On the fifth day of April in the seventh year of Guanghe (184 AD), General Yang Wu, who protected the Southern Barbarian Zhonglang and led the Changning Taishou Lei Heng to go on the expedition, led Xizhong, Dian Wei, Sui Sheng, Lin Sheng, Yan Shu and 5,000 elite soldiers to Xiangyang County, Nanjun, and after meeting with Huang Zhong and Yan Yan, they crusaded against the Yellow Turban Army in Jingzhou.

The army passed through the county and soon entered the boundary of Jingzhou, and marched for another eight days, until the end of April 20, when the army reached the gate of Xiangyang County. What Lei Heng saw along the way, there was no sign of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, nor was it as prosperous as he had heard in his previous life, and there were only ordinary people who were working hard for their livelihood, and they did not arouse the slightest superfluous interest in the five thousand troops he led outside the city.

When Nanjun Jun Cheng heard the news, he quickly led the officials to rush over, and politely bowed his hand to everyone: "Xiaguan Nanjun Jun Cheng Guo Zhi, I am ordered by Lord Shi to welcome General Yangwu." ”

Dian Wei was furious: "My lord is General Yangwu and the leader Ning Taishou, who was ordered by the imperial court to crusade against the rebellion in Jingzhou, but only let you be greeted by one county, what is the reason?" ”

Guo Zhi was so frightened by Dian Wei that he was about to cry, and stammered and replied: "Nanyang County... Nanyang County... Something went wrong... Yellow Turban... Leader Zhang Mancheng... Led the crowd to raise troops in Nanyang County and beheaded Nanyang Taishou... Chu Gong, occupy... Occupied Wancheng... Last night... Last night... Taishou was summoned by the history of the assassin and has not returned yet... I had to come on my behalf..."

Lei Heng was startled, and hurried to the road but still didn't catch up with the battle of Nanyang, and hurriedly stepped forward to ask: "How many soldiers are there in the Yellow Turban Army?" Who is the leading general? ”

Guo Zhi replied with a look of shame and cowardice: "The lower officials don't know..."

Lei Heng couldn't help but be furious: "Didn't you send scouts to investigate? ”

Guo Zhiwei didn't dare to answer, and Xi Zhong hurriedly came out to play a round: "Lord, the incident happened suddenly, it is inevitable that he will be caught off guard, maybe the scout has returned, and it is unknown if he is reporting to Lord Assassin Shi..."

Guo Zhiru was amnesty, glanced at Xi Zhong gratefully, and echoed: "Yes... Yes... Maybe I'm reporting to Lord Assassin..."

Xi Zhong then smiled again: "I'll wait for me to come from afar, and Guo Juncheng will let me wait to stand outside the city?" ”

Guo Zhi replied rather embarrassedly: "Xiaguan has prepared a banquet in the best tower in the city, and he will wash the dust for General Yangwu and his party, but... It's just that... This soldier... This soldier... Even... Even... Inconvenience... Into the city..."

Lin Sheng was furious when he heard this, and roared: "There is no camp in the huge Xiangyang City? It's clearly discriminating against us! ”

"The general is angry... Calm your anger... The lower officials don't dare... The lower official is just a county officer... "Guo Zhi was directly yelled at like sweat, and he couldn't say a complete sentence in half a loud voice.

Seeing that this county is really muddy and can't support the wall, it is also confusing to ask him again. Lei Heng waved his hand to stop Fang Yue, and said coldly: "Since this is the case, we will be stationed outside this Xiangyang City, and Lord Juncheng will take care of the rest by himself!" After saying that, he walked towards the military formation without looking back.

Guo Zhi hurriedly asked for help from Xi Zhong pitifully: "My lord... My lord... Imperial court system... Foreign troops are not allowed to enter the city without permission... Too strict to defend the military law, the lower officials... Xia Guan really didn't dare to let foreign troops enter the city. I hope that my lord will look at the face that I recommended for Feng Gong and help the lower officials... Help the subordinates.. Xiaguan... The lower officials must have thanked him... Thank you so much..."

Xi Zhong glanced at Guo Zhi with interest, and then smiled: "It's really fate... Even if you belong to the feudal family, my lord will definitely not be embarrassed by you. It's just that most of the subordinates are vulgar, and you let them sleep in the wilderness hungry, and if they are angry and irritable, they don't know what they will do. ”

Guo Zhi hurriedly said: "Xiaguan will immediately send wine, meat, rice and noodles." My lord, are you enough for a hundred sheep, fifty pigs, a hundred jars of wine, and a hundred carts of pasta and vegetables? ”

Xi Zhong was amazed and exclaimed: "Guo Juncheng is really a rich party, and he is generous and squandering money..."

Guo Zhi suddenly became calm, and whispered closely: "How can Xia Guan have such wealth, it's just that Jingxiang is rich..."

Xi Zhong instantly realized that this guy was a fake public and private. Xi Zhong groaned slightly, and began to care about the county seriously: "Brother Guo is so generous, isn't he afraid that Lord Taishou will blame him?" ”

Guo Zhi waved his hand angrily and said, "Hmph, it's nothing more than that under him!" ”

Xi Zhong nodded secretly, pretended to compliment Guo Zhi for a few words, and then excused himself to leave, and quickly returned to join Lei Heng and the others.

