In Qingzhou City, at the gate of the Xiang Army barracks, Huang Wenbing smiled and sent several government officials away, then his face suddenly became serious: "I have nothing to do to show my courtesy, tonight's so-called celebration banquet will not be the Hongmen Banquet, right?" …”
Just now, except for the prefect Murong Yanchao, all the other important officials of the government came together to invite Huang Wenbing, Tang Feng and several other military lieutenant generals who stayed in Qingzhou to attend a banquet in the government office, saying that it was to celebrate the journey ahead. They won several big wins in succession.
The reason given by the other party is quite appropriate. After all, the good news that the bandits from Taohua Mountain have been surrendered was not long ago. As a result, two of the three big mountains that have been weighing on the officials and people of Qingzhou for a long time have been lifted. The people have already begun to celebrate. The government has already begun to celebrate. It is reasonable to hold a banquet to celebrate the Xiang army.
However, Huang Wenbing still felt that the matter was not that simple, and he originally planned to decline. However, the few officials who came this time were too enthusiastic and kept their posture extremely low. After all, he did not have enough status. After being repeatedly touted and persuaded by them, he could only vaguely agree.
In fact, not only him, but Tang Feng and several other left-behind officers who were invited tonight also accepted the invitation without any further excuses. At this time, Tang Feng heard this sentence and said with some doubts: "Mr. Huang, are you a little too cautious? During this period, the government officials have been keeping a low profile, and now they are supervising them. It's a series of great victories, how can they dare to have different intentions again? Aren't they afraid that the governor will come back to settle the score? "
"That's what you say, but I still feel that things are a bit weird." Huang Wenbing frowned and said: "What do you think will happen to Murong Yanchao and the others once Du Jianzhen returns in triumph? I'm afraid he will be in Qingzhou from now on. He can really only be a clay sculpture and have no power at all. Will he really be willing to such a result? Once he decides to take risks, I'm afraid we will bear the brunt of the people he wants to eradicate first. So we must be on guard."
Tang Feng thought that he was not as smart as Huang Wenbing and the others, but he was a cautious person. After hearing this, he said: "Then we will postpone this banquet?"
"It's impossible to push back. Not only you and me, I'm afraid many people in the camp will have to go there now. But before that, we have to arrange the camp's defense properly, and we must not give them anything to take advantage of. opportunity." At this point, Huang Wenbing turned to a battalion commander beside him and said: "Commander Cen, while we are away tonight, all the defense of the camp and the city will be entrusted to you and Lao Ying, so be careful. care."
Commander Na Cen was the deputy commander of the Qingzhou Army’s B-battalion, and he immediately responded with cupped fists. As for Lao Ying, he joined Xiangjun later. He was promoted only because he had some abilities, and now his responsibilities are not small.
Afterwards, while it was still early, Huang Wenbing carefully made some arrangements, asking the people in the military camp to be as careful as possible tonight. It was not until almost dusk that he, Tang Feng and five or six other officers left the military camp and went straight to the government office.
Today's magistrate's yamen has indeed given them enough face. Not only did their colleagues and officials come forward to invite them to the banquet, but when they arrived at the place, several officials were actually waiting in front of the yamen, with faces full of excitement. He welcomed them in with a smile. As they walked inside, these officials also praised the achievements of the sergeants: "This time our Qingzhou officers and soldiers have really made great contributions to the court. As long as the bandits in Erlong Mountain are wiped out, our Qingzhou territory will truly be Guotai and people's peace
When the time comes, he will be praised by the court and famous all over the world, and all the generals will be great contributors. "
These officers, who were from the lower levels and had not even dared to show off when they met the government officials before, had never been so praised and flattered by them. They immediately burst into smiles. Although they said they did not dare, the proud look on their faces was completely concealed. Can't live. And this also made them gradually relax their tight strings. After all, it seemed that the other party's invitation today was just to show their goodwill to the Xiang army who were about to gain great power.
Not only did these government officials lower their posture, but even Magistrate Murong gave the soldiers enough face. They actually waited in the atrium early. When they saw them coming, they also greeted them with a smile: "Counsellor Huang, General Tang, what are you doing? We've arrived, please come in quickly." It really gave them enough face.
At this time, a sumptuous banquet was placed in the back hall of the government office. After some negotiation, Huang Wenbing, Tang Feng and others were pushed to the seats. Except for Murong Yanchao, all the other government officials were accompanying them. This made several generals very excited and laughed so much that their mouths almost reached their ears.
The banquet that followed was lively and harmonious. All the officials from Murong Yanchao down continued to praise Sun Tu and the others with good words. They also praised Tang Feng and others who had been guarding the rear and ensuring that the troops on the expedition had no worries. These kind words were thrown at them one after another, making several officers forget their last names. Their glasses were almost dry, and the banquet was not even half over. These people were already drunk and could not even speak clearly.
