In late May, the Black Tiger Village annexed Xu He, Yu Rong, and Yuan Xu's three cottages, and led the ten village thieves to crusade against the only remaining betrayer Cai Cheng, which made the Black Tiger Village become the most powerful cottage in the eastern mountain of Yingshan, and there were no less than 300 strong thieves in the village.

And this also made Yang Tong one step closer to the goal of dominating Yingshan, and he was ecstatic, and once again sent people to invite the rest of the Jiuzhai owners to the Black Tiger Village to go to the banquet and drink.

I have to say that after receiving this invitation from Black Tiger Village, except for Liu Heimu, the other eight village owners were a little wary in their hearts.

For example, Chu Jiao.

When his son Chu Yan learned of this, he sneered and said, "I think it's better not to eat this meal, don't drink it, take your life into it." ”

What he ridiculed was the incident where Black Tiger Village killed Xu He, Yu Rong, and Yuan Xu a few days ago.

At that time, everyone present thought that Yang Tong had forgiven Xu He, Yu Rong, and Yuan Xu, so they invited the three to the big house to drink, but they didn't expect to drink, Guo Da suddenly broke in with a team of thieves and cut Xu He, Yu Rong, and Yuan Xu into a pool of blood.

To put it mildly, if Yang Tong was ruthless at that time and even killed the rest of the Jiuzhai Zhai Lords together, people such as Chu Jiao, Chen Zu and others would have almost no chance to resist, because they didn't expect Yang Tong to use such a trick.

The lesson of the previous car and the teacher of the rear car, now Yang Tong sent someone to send an invitation, Rao is Chu Jiao was a little stunned.

But in any case, Yang Tong's face still has to be given, after all, Black Tiger Village is currently the most powerful cottage in the eastern part of Yingshan Mountain, if they offend Yang Tong, they may end up like Cai Cheng.

"What if Yang Tong turns his face?"

His son, Chu Yan, frowned and asked: "Now that the Black Tiger Village is getting stronger and stronger, they no longer need the rest of our Jiuzhai to help him resist the Kunyang officers and soldiers, and besides, I heard rumors that Yang Tong seems to want to dominate the entire Yingshan, if this is the case, he may try to get rid of us." ”

Chu Jiao stroked his beard and pondered for a moment, shook his head and said, "Yang Tong is this person...... has always been ambitious, and it can be seen from his self-proclaimed 'Tiger of the Mountain', but his father thinks that he may not be incompatible with us, do you remember Liu Heimu? As far as I know, Yang Tong is now a brother and brother to Liu Heimu, and he probably wants to win over Liu Heimu and persuade Liu Heimu to defect to his Black Tiger Village......"

After a pause, he said again: "If Yang Tong wants to kill me and the other nine, he can do it when he kills Xu He, Yu Rong, and Yuan Xu that day, but he didn't do it, so it can be seen that he thought about subduing the cottage of my nine people...... Oh, although the Black Tiger Village is strong now, if you want to dominate Yingshan, it is obviously far from enough. In short, go and see the situation first, and act on the opportunity. ”

Although Chu Yan somewhat disagreed with his father-in-law's opinion, he also understood that he should not offend Yang Tong in the current situation.

On May 25, Chen Zu, Liu Heimu, Chu Jiao and other Jiuzhai owners gathered in Heihu Village again.

To be precise, since the last time the cottages joined forces to defeat Cai Ying, Liu Heimu simply did not return to his cottage and has been living in the Black Tiger Village.

Speaking of this Liu Heimu, since he heard the allusion of 'a daughter buying horse bones' from Zhao Yu's mouth, Yang Tong regarded Liu Heimu as a breakthrough for him to subdue the rest of Jiuzhai, and he could be said to be reassuring and courteous to Liu Heimu, and he even transferred the two young women in his house to Liu Heimu to enjoy.

Although the two young women's faces were pale at the time, more desperate than desperate, Liu Heimu felt that Yang Tong was interesting and brotherly enough, so he immediately agreed to lead his thirty or forty brothers to defect to Black Tiger Village and Yang Tong.

In all fairness, for today's Black Tiger Village, Liu Heimu and the three or four bandits under him are actually not that important, the key lies in the significance - Liu Heimu is the first owner of a village to defect to Yang Tong so far, which is conducive to Yang Tong taking Liu Heimu as an example and continuing to recover the rest of the eight villages.

