Zhu Nao

The teahouses in the city are very lively every day, and these two days have become more lively than usual.A big news shocked everyone and became a topic of discussion in the teahouse.

"Hey, have you heard? A plague broke out in Xie Wuji's army, and 3 of the 1-strong army have died! Now the cities in Yanzhou are empty, and everyone is almost dead..."

"What?! Really??"

"Of course it's true. I have a friend who knows a man from Yanzhou, and he heard it from that man himself!"

"My God..."

"There is such a thing? Then Xie Jun still wants to run to Guanzhong? What if they bring the plague over?"

"That's right. If they really let them in, wouldn't we all be in danger? My child is only three years old. If he is infected with the plague, how can such a young child survive?"

"No, we have to go to the government to protest, and we must never let them let Xie Jun in!"

"Yes, absolutely not! If those dog officials dare to agree, we will smash the government!"

Those who heard the news were terrified and separated.The news quickly spread from the teahouse and spread throughout the city...

……

Ten days passed in a blink of an eye.

When the appointed day came, Jin Min went out with his subordinates, ready to go to the government to ask Fei Cen about the result of his consideration.However, before he reached the gate of the government mansion, he was frightened by the battle in front of him - from a long distance, they saw that the gate of the mansion was surrounded by people, a lot of people were shouting, and some people beat the mansion The big leather drum crying out for grievances outside the door.

When he got closer, Jin Min's expression changed instantly when he heard what they were shouting.

"Don't let Xie Jun enter Guanzhong!"

"Don't let Xie Jun enter Guanzhong!"

"Get rid of Xie Wuji!"

"Get rid of Xie Wuji!"

Recently, Fezen made a compromise, and he is already making preparations for welcoming Xie Wuji's army into the customs, and the news spread quickly.When people from all walks of life in Guanzhong heard about this incident, they were all passionate and indignant.

Before that, although the common people had also heard about Xie Wuji's coming to garrison, some opposed it, and some didn't care, but very few people would jump out and strongly resist, after all, even if they resisted, it might not be effective.But now it's different.

Plague, that is death!No one would be willing to welcome death into their hometown.Even just knowing that the army with the plague was not far away in Yanzhou, the people in Jingzhao Mansion panicked, wishing that the government could send troops to drive Xie Wuji out of Yanzhou as far away as possible.If the government really wanted to attract Xie Wuji's army, then they would have to resist desperately no matter what they said. After all, if they didn't resist, they might really die!

So since a few days ago, people have come to protest outside the government gate, and the number of protesters is increasing day by day.Someone was secretly instigating, and when Jin Min came today, the number of protesters had just reached a peak!

When Jin Min heard these shouts from the common people, he was really angry and anxious.

In fact, he heard rumors about the plague a few days ago, and he immediately sent someone to clarify the rumors.The problem is that the speed of dispelling the rumors can never catch up with the speed of the rumor itself, and no one believes his clarification. Now almost everyone in the city has heard the news that many people in Xie Wuji's team died due to the plague.

The sharp-eyed common people saw Jin Min and the others approaching the gate of the mansion, and immediately someone pointed at them and shouted: "These people are the envoys sent by Xie Wuji!"

So the common people surrounding the gate of the government office immediately turned to Jin Min and the others.Perhaps because they were worried that they would also carry the plague, the common people didn't get too close to them, they just picked up stones, bricks and tiles on the ground and threw them at them, cursing: "Get out! Get out! Get out!"

Jin Min was furious, and while resisting the bricks and stones thrown by the common people in embarrassment, he shouted: "There is no plague in our army at all! These are all rumors, rumors!"

It's a pity that he yelled hoarsely, but no one listened.The common people responded with stones in their hands.

After a while, a group of officers and soldiers ran out from the official mansion, and hurriedly separated the besieged Jin Min and others from the angry common people. The leading officers and soldiers whispered: "Deputy Jin, there are too many people here, let's go through the side door let's go."

Jin Min was so emotional that he didn't want to leave at all, and he wanted to argue with the people, "There is no plague at all, there is no such thing! Who is spreading rumors? If you have the guts to stand up, I will pull out your tongue!"

The officers and soldiers saw that they had been smashed and bled by the stones thrown by the common people, so how could they dare to let them stay here?In any case, these people are envoys sent by Xie Wuji, and if something goes wrong, Jingzhao Mansion will not be able to explain to Xie Wuji.

