Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 297: The Fierce General and the Wise King

Qi, Xifenzhou, Huaizheng County.

The woods on both sides of the official road began to sprout green.

The wasteland in the distance is still desolate and no one is cultivating it.

The small path leading from the official road to the village has been in disrepair for many years and is overgrown with weeds. Looking far along the path, there is no sign of any life.

The cavalry were heading north along the official road, heading from Xifenzhou to Sizhou and thus returning to their own territory.

Liu Taozi and Gao Changgong walked at the front of the team. As for this cavalry, they no longer needed to watch over it from the front and back, so there would be no situation of falling behind. The military discipline was also quite strict, and no one would sneak out during the march to bully the civilians.

The main thing is that there don't seem to be any civilians here who can be bullied.

Liu Taozi did not want to scare the people and officials, nor did he want the officials to waste their energy on rewarding himself and delaying farming. Therefore, he went all the way north from Jinyong, bypassed any city he encountered, stationed in the wild, and did not go to the local parade ground.

But as she walked here, Liu Taozi's brows became more and more furrowed.

The corpses seen everywhere on both sides of the road and the frightened eyes of those hiding in the woods in the distance told Liu Taozi that something big must have happened here.

Gao Changgong looked around and suddenly asked, "Is there a riot going on?"

Liu Taozi did not answer, but just looked in the direction of the city in the distance and adjusted his route.

He decided not to avoid Huai Zheng who was far away.

The closer you get to the city, the more corpses you see.

Many people were obviously frozen to death. Some were hugging each other, some raised their hands, and some were kneeling on the ground. The corpses were all in strange shapes.

The city gradually appeared before our eyes.

The city gate is closed.

Outside the city gate, there were many corpses lying, with no one to clean them up.

When they had almost reached the city gate, the defenders discovered them. The whole city issued a sharp warning and fell into chaos.

The soldiers were shouting and the officers were in a mess.

Liu Taozi raised her head calmly and looked at the people in the distance.

Gao Changgong rode forward, took off his mask, and shouted, "Pingcheng, the Second Prince of Lanling is here!!"

"Open the city gate quickly!!"

After hearing Gao Changgong's voice, these people not only did not calm down, but became even more confused.

Gao Changgong just watched the chaos on the city wall. It lasted for a long time. Gao Changgong was almost losing his patience. Finally, an official appeared on the city wall.

The official stared at Gao Changgong, whose face was as dark as a stone, outside the city, exclaimed, and hurriedly ordered the city gate to be opened.

After he gave the order, the city gate remained motionless.

Gao Changgong heard various noises coming from the city gate and waited for a long time.

The city gate was finally opened.

Gao Changgong saw a lot of discarded stones, wood and other debris. It was obvious that the city gate had been blocked.

Gao Changgong was a little surprised. It seemed that the enemy didn't come here?

The official just now rushed to Gao Changgong, bowed to him, and then went to pay his respects to Liu Taozi.

Liu Taozi remained silent, but Gao Changgong asked hurriedly, "What kind of riot happened here?"

The official's face was filled with pain, and he just shook his head, "Your Majesty, you don't know, we were made so uneasy by the bandit army that we almost had a major chaos!"

"Thief Army?"

Gao Changgong's face immediately became solemn.

The official hurriedly asked the soldiers to form a battle formation and made an invitation gesture, "Please invite the two kings into the city to have a chat."

"it is good."

Gao Changgong looked at Liu Taozi who was standing aside and said, "Zhizhi, I will send people to send the army to the parade ground."

"No need."

"Let's go into the city together."

Gao Changgong was somewhat stunned. The official hurriedly said with a smile, "There is also a county soldier training ground in the city. It's no problem, no problem!"

Liu Taozi led everyone into the city.

The city was desolate, with no one to be seen on the streets. It was dinner time, but there was no smoke from cooking anywhere. Liu Taozi looked around without saying a word. The official knew that Liu Taozi was not easy to approach, so he followed Gao Changgong and told him about the dangers his family had encountered.

"As soon as the enemy launched the attack, the bandits in the city began to spread rumors, saying that the enemy had already broken through Jinyong City and was heading here."

"The army was in a state of panic, and the people were fleeing in all directions."

