Chapter 1016
Seizing Military Power
Chapter 1016 Seizing Military Power
They had all been to the battlefield and killed enemies, and their shouts were filled with murderous intent, which scared the literati who felt that Mi Dong's death was a pity into silence.
Many scholars were afraid that their faces would be seen by the Northwest Army, which would prevent them from passing the imperial examinations and becoming officials in the future, so they sneaked away.
The scholars and students who stayed behind no longer dared to speak for Mi Dong.
There were also some truly intelligent scholars and students who began to think about the purpose of Mi Dong's death.
After figuring out something, he cursed Mi Dong: "You bastard celebrity, you bastard dreamed of Mr. Rong, and you felt sorry for Mr. Rong's suffering alone in this strange world, so you committed suicide to accompany him? Mi Dong, you villain, even wanted to link his death to Mr. Rong, and take away his reputation as a righteous man!"
"Ah, Mi Dong, you are such a shameless villain!"
"Mi Dong and the Mi family must be severely punished according to the law. We cannot encourage the trend of 'death absolves sins' by committing suicide after breaking the law!"
At the northwest city gate, there were voices calling for severe punishment of Mi Dong and the Mi family.
General Guo finally felt comforted after hearing this, but...
"Mi Dong is indeed a guilty villain, but famous scholars and teachers are treasures of the world. For example, Mr. Jing, who took students to taste and plant high-yield potatoes; for example, Mr. Yong, who opened a private warehouse to donate grain and grass to the country to fight the enemy!" General Guo shouted: "People like this who have made useful contributions to the world and the people are true celebrities!"
The implication is that people like Mi Dong do not count.
Wei people: "The old general is right!"
Students: "The old general's words are really enlightening. Thank you for your lecture today!"
Many scholars and students bowed to General Guo.
The corners of General Guo's mouth, hidden beneath his white beard, twitched. "Don't be so ungrateful. Future pillars of the dynasty, just remember what is good and evil, what is a true gentleman!"
He glanced at Deputy General Zhao, who had been stripped naked for a while, pointed at the three Zhao sons, and ordered: "Take these three sons to their father and let them see clearly how much damage their father suffered to get to where he is today!!"
"Yes." Wu Changwei led his troops to drag the eldest, second, and third Zhao brothers to the side of Deputy General Zhao, making them kneel and carefully examine the injuries on Deputy General Zhao's body, especially the eldest young master Zhao. "Did you see clearly? These knife wounds, arrow wounds, and burns are all the reason why your father was able to come to Taizhou Mansion to serve as a garrison commander."
"Your father risked his life for this position, but you don't cherish it. You really don't deserve to be a son..."
Wu Changwei was thinking about Young Master Zhao's future, so he didn't say the last words.
"Wow, dad, you've suffered."
"Wow, dad, does it still hurt?"
Young Master Zhao listened to his two brothers' cries and remained silent for a while. Then he turned to General Guo and begged, "General, please allow me to be punished in my father's place... If that's not possible, please let me be punished with my father. I will take every beating my father received!"
Humph, at least you are responsible.
"With your scholarly stature, you dare to boast like this? You're really showing off!" General Guo scolded Young Master Zhao and said, "You are also guilty. Today, I will temporarily impose ten lashes on you. The rest of the punishment will be discussed after I complete my rotation!"
"Thank you, old general." Young Master Zhao kowtowed to express his gratitude.
"Boss, you...ah." Deputy General Zhao felt sorry for his son, but he and his wife had indeed ruined their son's behavior, and giving him a beating could help correct his behavior.
Soon, Young Master Zhao's shirt was ripped off. *Slap slap slap!*
General Guo personally held the whip and beat the father and son severely... Although the old man was old, he was very strong. After a few whips, the backs of the Zhao father and son were covered in blood.
"Wow, wow, wow." Zhao Er, Zhao San, and Mrs. Zhao covered their mouths and cried.
clap clap clap!
After a severe beating, Young Master Zhao received ten lashes and Lieutenant General Zhao received twenty lashes. There was no good flesh left on their backs. Only then did General Guo stop, threw the whip stained with the blood and flesh of the father and son to his personal soldiers, and then looked at Lieutenant General Wen and the son of Marquis Wenchang.
