Shuhan

Chapter 240 The Key to Conquering the Runan Gentlemen!
"I don't know what His Highness summoned us for!"

Xu Ming, Meng Bai, Zhou Qing, and Chen Chi, who were from the gentry in Runan, gathered together, all with heavy hearts.

The military tent they were assigned to was not small, but all four of them felt unspeakable pressure and anxiety.

The four of them sat beside a simple table, their eyes unconsciously falling on the table, as if they were looking for an answer.

Xu Ming was a burly young man, frowning, silently holding the wooden cup in his hand, as if he was thinking about how to deal with it.

"How to solve this matter?"

Xu Ming was born in the Xu family in Runan, and Xu Shao, who was of the same family as him, once organized the Yuedan Review and evaluated Cao Cao as "a traitor in Qingping, a hero in troubled times."

After Xu Shao went south, the Xu family in Runan also became lonely.

At this time, Xu Ming didn't even have a filial family background, and he didn't even have an official status.

Meng Bai was an elegant young man. His fingers tapped on the table lightly, a layer of sweat appeared on his forehead, obviously he was quite anxious.

"Could it be that His Highness is here to inquire about crimes?"

Meng Bai is one of Zhuge's Four Friends, a member of the same family as Meng Jian, and now in Xinxi, he is nothing more than a powerful man.

Zhou Qing's eyes flickered, his hands were clenched into fists, his knuckles were slightly white, as if he was looking for suitable words to defend himself.

He was originally from a poor family, but because he flattered Li Ji, he had a family fortune in Xinxi. Speaking of which, he was not even considered a powerful man.

"In the past few days, there have been rumors in Xinxi City. Could it be that His Highness wants to make an example of others and use me as an example?"

Chen Chi's beard and hair are slightly white, his family is quite wealthy, and he is well-known for his personal knowledge of "Nine Chapters of Arithmetic".

Later generations called him together with Xu Shang, Du Zhong and King Can of Wei in the Han Dynasty.

Xu Ming finally raised his head and looked at the other three people. His throat rolled and he said with difficulty: "Everyone, we haven't done our best to donate food and grass these days. I'm afraid the Crown Prince of Hanzhong will blame us."

Meng Bai nodded, and he sighed softly: "Yes, if I knew it earlier, I would donate some."

"Donate some? What if the king of Wei arrives and recovers the new interest?"

Zhou Qing frowned. He took a deep breath, tried to calm down, and then said: "The situation is urgent now. In order to survive, we still have to give out some belongings. Otherwise, today's test will not be passed."

Chen Chi's eyes became firmer, and he said resolutely: "I would like to donate half of my family's wealth in order to survive. Afterwards, I plan to move to Yingchuan to ensure safety. Hey~"

Qianglong came, and they, local snakes, were caught on both sides. It was really not human inside and out.

Originally, the family was already at the end of the day, and they were going to be exploited by both parties.

This day is really unbearable.

At this moment, a messenger hurried into the big tent where the four of them were.

"Everyone, Your Highness welcomes you."

The four of them glanced at each other and got up one after another.

hiss~
Xu Ming took a deep breath and said, "It's a blessing, not a disaster. A disaster can't be avoided, everyone, let's go."

The others acquiesced in silence, but they had no choice but to follow the armored soldiers deeper into the barracks in a nervous mood.

When they arrived in front of the main tent of the Chinese army, the four of them discovered that there was a large open space in front of the main tent. A high platform had already been built on the open space, and dozens of executioners in red robes and holding beheading knives stood on the high platform.

hiss~
Chen Chi gasped and almost fainted.

"Old Chen, are you okay?"

With sharp eyes and quick hands, Meng Bai helped Chen Chi who was about to faint.

The latter had a smile uglier than crying.

"I was wrong, I was wrong, I would like to donate all my belongings, and I only ask His Highness to spare my life."

Seeing the execution ground, Chen Chi thought Liu Chan was going to kill him!

Xu Ming's face was heavy, and he said, "I'm afraid it's useless now that I've reached this point? Let's go."

The four of them walked towards the large tent of the Chinese army.

The curtain of the tent was lifted, and the four of them saw Liu Chan, Prince of Hanzhong, sitting on the main seat.

Liu Chan is wearing a battle armor, although he is young, but wearing the battle armor, the heroic spirit is overflowing from himself.

In normal times, Chen Chi and the other four would still be interested in admiring it, but now.

How can they have such a leisurely mood?

Liu Chan's face was kind and peaceful, and he didn't seem to have a stern look.He looked at the four of them with a smile and said, "You guys are sages from Runan, why do you look so sad? Could it be that you have something on your mind?"

Liu Chan is naturally clear about their thoughts, but at the moment he is pretending to be confused.

The four looked at each other, first saluted Liu Chan, and said respectfully: "I will pay my respects to Your Highness."

Liu Chan waved his hand, indicating that they don't need to be too cautious, and then asked: "You don't have to be like this, just speak up if you have something to say."

Xu Ming pursed his lips, hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Your Highness, there is a high platform outside the tent, and there is an executioner, are you going to behead us?"

