The world's famous building Xunyang Building was burned by Zuo Mengeng. The ashes scattered, the white mist crossed the river, and Zuo Mengeng patted his ass and went home.

Jiujiang Mansion collects a lot of commercial taxes from Xunyang Building every year, someone told the government about the matter, the prefect Yu Taijiao was shocked, and rode a horse to catch up with Zuo Mengeng and asked the reason, Zuo Mengeng looked at him and said: "Someone rebelled, and his crime should be punished." ”

Yu Taijiao was shocked and said: "Who is so bold? ”

Zuo Mengeng didn't hide it, and said bluntly: "He Tengjiao, the governor of Huguang, and Wuchang soldiers are preparing to block Yinxi." ”

The matter involves local officials, so it is not within the scope of Yu Taijiao's ability to deal with it. He was so frightened that Nono didn't dare to say anything more. Waiting for Zuo Mengeng and his entourage to leave, he immediately turned his horse and rushed to the Yamen of the Governor of Jiangxi, met Yuan Jixian to report the matter, and said: "Zuo Mengeng is rampant and domineering in Jiangxi, and even directly captures the Datu Fu Minister. ”

Unexpectedly, Yuan Jixian sat still, and asked in a slow voice: "Zikai, do you want to save your life?" Cherish the country? ”

Yu Taijiao couldn't understand what he meant, but said from the heart: "The parents of the body and the skin need to be dedicated to the monarchy to get their place." Students cherish their lives, but they cherish their country more than their lives. ”

Yuan Jixian nodded and said, "That's good, in this way, Jiangxi can be peaceful." He added, "Zuo Mengeng's move is definitely not done out of anger. He is a martial artist, how can He De go against He Tengjiao? It's just a knife to help people get out of the way. Accountability, asking people not asking questions. It doesn't make sense for you to be angry with him. ”

Yu Taijiao said eagerly: "The student knows ...... behind Zuo Mengeng"

"Well, I know that." Yuan Jixian didn't wait for him to finish, he shook his finger and interrupted him, "Otherwise, how can I fund his military rations." ”

Yu Taijiao was unwilling to say: "But let Zuo Mengeng act so recklessly, the students are afraid that he will take advantage of him now and gain an inch in the future." ”

"You think he's acting in vain?" Yuan Jixian sighed and shook his head, "You still haven't figured out the reason for this matter." ”

"The ...... of the original situation"

"Also, not in his position, not in his politics. Zi Kai, you remember, Zuo Mengeng's actions today have his reasons, you think he is impulsive and arbitrary, but in fact, in the end, I am afraid that it is not him but you who dilute the arbitrariness. Yuan Jixian exhaled, "I know some inside information on both sides of Huguang and Nanjing. There are big and small things, but some things are difficult to see the whole picture just by looking at the surface. The burning of Xunyang Tower, Zuo Mengeng is just the tip of the iceberg, but what is actually involved is the major event of my Ming Dynasty. You must not touch a big thing because of a small thing, otherwise I am afraid that the end will be a fate and the country will not be regretted. ”

Yuan Jixian's tone was calm, but his face was solemn, and Yu Taijiao could feel the strong oppressive force exerted on him behind the words. Since the fifteenth year of Chongzhen, he was given a special background and was awarded the second place as the director of the Shandong Department of the Ministry of Households, and then climbed to the position of the local leader in less than two years, and his ability to observe words and emotions is naturally not weak. Yuan Jixian stopped at the point, and he retreated.

"So where is Zuo Mengeng, let's pretend to be deaf and dumb?" Yu Taijiao said carefully.

Yuan Jixian shook his head lightly and said, "Of course not." A small turmoil, I am afraid that the general trend of the world has been set. You can't go against the trend, and you can do it with the trend. I heard that yesterday's money and grain from the Chengdong Treasury have been delivered to the left and side armies? ”

"It's almost over. However, the actual allocation of money and grain cannot be compared with the account books due to mildew, rot, loss and other reasons. Zuo Menggeng's people will be fine, and the baht must be compared, and they must be required to be allocated in full, and not a penny or cent will be lost. My Jiangxi Yamen has always had a clear reputation, how can I chew on this kind of subsection, of course, this tone is to be fought for. The student has already instructed him to fill the vacancy in his army tomorrow and tomorrow, and see what else he can say. ”

Yuan Jixian smiled and shook his head, looking at Yu Taijiao's eyes was much gentler, but he said: "Doing things in partnership with others, not taking advantage is the first priority." It's easy to say, but how many people are on the verge of turning against each other for that penny of profit. You're a self-denying person, which is good, but it's not enough. ”

"Ask the teacher for advice."

