The commoners made up their minds not to speak. They looked at Qin Yining with eyes full of fear and resentment.
Obviously, they still couldn't control their emotions. They saw Qin Yining and his people as the lackeys of the imperial court.
Qin Yining said with a sullen face, "Blowing up the Imperial Mausoleum was Lu Heng's fault. Originally, if His Majesty wanted to punish her, it would be Lu Heng's fault for plotting against the Imperial Mausoleum. The Lu family had already rebelled. What does blowing up the Imperial Mausoleum have to do with you? But he is very cunning. He dragged all the commoners in the county down with him to distract Your Majesty's attention. This person is too despicable! "
Some of the commoners were shaken when they heard this. Some of them were still stubborn and didn't seem to be moved.
There were even some people who were dissatisfied with Qin Yining's words. They said loudly, "You are a member of the imperial court. Of course, you speak for the imperial court. Your Majesty doesn't care about the lives of the commoners. He was willing to spend money to build the Imperial Mausoleum, but he was unwilling to give us food. Even if the Imperial Mausoleum was blown up, it wouldn't be pitiful for such an incapable ruler! "
"But you are all innocent." Qin Yining frowned bitterly and said loudly, "You were dragged into something that had nothing to do with you. You were caught, but where is the person who dragged you into this? He had long since escaped without a trace! He put gunpowder in the gun and let you light the fire. In the end, he was clean and relaxed. You are all honest people, but you were all used by him! "
The commoners looked at each other. They were all shaken.
"Look around. Are the people who were caught all the commoners you know? How many rebels are there in the Lu family? They only left a small number of people here. The ones guarding the city gate are you, who are supposed to be protected. "
Qin Yining walked quickly toward the city gate. He pointed outside the city and said, "But do you know what you are guarding? You don't know that the Tatan army is already outside the city! The Duke of Ding that you think is here to kill you is leading the soldiers you hate to fight a bloody battle. They are using their lives and blood to resist the Tatan attack!
"Don't they have horses? Can't they escape? They can! But why didn't they run away? It's all for you commoners! Yet, all of you defended the city gates to the death and did not allow the soldiers who were protecting you to enter the city. Seeing that they had nowhere to retreat, they could only fight to the death with the Tatan! Fellow villagers, do you think this is an act of benevolence?
"Everyone has been dutiful for generations! However, because of Lu Heng's lies, you were used by him to do such an unrighteous thing. You even got yourselves and your family involved in the rebellion. You don't care about your own lives, and you don't care about the evaluation of the people of Huichuan County. Don't tell me you don't care about the lives of your family members?! "
There was complete silence in front of the city gate.
Qin Yining's sonorous and forceful questioning was like the beating of a drum in their hearts.
Originally, he was still a little angry, but now, only regret and despair were left.
"We, we …" A man opened his mouth with a gloomy face, "Princess, please show us a way out!"
The man fell to his knees with a thud.
Since someone had taken the lead, those who didn't want to beg for mercy because of their reputation finally lost their psychological burden and knelt down one by one. Qin Yining had a very good reputation in Huichuan County during this period of time. Moreover, he had once acted benevolently under the pressure of Madam Lu. Furthermore, he had the good reputation that the Pang Xiao had accumulated over the years. When these people calmed down and thought about this, they really felt regret and fear. They kept kowtowing non-stop.
Qin Yining shook his head and said, "Everyone was deceived by words and committed treason. Wouldn't you be considered a traitor to the imperial court if you colluded with the rebels? Do you know how the imperial court deals with traitors? "
"Kill, kill them …" Someone stammered.
The scene was silent for a moment. Then, everyone started sobbing in despair.
"No, we don't want to die. We were also muddle-headed for a moment! Princess, please have mercy, please have mercy! "
Everyone was finally afraid. They kept kowtowing and begging for mercy.
Lu Weigui looked at the people who were still indignant when they were tied up on the city wall. Now, because of Qin Yining's words, they obediently confessed. When he came closer, he finally realized the power of the Prince Zhongshun's consort.
Lu Heng incited people to achieve his goal. The Prince Zhongshun's consort also had the ability to do so!
Lu Weigui's respect for Qin Yining increased a lot. He came to Qin Yining's side and bowed. He said in a low voice, "Princess, should we open the city gate now, or should we order people to go out and scout first?"
Qin Yining looked back and smiled, "What does Official Lu think?"
Lu Weigui said seriously, "For safety's sake, this official thinks that we should scout first and get in touch with Duke Ding."
"Official Lu is right." Qin Yining nodded in agreement, "Let's do as you say."
Lu Weigui agreed. His heart was especially warm. He guessed that Qin Yining might have thought the same. However, she gave him the opportunity to speak. This was equivalent to giving him the credit for quelling the rebellion and welcoming Duke Ding and his entourage into the city. Although a woman didn't have much use for this kind of credit, she didn't want to walk the path of an official. But she was willing to give him the credit. This was a great respect and recognition for him. Lu Weigui's heart was filled with gratitude and admiration.
