The ancient city of Xiangyang is known as the thoroughfare of the seven provinces, the south ship and the north horse, extending in all directions, it is the place where the soldiers of the past dynasties must fight, there are many places of interest and historic sites, on the city wall in the southeast corner of the city, there is a high-rise building on the top of the mountain with a double-layer heavy eaves, majestic and magnificent, it is said that it is the place where the poet Wang Cang of the Han Dynasty made "Denglou Fu", the descendants rebuilt it into a building, take the word Wang Cang and name Zhongxuan Building, and Qingchuan Building, Yellow Crane Tower, Yueyang Building and call the four famous buildings of Huguang. Dragon Boat Festival, Zhongxuan upstairs, the feast is open, and the sheng song is full of ears. Xiong Wencan, the premier of the five provinces, is giving a banquet to officials. On the second floor, there are also five bays, red pine paving, Nanmu partition fan, hugging pillar carved insects, fish, flowers, birds, clouds, trees, immortals, as well as all kinds of Taoist character stories, a large screen in the center is engraved with Wang Cang's famous article "Ascending the Tower", silver hook and iron stroke, obviously from the master's handwriting. The building is in disrepair, the paint is dusty, the carvings are peeling, and there is a kind of loss and melancholy that is no longer prosperous. Xiong Wencan commanded: "Everyone is together? Tell the next head to open the table. You don't have to come up to toast, just have fun! ”

The guards shouted downward: "Lord Dutai has an order, there is a banquet downstairs!" ”

Huguang Governor Yu Yinggui had just been vacant, and the inspector Lin Mingqiu was in Gucheng and supervised Zhang Xianzhong with Zhang Dajing, the overseer of the army, and the inspectors and inspectors of other provinces were far apart, only Dai Dongmin, the governor of Yunyang, rushed to attend the meeting, and only the Chinese officials of Xiangyang City were of sufficient grade to accompany him, and the others were Zuo Liangyu, deputy generals Luo Dai, Feng Ju, and Miao Youcai. Xiong Wencan sat at the table, Dai Dongmin and Zuo Liangyu accompanied each other, and Wang Ruihan held the pot and poured wine. Wang Ruiyan said with a cup: "Jingxiang is victorious, since ancient times, commentators have taken Guanzhong as the top, Jingxiang as the second, and Jinling as the bottom. Lord Dutai commanded the male soldiers, thieves from all walks of life heard the wind and surrendered, Huguang and Henan were clear for a while, and there was no peaceful scene for many years, which is really gratifying! ”

"A lot of people say I'm playing coward!" Xiong Wencan took a drink, "Yu Futai secretly played to the emperor again and again, saying that Zhang Xianzhong's anti-heart has not been extinguished, but for more than half a year, he still doesn't stay in the ancient city obediently?" Marry a concubine and have children, and enjoy a peaceful family. Many of the subordinates also became farmers and bought fields and built houses, thinking that they would live for a long time. A few years ago, he was appeased, and he was sent home at every turn, which really cost the people and money, and put these people on the spot, which saved a lot of trouble and money. ”

Dai Dongmin took everyone to drink together, and said: "I also have the courage to appease him, this work needs to be handled very accurately, and the sage said that it is not enough, it is really a golden and jade good word that is not easy for eternity." These words are obviously in praise of Xiong Wencan, but they are said without any traces, and Wang Ruiyan and others also secretly admire it.

Xiong Wencan was extremely useful, and nodded: "This appeasement is by no means the same as before. Zhang Xianzhong was born in the army and has some knowledge. I treat him sincerely, Mr. Chen is his benefactor again, so I naturally know his details better, and with Mr. Chen's recommendation, I will not have any deception in forgiving Zhang Xianzhong. Now Zhang Xianzhong has become a frightened bird, most afraid that others will not believe him, compare his heart to his heart, and never test repeatedly, so that he is frightened and uneasy, always worried that the sword and axe are coming, and his life is not guaranteed. Where is this appeasement, is it clearly forcing him to rebel! ”

"Lord Dutai's move is not easy!" Wang Ruiyan was not willing to be resigned to future generations, and poured wine for Xiong Wencan.

"What's not easy?" Zuo Liangyu, Luo Dai and others are all reckless men, clumsy in words, and when they get up, they feel that it is not as easy as leading troops to fight and charge into battle, and they can't talk, and it's not good to bury their heads in eating and drinking.

