On 24 February, Yang Ding held a meeting to encircle and suppress the black tiger thieves at his station outside Kunyang County.

The meeting was held in the tent of the army in the temporary garrison outside Kunyang County, and for two reasons, Ma Gai was the last to enter the tent - at that time, Yang Ding and his generals Wei Dong and Wei Chi, as well as the county lieutenants of Luyang, Yexian, Runan, and Xiangcheng, were already seated at the long table in the tent.

"Lieutenant Ma is here? Have a seat. ”

After seeing Ma Gai walk into the tent, Yang Ding invited him to sit down with a pleasant face.

Ma Gai quietly replied to the number of salutes, and then greeted the four county lieutenants present, during this period, Yang Ding, who was sitting in the main seat, was not in a hurry, and quietly waited for Ma Gai and others to finish greetings, which shows that this Yang Ding is still quite polite in terms of etiquette.

After Ma Gai exchanged a few words with the four county lieutenants present and said hello, the five of them looked at Yang Ding in unison.

At this time, Yang Ding spoke: "Yang asked you to gather here this time, hoping to gather the 'power of the five counties' and exterminate the black tiger thief......"

As soon as he said this, he saw Ma Gai interrupt faintly: "Gather the power of the five counties? I thought that the Yang County Order did not count me Kunyang...... In fact, so far, I Kunyang has not received any invitation from Yang County to beg for thieves. ”

“……”

The four county lieutenants present, Huang Ben, Gao Chun, Zou Bu, and Ding Wu, all turned their heads and glanced at Ma Gai.

Among them, Huang Ben and Zou Bu, the two county lieutenants, showed puzzlement, because they felt that Ma Gai seemed to have some opinions on Yang Ding; In contrast, Gao Chun, the county lieutenant of Ye County, looked at Ma Gai with a slightly complicated look; Only Ding Wu looked at Ma Gai with interest at the moment, and he didn't know what he was thinking.

At this time, I saw Yang Ding smiling and said, "It seems that County Lieutenant Ma is a little forgetful." …… Have you not received an invitation to the thief? On the ninth day of the first month of this year, that is, last month, didn't Yang go to Guixian in person to discuss the matter of joint thieves with Liu County Ling, Li County Cheng, and Ma County Lieutenant? How could Lieutenant Ma blame Yang for not conveying it in advance? ”

Ma Gai opened his mouth, and it was a little difficult to refute for a while, but after a while, he immediately said: "Since Yang County Commander mentioned this matter, then Yang County Commander should also remember that I Kunyang had rejected the 'joint thief' that day!" ”

After that, he explained to Huang Ben, Zou Bu and others, who frowned when they heard this: "Since the black tiger thief made a comeback in my Kunyang County last year, my Kunyang County's attitude towards the black tiger thief has changed one after another. …… The year before last, when I Kunyang united Ye County and Runan to fight against the Black Tiger Thieves, Ding and Zou did not participate, I think the two of them probably don't know much about the Black Tiger Thieves, here I will explain first: the year before last I and Gao and Huang County Lieutenants together to encircle and suppress the Black Tiger Thieves, the leader of the Black Tiger Thieves was Yang Tong, this person was fierce and cruel, and he was really a thug of the evil party, but Yang Tong had been killed by the county guards under the leadership of Ishihara, the head catcher of Kunyang County, and now the leader of the Black Tiger Thieves, named Zhou Hu, this person was after the beginning of spring last year. led the remnants of the Black Tiger Thieves back to Kunyang from the deep mountains. The biggest difference between Zhou Hu and Yang Tong is that he does not kill people easily, nor does he hurt the people and disturb the people, only robbing the evil deeds of the caravans in the past, but he robs the caravans, only takes money and does not easily take people's lives, so I Kunyang County Ya believes that this person may have the possibility of recruiting peace. …… Since the second half of last year, my Kunyang County has tried to contact that Zhou Hu to induce him to accept Zhao'an. After several months of contact, Zhou Hu also had some intentions, and his tone gradually relaxed, but at this moment, Yang County ordered to organize the officers and soldiers of the five counties to encircle and suppress the black tiger thief, and even, through the county, put pressure on my Kunyang, asking my Kunyang to cooperate with the suppression of the thief......"

At this, he stopped abruptly and shook his head with an inexplicable smile.

I see!

Runan County Lieutenant Huang Ben and Xiangcheng County Lieutenant Zou Bu suddenly realized.

