Chapter 2177 The End and the Beginning
Sure enough, it came.
?Pang Tong looked at Zhang Shi, who was talking impassionedly below, but his thoughts were a little distracted.
Two days ago.
Jia Xu arrived in Chang''an, but did not appear in public. He just quietly arrived at Pang Tong''s home, and then sat down to drink and eat meat together. Jia Xu likes to eat beef, and he wants beef shank meat, which is chewy and delicious when braised, while Pang Tong likes fatty meat, which is best grilled for the fat flavor.
Therefore, everyone gets what they need, and everyone is happy.
What if two people have good intentions and accidentally bump into each other?
?It’s just a piece of meat, who will eat it?
There is only one pit, who takes it?
?There has to be some fighting. Even if someone bows his head and endures it, he cannot endure it every time. It will eventually break out...
"Look, someone will eventually jump out and attack you... The big men are proud of their martial arts, and Guanzhong Longyou has a tough folk custom. If you keep bowing your head and forbearing, you will eventually be looked down upon... So when the time comes, there will definitely be someone Come and stir up the scene..." Jia Xu licked the fingers that were pinching the beef and made a slurping sound.
Pang Tong laughed, then waved his fat palm, "Then I will slap all those guys into the mud!" 』If you can''t deal with even this small scene, how can you deal with more troubles in the future?
Jia Xu shook his head, squinted his eyes and said, "You are wrong..." Then he sighed again, as if he hated iron for not becoming steel, and seemed to feel that Pang Tong was drifting now and could not find the north.
"Um? Pang Tong pinched his double-layered, um, triple-layered chin and pondered.
Shi Yuan, what do you think the great Han people lack most nowadays? Jia Xu pinched another piece of beef, threw it into his mouth, and shook his head.
『A strong general? A soldier who has experienced hundreds of battles and is invincible? Pang Tong blurted out.
Jia Xu shook his head and said, "That''s what you think." 』
Then he is a counselor? A wise man with ever-changing resources and insight into opportunities? Pang Tong continued.
Jia Xu still shook his head, "That''s what others think." 』
‘So…’ Pang Tong frowned, and after thinking for a moment, he said, ‘According to what you said…I’m afraid that the money and food for trade are all wrong…So, he is an enemy? 』
Jia Xu laughed loudly, "That''s right!" That''s it! The big man needs an opponent! If you have no rivals outside, you will be lazy; if you have no rivals internally, you will be lazy. More importantly, don’t think that you are invincible..."
Pang Tong snorted, "Why do I feel like you are mocking me?" 』
Jia Xu continued to laugh, "Does this still need to be felt?" I’m just talking about you! You were doing okay before, but now, it''s too rough and obviously not delicate... Just like the meat you like to eat, if you just cut it off and eat it, would it be delicious? Cut into thin slices, roast them slowly, wait until the two sides are slightly brown and the fat is released, then dip them in the sauce, it is the most delicious... If it is too raw, it will not be fragrant enough, if it is too cooked, it will inevitably burn..."
Someone acted too hastily? Pang Tong frowned and said, "The heat is not enough?" 』
Jia Xu nodded, then slowly picked up the drink, "You see, my lord, you are not in a hurry...Why are you in a hurry?" These people... just like to pretend to be good people... no, they like to pretend to be saints..."
『Humans, it is always difficult to distinguish between good and bad. Jia Xu pointed at himself, and then at Pang Tong, "Just like you and me, we know it is good to do this, but if we do it, we will be seen as bad people in the eyes of others, holding power and oppressing good people... Haha, and These people will stand tall, like saints in the world, compassionate and compassionate to one, saying to be tolerant to this, to being considerate to that..."
"If the heat is not enough, these people will be left with excuses..." Jia Xu pinched a small roll of fine silk from his sleeve, and threw it to Pang Tong''s desk regardless of whether the oil on his hands had infected the silk. On the case, "Take a look first..."
"Zhang Shi, Yu Qing, Wu Yun, Zong Jing, Mu Chu..." Pang Tong looked at the lists one by one on the fine silk.
"There is a small courtyard with strange stones in the west of the city..." Jia Xu tapped the fine silk on Pang Tong''s hand, "These people often go there...haven''t you noticed?" 』
Pang Tong frowned and said, "I heard that it''s just a literary society... So, it''s just under the guise of a cultural society... these people... could it be..."
