It was not half past the next day, under the dazzling sky, two green flags were flying on the top of a pole about two feet high. A majestic lion with open teeth and claws was embroidered with yellow silk. The flags fluttered in the wind, and the lion It is even more lifelike.
When the bustling crowd in Fuzhou City passed by Ximen Street, they were surprised to find that the door of Fuwei Escort Agency, which had been closed for a long time, was quietly opening with a creaking sound.
Inside the gate, Lin Zhennan was sitting in the courtyard with his five bodyguards, each of whom was fully dressed and holding his breath. Only the chief bodyguard was still wearing a Confucian businessman's green scarf, but he specifically ordered the rest of the house not to come to the front yard. Wander.
Just like an appointment had been made, not long after the door of Fuwei Escorts reopened, the sound of gongs and drums could be heard in the distance on Ximen Street. They were walking along the street in a grand manner, and a team could be vaguely seen holding their heads high. Chest and head to Fuwei Escort Agency with a clear air.
Captain Shi and Captain Zheng looked at each other, and the fingers holding on to the waistrest unconsciously tightened. The already tight joints gradually turned white, and then they looked into the distance again.
The team beating gongs and drums seemed slow, but the marching speed was not sluggish at all. They quickly arrived in front of them. The person at the head strode across the threshold without reporting, and ordered his men to tie up their horses and unload the carts. They were covered tightly with bright red silk The cloth plaque entered the yard.
"Brother Zhennan, you really want to hurt me after not seeing you for a long time!"
Captain Shi had been curious for a long time. He had always wanted to see what kind of luxurious person would lead the team first, who would make the commander uneasy when he saw the letter.
But what disappointed him was that the person who entered the door looked handsome, spoke elegantly, and was elegant and elegant in his movements. Although he called Lin Zhennan a wise brother, he actually looked more than ten years younger than Lin Zhennan. If it weren't for the smile around his eyes. The fine lines of old age do not look like those of a middle-aged person at all.
"Ms. Tian! Lin has also been obsessed with it for a long time. He just wishes he couldn't talk about his true love, so he can't sleep day and night!"
The two of them held their arms and shoulders intimately, and slowly walked towards the lobby in an incestuous manner, like old friends who had met each other frequently, without any smoke.
The bearded Captain Zheng was ready to draw his sword, but when he saw this scene, he was dumbfounded and quietly patted Captain Shi on the back.
"Old Shi, did the chief escort welcome the wrong person? Didn't the uninvited guests come today?"
With a smile on his face, Captain Shi saluted his martial arts comrades who came in together. He instantly transformed into a welcoming pine tree and took a moment to speak to the stunned Captain Zheng.
"Smile... don't think too much. Think about it, when Director Jiang came here a few days ago, was the chief escort so disgusting?"
Lin Zhennan walked to the hall and invited the other party to the honored guest's seat. He sweated a lot and secretly sighed that this person was really here.
Tian Guinong, the leader of the North Sect of Tianlongmen, is known as "Ms. Tian" because of his handsome appearance. He is superb in the swordsmanship passed down from his family. In recent years, he has become prosperous in the world and has been able to get both sides. He has also formed a standard team that travels all over the north and south. , and Lin Zhennan met once in Jiangyin a year ago.
But these are not important. What is important is that the Northern Sect of Tianlongmen has been outside the pass for a long time, and it has not been established for a long time, but it has a close relationship with the Jianzhou people who are also outside the Longxing Pass. Today, he happened to be meeting the fierce dragon crossing the river, so he must have The one who comes is not good.
"Brother Zhennan, I traveled thousands of miles to send you this plaque this time, just to add some color to your Fuwei Escort Agency, but I didn't bring any other gifts. Don't think it's too shabby for me!"
Tian Guinong smiled very kindly, holding Lin Zhennan's hand reluctantly, and looked around the lobby, "The main office is beautiful, it shows that your escort agency business is getting more and more prosperous!"
Lin Zhennan waved his hands in panic, seemingly at a loss.
"Thank you Brother Tian for your kindness. Fuwei Escort Agency is just a small business. Thanks to the support of brothers from all over the world, it can survive. How can I call myself the leader? In terms of martial arts, qualifications, foundation, and connections, I, Lin Zhennan, am no better than Yingying. How dare the light of fire compete with the bright moon?!"
After hearing Lin Zhennan's refusal, Tian Guinong suppressed the smile on his face and patted the other party's arm consolingly.
"My dear brother, why should you be too modest? The Fuwei Escort Agency covers Hujiang and Guangdong, and the escort flag is absolutely infallible. You are a fair and honest person, and you are incomparably submissive in all decisions - I wonder if you are the leader of the alliance, are you going to be the traitor gang in Southern Shaolin?" Did the thief take it?"
When Tian Guinong said this, he looked at Lin Zhennan encouragingly, "This is also the high hope of the imperial court. It is unprecedented. Brother Zhennan, please don't miss this opportunity!"
As Tian Guinong's men suddenly opened the horizontal plaque, it turned out to be "a piece of jade with gold characters in black lacquer". There was no frame decoration, only black lacquer as the base and gold characters, and the six words "General Leader of Southern Green Forest" were written grandly. Li character, silkworm head and swallow tail, bold and unrestrained!
