At dusk, Qingzhou City, which was already deserted during the day, has become increasingly depressed. Most of the people have gone home and closed their doors, and only a few people are still in a hurry. At this time, an army suddenly ran forward at full speed along the empty long street. Naturally, it caused many people to panic. Many people even secretly peeked out through the cracks in their doors, guessing which house it was. He was about to be killed by the government again.
But soon, someone with sharp eyes noticed something different. There were too many officers and soldiers dispatched this time, more than five hundred people. And when we look at the appearance of this army, it is actually very different from what we have seen before. The energy and spirit are almost different from the invincible Qingzhou Army a year ago.
"That... that's..." Then, the person with enough eyesight stared at the person leading the team in surprise, feeling ecstatic in his heart: "Is it Sun Dujian who is back? He was not harmed!" As this idea came to mind, many people bravely walked out of their homes, and then watched the army rush directly to the government office. After quickly dispersing, they surrounded the government office, which represented the majesty of the government. stand up.
At this time, the seven or eight officers guarding outside the yamen had already been completely shocked by the murderous army in front of them. Before they could react and ran inside to report the news, more than a dozen soldiers pounced on them. It didn't take much effort to knock all these guys, who were usually so powerful, to the ground and tie them up.
A few people struggled hard until then, shouting loudly: "What are you doing? Do you want to rebel?" But before they could say a few words, a soldier came forward with a gloomy face, picked up his sword and even sheathed it. He slapped them on the face so hard that their teeth spurted out blood, and their cheeks swelled up quickly, but they no longer dared to speak out.
The people nearby who had the courage to follow to see what happened felt relieved after seeing these officers being taught a lesson, but they did not dare to applaud because of the situation in front of them. It was just that they had confirmed it at this time. One thing, it’s really Sun Dujian who is back!
This realization filled the hearts of the people around him with joy. For more than half a year, they had been thinking about the good official who was willing to make decisions for the people and made the bandits disappear in Qingzhou and the people were rich. Especially when compared with the two later officials, Sun Dujian's image was extremely tall. And now, when everyone can hardly stand it anymore, he is really back!
Sun Tu also glanced back at the excited people, but he was not in a hurry to say anything to them. Instead, after asking people to guard the few officers, he strode into the government office in a serious manner. A quick victory was his only purpose in entering the city today!
At this time, more than ten people sitting in a flower hall in the inner hall of the government office did not know what was happening outside. They were drinking wine happily and talking about interesting anecdotes in the officialdom. They were the prefect Gao Xiang sitting in the first place. The second-in-command governor, He Mo, and some other officials who had just joined the government office. But at the last seat of the banquet, there were three men with uneasy expressions on their faces, who seemed incompatible with the cheerful environment here. They were none other than Lin Chong, Qi Desheng and Yang Zhi.
Although the three people who were already half prisoners didn't know why Gao Xiang suddenly called them here, they didn't dare not to come. However, when faced with a sumptuous table of wine and food, the three of them had no appetite to eat or drink. They were all on pins and needles, waiting for the two people above them to speak.
It wasn't until after a while of joking that Gao Xiang turned his attention to these three people and asked with a smile: "Why, don't the food and drinks here suit your taste? Why don't I see you eating and drinking?"
"No, it's not. We just have something on our minds and have no appetite for the moment." After pondering for a while, Lin Chong decided to directly ask the other party's intention: "I wonder what the Gao Prefecture and Superintendent He had ordered for calling us here?"
"Is Coach Lin still so impatient? It's so hard to have a chance to get ahead in the officialdom." Gao Xiang smiled and said with a gentle look: "In that case, in order to allow you to drink with peace of mind, I will Let me tell you the truth. In fact, whether I am an officer or He Dujian, I still think highly of you. I have heard that the reason why the Qingzhou Army was able to win many times before was because you were successful in the battle, but with that Sun Tu It doesn’t matter much anymore. So today I want to ask you, are you willing to put aside your previous prejudices, work well for me and Supervisor He, and lead the troops to win a few battles against him? "
Hearing this question, the three of them breathed a sigh of relief. After looking at each other, Lin Chong still said: "Xiaguan and others are officials of the imperial court. They should abide by their duties and eliminate bandits for the imperial court." .As long as the prefect and the governor are willing to trust us and use us, we should do our best."
"Well, the three of you are indeed people who care deeply about the imperial court and are the pillars of my Qingzhou. In this case, I can rest assured. Come on, have a full drink first, and treat it like me to apologize to you for some improper practices in the past. Apologize." Gao Xiang immediately raised his glass with a smile and signaled. At the same time, although He Mo had a look of hesitation on his face, he still raised his glass.
When the three of them saw this, they didn't dare to make excuses, and they also raised their glasses in response. In fact, they also hope to take the Qingzhou Army into their own hands. Their hearts were bleeding when they saw their former subordinates dying in battle due to some people's random command. So even if he was suspected of surrendering to the enemy, he couldn't care less about it at this time.
