Fangcheng Mountain, 30 miles east of Zhushan County, is also known as Chu Mountain, and is named after the 28th year of King Huai of Chu, Qin, Qi, Wei and Han joined forces to conquer Chu State, and climbed this mountain to view the boundary of Chu. Zhushan is already in the mountains, so it can be seen that Fangcheng Mountain is one of the steep and towering leaders.

The appointment between Zhao Dangshi and Zhang Xianzhong is located in Fangcheng Mountain. This place is not far from the headquarters of Zhaoying between Zhuxi and Zhushan. There are a lot of military affairs in the camp, and the five-day period is approaching in a flash, and early this morning, Zhao Dangshi made a simple arrangement, that is, he went to the appointment. He didn't wear any armor, and there were few people in his entourage, and Chang Zeyu and the others didn't persuade him to bring more people in case of accidents. Everyone has been mixed in the Tao for many years, and they all know that although there is little faith among the liukou, it really reaches the level of Zhao Dangshi and Zhang Xianzhong, and what should be paid attention to is still to be paid attention to, and the so-called morality of the rivers and lakes is also. It is really necessary to resort to some indiscriminate means, so that people despise it is a small matter, and if you lose people's hearts, it is a big matter. Moreover, the meeting place was within the control of Zhao Ying, and there were really accidents, and with Zhao Dangshi's experience, it was difficult to have an accident.

After bypassing several sections of mountain roads, the path gradually narrowed, Zhao Dangshi and others turned over and dismounted, leading the horses slowly. At that time, the snow in winter and spring has almost melted, and only in some remote places in the mountains can still see the remnants of the snow. I have to say that Zhao Ying's trip to Sichuan this time was relatively smooth, on the one hand, on the one hand, on the other hand, Tianshi also helped a lot. The snow fell several times, but it happened to block the officers and troops who were chasing behind, and when Zhao Ying left the river, the snow melted again. "Wei Qing is undefeated by God's luck, Li Guang has no merit and is odd", the war is more about organization and accuracy, and in the current era, it is impossible to control the variables well with human technical means, so the time, place and people that can have an impact on the outcome of the war are undoubtedly still in the forefront.

Zhao Dangshi has felt lucky more than once, watching so many heroes and heroes who were in the limelight at the beginning disappear one after another, becoming a piece of loess in the long river of time, but he has survived round after round in this big wave of sand, and has stood firm until now. Will he, Zhao Dangshi or Zhao Ying, fall in the rolling yellow sand one day? No one can tell. For Zhao Dangshi, he is neither unfounded nor ambitious. Although he thinks that he is a lucky person, however, he always believes that he can get this luck without every desperate and desperate play.

In the eyes of others, Zhao Dangshi and Zhao Ying's luck is that they can always find a glimmer of hope for survival at the most dangerous moment; In Zhao Dangshi's eyes, the luck of himself and Zhao Ying is that every time he is put to death behind the blood and tears, in other words, with the greatest struggle and persistence in the end in exchange for a good result, not in vain, this may be God's greatest favor for Zhao Dangshi and Zhao Ying.

Walking along the dilapidated mountain road all the way, Erli Pavilion, Wuli Pavilion and even Shili Pavilion Zhao Dangshi have seen it, although one or two pavilions have been broken beyond recognition, it can be vaguely recognized that Fangcheng Mountain seems to have been a traffic artery.

There is also a pavilion on the top of the mountain, where there were many dead grass and branches, Wang Laixing sent people to clean up two days ago, and now there is a round table and several chairs in the pavilion. Zhao Dangshi saw that Zhang Xianzhong had not yet arrived, so he arranged the wine and melons brought by Pang Jinming and others who accompanied him, and he himself took his hands behind and looked down towards the section of the road paved with bluestone bricks on the top of the mountain.

The sky suddenly became a clear mountain curtain, and the clouds still contained a stone cloth. The pine forest is like the sea, the cangdai is dignified, the light smoke and mist swim between the strange mountains, faint and faint, like a milky white tulle, permeating the peaks and valleys. This misty scene made Zhao Dangshi feel relaxed and happy, and suddenly remembered that the famous Wudang Mountain was not too far away, so he secretly smiled and said: "If the big thing doesn't work, it's not bad to go to that mountain to be a Taoist priest." At the same time, he thought of Huaqing and felt a little regretful, "Alas, if it weren't for meeting Zhang Xianzhong and bringing her, I would definitely be happy to see this heavenly fairyland." ”

Suddenly, as far as the eye could see, through the mist, it seemed that someone was climbing the stairs.