Jia Xu said slowly: "If a person says that he is a good person or a disciple of a saint, he must be honest when he opens his mouth, and he must be upright when he closes his mouth. He always says that he must be loyal to the country, righteous to his friends, filial to his parents, and loving to his brothers." , When you see injustice on the road, you speak out with passion, when you see injustice, you speak out angrily... How about such a person? 』
Pang Tong narrowed his eyes slightly, "It depends on what he does...if he just talks but doesn''t do anything..."
What if we just say one thing and do another? Jia Xu asked.
Pang Tong replied decisively, "He deserves to be killed!" 』
Yes, you should be killed! Jia Xu also nodded, but his smile was very strange, "But how can we kill..."
Jia Xu’s smile gradually faded, but Zhang Shi was still impassioned.
Pang Tong sat at the top and watched coldly.
Is it Zhang Shi who is not smart?
No, it’s because he’s too smart and uses it in small ways. Especially after being blinded by desire, you can no longer see far.
?It is really just like what Jia Xu said, these people will not give up their interests easily. Human nature is like this, even if death is imminent, few people will let go.
If it succeeds, the people headed by Zhang Shi will naturally become famous. It can be said that they will immediately replace Wei Duan, who is only obedient and dare not say much, and become the spokesperson of the new generation of Guanzhong gentry. If it fails, Zhang Shi will not lose anything and will speak up. What''s wrong?
What can I do if I say a few words?
??Not to mention that opening one''s mouth is benevolence and keeping one''s mouth closed is morality. What''s the matter? Are benevolence, morality and morality wrong?
For a time, public sentiment was high, and it seemed that more people meant greater power, and more people meant correctness...
As for whether Pang Tong was right to do this, and whether the wealthy Lianshao family had caused harm to the people, Zhang Shi and others did not care. They were more concerned about obtaining their own benefits from it.
?This kind of benefit may not necessarily be the kind of gold and silver jewelry on the surface, it may also be invisible and intangible fame, or even just a sense of inner satisfaction...
Why did Zhang Shi dare to stand up?
Because we are confident.
Because Zhang Shi talks about benevolence, righteousness and morality. Why, is it wrong to talk about benevolence, righteousness and morality? Can’t even say it?
And this Xiren who was following Zhang Shi really agreed with Zhang Shi wholeheartedly?
It''s not that, it''s just a fluke of following the herd.
Because someone took the lead, someone stood up, and then so many people were saying it, it must be true. Anyway, there are so many people, and I am not the only one missing. If it is right, then it is natural that we are doing the right thing. If it is wrong, , anyway, I am just an insignificant person, so I will not be punished. It can be said that I came out with others. Anyway, I can always find some reasons to exonerate myself.
What''s more, occupying the moral high ground, criticizing this, commenting on that, has always provided exciting dopamine, which can be enjoyed for a lifetime with just one word.
At this point, the overall chain has been formed. People with ulterior motives are the first to cause trouble, and then they say some true and false words that are specious, occupying a high moral position, and then use some habitual cognition to confuse, or do not delve into right and wrong at all, and then use their power to suppress others.
Because Pang Tong was reasonable, they dared to talk wrongly.
If Pang Tong was unreasonable, these people would not dare to be reasonable.
Everyone looked at Pang Tong eagerly.
Benefits are human nature and rules.
Since there are rules, you need to follow the rules when you enter the venue. Anyone who wants to disobey the rules must either have the power to break the rules, or be swallowed up by the rules.
?Some people often say that in the face of absolute power, everything is just a cloud, but what is absolute power? Facing ants, one finger may be "absolute power", but in front of an elephant, even if you try your best, you may not be able to shake the elephant at all...
?But there are still people who don’t understand this. Maybe they understand it, but they just think that their power is already great and they can challenge the rules.
That''s why there is a small courtyard with strange stones, there are the heroic words of Zhang Shi and others, and that''s why there are so many people standing together now who want to use this to force Pang Tong.
Zhang Shi, Zhang Zhongliang. Pang Tong took out a scroll from his sleeve, opened it, read it, rolled it up and put it back, then took out another volume, "Well, here it is... Zhang Zhongliang, a native of Hedong, whose home is in Yuwang County . From the fourth to fifth year of Zhongping Dynasty, he studied in Luoyang, made many friends, and was quite famous as a chef... He lived in Jie County, Hedong County, on the side of Beimen Street. He had a wife, two sons and a daughter at home, and his parents were still alive..."