"Zuo Zongzhen, Zhang Xianzhong is brave and tough, and it is not easy to be appeased, which is not easy. Secondly, from the soldier Yang Daren, down to the ancient city magistrate Ruan Zhitian, they all said that Zhang Xianzhong wanted to be appeased according to the city, not sincerely obedient, if he couldn't kill the thief and self-efficacy, he should think about getting rid of him as soon as possible, so as not to leave a disaster. Everyone said that they could be killed, and Lord Xiong was determined to appease him, and how many impeachments he had suffered for this was really not easy! ”

Zuo Liangyu echoed: "This is like fighting a war with soldiers, I am most afraid of inconsistent orders, if the army's heart is chaotic, the victory or defeat has been decided, and the battle does not need to be fought." ”

"It's all the emperor's sage." Xiong Wencan couldn't hide his smugness, "If it weren't for the emperor not listening to the noise of Yu Yinggui and others, where would there be such a peaceful scene?" In the end, there was a tone of boasting. Everyone sang in unison and stood up to toast.

After three rounds of wine, Xiong Wencan pushed the cup and didn't drink, got up and paced under the flower window, and looked into the distance by the railing, only to see the three major rivers of Fu, Qing and Zhang, converging here, rolling eastward, and said with emotion: "Zhongxuanlou, I have been looking up for a long time." When I came to Huguang from Guangzhou, I thought about when I would have time to climb the four famous buildings, but the thieves were not settled, and where did I have the mind to be elegant. Denzi Building looks around, chatting about leisure days to eliminate worries. Wang Zhongxuan complained, you and I are deeply favored by the emperor, and we have the court's money, so we must share the worries of the monarch's father. ”

"Zhong Xuan's articles are of course outstanding, but after all, he is just a literati and writer. When he climbed high and looked far away, the heroes of the world rose together, and half of the world was eroded in the halberd, but he couldn't make a big deal about it, and no matter how good the article was, it was just a moaning without disease, and it was of no benefit to the world. When adults re-ascend this building, it is naturally different from his Xinghui. Dai Dongmin said that Xiong Wencan's heart was full of joy, but he said humbly: "Wang Cang's climb to the stairs, eternal romance, is also worthy of admiration." Otherwise, where will there be many chanting masterpieces in future generations? ”

Wang Ruiyan continued: "I still remember that the song "Touching the Fish, Zhongxuan Lou Fu" was written very well. Leaning on the ladder, the spring is nostalgic, and the light cold turns to the letter. Jiang Chengwang is extremely sentimental, and the past is annoying. Hu Haixing, calculated together, Yuan Long raised white water and kissed. With a high test question, ask Wang Lang in the old days, according to Liu Youdi, what is the matter with anger?

Shatou Road, Xiu Ji Jiashan far and near. Bin Hong went without faith. The waves are misty and empty to dream, and the north wind outside the door is tight. The black hat is neat, and it is difficult to do it, and it is difficult to make a name for it. The knocking is not stable, and the egret flies, and the weeping poplar dances by itself, who hates with the sent. ”

"The words are full of emotion, but they don't fit in with the vision." Dai Dongmin shook his head and said: "Yuan Zhongdao has five poems of "Dengzhong Xuanlou", one of which says: 'For a long time, he will come to Zhuangyingjiang. The three cities by the water are run, and the trees are ten thousand families. Nanpu sheng is boiling, and Xiyuan is busy. The drive is good, and the wanderer is not homesick. It's like seeing Lord Xiong's great achievements with my own eyes, and the people are thinking about governance! Zhang Xianzhong is no exception. ”

Xiong Wencan stroked his beard lightly and said in a deep voice: "I think it is still the poem "Zhongxuan Tower" written by Zhang Jiangling in the previous dynasty with great courage: the first floor is majestic in this county, and the eyes are wide open. The smoke falls in the lonely mountains, and the Yangtze River skyline comes. Look for the old traces, nostalgia for the new. If you don't see the manipulator, you will return to the wind. Indeed, that bosom is extraordinary. ”

"Lord Xiong's work of leveling thieves is almost unmatched by almost no one in the dynasty, and it is not too early or late for the generals to enter the picture." Dai Dongmin glanced around at everyone, "How about we toast Lord Xiong again?" ”

Everyone shouted and echoed, and just as they took their cups, they heard a chaotic sound on the stairs, and a servant rushed up, followed by two guards anxiously and fearfully. The servant knelt down, knocked his head a few times, and said with tears: "Lord Xiong, Zhang Xianzhong is the opposite again, my lord knows that he can't escape this catastrophe, so he committed suicide by taking poison." ”

A good end of a feast was disturbed, Xiong Wencan was furious, and said: "You said that Zhang Xianzhong has rebelled, what evidence do you have?" ”

"The four gates of Gucheng are guarded by Zhang Xianzhong's people, and the villain escaped only after he fought to the death."

