At night, the wind and rain are continuous, and there are horse-drawn carriages passing through the city gate into Jixian County, along the streets, passing by a house or a door open, or lights out, shops, occasionally more than a few pedestrians in robes hurrying, towards the quiet and bleak depths of the city.

Soon after, the carriage stopped on the street outside the gate of Zhao's mansion, and someone poked his head out of the window.

At the same time, there was an old porter in the house who noticed the movement, opened the door and poked out the lantern to look a few times, only to see the curtain of the car window was lowered in the faint light, and then the carriage started again, the porter chased out of the gate a little nervously, watched the carriage turn into the alley to the direction of the back door, and looked at the carriage and ox cart on both sides of the gate that were crowded with a canopy, and then looked at the direction of the alley with a puzzled look, reacted, hurriedly entered the door and tied the door bolt, and told a young man to see the situation outside the gate from the crack in the door, Then he walked through the corridor and doorway, and whispered a few words to the butler waiting outside the hall.

At this time, there was a silk bamboo sound in the hall very bright, the brisk tone seemed to be nearing the end, just in the process of the housekeeper beckoning people to go to the backyard, there was a figure in the hall stood up, first whispered a few words with the musician, went to the center and whispered to the group of dancing girls who had just finished dancing, and then slapped their palms, the sound of silk and bamboo sounded again, the graceful body of the dancing girl around the middle-aged man slowly let go of the body and danced with long sleeves, lotus steps briskly, and the song fluttered through the rain curtain, but it was full of grief and sadness.

"April Summer, June Summer, Ancestors ......"

This "April" is a poem of migration, which corresponds to the situation of Zhao Cai's demotion from being degraded to being in the middle of the country, all the friends present are Zhao Cai's friends, and it doesn't matter if they just joke with each other, but after all, this poem touches Zhao Cai's sore spot, which is a little out of place, and when it is sung, everyone also knows that the man is ready to let everyone tell the truth, so there is also an elderly person who interrupted directly, and after dispersing the musician and dancer, he scolded a few words of the man's carelessness.

The man didn't care, took a sip of wine with a bowl in his hand, glanced around, and said with a smile: "How could Qi not know that the wall has ears?" It's to let people know that I'm not convinced! So how can Liu Jikuang be deed? Even if he has some talent and fame, how can he be compared with Brother Gongrong? Take a step back and say, there is no merit and hard work, as soon as this person comes, he will let Brother Gongrong give up his position and stoop to him, and he doesn't even need the slightest test, why! ”

The housekeeper entered the door and whispered a few words to Zhao Gai, Zhao Gai nodded and waved his hand to disperse the housekeeper, but there was no superfluous reaction, someone shook his head at the man and sighed: "I saw that you were depressed these days, and when I received Brother Gongrong's invitation tonight, I guessed that you would stand up and gossip...... Be a villain. Just because he Liu Jikuang is a relative of the Han family, how can the lord not be important? ”

"What if Qi is a villain? If he is really a genius, Qi is naturally convinced, but in this way, can this person not be famous in the world? Now that I have met him, I know his name Liu Jikuang, which means that his talent is just an ordinary person. Since he is an ordinary person, how can the lord say that he will replace Brother Gongrong? Don't drive, where is it so easy to sit! ”

The middle-aged man named Qi Zhou Qi Shunan said and looked at the man who sighed with some disdain, "There are many relatives in the Han family, have you seen the lord's nepotism in the past, and you can't distinguish between right and wrong?" Don't drive, his every move, but when he holds the life and death of you and me, when there are so many things, how can he let him sit in such a position and point fingers. ”

"What you say is selfish! What a curse! ”

Someone interjected again, and then the conversation changed and sighed: "But when it comes to selfishness, his name Liu Zheng is exactly the same as that of the late Yuyang Taishou Liu Fujun." In the past, the lord moved back to the court from the position of Youzhou Assassin History, and recommended Liu Fujun to be a Taishou in Yuyang, how could he have thought that Zhang Ju and Qiu Liju rebelled and killed Liu Fujun, and the lord would be entrusted with a heavy task this time, Xu was grateful to hear his name Liu Zheng in his heart, and felt ashamed of Liu Fujun, and he was also a distant relative of this Liu Zheng, so he gave it a try. He figured it out a day, and when he saw that this Liu Zheng was incapable, he also changed his mind. Well, a certain conclusion that the lord is a dog and horse, is just afraid that I will not agree, so I don't have to mind. ”

