A day later, Zhang Zhai took He Xuan and several other soldiers from Heihu Village back to Kunyang County, and then set off from Kunyang County and embarked on a journey back to Nanyang County.

At the moment when the carriage left Kunyang County, Zhang Zhai lifted the curtain in the carriage and glanced at the north of the county, and said to He Xuan with a smile: "I really can't imagine that a group of bandits with hundreds of people is not afraid in the face of two thousand Nanyang soldiers......"

Hearing this, He Xuan couldn't help but ask, "The envoy actually believes that Zhou Hu's rhetoric?" ”

Immediately, without waiting for Zhang Zhai to speak, he took the lead in expressing his opinion: "I don't believe what Zhou Hu said that he could wipe out the two thousand soldiers. ”

"Why don't you believe it?"

Zhang Zhai said with a smile: "They did successfully sneak attack Ji Rong, causing hundreds of thousands of casualties to that Nanyang army. ”

"But ......" He Xuan defended: "It's just that Ji Rong underestimated the enemy, how could the Nanyang Army really be so weak?" If this is the case, how can Jing Chu's rebels have been so hard all these years? ”

Zhang Zhai shook his head with a smile, and immediately, he said with a deep gaze: "Don't underestimate that Zhou Hu, I have a hunch that this group of people will become very amazing in the future, and they can even provide great help to my righteous army......"

He Xuan looked at Zhang Zhai in surprise, he didn't expect Zhang Zhai to value that Zhou Hu so much, he thought about it, and asked, "I hope that Zhou Hu knows how to repay his kindness...... Envoy Qu, if Zhou Hu turns his face and is not serious in the future, what should he do? ”

"Huh."

Zhang Zhai stroked his beard, and a few different colors flashed in his eyes: "Zhou Hu is not stupid, he won't do that, and he won't dare to ......"

Speaking of which, he was not afraid that Zhou Hu would turn his face and not recognize people in the future.

Because he also has the 'handle' of the black tiger thief - the black tiger thief wears the cloak of the brotherhood and secretly develops his power in Kunyang County, this is the handle of the black tiger thief, if Zhou Hu dares not admit it in the future, as long as his righteous army releases the news and unilaterally declares that the black tiger thief is their internal response, the court of the Jin State will naturally immediately send people to Kunyang to investigate, and when the time comes, how can the black tiger thief continue to maintain their secret? I'm afraid that it will not be exterminated by the imperial court immediately.

With his contact with Zhou Hu in the past few days, Zhang Zhai believes that Zhou Hu will not make such a stupid choice, which is why he dares to agree to Zhou Hu with confidence.

As for whether his righteous army will use this matter to control that Zhou Hu in the future, Zhang Zhai doesn't want to do that for the time being.

After all, he got along well with that Zhou Hu, and he very much hoped to pull the talented bandit leader into the camp of his rebel army and become the general of his rebel army.

Compared with the Jin army, which is full of talents, his righteous army is really lacking in this regard.

"Okay, let's go back to Nanyang County as soon as possible."

Zhang Zhai smiled at a few soldiers around him and said: "Since you have made a promise, you have to do it for them, such an ally with development potential must not be disturbed by Wang Shangde." ”

"Yes!"

After a few promises, the carriage picked up.

Half an hour later, Zhao Yu, who was in the main village, also received the news that 'Nanyang Canal made Zhang Zhai lead people to leave Kunyang'.

The news was sent to Zhao Yu by Guo Da personally, and Guo Da said happily at that time: "With the help of the rebel army, presumably the problem of the Nanyang Army can be solved." ”

Guo Da is one of Zhao Yu's henchmen, Zhao Yu naturally won't hide anything in front of him, he said with a wry smile: "Does Big Brother Guo Da really think so?" In my opinion, it is my Black Tiger Village that owes the rebel army a favor in vain, and if I want to repay this favor in the future, I am afraid that I will have to pay a lot of price. ”

Guo Dana is an old thief, blinked his eyes and smiled evilly: "Ah Hu, your concerns are not unreasonable, but whether you will repay the favor in the future depends on us...... It's a big deal, what can he do with us? ”

"If only it were that simple."

Zhao Yu shook his head with a wry smile, and asked Guo Dadao: "If you don't return the favor, you will inevitably offend the rebel army, if he releases the rumor that my Black Tiger Village has an affair with the rebel army, and leads away the people in the county and even the court, what will you do?" ”

"Huh?"

