Zhang Xing, who was separated from the masses, ate the chicken legs deliciously, but Taoist Wei and the others could not help but change their expressions... No matter what, although they were all rebellions, and although the slogans were loud, hundreds of thousands of people attacked cities and territories and swept away prefectures and counties. This kind of thing really left them Some Ye Gong like dragons.
In fact, this is the most direct reason why Taoist Wei and Xiong Bonan came directly to express their friendship, because Zhang Xingzhen turned around and killed Zhang Jinscale, whom he had promised to kill before.
That's fifty to sixty thousand people.
And it is precisely because of this that they are extremely cautious about this issue.
"Is it possible that Cheng Dalang... is deliberately raising a hand for the gang center, us, and Mr. Zhang?" Taoist Wei was the first to speak, but he seemed a little doubtful. "Putting the matter to us, if something goes wrong, it's natural to say that it was our blind command that caused the matter. However, Po Tai didn't know that it was our decision, but rather his hard work."
"There must be some."
Zhang Xing finished chewing the chicken legs, resisted the desire to continue eating, and tried to maintain his posture to answer.
"It would be strange if a person like Cheng Dalang didn't have this kind of mind... However, when people encounter difficulties, they should come to ask for instructions as a matter of course. It is fair and aboveboard, and we should respond as a matter of course... As for personal authority, it doesn't sound good. , if he is victorious in every battle, loves his soldiers as much as his son, and keeps the people at ease, we can never stop him from turning Po Tai, an area and an army into his own manor; but on the other hand, if we act fairly, be impartial and unbiased, and do When rewards and punishments are well-founded and rewards and punishments are reasonable, no matter how bad his intentions are, we can always catch the first and second leaders..."
At this point, Zhang Xing calmed down and said seriously: "I still say what I said, if you want to do something, some secret calculations are inevitable, but if you want to do big things, you have to have something upright... Cheng Dalang sent a letter to ask for instructions in an upright manner, and we We should consider it for him openly and make a reply."
It’s nothing like the others. When Taoist Wei heard this, he couldn’t help but nodded: “Indeed, it is indeed so!”
Niu Da finally understood what he heard and asked, "If this is the case, should we let Cheng Dalang go?"
"If we don't go, the Gao, Sun, and Wang families will join forces with hundreds of thousands of troops to raid Dengzhou and get this year's autumn grain and local money and silk. Will they cross the Bohai Sea and swallow up Po Tai?" Taoist Wei said seriously. opinions.
"But if I go..." Xiao Zhou rarely spoke, but only after he spoke did he belatedly raise his hands in the middle of the table as a sign of respect. "Isn't it true that we have been working in tandem with local states and counties in vain? And we have gathered hundreds of thousands of people to attack states and counties. No matter how difficult it is, the imperial court should urge the Hejian and Xuzhou camps to come out. Isn't it afraid that Putai will be easily swept away by the imperial army? What's more? , according to my observation, most of the people in Pu Tai are gathered with military officials from all over Hebei, and they are actually very resistant to the rebels. This time they are willing to join our Deposed Dragon Gang, and the third brother promised before that this can allow them to unite. Prefectures and counties should avoid the imperial army coming to suppress them in the future."
"I understand a little bit about this, and it's really a dilemma." Niu Da sighed with emotion. From his position, he actually understood the difficulty of walking on a tightrope.
"I don't understand strategy." Xiong Bonan clearly showed his attitude when he heard this. "But I feel that since our Deposed Dragon Gang clearly wants to rebel and eliminate those who are violent, we should no longer pretend to be like we used to...rebellion should have the appearance of rebellion...It really doesn't work. I'll go to Puzhou Taiwan, Gao Shitong and Sun Xunzhi, I have always been in contact with each other. It is time to give Cheng Dalang a foundation and attack Dengzhou. The worst is, let him take less people."
"This is actually not necessarily impossible." Taoist Wei smiled slightly and was about to continue talking, but unexpectedly his eyes glanced at Zhang Xing and he was surprised. "Why is Mr. Zhang frowning?"