They finally understood why Ma Gai didn't seem to have a good impression of Yang Ding.

Thinking about it, Kunyang County spent a lot of energy to recruit the black tiger thief, and seeing that it was effective, Yang Ding, the county commander of Yexian County, suddenly appeared, and persuaded Yingchuan County with his connections, and put pressure on Kunyang County through Yingchuan County, so that Kunyang County was forced to cooperate with the thief.

"Let's see how Yang Ding explains this."

Except for Gao Chun and Ma Gai, the other three county lieutenants all looked at Yang Ding quietly.

At this time, Yang Ding looked at Ma Gai in surprise and thoughtfully.

I have to say that Ma Gai's position at this moment is really a bit unexpected by Yang Ding.

He originally thought that at the moment when Yingchuan County had clearly ordered Kunyang County, the Kunyang County Ya should have shown enthusiasm for the matter of begging for thieves - not to mention that this Ma Gai was suspected to be the internal response of the black tiger thief, shouldn't he pretend to be more cooperative and active?

However, this Ma Gai put on an attitude of 'I didn't want to come, but I was forced to do so by the order of the county', and he had no qualms about tearing his face.

"Is he trying to stay out of it? Still is...... What else is the reason?'

After thinking for a moment, Yang Dingzheng said: "Lieutenant Ma is angry. …… I know that the county lieutenant Ma has a prejudice against Yang, but as far as Yang knows, the thief problem in your county is quite serious. The black tiger thieves, not only a group of thieves nesting in the north of Guixian County, they have already secretly entered the county seat of Guixian County, in the name of the brotherhood to deceive the trust of the people of Kunyang, and this also makes Guixian to its rat taboo, a while ago Nanyang Army general Ji Rong is an excellent example, when Ji Rong seized the Guixian County suspected of being related to the black tiger thief workshop, the black tiger thief secretly provoked public opinion, created public resentment, and almost caused a catastrophe, it can be seen that the black tiger thief has been deeply rooted in Kunyang, if you don't try to eradicate it, The consequences are unimaginable. ”

Ma Gai glanced at Yang Ding and said calmly: "There is no definite evidence to prove that the Brotherhood is secretly controlled by the Black Tiger Thief......"

"Really?"

Yang Ding looked at Ma Gai and shook his head: "Yang knows that your county doesn't want to make a big move, so as not to implicate innocent people, but Yang thinks that this thief cannot be tolerated." …… Ma County Lieutenant thinks that Zhou Hu is not as vicious as Yang Tong? Oh, Yang doesn't see it that way. As Lieutenant Ma said, Yang Tong is just a reckless villain, and this kind of person is not to be worried; In contrast, today's Zhou Hu, who knows what is good and bad, knows how to advance and retreat, this kind of person is the most worthy of our vigilance. If Kunyang County blindly tolerates, it will inevitably be controlled by him in the future...... By then, it will be too late to regret it! ”

“……”

Ma Gai looked at Yang Ding expressionlessly.

In all fairness, he felt that Yang Ding's judgment was still very accurate, after all, he had personally experienced Zhou Hu's methods.

But there is one thing that Yang Ding guessed wrong: he Kunyang County had already fallen into the hands of Zhou Hu.

What's even worse is that whether he is the county lieutenant or Liu Bi as the county commander, he has gradually lost the persistence to confront that Zhou Hu, and even sometimes feels that this may not be bad.

Shaking his head secretly, Ma Gai said expressionlessly: "The matter has come to this, it is useless to talk more." …… Since there is an order from the county, whether it is Ma or my Kunyang County, I will help each other...... That's it. ”

With that, he folded his arms and said no more.

Seeing his attitude, a thought flashed in the hearts of the four county lieutenants present: It seems that Kunyang County cannot be counted on this time to encircle and suppress the black tiger thief.

“……”

Yang Ding frowned slightly, opened his mouth, and stopped talking.

If it were someone else, he would naturally try to persuade again, but this Ma Gai ......

He gave up.

After all, Ma Gai was once pointed out by Zhang Jing, one of the five tigers of Chenmen, as the internal response of the black tiger thief, if that General Zhang's judgment is correct, this Ma Gai is indeed the internal response of the black tiger thief, even if he Yang Ding opened his mouth up and down, he couldn't persuade him to do his best to encircle and suppress the black tiger thief.

After some thought, he decided to put the issue of Margai aside for the time being.

