Cangzhou beacon fire

Chapter 24
Shouyan City, Pang Mansion Clan Council Hall.

In the spacious conference hall, the first thing you see when you enter is the innermost row of deceased clan monuments, which are set up by a four-story pyramid-shaped wooden frame. All the heads of the Pang clan can erect monuments in this clan. inside the tablet.

In front of the wooden frame is a huge bronze cauldron furnace, on which prayer incense is densely inserted, and the lit prayer incense is smoky, so that the entire meeting hall is smoky all year round.

Further forward of the cauldron furnace, an extremely long mahogany table is spread towards the door. The large mahogany court chair facing the door is the suzerain seat. There are seven seats on both sides of the wooden table. Only the clan chief can sit.

At this time, the seven seats on both sides were already full, only the suzerain seat facing the gate was still vacant.

"I called everyone for a meeting, and I was late. Hmph, are today's juniors so lazy?" The middle-aged man who was speaking in the first seat on the left had a displeased expression on his face. , Pang Baichuan's second uncle, the owner of Pang's merchants, in charge of the family's chamber of commerce affairs.

"Second Uncle, be careful with your words. That Pang Baichuan is not easy to mess with. He is under the protection of Third Uncle." Sitting opposite him was a sturdy young man in his 30s with bursting blue veins on his thick arms. He was Pang Baichuan His cousin, Pang Jiu of the second room, is the head of the scholar.As long as there are people in the clan who serve in the court, he will take care of them. It is said that Pang Jiu and Pang Baichuan were relatively close when they were young, but they gradually drifted away. One of them is the second wife and the other is the third wife. Houses are like enemies.

Apart from the suzerain of the Pang family, the two of them are currently the most prestigious of the Pang family. Because of Pang Miao's business background, he has a wide network of contacts in Shouyan City and the surrounding areas. There are more than ten shops of his own, mostly silk and pawn business.

And Pang Jiu, who is currently serving as the commander of the third army of the Shouyan City Imperial Guard, is in charge of public security in the city.

Since Pang Ku resigned from office due to illness three years ago, Pang's influence in the Three Yuan Kingdom has declined like a cliff and waterfall, all because the Yan and Fan families were favored, and a large amount of land in the Pang family was re-entitled by Tian Jin to the Yan and Fan families. Family.

Of course, this is also related to the generation of Pang's talents. After Pangku, the Pang's family has no official in the court and no military position. The person who used to be the head of the army was either the right general or the former general, but now he is a small guard It is embarrassing to be in such a position as the leader.

As soon as the two influential principals opened the conversation, the other chiefs also chattered about the suzerain.

At this time, the door of the conference hall opened, and the harsh sound of friction made the hall instantly calm. Only Pang Jiu looked disdainful, tilted his head and kowtowed melon seeds, and the sound of nibbling was particularly loud at this time.

Pang Baichuan walked slowly into the meeting hall in a white suit, his face as expressionless as an ice sculpture.

He first walked to the clan tablet, took out a prayer incense and lit it, bowed three times in front of the cauldron, and then inserted the prayer incense in his hand into the cauldron that had already been densely covered with no place to insert it.

After the ceremony was finished, Pang Baichuan turned around and sat down at the suzerain seat.

He inspected the fourteen principals present, raised his hand and apologized first: "Bai Chuan is late due to important matters, I am very sorry."

Three years ago, when Pang Ku resigned from office, he also resigned from the position of Pang's suzerain, and appointed 22-year-old Pang Baichuan as his successor, the sixth suzerain of Pang's No.30. No one dared to deny his influence, but for this single and lonely new suzerain, everyone was open-minded. Pang Baichuan knew this, and he was unwilling to participate in too many clan affairs, and entrusted all matters, big and small, to a few. The boss takes care of it.

Pang Ku's decision this time also led to the failure of the two most popular suzerain candidates, Pang Miao and Pang Jiu. It was also at that time that Pang Jiu had a suspicion of Pang Baichuan. Even more confident.

