Chapter 419: Announcement

After breakfast, Zhao Zhen took another nap before going to the front hall.

Everyone in the school field saw him and rushed over. Bao Xu asked: "High official, do you have somewhere to go?"

Zhao Zhendao: "A few days ago, Kong Hou, the magistrate of Yuncheng County, wrote a letter saying that there are thieves hiding in Yuntai Gang and Duozi Mountain within the territory. Although the number is not large, they are a hidden danger. Now the land and population of Yuncheng County have been registered. , taking advantage of my free time, I want to mobilize Liu Tang and others to go and suppress the bandits. We can go together, first to suppress the bandits, and secondly to clean up the beasts in the mountains. "

"There is no need to mobilize many soldiers and horses. We only need to mobilize the Shenji Battalion to go with us."

Bao Xu said: "It's a pity that a villain cannot protect a high official."

Zhao Zhen asked, "Brother Yan Shude is going to visit relatives. The village still needs your protection."

With that said, Zhao Zhen ordered the Shenji Camp, the Flag Protector City and the [Green Flag and Willow Leaf City], and the [Red Flag Daughter City] with insufficient personnel to pack their bags and assemble in front of the village in half an hour to set off. The heroes accompanying him include the generals in command of each battalion and four people from Shezhou.

While he was talking, Zhao Zhen saw Ding An walking in from outside the village. Ding An said: "High official, this is a pigeon letter from Fan County."

Zhao Zhen took the pigeon letter and opened it to read, but it was from Wang Lun, the county magistrate. The letter said: The angel has arrived in Fan County, and Chao Gai's regiment training envoys will escort him. He will arrive at Liangshan in the next two days.

After Zhao Zhen saw it, he said to everyone: "It seems that the winter hunt will be postponed for a few days."

Yu Baosi heard this and said: "The high officials are going to fight to conquer Songjiang River in Qingzhou. My younger brother has never gone into battle, but this time he wants to use me as the vanguard."

Bao Xu said: "You are a high-ranking official in the bodyguard. How can you lead the charge with the commander-in-chief of the flag? Even though I was leading the heavy front, I didn't even get a vanguard."

Zhao Zhen said: "What kind of war can there be in Fan County? We are waiting to conquer Songjiang. The imperial decree has come down. Angels will come to deliver the decree in these two days. With this, the winter hunting will be postponed for two days. Today, brothers, please prepare individually. During the winter hunting season, I took out ten pieces of exquisite gold and silver jewelry newly made by Zheng Tianshou from the warehouse as a gift. "

After hearing this, everyone agreed and went down to prepare.

Zhao Zhen sent people to summon Xiao Rang, Pei Xuan, Jiang Jing, and Zhu Wu to discuss matters, and also made preparations to welcome the angel.

After a while, the four people together with Liu Huiniang sat down in the hall. Zhao Zhen told the news. Everyone thought for a moment. Xiao Rang was the first to say: "There are quite a few people here. Except for the craftsmen and their families who can be seen, there are no other people." I didn’t have any hope.”

Pei Xuandao: "There must be many words of praise in this imperial edict, but as for the rest, don't expect too much. After all, we are just a Ji Mizhou, and we have never made any sacrifices. This has always been the case with the imperial court."

Xiao Rang said: "After the book is made, how do you welcome him? There are also etiquette in it. We can't use etiquette. I heard that there is a man named Wang Gong in Yuncheng County. He seems to know about it, so why not invite a counselor?"

Pei Xuan shook his head and said: "I have also seen the prefect of the state welcome the imperial edict. When the document is made, the prefect should lead all the officials to welcome Ning at Pingzheng Bridge, return to Zhenya Bridge, get off the sedan chair, and lead the palace to announce the edict. ”

"Then he announced the act of the Chunting Pavilion, led all the officials to pay homage to the incense case, held the incense, and led the inspector to the book-making pavilion. He stood on the left, and the judge stood on the right. Standing in the south, Si Bin asked the prefect to march. The left mater was facing north, facing the chapuan. The chapin knelt down to make the book.

