"I was thinking about something that day."
On the river, a small square-head boat without a mast was taking advantage of the morning fog to move forward. Zhang Xing, who was sitting cross-legged on the bow, looked at the fog in front of him and suddenly spoke. "Tell me, how many practitioners do we have under our control?"
"There must be... two or three hundred, right?" Xu Dalang, who was standing at the back, immediately replied.
"Almost." Zhang Xing said thoughtfully. "There are one hundred thousand cultivators in the world, ten thousand strange scriptures, one thousand condensed elixirs, and dozens of masters... In terms of places, there are three hundred states and counties in the Wei Dynasty, and there are four hundred states and counties in the world. One county should have two to three hundred Practitioners..."
"Dongjun and Jiyin don't have so many..." Xu Dalang interrupted.
"I know." Zhang Xing continued. "For example, in Guanlong and Dongdu, the rich and powerful are concentrated. They are not engaged in production, so they can naturally practice without worries. Therefore, practitioners are more concentrated, so that Dou Bing's wife Bai's daughter is actually a practitioner, and she is already a practitioner. It’s reached the stage of strange scriptures, but what’s the use?”
"It's not just Guanlong and Dongdu." Xu Shiying nodded and added seriously. "I don't know if I'm just imagining it, but I always feel that there are more practitioners in Dongyi, Beidi, Northwest Witch Clan, and Southeast Demon Clan islands..."
"It's probably not a wild idea." Zhang Xing nodded in agreement. "No matter how small the place is, as long as there is a military, political and educational center, and a military, political and educational center is established, it will naturally gather civil and military talents like water in a depression...or in other words, in order to maintain the military and political center, they will force their own people Go and study literature and martial arts and practice."
"So that's the case. On the other hand, in places like Dongjun and Jiyin, people who have learned civil and military skills can't become high officials. In addition, in the past 20 to 30 years, the people have not encountered turmoil. Secondly, they have been forced to work and pay taxes. After all the trouble, I have no time or unwillingness to boil the Zhengmai... Is it normal that one or two counties cannot produce a Ning Dan?" Xu Shiying drew inferences from one example. "As for the two to three hundred practitioners of our Deposed Dragon Gang, in fact, more than half of them are gathered from other places."
"Not bad." Zhang Xing sighed. "But in fact, the court does not need to go against the law of heaven to block the path of spiritual practice, nor does it need to deliberately make troubles to tire the people. As long as it maintains a proper central system and gives people a way to make progress, it will naturally be able to control and master the spiritual practice. The mainstream of practitioners...Whether it is cultivation or studying, isn't it just to live a better life? Therefore, if the politics are clear, the labor is less, the taxes are normal, and the following are treated equally, the court will only become stronger and stronger."
"But they still forced us to turn back, and we knew they were strong and we were weak, but we still turned against them!" Xu Dalang responded quietly to the sound of hastily abandoning the oars, and looked to the side.
There, the shadow of an obviously larger inland river boat had already appeared, and the sound of oars could be heard coming from far and near.
"I know, but that's not what I want to say today..." Zhang Xing finally laughed. "Rather, I have been thinking about one thing since I first returned to Puyang that day. Xu Dalang, do you think how many of the two or three hundred practitioners of our Deposed Dragon Gang broke through the realm during the month of the incident? , or accelerated the breakthrough?"
Xu Shiying was suddenly startled. Just as he was about to say something, someone from the boat over there came shouting: "Who are you crossing the river in the morning? Looking at your direction, could it be a detailed operation of the bandit army on the other side?"
"If you are careful, you should cross the river in the middle of the night." Zhang Xing smiled and responded loudly from the bow of the boat.
"That's true..." The people on the big ship seemed to hesitate for a moment, and the ship slowly slowed down. It seemed that it was not willing to cause trouble. However, the two ships continued to approach according to their inertia, and the figures on both sides could be vaguely seen.
"Besides, we are not an army of thieves. We are rebels." Zhang Xing looked at the ships and figures getting closer and closer. He did not panic at all, but continued to complain frankly.