"You have to put yourself in their shoes, the so-called not bad, in your opinion, it is benevolent and righteous, but in the eyes of the other party, it is a basic requirement. If you do it, it can only be regarded as a golden mean, and if you can't do it, you will be dishonest and unjust. Yuan Jixian said softly, "The interests of both parties are guaranteed, and they are neither salty nor light." If you can provide more benefits to the other party without harming our inherent interests, it seems to be a loss, but in fact, such an unexpected joy can make the other party remember your benefits, in exchange for the strengthening of the relationship between the two parties, which is greatly beneficial to the long-term cooperation and development in the future. In my opinion, it is a good thing to be profitable. ”

"The teacher's meaning is slightly understood." Yu Taijiao said thoughtfully, "The teacher said that Zhao Dangshi is worth befriending. ”

"It's worth two words, it's not you and me, it's really a country." Yuan Jixian corrected him, "I have come into contact with He Tengjiao, and he is also a person who has repeatedly been determined to bow to the essence of the country and died. It's a pity that in the end it was still a fork in the road, and what he thought he was doing would help Ming, but it was actually a stupid thing that really harmed others and was not beneficial to himself. ”

"What does He Tengjiao want to do?" This is the most critical layer, Yu Taijiao has never figured it out and is confused.

"It's okay if you don't know, I'm just speculating based on some clues from the existing parties, so it's not good to lie. The dust has settled on this matter, and you don't have to dwell on it. Yuan Jixian gave him an intriguing smile, "In short, Zhao Dangshi's side, I, Jiangxi, must continue to cooperate with him." Back to what I just said, you have made up for the lack of money and food, so it is better to transfer some money and food to Zuo Mengeng from my words, and then go to the Chengxi Mansion Treasury to allocate some money and food. ”

"Allocate more?" Yu Tai was surprised, "Isn't this damaging to our own inherent interests?" ”

Yuan Jixian said: "I have visited the Chengxi Mansion Treasury before, according to the grain official there, there are several batches of rice from the No. 3 warehouse to the No. 2 warehouse of the D word are spring rice harvested two years ago, although the outside is tightly protected by straw, but the storage time is up after all, seeing that the rainy season is approaching, I am afraid that the rain will be wet and humid, and it will be moldy and difficult to eat. The ancients said, 'The solidity of the golden soup is not guarded; Han Bai's bravery, no grain and no war', the army on the left and the side is about to be pulled, and the money and grain expenses in these two months will inevitably be huge, let's transfer the backlog of rice and grain to them, not only can the rice and grain be disposed of, but also can sell them a big favor, why not? ”

Yu Taijiao's heart was shocked, and the reason why he was shocked was not that Yuan Jixian proposed to send more money and food to Zuo Mengeng and Fang Guoan's army, but because Yuan Jixian revealed the important information that Zuo and Fang's troops were about to be deployed. The total number of soldiers and horses of these two armies exceeded 20,000, and he originally thought that the troops stationed in Jiujiang Mansion were really just to help Jiangxi to suppress thieves, and he also felt that it was a bit of a means to kill chickens with knives, but he didn't expect that these 20,000 soldiers and horses really had other plans.

An army of 20,000 people, looking around, where are there still thieves who need to mobilize such a army to conquer. But in addition to the thieves, there are only the Ming armies left near and far, is it ......

Yu Taijiao didn't dare to continue thinking about it, his mouth was dry, and even his fingers began to tremble. But when he peeked at Yuan Jixian, he still looked calm and relaxed, as if everything had already been understood.

"Teacher, I'm ......" Yu Taijiao hesitated, and he was very cramped to speak.

