On March 25, Kaifeng was under the city.

Xu Ping gathered the loudest group of people in the army and asked them to shout to the city in unison, expressing their willingness to exchange a stone of grain for a city citizen. Although the exercises were practiced many times in advance, and the effect was good, Xu Ping was worried that the impact was not big enough, and he also shot hundreds of feather arrows into the city, each arrow carrying a letter, asking the defenders of the city: Who has no family and friends, does the defense of the city have to feed on people? When he swallowed the flesh and blood of the people of Kaifeng, didn't he think that his relatives might also be eaten by others?

In the letter, he even asked Gao Mingheng, the governor of Henan, by name: Even if it is the duty of a courtier to be loyal to the monarch and serve the country, isn't it the duty of an official to protect the people? Gao Mingheng thinks that the army is a thief who kills people without blinking, and now although the army is surrounded by Kaifeng, they do not want to have a miserable scene of running out of food, is it possible that Governor Gao still wants to kill the people in the city and eat the people!

Jia Minghe did not agree to cannibalism. However, the governor of Henan, Yamen, did not consult Jia Minghe before making this decision, and he could not be asked by a military attaché. Gao Mingheng assured him that the new army would be provided with food, not human flesh. Under these circumstances, Jamin Kawachi's sense of responsibility for the army overwhelmed his sympathy for the people, and he intended to turn a blind eye to the impending tragedy.

Many officials held similar views to Jia Minghe, and after reluctantly persuading themselves to accept the proposal of King Zhou and Gao Mingheng, they invariably shifted the blame to the intruders outside the city: "It's not that we want to eat people, it's the thieves who force us to eat people, so it's not us who eat people, but the thieves who eat people." ”

The premise of cannibalism is that there will be no mercy for the invading army, and since these people are going to die at the hands of the intruding army anyway, it is better to eat them to protect more people. Now Xu Ping's proposal has undermined the cornerstone of this theory and awakened the remaining conscience of these officials, and this trace of conscience is the turning point that Xu Ping is looking forward to, if all the officials in Kaifeng City completely exterminate humanity, then Xu Ping has no way to prevent the tragedy in the city.

"I have never heard of such a thing since ancient times, and the besieging people can still provide food to the city with kindness? Even Gu Zhiren will not do it. The officials in Kaifeng City felt that Xu Ping's proposal was really incredible, and no one wanted to admit that the thieves were benevolent, and they were unwilling to accept the fact that the thieves loved the people more than themselves.

But all the officials have their own relatives, and they do not have such a special status as King Zhou or Gao Mingheng. The officials' brains are still very flexible: "Even if the thieves are hypocritical and give us some food, don't give it in vain anyway, let's accept this offer." ”

King Zhou and Gao Mingheng opposed the proposal to exchange grain for people, among which King Zhou was the most resolute, and he insisted that he would never deal with the army. There is a lot of grain, wine and meat in the treasury of the Zhou Palace, so naturally there is no need to eat people, and no one will dare to eat the people of the Zhou Palace. Gao Mingheng also doesn't need to eat people or worry about his family being eaten, but Gao Mingheng pointed out that this is likely to be a vicious trick to confuse the army and the people.

Morally speaking, the officials and the army were not only protecting the city of Kaifeng, but also protecting the people in the city. However, King Zhou and Gao Mingheng felt that they were definitely not on the list of forgiveness for breaking into the army, and they did not want to see the people enjoy the right to live.

Gao Mingheng's opposition was very pale, if the army had not put forward the proposal of exchanging food for people, it would be fine, and now Gao Mingheng could not categorically refuse, and he was unwilling to confront the remaining conscience of all his colleagues around him.

Only King Zhou was left resolutely opposed.

However, the suggestion of the army soon spread throughout the streets and alleys of Kaifeng, not only the people in the city, but also the defenders and officials, and the commander of the Shanlan camp also suggested that King Zhou and Gao Mingheng accept Xu Ping's proposal. When he heard that there was a possibility of mutiny in the army, King Zhou's iron-solid heart finally began to waver, and he angrily announced in public: "Okay, but you can't exchange one stone for one person, you have to exchange one person for ten stones of grain." ”

King Zhou's words changed the faces of the officials involved in the discussion. In fact, the officials all know in their hearts that they have hijacked the people of the whole city to their chariots, and they do not hesitate to use the lives of tens of millions of people as bargaining chips for their gambling, but why did the king of Zhou say it so blatantly, isn't this a clear idea of taking the common people as hostages and making deals with thieves outside the city......

