Chapter 521 Liu Lang is not stupid
Duan Shiang looked at the young man who stood out, and asked with a scrutinizing look, "Who is this young man?"
"My name is Cui Lang, the sixth child in my family." The young man smiled and introduced himself. He looked surprisingly calm and relaxed, not tense at all.
Duan Shiang raised his eyebrows, and then raised his hand: "It turned out to be Cui Liulang."
Since he came here for the Cui family of Qinghe, he naturally knew about the Cui family's affairs. He knew that among the Cui family members in Qinghe, there was one named Cui Jialiulang, who was the eldest grandson of Cui Ju, the head of the Cui family.
It is said that Cui Liulang was sent back to his hometown in Qinghe to reflect on his mistakes because he had made a mistake in Beijing before... But as to whether this was a punishment or protection, Duan Shiang's opinion was more inclined to the latter.
But the Cui family has long been unable to control the current situation. The old house they thought was a safe place has unexpectedly started to experience changes even before the capital.
At this moment, Duan Shiang looked at the young man in front of him with a satisfied look in his eyes. The grandson that Cui Ju had taken so much trouble to protect deserved more patience and courtesy from him, so he asked, "I wonder why Cui Liulang and his clansmen suddenly left Qinghe? Where are they planning to go now?"
The first half of the sentence is equivalent to asking a question even though you already know the answer.
Cui Lang only answered the latter question and said with a smile, "I am about to follow my elder brother's arrangement and go to Taiyuan."
Duan Shiang's eyes moved slightly: "The elder brother that Cui Liulang mentioned...could it be that he is the Great Commander Cui of Bingzhou?"
Cui Lang nodded: "Of course!"
Duan Shiang seemed to find it strange: "But I heard before that General Cui seemed to have been expelled from the Cui family--"
Cui Lang smiled and said, "Broken bones are still connected to the tendons."
Duan Shiang looked at Cui Lang and smiled: "That's true."
While Duan Shiang spoke slowly, he was quickly thinking about the pros and cons in his mind.
Of course, it was difficult for him not to be wary of Cui Jing. If Cui Jing was in Taiyuan at this time, he might consider letting Cui's clan members leave. But you have to know that Cui Jing and Xuan Ce's army are fighting against the Northern Di cavalry at this time...
Cui Jing had no time to send another person to rush over, and he might not even know the current situation of the Qinghe Cui family.
If he had been frightened by such words and left, he would not have become Duan Shiang who seized the military power of Fanyang Army and captured three states overnight.
"However, the prince really wants to discuss important matters with the Cui family... I am here on orders, and I have many difficulties." Duan Shiang looked at Cui Lang and his clansmen behind him, and said with a smile: "Why don't you all follow me back to Xingzhou first, and after meeting the prince, I will escort you to Taiyuan, how about that?"
The seemingly friendly proposal and inquiry still cannot conceal the feeling of being bossed around.
There was a commotion among the Cui clan members, and many of them clenched their fists, with expressions of grief and anger on their faces.
This section of Shiang never dismounted to speak, and his attitude was obvious... When had they ever been despised and humiliated like this by a mere military general?
Seeing the Cui family members' forbearing attitude, Duan Shiang sneered in his heart.
He did not have much good feelings towards these aristocratic families who still could not see the situation clearly, but it was undeniable that these people were indeed useful. Many scholars and even literati from humble families still privately regarded the Cui family as their leader.
Whoever they favor will benefit from what is in their minds and the pens in their hands.
If he could get Cui's full support, the benefits would be no less than what he gained from conquering the three cities behind him.
Moreover, he and King Fan Yang started the rebellion too quickly, and although this caught the imperial court off guard, they did not have many outstanding advisers at their disposal. The longer the war progressed, the more they would need talented people to assist them.
but……
The above considerations would not affect Duan Shiang's murderous intent towards the Cui clan members in front of him.
If these people were determined not to lower their hypocritical and noble heads, he would not mind killing them all here... If they could not be used by him and King Fanyang, it would be better for them not to be used by others.
Naturally, this would inevitably offend the Cui family and create an irreconcilable feud... However, what would the half-dead clan have to fear? The Zheng family could disappear, so why not the Cui family? Moreover, under these desolate mountains and ridges, there were bandits everywhere. In the chaotic times, the Cui family members who were powerless were unfortunately robbed and killed here. It was reasonable, wasn't it? At least it was enough to deal with the literati in the world.
As for Cui Jing, a man who holds a sharp weapon but does not know how to use it, and is still fighting against the northern wolves for the imperial court in the northern border... In time, it will be unknown who will be the dead soul and who will be the winner.
