More than a dozen people walked up the mountain road, walked to the side of the Mapao Spring in blue cloth armor, leaned over and wiped their faces. After looking around, I found a fairly smooth stone and sat down.

"The horses are hidden?" Blue Armor will ask the left and right attendants.

An entourage replied: "Don't worry, the general is all veteran work, and there will be no mistakes." ”

The blue armor general didn't speak, and after a while, he turned around from the corner of the mountain road, and looked at the outfit was also the same as his head. As soon as the blue-armored general saw him, he got up and asked, "Old Feng, the official army searches the mountain?" ”

The visitor shook his head and said, "I've seen it, it's just a passing horse vendor." ”

The blue armor general took a mouthful of phlegm and scolded: "The thief, if it weren't for the wreckage surnamed Luo, would we need to be so frightened and hide in Tibet?" ”

The person who came pouted and said: "If you want me to say, in fact, you don't have to abandon the horse to climb the mountain in one fell swoop, and we are not afraid to see the officers and soldiers." ”

The blue-armored general said: "More things are better than less things, I really bumped into the officers and soldiers, isn't it too much to twist my tongue?" We've finished our errands, so don't go wrong on the way back. ”

The two chatted for a few words, and then led people down the mountain. When the sound of horses' hooves started again, Hou Dagui jumped out of the grass, looked at Li Yanlang, who was patting the dust on his body behind him, and said, "Have you seen those two people clearly?" ”

Li Yanlang promised: "There will be no difference." The left foot of a man in blue armor in front of his head was slightly lame, and the full moon face that came out behind him was a little cross-eyed, all of which he had seen at the banquet that day. ”

Hou Dagui continued: "Exactly, the white cripple Bai Wenxuan, and the cross-eyed Feng Shuangli, these two names are well-known in the morning rooster. Speaking of this, he turned to Li Wanqing, "Old Li, how could the general of Xiying be here, do you know the reason?" ”

Li Wanqing's face turned white, and he shook his head again and again: "How do I know." The Eight Kings have a lot of ears and eyes, and I heard that there is no shortage of his eyeliner as far away as Central Yunnan and Jingshi. It is not uncommon for people to meet him here. ”

Hou Dagui glanced at him, his lips moved, but he didn't speak. Zhao Ying from Yunyang Mansion to Zaoyang County halfway to settle in Gucheng, Zhang Xianzhong set up a banquet with Zhao Dangshi to drink and talk, both battalions of heavy generals attended. Bai Wenxuan and Feng Shuangli are both newcomers to Xiying who have emerged in the past two years, and Zhang Xianzhong specially named them to toast Zhao Dangshi, so both Hou Dagui and Li Yanlang have a deep impression of them.

Li Yanlang saw that Hou Dagui didn't ask questions, and he didn't say much. At that moment, Hou Dagui faced Li Wanqing and said: "The hearts of the brothers, I have already known, will be delivered to my father-in-law." And the army is in chaos, Brother Li wants to pursue the troops, and we need to go back as soon as possible to resume our lives, so we will not delay each other. I would like to ask Brother Li to say hello to all of you on behalf of my battalion. The green mountains do not change the green water, and you and I will see you again in the future. ”

Li Wanqing said solemnly: "If there is no Hou brother coming this time, we will really feel cornered." Zhao Zhang...... Lord Zhao remembered the old relationship and wanted to help me change my face, which is a great kindness. The grace of dripping water will be repaid by the spring, and I also ask Brother Hou to go back to convey my intentions, as long as Lord Zhao calls, no matter how difficult it is, I will also repay him. ”

Hou Dagui let out a "haha" and bowed his hand again.

After Li Wanqing finished speaking to him, he took two steps, hugged Li Yanlang tightly, and said, "Ninth son." I am alone, and you are the only brother left in the world today. I only hate God for having no eyes, so that my flesh and blood are separated, and in the future, whenever there is a chance, even if my brother is a cow or a horse, he must protect you and never abandon you. ”

Li Yanlang said movingly: "Fifth brother, what are you talking about." Lord Zhao is thirsty for talent, and his brother is wise, and if he is in Zhao Ying, he will be able to show his ambitions. When the time is right, it will be the time when my brothers will be together. ”

The three of them separated by the Happy Horse Spring, Hou Dagui and Li Yanlang walked for a while, and saw that he kept his head down and kept silent, but said: "Xiao Li, if you remember correctly, you, the fifth brother, abandoned the clan thief at the beginning. Although the name was changed, the paper could not contain the fire, and the clan was still implicated after all. Yes and no? ”

Li Yanlang's heart was shocked, as if the lid of the boiling was lifted, and memories erupted from the depths of his mind.

