Zaoyang County, located in the northeast of Xiangyang Prefecture, is quite famous, and Liu Xiu, Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty, was born here, and has the reputation of "Dragon Flying White Water, Pine Nut Shenpi". Zhao Ying was stationed in this county, and Zhao Dangshi first went to Liu Xiu's hometown to visit for a while, according to Hou Dagui's words, it was "touching the dragon's spirit".

The land of Longxing is naturally a good fortune, but Zhao Dangshi's most satisfaction with the garrison Zaoyang lies in the key to the location of this county.

Since ancient times, guarding the southeast must guard Jingxiang, and the successive dynasties have never lost Jingxiang and kept the southeast. And the weight of Jingxiang is in Hanshui. The Han River originates in Hanzhong, flows into Huguang through Ankang, Xing'an and other places, and flows south in the tributaries of Xiangyang Dahe, and finally converges on the Dajiang River. In the confrontation between the north and the south, the river is the most important line of defense, and the stability of the defense line of the river depends to a large extent on the mountain and river barrier in the north of the river. Hanshui belongs to the central Huguang section of the Dajiang defense line, it alluvial passage in the Dabie Mountain, Tongbai Mountain and other mountain ranges, connecting the north and south of Huguang, and this passage is from Nanyang, Xiangyang, all the way south to Jingzhou, Wuchang of the great plain.

This plain is vertical and horizontal, covering a vast area, if carefully divided, in the south is the vast "Han River Plain", in the north is the same fertile "Nanyang Basin". Then look at the Nanyang Basin, which can be described as the transportation gateway of Guanzhong, Hanzhong, Central Plains and Hubei. It goes west along the main stream of the Han River to Hanzhong; Northwest Wuguan can enter the pass; From Xiangyang along the Han River, you can reach two lakes; If you can reach the Yiluo River valley from the Xichuan River Valley; And there are many leaks in the eastern mountains, which can also penetrate the hinterland of the Central Plains.

Li Gang of the Song Dynasty once said: "Nanyang, where the light and martial arts are prosperous, there are high mountains and mountains that can be controlled, and there are wide cities and plains that can be stationed. It is adjacent to Guanshan in the west, and soldiers can be summoned; East to Jianghuai, can transport millet; Nantong Jinghu and Bashu, you can take goods; The north rejects Sandu, and rescue can be sent. ”

Looking at ancient history, such as Cao Cao's capture of Jingzhou, Huan Wen's attack on Yao Xiang, Liu Yu's attack on Hou Qin, Gao Huan's attack on key issues, Yue Fei's capture of Yingzheng, etc., the focus is all focused on the Nanyang Basin. This is where the importance of the region comes in.

Continuing to look closely, it is obvious that Nanyang and Xiangyang are the upper and lower ends of the Nanyang Basin, which are the core hubs of this region, and they are all known as important towns. These two originally belonged to the same geographical relationship, but they were separated by the strategy of "governing by provinces" and "controlling mountains and rivers" in the Yuan and Ming dynasties. This is true, but in the eyes of the soldiers, they are inseparable and cannot be seen separately.

If you focus on Huguang, then compared with Nanyang, which is closer to the Central Plains, Xiangyang's status is undoubtedly important.

Xiangyang is connected to the Great River by the Han River, connecting Wuhui in the east, Bashu in the west, two lakes in the south, and the Central Plains in the north, which is not only an important place, but also often related to the essence of the overall situation. The Western Jin Dynasty destroyed Wu, the Sui Dynasty destroyed Chen, and the Mongols destroyed the Southern Song Dynasty all because they controlled Xiangyang and thus succeeded overnight. The reason why this is so is that once Xiangyang is obtained, then the other two military centers of Huguangzhong, Jiangling and Wuchang, will be in no danger to defend and exposed. With these three places, the lake is controllable, and the trend of relying on the lake is wide and then sweeping the southeast is naturally invincible.

The specific analysis of Xiangyang's geographical advantages connecting Jiangling and Wuchang lies in "two lands and one water". "Lianglu" refers to the "Jingyi Corridor" and "Suizao Corridor", and "Yishui" refers to the section of the Han River from Xiangyang to Wuchang. If you control these three, then it is not an exaggeration to say that the land of Huguang and Jiangbei is under control. And among the three, the most critical is the jujube corridor.

