Jingming

Chapter 243 Yan Shenggong adds drama?
The sky is clear in the south.

Si Cong went ahead quickly, and it didn't take long to reach Yuezhou Mansion, after all, Yuezhou Mansion was adjacent to Wuchang Mansion.

There are seven counties and one state in the prefecture, and the prefecture is located in Baling County.

The most famous building in the county is probably Yueyang Tower, but now Si Cong doesn't have the heart to pay homage to the ancient monuments.

He is now not far to the east of the Yuezhou government office, sitting on a restaurant and looking at the Yuezhou Guard Office not far away.

In Yuezhou, in fact, the commander of Yuezhou Guard also has an immediate boss: Dongting garrison.

Because Yuezhou Mansion guards the confluence of Dongting Lake and the Yangtze River, it has become a natural military fortress: based on this, you can go upstream to Jingxiang, Sichuan and Shu, and go down the river to express Wuchang Jiangnan. .After going deep into Dongting Lake, you can also go deep into the southern hinterland of Huguang through the Dongting Lake River.

Therefore, a Dongting garrison was specially set up here to obey the orders of Huguang General Soldier and control the guards around Dongting Lake.

Si Cong knew that he should wait for Marquis Zhenyuan to confirm Dongting's defense position before telling him that he could do it.

In addition to Xiang Falong, the commander of Yuezhou Wei, there are also Commanders Tongzhi, Commander Qianshi, Qianhu, Baihu and so on.

On the way here, he had already understood the situation clearly: the current Yuezhou Guard, according to the book, should have 170 soldiers.

Si Cong didn't know how many there were actually.

But no matter what, if you want to win Xiang Falong, you have to consider Yuezhou Wei's subsequent reaction.

Maybe the advantage now is that Xiang Falong didn't expect Zhenyuanhou to be so decisive.

In the Yuezhou Garrison Office, Xiang Falong asked his own soldiers: "General Xiong, has the letter been delivered?"

"The humble official delivered it personally, the general can rest assured."

"Okay! Mr. Gu will be angry, of course, but in the midst of anger, you have to promise to the guards that you won't be short of food. That's how scruples you are!" Xiang Falong grinned, "We don't want too much. As long as the new law is implemented in the future, everything in our guard will remain the same. There must be bandits in a severe drought. The Dongting Lake is so big that bandits will flee. General Xiong, the Dongting garrison, can invite a navy this time to recruit troops to suppress them. Bandit."

"General, I think Lord Hou is quite displeased. Our Yuezhou Guard...will we become the first bird?"

"Of course Lord Hou doesn't like it." Xiang Falong didn't take it seriously, "But at this moment, Mr. Sun Ge, Lord Hou, and Eunuch Gu have too many things to pay attention to. With so many vassal princes in Huguang, cleaning up water conservancy involves a lot of things. There are so many people, and now there is a severe drought, do they want to make the guards mess up too? The best policy is to appease them!"

In the Dongting garrison mansion not far from the city, Dongting garrison Xiong Weiyang read the letter sent to Falong.

After Yongle, many vassal kings began to move to Huguang, and after cutting down the guard army, there was no chaos in the hinterland of Ming Dynasty for a hundred years. The defense of Dongting had no chance of meritorious service, and it was difficult to be promoted again.

Those military general positions that are further up almost all have the status of honored ministers or illustrious military achievements, so they may rank among them.

Xiong Weiyang has been defending the Dongting for more than seven years.

It's no big deal, Dongting defense is usually a idle job.However, at least in name, he can exert influence on some military affairs and government affairs in several Wei and several prefectures around Dongting Lake.

Seven years is enough to do too many things.

One of the things that has made it difficult for Xiong Weiyang to accept many things at present: the embankment and embankment of Dongting Lake to build fields.

Dongting, which is eight hundred miles away, is only as vast as the sea under the impact of the Yangtze River's water carrying silt and sand in the summer flood season.

However, the terrain has different heights. If many places can be surrounded by embankments, they can get fertile fields and fertile ponds formed by the impact of a large number of rivers and lakes.

Growing grain and raising fish are all very good.

Building embankments around Dongting Lake has been around since the Tang and Song Dynasties.Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, thirteen embankments were built around the Yuanjiang River during the Hongwu period, and 48 embankments were built around Huarong County.In the 28th year of Hongwu, Emperor Taizu even issued an edict that all newly reclaimed land after 27 years of Hongwu, no matter how much or how little, will not be punished.

Encouraging land reclamation may be difficult in other places.But on the shore of Dongting Lake, it is really just to choose suitable islands and beaches for reclamation every year when the water level is low in autumn and winter.

Over the past century, how many fertile fields and fishing grounds have grown beside Dongting Lake?
No one has checked the system.

