Gu Sinian sat quietly in a room with simple decoration and old tables and chairs. This was Song Ping's home.
Compared with Chen Hongxin and Li Zhi's mansion, this seems much simpler.
Gu Sinian, who came to visit early in the morning with gifts, was not turned away. He soon met Song Ping, but the head of the Song Dynasty did not give him a good look.
Song Pingping, who was sitting in the main seat, was expressionless and said without looking at Gu Sinian:
"Master Gu is such a rare visitor. Master Chen and Master Feng have all visited me these days. I thought Master Gu was too embarrassed to come.
Why, do you feel guilty or have a ghost in your heart? "
This Song Ping was really straight-tempered, and he almost made his words clear as soon as he opened his mouth.
Gu Sinian smiled bitterly:
"Senior, do you think you blame Wang Zitong's death on me?
The county government tried Wang Zitong's case, but I didn't intervene to ask questions in order to avoid suspicion. The witnesses and physical evidence were all there. "
"But do you dare to say that his death has nothing to do with you?"
The old man looked straight at Gu Sinian, his cloudy eyes seeming to penetrate into the depths of Gu Sinian's soul.
Gu Sinian said calmly:
"Juniors know that Song Tou has an upright temperament, so let's talk about it today.
Ever since I arrived in Fengchuan County, has Wang Zitong made things difficult for me so many times for no reason? Looking for someone to break my legs, hinder the implementation of the land leasing order, etc.
If I don’t talk about these things, Head Song should also know about them.
In other words, Wang Zitong died today, and my senior had complaints against me. If I died, would my senior come to Wang Zitong to question me?
If you don't blame Wang Zitong and only blame me, then I will have to say that you are being unfair. "
Song Ping was choked by Gu Sinian's rhetorical question. After a moment of silence, he said:
“I don’t want to hear what’s right or wrong.
I just want to ask, is Wang Zitong a bandit, or is it framed by you, Mr. Gu? "
Seeing the two cold gleams in the eyes of the sick old man, Gu Sinian subconsciously felt a chill.
Song Ping didn't believe those testimonies, nor the descriptions of Zhang Qingcai and Yang Feng. He just wanted to hear Gu Sinian's answer with his own ears.
But Gu Sinian was not afraid, but looked directly at the old man:
"Wang Zitong is in front of the bandits, and the evidence is conclusive.
If there is even half a lie, I, Gu Sinian, will pay for it with my life! "
The sonorous and powerful voice echoed in the room, and Song Ping's eyes changed from fierce to blank, until finally he showed a hint of regret.
The old man seemed to have been drained of all his strength and was speechless. After a long time, he said to himself:
"His father told me before he died that this son had evil intentions, too many ambitions, and was not taking the right path. He told me to keep a close eye on him.
I have watched him grow up over the years. When he was young, he was still in control, but as he got older he became more disobedient.
Alas~
I can just turn a blind eye to other things. I don't care if I'm sorry for others. I just want to be worthy of my brother.
But now, he is a bandit, and I no longer have the shame to protect him. "
"Master Gu."
Song Ping said apologetically:
"I just had a bad attitude. I hope you will be generous and don't argue with me, a bad old man."
"Senior is joking."
Feeling that the atmosphere had eased, Gu Sixian breathed out a sigh of relief and replied:
"Senior is kind and righteous, it's not your fault!"
Perhaps at this moment, Song Ping felt relieved. He had not wronged his old brother and had done his best to be kind and righteous.
"I like Mr. Gu's temperament."
Song Ping smiled bitterly and then said:
"I know why Mr. Gu came here.
It is indeed troublesome to recruit young men from the civilian population, recruit prisoners to join the army, and escort them to the front line. But don’t worry, I will select someone this afternoon and I won’t let Mr. Chen worry too much.
I feel guilty for staying behind closed doors these days. "
A flash of shame flashed across the wrinkled skin. It was really unjustifiable for me to give up my job these days.
Gu Sinian smiled happily:
"With seniors taking action, our minds are finally settled, and Mr. Chen can save some effort."
"As for the leader selection."
Song Ping paused:
"Please tell Mr. Chen that there is no use for me as an old man staying in Fengchuan County. I will lead the team."
"That's not necessary."
Gu Sinian smiled slightly:
"Tou Song will help select people, and I will lead the team."
"you?"
Song Ping was stunned:
"Are you going to the front line?"
In Song Ping's opinion, a place like the battlefield was not a place where a scholar like Gu Sinian should go.
Gu Sinian smiled calmly:
"Tou Song, some burdens should be shouldered by young people~"
As soon as these words came out, Lao Dutou's eyes changed and he looked Gu Sinian up and down several times:
"Do you know what the front line is?"
"Know."
Gu Sinian's expression remained unchanged: "But since Song Tou could go before, why can't I go?"
Song Ping was silent:
"I admire your courage, it's far better than the good-for-nothing Wang Zitong."
Gu Si young said:
"Tou Song, I heard that you joined the army when you were young. Can you tell me where the front line is?"
Song Ping fell into deep thought, and the details of the battlefield many years ago flashed through his eyes:
“The battlefield is a place where you can only experience its cruelty by walking into it yourself.
