The surrender ceremony was held on the 25th day of the seventh month of the 46th year of the Republic. For Wuyang City, from this day on, the nineteenth year of Daqi Tongxin, which had to be placed in the first place, was removed and renamed the 346th year of the Sunflower Dynasty. Because there is exactly a difference of three hundred years, the first to start cheering are the young students in the school, because they no longer need to deliberately remember the Great Qi era name that is twenty-seven years apart, and for the general public, there is nothing unacceptable, because everything is no different from before. It's just that in the ruling government of Wuyang City, a mutation that is no less than a stormy sea has begun.

The first wave began with the suicide of Ju Xinlian, the head of the Ministry of Officials, on the evening of 25 July.

Among the directors of the five departments of Wuyangcheng, Ju Xinlian's qualifications are not old, but his belief in the republic is the firmest. Wuyangcheng's claim to the Great Qi Empire had already made him angry, and now it had become the overseas domain of these blonde and blue-eyed Sunflower Empires, which made him even more unbearable. He almost had a seizure at the surrender ceremony, but he also knew that there was no benefit in the seizure, and it was just a humiliation for Wuyangcheng, so he bowed and groveled on the Molong in Paley, and when he returned home, he put on the uniform of the director of the Ministry of Officials, wrote a long suicide note that night and committed suicide by taking poison. In this suicide note, the ruling government of Wuyangcheng scolded them for only knowing their own glory and wealth, and completely lost their integrity.

"Heaven and earth have righteousness, but only one of the soldiers dies. Honest and honest, willing to whip first, in order to tell the former sages of the republic underground. The soul returns, in order to see the family state. ”

Ju Xinlian's suicide note is written loudly, especially the last two sentences, which were originally the funeral songs of the imperial army of the previous dynasty. At the beginning of the republic, this funeral song was banned, and later no one sang it, and the song was changed to a miscellaneous song, but there are still many elderly people who remember this song. Although the ruling government ordered the news to be blocked soon after the family reported the death of Ju Xinlian, the suicide note was still copied by someone and spread all over the city in just a few days. It is said that when many old people read the last few sentences, they wept for it, and some of them were full of emotion and even cried.

This incident is actually not a big deal, but it caught Du Hulun a little off guard. Du Hulun did not expect that such high-ranking officials as Ju Xinlian would not hesitate to die to sacrifice their faith. He originally thought that with the power of Yu Peili's fleet, it would be enough to suppress any changes in Wuyang City, but with people like Ju Xinlian, the hearts of the people of Wuyang City had begun to show signs of instability. Once it really breaks out, the aftermath is unimaginable.

What to do? Du Hulun couldn't help but feel a little dazed. Although he learned the language of the place and understood the terroir, he was still unaware of the people. If this kind of thing is not handled properly, I am afraid that it will turn into a riot. Admiral Eupelly now has the utmost to collect as much money as possible, so there must be no chaos at this time.

Perhaps, this matter should be suppressed with the threat of torture?

Just as Du Hulun was pondering, the voice of the attendant Taubert sounded outside the door: "Lord Huron, the chief of Wuyang City asks to see you." ”

Du Xiulun was stunned, and only then did he save the "Director Wang of Wuyang City" referring to Wang Toqing, the director of the Ministry of Rites who had met when he first came. After receiving the first letter, this person asked his clerk Jin Qiufan to negotiate to show his disdain, but at the surrender ceremony last time, there was no pomp and circumstance at all, and he bowed to the ground very respectfully, and this time he used the word "ask to see", so naturally he didn't put on a score. Du Hulun said: "Then invite him in." ”

When Wang Zhiqing came in, Du Xiulun didn't stand up, but just nodded and said, "Lord Wang." Wang Toeqing was not a little unhappy, bowed deeply, and said, "Lord Du, Wang Toeqing is polite." ”

Du Xiulun really had the intention of humiliating him a little in his heart, but seeing that Wang Toe Qing was so condescending, he was not too arrogant, and nodded again: "Lord Wang is good." I don't know if Lord Wang is here, what advice do you have? ”

Although he has let go of his heart to humiliate Wang Toqing, he is still quite unkind to be born with arrogance. It's just that Wang Toe Qing didn't realize it, and bowed deeply and said: "Lord Du, there has been a lot of discussion about the death of the Lord in the city recently. ”

Du Xiulun didn't expect Wang Toe Qing to say what was on his mind, and he couldn't help but be stunned, and unconsciously slowed down and said, "Lord Wang, do you have any good ideas to settle this matter?" ”

"I'm not talented, but I don't know what Master Du's plans are?"

