"PS: At the beginning, Wang Yan personally came forward and coerced Zhao Yu to send troops to support Ye County, but Zhao Yu was perfunctory and refused to send troops.

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“…… Once the Jinggong Canal is completed, it will inevitably shake the interests of Ruyang and even Rushui County, and the lower officials, as the commander of Ruyang County, should give priority to Ruyang, and hope that Zhou Duwei will forgive ......me."

Ruyang County Ling Wang Dan looked at Zhao Yu and said the above words calmly.

It is true that Zhou Hu, the governor of Yingchuan, suddenly supported Luyang County, which caught this Wang County Commander a little off guard, but after calming down, this Wang County Commander felt that he didn't need to be too afraid of this Zhou Hu.

What if the tiger is the captain of Yingchuan this week? What about being appreciated by Li Min, the warden of Yingchuan County?

First, his Ruyang County is subordinate to Henan County, which is not under the jurisdiction of Yingchuan County at all, and secondly, he is still a clansman and protégé of Wang Taishi, even if Zhou Hu makes a strong request this time, it is entirely possible for him to veto it and tell the other party: No!

“……”

Taking a deep look at Wang Dan, who suddenly became serious, Zhao Yu chuckled, and then said to himself about irrelevant things: "I heard that recently, in the Yique area in the north of Guixian County, thieves are rampant? ”

“…… Be. Wang Dan glanced at Zhao Yu suspiciously, not understanding what this Zhou Duwei was doing when he suddenly mentioned Yique thief.

At this time, Zhao Yu said with a smile: "Wang Xian Ling don't worry, at the beginning of this year, Lieutenant Li Mengdu has led the Henan army back to Xinzheng, I think at the latest around May, Lieutenant Li Mengdu will send troops to encircle and suppress the Yique thieves. ”

“……”

Wang Xianling opened his mouth and asked suspiciously, "Zhou Duwei...... Acquaintance with Captain Lee? ”

"Huh."

Zhao Yu said with a smile: "Doesn't Wang Xianling know? Last year, Zhou led the army to Liangcheng to help in the war, and it happened that Captain Li Mengdu also led the army to Liangcheng, so Zhou was fortunate to get acquainted with Captain Li Mengdu, and at the request of Captain Li Mengdu, my Yingchuan County also lent hundreds of thousands of stone grain to Gui County at that time......"

"......" Wang Xianling's face gradually became a little stiff.

He can not be afraid of Zhou Hu in front of him, because this Yingchuan Governor can't control him Ruyang, but if this person knows his Governor Li Meng of Henan County, it will be very troublesome.

At this time, Zhao Yu still smiled and said: "Wang County Ling really doesn't have to worry about Yique thieves, General Xue Ao is currently stationed in Liang County, as long as Zhou and Li Mengdu are invited, General Xue will definitely send his Taiyuan cavalry to help......"

"......" Wang Xianling's face became more and more stiff.

Suddenly, his expression returned to his original state, and he said with a smile: "That's too much to elevate those Yique thieves." …… That group of Yique thieves is really hateful, and they have frequently harassed my Ruyang County recently, so that the lower officials have to devote all their energy to deal with it, so that they have no time to cooperate with Luyang County on the matter of Jinggong Canal, so they can only temporarily shelve this project, or this matter has caused a misunderstanding on the Luyang side, which is really the fault of the lower officials......"

"Where, where." Zhao Yu waved his hand and said with a smile: "Considering the consideration of Wang County's order, Zhou naturally understands that if the foreign thieves are not eliminated, how can he settle down and develop this river canal together?" ”

"Yes, yes, yes." Wang Xian Ling nodded again and again, and then said with a smile: "But since there are Zhou Duwei's words, Xia Guan believes that the Yique thief will be destroyed soon, in this case, it is better to let Luyang County continue the last section ......of construction, and strive to complete the canal as soon as possible, I hope that after the completion of this canal, Luyang can prosper as soon as possible."

