After more than a day of marching, the army marched to the city of Xiangyang, Wang Rong let the army be stationed outside the city, and took his subordinates into the city, this time he also wanted to visit Xian, visiting Cai Mao, Pang Degong and Huang Chengyan.

The Cai family is the largest family in Xiangyang, and it is also the crown family of Jingzhou, Cai Mao's uncle is Zhang Wen, the imperial lieutenant of the dynasty, Cai Mao's father Cai Wei, Cai Mao himself and his two younger brothers Cai Zan and Cai Yan are all Jingzhou celebrities.

In "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", Cai Mao is portrayed as a despicable and shameless incompetent, which is actually a kind of scandalization of him, in the official history, Cai Mao is a very capable person.

Cai Mao is a civil and military all-rounder, once helped Liu Biao pacify Jingzhou, and accepted the displaced people, implemented benevolent governance, and made Jingzhou the richest state in the Han Dynasty, and he was also a very capable naval general, especially in the training of the naval army.

As for his later single-handedly created Jingzhou's surrender to Cao Cao, it was also because Jingzhou's strength was too far from Cao Cao, and he valued the interests of his family more, and did not want the Cai family to accompany Jingzhou to be martyred, in fact, such a thing is also understandable, not every talented person is a loyal martyr, and there are many people who have served two masters or even several masters during the Three Kingdoms, if Wang Heng only needs the most loyal and only one master in his life, he has few people to choose.

Throughout the Three Kingdoms period, among the more famous people, Guo Jiaxian Yuan Shao, and later followed Cao Cao; Among Cao Cao's five good generals, three of them were generals; Zhao Yunlishi, Yuan Shao, Gongsun Zhan, and finally followed Liu Bei; Huang Zhong first saw Liu Biao, and later demoted Liu Bei; Even Guan Erye, who is known for his loyalty, has also had the experience of surrendering to Cao Cao; After Cao Cao destroyed Yuan and Liu Bei entered Shu, almost all of Yuan Shao and Liu Zhang's original subordinates surrendered to Cao Cao and Liu Bei, and only a few people died for the old master, such as frustration, trial, Zhang Ren, and Wang Lei.

Because of this, in real history, Cai Mao's approach is actually understandable, Wang Heng knows that as long as he maintains his strong strength, Cai Mao will not have any second thoughts, and in history he also waited until Liu Biao's death to surrender to Cao Cao.

In Cai Mao's house, Wang Rong and his entourage met Cai Mao, because the Kuai brothers and Cai Mao are familiar with each other, Cai Mao and Wang Rong talked very happily, but for Wang Rong's solicitation, Cai Mao did not immediately agree, this is because his father Cai Rong has been feeling sick recently, and he has to wait for his father's illness to heal before he can consider going out, in fact, this is equivalent to saying that he has agreed to Wang Rong's solicitation, but the Eastern Han Dynasty ruled the world with filial piety, if he came out when his father was sick, he would leave a handle.

Although Cai Mao did not go out immediately, he also donated a large amount of materials to Wang Ei's army to quell the rebellion like the Kuai brothers, which can be regarded as his meeting gift to Wang Ei, the assassin of Jingzhou.

Huang Chengyan is Cai Mao's brother-in-law, when Wang Rong went to visit him, Cai Mao said that his brother-in-law was loose by nature and had no intention of going out, I was afraid that Wang Rong would return in vain, Wang Rong still insisted on going to Huang's house, but Huang Chengyan was not at home and went out to play. Wang Rong had no choice but to let Cai Mao convey his goodwill to Huang Chengyan and go to Pang Degong.

Pang Degong lived on Yuliang Continent in the water outside Xiangyang City, and Cai Mao sent a boat to send Wang Rong and his party to Yuliang Continent and came to Pang's house.

When he came to Pang's house, Cai Mao saw Pang Degong sitting outside the house reading a book from a distance, and he shouted from afar: "Brother Shang, the king of the state has come to visit you, why don't you welcome it quickly?" ”

Pang Degong raised his head and put down the book in his hand unhurriedly, at this time everyone had already gotten closer, and then he saw that he was not a book in his hand, but a printed book.

