The prelude to the troubled times is about to begin, and Zhang Meng, who has the knowledge of his previous life, does not want to go with the flow.

A good future needs to be actively strived for, as a close minister of Liu Xie, the former king of Chenliu, and also grabbed the rescue in the previous political turmoil, now Liu Xie has ascended the throne as the emperor, and one person has ascended to heaven, and he is bound to be rewarded, which is why he has been patient and has stayed in Luoyang.

Of course, even if he has great achievements, Zhang Meng will not be naïve to think that he can take this step to the sky. There is never absolute fairness in this world, and pay and gain will never be equated, all order is always divided by the most powerful people, there is no strength only ambition, Yuan Shao's ending is a lesson from the past.

On the way to follow Lu Bu to the Taiwei Mansion, Zhang Meng's heart was always weighing.

The fire at the city gate affected the pond fish, and he was not even a small shrimp in the pond, insignificant, so he didn't have to worry about being jealous of Dong Zhuo like Ding Yuan, Yuan Shao and other powerful figures, and Dong Zhuo's impression of himself was not bad, judging from Dong Zhuo's current situation of wantonly wooing scholars, he found himself this time, and nine times out of ten he wanted to reward meritorious deeds, and there was room for maneuver.

Combined with thinking for a few days, Zhang Meng planned to ask Dong Zhuo for a local official position.

In fact, Zhang Meng could have asked to be promoted to the imperial office. For ordinary people, serving in the central government, the comfort of life and work, and the possibility of soaring in the future must be more than one grade better than going to a place, but Zhang Meng quickly dispelled this idea. The reason is very simple, if you want to live well in the current Jingshi, you can only rely on Dong Zhuo.

It is true that Dong Zhuo is now in full swing, holding on to this thigh, and his future in the DPRK is bright. But this is just a bystander's perspective, Zhang Meng, who was familiar with history in his previous life, decided that Dong Zhuo was by no means a long-term backer, and staying in Beijing was really a short-sighted choice.

As a reserve talent, the normal way to promote is to go through the three departments according to their aptitude teaching, screening and assessment, according to the merits of the county commander Changcheng, or by the Lang official to supplement Shang Shulang, and then to supplement the county order. In other words, Zhang Meng has the hope of transferring from Wuguanlang to a county order or a county magistrate, which is difficult to achieve in peacetime, even if those with excellent qualifications do not have three years and five years, but now the situation is different.

The place of work is just to accumulate their own strength. In troubled times, identity and status are all false, and the word strength is the true meaning.

Leaving Buguangli, Zhang Meng found an excuse to briefly return to the mansion.

When Shi A and Shan Zhong saw Zhang Meng coming back, they didn't understand what he meant.

Zhang Meng said: "During my departure, you two will prepare three horses and lead them to wait near the Taiwei Mansion. ”

Shi A was puzzled: "There are three horses in the backyard, Zhang Jun...... You're ......."

Shan Zhong said solemnly: "Don't ask more, Zhang Jun commanded, let's just do it." Then he said to Zhang Meng, "Zhang Jun, you can go by yourself, the two of us will be ready, and all the luggage will be picked up in advance." At that time, as soon as you leave the Taiwei Mansion, you will pick it up immediately, and you will never give others a chance to take advantage of it. ”

When Shi A heard this, he was shocked: "Zhang Jun, are you going to receive a reward, or are you going to break into the tiger's den in Longtan!" ”

Zhang Meng took a deep breath and whispered in a deep voice: "Everything is difficult to say, be prepared." ”

No matter how well he thinks about it, it is not the roundworm in Dong Zhuo's stomach, since he came to this era, Zhang Meng has been reminding himself every moment not to think about everything too simply. History is dead, people are alive, and what they are experiencing is both a familiar era and a strange era.

Lu Bu prepared a horse for Zhang Meng in advance, and the two of them rode south along the avenue after leaving Buguangli, and soon arrived at the southeast hinterland of Luoyang City, where Sikong Mansion, Situ Mansion, and Taiwei Mansion were arranged from north to south.

When the horse was slowing down, Zhang Meng deliberately tested Lu Bu: "Brother Lu, I heard that there was a fire in the Biyong area outside Guo in the south of the city a few days ago, and it took a long time to extinguish it, I don't know what happened?" ”

Lu Bu looked ahead and said lightly: "It is said that Bao Xin's anti-thieves set the fire, in order to cover his escape." ”

"Oh, did you catch Bao Xin?"

"No, his henchmen came to meet him, ran into our army with ox carts, and rescued him. The wreckage of the ox cart was found afterwards, but Bao Xin and his henchmen had already fled eastward, and Dong Gong was benevolent and did not pursue it. ”

Zhang Meng pretended to sigh, shook his head and said, "Let Bao Xin's anti-thief run away, it's a pity!" Pity! ”

Lu Bu said disdainfully: "Li Dao and other waste things, the outcome can be imagined." Snorted coldly, "Just a Bao Xin, he ran away, what a way." Even Yuan Shao and Dong Gong don't pay attention to it. ”

Zhang Meng echoed: "Dong Gong is mighty. ”

Lu Bu continued: "This time, Dong Gong is looking for you to remind you, the opportunity is rare, take advantage of it." The tone was cold.

