Chapter 24 beg for peace

"Tai Chong, Tai Chong!" Several anxious calls came from the courtyard. Huang Zongxi, who was writing a letter to Liu Zongzhou in the west chamber, couldn't help being startled.When he heard that it was Gu Gao, he put down his pen, walked to the door in doubt, opened the curtain and looked out. "Tai Chong, come quickly!" Gu Gao waved his hands in a panic, "It's not good, Mr. Zhong vomited blood!" Huang Zongxi was taken aback, and hurriedly stepped out of the threshold: "Ah, vomiting blood—Old Zhong? Why? How?" Gu Gao didn't care about answering, turned around and hurried back to the main room.Huang Zongxi became nervous and hurriedly followed.

When he stepped into the main room, he found that several servants had already gathered inside, and they were helping the guest—— Lei Zuo, a former Wude Daoist, help the host to the chair.Huang Zongxi didn't have time to ask any more, so he ran forward first, and sure enough, he saw Zhou Biao's face was pale, his eyes were tightly closed, the corners of his mouth and beard were stained with bright red blood, and he had no strength to speak, so he just shook his hands slightly, as if to indicate that it was all right, Let everyone not panic. "What's going on here?" After he settled Zhou Bi on the chair with everyone, Huang Zongxi turned around suspiciously while the servants were busy wiping the blood and delivering tea and water for the master. Looking at Gu Gao asked.

Gu Gao was telling a servant to call for a doctor quickly. He looked back at the patient on the chair, then pulled his friend aside, and said in a low voice: "Just now, Mr. Lei Jie came and said that he had just learned from Qian Muzhai that Ma Yaocao had broken the contract with Mr. Shi. He had married Liu Kongzhao and Li Zhan on the inside, and connected with the four towns in the north of the Yangtze River, intending to use force to support Fufan. The ministers in Liudu were coerced by the situation, and it was agreed yesterday at the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion to use the Fufan

"What?" Huang Zongxi's eyes suddenly widened.He grabbed his friend's sleeve anxiously, "It is decided to change Lifufan! Is this true?" "This matter has been confirmed!" A deep voice came.Huang Zongxi turned around and found Lei Zuo's bearded face facing him two feet away. "It was Lv Shaosima who personally informed Mr. Qian Mu." Lei Zuo said with a dejected expression, "Yesterday's meeting at the Zhongshan Palace was obviously summoned after the rules and regulations were made. Liu Chengyi, all the ministers and Li Zhan from the official department sang to each other. As soon as they arrived, they read the official announcements of Ma Yaocao and Lu Jiude, and then announced that they would prosecute the temple as Fufan without waiting for the officials to discuss. At that time, Lu Shaosi Ma Jian He refused to agree, and fought with Li Zhan in the hall. But the officials were frightened by Ma Yaocao's military prestige, and feared internal changes, they all kept silent. Lu Shao Sima couldn't do it alone, so he had no choice but to follow him. He heard that Qian Mu I was extremely indignant about this matter, and had a quarrel with Lu Gonghao, and said that I would pack up and go back to Changshu within a few days!"

Huang Zongxi was stunned. Such a sudden change in the situation had never been expected by him.In fact, when he wrote the letter in the West Chamber just now, he described a rather optimistic prospect to the teacher who was waiting for the news in Hangzhou. down.If the new monarch can reform with the people and work hard to govern after he ascends the throne, it seems that there is still something to be done.Who would have thought that Ma Shiying and his like would turn back their promises and resort to such despicable and brutal methods... "But, but, Shi Daolin—couldn't he just go with the flow?" He asked tremblingly.

"I heard that Shi Daolin only found out about this after the fact. So he rushed back to Liudu from Pukou overnight." Lei Zuo said. "Oh, so Dingsheng is back?" Gu Gao quickly asked—a few mornings ago, although Zhou Biao had surprisingly expressed his dissatisfaction with Chen Zhenhui, accusing him of being ambitious, but in this critical life and death At the moment, Gu Gao had probably forgotten about that matter. Lei Zuo shook his head: "Early this morning, I went to the Ministry of War to inquire about news, and also asked about Dingsheng, saying that he was still in Pukou and had not returned."

"Why didn't he come back after such a big event?" Gu Gao was quite anxious. Lei Zuo smiled wryly: "I'm afraid Dingsheng still doesn't know about it!" "What should we do now?" Huang Zongxi gritted his teeth and asked.His little face was flushed with anger. No one answered.Obviously, Lei Zuo found Zhou Biao just because he felt helpless.As for Gu Gao, he hasn't completely shaken off his depression and despair these two days, let alone come up with any ideas. "... Shi Daolin, just, go see Shi... Shi Daolin!" A deep, weak voice came over, it was Zhou Biao.He had opened his eyes and was struggling to sit upright.

