Hedong Corridor, on the way to Yumen Pass.
"Zhang Tangsheng, it's getting late today. We have to get to Yumen Pass before dark. Yumen Pass is still ten miles ahead. Brothers, we have to speed up. There may be some bumps on the road, so please be patient. "
Outside the carriage, the voice of Zhou Yi, the head of the escort team, suddenly sounded. After hearing this, Zhang Zheng looked from the window and saw that the sky was getting dark.
Dang Ji replied: "Zhou Du is quickening his head. Don't worry about Zhang. You can't let you spend the night in the wilderness because of Zhang."
Zhang Dutou laughed loudly: "Hahahaha, brothers, did you hear that? Tangsheng Zhang is thinking about the brothers everywhere, and the guards behind him need to pay attention!"
The guards immediately agreed: "Hahahahaha! Don't worry, I'll take care of this naturally!"
"Okay! Then let's speed up! Drive!"
"Drive! Drive! Drive!..."
There was a sound of whips, and the speed of the team suddenly accelerated. Hundreds of people rode horses and drove cars quickly along this thousand-year-old road!
It always gets dark earlier in the northwest than in Guanhai, especially in winter.
Zhang Zheng and his party finally arrived at Yumen Pass before it got completely dark. At this time, the gate was about to close and the group happened to catch it at the last moment.
? At first, when they saw Baiqi approaching, the defenders at Yumen Pass were a little wary. It wasn't until Zhou Yi, the leader, took out a token and documents from his arms that the defender let everyone in.
After the group entered the customs, it was getting late, so they didn't do anything else. They honestly found an inn and started to rest.
But Chen Du, the guard of Yumen Pass, received the news of the arrival of the group.
Guard the mansion.
"General, why did King Yun's people come to Yumen Pass?
If they entered the pass, they should have entered through the Liaoyun Pass. Why did they take a long detour to come here? "
Chen Du's deputy general Li Ping said with confusion on his face.
Chen Du also shook his head: "I don't understand either, but since the other party has completed all the procedures, there is no reason for us to stop them. There are only a hundred people. I understand that they can't cause any trouble in the city. When it gets bright tomorrow, Xu will leave. went."
The procedure submitted by Zhou Yi and others was that they were ordered by King Yun to enter the customs here and go to Bianjing to deliver a message.
Therefore, in Chen Du's opinion, this group of people should only stay here temporarily and will leave early tomorrow morning.
And such a voucher is in the hands of every student who is sent out.
However, what Chen Du didn't know was that Zhang Zheng's trip was just for him!
The next day, early morning!
At dawn, Zhang Zheng packed up, put on his most solemn clothes, took five guards with him, came to the gate of the garrison with the invitation, and handed over the invitation!
Inside the mansion.
"What? Visit me?"
Chen Du, who had just gotten up and washed up, was about to patrol the city, suddenly received news that the group of people who entered the city with King Yun's warrant yesterday actually handed him a greeting card. The leader seemed to be a young man who was in the mansion at the moment. Waiting outside, he was shocked immediately!
Why did you come to find yourself?
He was very puzzled, but he still asked someone to invite them in. After giving some instructions, he changed into casual clothes and went to the living room.
…
"Everyone, please have tea! My general will be here soon."
In the living room, the housekeeper served tea to Zhang Zheng and others and said with a smile.
Zhang Zheng hurriedly thanked him and said: "You're welcome, I'm the one who's bothering the general. Don't be in a hurry!"
Before the housekeeper could reply, Chen Du's rough voice came from outside the house.
"I wonder why the magpies have been chirping all morning today. It turns out that some distinguished guests have arrived. Yesterday I heard that you were coming, and I thought that you would continue on your way early this morning, so I didn't visit. I didn't expect that you all came to visit today. Yes, it’s a sin!”
Everyone looked up and saw that even Chen Du strode into the living room dressed in casual clothes.
Seeing that Chen Du was wearing casual clothes, Zhang Zheng's brows twitched, but he quickly regained his composure. He stood up and cupped his hands and said, "The general is not guilty. It's our fault that we came presumptuously and disturbed the general."
"Hahahaha, you're welcome, you're welcome, I don't want to disturb you, please take a seat, sir!"
While speaking, Chen Du came to the main seat and sat down, extending his hand to everyone, and then Zhang Zheng and others sat down one after another.
After everyone sat down, the butler served tea to Chen Du. After Chen Du took a sip, he got straight to the point and asked:
"Since you have entered the pass on the order of King Yun, you must have important things to do. If you are not in a hurry, why are you here?
I am the general guarding the border of the imperial court, and King Yun is the vassal king. It seems a bit inappropriate for King Yun's people to come to see me, right? "
Zhang Zheng shook his head and said: "The general is overly concerned. Zhang came here this time for public service and not for personal gain.
If it is a private matter, it is not appropriate for us to meet with the general, but if it is a public matter, it is the right thing to do, and the general does not have to worry about it. "
"Oh? For public or private reasons?"
