Chapter 3 Chapter Three
Gao Pibing has been annoyed ever since the capital was devolved to Yuzhang County as the captain. He did not expect that he would be sent to the south of the Yangtze River as the bird officer.He has never led a soldier in his life, and has no actual experience in governing officials at the grassroots level. It is only because of the family's shadow that he was able to become a marquis.Although he has received a good education since he was a child, and he has memorized the "Book of Filial Piety" thoroughly, but it is all passive, and he has no interest in it.When he grew up, he still had no interest in the official positions such as servants and doctors among the eunuchs.But according to the rules of the big man, how many big officials are not born as court servants like Lang Guan?Of course, there is another way, that is to start from the most grassroots officials, after years of hard work, accumulating merit and promotion, and being excellent in many assessments, you can be appointed by the imperial court to try to guard the "drama county"
.If you are still qualified, you may be promoted to Jingzhaoyin, Jiuqing, and then to Yushi doctor, and finally you will be granted the title of marquis and worship minister.But Gao Pibing had no such interest since he was born.He is not yet thirty years old, but he is fat and bloated, and his only hobby in life is cooking.He is completely indifferent to some noble things, such as becoming an official and making a fortune, but he is very interested in eating and drinking. Sometimes he will quote "the food is not tired of the fine, and the meat is not tired of the fine" to defend himself.Since the edicts of the great Han like to quote scriptures to prove their correctness, why can't he?He can spend the whole day tinkering with food and drink in the kitchen, and he drives away all the cooks at home. In this way, he makes himself plump and tender.But at the same time, it also aroused the incomparable contempt of his half-sister Shi Ciqian.
Shi Ciqian married the crown prince Liu Shi when she was sixteen years old, and was named "Liangdi".She was not originally the concubine of the prince, but because she gave birth to a son in the second year, the emperor was very happy. He came to Mingguang Palace where the prince lived to visit the newborn grandson, and personally named him Liu Jin.Naturally, it is hoped that this child can improve day by day, and it is obvious that the throne will eventually be passed on to him in the future.Since her mother was expensive, Shi Ciqian was immediately righted and became the crown prince and concubine.Her family prospered immediately.All of a sudden, four or five brothers got Yinhou and became servants of Lang Guan.Their names have been registered in the royal register in charge of Lang Zhongling, and they can freely enter and leave Weiyang Palace and Changle Palace.
Gao Pibing was the son of Shi Ciqian's mother and ex-husband.Their mother's name is Xi'er, she was very beautiful and bright when she was young, she lived in Changling, and she was attracted by the Gao family of Changling early on.The Gao family is a rich family who moved from Qi State in the past, with a huge family fortune.They sent people to propose marriage, and Xi'er's family would never refuse.Although Xi'er's family can be considered a wealthy family, compared to Gao's family, they are nothing compared to Gao's family.In this way, Gao married a beautiful woman, and Xi'er got a rich family. Everyone was happy, and both parties were satisfied.
After Xi'er got married, she often went home, and she got along very well with her mother.One day she was at her natal home again, and the mother and daughter discussed going to Chang'an City together.Outside the city gate of Chang'an, I saw a beggar sitting at the foot of the city wall basking in the sun.It was spring, the sun was shining, and the air was full of fragrance.On the top of the beggar's head, blue willows were like threads, brushing his disheveled and dirty hair from time to time, and he was also concentrating on catching lice.Xi'er passed in front of him, threw a few five baht copper coins, and dropped them into his wooden bowl with a dull voice.The beggar seemed to be awakened from a good dream, he suddenly raised his head, and his eyes suddenly became straight.This wrinkled old man's mouth was wide open, and he didn't close it for a long time.Xi'er secretly laughed, could it be that she is so beautiful that even such a beggar is so out of her mind that she has a good mood like a toad wanting to eat swan meat?Ordinary beggars are almost numb to the nerves of paying attention to women due to the torture of life.Xi'er couldn't help laughing out loud at this moment, and said to her mother, "Mom, you see this beggar is so strange that he doesn't take his eyes off me?"Maybe he was also fascinated by his daughter.Her mother looked at the beggar and smiled triumphantly. Xi'er from our Tian family has been famous in Sanfu since he was a child. Which young man from a rich family in Wuling is not fascinated, let alone a beggar!
The beggar laughed when he heard the mother and daughter's conversation in the car. He opened his toothless mouth and said, although this girl is beautiful, she may not be able to surprise the old man.Although the old man is down and out, it is not that he has not seen the world when he was young.Even if I sit in front of this door every day in recent years, I don't know how many women and girls come and go.Chang'an is the residence of the emperor, the capital of the great man, and all the beauties from the world's counties and countries gather here, the old man looked at it indifferently.The reason why you girl made me lose my temper is naturally not for this reason.
, Xi'er was surprised that the old beggar's words were so elegant, she couldn't help but smile, she didn't expect that the old man had other reasons, so let's talk about it quickly, what's going on?
Well, the old beggar brushed his front, looked at the ribbon-like Weishui in the distance, seemed to reveal a ray of sadness, and said, the old man did not step on the golden court and jade.It's a pity that things in the world are like this, you can only calculate the success or failure of others, but not your own destiny.
Xi'er turned her head to her mother and said, this old man speaks so loudly, he is an old man when he speaks and keeps talking, as if he was from Doctor Qing's background.Looking at his scruffy and wretched appearance, he seems a little bit rich.
The mother became serious, what do you know, child?Wealth and glory change with luck, and there has never been a reason to enjoy them forever.She pointed to the city gate and said, even in the west market inside the city gate, how many princes and generals were slaughtered there?You just listen to what he has to say.As she said that, she got out of the car, and said to the beggar, my little girl is ignorant, please don't take offense, sir, it's clear.
The old beggar smiled slightly, you old woman is a sensible person.To be honest, the old man is from Henan County, and he worshiped Liu Changqing in Xingyang as his teacher since he was a child, and learned physiognomy.Later, he traveled to Liang to study and was favored by King Liang Xiao. He kept me in the palace and gifted me Gao Jue.Later, King Liang Xiao died of worry because of the clues of the conspiracy. Our people in the palace were also implicated and offended. , with nowhere to go, wanted to cling to a wealthy family and do some small work to make a living, but because he had held a position in the kingdom, he was discriminated against in the capital according to the imperial court's "Legend of Zuo Guan".Later, the leg injury worsened and he became a lame man, so he had to beg outside the city gate for a living.Seeing your daughter just now really opened my eyes.But I am not stunned by her beauty, but her appearance, rich and generous, really has the sign of great nobility, which is beyond words.When I was young, I read and studied photo books all over, and if I read wrong this time, it is not my fault, but the photo books in this world are rubbish and should be burned.
Xi'er's mother wondered, what Mr. said is really surprising, since my teacher Liu Changqing is famous all over the world for his amazing experience with people, I have to believe it.It's just that the Changling Gao family she married was of course a wealthy family in Qidi.However, in the past few decades, there has been no one who has been an official for more than two thousand stones.
