From the ear room next to the old man, someone walked out.
This person was wearing a Taoist robe and said with a smile: "Can you still win the rest of the game?"
The old man said: "Get off."
So the old man called out, and a servant brought the chessboard. On the chessboard, there was exactly the endgame.
The old man and the Taoist took their seats.
The Taoist said: "Is this Xu Qi... reliable?"
The old man said: "Those who are at the end of their rope have only one choice."
"But don't forget, dogs can also eat their owners."
The old man smiled and said nothing. He pinched the sunspot in his hand, looked at the chess game, and said with a half-smile: "When Emperor Taizu Gao was here, several great prisons broke out, which already chilled the hearts of people all over the world. Jianwen
The emperor has been working hard for a few years and has eliminated many long-standing shortcomings, but unfortunately... everything is like a flash in the pan... As for the current Zhu Laosi... ugh..."
He shook his head.
The Taoist said: "Could it be that in your opinion, this Zhu Laosi is more powerful than Taizu Emperor Gao?"
The old man said: "What Taizu did was just to suppress us, but what Zhu Laosi did by condoning Zhang Anshi was to dig up our roots."
The Taoist was silent.
The old man continued: "If this continues, in less than ten years, the world will change drastically. By then, there will be no place for us in the world. The inheritance of our ancestors, the wealth of our children and grandchildren, everything will be in vain! You are a cheap businessman,
I’m afraid I’ll ride on your head and mine too.”
The Taoist said: "In my opinion, that's not entirely true."
The old man shook his head: "You don't understand. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the gentry arose. What did the Han emperor use to govern the gentry?"
The Taoist immediately said: "Eunuchs and relatives."
The old man nodded: "Yes, this hole has been opened since then. The power of the eunuchs and relatives has become stronger and stronger, and it has reached the point where it cannot be lost, and then the disaster of party imprisonment has arisen... What is different today? Your Majesty wants to collect taxes and wants money, just
We have to rely on ruthless officials and merchants. Once these people become strong, how can they be willing to just plunder money for the palace? Over time, they will become popular, or... they are already quite popular."
The Taoist frowned and said, "Is it impossible to resolve it?"
The old man mused: "There is a way."
"Want to hear the details."
The old man suddenly raised his head, looked at the Taoist and said: "There is not only one Zhang Anshi in Dehua County."
The Taoist raised his eyebrows, his eyes first flashed with horror, and then he said in shock: "How can you see it?"
"The reaction was too quick." The old man squinted his eyes, with a sharp light flashing in his eyes, and continued: "A few days ago, it was the Mid-Autumn Festival. There was a court meeting during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The emperor and Zhang Anshi must be there. If not, I must be there.
Can catch the wind
According to this, the Mid-Autumn Festival only lasts for half a month. In other words, if Zhang Anshi comes to Jiangxi, he only has half a month to plan. He needs to ask for instructions from the palace, and allocate manpower. It is impossible to do it in just half a month.
Arrived."
The old man pondered for a moment, and then continued: "Don't look at Zhang Anshi, who is so powerful. Everyone says that he is a powerful minister, but this person... can have such trust from Zhu Laosi, he is definitely not a fool. He has not gained
His Majesty's personal decree absolutely cannot lead to such a big move."
"But if you ask for instructions, half a month is not enough. Those Jinyi guards who have sealed the treasury... If they take action ten days later, it is still possible. But if they take action now... unless... Zhu Laosi is also here in Jiujiang Mansion
inside."
The Taoist frowned even deeper: "It seems...this is your Majesty's intention..."
The old man said very firmly: "Yes, it was his idea."
"But why didn't you tell the truth just now?"
The old man smiled and said: "If the truth is revealed, will Xu Qi still have such courage?"
"Then what you mean is..."
The old man said: "Throughout the dynasties, the founding emperors of the country were often bold and bold, but the descendants in the future did not have such courage. They were often just conservative kings, unable to achieve success. On the one hand, they have not experienced life and death, and have been raised in
The hands of the deep palace cannot make a decisive decision and have the courage to sink the boat. The second reason is that they do not have the prestige of the founding king. All they can do is to hold on to the world."
