Chapter 314 Prison

Chen Heng was not as panicked as the garrison commander when Mao Daqing showed up. Chen Heng, who had been baptized by Qingfeng Village, could see through the troops better than most people.

Mao Daqing's subordinates, at first glance, numbered two or three thousand. But most of them didn't even have a decent piece of armor, let alone weapons for sieges, such as artillery. It was undoubtedly a pipe dream to break open the heavily guarded Jiannan Pass with only the swords, guns, and sticks in the opponent's hands.

It was precisely because he saw through the opponent's details that Chen Heng was even more surprised why the opponent came here. With such subordinates, Mao Daqing lacked the wisdom and bravery that would go down in history. What kind of confidence supported him to lead his troops to attack?

Chen Heng couldn't figure out Mao Daqing's reason, because he didn't know the opponent's recent experience.

The bandits in Qingfeng Village gathered in the name of family feuds and hatred from the beginning. Although these people come from all over the world, their similar backgrounds and experiences are the fundamental reasons why they are united and difficult to eliminate.

Although Shui Rong's funding and tip-offs are indispensable in secret. But Shui Rong and the leader did not expect a problem. The enemy and target they preset for Qingfeng Village to grow and develop are the wealthy families like Feng Ziying and Wei Ruolan.

From the beginning, there was an irreconcilable contradiction between the two.

In the early days, the leader could still rely on his past prestige to persuade the brothers to accept the amnesty and coexistence with the reason of bringing everyone to rebuild a bright and clear world.

When Mao Daqing and others felt more and more excluded and despised by Feng Ziying and Wei Ruolan in the army, the contradictions intensified rapidly in secret.

It was because Shui Rong and Shi Ding saw through this that they chose to divide their troops into two places. They can not only surround the point and attack the reinforcements, but also take the opportunity to consume the number of bandits. After all, compared with the bandits who are making a fuss, Feng Ziying and Wei Ruolan can bring more political help.

The trade-offs and political compromises involved were all for the purpose of reintegration and unity in the army, even if it was just a superficial harmony.

Shui Rong and Shi Ding had good plans, but they did not expect Xin Suzhao to come so quickly and fight so hard.

Relying on the veterans of the border who were good at riding and shooting, Xin Suzhao made full use of the mobility of the troops. Fight when you want to fight, and leave when you want to leave. Occasionally shooting a few rockets in the middle of the night can also cause some commotion.

The setbacks in recent days, the ineffectiveness in the war, and the delay in joining the troops by Fatty Feng have all exacerbated the outbreak of contradictions. Seeing that Shui Rong had no intention of attacking the aristocratic family, he would only do some muddy moves.

Thinking about the happiness and freedom of becoming a bandit and roaring in the mountains, Mao Daqing, who was disappointed and wanted to leave, immediately contacted several good brothers in the past.

Several people hit it off immediately, originally thinking about getting out of it and finding a new world.

I don't know who was unlucky enough to leak the news. When Mao Daqing was about to leave the next day, hundreds of people had already expressed their intention to leave with him.

These were all old brothers in Qingfeng Village. In the past, they all ate from the same pot and slept on the same bed. How could Mao Daqing abandon them?

Mao Daqing was a man of temperament. If he didn't have this temperament, he wouldn't have given up his excellent military career.

But if so many people were to leave, if they were discovered, they would definitely be disliked by Shui Rong and the leader.

Mao Daqing thought of a way. He had to wait for an opportunity.

A few days later, he got this opportunity.

Xin Suzhao led his troops to attack the camp again. Mao Daqing, who was left behind by Shui Rong again, finally chose to go his separate ways completely.

Xin Suzhao, who was chasing, did not make things difficult for this small group of rebels who had escaped. Perhaps because he didn't care about this little bit of money, Xin Suzhao kept biting behind Shui Rong's army from beginning to end.

Mao Daqing, who had escaped by chance, walked in Ping'an Prefecture for half a day and found that many brothers had come to join him after hearing the news.

Seeing that more and more people were following him, Mao Daqing had no choice but to take people back to Qingfeng Village to settle down temporarily.