Wang Rong took a few steps forward and said, "Wang Rong has seen Mr. Shang Chang!" ”

Pang Degong stood up, and bowed his hand to Wang Rong without humility or arrogance: "I don't know that Wang Thorn Shi has arrived, and he has lost his welcome, please forgive me!" ”

Wang Rong said: "What is the crime? ”

Pang Degong welcomed the group into the house and sat down, Cai Mao smiled and said, "Elder Brother Shang, haven't you always wanted to meet Heng Gongzi?" That's it! ”

Pang Degong had always had a calm smile on his face, but when he heard Cai Mao's words, he said in shock: "This is Master Heng?" Disrespectful, disrespectful! ”

He immediately stood up and gave a salute to Wang Heng, which was much more serious than the salute to Wang Heng, and Wang Heng hurriedly returned the salute to Pang Degong.

Pang Degong took out the book he was reading outside the house and said with great interest: "Young Master Heng, I have been reading this "Chinese" printed by you these days, and this book is much clearer than Zhujian. Heng Gongzi is really a dragon among people, he can think of such a method! ”

When everyone saw Pang Degong throw down Wang Rong, the assassin of Jingzhou who came to visit him, and talk to Wang Heng by himself, they couldn't help but feel that he was a little rude.

Cai Mao was a little embarrassed and said to Wang Rong: "Wang Yuanjun, he is such a temperament, please don't blame Wang Yuanjun!" ”

Wang Rong didn't think it was wrong, he looked at Pang Degong talking to Wang Heng with a smile, and said to Cai Mao: "It's okay, this is the true temperament." ”

Wang Heng also saw Pang Degong's deeds from the book and knew that he was a person who was indifferent to fame and fortune, so he was not surprised by Pang Degong's actions.

Pang Degong has lived on Yuliangzhou all his life, although it is close to Xiangyang City, he has never stepped into Xiangyang City, and he ploughs the fields with his wife on weekdays, and entertains himself by playing the piano and reading books in his free time.

Liu Biao had come to the door several times to ask him to go out of the mountain to assist him, but Pang Degong refused without hesitation, Liu Biao said that even if Pang Degong didn't think about himself, he had to think about his children and leave something for them, but Pang Degong said that he didn't need to leave any material things, just leave some spiritual wealth.

Pang Degong is so indifferent to fame and fortune, and it is not surprising that he ignores Wang Heng today, and he looks at Wang Heng differently, also because of Wang Heng's contribution to printing books.

Wang Heng chatted with Pang Degong for a while, and suddenly three children ran out from behind, one looked fourteen or fifteen years old, one looked seven or eight years old, and one looked five or six years old.

The seven or eight-year-old boy asked Wang Heng, "Are you Wang Heng, the son of the assassin?" ”

Wang Heng nodded and said, "I am Wang Heng!" ”

While answering, Wang Heng looked at the child, this child was black and ugly, the bridge of his nose was a little collapsed, his nostrils were a little turned out, and he had some buck teeth, his heart moved, could this child be?

The boy asked, "Did you really print this book?" You can't be robbing someone else of the credit, right? ”

As soon as these words came out, many people behind Wang Rong had angry faces, this kid is too ignorant, right? How do you talk nonsense? They still dare to question the genius Heng Gongzi in their minds?

Pang Degong no longer understands the world, and at this time, he couldn't help but reprimand with some embarrassment: "Pang Tong, don't talk nonsense!" ”

Wang Heng was happy in his heart, this kid was really Pang Tong, and he smiled at Pang Degong: "It's okay, there is no taboo in children's words." ”

After speaking, he said to Pang Tong: "Is your name Pang Tong?" I did print this book. ”

In fact, Wang Heng also felt a little ashamed in his heart, this printing technology did rob others of the credit, and Pang Tong was not wrong.

Pang Tong was still skeptical: "Is what you said true?" I don't think you're a few years older than us, why are you so capable? ”

Wang Heng said with a smile: "If you don't believe it, you can go to my printing workshop to have a look, and I will print a few books myself for you to see." ”

When Pang Tong saw Wang Heng's appearance, he believed a little more in his heart, and he nodded and said, "That's okay, if I have the chance, I will go and see it." ”

Although Pang Tong's temperament is eccentric, he also admires people who are really capable, and he still admires Wang Heng's actions in his heart, in his heart, Wang Heng has unconsciously become his idol, but he also has to confirm whether what this idol does is true or false.