But for example, in the 11th year of Zhengtong, the governor of Longyang County opened up and built a large embankment with a circumference of more than 120 feet and a length of [-] miles.

If there is no matter of water conservancy rectification and new laws, so many fertile fields and fishing grounds would be "unscrupulous places."

People of insight know the impact of the reduction in the surface of Dongting Lake on the flooding of the Yangtze River.

In the current severe drought, people who are related to the interests of the "unscrupulous land" accumulated over the years by Dongting Lake are actually still thinking about grain business. help.

"Zehou, what do you think?" Xiong Weiyang handed Xiang Falong's letter to Zhang Zehou, his aide.

After reading the letter, Zhang Zehou pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I feel that what you said to the command post is very true. Nowadays, there are many discussions in the world, and there is a catastrophe. If your majesty still wants to implement the new law, the five prefectures and the local capitals must not mess up the guards." Yes. The selection of the front to go south is nothing more than guarding against this. As long as there is no rebellion and the imperial court still thinks it is not enough to appease, how can we go to war?"

Xiong Weiyang frowned and nodded.

"At this time, instead, please take advantage of the severe drought when the water level drops, use labor as relief and then build dikes and embankments, so that new fields can be obtained and the victims can be accommodated. Of course, the Jingzhou government has been admonished first, and the general can Discuss with the government officials to write a petition first, and not announce it to the people. In addition, in order to prevent the people from fleeing in disasters, the general can indeed invite troops to set up a naval camp to prepare for banditry."

"You can help me draft the memorial first, and I'll think about it later."

Xiong Weiyang always felt that His Majesty's decree to order the princes and relatives of the world to come to Beijing to celebrate this year's Longevity Day was strange.

This is really different from the old case.Naturally, the vassal king no longer guards the place as he did in the early days of the country, but honored ministers like Gu Shilong, Marquis of Zhenyuan, really play this role.

These people will leave for Beijing one or two months before the Longevity Festival, so the time is already very close.

Back and forth, this is several months.

How much change might a place have undergone over such a long period of time?

Doesn't the imperial court really know how much the guards under the jurisdiction of the local capital have been involved with the prefectures, counties, gentry and merchants in land, business taxes and many other aspects?
Xiong Weiyang was still hesitating and thinking, and his own soldiers came to report: "General, the governor is here, and Geng Qian is here to visit."

"... Please!"

Although his heart was shaking, Xiong Weiyang did not dare to neglect.

The commander of the capital is the commander of the affairs, the real power is the third rank, and he is in charge of farming, training, and secretary affairs with the commander of the capital.

Geng Yongfeng is in charge of everything, and Xiong Weiyang has dealt with him a lot.

When we arrived at the steps outside the hall, Xiong Weiyang was full of joy: "Brother Geng, you are negligent, negligent, magpies are crowing this morning, and I am still thinking about what kind of distinguished guest this is..."

Looking at him, Geng Yongfeng felt that Xiong Weiyang was already as smooth as the old fritters in civil servants.

After politely following him into the signing room, Geng Yongfeng said after sitting down, "I have something to say to Xiong Shoubei in private."

Xiong Weiyang was stunned for a moment, then turned away the guards and servants, looked at Geng Yongfeng and asked, "But what secret order does the Marquis have?"

Geng Yongfeng stared at him for a moment, and then said: "Xiong Shoubei, before the Lord Hou bound his second son to Beijing to plead guilty, because the Second Young Master Gu and the Prince of Chu's mansion bought fertile land privately. Do you know the reason?"

Xiong Weiyang froze for a moment: "I really don't know..."

What is he talking about?
Geng Yongfeng said again: "Your Majesty pleaded guilty, but His Majesty did not plead guilty, and still ordered Lord Hou to take up his original post. Xiong Shoubei, Lord Hou ordered me to send a message to ask you: If your heirs also have these things, how do you choose?"

Xiong Weiyang's heart skipped a beat, and he looked at him in disbelief, not knowing how to answer for a moment.

Among the military officers, the questions were so direct.

Xiong Weiyang naturally has heirs, but now it is obviously not just his heirs.

What to choose?Do you choose to plead guilty or not, please do not plead guilty?

Geng Yongfeng went straight to the point, Xiong Weiyang said dryly: "Brother Geng, I don't understand..."

"Master Hou will enter Beijing soon, and I don't want to leave any trouble in Huguang." Geng Yongfeng's eyes were sharp, "The Shenji Battalion will arrive in Wuchang Mansion in less than [-] days, Lord Hou ordered me to restrain it. Xiong Shoubei, I have already brought the military order Come, whatever you choose, I will do."

Xiong Weiyang looked at him with a rapid heartbeat.

Geng Yongfeng didn't bring many people with him, he came alone, at least he sat alone in front of him.

But now he wants to force himself to confess and plead guilty.

