Chapter 47 Section 4 Death for money

Before Liu Yan led the six troops to set off from Chongling, Liu Xiu had already set off to the home of his grandfather Fan Chong in Huyang County, preparing to pick up his mother Fan who was recuperating there.But on Liu Yan's side, the old and the young are supported, men and women are brought together, and there are many cattle, sheep and livestock. The scene is chaotic but spectacular.After passing through Changju first, the local defenders were less than a hundred people. Liu Yan waved the banner without any formation or tactics. The crowd rushed past, and the defenders were swept away.After passing through Tangzi Township, the same medicine was taken according to the prescription. The soldiers and civilians mixed together, and the defenders were instantly swallowed up and annihilated by the sea of ​​people, and there was no splash.

After capturing Tangzi Township and resting for half a day, I saw Liu Xiu and an old woman flying from afar.Liu Yan greeted him, saw that Liu Xiu's eyes were tear-stained, and saw that the old woman was her mother's personal maid, Queen's Wife, but she couldn't see her mother, Fan Shi, she suddenly felt dark in front of her eyes, and fainted on the ground.After being helped back to the tent, Liu Yan hurriedly asked what was going on, Liu Xiu was sobbing and unable to speak, and when Mrs. Wang talked about the experience of the mistress Fan, she shed tears several times. Liu Xiu's grandfather, Fan Zhong, started from scratch and was a good merchant. His family owns more than 30,000 mu of land and has huge assets. He is one of the few super rich people in Nanyang.Fan's family was recovering from illness at her natal family, and everything was fine at first.When Fan Zhong heard that Liu Yan and Liu Xiu were planning to raise troops, he contacted Xinshi Bing and Ping Lin Bing. He couldn't help being angry and afraid. Liu Yan's rebellion, his grandfather would definitely be implicated. The family property that has been accumulated hard for a lifetime will be confiscated in vain, and the lives of the entire family may be difficult to preserve.Seeing that the catastrophe was imminent, Fan Zhong was terrified, he could only vent his anger on his poor daughter, scolding the Fan family constantly, for giving birth to such two unworthy sons, it doesn't matter if the Liu family lost, and now he wants to drag the Fan family into trouble.Fan was already ill, but when his father scolded him like this, he didn't dare to defend himself—the old man is over eighty years old, so he can't stand up to confrontation—so his illness became more and more serious.On the one hand is the mother's family who gave birth to her, and on the other is the son she gave birth to. Fan's family did not want to be a drag on both sides, so she hanged herself at night, leaving only one last word: Don't think of me.Fan Zhong was eager to get rid of his relationship with the Liu family, so he didn't even dare to bury his daughter, but just buried the body in the wild.The clansman Fan Jugong really couldn't see it, so he took Fan's family away at night and buried them hastily in a random grave outside the city.

After Liu Yan listened, his eyes were about to bleed, and he led the crowd towards Huyang.But Xundu, Wei Xundu of Huyang County, heard that Liu Yan had raised troops and was invincible all the way. He was coming to Huyang, so he summoned the wealthy households in the city and asked, "Liu Yan led the crowd. Do you want to fight or surrender?" All the wealthy households were flattered, and their parents and officials condescended to inquire about it. They really showed a sincere love for the people.While being moved, yet anxious, could it be that Xun Du was probing on purpose?So you look at me, I look at you, and no one is willing to make a statement first.Xun Du said with a smile: "It's okay for you to say, I will never blame you." The wealthy households felt a little more at ease, so they expressed their opinions.Xun Du nodded and said: "Okay, okay." The wealthy households were confused, what is better, is it better to surrender, or to fight?Xun Du slowly bent his fingers and said, "War, three thousand gold; surrender, five thousand gold."

The complexions of the wealthy households suddenly became sallow.It is your inescapable duty to protect the environment and the people, and now it is a good time to take advantage of Liu Yan's rebellion and beat us up. This is clearly blackmail.What is even more difficult to understand is why surrender is more expensive than combat? Xun Du saw that everyone was puzzled, and explained calmly: "Don't get me wrong, I'm not a corrupt official. Let's just talk about fighting. The so-called three-point danger in every battle, not to mention Liu Yan's aggressive attack this time, in case the city is destroyed , I will lose my family and life. Who am I holding my head like this? Is it not for the safety of everyone here! In addition, I have to raise military expenses and prepare food and grass. How can I not spend money? That's it, I I only charge you three thousand gold, is it fair?"

The wealthy households were speechless and could only flatter and say, "Fair, quite fair." Xun Du said again: "Let's talk about surrender. Since I surrendered, I will naturally surrender together with you. If you surrender, the big deal is to donate some money and food to the rebels, and then you can live a prosperous life as usual. The loss of the official will be great. Not only I have lost my current official salary, let alone my bright future. You know, maybe in the future I will be an official and prefect, and even be promoted to Jiuqing. This surrender will immediately wipe out all these riches and honors. Ask yourself, I have lost It’s so huge, but I only charge you five thousand gold as compensation, isn’t it fair?”

