Amidst the sound of "ding-ding-ding-ding", jailer Miao Dazhuang shook the key in his hand and pushed the middle-aged man in custody into the cell.
"Just be patient!"
Miao Dazhuang locked the door, turned around and was about to walk away, when an order came from behind him.
"Wait a minute."
The sound is silent, but it can make people stop involuntarily.
Miao Dazhuang turned around and said impatiently: "What's the matter?"
"Do you know who I am?"
"Thief, you are my son." Miao Dazhuang spat, "I don't care who the hell you are."
"I am Yan Zhuang."
"No matter if you pretend to be salt and sugar, it's useless to me no matter how you pretend."
Miao Dazhuang cursed and kicked the wooden fence again, but saw the middle-aged man sitting on the thatch with a calm attitude. This was something he had never seen in previous prisoners.
He rubbed his eyes, took a closer look, and secretly thought that this was official style.
Yan Zhuang said calmly: "You might as well go and find out. I have rebelled twice and supported two emperors, including the emperor today. Now that we are destined, I can give you a fortune."
"Wealth?" Miao Dazhuang didn't take it seriously, "Only a ghost would believe you."
"Your luck has arrived, and wealth is just around the corner."
Miao Dazhuang was too lazy to pay much attention to the prisoner and walked away directly.
There was a look of thought in Yan Zhuang's eyes, but he still sat there calmly and dozed, maintaining the demeanor of a high-ranking official.
I don’t know how long it took, but light finally shone through the small air vent on the top of the cell, and finally, the jailer came with the jingling key.
"You are really strict."
Miao Dazhuang's tone was a little more respectful, but still arrogant, and said: "What a pity, Mr. Yan, you have become a prisoner, how can you bring me much wealth?"
Yan Zhuang seemed to have expected that he would come again, and said calmly: "You come to find your wealth, and I will show you a way."
"ha?"
"Go to the Dingwang Gambling House in the north of the city, find shopkeeper Zhang, and ask him, 'Do you want to know what Yan Zhuang said?' After that, every time he asks a question, you will charge him ten dollars."
Miao Dazhuang's eyes immediately lit up and he couldn't wait to ask: "Really?"
Yan Zhuang glanced at him lightly, meaning there was no need to ask.
Miao Dazhuang rubbed his palms unconsciously, revealing that he was very tempted by this money.
But he also had the shrewdness of a small person, and he said: "No, you want to harm me. It is against the law of the Tang Dynasty to take advice for you."
Yan Zhuang closed his eyes and did not answer, looking determined.
Miao Dazhuang rolled his eyes, thought to himself for a while, said "I won't be fooled by you" and strode away.
Yan Zhuang opened his eyes and watched the footsteps getting faster and faster as they left, knowing in his heart that Miao Dazhuang would definitely give him a message.
The Dingwang Gambling House was opened by Zhang Zhongzhi, a surrendered general of the Yan Army. After Zhang Zhongzhi surrendered, he sent his three sons to Fanyang Mansion to study as hostages. However, he took a concubine in Pinglu Guang and gave birth to many more children. Even when he asked someone to open a casino in private, he was named "Ding Wang", which hinted that he might be at odds with the imperial court.
Yan Zhuang has a lot of clues against Zhang Zhongzhi. Now that he is in prison, Zhang Zhongzhi will definitely pay attention to the development of the situation and will definitely be willing to spend a small amount of money.
Sure enough, that night, Miao Dazhuang came back again, his demeanor completely different, and he couldn't help but beam with excitement.
"Well, Mr. Yan, you are really capable. Shopkeeper Zhang asked me to ask you a few questions."
Yan Zhuang said: "This is just some small money. I told you that you will be rich."
"I just like to make small money and don't seek great wealth." Miao Dazhuang said, "You should answer whatever I ask, don't say you have something or not."
"good."
Yan Zhuang felt a little embarrassed and answered honestly. Within a day or two, he helped Miao Dazhuang earn a lot of money.
But then, when Miao Dazhuang was satisfied with his ambition, Yan Zhuang asked him a question.
"Do you dare to spend that money?"
Miao Dazhuang was stunned and said: "What do you mean?"
