Surrounded by all the soldiers, the two of them watched intently, and saw the shore rushing over and riding.

Immediately, the knight did not seem to be very tall, and was covered by fog, so that he could not see his face or dress clearly, except vaguely that he was carrying a longbow. Since Jin Yong was a military attaché, he was not very afraid, he drew his waist knife with his backhand, stepped forward, and if there was no protection for Hong Yanbo, he opened his mouth and shouted: "Who is coming!" ”

Outside the range of the arrows, the man stopped his mount, and the horse roared and neighed. The man replied in a loud voice: "Visitors from the north, there is something urgent, please see the Marquis of Nanyang!" So saying, he dropped his longbow, jumped off his horse, took two steps forward, and stretched out his hands to show that there was no other weapon on him.

Jin Yong talked to him, both of them spoke Goryeo, and when he answered like this, he secretly wondered: "Visitors from the north? He glanced at Hong Yanbo, saw that he was also at a loss, and asked, "Master Hou, he wants to ask to see you, is he going to see you?" ”

Hong Yanbo's heart was full of suspicions.

It was the first time he had docked at the shore since Haidong, and he had never disembarked or gone ashore along the way. How did this man know he was on board?

You must know that over the years, there have been many Goryeo untouchables who can't survive, and even good people have competed to take refuge, and they are willing to lead the way for them as an internal response. After Deng Shede won Haidong, the frontier was not quiet, the national strength of Goryeo declined, and the trouble of the Japanese invaders became more and more serious. This Toyosu is not only located by the sea, but also has many mountains and forests, and I have heard that there are many thieves, so I must guard against it.

He turned around and looked around, the vast sea of fog, wasn't it a good opportunity to ambush?

He asked the sentry guard, "Can you see ships from far and near?" ”

"I haven't seen anything else but our ship."

Hearing the man say in a loud voice: "The villain has an emergency report, it is a matter of confidentiality, and the shore is not where to speak." I beg Lord Hou to see me! ”

Hong Yanbo hesitated for a moment. Jin Yong said: "This person rides alone, but he doesn't look like a thief. Claiming to be a visitor from the north,......, isn't Haidong? ”

He and Hong Yanbo went to Pyongyang under the pretext of visiting old friends, and met Li Chunfu, Park Xianzhong and others.

During their conversation, he mentioned that the King of Goryeo did not blame them for their surrender. Moreover, none of their relatives and friends in Wang Jing have been implicated, and they are still doing well, hinting at whether they should do something about it? Although Li Chunfu and Park Xianzhong ignored this at that time, they may be secretly moved.

The more Jin Yong thought about it, the more right he became, and persuaded Hong Yanbo, saying: "Even if the thieves come, I have hundreds of elite soldiers on the ship, and only one person, it won't make any difference!" Since he said that there is a confidential matter, Hou Ye might as well see it. ”

Hong Yanbo nodded, turned around and entered the cabin first. Jin Yong commanded the soldiers, released the men on board, searched him, and then entered the cabin as well.

Candles were lit in the cabin, and the fog outside the cabin was swept away, and the room was bright. The two watched, but saw that the person who came was five short figures, his appearance was not good, the most attractive place, a pair of eyes were black and white, shiny, and shining. This person was calm and composed, bowed down, and said, "Villain Liu Dan, meet the two adults." ”

"Liu Dan?"

"Master Zhang Deyu Zhang, can you recognize the two of you?"

"I've heard of it for a long time."

The villain is his entourage, Pyongyang, who went with him. In Pyongyang, there was earth-shattering news about Goryeo. The adults of my family said that Guibang Su has an uncle and nephew relationship with my country, and he ordered the villain to look for opportunities so that he could tell the Hou Ye to know. Helplessly, Deng Thief watched it closely, and waited until the two adults left, but he didn't find a chance.

"My family doesn't see anything, and I will leave the next day. The villain slipped away quietly halfway through, rushing day and night, chasing after Hou Ye. Fortunately, it was foggy from the sky, and the sky was beautiful, and the Hou Ye's mission was delayed at sea and walked unfast. Therefore, although the villain walked on the mountain road and died of two horses, he finally caught up with Hou Ye here. ”

Hong Yanbo and Jin Yong looked at each other, one couldn't believe it, and the other guessed wrong. The two were stunned, and Hong Yanbo said: "It's hard work Liu Zhuangshi." I don't know what earth-shattering news it is? Tell me about it. ”

Liu Dan knelt on the ground, straightened his waist, turned his eyes to the left and right, and was silent. His posture clearly told Hong Yanbo to retreat from the guards. Hong Yanbo hesitated and said, "Everyone in the cabin is the henchmen of Benhou. Liu Zhuangshi doesn't need to be suspicious, but please tell me. ”

Liu Dan took out a thing from his arms, presented it to Hong Yanbo, and said: "This is a token from the adults of my family, and I ordered the villain to hand it over to the Hou Ye to prove his identity." ”

Hong Yanbo took a look at it, it was a jade pendant. He seemed to remember that on the New Year's Day celebration, he saw Zhang Deyu wearing this thing on his waist. In front of Deng She and others, Zhang Deyu once took this jade pendant, boasted that it came from a certain place, and it was a relic of the Tang Dynasty. Thinking about it today, his actions at that time must have been intentional.

