When Zigong approached the square in front of the Taimiao, he was surprised to find several corpses hanging on the gantry in the center of the square. Zigong was shocked - he hadn't seen a public execution in years. Zigong walked closer and saw that there was still the body of an old master with a white beard hanging in it; The tongues of each corpse have been plucked out and thrown at the feet of the corpses; Terrifying black blood flowed from his mouth, already solidified, and the congealed blood stained the chest of his tunic black and purple. The corpse's face was distorted, and it was clear that it had suffered terribly before death.

Cao Ren was not surprised, no one stopped to watch, and no one even glanced at the scene. Zigong stopped a few of them to ask for information, but they all gave him a wary and distrustful glance, and continued on their way.

Zigong soon met with the merchants of Cao State, who described the horrific scene he had just seen, and then asked why they had been hanged in public. The merchant said, "Because they say that the widow is not." ”

Zigong said: "The people are forbidden to express different opinions. The monarch of the world learned the lesson of King Li, so there has never been a case of a subject being killed for pointing out the fault of the monarch; Cao Bonai was the first person to brave the world's condemnation. Uncle Cao does not love the people, and he must be greedy and demanding; The master is rich, and I am afraid that he will covet it. For the sake of safety, I advise Master to go to another country. ”

The merchant snorted disdainfully: "The widow is the reincarnation of the Holy Lord of the world, Yao Shun, and anyone who dares to slander the Holy Lord deserves to die!" I advise Master to stop saying that again! lest others hear the informant! Then no one will be able to keep the Master's tongue! ”

Zigong didn't want to continue the conversation with him, so he said goodbye to him, and asked him about Gongzi's residence before leaving. The merchant said disdainfully, "He? The white-bearded old man hanging in front of the temple is it! For the old disrespect, take the blame! ”

Zigong suddenly felt like falling into an ice cellar, and his stomach cramped violently, and he finally managed to control himself from vomiting on the spot. He didn't want to stay for a moment, stumbled out of the gate, and left the Taoqiu without looking back.

When Confucius heard that his old friend Gongzi had suffered such a tragic end, he couldn't help but cry bitterly, and said angrily: "Uncle Cao's name is Renjun, but he is really a beast!" If Cao Guo does not die, Tianli will die! ”

Not long after Confucius said these words, bad luck finally fell on Gongsun Xiong.

On this day, Cao Boyang sent an envoy to Gongsun Xiong and ordered him to hand over one-third of the land and the corresponding tenant farmers to support the soldiers.

Gongsun Xiong's face was calm, and he was noncommittal to the monarch's order, but replied: "Got it." ”

After the envoy left, Gongsun Xiong called his sons over and asked the eldest son to flee from Cao with his family, and the other sons to stay at will. But even the eldest son refused to leave, let alone the other sons. Gongsun Xiong said: "You are not trying to run for your life, but to continue the family sacrifice." If the sacrifice is cut off in your hands, you will not be allowed to ascend to the Ming Hall after you die! The eldest son cried and agreed.

In the days that followed, Gongsun Xiong began to intensify his preparations. The deadline for the order soon arrived, and Gongsun Qiang came with an army to take over the land, but he was greeted by a high-spirited family army.

The two sides engaged in a big battle in Gongsun Xiong's fiefdom, and the soldiers on both sides were carefully trained by Gong Sun Xiong, and their fighting style was equally tough and flexible. The soldiers of the Cao Army, who had long been washed by Cao Boyang, fought mercilessly against the former commanders; Everyone wanted to take his head in exchange for fame and fortune and "to eliminate harm for the country".

There were really too many enemies, and the Guo clan had suffered heavy losses in their armed forces and had to retreat into the city for defense. Gongsun Qiang was ready to take advantage of the victory to attack and take Baiqiu in one fell swoop, so he ordered the city to be attacked on all sides without stopping.

The battle lasted from early morning until the third pole of the moon, and the panting attackers finally broke through the lines of the exhausted defenders. Gongsun Xiong's sons were all killed in battle, but Gongsun Qiang ordered that Gongsun Xiong should not be killed, and finally captured him alive. Large-scale looting, rape and murder took place after the fighting was over. Gongsun Qiang did not restrain his bandits and let them do whatever they wanted.

Gongsun Xiong was escorted to Cao Boyang, and Cao Boyang at this time was no longer the sunny and energetic person. Cao Boyang knows Gongsun Xiong's temper too well, and knows that he eats soft and not hard (at the same time, he doesn't know Gongsun Xiong at all, because the other party has already seen through his heart of calamity); He hugged Gongsun Xiong, who was scarred but still proud and unyielding, and he was so "heartbroken" that he cried.

Cao Boyang sobbed: "The widow has been working hard for the revival of the Cao country, how can my uncle not understand the widow's heart!" Uncle must have been deceived by some traitor, otherwise with his uncle's loyalty and understanding, how could he do the wrong thing of disobeying the king's order?

"It's too late for change. As long as the uncle is willing to change his attitude towards the widow, the widow will immediately reinstate the uncle and lead the Chinese army, and work with the widow to realize the revival of the Cao State! ”

Gongsun Xiong naturally didn't believe a word, but he was very curious and wanted to know what tricks Cao Boyang was playing and what he was trying to achieve. So he also "softened his heart", fell to the ground, bowed his head again and again, cried bitterly, and shouted that he was wrong.

Cao Boyang wiped away his tears, helped Gongsun Xiong up and said, "Uncle can correct his mistakes, the widow is really happy." But my uncle's behavior has caused a great sensation in the country, and the people of the country do not know the truth, and they need an explanation. Then please ask my uncle to go to the city instead of the widow to explain the situation to the people, so that I can give them an explanation. ”

Gongsun Xiong suddenly realized: "It turned out to be because of this!" Not only do you want me to die, but you also want me to kneel in front of you and confess that I have sinned! It turns out that the thieves used this kind of trick to persecute the loyal and good and confuse the people! Well, let the elders fulfill your little wishes! ”

Gongsun Xiong nodded in agreement, and Cao Boyang ordered Gongsun Qiang to accompany him to the temporary high platform in the center of Taimiao Square. There were three layers of soldiers arranged around the front of the stage, and the outside was full of people who came to watch, and Gongsun Xiong could see their mixed moods from their complicated eyes.

Gongsun Qiang raised his hand to Gongsun Xiongshou and spoke first: "Doctor Gongsun was bewitched by a traitor, and this is a big mistake. Uncle Jun has a good heart and persuades Dr. Gongsun to reform himself. Now that Dr. Gongsun has repented, he specially gave him a chance to explain to the people. Let's ask him to explain! ”

Gongsun Xiong lowered his head, said in a loud and earnest tone: "I am wrong, I am guilty!" My sin ......" He suddenly turned his head and glared at Gongsun Qiang, who had been smug for a long time, and roared angrily: "My sin lies in failing to prevent this villain from approaching Uncle Jun in the first place!" Didn't kill him sooner! ”

Gongsun Xiong pounced on Gongsun Qiang, locked his neck, pushed him towards the edge of the high platform, and continued: "So much so that this seed of the dead country actually climbed above ten thousand people to harm the country!" I'm going to kill him today to atone for my sins!" May the souls of Uncle Cao and all the ancestors bless Cao Guosheji! ”

Before, because he was afraid that Gongsun Xiong would be suspicious, Gongsun Qiang did not arrange soldiers on the stage, so no one could immediately come to the stage to help him in an emergency. Gongsun Qiang was strangled red-faced, and he couldn't stop resisting and struggling, and finally fell down with Gongsun Xiong in a huge exclamation.