Chapter 875: King Fu said, asking me to pay for food is equivalent to cutting my flesh, no way!

（0875）

[Today's fourth shift is delivered! ] 】

"What?"

"Zhang Zhun is here?"

"The Tiger Ben army is coming to the city?"

I heard that Zhang Zhun led the cavalry of the Tiger Ben Army to approach Luoyang, and all the officials in Luoyang City, God, Zhang Zhun actually came to Luoyang! This is no joke! No one thought why Zhang Zhun suddenly appeared in Luoyang. However, since Zhang Zhun is here, Luoyang is really dangerous.

In the past, Luoyang had also been besieged many times by thieves and the like, but they all survived safely. However, when Zhang Zhun arrived, when the Tiger Benjun arrived, the officials in Luoyang, all of them seemed to be in the middle of winter, and they were poured a basin of cold water and froze from head to toe. This Zhang Zhun is not a thief, he is a capable man who can even be defeated by a Tartar!

"What is Zhang Zhun doing here?"

Someone asked whimsically.

The surrounding officials immediately gave this stupid guy a brutal onlooker. What an idiot, at this time, actually asked such a thing. Who is Zhang Zhun? When you come to Luoyang at this time, is it to ask King Fu for peace? Fu Wang's wealth, I don't know how many people are coveting it, Zhang Zhun must be here for Fu Wang's wealth.

"Oh, it's King Fu......"

The questioner found himself being watched, and he immediately reacted.

It is said that the husband is not guilty, but he is guilty, and they, the officials of Luoyang, are the best portrayal of these two sentences. In fact, in terms of strategic position, Luoyang is really not very important. On the battlefield in the Central Plains, there are more important cities than Luoyang.

However, since King Fu settled in Luoyang, Luoyang has become a target of the rebel army, and the rogues can be said to have come wave after wave. What Gao Yingxiang, Li Zicheng, Zhang Xianzhong, Cao *** and the like, as long as they appear in Henan, they can't help but stare at Luoyang a few times. The reason is very simple, King Fu is rich!

As the favorite son of Emperor Wanli, King Fu, the vassal king, in addition to power, is definitely superior to Emperor Chongzhen in other aspects. The fields under his name are millions of acres, and almost all the fertile fields in Henan Province are under the name of King Fu. Even, because the fields in Henan Province are not enough for King Fu, a part of it has also been specially allocated from other provinces.

In addition to owning the largest number of fields in the country, almost all profitable businesses in Henan Province have shares of Fuwang. Ten of the ten businesses in Luoyang City are related to King Fu. Because, if it has nothing to do with King Fu, you can't open a store in Luoyang at all. King Fu's power has completely enveloped the entire Luoyang City.

It can be said that around Luoyang, and even in the whole of Henan, King Fu is a first-class existence, even more than Emperor Chongzhen. In addition to not having his own army, all the styles of King Fu are more magnificent than Emperor Chongzhen, and as for daily life, it is even more out of reach of Emperor Chongzhen.

Someone has estimated behind the scenes how much property King Fu has, but after calculating it, he can't figure out the answer at all. Because, this amount is too powerful, and the chips are not enough at all! The most conservative estimate is that the property in the name of King Fu is converted into silver taels, at least more than 10 million taels of silver.

Again, this only counts all kinds of movable property. If you count all kinds of real estate, including royal palaces, farms, hunting grounds, lakes, paddocks, fields, etc., it is estimated that this number will have to be doubled several times. It is even rumored that the Wanli Emperor even gave the Yellow River to the Fu Wang's family.

Just imagine, such a golden Buddha statue is placed in Luoyang City, can the rogues not be tempted? As long as Luoyang is broken, King Fu is captured, and his family property is liquidated, this person will definitely become the richest man in the world! An army of millions can afford it!

It was for this reason that the Shaanxi rebel army gathered in Xingyang that year, and the officials in Luoyang didn't know how nervous they were. They patrolled the city day and night, fearing that the rebels would march westward. Fortunately, in the end, the rebels did not come to attack Luoyang, and they survived the catastrophe safely. However, this time Zhang Zhun suddenly killed, and everyone felt that something was wrong.