"Change your mind...... It's too late. ”

Qi Zhou shook his head and sat back, everyone heard the words, and their expressions were also sad, Qi Zhou dipped a little wine, made a few marks on the table, and said in a deep voice: "Don't you know what he Liu Jikuang has done in the past two days?" Although the lord handed over the internal affairs to Brother Gongrong, he was rarely absent at the moment, and the military power was all handed over to him, Liu Jikuang. Wei Caopeng is in charge of the appointment of military attachés, and the lord does not fight on weekdays, so he does some tricks and feet inside, who doesn't know? It's just a little mistake, he's good, he just stared at this matter a few days after he came, and he also announced Wei Caopeng's situation to the lord, which made Wei Caopeng angry, isn't this a clear intention to take me and wait for Liwei? ”

He paused, and his tone suddenly became weird, "This second, I heard that the new Liaodong Taishou has been very close to Liu Jikuang recently, and Liu Jikuang came with his son, why don't you know!" If he is allowed to collude with our Xunfu Jun, Youzhou will be in chaos......"

With a "snap", everyone was shocked, and saw Qi Zhou's hands clapped together, and pretended to "ha", "Let's all be happy!" ”

Zhao Gai was silent for a long time, and then interjected: "Third, the lord doesn't ask about everything, there are some things that Zhao can't do, but Liu Jikuang also knows the current affairs, and he doesn't care much about government affairs, and he can do things without leaking." However, at this time, the Xun Mansion Monarch can take care of all the affairs by himself, and even the appointment of officials and military generals can be his own decisions...... After a year and a half, he won't be able to capture Liaodong, and when his people have their qualifications, where are they going? It's not that it has to be assigned to the counties and counties, or even to you and me, and what's more, it replaces you and me, and then Liu Bei is there, which is my ...... I'm waiting for the days to come, it's hard. ”

These words have a long-term view, but Zhao should be the highest status among so many people, and he is also the most important person for Liu Yu except for Xian Yufu, according to the normal process, this kind of words containing a radical tone should be said by others, and then work together to promote Zhao should come forward to meet Liu Yu to fight for the best interests of his own people.

Liu Zheng and Xun Yu are only two people, and there are only three people including Lu Zhi, but it is these three people who have only been here for ten days and half a month, so that Zhao Cai, who has the highest position among them, feels threatened and declining, and says such frustrating words, which shows that the pressure brought by these three people to Zhao Gai is indeed very great, and even implies that Liu Yu's side is largely partial to these three people, and it also indicates that the life of these people will definitely be difficult in the future.

Everyone was silent for a long time, and their expressions were a little ugly, and the older Confucian who scolded Qi Zhou at the beginning spoke: "Speaking of Xun Wenruo, he has actually been quite peaceful recently...... The old man thought that he was waiting for an opportunity to stay here. ”

This person's name is Cheng Xu, the word Boduan, like Qi Zhou, is also Liu Yu's engagement, nearly fifty years old has been gray, quite famous in Youzhou, it is considered to be the person present at this time The status is second only to Zhao Cai, as soon as he spoke, everyone was thoughtful, and at this time, Qi Zhou suddenly exchanged a look with Zhao Cai.

Boduan Gong said...... Liu Deran? ”

It was one of Liu Yu's staff who spoke, and he had always been very close to Cheng Xu, as soon as the man spoke, Qi Zhou raised his eyebrows, "Could it be that he Liu Deran was dressed in blood and led Kebineng and others to come to shout grievances, that is the time?" So what's going on? ”

Cheng Xu glanced at Zhao Cai, who was contemplative, and said: "The old man has recently inquired in many ways, and after integrating the rumors from all over the world, he found that these things are not unrelated. Those people who went to Youbeiping can be determined to be the Black Mountain Thieves and the Yellow Turban Thieves. These two thieves have always had some dealings with Liu Zheng. And Liaodong Taishou Xun Wenruo is also related to Liu Zheng. There is also the matter of Gongsun Chan going south...... The timing was a coincidence. ”

He paused slightly, and in everyone's contemplation, he said: "In addition, the old man heard about Wu Huan's encirclement and suppression of Liu Zheng. On the upper valley side, Nanlou died. ”

