Meishan Su family, Su Yun is the most virtuous

Chapter 397 Caught!

However, these words did not completely dispel the generals' doubts.

In other words, these generals were not convinced of Jong Park. After all, these generals were not direct descendants of the Jong family, but were temporarily under the leadership of Jong Park. How could they follow Jong Park so easily?

One of the generals in particular was named Zheng Nian'an.

Perhaps some friends still remember this name. Yes, it is Zheng Nian'an who followed Su Yun for a period of time.

Zheng Nian'an Zheng Nian'an raised his head slightly, his eyes met Zhong Pu's intentionally or unintentionally, then he lowered his eyes, his fingers unconsciously stroking the hilt of the knife at his waist.

The candlelight in the tent flickered, illuminating the expression on his face.

While the generals were talking to each other, Zheng Nian'an suddenly clasped his fists and said in a neither humble nor arrogant tone: "General Zhong, although that is true, there are so many impeachments in the court now, and the Imperial City Department has intervened in the investigation. We have nothing to prove our innocence. How can we prove our innocence?
If the court blames us, won’t we brothers suffer as well?"

His words were like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing a thousand waves.

The other generals looked at Zheng Nian'an one after another, and the atmosphere in the tent suddenly became tense.

Zhong Pu's heart sank as he stared at Zheng Nian'an, noticing a flash of something strange in the other's eyes.

He took a deep breath calmly, with a steady smile on his face: "General Zheng's words are not without reason, but my family has been loyal for generations and there is no such thing as treason.

Our first priority now is to pacify Yan'an Prefecture. When the war is over, we will be able to explain everything clearly when we return to the court."

Zheng Nian'an was not willing to give in. He took a half step forward and raised his voice: "General, by the time the war is over, the daylily will be cold!

Maybe before we return to the capital, the imperial edict of punishment will come down.

In my opinion, it is better to hand you over first, so as to give an explanation to the court and save the lives of our brothers."

As soon as these words were spoken, the tent suddenly became so quiet that you could hear a pin drop, and everyone's eyes were focused on Zhong Pu.

Alarm bells rang in Zhong Pu's heart. He realized that Zheng Nian'an was most likely a pawn planted by the forces behind the scenes, and was inciting everyone to revolt.

Just when the situation was about to break out, Zhong Pu's confidant suddenly broke into the tent, looking panicked: "General, something bad has happened! There seems to be some unusual movement in the camp!"

This sudden news made the atmosphere in the tent even more eerie.

As if grasping a life-saving straw, Zhong Puru took the opportunity to shout, "Everyone, we are facing a powerful enemy. If we continue to kill each other, it will play into the enemy's hands!

General Zheng, you keep saying you want to hand me over. Have you been colluding with the enemies outside?"

Zheng Nian'an was not panicked when he heard this. Instead, he sneered and said, "Zhong Pu, at this point, you still want to turn the tables?"

After that, he took out a secret letter from his bosom and threw it to the ground, "This is the secret letter between you and Liang Yibu of Xixia that I intercepted. The letter discussed the share of pig iron and gunpowder in the next quarter, and also tested the relationship between the Song Dynasty and Su Yun!
You have colluded with foreign enemies, the evidence is irrefutable, what else do you have to say?"

The camp was in an uproar in an instant. The generals looked at the secret letter on the ground, whispering to each other, and talking in a buzz, their eyes full of shock and suspicion.

Zhong Pu's face turned pale. He never expected that the letters he secretly exchanged with Liang Yibu would be intercepted by Zheng Nian'an.

Originally, smuggling was not a big deal. Even smuggling strategic materials such as pig iron and gunpowder was something that many armies did. But when it was exposed like this, it was completely different.

As for Liang Yibu's probing of the strategic relationship between the Song Dynasty and Su Yun, he generally did not comment, as he was still sensitive to this.

Moreover, he had never exchanged letters with Liang Yibu...That's not right!
He suddenly realized that this was a false accusation!
Zhong Pu suddenly became furious, pointing at Zheng Nian'an and shouting: "This is a frame-up! Zheng Nian'an, you colluded with outsiders, forged secret letters, and intended to rebel!"

Zheng Nian'an snorted coldly, took a step forward, and stepped on the secret letter: "Zhong Pu, you are still quibbling at this point!

Now the evidence is irrefutable. Brothers, Chong Pu is a traitor. We must not be buried with him!"

Upon hearing this, some generals became restless and approached Chong Pu with sword hilts in hand.

Seeing this, Zhong Pu's confidant immediately drew his sword and blocked Zhong Pu, shouting: "Don't be so presumptuous, this must be Zheng Nian'an's conspiracy!"

For a moment, the atmosphere in the tent was tense, with the two groups confronting each other.

With a burst of hurried footsteps, the tense confrontation in the tent was instantly broken. A group of soldiers rushed in like a tide and quickly isolated the central military tent.

They were well-trained and agile, and in the blink of an eye they controlled the generals who supported Chong Park one by one.

A relaxed smile finally appeared on Zheng Nian'an's face. He commanded the soldiers to confiscate the rebels' weapons. The tent was filled with angry shouts and helpless sighs.

"Zhong Pu, the situation is over!"

Zheng Nian'an strode up to Zhong Pu, his eyes full of mockery, "You have brought all this upon yourself. Now that we have the witnesses and evidence, your crime of secretly communicating with Xixia is set in stone!"

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and his men immediately presented a series of extremely realistic forged documents, including transaction records, correspondence, etc., to further confirm the "evidence" of Zhong Pu's collusion with Western Xia.

Zhong Pu was held down tightly, the anger in his heart erupted like a volcano, but he was powerless to resist.

He watched Zheng Nian'an compile the false evidence into a book and knew that he had fallen into an elaborate trap.