Duhuron hesitated. He really didn't want to let out his thoughts, so he muttered for a while: "Admiral Yu Peili wants me to do my best to calm down the people's opinions, so that all the people can live and work in peace and contentment, and they will remain the same, so those who dare to criticize should be punished with heavy punishment." What does Lord Wang think? ”

This kind of response was not unexpected, but he also knew that although Yu Peili's fleet had defeated the Five Amniotic Water Army with the Flying Dragon Army, it was still unable to suppress the entire city. If such a high pressure fails to achieve the expected effect, it will become a trend of setting himself on fire, even if Admiral Yu Peli finally uses the Flying Dragon Army to forcibly suppress it, but once the people's hearts are lost, it will be difficult to take it back. The plan of the Three Holy Emperors was to obtain a rich Wuyang City and make it a bridgehead for the Sunflower Dynasty to gain a foothold in the Central Plains, rather than a dilapidated and useless ruined city, so he had always been unsure of the determination to suppress it with high pressure. It's just that although he can't decide, he still speaks, wanting to see what Wang Toeqing says.

As soon as Du Hulun finished speaking, Wang Toe Qing stroked his palm and said, "Master Du Mingjian!" In troubled times, the ancients of the Central Plains have this clear statement, and Lord Du's eyes are like electricity! ”

Du Hulun was stunned. He originally thought that Wang Toeqing would definitely ask Huairou to hear if he said that Huairou's strategy was feasible, but he didn't expect that Wang Toeqing would agree to strong suppression. In this way, he was not easy to talk about, and said, "Does Lord Wang think so too? ”

Wang Toqing nodded and said, "The law is heavy, and it is the tiger and wolf medicine to cure chaos. Although it should not be used lightly, it must be used in an emergency. Lord Du, Wuyangcheng has received the grace of the Sunflower King, accepted as an overseas leader, and should love the people like children, and must not be tolerated and connived, so that the night is small and jumping. ”

Du Hulun listened to Wang Toeqing's words very impassionedly, thinking that if others didn't know their identity and only listened to this remark, they would probably think that this Wang Toeqing was Yu Peili's general. However, he also knew that every time he conquered a place, the first thing to do was to quell the chaos as quickly as possible, so that the place could be on the right track and provide a base for the Sunflower King's army. Wuyang City is the most prosperous place they have conquered along the way, especially the army is quite powerful, if it weren't for Admiral Yu Peli who has that flying dragon army, I am afraid that the victory or defeat is still unknown. As a high-ranking local official, Wang Toqing, even though he put up a lot of shelves at the beginning, but now he can cooperate so much, it can be seen that he is still a person who understands the times. Du Hulun also raised his interest and asked: "It's just that the people's hearts have not been completely calmed yet, and now what will happen if the people are stimulated by re-enactment?" ”

Wang Toqing said: "It's too much, so according to Toeqing's opinion, there should be a two-pronged approach at the moment, with equal emphasis on grace and power." Those who disturb the people's hearts with their tongues should be punished with serious crimes, and at the same time, they should set a mark for the people to show the benevolence of the Sunflower King. ”

The more he listened, the more he listened. Both soft and hard, grace and power, this hand is also what he has used along the way. But the small nations they had conquered before, some of them were almost barbaric, but they were shocked to see Admiral Yupelly's fleet arrive and fire a cannon, as if they were gods. And then add some gentle means, those small countries and widows are all happy and convinced, and they are very easy to govern. However, because Wuyang City is more prosperous than Sunflower King, the people of Wuyang City cannot be deterred by firing one or two cannons, so Admiral Yu Peili also had to dispatch the Flying Dragon Army. But the Flying Dragon Army is not something that can be used casually, and Du Hulun really hasn't heard how to pay equal attention to this city. Hearing Wang Toqing's words, he scratched the itch in his heart, and he said, "What is the best plan for Lord Wang?" ”

Although Duhuron was quite arrogant, he also had the advantage of being good, otherwise Admiral Yupeli would not have entrusted him with such a heavy responsibility. Compared with just now, he was already quite polite to Wang Toe Qing at this time. Of course, Wang Zhiqing also noticed the change in Du Hulun's attitude, and took out a scroll from his arms and said: "Lord Du, Toe Qing has written an article to clarify this matter, please take a look at it." ”

When Du Hulun saw him take out the scroll, he couldn't help but feel a little bitter in his heart. Although he is a generalist, he only speaks fluently and writes quite ordinarily. If the writing is very sloppy, I am afraid that he will not be able to understand it. But when I took it and opened it, I saw that the text was written in a correct manner, and it was very easy to recognize. And if you look at it roughly, the writing is also very plain and completely understandable.