Pang Jiu spat out a piece of melon seed shell, which rolled twice on the table in front of Pang Baichuan, and then laughed and said: "There is no need to apologize, we can't bear it, if you have something to say, let's fart!"

Everyone gloated and looked at Pang Baichuan, wanting to see his reaction.

Pang Baichuan smiled without changing his face and said: "So, then Pang Baichuan will just say it straight." Pang Baichuan looked at Pang Jiu. They used to be like brothers, but now they hate like enemies, with mixed feelings in their hearts.

After speaking, his smiling face disappeared immediately, replaced by a serious and somewhat cold expression.

"I have been in office for three years, and my qualifications are still relatively low, so I rarely manage affairs. All major and minor matters are handled by the four principals, scholars, farmers, businessmen, and businessmen. This time, I have called fourteen principals here to make adjustments to the chiefs of the clan and work hard. My Bo Chuan wants to reward me, and I, Pang Bai Chuan, who is lazy and slippery, will never tolerate it!" When Pang Bai Chuan said the last sentence, he deliberately looked at Pang Miao and Pang Jiu beside him.

Pang Jiu, who was eating melon seeds, saw Pang Baichuan looking at him at this moment, and immediately became upset: "Why are you looking at me? What do you mean I'm being lazy and playing tricks?"

Pang Baichuan smiled and replied calmly, "Exactly."

Pang Jiu was furious, and he slapped the hand holding the melon seeds on the table heavily. When the melon seeds splashed, he stood up, pointed at Pang Baichuan, and started cursing.

"Pang Bochuan! What qualifications do you have to say that I am lazy and playful? You have been in office for three years and ignore everything. You are the one who is lazy and playful."

Pang Baichuan didn't look angry at all. He met Pang Jiu's eyes and said calmly: "From now on, I will remove you as the head of the family. If you want to continue working hard for the Pang family, I will make another arrangement for you. Do you have any objections?"

As soon as the word "retirement" came out, everyone was shocked, and there was a lot of discussion for a while.

"Nephew, what is Pang Jiu's crime? Do you want to remove him? Why don't you talk about it if you have something to do." Pang Miao stood up and said.

Pang Baichuan turned to look at Pang Miao, with the same cold eyes: "Uncle Miao, sit down first, and it will be your turn later."

Frightened by Pang Baichuan's ruthless and indifferent eyes, Pang Miao sat back in her seat with an unhappy expression.

"Pang Baichuan, your Sanfang's wings are hardened now? Do you want to rebel? Are you going to dismiss me as the leader? I am the commander of the third army of the Imperial Guard! Who is bigger than me in the clan?" Pang Jiu growled like a tiger and wolf. Generally speaking, he slapped his palms hard twice, the sound was so loud that it could be clearly heard outside the hall.

As soon as the applause fell, seven or eight burly men rushed in from outside the conference hall, all glaring with evil eyes, and they were not easy to provoke.

Seeing this, Pang Miao stood up in fright and stopped him: "Pang Jiu, you can't do it!"

Pang Jiu was already a little mad at this time, he roared: "Why? I abolished these three arrogant people today! As the commander of the imperial guards, I am more than enough to be the suzerain!"

The seven or eight burly men glared at Pang Baichuan as long as their master gave an order, they could rush up and clean up Pang Baichuan.

I saw Pang Baichuan calmly took out a resolution form rolled into a cylinder from the inner pocket of his white coat. Although it was rolled up, Pang Jiu could naturally recognize the conspicuous seal of the Sanyuan Military Department in the middle.

Pang Baichuan threw the resolution on the long table, and rolled towards Pang Jiu and Pang Miao following the inertia: "You are no longer the commander of the third army of the Imperial Guard."

"What?" Pang Jiu was shocked when he heard this, while Pang Miao hurriedly picked up the resolution and opened it to watch.

"Pang Jiu, the commander of the Third Army of the Imperial Guard, was drunk and made trouble and destroyed private houses. He is now dismissed from his post and assigned to the New Army of the Western Territory. The decision is made by Pang Baichuan, the right staff officer of the General's Mansion." After Pang Miao finished reading, he looked at Pang Jiu suspiciously.