All in all, Cui Jing and Xuan Ce's army are indeed formidable, but with the situation changing rapidly, there is no need to be too cautious because of a person who is not in front of us at the moment and whose life or death is uncertain.
Moreover, he even suspected that the so-called arrangement by Cui Jing was nothing but a lie that Cui Liulang used to intimidate him.
In Duan Shiang's opinion, under the current situation, the right answer is to focus on the present.
With this thought in mind, when he looked at the Cui clan members again, the contempt and superiority in his eyes became even more undisguised, and he said again: "If Cui Liulang has no objection, please arrange for the clan members to return with Duan."
This time it wasn't even a question, but an order.
Just at this moment, he heard Cui Lang say, "I'm afraid this won't work."
Cui Lang's answer seemed to have been carefully considered.
Duan Shiang laughed with an ambiguous tone: "Oh?"
"General Duan, you may not know... Bingzhou Chief Dai has arranged troops to go out of Taiyuan to meet us. They will probably arrive soon." Cui Lang looked embarrassed: "It's not good to let them make a wasted trip, right?"
Upon hearing this, Duan Shiang tightened his reins slightly and his eyes silently swept westward towards Taiyuan.
At such a critical moment, Bingzhou actually arranged troops to go out of Taiyuan to support the Cui clan members?
Duan Shiang frowned almost imperceptibly.
Whether he forcibly took the Cui clan members away or killed them all here today, the Cui family would decide how to settle accounts with them later. But it was different when they met the Bingzhou army face to face.
Face to face means the emergence of sword conflict.
But he and King Fanyang had no intention of going to war with Taiyuan at this time. They were planning to go all the way south and had a strategy that had been decided long ago... If they were to confront the Bingzhou defenders at this time, even if they could fight, it would disrupt their original plan and might delay the real big thing.
What's more, it is said that after the Hedong Jiedushi coveted Taiyuan and rebelled, Cui Jing strengthened the military strength and defense of the Bingzhou garrison... Confronting the Bingzhou army at this time is definitely not a good thing.
However, Duan Shiang still had doubts about Cui Lang's statement, and was unwilling to let go of the piece of fat meat that was right at his fingertips.
He began to consider the possibility of forcibly taking away the Cui family members before the arrival of the Bingzhou Army that Cui Lang mentioned, whose authenticity he was not sure.
At this time, a deputy general beside him suddenly attacked: "Cui Liulang doesn't want the Taiyuan troops to make a wasted trip, but he wants us to make a wasted trip!"
Another subordinate looked at him with disdain, unable to bear it any longer, and said murderously: "King Fanyang has invited you with good intentions, so you should not refuse a toast and drink a penalty!"
Duan Shiang did not stop it. He thought that some attitudes would be more appropriate to let his subordinates express them.
Perhaps they had sensed Duan Shiang's attitude, the soldiers in front of him had already raised their hands and drawn their swords, with murderous intent flashing in their eyes.
The atmosphere suddenly became dangerous.
The Cui clan members standing in front took several steps back. Some of them could no longer suppress their anger at being humiliated and pointed at Duan Shiang and others: "We, the dignified Qinghe Cui clan...how can we allow you, the lowly people, to coerce and drive us around!"
"Why would we reason with the thieves?" A young man in a long gown stained with mud gritted his teeth and said, "A gentleman can be killed but not humiliated. At worst, we will fight them today!"
As soon as the voice fell, the deputy general beside Duan Shiang suddenly drew his sword: "You are looking for death!"
Following this action, the Fanyang army immediately began to hear the sound of swords being drawn. For a moment, the sword lights were so bright that the murderous aura was about to break out.
Cui's guards also drew their swords and prepared for battle.
Duan Shiang looked at Cui's guards.
At this moment, he had no doubt that there would be a desperate resistance among the Cui family... Using swords and guns would take time, and judging from the current situation, it would be difficult to take away the Cui family members before the Bingzhou army arrived - if what Cui Lang said was true.
While Duan Shiang was hesitating, Cui Lang stepped forward and waved his hand to signal both sides to put down their swords: "There is no need to use knives or guns! Put them down, put them down!"
"Isn't there still room for negotiation on this matter? General Duan, please give me some face!" Cui Lang bowed to Duan Shiang.
Duan Shiang raised his hand slightly, signaling his men to put down their swords, but he did not say anything, just waiting for Cui Lang to continue.
Cui Lang also looked anxious, as if eager to calm the conflict, and blurted out: "General Duan, why don't I go with you to see King Fanyang!"
The Cui clan members were shocked: "Liu Lang! Stop making trouble!"