The old beggar smiled, I still hoped that Ms. Tian would be able to depend on her for the rest of her life when she became an imperial relative, how could she be satisfied with just two thousand stones.I can guarantee that in less than twenty years, your daughter will definitely become the emperor's mother-in-law, and the daughter she will give birth to will be unspeakably precious.
Xi'er's mother was full of joy and gave the beggar a thousand coins. This trip to Chang'an was very comfortable for the mother and daughter.A year later, Xi'er gave birth to a son, named Gao Pibing.She was fully expecting to have a daughter next time to meet the beggar's prediction, but she didn't expect that her husband would die of illness one year later.When Xi'er came home, she resented, "Mom, you are greedy for wealth and honor, and you married me to Gao, but you didn't expect to be a sick ghost."You still believe the beggar's nonsense, saying that I will give birth to a daughter in the future and she will definitely be a queen.This is simply too inexplicable.Now not only do you not have wealth, but you end up in the tragic end of being a widow, all because of your lack of vision.
Seeing her daughter's sorrow and pain, Xi'er's mother also felt a little remorse. It happened that Shi Buchang, a son of a rich family in Baling, was wandering in Changling one day, and met Xi'er by chance, coveted her beauty, and then found out that her husband had recently died. Huanxi immediately gave the bride price and married Xi'er as a concubine.In the past two years, Xi'er had indeed given birth to two daughters. The eldest daughter was named Shi Manqian, and the youngest daughter was named Shi Ciqian. It was especially beautiful back then, and her fame even spread to the Crown Prince's East Palace.The crown prince sent someone to the historian's family to hire him, married him back to the palace, and named him Liangdi, second only to the concubine the emperor gave him.Only then did Xi'er remember what the beggar said, she was very grateful, and sent someone to look for him at the gate of the city of Chu, and wanted to take him home to support him for the rest of her life, but she heard that she had already froze to death one winter, and she sighed inwardly.
After Ciqian married the crown prince, her stomach was not up to snuff, and she gave birth to the crown prince Liu Jin the next year. At this time, the crown prince Liu Ju recruited many members of the Shi family into the crown prince's uterus and made them Langguan.It's a pity that Ciqian only has an older sister, and there are no males in the same birth, which is a pity.At this time, Xi'er suddenly remembered Gao Pibing, the son she had with her ex-husband back then, so she asked the prince to recruit Gao Pibing into the palace and worship him as a Lang Guan or a servant.But Gao Pibing was very ineffective.In a fit of rage, Xi'er asked her daughter Ciqian to lobby the crown prince to send Gao Pibing to a county below to take an official position in charge of affairs so that he could be promoted through hard work.At this time, Princess Eyigai was more fond of the emperor. She secretly persuaded the prime minister and the doctor Yushi to recommend Gao Pibing as the captain of Yuzhang County, and to be in charge of 40,000 strong crossbows in Yuzhang County.
When Ciqian heard about this appointment, she was a little puzzled. How could this half-brother have the ability to hold such an important official position? Even the crown prince was very surprised, because he and Princess Eyigai were not siblings of the same birth. , has always been at odds with each other, why did she work so hard to arrange her relatives?
When Gao Pibing came to Yuzhang County, he was still the same, and had hardly done any business.I still cook every day, and when I am full, I lie down and sleep under the big camphor tree in the courtyard.The officials of Cheng's subordinates were very anxious, and they went to visit him collectively, hoping that he could often go to the government office to handle government affairs.Gao Pibing was shirtless, and said cheerfully, you don't know, I am "governing by doing nothing".The fat on his face and chest trembled up and down from time to time, and the glistening sweat flickered between the folds of the flesh. Hey, why is your Yuzhang so hot?He changed the subject.
The officials laughed and said, that is indeed the case. Yuzhang County is located in the south of the Yangtze River, and the Gan River flows through the city, so it is humid and hot.We junior officials are all locals, used to the heat.I really envy the adults who came from Chang'an Imperial Capital.Isn't Chang'an very cool?
That is, Gao Pibing smiled, you don't know, every time the emperor issued an edict, he asked the princes to return to the country.Those princes whose fiefs were in the south of the Yangtze River all sighed sadly.It's better to be in Chang'an!He looked at Du Weicheng with mung bean eyes, Mr. Gongsun, you grew up in Yangling in Chang'an, so you should be very clear about it.
The Du Weicheng called Gongsundu smiled and said, indeed, when the officials first came, they couldn't adapt to the heat here, and after a few years they got used to it.Du Wei is the eldest brother-in-law of the Crown Prince, who lives in Jiadi, facing Beique, beside the Zhicheng Gate in Chang'an. The official once asked his uncle to take the official to see him, but the uncle refused, saying that the official did not study too much. He has a vulgar character, lacks etiquette, and is afraid of making the royal family laugh.By the way, my lord came here, it can be seen that the emperor attaches great importance to it. Although it is hard work, the trust of the emperor is stronger than anything else.Your Excellency just said that inaction can govern, which is very incisive.However, the subordinate officials heard that the emperor has been fond of Confucianism for a long time, besides, he is a relative of the emperor, and he has been familiar with it since he was a child. The "Book of Filial Piety" has profound Confucianism. Talent, will be promoted to the ranks of ministers in the future.Huang Lao's way, I'm afraid it's out of date.
Gao Pibing's smile faded, he touched his plump chest, and shook off the sweat casually, almost hitting the officials' faces.He said impatiently, "Book of Filial Piety" is a literacy textbook that everyone in the world does not read, so there is no special Confucianism.If I liked Confucianism, wouldn't I have learned Na, "Yi Li" early, became a doctor at leisure, and even went to this wild place to suffer?You don't need to say any more.Governance by doing nothing may not be able to cure a county. Didn't Emperor Wen rule by doing nothing in those days, so that the world's food and clothing would grow and flourish?Even Ji An of this dynasty, when he was the prefect of Donghai and Huaiyang counties, hid in the house and slept every day.What's more, the position of a captain is no better than that of a prefect, so he doesn't need to be in charge of administrative matters.The world is peaceful today, and it is time to put the horses in the sun of Nanshan.We just need to be quiet and do nothing.
Seeing Gao Pibing so lazy, and knowing his background well, the subordinates were just working in this place as a show to earn some promotion capital, so they left in a hurry, and didn't bother to pay attention to him.Let him close the door and happily dry his fat in the shade.Gongsun was a little displeased, he lowered his voice and said to the other officials, he never thought that such a strict military institution as the Captain's Mansion, now only sees smoke from the kitchen every day, it is really embarrassing.Let the heads of Guizhou know that you really want to laugh your ass off.Besides, this matter is really strange, how could the emperor send such a person to be in charge of Chong Lingku.
