Chapter 420 Offering
After everyone dispersed, Zhao Zhen got up and went to his residence in the backyard. All the wives and concubines gathered at the residence on the top of the mountain. Liu Huiniang, Hu Sanniang, and Chen Liqing also changed into Ruren's official clothes, echoing Cheng Waner's pleasant clothes.
When everyone saw Zhao Zhen, they all stood up to greet him.
Zhao Zhen sat opposite Cheng Waner and asked everyone to sit down.
Looking at the wives and concubines sitting on both sides below, they seemed to be naturally divided into two groups because of this imperial edict.
Bai Zhi, Jin Cuilian, Chu Yan, and Chu Yuan, although smiling, were a little disappointed. However, Liu Huiniang and the other three looked happy.
Zhao Zhen said: "Today's imperial decree is too stingy. Although I have never fought against Song Jiang, I have captured four cities and captured four Qingzhou bandit leaders. I am too stingy to reward these things."
“Fortunately, this imperial edict is quite generous. Next year we will conquer the Qingzhou thieves. Madam Zhi, you have been waiting for the imperial edict. The fate is there."
Bai Zhi heard this and said: "Guardian, how can we be granted the imperial title if the four of us cannot go to the battlefield?"
Zhao Zhen said with a smile. Madam, I don’t know that this court is unwilling to reward me with a high position, so it will naturally compensate me elsewhere. If not, who is willing to risk his life?”
"This time it's just Sanniang and the three who went to the battlefield, and the court just used this as an excuse. If you don't see that Dong Ping and Qin Ming also have military exploits, you see that the court only wants to reward them with some money from the seizures."< br>
After hearing this, Bai Zhi was relieved.
Zhao Zhen turned to Cheng Wan'er and said, "Madam, tomorrow I will take out one or two black wolfberries and put them in a fine brocade box. I will give them to the official family to show my loyalty. It can also be regarded as a tribute from Liangshan Prefecture." ”
Cheng Waner nodded after hearing this.
Chen Liqing curled her lips and said: "So that's the case. No wonder my father has only been practicing Taoism in these years and has not paid attention to court affairs."
Liu Huiniang also said: "This time I have taken the lead in the three titles, and the court didn't even care about the order. It's not a good idea, why don't we refuse."
Zhao Zhen said: "Pei Xuan is also like this It's just that the imperial court has its own reasons, so I have no choice but to refuse. If the imperial court wants to use me, if it doesn't want to reward me, it will naturally transfer the reward to you and others. Identity. "
"Besides, this is what the court should give. It's just a suit of clothes and a title. I don't think it's enough to see the angel tomorrow. I'll let Bai Shuang take it. Go and walk around the hall with Wu La and Wu Na. "
Wu La and Wu Na who were lying behind the door in the hall, when they heard their names being called, popped their heads out from behind the door and tilted their heads to look. Looking at Zhao Zhen, he seemed to be asking what he was being asked to do.
Seeing Zhao Zhen wave his hand, he retracted it. The white frost under Cheng Wan'er's feet screamed in dissatisfaction.
Cheng Wan'er asked: "Official, what are you doing?"
Zhao Zhen said: "I heard Hou Meng say yesterday that the official family loves elephants. They built elephant houses in the palace and planted them with bamboo forests. They also held elephant ceremonies. Feast, show off to me from time to time. I have never seen an elephant, but I have heard that this animal is huge, much larger than the Shire horses raised on the farm. It has a docile temperament and can be trained into a war elephant. I plan to donate two animals, the black wolfberry and the four-bearded carp. When, by the way, if you can get a big It's best to give something in return."
Cheng Wan'er heard this and said, "This angel won't ask for this Wu La, Wu Na, right? Especially Wu Na, who has black hair, which is rare in the world."
Zhao Zhen said: "Don't worry, let alone he doesn't dare to ask for it. Even if he wants it, I can't give it to him."
