In a big city like Runing, there are so many big households in it that Gaoyou can't compare. The big households are inextricably linked, relying on marriage and cooperation as arms, and they fight hard in peacetime. When Chen Bosong came, they twisted into a rope.
Since Ru Ning was no longer under the control of the imperial court, they naturally wanted to take advantage of Chen Bosong.
Whether to kneel down or stand up for the benefit first, most of them chose the former, they didn't think Chen Bosong would kill them all.
In their view, they are different from the common people, the common people are pigs and dogs, and they are the objects that those in power need to win over.
Master Zhang thought the same thing before he entered the barracks.
The new ruler wants to take over a big city, and naturally needs their help. Who else knows Runing better than them
However, most of them were just tough on the face and ruthless words, but gifts poured into the barracks continuously.
Chen Bosong looked at the box in front of him and told his soldiers to open it.
More than 30 boxes were sent in by families with different surnames. There were countless gold and silver treasures, exquisite brocades, and a group of women stood behind them. Most of these women were servants of the family. In the barracks, a place where women can't be seen, a group of soldiers salivate, even if they are flowers, they can also be regarded as gods.
"No matter how tough your mouth is, you can give money quickly." The personal soldiers didn't understand. "They said so cruelly, why did they give gifts to our generals? Isn't that slapping yourself in the face?"
Another soldier was laughing beside him: "You don't understand? Those big households must have come up with ideas together, do some of them dare not follow? Afraid of offending other big households, they can only fight against the generals, and they are afraid that the generals will hold grudges. Naturally, you have to give gifts to the generals in private, these people are like this, thinking that others are fools."
Chen Bosong picked up a pearl shirt. Pearls are a rare thing. There are not many offerings to most of them every year, and there are even fewer folks. Large families have such a piece, which is enough to be envied by Yanhong. In the age when there was no artificial cultivation, The output of pearls is originally small, and it is even more difficult to find pearls of the same size and round enough from these pearls.
"Running is rich." Chen Bosong threw the pearl shirt back into the box with no expression on his face, "Send someone to invite the patriarchs of these families, and said that I want to have a drink with them and discuss the big plans together."
The soldiers were stunned for a moment: "General, why do you give them such a face? Ru Ning has been beaten, and it will be the territory of our Nan Bodhisattva in the future. What are they? You want the general to entertain them in person? They are not worthy!"
Chen Baisong: "What nonsense are you talking about, just go when you tell me to go. You are the general and I am the general?"
The soldier quickly admitted his mistake: "Subordinate..."
Chen Bosong: "Go quickly."
The soldiers breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly greeted them to leave.
Another soldier was standing next to Chen Bosong. He had the most smile on his face, with flesh on his cheeks, small eyes and puffy nose, and spots on his face. He looked young, but he was shrewd. He whispered, "General, why not Ask them to bring the juniors with them?"
Chen Bosong shook his head: "I can't always call them all, and I can't even close them in the barracks."
The patriarchs of those big families dared to come, but they put their life and death aside. If they died, they would hold the righteousness. Although it is reasonable to say whoever has the most fists now, the good name of Nan Bodhisattva has spread far and wide, and they have really caught this point. When Nan Bodhisattva changes from good to evil, the people will change their minds. There are not only Nan Bodhisattva's family in the world's righteous army, so why go to the small and lose the big
It's better to lock people up.
"They don't want to go home, and they linger in the military camp. Could it be our fault?" Chen Bosong said with a smile, "But even though they are in the military camp, their family members must always be filial. The military camp does not support idlers. Where does the food come from? I don’t necessarily need to support it?”
The soldiers' eyes widened - he always thought that his general only knew how to fight, but he didn't expect the general to have such a city.
Inside the city of Runing, inside the Deng family mansion.
"Father, you can't go!" Deng's father hugged his father's leg, crying so hard that his eyes were swollen into walnuts, a piece of filial piety that could be learned from heaven, his nose was running down his mouth, and he couldn't reach out to wipe it, crying. The sky shouted, "Dad, that surnamed Chen is a hungry wolf! If you go, he will not tell you to come back safely!"
Father Deng sighed. He had gray hair and a cane in his hand. He had difficulty walking. He needed the help of the servants beside him. After his son's repeated crying, he said, "Send someone over there to invite us. If we don't go, we have no reason."
The eldest son: "What's the truth?! You are old, it's time to take care of your life! What's more important than this? If people outside say it, let them say it!"
Father Deng looked at his eldest son. He was not so smart, but he was filial and honest. He was both relieved and worried that the family business would be passed on to such a child. A hundred years later, if this child is deceived by someone who has a heart, he will not be able to keep this huge family business at all.