Lin Zhennan quickly kept silent, because he had already seen the seal on the horizontal plaque, which turned out to be Shunzhi's private seal. At this time, if you say something wrong and make a fuss about it, you will be easily punished with contempt.
Lin Zhennan was not expecting that the other party was so aggressive.
Originally, if it was a gangster act, proclaiming himself a martial arts leader or green forest marshal would not be a big deal. As long as he refused, no one could do anything to him.
But if it were replaced by an imperial title from the Qing court, even if it was issued without the permission of the cabinet, it would be an extremely dangerous signal. As the saying goes, there is no reward for no merit. The hat given by the other party is so high. If the head is not strong enough, the two of them will fall to the ground together.
"This this……"
Lin Zhennan's mind was spinning, and he pretended to be speechless and looked at Tian Guinong for a long time.
"The Emperor loves you so much, how can you be so virtuous and capable of Lin? The Fuwei Escort Agency has not yet shown its meager efforts, so I have to report my death in order to express my true feelings!"
Then the conversation changed again, and his voice gradually became more and more passionate, "I am really ashamed to receive this royal plaque today. I will keep it in my house and think about it day and night. I hope to serve the imperial court with this ambition! If my wish is not fulfilled, I will never dare to steal the high name." , so as not to insult the emperor’s high hopes!”
The impassioned words made the martial arts people in the lobby nod their heads and cast admiring glances at Lin Zhennan, which also made Tian Guinong's Tianran smile freeze for a few seconds.
Lin Zhennan's words were very beautiful, but they clearly expressed two meanings.
First, I keep this sign high and offer it as a tribute. Whatever the court says, I don’t dare to say more. Second, I am not worthy of being the leader of the alliance. I will do it when I am qualified. As for when I will be qualified. , I have the final say on this.
The interesting thing about this approach is that Jianghu has always been a self-contained place, and the emperor cannot speak easily. Not to mention the emperor's decree, even if the King of Heaven and Brigadier Chen come, everyone will not accept it.
The Qing Ting hopes to promote Lin Zhennan to death, but people in the world may not necessarily recognize this name. Otherwise, let the emperor designate the master as the head of Wudang or the abbot of Shaolin?
Therefore, Lin Zhennan's words calmed down the martial arts people who were a little jealous. Everyone has the final say on who the real leader is. It's just a sign. Taking it home is a crime of beheading, so let Fuwei Escorts keep it for themselves.
Tian Guinong was also a wonderful man. He suddenly raised his hands in shame and said, "Brother Lin Xian is so far-sighted! His Majesty gave the plaque to Brother Yu. I was very proud of myself for a few days, but it was just a blind eye, and I made the world smile..."
Lin Zhennan breathed a sigh of relief and said to Tian Guinong in surprise, "Brother Tian, why do you have to be so humble? Brother Tian must be..."
"It's embarrassing to say that the imperial court issued four plaques, respectively naming the leaders of the Green Forest Alliance in the southeast, northwest, and southeast, and the murderous person as the leader of the northern alliance. It's a shame."
Tian Guinong said slowly, "The Holy Father has also decreed that the four sects in the southeast, northwest, and southeast, together known as the eight most famous sects in the world, will officially issue the edict during the Mid-Autumn Festival today, and sincerely invite the world's heroes to gather in the capital to be enthroned!"
Lin Zhennan was extremely shocked after hearing this. The Qing court was much better at recruiting martial arts people than the San Francisco dynasty. Since ancient times, there has been no first in literature and no second in martial arts. Using the method of imperial enfeoffment and imperial conferment to encompass the martial arts, one can easily draw Zhengshuo. Once someone takes refuge in San Francisco, he only needs to open the golden mouth, and there will naturally be countless others. The Jianghu sect brought the other party down.
This is not a question of whether the people in the arena recognize it or not, but a business of killing people by order and carrying out murders by imperial orders. It is reasonable for the Yamen to sidetrack. There are more or less conflicts of interest among Jianghu sects. It is not easy to take this opportunity to divide and disintegrate.
Let's not talk about it, just talk about the Southern Shaolin, which used to be on par with the Songshan Shaolin. After being labeled as a rebel a few months ago, it can only live with its tail between its legs. It no longer has the heroic spirit that shocked the southeast.
"Ms. Tian, I wonder who owns the other plaques?"
Tian Guinong took a sip of tea and said solemnly.
"According to the wishes of the current Holy Lord, the shameless brothers of you and me will always belong to the north and south of the green forest. The leader of the West Road Alliance has other arrangements, and I don't know about it."
"This leader of the Green Forest East Road Alliance was originally going to be given to the powerful Wang Lao Wang of Heshuo, but the old hero was old and did not want to get involved in Jianghu affairs, so he gave it to his disciple, Shang Jianming of Shangdong Fort, Shandong. This person’s Bagua Sword Palm is extremely powerful, and he truly deserves his reputation!”
"As for the four major sects in the southeast, northwest and northwest, Shaolin is in the north, Wudang is in the south, Emei Sect is in the west, and Taiji Sect is in the east. They have been settled for a long time, but there is no need to guess."