Pang Jinming heard the sound at this time, walked over and frowned: "The main lord is here." The brothers who were guarding at the foot of the mountain had come to report that there were sixteen horsemen, and that their horses were on the side of the mountain. ”

"Sixteen horsemen?" Zhao Dangshi looked down and pursed his lips silently. I came to this Fangcheng Mountain just a stone's throw away, and I brought more than 20 people, this Zhang Xianzhong "came from afar", and the people he brought were actually fewer than himself, so he was really a little brave.

After saying two sentences, someone on the stone steps was already waving and shouting: "Zhao Zhang's plate!" ”

Zhao Dangshi looked and saw that it was the familiar Zhang Kewang who was at the front, and then, another figure flashed out from the bend, which immediately attracted Zhao Dangshi's attention. But looking at the physique, he is one size older than Zhang Kewang. The burly man glanced upwards and happened to look at Zhao Dangshi, but after only a slight pause, he lowered his head and did not speak. Behind him, someone continued to walk out, however, Zhao Dangshi's eyes were always fixed on the burly man. From those eyes, Zhao Dangshi seemed to see a kind of déjà vu sharpness and clarity. Based on this alone, it is enough to determine that the burly man must be Zhang Xianzhong himself.

The number of people who came outside the pavilion was no more, no less, exactly sixteen. Zhao Dangshi accepted his thoughts and greeted him with a smile: "Zhao has been waiting for you for a long time!" ”

After speaking, Zhao Dangshi's gaze involuntarily turned to the burly man again. When he got closer, Zhao Dangshi realized that the burly man's figure was still above him, and he stood out from the crowd, and it was difficult not to look at him.

Zhang Kewang said with a smile: "Zhao Zhangpan is waiting, there is something in my camp, so it is too late." As he spoke, he couldn't wait to introduce, "This is my father." Dad, this is a general. Sure enough, the burly man was Zhang Xianzhong.

Zhao Dangshi took a closer look at it at this time, but saw that Zhang Xianzhong not only had a powerful body, but also a face that had been weathered could not hide the fierce aura of the northwest: leopard eyes ringed, square mouth wide, beard and sideburns were connected, and the light yellow color was obviously revealed under the light, like a tiger and leopard. Seeing this scene, Zhao Dangshi thought to himself: "What the military advisor said is not bad, just looking at this appearance, Zhang Xianzhong is enough to be called a lion tiger." ”

"Zhao Zhangpan, look up for a long time!" Zhang Xianzhong took a step forward, arched his hand, the corners of his mouth twitched when he spoke, and his eyebrows pulled down, his appearance looked really fierce, but his voice was mellow and very comfortable to listen to.

To be honest, just looking at his appearance, Zhang Xianzhong is definitely among the top three people Zhao Dangshi has ever seen. This does not mean that Zhang Xianzhong is good-looking, but "born with a different phase". Since ancient times, physiognomy has played a very big role in a person's development, especially in troubled times, having an extraordinary face is definitely more cost-effective than having a strong martial arts. Han Xin at the end of the Qin Dynasty and Yang Xingmi of the Fifth Dynasty were all "saved from death" because of their extraordinary appearance, while Xu Shouhui at the end of the Yuan Dynasty and Wang Ziyong a few years ago were all embraced as leaders because of their "human monarchy" faces. Since ancient times, most people have been superstitious about appearance, believing that if they look "out of people", they will inevitably have a future beyond the ordinary. Although Zhao Dangshi didn't believe this before, when he really saw Zhang Xianzhong, he had to be surprised by his appearance. With such a look, coupled with that mountain-like body, when you put it there, you were born with the style of being the boss.

Zhang Xianzhong didn't speak, and as soon as he spoke, Zhao Dangshi obviously noticed that the people behind him showed a look of admiration and fear. None of them spoke anymore, and even Zhang Kewang, who had been active before, hid in the crowd and kept his head down and said nothing.

Zhao Dangshi said "conceit" and said: "The eight kings have worked hard all the way, and the advanced pavilion will rest for a while." Somehow, he hasn't fought Zhang Xianzhong yet, and now he feels the pressure in his heart. Perhaps it was the strong deterrence and danger that Zhang Xianzhong revealed that made him nervous.

"Wait!" Zhao Dangshi was still thinking about how to deal with it next, but Zhang Xianzhong interjected first.

"Huh? What are the commands of the Eight Kings? Zhao Dangshi smiled reluctantly, but saw Zhang Xianzhong turn around and return to the back and push out a person.