For example, now, the invitation was sent over there. Even if they knew that the dragon pond was in front of them, they had no other choice but to jump down.
Father Deng asked the servant to help the eldest son up, and then he said earnestly: "Listen to Dad, that General Chen sent the invitation, it is his honorable corporal, and his worthy name, if we don't go, the bad name will be on our side. At that time, he would break into the city and kill our family. Even if he was mentioned outside, it would be rootless duckweed. He didn't restrain him, so he naturally had no worries."
"Do you think that people in the world dare to do it right? But do we dare to do it right? Think of the Zhao family ten years ago."
The eldest son looked in a trance, Zhao family
It was only ten years ago, but he couldn't remember it.
Ten years ago, the Zhao family was at its peak. Several streets in Runing City belonged to the Zhao family. The Zhao family had the most fertile land on the edge of Runing City. Overturned in ten days.
The building will collapse, no one will shed a tear for them, and people will watch the excitement and rejoice at the downfall of a family.
How did the Zhao family fall
At first, it was just a mix of stones when cooking porridge.
Many big families have done this. The people below have to make oil and water, and replace the new food with old food that cannot be eaten.
And then what? It seems that those beggar refugees are making trouble.
Some people hired beggars and refugees to stand guard at the door of Zhao's house day and night, throwing feces there whenever anyone came out.
The Zhao family wanted to catch them, but these people ran away when they lost their feces, and they couldn't catch up at all.
That's all, the Zhao family went out, and some people in the crowd threw feces.
After that, the Zhao family did not go out.
There are also people in the Zhao family's stall who are constantly looking for faults. The Zhao family wants to distinguish, but the people already think this family is a villain.
The officials above received benefits from other families and would not speak for the Zhao family.
In the end, the Zhao family sold the shop and the land, and went abroad, never to return.
But when people leave their hometowns, leave the land where they take root, go to other places, go to other people's entangled sites, and how much hope is there to return to the glory of the past
The eldest son covered his face with his hands. It's not that he didn't understand the truth. Sometimes a person's tongue is a sharp weapon, and it can also be turned into a killing knife.
Father Deng patted his son's head: "Dad has to go, and when Dad goes, our family has the right. If Dad dies there, our family can get more benefits. Nan Bodhisattva has worked hard and is not stupid, he naturally knows This is the reason, so Dad will not die, then General Chen will treat Dad as a guest of honor."
The eldest son was stupid again, he didn't understand, and he didn't dare to say that he didn't understand, so he could only lower his head.
Father Deng sighed again: "I heard that my father has passed, if he dies, you must wear filial piety, and let everyone know who died at the hands of father, so that our family will have a reputation. Don't be afraid, you will get up again one day."
"But if the reputation is gone, when General Chen enters the city, our family will be finished."
The eldest son nodded: "Father, I understand, what you say, the son will do!"
In Runing City, not only the Deng family were parting, but the big families all received invitations. They thought about it again and again, and most of them went, only four or five claimed that they were ill and could not leave the city.
These families do not need Chen Bosong to do anything, and other families will join forces to nibble them.
Most of the patriarchs came. They rode out of the city in carriages and entered the barracks together.
Master Deng thought he could meet the rumored ruthless and arrogant General Chen, but he was waiting in the tent with a group of old buddies, not to mention General Chen, even the personal soldiers around him could not see, only the small soldiers in the barracks took care of him. follow them.
It doesn't matter, the soldiers don't talk to them, they deliver food to them when it's mealtime, and take them to Lazarus when they want to do it.
But they didn't dare to ask - everyone wants to live longer.
Now that I'm dead, I don't seem to get any benefit.
They also didn't dare to shake the faces of the soldiers and put on airs.
They still understand the truth that people have to bow their heads when they are under the eaves.
Mr. Deng sat on the wooden bed, covered with the quilt he brought, holding a cup of hot water in his hand, panicked to death, but he didn't dare to show it, so he could only sit down.
Several masters from other families are a little jealous of his quilt. When people are older, young people think it is appropriate to be lukewarm, but they still feel cold.
There were no quilts for them in this tent, so if they didn't bring them, they would be cold.
"Master Deng even brought a quilt, which is more careful than we thought."
"I just don't know why Mr. Deng thought about bringing a quilt."
"Could it be that I had a relationship with General Chen long ago?"
Master Deng's face turned green, and he said quickly, "It's my child's worry. I'm getting old, and my son bought it for me. If you don't dislike it, please come over and cover your legs."