The biggest weakness of Shaanxi Liukou is actually tackling tough problems. The thieves' ability to attack fortifications is really not very strong, and they can't capture slightly larger towns. They had attacked Luoyang several times, but in the end they were forced to retreat. However, the Tiger Army is different. The Tiger Army's ability to attack fortifications is very strong, and even the Tartars are not the opponents of the Tiger Army, and the Luoyang defenders ask themselves if their combat effectiveness is stronger than that of the Tartars?

"Where's Lord Lu?"

"Let's go and discuss with Lord Lu!"

Suddenly, someone among the officials shouted hurriedly.

His proposal was immediately approved by all the officials, and they all stood up and went to find this Lord Lu. The Lord Lu in their mouths is called Lu Weiqi. Lu Weiqi, who once served as the secretary of the Nanjing Military Department, has the greatest reputation and the highest status among the gentry in Luoyang, and can be said to be the backbone of local officials in Luoyang.

In the past few years since Lu Weiqi returned to Luoyang from Nanjing, he usually gave lectures at the Yiluo Academy he founded, but if there was any major matter in the local area, the officials and gentry would ask him for advice or ask him to speak. Therefore, although he has no official position, he is more effective than the current magistrate in matters of great importance. The Ming Dynasty's big eunuchs were like this, as long as they had served as ***, even if they returned to their hometowns, life was very beautiful.

In fact, when Zhang Zhun led the Tiger Ben Army to Luoyang, Lu Weiqi had already learned the news. His news has always been very well-informed. Regarding Zhang Zhun's arrival, Lu Weiqi has only one judgment, that is, King Fu is finished. He was sure that Zhang Zhun was definitely here for King Fu this time, and his purpose was King Fu's assets. As for Luoyang City, it is incidental. If the local officials in Luoyang could do it, they would basically not be affected.

Of course, Lu Weiqi's inference cannot be told to others. After all, Zhang Zhun is the enemy of the imperial court and the confidant of Emperor Chongzhen, if they, the officials of Luoyang, are not good for protecting King Fu, even if Zhang Zhun doesn't want their lives, Emperor Chongzhen still has to ask for their lives. Therefore, in the light of all, they still have to stand up resolutely and resist the attack of the Tiger Army.

"Zhang Zhun, Zhang Zhun, what kind of person is this?"

In the quiet courtyard, Lu Weiqi stroked his beard and quietly pondered.

Regarding Zhang Zhun's news, he is mainly from Nanjing. Over the years, Lu Weiqi has indeed heard a lot about Zhang Zhun. For the details, Lu Weiqi has no interest, he just synthesizes Zhang Zhun's big picture. Zhang Zhun summed up by him is a very powerful opponent, and others basically have no chance to defeat him. Since he came to Luoyang this time, the officials of Luoyang, as well as King Fu himself, are afraid that it will be bad.

While he was pondering, an old family member hurriedly came in, bowed to Lu Weiqi and said: "Hui Master, Lord Dao Wang, Lord Zhentai Wang, Lord Feng, Master Tuiguanwei, Master Zhang, and a few local gentry came to meet and waited outside the second gate. They said that they had something important to negotiate with the master. ”

Lu Weiqi nodded slightly, and calmly ordered: "Please!" ”

For the arrival of these Luoyang officials, Lu Weiqi has long been mentally prepared. Every time there is a major incident, Luoyang officials will come to him to discuss countermeasures, which has become a common practice. This time, of course, will not be an exception. I'm afraid that Zhang Zhun arrived with the cavalry of the Tiger Ben Army, which has frightened these Luoyang officials. Alas, these days, hearing Zhang Zhun's name really can't help but make people tremble, especially when Zhang Zhun is outside the city.

When Lu Weiqi came to the second gate, several civil and military officials and several gentry led by Wang Qingsing, who was the sub-inspector, had already been invited into the guest hall of the academy to sit down. Lu Weiqi sat at the top and motioned for everyone to speak. Although Lu Weiqi felt quite bad about Zhang Zhun's arrival, he still had to show his composure in front of these officials.

