Eighth year of Chongzhen

Chapter 18
Luo Fulong, the county magistrate of Fancheng, was born as a Jinshi in the sixth year of Chongzhen, and was later appointed by the Ministry of Officials to be the magistrate of Fancheng.

After arriving in Fancheng, he collected taxes, promoted water conservancy, encouraged agriculture and mulberry, and organized culture and education. He still made some achievements.He is a well-rounded person. He knows that if he wants to govern the county well, he must first establish a good relationship with the local gentry. Only with the support of the gentry can he achieve good political performance. mingle.Gentlemen, but if you have any requests, as long as they are not excessive, he will agree.

The gentry also reciprocated, but whenever the county magistrate encountered difficulties, the gentry would also do their best to help on the premise of not harming their own interests.With the joint efforts of both parties, Luozhi County soon became like a fish in water, and Fancheng had a new atmosphere under his two years of governance.

This time when they heard that the officers and soldiers were coming, in order to make the soldiers feel ashamed to harass the common people, Luozhi County persuaded the big households to spend money and food to serve the army.Cannibals have soft mouths but short hands. I believe that these generals should restrain their subordinates when they accept meat and wine, at least they are embarrassed to harass the local area for a short time.Who knows how long it will take for them to leave, let's stabilize them first.

That day Luo Fulong just went to the yamen, when he heard the yamen servant say that a group of generals came to visit.He was slightly surprised: Could it be that this group of big bosses came to pay a return visit because of the labor force who came a few days ago?No, these rough guys probably don't know how to reciprocate.Could it be that Lao Jun came to ask for more after eating his wine and meat?definitely is!These vulgar people are really greedy!It's only been a few days and I've come to ask for it again, no!Don't let them think that this is what the county should do!If you come to ask for it after you've finished eating, won't the gentry turn against me?Never agree!
But you can't turn against these soldiers, they have knives in their hands.Luo Fulong has heard about the military discipline of the officers and soldiers for a long time, if he turned his face against them, and these rough men became angry with embarrassment, God knows what they would do.Let's see what they say this time, and let's talk about it first.Thinking of this, he ordered the yamen servants to let the generals in, and he retreated to the second hall to wait. After all, he was born as a Jinshi, so he couldn't lower his value to meet a group of generals.

Gao Qixun and others were taken to the second hall by the yamen servants, where they saw Luo Zhixian wearing official clothes and black gauze, sitting on a chair and looking at the file.The generals couldn't help being envious and admiring. People with knowledge are different. We just brag and talk about some dirty jokes for fun. Others just read books when they are free. No wonder they understand so many principles.

They didn't know that the county magistrate had to go to court every day, thinking that literati just drank wine and wrote poems.

When Luo Fulong saw all the generals coming in, he put down the file in his hand, stood up, smiled and cupped his hands and said: "The generals are facing each other! I thought it was Deng Zongbing who came, but I didn't greet him from afar. Please sit down, come and see." Tea!"

Gao Qixun and the others hurriedly bowed their hands to return the salute with a very respectful demeanor. After taking their seats, they all sat upright on the chairs, just like elementary school students in front of the teacher.

There is no way, is there anyone to ask for?

Luo Fulong was a little surprised, when he went to the army that day, Deng Qi, the chief soldier, didn't care about him carelessly, and the eunuch who supervised the army was even more eccentric.Although the person who came this time was not the general soldier, but judging by his appearance, there was a guerrilla general. This is a general with real soldiers in his hands. Why is he so cautious?

He remained calm, and after he sat down firmly, the servant brought tea to him. He smiled and said, "I don't know why all the generals are here?"

After all the generals glanced at each other, they all looked at Gao Qixun.Gao Qixun hesitated for a long time, stood up suddenly, took a step forward, fell to his knees, and shouted: "My lord, help me!" The rest of the people also fell to their knees.

Luo Fulong was taken aback. Although the Ming Dynasty has always been rich in culture and military, in the past few years there have been constant wars, the court has relied more and more on generals, and the status between civil and military has gradually reversed. General.

He hastily got up to help Gao Qixun and the others, and said repeatedly: "Generals, please get up quickly, this can't be done, can't be done!"