Huang Zongxi hurried over, supported him, and asked suspiciously, "Go to see Shi Daolin?" "Well, go quickly, I will go too!" Huang Zongxi looked at the exhausted patient, and shook his head: "Sir, how can we get there? Besides, the doctor is coming soon—how about it, Mr. You Jie and Zi Fang will go together with his younger brother, weeping blood and confessing to Shi Gong, Please ask him to try to preside over it. Mr. Zhong will rest at home and wait for the news." "That's right, Mr. Zhong must never move again, he can't go!" Gu Gao and Lei Zuo also persuaded him at the same time.

Zhou Bi raised his shaggy head and looked at them weakly.Suddenly, those eyes hidden under the bushy eyebrows flashed an angry light: "Stop rambling, what time is this! I know my illness, hurry, hurry!" As he spoke, he stretched out his hands, let the servant support him, and forced himself to stand up. After half an hour, they finally arrived outside the Yamen of the Ministry of War located on the east side of Hongwu Gate.Gu Gao asked everyone to wait outside first, and went forward to ask for a transmission.Who knows, the doorman replied that Shi Kefa is not free today, and he has ordered the door to refuse to see any guests, no matter what.At first, Gu Gao thought that he thought the money was too little, so he added a few more money, but the other party refused to accept it, so Gu Gao had no choice but to walk back dejectedly.

When Huang Zongxi heard this, he couldn't help blushing anxiously, angrily going forward to make a noise.It was Zhou Biao who waved his hand and stopped him. "Since Mr. Shi has learned about this," he leaned on the sedan chair, and said with a wry smile, "now he must be thinking about countermeasures, but this is an opportunity to speak up. Mr. Men will not pass it on, we can find someone else—— Well, let's find Yang Yufan!" Yang Yufan was a close aide of Shi Kefa.His father used to be the magistrate of Shucheng County. He was killed when the city was broken because of resisting the peasant army, and he has not received a commissar for a long time.It was Shi Kefa who made repeated declarations on his behalf before the matter was completed.Yang Yufan was very grateful for this, so he joined Shi Kefa's staff to work for him. In terms of qualifications and degree of credit, he was a step deeper than Chen Zhenhui.Now reminded by Zhou Bi, Gu Gao nodded and went to negotiate again.This time, it really went smoothly.A moment later, Yang Yufan appeared in a hurry.He stood in front of the door and looked around, and when he found that Zhou Bi was almost carried off the sedan chair by Huang Zongxi and Gu Gao, his handsome face showed a look of surprise, and hurried forward to meet him. Come, salute everyone and ask with concern:

