retaliate

Chapter 373 Thought

Midsummer in southern Xinjiang is like a steamer.

Under the scorching sun, the five thousand army was a little listless.

Until Yiqi appeared.

Shi Zhongtang rode his horse to the front of the formation.

Wei Ming, the general under his command, came forward, "More than ten thousand rebels have fled into the mountains, and the subordinate officials will not deal with it well, please general."

"I can't blame you for this!" Shi Zhongtang patted Wei Ming on the shoulder, "The rebels had long been prepared, and they lost the battle, so they ran away."

Wei Ming said gratefully: "Thank you, General, for your generosity. Hey! Why can't these rebels be killed?"

"There are many alien races in southern Xinjiang, and they survived the high taxes. It's not that they can bear it, but that there are fewer people in the early days. From the first time someone raised the rebellion flag, the situation can't be stopped."

"But now the tax has been reduced a lot."

"Look at the people in southern Xinjiang, how simple are they?"

"simple!"

"The original alien race in southern Xinjiang is more simple than them." Shi Zhongtang said with a smile: "But once the ambition is together, it is hard to dissipate."

"Greetings, General."

"There is no shortage of ambitious people in this world. Those people used to be busy farming, and they didn't have much money in their families. But once they became ambitious, they recruited some foolish people as their subordinates, and suddenly they had power in their hands, women in their arms, giving orders, and they were very happy. This, then It is the source of continuous rebellion in southern Xinjiang."

After several years of strangulation, the momentum of the alien rebellion in southern Xinjiang was contained, but it still could not be completely wiped out.

"If you want to destroy them, you have to kill them all." Wei Ming thinks this is the way to get rid of them.

Seeing Shi Zhongtang's half-smile, he asked, "The general thinks something is wrong?"

Shi Zhongtang's eyes became brighter.

"After killing them all, where do we go to find military merits? Without military merits, how can we get promoted and get rich?"

A group of scouts came out from the mountain.

"General."

"Give them water!" Shi Zhongtang asked for news in no hurry.

The scouts showed gratitude, and after drinking the water, they began to report.

"After we entered the mountain, someone was waiting for us and said harsh words, but finally said that they wanted to go home and farm."

"Stern and soft." Shi Zhongtang narrowed his eyes and looked at the mountain, "But is there no food?"

Wei Ming said, "Most likely."

"There are beasts in the mountains, but there are more than [-] rebels, and no amount of beasts is enough for them to eat, so they either starve to death or have to surrender."

The scout said: "The man said that if we are willing to negotiate, we can send people into the mountain."

Wei Ming was overjoyed, "General, if you can recruit more than ten thousand thieves, it will be considered a great achievement."

"Not in a hurry."

Shi Zhongtang ordered: "Look at the bottom of the mountain, and don't allow the thieves to have a chance to escape."

Wei Ming was puzzled, "Why didn't the general accept the surrender?"

Shi Zhongtang said indifferently: "I want to see them kneeling in front of me, rather than making any conditions with me."

Day three.

"General, the rebels in the mountains have sent someone."

Shi Zhongtang sat under the tree, "Kill it!"

fifth day.

"General, there are people coming from the mountains again."

"How do you look?" Shi Zhongtang was drinking.

"Sallow and thin."

"Bring it here."

The two rebels were led under the tree.

"Say, when will you go down the mountain?"

A thief said: "Our leader said, if we can..."

"killed."

sixth day.

Hundreds of thieves appeared at the foot of the mountain covered in blood.

"There's a fight on the mountain."

"The rest of the food chiefs have put away."

"Those people were discussing, and some people asked whether human flesh might be eaten."

Shi Zhongtang got up, "Go and tell them one person. In two days, I will see all the rebels come down the mountain. Tell the leader, I will spare his life."

On the eighth day, a group of rebels who almost starved to death appeared at the foot of the mountain.

"Pick out the strong ones."

The sergeants rushed over and picked out the strong thief with punches and kicks.

The leader arrived in front of Shi Zhongtang, knelt down and said: "The villain doesn't know the power of heaven, please make atonement, general."