Guo Da was suddenly asked, and his originally relaxed expression became solemn, and he asked anxiously, "Then, what should I do?" ”

"Don't worry." Zhao Yu raised his hand, signaling Guo Da to be calm and not impatient, and immediately, he said in a deep voice: "For today's plan, the main village needs to find a way to clear the identity of the 'bandit' and strive to get a legal identity; ”

"Wonderful!"

Hearing this, Guo Da's eyes suddenly lit up.

And at this moment, a thief suddenly came to report: "Leader, the Nanyang army has attacked the mountain!" ”

"Again?"

Before Zhao Yu could express his position, Guo Da frowned first.

I saw a few fierce flashes in his eyes, and he lowered his voice and said to Zhao Yu: "Anyway, there will be rebel troops to help, Ah Hu, it is better to follow the method you said a few days ago, let's send a message to Liu Bi and Ma Gai, cut off Ji Rong's grain channel, and then ......"

With that, he made a knife slashing motion.

"No!"

Zhao Yu shook his head and said in a deep voice: "Although Zhang Zhai agreed to this, you and I are not sure whether Jing Chu's rebel army will take action, rather than believing in the promise of the rebel army, I would rather hope that Xun Yi, who is currently in Wancheng, can persuade Wang Shangde to withdraw his troops......" He glanced at Guo Da and added: "If the rebel army can take the lead for us, why should we offend Wang Shangde?" Believe Xun Yi, he will be able to persuade Wang Shangde to withdraw his troops! ”

Guo Da nodded, and then couldn't help but persuade: "That...... Send a letter to Liu Bi and Ma Gai, and ask them to find a way to cut off Ji Rong's grain and grass, it's always no problem, right? It is a small matter to repair the main village, but in case the cobweb narrow road built is damaged by the Nanyang army, it will not be easy to repair it in the future......"

"Hmm......"

Zhao Yu pondered for a moment, and felt that what Guo Da said was not unreasonable, so he nodded and said, "Let Chen Cai contact Ma Gai and ask Ma Gai to deal with it as appropriate." ”

"Good!"

Only two hours later, Chen Cai, who was in the workshop of the Chengnan Brotherhood, received the news of the main village.

After getting the news, Chen Cai did not dare to slack off, and immediately prepared a carriage to go to the county office.

Unexpectedly, when he came to the gate of the county government and was about to walk into the county office, he suddenly saw the head catcher Ishihara leading a team of county guards coming out of the office.

He greeted with a smile and said, "Yo, Shi Zhutou, come forward to inspect?" It's really hard work. ”

Obviously, Ishihara didn't expect to meet Chen Cai at the gate of the county government, he was slightly stunned, and immediately, he, who had been talking and laughing with several county officials, immediately sank his face: "Chen Cai? What are you doing in the county office? ”

"Of course, I'm looking for Liu Gong and Ma County Lieutenant to talk about the benefits of Li County and the people......" Chen Cai smiled and spread his hands.

Of course, he knew that Ishihara on the other side actually knew his details, and this was exactly what was interesting: he was a black tiger thief, standing at the gate of the county government at the moment, in front of a team of county guards, talking to a catcher who knew his details, but the catcher who knew his details didn't dare to do anything to him.

As a thief, Chen Cai felt that his life was worth it!

Probably sensing the slight ridicule in Chen Cai's tone, Ishihara walked up to Chen Cai with a calm face, raised his right hand, poked Chen Cai's chest with his fingers, and then gritted his teeth and whispered: "Don't be complacent, one day, I will take you and the others all...... Bring to justice! ”

"Ouch, you can just say it, how can you hurt people."

Chen Cai clutched his chest and pretended to be injured, and his face flushed with anger, and he raised his fist to punch Chen Cai's face.

Seeing it from the county guards on the side, they quickly pulled Ishihara away.

Several of them even hugged their fists at Chen Cai with a sneering face and apologized: "Steward Chen, Shi Zhutou has such a temper, you can bear more." ”

Obviously, these county officials all know Chen Cai, and they know very well what kind of energy Chen Cai, as the chief steward of the brotherhood, has in this county.

Watching Ishihara leave with a look of indignation on his face, Chen Cai smiled inexplicably, reached out and flicked the shirt on his chest.

At this time, one of his subordinates stepped forward, his eyes flashed fiercely, and he gestured and whispered, "Boss, do you want to be that kid?" ”

“……”

Chen Cai slowly put away the smile on his face and glanced at his subordinate, who immediately realized his mouth, lowered his head and took a step back.