But Xiao Rang secretly went to the Red Leaf Tree Barracks at night, where he met [Ghost Sees Sorrow] Lai Yong'er. And [general who disturbed the sea] Zhao Gui.
After seeing the ceremony, Xiao Rang asked: "You are a thief and I am an official. We have just done something now. What do you mean, brother Yong'er? I am entertaining angels here. Aren't you afraid that I will tie you two up to ask for merit?"
Lai Yong'er calmly raised his hands and said: "Xiao Tongpan, who doesn't admire Zhao Daguan in Shandong and Hebei? Everyone fights on the battlefield based on their own ability, and no one can blame anyone. I'll wait for you. If we come to give gifts, the officials will definitely not be willing to tie us up and present them to the court. If word spreads, it will damage the reputation of the officials."
Lai Yong'er continued: "I am waiting here for no other reason. Yes, brother Song Gongming personally selected some treasures and sent them to him. He only asked Tongjian to recommend them so that we can meet the high officials."
Xiao Rang said: "If it is normal, the high officials will. If you see me, you will see me. Now that the angels are here and there are many people, how can the high officials be willing to see you? Now that I can come to see you, the high officials care about the benevolence and righteousness of Song Dynasty, but they have something to say. It doesn't matter, I will send the angel off tomorrow, and I will tell the officials what happened."
Lai Yong'er saw that Xiao Rang was determined, but he didn't insist. Xiao Rang was asked to go to a side room next to him, where he saw more than twenty boxes piled on the floor.
Lai Yong'er stepped forward and opened them one by one, and said to Xiao Rang: "Tongpan, here are five thousand taels of gold, five boxes of wild ginseng, fleece-flower root, Ganoderma lucidum, deer antler, and Poria cocos, one hundred pieces each of mirror flower damask, fairy pattern damask, and night-glow pearls." Two pills. There is a precious medicine in each of the five boxes of medicinal materials, and the Night Pearl is also rare in the world."
"And I know that many of the men under the high officials are addicted to alcohol, so here is a recipe for [Yunmen Chenjiu]. Present it."
As he spoke, Xiao Rang asked Xiao Rang to come out of the house, pointing to the back of the house and saying: "There are four more spiritual plants, these two are [Open Hawthorn], and these two are [Ox Heart]. "Persimmon" was found by Gongming's brother during his visit to the state. He knew that the high officials liked this thing, so he spent a lot of effort to dig and transport it."
"I didn't ask the high officials for anything else. I just ask the senior officials to wait for a while in the coming spring, and we are willing to withdraw from Yanzhou."
After hearing this, Xiao Rang nodded: "I will tell the senior officials if you come. If your status is inconvenient, just stay here, and the food and drink expenses will be sent to you. The officials will give you an answer tomorrow."
Lai Yong'er said: "Don't worry, Commander. We are here to seek peace. How dare we make trouble?"
Xiao Rang didn't say anything, turned around and left the barracks, and explained to the sergeants guarding here. , returned to Baishi Manor and explained Lai Yonger’s purpose.
After Xiao Rang left, Zhao Gui said: "Military advisor, this Xiao Rang is so rude."
Lai Yong'er said: "He is an official and I am a thief. The situation is better than that of people. Strong, now that we have something to ask for, we naturally want to Be careful."
As he said that, he looked around and said to Zhao Gui: "Tonight, send the news of the angel's return to the brothers hiding in the mountains and see if you can find an opportunity to intercept the angel."
Zhao Gui hesitated and said: "Military advisor, I found out when I came here that there are hundreds of soldiers guarding the angel. Zhao Zhen will definitely send troops to escort him out of Liangshan, I'm afraid there is no chance."
Lai Yong'er said. : "Huangfu Xiong outside will naturally act according to the opportunity. Regardless of success or failure, he will immediately take a detour and return to Qingzhou without having to meet up with us."
After Zhao Gui heard this, he secretly passed on the news.