"Introduce someone to you." Zhang Xianzhong hooked the man's shoulder, as intimate as an old friend for many years. It's just that Zhao Dangshi looked at the man who was hooked by him, but his expression was a little unnatural, "This old brother is the protagonist today." ”

The man hooked by Zhang Xianzhong is of medium stature, with two mustaches and slightly sunken cheeks. He was silent among the sixteen people, and it was only at this time that Zhao Dangshi realized that this person was a little different. First look at the neatness of his clothes and the accessories he wears, you know that he is a very particular person, and such a person is really rare among the rogues. Looking at his age and figure, he is still well-proportioned, and the contours between his arms are quite even, and he thinks he has been practicing martial arts for many years. In this way, it aroused Zhao Dangshi's interest.

"Oh? How could such a thing happen? The arrival of distinguished guests is Zhao Mou's rudeness! Zhao Dangshi pretended to be surprised while laughing, and was wary of Zhang Xianzhong's unprovoked behavior and the origin of the uninvited guest, "And I don't know what Your Excellency is called?" If you want to come out, it will be like thunder! ”

Who knew that the man did not reply immediately, but looked at Zhang Xianzhong with some embarrassment.

Zhang Xianzhong didn't care, and said: "Your name is so valuable, I can read it for you." "Speak, say loudly, "This old brother is called Chen Hongfan, and the next one to be the chief soldier of Changping is it!" ”

As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked, and Zhao Dangshi even saw Pang Jinming's foot straddling in mid-air hanging still, and his face was dumbfounded. It's no wonder that when the two heroes met, how did a chief soldier of the imperial court pop up inexplicably!

Zhao Dangshi was still quite calm, glanced at the cramped and restless man, and said with a smile: "The eight kings are laughing, the general soldier Chen is now singing and dancing in Xiangyang City, how can he be condescending to me." ”

Zhang Xianzhong sneered and said to the man: "Brother, people don't recognize you, no matter how valuable your name is, it will become a stone in a dung pit that is worthless." Why don't you say a few words? ”

When the man heard him say this, it was difficult to ride a tiger, sighed, hugged his fist at Zhao Dangshi and said, "What the eight kings said is not bad. After speaking, I added, "Today, there is only Liaodong Chen Hongfan, and there is no Changping Chen Zongbing." ”

When Zhao Dangshi heard him say this, he knew that it was true, nodded secretly, and returned the salute: "I, Zhao, have clear grievances, and the rivers and lakes are in trouble." Brother Chen came to enjoy the light in the name of a friend, and I, Zhao, naturally swept the couch to welcome him. After speaking, he said "please".

Chen Hongfan was relieved when he heard this, and entered the pavilion with Zhang Xianzhong.

The three of them sat separately, and Zhao Dangshi asked Zhang and Chen to pour full wine, and then listened to Zhang Xianzhong say: "I am in Huguang, and I also care about the brothers in Shaanxi." What I hear the most on weekdays is Li Chuang. These are all cocooned and boring. I don't know what day, someone told me about 'Zhao Chuang'. At that time, I was still muttering about what Xibei was a product, but the more I listened to it, the more Zhao Chuang's affairs were more than Li Chuang's. Now that I see the real person, it's wonderful, it's much more pleasing to the eye than Li Chuang's donkey! ”

Zhang Xianzhong's praise is such a boast, Zhao Dangshi has heard of it, and he doesn't even dare to say it, Chen Hongfan said: "Yes." Li Chuang, Zhao Chuang, I often hear about it. As he spoke, he even smiled at Zhao Dangshi.

As soon as he came, he put on a high hat for Lao Tzu, what was his intention? Zhao Dangshi thought so in his heart, and said: "Where does Zhao dare to be called King Chuang." However, follow behind to pick up some leftovers, and you can't get on the table. On the contrary, it is the eight kings, who are in Chu and Yu, and these vertical and horizontal battles are the real heroes. ”

Zhang Xianzhong pouted and said: "What kind of hero bear, Lao Tzu never thought about it." Lao Tzu is a bear, where there is a hero, Lao Tzu will him! ”

Zhao Dangshi laughed and said: "The eight kings are really temperamental, come, I'll toast a toast!" Looking at it with squinted eyes, Chen Hongfan was also smiling, and there was an indescribable crampedness between his eyebrows.

"How many people do you have under you?" Zhang Xianzhong drank all the wine in the cup and asked.

Zhao Dangshi replied: "Five thousand." ”

Zhang Xianzhong looked at him, glanced at Chen Hongfan again, and suddenly shook his head and sighed: "It's not helpful, it's not helpful!" ”

Zhao Dangshi didn't know what was going on, and asked, "What's not helpful?" ”

Zhang Xianzhong sighed several times at the moment.