[R18] Will drink wine – “About Wine” Chapter 282 [English]

Chapter 269: Lesions (Part 1)

Even the ban imposed by the imperial court could not stop the gossip in Qudu. Everyone in the streets, alleys, and teahouses of Chuguan were discussing the life experience of the empress.The city gates were sealed, but the rumors still spread to the eight cities and were spreading to the west.

“As soon as possible, let the capital army seal the door,” Kong Qiu said during the meeting in Mingli Hall. “The news cannot be spread randomly! If the Imperial College is in trouble, the capital army must also take care of it. Cheng Bi is an old minister and knows what to do.”

Shao Chengbi knelt in front of the imperial cabinet. His new official robe fit him perfectly, but his hair was completely white and he didn’t look like a military general.He said in a hoarse voice: “This is not the first time that students have caused trouble. It’s hard to grasp the severity. I’m afraid that if the soldiers arrive, it will only add fuel to the fire.”

“That has to be taken care of,” Cen Yu stood up. He is a public speaker, so he naturally understands the pros and cons, “A lot of words make gold, but accumulation will destroy bones!”

Li Jianting didn’t sleep last night. He sat behind the imperial desk and drank strong tea. After a few sips, he said: “I have a clear conscience, but the rumors are strange this time. Who actually wrote that piece of paper? Doesn’t the Ministry of Punishments still have a clue?”

“Copying is happening everywhere,” Kong Qiu said, “I don’t know whose handwriting it is.”

“The handwriting is nowhere to be found,” Xue Xiuzhuo looked at Cen Yu, “But Mr. Cen, take a closer look at this article.”

Cen Yu was so excited when he saw the paper last night that he had no time to read it carefully. Now he heard what Xue Xiuzhuo said and took the article in his hand again and read it.he read for a long time, then suddenly stood up, walked a few steps with the article in hand, and said: “The article that made Qudu paper expensive a few years ago was “The Tea Stone Sigh”. I think this article and “The Tea Stone Sigh” seemed to be written by the same person.”

Kong Qiu vaguely remembered such a person and hesitated: “Is it that…”

“‘Sharp Pen’ Gao Shenwei,” Cen Yu turned around, “It’s Gao Zhongxiong!”

Gao Zhongxiong was ignorant of his superiors but inferior to his own, and worked as Han Jin’s staff in Qudu. As a result, the Eighth Battalion was beaten by Xiao Chiye on his own.At that time, Han Cheng wanted to do something for him, and he was just hanging on for his life in Dan City. Who would have thought that he would eventually join Shen Zechuan!

“The top priority is not only to suppress the rumors, but also to persuade the commander-in-chief to send troops as soon as possible.” Kong Qiu said, “Shen Zechuan has a garrison of 120,000 soldiers. In terms of military strength, we cannot fight hard no matter what.”

“I have issued an edict to Qidong,” Li Jianting said, “asking King Donglie to send troops across Tianfei Palace and attack Dengzhou directly.”

Zhongbo had no reinforcements, so Shen Zechuan dispatched the Dunzhou garrison to Cizhou and left Jinyiqi to garrison Duanzhou. Fan and Dengzhou were inevitably empty.

“Don’t panic yet,” Chen Zhen said. “The Zhongbo garrison is also newly built. The only ones Shen Zechuan can bring out now are the Dun and Cizhou garrison. Even the Chazhou garrison dare not mobilize easily. Cheng Bi, the 40,000 Du army is at your disposal. We are actually on par with Shen Zechuan!”

“I’m worried that Shen Zechuan has another plan,” Li Jianting stood up and helped Shao Chengbi, “Now I can only entrust the capital to Governor Shao.”

“I should break my body to pieces to repay the divine grace,” Shao Chengbi said lamely, “without further delay, I will ride out of the capital tonight and rush to Dan City. But before leaving, I have something to ask of you.”

