into this situation again. When the servants of the gentry rushed to the county government office and made a fuss, one of the servants of the Guo family chopped them down with a knife.
"Killed.
"You really dare to take action?!"
"Gao Chong rebelled!
"Capture Cui Soo, Zheng Bian and others...
Gao Chong must speed up to suppress them one by one and rush to the dock as soon as possible.
At the pier, more and more porters gathered.
Xue Bai stood at the bow of the boat and glanced over, knowing that most of them were working hard, pulling fibers, moving goods, stepping on the freezing frozen soil with bare feet in the cold weather, and accidentally being swallowed by the river.
Living such a hard life, it is inevitable that people will form gangs to help each other. Some of them who are brave and aggressive will naturally take on other jobs.
In short, these porters are very complicated, some are honest and some are vicious.
Xue Bai is not here to judge whether they are good or bad today, but to ask the water and land transport envoys to deal with some long-term problems in water transportation.
Therefore, Xue Bai asked Quanfu to take Yibo to Luoyang and discuss the matter with Du Youlin in detail.
Yin Liang took out an account book.
This is the tax book of Yingxiantou Wharf, which Xue Bai took away in front of Li Saner that day.
The reason why he could be taken away was because others thought that Xue Bai wanted to investigate Gao Chong's smuggling case. Anyway, it was not on the account book, so it would be okay to take him away. However, Xue Bai and Yin Liang found something else in it...
"The Tang Dynasty Transfer Envoy, Shuilu Transfer Envoy, is here!
Du Youlin had also stood up and stood on the bow of the boat looking at the waterman along the river. Every time he said a word, someone would shout out for him.
"I'm here to investigate a major Caofu case!"
As soon as these words came out, the watermen on the shore started talking a lot, and they all felt that they were here because of Li Saner's death.
But that was not what Du Youlin was talking about at all.
"In the twenty-fifth year of Kaiyuan, Guangyun Lake was newly built, and grain from the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers was transported to Chang'an by water. The sage was overjoyed and ordered two million dan for each shipment of grain, and the waterworkers were given two thousand guan. However, since I took office, When I visited the waterworks, they all said that they had not received any reward in more than 20 years...
Naturally, there were people on the ship who used simpler and clearer words to spread Du Youlin's words, and there were also people on the shore who gave explanations.
The emotions of the plow workers were aroused in this short moment, and there was a lot of discussion.
After a long time, someone shouted: "Let the transporter speak! Let the transporter speak!"
After that, it was Xue Bai who spoke.
"I am Xue Bai, the newly appointed captain of Yanshi. The sage asked me to come to Henan to take a look and ask you! Every time I pull three miles of land, I will get two cents. The maximum I can pull fifteen miles a day, and I will get ten cents. Wen, can you buy five Hu cakes...are you full? Li Saner died, and he finally had the opportunity to talk to these water workers.
Unfortunately, some of the field tyrants were not dead yet, so he could not talk to the tenants for the time being. They would only be tricked into beating him, the new county captain, with hoes and whistle sticks.
"County Lieutenant, this villain still has a wife and children!
"It's not every day that little people can pull fifteen miles of land!"
“For every ten cents you get, you still have to pay one cent as a help fee….
Finally, the words of the plow workers merged into one sentence.
“Not enough to eat!
“Not enough to eat!
“Not enough to eat!
Among the crowd, Zhuang Asi turned around, looking for Li San'er's most loyal subordinates, who would have enough to eat. Because the help money is given to them, they also have another source of income from smuggling.
How should I put it? People manage people at different levels. Naturally, the higher up, the more full they will be. This is really normal.
It's just that Li San'er died and the rules were messed up.
Zhuang Asi moved past the small canal heads and said: "Xue Bai wants to win people's hearts, don't let him...
On the boat, Xue Bai said: "I know you don't have enough to eat. Where did the reward given by the sage to the water workers go? Who ate half of the salary of three cents per mile of water work? Who gave the help? For this reason , we invited a transfer envoy to investigate this matter thoroughly!
