Chapter 380: The Storm of the Jianghuai (7)

"I will never agree to put down my weapons and lose my army. Our Chu family is a lamb that can be slaughtered. No! The old master will never allow you to do this!" Chu Tianlei waved his arms desperately regardless of the arrow wounds on his body, and roared loudly in the courtyard, trying to rush into the head of his family's house. Several young Chu family disciples hugged him desperately and prevented him from rushing into the house.

Chu Jinglei had just arrived from Jiangyang County and learned that in the face of the strong oppression of Zhang Huan's army, the Chu family meeting had voted to accept Zhang Huan's conditions. He was shocked and angry. He knew that once Zhang Huan's conditions were accepted, it would mean the demise of the Chu family's decades of foundation.

"Master, you ask me to lead my troops to fight. I would rather die in battle to meet my hometown than live in humiliation like this. Brother, please let me lead my troops there!"

Chu Jinglei's roar echoed over the Chu Mansion, and many Chu family members couldn't help but come to the head of the family's courtyard. At this time, Chu Gui, the oldest elder of the Chu family, walked up to him and tried hard to persuade him: "Zhenglei, everyone agreed to let the head of the family decide on this matter, which is related to the life and death of the Chu family. Don't let the head of the family make it difficult for you."

"Uncle Gui, I'm not willing to give up!" Chu Jinglei pounced on the ground, smashed his fist to the ground, and burst into tears. The arrow wound on his back had burst out and blood stained his clothes red.

Chu Gui panicked and quickly pointed at the Chu family's children beside him and cursed: "Do you want him to die? Why don't you carry him to see a doctor?"

More than a dozen Chu family members rushed forward, lifted Chu Jinglei who was crying and scolding and ran outward. As Chu Jinglei went away, the yard became quiet again. Chu Gui glanced at the closed door, he sighed, shook his head and left.

In the room, Chu Xingshui and Chu Xingyun brothers sat opposite each other, as if they were unaware of Chu Jinglei's crying outside. It was already to this point today. Any resistance would cause the Chu family to be destroyed. Chu Jinglei's stubbornness would not be ignored. Chu Xingshui was the same. The news that Zhang Huan's army had arrived thirty miles away was like a heavy mountain, which made him breathless. Chu Xingshui seemed to have grown ten years old overnight. The conditions proposed by Zhang Huan were too harsh. It fell from the seven major families in the world into dust overnight. The army could not save it. He had already known this, but the wealth and power of the Chu family also disappeared, which made him unable to accept emotionally. At first, he was in pain, but after several days of thinking, Chu Xingshui slowly realized something.

He stared at the map in front of him and decided on the details of the final surrender. Among Zhang Huan's several conditions, the warehouse in Danyang County had been occupied by the Longyou Army, and there was no point in discussing it. The key was that Zhang Huan promised to go upland for 10,000 hectares of land, and they needed to determine the specific place.

"Jinshan Field Village in Jiangning is close to the Yangtze River and has a huge wharf. This must be left behind. The two fields in Jiangdu County and Baoying County are Chujia Yongye Fields, and they cannot be lost."

Chu Xingshui used a red pen to circle the three fields on the map. He calculated silently in his mind that it was already 8,000 acres, and there were still 2,000 acres. The yield per mu of Wangtang farm in Wujun was extremely high, which was exactly 2,000 acres. The Bayu farm in Shengze Town was also 2,000 acres. Not only was it high yield but it also had a lake surface. He wanted both fields, but it was really difficult to make decisions.

"Brother, otherwise I'll talk to him again, at least I can leave more land like the Cui family."

Chu Xingyun whispered carefully: "After all, our Chu family is his uncle. If you talk about it carefully, maybe there is still room for recovery."

"No need to say anything."

Chu Xingshui sighed a long sigh. He drew a circle on the Bayutian Village and smiled bitterly: "It is precisely because our Chu family is his uncle that he will attack us. If he cleans up the Chu family, it is equivalent to announcing to the world his determination to abolish the aristocratic family. Even his uncle is not sympathetic. Which aristocratic family can escape his palm? I have figured it out these days, but he has left room for our Chu family."