"If you dare to spend that money, others will know that you suddenly became rich, and they will know that you are accepting bribes in prison, which will cause death for you. I advise you to throw away the money as soon as possible."
"fart!"
It was impossible for Miao Dazhuang to throw away the money he had received, thinking that he would always be able to use it sooner or later if he hid it. But gradually, he also felt uneasy.
At this time, he realized that he had boarded Yan Zhuang's pirate ship by taking the money and the message.
Yan Zhuang could expose this matter just by opening his mouth, and he would either lose his job or be beheaded.
Miao Dazhuang felt guilty when he thought of this. He immediately showed timidity and his eyes wandered.
Yan Zhuang then said: "Don't worry, you have this wealth in your life that no one can take away. I'm here to help you."
He was someone who could instigate rebellion even in An Lushan. If he wanted to take advantage of a small person, he could do it easily. So he coaxed and deceived and asked Miao Dazhuang to contact more surrendered generals on his behalf.
During this process, Miao Dazhuang received a lot of money and became increasingly uneasy. Suddenly he received too much money that was beyond his ability, making him completely captured by the money and becoming a slave to it.
From this, Yan Zhuang could control Miao Dazhuang more easily. He found an opportunity and asked in a mysterious manner.
"Do you know where your wealth lies?"
"If you want me to let you go, that's impossible, and I can't do it either." Miao Dazhuang was very vigilant.
Yan Zhuang sneered and said, "I don't need you to let me go. I just need you to find paper and pen and ask me to write a letter, and you can send it out for me."
"No, then I will become your accomplice."
"Heh." Yan Zhuang said: "Do you know who are the people who have been in contact with you recently? They hold almost all of Fan Yang's soldiers and horses. You have also seen their attitude towards me. If they can be complicit with me, they are
You are the creation of heaven."
"You speak so brilliantly, why don't you go to jail here?"
"Am I in jail?" Yan Zhuang said, "It's the opportunity."
Miao Dazhuang had never seen such an aura person before, and he was frightened again.
Seeing this, Yan Zhuang finally revealed something to him and said slowly: "Fan Yang is the world of Fan Yang's soldiers after all. Now that the emperor has come to show his power, all the generals are dissatisfied, especially since I was thrown into prison.
It’s going to cause a big upheaval.”
Miao Dazhuang believed this.
When An Lushan and Shi Siming rebelled, he was already a teenager and had experienced the turmoil at that time.
"I wrote this letter. If you can stop the rebels, you will be the hero; if not, you will still be the hero when the situation changes. Do you understand?"
Miao Dazhuang was stunned, nodded, and then shook his head.
Yan Zhuang was too lazy to explain any more and said, "Bring a pen and paper."
Miao Dazhuang was confused by now, so he left the prison to find paper and pen. Yan Zhuang wrote quickly and eloquently, and wrote two pages, folded them, and carefully told Miao Dazhuang how to send it out.
"Remember, don't let anyone know. After this, you can expect to be rich..."
After this incident, Yan Zhuang had no more options and sat in jail and waited patiently for two days.
He counted with his fingers that the time was almost up, and then asked Miao Dazhuang to come closer while delivering the meal.
"I think something will happen in Fanyang City within the next two days. Please come here as soon as possible, open the door and let me out, and I will ensure your prosperity."
"I already said, I can't let you go, the prison boss can kill me..."
"The emperor will be killed by then, how can he be afraid of a prison head?"
Yan Zhuang sneered, showing his madness and no scruples anymore.
He stood up, waved his arms twice, and pointed at the country, very passionately.
"This will be my third rebellion, leading Fan Yang's soldiers to kill the emperor. This emperor has acted too hastily, and he will inevitably die for his new law. When the young master of Chang'an comes to the throne, the generals in Hebei will separate themselves from the government and no longer control the court. I
He will also be a prince."
Miao Dazhuang was stunned for a while, and he couldn't understand the rest. He only remembered Yan Zhuang's last promise to him.
"At that time, your wealth will also come."
~~
As time passed, Miao Dazhuang gradually started to look forward to it.
