Madam, don't do this!

Chapter 432 Gao Yang was still sold (5,000)
"My lord, the interrogation has been completed. This time, they are all big fish."

Liang Qiaofeng's voice was dry and hoarse, making Li Er and the others' scalps tingle. At the same time, they couldn't help but be surprised, wondering where Song Yan had found this strange-looking old woman. It had only been two hours since those wolf cubs were captured, yet she had already gotten results from the interrogation. She was quite capable.

Song Yan was also pleased. He gestured to Liang Qiaofeng to wait a moment. Although he was eager to know what kind of intelligence Liang Qiaofeng had obtained, this matter was not yet finished: "Mr. Liang, I will allocate a thousand men from the Black Armored Warriors for you. From now on, all the spies in Pingyang City will be under your care."

"We'll do as you say for the most part, and mobilize all the people of Pingyang City."

"However, some rules need to be changed; the practice of punishing one another will no longer be necessary."

In ancient times, the system of collective punishment was indeed an excellent way to control the people; the Qin Dynasty implemented such a system.

However, this system also has its drawbacks, namely that it is too easy to implicate innocent people.

Liang Guangzong frowned slightly, about to speak up in defense. Even though he was happy, Jia Yifei felt that this was inappropriate. After all, without the punishment of joint liability, it was easy for someone to keep quiet about something they knew about. However, Song Yan waved his hand to interrupt Liang Guangzong: "Change the punishment to a reward."

"You have made a meritorious report."

"If a spy is successfully captured in Pingyang City because of someone's tip, the governor's office will give a huge reward. Mr. Liang, you can think about the specific reward amount."

Fear can control the people to some extent, and so can greed.

"However, this could lead to malicious reports, so you might have to be quite busy. Every reported person must be carefully investigated to ensure that no innocent person is wronged and that no one makes a scene over a casual remark. Also, there should be appropriate penalties for malicious reports."

To uncover the spies lurking in Pingyang, it was necessary to mobilize the people of Pingyang, but Song Yan did not want it to escalate to the point of a literary inquisition.

"Furthermore, those who deliberately harbor spies will be punished the same as spies from enemy countries." After thinking for a moment, Song Yan added, "We can appropriately develop the local hooligans, scoundrels, rogues, and even beggars in Pingyang City. Don't underestimate these people. Although they have nothing to do on weekdays, they are well-informed and may even have some unexpected gains."

"Of course, what I've said is just a general concept. You'll need to think about it carefully, Mr. Liang. It would be best to have a detailed plan, even a set of reward and punishment rules. I don't want Pingyang City to eventually become a reign of terror, where everyone lives in fear. That would contradict my original idea."

"As for your position... I'm sorry, it seems that Ningguo doesn't have a similar position right now. I'll think about it later. However, all your benefits will be in accordance with Mr. Jia's standards, how about that?" Song Yan said with a smile. The Anti-Espionage Bureau, the National Security Bureau, and the like are all acceptable. He would take his time to see which one was more suitable.

Liang Guangzong's face lit up with joy: "Thank you, Your Excellency."

Song Yan waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for so much formality: "The Black Armor Guards can probably only help arrest people and maintain order, but the investigation and judgment after receiving a report are not things that the Black Armor Guards can do. These things will mostly need to be handled by Mr. Liang himself. If there is a shortage of manpower, you can recruit some yourself, about thirty to fifty people. Their salaries can be drawn from the governor's mansion."

"Furthermore, what these people are doing is extremely important and dangerous, so they must undergo rigorous testing and their loyalty must be ensured... It would be best to find those whose parents and children are still alive."

After giving some more instructions, the four of them went back to rest. Song Yan saw them off at the door and only returned to the governor's mansion after they were out of sight.

Granny Liang stood quietly in the living room the whole time, waiting.

"sit down."

Granny Liang immediately put on a fawning smile: "Your Excellency is too kind. There is no place for this old servant to sit in front of Your Excellency. This old servant will just stand, just stand."

This appearance is somewhat reminiscent of the past. Although Granny Liang's personality has become increasingly twisted, she has always maintained this obsequious and ingratiating demeanor in front of Song Yan.

