On 15 March, Xun Yi, the governor of the western region, arrived in Kunyang County in a horse-drawn carriage, but he did not stop at the county seat, but went straight to the north of the county, and came to the joint camp of the county army of the five counties.

At the end of the first month of this year, Xun Yi went to Ye County to meet Yang Ding as the messenger of Li Min, the county guard, and personally handed over the letter written by Li Min himself, and today is the second time Xun Yi and Yang Ding met.

Although it was the second time they met, Xun Yi's attitude towards Yang Ding was not kinder than the first time, from beginning to end, Xun Yi had a strained face, and said his intention without a smile: "Lord County Shou sent Xun to negotiate with the black tiger thief. ”

And then it's gone.

Even a fool can see that Xun Yi has a great opinion of Yang Ding, and Yang Ding, as a party concerned, has even more clear feelings.

But Yang Ding really wanted to make a good relationship and get along with Xun Yi, an official in Yingchuan County, so he said kindly: "Xun Duyou is planning to go straight up the mountain to talk about Zhou Hu?" It's better to let my family escort Wei Chi to protect ......"

Hearing this, Wei Chi took a step forward and hugged his fist towards Xun Yi, indicating that he was willing to follow Yang Ding's instructions to protect Xun Yi along the way.

However, Xun Yi didn't appreciate it at all, and after glancing at Wei Chi, he said flatly: "Forget it, Yang County Order has done enough recently, let's take a good rest." ”

Hearing these secretly prickly words, Yang Ding, Wei Chi, and Wei Dong all frowned.

I saw Yang Dingchao arching his hand towards Xun Yi, and asked in confusion: "Xun Inspector, where did you offend Inspector Post?" Why did the two meetings meet, and the superintendent has a cold face? ”

Xun Yi glanced at Yang Ding deeply a few times, until the latter bowed again, his attitude seemed to be quite humble, and he said meaninglessly: "Probably because Yang County Order completely forced a group of misguided people who could have recruited an army to the opposite side of the government, and planted the root cause for no reason?" ”

“……”

Yang Ding couldn't help but be dumbfounded, he looked at Xun Yi with some surprise.

At this time, he finally realized that the Xun Duyou in front of him was actually a county official who 'supported the Zhao'an Black Tiger Thief'.

From the side, Wei Chi heard Xun Yi's words, and said unhappily: "Xun Duyou, Wei doesn't think that the black tiger thief is a 'misguide'. The Black Tiger Thief is the king of the mountain and plunders passing caravans, although he does not kill indiscriminately, but this is not enough to justify forgiveness...... Isn't it ridiculous that just because the black tiger thieves 'don't kill indiscriminately', the post supervisor thinks that this thief's heart is not bad, but he turns a blind eye to the frequent plundering of goods by this group of thieves in my Ye County? ”

"Wei Chi." Yang Ding frowned and drank lightly from Wei Chi.

Seeing that his young master was drinking, Wei Chi hugged his fist towards Xun Yi, and said without arrogance or humility: "Xun Inspector, Wei did not deliberately contradict it, but he did not agree with Inspector's statement. The thieves are first-class, how can they be tolerated when they hear the news and ask for it? The young master of my family called on the five counties to crusade against the black tiger thief, after the matter was completed, the benefit was by no means only my Ye County, Runan, Xiangcheng, and Kunyang could all profit, this is a righteous move, why did it go to the mouth of the governor, but it became a 'gratuitous bane'? ”

Xun Yi quietly waited for Wei Chi to finish speaking, and after he finished speaking, he said lightly: "However, Xun didn't see Runan and Xiangcheng profit from it...... As for the bane mentioned below, Xun's visit this time is the best proof. ”

Hearing these secretly sarcastic words, Yang Ding, Wei Dong, and Wei Chi all changed their faces slightly.

Stretching out his hand to stop his son as a gesture, Wei Dong frowned, and although his face was unhappy, he still said in a gentle tone: "Xun Duyou, you are too rude. ”

Xun Yi smiled, learned Wei Chi's actions, and said: "Yang County Order, and this old man, Xun did not intend to contradict, but did not agree with this statement. The reason why Kunyang wants to 'recruit the black tiger thief' is not because the black tiger thief 'does not kill indiscriminately', but because it is 'not easy to suppress', I believe you have a deep experience. …… Since the black tiger thief is not easy to suppress, and he does not kill indiscriminately, and the thief leader Zhou Hu is also a reasonable person, why not persuade him to reason and induce him to surrender to the Kunyang government? What could have been achieved without bloodshed, but it got to the current situation, so that Zhou Hu deliberately abandoned the secret and turned to the light, but Yang County's order had the intention to suppress the thief, but it was difficult to succeed, although there were thousands of men and horses, but they could only waste grain and grass here......"