Before Liu Chan could open his mouth, Chen Chi said excitedly, "I would like to donate my family's wealth, and I hope His Highness will spare my life. Although the grassroots did not donate food, they did not do anything harmful!"

Meng Bai nodded his head heavily, and his face was a little flustered. He added: "I heard that Your Highness is a loyal person, and he will not kill people for no reason. Your Highness wants food, so we just donate it."

"You don't need to worry too much."

Liu Chan smiled, waved his hand to signal that they don't need to worry too much, and then said slowly: "I summoned you all not to blame you, but to discuss something."

Don't want me to wait for my life?

The four of them couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when they heard Liu Chan's words, and their eyes relaxed a little.

Zhou Qing's eyes flickered, he had a family business because he flattered Li Ji, and he was very upright at the moment, and hurriedly stepped forward and asked: "What's your Highness, please just tell me, even if you go up the mountain of swords and down into the sea of ​​fire, I will do it for Your Highness." Good thing."

Chen Chi took a deep breath, feeling that his life might not be saved, he hurriedly said, "Me too!"

"I summoned you and others with absolutely no intention of killing people, nor do I intend to take advantage of the situation to oppress people and seize family assets. That is what bandits do, and I am the teacher of the king, and I want to do justice."

Liu Chan looked at the four people, the smile on his face became brighter, and he said: "I know that you have always been loyal and loyal. You are Han subjects and Han people. You have hated Wei Ni for a long time! Although you have never donated food and grass, you still have your own family. The difficulty is understandable, calling you here today is to open our hearts to you and the Runan gentry."

Open up?

When the four of them heard Liu Chan's words, they unconsciously believed them a little more.

seem
The Crown Prince of Hanzhong really didn't come to kill them.

just
Open up?

How to open up?

"I don't know how Your Highness wants me to open my heart?"

"Ha ha."

Liu Chan smiled lightly and said, "Let's just let everyone watch a good show."

Liu Chan got up and left the main tent of the Chinese army, and the four had no choice but to follow behind him step by step.

"Bring people up."

As soon as Liu Chan gave orders, a group of people dressed in silk and beautiful cloth immediately poured into the front of the high platform.

Many people, Xu Ming and others still know each other.

"Isn't this the shopkeeper who runs a wine shop in the city?"

"That man is the big shopkeeper of the cloth shop. He was originally a distant relative of Li Ji. Didn't expect him to be arrested too?"

"And Miss Ling, the top card in Yinchun Garden, was also arrested?"

"They sneaked out of the city, I didn't catch them."

Sneaking out of town?

The four of them took a deep breath.

When the rumors spread, many people did escape from the city, but unexpectedly, all of them were arrested.

The crown prince of Hanzhong was sent to the execution ground. Could it be that he wanted to kill these people?
Gollum~
Xu Ming swallowed secretly, hesitated for a moment, and said to Liu Chan: "Your Highness, although these people escaped from the city, they are not guilty of death!"

Seeing Liu Chan's silence, Xu Ming secretly cheered, and then said: "Please forgive their crimes, Your Highness, and I will persuade them to donate money and food."

At this moment, Liu Chan's stern eyes were already coming towards him.

Xu Ming's heart went up to his throat.

My life is over?

"No matter how bad it is, I shouldn't have killed that girl Ling who is the number one in Yinchun Garden."

"You guys are joking."

The stern eyes just now seemed to be just an illusion, and Liu Chan's expression at the moment made people feel like a spring breeze.

"Rumors have been circulating these days. It is common sense that they want to leave the city. They are not the ones I want to kill."

Soon, dozens of people in the camp were dressed in prison uniforms and were escorted by the soldiers on the high platform, kneeling on the ground one by one, waiting for the executioner to behead.

Kneeling on the high platform were a group of Wei Guo spies and traitors. Their bodies were trembling, their faces were pale, and their eyes were full of fear.

Around the high platform, the people in the city who sneaked out of the city, as well as the representatives of the four noble families who were 'invited' by Liu Chan, were looking at these people with complicated thoughts.

On the high platform, the executioner stood with a knife in his hand, his eyes were indifferent, and the light of the knife in his hand flickered coldly.

The secret workers' breathing became short, their throats were dry, and the sweat on their faces slid down like raindrops.

"Forgive me!"

"I'm willing to be an internal responder! Please give me a chance to make a contribution!"

"Please spare the life of Prince Hanzhong!"

"Ahhhhh~!"

There were screams and begging for mercy, but Liu Chan ignored them.

"cut!"

With a cold whistling sound, the executioner's blade fell instantly, blood spattered, and the head of the first spy was chopped off.

A human head fell down and hit the ground, splashing blood.

Then, the second, third... Dozens of heads fell one after another. The scene on the high platform was extremely bloody.

Under the high platform, the representatives of the Runan gentry were pale and their hearts trembled. Their hands were tightly clenched into fists, and their knuckles turned white.

The people in the barracks were also frightened out of their wits, and some even crouched down on the ground, trembling.

Many people even pissed in fright.

This terrifying scene seemed to be frozen in everyone's mind. The light of the knife, the blood, and the severed head formed a picture that people will never forget.

