After saying that, he took out an arrow and broke it into two.
When Huang Zuo arrived, he felt completely at ease. He immediately dismounted and knelt down: "Huang Zuo, the sinner, has been fighting against Master Wang for several years, and today he came here to plead guilty."
Wang Gui personally helped him up, handed him an official notice and said: "Xiang Yue has an order. You are the first to surrender. It is a great achievement. You are specially promoted to the seventh rank of Wuyi doctor."
Huang Zuo was even more relieved after receiving the formal official complaint, and his face showed joy. So Wang Gui returned to Tanzhou side by side with him.
When the army arrived in Tanzhou, it was already noon. An open space was set aside in the military camp for Huang Zuo's team to rest, and food and tea were provided. Huang Zuo was led to the tent by Wang Gui, and saw only a general, all in military uniform, in the middle. Sitting there, his appearance was very majestic. He immediately knelt down and said: "The sinner Huang Zuo meets Mr. Yue."
Yue Pengju said: "Since Dr. Wu Yi has surrendered to the imperial court, he should not be treated as a sinner."
After paying homage, Yue Pengju went to comfort the surrendered soldiers. He rode alone without weapons. Everyone tried to persuade him, but Li Ruoxu said: "Pengju must not take risks easily. In the past, the Dongting water thief Jay Chou pretended to surrender and killed three people." Imperial officials, in order to prevent changes, it is best to be prepared."
Yue Pengju said resolutely: "I think the surrendering troops are all good people who are desperate. They are definitely not extremely evil people."
Everyone could not be persuaded and looked at Hua Rong. Hua Rong laughed: "To be honest, I also looked at the surrender troops all the way. I saw that they are just ordinary people. There is no need to worry. Since it is the beginning of surrender, we must Only by showing your sincerity can others truly submit to you."
There was one thing she didn't say. In fact, compared with most of the officers and soldiers who looked like wolves and tigers, these people could not see any signs of tigers or wolves at all. Who would be willing to become a robber unless they were desperate
When everyone heard her like this, they couldn't persuade her any more, so Yue Pengju went to Huang Zuo's army alone. Hua Rong was still concerned about her husband's safety, so she quietly went with him.
All the surrendering troops were surprised when they saw their commander coming alone. Yue Pengju walked to the middle of the surrendering troops, and everyone knelt down to worship him. Yue Pengju said loudly: "You don't need to be polite. Just like you, the subordinates are also children of farmers. You were poor and lived in exile when you were young, and you are well aware that the people have been tortured by harsh government and heavy taxes. However, Yang Mo, the prime minister of Zhong, used witchcraft to seduce you to fight against the imperial court and collude with the puppet Qi. Now that you know your way back, you will not worry about the past. Now the Central Plains is a great place. The people of the Song Dynasty were all hurt by the fall. In the future, Master Wang will drive north, and you will show your skills to restore the mountains and rivers, and you will be a truly good man."
He also announced that each person would be given 2 copper coins. Everyone was happy and thanked the coach profusely.
Hua Rong watched the surrender of the surrendered army and breathed a sigh of relief. He thought that if he could conquer this army and then send his troops north to fight against the Great Jin Kingdom and the Fourth Prince, then the real value of today's civil war would be achieved.
That night, Yue Peng held a banquet to celebrate Li Yu and Huang Zuo's success.
When the wine was half drunk, Yue Pengju came to Huang Zuo, sat down next to him, and according to the custom of expressing affection at that time, he stroked Huang Zuo's back and said, "I want to send you back to the lake to recruit peace, if you disobey. Yes, they can be exterminated. As long as they are meant to appease, they will be harmed and no harm will be done. I wonder if you are willing to take on this important task? "
Huang Zuo was very excited and immediately said: "I only wish to be driven by Mr. Yue."
Yue Pengju then smiled and said: "Zhou Lun of the water village betrayed his promise and pretended to surrender many times. He once killed three court officials. Your water village and Zhou Lun face each other from the north to the south. If you attack it unprepared and break the water village, you will have made a contribution to the court. .”
Huang Zuo immediately took the order.
