Chapter 974 The Emperor's Will
An Nian was almost angry to the point of having a heart attack.
He really didn't expect that the emperor would actually do this!
Such a big city, how can you just give up like that?!
"Help me to the city wall quickly." An Nian also wanted to go, he couldn't stay here.
When Xiao Lanyuan reached the top of the city wall, Prefect You saw him and hurried over to greet him, "Your Majesty!"
"How is it going?"
"A full five thousand soldiers! They also pushed artillery over here!" Prefect You was really furious.
Zhecheng has a lot of taxes every year, which are all handed over to the national treasury on time. This geographical location can be regarded as guarding the capital and providing bloodline. The emperor would never give up Zhecheng even if he wanted to!
What's happening now?
Xiao Lanyuan stood at the edge of the city wall.
The wind was whistling, and he saw the general sitting majestically on horseback opposite the city wall.
"Zhou Dingzhen."
Zhou Dingzhen was a fierce general and a very cruel person. He had a very bad reputation in the court, but because he was extremely loyal to the emperor, no matter what the emperor's order was, no matter how unreasonable it was, Zhou Dingzhen would do it without saying a word and would never make any concessions.
In the past, there was a minister who was sentenced to have his property confiscated and exiled. A kind-hearted person would have asked the elderly, children, women and children to pack some clothes and food and set off slowly. In fact, the minister was kind-hearted and had done many good deeds, so some people were willing to see him off.
However, Zhou Dingzhen cruelly drove everyone onto the road before they were ready, and prevented everyone from delivering their things.
It was freezing cold at the time and several people had frozen to death or starved to death before they could walk ten miles.
It was later proved that the minister was framed.
It’s a pity that the family has already been destroyed.
Zhou Dingzhen later declared that he was only acting in accordance with orders and that other people and other matters were not within his consideration.
Others were terrified of him, but the emperor regarded him as his confidant.
Now the emperor has sent Zhou Dingzhen here.
Prefect You also knew Zhou Dingzhen, but his eyesight was not as sharp as Xiao Lanyuan's. He could not see who the general was while standing on the city wall. Now when he heard Xiao Lanyuan say Zhou Dingzhen's name, his face changed suddenly.
"What? Why did the emperor send Zhou Dingzhen?"
The worst thing is that Zhou Dingzhen had never gotten along well with him, and also with An Nian.
"An Nian had previously reported Zhou Dingzhen, forcing the emperor to fine Zhou Dingzhen half a year's salary. Zhou Dingzhen is a narrow-minded person who holds grudges."
Xiao Lanyuan also knew about this.
At this time, Zhou Dingzhen's voice came.
"You Zhangwen, come out and answer!"
You Zhifu looked at Xiao Lanyuan and said, "Prince Jun, I will go out and listen to what he has to say."
Since Zhou Dingzhen wanted him to leave, perhaps they all misunderstood. If the emperor sent someone over, he would first ask about the situation in Zhecheng, instead of just giving up on Zhecheng.
"you go."
Xiao Lanyuan nodded.
At the same time, he also asked someone to bring bows and arrows.
If Zhou Dingzhen wanted to do anything to Prefect You, the arrow in his hand would directly pierce Zhou Dingzhen's chest.
Prefect You took two guards from the palace, opened the city gate and went out.
Five thousand soldiers looked like a black mass from the city wall, and the scale was even more terrifying when they came down. The sea of people and the oppressive feeling were overwhelming.
Sixteen and Seventeen followed Prefect You and rode with him to Zhou Dingzhen.
Zhou Dingzhen was about forty years old. He looked strong and powerful, with the aura of a pure military general.
His eyes were very sharp and cold, and when he looked at people, it made people feel that he was ready to draw his sword and kill people at any time.
It is said that many people are afraid of Zhou Dingzhen. Looking at him now, he does have an aura that makes people feel frightened and intimidated.
Prefect You was not afraid of Zhou Dingzhen at first.
Although they had different political views in the past and could not stand each other's way of doing things, there was no conflict of interest. After all, one was a civil official and the other a military official, and they were far away from each other.
But now behind him are the people and family of the entire Zhecheng.
Prefect You began to feel a little fearful.
If you have weaknesses, you will be afraid.
"General Zhou, what is your purpose in leading so many soldiers to Zhecheng?" Prefect You spoke first.
"The Emperor has learned that the people of Zhecheng have been infected with a terrible disease that has spread throughout the city and has no cure."
Zhou Dingzhen also has a loud voice, which sounds oppressive.
He stared at Prefect You and continued to ask, "Is this true or not? Why didn't you write a memorial to the emperor to report it in time?"
"I have sent memorials to the Imperial Palace no less than four times! There are indeed patients in the city now, but——"
Before Prefect You could finish his words, he was interrupted by Zhou Dingzhen.
"Are there a lot of patients? Is the disease spreading rapidly from person to person?"
"Yes, but——"
"Has anyone died of the disease?"
"yes--"
"Have nearly a hundred people died of the disease?"
"Nearly a hundred people died of the disease, but—"
"That means it's already quite serious! You obviously downplayed the seriousness of the disease in your memorial to the Emperor. You are guilty of deceiving the Emperor!"
Zhou Dingzhen didn't even give Prefect You a chance to finish his sentence and kept interrupting him.
And when I interrupted him like this, it seemed as if I had made all the questions clear.
You Zhifu's face darkened, and he suddenly raised his voice, "General Zhou!"
"Prefect You, Zhecheng has been infected with the disease for nearly a month. As the prefect of Zhecheng, you have not yet come up with an effective way to control the situation. Do you know what it would mean if the disease spreads and even reaches the capital?"
"General Zhou, can you please let me finish what I am saying?"
"What else do you want to say, Governor You? Zhecheng is indeed hit by a terrible disease, and nearly a hundred people have died of the disease. Now there is no cure, and you have no way to control it. You have been so derelict in your duty, and you deliberately want to suppress the matter. What else do you want to say?"
Zhou Dingzhen had a loud voice and spoke quickly, completely drowning out the words of Prefect You, making it difficult for him to continue.
You Zhifu clenched his fists, veins popping out of his forehead, and shouted, "There is a cure for this disease now!"
"Master You!"
Zhou Dingzhen spoke even louder, drowning out his voice.
"Zhecheng is only a few days away from the capital. This kind of disease must not be introduced into the capital! So there is no time for you to slowly treat it. We must take tough measures to control the disease in Zhecheng!"
Prefect You's heart sank to the bottom.
Zhou Dingzhen was not prepared to listen to him clearly.
"Is General Zhou here on orders?"
"Exactly!"
"So what is the emperor's order?"
"To the west of Kucheng," Zhou Dingzhen pointed to the distant mountains to the west, "there is a valley. I have already sent people to investigate. The valley is deep and the grass is thick, which is suitable for treating patients."
Prefect You looked in the direction his finger was pointing and his heart was shocked. Could it be what he thought it meant?
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