"Investigate thoroughly!
"Thorough investigation!"
If they can share the money, the plow workers will naturally make a fuss.
Do you want to know what the help fee is? It's just that in order to earn a living, the Kuhaha people get together to make troubles and ask for money, and those who contribute more get more.
Over the years, Li Saner has collected fees for help, but he has never made trouble with the government. Instead, he has become closer and closer to the county officials.
The Cao workers were dissatisfied at first. After more than a dozen people died, everyone gradually forgot the original intention of the Cao Gang.
Zhuang Asi spoke again, but the few small canal heads couldn't hear him. He couldn't help but get angry, secretly thinking that if there was a big bow, he would just shoot Du Youlin and Xue Bai.
Finally calmed down.
Du Youlin said: "Quiet! I have just arrived. It's still dark and the city has not yet entered, but I promise that I will give you a better way to live. Tonight, you will first recommend twelve people to board the ship. , describe your situation in detail!"
The scene suddenly became even more chaotic.
"Old Bingtou, go!
"Old Bingtou...
On the big boat, someone ran to the edge and shouted towards the shore: "I am also Qu Shuai, don't you recommend me? I am Ren Mulan!"
There are actually watermen who know about her.
"Xiao Qutou is very loyal, I recommend her!
Zhuang Asi gradually felt that the soldiers were distracted during the war.
Of course, it wasn't just a few words that could convince Xue Bai to win over the workers. How could it be that easy?
He turned to the small canal leaders and said: "Gather the people together, I will go to work for the county magistrate first."
They all listened to my brother and left.
A small canal raised his head and kicked a laborer in the buttocks, scolding him: "You still listen?! The dog officer is a liar."
The waterman glanced back, scratched his head and walked away.
Zhuang Asi originally planned to bring one or two hundred more people to support, but the situation was chaotic at the moment and he did not dare to delay, so he only took more than thirty people and hurried to Yingxian Gate.
Song Mian did not return to Luhun Villa because Song Li suddenly jumped off the carriage. He knew that something would happen to his younger brother, so he decided to stay and clean up the mess for him.
It was night, and the city was indeed full of chaos.
Song Mian ignored this and read a book, planning to fall asleep early.
Until a servant came over in panic and hurriedly took him to see a corpse in the streets in the west of the city.
"Hachiro?
Song Mian was stunned for a moment, looked at Song Li's bloody lower body, then looked around and murmured: "Did Zhang Sanniang kill him?
"It seems like it should be, otherwise... we can't insult Hachiro like this... Wow! Hachiro!
"Stop howling.
Song Mian shouted and stopped the servant. It seemed that the woman had killed him, and he had already concluded in his mind that as long as Zhang Sanniang was fake, she should be the one responsible.
“Take it away.
"Here."
When the body was lifted up, Song Mian suddenly narrowed his eyes, grabbed the torch and moved towards it, only to see that before Song Li died, he covered a bloody word with his hand, an unfinished word "高".
But anyone could have written this word, and it is possible that Zhang Sanniang framed Gao Chong.
Song Mian had a banquet with Gao Chong and Wei Ji not long ago and shared some benefits...
"How did my eighth brother get lost?"
"At that time, a little girl was chasing Guo Erlang... By the time the little people reacted, Eight Lang had already chased her far away."
Song Mian repeatedly asked many details. Finally, he looked at the body again and noticed that it was a stab wound. Two knives were on the lower body, two on the heart, and one on the upper shoulder, which directly cut off the shoulder blade. It should be more serious than Song Li's. It was cut by someone who was tall and strong.
"What weapon did the little girl use?"
"It's... a sword, I'm sure it's a sword."
Song Mian was stunned, and then another servant reminded him: "Lang Jun, the Prime Minister of Gao County has killed many people tonight, and everyone said that he was going to rebel.
Outside the county office, Gao Chong was almost about to suppress the situation.
As he said, those gentry were very weak and lost the courage to make trouble again when they saw blood.