But when they returned to Wumeng Mountain, they saw that the village had been burned down by Chen Heng and turned into ashes.

Looking back at the brothers behind him, Mao Daqing also felt deeply powerless.

Even Qingfeng Village, which he regarded as his home, turned into a bubble. Where else in the world can he settle down?

Mao Daqing stood on the empty mountain road, thinking silently.

There were not many options available to them at the moment. Should they continue to hide with a group of brothers, or be alone and live a free and quiet life?

Mao Daqing actually wanted to choose the latter, but looking at the brothers who placed their hopes on him, it was difficult for him to say discouraging words to let everyone go their separate ways.

Mao Daqing, who was widely trusted by his brothers because of his reputation, was eventually burdened by his reputation.

One person is barefoot, but thousands of people are barefoot, so it is not barefoot.

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"Then why don't you occupy the mountain and become the king?"

Under the city gate, Chen Heng looked at Mao Daqing who tied his arms and walked in after getting off the horse and asked.

"It is important for people to know themselves." Mao Daqing lowered his head. He looked nothing like the arrogant man who made trouble in the Zhen family in the past.

"I can't even read a word, how can I lead them to fight for a way out. In the end, it's just the same result!"

I don't know what he has experienced. In Chen Heng's sight, Mao Daqing said with despair, "Anyway, no matter what I do, in their eyes, I am just a farmer."

Who are they in Mao Daqing's mouth? Chen Heng also had some guesses, but he didn't know if his guesses were right.

After saying this, Mao Daqing laughed inexplicably: "If I pull my brothers to occupy the mountain and drive them to abandon their families and sacrifice their lives for me, what is the difference between me and those people."

Xu Shi knew that his death was coming. Mao Daqing showed a somewhat sad smile to Chen Heng in front of the guards around him, "They all say that you are a good official. Mr. Chen, you read a lot. Let me ask you something." In other words, is there really a place in the world where lowly people like us can live and work in peace and contentment?”

For this man who took the initiative to surrender and wanted to exchange his life for the safety of his brothers.

Chen Heng has some sincere respect. He can do things that ordinary people cannot do. How can he not be a man of the world?

"Yes." Chen Heng said seriously, "The great unity of the world described in the book has never been a fictitious rumor. It is the aspiration of the people, and it will definitely be realized in the future. It is just a matter of sooner or later."

Listening to Chen Heng's confident tone, Mao Daqing was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his head and laughed.

Smiling, two lines of tears fell from his face.

After a long time, Mao Daqing sighed to Chen Heng: "If I really have a next life, let me have a good pregnancy. Let me have a taste of what it is like to be a son of a noble family."

It is really sad to hear this. Chen Heng couldn't think of words to comfort him, so he had to sit back and watch the guards come up and capture Mao Daqing.

What followed was thousands of bandits preparing to surrender. I don’t know how Mao Daqing persuaded them. When this group of people walked in dejectedly, they all took a cautious look at Chen Heng.

They were looking at Chen Heng, and Chen Heng was actually looking at them.

Mao Daqing wanted to find a way out for them, but the court had its own rules. The problem facing Chen Heng was how to find a way out for these people.

The guard on the side was still happy for Chen Heng, and said with envy: "Congratulations, sir. With this contribution, your future will be prosperous and just around the corner."

Chen Heng didn't react at all. He just stood by the ramp of the tower and watched Mao Daqing's retreating back.

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Ten days later, it was the last day of November. Chen Heng finally received a reply from Daiyu. The words written in the letter were filled with joy that her husband was safe and sound.

It is said that the war lasts for three months, and a letter from home is worth ten thousand gold. The poems of the Tang Dynasty are still applicable today. Chen Heng had to sigh with emotion at the amazing similarities in history.

During his leisure days in Jiannanguan, having such a letter from home was enough to comfort Chen Heng's lonely heart. Daiyu's warm words made Chen Heng miss his family even more.

Before December came, Chen Heng hid in Jiannan Pass, preparing to write an official letter to the court, hoping to take the people away in advance. Recently, many government troops and state troops have come to support, and Chen Hengneng's role is really limited.

