Tiger Guards

Chapter 125 Brave Game

South of Anyi City and east of Yanjian City.

The heads of more than a dozen families in the Dongguo clan gathered together in the manor. His manor was not big, but it was close to the salt lake and did not need to rely on farming, so there was no need to build a large manor.

In order to prevent bandits, the manor is more like a small fortress, and the outer walls are very solid and tall, no less than those in the countryside.

The clan leader Dong Guoliang sat in the main seat, and from time to time he heard the sound of horses galloping outside the hall.

A young man from the clan came galloping on horseback, reporting on the news of the powerful people around him getting invitations, but there was no news about his family.

At first I was worried and didn't want to receive the invitation, but now I'm afraid I won't receive it.

Everyone knew that if they brought a gift card to the banquet, they would be asked to pay a sum of money and their children would be immediately sent to the north of the city to serve as hostages.

But if we don't send you an invitation and don't give you the opportunity to contribute money and effort, it's clear that we want you to risk your life.

Between paying money to avoid disaster and risking their lives, families that rely on the salt lake for their livelihood will make a wise choice.

But now, it seems that Minister Zhao is not willing to give them the opportunity to pay money to avoid disaster.

Dong Guoliang looked around and said angrily, "If a few of my sons had signed up to serve as Tiger Guards, why would we be left with no way to plead for mercy now?"

Everyone was silent, not even the hawks stood up to say anything harsh.

It was too close to Anyi, and that Minister Zhao had the ability to shoot down five flags with seven arrows, which provoked Minister Zhao to lead his troops to attack.

Such a palm-sized dock can't stop it at all.

I was originally wondering if the Hou family manor would be destroyed. Not to mention the Hou family, no other family's fort or manor could withstand it.

It may sound spirited to say harsh words now, but you will soon have to pay the price.

All I can do is remain silent and put all the pressure on the patriarch.

Dong Guoliang's expression was gloomy and he was under great pressure. If he didn't handle it well, the Dongguo family would not be wiped out, but the glory of his lineage would come to an end.

In the oppressive atmosphere, a young man from the clan quickly stepped inside: "Uncle, someone is coming from Beiguo!"

"Please come in."

The envoy of the Beiguo clan, who had arrived on horseback soon, entered and bowed, "My cousin has sent a message that tomorrow Minister Zhao will obey the imperial edict and punish the rebellious clan thieves in all directions."

As he spoke, he handed over a folded silk scroll: "Minister Zhao, for the sake of my cousin, has given my family a chance to atone for their sins. If the Dongguo family is willing to stand with my family, we will refuse and defend ourselves!"

His cousin followed Wei Gu to enlist in the Tiger Guards, so he had some say.

As soon as he spoke, the hardliners in the Dongguo clan immediately raised their heads and said, "Uncle, the Zhao family is from a humble background. They are holding the court hostage and disrespecting the nobles. If we join forces with them now, we will surely invite disaster!"

Dong Guoliang just glanced at him, read the silk book, and couldn't help but gasp: "Is it really so harsh?"

"I dare not hide anything. This is the way out that Minister Zhao has given me, considering my brother's meritorious service in the battle."

The Beiguo clan's envoy bowed again and said, "If my family is like this, then the others must be even more serious. Now that we are all interdependent, please make a quick decision!"

Dongguo Liang circulated the silk book among everyone who could read, and everyone who could read was shocked.

Someone from the Beiguo family applied to join the Hu Ben army, but was not among the invited ones. In consideration of Hu Ben's plea, Zhao Ji gave strict conditions.

They had to pay back ten years of land tax, fodder, and the head tax of their servants. If they failed to pay, their troops would be fined. At the same time, cattle, horses, and vehicles would be requisitioned, and young and strong people of appropriate age in their families and their troops would also be recruited into the Tiger Infantry Army.

At the same time, land ownership is confirmed based on the additional land tax paid.

Who doesn’t have a large amount of hidden land?
Land tax was paid in kind, and during the three years of severe drought, this was tantamount to forcing families to give up a large amount of land.

Even if you don't give up and pay the land tax, the county government will levy taxes based on the amount of land tax paid this time.

Also, if you pay the land tax and it is found after investigation that you have occupied more land, you will cause trouble.

No way to survive, this is Dongguo’s intuitive feeling.

We can't say that we won't give them a way to survive. If Bei Guo really agrees to these, they will immediately fall from grace and be controlled by the county government. How difficult will it be for them to make a fortune again?
If you were given the same conditions, would you agree?
Dong Guoliang couldn't help but sigh, "I thought his denunciation of the nobles would open a way out for us, but I never imagined they were the same kind! The treacherous ministers are in power and coercing the court. If the Beiguo family rises up in rebellion, my family will naturally follow."

The Beiguo clan's envoy bowed deeply and said, "Please also swear an oath!"

Without the oath, how could Bei Guo dare to take the lead in resistance?
His home was near Zhao Ji's garrison, and any resistance he offered would lead to his siege.

Only after receiving the oaths from each family will they send troops to help in the war.

Otherwise, if the manor was attacked and the oath fell into Zhao Ji's hands, he would be held accountable.

"Oath..."

Dong Guoliang narrowed his eyes, pondered, and felt very embarrassed when he saw the envoy from Beiguo clan bowing with his head bowed.

After thinking for a moment, Dong Guoliang looked at his most stubborn nephew. The nephew understood and stood up to the hall, bowing: "Uncle, at this point, what is there to hesitate about?"

When he was trying to persuade them, the man suddenly grabbed the Beiguo envoy. The Beiguo envoy struggled and cursed, "Zhao Ji is a tyrant. You will not have a good end!"

