First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 568 Night Meeting with Ning Changzhen

...

Everyone saw Gao Chong's gloomy face and remained silent, and suddenly felt an indescribable pressure overflowing.

Since Gao Chong became a school captain at the age of 16, he has traveled to Youzhou in the north, Lingnan in the south, Liangzhou in the west, and Jianghuai in the east. He has conquered everywhere and served successively as Zhonglang General, Hussar General, Governor, Minister of Dali Temple, and Ministry of War. Important positions such as minister.

As the saying goes, one's social status and living environment can truly change a person's temperament. Now that Gao Chong is nearly thirty years old, his temperament has become more and more reserved. Back then, he was kicked outside the palace gate. The high-spirited young prime minister is now a calm and dignified minister of the country.

Seeing that the cunning Ning Changzhen was out of control, Gao Chong's face darkened, and the atmosphere became stagnant. Even Tian Yangming, who had jumped away, remained silent.

Of course, it was impossible for Gao Chong to vent his emotions at will. After a moment, Gao Chong just nodded and praised, "Ning Chang can really endure the intolerance of ordinary people, and it is not in vain that he has been powerful in Lingnan for decades."

Seeing that Gao Chong finally broke the silence, Tian Yangming took a long breath and asked directly without any hesitation: "Are we going to continue to attack the city?"

Gao Chong glanced at him and said, "use your brain."

Tian Yangming paused and scratched his head in confusion.

Pei Xingjian patted him on the shoulder and said, "How do you attack the city when a big flag with Chinese characters hangs on top of the city? Do you dare to attack the city?"

"No, I don't dare." Tian Yangming shook his head.

The large flag with Tang characters flying at the top of the city proved that the city had surrendered to the Tang Dynasty. If they were to attack the city, wouldn't it be tantamount to rebellion.

The team continued to march and was about ten miles away from Qinjiang City. Gao Chong suddenly stationed his horses and "the whole army stopped."

Then he went to the hillside and looked around.

"Jing Lue, what's wrong?" Feng Zhiyu asked with a puzzled look on his face, looking around to see if the Ning family dared to set up an ambush here.

"Look," Gao Chong sat on horseback and pointed to one side of the mountain. "There is a river behind this mountain and it faces Qinjiang City. The scenery is good. We will camp here tonight."

Feng Zhiyu and others were stunned. Camping here tonight meant not entering Qinjiang City. For a while, they couldn't figure out what Gao Chong meant.

But the orders were still carried out in an orderly manner.

When the soldiers of the three states were busy setting up camp, a team came running from the official road in front, and the leader should be a captain of the imperial army.

"The people come and the horses are stationed."

The guards of the Jinglue Mansion quickly set up their formation, with Gao Da as the commander, riding his horse forward, "Who is coming?"

"I am Ning Jing, the captain of the city gate of Qinjiang Military Mansion. I am here to greet Gao Jinglue on the orders of Chief Ning. Chief Ning is already waiting at the city gate and invites Jinglue to enter the city."

The captain of the military academy did not dismount his horse. He only shouted from a distance on the horse with his hands raised. His attitude was extremely arrogant.

"dismount".

Gao Da, also known as Gao Ren, was a son of the Gao family. He had been with Gao Chong for many years and had met many dignitaries. He would not get used to these Qinzhou officials and scolded them directly.

"What?" The city gate captain Ning Jing's eyes narrowed and he was a little annoyed.

However, the only response he received was the sound of the bow string tightening. Ning Jing's expression changed, and he had no choice but to turn over and dismount with gritted teeth.

"Where is Gao Jinglue?" Ning Jing came to him and asked directly.

"Wait here." Gao Da looked at him lightly, turned around and left.

As a member of the Ning clan, Ning Jing was in charge of the city defense of Qinjiang. The barbarians who came in and out of Qinjiang respected him so much. Ning Jing, who had always been proud, suddenly became angry and planned to come forward to argue.

"Wu Lang calm down," an assistant officer behind him tried to dissuade him, "Don't ruin the young master's important affairs." It seems that this assistant officer should also be from the Ning family.

When Gao Da heard the movement, he turned around to look at Ning Jing, and then casually ordered: "If there is any abnormal movement, kill him immediately."

