Changsheng made a silence gesture to Batulu, then turned to Shi Xuanming and said, "My senior brother's clothes are no longer wearable. You should take him to find clothes to keep out the cold."
Shi Xuanming nodded in agreement and took Batulu to the backyard.
After the two left, Chang Sheng and Yu Yi began to deal with the corpses in the yard. There were many rooms in the Shuai Mansion, and any one they could find could be used for parking.
After all the corpses in the front yard were removed, Yu pointed at the door and said, "Sir, what should I do with the horses outside?"
Changsheng thought for a while and said, "Take them to the yard and tie them up. Don't let them run around."
Yu Yi opened the courtyard door and went out to pull the horse, while Changsheng went to the east chamber where everyone in the Marshal's Mansion was imprisoned.
There were many family members and servants in the Shuai Mansion, and the three rooms were all packed with people. Yang Kai held the long sword in his hand and stood at the door with an expressionless face.
There were more than forty people imprisoned. Judging from their clothes, except for a dozen female relatives, most of them were servants and maids. There were no bodyguards to guard the house. They rushed into the main hall and killed Yang Fugong and Yang Shouxin. While waiting for others, most of the guards in the mansion were killed by Yu Yi.
Due to the sudden change, the servants in the mansion were so frightened that their faces turned pale and silent. The woman was trembling with fear and crying softly.
Changsheng's eyes swept over everyone one by one, but he did not find any old man or woman dressed in luxurious clothes. This meant that Yang Shouxin's parents were not among them. Although Yang Shouxin considered a thief as his father and violated his loyalty and filial piety, he did not want to do it in front of his parents. When the news of Yang Shouxin's death was announced, his parents were not around, so he had no worries and said in a deep voice, "I am the Secretary of the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Imperial Censor. I was ordered to investigate and deal with Yang Shouxin's self-respect for the army and cover for the eunuchs. After investigation, Yang Shouxin was found guilty. Keeping one's word is indeed a treasonous act, and it is also a cover-up. The crime is extremely heinous, and the law has already been punished at this time."
After Chang Sheng finished speaking, everyone in the room looked at each other in confusion. Some of them were literate and knew that to commit suicide was to be killed, while others were illiterate and did not understand whether to commit suicide was to be killed or captured.
Seeing this situation, Changsheng said coldly, "Yang Shouxin recognized the traitor as his father, and Yang Shouxin himself, Yang Fugong, the rebel eunuch, as well as the five generals and more than twenty generals in the army have all been killed by now."
Hearing what Changsheng said, everyone in prison was instantly frightened to death.
Changsheng said again, "You are all accomplices of the criminals, but I don't want to kill you unless you stubbornly resist and seek your own death."
After hearing this, everyone hurriedly begged for mercy. Changsheng raised his hand to stop everyone from making noise, "Don't make noise, who is the concierge?"
Two young servants who were squatting on the ground stood up in fear.
Changsheng said, "In the next few days, we will still check for corruption in the mansion. In order to avoid causing unnecessary panic, the Shuai Mansion will be open as usual in the next few days. Whenever guests come, you just say that Yang Shouxin is recuperating in the back hall. Before visiting, If people want to come in to visit, don’t stop them, just let them in.”
After Chang Sheng finished speaking, when he saw no response from the two of them, he raised his eyebrows and snorted, "Huh?"
Seeing his unkind expression, the two of them fell to their knees in fright, "Don't worry, sir, we will do whatever you say."
"Very good," Changsheng nodded with satisfaction, "Later, the servants in the mansion will collect water to wash away the blood everywhere. The female family members will go back to their homes and rest behind closed doors. No one is allowed to leave the commander's mansion."
Everyone narrowly escaped death and were frightened, so they responded repeatedly.
"Go back, don't make any noise, and don't try to tip anyone off." Changsheng stepped aside to make way. "Look after each other and supervise each other. As long as one person escapes, the rest will be executed immediately."
After Chang Sheng said this, Yang Kai cast an admiring look at him. This method of longevity is equivalent to sitting together. In the next few days, these people do not need to be watched by themselves. They will monitor each other themselves. No one dares to escape, and no one dares to help others escape.
After hearing this, everyone felt as if they had been granted amnesty. They stood up tremblingly and went out cautiously.
At this time, Yu Yi had already brought in the horses outside the door, and Shi Xuanming also took Batulu back from the backyard. Seeing that Chang Sheng actually let these people out, there was no chance of more accidents, but they also knew that if Chang Sheng did this, there would be consequences. The reason was never asked.