The next day, Huang Zuo led more than a thousand people from his headquarters to leave Yue Pengju's camp and return to Shuizhai. Before leaving, Yue Pengju personally saw him off. Wang Gui and others also suggested sending officers and soldiers to accompany him for surveillance. Yue Pengju replied: " Don't use people you doubt and don't doubt people you employ. I'm sure Huang Zuo will have no doubts."
After Huang Zuo returned to the water stronghold, he immediately deployed according to Yue Pengju's arrangements and sent out troops on the night of the third day. He personally led 16 warships in the water stronghold and went straight to Zhou Lun's water stronghold, shouting: "I am willing to defeat the officers and soldiers together with the Zhou brothers. "
Zhou Lun was caught off guard and was completely defeated. Zhou Lun only led a few people to escape.
After Yue Pengju was rewarded, he immediately promoted Huang Zuo to an official position and became a doctor of martial arts.
After Zhou Lun's water stronghold fell, Yue Pengju immediately sent Xu Qing and Huang Zuo to blockade Qingcao Lake and completely control the exit of Dongting.
After conquering Zhou Lun's water stronghold, Yue Pengju once again stopped military operations and only sent surrenders to various water strongholds to recruit peace. Most of the revolting peasants in the past dynasties had great limitations. Often the leaders were quickly corrupted after gaining huge economic benefits. , becoming the new landlords and gentry, did not have much enterprising ideas. The same was true for Yang Mo and others. They had been kings and hegemons in Dongting for six years and had already lived the life of local emperors. Especially when the previous officers and soldiers had no ability and were beaten back many times, they even thought that I am the best in the world, so even though Zhou Lun and others suffered defeat, I did not take it seriously and continued to drink and be happy.
Yue Pengzhu deliberately collected information and was very happy to learn about the situation of Yang Mo and others. He even stood still and waited for the further development of the recruitment and surrender work.
On this day, the couple went out to check the terrain and came back. From a distance, they heard the melodious sound of the piano coming from outside the door. The two looked at each other and were very surprised.
According to the practice at that time, there were many family members accompanying the army, and the generals usually rented private houses outside the military camp. For the convenience of Yue Pengju and his wife, he also rented a house in a private courtyard with Zhang Xian and other family members. At this time, Hua Rong could clearly hear, The sound of the piano came from in front of my house.
She couldn't help but quicken her pace. As soon as she entered the door, she saw Fourth Sister Gao coming out with a smile on her face. But when she saw Hua Rong, she felt slightly uneasy and just said: "Mrs. Yue..."
After Hua Rong greeted her, he immediately saw a woman holding a pipa in her yard slowly stood up and bowed: "I've met Madam, I've met Mr. Yue..."
Hua Rong saw that this woman had a beautiful appearance, but she was also dressed very elegantly. She wore a Jingchai cloth skirt. When she smiled, she looked very gentle and graceful, with slender fingers and very polite manners.
Yue Pengju was also curious, who is this woman? Why in your own home
While the couple was stunned, a father-in-law came forward with a smile: "The officials know that Mr. Yue worked hard to kill the enemy, so he sent someone to comfort him..." He looked at Hua Rong and whispered: "The Queen Mother also has a message to express greetings..."
Hua Rong's complexion changed slightly. He took a step forward and listened to him whisper a few words, and his complexion became even more ugly.
Yue Pengju was surprised by these changes and did not notice the instant change in his wife's face. When he looked at his wife, Hua Rong's face had become completely normal. He only said calmly: "In that case, let's settle this girl first."
The woman bowed again and said, "Li Qiaoniang, my wife, is willing to serve my wife, Mr. Yue."
At this time, Yue Pengju also somewhat understood that this woman was a concubine rewarded by the emperor. Just when he was about to refuse, Hua Rong said lightly: "Since we have come from a long way, it is better to settle down temporarily and talk about it later."
Yue Pengju stopped talking after hearing his wife's words.
Li Qiaoniang saluted again. She was only eighteen or nineteen years old. She was very clever and had no air of grace about her. She put down her pipa and immediately went to place the dishes and chopsticks without waiting. She served her very attentively.
