First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

...

Guanshan, the main camp of the Tang Army.

There was a commotion, and there were numerous figures in the Chinese army's tent.

Gao Chong helped Mo Zhongwen, who looked excited, and said with relief: "Mo has worked hard to unite the army. I will report Mo's contribution to the court truthfully."

Mo Zhongwen prostrated again, "Sinners dare not take credit, but I only hope that saints will forgive Mo's sins."

Hearing this, Gao Chong nodded with satisfaction and said with a warm smile: "A saint will make a clear decision, so Mo Tongjun can rest assured."

This is a smart man. If Gao Chong promised to ask him for credit and immediately thanked him and accepted it, that would be a bit ungrateful.

After all, when Ning Daoming occupied Hepu City to rebel, his Mo family, as the largest clan in Hepu, did not dare to resist because he was afraid of the power of the Ning family, and even allowed Ning Daoming to seize military power. This approach was actually a crime of conspiracy.

Ning Chun and others came in a hurry and saw two heads placed on the table. When they took a closer look, they saw that it was the Ning Huizao brothers, and they were shocked in their hearts.

"Jing Lue, this..." Ning Chun, who had always been calm and gentle, seemed a little frightened at this time. He didn't expect that Gao Chong actually killed the Ning brothers, and his actions were so fast. They also Have no idea what happened.

"Ning Shijun", Mo Zhongwen turned around and bowed to Ning Chun: "You are well."

"Mo Zhongwen?" Ning Chun took a deep breath, then reacted quickly, crossed her hands and said in return: "Congratulations to General Mo for such a great contribution."

Mo Zhongwen quickly waved his hands humbly and said: "I don't dare, I don't dare to take credit, but I ask for forgiveness."

Feng Zhiyu and others were also very horrified. Looking at Ning Huizao's lifeless head on the desk, they suddenly felt chills all over their bodies.

Ning Huizao, the eldest son of the Ning family in Qinzhou, the current governor of Qinzhou, the future chief of the Ning family and the governor of Qinzhou, died like this.

Not to mention in the prefectures and counties near Qinzhou, but also in the entire Lingnan, Ning Huizao is also a well-known big shot. The reputation of Ning and his son can overwhelm the Lingnan officials and barbarians, and their prestige is very high. However, now his head is missing.

"Ruhe", Gao Chong looked at Ning Chun, "I will give you a task. Quickly lead the troops to station in Hepu City overnight to recruit Qinzhou soldiers. If any resisters are encountered, they will be killed without mercy. We must stabilize the situation in the shortest possible time. Hepu, don’t unite the army, come and assist Ru He.”

Ning Chun was slightly startled, then bowed to accept the promise. Unknowingly, his waist bent even lower.

"Shijun Chen, Shijun Feng", Gao Chong looked at Feng and Chen, "Follow me to Qinjiang after dawn."

The two of them were shocked and did not dare to ask further questions, but they also bowed and agreed.

Gao Chong looked at it and smiled secretly in his heart: It seems that Ning Huizao's head has an extraordinary deterrent effect.

The next day, as soon as the sky dawned, Hepu City quietly changed its city flag, and the Tang-character flag was flying high on the city gate tower.

Although Ning Chun is not from the lineage of the head of the Ning family, he is still a direct descendant. Ning Chun's father, Ning Xuan, is Ning Mengli's brother. Ning Chun is also the cousin of the head of the Ning family, Ning Changzhen. Have a prestigious reputation.

Not to mention that Ning Chun was the first governor of Yuezhou and made Yuezhou so prosperous. After Ning Chun led the army into the city, he quickly adopted iron-blooded methods to kill all the Qinzhou soldiers who were loyal to Ning Huizao, and then took over the city defense.

Seeing Ning Chun return to Hepu City, and with Mo's help, Hepu did not break out into chaos and quickly stabilized.

Ning Chun was also very smart and did not get involved in the military power. He directly handed over all the defense of Hepu City to Mo Zhongwen.

Although she knew that Gao Chong trusted her, Ning Chun had to be more conscious. Mo Zhongwen killed the Ning Huizao brothers and completely broke with the Qinzhou Ning clan. Only by handing the general power to Mo Zhongwen could Gao Chong Will feel at ease.