Without forcing Granny Liang to sit down, Song Yan asked, "Tell me, what did you find out?"

"The Xiongnu..." Granny Liang's eyes seemed to gleam with an eerie light as she spoke slowly, enunciating each word clearly, "They will launch a war against Ningguo around the end of April."

boom!
His hoarse voice was like a thunderclap in a clear sky.

Song Yan's expression suddenly changed, and even the hand holding the teacup trembled, causing ripples to spread inside the teacup.

the end of April.

The Xiongnu.

The war against Ningguo?

In almost an instant, Song Yan's face turned ashen.

This is hardly good news.

He pursed his lips, leaned back in his chair unconsciously, his eyes lowered, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

Ningguo is now weaker than ever before.

The Xiongnu, on the other hand, were a truly colossal force. Compared to the Xiongnu, the Jurchens were as weak as a kindergarten, and there was simply no comparison.

The Jurchens' ambition to conquer the Central Plains was questionable; even if they could take Ningguo, they would suffer heavy losses. The Xiongnu, however, were a different story. They genuinely possessed the potential to sweep through Ningguo and even unify the entire country. The Xiongnu often boasted of having a million archers and a million cavalry, which, while exaggerated, demonstrated the sheer scale of their military power.

Once war breaks out, Anzhou Prefecture will only be able to hold out for three months at most before the main army will advance directly towards Pingyang and Dingzhou. Although his Black Armored Warriors have an absolute advantage in weaponry and equipment, and also have a batch of Thunderclap Bombs, even Song Yan is not very confident that they can withstand the Xiongnu cavalry.

The firepower is still insufficient.

It seems we'll have to work overtime to produce the devastating bombs during this period.

After a long silence, Song Yan finally spoke: "Continue."

With Song Yan's approval, Granny Liang, who had been quiet all along, finally spoke up: "There are probably two reasons for launching the war."

"On the one hand, last winter in the northern desert was colder than ever before. Although the Xiongnu also raided south before winter, the Xiongnu population was larger and their border with the Chu state was longer. Therefore, they mainly raided the Chu state. The Chu state was militarily strong, and it is said that there were veteran generals guarding the border. The Xiongnu repeatedly attacked the border and suffered heavy casualties but gained nothing. In the end, they retreated to the northern desert and failed to store enough food to survive the winter. Countless cattle, sheep, horses and even Xiongnu people starved and froze to death."

"The Xiongnu are currently facing a severe food shortage, and since the State of Chu is not easy to deal with, they have set their sights on the relatively weak State of Ning."

crunch.

Song Yan's fingers involuntarily clenched.

They can't beat Chu, so they come here to bully Ning? Damn it, do they think Ning is easy to bully? For a moment, Song Yan actually had the urge to curse, but he quickly held back.

Because he sadly discovered that this was the truth... Compared to the State of Chu, the State of Ning was indeed the easier one to bully.

This is, in essence, the tragedy of a weak nation.

Not to mention the reigns of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong, even during the reign of Emperor Longtai, a war god named Mei Wu could suppress the Xiongnu and prevent them from attacking the pass. Why are they in such a sorry state now?

"On the other hand, the Xiongnu Great Chanyu, Suochuoluo, is old and may return to the embrace of the Wolf God in a few years. Therefore, after discussion, the high-ranking officials, including Suochuoluo and the Xiongnu kings, decided that this war will also determine the next Great Chanyu."

"Sochoro will not personally lead the army in the war; instead, his four sons, who are the four princes of the Xiongnu, will lead the army."

"Each of the four Xiongnu princes will lead 50,000 Xiongnu cavalry. The final decision will be based on the area of ​​land conquered, the number of women captured, the number of heads taken, the amount of looted goods, and their own losses."

Upon hearing this, Song Yan was furious.

He even felt a strong sense of humiliation.

Could it be that these barbarians have turned Ningguo into their hunting ground? And the people of Ningguo are merely prey in their eyes?

Taking a deep breath, Song Yan forcefully suppressed the anger rising in his chest: "Continue."