All the personal guards promised solemnly, and invisible murderous intention overflowed. This is really daring to kill people. Ning Jing felt a sudden change in his heart and had to wait with his hands behind his back.

"Lang Jun, someone from the Ning family is here, and I respectfully invite you to come to the city." Gao Da came to the top of the mountain, "but his attitude is a bit arrogant."

Gao Chong nodded and smiled, and said to the left and right: "I just saw it. It is indeed the Ning family. If you don't know the aura, you would think it is the palace guard."

Feng Zhiyu also echoed: "The Ning family has been rampant in Qinzhou for more than 100 years."

"No," Gao Chong said with his hands behind his hands, "Tell them that the army has set up camp."

Gao Da accepted the words and went down to deliver the message.

Ning Jing's eyes widened, but he dared not speak out in anger. After all, he did not dare to make a mistake and left with his hands behind his back.

Ten miles away, in Qinjiang City, Taoist Ning was dressed in mourning clothes and stood at the city gate tower, with a group of Qinjiang officials behind him.

What is intriguing is that Ning Daowu, the county government secretary, is actually standing in the front, as if he is the master of Qinjiang. As for the Qinjiang County Magistrate, he is behind him, with his eyebrows lowered and his head lowered, not daring to be disrespectful.

He, the magistrate of Qinjiang County, is just a puppet now. Ning Daowu is 19 years old and has just joined the officialdom. He started out as chief clerk. It won't take long for the governor's office to report to the Ministry of Personnel next year: Chief Secretary Ning's political achievements are outstanding. Can be promoted to county magistrate.

And he, the puppet magistrate, has no idea where he will be sent. He is destined to be just a stepping stone in this hereditary Jisizhou County.

Seeing Ning Jing coming back from riding with an angry look on his face, Taoist Ning frowned and asked first, "Fifth uncle, what's going on?"

"Humph, that Gao Chong didn't give any face, insisted on staying in the camp and refused to come," Ning Jing said angrily.

Daowu Ning's face darkened, he turned around and left.

The county magistrate and other officials looked at each other, not knowing what to do for a while.

"Whatever you are looking at, go back," Fifth Master Ning glared and scolded.

The Ning family already controls important positions in Qinzhou. For example, the commander of the Qinjiang Military Mansion is Ning Chu, ranked second, and the captain of this city gate is Ning Jing, ranked fifth.

All the subordinate officials had no choice but to return to the county government office.

Ning Daowu went straight to the Governor's Mansion. After explaining the situation, Ning Changzhen also had a stern look in his eyes and said quietly: "It seems that we are not sincere enough."

"I'm waiting at the city gate, but that's not enough." Daowu Ning's eyes were red. Such courtesy to his father-killing enemy made Daowu Ning feel very humiliated and unbearably sad and angry.

"Not enough." Ning Changzhen shook his head and sighed, "He thinks it's not enough."

"What should we do?" Ning Daowu held his head in his hands. In this short period of time, he was deeply shocked. First, his father died, and then he wanted to meet the enemy who killed his father in person. He was already very depressed.

Ning Changzhen also noticed Ning Daowu's state and sighed, "Just stay at home and keep vigil. I'll handle it."

After all, he was only 19 years old, and Ning Changzhen didn't force him.

Ning Daowu nodded in pain.

"Prepare the car and drive, I will go to pay you a visit in person." Ning Changzhen closed his eyes and sighed.

"Aweng, you..." Ning Daowu looked shocked.

"Endure," Ning Changzhen's cloudy eyes flashed, "I will bear this humiliation."

After saying that, he stood up and asked the maid to change clothes.

After a while, Ning Changzhen dressed neatly, got into his car and headed straight out of the city.

Daowu Ning looked at the driver driving away, with tears hanging from the corners of his eyes. He clenched his fists tightly and dug his nails into his flesh without realizing it.In the Chinese army tent, Gao Chong gathered everyone together, just making tea and talking and laughing without any topic. Feng Zhiyu and others were puzzled, but they did not ask, they just echoed Gao Chong's endless talk and laughter.

Only the older Chen Longshu looked at the people present and then at the clepsydra on Gao Chong's desk, and vaguely guessed Gao Chong's purpose.