After the others left, Gao Mingheng said with a bitter face: "King, we want ten stones is too much, the thief will definitely not agree, and the people below will also think that we are insincere." ”

"It's a ploy." King Zhou coughed and lowered his voice: "The widow thinks that as long as the thief is willing to give two stones of grain for one person, it will be fine." One person is about the same as a stone of grain, and we can't take advantage of anything. ”

"Yes, ask for the price all over the sky, and pay it back on the spot." Gao Mingheng nodded again and again: "The king clearly sees thousands of miles, so the next official will go and talk to Xu Thief." ”

Gao Mingheng was just about to go out, and King Zhou shouted: "Wait, come back, come back." ”

Gao Mingheng hurriedly leaned over and asked, "What else does the king command?" ”

"If the thief really doesn't agree, it's not impossible to kill one stone." King Zhou frowned, showing a thoughtful look: "The widow thought about it, a half-old child or a thin old man, it is better to have a stone of grain to withstand eating." In short, you have to be careful about it, my lord. ”

"The lower officials understand, the lower officials understand." Gao Mingheng was convinced, nodded and withdrew.

Gao Mingheng wrapped himself tightly in his armor, walked up to the city tower under the heavy protection of the army, and motioned to the standard camp guards around him to shout to the city. More than a dozen standard battalion guards stepped forward side by side and shouted in unison: "Listen to the thieves on the other side! Your Excellency, Mr. Governor of Henan, I have something to say to your leader. ”

When the Kaifeng defenders saw Gao Mingheng appear on the city tower, they immediately speculated that the governor might have agreed to the proposal to exchange people for food. After hearing the shouts of the guards of the standard camp, the soldiers of the Bianjun army and Ding Zhuang on the city tower, on the city walls on both sides, and in the fortress immediately shouted long live. This cry of excitement reached Kaifeng City, and the people were ecstatic, and every family was tormented to death for several days, and they were unwilling to hand over any of their relatives to the government.

The soldiers under the city suddenly parted a road on both sides, and Xu Ping jumped forward on his horse and ran in the direction of the city tower. The soldiers shouted in unison, brandished their weapons and cheered at Xu Ping, expressing their loyalty and respect to him with all their might.

Xu Ping still wore a felt hat on his head and a tight-fitting coarse cloth combat uniform. He ran until he was within range of the bow and arrows under the castle tower before he fixed his mount, turned sideways and waved his hand behind his back, and the thunderous intruders suddenly became silent. Xu Ping looked at the Kaifeng City Tower, and shouted energetically: "Under Xu Ping, please ask Governor Gao to come out and talk." ”

Hearing that it was Xu Ping who ran over, the soldiers of the Bianjun army rushed to the wall, pushing each other to see this big leader of the army who shook Henan. The scheming Gao Mingheng was quite displeased, and ordered the guards of the standard battalion to shout to the intruding army: "The governor of Henan deigned to come to see you and others, why did he lie and deceive him? ”

Xu Ping looked up at the tall city tower and shouted: "It's Xu Ping below, it's definitely not a bully." ”

After a while, another inquiry came: "Are you really Xu Ping?" ”

Xu Ping assured for the third time: "It is indeed Xu Ping below." ”

A head that was tightly hidden under the helmet flashed out after the wall chopped, and the helmet stared at Xu Ping for a moment, and then quickly retracted. At this time, the city wall was already full of human heads, Xu Ping smiled slightly, untied the rope of his hat, took off the hat, and let the Bianjun in the city take a closer look.

Liu Gang and the brothers on the wall were crowded together, and he looked down at Xu Ping under the city, with extremely complicated feelings. The governor of Henan repeatedly warned the whole city that this famous anti-thief leader, a murderer and villain who raped and plundered all kinds of evil, once he broke through Kaifeng, he would snatch people's wives and sisters, kill them and their elders, but for now, this villain was Liu Gang's only hope.

