Chapter Thirty-nine People’s Will

"No one can touch this batch of military pay."

As soon as Ying Yi opened his mouth, he emphasized for the third time the ownership of the military pay, and then said: "The county minister is loyal to the court and is a good official. But because of this, the military pay cannot be handed over to him."

Zheng Wu held the Pu knife tightly and suddenly laughed at himself: "I misjudged you. I thought you valued friendship, loyalty and filial piety... The master has been kind to you, but I didn't expect... Everyone really does. Greedy, you have taken a fancy to these two million taels of silver and want to keep them for yourself."

Ying Yi shook his head and nodded again: "I do have a crush on this money, and I do want to keep it for myself. But it may be a little different from what you think."

Ying Yi said calmly: "Brother Zheng Wu, let me ask you a question."

Zheng Wu waved his knife and said decisively: "If you want money, kill me. No need to talk nonsense."

At this time, the soldiers were already at a loss. They have a good impression of Zheng Yunzhi, but they also know how powerful Ying Yi is. Not one of our own? Why is it like this now?

There was total silence.

Ying Yiquan pretended not to hear Zheng Wu's words and thought to himself: "The county magistrate is a good official. Everything he does is from the perspective of the court and the emperor. That's why I can't give him the military salary. Not only can't I give him the military salary?" Even if I give him the military pay, I will not give him the troops and horses of three thousand households."

He said: "The overthrow of the Ming Dynasty is imminent. This can be seen. The upcoming suppression of bandits will definitely not be successful. As for Zheng County Zun's intention of organizing this army, I think you should know better than me. 1 When the Huguang soldiers from Zuo Liangyu and others arrive, we will act as a support and submit to the Huguang soldiers."

Zheng Wu's expression moved slightly.

Ying Yi said again: "What kind of thief is Zuo Liangyu? Even Wang Qionian, the governor of the three sides, was betrayed by him and died miserably. How many times have we suppressed thieves, such a thing is always the first to escape, ruining a good situation." Zheng County Zun is loyal to the court, but Zuo Liangyu is not. Zheng County Zun can give these three thousand people to Zuo Liangyu as cannon fodder, but I can't."

His expression was as steely as he said: "So, I will never hand over the military pay to the county leader. The army, let alone him. If the military pay is in the hands of the county leader, I will not be able to control the army. If I cannot control the army, I will be used as cannon fodder. Without the army, I can't take revenge. Without these three thousand people, I can't protect the more than 20,000 people in Fangcheng Mountain. Zheng Wu, what do you think I should do?"

Zheng Wu's face was ashen, but before he could speak, Ying Yi said again: "I will never give support to a dog thief, and I will not be his cannon fodder just because Zheng County Zun obeys the orders of a dog thief like Zuo Liangyu." , was betrayed by him. If I met him, I would even kill him. This dog thief is no better than the street thief. The street thief wants to fight, but not with Zuo Liangyu, I will do it myself."

Then Ying Yi looked at the hundreds of soldiers behind Zheng Wu and said, "What about you? Are you willing to follow Ying Yi, or are you willing to follow the command of the county magistrate?"

Zheng Wu finally spoke: "Ying Yi, if I don't follow you, how will you treat me?"

Ying Yi said calmly: "Then don't blame me for being cruel."

The dark night was oppressive, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense to the extreme. Heavy breathing came and went, as if a storm was coming.

A sudden clang broke the heaviness. I don't know who started, and then these more than a hundred people dropped their weapons one after another, passed by Zheng Wu, and came to behind Ying Yi.

Zheng Wu's face turned red and he was trembling all over. He pointed at them and was speechless.

Someone plucked up the courage and said, "Brother Zheng, the county magistrate is a good man. But... Master Ying is right. We just want to protect our families, not for the court or the emperor."

"Yes. I remember there was a severe drought the year before last. The court didn't even provide relief, so my eldest brother starved to death."

"When the bandits come to kill, they will never see the shadow of the imperial court."

The sound of complaints immediately made Zheng Wu's energy and energy disappear.

Ying Yi sighed: "The Ming Dynasty has long lost the hearts of the people. It's a pity that Lord Zheng still turns a blind eye. Brother Zheng, fifth brother, you are a close confidant of Lord Zheng. I think your first consideration should be Lord Zheng, not Lord Zheng." Court. If Zheng County Zun is involved in the battle to suppress thieves this time and fails based on his temper, what do you think will be the consequences?"

Countless thoughts flashed through Zheng Wu's mind, and he closed his eyes.

After a long time, he said: "What do you want to do?"

Ying Yi showed a smile: "I must control the military pay in my own hands, especially the army. I hope that Zheng County Zun will focus on managing people's livelihood. There are more than 20,000 people in the mountains, and now there are still many who have no income."

After a pause, he said: "Of course I will participate in the battle to suppress thieves. But it will never be what Zheng County Zun thinks. After I go back, I will not go to see the county Zun, but I hope you will convey my words to him. .”

"You want to put the master under house arrest?" Zheng Wu said.

"It's a last resort." Ying Yi said: "When this matter is over, let the county master be free."

Then Ying Yi perked up and said, "It's important to get the military pay first. It's really not safe here. Everyone, take action, don't waste time."

"Here!"

The soldiers' mentality changed quickly. This is not to say that they are all white-eyed wolves, but that their wishes are contrary to Zheng Yunzhi. Zheng Yunzhi was standing on the side of the imperial court, but in the eyes of the people, the imperial court had long lost trust and was not worth sacrificing their lives for.

In fact, at the end of each dynasty, the combat effectiveness of the army declined rapidly, and this was the case for all except the Han Dynasty. There is only one fundamental reason, and that is that the imperial court has lost its status in the minds of the people and is no longer worth living or dying for.

Without this belief, how can we fight a war? Often they collapse at the first touch and run away for their lives.

There is an army in later generations that can persevere in such harsh circumstances until it seizes the world. Their equipment is not the best, their territory is the poorest, and their resources are the most demanding, but why can they persevere to the end?

That's faith.

There are people who are willing to die for it and fight for it. This is the fundamental reason.

In contrast, there happened to be another army of the same era. Not only did they have more people, better equipment, and they also held the world's righteousness, but they also lost the support of the people and were finally driven to a small island to survive.

Zheng Yunzhi is not bad, she is talented and capable. But his stance runs counter to the public sentiment.

This is the fundamental reason why Ying Yi can instigate soldiers to rebel with just a few words.

Zheng Wu did not leave without authorization, he knew that Ying Yi would not let him go back at this time. Ying Yi has not yet fully seized military power, and will keep it secret from Zheng Yunzhi until the dust settles.

The two stood aside, watching boxes of wages being carried out and loaded onto horse-drawn carriages and ox-carts, with different expressions on their faces.

Ying Yi suddenly said: "I admire the county magistrate. But admiration comes from admiration. He and I look at the problem from different angles and stand in different positions. Brother Zheng Wu, if I were you, I would advise the county magistrate. He does not want to be buried with the Ming Dynasty."

Ying Yi looked at Zheng Wu: "I will not let the county magistrate leave Crescent Valley in a short time. Unless..."