On October 17, Ji Rong, a partial general of the Nanyang Army, received enough grain and grass in Kunyang County and ordered his troops to withdraw to Wancheng.

After the news reached the county, the people of Kunyang were overjoyed.

This damned army of outlanders has finally left!

But there are also people who regret the departure of the Nanyang Army, such as the headhunter Ishihara of the county government.

After getting off work that night, Ishihara returned to the room where he lived with Xu Bai, Wang Ping, and Chen Gui, and it happened that Xu Bai and the others had already prepared the stew, so the four of them sat around a large cauldron, drinking hot wine, eating stew, and chatting casually.

During this period, Xu Bai said to Ishihara: "Ah Yuan, when I went to the street today, I heard that Ji Rong had led his Nanyang army back to Wancheng?" ”

"Hmm."

Ishihara held the wine bowl and said in a muffled voice: "They have obtained enough grain and grass from the county warehouse to return to Wancheng......

Speaking of this, he paused, and added with regret and chagrin: "Let that black tiger thief escape again!" ”

Hearing this, Wang Ping interjected from the side: "You can't talk about letting the black tiger thief escape, right?" You and I both know that as long as the Brotherhood is still there, the Black Tiger Thief will not be exterminated, and in case of emergency, as long as people hide in the workshops of those Brotherhoods in the county, the county government will not dare to act rashly......"

"And the Brotherhood is now more and more entrenched in the city......" Glancing at Ishihara, Chen Gui also interjected: "This group of thieves knows how to buy people's hearts, for example, what is the 'brother's loan', as long as it is a member of the Brotherhood, if the family encounters an emergency, they can borrow money from the Brotherhood, and in addition to returning the principal, they only need to repay a small amount of additional interest, which is much more cost-effective than borrowing from other wealthy families in the local area...... Sun Da and Sun Er next door, I originally had a good conversation with his brothers, and the brothers were originally wary of the brotherhood, a while ago the brothers' old mother was seriously ill, and the brothers were originally going to sell their fields, but after being persuaded by others, they joined the brotherhood and borrowed a sum of money from the brotherhood......

Ishihara sneered when he heard this: "The traitor seems to be loyal, the big hypocrisy seems to be true, probably talking about the gang of black tiger thieves......"

Chen Gui shrugged, and then said: "Having said that, I think it is getting more and more difficult to uproot the Brotherhood...... A few days ago, I met Yang Dang Yang of the county government and chatted with him for a few words, and I heard him say that the county government intends to recruit black tiger thieves? Ah Yuan, it can't be true, right? ”

"Won't it?" Xu Bai and Wang Ping felt incredible.

Ishihara frowned and said, "I've heard about this too...... It is said that Li Xu and Li Xiancheng proposed it, and I don't know what this county Cheng thinks. ”

Hearing this, Xu Bai lowered his voice and said, "Ah Yuan, you said that Li Xiancheng, he wouldn't be threatened and bought by the black tiger thief, right?" Zhao'an Black Tiger Thief That kind of fierce thief? How could he make such a ridiculous proposal? What did Liu County Ling and Ma County Lieutenant say? ”

Ishihara shook his head slightly, and said: "I haven't heard of Liu County's statement for the time being, but I talked to County Lieutenant Ma about this matter, the county lieutenant is a bit of a rat trap now, and he also knows that there is a shadow of a black tiger thief behind the brotherhood in the city, but this time Ji Rong caused something, you have also seen it, half of the people in the county are standing on the side of the brotherhood, and the county government does not dare to act rashly, so the county lieutenant is not easy to express his position, I think, he should support Li Xiancheng's decision to recruit the black tiger thief." ”

"Unbelievable." Chen Gui shook his head with a smile.

As he spoke, he seemed to think of something, and after glancing at Xu Bai and Wang Ping, he said with a little embarrassment: "Ah Yuan, there is something that the three of us think we should discuss with you......

"What?" Ishihara asked, puzzled.

After glancing at each other, Xu Bai said, "The money in our hands...... Not much. ”

Ishihara was stunned.

Also, when they went south and north, although they saved a sum of money, the amount was not much, even if they got a bounty for encircling and suppressing the black tiger thieves in the first two years, but recently, there is really not much left.

Looking at the somewhat unspeakable looks of the three brothers, Ishihara's heart sank, and he asked in a muffled voice, "It seems that ...... Have you discussed it first? What are you going to do? ”

In order to prevent the brothers from having a gap, Xu Bai hurriedly explained: "We didn't discuss it in advance, it's just that you mostly stayed in the county government during this time, and we couldn't find a suitable opportunity to discuss with you......