The name of the corridor is easy to understand. The so-called "jujube" is Zaoyang County as the northwest end, and "Sui" is Suizhou at the southeast end. The causes of this corridor are all in Tongbai Mountain and Dahong Mountain. Tongbai Mountain lies between Henan and Huguang, and is the boundary mountain of the two provinces; Dahong Mountain rises abruptly from the Hanjiang River Plain of Pingchuan, and the northern foot starts from Xiangyang to the southern foot of Xiaogan, dividing the plain that runs through a piece. These two mountains, one north and one south, have a northwest to southeast direction, and the smooth road sandwiched in them is the corridor with the dates.

The key to it is that it can not only connect Xiangyang and Wuchang by land, but also enter Henan to the north, which plays a role in connecting the inside and outside - although Tongbai Mountain is steep and long, there are still three main mountain passes of Wuyang Pass, Pingjing Pass and Jiuli Pass for travel, which is commonly known as "Yiyang Three Passes".

It can be said that with Zaoyang, it is equivalent to controlling a vital thoroughfare in the northern part of Huguang. What's even better is that Zaoyang happens to be at the end of the northwest of Tongbai Mountain, to be more detailed, the deer head shop located in the northeast corner of Zaoyang can be called the throat of the corridor with Zaoyang, to the west, northwest to Xiangyang, Nanyang unimpeded, to the east, northeast can also avoid the high mountain obstacles to reach the hinterland of the Central Plains such as Xinyang and Miyang.

can have such an accessible pass as a station, how can Zhao Dangshi not like it.

"Xiong Wencan's short-sightedness and ignorance of soldiers is my luck." The first time he set foot on the land of Zaoyang, Zhao Dangshi, who rode his horse and whipped outside the pine forest of Lutoudian, couldn't help but sigh.

Xiong Wencan's use of Xiangyang Jiancheng as an isolation, the separation of the Zhao camp and the western camp, and the placement of the second battalion in the military buffer zone where Henan and Huguang intersect at the same time was indeed wishful thinking. However, after all, he was a newcomer, not only did he not have a thorough understanding of the situation in Henan and Chu, but also lacked understanding of the mountains and rivers in between.

But not everyone is as confused as Xiong Wencan. Zuo Liangyu is an understanding person.

On 24 March, Zhao Yingdehu's political envoy issued an edict from the imperial court, ordering him to move from Zhushan and Zhuxi in Yunyang Prefecture, and to Gucheng County, Xiangyang Prefecture one day later. There, Zhang Xianzhong had already led the Xiying to set up camp. Zhao Dangshi and Zhang Xianzhong enjoyed drinking for a night, and continued to march east the next day. By the 27th, the forward soldiers and horses began to enter Zaoyang County. As of today, that is, on March 29, Zhao Ying is still settling down one after another, and in just five or six days, Zuo Liangyu has already sent someone to find him.

At present, there are three main people who are asking to see outside: Su Zhao, the inspector of the Lutoudian Inspection Division, Chu Xidi, the warden of Zaoyang County, and a businessman surnamed Zuo.

The Ming Dynasty Inspection Department was established in the Hongwu period, Zhu Yuanzhang said: "I set up inspection in Guanjin, the main road, the investigation of treachery and hypocrisy, the period in the people of the people, business travel without difficulty." "It is used to assist the state and county in catching thieves, guarding Guanjin, inspecting passers-by, etc., and the functions and powers are quite complicated. Lutoudian is an important place for transportation, so even though a large number of inspection divisions were abolished after the Hongzhi Dynasty, the inspection department of Lutoudian was not affected. There are now nearly 100 archers in the division, and Su Zhao, the inspector, is therefore the most influential figure in the local area.

As a stream official, the warden has this position at all levels of the government, prefecture, and county, and is in charge of the transfer of cashiers, if there is no county official in the county, then the warden can also act as the county official. Before Zhao Dangshi came, he knew that there was no county in Zaoyang County, so the power of this Chu Rhino Land must be not small.

