No, gentlemen also guard against

Chapter 353 The third worst news

Inside the blacksmith shop.

Ouyang Rong, who was squatting by the stove and rolled up his sleeves because of the heat, did not look back for the first time.

Learned the news of Khufu's sudden return.

He did not immediately ask Yanrokuro for details.

But Ouyang Rong knew.

Roughly what it will be.

Because this was the third worst outcome he could think of among the thousands of possibilities he had deduced in his mind.

First of all, Ouyang Rong feels that we need to have a clear understanding of the current situation.

When [-] soldiers from Guizhou returned north, a violent mutiny broke out after conflicts were ignited.

Even if it is a tornado stirred up by two butterflies: the embezzlement of military funds to build a giant Buddha and the cruelty and harshness of the local governor.

But from the perspective of the imperial rulers, it was essentially a mutiny without any excuses.

There is not even a hint of tenderness.

The real problem is how to quell this unexpected mutiny.

The previous letter from my mentor Xie Xun vaguely mentioned the meeting in front of the imperial court under the staff, where the Baoli faction, the Wei family, and the neutral courtiers had a fierce dispute. This was the point.

Wei stood from the standpoint of continuing to promote the so-called national policy of the center and statues, and also from the perspective of preserving those who had defected to him, such as Lan Changhao and Wang Lengran.

Therefore, he was determined to have returned home maliciously. The local governor had almost no responsibility and advocated violent suppression and cleanup.

The pro-liberation faction stood against the Wei family due to Ouyang Rong's plea and explanation and their daily practice of attacking the Wei family.

Defining the chief officer as being cruel and being forced to mutiny, he advocated sending envoys to appease, strive for a peaceful solution, avoid fighting, treat the garrison soldiers leniently, and hold certain chief officers accountable.

In fact, neither party denied the nature of the mutiny.

However, in terms of specific qualitative differences, subtle differences deeply affected the subsequent court actions, and the results were also very different.

The final choice of the court, or Her Majesty the Queen, is now known.

A compromise plan of sending envoys to appease the officials without punishing them.

In addition to the neutral faction who did not want to offend anyone, there was also the empress Wei Zhao who was still good at using imperial arts.

Neither side of the dispute is satisfied.

Shen Xisheng and other court officials of the Baoli faction were dissatisfied because they felt that they were favoring the Wei family, shielding the guilty officials, and disregarding the king's laws.

Shen Xisheng even quoted the inconspicuous words Ouyang Rong wrote in his memorial that day:

If the main culprit is not discovered and punished severely, it will chill the hearts of people with lofty ideals and cause endless trouble for the Zhou Dynasty.

At the moment, few people care.

The two kings of the Wei family also seemed very dissatisfied.

If the mutinous garrison is not suppressed with thunder, wouldn't it leave room for the liquidation of Lan Changhao, Wang Lengran and other chief officials in the future?

Moreover, the mutiny of the Guizhou garrison was also closely related to the statue-making in Guizhou.

Lan Changhao, Wang Lengran and other officials involved were probably panicked afterwards and used this as an excuse to deny and evade responsibility, elevating them to the level of boycotting the construction of Buddha statues.

For example, these big-headed soldiers are not rebelling against them. They are clearly slapping you in the face.

As such.

Could it be that Wei Jisi and Wei Sixing are idiots who can't see the little thoughts of the people below?

of course not.

But as the leader of the faction, there is no right or wrong in his eyes, only his butt.

He was also dissatisfied with the court's compromise plan.

The Guizhou garrison soldiers who took the lead in mutiny by "protesting the statue" were placated and tolerated.
So what should we do if other states across the country follow suit and boycott statue making and Song De copper collection?
In the eyes of the two kings of the Wei family, this matter concerns the Wei family's face and dignity.
It is even more important than the fact that the garrison collapsed after Thunder's suppression and may attack the hinterland of Jiangnan Province and cause long-term harm.

Since the secessionists interfered, Her Majesty the Queen chose a compromise plan that cannot be changed.

Then the two kings of the Wei family will definitely exert their efforts secretly in other places to regain their position.

So, what can be more powerful than liquidating the garrison soldiers returning to the north to establish majesty.

Only in this way can we warn those who secretly resist the central statues and those who violate the central government's statues, and prevent the slightest from happening.

To overcorrect is to overcorrect.

As for the central statue, Her Majesty the Queen has the same interests as the two kings of the Wei family.

Therefore, regarding the Wei family’s subsequent settlement and establishment of authority,
His Majesty probably guessed it, but did not stop it, or even just sat back and watched.

Ouyang Rong has always been afraid of assuming the worst possible ill will in his enemies.

He didn't know much about Hongzhou, but he had already known his character by watching Wang Lengran, the governor of Jiangzhou, with a cold eye.

When you stick your butt out, you know what you want.

