Nu Yalang of Tang Dynasty

News of the riots in Egu Town quickly spread throughout Baiting County.

Whenever there are northern tribes stationed there, some people are fanning the flames everywhere, saying that the Tang people hate the border people and deliberately make things difficult and make false accusations, which makes the tribes resist.

There are even rumors that the Tang State had no good intentions when it agreed to the northern tribes going south. The purpose was to catch them all in one go and then monopolize the grassland.

The trading houses that had signed employment contracts with the border residents were busy refuting the rumors, but unfortunately there were more and more comments like this, and many border residents believed it, and began to plan to take up arms again to defend the tribe.

And the government authorities in various places are also facing this situation as if they are facing a formidable enemy.

In the understanding of Tang Dynasty officials, the northern tribes were a group of barbarians, and they would have all kinds of troubles when they were managed. The riots in Egu Town made this group of barbarians uneasy and excited, and they might break out at any time.

Start a riot.

When the negotiations failed, the government could only make the worst plan, which was to mobilize military guards from various places and recruit volunteers from the Tang people to prepare for any war that might happen next.

As a result, the border people and the government were at war with each other, and the conflict was about to break out, while the merchants were caught in the middle, not knowing what to do.

At this time, in the Anbei Governor's Mansion, the anxious deputy envoy Zhou Ze summoned the officials of the government to urgently discuss how to deal with this crisis.

At the beginning of the discussion, the judge of the Anbei Protectorate introduced the current situation to everyone.

Around Baiting County, there are 52 resettlement sites for border residents, including villages and towns, pastures, mines and other buildings.

These settlements accommodated hundreds of northern tribes, large and small, with a total population of nearly 22,000. Compared with the Tang people in the Anbei register, the number of the two was almost one to one.

At present, Sun Aying, the military governor of Shuofang, has brought the main forces of Shuofang Army and Dragon Cavalry Army deep into the grassland to pursue the Huihe Khan's Yidijian. Most of the remaining troops are stationed in the grassland north of Zhennuo River, using

To support the main force.

In other words, around Baiting County, the armed forces of the Tang Army were basically government guards and volunteers with poor combat capabilities. Against those nomads who could mobilize all the people as soldiers, their chances of winning were not very great.

If these border residents who took refuge in the Tang Dynasty really rebelled collectively, then the entire Anbei Protectorate would be devastated and a catastrophe would be imminent.

After hearing this, Zhou Ze asked in a hoarse voice: "Have you ever received a reply from the special envoy sent by the Duhufu to appease the border residents?"

An official in the hall replied: "There is no reply yet... However, the border residents are too wary and have blocked the camp and do not allow the Tang people to approach. I heard that many tribes have gathered together and are discussing countermeasures."

Zhou Ze: "What about the Commercial Bank Alliance? Have they ever contacted the border residents?"

Official: "The merchant alliance came to report that the tribes no longer believed in them and could not speak at all."

At this time, someone in the hall suddenly said: "Deputy Envoy Zhou, the border people have gathered together. What they will do next is probably to plot rebellion. The Anbei Protectorate should make plans early."

Zhou Ze looked at the speaker.

The person who spoke was none other than Huangmen Shilang Wang Jin.

After checking the register of Anbei, Wu Qi, the Minister of Household Affairs, returned to Liangcheng. In time, it happened to coincide with the riots in Egu Town; however, Huangmen Shilang Wang Jin, as the prince's guest, stayed Come down and assist the Anbei Protectorate.

After listening to Wang Jin's words, Zhou Ze nodded and said: "What happened in Egu Town was just a misunderstanding. I have sent people to contact the border residents to reassure them."

Wang Jin frowned and said: "The border people are just barbarians, no different from beasts. How can we place our hopes on negotiations when we treat them? Mobilizing the army, exerting pressure and making them surrender is the best way to solve this crisis. "

Zhou Ze: "I have sent a messenger to Mobei to contact Sun Duhu and ask him to send troops back for reinforcements."

Wang Jin shook his head and said: "Far water cannot quench the near thirst. Sun Duhu is now deep in the grassland. Even if he receives the letter and sends troops back to Baiting County, he will not be able to catch up. Deputy Zhou's thinking is a bit simplistic."

As soon as these words came out, many officials in the meeting hall couldn't help but nod.

Zhou Ze also understood that what Wang Jin said was indeed reasonable, but in the current situation, if the army was really mobilized to put pressure on the border residents, the most likely result would be a war between the two sides.

Putting aside the outcome of the battle, once the war breaks out, the pastures, mines, and fields that were originally built will definitely be destroyed; and those employed people from the northern tribes will escape from Baiting County and disperse everywhere; The key point is that those trading companies that have spent efforts and made investments will have the intention to quit because their initial investment has been in vain, and they will withdraw from Anbei, leaving His Majesty's task of rebuilding the Anbei Protectorate and assisting the trading companies to develop private industries. , died midway.

At that time, Zhou Ze, as the main person in charge, will definitely be held accountable.

If you are lucky, you will lose your hat. If you are unlucky, you may lose your head.

Thinking of this, Zhou Ze couldn't help but sigh and said helplessly: "Let's wait for the news from the officials first. If the border people are willing to put aside their prejudices and negotiate with the officials, everything will turn around."

When Wang Jin heard this, he smiled with disdain on his face.

In fact, there are many doubts about the entire Egu Town riot incident from beginning to end.

For example, why did the officials of Egu Town go out of their way and insist on the matter of "armor" and deliberately provoke conflicts? For example, why did the news spread so quickly not long after the riot broke out, almost all over the country? All areas around the pavilion? For another example, why would someone go around fanning the flames and deliberately directing public opinion in the opposite direction?

If it were an old man like Guo Ziyi or Kong You, after carefully understanding the situation, he would naturally guess that there must be someone behind it to add fuel to the fire.

However, Zhou was good at government affairs, but not good at planning, so he was slow to react to the internal causes of these things.

On the other side, Wang Jin returned to the prince's house after attending the meeting.

When Zhou Xiao saw Wang Jin coming back, he asked, "What did Vice Envoy Zhou say?"

Wang Jin sneered and said: "Vice Envoy Zhou pinned his hopes on negotiations, which is really fantastic."

Zhou Xiao: "Deputy Ambassador Zhou is also my uncle. How about I go meet him and convince him to support me?"

Wang Jin shook his head and said: "In terms of gaining support and establishing prestige, His Highness should not come forward in person, otherwise he will end up fighting for power and cause unnecessary trouble."

After a pause, Wang Jin continued: "There is a reason for every step in the situation set up in Egu Town. First, the armor was used to disobey orders and force the border residents to rebel, causing them to commit the serious crime of conspiracy; secondly, using rumors and incitement,

Prompt the border people to disagree with the government; then, once the border people and the government confront each other, the merchants will definitely withdraw from Anbei in order to protect themselves; finally, as long as the merchants withdraw from Anbei, His Highness can use his status as envoy to recruit Anbei officials and quell the unrest.

, replacing the private sector with government-run operations, in order to make good relations with the forces in the DPRK and China and enhance its strength."

Zhou Xiao hesitated for a moment and asked: "Where is Deputy Envoy Zhou?"

Wang Jin: "In this situation, the border people are plotting chaos and causing trouble in Anbei. In the end, one person must be pushed out to bear the responsibility for everything. And the best candidate is naturally Deputy Envoy Zhou... As for His Highness,

He was the hero who turned the tide and saved Anbei from fire and water."