The porter continued to stay in the porter's room, while the servants began to clean up the mess and wash it with water. The horses that had just been brought in were also taken to the stables by the grooms. The casual clothes worn by Chang Sheng and others were stained with a lot of blood, and then they were replaced by servants and maids. clothes.
After half an hour, everything returned to calm, the lamps were lit again, and the door of the mansion was opened ajar.
There was a cook in the house, who started a fire and everyone went into the hall to eat briefly. After dinner, I went to the embroidery building in the backyard to look down and observe.
Yang Kai and Shi Xuanming took turns on duty at night, patrolling inside and outside the Commander's Mansion.
Batulu was confused and eager to talk to Changsheng. He finally waited until everyone left. Just when he was about to speak, there was a knock on the front door.
It was already the third watch. Changsheng knew who the visitor was, so he got up and went.
Su Pingcuo didn't expect that the house would be so peaceful. When he saw Changsheng coming from the north through the light of the concierge's lantern, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He hurriedly entered the door sideways and saluted Changsheng, "See Sir Shangshu."
The two concierges of the Marshal's Mansion were still doubting Chang Sheng's identity, but when they saw the captain in armor addressing him with respect, they were sure that Chang Sheng was the imperial official. All their previous doubts were wiped away, leaving only nervousness and confusion. perturbed.
Changsheng waved to Su Pingcuo, turned around and took him to the north hall, "Yang Shouxin has been brought to justice, and his generals and a group of generals have been beheaded for the same crime. You have done a good job, and I will never break my promise. I will wait for the new appointment." When the general takes office, you will be promoted to the fifth rank immediately."
Although Su Pingcuo joined the army, he was a timid person. The series of changes he experienced tonight made his mood sometimes plummet to the bottom, sometimes soar to the sky. At the second watch, he was so scared that he peed his pants. A spy who betrayed his friends for glory was promoted to the fourth level at the third watch. This was the fifth rank, and the governor of Xiazhou was only at this level.
Su Pingcuo was so excited that he wanted to kneel down to express his gratitude immediately, but Chang Sheng kept walking forward and it was inconvenient for him to kneel down. He did not find the opportunity to kneel down until he entered the hall to express his gratitude and loyalty.
Su Pingcuo shed tears of gratitude and flattered him. Hearing what he said was disgusting, Batulu curled his lips and frowned, feeling disgusted.
It was only then that Supingcuo discovered that Batulu was also in the room and hurriedly greeted him. He brought up the old things again and mentioned that he had secretly given Batulu half a piece of bread.
After being reminded by Su Pingcuo, Batulu also remembered this matter. Everyone would be moved by the other party's help in times of need, and Batulu was no exception. One moment he was disgusted with Su Pingcuo, but the next moment he pulled him up. , pat the shoulder and say thank you.
Although Changsheng kept his word, he looked down on people who betrayed their colleagues, but he naturally would not show it. The reason why he was able to stabilize the situation this time was thanks to such a traitor who knew the current affairs and had no morals.
"How is the situation in the army?" Changsheng asked.
"My lord, there is nothing unusual in the army, and the general has not contacted anyone else." Su Pingcuo took out the golden seal of the imperial censor that Changsheng had given him before, and handed it back with both hands, "This is your golden seal, sir." , please take it back."
Changsheng took the official seal and put it in his waist bag, "I know little about the local military. In your opinion, will it cause panic if the general leaves the camp and does not return?"
Su Pingcuo thought for a while and said, "Commander, oh, no, no, no, Yang Shouxin doesn't go to the army often, and the five generals often leave the camp, but the twenty-eight generals left the camp at the same time. This has never happened before, so the captains and soldiers are not allowed to make random guesses, but the general thinks that they are just guessing. They are subject to military orders, and there is no one to lead the troops, so they will not gather a crowd to mutiny in a short time."
Changsheng nodded and spoke again, "I have the commander's seal and the four general orders in my hands. If I directly order you to lead troops into the city, what should I do?"
"With the troop deployment order stamped with the commander's seal and the headquarters general's token, the last general can lead the troops into the city," Su Pingcuo asked cautiously, "Aren't there five generals? Why is there a token missing?"
Changsheng didn't answer and asked, "Which general are you under the command of?"
"General Liu." Su Pingcuo replied.
Chang Sheng took out four tokens and looked at them one by one. Fortunately, the token that Da Tou took away did not belong to Liu Changping.
Changsheng handed Liu Changping's token to Su Pingcuo, then took a pen and ink, "I have never seen the military deployment order of Jiedushi. You can write it yourself. After you finish it, I will stamp it with the commander's seal."