Pang Degong was a little embarrassed to introduce to the guests at this time, the fourteen or fifteen-year-old child was his son Pang Shanmin, the seven or eight-year-old child was his nephew Pang Tong, and the five or six-year-old child was Pang Tong's younger brother Pang Lin, they lived nearby, so they often came to Pang Degong's house to play, and Pang Degong also taught them to read.

Pang Tong asked Wang Heng another question, that is, how to solve the problem of counting the number of monks in the arithmetic book compiled by Wang Heng.

After Wang Heng compiled this book, he printed a lot of copies, in addition to Zheng Xuan's one, Wang Heng also sent a book to these celebrities when he sent a book, he knew that the Confucian students in this year were more interested in arithmetic, so this book was also an attraction to them.

The arithmetic questions in this book are ahead of the times, Zheng Xuan can't calculate them, Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue, Cai Mao and Pang Degong naturally can't calculate them, but they still have some self-conscious identities, and they also hope to figure out these questions on their own, so they didn't ask Wang Heng, Pang Tong naturally didn't have these concerns, he naturally asked.

Wang Heng had already made up his mind to abduct Pang Tong in the future, and of course he had to have a good relationship with Pang Tong at this time, so he asked Pang Tong to come up with a plan and start to calculate it on the spot.

Not only Pang Tong and a few other children listened attentively to Wang Heng's lecture on the topic, but even Pang Degong, Cai Mao, the Kuai brothers and others listened attentively, all of them were like primary school students, it was very funny, but they didn't think it was funny, this was a very rare opportunity for them, because this question was too advanced.

Wang Heng only spoke once, and Pang Tong clapped his hands in understanding: "I understand!" ”

Wang Heng was secretly frightened, Pang Tong's talent was too high, right? I've only told it once! No wonder it's the phoenix chick with the same name as Wolong Zhuge Liang!

Pang Shanmin and Pang Lin both said that they hadn't understood yet, Wang Heng looked at Pang Degong and the others, and he found that there was still some confusion on the faces of these people, so he slowed down and spoke again.

After this time, Pang Shanmin and Pang Lin still said that they didn't understand, but this time Pang Tong simply picked up the calculation chip himself and told them about it, and he said it correctly. This time, Wang Heng was even more shocked, this is a real genius! If he hadn't been stained with the light of crossing, he would never have been able to compare to Pang Tong.

As soon as he thought of this, he looked forward to it again, if he succeeded in accepting Pang Tong, and when Zhuge Liang, another cattle man with a talent that was only stronger than Pang Tong, came to Jingzhou again, then Wolong and Feng Chick would be under his command, and he would be too happy.

Pang Tong's outstanding talent was also seen by Wang Rong and others, and they had no bad feelings about Pang Tong's rudeness just now, after all, as Wang Heng said, there are not many children who are so smart!

The only thing that has some shortcomings is that this child may not be a little too ugly.

Pang Tong spoke several times, Pang Shanmin and the adults present all understood, only Pang Lin was too young to understand, Pang Tong said that he would go home and tell him later.

At this time, Pang Tong had already believed in Wang Heng's ability for seven or eight points, and this question could not even be calculated by many learned adults, but Wang Heng could solve it.

Pang Degong knew that Wang Rong had a serious business to visit him, but it was not good to leave Wang Tingshi for too long, so he asked Pang Shanmin to take Pang Tong and Pang Lin to retreat.

Before Pang Tong retreated, he also said to Wang Heng: "Master Heng, I will visit you if I have the chance!" ”

Wang Heng looked at Pang Tong like a little adult, and nodded seriously: "Welcome!" There is not much age difference between you and me, so let's be brothers in the future, don't call me son! ”

Pang Tong was not restrained, he bowed to Wang Heng and said, "The eldest brother is above, please accept the younger brother!" ”

Wang Heng was happy in his heart, he helped Pang Tong up and said, "Virtuous brother doesn't need to be polite!" ”

Pang Tong saluted everyone in the hall like a little adult, and then followed Pang Shanmin to the backyard proudly.

Seeing Pang Tong holding his head up, everyone couldn't help laughing, and Wang Rong said: "This kid is interesting." ”

Pang Degong shook his head and said, "Let the envoy laugh!" ”

Wang Rong said: "Where is it? The Pang family has such a good child, and there are successors! ”

Pang Degong thanked him repeatedly.

Wang Rong showed Pang Degong his intention to solicit, and sure enough, Pang Degong politely rejected Wang Rong, but he said that he would go to Wuling to meet Zheng Xuan if he had the opportunity.

