Wang Mang followed the people who escorted the heavy grain and grass, and after a succession, he was also so tired that he was panting like an ox. In total, dozens of horse-drawn carts were pushed out of the mud puddle and climbed several steep high slopes.

"Whew, no, no, I have to rest for a while." Wang Mang couldn't hold on, sat down paralyzed, panting heavily.

Seeing the situation, a middle-aged man stepped forward and said with a smile: "Young man, are you tired?" It is estimated that after walking another seven or eight miles, you can stop and cook. When that happens, we'll be able to rest better. ”

Wang Mang grabbed two handfuls of snow from the ground and stuffed them into his mouth to quench his thirst, and then replied with a wry smile: "Uncle, I didn't expect this road to be so difficult. Why doesn't the Lord in command of this place be considerate? It seems that there is something wrong with such a hurry. ”

The middle-aged man replied, "Young man, don't say that. The Commander-in-Chief, too, has other important things in mind. Otherwise, how could he have kept us on our toes to ensure that the grain and grass could be delivered in time? ”

"That being said, it's still inappropriate." Wang Mang shook his head and said.

The middle-aged man was about to defend a sentence or two, when a young man in his early twenties heard the words and immediately became angry.

He shouted at Wang Mang: "Who are you, dare to talk nonsense here and disturb the morale of the army? If the Ruler has the difficulties and worries of the Commander, how can we know about it? And the commander is a subordinate of Lord Wang, and Lord Wang has done his best for the country and the people, and everyone knows it.

You say that the Commander is wrong, isn't this accusing the Lord of not knowing how to be sympathetic to the feelings of the people? Okay, you're a fanatic, I just saw you contributing, and I thought you were also a man. But I don't want you to be a person with evil intentions and demagoguery.

You give me an honest explanation, are you a spy sent by the enemy? And by whom? If you say it in 1510, you can make up for it. Otherwise, if the adults track it down, it will be impossible to escape the death penalty. ”

"Spies!"

As soon as he said these two words, the middle-aged man's face also changed drastically.

At this time, some other strong men also heard the quarrel and gathered around to ask why.

The young man told the story in a loud voice. Basically, Wang Mang was defined as a spy, who came to confuse the people, and who spoke ill of "Wang Mang".

Many strong men heard the words, and one by one, their faces were not good, and they all gathered around and shouted loudly.

There are even a few of them, rolling up their sleeves, and they are going to arrest Wang Mang.

When Wang Mang saw this posture, he couldn't help but take a few steps back and shouted that he was wronged.

However, none of these strong men wanted to believe him, and they all thought that the young man had a point.

Lord Wang's subordinate generals, how could there be any mistakes and shortcomings? This is the unanimous opinion.

In addition, Wang Mang had previously asked many generals and people to explain the reason for the rapid march, so everyone was even more determined that the leader who escorted the grain and grass was in distress, not inconsiderate of the people's feelings.

"Well, you are a bastard, you are young and do not contribute to the country and the people, but you want to be a spy and slander Lord Wang, I will not rest with you."

Wang Mang was worried that everyone would break out, so he took a few steps back. However, in the eyes of everyone, this action is to be a thief and want to escape.

The young man who had previously said that Wang Mang was a spy shouted at the top of his voice: "Someone, this spy is going to escape, let's quickly catch him, and then hand him over to the commander to deal with." lest this fang deceive the people and harm the people. ”

As soon as the words fell, five or six big men rushed up, grabbed Wang Mang firmly, and then tied them up.

Wang Mang's hands were firmly tied behind his back by these rude and strong men, and the pain was unbearable, and he immediately grinned and shouted: "Light, light, my arms are about to break, I am really not a spy." ”

At this moment, Wang Mang didn't dare to say his name. I am afraid that these strong men will think that they are fakes, and then they will be angry and beat themselves to death, so as not to blaspheme the so-called "Wang Mang" Wang.

Wang Mang shouted for injustice, but it was still useless, and no one believed him.

Five or six big men, tearing and tearing, dragged Wang Mang towards the patrol officers in front.

Wang Mang was dragged by everyone in the snow, and he smiled bitterly in his heart. The secret path made a mistake this time, and it was planted in the hands of these simple strong men.

Everyone dragged Wang Mang away for more than 20 minutes, and finally came to a team of patrol officers.

The soldiers asked why, and everyone explained.

"Is this person a spy? To slander the king and the ruler in full view? ”

When these soldiers heard the explanation, their faces changed drastically, and they glared angrily one by one.

Although they had not seen Wang Mang either, they had fought with Li Zhong's army before and crawled out of the pile of dead people.

Therefore, they support Wang Mang even more, and they know how difficult it is for themselves and others to survive. It all relied on Wang Mang and Chen Chong and many generals to work hard, carefully plan, and fight bloodily.

Now when these soldiers heard that someone dared to slander Wang Mang and the commander, their hearts burned with anger and their faces turned red.

One of the soldiers pulled Wang Mang to him and shouted, "Good you animal. In order to escort 100,000 people away safely, Lord Wang and many generals fought Li Zhong's army for three days and three nights. How dare you slander the king and the ruler here, and this is a grave sin that cannot be pardoned. ”

As he spoke, spittle splattered.

Then it seemed that the anger in his heart was extremely strong, and he picked up another big hand, and he was about to hit Wang Mang down, letting out a bad breath in his heart.

At this time, another soldier hurriedly dissuaded him and shouted: "Lord Chen Chong has issued an order earlier, saying that Lord Wang strictly forbids any soldier in the army to abuse prisoners, otherwise he will be dealt with by military law." Lord Wang governs the army with benevolence and righteousness, and we must not disobey the military order and ruin Lord Wang's reputation. This thief is a spy and can be handed over to the Commander-in-Chief. ”

"Shh

The soldier who was going to beat Wang Mang gasped and exclaimed: "I almost forgot about this stubble, if you hadn't reminded me, I would have violated the military order, and then wouldn't it be equivalent to ruining Lord Wang's reputation?" ”

Thinking of this, he shouted angrily at Wang Mang: "Okay, you hairy thief, you almost made me violate the military order." Lord Wang governs the army with benevolence, and does not allow us to mistreat the prisoners, which is also a fortunate thing for a spy like you who cannot be put on the stage. Wait until I hand you over to the Commander-in-Chief, and then I will dispose of you according to the law. ”

"Whew..."

Wang Mang saw that this person withdrew his hand, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He was very worried that this soldier would beat him violently, although he would not lose his life, but he could not guarantee that he would not lose his arm and leg.

Now seeing that the situation has changed, he can't help but secretly rejoice. He believed that he had escaped this catastrophe by issuing a decree prohibiting the soldiers from mistreating the captives.

As soon as he thought of this, he was even more determined to govern the army and the country with benevolence as the mainstay, supplemented by hegemony.

Benevolence and righteousness alone are of little use without corresponding domineering. Only when the two complement each other can great things be accomplished. Wang Mang knows this truth very well.

After the Zhuang Ding handed over what he thought was a "spy" to the patrol sergeants, they all turned back and continued to transport grain and grass, not paying attention to the follow-up.

Because they know that the follow-up matters will be handled by the officials, and the officials will definitely handle them impartially.

They have a very trusting attitude towards the officials of Wang Mang's subordinates, and they are not like those officials in the past, and they hate them to the core.

"It seems that my experience is worth it. If you don't experience it yourself, where can you find the shortcomings? Wang Mang said secretly.

(End of chapter)