Lin Zhennan nodded quickly and called the emperor a sage. He was really wise, but in his heart he wanted to turn the table over.
This arrangement is too sinister. Among the four major sects, Wudang and Shang Kexi have some collusion, Emei and Wu Sangui have a close relationship, and Northern Shaolin and Taiji Sect have some dirty tricks. The Qing court obviously wants to drive away wolves and swallow tigers. , if any of them dares to cause trouble, Southern Shaolin will be set on fire again.
Among the four leaders of the Green Forest Alliance, the powerful Wang Laoxiong founded the Zhenyuan Escort Bureau in Heshuo. His two sons served as military attachés in the Qing court. To appoint his disciples was equivalent to appointing him and the Bagua Sect, and secretly provoked the Bagua Sect. The battle with Taijimen.
Are these eight famous families on the list? The ones on the hit list are pretty much the same.
Fuwei Escort Agency has been included in this assassination list. From now on, it can only feel like a thorn in the back. Either it will work conscientiously like Tian Guinong, or it will tremble and hope that the knife will not be swung at them!
The two of them flattered the court a few more times without smiling, and then Lin Zhennan suddenly remembered the people in the audience and hurriedly said to Tian Guinong.
"Mr. Tian, Mr. Lin was negligent and forgot to ask the names of the heroes!"
Tian Guinong smiled lightly and pointed at several martial arts people who came with him.
"These are all friends who were traveling together on the road. The first one is the "hundred-armed bear" Xiong Yuanxian from the Pingtong Escort Agency, and the next one is the "sickly bearded" Tao Baisui from the Yinma Escort Agency. They are all the same. A martial arts hero is here to visit you today."
The two of them greeted Lin Zhennan respectively, but their expressions were particularly unruly and seemed to mean something profound.
"Another one is Ma Xingkong from the Pegasus Escort Agency. He is nicknamed the 'Yum Fist' in the world. He shocked the north and the south with his punches. He is also a famous name that I have admired you for a long time."
I have never heard of the first two escort chiefs, Lin Zhennan. I think they are just one of the escort agencies under Tianlongmen. The Pegasus Escort Agency is different from the previous two. As a standard agency, it has long been famous in Heluo. It has been passed down from father to son for several generations. A master of boxing.
Lin Zhennan quickly raised his hands and saluted.
"Boss Ma, I'm glad to meet you! This visit is really wonderful. You must stay a few more days and let Mr. Lin express your feelings!"
Tian Guinong smiled and waved his hand.
"Brother, there is no need to be polite. This time I am sending you a plaque for my brother. I just want to remind you that fighting for fame and fortune is always dangerous. Now that the royal plaque is in my house, don't make any mistakes, otherwise the Mid-Autumn Festival will suffer. !”
Lin Zhennan nodded repeatedly.
"It's exactly what Mr. Tian said! I will send people to guard day and night and never let the thieves take advantage of it!"
Tian Guinong smiled lightly and continued.
"The imperial envoy gave instructions when he came. The thieves are in the dark and we are in the light. The day and night defenses are always lax. You must choose a master to lead you. Only then can you sit back and relax. My subordinates have low martial arts skills. Since they are here today, they are not I am stingy with my power and willing to compete with the warriors in my house to choose the true master!"
Tian Guinong finally saw it, with a hint of pride in his smile, "This is also what the Holy Father ordered, don't blame me for being troublesome!"
Lin Zhennan also smiled, but the hand holding the cup unconsciously tightened a little.
Fuwei Escort Agency is now trapped in the house and cannot go out. It has been suppressed to the limit by the Qing court. Then it immediately promoted its reputation to the extreme with a plaque. It is tantamount to pouring the medicine of tiger and wolf to a seriously ill and dying person. Returning to the light is the only way to a dead end.
Instead of believing that the other party had no ill intentions, Lin Zhennan would rather write his name backwards.
What does it mean to select a master? This is obviously to find out the truth and falsehood of Fuwei Escort Agency, and at the same time suppress the momentum of the Escort Agency!
If you win this contest, you will lose your troops and your foundation. If you lose, it will shake people's hearts. Maybe the sign that Lin Zhennan has worked so hard to build will be destroyed.
But it happened that the other party had a sacred mandate. Tian Guinong had just tricked him into saying words of gratitude for surrendering. At this time, he could not turn a blind eye. The Qing court said that he needed to be protected by a master, and he had to complete the order even if he risked his fortune.
"Boss Mr. Xiong and Mr. Tao are both very knowledgeable. I wonder which one of my disciples is willing to offer some advice to Lin Xiandi today?"
Tian Guinong said without hesitation. In the team that came together to deliver the plaque, many people who were eager to give it a try were already looking at him. There were even a few particularly young men and women who wanted to step forward with joy.
Lin Zhennan slowly exhaled and said while turning back.
"Among the escort leaders, if any of you are willing to volunteer, why not take a step forward?"
As soon as these words came out, the four escort leaders Zheng, Cui, Jidi and others took a step back without hesitation, leaving the escort commander Shi alone at the front.