Gao Chong could tell at a glance that Chen Longshu was uneasy, and asked with a smile: "Chen Shijun hasn't seen your sworn brother for a long time?"

Chen Longshu's face froze and he said truthfully: "I haven't seen him since he was transferred to Longzhou. It has been more than three years."

Gao Chong smiled a little, twirled the tea cup, and said meaningfully: "Then you can have a good chat about the past later."

Chen Longshu was also scheming, but when faced with Gao Chong's rambling words, he didn't know how to answer, so he just nodded in response.

Tian Yangming also understood at this time, "Jinglue, are you waiting for Ning Changzhen?"

Gao Chong just looked at the clepsydra next to him and nodded noncommittally, "Since he raised the flag to surrender, I will give him this opportunity."

Everyone immediately noticed the clepsydra and found to their surprise that more than half of the water in it had dripped away.

Feng Zhiyu was overjoyed when he saw this and asked quickly: "If Clepsydra ends and Ning Changzhen has a future, then...".

"Then it's up to you," Gao Chong said with a smile.

Just as he was talking, Gao Chong suddenly raised his eyebrows and smiled, "It seems that you have no use for it."

The curtain was opened, and "I have reported the story, and Ning Changzhen, the governor of Qinzhou, asked to see him."

Everyone's expression froze immediately.

"That's really courageous." Gao Chong also nodded and praised, "Let him come in."

Not long after, a thin old man with white hair and beard entered the account.

Gao Chong stared at the past and saw that Ning Changzhen was not tall and looked very thin. Although his figure was still upright, he could not hide his age. For such a person, who would have thought that he controlled dozens of people in western Lingnan during his peak period. The state has been suppressing Lingnan for more than [-] years.

At the same time, Ning Changzhen also looked at Gao Chong indifferently. He was so young, with a majestic body and a resolute face. He was just sitting casually on the desk, and he had the air of a superior person coming over him.

Ning Changzhen smiled, with wrinkles on his face and narrowed his eyes, "Is this Gao Jinglue? As expected of a Tang Dynasty man, I, Ning Changzhen, are so polite."

Ever since Li Yuan praised Gao Chong for his good looks, this sentence has been spread and everyone knows it.

Gao Chong Shi Shiran stood up, looked at Ning Changzhen and cupped his hands with his hands, and said with a smile: "It was actually Governor Ning who came to meet me from afar. Governor Ning has been famous all over the world for decades. I am lucky enough to meet him today. He is indeed a loyal minister and righteous man of our Tang Dynasty." ah".

Ning Changzhen's eyes narrowed, loyal minister and righteous man... the scene was a little awkward for a while.

Then Chen Longshu stood up, crossed his hands and bowed: "Brother, after three years of separation, everything is still fine."

Back then, Chen Longshu defected to the Ning family and lived under someone else's roof. Ning Mengli made the decision to make the two of them brothers. They were serious sworn brothers.

Now that the atmosphere is stagnant, he has to step in to rescue him. Who gives him the most special status here?

Ning Changzhen glanced at Chen Longshu, twirled his beard and chuckled: "Okay, my second brother is now outstanding and revitalizing the Chen family. My brother admires me."

Chen Longshu looked a little unnatural.

Then everyone else stood up to greet him, especially Pang Xiaotai. Instead of being submissive and submissive before, he actually acted neither humble nor arrogant, which really made Ning Changzhen look at him with suspicion.

Ning Changzhen returned the greetings one by one, and then cupped his hands and said: "All the heroes are gathered here. I am guarding Qinzhou. I should express my feelings. The city has prepared some wine. I am here to welcome the manager and you all who have entered the city to talk about it." .

Feng Zhiyu and others did not dare to answer, but waited for Gao Chong to speak.

"There is no rush before entering the city," Gao Chong extended his hand and said, "Captain Ning, please take a seat first and have a sip of Chang'an tea."

Ning Changzhen had no choice but to take a seat.

Seeing Gao Chong raising his glass, Ning Changzhen also raised his glass to have a taste.

"How?" Gao Chong raised his eyebrows and smiled.

"Good tea", Ning Changzhen didn't know what it meant, so he could only agree casually, "It's fragrant and mellow, refreshing."