"Old Zhong, this is..." Zhou Biao shook his head: "It's okay, it's an old problem!" After a pause, after taking a breath, he raised his eyes again and looked at his staff: "Brother, if there is something urgent, you must immediately contact Chen Shigong and let him know! "Because he has frequent contacts with Yang Yufan on weekdays, he no longer pays attention to politeness. "Brother Yang," Lei Zuo also intervened when he saw the other party's embarrassment. So I had to make this presumptuous move." "Oh, brother Jiegong, why did you say that! It's rare for you all to see Gu, I'm so grateful!" Yang Yufan quickly said humbly, "It's just that Shi Gong is really not free at the moment, and he has ordered to thank guests, so the door just didn't mean it. Neglect..." He pondered for a while, "How about this, first invite everyone to come in and serve tea, and once Shi Gong has finished the official business, I will immediately notify you, but it is very disrespectful to have you waiting for me, I don't know you ..." Lei Zuo and the others looked at each other, knowing that what the other said was indeed true, and that he was willing to do this, which was already very helpful, and maybe he was still worried about being blamed by Shi Kefa, so they all bowed their hands and thanked: "So, even Beautiful!" After finishing speaking, Huang Zongxi and Gu Gao helped Zhou Bi up, with Lei Zuo helping him, followed Yang Yufan into the side door, and walked towards the private office. "Brother, I'm here to inquire about something - Ma Yaocao has linked up with the four towns in the north of the Yangtze River and forcibly supported the Fufan. Did Da Sima know about it?" After everyone recited the etiquette and sat down in the small flower hall, Zhou Biao leaned back in his chair weakly and asked straight to the point. "This—" Yang Yufan put away his polite smile, hesitated for a moment, and nodded, "Shi Gong already knows." "Then, how does Shi Gong plan to deal with this traitor?" Huang Zongxi interjected through gritted teeth. Yang Yufan glanced at the guest, he seemed a little surprised and a little uneasy about such overly violent words.He shook his head and said vaguely: "How to deal with this, my younger brother has never known." "I don't know? Your Excellency...cough, I don't know!" Zhou Biao said anxiously, and then coughed violently. Everyone couldn't help but turned their faces and looked at him with concern. "I learned about this because I sent the joint name of Ma Yaocao and the four towns to Shi Gong. As for how Shi Gong will deal with it, I really don't dare to hear about it." After Zhou Bi's cough subsided a little, Yang Yufan explained. "Hmph, brother won't say it!" Huang Zongxi intervened again, paused, and suddenly raised his voice, asking angrily: "Brother thinks that my brother and others are lowly and low enough to seek this matter?" Yang Yufan blushed, obviously a little annoyed, but he held back and said calmly, "Brother's words are serious. How dare I despise brothers and others? If you say that people are inferior, younger brothers are inferior." I'm humble. Therefore, although you have asked me, I am at a loss and don't know what to answer. In fact, I am sorry, and I pray for forgiveness!" As he said, he raised his hands on his chest and made a bow. Lei Zuo watched from the side, knowing that if Huang Zongxi continued to speak, it would only completely freeze the scene, so he hurriedly arched his hands, and while returning the salute, he smoothed things over and said: "Brother Yang, Ma Yao reneged on what he said, lightly destroyed the agreement, and forcibly changed the establishment. This matter is no small matter. It is really related to the safety of Jiangzuo! Brother Taichong is so anxious. I really want to pay respects to Lord Shi when I come here today. Chen Suojian unexpectedly coincided with Master Shi thanking the guests, if Brother Yang hadn't been accommodating, how could I have waited in peace? It's just that Brother Yang is here to accompany Fu Lao, which makes Brother and others very uneasy!" He said this, on the one hand, to warn Huang Zongxi not to forget that he has been very helpful, and not to act recklessly; Sure enough, since Huang Zongxi stopped making a sound, Yang Yufan's anger also disappeared.He nodded and sighed: "To tell you the truth, Ma Yaocao's sudden change of mind did not show any signs in advance. It is obvious that he came here with a plan. Shi Gong also felt that it was very difficult. Yesterday midnight, today until today At this time, they are all discussing with Lord Gao, Lord Jiang, and Lord Zhang, but there is no result so far. So I really don't know how to respond..." "I heard that a few days ago, Shi Gong sent a letter to Ma Yaocao, arguing that Fu Fan's 'seven can't be established'. I wonder if there is such a thing?" Gu Gao, who had never opened his mouth, asked. Yang Yufan was silent for a while, then nodded slightly. "Then, does the person surnamed Ma have a reply?" Gu Gao stared at it closely. Yang Yufan shook his head and said with a wry smile: "He only sent someone to give a verbal reply, expressing that he would abide by the previous agreement, and also asked Shi Gong not to listen to rumors. So Shi Gong has always been very relieved, but now..." Everyone said "ah", and their faces changed suddenly.Because Ma Shiying's sinister intentions are too obvious, and once his plot succeeds, it is no longer clear what the political situation in Nanjing will be like.So the two stars in Gu Gao's eyes flickered for a while, then dimmed immediately. Huang Zongxi slapped the armrest