Unexpectedly, after a brief panic, the big ship turned directly to the outside at a distance of two or three feet, without even receiving a direct reply.
Zhang and Xu, including the light-armored warriors who had given up their weapons and held their short soldiers, stared at this scene in a daze and fell into silence for a moment.
"Follow me." Zhang Xing suddenly turned around and ordered, breaking the silence.
The lightly armored warriors on the boat obviously hesitated for a moment, but as Xu Dalang immediately waved his hand, they immediately urged the square-headed boat to follow.
The ship in front noticed this, became even more panicked, and immediately accelerated. However, the ship was too big and seemed heavy and slow because of its previous turn.
"Heroes of the Dragon Dragon Gang... you, why do you need to do this? We are all just eating a share of money and food." The man on the boat continued to shout back.
"But we really give you money and food!" Zhang Xing still sat on the bow of the boat and replied loudly as if talking about cross talk. "Half of the grain depot and 20% of the money and silk are reward money, and the rest is still for food and military pay..."
"Isn't it said that the light is split directly, and everyone wears yellow flowers and eats fat meat?" Another voice suddenly shouted in surprise through the mist.
"Where can we get military pay after all the money has been split? We need a steady flow of water." Zhang Xing answered fluently. "Not only is the government treasury losing money, but in the future we will also have to cultivate land and collect taxes..."
"Then what's the point of rebellion?"
"Of course it's interesting, because from now on, one acre of land will be taxed as one acre of land, and a family will be treated as one family. Father, son, brother, as close relatives, as long as they are not separated within three generations, they will be taxed as one household...actually it's calculated. , which is equivalent to exempting 60% to 70% of taxes.”
"That's true..."
"It is said that the previous land transfers must be checked according to the rules, and those who join the army will be given priority... and civil and military personnel must be recruited into the gang, so that local people can do it themselves and serve as officials and lead troops."
"What happens next..."
"Furthermore, our military pay is paid in full according to the regulations of the county soldiers. In addition to the rewards last month, the regular military pay was also paid when we were in Jiyin. But you, can you really get it all? Or is it the old rule? 70% of the elders, 50% of the county soldiers..."
"That's for sure..."
"Stop talking!" As the ship successfully turned around, the initial voice suddenly sounded. "The heroes on the other side, we all live on the river, often do business, and we can be regarded as half of the villagers... Don't embarrass us, and we won't embarrass you... We are returning to the water village now, so don't follow us anymore. Otherwise, we encounter many ships and officers who want to take yours!"
"Your captain, Meng Shanggong, is a good man on the side of Jiyin. I am not afraid of our brother-in-law relationship, Chief Xu!" Zhang Xing was still calm, and he only had words left. "If I am caught, he will not dare to kill me. Instead, he will lead him to fight against me. How about we come together then..."
"Can……"
"Just lead the way inside. Take it outside the main entrance of the water village and tell us that we will stop. After the fog clears, we will take a look and then leave... No one will know that it was you who led the way." Xu Dalang couldn't help but interrupt. "How about it? Do we have to fight with swords?"
There was no longer an obvious answer from the boat on the opposite side, but a rustle, as if they were whispering to each other, but it was obscured by the sound of waves on the river... Of course, this does not delay Zhang Xing and Xu Dalang as masters of cultivation, and they have already mastered the application of Qi. Once in place, we soon heard the attitude of the ship on the other side who finally decided to surrender in order to avoid casualties.
Just like that, after a while, in the fog of early winter, the small square-headed boat followed the big square-headed boat to a place, and then dropped the oar in a grand manner, but did not anchor. It just swayed with the waves, and rowed a few more times from time to time. Just walk downstream and upstream.
In fact, there is nothing interesting to see in the water village. The river is only so wide. You can see it well from across the river on a clear day. Especially this water village is obviously borrowed from the previous ferry in Chanyuan. In addition to setting up a fence for a few days, there is no way. What a big trick, but the regulations inside it are already familiar to many locals who travel between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.
