Jinghong Tower

The Zhending Prefecture had no idea that the imperial army was not only defeated, but also ignored them before they were defeated and retreated directly to Xinle, leaving the huge Zhending Prefecture to King Jin!

The prefect Zhending only had more than 300 people in his hands. He was hesitant whether to offer the city or to resist.

If he resists, how can his mere three hundred men be the opponent of King Jin's 150,000 troops? Then he will have no other way out except to die in the line of duty.

But if he sacrifices the city, his whole life of wisdom will be ruined.

The prefect's wife and her children knelt down and begged. They didn't want to die. If the city was dedicated, there might be a chance of survival.

The prefect closed his eyes. Two of his sons were very good at studying, and his daughter was born beautiful. They were raised according to the standards of high-class mistresses.

They all could have had a bright future.

"You put on civilian clothes and run away. If you can survive, go back to your hometown and farm." The prefect said.

This is his decision and his final decision.

He was determined to die.

When his wife's cry came, he didn't look back. He was afraid that if he did, he would be reluctant to let her go.

The prefect walked to the front office, where a group of officials were already waiting.

"The city is about to be destroyed. The King of Jin is also a descendant of Taizu. If you are willing to surrender, there is no need to be ashamed. You can all go."

The prefect didn't know anything about it. Since the document asking for Min was published to the world, his subordinate officials had been discussing it in private. Some even thought that instead of worrying about whether the emperor was of Zhou's blood, it would be better to go directly to the King of Jin.

It is not known whether the current surname is Zhou or Min, but the King of Jin must be the son of the dragon and the grandson of the phoenix.

Even the prefect himself had this idea.

But ideas are ideas, and at this stage, he still cannot accept surrender. He is a scholar, and he has his own integrity.

At this time, a girl walked in quickly from behind. The girl was dressed in men's clothing. It was his daughter Cui Yun.

"Yunniang, why haven't you left yet?" the magistrate asked.

"Father, open the city gate and let King Jin enter the city." Cui Yun said in a deep voice.

"Why do you even say that, you..." Looking at the daughter he regarded as the apple of his eye, the prefect felt heartbroken.

"Father, put aside your reputation and think about the people in this city. Do you want to see a Zhending Mansion that is riddled with holes, or do you want King Jin to vent his anger against you on the people in this city? ?

Open the city gate, welcome the King of Jin into the city, and bring peace to the people of the city, so what if you sacrifice your own reputation? "

Every word Cui Yun said was like a sharp arrow piercing the prefect's heart. He was in pain, but he was unable to refute.

"Sir, the lady is right, let's open the city gate and welcome King Jin into the city." Several officials came over and persuaded them.

The magistrate's body swayed, and he managed to steady himself. He looked at the officials and asked, "Is there anyone among you who is willing to lead an army to resist the King of Jin to the end?"

There were dozens of officials, big and small, but no one answered.

A wry smile appeared on the prefect's lips. After all, he was pedantic.

He closed his eyes, opened them again, and said slowly: "In that case, everyone, please follow me out of the city."

"Father, my daughter will accompany you." Cui Yun said loudly.

The King of Jin was riding on his horse, looking at Zhending City not far away. After capturing Zhending Mansion, the capital was in sight.

The city gate slowly opened, and a group of officials came out. The one who walked at the front was the prefect. He was dressed in official uniform, holding a black gauze in his hand, and his steps were a little staggering, but every time he was about to fall, those who followed him The young man will support him in time. Although the King of Jin did not know the prefect, he understood his actions very well. As a civil servant, he had no power to restrain a chicken, and his subordinates were short of soldiers and weapons. What else could he do except open the city gate? Is it really true? Do you want to die for the city?

So what if he died in the city? Wouldn't this city still have to be destroyed in the end?

A mocking smile emerged from the corner of King Jin's mouth, but when he looked at the group of officials walking out of the city gate, the smile quickly turned warm and humble.

He got off his horse and stepped forward to help the magistrate who was about to kneel on the ground.

"The prefect understands the righteousness deeply, and the people will definitely be grateful to you!"

King Jin did not pay attention to the young man following the magistrate. The young man was wearing coarse clothes and was inconspicuous. He was most likely a follower.

Cui Yun quietly looked at King Jin, then lowered his eyes.

The first military order issued by the King of Jin after entering Zhending Mansion was to strictly prohibit soldiers from burning, killing and looting in the city.

The King of Jin is not stupid. Zhending Mansion is a big city and very rich.

Rather than letting the soldiers loot the city, it would be better to let the merchants hand over their money and food.

Three days later, more than a dozen big merchants in Zhending Mansion were all invited to the temporary office set up by King Jin in the government office.

These people are all men, so the old lady among them is the most eye-catching.

The old lady was dressed in dark green clothes, with a jade hairpin inserted into her gray hair. She was holding a cane in her hand, and she was followed by two little maids of thirteen or fourteen years old.

When King Jin walked in, the first thing he saw was the old lady.

The personal attendant whispered in his ear: "That old woman is Mrs. Zuo, the owner of Jinghong Tower."

King Jin was slightly startled: "Isn't the owner of Jinghong Tower a young Miss He?"

The personal attendant said: "When our people went to Jinghong Tower, they heard from the people in Jinghong Tower that the He family wanted to swallow up the girl's property and took away all the money in Jinghong Tower. For this reason There was even a fuss in the Yamen, and Jinghong Tower was closed down. Later, the eldest son of the He family came back to serve as an official, and the matter was settled. However, after this commotion, Miss He knew that she could not save Jinghong Tower, so she put the matter aside. The Zhending Jinghong Tower was sold to this old lady Zuo, and the grandson of the old lady Zuo is the shopkeeper of Jinghong Tower. Speaking of which, Jinghong Tower has always been managed by his family."

King Jin had some impression that he had heard Feng Xueying mention that the Jinghong Tower Poetry Club was caused by the closure of Jinghong Tower.

Thinking of Feng Jieying, King Jin felt a trace of sadness and resentment in his heart, Jieying, Jieying, why can't you understand me?

King Jin shook his head and put on a gentle and elegant smile again. He walked quickly into the hall, smiled at the merchants sitting here and said: "I am busy with trivial matters. I am late. Please wait for a long time." Wait, I have already asked people to hold a banquet in my mansion, you must appreciate it!"

The merchants were all smiling and talking flattering words, but they were muttering in their hearts that the prince spoke so nicely. It seemed that they would not be able to leave today without ten thousand taels of silver.

King Jin's wine is not so easy to drink.

In the end, some offered fifty thousand, some offered thirty thousand, and some offered ten thousand.

Listening to everyone counting, Mrs. Zuo cried because she had no money. The He family took all the money from Jinghong Tower. What? Two thousand taels? Come on, the He family came to take the money later and took all the money from Jinghong Tower.

Later, Miss He sold Jinghong Tower. Mrs. Zuo took out all the coffins in order to buy Jinghong Tower.

So Mrs. Zuo took out her handkerchief and cried so sadly.

"My old lady doesn't have much money anymore. Now that the war is going on, no one comes to Jinghong Tower to eat. Fortunately, the old lady still has a few pieces of jewelry. I'll ask them to send them over later. Although it's not much, it's still the old lady's heart. Your Majesty. , you must accept it, if you don’t accept it, the old woman will have no face to see the old master."

The old boss of Jinghong Tower, who is that?

Of course it is He Jinghong, the eldest princess of Zhenguo.

If He Jinghong is alive, he will be older than this old lady Zuo. Old lady Zuo must go downstairs to see He Jinghong.

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