Chapter 424: Night attack on Jinling, enter the city and then enter the hall!

Inside the garrison office.

Everyone looked at Yang Zongqi in surprise, who was furious and threatened to burn the accounts of various departments and offices in Nanjing.

Several people looked at each other.

But he was not willing to respond to Yang Zongqi's words, or he dared not to pay any attention to them.

Burning debt?

Only someone who's been kicked in the head by a donkey would come up with such an idea.

Yang Zongqi, who was full of anger, looked at everyone's reactions and suddenly smiled.

He spread his hands and said with a smile: "I'm sorry to make you laugh. We are officials in the court, how can we really do such a treasonous thing. Although we have disputes with Yan Shaoting, it's just a difference in political views."

When these words came out of Yang Zongqi's mouth, everyone in the hall breathed a sigh of relief.

I was afraid that Yang Zongqi would really do what he said and burn the accounts.

Seeing that everyone's expressions relaxed.

Yang Zongqi sighed again: "But the current situation is like this, if it continues for a long time, I am afraid it will become more and more disadvantageous to us. If I meet Yan Shaoting in person in a few days and he tells me about this, I am afraid that even if we have all our strength, it will be difficult to change the situation."

After finishing speaking.

Yang Zongqi sat down with a sneer on his face, holding the teacup that had already gone cold in his hand.

My suggestion to burn the debt just now was not an angry remark.

However, the people present all have their own thoughts, so it is probably difficult for such a thing to come to fruition.

but.

Now I can't deal with this problem by myself. I need to work with these people to figure out how to solve it.

otherwise.

Now that I have said it, it is inevitable that I will not really do it.

By then, everyone present tonight will be held accountable.

On the other hand, everyone present was looking at Yang Zongqi who was sitting down.

I was also angry.

Yang Zongqi, the Nanjing Governor-General and Minister of Grain Reserves, spared no effort to tie up everyone present tonight.

But they couldn't hide even if they wanted to.

Otherwise, Yang Zong would be so angry that he would burn the accounts. If they knew about it tonight but did not report it, they would be considered as accomplices.

Chen Hong narrowed his eyes and looked at Yang Zongqi who tied everyone together, cursing in his heart.

But he had a smile on his face: "Governor Yang, please don't make jokes like this in the future. Although Yan Shaoting may enter the city in a few days, we can't lose our composure right now. Aren't you all gathered here tonight just to discuss this matter?"

Done.

Chen Hong, the eunuch guarding Nanjing, glanced at the teacup beside him and asked the clerk outside to replace it with hot tea.

Afterwards, he leisurely held the teacup, his eyelids drooped, and sat watching the officials from the six ministries and five temples in Nanjing to discuss a proper solution.

Xu Pengju, the Nanjing governor, Duke of Wei, and Duke of Caoba, who was sitting opposite Chen Hong, looked up at Chen Hong, who had already closed his eyes to rest, and then looked at the people who had already started to discuss but could not come to a conclusion.

He coughed lightly.

After everyone present gradually quieted down and turned to look at him.

Xu Pengju smiled and clasped his hands together, saying, "Now, I've thought about this matter over and over again. Yan Shaoting is just using the White Lotus Sect's assassination attempt on him in Matou Town, Huai'an Prefecture as an excuse. What does the Ministry of Justice have to say about this matter? Should we send a letter to the Jiangnan area to purge these rebels?"

The Minister of Justice Zhao Dayou, who was named by the Duke of Casu, suddenly started coughing.

Under the gaze of everyone, Zhao Dayou, who is over 50 years old, looked pale.

After a coughing fit.

Zhao Dayou spoke with a weak tone, "The rebels committed crimes in broad daylight. This is against the imperial court and disregards the law. The Ministry of Justice must send a letter to the local authorities to strictly investigate the rebels, arrest and eliminate the rebels, and restore peace to the people."

Xu Pengju nodded, then showed a fierce look on his face: "In that case, let's investigate thoroughly. We must eliminate those traitors in the next few days and chop them all off at Caishikou!"

Zhao Dayou coughed a few more times, then looked up at Xu Pengju: "What do you mean, Duke?"

Although the death penalty must be reported to the capital and decided by the emperor and the cabinet.

However, once the White Lotus rebels were arrested, the Nanjing Ministry of Justice could decide to execute them first.

Everyone looked puzzled.

I don't know why this idiot Duke suddenly became so murderous and threatened to kill someone tonight.

Even Li Tingzhu and Cao Wenbing looked curiously at the person staying behind in their own yamen.

Xu Pengju faced everyone's gaze.

He naturally knew that his reputation as a idiot was already known to everyone in the city.

But so what?
Could the imperial court take away the title of Duke of Wei from the Xu family?

