The rise of the prince

Chapter 197

Suzhou is famous for its cloth merchants, and it has been a prosperous and prosperous place since ancient times. The imperial court specially set up a mansion here, named Ansu Mansion.

Different from the north, the waterside pavilions and stairs in Suzhou area are surrounded by clouds and smoke. The buildings are exquisite and colorful. The women are as gentle as jade, and the sons are handsome.

Among them, the yamen of Ansu Mansion faces south and stands in the center.

Jiang Peng got out of the carriage, turned around several aisles and small courtyards under the leadership of the guards, walked northward, and soon arrived at the main hall.

The chief sitting in the main hall is Su Banchuan, the prefect of Ansu.

He looks round and fat, with double chins and a fat belly, and he speaks in a low voice, but Jiang Peng dare not underestimate him.

He is not his useless son, Su Banchuan is just a smiling tiger.

Apart from his magistrate, there are several magistrates from surrounding counties sitting here.

This banquet made Jiang Peng feel that it was different from usual, and Su Banchuan would not entertain these county magistrates on weekdays.

"Hahaha, Brother Jiang is here, take your seat quickly." Su Banchuan said with a smile.

Jiang Peng also laughed loudly: "Thank you, Brother Su, for your hospitality." As he said this, he sat down in the second seat, and the servants served him bowls and chopsticks, and poured hot wine for him.

"I invite you to come to the banquet today. Apart from eating wine and vegetables, there are still many things I want to discuss with you. The main thing is the recent chaos caused by the people." Talk while eating."

Jiang Peng frowned, and said loudly, "Brother Su, what's the point of this? If the unruly people dare to make trouble, I will lead people to kill them, so why bother."

Su Banchuan laughed: "Brother Jiang, don't worry, this matter is more serious than you think, and it needs to be discussed in the long run."

"It's just a few unscrupulous people who are so afraid of seeing knives and guns that they don't dare to fart, so why be afraid!" Jiang Peng said loudly indifferently.

Everyone had to apologize, and one of the county magistrates bowed his hands: "My lord, the people of our county gathered to make trouble last night and pushed the wall in the backyard of the county government. They can only leave at dawn."

"Bold, it's like making trouble!" Jiang Peng said, "Who gave them the courage, why didn't you send someone to catch those troublemakers."

The county magistrate shook his head: "Your Excellency Dutong doesn't know. Those troublemakers are all over the mountain. The lower officials woke up in the middle of the night and looked through the window. They are densely packed, more than a hundred. If you want to get them, I'm afraid it will be very bad for the lower officials." ah"

Jiang Peng frowned.

Another county magistrate took over the conversation and began to complain: "Recently, there are rumors everywhere in the neighboring villages, saying things that are not good for the government. I also heard that some people are going to rebel, but they are arrested and questioned, but no one admits it. The officials are also worried. Uneasy for a long time."

"That's right, the guns and knives were lost in the armory in our county. I sent someone to check but couldn't find it. Everyone kept silent."

"Thousands of people in my county are blocking the south gate of the county seat, asking the government to give an explanation, and they have not been able to pass through for two days."

"It's the same in our county. There were people who planned to set up an ambush to attack the palace yesterday afternoon. Fortunately, they got the news in advance."

Many county magistrates began to complain one by one, and it was hard to stop when someone opened their mouths, and it became more and more serious.

Jiang Peng finally felt something different. He was eager to shut up these people, but it seemed that the magistrate had no intention of telling them to shut up, and it was difficult to speak up.

After talking for a long time, Su Banchuan slightly raised his hand to stop the magistrates who were still complaining, and then said: "Actually, the city of Suzhou is not peaceful. Several important businessmen have gone to other places to prevent disasters. There are secret meetings in the streets and alleys. The incidents of stealing chickens and dogs and looting money have increased greatly compared to previous years, and if it takes a little longer, I'm afraid things will change."

Everyone fell silent.

