Zhao Guo was in the house, and in the study, the candlelight was bright.

Zhao Guo sat in the main seat, opposite Yang Wanhu, and Luo Guoqi on the side. The three of them stayed up all night and had a long discussion all night, and the person they discussed was not for anything else, but for how to outwit Dizhou.

It was almost discussed just now, and Zhao Guo said: "That's probably it." Since the lord explained this matter to me a few days ago, I, I have successfully rebelled against several Dizhou generals in Yidu. One of them is Wang Daer, the former and original Marshal of Gaotang Prefecture. Since, since the fall of Gaotang Prefecture, he went to Dizhou with Tian Feng. Because, because he is not Tian Feng's descendant, he has been squeezed out a lot, and he has always been very unhappy. Therefore, this person should be able to be trusted.

"In addition, there are two. One is a thousand households, and the other is a deputy thousand households. The army that the three of them can master is about two thousand. Although it is not enough for civil strife, it is definitely enough to use it as an internal response to match and cooperate with our army to take the city.

"Today is March 14, and tomorrow, the generals of Di and Dizhou will return to Jinan first, and then return to Dizhou. Around the 20th, they should all be able to arrive in Dizhou. Tian Feng can also be regarded as a hero, and he, he will definitely be on guard against my Haidong's bribery of the generals of Dizhou. If he delays for a long time, he may see that Wang Daer and the two thousand households are wrong. Therefore, our army's response should also be fast.

Moreover, in the past few days, the lord has also issued two orders to Tian Feng one after another, ordering him to come to Yidu to discuss the military, but Tian Feng refused. In this way, we, our Haidong army has an excuse now. Lord Luo, General Yang, you, you two, will go out of the city tomorrow. ”

Luo Guoqi and Yang Wanhu both said: "Yes." ”

"Remember, be cautious on the road. Silence. In particular, especially when you arrive in Dizhou soon, you must be careful not to be discovered by Tian Feng's sentinels. The key to this and this battle is in two words, one is 'fast' and the other is 'hidden'. Soldiers are fast. Before the war, it is necessary to hide well. ”

Yang Wanhu said: "You don't need Lord Zuo Cheng's advice, the last general will naturally know." Only, but a little. If you wait for the war to start and take Dizhou, what will Tian Feng do? ”

Zhao Guo didn't answer him, picked up the tea bowl, took a sip of tea, gently put the tea bowl down again, raised his hand, and slashed down in emptiness. Yang Wanhu understood the meaning and said, "Yes." The Admiral understood. Zhao Guo added and said: "This matter is also two words." It is also necessary to be 'fast' and 'hidden'. ”

Now, a little Mao Pingzhang is enough for Deng She to have a headache. can't be killed, can't be released, and must always be on guard against An Feng and other forces taking Xiao Mao Pingzhang out as a call against Haidong. Chop the grass to remove the roots, and since he is ready to take Dizhou, then Tian Feng will not be able to keep him. Luo Guoqi said: "My lord's explanation, we have written it down. Please rest assured, it will be done properly. But there is one thing that I want to ask my lord. ”

"Lord Luo, please speak."

"Since it is a combination of the inside and the outside, after taking Dizhou, both the Dizhou army and our army should suffer few casualties. If the strategy is right, it is possible to fight without blood. So, what should be done with the prisoners of the Dizhou army? "There are tens of thousands of people in Tian Feng's department, even if there are 8,000 prisoners, it is not a small number. And Yang Wanhu's department only has a total of seven or eight thousand people, so how to deal with this prisoner is indeed a problem.

Zhao Guo said: "Now my armament and war are important, and I don't have the time to waste time on other things." Whoever is taken captive, and who is willing to surrender, will be sent to Yidu. Those who do not want to surrender,......。 ”

He paused, raised his hand again, still slashed, and then said: "You two need to keep in mind, after taking and taking down Dizhou, you must make sure that in addition to your own headquarters, except for the people in my Haidong, half of the original and original Dizhou army cannot be left!" We must ensure the stability of the city. ”

Luo Guoqi asked, "Is this what the lord means?" ”

Zhao Guo nodded. Both said, "Yes." Obey the Lord's command! ”

"It's getting late at night, Lord Luo, General Yang, please go back. Time is pressing, Lord Luo, please go back to the house first and pack up. General Yang asked him to go directly to the barracks outside the city, and by tomorrow night at the latest, he must drive out of the city. Zhao Guo glanced at Yang Wanhu, suddenly remembered something, slowed down his tone, smiled slightly, and said, "Yang, General Yang, I don't know how your injuries are recovering?" ”

Yang Wanhu scratched his head, rarely ashamed, and said: "Thanks to Lord Zuo Cheng for thinking of a way for the last general, I finally saw the lord a few days ago and was forgiven by the lord." Please rest assured, Lord Zuo Cheng, after cultivating for more than ten days, my little injury has already healed. Able to ride a horse. There will be no obstacle to the enemy's engagement. ”

"Well, that's good."