The officials said angrily that he was the elder brother of the Crown Princess, so what was so strange about it.Gongsun Du twitched the sparse beard under his chin, and said worriedly that you don't know, in recent years, the emperor has favored Mrs. Gouyi, and Queen Wei's family has long since lost power.The crown prince is also in danger, and is worried every day.How could it be possible for the emperor to promote a coward as the captain of the crossbow?Besides, the safety of the Chong Lingku is related to the duties of each of us. In the event of an accident, according to the "Law of Officials", he, the chief, is of course guilty and should be executed, and none of us subordinates can escape. Buried for him.
All the officials stayed there, their faces were pale, and they sighed, only the adults had to spend more time.In recent years, the emperor has frequently changed laws and decrees, which is indeed confusing, and the usage is too harsh. Back then, the prince who was victorious was appointed by the emperor as an embroidered envoy. The two prefectures beheaded the prefect, the captain and more than a dozen members of the prime minister on the spot, and I am still afraid when I think about it.I'm really afraid that the emperor will send another embroidered emissary. When that time comes, we don't know if we will be lucky enough to keep this foodie.Now that there are hundreds of thieves gathered in Meiling, we can only block the news and dare not let Chang'an know.Well, my lord, why don't you ask your uncle, Sun Junhou, about the emperor's intention to send Gao Pibing to take charge of the Chonglingku.
Gongsun Du frowned, the question is here, my cousin Gongsun Jingsheng was sent to court prison last year for being careless in minor matters.The family uncle was terrified and asked the emperor to atone for his cousin by capturing Yangling hero Zhu Anshi.The emperor read that his uncle was the queen's brother-in-law, so he agreed to his request.Now the uncle arranges family officials, and in the name of the prime minister's mansion, sends an ultimatum to counties and counties across the country to arrest Zhu Anshi.The emperor has a deadline. If he cannot be caught before the year-end assessment in October, my cousin may die.Speaking of which, the new captain also has a bit of an in-law relationship with me.Uncle Jia once mentioned that the emperor was not satisfied with Uncle Jia's political achievements, and he was also very indifferent to the queen and the prince. He should have issued an imperial edict to deprive him of his seal and ribbon, but why not only did he not do that, but instead promoted people related to Uncle Jia to serve as officials? What about important positions?You think, if the world is in turmoil, no matter who can hold the powerful crossbows in the Chong Lingku, it will be very terrifying.
The officials chatted for a while, and asked curiously, what kind of crime did Zhu Anshi commit, which made the emperor so uneasy that he even complied with the law to agree to Uncle Ling's request.
Gongsun sighed, this Zhu Anshi is a hero famous in Chang'an and even the whole Sanfu. I have heard his name many times since I was very young.It is said that this man is very strong in martial arts, and he is eager to help the embarrassing Qianshou. Therefore, a group of villains from Wuling admire him very much and scramble to work for him.If someone offends him, there is no need to tell him. Those vicious boys will behead that person in time, and they will not confess to him.It's quite interesting for the villains to do this.It seems that they didn't want to show that they were trying to please Zhu Anshi by helping to kill people. On the contrary, they thought it was right not to keep their names.If you help the other party and then go to invite favors from the other party, it will appear to be a lack of morality, which is very contemptible.When his reputation reached its peak, even the court ministers boasted to each other that they were Zhu Anshi's friend. Although he was only a commoner and his title was less than a public servant, the princes and princes scrambled to curry favor with him.
This is too lawless.Some of the officials said angrily, "Human life is precious, who can punish the emperor on behalf of the emperor?"No wonder the emperor was so furious that he issued an edict to arrest a commoner like him.It's just that I don't understand one thing. If the emperor's edict has no effect on arresting Zhu Anshi, what better way does Uncle Ling have?With such a supreme position as the emperor, why should he bargain with Uncle Ling?
Gongsun frowned, and murmured, the more you think about it, the weirder it is. How could the uncle make such a request to the emperor?He glanced at the officials, and said in a low voice, I can't figure out the joints, maybe it's not that complicated... Maybe the emperor didn't want to punish my cousin, so he gave my uncle a chance to stop the mouths of the admonishers stop.Although the emperor has not been as fond of my uncle in recent years as before, but after all, my uncle has been with him for so many years.When the emperor was still the crown prince, my uncle had been serving him for almost fifty years.No matter what, Zhu Anshi must be caught this time, so that my cousin's life can be saved.What's more, we have captured the thief named in the emperor's edict, and this year's assessment can be ranked at the forefront of the county and country in the world. Even if the emperor sends an embroidered envoy, we have such great achievements, and this head will definitely be saved for the time being.
The officials looked at each other and nodded, and said in unison, since Lord Gao is unwilling to take care of things, we will obey your lord's orders.Gongsun Du also nodded with a smile, and stepped out of the inner door.
A village chief in his fifties came out of the hut next to the inner gate, followed behind Gongsundu, and greeted him in a low voice, sir, please go slowly, sir.Gongsun Du seems to have suddenly remembered something, turned around, and said to the head of the village, a few days ago, the Prime Minister's Mansion issued an order, ordering Yuzhang County to arrest Zhu Anshi, a thief from the capital, did the magistrate of Yuzhang County forward the order to you? .
The chief said respectfully, how dare the ministers neglect the letter from the prime minister's mansion.The day before yesterday, Xiangzheng had conveyed it to all the pavilions and lis in the township. Your Excellency, please look at the big characters on the plaque on the inner gate.The chief there said, pointing to the lintel of the inner gate.I saw that there was indeed a wooden board nailed on it, three feet long and two feet wide, cut and cut very evenly, with a few lines of large ink and pen characters written on it:
In August of the fourth year of Taishi, in Dinghai Shuo Dingwei, Yuzhang County magistrate De and prisoner Cao Lingshi Wu Xingcheng, reported to all townships, pavilions, cities, and villages in Yuzhang County: This edict arrests the three-assistant thief Zhu Anshi, and supervises the history of thieves Write the imperial edict and move it down to the officials of the ministries, and the officials of the ministries will be arrested in all the ministries and boundaries under their jurisdiction, and they will understand that the big plaque writes this letter, and hangs it in the prominent places of all townships, pavilions, cities, and villages, so that the officials and the people can know it .
Below is another large plaque of the same length, with large ink characters on it:
In July of the fourth year of Taishi, Xin Choushuo Wuchen, the prime minister He Chengzhi made an imperial edict and said: "Today, Zhu Anshi, a great thief in the capital, was arrested and ruled. He was forty-five years old. He was medium-shaped, yellow, big-headed, black-haired and bearded." , round surface.According to the book, two thousand stones were sent to the harmless capital to arrest them.The Yushi doctor went down to the prime minister, the middle two thousand stones, the two thousand stones, the prefect of the county, the princes, and the ones who accepted the letter and engaged in the next use.
Gongsun Du nodded in satisfaction and asked, Wang De's hands and feet are not slow.But who is this jailbreak official named Wu?What is the last name?Why did he actually "do the things of the prime minister"?What about the original magistrate?
The head of the village flattered him and said that his lord didn't know that the prison-breaker Cao Yuli Wu was personally promoted by the county magistrate Wang Gong. Asking for a commendation, Ting Wei reported that he was promoted to the position of Shouxian Cheng in an exceptional way.