Hong Yanbo confirmed Liu Dan's identity, gently handed back the jade pendant, and ordered the guards to retreat.

He got up, personally helped Liu Dan up, invited him to take a seat, and said with a smile: "Ben Hou has some impressions,......, right, it seems that I have seen you on the celebration day." Yes, yes, you were following Master Zhang at the time. Oh, Liu Dan, good name. He arched his hand, "It's a hard work." Liu Dan's appearance is ordinary, and he can't remember it reasonably.

Jin Yong said: "It's hard to be a strong man, and the mountain road can catch up with us by sea." I don't know what kind of information it is? Tell me about it. ”

"Have you signed a peace treaty with Haidong?"

"Not bad."

"Master Hou thinks that Haidong has some sincerity in this peace agreement?"

"This ,......"

"It's true. My Liaoyang Province and Haidong Deng Thief also signed a peace treaty. It took four or five days to negotiate the details alone, and the difficulty of the negotiations is expected to be even more difficult than that of your state. But my family did not have the slightest hope for this peace treaty. ”

"What do you mean by that?"

"Deng thief is cunning. He is a province in the east of the sea, bordering Shenyang to the west and Goryeo to the east. The current situation in Liaodong and Haidong is exactly three points. My lord said to the villain, he had never heard of a three-point stand and could keep peace for a long time. I have never heard that greedy tigers and wolves will not go out to eat people.

"Deng thief, that is, the generation of tigers and wolves. For now, Haidong is strong, while Shenyang and Goryeo are weak. If the Deng thief wants to eat people, the best strategy is to divide and break each one. The peace treaty he signed with you and me is nothing more than a pretense. The villain is sure that within three months, Haidong will inevitably raise troops. And the villain can also be sure that the first to bear the brunt will not be me Shenyang, but must be Goryeo. ”

Hong Yanbo and Jin Yong glanced at each other, the two of them have been officials for a long time, and they both have a city government. Hong Yanbo remained silent and said with a smile: "Why did Liu Zhuangshi say this? ”

"Master Hou thinks that I am acting as a lobbyist for my family, provoking discord between Gaoli and Haidong, so that I can reap the benefits of the fisherman in Shenyang?" Liu Dan laughed and said, "The villain is a rough man, he can't think of coherent words, and he is not qualified to be a lobbyist for Lao Shizi." What the villain just said is the analysis of my family. ......, except for the last sentence. ”

The last sentence he said was two affirmations, affirming that within three months, Haedong would attack Goryeo.

Jin Yong paid close attention to his expression, very calm, frank, and did not look like he was cheating. Hong Yanbo smiled, his face gradually became solemn, he subconsciously stroked his beard, and asked: "The strong man is just right, there is an earth-shattering news, is it, but ,......? ”

"Exactly! When the villain heard this, Haidong was preparing for war, and the direction of the fight was directed at your state! ”

"Source?"

"No comment."

"Empty mouth and white teeth, how can Ben Hou believe it?"

"I can only tell Hou Ye that the source is absolutely reliable, from the upper echelons of Haidong. The villain can also tell Hou Ye that Haidong's plan to attack Goryeo is not a day or two. Hou Ye is in Pyongyang, must have seen Haidong's recruitment list? Recruit 10,000 soldiers from the homeless! Haidong is strong and strong, and the current strength is enough to protect itself, so why do you still need to recruit troops? I also have news to tell Hou Ye that Haidong not only recruited troops from the displaced people, but not long before Hou Ye left Pyongyang, does Hou Ye know where Tong Shengyang went? ”

Jin Yong inquired about the matter and said, "Go back to Shuangcheng Province." ”

"It's true to go back to Shuangcheng, but not to save relatives, but to recruit Jurchen cavalry! The first battle of Liaodong was over, and the Deng thief couldn't wait, expanding the infantry and recruiting cavalry. He was so desperate to recruit troops, not for war, but for what? Is there plenty of grain and grass in the east of the sea?

