Halfway through, the scorching sun hung high in the sky, scorching the earth below like a big fire.
In the big camp of Luoyue City, those soldiers still wore heavy armor and performed their duties in the roiling heat wave, guarding, guarding, drilling, cleaning... in order.
In the military camp, there are several basins of ice cubes in the tent, which is much cooler than outside.
Zhennan Wang Dama sat behind the desk with a golden knife, frowning and looking at the person kneeling in front of him.
"My lord, there are unruly people gathering in the horse market to make trouble! Master Niu and the others are trapped in it, and I hope the lord will quickly order to quell the civil disturbance!" Li Chang, Niu Xinglong's entourage, never mentioned the matter of the Chollima, the competition and the inferior horse, and only killed him. The mob rioted.
As he narrated, Zhennan King's face became more and more ugly. Luoyue City was the place where he, Zhennan King, was sitting, and there were mobs who dared to make trouble here, so they obviously didn't take him seriously!
The king of Zhennan raised his voice and summoned the soldiers: "Come here, tell me about General Tang!" As long as he asks Tang Qinghong to send a thousand soldiers, they will not all be arrested!
"Yes!" The soldier hurriedly led away.
Li Chang bowed his head and knelt on the ground respectfully, secretly heaving a sigh of relief: As long as the prince is willing to send troops to go, then it will not be a problem!
After a while, someone came into the account. The King of Zhennan thought it was Tang Qinghong who came, but what he didn't expect was a middle-aged scholar in green clothes with an elegant face, who was his counselor He Hao.
He Hao casually walked into the tent, bowed his head and saluted and said, "My subordinates see you, my lord!"
King Zhennan was very polite to He Hao, raised his hand with a smile and said, "Excuse me sir! Why did you come here suddenly?"
He Hao glanced at Li Chang who was kneeling on the ground indifferently. King Zhennan knew that He Hao had something important to say, so he waved his hand to make people retreat first.
After King Zhennan bestowed a seat on He Hao, He Hao just said: "Your Majesty, I just heard that there is civil unrest in Mashi..."
"Mister is really well-informed, and I heard about it so soon." After Zhennan Wang was stunned, his face showed surprise.
He Hao said worriedly: "My lord, my subordinates are worried that if this matter is not handled carefully, it will cause great disaster for my lord."
It's just a mere civil disorder... Zhennan Wang Meifeng moved, thinking that He Hao had made a big fuss this time.
He Hao stood up, bowed again, and said solemnly: "My lord, now the Wuyin people in southern Xinjiang are disturbing the people first, causing refugees everywhere, and then Nanliang invaded, and the southeast border is at stake. If at this time, there is another mob riot, the South Isn’t there constant internal and external troubles in Xinjiang? At that time, these things will reach the ears of the emperor... The sacred heart is unpredictable, my lord!"
When Zhennan Wang heard this, his expression became a little more dignified.
What He Hao said was not unreasonable, after the Baiyue Rebellion last time, the emperor was already very dissatisfied, if there were any troubles, there might be even more excuses to take away his title. He has guarded southern border for so many years, and he can't make wedding dresses for others!
Zhennan Wang pondered for a moment, then asked cautiously: "Then how do you think this matter should be handled?"
He Hao said emotionally: "My lord, in the opinion of my subordinates, it is better for you to personally lead the troops to 'fu' the people." He added the accent on the word "Fu", which means that the king of Zhennan's trip is to go Appease, not suppress.
Seeing that King Zhennan was a little moved, He Hao continued: "My lord, how dare these ordinary people take action against the Southern Border Army and your lord? It must be someone in the horse market who made trouble and deliberately provoked public anger, which caused the turmoil , Waiting for you to go, the lord, bring the culprit to justice, and then appease the common people, the people will be grateful, and feel that the lord, you treat the people like a son, and spread this matter widely, wouldn't it be a good talk ! Now the only way to turn hostility into jade is the great good."
He Hao's words were so sincere that King Zhennan felt the same way.
Since the battle with Baiyue the year before last, as that rebellious son rose against the trend, his popularity in southern Xinjiang has also gradually weakened. If he can use this matter to win the hearts of the people, it will be an unexpected harvest!
So, he had to make a trip.
Thinking of this, King Zhennan resolutely said: "Okay, then I will lead two thousand soldiers to the horse market in person!"
He Hao breathed a sigh of relief, and finally lived up to his trust.