More and more corrupt officials were imprisoned. Yan Zhuanghui discussed the pros and cons of the new law with them in prison, believing that the emperor could not succeed.
Miao Dazhuang occasionally listened to one or two sentences and realized that today's conflicts are intensifying and the situation is about to be shaken.
He then felt that everyone else in the world was stupid, but he could see the future from his solemn analysis. So the first time he opened his eyes every day, he wondered whether something would change today, and from now on he would become a master.
On this day, he fell asleep in the cell and vaguely heard the cell leader chatting with someone.
"What a big noise."
"It's Tian Chengsi, Zhang Zhongzhi and the others entering the city..."
When these words fell into his ears, Miao Dazhuang suddenly started up, wiped his saliva and ran out, standing there staring at the prison head, his eyes falling on the bunch of keys hanging on the prison head's waist.
Chaos has begun, and he is about to soar into the sky.
"Dazhuang, why are you staring at me?!" The prison boss, who was still sucking a chicken claw, raised his head and scolded, "You are stupid, you are as stupid as ever."
Miao Dazhuang said: "Tian Chengsi, Zhang Zhongzhi has rebelled."
"What?" The prison boss showed a surprised expression and said, "Where did you hear that?"
Miao Dazhuang thought that if there was chaos in the city, he would leave the key to the prison head and let Yan Zhuang and others out.
Because of these thoughts, he could not help but show his madness, and he was no longer as respectful to the prison boss as before.
"Mom, you're still looking at me." The prison boss became annoyed, "You're itchy and you want me to take care of you, right?"
Miao Dazhuang thought: "Who do you think you are? When I become famous, I will let you kneel on the ground and eat dog intestines."
At this moment, an official strode over and said, "Pass a message. In three days, Yan Zhuang will be taken to the south gate and beheaded in public display..."
For a moment, Miao Dazhuang thought that the emperor was witnessing a rebellion and wanted to get rid of Yan Zhuang, but he quickly realized that the time was three days later, which might mean that there was no rebellion.
"Go away, you idiot."
He was still in a daze when he was bumped to the side by the prison head. This bump woke him up from his sweet dream.
Three days later, there were people standing near the South City Gate.
Miao Dazhuang followed the two jailers. Looking at Yan Zhuang's back, he felt that every step he took was soft.
He was extremely frightened, knowing that if he was implicated by Yan Zhuang, he would be dead, and his family would be affected as well. And Yan Zhuang only needed to shout to kill him.
Therefore, he was completely in a state of despair. It was not until he heard the sound of "cut" that he suddenly became excited. When he looked down, he found that he had peed in fear.
"Miao Dazhuang, you are such a fool. Watching someone beheaded would scare you to death. Get out of here."
"Eh."
Miao Dazhuang responded quickly and ran home quickly. He picked up the money he had received recently and ran out. He ran all the way to a dead end alley. When he looked around, he saw that there was nowhere to go.
He threw the cloth bag containing the money on the ground and ran away as if he had seen a ghost.
He knew he might regret it.
When he finally escaped home, panting, standing in the yard looking at the sky, listening to the crowing of chickens, barking of dogs, and the sound of children playing in the yard next door, he suddenly felt like he had been possessed by a demon a while ago.
I just hope that there won't be any chaos and that I can live peacefully and peacefully like this.
~~
"cut!"
Xue Bai watched Yan Zhuang's head fall, and glanced at Tian Chengsi, Zhang Zhongzhi, Hou Xiyi, Liu Kenu and other Fan Yang generals, and saw that everyone looked more or less relieved.
In fact, Yan Zhuang only bribed Pei Yi to deal with Yan Gaoqing. As far as what happened, his crime was not worthy of death. Apart from anything else, in the political struggles during the Tianbao period, there were countless people who used worse methods than Yan Zhuang.
However, Xue Bai still executed Yan Zhuang because he knew that these Fan Yang generals were secretly colluding with Yan Zhuang and had interests in them. The purpose of killing them was to appease their minds and show that they were not guilty of the past.
This does not mean that the court is weak or compromised. On the contrary, in the past few days, when the generals were most likely to rebel, Xue Bai did not give any comfort. He sat in Fan Yang and watched their reactions coldly until they came to Fan Yang to plead guilty.