"Go to the right and pray to the north, facing the judiciary. Kneel down to make the book. The judiciary kneels down to receive the wat. Everyone bows down. Standing in front of the case of Xingxing Taishou Guixiang, the judiciary holds the book and makes the book. He stands on the south side of the pronunciation table. After reading, step down. The book was presented in Ancai Pavilion, and the governor was restored. The eunuch then led all the officials to pay their respects. "

Zhao Zhen frowned and said, "This is too complicated."

Pei Xuandao said: "This is the intention of the imperial court. The grand and complicated welcoming ceremony for local officials is just to promote the imperial court's control over the local area. In case the people only know that there are parents and officials, but not the emperor."

Seeing that Zhao Zhen seemed to be unwilling, Jiang Jing said: "Officials, although the welcoming ceremony is complicated, it is not unavoidable. Now Liangshan is building a city wall, and it is incomplete everywhere. For this reason, he appealed to the angel. Then please invite two battalions of cavalry troops, the Yong Cavalry Camp on the left and the Yong Cavalry Camp on the right, fully equipped, to meet them ten miles out of the city, directly into the village, and receive the order on the school field. "

Zhao Zhen said: "This is the best. It saves trouble and shows the majesty of the sergeant."

Xiao Rang hesitated to speak. Seeing that no one objected, he stopped mentioning it.

After some discussion, everyone decided to let the left and right brave cavalry battalions set off in advance to meet the angels on the road.

Pei Xuan led people to arrange the incense table. There was no need for people to watch, only two battalions from Chongfengdu watched the ceremony at the school ground.

Liu Huiniang said at this time: "My lord, do you know who the angel who came to announce the decree is?"

Zhao Zhen shook his head and said: "It was not mentioned in the pigeon letter. The left and right are just ministers of the DPRK, and I think they have some relationship with Privy Tong."

Liu Huiniang said: "Officers, there are many good men here who are wanted on their backs. I am afraid that the court is not ignorant, but it is still difficult to show it to the public. We should pay attention to this. Pretending not to know each other can also turn things around. ”

After hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. Even though we are in Ji Mizhou, we still need to have some superficial respect.

But for this group of people in Tokyo, the angel who delivered the message was not what Zhao Zhen had guessed. This man did have a scientific background, a disciple of the emperor, and his surname was Hou Dan, who had a Mongolian character. I came here with a secret official order and wanted to inspect Liangshan.

In addition, Cai Taishi's Mansion sent Zhang Qianban and Gaodian Shuai's Mansion sent Li Yuhou, but Tong Guan never sent anyone. The two accompanied Hou Xuanzhi on the road and also wanted to observe.

After all, Song Jiang was conquered twice, and the remaining troops lost troops and generals. The biggest result was Liangshan Prefecture, which was least valued by the imperial court.

On the third day, the angel finally arrived belatedly. According to the agreement, Baishi Manor was decorated with five-color silk and satin, hanging flowers in the halls and halls. Wang Tianba, Tang Bin and other officials met the angels and escorted them all the way into the White Rock Manor campus. Hou Meng and others entered the village with the imperial edict and arranged the incense table in the dragon pavilion.

Zhao Zhen led the generals from Xiao Rang to Zhu Wu, Cheng Wan'er and other wives and concubines, and knelt down facing north in order, while Pei Xuan paid his respects. After paying homage, Hou Meng faced south and stood on the left side of the Long Pavilion. He unfolded the edict and was about to read it out. Li Yuhou behind him suddenly said: "Zhao Observer, why don't you invite all the senior citizens in the city to come forward and listen?" "Edict?"

Pei Xuan on the side scolded: "Who are you? How dare you interrupt in front of Xuanzhao?"

Marquis Li Yu said: "I am Li Yan, Marquis of Yu of the Taishi Mansion. I am escorting the angels under the orders of the Grand Master."

Pei Xuandao: "Even so, you must not talk nonsense in front of Hou Xuanzhi."

"Now that Liangshan Prefecture is quelling the Song River, the construction of the state city has been delayed. Now, before it freezes, corvees are being collected and the city walls are being built to prevent small groups of thieves from infiltrating."