"I promise to spare your life, so naturally I keep my word."

The leader is overjoyed.

Shi Zhongtang pointed at him, "cut off the limbs."

leader:"……"

Amidst the howling, a naked man was thrown aside.

"The rest depends on your good fortune. If you can survive, it is God's will. If you can't survive, it has nothing to do with me."

The traitors looked at him in horror.

"Take Jing Zhuang away, and the others... kill them."

Amidst the howling, the survivors looked at Shi Zhongtang with fear in their eyes.

"Give them meat!"

After a full meal, there was more gratitude and obedience in those eyes.

"go back!"

Shi Zhongtang returned to the teacher with his subordinates.

After returning, Zhang Huan naturally praised him a lot.

Shi Zhongtang then went to the king of Yue.

It stands to reason that he is the son of a noble concubine, so he should be at odds with the king of Yue.

But strangely, the relationship between the two is very close.

"Yunshan slave!"

The king of Yue met him in his study.

"How is this trip?"

Shi Zhongtang took a brief look at the battle situation during this trip, and covered up the murder of the prisoners.

Seeing his calm words and deeds, the King of Yue couldn't help secretly praising... This person is more and more demeanor of a general.

Talent is rare, but the relationship between this person and the imperial concubine is a bit irritating.

"This king has watched you grow from a general to where you are today. This step by step is accompanied by military exploits and killing. Killing is good, but you will inevitably suffer some backlash later. It just so happens... Come here, take this king's string of beads Come."

A string of jade beads was delivered, King Yue said with a smile: "My aunt went to Fangwai to ask for these. The body protection is the most effective. You take it with you to ward off evil spirits in the future."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Shi Zhongtang gratefully took the beads, and couldn't help rubbing them with joy, "It turned out to be a gift from the empress, it turned out to be a gift from the empress."

King Yue said indifferently: "I heard that you often communicate with the noble concubine?"

The imperial concubine was very concerned about this godson, and sent people to send some things every now and then.Shi Zhongtang reciprocated, and often sent people to send some special products from southern Xinjiang to Chang'an.

Shi Zhongtang knelt down in panic, "The officials are terrified."

At this time, no matter how he explains it is wrong, the best way is to apologize.

The King of Yue laughed and said, "Why is this so? The imperial concubine came to Chang'an from Shu alone. She was lonely and lonely with no one around her all these years. It is comforting to think about it, so there is no need to panic."

Shi Zhongtang lowered his head, "At that time, the officials had not yet made a fortune, and the king treated them very well, and even taught them to study... No matter how successful the officials are in this life, they cannot do without the teachings of the king."

King Yue said a few words with a smile, and then gave him some books.

Shi Zhongtang bid farewell and left the Yue Palace.

Ashina Chunyu was waiting for him, "What did he say again?"

Shi Zhongtang shook his head, got on his horse and walked away, before he said: "The king of Yue said something, what noble concubine came to Chang'an from Sichuan alone, and there is no one around these years, so accepting me as a foster son is also a comfort."

Chun Yu said with a smile: "It's good that you worship the concubine as aunt, and the promotion is so fast, but you can't ignore it when you go to King Yue. I was always worried that he would neglect you. Now it seems that King Yue has a good stomach."

Shi Zhongtang smiled.

"He is beating me. The imperial concubine is single and there is no one around him. This is a warning to me. The imperial concubine seems to be prosperous, but she has no foundation and no son. Good days will not last long. Let me know the seriousness."

Chun Yu scratched her head, "The words of these noble people are cloudy, and I have to guess, so tiring."

……

Southern Xinjiang Chief Shi Cuijin came to the house early in the morning.

"I have seen the long history."

A small official came in, bowed slightly, and lowered his head, "My husband is not feeling well today, so he said he won't be coming."

"understood."

The petty official resigned.

Follow in.

"Lang Jun."

"how?"

The entourage walked outside the door and looked around.