Liang Qiaofeng glanced cautiously at her master before speaking again: "The prisoner we captured is Suochuoluo's youngest son, the Xiongnu prince Alunchi."

"Because of the large age difference between him and his brothers, while his three brothers had many followers among the Xiongnu, he was still walking around naked. By the time Suochuoluo grew old, Alunchi had only been an adult for a few years. He did not have much time to develop his own power among the Xiongnu, and his mother's tribe was not a particularly powerful tribe. Therefore, he had no advantage in the competition for the position of Chanyu. Each of the four princes led 50,000 iron cavalry, but they had to recruit these 50,000 iron cavalry themselves so that they could draw more from the tribes that supported them."

“Those tribal leaders also hoped that the prince they supported could become the Chanyu, so as to gain greater benefits in the future. Therefore, they did not mind sending the best warriors of their tribes... But Arunchi was more unlucky. Even with the full support of his mother tribe, it was very difficult for him to gather 50,000 iron cavalry.”

"If we manage to gather enough people, there will likely be many elderly, weak, sick, and disabled people in the team."

Thinking about it this way, Alunchi's situation was truly dire. Relying on his old, weak, sick, and disabled frame, it was virtually impossible for him to seize more territory and achieve greater victories than his brothers' elite cavalry. It could be said that Alunchi had already lost the competition for the position of Chanyu before it even began.

It's likely that even Socholo, the father, didn't think Arunchi had a chance of winning; otherwise, they wouldn't have created such an extremely unfair rule for Arunchi.

But it's clear that this young prince of Arnamchi has a competitive and unyielding personality.

He entered Ningguo territory probably hoping to defy fate, but unfortunately, he fell into his own hands and ended up becoming Song Zhe's sister, though they were separated by death.

This unlucky kid.

As expected, Liang Qiaofeng continued, "Alunchi understands that he absolutely cannot beat his brothers in normal competition... but he also has ways to win."

"If all three older brothers are dead, and he becomes the only prince, then it will be meaningless to worry about the size of the territory or how much he has gained."

hiss.

Song Yan was slightly surprised.

What a fine example of brotherly love and respect!

She's almost as good as Li Erfeng.

"However, Arunchi also knew that it was almost impossible to kill his three brothers within the territory of the Xiongnu. The only chance was after the war began, on Ningguo's territory, preferably during the battle, to find an opportunity to end his three brothers' lives, so that the blame could be placed on Ningguo."

"Even if Suochuoluo goes mad and seeks revenge, he will only seek revenge against Ningguo."

"However, Arunchi did not know much about the weather and terrain of Ningguo. Although he had a plan in mind, he was unsure how to set up an ambush and where to do so."

Song Yan raised an eyebrow: "So, he personally went to Ningguo to investigate on the spot? Doesn't he have any subordinates?" Although he has few supporters, surely he has at least one?
It's a bit pathetic that someone has to personally go out to gather intelligence like this.
Liang Qiaofeng made a humming sound in her throat, as if she was holding back laughter, and she was holding it in so much pain that her already wrinkled face became distorted and looked particularly terrifying.

Taking a deep breath, Liang Qiaofeng managed to suppress her smile: "Of course, I have supporters."

"Among the four Xiongnu princes, the eldest prince had the most tribes supporting him, numbering over thirty; the second prince had over a dozen; and the third prince had over twenty. As for the tribes supporting Alunchi, although there were fewer, there were still seven. However..." Liang Qiaofeng spread her hands: "However, Alunchi sadly discovered that among the seven tribes supporting him, two had secretly sided with the eldest prince, one with the second prince, and three with the third prince... Among them were even relatives of his mother, the queen consort."

Ugh... Song Yan was speechless.

Even though he injured and crippled Arunchi, it's still a bit too pitiful, isn't it?

So he's surrounded by traitors. Even Gin isn't as miserable as him.

However, Song Yan found this situation easy to understand. It was clear that Alunchi had no chance of becoming the Chanyu, so rather than trying to undermine him, it was better to find another way out as soon as possible.

"For Arunchi, such a discovery was an extremely serious blow, and it even made him become sensitive and suspicious, irritable and easily angered."