After reading the resolution, Pang Jiu snatched the resolution from Pang Miao's hand, carefully read it several times, and confirmed the seal of the military department at the joint twice. After the confirmation was correct, he froze on the spot and let the decision The shape fell from the hand.

All the people present were stunned, and whispered to each other: "The right staff officer of the general... Pang Baichuan." "Second-rank official position? Four ranks higher than the commander of the imperial guards!"

Pang Baichuan looked at the empty-eyed Pang Jiu: "If you don't believe me, you can go to the military headquarters to check."

What the hell, how could he not know the seal of this military department after serving in the Imperial Guard for eight years? Pang Jiu knew that he had offended someone he shouldn't have.

"Report your private revenge! Pang Bochuan, wait for me!" Pang Jiu cursed angrily, then turned and left. The seven or eight burly men looked at each other, and followed them away in desperation.

As soon as Pang Jiu left, there was a sudden silence in the meeting hall, and the atmosphere seemed to be frozen and extremely heavy.

Pang Miao stood up and interceded at this time: "Nephew, no, suzerain, the last time Pang Jiu got drunk and made trouble, the military department has fined him a year's salary, why is he being held accountable again? It's all from my family... "

"The decision is not a trifling matter. Once it is issued, there is no reason to revoke it casually." As soon as Pang Baichuan said this, Pang Miao was speechless.

Pang Baichuan turned his gaze to Pang Miao at this moment, and Pang Miao couldn't help taking a step back with that cold gaze.

"Second Uncle is talented in business, and you are still in charge of the business, but some of the clan's property has been entrusted to you in recent years. Now that I have returned to the throne, it is time to hand it over to the clan."

How can Pang Miao not know what this means, cut off the flesh, and ask him to return the property and real estate that he has embezzled over the years to the clan.Pang Miao's embezzlement of family assets is more or less known in the clan, and no one in this position has moved anything to his house.It's just that no one has dared to speak out.

The atmosphere once again fell into embarrassment, Pang Miao looked around the meeting room and found that the other principals were glaring at him, he wiped the sweat from his face, smiled awkwardly, and responded: "Hey, it must! Second Uncle, I am only temporarily helping the clan to keep it, now that the suzerain is back, I have to return it to the clan, hehe."

Pang Baichuan returned to his seat, leaning on the long table with both hands, and said in a solemn expression: "Our Pang family has been in rapid decline over the years. As long as everyone believes in me, Pang Baichuan, I will take back what belongs to our Pang family!"

"Okay! Well said!" It was rare for Pang Baichuan to change the subject, so Pang Miao was naturally the first to applaud, and the others followed suit.

Accompanied by Li Si, Pang Baichuan visited Pang Jiu's mansion that night.

Entering the hall, Pang Jiu was already very drunk and was cursing. Of course, the target of the scolding was none other than Pang Baichuan.The attendants next to him lowered their heads and did not dare to provoke the furious Patriarch.

Although it is natural to use alcohol to relieve sorrow, it is an extremely immature act. Pang Baichuan shook his head and sighed, and stepped in.

Seeing Pang Baichuan enter the door in a white robe and black robe, Pang Jiu's anger suddenly became more intense. With the help of alcohol, he no longer cared about Pang Baichuan's position as a staff officer, smashed the wine glass in his hand, and shouted loudly: "Hey! Isn't this Staff officer Pang? I have wronged you because of the shabby house! Now that I am a guilty person, I can’t stand up to you, a great general’s staff officer! You’d better get out, I can’t afford to entertain you!”

The tone was full of sarcasm, Pang Baichuan did not respond, but quietly came to the wine table and poured himself a glass.

"Cousin, do you remember playing together when we were young?" Pang Baichuan finished speaking, and raised his glass to Pang Jiu.

"Humph! I don't remember!" Pang Jiu looked disgusted, and didn't clink glasses with Pang Baichuan.

