In the autumn afternoon, the sun is warm but not delicate, and the bright sunlight shines on the rows of buildings. This largest city in southern Xinjiang glows with its strong vitality after the disaster.
I don’t know how many people who lost their homes bravely and resolutely returned here, and I don’t know how many people who suffered from fear began to look directly at the ruins after the disaster and began to talk about their future lives.
Whether they are the well-informed middle and upper class or ordinary people struggling to survive, one of the topics they talk about most is whether their lives can be restored to stability in the future.
For a city with a huge population, stability is always the aspiration of the people. However, in the concepts accumulated from generations of secular dynasties, the key to stability is not even clear rules and order, but a system that everyone can see. symbol of seeing.
In the past, the city lord's palace located in the inner city was a symbol of stability.
Most people actually don't care who the owner of the city lord's mansion is.
And when the city lord's palace became the place with the least trace left in the ruins, people began to call for their city lord, and began to call for someone who could put everything back on track.
At least, that's what those who don't intend to profit from this round of power transition expect.
"Most of those who escaped from the inner city bought properties in the east of the city. As more and more people return, the situation in the south and north of the city is the most complicated."
On one side of the hall, Mu Qing stood in front of a wall with a map hung on it. Xing Fei stood beside him, introducing the current situation to him and everyone behind him.
This map that almost occupies the entire wall was specially taken by Xing Fei from the Guards. It is impervious to water and fire, and the various buildings and streets on it are extremely accurate. Looking at this map is like looking down from a high altitude. The entire miniature Suzaku City.
Mu Qing searched the lower left corner of the map for a moment, and soon found an area that was incompatible with the surrounding maps.
Xing Fei seemed to notice Mu Qing's gaze and sighed softly: "In order to make this most accurate map, the city lord's mansion hired dozens of painters to add it from different angles. Unfortunately, Mudleg Lane, a land of refugees, is still only I can record a rough idea.”
Mu Qing nodded: "This is very close to reality. After all, that place has been in ruins many years ago."
Mu Qing's eyes slowly moved up along the river marked Qingxi River on the map, and stopped at a building by the river. He looked at Wang Yeqing and asked, "Is this where we are now?"
Wang Yeqing raised his head and said, "We are right here."
Mu Qing concentrated his eyes and soon discovered that this building was marked with a tiny line of words: Old Courtyard.
Wang Yeqing said: "This place has always been a government agency similar to the Jiaofang Division, specializing in detaining the female relatives of prisoners."
Xing Fei's eyes were slightly lowered and he said softly: "Mrs. Wang is right. When this map was made, this was the real old courtyard."
Mu Qing knew some of Que Chun's experiences and turned to look at Xing Fei.
Xing Fei's expression looked calm, and he took a few steps forward to the map, "This map has been made for more than ten years. The population of Zhuque City has been much larger, but considering the needs of city defense, several city walls have not been torn down and expanded. Instead, several towns were built outside the city to accommodate the people."
Mu Qing said: "So most of the areas on this map are not much different from now."
Xing Fei nodded affirmatively, seeming to remember something and said Youyou: "Suzaku City has a population of over one million, but the land in this city has long been divided up by a few people. They will not allow others to dictate on their territory. Even these Neither can the city lord’s mansion.”
Wang Yeqing's eyes fell on the map and he chuckled: "So the inner city is still the inner city where people are superior, and the east of the city is also a place for powerful people. The remaining places have more and more people, and management is becoming more and more difficult. "
Xing Fei turned to look at Wang Yeqing and said seriously: "Mrs. Wang's words are very pertinent. This is also a question I have been thinking about these years."
Xing Fei's eyes swept around everyone, and finally landed on Mu Qing, "Ten thousand personal guards can firmly control the inner city, but it is impossible for a hundred thousand city defense troops to truly control the outer city."
"On the one hand, the huge disparity in numbers is an objective reality. On the other hand, the city defense army will never come to the mixed-populated places in the south of the city."
Xing Fei paused for a moment before continuing: "There has always been a view among the Guards that the city defense army does not guard against chaos, but the people in these places, because they serve the family forces behind them."