When Tang Qinghong arrived, what he heard was Zhennan King's words, and Li Chang didn't know what was going on. Why did Zhennan King suddenly change his mind and lead the troops there?! He didn't know this The result is good or bad, but I am not qualified to stop it.
The king of Zhennan led two thousand cavalry to the horse market in a hurry. For a while, the hooves of the horses flew up. Wherever these cavalry passed, there was a rumbling sound, as if the earth was shaken by it, and a cloud of dust filled the sky...
Before arriving at the horse market, I saw a group of angry people driving hundreds of horses from a distance.
Those people were no more than a hundred people, including men and women, old and young, and they didn't look like mobs who wanted to rebel, but they all had angry faces, as if they were harboring great indignation and hatred.
King Zhennan slowed down his horse, raised his right arm, and signaled the accompanying sergeants to slow down as well.
Li Chang hurriedly rode to the side of King Zhennan, clasped his fists and said, "My lord, those people are mobs, please save Lord Niu!"
A few dozen feet away, those people who had just walked out of the horse market also saw a group of cavalry brought by King Zhennan. A red military flag was flying high, with a big "Xiao" embroidered on it. Everyone knows that it is the military flag of King Zhennan!
Could it be that the King of Zhennan is here! Many people in the crowd looked at each other in blank dismay. Although they planned to present their situation to the King of Zhennan and ask him to make the decision, but at this moment, seeing the army at first glance, they still couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.
Niu Xinglong was in a panic, his hands were tied behind his back, seeing that his subordinates had brought in rescuers, he couldn't help but sneered in his heart, and said: "I advise you to let go of me and surrender quickly, maybe the prince will spare you dog life..."
It was good that he didn't speak, but when he spoke, the raging anger in everyone's hearts was stirred up again.
"Dog officer, shut up!" A young man in Tsing Yi interrupted Niu Xinglong angrily, and shouted loudly with his fists raised, "Let's go! Let's go ask the prince for an explanation! , That’s not letting those soldiers of the Southern Xinjiang Army go to die alive, it’s not my brothers and sisters in Southern Xinjiang who were killed!”
Sentences came from the heart, and those people's blood boiled with enthusiasm, and they echoed repeatedly:
"That's right!"
"My lord came just in time, let's go to my lord to make a statement!"
"..."
The crowd was furious, and strode towards King Zhennan, and when the distance between the two sides was less than four or five zhang, Tang Qinghong stepped forward and said sharply: "You are so bold that you dare to gather crowds to make trouble, and you dare to attack Niu Shaojian!" It's really audacious to use violence! I'm going to be arrested without giving up the general!"
Niu Xinglong shouted excitedly: "Your Majesty, General Tang, quickly rescue the subordinate officials, and quickly execute these unscrupulous people on the spot!"
Zhennan King at the back frowned and glanced at Niu Xinglong, feeling displeased.
This time I came to appease the people! When Niu Xinglong said this, wouldn't the people think that he, the King of Zhennan, is cruel and heartless!
The King of Zhennan explained a few words to Chang Sui, and Chang Sui hurriedly went to Tang Qinghong to pass on a message. Tang Qinghong nodded repeatedly, and then his tone softened a lot: "My lord is kind, as long as you release Young Supervisor Niu and hand over today's culprit, the lord agrees Will let it go lightly!"
Everyone was outraged, what happened today was not their fault at all, how could they be blamed for their crimes
The young man in Tsing Yi took a step forward, clasped his fists righteously, and said, "Your Majesty, and this general, it's not the grassroots deliberately making trouble, it's really this Young Supervisor Niu who deceives others so much that he treats a poor horse as a fine horse to fill his own pockets. This poor horse will be sent to the battlefield tomorrow, and although the peasants are only civilians, they still care about the safety of my southern border!"
This young man had obviously been educated, and his words and sentences were clearly organized. Niu Xinglong was sweating profusely when he heard it, and before King Zhennan could speak, he shouted: "Nonsense! You are a bloody mouther! My lord, is this an official?" Innocent… "
"My lord, all the horses selected by the horse supervisor are there. You can tell if you have been wronged." An old man said sadly, "My lord, the two sons of Caomin died on the battlefield the year before last. The people of southern Xinjiang died, and they deserved to die. But, but if they die because of the greed of the dog officials, then they will die unjustly! Your lord!"
This remark made everyone empathize. They also had relatives and friends who died on the battlefield, or went out with the army this time. On the battlefield, life and death are unpredictable. If he really died by the enemy's sword, he would die for the southern border, but now, someone stabbed him in the back!