"Nope." Zhao Yu said with a smile: "It should be to let Ruyang and Prosperity prosper together, so that it can last for a long time." ”

"Haha, what Zhou Duwei said is extremely true. …… is worthy of Captain Zhou. ”

A moment later, Zhao Yu took Ding Wu, Niu Heng, He Shun and others, and left the county government under the personal send-off of Wang Dan.

After walking out of half the street, Ding Wu glanced back at the direction of the county government and confirmed that he could no longer see the Wang county commander, so he said with a little disdain: "This guy, even Du Wei can cure him." ”

Zhao Yu smiled slightly and said: "The matter of Jinggongqu, in the final analysis, it is Luyang who has been stained with the light of Ruyang and Rushui counties, you don't have to blame others for being unhappy, if it were me, I wouldn't agree so easily." ”

Bullying the soft and afraid of the hard? Sit on both sides of the hedge?

What kind of person Wang Dan of Ruyang County is, he already knew nine years ago.

In all fairness, although this Wang Dan has all kinds of selfishness, he is still quite good on the whole, he is a smart person, if he is really a stunned young man who refuses to listen to anything, Rao is Zhao Yu and the captain of Yingchuan, and he has to run into a wall in Ruyang County.

After chuckling, Zhao Yu and Ding Wu discussed: "Since Wang Dan has relented, without further ado, Ding Duwei will immediately return to Luyang and organize people to repair the last section of the canal, I will stay in Ruyang for a few days to settle the Freemasons here for the county government." ”

"Okay."

Ding Wu nodded a little excitedly, and then clenched his fists and said, "Since this is the case, please be careful." ”

Zhao Yu chuckled and nodded.

After saying goodbye to Ding Wu, Zhao Yu took Niu Heng and He Shun around the street to inquire about the location of the general meeting of the 'Luye Freemasonry' from pedestrians.

Not long after, Zhao Yu and his entourage came to the general meeting of the Luye Freemasonry under the guidance of pedestrians.

When he saw the location of the general association, Zhao Yu's eyes showed a little surprise and nostalgia, Rao did not expect that the location of the other Luye Masonic Association, with Wei Pu as the president, was the 'Zhao's rice shop' where he lived for a while.

Once upon a time, he lived on the second floor of this rice shop, fighting with the Zheng's rice shop diagonally opposite the door.

Of course, compared with the 'Zhao's Rice Shop' back then, the area of the Freemasonry Association has increased a lot, and the houses on both sides have probably been acquired.

When I turned my head and looked at the oblique door, the 'Zheng's rice shop' in my memory no longer existed, and was replaced by a rice shop with a plaque with the words 'Lu Ye Gongji' - Wei's rice shop.

"Did Wei Tip swallow my family's shop here?"

Zhao Yu thought secretly in his heart.

He wasn't angry, after all, after he Luyang Zhao was charged with 'colluding with the rebels and plotting rebellion' by Tong Yan, his family's fields and property were basically seized and confiscated by the county government, and this is the case in Luyang County, and it is obviously the same in Ruyang County.

Therefore, Zhao Yu did not blame Wei Pu for taking the opportunity to annex his family's shops in Ruyang, on the contrary, he was very surprised, surprised that Wei Pu actually converted the 'Zhao's rice shop' where he lived back then into today's Freemason Association, I don't know if it was to miss him, or to be angry with Lu Kuang.

"It's all here, let's go and meet him."

After that, Zhao Yu took Niu Heng and his people into the general meeting of Freemasonry.

When he went in, Zhao Yu saw a row of counters on the first floor of the association, like a '冂' shape, and there were people standing behind the counters on these three sides, all of whom were young people in their twenties at first glance, some were receiving guests, and some were crackling with abacus, calculating against the bills in their hands.

