After crossing Zhangshui, they came to the boundary of Qinghe County. [> this county fell into the hands of the Dou Jiajun relatively late, and the policy of recuperation and recuperation, which was only implemented last year, has not yet yielded results. Along the way, everything you see is dilapidated, and even in the market town, you can't find a few decent thatched huts. In the fields near the canals, people can be seen struggling to reclaim the land. All of them are yellow-skinned, thin, and ragged. Hearing the sound of horses' hooves on the official road in the distance, he was so frightened that he immediately threw away his hoe and threw his legs into the nearby woods, stumbling into the nearby woods, and his belt was broken, and he didn't even bother to tie it.

Seeing that the people avoided themselves like the plague god, Wu Tianxi was very annoyed, and the horsewhip slashed into the air, and cursed loudly: "What eyes." You can't tell the good guys from the others. No wonder you are so poor that you lose your pants! ”

"Treat a good person like you as a bad person, at most, you will secretly scold a few words!" Wang Ermao was not surprised by this, and explained to the people with a smile: "If you treat the bad guy as a good guy and forget to dodge, it will be a matter of losing your head." It's much more uncomfortable than being scolded twice! ”

"Humph! You're going to be a fallacy! Wu Tianxi said that Wang Ermao tilted his head to the side and didn't bother to pay attention to him. This crooked happened to sweep a rare scenery from the corner of his eye, and he couldn't help but stretch out his finger and whispered: "Everyone, look at what you're doing over there, I'm afraid there are thousands of people!" ”

When everyone heard this, they saw a large group of soldiers walking towards the canal with empty hands, all in the direction of the canal on the other side of the official road. Cheng Mingzhen felt strange in his heart, and rushed over to find a person who seemed to be the leader, and asked in a low voice: "This brother, what are you busy with?" Did Lord Dou send you out? ”

He didn't know the petty officer, but the petty officer knew Cheng Junshou who defeated Chai Shao. hurriedly stepped forward and responded with a smile: "Cheng Jun is humble and Wang Yuanhua is polite." If you are old, we will be ordered to go to the canal to carry wood. It was Koji Neishi who called us here. Lord Dou should also know about this! ”

"Moving wood? How much wood does it take so many people to move? Cheng Mingzhen was stunned when he heard this, frowned and asked. He recognized the koji internal history in the other party's mouth, that guy was originally a Great Sui official, and after being captured by Dou Jiande, he made an internal history order. is an old official who has neither the backbone nor the knowledge. Spring sowing is imminent, but he mobilized so many people to move wood, presumably instigating Dou Jiande to do something that costs the people and money.

"I said that I wanted to build a Jinluan Palace. Is the prince going to establish a country? You can't take the county yamen general anymore! Wang Yuanhua arched his hand again and explained to Cheng Mingzhen and others with a smiling face. Soon, some of the brothers cut down a tree and lowered it down the canal, and they took the brethren to collect it. Move to the shore to dry in the shade for a few months, and after the spring ploughing is busy, you can get up the palace! ”

"It's a waste of money and labor!" Wu Tianxi muttered quietly behind Cheng Mingzhen's back. "I've only been a king for a few days, and I've forgotten what my last name is!"

Cheng Mingzhen was afraid that his strange words would be heard, so he quickly took an ingot of official silver from the warehouse, asked Wang Yuanhua to buy wine for the brothers to warm up his body instead of himself, and then fled back to the official road with the people of the Zhaozhou camp. After walking far away, I heard the thanks of Wang Yuanhua and others coming from behind, as if I owed myself a great favor.

And said that he would share weal and woe with the soldiers and the people? It's only been less than a year and you've forgotten it all? Cheng Mingzhen was secretly annoyed in his heart, and was very dissatisfied with Dou Jiande's large-scale construction work. Not long after the defeat of the Northern Expedition, a large area of land was invaded by the Wagang Army in the south. When the Dou family army was in trouble at home and abroad, they didn't think about how to lie down and taste the guts, but they wanted to establish the country and repair the palace, isn't this a typical act of forgetting their roots?

He remembered that Dou Jiande deliberately maintained his simple nature when he met him last time. Even the brocade robe on his body is eager to put on a few patches before wearing it, so as to prove that he will not prey on the people. At that time, it seemed to be fake, but it showed that this person knew what everyone cared about? Who would have thought that Dou Jiande would go to the other extreme in less than a year? Who instigated him? What did Brother Wang Fubao and Mr. Song do? Why don't you remind Lao Dou. Could it be that Lao Dou can't even listen to the words of Brother Wang and Mr. Song now?

