Liang Zongyi naturally saw that something was wrong with the situation, frowned and said: "Everyone can speak freely and discuss solutions together." He looked at one of the old men and said: "Master Qiu, you are the most famous senior in Shunjin City, the Qiu family.

It takes many generations of the Yingping family to save their wealth in just a few days. The rebels will attack Shunjin soon, what do you think?"

Mr. Qiu stood up tremblingly and said: "We who are here today are all thanks to the favor of the imperial court. The rebels are rampant and the country is in trouble. At this time, it is our duty to contribute money and efforts." After a pause.

, finally took out a letter from his sleeve and said: "Your Excellency, the Sheriff, just the day before yesterday, I received a strange letter, and I would like to ask you to read it."

Liang Zongyi was a little strange, so he asked someone to come forward and take the letter, take out the letterhead, and read it carefully, but his face became increasingly ugly.

"Master Sheriff, we also received a letter from the common people." Suddenly someone stood up and took out the letter, and then more people came out with the letter. There were nearly a hundred people in the hall, and half of them took it.

A letter came out.

Liang Zongyi saw this and his expression suddenly changed.

"What is said in the letter is all nonsense." Liang Zongyi said angrily: "This is all the work of Long Ruijun. Long Ruijun has spies buried in the city. These letters must be the work of those spies. Long Ruijun

He is just distorting the facts, trying to confuse people's hearts and alienate the relationship between the military and the people in the city." He glanced at the crowd and said, "You are all sensible people, how could Long Ruijun deceive you with such despicable methods?"

Mr. Qiu said: "Of course we won't believe the deceptive words." After a pause, he said: "Your Excellency, the letter states that Qin Xiao has been awarded the title of Champion General by the imperial court and controls the four northeastern counties.

All the soldiers and horses, but I don’t know whether it is true or false? It also said that Qin Xiao had the power to suppress rebellion in the Northeast. Is this also a fabrication? "

"Qin Xiao came out of seclusion and was indeed training troops in the Northeast under the orders of the saint." Another person said: "They captured Black Mountain, and officials from the imperial court came to recruit him with orders. This proves that the imperial court valued Qin Xiao." He paused.

After a pause, he said: "Your Majesty, Lord Commander, Qin Xiao led the troops to rebel, which is naturally a heinous crime. But...can the imperial court issue a decree that destined Long Rui's army to be the enemy of the DPRK? If the imperial court has a decree, Anton Capital

The Protectorate and the Liaodong Army were ordered to quell the rebellion, so naturally we will spend all our money to support the quelling the rebellion...!"

Liang Zongyi said with a cold face: "What do you mean by this? Do you want to say that if you can't come up with the will, you will stay out of it?"

No one spoke.

"The Liaodong Army has been guarding the Northeast for a hundred years. Qin Xiao rebelled. The general made a decisive decision to put down the rebellion. Is there a problem?" Liang Zongyi snorted coldly and said: "Request a decree from the imperial court. Even if the imperial court sends an imperial envoy to summon him, Yuguan has been rebelled.

The army is occupying it, and they can't come even if they want to. Even if the decree is delivered to the Protectorate, do you want the Protectorate to send the imperial edict here so that you can read it first?"

Everyone looked at each other.

Mr. Qiu forced a smile and said: "Master Sheriff, that's not what we mean. It is natural to spend money and efforts to quell the rebellion. But everyone is worried that if the rebels reach Shunjin, how long will we have to defend it? Three to five days?"

Or ten days and a half month? Or should we say it lasts for a year and a half? It's okay for everyone to donate money, but is there a quota for the money? Is it up to everyone's wishes, or is there a specific apportionment? Should it be donated this time, or...

...!" At this point, he still stopped and did not continue.

Liang Zongyi said coldly: "Mr. Qiu's words, it seems that the government wants to force the apportionment?"

"Sir, Long Rui's army occupied western Liaoning and conspired to rebel. Why is there no movement in the pass?" Someone bravely said: "Does the imperial court want to watch Long Rui's army causing trouble in the northeast? Within Yuguan is Youzhou. If the general

When defending the Bohai people in Liaodong, why didn't the imperial court send troops from Youzhou to quell the rebellion? If the Youzhou army reached Yuguan, how could Long Rui's army dare to come and besiege Shunjincheng?"

As soon as these words came out, there was a commotion in the lobby.

Liang Zongyi saw this and knew that these people were still unwilling to pay money.

He knew very well that although there were only nearly a hundred people here, they were all famous people from Shunjincheng. They not only had money, but also had prestige.

The stance of these people even directly affects the attitude of most people in the city.

If the wealthy gentry from aristocratic families fully support the Liaodong Army, then the people in Shunjin City may really be able to work together to fight against the powerful enemy after seeing the attitude of the aristocratic families.

But once these people have different intentions, the situation will be very troublesome.

Huangfu Yunzhao and his thousands of troops would certainly not be able to defend this city for long.

But at this moment, the attitude of these wealthy gentry from aristocratic families clearly has doubts about the Liaodong Army. Such a situation is naturally extremely dangerous for the Liaodong Army.