Things always got to the point, and everyone got rid of their initial curiosity when they saw this detailed map.
Chen Zhuo looked at Xing Fei and asked, "I heard that Luo Kai is still the deputy commander of the Guards?"
Xing Fei glanced at Wang Yeqing, nodded and said: "Yes. He was poisoned in the City Lord's Mansion before, and just avoided the next few disturbances."
Chen Zhuo clicked his tongue twice and said with a smile: "This Luo Kai seems to have some ability to sit in this position. At least his ability to avoid risks is something that even I envy. And with his status, he will become a member of the Guards. Is Bai Hao deliberately disgusting you?"
Xing Fei shook his head: "Luo Kai is very capable in defense deployment. Bai Hao placed him in the personal guard, which does not mean he is specifically suppressing me."
Chen Zhuo didn't seem surprised by this answer, and said meaningfully: "It seems that Bai Hao made a concession to satisfy the appetite of these people in the city, but Luo Kai alone cannot do this."
Chen Zhuo asked a very realistic question, "If Luo Kai is captured immediately, how long will it take for the civil strife in the Guards to subside?"
Xing Fei raised his eyes and said with unusual calmness: "The Guards will not have civil strife, because when I am ready to take him down, I will produce evidence and everyone will believe me."
Chen Zhuo was secretly shocked by Xing Fei's ability to rule the Guards, and sighed: "It will be much easier this way."
Wang Yeqing looked at the location of the old courtyard on the map and looked up the Qingxi River next to it. The large area circled on the upper left side of the map was the military camp set up by the city defense army.
Obviously, during the period when Suzaku City was completely out of control, the old Qingxi Courtyard, which had a reputation as a place of mourning, was more attractive than other places. Those city defense troops did not return to their military camps in the four directions honestly. Instead, they swarmed to the banks of Qingxi River.
And going down the Qingxi River, in the red area on the lower left side of the map, is the camp of the Guards.
It is said that the city defense troops initially set up military camps along the entire upper and lower reaches of the Qingxi River. It was not until the Guards came here that they shrank to the upper reaches.
Wang Yeqing was thinking about some news he had learned from Yu Xiaotan Hongling. He frowned slightly and sighed in his heart before gathering his emotions.
She turned sideways and looked at Mu Qing, "When some of the old guys in the city first heard that practical exchanges were going to be carried out, they were a little hesitant, fearing that they would not be able to go back. But after many of them heard that it was this location, Became easy to talk to again.”
Mu Qing's eyes moved slightly and he looked up at the upper reaches of the Qingxi River. "They probably think that with the 70,000 city defense troops, we don't dare to attack them."
Wang Yeqing pursed his lips and smiled, and said: "Today is probably much more lively than last time. In order to show their sincerity, some families may have had their heads come here in person."
Chen Zhuo on the side chuckled: "Hey, these guys who do one thing in front of others and behind their backs, no matter how much you talk to them sincerely, it won't be as effective as a real trial."
Mu Qing looked at Xing Fei and asked solemnly: "Are you all ready?"
Xing Fei nodded: "After receiving my news, Yan Qing has led eight hundred elite cavalry on standby, and the remaining personal guards have also passed the route given by Mrs. Wang and formed knots in the upper reaches of the Qingxi River to defend the city. There is no way the army will appear here."
This was Xing Fei's own suggestion for troop formation, and everyone present had no objections.
Chen Zhuo lamented that Hidden Valley had not contributed much in this incident, and volunteered: "Since the arrangements have been made, let me take action later, right? I don't mind being scolded by those guys."
Mu Qing looked at Xing Fei: "Is the evidence enough?"
Xing Fei replied seriously: "With the help of Mrs. Wang and Shopkeeper Chen, the Guards have obtained sufficient evidence."
Mu Qing nodded and walked to the window nearby. The sunlight filtered through the window and just revealed a straight bright strip of light on his eyebrows. It also illuminated the solemn look between his eyebrows extremely clearly.