On the second day, Zhao Zhen had breakfast and invited Hou Meng and others to go to the general station together. According to yesterday's plan, he asked the sergeants of each battalion to perform drills one by one.
Li Yuhou and Zhang Qianban were initially surprised by the strength of the soldiers in Liangshan Prefecture. After waiting for the soldiers from Chongfengdu to come up wearing rattan armor and holding simple swords, Li Yuhou laughed and said: "My lord, this group of people in your state actually defeated the Qingzhou thieves. I'm afraid these Qingzhou thieves also have a false reputation."
Yu Baosi, who was standing aside, heard this and shouted: "Shut your mouth, don't look at the official's face, I will kill you with one punch." Xiao Rang quickly persuaded a few words, and Hou Meng also He scolded: "Li Yuhou, the commander of Huyan selected 3,000 elite horse troops, 5,000 infantry troops, and the weapons of the Kuguan branch. Against the Qingzhou thieves, he only had a slight upper hand. Killing generals and seizing the city is not as good as Zhao." Observer. How dare you mock the warriors?"
After hearing this, Zhao Zhen waved his hand and said: "Declaration, what Li Yuhou said is not bad. It is true that Liangshan Prefecture is not fully equipped and has insufficient armaments. , Fortunately, we have a lot of enthusiasm, so we managed to defeat Song Jiang. Now the Privy Council has made the decision and reported to the emperor to send these craftsmen to build equipment in winter for the next year's battle. "
Hou Meng said: "The county prince is loyal, I have reported it to the officials."
After hearing this, Zhao Zhen clapped his hands, and saw Zhao Yuanli leading several villagers up,
Zhao Zhen said: "I have not paid tribute since I became a prefecture. I wanted to pay tribute, but unfortunately the prefecture and county were exhausted. I only found a spiritual black wolfberry plant and picked a quantity. Eating ten berries can make people become more powerful. What's more? There are spiritual four-bearded carp in the water, which can nourish the body. I have people catch four of them and put them in these large buckets. Please declare and offer them to the officials. "
Just as he was talking, I saw a white fox in front of the general stage, and two tigers, one yellow and one black, walking slowly from the front. Passing by the commander's platform, he suddenly roared towards the platform, but it was like a thunderbolt for a long time, which shocked the defenseless Li Yuhou and Zhang Qianban on the commander's platform.
The soldiers in the audience stood there, but they did not panic.
Hou Meng was surprised and said to Zhao Zhen: "This is it?"
Xiao Rang said: "Don't be surprised when the decree is announced. These two tigers and a white fox are both high-ranking officials. It doesn’t hurt people to raise them. People in high officials prefer spiritual species and plants. There are also birds of prey and parrots in the village, and everyone in the nearby villages knows it.”
After hearing this, Hou Meng took a moment. Peace of mind.
Zhao Zhen on the stage looked at the two tigers and one fox and scolded them. After hearing this, the white fox glanced towards the stage, then led the two big insects and ran into the hilltop.
Zhang Qianban said: "This white fox and black tiger are rare. It would be great if it could be made into a big cloak."
Seeing that no one said anything, Zhang Qianban shut up in boredom. .
Hou Meng said: "It turns out that my husband likes this. The official family also has a five-color parrot, which he likes very much."
Zhao Zhen said: "I have also heard that the official family also wrote "Five Colors" for this purpose. Parrot Picture"
"Yes, I have seen it in the palace. The apricot blossoms are crystal clear. The parrot's body is colored in the five colors of 'dark yellow, red, white and green'. Its wings are colorful, its beak and claws are solid, and its expression is moving." Hou Meng said.
“I heard that the officials built an elephant house in the palace. It’s a pity that there is no such thing as an elephant here, so we can’t see its majesty.”