Cui Lang turned a deaf ear and continued to talk to Duan Shiang: "General Duan, my people can't make any decisions. There are also many old, weak, women and children - I am enough to meet King Fanyang!"
"Liu Lang, no!"
Members of the Cui clan all spoke out to stop them.
Cui Lang let them talk. The more they talked, the more important he, the legitimate grandson, seemed, and the better price he could get.
Sure enough, Duan Shiang was somewhat moved.
For Duan Shiang, who was undecided at this time, he was destined not to be able to take all the members of the Cui family away today. If he could take away the most important people in a relatively peaceful way, it would be a good compromise.
But one is not enough...
As Duan Shiang looked around, a young man with red eyes stood up and said, "Liu Lang, if you must go, I will go with you!"
He couldn't let Liu Lang go into danger alone!
Cui Lang had a headache after hearing this - he was just trying to prevent Duan Shiang from bargaining, so why did one of his own people take the initiative to become a gift? "It's really not good to let Cui Liulang go alone. With more people, they can take care of each other." Duan Shiang smiled and said, "Why not invite 30 nobles to go together? What do you think, Cui Liulang?"
Cui Lang struggled for a moment, but finally said, "I'll follow General Duan's instructions!"
Having said that, he turned around and faced the tribesmen who were still opposing him. He stretched out his hand and pointed at them randomly: "Lingjie, Shoufan! Jiushu, Xirong..."
He named twenty-nine people in one breath and said, "Follow me to meet the King of Fanyang!"
A young man who was called out was stunned for a moment. He vaguely felt that the people called out by Brother Six had something in common, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.
"Cui Liulang is really straightforward." Duan Shiang bowed and said, "Then please follow me."
Seeing Cui Lang already making arrangements, a middle-aged tribesman stepped forward and tightly grasped his arm: "Liu Lang, you can't go!"
"Uncle, rest assured. You can go ahead. After I meet the King of Fanyang, General Duan will send me to Taiyuan!" Cui Lang said, and then asked Duan Shiang, "Isn't that right, General Duan?"
Duan Shiang raised the corner of his mouth: "Of course."
"How can you believe this? Your trip..."
The tribesman wanted to say something else, but Cui Lang grabbed his arm and said, "Uncle, trust me, and go quickly."
The last two words were almost inaudible.
When the middle-aged tribesman met the young man's calm eyes for a moment, his throat choked and all the words he wanted to stop him were stuck in his throat.
Cui Lang was afraid that something might happen if he delayed, so he quickly took the 29 clansmen and dozens of servants and guards and followed Duan Shiang away.
"withdraw!"
The deputy general beside Duan Shiang waved his hand and gave an order, and the murderous Fanyang soldiers quickly turned their horses around and rode away in the splashing mud and water.
Only the Cui clan members were left there, either at a loss or frightened and angry.
“…Liu Lang went with them?!” When the clan elder who was just brought to the carriage in front heard this, his eyes suddenly went dark and he almost fainted.
"Elder!"
“…”
In the midst of the panic, a tribesman said anxiously and sadly: "Liu Lang actually believed what Duan Shiang said that he would send the people back to Taiyuan afterwards... He is really stupid!"
"Not stupid..." The elder barely managed to hold back the breath, exhaled slowly, and said in a hoarse voice: "Liu Lang is not stupid."
The man whom he once looked down upon chose to protect his people in his own way.
Judging from the tyrannical attitude of the Fanyang Army, if they had not left Qinghe, no one in the tribe would have been able to escape...
Fortunately, we have Dalang’s arrangements and Liulang’s decisiveness.
The elder took a trembling breath and looked at the tribesmen gathered outside the car. Without any hesitation on his old face, he said word by word: "What are you all standing here for? Hurry up and leave!"
The Fanyang troops may regret their decision at any time, and new changes may occur at any time.
The elder's mind flashed with the young man's words - [Cui Lang promises that he will send all the members of the Cui clan to Taiyuan safely! Please trust Cui Lang this time! ]
A tear welled up in the old man's eyes, but his voice became more resolute: "Move!"
Liu Lang has already done this, and as a clan elder, he cannot let Liu Lang go back on his word.
And this time, if Liu Lang can return... the Cui family will have a successor! The carriage drove quickly, and the elders of the clan forced themselves to tell the clan members about many matters, asking them to always stay vigilant and not indulge in useless depression and humiliation.
After everything was explained, the elder finally asked, "Who did Liu Lang take away?"
Two tribesmen recalled and explained the identities of the twenty-nine tribesmen.
“……” After hearing this, the elder fell into a long silence.
He just said it, Liu Lang is not stupid at all.
These twenty-nine tribesmen who were taken away were really quite capable.
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