However, he gradually felt like he was holding on to the fire to put out the fire. The bigger things get, the more people oppose him.
In fact, he has realized that the reason why he was able to gain support from everyone before was that he could earn hidden money for them. If you are too flamboyant in making dark money, you will naturally be afraid of it, but it is really difficult to get rid of it.
"Gao Chong! Why did you kill my brother?!"
Suddenly, Song Mian also came over with his servants, and the gentry who had shrunk their heads started to make noise again.
Upon hearing this, Gao Chong understood what the other party was trying to do - it was just a small crime of sharing stolen goods, but Song Mian came in a hurry to silence him.
These despicable and shameless selfish people only flatter others and suppress others.
One after another, Gao Chong was finally furious.
At this point, he came forward fiercely, vowing to shock these people. If he really rebelled, none of them would be able to get a favor from him. When the time comes, he can go to the border fortress, but they won't be able to leave.
“Let’s go to the arsenal!
He had sent a good man to the arsenal before, and he could have robbed more than a hundred armors, bows and arrows in the arsenal, which would be enough to control Yanshi County.
"Go to the arsenal!
At the same time, Lu Linghao's house.
Lu Linghao, who was taking a rest due to illness, was not sick at all. He was pacing anxiously, listening to the news reported by his staff Yuan Yiheng who had returned from Luoyang.
"When we arrived in Luoyang, Wei Fuyin was already preparing to come to Yanshi...
Yuan Yiheng had a slight wry smile on his face and said: "This time, the court is very determined to eliminate the remnants of demon thieves.
After all, there was a stabbing case. "
"real."
"Yes, envoy Du Zhuan has already led some of his men to Yanshi first."
When Lu Linghao heard this, he didn't know how many people Du Youlin had. He was shocked and regretted that he had listened to Gao Chong's coaxing words.
At this time, there was bad news.
"My lord, it's not good! Prime Minister Gao has led people to rob the arsenal!"
"What?
Lu Linghao's face turned pale with fear.
It wasn't until he was forced to this point that he finally realized that he had to take action.
"Ming Mansion." Yuan Yiheng said: "Please ask the Ming Mansion to issue an order to order the guards to guard the arsenal and kill Gao Chong."
"But he has a porter...
"Du Gong is here! Please ask the Ming government to issue another order to the dock to appease the porters!"
However, Yuan Yiheng knew that the key was not that Du Youlin was at the dock, but that Xue Bai was at the dock...
The wind carried the hustle and bustle of Yanshi County to the Luo River.
All the lanterns on the pier have been lit, and the bonfires on the shore have also been lit. For those who don’t know, they thought another large canoe had arrived at night.
The plow workers have elected twelve people. Although a few people recognized Ren Mulan and were willing to nominate her, the number was too small and she was ultimately defeated.
After the twelve people boarded the ship, they first talked with Xue Bai.
"I am the newly appointed Yanshi County Lieutenant. I have been in office for more than half a month, and I only have the opportunity to meet you tonight." Although Xue Bai was smiling, he carried the power of an official, "I hope it is not too late.
If possible, he should have intervened in water transportation earlier, because the core of his entire power-grabbing plan was to dismantle water transportation.
Where does the noble power come from? With An Lushan as his backer and profit from smuggling, power and money enabled him to manage everything up and down, while the Caobang was the basis of his force.
To break this foundation of force requires greater power and money.
So Xue Bai lied, saying that the saint sent him to investigate the case. In fact, he said that he "wanted to go and check it out for the saint." He was just following Li Longji's illusion that "if I don't leave the seclusion center for ten years, nothing will happen in the world." If broken, Zhaoying County Magistrate Li Xi learned from this fantasy. Fortunately, no one can expose this lie for the time being, and now is the time when its deterrence is strongest.
With the emperor's mandate as the background, and Du Youlin, the deputy envoy in charge of water transportation, this is Xue Bai's power, but it is not enough. For the plan to be implemented, two people must be killed - Guo Wanjin and Li San'er. .