Because of this, Yue Pengju became even more weird. After she cleaned up after the meal, Yue Pengju immediately took his wife to the room, frowned and said, "It is inconvenient for this woman to stay here after all..."
Hua Rong thought of the few messages from the Queen Mother and sighed secretly, saying, "Since he was sent by the Emperor, even if he wants to be sent away, there must be a suitable reason."
Yue Pengju remembered the situation when he sent the beautiful woman sent by Wu Jie, and said: "It doesn't matter, I have my own way."
Hua Rong glanced at him and suddenly asked: "Pengju, don't you really want to have your own flesh and blood?"
Yue Pengju was stunned. What does flesh and blood have to do with this Li Qiaoniang
He immediately said: "Sister Seventeen, I have sworn not to fail, why are you doing this?"
For some reason, Hua Rong suddenly felt dissatisfied with the answer. Is it because he swore not to take a concubine? If you are blocked by the oath, you will end the incense of the Yue family, and what will you do
She said slowly: "In that case, you can go and do it yourself."
Yue Pengju heard that his wife's tone was not very good, and he didn't know why she was acting like this, so he had to do the same thing.
Li Qiaoniang had just finished working in the kitchen, and when she heard Mr. Yue's invitation, she hurriedly came to the hall to perform a blessing.
Hua Rong hid behind the screen, but when he saw her words and deeds, she was very elegant. Not to mention the man, even he had a certain liking for her. This woman repeatedly put her wife in front of her "husband-in-law". It was obvious that she had done something before coming here. After a lot of effort and her clothes, she knew that Yue Pengju's excuse would never work.
I heard Yue Pengju ask: "Young lady, you need to know that the official family has no money left, and the wife is wearing plain clothes and a skirt, and there is no glory or wealth to speak of..."
Li Qiaoniang lowered her eyebrows and said in a low voice: "My family also comes from a poor family. I have never admired wealth. I only heard about the reputation of my wife and my husband. I am willing to serve you two. I don't dare to have any thoughts of wealth."
… … …
Yue Pengju was stunned for a moment, and then said: "Xiaguan's wife will accompany me on expeditions at any time, and Xiaguan is not at home all year round."
Li Qiaoniang was even more respectful: "In ancient times, Wang Baochuan stayed in the cold kiln for eighteen years. Although the slave family did not have such integrity, they were firm in running the family and would never dare to betray the love of their wives and husband..."
Yue Pengju was speechless.
Li Qiaoniang smiled sweetly and said: "Mr. Yue, you don't have to worry about the slave family. The slave family came here without any wrongdoing. They only want to serve you two as slaves and maids. To be honest, the main reason why the slave family is here is not because of you, my husband." , but after hearing the lady’s name, I knew that she was our heroine of the Song Dynasty, and I was willing to serve her. I didn’t have any other ideas... "
Yue Pengju was even more speechless. He thought to himself, it turned out that this woman came for his wife, but she was just being sentimental. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Hua Rong heard clearly and saw her husband was speechless. He obviously didn't know what to do with this woman. She didn't know what to feel in her heart, so she quietly returned to the room.
Yue Pengju had no choice but to say to Li Qiaoniang: "In that case, you can rest in the side room for the time being and make plans later."
"Thank you very much for taking me in."
Yue Pengju did not agree to take her in, but after hearing the woman's reward, he didn't know what to do and had to give up.
After a while, Yue Pengju returned to the room. Seeing the hesitation on his face, Hua Rong said softly: "Pengju, there is no need to panic about this. You can just act according to the opportunity in the future."
Yue Pengju breathed a sigh of relief when he heard what his wife said, and hurriedly said: "I can't send you away this time, everything has to be decided by Sister Seventeen. She said that she came here because of Sister Seventeen..."
Hua Rong was stunned. She had never competed with any woman for favor, but after hearing Li Qiaoniang's words, she couldn't help but feel hostile. She thought to herself, this woman is really powerful. She puts everything on herself. If she drives her away again, If you leave, wouldn't it show that you are an intolerable shrew