PS: Thank you to the "man who likes to drink tea" big guy for a reward of 10,000 coins! ~』

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The next day, Xun Yi, the governor of the northern post, immediately returned to Kunyang County with a warrant written by Wang Shangde, and finally returned to Kunyang County on October 15 after a journey of nearly nine days.

After returning to Kunyang, Xun Yi immediately went straight to the county government and asked to see the county lieutenant Ma Gai, wanting to know about the situation of Ji Rong, the general of the Nanyang Army, encircling and suppressing the black tiger thieves.

At this time, Ma Gai had already properly transported the grain and grass to Ji Rong, and was about to join forces to perform a scene according to the instructions of the Black Tiger Thief, cutting off Ji Rong's grain and grass, so as to delay Ji Rong's attack on the Black Tiger Main Village, and he was also a little surprised to see Xun Yi return in the dust.

In addition to the accident, Ma Gai also told Xun Yi about the current progress of the Nanyang Army under Ji Rong's command, and Xun Yi couldn't believe it.

In all fairness, Xun Yi didn't think that the Black Tiger Thieves would be completely wiped out by the Nanyang Army under Ji Rong's command, the reason was naturally because of the existence of the Brotherhood, but he never thought that the Black Tiger Thieves, whose number was far less than the two thousand Nanyang Army, could still have the upper hand so far, and even killed nearly five hundred of the two thousand Nanyang Army.

Nearly 500 people......

Xun Yi's heart was pounding, and he scolded Zhou Hu in his heart for not being able to hold his breath.

In order to avoid long nights and dreams, Xun Yi couldn't rest in the county seat, and immediately went straight to the north of the county and came to the camp of the partial general Ji Rong.

At this time, Ji Rong was on fire because he had not seen obvious results in attacking the mountain for several days, and suddenly got a letter from the soldiers: "Partial general, Xun Yi, the governor of the northern part of Yingchuan County, wants to see him." ”

Of course, Ji Rong had an impression of Xun Yi, and couldn't help muttering after learning about this: "Could it be that he really asked for the general's order?" ”

After a little hesitation, Ji Rong still met Xun Yi.

Facts have proved that Ji Rong guessed correctly, after seeing him, Xun Yi immediately showed the warrant he asked Wang Shangde for, and said to Ji Rong without being arrogant or humble: "Xun has gone to Wancheng to see General Wang, and General Wang ordered the general to withdraw his troops immediately!" …… This is a warrant. ”

Ji Rong took the warrant and took a look, and found that it was indeed stamped with Wang Shangde's general seal.

Although he hated the black tiger thief to death, he did not dare to disobey Wang Shangde's order, and immediately called a herald and ordered: "The general has an order, order us to return to Wancheng immediately, pass on my order, the whole army pack up its baggage, withdraw to Kunyang County, and return to Wancheng immediately after replenishing the grain and grass!" ”

Ji Rong was so decisive, it was really a bit unexpected for Xun Yi.

He originally thought that Ji Rong had lost nearly five hundred soldiers on the Black Tiger Thief's side, or that he might disobey out of indignation against the Black Tiger Thief.

But for now, Wang Shangde is still quite strict in governing the army.

After seeing Ji Rong order the withdrawal of troops with his own eyes, Xun Yi also said goodbye and left.

Although he was anxious to meet with Zhou Hu, the leader of the Black Tiger Thieves, for some reason, he still gave up and prepared to return to Kunyang County first, and then let Chen Cai, the chief steward of the Chengnan Brotherhood Workshop, arrange it on his behalf.

Soon, it was only half an hour, and the black tiger thief who was monitoring the Nanyang military camp at the foot of the mountain discovered the abnormality of the Nanyang military camp and immediately told Zhao Yu about it: "Chief, the military camp under the mountain is demolishing the military tent for some reason. ”

Zhao Yu was very surprised when he heard it, and after thinking about it, he guessed the reason.

It must have been the northern governor Xun Yi who went to Wancheng to persuade Wang Shangde and asked Wang Shangde for an order to order Ji Rong to withdraw his troops.

Counting the days, Xun Yi should indeed come back.

However, in order to prevent Ji Rongjun from cheating, Zhao Yu still asked the brothers in the village to be vigilant.

But it turned out that Ji Rongjun did not cheat, because in the afternoon of the same day, Ji Rong led about 1,500 Nanyang troops under his command to evacuate and retreat to the direction of Kunyang County.

Seeing this, Zhao Yu can almost be sure: it seems that Xun Yi is back.