He knew that if he let these people continue to talk, he would become a traitor, not to mention this quilt could make him cover his legs, even if he let go.
These people have always been like this. When they get together to convict someone, and then let people publicize it, the condemned person will be finished.
Or picture someone else's shop, or picture someone else's land.
They used this method with ease, and they had tried it many times, and Master Deng didn't dare to go against them.
The family members in Runing City are all waiting for the news of the old people's death.
When the old people are dead, they have more confidence to negotiate conditions.
However, waiting left and right, the news of death did not arrive, but the messenger sent by Chen Bosong.
"Your parents are in the military camp, and you are unwilling to return to the city no matter how persuaded you are. It's not good for our generals to raise people?"
Everyone has heard this.
So countless grain carts were pulled from the city to the barracks.
Chen Baisong looked at the grain. There was old grain and new grain, but the quantity was sufficient. The grain pulled by dozens of vehicles was enough to feed the entire military camp for a month.
Just when the families in the city thought they were bleeding profusely and felt so distressed, the messenger from Chen Bosong came to the door again.
"Your old man has a good appetite and eats a lot. The food he sent before is gone."
Everyone is stupid.
It's just like taking them all out for food.
"Can't give them!"
"Keep giving, and they will keep asking, their appetite is not full! Can't give!"
"No way? That's your father. Do you want to be an unfaithful, unfilial and unjust person?"
"Hundreds of good filial piety first, don't even need filial piety, then you will be the one who will force your father to die!"
"What can we do then?"
"Give food? We can only give it all the time. How much property the family has is not enough!"
Before the elders leave, they all hope that the elders can come back safely.
At this time, they all wished their elders died sooner.
"It's too late! If we don't give food now, it will be our family who will kill them. The food can't be stopped and continue to be delivered!"
Chen Bosong looked at the newly delivered grain cart and asked someone to open it to check. There was less grain, but more gold and silver to replace the grain.
But the role of gold and silver is obviously not as great as that of grain at this time.
He said to the soldiers, "Since they think gold and silver are edible, you should go and tell them to eat and see for themselves."
The personal soldiers led the order, and took the gold and silver to go to the big households in the city to "buy food".
Can they say no
Although the elders of each family were not allowed to move at will in the military camp, they could eat and drink, and could not enjoy themselves, but life was guaranteed.
Mr. Deng's quilt was eventually taken away. Fortunately, the clothes he brought were thick enough. He sleeps under his clothes every day, and he feels fine, but when people are old, there will always be all kinds of troubles. Defecation, the smell is the same in the tent all day, not to mention other things.
After living for a few days, Mr. Deng couldn't take it anymore. He would rather sleep on the field than squeeze a tent with these old guys.
It's a pity that what he said was useless. No matter how much he begged the soldiers outside, no one was willing to accept him.
They didn't even know that the family had brought food, they just thought that General Chen was going to give him a slap in the face, to lock them here, to smooth their minds, and all of them gritted their teeth, swearing and swearing to get through this difficult time. , in any case can not shame the family.
Chen Bosong looked at the continuous delivery of food, and finally let go, and asked someone to deliver quilts to the elders. The food was better than before, and at least there was meat. Before, he didn't even have vegetables, and it was sweet potatoes every day. And potatoes, these two things are very sweet occasionally, but they can also be eaten every day.
"Can't send any more!"
A group of people get together to discuss.
They looked indignant: "What is he? He is a bandit! It's more than a bandit!"
Deng's elder son whispered, "I remember that General Chen was born in a bandit..."
When everyone looked at him, Boss Deng was taken aback, he shrank his neck and pretended to be quail, and didn't dare to speak any more, but he couldn't help but think, "What are you pretending to be cruel here? When you asked for food earlier, none of you dared to speak. Speaking of which, I still want to push a fool out and not deliver food first, who is so stupid?"
The room became quiet again. At this time, someone said, "We won't deliver food together. I don't believe that he really dares to attack the elders! What do you say?"
"Since Mr. An said it, we will naturally follow Mr. An."
"Yeah, they are too bullying. They are too bullying. We can't be led by the nose all the time."
"Exactly, they are sure that we will not ignore the elders, we will not send food, and I don't think they dare to do it."
"Okay! Then don't send it!"
When Boss Deng returned home at night, his wife served the boiled sober soup and asked in a soft voice, "My husband went to discuss it today, but what was the result of the negotiation?"
Boss Deng took a sip of sober soup, shook his head and said, "I want to treat others as fools, how can there be so many fools in the world?"