"The situation was extremely critical, so my governor searched for the bandits in the city, and the results were quite good. He successfully captured the enemy leader. The bandits were unwilling to give up, and took up weapons again, trying to break into the city, but we stopped them outside the city."

The official spoke very quickly, with a smug look on his face.

But both Gao Changgong and Liu Taozi looked somewhat solemn at this moment.

The knights were taken by the officers to the parade ground in the city. Liu Taozi led more than a hundred knights and arrived at the gate of the government office in a mighty manner.

The door of the government office was open, and a young man ran out quickly surrounded by many senior officials.

The young man was staggering, and reeked of alcohol; it seemed he was still drunk.

He was in disheveled clothes, standing among the crowd. He searched with his eyes and instantly locked onto Gao Changgong. He walked quickly to Gao Changgong, shook his hand directly, with a kind look in his eyes.

"Prince Lanling!!"

Gao Changgong's eyebrows jumped, "Prince Changle."

This young man is the governor here, and he also holds the title of king.

His name is Wei Shibian. Yes, his grandfather is Wei Jing, an important minister in the founding of the Great Qi Dynasty, the brother-in-law of King Gao and an important minister.

Wei Jing himself was similar to Lou Rui, with extremely poor personal morals and greed for money. When Wei Digan wanted to be an imperial censor, Gao Huan asked him the reason, and he said it was to catch Wei Jing. Gao Huan later stripped him naked and told him: If you strip the people, I will strip you.

Wei Jing's son Wei Can was even more extraordinary. Because his father was not crowned king, he blocked the angel outside the door and shot at him with a bow and arrow.
It can be said that the family tradition is excellent and has been passed down for three generations.

Wei Shibian looked at Liu Taozi again and wanted to make some sarcastic remarks, but he didn't dare to open his mouth, so he just pretended he didn't see it.

He drunkenly invited several people into the office.

Gao Changgong frowned and reminded in a low voice: "You can pay a visit to the Prince of Pingcheng."

Wei Shibian drunkenly replied: "How can a master greet an old man?"

Gao Changgong's face changed drastically. Officials from both sides hurried forward. Some kowtowed to Liu Taozi and apologized, while others came to persuade Gao Changgong, saying that Prince Changle was drunk and asked for forgiveness.

Liu Taozi did not get angry, but gestured for Gao Changgong to follow her into the office.

After entering the government office, Wei Shibian sat directly on the upper seat, looking at the two kings on his left and right, and said proudly: "This time Wei Xiaokuan wanted to attack here, but I repelled him. The imperial edict ordered me to be the governor of Erfen, Nanshuo and other states to resist Wei Xiaokuan!"

"I am here this time."

Liu Taozi suddenly looked at the driver sitting opposite him and asked, "There are so many dead bodies outside the city. Are they all bandits?"

Wei Shibian was very dissatisfied with Liu Taozi's interruption and just expressed his displeasure with a stern face.

Beijia was much more sensible. Facing Liu Taozi's questioning, he stammered, "Most of them."

"Why didn't the enemy army attack from inside the city, but from outside? Where did they come from?"

The deputy driver was preparing to answer, but Wei Shibian immediately said, "Of course I discovered it and drove it out!"

"The city was full of bandits, so I sent people to find out their identities and drove them all out! They wanted to counterattack, but I stopped them outside the city!"

Gao Changgong suddenly asked: "How do you identify it?"

Wei Shibian looked at several officials around him and said, "Just to see if their identities are true. They are the ones who are going to do it."

The faces of several officials around him changed drastically at this moment. They looked at each other, and their panic was visibly evident.

Gao Changgong said again: "Give me a copy of the document regarding identity verification."

The deputy driver said hurriedly: "The situation was critical at the time, and there were many officials involved in the investigation. I am afraid that they did not make detailed records. After some time, I will send someone to deliver the documents to Yecheng, and the king can go to Yecheng to take a look."

"I want to see it now."

Hearing Gao Changgong's words, Wei Shibian was a little unhappy. "Changgong, the court originally wanted me to be the governor of Youzhou, but you got there first. I don't blame you, but now that you are here, do you still want to command my subordinates?"

Gao Changgong clenched his fists tightly, and his expression kept changing.

The atmosphere in the lobby became a little depressing at this moment.

The officials dared not speak.

