When there were only four city lords left in the pavilion, Gonggong Zhang smiled and took out a small and beautifully decorated box from behind him, which was inlaid with several gems.

Showing the brilliance of the sunset, Gonggong Zhang opened the treasure box and said with a smile: "Your Majesty is sympathetic to the hard work of the four city lords, this is this year's Yulu, 200,000 taels of gold and silver tickets per person!" This is an increase of 20% compared to previous years, and I hope you can make persistent efforts to defend the frontier territory for the imperial court. ”

As he spoke, Gonggong Zhang handed the four stacks of silver tickets that had been divided a long time ago to the four city lords in turn. Although the sky was already gray at this time, He Shuai could still see at a glance that his stack of silver tickets was much thicker than Tang Ling next to him. He didn't think much of it, and just took it into his arms.

Later, I learned that it was said that the imperial court had allocated 200,000 taels, but in fact, it was very good to be able to get it in my hand at most 180,000 taels. Moreover, the imperial court only issued 200,000 taels, but Zhang Gonggong, as the host of this time, also had to get a share with more than 1,000 Praetorian Guards.

This is the so-called unspoken rule, but none of the four major city lords are short of money, and no one really cares about this. But Zhao Yi knew the mystery very well, and offered thousands of taels of silver in advance. He Shuai was the most of the four city lords, with a total of 230,000 taels, and the least was naturally Tang Ling, with only 170,000 taels.

Next, Gonggong Zhang told everyone about the recent policies and conditions of the imperial court, and the four city lords were bored to listen to it. After all, although the four major cities were under the control of the imperial court and were subject to the imperial court, they were independent individuals.

While enjoying various welfare benefits, they also have their own laws, political powers, and military powers, and they are similar to vassal states. Therefore, in the era when the imperial court did not experience large-scale wars, the four major cities did not show their due value at all.

After a long speech, Gonggong Zhang smiled and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, do you have any other things that need to be solved by the imperial court and share your worries?" ”

This was the critical moment, and He Shuai cheered up, touched Tang Ling's arm in private, and issued an attack order to the idiots who had already been ambushed outside the city through the gang's voice system.

Tang Ling stood up and said, "I have something to say!" ”

"Oh?" Gonggong Zhang looked at Tang Ling curiously, and asked with a smile, "City Lord Tang, what's the matter with you?" ”

Tang Ling looked at He Shuai, who nodded firmly at him.

Only then did Tang Ling muster up the courage to say, "I want to take this opportunity to regain the country and power that belong to my father, Tang Haishan, and recapture the Burning Snow City!"

After hearing this, Gonggong Zhang's face changed suddenly, and Zhou Yongjian, the city lord of Chiba City, showed a rare smile for the first time, and said: "Child, what kind of country and country, haven't you woken up yet!" Isn't Blazing Snow City originally your Tang family?! ”

Tang Ling took out the seven deadly sins of Yang Shaojun that had been prepared long ago from his sleeve and handed them to Gonggong Zhang.

The latter took a look, his face slowly darkened, and he handed it to Zhou Yongjian beside him, and after Zhou Yongjian read it, he passed it to the female city lord in Phoenix City who had never spoken.

He Shuai got up at this time, put his hands on Tang Ling's shoulders and said, "I can testify that what is written on it is true!" ”

Seeing that everyone looked incredulous, He Shuai continued: "Moreover, just a few days ago, when Tang Ling City Lord came to Piaofeng City, he was ambushed by Yang Shaohu, the younger brother of Yang Shaojun, the current general of Burning Snow City! Moreover, this Yang Shaohu once assassinated the old city lord, infiltrated the rule of our Piaofeng City, and occupied the military and political power of Piaofeng City for three years! The old city lord and Tang Ling were both vicious and auspicious, and they were not harmed! ”

Although the sound of conversation in the pavilion was very small, I saw that the two city lords suddenly stood up. The generals of the four main cities couldn't stay in the corridor, and the Burning Snow City, led by Yang Shaojun, took the lead in taking out weapons in case of contingency.

Seeing that Yang Shaojun had already taken out his weapons, the generals of the other three cities also whispered to the guards to be vigilant and ready to rescue at any time.

Father-in-law Zhang is a person who licks blood on the tip of the knife every day, and he is used to seeing open guns and hidden arrows in the deep courtyard of the palace. Your request will be respected by the imperial court, and a reasonable imperial court will definitely support it! ”

He Shuai and Tang Ling also realized the current situation, and echoed: "The imperial court doesn't say one thing and do another!" "yes, we'll just have to wait and see." With that, the two sat down again.

Seeing that the pavilion was quiet again, the guards of the four major cities slowly relaxed their nerves.

Gonggong Zhang also sat down and whispered to Zhou Yongjian on the right side, and said, "City Lord Zhou, in terms of seniority and strength here, it is none other than you in Chiba City." You see, how should this matter be handled? Yang Shaojun came with more than 100 personal guards, if he makes a move here and hurts anyone, it will be difficult for our family to go back. ”

What Gonggong Zhang is worried about is not nonsense, not to mention how the four major cities compete openly and secretly, if someone is really injured or even killed because of the poor handling of the matter. That's not a joke, the other three will definitely take advantage of this opportunity to make a big fuss, or even raise troops to commit crimes.

Zhou Yongjian looked at the four of them but smiled old-fashionedly, and said: "This matter should be handled by the Tang Ling City Lord himself, the three of us will be mixed in, and no one will appreciate it if it is handled well, if it is not handled well, won't it be infamous through the ages?" ”

Zhou Yongjian's answer was tepid, he did receive the old city lord of Piaofeng City some time ago, and he also promised to help take care of He Shuai during the banquet. However, at that time, he did not agree to such a thing.

Moreover, the chaos in Snow City is a good and harmless thing for Chiba City, which is thousands of miles away. He didn't want to spread this trip to the troubled waters, and he also had the meaning of trying to see Heshuai, the new city lord of Piaofeng City, what kind of charm could make the old city lord take a back seat.

Gonggong Zhang was dumbfounded by Zhou Yongjian, but the female city lord of Phoenix City next to him suddenly giggled.

"Winter Night City Lord, what are you laughing at?" Father-in-law Zhang asked.

The female city lord of Phoenix City is named Winter Night Rainfall, and she only heard her smile and said: "Every year, what do we four city lords gather here about? ”

"Nature is to stabilize people's hearts and be unanimous with the outside world!" Zhou Yongjian said that Chiba City and Phoenix City have always been friends, and at this time, he strongly praised the meaning of this new city lord.

"Of course, the important thing is to distribute the next year's salary! Our Piaofeng City is not as good as your other cities, and the family is big, so I can see this money. He Shuai deliberately interjected and said, he knew in his heart that there was a man in Snowy City who was leading a large team of people, and he would definitely succeed. Here, it's just an excuse to get rid of Yang Shaojun.

Tang Ling wanted to say something, but opened his mouth to say something and stopped.

Seeing that he was helping him, he was squeezed out, glared at He Shuai and said: "The reason why we gathered together is for the stability of Datang and to solve the problems of various cities!" ”

Seeing that no one objected, she continued: "Now, the life of this little Tang City Lord is threatened, how can we sit idly by? If you are afraid, I am not afraid of Phoenix, and the subordinates I brought are also heroes among the hundreds of women, and I will help with this favor! As she spoke, her veil peeled off.

He Shuai inadvertently saw the true face of the rain falling on a winter night, and was taken aback and said, "Why are you?" ”

"Why, can't it be me?" The winter night rain fell and asked with a smile.