Chapter 35: Confession

On the second day, near the time of Shen (3 o'clock in the afternoon), the three divisions of Shaanxi (Cheng Xuan Political Envoy Division, Punishment and Prosecution Division, and Du Command Envoy Division) took two slightly larger ships, and Gu Baisong, the general of Ansai, sent a small boat to lead the way, sailed to Yan'an Mansion, and disembarked at the east outside the north gate. There was originally a wharf, and now a long row of sheds has been set up nearby, and boats are in full swing, a busy scene.

The desk in the middle of the prefect's lobby was removed and replaced with a high-legged coffee table. Guan Shengyun and Luo Junshi sat left and right - Guan Shengyun took the lead, and Luo Yonghao's honorific title of "Military Division" had been called out in the army. Don't look at the difference of only one word, the status of the military division in the army is completely different from that of the master, who is in a personal subordinate relationship with the master, and the status of the military division is even faintly above the commander (such as Zhuge Liang)! Luo Shifan should have been called "Young Military Division", but most of the generals had already been called smooth, and they couldn't change it for a while, and they habitually added the word "small", which sounded more cordial. The two rows of chairs on the west side sat Gao Yougu Gong and other generals, and there were also two rows of chairs on the east side, which were empty, apparently for guests.

This scene is not what it used to be.

According to Guan Shengyun's original intention, now that the soldiers are full of food, what kind of battle should be put up, and they will give these dog officers a dismount, but they were stopped by Luo Junshi. The reason is very convincing: we are no longer wandering bandits, the dignified master should show a dignified atmosphere, the other party is a provincial delegation, and those who have seen a big battle are not the master of the nine grades, and then get those scaring things, in case people are not suppressed, it will be embarrassing.

Master Xiao Luo introduced the group, rushed to the head and hugged his fist and said: "The commander of Qiqi, the military advisor, the guests of the provincial government have arrived." Then he turned to Luo Yonghao and stood still.

Someone among the visitors stepped forward and laughed: "Handsome, Brother Luo, don't come unharmed, right?" "It's an old acquaintance who speaks, and Yulin Mansion sentences Zhou Zhizheng!

Luo Yonghao took the lead in getting up, arched his hand and replied with a smile: "Xingduan (Zhou Zhizheng's word) is good." ”

Zhou Zhizheng stretched out his hand to the side: "Handsome, Brother Luo, Zhou Mou is here to introduce you." ”

"This is Lord Zhao, the left senator of the Shaanxi political envoy!"

"This is Lord Wang, the deputy envoy of the Shaanxi Criminal Prosecution Department!"

"This is Lord Bao, the commander of the Shaanxi Metropolitan Commanding Envoy!"

"This is the lower Shangguan, Lord Xiao, the prefect of Yulin Mansion!"

……

Hearing these official positions, not only Guan Shengyun had a "buzz" in his head, but Luo Yonghao himself was also secretly surprised: they are all four-rank officials (all command servants are three-grade, but they are military positions), and I thought that the people in the provincial government were just hanging in the name of the three divisions, but I didn't expect that they were really all here! Needless to say, the weight of official positions is still very heavy, and Xiao Changhua, the prefect of Yulin!

At Luo Yonghao's signal, Guan Shengyun also stood up, and every time Zhou Zhizheng introduced one, he hurriedly hugged his fists with a black face and said: "Long Yang."

The court officials felt even more indescribably awkward in their hearts. This dog thief! Every face is the same as the guys I've seen on the execution ground and in the cage! If you encounter it in the past, I'm afraid you will lie on the ground far away and kowtow to the ground tremblingly? It's just become the climate, and I not only have to go to the den of thieves, but also pretend to be polite on the surface! With a smirk on their faces, their hands arched falsely, and they cursed in their hearts: "Death thief prisoner!" Can you afford this worship of the court officials? Sooner or later, he died unexpectedly, and his body was fed to wild dogs! As soon as I thought of this, the smiles of several people turned into smugness, and at first glance they seemed genuine.