Xu Pengju showed a ruthless look on his face, and swung his hand like a knife to chop in the air: "He Yan Shaoting said that the White Lotus rebels in Jiangnan are rampant, so he wants to rectify the military affairs in Nanjing and build the Qingjiangpu Station. Then let's kill all the White Lotus rebels in Jiangnan first, and kill them all. Then what reason will he have to do these things!"

Hearing this explanation.

Everyone was stunned for a while, and they didn't know whether to laugh or cry in their hearts. They believed more and more in the reputation of that stupid Duke.

What a fool!
Zhao Dayou coughed violently for a while, and after a while, he pressed his chest and shook his head, saying, "My Lord, it will only take three or two days for Yan Shaoting to enter the city. Even if the Ministry of Justice takes action immediately, how can they arrest the White Lotus rebels in Jiangnan in these three or two days?"

Xu Pengju snorted coldly, "Everyone knows that the White Lotus rebels usually hide in the countryside and secretly encourage the people to believe them. Let's not talk about the rebels in various places in Jiangnan. Let's post a notice in Yingtian Prefecture tomorrow morning and give enough rewards to let the people report the rebels. All the officers and soldiers inside and outside the city will also go out of the camp to cooperate with the government to arrest the reported thieves. I don't believe that with such a large reward, dozens of rebels can't be caught!"

In the hall, Xu Pengju's words were murderous and thought-provoking.

Several people looked at each other, and then looked at Xu Pengju with some surprise.

If you think about it, this is a good idea.

At least in the matter of apprehending the White Lotus rebels, the incentive of huge rewards of gold and silver will surely be very effective.

This idiot isn't really just a idiot.

Yang Zongqi frowned and asked, "This method of arresting the White Lotus thief is probably feasible. But even if we do this, what if Yan Shaoting is still a strong leader? What should we do?"

Hear the words.

Everyone nodded silently.

The key now is to stop Yan Shaoting from serving as the commander in Nanjing and to investigate the population, household registration, and financial and taxation accounts of the six provinces in the south of the Yangtze River.

Xu Pengju is also a bachelor.

He shrugged and leaned back in his chair.

"I am a warrior after all, and I can only come up with this method. You are all masters of classics and great talents in the court. I am afraid I can only rely on you for the rest of the matter."

Yang Zongqi glanced at Xu Pengju and snorted in his heart.

At this time, you, Xu Pengju, are no longer a fool. You are probably the smartest person in this room.

Seeing that Xu Pengju was so shameless and single, everyone fell silent again.

Chen Hong glanced at everyone present and sighed silently in his heart.

He suddenly thought that he might as well write a letter and return to Beijing to request a transfer to another place, away from the troubled city of Nanjing.

But after much thought, I decided to welcome Yan Shaoting into the city first.

Chen Hong snorted and looked at the night outside.

He chuckled and said, "Everyone, it's late at night, and I think everyone is hungry and cold. Why not ask the kitchen in the government office to serve some meat and warm up a pot of wine. After eating and drinking, whether or not we can come up with a solution, we have to go home and rest. Tomorrow, the affairs of several provinces in the south of the Yangtze River are still waiting for you to make plans."

Speaking of eating and drinking.

Xu Pengju immediately raised his eyebrows, stood up and walked out the door.

He just waved his hand and started giving orders loudly.

"Go and call the cook."

"You can't lack meat and vegetables, and you need to bring more jars of wine!"

After shouting, Xu Pengju turned around and walked in again with a smile: "After all, the emperor doesn't lack hungry soldiers. Yan Shaoting is still three hundred miles away from us. Even if we travel light and ride fast, it will take a day and a night to get there. We can't starve because of him!"

These words did ease everyone's tense mood.

After all, even if a disaster were to happen, it would only happen in a few days.

We can't be so scared that we lose our appetite just because of a young man who hasn't arrived yet.

Then those of them who have been in the court for more than ten years have really lost all their composure.

For a while.

When everyone started discussing again, they seemed more casual and relaxed.

Although no definite conclusion was reached in the end, the atmosphere was not as tense as before.

Let me explain this in two ways.

One day ago.

Just before Yan Shaoting entered Changying Warehouse, he gave orders to Wang Ting and Li Youzi, and soon after he hastily ended his inspection of Changying Warehouse.

It was just the beginning of spring, and it was the time when there was not enough food to eat during the autumn.

There wasn't much grain stored in Changying Warehouse to begin with, so it was impossible to get a glimpse of the grand occasion.

As for checking the accounts of Changying Warehouse, it is not a one-day job.

After Yan Shaoting left Changying Warehouse, he returned to Matou Town Water Posthouse accompanied by Wang Ting and Li Youzi.

Everyone had lunch at the water station.

