Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 300 Things have changed

Yingzhou, Hejian city.

"Down~~"

The frightened birds flapped their wings and fled quickly. A huge tree groaned and fell down with a loud bang.

The barefoot laborers walked forward, not caring about the pain on their feet caused by being cut by thorns and weeds. Seven or eight of them walked forward, tied ropes around the tree, picked it up with great effort, and walked out.

The forest was particularly lively. The clerks in black robes, holding whips, were moving through the woods. Their heads were slightly tilted forward, like chickens pecking at food, their eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, or like vultures foraging for food, stepping on the fallen leaves and rotten wood, muttering and swearing, as they passed by the civilians, their throats seemed to have phlegm in them, and they shouted incoherent curses.

The dense forest was full of people. Some were holding axes, chopping trees hard. Several laborers were pulling ropes, their veins bulging, their faces red, and their teeth gnashing. Finally, the big tree was pulled down by them. Some people were unable to dodge and were hit by the tree, injuring their legs. Their companions rushed to rescue them, but before they could take care of the pain in their legs, the whip of the clerk had already fallen on them.

There were many small carts outside the forest. It was difficult for horse-drawn carriages to drive in such an environment, so they used wheelbarrows.

However, the wheelbarrow was too small, and the officials had extremely high requirements for the trees, requiring them to remain in their original shape. This meant that several laborers had to walk in front to help balance and unload the force so that the people behind could push the cart.

The official roads are almost always filled with these people.

All kinds of trees were cut down and transported to a large camp outside the east city gate.

There are a large number of craftsmen working here. They are responsible for processing these raw materials. Of course, it is only the preliminary processing, such as peeling. There are also carriages waiting here to transport these woods to other places.

The whole city looks extremely busy.

At this moment, the government office seemed particularly desolate and deserted.

Almost all the officials have been sent out to do work, and there are not many useful people left here.

In the inner room, Governor Xu sat in the upper seat and drank bitter wine.

The governor was an old man with a neat beard. He frowned and said nothing.

The Chief Secretary was sitting at the side, holding a few documents in his hands, and he spoke slowly, "The tribute wood that Your Majesty wants is still far from enough. If you can't deliver it before a month, I'm afraid you will be punished."

Governor Xu looked at the young but aggressive chief clerk and said calmly, "Hejian is poor, I'm afraid they can't pay the full amount."

"How can you say that? Hejian is mostly plains, with dense forests all over, and the best wood. Your Majesty can let the governor do this, and you are honored to be able to appreciate the wood in Hejian."

"However, it would be inappropriate to disappoint your majesty's kindness."

Governor Xu fell silent again.

The Chief Clerk looked at him in silence and immediately became angry, "Does the Governor look down on Your Majesty like a child?!"

"Da Qi just defeated the hundreds of thousands of troops of the Pseudo-Zhou, and built a small palace. What's there to say about this?"

"Why is the governor so resistant?"

"I didn't resist."

"Then you give the order! We must gather all the wood before the month!"

The chief secretary looked at the other party's solemn face, sneered and said: "If this task is not completed, someone will be punished."

Governor Xu Dun felt extremely complicated. He looked at the jumping rat in front of him with mixed feelings.

As a senior official who had followed Gao Huan and assisted Gao Cheng, and had experienced decades of ups and downs, he never imagined that when he was old and about to retire, he would encounter such a villain to torture him.

The chief official in front of him just came here this year to gild his credentials and make them look a little better. He will have to go back to Yecheng to serve as an official next year.

His name is Lu Xida, and he is the younger brother of the current emperor's adoptive mother, Lu Lingxuan.

Lu Changshi made a few more threats, saying that he would definitely fulfill the emperor's request and express his filial piety, and then left angrily.

Lu Changshi strode out, and the Beijia who was guarding the door walked in helplessly.

Beijia paid his respects to Xu Dun and secretly wiped away his tears.

"My lord, there is no justice in the court, which has allowed such a villain to run rampant."

There was no anger or sadness on Xu Dun's face. He shook his head and said softly, "It's okay. It has always been like this. There is no change."