Rather than wasting time here in vain, it is better to take the husbands home early so that they can be reunited before the New Year. Chen Heng originally thought so, but his plan was disrupted by a sudden visitor.

"Your Highness, why are you here?" Chen Heng exclaimed to Li Jun.

The latter had just been brought in by the guards. When he saw Old God Chen Heng sitting in the hall, he immediately said: "My father is worried about you, so I asked Grandpa Huang to let me come and see you."

Unexpectedly, the prince thousands of miles away was still thinking about him at this moment. If Chen Heng said he was not moved, that must be a lie. After all, the candidate sent by the other party was his eldest son Li Jun.

Unexpectedly, Li Jun did not come empty-handed. He had just met Chen Heng, and he didn't even bother to drink tea. He began to pass on Li Zhi's oral instructions and signaled Chen Heng to come to Beijing immediately to face the saint.

Why did it happen at this time? Chen Heng murmured in his heart. But in official circles, people can't help themselves. He could not resist the order, so he had to pack his bags and follow Li Jun on the road.

Traveling with him were Liu Xianglian, Jia Baoyu and others.

Baoyu, Baoyu, I can finally go home.

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On the seventh day of December, Chen Heng returned to the capital after a year-long absence. As soon as the people got off the boat at the ferry, the carriage sent by the Lin family to pick them up had been waiting here for a long time.

Li Jun knew that Lin Yushi must have something to say to his son-in-law, so he only agreed with Chen Heng that the palace would send someone to pick him up after the court tomorrow morning.

After they parted ways, Chen Heng took Liu Xianglian and Xinda and immediately got on the carriage home. When he arrived at the door, Chen Heng saw Lin Ruhai waiting here wearing official robes. When he looked at the other party, he saw that he had just returned from the office and had not even had time to change his clothes.

Chen Heng quickly jumped off the carriage, walked quickly to Lin Ruhai, and greeted: "Father-in-law..."

Lin Ruhai stopped Chen Heng who was about to salute, took a good look at him, and then said with peace of mind: "It's good that everything is safe, it's good that everything is safe."

When he said this, Lin Ruhai's own eyes were slightly red, and he really couldn't see the confidence of the other party in strategizing in the past.

Chen Heng's nose felt sour when he heard his family's concern after a long time. He suppressed the fluctuation in his heart. Chen Heng took the initiative to hold Lin Ruhai's hand, and the father-in-law and son-in-law walked into the home side by side.

Jia Min, who had been waiting in the lobby for a long time, saw Chen Heng and began to scold his son-in-law: "Heng'er, you are now a married man. Didn't your father tell you in the letter to do your best and protect yourself?" You have to be prepared, what do you want Yu'er to do, what do you ask mother to do."

Knowing that Jia Min was concerned, Chen Heng did not dare to say anything. I had to lower my head and listen to the teachings of my elders.

Jia Min talked again before letting go of the anger in her heart. Looking at Chen Heng's haggard look again, Jia Min couldn't help but sigh and said: "Take good care of yourself at home these days. Mom ordered someone to stew some supplements for you. If you want to go back like this, Yu'er will not know when she sees it. How many tears to shed.”

Seeing that Madam finally relented, Lin Ruhai spoke up at the right time: "Okay, without Heng'er's clever handling, Ping'an Prefecture would have been in trouble."

Since the head of the family said so, Jia Min couldn't say much. She found an excuse to stand up and leave the hall to the father-in-law and son-in-law.

Seeing that there was no one else, Lin Ruhai looked at his former student again, and after a long time, he said: "You did a good job in this matter. I know your concerns and worries. You can take the people of the world as your own responsibility, and I am very happy for you."

The teacher and the student have known each other for more than ten years. Lin Ruhai understands Chen Heng and can see the significance of Chen Heng's choice.

Chen Heng was relieved to get the understanding of his teacher. Jia Min's angry look just now made him very scared.

"Don't worry about your mother, she said it in anger. She hopes that you and Yu'er can live a good life, and there is no need to make achievements."