"His personality became increasingly distorted. He saw everyone around him as if they were spies planted by his three elder brothers. Even the last tribe that had stayed with him was abnormal in Arunchi's eyes. Even his closest confidants seemed to be acting strangely."

"Moreover, this is a plan to murder his three elder brothers, so he dares not entrust it to anyone else."

"Even those six guards were carefully selected and tested time and time again to ensure they were safe before we dared to keep them by our side."

Song Yan clicked his tongue, unsure how to describe Arunchi.

He's a pathetic wretch, yet also an unkillable cockroach.

If an ordinary person knew that six of the seven tribes that supported them had sided with the enemy, they would probably collapse on the spot and never recover.

But Arunchi still wanted to fight to the death and turn the tide against all odds.

“There is only one chance, so Arunchi has to be extremely cautious. He knows that even if the opportunity were right in front of him, he would not be able to take the lives of his three older brothers with his own strength. The only way is to rely on the power of Ning Kingdom.”

"All he can do is act as an inside man, providing the enemy with ample intelligence."

"Actually, Your Excellency, you were also once on Arunchi's list of partners..."

Song Yan raised an eyebrow. This was an unexpected surprise. He hadn't expected that Alan Chihai would think so highly of him. He wondered if he should feel honored.

"Just as Arunchi was pondering who to cooperate with, Tang Shenghai appeared in front of him."

Song Yan's spirits lifted slightly.

The information related to Prince Fu's lineage has finally arrived.

"Tang Shenghai, acting as the agent of Princess Kong Nianhan of Fu, found Alunchi, and the two sides reached a cooperation agreement."

"Kong Nianhan will betroth Princess Gaoyang to Alunchi, and the two families will become in-laws."

"The news that Princess Gaoyang had been married once was also told to Alunchi, but Alunchi did not mind. It seems that the Xiongnu do not particularly care about a woman's chastity."

Song Yan suddenly let out a shout.

Gao Yang, oh Gao Yang, you were sold after all.

In the mind of Kong Nianhan, her biological mother, Gao Yang's greatest use was probably as a link between different forces.

It's somewhat pathetic.

It's no wonder that Gao Yang would have doubts about his birth mother because of one sentence he said.

I should find an opportunity to visit the Zhang family later. It would be better to inform Gao Yang about this matter, but I should be tactful, otherwise it would be too pitiful.

"Arunchi will inform Tang Shenghai of important information such as the Xiongnu's marching route, troop deployment, the specific locations of his three elder brothers, and supply routes."

“And this time, Alunchi went to Pingyang for Gaoyang.” Liang Qiaofeng continued, “Probably to let Alunchi meet Gaoyang first. If he takes a liking to him, he can take Gaoyang away directly. However, Gaoyang has not been in Pingyang City, which is why it has been delayed until now.”

"If no one is chosen, Kong Nianhan will select three more from among Alunchi's other daughters, nieces, and nephews to present to him, as requested by Alunchi."

In Song Yan's mind, although she had never met Kong Nianhan, her impression of him had almost dropped to freezing point. Not only did he scheme against her daughter, but he had also plotted against her niece and nephew.

By the way, does Kong Nianhan have other daughters?

I've never heard of Gao Yang having any biological sisters.

"Tang Shenghai will then inform Kong Nianhan, who will find a way to eliminate all three Xiongnu princes."

Song Yan sighed: "Could Kong Nianhan, a mere woman, really do something like this?"

Liang Qiaofeng shook her head: "I don't know. This is just the content of the contract between the two parties. As for how the content will be achieved, even Tang Shenghai doesn't know. He's just a messenger."

"In short, Kong Nianhan helped Alunchi get rid of his three older brothers and become the Xiongnu Chanyu."

"After Alunchi becomes the Xiongnu Chanyu, he must also fulfill his promise and help Kong Nianhan plan to bring peace to the country."

Song Yan's face was gloomy, with a hint of mockery in his eyes.

Is he plotting against Ningguo?

Does Kong Nianhan intend to become an empress?

Do you think you're Empress Wu Zetian?
(End of this chapter)