As soon as the servant finished offering tea, Wang Yinchang took the lead and said: "Sir, Zhang Zhun is here, and it is said that he has brought tens of thousands of soldiers and horses to try to disadvantage Luoyang." As soon as I stood at the head of the city, I saw the activities of the cavalry of the Tiger Army. Just now, the local civil and military officials and several gentry went to the yamen of our branch to discuss how to protect the important land of the Luoyang Domain. After discussing for a while, we came to ask Mr. for advice, only Mr. can save Luoyang. ”

Lu Weiqi said indifferently: "Since the students returned from the dismissal, they have traveled to the forest, but they only take lectures as their business. Unexpectedly, the thieves were rampant, and day by day, I saw that Heluo was not guaranteed, and the Central Plains was sinking. Luoyang is a place where soldiers must fight, and it is also the location of the ancestral graves of students. Whether it is for the country or the family, the students are willing to follow the princess and do their best to protect this land. What do you think? ”

Prefect Feng Yijun said bitterly: "At present, if you want to stick to Luoyang, you must quickly stabilize the hearts of the army and the people. As soon as the people's hearts are gone, the army's hearts change, and everything is over. Before, the thieves claimed everywhere that they would not kill civilians, but only officials and gentry. Now, another thief has spread the Juntian Order, luring the local people, so that the people of the entire Henan Province are eager for Zhang Zhun to come soon. It's horrible. ”

Zhang Zhun also threatened that if we took the initiative to surrender the city, we could still get preferential treatment. If Luoyang City is broken, not only will the local civil and military forces be killed now, I am afraid that the old gentleman will also be unable to protect his wealth. What's more important is that His Royal Highness King Fu is the beloved son of Emperor Shenzong, and the current holy uncle. If Luoyang is lost, resulting in the fall of the Fu Domain, how can anyone who is a courtier go to the monarch's father? Besides......"

Lu Weiqi cut off the prefect's words and said in a deep voice: "The current situation is very urgent, please tell the old father directly, there is no need to mention other reasons." Since Zhang Zhun is here, it is obviously for King Fu, and we are just incidental victims. Our first task is to hold on to the city and not let the thieves enter the city. ”

Feng Yijun stopped going around the bend, coughed twice, cleared his throat, and then said: "Luoyang survives, and the local civil and military have the responsibility of defending the territory, and they cannot shirk it. However, at a time when the people's minds are in turmoil and the army's morale is shaken, the survival is really determined by His Royal Highness King Fu. The people of Luoyang often rumored that the grain in King Fu's warehouse was piled up like a mountain, and it was so rotten that it could no longer be eaten. But we ordinary people are displaced from the streets, and a large number of them starve to death every day. This situation is happening one after another, but I am afraid that the thief does not need to attack the city, and the people will spontaneously open the city gate and welcome the thief into the city. ”

Chief soldier Wang Shaoyu interjected painfully and said: "The same is true of the barracks, and the people's hearts have long been fluctuating. The soldiers had not been paid for eight months, and they were scolding behind their backs. They used to say to my face, "King Fu has too much gold and silver to count, and the strings of money are rotten." We have no food for almost a year, which bastard works for him to defend the city! I am a military general, and I should die for the country's loyalty. But my men refused to give their lives, so how could I defend the city? ”

Wang Yinchang then said: "At present, the only way to save Luoyang is to ask His Royal Highness King Fu to open the warehouse, take out tens of thousands of taels of silver to reward the soldiers, and take out thousands of loads of grain to help the hungry." If you don't make this last move, Luoyang will not be able to defend, and the country of King Fu will not be guaranteed, and we will all die together! ”

Because of Wang Yinchang's mournful tone, everyone who listened was very moved, and there was silence in the room for a moment, only a soft sigh. King Fu's temperament is actually very clear to everyone here. It is even more difficult to get money and food from the hands of King Fu than to cut meat. However, they really have no way other than this.