Zhao Guo's subordinates outside came in and ordered soup for Luo Guoqi and Yang Wanhu respectively. Order soup and send it to guests. Liang Yang got up and said goodbye. Zhao Guo personally sent them out of the door, and saw their figures disappear into the night, before turning back.

Luo Guoqi went back to his home. Yang Wanhu took his entourage and soldiers, turned south, and headed towards the city gate. His headquarters is now stationed in the camp south of the city. Because of the nearly four watches, there was no one on the street. The night breeze was blowing and it was very warm. By the moonlight, after walking for a long time, Yang Wanhu suddenly saw a person coming towards him.

When I got closer, I could see it clearly, but it was the eldest man of the Ji family. Yang Wanhu sneered, his face turned cold, he walked over, grabbed Ji Chong with his hand, and said, "Good you Ji Dalang!" I don't know that the Lord has an order, after the second watch curfew, people are forbidden to walk on the street? Now there are four changes. Why are you in such a hurry? ”

Ji Chong hooked his head when he walked, absent-mindedly, and he didn't know what he was thinking, he didn't notice Yang Wanhu at all, and when he heard this, he was bluffed, broke away from Yang Wanhu's hand, took two steps back, looked at it, laughed, and said: "Who should I be, it turned out to be General Yang." It was really shocking. ”

But it turned out that this Ji Chong would be sociable, and Yang Wanhu was also a figure with a head and a face in Yidu City, and the two of them had known each other for a long time. Yang Wanhu is a person who is arrogant on the outside, but he is temperamental. If someone respects him, he will respect him. Under Ji Chong's intentional friendship, the relationship between the two of them is quite good.

Yang Wanhu said with a smile: "Look at your heart, I have come to you, but you haven't found it yet." Honestly, where did you just go? He sniffed at Ji Chong and said with a sneer, "I smell of rouge oil powder in my nose." You don't have to say it, you must have gone to Nancheng Spring Courtyard again. ”

Ji Chong smiled: "How can General Yang guess at once?" Can you pinch it? Do you always win battles? As if he didn't want to say more on this topic, he quietly took the topic away, and added, "Since the general returned to the city, these days are rare. Two days ago, I heard from Lord Jiajun that the general had made great contributions to the recovery of Jinan. The Yidu Branch has already set a merit book and a second merit for the general. It is expected that in a few days, His Highness's reward will definitely come down. General Yang, you've got a treat! ”

Yang Wanhu took a sip, his face was full of unhappiness, and said, "Da Lang Xiu said more!" ”

Ji Chong was strange and asked, "What?" ”

Yang Wanhu was stunned and said: "The Wuna Yidu Branch, it is really annoying that I will be set as a second merit!" That's fine. What's even more annoying is that he gave Guo Conglong a head. said that he shot Guan Bao and injured it, it was for the first credit. Straight sissy thief! If I hadn't charged into battle and attracted Guan Bao's attention, I thought that Lao Guo, no matter how good his archery skills were, would he be able to shoot Guan Bao? Dalang, you say, how can I not be annoyed? ”

Ji Chongxin said: "Lao Guo rode a horse, and if you fight on foot, you will already suffer a loss." You still don't abide by military discipline, you have been beaten by the board, and you will be guilty of it, and it is not bad that you can still get a second merit. He comforted and said, "The general's tiger bravery, who in my Yidu and Haidong army doesn't know?" Why bother with this? It's a long time coming. ”

"Humph!"

"I remember that the general's mansion is not in the south of the city, seeing the general's full banner and leading his own soldiers, dare to ask, but do you want to go out of the city?"

Yang Wanhu said vaguely: "Just at home, I received an order from Lord Zuo Cheng, saying that there are some military affairs in the camp outside the city, and I will go out of the city to do it. Yes, go out of the city at night. He looked up at the night, arched his hand, and said, "The military order is here, so I won't talk to Da Lang more." ......, Da Lang, the lord's army is like a mountain, although your father is for my benefit, but this forbidden night thing, you better not have it in the future. Otherwise, if the sect leader knows, if nothing else, he will definitely not be able to run away with a board. ”

Seeing his serious appearance, Ji Chong almost laughed out loud, and thought in his heart: "After taking a beating, it is really different." Holding back a smile, he nodded again and again, and said, "Thank you for your kindness, General." "Sending it off. Yang Wanhu led the soldiers and others to go without mentioning it.

said that Ji Chong, although he had the fragrance of fat powder on his body, he didn't just come out of the Yingchun Courtyard, but was originally in the Yingchun Courtyard, but he was later found and just came out of the man's house. Who is the person looking for him? It was Li Shousheng. Before leaving, Li Shousheng also gave him a token, so he was not afraid of the government army patrolling at night.

