Although Zhong Youpeng, Wang Feng and others set off a few days later than Chai Rong's army, unlike the Later Zhou army, which marched slowly and orderly towards Cangzhou at a regular pace, Zhong Youpeng, Wang Feng and others hurried at the fastest speed. Therefore, when they arrived at Yongning County, the seat of the Qianning Army (Ningzhou), the Later Zhou Army was still a day's journey from Cangzhou. In this way, Zhong Youpeng and Wang Feng bought four or five days for their activities in the Qianning Army (Ningzhou).

At noon on the eighth day of the second month of the lunar calendar in the ninth year of the calendar, Zhong Youpeng and Wang Feng entered the north gate of Yongning County under the escort of a cadre of personal guards. Although because the Later Zhou army was gradually approaching, Yongning County, as an important border town, was far stricter than usual in the inspection of pedestrians. However, the special style of the four-wheeled carriage, as well as the eight-pointed star symbol on both sides of the carriage representing the "Datong Trading Company" - in fact, representing the "Qingyuan" brothers - saved Zhong Youpeng, Wang Feng and others a lot of trouble when entering the city gate.

After entering the city smoothly, both Zhong Youpeng and Wang Feng discovered a phenomenon, that is, although the soldiers at the gate of Yongning County were strictly checked, in addition to the stern and serious expressions on the faces of the soldiers, there was no tension and anxiety on the faces of ordinary soldiers when they faced the enemy's imminent invasion. Not only the soldiers at the gate of the city are like this, but after entering the city, the pedestrians and shops in the city are no different from usual. Everyone should hurry, work, and do business, and there is no panic and anxiety when the war is approaching.

Faced with such a scene, Zhong Youpeng and Wang Feng felt a lot more at ease, because such a scene meant that everything was normal in Yongning County now, and Wang Hong, the assassin, was still firmly in control of his territory, and it would not be much difficult for them to achieve the goal of this trip. With such psychological expectations, Zhong Youpeng and Wang Feng were not in a hurry to find Wang Hong, the assassin, but under the leadership of Wang Feng, they first went to their own "Datong Inn" in the city to stay, rest, and have lunch, and other things would wait until they had eaten.

When the convoy arrived at the "Chase Inn", there was no need for the accompanying guards to come forward to inform them, the men at the door of the inn had already seen the eight-pointed star sign on the four-wheeled carriage and the carriage, and greeted them with a smile on their faces when they were far away. In this regard, Wang Feng and others have long been accustomed to it. Moreover, at this time, there was no need for Wang Feng to come forward, the leader of the guards who led the team had already stepped forward to talk to the guy, and instructed him to quickly notify the shopkeeper and prepare for the group to go to the room to rest, but not too publicly, so as not to bring unnecessary interference to the master's affairs. The guy naturally didn't dare to slack off when he heard this, and hurriedly trotted back to the inn to find the shopkeeper's message.

When I heard that the master's family was coming, the shopkeeper naturally tried his best to welcome him. While instructing the men to arrange accommodation for Wang Feng and the others, he came to the gate of the inn to greet him. However, since the guards had already instructed them to keep a low profile just now, the shopkeeper did not show excessive hospitality, but welcomed Wang Feng and the others into the inn like ordinary guests, and led them to the upper room prepared for them.

After entering the room, Wang Feng cleaned his face and changed his clothes under the service of the guards, and at the same time ordered the shopkeeper to prepare meals for everyone. After the shopkeeper agreed to go out, Wang Feng said to the accompanying leader of the guards, Zhou Sanlang: "Sanyang, after eating later, you will take the token to the local hall of 'Dark Feather', and let their big boss come to see the master." ”

"Yes." Wednesday, the leader of the guards, bowed and replied.

After a relatively sumptuous lunch, the leader of the guards, Wednesday Lang, went to the local hall of "Dark Feather" and brought the hall master of the "Dark Feather" Qianning Army (Ningzhou) branch to the "Datong Inn".

After the branch hall master surnamed Zhao had finished his salute, Wang Feng asked: "Hall Master Zhao, do you want to report to the envoy of Lord and Zhong that after the Zhou army marched north, what was the reaction of Wang Hong, the assassin of the Qianning Army (Ningzhou), and the officials at all levels of the Qianning Army (Ningzhou), but what abnormal actions did they have?" ”

When the master of the Zhao branch hall heard this, he hurriedly replied: "The twenty-seventh lord and Zhong liaison envoy, according to the report of the spies of this hall in the Assassin's Mansion and other important officials' mansions, since the Zhou army marched north from Kaifeng, the behavior of Wang Hong, the assassin Shi Wang Hong, has been unconventional. I think it was because he had a tacit understanding with our army before, so he didn't seem to have much worry about the approaching army of Zhou. In addition to sending some scouts to investigate the movements of the Zhou army every day, he still handled the official affairs in the yamen as usual. This Hall Master Zhao had assisted Zhong Youpeng in contact with Wang Hong before, so he had some understanding of the private agreement between Wang Hong and the "Qingyuan" brothers. ,

Hearing this branch hall master say this, Wang Feng and Zhong Youpeng also had a bottom in their hearts. Wang Feng then asked: "In addition to Wang Tingshi, how have the other officials and auxiliary troops of the Qianning Army (Ningzhou) behaved recently, and have there been any changes?" ”

"The twenty-seventh master, Zhong Liai, and other officials and generals of the Qianning Army (Ningzhou) have not had any abnormalities during this time. They are the same as the king of the assassins, they do things as usual every day, those who should be on duty in the yamen are on duty in the yamen, and those who should lead the troops to patrol and patrol, and there is no change from before the Zhou army went north. The hall master replied respectfully.

