Unguarded Texas, like a hospitable host, prepares fine wines and welcomes guests with warm arms.

This metaphor is a bit cheesy, but in Meng's opinion, there is really no better word to describe the situation in front of him.

The gates were wide open, but the defenders were nowhere to be seen, leaving only empty fortifications on the city. The people of the city closed their doors, and even the beggars were nowhere to be seen.

All the people who could run in the yamen ran away, and only the local officials were left, trembling and guarding the empty class room.

When the Yan army's outpost arrived, the city's inspection department was the only department with "complete personnel", and the rest of the people, such as Zhizhou, Tongzhi, and judges, all rolled up their burdens and ran away with Li Jinglong.

Not only did Texas have no defenders, but even government departments were shut down.

After listening to the report of the sentry horseman, Meng couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

After the First Battle of Baigou River, there were at least 100,000 Southern troops who withdrew to Texas, and none of them ran away?

It is not strange that Li Jinglong abandoned the city and fled, and it is not unusual for his generals to follow him, but even the officials of Texas have no intention of defending the city? The meaning must always be meaningful, right, what about the style of the literati?

"There really isn't even a judge?"

"Back to Tongzhi, there really isn't."

The forward sentry was also very puzzled, after so many years of scouting, it was definitely the first time he had seen it today. The army of more than 100,000 didn't even put up a symbolic resistance, which is also worthy of being called a man?

"I know."

Meng motioned for the sentry to continue exploring, even if it was extremely unlikely, to guard against traps in the city.

"Obey!"

The sentry roared away again, and Meng personally reported back to Shen Xuan.

Shen Xuan rarely showed a surprised expression, thinking of Li Jinglong, the guard of Texas, and the look of surprise gradually disappeared.

A steppe wolf leads a flock of sheep and can still use its horns against the enemy. A pack of wolves led by a sheep can only run away when they encounter the enemy. What's more, Li Jinglong's leadership is not a wolf pack at all.

Before enough, the army led by King Yan arrived one after another, and when they learned of the situation in Dezhou City, the generals looked at each other.

Think there is a war to fight, and don't want the city to be given with both hands?

The sentinels sent by Meng had entered the city to investigate, and made sure that there was no sign of an ambush in the city, but the camp left by the southern army was in disarray, and the tents were not put away, as if they had left in a hurry. According to the inspection report of a patrol who took the initiative to lead the way for the sentinels, a large amount of food and ordnance were left in the city treasury, all of which were not taken away.

Isn't this a trick to lure the enemy?

Most people still have doubts in their minds.

It's not strange that Li Jinglong is running, but there are still two or three days before the besieging army arrives, as for running in such a hurry? If you don't bring food and ordnance, what will the hundreds of thousands of troops eat and what will they use to fight? Collecting food on the spot? The time to harvest summer grain has not yet arrived, how much grain can be collected in Shandong?

"Lord Wang, do you want to enter the city?"

"Li Jiujiang is so beautiful, but he is lonely and disrespectful."

In a good mood, King Yan actually made a joke.

After a great victory, not a single soldier was wasted to take Texas, and the self-confidence of the Yan army suddenly swelled exponentially. When entering the city, some soldiers were already discussing when to enter Nanjing and see how prosperous the capital was.

After the Yan army entered the city, Zhu Di ordered in public not to disturb the people, and violators were punished by military orders.

The forward troops were ordered to go to the city treasury to find out whether what they said was true.

The tents left by the Southern Army were reused, and after a simple tidy-up, the Yan soldiers moved in directly with their bags.

Li Jinglong's big tent of the Chinese army should have been demolished, but Zhu Di waved his hand, "No need." ”

And the people should persuade that it is not in accordance with etiquette not to set up a prince's tent. King Yan has already made up his mind, so he can save some effort, so why stick to the subtleties.

Today, he is in Li Jinglong's Chinese army tent, and he will replace Jianwen's yellow-mouthed child and sit in the Fengtian Hall in Nanjing.

This world will eventually be owned by him!

Zhang Yu, Zhu Neng, Tan Yuan and other generals could guess King Yan's mind to some extent, and they did not say more, and began to actively speak on the route and policy of attacking Jinan.

Chen Hui, Zheng Heng and others were in the tent, and Wu Jie, the Marquis of An Lu, who had not long been the king of Yan, was also listening to the announcement in the tent. The generals who lead the troops have a lot of voices, you and I say a word, spread it outside the tent, and those who don't know the inside story are afraid that they will think that a fight is about to start.