So the officers and soldiers kept order and stopped the agitated civilians; at the same time, they coaxed, persuaded, dragged and dragged Jin Min and others away from the gate of the government.

Despite such an accident, today's meeting will continue.Fei Cen has been waiting in the government office for a long time.

The officers and soldiers brought Jin Min and others into the official mansion through the side gate. They wanted to take them to change into clean clothes and treat their wounds first.However, these warriors were unwilling.

Just like that, a group of warriors with bloody heads went to Feizen with great arrogance.

……

Fetzen and his civil servants were already waiting in the lobby.When they heard footsteps, everyone turned their heads to look outside, and they were all startled.

I saw Jin Min and the others were all ashen-faced, and some of them were covered with blood. They were full of hostility, and they walked into the lobby with the wind, like Rakshasa who ran out of the Hall of Yama.

The murderous look in their eyes was too heavy, and everyone thought they were not kind. Fezen's guards hurriedly protected him, and the other civil servants also backed away in fright.

Fortunately, Jin Min was still sensible, and did not do anything drastic. He just swept around the officials of Jingzhao Mansion viciously, then took his seat and sat down, and his warriors also took their seats.

Fezen had already heard about what happened outside. To be honest, he didn't take pleasure in seeing Jin Min and others being besieged by the people. Instead, he was more worried that they would be angered and the negotiation would be difficult.That's why he hurriedly sent officers and soldiers to rescue Jin Min and the others.

He licked his lips and was about to say something comforting, but Jin Min spoke faster than him.

"Fei Fuyin." Jin Min said coldly, "We have agreed that ten days have come. I wonder how Fei Fuyin is thinking about it?"

Fei Cen sighed, this time he was really helpless: "Deputy Captain Jin, you have seen the situation outside. It's not that Ben Yin is delaying time, but with the people so excited, no matter how much Ben Yin admires General Xie, There is really no way to agree to allow your army to enter Guanzhong now."

"Ha!" Jin Min actually laughed out loud, and looked towards Fei Cenza like a flying knife, "Fei Fu Yin is a good trick! He can come up with such insidious means of fabricating rumors and inciting the people to delay time, what a Jin! Min Pei admires it!"

Fei Cen was stunned: "What, what?"

He was stunned for a while before he understood what Jin Min meant, and said in disbelief: "You mean, Ben Yin released this news?"

Jin Min said coldly: "Isn't it?"

The two stared at each other, and they both saw a little confusion in each other's eyes.

Fezen was puzzled: Is the news about the spread of the plague in Xie's army true or false?He was also taken aback when he first heard about it, and he thought it was no wonder Xie Wuji was so anxious to enter Guanzhong, because he wanted to escape from the dead city.But looking at Jin Min's reaction now, why doesn't this seem to be the case?

What Jin Min wondered was: Did Fei Cen release the rumors in the city?Fezen has been deliberately stalling for time and not letting them in. The spread of such rumors is most in line with Fezen's wishes.But judging by Feizen's reaction, he doesn't seem to know?

The two were suspicious of each other, and they couldn't believe each other's words.

Fei Cen said, "Deputy Lieutenant Jin, is there any plague in your army?"

"No!" Jin Min became excited again, "This is a complete rumor! Anyone who doesn't believe it can go to Yanzhou to find out for himself!"

Fei Cen was silent, although he still had doubts in his heart, he softened his mouth: "Deputy Jin, I believe you. But the problem is that the common people don't believe it. I have already prepared to welcome your army." Prepare, I have released the news that the migrating people have vacated the garrison. I think Deputy Captain Jin has also heard about it. You should believe my sincerity. But now that the city is in trouble, as the parent officer of Jingzhao Mansion, I I really can’t just go my own way. I also ask Deputy Captain Jin to report back to General Xie, and give us a period of time.”

"No!" Jin Min refused mercilessly, "Spring will begin soon, and we must not wait any longer! Fei Fu Yin, I have told you very clearly before, if you insist on delaying, don't blame us for being polite before fighting! "

The two sides have negotiated for so long, and although Jin Min has expressed the intention of threatening several times, but most of the time he tries to maintain politeness and etiquette.This is the time he has spoken the most clearly, which shows how tough his attitude is.

If it was normal, Fei Cen might give in, after all, he was really afraid that Xie Wuji would call.But this time he didn't budge.His tone was gentle, but his attitude was firm: "I also ask Deputy Captain Jin to tell General Xie the truth about the situation in the city. Ben Yin believes that with General Xie's character, he will be able to understand Ben Yin's difficulties. Let me extend it for a while." time."