"Leave room for nothing!" Chu Xingyun was stunned. He didn't understand what the eldest brother meant. He could not see where the room was in such harsh conditions?

Chu Xingshui nodded and said, "It's because we have room for room. Although we only have ten thousand hectares of land, we can truly own it. Unlike the Cui family, he was forced to accept it. With his determination to destroy the aristocratic family, how could he tolerate aristocratic family that retains 100,000 hectares of land? So the Cui family will sooner or later be defeated by the 100,000 hectares of land. This is one; secondly, we have left ten shops for us, but we did not specify which ten ones it was. This is equivalent to giving the decision to our Chu family. To put it bluntly, when confiscating the Chu family shops, he was just giving the attitude to the officials and businessmen all over the world, but the most interesting thing is to be named the governor of Yuzhang. If I guess correctly, he is actually protecting our Chu family."

Chu Xingyun was confused and asked anxiously: "Brother, why should I say it clearly? Why is it to protect our Chu family?"

Chu Xingshui smiled slightly, and he stroked his long beard without rushing and said: "Can't you see it? Pei You and Cui Zuo, this is just a compromise he made to get ahead, and it will never be his real power structure. If I guess correctly, within a few years, the power layout of the Tang Dynasty will definitely be reshuffled. He appointed me to Yuzhang as the governor in order to keep me away from the storm of power."

"Then we......"

"Then we can fully agree to his conditions. This afternoon, I will lead the team to hand over the power to him."

Chu Xingshui walked slowly to the window with his hands behind his back. He stared at the northern sky and couldn't help but mutter to himself: "Get sick, I won't believe it even if I die. Will you really be so cruel to deal with your uncle?"

In the afternoon, Chu Xingshui personally led a dozen elders of the Chu family to Shaobo Town. Halfway through the way, he saw the flags in front of him covered with sky and like a huge dark cloud floating quickly towards him. When about half a mile away from Chu Xingshui and his group, the army on the opposite side stopped. An officer rushed forward and asked, "Is the person coming here? Is the Secretary of Chu?"

Chu Xingshui nodded slightly and said in a deep voice: "I am Chu Xingshui."

"Please ask the Secretary of Chu to come with me, and my governor is here to welcome the Secretary of the Republic."

Chu Xingshui turned over and got off the horse. He pulled off his outer robe, naked, and quickly met him, walking to the front of the team, "Puzzle!" and knelt down. He whispered: "Criminal Chu Xingshui, apologize to Your Highness the Superintendent!"

The team suddenly sounded loud trumpets, and a row of flags separated like a wave. A group of cavalry surrounded Zhang Huan and ran out of the team. Zhang Huan looked at Chu Xingshui in a complicated mood. He sighed secretly. He turned over and dismounted from a distance, strode towards Chu Xingshui, walked closer and hurriedly helped Chu Xingshui up, untied his battle robe and put it on him. Then he whispered: "Please don't worry, Zhang Huan knows it."

A 'Uncle' made Chu Xingshui' completely relieved his heart, hanging in the air. It seemed that his inference was not wrong. He secretly patted Zhang Huan's back of his hand, and a hint of shame appeared in his eyes. "The crime minister used his family to fight against the court is a serious crime. It is a blessing for my Chu family to not punish him more severely. I don't need to say anything more. My Chu family still has 16,000 remaining soldiers, and now they are handed over to the Superintendent. My Chu family also accepts all the conditions proposed by His Highness unconditionally."

After saying that, he waved his hand, Chu Xingyun behind him handed a wooden box made of red sandalwood to Zhang Huan with both hands and said, "This is the military talisman of our Chu family, as well as the distribution map of the land and shops. Please check it out."

A personal soldier stepped forward to take the wooden box, opened it and checked it, then raised it over his head, "Please check it out."