Naturally, there was another table full of big fish from Hongze Lake.

In addition, there were some wading game hunted by Zhu Qi, Liu Wan and others at the lakeside.

During the dinner, Yan Shaoting did not mention a single word about his plan to check the population, household registration, and financial and taxation accounts of the six provinces in the south of the Yangtze River, let alone the plan to put Huai'an Prefecture in the forefront.

He only drank and chatted with Wang Ting and Li Youzi.

Zhu Qi and Liu Wan were also there to accompany him.

After just a few sips, Wang Ting and Li Youzi were already dizzy from drinking.

Wait until sunset.

The two of them woke up from their respective rooms.

When the two walked out of the house and met each other, they realized something was wrong.

Yan Shaoting and his entourage were all missing in the Shuiyi Posthouse!

The two of them suddenly became anxious.

He quickly called someone forward to ask what had happened.

The officer didn't know the details, so he told the truth.

It is said that Governor Yan saw Wang Ting and Li Youzi drunk, but he had to go to Nanjing to take up his post and could not stay in Huai'an for long. He did not say goodbye in person and could only apologize next time.

If you keep it, it will be very neat.

But Wang Ting and Li Youzi were completely dumbfounded.

What does it mean to go to Nanjing to take up the post? I can’t stay in Huai’an for long.

Then what is the meaning of Yan Shaoting staying in Huai'an these days?

The two looked at each other and instantly understood Yan Shaoting's plan.

He was planning to attack Nanjing City and catch the officials of various departments and yamen in Nanjing City off guard!
But by the time the two of them reacted, it was already too late.

It was expected that Yan Shaoting was already rushing to Nanjing at this moment, so even if the two of them sent people to catch up with him, it would probably be too late.

The two men were helpless and finally ordered someone to send the letter to Nanjing by express horse. However, they rushed back to Huai'an City with anger and anxiety in their hearts.

Every other day.

Also from Huai'an Prefecture, Li Youzi delivered three letters to Nanjing City that night.

Southeast of the city.

The Qinhuai River and the moat connect the Dongshui Pass to the Yangtze River.

Yan Shaoting, accompanied by Zhu Qi and Liu Wan, stood at the bow of a civilian ship.

Qi Dazhu had already taken his men with official certificates, ivory plates, and imperial decrees to look for the officers and soldiers guarding Dongshui Pass.

Not long after.

The water gate opened.

The small boat slowly entered the city and docked at the Dongshuiguan Wharf.

On the dock.

Qi Dazhu, who came in first, was leading his men to keep a close eye on the officers and soldiers at the water gate to prevent them from sneaking away and informing the public.

Yan Shaoting jumped from the boat to the dock and glanced at Zhu Qi.

Zhu Qi understood and immediately took out a bulging purse from his arms and threw it into the hands of the old man at the bow.

"Thank you very much, old man, for rowing the boat across the river late at night and taking us into the city. This money will be considered as the crossing fee. But you have to stay at Dongshuiguan tonight."

The old man rowing the boat just squeezed his purse and his eyes lit up.

The whole bag is full of small change!
He immediately bowed and thanked him repeatedly with gratitude, then tied the boat to the dock and curled up in the awning to rest.

Yan Shaoting, who got on the dock, looked around in the night.

“This is the city of Nanjing.”

There was some emotion in his voice.

Yan Shaoting could never have imagined that this was the first time he went out of Beijing to take up his post in Nanjing, and he would enter the city in this way.

The officers and soldiers of Dongshuiguan nearby, after knowing the identities of the people in front of them, were all panic-stricken and trembling, fearing that they would be implicated in the fight.

He walked up to the officers and soldiers.

"Let me ask you, is there any movement in the various government offices in the city today?"

The officers and soldiers knelt on the ground one after another.

A leading officer looked up in panic and began to explain hesitantly.

"Reply...Report to the superior..."

"Before leaving the yamen today, I heard that the masters of various departments went to the yamen..."

"We are guarding the Dongshui Pass by the Dazhong Bridge. We have not seen the master return home. I think... I think he is still guarding the White Tiger Hall in the government office."

I have a general grasp of the current situation in the city.

Yan Shaoting nodded in satisfaction and then waved to Qi Dazhu.

Qi Dazhu immediately took these people to a house nearby.

The officers and soldiers were suddenly in a panic, fearing that they would be silenced.

But when they entered the house, they realized that they were just tied up by this group of high-ranking officials from the capital.

It is probably to prevent them from leaking information secretly.

As long as you are still alive, it's enough.

And outside.

Yan Shaoting turned around and looked at Zhu Qi.

"Since we have already entered the city of Nanjing."

"Then why not go to the White Tiger Hall of the garrison office?"

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(End of this chapter)