After a pause, the old man continued: "Although this Zhu Laosi is not the founding king, he also started his career in Jingnan. He is no different from the founding emperor. This is why he can make drastic decisions, and Zhang Anshi can rely on him to open up the country."
The so-called New Deal. Therefore, as long as Zhu Laosi dies, then... the so-called New Deal is actually stillborn. As for the Jiangxi matter, the imperial court cannot thoroughly investigate it."
Having said this, the old man looked up at the Taoist with a smile, and continued in an understatement: "If we really want to conduct a thorough investigation, will Xinjun dare to investigate? If he did, wouldn't he feel scared?"
The Taoist opened his eyes slightly and said: "Regicide?"
"It was not you or me who killed the king..." the old man said, "it was the water thieves from Poyang Lake..."
The Taoist said with a bit of worry: "But many of these people... are behind the scenes. There is no guarantee that they will not implicate anyone. Don't forget that back then... these water bandits... but
In collusion with the Metropolitan Command."
There has always been a family of officials and bandits.
Many times, the government repeatedly bans water bandits like this, and gradually acquiesces to their existence.
As long as many water bandits did not rebel and secretly sent some gifts to the government, they would have room to survive.
The water area of Poyang Lake is so large that the government cannot control it at all. This situation has been met by water thieves since the Qin and Han Dynasties. Even in the most peaceful times, such water bandits have never disappeared.
The old man said: "So... next..."
The old man held the black piece in his hand and placed it on the chessboard.
The Taoist looked down and saw that he had lost.
This Taoist no longer pays attention to the outcome of the chess game on the chessboard. What he focuses on is the chess game in reality.
He raised his head, looked at the old man steadily and said, "What's next?"
The old man said: "As soon as the water thieves broke into Dehua County and razed it to the ground, they slaughtered everyone in the city. On the Jiangxi side, all the guards under the command of the envoys must also be prepared to take advantage of the situation to encircle them."
Kill all these water bandits."
After the old man said this, murderous intent flashed across his eyes. He raised the corners of his mouth and revealed a serious smile: "In this way, the water bandits made trouble and accidentally killed your majesty and Zhang An and others. Each guard wiped out all the water bandits, which was their first achievement.
.After the new king ascends the throne, he will grant amnesty to the world. Even if the new king is upset, the worst he can do is to deal with it.
The political envoy Xu Qiren and others, but at most they are just guilty of negligence. The new monarch has just succeeded to the throne, and there is no Zhang Anshi in Zhili, and there is no leader. At this time, if the court wants long-term peace and stability, it has to appease the world, and the new monarch's
The prestige is not as great as that of Zhu Laosi, so what can he do?"
"Ten thousand steps back, even if the new king is angry, but so what, everyone who knows the truth is dead, and the railway's account has been completely cleared because of an accident. You know why...many times, people's hearts
Will you change your mind?"
The Taoist said: "I would like to hear the details."
The old man said: "It's very simple, because many accounts are unclear, and many things...can't be sorted out. Therefore, everyone likes to set fire to warehouses. But setting fire to warehouses...is just a small trick in the end. If the accounts are too large,
Big, involving more, involving more widely, it is very
A mere fire can solve the problem. The best way is to have a civil uprising or a military disaster. In this way, all the accounts and all the unclear things can be completely solved.
Human death is completely cleansed."
The old man said: "The railway is not repaired. It doesn't matter. You can report it to the police and say that thieves stole all the rails. The money in the warehouse is gone. It can be said that it was robbed by thieves. There are some people who want them dead.
, just like that damned Minister of Rites Liu Guan, who would dare to touch him on a normal day? But once a civil uprising occurs, it can be said that this was the work of the rebellious people, and he died in the chaos."
The Taoist sighed and said, "If this is the case, I don't know how many people will die this time."
The old man smiled arrogantly and said: "For the sake of peace in the world and the elimination of ruthless officials, and for the common people to live and work in peace and contentment in the future, what does it matter if tens of thousands of people die?"
The Taoist lowered his head and remained silent.