Setting up a banquet in the big house, seeing that the owners of the cottages in Yingshan were all in the banquet, Yang Tong was really proud in his heart.

Who would have thought that he was wanted by the Kunyang government for bullying the township, and he had to take a few brothers to make a living for Kou, and one day he could become the lord of Yingshan?

His gaze swept over Chen Mo and Wang Qing......

Once upon a time, these two strongmen who defected to his cottage once became a big trouble for him, and Yang Tong didn't know how many nights he spent guarding which of these two would take his position as the master of the village.

But now, he doesn't care.

He realized once again that Zhou Hu was right, as long as he was strong, whether it was Chen Mo or Wang Qing, he was not qualified to become a problem that bothered him, although according to Guo Da, Chen Mo and Wang Qing had been secretly recruiting the remnants of Xu He, Yu Rong, and Yuan Xu in recent days, so what?

How many people can Chen Mo and Wang Qing recruit? Aren't more people still defecting to him Yang Tong?

As the days go by, the gap between them will only widen.

Compared with......

Yang Tong glanced sideways slightly, glancing at the empty seat on the left behind him.

In the past, Zhao Yu sat in that position, but he was not here today.

『Zhou Hu ......』

Taking a sip of the drink, Yang Tong fell into deep thought.

Compared with Chen Mo and Wang Qing, in fact, what he is most worried about now is 'Zhou Hu', who is only a teenager.

Yes, not fear, but worry.

Although as the strength of the cottage became stronger and stronger, Yang Tong's heart was also expanding day by day, but one thing he knew very well was that all the things he got now came from Zhou Hu's plan for him.

The Fourteen Zhai Alliance, using the concession as a lure, lured the remaining thirteen cottages to help him resist the second encirclement and suppression of Kunyang officers and soldiers, which was Zhou Hu's strategy.

Defeating the officers and soldiers of Kunyang and forcing Ma Gai, the lieutenant of Kunyang County, to submit, was also Zhou Hu's idea.

It was still Zhou Hu's idea to lure Xu He, Yu Rong, and Yuan Xu to the Black Tiger Village, so that he could annex the Three Villages without any effort.

There is also the relocation of the cottage, and the future planning of the cottage is all Zhou Hu's handiwork.

What he Yang Tong has done the most these days is that when Guo Da asked him for instructions, he nodded and said, "Well, just do what Zhou Hu said." ”

Every time he thinks about this, Yang Tong inevitably suffers a little bit of gains and losses.

He gradually became more and more convinced that with the assistance of Zhou Hu, he would inevitably become a real 'Tiger of the Mountain', but what if Zhou Hu, this kid, changed his mind one day? What if he defected to Chen Mo or Wang Qing?

Zhou Hu, this kid, was brought up the mountain by Chen Mo after all, and Wang Qing's kid is still trying to win over Zhou Hu.

And what worries Yang Tong the most is that Zhou Hu will grow up in the future and try to take his place.

Yes, this kid is only twelve years old now, and he may not know what ambition is, he just wants to take his younger brother to find a strong tree to shade and block the rain under the big tree, but this kid will gradually grow up, and when he gradually realizes that everything he Yang Tong has now is his Zhou Hu's advice, it is difficult to guarantee that the kid will not breed any ambitions.

Don't forget, when he Yang Tong bullied the township with a few good brothers, he never dared to hope that one day he would become the lord of Yingshan.

"How can I make this boy more faithful to me?"

Yang Tong thought with a frown.

I have to say that his frown scared the rest of the Bazhai owners present, such as Chen Zu, Chu Jiao, Zhang Feng and others, and thought that Yang Tong was ready to attack them.

But when you turn your head, Liu Heimu, Guo Da, Niu Heng, Chen Mo, Wang Qing and other backbones of the Black Tiger Village are all there, drinking wine and eating meat in big bowls, no matter how you look at it, it doesn't look like you're ready to do something to them.

The only one who was not there was a kid named Zhou Hu, who used to follow Yang Tong in the past.

For the sake of prudence, Chu Jiao decided to probe the mouth.

I saw him come to Yang Tong with a wine bowl, leaned over and said with a smile: "Master Yang, do you mind if Chu disturbs?" ”

Although Yang Tong was a little displeased by being interrupted from his thoughts, he still had a good impression of Chu Jiao, after all, according to Zhao Yu and Guo Da, this Chu Jiao was probably not excluded from being incorporated into his Black Tiger Village, in other words, this is his own brother in the future.

