National color raw owl

Chu Huan ordered Xu Shao to lead a thousand soldiers into the city. In addition to quickly controlling the gates of Tongzhou City, nearly half of the soldiers and horses were drawn from them to patrol the city on horseback, and the military regulations set by Chu Huan were announced throughout the city. Those illegals who want to take advantage of the fire and rob will be severely punished.

The people of Tongzhou City have been terrified every day since the Northwest Army came to the city. The people only thought that the war was happening in the south of the empire. However, the sudden arrival of the Northwest Army made the people suddenly realize that the war was by their side.

In order to prevent troubles in the city, Xu Qing also ordered martial law in the whole city after the arrival of the Northwest Army. The people in the city almost stayed at home these days and did not dare to go out.

There was a commotion in the city last night, Xu Qing fled in a hurry, and many rogues took advantage of the chaos to commit crimes in the city, and some soldiers who took off their military uniforms also took the opportunity to loot in the city, the people were even more frightened, the streets, alleys, and gates were all dead. Dead close, no one knows what kind of fate they will face next.

Many officials and gentry in the city are well-informed. They already know that the reinforcements were defeated and fled. Even Xu Qing fled with his people in a hurry. Fleeing in a short time is really difficult. Coupled with the riots in the city, they may be robbed as soon as they go out, and even if they leave the city, who can guarantee that they will be chased and intercepted by the Northwest Army outside the city.

Throughout the ages, people's lives are like dogs in troubled times, soldiers and horses are extremely cruel, and killing and looting is commonplace. We all know that the Northwest Army is like a wolf and a tiger.

The northwest cavalry shouted everywhere in the streets and alleys of the city, and Chu Huan also asked people to find the scholars who wrote all night in the city, and ordered them to write down the three military regulations that had been set, and posted them in everyone's alleys, and quickly set them up in the city. There are many reporting offices, but if a soldier violates military regulations, it is expected that the reporting office will sue, and special personnel will investigate.

Chu Huan entered the city at dawn. After some arrangements, by noon, the whole city had already known that the Northwest Army had entered the city. The commotion in the city quickly returned to calm because the Northwest Army quickly entered the state.

Although Xu Qing escaped, there were too many officials in the city who could not escape, not even Xu Qing's family members could be taken away in time.

Chu Huan sent people to guard the Zhizhou mansion first, not allowing anyone to enter or leave at will, and then ordered the officials of the various departments who stayed in the city to gather outside the Zhizhou mansion, waiting to be summoned.

Some officials were afraid that Chu Huanqiu would settle the score later, so they hid and did not dare to come forward, but some officials, although panicked, went outside the magistrate's mansion tremblingly.

Dozens of officials, big and small, were whispering outside the Zhizhou Mansion. At dusk, they heard someone coming out to summon them, so they packed up and entered the main hall of the Zhizhou Mansion.

Outside the main hall, the majestic Northwest warriors were stern and silent. In the lobby, Chu Huan was waiting. When he saw the officials coming, Chu Huan smiled and said, "Everyone, the governor has some trivial matters to deal with, and just now I sent someone to Xu Qing's family members have made proper arrangements...!"

Chu Huan said it easily, but all the officials were terrified, wondering if Chu Huan's words had other meanings.

Seeing everyone's expressions, Chu Huan smiled and said: "You don't have to think too much. Although Xu Qing is guilty, he is not as guilty as his family members. The governor will not embarrass his family members. The governor just gave them some money, and then asked someone to arrange a car. Ma, since Xu Qing left Tongzhou City and his family and left, the Governor can't force his family to stay, since they are willing, let them go to Yunshan."

Hearing what Chu Huan said, all the officials breathed a sigh of relief, and their expressions were much more relaxed. If it was true what Chu Huan said, and let Xu Qing's family members go, it shouldn't be too difficult for these ordinary officials.

"Governor Chu, Xu Qing... In order to claim credit, Xu Qing insisted on calling the soldiers and civilians to resist the Heavenly Soldiers...!" Standing up, one person forced a smile and said, "I don't agree with him doing that. "

Everyone else nodded in agreement, and they all said that Gucheng was waiting for help, which was what Xu Qing and Hu Miao meant, but they didn't agree.

Chu Huan asked with a smile: "I don't understand what you say. Xu Qing is the magistrate of Tongzhou. The enemy invaded and guarded the city. It stands to reason that he is a loyal minister. Why do you say he is wrong?"

All the officials were startled, they didn't expect Chu Huan to say such a thing, and many people felt embarrassed for a while, and they didn't know how to refute.