Zhang Huan glanced at the wooden box with a stack of documents and a tiger talisman carved from white jade. He nodded and said sincerely to Chu Xingshui: "I have no choice but to send troops south. The Tang Dynasty can only have national soldiers, not family soldiers, otherwise thousands of Cui Qinggongs will emerge. Please forgive me, Secretary Chu!"

At this moment, Chu Xingshui suddenly felt an unprecedented relief. The moment he handed over the military talisman, it meant that the seven major families of the Tang Dynasty had finally completed the road to support troops, and it also meant that the Chu family was dominating the southeast. With the flags like clouds and swords and guns, there was a little dazed in front of him. He seemed to have returned to the past. More than thirty years ago, his father also announced loudly to the first 8,000 Chu family army that the Chu family was to restore the Tang Dynasty and expel the rebellion. The past was vivid in his mind, and his father's passionate voice seemed to still echo in his ears. Now, all of this has disappeared and has faded away with the wind.

He said to Zhang Huan sadly: "I am tired, so you can arrange the rest!"

He turned slowly and walked towards Jiangdu City with staggering steps. The dark clouds drooped, the strong wind blew across the banner, making a sound of rushing. Between the empty world, Chu Xingshui's lonely figure gradually faded away, and a famous Jianghuai family who was once prominent also withdrew from the front for power.

At dusk, 80,000 Longyou Army arrived in Jiangdu City. The 16,000 remaining Chu family troops guarding Jiangdu had all put down their weapons and lined up outside the city to wait for reorganization. Zhang Huan ordered Wang Siyu to accept the surrendered army, and he himself entered Jiangdu City under the protection of the 3,000 Iron Guards. As soon as he entered the city gate, dozens of Guangling local officials came to greet him.

Although he had not seen each other for eight years, Zhang Huan still recognized the head official as his former close friend Zhao Yan. He had worked hard for many years and his temples were slightly gray. Zhao Yan also saw Zhang Huan. When the two of them looked at each other, they all smiled with a knowing smile.

"Guangling County Chief, Acting Governor Zhao Yan led Guangling County officials to welcome His Highness the Superintendent!" Dozens of officials also bowed and bowed together, "Welcome His Highness the Superintendent."

Zhang Huan smiled and bowed to everyone, saying, "Please give up on your gifts. Jiangdu City can maintain stability, relying on your efforts. I am very grateful. After I return to Chang'an, I will definitely inform the Ministry of Personnel and add a good deed to you in this year's assessment to express my recognition."

The promotion of officials in the Tang Dynasty had a strict evaluation system. Each year, each official evaluated himself, listed the merits and people's expectations for this year, and then reviewed by the Ministry of Personnel's Examination Department. Officials of the merit examination department will listen to opinions from all parties, and mainly look at his actual performance and the evaluation of the people. They generally correspond to the specific evaluation standards such as "Four Goods" and "Twenty-Seven Most". Finally, they are rated as nine levels, including the highest, the upper and lower, and are used as the basis for their promotion. Moreover, the evaluation standards are extremely strict. It is rare for Zhao Yan to be rated as the highest every year. Generally speaking, most officials can be rated as the upper and lower.

When they heard that Zhang Huan had added 'One Good' to each of them, the officials were overjoyed and bowed to thank him: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your support. We are willing to do our best to serve the court."

Zhang Huan waved his hand and smiled slightly, "From today, my army will take over Guangling's defense. I hope you will supervise military discipline. If any soldier harasses the people, you can immediately tie the army and deal with it with military laws. You will never tolerate it. It is already dusk now, so you all go home! I will listen to your report tomorrow morning."

Although the officials were determined to welcome Zhang Huan, Zhang Huan's identity was there. Who dared to speak out? Everyone looked at each other and had no choice but to disperse helplessly.

Not to mention Zhang Huan's enthusiasm for visiting the number one commercial city of the Tang Dynasty, let alone Zhao Yan left and went back to the mansion. In order to stabilize the situation in Guangling County these days, he has done everything himself and is really exhausted. Now that Zhang Huan's army has controlled Guangling, his mission has been completed smoothly, and it's time to have a good sleep.