Thinking of this, Yang Tong immediately greeted politely: "What is the master of Chu Zhai talking about?" Have a seat. ”

Seeing that Yang Tong had a kind attitude, not like he was about to attack them, Chu Jiao was also relieved in his heart, sat down on Yang Tong's right side, and drank a bowl of wine with Yang Tong.

Immediately, he cautiously probed: "I just saw that the owner of Yang Zhai was worried, I don't know what Chu can do?" ”

"This ......"

Although Yang Tong could hear that Chu Jiao was showing goodwill, and he was very happy in his heart, the things he considered in his heart were not easy to reveal to Chu Jiao.

Seeing this, Chu Jiao also immediately understood, and immediately diverted the topic very familiarly: "Anyway, why don't you see Zhou Hu's little brother today?" ”

Seeing that Chu Jiao didn't open which pot to mention, Yang Tong subconsciously frowned.

Suddenly, he seemed to think of something, and a thought flashed in his heart, and he asked Chu Jiao: "Master Chu Village, as far as Yang knows, Lingzi was not adopted by Lord Chu Village?" ”

Rao is Chu Jiao, and he didn't expect Yang Tong to ask about his son Chu Yan, so he misunderstood, and said cautiously: "Yes." …… Ah Yan lost his parents when he was young, and he had nowhere to go, so he went to Chu's cottage, and I saw that he was clever and sensible, so I accepted him as my son. …… If the owner of Yang Zhai takes a fancy to my son, Chu is willing to let my son work for the owner of Yang Zhai. ”

Lost his father and mother at an early age?

With nowhere to go, so you go to the cottage?

Aren't the two brothers Zhou Hu and Zhou Jing the same?

The more Yang Tong listened, the more happy he became, waved his hand and smiled: "Don't be in a hurry...... Having said that, I'm a little curious, I don't know what the relationship between the owner of Chu Zhai and Lingzi is? ”

"How's the relationship?"

Rao is Chu Jiao was also confused at the moment, and said with a slight frown: "I treat him like a son, and he regards me as a father...... I don't know why the owner of Yang Zhai asked this? ”

"Whatever you want, whatever you want. …… Come, drink. ”

"Oh......"

Looking at Yang Tong, who suddenly looked excited for some reason, Chu Jiao was a little confused, but he didn't dare to disobey Yang Tong's intentions, and drank a few bowls with him.

"I have treated him as a son, and he has treated me as a Father...... What?'

Yang Tong and Chu Jiao were eating wine, and this sentence kept circling in their minds.

He knew that the brothers Zhou Hu and Zhou Jing were children of good families, born in a big family in Wannan, if it weren't for the rebels attacking Wannan, like the brothers' family background, how could they be reduced to the point of falling into the grass?

And most of the children of such big families are of good character and attach importance to feelings:

still remembers that day he killed two of his thieves in the cave in order to ensure that Ma Gai would not be suspected, and he clearly saw that Zhou Hu and Guo Da were a little unhappy - Guo Da was unhappy, that was because the two thieves had also been with them for a long time, and Guo Da regarded them as trustworthy people, but what about Zhou Hu? He didn't have much to do with the two bandits.

It can be seen that this kid is of good character.

As for the heavy feelings, you can see that this kid frequently comes and goes in the room - with his current status in the cottage, he doesn't need to work in the room at all, but he still takes his younger brother Zhou Jing to help in the room and take care of the boys in the room.

It can be seen that this kid is very emotional.

"If I take such a person of good character and affection as a righteous son......

The more Yang Tong thought about it, the happier he became.

In his opinion, as long as he accepts Zhou Hu as his righteous son and treats Zhou Hu as well as Chu Jiao treats his righteous son Chu Yan, won't all problems be solved?

From now on, there is no need to worry that Zhou Hu will betray him, it's a big deal to let this kid be the master of the Shaozhai - Yang Tong doesn't mind waiting for him to die and pass his position to Zhou Hu.

"Possible!"

The more Yang Tong thought about it, the happier he became.

After the banquet was over, Yang Tong called Guo Da to his house and told Guo Da about it.