Guo Wanjin lived up to his name, so by getting rid of him, Xue Bai could confiscate his ill-gotten wealth and use it as a money bag to bribe the canal workers.
Li Saner must be eliminated. As long as Qu Shuai lives for one day, Xue Bai will not be given any chance to contact water transportation. A few days ago, Xue Bai just arrived at the dock to check the account of Mr. Sun, and Li Saner immediately stepped forward. How could he be allowed to put his hand into the water transport?
Let the secret house rob Zhang Sanniang, search the secret house, kill Guo Wanjin, provoke Gao Chong to take action, trap and kill Li San'er, and drive the officials and gentry to drag Gao Chong. Xue Bai took this opportunity to use the banner of Du Youlin to win over the water workers.
This is the entire plan. There are only three key steps: creating evidence, getting rid of key figures, and dividing and recruiting.
The core is to win over the magistrates. They are the cornerstone of the noble force and the easiest to win over.
If the gentry in Yanshi County control half of the land, they are the masters; then the laborers, farmers, and cultivators are slaves, and they are actually the owners of the other half.
The water workers were more concentrated and more vicious than the tenant farmers; they were more determined than the gentry, and they did not have as big an appetite as the gentry.
Of course, Xue Bai could not get all the 4,000 canal workers in Yanshi County to side with him overnight. It was enough to make them stop supporting Gao Chong.
The time left for him was very short, only the period between Li San'er's death and Gao Chong's reaction.
Even so, Xue Bai still acted very calmly. He glanced at the twelve people and greeted them calmly.
Most of the twelve people were relatively honest canal bosses or ship owners who took over the work for the canal workers, except for one old man.
"The little old man's surname is Bing. The county captain can call him 'Lao Bingtou'. He is from Yanshi and is the county official."
"Since Mr. Bing is a county official, why is he still on the dock at night?"
Xue Bai chose to come here at night, just to avoid Gao Shang's manpower as much as possible. Most of the county officials and merchants went to the city to rest at night. As soon as the official ship of the transfer envoy arrived, the lights were shining, and all the people gathered there were Bitter haha, these are the people who have not benefited from water transportation, and they are likely to be bribed in an instant.
It is up to them to recommend candidates whose daily character is trustworthy.
Lao Bingtou said: "My wife and children are no longer here, so I live next to Jinshu. I heard loud noises at night, so I came here.
Xue Bai asked: "Is the canal work under your control?"
"Back to the county captain, the waterworkers are not part of the government. They spontaneously recommend people to do the work. If we say who is in charge, they are also civilians and are under the control of the county magistrate.
"Is there a special Cao Department in the county?"
Lao Bingtou stroked his sparse beard and responded: "In the past, the imperial court had a boat office to manage the water affairs. It was completed three years ago. The transfer envoy was in charge of the transportation, and it did not involve the specific water workers who pulled the ships. After the Changyun Law was changed to the General Law, it was clear that the county magistrate along the river was in charge of the water transportation in the local area."
What Xue Bai wanted to ask was whether Lu Linghao had specially appointed someone to manage water transportation. Hearing what he said, he knew that there was no such thing. Water transportation was completely in Gao Chong's hands.
His eyes fell on Old Bingtou's ragged clothes and asked: "How do Old Bing and Director Sun get along?
"Alas." Lao Bingtou sighed first and said: "Every year, the imperial court transfers grain from Luoyang to Chang'an and recruits canal ships. For every thousand guan, Chief Sun gives Li San'er 500 guan, and Li San'er pays for it. Then the watermen are selected for transportation, so the watermen all listen to Li San'er."
Being able to answer like this shows that Old Bingtou saw something and knew that Xue Bai and Li San'er were not going to deal with each other.
After roughly understanding the situation in this way, Xue Bai began to convey his thoughts.
"Du Gong and I are both from Chang'an. The sage cares about you very much and asked Du Gong to treat the water workers well. I took the opportunity to ask Du Gong to come to Yanshi County first.