By the way, while several others were discussing, Zhang Xing had gradually realized the problem...that is, ideas are always good, plans are always feasible, but in fact, there will always be unexpected things and people who lose control. It's just that some of these people and things are for the better, and some are for the worse.
Changing to the current situation, Zhang Xing also immediately realized a particularly serious problem, and it was a problem that he had not thought of before, and it seemed that no one else had thought of it before and now.
"I have an explanation." Upon hearing Wei Xuanding's inquiry, Zhang Xing responded seriously, stroking his shiny lips. "Have you ever thought about something? That day when we fought Zhang Jinscale, in order to ensure victory, we also took a fancy to Cheng Dalang's ability and strength, and due to geography, the largest powerful family nearby was his, so we roped in Cheng Dalang and Half the county of Putai and an army were promised to him...but precisely because of this, the territory and tribes he actually controlled were divided into two, half in Henan, half in Hebei, and half in the core They are partial court officials, and half of the core are local tycoons..."
"That's it." When Taoist Wei heard this, he suddenly came to his senses, which attracted others to look at him. "His manor, ancestral property, and his hometown in Henan are one, but Putai, Hebei is another one, with completely different numbers of roads on both sides... For example, this time, hundreds of thousands of rebels are preparing to sweep Dengzhou, from the Henan side In other words, he should take the initiative to cater to the rebels in order to protect his hometown and property; but from Putai, Hebei, he should sit on the sidelines and even help Bohai County make early preparations! No wonder Cheng Dalang is in trouble! He should want to cater to the rebels and protect his hometown , but it’s just a new arrival. It’s hard to force the Putai Army to dispatch, so we need an explanation!”
At this point, Taoist Wei went to see Xiong Bonan again: "Chief Xiong, you really have to go... Mr. Zhang is not going, so Mr. Zhou should also go with him to help Cheng Dalang persuade his subordinates to cross the river with him. The rebels gather.”
Xiong Bonan was overjoyed, but was stunned because Zhang Xing simply shook his head this time.
"Master Zhang?" Xiong Bonan asked seriously. "Is there anything wrong with what Duke Wei said?"
Taoist Wei and others also came to see Zhang Xing.
"What Mr. Wei said is right, that should be it." Zhang Xing seemed a little hesitant. "But there is one thing... I have a guess."
"Third Master, please tell me." Taoist Wei then handed over his hand, but he seemed to have a slightly unyielding attitude.
"Actually, it's nothing. I just think that Gao Shitong, Sun Xunzhi, and even Wang Hou will sell their face to King Xiongtian and Cheng Dalang and promise not to touch Cheng Dalang's three-acre land... But even if they promise, I'm afraid they can't stop Cheng Dalang. The area around my hometown is in ruins." Zhang Xing spoke carefully. "Because I don't think they have the ability to restrain hundreds of thousands of people. It's okay to have a target in front of them, but once they win or lose, chaos will immediately break out... Especially since Cheng Dalang is clearly the richest people around Dengzhou. A safe place.”
Xiong Bonan was a little confused because he had no memory of this kind of thing. Even if he tried hard to think about it, he couldn't think of what was going on. However, Niu Da and Xiao Zhou both nodded slowly... because the latter two had seen the rebels. What will happen once the large army loses control?
Taoist Wei thought for a moment and then asked: "I actually believe what Mr. Zhang said, but the question is whether Cheng Dalang believes it or not?"
"That's what I mean." Zhang Xing also nodded. "So after thinking about it, there are some things that I can't help. As long as we are benevolent and righteous, we just need to do our best... King Xiongtian!"
Xiong Bonan was startled and immediately responded.
"You can go as usual!" Zhang Xing responded sincerely. "Go meet Cheng Dalang, Gao Shitong, and Sun Xunzhi, and set up a line for them. What should be said, what should be said, what should be done, what should be done. You are an expert in the affairs of the world... Just negotiate it... By the way, we are here The things we discussed on the side must also be formally written in the letter, and please bring it with you formally, including saying that his hometown may not be able to be saved."
