Xingji thought thoughtfully and said, "Is the enemy Shi Chunqing? Or is it that Shangzhu country?"
Tang Zhaodao: "There are all. There may even be other 'old acquaintances'. Shi Chunqing has appeared before, but it cannot be settled. The Shangzhu Kingdom has never appeared from the beginning to the end. It was the highest battle between the Yunzhou Turtle Bandits. Li, I think he is at least a swordsman, right? He did not lead any team to attack, but only arranged for his men to appear separately. He himself should still be lying in wait for the moment to make a final appearance. Or, in other words, waiting for some opportunity. "
When will he show up? Will he show up again?
Thinking at the best, all his men were wiped out as if they were dead. Did he simply give up because he lost his arms and knew it couldn't be done?
Tang Zhao intuitively felt that it would not be that simple. The other party should appear. If he did not appear now, it was just that the time had not come yet, but he could not draw a conclusion. Because he lacks information.
In other words, he didn't know the nature of the turtle attack.
What did they come for?
Even with an insider like Pei Shoujing, he still didn't know what the turtle bandits wanted when they came to his door. This is a secret that even Shangzhuguo's confidants don't know, and the implications must be quite high.
Without knowing this, he couldn't tell whether Shangzhu Kingdom would come. Is the strategic goal still there, so we will never give up? Or has the target disappeared and the enemy retreated? Or has the target not appeared yet, and the other party is waiting for further information to decide whether it needs to take action?
In fact, he could ask a bigger question, what is the strategic goal of the series of trouble-making actions of the turtles and bandits?
He met the turtle pirates three times, and twice he didn't know why. In Jianzhou, he knew that what the turtle bandits wanted was Kunjian. At the foot of Yunzhou City, he didn't know what the turtle bandits were going to do, and he still doesn't know. When it's my turn at home, I still don't know. But there must be a main thread in the action of Gui Kou with a hammer in the east and a stick in the west, right? Taking action in Yunzhou is a risk. If it weren't for huge benefits, why would there be continuous actions one after another?
All I can say is that it’s not impossible to guess if you have to guess.
The key point is that Zhuoyu Villa is no longer a day or two on the mountain. It used to be much emptier than it is now. Not to mention other times, Tang Zhao and Jiang Shenyi went down the mountain to Kungang, and Shi Chunqing had also rebelled. The mountain was so empty, why not at that time? Take action? The sword-making conference is now the time when the most stringent precautions are taken. Why is it happening now?
Was it because Shi Chunqing rebelled and came down from the mountain and revealed what treasures there were in Zhuoyu Villa that the turtle bandits were tempted and launched a massive attack?
Tang Zhao didn't think so. If there really was any treasure, Shi Chunqing would have dismantled it when he rebelled. He knocked everyone down at that time, what couldn't he take away? Even if the treasure is Xue Xianyun's true form, he can still carry it away.
What if it was something that didn’t exist at the time?
For example...
The sword Xue Xianyun wants to forge?
Tang Zhao had some vague speculations before. The turtle bandits could plot one sword in Jianzhou, but why couldn't they plot another sword in Yunzhou?
But the problem is...how can the sword made by Xue Xianyun be so virtuous?
It's not that Tang Zhao was disrespectful to his master, even Xue Xianyun himself would never believe that his sword could be compared with the Kun sword left by the sword master.
Who doesn’t know this? Even if the turtle bandits don't know, Shi Chunqing should know it and remind the turtle bandits to know.
But the turtle bandits are still here. After spending such a price and putting in such effort, they must have the intention to win, and there must be a purpose that cannot be given up. This is something Tang Zhao couldn't figure out despite all his efforts.
From this point of view, Tang Zhao felt that Shang Zhuguo would definitely come. It is unreasonable to throw away so many subordinates and financial resources and suffer such huge losses. The strongest man stepped down in embarrassment before he even appeared on the stage. He endured this silently and did not even dare to come up and shout. Although the turtle bandits are called "turtles", they are not so huddled.
"Shangzhu Kingdom, it's such an old term." Xing Ji briefly recalled it and said, "It is said that there were twelve Shangzhu Kingdoms among the turtle bandits, and they inherited the style of the previous dynasty. There were four directions in all directions. It was true in the previous dynasty. They are twelve swordsmen, and they are swordsmen who are powerful enough to frighten one party. Although the Wei Dynasty valued spiritual officials and despised swordsmen, they could not violate the iron law that force is king in troubled times. Once the life or death is critical, these twelve people have the control The army and power have become the real enemies of our dynasty. They caused a lot of trouble in the battle of Jin and Ding."
Tang Zhao suddenly felt something in his heart and said: "There are four directions in all directions, so these twelve people are from the southeast, northwest, spring, summer, autumn and winter?"
Xing Ji said: "Exactly. Spring, summer, autumn and winter, southeast, northwest, southeast, northeast, southwest and northwest. Although it may not sound good, it is easy to remember. You can't use the twelve zodiac signs, right?"
Tang Zhao nodded slowly, looking thoughtful, as if he suddenly thought of something.