"We are now considered to be people with heads and faces in the city, don't shout and kill at every turn...... Didn't the chief say it? A fool who kills people with a knife at every turn will have no future. ”

After that, Chen Cai straightened his clothes and walked into the county office.

Walking into the county office, Chen Cai immediately met a county official, who greeted him with surprise: "Steward Chen? You come to the county office...... I don't know what to do? ”

Chen Cai returned the salute and said with a smile: "Chen wants to ask to see Liu Gong, I wonder if you can inform me?" ”

"Of course, of course."

The official was flattered and immediately came to the office of the county commander Liu Bi to report.

At this time, Liu Bi was dealing with county affairs in the mansion, and suddenly a government official came to report: "Liu Gong, Chen Cai, the chief steward of the brotherhood, asks to see you." ”

『……』

As soon as he heard the name, Liu Bi frowned slightly.

I have to say that if he had a choice, he didn't want to deal with these black tiger thieves, but there was no way, who let him now be controlled by Zhou Hu, the leader of the black tiger thieves - although Zhou Hu has not let him do anything that violates his moral bottom line so far.

"Yes, please."

"Yes!"

After a while, Chen Cai came to Liu Bi's room, and he ordered his men to stay outside the house, and walked into the house alone.

At this time, Liu Bi also temporarily dismissed several small officials in the house, and after signaling Chen Cai to take a seat, he walked to the door and looked out a few times through the crack in the door.

After confirming that there was nothing abnormal outside the house, he frowned and said to Chen Cai, "What are you doing here?" ”

Chen Cai didn't hide it, and said truthfully: "I'll pass on the leader's order, and the leader hopes that you and others will cooperate with us and cut off Ji Rong's grain and grass......"

As he spoke, he explained in detail.

Liu Bi was frightened when he heard this, and couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "...... him What does he want to do? Did he have to annihilate the 2,000 Nanyang Army? ”

To be honest, Liu Bi didn't think that Ji Rong would be able to exterminate the Black Tiger Thief from the beginning, because as long as the Brotherhood was still there, it would be impossible for the Black Tiger Thief to be exterminated, but he still didn't expect that the Black Tiger Thief would directly cause the Nanyang Army under Ji Rong to lose a Qu strength through a night attack, a full five hundred people!

Ji Rong has a total of only 2,000 soldiers!

At that time, Liu Bicai suddenly thought that Zhou Hu was the one who even Zhang Jing, one of the five tigers of Chenmen, could not defeat at the beginning!

Even, when Zhou Hu was seriously suspicious of Ma Gai at that time, Zhou Hu cleverly designed, which not only thwarted Zhang Jing's strategy, but also secretly protected Ma Gai, and even worse, got rid of Yang Tong, the old owner of Black Tiger Village-of course, the last one was just a private guess between him and Ma Gai.

To put it simply, Zhou Hu, the leader of the Black Tiger Thieves, has general-level vision and strategy.

If this kind of person is serious and wants to destroy Ji Rong's two thousand Nanyang army, Liu Bi doesn't think that it will be impossible.

But......

If you Zhou Hu want the 2,000 Nanyang army to be destroyed, you can just find a way by yourself, why do you want to involve the county government?

Thinking of this, Liu Bi frowned and said, "I can't do that!" …… Once the news of this matter leaks, some people will inevitably suspect the county government ......"

Seeing Liu Bi's refusal, Chen Cai was not in a hurry, just looked at Liu Bi and said slowly: "Liu Gong, are you sure this is your reply?" I don't care, I'm just sending a message anyway, but you know, that's what the leader meant......"

Hearing this, a blue and white color flashed on Liu Bi's face.

He is not afraid of anyone in the black tiger thief, but he is jealous of that Zhou Hu.

Halfway through, he gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, I'...... I'll talk to Margai......"

Seeing this, Chen Cai regained his smile and said with a smile: "Okay, after talking about business, let's talk about other things." …… Liu Gong, my brotherhood's Chengnan Workshop, I want to expand it, and I want to ask Liu Gong to help approve a piece of land nearby......"

After a while, when Chen Cai said goodbye and left, Liu Bi immediately sent someone to summon Ma Gai and told the latter about it in private.

Just like Liu Bina, Ma Gai was also taken aback: "Zhou Hu wants to let Ji Rong's entire army be annihilated?" ”

On that day, Liu Bi and Ma Gai discussed for a while, but in the end, they could only do what the leader of the black tiger thief wanted, secretly praying that if anyone was investigated in the future, they would not be involved.