"At that time, he was recommended by the governor of Hedong and appointed as a Langguan..." Pang Tong continued to read without expression. "After Luoyang was in chaos, he returned home. In the second year of Taixing, he went to Chang''an and became an official. He served successively as secretary of Zheng County and Xin Fenghu. Cao, Jingzhao Yin is engaged in..." ? ? ? "Is there any discrepancy? Pang Tong asked as he raised his eyelids and looked at Zhang.
Zhang Shi was stunned for a moment, his eyes moved, and before he could speak, he heard Pang Tong continue to read: "...In the third year of Taixing, he bought the Qishishi Xiaoyuan, and later called himself "Guanzhong Qishishi", calling himself "Blue Stone" invites people to discuss the past and present, but in fact, they become friends..."
ridiculous! Zhang Shi said angrily, "We gather together just to enjoy ourselves. How can we talk about cliques?" ! 』
"oh? Pang Tong took a look and said, "So... on the twelfth day of the first month of the fourth year of Taixing, someone gathered in the small courtyard of Qishishi in the name of enjoying the snow. There was a saying, "In less than ten years, the important officials in Guanzhong will be "Come from here... Thirty years later, Qishi''s disciples will definitely be all over the Han Dynasty"... Well, he is also full of pride... Haha, I don''t know who said it? 』
Zhang Shi''s anger disappeared unknowingly, and he said, "This...who doesn''t make bold statements when they are young, and who doesn''t want to be in a high position?" Is this also wrong? What''s wrong? 』
Pang Tong laughed and said, "I haven''t said this is wrong yet, so why should Zhang Zheng be so excited?" 』
『Well…』Zhang Shi was provoked into chaos by Pang Tong''s high and low tactics.
Pang Tong waved his hand, and then said with a smile: "Zhang Zhizhi, I have a question, and I would like Zhang Zhizheng''s advice... I heard that the courtyards near Chang''an are quite expensive... I wonder how much this small courtyard with strange stones is worth?" 』
Zhang Shi was stunned for a moment, and after a moment he said: "This was bought by someone last year, and it has nothing to do with the current matter!" 』
"As far as I know..." Pang Tong continued, "The price of the Qishi Courtyard is 5.5 million yuan...Zhang Zhizhi, I am just a little curious. Ru Hedong''s home only has 100 acres of Susukada and a few mulberry forests... these 550 Where did the ten thousand dollars come from? 』
?Unconsciously, the originally neat queue seemed to be shaking a little, and then someone quietly moved back...
Zhang Shi''s heart skipped a beat and he said, "This is what I got as a gift from the village elders when I took office!" This is a time-honored custom, not to mention Zhang, everyone else does it too! 』
"No! 』
Brother Zhang, uh, why did Zhang Chenggang say this? 』
"I have never received any gifts from the village elders...Zhang Zhiqing must not talk nonsense..."
As soon as Zhang Shi''s words fell, someone immediately retorted, and then more people left the queue while retorting, no longer standing behind Zhang Shi.
The originally huge team suddenly fell into disarray and became increasingly shaky.
"Gift from the village elders..." Pang Tong looked at the silk cloth in his hand again, "The Pei family in Hedong gave 100,000 yuan, the Xue family in Hedong gave 80,000 yuan, the Wang family 50,000 yuan, the Zhang family also 50,000 yuan, and there were a dozen or so scattered families. , ranging from 20,000 to 30,000... There are all these, and the total is only one million yuan... In addition, Zhang''s salary is more than 600 shi. Even if he doesn''t eat or drink for a year, it may be difficult to collect the 550 yuan. Ten thousand…"
?Zhang Shi had thousands of teachings and scriptures, but Pang Tong just grabbed some money.
How did the money come from and where did it go...
It is said that it was given by someone else. Who gave it to me? Why send?
If you say you earned it yourself, how did you earn it and whose money did you earn it from?
It is said that it is the ancestral property of one’s family. Who left it behind? Who can prove it?
Zhang Shi''s money does not have much to do with the big Lianshao family. Even if it does, it is only a small amount. Because Zhang Shi''s position is not Zuo Fengyi, the source of Zhang Shi''s money is basically Jingzhao Yin Zuojin. of…
This is also the reason why Zhang Shi dared to stand up.
??Coupled with the fact that Zuo Fengyi’s wealthy family was taken away, will the wealthy people in Jing Zhaoyin feel that the matter has nothing to do with them? After all, fifteen families in Chang''an Mausoleum were arrested overnight. Although compared with the total population of Chang''an Sanfu, fifteen families are not a large number, but the big families in Jingzhao Yin are also afraid that the next time will be It was their turn, so it became inevitable to urgently need a spokesperson to test, or to block Pang Tong''s red line.