This bad old man like me can only give you two words. "
"Senior, please speak!"
Gu Sinian pricked up his ears respectfully.
"The first sentence is, when you go to the battlefield, you are afraid of death without being ashamed."
"What about the second sentence?"
"Either the border troops die, or the people die. It's up to you to choose which way to go."
Gu Sinian was horrified and moved~
…
"What, you want to lead a team to Youtun City?"
"No, no, absolutely not!"
"I know you have some skills, but that's definitely not the reason for you to go to the front line!"
Chen Hongxin's loud shout almost shattered the ceiling, and he sprayed spit on Gu Sinian's face.
There was no other reason than that Gu Sinian proposed that he lead three hundred young men to the front line.
Chen Hongxin said seriously:
"Xiao Nian, this is the Chen Mansion, not the county government. I want to tell you something from my heart.
On the front line, human lives are like grass. You are less than twenty years old, talented and have a big heart. As long as you do your best, your future will be bright. I can guarantee that no one in Fengchuan County will dare to embarrass you anymore.
But if you lose your life on the front line, it will be too late to regret!
There is no need to discuss this matter, I will never agree! "
The old man had a look of hatred on his face, and was very angry at Gu Sinian's decision.
To be fair, Gu Sinian is indeed a popular figure around Chen Hongxin. With his help, he overthrew Wang Zitong and united the Li family. Now Fengchuan County's government affairs are flourishing.
The most important thing is that Gu Sinian helped his son transform into a completely different person in just one month. Selfishly, he could even be regarded as Chen Hongxin's benefactor.
How could he be willing to send such a person to the front line?
"A bright light?"
Gu Sinian asked back:
“What is the bright future that adults are talking about?
I have been working as a magistrate in Fengchuan County. With the support of you and the Li family, can I become a master in the county?
Spend your whole life wandering around in Fengchuan County? "
Chen Hongxin was stunned, that was indeed what he just said.
He felt that if a person could achieve this level of influence in a certain county, he would be considered a success.
Gu Sinian said seriously:
"Your Excellency has given me guidance and advice, and I am very grateful.
But adults have also said that I am only twenty years old and I don’t want to live a life where I can see everything at a glance.
Your Excellency knows my true identity and is involved in a major rebellion in the palace. It is too risky for me to take the imperial examination and enter an official career.
But it's different in the military. They don't check in such detail and reward people based on their merits.
For me, the road in the military is better. "
Gu Sinian didn't say a word:
Damn, I still want to help others take revenge~
Chen Hongxin understood instantly and understood.
Gu Sinian's ambition is not just to become a classic historian of Fengchuan County.
Chen Hongxin remained silent and paced back and forth in the room. After a long time, he murmured:
"After all these years of being an official, I haven't seen a young person as energetic as you for a long time. I'm really old~
Everyone has their own ambitions, and you can't force them.
Forget it, I agree to this matter!
But let me say one more thing, whether you can earn military honors is destiny. You can't force it. Making sure you survive first is the top priority.
Even if you fail to succeed in the army, you will still be a classic when you return to Fengchuan! "
"Thank you, sir!"
Gu Sinian grinned:
"Hehe, I know that adults care about me and will definitely agree.
Don't worry, I'm not a fool. I don't know how to run when I'm in danger? "
"You, you, are always a talker!"
Chen Hongxin glared at him:
"Let me ask you, even if I let you go, how would you get together three hundred people?"
"It doesn't matter, I already have an idea."
Gu Sinian is full of confidence:
"The prison can afford two hundred prisoners, and Wu Tou has already finished his selection.
Songtou has found some 20 strong government officials who will follow me. These days, there are also 30 or 40 people in the city who have signed up to go to the front line. "
"That's not enough."
Chen Hongxin frowned and said:
"Why do you think you still have thirty or forty people left?"
Gu Sinian smiled strangely:
"The bandits from Langya Mountain will follow me."
In fact, after the last incident, Qin Xi's gang of bandits did not flee, but hid deeper.
Three days ago, Gu Sinian went to Langya Mountain and successfully persuaded Qin Xi to go down the mountain and go to the front line together. The dozens of brothers he had in hand would fill the gap of 300 people.
"Bandits from Langya Mountain?"
Chen Hongxin was shocked and said in a low voice:
"You actually used them. It won't sound good if word spreads."
"Don't worry, sir."
Gu Sinian said furtively: "They will come in as refugees and beggars, and they will not be exposed as bandits.
Sir, using them, the banditry in Langya Mountain has been completely eliminated, and we have gathered 300 people. This is a good thing that kills two birds with one stone. "
"But bandits are bandits after all."
Chen Hongxin is worried:
"Can you believe it? This is a matter of life and death."
"If I dare to use it, I can certainly trust it!"
Gu Sinian patted his chest and said:
"Don't worry, sir! If there is a problem with these bandits, they will chop off my head!"
"Okay~"
Chen Hongxin hesitated and looked at Gu Sinian:
"I will help you gather food, grass, and bedding, so you can feel free to prepare to set off.
Whether it's a county government office or a prison, you can take away whoever you want. I can only help you so much. "
"Thank you, sir!"
Gu Sinian cupped his fists and saluted:
"I will always remember your kindness!"