Zhao Ying is very famous, and it is impossible not to alarm the local real power faction when he comes to Zaoyang this time. It can be seen that Chu Xi represents Zaoyang County and Su Zhao represents Lutoudian, and the two largest local powerful factions are all here.

Zhao Dangshi paid more attention to the businessman surnamed Zuo. Chu Xidi and Su Zhao entered at the same time as him, but it was he who was unofficial and untitled at the forefront, so it can be seen that this person must be extraordinary behind him.

Listening to his introduction again, the person's name is Sili, and he claims to be the shopkeeper of a silver store in Xuzhou, Henan. As soon as these words came out, Zhao Dangshi and Chang Zeyu nodded at each other. What is Xuzhou? Everyone knows that it is the base camp of Zuo Liangyu, the general soldier, and his family are placed there, this person is surnamed Zuo, and from Xuzhou, and is highly respected by Su and Chu, so he must be inseparable from Zuo Liangyu.

Zuo Sili didn't immediately raise Zuo Liangyu's name, but how could Zhao Dangshi not know what was going on, so he ordered the left and right to immediately show the three of them a seat, and naturally let Zuo Sili sit in the top seat.

A few people greeted each other slightly, in short, they couldn't do without the warm welcome to Zhao Dangshi and the welcome for Zhao Ying. These empty words are not nutritious, but they are an essential etiquette before making friends. Zhao Dangshi had already understood this, and after following the words of the three of them, and losing no time in making two jokes, the atmosphere of the conversation immediately became relaxed and lively.

"Zaoyang people are outstanding, our army can use this as a basis, fortunately." Zhao Dangshi said with a smile.

Su Zhao hurriedly replied: "Lord Zhao's words are wrong. In this troubled era, the sword soldiers are rampant and blindless, and my land is small and remote, and it is the season when the day is precarious and panicked. Now that your army has arrived, the divine power has shaken the group, and it seems to have put a talisman on me, and we will finally be able to sit back and relax and have enough food and clothing from now on. If you talk about it, the arrival of your army is really a blessing for us! ”

Zhao Dangshi said with a smile on his face: "Lord Su is serious. "But my heart is staggered, and I grovel to this person. But after thinking about it, this surnamed Su is the closest to him, and with Zhao Ying by his side, it is like having thousands of sharp knives hanging above his head all day long, in order to protect himself, how can he salivate and praise himself?

Although Chu Xidi also catered to it, he was not as thick-skinned as Su Zhao, so he coughed lightly at this time, intercepted Su Zhao's words, and said: "Lord Zhao, my county hall has been unwell recently, so it is difficult to meet you this time." Please forgive me. ”

Zhao Dangshi said: "Zhao is just a horseman, how can He De dare to come to the Labor Hall." Another day, Zhao will visit in person! ”

Hearing this, Chu Xi smiled faintly and gave him a light salute.

Zhao Dangshi thought about Zuo Sili, and seeing that he didn't speak, he took the initiative to provoke the topic and said: "Mr. Zuo, you opened a store in Xuzhou, is your business good?" ”

That Zuo Sili was fifty years old, dark-skinned, very thin, a little old but in good spirits, at this time, he replied respectfully: "Back to adults, small shops and small businesses, not good or bad, but they can continue to have food and clothing." ”

Zhao Dangshi laughed, "Mr. is too modest", and then asked: "Xuzhou is far away from Zaoyang, but I don't know why Mr. has time to come to my camp today?" ”

Zuo Sili shook his head and said: "It's not a secret, the villain originally came to find Master Su to do some trivial things, but he happened to pass by here and heard of the general's divine might, so he came to pay homage to Tianyi." Don't forget to praise it, "If it's really outstanding, it's extraordinary." ”

As soon as he said that, Zhao Dangshi couldn't help but be disappointed. Originally, when he saw this Zuo Sili, he decided that his arrival had something to do with Zuo Liangyu. However, after several temptations, Zuo Sili's eyes flickered, and he often looked at him left and right, and he did not mean to be honest. Zhao Dangshi couldn't figure out his thoughts, and it was not easy to ask further, so he turned to Chang Zeyu, who was also secretly stroking his beard and harboring suspicions.