His expression was somewhat numb, unmoved.

Beijia looked at him with an indescribable sadness in his heart.

When Emperor Wenxiang was still alive, this governor's achievements in local administration were ranked first for many years in a row, which was extremely dazzling. He also made suggestions for wars. Because of his achievements, he was promoted out of the ordinary and became a Beijing official.

However, this governor had many deficiencies in literary talent and classics, so he seemed somewhat unlearned in front of Xing Shao, Wei Shou, Yang Xiuzhi, Cui Jie, Xu Zhicai and other masters of classics and speech, and was ridiculed by many people.

During the Tianbao period, Xu Dun was full of vigor and vitality and had a beautiful big beard. One day, Emperor Wenxuan had been drinking and suddenly drew his sword to cut off his beautiful beard and wanted to hide it away. Xu Dun was so frightened that he even dared not grow a long beard or show his head again. Later, when Gao Yan came to power, he requested to be sent to a remote post as a governor to avoid the whirlpool of the court.

Unexpectedly, even after arriving at this place, I still couldn't get rid of these troubles.

Beijia felt somewhat sorry for Xu Dun.

Xu Dun didn't seem to care much. After these years of experience, he had long been accustomed to these things.

He looked at the deputy driver and said, "After autumn, I will return to the imperial court. I don't want to care about the affairs of this place anymore. I just want to find an idle position and spend my old age in peace."

"You are quite talented, it's a waste for you to stay here. I used to know Wei Shou and others. Although we are not friends, we can still keep in touch. I will write you a letter, you can take it to Wei Shou and others."

Beijia lowered his head and said in despair: "Since I graduated from the Imperial College, I have been to many places and held many official positions, but there is no place for me to stay. This time Xu Gong wants to go back, so I will resign from my post, stay at home and study the classics, and never go out again."

Xu Dun sighed.

He slowly raised his head, with a look of sadness on his weather-beaten face, "This is the way the world is."

"Even if someone like Yang Yin is the prime minister, in charge of the government, what's the point? It's good to study at home, very good."

The two were talking when the next moment, a state official rushed into the house with a terrified look on his face.

"Mr. Xu!!"

"Oh no!"

"Thieves have attacked the craftsmen's camp outside the city, and the east gate has been seized by the thieves!"

"what?!"

Xu Dun was no longer as calm as before. He stood up suddenly and was about to draw his sword subconsciously. But when he stretched out his hand, he remembered that his sword had been hanging on the wall for a long time.

He looked blankly at the sword hanging on the wall, then suddenly remembered something and sat down again.

The driver was so anxious that he turned around and asked the clerk for details.

A moment later another clerk rushed in.

"Mr. Xu!! The person coming here is not a thief!"

"I heard that he is the victorious general Kou Liu under the command of the general!"

"He came here on the orders of the Northern Circuit Governor, and requested that Mr. Xu come to see him immediately."

The deputy driver was shocked and looked at Xu Dun again, "Are they the general's men? What is the general going to do?"

Xu Dun stood up, his face still calm, "Follow me out to pay my respects."

He basically no longer cared what happened.

When Xu Dun led everyone out of the office and got in a car to rush to the east city gate, the other officials finally showed up and came to pay their respects to Xu Dun. Following behind him was the arrogant chief secretary, who also lowered his head very low at this moment, hiding at the back and daring not to issue any more orders.

The city wall had been controlled by the Taozi soldiers. The county soldiers dropped their weapons and knelt around the city wall, not daring to resist.

The official in charge of guarding the city gate was also tied up and his mouth was blocked. He was wriggling on the ground like a worm.

Many soldiers were stationed at the city gate, and the bandits stood out among the crowd.

Many laborers and craftsmen were kneeling around him, talking loudly about something.

As Kou Liu listened to their story, his face turned extremely ugly and he looked ferocious.

"General, I have been left here for more than a month. I have been busy all day and have no time to go home. My family relied on my cooking skills to support them. A few days ago, an old man from the neighborhood came to tell me that my wife had starved to death and left two children. Living in the neighbor's house, there is not much food left."

The craftsman wiped his tears and cried bitterly.