At that time, he said to Guo Da: "Guo Da, you are the brother who has followed me for the longest time in the village now, I have always regarded you as a brother, and I want to hear your opinion on something today." ”

As he spoke, he paused, lowered his voice and said, "I want to take Zhou Hu as my son, what do you think?" ”

“……”

Guo Da was slightly stunned when he heard this: "Boss, why do you suddenly have such an idea?" Are you worried that Zhou Hu will betray you? ”

Yang Tong sighed and said, nodded and said, "Hmm." …… Zhou Hu is still young now, so he won't have any ambitions, but what about when he grows up one day? He may not be willing to be honest with me. What's more, Chen Mo and Wang Qing are still trying to win him over, and I have to guard against it. ”

“……”

Guo Da nodded thoughtfully.

After all, he also understood how important Zhao Yu was to them.

At this time, Guo Da patted Guo Da's shoulder and said with a little apology: "Guo Da, you are the brother who has followed me for the longest time, let me see what you think." ”

"This ......"

Guo Da fell into hesitation.

As Yang Tong said, Guo Da is Yang Tong's old brother, when Yang Tong took more than a dozen people to occupy this mountain village, Guo Da had already followed Yang Tong, and now in the entire cottage, there is no one more old than Guo Da.

It is precisely for this reason that Guo Da originally thought that one day when Yang Tong died, he might have a chance to take Yang Tong's place, but unexpectedly, Yang Tong said today that he was ready to accept Zhao Yu as his adopted son.

Yang Tong is the big owner of the Black Tiger Village, he regards Zhao Yu as a righteous son, then Zhao Yu seems to have become the master of the Shaozhai Village, and when Yang Tong dies in the future, Zhao Yu will undoubtedly have the name to take Yang Tong's place.

So what should he Guo Da do?

I have to say that Guo Da does have a little unhappiness in his heart.

But when he thought of Zhao Yu, the little unhappiness in his heart suddenly disappeared.

You must know that during this period of time, the entire cottage counted him Guo Da and Zhao Yu spent the longest time together, during which Guo Da and Zhao Yu discussed the big and small affairs in the cottage first, and then asked Yang Tong for instructions.

Because of this, Guo Da is very clear about Zhao Yu's ability, in his opinion, Zhao Yu is not better than anyone in the cottage in addition to being a little younger and having poor martial arts, no matter how intelligible or methodical?

At first, when Yang Tong gradually attached importance to Zhao Yu and faintly regarded him as a think tank, Guo Da also thought about competing with Zhao Yu, but after getting along for a while, he found that he really couldn't compare.

Not to mention anything else, let's just say that Zhao Yu relied on some barricades set up by bamboo sticks and vines, and easily helped the cottage repel the Kunyang officers and soldiers, Guo Da thought that he was far inferior.

Not to mention Zhao Yu's suggestion to make Ma Gai submit to his Black Tiger Village - a group of bandits actually wanted to force the highest military position of a county government to surrender, as the internal response of the cottage, such a bold idea, who would dare to imagine it? It's just lawless!

I have to say that if it were someone else, Guo Da might not be convinced, such as Chen Mo, Wang Qing, or the newcomer Liu Heimu, but for Zhao Yu......

Guo Da thought to himself that he couldn't fight.

Since you can't fight, then join in.

Although it is a pity that he can't be the 'second-generation village master', he has a good relationship with Zhao Yu, no matter whether Zhao Yu succeeds Yang Tong as the owner of the village one day in the future, then Guo Da is still the one who holds the core authority in the cottage, think about it carefully, it's not bad.

Thinking of this, Guo Da nodded and echoed Yang Tong's proposal.

Yang Tong was overjoyed in his heart, and he couldn't wait for tomorrow, so he immediately ordered Guo Da to call Zhao Yu over.

At this time, Zhao Yu was about to fall asleep with Jingnu in his arms, when he suddenly heard a banging on the door outside the house, and Jingnu's face turned pale in fright.

Zhao Yu was also taken aback, but fortunately, Guo Da's voice came from outside the house at this time: "Ah Hu, Ah Hu, you kid fell asleep so early, come and open the door." ”

Zhao Yu listened carefully, and felt that Guo Da's tone was slightly excited, although he didn't know why, he was also relieved.

"Don't panic, I'll take a look."

Zhao Yu calmly patted the back of Jingnu's hand, whispered comfort, and then walked to the door and opened it.

When he saw him, he saw Guo Da alone standing outside the house.

"Brother Guo Da, it's so late......" He looked at Guo Da puzzled.