Jiang Peng vaguely felt that something was wrong, and hurriedly smoothed things over, not wanting to continue the conversation: "I think you are worrying unnecessarily, and if you make troubles for the people, you will increase the number of sergeants and government servants. We Suzhou is so rich, just spend more money to recruit warriors. If it doesn’t work, there are still eight thousand of my Xiang army, they can still turn the world upside down!”

The county magistrate closest to him shook his head and said, "My lord, don't forget that the yamen servants are also recruited from the people. In my small county, even the yamen servants have almost left. The official notice has been posted for more than half a month, and there is still no one." One person is willing to do things for the government."

Jiang Peng had nothing to say, he vaguely felt that something was wrong, he cupped his hands and said, "Master Zhifu, please forgive me for being rude, I am suddenly anxious, come as soon as I go."

"Hey, this is the critical juncture of the discussion. Jiang Dutong is not a child, so just bear with it."

"But."

Su Banchuan raised his hand to stop him, Jiang Peng had no choice but to give up.

Several people continued talking while eating, but Jiang Peng had no appetite for the delicious food on the table.

"The cause of this incident was the rebellion of the Holy Duke, who coerced innocent people. Many people suffered for no reason, and they had resentment in their hearts." One of the county magistrates analyzed.

Someone nodded and said: "It's a trivial matter. If we clear up one or two things, it will be over to appease the people, but who knows at this time, at this time." Speaking of this, he secretly glanced at Jiang Peng, and dared not continue.

Su Banchuan, who was sitting in the first seat, stood up suddenly, and he slowly took over the conversation: "But the Xiang army used the excuse of investigating the rebellious party and eradicating the rebellion to exploit and plunder the people everywhere, humiliating their wives and daughters, and robbing them of money.

In this way, the grievances of the people who were coerced by the thieves before were transferred to the Xiang army, and the grievances of the Xiang army's oppression became even heavier, and finally the accumulated grievances piled up and fell on the government."

As soon as the voice fell, the banquet room fell silent, and no one dared to speak.

Jiang Peng felt even more uneasy, and hurriedly said: "Master Su, you told me about this matter."

"Come on! Take Jiang Peng down!" Su Banchuan suddenly turned his face and interrupted him loudly.

Before Jiang Peng could react, the figure in front of him shook, and he wanted to get up subconsciously, but his shoulders were heavy, and then the pain came, and several soldiers who rushed out from the inner hall had already pinned him to the ground.

Enduring the pain in his shoulder, he cursed: "Su Banchuan, you old thief! It's clearly you who ordered me, and you're the one who told me to do it, what do you want to do?"

Su Banchuan sneered disdainfully: "Are you so anxious to jump over the wall and want to bite?"

Jiang Peng seemed to understand, and while struggling, he cursed: "Su Banchuan, you wolf-hearted thing, are you worthy of your ancestors of the Su family! You..."

Before he finished speaking, he was held down by several soldiers and dragged out.

"With Jiang Peng's head here, the hearts of the people can be at ease, everyone can go back with peace of mind." Su Banchuan said, although the magistrates were quite frightened by the scene just now, but seeing the head of the bandit put to death and the matter came to an end, how could they dare Wait any longer, and say goodbye in a hurry.

Seeing everyone gone, Su Banchuan shook his head: "I'm really sorry for my ancestors, but my ancestors are all dead."

At this time, a middle-aged man holding a lupine came out from the back hall. He looked good, but unfortunately, a long and ugly scar from the side of his face to his chin, and then to his throat ruined him, making his speech difficult. Get up: "Is it done?"

"Hahahaha, Mr. Fang has a clever plan. In this way, as long as the people see Jiang Peng's head, all grievances and grievances will disappear. The Xiang Army did it, and the Xiang Army is all Jiang Peng, but they don't know Jiang Peng is According to my order, [-]% of the stolen property was secretly transported to my home." Su Banchuan said proudly.

(End of this chapter)