After Ji Gang defected to the Yan Army, he did not receive much attention, and was transferred by Yang Duo to the attached Southern Army, but he didn't even catch a Yan Shanwei. Fortunately, with Meng Qingjiang's care, he is now promoted to a small banner.

Taking care of Ji Gang is Meng specially cared for. Meng Qingjiang didn't think there was anything special about this short man who cried at every turn, but Twelve Lang always had his reasons. Anyway, it doesn't take much effort, just do it.

Following Meng, Ji Gang also wrote down Meng Qingjiang's favor, and secretly said in his heart that he was a developed person, and this love must be returned.

This time he entered Shandong with the army, and Ji Gang faintly felt that his opportunity had come.

It's not in Texas, it's in Jinan.

If you want to get ahead, you must be appreciated by His Royal Highness King Yan. He was unwilling to be just a low-level officer who did not enter the stream, and he didn't even have a rank. Otherwise, why give up the opportunity to study and resolutely join the army.

That's right, the future commander of the Jinyi Guard was also a scholar. The first half of his life experience is slightly similar to that of Meng Shishilang. The second half of his life is completely different, and it is not an exaggeration to describe it as two parallel lines that never intersect.

What is surprising is that these two parallel lines collided unexpectedly at a certain turning point in history.

Is it the cascading effect of a butterfly flapping its wings?

Meng Tongzhi shrugged his shoulders, spread his hands, and said.

However, it is a matter of pride to be able to command the Jinyi Guards to owe favors.

Ji Gang led his ten foot soldiers to continue to patrol the camp, and Meng was already standing in front of the treasury gate.

The black-lacquered gate is guarded by General Copper. The earthen wall is compacted, judging by the appearance color, and should be rebuilt in the near future.

The inspector who led the way was a tall man, speaking in an urn voice, but his eyes revealed a bit of shrewdness, "I know that this is the treasury." The key to the treasury has always been the custody of Zhizhou and Tongzhi, and they all ran away with the imperial army a few days ago. ”

"Oh."

Meng was noncommittal, and there was not much expression on his face, so that people couldn't guess what he was thinking at the moment. has been by King Yan's side for a long time, it is useless to just hone his acting skills, he must learn to hide his emotions, which is the foundation of being an official.

"Someone."

"Humble."

"Chopped."

"Obey!"

The direction of Meng's finger is the gate of the treasury. Unfortunately, the patrol who led the way was standing by the door. As soon as the word "cut" came out, he was startled and almost sat on the ground. Seeing that several Yan soldiers were targeting the copper lock on the warehouse door, they let out a long breath.

Well, don't make fun of his head.

He thought about running with Shangguan, after all, Yan Jun's reputation for brutality was really not good. However, his wife and children are all in Texas, and the monk can't run the temple if he can run, so it is better to stay and throw Yan, if he can make meritorious contributions, it may not be a way out.

The iron axe slammed into the brass lock with a screeching sound.

A Yan Jun smashed twice and didn't smash it open, Gao Fu pushed him away, spit twice, swung an iron axe and smashed it hard, and the copper lock fell to the ground.

When there was a loud bang, a cloud of dust was splashed.

Gao Fu handed the iron axe to the soldier, and pushed it hard with both hands, and with a creak, the door of the black lacquer warehouse opened.

Sweeping away the flying sand and dust, I looked at the mountains of grain that filled the warehouse.

What kind of mood did Alibaba feel when he opened the treasure house of the forty thieves, Meng Zhi completely understood.

Not only Meng, but the soldiers of the Yan Army who came with him were all dumbfounded, including the inspection who led the way, and they also held their breath. In an era when grain and cloth were hard currency, everything in front of us was no different from a treasure mountain.

When the army went out to fight, hundreds of thousands of loads of military rations at every turn, Meng had been engaged in the work of escorting grain and grass, and he had seen the world, but the scene in front of him was too shocking, and it was almost impossible to maintain a normal heart.

pinched his thigh hard, and finally came back to his senses under the pain.

"Gao Fu."

"Humble."

"Take someone with you immediately...... No, you go and report to Commander Shen in person, please command to decide. ”

"Obey the order!"

Gao Fuzhi said, this is the opportunity for Meng to give him to show his face in front of Commander Shen, if he is lucky, maybe he will have a chance to meet His Royal Highness King Yan. In the envious eyes of his comrades, Gao Baihu jumped on his horse and ran towards the Yanshan guard camp at the fastest speed.

