In the fourth year of Yonghui (653 AD), the third day of the first month of November, the fifth quarter of the Mao hour.

Muzhou Pheasant County, Guoyi Liyuan Slope, Shengshi Security 40 Security Guards, Chen Shuozhen 100 personal guards. Towards the end of the battle, there were five living corpses left behind. Wu Kang was in a daze holding his stepmother's corpse, Chen Shuozhen was knocked unconscious by Xiucai, and the two security guards tied him with hemp rope.

Xiucai stood behind the security guard, seeing that the rope was tied more and more, and the knife in his hand was raised higher and higher. The rope was completely tied, and the horizontal knife slashed down hard, and the head of the security guard on the left fell, and the scream on the right turned his head. The blade slashed again, and blood spurted from his throat, squirting on Xiucai's robe.

Squatted down expressionlessly, stroking his dead eyes, smiling sadly and helplessly. Killing parents, regardless of the reason, is all rebellious. The fourth heinous sentence will be beheaded, which will be executed immediately. Wu Gong treats me like a mountain, I will repay me with a grass rank, only the dead can keep it secret, brother I'm sorry.

Standing up with a horizontal knife and pestle, rummaging through the corpses of the security guards one by one, removing the sheepskin bag from his waist, and holding it in his arms and gathering it in a pile. He came to the boss, picked up the woman in his arms, and laid her flat beside the pile of leather bags. With a flash of determination on his face, he unscrewed the parchment bag, poured out the wine, and sprinkled it on the corpse.

Wu Kang, who came back to his senses, saw the jumping flames, his brain instantly cleared, and he roared and rushed over: "Don't show talent, don't... You bastard, what did you do? Extinguish the fire, extinguish the fire... You let go, let me go! Scholar... What's wrong? ”

snatched the dagger from his hand, threw it far away, knelt beside him, and covered the knife in his abdomen. Blood flowed out of his fingers, Wu Kang's shoulders trembled, and his facial features roared hideously: "Why can't you think about it?" You won't say it, I'm sure you won't leak it! ”

Xiucai was miserable: "I can control my heart, but I can't control my mouth, especially after drinking." The matter of Qin Niangzi was revealed to Qian Shun unconsciously after I was drunk. So, only the dead can keep it a secret. I can't keep my aunt's body, I can't keep it, everyone has to die! Boss, is it really good for the handle to be held by others? ”

After a few breaths, he felt that the strength in his abdomen decreased, and Xiucai pulled out a wry smile: "You are ruthless to outsiders and indecisive to your own people, which is really not good." People's hearts will change, some people are born white-eyed wolves, and there are ghosts in our team... Cui Yixuan knows everything the boss does, including you drugging him. It's just a pity that I couldn't find out the inner ghost..."

No matter how small the abdominal strength is, Xiucai smiled even more bitterly, and his breathing began to be short: "Your kindness to your brothers is obvious to everyone, but there are still white-eyed wolves, who eat and sell out the organization." Boss listen to me, don't trust anyone, don't let anyone, know what you really think, including those closest to you. ”

Wu Kang shook his head slowly, and Xiucai smiled helplessly: "The secret of Brother Killing His Mother can only be known by God, Earth, and You." After I die, killing Chen Shuozhen and bringing the corpse to invite merit is another great achievement. The boss was promoted again, please burn two more knives of paper for the dead brothers on the fifteenth day of the new year, more... And more..."

The voice disappeared forever, and Xiucai looked serene, with a smile on the corner of his mouth, as if he was asleep. Wu Kang couldn't hold back his tears, and after a long time, he slowly stood up.