Oh, Gongsun said in surprise, was it the Weifu plagiarism case? Did he solve it? I heard that the case was extremely complicated two days ago, and I'm afraid it won't be closed so quickly.
The head of the village respectfully said that the case was indeed very complicated. At the beginning, several senior officials of the county government worked hard and got nothing.But the Wei Mansion was pressing and tight, the county magistrate Wang Gong was really worried.Thanks to Shen Wu, the prison official Cao Zhi, who was wise and calm, he captured a thief named Han Kong and found out that the murderous knife belonged to Han Kong.However, it is said that although Han Kong admitted that the knife belonged to him, he claimed that the knife had been stolen before, and firmly denied that he had killed anyone.
Gongsun was a little bit interested, he smiled and told the head of the village, you go and get some bamboo mats, today is the day to rest and take a bath, the Duwei Mansion does not sit in Cao Zhi's affairs, we are idle, so we are here to help Forget about the traitors you picket.
The chief there did not expect that a chief official of 800 shi would chat so cordially with this little chief, with a chrysanthemum blooming on his face.He was flattered and replied, please wait a moment, my lord, and I will go to prepare bamboo mats and fruits.After he finished speaking, he took two steps back, turned around and ran into the inner door in a hurry, and shouted in surprise, wife and son, hurry up, prepare yourself well, Mr. Du Weicheng Gongsun is willing to visit our humble house as a guest today.This is the glory of the accumulated virtues of the ancestors for several generations.Hurry up and bring that aged rice wine to entertain Lord Gongsun.
Gongsun looked at the long back there, smiled, and said to the officials, the heads of Guizhou have never seen the world, and they are so happy to see a small official like me.If I were in Chang'an, I would feel like a beggar.However, you can see what an honor it is to be an official!He raised his head and sighed, hoping that his uncle would not make any mistakes in his tenure as prime minister.
The officials looked at each other, all showing embarrassment at the same time, they whispered, Sir is the chief official of 800 shi, so...it seems not so good.The imperial court has long stipulated that senior officials with more than 200 shi should wear official uniforms when they enter the inner gate.Today, my lord is going to sit and drink with a village chief. If a traitor sees you and sues your superiors, saying that your lord disregards the dignity of the court and openly hangs out among a group of ordinary heads of Guizhou, which will damage the prestige of the court, then I'm afraid it will be serious. in trouble.
Gongsun laughed, gentlemen, don't worry too much.In fact, although the Gaofu Lord we went to meet with just now is lazy and boring, his words are not unreasonable. The emperor appoints you as a local official. Step by step, why must you stick to the details?Indeed, it is necessary to pay attention to official manners in front of the heads of Guizhou, but sometimes it is not necessarily beneficial to govern affairs by pretending to be close to the people and buying people's hearts.Besides, I now want to know what kind of ability that little official who is doing the job is capable of.If he turns out to be good at solving cases, it will be of great use to us.I heard that Zhu Anshi may be active in Jiujiang County and Guangling Country now.King Guangling and Xiashahou Wei Yishou have always had a close relationship. To arrest this Zhu Anshi, we need to make friends with a few capable jailers.
They were talking, when there was a commotion in the inner alley, and the inner gate, which was empty just now, was already crowded with people.Whether it was the poor people living on the left side of the Limen or the rich people living on the right side, they all looked at Gongsundu and the Lichang family dumbfoundedly and enviously.Li Chang's face was full of joy, and he bluffed and shouted, "Go back, what's so exciting, Mr. Du Weicheng specially came to our Nanpu Village today to inspect the security. We in Nanpu Village should feel supremely honored, but don't hinder everyone." Official business of Mr. Wei Cheng.He pointed to the wooden plaque hanging high above the inner gate, did he see it? Mr. Du Weicheng came to arrest Zhu Anshi, a Jingfu thief, under the emperor's edict.You are crowded here, and you make such a mess, if there is a villain in the middle, it will be difficult to detect.If the traitor cannot be caught, the edict will be abolished and the head will be executed.Count how many heads you can kill.
The heads protruding from the inner gate gradually shrank back, and after a while, only the happy face of the head of the village was left. The family of five deftly spread the bamboo mat under a big pomelo tree with a crown like a car cover at the inner gate. He politely and humbly said, please sit facing east.Gongsun nodded and sat down without hesitation, and the accompanying officials also sat down facing south.Gongsun Du asked Li Chang, I will continue to ask the question just now.I don't understand the plagiarism case of the Wei Mansion you mentioned just now. How can such a small case cause such a commotion?Is it really going to change.
The village chief kept making noises, but I didn't know.It's just that the prefect Chen Fujun has repeatedly issued documents for this case, blaming the county court.Everyone has heard rumors that the Wei Mansion was demoted and came here, and they probably want to use this to vent their depression.
Gongsun Du nodded and looked around at the officials. I always feel that the Wei Mansion is not far from the bad days.A Hou who has been dismissed as an official, is not honest when he returns to the local area, behaves like a man with his tail between his legs, and sings and sings every day, how dare the local officials not report to Chang'an in time.If the emperor heard that he was so carefree and happy, and in a rage issued an order to arrest them all, wouldn't everything be lost?Hehe, that's okay, for a family as big as his, if the whole family is really to be arrested, the district and county courts obviously don't have enough manpower.It is said that there are a lot of treasures in the Weifu, and he was dismissed because of corruption in the past.The emperor's heart softened for a moment, and he couldn't bear to punish him, so he gave him a way to survive.However, for us, it is an opportunity to make a fortune.After finishing speaking, he laughed dryly twice, and looked at the head of the village, you just mentioned Xiao Wu, the jailer who executed the prisoner Cao, what's his last name?What achievements did you have before?
The head of the village said that his surname was Shen.It turned out that he was just a pavilion chief, and his performance was not very qualified.At least he didn't see anything special about chasing thieves.On the contrary, since he managed Qingyun Pavilion, the law and order in Qingyunli has always been very bad.Even the officials in the past complained that the pavilion was dirty and dark, and the head of the pavilion was not qualified for official duties.The county magistrate Wanggong was also very annoyed at one time, but because he hadn't made any major mistakes when he was in office, Li Shun, the retired jailer of the county, had always recommended him as a talented official, and was willing to use his head as a guarantee, so the prince reluctantly let him go. retain.Why are adults so interested in him.
Oh, I've always had admiration for talented people.Gongsun Du laughed and said that managing prisons is an important task in the world, and not just anyone can do it.On the contrary, the work done by the pavilion chief does not require any skills, such as sweeping the court, sending to the reception, etc.If Shen Wu, the acting county magistrate, is indeed a smart official, then it would be a pity to let him be the head of the pavilion in the first place.I will definitely persuade Mr. Gao to move the book to the county magistrate and recommend him for promotion.