"Good." Faced with this perfunctory agreement, Gao Chong actually clapped his hands and praised: "It turns out that Governor Ning is also a tea connoisseur. In that case, that's even better. There are many people who have Chang'an tea that is better than this tea. From now on, Ning The governor can taste it slowly."

Hearing this, everyone was shocked and looked up at Gao Chong.

Ning Changzhen also looked stunned, and then said in a pretense of sadness: "If I have the opportunity in the future, I will definitely taste it, but it may be difficult to do so in three to five years.

Bad news came last night. My two unlucky sons were framed and killed by traitors in Hepu for some unknown reason. I heard that Jing Lue came from Hepu, so I came here to ask boldly. Does Jing Lue know the inside story? "

The voice fell, and there was silence in the tent.

Ning Changzhen looked directly at Gao Chong, while Chen Longshu and others lowered their eyebrows and said nothing.

Gao Chong smiled and looked at Ning Changzhen.

At this time, Tian Yangming snorted coldly and asked, "May I ask whether Governor Ning is talking about the two traitors Ning Huizao and Ning Chu?"

Ning Changzhen raised his eyebrows and said in a deep voice, "Who are you? How dare you frame my son."

"Framed?"

Tian Yangming was high-spirited, and it can be said that a newborn calf is not afraid of tigers. He immediately glared and said: "Your two rebellious sons occupied the prefecture and county. They deliberately entered the city to appease them, but were counterattacked by their bows and crossbows. This is the crime of resisting the king's master. Ning Huizao followed. Ning's Ning Daoming's rebellion is a fact. Thousands of people inside and outside the city have witnessed it. What can you say?

Humph, you are still here pretending not to know, and calling Master Wang a traitor. I think your two sons and your nephew dared to occupy the city to rebel, and it was you who instigated it, Governor Ning."

Tian Yangming, full of blood, pointed at Ning Changzhen's face and denounced him righteously and loudly, making everyone dumbfounded.

He is indeed the eldest grandson of the Tian family in central Guizhou. His courage is really extraordinary. It is as if the person in front of him is just an ordinary old man and not the great chief of the Ning family who is bullying Lingnan. Tian Yangming is really not timid at all.

"You, Shuzi, are so brave. Who are you?" Ning Changzhen's eyes flashed with murderous intent, he looked directly at Tian Yangming and asked in a deep voice.

He had never been so humiliated before. How dare this young man be so disrespectful to him.

"I am the Magistrate of Panyu County in Guangzhou and the head of Guangzhou Shipping Department, Tian Yangming in central Guizhou, courtesy name Ziguang." Tian Yangming raised his head with his hands behind his hands and looked askance at Ning Changzhen.

Then he paused and continued: "My father, the governor of Qianzhou, is the Duke of Qianzhong County, Tian Shikang, and my ancestor is the general of the auxiliary country, and the Duke of Guizhou, Tian Zongxian."

Tian Yangming is seven feet tall and has a strong build. Now he is looking at Ning Changzhen proudly with his hands behind his hands, and he is actually quite imposing.

Faced with this playboy-like provocation, Ning Changzhen just laughed and said in a hoarse voice, "It turns out he is a boy from the Tian family in central Guizhou. Even you and I don't dare to talk to me like this."

"Don't be rude to yourself," Gao Chong scolded him with a frown.

Then he looked at Ning Changzhen and said sincerely, "Captain Ning, I am young and frivolous, so I hope you can forgive me for being rude. It's just that as you just said, I really don't know anything about Young Master Ning."

Speaking of this, Gao Chong looked at the others, "Have you heard that the two young masters of the Ning family are in Hepu?"

Pang Xiaotai and others were stunned on the spot. Seeing Gao Chong just looking at it with a smile, they shook their heads.

"Captain Ning, there are only rebels affiliated with Ning Daoming in Nahepu City. After the city was broken, it was handed over to Nanhe Prefecture Ning Ruhe to pacify them, but I have never heard that your two young masters are in Hepu City."

Gao Chong said solemnly, then suddenly his face paused, and he asked in a strange tone: "You said that the two young masters of the Ning family died in Hepu City? Then why did they appear in Hepu City?"

(End of this chapter)