Here, Dian Wei and Sui Sheng have set up a temporary camp on the gentle wasteland three miles away from the city gate, and are arranging for the men to unload their baggage and prepare to bury the pot to make rice. After that, he instructed the two of them: "Continue to practice for an hour, during which we must ensure that the army is well-groomed and the combat effectiveness is high." Then he went into the tent of the Chinese army.

As soon as Lei Heng saw Xi Zhong returning, he hurriedly got up to greet him, and said excitedly: "Zhicai is back!" ”

Xi Zhong couldn't help but wonder: "Why is the lord so happy?" ”

Lei Heng patted his head, hurriedly handed over two pieces of silk paper, and explained: "This is the secret guarantee I just received, and I will know it at a glance. ”

Xi Zhong took it and couldn't help but read it out happily:

"I secretly ordered Yan Jie to lead 200 private soldiers to Zhang Mancheng, and the day before yesterday he was trusted to entrust him and appoint him as the deputy general of the South Gate after occupying Wancheng. You can attack Xicheng with a deception, Yan Jie will wait for the opportunity to seize the south gate after learning about it, and then send the elite soldiers to occupy it quickly, then Nanyang can be determined. Face. ”

Xi Zhong praised again and again: "The lord is really a blessing." Ranzhong also has good news for the lord..."

Lei Heng said with a smile: "Today is really a good thing, it is really gratifying!" Zhicai said quickly..."

Xi Zhong hurriedly told Lei Heng about Guo Zhi, and suggested: "My lord, Xiangyang County is a big county in Jingzhou, and it is adjacent to my Fangling County, which is the best place for him to take all the counties in Jingxiang every day. Zhong had already expected that this Guo Zhi would personally send the things of the labor army to my camp when he was young. At that time, we will induce them with words, make it difficult to suppress the intention of seeking too much protection, and be coerced by us, and we can bury a chess piece in advance. ”

Lei Heng nodded again and again, and directly agreed: "Good, all things in Jingzhou can be done cheaply." ”

Xi Zhong got up and replied, "No! ”

"Newspaper... Lord, outside the camp gate, there are Xiangyang officials escorting pigs, sheep and other things..."The guards in front of the tent entered the tent and reported.

"Got it!" Lei Heng waved his hand to let the guards retreat, and then greeted Xi Zhong and Yan Shu: "Zhicai is a god!" Let's go, since the gold lord has arrived, let's go and meet him...", and led the two out of the tent and went straight to the camp gate.

As soon as he arrived at the gate of the camp, Lei Heng put on a smiling face like a reunion after a long absence, and greeted warmly: "Sins and sins, Heng doesn't know that Brother Guo is recommended by his uncle (referring to Feng Zhen), and I hope that Brother Guo will bear with me for the previous rudeness..."

Guo Zhi was flattered, and hurriedly arched his hand: "General Yangwu is polite, it's really too polite." He pointed to the pigs, sheep and other things behind him, and said with a smile: "The general went to my Jingzhou to fight the rebellion for us, and I hope the general will accept it with a smile." ”

Lei Heng complained vigorously: "Brother Guo is so out-of-this, he actually escorted him in person, which really makes Heng ashamed..." Walk... To refuse is to look down on me... Let's go..."

Lei Heng and Xi Zhong couldn't help but take Guo Zhi to the Zhongjun tent, while Yan Shu's face immediately changed, and he shouted to the entourage: "What are you doing in a daze, don't send it in to be slaughtered and cooked..."

……

In the Chinese military tent, as soon as the guests and hosts sat down, Xi Zhong provoked the conversation: "Guo Juncheng is really a believer, and he really sent the things of the labor army." ”

Guo Zhi said with a smile: "The villain was recommended by the Duke of Feng, and he has a lot of traffic as a general. A little pig and sheep, not enough to worry about... Not enough to worry about..."

Lei Heng also cooperated: "That's right. My Changning and Brother Guo's South County are also adjacent to friendly counties, and they are always close. ”

Guo Zhi replied with both envy and helplessness: "The general said that he laughed, Nanjun is not my 'county prince'... How dare you compare it to the 'Taishou'..."

Xi Zhong laughed loudly, until Guo Zhi was a little overwhelmed before he spoke: "The county is too modest, but we only know that there is a county in Nanjun but I don't know that there is a Taishou..."

Guo Zhi replied with a wry smile: "That's just because Taishou hasn't returned..."

Lei Heng continued to speak, and interjected indiscriminately: "Eh... Brother Guo's Taishou only didn't return overnight, and we don't know how many people will be able to return to Changning on this expedition? If the battle of Nanyang is not won, even if it is a Taishou like me, he may not be able to return safely..."