of the chair, and stood up abruptly: "Then, what else can Shi Gong hesitate? Could it be that he plans to hand over Jiangnan to Ma Yaocao!" "Yes, no, nothing will work!" Lei Zuo frowned and murmured. Yang Yufan was also a little excited.He nodded, and was about to speak, when suddenly, there were footsteps in the corridor outside the hall.Then, a person stepped in. Everyone turned their faces away, and couldn't help saying "ah", and stood up one after another-it turned out that Shi Kefa, Minister of the Ministry of War, unexpectedly appeared in front of them. Probably because of the overnight discussion on the extraordinary incident, Shi Kefa's expression appeared serious and cold at the moment, his dark and thin face looked even thinner, but his eyes shone brightly.He obviously didn't realize that the guests in the hall were Zhou Biao and the others, and he didn't come in to see the guests, so he was taken aback for a moment; but then he resumed his original demeanor, saluted everyone one by one, and said lightly After exchanging a few words, he turned to his staff and said: "When I came back yesterday, the student asked Chen Dingsheng to collect the daily pond report and sent someone to send it across the river. If you receive it, sir, bring it to me immediately!" After explaining, he nodded to everyone, made another "excuse me" gesture, then turned around and planned to leave. It was hard to wait for the master to show up, Lei Zuo and others naturally refused to let it go, and they kept winking at Yang Yufan.The latter understood, arched his hands and said: "My lord, Mr. Zhong, Mr. Jie, Zifang, and Taichong are here for a sincere visit. I have something important to report to my lord. I have been waiting here for a long time!" "Oh?" Shi Kefa stopped and turned sideways. "My lord!" Lei Zuo was going to let Zhou Biao come forward to host, but seeing the latter's movement just now, his complexion turned pale, and he couldn't help it, so he had to speak for him, "I heard that Ma Yaocao was treacherous, so I contacted you. The four towns intend to use force to push Dai Fufan, I don't know how to deal with it?" He deliberately did not mention that the ministers who stayed in the capital had agreed to pick him up in Yizheng, no doubt out of a deep consideration.Because Shi Kefa did not participate in that section, he has every right to ask the ministers to reconvene.If rejected, as the top military officer, Shi Kefa has every reason to intervene with extraordinary measures.This is exactly what Lei Zuo—and Zhou Bi, Huang Zongxi, Gu Gao and others hoped for.However, that is already a further topic, and it cannot be brought up for discussion until the master's attitude has not been figured out. Hearing that they had something important to report, Shi Kefa was very careful at first, but when he found out that it was for this matter, his expression became cold.He glanced sternly at the staff, as if blaming them for not being at this moment, and for bringing these people to disturb him. "This, um, it's not a breach of trust. Since there are objections, we should discuss it." He said vaguely. "Why not treachery!" Seeing that Shi Kefa was impatient with people like himself visiting from the very beginning, and his attitude was perfunctory, Huang Zongxi's self-esteem had long been insulted, so he rushed in and said, "Ban Yue It is well known that the former lord made a plan with him to set up the Guizhou Province. Now he suddenly changed his mind and brazenly sent troops to support Fufan to the south. It is clearly a conspiracy. If we can succeed by relying on this, what is the discipline and the majesty of the southern capital!" The current situation is indeed the case, so for a while, Shi Kefa was speechless.But he still didn't seem to want to make things too public, so he hesitated for a while, and then said: "Fufan was also in the election, and in order of ethics, among the feudal clans, he is the closest and the longest, and he is the one who is also elected." Nothing is impossible..." As soon as these words came out, not only Huang Zongxi, but also Lei Zuo and Gu Gao were shocked: "Ah, could it be that your lord is determined to submit to Ma Yaocao and change Lifu Fan?" Shi Kefa waved his hand, looking a little irritated: "This matter is not as simple as everyone imagined. In short, everything must be based on the overall situation of the society and a long-term plan!" With that said, he turned and wanted to leave.At this moment, Zhou Biao, who had been silent all this time, suddenly left the chair, staggered a few steps, knelt down on the ground with a "plop", kowtowed and said: "My lord, listen, cough, and listen to the students, cough cough, a word!" Shi Kefa quickly stopped in his tracks: "Hey, Mr. Zhong, please get up! If you have something to say, just speak up, and the students will definitely listen!" Zhou Biao refused to get up no matter what.And no matter which way Shi Kefa avoided, he moved his body with difficulty, turned his head towards the other party, panted, and argued vigorously: "Jiangzuo's safety and Ming's revival depend on my gentleman's joint efforts; can my gentleman Do your best in the court, and it all depends on the establishment of the emperor to win the virtuous. This is the most important thing! Today, Ma Yao grass is evil by nature, and eagles and wolves have their hearts. Let the treachery succeed, and the ambition of a benevolent gentleman to serve the country will eventually turn into hatred. I hope you will think twice and think twice!" Lei Zuo also joined in excitedly: "Your Excellency is