After the greetings were over, the two sides sat down again, and someone served tea.

Not only the officials, but everyone was a little restrained and uncomfortable, and the two groups of people who were out of place suddenly gathered together, and even the generals of Gao and Gu, who were not in a proper shape on weekdays, sat uncomfortably, and no one knew how to start, and the scene was a little embarrassing for a while.

It was Luo Yonghao who took the lead in breaking the silence: "Distinguished guests, I drove seventy or eighty miles early in the morning, and it was a tiring journey. Dashuai has already arranged the guest room, you can wash up and rest first, and prepare some coarse tea and light rice in the evening, so you can talk about it tomorrow. What do you think? ”

Because of his previous dealings, Zhou Zhizheng served as the official spokesman without shirk: "Very good, very good." Thank you Guan Dashuai and Brother Luo for your kindness. As he spoke, he beat his waist half-truthfully and sighed, "Alas, for most of the day in the boat, I am not sitting or lying, to be honest, Zhou is indeed a little unbearable, haha." ”

The ancients used to go to bed early and get up early, after dinner at four or five o'clock in the afternoon, going to bed at six or seven o'clock is the general law of work and rest. Luo Shifan was about to introduce everyone into the guest room to rest, and Zhou Zhizheng said again: "Brother Luo, a few adults must have been exhausted after a long journey, so the dinner party will be skipped, just get some food, and let the adults cushion their stomachs in the guest room, and appreciate it with great enthusiasm!" After finishing speaking, he gave Luo Junshi a look.

Luo Yonghao had already expected such a situation, and replied: "It's better to be respectful than to obey your fate, ashamed." Ladies and gentlemen, please ......"

As soon as the backs of the officials disappeared, Gu Baihua was the first to jump up and said angrily: "What kind of stinky shelves are the private babies and dog officials!" When I came, I didn't talk about business, and I was embarrassed for most of the time! ”

The generals were in an uproar and cursed one after another. Luo Junshi smiled and waved his hand: "Brothers, don't be impatient. The people of the three divisions actually just represent an attitude, and their official ranks are not low, which can be regarded as showing their sincerity. They will not be directly involved in real negotiations. You have also seen that the Xiao Governor's Mansion in Yulin is also here. This matter, Luo Mou, thought that it would still fall to Yulin Mansion. ”

Gao Tengdou was a little puzzled: "What are the dog officials still doing?" Wouldn't it be nice to let the surname Xiao and the surname Zhou come to talk? ”

Guan Shengyun answered: "The military advisor is right. The surname Xiao is just a prefect of Yulin, how can he talk to us on behalf of Shaanxi Province? They came because they were afraid that we wouldn't believe the words of the surname Xiao. ”

Luo Junshi smiled: "Exactly." When they came over, Luo probably wouldn't make a clear statement, but Xiao Changhua would discuss all the details with them. After a pause, he continued, "Brothers, have you ever thought about it, half a year ago, you were still digging wild vegetables in the mountains, and Luo Mou was also planting some radish and cabbage in the courtyard of Shenmu County to make a living, a few months ago, we were happy when we got those money and grain in Yulin, and now, even the provincial government has to send a big official to discuss with us!" Why is that? ”

The generals replied with a big mouth: "The military master is powerful! ”

Even Guan Shengyun praised: "The military advisor is clever. ”

Luo Yonghao said solemnly: "Wrong! Luo Mou does have the merit of size, but if it weren't for you, Luo would still be gnawing radish in the back office of Shenmu today. The only fundamental reason for this is because the knives in our hands are hard enough! If we were soft and only knew how to kneel, would they still talk to us? All of our heads have long been hanging high above the city gate! Luo doesn't know anything about training troops and fighting wars, and it all depends on the commander and you. In the future, everyone restrains their subordinates, practices diligently, and everyone always remembers: the more powerful we are, the more they have to stutter, and the more rich everyone will be! Let's disperse and come here again tomorrow morning (7-9 o'clock). ”

