Wang Shichong smiled: "No, if I just want to find Empress Xiao, then it's okay to pass Guò Xiao Milling, there is no need to talk to you." And the reason why I came to work for you General Chen is to talk to you about the future of Yingzhou, that is to say, in the future, I, Wang Shichong, want to cooperate with you. ”

Chen Ling shook his head: "Wang Tingshi, you may be a little misunderstood, I, Chen Ling, am not Xiao Miao, I am a person who knows how to repay my kindness, Empress Xiao gave me this official position, I naturally have to be loyal to her all the time, not like Xiao Miao, who only thinks about kicking Queen Xiao away and becoming self-reliant." ”

Wang Shichong asked with interest: "Why do you say that Xiao Mo wants to be self-reliant?" What does General Chen know? ”

Chen Ling snorted disdainfully: "This is going to ask you about the content of the discussion between Wang Tingshi and Xiao Miao." Wang Tingshi, if you are interested in cooperating with Empress Xiao, you can reveal to us what kind of agreement you have reached with Xiao Miao. I think what Xiao Mo can give you, Queen Xiao must also be able to give, and you should also choose a more powerful partner, right? ”

Wang Shichong raised two fingers, shook it, and said, "General Chen, I'm pretty sure now, before Xiao Mo came to report to the official that day, you didn't know that he wanted to stand on his own, but now you are so sure, is it just because of the death of Aunt Liu?" ”

Chen Ling snorted heavily, and did not speak, which was regarded as a tacit acquiescence.

Wang Shichong sighed and said, "General Chen, in fact, I know very well that you are not so loyal to Empress Xiao, and you have transferred so many fellow villagers from Lujiang to be your personal guards, which in itself means that you have a restless heart of self-reliance." If my guess is correct, Empress Xiao should have promised you this land of Yingzhou. Let's be the starting point in the troubled times in the future. ”

Chen Ling's eyebrows moved. Still don't speak. But his heart was beating with horror. I was surprised that Wang Shichong knew so many things about himself.

Wang Shichong saw that Chen Ling was silent, and continued: "Let's go back to what Wang said just now, General Chen, do you want to be self-reliant, or you can be tied to Queen Xiao, in short, this Yingzhou City is your own territory in your eyes, and you don't want others to get involved, whether it is Xiao Mo or me Wang Shichong." That's right. ”

Chen Ling nodded, and finally spoke: "Yes, Empress Xiao has been operating here for so many years, it is impossible to give this place to others." Wang Shichong, since you understand this, it's best not to go against us, Empress Xiao's energy, you should know, especially Yang Guang is looking forward to making trouble with your family now. ”

Wang Shichong couldn't listen to this kind of threat the most, and that day Xiao Mo threatened him like this. He yelled back directly, and now Chen Ling mentioned it again. The nameless fire in his heart rushed up again, and he was about to scold, scolding this Chen Ling like he did that day, and when the words came to his mouth, he suddenly thought about it, and swallowed it back vividly.

Wang Shichong put on a smiling face: "Yes, Yang Guang really doesn't want to see our Wang family, Queen Xiao's current pillow wind is indeed lethal, but General Chen, have you ever thought about what would happen if Empress Xiao couldn't blow the pillow wind?" ”

Chen Ling was slightly stunned, and then said angrily: "Wang Shichong, what do you mean by this?" ”

A hint of murder flashed in Wang Shichong's eyes, and there was also a hint of coldness in his voice: "If I strike first and report to Yang Guang about your General Chen and Xiao Miao, will Empress Xiao still have a chance to blow that pillow wind?" ”

Chen Ling's face suddenly turned pale, and what he was most afraid of was stabbed by Wang Shichong, and he was immediately speechless.