His words can be said to be quite unsympathetic, but fortunately, Yang Ding, Wei Dong, and Wei Chi are not impulsive people, although they are unhappy, they will not have seizures.

Or that he didn't dare to attack, after all, everything Xun Yi said was true.

"I'm ashamed."

After listening to Xun Yi's words, Yang Ding said with a little shame: "It's strange that Yang first came to Ye County as an official, and he is bent on what he will do for Ye County......

Compared with Wei Chi's rebuttal, Xun Yi could accept Yang Ding's explanation at this time, after all, in his opinion, Yang Ding's bent desire to eradicate the black tiger thief was nothing more than to use this credit to better govern Ye County.

It can only be said that Yang Ding underestimated the Black Tiger Thief - the Black Tiger Thief is completely different from the ordinary kind of thieves and robbers who only rob houses.

Shaking his head slightly, Xun Yi arched his hand towards Yang Ding, and then turned around and left the tent.

After he left, Wei Chi took a few steps forward, lifted the tent and looked at Xun Yi's departing back, frowned and turned his head to Yang Ding and said, "Young master, this Xun Yi is really rude...... He is so hostile to us, could it be that he has some collusion with the black tiger thief? ”

"Not really."

Yang Ding shook his head slightly and said, "If this Xun Du Post really colludes with the Black Tiger Thief, then he shouldn't show hostility towards us...... Anyway, now we need this Xun Governor to talk about Zhou Hu. ”

The Wei father and son nodded slightly.

At this time, Xun Yi had already left the camp of the Yexian County Army, and only took the two escorts with him to go up to Black Tiger Mountain.

Along the way, the two guards were vigilantly looking around, and their expressions were even a little panicked, but Xun Yi was much calmer, and slowly ascended the mountain along the narrow mountain road of the cobweb, looking very calm.

Not long after, their group met the Black Tigers on duty, who were Liu Tu with Xu Bai, Wang Ping and others.

Liu Tu didn't recognize Xun Yi, but Xu Bai and Wang Ping recognized Xun Yi's post overseer uniform, and they were afraid that Liu Tu would kill a good person by mistake, so they hurriedly informed Liu Tu about the official uniform.

"Officer?"

Liu Tu was very surprised, so he took Xu Bai, Wang Ping and others out to meet Xun Yi, and said to Xun Yi as if he was half-threatening: "This is Black Tiger Mountain, where are you an official?" If you stumble into this place, get out of here! ”

Seeing a group of black tiger thieves suddenly jumping out in front of him, the two guards beside Xun Yi were so shocked that their whole bodies tensed, but Xun Yi was very calm, and said in a deep voice: "I am Xun Yi, the governor of the western part of Yingchuan County, and I have met with your Zhou leader in Kunyang. ”

came out to rob for so many years, and for the first time encountered a person who threatened him in turn, Liu Tu was also stunned for a long time.

But he didn't get angry, after all, he was also frightened by Xun Yi's origin.

It's no wonder, after all, for ordinary people, county-level officials are already unattainable, let alone the envoys of a county guard?

Xu Bai and Wang Ping, who were on the side, also widened their eyes in shock.

Because Zhao Yu, Guo Da and others did not inform the brothers in the village that they sent people to attack Runan and Xiangcheng counties, Xu Bai and Wang Ping naturally did not know what was going on, so that they actually alarmed Yingchuan County.

At this time, Liu Tu finally reacted, pointed to one of his black tigers and said, "You, go to the main village immediately to report." ”

"Yes!" The Black Tiger hurried away.

However, Xun Yi didn't want to stand here and wait, so he immediately took two guards and prepared to go up the mountain.

Seeing this, Liu Tu immediately ordered Xu Bai, Wang Ping and others to stop him, but he didn't expect Xun Yi to say to Liu Tu after being stopped: "There are only three people in my group, are you still afraid that Xun Mou will have any conspiracy?" ”

As he spoke, he ignored Liu Tu, Xu Bai, Wang Ping and the other black tiger thieves who were looking at each other, and went up the mountain with the two guards.

"It's worthy of being an official in Yingchuan County, so powerful......

Glancing at Liu Tu, who was a little stunned, Xu Bai and Wang Ping glanced at each other and secretly praised in their hearts.

It was the first time they had encountered an official with such momentum in the face of a black tiger thief.

