NCCnovel Chapter 156 Urgent, very urgent!
Chapter 156 Urgent, very urgent!
In Qingping County, an old man named Zhao Laosan walked hurriedly, his face full of anxiety.
His only son, Zhao Dahu, was serving in the barracks. Due to the rules of the military system, the place where he served was not far from home. In addition to training, he also had to go home to take care of the few acres of thin land.
But now the situation is turbulent, and rumors of rebellion by the aristocratic families are rampant, making Zhao Laosan's heart uneasy, so he rushed all the way to the barracks in a hurry.
At the entrance of the barracks, two soldiers stood guard with upright postures, looking around vigilantly.
Zhao Laosan approached and immediately recognized one of the soldiers as the son of the Zhang family. He shouted, "I'm Zhao Dahu's father. I came to see my son. Are you the son of the Zhang family? Don't follow the aristocratic family and do such evil things as treason!"
The guard quickly straightened his back and explained with a serious expression, "Uncle Zhao, we are all soldiers of the Tang Dynasty, loyal to His Majesty. The daily teachings we receive in the barracks are all about loyalty to the emperor and patriotism. How could we be in cahoots with the aristocratic families?"
However, Zhao Laosan still frowned, his doubts still remained, and he insisted on going into the barracks to find his son.
Inside the barracks, Zhao Dahu was discussing training experiences with his comrades. Upon hearing his father was coming, he hurried out to meet him.
As soon as the father and son met, Zhao Laosan grabbed his son's arm and looked him up and down carefully, his eyes full of worry and seriousness. He asked, "Son, tell me the truth, did you follow those rebels from the aristocratic families?"
Seeing his father like this, Zhao Dahu quickly knelt on his knees and said firmly, "Father, I have been taught loyalty and patriotism every day in the barracks. I always remember your majesty's kindness in my heart. How could I betray you?"
"My son's life belongs to Your Majesty and the people of the Tang Dynasty. I must defend the Tang Dynasty against foreign enemies and will never let the aristocratic family's conspiracy succeed."
Zhao Laosan looked at his son's determined eyes, and the heavy stone in his heart finally fell to the ground. He breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's good, that's good. My son, the world is not peaceful now, and the aristocratic families are rebelling. We can't be vague and must stand on His Majesty's side."
"Your Majesty, how did you treat us? We all know it!"
On this day, family members like Zhao Laosan, who were concerned about their son and worried about the situation, flocked to the barracks in an endless stream.
……
Yongjia County is a quiet county town.
The local noble families and corrupt officials colluded with each other like a group of greedy rats. They had previously hidden the imperial edict in an attempt to prevent the people from knowing the content of the new policy.
Unfortunately, there is no wall that is impenetrable. This time, Li Chengqian made careful arrangements and sent people to spread the news everywhere just to let the people know the truth.
The people eventually learned about the benefits of the new policy and the rebellion of the aristocratic families.
At the gate of the county government office, a group of people gathered angrily, their eyes burning with anger, demanding an explanation from the county magistrate.
The county magistrate was an official who had been promoted by the noble families. Faced with the people's questioning, beads of sweat covered his forehead and hesitantly said, "Fellow villagers, please do not believe the rumors. I have not heard of any rebellion by the noble families. Please disperse."
But how could the people believe it so easily? A man named Qian Fugui stood up. He was tall and strong, with bright eyes. He had traveled to many places and had a wide range of knowledge.
Qian Fugui shouted, "You dog-like county magistrate, stop spouting nonsense."
"Many places in the Tang Dynasty have begun to implement new policies, and the people have benefited greatly."
"And yet the people of Yongjia County have been kept in the dark. As a high-ranking official, you colluded with the aristocratic families and concealed the truth. Are you worthy of His Majesty and us, the people?"
The county magistrate was speechless, his face turned pale and blue, and his body trembled slightly unconsciously.
At this time, someone in the crowd shouted, "He is the running dog of the aristocratic family, the dog official who oppresses the people!"
"His Majesty has said it! These corrupt officials can be beaten to death!"
"Come on, folks!"
Everyone responded, and for a moment, the angry people waved their sickles and hammers and hit the county magistrate on the head.