The old man glanced at him and said, "Are you soft-hearted?"
The Taoist shook his head.
The old man smiled and said: "I am old, how many years can I live, but I am really unwilling. These hundreds of years of foundation have been completely destroyed by the hands of Zhu Laosi and Zhang Anshi. The kindness of our ancestors for more than ten generations has made us what we are today.
How can the prosperity decline in my hands? Besides, have you forgotten?
Who among those who came back from Zhili did not criticize cruel officials like Zhang Anshi? They not only forcibly confiscated the land of the gentry, but also forced the farm laborers to accept the land. Even for farmers who were ambitious and supported themselves,
Such unearned income is undoubtedly a humiliation."
After a pause, the old man continued: "Because of this, the world should return to its original state, and these people should no longer be allowed to mess around. I have served in several dynasties, even as an official during the periods of Emperor Taizu Gao and Emperor Yuan Shun.
, it will not be as ridiculous as it is today.”
The Taoist sighed and said: "Having said that, it's just that this matter is too big and one is not good..."
Obviously, the Taoist still has lingering worries in his heart.
The old man said slowly and calmly: "Actually, what can I do in the beginning? He, Zhu Laosi, is the emperor after all, and Zhang Anshi has elite soldiers and horses, and is a very human minister. So... it is also thanks to the construction of this railway.
"
The Taoist asked suspiciously: "Is building the railway a good thing?"
The old man said: "Of course it is not a good thing, but it is also a blessing in disguise. When the railway was to be built, many people were very excited, thinking that they could just make a profit. This was the case for the chief minister, all the prefectures and counties, and the gentry.
, everyone thought they could make a profit from this. But I already knew that this would happen."
The Taoist was even more puzzled, and then asked: "Today?"
The old man said: "It's impossible to expect these people to do anything big! They have beautiful wives and concubines. As long as Zhu Laosi's knife has not been put to their necks, they always feel that... they can continue to hang out for a while. They can be repaired.
Regarding the railway, I know that many gentry will be involved. They only see the immediate benefits but cannot see the upcoming risks. Zhu Laosi is not a foolish master. This account must be
You have to settle it with them."
"Look, now the account has finally been settled, but just because this account has to be settled, it has become the best time. Ordinarily, if you told them that you wanted to assassinate the emperor and kill Zhang Anshi, they would definitely be a
He has a broken liver and gallbladder. Go talk to someone like Xu Qi. He can't tell. He has already secretly
You were exposed in the last memorial. But what about now? Now everyone knows that a disaster will come soon. You tell them these things now, but they already know that life and death only exist today. If the fish is dead and the net is broken, there may be a glimmer of hope.
Then I have no choice but to follow my lead and burn the boat."
Having said this, the old man's face showed a hint of knowingness, and he continued: "It's just a railway, but it made me unite people's hearts. Everyone has to die for me, and everyone is willing to do so."
Isn't it a good thing to take risks?"
The Taoist stared at the old man with strange eyes and couldn't help but said: "Today is what you have been waiting for."
"Yes, today is what I've been waiting for!" The old man sighed and said: "I have lived for so many years, and I have been a great minister and tasted wealth. But now that I am dying, the only thing I can do with this useless body is
...That’s it.”
The Taoist said: "My plan is very big, but haven't you thought about the consequences of failure?"
The old man said: "I have never thought about these, but I have thought about the consequences of the New Deal being implemented throughout the world. At that time, the outcome for us will be nothing more than Hou Jing and the Huangchao Rebellion. The way of the saint is our foundation.
Originally, if there is no skin left, how can the hair be attached? In the future, if the land is lost, your and my children and grandchildren will lose everything."
The Taoist sighed, threw his chess piece on the chessboard, and said: "This game, Pindao lost."
The old man smiled and said: "It doesn't matter. If you are not convinced, you can play another round of chess."
The Taoist said quietly: "No need, losing at your hands is not an injustice."
The old man said: "Why?"
"You have a better move." The Taoist said: "The most important thing is that you have the courage to risk everything. This alone is enough to be ten times smarter than someone like this poor Taoist who is only good at calculating gains and losses."