On the other side, on the official road outside Qinjiang City, Lu Nan suddenly stopped on his horse, looked back at Qinjiang City, then looked at the man in black robe in front of him, and said sadly and angrily: "My mission has not been completed, if I just return , it is a disgrace to the mission.”

The man in black robe chuckled lightly, "If you don't leave, you won't be able to leave."

Lu Nan stared and asked, "Does Ning still dare to kill me?"

"Don't talk nonsense." The man in black robe frowned, "The plan is an order. How do you treat it?"

Lu Nan had no choice but to say in a low voice: "You must obey", then rode away and returned to Jiangzhou.

When he was in Jiangzhou, Gao Chong had already made arrangements. He personally led Ning Chun and others to regain Yuezhou, and then ordered Lu Nan to send an envoy to Qinzhou to hold Ning Changzhen accountable and see Ning Changzhen's reaction.

At that time, Gao Chong did not expect that Ning would be so bold. Not only did he not come to pay homage, Ning Huizao instead led the army to Hepu, Yuezhou.
On the way, Gao Chong had already developed murderous intentions towards Ning Huizao. After arriving at Hepu, Gao Chong ordered Wei Fengwei to contact Mo Zhongwen. In addition, he did not forget Lu Nan from Qinjiang and ordered him to return to Jiangzhou quickly.

On this side, after Lu Nan arrived in Qinjiang, he asked to see Ning Changzhen many times, but the Governor's Mansion kept refusing, saying that the Governor was seriously ill and not suitable for seeing guests. Lu Nan also roughly understood what Ning Changzhen meant, and pretended to be sick and confused to Ning. It is said that the rebellion was caused by ignorance, so that one can shirk responsibility.

But Lu Nan never expected that Ning's courage was greater than he imagined.

Night falls.

The back office of the governor's office was brightly lit, and Ning Changzhen was lying on the soft couch, enjoying the singing and dancing leisurely.

For decades, he stayed behind the scenes, guiding his eldest son Ning Huizao to manage Qinzhou and nearby counties, and developed the Ning family to its most glorious heyday. The Chen family in Longzhou relied on the Ning family to survive, and the Feng family in Gaozhou was in peace talks with the palace. In the attack, only the Ning family became stronger and stronger.

Now that the eldest son is occupying Yuezhou, Ning Changzhen plans to cooperate with the Jinglue Mansion as long as the economic envoy makes appropriate concessions. In the final analysis, Ning Changzhen has no intention of becoming king on his own. What he pursues is to dominate Lingnan.

The imperial court could send people to govern Lingnan, and he could submit to the imperial court, or he could recognize the orthodoxy of the Tang Dynasty, but the imperial court could never shake his Ning family's interests. This is what Ning Changzhen thought.

If this idea was absolutely correct before, it would also be correct if another person came to Lingnan, but he happened to meet Gao Chong.

In other words, if another important minister with Confucian ideas came to Lingnan, he would also appease the Ning family, but Gao Chong is the kind of hard-core person who favors the eagle brand.

Just when Ning Changzhen thought that everything was under control, his eldest son Sun Ning, Taoist priest, rushed into the hall in panic, knelt on the ground, and cried out sadly, "It's not good, Aweng...".

Ning Changzhen frowned, "Speak slowly if you have something to do, don't do this...".

"Aye is dead," Ning Daowu didn't wait for Ning Changzhen to finish his words before shouting in grief: "My Aye is dead, and my second uncle is also dead...".

"What?" Ning Changzhen's expression changed suddenly, he sat up suddenly and took all the food and wine on the dining table, "You say it again?"

Ning Daowu burst into tears, took out the urgent letter from his arms, stumbled forward, and said in a hateful voice through gritted teeth: "Gao Chong attacked the city directly, and then the Mo family in Hepu rebelled and killed Aye and his second uncle...".

Ning Changzhen swayed and fell down on the couch. He unfolded the letter tremblingly. His face turned pale when he saw it, and he clutched his chest, "It hurts, it hurts me...".