The wealthy households were dissatisfied in their hearts, but they could only perfunctorily say, "Fairness, more fairness." The wealthy households were greedy for money and took the initiative to fight. They collected three thousand gold and sent it to Xundu's mansion on the same day. Naturally, there is no such evidence that can be presented in court in the future, and I dare not ask for it.Xun Du also kept his promise. After receiving three thousand gold, he immediately recruited strong men, got more than one thousand men, and vigorously repaired the city defense. But Fan Zhong saw his daughter Fan's suicide, he was relieved, but he was still guilty and fearful, with frequent urination and dreams.When Xun Du saw Fan Zhong coming to his door, he was not too polite. He imprisoned his whole family and reprimanded him, "If Liu Yan doesn't attack Huyang, everything will be fine. If he attacks Huyang, don't blame me for being ruthless. I will kill all of you."

While speaking, Liu Yan had already approached Huyang City, Xun Du was furious, and ordered Fan Zhong's family to be executed.The subordinate officials joined forces and said: "Fan Zhong and his sons are practicing in the village with courtesy, righteousness, kindness and virtue. It is better to take them as hostages first. If the city can be defended, it will not be too late to kill. If the city is destroyed, Fan Zhong and his son will be there in front of Liu Yan. There are arguments too." When Xun Du heard this, he made sense, so he spared the lives of Fan Zhong's family for the time being.

Liu Yan attacked the city with all his strength, and Xun Du took three thousand gold bribes from the wealthy households, and he really worked hard, leading his young men to defend and resist with all their strength.Seeing that Liu Yan's offensive became more and more fierce, but the rescue was delayed, Xun Du secretly panicked. If this continues, if the city is destroyed, he may not be able to spend the three thousand gold he stole.Xun Du came to the county jail to extract Fan Hong, the son of Fan Chong, and said, "Go out of the city and tell Liu Yan to surrender early. Otherwise, when the reinforcements arrive, he will be attacked from both inside and outside, and his family will perish."

Fan Hong said: "What if Liu Yan refuses?" Xun Du said angrily, "Then your whole family will perish." Fan Hong bent his neck and said with a sneer, "Liu Yan will surrender obediently? You are too naive! Why don't you kill my whole family now." Xun Du was furious and ordered Fan Hong to be beaten to death with sticks.Xun Du shouted up to the sky, and when he calmed down, he gave in and said, "The best thing to do is, as long as you can persuade Liu Yan to take a detour and withdraw from Huyang, I can spare your family's life." This condition was relatively reasonable, so Fan Hong went out of the city and went directly to Liu Yan's camp.When Liu Yan saw his uncle, without saying a word, he drew his sword and slashed. Fan Hong closed his eyes and sighed, then dodged the killing stick, and bumped into the Sangmen sword again. How hard life is!Liu Xiu supported Liu Yan, grabbed the sword, and said: "My uncle must know where my mother's tomb is. I'll take care of the rest after paying respects to my mother."

Outside the city of Huyang, the burial mounds are scattered, the autumn wind is bleak, and there are many barren mounds. A simple new grave, piled up with grass and grass, without a monument or record, this is the last shelter of the Fan family.If it wasn't for the kindness of the clansman Fan Jugong, the Fan family would not even have such a small tomb. They could only expose the corpses in the wild and become food for birds and beasts.Liu Yan and Liu Xiu knelt in front of the grave, weeping bitterly.After weeping, Liu Yan glared at Fan Hong angrily, and said, "My uncle came here, why?"