Gao Qixun and the others stood up, Luo Fulong told them to sit down, and then asked: "Generals, why do you do this great gift? You want me to help you, where did you start?"

Gao Qixun told all the events that happened last night, and focused on how Deng Qi withheld military pay for a long time and treated soldiers harshly, how domineering Liu Yunzhong was, and how he was in cahoots with him. Wipe the water stains from the corner of his mouth with his hand.

Luo Fulong no longer cared about despising his vulgar behavior, and was directly stunned.Many soldiers of Ming Dynasty were killed in battle, but this was the first one to be killed by his subordinates!Fuck, do these rough guys think they have a long life?It's really ruthless, so ruthless that even the second-rank officials of the imperial court dare to kill, this is a great crime for the Zhu clan!You can't get involved in this kind of thing, whoever gets involved will be unlucky.

He came back to his senses and said quickly: "I am grateful for the righteous deeds of the generals! But I am a civilian official, and it is my duty to govern the local area. As for the military affairs, I don't know anything about it, let alone any strategies. Gentlemen After drinking a cup of tea, please go back, I'm sorry I can't do anything!" After finishing speaking, he was about to bring tea to see off the guests.

Gao Qixun sighed deeply, and said: "When we fight against men, we only know how to use knives and guns. This time, we committed such a serious crime in a daze! It's just that we pity our soldiers in Sichuan, and follow the order of the imperial court to go out to fight in Sichuan. Once we come out, we are two I didn't go home for a year. I was hungry and full on weekdays. I was killed from Shanxi to Shaanxi, from Shaanxi to Henan, and from Henan to Huguang. Eight thousand brothers were left with six thousand. How many people have no bones left. Arrears of payment It’s even more commonplace, and I even met a general soldier who would withhold even his arrears! Sigh, as a general of the court, I still have a heart of loyalty, but the brothers below have changed their minds. Without our suppression, this I’m afraid we’ll be a thief next time! Well, let’s go back now and wait for the court to punish us! I’m afraid that our brothers will make a fuss and I won’t be able to restrain them, and the people of Fancheng will suffer!” After saying that, he got up and greeted the rest of the people. People are going back to camp.

Luo Fulong became furious all of a sudden, these rough guys are simply a naked threat!Why can't you restrain your subordinates? It's because you don't want to restrain them?But this matter is just in case, if the situation really gets out of control and these soldiers become chaotic soldiers, the consequences will be worse than thieves.At that time, the county magistrate himself will be the head, and even the head will not be guaranteed.No, we can't let these rough men go back to the camp, we must find a way to stabilize them.

Luo Fulong hurriedly stood up and said: "Everyone stay behind, I have a solution!"

The generals were overjoyed when they heard the words, Gao Qixun laughed and said, "I'll just say it, people with knowledge are still smart. If your lord has any tricks, I will listen to them all!"

Luo Fulong sneered secretly, and after inviting everyone to sit down, he said: "It's not a good plan, it's just a family opinion, let's say it to see if you think it's suitable. Killed together, this is no different from rebellion! The current plan is to introduce the leader to the court, so that the public can be covered, and everyone can be exonerated! Everyone said that they were tied up in the camp by their subordinates, and there was no way to stop them, but they did not Did not participate. Now that there is no proof of death, it is difficult for the court to find out the truth. As long as someone takes the blame, the court will have an excuse. At that time, at most, the crime of lax control and negligence will be committed, but life will be saved. What do you think?"

Gao Qixun felt sad, and said in a low voice: "The one who killed Mr. Deng was my own soldier. This man has saved my life twice in the battle. He also fought bravely when fighting bandits. His parents Brothers all died in the chaos of war! This time I saw me being humiliated, so I killed him in a moment of anger. If I hand him over to the court, I, Gao, will really become an unrighteous person. How can I have the face to mess around in the army in the future! "

After hearing this, Luo Fulong also admired him, raised his thumb and praised: "This man is really a loyal man! General Gao refuses to betray his subordinates, and I also admire him very much. You can't let a loyal man die innocently? Like this Well, after you return to the camp, dig up the corpses of the people who were killed last night, and then cut off the heads. It is said that you rushed to the place where the incident happened after looking for an opportunity to break free from the shackles. The rebels chopped off their heads and used them to intimidate the rest of the officers and soldiers, thus temporarily quelling the rebellion!"

