On the thirteenth day of the first month of the ninth year of orthodoxy, outside Zhang Qiuzhen.

Liu Juntao took Zhou Zongsheng and twenty-one guards to eat at the "Drunken Immortal" branch, then packed up and prepared to leave Zhang Qiuzhen.

Just after the end of the New Year, Liu Juntao prepared a few big gifts at Liu Zi'an's suggestion, and set off with Zhou Zongsheng and other personal guards, preparing to go to Zhangqiu Town and Huakou Town to give gifts to the generals stationed in these two places.

On this day, Liu Juntao said goodbye to the hundred households stationed in Zhangqiu Town, and took Zhou Zongsheng and others to Huakou Town.

Because the Baihu and Yushanji stationed in Zhang Qiu Town were not familiar, and they were located in the middle of Yushanji and Chen's family, Liu Juntao did not place people and horses here, so as not to cause unnecessary trouble.

When he set off on this day, Liu Juntao did not delay too much time in Zhang Qiu Town.

On the way, Zhou Zongsheng asked: "Mr. Lian, what did the hundred households say that they don't know the officials of Yanggu County and Shouzhang County, they are obviously perfunctory to us!" How could a hundred households who have been stationed in Zhangqiu Town for more than ten years not have this connection? ”

Liu Juntao rode on the war horse and trotted slowly, and said with a smile: "After all, this is the first time people have contacted us, and it is reasonable that they will not help us." ”

"But all our money has been spent!"

"Zong Sheng, now we are entrusting people to do things, and what is mixed is the relationship, and the relationship needs time and money to take care of, so you can't be in a hurry!"

Liu Juntao said: "This time, the hundred households refuse to help us, so we will send it every year!" One day, people will be willing to help us! ”

Zhou Zongsheng nodded when he heard this, and said, "Mr. Lian, I understand!" ”、

Along the way, Liu Juntao and Zhou Zongsheng had a total of 23 people, all of whom were lightly armed and fast, and it only took three days to rush from Zhang Qiuzhen to Huakou Town.

As soon as they arrived in the town, Liu Juntao and others first went to the main store of Zuixianlou in Huakou Town to rest, and even called Chen Ziping over in the evening, and everyone drank a lot, so they rested overnight in Zuixianlou.

During this period, as the steward proprietress arranged by the Ministry of Commerce in Zuixian Building, Xu Ping has always been busy running before and after, and she has been very effective in entertaining Liu Juntao and others.

Early the next morning, Liu Juntao said goodbye to Chen Ziping, Xu Ping and others, and left Zuixianlou with Zhou Zongsheng and other twenty-one personal guards, and went straight to the hundred households in Huakou Town.

"Haha! Brother Juntao, you are a busy person now, you haven't come to me for a few days! ”

As soon as he saw Liu Juntao, Hu Dexing laughed and pounced, and the two hugged each other and laughed about the old days.

Meng Fanchen and Sun Xu also ran out after hearing the news, and met and reminisced with Liu Juntao one by one.

At this time, Hu Dexing noticed that Zhou Zongsheng and the other twenty-one guards who were on guard next to him suddenly had their eyes lit up, and said to Liu Juntao: "I said Brother Juntao, you are now a big celebrity in our Yanzhou Mansion, one of the best heroes!" I used to think that you relied on the young men of the escort team to get to where you are today, but now I know that you still have such a strong horse team under your command! ”

Liu Juntao smiled and said, "Master Hu, I can have today, isn't it the result of the strong support of you, Brother Sun, and Brother Meng?" ”

"Haha! Jun Tao, you're tormenting the three of us! ”

Saying that, Hu Dexing invited Liu Juntao and his entourage into the 100 households, and prepared a banquet in the 100 households, shouting that he wanted to drink 300 bowls with Liu Juntao.

During this period, Hu Dexing, Sun Xu, Meng Fanchen and Liu Juntao chatted in the house, while Zhou Zongsheng and other guards rested in the next room.

"Jun Tao, you and Yushanji can have today's achievements, and the three of us brothers are happy in our hearts! It's just that you have to be careful with the Chen family! ”

Hu Dexing said worriedly.

Sun Xu next to him also said: "Yes, I heard that the head of the Chen family is a grudge, but we heard that this time the peace talks, the Chen family did not take any advantage, they will find a way to get it back sooner or later!" ”

Meng Fanchen also nodded, obviously worried about Liu Juntao.

Liu Juntao was also hot when he saw this, and then said: "Thank you three brothers!" But don't worry, I've been on guard on the Chen family's side, and I won't give the Chen family any opportunity to take advantage of! ”

Seeing that Liu Juntao was full of confidence, he was obviously on guard, and Hu Dexing and the three of them were also relieved.

At this time, Hu Dexing looked at Liu Juntao and couldn't help frowning, and asked with a smile: "Juntao, let's talk, what do you need the three of us to help you with?" We're all brothers, but it's okay to say it! ”

Liu Juntao laughed and said, "Where is Lord Hu?" Can't I come over to you for a drink if it's okay? ”

As soon as the words fell, Hu Dexing, Sun Xu and Meng Fanchen all looked at Liu Juntao with an expression of "you have always been like this", which made Liu Juntao blush.

"Haha, in this way, there is really something that needs Lord Hu's help!"