After Qin Yining arranged this matter for Lu Weigui, he looked at the common people, "Everyone, stand up. If I wanted to kill you all, I would have done it on the city gate tower. Why would I waste so much effort to have you all come here to listen to me say this?
"Everyone is an ordinary person. This time, you all suffered an unexpected disaster. Everyone has old and young people in their families. I really can't bear to see you all being used without knowing it."
The common people raised their heads and looked at Qin Yining. They hesitated and didn't dare to stand up.
Qin Yining sighed, "Everyone, please stand up. I will do what I say. I will definitely protect you in front of Duke Ding. However, everyone has to be clear about the current situation. The Tatan soldiers are now at the city gate. Duke Ding is stubbornly resisting! If the Tatan people step into Huichuan County, everyone should think about the consequences. "
The common people finally calmed down and realized the seriousness of the matter.
The leading man stomped his feet and lamented regretfully, "We were wrong! We were really muddle-headed! The Tatan people are outside. Everyone has long heard about the lives of the common people at the border who have been deprived of grain by the Tatan for years. How could we be so muddle-headed now? Could it be that Lu Heng has black magic? "
Everyone was filled with regret. They wished they could beat their chests and stamp their feet.
Qin Yining saw that more than half of his goal had been achieved, so he continued to work hard, "For the sake of our families, Huichuan County must be defended. Your Majesty originally ordered Duke Ding to capture the rebels. Because it was to capture Lu Heng and a small group of people, he didn't send many soldiers. However, knowing that the Tatan people have come here, Your Majesty will definitely arrange for reinforcements. Before the reinforcements arrive, please help Duke Ding and the soldiers of the imperial court. This is not only an opportunity for you to redeem yourselves, but also for the sake of your families. "
At this point, Qin Yining bent his knees and bowed, "Everyone is so righteous. I thank you here."
When had the common people ever seen a noble lady in the imperial court bow to an ordinary person? In addition, Qin Yining didn't point out their mistakes from the beginning to the end. He always understood that they had been bewitched and found a way for them to redeem themselves. Their gratitude to Qin Yining was even deeper!
Everyone nodded and said loudly, "Princess, don't worry. We will definitely guard the city gate and not let the Tatan take a step forward!"
"Yes, we will definitely help Duke Ding guard the city gate!"
… …
Not only the common people who were tied up in a row, but even the officials and soapmen, as well as the rest of the common people who heard the commotion, were also excited. They shouted loudly that they must guard the city gate and protect their homes.
Once people were united, the power they formed was huge. Even if Ji Zeyu had three heads and six arms, it was difficult for him to prevent people from stabbing him in the back. Now, Qin Yining's impassioned speech had stirred up everyone's emotions. They didn't care who was the emperor and didn't care about the lives of the other people in the imperial court, but they couldn't not care about their families.
Even if they had to fight for their families, they definitely wouldn't be a burden to Ji Zeyu.
Qin Yining nodded again and again. He was so moved that he shouted slogans angrily and cursed the Tatan.
At this time, there were sounds of fighting and killing outside the city gate. The guards at the city gate were ordered to open the city gate wide. The cavalry sent by the imperial court and the three thousand soldiers and horses rushed in exhausted.
The common people were stunned.
Qin Yining hurriedly ordered, "Quickly untie everyone. Everyone, go and help. We must guard the city gate. We can't let a single Tatan come in alive!"
"Yes! We can't let the Tatans come in and harm our common people! Old and young men, get your weapons! "
One by one, the strong men went to look for tools. Some found shovels, some took hoes, some took door bolts, and even the long iron ladles used at home for cooking. There were also some who were very smart and used the wooden pot lid as a shield.
This group of common people looked like a motley crew, but in order to protect their homes, they showed even more fighting spirit than the imperial court's army. They all rushed up and went around Ji Zeyu's troops to the city gate. They didn't want to let a single Tatan enter the city.
Ji Zeyu was the same as Pang Xiao. When retreating from a battle, he had always been at the rear. He had never been the first to run. When he cut down a Tatan cavalry approaching him with his sword, he turned around and rode his horse into the city, shouting, "Close the gate! Close the gate! "When he shouted, he saw the common people holding 'weapons'.
These common people saw Ji Zeyu riding his horse into the city gate. They immediately used all their strength to push the heavy city gate open.
Seeing the Tatar cavalry approaching, even though these farmers hadn't had a full meal for a long time, they were still so tired that they saw stars before their eyes. At this critical moment, they closed the city gates with a 'bang' sound.
Ji Zeyu jumped off the back of his horse. He looked at the common people expressionlessly and with surprise in his eyes. The corners of his lips curled up slightly.
Qin Yining and Lu Weigui quickly walked up to him.
Lu Weigui cupped his hands and bowed, "I am Huichuan County Magistrate Lu Weigui. Greetings, Duke Ding."
Qin Yining also bowed and said, "Greetings, Duke Ding."
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