Xing Ji said: "But although they were strong at that time, the Jin Dynasty was even stronger, and there was no shortage of powerful swordsmen. After a great battle, ten people from the twelve pillar states were killed, and only a few people from the two pillar states of Chun and Dong were left. The royal family retreated and took away most of the Zhuguo's swords. This is why the turtle bandits are still a phenomenon. But now that they have been wandering in the rivers and lakes for so many years, several old swordsmen are gone, and the newcomers may not be able to return. Even if we gather twelve of them, we will not be as powerful as before. If there is only one Shangzhu Kingdom, even if it is as powerful as the legend back then, am I afraid of him? They are all swordsmen, Is he capable of facing a pair? He can't give up halfway, am I going to give up a good situation to others? "
Tang Zhao nodded in agreement, of course he just listened. They are all swordsmen, but swordsmen are also divided into strong, weak and good. For example, Ping Jiangqiu, his sword is indeed magical, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a gift of supernatural power when used well, but it was a shame for old man Ping to be a swordsman when he was hiding in a jar, and he was caught by a swordsman. Of course Xing Ji is different. Xing Ji is also experienced in hundreds of battles and is good at fighting. But isn’t Shangzhu Guo also experienced in hundreds of battles? Moreover, the swords of the Zhu Kingdom are inherited in an orderly manner. Although using the old swords of the predecessors will limit the upper limit of future growth, it also increases the strength and thickness, allowing you to enjoy the accumulated experience of the predecessors and take advantage of the battle. And Xing Ji has only been a swordsman for a few years. How many sword skills has he developed? It's better not to fight easily.
Xingji didn't just try to take over everything, he said: "Don't worry, even if I can't beat him, I can still win over him. Don't forget that I have a backing, which is better than what you can do."
Tang Zhao thought to himself, even if he could shake people, water from far away could not quench the thirst from near, right? If the opponent arrives in an instant, can reinforcements still fall from the sky? If there is a duel between swordsmen, apart from Xing Ji, it seems that Ping Jiangqiu is the only one on the scene...
Not very reliable, right?
At this time, Tang Zhao naturally could not increase the ambition of others and destroy his own prestige. He nodded and said: "If Shangzhu Kingdom comes, I will naturally hand it over to Mr. Xing. If Shi Chunqing comes..."
Xing Ji said: "I didn't know the result of your battle that day, but Shi Chunqing actually escaped?"
Tang Zhaodao: "Rather than escaping, it's better to say that he played a trick, teased everyone, and lurked himself. Hua Qian later said frankly that he thought Shi Chunqing chose to leave on his own, and he didn't go far."
He closed his eyes slightly, then opened them, and said: "I think he didn't count on the turtle bandits when he went up the mountain again, but had already thought about it, taking this opportunity to lurk on the mountain, waiting for the critical moment - I'm afraid it's today - — Come out again. Do what he’s going to do.”
Xingji thought thoughtfully and said, "Do you think what he wants to do is different from that of the turtle bandits?"
Tang Zhao said: "At least part of it is different. Regarding the turtle bandits, I can only make random guesses, but for Shi Chunqing, I can at least guess one of his purposes."
Xing Ji asked curiously: "What is the purpose?"
Tang Zhao opened his mouth, his expression became slightly gloomy, and he stopped talking.
Xing Ji saw a hint of sadness in his expression, which seemed to have touched some heartstrings, so he changed the subject and said, "I'll give you a suggestion. If you can feel the turtle's pulse, you'd better do it during this conference. Stimulate them to take action. As the saying goes, it's better to be late than early, and it's better to be a guest than a host. Don't delay so that they won't move, and you will become passive."
Tang Zhao nodded and said: "I understand what you mean. I have already put in so much effort to invite everyone here. How long will it take if I don't take this opportunity to concentrate all my strength on defeating the enemy? Not to mention avoiding future troubles, at least it will cause them heartache. , when I think about it today, I no longer dare to covet it. Otherwise, how can we gather it again next time? I dare not say what Shangzhu Kingdom is, but I can definitely fish out Shi Chunqing."
Xing Ji said: "This is one of them. Furthermore, the heroes of the world are gathered here, and you should show your strength. A true swordsmith is certainly respectable, but a powerful swordsmith is truly awe-inspiring. Only people are willing to pay more to make friends. Yunzhou is already a relatively safe place, but you still need strength as your foundation. This is a universal truth. And... showing strength may also lead to unexpected surprises." said At this point, he smiled slightly, which was quite mysterious.
Tang Zhao looked at him with some doubts, but Xing Ji did not say any more, but sighed with emotion: "You have really grown up now. Not only are you good at martial arts and knowledge, but you are also an excellent strategist. You are already better than I thought at the beginning. I didn’t expect that kid back then would reach this point in just three or four years. You are now a swordsmith, and you have your own sword—is it your sword?"
Tang Zhao said: "Of course."
Xing Ji said: "Now that I have found the sword, I can be a swordsman just around the corner. It's time to step onto a bigger stage. Although Zhuoyu Villa is good, it is just your school and your starting point. Now you are getting more and more mature and showing off your skills." Wings, borrow the east wind, ride on the blue clouds, the world is so big, where can’t you go? Don’t be afraid to show your sharpness, the real good things in this world can only be obtained by those who face the challenges head-on and persevere."
Tang Zhao nodded. Xing Ji's encouragement was extremely sincere. Just like before, he also received this sincerity from his close teacher. His heart was surging secretly, but his face was as calm as a lake. He then said: "I will be at the banquet." I'm going to make a move, Mr. Xing, you have to cooperate with me."