Xiong Bonan nodded heavily, but much more solemnly than before.
"Leader Niu." Zhang Xingfu looked at Niu Da again.
Niu Dabixiong Bonan knew a lot, so he immediately stood up and handed over his hands: "Third brother's orders."
"Go to Xu Dalang's place tomorrow and ask him to gather his family's boats, as well as the Lu brothers' brothers on the river, all get together and go downstream. If there is an emergency, there is such a force on the river. It will be much more convenient...Xiao Zhou will go down with the fleet."
"I know." Niu Da immediately responded and sat down, while Xiao Zhou quickly stood up and made a small gesture before sitting down.
"Wei Gong." Zhang Xingfu came to see Taoist Wei again. "Do you think this is feasible? If it is possible, you will write this letter, and the two of us will sign it together... We will make our judgment clear, understand his difficulties, and ask King Xiongtian to help him contact Gao and Sun. , let’s also prepare here on the river?”
"Of course it's appropriate." Taoist Wei twisted his beard and thought for a moment, then nodded. "Of course it's appropriate. What else can be done? What else can be done?"
Zhang Xing nodded, feeling hungry again, and immediately ate half of the roast chicken before he finished.
After the meal was over, everyone just took down the small banquet, spread it on the table, and asked Taoist Wei to write a letter in the name of the chief of the Deposed Dragon Gang. Then Zhang Xing also signed his name, and then sealed it together, but also sealed it. The matter was settled.
After handling the matter, Xiong Bonan left the platform, and Zhou Xingfan also went to join the Lu brothers to prepare the fleet and sail down the river. As for Zhang Xing and Zhang Longtou, they stayed outside Puyang City to continue their symposium.
Frankly speaking, although the effect is gradually getting better, it still seems a bit difficult... Zhang Xing himself is also a bit drummer, and he doesn't know if it is useful. But based on his experience and thoughts, it would be a bit difficult to accept if he doesn't give it a try.
However, compared with Zhang Xingwan's hard-working meridians in the normal meridians stage, at the same time, other places in the Qilong Gang were like those in the eight extraordinary meridians stage, but they were easy to clear up at every turn.
In Hebei, Li Shu received almost all the help from the Fang family, and took advantage of the window of opportunity after Zhang Jinsheng's collapse to quickly expand his power in Qinghe County under the pretext of the Fang family's stabilization of the place, and actually controlled many territories and territories. In terms of manpower, many people from Hebei who came from noble families also came to invest.
At the same time, here in the upper reaches of Jishui River, Shan Wang, Xu Liu and others were also making smooth progress.
Xu Dalang successfully gained the recognition of the prefect of Dongjun and was appointed as the captain of Baima County. He openly brought his own armed forces into Baima City, which was the county seat of Dongjun at this time, and even controlled Baimajin, the most important river.
Shan Dalang's internal strategy also worked wonders. He asked Liang Jiading to lead people into Juye Ze, and he cooperated with others inside and outside. He had successfully won over a considerable number of deserters from Juye Ze, and he also asked another subordinate Xia Hou Ningyuan to lead everyone to Dongping. Lishan County, at the junction of Jiyin County and Dongjun County, echoes Liang Jiading in Juye Zezhong... It can only be said that although Shan Dalang is focused on cultivation and force, he is also very good at playing chess. not bad.
Wang Wulang was also not idle. When Xu Dalang was taking the official road, he accepted a large amount of ordnance sent by Zhang Xing and directly assumed the attitude of attacking the enemy. He went to Huanshui to expand his strength, expelled those who were pushed over, and relied on Huanshui. The bandits who live on the water have aggressively annexed and controlled them, and their forces have actually reached the upper reaches of the Huan River, echoing the people of the Huaiyou League.