"Nonsense! The inspector Lin and the supervisor Dao Zhang have no news, why would you report the news from a small officer? It's clearly bewitched! ”

"The villain didn't dare to lie. Now Gucheng has been occupied by Zhang Xianzhong, and Lord Ruan's official seal has been robbed by thieves......"

"Whether Zhang Xianzhong rebelled or vented his personal anger to Ruan Zhitian, can you make it clear?"

"This ...... The villain who said the old man didn't understand. ”

Xiong Wencan snorted coldly: "Zhang Xianzhong built a house in Baishazhou, fifteen miles outside Gucheng, to buy land and plant wheat, which was originally approved by me, but Ruan Zhitian lobbied around that he had no land to defend, no people to graze, and no endowment to levy, and also wrote a letter to his former friend Fan Jingwen, the secretary of the Nanjing Military Department, to complain. Don't you think I know? He stared at the official with sharp eyes and said, "Did Zhang Xianzhong go to the county government to find Ruan Zhitian to seek revenge?" Recruit from the truth. ”

"The villain only saw the thieves tearing down the city walls, looting the granaries, releasing the prisoners, and burning the county government."

"What about Ruan Zhitian?"

"As soon as the villain saw the fire, he took advantage of the chaos and escaped, not knowing the whereabouts of Lord Ruan."

"This bastard thing, obstructing and appeasing the overall situation, if it really forces Zhang Xianzhong to rebel, more than a year of hard work will be in vain." Xiong Wencan's face was gloomy.

Zuo Liangyu got up and said: "Lord Dutai, the last general has also heard that Zhang Xianzhong has recruited outlaws in Gucheng in the past six months, built weapons, bought horses, and built a pontoon bridge over the Han River, and the traces have been revealed. It is necessary to send troops to suppress the attack, and it is necessary not to raise tigers. ”

Zuo Liangyu is a well-known general, Xiong Wencan is the most relied on, his tone softened immediately, and said with a smile: "Kunshan, this time to appease more than Zhang Xianzhong, although he has two hearts, but has not yet openly rebelled, if he sends troops to attack, it will inevitably cause the alarm of several other thieves, originally they suspected that the court appeasement is an expedient measure, the so-called Ming to appease Yin to kill, will rebel again, at that time, the smoke is everywhere, it is inevitable to take care of one and lose the other, how to explain to the emperor?" The lesser of two evils, if you can't bear it, you will make a big plan, so let's bear with it! Besides, Zhang Xianzhong and the others were born in poverty after all, and they knew the laws of the country, and the courtiers who could not be born on the right path required them to be slowly induced in order to change their evil and return to the right. In a hurry, they are in a hurry, they are desperate, what can't they do? ”

Zuo Liangyu has self-respect for his troops and many military achievements, and he looks down on those self-appointed Confucian generals in his heart, and listens to his admonition to focus on the overall situation, and retorts: "Isn't Lord Dutai afraid to blindly connive at Zhang Xianzhong, he has no fear, he does whatever he wants, and other thieves follow his example?" If they are not controlled by the adults and do not obey the orders of the court, what difference does it make if they are appeased or not? ”

"After all, the ground in Huguang is much more peaceful."

"It's just a temporary situation, and it's not a fundamental long-term solution."

Xiong Wencan smiled a little reluctantly: "Haha, Kunshan is still an acute child!" ”

"Before Zhang Xianzhong was appeased, didn't adults often say that it was necessary to create a thief to appease? Now that Zhang Xianzhong's reverses are obvious, he sent troops to attack him, so that he died of the heart of rebellion and did not dare to act boldly. ”

"Then, that's still forcing him to death!" Xiong Wencan said embarrassedly.

Dai Dongmin and Wang Ruihan played a round together: "Come on, come on, eat and drink!" Don't live up to the Dragon Boat Festival. "Ordered someone to take the Gucheng County official downstairs and take care of him.

As soon as everyone sat down, Tanma flew up and reported: "Zhang Xianzhong occupies Gucheng, Lord Lin is dead, and Lord Zhang is a thief." ”

"Why, he, he dared to kill Lord Lin?" Xiong Wencan was about to swallow a sip of wine, but it was blocked in his throat, so spicy that tears almost flowed out.

