With an anxious mood, Shen Bian, the official of Qingzhou, walked into the Xiangjun barracks.
Compared with the deserted and dilapidated appearance of ten days ago, the military camp today has changed drastically. This is not only reflected in the rows of newly cut and erected wooden railings outside that serve as camp walls, but also in the few wooden fences in the vast military camp grounds. There were soldiers standing upright, as straight as the spears in their hands.
Although this group of two hundred soldiers did not make any other movements, let alone anyone making a sound, the solemn sense of oppression still made Officer Shen feel a different kind of pressure. They all looked cautious when walking by, and they didn't dare to look down on these soldiers who looked sallow and thin on the surface.
In a newly built simple barracks, Shen Bian saw Sun Tu who was looking down at a sheepskin map. It wasn't until the soldier who brought him in reported to Sun Tu that he slowly raised his head, looked at Shen Bian and said: "Mr. Shen, please sit down and talk, but has Magistrate Murong already made a decision?"
"Not bad." Shen Bian's mouth was a little dry due to nervousness. After he opened his mouth and said two words, he was stunned for a moment. Then he said with a bitter face: "Actually, Sun Dujian, you should have heard about the difficulties in our government office. It is almost impossible to come up with so much money and food at once, and if the food in the warehouse is all If you have to go, once any disaster occurs somewhere in Qingzhou, I'm afraid the people will suffer."
"Huh, don't say such big words in front of me. If you really cared about the people, Qingzhou wouldn't be like this now." Sun Tu said with a calm face without giving the other party any face.
This made Shen Bian's expression become even more painful. He really didn't expect that the other party would be so direct. He was such a single-minded warrior. In fact, what he didn't know was that Sun Tu had already had enough of playing tricks with these civil servants. Since the initiative was now in his own hands, it would be easier to go straight. As for what the other party thought, it was not his concern. Within the range.
After pondering for a moment, Shen Bian continued: "But the government has also said that since Sun Dujian is eager to rebuild our Qingzhou army, we should do our best to cooperate. We can withdraw half of the money and food in the government treasury, and the other half , but it must fall on the wealthy businessmen in the city."
"This is your business. I only asked your government office for money and food. Who knew that you were the one who had deducted money and food from the Xiang army in the past two years?" Sun Tu was not moved at all and said expressionlessly.
Shen Bian had a good temper. Even if he was contradicted and robbed like this, he didn't show any concern. He just smiled bitterly and explained: "Sun Dujian, please listen to me. Although the government can persuade the wealthy households to hand over their money and food, it still needs to be done." It will inevitably make them dissatisfied, and this is not a long-term solution. Qingzhou is already poor and few people live there. If even these big households run away, it will be even harder to get enough money and food in the future. You can't do it, Governor. Just do whatever it takes to make a profit."
"So what exactly do you mean?"
"The government hopes that Sun Dujian can do something to help those wealthy households, so that they will believe that the government has the ability to ensure their safety. Then it will be easier for them to spend money and food."
"Oh? I wonder what you want me to do for those wealthy households? Is it
..." Sun Tu said, and his eyes fell on the simple map in front of him, which clearly marked the specific locations of several bandit villages that had caused trouble to the local area for many years.
Shen Bian also saw the map and hurriedly shook his head and said: "Of course I don't mean this. Now that the government and army are not yet established, even if Sun Dujian wants to, he can't easily wipe out these bandits. That's it. Just last month, in our Qingzhou city, There were many major theft cases in a row, and the treasures of many wealthy families were stolen. If Sun Dujian could help them catch the thieves and recover the treasures, the lower official thought that they would definitely be willing to spend a sum of money and food to support Xiang. The army was rebuilt. I wonder what you think, Sun Dujian?" As he said that, he looked at Sun Tu with anticipation and longing, waiting for the other party to give him an answer.
Sun Tu frowned slightly. He had heard about this matter as he had been in Qingzhou for some time. It was said that the thief was a good thief who did not take the property of ordinary people. They will attack those wealthy households, especially those who work for the sake of wealth and are unkind, and they will suffer heavy losses. Moreover, this person's methods are extremely clever. To this day, no one has found any clues, and it is not known whether he is still in Qingzhou City.
Seeing that Sun Tu didn't seem to want to deal with this matter, Shen Bian became even more nervous, and while his mind was spinning, he said again: "Du Jian, I have something to say that offends you, but you still have to say it. They live a better life than ordinary people, but they are also our Qingzhou people after all. You can't favor one over another. And the thief did violate my Song Dynasty law. Since Sun Dujian is our Qingzhou official, he has the obligation to bring him to justice. ." After saying this, he lowered his eyes again, not daring to look at her again.