Lu Weiqi naturally knew King Fu's temperament, he thought about it, slowly raised his head and asked, "Why don't you give this pasta to His Royal Highness King Fu?" ”

Wang Yinchang said helplessly: "I went to the palace with Wang Zongzhen and Feng Zhifu twice to ask to see His Highness, but His Highness refused to see him, and he thought we were noisy. Today, the officials and gentry gathered and couldn't think of any other way, so they had to come and ask Mr. to enter the palace. ”

Lu Weiqi frowned and said: "You are guarding the land and civil and military, His Royal Highness King Fu still refuses to see it, I am idle, I go to ask for a meeting, I'm afraid it will not work, right?" ”

Wang Yinchang hurriedly said: "No, no. Mr. was a minister of the imperial court, and he was a famous Confucian in science and a well-known Heluo people. His Royal Highness King Fu has great respect for Mr. Fu on weekdays, and there is no reason why he will not meet him face to face. ”

Zhang Zhengxue, the magistrate of the county, advised from the side: "Please go to the palace to save the lives of this party." ”

The rich gentry instigated one after another, saying that King Fu would meet him and follow his advice. Seeing their ardent expectations, Lu Weiqi couldn't refuse, so he had to say angrily: "Since you don't have the opportunity to face King Qifu and tell the benefits and harms, the students have to try." ”

After sending off the guests of the official gentry, he told his disciples that he was going to see King Fu, and the disciples were very approving and pointed to the survival of Luoyang to him entering the palace this time. Then he changed his clothes and went to the palace in a sedan chair. King Fu's palace is north of Luoyang City, near the Yellow River. According to ancient research, this place was once the place where Wu Zetian ruled in ancient times.

Because of this rumor, it has also caused a lot of turmoil. It's a pity that they were all suppressed by Emperor Wanli. However, after the Emperor of the Apocalypse ascended the throne, there were indeed a lot of brocade guards stationed near the Fuwang Mansion. They are nominally responsible for protecting the safety of King Fu, but in fact they are monitoring King Fu's activities. Fortunately, in addition to eating, drinking and having fun, King Fu has no involvement in the regime at all, and Jinyiwei has nothing to do with him at all.

Separated by a high red palace wall, the Fuwang Mansion and the whole city of Luoyang were divided into two worlds. In this small circle, it is still a worry-free world of drunken absurdity, drunkenness, and dreams. The setting sun shines on the towering yellow glazed tiles, and the shadows gradually thicken in the courtyards, and some of the painted corridors are gloomy.

A pair of copper tripods and gilded bronze lions placed on the dan pier in front of the main hall are also shrouded in shadows. In a palace courtyard near the east, the sounds of Sheng, Xiao, and pipa and sandalwood slabs were tapped, and the sound of mans was sung, and in the deep harem, there was also a faint sound of pipa, wafting in the dim twilight smoke of the palace.

In a dormitory at the back of the Fu'an Palace, Zhu Changxun, a fukugong, reclines in a chair covered with a carved gold lacquer mattress, stretches his legs forward, and rests his feet in yellow satin boots on a carved sandalwood table covered with red velvet cushions. There were two palace maids kneeling on the left and right, beating his thighs for him. The other two maidens sat on low stools on either side, each placing one of his thick arms on his lap and gently pounding it.

He was so fat, and it was clear that the slightly thin palace maid on the right had been pressed by his heavy arm for a long time, and from time to time she secretly glanced at him and frowned. His big round belly bulged high, like a cauldron used by hundreds of people to cook rice, buckled back on his body, and he was covered with a yellow robe.

A foot away at his feet, on the mat knelt a group of courtesans dressed as court maids, holding musical instruments of various colors, only one woman sat on a low stool playing the lute, and the other knelt to play the accompaniment of Dong Xiao.

King Fu closed his eyes, and most of the time he was snoring softly, sometimes suddenly snoring very loudly, but then it fell down. When the pipa was finished, King Fu also stopped snoring, opened his eyes slightly, and asked in a sleepy voice, "The bear's paws are not ripe?" ”

A eunuch standing behind him took two steps forward, bowed down and replied, "Lord Qiqi, the slave maid went to ask just now, the bear's paw is about to be stewed." ”

King Fu said unhappily: "Why don't you stew it early?" ”

The eunuch hurriedly said with trepidation: "The prince understands that it takes two hours to stew bear's paws on weekdays, but now it has been stewed for more than an hour. ”

Only then did King Fu wave his hand weakly and let the eunuch retreat.

