Zhang Xianzhong attached great importance to the cavalry, and made up 3,000 cavalry as the pillars of the army. Each cavalryman was required to fight with ten infantry or stickmen, and any mistake was severely punished. These cavalry are extremely powerful, and Zhang Xianzhong himself has boasted more than once that he only needs these 3,000 horsemen to dominate the world.

After garrisoning Gucheng, Zhang Xianzhong divided the 3,000 elite cavalry into four battalions, and each served as the battalion commander with the humerus brave general. The current four battalions will be Zhang Guoxing, Zhang Sihu, Zhang Keji and Wang Fuchen. In addition to Wang Fuchen, the remaining three battalion generals are all Zhang Xianzhong's righteous sons, and among them, Zhang Guoxing's original name was Wang Guoxing, nicknamed "Three Harriers", only three years younger than Zhang Xianzhong, and has always been considered the first fierce general in Xiying. He was known as "Fierce and Fierce", and it was common for him to lash out at soldiers with angry whips, so it is not difficult to understand why the officers and soldiers would panic in the face of him.

The antlers refused to separate the horses, and the eight horsemen led by Zhang Guoxing stepped into the dust and dispersed in the air, only listening to a few shouts, but the knights did not gallop out of the horses, but stopped the horses' hooves, stopped the horses in place, and looked at the pavilion successively.

Lu Yue gave Fu Xunyu a look, and the two immediately got up to greet the pavilion. Zhang Guoxing, who was at the forefront, straddled the horse proudly, and the two of them did not say a word, but a horse behind them walked up slowly, and the young knight on the horse asked: "Brother Tai is Commander Lu?" Lu Yue served as a commander in the western camp, and the young knight was a little impressed, so he asked.

Lu Yue cleared his throat and arched his hand: "Exactly." Wang Ying, the commander of the battalion, Lu Yue, has met the major generals. ”

Fu Xunyu saw the young knight at this time, but he was quite familiar, it was Zhang Kewang, who had visited Zhao Ying a few months ago. Lu Yue introduced: "This is a guest from Zhao Ying, and he wants to participate in tomorrow's labor ceremony. ”

Zhang Kewang smiled and said: "It turned out to be a distinguished guest of Zhao Ying, but it was rude to be below." "He is calm, gentle and moderate, although he is young, he seems to be more mature than the uninhibited Zhang Guoxing.

Fu Xunyu smiled and nodded at him, and Lu Yue asked, "I don't know where several young generals are gathered today, where do they want to go?" ”

Zhang Kewang replied: "I have my own tasks, but I just go along the way for the time being." The third brother and they were going to several villages and forts in Hexi, and I heard that some young people there were secretly slandering their father-in-law, which was very sinister. As he spoke, he pointed to the other three young knights behind him, "I went with Dingguo and them to the armory shop on the western outskirts of the city, which was just spread out not long ago, and my father-in-law asked me to keep an eye on them. ”

Zhang Xianzhong relied on forcible seizure and tyranny to accumulate a lot of wealth, so he began to replenish military supplies. On the one hand, the commissioners of Guangsan went to various places to procure grain, grass and necessities, and on the other hand, they built many workshops in the valley near Gucheng to produce their own ordnance. Zhao Ying secretly investigated, and Xiying now has the ability to build three-eyed guns, maces, and various types of bows and crossbows.

Lu Yue nodded and said, "The matter is very important, and you can't afford it unless you major generals." The eight kings have the support of you, like a tiger with wings. ”

Zhang Kewang said with a smile: "It is indispensable to be assisted by all-rounders like Brother Lu. ”

Talking about this, Zhang Guoxing and the others seemed to be impatient, first gave a few whips, and then drank twice. Zhang Kewang didn't say much, and said goodbye randomly with a few polite words.

Seeing the eight horses go away, Lu Yue said: "Brother Fu, let's go back to the pavilion." ”

Fu Xunyu shook his head and said, "I think it's better for us to continue on the road." When I arrived at Xiying, I met the eight kings and had something to do. ”

Lu Yue responded: "It's okay." It's a very cloudy day, and the more you sit in the pavilion, the cooler it gets, and if you delay it, you may have to get drenched in the rain. ”

So the two stepped back on the horse, and Lu Yue saw that Fu Xunyu was thoughtful, so he asked, "What is Brother Fu thinking?" ”

Fu Xunyu came back to his senses and said with a smile: "Nothing else." It's just that I met your camp Junyan, and I am a little envious. ”

Lu Yue Nai said: "The four tigers and four dragons are all the best among the many righteous sons of the eight kings. And the Eight Dragons are especially favored by the Eight Kings. It is indeed gratifying that I have a successor in Xiying. ”

"Four Dragons ......" Fu Xunyu secretly thought to himself, and thought of Zhang Kewang, who was the right talent, and couldn't help nodding.