After everyone thought about it carefully, this method was feasible, so they sent a general manager Qian to go back to the camp to handle it accordingly, and at the same time asked Liu Erzhu and others to hide for a while and not to show up.He also arranged for the generals' cronies to patrol the camp and strictly ordered the sergeants not to leave the camp.

After the chief executive Qian returned to the county seat after dealing with it, Luo Fulong sent yamen servants to beat the gong along the street to announce that bandits were approaching the county seat, the city gates were closed, the merchants were closed, and all the people were not allowed to go out.After discussing the details with the generals for a while, Luo Fulong planned to write to the governor to report the matter.After all, such a big matter cannot be concealed. After writing the report, Gao Qixun sent a general manager back to the camp, arranged for someone to deliver the letter, and then everyone waited in the city for the handling of the Governor's Mansion until Hong Chengchou arrival.

Luo Fulong roughly finished the whole story, (of course, excluding the idea he gave to the generals, people at that time were very trustworthy) Hong Chengchou stroked his beard and pondered.The next crime is to kill the chief soldier and the eunuch of the supervising army. This is already a major crime of rebellion and punishment of the nine clans.

If it was said that a dozen soldiers did it, Hong Chengchou would not believe it. There must be someone behind it.As for the reason, Hong Chengchou believed that it was indeed Deng Qi's deduction for a long time, which caused the sudden outbreak of soldiers' grievances.He had heard about Deng Qi's greed for a long time, but he didn't expect that it would cost him his life.

As for the eunuch who supervised the army, Hong Chengchou didn't like him very much.These eunuchs are arrogant and domineering, defiant, greedy for money and cowardly, and also like to point fingers in the military. The generals from all walks of life are very disgusted with them, but they dare not offend them.One eunuch died this time, so the rest of the eunuchs in the army should restrain themselves a bit, after all, anything can happen in the barracks.

After a while, Si Lin ordered the generals in the courtyard to be called into the hall.Gao Qixun and others went into the hall with their upper body bare, under the guard of a few soldiers armed with knives. The soldiers ordered everyone to kneel down. Accompanied by him, he walked around the screen from the second hall and turned out

Hong Chengchou sat down behind the big case, while Luo Fulong stood respectfully at the bottom.

Hong Chengchou glanced at the kneeling generals in the hall, and said: "Who is kneeling, please give it by name!"

The generals signed up tremblingly and loudly.Hong Chengchou started suppressing thieves since he was the governor of Liangdao in Shaanxi. He was promoted to the governor of five provinces because of his meritorious service. He was well-known in the army.

Hong Chengchou was a little taken aback when he heard Gao Qixun's name, but he had heard of him. Deng Qi's subordinates counted him as capable of fighting, but because of his integrity, he was not liked by Deng Qi. He is now a guerrilla general.

After the generals were named, Hong Chengchou said: "As a general in charge of the army, you should strictly control your subordinates according to military law. This time, the chief soldier and the supervisor were killed because you were too loose in controlling your subordinates! According to the law, You should be beheaded if you fall into the ranks of Shangguan! But remember that the imperial court is employing people and bypass your life for the time being! But the death penalty can be circumvented, and the crime of living is unavoidable. Come here, each with forty army sticks!"

A few personal soldiers came up, pressed the kneeling people to the ground, pulled down their pants, took the water and fire sticks from the yamen servants, and began to torture them. He clenched his teeth without making a sound, and his buttocks were already bleeding.

After beating the army stick, Hong Chengchou had no intention of resting in the county government office.He ordered the soldiers to drag the generals out, put them on horses, and then led the team to the barracks outside the city. Luo Fulonggong sent them to the outside of the city.

About half an hour arrived at the Sichuan Army barracks ten miles outside the city, and saw that the camp was very well organized.

Hong Chengchou was quite appreciative, a personal soldier rushed to the gate of the camp, a group of soldiers at the sentry had already seen them, and one of them ran to report to the camp, the rest had bows and guns, full of vigilance Monitor the cavalry.