Turning over Chen Shuozhen, who was lying on his stomach, he saw his lifeless face, squatted down and locked his throat with both hands, and slammed his throat with all his might. She quickly opened her eyes, her head shaking violently, and instinctively opening her mouth to stare at her. I don't know how long it took, the struggle became smaller and smaller, the tongue stretched longer and longer, and the kernel of the eyes turned whiter and whiter, until it was silent.

got down from her, looked at her hideous face, and said to himself: "Being strangled to death by me is your creation, and you should be grateful to Dade." Do you want to hear about the treatment you received after being captured by the government in history? ”

Wu Kang sat cross-legged and said: "You are the start of a cult, believers regard you as an immortal, and you have prestige in the hearts of the people. Therefore, if the government wants to destroy your image and damage your prestige, they will strip you naked and parade through the streets to set an example. The executioner executes, humiliates your body, and cuts off your head in full view of everyone. ”

Wu Kang shook his head and smacked his tongue, and said with a smile: "This is the legendary naked punishment, and there is another case in history, the former Qin Emperor Fu Deng's Empress Mao also died of naked punishment." Hehe, staring at me like this, do you want to ask, how do I know? ”

He said to himself: "To tell you the truth, I am a time-traveling person, and my soul comes from a couple many years later. It's my biggest secret and I've never told anyone, including my daughter-in-law, so you should feel honored. ”

Slowly got up and said lightly: "In my last life, since I can remember, A-Niang died, and I never got my mother's love; In this life, my stepmother was very good to me, but unfortunately she rebelled with you and died under my knife. Perhaps, God's punishment for me; Farewell, Your Majesty the Great Empress Wenjia! ”

Strode away and turned away, stepped on the horse, looked at the corpses all over the ground, and shook his head in pain. Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves sounded, and Liyuan rushed out of thirty horses, all of whom were security guards of the company, and it was Qian Shun who led the team to answer. Everyone dismounted and saluted, and when they saw the scene in front of them, they all screamed.

Wu Kang pondered for a moment and calmly ordered: "Take our brothers back for burial, and bring back all the horses, including those in the quagmire under the mountain." The corpses of the rebels were cremated, and the ashes were scattered next to the fire, so that they could serve her forever. Junko, go and send off Xiucai, he's gone too. ”

Qian Shun's eyes were red, and he nodded with difficulty for a long time. Wu Kang patted him on the shoulder, sighed and said, "People can't be resurrected after death, and the festival mourns and changes." I think the three of you were undercover in Wuzhou and created a security company, and I am very grateful. You're the only one left now, so don't leave me, okay? ”

Qian Shun patted his chest with his right hand and nodded heavily. Wu Kang was very pleased, leaned over and whispered softly: "Before Xiucai died, he said that there are ghosts in our team, and someone is Cui Yixuan's undercover agent." Junko, pull them out and dispose of them quietly. ”

Wu Kang ignored his anger and stunned, gently patted him on the shoulder, pulled the reins and clamped the horse's belly, and walked into the pear orchard on the hillside. I don't plan to take Chen Shuozhen's corpse and let her live forever in the flames. Her stand-in will perform her duties, endure the humiliation of the government, and keep the history books intact.

Out of the pear orchard to take a deep breath, hurried to the barracks, endless depression turned into tears, dried by the wind brought by the wild run. Thinking that when A-Niang was dying, she didn't mention Daddy's whereabouts, is he still alive? Where are you? Where do I find him? Looking for someone in the vast sea of people is tantamount to looking for a needle in a haystack.

All the way back to the barracks, in front of the Chinese military tent, he was stopped by Cui Xiaoqing. Her face was anxious, she winked into the account, and pulled him out. Wu Kang instantly realized, leaned into her ear and asked, "Is the fourth brother here?" ”

Xiaoqing nodded lightly, her expression even more anxious. Wu Kang couldn't help but wonder, he just put down the rebellion against Lao Cui, is he going to settle the general account? Running couldn't solve the problem, so he stopped his daughter-in-law's shoulder and signaled him not to be impatient. Calling Lao Cui the fourth brother has a bad taste. Before Tang Xuanzong, there was no "father-in-law" title, and his wife and father were called "uncle", which made him very unaccustomed.

