Emperor Ling of Han was the last powerful emperor of the Han Dynasty, a figure who could have altered the course of history, yet he became the root cause of the empire's collapse.
Fate ha...
November 5th.
At this point, a day and a night had passed since Fu Xie sent out the urgent message.
As dawn broke, Fu Xie rose early to begin handling government affairs.
Today, Jincheng has attracted a large number of aristocratic families, merchants, and workshop owners due to the previous purchase of slaves and trade. While bringing prosperity to Jincheng, it has also brought many troubles. As a result, Fu Xie is extremely busy every day.
Just as Fu Xie was busy, a taxi driver suddenly rushed in.
"Prefect, something terrible has happened! The Qiang people in the city have suddenly started rioting and attacked the aristocratic families and merchants from Luoyang!"
Fu Xie was stunned: "What? How could this be?"
When those aristocratic families and merchants first arrived, they did have many conflicts with the local Qiang people, but Fu Xie appeased them all, and now the two sides are able to live together peacefully.
Why did things suddenly fall apart again? This made Fu Xie realize that something was wrong.
The constable said, "I've heard rumors that those powerful families are dissatisfied with you and are planning to demand that the court summon you back to Luoyang to be punished, and then enslave the Qiang people..."
Many Qiang people, incited by others, clashed with those powerful families!
Fu Xie's expression shifted, and he quickly understood. It must be Bei Gong Boyu and others spreading rumors. Because of the deep-seated grudges between the Han and Qiang people, the Qiang people clearly believed these rumors without a doubt.
Fu Xie hurriedly asked, "What's the situation inside the city?"
The constable said, "The hatred of the Qiang people towards the Han people in the city has been thoroughly provoked. Many servants of noble families have been beaten, and several people have been injured as a result!"
Fu Xie frowned immediately. He instantly guessed the intentions of Bei Gong Boyu and the others. They were deliberately creating conflict between the Han and Qiang people, forcing him to step forward to appease them, and then looking for an opportunity to take him hostage.
It must be said that Bei Gong Boyu and others' plan was extremely insidious. If Fu Xie had stepped forward to appease them, he certainly wouldn't have been able to bring troops with him in order to avoid further escalating the conflict, which would have given the other side an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.
If Fu Xie does not step in to appease them, the conflict between the two sides will escalate, and if Jincheng falls into chaos, it will make it easier for Bei Gong Boyu and others to act.
No matter what choice Fu Xie makes, it will be very advantageous for Bei Gong Boyu and the others.
Fu Xie stood up and paced back and forth, pondering various possible solutions.
After thinking for a long time, Fu Xie paused, finally coming up with a solution.
That is death, using one's own death to quell this chaos!
If he were to die for his country before being taken hostage, and then, on his deathbed, shout that he was murdered by Beigong Boyu and others, the rumors would naturally fall apart, and Duan Jiong and Cheng Yu would be able to use this opportunity to eliminate them!
At that time, everything will be fine!
Meanwhile, more and more constables rushed into the prefectural governor's mansion to report the latest situation in the city to Fu Xie.
Many prominent families also sent people to the scene, hoping that Fu Xie could step in and resolve the matter as soon as possible.
When he learned that the situation in the city was gradually getting out of control, Fu Xie finally made up his mind.
Fu Xie squeezed the dagger in his sleeve and looked at the constable beside him.
"Get the car ready!!"
As Fu Xie spoke, he walked quickly outside.
Yang Feng, who was guarding outside, hurriedly stepped forward and bowed to Fu Xie, then said with a worried expression, "Prefect, it's too dangerous outside, you can't go out!"
"If I don't go out, then Jincheng will be in danger. Jincheng is the key place for His Majesty to pacify the Qiang people and stabilize the Northwest. It must not be lost. Even if I die, I will never let His Majesty's hard work be destroyed!"
After saying this, Fu Xie walked out with a determined expression, his words suggesting a sense of no return.
Looking at Fu Xie's retreating figure, Yang Feng's eyes were filled with respect, and he then led a dozen or so brothers to follow him.
As soon as Fu Xie stepped out of the prefectural governor's residence, he heard a commotion coming from the distance to the east.
The sound originated from the residential area of aristocratic families and merchants!
"past!!"
Without saying a word, Fu Xie directed the coachman to head towards the scene of the conflict, accompanied only by a few constables and Yang Feng and others.
Upon learning the news, Cheng Yu immediately dispatched more than thirty undercover agents from the Investigation Bureau, who were disguised and kept a distance behind Fu Xie. He also notified the county and state troops in the city to be ready to provide assistance at any time.
At this time, all the houses in the residential area in the east of the city had their gates tightly closed.
Inside each courtyard, there were a dozen to several dozen guards armed with clubs and bows and arrows, watching nervously as the courtyard gate was being rammed repeatedly.
"Kill them...!"
"These damned Han Chinese! We finally had two good days with the help of the prefect, and now they come and want to take everything away from us..."
"Yes, we absolutely cannot let them succeed! Kill them all!"
On the streets, the Qiang people, enraged by the rumors, cursed and attacked the residences of these aristocratic families and merchants.
"What should we do? Why hasn't Prefect Fu arrived yet...?"
The heads of each household listened to the commotion outside their courtyards, their faces showing a hint of urgency and unease.
Just as the gates of each household were on the verge of collapse, Fu Xie's carriage finally arrived nearby.
Seeing that the street ahead was densely packed with nearly a thousand Qiang people, Fu Xie did not hesitate and directly ordered the driver to drive over.
"Prefect Fu has arrived!!"
As they approached, the bailiff shouted, and the Qiang people who were banging on the door immediately fell silent and all looked over.
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