Wang Shicheng, Xu Jizu and others sent Deng She and his party to their residence, and then returned to their homes separately. Tian Jialie and Ji Zongzhou followed Wang Shicheng, and Wang Shicheng asked Tian Jialie: "At the banquet, why did you look at me and not ask me to promise King Yan?" Yan Wang's analysis of the infighting between Polo and Chahan, do you think it's wrong? ”

Tian Jialie said: "No. ”

Wang Shicheng couldn't help but wonder and asked, "Why is that?" ”

"Dadu is the capital of the Tartars. Liu Taibao's three-way northern expedition can't be successful, and today? This is a good lofty ambition is also. Although King Yan's words are demagoguery, they are really not worth believing. I expect him to just use this to delay his time, and he will not just leave. ”

Although he was scolded by Yang Wanhu, Tian Jialie still insisted on his opinion, he was stubborn, and said: "King Yan personally brought the military horse to come this time, and there must be fraud. I watched him speak at the table, and his words flickered. The lord must not be on guard. He needs to be urged day and night to urge him to quickly stop the chaos, and to guard him strictly, and invite him to Anfeng as soon as possible. ”

Wang Shicheng was unhappy, and asked Ji Zongzhou again: "Zhili, what do you think?" ”

"If he is cheating, how can Yang Xingjian argue with Tian Gong endlessly? If he is deceitful, how can Yang Wanhu meet with the * handsome sword soldier? If he is deceitful, how can King Yan talk to the lord about the heroes of the world? ”

Wang Shicheng thought so, waved his hand, and said, "King Yan is benevolent and righteous, and his name is well deserved. I have talked with him much at the table today, and whatever I ask, he will answer. It's really a rare honest gentleman. Tian Jialie grabbed Wang Shicheng's bridle and had to admonish. Wang Shicheng compromised and took half a step back, and said: "Supervise day and night, urge Haidong to quickly settle the chaos, you can do it." But King Yan came from afar to help me benefit the capital, people need to know the kindness in return, if you ask him to leave early, don't mention it in the future. ”

"Lord!"

Wang Shicheng became impatient again, he learned Ji Zongzhou's tone, and asked Tian Jialie: "If he is cheating, how can he ride lightly to see me?" "I thought I had learned well, and I was very literate, so I laughed, bypassed Tian Jialie, beat the horse, and was hugged by the guards, and the horse went away.

……

Wang Shicheng arranged Deng She in the guest house, and at the same time, Deng She and Luo Guoqi were also talking about Wang Shicheng.

Luo Guoqi asked: "What kind of person does the lord think Wang Shicheng is?" ”

Before Deng She came to Shandong, he did research on Wang Shicheng according to the information collected by Li Shousheng, the secretary of the General Administration. He said, "Just as I judged before. Shicheng is rough, brave, and a good warrior. Vulgar and unliterate, admiring elegance. Hearing the words, he was overjoyed, and he was undecided. Treat people with sincerity, and the emperor is lenient, although he can raise soldiers, he can't use them. ”

"Why do you say that he is overjoyed and undecided?"

"Shicheng Juyi has been in the capital for almost a year, and he has never seen any movement to expand his territory. It can be seen that his ambition is not to open up the territory, but to defend it. Today, when he heard me say that he was attacking Dadu, he was moved by the words, and his eyebrows danced. Yes, I said that he was overjoyed and undecided. ”

"Why do you say that although he can raise a soldier, he can't use it?"

"Today's feast. There are two small things, I don't know if the princes have noticed. First, Tian Jialie debated with Yang Gong, Shi Cheng was impatient, but he kept it back and never reprimanded him. It is also a person who can raise a soldier. Second, General Yang and Chen Rutou saw each other, but Shicheng stopped him, and Chen Rutou had a reluctant look. If the order cannot be prohibited, it cannot be used. Therefore I said that though he could raise a soldier, he could not use it. ”

Bow down to them. "The lord is high."