Li Jianting looked at Shao Chengbi’s old face, and for some reason, his heart suddenly fluctuated. She supported Shao Chengbi and said emotionally, “This battle is dangerous. Regardless of success or failure, as long as I am here, I will definitely clear up the injustice for the governor.”

“If the veteran is old and can still devote himself to the country, then he is already the favorite of the Holy One. If you can do what you want, you can do it, but if you can’t, it’s okay.” Shao Chengbi looked solemn, “The veteran requested to open the armament warehouse of Chunquan Camp.”

Li Jianting was slightly startled.

Shao Chengbi said: “Chunquan Camp is equipped with copper fire cannons, and I want to take these copper fire cannons away.”

“I’m sure,” Li Jianting immediately turned around, called Fengquan to get the wine, poured a glass for Shao Chengbi himself, and said, “I’m in Qudu, waiting for the governor’s triumphant return!”

* * *

Gao Zhongxiong put down his pen and said to Yao Wenyu: “In Yuanzhuo’s opinion, how will you fight this battle?”

“First put an end to the rumors, and then persuade the commander-in-chief to send troops.” Yao Wenyu turned the four-wheeled cart, went to the other end of the table, and pushed the map away. “Shao Chengbi is guarding Dan City. Xue Xiuzhuo will definitely make a fuss about Mr. Fu’s life experience, and he will also be famous for his military expedition.”

“It’s true that there are still 40,000 garrison troops left in Fan and Deng states, but they are all new soldiers. We can only wait for Huo Lingyun to rush to support.” Zhou Gui was a little worried, but also a little emotional: “Xue Xiuzhuo returned to the people and has a very high reputation in Dan City. If the court moves out of Shen Wei, we will not be able to fight back.”

Kong Ling said: “We have benefited three cities, and we have benefited six states. The achievements of the emperor in the three realms are definitely not comparable to those of the new emperor. We also defeated the Chalshi River defense line with Libei and Qidong, and the second master also made great achievements in pacifying the border counties and marching eastward into the desert. In terms of achievements, Zhongbo Libei is unrivaled.”

Shen Zechuan sat alone on the table, thoughtfully.

“There is another thing that I can’t figure out. The people’s land in the three cities has been initially decided,” Zhou Gui pointed at the capital, “but the number of people exiled to Zhongbo this year has only increased. What’s the reason for this?”

“Aristocratic families have governed the eight cities for a long time. The so-called occupation of private land does not only refer to the eight major families. The Taifu implemented the yellow book system at that time to curb the phenomenon of land embezzlement. The three cities of Dan, Wu, and Trent did sort out the land tax, but this land tax was also forcibly collected from the three families of Pan, Han, and Fei. In other words, there are still many ‘bandits’ who are attached to the aristocratic family but are not from the aristocratic family and are stealing private land within the territory. HeWe continue to blame this loss on the common people.” Yao Wenyu looked at Shen Zechuan, “Since the family is called ‘Shen Wan’, it cannot be eradicated easily.”

“Yuan Zhuo is right,” Shen Zechuan opened the tea lid and closed it again, “It is not difficult to implement the yellow book, but the difficulty lies in accumulating it year by year. It requires internal repair of government affairs, inspection and filling in reports, and the selection of officials in various places is also a top priority. In recent years, Qudu has indulged in faction fighting, and poor families and noble families have suffered losses. When the new emperor comes to power, the court will be empty and there will be no one in important positions. Even if Xue Xiuzhuo wants to turn the tide, he will be unable to do it alone.”

Kong Ling said: “Cudu can’t even pay monthly salary now, and it has to support the military expenditure of 40,000 troops. The longer it goes, the more difficult it is for them. The people can’t start business, and the bank in Xue Xiuzhuo’s hands can’t last this winter.”

“As of now,” Shen Zechuan said, “it’s just a war of pen and ink. Let’s see how Qiandu responds.”

The bamboo curtain was lifted slightly, and Fei Sheng entered holding the letter and said: “Master, there is a letter from the second master.”

