Chapter Eight, Master Zhu, Renowned in Haozhou

Zhu Chongba was taken aback and said, "Young sir, what do you mean by that?"

"My lord, do you harbor any discontent in your heart?" Zhang Ximeng said with a smile

Commoners? It doesn't matter!

Now it is discovered that the general intends to punish this person, what does this mean? Is it a reversal of right and wrong

What audacity! Brother Jiang is a good friend of mine, and he has shown me kindness. Who gave you the courage to lay a hand on him?

Seeing Zhu Chongba silent, Guo Tianxu was overjoyed, thinking that he had nothing to say in response. He hurriedly said: "Father Commander, Zhu Chongba indiscriminately kills the innocent, damaging the hearts of the people in the city. He deserves to be killed!"

Guo Zixing finally turned to Zhu Chongba and coldly said: "You are audacious and reckless, go back and reflect in solitude!"

"Little sir, could it be that we misunderstood? The general ordered us to beat someone, not to kill them"

Zhu Chongba's face turned bright red; it was one thing for him to be made a fool, but merely to satisfy Guo Tianxu's personal interests was truly too much! Old Zhu, feeling wronged, became angry; Guo Zixing's actions were unjust!

In the context of the Ma family, the term "dry mother" refers to Guo Zixing's wife, Zhang. Although women have their given names, very few outsiders are aware of them. After marriage, a woman adopts her husband's surname, adds her own surname, and appends the character "氏" to form her formal name. For example, Zhu Ma family, Guo Zhang family. In official historical records, there is no mention of Empress Ma's name; Ma Xiuying is a name derived from folk legends, initially originating from the theater. Similarly, Sun Quan's sister, Sun Shangxiang, also follows this pattern. There is an even more amusing instance where Diao Chan introduces herself on stage, stating that her surname is Diao, her name is Chan, and her courtesy name is Yahu. For example, Zhu Ma family, Guo Zhang family. In official historical records, there is no mention of Empress Ma's name; Ma Xiuying is a name derived from folk legends, initially originating from the theater. Similarly, Sun Quan's sister, Sun Shangxiang, also follows this pattern. There is an even more amusing instance where Diao Chan introduces herself on stage, stating that her surname is Diao, her name is Chan, and her courtesy name is Yahu. Listen, is this still a personal name?

Guo Tianxu hesitated for a moment, feeling nothing but indignation. He called for assistance, cradled his head, and carried the corpse down.

Zhu Chongba was momentarily taken aback; he naturally did not dare to be disrespectful to the commander. However, it also seemed unreasonable for the commander to come and demand an explanation.

Guo Zixing's expression was dark and sullen, even more furious than before, with the flesh at the corners of his mouth trembling slightly. If what had just happened was an act, he was now truly immersed in the role. What a formidable Zhu Chongba; he found himself unable to easily deal with him.

What is wrong with killing a dishonest businessman

Ma Shi was also taken aback. Indeed, where has Zhang Ximeng gone?

Zhu Chongba was astonished

Standing on the stage, the Guo family and those grain merchants evoked a chilling sensation... When did this Zhu family member gain such great influence?

Zhu Chongba, how dare you kill someone so casually

Zhang Ximeng shook his head

Zhang Ximeng raised his eyebrows, but he was not particularly surprised, even feeling somewhat as expected

Guo Zixing arrived at the scene and saw that the body of the grain merchant with the surname Jiang had already been dismembered, lying across the platform. He was so frightened that his soul seemed to leave his body. He hurriedly climbed up using both hands and feet, rushed forward, and disregarding the bloodstains, embraced the gray-haired head in his arms, weeping loudly.

It turns out that this grain merchant with the surname Jiang has a nephew who holds an official position in the Yuan court. He also intends to distance himself from Guo Zixing, yet he has not abandoned the family business. In short, the situation is rather ambiguous.

"Father, Zhu Chongba is colluding with the unruly people; he is plotting something sinister!" Guo Tianxu whispered in Guo Zixing's ear, continuing to attack Zhu Chongba.

This commander is asking you to gather military provisions, and you should always be polite and negotiate amicably. How can you resort to killing directly? It truly infuriates me

Although those above may manipulate power and those below should cooperate, are we merely monkeys in your hands, General Guo?