But it was obvious that Zhang Xing and Xu Shiying did not intend this.
As the sun rose, the fog broke and dissipated as quickly as ever. Soon, the small square boat, which could only carry a dozen people, was exposed to everyone's sight.
However, almost everyone didn't think much about it, because this location, coupled with the fact that it was the most common transport ship on the inland river, made it difficult not to suspect that it was just an official or military ship that encountered some problem.
In fact, some people have already taken the initiative to come out of the camp and prepare to help their comrades.
"You should be able to see here from the city, right?" Zhang Xing set up a pavilion and looked toward Chanyuan City in the northeast.
"It's hard to say, but it's almost the same." Xu Shiying also made some rough gestures. "What is Brother Zhang going to do?"
Zhang Xing turned around and pouted, and the only warrior who followed Zhang Dalong into the boat immediately took out a red flag from his arms.
Xu Dalang was stunned, but he immediately turned around and took it. Then he personally found a clean oar, tied it with a rope, tied the flag to it, and handed it to a trusted warrior.
The latter took it and carefully tied it to the lowered mast head at the stern of the ship, and then slowly raised the mast without the sail.
After a moment, the red flag with the word "Deposed" began to flutter with the breeze under the warm sunshine of early winter.
The water village began to commotion. Zhang Xing, who was bored, borrowed an iron gun instead of using the Jinglong Sword on his back, stretched it into the water at his feet, and began to release a large amount of ice energy in a boring way, stirring it from time to time.
Xu Dalang just tilted his head to watch Zhang Xing play tricks and paid no attention to him.
After a while, a large square ship finally arrived, also flying the flag of the Wei Dynasty with a bare mast, and then beat the drums and left the stronghold. On the small square ship, everyone sat still as ordered.
When they were more than ten feet away and the people above started to raise their crossbows, Zhang Xing suddenly stood up and swung the iron gun in his hand high, even causing the bow of the boat to sink. Xu Shiying, who had seen clearly earlier, did not hesitate, just like a fresh Live python-like immortal energy protruded from both arms, rolled up the upper part of the iron spear, and then the two of them worked together to throw the big iron spear out with just one push.
That's right, the iron gun was crooked. From the body to the tip of the gun, it flew up crookedly, and rolled in the air. When the people on the square boat saw the previous scene, they had actually guessed that it was a master who had luck. He threw the gun, but when he saw the gun flying towards him crookedly like a windmill, he couldn't help but laugh on the spot.
Such accuracy is of no use to someone who is a master of cultivation?
I wish you could throw a few more and exhaust your true energy so that you can capture them alive!
However, before the laughter stopped, as the immortal energy around the iron gun dissipated, the people on the bow felt a sudden flash of light around the crooked iron gun, and then the wind sounded like thunder, like a huge heavy object breaking through the sky. As if flying.
The samurai on the ship had just calmed down and was still in a daze. Then, following the trajectory of the big, fancy iron gun, he saw an officer on the bow of the ship being knocked over by an iron gun from a distance of two feet and knocked over on the bow deck out of thin air. Then his upper body was He was smashed into the inside of the deck and turned into a ball of rotten flesh. However, his lower body was still intact and was still twitching while standing upside down.
Not to mention, the iron gun smashed into the deck and stopped for a moment. As the wooden board broke, it actually rolled towards the cabin below, and rolled the internal organs and flesh and blood of the officer's upper body into the inner cabin.
The people on the deck were stunned, but the rowers below were already crying and howling.
"It's ice! What a big lump of ice!"
"Still with a gun..."
"The cabin is broken..."
"Brother Shen Qi's leg is pressed."
"Why is it all blood...and intestines...and why is there still a head?"
"I quit!"
At this point, the soldiers above realized what was going on, but they still didn't know. When the ice lump rolled down, it took away the upper body of Captain Zhang. Is it because the ice lump got it on himself or because of the immortality? Because of being clingy...