"Hu, what are you doing here? I don't see what they're selling. ”

Niu Heng looked at it for a long time and didn't see what he was doing here, and asked Zhao Yu in a low voice.

Zhao Yu explained in a somewhat complicated tone: "The general association is responsible for the buying and selling and delivery of bulk goods and futures, and the objects are a caravan, a certain chamber of commerce, a certain village, or even a county ......."

Niu scratched his head horizontally, and looked at He Shun and the others, Rao is Zhao Yu tried his best to explain to them, and they also heard it in a fog.

At this time, a young man behind the counter saw Zhao Yu and his party, bowed his head politely, and immediately asked, "How many people, what are you doing?" ”

Seeing this, Zhao Yu stepped forward and said equally politely: "Excuse me, your meeting is still in charge of Wei Pu and Wei Laojia." ”

“…… Be. ”

The young man nodded and asked suspiciously, "Are you?" ”

Zhao Yu said with a smile: "Below, Zhou Hu, the governor of Yingchuan, happened to come to Ruyang this time, heard the name of President Wei, and wanted to meet with President Wei, I wonder if you can arrange it for me?" ”

As soon as these words came out, the hall was suddenly silent, whether it was the young people who were planning or the businessmen who were received by them, they all showed shocked expressions, and they all turned their heads to look at Zhao Yu.

"I—I'm going to tell the president."

The young man who received Zhao Yu hurriedly turned around and ran to the stairs.

As he left, everyone in the hall also moved closer to Zhao Yu, and a well-dressed businessman arched his hand towards Zhao Yu, and then asked with curiosity: "Your Excellency, is it really the governor of Yingchuan County?" ”

Zhao Yu smiled and said, "Pretending to be an official, this is to kill the head, isn't it?" ”

As soon as they heard this, the hearts of the merchants in the hall suddenly became hot, and they came forward to pay their respects.

At the same time, on the second floor of the general meeting, Wei Pu was sitting behind a large table full of various account books, flipping through the account books and sipping a bowl of tea slowly.

Suddenly, a rush of footsteps sounded, and in an instant, a young man hurried upstairs, and Wei Pu frowned slightly.

But just as he was scolding, he heard the young man report urgently: "President, there is a person downstairs who claims to be Zhou Hu, the governor of Yingchuan, and hopes to see the president." ”

Wei Pu was stunned for a moment, and his face suddenly showed a little surprise.

Last year, Wei Pu learned that Yingchuan County had replaced a lieutenant, and this lieutenant named Zhou Hu had also thwarted the rebel attack in Kunyang and Xuchang for a time.

Isn't it this Captain Zhou who came today?

"......" Wei Tip put down the tea bowl and stood up, pacing back and forth a few steps with an uncertain expression.

If he learned that other ordinary lieutenants came to visit, he would definitely go downstairs immediately to greet him, but this Zhou Lieutenant was not an ordinary lieutenant, because this Zhou Lieutenant attracted a group of businessmen led by Huang Fu, the son of the Huang family in Ye County, and established the Kunye Mutual Aid Association following his Luye Freemasonry.

The departure of Huang Fu and others greatly damaged the strength of the Luye Freemasonry led by his old rival Lü Kuang, which made Wei Pu feel quite gloating, but in the same way, the Kunye Mutual Benefit Association inevitably became the fierce rival of their Wei and Lü Freemasons.

If Yexian, Luyang, and even the entire northern part of Nanyang are regarded as the 'territory' of the Lü Freemasonry, and if Rushang, Ruyang, and even the entire western part of Henan County are the 'territory' of the Wei Freemasonry, then the territory of the Kunye Mutual Benefit Association is the entire Yingchuan County.

For example, in Yangzhai.

Yangzhai is located in the lower reaches of Rushui, when the Kunye Mutual Benefit Association did not exist, Wei Pu led the congregation into this county, like other county towns in Nanyang, and gradually occupied the market of Yangzhai.