The previous words are very clear. If he confesses and pleads guilty now, and cooperates with what he will do next, then he can "remain in his original position."

What if it is perfunctory?Then he has another military order?
"Brother Geng, I still don't understand..." Xiong Weiyang's eyes became sharper, "Brother Geng asked if my son, Xiong, also invaded and bought the people's farmland, how would Xiong choose? Then Xiong will naturally follow Hou's example. Lord."

"Okay!" Geng Yongfeng frowned, "Then please brother Xiong send your son to Wuchang Mansion!"

Xiong Weiyang stood up abruptly: "But Xiong's son is not guilty of this crime!"

Geng Yongfeng just stood up slowly, stared at Xiong Weiyang and said slowly: "Xiong Shoubei has to think clearly. Lord Hou doesn't want to leave troubles, Geng came alone, only Xiong Shou has a choice. Xiong Shoubei, I might as well put To put it plainly: if you plead guilty, you are loyal; if you do not take the blame and make meritorious service, you are rebellious!"

Xiong Weiyang's chest rose and fell.

Just now, he was still discussing with Zhang Zehou that the emperor wanted to appease the general.

But now, Geng Yongfeng relayed Gu Shilong's opinion: Now it is the military order to send his son as a hostage to Wuchang Mansion to "plead guilty"!
If not, is it against?

Who gave Gu Shilong the courage to do this!

But Xiong Weiyang just wanted to take this opportunity to avoid the interests of the local guards from being affected by the new law in the future, he just wanted a guarantee.

He hadn't thought of rebelling.

Why push him so hard?

Geng Yongfeng was still looking at him, as if he wasn't afraid of the consequences at all.

"Brother Geng came to Yuezhou, what exactly is he going to do?"

Geng Yongfeng didn't speak, just waited for him.

Xiong Weiyang's face was ugly, and he gritted his teeth and looked at him.

The two stalemate for a few breaths before Geng Yongfeng said word for word: "I said, it's a crime and a meritorious service. The selection of the front to go south is not for defense, but for offense!"

Xiong Weiyang's heart skipped a beat.

Contributing meritorious deeds will naturally wipe out the crime, and may even be promoted.

And the sentence that the striker went south to attack is even more terrifying.

Who are you going to attack?

... Rebels!
Xiong Weiyang looked at Geng Yongfeng who was extremely calm, and after a while he said dryly: "Xiong has no way to teach his son, so I will send him to Wuchang Mansion."

Geng Yongfeng didn't hesitate, he took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and said, "Xiong Weiyang obeys the order!"

"...A general is here!"

"The commander of the Yuezhou Guard, Xiang Falong, listened to the rumors and disturbed my king's heart. He ordered Xiong Weiyang to temporarily assume the post of commander of the Yuezhou Guard, and Geng Yongfeng to temporarily assume the post of Dongting Guard, to investigate the Dongting guards' settlement, training, business, etc. For this matter, Xiong Weiyang must be at his disposal, and make a contribution to the crime!"

Xiong Weiyang got up and took the paper and continued to ask in disbelief: "Doesn't it go through the Five Houses and the Ministry of War?"

Geng Yongfeng replied calmly: "Governor of the Marquis of Jing'an, Hu Guangzhi, has the right to make decisions on the fly, just report to him. Commander Xiong, do you want to fight the rebels or the officers and soldiers? It's just a matter of thought. I Then repeat Cui Cance's warning to Lord Hou: Your Majesty is ready to suppress the rebellion if you want to implement the new law! All the crimes in the past are the old affairs of the previous dynasty; in the future, those who are loyal to the emperor will not be treated lightly."

Xiong Weiyang couldn't believe it.

But the emperor is the emperor.If the emperor's determination has long been so great that he is ready to counter the rebellion, is it really a rebellion to guard the benefits he has obtained before?

Either the rebellion is successful, and the title will be rewarded; or it will be hacked as a rebel, and the family will be ransacked...

Geng Yongfeng stared at him: "Xiang Falong is worried about the food and salary, and Commander Xiong naturally knows where the food and salary are by the Dongting Lake. If you want to take the blame and make meritorious service, Commander Xiong can start to tell the guard a list."

Not long after, the lieutenant under Si Cong walked up to the restaurant and whispered in his ear: "The people sent by Master Hou have arrived, and we will go to the Dongting Garrison Hall to discuss matters first."

Si Cong's eyes lit up: It seems that Dongting's defensive position has been clarified.

In that case, the more than [-] soldiers of Yuezhou Guard would not be in great trouble.

Gu Shilong decided to "leave no future troubles" to frighten Huguang before entering Beijing. The matter there was still going on, and another news reached Wuchang Mansion like a bolt from the blue.

The weather was too hot, and Zhu Zhige, the king of Liao who was seriously ill, suffered from heat sores again, and died just like that—not long after His Majesty ordered Sun Jiao to invite a famous doctor to treat him.