Yang Xingjian said: "Then, please ask the lord." What are the characters of Yidu? ”

"Tian Jialie's appearance is not amazing, his mouth is like a river, he is sensitive and quick, and he is good at arguing and strategizing. Ji Zongzhou looked dignified, and at the end of his banquet, he didn't say a word, and he was humble. Continuing to follow the ancestors with open chests and open arms, he guessed with his fists, and he drank with you from beginning to end, and he was not interested in the dialogue between Tian Jialie and Yang Gong or me and Shicheng. It's a reckless man, and he doesn't pay enough attention to it.

"Chen Yu has a strong head. General Yang reprimanded Tian Jialie, he was angry when he heard this, and he was angry, he was a tiger general. ”

After hearing this, Yang Xingjian couldn't help but slap his hands and rejoice, and said: "The lord has such a vision and looks at people so accurately. Wang Shicheng's busy life, compared with the lord, is simply a world of difference. Yidu is in my pocket in Shandong! ”

For more than half a year, Luo Guoqi has repeatedly served in major events, and he has been an envoy to eastern Zhejiang, and he has participated in government affairs. He said, "But don't take it lightly. Tian Jialie repeatedly provoked the topic to ask the lord what he meant, and repeatedly asked when the lord would leave. He must have seen something of the truth. Lord, this person is Wang Shicheng's mastermind, and he must not be careless. ”

"What is Luo Gong's countermeasure?"

"The matter should not be rushed. Being too hasty can only arouse Tian Jialie's suspicions even more. Take it slowly. ”

"How?"

"On the one hand, we will continue to follow the original plan and implement the next steps in an orderly manner. On the other hand, he instructed Li Shousheng to ask him to investigate carefully and be sure to find out Tian Jialie's movements, so as not to make a fuss to Wang Shicheng behind his back and ruin the lord's affairs. At the same time, take a look at the relationship that the political secretary has already bought, and strive to exert influence on Wang Shicheng's judgment. ”

Deng She nodded yes and said, "In this case, I will send someone to secretly meet with Li Shousheng, and convey Luo Gong's proposal to him, so that he can act at the opportunity."

"As for the rest, you will act according to the original plan and according to the plan. Luo Gong, you are responsible for making good places. The prince, the prince of Yang, befriend the old Tartar officials, and you are responsible. Ren Zhonghou, you have been in Shandong for a long time, you should be with Li Shousheng in the light and in the dark, and cooperate with Luo Gong and Wang Gong. Ah Hu, you are from Shandong, Conglong, you have also been in Shandong, and you are in charge of making good friends with Yidu military generals.

"In addition, General Liu, you should immediately rush back to the Laizhou Navy Division's station, and continue to discuss it with * and Fuji Guangxiu, who are pretending to be Japanese criminals. In three or two days, give me a beautiful victory. We should boost the morale of Yidu and strengthen their confidence in us. ”

Everyone responded awe-inspiringly.

Tong Shengyang was not assigned the task, he asked, "What about me?" ”

Deng She smiled and said, "Brothers in battle, fathers and sons in battle, you eat and drink with me." "In addition to eating, drinking, and feasting, he is also responsible for personal guards with Bi Qianniu.

There were many Shandong people in Deng She's army.

Luo Guoqi was born in Nishan Academy, Yang Wanhu was originally from Shandong, and was later exiled to the Northeast for committing crimes. Guo Conglong was a native of Hebei, when the war in Hebei was in turmoil, he called the exiles, all the way to the east, stayed in Shandong for a while, and then went to Liaodong, and then went to Pyongyang.

All three of them have their own strengths. Luo Guoqi is familiar with Shandong scholars, and his teachers and classmates are all over Shandong. Yang Wanhu and Guo Conglong are brave and have outstanding military exploits, and the generals are brave and brave, and the two of them are just right. Moreover, if there is an emergency, with the two of them, thousands of troops and horses can protect Deng She to fight a bloody road.

In the past, when Mao Gui was in power in Shandong, he appointed many old officials of Mengyuan. Ji Zongzhou is one of them.