Ten years ago, Li Wanqing was seduced by his friends, regardless of the hard persuasion of his family relatives, he resolutely rose up, and with extraordinary means, he quickly became a famous family with a surname. Later, because of the informant of the township party, the government investigated the door, his father was tortured and died, and his mother also died of grief, and even the rest of his relatives were also affected, and he was sentenced to be imprisoned one after another for the thief party. Li Yanlang was still young, and as his uncle fled and escaped from the government, his uncle was killed by the rebels halfway, and Li Yanlang was also kidnapped. After several twists and turns, he survived tenaciously and slowly grew into a seasoned and resolute warrior. It's just that after several years of ups and downs, under the nuisance of various reasons, he has never been able to see his "fifth brother". It can be said that if it weren't for Zhao Dangshi sending him to accompany Chengtianfu this time, the first reunion with his clan brother in ten years would probably have to be postponed.

"I remember you said that it has been difficult to see your fifth brother since the grass fell. Have you ever wondered why? Hou Dagui walked as he walked.

Li Yanlang said sullenly: "My subordinates don't understand the meaning of control. ”

Hou Dagui sighed slightly and said, "Your fifth brother has dragged down the entire family because of his momentary anger. His parents, your parents, aren't they all involved by him? ”

Li Yanlang's face was red and white, and he was speechless for a while.

Hou Dagui continued: "If I still have a surviving brother in the world, it means that I have to take him to my side and treat him like a son. But what happened to your fifth brother, you also know it. Laughed dryly, "Fortunately, my old Hou Yundao said that the family died cleanly, but there is nothing to worry about." ”

Seeing that Li Yanlang was still silent, Hou Dagui said: "But if you want to be me, I won't see you." It's not that I don't want to see you, but I feel guilty and don't have the face to see you. ”

As soon as a sentence came out, Li Yanlang was like a hammer, and he stood still and stopped moving forward. He clearly remembered that at the beginning, he was lonely and helpless, how eager he was to go to Li Wanqing's side and support each other with his only relative. It's just that the sky is not as good as people want, and the bloody attempts have repeatedly brought disappointing results. The reason for returning from the wall is also different, the closest time in his mind, he even touched Li Wanqing's camp tent, but at the last moment, the soldiers who were guarded forcibly expelled from the camp tent on the grounds of "not returning from the battle", however, the figure in the tent that was illuminated by the light on the tent always lingered in his heart. After that, his heart seemed to be a lot colder, and he didn't try to chase Li Wanqing's troops anymore and begged to see him, he chose his own path, a road that never intersected with his clan brother again.

He was very willing to believe that Li Wanqing was indeed suffering from busy military affairs when he did not see him. But when he himself became a small boss, he slowly realized his original innocence and naivety. So, he tried to hide the answer in the depths of his heart, so that it would fall into dust and dust, and never come to the surface again.

It's a pity that the secret in his heart was ruthlessly dug up by Hou Dagui.

"I feel ashamed that I don't see you."

Li Yanlang repeatedly recited Hou Dagui's words, in fact, he never thought of this sentence. He really wanted to say forgiveness to Li Wanqing, but unfortunately, Li Wanqing never gave him this opportunity.

"I don't blame him." Li Yanlang's face was gloomy, and the last person who heard his words of forgiveness was not Li Wanqing, but Hou Dagui.

Hou Dagui nodded and said, "You don't blame him, he can't see himself clearly." ”

Li Yanlang exhaled and said, "Commander, didn't he come to meet us this time?" ”

Hou Dagui smiled and said disapprenously: "But have you ever talked about the past? ”

Li Yanlang sighed: "No." Instead of shaking his head, "I don't know why, I really saw him, and I couldn't say what I wanted to say at the beginning." ”

Hou Dagui looked at him and didn't speak for a long time, Li Yanlang glanced at him and said suspiciously: "Command? ”

"Li Yanqing in the past, Li Wanqing today." Hou Dagui's face sank like water, "You are not the Li Yanlang of that time." ”

Li Yanlang said awe-inspiringly: "Blood is thicker than water, he is my fifth brother in the end." ”

Hou Dagui smiled bitterly: "Blood is thicker than water? Then Zhengse said, "My old marquis never says hypocritical words, and I am afraid that all the hypocritical words in this life will be said to you today." I am not talking about this today to expose your scars and make you happy. I just can't help but mention it, you think of him, it's your benefit, but what he values in his heart may not be you. ”

When Li Yanlang heard this, he suddenly smiled, and Hou Dagui was displeased, so he only listened to him: "The words of the control are in my heart." It can be seen that the lord treats me like a brother, and I have long regarded him as a relative. Zhao Ying is like home to me. The inner weight is heavy, and the subordinates have their own proportions. What's more, ......" As he spoke, he couldn't help but think of Ru Pingyang, but when he looked at Hou Dagui, he couldn't say anything after all.