Xi Zhong hurriedly advised: "The big war is imminent, how can the lord say such a thing that is not conducive to the morale of the army." The lord is a general of Yangwu, and he was ordered by His Majesty to crusade against the rebellion in Jingzhou, and he requisitioned the Taishou of Nanjun and the Taishou of Jiangxia to lead the people and horses of their headquarters to go out together. ”

Lei Heng asked with some hesitation: "If I recruit Taishou to lead the troops to accompany the expedition, who will handle the affairs of the county?" The battlefield is ruthless, the sword has no eyes, or a certain Taishou is unfortunately killed, isn't Heng ashamed of the people of his county? ”

Xi Zhong replied nonchalantly: "The imperial court system, the Taishou leads the troops to the battle, and the affairs of the county are handled by the county Cheng, and if the Taishou donates his life, the county Cheng will act as his agent until the court appoints a new Taishou." He turned his head and asked Guo Zhi meaningfully: "Guo Juncheng, is this the case?" ”

Guo Zhi looked at Lei Heng and Xi Zhong with a shocked face, and only replied slowly after half a sound: "What you said is true!" ”

Seeing that Guo Zhi already had an idea, Xi Zhong turned to retreat as advance, and said: "Of course, with the protection of my lord's father-in-law, it is not so easy for Nanjun Taishou to sacrifice his life for the country." Guo Juncheng, but don't worry..."

Lei Heng looked suddenly realized: "The words of the military advisor are very true, and if you recruit the Nanjun Taishou to the front of the army, life and death will be guaranteed." ”

Guo Zhi was shocked again, and after being silent for a while, he turned his heart sideways, got up and bowed to Lei Heng and said: "General, general, I hope that the general will read on the face recommended by the same Zhang Gong, help the lower official, help the lower official..."

Lei Heng was stunned when he heard this, and hurriedly helped Guo Zhi up and asked, "What does Guo Juncheng mean by this?" But please speak up, Heng will definitely help! ”

Xi Zhong also echoed: "Brother Guo, why do you need to be like this, we are adjacent to Youjun, and we both belong to the Fenggong faction, if you have anything to say, just say it directly..."

Guo Zhi gritted his teeth and confessed ruthlessly: "I have our own henchmen with that guy, and we both borrowed our positions to collect money, desperately competing for power and wealth in the county, so we have formed a deep grudge. That guy belonged to He Jin's faction, and he was closer to Lord Thorn Shi, and I was worried that he would take the opportunity to order me to lead my troops to Nanyang and murder me through the hands of the Yellow Turban Thieves. ”

Lei Heng groaned for a moment and reminded: "Brother Guo, as you said, you and Lord Taishou are in an endless situation, and the most distressing thing is that even Lord Assassin Shi will not help you... Wretched... Poor..."

When Guo Zhi heard this, he hurriedly flattered Lei Heng: "The general was ordered by His Majesty to preside over the rebellion in Jingzhou, as long as the general opened his mouth, he would requisition that guy to Nanyang, and then take the opportunity..."

Lei Heng was surprised: "How could Brother Guo say such rebellious words? ”

Guo Zhi hurriedly bowed again: "Please ask the general to save the lower official... Ask the general to save the lower officer..."

Lei Heng closed his eyes and thought.

Guo Zhi hurriedly turned around and pleaded with Xi Zhong again: "My lord... My lord..."

Xi Zhong couldn't help but mention: "This matter still needs the service of many fierce generals... It's not easy for my father-in-law..."

Guo Zhi woke up and hurriedly said: "I am willing to give 5,000 gold!" ”

Lei Heng was still silent.

"I'm willing to pay 8,000 gold."

Lei Heng was finally moved, and slowly spoke: "Eight thousand gold and fifty thousand stones of grain and grass." Pay 8,000 gold first, I will recruit the Taishou of Nanjun to follow the expedition to Wancheng, and then send 50,000 stone grain and grass to Changning, and I will do as you wish. ”

Guo Zhi gritted his teeth and agreed: "I will send 3,000 gold at night, and another 5,000 gold tomorrow night, and I will be able to requisition and transport the grain and grass in three days." Jingxiang is rich, and the subordinate officials will never be stingy, I just hope that the general will not break his word! ”

Lei Heng smiled: "You should keep your promises." However, I bother Guo Taishou to carry out the 'formalities' first..."

Guo Zhi was puzzled: "Procedures? ”

Xi Zhong smiled and brought bamboo slips and pen and ink: "Please... Guo Taishou..."

Guo Zhi instantly understood that this was to hand in his "name petition", and his heart was blinded by fear and greed, and he decided to go all the way to the dark: "I write... I'll write...", and then picked up the pen and began to write.

After nearly a quarter of an hour, Guo Zhifang finished writing, and hurriedly held it in front of Lei Heng and said, "Is the general still satisfied with writing like this?" ”

Lei Heng glanced at it slightly, and handed it to Xi Zhong, who read it quickly, and bowed his head slightly towards Lei Heng.

Lei Heng patted Guo Zhi's shoulder with satisfaction and said with a smile: "Very good!" Just bother Mrs. Guo to prepare quickly, don't be cautious..."

"Definitely, definitely. Farewell to the Lower Officials..."