The old man Shi Shiran said authentically: "One effort can reduce ten levels."
“The burning of pots and boats is also a kind of wisdom.”
The two of them smiled at each other, which was meaningful.
………………
A letter has already arrived at the Poyang Lake.
One ship after another, the ships arrived at the mouth of the lake and turned into the river.
The waterway inspections along the way seemed to have received some news, but they disappeared one after another.
The water village at the mouth of the lake was also dark at this time, allowing ships to enter the river.
Then... these many ships of all kinds went up the river. At night, they headed straight for the Jiujiang Waterway.
Then they arrived at the sluice gate quietly.
Jiujiang is almost a water city. It faces the river to the north and Hewen Lake to the west. Hewen Lake is only a few dozen miles away from the west of the city.
It is said that during the Jin Dynasty, Tao Kan chose a place to bury his mother here. When he met a stranger, he said: "There is a place for burying cows in front of you." After saying this, he turned into a crane and left, hence the name.
Under the night sky, this lake is particularly peaceful.
Immediately, countless people began to sneak ashore quietly.
"Master, is there really someone in the city to help you?"
In the darkness, a person's face flickered, and he said: "Of course... remember, after entering the city, all the young and old in the city will be slaughtered, and no one will be left alive."
"The person who responded..."
"What they mean is... to kill the people who responded." The man smiled ferociously and said, "Don't bother me with blabbering, let's go."
After finishing speaking, countless people walked quietly under the night.
A group of people walking at night hurriedly arrived in the west of the city.
The city gate here actually opened a gap.
When the thieves arrived outside the city gate, a man came with a few officers and shouted dissatisfied: "Why is it so slow? Come into the city quickly, don't bother."
The visitor was Zhaomo from Jiujiang Prefecture. He had already received the letter and had been waiting at the city gate.
The Zhaomo named Deng was still complaining endlessly: "Do you remember where the county seat of Dehua County is? After entering the city..."
As he spoke, a bright knife was mercilessly thrust into Deng Zhaomo's chest.
Deng Zhaomo exclaimed in surprise and said: "You wait...you wait..."
Someone said with a ferocious smile: "I'm sorry, the order we received is to kill them all, and you are also a member of the city..."
After saying that, the knife was pulled out suddenly with a column of blood.
Deng Zhaomo's chest was suddenly covered with blood. There was a look of disbelief on his face, but suddenly he seemed to understand something.
Then a mouthful of blood spurted out of his mouth, and he trembled and said: "Haha... I understand, I understand... But... you think... you have killed my mouth, you..."
He wanted to say, won't you be silenced?
It's a pity... Before these words were spoken, the man died.
The police officers and civil servants behind were in chaos.
The water thieves who poured into the city cut them all down without any hesitation. Then, people poured into the city like a flood.
"Take a team of people and go to the magistrate's office first..."
"Why don't you go to Dehua County Government Office first?"
"The most important thing is to silence them first. The Jiujiang prefect knows too much. This place is closer to the government office, and other people...can't escape."
"good."
…………
Dehua County Government Office.
Zhu Di was sitting cross-legged on a soft couch in a side room.
Zhang Anshi sat on one side, and Chen Jinye could only kneel.
Chen Jinye's face flickered, looking in disbelief.
"How is it possible to collude with thieves? This... how is it possible?" Chen Jinye stuttered.
Zhu Dili ignored him, and there was no emotion or anger on his face.
On the other hand, Zhang Anshi said: "Others read, and what they read is that people will be punished if they don't do it for themselves. When you read, what you read is true propriety, justice, integrity, and shame. No wonder you have been a county magistrate all your life."
There was undisguised contempt in these words.
Chen Jinye: "..."
At this moment, Zhu Di suddenly stretched his legs to the ground, stood up, and said calmly: "Is there no news yet?"
Just as he was talking, someone hurriedly came in and said: "Your Majesty, Sir, there is... something moving in the west of the city."
Suddenly, Zhu Di's eyes lit up, the corners of his mouth curled up in a slight arc, and he said, "Well done!"