Zuo Liangyu asked for battle: "The last general is willing to lead the people to avenge Lord Lin." ”

Xiong Wencan thought of Lin Mingqiu, Zuo Liangyu and Wang Ruihan discussing the hunt and killing of Zhang Xianzhong, but now Lin Mingqiu killed Zhang Xianzhong, and sighed secretly, but there was still luck in his heart, thinking that Zhang Xianzhong was just out of personal grudges, and it was definitely not a rebellion. He hesitated: "Zhang Xianzhong relied on Gucheng, condescending, the general rashly attacked, may not make meritorious contributions, frustrate morale, it is really worth the loss, it is better to wait for him to relax and wait for the opportunity to sneak attack." ”

"Your Excellency, this is not the words of a soldier." Zuo Liangyu waved his hand and said: "The traitor is good at field warfare, but not good at defending the city. What's more, according to Fang Cai's officials, Zhang Xianzhong demolished the city wall, and there was no danger to rely on, and he didn't think about sticking to Gucheng. We took him by surprise and attacked him unprepared, besieged the valley city, cut off his food, and within two months, the thieves were bound to be in disarray, and the army was discouraged. In this way, the thieves are outnumbered, the thieves scatter and I join, the thieves slack off and I fight, the attack must be pulled, and the attack must be captured. It would be a pity if such a good opportunity was lost. ”

Xiong Wencan stopped: "The general doesn't have to worry, Zhang Xianzhong is transporting grain and grass to Fang County, he will not hold Gucheng for a long time, it is better to wait for him to leave, block the pursuit on the way to Fang County, and drink calmly to see if he has any movements." ”

Zuo Liangyu said hesitantly: "Since Lord Dutai said so, why should we take risks and fight, but the emperor blames it, not that we are cowardly and unwilling to do our best. ”

Xiong Wencan sneered and said: "That's natural, if there is any guilt, I will never shirk it." ”

In early summer, the days were long, and when it was approaching, the sun was still high, and the banquet was full, Xiong Wencan still left Zuo Liangyu and others to drink and have fun. During the period, he couldn't stop reporting it, and Luo Rucai heard that Zhang Xianzhong had made a move, and he responded to the incident in Fang County. Zhang Xianzhong burned Gucheng, retreated to Fang County, joined forces with Luo Rucai, killed Hao Jingchun and his son Mingluan, and sent a notice. Xiong Wencan had eaten seventy percent of the wine, took the notice in his hand, only glanced at it twice, and exclaimed: "Good thief!" I treat you sincerely and want to ensure that you get ahead, but you will take revenge and harm me like this! ”

Zuo Liangyu didn't know a few words, and he didn't know what was written on the notice, but when he saw Dai Dongmin take the notice and read it, his face was like earth, and he stammered: "This thief is abominable, hateful!" Unexpectedly, blood spurted from the mouth and spewed people. How have I ever seen him, and he has a penny! ”

Wang Ruihan tilted his head and scanned it, and his heart couldn't help pounding. Where is the notice, it is clearly a list of gifts and bribes. Zhang Xianzhong listed in detail the money extorted by officials at all levels, from Xiong Wencan, the military premier of the five provinces, down to the county orders and county officials, and densely wrote the names, the number of bribes, and the dates of officials in Huguang and Yunyang, and wrote them all clearly....... Wang Ruiyan didn't find his name, and secretly called it lucky, Zhang Xianzhong also sent five hundred taels of silver, but he didn't accept it, and ordered someone to bring it back. Otherwise, his name will inevitably be listed among them, and I don't know how many of these notices have been posted on Tongqu Street, how can they be hidden?

Xiong Wencan's face was pale, his hands trembled, he couldn't speak for a long time, and he wanted to slash Zhang Xianzhong with a knife, but this matter was publicized to the notice, and everyone's mouths couldn't be stopped. Xiong Wencan made up his mind, thinking that he had not listened to Zuo Liangyu's advice, and was hesitating about how to go down this step, so that Zuo Liangyu happily led the troops into the suppression, and the middle officer hurriedly came upstairs, bowed down and said, "Please go back quickly and receive the order." ”

"Has a decree arrived?" Xiong Wencan immediately stood up from his chair.

"I've arrived at the Daotai Yamen."

The Daotai Yamen is Xiong Wencan's temporary line, Qin sent it, he didn't dare to slack off, Xiong Wencan got up and said: "Everyone, follow me to receive the order!" While tidying up his clothes, he went downstairs to the sedan chair. Dai Dongmin, Wang Ruihan, Zuo Liangyu and other civil and military personnel followed closely, and they were all dressed while walking. Xiong Wencan was faintly uneasy, guessing that the holy decree must be related to the suppression of thieves, if Zhang Xianzhong's burning of Gucheng was known to the emperor, he didn't know what kind of severe punishment he would receive.

