At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Liu Biao seized Jingzhou, he consolidated his authority in Jingzhou by marrying the Cai family in Xiangyang and recruiting the Jingzhou famous scholars and the Kuai brothers, and also appointed Fu Xun and other exiles, combining the two forces of local wealthy families and foreign exiles, dominating one side, however, Pang Tong's family was not recruited by Liu Biao as an official, Pang Tong's uncle Pang Degong was also very famous in Xiangyang at that time, which caused him to be extremely dissatisfied, and then formed an opposing force.

At that time, Pang Degong and Huang Chengyan in Xiangyang were known as the two great wonders of Jingzhou, and the relationship between the Pang family and the Huang family was very confused, because Huang Chengyan's wife was Cai Mao's sister, that is, Huang Yueying's parents. Cai Mao's other sister is Liu Biao's favorite concubine. Although there are such inextricable relationships, Huang Chengyan still loves Pang Tong very much, often discusses poetry and calligraphy with him, and praises Pang Tong. For this reason, although Liu Biao did not treat Pang Degong politely, he was very fond of Pang Tong, and wanted to hire him as an official several times, but Pang Tong was very high-spirited, so that Liu Biao was a person who was not a big deal, so he began to travel in the name of his own study.

It was precisely this relationship that made Zhang Lang realize why Huang Yueying knew that Pang Tong lived in seclusion in Zhuanyang and studied military books hard. Of course, this is also what Zhang Lang thought of later.

At this time, Zhang Lang led a group of people to arrive in Chuyang County. Zhang Lang had thousands of Praetorian Guards stationed outside the county seat, and he took hundreds of personal eagle guards and Dian Wei and Zhao Yu to visit Pang Tong.

The hermitage of Pang Tong is on a Lingshi Island in the Turning Yang Lake. From a distance on the boat, the island is lush and green, with ancient trees towering to the sky, and there are several small peaks that crisscross left and right, with strange peak shapes, high and abrupt, which makes people marvel.

After about half an hour of bumps on the boat, we finally reached our destination.

When the boat docked, Zhao Yu was extremely excited and rushed out first, ran to the sand and gravel by the lake, happily picked up a dazzling array of beautiful shells, as well as those small crabs, with a beautiful smile on his face, the situation was like a little girl, making people feel innocent and innocent.

Originally, Zhang Lang asked Zhao Yu to investigate the matter of the water thieves, but Zhao Yu was very curious about what kind of people Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong that Zhang Lang often mentioned, so he also followed.

Zhang Lang looked at the rippling blue sea, let the cool sea breeze help his cheeks, and walked on the soft sand, only feeling extremely comfortable and energetic.

There was a stone staircase path ahead, which continued to zigzag forward; On both sides is a small forest, with lush foliage, green shore, and birds chirping from time to time, which is light and pleasant, which makes people enjoy great enjoyment of sight and hearing. Even if Zhang Lang visited many famous mountains and rivers in the late Han Dynasty, he also felt that this Lingshi Island was an extremely beautiful place, like a paradise, which made people intoxicated.

A row of simple thatched huts appeared in front of a dry man, accompanied by green mountains and green waters, only then did he retract his eyes with some nostalgia, and secretly praised Pang Tong in his heart for really choosing a place, on a small island surrounded by lakes and waters, there was a cave in the sky, which was better than a fairyland on earth.

In the row of houses in front, there was no one but a few hard-working village women drying clothes and feeding poultry.

Zhang Lang personally led a few people up.

Several village women saw a large number of people coming over with knives and swords, and they stopped what they were doing one by one, and looked at Zhang Lang and the others in surprise.

Turning the county ordered Li Guang to take half a step ahead and asked the village woman: "Do you know that Pang Tong lives here?" ”

Several village women saw Li Guang's bad attitude, and their faces were a little frightened.

Zhang Lang pushed Li Guang away, glared at him, and personally stepped forward to ask the village woman, and said in a very soft voice: "I have heard for a long time that Mr. Pang Tong is only eight years old, and I have come to visit him today." It's just that although we know that he lives on this island, we don't know exactly where he lives, and I ask a few aunts for advice. ”

Several village women breathed a sigh of relief, and one of them immediately said quickly: "Mr. Pang lives on the Fengming slope halfway up the mountain in front, and here you can see, there is a thousand-year-old tree, and his grass house is nestled next to the tree. ”

Zhang Lang turned his voice and followed the direction pointed by the village woman, and sure enough, he saw that there was a big tree on the mountainside in front of him, which was particularly conspicuous.

Zhang Lang couldn't help but thank him and took people up the mountain. While walking in front, I vaguely heard several village women praise: "Mr. Pang is really not a mortal." He said a few days ago that someone would have a distinguished guest to visit him, and sure enough, a group of people came today, and at a glance he knew that they were all big officials, rich and noble. ”

One of the village women said: "Mr. Pang is a knowledgeable person, but he is too arrogant. ”

Another village woman immediately answered: "That's also the capital of people who are crazy." ”

……

Zhang Lang kept a word in his ears, and he was secretly excited to meet someone he admired very much.