Zhang Meng looked at him with an indifferent expression, and thought: "This Lu Bu is very different from what I thought before, instead of a heroic momentum, he is a little gloomy. I was incompatible with him, difficult to get close to, and destined to be friends. ”

The door of the Taiwei Mansion standing tall is a double exit, second only to the three exits in front of the heavenly palace, the momentum is majestic and majestic, and the identity of the Taiwei is the first to step in a hundred officials and the heavy soldiers in the world.

Under the eaves of the door, there were many armor soldiers stationed, and when they saw Lu Bu, they dodged the passage.

Seeing this, Zhang Meng thought in his heart: "Lu Bu has been following Dong Zhuo for less than half a month, but he can often see him running around for Dong Zhuo, he should be reused, and he does not have the slightest humility towards Dong Zhuojun's descendants such as Li Dao and Zhang Ji, and Dong Zhuo's mansion also comes and goes with him at will, which shows that he is not only reused, but also trusted by Dong Zhuo." A person like Dong Zhuo, who has his own city government, treats a newcomer so well, I don't know what he likes about him? ”

Walk into the gate, the vestibule is a large area of water pavilion towers, surrounded by flying pavilions, there are warehouse towers, watchtowers and so on, the environment is pleasant and quiet, and the atmosphere of the bear and tiger at the door forms a strong contrast.

Lu Bu is in the front, Zhang Meng is in the back, walking along the Flying Pavilion to the depths of the mansion, the buildings you see are stacked, most of them are Haobi Danzhu, jade steps Tongting, the shape is exquisite and does not lose the atmosphere. Soon go around to the main hall of the front yard, it is even more magnificent, the door is carved with gold lines, the façade is covered with jade ornaments, and it is also equipped with gilded copper pavement. Inside, magnolia rafters are used, apricot wood is used as beams and pillars, and the rafters are covered with gold leaf, all of which are luxurious and noble.

Walking into the deep main hall, it was a lot cooler in an instant, and after only a few steps, a hearty laughter sounded, which sounded deafening in the empty hall.

"Chengying, you can make the old man wait! Hahahaha! ”

Zhang Meng looked fixedly, only to see a person turned out from behind the curtain, with a high crown and a big waist, he was Dong Zhuo, and he was changed into regular clothes at the moment, and he didn't see a little Confucianism, but he was set off more roughly. He stretched out his sleeves and walked in a sassy manner, and seven or eight maids and maids followed and served, but he could only catch up.

"Dong Gong!" Zhang Meng bowed and saluted, "I haven't seen you for many days, which adds to the spirit of Ryoma." ”

"Hahahaha!" Dong Zhuo raised his head and laughed, the aftermath echoed endlessly, he pulled Zhang Meng and walked to the hall, not forgetting to tell Lu Bu, "Fengxian, what are you doing in a daze, quickly send these subordinates to serve tea and water!" ”

"No."

Lu Bu was very respectful in the face of Dong Zhuo, and his face, which had been tense, was slightly soothed.

Zhang Meng looked at the scene of Lu Bu commanding the servants and slaves, and thought secretly: "I was still puzzled that Lu Bu's personality of rejecting people thousands of miles away, as well as the black spots of killing the master, is really not popular, but in less time, how can Dong Zhuo treat him very well, even more than Guo Yan, Li Dao and other old descendants, now it seems that the biggest advantage of this person is that he is good at things, no matter how he treats his colleagues and subordinates, as long as it is the work ordered by the superiors, no matter how big or small, dirty work is tiring, he will never shirk and complain and do his best, such a person, Who doesn't love to use. ”

Dong Zhuo was the main player, Zhang Meng was the guest, and the two were sitting and talking.

"Oh, say goodbye, I don't want to think it's been more than half a month, Chengying, I didn't let you come to me earlier." Dong Zhuo shook his head and sighed, "Could it be that you don't look down on the old man!" ”

Zhang Meng immediately said: "Dong Gong said that it has passed, where did Chengying dare to forget the ear mention face inside and outside the house that day, but during these days, the Jingshi is under martial law, and Dong Gong, you are busy with official business, I have visited me several times, but I have been turned away." Zhang Meng in his previous life couldn't say this kind of thing at all, and he could only say it if he combined the cynical character of the original owner and the accumulated sophistication of human feelings.

Dong Zhuo touched the thick and hard beard, frowned and shook his head: "Jingshi is under martial law, investigate and eliminate traitors, you are an old man's old friend, and you have the merit of saving the driver, what kind of traitor is it?" It must be that the pigs and dogs under the old man's hands will be wrong, and the next time he sees them, the old man will teach them a good lesson! "Said some scenes.

Zhang Meng pushed the boat down the river and said: "At this time, the internal and external restlessness, the soldiers under the command of Dong Gong are strictly disciplined, and they are doing what they do. can bring out such a soldier, Dong Gong's wrist is even more admirable! Still pinching his nose and putting on a high hat for Dong Zhuo.