"My brother was hit by a tree while chopping it down, but they didn't treat him or stop the bleeding, and just left him to bleed to death."

Everyone has a lot to say.

The scholar standing next to Kou Liu picked up his pen and wrote quickly.

When the masters arrived by car, these people finally shut up, not daring to speak or cry anymore.

Kou Liu had a cold expression on his face as he stared at the people in the distance.

Xu Dun got off the car and walked to Kou Liu on foot. Regardless of his seniority and age, he saluted Kou Liu and said, "Greetings, General Kou."

The rest of the people followed him, "Greetings, General!" Kou Liu looked at the people kneeling in front of him, and his gaze finally fell on Xu Dun's face.

"Is this how you govern this place?"

Xu Dun didn't seem surprised either. He had expected this day to come. He didn't make excuses, nor was he afraid. He just saluted calmly again and said, "Please punish me, General."

Lu Changshi, who was hiding at the back, buried his head even deeper and raised his butt high.

Kou Liu's eyes were filled with anger. "When I left Shuozhou, many officials in the government told me that you have the talent to govern. Today I have seen your talent with my own eyes."

"Are you qualified to be a governor?"

"Someone come and take him down."

The soldiers stepped forward quickly, pulled Xu Dun out, and knocked off his crown.

Everyone was shocked. The deputy driver's face turned red. Looking at Xu Dun who did not defend himself, he suddenly said, "Someone told me in the past that most of the general's subordinates are capable officials who can distinguish right from wrong. Today I have witnessed his style with my own eyes!"

Kou Liu looked at him slowly, "Who are you?"

"Yingzhou's deputy governor, Lu Dan!"

Kou Liu recalled and his expression eased slightly, "Oh, it's you."

"Why? I was ordered by the Northern Circuit Governor to investigate the local situation. The Governor Xu Dun forced people to work and delayed spring planting. He did many things that were harmful to the people. What's wrong with me arresting him?"

Lu Dan said seriously: "Since the general is from Taichung, I wonder what your identity is?"

Kou Liu looked behind him and said, "Go and invite Mr. Hu over."

The soldiers set off quickly, and a moment later, Hu Changcan was brought here by the soldiers. Hu Changcan was followed by many clerks with thick documents in their hands. It was obvious that he had just investigated the relevant situation in the craftsmen's camp.

Kou Liu said, "These people asked me why I came."

Hu Changcan suddenly took out the order, "I am Hu Changcan, the Chief Censor of the Imperial Court, and I am here to investigate the situation in Yingzhou under the order of the Minister of the Northern Circuit!"

Everyone saluted again, and Lu Dan said, "Mr. Hu, the governor is innocent!"

Hu Changcan slowly looked at the embarrassed Xu Dun, "He is guilty of dereliction of duty and harming the people."

Xu Dun still said nothing.

At this moment, Lu Dan turned around and looked at Lu Changshi.

Lu Changshi did not notice this action and just buried his head.

Of course, this action could not escape the sight of Kou Liu and Hu Changcan, but they did not care.

"Xu Dun, I am going to put you in a prisoner car and send you to Pingcheng for interrogation. Do you obey?"

Xu Dun nodded, "I am willing to follow."

Hu Changcan waved his hand and the soldiers took him away.

Hu Changcan then looked at the rest of the people, "Lu Xida, Wang Boen, Liu Mu, Yuan Tigan, Gao Shuangxi. Stand up."

Hu Changcan read out several names in succession, and these people included Changshi and Sima, all of whom were officials from prefectures and counties.

As these people stood up, Lu Xida stood up tremblingly, looked at the soldiers around him, and then looked at Hu Changcan and Kou Liu who had grim faces.

He said, "Mr. Hu."

"All of you will be put into the prisoner van and transported to Pingcheng."

All those whose names were called were extremely frightened at this moment. They all looked at Lu Xida, who was sweating profusely.

When he left Yecheng, his sister told him that in this world, he could offend anyone except Liu Taozi.

He has been very restrained, so why did he still have to face such a group of people?
Lu Xida hurriedly said: "Mr. Hu! I wonder what crime we have committed?"