Wang Wulang's move also made his family, Wang Zhen, who entered Mangdang Mountain with the acquiescence of the Huaiyou League, quickly become stronger, vaguely threatening to annex other leaders, and completely control Mangdang Mountain.
Under this situation, the forces of the Huaiyou Alliance that were previously thought to be a help now became a faint obstacle to the expansion of the two kings' strength.
Even Taoist priest Wei Xuanding has not been idle these days. Under the banner of deposing the chief of the Dragon Gang, he is unscrupulously wooing low-level officials from the local area in the safe zone surrounded by Xu, Dan, and Wang, with remarkable results. .
In almost every city in Dongjun and Jiyin counties, there are hidden and open lines of the Deposed Dragon Gang.
This kind of progress is of course understandable, because this is the time when the army is at its weakest...or at least when it seems to be at its weakest, because Wei's counterattack is about to begin, but it has not started yet. But here in the hometown of Dong Qi, almost everyone in the local elite group, whether they are aristocratic families or powerful petty officials, wants to change... Often a letter, a visit, and at most a show of power can easily win people over.
Not to mention, the two rebel thieves of the Deposed Dragon Gang, who are well-known and well-known, plus the financial, material and manpower of several local tycoons, have easily become the beacon of anti-thief in the upper reaches of Jishui River.
Under this situation, Zhang Xing was both excited and worried.
Needless to say, I am excited. After all, I created it myself, or the organization I participated in creating is making great strides to expand... The revolutionary cause is in full swing.
The worries come from two aspects.
On the one hand, he has always been extremely wary of the counterattack of the Wei Dynasty, or the central court in this spiritual world. The "heroes of the world" mentioned by Li Ding will definitely appear, and the court's counterattack will also happen. It would definitely be intense... But on this side, he had already been mentally prepared.
The real problem lies on the other side... Zhang Xing was vaguely aware that in the face of such strong expansion, ambition and arrogance gradually developed within the Deposed Dragon Gang.
In fact, he had seen this kind of arrogance and ambition during the Battle of Douzigang that day. Cheng Dalang was "just like that", but Cheng Dalang was older and more cautious. In addition, Li Ding and Zhang Xing He also relied on these two to hand over the Po Tai Army to him smoothly, so he forcibly restrained himself.
And now and then, changing to the upper reaches of Jishui River, what happened in the lower reaches of the river will only further stimulate the competitiveness of the leaders here... What's more, as mentioned before, none of these big leaders They are easy to get along with. They all have their own plans, and the main leaders have their own independent territory and power. It is impossible to completely suppress them by relying on an empty leader identity... In fact, even Taoist Wei has some Zhang Xing couldn't restrain his impatient attitude.
Not to mention, there is someone like Li Shu who obviously wants to compete with Zhang Xing.
Therefore, Zhang Longtou is also thinking about how to face the impending surge these days, whether it will be sparse or blocked.
Only things always come faster than expected.
Around the end of August, the town of Dengzhou County in the lower reaches of the river had not yet been destroyed, and the soldiers and horses of Hejian Camp and Xuzhou Camp had not yet been dispatched. Shan Dalang, who had been operating near Juyeze in Dongping County, suddenly met with the leader Xiahou Ningyuan came to Puyang in person and handed a letter to Zhang Xing and Taoist Wei.
The letter is very simple. What I have seen the most recently are similar letters. They are nothing more than some local elites in the hometown of Dong Qi. When the Dragon Gang has expanded significantly and has actually become an open secret in the upper reaches of Jishui, they can't help but seek it. Private contact, commitment, surrender.
So is this letter.
But the problem is that the person who wrote the letter is extremely special... let's just say it better. This person is actually Zu Chenyan, the son of Zu Hu, the former prime minister and powerful minister of the Eastern Qi Dynasty. There is no doubt about his identity and he has great appeal in the hometown of the Eastern Qi Dynasty. The celebrity directly asked Shan Dalang in the letter whether he was a member of the Deposed Dragon Gang and whether he wanted to cause trouble. If there was an incident, he would be willing to defect with his whole family and try his best to donate the Dongping County seat, or use documents to help deceive other county seats in the county.