The document is not very long, and it is divided into eight sections. These eight paragraphs are all very practical contents, and the third of them is about the disposal of Ju Xinlian. Wang Toqing said that because the people of Wuyang City have always respected loyal and filial piety, Ju Xinlian can vigorously commend their loyalty. In this way, the shock caused by this incident to the people of the city can be calmed, and secondly, it can also take the opportunity to establish the legitimacy of the Sunflower King, because in this way, if the dissidents want to oppose the Sunflower King, they will have to oppose Ju Xinlian as well. The other few articles, such as appeasing the thirteen lines and raising the salaries of the former personnel of the ruling government, are basically good ways to avoid the important and light, Du Hulun read it again, looked back at it again, and sighed: "Lord Wang, these eight articles of yours are really timely rain." ”

Wang Toqing said: "Don't dare, please consider it." In short, if there is any use to get the toe green, the toe green will never give up. ”

Now Du Hulun was already impressed by Wang Toqing, and said: "Lord Wang, please wait outside for a while, and then I will read these eight paragraphs carefully, and then come to ask for advice." ”

It is extremely rare to say the word "ask for advice" from Du Hulun's mouth. Wang Toeqing's face did not change, and he gave a deep salute and said: "Toe Qing doesn't dare." What is the use of Lord Du's toes, the toes are blue, the liver and brain are smeared, and he will not hesitate. ”

His face was as serious as if he had been brushed with a layer of paste, but he secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

Du Hulun struggled to govern Wuyang City, which Wang Toqing could see clearly. Compared with Wang Toeqing, who has served in Wuyang City for half his life, although Du Hulun, who has just arrived, has the incomparably powerful Yu Peili fleet as a backstage, it is really difficult to pacify Wuyang City. However, it is precisely because of this that Wang Toe Qing found his golden opportunity.

Although he is already the first director of the Ministry of Rites among the five ministries, he is only one of the directors of the five ministries. If he wanted to climb to the position of a great ruler, Wang Toqing knew more than 20 years ago that it was impossible. As long as the north is still pressing this Great Qi Empire, the position of the Great Command of Wuyangcheng can only be a puppet like Chen Qianxin who does not understand world affairs, and he will never be born with a delicate heart. It's just that this iron law is about to be broken today. Therefore, in Ju Xinlian's view, it is a humiliating surrender instrument, but in Wang Toqing's view, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He also knew that when Du Hulun first came to play the book, he was angry at the unscrupulous words in the book and was quite rude to him, which was the wrong first move. It is precisely because the first move is wrong that the number of next moves must be correct, and there must be no more mistakes. He didn't make a move at first, and he didn't have to wait until the public discussion aroused by Ju Xinlian's matter became more and more turbulent, and he calculated that Du Hulun was in a hurry to make a move. These eight are the experience he gained after many years of ups and downs in the sea, and if they are targeted, they will be able to achieve immediate results. As long as Du Hulun is not as ignorant of world affairs as Chen Qianxin, he will definitely be able to see the value of it.

Sure enough, he didn't wait long in the outhouse, when he heard the door open again, and Du Hulun came out with a spring breeze on his face, and said loudly: "Lord Wang." Although he hadn't heard what Du Hulun said, when he saw him like this, Wang Toe Qing knew that he had expected it, and these eight articles must have won Du Hulun's heart.

Although the first step is wrong, the second step is to win back even the principal and interest.

Wang Toe Qing thought secretly. He stood up and said respectfully, "Lord Du." But there was a poisonous water in his heart, and he secretly thought: "Zheng Sichu, your time of death has come." ”

At the moment when Wang Toe Qing saw Du Hulun in person, Zheng Sichu naturally didn't expect that this director of the Ministry of Rites would have such a bitter hatred for himself. He sat by the window on the second floor of a tavern in the south of the city, sipping a glass while looking at the harbor in the distance. Although the flag hanging in the harbor, the Imperial flag, has been replaced by a sunflower flag, the others are almost completely the same, and they are still like clouds. Because the ban on Fushou Paste that has just been implemented has been abolished, and even the monopoly law has become invalid, and now the Fushou Paste Shops in Wuyang City have intensified, even more than at the peak. Because there are so many more shops at once, and the supply of goods is also unimpeded, the price of Fushou Paste has dropped by two percent, so now the happiest are those addicts and the business of Fushou Paste shopkeepers who have improved several times at once, and the port is more lively than before. It's just that for Zheng Sichu, his heart is indescribably sour.