Wei Shibian looked at Gao Changgong with displeasure, and his mood was extremely bad.

Originally, he was making all the arrangements and was about to get the good job of Governor of Youzhou, but Gao Changgong intervened and he was reassigned here. He didn't even blame you, so why do you come here to give orders?
You are a prince, and I am not, right?

Gao Changgong ignored him and just looked at the state and county officials coldly.

"There may be bandits in the city, but are there really so many of them?"

"Even at the South Gate, I can see hundreds of corpses. How many are there at the other gates? How many are there that I can't see? Are those on the road also bandits?"

"Are there really so many bandit soldiers that you would allow them to be driven out of the city so easily?"

Gao Changgong questioned word by word.

Beijia said quickly: "Your Majesty, I know there must be people who have been wrongly accused, but there is nothing we can do about it. The bandits are hard to identify. If we can't drive them all out, they will stir up trouble. Won't more people die then?"

"This is all for the country and the world!" "When we think of these things, we are extremely heartbroken and can't fall asleep!"

Gao Changgong laughed, "Is that why you took Prince Changle to drink wine to ease the pain?"

Beijia looked at Wei Shibian in panic and did not dare to answer.

Gao Changgong slowly looked at Liu Taozi standing beside him.

Liu Taozi simply picked up the wine cup in front of him and drank it all.

"Chang Gong, don't look at me."

"These are people who work to preserve the country, and they are Chang Gong's comrades."

Gao Changgong clenched his fists immediately, his face flushed, "Someone come here!!"

Then, several soldiers rushed in from the door like tigers and wolves. Seeing them, everyone was horrified. The officials hid behind them. Wei Shibian was also frightened. He jumped up and said, "Gao Su! What do you want to do?!"

"Someone is coming!"

He also shouted.

The county soldiers at the door, with a look of shock on their faces, hurriedly stuck their heads out to look inside. The soldiers turned back suddenly, and these people were so scared that they dropped their weapons and squatted on the ground begging for life.

When Wei Shibian saw this scene, he finally panicked and quickly took a few steps back.

"Chang Gong, don't mess around. These officials are all appointed by the imperial court. You can't do anything to them without authority!!"

Gao Changgong's eyes widened and his face looked ferocious.

He took a few steps forward, grabbed the Beijia, and brought him directly in front of him, pinning him to the ground, with the sword in his hand pointed directly at his neck, "Tell the truth now, and I can still spare your life!!"

Beijia was so frightened that his face turned pale. Gao Changgong pinned him to the ground and he complained, "Your Majesty!! It's hard to tell whether the enemy army is real or fake. Rumors are spreading in the city. What can we do? We can only send all the suspicious people out. This is for the sake of the city! For the sake of the country! "

"If we don't do this, and the city falls, how can we face the court?"

"Pfft~~"

Gao Changgong raised his sword and slashed it, and the head of Beijia flew high into the air, blood splattered everywhere. Gao Changgong's handsome face was half dyed red by the blood, which made him look weird and hideous.

He looked at Wei Shibian who was standing in the distance. When Wei Shibian saw him like this, he collapsed to the ground and sobered up.

"I don't know!! They did it all!"

"I'm just protecting the city!"

Gao Changgong looked at the soldiers around him and said, "Capture all these people!"

The soldiers did not hesitate and took action immediately. Many officials in the hall, including Wei Shibian, were soon pressed in front of Gao Changgong.

Gao Changgong raised his sword and paced back and forth in front of them.

"They all speak for the country, but they do the most despicable things!"

"The purpose of defending the city is to protect the people inside. If you drive all the people out, what are you protecting? Only yourselves!"

"How dare you say that you are selfless for the country?!"

"They deserve to die!! They all deserve to die!!"

Looking at the furious Gao Changgong, Wei Shibian lost his original courage and just kept reminding him, "Changgong!! Calm down!"

"I know I was wrong! I am willing to confess my guilt before the Emperor!!"

"Pfft~~"

Wei Shibian trembled all over and looked ahead in disbelief. Gao Changgong pulled out the sword that was stuck in his back.

Wei Shibian shuddered and blood gushed out. He interrupted his words before he could finish them.

The officials were terrified at this moment. How could they kill a prince just like that?

Is Prince Lanling planning a rebellion? ?