"I asked you to come here today to have a heart-to-heart chat with you." Chu Huan said gently, "If you have something to say, it's okay to say it, the speaker is innocent."

An official finally got up and said: "Governor Chu, Xu Qing is waiting for help in Gucheng, and he didn't surrender. It stands to reason that he is indeed a loyal minister, but... it just depends on who he is loyal to."

"Oh?"

"The emperor is tyrannical and cruel, the world is in chaos, and the people are displaced...!" The man boldly said: "Governor Chu led the Northwest Army into the customs. A teacher of justice, Xu Qing, for his own meritorious deeds, blocked the heavenly soldiers, and still loyal to Tyrant Qin, this... this is naturally not a loyal minister."

"That's right." Immediately someone said: "Chu Governor doesn't know, Xu Qing's blocking your army is not for the public, but for private."

Chu Huan leaned forward slightly, and said with a smile, "How do you say that?"

"Xu Qing understands that if there is a loss in Tongzhou, he will be the Zhizhou." The man sneered, "After he became the Zhizhou, it was Xishan who took the mining rights from the imperial court. Caught in his hands, he used the power in his hands to fill his own pockets. As long as he has silver, anyone can do business. Even those bandits and robbers can also use silver to buy ore from him to refine weapons... .!" Looking at an official next to him, he said, "Huang Caoling knows this best."

All eyes immediately turned to that man, who was sweating on his forehead, cupped his hands and said, "Chu...Chu Governor, the subordinate officials are only following orders, and the subordinate officials are just small household Cao Cao Ling, who knows the state has orders. , how dare the subordinate officials disobey."

Chu Huan said with a smile: "Huang Caoling, you don't have to be nervous. The Governor I met with you today is not to settle accounts after the fall, but to chat with everyone and discuss what Tongzhou should do next."

Hearing this, Huang Caoling regained his composure and said, "Chu Du, what you said is correct. Xu Qing and Hu Miao are working together. After he got here, he didn't care about other things. He just focused on the ore. From mine mining to sales transactions, he holds great power and does not allow others to get involved. Since the mining rights are in his hands, he has been making a lot of money every day. Naturally, he is reluctant to let go of such a throne. Naturally, fat and shortage cannot be guaranteed, so...that's why we fight against the Heavenly Soldiers, it's nothing more than to keep our own financial resources."

"So that's it." Chu Huan nodded slightly: "You all seem to be very dissatisfied with him, and the reason is just because this person enriches his own pockets and wastes the public because of his own interests, isn't it?"

Everyone looked at each other, they didn't know what Chu Huan was thinking, but they didn't dare to speak lightly.

"In the eyes of the governor, Xu Qing's biggest crime is helping the tyrants." Chu Huan sighed: "Knowing that the people of the world have suffered from the Qin Dynasty for a long time, for the sake of their own future and wealth, they still acted as tyrants to the Qin Dynasty regardless of the life and death of the people." Running dog, this is his greatest crime."

Everyone immediately said: "What Governor Chu said is absolutely true."

"You all know that Yingxiang ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, and his reign was fixed as military." Chu Huan said indifferently: "But you may not know that this person will do everything in order to ascend to the throne, even his own flesh and blood brothers. It is also merciless, such a benevolent and ungrateful person, but calling himself an emperor, is really outraged by both humans and gods."

The officials didn't know what to say for a while.

"The governor asked you to come here, in fact, to give you a choice of path." Chu Huan's expression became serious: "Dingwu is now recruiting troops in Hexi, if you are willing to leave, the governor will never force you to stay, and will give you money , even if you go to Yunshan and continue to be loyal to Tyranny with Suo Qiao Mingtang, we can still be friends now, sitting here and chatting, but after leaving the city, you will be enemies with the governor from now on. Next time we meet, no I will treat each other as friends again. Of course, if anyone is willing to stay and fight against the tyranny of the Qin Dynasty, the governor welcomes them very much, and they will still retain their original posts. You have every penny, I only hope that you will assist me to manage the people in Tongzhou well."

All the officials had different expressions when they heard the words, and after a while of silence, one of them got up and said: "Chu Du, I am a native of Tongzhou, and I just want to do something for my father and fellow villagers. ...The lower officials are willing to stay and do their best."

Seeing this, the others said one after another: "I am willing to dedicate myself to my duty and be loyal to Governor Chu."