"Tie him up, put him in the cart and cover him with straw. I will go see Minister Zhao right away."

Dong Guoliang signaled to drag out the Beiguo envoy who was jumping up and down and cursing, and then looked around and said: "Each family should send out a young man to follow me north to serve Minister Zhao." The Beiguo family relied on the Sushui River for irrigation, and they had no less than 500 hectares of fertile land. How could the Beiguo family not resist?
His Dongguo family relied on the trade of salt fields and built their business.

As long as the Hedong Salt Lake is still there, there are still people in his family, and the people above allow them to make a living in this field, then there is no way they will decline and starve to death!
The descendants of the Dongguo family immediately took action. The carriages and horses were ready, and they began to load all the coins, food, cloth, weapons and armor that could be loaded onto the carriages.

After finishing these, Dong Guoliang led more than a hundred of his men and followers to escort the convoy and took the initiative to find Zhao Ji.

The invitations this time are mainly to small powerful people from Anyi and Yancheng. Powerful people from other places can cooperate for the time being.

When Dong Guoliang led the transport team north, he met Xia Shi at the wooden bridge over Baisha River. Xia Shi's transport team was even larger, with no less than 300 people.

When they saw each other, they all looked sad.

When they crossed Anyi City, they saw that the army had surrounded the Beiguo Manor.

The two sides did not fight, but the men and women of the villages outside Beiguo's manor were arrested and driven outside Beiguo's manor. The men and women cried and waved to their nephews, fathers, brothers and husbands who served as guards and followers in Beiguo's manor to persuade them.

Seeing such a psychological attack, the small and powerful leaders who arrived here one after another were already pale.

When the Dongguo and Xia clan leaders approached, they saw the Nan clan leader from the northeast of Anyi standing under the chariot with a green umbrella, telling something to Zhao Ji, who was wearing a golden helmet and armor and looked heroic. It seemed that they were having a very pleasant conversation and laughing.

On the north city tower of Anyi, Fu Wan also climbed up the city wall and looked into the distance. In the distance, the Sushui River looked like a ribbon inlaid with bright sapphires. The Beiguo family manor on the south bank of the Sushui River was surrounded by the army. Fortunately, the Beiguo family still had reason and did not set fire to the grain.

Bei Guo’s grain reserves are the best in Anyi.

Zhao Ji sent troops out of the city in the morning and received the Wenxi volunteers at noon. He immediately surrounded the Beiguo Manor near the military camp.

Rather than going through the trouble of building a military camp, Zhao Ji preferred to move directly into Bei Guo’s sturdy manor, which was like a township.

Fu Wan observed for a moment and concluded that Zhao Ji and Bei Guo were still negotiating. At this time, he really wanted to intervene and represent the court to ask both sides to take a step back and quit while the going was good.

But the emperor made it clear this morning not to provoke Zhao Ji.

The officials were unaware of the situation and could still cause trouble; but the emperor had explained it very clearly to their faces, so it was difficult for him to intervene.

Unable to bear the urge to do so, Fu Wan quickly walked down the city wall, ready to ask the emperor's opinion again.

The imperial court stepped in to mediate, the Beiguo family was able to keep some of their property, Zhao Ji did not have to lose soldiers, and the imperial court also gained influence, a perfect three-way deal.

At this time, Zhao Ji saw that some of the small and powerful leaders who were supposed to come, as well as some of the big and powerful clan leaders who were not supposed to come, had also arrived. He said to the clan leader of the Nan clan who betrayed the Beiguo clan, "I won't make it difficult for you."

The Nan clan leader bowed deeply and felt relieved.

Zhao Ji turned to look at Xu Huang and said, "General Gongming, hold the line. Watch me break through this fortress."

Xu Huang bowed and said, "Yes."

Zhao Ji looked around and saw armies of hundreds of men spread out in all directions, surrounding the Beiguo Manor.

He immediately waved his hand and steered the chariot towards the manor.

Jia Tong drove his horse closer: "Do you want to attack by force?"

"No rush, they need a reason to surrender."

As Zhao Ji spoke, he turned around and smiled at Qubei, who was leading the Xiongnu volunteers on the other side. Qubei took off his hat to salute and immediately bowed. He behaved very elegantly, which seemed a little funny to Zhao Ji.

Attacking and capturing the manors of the powerful was not unfamiliar to Qubei.

Zhao Ji had already felt the violence and bloodiness inherent in the army, and was longing for the arrival of night.

Even the Hedong villagers wanted to attack Beiguo Manor and plunder wealth and women.

Even many of the old Baibo soldiers simply wanted to attack and kill people.

Through observation, Zhao Ji could feel the army's anxiety and brutality.

At this moment, he hoped that Beiguo would take a step back and hand over all the control to him.

Otherwise, once the fight starts, it will be impossible to stop.

This is a game for the brave, it depends on whether Beiguo dares to take the gamble.

They may also be gambling, gambling that they dare not attack, gambling that they can hold out until tomorrow, gambling that the situation will change.

The stakes are the wealth of the city and the lives of the Beiguo family members; and you are your own stake.

If we lose the bet, local warlords will rise up in retaliation, the army will be defeated, and then everything will be lost.

As for the court, it is still the court.

Zhao Ji drove slowly closer, followed by more than 300 Tiger Guards. The large and small battle groups distributed in various places also began to compress towards the Beiguo family, eager to take action.

Someone from the Beiguo family came down by a rope and came to meet him at a quick trot.

Fearing he would be slow, he sprinted to the front of Zhao Ji's chariot seven or eight steps and threw himself to the ground, clutching the silk book in both hands and crying loudly: "I surrender! I only ask that the Minister of the Interior restrain his troops and not violate the women in the city!"

"can."

(End of this chapter)