Wang Shichong's smile came to his face, and his voice became softer: "General Chen, we have to cooperate, we don't have to threaten each other like this, it's boring." In fact, what we can do, everyone knows in their hearts, if General Chen wants to get rid of our Wang family first, he can also try the means of our family's counterattack. ”

Chen Ling laughed dryly, his two small eyes narrowed slightly, and said, "Wang Tingshi, you have been talking about wanting to cooperate just now, may I ask what kind of cooperation you want?" ”

Wang Shichong nodded: "That's right, you see how good it would be if we showed sincerity and talked about things well." Before I say what I think, can I ask Brother Chen to show some sincerity and tell me what Xiao Mo told you yesterday? ”

Chen Ling actually wanted to know the specific content of the agreement reached between Wang Shichong and Xiao Mo in private, and immediately said: "Yes, but after I finish speaking, I will also ask Brother Wang to tell me the content of the agreement between you and Xiao Miao." This sincerity should be taken by us together, you say. ”

Wang Shichong smiled and said nothing, which can be regarded as a default.

Chen Ling cleared his throat and said: "Actually, it's nothing more than what Brother Wang just said, I have doubts about the death of this Aunt Liu, and I feel that Xiao Mo has a tendency to be self-reliant, so I will go to reason with him overnight." He also happily agreed to this matter, and said that now he and your brother Wang have officially formed an alliance and advance and retreat together. ”

Wang Shichong nodded: "What are the two pro-soldier guards who left one after another going to do?" ”

Chen Ling said: "Chen originally wanted to report what Xiao Mo did to Queen Xiao, but then Xiao Mo kept saying that he would leave this Yingzhou to fight the world elsewhere anyway, and said that there is no one in the Xiao clan who is as capable as him, and he can do something outside, if he really lets Queen Xiao tear his face with him, it will damage the interests of the entire Xiao Liang clan in the end." I heard some reason, and as soon as my heart softened, I reconciled with him. ”

"Since I agree to help him hide the truth about Aunt Liu's death, then I will simply be a good person to the end and help him fulfill this lie, because Queen Xiao will also be as suspicious of Aunt Liu's death as I am, and may not believe Xiao Miao's explanation. So I sent two personal soldiers to report to Empress Xiao in advance, saying that Aunt Liu was killed by your brother Wang. ”

Wang Shichong had expected this qiē for a long time, and was not surprised when he heard it, but smiled faintly: "Xiao Mo said that Aunt Liu was killed by me?" ”

Chen Ling nodded: "It is impossible for him to say that it is his own people." So Brother Wang, I have to let you be this murderer. ”

Wang Shichong said noncommittally "um" and stopped talking.

Chen Ling continued: "Xiao Mo said that he would abide by the agreement with you and withdraw all his subordinates from this Yingzhou. He also advised me not to rush to develop in the past few years. It's about getting along with you. Wang Shichong. That's what I talked to Xiao Mo last night, are you satisfied? ”

Wang Shichong laughed and said, "That's all? ”

Chen Ling said unhappily: "What else do you think there is?" ”

Wang Shichong sighed and said, "Brother Chen, I really want to cooperate with you, but you don't seem to be sincere enough." Talking only halfway, it's too stingy. ”

Chen Ling said angrily: "Wang Shichong, I just said. That's the conversation between me and Xiao Miao, if you don't believe me, why do you bother to ask me? ”

Wang Shichong smiled, and his expression suddenly became stern: "Brother Chen, let me ask you first, did you really go to Xiao Mo just to question Aunt Liu's death?" ”

Chen Lingmian said without changing his face: "Of course, isn't this matter important? It exposes Xiao Miao's intention to be self-reliant, and he is in collusion with you, Wang Shichong, shouldn't I ask clearly? ”

Wang Shichong smiled: "But you don't believe what Xiao Mo said, right?" You angrily go over to Xingshi to ask for sin. In the end, he said lightly, saying that he had left him. There is no one in the Xiao family, you can make a big change in attitude, and even help him lie. Brother Chen, don't you think this statement is too far-fetched? ”

Chen Ling's head began to sweat, and he himself felt that it was too unreasonable to say this, but the words had been spoken, and it was difficult to take them back, so he protested: "Wang Shichong, Xiao Mo is a member of the Xiao family after all, and a foreign surname surnamed Chen is an outsider after all, without clear evidence, Queen Xiao may not believe me!" Besides, Xiao Mo is leaving, what's the point of continuing to turn his face with him over this matter? ”