"The child knows." Chen Heng smiled, poured a cup smartly, and handed it to Lin Ruhai.

Enjoying the service of his son-in-law for the first time in a long time, Lin Ruhai smiled complacently and said, "Tomorrow, His Majesty will summon you to the palace. Do you know why?"

Aren't you waiting for you to tell me? Chen Heng chuckled and showed an expression of seeking advice.

"His Majesty intends to thoroughly investigate the nobles involved in the rebellion." Lin Ruhai knew the importance of Chen Heng. Tomorrow, when this child entered the Linjing Palace, countless heads might fall to the ground as soon as he opened his mouth.

At present, there were only the father-in-law and the son-in-law, so Chen Heng asked directly, "Dad, what do you mean?"

Lin Ruhai liked Chen Heng's quick understanding. He immediately waved his hand and said to his son-in-law, "Come closer to my ear."

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The next day, when Chen Heng saw Li Zhi again in the Linjing Palace, he was very surprised by the other party's haggard appearance.

He thought that the death of the emperor, if not very happy, should at least be celebrated. Looking at the other party's appearance of being a few years older out of thin air, it really didn't seem like a fake.

In addition to Chen Heng and Li Zhi, there was only one chief minister, Wei Yinghong, in the palace today. Yes, Wei Yinghong, who had just joined the cabinet, was promoted to chief minister during the state funeral.

Gu Zaiyong, the old fox, took advantage of the death of the emperor and wrote letters to resign one after another.

Gu Zaiyong has been immersed in the power field for a long time, and he chose the right time.

He claimed to be sick and asked for leave for various reasons, forcing Li Zhi to nod his head and agree.

The smooth change of the cabinet directly led to Gu Zaiyong's escape. Even the Minister of Personnel Yan Hu followed suit and began to pretend to be sick.

The vacuum of the two core power institutions, coupled with the deterioration of the external situation. Li Zhi had to let them go and focus on the nobles who intended to rebel.

After a long separation, Li Zhi looked Chen Heng up and down and praised him: "You look more manly than before."

Wei Yinghong looked at Chen Heng tacitly, and then responded: "I think the champion is thinner and more haggard."

"Did Lord Lin lose his temper with you?" Li Zhi was still in the mood for gossip, and it seemed that he was in a good mood.

In order to pave the way for the subsequent conversation, Chen Heng took the initiative to answer honestly: "My father-in-law didn't, but my mother-in-law did."

"It should be." Li Zhi was a little surprised to hear the minister being so frank. He simply nodded and sighed, "Poor parents in the world."

The state funeral will not end until the end of the year. Li Zhi's words are really interesting.

But Chen Heng should have thought too much, because Li Zhi's next words were: "Your mother-in-law was a troublesome person when she was young. It's normal for her to lose her temper. You don't have to think too much."

Chen Heng answered honestly and stood in front of the two of them in a proper manner.

Seeing his reserved look, Li Zhi waved to Xia Shouzhong and brought a stool for Chen Heng.

The latter quickly glanced at the Prime Minister, and only sat down when he saw the head of the civil officials blink.

Afterwards, the three of them chatted for a while, mostly joking about Lin Ruhai's affairs. At that time, Chen Heng decided to hold on in Ping'an Prefecture, and Lin Ruhai guessed that it was Wei Yinghong and Li Zhi's idea behind it.

It was not easy for his father-in-law to get angry with Li Zhi, but he didn't have to be so polite to Wei Yinghong.

The old Lin family only had this son-in-law, and Chen Heng and Daiyu had just married and didn't even have a child.

If something really happened, the old friendship between the Lin family and the Wei family would probably be broken on the spot.

Wei Yinghong said a few words: Please help me to negotiate with your father-in-law, and our two families must put this matter behind us.

There was no reason for Chen Heng to refuse, so the new Prime Minister just felt at ease. When he returns and finds an opportunity, he will certainly mediate between the two elders.

Seeing that they had almost finished talking, Li Zhi finally spoke up: "Tell me what you saw in Ping'an Prefecture."

The highlight finally came. Chen Heng took a deep breath and went over Lin Ruhai's advice in his mind again.