Hu Dexing heard the words and asked, "What's the matter, can you say it?" ”

So, Liu Juntao told him about going to Dong'e County to make friends with officials, and then asked Hu Dexing if he knew the officials in Dongping Prefecture in the south, and he wanted to go to the meeting for a while.

Hearing this, Hu Dexing looked at Liu Juntao with a look of fear and asked loudly: "Juntao! Are you planning something? If it's true, you'll have to tell me in advance! ”

Even Sun Xu and Meng Fanchen next to him stared at each other, as if they had seen something terrifying.

Liu Juntao was also dumbfounded when he saw this, Hu Dexing and the three of them obviously fell ill after being cheated by themselves!

"Not really!"

Liu Juntao said with a smile: "Isn't this the New Year? I'm also a strong party now, so I have to have a good relationship with the official family near Zuo, so I want Lord Hu to help introduce me, so I can give gifts! ”

"Really?"

Hu Dexing, Sun Xu, and Meng Fanchen were all asked almost in unison.

Liu Juntao also had a solemn face, and replied categorically: "Really! ”

"Whew!"

At this time, Hu Dexing, Sun Xu, and Meng Fanchen breathed a sigh of relief, obviously taken aback by Liu Juntao.

Hu Dexing continued: "I have a few officials I know in Dong'e County, but they are just some small officials. As for Dongpingzhou, there are no acquaintances. ”

"It's okay to be a little official!"

Liu Juntao said with a smile: "As the saying goes, it's better for the county officials to be in charge!" When we're done drinking, Master Hu will take the time to go to Dong'e City with me! ”

Hu Dexing immediately agreed.

At this time, a guard soldier knocked on the door and came in and said, "Lord Qiqi Zongqi, the wine and food are ready!" ”

Hu Dexing nodded, and said to Liu Juntao: "Go!" Our brothers are going to sit down today! ”

At the banquet, Hu Dexing, Sun Xu and Meng Fanchen accompanied Liu Juntao to drink and eat, while Zhou Zongsheng and other twenty-one guards were accompanied by several guards, divided into two tables and drank in the side room of the main hall.

During the banquet, Liu Juntao and Hu Dexing chatted, from the first time they met, to the extermination of the "town of Bafang" together, and then to the destruction of the Wang family, the previous scenes were like pictures, which kept emerging in the hearts of several people, and immediately mobilized everyone's emotions.

The wine jugs on the table were bottle after bottle, and everyone was so drunk that they were red-faced and unhappy.

After three rounds of drinking, Liu Juntao picked up the wine glass and touched Hu Dexing again, and then asked: "Lord Hu, now that you have raised the general flag and have the weight of a hundred households, those bastards should be honest, right?" ”

When Hu Dexing heard this, he immediately became angry, and said to Liu Juntao: "Juntao, you don't know something! Although I am the chief flag officer, the Lord of the Hundred Households is just lukewarm to me, just no longer looking for trouble! And those bastards in the 100 households are also honest, but basically they are not with our brothers' well water! It's boring! ”

Sun Xu also spit out the smell of wine, and said: "Yes, Mr. Lian, you don't know, now the three of us brothers are in this hundred households, it is like air, no one cares about it on weekdays, don't be stuffy!" ”

"Practice, practice, let's not say these unpleasant words. Come! Let's drink! Meng Fanchen said indistinctly, picked up the wine glass and touched it with everyone.

Liu Juntao had another drink with Hu Dexing, and seeing that the three of them were not going well, they secretly said hello in their hearts!

As early as when he was fighting against the Liu family, Liu Juntao already had the idea of recruiting Hu Dexing and the three, but the three Hu Dexing brothers were all officials and soldiers, although they had a good relationship with themselves, they would not leave their identity as officials and soldiers to defect to themselves, so Liu Juntao never told anyone about it.

At this time, seeing that it was an opportunity, Liu Juntao said: "Master Hu, Brother Sun, Brother Meng, since you are not happy here, have you ever thought about not being idle here?" ”

"Where to go? Go to you? ”

Hu Dexing said drunkenly, and laughed after speaking.

"Then why not?"

Liu Juntao pointed at himself with a smile and said: "Although I don't have the identity of an official family now, but fortunately, I live a nourishing life. ”

Hu Dexing looked at Liu Juntao and smiled when he heard this, and at first thought that Liu Juntao was joking with himself.

However, Hu Dexing stared at Liu Juntao for a while, and found that he was not joking, but serious, and the smile on his face slowly disappeared a lot, and it became a little tangled.

Sun Xu and Meng Fanchen next to them were also very entangled, with some expectations and yearnings, as well as reluctance and unwillingness.

For a while, the atmosphere at the wine table was a little solemn, and everyone began to fall silent.

After a while, Hu Dexing drank the liquor in the cup and said with some bitterness: "Jun Tao, to tell you the truth, I sometimes envy you, you can do whatever you want, ignore those false names and faces, but I can't!" ”

"Master Hu, people can't just look at one face when they live, but also see if they can get the lining! That is, affordable! ”

Hu Dexing smiled bitterly and said: "I have mixed up to the point where I am today, and you can't imagine the hard work you have paid!" So now you ask me to give up these and go to Yushanji, I am really unwilling in my heart! ”

After speaking, Hu Dexing looked at Sun Xu and Meng Fanchen beside him, and said: "They are also my brothers, you still have to ask them to stay in Juntao, I will never interfere!" ”

When Sun Xu and Meng Fanchen heard this, they both said: "Where the eldest brother is, we will be there!" ”