So I had previously discussed with the Prince of Xunyang how to protect people in disguise.

However, not everyone has Ouyang Rong's meticulous logic and clear understanding.

For example, these mutinous garrison soldiers in Guizhou,

At the beginning of the previous mutiny, Ouyang Rong observed their movements and guessed that the leading generals of the mutinous garrison did not understand the "mutiny" nature of their mutiny and return to the north.

They did not hijack ships and disturb the people, but returned home with their heads down like honest people. You can see the idea behind them.

It is an emotion similar to that of a wayward child who runs away from home and feels resentful.

The real danger behind this mutiny was not understood.

The leading generals, Cai Qin and others, may be a little hesitant. They do not really want to rebel, but are expressing some helplessness and dissatisfaction to make a fuss and attract attention.

I hope that the "big head" of the imperial court will understand their intentions and recover them.

Moreover, leading so many garrison soldiers back to the north together also wanted to focus on one method without blaming the masses.

As everyone knows, in the eyes of the two kings of the Wei family, [-] garrison soldiers and [-] families are just a series of numbers, not as many as the slaves and tenants in their palace.

Selfishly speaking, Ouyang Rong hoped that these garrison soldiers returning from the north would continue to maintain this naive mentality these days.

The game behind the scenes was left to him and the rebels who sympathized with the garrison.

Because, in a game between two parties, if one party is less suspicious, a lot of things will be saved.

Prevent the situation from slipping into a "lose-lose" situation.

Not long ago, Khufu went to comfort him as an envoy, and the good news came back one after another, which made Ouyang Rong breathe a sigh of relief at that time.

Ouyang Rong had contact with Khufu.

It stands to reason that a eunuch with such a martial and heroic temperament is very suitable for appeasing the garrison soldiers.

With the emperor's personal envoy here, the situation should be stabilized.

But the news that came back in the past two days was worse than the last.

Especially the petition submitted by Cai Qin and other generals.

The situation between the Beigui garrison and Hong and Jiangzhou was suddenly tense and heating up rapidly.

After Ouyang Rong saw the application, he had a keen insight immediately.

This change in the attitude of Cai Qin and others is a complete 180-degree turn from before.

I don’t know if Khufu did something wrong.
Or there was some incident or news on the way back north that stimulated them,
Or was he provoked and bewitched by an ill-intentioned master, and a certain layer of window paper was pierced?
It can be seen from that petition that Cai Qin and others have clearly understood their situation.

We clearly understand the essence of this mutiny, which is actually a mutiny.

Mutiny out of anger is also mutiny.

Not much different from rebellion.Since it is a rebellion, there are only two ways to go except victory.

Zhao An.

and surrender.

Cai Qin and other garrison soldiers had previously laid down their weapons in Tanzhou Prefecture, followed Khufu back to Hongzhou without saying a word, and in the eyes of discerning people, it was actually the same as surrender.

For those who surrender, the court can choose any method of disposal.

They can be treated leniently, punished severely, or they can be killed like Wang Lengran who secretly prepared.

It only depends on the wishes of the victors, like lambs waiting to be slaughtered.

Recruitment is different.

Recruitment is a compromise between both parties.

The party being recruited can impose conditions.

Surrender is not possible, there is not much room.

One fact is that Cai Qin and other mutinous garrison soldiers did not know that Ouyang Rong, Xunyang Wangfu and others sympathized with and could protect their existence.

But they know clearly and unmistakably that the culprits who were cruel and harsh and forced them to rebel are still in office and have not been held accountable.

This is also something Ouyang Rong has been worried about before.

Once Cai Qin and other garrison generals clearly understood the nature of the rebellion and their own situation, a chain of suspicion would naturally form.

The situation will quickly slip somewhere and be extremely difficult to recover.

The two claims above in the petition they submitted not long ago are the result of this chain of suspicion.

It was also the declaration of status that Cai Qin and others changed from surrender to recruitment.

They want to recruit people, not surrender.

As for how Hongzhou and Jiangzhou will respond to them after receiving the petition...

Ouyang Rong was silent.

He only knew that even the garrison troops returning from the north had honestly followed Khufu to surrender "innocently", and Wang Lengran was secretly preparing troops, hoping to frame them for rebellion and catch them all in one fell swoop on the day they entered the city...

What's more, I have now received the threatening petition.

Wang Lengran should be sneering and sharpening his sword.

Because of this, I was very angry at some of Ouyang Rong's cold water measures in the past few days.

This is Jiangzhou.

As for Hongzhou, what will be the choice?

Although he sent a warning in the name of Jiangzhou Hall a few days ago, he did not receive a reply.

But now, the news of Khufu's sudden return has actually told Ouyang Rong the answer.

Just like a leaf knows the autumn...

"understood."