When Hou Dagui heard this, his whole body suddenly lightened, and he grinned: "I don't know what kind of medicine you sell in your kid's gourd." They both laughed at each other. So far, Hou Dagui has no worries.

Hundreds of miles away, Zaoyang official road, three horses galloping.

Looking back at the Beidaying, which was gradually fading, Meng Aocao's heart suddenly emptied. At the intersection, Meng Aocao grabbed the reins and drove slowly. An entourage behind him came up and said, "Meng Whistle, Guo has to hurry up, I heard that he is now in Shuanggoukou, we have to arrive today, and we have to return to resume our lives." ”

Meng Aocao pondered for a moment and said: "I won't go there if he is there, it's just a matter of delivering letters, you two can just go and inform them." I'm going to Dafu Mountain, where things are more urgent. ”

When the two entourages heard this, they agreed, said "Take care, sentry", and urged their horses out together.

Meng Aocao stuck out his tongue, slightly tired. The military reform of the Zhao battalion has not yet ended, and many of the establishments are difficult to move in person, so most of the trivial and complicated tasks have temporarily fallen on the shoulders of the Feijie battalion, which has the smallest adjustment. For two months in a row, the Feijie battalion went up to Han Gon, the commander of the camp, and down to the captain Wu Chang, and they were not idle for a moment. Meng Aocao, as a sentinel, is also riddled with everything.

Take today as an example, as soon as he opened his eyes, he rushed to the newly built Beida Camp to participate in the progress investigation. However, this task is still bitter and happy for him, after all, his beloved is in Beidaying, and he still has the opportunity to see the beauty in the middle of business, how fast. It's just that he couldn't think about it, but he actually delayed too much time in the Beida camp, and when he was reluctant to leave the Peking camp, he suddenly remembered that there were still two important tasks to be completed.

One of them was to go to Guo Ruke to convey Zhao Dangshi's new military order. Previously, according to Zhao Dangshi's intentions, Guo Ruke organized countless small troops to disguise themselves as strongmen and thieves to attack the Xiang clan industry everywhere, with great success. Yesterday, Zhao Dangshi returned to the camp from Xiangyang Fucheng and brought back the good news of cooperation with Xiangfan. Guo Ruke's phased work has come to an end, and his new work direction has also undergone a 180-degree change. Zhao Dangshi asked him to gather his men and horses and successively sweep away the potential threats around the Xiang domain's industry, and the specific assignment is detailed in letters.

The other is related to the Dafushan silver mine. The Zuo family made up their minds to open a new mine in Dafu Mountain, and they sent some craftsmen to the mountains again a few days ago to find out the situation. Zhao Ying's side also needs to be accompanied by someone to make an appearance, and Meng Aocao and He Kewei's subordinates were selected to accompany them. Compared with going to Guo Ruke to deliver the message, Meng Aocao attaches more importance to this task, since there is not enough time, he will give up the light.

He stationed on the horse to ease the loneliness of separation, and looked in the direction of Beidaying, feeling a little better, and then turned his horse to the east.

After walking for a short time, five people approached. If in the past, someone blocked the way, according to Meng Aocao's temper, no matter how many, he shouted and stepped directly on the past. But his eyes were sharp, and he found that the five people were wearing the soap clothes of Zaoyang County archers, so he paid attention, slowed down his horse, and whipped a few loud whips in the air as a warning.

Seeing this, the five archers hurriedly avoided on both sides. Meng Aocao was proud in his heart, thinking that these pickled goods were still familiar with each other this time, but he thought that it was because he was afraid of the soft and the hard, and he saw the light armor he was wearing. Happy, remembering the conflict in the White Horse Temple that day, he intended to take revenge, galloped to the five, but the horse's belly was clamped, the bridle was pulled, and when he sat down, the horse immediately raised its front hooves, and with a long neigh, the dirt brought up sprinkled the five archers all over their bodies, and the neighing also startled them.

Meng Aocao was very relieved to see their embarrassed appearance, and when he clamped the horse again, the horse immediately hit the ground and rushed out.

"Dare to find grandpa's trouble, and don't teach you to look good!" Meng Aocao stepped up his horse fighting while thinking. However, to his surprise, the horse rushed more than ten steps, his front hooves suddenly missed, and his whole body knelt forward.

Meng Aocao secretly exclaimed, knowing that someone must have set up a tripping rope here, so he hurriedly pumped his feet and flew to the side. After rolling on the ground five or six times, before he could ease his mind, he had already received four or five sticks on his head, and he was unconscious.