"He raised an army of 100,000, which was already at his limit. There is still more than half a year before the autumn harvest, and in recent months, tens of thousands of Han people from Liaodong have poured into Haidong, and many prefectures and counties can hardly even take out the grain to settle them.

"He is facing such a stretch, and he is still so eager to recruit troops, may I ask Master Hou, is he not for the war, and why?"

Liu Dan combined intelligence from all sides, analyzed the head of the way, and the conclusions he reached were very convincing. Hong Yanbo was silent, and Jin Yong said: "I have a lot of water in Gaoli Mountain, and it is difficult for cavalry to gallop. If Haidong really wants to tear up the peace treaty, provoke a war, and recruit more cavalry, what is the use? ”

He looked at Liu Dan and continued: "However, Shenyang ,......, the terrain is open, suitable for cavalry combat, and it is close to Shuangcheng. I don't know what Liu Zhuangshi thinks about this? ”

The king of Goryeo killed Qi Zhe Manmen and had a grudge against the Qi clan. Before Deng She's rise, Meng Yuan repeatedly sent messengers to threaten, claiming that he would cross the Yalu River with millions of troops and horses, destroy the country of Goryeo, and avenge the Qi family. In the eyes of the king of Goryeo, Deng She, and Nahachu are not good things, and neither of them can be trusted.

Liu Dan said that it was very difficult for them to sign a peace treaty with Haidong, is it true or false? Jin Yong didn't know, but he knew that the negotiation between Hong Yanbo and Haidong was definitely difficult and took a lot of effort. If Deng She didn't have the sincerity to negotiate peace at all, why did he not give an inch?

Of course, it is not excluded that Deng She has an element of acting. In fact, perhaps, he was making a show, trying to deliberately use this to paralyze Goryeo's vigilance.

However, Liu Dan only lied and threatened, but he never refused to tell the source of the news, and he was always vague, how to listen to him, how it seemed to sow discord. Soldiers, national events, the place of life and death, and the way of survival must not be overlooked. Therefore, Kim Yong questioned rhetorically.

"My lord's words, it's ridiculous! With just a few thousand cavalry, can they pose a threat to my Shenyang? Don't forget, north of Shenyang, I have thousands of miles of pastures, and there are more than 10 million people who control the bow and strings? It's okay, according to what the adults said, Deng Thief's meaning is actually in my Shenyang. May I ask you, what will he face after he gets Shenyang? ”

Kim Yong was silent.

"He will face countless Mongolian warriors in the south and north of the desert! He now has Liaoxi in the south, Goryeo in the east, and Saiwai in the west. May I ask my lord, with his current strength, after occupying Shenyang, can he deal with strong enemies on all sides? Even a rough person like a villain can see that it is a self-defeating road! Do adults really think that Deng Thief will be hot-headed, and he can't even see as much as a villain, so he can easily start a war with me in Shenyang? ”

Hong Yanbo held the tea bowl and fell into deep thought.

"The villain, please ask the adults again. If it is really as the villain said, the target of the Deng thief is in Goryeo. What will he face when he wins Goryeo? Liu Dan asked and answered himself, and without waiting for Jin Yong to answer, he answered for him, saying: "What he will face is nothing but a sea!" Worry-free. ......, how could he give up the easy! ”

Liu Dan said, stood up, arched his hand towards the two, and said: "The villain is all he says, believe it or not, please judge yourself." I didn't dare to delay the trip of the two adults any longer, so I took my leave. "Turn around and go out.

Hong Yanbo coughed and said, "Strong man, please stay." ”

"What does Master Hou say?"

"The strong man traveled hundreds of miles in three days and nights, just to say such a few words to Ben Hou?"

Liu Dan knew in his heart that Hong Yanbo had already believed his words. At that moment, he turned around and said, "Naturally not." There are more confidential things to talk to Hou Ye. However, if Hou Ye is still suspicious of the villain and does not trust the villain's sincerity, it is okay not to say anything about it. ”

"Strong man, please sit down, just talk."

Liu Dan sat down again according to his words and said, "The meaning of the Deng thief is in Goryeo. Just like the Three Kingdoms in the past, I, Shenyang, of course, know the truth of cold lips and teeth, and I will not sit idly by. The villain came to see the Hou Ye, with the secret order of my family,......, willing to reach an agreement with Goryeo, sincerely unite, and fight against the Deng thief! ”

"Your lord, may represent the opinion of the prime minister of Naha?"