The soldiers reined in their mounts within a stone's throw and shouted loudly: "The governor of the five provinces is very humane! Open the gate of the camp quickly!"

The sentry team was stunned. They had only heard the name of the commander-in-chief, but they had never seen the appearance of the commander-in-chief. They saw this team of cavalry in red military armor, guarding a man in a red official uniform with a head on his head. The middle-aged official Dai Wusha already believed it in his heart.

Gao Qixun was lying on a horse, and he didn't care about being seen by his subordinates. He raised his head and shouted: "Li Desheng, it's me, open the gate to welcome the commander in chief!"

Hearing Gao Qixun's familiar voice, the team leader who was in charge of the sentry looked carefully at Gao Qixun's raised face. He was sure of it, and hurriedly called out: "Quickly open the camp gate, it's General Gao!"

This is when the officers and soldiers in the battalion have been alarmed, they are gathering under the banners of their respective headquarters and teams, and the sentry team is making a loud announcement, so the officers and soldiers relax.

A group of personal soldiers led the way, and Hong Chengchou and his party entered the camp. Under the guidance of Gao Qixun, they arrived at Deng Qi's camp.

Hong Chengchou got off his horse and came to the tent, glanced at the head on the wooden post and didn't make a sound, went directly into the tent, sat down after Deng Qi's big case, and ordered: "Bring the man in!"

The soldiers brought Gao Qixun and others into the big tent, and everyone knelt down and bowed their heads, not daring to look at him.

Hong Chengchou said warmly: "Wait up, the governor has something to say!"

Everyone listened to the order and got up, Hong Chengchou said: "Sichuan soldiers are good at fighting, endure hardships and stand hard work. They have made great achievements in recent years. The court and the governor are well aware of it. As for the failure to pay the salary in time, it is not just for the Sichuan soldiers. Since the rebellion by bandits Natural disasters and man-made disasters continue, and the court's taxes and money are becoming more and more difficult to collect. Only when we work together to wipe out the bandits as soon as possible, and the people live and work in peace and contentment, will the burden on the court be greatly reduced, taxes will be collected, and the salaries owed to officers and soldiers will be made up. Therefore, you must fight bravely in the future, destroy the thieves as soon as possible, and make a bright future, in order to repay the grace of God!"

All the generals knelt down, and Gao Qixun said loudly: "The lowly rank will definitely kill the enemy with heart, in order to repay the grace of God!"

After Hong Chengchou asked the generals to stand up, he continued: "The governor knows the whole story of this incident, so I won't interview the soldiers one by one!"

Speaking of this, he suddenly sternly yelled: "Don't think that the governor can be deceived! No matter what Deng Qi does, committing the next crime is a capital crime! The governor only thought of you waiting for a long time in battle and bravely fought, so he didn't go into this matter. ! If you commit this felony again in the future, the governor will definitely kill you!"

Gao Qixun and others sweated their backs, and Nuonuo dared not speak.

Hong Chengchou lowered his voice and said, "Your Majesty thought of the hard work of the officers and soldiers in suppressing the thieves, and specially allocated internal money as military salary. This time, the governor is in charge, and the salary will be paid for three months first, and the rest of the outstanding balance will be made up after the imperial court allocates it. Your Majesty is taking care of everything, and I still think about you, if you don't fight bravely in the future, how can you be worthy of His Majesty's kindness?"

All the generals were deeply moved, they all knelt down and shouted long live, and vowed that they would never let down the wishes of the Holy Majesty and wipe out the bandits as soon as possible.

Hong Chengchou nodded in satisfaction, and ordered: "The governor's temporary appointment He Renlong is the commander of the aid and suppression army, and the commander of the Sichuan army. You must follow the order and listen to his command! The corpses of Deng Qi and the dead must be buried in a good coffin. .Gao Qixun, go and call out 1000 troops, and go back to Xinyang with the governor to escort the payment. After the governor leaves, you will inform the entire army of the governor's order!" After Gao Qixun and others received the order, they limped out of the tent to gather the troops. After about an hour, the men and horses were assembled, and Hong Chengchou instructed He Renlong to lead the men and horses back to Xinyang.

(End of this chapter)