After hearing this, Li Yuhou took a step back. Hou Meng then read out:

Zhi said: "I wish to honor the Heavenly Patriarch and show my respect to Hong Ji, but Lai Jie is a great figure in praising Xie's great cause." Recently, there have been many warnings in the border court, and the country is in Shaoning. You have arranged for Zhao Ze to travel across the mountains and rivers, overcome dangers, and successfully kill the captives and pull out the city. I am very grateful to you.

Today, I am specially sent to announce the edict to Hou Meng, hold the edict in hand, and give Zhao Ze gold and silver, robes and satin, famous horses, clothes and armor, royal wine and other things to show his merit. The powerful thief Song Jiang is causing chaos in Qingzhou and overthrowing the city. Zhao Ze is ordered to be the vanguard of the Eastern Capital, General Dingyuan, and command the Liangshan troops to conquer Song Jiang.

You officers and men, if you work together and are loyal, will be rewarded for your merits. Troops will still be sent to defend the captured prefectures and counties. After they are stabilized, additional officials will be appointed. The leader of the three armies, under the command of Zhao Ze, captured the troops in the prefectures and counties invaded by Song Jiang, gave them rewards, and made a record of them.

The former fugitives, I sincerely remember Wu Song, Lu Zhishen and others. They have always been loyal and did not commit violence. They have made great achievements in conquering Songjiang and are determined to repay them. Although they commit evil crimes, they all have their own reasons, and it is deeply merciful to observe their true feelings.

I have now specially sent an edict to Hou Meng to go to Liangshan in person with the imperial edict, and to pardon all the crimes committed by those who have made meritorious deeds, big or small. How wonderful you are! Special edict.

The winter month of the first year of Xuanhe.

After Hou Meng finished reading the edict, Zhao Zhen and other mountains shouted long live and thanked him.

Hou Meng issued three more imperial edicts and read them out in public. They indeed made Zhao Zhen's three concubines, Liu Huiniang and Hu Sanniang, Chen Liqing, a concubine.

After the two received the order, Hou Meng took gold, silver, satin and other items and delivered them to Zhao Zhen one by one. The items include: two hundred taels of gold, one thousand taels of silver, ten brocades inside and outside, a set of brocade robes, a third-order iron-spine horse with silver mane, a third-order black lacquer Shunshui mountain armor, and one hundred bottles of royal wine.

Finally, they took out Ruren's jacket, Zhai, Ju's clothes, Zhu's clothes, Dingchai's ceremonial clothes and ordinary clothes. Liu Huiniang, Hu Sanniang and Chen Liqing stepped forward to take them.

Zhao Zhen paid his respects again, and then invited Hou Meng and his party to go to the hall. The craftsmen who came with the army would be taken over by the weapons supervisor. There are also arrangements for guarding the Imperial Guard.

Cheng Wan'er and others had different expressions. After bowing, they went on first.

Zhao Zhen held a grand banquet and took turns holding the candles. Bragging in front of the hall. What was served was meat mountain and wine sea. The hospitality is over, send the angel to rest.

Zhao Zhen drank the sobering soup, cheered up, and said to Xiao Rang: "Brother Xiao Rang, this Hou Meng is quite kind and his words are respectful. I hate this Li Yuhou and Zhang Qianban. Their words are full of temptations. At the banquet, he had the audacity to ask for imperial wine. This wine was given by the emperor, and my brothers have never drunk it. A little Yuhou actually dared to ask for it."

Xiao Rang said: "The King of Hell is easy to meet, but the devil is difficult to deal with. I am afraid that he will slander his face in front of the grand master."

"These guys actually want to inspect the sergeants tomorrow. It seems they also want to find out the details about us."

Zhao Zhen said: "The review of the sergeants is exactly what I want. The horse troops from the two capitals and the frontier capital who showed up today will be at the front tomorrow. Those warriors from the nearby villages who are gathered behind, wearing rattan armor and holding simple swords, only argue that the weapons are insufficient, so they also let them go. It’s not easy for the court to know me.”

After hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

Zhu Wudao said: "I will go down and send people to various villages to deliver orders and select strong men. Let the angels see that our soldiers dare to fight, but we are short of weapons. This way we can evade the number of troops."

Pang Wanchun, the new arrival, spoke at this time: "Master, these two people, Li Yuhou and Zhang Qianban, have high eyes and are very arrogant. They don't pay attention to us at all. When he left, Xiao They went to ambush him on land and shot him with an arrow, but they didn't kill him. They only shot off one of his arms with a chisel arrow."

"When we return to the capital, these two disabled people will definitely not be welcomed by their master. This is also a bad breath."

Chao Gai shouted: "Brother, what you said is true. These two birdmen were restless along the way. They asked questions and only looked at people with their nostrils. If they didn't think that he was an angel's follower, the boss would not spare him with his fist." ”

Zhao Zhen shook his head and said: "In the realm of Liangshan, it is always inappropriate for angels to be attacked."

After hearing this, Pang Wanchun spat: "Think of his luck."

After deliberation, everyone was about to disperse. Bai Sheng, who was patrolling outside, came in, walked up to Zhao Zhen, and whispered a few words.

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen frowned and said: "Brothers, according to the discussion, prepare to review the army tomorrow. The four brothers Xiao Rang, Pei Xuan, Jiang Jing, and Chao Gai are staying. There is still a difficult matter. How long will it take? A brother plans something."

After all the heroes dispersed, Zhao Zhen repeated Bai Sheng's words.

After hearing this, everyone also frowned.

Xiao Rang was the first to speak: "Yong'er is so bold here. We have just captured four of his cities and killed and captured four big leaders: Xu Pingsheng, Han Tongyin, Wu Qian, and Wang Feibao. He actually dared to come to Liangshan to meet with high officials. "

Pei Xuandao: "Since I brought a gift, I'm afraid I'm here to seek peace."

Jiang Jingdao: "Now that the angel is here, if we bump into him, he will be speechless."

"That's what we need to worry about." Xiao Rang said.

Zhao Zhen said: "Fortunately, Brother Bai Sheng is smart. In the future, Yong'er and his entourage will be sent to the Red Leaf Barracks for supervision. Don't worry about the two sides running into each other. After inspecting the soldiers tomorrow, I will ask Brother Chao Gai to escort the angels out of the country."

"Yong'er and his entourage came to meet the angel after seeing him off. I also want to hear what Song Jiang's plan is."

Xiao Rang said: "Your Majesty, please dispatch a team of heavy front sergeants and ask Brother Bao Xu to supervise us. We will also prepare some wine and meat to entertain you. We must not let Lai Yong'er cause trouble."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen nodded and sent someone to inform Bao Xu.

Then, Zhao Zhen said to Xiao Rang: "Lai Yong'er has many tricks up his sleeve, and one person still needs to find out his purpose."

Xiao Rang said: "I'm going to take a trip tonight."

Zhao Zhen nodded after hearing this.

Chao Gai said: "Speaking of which, if Yong'er knew that Angel and his entourage were here, they would probably take action. If they attacked Angel on the way and were killed by us, even though it would be a disadvantage for our guards, it would be even more dangerous. It shows Song Jiang's arrogance. The angel must report it to the emperor, but it shows our sincerity."

After everyone heard this, they each pondered, discussed, and made plans.

Pei Xuan pondered for a moment and said, "Master, there is one more thing that I have to say."

Zhao Zhen said: "Brother, please tell me directly if you have anything to say."

Pei Xuandao: "Today's canonization of the three ladies as Ruren is a favor from the court, but for high officials, they need to pay more attention."

Seeing that Zhao Zhen was puzzled, Pei Xuan frowned and said, "Official, this shouldn't be said by a humble person. It's just that since ancient times, there have been distinctions between concubines and concubines, and there is an order of hierarchy. Now that the three ladies have been ordered to do so, from now on There are many variables in life, so officials should pay more attention."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen naturally knew what Pei Xuan meant. Thinking of the three people being awarded the imperial edict, the expressions of the other wives and concubines were indeed different.

Zhao Zhen said: "I have written it down."