When Zheng Nian'an sent people to escort the evidence to Bian Jing, Zhong Pu felt a sense of sadness in his heart.

However, at this moment, Su Yun's figure appeared in his mind, and he suddenly realized: "You were sent by Su Yun!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the generals who supported Zheng Nian'an also looked at him in surprise.

As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar in the camp. The generals who originally supported Zheng Nian'an looked at each other, their eyes full of shock and confusion, and the buzz of whispers suddenly became louder. "General Zheng, is what Zhong Pu said true? You were actually instructed by Su Yun?"

A bearded general was the first to come to his senses. He stepped forward, stared at Zheng Nian'an with sharp eyes, and asked.

His hand unconsciously gripped the hilt of the sword, his knuckles turned white from the effort, and his voice was filled with anger that was difficult to conceal.

Another young general, whose face still had a childish look, was now red, his eyes full of resentment and annoyance: "Zheng Nian'an, we have always trusted you and followed you, but we didn't expect you to deceive us for Su Yun! You made us accomplices in framing a loyal and honest person!"

His voice trembled and his body shook slightly, as if he could hardly accept this sudden truth.

A white-haired veteran, whose originally calm face was now filled with disappointment and heartache.

He shook his head slowly and sighed, "Zheng Nian'an, how could you do such a thing? The Zhong family has served the Song Dynasty for generations, but you colluded with foreign enemies, framing the Zhong family in injustice and us in disloyalty!"

The old general's voice was deep and powerful, echoing in the tent and making everyone feel heavier.

The atmosphere in the tent suddenly became depressing and solemn. The generals who had just been standing behind Zheng Nian'an with such vigor and momentum, now wilted like eggplants hit by frost.

There was anger, regret and self-blame in their eyes for blindly following Zheng Nian'an.

Zheng Nian'an's face changed slightly, but he immediately regained his composure and snorted, "Yes! I am a subordinate of Su Jinglue in Yan'an Prefecture!
But everything I do is for the great Song Dynasty!
You might as well think about it. In today's court, there are constant party disputes, officials only know how to fight for power and profit, and corruption is rampant.

The border defense is tight, but they don't care about the lives of the soldiers in the northwest, and they are perfunctory about the progress of the war. Have they ever really thought about recovering the lost territory and recreating the glory of the Han and Tang dynasties? "

As he spoke, he glanced at everyone, his eyes full of indignation: “On the other hand, in Yan’an Prefecture, everyone from Mr. Su Yun to the bottom has the ambition to recover the country.

We trained day and night, stockpiled food and fodder, and were determined to destroy Western Xia, wipe out the Liao Kingdom, regain the lost territories in the northwest, and recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun!

Only by following Mr. Su Yun can China have hope for rejuvenation, and we, the passionate young men, have the opportunity to leave our names in history!"

Upon hearing this, the bearded general frowned and angrily retorted: "Don't be so flattering! Even if the court is corrupt, you shouldn't use such despicable means to frame General Zhong!

The Zhong family has been loyal for generations, fighting for the Song Dynasty, but you repay kindness with hatred!"

Zheng Nian'an sneered: "Loyal? The Zhong family seems to be loyal, but they have been in control of a large number of troops for many years, but have not made much progress in the cause of recovering lost territory.

They are just seeking benefits for their own families under the protection of the imperial court!

Now that Chong Park is caught in the whirlpool of public opinion and the court is increasingly suspicious of him, the Chong family is in a difficult situation.

If you continue to follow Jong Park, you will only be dragged into this political whirlpool and become a victim of the internal struggle of the court."

The young general's eyes were red and his fists were clenched. "Even so, you shouldn't have deceived us! Let us become accomplices of your conspiracy!"

Zheng Nian'an stepped forward, his eyes sincere: "Brother, I never thought of deceiving you.

I do this to give everyone a chance, a chance to truly serve the country and realize their ambitions.

Yan'an Prefecture is looking for talented people. As long as you are willing to join, Mr. Su Yun will definitely make use of you. If we work together, we will recover the lost territory and establish great achievements!"

The old general with white hair looked at us coldly, "Zheng Nian'an, you betrayed the Song Dynasty, colluded with foreign enemies, and even tried to drag us down with you.

As officials of the Song Dynasty, how could we be in collusion with you? "

Zheng Nian'an shook his head and sighed, "Old General, times have changed.

If the Song Dynasty does not make changes, its demise is only a matter of time.

Yan'an Prefecture is China's hope.

The old general has spent his entire life in military service. Doesn't he want to see the country recovered and the people live and work in peace and contentment in his old age?

Join us and all this will become possible.”

There was dead silence in the tent, and everyone had different expressions.

Some people looked hesitant, as if they were weighing the pros and cons;
Some people still looked angry and sneered at Zheng Nian'an's words.

While everyone was thinking differently, Zhong Pu was gritting his teeth, regretting deeply, "I actually fell into Su Yun's trap!"

But even in a desperate situation, Zhong Pu's inherent pride and loyalty prevented him from bowing his head.

His eyes widened with anger as he shouted at Zheng Nian'an: "Even if you can frame me, I, Zhong Pu, will never surrender! I was born a Song citizen and will die a Song ghost!"

Zheng Nian'an smiled, looked at Zhong Pu and said with a smile: "Zhong Qinxia, ​​oh, no, it should be called Zhong Gongzi.

In fact, you have always been a second-generation rich kid, and you just rely on your father's influence.

Have you ever made any military achievements yourself? How dare you make such big claims?

And... hehe, now you are a traitor who betrayed the Song Dynasty. Even if you are willing to call yourself a ghost of the Song Dynasty, I believe that your Zhong family will not be willing to recognize you, let alone the imperial court.

If you die, it will be in vain!"

(End of this chapter)