The head of the village complimented, the adult's opinion is really reasonable.So this time the county magistrate and prince specially promoted him to handle the case, but the jailers of the county court looked down on him very much.His family background is very average, last year's family property inspection was only less than 40,000 yuan.According to the normal rules, it is not allowed to be an official, and the old warden Li Shun still wants to recommend him.Coupled with today's relaxation of the policy of counting officials as officials, he reluctantly stayed.He is still young now, he was only a little over fifteen years old when he was the head of the pavilion, and he is almost twenty now.
Gongsun Du was surprised again, ah, so young.He pondered for a moment, no wonder the old jailers looked down on him.But there is no need to be old if you have talent.
The officials repeatedly said yes, and quietly persuaded, my lord, we should go.Today is a day for rest and bathing, but it is not a holiday. Although we are not wearing official uniforms, there is a law to gather and drink without reason.
Gongsun Du nodded, and was about to get up, only to see smoke rising suddenly in the distance. At the end of the avenue, several carriages suddenly appeared, galloping towards the direction they were sitting in. Every carriage was driven by four horses.The place where they sat and drank was Nanpuli near the Junweizhisuo. The gate of Luli was parallel to the Ganjiang River.The area on the right side next to the river is a straight road, more than six feet wide, and several carriages can run side by side.The trees on both sides of the road are towering, and the daylight is not covered. This is the only main road that facilitates the transmission of Chang'an documents to the Duwei's mansion.Those cars run very fast, and usually only the postal vehicles sent to send military letters and convey the edict of the emperor's death can have such a speed.I could only hear the sound of the hubs of those carriages, accompanied by the rustling of tall poplar leaves, and they arrived in front of me in the blink of an eye.
Gongsun Du stood up with a bang, leaned against the big grapefruit tree, and shouted loudly, where are the horses and chariots, dare to act in an official way, stop quickly!Is there a talisman for entering and exiting Jinguan?Hurry up and hand it over for inspection.
The officials also stood up and said with a smile, it is estimated that some wealthy businessman disregarded the imperial court's ban and went hunting on the official road.But strangely, the direction they came from was not the Sanyuan Mountain in the west of the city where they could be used for hunting, but the Jiangdu official road in the north.
Regardless of his direction, Gongsun said, this time they must make them bleed.Looking at the luxurious posture of this carriage and horse, the owner of the carriage must have a huge fortune!He turned back and smiled, we are going to make a small fortune.Such merchants who violate the law absolutely dare not sue us for greedy ink, and their money should not be wasted.As he spoke, he turned his head and glanced forward again. Suddenly, his face changed.
I saw the five or six cars parked there slowly, and suddenly the cover of the car was overturned from the back at the same time.On each cart stood three strong men with heads covered in black cloth, with long swords hanging from their waists, but each of them held a huge rhubarb shoulder crossbow in their hands.The bows of the crossbows were buckled in their fingers, the arrows of the feathered arrows were on the shoulders, the bowstrings were stretched straight, and the arrows pointed forward, shining with a cold and bloodthirsty light.
Gongsun Du's face immediately turned ashen. He knew the power of this rhubarb shoulder-fired crossbow. If fired at such a close range, even if he was wearing heavy armor, it was enough to penetrate him and nail him to the grapefruit tree behind him.Even on the battlefield, the Huns, who are good at riding and shooting, would retreat when they saw the rhubarb crossbow troops of the Han army from a distance.Gongsun Du hissed, who are you?Dare to attack and kill the chief official?With trembling hands, he pulled out a one-inch-square copper seal from his sleeve, which was tied with a black ribbon.I am not an ordinary Luli Qianshou, but Yuzhang County’s Du Weicheng, Gongsun Du, and eight hundred officials. This is my seal and ribbon, and there is absolutely no deception. Possibly spared the death penalty.Otherwise, you should know that you will be punished by your family if you kill the chief official.
The officials were also pale, and they stood there, right, right, they all gaped and said, we are the subordinates of Yuzhang County... the county capital's mansion... officials, take a rest today, no... not wearing uniforms Clothes.Mr. Du Weicheng told...you get off the car.You just obey.This last sentence became almost a plea.
The head of the village has long been lying on the ground, not daring to move, and his grandsons are all here, so there is no room for him to speak.The laws of the Han family are extremely strict, and officials have supreme authority.A small pavilion leader can detain the chariots, horses and property of the heads of Guizhou at will.Therefore, ordinary people are in awe of the officials when they see the officials. Even if they can get two hundred stone officials to take a look at them, it is enough to be excited for a month.Gongsun knows this very well, he wants to reveal his identity, maybe the gang of thieves let them go.So even at such a critical juncture, he still wanted to strengthen his official authority in an attempt to scare the opponent.
The driver of the first car jumped down at this moment.He pulled out the long sword at his waist, laughed, and said, it's really shocking that a Du Weicheng of 800 shi is so arrogant.He was of medium build, with a hoarse voice, and his face was covered with a black cloth. There was no turban on his head, and he was only tied in a bun.But I really didn't come to look for you today. Since I happened to meet you, I happened to collect them together.He pointed with his sword at those officials who were trying to beat their spirits, they were inconvenient, let's just shoot them to death.As soon as he finished speaking, there were only a few swishing sounds, and the arrows were shot in the body of each of the officials. Due to the force of the crossbow, their bodies all flew backwards and were nailed to the ground.With the dull sound of the arrow piercing the ground, wisps of smoke slowly rose.The arrow holes on their bodies also sprayed out bright red columnar blood without losing the opportunity, looking from a distance, it looked like fog like hail.