As soon as the words fell, a mouthful of blood spurted out, and he fell unconscious as soon as he closed his eyes.

"Aweng, Aweng, wake up." Ning Daowu was frightened and said, "Doctor, call the doctor quickly."The moon is at the zenith.

The main bedroom in the backyard was brightly lit, and several doctors were busy for a long time. Ning Changzhen finally woke up quietly, his eyes full of sadness, "My son...".

Ning Changzhen had high hopes for his two legitimate sons. Over the years, Jing Yin had trained him. The eldest son, Ning Huizao, was good at both civil and military affairs. With many years of experience, he had become the head of the family. The second son, Ning Chu, was quite brave and well-versed in military strategy. He would be able to take charge of the Ning family's military forces in the future.

What's more important is that the Ning Huizao brothers are in harmony. Ning Can is also extremely convinced of his brother. If the brothers work together, they can at least ensure that the Ning family's future is safe.

But now, the two legitimate sons he had carefully cultivated have died. Ning Changzhen, who is over seventy years old, has a white-haired son and a black-haired one. The grief in his heart is indescribable.

"Aweng, don't worry. I will definitely kill the thief Gao Chong and avenge Aye and his second uncle, as well as the Mo family. I want his whole family to be buried with him." Ning Daowu was heartbroken and gritted his teeth with hatred. said the voice.

When Ning Changzhen heard his grandson yelling and scolding him, he just closed his eyes and shed tears and remained silent for a long time.

After a long time, Ning Changzhen opened his eyes and said, "Grandson, remember, you must not take revenge."

Ning Daowu was stunned, then glared and yelled: "Aweng, what are you talking about? Why can't you take revenge? He and I are sworn enemies of the murder of my father."

Ning Changzhen sighed and forced himself to sit up straight.

"Since Gao Chong has such courage and dares to break up with me, the Ning family, it means that he must have someone to rely on.

Look at what is said in the letter. They are really capable. The Feng family of Gaozhou, the Chen family of Longzhou, the Pang family of Baizhou, the Mo family of Yuezhou, as well as Li Xiyu of Guizhou, Li Guanglue of Nanyinzhou... and more Once a full-fledged war breaks out between those who have never shown up, I, the Ning clan, will make countless enemies."

At this point, Ning Changzhen looked up to the sky and sighed, "Over the years, there have been countless people who have been dissatisfied with my Ning family. Grandson, you must remember these people and keep them in mind."

"Then, let's just forget it?" Ning Daowu said angrily.

"Forget it?" Ning Changzhen's eyes gradually became cold and extremely vicious, "Kill my second son, how can I let him walk out of Lingnan alive?"

"Aweng, what do you mean?" Ning Daowu's eyes lit up, "Assassination?"

Ning Changzhen just stroked Ning Daowu's head lovingly and said, "Grandson, I will arrange this matter. Don't interfere."

Everyone in the Ning family never dared to question Ning Changzhen's orders. Seeing his grandfather's solemnity, Ning Daowen could only nod in agreement.

"The letter states that Gao Chong has led troops from Lian, Long, and Bai to Qinjiang. According to the distance, he should arrive at dawn. How should we deal with it?" Ning Daowu carefully gave his grandfather medicine while asking for countermeasures. .

"How are you going to deal with it?" Ning Changzhen swallowed the medicine with difficulty and asked.

Now that the second son is dead, the Ning family's future can only rely on Ning Daowu in front of them, and of course Ning Chun. Ning Changzhen was moved in his heart, but his face remained calm.

Ning Daowu frowned and thought, and then said in a deep voice: "The high-spirited dog thief framed Aye as a traitor to the party. This time he must come to question the crime. If according to Aweng's words, revenge is not allowed first, then how can we go with Aye? Can’t we draw a line?”

"Why not?" Ning Changzhen closed his eyes and sighed: "He beat your father as a rebel, and he insists on his own righteousness. He will definitely punish the Ning family. For the current plan, the only way is to know nothing about your father's stationing in Hepu. This It's all your father's decision. Only in this way can we survive the current disaster."

Daowu Ning's eyes widened with sadness and anger on his face.