It’s just that it’s obvious that Zhang Shi is unable to complete this task at the moment. Zhang Shi couldn''t reveal the financial backer in public, so in the end he could only grit his teeth and say nothing.
It was at this moment that Zhang Shi suddenly realized that the person following him had unknowingly made a strategic change in small steps, leaving him alone.
When a drum is broken, thousands of people beat it, and when a wall falls, everyone pushes it down.
?Those who would always call Brother Zhang before, even wishing to kneel down and call him lord, were the quickest to abandon Zhang Shi. They had even begun to point fingers at Zhang Shi, expressing their innocence and wanting to draw a clear line with Zhang Shi.
Even those people who often went in and out of the Qishi Xiaoyuan and who once followed Zhang Shi and cheered him up when Zhang Shi teased them, saw that something was wrong and immediately and unceremoniously left Zhang Shi behind without hesitation at all.
“Zhang Shi said all the words and did all the things. I was just blinded by Zhang Shi for a moment..."
"I thought Zhang Shi was just joking, but I didn''t expect Zhang Shi actually did it..."
『I am not specifically against anyone, nor am I targeting anyone, I am just upholding justice...』
?Look, this is the team from Qishi Xiaoyuan.
"Zhang Zhizhi..." Pang Tong was still smiling, seemingly unaffected by the previous events, "I wonder who else Zhang Zhizhi wants to vindicate?" Who is wronged? Come on, Mr. Zhang might as well tell you in detail, who is it and what is the grievance? 』
??If he hadn’t realized that his own family’s **** curtain had been lifted, Zhang Shi would definitely have made some nonsense, and then enthusiastically advocated for the interests of the big investors, but now...
"Reporting to your Majesty... I''m here, I''m here..." Zhang Shi lowered his head. He couldn''t do it without lowering his head. He originally thought that he had great power. Every word he spoke would bring storms, and every time he raised his hand, thousands of people would follow him. But now he discovered that those It''s just my own fantasy. After all, I have to face reality, "I...Meng Lang...maybe there is no grievance at all...I, my words are inappropriate, I hope you can forgive me..."
“Whether Haihan or not is another matter...” Pang Tong smiled and said, “It’s getting late now, so I’ll take the trouble to supervise the execution and send these traitors on their way!” To avoid being discredited and unable to find the direction, I don’t know where Wangchuan is! 』
??Ma Yan was originally in charge of the execution. After hearing Pang Tong''s order, he stepped aside and said, "Zhang Zhizhi, please!" 』
Zhang Shi had the intention to refuse, but in the end he was still not determined to defeat the enemy, so he had to move to the position where Ma Yan was standing. His face twitched several times before he said: "Everyone, please listen to the order... verify the identity... ask and kill according to the law..."
??Although the temporarily changed supervisor Zhang Shi''s order was weak, the swords of the hussars soldiers who had been waiting impatiently were extremely sharp.
??On the spot, there were soldiers who pulled the first group of wealthy people to the execution platform. After verifying their identities, they stepped on them and flashed their swords!
In the **** light, heads rolled down!
Ordinary people who had been waiting for a long time let out bursts of exclamations...
After the heads are cut off, they will be placed in a pile of heads and will be disposed of after three days. The headless corpses will be buried in a large pit paved with lime. Perhaps thousands of years later, they will be unearthed by future generations and thought to be some kind of burial pit...
?The blood spread, and as more and more heads fell to the ground, the smell of blood became thicker and thicker. The ordinary people who were originally celebrating with excitement gradually stopped cheering, and then watched silently...
Then when the blood dyed the execution platform red, and the muscles relaxed after death, causing the urine and feces to flow out, and the smell of blood and feces and urine were mixed together, the onlookers couldn''t bear it anymore. Some people vomited and staggered away. , and then more people left silently, completely losing the excitement of watching before.
Pang Tong looked at it with a warm smile on his face.
This is human nature.
??Jia Xu is right...
Ordinary people are not bloodthirsty maniacs. The reason why these ordinary people were so lively and cheerful at the beginning was not because they liked to see dead people, but just a psychological desire.
Because most of the time they do not have the right to control other people''s lives, so at times like this, they look on the sidelines and shout, as if they were involved and in control of everything...
Pang Tong glanced at Zhang Shi, who was shaking a little while standing at the execution site. Haha, did you think this was the end?
No, this is just the beginning.
(End of this chapter)