Only then did he forgive them.
So, a head was hung on the city gate.
"I thought Yan Zhuang would rebel again."
Tian Chengsi was looking up when he suddenly heard someone whispering behind him. He turned around and saw that it was Zhang Zhongzhi.
He shook his head and said, "No, I won't follow him to rebel again."
"Because your nephew is also a hostage in Fan Yang?" Zhang Zhongzhi asked in a low voice.
"It has nothing to do with this." Tian Chengsi said, "If it were before the saint ascended the throne, there might be a chance. But the imperial army has been stationed for so long, and all the soldiers have acres of land. The harvest is about to be harvested, and most of the wheat is their own.
, who will follow and rebel?"
"It seems that you have a plan?" Zhang Zhongzhi said, "Otherwise, how would you know that the soldiers would not follow you?"
"Eating dog intestines, don't try to trick me. I was defeated by the saint in Guanzhong, how could I dare to rebel against him?"
Zhang Zhongzhi sighed, thinking that Yan Zhuang was right. The imperial court originally controlled the world by controlling high-ranking families, and controlled the soldiers by controlling generals in various places. The essence of the reform was to weaken the relationship in the middle and directly strengthen the imperial court.
Control over the common people and soldiers.
If you don't rebel this time, as more and more new policies are promoted and implemented, it will be more difficult in the future. You can just be a minister of the Tang Dynasty.
The reason why Zhang Zhongzhi did not rebel this time was different from Tian Chengsi. He was persuaded by his youngest son's letter.
Zhang Weijian studied under Du Fu at Fanyang Mansion, and now he has achieved success in his studies. He wrote to Zhang Zhongzhi, explaining it with reason and emotion, analyzing it in various ways, saying that obeying the emperor is the Zhang family's long-term plan.
Zhang Zhongzhi didn't quite understand the letter, and he didn't care either.
He just felt that one of his sons finally had a man who was both civilized and martial, and had extraordinary insights. Sooner or later, he would become a talented person and pass on his family to become more and more prosperous, like a big family. Therefore, he couldn't bear to ruin his son's life.
future.
It is ridiculous to say that Xue Bai was bent on reforming the law to weaken the aristocratic family, but what Yan Zhuang did was to become a prominent family. The reason why Zhang Zhongzhi did not rebel was also because he wanted to become a prominent family.
From this point of view, Xue Bai seems to be a loner, going against people's wishes and going his own way for ridiculous ideals.
But he firmly believed in his heart that he was the one who followed the trend.
With the continuous development, the Tang Dynasty has reached a time when the aristocratic families are destined to weaken and the poor families are gradually rising. The gap between classes is constantly shrinking. This is an unchanging law.
Those who are silent and unable to make a voice are the supporters of the New Deal. They are thick and huge, and this power will eventually be revealed.
~~
Fan Yang's generals were not in trouble, and Xue Bai's business in Hebei went smoothly. But at this time, he received an urgent document from Luoyang.
After unfolding it, Xue Bai calmly put it aside and continued to chat and laugh with the ministers of Hebei.
It wasn't until all the officials had retired that he spread out the letter again and sat there alone and read it word by word.
Its content can be summed up in one sentence - Liu Zhan, the newly appointed pacifier of Jiangnan East Road, conspired to rebel.
Xue Bai had met Liu Zhan several times. It was during the crusade against Shi Siming that Liu Zhan was seconded. He was quite capable and had made some achievements.
But what impressed Xue Bai the most was that Liu Zhan came from a humble background, was a dignified man, and was stern, but he was very considerate of his soldiers. It was precisely for this reason that Xue Bai transferred him to Jiangnan East Road, a tax-heavy area, after the implementation of the new law.
Use force to ensure the implementation of the new law.
Under such circumstances, someone accused Liu Zhan of treason, and Xue Bai's first reaction was to make a false accusation in order to thwart the New Deal.
But the secret report he received pointed out that Liu Zhan was the adopted son of Liu Puhui, who rebelled in Dongdu in the 23rd year of Kaiyuan, and was even involved in the assassination of Xuanzong in Huaqingchi during the Tianbao period.