"My lord!" Another young man shouted indignantly, "Young Supervisor Niu is collaborating with the enemy and treasoning the country, he deserves to be killed!"
"It's time to kill!"
"It's time to kill!"
A sound of "should be killed" hummed in his ears, Niu Xinglong was trembling with fear, he secretly hated Li Chang for being so ungrateful that he even attracted the prince. Niu Xinglong had planned well at first, after he went to ask the prince for help, the prince would definitely send troops to support him, in this way, he could easily bring these mobsters to justice, and he could keep his pockets hidden from anyone I got it, I didn't expect...
But with hundreds of mobs, there is no need for the lord to go out in person! It's all Li Chang's fault for not handling the matter well!
Niu Xinglong forcibly shouted calmly: "My lord, don't listen to the nonsense of these mobs! I'm following your order to pick horses, and those horse farm owners will make trouble because they didn't pick their own horses. them… "
Before he finished speaking, someone picked up a wooden stick and hit him hard on the back. It was a young woman. The stick was not strong but full of hatred. Just listen to the woman With tears streaming down his face, he said, "It is because of such a dog official that all nineteen members of my natal family were killed by Baiyue people's knives, and even my three-year-old nephew was hacked to a pulp. . . . , I beg you to be the master of the grassroots!"
Zhennan Wang's eyebrows were tightly locked, and he was also shocked by the sound of "should be killed".
He thought it was just riots caused by mobs, but he didn't expect that there was something hidden...
Could this Niu Xinglong really dare to embezzle military expenses?!
Thinking of this, the King of Zhennan raised his right hand, signaled them to be silent, and said: "This king already knows what you are asking for. This king will definitely investigate this matter. If what you said is true, this king will definitely punish you severely. Military Discipline…”
At this moment, a majestic female voice suddenly sounded: "This Palace is my witness, everything they said is true!"
Not everyone can use the title "Ben Gong", only the empresses, princes and princesses in the palace can call themselves this way.
For a moment, all eyes followed the sound, and the surroundings became silent.
Yong Yang walked out from the crowd, Nangong Yue, Fu Yunyan and Xiao Fei followed closely beside her.
King Zhennan couldn't help blurting out: "Your Highness..."
At this moment, Niu Xinglong's face was like a pot bottom. The ordinary people may not know it, but he does know that the only woman in Luoyue City who can claim to be the palace is Jinshang's aunt—Princess Yongyang.
This Highness is not ordinary... No wonder there is a yellow puma!
On the one hand, Niu Xinglong suddenly realized, on the other hand, he was extremely desperate.
With the testimony of Princess Yongyang and her granddaughter, I am afraid that it is impossible for him to stand up today!... Wait! He thought of something again, looked at Nangong Yue and Xiao Fei, and his eyes paused on Xiao Fei , Only then did I realize that Xiao Fei looks familiar, doesn't she look a bit like her niece—Xiao Fang, the step-wife of King Zhennan
Then, it is self-evident who is this little woman who looks like a smiling fox next to Xiao Fei!
Princess Zhennan!
He really is not unfamiliar with this name at all. The princess concubine dared to confront his niece, who was still a concubine at the time, not only took away Liuhezhuang, but also openly sold his nephew into a miserable cave. To this day, no one has been found.
Now it's my turn again!
Recalling that since the two met, Nangong Yue's words and deeds were clearly deliberately provoking herself, but she was so stupid that she fell into the other party's trap.
Thinking of this, Niu Xinglong had another even more terrifying thought: Could it be that the concubine Shizi even counted the riots of the people and the presence of the prince in person?!
Niu Xinglong's feet were soft, and he knelt heavily on the uneven ground, and he almost collapsed.
Nangong Yue glanced at Niu Xinglong indifferently, and went forward together with Xiao Fei and Fu Yunyan to salute King Zhennan:
"I have seen my father (prince)!"
As for the ordinary people around, they are still in the fog. They don't know what's going on. They just vaguely feel that this old woman who won the Maxima obviously has an extraordinary background. She is called "His Royal Highness" in the playbook. Aren't they all noble people?! What's more, they are still people who can make Zhennan Wangdu look respectful!
And this little lady and the girl in blue beside her even called King Zhennan as the father! Isn’t that the princess and the girl of the palace?!