Fan Hong replied: "I'm here to ask Bo Sheng to take a detour. Anyway, you intend to attack Wancheng, and it is reasonable to be a soldier with great speed. Why bother to attack Huyang for a long time and miss the opportunity for nothing?" Liu Yan sneered, "So what if we don't make a detour?" Fan Zhong forced the Fan family to death, and Fan Hong also felt deeply guilty. He could understand Liu Yan's anger, but he had to save the lives of the whole family in the city. Mouth life." Liu Yan said angrily: "My mother forced her to death for the Fan family. I and the Fan family have already broken off all ties. The life and death of the Fan family has nothing to do with me!" Fan Hong said: "The old man is already old, and I hope Bo Sheng will take care of it." Seeing Fan Hong talking about Fan Zhong, Liu Yan became more and more furious. He called Fan Zhong by his name and cursed: "You are a thief if you are old and not dead. Fan Zhong deserved to die a long time ago." , Tell the county lieutenant that if you want to kill the Fan family, kill them, I have made up my mind, I will destroy this city." Fan Hong, a dignified elder, was scolded by Liu Yan and burst into tears. He knelt down and kowtowed, begging bitterly, but Liu Yan was unmoved.Liu Xiu tried hard to persuade Liu Yan, Liu Yan said: "My mother's suicide is just to let you and me have no worries and concentrate on fighting. The Fan family has their own fault, no wonder I am ruthless." Liu Xiudao: "My uncle came from the city, so he must know the real situation in the city. It's better to have a good livelihood and see if there is a way to get the best of both worlds." Hearing Liu Xiu's words, Fan Hong saw the light in the hopeless place, and quickly offered advice: "Huyang County Wei Xundu is from a merchant background, and he loves money like his life..." Liu Yan interrupted Fan Hong and said with a sneer, "Just like Fan Zhong, who recognizes money but not people, right! Let me tell you the truth, Fan Zhong is willing to force his own daughter to death. One day, for money, Fan Zhong will even kill you." will kill you." Fan Hong thought, that's not necessarily true, sons are more precious than daughters after all.But how dare to say it.Liu Xiu said to Liu Yan from the side: "I know Xun Du. I once received him when I was in Chang'an. He is indeed greedy for money. If you are greedy for money, you are shameless. If you are shameless, you can take advantage of him. Let's hear what your uncle has in mind." Fan Hong Encouraged by Liu Xiu, he became more courageous, so he said to Liu Yan: "For the current plan, we only need to recruit more than ten dead men. If this is the case, Xun Du's life will be taken. Once Xun Du dies, Huyang will come down." Besides, Xun Du was worried and worried in Huyang City. Suddenly, a sergeant came to report, and Fan Hong was calling for the door from the city.Xun Du went to the city to look, and it was indeed Fan Hong, followed by more than ten carts.Xun Du asked Fan Hong urgently, "What's the matter?" Before Fan Hong could answer, the leading coachman behind him had taken off his straw hat, raised his head and said to Xun Du, "Lieutenant Xunxian is here!" It was Liu Xiu, the director of the Nanyang Office in Beijing. When he visited Chang'an, he ate and drank at Liu Xiu's.When the old man met, Xun Du was also surprised and happy, and said, "Why did Uncle Wen come?" What's in the car?" Liu Xiu replied: "The Fan family has all been imprisoned by the county captain, and I would like to redeem their lives with a thousand pieces of gold." Xun Du became more and more happy, for the fortune has come, and there is no way to stop it. However, he still had doubts in his heart, and said: "Open the box." Liu Xiu opened the box according to her words, and it was indeed golden.Xun Du still didn't dare to take it lightly, and ordered people to go out of the city to search him. Seeing that Liu Xiu and others had no weapons, he was completely relieved and put Liu Xiu and others into the city. Xun Du went down to the tower to meet Liu Xiu, Liu Xiu said, "I wish to see that the Fan family is safe and sound, and then I will give you a thousand pieces of gold." Xun Du smiled and said, "That is, that is." Turning around, he ordered his soldiers to go to the county. The jailer rubbed his hands again, and said with a sneer to Liu Xiu, "I'll check it first, how about it?"As a grandson, Liu Xiu used thousands of dollars to save the lives of his grandfather's family, which is reasonable and sensible. Xun Du no longer suspected fraud, and said to Liu Xiu with a charming smile: "Back then in Chang'an, Uncle Wen spent a lot of money. I am ashamed to ask Uncle Wen to spend so much money, haha." Liu Xiu took out a gold brick, weighed it in his hand, and said with a smile, "Does the county captain like this?" Xun Du smiled broadly, and said, "I like it, I like it." Liu Xiu smiled brighter and said, "Then it's all for you." Xun Du looked at Liu Xiu's secretive smile, vaguely sensed that something was wrong, and turned around to run away, but Liu Xiu had already shouted: "Do it! "Liu Ji, who has always bowed his head and followed Liu Xiu around, jumped up, grabbed a gold brick, and threw it on Xun Du's head like raindrops, smashing his olive-shaped head until it was flat, and still refused to give up. He smashed it and cursed: "Bastard, here you are, all here." Witnessing this bloody violence in broad daylight, Xun Du's staff were all stunned and too frightened to move.Liu Xiu drew Xun Du's sword, cut off Xun Du's head, raised his head and shouted: "Wang Mang's defeat is just around the corner. Liu Bo's rise of rebel soldiers and the restoration of the Han Dynasty are the hope of the world. Those who surrender today will be forgiven, and those who do not surrender will be honored by Xun Du." Du's head." Seeing that Xun Du was dead and that the government's reinforcements had not come for a long time, everyone was disheartened, so they all surrendered.