There were brisk footsteps coming this way, and everyone looked over. Bai Zhi quickly appeared in front of everyone. She seemed to be shocked by the serious atmosphere here, and while running towards Huaifenghua, she also He did not forget to turn around and shout to Mu Qing: "Master, there are many carriages parked outside the gate. They should be here together."
Mu Qing nodded lightly, turned back to look at the people around him, and chuckled: "It seems they are on time better than we expected."
In the spacious front hall, the elegant fragrance swirls upwards with the rising voices, lingering between the brightly colored beams. The large screens previously installed on both sides of the hall have been removed, making the entire front hall extremely open. No matter where you stand, you can see the surroundings clearly without any obstruction.
Today, many people came to Suzaku City, including the top ten families ranked according to a certain convention, the leading businessmen who control certain types of markets, and some who had held power in the city lord's palace for a long time before. Some people seemed to have made an agreement and came here together.
Wang Yeqing and Chen Zhuo stood beside Mu Qing. Whenever Mu Qing glanced at a certain place, they began to introduce these people to Mu Qing in a low voice.
The actions of the three people were not intended to be hidden from the people present from the beginning, so after Wang Yeqing and the others introduced them, these people would nod towards Mu Qing to show their sincerity.
"It looks like they have all arrived." Mu Qing sighed.
Wang Yeqing half-squinted her eyes, and her narrow eyes looked like bamboo leaves. She replied meaningfully: "Those who came here today include the heads of various families, the presidents of various chambers of commerce, and of course the former city lord's palace." Those who serve, everyone here is waiting for your choice.”
Mu Qing smiled and nodded.
This is indeed something to be happy about.
Because those who appear on the list have all come here, they seem to be born with the attribute of being a wallflower. They only look at which side provides more benefits, so they will never miss this opportunity to share a delicious meal.
Suddenly, some people outside the front hall shouted softly, as if something unexpected had happened.
As soon as Mu Qing looked over, he heard Chen Zhuo beside him sigh: "They're still coming. I thought they wouldn't come."
The first person to walk into the hall was Murong Yun, followed by only two people, one was Jiang Shangxiu and the other was Qinglong.
The first group of people who came here together had probably gone through some kind of strict qualification screening, so they didn't need any introduction at all. They immediately recognized the masked Qinglong, and they who were in high positions looked at him. Looking at Qinglong's position, he immediately moved his gaze to Murong Yun's face.
The crowd parted to both sides. Murong Yun led the two people behind him to Mu Qing. His eyes scanned the Huai Fenghua beside him, and then he said to Mu Qing: "Today I am only here as a witness." Nothing is proposed here.”
Mu Qing nodded, but before he spoke, he moved his gaze to the outside of the hall.
Murong Xing and Cao Jin are here again.
This time, Murong Xing put on a black robe with gold hibiscus flowers embroidered on the sleeves, while Cao Jin put on a purple python robe. As the two walked along, the crowd split to both sides, and the hall was stagnant because of Murong Yun's arrival. The aroused atmosphere quickly dissipated, but after seeing the direction of Murong Xing, they all held their breath.
Can people from Dynasty and Hidden Valley stay in the same place?
Mu Qing squinted his eyes slightly and stood there, watching Murong Xing and Cao Jin walk in front of them.
Murong Xing nodded slightly towards Mu Qing: "Don't worry, I am only here as a witness this time and will not interfere with any of your actions."
Mu Qing looked at Murong Xing, who had a calm face, and thought that these words were so familiar. Finally, he couldn't help being curious and looked aside.
The three people in Hidden Valley didn't go far at all, they were just a few steps away from Murong Xing.
Murong Yun and the others also seemed very calm.
Murong Yun felt Mu Qing's gaze, and withdrew his gaze from Murong Xing, looked at Mu Qing and smiled: "You are the master, and we are the guests."
At this time, Murong Xing turned his body slightly and looked at Murong Yun, but he did not speak first.
Jiang Shangxiu behind Murong Yun moved slightly, then moved back when Murong Yun shook his head. Murong Yun nodded towards Murong Xing and sighed softly: "Second brother, I haven't seen you for many years."