The wife is inexplicable: "How do you say this?"
Boss Deng shook his head and said, "If you say it doesn't send food, wait and see to see which one doesn't."
When it was time to deliver the food, Boss Deng didn't want to fight against everyone, so he asked his servants to send him out of the city late at night. Now the guards of the city gate are all from Chen Bosong, and he is not afraid of other families knowing.
As a result, when the servant who delivered the grain came back to report, he said that he encountered a lot of grain delivery trucks when he said the city. Although I don't know which ones are, they are not less than the previous grain delivery trucks, but more.
Boss Deng laughed at home: "I just said that it would be weird if these people had the guts to not give it away! All of them are waiting for others to come forward, so what are they negotiating?"
The wife frowned and said, "The family has run out of grain, not even the old grain from previous years. If it goes on like this, we can only go to buy grain."
But buying grain is not so easy. The grain is in the hands of the big households. If the big households run out of grain, is it possible that they can buy it from the common people
Even if the people have food, they can't save much. At most, it is enough for a family's rations for a few months. If they really sell these rations, can they starve to death
Boss Deng lowered his head: "Continue to send."
The wife raised her hand to wipe away the tears, her eyes were red: "Husband, you should think about the children, not for the family. If the father-in-law knew, he would not be willing to do the family business..."
Food, as long as you are willing to pay for it, you can always buy it, but when their family runs out of food, they only have money. If they don’t even have money, what is left
It won't fail in the end.
Boss Deng looked at his wife and said, "It's no longer a matter of whether we can deliver or not. Believe it or not, if I don't deliver food today, tomorrow those soldiers will rush into the house and give me a charge of unfilial piety. Speaking of the family's money and food, even the shop and the land can't be saved! Even the life is lost!"
The wife looked at her husband blankly: "It's so..."
Boss Deng said with a wry smile: "I thought that General Chen was a reckless husband, but now it seems that we are too stupid. Even if we reported illness at that time, we shouldn't have asked Dad to go out."
Wife: "...but everyone went..."
"The ones that didn't go...now..."
Boss Deng looked at the night outside the window, and his heart was desolate. If he saved his father, the family would be lost, and he might not be able to save him.
If you don't save your father, you can't escape. You will die if you advance or retreat. You can only choose how to die in a decent way.
Boss Deng didn't know until the next day that there was really a family that did not send food. This family was not very respectable in Runing. There were too many big families. This family was only a small fish. Some money, the family business can not be compared with other families, I don't know how to consider it, I really didn't give it.
Although it wasn't delivered, it wasn't troublesome.
The big households in Runing City seem to have received some news, and they have actually started not to send food.
Chen Bosong did not send troops to trouble him.
"Let's just say, maybe he really dares to do anything? If he really kills the old people, the spit of the world will drown him!"
"That's right! Now that we don't deliver food, is there nothing wrong?"
Boss Deng didn't dare not give it away. He had lived in his father's hand all his life. He didn't dare to think about what to do if his father died. Detour after curfew.
Fortunately, the barracks still picked up.
Boss Deng's wife does not understand him, nor does his brother and son.
Isn't it alright if others don't send it? Why should our family continue to deliver? There is no benefit in sending it, and there is no harm in not sending it.
But after all, they are elders, and they are connected by blood, so they don't dare to really stop Boss Deng from delivering food.
A month later, Chen Bosong finally made a move. The army entered the city and copied all the houses that did not send food.
Once the charges of unfilial piety were released, the soldiers arrested the people, and sent people to take away all the paved fields.
"Master!" The servants were running around in the courtyard.
Boss Deng was already a little unsteady. He heard the news and was flustered. Although he sent food, he was afraid that General Chen would also take this opportunity to copy their Deng family. Will someone come to Deng by then? Pleading for justice
Just when Boss Deng was in a panic and didn't know what to do, the soldier had already walked in.
The soldier with fleshy cheeks smiled and said to him, "Our general said that Mr. Deng is filial, and he should be a model. That's why we sent Mr. Deng back."
"Those who are not filial are now locked up. I have to ask Uncle Deng to pay more attention and visit them from time to time. With you as a model, teach them more about filial piety. What do you think?"
What else can Mr. Deng say
What can he say
He could only stand there stupidly and nod, and said dumbly, "Of course I have to share the general's worries."
The soldier encouraged: "Now there are not many families in Ru Ning, if Uncle Deng is interested, please walk with our general more, and then we will deal with those troubles together with our general, and make a good name, wouldn't it be beautiful? "
Boss Deng swallowed his saliva: "Let the general send you."