"As a messenger, my family has the right to respond to emergencies. Whether it can represent the opinion of Xiang Ye, there is no doubt. ”

Hong Yanbo bowed his head and said, "Since this is the case, please make it clear to the strong man." How can you and I unite? How to resist? ”

"My family has three strategies, please choose the Hou Ye. The best strategy, preemptive. You and I agreed on a time, before the Deng thief made a move, he would be taken by surprise, and the two families would send troops together. You take Pyongyang, I take Liaoyang, and contact the Liaoxi Shijiabao to contain its main force in Liaodong. Then you and I will divide the Yalu River, sweep Haidong, attack Guanbei, and punish the Deng thief henchmen! ”

Just as the gentlemen who say three points in the tile column, whenever they talk about the advice of the strategists, they will be generous, mentioning the upper, middle and lower three strategies, and the upper strategies are often flashy and unrealistic, and they are the first to be abandoned.

Hong Yanbo was no exception, he only nodded, noncommittal. With this bit of strength in Goryeo, he couldn't protect himself and took the initiative to attack? Seeking one's own death is not the way to find oneself. Zhang Deyu's best policy is enough to stir people's hearts, and his words are enough to provoke the fighting spirit of brave people. However, in practice, it is simply not feasible.

He asked, "May I ask the middle policy?" ”

"The middle strategy, actively prepare for the war, exchange news, and sit back and wait for changes. Haidong sent troops to Goryeo, and I attacked Shenyang after it; Haidong sent troops to Shenyang, and asked Goryeo to attack behind. You and I form the momentum of horns, and like a long snake, the head should be struck by the tail; Hit the tail and the head should be. The war is together, hand in hand; The war did not end, and no one was allowed to make peace with Deng Thief in private. ”

"What to do?"

"Make a decision, you Gaoli take care of you Gaoli, and I Shenyang take care of my Shenyang. No one cares about anyone, just as the villain has never come. Life and death have their own destiny. ”

Hong Yanbo got up, walked around the cabin, made a decision, and said, "The best strategy is too hasty, and the next strategy is not advisable." Liu Zhuangshi mentioned the Three Kingdoms twice just now, at that time, Shu and Wu joined forces, and with the strength of Cao Wei, they would inevitably suffer a big defeat by burning Chibi. What's more, the strength of you and me is far better than Shu and Wu. Xiao Deng is strong, not as good as Cao Wei. You and I join forces, Deng thief has no worries! ”

Jin Yong was indignant, pulled out the knife from the sheath, cut the case, and said: "I am willing to make an alliance with the strong man, there are you and me without Deng thief, and there is Deng thief without you and me." ”

In the fog and sea, the three of them high-fived as an alliance: "There is you and me without Deng thief, there is Deng thief without you and me." ”

Liu Dan dictated the terms of the agreement proposed by Zhang Deyu, and Hong Yanbo and Jin Yong discussed it carefully and put forward several different suggestions, all of which were written down and drafted into a document in duplicate as a draft. And they took one from each of them, and when they returned, they presented it to their respective lords for viewing and decision.

Then, the two agreed that they would send secret envoys to each other within half a month. The place of the meeting was not on land, nor on the west, but on the sea on the east. Goryeo has a boat, you can go; The messenger of Shenyang can also reach it by taking a detour. At that time, the two sides can bring their seals again, make comprehensive amendments, and sign a formal covenant.

After talking about business, seeing that it was not early and the fog gradually dispersed, Liu Dan said goodbye and left.

He jumped out of the ship, mounted his mount, and rode away. He can speak Goryeo, and his dress is also Goryeo's, and he is not afraid of people seeing the horse's feet. In addition, he is agile and crosses the boundary line with ease. He walked for a while, looked back into the distance, and saw that in the fog that had faded, the ship of the Goryeo mission lifted anchor and gradually disappeared.

Liu Dan was on the mountain, with a lot of worries, and there was no half-point agreement and the joy of completing the task.

He can take on this heavy responsibility, and it goes without saying that he is shrewd and capable. Hong Yanbo, the envoy of a country, saw him coming at the border of his own country, and he was as cautious as if he were facing a great enemy. From this, it can be seen that the internal troubles of Goryeo are really not small. The country will perish, and there will be demons. Even a mere thief can't be assessed, how much will making such an ally help Shenyang?

He didn't know.

He sighed, tapped his mount lightly, and disappeared into the forest.

——

1. There is no shortage of Goryeo untouchables leading the way for the Japanese pirates.

At the end of the Goryeo period, many Goryeo untouchables participated in the Wako. "Later, in the 28th year of the Joseon Dynasty of the Lee family, the judge of the Central Council of the People's Republic of China, Yi Shun-mong, said of the members of the Japanese Empire: 'It is said that only one-tenth of the Japanese are two-tenths, and the rest of the Koreans are all in the guise of Japanese uniforms and gather to form a group of people to cause chaos.' ”