Wang Zongzhe has the identity of Mengyuan Zhuangyuanlang, Lianzhong Sanyuan, and interacted with Ji Zongzhou and other old officials, and got twice the result with half the effort. But his talent is somewhat lacking, so he needs someone to match him. Yang Xingjian was born in a scholarly family, not only read the books of sages, but also Danqing is a must, poetry is capable, and there is eloquence, can see the overall situation, people are not pedantic, is a good deputy.

Ren Zhonghou and Li Shousheng, needless to say.

In Shandong, which Deng She brought, in addition to a few of them, there are two people, one Pan Xianer; A Zhao Zhong. Pan Xianer was the original Pan Cheng's staff, a poisonous plan of "oxcart array", which easily cut off Pan Cheng's life. After he surrendered to Deng She, Deng She hesitated to kill or not,—— this person's mind was too poisonous. Hong Jixun persuaded him: "In troubled times, only talent moves." So take it for yourself.

Yao Haogu and Hong Jixun are both in Haidong, each with its own heavy responsibilities, and they can't get away. Deng She can't be without a strategist by his side, Pan Xian'er is vicious and ruthless, and he is good at using tricks, which is suitable for this time.

Zhao Zhong, that is, Zhao Timur. A while ago, Haidong set off a wave of name changes, and Zhao Timur was very active, and after not falling behind, he changed his Mongolian name to a Chinese name and called Zhao Zhong. Chen Hu and Naha had a battle, and Zhao Zhong "watched the sky at night", and he was crooked, guessing in advance that Naha would attack in the future. The bluffed Chen Hu was stunned for a moment, took it as an ability, praised it vigorously after the war, and recommended it to Deng She.

Deng She naturally wouldn't believe him in any "night observation of the sky", but Zhao Zhong had two strengths that ordinary people could not match.

First, he has learned Mongolian shamans and can tell the weather, and he does have a special sensitivity in the weather, eight times out of ten. With him on the left and right, he can accurately grasp the changes in the weather, cloudy, sunny, foggy and rainy, and know it at any time, which may play an unexpected role at a critical moment.

Second, he is good at observing words and feelings, and will speculate. Deng She didn't want to see him, he could still seize the fleeting opportunity to fool Chen Hu and make him take the initiative to help him say good things. This may not seem like a big deal, but it's not. Vision, courage, the courage to make up your mind, the expression and tone of voice when you speak, and the ability to adapt to changes are all indispensable.

Looking at these people brought by Deng She to Shandong, they are either erudite, or witty, or steady, or brave, all of them are the choice of the moment, and they can be called the heroes of Haidong. Even that Zhao Zhong is indispensable, enough for the subordinates to drive. The so-called achievers are also people. Only by choosing the right person can you have a chance to achieve great things. This is: those who make good use of people can achieve things, and those who can do things can make good use of people.

From the next day, the people of Haidong began to act separately according to their responsibilities.

Dunshe, on the other hand, didn't have much to do, because his goal was too big and too noticeable. All he had to do every day was to go to the man's banquet at the man's invitation. Every three or five times, please return to Wang Shicheng and Yidu Wenwu. There is a small banquet on the third day and a large banquet on the fifth day. It didn't take long for him to become familiar with the dignitaries who had real power in Yidu.

He was kind, honest and generous. The most important thing is that he is the king of Yan, sitting in two provinces, with 100,000 tigers, thousands of miles of land, and millions of people behind him, with an honorable status and a prominent reputation. It left a very good impression on the dignitaries of Yidu. Many people privately praised: "The future is limitless." ”

Three days later, the Haidong Naval Division won a great victory.

Liu Yang took the initiative to attack, defeated Fuji Mitsuhide, sank three Japanese warships, captured two, and beheaded more than 100 people. Of course, the beheaded head was naturally not the head of the Haidong Navy, but the Fujimitsuhide brought with the ship.