Su Pingcuo responded repeatedly, but did not dare to sit down. Instead, he bent down and picked up his pen, "How many troops and horses do you need? What is the purpose?"
"Assign a thousand of them, and you will personally lead them. The whole city will be under martial law and the assassins will be hunted down." Changsheng said casually.
After Chang Sheng finished speaking, Su Pingcuo started writing. Seeing how awkward he was with his butt sticking out and bending over, Batulu pushed him onto the seat. Su Pingcuo was so frightened that he looked at Chang Sheng hurriedly and timidly.
"Sit down." Changsheng nodded.
Seeing that Su Pingcuo was so afraid of immortality, Batulu was confused, "Hey, Lao Wu, how big an official are you now?"
"I was originally a censor, and I was promoted to the position of Minister of Household Affairs not long ago, but I still hold the errands of the censor's office." Changsheng said casually.
Batulu had no idea about official positions, so he curiously asked, "The county magistrate is the seventh grade, which grade are you?"
"Third grade." Changsheng replied.
Not only did Batulu know little about official positions, he was also vague about grades. Seeing that he didn't know why, Su Pingcuo took the opportunity to flatter him, "Heroes don't know something. The Ministry of Households is responsible for the people's livelihood, and the Yushitai oversees all civil and military officials. All officials in the Tang Dynasty were supervised by Yushitai."
"Ah?" Batulu stared in shock, "He is in charge of both the people and the officials, isn't he the emperor?"
Hearing Batulu's words, Changsheng waved his hands hurriedly, "Elder brother, you can't say this nonsense."
"What's wrong?" Batulu was confused.
"It's a taboo." Changsheng frowned.
Su Pingcuo interjected, "No one has ever held these two official positions at the same time. Your Excellency the Minister is in charge of both the Household Department and the Yushitai at the same time, which shows how much the Emperor loves you..."
"Write quickly and go back to mobilize troops early." Changsheng interrupted Su Pingcuo's words.
Su Pingcuo responded repeatedly and continued writing.
After a brief pause, Changsheng asked, "Master Su, your accent doesn't sound like you are from Qingyang?"
Hearing Changsheng address himself as Mr. Su, Su Pingcuo was frightened and stood up in a hurry, "Sir, the last general is from Suzhou and belongs to Jiangnan East Road."
"Suzhou is a good place. Are there any people in my hometown?" Changsheng asked again.
Su Pingcuo didn't know why Changsheng asked this question, so he could only answer in panic, "Sir, my mother passed away long ago, and there are still my old father and two sisters at home."
Changsheng nodded and did not ask any more questions. After Su Pingcuo finished writing the troop deployment order, stamped it with the commander's seal, and then sent Su Pingcuo out.
After leaving the gate, Changsheng said to Su Pingcuo, "There are many dangers in fighting in the army. You have an old father to support, so it is best to return to your hometown to serve."
Hearing what Changsheng said, Su Pingcuo knew that Changsheng wanted to transfer him back to his hometown. He was excited and wanted to kneel down. Seeing this, Changsheng hurriedly stretched out his hand to support him, "This senior brother of mine is very simple. I think he is different from You are quite compatible, if you are willing, you may wish to take him with you when you take office."
Although Su Pingcuo was timid and fearful, he was very smart. After hearing this, he immediately understood the intention of Changsheng and eagerly expressed his willingness.
"It's time to wait here. You two will set off immediately. I will send someone to Suzhou Mansion," Chang Sheng solemnly warned, "Don't talk about this matter with others."
Su Pingcuo nodded repeatedly, thanked him profusely, and then rode eastward.
Yang Kai was patrolling nearby, and he heard the conversation between Chang Sheng and Su Pingcuo. After Su Pingcuo left, Yang Kai came over and said, "You don't want your senior brother to be involved in the disputes in the capital?"
"Yes, you must have noticed that his head is not very bright. We are all at the forefront of the storm right now. If he follows me, he will be harmed and plotted by others." Changsheng said this and sighed, "This senior brother of mine is a miserable person. In his early years, he traveled around with his master and lived in the open air. Suzhou is prosperous and stable, with few wars. Let him live a good life for a few days."
"Is this captain a suitable candidate?" Yang Kai asked again.
"Yes," Changsheng nodded, "This person is very smart and good at flattering. He will definitely be able to take good care of my senior brother."
"But this person is timid and has little backbone." Yang Kai said,
"As long as he is not put through the test, this person can still be used," Changsheng shook his head and said, "When it comes to life and death, there are a few people who are truly not afraid of death..."