His family will also fully invest in the gang.
Of course, before that, he hoped to get Shan Dalang's recommendation and get direct contact with Zhang Xing or Li Shu, two famous leaders in the world. At the worst, he also wanted to meet Chief Wei.
"It's hard to tell whether it's true or false." Wei Xuanding, who hurriedly returned from Puyang City, had a strange expression after reading the letter. "It stands to reason that Zu Chenyan naturally hates the Wei Dynasty, but the rumors are too ridiculous, so many people don't believe it. And he is from such a background... Although Zu Hu has a bad reputation and is said to be a typical talent without virtue, but After all, he was the ruler of a country in the past, and his disciples and old officials are all over the hometown of Dong Qi... but he wants to be so humble and come to join us?"
"What rumors?" Zhang Xing asked sincerely.
"It is said that when His Majesty first ascended the throne, Zu Chenyan was recommended to His Majesty by Yang Shen." Wei Xuanding took the letter and explained briefly. "But instead of using it, His Majesty mocked him in front of everyone and asked Zu Chenyan if he was the son of the traitor who harmed Dong Qi back then? Zu Chenyan had no choice but to kowtow and say yes. Then the saint said that he would never know such a person. He also specially sent his ancestors and ministers to serve as local scribes, and they rotated the places. They were not allowed to enter the palace for life and were promoted to the fifth rank."
After saying that, Taoist Wei, who was wearing new clothes, just stared at Zhang Xing's face.
But Zhang Xing understood and smiled bitterly: "This is indeed something that the saint can do."
Taoist Wei immediately nodded, but raised the letter high, turned and looked behind him at Dan Tonghai, Xiahou Ningyuan, and Niu Da, Zhou Xingfan and others who came to inquire: "Everyone, this letter is true! Dongping County is also ours It’s over!”
Shan Dalang and others began to breathe heavily.
Taoist Wei looked at Zhang Xing again, who had become expressionless at some point: "Master Zhang! Don't hesitate! This opportunity is too late to come again. Immediately invite the other leaders, including Li Gong, to come over and start an incident! Notice , if something goes wrong at this time, between Dahe and Jishui, we can sweep in immediately!"
Everyone looked at Zhang Longtou, but the latter just looked as usual and seemed unmoved.
Seeing this, Chief Wei gritted his teeth and continued: "Zhang Longtou, please don't forget that the two leaders Cheng and Xiong have also said before that the city of Dengzhou has been captured, but in the past few days... when the time comes, we will depose Long Let's take the Dahe River and Jishui as our regulations. Let's go down the river here, and then let Cheng Dalang and others go upstream. As long as we capture Lu County, Qi County and Jezhou County in the middle, we can capture all along the river, and then we can use our By using various methods, we can form an alliance and even merge Gao Shitong, Sun Xunzhi, and Wang Hou. Then the twenty counties in the east will really be our world! Isn't this what you planned before? Some risks are worth taking!"
In his words, he actually ignored the core risk discussed that day, which was the attack from the north and south of the imperial court.
However, at this point, it was not just Taoist Wei who ignored the previous discussion.
Zhang Xing glanced at these obviously agitated people and was silent for a moment. But just when Shan Tonghai couldn't bear it anymore and seemed to be about to speak, the founder of the Deposed Dragon Gang also laughed again:
"The times are favorable. Just as Chief Wei said, the situation at this time is indeed a gift from God. If we, the Deposed Dragon Gang, don't fight hard and do something big first, won't we make the world laugh at us? Go and invite Mr. Li quickly. Together with Xu Dalang, Wang Wulang and others, we will have another righteous gathering at Niujiazhuang outside Puyang City... Whether we want to do something big, we just come to listen to everyone's public discussion!"
Taoist Wei was overjoyed and smiled while twirling his beard. Shan Tonghai and other leaders were also relieved and then cheered up.
ps: Good night everyone.
7017k