"There are good things."

Guo Da patted Zhao Yu's shoulder with a smile and urged: "The boss asked me to call you over, I have something good to tell you." …… Quick, go get dressed. ”

"A good thing?"

Although Zhao Yu was a little confused, looking at Guo Da's expression, I didn't think Yang Tong would do anything to him.

So, he told Jingnu a few words, put on his coat and followed Guo Da to Yang Tong's residence.

The room was very quiet, and the two young women were no longer visible, and Yang Tong had already transferred them to Liu Heimu.

In the quiet room, I saw Yang Tong sitting at a table with a drunken face.

Zhao Yu stepped forward for some reason, clasped his fists and saluted: "Master Dazhai, it's so late, you asked Brother Guo Da to call me, I don't know what's the matter?" …… Did something happen in the village? ”

"No, no." Yang Tong waved his hand and said with a smile: "Everything is fine in the village." ”

As he spoke, he looked Zhao Yu up and down, and said approvingly: "Zhou Hu, I have seen your contribution to the village these days. With the help of your intelligence, now that my Black Tiger Village is getting stronger and stronger, I think that I should give you some reward. I don't know what you want? Money? Woman? ”

Zhao Yu was suddenly surprised, and suddenly, he was already a little smiling in his heart.

Money? In a den of thieves, what does he want money for?

Woman? Not to mention that he doesn't have any ideas about women physiologically now, and even if he does, he has a better choice - choose other women? Jing Nu will be sad for him.

And just when he was about to refuse politely, he saw Yang Tong waved his face, and said as if he had promised: "...... Everything is yours! ”

"What?"

Zhao Yu was a little confused, and before he could ask, he heard Yang Tong say something from his mouth.

…… Sorry, what did you say?

For a moment, Zhao Yu couldn't believe his ears.

Yang Tong?

You actually have the heart to accept him as a righteous son?!

This Yang Tong ......

A man who looked like a stepping stone in his eyes......

You want to accept him as a righteous son?

『……』

Zhao Yu faintly felt that he had been insulted.

However, Yang Tong and Guo Da seemed to be mistaken, and when they saw Zhao Yu's face showing a look of shock, they thought that Zhao Yu was speechless with excitement.

Even, Guo Da was still urging Zhao Yu on the side: "Ah Hu, what are you still standing stupidly for?" Quickly recognize your father-in-law, from now on, you will be the young master of our Black Tiger Village! …… Haha, the young master will take care of me more in the future. ”

Glancing at Guo Da who was smiling all over his face, Zhao Yu couldn't laugh.

He looked at Yang Tong quietly, guessing the reason why Yang Tong had this idea inexplicably today.

Thinking about it, he felt that there was only one possibility, and that was that Yang Tong was jealous of him.

The kings of the past dynasties, especially the new monarchs with an unstable foundation, will be afraid of the courtiers with high merit, this is called the master of high merit, although this Yang Tong and the king are not at all on the side, but considering that he Zhao Yu has made suggestions during this time, it is obvious that Yang Tong will also be jealous of him, so he wants to adopt this way of recognizing the righteous son to stabilize the relationship between the two.

So, how do you respond?

Reason told Zhao Yu that he should obey Yang Tong's idea at this moment and recognize him as his father-in-law, so as to please Yang Tong.

After all, in this way, Yang Tong has almost no defense against him, and whether he wants to attack Yang Tong or take over Black Tiger Village in the future, it will become easier to start.

On the contrary, if Yang Tong's proposal is refused, it will inevitably deepen Yang Tong's vigilance against him, although Yang Tong will not harm him in order to use him to achieve the goal of 'Lord of Ying Mountain', but he will definitely be guarded against him, treat him like he once treated Chen Mo and Wang Qing, and even send people to monitor, which will be greatly detrimental to Zhao Yu's plan.

Therefore, from the perspective of interests, Yang Tong's proposal should be agreed.

Even if it's false and wrong.

Under the expectant gaze of Yang Tong and Guo Da, Zhao Yu slowly raised his head and slowly spoke.

"No, forgive me for refusing!"

He refused categorically, and there was no room for maneuver in his look or tone.

For a moment, there was silence in the room.

Guo Da looked at Zhao Yu in amazement, and immediately subconsciously looked at Yang Tong, but when he saw Yang Tong, who was still full of joy, his face had completely sank at this moment.