Seeing that King Fu no longer asked about the bear's paws, and wanted to sleep again, the head of the palace maid hurriedly came over and knelt down, and asked softly, "Lord Wang, do you want the slaves and maids who play music to step down?" ”

King Fu opened his dark red eyelids that were sagging due to excessive wine, glanced at her, and said weakly: "Play a song "Autumn Moon in the Han Palace", Zheng and Pipa. ”

The prostitute who grabbed the zither adjusted ***, tried the string tone lightly, and suddenly accepted Eunuch Liu to lift the curtain and come in, bowed to King Fu and said: "Lord Qiqi, Lu Weiqi has been waiting for a long time when he enters the palace to ask for a meeting. ”

King Fu did not make a sound, and closed his eyes again. The two women who grabbed the zither and played the pipa stopped waiting because of Liu Chengfeng's eyes. After a moment of silence in the room, Liu Chengfeng took another step forward, leaned down and said, "Lord Wang, Lu Weiqi has been waiting for a long time. ”

King Fu opened his eyes half-tired, and said impatiently: "What is the matter with this old man seeing this king?" Tell him that this king is not feeling well today, and he cannot see him. No matter how big or small, tell him to come back another day. ”

Liu Chengfeng showed a slightly anxious look, and said in a low voice: "Lord, Lu Weiqi said that when he entered the palace today, he had to see the prince, and he would not be able to die in the palace without seeing the prince." ”

King Fu was very unhappy and said, "What does he have to do to see this king?" ”

Liu Chengfeng said in a low voice: "He said that whether the prince can keep the country will be seen here." He came to the palace to ask for His Royal Highness for the safety of the prince and for the life and death of the officials and gentry and the people of Luoyang. ”

King Fu took a heavy breath and said unabashedly: "The officials and gentry of the whole city of Luoyang are doing my thing!" Ah, you pound, pound, continue to pound gently. This king's country was given to me by Emperor Wanli, and I don't need his heart as an old man! Every time I say a thief, a thief, I haven't seen a thief really come in! ”

Liu Chengfeng hurriedly said, "No, Lord Wang. This time it was Zhang Zhun's soldiers and horses who came to disrupt Shandong, defeat Jianlu in Beizhili, and recently took over Zhang Zhun in Liaodong. It is said that his soldiers and horses have arrived outside the city, and they have threatened to break Luoyang. Lu Weiqi asked to see the prince for this matter, and he couldn't see it. ”

"Zhang Zhun?"

King Fu said to himself.

This Fu King, named Zhu Changxun, seems to have begun to understand that Lu Weiqi's request to see him in the palace is somewhat important, but he still doesn't want to meet him. The name Zhang Zhun was a rare impression for him, as if it had been mentioned in many evil copies. It's a pity that King Fu has never been interested in evil copying, so he doesn't have much impression. What Shandong Zhang Zhun, what Beizhili defeated Jianyu, what took over Liaodong, he completely forgot.

Actually, even if you remember, what is it? What do these things have to do with him? That's what Emperor Chongzhen should be concerned about. Who called his father to snatch his throne as emperor? Since you have become the emperor, the anti-thief thing should be your *** heart!

King Fu may be too fat recently, or he may have other problems, he always feels a lot of sleepiness, dizziness, and swelling of the muscles in his limbs, so he often needs to lie down and order four handsome palace maids to beat his arms and legs for him. Now force him to leave the dormitory neatly dressed, go to the main hall or side hall in the front yard to sit upright and accept Lu's worship, and talk to him, how uncomfortable! Look at what you can, a Zhang Zhun will scare you like this.

Subconsciously, King Fu wanted to order the prince Zhu Youxiang to meet him for him, but he heard the opera being sung in the East Palace, thinking that since he bought a group of female operas from Suzhou a few months ago, the prince was more indulged in wine every day. After thinking for a while, he said to Liu Chengfeng: "Wait a minute, take Lu Weiqi to Fu'an Hall to see me!" ”

Liu Chengfeng hurriedly agreed.