Ishihara nodded and asked, "So, what are you going to do?" ”

"What else can I do? It's nothing more than ...... like that" Speaking of this, Xu Bai asked Ishihara: "Ah Yuan, let me ask you first, do you really want to take care of it?" I mean the Black Tiger Thief. …… You know better than a few of us about this group of people, this gang of thieves is different from the ones we have encountered, and even the county government has no way to ...... them now."

From the side, Wang Ping interjected: "Yes." If we want to avenge Ah Chang, let's get rid of Yang Tong, and we can be regarded as worthy of Ah Chang, although Yang Tong didn't die in the hands of a few of us...... I think so, almost. ”

“……”

Ishihara glanced at the three brothers, nodded, and shook his head again.

Immediately, he said in a deep voice: "Although Yang Tong is dead, Zhou Hu, who took his place, is a few points more powerful than Yang Tong...... When Yang Tong was the leader of the Black Tiger Thieves, the Black Tiger Thieves were just a group of fierce bandits and robbers, but now that Zhou Hu took Yang Tong's place, the Black Tiger Thieves stretched out their hands to the county seat, and even made the county government jealous...... If you don't get rid of that Zhou Hu for a day, I think Kunyang will fall into his hands sooner or later. ”

"Won't it?" Wang Ping said in surprise: "How can I say that this is also the world of the Great Jin. ”

"I have this hunch." Ishihara said with a calm face.

After that, he frowned and thought for a moment, and said to the three brothers: "Brother, if you want to leave Kunyang to make a fortune elsewhere, I won't stop you, but I decided to stay in Kunyang and help the county lieutenant sweep away the black tiger thieves." …… You also know that now even the county government has been bribed by the black tiger thief, and even, a few of them have joined the brotherhood in a grand manner, and only a few of them are still holding on, I don't say how capable I am, but I'm really afraid that after I leave, those brothers in the county government will be coerced and surrendered by the black tiger thief one by one, and in the end, I'm afraid even the county lieutenant Ma can't ...... Stand alone. ”

"Is it so serious in the county office?" Chen Gui asked in surprise.

"......," Ishihara nodded silently.

Seeing this, Xu Bai, Wang Ping, and Chen Gui glanced at each other.

When Wang Ping and Chen Gui nodded, Xu Bai patted Shi Yuan on the shoulder and said, "Ah Yuan, brother, since you have decided to stay in Kunyang, how can we abandon you?" As you said, we have indeed discussed in advance, if you are willing to give up, then we will leave Kunyang together and continue to live a happy life like that back then; If you decide to stay in Kunyang, then we will accompany you to stay in Kunyang and continue to fight against the black tiger thief. ”

"Yes." Wang Ping and Chen Gui echoed with a smile.

"You ......" Ishihara looked at his three companions movingly, and immediately, he raised the wine bowl in his hand, nodded and said, "Don't say anything, do it!" ”

"!" Xu Bai, Wang Ping, and Chen Gui also raised their bowls and drank them all.

After drinking the wine in the bowl, Xu Bai wiped his mouth with his sleeve and said, "But having said that, we really have to find a way to get some money, otherwise in a few days, we probably won't even be able to eat." ”

From the side, Chen Gui smiled and said: "Isn't there still a black tiger righteous house, no matter how bad it is, mix into the brotherhood and find the brotherhood to borrow some money......"

"It's not funny."

Ishihara glanced at Chen Gui, and then frowned and said: "That's it, I'll talk to the county lieutenant tomorrow to see if there is still a shortage of people in the county government, and find a way to get a few of you to the county government, there are a few people and three people to help, I think Yang Dare and they can also breathe a sigh of relief......"

Hearing this, Chen Gui smiled and said, "Can you get a head catcher for a few of us?" ”

Ishihara smiled and said, "With the skills of a few of you, it is more than enough to serve as the head catcher, but the county government still has to talk about seniority, because I will ask the county lieutenant for this matter, and I will ......."

may have seen Ishihara's embarrassment, Chen Gui said with a smile: "I just said casually, with the skills of a few of us, can't we get out of the county government?" ”

"What's more, there is a stone catcher to take care of." Xu Bai teased on the side.