Zhong Youpeng nodded when he heard this, and said to Wang Feng: "It seems that this Wang Hong is indeed a talented official with a city government. Not only is he able to handle the coming big war calmly, but he also has excellent control over his subordinates. Now that the Zhou army is pressing, except for the guards at the gate of the city, Ding Pan, who is a little stricter than usual, whether it is the people in the city or the officials and guards in the government, there is no trace of panic and uneasiness. It can be seen that the old man did not misunderstand the history of this Wang Thorn at the beginning, he is really a person who is both practical and sophisticated, and is still very good at being an official. ”

"Father-in-law is very right." Wang Feng agreed, "Judging from this Wang Hong's performance and the situation in Yongning County, it should not be difficult for the son-in-law and father-in-law to achieve the purpose of this long trip. ”

Wang Feng's prediction proved to be very accurate. When Zhong Youpeng went to visit Wang Hong's mansion in the evening, the Ningzhou (Qianning Army) Assassin Shi was leisurely watching the song and dance performance of the kabuki, looking very relaxed. Moreover, he was also very clear about the purpose of Zhong Youpeng's visit, so after meeting Zhong Youpeng and waving off the kaki and the servants who were waiting, the first thing he said to Zhong Youpeng was: "Zhong Liaison, but please rest assured, since this official has sworn an oath with the Liaison, there is no reason to go back." When the king arrives, the official will act according to the agreement and change the banner. ”

As soon as Wang Hong said this resolute remark, the purpose of Zhong Youpeng's trip was achieved. Therefore, after solemnly stating to Wang Hong that the original promise of the "Qingyuan" brothers to him must count and be true to his word, Zhong Youpeng left the Assassin's Mansion.

After returning to the "Chase Inn", Zhong Youpeng told Wang Feng the results of his communication with Wang Hong. For such a result, Wang Feng is naturally very happy. However, although Zhong Youpeng is very confident that Wang Hong can act according to the agreement, as the saying goes, "people are separated from each other, and they don't know how to do things", no matter how good Wang Hong's words are, the final result still depends on his actual actions. Therefore, Zhong Youpeng, who has always been cautious and cautious, did not completely relax at this time. After discussing with Wang Feng, Weng and his son-in-law unanimously decided to stay in Yongning County for the time being, and leave after the situation was completely clear.

Soon after Wang Feng submitted the decision of Weng and his son-in-law to the committee of "Liangyuan" through the radio, he received a call back from the committee. In its reply, the committee not only agreed with Zhong and Wang's decision, but also demanded that the two and a group of guards immediately leave the "Datong Inn" and go to the safe base of the "Dark Feather" Qianningjun (Ningzhou) branch of the "Dark Feather" from the side of the committee, from the perspective of security.

In this regard, Zhong and Wang have no objections. After instructing the Zhao hall master of the "Dark Feather" Qianning Army (Ningzhou) branch to continue to closely monitor Wang Hong and a cadre of officials and guards of the Qianning Army (Ningzhou), the two of them withdrew from the "Datong Inn" under the arrangement of the other party that night "unknowingly and unknowingly" and stationed in a secret security base of the branch, waiting for the news in a down-to-earth manner. At the same time, a telegram explaining the relevant situation was also sent by "Liangyuan" and handed over to Xu Shao'an, who was going north to Cangzhou with Chai Rong, so that the deputy vanguard officer of the Northern Expedition of the Later Zhou Dynasty had a good idea of the first battle of the Northern Expedition.

On the ninth day of the second lunar month in the sixth year of Xiande (the ninth year of the calendar), Chai Rong arrived in Cangzhou City by car. After the army rested for three days, on the twelfth day of the second month of the lunar calendar, Chai Rong issued an order, ordering Zhang Zangying, the commander of the vanguard, and Xu Shaoan, the deputy commander, to lead the headquarters of 5,000 "Shenji Army" and more than 10,000 people of the Ma Bu Army to go north first, and be sure to take the Yongning County of the Qianning Army (Ningzhou), which is 100 miles away, within 10 days.

On the fifteenth day of the second lunar month of the sixth year of Xiande (the ninth year of the calendar), Zhang Zangying and Xu Shaoan led their troops to arrive at the city of Yongning, and the king of Liaoning Prefecture (Qianning Army) surrendered to Hongkaicheng.

On the sixteenth day of the second lunar month of the sixth year of Xiande (the ninth year of the corresponding calendar), Zhong Youpeng and Wang Feng left the safety base of the "Dark Feather" Qianning Army (Ningzhou) branch under the escort of a group of personal guards and went to their next destination - Waqiaoguan.