"I know, you're afraid. I am not afraid of the sky falling, but I am afraid of the rolling clouds and thunder before the collapse. Yuan Jixian smiled, "It doesn't hurt to talk about this matter." Zuo Mengeng and Fang Guoan's garrison have been in Jiujiang Mansion for so long, not purely to practice and fight grass cowards, their real purpose is Nanjing. ”

"Nanjing?" Yu Tai said suspiciously, "Isn't Nanjing my Ming Dynasty staying in the capital?" If you go, why do you lead the troops? ”

"Zikai, there are some things that I can't tell you clearly, and I haven't even figured out the ins and outs of the relationship myself, but I have told you so much before and after, you think about it privately, when you can come up with a four-five look, you will naturally not ask me again in the future." Yuan Jixian said this, waved his sleeve with his left hand and sighed with a smile, "He Tengjiao has fallen, and the princes of Nanjing are powerless." ”

When Yu Taijiao heard this, he recalled the purpose of his original approach, and shuddered for no reason.

When Zuo Mengeng returned to the Nanhuzui camp in the east of Jiujiang Mansion, it was already the next day.

Although Zhao Dangshi did not clearly designate Zuo Mengeng as the commander of the march into Nanjing, but with the tacit understanding of all aspects of Henan to Hou Dagui as the main body, Fang Guoan, who knows things, knows that the strength of the army and the degree of intimacy with Zhao Ying are not as good as Zuo Mengeng. Zuo Mengeng has always been used to being a big man, and he does not have any discomfort, the attitude of the other party Guoan is very satisfied, and the two have a harmonious relationship.

Fang Guoan personally went out of the camp to greet Zuo Mengeng, Zuo Mengeng's eyes were sharp, and when he saw Fang Guoan beside him, a fat man in a military uniform with bulging cheeks and a thick neck, he was not polite, and asked directly: "Who is this fat man?" ”

Without waiting for Fang Guoan's introduction, the fat man smiled and stepped forward and said, "In Xia Liu Liangzuo, I have seen Zuo Houye." ”

Zuo Mengeng didn't care about anything else, he first heard him call himself Hou Ye, his heart was comfortable, and he nodded politely. Fang Guoan whispered: "Liu Ye is the army that sent a message to Jiangbei at the end of yesterday......"

Before he finished speaking, Zuo Mengeng's eyes widened angrily, and he shouted Jin Shenghuan, Gao Jinku and others behind him: "The enemy general dares to break into my camp, quickly take him down for me!" After speaking, he also rolled up his sleeves and arms, ready to fight.

Seeing this, Fang Guoan hurriedly interjected in the middle and persuaded: "Hou Ye is angry, Liu Ye is not an enemy, he is a friend." ”

"A friend?" Zuo Mengeng was stunned. On the way back to the barracks from Xunyang Tower, he was frightened by the army of unknown origin in Jiangbei. Although he was scared, he was secretly ready to fight, who would have thought that Fang Guoan would say this.

Gao Jinku's eyes rolled, and he leaned into Zuo Mengeng's ear and said: "Master Hou, this Liu Liangzuo is also a marquis under the title of King Ningnan, and he is the Marquis of Guangchang, and he is at the same level as you." ”

"Oh?" Zuo Mengeng looked at Gao Jinku with a round mouth, and then turned to look at Liu Liangzuo, who was at a loss.

Liu Liangzuo looked at each other, blushed and hurriedly said: "Master Hou misunderstood, Liu has no malice here." ”

Zuo Mengeng was still not at ease, and pointed at him and said, "Then what do you Chen Bing Jiangbei want?" Zhao Dangshi had previously reminded him in the letter that he might encounter the interception of the Ming army along the way on the way to Nanjing, because he heard that there were soldiers cruising in the north of the river, and his first reaction was that the other party wanted to cut off the river and fight with him.

"I ......," Liu Liangzuo was speechless for a while. To be honest, he led his troops from Fengyang Mansion to the south to Susong and Wangjiang, and was originally assigned by Ma Shiying, the governor of Fengyang, to take over a nobleman. Who the noble person is, Ma Shiying did not say to him clearly, but after the words are conclusive, he will be rewarded by the court. In this way, he reluctantly accepted Ma Shiying's dispatch.