It wasn't until two days later that Ma Gai learned from Chen Cai again that Black Tiger Village wanted to cut off Ji Rong's grain and grass, but it was only because he suspected that Ji Rong frequently attacked the mountains and was annoying, so Liu Bi and Ma Gai breathed a sigh of relief.

whereas

At this time, it was the fifth day of October, and after eight days of hurrying, Xun Yi, the governor of the northern part of Yingchuan County, finally arrived in Nanyang Wancheng by carriage.

After entering the city, when they saw the lively and bustling streets, Xun Yi and his two guards were very surprised.

After all, as far as they knew, Wancheng had been breached by the rebels ten years ago, and the once prosperous Wancheng was also destroyed, and then, the then young Wang Shangde led the army to be stationed here, and in the following years, there was a long tug-of-war with the rebels, and Nanyang County was also devastated by the war.

But looking at the situation in Wancheng now, it seems that Wancheng has gradually recovered.

In this regard, Xun Yi secretly thought: It seems that this Wang Shangde is not as unbearable as rumored.

On the same day, Xun Yi and his entourage settled in the post house in the city, and after bathing and changing clothes, Xun Yi went to Wang Shangde's official residence.

It may be that Xun Yi's problem is good, or because of some other reason, Wang Shangde is currently in Wancheng.

When the soldiers on duty outside the official residence reported to Wang Shangde, Wang Shangde didn't react for a while: "The northern superintendent of Yingchuan County? What is he doing in my Wancheng? ”

Seeing this, a guard from the side reminded: "General, isn't it because the general sent an army to Kunyang County to suppress the thieves?" ”

"Oh." Wang Shangde suddenly realized.

In all fairness, Xun Yi's identity as the northern superintendent, Wang Shangde is not even interested in taking a look at it on weekdays, but considering that this Xun Yi is likely to be an envoy sent by Li Min, the county guard of Yingchuan, Wang Shangde wants to give Li Min a little face, after all, Li Min is from the Li family, and the Li family also has a lot of power in the court.

What's more, there are also people in the Li clan who have a good relationship with his Wang clan.

Thinking of this, Wang Shangde immediately nodded and said, "Please let him in." ”

With Wang Shangde's permission, the soldiers outside the official residence released Xun Yi and guided Xun Yi to Wang Shangde's study.

I have to say that Wang Shangde is indeed a very powerful person, even Xun Yi was a little nervous after seeing this General Wang, and bowed respectfully, and said: "Humble post, the post supervisor in the north of Yingchuan County, Xun Yi, this time I came to see General Wang on the order of Li Min and Li County." ”

Wang Shangde looked Xun Yi up and down a few times, and pretended to be unaware and diverted the topic: "Oh? Li Buxiang? …… How is Li Buxiang in Yingchuan County lately? I remember when I was fifteen or sixteen years old, I saw him a few times in Handan, and at that time he had not yet rushed to Yingchuan County to take office, and I am afraid that it was not more than 20 years......

"......" Xun Yi glanced at Wang Shangde, as if he hadn't heard it, and said to himself: "Recently, the county guard has not been very satisfactory, because General Wang has sent an army to the counties and townships under the jurisdiction of Yingchuan County to suppress thieves without sending anyone to inform him, and even that army has caused public indignation in Kunyang......"

Seeing that Xun Yi was so 'ignorant of lifting', the guards beside Wang Shangde immediately shouted: "Presumptuous! ”

But Xun Yi was unmoved, looking at Wang Shangde intently, and his body was straight.

『……』

Wang Shangde raised his hand to stop the guards' reprimand, looked at Xun Yi and asked, "You say, the army sent out by Wang has caused public anger in Kunyang?" ”

"Yes, there are testimonies from Kunyang County to the county government and the people in Kunyang County, and they dare not speak falsely."

As he spoke, Xun Yi arched his hand towards Wang Shangde, and then began to state the various behaviors of the partial general Ji Rong in Kunyang County: "After the partial general of your army Ji Rong led the army to Kunyang, he did not explore the truth, just because of the rumors of chasing the wind and shadows, he led the soldiers to seal up the righteous houses and workshops in the city, and there were as many as a dozen workshops that were seized, causing thousands of local people to lose their livelihoods......

Hearing this, Wang Shangde also frowned, and secretly scolded that Ji Rong in his heart.

But he also knew that Ji Rong, as Li Zhen's subordinate, must have his reasons for doing this.