A trace of emotion flashed through Murong Xing's eyes, and he narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "It has indeed been many years."
After he failed in his bid for the position of head of the family, he left Tiannan, and when the two brothers met again, it was already more than ten years later.
After Murong Yun greeted Murong Xing in the hall, he suddenly fell into an unusually abrupt silence. Many of them had even prepared for the worst, thinking about how to protect themselves if a conflict broke out between the two parties, but they did not expect that it would be Such an ending.
Although Murong Xing has been active in the upper echelons of Suzaku City for quite some time, few people know about the relationship between Murong Xing and Hidden Valley.
If these people were not representatives of their own forces, the hall would have been a mess.
Chen Zhuo looked at the tight-faced guys and chuckled: "Why, you can't accept this result for a moment? You don't usually make calculations. If you think about it carefully, can't you turn a corner? This is a big problem for everyone. It’s a good thing.”
Discussions finally resumed in the crowd. Murong Xing glanced at Chen Zhuo and was not angry at Chen Zhuo's direct use of some of the meanings he represented. Instead, he echoed with a smile: "There are smart people in Hidden Valley."
Xing Fei came to Mu Qing at this time and said, "Everyone is already here."
Mu Qing nodded, and Xing Fei immediately walked to the center of the hall and said vigorously: "Be quiet."
As the commander-in-chief of the Guards, Xing Fei has always been active in the eyes of these people. It was him who spoke out, and everyone consciously remained silent.
Xing Fei looked around the hall, his eyes quickly scanning the faces, "You already know what is happening in Zhuque City now. The most important thing here today is to determine the candidate for the city lord and let some things go to waste. Back on track.”
"Some of you have been to Yongning Tower and naturally know who the person behind me is. Others, I believe that after the inner city was reduced to ruins, you also know who turned the situation around."
Xing Fei directly concealed the best efforts made by the Guards in the inner city, only to highlight Mu Qing.
Countless complimenting voices looking at Mu Qing suddenly sounded in the hall.
Mu Qing responded to these people with a calm expression. Xing Fei waited until his voice weakened and then said in a deep voice: "Mu Qing's background can withstand your doubts."
When these words were spoken, needles could be heard in the hall. No one would be stupid enough to be the front-runner in this kind of thing. They held their breath, as if they wanted to show their respect for Mu Qing's background in this way. Background recognition.
"What Mu Qing has done can withstand the discussion of the people."
There was no sound in the hall for a while.
Xing Fei's gaze slowly swept across the crowd and nodded slightly: "Now, do any of you question his ability?"
This is undoubtedly a unique exchange meeting. This spacious and empty hall does not have many seats and benches, but when most people stand up, no one chooses to sit down at this time.
Finally, a voice sounded from behind the crowd: "None of us doubt his strength, but being a city lord does not just mean you are strong."
Xing Fei looked towards the sound. In the direction he was looking at, people subconsciously parted to both sides, revealing a rich middle-aged man behind the crowd.
The gazes of Xing Fei and other people at the scene seemed to put great pressure on the middle-aged man. He clenched his teeth and the fat on his face trembled. Just when he was about to subconsciously look for his allies, Xing Fei spoke. .
Xing Fei said with a calm expression: "Master Xiong's words are very reasonable. You might as well stand in front."
This rich head of the Xiong family is the head of Xiong San's family. When Xiong San, a member of the side clan, was appointed as the general of the city defense army, the Xiong family was excited for an unknown period of time, and the Xiong family even considered giving up the throne.
Unfortunately, beauty is easy to wake up, and glass is fragile. Xiong San was no longer heard from during the chaos in the inner city. The Xiong family, which originally rose to prominence, has become the most unpopular force in their gang.
The fat Xiong family lamented twice in their hearts, and walked in front of Xing Fei as if they were going to die, but they did not expect any fatal attack.
Xing Fei looked at Patriarch Xiong with a half-smile, and said: "Today is the time to speak freely. After today, it will not be okay to discuss what was not unanimously recognized today."