Zhao Dangshi reluctantly suppressed his displeasure and continued to talk with the three of them, but after talking for a while, there was no substantial progress except for Zuo Sili blindly evading, Su Zhao being a sycophant, and Chu Xi being full of politeness, and he couldn't help but get tired of it. Just as he was about to be straightforward, he said the three words "Zuo Liangyu" first, but he saw Chang Zeyu shaking his head at him, hesitated for a moment, and said: "The three of them came from afar, and they should have swept the couch to greet them." However, the camp has not yet been settled, and everything is complicated, and when the next time it is free, it will definitely send out invitations to invite the three adults in the county to play together. Be sure to enjoy the light. ”

The three of them were not stupid, and when they heard the meaning of the expulsion, they did not delay, and then got up to say goodbye. Zhao Dangshi sent someone to fetch some gold and silver gifts for the three of them, except for Chu Xidi, Su Zhao and Zuo Sili couldn't bear it. Refreshingly receiving the gift but not speaking, Zhao Dangshi had more doubts about Zuo Sili's intriguing style, and almost blurted out several times, but Chang Zeyu was either overt or covertly blocked.

When the three of them left, Zhao Dangshi frowned and said, "I think this Zuo Sili is a little weird. Then he added, "He came prepared, but why did he end up keeping silent and refusing to say a word?" ”

Chang Zeyu smiled: "Why did the lord say this? I think this Zuo Sili looks like a powerful character. ”

Zhao Dangshi was taken aback and asked, "Is there such a thing?" I kept asking him, and he was always vain and wronged, and he couldn't understand these things very well, and he really didn't have the slightest sincerity. Could it be that he doesn't look down on me? ”

Chang Zeyu said with a straight face: "No, the lord is a talent, who can not worship when he sees it?" It's just that the main man's thoughts are all on the three words 'Zuo Liangyu', and he is too anxious to succeed, so he neglects one and the other, ignoring many details. ”

Zhao Dangshi became more and more suspicious: "What's the solution? ”

Chang Zeyu said: "The lord paid more attention to Zuo Sili, but he didn't see the sunny weather on the faces of Su and Chu. He continued, "My subordinates have carefully observed, but I feel that between these three people, there may not be as much harmony as they seem. Seeing that Zhao Dangshi had some understanding, he continued, "In the humble opinion of his subordinates, Chu Xidi seems to have some trouble with Zuo Sili, and Na Su Zhao is in a dilemma among the two. ”

In terms of the ability to observe words and looks, and recognize people, Zhao Dangshi thinks that he is far less rich than Chang Zeyu, who has decades of experience. According to this line of thought, he carefully reviewed the conversation scene just now, and nodded while thinking: "When you say that, it seems to be true." Na Chu Xi never took Zuo Sili's words, and often interrupted Su Zhao's echo of Zuo Sili...... "The more I think about it, the more I feel reasonable."

Chang Zeyu nodded and said, "This may be the crux of Zuo Sili's reluctance to open his mouth to confide in the truth. I'm afraid that this Chu Rhinodi will not deal with him, and there are some contradictions that are not enough for outsiders. So much so that it was like a nail stuck on his stool, forcing him to sit but never daring to sit down. ”

Zhao Dangshi replied: "Then what should Zuo Sili do when he leaves?" ”

Chang Zeyu exhaled lightly and said, "Don't worry, this Zuo Sili is a smart person. Don't you hear that 'the exchange is shallow but the words are deep, there must be a picture'. If he refuses to make friends with the lord, he can pretend to be deaf and dumb, why should he confide in the details of 'Xuzhou', running a 'silver dumping shop', 'asking Master Su to do some small things' and so on? The reason why he said this was clearly to make the lord pay attention. "Then he said, "My subordinates think that although he is leaving at the moment, he is not really leaving, it is to retreat as advance, and sooner or later he will come to the door." ”

Zhao Dangshi listened, and immediately said with relief: "Mr. said so, and the mouth suddenly opened. If it hadn't been for the previous husband who repeatedly stopped me, I am afraid that I would have lost to Meng Lang at that time, but I would have missed a big thing. When I think about it, I immediately feel no more burdened.

Sure enough, as Chang Zeyu expected, when the night was low, Zhou Wenhe came to report, saying that there were people outside the camp who claimed to be Zuo Sili asking to see him.