At that time, the news of Xinjun's accession to the throne in Fan Jing had reached his ears, and he also gladly accepted the reward of the new imperial court, thinking that the nobles in Ma Shiying's mouth might be the dignitaries of the imperial court, but when he arrived in Jiangbei, he found that there were two armies of Zuo Mengeng and Fang Guoan, who had twice the number of troops stationed on the opposite side of the river, and a small drum instantly played in his heart.

Like most people, Liu Liangzuo had no idea of He Tengjiao and the Nanjing minister's plan to support King Gui, so when he saw a heavy army gathering on the south bank of the river, he immediately realized that things were not as simple as Ma Shiying said. In the past ten years of ups and downs, Liu Liangzuo has long been an old fritter and will not do bottomless things, so he immediately decided to put Ma Shiying's assignment aside first and figure things out before moving. It just so happened that Fang Guoan was his old acquaintance who could meet and talk in detail, so he set off yesterday evening, crossed the river by boat, and arrived here this morning.

"Susong, Wangjiang and other places have recently been ravaged by Hukoujiang 'thieves', and Liu led troops to clean it up. I didn't hear that the two of them were next door, close to each other, coming around. Liu Liangzuo blushed to the base of his neck and said helplessly. Although there are many remnants of Hui and leather thieves in the western part of Anqing Mansion who are entrenched in Yingshan, Huoshan and other cottages to rob houses and houses, they are similar to the situation in Jiangxi, they are all petty fights, and they are far from the point where they have to work his army of 10,000 people. But he couldn't think of any other excuse for the time being, so he could only make up such a lame reason. I didn't think it was appropriate to say it, but it was difficult to collect the water, so I had to look at Zuo Mengeng anxiously.

To his surprise, Zuo Mengeng was convinced of this explanation, and his doubts were suddenly relieved, and his attitude changed a lot. Liu Liangzuo doesn't know the details of Zuo Mengeng, but he thinks that the tiger father has no dog, and he is the son of Zuo Liangyu and was cited by Zhao Dangshi as an arm, so he must have means that are difficult for ordinary people to reach, and he dare not be careless. Especially when he saw Zuo Mengeng's style of changing his face faster than turning a book, he was even more surprised, and he felt that this person was very sleek and should not be underestimated.

A group of people returned to the big tent of the Chinese army to sit and talk, in front of Liu Liangzuo, there were Jin Shenghuan and other generals of the Zuo family who strictly guarded it, and Zuo Mengeng was basically speechless. Liu Liangzuo saw that Zuo Mengeng was silent, often bowed his head and pondered, nodded secretly and thought: "Sure enough, the city government is extremely deep, and it is enough to take on a big responsibility." ”

Liu Liangzuo has something on his mind, but he thinks that Zuo Mengeng, as Zhao Dangshi's confidant, naturally knows about the nobles from Hu Guanglai.

So he kept asking. Jin Shenghuan, Gao Jinku and other military generals of the Zuo family, who mainly dealt with him, roughly guessed that the purpose of Liu Liangzuo's trip was King Gui, and found that Liu Liangzuo was in an embarrassing situation where he was being used as a gun and was unwilling to be a gun but did not know the inside story, so he planned and said: "Someone who intends to rebel has been captured by the Marquis of Zuo and sent to the Huguang court. In addition to revealing this news, Liu Liangzuo asked again, and they all pretended to be deaf and dumb, and they didn't speak anymore.

Liu Liangzuo was successfully induced. He has always had great doubts about the content of the errand given to him by Ma Shiying, and now he has searched over and over again, and the only valuable clue he has found is "someone intends to rebel". Naturally, he thought that Ma Shiying was very likely to be involved in this rebellion, and let him come to Jiangbei, maybe it had something to do with this matter, and he almost got on his thief ship in a daze.

Don't say anything else, just say the words "has been captured by Marquis Zuo and sent to the Huguang Imperial Court", which is enough to make Liu Liangzuo make up his mind to give up Ma Shiying's errand. The thief ship didn't even sink, let alone sank. If he knew that the "rebellion" here actually referred to King Gui's struggle for the throne, maybe he would have considered it or two, but unfortunately, because of his previous discord and acceptance of the reward from the new court, Ma Shiying wanted to use him but did not trust him, so he didn't know the reason at all. The new imperial court has been established, how can he, a person who is accustomed to turning with the wind, continue to follow Ma Shiying.