In addition to the large amount of grain found by Meng, Zheng Heng's command found a large number of ordnance in another warehouse in the city, including a lot of artillery and iron balls.

Shen Xuan and Zheng Heng were rewarded, and rushed to the big tent of King Yan, and the tent was arguing hotly about the march into Jinan, when they suddenly heard the report of Shen Xuan and the others, and suddenly fell silent.

"Is that true?"

"Back to the prince, it's true."

"Good!"

King Yan knew that the southern army had left a large amount of grain, grass and ordnance in the city, but he did not expect such a large amount. Zhu Yunwen's yellow-mouthed child is really wealthy.

At this moment, King Yan suddenly gave birth to a subtle mentality, which, according to Meng's words, can be summarized in two words: hatred of the rich.

As one of the most powerful vassal kings in Northern Xinjiang, Zhu Di's annual income is quite objective. But this did not prevent him from envying and hating the richer Emperor Jianwen.

In front of billionaires, millionaires can basically wash and sleep.

With this batch of grain and ordnance, the Yan army was more confident in capturing Jinan and conquering Shandong. King Yan ordered a short rest in Dezhou, counted the grain, grass and ordnance, and transported some of the grain back to Beiping, and the rest was used as supplies for the army.

That night, Shen Xuan and Meng did not need to be on duty. Command and patrol the camp with the same knowledge, what else do you need to do with the hundred households and the general banner?

Lying in the tent, Meng couldn't fall asleep over and over.

Shen Xuan was woken up by him, turned sideways, and supported his head with one hand, "I can't sleep." ”

"Command, there is something to do......

"Huh?"

“…… Ziyu. In the dark, Meng bit his tongue, "I have some ideas about that batch of military rations. ”

"Oh?" Shen Xuan moved closer, his thumb brushing the corner of Meng's mouth, "What do you think, tell me about it." ”

"I learned from the inspection port that led the way that a lot of the grain in the government treasury was collected from the local area, not only in Dezhou City, but also in the counties under its jurisdiction, and the farmers also had no stock, so it was somewhat difficult to hold on until the autumn grain fell."

Shen Xuan didn't say anything, frowned slightly, and vaguely guessed what Meng meant.

"You mean?"

"In addition to the needs of the army, it will definitely take a lot of time to transport the millions of quintals of grain back to Beiping, and it is difficult to guarantee that there will be no twists and turns along the way. It is better to take out part of it and distribute it to the people of Texas, firstly, it can win the hearts of the people for the prince, and secondly, it can reduce the worries of the army. ”

Jingnan was provoked by King Yan, and Emperor Jianwen occupied orthodoxy, so King Yan's reputation naturally would not be good.

Texas is not as good as Hebei, and if King Yan wants to gain a foothold here, it is useless to rely on military prestige alone. Historically, Texas changed hands several times between the Yan army and the imperial army. Attacking Jinan, the large army of the Yan army was pulled out, and there were not many defenders who could stay in the German army.

Shen Xuan lowered his eyes slightly, as if he was considering, but his fingers did not move away from Meng's cheeks. After a long time, he leaned over and pecked the tip of Meng's nose.

"I know it, go to sleep."

When the words fell, he grabbed Meng's shoulders and scooped the person into his arms.

Pat and sleep.

Meng: "......"

Does this count as consent? Or just listen to it as a dream?

There was something in his heart, Meng was confused and couldn't sleep all night, and he got up the next day with two faint dark circles on his face.

Shen Xuan was not in the tent, Meng put on his coat, fastened his belt, and walked out of the tent, and the aroma of food wafted in the wind. Snort, white-flour steamed buns, absolutely! It seems that King Yan, who has robbed a rich man, plans to improve the lives of his soldiers.

"I've seen Meng Tongzhi."

There were already soldiers who brought food for Meng. Sure enough, two big white steamed buns, a big bowl of stew with oil flowers floating on it, and two slices of fragrant pork belly on top.

Meng took the bowl, "The brothers have all eaten?" ”

"Back to Tongzhi, everyone is eating." The pro-soldier is not very old, he looks smart, and he shows two tiger teeth when he speaks, "It's rare to eat so well, haven't you seen it, there is not even some soup left in the Huotou Army." ”

"Yes." Due to lack of sleep, Meng's appetite was not too good, so he picked up a piece of meat, saw the soldiers swallowing saliva, and smiled, "Open your mouth." ”

"Huh?"