The secret report also listed some incriminating evidence.
Xue Bai tapped his fingers lightly, closed his eyes and thought, thinking that this matter was not a trivial matter.
If Liu Zhan really rebels, the consequences will be very serious; even if he does not really rebel, someone who has fabricated such detailed charges against him may not be able to really force him to rebel.
The memorial was delivered in the name of Du Youlin, but the person who specifically found out Liu Zhan's past was Li Zangyong, the transshipment envoy in charge of the reform in Jiangnan East Road.
This incident is very similar to Pei Yi's impeachment of Yan Gaoqing. It is conceivable that there will be more and more similar incidents in the future.
Xue Bai may be able to rush from Hebei to Jiangnan to deal with it, but it is impossible to rush from Jiangnan to Shannan and Lingnan. This is not what the emperor should do.
It was foreseeable that the resistance to the imperial reform was gradually increasing. Xue Bai thought about it and decided to go south along the canal as planned.
And Liu Zhan was in Suzhou. If he really wanted to rebel, once he passed the Jianghuai River, he might go up the canal and kidnap the emperor.
But no one has stopped Xue Bai so far. This matter is a secret and only a few people know about it.
A few days later, Xue Bai set off from Fanyang and continued his inspection of Hebei.
Before leaving, he issued an order to release Yan Jiming, but he also demoted Yan Jiming's official position and punished him for breaking into a place forbidden by the imperial court. This was handled in accordance with Tang law. After all, Yan Jiming's association with Shi Chaoying was not a serious crime.
.
"Your grandpa said that you are not doing your job all day long and wants to send you to Chang'an. What do you think?"
"Your Majesty, I am not neglecting my duties." Yan Jiming said, "I want to stay in Hebei and one day clear out foreigners for the Tang Dynasty and pacify the outside world!"
"You have been dismissed from office."
"Didn't His Majesty say that? As long as Shi Chaoying makes a contribution, it will prove my innocence." Yan Jiming said: "I'm going to Huihe Ministry to persuade her subordinates again."
Xue Bai shook his head and said, "Then you'd better go with me."
"Is this His Majesty's will, or is it private advice?"
"It's a decree, after all, you can be considered the uncle of the state."
"How can it be 'regarded'?" Yan Jiming said: "The men of the Tang Dynasty should travel across the world and clarify the world. I don't want to go back to Chang'an and be the uncle of the state, which seems to be similar to Yang Guozhong."
Xue Bai looked at his radiant appearance and felt a vigorous vitality, so he nodded and indulged him.
~~
The imperial driver continued south, and a month later he crossed the Yellow River and arrived in Songzhou. Xue Bai received a memorial from Yan Zhenqing, requesting that he be allowed to end his inspection and return to the eastern capital.
The reason is that Yan Zhenqing believes that Liu Zhan's rebellion is true, and he has actually seen evidence that can prove that Liu Zhan participated in the assassination case of the Huaqing Palace.
Previously, Xue Bai had always believed that Liu Zhan, like Yan Gaoqing, was wrongly accused because of the new law. He followed the original plan to tour the south, but he actually wanted to express his trust in Liu Zhan... It was because he believed in Liu Zhan that he dared not bring him with him
If there are too many troops, they will go to dangerous places in person.
But Yan Zhenqing's memorial shattered Xue Bai's idea.
If he continues to go south, he may be in danger.
After thinking for a long time, Xue Bai wrote a reply to Yan Zhenqing. He believed that even if Liu Zhan really wanted to rebel, he had just arrived in Suzhou and could not be fully prepared, let alone not raising the flag yet. If the emperor was afraid and refused to move forward,
Not to mention the loss of prestige in the court, but Liu Zhan will notice and expose the matter. It is better for him to continue south and hold Liu Zhan down before he can make a move...
After writing the letter, Xue Bai dried the ink and suddenly thought of another possibility.
Liu Zhan had just arrived in Suzhou, but even the rebellion could not make a big splash. Yan Zhenqing's worries were very deep. He was determined to have him return to the Eastern Capital. Is it really Liu Zhan who was worried about him? Or was there some other change that is inconvenient to describe?