Kong Ling saw that it was already getting late, so he got up with Zhou Gui and Gao Zhongxiong and said to Shen Zechuan: “It’s too late today. It’s time for Mr. Fu to go to bed, so we will leave first.”

Shen Zechuan waited for everyone to leave before opening Xiao Chiye’s letter. When the letter was opened, several little paper wolves fell out.

My wife is as trusting as she is face-to-face.

Shen Zechuan stroked these words with his fingertips.

The expedition is safe, the cavalry has reached Mosanchuan, and will reach Amul’s hometown in November.I borrowed the help of the Yan tribe to win over the three tribes of Mo with mutual benefits, hoping to use all the strength of the three tribes to defeat the vultures.The food and wages are sufficient, and the taro tube is full, but Lu Guangbai is too noisy.If I can win the battle, I can rush home to celebrate the New Year with you.Miss you.

Shen Zechuan saw below that Xiao Chiye used charcoal to paint a black picture of a starry night.Shen Zechuan read these few lines over and over for a long time. The candles illuminated the window grilles. The night in Cizhou was still cool, but autumn had already entered east of the Chashi River.Mo Sanchuan is a barren wasteland with rough wind and sand. I wonder if Xiao Chiye will lose weight when he comes back.

Shen Zechuan has thousands of words, all of which are condensed into the words “I miss you”.

Behind Xiao Chiye’s letter from home was official paper with a handsome seal. Shen Zechuan opened it and found that it was a letter from Lu Guangbai.

* * *

A few days later, the horse’s hooves broke the silence. Before waking up in the cold night, the person reining in the horse showed his belt card and shouted to the soldiers guarding the camp: “Hurry up and lay the fire card, open the door quickly, I want to see King Donglie!”

Qi Zhuyin had a premonition when she was putting on her clothes. She lifted the curtain and came out. Under the blue sky, she saw the sign of the express delivery shop.She said: “Military report?”

“Military report!” The official of the express delivery shop got off his horse, knelt down and saluted, and said loudly, “The Ministry of War has given special approval to ask Donglie King Qi Zhuyin to immediately send troops to Dengzhou to attack the Zhongbo rebellious party!”

Qi Zhuyin pursed her lips slightly and did not answer immediately.

The official of the express delivery shop immediately stood up, raised the fire sign, and said: “Holy decree, the emperor has appointed King Donglie to send troops!”

“Forty thousand troops are in Dan City,” Qi Zhuyin said, “Why doesn’t Shao Chengbi move? Tianfei Tower is a dangerous strategic point in the Great Zhou Dynasty. If my troops cross it once, it will cost tens of thousands of troops.”

“The cabinet has approved the Ministry of War, and the pay for the Qidong Army will arrive soon.” The official with a long face turned out to be Shao Chengbi’s old army, and he came specifically to ask Qi Zhuyin to send troops.He was neither humble nor arrogant, and continued: “The ambition of the rebellious ministers and the rebel party is obvious. The governor’s garrison in Dancheng is actually to guard the capital. The Shen family’s traitors are pouring their troops into Cizhou at the moment, and their backs are empty. As long as King Donglie sends troops, they can attack with the governor front and back to encircle and annihilate the rebel party.”

Qi Zhuyin shouldn’t.

The official took a step closer, wearing a royal yellow belt around his waist and a famous imperial sword.Qi Wei immediately stepped out, stood in front of Qi Zhuyin, and shouted: “Unload your sword when you see the king!”

“My sword is a gift from the emperor.” The official said coldly without fear, “The rebels are threatening the capital and have already reached the front of the emperor. Why doesn’t King Donglie refuse to send troops to serve the king?” He suddenly pulled off the yellow belt, “The Qi family was ordered by the emperor to transfer, and she is a minister of the Zhou Dynasty. Qi Zhuyin, why shouldn’t you?!”

Qi Wei was already angry and said: “How can you directly call out my king’s taboo!”