Chen Du became interested. What official dealings did he have with King Yun, a vassal king, as a general?
And even if there was official business, the other party would not send just a young man to look for him?
The method used yesterday was to wait for people to pass through the customs. There should be formal means.
Zhang Zhengdang said:
"Zhang will introduce himself first. Zhang is one of the first graduates of the Yunzhou County Political School. The reason for coming this time is to complete the prince's final test task before we join the company.
Zhang decided to go to Yumen Pass, so he came here. "
Political school? Quiz tasks?
These two new words made Chen Du a little confused, and he didn't quite understand the meaning.
Fortunately, Zhang Zheng also noticed his confusion and explained:
"The Political School is a school for our reserve officials in Yunzhou County, similar to our Imperial College in the Song Dynasty.
It's just that people who graduate from the political school will be directly assigned to local posts without having to pass the imperial examination.
The test task is the prince's last test before we are assigned to places. The quality of our assigned places and the quality of our future future should be determined by this. "
"Then what does this have to do with me? Why did you place the test at Yumen Pass? What is the task of the test?"
After Zhang Zheng's explanation, Chen Du finally understood the meaning of these two words. Although he was a little surprised by the political school, those were all matters within Yunzhou County. It was decided by the vassal king, King Yun, and people could do whatever they wanted. What to do is not up to you.
But what about this test? Why put it in my Yumen Pass? What is this test for? Why are you still looking for me?
More questions made Chen Du even more confused.
Zhang Zheng did not hide anything and said directly: "Recently, our Yunzhou County is short of people, especially Song people. In order to fill the missing population, and the Hedong has just passed through the Xiongnu ravages, many people can no longer survive this winter, so the prince sent us to As a test for who can bring back more Song people from Hedong, let us come to Hedong County to bring them back."
"What?! King Yun actually wants to snatch people from our Hedong County! You daredevil came to my Yumen Pass, and you just told me so plainly! You are not afraid that I will capture you now, and then Inform the court of what King Yun has done?"
Chen Du was stunned! Where does this stupid thing come from?
You said you want people to understand. After all, I have long heard that Yunzhou County is a vast area with few people. It is understandable that King Yun would use this method to attract people to enrich the fief.
And as you said, the Huns just came not long ago, and there happened to be many people who couldn't survive. It would be a good thing if they could survive after being taken away by King Yun.
But you have to steal this thing!
Why did this heartless person come to my place so obviously?
Did you tell me directly?
Can this thing be shown openly?
Even this silly thing can graduate from some political hall and become an official.
One can imagine how short of people King Yun is!
So should I report it or not? ha?
However, in the face of Chen Du's shock, Zhang Zheng still smiled slightly and said unhurriedly: "Since Zhang dares to come to the general, he is naturally not afraid of the general reporting it. In other words, it is precisely because of Zhang's special status as a general that he I was able to write to His Majesty directly without going through the local area, so I came to see the general.
The student wants the general to write a letter to the court. We, Yunzhou County, are willing to share the worries of the court and pick up the refugees from Hedong County. We can relieve the worries of the court and your majesty and save a lot of money to help the refugees, so that the court can spend this money. Where it is needed more!
Zhang wants to use the imperial court to take away more people openly and openly through official channels. This is a good thing for Yunzhou County and the imperial court, and it is a win-win situation.
Zhang believes that the court will definitely agree to this matter.
Until then, the students are willing to use themselves as hostage to the general and are willing to pay any consequences for their words and deeds! "
Chen Du took a deep breath and looked at Zhang Zheng with a calm expression. His previous evaluation of his stupidity suddenly disappeared!
This man! Or a madman! Or he is a brave and knowledgeable person!
If you have this kind of style and magnanimity at a young age, you will definitely be extraordinary in the future!
I don't know if he wanted to see if the young man's idea could really be realized, or if he felt pity for the people who were displaced due to the Huns' invasion, he immediately agreed.
"OK!
This general will help you this time!
I want to see if your idea is feasible and whether the court will agree to it as you said.
Let’s say it first, let’s be villains first, then gentlemen.
Until the court's response comes, I will definitely keep you here. "
Zhang Zheng still smiled slightly, nodded, stood up, cupped his hands and said:
"During this period, Zhang has troubled the general to take care of him. Zhang can pay for his daily needs at his own expense, and he will definitely not let the general pay for it."
Chen Du's lips twitched, and he waved his hands and said, "No, I can still afford the money."
Zhang Zheng, however, shook his head firmly and said: "Until the court makes a final decision, this matter is not a public matter. It is the right way for Zhang to pay for it at his own expense. General, please rest assured that His Majesty King Yun has allocated special money for us. Not touching us."
After hearing what he said, Chen Du looked at him intently and nodded heavily after seeing that he still looked neither humble nor arrogant: "Okay, I'll do as you say!"
Then he strode away.
Looking at his back, Zhang Zheng smiled again.
…
(End of chapter)