Lieutenant General Wen immediately stepped forward to apologize: "I, Wen Ao, one of the garrisons of Taizhou Prefecture, pay my respects to General Guo. I failed to correct Lieutenant General Zhao's abuse of power in a timely manner. This is a dereliction of duty. I beg the old general to punish me!"
Oh, you didn’t show up for such a long time, making it seem like there was no Lieutenant General Wen like you in Taizhou Mansion. Are you coming out now?
Upon hearing this, General Guo simply looked at him, smiled, and then, looking past him, addressed the Marquis of Wenchang, "Deputy General Zhao was a hopeless case, having failed to secure the Taizhou Palace. It's only thanks to you, my nephews from the Wen family, who have dedicated yourselves to the cause. On behalf of His Majesty, I would like to express my sincere gratitude."
Lieutenant General Wen and Prince Wen felt a pang of fear... Could it be that the Guos already knew that they had the Mi family lead Lieutenant General Zhao into a mistake in order to eliminate him so that Lieutenant General Wen could take over and become the chief defender of Taizhou Prefecture?
Now you see, the matter between the Mi and Zhao families is not that simple... Mr. Jing has already led his students to try growing and eating high-yield potatoes, and the matter of wild yams and taro can't be kept secret for long.
Why make such a fuss?
The purpose is to lure this idiot Deputy General Zhao into breaking military rules so that he can be stripped of his position and the military power of Taizhou Prefecture can fall into the hands of the powerful families again.
Unfortunately, after all the planning, I still lost.
But wasn’t it said before that the Northwest Army would fight against the Western Rong and would not dispatch troops to Taizhou Palace?
Isn’t it said that General Guo’s old injury has worsened and that General Guo’s son has no ability to lead troops and is therefore unusable?
Why did the Guo family from the northwest suddenly appear?
They, the Wen family, they, the powerful aristocratic families, were tricked by Emperor Wuxing and Yan Zhou!
"Marquis Guo, you are too kind. The Wen family has been receiving financial support from the emperor for generations, and we should be loyal to the country. Unfortunately, my nephew is not capable enough and failed to help Deputy General Zhao... I am also at fault, please punish me, Marquis Guo." The eldest son of Marquis Wenchang had a guilty look on his face. Everyone who saw him like this felt that he was truly blaming himself and feeling guilty.
General Guo curled his lips under the cover of his beard... After so many years, these people from the aristocratic families haven't changed. If you love acting so much, why don't you build a stage and perform for the villagers for free?
General Guo didn't bother to play along. He held up the imperial edict and said, "I, the Marquis of Xibei, have been ordered by Your Majesty to guard Taizhou Prefecture. From now on, I will be the chief defender of Taizhou Prefecture, where the four great highways intersect. I implore all the people of Wei to help me defend Taizhou Prefecture and the great highways that connect the east, west, south, and north!"
"My Lord, you are upright and just. You have severely punished Deputy General Zhao and exposed Mi Dong's shameless behavior. You are truly brave and resourceful. With you here, Taizhou Palace and the four highways will be safe!"
"Support Xibei Hou!"
"The Marquis's aunt is Madam Cui of our Taizhou Mansion. We are one family, so we must support the Marquis!"
Our undercover agent shouted, and soon ordinary Wei people began to shout in support of General Guo.
General Guo, along with Wu Changwei and other military officers of the same age, clasped their fists and saluted in return. "Thank you all for your trust. We will definitely guard Taizhou Prefecture and maintain its peace!"
Their gesture of greeting and expressing gratitude reduced Wei Min's panic.
And then, General Guo and the military officers tied white cloth around their waists and worshipped Kang Rong together in the sacrificial shed, which won everyone's praise.
"Although Marquis Guo is the commander of the army, he is also a kind and loving elder. It is a blessing for Taizhou Prefecture to have such a kind-hearted person guarding the Prefecture!"
"Don't worry, kid. We will not let your death be in vain." After burning incense and making a promise, General Guo officially led his troops into Taizhou City.
Speed is of the essence in war, and General Guo still has the ability to lead troops. It only took him half an hour to completely change the defenses of Taizhou Mansion. All the soldiers on the city walls and gates were replaced with the soldiers he brought with him.