Pang Baichuan finished drinking by himself, and then said: "The third of Pang's four houses is the weakest. When I was young, I was always bullied by the eldest and fourth cousins. You are the only one who protects me. I don't know when, you and I will be together." The more and more estranged they are, they are now like enemies." Naturally, Pang Baichuan knew that it was because Pang Kuang chose Pang Baichuan as his closed disciple back then. One of the three wisdoms of Zhou, he has outstanding strategies throughout his life, and no one wants to get the true inheritance.

When Pang Jiusi recalled the old days, his heart became hot, but when he remembered that his position as the head of the imperial guard was dismissed, his heart immediately became angry again, and he responded coldly: "It's just that I have no eyes and no eyes, and I protected the wrong person!"

"I dismissed you and transferred you to the western region because I have other plans."

Seeing that Pang Jiu had no intention of talking, Pang Baichuan poured himself another glass. He knew that this glass of Pang Jiu would still not clink glasses with him. As the rivers and rivers are declining, although the imperial guards are fat and vacant, it is difficult to make a big difference, so I will transfer you out."

Hearing Pang Baichuan's words, Pang Jiu turned around to look at Pang Baichuan in doubt and asked, "What do you mean by saying that... it's hard to make a big difference?"

Pang Baichuan nodded, raised his glass, and looked at Pang Jiu, meaning you touch me before you talk.

Pang Jiu still didn't raise his glass, and turned his back to Pang Baichuan: "Hmph! It's fine if you don't say anything, I'm too lazy to know."

Pang Baichuan drank himself again, wiped his mouth and said, "The imperial guards are in charge of security in Shouyan City, but the first and second armies are members of the Yan clan, when will it be your turn to be promoted after meritorious service?"

Pang Jiu really couldn't refute this. If it wasn't for Pang Ku's recommendation, he wouldn't be able to be the commander of the third army. He has been the commander of the third army for eight years. In the majestic capital of the Three Yuan Kingdom, apart from trivial matters such as fighting and stealing chickens and dogs every day, Can there be any big movement.

Seeing Pang Jiu's silence, Pang Baichuan continued: "There are about [-] new troops in the southern border, all of whom have never fought a battle. They are the main force after the Three Yuan Kingdom. Since you were young, you have outstanding martial arts skills, so I want to transfer you to be the commander of the new army. .”

Pang Jiu has amazing arm strength since he was a child, and he was the first in the martial arts examinations back then. In terms of martial arts, no one in Shouyan City is his opponent. .

Hearing this, Pang Jiu suddenly became sober. The commander of the new army and the commander of the imperial guards have very different positions. He turned around and faced Pang Baichuan, and asked suspiciously: "Isn't the new army Qi Sheng?" Is the general's person in command? What is the commander's name? ... Yes, Zhu Rao, who is known as the white electric silver gun."

"Qi Sheng Jinxi was defeated, Tian Jin was furious, so he dismissed him as a general, and the generals under his sect were more or less held accountable, Zhu Rao was among them, although he had not been dismissed as the commander of the new army, But that's a matter of time."

After hearing this, Pang Jiu's face turned red, but he was only excited for a moment, and then he was like a discouraged skin, and said dejectedly: "Even if I go there, with my guilt-ridden body, it will be as difficult as climbing the sky to be the commander of this new army. "

"You don't need to worry about this, I will arrange it myself. The new army is the most suitable place for you to display it, not the commander of this little guard."

Pang Jiu was no longer depressed at this time. To be precise, he was very excited. Before today, he had never even dared to think about being the commander of the new army.

Pang Baichuan then reminded: "This time, you still need to try your best to win over talents. There are a few very good seedlings in the new army. I will give you the relevant list later."

"It's okay, leave it to me."

"Pang's talents are withering, and the burden of Pang's family business is very heavy. The situation is going downhill, and we can only wait for you and me to return to heaven." After finishing speaking, Pang Baichuan raised his wine glass to Pang Jiu.

Pang Jiu stared at Pang Baichuan for a moment, then filled a new glass with wine, and clinked it up.

　There are no audiences... a little frustrated...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)