“I only heard: ‘What kind of elephant is it? Huh. The one holding the foot speaks like a paint tube. The one holding the tail speaks like a stick. Those holding the belly speak like a drum; those holding the back speak like a high machine; those holding the head speak like a kui; I don’t know if they can be seen in this life. "
"This elephant was presented to me by the Nanyue Kingdom, and the officials loved it very much," Hou Meng replied.
After looking at the sergeant, Hou Meng said: "My lord, since we have looked at the sergeant, we have to return to Beijing to resume our orders."
Zhao Zhen did not stay, and said: "I dare not delay the announcement of the decree. Please declare the decree and report it to me. As long as the weapons are ready, after the spring plowing next year, I will naturally send troops to conquer the Qingzhou bandits." A plate of gold and silver was sent to Chengyi to send Hou Meng and his party out of the village. Chao Gai was still asked to lead Fan County sergeants to escort them out of the country.
Sending Hou Meng away, Zhao Zhen asked the sergeants and soldiers to disperse.
Then he and Xiao Rang sat down in the hall. Zhao Zhen said: "Brother, last night I sent people to fly pigeons to pass the letter to the scholar. The scholar did not want to go against Song Jiang. However, he did mention that now We have already occupied the lower half of the county in Yizhou, so we might as well bargain with Song Gongming and take over all of Yizhou.” Since we can occupy the city, we have an answer to the imperial court. At the same time, Yizhou is mountainous and the villagers are poor. It is not a big deal for Song Gongming to lose Yizhou."
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After hearing this, Xiao Rang said: "In that case, I'll go discuss it with Lai Yong'er." After saying that, Xiao Rang got up and went to the red leaf tree camp.
But it was said that Hou Meng and his party, escorted by Chao Gai, passed through Shouzhang County along the official road. There were two men in the team, Li Yuhou and Zhang Qianban. Although they had benefited, they still couldn't stop hating the east and west on the way. Chao Gai couldn't bear it, so he reported to Hou Meng and led the troops ahead.
Hou Meng felt that there was a group of forbidden troops to protect him and that they were in Liangshan. He felt that there was no danger, so he agreed.
The two teams gathered together for a mile, away from Li Yuhou and Zhang Qianban, and Chao Gai cursed a few times.
Passing by Shouzhang and crossing the Yellow River, Chao Gai walked two miles away. When he turned around, he discovered that Hou Meng and his party were stationed by the Yellow River, watching the scene.
Chao Gai cursed secretly and had no choice but to change his team and rush back.
Just after walking a mile, Hou Meng and his group in front suddenly broke into chaos. Thirty or forty men dressed as fishermen suddenly pulled out their swords and hacked and killed Angel and his group.
Chao Gai saw him and quickly rode forward.
When Chao Gai arrived, the group dispersed. Chao Gai was reluctant to leave and drove his sergeants to pursue him.
Chao Gai went straight towards the big man who had charged the hardest just now. Seeing that he was being overtaken, the big man had to stop and deal with it with a knife.
Chao Gai caught up with him, dismounted, pulled out his sword, and without saying a word, he slashed at the big man. The fight lasted for no less than thirty rounds, and the sergeants slowly gathered around him. The big man was in a hurry to get away, and his steps Chao Gai saw the opportunity and chopped him to the ground with a knife.
He ordered the sergeant to go forward, tie up the man, and clean up the battlefield. Chao Gai walked up to Hou Meng with an ugly face. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Hou Meng only fell down and was not injured.
Li Yuhou held his left arm injured by an arrow and cursed at Chao Gai: "You have done a good job, but someone dares to intercept and kill the angel..."
Chao Gai shouted: "Shut up."
Then he said to Hou Meng: "I was shocked when I announced the decree. Wait a moment and captured a few thieves. I will interrogate them to see where they came from. So bold.”
Together with the man captured by Chao Gai, a total of four people were captured, eighteen were killed, and more than a dozen escaped.
Chao Gai escorted four people forward and shouted: "Who is the leader?"
(End of this chapter)