"Okay! Du Gong and the county captain are so kind and kind!"
"First of all, what needs to be done is to increase the income of the canal workers. At ten qian a day, we can only live hand to mouth, not to mention that most of the canal workers earn less than ten qian a day. We cannot survive in the prosperous times."
Xue Bai couldn't understand how these people could only earn five loaves a day for fifteen miles of slimming. Xue Bai couldn't understand how they continued to suffer. If it were him, he would have rebelled long ago.
He did not just talk about this matter, but had already asked Yin Liang to make a complete plan.
"For the money that the sage rewarded to the water workers, Du Gong will also check its whereabouts, and the county will provide compensation to the water workers."
"The county lieutenant said...distributing money?"
"Well, did you know that there is a wealthy businessman named Guo Wanjin on the Cao River? This man bought good people and smuggled goods, and he has been captured by the county magistrate. The Transportation Department and the county office plan to use money from the confiscated property to compensate. With two The first method is to increase wages, and the second is to redistribute the fields so that those who worked hard because they lost their fields can go back to farming, and the remaining people will receive more money."
"Let's talk about wages first. They are divided into upstream and downstream. Our Yanshi hauler is from Luoyang to the mouth of the river. It cost one mile for traveling downstream and three cents for one mile against the current. I at least guarantee that the wages from the government will be Every penny goes to the water workers."
None of the waterworkers went back to sleep, they all gathered on the shore and waited.
It took a long time before the official ship dared to dock.
Twelve people got off the official ship and called their subordinates on the dock to convey what they wanted to convey from the transfer department and the county office.
"Don't worry, Duke Du has just arrived."
"The wage increase is certain. Guo Wanjin's house was ransacked and Li San'er was killed."
"The saints have shown personal concern, isn't the imperial court determined enough?"
"One mile and two cents? Isn't that three times the original price?! Three times?!"
"It's four or five times as long as it's against the current?!"
"The key is that everyone has to cooperate...
At the same time, Du Youlin also stood on the bow of the ship and made a promise, and sent people to loudly promote the new policy.
Fortunately, although the officialdom has begun to deteriorate, the court still has prestige, and the canal workers believe in the guarantee of the transfer envoy.
What I am afraid of is that even the credibility of the imperial court will be destroyed.
Time passed little by little.
Explaining the policy clearly to thousands of canal workers was more time-consuming than killing people, until the morning light faintly emerged from the lower reaches of Luoshui River in the east.
Some officials and staff under Gao Chong finally arrived. They lived in the city and had been watching the investigation of the "fake Zhang Sanniang case" at night. They had not paid attention to the dock before and did not understand the changes that had taken place on the dock.
There were only a few officials who wanted to summon more people to the county town to help Gao Chong.
“Everyone listen!
"Quiet! Listen to me. There is a demon thief pretending to be a royal relative and attacking the county office. Now the county magistrate is recruiting you to capture the demon thief. Afterwards, each of you will be rewarded with ten coins. A little help is equivalent to stretching your body by fifteen miles. You will be strong and loyal. Stand up!"
This sound also reached the official ship.
Xue Bai hoped to persuade the canal workers to no longer be dominated by Gao Chong, but unfortunately, the time left for him was too short.
Gao Chong and Li San'er had been operating for many years by sharing the profits from smuggling and gangs to profit the small canal head and intimidate the canal workers. However, Xue Bai only had this chance in the middle of the night and could only promise them three to four times the wages.
Regardless of the outcome, there is no room for retreat.
"Do you know why the court wanted to kill Li San'er? Because Guo Wanjin, Li San'er, and Gao Chong were the masterminds of the Lishan assassination case, committing a major crime of treason! The saint only kills the leader of the thieves, but the premise is that you don't help the tyrants!"
"Guo Wanjin and Li San'er are dead. Only Gao Chong can resist and eliminate this cancer, so that the canal workers can live a good life.
