met free Page 191
Page 191
"Now the emperor has been frightened and is no longer as enthusiastic about the alliance with the Jin to attack the Liao. Even among the common people, many have begun to oppose it."
"So all of this was arranged by Professor Wen,"
Zhao Yuan cupped his hands and said, "Professor Wen, you've gone to a lot of trouble."
"Why do you say that, Chief? Brother Xu is also a close friend of mine. It is only right that I do my best for him."
Wen Huanzhang sighed and said, "I originally wanted to use the fishing boats of the court officials and the common people to make the emperor more sober, and then perhaps he would spare Brother Xu."
"But now it seems that this strategy is not feasible."
"That emperor is surrounded by treacherous officials like Cai Jing and Tong Guan. Even if Professor Wen makes a huge fuss, it probably won't outweigh a single word from them."
Zhao Yuan sneered, "Furthermore, do you think that Zhao Ji is confused? No, if you ask me, this guy is very clear-headed!"
Upon hearing Zhao Yuan state the emperor's name directly, Wen Huanzhang and Yan Qing both displayed somewhat strange expressions.
Zhao Yuan ignored them and continued speaking.
"This Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) was proficient in calligraphy, painting, poetry and prose. He often wandered around the common people and frequented brothels. How could he not know the true situation of the common people?"
"But this fellow insists on keeping treacherous officials like Cai Jing and Tong Guan around, isn't it because they know how to flatter and fawn over him and can find ways to please him? Loyal and upright officials would never do such a thing!"
"Even if this alliance with the Jin to attack Liao can be delayed for some time, it will definitely succeed in the end."
"Chief, didn't Professor Wen say that the emperor is already somewhat afraid?"
Yan Qing asked curiously, "If he succeeds in this alliance with the Jin to attack the Liao, isn't he afraid of losing the war and the Liao people moving south?"
"Hehe, this is where Cai Jing, Tong Guan, and the others come in handy," Zhao Yuan laughed.
Wen Huanzhang, who was standing to the side, had already understood what he meant.
"The chieftain means that the emperor will definitely entrust Cai Jing, Tong Guan and others with full authority over this strategy of allying with the Jin to attack the Liao."
"If things succeed, all the credit will naturally belong to the emperor."
"If things fail, the emperor will blame everything on Cai Jing and his associates, and then he can gain a good reputation for eliminating treacherous officials."
"But if the emperor really intends to do this, then wouldn't my elder brother...?"
Yan Qing looked dejected and somewhat disheartened.
"Brother, we can't count on anyone else for Brother Xu's matter. In the end, we have to rely on ourselves!"
Zhao Yuan patted Yan Qing on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, even if it means breaking into prison or the execution ground, I will definitely rescue Brother Xu."
"Thank you, Village Chief!"
Yan Qing quickly stood up and bowed.
Zhao Yuan quickly helped him up and said with a smile, "Brother Xiao Yi, why are you being so polite with me!"
Upon hearing this, Huanzhang couldn't help but sigh.
"The chieftain is indeed righteous and noble; no wonder he is praised by the people of Shandong."
"In that case, would you be willing, sir...?"
Zhao Yuan brought up the old matter again, wanting to recruit Wen Huanzhang to join his cause.
But he didn't finish speaking.
Wen Huanzhang spoke first: "Chief, please allow me a few days to consider this matter."
Actually, judging from what Wen Huanzhang said later,
This person had already thought it through.
The reason why we still need to consider it is...
It's also because in some aspects, he hasn't yet figured things out.
After all, becoming an outlaw is a matter of reputation.
And this reputation is often what scholars care about most.
Zhao Yuan was naturally very much looking forward to Wen Huanzhang coming up the mountain.
After all, on Liangshan now,
Although there are already thirty or forty leaders, among them,
Less than half of them can read and write.
However, only the stern-faced clerk Pei Xuan was truly proficient in literary matters.
Even Pei Xuan, his expertise lies only in prison administration and case handling.
Previously, he was able to suggest that Zhao Yuan divide Liangshan into different household registrations and manage them accordingly.
Most of it came from the experience he gained as a clerk.
He was completely ignorant of military strategy.
In this green forest,
Most large strongholds have a strategist as their chief advisor.
The purpose was to assist the leader of the mountain stronghold.
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He is usually responsible for managing the entire village.
During military campaigns
They then devise strategies and plan meticulously.