After returning, the attendant said: "Shi Zhongtang has no foundation. After the sudden outbreak, the servants in the mansion were all bought later. We mixed up with someone to go in. He passed by the study yesterday and heard what Shi Zhongtang was talking about... If we send troops from here, we should plan something on the map."

"Foreigners can't be trusted!" Cui Jin sneered and said, "Shi Zhongtang worshiped the noble concubine as his aunt, and the palace even made some kind of baptism ritual. The head of the state wants to get rid of this person, so the old man should serve .”

The entourage said: "Then this is an opportunity."

"Report it!"

"Yes."

……

Zhang Huan is not coming today.

It is said that there is some heat stroke.

Shi Zhongtang was rarely at leisure, drinking tea and reading books in the value room.

What I read are the latest few books sent by King Yue, with annotations.

"Master ordered General Shi to go." The visitor was lukewarm.

"It's easy to say." Shi Zhongtang glanced at this person, "Wait for me to change my clothes."

The visitor didn't make a sound, but someone outside was staring at this side, Shi Zhongtang knew it well.

After changing clothes, Shi Zhongtang left the room.

Along the way, he felt some chilling aura.

Entering the lobby, Zhang Huan sat at the head, and there were two rows of civil and military officials below.

"I've met Mr. Xiang." Shi Zhongtang saluted.

Zhang Huan said lightly: "You have worked hard recently."

"It should." Shi Zhongtang's answer was simple.

Zhang Huan gave a dry cough, and an official came out.

Shi Zhongtang recognized this person, Chang Yuan.

Chang Yuan saluted, "Master, I received a report yesterday that some generals in the city conspired to rebel."

Shi Zhongtang glanced at Chang Yuan, then at Zhang Huan.

Zhang Huan's expression was calm, which showed that he had already passed the Qi ahead of time.

"Who?"

Chang Yuan turned around and pointed at Shi Zhongtang, "General Yunhui, Shi Zhongtang!"

"Slave of Yunshan!" Zhang Huan's eyes became more annoyed, "Say it clearly."

"Yes." Chang Yuan said: "Yesterday someone reported that they heard what Shi Zhongtang said in the study...how to attack Guanzhong."

Zhang Huan squinted at Shi Zhongtang, "Yunshan slave... Shi Zhongtang, what do you have to say?"

Shi Zhongtang lowered his head, "The lower officials are wronged."

Jiedu Deputy Envoy Zhang Chumao is the serious son-in-law of Yang's family and the imperial concubine's deadly enemy. He said flatly: "My lord, this kind of thing should not be ignored. The old man thinks that he should be tortured and send people to search the Shi family."

Zhang Huan pondered.

Cui Jin asked: "Is this news accurate?"

Chang Yuan said: "It was the servant of Shi Zhongtang's family who reported it, absolutely right."

The board is nailed.

Zhang Huan was annoyed, "Take down Shi Zhongtang!"

Chang Yuan and others looked at Shi Zhongtang, wanting to see how he resisted.

There were quite a few good fighters present, if Shi Zhongtang resisted, a few good fighters would be able to suppress him without the need for the soldiers outside to do anything.

But Shi Zhongtang just looked up at Zhang Huan, and said in grief and indignation: "This official is wronged!"

"Take it!"

Zhang Huan was very annoyed.

Shi Zhongtang's success is inseparable from his appreciation.

If Shi Zhongtang really rebelled, he is the first person responsible.If Shi Zhongtang made a move, Zhang Huan's death would not be a pity.Even if he didn't do anything, he couldn't escape the crime of knowing someone unknown, and it was the emperor's favor to go home and eat old rice.

This matter cannot be studied deeply, but it must be investigated!

Thinking of this, Zhang Huan gave his confidant a look, "Go, search Shi's house, investigate strictly!"

On the word "strict investigation", Zhang Huan used internal breath, which seemed like a thunderbolt.

The confidant wanted to promise loudly, but found that Zhang Huan looked at him in the wrong eyes, not the familiar evil spirit, but...

concern.

After all, a confidant is a confidant, so I put myself in Zhang Huan's shoes and thought about it, and immediately understood what he meant.