But just as they drank the wine and before they said anything to show their loyalty, Gao Xiang frowned again and said: "But after all, there are still some crimes on you three that have not been cleared, which really makes me worried." I entrust the defense of Qingzhou to you."
The three of them immediately understood that the other party wanted to negotiate terms. After a moment of hesitation, Yang Zhicai asked: "I don't know what else the prefect Gao asked me to do, but please tell me."
"You guys are really straightforward people, so I won't talk in circles anymore. It's not difficult for you to return to the army and continue to lead troops, but you need to agree to one condition first, that is, on this thing Sign and pledge, once you do this, I will reuse you. When the Liangshan bandits are wiped out, the court will reward you for your merits!" Gao Xiang waved his hand, and one of his subordinates handed over a memorial that had been prepared in advance. Ben took it and delivered it to the three of them.
The three of them were all a little surprised. Gao Xiang was actually so easy to talk to, and he returned the military power to them without much trouble? Is this because the pressure to suppress thieves is too high and they have no confidence that they have to make compromises
Thinking in their hearts, they had opened the memorial. After just a few glances, the expressions of the three of them changed: "Governor Gao, what are you... What do you mean? You asked me to wait for my signature to impeach Sun Du together." He was accused of committing treason and evil deeds..." This memorial was clearly Gao Xiang's lawsuit against Sun Yat-sen University.
On the way to Qingzhou, there were reports of various unscrupulous and treasonous attempts to support the troops. Once they were sent to the capital and fell into the hands of the imperial court, the consequences would be too serious.
Gao Xiang smiled nonchalantly: "Why, is there any problem with this? Before, Sun Tu slaughtered the imperial officials in Qingzhou and secretly increased his troops. Does all his unfair behavior mean that he has a disobedient heart? You are his subordinate. , exposing it at this time may still be regarded as meritorious service, otherwise, he is an accomplice, and the crime is not small!" At the end of the sentence, the smile on his face had become a little sinister, and the threat was clearly revealed. Chu.
He Mo also spoke quietly at this time: "If you are willing to sign this and make another confession confessing Sun Tu's various treacherous acts, the prefect and I will use you again, otherwise, huh …”
"Actually, this doesn't cost you anything, and Sun Tu has already died in Liao Kingdom. Could it be that he can come back to seek revenge on you?" Gao Xiang added later.
In fact, this was really not his intention, so it happened because the backer behind him wanted to make a fuss about Sun Tu. If he had his way, why would Sun Tu, a dead man, bother to accuse him of such a crime
"You... Sun Dujian has always been loyal to the country. Even if Murong Yanchao and others were killed, it was because they colluded with thieves to harm our soldiers and people in Qingzhou. He has absolutely no disobedience!" Yang Zhi took the lead and rebuked loudly.
Lin Chong then said: "Yes, Sun Dujian is an upright man, how could he do such a thing. He has sacrificed his life for the country now, so don't think about throwing such dirty water at him. I, Lin Chong, am dead. I won’t do such unjust things!”
Seeing that the two of them spoke so decisively, the expressions of several officials darkened. He Mo slapped several cases together and shouted: "I don't know what's good for you, but don't toast or eat as a fine! If you are all punished by then, Take it down as Sun Tu’s accomplice, let’s see if you can still be as tough-talking as you are now!”
Gao Xiang was much calmer than him. At this time, his eyes fell on Qi Desheng, the only one who didn't speak: "Qi Desheng, I know that you have been in Qingzhou for many years and have always been loyal to the court. Don't be like them and don't know what's right." That’s wrong. I heard that you are the best at leading troops. As long as you are willing to sign and sign here, my officer will help you with your future."
"I..." Qi Desheng showed a slight hesitation. Unlike Lin Chong, Yang Zhi and others, his friendship with Sun Tu was not that deep, and his family were all in Qingzhou, which indeed made him dare not take risks with those who had already mastered Gao Xiang and others are the enemy of the overall situation.
Poor Lin Chong and Yang Zhi had excellent martial arts skills. In fact, it was effortless to kill the people in front of them. However, because of their worries, they were forced to do everything by a few powerless civil servants. No resistance. In the final analysis, this was the result of the Song Dynasty's national policy of suppressing military generals, which made these military generals unable to think of giving it a go.
Just when Lin Chong and Yang Zhi were furious but powerless, and Qi Desheng was in a dilemma, a voice suddenly sounded from outside the hall: "Since you want to deal with Sun Tu, why don't you do it yourself? In the final analysis, it's because you are just a group of fearless people. Bandits can only play some conspiracies!" As soon as he finished speaking, the hall door was kicked open, and a young man Shi Shiran with a sneer on his face walked in, followed by seven or eight soldiers. enter…