After Gao Mingheng retreated to safety from the city wall, he immediately discussed with the surrounding staff, because he didn't expect Xu Ping to dare to run over by himself in advance, so he didn't think about arranging archer snipers, and now the temporary arrangement is afraid that the other party will see the flaw. And no matter whether the shot is shot or not, it will anger the intruder army so that it will not be able to bargain, and if it is not good, it will cause the defenders to mutiny, and no one in Gao Mingheng's staff will dare to take this responsibility. Gao Mingheng couldn't believe that the young man below was really Xu Ping, and he decided to let the people who had seen Xu Ping distinguish the fake: "Please Jia Shuai and General Wei." ”

After the destruction of Puguanshui's army, the Shanlan battalion knew very well that it was impossible for a new army to relieve Kaifeng in a short period of time, so in order to reduce consumption, they abandoned the fortress outside the city and retreated into the city. Hearing that the governor of Henan was invited, Jia Minghe and Wei Landu immediately rushed to the city tower. Jia Minghe glanced down and immediately said, "This is Xu Ping." ”

Wei Landu stared for a long time before turning to Gao Mingheng to confirm: "Lord Governor, it is indeed Xu Ping, that's right." ”

"How can you see so far away?" Gao Mingheng was very dissatisfied with Jia Minghe's sloppiness.

Jia Minghe said angrily: "Then please open the door to the governor, and the last general will walk over and take a good look." ”

"How can I open the door?" Gao Mingheng first reprimanded, then thought about it and then instructed left and right: "Prepare the hanging basket and let Jia Shuai go down and take a good look." ”

When preparing the hanging basket, Gao Mingheng came to Jia Minghe and Wei Landu, and whispered: "Jia Shuai went to tell Na Xu Ping that if he abandoned the darkness and turned to the light, this official will definitely be rewarded." ”

"The governor clearly sees that the last general thinks that Xu Ping will not surrender."

"Not necessarily!" Gao Mingheng shook his head disappreciatively, disdainful of Jia Minghe's words: "This official thinks that it is very unreasonable for him to run to the city in a big way, and there must be something strange in it. There is no harm in General Jia's words, if Xu Ping is moved, won't the siege of Kaifeng be solved? ”

At this time, the soldiers of the Bianjun army on the surrounding city wall were talking about Xu Ping in twos and threes, and the rumors were constantly exaggerated:

"I heard that this Xu Ping turned out to be Huang Hou's proud disciple!"

"Then how did you throw yourself into the army?"

"No one knows about this."

……

"Some people say that when Xu Ping was in the new army, he got the true biography of Huang!"

"Of course, otherwise how could they be so powerful, even Jia Shuai and they are not opponents."

……

These discussions were sent to the ears of Jia Minghe and Gao Mingheng by the wind, and Governor Gao said angrily: "Huang Hou's disciples have caused such a big disaster, and the saint will not pursue Huang Hou's hard work, and now that Kaifeng is so critical, is Jia Shuai still unwilling to contribute?" ”

Jia Minghe sighed and arched his hand: "Since the governor has an order, the last general will obey the order." ”

"With Lao Jia handsome, the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in Kaifeng City are all in the hands of the general today." Gao Mingheng immediately changed his face, and after saying this, he hurriedly beckoned left and right: "Quickly take Jia Shuai down." ”

When Jia Minghe walked to the wall, Gao Mingheng rolled his eyes and saw a few flintlock musketeers of the new army, so he instructed them: "Wait a while, listen to the orders of this official, if Xu Ping goes back on his word, you will come forward and shoot him." ”

After a while, a standard battalion guard by the city wall reported: "Jia Shuai has landed safely. ”

Gao Mingheng turned his head to look at Wei Landu, stroked his beard and said with a smile: "With Jia Shuai's qualifications and prestige, then Xu Ping must be very admired, right?" He shook his head and said: "Since Jia Shuai knows his righteousness and recalls the past, Xu Thief must be ashamed, maybe he will accept Zhao'an." ”

Seeing Wei Landu nodding silently, Gao Mingheng stroked his long beard more and more proudly: "If you can say that Xu Ping surrendered, it is really a miracle." ”

"It's hard." Wei Landu shook his head and said: "Jia Shuai's righteous brother, General Pu, died at the hands of Xu Ping in the first month. Jia Shuai and Xu Ping have not met much. ”

"Why didn't you say it earlier?" Gao Mingheng was anxious when he heard it. After asking a few words briefly, and after learning that Wei Landu had led the troops with Xu Ping, Gao Mingheng hurriedly shouted: "Quick, quick, hang General Wei down too." ”

Xu Ping waited under the city tower for a long time, and was very puzzled when he saw the defenders taking a person down with a basket. After seeing the person clearly, Xu Ping hurriedly rolled the saddle and dismounted, walked a few steps and arched his hand: "Lord Jia." ”

"Xu ...... General Xu. Jia Minghe grimaced.