If something shady is found out, Zhang Huan will be in bad luck later on.

In this way, the Shi family will definitely not be able to find out anything today.

Let Shi Zhongtang die of illness afterwards.

There are many diseases in southern Xinjiang, and many newcomers are not used to it and often fall ill.Even those who have stayed here for a few years, occasionally die suddenly from the epidemic.

appropriate!

An hour later.

The henchman is back.

"how?"

Zhang Huan asked pale.

Cui Jin glanced at him, thinking that he wants to suppress it?

In this way, Shi Zhongtang will not live for a few days, and he will definitely be wiped out by Zhang Huan to avoid his own guilt.

In this way, the task can be regarded as completed, and by the way, Zhang Huan also left a loophole, which may be useful in the future.

The confidant said: "Master, the lower official took people to check Shi's house, and found nothing unusual."

"Got it." Zhang Huan felt that his confidant understood what he meant.

The old man is old!

Zhang Huan sighed inwardly.

"My lord, I didn't find anything abnormal."

The confidant seemed to be demented, and he seemed to have amnesia, so he said it again.

Zhang Huan was taken aback.

The confidant nodded very firmly.

Did not find it!
Zhang Huan felt relieved, and then his anger rose, "Chang Yuan!"

Chang Yuan was already dazed and glanced at Cui Jin.

What about rebellion?
"Falsely accusing the general, what do you intend to do?"

"Official, official..."

Chang Yuan was panicked.

Cui Jin said with a smile: "My lord, it's just a rumor after all. Besides, Chang Yuan and General Shi had no enmity in the past, so it can be seen that they are also in the public heart."

"Stick blame!"

Ten sticks down, Chang Yuan limped back to plead guilty.

Shi Zhongtang was sent back.

After some consolation, the matter was settled.

Back at the value room, Chun Yu said angrily: "It's too much to deceive people."

Shi Zhongtang moved his stiff shoulders, and said calmly, "Stare at Chang Yuan."

"You want to do something?" Chun Yu was a little panicked, "Zhang Huan will get angry!"

"If I rebel, Zhang Huan will be unlucky too. Therefore, Zhang Huan is the one who wants to kill Chang Yuan the most at this moment."

Shi Zhongtang asked: "If Chang Yuan died today, who do you think Zhang Huan would suspect?"

Chun Yu thought for a while, "General, or his opponent."

"Go!"

Shi Zhongtang picked up the book sent by King Yue and began to read it.

That night, Chang Yuan went out to drink.

While drinking, he secretly cursed at Cui Jin.

But he didn't dare to curse openly, for fear of being heard by others.

"Being a dog is not free!"

He swears and leaves the wine shop, all the way home.

Turn around a few alleys.

A burly black figure ahead.

"Who?"

"I!"

Chang Yuan recognized Shi Zhongtang's voice, just as he was about to scream, he was hit on the back of the head, and then fainted.

When he woke up, Shi Zhongtang was squatting beside him, and a stone was roughly stuffed into his mouth. The stone was so big that the corner of his mouth was torn, and he could only make a whimpering sound when he opened his mouth.

Shi Zhongtang took out a map.

turn on.

Through the night, you can see those lines.

From southern Xinjiang to Chang'an.

"Most of the Zhechong mansions along this route are useless, and the mansion soldiers are vulnerable. In other words, from southern Xinjiang to Guanzhong, it depends on one battle."

"Woooooo!"

"I was really thinking about this, but you wonder why I couldn't find it?"

"Woooooo!"

"Because the map is in my head."

He raised the map in his hand, "And this one is for you."

The map was stuffed into Chang Yuan's arms.

"Tomorrow those who find your body will find this map."

Reporting Shi Zhongtang's rebellion during the day, being killed at night, with a map of attacking Guanzhong from southern Xinjiang in his arms... This is Shi Zhongtang's disgusting death!
Thus, Chang Yuan became the framer.

"You probably want to ask me if you want to rebel?"

Chang Yuan stopped whimpering.

Shi Zhongtang nodded vigorously.

"miss you!"

(End of this chapter)