Chongzhen Chat Group

Following Amin's order, Jianlu took action again. But this time, instead of killing people, we posted notices along the official roads. They were posted everywhere. There was only one content: If there is another violation of the official roads, not a single one of the people arrested for building roads would be spared. All of them would be killed. Sacrifice the road, and then capture it. If the road is destroyed again, kill it again!

After such a brutal attack, the officialdom finally became quiet. The Korean volunteers did not dare to organize and destroy official channels anymore, so they hurriedly reported to the high officials with notices.

But when this notice came into Lu Xiangsheng's hands, Wei Mulan on the side couldn't help but said a little worriedly: "Why did the slave chief come up with such a trick? It's so cruel!"

"Haha!" Lu Xiangsheng smiled after hearing this, looked at Wei Mulan and shook his head and said, "If it is me, I will let whoever destroyed it directly restore it to its original state within a time limit, otherwise..."

He stopped talking and Wei Mulan understood. She looked at Lu Xiangsheng and was a little surprised. Unexpectedly, Mr. Jinshi, who has always been kind, seems to be very cruel if he becomes ruthless!

She didn't know that in the original history, Lu Xiangsheng was known as the King of Hell among the bandits. The ingenious strategies he came up with to kill the enemy on the battlefield, as well as his extraordinary courage, made his opponents tremble with fear.

Not only him, but another Jinshi, also known as the King of Hell, was Hong Chengchou, who was the governor of Yansui at this time. The difference from Lu Xiangsheng is that Hong Chengchou gained his reputation by killing prisoners.

At this time, Hong Chengchou had the same trouble as Lu Xiangsheng, that is, no food. He reorganized the army and sent troops to suppress the bandits, which also required food. As the saying goes, "the soldiers and horses must go before the soldiers and horses have food and grass." Without food, there is no way to fight the war!

Hong Chengchou was worried. The Yulin granary had no food at all due to severe drought for several consecutive years. Otherwise, there would be no rebellion by the border troops.

After thinking for a long time, he sent out an invitation to the gentry from Yulin and surrounding castles to gather at the governor's mansion.

It was such a lively day that the squires from the nearby castle came to Yulin City early. Naturally, the local squires would not lag behind. They all squeezed the time to prevent themselves from being late. They all went in groups to visit the new governor.

The governor's office had obviously made preparations for this banquet. There were lanterns and colorful decorations at the door, and there seemed to be a lot of joy. Rows of soldiers, with their hands empty and led by some civilian officials, greeted them into the governor's yamen, shouting words such as "Squire So-and-so has arrived."

The squires also entered the governor's office with smiles on their faces, holding gifts and saying some compliments.

Those with lower status and less prestige were sitting in the courtyard outside the lobby, waiting around the tables for wine and food, and drinking with the new governor. Those with higher status, higher reputation, and greater influence were arranged to sit in the lobby to accompany the governor.

Before the time came, the invited squires had almost gathered. The three tables in the hall and the seven tables in the courtyard were packed with people. While they waited, they whispered to each other and familiar people.

"Master Zhongcheng is really young and promising, and his career as an official is limitless!"

"No, our Ming Dynasty can become a governor, Master Hong is the youngest among them!"

"The most important thing is that Mr. Zhongcheng is really capable. The thieves we beat in southern Shaanxi made them cry for father and mother and fled after hearing the news. With Mr. Zhongcheng in northern Shaanxi, we will definitely be able to live a stable life! "

"No, Master Zhongcheng's Hong Bing is the last thing those thieves want to encounter!"

"..."

They were discussing in low voices when suddenly, a loud voice sounded: "Master Zhongcheng is here!"

Upon hearing this, all the squires, both in and out of the hall, stood up together and faced the back office, watching a young and promising official in scarlet robes walk out.

"I've met Mr. Zhongcheng!"

The voices rose and fell one after another until Hong Chengchou stood on the throne. He glanced at the people present, smiled and said: "This is a private banquet, no need to be polite, everyone can sit down!"

After he finished speaking, he sat down first, and then all the squires sat down one by one. But everyone looked at him, waiting for him to speak, and the place was silent.

Hong Chengchou also looked at them, and said with a smile: "I am stationed in Yulin, and I have to bear the emperor's orders to ensure the safety of this place. I have to rely on the help of all the squires!"

As soon as he heard what he said, the fat old man in mink fur and brocade clothes sitting next to him immediately stroked his beard and smiled and replied: "Master Zhongcheng is serious. It is my duty to share the country's worries!"

After hearing this, the other squires nodded, with smiles on their faces, and a few even whispered in agreement: "Yes, yes!"

Upon hearing this, Hong Chengchou smiled and nodded. He felt that it was okay, so he stood up, looked around with his hands clasped in fists, and then said loudly: "Everyone..."

When the fat old man saw it, he immediately clapped his hands to signal others to quiet down and listen to the governor's speech.

When Hong Chengchou saw that the scene was quiet, he still held his fists and said loudly: "After I took office in Yansui, I was ready to suppress the thieves and bring peace to Yansui..."

After hearing this, all the squires, including the fat old man, suddenly had their eyes gleaming, obviously they really wanted to hear this.

"However, there is almost no military rations in the important town of Yulin. The emperor has promised to reissue military pay, but it has not yet arrived. Therefore, I would like to invite you to a banquet. I also ask you to help me or donate some food for the army to suppress the thieves..."

Before he finished speaking, he felt that the atmosphere at the scene had obviously cooled down. The smiles on the faces of these squires disappeared without a trace. They looked at each other, and they all looked a little bit confused.

Hong Chengchou said that he only wanted food without money because he knew that the food in northern Shaanxi, at least the food near Yulin, was actually controlled by country gentry like them. If you donate money to buy grain, it will end up in the hands of these squires, and they will raise the price of grain at that time. Who knows how much grain you will get in the end, so it is better to just ask for grain.

But as soon as he said his purpose, he saw the changes in the faces of these squires, and he suddenly had a bad feeling. But the words had already been spoken, so he naturally had to finish: "...I hope you can help me, not only to solve the court's difficulties, but also for your own good!"

After he finished speaking, he looked at the squires, only to find that everyone he caught his gaze lowered their heads and did not dare to look at him, knowing that things might not go as planned this time.

Sure enough, after a moment of silence, the fat old man next to him spoke slowly, as if he was carefully choosing his words: "When the country is in trouble, we should help with all our strength. I wonder how much food Mr. Zhongcheng needs?"

"To wipe out the thieves in northern Shaanxi, the army will need at least 100,000 shi of food." Hong Chengchou had already calculated it, so he answered immediately.

Marching and fighting is no better than staying in the barracks. It requires a full stomach to travel and kill the enemy, which consumes a lot of food.

Thanks to Mu Hanfeng for the tip!