However, the good times did not last long, and soon, the Kunye Mutual Benefit Society, as well as another more hidden 'Black Tiger Society', quickly entered Yang Zhai, compressing the space of his Wei Clan's Freemasonry.

For this reason, Wei Pu once visited the Yangzhai County Commander, hoping that the Yangzhai County Commander would help him resist the Kunye Mutual Benefit Association, but the county commander said that he could not help, just because the backstage of the Kunye Mutual Benefit Association was Zhou Hu, the governor of Yingchuan - he was a Yangzhai county commander, how dare he offend the governor of Yingchuan?

Therefore, even if he felt pity, Wei Pu still wisely withdrew his forces from Yangzhai County and avoided fighting with Kunye Mutual Benefit.

He retreated his forces to Yangcheng, which was headed by Zhengzhou, the son of the Zheng clan, as the county commander, after all, Yangcheng belonged to Henan County and was not under the jurisdiction of Zhou Hu, the governor of Yingchuan.

Unexpectedly, that Captain Zhou actually came to visit him today......

Why?

"Could it be that my Freemasons have offended this Captain Zhou somewhere?"

Weipu thought with a frown.

"President?" The young man saw that Wei Pu had not moved for a long time, and carefully reminded: "That Captain Zhou is still waiting downstairs." ”

Wei Pu woke up like a dream, immediately walked downstairs, walked quickly to Zhao Yu and his party, who had been surrounded by the crowd, and bowed to Zhao Yu: "I didn't know that Zhou Duwei came, I didn't welcome him from afar, and I hope to forgive my sins." ”

Zhao Yu waved his hand and immediately looked around.

Wei Pu suddenly understood, raised his hand and asked, "Please ask Captain Zhou to go up to the second floor and talk in detail." ”

Immediately, Wei Pu invited Zhao Yu and his party to the second floor, and ordered the miscellaneous servants in the meeting to serve tea.

During this period, Zhao Yu looked around at the furnishings on the second floor, and even the big table full of all kinds of account books, he also took a few looks with interest.

It stands to reason that these are all trade secrets and cannot be leaked to outsiders, but apparently Wei Pu did not dare to dissuade them.

He respectfully asked Zhao Yu: "Captain Zhou is here to visit today, I don't know what to order?" ”

Zhao Yu said with a smile: "Today Zhou is at the right time. …… Luyang's Jinggong Canal, President Wei must have heard of it, right? ”

“…… Slightly heard. ”

"That's good." Zhao Yu nodded, and then said with a smile: "Zhou will get straight to the point." …… When Zhou was in trouble in Luyang, he was taken care of by the Luyang County Ya and the Luyang Township, of course, Zhou was referring to the Jing Gong, not the one now. A while ago, Liu Gong of Luyang County sent someone to beg me, saying that the Jinggong Canal he organized and built in the county was obstructed by Ruyang, and asked me to come forward to maneuver...... Under Zhou's persuasion, Wang Xianling had already agreed to this matter, so Zhou came to visit President Wei......"

"I see."

Wei Pu suddenly realized in his heart.

Suddenly, he was also a little shocked, Liu Wei, the county commander of Luyang County, actually met Zhou Hu, the governor of Yingchuan? If you want to do this, you should have said it earlier.

He hurriedly said: "Misunderstanding, this is all a misunderstanding." …… How dare the small people obstruct the canal in Luyang County? ”

"I know."

Zhao Yu smiled and waved his hand, and said, "President Wei's move is not aimed at Lu Yang, but at Lu Kuang in Ye County, or rather, Lu Ye Freemasonry. ”

"Huh?" Wei Pu looked at Zhao Yu in surprise.

Indeed, he didn't actually want to obstruct Luyang from building the Jinggong Canal, but wanted to use this matter as a condition to ask Luyang County to drive out the Lü Freemasons and replace them with his Wei Freemasonry.