Hu Changcan looked at him slowly, "Lu Xida, you are corrupt, tyrannical, and you exclude officials who are not close to you."

“Unfair!!”

"I am not responsible for interrogation, I am only responsible for arresting people. If you want to confront them, go to Pingcheng."

Seeing the soldiers approaching, Lu Xida panicked and took a few steps back. "I am an official appointed by the imperial court. If you want to punish me, you should go to Yecheng. Why go to Pingcheng?"

"This place is under the jurisdiction of the Northern Circuit Office!"

Several soldiers suddenly pounced on him. Lu Xida wanted to resist a few times but was directly pressed to the ground. The others dared not resist and knelt on the ground begging for their lives. The soldiers captured them and took them out of the city.

Lu Dan was a little confused at this moment.

He looked at these people being tied up, and Lu Xida's mouth was blocked. He was struggling and dragged away by the soldiers.

"You, lead us to the governor's office."

Hu Changcan pointed at him, and Lu Dan led them to the government office. He walked beside Hu Changcan, hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Mr. Hu, in fact, the corvée and other things were all led by Lu Xida and others. The governor had no choice but to do so. He also protected many civilians. Otherwise, the situation would have been even worse. He really shouldn't be blamed."

"I know."

"If you know that, why do you want to arrest him?"

"As a governor, he cannot curb the traitors under his command, dares not disobey the imperial edict, and does nothing. Why don't you arrest him?"

Lu Dan frowned, "But that's the order from the temple. How can I..."

"This corvée order was not only issued to Yingzhou. There were also governors in other places who dared to continue spring ploughing despite the crime of disobeying the imperial order. Why is it that Xu Dun was not allowed to do so?"

Lu Dan could no longer speak.

Hu Changcan and Lu Dan walked towards the government office, but Kou Liu did not follow them. Only a hundred or so riders followed them, but Kou Liu disappeared without a trace. Lu Dan didn't know where Kou Liu had led his men.

But he thought, he must not be going to do any good deeds.

The soldiers were moving back and forth in the city, and the bandits divided into four groups and attacked towards the south of the city.

The south of the city is just like Cheng'an in the past, completely different from other corners of the city, with tall walls and red gates.

At Kou Liu's command, the soldiers drew their swords and rushed forward.

In the government office, Lu Dan was placing the lists of many officials in the city in front of Hu Changcan.

He then saw that Hu Changcan also had a list in his hand, which he was comparing with the list of these people.

Suddenly there was a shouting and screaming outside, and the documents in Lu Dan's hand almost fell to the ground.

He looked outside slowly but didn't know where the shouting and screaming came from.

Then I saw thick black smoke rising in the distance and quickly flying into the sky.

Lu Dan looked at Hu Changcan in astonishment. He was sitting there as if nothing had happened outside.

"All these officials must be dismissed, and the few I have circled must be detained and questioned."

"As for the rest, let them pack up their things and go home!"

"The new governor, new prefect, many officials, and clerks will arrive tomorrow. You will be responsible for welcoming and handing over the new officials."

"You continue to serve as the Chief Clerk and wait for the new order from the Executive Yuan."

Lu Dan nodded, his face still a little confused, "Mr. Hu, what's going on outside?"

"You don't need to worry about the outside world. The Xingtai has appointed Hedong King Pan Zihuang to temporarily serve as the governor of Yingzhou. Governor Pan is a simple man who doesn't talk much. You have to help him stabilize the situation in the prefecture!"

"only!!"

Lu Dan bowed and said yes.

Hu Changcan explained some more things, then left the empty office and quickly left.

He was also in a hurry to get to the next place.

Lu Dan was in the city, watching the thick smoke billowing everywhere and the shouting and killing sounds gradually subsiding.

The entire sky over the river became gloomy and dark at this moment, as if it was shrouded in thick smoke.

Lu Dan couldn't help wiping the sweat from his forehead.

It's going to change.

ps: The subsequent part did not keep up with the passion of the previous plot. I revised the outline again today and will post the second chapter tomorrow.

(End of this chapter)