Xiong Wencan rushed to Xingyuan, and a eunuch with a yellow burden was already waiting outside the gate. Xiong Wencan hurriedly ordered people to set up incense cases in the lobby, and knelt down in two lines with the Wenwu to receive the holy decree. The eunuch held the yellow burden, passed through the instrument gate, walked into the hall proudly, and said to everyone with a sharp voice: "Xiong Wencan and Zuo Liangyu listen to the order, and the rest of the civil and military officials retreat!" ”

After the civil and military forces withdrew, the eunuch opened the yellow satin bag and took out a vermilion lacquer painted gold plate dragon box, which contained a yellow silk dark dragon envelope, and the edict was placed tightly in the envelope. He unhurriedly took out the edict and read it aloud:

Fengtian carried the emperor's edict and said: The thieves have brought disaster to the country, ten years have been in the country, all surnames have been ruined, and the mausoleum is shocked. Whoever is my courtier, who does not cut his teeth! God has the virtue of a good life, and the people are all bright and pure, and I am very compassionate. I have already issued an edict and earnestly admonished those who have the heart to repent and return to obedience, and they will be allowed to reform themselves. However, the thief's first dedication to the ancestral tomb should not be pardoned. Xiong Wencan couldn't lean on his sacred heart, and he was bent on appeasing, so he allowed him to support the army in the city and ask the officials for a reward, which was very deceitful. dismissed Xiong Wencan from the post of prime minister, and made meritorious service to redeem himself. Chin this! ”

After the edict was read, Xiong Wencan kowtowed to thank him, and only stood up for a long time, took the edict with trembling hands, put it on the incense table, greeted the eunuch who passed the edict, and ordered to prepare a banquet in the flower hall. I ate with Zuo Liangyu, it was getting late, I settled down and sent the eunuch to rest, and asked Zuo Liangyu to go to the study to discuss the matter, and ordered no one to disturb. As soon as he entered the study, Xiong Wencan threw himself to the ground and begged: "Kunshan save me!" ”

Zuo Liangyu was caught off guard, stretched out his hand to grab it, and pretended to be puzzled: "Lord Dutai, why did you make this great gift?" I can't afford it! ”

"Kunshan, don't pretend to be confused. If you bear to stand by and watch, I will die to thank the saints. ”

"What will the governor do?"

"I'm no longer a governor, so don't call me that. If you are willing to help me, we will be called brothers, and we will call me brother. Brother begs you to lead the troops to pursue Zhang Xianzhong, you must be annihilated with one blow, so that my brother can give an explanation to the emperor. Now, my brother doesn't ask for any official position, he just wants to be able to get out of his body, return to his hometown, and enjoy the rest of his life. ”

Zuo Liangyu sneered: "In Zhongxuanlou, I asked you to fight and attack Gucheng, but you did everything possible to block it. Now it's too late to chase after you. Just now I received a letter that Zhang Xianzhong had calmly transported the ordnance, grain and grass to Fang County, left Gucheng, and hid in the mountains. The opportunity has been lost, and it is difficult to obey it. ”

"Kunshan, I am confident that you will not be thin. When I first came to Huguang, the 2,000 firearms army under my command was not tolerated by you, and I immediately sent them back to Guangdong. You can't bear to watch me escort Tiqi back to Beijing and behead Xishi? Xiong Wencan was disappointed.

"It's not that I don't want to share my worries and contribute, but I really have more than enough to do. Sun Ziyun: The husband is a topographer, and the soldier is also helped. Expect the enemy to win, calculate the danger from far and near, and the way of the general. Those who know this and use war will win, and those who do not know this and use war will lose. The thieves live in impermanence, wandering around, Zhang Xianzhong guarded according to the valley city, but he was in a hurry to move grain and grass, and did not care about the gains and losses of a city, he knew in his heart that the valley city was not in danger, so he demolished the city wall, afraid of being captured by the official army. At that time, if troops were sent to besiege it, the thieves were not good at defending the city, Zhang Xianzhong would definitely take care of one thing and lose the other, and flee to Fang County. Set up an ambush on the way, and you will surely win a great victory. Now that he has run into the deep mountains and dense forests, he is in danger, not to mention the pursuit, even if it is difficult to find his shadow, how to fight? Besides, even if you can find it, you may not be able to win the battle. If the soldiers are lost, they can only increase the guilt by one degree, and I am afraid that it will not be of any benefit to the governor. ”

"You don't want to help?"

"The situation is not tolerated."