Just when Xu Bai and Chen Gui were teasing Shi Yuan, Wang Ping suddenly said: "If it's to get rid of that Zhou Tiger, how about we get mixed into the Black Tiger Thief?" ”

"......" Shi Yuan, Xu Bai, and Chen Gui all looked at Wang Ping in amazement.

may have seen the expressions of the three people, Wang Pingzheng said: "I didn't laugh. …… I think that even if a few of us join the county government, we may not be able to fight the black tiger thief. What can we do? Isn't there no upright person in the county office, like Ma County Lieutenant, Yang Kang, and He Feng, but do they dare to do something to the brotherhood? Can't! If the county government dares to act rashly, half of the people in the county will run to the county government to protest. In this case, it is better to sneak in with the black tiger thief and find out the details of that Zhou Hu...... If I remember correctly, we don't even know what Zhou Hu looked like, so how can we get rid of him? ”

"You say that......" Xu Bai frowned and thought for a while, then turned to Ishihara and said, "Don't the county officials know the details of Zhou Hu?" ”

"......" Ishihara also frowned and shook his head, and said: "That Zhou Hu, never appeared in front of people, the county government has not found out the details of this person so far, only know that after Yang Tong died that day, it was that Zhou Hu who took Yang Tong's place and became the leader of the black tiger thief, in addition, whether this person is a man or a woman, what he looks like, how old he is, the county government knows nothing." ”

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

Xu Bai, Wang Ping, and Chen Gui showed a little strange look on their faces.

After a long time, Xu Bai touched his chin and said, "In this case, it seems that Wang hired this proposal...... It's somewhat feasible. If we want to get rid of that Zhou Hu, at least we have to know what he looks like, right? ”

Saying that, he said to Ishihara: "It's better to be like this, Wang Ping and I will try to blend in with the black tiger thief and let Chen Gui follow you." ”

Ishihara showed a little hesitation on his face: "Mixed with the black tiger thief, this matter is extremely dangerous, in case ......"

Xu Bai said with a smile: "Now that the black tiger thieves are becoming more and more powerful in the dark, where will they care about our little people?" Wang Ping and I disguised ourselves, and we may not be able to deceive those thieves. …… Wang Ping, what do you say? ”

"You can try it." Wang Ping nodded and said.

Ishihara persuaded him a few times, but Xu Bai was a little impatient, and replied: "Do you still want to get rid of that Zhou Hu?" ”

Seeing that Xu Bai's mind had been decided, Ishihara no longer persuaded him, but only told Xu Bai and Wang Ping to be cautious.

The next day, Ishihara went to the county government and asked to see the county lieutenant Ma Gai.

I saw that in Ma Gai's class room, he asked Ma Gai with some hesitation: "County lieutenant, I don't know if there is still a shortage of people in the county office?" ”

Ma Gai was stunned when he heard this, and asked puzzledly, "What?" ”

Ishihara trusted Ma Gai very much, and even said: "My brothers are a little short of money now, and they want to find an errand, so I ......."

"Oh."

Ma Gai suddenly suddenly, nodded with a smile and said: "Your brothers are all capable people, and the county government naturally welcomes them." ”

"You won't embarrass the county lieutenant, will you?" Ishihara asked awkwardly.

"Not really." Ma Gai smiled and said, "I originally planned to recruit another batch of people......

Hearing this, Ishihara was slightly startled in his heart, and hurriedly asked, "Recruit another batch of people?" The county government is ready to make a move on the black tiger thief? ”

"Uh...... Not really. ”

Ma Gai glanced at Ishihara with a strange expression, and then explained: "Do you know Xun Yi Xun Du Post? ”

"Yes." Ishihara nodded.

"A while ago, General Wang of Nanyang sent General Ji Rong to interfere in the internal affairs of our Yingchuan County, which almost caused public indignation, and the county was very angry. …… At that time, when Xun Duyou was in Wancheng, he happened to hear that the rebels south of the river were likely to counterattack on a large scale next year, in order to prevent the rebels from affecting my Kunyang at that time, so Liu Gong decided to expand the county soldiers, not to defeat the rebels at that time, at least to have the ability to defend the county to send reinforcements, otherwise the rebels broke through the county, and the people in the city were afraid to suffer a catastrophe......"

As he spoke, he glanced at Ishihara and said meaningfully: "That's why, the county can't take care of the black tiger thief for the time being." ”

Although Ma Gai's original intention was to hope that Ishihara would always keep an eye on the black tiger thief, after all, he still admired Ishihara very much and didn't want Ishihara to lose his life in vain, but unfortunately, Ishihara didn't feel Ma Gai's intentions.

However, Ishihara is no stranger to rebel forces.

"Is there such a thing?!"

After listening to Ma Gai's words, Ishihara was shocked.

