The new era of chaos begins in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 453 Hidden dangers
When the leaders heard Wang Hou's shout, they were all horrified. Those who were drinking spilled their wine, those who were eating meat choked, and those who were chatting and laughing like Jing Zhong were even more frightened and stunned, with a pale face.

Wang Huan did have some knowledge. He immediately stood up and walked over to Wang Hou, bowing down and shouting, "Unjust! Since we surrendered to the court, we have received the grace of the government and the majesty of the court. We have always put loyalty and righteousness first, and have never indulged in any false thoughts! Not to mention being a rebel! Huan is unworthy, I beg the superior to investigate!"

With Wang Huan's demonstration, Jing Zhong, who was a smart man who was used to changing his attitude according to the situation, immediately followed suit. He also went to Wang Huan's side, bowed down, and cried out that he was wronged.

Others such as Yang Wen, Han Cunbao, Xu Jing, Li Congji, Zhang Kai, Xiang Yuanzhen, Mei Zhan and several unknown leaders realized their mistakes a little later, but they also left their seats and bowed down, crying out their grievances along with Wang Huan and Jing Zhong.

Only Jia Gan, whose brother Jia Jin died at the hands of the Song army, had always felt a little alienated from the Song court. However, he had to go with the flow out of brotherhood, so he knelt down late and was even reluctant, and did not say a word after kneeling.

This made him seem quite unique, so much so that Tong Guan, who was sitting in the main seat, couldn't help but look at him closely.

Wang Hou looked down at the leaders who were prostrating themselves for a long time before he said, "I see that you are quite respectful, so I will be lenient with you for now. Once we have investigated the disturbance outside, we can punish you according to the law."

At that moment, Wang Hou ordered his personal soldiers to go out of the tent and select one or two military officers who came to complain to come in and report. There is no need to describe the process, but after the leaders heard it, they all had different expressions, especially Jia Gan, who said angrily: "They are all greedy people who have ruined the grace of the court! It's a pity that they are unreasonable and want to get money from the Buddha!"

Wang Hou's face froze when he heard this, and Tong Guan sneered even more.

Wang Hou said, "It was just a minor incident, no one was killed! I am really pleased with your carefulness in managing the army. I blame the officials below for being so deceitful and doing such a dirty thing! They ruined the morale of our army, they really deserve to be killed! Come on, take the officer in charge of distributing the rewards out and behead him, and hang his head for public display! All the assistant officials who colluded with him shall be severely punished with 20 military sticks to serve as a warning to others!"

Wang Huan bowed and said, "General! Now the people in the camp are in disarray because of insufficient rewards, which makes the army uneasy. What can we do?"

Wang Hou looked back at Tong Guan, clasped his fists and said respectfully, "What do you think, Prime Minister?"

Tong Guan nodded and said, "Soldiers like these can be used! That's all! I will send a letter and transfer some military supplies to make up for the shortfall in rewards tomorrow to stabilize the morale of the army!"

After the incident, Tong Guan and the ceremonial guard returned to the Huangzhou City camp, but Wang Hou stayed in the rebel camp for the night.

At night, Wang Huan said to Wang Hou, the servant in the tent, "Father, you came here with the boy servant to comfort the troops today, why did you use such dirty and corrupt officials? Father is so smart, how could he be deceived?"

Wang Hou sneered and said, "What do you know? All mountain bandits who are recruited have to be humiliated this time to see how they react. If they really surrender, but suffer some injustice, it means that they really surrender. After they appeal, they will be relieved of their grievances and can be used. If they rebel on the spot, or even kill people, it shows that their bandit nature has not changed and they are unruly and difficult to tame. We must be cautious and guard against them, so as to avoid trouble in the future."

Wang Huan was shocked when he heard this, and asked in surprise, "Will Shangguan look at us and suspect us?"

Wang Hou said angrily: "Idiot! Who is your Shangguan?!"

Wang Huan pretended to be surprised and said, "Oh! My Shangguan is my father! Father, my brothers are all good people, and they have never had any rebellious heart."

Wang Hou said: "I don't know that you have been in a series of bloody battles recently, and your murderous nature is hard to control. Today, your brave soldiers can endure some murderous intentions when facing some corrupt officials. It is really rare."

Wang Huan smiled and replied, "Father, I'll see you tomorrow!"

Wang Hou said, "There is a general in your camp, but his behavior today was a little strange! He has a cold face and a bushy beard, and looks very fierce, but I don't know which one he is?" Wang Huan knew that his father Wang Hou was a meticulous person, and he knew the origins and identities of all the generals in the rebel camp very well.

Wang Hou said this not because he really didn't know who that guy was, he was just trying to start a conversation.

Wang Huan lowered his head and said, "Could it be Brother Jia Gan? Brother Jia Gan is a rough and timid man with great martial arts skills. He is a real brave general. In recent times, he has always been at the forefront of every war and has made many contributions."

Wang Hou said, "That fellow had a brother named Jia Jin. Did he die before the surrender?"

Wang Huan said: "Brother Jia Jin is also a talented general, but he is new and has limited experience. He did not know the power of the military formation and was killed by Liu Zhongwu at the foot of Nankang City. But father, don't worry, brother Jia Gan is quite sensible and will never harm the Song Dynasty because of Jia Jin's death."

Wang Hou said, "You are a mean fellow, and you don't know how treacherous people are. Because of Jia Jin's death, Jia Gan is a potential threat to the court. What's more, his behavior today was not appropriate. I'm afraid that Minister Tong has seen it. The eunuch looks generous, but he is actually narrow-minded and vicious, and he is always looking down on others. Jia Gan will be punished by him sooner or later."

At this point, Wang Hou sighed and said, "I have no concerns about Jia Gan's future. I am just worried that you guys can't see the situation clearly and may be blamed by the boy for your hatred and get dragged down by that guy."

Wang Huan was surprised when he heard this, and said quickly, "Brother Jia Gan just acted a little crudely, but he had no intention of rebelling. Father, you are the commander here, and you hold a high position. You should talk to the boy to help him resolve this crisis."

Wang Hou said: "You don't understand. Even if I intercede, the eunuch may say it on the surface, but he will hate Jia Gan even more in private. Maybe even I will be hated by him!"

Wang Huan panicked and asked, "What should I do?"

Wang Hou said, "There is a way, but it would be unfair to your brotherhood."

Wang Huan remained silent. He was also a smart man, so how could he not know the method his father Wang Hou suggested? He just didn't want to do it.

Wang Hou refused to give up and shouted, "Jia Gan is already a nuisance to you! The only solution now is to either kill him in battle or let him escape. There is no other way."

Wang Huan did not respond, but someone outside the tent shuddered.

The fellow held a teapot and said to the guard outside the tent, "Please inform the general that I, Jing Zhong, would like to present some fragrant tea to you, the commander."

The guard glared at Jing Zhong, then went inside to report. Then Wang Hou said, "Leave the things behind, and everyone else leave. Say I'm tired and I'll go to bed."

The personal guard then left the tent and spoke to Jing Zhong.

Jing Zhong's mind was racing, but he put on a smile. He left the teapot and turned away.

(End of this chapter)