Chapter - 444 Conversations At Night In Fengling (2) (1/2)

The Guangdong man said, ”After more than ten years fighting, if Xiangyang didn't persevere unyieldingly, I fear half of the great Song Empire would have already disappeared.”

Many people asked about Xiangyang's defense situation, and the Hubei man talked dramatically, praising Guo Jing and Huang Rong like deities, so the people called out their approval unceasingly.

A visitor with a Sichuan accent suddenly sighed, ”Actually good officials who can defend a city are numerous, but the Imperial Court is treacherous, often allowing disloyal subjects to enjoy riches and honor, while the loyal ministers die unjustly. The previous dynasty's General Yue need not be mentioned. For instance, our Sichuan has several loyal ministers who were killed by the Imperial Court.”

The Hubei man said, ”Who were they? I must ask.” The Sichuan man said, ”The Mongolians attacked Sichuan for more than 10 years and we all depended on Marshal Yu to defend us. The entire Sichuan population treated him like a living Buddha. Who knew that the Emperor believed the words of his disloyal subject Ding Daquan who said Marshal Yu was too powerful and dangerous. The emperor bestowed poisoned wine upon him and compelled him to commit suicide; replacing him with an incompetent and deceitful jerk as Marshal. Then when the Mongolians attacked again, the northern Sichuan province could not defend itself. The soldiers were Marshal Yu's former subordinates, so everyone fought to the death. But the new Marshal could only polish up his superiors so as soon as we went to war, he deployed the troops hopelessly and naturally we could not defend ourselves. Ding Daquan and Chen Dafang, the deceitful duo, both shielded that useless Marshal, and instead maligned the brave and unyielding General Wang Weizhong. They accused him of collaborating with the enemy, resulting in his entire family in Beijing being captured and General Wang beheaded.” Saying this, his voice had a sobbing note, and many people sighed simultaneously.

The Guangdong visitor said indignantly, ”Our country's affairs are all thrown into disarray by these disloyal subjects. I heard the Imperial Court has three dogs, so this disloyal subject Ding Daquan must be one of them.”

A fair youth was listening silently, but he said, ”Correct, the Imperial Court's disloyal subjects Ding Daquan, Chen Dafang and Hu Dachang are the top three dogs. The Linan people added a dot to their 'Da' character, changing them to Ding Qianquan, Chen Quanfang and Hu Quanchang.” (Playing with the Chinese characters) Hearing this, the group of people laughed heartily.

The Sichuan man said, ”From your voice, you must be from the capital Linan.”

The youth said, ”Exactly.”

The Sichuan man said, ”Then have you heard of the matter concerning General Wang Weizhong's punishment?”

The youth said, ”I saw with my own eyes. Before dying General Wang's manner did not change and he fiercely shouted that Ding Daquan and Chen Dafang will bring disaster on the nation and the people. But moreover there is also a different matter.” The numerous people asked, ”What different matter?”

The youth said, ”General Wang's death was caused by Chen Dafang's plotting. When General Wang was tied up and he was being moved to the execution ground, he shouted loudly in the street, saying that he will definitely voice his grievances to the Jade Emperor (the Emperor of Heaven). The third day after General Wang's death, that Chen Dafang was killed in his own home; his severed head was actually displayed above the Linan east gate's bell tower, suspended on a long bamboo pole. Neither apes nor monkeys could reach this place, let alone a person; if it wasn't the Jade Emperor, then who could have done it?” Many people expressed admiration. The youth said, ”This matter is known throughout Linan and was not made up by me. If you people go to Linan, you will know as soon as you ask.”

The Sichuan man said, ”This brother's story is indeed good. However the one who killed Chen Dafang, certainly wasn't a deity or god, but actually was a great hero.”