No matter how reluctant and perfunctory Ma Gai was in encircling and suppressing the Black Tiger Thief, he couldn't let the latter get out of the matter.

Rather than letting Ma Gai stay in the dark that he couldn't see, waiting for an opportunity to report to the black tiger thief, he would rather take Ma Gai with him, and by the way, he could also take a look to see if there was a chance for General Zhang Jing to find out the internal response of this black tiger thief - of course, provided that Ma Gai was indeed the internal response of the black tiger thief.

Thinking of this, he pretended not to notice Ma Gai's perfunctory, and said with a smile: "In any case, with the help of Lieutenant Ma, Yang believes that the encirclement and suppression of the black tiger thief will definitely be able to get twice the result with half the effort." ”

However, his words, not to mention that Ma Gai didn't believe it, he glanced at him lightly when he heard the words, and even Gao Chun, Huang Ben, Zou Bu, and Ding Wu didn't believe it.

After this not-so-harmonious episode, Yang Ding casually began to discuss with everyone the specific regulations for encircling and suppressing the Black Tiger Thief, in which he also expressed his opinion.

During this period, although Ma Gai showed a 'reluctant to cooperate' attitude, clasping his arms and closing his eyes to recuperate, but in private, he also remembered every word Yang Ding said, and was ready to inform the leader of the black tiger thieves after returning to the county seat.

It took an hour of deliberation for the meeting to come to an end.

When Ma Gai was about to leave, Yang Ding specially called out to him and said to him: "The officers and soldiers of the four counties have gathered here, and the county captain of Wangma County has also hurriedly organized the officers and soldiers to meet in the city tomorrow and go to the foot of the Black Tiger Village Mountain." ”

“…… Got it. ”

Ma Gai glanced back at Ma Gai and left with a calm face.

Looking at the back of Ma Gai leaving, and glancing at Yang Ding again, Ding Wu quietly walked out of the tent with Huang Ben and Zou Bu and returned to his tent, but Gao Chun stayed.

After Ding Wu and several other county lieutenants were gone, Gao Chun got up and walked towards Yang Ding and asked, "Your Excellency, ......?"

After just two words, he couldn't go on.

It turned out that before setting off in Ye County two days ago, Yang Ding told Gao Chun the suspicion of 'Kunyang County Wei Ma Gai or Black Tiger Thief Neiying'.

Yang Ding's reason is very simple: Zhang Jing is a good general of the dynasty known as the 'Five Tigers of Chenmen', and he is almost impossible to mistake!

At that time, when he heard Yang Ding's argument at first glance, Gao Chun was actually very disgusted.

After all, he didn't have a good impression of Zhang Jing, and he firmly believed that Ma Gai would never be the internal response of the Black Tiger Thief.

But today's attitude is ......

To be honest, Gao Chun is unacceptable, even if Ma Gai explains.

As if guessing what Gao Chun was thinking, Yang Ding shook his head and said, "I believe that General Zhang Jing will not be mistaken, but before the evidence is conclusive, you and I should not startle the snake." ”

“…… Well. ”

Gao Chun nodded slightly, and then asked, "If Ma Gai is the internal response of the Black Tiger Thief, I mean what if...... Why did the adults take him with him to fight the thief? ”

Yang Ding chuckled when he heard this: "Although for some reason, Ma Gai deliberately behaved so perfunctory and reluctant today, I guess he may want to use this to stay out of the matter." How could I allow him to report to the Black Tiger Thief behind his back? Instead of keeping him out of sight, it is better to take him with me and tell him to throw a rat trap, and dare not tell the black tiger thief the news. By the way, I can still think of a way to see if I can find evidence that he colluded with the black tiger thief and find him out. ”

Gao Chun nodded, and then said to Yang Ding: "My lord, why don't I find a way to test it?" ”

"Nope."

Yang Ding raised his hand and interrupted: "You are the county lieutenant of Ye County, and I are one, after today's incident, if you go to see him again if you have nothing to do, he will definitely be vigilant, and when the time comes, not only can you not ask what you want, but you will startle the snake......"

Speaking of this, he suddenly paused and asked, "Are you familiar with the other three county lieutenants?" ”

Gao Chun faintly guessed a few points, and said in a low voice: "Zou Bu of Xiangcheng, I am not familiar with him, but I am still familiar with Ding Wu and Huang Ben." ”

"What are these two people like, and are they trustworthy?" Yang Dingzheng asked.