The war between Haedong and South Goryeo had just ended, and the main force of the Li-yeo army had been captured many times before surrendering. Originally, it was said that after some time, the weak ones were selected to be organized into the Tuntian Army. Because the water division is in urgent need of heads, Wen Huaguo was ordered by Hong Jixun, who was temporarily in charge of the military, to quietly cut a batch and handed it over to * and Fuji Mitsuhide to cooperate with the play. Including the previous victories of Liu Yang, they all came from this.

When the news came to Yidu, Wang Shicheng was very happy.

He said to Tian Jialie: "King Yan is in charge personally, and it is really extraordinary. You're worried he's going to cheat! The Japanese ships sunk in Haidong are always real, right? The head of the Japanese invaders cut by Haidong is always real, right? As long as these two things are true, as long as Haidong can exterminate the Japanese as soon as possible. If he is deceitful, what is he afraid of? ”

Tian Jialie was silent.

But most of the people who have intelligence insist on their own opinions. Tian Jialie is the same, since he can't move Wang Shicheng, he simply acts on his own. In a few words, he told Wang Shicheng about his recent official duties, he resigned from the house and beckoned to the left and right. And one of them approached, and stood with his hands down, and listened to him.

"In the past two days, what has happened to King Yan?"

"Back to the master, the villain worked in shifts with Tian San and Liu Sisan, twelve hours a day, and monitored outside the guest house day and night. I didn't see any change in King Yan. He had never been anywhere except for the daily feast. The king gave him two classes of female musicians, and whenever he went back from the banquet, he would listen to the songs and dances, and he would not stop until dawn. ”

Tian Jialie touched his beard, hooked his head and pondered for a moment, and said, "Go to the banquet every day and sing every night?" Hmph, you go and tell Tian San and Liu Si to transfer more manpower and increase surveillance. Remember, be careful and don't let up. If there is any change, report it to me immediately. ”

"Yes."

After explaining the long follower, he looked to both sides. It was midday, the weather was hot, and there were few pedestrians on the streets. Seeing that no one was paying attention, he got into the sedan chair and turned home.

After walking a short distance, the sound of horses' hooves came from behind. Shandong is one of the main suppliers of horses in Mengyuan, there are many pastures, and there are many wealthy families with horses at home, so it is not surprising that horses gallop on the street. It's just noon, whose children are willing to brave the scorching sun? Tian Jialie opened a picture back through the sedan window, and saw that the knight was not a son of a wealthy family, but Chen Yutou.

"*Handsome? Where are you going? ”

Chen Yutou only brought two or three guards, and when he saw Tian Jialie's sedan chair, he hurriedly restrained his mount, walked slowly with the sedan chair, and replied: "Haidong Yang Wanhu and Guo Conglong, invite me to go hunting in the suburbs and test archery. I was going back to Tai'an today, but I accepted his invitation and had to go. ”

Since ancient times, there is no first, and there is no second. It is normal for a group of martial artists to gather together and compete in martial arts. What's more, Yang Wanhu and Guo Conglongyuan came from Haidong, and many of the generals of Yidu have long been famous for each other, and they have not been able to see each other.

Tian Jialie said with a smile: "Earlier, Yang Wanhu was very arrogant. * Shuai is a famous general of my Yidu, and he needs to be bold, and Hugh thinks that I have no one. ”

Chen Yu said: "I don't need to be instructed by the right man, I know what to do." Patting the bow sac hanging from the horse, he said, "Do you remember?" The king gave me a good bow. I brought it, and I must have made that guy know greatly. ”

"That's very good. But there is one thing, don't hurt the peace. ”

Chen Yu responded and urged the horse to go.

Tian Jialie saw him go away, patted the sedan chair, and then walked forward. His role in Yidu is like Hong Jixun in Haidong and Yao Haogu, and seven or eight out of ten of Yidu's military and political affairs come from him. Usually busy with official business, there is almost no leisure. Just like Ouyang Xiu's "Sanshang", immediately, on the pillow, on the toilet, racing against time to deal with affairs anytime and anywhere. Ignoring the stuffy heat in the sedan car, he turned out two military newspapers sent by Cangzhou.