Not only Xu Bai and Wang Ping thought so, but the two guards around Xun Yi were even more impressed by the latter, and one of them praised from the bottom of his heart: "Although the superintendent is a scribe, his courage is far better than that of the two lowly officials, no wonder the county guard sent the superintendent to advise you on the black tiger thief." ”

From the side, another guard also nodded repeatedly.

Xun Yi was stunned, slightly embarrassed.

Coughing, he pretended to be serious and said, "Ahead is where the black tiger thief's lair is, remember to be cautious in your words and deeds." ”

The two guards nodded again and again: "Don't worry, the two of us will definitely only look forward to the post." ”

After a short time, Xun Yi and his entourage, as well as Liu Tu, Xu Bai, Wang Ping and others who followed them from afar, came to the main village of Black Tiger.

At this time, Zhao Yu also learned the news in the cottage and was very surprised.

Of course, it was not difficult for him to guess that Xun Yi must have come here for Liu Yi and Wang Yong's family, but he was still surprised that Yingchuan County learned the news so quickly.

Why?

Because without the order of Li Min, the county guard of Yingchuan, even if Xun Yi learned that he sent someone to kidnap Liu and Wang, he would definitely not come here to meet him openly, after all, they had a secret ulterior relationship with each other.

And now that Xun Yi came to see him in such a high-profile manner, it can be seen that he must have received an order from the Yingchuan County Guard.

So the question is, why did Yingchuan County learn the news so quickly? Who the hell poked it out? Liu Wei? Xun Yi? Or ...... Yang Ding?

Surprised, Zhao Yu immediately took Jingnu and Niu out of the village to greet Xun Yi.

His move was not only to give face to Li Min, the guard of Yingchuan County, but also to Xun Yi, after all, Xun Yi is also a person who wants to be faced.

Sure enough, Zhao Yu's move made Xun Yi's tense face relax slightly.

Although there were two people with tiger masks standing at the entrance of the cottage, Xun Yi still recognized Zhao Yu at a glance - who let Zhao Yu stand there with his hands behind his back?

"Leader Zhou, don't come unharmed."

"Haha, Xun Du Post, goodbye last time, how are you doing lately?"

At the gate of the cottage, Zhao Yu and Xun Yi saluted each other and said polite words that were not nutritious.

This made Liu Tu, Xu Bai, Wang Ping and others who followed Xun Yi stunned, Liu Tu was obviously surprised that this Xun Yi really knew their leader, while Xu Bai and Wang Ping were the opposite, they were shocked that Zhou Hu actually recognized the officials in Yingchuan County.

After some greetings, Zhao Yu invited Xun Yi to his house.

When he was about to come to his house, he cast a color on the Silent Maiden.

Jingnu immediately understood, and after Xun Yi walked over, she stretched out her hand to stop the two guards accompanying him, and said calmly: "Please stay here." ”

Although the two guards were surprised that the person with the tiger mask was actually a woman, they didn't want to accept it, and said in a deep voice: "The two of us are Xun Duyou's guards, how can we leave the left and right lightly?" ”

That being said, they didn't dare to be presumptuous in the black tiger thief's lair, so they had to look at Xun Yi.

It's a pity that Xun Yi is also a little inconvenient for the two of them to tell the leader of the black tiger thieves around him when they hear it, and naturally he doesn't want the two guards to follow, so he nodded and said, "It's okay, you two can stay here." ”

The adults in their own family said so, and the two guards had no choice but to stay, watching Zhao Yu and Jingnu walk into the room in the distance with Xun Yi.

They didn't dare to move, because Niu Heng and the rest of the black tiger thieves were in a circle with their arms around them, staring at them intently, and their scalps were tingling.

At this time, Zhao Yu had invited Xun Yi to the house, raised his hand and asked the latter to sit down at the table: "Please take a seat." ”

Xun Yi nodded and sat down, then looked at Zhao Yu and said meaninglessly: "Zhou Hu, you are really too bold to ......."

Without waiting for Zhao Yu to react, he saw Xun Yi leaning his head a little closer, gritting his teeth and whispering: "Attacking the county seat, killing the county guard, robbing the county order, and burning the county government, you really dare to do it!" ”

"Rest your anger, rest your anger." Zhao Yu raised and pressed it, and comforted Xun Yi with a smile, as if he was comforting an old friend.

At this time, Jing Nu poured tea and handed a bowl of water to Xun Yi.