A few days later, Chen Hongfan's private residence on the shore of Tanxi Lake in the west of Xiangyang City.

Chen Hongfan invited many celebrities and scholars from Chu and Henan to the banquet today, and Zhao Dangshi handed over the reins to the Chen Mansion stable, and someone in front of the Zhu Gate greeted him: "Lord Zhao, you can count it." ”

When Zhao Dangshi heard this, it was Zuo Sili.

"Coincidentally, Mr. Zuo is also here." Zhao Dangshi was slightly surprised, Chen Hongfan did not mention in his letter that day that Zuo Liangyu would also send people to the banquet. But after thinking about it, I am afraid that this is the old and spicy thing about Chen Hongfan and Zuo Liangyu's actions, sending this old man of the Zuo family and a person with identity to Tanxi Lake, not Zuo Liangyu's proximity is better than Zuo Liangyu's proximity, and there is less gossip from others.

The person in charge of the reception is named Ma Tingshi, who is the deputy general under Chen Hongfan, and there is a nepotism between the two, which can be regarded as a brother-in-law. Chen Hongfan was not at the door, presumably he was already busy entertaining other distinguished guests in the mansion.

Zhao Dangshi walked up with Zuo Sili and talked to Ma Tingshi for a few words. Zhao Dangshi and Zuo Liangyu behind Zuo Sili are the most powerful factions in Chu Yu at the moment, Ma Tingshi did not dare to slack off, and personally led the two to the banquet. The work of picking up at the door is temporarily in charge of Xu Qizuo, another close confidant of Chen Hongfan.

Ma Tingshi led the way, but did not enter the mansion, the three of them talked while walking, and Zhao Dangshi knew that there was another place in today's banquet venue. Not in the house, but in the building on the northwest slope of Tanxi Lake.

Walking along the corner of Tanxi Lake, the path is paved with pebbles and planted with fine flowers and plants on both sides. Zuo Sili smiled: "Chen Shuai is really an elegant person. I have never seen this exquisite mind of embellishment. This time, since Chen Hongfan was the east, Zuo Sili's words were more respectful, and sure enough, a few "Chen Shuai" came out, and Ma Tingshi was overjoyed when he heard it.

Ma Tingshi's eyes smiled like a moon bud, and said: "When I arrived at the pavilion, it was called a Peugeot." We'll see. ”

After walking for a short time, I finally arrived at a small pavilion near the cliff. There were already servants of the Chen Mansion waiting there to pick them up, they were very clever and clever, knowing that the three of them had been gone for a long time, and hurriedly came up to bring up the iced sour plum soup that had been prepared.

Zhao Dangshi drank a bowl of sour plum soup, felt extremely refreshed, and asked Ma Tingshi: "Have the other adults arrived?" ”

Ma Tingshi politely replied: "Lord Lin Mingqiu, Lord Lin of Huguang Patrol, Lord Kuang Yue, the governor of Xiangyang Mansion, Lord Li Dajue, Lord Li of Xiangyang Prefecture, and Lord Li Anmin, the garrison of Xiangyang Mansion, have all arrived. There are still some distinguished guests on the way. Chen Shuai asked the two to take the two to the residence to settle down and recuperate, and then meet again. ”

Zhao Dangshi said with a smile: "Lord Lin moves fast. "A few days ago, Lin Mingqiu went to inspect the Xiying in Gucheng, and Zhao Ying sent Fu Xunyu to accompany him to review. Fu Xunyu had not returned before Zhao Dangshi left the camp, and now that Lin Mingqiu has arrived in Xiangyang, it means that Fu Xunyu is also on the way back.

Ma Tingshi said with a little pride: "Chen Shuai is popular, I think there is no other place where this lake can support such a big banquet scene." ”

The three of them continued to set off, chatting for a few words, and arrived at the Huanglongtan on the north side of Detanxi Lake.