But as soon as he entered the house, his wife Lin Qiaoqiao came up and asked anxiously, "How is it, is he willing to come?"

Zhao Yan was stunned, and then he remembered that his wife had repeatedly told him in the morning to invite Zhang Huan to come to the house for a meal tonight. At that time, he was anxious to go out and responded randomly. Unexpectedly, his wife really took this matter to heart.

Zhao Yan smiled bitterly and said, "Do you still take it seriously? How could he come to our house for dinner? To put it bluntly, he is actually His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. How can we afford him? I didn't say this."

Lin Qiaoqiao was busy all day and cooked a few side dishes in person. She was waiting for Zhang Huan to come to talk to him about her sister's marriage. Unexpectedly, her husband didn't mention this at all, and undoubtedly poured a basin of cold water on her head. Her pretty face sank, "So what about the emperor? How many poor relatives do the emperor have? I don't believe that he will forget his roots when he becomes the emperor. If you dare not speak, I'll go and invite him. My father is his master and he died in battle for him. I don't believe that he doesn't even give me this face."

As he said that, Lin Qiaoqiao put on a scarf and was about to leave. Zhao Yan hurriedly stepped forward to stop her and said, "It's already night now, how can you, a woman, go to find him? Alas! If it spreads out, wouldn't it ruin my reputation?"

"What do you mean!" Lin Qiaoqiao raised her eyebrows and glared at her husband and said, "Are you saying that I was ill-behaved when I went to find him? I, Lin Qiaoqiao, was that kind of woman?"

She grabbed her husband's ear and pinched her desperately: "I have married you for so many years and gave birth to a son for you. You still don't believe me. I really didn't realize that you are such a little man. Look at me strangling you to death!"

Lin Qiaoqiao's sharp nail fingers pinched into Zhao Yan's ears. He grinned in pain. The two maids next to him were so scared that they slipped out of the room and closed the door. Zhao Yan finally escaped from his wife's claws. He rubbed his purple ears and apologized to his wife repeatedly, "Don't calm down! I don't mean that, of course I believe in you, but people's words are terrifying, we have to be careful!"

Seeing that her husband's ears were really pinched, Lin Qiaoqiao felt a little regretful, so she stepped forward and rubbed them for him, apologized: "I hate you for not asking him, it's not that you really blamed you. I really have something important to find Shibalang."

His wife's comfort suddenly calmed Zhao Yan's dissatisfaction. He took Qiaoqiao's hand and sat down and said, "Let's go tomorrow! I will definitely invite him to have a meal when I report my work tomorrow, but what's the important thing for you to ask him?"

"What else can I do when I look for him? Isn't it just for Pingping!" Lin Qiaoqiao sighed and said, "Pingping has been waiting for him for more than ten years and has become an old girl. If he refuses to marry Pingping, say it earlier. I can find a way to find a family for Pingping, but don't let my sister be alone for the rest of her life. To be honest, I really don't want Pingping to marry him. She has been used to being free since she was a child. How could she bear the lonely life of the palace in the future?"

Zhao Yan also pondered for a moment and said, "I think it's better to let Pingping decide on this matter. I guess no one except Zhang Huan will remarry, otherwise she won't have waited for more than ten years."

"I know too, but my father has passed away. My mother only knows how to practice Taoism and chant scriptures all day long, and no one cares about me anymore. She is so pitiful. If I don't even ask, how can I explain to my father in the future."

Speaking of this, Qiaoqiao thought about her sister being helpless and helpless, and her eyes turned red without realizing it. She gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and said to her husband: "You are hungry! I'm ready for food, let's have a meal."

Suddenly, a rapid running sound came from outside the door. Zhao Yan's old family member stumbled in and said angrily: "Master, madam, hurry up! Quick! The 18 Lang who wants to be the emperor is here, right outside the door."
Chapter completed!