Sun Tu narrowed his eyes, but did not get angry because of this. He just said: "Then if I don't agree to this matter, what will Magistrate Murong do? Will he just refuse to take out the money and food?"
"I don't dare to guess my superior's intentions, but at least it's impossible to pay off all the debts accumulated over the past two years."
After another period of heart-stopping silence, Sun Tu finally raised his head: "Okay, I will take action on this matter. As long as the thief dares to commit crimes in my Qingzhou City again, I will lead people to capture him personally. But Before that, I also want you to show your sincerity and transport the money and food you promised to the military camp."
Seeing him nodding in agreement, Shen Bian felt happy immediately. After heaving a sigh of relief, he immediately responded: "This subordinate will ask for instructions from the government, but I still hope that the governor will let the soldiers who are still surrounding the warehouse If we can disperse like this, we won't dare to open the door easily." Until now, many people under Sun Tu are still blocking several warehouses, so there are only more than 200 people in the military camp learning to stand in military positions.
Sun Tu agreed without much hesitation this time: "Yes, I can call them back to the camp today. But I have to see the money and food entering the camp before noon tomorrow, otherwise... Also, starting from today, The four gates of Qingzhou are all guarded by my Xiang army, and all the people from your government office can be called back."
Hearing the last sentence, Shen Bian felt a sudden shock in his heart. what is this? Are you going to prevent me from passing on the news later, or are you using this to threaten our government officials? However, he did not dare to raise this question directly, so he could only agree and then stood up to leave.
in him
After leaving, Sun Tu called a Jiangzhou soldier who acted as his personal soldier. After whispering a few instructions, the man quickly rode out of the military camp. In just half a cup of tea, he had already arrived at the nearest building. In front of the treasury granary.
There were already hundreds of soldiers from the Xiang Army who had just returned to the barracks. They were still yelling at Kudin inside to open the door. Of course, it was impossible for the people inside to open the door obediently. There were a lot of heavy objects placed behind the door to hold it up, for fear that people outside would bump into the door directly.
These Xiang soldiers have long hated the people in the government who deducted their money, food, and soldiers' pay, causing their families to live in hardship. In the past, they only dared to be angry but dared not speak out. Now that they have such a big backer like Sun Tu, they naturally want to take good care of them. Vented some steam. If Tang Feng hadn't brought five Jiangzhou soldiers in front to maintain order, I'm afraid these guys would have rushed into the warehouse in anger.
Seeing that the people below were getting more and more excited, even Tang Feng began to worry, fearing that he would not be able to suppress these guys. When he saw Jiangzhou soldiers coming on horseback, he was immediately overjoyed and hurriedly stepped forward to ask about the situation: "How is it, but did the Governor have any new orders?"
"The governor has ordered us to return to the camp temporarily. The government office has promised to send money and food tomorrow." The soldier quickly announced Sun Tu's order loudly. The first sentence made many people complain, but the latter sentence made everyone burst into cheers. To be honest, they actually didn't have the guts to attack the warehouse and granary. The best result would be to force the government office to bow its head now.
And they also believe in Sun Dujian's credibility. After all, Du Heng's head is still hanging on the camp gate, and everyone has had plenty of food in the military camp in the past two days, which was provided by Sun Dujian himself. Yes, everyone is naturally full of gratitude and respect for Sun Dujian.
So under a few orders from Tang Feng, the soldiers formed several ranks in a somewhat chaotic manner, and then retreated quickly with chaotic steps under the uneasy gazes of the guards behind the library gate.
Then, the soldier mounted his horse again and headed towards the next target point. This time, in order to build up momentum, the Xiang army surrounded all the warehouses in the city, so this time they had to notify each one.
It was not until dark that these people finally dispersed. When the news came back to the government office, it was completely dark. After hearing the final report, Murong Yanchao finally felt relieved: "Then Sun Tu finally has some sense and hasn't done anything out of control. Things come up.”
"And he has promised to help the government capture the thieves. In this way, this matter should be resolved satisfactorily." Jing Yiming also said with some relief. But then, he said with some worry: "It's just that he has the four gates in his hands now. I'm afraid it will be difficult for the government to send the memorial out of the city again."
When this matter was mentioned, the smile that had just appeared on Murong Yanchao's face disappeared again. He gritted his teeth and said: "This man is extremely bold and ambitious. He is definitely a serious problem for the imperial court. As the prefect of Qingzhou, I , we will definitely be incompatible with him!" Even though he said this, he also knew that in the current situation, he had no way to deal with Sun Tu. He could only compromise first and find ways to find ways to deal with Sun Tu while lowering his alertness. Opportunity.