Only Tang Feng and Huang Wenbing were still alert and sober at this time. Although they drank a few glasses of wine, it was only in moderation. When Murong Yanchao and the others persuaded them to drink wine on the pretext of merit or something, Huang Wenbing even put the wine glass on the table in front of him and said with a smile: "These officials are really too honored. This time they were able to wipe out several groups of thieves and bandits." The credit goes all to Sun Dujian. We in the rear area really don’t deserve such praise for our insignificant contribution, and we don’t dare to drink too much. After all, our Qingzhou army is far away now, and there are too many things to be busy with in the camp and city. ,so… "
Tang Feng also took the opportunity to chime in: "Yes, I'm a low-ranking official and I'm really too drunk. There are rules in the military not to get drunk. I've broken the rule today. I hope you can bear with me."
"Haha, easy to talk about." Murong Yanchao smiled slightly, knowing that these two people could not be drunk. At this time, another person flashed outside the hall and nodded to him. This made him feel confident and said: "Actually, I invite you to come here today. In addition to celebrating the victory, there is something I want to ask for your help with."
"Why did the prefect say this? We are all on errands for the imperial court. As long as it is beneficial to Qingzhou, please give me your orders." Although Huang Wenbing was on guard, he still had to reply when he should.
"Haha, Counselor Huang is really dedicated to serving the public good. You are in the military camp and you don't know something. Since this year, there has been a food shortage in all parts of Qingzhou. Many people can hardly survive. I am also worried and helpless. Now I can only ask for help from the military camp. I hope you can use part of the food to support the government. I wonder if the Xiang army is willing to help me?"
"This... this is a big matter, and the lower officials can't make the decision. Otherwise, please ask the government to discuss it with Superintendent Sun when he comes back." Huang Wenbing naturally couldn't agree to such a request, so he pulled Sun Tu out. Topped.
When Murong Yanchao heard this answer, his expression immediately turned gloomy: "
Counselor Huang, do you not take the life and death of our Qingzhou people seriously? Still don’t take me, the prefect of Qingzhou, seriously? "As he spoke, an aura that had not been seen in months suddenly arose in his body, which shocked all the government officials around him to change their expressions. Are you going to fall out with them
"Why should the prefect be so aggressive? I have no intention of looking down on you. The matter of military supplies is really important and it is not up to us to make the decision." Huang Wenbing's answer was neither arrogant nor humble.
"Then what if Sun Tu and the others can't come back?" Murong Yanchao suddenly shouted. At the same time, his hand shook, and he threw the wine glass to the ground in front of him, smashing it to pieces.
And just when everyone else was surprised by his sudden change of attitude and a little at a loss, there was a burst of chaotic footsteps outside the hall. Dozens of big men with sticks and knives had barged in directly, and with a roar, Tang Feng and the others in the army were all surrounded.
At this time, the government officials behind them were even more panicked and shouted hurriedly: "Futai, what are you..." These people didn't even know that such a thing was going on. They all thought that Magistrate Murong was inviting someone today. I came here to build relationships and try to get some food from the military camp. Why did it suddenly turn into such a tense and terrifying scene
Murong Yanchao had already wiped off the hypocritical smile on his face at this time, and shouted with a ferocious expression: "I have received news before that Qingzhou Governor Sun Tu and his subordinates colluded with many bandits in the territory to dominate Qingzhou. Today, my official is to eliminate thieves for the imperial court. Do you really think that he, Sun Tu, can easily put down the two bandits with only a thousand people? That was a strategy they had planned long ago, in order to completely defeat the bandits after returning to the city. Control our Qingzhou officials and people! If we don’t rise up to resist, I’m afraid we will die without a burial place. Come here!”
Everyone was stunned when they heard this. How could such a statement be made? I had never heard of it before. Of course, these people also guessed that this might be an excuse for Magistrate Murong to deal with the Xiang army, so after being shocked, they quickly calmed down and waited for the situation to develop.
However, Tang Feng and Huang Wenbing in front could not give up and immediately jumped up. Especially Tang Feng, who pulled out the hidden dagger and shouted: "Murong Yanchao, you dare!" and wanted to step forward to take it. he. But as soon as he moved, four or five weapons were already coming at him from several different directions, forcing him to put away his sword and return to defense. However, Huang Wenbing was not skilled in martial arts. After a few dodges, the sword had already been cut into his neck and he was unable to move.
As for the other officers, they suddenly woke up and struggled to resist. However, they were all top-heavy under the influence of drunkenness. They were knocked down one after another in a few seconds. In the end, only Tang Feng was left struggling to support himself. , and at the same time shouted: "Murong Yanchao, don't be proud, there are hundreds of brothers in our military camp. As long as they know about the changes here, you will definitely die!"
"Haha, really? Do you think I will not make arrangements in this regard? I am not afraid to tell you that now the Xiangjun military camp is also under my control!" Murong Yanchao smiled proudly, and at the same time, in order to put enough pressure on the other party, he He waved his hand again: "Bring me here!"
As several officers pushed the two people into the hall, Tang Feng, who was still resisting, suddenly stopped and was hit in vital parts with several sticks. He immediately fell down with a plop...