Thinking like this, Cheng Mingzhen's face became more and more solemn. Urging the mount, he couldn't wait to rush to Qinghe City immediately to see what Dou Jiande wanted to do. Hurry up, hurry up, and finally came to the outside of Qinghe City at noon the next day. Before everyone stepped forward to show their seals, the officers guarding the door had already taken the initiative to greet them, and saluted Cheng Mingzhen from afar. shouted loudly, "Is it Lord Cheng and Lord Wang?" Under the order of Prince Dou, Zheng En came to welcome the county guard into the city! ”

Cheng Mingzhen looked at it carefully, and recognized it as a Lang general under Cao Dan, nodded and responded in a low voice: "Trouble Brother Zheng to lead the way, what should I do with these guards?" Where are their campsites! ”

"All the guards are concentrated in the small school yard in the city. Everyone, regardless of their official position, can only keep five personal soldiers by their side! Although the two adults were relieved, Zhang Shilang prepared a month in advance for this party. Custody can make everyone serve comfortably as living in their own home! ”

"Is Brother Xuan Su in charge of arranging food and lodging?" Cheng Mingzhen nodded and asked with a smile. Zhang Xuansu, the squire of the Yellow Gate, served as a Jingcheng County Commander for a term, and was considered a relatively honest and good official. In the summer of last year, Cheng Mingzhen once had a relationship with him, and after a few shallow chats, they left a good impression on each other.

"It's Xuan Sugong. It was thanks to his old man who was careful to deal with such a big scene! Zheng En personally pulled the reins of Cheng Mingzhen's horse and responded with a smile.

Seeing this, Cheng Mingzhen hurriedly jumped off the mount. While ordering Wu Tianxi to organize everyone to enter the city, he inquired with Zheng En: "Is the scene very big?" In addition to our Dou Jiajun himself, are there any guests from afar? ”

"It's too much!" Zheng En responded with a smile, with a face full of excitement and pride at this event: "In addition to our own people, Shi Derui, Han Jianhong, Xu Yuanlang, Wang Bo and other big leaders have come in person. There are also envoys sent by Zhu Can, Wang Shichong, and Liu Wuzhou. Even Wagangzhai sent a greeting guest with a shy face! ”

"That's a lot of people! Big scenes, big scenes! I just like to watch the excitement. What a coincidence! Wang Ermao interjected with a smile. I was very unimpressed by this. The same routine Zhang Jin said he had also played back then. It's just lively, and after a few days of excitement, it was still beaten by the Boling army.

"Lord Wang is a little late!" Zheng En is a self-acquaintance, so it's no wonder that he was sent by Dou Jiande to welcome guests. "Just the night before, five big black birds flew to the south gate of Qinghe City at the same time with hundreds of other birds, and circled around the city gate building several times before flying away again. At that time, the bustle shocked the whole city......"

"A hundred birds are coming. Look at what God really wants the prince to build a country! Wang Ermao nodded again and again, making a look of longing.

"Isn't it? Everyone said that we lost a battle some time ago. That's God's test for us. This Great Sui River and Mountain has to fall into the hands of the prince in the end! Zheng En took over the conversation and summarized loudly.

Cheng Mingzhen, Wang Ermao, Wu Tianxi and others looked at each other and nodded with a smile and echoed Zheng En's statement. After a while, the group came to the temporary inn. The so-called post house is a dozen large courtyards specially selected by Dou Jiajun for this gathering. It was originally the house of a wealthy family in Qinghe City, but now the original owner of the house has fled, and the one who escaped and was killed was killed, so the real estate was confiscated, just to entertain guests.

Zheng En confessed to everyone and arranged for his entourage to lead Cheng Mingzhen's guards to the school grounds. Then he picked up a more elegant and quiet cross-courtyard from a house, and arranged for Cheng Mingzhen and Wang Ermao to live temporarily. The remaining ten personal soldiers, including Wu Tianxi, were arranged in a row of wings next to the courtyard, and there was also another special person to serve them.

The servants and maidservants in the courtyard were all personally selected by Zhang Xuansu, the waiter of the Yellow Gate, all of whom were shrewd and capable. Busy with water and tea at the back end, it didn't take long for Cheng Mingzhen and others to clean up and look new.

Cheng Mingzhen asked for a mirror, took a cursory look at his outfit, and prepared to go with Wang Ermao to meet Dou Jiande, the king of Changle. Before he could go out, Zheng En had already taken the initiative to greet him again, and stopped with a smile: "Don't worry, two adults, the prince said that he is going to fast and burn incense today, thank God for not being a guest for the time being." Everyone, whether it is our own people or the greeting guests who have come from afar, will stay here at the post house and wait for an audience tomorrow morning! ”

"Fasting? That's as it should be! Cheng Mingzhen struck a sudden moment in his heart, but his face did not show any suspicion. Looking out through the satin of the pasted windows, I saw many guests walking back and forth outside the low wall, not at all looking like they were being watched.

"If you are bored in the yard, you can take someone for a walk. Just after the New Year, the city is quite lively! Zheng En is very good at coming to things, and he is afraid that Cheng Ming will be suspicious, so he hurriedly added with a smile. Immediately, he quickly turned around and shouted outside the courtyard: "Old Mu, Lao Mu, come over to serve Master Cheng." If you need to go out to check the people's situation, you are responsible for following the way! ”

"Alas, it's coming!" There was a promise outside the door, and a man with a scarred face hurriedly came. Listening to the voice, he was in his thirties, but his forehead was full of wrinkles, as if he had experienced all the vicissitudes of life.