Chu Huan smiled and said: "Everyone is so kind, I thank you. However, there is a saying, I still want to remind you that Dingwu regards me as the number one traitor in the world. If you stay, Tyranny will naturally arrest you." I regard you as a traitor, so... I hope you can think clearly. If you leave today, the governor will give you money and will not force you to stay, but if you stay, you must be loyal to your duties. If you are not an official, I will The governor will be dismissed at any time, of course, if he is really talented, the governor will definitely use it and promote him, but after staying, he can't be careless, the governor will never be soft on people who are indifferent."

A group of officials looked at each other, knelt down on the ground, and said in unison: "I will swear allegiance to Governor Chu to the death, and I will never dare to have two hearts."

Chu Huan raised his hand to signal everyone to stand up, and said with a smile: "That's it, everyone, please take care of your duties and comfort the people, yes, tell the gentry in the city that the governor guarantees their property and personal safety, and let them feel at ease, don't worry about it." Worried." He said again: "Hucao Cao ordered to sort out the list of materials in the city as soon as possible, and hand it over to the governor, is the mine still being mined?"

One person came out and said: "The official worker Cao Cao ordered Sun Sixiao to report back to the Governor of Chu. At present, there are sixteen mines in Tongzhou. They are fully staffed and can be mined at any time. Moreover, there are foreign merchants in the city, living in the posthouse, waiting for supply. Goods, these are deals that were negotiated before."

"No one can stand without trust. Although Xu Qing is guilty, he previously represented Tongzhou. Now that the deal has been negotiated, the transaction will continue as usual. Sun Caoling, you need to worry more at this time."

"The next official understands that he will do his best."

After all the officials retreated, Xu Shao came out from the side hall and said, "Chu Du, we have arranged for people to send the family members of Xu Qing and Hu Miao out of the city. Let them go, but they are not allowed to take away their belongings."

"It's so good." Chu Huan picked up the teacup and drank it all in one gulp. Then Xu Shao said with a smile: "Chu Du, with a few words, these people bow their heads and ears, it's just...!"

"Just what?"

"It's just that these people can really be loyal?" Xu Shao was slightly worried: "Now that we control Tongzhou, they may be forced to do so because of no situation."

Chu Huan said with a smile: "I understand this. If you want to ask them to be loyal to you with a few words, it is undoubtedly a dream." Sighing, he said: "However, these people are very familiar with the government affairs of Tongzhou. For a while, they are really indispensable. They, if they are all expelled, the stagnation of government affairs in Tongzhou will be a great trouble. In any case, they can still do something at the moment. Although there are stupid and incompetent people among them, there should be some capable people. They are mules. It’s a horse, it won’t take long to understand, let’s put more emphasis on those who can be promoted, let them live in peace for two days first, let them have time to recover, and those who should be replaced will naturally be replaced.”

Xu Shao said with a smile: "Chu Du has already made arrangements, so the general can rest assured."

"Xu Shao, I'm going to hand over all the military and political affairs in Tongzhou to you." Chu Huan's expression became serious: "This is our throat, if it's someone else, I'm a little worried, you are willing to take it ?”

Xu Shao was stunned, and said in surprise: "Chu Du, such a heavy responsibility...!"

"Don't have any burden." Chu Huan interrupted: "After much deliberation, you are careful in handling things, courageous and resourceful, and you are the most suitable candidate."

Xu Shao thought for a while, and then said: "Chu Du, let's take Liangzhou and Tongzhou, why don't we take advantage of the victory and continue to advance to Yunshan, Qiao Mingtang was defeated, Yunshan is very empty now, it is a good idea to take Yunshan in one fell swoop Chance!"

"I know what you mean." Chu Huan shook his head and said, "But the time has not yet come. We have spent a lot of hard work, and although Liangzhou and Tongzhou were captured, they have not yet been able to digest them stably. Besides, we are sending troops to Yunshan now. , not to mention whether the logistics can be guaranteed, that is, if it can be guaranteed, it can really win Yunshan in one fell swoop? Yunshan Fucheng, I know very well, is the first city in Xishan Road, it is very strong, and Qiao Mingtang is in Yunshan Very popular... The most important thing is that Dingwu must have known the situation of Xishan by now. If we attack Yunshan, Yuan Chongshang from Anyi in the north will definitely lead his troops to help, and Dingwu will also send reinforcements... ..With this side still not fully stabilized, if the Yunshan battle cannot proceed smoothly, we will have to take Yunshan down, and it is very likely that the Tongzhou and Liangzhou that we just won will be lost.”

Xu Shao nodded and said: "The general understands...!"

At this moment, I heard footsteps outside the door, and a hurried voice came over: "Chu Du...Where is Chu Du?" A person hurriedly appeared outside the hall door. It was Qi Hong, the head of Chu Huan's personal bodyguard.

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