After confirming this, he was really relieved.

After all, if he had a choice, he didn't want to be ruthless to the Nanyang army under Ji Rong, so as not to be retaliated against by Wang Shangde - in his impression, General Wang had a very strong sense of revenge for this kind of thing, otherwise there would not have been rumors that the Nanyang army had slaughtered a village in Wannan back then.

The next day, Chen Cai sent someone to deliver a message to the main village, that is, Xun Yi wanted to see Zhao Yu.

So, Zhao Yu handed over the celebration in the village to Guo Da and others, and took Jingnu, Niu Heng and several black tiger thieves to Kunyang County.

When they came to Kunyang County, the Nanyang army under Ji Rong had not yet withdrawn to Wancheng, and when they entered the city, Zhao Yu saw a county guard escorting a carriage full of grain and grass out of the city, obviously providing the Nanyang army with the grain and grass needed to return to Wancheng.

Zhao Yu nodded slightly.

Also, this kind of uncle who can't be provoked for the time being, it's better to send them away if they can send them away, and ask them to have a good time with the Jingchu rebels.

Entering the city, Zhao Yu once again settled at the Baiji Inn where he usually lived, and then sent two black tiger thieves to send a message to Chen Cai.

Around evening, Chen Cai took Xun Yi to this Baiji Inn.

After seeing Zhao Yu, Xun Yi scolded him with a face: "Zhou Hu, how dare you kill nearly five hundred Nanyang soldiers? Those are all the athletes of my Great Jin stationed in the border region! ”

Zhao Yu said in his heart at that time: If you hadn't come back in time, Ji Rong's remaining 1,500 soldiers might not have been able to survive.

Of course, if you think about it, you can't say that, so Zhao Yu spread his hands and said: "Then Ji Rong led the Nanyang army to encircle and suppress my Black Tiger Village, I can't let the brothers be killed, right?" From the beginning to the end, our side only moved once, or in order to undermine the morale of the Nanyang army and delay the date of Na Jirong's order to attack the mountain, I have been very restrained. ”

Hearing this, Xun Yi couldn't refute it, and after frowning and staring at the mask on Zhao Yu's face for a long time, he sighed and said, "Ji Rong has withdrawn his troops, and you must not make any more trouble." ”

This is the same as not saying this, Zhao Yu is naturally happy to promise: "Of course, if he is not forced to be helpless, how can Zhou dare to confront the army?" ”

Hearing the word 'how dare he', Xun Yi snorted coldly, probably not believing Zhao Yu's words.

Zhao Yu was not surprised by this, beckoned Xun Yi to take a seat, and said with a smile: "This time, Xun Governor went all the way to Wancheng to persuade that General Wang, Zhou is grateful, I have prepared wine and food, and I have the right to wash the dust for the Inspector Post." ”

After that, Zhao Yu instructed Jingnu to call the chef of the inn to serve the food.

Because the wine and food were prepared by the inn in advance, they were quickly served and a full table was set.

Glancing at the sumptuous wine and food, Xun Yi said flatly: "You don't have to thank me, I just sent a letter on behalf of Lord Junshou, and General Wang promised to withdraw his troops, not because I persuaded ......"

"This Xun Du Post is really a frank person......

Seeing that Xun Yi didn't mean to take advantage of the opportunity, Zhao Yu shook his head with a dark smile, and said with a smile while picking up the wine jug to pour wine for Xun Yi: "Oh? I thought it was the post supervisor who fought with General Wang and forced General Wang to ......."

"Huh."

Xun Yi listened very well, but he still told the real reason: "Count yourself lucky, when I was persuading General Wang that day, it happened that General Wang found out about a conspiracy about the Jingchu rebels......"

"Oh?"

Zhao Yu was pouring wine for Xun Yi and paused slightly.

He asked Xun Yidao quietly: "Jingchu rebels...... Zhou has also heard about it, what did these people do in Nanyang County? ”

From the side, Chen Cai, who was an escort, was also stunned when he saw Xun Yi mention the Jingchu rebels, and after taking a look at Zhao Yu, he quickly lowered his head and pretended to drink, pretending not to hear anything.

As for Niu Heng, he was pouring wine into his mouth with a wine spoon at the moment, probably because he really didn't care about the Jingchu rebels.