The rooms of the Chen Mansion Annex are located on a flat land not far from Huanglongtan, and the name is called "Peach Blossom Spring". It's June, and the peach trees around the house are in full bloom with peach blossoms, the flowers are red and white, delicate and delicate, and the thousands of peach blossoms overlap and cover together, looking at it from afar. A pebble path winds through it, walking on it, looking around at the chaotic peach forest, there is really a sense of walking into the "peach blossom fairyland".

"There are beautiful women in the southern country, and they are as beautiful as peaches and plums." Seeing that he was in such a beautiful peach forest, Zhao Dangshi couldn't help but sigh, "I didn't understand why Cao Zijian compared the appearance of a beautiful woman with peach blossoms. ”

Zuo Sili echoed: "Yes, it seems that the legendary Peach Blossom Source is nothing more than that. He added, "Lord Zhao is very brave and brave, and he doesn't want to have a hand in this poetry and song." It's really all-rounder, admirable. ”

Ma Tingshi, who was walking on the side, said at this time: "The two of you don't know. This 'Peach Blossom Spring' house was newly built by Mr. Zhang in Xiying last month, and he took a fancy to the feng shui scenery here. He erected this beautiful building to repay me for Chen Shuai's kindness in the past. After speaking, his chest was high and straight, and he looked even more meaningful.

As soon as he heard that this place was built by Zhang Xianzhong, Zuo Sili, who was originally obsessed with the beautiful scenery, suddenly changed color, his face was grim and abnormal, and his lips were tightly pursed.

Seeing this, Ma Tingshi's face was strange, and before he could ask Zuo Sili if he had any inadequate service, Zhao Dangshi had already smiled lightly and said: "Master Zhang is also a wonderful person, and he is really ingenious." This place is close to the mountains and rivers, and it also has the wonderful place of peach forest icing on the cake, and it is also a blessing for my generation to be able to stay here for a few nights. ”

His praise divided Ma Tingshi's heart, and Ma Tingshi smiled and said, "Lord Zhao is too famous." Although the lakes and mountains of this Tanxi Lake are beautiful, they are limited to a corner. Lord Zhao is a person who has seen the scene, and such a scene is not strange for a long time. In addition to flattering Zhao Dangshi, he had put aside Zuo Sili's change of face.

According to Ma Tingshi, Lin Mingqiu and others live in the west wing of the three entrances, while Zuo Sili and Zhao Dangshi and others are arranged to live in the east wing.

Zuo Sili and Zhao Dangshi entered the room separately, and Ma Tingshi followed behind and said, "The two of you will rest for a while, and then Chen Shuai will send someone else to invite you to the banquet." After saying that, he went on his own.

Zhao Dangshi entered the room and closed the door, cleaned up briefly, and heard someone knock on the door. Zhao Dangshi thought at first that Zuo Sili was coming to talk to him, but at the same time, he heard the sound of something falling next door, obviously Zuo Sili did not leave the room, and he was suspicious and turned to open the door.

As soon as the door opened, I was surprised that it was Chen Hongfan who came unexpectedly.

"Why is my brother here?" Zhao Dangshi was surprised.

Chen Hongfan said: "My house, can't I come?" He lowered his voice, "I won't laugh with you." It was still more than an hour before the feast began. In the meantime, a guest wants to meet you. ”

Zhao Dangshi's heart moved, and said: "Is it difficult to ......"

Chen Hongfan nodded slightly and said: "You and I expect this, whether the thing is successful or not, it all depends on today." ”

Zhao Dangshi thanked him: "Brother's kindness cannot be repaid. If this matter is finally done, the younger brother will follow the elder brother in the future. ”

Chen Hongfan shook his hand: "You and I are single-minded, why bother to see outside." Then he said, "Come with me, that man is already waiting in the peach forest, and you must not be lazy." ”

Zhao Dangshi said "yes" in response, and the two of them closed the door and walked into the dense peach forest of Peach Blossom Lake. After a short walk, we came to a small clearing in the middle of the forest. There is a stone table and four stone benches in the open space. On one of the stone benches, a middle-aged man was already sitting.

Zhao Dangshi saw that although the man's clothes were clean and elegant, there was a faint nobility between his eyebrows, and he did not hesitate, strode a thousand and half bowed and said: "Zhao Dangshi, the general of the villain deer head shop, meet His Royal Highness King Xiang." I wish Your Highness good health and eternal enjoyment! ”