The crowd responded with a bang, and the smiles dispersed. Luo Yonghao turned to Guan Shengyun and said, "Dashuai, sleep later tonight." Zhou Tongju should come to me. I'll talk to him, and we'll touch it too. ”

Guan Shengyun hugged his fists and said: "There is a military division, everything is under the orders of the military division." ”

Luo Yonghao hurriedly dodged sideways: "In the matter of the matter, the handsome must not be polite, Luo Mou does not dare to be polite." ”

While he was talking, Master Xiao Luo came back: "Dad, I led them to the guest room, and Zhou Tongju secretly told me that he wanted to talk to you at night." ”

Guan and Luo looked at each other and smiled.

Just after the unitary time, Luo Shifan introduced Zhou Zhizheng into Luo Yonghao's study, and unexpectedly, Xiao Changhua came with him. Luo Yonghao made a gesture and asked the two to sit down in the guest seats facing south and facing north, and he sat on the main seat facing west and east.

Xiao Changhua was a little embarrassed, after all, Luo Yonghao was suppressed for six or seven years under his rule. A while ago, I heard that Luo Zhi County was a thief in Yulin Mansion, and I was more annoyed and disdainful. In just a few months, a small stream of thieves has become the climate, and he knows that Luo Yonghao's planning has contributed a lot. Although the reader is certainly not as knowledgeable as the thief, he is by no means more capable of doing so. This kind of talent has been buried by himself for so long, so at this moment, I really regret it. When they met, they took the initiative from the bottom of their hearts and apologized with a red face. Luo Yonghao was very open-minded, returned the salute, and said lightly not to mention the past.

The important thing is the first, and it is a private occasion, so the three of them save too much politeness and go straight to the point.

First, because the finished and semi-finished products of hundreds of rafts were piled up near Yanshui Wharf and could not be hidden, they were looked at by the other party, and secondly, they also had to show sincerity and exert pressure at the same time, Luo Yonghao did not hide the idea of prolonging the attack. Of course, he certainly didn't say a word about the specific tactics. However, unexpectedly, Zhou Zhizheng instead tried to get to the bottom of it - it stands to reason that the two sides are friends and enemies, and the exquisite Zhou Tong's judgment shouldn't be so ignorant, right? Luo Junshi felt a little confused.

Seeing this, Xiao Changhua simply made his words clear: "Wen Guang (Luo Yonghao's words) brother is suspicious. You don't have to work so hard to beat around the bush. There are no outsiders here, Xiao directly opened the skylight and said something bright. We want to help your army! ”

These shocking words greatly surprised Luo Yonghao. I only heard Xiao Changhua continue: "Our group set off from the provincial capital in two groups. Lord Zhao of the Domain Division and Lord Bao of the Metropolitan Mansion went all the way, and arrived at the Mansion first, and explained the meaning of the Domain's Honor, and then Lord Bao went to extend. Lord Zhao took Xiao and Xingduan down to Baoan (now Zhidan County), where the deputy envoy of Zhensi was already waiting. I waited for a few days, met Master Bao who had returned from Yanchang, and went all the way south to find Brother Wen Guang. ”

Luo Yonghao's heart moved, and he dragged out his voice and said: "Lord Bao will extend ......"

Xiao Changhua interrupted Luo Yonghao's questioning: "Brother Wen Guang is not bad. Mr. Bao has already made some arrangements. Yu knew that he was fighting to the death and prepared two plans. The defense of the city wall must be done, and the stones and logs have been prepared a lot these days, and I heard that there are also oil pots and oil. Although the defenders of the wall are all Ding Zhuang, your army will inevitably lose some men and horses when they attack it. Yu prefect trained four or five hundred recruits, mainly to deploy defenses on the Yanshui River to prevent your army from going downstream. Yu Zhifu also knew that the recruits were useless and wanted to use fire to attack. Dozens of rafts were built, filled with firewood and straw, connected together with ropes, and moored at the bend of the Yanshui to hide, ready to set fire to your army when it arrived. Brother Wen Guang doesn't have to tell me about your military strategy, Xiao just told me the truth, so that Brother Wen Guang and your army are some prepared. ”

Luo Yonghao's heart was shocked when he heard this, if Yu Shengliang really arranged it like this, according to the original plan, Gu Baihua's Gangfeng Battalion would be finished!