It is less than four months before the official conferment of the prince!
A memorandum from the prefect of Jingzhou is already being delivered to the capital: The Liao clan has too many relatives, and now the king of Liao has passed away without a son. The court should abolish the Liao clan to relieve the burden on the people of Jingzhou.

The imperial decree sent by Zhu Houcong to various places is still on the way, and under the scorching sun in the south, he gallops like a desperate horse.

The news that 14 people were killed by sticks outside Chengtianmen and more than [-] people by court sticks has not yet spread. Kong Wenfang from Shandong didn't know that his son's buttocks had been beaten to pieces.

But the imperial decree about Confucius' ceremonies has already spread to Shandong.

After Zhang Fujing knelt in the yard outside the main hall of the Qianya in Yanshenggong's mansion and listened to the imperial decree, he bowed and shouted: "Your Majesty is holy!"

But Kong Wenshao, Kong Wenfang and many other people could only sulk their faces and shout long live unwillingly.

After Zhang Fujing stood up, he took the imperial decree and turned to look at them: "The sacrificial ceremony has been set, and the birthday ceremony will be held next month, so we will prepare the etiquette according to the ceremony. Yan Shenggong, the prefect of Kong County, is running out of time. And the wooden master, we need to speed up the redesign."

"... Dutai, it's only a month and a few days, how can you..."

Zhang Fujing squinted his eyes: "How much trouble can it be to demolish some statues and carve some plaques and wooden masters?"

After finishing speaking, he turned around and looked in the direction of the Confucius Temple: "Where are the pacesetters?"

"The mark is here!"

Zhang Fujing looked at Kong Wenshao and Kong Wenfang and smiled: "The engraving of the plaques and wooden masters, you two put a lot of effort into it. The demolition of the statues, let me do it for you, so as not to embarrass the two of you."

The two brothers Kong Wenshao lowered their heads and looked angry.

When Zhang Fujing came to Qufu these days, it was like traveling in mountains and rivers.

He was the one who presented the "Discussion on Confucius' Sacrificial Code". After he came, he also took the initiative to mention this matter in the Kong family school, and debated it with Shandong officials and Kong Wenshao and others.

But who can argue against Zhang Fujing?

Of course, Zhang Fujing also disagreed with these people - after all, the positions of the buttocks are different.

However, he is the governor, and he has his own soldiers.

Now, after receiving the imperial decree, he took his soldiers to the Confucius Temple.

"Wen Fang, what should we do?"

What can Kong Wenfang do?
Fortunately, the title of Lord Yansheng is still there, that's enough.

The king title of Confucius was removed, and the rules of sacrifice were re-established. In the future, Confucius will only be sacrificed once a year. The reason for Yanshenggong Mansion to take the opportunity to ask for a lot of sacrifice expenses is much less.

That should be enough, right?

I didn't see that Zhang Fujing visited the villagers and wanted to use the case to investigate Yansheng Gong's mansion.

But in this way, wouldn't Kong Wenshao still be able to sit firmly in Yan Shenggong's position?

So Kong Wenfang replied: "How can Zonggong allow warriors to destroy the statues of ancestors? Although we can no longer erect statues in the most holy temple, Zonggong should send people to remove them carefully. Only my descendants of the Kong family will enshrine them in the back house of Yanshenggong's mansion." , is this the head office?"

Kong Wenshao nodded repeatedly after hearing the words: "Yes! I must not be unfilial and allow others to destroy the statues of my ancestors!"

After finishing speaking, he hurriedly led his men to chase after Zhang Fujing.

There was a trace of expectation in Kong Wenfang's eyes.

The purpose is to destroy, not to remove.

Will Kong Wenshao's move be considered as obstruction?
Outside the Confucian Temple, Zhang Fujing had arrived with a brigade of personal soldiers.

In fact, he didn't want to be so arrogant that he was ready to smash it in the Confucian Temple. He also respected Dacheng Wenxuan Master.

But after Kong Wenshao, Duke Yansheng, arrived, he cried out loudly before he even reached the gate: "The governor! The unfilial descendants cry and ask the governor to show mercy! The body of the ancestors must not be destroyed by the hands of a reckless man!" , please allow me to order someone to dismantle it carefully."

As soon as this sentence was uttered, Zhang Fujing's pacesetters all showed anger.

Zhang Fujing, on the other hand, turned his head in amazement, and saw that Yan Shenggong ran in neatly dressed and teary-faced. After entering, he knelt down facing the direction where the words "Dacheng Hall" were still hung: "If children and grandchildren are not filial, they cannot protect the ancestors' kindness." Prosperity is comprehensive, and children and grandchildren are not filial!"

Zhang Fujing frowned seeing him prostrating and kowtowing there.

Who taught him to play?

(End of this chapter)