"Your Excellency, but if there is a need, you are completely responsible!" Facing his subordinates, Zheng En completely lost the politeness just now, and ordered loudly. "Cheng Junshou is a celebrity in the eyes of our prince, if you are slowed down, be careful of your skin!"

"Definitely, definitely! Lo and behold! Lao Mu kept nodding his head. After filming Zheng En's sycophant, he turned around and filmed Cheng Mingzhen again: "The little one has long heard that the name of the Cheng County Guard is just not a chance to see it." It is a great honor to be sent to serve Master Cheng today! ”

As he spoke, he didn't forget to sniff his nose, as if he was moved to tears.

What Cheng Mingzhen couldn't stand the most was this kind of thing, so he hurriedly took half a step sideways and refused with a smile: "I've been on the road for several days, and I'm tired." Since the prince is fasting today, I will not go out. Please help me get some food to boil and a big bucket of hot water, and after dinner, I'm going to stretch around the house!"

"It's small, so call people to prepare!" Zheng En replied instead of Lao Mu. Then he smiled and arched his hand, "My lord, do you need anything else?" If you can't remember the small one for a while, I'll take a leave of absence from you. In the past two days, there have been many distinguished guests, and no one can take care of them at the gate of the city! ”

"Go, go, I'm not a guest!" Cheng Mingzhen waved his hand and personally sent Zheng En outside the hospital. Taking the opportunity of polite goodbye to both parties, he looked at the houses around the courtyard again, and now almost every room, whether it is the main room or the side room, is occupied. Some faces he looked familiar with, and some of them looked relatively unfamiliar, but one thing was for sure, these people were not warriors ambushed by Dou Jiande, and they would not pose any threat to himself and Wang Ermao.

Out of the corner of his eye, he vaguely saw a familiar back. Concentrate and look carefully, but it was Lao Muzheng, who had just gone down to prepare the meal, and walked over with a few maids with food boxes, nodding and having. One was sent to the residence of Wu Tianxi and others, and the other was sent to his own house.

Since I got up in the morning, I still feel a little hungry before the water and rice are ready. rewarded Lao Mu with dozens of copper coins, and then sat on the stool with Wang Ermao, picked up chopsticks, ate and drank. Several handmaidens poured wine and cloth dishes and served them very considerately. At first glance, he came out of a big family and knew how to serve men.

After eating, the maids brought hot water and waited for the two of them to take a bath in Cheng Mingzhen and Wang Ermao's room. Cheng Mingzhen didn't like this, asked for a few dry bath towels, and beat the maids out. While washing him, he guessed Dou Jiande's actions in his heart. I always feel that things are not quite right today, and it is difficult to explain clearly what is wrong for a while.

I was thinking worriedly when the curtain was suddenly opened, and a cold wind blew in. Cheng Mingzhen vigilantly grabbed the horizontal knife placed next to the bath barrel and turned around, but now it was Lao Mu who walked in with clean clothes in his hands.

"Leave it there, I don't have to be served in the shower!" Cheng Mingzhen frowned and commanded in a low voice. The other party is Dou Jiande's person, and out of kindness, although he was blown by the cold wind and had goosebumps on his shoulders, it was inconvenient to be too harsh.

"I don't know the size of Lord Gunmo, and I don't know if the clothes are suitable or not! You can't wear it for a long time, I'll go to the tailor's shop to change your old set. Lao Mu stepped forward with a smile and put down his clothes.

"Let it go. I had a change of clothes in my carry-on luggage! Cheng Mingzhen gave the other party a smile in front of him and whispered an order.

"Hmm!" Lao Mu put his clothes next to the bathtub, but he didn't know to leave immediately, on the contrary, he leaned forward very blindly, and reached out to test the temperature of the water.

"Get out, I've washed it!" Cheng Mingzhen was very unhappy in his heart, and raised his voice a few points to order.

"Oh, I see!" Lao Mu smiled and took a few steps back, then replied in a low voice.

"Do you have anything else to do?" Seeing that the other party was dead and did not leave, Cheng Mingzhen was vigilant in his heart, and asked while wiping his body with a dry bath towel.

"It's fine!" Lao Mu raised his head and looked at Cheng Mingzhen with a sneer: "I just want to ask my lord, do you still recognize me?" ”

"You?" Cheng Mingzhen quickly dropped the bath towel and put clothes on his body while delaying time: "It looks familiar, but I can't remember where I saw it!" ”

"Of course you won't recognize me. You are now a high-ranking official, and you have to sit with a beautiful woman in your arms, and you still hold tens of thousands of tigers in your hands! Lao Mu's voice suddenly turned cold, very low, but like a knife, it drilled into Cheng Mingzhen's ears, "But I know you, my Cheng Dajiao!" ”

"You!" Hearing the first two words of the sect, Cheng Mingzhen suddenly had a flash of inspiration, grabbed the horizontal knife, and shouted in a low voice: "Who the hell are you mixed up with me, what are you going to do!" ”

Scar, Lao Mu looked out, and then continued to sneer: "Don't argue, I warn you, the louder you shout, the faster you die." It doesn't matter who I am, but Cheng Dajiao, you must remember who you are! ”