Wang Shicheng's existing territory is basically due to Maogui, east and south of the sea, west to Gaotang Prefecture, and the northernmost is Qingzhou and Cangzhou.

Qingzhou and Cangzhou belong to Hejian Road, now Hebei. In that year, Mao Gui participated in the Northern Expedition, and the marching route he chose was to go out of the river, go straight to Gu, and tend to the capital. These two states are not far from Zhigu, only more than 100 miles, and not too far from Dadu, three or four hundred miles. It can be said that it is the forefront of Shandong. Heavy troops are stationed. There are often small-scale frictions with the Yuan army, but these two military reports this time are not for the Yuan army, but for the flower horse Wang Tianfeng.

This Tian Feng and Wang Shicheng, although they are not in harmony with each other, and a friction will break out from time to time at the junction of their respective jurisdictions, but in the final analysis, they are all internal contradictions, and when facing Meng Yuan, they can still achieve the same hatred. After all, their territory was too close to Dadu, and on the opposite side was Chakhan Timur, so they had to maintain unity and external unity in the internal struggle.

Moreover, Tian Feng is different from Wang Shicheng.

Wang Shicheng has benefited from all of his own interests, and rarely expands his territory. Tian Feng was determined to forge ahead and constantly fought with the surrounding Yuan army. Three months ago, it captured Baoding Road and Jining Road one after another. Jining Road, that is, the area of present-day Taiyuan, his tentacles have penetrated deep into Shanxi. And Baoding Road, that is, the area of Baoding in Hebei Province, borders Hejian Road.

If you want to say Tianfeng's territory, the southernmost is only to Shunde Road, and there is a Zhending Road between it and Baoding Road. Zhendinglu is now in the hands of the Yuan army. So, how did he attack Baoding Road? borrowed the road from Wang Shicheng, took the old route of Maogui's Northern Expedition, and took the Hejian Road.

He went to attack Baoding Road, whether he succeeded or not, he could relieve the pressure on Hejian Road to face Dadu alone. Wang Shicheng naturally will not object, and is optimistic about its success. Cangzhou's military newspaper talks about some movements after Tian Feng captured Baoding Road. He faintly had the intention of withdrawing troops from Shanxi, copying back the Zhending Road, and attacking the Guangping Road.

Tian Jialie fell into deep thought.

At the beginning, the reason why Tian Feng did not directly attack the Zhending Road that connected to the Shunde Road, but instead took advantage of the river and traveled thousands of miles to take the Baoding Road first, Tian Jialie was clear. It is precisely because there is Zhending Road in the north of Shunde Road and Guangping Road in the south, which is surrounded by the two lines of the Yuan army, and it is impossible to show its hands and feet.

Therefore, he did not hesitate to show favor to Wang Shicheng, and turned to Baoding with Jining, Dongchang and other military horses in the mainland. Now, he captured Baoding Road, which can suddenly echo Shunde, and at the same time open up an unfavorable situation in the encirclement of the Yuan army. Even, it cut off the support of Zhending Road, and surrounded it with Baoding Road and Shunde Road.

Tian Jialie suddenly realized, and slapped his head a few times in a row. It was only at this time that he finally saw Tian Feng's intentions clearly.

Originally, after Tian Feng laid down Baoding Road, he brazenly went out to Shanxi and occupied a section of Jining Road, Tian Jialie felt strange. There are Polo in the north and Chahan in the south of Jining Road, and the place he occupied is the place where Polo and Chahan meet. Wasn't he afraid of provoking Polo and Chahan and setting him on fire?

Of course he was afraid.

Therefore, his real intention to capture Jining Road was not to intervene in Shanxi, but to make a false shot, deliberately so, with the intention of attracting the attention of Polo and Chahan. After drawing the attention of Polo and Chahan away, he was able to kill the rifle back. What he really wants to occupy is not elsewhere, it is Zhending Road and Guangping Road.

What a plan!

Tian Jialie couldn't help but applaud it.