And the title "brother" in the Tang Dynasty referred to both the father and the elder brother. Lao Cui is the fourth in line, calling him the fourth brother, and he takes advantage of it openly. Lao Cui also gladly accepted that the son-in-law called me dad, which was a sign of closeness, so both of them were beautiful.

Back in the tent, all the officials arrived, and the east and west sides stood separately. The civil official team Di Renjie is the leader, and the military attache team Cui Xingfeng is the leader. Behind Cui Xingfeng, there is Captain Zuo Guoyi, and Captain Guoyi, don't generals, Changshi and Bing Cao join the army, and they are all the leaders of Zhichong Mansion. Lao Cui Dama's golden knife sits in the main position, and his spirit is double, how can there be any traces of being drugged?

Wu Kang stood in front of Di Renjie, and Lao Cui began to speak, first introducing everyone to each other. Focus on your own virtuous son-in-law and introduce the military attaches of Zhechong Mansion, the meaning of which is well known to everyone. After the introduction, they greeted each other and began a tirade, highly praising the counterinsurgency work, and the comrades have worked hard.

Focus on praising the virtuous son-in-law, do not hesitate to praise the words, and set off your own good vision. After saying beautiful words, he criticized Cui Xingfeng, and the slow march delayed the fighters. Cui Zhechong was like a grandson, and kept bowing and confessing. In the end, regarding the handling of the thief's head, as recorded in the history books, naked torture parade through the streets and dismemberment of corpses.

Di Renjie felt that it was inappropriate, and wanted to persuade Wu Kang to stop him, you kid can't carry it clearly, dare to speak for the rebel leader, don't have a head? Besides, Lao Cui has always said that he is the same, not only will he not listen to you, but he will also give you a small shoe to wear on the street, which is more than worth the loss.

Lao Cui arranged the task, the meeting was announced, and Wu Kang gave him a look, let's go out for a walk. The two went out of the military tent, Cui Xiaoqing wanted to follow, but was stopped by the old Cui eye knife, and tears fell straight from aggrieved. Wu Kang once again cast a reassuring look and followed his father-in-law out of the barracks.

Ten minutes later, Lao Cui handed over the envelope, Wu Kang opened it and read it, it was a dense number of names, a full thirty. The more I looked at it, the more frightened I became, they were all members of the security team, and I was confused for a while, what kind of medicine did the old guy sell, could it be a list of traitors?

Cui Yixuan said lightly: "These people were all bought by me, and they are all inside and out, and I have already helped you deal with them." Virtuous son-in-law, the so-called gathering of people's hearts must be both graceful and powerful. It's not okay to blindly suppress, it's even more impossible to blindly give grace, and you should understand the truth when you fight against Mi En. ”

Wu Kang was terrified, and thought that there were only two or three traitors, but he didn't know twenty or thirty. Gritting his teeth angrily, he scolded the white-eyed wolf who was not fed, and said with a relative: "Thank you Fourth Brother for your help, find out the black sheep, they are innocent!" Fourth brother, there is something to confess to you, I will drug you..."

Lao Cui waved his hand to stop it, continued to walk with his hands behind his back, and said in about three minutes: "The old man doesn't blame you, and he is very pleased." You test the medicine and make sure that it does not harm your body, so you secretly take the drug. and instructed Wu Kai to stop taking medication immediately once he felt unwell. This shows that in your eyes, my old bones are more important than presiding over counterinsurgency. ”

This was embarrassing, Wu Kang was embarrassed and shut up. Lao Cui continued: "Unscrupulous means to achieve the end is a necessary means for the career, and the old man is very happy to be able to do this." But you're still too tender, even if you don't take the medicine, I'll leave it to you to host. Because no matter who you or I put down the rebellion, as long as I fulfill the holy decree, I will be promoted to the next level. ”

Wu Kang was a little confused, opened his brain to think, and soon realized that this was really the case. Lao Cui put down the rebellion by himself, at most he was promoted to one level, and he went to Beijing to be a royal historian or something; I presided over the counterinsurgency, and Lao Cui will also be promoted, after all, he is the supreme leader, and the credit is naturally the greatest.