However, Liangshan still lacks a strategist.
This is all because Zhao Yuan has never met the right person.
After rescuing Xu Guanzhong this time,
He could no longer find a place in the Song court.
The only way to survive was to join the Liangshan outlaws.
And if we could also bring Wen Huanzhang up the mountain along with us...
Then the left and right strategists of Liangshan were finally complete.
......
After the meal, Wen Huanzhang took his leave.
When the sun sets,
Shi Qian and Shi Xiu also returned.
"Brother, that top scholar Xu is imprisoned in the imperial prison,"
. ........ ...
Shi Qian reported, "My brother Shi Xiu and I found the jailer of the Tai prison and offered him a hundred taels of garlic gold. Only then did that fellow agree to let us in to see Scholar Xu. However, only two of us can go in to visit him, and the visit cannot exceed half an hour."
Within the city of Bianliang (Kaifeng), there were several prisons.
These were the Taiyu Prison, Dali Temple Prison, Imperial City Prison, Palace Prison, Sipai'an Prison, Kaifeng Prefecture Prison, Left and Right Military Patrol Offices, and Tongwen Guan Prison, a total of eight prisons.
Each prison has its own responsibilities and inmates in charge.
Among them, Taiwan Prison is also the central prison.
It was named "Taiyu" because it was established in the Censorate at the beginning of the Song Dynasty.
This prison was the "Imperial Prison".
It was established by the Song Dynasty emperors specifically to strengthen imperial autocracy.
The main detainees were high-ranking officials who had committed crimes, as well as serious criminals whose cases had been personally investigated by the emperor.
In reality, it was the emperor's private prison for punishing criminal officials.
Decades ago, the great writer Su Shi was also imprisoned in this very prison.
This prison was under the personal supervision of the emperor.
The guards and arrests were the most strictly controlled among the eight prisons.
However, nowadays, corrupt officials run rampant in the imperial court.
Following the example set by those above, those below also follow suit.
The management of this prison has become much lax.
If it were the early Song Dynasty,
Let alone a hundred taels of gold, even a thousand or ten thousand taels...
Without the emperor's decree, it would be absolutely impossible to enter the prison to visit someone...
Chapter 266 Xu Guanzhong
Although Xu Guanzhong was the newly appointed martial arts champion,
But he had not yet been granted an official position, and by all accounts, he was not qualified to reside in this prison.
It was only because of the interference of Cai Jing, Tong Guan and others that
That's how Xu Guanzhong was locked up inside.
The next evening,
Zhao Yuan and Yan Qing followed Shi Qian and Shi Xiu into the inner city.
They arrived outside the Censorate.
After waiting for a short while, a jailer came out from inside carrying a package.
"Hurry up and change into these jailer's clothes. I'll take you inside in a bit!"
After the jailer finished speaking, he looked at Shi Qian.
What I said yesterday...
"Don't worry, I brought everything."
Shi Xiu handed over the five garlic-shaped coins, each worth ten taels of gold.
"The rest will be given to me when my master comes out."
"Hehe, you still don't trust me?"
The jailer sneered "183," casually took the gold bar, tossed it in his hand, and put it in his pocket.
"However, I'm not afraid of you reneging on your debt. Even if you manage to escape, that idiot Xu will still be in jail. If you dare to renege on your debt, we have plenty of ways to torture him!"
Yan Qing had just changed into his outer robe when he heard the jailer's words and was immediately surprised.
"Xu the Fool?"
The jailer sneered, "He just passed the martial arts exam a couple of days ago, which should be the time for him to be promoted and make a fortune, but instead he's gotten himself into jail. What else could he be but a fool!"
"you!"
Yan Qing's eyes widened in anger, but fortunately, he was always quick-witted.
Knowing that this was not the time to be angry, he forced himself to suppress his anger.
Shi Qian and Shi Xiu stood guard outside.
Zhao Yuan and Yan Qing followed the jailer into the Censorate.
The road twisted and turned, with soldiers guarding every corner.
However, this jailer had clearly already lobbied various connections.
Even though the guards noticed that Zhao Yuan and Yan Qing were unfamiliar faces, none of them spoke up.
Upon arriving at the prison gates, the guards became even more stringent.
But this was the prison guards' territory, so there was no surprise whatsoever.
Zhao Yuan and Yan Qing entered the prison.