At this time, Zhao Yu tugged on Zhang Lang's sleeve and whispered, "Did you hear what the aunt said behind?" This Pang Tong is really crazy, I know that you are going to visit him, but I still don't come out to greet him. ”

The Yang County Commander felt that his face was gloomy, and he sent someone to the island early this morning, and asked him to inform Pang Tong to be ready to meet Zhang Lang at the ferry, but he didn't expect that he was just perfunctory, in case a wave started a fire, he was really afraid of giving himself a hat that was unfavorable. Li Guangzhao was more frightened when he thought about it, and hurriedly said to Zhang Lang: "Lord, it is better to let the lower officials take the first step and inform Pang Tong to come to take the lord's car." ”

Zhang Lang didn't understand his thoughts, and said with a smile: "No need, let's move forward together." ”

When a group of people walked halfway down the mountain, they saw a young man dressed as a villager, about 278 years old, sitting under a big tree, his eyes closed, as if he were asleep. This villager has an ugly face, a pointed nose and cheeks, small eyes and thin eyebrows. He is dirty, unkempt, and feels very sloppy.

Zhang Lang was clever, it was rumored in history that Pang Tong was a very ugly person, could it be the person in front of him now? Zhang Lang had a plan in his heart, so he couldn't help but step forward to ask, and said with a humble attitude: "I don't know if this brother is Pang Tong Pang Shiyuan?" ”

The villager seemed to be asleep, and did not react at all.

Zhang Lang frowned slightly, but didn't say anything.

Dian Wei on the side stopped doing it, and shouted: "What a rogue villager, the lord asked you, if you don't know how to lift, you still pretend to sleep here, see how my family has broken you up." After Dian Wei finished speaking, he just wanted to rush up, so he grabbed Zhang Lang, who was quick-eyed.

Zhang Lang shouted loudly twice again, and the people had some reactions.

The villagers opened their eyes slightly, squinted at Zhang Lang, and after looking at them lightly, they yawned and said angrily: "Who disturbs the dream of this master, quickly disperse." After speaking, the villager closed his eyes again, ready to start sleeping.

Zhang Lang was obviously a little displeased, but he didn't show it. It made Dian Wei and others angry, even Zhang Lang couldn't stop him, Dian Wei rushed up and pulled up the villagers' clothes, and said viciously: "You kid is very arrogant, my lord asks you, do you dare to sleep?" Believe it or not, Uncle threw you off the cliff to feed the dogs? ”

The villager seemed to wake up at this time, it seemed that Dian Wei was caught too tightly, and patches of dark red appeared on his dark face, he hurriedly shook his head and hands, and said with a breath: "Don't be, little fool, this uncle's subordinates are merciful." ”

Zhang Lang was a little relieved in his heart, but of course he didn't show such an expression on his face, and said loudly: "Dian Wei must not be rude, and he will not let go." ”

Dian Wei divided his hands heavily, only to almost throw the villagers to the ground, and he said hatefully: "You give the uncle an honest." ”

The villagers tidied up their clothes in a bit of embarrassment, and then raised their chests and said, "Who are you, and what are you doing here?" His voice was full of the arrogance of despising everything just now.

The fire that Dian Wei had not yet extinguished burned again, but this time Zhang Lang did not let him make it difficult again, but just snorted heavily, Dian Wei obediently retreated to the back, Zhang Lang smiled: "I don't know if Your Excellency is Mr. Pang Tong Pang Shiyuan?" ”

The villager was Pang Tong, he raised his head arrogantly, looked at Zhang Lang with his eyes, and said, "It's Pang someone." ”

Although Zhang Lang's attitude towards him was a little disgusted, he thought that it might be that people deliberately tested himself like this, so he didn't take it to heart, and said: "I have heard for a long time that Mr. Pang is an immortal material today, and Lang has long wanted to see him, but only now that he has learned of the immortal trace, he left his official business, came to visit, and asked Mr. Pang to teach him." ”

Pang Tong bowed slightly and said: "This is exaggerated by others, not that there is such a thing, I think I Pang Tongyi does not understand etiquette, and I don't understand the scriptures. Although Pang Tong's words sounded good, there was no modest expression on his face.

Zhang Lang looked at his face and said tentatively: "Pang Shiyuan won't be so hospitable, right?" Although I, Zhang Lang, am the lord of Jiangdong, but it is the first time I have come to Lingshi Island, a beautiful place, why don't you invite me to your house to sit for a while? ”

Pang Tong's face did not change and said: "The rough and humble room, destitute, General Zhang's golden body, how dare you be invited?" ”

Zhang Lang suddenly felt a trace of resistance, it seemed that Pang Tong did not have a good impression of him, and he had the intention of rejecting himself, but he was not discouraged, and continued: "Since this is the case, then we will talk to each other under this big tree." ”

A hint of hesitation flashed in Pang Tong's eyes, but he still responded very happily.