However, Ning Changzhen ignored it and continued: "Now Qinzhou has insufficient troops. On the other hand, Gao Chong has gathered the troops of Lian, Long, Bai and other states, and occupied Dayi. The advantage does not lie with me. I only wait for Gao Chong to go to Guangzhou, and the forces of each state are scattered. Go, then my Ning family will have a chance to take a breather, do you understand?"

Ning Daowu's face was filled with tears and his throat was rolling hard, "My grandson understands that a small impatience can ruin a big plan. I believe Aye can understand it too."

Ning Changzhen nodded happily and sighed tiredly: "Go down, a large banner with Tang characters will be erected on the top of the city. After dawn, the city gate will open normally, and everything... will remain the same."

Ning Daowu resigned as promised.

Ning Changzhen burst into tears again, everything was the same as before. He lost his two sons at an old age, how painful it was for him.

Overnight, the Governor's Mansion was covered with silk, and a large banner with Tang characters was once again erected at the head of Qinjiang City.

The people of Qinjiang, who did not know the reason, were panicked and thought that Ning Changzhen had died. As the chief of the Qinzhou Liao people, Ning Changzhen was not loyal to the court, but this kind of person could be said to be highly respected in the local area.

To put it bluntly, even if the emperor dies, he will have nothing to do with them, but if their chief dies, it will be an earth-shattering event.

Many people came to inquire outside the Governor's Mansion. The attendants of the Ning Mansion helped Ning Changzhen walk out. What was surprising was that Ning Changzhen was actually wearing a mourning dress made of rough linen.

Among the people who visited the mansion, there were many people who were familiar with etiquette. They immediately asked with a panicked look on their face: "Old man, Da Langjun...".

Ning Changzhen just nodded sadly, "I am deeply saddened by the loss of my second son. I feel uneasy. Everyone, please go ahead. There will be a memorial ceremony tomorrow for condolences."

Everyone was inexplicably horrified when they heard this, but when they saw Ning Changzhen being so sad, they couldn't bear to ask further questions and dispersed.

It is not only the death of an elder that will lead to mourning. There are also special cases for mourning clothes made of rough linen. For example, if the eldest son dies while his parents are still alive, he will also need to mourn for three years.

"Etiquette·Mourning Clothes" says: "The father is the eldest son." There is also a folk saying that the eldest brother is like the father. The eldest son bears the responsibility of inheriting the ancestral temple. The formal form is large and is not called the "filial piety period". It is called "sub-period".

This specific range of beheading mourning clothes is the clothes of the great clan. The conditions are strict. The father must be alive and the eldest son of the great clan. The deceased son is also the eldest son and the heir of the clan.

Ning Changzhen is already the eldest person of the Ning family. His father Ning Mengli has passed away 27 years ago, and now he is the father of Shenzhen Zhansheng. There is only one possibility: Ning Huizao, the eldest son of the Ning family, is dead.

Not to mention the buzz in the city, thirty miles outside the city, an army composed of Lian, Long, and Baizhou was marching towards Qinjiang City.

A fast horse gallops forward, turning over and dismounting dozens of steps before charging forward, which shows the superb riding skills.

"According to the report, a large banner with Tang characters has been erected on Qinjiang City, and the governor's mansion is covered with inscriptions. News of the death of Ning Huizao, the eldest son of the Ning family, has been reported in the city."

Gao Chong's face suddenly darkened when he heard this, and he nodded to let him back down.

"Jing Lue, what are Ning Changzhen doing?" Feng Zhiyu asked with a strange expression.

Chen Longshu's face was uncertain, and he hesitated and said: "Ning is showing her loyalty."

After all, the Ning family was kind to the Chen family in Longzhou. Chen Longshu now follows Gao Chong to attack Qinjiang, which is considered ungrateful. However, he upholds righteousness and exterminates the rebel party. Difficult to handle.

Old fox... Gao Chong cursed in his heart.

He directly killed Ning Huizao as a traitor. Ning Changzhen could only break his teeth and swallow it. He had nothing to say. He originally planned to take this opportunity to gather soldiers from the three states, and then completely eradicate Ning Chang with righteousness. Really, I didn't expect this old thief to react so quickly.