Gao Chun hugged his fists and said: "I dare to guarantee with my life, Ding Wu and Huang Ben are both trustworthy." …… Let's talk about Ding Wu first, I have known him for more than ten years, and I am the most familiar with him in the past, and you also know the relationship between Luyang and my Ye County, although Luyang is poor, but it is the most trustworthy neighboring county of my Ye County; As for Huang Ben, in fact, Huang Ben is more familiar with Ma Gai, but Huang Ben is a bold man who is ......"

When he said the words 'courage and integrity,' he hesitated for a moment, because he had also praised Ma Gai with these four words.

After hesitating, he didn't know if he dared to make a guarantee, and muttered: "It should be...... Should...... Trustworthy. ”

Seeing this, Yang Ding smiled and said with relief: "These are just your and my suspicions, without definite evidence, it cannot be identified that Ma Gai did collude with the Black Tiger Thief, what if it is really General Zhang Jing who is mistaken?" Right? ”

Gao Chun smiled reluctantly and diverted the topic: "That...... I asked Ding Wu to come over? ”

"Okay."

A moment later, Ding Wu, the lieutenant of Luyang County, was invited to Yang Ding's tent again by Gao Chun, and he asked inexplicably, "What does Yang County's order command?" ”

"That's right."

Yang Ding beckoned Ding Wu, Gao Chun, Wei Dong, and a few people to sit down at the table, turned his head to Ding Wu and said, "I invited County Lieutenant Ding to come again, but I hope that County Lieutenant Ding will help Yang do something." ”

Ding Wu suddenly realized, and said with a smile: "Yang County's order is too outward, although it is ordered." ”

Seeing Ding Wu's hearty attitude, Yang Ding smiled slightly, and immediately asked, "County Lieutenant Ding, how is your relationship with County Lieutenant Ma?" ”

"Margay?"

Ding Wu was stunned and said puzzledly: "I have eaten a few meals together occasionally, so we can be regarded as friends...... What's wrong? ”

Yang nodded fixed-point, lowered his voice and said, "Yang said one thing, Ding County Lieutenant should not make a noise." ”

As he spoke, he told Ding Wu that 'Zhang Jing had suspected that Ma Gai was the Black Tiger Thief', and the latter was stunned when he heard it.

"Won't it?"

Stunned, Ding Wu turned his head to look at Gao Chun.

As if he had guessed what Ding Wu was thinking, Gao Chun nodded and said, "When the Lord mentioned this matter to me a few days ago, I didn't want to believe it, but today I look at his attitude, and I feel that he is deliberately passive and unwilling to do his best to suppress the thief. …… Although he prevaricated with something to 'recruit Zhou Hu', it was not enough to convince me. He encircled and suppressed the black tiger thieves in Kunyang County three times, and the officers and soldiers were killed and injured countless times, most of which were Ma Gai's old subordinates, if there was no strange among them, I don't believe he could not avenge his old subordinates! ”

When he said this, he couldn't help but think of the two or three hundred Yexian officers and soldiers who died in Xiangcun that day.

"The words are so, but ......"

Ding Wu showed hesitation.

Seeing Ding Wu's hesitant expression, Yang Dingzheng said: "County Lieutenant Ding, rest assured, if it turns out that County Captain Ma is indeed innocent, Yang will never frame a good person, but before that, please County Lieutenant Ding keep an eye on Ma Gai's every move for me." ”

He pointed to his circle of people and explained: "When we come forward, we will definitely startle the snake, and if the county lieutenant Ding comes forward, I won't suspect it." Please! ”

“…… All right. ”

Ding Wu scratched his head and sneered: "I'm afraid that I will mess up and ruin the plan of Yang County's order." ”

"County Lieutenant Ding is too humble." Yang Ding said with a smile.

After a while, Ding Wu left Yang Ding's tent and returned to his tent.

Before entering the tent, he glanced at the direction of the tent where Yang Ding was, and walked into the tent with an inexplicable smile.

Ma Gai, the county lieutenant of Kunyang County, is actually the internal response of the Black Tiger Thief?

I have to say that Ding Wu didn't think about this aspect before, but now that Yang Ding mentioned it, it seems that it is not impossible for him to think about it carefully.

『…… I guess so. Otherwise, the second son led the black tiger thief back to Kunyang, how could Ma Gai be indifferent for a long time? However, Yang Ding actually told me to keep an eye on Ma Gai, hehe......

Lying on the bed in the tent, Ding Wu pillowed his hands and feet, with a slight inexplicable smile on his face.