Xun Yi didn't know that the Jingchu rebels he was talking about had already been in contact with the leader of the black tiger thief in front of him, and explained with a frown: "I don't know the specifics, according to what I heard at the time, the cause seems to be that in May and June this year, Jiangxia General Han Yan was defeated by the rebels in Jiangdong in the Xiapi area, which fueled the arrogance of the rebels from all walks of life south of the river, and I don't know about other places, but Jingchu's rebels are said to be preparing to counterattack Nanyang County, but fortunately, General Wang had expected it and had already scattered manpower in Nanyang County, Follow the trail of the rebels...... This investigation really traced down a group of anti-thieves who infiltrated Nanyang County, the first person called himself 'Zhang Zhai', called 'Nanyang Qu Envoy', this person originally intended to raid General Wang's army Tuntian, but for some reason leaked the news, not only hastily canceled the operation, but also was caught by General Wang A group of anti-thief spies and tortured them strictly...... That's all I know. ”

As he spoke, he licked his lips that were a little dry, and took a sip of the wine bowl that Zhao Yu had filled for him.

"That's a ......."

Listening to Xun Yi's narration, Zhao Yu wiped the edge of the wine bowl with his fingers boredly.

On the same day, listening to Zhang Zhai tell that his righteous army was preparing to raid the Nanyang Army's army Tuntian, but his black tiger thief sabotaged the operation, Zhao Yu thought that Zhang Zhai was deliberately exaggerating the facts, but he didn't expect this incident to be true.

"Did I inadvertently help Wang Shangde?"

Zhao Yu smiled and shook his head.

And at this moment, Xun Yi seemed to think of something, and said solemnly: "By the way, there is one thing I forgot to say. …… On that day, General Wang made a condition when he agreed to withdraw his troops, and he asked Yingchuan County to ensure that the caravan of the Luye Freemasons would not be hacked again in the future...... That is, the looting you are waiting for, otherwise, he said that he will send troops in the future! ”

"Huh?" Zhao Yu was slightly stunned.

"I didn't scare you." Seeing that Zhao Yu didn't seem to believe it, Xun Yi lowered his voice and added: "I look at that General Wang, it seems that he has some special feelings for the Luye Freemasonry, if you don't want to provoke the Nanyang Army again, it's best to control your subordinates." ”

“……”

Fingers played with the edge of the wine bowl, and Zhao Yu's face under the mask showed a little incredible.

Wang Shangde?

What special affection do you have for the Luye Freemasonry?

Is it because of Lu Kuang?

Or is it because of ......

『…… It can't be because of me, is it?'

Thinking of this possibility, Zhao Yu's expression suddenly became very strange, but fortunately, he was wearing a mask, and no one present saw any clues.

I have to say that Zhao Yu was strange about this matter at first.

He still can't understand how Lü Kuang persuaded Wang Shangde to persuade the latter to send troops across the county, and at the risk of offending Li Min, the commander of Yingchuan County, to encircle and suppress his Black Tiger people.

You say that Wang Shangde values Lu Kuang, since Lu Kuang took over the Luye Freemasonry, Wang Shangde acquiesced to Kong Jian, the chief secretary of the military market, to take back the price privilege of the Luye Freemasonry.

You say that Wang Shangde values the role of the Lu Ye Freemasonry in his Wancheng Military City, when Lu Kuang and Wei Pu broke up, and later the Lu Ye Freemasonry under Lu Kuang was plundered by his black tigers, and many Ye County businessmen led by the Huang brothers broke away, Wang Shangde did not send anyone to intervene - Zhao Yu also thought that the Lu Ye Freemasonry was just a tool in Wang Shangde's eyes.

And now, when the Luye Freemasonry was about to be forced to fall by his three forces, including the Black Tiger Society, the Brotherhood, and the Kunye Mutual Benefit Association, Wang Shangde suddenly intervened strangely, and directly sent 2,000 Nanyang County to suppress the thieves across the county......

It feels like ......

『…… Do you want to protect the Chamber of Commerce of the 'Luye Freemasonry'?"

muttered in his heart, and Zhao Yu was suddenly a little flattered.

Think about it, if Wang Shangde does not value Lu Kuang or Lu Ye Freemasonry, then he clearly states the reason for his attitude to protect Lu Ye Freemasonry, then there may be only one - missing him.

Flattered!

Zhao Yu was really flattered!

He never thought that General Wang, who felt domineering and ruthless at first glance, was actually a person who valued feelings.

Who would have thought of this!

But anyone who has seen Wang Shangde will not feel like that!

Flattered, Zhao Yu couldn't help but sigh secretly.

Some time ago, Zhang Jing, who inexplicably attracted the 'Five Tigers of Chenmen', was beaten and fled into Luyang County, and later inquired, Zhang Jing was a general in the court, in order to personally track down his Luyang Zhao case, so he specially left the army and came here.