As the last head rolled down, the screams on the high platform finally calmed down, leaving only gusts of blood blowing towards the face.

The representatives of the Runan gentry and the common people in the barracks seemed to be shrouded in a nightmare. Their faces were as pale as paper, and their eyes were full of fear and panic.

tata tao~
Liu Chan stepped onto the high platform, not caring that his feet were already stained with blood.

"You don't have to panic."

On the high platform, Liu Chan looked at the people who had almost lost their souls in front of the high platform, and shouted loudly: "These people who were beheaded for public display are Wei Guo spies who spread rumors in Xinxi City these days, and now they are dead. , Xinxi will be peaceful, and everyone will be safe."

of course
After saying these words, the people in the audience still looked terrified.

"The news circulating in the city in the past few days is just a rumor. Our army of [-] has already set out in Jingzhou, and the food and grass are enough for several years. Even if the main force of the Wei army comes, we will not be afraid at all.

What's more, the main force of the Wei army can't reach Xinqi at all.Jiangdong Sun Zhongmou has made an oath with me, this is the oath book, Wen Wei, please read it.

Liu Chan handed the alliance book to Fei Yi who was beside him, and the latter read the contents of the alliance book softly. There was still a thoughtful expression on the faces of the few people.

"Jiangdong Sun Quan is about to attack Hefei, and the main force of the Wei army will not be able to come. Moreover, although Zang Ba was defeated, he has returned to Xuzhou to regroup. I borrowed 6 troops from Jiangxia to fight with Zang Ba. Within a month, he will be able to pull out again." With an army of [-] to [-], at that time, there will be turmoil in Qingxu, and the Wei army will have no time for Runan. This is a letter of alliance with Zang Ba."

Liu Chan took out the letter of alliance with Zang Ba and handed it to Fei Yi, who slowly read the contents of the letter of alliance.

"I am the clan of the Han family, and you are the people of the Han family. Can you serve Wei? When Cao Wei took control of Runan, how many people were officials in Runan, and how many were generals? How much food and grass were confiscated in the hands of the people? Years ago, how many people in Xuzhou were slaughtered by the Wei army, have you forgotten?"

Liu Chan breathed a sigh of relief, and then said: "Now that Runan is occupied by me, then Runan County is the Runan County of the Runan people, not the Runan County of the Wei State. You, the scholars and heroes from Runan County, Wouldn't it be nice to be an official, a general, and be the master of your own family?"

Seeing that some of the people in the audience were silent, and some were deep in thought, Liu Chan also felt that it was almost the same.

After all, these people just sent him some news.

What he really wants to persuade is the Runan gentry.

"You can leave as much as you want, whether you want to return to Xinxi, or go to another place, I will never stop you."

After speaking, Liu Chan waved his hand, and the gate of the camp was opened.

Thomas, who was hidden among the common people, immediately began to show his strength.

"Your Highness's benevolence and righteousness, I admire you."

"That's right, His Highness said so, if we leave Xinxi, wouldn't we be heartless and ungrateful people?"

"I am a Han citizen, not Wei Ni, and now there are tens of thousands of kings, are you afraid that Wei Jun will be a bird?

"That's right. Instead, we want to take down Xudu and welcome His Majesty back!"

The support in the crowd aroused the hearts of the people. Those who originally wanted to leave Xinxi City were dragged down by these, and it was hard not to return to Xinxi for a while.

At this moment, Liu Chan stepped off the high platform and looked at Xu Ming, Zhou Yang and the other four.

"Your Highness, Gao Yi, is willing to stand up for the scholars in Runan, and now Cao Min is willing to follow His Highness."

Xu Ming's mind is very clear.

The Prince of Hanzhong's move is obviously to win over the Runan gentry.

Runan of Runan people!

This slogan, as long as you are from a noble family in Runan, you can't refuse it!

He Xu Ming wants to be the king's pioneer, so His Highness has to reuse him!

Zhou Yang and the others quickly came to their senses and knelt down at Liu Chan's feet.

"My lord, Gao Yi, I am willing to do the work of a dog and a horse!"

Although Chen Chi knelt down with everyone, there was a wry smile on his face.

"It's just that I have no prestige in Runan, even if we know His Highness's ambitions, it will not be very useful."

This is also what troubled Liu Chan.

It was really the scholars in Runan County who were severely suppressed by Cao Wei.

The prestigious ones, like Xu Jing, left early.

The ones left behind are those without prestige.

Without reputation, no one will believe his words.

What can I do for it!
"Your Highness."

Meng Bai, who was kneeling on the ground, had a bright eye.

"My elder brother, Meng Jian, still has some prestige in Runan. If he knows His Highness's ambition and raises his arms, he will be able to unite the noble families in Runan and be used by His Highness."

Meng Jian.

One of the Four Friends of Zhuge.

Liu Chan also knew of his influence, but he was in Shangcai, where Liu Chan's soldiers had not yet arrived.

If he can't see this person, how can he let Meng Jian know his aspirations and serve him?

Far water can hardly quench near thirst!
(End of this chapter)