At this time, a man in his thirties and wearing a brown brocade robe squeezed out from the crowd, pointed at Yong Yang excitedly and said, "I see! No wonder you are so good at appraising horses, old madam. Your Royal Highness Princess Yongyang! Let me just say, with my ability, who else can surpass me!" The man said it with a bit of complacency.
The person who came was none other than Master Naning, and a few words made him the focus of everyone's attention.
Your Royal Highness Princess Yong Yang! Your Royal Highness!
These words repeatedly echoed in the minds of these people. I don’t know who was the first to kneel down, kneeling on the ground, and immediately after, the people next to that person also knelt down one after another, as if A stone fell into the lake, causing waves of ripples, rippling around in circles...
Their faces fell on the ground humbly, but the corners of their mouths couldn't restrain their joy. This bully young prisoner looked down upon others and bullied Her Highness the Princess. This time, it was a doomed one! With Her Highness the Princess testifying, such a rich man The moth will definitely be punished as it should be!
The people are full of emotions, and there is a sense of fate in their hearts: the law of heaven reincarnates, people are doing it, and heaven is watching!
It seems that their lives in southern Xinjiang should not be lost!
In the end, among the hundreds of people present, only Yong Yang and his party and Master Ning were still standing there, looking extremely abrupt.
King Zhennan was confused, jumped off his horse neatly, bowed to Yongyang and said, "Your Highness, why are you here? What's going on here?" As he spoke, he glanced at Nangong Yue and the others for a moment.
Yong Yang said in a light tone: "My lord, today I came to the horse market with Liu Niang, Yue Er, and Sister Fei to pick horses. I didn't expect to bump into this Young Supervisor Niu who came here to buy war horses..." Yong Yang said concisely Tell me exactly what happened.
The King of Zhennan had already believed in the people's petitions, but at this time, after what Princess Yongyang said, he was even more convinced.
No wonder the people are so outraged.
No wonder they cry blood every word.
No wonder they rioted...
Niu Xinglong deserves to be killed!
The anger in his eyes could not be concealed, he looked at Niu Xinglong, and was furious: "Niu Xinglong, you are so brave! This king trusts you, so I entrust you with such an important matter. For selfish reasons, he sent inferior horses as fine horses to the battlefield, put our soldiers in the Southern Border Army at risk, and put our Southern Border safety at risk! Do you know that this crime deserves to be punished!"
Niu Xinglong was so frightened that his heart was cold, he knocked his forehead on the ground, and begged for mercy: "My lord, spare me! This subordinate was also deceived by this Boss Wu! Please take it lightly for Madam's sake!"
Boss Wu also kowtowed desperately, trembling all over, "My lord, spare my life! My lord, spare my life! Caomin's horse is not a bad horse!" It's just that it can't be called a fine horse...
It's fine if Niu Xinglong doesn't mention Xiaofang's. At this time, the more Xiaofang is mentioned, the more displeased Zhennan Wang is. It's also because Niu Xinglong is Xiaofang's uncle that he arranged for him to be a horse supervisor As a young supervisor, he entrusted him with such an important task of purchasing war horses, but how did he repay his trust!
First, the scandals of Fang Chengling and Fang Chengxun brothers, and now this Niu Xinglong, these relatives of the Xiaofang family are really the same, and I have lost all the face of the Zhennan King!
Thinking of this, King Zhennan's face became extremely ugly, and he ordered in a cold voice: "Come here, put these two people in prison..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Nangong Yue said submissively: "Father, my daughter-in-law, please punish this person severely."
King Zhennan frowned, and saw Nangong Yue quickly glanced at Yongyang. He suddenly realized that the concubine Shizi was deliberately reminding himself! Also, today's matter is because the eldest princess Yongyang is watching In the eyes of the eyes, if it is not punished, I am afraid that the corruption of military expenditures by officials in southern Xinjiang will make trouble in the capital and in front of the emperor!
This is all caused by the Xiaofang family... The more King Zhennan thought about it, the more annoyed he became, and he wished he could drive Xiaofang back to Mingqing Temple.
"Come here." King Zhennan could only vent all his anger on Niu Xinglong at this moment, and said in a hateful voice, "This man has corrupted military expenses, and the evidence of his crime is convincing. He ordered thirty army sticks to be executed on the spot. He will be charged later. Before going to the army in Huiling City, deal with it according to the military law, so as to correct the morale of the army."
Niu Xinglong's face was pale, and before he could react, two soldiers immediately stepped forward, took him from the people in the racecourse, and knelt down on the ground while holding him down.
"My lord, please forgive me..."