Perhaps he never thought that he Kunyang was about to face a crisis more serious than the black tiger thief.

No!

Not only him Kunyang, it should be said that the catastrophe of the whole world, if the rebels south of the river really launched a large-scale counteroffensive.

Seeing Ishihara's face change drastically, Ma Gai was slightly stunned, but quickly reacted and asked, "It seems that you are no stranger to the rebel army?" I remember you saying that you and several of your companions fought against the rebels in Jiangxia in response to the garrison's call-up, right? ”

"Hmm." Ishihara nodded solemnly, and said with a solemn expression: "If the rebels really launch a large-scale counteroffensive next year, it will not only be a disaster for me Kunyang, but also a disaster for the whole world......

After a pause, he added: "The rebels are okay, the rebels generally have strict military discipline, they will not attack ordinary people, they will only deal with the rich gentry and famous families, and what they are afraid of is the 'Green Forest Righteous Army' that follows the rebels......."

"The Green Forest Rebels?" Ma Gai frowned: "What's that?" ”

"A bunch of reckless robbers who boast about themselves." Ishihara snorted coldly and said: "Compared with the rebels, the 'Green Forest Rebels' are even better than the bad, some are still clean and self-conscious, just responding to the rebels, while others are purely bandits and robbers, following the rebels in the name of the 'rebels', taking the opportunity to kill people and set fires, loot and commit adultery, and do all kinds of evil...... When I was in Jiangxia, the rebels turned a blind eye to the ugly things of these so-called 'Green Forest Righteous Army' in order to let these reckless robbers contain the local army......"

Speaking of this, he clenched his fists and said to Ma Gai: "County lieutenant, this matter should be reported to the county immediately and the surrounding townships and counties should be reminded. ”

"Rest easy." Ma Gai pressed his hand and said with relief: "Yesterday, Xun Du Post went back to the county, and he will naturally report to the county." ”

Speaking of this, he couldn't help but think of Xun Yi's weak look when he sent Xun Yi off yesterday.

"Huh."

He couldn't help but laugh immediately.

"County lieutenant?" Ishihara looked at Ma Gai with some puzzlement and asked, "Why is the county lieutenant laughing?" ”

"Ugh." Ma Gai coughed and explained, "Suddenly one thing came to mind...... Interesting thing. ”

"Interesting?"

Ishihara glanced at Ma Gai and nodded in understanding.

Because he suddenly remembered that the county lieutenant in front of him seemed to have negotiated with the Wang family in Qianjie and was ready to accept the Wang family as a concubine......

『…… It seems that the county lieutenant Ma really likes the Wang girl, no wonder there was a discord with Liu Xianling for this woman......

Ishihara nodded abruptly.

Probably a little unnatural stared at by Ishihara's strange look, Ma Gai coughed and diverted the topic: "Ahem, you just deliberately asked your three companions to serve in the county government, right?" No problem, I'll add the names of the three of them to ......."

Hearing this, Ishihara hurriedly explained: "It's not three people, only Chen Gui alone. ”

"Huh?"

Ma Gai was stunned and asked, "What about the other two?" ”

"This ......"

Ishihara hesitated for a moment, but in the end, out of trust in Ma Gai, he said in a low voice: "I discussed with several of my companions, and intended to let Xu Bai and Wang Ping disguise themselves to blend in with the Black Tiger Thief, and help the county government find out the details of Zhou Hu, the leader of the Black Tiger Thieves, and not to wait for an opportunity to get rid of that Zhou Hu, at least to find out the details of that Zhou Hu." ”

“……”

Ma Gai opened his mouth, a little shocked by the bold ideas of Ishihara and the others.

After thinking for a while, he whispered: "Ishihara, this matter is too dangerous, besides, the county's top priority is not to eradicate the black tiger thief, but to prepare for the large-scale counteroffensive of the rebels in the coming year......"

"I understand." Ishihara nodded and said: "But the black tiger thief is my Kunyang's henchman after all, not to mention, the county government still doesn't know anything about that Zhou Hu, whether it is a man or a woman, what it looks like, how old it is, how can this bring that Zhou Tiger to justice?" ”

After a pause, he added, "Don't worry, Magai, I'll tell my two companions to be careful. ”

“…… All right. ”

Ma Gai glanced at Ishihara and nodded slightly.

That night, Ma Gai came to the empty house next door to the Black Tiger Yishe as agreed and met with Chen Cai, Ma Hong, and Zhang Feng.

Chen Cai, Ma Hong, and Zhang Feng are all the leaders of the Black Tiger Thieves, and as for Ma Gai, let's count it half.