Someone exclaimed, "Is this true?!" ”

"Well, the Wuhuan tribe in Shanggu did not report it in order to stabilize the people's hearts, this matter came from a distant relative of mine, he lived in Ning County, and when he learned about it, he quickly whipped me to the ward, for fear that there would be a war over there, which would affect his work, and wanted me to find a way to save his family business. Looking at his look, this matter should be true, and it can't be faked. ”

Cheng Xu bowed his head and said in a deep voice: "Moreover, after that, those subordinates of Nanlou went south to besiege Liu Zheng and Kebineng's troops, in fact, they also surrounded and suppressed Badun that day, but later, I don't know what the reason was, Badun survived." But there was also an incident that happened in Yuanyu County, in the name of exterminating thieves, they went to rescue Liu Zheng, pretending to be the name of Gongsun Zhan. If not, I'm afraid that Liu Zheng is also dead. The timing was so coincidental...... If the old man's expectations were not bad, those people knew in advance that the Wuhuan people were going south to find Liu Zheng to take revenge, that is, the death of Nanlou was Liu Zheng's design. Otherwise, it would never be such a coincidence, and the three departments of the general leader would be implicated. ”

Everyone couldn't help but speak, it was noisy, Qi Zhou's expression was grim, he glared at Cheng Xu, and said loudly: "Provoke a war, use bloody clothes to arouse public anger, and even unite the Black Mountain Army and the Yellow Turban Army to station in Youbeiping, and transfer Gongsun Zhan...... He, Liu Deran, is going to ......"

Qi Zhou didn't say any more, but his expression was cracked, Cheng Xu shook his head, "This old man doesn't know." Then he lowered his eyelids and frowned: "But when Shu Nan said this, so many people from the two thieves came to Youbeiping, it seems like a fake plan to destroy the enemy...... Hehe, a moment of speculation is to speculate further with the frustrated words of the public face, which is not true. ”

"Don't take it seriously! He Liu Deran's wolf ambition is clearly revealed, it's been such a time, and he can't take it seriously, do you really have to wait for the ship we are waiting for to capsize, and then take it seriously?! ”

Qi Zhou slapped the case and said to Zhao Cai's eyes burningly: "Brother Gongrong, at this time, you can't tolerate me to say anything depressing!" He Liu Deran provoked the incident and led the wolf into the room, clearly coveting Youzhou! The lord may have already noticed the clue, he has always been diligent in government, how can he neglect government affairs at such a time? It reminds me to wait for him to be forced to succumb to the hands of thieves, and ask me to draw a knife to help break the situation! ”

"This ...... Isn't that too hasty? ”

Zhao Gai's expression stiffened slightly, and he looked at the rest of the people.

The staff member who was very close to Cheng Xu hurriedly stood up and echoed: "What Brother Shu Nan said is true! As the lord's minister, we should solve problems for the lord, but now the lord is abnormal, since we know the clues, how can we be at ease, let the lord be restrained by thieves, and even let such a vertical do mischief in Youzhou! Please also ask Brother Gongrong not to be depressed, at this time, you have to find an opportunity to engage in careful planning with Xian Yuyin, if it is really to him Liu Zheng and Xianbei to come here to make trouble, everything will be over! ”

"But what if...... He had an idea with Gongsun Zhan, wanting to deter the Hu people before going south. Ask the Montenegrin army to ......"

Zhao should look at Cheng Xu and said "oh", "Please ask the Black Mountain Thieves and the Yellow Turban Thieves to garrison Youbeiping, also to prevent Gongsun Zhan's troops from leaving, Liaodong and Wuhuan will join forces to mutiny, so aren't we wrong to blame the good people?" ”

Hearing this "oh" Cheng Xu blinked slightly, and Qi Zhou said hatefully: "That's also when he started a war, but the lord agrees, and we plan it?" If he insists on going his own way, his name is not right, and he is a thief in Chaozhou! Thieves of troubled countries! Did he commit fewer wrongs in the past? There is no repentance to this day. The lord is inconvenient to discipline, as a minister, I should be loyal, this time I will be a good teacher, so that this shaft can be settled! ”

As he spoke, he swept his hand around, "Princes, without further ado, you have to go to the clan first, and wait for Qi to plan with Brother Gongrong, and then join forces with Xian Yuyin, and we will gather the people who can be gathered, work together, and set the chaos in Youzhou for the Lord!" ”

"The matter...... It's sloppy, no matter how carefully Shu Nan thinks about it, the news that the old man got is hardly right. The old man thought that he had to integrate it again, so that everyone could ...... carefully."