Feelings, this is a friendly army!

And this time he was targeted by Wang Shangde, but Wang Shangde wanted to be a Freemason for the sake of his relationship with him Zhao Yu in the past......

What do you call this?

Zhao Yu shook his head here and smiled bitterly, but Xun Yi over there would be wrong, he saw Zhao Yu shaking his head, his face immediately tightened, and he lowered his voice and warned: "Zhou Hu, you have to think clearly, I look at that General Wang, he doesn't even pay attention to my Lord Li Min of Yingchuan County, if you ignore his warning and continue to attack the Luye Freemasonry, he will inevitably send troops again in the future!" …… Don't talk about your Black Tiger Village, the Brotherhood may not be able to keep it! ”

Seeing that Xun Yi had a misunderstanding, Zhao Yu immediately explained: "No, the post supervisor misunderstood, I was just surprised why General Wang favored the Luye Freemasonry." …… Since that General Wang had given such a warning, I would naturally have stopped. The superintendent can rest assured, in fact, Zhou has been trying to return to the right path, if there is a choice, who wants to be a thief who can't see the light? It's just that I had to do it as a last resort in order to feed many brothers. Now, the brotherhood has gained a foothold in the county, and the Kunye Mutual Benefit Association has gradually developed and developed, and Zhou is also willing to take this opportunity to try to give up the old livelihood and lead the brothers to be a good citizen who keeps to himself. ”

"W-really?" Xun Yi's eyes widened in surprise.

He couldn't imagine that these words would come out of the mouth of a bandit leader, and he didn't expect that this bandit leader would have the idea of leading his men back to the right path.

"Don't you believe Zhou?" Zhao Yu smiled and said, "In fact, Zhou has been trying to return to the right path, this can't be denied, right?" ”

"Hmm......"

Xun Yi stroked his beard and recalled what the Black Tiger Thief had done in the recent stage.

To tell the truth, in addition to robbing the passing caravans, the black tiger thieves did not do anything bad to hurt the heavens and reason, on the contrary, this gang of bandits also opened a righteous house and a workshop in the county town, helping many people in Kunyang.

But having said that, these alone can't dispel Xun Yi's vigilance against the black tiger thief.

He nodded and said: "If Leader Zhou can restrain himself from the precipice and abandon the darkness to the light, it will really be a blessing for Kunyang, I hope that Leader Zhou will not violate today's words in the future, and abide by his original intention......"

"Of course."

Zhao Yu raised the wine bowl and said with a smile: "With an upright superintendent like you monitoring Zhou, how dare Zhou do anything out of the ordinary?" ”

If it sounds good, everyone is happy to listen to it, Xun Yi is no exception, plus Zhao Yu showed an attitude of wanting to abandon the dark and turn to the light, Xun Yi was quite happy, and it was rare to drink two more bowls of wine.

After waiting for five or six points of drunkenness, Xun Yi got up and said goodbye: "It's not too early, Xun will leave first." ”

Hearing this, Zhao Yu immediately got up and shouted to Xun Yi: "Xun Du Post is slow." ”

Xun Yi looked at Zhao Yu in confusion and asked, "Is there anything else going on with the leader?" ”

I saw Zhao Yu say with a smile: "This time, the superintendent traveled thousands of miles to Wancheng, the carriage and horses were tiring, and it was very hard, how could I send the superintendent with an ordinary meal of wine and food?" Supervise the post and don't be in a hurry to go back, Zhou has other ...... in the evening Console. ”

As he spoke, he hooked his finger towards Chen Cai, and when Chen Cai got closer, he whispered a few words to him.

"Oh."

Chen Cai suddenly realized, and glanced at Xun Yi with a somewhat strange expression.

"Good arrangement, understand?" Patting Chen Cai's arm, Zhao Yu said with a smile: "Considering the hard work of the superintendent, don't look so much this time, just find the two superintendents you like." ”

"Don't worry, chief, I will make proper arrangements for the superintendent." Chen Cai replied with a smile.

At this time, Xun Yi also reacted, and he didn't know if he drank wine or what, his old face was flushed, and he waved his hand again and again and said: "No need, no need, Xun is going back......"

As he spoke, he hurriedly wanted to leave the table.

Under Zhao Yu's gesture, Chen Cai grabbed Xun Yi's hand and said with a smile: "It's all my own people, why should I see the post?" ”

"I really don't have to......"