Xun Yi thanked Jingnu, and didn't seem to be worried about anything wrong with this tea, so he drank it all in one goo, and then gasped and asked Zhao Yu: "Follow me to the bottom, how do you plan to end it?" ”

I have to say that with the attitude of the two of them, it is indeed inappropriate to have Xun Yi's two guards present.

"The county knows?"

Taking the tea brought by Jingnu, Zhao Yu asked Xun Yi with a smile: "I believe that the post supervisor came this time, I'm afraid it was also under the order of Li Junshou, right?" That's a bit of a speed...... Can you tell me how the county found out? ”

Xun Yi didn't hide it, glanced at the Jing Nu who was helping him refill the tea, and said in a low voice: "It's Yang Ding, he wrote a letter and sent someone to the county, and after the county keeper learned about it, he called back to Xuchang who was still watching the situation in Kunyang County, and reprimanded him in person......

"Oh?" Zhao Yu was slightly stunned, and after thinking about it, he suddenly understood, and said with a smile: "I just said that why Yang Ding has been delaying time these days, it turned out that he was waiting for Yingchuan County to come forward, ha, this guy is also cunning, and he is unwilling to take responsibility for Liu and Wang......"

"Don't talk about him." Xun Yi glared at Zhao Yu, and said with a sneer: "If it weren't for Yang Ding's letter, Xun would still be in the dark at this time, and I didn't know that Leader Zhou had done such a big thing!" …… Leader Zhou is really powerful, dare ordinary people don't dare! Admire! Admire! ”

Zhao Yu was amused by Xun Yi's weird words.

It may be that the two have become acquainted with each other, and he didn't feel that Xun Yi's words were harsh at all, he said with a smile: "Don't be sarcastic about Zhou, the reason for this matter is clear." Then Yang must have been provoked by me? No. Since the post governor conveyed General Wang Shangde's warning to me that day, Zhou gradually restrained the brothers in the village to go down the mountain to rob the caravan of the merchants in Yexian County, but there were many brothers in the village, and the brotherhood in Kunyang needed to spend money to hire people, so it was temporarily unable to support the cottage...... There are so many people in the village, you can't drink the northwest wind, right? …… Anyway, since I agreed to supervise the post that day, then I, Zhou Hu, will definitely do it, but the time limit needs to be relaxed. But even so, it still provoked that Yang Ding, first the officers and soldiers of the five counties will join the alliance to encircle and suppress my Black Tiger Village, and then invite thousands of Yingchuan County soldiers, there are so many people in the cottage, if you don't want to do something else, wouldn't it be sitting still? ”

"......" Xun Yi looked at Zhao Yu quietly.

It is true that although he was extremely indignant and disappointed by Zhou Hu's rebellious behavior such as 'captive the county order and burning the yamen', in terms of reason, he also understood that Zhou Hu was indeed forced to do so this time - this was also the reason why he showed faint hostility towards Yang Ding and others.

After calming down his emotions, he lowered his voice and said: "The most hateful thing is that you sent someone to kidnap the two county magistrates, and you actually asked someone to set fire to the county government?!" …… Kidnappers are captives, what are you doing by setting fire to the yamen? Afraid that your crime is not serious enough? ”

Zhao Yu couldn't help but laugh when he heard it, and said with a smile: "This kind of thing shouldn't come from the mouth of a county official." ”

"......" Xun Yi didn't say a word, and looked at Zhao Yu coldly, as if waiting for him to explain.

Seeing this, Zhao Yu spread his hands helplessly and explained, "Okay, okay." …… The kidnapping was to force Yang Ding to comply, so that he would be afraid of virtue and prestige, and he would be jealous; The purpose of burning the yaya is to show our determination to 'not hesitate to die and break the net'. ”

Xun Yi nodded, and commented with a sneer: "Okay, this fire has completely burned your black tiger thief to the unforgivable list of the government and the imperial court, which is gratifying." ”

Zhao Yu was angry and funny when he heard it, and said helplessly: "I know that the post supervisor is very dissatisfied with Zhou, but the matter has come to this point, and it will not help the post supervisor to blame me, not to mention that this matter was not caused by me...... Or let's talk about the intention of the postal superintendent, maybe there is something about the turn of things? ”

"Hmph." Xun Yi sneered and said, "Turnaround? What do you think there is a turning point? The county guard sent me here this time to persuade you to release the two county commanders Liu and Wang, as well as their families, as well as Pei Sui, the county magistrate of Runan County......"

Zhao Yu nodded slightly and asked, "What about the conditions?" ”

Hearing the word condition, Xun Yi's eyes flickered, and he didn't answer immediately.

