Mr. Wen on the top of the city had his back soaked with cold sweat.
It was obviously late spring weather, but he felt extremely hot.
If he accepts this imperial edict and lets Nie Chen enter the city, it will be tantamount to surrendering to the emperor and turning against Nie Chen. If King Anton is blamed in the future, he will not be able to live with it.
But if he didn't accept it, Nie Chen would accuse him of disobeying the imperial edict and being a treasonous traitor. Then he would send troops to attack him. After attacking the city, he would definitely die without a burial.
Whether it was Mingxuan's army, King Anton, or Nie Chen, they were all beings he couldn't afford to offend.
If you don't pick it up, you'll die today. If you pick it up, you may die later.
Mr. Wen was worried, that's all. Anyway, I am loyal to the royal family and loyal to the emperor. No one can blame me. If King Anton really wants to say something, it's good that he has the support of Nie Chen and the emperor.
He helped Master Wang resist the rebellion, so he had the commanding heights in terms of justice.
This is the majesty of obeying the emperor's orders and not obeying the orders, and the charm of the emperor.
He may not have much power, he may be sidelined, he may be incompetent, but the word "emperor" alone is enough for anyone to willingly switch sides and pledge allegiance, because such a switch is not considered betrayal, it is called abandoning the dark to the bright and returning to the emperor's account. Down!
There will be no psychological burden, and I can straighten my back openly.
"Lord Nie, this official is Dafeng Zhongliang, so of course he will accept the order! Not only will he accept the order, he will also fully cooperate with Lord Nie in the battle!"
After Mr. Wen finished shouting, he immediately said to Wang Han beside him,
"General Wang, hurry up, open the city gate and let Lord Nie enter the city!"
"As you command!"
Wang Han breathed a sigh of relief and ordered the city gate to be opened and let Nie Chen enter.
However, Nie Chen did not enter.
"Shouldn't Lord Wen go out of the city to receive the order?"
Nie Chen sneered.
"Yes, yes, I will leave the city right now. Master Nie will wait a moment!"
After speaking, Mr. Wen led the officials behind him, as well as General Wang Han and all the commanders, quickly went down the stairs and rushed out of the city gate.
"I will pay my respects to the Marquis!"
Mr. Wen and all the officials knelt down and saluted.
The generals also knelt on one knee.
Nie Chen got off his horse, walked forward with the guards, and then placed the imperial edict in Lord Wen's hands.
"I am too lazy to read the imperial edict. Mr. Wen can read it himself."
"Your Majesty, please accept the order and thank me!"
Mr. Wen received the imperial edict respectfully.
Then, Nie Chen ordered 10,000 troops from Long Xing's army to enter the city and take over the city defense. All the 8,000 defenders were gathered in their barracks and were not allowed to go out without orders.
After the army entered the city, Nie Chen dared to enter the city.
Nie Chen took a group of generals and civil servants with Lord Wen and others into the city and went to the governor's mansion.
Mr. Wen quickly asked the kitchen to cook, and entertained Nie Chen with good wine and food.
Everyone sat at a large table, accompanied by Mr. Wen and General Wang Han.
During the dinner, after drinking for three times, Nie Chen said a few words to praise Mr. Wen for his loyalty. Then, he changed the subject and asked,
"Master Wen, how much food, how many soldiers and horses are there in the city now? I want to resist the enemy, so I have to know something."
Nie Chen asked with a smile.
"Going back to the Marquis, there are thirty thousand taels of silver, thirty thousand stones of grain and grass, and eight thousand soldiers and horses in the county."
"Thirty thousand stones of grain and grass are enough for an army of 300,000 for ten days. This is far from enough. Mr. Wen, Hanzhong County has always been a major grain-producing county. This is the only amount of grain in the treasury, shouldn't it?
Could it be that Mr. Wen took it for yourself? "
Nie Chen's eyes were cold and cold, making Master Wen unable to raise his head.
"Master Nie, I have been wronged. I have been honest all my life. I dare not embezzle even a little bit of money and food. The money and food collected by Hanzhong County are shipped to Prince Anton every year. I have never been greedy at all."
Our account books are all in the study room. Mr. Nie is aware of them. "
Nie Chen smiled slightly and continued,
"But, Mr. Wen, you also know that I only controlled Weihu County before. Weihu County has always been barren, not a grain-producing land, and it is difficult to maintain food and grass.
At the longevity banquet in the palace before, Mr. Wen, you also heard from me that the court still owes me so much food and grass and has not given it to you.
Now, the capital city is also occupied by the rebels. I am raising the king's division to attack the rebels. As a loyal and loyal man, shouldn't Lord Wen also contribute? "
Mr. Wen immediately expressed his position and said,
"No matter what Mr. Nie's request is, I will definitely comply with it and fully cooperate with Mr. Nie in the battle."
Hearing this, Nie Chen smiled and then said,
"It's easy to say. It's simple. Lord Wen only needs to raise money and food for our army. Hanzhong County is a large and rich county with countless merchants and landowners. With Lord Wen's prestige, we can definitely let them donate part of the money and food to supplement military supplies.
There is food for the common people, not much for each family, but as long as each family has a little less, it is still an extremely huge amount.
Within ten days, I hope Lord Wen can raise 50,000 taels of silver and 100,000 stones of grain and grass for the army. I think this is not difficult for Lord Wen. "
"Um... Mr. Nie, although Hanzhong County is a rich county, last year there was drought and little rain, and the people's lives were not easy. Moreover, the taxes set by King Anton were indeed very heavy, and the people could only barely bear the burden. If we continue to collect it, there will be no food left in the people’s homes.”
"The life of the common people can be miserable, but if this powerful country disappears, they will all be slaves to the subjugation of the country. From now on, life will only become worse than death.
I think the people also understand this truth.
In addition, if ordinary people cannot afford to eat, they can also actively join the army. The army is still in charge of food.
I am short of everything now, short of soldiers, short of food, short of money, but I am not short of determination to fight against rebellion.
I believe that with Mr. Wen's ability, he will definitely be able to do a good job in logistics work.
If Mr. Wen does a good job in this matter, I will report it to the emperor and receive heavy rewards. However, if he does not do it well and the battle is defeated, the emperor will punish you, Mr. Wen. "
Lord Wen grimaced and sighed. Looking at Nie Chen's fierce look, he knew that if he didn't agree, he would probably be punished now.
That's all, it doesn't matter whether the people starve to death or not. What matters is that you are not dying.
"Okay, Mr. Nie, don't worry. Even if you scrape the ground, you will still have to replenish military supplies for the army. It is your unshirkable duty!"
Nie Chen smiled.
In fact, how could he not know what Mr. Wen just said?
No matter it is a year of good harvest or a year of famine, the life of the people will not be easy.
But there was nothing he could do. A soldier had to eat. If he didn't eat, how would he have the strength to kill the enemy?
It can only be taken from the common people and wealthy households.
He left this matter to Mr. Wen, just to let him help him bear this infamy and take the blame, and be resented and reviled by the people.