He watched Yang Wanhu walk away and continued to walk.

Turn a few streets, and it is the Himefu. The main door was closed, and he entered through the side door, and did not stay in the front yard, but went straight back into the house. I lit a candle and sat down alone in the room, with my hands on my hand again, looking thoughtful. After a while, he called the maidservant outside the door and said, "Go and call my brothers." ”

The maid just got up, her sleepy eyes were hazy, and she said "ah", "Now? ”

"Not bad."

Although Ji Zongzhou can't control Ji Chong, the Ji family's family rules are very strict, and Ji Chong can also control people. The maidservant didn't dare to ask any more, so she hurried to the other courtyard and called Ji Chong's younger brothers one by one. After about two or three quarters of an hour, the sky was already white, and Ji Chong's brothers came one after another.

Ji Chong has three younger brothers, the youngest of whom is only in his teens. They were all sleepy-eyed, yawning, and when they came into the room, they all said: "Brother, in the middle of the night, don't let people sleep." What did you call us to do? ”

Don't look at Ji Chong, who usually looks like a swinger, but in the eyes of his younger brothers, he has the majesty of an older brother. He sat down with a serious face, and said, "Go and wash your faces, sober up, and then come back." I have something to say to you. The brothers looked at him, as if he had something important, and they all quieted down, lined up, and went out of the room in an orderly manner, and went to wash their faces.

In a short time, they turned back.

Ji Chong beckoned, called Xiao Si over, touched his head, and asked, "Shiro, how old are you this year?" Xiao Si replied, "It will be twelve next month." Ji Chong nodded and said, "His Royal Highness's righteous son is only sixteen this year, and he has been able to go into battle to kill the enemy, and he has made great contributions many times. You'll be twelve next month, and you're not too young, you're an adult. He asked the second child again, "Erlang, how old are you this year?" ”

"Brother Hui, I'm two years younger than you, and I'm already twenty."

"Twenty weak crowns, compared to your younger brothers, you are a real adult."

Ji Chong sighed, got up from his seat, walked a few steps indoors, and said, "In today's troubled times, the world is strife. You have rarely gone out over the years, and even if you do, at most you have walked around the edge of Yidu City. I remember that many years ago, when the former Mao Pingzhang entered Yidu, my father was ordered to inspect the whole province, and my brother followed. What I saw and heard along the way at that time, I remember it to this day!

"How many famous cities and cities have been destroyed by war, and how many wealthy families have been destroyed by war. The Chen family in Laizhou, a well-known local family, once had a three-grade high-ranking official in the ancestors, with more than 100 doors, and now there is no one. Dizhou Huang family, Erlang, you are a little older, you should have heard of it. Cultivating and reading heirlooms is also very famous. Because he scolded the former Mao Pingzhang's generals in person, he was beheaded all over the house. San Lang, the smartest person in our family is you, and you say, why can our Ji family be kept alone? ”

"It's because my father is wise and wise."

Ji Chong clapped his hands violently and said, "Exactly! If it weren't for my father, Lord Mingzhe, then my Ji family would have ended up with the Chen family and the Huang family! It's good that you understand that. San Lang, I'll ask you again. You have read a lot, and let me tell you, in the early years of the Western Han Dynasty, why was Han Xin beheaded? And why can Zhang Liang and Xiao He be favored? ”

"Han Xin doesn't know the current affairs, and he has different ambitions when he shouldn't have different aspirations. To be unfaithful is to be beheaded. Zhang Liangming advances and retreats, and is not greedy for power; Xiao He is loyal because the two of them can grow into the emperor's favor. ”

"How is my Highness Haidong compared to Henkel?"

"I haven't seen Your Highness, I don't know."

"Then you have seen the former Mao Pingzhang, and you have also experienced the time when the former Mao Pingzhang was there. Today's Yidu, compared to Mao Pingzhang and even Wang Shicheng's Yidu before, what do you think? ”

"It's a long way off."

"Henkel is for Mingjun. Now my lord of Haidong, the same from the cloth, the same eloquent strategy, although the enemy Chahan is not defeated, although the strong enemy is not afraid, love the people like a son, magnanimous corporal, is also a Ming Jun! My father is wise and wise, and although he is in a troubled world, he can keep my Ji family undefeated, which is very remarkable. However, now that the east of the sea is rising in the north, it is not impossible for us to even compete for the world. In the current situation, it is still only a wise man, and I am afraid that it is far from enough.