Dong Zhuo really ate this, his face was full of red light, and he nodded: "You have this insight, it is not in vain that I value you." ”

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while, and the topic naturally turned to the political turmoil in Luoyang.

Dong Zhuo sighed with his crossed hands: "This time the chaos in Beijing, the evil consequences have actually been buried decades ago. Since the eunuch and his relatives have been fighting so far, many people have been implicated, such as Chen Zhongju, Li Yuanli and others are all benevolent and righteous people who have been framed, so that they have long been turned into rotten bones, and they are still not allowed to turn over. Although I, Dong Zhuo, am a puppet, but I also know good and evil, argue loyalty and treachery, and know black and white, the reason why I am busy for a while is actually running for these loyal and righteous people, Xue Qing is wronged, but I have no time to take care of other things. ”

Chen Zhongju is Chen Fan, and Li Yuanli is Li Ying. Chen Fan, Dou Wu and Liu Shu are collectively known as the "Three Gentlemen", and Li Ying is the head of the "Eight Jun", all of whom were first-class Confucian celebrities in the past, but they were all condemned by the party and even killed because of their involvement in the party dispute with the eunuchs. The people of the time thus juxtaposed the two and praised them with the words "Li Yuanli, a model in the world, not afraid of Chen Zhongju".

Zhang Meng nodded, Dong Zhuo presided over the destruction of the party and corrected the names of the celebrities who had been subjected to the party in the past, although the purpose was to win over the scholars, but at least in terms of results, it was indeed a great good deed.

Dong Zhuo continued: "The court has been chaotic for a long time, the accumulation of evils has been deep, and villains and traitors are rampant. Since I have lifted the party's scum, I will then eliminate the traitors and appoint the pillars of the country to establish order. Do you know that in the past few days, everything I have done in the DPRK and China has been to correct maladministration, eliminate corrupt and corrupt officials who bend the law and derelict their duties, and recruit famous scholars in the world to fill their posts, such as Yingchuan Xun Ciming, Chen Yuanfang, Han Yuanchang, Chen Liushen and Tu Zilong, etc., are all among them. ”

Xun Ciming is Xun Shuang, Chen Yuanfang is Chen Ji, Han Yuanchang is Han Rong, all of them are the representatives of the Yingchuan family, and Shen Tu Zilong is Shen Tu Pan, although he is not from a big family, but he is famous and respected by Guo Tai, Cai Yong and other great Confucians. Dong Zhuo invited these people to enter the court as officials, needless to say, he was also showing favor to the scholars and encompassing them.

Zhang Meng sneered in his heart: "You corrected the maladministration, and you corrected it to the point that even the Son of Heaven has changed, putting the cart before the horse, why did you skip it and not say it?" Even if he didn't think so, he felt that Dong Zhuo was gradually about to talk about the idea of meeting today, so he made persistent efforts to praise: "Dong Gong is bold and determined to reform, and he dares to be the first in the world." ”

When Dong Zhuo heard this, he was overjoyed: "Those who know me, Chengying also." The more he talked, the more energetic he became, "I only said some big names, and I didn't come one by one for the other people who were not so famous and not so old." In addition to the court officials, I have also appointed many celebrities to be transferred to positions to stabilize the place, such as Han Wenjie, Liu Gongshan, Kong Gongxu, Zhang Mengzhuo, Zhang Ziyi, etc., what do you think? ”

Han Wenjie is Han Fu, Liu Gongshan is Liu Dai, Kong Gongxu is Kong Ling, Zhang Mengzhuo is Zhang Miao, and Zhang Ziyi is Zhang Shi, either a Qingliu person or a Han clansman, each with a reputation.

Zhang Meng only felt that Dong Zhuo was a little flustered, and hurriedly said: "I don't dare to talk about Gaoshi in the next erection." ”

Dong Zhuo seemed to come back to his senses a little, and smiled: "Also, most of them are your elders, I'm afraid they don't have much contact." Speaking of this, he looked at Zhang Meng meaningfully.

Zhang Meng was looked at by his wolf-like eyes, and said with a smirk: "What does Dong Gong think of me?" "Resolve the embarrassment and lose no time in saying your purpose in a joking tone.

Who knew that Dong Zhuo suddenly put away his smile, and his expression was suddenly solemn.

Zhang Meng's heart tightened, but his face still did not change, and he looked at Dong Zhuo with a smile.

Dong Zhuo was silent for a long time, first shook his head, then lowered his eyelids, and gently spit out four words: "You are different." ”

Zhang Meng snorted, only to say that Dong Zhuo was still polite: "It's different? Please make it clear. ”

Dong Zhuo raised his head and his eyes were sharp: "I want to invite the Son of Heaven to worship you as the palace gate Sima, and ...... I have a granddaughter, fourteen years old, who wants to be worthy of you and form a good relationship, I don't know what you think? ”

Zhang Meng was dumbfounded on the spot.