In the blacksmith shop, looking away from the dancing flames in the furnace, Ouyang Rong clapped his hands, stood up, and passed by the anxious Yan Liulang.

"Let's go."

Ouyang Rong looked calm and didn't ask any questions.

Yan Liulang, who wanted to speak, was stunned and had no choice but to follow.

Arriving at the main hall of Jiangzhou Hall, Ouyang Rong saw Hu Fu, Wang Lengran, and even Yuan Huaimin.

All officials of modest rank in Jiangzhou's lobby were summoned urgently.

Things really are not small.

"Ouyang Changshi! Why did you come here?"

Everyone said anxiously like ants on a hot pot.

Ouyang Rong walked into the main hall and looked at the oncoming Khufu. He couldn't help but take a second look at the fair face that had lost his beard.

And the waist knife on his waist.

After thinking for a while, he asked with concern: "What's wrong with Ambassador Hu?"

Khufu didn't know whether he was asking about the beard or something else. His face was anxious and he said in a bitter tone:
"It's over, it's all over. Cai Qin was halfway there when he suddenly gathered his troops in the middle of the night with the intention of rebelling. He almost killed the Zajia family that night... The Zajia family escaped."

Ouyang Rong nodded and asked directly: "How is Hongzhou?"

Khufu nodded and said anxiously:

"By the time the Zajia family rushed over the mountains and ridges to Hongzhou, it was already too late. The garrison troops had already approached Hongzhou unimpeded, broke through the strict pass, and occupied the terrain... Governor Zhu sent his soldiers to attack."

Ouyang Rong nodded: "What's the situation now?"

Hu Fu, Yuan Huaimin and others couldn't help but look at Ouyang Rong a few more times.

As if surprised by his calm expression, the weak-headed Chang Shi didn't seem to be surprised at all.

Ouyang Rong was silent. Since Khufu could survive and come back alone, there were only two possibilities:

Otherwise, Hongzhou had been lost and he fled in panic.

Otherwise there would be a conflict between Hongzhou and the garrison soldiers. Hongzhou had already decided that the situation was irreversible and he came to ask for reinforcements.

The former was the second worst situation he could think of.

The latter is the third worst situation.

As for the worst situation... Ouyang Rong pursed his lips.

According to the current news, Hongzhou City is still there, and he is actually very relieved.

Hu Fu shook his head: "I don't know yet, but when the Za family left, the people in Hongzhou City were in panic. Governor Zhu had just sent troops out of the city. The Za family came to inform the Governor Wang to rush to Hongzhou's aid!"

Khufu's suggestion was the same as Ouyang Rong's suggestion not long ago.

Wang Lengran suddenly turned ugly and said coldly:
"Why are you so anxious? There are only 500 people. There are more than 3000 elites serving in the two Zhechong Mansion in Hongzhou. If we recruit more troops, we can even have over [-] troops. We can still defend the city. What can we do in a short period of time?" fear?

"It's the thieves who should be afraid."

Khufu said with a worried look:

"Master Wang doesn't know that those garrison soldiers entered Hongzhou without committing any crime all the way. They marched in large numbers in the name of Zhechong Captain, Coach Envoy, and Zhechong Changshi who severely punished people and gods. They were very popular with the fellow villagers along the way. Sympathy for indignation.

"In response to this, Hongzhou Hall continued to ban, but in Hongzhou City, people began to panic, and some people fled.

"When Governor Zhu learned about this, his face was heavy. He warned the Zajia family that civil war is different from foreign wars. It is easy for rebels to grow, not to mention the difficulty of using the morale of the people. Hongzhou City may be in danger, so the Zajia family should come to ask for help quickly..."

The crowd fell silent.

The families of 1000 and [-] Hongzhou garrison soldiers all live in Hongzhou. This time, the garrison soldiers returned with the excuse of returning to their hometowns. The Hongzhou government was unreasonable, and the people's support was unimaginable.

Ouyang Rong said directly:

"If Hongzhou is lost, the gates of Jiangzhou will be wide open, and the lips will be cold and the teeth will be destroyed. Xunyang City can only defend by danger, and it will be useless to leave too many soldiers from the third fold to attack the mansion.

"Both Governor Zhu and the Hongzhou Military Mansion are unable to withstand it, and the Jiangzhou Military Mansion can still fight back. Does Mr. Wang have such a general who can use his troops like a god and support the generals of the building?

"Run for help as soon as possible. While the situation remains intact, don't treat the officer's words as child's play."

After a pause, Ouyang Rong added:
"Don't worry, Xiaguan and the palace will not escape, and there is no need to set up defenses. Xiaguan will arrange logistics in Xunyang City and wait for Sir Wang to come back."

He said it so straightforwardly that everyone looked at him with side eyes and immediately admonished him together.

Being urged by everyone, Wang Lengran felt embarrassed and hesitated on his face.

(End of this chapter)