Gongsun saw this scene, his legs were like sifting chaff, he dared not make a sound.His hands could no longer hold the seal that made him proud.With a bang, the printed letter fell to the ground.The masked man of medium build quickly walked over, and lifted the ribbon on the seal with the tip of his sword, hehe, I don’t even want the seal, can you still be the capital Weicheng?Bundled first.Two other masked men rushed over and tied Gongsun behind his back.公孙都这时已经完全说不出话，树叶缝里透过的斑驳日光照在他鲇鱼般的眼睛上，使他的脸看上去象张死人的脸，没有一丝的生气。
那提剑的汉子沉着声音吩咐道，快点下车，尽快结束一切事宜。五、六辆车上的汉子们全都跳下。这时，那趴在地下的里长突然窜起来，连连嘶声狂呼道，有贼盗——有贼盗。伴着声音，他转身往里门的方向狂奔。这下变故当真很猝然，提剑的汉子竟忘了命令射箭，只是本能地抬脚追了上去。但是已经晚了，里长一踏进去，马上把里门一关，咣当一声，上了闩。
提剑的汉子大怒，他知道整个里起码有三十户人家，按每户人家五口人计算，有一百五十人左右。这其中有抵抗能力的起码有三分之一强。而且他们也不是完全的乌合之众，每年农闲季节都无一例外地会接受军事训练。大部分人家都藏有弓弩和刀剑。虽然他们的武器比较粗笨，然而以多敌寡，还是会让这伙不速之客们很麻烦的。
那汉子怒而回转身，一把揪起里长的老婆。这个老媪和她三个弱子也已经瘫成了一团。他把剑横在老媪的脖子上，叫道，赶快开门，否则我把这四个人全部杀了。话音刚落，只听得里门内传来鼓声，然后是一片喧哗声，里门右边的角楼上出现了人头。看来里长丝毫不理会他，已经击鼓宣告有盗贼侵入了。提剑的汉子烦恼异常，他有点后悔，当初怎么没下令先射杀了那里长。他这一跑进去，实在是太坏事了。警贼鼓一响，立即会惊动周围的乡、亭，等官吏们一赶来，他们的行动无疑就会完蛋。这个里长真是太他妈的敬业了，为了本职工作，连老婆孩子的性命都可以不要。当然他也知道，里长的做法也是迫不得已。按照律令，如果里长投降，日后他本人不但会判腰斩，而且牵连到老婆、孩子、父母、同产兄弟全部要流放。愤懑之余，他都有点呆了。这时另外一个汉子走过来，左手一把揪住里长老婆的头发，右手长剑一挥，只听得卡嚓一声，就将那老媪的首级硬生生割下，一脚将尸体蹬到一旁。老媪颈部的血管缩了进去，血液象喷泉一样，发出嘶嘶的声响，溅满了他的衣服。那三个儿子目睹母亲的惨状，全都发出惊恐的嚎叫。那汉子杀得性起，奔上去一剑一个，三个稚弱的首级全部滚落在灰扑扑的黄土上。刚才还欢天喜地的里长一家，现在四个已变成了无头尸体。
提剑的汉子叹了口气，弯腰拾起那首级，将它们一个一个从里门上方扔了进去。就听里门内一阵杂乱的喧哗声，咣当一声，门又开了。里长出现在门口，他握着一枝长戈，哭号道，该死的贼盗，老子跟你们拼了，大家一起上啊，汉家律法，捕斩贼盗一人，赐爵一级，赏钱一万。他身后跟着一群百姓，每个人手里都拿着刀剑，冲了出来。
提剑的汉子叹道，我就知道你们沉不住气。不过要想要拿我们的命去换取爵位金钱，可真是异想天开。他大喝一声，放箭。霎时箭如飞蝗，迎头的十多个人立刻扑倒在地。提剑的汉子大踏步奔向里门。他的那些随从们皆左手握弩，右手执剑，蜂拥着跟了上去。
高辟兵正懒洋洋地躺在树底下打瞌睡。太阳似火球一样悬在树的上空，他的竹榻边到处都是鲜红的榖树果实。金龟子也在他头上的树叶丛里嘤嘤乱飞。可是这一点都不影响他的睡意。他肥白的身躯几乎把竹榻的每个缝隙都填满了，嘴边还汪着一道晶亮的涎水，挂在乱蓬蓬的胡子上。他正在做着回了长安的美梦。长安的日子是何等快活啊，这样的夏天，如果皇上去甘泉宫或者五柞宫避暑，他可以有幸跑到未央宫的渐台上去睡午觉。渐台那么高峻，山峰似的矗立在沧池的中央，阴凉的水气将其氤氲环抱，一觉醒来，俯视着清泠的沧池之波，看那池鱼空游在澄碧的水中，觉得遍身都是凉意，胃口顿时大开。不象在这闷热的豫章县，热得人简直没有胃口。另外，跟着妹妹去长杨宫也很惬意，那里的杨树真大真高，实在难以想象，几百株杨树站在一起，仿佛漫天都是绿色。金黄的屋檐在绿色中点缀着，让人觉得所到的并非人间。虽然这样的游玩不能常有，必须皇上恩准。可是，总比在这燠热的榖树底下永无出头之日的好。想着想着，高辟兵在梦中竟然哭了起来。等他哭得睁不开眼睛，想抹抹眼泪时，发觉身边已经围了很多人。
你们怎么又来了。高辟兵眯缝着眼大声呵斥道，不是说了，公事你们看着办就行了吗？
话还没说完，突然脸上一热，一个巴掌印在了脸颊上。他仔细睁大眼睛一看，一个四十岁左右的黄脸汉子，提着一柄剑站在他跟前，剑尖上血滴跳跃，象荷叶上的水珠。他喝道，你看看我们是谁，高辟兵高府君，你已经被劫持了，如果懂事就给我老实点。门外有车骑围住了整个南浦里，那都是你的部下，在豫章县，你是唯一的二千石级别的长官，没有人敢不听从你的命令，你现在跟我们合作，我可以保证你不死。
高辟兵嘴角和鼻子里，鲜血象蚯蚓一样蜿蜒爬出，但速度极快。他用手一抹，登时杀猪般嚎叫起来，你们是什么人。你可知道汉家法律，殴打长吏是要腰斩的。他说完这句，又感觉有点不对，因为面前的人他一个也不认识，他们的脸色都带着似笑非笑的神情，好像有点讥嘲。这种神情他只在同母异父的妹妹史次倩的脸上见过。从小到大，身边的其他人对他都是毕恭毕敬的。他虽然椎鲁，也知道这次遇到了不小的麻烦。
那扇他一巴掌的少年歪着嘴巴笑了，好像他嘴巴天生就是歪的，看上去让人有种难以言传的厌恶和恐惧，这样的面孔他在都官狱里见过，是张刑徒的脸孔，是那种热衷于好勇斗狠的恶少年，镇日腰上佩着刀剑，甚至走路都持着弓，一幅随时想向人挑衅的神态，当年公孙敬声带他去监狱鞭笞犯人取乐时，曾多次见到。他知道落在这样的人手里没有好果子吃了。