Open and close, gallop vertically and horizontally, have both odd and positive, and turn forward for thousands of miles. What a big deal. Tian Jialie danced and applauded, and fell into deep thought again. If Tian Feng copied back Zhending and changed his attack on Guangping smoothly, his territory would be connected. What's next for him?

No matter what he does, he will lose the other. In the long run, Wang Shicheng will slowly be at a disadvantage in Shandong. For example, two horses compete and take the lead. In the rickety sedan chair, Tian Jialie was worried and anxious, when this troubled world, Yuan lost his deer, and when the hero used force, he should be excited. How can you sit in Yidu and not want to forge ahead?

He secretly made up his mind that he must have a good life tomorrow and persuade Wang Shicheng again. What's the matter, it has to be vigorous, so as to live at the right time for this Ding Revolution.

The sedan chair stopped suddenly.

Tian Jialie woke up from his contemplation, heard the commotion outside, and asked, "What?" ”

"There are officials crossing the street in front, and the officials are clearing the road, and no people are allowed to walk."

"Which official of the yamen? What a big shelf! "Tian Jialie is dissatisfied, he is dignified, and he has to give way to others? When the curtain is opened, he will be angry. The attendants replied, "It seems to be a distinguished guest from Haidong." "People from Haidong traveled, and Yidu sent a special person to escort the road. This is an order given by Wang Shicheng yesterday as a courtesy. Tian Jialie was stunned for a moment and said, "Haidong distinguished guest? ”

He frowned and leaned out to take a look. Seeing dozens of officials opening the road in front, three or two sedan chairs followed slowly. The sedan chair of the guest house has distinctive characteristics, and Tian Jialie clearly recognizes that two of the three sedan chairs are not from the guest house. Especially in the middle of the multiplication, it looks very familiar.

He blinked twice, and remembered, it seemed to be the Liu family, a wealthy family in Yidu. The Liu family was originally a Jurchen clan, and his ancestors had followed Zhang Hongfan and Boyan to attack the Song Dynasty, and they had made meritorious contributions. In Yidu, he is a famous family with a head and a face.

Tian Jialie thought to himself: "When did the Liu family get acquainted with Haidong? "Instructed his attendants to go over and ask.

After a while, the entourage reported: "Among the distinguished guests from Haidong, there is a Master Luo, who has been a classmate with the son of the Liu family. There is another General Tong, who is also a Jurchen. Yesterday, Lord Luo visited the son of the Liu family. The son of the Liu family returned to worship today, met General Tong, and had a very happy conversation.

"Because the Liu family has not seen the clansmen of Liaodong for a long time, the son of the Liu family asked General Tong to go to his house to talk and meet the elders of the family. In the back of the sedan chair, it was General Tong who sat in it; The one in the middle is the son of the Liu family; The rider before him is the one who leads the way. ”

"Oh!"

It turned out that the clansmen recognized each other. Tian Jialie didn't think much about it and retracted into the sedan chair. After Tong Shengyang and the son of the Liu family passed, the sedan chair drivers lifted the sedan chair, and he continued to move forward. Flipping through the military newspaper in Cangzhou, he planned to read it again from the beginning, but after reading a few lines, his heart suddenly moved, and he vaguely felt a little uneasy.

"Strange! But it's also strange. ”

He was stunned for a moment, the uneasiness was fleeting, and he couldn't find the reason. In the end, his mind was all on Tian Feng, he shook his head and smiled, no longer thinking about it, and soon, he was immersed in the analysis of the military newspaper.

——

1, the Liu family was originally a Jurchen clan, and his ancestors had followed Zhang Hongfan and Boyan to attack the Song Dynasty, and he had made meritorious contributions.

"Liu Guojie, the word national treasure, Yidu people. Jurchen nationality, his original surname was Wugulun, and he later changed his surname to Liu. From a soldier to a thousand households in the new army of Yidu, he successively followed Zhang Hongfan and Boyan to attack the Song Dynasty. Later, he was the marshal of the Han army,......, and he was appointed as the left ,......, of Huguang, and when he became the emperor, he added Huguang Pingzhang. ”