Not to mention that the two Freemasons have been enemies for many years, if he doesn't do this, the Lü Freemasons will also use the Jinggong Canal to slowly infiltrate Ruyang and Rushui counties, this is Wei Pu's territory, Wei Pu will naturally not agree.

Therefore, in the face of this choice of not advancing or retreating, Wei Pu is bound to make Luyang County compromise.

But what he never expected was that Luyang County actually invited Zhou Hu, the governor of Yingchuan, which made Wei Pu feel a kind of panic about kicking the iron plate.

Unexpectedly, the Zhou Duwei in front of him actually knew about his grievances with Lu Kuang?

He asked curiously, "Captain Zhou, do you know the grievances with Lu Kuang?" ”

"Of course."

Zhao Yu nodded, and then with inexplicable emotion, he said: "You and Lu Kuang were the right and left hands of the second son of the Luyang Zhao family when they formed the Lu Ye Mutual Aid Chamber of Commerce, and later the Zhao family was martyred, and the second son also suffered misfortune, and you and Lu Kuang turned against each other......

said that he was dead, which made Zhao Yu inexplicably awkward.

However, Wei Pu didn't hear it, he was in a hurry to defend: "Zhou Duwei, please allow me to defend, it's not that he is against Lu Kuang, but that Lu Kuang is aggressive, how can he take the place of the second son?" ”

"You don't think about it."

Zhao Yu glanced at Wei Pu.

However, although he said so, it is undeniable that what Zhao Yu told these two people back then, Wei Pu did better than Lu Kuang, and Zhao Yu had already seen these things when he was downstairs.

It's a pity that Wei Pu's power at that time was not as good as Lu Kuang's, so he was defeated in that confrontation and had to flee to Ruyang.

Considering that Lu Kuang now seems to be in love with Yang Ding, Wang Yan and other people from the Wang Taishi line, Zhao Yu pondered, it seems that he can also bring Wei Pu into the power first......

Thinking of this, he handed out a kind invitation to Wei Pu: "Has President Wei ever thought of expanding business to my Yingchuan County?" ”

"Huh?"

Wei Pu was stunned, and then his heartbeat couldn't help but speed up a little.

You must know that he gave up the market in Yangzhai County because he didn't want to offend the Zhou Duwei in front of him, but now what does this Zhou Duwei say? You want to open the entire Yingchuan County to him?

He cautiously probed: "I thought that Yingchuan County already had a Kunye Mutual Benefit Association......"

"Huh?"

Zhao Yu smiled and said, "President Wei also knows about the Kunye Mutual Benefit Association? How does it feel? ”

How does it feel?

Scold!

Wei Pu snorted in his heart, if he didn't care about the Zhou Duwei in front of him, he was fully capable of beating Huang Fu, the kid of the Huang family.

Of course, thinking about it, he naturally wants to save some face for the Zhou Duwei in front of him, after all, that Huang Fu is the person that Zhou Duwei fancies.

Therefore, he said euphemistically: "Huang Fu is indeed a good young man, but he has a fly in the ointment, he lacks experience and insight, and he was not by the side of the second son of the Zhao family back then...... I don't know if Zhou Duwei has ever met the second son of the Luyang Township Marquis, that second son can be said to be a genius in business, and I am fortunate to get the second son's mention below, so that I have today's ......"

"Aren't you just saying that Huang Fu is far inferior to you in disguise?"

Zhao Yu muttered to himself.