Cheng Xu stood up and arched his hand as he spoke, Qi Zhou interrupted: "Boduangong doesn't need to say any more, this matter is decided!" Qi has long had enough of such a life, and now that he sees the disaster causing Xiao Wall, how can he stand idly by? Moreover, with this matter, we can also uproot Lu Zigan, Liu Jikuang, and Xun Wenruo together, and when the time comes, the luck we are waiting for will be in our hands again. Don't you want to see that? ”

Qi Zhou said, everyone also suddenly realized, it is a matter of their own interests, so they also agreed, and soon after, Zhao should send everyone away, and when he returned to the hall, Qi Zhou was no longer there, and there was a sound of conversation mixed with the sound of rain near the corridor leading to the backyard.

Zhao Cai hurriedly walked over, and saw three figures standing under the eaves in the dimness, no one picked up the lamp, and from the faint light of the fire around, it could be seen that in addition to Qi Zhou, the other two figures were dressed as a man and a woman.

The man's voice approached, mixed with the sound of the rain, and it sounded a little low, "Cheng Boduan has always been as timid as a mouse, maybe he doesn't want to hurt the Cheng family, and he doesn't necessarily want to be rebelled by Wu Huan...... But this person is too conservative, and Liu Yuanjun can't be reused...... Otherwise, if you kill this person, I am afraid that you will also be angry and damage your prestige. It's not worth it. ”

At the same time, the woman had already greeted her, "Brother, the concubine has calculated a hexagram for you, the sixth hexagram of the first month, the humble gentleman, and the use of Dachuan is a good omen." ”

"As a brother, he is naturally a gentleman, and he has always been modest, humble and humble. It's just that the recent rainstorms, where can the river flood? I don't go out, so why wade through the water and ask for a lot of luck? ”

Zhao Caiwan smiled, then stood beside the man, looked at the faint orange light in the distant sky in the night, and was silent for a moment, "The hexagram you asked my sister to find?" ”

"Brother, where would the concubine be perfunctory in your affairs?"

In the soft and weak angry voice, Zhao Cai couldn't help laughing, Qi Zhou and the man also laughed, and after a while, the man suddenly said in a solemn tone: "In a few days, it's almost there...... Has Zhao Zhizhong figured out which side to stand? ”

"Isn't it the mean? I listen to my sister. ”

Zhao Gai's voice smiled, and it sounded a little solemn, the man smiled, and then looked to the south and was silent for a while, "Guess, what is Liu Yuanjun thinking now?" ”

No one answered, there was silence for a while, and when Zhao should come back to his senses again, only Qi Zhou was left by his side, he sighed, his tone was complicated, "Shunan, what is a gentleman?" Is it the son of a king, or should he be a cook far away? ”

"Domineering and benevolent? It's not a contradiction. The son of a king should consider the king, and it is not impossible to consider the king if he is virtuous. What you mean by this, but to say that the king is unkind is really rebellious. ”

Qi Zhou patted Zhao Gai's arm, took the lead in walking to the front hall, and said as he walked: "The important thing is humility, it is the momentum of the great river that comes like this stormy sky, you and I are immovable, and we can still keep the name of loyalty." ”

The wind and rain seemed to have subsided slightly, and the voice was quite clear when it was far away, Zhao should look up at the sky, and asked, "Then guess, what is the lord thinking?" ”

A laugh floated over, "Do you really think he's asking what the lord is thinking?" What he asked was what we thought was what the lord thought, in other words, what we thought and waited for myself...... Hey, I choose a gentleman, which is another meaning of a gentleman! Brother Gongrong, can you allow Brother Yu to borrow a side room, and then let a dancing girl call me a gentleman? Hahaha......"

"If I want to marry you again, I will definitely be a matchmaker for you. Others, depending on your ability as a gentleman, Zhao can't do things that are difficult for a strong man. ”

"Uh......"

As soon as his footsteps stopped, Qi Zhou turned around from the faint light of the eaves, his posture was outstanding, and then he said something, so Zhao should look at the direction of the backyard, smiled slightly, turned around and walked over quickly, and said with a smile: "Don't get drunk!" ”