The officials said boldly: “The country and the country are in danger! If King Donglie does not send troops, the Great Zhou Dynasty will be destroyed. By then, the king will not be the king, and the ministers will not be ministers. You and I are just slaves of the subjugated country, how can we have any dignity!”

Qi Wei was extremely angry: “Get–”

“Step back!” Qi Zhuyin suddenly raised her hand, and the cloak on her shoulders fell to the ground, revealing the regular clothes underneath and the Zhujiu at her waist.She said: “Just leave the sign, I know it.”

In the tense atmosphere, the official took the fire card, handed it to Qi Zhuyin with both hands, saluted again, and said in a deep voice: “I am waiting for King Donglie’s victory in Dancheng.”

After saying that, he turned around and mounted his horse, and immediately rode back without even taking a sip of water.

“This man is really rude!” Qi Wei chased after him for two steps, then turned around and said to Qi Zhuyin, “Commander, why should you be patient? Right now everyone is begging us to send troops!”

“This is a good officer. He stays calm in times of crisis and is not alarmed by changes. You have to learn from this.” Qi Zhuyin looked at the fire cards and said, “Raise horses and train troops for today, and you will have to pay back whatever you eat.”

“Then are we really going?” Qi Wei followed Qi Zhuyin closely, “Second Master went on an expedition and now he is taking advantage of others’ danger.”

“Wanting a war and taking advantage of others’ danger?” Qi Zhuyin turned around and entered the military tent, put the fire card on the table, and looked at the map hanging on the wall, “Shen Zechuan is short of generals now, and only Huo Lingyun can temporarily replace the commander of Dengzhou, but his soldiers are not good soldiers. When we attack Dengzhou, 20,000 soldiers are enough.”

Qi Wei said: “I’m just afraid…”

“The Tantai Tiger member has no skills,” Qi Zhuyin continued, “Shen Zechuan was seriously injured and has not yet healed. As soon as I moved, it was clear that he was coming.”

Qi Wei was interrupted by Qi Zhuyin and forgot what he was going to say. Instead, he said in surprise: “Your Majesty, the prince is going to return to the battlefield?”

“Xiao Chiye puts his heart and soul here,” Qi Zhuyin glanced at Qi Wei, “If he didn’t have a backup plan, how dare he leave?”

“There are only 30,000 cavalry left in Libei,” Qi Wei began to worry for Xiao Jiming, “The prince is still recovering from his injuries. If something happens to him, then the princess will not flood Qidong with tears?”

Qi Wei already thought of Lu Yizhi punching Qi Zhuyin with his eyes closed and crying.

“Xiao Jiming, the Iron Horse Binghe,” Qi Zhuyin said, “he is Xiao Jiming who traveled quickly on a snowy night and crossed the river south to attack the border cavalry. Not to mention that there are still 30,000 iron cavalry in Libei, even if there are only 5,000 iron cavalry left, he still dares to come.”

Qi Wei has lost his mind. He has no doubts about fighting with the Biansha cavalry, but with Libei…he said: “Commander, if you really take action, both sides will lose. Regardless of the casualties of the soldiers, the people in both areas will also be in fear. The grain fields in Dengzhou have been well maintained this year. If we step over, people will still starve to death next year. Aren’t all the officials patient? Let heWe persuaded Shen Zechuan with words and words. I think Shen Zechuan means that as long as the army does not move, he will not move.”

“Then you have to understand one thing,” Qi Zhuyin turned around and said sternly, “If we don’t fight this war, you and I will be slaves to the subjugation of the country, and we will be former court officials in the future. From now on, the world will change our surnames, and we will either kneel to Shen Zechuan or Xiao Chiye.”

Qi Wei was speechless.

“Since ancient times, it’s difficult to have both loyalty and justice,” Qi Zhuyin looked at the map again, “I’m talking about now.”

Suddenly there were footsteps at the door, and Qi Wei looked back.

“I heard that the officials from the express delivery shop have arrived.” Hua Xiangyi opened the curtain and walked in. Her plain clothes made her face look pretty, “Ayin, is this a military report?”