Before the voice fell, the military stick as thick as an arm was swung towards his back.
boom!
"ah-"
Niu Xinglong uttered a scream, the pain pierced his heart, and then, the second stick, the third stick...
The sound of the stick hitting the flesh resounded, accompanied by Niu Xinglong's screams, and the surrounding people could only hear a burst of joy.
I don't know who said loudly: "My lord is wise! Your Highness is wise!" Everyone else echoed one after another.
King Zhennan's face softened a little. Fortunately, he heard He Hao's words and came here in person, otherwise his fame would really be ruined by Niu Xinglong. He quietly glanced at Yong Yang's face again, saw that he was satisfied, and finally heaved a sigh of relief. He couldn't help but think to himself: The concubine Shizi is really sensible, and she knows how to remind herself secretly, otherwise she will annoy Grand Master Yong Yang today. The eldest princess.
After the thirty military sticks were beaten, Niu Xinglong collapsed to the ground like mud, and although Boss Wu was not hit by the military sticks, he was so frightened that he felt bad all over, and there was a puddle of water under his body. Stains, exuding a foul smell.
Tang Qinghong, who won the favor of King Zhennan, ordered the soldiers to drag Niu Xinglong and Boss Wu down, and even the 200 horses from the Wu family's racecourse were taken away as evidence in the case and taken into custody.
And the people, driven by the soldiers, turned back to the horse market. They just felt that today was a turning point. What happened on this day is enough for them to talk about their whole life! Your Royal Highness, the prince, the concubine... these are all The most noble person in the southern border!
The surrounding area finally became quiet. Nangong Yue took half a step forward at this time, facing Zhennan Wang Fu, and asked with a puzzled face, "Daughter-in-law just heard that Niu Shaojian kept mentioning 'madame', I'm afraid it will damage the reputation of Madam... "She hesitated to speak, "I don't know if this Niu Shaojian is..."
Zhennan Wang's complexion was a little stiff, and there was a hint of embarrassment in his tone, and he said: "Niu Xinglong is the elder brother of your mother's birth mother, Aunt Niu."
Nangong Yue showed a hint of surprise on her face, then raised her eyebrows slightly, as if thinking of something, and said: "Father, my daughter-in-law vaguely remembers that when my mother took care of the property left by my grandfather, it was entrusted to a steward surnamed Niu. I'm here to take care of it, I don't know if it's this one?"
Steward Niu... King Zhennan frowned slightly, thoughtfully: "Niu" is a surname that is not uncommon even though it is common...
If it was really him, Niu Xinglong even dared to corrupt military expenses, how could he really take care of the property left by his father
Thinking back to the last time when Xiao Fang was asked to return the property and income to Xiao Yi, Xiao Fang seemed to say that the income over the years was only a few thousand taels of silver...
Could it be that he was also Xinglong by this bull...
Xiao Fang, how many things does she still hide from herself?!
The seeds of doubt had already taken root in King Zhennan's heart, and at this moment, they continued to grow like weeds. He wished he could go back and question Xiao Fang right away.
But now, he could only forcibly restrain himself, and said casually: "I'll ask your mother about this when I go back."
Nangong Yue has been paying attention to Zhennan Wang's expression, and accepts it as soon as he sees it, without asking any more questions.
The King of Zhennan then politely said that Yong Yang was surprised today, so he ordered people to escort everyone back home.
On the way back home, Yong Yang looked at Nangong Yue with a smile on his face and said, "Yue'er, you are fine."
Yong Yang didn't have Nangong Yue's plan at first, but seeing the situation gradually develop, he suddenly realized.
Yue'er was really well-intentioned, and after every step of the way, she managed to settle the corruption of the military and horses that even made her feel a little bit embarrassed. Yong Yang originally planned to face Zhennan King himself if it was a last resort, but in this way, his meddling in the southern border military affairs will inevitably cause unnecessary troubles.
Unexpectedly, Yue'er could find another way.
This is very good, not only can it solve the problem of bad horses this time, but also make Zhennan King face up to the problems in the army, and he will definitely be more cautious when purchasing military horses in the future.
Receiving Yong Yang's praise, Nangong Yue smiled shyly.
Fu Yunyan and Xiao Fei were at a loss, especially Xiao Fei. She didn't know until just now that Master Niu, the horse supervisor, had such a relationship with her mother, and even took care of her grandfather's legacy for her elder brother. Industry... Thinking of this, her heart felt bitter.