"I don't know what Master Jia has to say."

"The Governor sent Ben to see if you were real, and then start negotiations."

"Can we talk now?"

"yes, that's fine."

After Jia Minghe finished speaking, he stood in place without saying a word, and at this time, Wei Landu was put down on the city tower again. Wei Landu walked quickly towards the two, Jia Minghe shook his head slightly at Wei Landu, Wei Landu showed hesitation when he saw this, and Xu Ping saw the actions of both of them. At this time, Wei Landu had already walked in front of him, hugged his fists and said, "Keqin." ”

"General Wei, I don't have this number anymore, just call me Xu Ping."

"General Xu," Wei Landu stared into Xu Ping's eyes and said regretfully, "I really wronged you that day." ”

Jia Minghe coughed loudly, and unabashedly expressed to Wei Landu that he was unwilling to carry out any persuasion, if it was in his heart, Jia Minghe would like to slaughter Xu Ping with a knife, but now hacking him to death means that the negotiations have broken down, which is no different from killing the people of the city with his own hands, seeing this, Wei Landu naturally closed his mouth.

Xu Ping asked bluntly: "There is no need to mention the past. In the end, do you agree to exchange people for food? ”

When Jia Minghe heard this, he immediately turned around and shouted at the city tower: "Lord Governor, do we agree to exchange food or not?" ”

Gao Mingheng stomped his feet and scolded in a low voice: "It's really useless." ”

The guard went to the wall according to the governor's order and shouted: "If one person changes ten stones of grain, His Royal Highness the King of Zhou can grant it!" ”

The soldiers of the Bianjun army on the city wall suddenly made a loud noise, and many people shouted angrily: "If you deliberately refuse to change food, it is better to say it directly." ”

Jia Minghe turned half of his body, as if he didn't care at all, looking down at the tips of his military boots, and secretly complained in his heart why Wei Landu wanted to go down to the city, with the current distance, Jia Minghe felt that he still had a chance to kill Xu Ping's guards before they caught up. It's just that he is first worried that there may be negotiations in the future, and second, if the two generals of the new army die together, the Shanlan camp may be leaderless.

And Wei Landu's face turned pale, and he looked at Xu Ping worriedly, Kaifeng City had reached the last moment, and no one dared to say whether cannibalism would cause the defenders to mutiny; Although all the armies were on guard, in the event of a mutiny, the invading army would be outside the city, which would be extremely dangerous.

After listening, Xu Ping nodded, raised his head and shouted back to the city head of Kaifeng: "I have agreed, please ask the governor of Henan to arrange an exchange as soon as possible." ”

Jia Minghe and Wei Landu both looked at Xu Ping, and seeing that his expression did not seem to be fake, Wei Landu's heart was relieved, if this exchange was made, the situation in Kaifeng City would be greatly alleviated, and it would be possible to hold out for a few more months, and maybe he would be able to get the new army to train a few more battalions to relieve Kaifeng. And when Jia Minghe heard such conditions, Xu Ping agreed, and the killing intent in his heart also paused, and he didn't keep estimating the distance like when he first went down the city.

There was silence on the tower for a moment, and after a while the shouting rang out again: "We are talking about ten stones, not one." ”

Xu Ping replied: "I heard clearly, it's ten stones, ten of twenty-five-ten." ”

Jia Minghe coughed lightly and beckoned Wei Landu and said, "I'm going back, can you go?" ”

There was another voice on the city tower: "It's one person for ten stones." ”

Xu Ping laughed: "That's right, I agreed." ”

Hearing the governor of Henan so wordy, Wei Landu couldn't wait to have a crack in the ground to get into, Jia Minghe sighed, turned around and shouted to the city: "Xu Ping, he heard clearly, he knew that it was ten stones, and he agreed." ”

"There must be a deception in this matter! That Xu Ping is not a fool. Gao Mingheng on the city tower shouted categorically, and the surrounding staff hurriedly made a thoughtful expression, thinking about where the deception was, but everyone could tell what the hell the hell was going on in the camp.

Xu Ping, Jia Minghe, and Wei Landu waited under the city for a long time, and the voice finally came from the city again: "His Royal Highness the King of Zhou has given permission." ”

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