Zhang Lang asked a small stool to be moved, leaned against the tree and sat down, he took a deep breath, thinking about how to lobby next.

And Pang Tong had no fear at all, and sat down with Zhang Lang. This made Zhang Lang's soldiers very annoyed.

Zhang Lang said: "Mr. Pang lives in seclusion here, I don't know when he plans to leave the mountain?" ”

Pang Tong said with a smile: "I'm tired of staying here, so I naturally want to go out." ”

Zhang Lang said quietly: "Is it the Shuzhong Dangerous Peak Sword Pavilion that interests Mr., or is Jiangnan Chunhong making you happy?" ”

Pang Tong clapped his hands and laughed: "Okay, although the river flowers are red, it is difficult to resist the wind and sun, and although Shuzhong is dangerous, I don't know that the infinite scenery is at the dangerous peak?" General, do you say yes? ”

As soon as Pang Tong's words came out, the faces of several people changed, and the Lu brothers were two of them, Zhang Lang's meaning, although he did not say it explicitly, but also hinted at which side Pang Tong wanted to stand on. And his meaning is undoubtedly to help Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei.

Zhang Lang smiled faintly and said: "The end of the two roads is the same, one is tortuous, the other is relatively flat, which one does Mr. like?" ”

Pang Tong didn't think about it: "Of course it's a tortuous road." ”

Zhang Lang nodded and said, "Yes, I like it too." The twists and turns of the road can allow you to taste the ups and downs of life, and let you learn a lot of things that you never understand. However, if I use the lives of the people of the world as a bargaining chip, then I would rather achieve the greatest goal at the lowest cost. ”

Pang Tong's eyes showed a little thoughtfulness, and he said slowly: "The grace of dripping water should be repaid with a spring." The grace of nurturing should be with a lifetime of cattle and horses. If people do not put morality first, then what can they do? ”

Zhang Lang looked up at the sky and was silent for a long time, his eyes containing too many things that he couldn't read.

Pang Tong was a little strange and said, "General Zhang, if you have anything to say, you must say it directly." ”

Zhang Lang sighed and said: "Before the eagle flies in the firmament, it will throw its mother's wings for protection; If people want to innovate, they must throw away the rules of their predecessors; If the times want to prosper and move forward, they will surely break the old historical fate. Let's ask Mr. Pang whether he wants to hold on to the previous things, or does he want to welcome the arrival of a new era? ”

Pang Tong stared at Zhang Lang for a long time, his small eyes flashed with unprecedented sharpness, and he said in a deep voice after a long time: "The general has such a big heart." ”

Zhang Lang said slowly: "I don't know what Mr. Pang thinks of Lang as a person?" ”

Pang Tong didn't think about it: "The ambition is unprecedented. ”

Zhang Lang smiled disapprerovingly: "If you want to return to a peaceful and prosperous world, you can't do it without ambition." ”

Pang Tong said in a sullen voice: "Does the general think it will succeed?" ”

Zhang Lang said categorically: "Providence is unpredictable, no one can say this." ”

Pang Tong was silent.

Zhang Lang said softly: "Mr. is more than Guan Yi, why don't you go out of the mountain to help me?" ”

Pang Tong shook his head.

Zhang Lang's heart was cold, and he was extremely disappointed: "Don't you want to help me, sir?" ”

Pang Tong retracted the arrogance in front of him for the first time, and said with a sincere expression: "The general misunderstood, it's not that Pang Tong doesn't want to help you, it's just that the time hasn't come yet." If all goes well, things will always be clear. ”

Zhang Lang was a little better at this time, so he asked: "Why, is Shi Yuan still hesitant for Zhuge Kongming's invitation?" ”

Pang Tong nodded and said, "The general is not a mortal, and these things can't be hidden from you." ”

Zhang Lang said: "I can understand, but there is one thing, I have always wanted to ask you, I don't know if Shiyuan can solve the doubts in my heart?" ”

Pang Tong stretched out his hand and said, "Please speak up, general." ”

Zhang Lang said: "A few years ago, our army suppressed Shanyue, the battle of Wuliao Mountain, and our army was defeated several times, but it was from the hands of Shiyuan? ”

Pang Tong was a little surprised and said: "The general is really powerful, how could you guess that it was Pang Mou's head?" ”

Zhang Lang smiled proudly: "In the entire Jiangdong, there are only a handful of people who can make our army lose several battles in a row, and you Pang Tong is one of them." ”

Pang Tong was a little puzzled, thinking that he had just arrived in Jiangdong at that time, how could he let Zhang Lang know about himself.

Zhang Lang said: "I don't know if Shiyuan knows that in the past few decades, there have often been a large number of water thieves in the area of Zhuyang Lake?" ”

Pang Tong said: "I heard a little. ”

Zhang Lang said respectfully: "I still hope that Shiyuan will teach me." ”

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