For a moment, the atmosphere in the lobby could be described as tense. Both sides were silent, and their eyes and auras had been fighting invisibly several times.But still no one has the slightest intention of giving in.

After a long stalemate, Jin Min said coldly: "It seems that there is no need to talk about it today?"

Fetzen was silent.

Jin Min stood up abruptly: "In that case, Jin Min resigns!"

Fei Cen didn't hold back either, he just said, "Deputy Captain Jin, go slowly."

Jin Min turned around and left, and all his blood-stained subordinates also disappeared.Only the frightened civil servants were left in the lobby.

As soon as the warriors left, Fezen's body suddenly softened as if his spine had been taken away.Fortunately, there were people on both sides supporting him, so he didn't fall down.

The civil servants also exploded, talking a lot.

"Is there any plague in Xie Wuji's army?"

"It's been rumored like this, there must be! Otherwise, why are they so anxious to enter the customs? Obviously something happened."

"They won't really want to lead troops to fight here, will they? Even if 1 people died from the plague, Xie Wuji still has [-] soldiers under his command! How can we stop it?"

"If they call, won't the plague also come in?"

"Fei Fuyin, what should we do?"

Feizen didn't know what to do either.

Jin Min thought he was the one who released the news, and he was wronged too much.Ten days ago, Jin Min gave him an ultimatum. In order to avoid war, he had already decided to give in, and he had already started preparations for various matters.But once the news of the plague broke out, even if he wanted to, he couldn't let this step go.

——Even if he is the governor of Jingzhao Mansion, such a major event cannot be decided by him alone. He must represent all parties in Jingzhao Mansion.But now the common people are agitated, making trouble at the gate of the government every day, rich businessmen and gentry from all sides are also secretly testing pressure on him, hoping that he will find a way to keep Xie Jiajun out.

Those rich people even expressed their willingness to contribute money to help the government recruit troops, and they did not hesitate to fight Xie Wuji.After all, the plague was really terrible, and the rich didn't like Xie Wuji at first. Now that they heard that there was a plague in the army, they thought that Xie's army would suffer heavy losses, and maybe they might not lose this battle.

Fetzen was under heavy pressure and had no other choice.I don't know if this is good or bad...

He sat up straight again, and sighed: "Go to inform the army, step up training, everyone should be ready for battle..."

=====

Jin Min stormed out of the government office, and immediately went to report to Xie Wuji and Wu Cong.

Wu Cong and Xie Wuji had also heard rumors in the city these few days, but they didn't expect the opposition to become so loud in just a few days.They were also taken aback when they saw Jin Min and the others come back bleeding.

Jin Min reported Fei Cen's firm refusal attitude today, and Wu Cong was taken aback again.A few days ago, when he heard about Fezen's various actions, he thought it was already done, how could he expect such a change to happen?

Wu Cong couldn't help but angrily said: "The rumors in the city must have been released by that old fox Fezen himself! His previous actions were just to confuse us and trick us into believing his sincerity. But when he turned around, he used such despicable means to fool us , simply ignored us!"

Jin Min thought so too at first, but Fei Cen's attitude today made him a little shaken.He reported: "I don't know if Fezen's disguise is too good, but looking at his expression today, it seems that he really doesn't know..."

Wu Cong said: "Impossible. Who else would do such a thing besides him?"

Jin Min hurriedly lowered his head.

Xie Wuji, who had been silent all this time, moved his eyes and finally said, "Perhaps, he is from Shu."

"What?" Wu Cong and Jin Min looked back at him in surprise at the same time.

The reason why they suspect that the culprit is Fezen, because Fezen has been delaying time.The spread of this kind of rumors caused the people of Jingzhao Mansion to be excited, and the result was to give Fezen an excellent reason to delay.This is in Fetzen's best interest.

Shu people... What is the purpose of Shu people doing this kind of thing?What can they gain from it?

Xie Wuji said coldly: "If we go to war with Jingzhao Mansion, we will both lose. No matter who wins, whoever loses will be greatly hurt. The Shu people can sit by and reap the benefits of fishermen."

Jin Min suffered a meal of stones today, and was furious in his heart. Hearing this, he couldn't help saying angrily: "They have a good idea! We..."

He originally wanted to say that they didn't pay attention to the soldiers and horses of Jingzhao Mansion at all, especially since he had stayed here for so long, he had seen Fei Cen's soldiers before, and they couldn't compare with the army brought out by Xie Wuji.If they really wanted to attack Jingzhao Mansion, wouldn't it be easy?But he didn't say anything, but he couldn't help but froze for a moment.