responsible for the safety of the world and the success or failure of ZTE. All the subjects in the south of the Yangtze River look up to you like Song Dai. Therefore, they are deeply tabooed by treacherous evil, and they have deliberately planned to seek you. Your Excellency recently reprimanded Fufan for not standing up. The treacherous people have given their mouths to tell the truth. If they are forced to stand up now, it is enough to give them a handle. Therefore, Zuo and others are deeply in danger! Even if the adults do not cherish themselves, is it true that the society of the Ming Dynasty and the people in the south of the Yangtze River are not enough? !" Shi Kefa stared blankly at them, obviously moved by these two sincere speeches.After a long while, he murmured: "The words of the two of you are certainly reasonable. It's just, oh..." "Oh, is it because Ma Yaocao has the help of the four towns in Jiangbei that your lord hesitates?" Huang Zongxi asked anxiously.Because of this period of time, Shi Kefa revealed his true feelings, and his inner dissatisfaction disappeared, "Actually, there is nothing to be afraid of! As long as the lord gives orders, Xiaosheng is willing to go west to Wuchang immediately, and recruit Zuo Liangyu's soldiers to go east." Let's see if he dares to be rampant in the four towns!" "That's right." Gu Gao, who had always seemed depressed, suddenly became impulsive and echoed loudly, "Zuo Liangyu has loyalty in her heart, and deeply hates the actions of villains and sycophants, but she has always been friends with me, a gentleman in Donglin. For now The only way to stop Ma Yaocao's conspiracy is to recruit him to the east!" Shi Kefa didn't hear what they said clearly at first, and he mused to himself.However, when he finally came to his senses, he was clearly taken aback: "What, what are you talking about? Levy, levy left soldiers go east?" "It's not too late, I hope my lord will make a decisive decision!" Huang Zongxi and Gu Gao said at the same time, and they knelt down together. Shi Kefa didn't speak immediately, but his expression changed obviously.A mixture of shock, distaste, and urgency was evident on his dark, thin face. "Nonsense!" He yelled angrily, "You guys are so courageous, how dare you come up with such a reckless suggestion that will harm the country! Don't you know that the current chaos is overwhelming, people's hearts are floating, and thieves will go south at any time. If our generation is in the same boat, we will make trouble first, how will the situation be dealt with? Should Jiangnan be maintained? ZTE should be rebuilt? Hmph, it is simply nonsense, this discussion is absolutely impossible!" This suggestion put forward by Huang Zongxi was actually Zhou Bi's idea, and Lei Zuo also agreed with it.In fact, given that the situation has reached this point, in their view, moving out Zuo Liangyu to frighten Ma Shiying is the only way to save the defeat.Unexpectedly, as soon as he raised it, he was severely reprimanded by Shi Kefa.For a while, everyone was stunned.However, Lei Zuo seemed a little reconciled, he explained: "The meaning of Shicai's overreach is not to ask Zuo Bing to go east seriously, it's just to let him make such a momentum to make Ma Yaocao and others afraid." "No! No way!" Shi Kefa waved his hand arrogantly, it seemed that not only was there no room for negotiation, but he didn't even want to hear it again. "However, if traitors take advantage of their support and control the government, wouldn't there be chaos in the south of the Yangtze River? Could there be hope for ZTE?" Huang Zongxi couldn't help arguing. Shi Kefa glanced at him, and said coldly: "Your worries are too much! How can it be so easy for those generations to control the government as much as they want? As long as we, gentlemen, work together and seek the country with a public heart, they will be able to do whatever they want !" After saying this, he raised his head slightly, cast his gaze to the corner of the blue sky with white clouds floating outside the window, and said in a contemplative and firm tone: "Keifah can conduct himself in the world, but he has a clear conscience. As for success or failure, only Paying it to the sky, it is not something Kefa can ask, nor Kefa dares to ask!" Listening to this stubborn tone, everyone knew that it was useless to say anything, so they couldn't help but fell silent in frustration.Only Zhou Biao refused to give up, still lying on the ground, kowtowing his head, and shouting in despair: "Shi Gong, Shi Gong, think twice, think twice!" Shi Kefa's expression was already a little relaxed, but now it was suddenly stern and daunting. "There is nothing to think twice!" He said sharply, "Your opinion is extremely paradoxical. I, Shi Kefa, will never implement it on this day! If Zuo Liangyu dares to disobey the restraints and raise troops to the east, I will take the lead in striking Beg for it, let’s die! That’s all I have to say, I hope you can do it yourself!” After speaking, he flicked his sleeves, turned around, and strode out. Lei Zuo, Huang Zongxi, and Gu Gao stayed for a while, looking at each other and you in despair, and finally they all focused on Zhou Biao—but they were surprised to find that Zhou Biao was sitting crookedly on the ground with an expressionless expression on his face. It became a dead gray, very ugly.Suddenly, his whole body shook violently, and with a "wow", he spat out another puddle of blood. ① Announcing the Temple: Go to the Taimiao where the ancestor tablets of the imperial dynasties are enshrined to hold the sacrificial ceremony.