He had never expected that the flame of the republic, which he had decided to give up everything and protect all his life, would be on the verge of extinguishing without warning. It's just that reality is reality, and when he saw the sudden Sunflower Dynasty fleet overwhelmingly destroying the Five Amniotic Water Army, Zheng Sichu's heart was filled with despair for the first time. He joined the army as a young man, went to the battlefield many times, and fought a lot of defeats, but he always retained a momentum of refusing to admit defeat after losing battles in the past. However, when he saw the Sunflower King Army destroy the Five Amniotic Water Army that day, he felt despair for the first time.

Even Xuan Minglei couldn't seize the slightest chance to win, could it be that the Sunflower King Army was invincible? Although Zheng Sichu had thought of no less than ten countermeasures that day, but in the end, he still had to admit that these countermeasures were useless, and for now, the Sunflower King Army was indeed invincible. Although he has a stubborn temperament, he is also very flexible. is willing to gamble and lose, since it really can't be beaten, then there is only one way to surrender. Fighting to the death, anyone will be crushed to pieces, and this kind of perseverance can win the praise of others, but it is useless. Last time he had already made such a choice, and this time he still made such a decision.

Retain as much strength as you can, try to find an opportunity, and then strike the fatal blow. That day, when Xuanming Lei fled ashore without reluctance, Zheng Sichu also saw that Xuanming Lei had the intention of committing suicide and martyrdom, so he advised him in this way.

It's easy to die, but it's hard to live. This sentence is actually Zheng Sichu's deep heart over the years. At the cost of his future and reputation, he finally kept the only remaining fire in the republic of Wuyang City, and now although it is more difficult than that time, he also needs to endure it more and more. Xuan Minglei was unusually at the surrender ceremony, and he did not hesitate to flatter Du Hulun, which was persuaded by Zheng Sichu. And their purpose is to gather the last strength of the Wuyang Army to seize the Fuxing and go to sea.

The Five Amniotic Water Army, which was proud of the world in the past, has basically been destroyed, but there are still many soldiers who are unwilling to be slaves. Because Xuan Minglei gained Du Hulun's trust, he was very free, but he also took the opportunity to contact many old departments, including Tan Wantong, Cui Wangxiang, and Ye Zilai. If you want to fight against the Sunflower King Army with the Fuxing, it is naturally impossible, but the Fuxing was originally an ocean-going warship, once it goes to sea, it will be high in the sky and let the birds fly, and the sea is wide with the fish jumping, no matter how powerful the Sunflower King Army's flying dragon army is, it is impossible to chase and kill the Fuxing in the vast sea. And once you gain a foothold overseas, you can contact all forces, and even Fu Yanshu, a senior brother who regards himself as an enemy, will work together to launch a counterattack against Wuyang City.

If the fire is not extinguished, it will one day become a prairie fire. That day, Xuan Minglei listened to Zheng Sichu's advice that completely dispelled the idea of suicide. These days, he has been secretly arranging, taking advantage of the death of Ju Xinlian to make a big fuss and stir up public opinion, and it is also he who let the deputy general Zhao Xicheng secretly add fuel to the fire. This day was August 2, and what he discussed with Zheng Sichu was the August 3 operation, and today was the last meeting. It's just that Zheng Sichu waited for a long time, but still didn't see Xuan Minglei appear in this restaurant.

Could it be that something is wrong?

Zheng Sichu took another shallow sip of wine. This wine is very light, and Zheng Sichu has a lot of wine, but he is extremely self-disciplined, even if this kind of light wine is only a sip. was a little anxious, but he heard someone behind him whispering, "Brother Xie." ”

This is exactly what he negotiated with Xuan Minglei. Zheng Sichu has not appeared in public for more than 20 years, although he is infamous, there are few people who recognize him, but Xuan Minglei, as the deputy marshal of Wuyangcheng, has a beard, which is extremely powerful and very conspicuous, so it is better to discuss whether to be commensurate with his real name, Zheng Sichu's surname is "Xie", and Xuan Minglei's surname is "Shen". Hearing the sound of Xuan Minglei sounding behind him, Zheng Sichu's heart finally let go, turned his head and said: "Brother Shen......" It's just that he hasn't finished a sentence, but he was stunned, if it weren't for the fact that the wine in his mouth had been swallowed, he was afraid that it would all be squirted out.