Liang Zongyi knew that the letters received by everyone had already played a great role. If these people were allowed to continue talking, the situation would probably be even worse. He stared at the speaker and sneered: "I guessed that there was someone in the city."

The rebels had already been contacted. Notices were posted everywhere in the city earlier, claiming that the imperial court granted Qin Xiao the title of champion general. This was all nonsense. Someone was deliberately trying to confuse the people. At that time, I knew that there were rebel spies lurking in the city, and sent people

After tracing them, the spies disappeared, as if they were hiding underground." With a gloomy look, he glanced at the crowd and said slowly: "How can the spies hide if there is no one to protect them?"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone felt that something was wrong.

Liang Zongyi had already raised his hand and pointed at the person he was staring at: "I know that the rebels will definitely jump out. Your talk is nothing more than defending the rebels. Mr. Hong, you are so audacious that you dare to collude with the rebels.

.Come and capture Hong Fu!"

Immediately, soldiers rushed in and without saying a word, under the horrified eyes of everyone, they stepped forward and grabbed Hong Fu.

"Unjust!" Hong Fu shouted: "Master Sheriff, you can't unjustly accuse a good person like this. Common people have never colluded with the rebels, you... you can't arrest me!"

Liang Zongyi sneered and said: "Of course we can catch him for colluding with the rebels, take him down and put him in prison."

The soldiers dragged Hong Fu down, and Hong Fu shouted: "Liang Zongyi, you framed a good person, you...you spit on people...!" As he screamed, he was dragged away.

Others who saw this situation were as silent as a cicada.

"General Huangfu led his troops to protect the people in the city, to protect you, even without caring about your life, yet there are still people who care about a few taels of silver." Liang Zongyi's face was gloomy, he was no longer polite, stared at Mr. Qiu, and said in a deep voice: "Mr. Qiu asked me

How long will the officer have to defend? Then I will tell you that if the rebels do not withdraw for a day, they must continue to defend the city. Men, women, old and young must defend the city together throughout the whole process. Those who have money will take the money, and those who have no money will go into battle to resist the enemy. Qiu

Master, if you cherish your money, and I won’t force you to do so, you can take all the men, women, and children of the Qiu family to the top of the city and hold the enemy out of the city together with the soldiers."

Mr. Qiu's eyes twitched, but he did not dare to speak.

"I probably know your family wealth in my heart." Liang Zongyi said: "Your Master Qiu's family wealth is at least hundreds of thousands of taels. Even if many properties cannot be realized, it is certainly not a problem to have hundreds of thousands of taels of silver on hand. Donate

Three to fifty thousand taels of silver, it shouldn't be difficult, right?" Then he stared at the person next to Master Qiu and said, "The He family is one of the largest families in the city. It should be easy for Master He to come up with two to thirty thousand taels of silver. Today you guys

If you cherish money and are unwilling to donate money, when the rebels enter the city, not only will your wealth be wiped out, but your lives will not be saved. Can't you understand such a simple truth?"

Many people were surprised when they heard Liang Zongyi speak loudly, knowing that Liang Zongyi might take the opportunity to raid Shunjincheng this time.

Although the Liaodong Army used various banners from time to time and attacked the wealthy gentry and merchants of the city's aristocratic families, they did not dare to go too far. But now Liang Zongyi seems to have revealed his true colors. He is talking like a lion, clearly intending to bankrupt everyone.

"The defenders are not strong enough. To defend Shunjin, we need to recruit more young men." Liang Zongyi seemed to feel a feeling of dissatisfaction and anger permeating the hall, and his tone was slightly gentle, saying: "The money you donated is all

You have to use it to make them sacrifice their lives. You give the money, and they use the money to sacrifice their lives to protect you. You kill two birds with one stone. This is a good thing." With one hand behind his back, he said: "How much you are willing to donate, I will have someone record it in the book.

It's your merits. After the chaos is quelled, you will naturally be rewarded. Each of you will write a handwritten copy, and I will send someone to your home, so that your family can prepare money to send it over."

Everyone was even more horrified, and someone immediately asked: "Sir, can't we go home and prepare it ourselves?"

"There are spies in the city." Liang Zongyi said: "The rebel spies are cruel and ferocious, and I am worried that they will endanger your safety. Don't worry, I will have people take good care of you. Food and accommodation will be arranged, so don't worry.

Once the rebels are defeated and all the spies in the city are wiped out, you can go home safely."

Everyone never expected that going to the banquet today would be a trap set by Liang Zongyi, and that they would be put under house arrest in the blink of an eye.

Everyone knew that Liang Zongyi must have used this as a means to extort money, and he was worried that people who were unwilling to donate money would cause trouble at this critical moment and cause a fire in the defender's backyard, so they were placed under house arrest as a precaution.

Liang Zongyi framed Hong Fu as a traitor to the party and forced everyone to donate money. This made everyone angry. Now he actually wanted to put a group of people under house arrest. This made everyone even more angry. Some people looked at Liang Zongyi with eyes full of hostility.

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Chapter completed!