Gao Changgong pointed at the other officials and said, "Take them out and behead them in public!"

"My Lord, spare my life!!"

"Spare my life!!"

Everyone started crying, but the soldiers ignored their shouting and immediately dragged them out of the city.

Gao Changgong looked at the corpses on the ground, his sword-holding hand still shaking. He returned to Liu Taozi with an expressionless face, sat down, picked up the wine cup in front of him, and drank it all.

The blood from the corpse spread rapidly, constantly expanding its range within the lobby, quickly dyeing the surroundings red, and spreading towards the direction of the two people.

Liu Taozi and Gao Changgong both sat in their original seats, motionless.

Liu Taozi said slowly: "When I first arrived in Hengzhou, Zu Ting came to me for help."

"He persuaded me to seize Yecheng during the chaos, control the government, and usurp the throne to become emperor."

"I didn't agree."

Gao Changgong took another sip of wine.

"Why?"

"Because Da Qi is beyond saving."

Liu Taozi didn't even hide it. He said seriously: "From top to bottom, it's all like this. There's no hope."

"Even a wise emperor couldn't save him, and neither could a wise minister."

"Even if such a temple is usurped, it will be just another Qi and Liang dynasty, and will be useless."

Gao Changgong had a sad look in his eyes and looked ahead in a trance.

"So what are you going to do?"

“It’s earth-shaking.”

"I have never had any ambitions. A few years ago, my biggest ambition was to seek a local official position in the south and take my mother there to escape disaster and enjoy a good life."

"Then I went to Cheng'an."

"People eat people, ghosts eat ghosts."

Liu Taozi took another sip of wine and said, "I met some new friends and they all said they wanted to follow me and do big things."

"So I changed my ambition and wanted to protect these friends."

"After that, I did a lot of things, and I made more and more friends, and also more and more enemies."

"I saw people in Cheng'an afraid to walk on the road during the day, living in fear and anxiety, with no hope for the future. I saw people in Liyang forced to worship Buddha statues and starving to death at home. People in Boling were all reduced to slaves, with no place to live. People in Wuchuan fought the enemy on an empty stomach."

“My ambitions have changed again.”

"I want a different day."

Gao Changgong also took a sip of wine and asked, "You want to establish a country?"

"You can't say it's founding a country. I have no interest in being an emperor. I know something is wrong with the world, but I can't analyze and list it like Zu Ting and the others did."

"My idea is very simple. Kill all the insects in the world, end the war, let the people of Cheng'an dare to walk on the road in the daytime, let the people of Liyang not have to watch their families starve to death in front of them, let the people of Boling have their own houses and farmland, and let the people of Wuchuan be well fed and well-drinking before guarding the pass."

"You are a good person. If there were more people like you in the world, there might be fewer people like me."

Gao Changgong suddenly laughed, "This is the first time Zhizhi has said this to me."

"Because the Pseudo-Zhou has been repelled, I can now focus on dealing with these insects in the country."

"I don't want to embarrass you."

"Rather than letting you live in pain and confusion, it is better to explain it to you clearly."

Liu Taozi drew his sword and put it aside.

"Back in Cheng'an, I received your kindness. I don't have many friends, and you are one of them."

"Today, you have to give me an explanation."

"If you are willing to help me pacify the world and kill the insects, let's have a good drink today and then set off for Sizhou tomorrow."

"What if I don't want to?"

"Then let's fight in this room. Qubing, Xiong, Zili, Liu, and Zhang Laoli all respect you very much. If we delay it later, they might take action against you. I don't want them to bear this responsibility. I don't care much about my reputation."

Liu Taozi said seriously: "If you insist on fighting me, I will kill you here today, use these wines as sacrifices, and take your body to Sizhou tomorrow."

"Can my death be pinned on Wei Shibian?"

"Not really. It would be too insulting for you to die in his hands. It's just right for me to come here."

"Ha, are you so sure you can take me down?"

"My ambitions are greater than yours. You will never be my opponent."

"Hahaha~~~"

Gao Changgong threw his head back and laughed.

He suddenly stretched out his hand and grabbed the wine cup in front of him.

"Drink!"

Liu Taozi laughed and grabbed the wine cup.

"This is a tie."

(End of this chapter)