On one side is the county magistrate, on the other side is the county lieutenant and the land and sea transport deputy envoy. Both sides accuse each other, saying that the other party is guilty, or is committing major crimes such as "pretending to be an imperial relative" and "treason".
What Gao Chong needs is for the Cao workers to assist in the boxing, but Xue Bai just needs them to stay still; Gao Chong has more manpower to control the Cao workers, and Xue Bai promises greater benefits.
Although the water workers were more organized than the tenant farmers, they were actually a disorganized bunch. It would be okay if there was only one voice, but the two magistrates' orders came at the same time. They really didn't know what to do.
After a long quarrel, Yuan Yiheng also arrived.
He pushed through the crowd and squeezed towards the ship, and finally found Xue Bai.
Xue Bai learned from the county doorman Zhao Liukou that Yuan Yiheng was sent to Luoyang, so he sent someone to intercept him.
Yuan Yiheng was able to convince Yuan Yiheng because taking the dead Guo Wanjin to bear the crime was in the best interest of most of the powerful people in Yanshi County and would only cost Gao Chong's interests. Yuan Yiheng, as a staff member of the county magistrate, could see this clearly.
“County Lieutenant, something happened!
"Mr. Yuan is here.
Yuan Yiheng said anxiously: "Gao Chong has led people to rob the arsenal. I'm afraid the guards won't be able to hold on!"
“The county magistrate is the head of a county after all, so he can’t mobilize more people?
"The Mingfu is just an official, how can he be as ruthless as Gao Chong, a rebel?" Yuan Yiheng, as an aide, knows Lu Linghao very well, "I am still thinking about He Xini until the last moment, the Mingfu can't stop him. !
"Is there any official document?
"Bring it with me." Yuan Yiheng quickly took out the documents, "The Ming government has issued an order to capture the rebel Gao Chong."
"It's 'hunting'." Xue Bai said: "You and Duke Du are here to convey the official documents of the county magistrate to the canal workers... Also, where are my people?
"He was taken from the post house to the county jail."
Yuan Yiheng understood what Xue Bai meant and directly handed over Fa Cao's talisman and said: "The Ming government requires that the incident be resolved as soon as possible.
"good."
Lu Linghao's attitude has been stated a long time ago. Whoever takes action between the county magistrate and the county lieutenant will be a traitor.
Xue Bai had put down his sword, but Gao Chong still wanted to rob the arsenal. Lu Linghao would get angry no matter how temperless he was.
At this point, the benefits to the canal workers were promised in the name of the transshipment envoy, and the official document of the county's highest official was also available, and the world gentry was willing to let Gao Chong take the blame.
Xue Bai planned to take Lao Liang and Xue Xin, but Du Shi directly followed him with Aunt Gongsun's two disciples.
Dressed in red, she looks like a swordsman, but she actually doesn't know any martial arts.
“You stay.
"I brought those people, I have to go."
Xue Bai said: "It's more important to stay and help your grandpa win over the canal workers."
"Sister can do this better."
Xue Bai then shook Du Shi's hand. He wanted to talk about her encounter with setting fire to the building in the post house, but when he met her ambitious eyes, he knowingly did not mention it again, but whispered: "I I want to live a noble life."
"Why?
"You'll know later.
There was a chaos at the city gate. The guards guarding the city gate were Lu Linghao's men, and Gao Chong also sent people to seize the gate. There were both servants of the gentry and the Guo family in the city.
Instead of cleaning up this mess, it would be better to capture the thief first and capture the king first. Xue Bai simply went straight to the county office.
Gao Chong led his henchmen to seize the arsenal, while the county office was watched by the officers.
"County Lieutenant.
Zhao Liu saw Xue Bai from a distance and rushed up to him, saying, "Meng Wu has defected to Gao Chong, and he is leading people to guard the county office."
"Where are Qi Chou and Shiba Inu? I asked them to escort them back."
"County Lieutenant."
In the alley on the other side, Qi Chou and Shiba Inu stepped forward and said, "We have been waiting at the county office."
"Go in.
Without saying a word, Xue Bai straightened his official uniform and strode into the county office.