Seeing this, Zhao Yu obviously felt that something was wrong, and said tentatively: "Supervising the post? ”

I saw Xun Yi struggling, stretched out his hand and picked up the tea that Jingnu had added for him, and after taking a sip, he lowered his head and said calmly: "Regarding the conditions, Lord Yingchuan instructed me when I came, can I ...... It's up to you......"

Zhao Yu was stunned for a moment, and immediately understood.

The conditions that can be allowed to be opened by him means, in a sense, that Li Min, the warden of Yingchuan County, has no intention of fulfilling it at all.

Xun Yi can reveal this information to him, which can be called benevolence and righteousness.

"The Quiet Girl."

Zhao Yu beckoned Jing Nu to approach, and whispered a few words to her.

Jingnu nodded, and after glancing at Xun Yi with a slight hesitation, she turned around and walked out of the room.

Although Xun Yi noticed Jingnu's departure, he was in no mood to ask, holding the tea bowl without saying a word, as if he was thinking about something.

After a short time, Jingnu went and returned and handed two pieces of paper to Zhao Yu.

After Zhao Yu took it, he spread out the two pieces of paper and spread them on the table.

Xun Yi was stunned, took a closer look, and found that it was the confession he signed that day, and there was still a ...... owed to Zhou Hu That money.

"What do you do?" mistakenly thought that Zhou Hu was going to threaten himself with this, Xun Yi was shocked and angry.

Unexpectedly, as soon as the words fell, I saw Jingnu bring a lit oil lamp to the table.

Xun Yi was stunned for a moment, and then saw Zhao Yu take the two pieces of paper and light a corner with an oil lamp.

"You ......" Xun Yi pointed to the two pieces of rapidly burning paper, and then looked at Zhao Yu, his face moved.

It didn't take long for the two pieces of paper to burn out.

Glancing at the ashes on the table, and then at Zhao Yu, Xun Yi suppressed the emotions in his heart and said in a low voice: "Without those two things, what will you use to blackmail me in the future?" ”

Zhao Yu shook his head slightly and said: "I watched the postal supervision, it is not these two things that can be coerced, the reason why the postal supervision cooperated before, is just because I, Zhou Hu, did not touch the bottom line in the heart of the postal supervision." Moreover, Zhou never thought of using this thing to blackmail the superintendent of post, and the reason why he forced the superintendent to sign this thing was only because the superintendent was sometimes too upright, and he couldn't rub the sand in his eyes, so he didn't get along, so he made this decision......"

Hearing this, Xun Yi was very useful, and was about to speak, but saw Zhao Yu say again: "Regarding Li Junshou's true attitude, with the position of the post supervisor, there is no need and should not be revealed to me, but the post supervisor still told me that just for this friendship, Zhou can no longer use these things as a threat...... I believe that even without these things, Zhou Hu can still be friends with the superintendent. ”

“……”

Xun Yi stared at Zhao Yu deeply.

The other party's words, he was quite touched and moved.

It is true that he revealed the true attitude of the county guard Li Min to Zhou Hu, which did go against his position as a county official, but he never expected that Zhou Hu would burn the handle used to blackmail him in return.

It's a bit ridiculous to say, but he was really touched by a bandit......

"Be friends?"

Xun Yi shook his head inexplicably, and then said with a straight face: "Then we have to wait for you to pass this level first...... When you sent people to attack the second county, did you ever think about how to end it? ”

"Drag!" Zhao Yu didn't hide it, and said truthfully: "If the rebel army south of the river really has any big action this year, then when it violates the border, it will be the time for me to atone for my crimes!" …… At that time, I will fight against the rebels while absorbing the displaced people, even if the county refuses to be compatible at that time, I believe that I will not dare to act rashly, and then we will be at peace with each other. Otherwise, I would have to go into exile with my brothers. ”

“……”

Xun Yi was secretly frightened when he heard it.

At the moment, the black tiger thieves with only a few hundred people are already so tricky, if they absorb the displaced people in the future, then what will they do?

Reason and his duty as a county official told him that he must not let a group of bandits become bigger, even if this group of bandits does not kill indiscriminately, otherwise it will be out of control in the future, and I am afraid that Yingchuan County will have to be bogeyed.

But......

Glancing at the ashes on the table, and then at Zhao Yu, Xun Yi, who had been struggling for a long time, finally let out a long sigh.

While sighing, he secretly smiled bitterly and laughed at himself.

Li Min, the county guard, sent him to talk about Zhou Hu, however, he was told by Zhou Huce in turn......

“…… I'll help you secretly. ”

"Thank you."