Wang Shichong shook his head: "Brother Chen, I am also a businessman, there is a saying in the business field, it is said that no profit is not early, everyone does things for a purpose, and no one will take the initiative to do things that are not beneficial." If you want to say that you are loyal to Empress Xiao before you question Xiao Miao, I can believe it, but in the end, you knew that Xiao Mi had a problem, but you shook hands with him and made peace, and even took the initiative to help him deceive Empress Xiao, no matter how you explain this matter, it doesn't make sense, it's too unreasonable. ”

"Brother Chen, in fact, we all know very well that you went to Xiao Mo to take over the forces in Yingzhou that he left behind, and in the end you are willing to let him go, presumably Xiao Mo has made some concessions to you on this point, what Wang really wants to hear is this, I hope you can tell the truth."

Chen Ling was speechless for a long time, his face was blue and white for a while, and after a while, he spoke: "No wonder Xiao Mo said that you Wang Shichong is powerful, I saw it with my own eyes today." Anyway, since you know everything, I won't hide it from you, yes, I went for this when I went, but you didn't guess one thing, Xiao Mo still kept the agreement with you and withdrew all his subordinates from Yingzhou. ”

Wang Shichong shook his head: "I don't believe it, if that's the case, why didn't you turn your face with him?" Just now you also admitted that the purpose of going was to take over Xiao Miao's forces, since he can't satisfy you, why do you continue to help him? ”

Chen Ling sighed: "Because from his mouth, I know that you Wang Shichong is not a good person, and it is not something that I, Chen Ling, can deal with, even if I take over his power, I will not be your opponent." Instead of taking the initiative to provoke you, it is better to cooperate with you, and everyone will be safe. Besides, those people are all under Xiao Miao's orders, if I really want to take over, sooner or later I will slowly replace Xiao Miao's subordinates with my own people. ”

Wang Shichong nodded: "This is a reasonable explanation, okay, I believe that Brother Chen told me the truth this time." Since Brother Chen is willing to tell the truth, then I can't be too stingy, now I will sue you, the content of the agreement between me and Na Xiao Miao, to show my integrity. ”

Wang Shichong talked eloquently, and told the things that were privately agreed with Na Xiao Mo that day, without reservation, and once again reiterated to Chen Ling that he only wanted to be safe and sound in Yingzhou in the past few years, and was not interested in managing his own forces.

After hearing this, Chen Ling also shook his head in disbelief: "Brother Wang, since you have no intention of doing this, why do you have to work hard to operate?" Just learn from Hu Sizheng like that, don't you just don't ask? This makes it impossible for everyone to run this place, and if there is a change in the future, we will not have time to react. ”

Wang Shichong smiled "hehe" and said: "Brother Chen misunderstood, the reason why I said that is because I can only be so hypocritical with Xiao Miao, think about it, he can even betray Queen Xiao, how dare I really make friends with this person?" ”

A smile appeared on Chen Ling's face: "Yes, I also think that with Brother Wang's wisdom and wisdom, how can he not be able to see this clearly?!" Put it this way. Did you fool him about your agreement with Xiao Miao? ”

Wang Shichong smiled and shook his head: "That's not either." It's just that he agreed with Xiao Mo that his people would evacuate Yingzhou. I will give him some monetary compensation. But all of this is to clear the way for cooperation between our two families. ”

Chen Ling's heart moved when he heard this, and his eyes were suddenly full of expectation: "Oh? Is Brother Wang interested in cooperating with Queen Xiao? Your judgment is really good, you didn't bluff that kid Xiao Miao. ”

Wang Shichong waved his hand and said, "No, I mean to cooperate with your brother Chen, Empress Xiao is really dispensable to me." ”