Thinking of this, Wang Shangde said with a smile: "Ji Rong, he is a subordinate of Li Zhen, the deputy general of Wang, Li Zhen trusts him, so he will send him to Kunyang...... Wang felt that Li Junshou should investigate this matter well. ”

Xun Yi took a deep look at Wang Shangde, and did not make any comments on Wang Shangde's words, he just took out the letter of the county guard Li Min from his arms, presented it in front of Wang Shangde with both hands, and said: "When the humble post came, the county guard ordered me to forward this letter to General Wang. ”

Seeing this, the guards beside Wang Shangde stepped forward, took the letter from Xun Yi's hand, and respectfully handed it to Wang Shangde.

Glancing at the letter in his hand, Wang Shangde tore open the cover and pulled out the letter inside.

He frowned after just two glances.

The reason is very simple, probably because Kunyang County ordered Liu Bi to add oil and refuel, Li Min was very dissatisfied with Wang Shangde's behavior of sending an army of thieves across the county and interfering in the internal affairs of Yingchuan County, so the attitude in the letter was naturally not much better - but Wang Shangde was still showing that he was familiar with Li Min in front of Xun Yi.

"Smack!"

Wang Shangde slapped the letter on the desk in front of him with a calm face, and immediately stared at Xun Yi with a calm face.

Although he was dissatisfied with the attitude of Li Min, the county guard of Yingchuan, in the letter, Wang Shangde also understood that he did a little wrong this time.

If someone dares to interfere in the internal affairs of Nanyang County...... Hmph, I can only say that Li Min's attitude is quite good.

But......

In Wang Shangde's mind, the figure of an eleven or twelve-year-old child suddenly flashed.

"Huh."

With a slightly dangerous smile on his face, Wang Shangde looked at Xun Yi and said: "I have worked hard Xun to send the letter, and I have received Li Min's letter, but Wang has always been ...... in doing things."

As soon as he said this, he saw the adjutant general Li Zhen hurriedly walked into the house and said: "General, the few thieves caught a few days ago finally can't resist the torture and confess......

Speaking of this, he stopped abruptly because he saw Xun Yi.

Seeing this, Wang Shangde waved his hand and said, "He is the superintendent sent by Li Min, the warden of Yingchuan County, it's okay, you say." ”

"Yes."

Li Zhen nodded, clenched his fists and said: "According to the confession of the thieves, the Jingchu rebels are about to launch a counteroffensive against our Nanyang County, in order to cooperate with the Jingchu rebels, there is indeed a group of thieves who have infiltrated my Nanyang County...... But later, for some reason, someone exposed his whereabouts in Pheasant County and other places, and it was for this reason that the operation was temporarily canceled. ”

“……”

Wang Shangde pondered for a moment, frowned and said: "In May and June this year, Han Yan was defeated by the rebels in Jiangdong in Xiapi, and I guessed that the rebels on Jingchu's side would also take action, and it was as I expected!" ”

Hearing this, Li Zhen said in a tight voice: "What does the general mean, will the rebels south of the river counterattack on a large scale?" ”

"...... next year at the latest"

Wang Shangde frowned and nodded slightly, then shook his head and scolded lightly: "It's all because of that guy Han Yan, who will be defeated in the hands of a group of thieves......"

After that, his eyes suddenly caught a glimpse of Xun Yi, who was standing in the room at a loss.

Probably because of the threat of the Jingchu rebels, Wang Shangde changed his original plan after thinking about it for a while, and he said to Xun Yi: "Okay, for the sake of Li Junshou's face, Wang will immediately order Ji Rong to withdraw his troops, but Wang has one condition!" ”

"Please." Xun Yi bowed his hand.

I saw Wang Shangde looking at Xun Yi, and said in a deep voice: "Kunyang's thief, that is indeed your Yingchuan County's business, Wang Mou doesn't want to interfere, and Wang has more important things now, but, Yingchuan County wants to ensure that the caravan of the Luye Freemasonry will not be robbed by the black tiger thieves in the future, as long as something similar happens, Wang will send troops!" If Li Min is not satisfied with this, he can sue the imperial court! …… That's all it takes, go back! ”

“…… Retired from his position. ”

Seeing that the goal was achieved, Xun Yi didn't want to offend this General Wang, so he surrendered and retired.

After walking out of the mansion, he couldn't help but glance back at the mansion.

Even if he felt it, that General Wang seemed to have some special feelings for the Luye Freemasonry......

『…… When I go back, I have to warn Zhou Hu about this, and tell him not to provoke the Luye Freemasons again."

He thought to himself.