After a long time, the fat King Fu stood up with difficulty with the help of several palace maids, changed his clothes, and then was supported by two eunuchs left and right, arrived at the Fu'an Palace, and sat down on the throne. Many eunuchs stood on both sides and outside the hall. Lu Weiqi was brought into the hall and bowed. The blessed king gave him a seat, gave him tea, and then asked, "What is the matter that the gentleman has come to see this king?" ”

Lu Weiqi leaned over and said: "Shandong rebel Zhang Zhun led tens of thousands of cavalry to approach Luoyang and tried to disadvantage me. There are many hungry people in Luoyang City, and the soldiers and people have no fixed will, and the complaints are boiling, and they think about the thieves. The gentry were helpless and sat back and waited for the same end. The prince is sealed here, the original period of the country for 10,000 years, if you don't try to defend the city, the country is lost, how to regret it! How to defend the city and protect the country, the time is urgent, I hope His Royal Highness will make a decision quickly! ”

King Fu was slightly surprised, gasped and asked, "Luoyang is an important place for the feudal feudal country, do thieves dare to come and break the city?" ”

Lu Weiqi said euphemistically: "Since the thieves dare to betray the court, how can they be afraid of their relatives? In the eighth year of Chongzhen, Gao Yingxiang, Li Zicheng and other thieves broke Fengyang and burned the emperor's mausoleum, how could His Royal Highness have forgotten? This Zhang Zhun is much more powerful than Gao Yingxiang, Li Zicheng and others. ”

King Fu still didn't believe it, and said lazily: "This king is the emperor's uncle, and the thieves dare to harm this king?" ”

Lu Weiqi had no choice but to say helplessly: "Please forgive Weiqi for being outspoken. I heard that the thieves declared to the people that they would break through Luoyang and capture His Royal Highness alive. ”

King Fu shuddered and hurriedly asked, "Is this true?" ”

Lu Weiqi said affirmatively: "The roads are spreading, and even the three-foot boy in Luoyang City knows it. ”

King Fu's heart beat for a while, his breath became thicker, and he asked, "Sir is a loyal minister, what are your good ideas?" ”

Lu Weiqi said eloquently: "The palace has countless money and a mountain of grain. Today, Weiqi has no other good plan, but to ask His Royal Highness to focus on the community, scatter money to raise soldiers, and distribute food to help the people. The army is strong, the people are safe, Luoyang City can be defended, and His Royal Highness's society is as stable as Mount Tai. Otherwise...... Catastrophe is unimaginable! ”

King Fu suddenly understood in his heart that he was forced to pay for it! In the past, every time the rogue approached, someone came to ask him for money, what thief, Zhang Xianzhong thief, Li Zicheng thief, Cao *** thief...... One thief came, and another thief came. Now, Zhang Zhun is a thief again, and they still only know how to ask for money.

To ask for your own money is to cut your own flesh. For his own money, King Fu is very dead, and even the prince Zhu Youxiang can't touch it, let alone these officials in Luoyang? He glanced at Lu Weiqi with annoyance, and said coldly: "Local civil and military, it is the responsibility to defend the territory." If Luoyang is lost, the clan will die, and their group of officials who eat royal money will not survive. Even if any of them can escape the hands of thieves, they will not be able to escape the law of the land. Mr. is forcing the king to defend the city of Luoyang, isn't the responsibility of defending the city and protecting the domain on the part of the local civil and military? Since the gentleman is a loyal minister, why not urge the local civil and military to defend the city and protect the feudal domain? ”

Lu Weiqi couldn't help but stand up, raised his tone and said, "Your Highness is bad!" It is precisely because Luoyang has no money and no food and is at a loss that he pushed Weiqi into the palace to tell His Royal Highness about the benefits and disadvantages, and implored His Highness to take out a part of the money in the treasury and the grain in the warehouse to protect Luoyang and the community. If His Royal Highness is still like in previous years, and does not think about the community, how will he see the two ancestors in the ground? ”

Zhu Changxun was angry, panting angrily, and said very unhappily: "In recent years, there have been continuous floods and droughts, thieves are like hair, and the income of this domain has decreased greatly, but the expenses in the palace are still there, and I can't make ends meet, how did Mr. know!" Please help the class of guards to speak again, and exonerate them. They lost the city, lost their relatives, and have their own Ming law, so they don't need you to enter the palace to force the king to pay money and food! ”

After speaking, he motioned to the two eunuchs, lifted him up from the throne, and went to the harem panting. As for Zhang Zhun, he didn't mention it.

Lu Weiqi watched King Fu leave the Fu'an Palace in surprise and disappointment, couldn't help but sigh, paused, shed tears, and shouted in his heart: "Luoyang is finished!" ”

[7,000 words big chapter sent!] Today, a total of 23,000 words have been written, begging for ***! 】