The county magistrate widened his eyes in horror and tried to escape, but was surrounded by the angry crowd.
……
Outside Beizhou City, Qin Ruzhao was anxious and hurried to find Zhang Xianhuai.
"Xian Huai, how long are we going to keep this up?"
Qin Ruzhao frowned, his tone full of anxiety.
"Now those noble families have rebelled!"
"The troops from all over the country who came to help them are already heading towards Beizhou City!"
"Our top priority now should be to take down Beizhou as soon as possible!"
"As long as we take down Beizhou, those soldiers who come to help the aristocratic families are nothing but headless flies, vulnerable to any attack."
Zhang Xianhuai sat in the tent, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. His brow furrowed slightly as he said, "Ru Zhao, it's not that I don't want to attack the city. I'm more anxious than you right now, but His Majesty's order is for us to surround it but not attack, and wait and see what happens."
"Besides, Beizhou is the Cui family's base. The city walls are strong and high. Even if we storm it, we won't be able to take it without sacrificing tens of thousands of lives."
"Ouch!" Qin Ruzhao clenched his fists, and the joints turned white from the force.
"Xian Huai, when the city is attacked, I will be the first to attack. I don't believe that the tortoise shell of Beizhou City is so difficult to break!"
Zhang Xianhuai glanced at Qin Ruzhao with a hint of helplessness and doting in his eyes.
"You, just be patient. Even if those rebels come, I have 300,000 troops here. I am not afraid of anyone!"
The two were still talking when they heard soldiers from the Fifth Army Camp coming to report outside.
"Commander Zhang, General Qin, there's a team of Jinyiwei from Chang'an arriving outside. They claim to be carrying His Majesty's imperial edict!"
Upon hearing the imperial decree, Zhang Xianhuai's expression froze, and he quickly said, "Quick, let them in!"
Several Jinyiwei walked into the tent with swift steps. Zhang Xianhuai took a look and saw several familiar faces. His eyes lit up and he said, "Why are you here?"
Qin Ruzhao couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity when he saw these familiar faces. He smiled and said, "Oh, your guard squad is complete! Call Zhao Xuan in, and you'll be all there, right?"
Zhang Xianhuai patted Qin Ruzhao's shoulder, then looked at Luo Qingquan with a mixture of expectation and confusion in his eyes. He asked, "Qingquan, what imperial decree did His Majesty ask you to bring? Does he want us to attack the city?"
Hearing Zhang Xianhuai's words, Qin Ruzhao's eyes lit up, a glimmer of hope ignited in his heart, and he said, "Are we going to attack the city?"
Luo Qingquan shook his head and said, "No, this is not an imperial edict for you, Brother Zhang. This imperial edict is for the entire Beizhou."
Hearing Luo Qingquan say this, Zhang Xianhuai and Qin Ruzhao were a little confused.
When they heard that it was not for them, they naturally opened the imperial edict and started reading it.
After reading it, Zhang Xianhuai handed the imperial edict to Qin Ruzhao and said, "This imperial edict is to restore the reputation of the imperial court. Now the reputation belongs to us!"
"Ruzhao, find someone to go to the city of Beizhou and read the imperial edict to let them know that they are now complete traitors."
Hearing Zhang Xianhuai's words, Qin Ruzhao patted his chest confidently and said, "Xianhuai, why do we need anyone else to go? I will go to the city myself."
"Ru Zhao! Be careful of the enemy's hidden arrows!"
Qin Ruzhao looked at Zhang Xianhuai confidently and said, "Xianhuai, are you still not confident in my martial arts?"
As he said this, he walked to the handsome table and pinched a corner of the table with his big hand.
With a click, a corner of the sturdy desk was pinched off by him.
He opened his palms towards Zhang Xianhuai and others, and wood chips fell from his hands all of a sudden.
Seeing Qin Ruzhao's extraordinary strength, Luo Qingquan and others were choked.
It’s still so scary!
Instead, Zhang Xianhuai laughed and said, "If you want to go, go ahead."
"But this handsome case is public property. You have damaged it. Remember to pay your salary and compensate for this handsome case."