In order to evade the long-range fire attack from the city as soon as possible, the flotilla of the Gangfeng Battalion was bound to rush down the river at full speed. The turning point of Yanshui is a blind spot in the field of vision, the river is not too wide, and if the Yanshui turns the direction of the flow, there will definitely be a lot of whirlpools on the river surface. When the water surface is blocked by the fire boat, no one who sprints with all their strength behind them will be able to hold back, and they will rush into the fire one after another! Yu Shengliang's recruits are not useful in regular engagement, but the morale of chasing and fleeing the enemy is definitely a hundred times greater...... The consequences are really unimaginable! The other side is friend or foe, but with so many big people coming to negotiate – in other words, taking themselves hostage – it is impossible to risk their lives and lie.

As soon as he thought of this, Luo Shifan left his seat and shook Xiao and Zhou Erchang to the ground: "Luo Mou first thanked Lord Xiao and Lord Zhou for the big handsome. ”

Zhou Zhizheng said with a straight face: "Brother Wen Guang, Lord Xiao is full of sincerity, and it will be easier for us to talk about other things, right?" ”

Luo Yonghao also said with a straight face: "What Brother Xingduan said is true. Luo can swear to the sky, as long as he does not violate the principles, Luo will do his best to help the two old acquaintances. ”

This knowledge point:

1. Orientation and respect: The places where the ancients entertained guests were divided into halls and rooms. The main entrance of the "hall" is on the south side, the main seat is facing south and facing north, the west (facing east) is the seat of the VIPs, and the east (facing west) is slightly inferior. The seats on the same side are honored near the north side (main seat). This is easy to remember: we usually say "thing", and the east is in front, so the east side is more respectful - this east refers to facing the east. In the same way, we also say left and right, so the left is respected. Left and right political envoys, left and right political participation, left and right servants...... All of them, the position is the same, and the left side is slightly larger. So, here's the question: "The Biography of Lian Lin" said that Lin Xiangru was "on the right side of Lian Po", so Lian Po was unhappy, and he had nothing to do to find Lin Xiangru to pick quarrels and provoke trouble, what do you say?

There are two possibilities.

A, at that time, the civil and military were not so strictly distinguished, I think it was in the court of King Zhao, and the positions of the two were in the east, so Lin Xiangru on the right was closer to King Zhao, so Lian was quite jealous.

B. It may also be on the official job list, Lin Xiangru's name is on the right. During the Warring States Period, bamboo slips and wooden slips were usually rolled into a volume, opened and written from right to left - this is also the origin of our reading and writing habits from top to bottom and right to left in ancient Chinese books: writing on bamboo strips - this can also be explained.

Note: The distinction between "east and west" and "left and right" is like this in most dynasties, except for the Qin and Han dynasties. For example, there are four types of concubines in the Qin state: the big chief, the right chief, the left chief, and the chariot chief. The chief of the great concubine is similar to the prime minister, the right chief is led by the royal minister, and the left chief is led by the non-royal minister.

General talks are held in the "hall", and if they are close to each other, or if they discuss topics that are not suitable for public discussion, they should be discussed in the "room". At the back of the hall is the room, and we have an idiom, "enter the room", which is what we say. In the room, the seat is honored in another way: the back to the west and the east is the main seat, the south and the north are the honorable guest seats, and then the back to the east and the back to the south. This habit is still practiced in some places today.

2. Etiquette: We call it the "State of Etiquette", and we are very particular about etiquette. The other party saluted, sat on the chair and waved his hand: "That's it" - this is called "receiving a salute", standing up and turning sideways: "Don't dare to be" - this is called "receiving a half-salute", facing the other party, and the giver uses the same way to return the salute, this is called "returning the salute".