Only one single tone was uttered, and the rest of the words were blocked by meat.

"Same ...... Know? ”

"Eat." Meng Fen gave his soldiers a steamed bun, "You haven't eaten yet, have you?" ”

"Hey, hey." The pro-soldiers scratched their heads, half of the eldest son ate the poor old man, and the steamed buns the size of the fists of the two soldiers still couldn't fill their stomachs. took the steamed bun and swallowed it in three or two bites.

After eating, Meng asked where Commander Shen had gone, and the answer he got made him stunned for a moment.

"Commander Shen went to the prince's big tent early in the morning."

"Really?"

After a deep sigh, Meng didn't continue to ask.

At noon, King Yan suddenly asked people to post a notice in the city, and the officials and inspectors who stayed in the city went to the center to convey the news that King Yan would open a warehouse and release grain.

As soon as the news came out, everyone was in an uproar.

The imperial army levied grain, but King Yan released grain?

Soldiers are like grates, bandits are like combs, and what you eat in your mouth can still be spit out?

At the same time as the grain was released, King Yan ordered to record the people of Texas and re-make the book, so that Ding Zhuang could be exempted from conscription when he joined the army. Of course, there is a premise for this, and this promise will only be valid if Texas is in the hands of King Yan. When the imperial army returned, the conscription that should be served was still not exempt.

As soon as the two notices came out, Texas suddenly exploded.

At first, King Yan was a thief and a plague god in the hearts of Texans, but now, compared with what Li Jinglong did in Texas, King Yan is simply a good person.

The people in the city were still watching, but the farmers in the city didn't care so much, and after getting the news, they recited Amitabha Buddha a few times. During the period when the imperial army was in Texas, he collected three rounds of military rations, and many households were almost unable to open the pot, no matter who he put the grain, it was important to fill his stomach, and he could not watch his family starve to death.

Soon, a long queue formed in the city of Dezhou to receive grain, and the scribes and Yan soldiers recorded the roster while distributing the grain. The food in the middle of the house is led by the chief and the head of A, and after they go back, they are distributed and supervised by the old people in the middle, and they don't dare to pull it all into their pockets.

The food distributed to each household is not much, but it really solves the urgent need.

For a while, there was no rebellious scolding from King Yan in Texas, but the voice of praising King Yan's kindness was endless. There are also old people in the middle of the country who came to meet King Yan together, and said, "Your Highness's grace to live is beyond repayment." ”

King Yan personally helped the old man up, his eyes were red, and his words were choked, "Because of the traitors in the court, I am lonely and serve the Tai-Emperor Zugao's last words, and it is really a last resort to raise troops for Kuang Fu Sheji." The military disaster arose because of loneliness, and loneliness was honored by the elderly. ”

When the words fell, his hands clenched into fists and he slammed them to the ground.

"Lord Wang, I can't help it!"

The old man was moved, and the Texans who saw this scene were also shocked.

Who said that King Yan was a martial artist and a great rebel? He is clearly a kind, humble and good person! It is difficult to raise troops and Jingjing is the last training of Emperor Fengtai-Zugao, even if he has selfish intentions, he must have been forced to the door of the emperor's house, and there is really no way.

Even ordinary people who are deprived of their house property by coercive means have to rise up to resist, let alone a dignified vassal king?

Yan Wang stayed in Texas for a few days, and the image of the anti-thief was completely reversed.

Even if he is still a rebel leader in essence, he is also a rebel leader who is benevolent, benevolent, and sympathetic to the people, and is worthy of admiration and follow.

In May Gengchen, King Yan led a large army from Dezhou, and the people went out of the city one after another to see each other. King Yan passed by, and the villagers along the way sandwiched the road, knelt down and bowed with tears, and the voice of a thousand years old was endless.

Zhu Di was deeply moved, and there seemed to be a rushing emotion brewing and fermenting in his heart, which was completely different from killing the enemy and charging into battle and winning the handsome banner in the past.

This is the will of the people?