Wang Heng had also heard Wang Heng talk about Pang Degong's temperament, so he had already been mentally prepared, and he was not disappointed by this, nodded and smiled, saying that he was welcome to go to Wuling at any time.

This time I came to Xiangyang, although I haven't recruited anyone for the time being, but in Wang Heng's opinion, the harvest is still very great, at least Cai Mao has expressed his intention to serve, and he also has a good relationship with Pang Tong.

After Xiangyang, it entered the territory of Nanyang County, passed through Deng County, the southernmost part of Nanyang County, and arrived in Xinye, there were local people who came to join the army, some of them were refugees who fled from several counties in the southeast of Nanyang County, where Zhao Ci's rebellion was raging, and some of them were local light men in Xinye, who wanted to join the army and seek a background.

These refugees who defected to the army said that Zhao Cijun was brutal and unkind, and that he did all kinds of evil in burning, killing, looting, and the situation in several counties southeast of Nanyang had been eroded.

Wang Rong recruited these refugees who had joined the army to select the able-bodied ones into the army, and those who did not meet the conditions were also given food, so that they could return to their hometowns after the army had quelled the rebellion.

And those local light heroes in Xinye were also assessed one by one, and they were hired.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to assess these light heroes, Wang Rong asked the army to rest in Xinye for two days, after all, it was not far from Zhangling, and there was a possibility of a battle at any time.

Wang Rong also scattered all the scouts in the general, first, to reconnoiter the enemy's situation, and second, to contact the local county soldiers.

On this day, there were bursts of cheers from the place where the light heroes were assessed in the barracks, Wang Heng was learning the art of war with Huang Zhong, and when he heard this cheer, he was curious for a while, so he went to the assessment place with Huang Zhong.

The place of assessment is to temporarily pile up an earthen platform in the barracks, which is leveled and used as a ring, and this group of light heroes who came to join the army has more than 100 people, and their martial arts are assessed by the strong martial arts in the army. Under normal circumstances, all the assessments can be completed in these two days.

At this time, the earthen platform was surrounded by people, and they let out bursts of cheers.

"Good job, another one!"

"Awesome!"

"Captain Zhao, let's take this fight down!"

……

Huang Zhong and Wang Heng walked towards the side of the earthen platform, and when the soldiers saw them coming, they naturally wanted to get out of the way and let them go to the side of the earthen platform.

I saw a young man standing on the earthen platform, he was about seventeen or eighteen years old, not very tall, but very strong, because the time was already in April, it was already quite hot, so he only wore a short brown coat on his upper body, and only a short hakama on his lower body, and his face was triumphant.

On the other side, Zhao Chou was already unloading his armor and preparing to take the stage.

Huang Zhong asked the soldiers in a low voice what was going on, and the soldiers told him that after this man came to power, he didn't use two or three moves to fall off the stage, and then, up to a military commander, he was also defeated by his men with three punches and two feet, and then he was defeated by Shi Chang, Junhou, Tun Chang and other officers, all of whom were defeated under his hands, and now only Zhao Chou has not fought with him.

The light heroes who came to join the army with that man cheered loudly for him, and the soldiers were naturally cheering for Zhao Chou, if a new person who came to join the army defeated their entire battalion of officers and soldiers, then all of them would be disgraced, so they all hoped that Zhao Chou could make a contribution in a battle, at least to make a difference in the prestige of the other party.

Zhao Chou came to the stage, his face was very solemn, he had seen a few games just now, this man's martial arts are indeed very strong, especially the art of hand-to-hand combat, it can be seen that he has worshiped a famous teacher and worked hard, although he has studied with Huang Zhong for so long, and his martial arts have made great progress, but he is not sure to win him.

Of course, Zhao Chou can't back down at this time, he has no way out, this kind of thing, he doesn't think that Huang Zhong needs to solve it, if it really comes to that point, he feels that it is a shame.

Zhao Chou didn't know that now Huang Zhong was watching his competition with this man under the earthen platform.

After Zhao Chou came to the stage, he looked at the man with blazing eyes and said, "You can rest for a while, so as not to say that I took advantage of you." ”

This man had already fought several times just now, so Zhao Chou let him rest, and this kind of bearing won a burst of applause from the audience, and Huang Zhong and Wang Heng also nodded secretly.

The man said a little frivolously: "Don't rest, I didn't have much effort in the first few games!" ”