Chen Ling was overjoyed in his heart. There was an angry expression on his face, and he shouted: "Brother Wang, Chen has made it very clear just now, I am not an ungrateful guy like Xiao Miao, and I will not betray Queen Xiao, please don't mention this again, it hurts your feelings!" ”

Wang Shichong smiled: "Brother Chen, why do you say this?!" As I said just now, you recruited all those Lujiang fellows, this is obviously not what Empress Xiao wants to see. And you admit it too. As soon as Xiao Mo leaves, you want to take over his power, is this what Empress Xiao allows you to do? ”

Chen Ling was stunned at first. turned to sigh: "Brother Wang is really high, it seems that I can only tell you the truth." Yes, Chen does intend to gain a foothold here, but he is not completely self-reliant like Xiao Miao, Empress Xiao promised when she sent me to Yingzhou that she would give me Yingzhou Chen Ling in the future, hereditary replacement. Therefore, in Chen's eyes, running his own forces in Yingzhou and completely controlling this place is not a betrayal of Empress Xiao. ”

Wang Shichong didn't expect this to be the case, at first glance, he was silent, and only after a while did he raise his head and say: "Then whether it is Brother Chen's intention or Empress Xiao's meaning, he always wants to accumulate strength in this Yingzhou to deal with the future chaos in the world." Moreover, Empress Xiao and Brother Chen still want to bring down the Yang family's world and restore the country in Jingxiang, there is no problem with this. ”

Chen Ling nodded: "Not bad." Therefore, although Xiao Mo has the heart of self-reliance, after all, he is also preparing for Xiao Liang's restoration of the country, and for this point, whether it is me or Queen Xiao, I will continue to support him in the future, but it is impossible to be as unreserved as before. ”

When Wang Shichong heard this, he smiled and said: "I have no intention of interfering in the affairs of your Xiao family, but I don't want to do nothing in the past few years in Yingzhou. Brother Chen, you have an official legal identity as a cover, and if nothing happens, you will also stay in Yingzhou for a long time, so I choose to cooperate with you instead of Xiao Miao. ”

Chen Ling tried his best to hide the excitement and excitement in his heart, and asked calmly: "Then what kind of cooperation method does Brother Wang want?" ”

Wang Shichong smiled: "In terms of manpower, Brother Chen now has more than 100 personal soldiers brought over by Lujiang to escort him, so it must not be too short, but he may need money in terms of ordnance and war horses." I originally agreed with Na Xiao Mo to give him six million dollars, but now that I know that this person will betray even Empress Xiao, I feel that I can't raise him too fat, so I decided to give five million to Brother Chen of the six million. ”

Chen Ling was so excited that he almost didn't fall off his horse, his eyes widened, he stretched out five fingers, and said, "Brother Wang didn't lie to me, is it really five million dollars?" ”

Wang Shichong smiled slightly: "It's true, this money will be transferred to Wanfu Money Village in Yingzhou City at the beginning of next month, which I opened." In order to avoid attracting attention, when the time comes, you can ask your more than 100 personal guards, each of whom uses the names of their relatives and family members to open an account in the bank, and then collect it in batches, or if General Chen has no place to store it for a while, it is okay to temporarily store it in the bank. ”

Chen Ling was about to go crazy with excitement, a smile bloomed on his face, and he said in a continuous voice: "Brother Wang is really generous, he really has the sincerity to cooperate, you can rest assured, when you are in Yingzhou in the past few years, I will not cause you any trouble, and every qiē action will only be carried out quietly underground, and no one will notice the relationship between us." ”

Wang Shichong smiled and waved his hand: "Brother Chen, I haven't finished talking yet, this five million cash subsidy is only the first point, and the second point is that I will also find a relationship to find a Turkic war horse for you, and you can use this money to buy it when the time comes." ”

Chen Ling had the unexpected joy just now, this time he didn't lose his temper like just now, he laughed and said: "My brother is really my timely rain, he knows what I lack the most, and he will give me something." To be honest, when you told me the money, I was thinking, what to spend it on. ”

"As a result, I thought about it, what I needed most was war horses, but we don't produce war horses in the Jingxiang area, and there are no local merchants who can buy northern war horses in large quantities to sell here, so I was still worried just now, I'm afraid that the money won't be spent!"