It's even more embarrassing to think of this, and it's just a villain in vain. Just as he wanted to express his shame, Lao Cui continued: "Greed is the source of progress, and people have to go to higher places. The old man will recommend to the imperial court, even if he uses the power of the family, he will ensure that you are a assassin. ”

Cui Yixuan stopped and said in a serious tone: "Write a letter to Wu Zhaoyi, and describe the process of presiding over the counterinsurgency clearly, 1510." Show your loyalty to her in this way, and she will do her best to help you, and as long as the saint nods, there will be much less resistance. Three days later, the letter was handed over to me, and I sent it to Chang'an, along with the counterinsurgency recital. ”

Wu Kang promised, I feel that this is too much, my sister Mei Niang, the idea of letting me be a assassin is stronger than that of you when you are old. Lao Cui took another document, handed it over and said, "The official document that just arrived yesterday is urgent for 500 miles, you can do it for you." ”

After reading the content, Wu Kang suddenly felt like a lightning strike, and shouted anxiously: "The rebels are the people of the Tang Dynasty, and Chen Shuo is really a diehard loyalist, and basically all of them died in battle. The rest is coerced and coerced, and the sin will not lead to death. Why did you kill four thousand? How could the imperial court be so resolute? Fourth brother, you persuade! ”

Cui Yixuan glared and scolded: "Shouting, I'm afraid that others won't hear it, and I want to be charged with disrespect?" No matter how much your old man persuaded him, the holy decree was issued, and he didn't have to persuade him at all. The old man also knows that it is ominous to kill prisoners, and he also knows the situation of the rebels, but the emperor's order is difficult to disobey! ”

Wu Kang clenched his teeth, and shook his head firmly after a few breaths: "Picking up arms is a rebel, I will destroy them, and there will be no mercy; It's the people who put down their arms, and they kill the defenseless people, I really can't do it, the fourth brother please be smart! ”

Cui Yixuan was not angry, and said with a pleasant face for a long time: "The imperial court generally treats rebel soldiers lightly, such as being sent into slavery and serving labor. However, in this rebellion, Chen Shuozhen brazenly proclaimed himself emperor, which was one of them; The court has just promulgated a new law, which was originally celebrated by the whole world, but she committed a rebellion, which is the second. The saint was extremely angry, and the court was angry with the enemy, so he had this holy decree. ”

patted the virtuous son-in-law on the shoulder and continued: "The emperor's order is difficult to disobey, and no one can do anything. The old man is old, and he doesn't want to bear this sin, and he can't bear it, so you can carry it. I have already explained to Cui Xingfeng, three days later, you will be the supervisor and beheaded, and in Guoyi, Pheasant County, you will kill 4,000 rebels. ”

Wu Kang gritted his teeth angrily, and just wanted to say no, but was stopped by Lao Cui, sighed and said: "The matter has come to this, you don't have a choice, don't be rash." If the resistance is not respected, Cui Xingfeng has the right to cut first and then play. Virtuous son-in-law, your arms can't reach your thighs, think about it."

Cui Yixuan left with his hands behind his back, leaving Wukang demented, clutching the official document tightly, and his hands couldn't help but tremble. Suddenly, with a snort, the official document fell to the ground, stepped on it fiercely, and vented fiercely. Finally, he sat down on the ground, his face buried between his knees, and his head in his hands in chagrin.

I don't know how long it took, Cui Xiaoqing came over, picked up the official document on the ground, dusted off the dirt and put it in his pocket. Sitting quietly beside him, he spoke for a long time: "The prison officer who supervised the beheading of prisoners of war, in our place, can only assassinate history and record things to join the army. Killing prisoners is ominous, I don't want Yaye to do it, and I don't want you to do it. Erlang, don't be sad, we can't help it. ”

Wu Kang's lips trembled: "Chasing and killing Chen Shuozhen today, I killed a woman, who is my stepmother." When her children starved to death due to the drought in Muzhou, she joined the rebels and became Chen's personal guard. In order to cover up the secret, Xiucai killed his brother and finally committed suicide. Before you die, tell me not to reveal it to anyone, including those closest to you. ”

Cui Xiaoqing was very calm, hugged Ailang in her arms, and patted her trembling shoulders. The two stayed for a long time, until the sun set, until the sky was full of stars.