In fact, he also sensed it, so in front of so many people, he merely exchanged a few words and then fell silent, without exposing Guo Zixing. It was only the many common people who spoke on behalf of Zhu Chongba that caused the situation to exceed expectations. This also reflects Guo Zixing's underestimation of the common people's deep-seated hatred for unscrupulous merchants

Zhu Chongba was taken aback for a moment, realizing that this was an attempt to leverage public opinion to pressure Guo Zixing, but would it be feasible

By the way, why haven't I seen the young gentleman?

Zhang Ximeng watched with concern, feeling anxious in his heart, yet he found himself unable to stand up and speak on behalf of Zhu Chongba. His eyes darted around in a state of urgency, when suddenly, Zhang Ximeng noticed that the common people were filled with righteous indignation, their eyes wide with anger, clearly dissatisfied.

"The general has ordered us to requisition the supplies in the city, and we naturally carry out our duties as commanded," Zhu Chongba responded to Guo Tianxu with neither humility nor arrogance.

Amidst the crowd, shouts rose and fell, and more and more people knelt down to plead for Zhu Chongba

Guo Tianxu was furious, "I ordered you to requisition supplies, not to kill people? You are incredibly audacious!"

Zhang Ximeng, hiding in the crowd, became even more energetic, shouting vigorously and wildly setting the rhythm

Guo Zixing came from a powerful family and had known the Jiang family grain merchants for over ten years, having once received their kindness. Every festival, Guo Zixing would visit to express his gratitude, demonstrating great deference.

Zhu Chongba thought for a moment and then simply went to the eastern wing, which was precisely the study that Zhang Ximeng had organized. After Old Zhu arrived, he first flipped through some books, still feeling restless in his heart. Taking up his pen again, he wrote for a while.

Guo Zixing watched with his own eyes, seething with anger. He recognized these few individuals, and this Zhu Chongba had actually caused such a great disaster. What was he to do?

What military order? Why is my father unaware of it

Zhang Ximeng observed this and smiled, saying: "There is no need for the benefactor to be angry. Just now, I spent the golden beans that the benefactor bestowed upon me. At this moment, the city should be resounding with the glorious name of Young Master Zhu for his iron-fisted eradication of unscrupulous merchants!"

Old Zhu's face turned red, and after a pause, he said: "Young sir, there are some things we can only tell you. Last night, the general actually told us to deal with a few of them harshly and not to hold back. These people won't be afraid unless they see blood!"

The several grain merchants who had come along with the Jiang surname grain merchant, having narrowly escaped death, at this moment unexpectedly found a backer, and all knelt down, weeping bitterly.

Zhang Ximeng observed clearly amidst the crowd, feeling anxious in his heart

Young Master Zhu is wronged

Having filled a total of eight sheets of paper, Zhu Chongba finally set down the brush in his hand, stretched lazily, and turned his head to see Zhang Ximeng unexpectedly standing at the door

Zhang Ximeng smiled and said, "It is not wrong for those in power to use their authority to manage others... However, General Guo's vision is rather limited!"

Thousands of people, a vast sea of black, united in a chorus to voice their grievances for Zhu Chongba, creating an imposing spectacle

Logically speaking, this person should be considered a great benefactor of Guo Zixing. Why did he not secure a position, even a minor one, within the Red Turban Army?

At this moment, Mrs. Ma also received the news. Upon seeing her husband's low spirits and understanding the reason behind it, Mrs. Ma became enraged.

As he spoke, Zhu Chongba knelt down on both knees, suppressing the words in his heart, waiting for his fate to be decided

Guo Zixing glared at Zhu Chongba, momentarily unable to make a decision, and the entire scene fell into a stalemate

"Great Commander, Jiang Lao was innocently killed, please take charge!" They cried with snot and tears, having gone around the gates of hell, their bellies full of grievances

At this time, who would agree to negotiate amicably?

This has escalated significantly

Zhu Chongba knelt down, growing increasingly silent

Later, Guo Zixing contacted Sun Deya and others to raise an army, capturing Haozhou. The Jiang family grain merchants also provided Guo Zixing with one hundred carts of grain, which helped him establish a firm foothold.

Zhu Chongba returned to the courtyard amidst cheers, yet he could not bring himself to feel happy. The arrival of the general was sudden and perplexing.