"It seems that Yang Ding left Ma Gai in the team of thieves, most likely just to find evidence of his collaboration with the enemy, right? Well, if necessary, I can cover it up for him, so as not to spoil the second son's affairs......

He thought to himself.

At the same time, Ma Gai had also returned to the county seat.

In view of the approaching crisis of the 'encirclement and suppression of the five counties', although Zhao Yu and Jingnu were a little reluctant to give up their nest, they still moved back to the Baiji Inn.

And Ma Gai also asked to see Zhao Yu at the Baiji Inn.

After learning that Ma Gai had come to ask for a meeting, Zhao Yu, as usual, brought the tiger mask, and then ordered the black tigers guarding the aisle to invite Ma Gai into the house.

After stretching out his hand to invite Ma Gai to sit down on the seat across the table, Zhao Yu asked with a smile, "How is it, the new county order of Ye County?" ”

Ma Gai smiled slightly.

is similar to the feeling of the Western Governor Xun Yi when he saw Yang Ding, and Ma Gai's feeling for Yang Ding was not much better, probably because when they saw Yang Ding, they subconsciously compared the new county commander with the leader of the black tiger thief in front of them.

In contrast, although Na Yang Ding is polite and humble enough, he ...... I always feel that it is not interesting, it is not as good as the one in front of me, it is both good and evil, and it is also mysterious.

Ma Gai had always wondered what kind of face was under the tiger mask.

『…… I don't know when I will be able to do so."

Staring at the mask on Zhao Yu's face, Ma Gai thought secretly in his heart.

"County lieutenant?" After the mask, Zhao Yu's inexplicable reminder came out.

"Ahem."

Ma Gai reacted at this time, coughed, and immediately said: "According to the meaning of the leader of Zhou, when I went to see Yang Ding today, I showed the attitude of 'forced by the order of the county', but it is very strange that Yang Ding did not think it was a pestle, as if he pretended not to hear what I said, and before leaving, he also reminded me to lead the officers and soldiers out of the city tomorrow to join him and go to the north of the county together. ”

"Huh?"

Zhao Yu was slightly stunned, and said with a chuckle: "It seems that Yang Ding's weight is larger than I imagined, I thought I could use this to get you out of the matter." ”

"Ugh."

Ma Gai also sighed slightly.

As Yang Ding guessed, today Ma Gai was instructed by Zhao Yu to deliberately show that kind of reluctant cooperation, just to take the opportunity to provoke Yang Ding's dissatisfaction.

It's best for the two sides to have a big fight, so that he Ma Gai has a chance to walk away, after all, he doesn't want to take the officers and soldiers of Kunyang to encircle and suppress the black tiger thief - although the black tiger thief in the north of the county has no friendship with him Ma Gai, but the county guard in the county office, Ma Gai doesn't want them to die in vain.

But unfortunately, Yang Ding was so calm that he didn't even have a chance to provoke the former.

"It's okay, since he told you to go, then you should take the troops there, anyway, you have made your position clear today, and he can't blame you in the future...... In contrast, did he reveal a specific strategy for the crusade today? ”

"Yes."

Hearing Zhao Yu's inquiry, Ma Gai immediately said: "He intends to divide the officers and soldiers of the five counties into five battalions, two battalions to attack and one battalion to respond to the flank, and the other two battalions to make a roundabout rear...... on the east and west sides respectively."

As he spoke, he dipped his fingers in the tea and drew a simple picture on the table.

Zhao Yu frowned and listened to a paragraph, and immediately lost interest.

Because Yang Ding's crusade strategy relayed by Ma Gai can only be said to be a general strategy, and there is no specific tactic at all - if it is a specific tactic, then it can be calculated, but if it is a strategy, how can it be cracked and targeted casually?

The next day, Ma Gai only took 200 officers and soldiers out of the city to join Yang Ding and others.

It is undeniable that Yang Ding was really calm, and when he saw that Ma Gai only brought two hundred county soldiers, he did not get angry, and calmly ordered Ma Gai to act with Ding Wu.

At this point, about 2,200 'five-county coalition troops' were assembled and marched towards the north of the county.

On the same day, Zhao Yu also left the county seat in a carriage and returned to the main village of Black Tiger.

Given that Yang Ding was famous in Handan more than ten years ago, or a difficult opponent no less than Zhang Jing, even Zhao Yu did not dare to take it lightly.

But, that's all.