On the sixth day of November, at three o'clock, Wu Kang sat on the bookcase, his spirit was sluggish and his eyes were scattered. Di Renjie stood on the left, and Qian Shun and Chu Shenke stood on the right. Behind him, two Guo Yi lieutenants, a huge pit in front of them, soldiers with swords and guns, and prisoners of war fell to their knees.

Di Renjie looked at the hourglass and reminded anxiously: "The time has come, you can't wait any longer, Duke Wu will give an order quickly." ”

Wu Kang turned a deaf ear, and Di Renjie jumped to his feet anxiously. After another quarter of an hour, there was still no movement, Zuo Guoyi scolded: "Wu Beijia, please act according to orders, don't make it difficult for us." Give you another quarter of an hour, and if you don't give the order, don't blame military law. ”

When the time came in the blink of an eye, he still didn't move, and Guo Yi drew the knife instantly. Qian Shun and Chu Shenke immediately acted, and the four horizontal knives collided, making a piercing roar. You Guoyi scolded sharply: "What are you doing? Want to rebel? ”

Qian Shun is neither humble nor arrogant: "Rebellion? Don't dare! I only know that Wu Gong is a member of the Five Grades, and no one can kill anyone except for the Holy Decree. ”

"Presumptuous", Zuo Guoyi is voice is full of emotion: "Don't be disrespectful to the martial arts, and the Chong Mansion can be cut first and then played." Get out of the way quickly, or you will be punished together. ”

Di Renjie persuaded again: "You can't wait any longer, I know you are bitter in your heart, but the holy decree is the holy decree, and no one can disobey it." Are they rebels, innocent of death? You do what you are told, and no one can say anything! ”

Chu Shenke also advised: "Duke Wu quickly order, otherwise a year's plan will be ruined." If you don't think about yourself, you have to think about Jiu Niangzi. ”

The big guy was still demented, Di Renjie couldn't hold it back, and grabbed the red stick. Wu Kang came back to his senses in an instant, grabbed his hand, and snatched the stick, feeling a thousand pounds. Bite the tip of your tongue hard and throw the red skewer out. Staring at the spirit lotion to the ground, he closed his eyes in pain.

Zuo Guoyi shouted: "The time has come, execution!" ”

The order was passed one by one, the government soldiers raised their butcher knives, and the gang commander gave an order, and the prisoners of war were in different places. The scene was unusually quiet, they didn't cry, maybe they were numb a long time ago. The more numb government soldier repeated the action of swinging the knife.

Di Renjie incarnated as a psychiatrist and continued to enlighten the big guy: "There have been cases of killing prisoners of war since ancient times, Bai Qikeng killed 400,000 Zhao pawns, Cao Cao killed Yuan Shao 30,000 pawns, and the slave emperor Shi Le, pit killed 10,000 Jin pawns. Besides, this is the decree of the imperial court, and you are ordered to act, but it is only a trivial matter to behead the officials, and it is not your turn to betray the name. ”

Wu Kang insisted on his opinion: "Pit killing and surrendering troops hurts Tianhe, even if you are enslaved and do the most tiring work, it is better than killing." The stubborn backbone is killed if it is killed, but throughout history, many farmers participated in rebellions, and many of them were coerced by conspirators, not out of their own hearts! ”

Di Renjie thought deeply and shook his head helplessly.

The corpses in the pit accumulated more and more, and Wu Kang became more and more distressed, and he said to himself for a long time: "Come out and mix, you have to pay it back!" ”