Although it feels a little awkward to be praised by Wei Pu in person, it is undeniable that Wei Pu and Lu Kuang, who were taught by him back then, are indeed better than Huang Fu - this can't be helped, after all, Zhao Yu has so many things now, how can he have time to teach Huang Fu, he doesn't even have time to teach Chen Cai.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yu nodded and said, "That's right, although Huang Gongzi is talented, he is indeed lacking, not as good as Elder Wei...... Speaking of which, Zhou also wants to revitalize the business affairs of my Yingchuan County, and it would be great if President Wei could help him. ”

It seems that people like Wei Pu can't understand Zhao Yu's hints, and when they heard this, they immediately smiled and said: "In the next year, nearly half a hundred people really can't afford to be so respected by Zhou Duwei, if Zhou Duwei doesn't dislike it, he is willing to serve the dogs and horses." ”

"Haha." Zhao Yu immediately smiled and said: "President Wei is too modest, if you can get President Wei's help, it is too late for Zhou to be happy, how can you dislike it?" ”

"Zhou Duwei praised it, and he didn't dare to be ashamed."

Weipp was also pleased.

Defecting to this Zhou Duwei is a great thing in his opinion, firstly, he can enter Yingchuan County justifiably, and even cooperate with the Kunye Mutual Benefit Association, and secondly, he can use the power of Zhou Hu to suppress Lu Kuang.

He will not forget that he is the orthodox of the Luye Freemasonry!

While rejoicing, he seemed to think of something, and asked for instructions: "Zhou Duwei, the merchants under my command, I believe that most of them are willing to transfer to Yingchuan, but there are a few who are unwilling, you see......"

Zhao Yu said with a smile: "Everyone has their own ambitions, and they can't be forced." And again......"

He glanced at Wei Pu and showed his connections appropriately: "Besides, you don't have to transfer the industry to Yingchuan, I am good friends with Li Meng, the governor of Henan, I will ask him to take care of one or two, even if you are not in Henan, no one will dare to covet your family property......"

"This Captain Zhou still knows Li Meng, the Governor of Henan? And it looks like a very familiar one.'"

Wei Pu was slightly startled, and said again and again: "That relationship is good, that relationship is good." ”

At this time, I heard Zhao Yu chuckle and say, "If President Wei is free these days, you might as well go to Luyang with me, maybe there will be other gains." ”

Wei Pu was stunned for a moment, and then immediately understood: this Zhou Hu was hinting to him that he could seize the market of the Lu Clan's Freemasons in Luyang.

With the relationship between this Zhou Duwei and Luyang County Commander Liu Wei, this is obviously not a difficult matter.

"Haha, in the future, I will have two counties of Henan and Yingchuan as backing, and you Lu Kuang only have the northern half of Nanyang, and even Luyang is about to fall into the palm of my hand, how can you fight with me?"

Wei Pu, who was overjoyed in his heart, was very much looking forward to fighting Lu Kuang again.

That night, Zhao Yu attended the banquet set up for him by Wang Dan, the commander of Ruyang County, and Wei Pu also brought several businessmen to go with him as an escort.

The next day, Zhao Yu returned to Luyang with Wei Pu.

What the? Zhao Yu missed the Zheng family and never visited?

There is no need, because of the matter of tuning grain, Henan County has long looked at the Zheng family unpleasantly, the Zheng family has been holding their tails recently, and they are honest, as long as Ruyang County orders Wang Dan and Wei Pu of the Wei Freemasonry Association do not lag behind, the construction of the Jinggong Canal will not be a problem.

On this day, Wang Yan also took Yao Jin, the servant of Zhao Bing, Hou of Luyang Township, to Ye County, and talked to Yang Ding, the county commander of Ye County, about what happened a few days ago.

After learning what happened, Yang Ding felt quite taboo.

In fact, he realized the unusualness of Zhou Hu a few years ago and wanted to get rid of this person in advance, but due to various reasons, he finally failed to succeed.

But who would have thought that Zhou Hu would take advantage of the rebels to rise to the top, not to mention becoming the captain of Yingchuan, and actually climbed up to Taishi Chen, so that now, Yang Ding suddenly found that he couldn't help that Zhou Hu.

He persuaded Wang Yan and said: "Brother, don't be reckless, you and I will meet with that Zhou Hu first, see what he wants to do, and then make a judgment." ”

"Okay."

Wang Yan endured his breath and nodded.