Xun Yi's old face was flushed and he struggled, and said in a loud voice: "It's not too early, I should go back, there are still my guards in the post house waiting for me to go back......"

"What are you afraid of? I'll send someone to deliver a message. Chen Cai grabbed Xun Yi's hand and walked outside the house: "Come on, come on, I'll arrange for the superintendent to ......"

"I really don't have to, I ...... Hey......"

Until the two walked out of the house, Zhao Yu could still hear Xun Yi's euphemistic refusal.

Then, suddenly, there was no sound.

"Huh."

While Zhao Yu chuckled, Jingnu ran to close the door of the house.

At this time, he took off the mask on his face, and immediately, his mind couldn't help but recall the scene when he met Wang Shangde several times at the beginning.

"I really didn't expect that Wang Shangde was actually a nostalgic person......"

From the side, Niu Heng touched the wine stains on the corner of his mouth, and said in a low voice: "Ah Hu, then about your revenge, will the person surnamed Wang help you?" ”

"Huh?" Zhao Yu glanced at Niu Heng with some surprise, and said with a smile: "Brother Niu, so you are listening?" ”

"I'm not deaf." Niu Heng said with a disgusted face: "It's just that I'm stupid and afraid of saying the wrong thing, so I don't speak." …… That Xun Yi also mentioned Zhang Zhai and the Jingchu rebels. ”

Zhao Yu smiled and said nothing.

From the side, Jing Nu, who walked back to the wine table and sat down, smiled and quipped, "Isn't it because you are rushing to drink?" ”

"How so?" Niu Heng's eyes widened and he defended: "Although wine is a good brother, it must be my brother's matter that is more important, Ah Hu, do you believe what I said?" ”

He patted Zhao Yu's shoulder, patted Zhao Yu's shoulder painfully, and nodded again and again: "Yes, yes, that's for sure." The most righteous person in the village must be Brother Niu, and Brother Guo Da has to go to the back. ”

"Haha." Niu Heng was satisfied and laughed.

After some jokes, Jing Nu put away her smile and asked Zhao Yu with a straight face: "Young master, if General Wang really cares about the old feelings, then can we ask him for help in the matter of revenge?" ”

At this time, Zhao Yu also put away his smile, and said thoughtfully: "People miss the old when they are alive, and they miss the old after they pass away, these are two different things, Wang Shangde misses the old this time, and he may not help me." Now that we have control of Kunyang, we are about to expand our influence to the surrounding neighboring counties, I am very satisfied with this achievement, there is no need to force Wang Shangde to be involved...... He is an important minister in the court, and he may not know the child proverb and the person behind the child proverb, in case he defects and betrays us, our years of hard work will come to naught. …… In contrast, I believe more in the brothers in the village. ”

"Ah Hu, don't worry." Niu Heng grabbed Zhao Yu's shoulder and said solemnly: "As long as you give an order, no matter who your enemy is, even if it is the emperor of the Great Jin, I will definitely kill him for you and help your family avenge it!" ”

Hearing Niu Heng's words like this, Zhao Yu smiled bitterly, but also felt quite moved in his heart.

In addition to being moved, Zhao Yu immediately thought of what Xun Yi told today, about the Jingchu rebels.

Xun Yi's intelligence encountered what Wang Shangde heard, naturally it was impossible to be false, in other words, by next year at the latest, it is indeed possible for the rebels south of the river to launch a large-scale counteroffensive against the Jin State.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yu immediately thought of the favor he owed to Zhang Zhai and the Jingchu rebels.

Regarding this favor, Zhang Zhai told him that day that if he refused to join the rebels in the future, he had to do something for the rebels to repay the favor.

Zhao Yu was very concerned about this sentence that day, and now that he thinks about it carefully, he feels more and more that this favor is not easy to repay.

If you don't know it, all the black tigers will get in.

But at the same time, the rebels' counteroffensive may also provide him with some help.

First of all, there will definitely be a large number of refugees in the war, and once the refugees pour into the area of Kunyang County, it means that the number of his black tigers can be rapidly expanded.

Interestingly, under the pressure of the rebels step by step, Yingchuan County may not have the leisure to care about him.

Secondly, if the rebels are more powerful, they can attack all the way to Liangjun......

As soon as he thought of this, Zhao Yu couldn't help but feel a little excited.

『…… Let me be ready for the opportune moment.'

He thought to himself.

Only a few days later, at the behest of Zhao Yu, Kunyang County began to hoard food, and workshops related to the Brotherhood began to secretly make armor, weapons, and arrows.