Of course, this kind of technical problem just passed by in a flash. After such a thorough blow, only one of the forty or fifty people on the ship died. However, they no longer cared about the others and directly asked the higher commander, the one who invited him before. One of the attacking team generals signaled a hasty U-turn.
"Actually, it's not as good as a trebuchet." Zhang Xing sighed for a moment.
"What is a trebuchet?" Xu Dalang asked curiously.
Zhang Xing was slightly startled, and was actually asked on the spot... He had only been in this world for less than three years, and he had never personally participated in a large-scale siege. There were some things that he really didn't notice and just took it for granted... For example, last time Yun In the inner siege, Zhang Xing saw no catapults, only ladders and logs. He thought it was Dulan Khan coming from afar. He also knew that he would leave soon and would not have time to fire the cannon.
However, now following Xu Dalang's inquiry, Zhang Xing realized that there is a possibility... In the siege battles in this world, the existence of masters of Ningdan and Qijing requires a large amount of materials to be prepared for a long time. There was no need for war equipment to exist or the need for research and development in the first place.
That's why Grandpa Bai Yousi used fancy engineering methods and responses when he fought against Emperor Shenwu of the Eastern Qi Dynasty.
So on the other hand, the armored crossbow is a sharp weapon for those who are cultivators below the Ningdan level. Can catapults and crossbows become things that change the times?
Can they deal with the master of condensing pills?
"Don't you know about trebuchets?" Zhang Xingfang asked cautiously after a while. "What about the giant crossbow?"
"Of course I know about the giant crossbow, and there are people who have made it." Xu Dalang responded seriously. "Some people have long thought that if a powerful crossbow kills a practitioner below Condensing Pill, the giant crossbow can naturally kill a master of Condensing Pill... But the master of Condensing Pill moves too fast, making it difficult for ordinary people to operate and aim. If you really want to snipe, it is better to kill them with equal force. The cultivators launched sneak attacks with hidden arrows... Slowly, things returned to the situation of master versus master."
Zhang Xing nodded slowly and calmed down his thoughts for the time being.
At the same time, while the two were talking calmly, the water village opposite, the village on the road, and the city had already been startled by the previous movements and became chaotic and noisy.
"The next step should be to ask the general to give the order before we can attack. If they can't send out warships to drive us away within two quarters of an hour, then it means that the army has no fighting spirit, or that their command is not smooth to a certain extent..." Xu Dalang replied. God came, looked at it for a while, and spoke seriously. "If that's the case, we can actually wait for our own navy, mobilize small boats, and try to raid and set fire! We can even try to risk crossing the river upstream and downstream, and raid with 8,000 people! We will win in one fell swoop!"
Zhang Xing did not comment, but asked: "What if we are not welcomed for an hour?"
Xu Dalang was silent for a while, then shook his head and said: "If we don't send troops for an hour, I really don't know how to deal with it, because I don't know what's going on?"
"Then there is only one possibility, and that is that the prefect Wang Huaidu himself is not willing to fight at all." Zhang Xing blurted out.
"It's natural...but if you don't want to fight, why are so many people coming?" Xu Dalang was speechless and pointed at the huge navy and army stronghold under the sun in front of him, which completely blocked Chanyuan City. "So it's back to the previous problem? Even if Wang Taishou himself is unwilling to fight and has no ability to fight, there should be someone who can persuade him to push him to fight, but I don't know who it is..."
"So, if that's the case, that person would have given the order himself... right?"
"Of course...Isn't this why Brother Zhang is here?"
"Then just watch!" Zhang Xing sat on the bow of the boat again. "It's just a pity that we didn't invite a musical instrument from Puyang City, and there were no food and drinks..."
Xu Shiying was silent.
However, after waiting for more than an hour, no soldiers or ships came out. On one side was a small flat-headed boat that could only carry a dozen people, with a red flag with the word "deposed" on it. The people's army and the people's stronghold... The two sides sat in silence for a while, as if they were facing each other.