Chen Ling said a lot of words, suddenly thought of something, his face changed slightly, and said, "Brother Wang, you can be regarded as transferring the money promised to Xiao Mo to me, is there no problem?" If he holds a grudge and makes something bad, he sends Yang Advertising the connection between you and me, I'm afraid that something will happen! ”

Wang Shichong smiled slightly: "Cooperation has always been based on equal or little difference in strength, if Xiao Mo betrays your Brother Chen now, it will be tantamount to betraying himself, because as long as Brother Chen has an accident, he will definitely not let him go, he knows this very well, so he doesn't dare to support Brother Chen." As for the next, it was useful to him, and I also gave him a million dollars, although he hated me in his heart, he didn't dare to turn his face with me now. ”

Chen Ling let out a sigh: "It's still Brother Wang who is thoughtful. ”

Wei Zheng's voice suddenly came from the woods, and he was calm and calm: "General Chen, shouldn't you also tell us about Shen Liusheng, a horse merchant in Yingzhou City?" ”

Chen Ling's face changed color suddenly, and he turned his head to look into the grove, only to see Wei Zheng smiling, riding a yellow-maned horse, slowly walking out of the woods, and did not forget to bow to Chen Ling: "General Chen, you are not righteous enough, you run so fast, you can't keep up, if you hadn't been here with my lord the day before yesterday, I really don't know where to find you." ”

Chen Ling was angry and anxious, and he didn't return the salute, and shouted directly: "Wei Zheng, have you been eavesdropping on our conversation in the woods?" ”

Wei Zheng shook his head: "There's no need for this, the Lord Guild discussed everything with you afterwards, General Chen, you should know that what you said is true." ”

Chen Ling's eyebrows raised slightly, and he asked instead, "Wei Zheng, how did you know that Shen Liusheng?" ”

Wang Shichong and Wei Zheng glanced at each other, smiled dumbly, and said: "Brother Chen, even Wei can inquire about the relationship between you and Empress Xiao clearly, what are you most interested in in this Yingzhou City, can I still not know?" ”

"Every three months at the market, you will go to the horse market, but as soon as you see those short and thin southwest horses, you will take advantage of the excitement and return with a disappointment, and even at the horse market last month, you asked Shen Liusheng in public why he couldn't get a war horse. Right. ”

Chen Ling sighed, with a helpless expression on his face: "Yes, Brother Wang, you and I are both generals, and we know the importance of cavalry." Even if you don't consider the incident in Yingzhou when the world is in turmoil in the future, it is not too much to just use my current status as a hussar general to get some military horses. ”

Wang Shichong let out an "oh": "Isn't this war horse uniformly allocated by the Ministry of War?" Wang has fought many times, served in the military department for many years, and knows many government generals in the Longxi area of Guanzhong, but they are all provided by the imperial court, and they do not need to buy them themselves. ”

Chen Ling shook his head: "Brother Wang's words are wrong, that Guanzhong Longyou is an important border town close to the Turks, and it has been constantly harassed by the Turks since the Kaihuang period, of course, it needs a large number of war horses and elite soldiers. And this Yingzhou, and even the entire Jingxiang region, is the interior that has always been very peaceful, and it is the former Southern Dynasties region, and the imperial court does not want to have a strong military force here, as long as it can maintain basic law and order. ”

"So I have sent an official letter to the Ministry of War for many years, asking for the deployment of a batch of war horses as soon as possible, and the Ministry of War is delayed for various reasons, the most recent one is to say that because of the rebellion of Yang Liang last year, a lot of war horses died in the process of counterinsurgency, so it cannot be allocated for the time being, and directly gave me 500,000 money, let me solve the problem of military horses by myself."

Wang Shichong said curiously: "500,000 yuan? It seems that Hu Sizheng's account book has not received such a large amount of money in the past two years. (To be continued......)