From the front, Meng Wu led the officers to meet him and said: "Xue County Lieutenant, you are involved in the 'Fake Zhang Sanniang Case'...
"Xue Xin!"
Xue Xin strode forward, drew out his sword, and slashed it down.
Meng Wu was still talking, but before he could react, he was knocked to the ground.
Xue Xin killed someone, lowered his head and took a deep look at Meng Wu. He knew that it was not a serious crime for a servant to seek refuge with the county magistrate, but there was no way. There was only one squad leader in a county.
Fighting for power is not about playing house.
"Still watching?
Qi Chou had worked with Meng Wu in the county office for many years. Seeing that he was killed with a single stab, he felt no sadness, only fear. He shouted: "Gao Chong has rebelled, and the ships of Henan Prefecture have all arrived at the dock! Those who don't want to be accomplices, step aside!" If you want to get rid of your crime and make meritorious service, follow the county captain!
His words were faster than Xue Bai lifting the talisman.
Xue Bai then threw the talisman to him and led the people straight to the county jail.
Aunt Gongsun was not in the county jail and was placed in the guild hall for temporary surveillance. Xue Bai did not intend to let them get involved again.
In the county jail, Shi Zhong and his gang were still being held, and they didn't even have time to be interrogated.
There is also Cui Youfu, who is working hard to instigate the jailer.
"I am a direct descendant of the Boling Cui family. Gao Chong was crazy to take me. You also want to be beheaded with him...Xue Bai? You were not burned to death?"
Mr. Lang!
arsenal.
"Open."
There was a "clang" sound and the chain fell to the ground.
"Where are your knives?
"Taken away by the noble ones."
Xue Bai then asked Qi Chou to hand over more than twenty knives from the officers, while the others took the fire and water sticks.
At this time, Gao Chong probably still had more than 200 troops, but he didn't know if the servants raised by the gentry could stop him from seizing the east side of the county.
Several groups of people were fighting in a chaotic manner.
“Where’s the county magistrate?!
Cui Soo was so anxious that his mouth went dry.
He had already urged Lu Linghao to take down Gao Chong. If he did it early, he would strike first and catch him by surprise. Until now, everything has been passive. There are only more than thirty guards in the county, and they have not been trained for a long time. They have to guard the arsenal, the city gate, and the most damning thing, they have to guard Lu Linghao's house.
On the other hand, Gao Chong was so arrogant that he would kill people whenever he was told. At this time, several people had fallen into the pool of blood in front of him.
"The county magistrate...the county magistrate went to guard the capital gate."
"What?
"The county magistrate asks all the gentlemen to take shelter first. A gentleman should not stand under a dangerous wall."
Cui instigated: "Gao Chong is about to seize the arsenal! He has taken the arsenal, who can control him?
"The county magistrate has sent guards and appeased the canal workers. He will also ask the Henan Prefecture and the imperial court for instructions."
"Just these few guards? He..."
“Mr. Cui, retreat quickly!
Cui Soo knew that officials from other places were like this. When the situation was bad, they were always ready to save their lives. Anyway, their ancestral property and ancestral tombs were not here.
The next moment, because another person died, his servants were defeated. Cui Zao had no choice but to turn around and run away.
Neither side is a soldier. In comparison, the smugglers and human traffickers are indeed more vicious than the servants who bully the farmers.
This is also Gao Chong's greatest reliance.
Gao Chong sneered, pointed in the direction of Song Mian, and said: "Kill them and drive them away."
Looking at the situation, it is definitely possible to suppress the chaos in Yanshi. It depends on how to calm the situation.
If he said that such a big mess happened tonight and he could hide it from the court, others would definitely not believe it.
But in fact, after the Wei Jian case, there were many riots in Jianghuai that were much more serious than tonight.
. Officials covered it up at all levels, and the people asked their sons to go to Chang'an to complain, and finally the big case of "no wild virtuous people" was brought out. Has the emperor investigated it?
Can't be checked.