After they sat down, Chen Cai first asked Zhang Fengdao, "Zhang Feng, what is the result of your contact with the local family?" Will they give a fortune? ”

"Still talking." Zhang Feng frowned and said: "Most of those people don't believe in the rebels, and even respect their own identities, and refuse to talk to me, just asking me when Chen Zu will return to Kunyang?" I think about it, and I have to come forward with Chen Zu......"

Chen Cai shook his head and said, "Chen Zu is dredged up in the county and the officials in the county are enveloped, so he can't come for the time being." Speaking of this, he frowned, and said with an unhappy face: "Rat-eyed people, if the rebels attack Kunyang in the future, do they think they can be alone?" ”

On the side, Ma Hong sneered: "What are you afraid of? When the time comes, let's rob those families in the name of the rebels. …… Disobedient guys, what to leave them for? ”

"......" Ma Gai glanced at Ma Hong expressionlessly.

may have noticed Ma Gai's gaze, Ma Hong laughed, and apologized without sincerity: "Hehe, it's mine, it's not me, I actually said such things in front of the county lieutenant, for the sake of you and my family's face, the county lieutenant should not be surprised." ”

"Hmph." Ma Gai snorted lightly, and without waiting for Chen Cai to ask, he said to himself: "The county is already hoarding grain and grass and recruiting county officials...... I wonder what Chief Zhou thinks about the rebels. ”

"What do you want to ask?" Chen Cai asked with a chuckle.

Ma Gai said in a deep voice: "About the rebels, I chatted with Ishihara for a while, you know that he once responded to the garrison's call in Jiangxia and fought with the rebels, according to him, when the rebels revolted, they were often accompanied by the 'Green Forest Righteous Army', these 'Green Forest Righteous Army' were mixed, some were still clean, and some were all evil, and the rebels needed these people to contain the army, so they often turned a blind eye to the evil deeds of these people. And these so-called 'Green Forest Rebels' are actually reckless thieves who take advantage of the fire to rob...... I wonder, what choice will the Black Tiger Thief make then? Fight the enemy side by side with me Kunyang, or respond to the rebels and fall into the ground? ”

Chen Cai smiled and asked Ma Gai, "Why don't you ask the leader about this matter yourself?" You know, the chief lives at the Baiji Inn. ”

Ma Gai frowned, and only after a while did he say in Chen Cai's laughter: "...... I'll ask, but I'd like to hear from a few of you first. ”

"Hey." Chen Cai didn't break through Ma Gai's heart, touched his chin and said with a smile: "How can I say it, I'm still very satisfied with it now, as for the leader...... He probably won't tolerate the rebels coming in Kunyang, you can rest assured. ”

Ma Gai nodded slightly.

At the end of the meeting, Ma Gai grabbed Chen Cai, whispered about Ishihara's people, and immediately entrusted Chen Cai to say: "Ishihara's companions have all fought with the rebels, and it is a pity to kill them, if you keep them, they will be of great use in the future, such as dealing with the rebels next year......"

"These guys are really bold."

Chen Cai chuckled and shook his head, and then said to Ma Gai: "I don't have a bad impression of that kid in Ishihara, but you know, I have to tell the leader about this matter." …… But don't worry, the leader should not harm them, the leader has always been very tolerant of talented people......"

"Please." Ma Gai clenched his fists.

At the same time, Zhao Yu was in the room of the Baiji Inn, reading a letter from Luyang County.

This letter was written by Liu Wei in the name of a private person from Luyang County, and there was also a transcription of the official document in it.

“…… After Zhang Jing, the general stationed in Jinan, it was confirmed that Zhao Jing, the township marquis of Luyang County, Nanyang County, had no collusion with the rebels, and was suspected of being killed by traitors and killed people. After seeing that the Zhao family of Luyang had no heirs, Zhao Bing, the second son of the 'Linzhang Zhao family', was allowed to succeed Luyangfang, inherit the title, and inherit the incense. ……”

Looking at the official document in his hand, Zhao Yu was in a really complicated mood.

The good news is that no matter what, Zhang Jing, who is the Five Tigers of Chenmen, really spoke for him Luyang Zhao in the imperial court, clearing his stigma of Luyang Zhao's collusion with the rebels.

The bad news is that out of nowhere, a Linzhang Zhao family appeared and was ready to send his second son Zhao Bing to inherit his title and family property of the Luyang Zhao family......

The two offset each other, and Zhao Yu didn't know if this was good news.