高辟兵沉默着，那个少年并不饶过他，怪笑道，你这死肥猪，他妈的还是皇亲国戚呢，老子小时候还真见过你，就住在北阙外的戚里……嘿嘿，快叫我阿翁。高辟兵的胖脸涨得通红，嗫嚅道，家父早就殁了。那少年变了脸，啪的又抽了他一个耳光。妈的，敢不叫？他怒道，现在我就是你父亲，快叫阿翁。高辟兵低着头，嗫嚅道，阿翁。少年得意地踢他一脚，拜见阿翁哪能站着，跪下。旁边的几个汉子也哈哈笑了起来。这时那中年汉子过来了，呵斥道，王干将，你做什么，不要坏了大事，你们都赶快隐蔽到墙垛下面，装好弩箭。外面全是县吏，虽然他们的兵器和素质都很泛泛，不难对付。可是一旦惊动都尉府的郡兵，我们就真的插翅难飞了。
那少年有点不大情愿地住了手，吸了一下鼻子，道，都尉都在我们手上，他们发什么鸟郡兵？按照律令，没有都尉本人的印绶，和太守、都尉两府的节信，郡兵是万万发不动的。就凭这县廷的几个小吏，能把我们怎么样？他们绝不敢冒这个险。郡尉如果有个三长两短，下属们都要连坐。他们不会都不想要脑袋罢？
那中年人道，虽然你也懂点律令，算是得了家传，可是你别忘了，即便没有郡都尉的印绶和节信，也不是没有其他办法……当然他们未必有胆量。不过，我们到这里不是为了劫持都尉的。光是劫持了这么一个肥猪，有什么屁用。
那少年道，事情也是被你搞成这样的，倘若我们当场击杀了那里长一家。神不知鬼不觉进了里门，抓住了这个白胖子，夺了他的符节，这时冲灵库的几万张强弩已经在我们手里。还怕他不屈服。他丢了武库，皇帝一定会陵迟处死他，就连他家的太子妃恐怕也保不住。那个皇帝这回倒真算找到一个借口，可以一咕脑杀掉他一直想杀的人了。枉大王这么信任你，原来你这个京辅大侠也是徒有……啊……
那少年还没说完，一柄剑已经贯穿了他的胸膛，他最后一句话并没说完，只有几个支离破碎的字伴着血液仰天吐了出来，化为一丛红雾。那中年汉子冷笑道，连你阿翁王温舒当年也要对我客气三分，何况你这个该死的刑徒。他拔出剑，一脚蹬开那少年的尸体。大声道，不听命令者，就是榜样。现在首要任务就是以高辟兵的性命来威胁王德，他正在里门外，包围我们的大约有三百余县吏，革车二十乘。我们尽量拖延时间，跟我们约好的梅岭群盗们也快到了罢，等到他们来里应外合，翦灭这些县吏，下一步就好办了。
院子里登时脚步杂沓，那中年汉子攀上阙楼，向外喊道，请县令王公进来谈话，否则我将割下豫章郡都尉高辟兵、都尉丞公孙都的首级。你们都知道天子颁布的《贼律》，凡是丢失长吏的，全部连坐处死。如果你们不想死，就赶快进来谈判。我们只是为求钱财而来，并不想胡乱杀人。
外面正当里门是一排兵车，王德凭着车轼，满脸乌黑和焦虑，他没想到小小的豫章县一下子发生这么多乱七八糟的事。他带着哭腔问身旁的那个还似乎一脸稚嫩的少年。那少年就是当了数年焦头烂额的亭长，现在代理行使县丞权力的二百石长吏小武。
本来今天是休沐的日子，县廷也不上班。王德正光着身子，和妻子在家做那男女之事，平时他是没多少闲情逸致玩这个的。他在这个县令的职位上干了五年，按规定可以调迁职位了。他也不是江南人，不习惯这里燠热的气候。但是一个家无背景的小吏，在什么地方任职，那都是丞相、御史两大府决定的，由不得他讨价还价。除非他不干了。可是不干只是随便说说的话，从县小吏升迁到六百石的长吏，他也花了十多年时间，就为了当官可以享受那份让百姓敬畏的虚荣，实际上却要时刻小心翼翼。特别是近几年皇上性情乖戾，地方官时不时会因小过错砍掉脑袋，他也生怕自己一时的不谨慎，就把命丢了，是以平时办公一丝不敢懈怠，真是把和妻子亲热的时间都花在工作上。今天天气很热，但是躺在南窗的榻下，倒也有一阵阵的凉风吹来，好不惬意，他妻子就缠着他要做那事。王德想想，也的确，看这个官当的，都差点让妻子守活寡了。于是兴致盎然地把妻子抱住，没想到还没弄几下，突然听到远处桴鼓不绝，吓得他哆嗦一下，一泄如注。他立刻爬起来喊家仆，快，去查看一下到底怎么回事？妻子很不满意地抱怨道，郎君真是太累了，好不容易盼到休沐的日子，又是这样慌乱不乐？王德满是歉意地说，这官真当不得了，天天胆战心惊的，还不如回家种地。卫府那案子的文书太守府还没报批，已经让我焦头烂额。这平白无故又哪来的鼓声，真他妈的让人心惊肉跳。难道梅岭群盗真的敢来攻击县廷。他话音刚落，鼓声突然停了，妻子很欢喜地拉住他，郎君不用忧虑，可能是哪家的小孩不懂事，敲鼓玩耍罢。王德拍拍妻子的背，叹了口气，象这样大的鼓声，只有里门内的警贼鼓才敲得出来。寻常人家的鼓，哪有这样大的声音。况且无故敲鼓是犯法的，要罚金四两，黔首们哪敢这般随便。
他这样说着，家仆已经跑了进来，上气不接下气说，大人赶快，大事不好，刚才县廷值班掾吏来报，有不知何处来的群盗，大约二三十人，劫持了豫章都尉高府君和都尉丞公孙大人，请大人赶快行动。
王德脑袋嗡的一声，险些没晕倒。他强打精神，驾车急趋县廷官署，立即发下符节，征调所有县吏和兵车，驰围南浦里，赶到那里，已经是满地尸首横集了。他站在兵车上，手足发颤，知道自己性命已经去了三分之二。除非将这伙群盗全歼，否则不但别想升职，就连除罪也难。都尉如果被劫去或者性命不保，那意味着他的脑袋也将不保。金黄的旗帜在他头上哗哗地晃荡，细细的流苏在他面前闪烁，他忽然大叫一声，喷出一口鲜血。
明公不要惊慌。小武赶快扶住他，安慰道，现在关键是要保持镇定。依下吏看，这伙群盗不是那么简单，下吏刚才察看尸体，发现他们所中的箭都不是本地所制。他说着，扬了扬手中的一枝羽箭，明公请看，此箭的箭头，尺度这么长，达到了一尺六寸，其中箭镞是铜铸的，箭铤却是铁铸，十分沉重，分明是弩机发射的飞虻矢，力道十分强劲，所以都尉的几个掾吏，竟连身子都被钉在了地上。除了边疆诸郡为了抵御外寇，一般郡县是没有也不允许储藏这种箭矢的。可见这次群盗的身份十分可疑，如此强大的群盗，即便是守吏防御有失，按律令也可以减免罪责。明公不用太担心了。
王德听到了这话，心下稍安。他感激地握住小武的手道，李顺先生果然没有看错人，如今这事我交你全权负责。即便最后失利我也不怪你，我是一县长吏，难以推脱罪责。你看现在该怎么办才好。