This indeed aligns with Guo Zixing's usual behavior, but for those common people who cry out for justice, he can only return and reflect on his actions

I suspect he has probably gone out for a stroll; with his cleverness, he will not suffer any losses

Seeing his wife stand up for him, Zhu Chongba felt touched in his heart, yet he was also unwilling to cause trouble

After all the twists and turns, Zhu Chongba had people captured and even executed them publicly by beheading

Master Zhu has merits without faults

Guo Zixing reprimanded loudly

You seek grain, I seek the people's hearts, each to their own needs

Zhu Chongba's expression was grave, and just as he was about to speak, Guo Zixing suddenly climbed up from the stage, tears in his eyes, glaring at Zhu Chongba

Zhang Ximeng immediately had an idea; what was needed now was a leader.

Master Zhu has done well

"Zhong Ba, I am going to see my godmother, asking her to inquire with the general, why is it that despite wholeheartedly working for the general and for Haozhou, I ended up in such a predicament!"

Zhu Chongba was not subjected to severe punishment, and an earth-shattering cheer immediately erupted among the crowd, while Guo Zixing's old face grew increasingly unsightly, forcing him to leave in haste

After a long while, Guo Zixing slowly said to his son: "You go to the Jiang family and bury the deceased first."

Since Guo Zixing allowed Zhu Chongba to take action, why was there both weeping and punishment?

Zhu Chongba was momentarily taken aback, and finally understood that Guo Zixing was doing this for the sake of those grain merchants. As long as they surrendered some grain, that would suffice; as for the common people, Guo Zixing did not regard them as important.

He can never forget the matter concerning the Ma family; how could such a beautiful woman, as lovely as a flower, be taken advantage of by that boorish Zhu Chongba? It is truly a waste

Guo Tianxu watched his father cry loudly, and he was so angry that he jumped three feet high

Only with the guidance of Guo Zixing did he act in accordance with the orders, which is both reasonable and justifiable

His crying startled many people, including Zhang Ximeng below. What is going on? Could it be that what this old grain merchant said is true? Is his relationship with Guo Zixing indeed very close?

"Your Excellency, just now the remaining grain merchants sent one thousand shi of grain to the Young Marshal," Zhang Ximeng reported the news he had gathered on the street.

Zhu Chongba maintained a stern expression and coldly stated: "Act according to military orders, not to kill people at will"

The common people have had enough; they too have knelt down, crying out for justice on behalf of Zhu Chongba

A rogue businessman, he got what he deserved

Zhang Ximeng smiled and praised, could it be that this is the legendary indifference to honor and disgrace

He disregarded the dirt on the ground, directly lying down, and shouted loudly, "Young Master Zhu is wronged!"

Zhang Ximeng slightly shook his head, as he roughly guessed Guo Zixing's thoughts

However, when Zhu Chongba proposed to provide grain at a fair price for everyone, the common people were moved and felt that he was a good person. After Zhu Chongba personally executed the grain merchant of the Jiang family, the people admired him even more, believing that he was someone capable of great deeds and possessed determination

Zhang Ximeng listened attentively, and indeed there were those in the crowd who knew the details

Indeed, initially everyone came to witness the commotion, indifferent to who lived or died

Indeed, it must be said that gradually, the heart has calmed down

Old Zhu is indeed ruthless, but the current Old Zhu is merely the captain of the nine men under Guo Zixing. Without authorization from above, does he dare to publicly execute a highly influential wealthy businessman?

The Grand Master is a local powerful figure in Haozhou, with intricate connections to these individuals. He wants to take action but cannot be criticized, so he resorted to this delayed approach. While he certainly will not kill his benefactor, I suspect he intends to impose severe punishment; corporal punishment is inevitable.

... ...

Zhu Chongba was momentarily taken aback and said: "The commander has his own thoughts, we will listen to the commander!"

Well done, it brings great relief to the people

The great leader must not wrong good people

The benefactor truly possesses remarkable cultivation, which is admirable

That is not called decisiveness in killing, but rather ignorance of life and death

Although Guo Zixing would not go so far as to demand Zhu Chongba's life, he would certainly suffer losses

Sister, don't be anxious. The handsome man is just asking us to reflect in solitude. It's a good opportunity for us to read some books and calm our minds, " Zhu Chongba said, suddenly remembering.

These grains were not counted as military provisions, nor were they distributed to the citizens in the city

A single shout awakens countless people

He could only bow and say: "In response to the General's words, this person is unwilling to comply with military orders. The grain supply concerns the lives of all the citizens in the city; how can we allow such recklessness! I had no choice but to execute this person. If the General wishes to hold me accountable, I am willing to accept the blame"