The reason why Xie Wuji was so anxious to take Guanzhong was because there was indeed an accident in their army. Although it was not a plague, it was still a very difficult trouble-a few months ago, a rebel army that had just been incorporated had a problem with the army. The other soldiers quarreled and decided to rebel, so they set fire to the warehouse where the military supplies were stored.

Although the rebellion was quickly suppressed, and all the rebellious soldiers were beheaded for public display, but because the weather was dry and the fire was difficult to control, more than half of the army's food and grass were burned.

Xie Wuji had many soldiers and horses, and his life was already very tight.And losing so much military rations at once was undoubtedly a very serious blow to him.No matter what means he has to lead troops, it's hard for a clever woman to cook without rice. Once the army runs out of food and grass, the hungry soldiers will definitely rebel.

He had tried his best to suppress the news, and he also declared to the soldiers that the rations had not been damaged in the fire.However, there are many people in the army, and now there are many discussions, and the morale of the army is also very fluctuating.It is true that the food and grass left in the army will not last long.If he wants to stabilize the morale of the army, he must find a way to fill the gap in food and grass.

The north has been in war for many years, and it is poor and destitute. He has already confiscated all the wealthy households who can be requisitioned by him, and no further requisitions can make up such a big gap.If he was cruel enough to attack the common people and slaughter the city to grab food, he could solve the current troubles, but he was not willing to do so.

So there was only one best way-he gave up part of the garrisons he had laid down, and moved a large number of troops to Guanzhong to garrison troops.

Many of the places he currently occupies are plateaus, barren and unsuitable for stationing troops.In Guanzhong, there are eight hundred miles of good land in Qinchuan.He had to settle in before the beginning of spring and cultivate as soon as possible, so that the remaining military rations in his hands could be saved until the summer harvest.After the summer and autumn harvests, his predicament was resolved.

Moreover, in terms of terrain, with Guanzhong as his reliance, he has strategic depth and can better guard the Longdong Plateau.This is the place he must have, but the accident that the army rations were burned made his plan ahead of schedule, and he had to give up part of the garrison as a price.

As for Xie Wuji, he wanted Guanzhong, but he didn't want to fight. The best way was to join hands with Fei Cen, and he led the army to enter peacefully.After all, the land of Guanzhong is under the control of the Jingzhao Mansion, and his fight for this battle is not justified, and it will definitely leave a lot of trouble behind.

He didn't want to fight before the rations were burned, and he didn't want to fight after the rations were burned.

Now is the time when people's hearts are fluctuating in the army, and he is eager to calm people's hearts, which is not the right time to fight.Furthermore, fighting was extremely costly, if Fei Cen was determined to fight him, it would be fine if he could take down the Jingzhao Mansion in one go.If he can't take it down, the longer the time delays, the more unfavorable it will be for him.It even dragged on for a long time, and the food and grass were exhausted, so he didn't even dare to say whether he was sure of winning.

Therefore, regardless of victory or defeat, as long as this battle is fought, it is inevitable that their vitality will be severely injured.

The courtyard fell silent, and the atmosphere became extremely dignified.

Jin Min was so angry that he wished he could turn the table over, but he didn't dare to do anything wrong in front of Xie Wuji.So he felt more and more powerless.

After a while, Jin Min said viciously, "General, I will take people to kill all those Shu merchants!"

Xie Wuji just lowered his eyes: "What's the use?"

Jin Min gritted his teeth.Although killing the Shu businessman could not clear up the rumors, nor could he soften Fei Cen, but at least he could vent his anger.

Wu Cong whispered: "General, should we go back?"

Even if they don't want to fight this battle anymore, for the army's rations, they must be stationed in Guanzhong before the beginning of spring.Otherwise, if the army is in chaos, not to mention their personal fame and fortune, these [-] unowned troops will definitely become bandits, causing harm to all directions, and the consequences will be disastrous.

Right now, there is not much time left in Leaving Spring, if this battle must be fought, Xie Wuji has to go back to take charge of military affairs as soon as possible.

Xie Wuji raised his hand and pressed his eyebrows.

After a while, he ordered: "Pack up your things."

Wu Cong immediately said: "Yes."

However, Xie Wuji didn't immediately go back to pack his things.He still has one regret here.

He put on his cloak and said, "I'm going out for a walk."