"Mingzhe can only save his life. If you want to be like Zhang Liang and Xiao He, you can win the emperor's favor for a long time, get ahead, and protect the wealth and glory of my Ji family. You have to have a miraculous deed to your Highness! You know that? ”

Ji Chong's brothers were at a loss, and they didn't know why Ji Chong suddenly said such a thing. The second brother said: "What my brother said is very true. ”

"Although if you want to get the glory and wealth in the future, our Ji family must have a miraculous contribution to His Highness. However, if you do miraculous deeds, you will take great risks. And my father is old, and now that we are here, things that are too dangerous cannot be done by my father. In my opinion, the best way should be to protect the family by my father, and we will take risks and make meritorious contributions! Do you think so? ”

"That's what my brother said."

Ji Chong nodded with satisfaction and said, "Very good! I have called you tonight because I want to tell you something concerning this. I have received an order from my lord to do a great thing. Tomorrow morning we will leave for the city. This trip is very dangerous, it can be called a deep tiger's den, whether I can still return, I am not sure now, I can't say. But why should I go? It's because 'Mingzhe can only protect himself'! Erlang, Sanlang, Shiro, what I said to you tonight, you must remember. ”

Ji Chong's brothers were all shocked. Even the youngest Shiro heard it, it was Ji Chong who summoned them, so he said such a thing, vaguely with the meaning of his last words, and hurriedly knelt on the ground and said, "Brother! Xiao Si and Ji Chong were the closest, grabbed his clothes, and were so anxious that they were about to cry.

Ji Chong suddenly changed color, Huo Ran got up, waved away Xiao Si's hand, and said angrily: "What? I am very serious, and I have said so many things to listen to you. But don't you know what I mean? Although I went deep into the tiger's den, I generously accepted the order, just for the sake of the future wealth of our Ji family! You are all the men of my Ji family, and you don't want to be strong for your brother, what is it to follow this woman's attitude! ”

"I don't know what order my brother received?"

"It's about military aircraft, not for you to know. When I leave tomorrow, I won't say goodbye to my father. Remember what I just said, and tell it to your father when I'm gone. Besides, I also have to ask him not to worry about me. ......, in addition, you can know about this matter, and don't spread it.

"San Lang, after I leave, you have to continue to study hard, you are the young phoenix of our Ji family. Brother is less literary than talented, even if this trip can be successful, it will be you who will be able to make our Ji family in the future! Shiro, although you are young, you can no longer call yourself a child in the future. Let His Highness's righteous son be an example for you to follow.

"Erlang, you're an adult, you're an adult. In the past, my brother was negligent in disciplining you. If this trip, my brother will not be able to return. You are the eldest son in the family. The firstborn is like a father. You should discipline your younger brothers well, and don't always bother your father. Your temperament is a little light-hearted, a little frivolous, and you can't do it again in the future, you have to change. Be calm and steady. Walk slowly and speak bluntly. Otherwise, it will be difficult for people to take it seriously. ”

Ji Chong's brothers all burst into tears and bowed their heads. Ji Chong was indignant, walked to the window, pushed open the window, dawn gradually came, and he saw that there was a play on the case, but it was what he usually read. Unfold it, find out his favorite song, face the receding night, meet the morning light, pinch his voice, and sing loudly:

"I am the leader of the whole world, the leader of the world's prodigal sons. May Zhu Yan not change the usual, pastime in flowers, and forget worries in wine. Divide tea and bamboo, play horses and hide lots, pass five tones and six rhythms and are smooth, and I am very sad to my heart. Accompanied by the silver zither woman in front of the silver stage, the silver zither smiled and leaned on the silver screen. Accompanied by the jade fairy with the jade hand and jade shoulder to climb the jade tower, accompanied by the golden hairpin guest song golden thread holding the gold bottle full of panou. You say that I am old and take a break for a while, accounting for the first place in the pomp and circumstance, which is more exquisite and clear. I am a handsome head of the Jinjin Flower Camp, and I once played in the state. ”

It was still early, the house was quiet, and the dawn was approaching, and it was time for people to sleep peacefully. He sang loudly and resounded throughout the house. woke up Ji Zongzhou, turned over, ran out in clothes, and reprimanded from afar: "Don't go home all night!" Come back and don't learn well! I didn't read the Four Books and Five Classics, but came early in the morning and sang some foul words! ”

Ji Chong was surprised and asked his brothers: "How does my father know that I haven't returned overnight?" ”

Xiao Si wiped his tears and snot, choked up and said, "Because I saw the wind last night, it was a little cold." Therefore, my father got up in the middle of the night and came to add quilts to us, thinking that he should also go to my brother's room. ”

Ji Chong laughed and said, "I can't say it, I have to be trained again." Go, for your father will not see you. "Drove away the brothers, closed the door and went to bed. His brothers were reluctant to leave, and stayed outside the door for a while, and after a while, they heard snoring coming from inside. Although he was about to enter the tiger's den, Ji Chong slept as usual.