"Xuan'er." King Yan rode on a horse and summoned Shen Xuan, "From what you said, it is really good." People's hearts are available, why worry that Jinan is not broken, and Shandong is not down. ”

Shen Xuan clenched his fists on the horse and said, "Back to the prince, this plan is not from a humble position, but it is actually offered by Meng Tongzhi under his command." ”

"Is that him?" King Yan nodded, "This son is really talented, no wonder the great monk is determined to guard him as a disciple." Stay in Jinan, lonely will be rewarded. ”

In order to accept disciples, Dao Yan did not hesitate to use public opinion to build momentum in an attempt to create a fait accompli. The henchmen around King Yan, almost no one knows the "master-apprentice relationship" between Lu Dao Daoyan and Meng Shishilang.

In the long run, no matter how cunning Meng Shishilang is, he is destined to fall into the bowl of the Daoyan monk.

Shen Xuan didn't say much about Daoyan's acceptance of apprentices, no matter whether Meng worshipped his master or not, it had no impact on what he had to do.

The jade pendant and the wild goose were sent, can people still run?

The outpost of the Yan army passed through Jiyang, and the county commander and the county Cheng had already heard the wind and fled, so the main book would naturally not be left alone. Looking around, the sentry cavalry only found a county to learn the teachings, surnamed Wang Ming Province.

The sentry wanted to inquire about the road conditions ahead from Wang Sheng's mouth, but before he could speak, he was sprayed by Wang Sheng's face with spittle, and he also spoke at length, and his eyes were full of mosquito coils.

The cavalry who captured Wang Province was glared at by his comrades and almost poked into a sieve. It's not good to catch someone, catch such one! The level of chanting is comparable to that of the Buddha in the palace. The prince is "merciful", this person can't be killed, he can only be released, he was scolded in vain, do you hold your breath?

Wang Xing scolded to the key point, and was about to wave his sleeves to increase his momentum, but he saw Yan Jun slapping his horse and bypassing him, and Yan Jun, who caught him, also took out a treasure note from his arms, stuffed it into his hand, and said, "Shocked, Mr. put it away." ”

Meng Tongzhi said that asking for directions should always be a little expressive. Anyway, the treasure money is becoming less and less valuable, a few can't be exchanged for half a load of food, and you can still find your boss for reimbursement if you send it out, and the sentry rider is not stingy at all.

The Yan army sentry who gave the money to buy the road rode away, and Wang Jiaoyu held a treasure note in his hand and stood in the wind, full of astonishment.

When some county students saw this scene, rumors immediately spread that Wang Jiaoyu had already surrendered to Yan and collected money!

"I saw it with my own eyes, and I can't be wrong!"

"Oh, the teachings are still like this, and the hearts of the people are not ancient."

"Why did Brother Tai say this? King Yan put grain in Texas and never killed indiscriminately, which shows his kindness. And there is too - Emperor Zugao's testament, how can he be called a thief! ”

"Strong words!"

The county school soon quarreled, Wang Jiaoyu returned to the county school, ascended to the Ming Lun Hall, originally planned to teach the students the way of the monarch and the minister and then to die Mingzhi, but the students below were noisy, and when the quarrel was so loud, they simply waved their fists, picked up the benches and benches and beat each other. The king shouted twice, and no one listened to him at all.

If the truth is not debated, it will not work.

Don't care about 3721, first pat the kid in front of you!

The students were fighting endlessly, and the ground was full of smoke and dust.

Wang Jiaoyu stared at the word Minglun with tears in his eyes, stunned.

In such a situation, how can the class still be taught, how can the ambition be clear, and how can the pillar still be hit?

Just as he was grieving and indignant, an inkstone suddenly flew out of the battle group, and with the momentum of thunder, it hit the door of Wang's edict.

With a bang, the ink was all over the face, and it hit the target.

There was a sudden silence in the hall.

After a while, Wang Yuyu foamed at the mouth and the jade mountain collapsed, and the students threw away the murder weapon in their hands and cried loudly, "Teaching! ”

Wang Province failed to hit the pillar, but was knocked down by an inkstone, because of the rescue in time to save his life, had no intention of going to the official career again, returned to his hometown after recovering from injury, and made a living by plowing the fields and teaching, but also made a lot of contributions to the basic education of the Ming Dynasty.

In his spare time, Wang Xingxing used to write notes, one of which was the most inked, entitled "The Inkstone That Changed the Rest of His Life".

In history, Wang Province should have been martyred by hitting his head against the pillar, but by mistake, his fate was changed because of a treasure banknote.

As the initiator of the incident, Meng knew nothing about it, and he had not even heard of the name of Wang Province.

At this moment, he has arrived at the city of Jinan with King Yan's Jingnan army, and the horn of war is about to sound again.