多谢明公厚爱，小武说，现在关键是命令群吏，将弓弩持满，射住里门，不让群盗出来。然后发下号令，每捕斩贼盗一名，赐爵位一级。不愿要爵位的，按照《贼律》，可以赏钱二万。我们干脆将今年县廷的岁入赢余拿出，号令每斩首一人，赏钱五万。重赏之下必有勇夫，不惜任何代价也不能让他们走了一个。捕盗吏每五人一组，若组中有人员损失，而不能斩获相当的群盗首级来补偿的，按照律令，全部应当罚戍边二年，加罚金四两。如此赏罚分明，必能让他们齐心协力，全歼盗贼。
王德眼睛明亮了起来，好，你如此深通律令，而且熟悉捕斩方略，当初我让你当亭长，真是有眼无珠。你赶快宣布罢。不过这贼盗首领要我进去谈判，我怎么应付，万一他们击杀了高府君，按照律令，我们还是罪责难脱啊。
小武叹道，非常时期就只能用非常之法了。如果高府君被劫走，群盗又一无损失，全身而退，我们不但自己的脑袋保不住，家人都要连坐。如今也只有赌一次，我猜想他们未必敢轻易击杀人质。这次的劫持也似乎并非求财那么简单。我们先做好准备再说。
王德点点头，从腰间解下县令印绶，好，我相信你的能力。现在我就委任你行县令事，全权代表我处理这里的一切事物。
小武说，既然明公有令，下吏就不客气了。他接过印绶，解开墨绿色的绶带，将它认真系在自己左手的肘上，然后整整衣襟，右手嚓啦一声拔出佩剑，扬起，剑尖指着左手肘下晃荡的印信，大声喊道，诸君听令，王明公身体有恙，命令我代行县令事，印绶在此，有不听令者，立刻斩首。
南浦里的院子里，领头的中年汉子有点烦躁了。他急促地踱来踱去，嘴里骂道，没想到这王德软硬不吃，难道我真的就宰了这头肥猪不成。宰了他，冲灵库的强弩还是得不到。看来王德是不见棺材不落泪了，来人，把这两个人推到阙楼上，我量他们也不敢强攻，拖延到梅岭群雄一来，事情就好办了。外面好像也没多大动静，难道王德这么镇静？真是活见鬼了。
这时外面突然一阵喧哗，几个汉子跳下墙头，说，王德的乘车后退了，好像换了一个少年男子在指挥县吏。他肘上系上了王德的印信，正在发号施令呢。中年汉子惊讶地叫了一声，转身就往墙头跑去，只听得飕飕的声音，弓弦声大作，几枝羽箭已经射了进来，钉在院子里榖树的树干上，树冠一阵晃动，落下几个鲜红的果子，摔在地下，汁水四溅。
中年汉子又惊讶又烦躁，王德这田舍奴叫了什么人来指挥，竟然命令县吏射箭，简直是疯了，难道真的不怕我杀害人质。我在长安曾干过无数起劫持列侯和关内侯的买卖。三辅的二千石最后没有不乖乖听从我的要求，交钱赎人的——难道那下令的人完全不懂律令，只知一味蛮干吗？如果他们的上司死了，他们还想保住脑袋不成。
他马上提过一块盾牌，爬上阙楼，往里门外望。只见整个里四周烟尘滚滚，数十辆兵车环围着，里门正中的兵车上一个少年，左手握着一柄高三尺的盾牌，右手握剑。他身旁围着三层军吏，远处还有一大群百姓，持着各式各样的武器观望。最前面的军吏们引弓待发，中间的握盾牌持刀剑，后面的持戈戟。这小子还挺懂布阵的，中年汉子心想，不过也许是摆来吓我，真敢玉石俱焚才怪。他大叫道，停止射箭，我找县令说话。
那少年仰起头，望着他叫道，我知道你是谁了，朱安世，你竟果真跑到豫章郡来劫掠。你听着，我是豫章县治狱曹令史沈武，现在行县令事。我暂时不想和你们这帮群盗多罗嗦，现在你请高府君上楼，我有话和府君大人说。
朱安世心里暗暗高兴，不管你是什么人，只要你心里还想着上司，就不敢随便动手。这是我多年得来的血的经验。天汉三年，我在云阳县甘泉里绑架成安侯韩延年，要求赎金三百万，左冯翊殷周率领几十辆兵车将我包围在一个院子里，他几次想下令强攻，都在我的威胁下和韩延年家人的恳求下改变了主意。元封三年，我还曾劫持过水衡都尉阎奉，要求赎金千金，那时王温舒当京兆尹，他是个有名的恶棍，当时他站在冲车上威胁我，要将我族灭。但是慑于皇帝一定不能伤害阎奉的诏令，这个闻名天下的酷吏竟然向我屈服了。我他妈的当时还真是吓得满头大汗呢。看来老子天生就是干这行的命，运气好，连王酷吏都奈何我不得，何况门外这个乳臭未干的小子。他马上笑道，快把高府君押到城阙上来。
高辟兵站在城阙上，俯视着他的吏民，两腿不停地哆嗦，他的裤子都尿湿了，朱安世站在他身后，一直捏着鼻子。他看着下面的军吏和旗帜，有气无力地叫道，快找王德说话，千万不要射箭。射伤了本府，你们担当不起，全部要坐法斩首。
小武仰头凝视着高辟兵的窝囊样子，心里有点好笑。不过他脑子里也在做思想斗争。这些群盗显然不是一般的人，从他们弩机中发射的飞虻箭来看，可能有很大的后台。如果放走了他们，闹不好自己全家性命不保；但如果下令强攻，人质没了，自己个人的脑袋也不保。真是两难，长安那帮没脑子的家伙，他妈的怎么定律令的，这不是让人拘手拘脚么。劫持人质这种事，不管是劫持的什么人，都不应该和他们讨价还价的，哪怕他劫持的是皇帝。他心里突然打定了主意。
你们这些凶逆的狂徒，竟敢劫持朝廷二千石的官吏，大逆不道，难道还想活着出去吗。小武大声道，而且，我现在代理县令事，奉国家律令讨贼，怎么可能因为一个都尉的缘故，违背律令纵容你们，上负天子，下负黎民。这次放了你们，以后豫章县将不得安宁。他猛地扬起手中长剑，卡嚓一声砍下车厢的一个角，用袖子掩起脸，号啕大哭，泪飞如雨。他边哭边目视着高辟兵，悲伤地说，高府君，下吏无能为力了。即便是想救府君，其奈国法何？府君任国家重职，受天子洪恩，一门卿相，朱轮华毂，又是皇亲国戚，居甲第，出省禁，享尽荣华，这回也该是报答天子的时候了……他闭起眼睛，仰天长叹了一声，然后举起剑，厉声下令道，给我击鼓前进，强冲里门，急击贼盗，一个都不能放过。
朱安世简直信不过自己的耳朵，一时呆在那里，还没等他回过神来，只听得下面鼓声轰鸣，呐喊声此起彼伏，箭矢大作，阙楼的楹柱上已经中了数枝。他急忙拉住高辟兵，仓惶跳下，对属下道，那竖子是个疯子，快给我集中目标，将他射死。群盗们也慌乱了，爬到墙头，往外狂放箭。但是他们的箭矢数量有限，虽然弩机的力量强大，有的甚至穿透了县吏们的盾牌，射死不少人，却禁不起县吏们的人多。而且还有很多黔首百姓，希望能斩首升爵，也来帮助县吏攻击。只见空中各种型号的箭矢如雨，射进院子里来，墙头上顿时倒毙了不少尸体。有的贼盗充满了恐惧，趴在地上怪叫道，朱大侠，那少年早已经躲到队伍后面，前面一排都是盾牌，我们的箭矢也射光了。没有长兵，光凭刀剑怎么跟他们打啊。
朱安世大怒，他感到从没这么失败过，他一把扯过高辟兵，将其推到墙头上，大声吼道，你