The sun was getting higher and higher, and Zhang Xing was too lazy to wait any longer. He stood up, peed on the bow of the ship, then turned around and ordered:
"Let's go! Let your people follow Meng Shanggong's route and hand over Fang Yanlang's letter. Tell him that I, Zhang Xing, am willing to meet with him, Wang Taishou, by the riverside this evening to peacefully resolve the Chanyuan matter. If so, If he comes, I will promise that the Deposed Dragon Gang will not touch Ji County within a year, and I will also give him a way to explain to others; and if he does not come, I will let the army that successfully invaded Dongping County turn back, and take Ji County first! At that time, swords and guns will have no eyesight, and everyone will be treated equally, regardless of high or low."
Xu Shiying was full of doubts, but she cheered up after receiving this order.
Zhang Xing, on the other hand, followed the gentle swing of the square boat and turned back to the direction of Henan. He smiled and asked, "Do you have anything to ask?"
"Yes." Xu Dalang was honest. "It's just that Wang Taishou himself is jealous and doesn't want to cause trouble, but why doesn't that man send troops? If he is incompetent, why can he urge Wang Taishou to send out an army so efficiently?"
"Actually, it's very simple. That person is not here, not even in Ji County." Zhang Xing smiled.
Xu Dalang was stunned for a moment and suddenly realized, but he immediately couldn't ask further: "But if this person is not on the front line, or even in Ji County, how can he make Governor Wang be so honest, just retreating before, and then come back immediately?"
"Because the other party is a Shangguan, a Shangguan with ability, means, background, and intelligence." Zhang Xing continued to smile.
"But if that's the case..." Xu Dalang woke up again, and then became confused again. "Why did Governor Wang dare to take the opportunity to withdraw his troops before?"
"Because this is a Shangguan in an awkward position." Zhang Xing looked back at the two warships coming out behind him, and still replied calmly. "For some reason, Governor Wang had to rely on the other party's direct words or documents, but fundamentally he was unwilling to listen to the other party's instructions... Considering that there were only two days between withdrawing the troops and marching again, this person must have been studying hard again. Counties are adjacent to prefectures and counties... have you thought of who it is?"
He is extremely intelligent and has a high status. He seems to be very concerned about the actions of the Deposed Dragon Gang, but he is not embarrassed when he commands the governor of Hebei... If Xu Dalang could not guess at this time, he is a fool.
But after he guessed it, he became so nervous that he was in a state of confusion. Even on the boat, he couldn't help lowering his voice and asked carefully: "What Brother Zhang means is that the one who urged Prefect Wang to move was Xingyang's Mr. Zhang?"
"It's better to call Mr. Zhang." Zhang Xing said calmly. "The other Mr. Zhang is dead. I saw it with my own eyes."
Xu Dalang didn't know how to reply for a while.
The reason couldn't be simpler. He was extremely nervous about Zhang Shizhao, but the person in front of him was not nervous at all. Talking about troop deployment at this time was destined to be useless.
But he only had one thought in his mind right now, which was to quickly negotiate peace with Prefect Wang, and then ask Li Shu to bring the main force back, so as to avoid having to attack the city overnight.
"But if it's him..." After pausing for a while, seeing the boat about to dock, Xu Dalang was sweating profusely, but he still said these words. "Should we...should we let Li Longtou bring the soldiers back? Why don't we go down to Jishui to fight?"
"Why?" Zhang Xing asked calmly.
Why? That was Zhang Shizhao and Zhang Xianggong, who was recognized as the emperor's think tank. He almost used his own wisdom to become a soldier of 100,000 soldiers!
He Xu Shiying felt guilty!
But how do you say this?
When the ship docked, Zhang Xing jumped off first, followed by Xu Shiying. The soldiers above began to unfurl the flag, and Zhang and Xu stood for a while on the beach.
Zhang Xing didn't seem to be ready to give up, but finally smiled again: "Xu Dalang, don't be too nervous. Let me ask you, if he is as terrible as you think, why can't even a prefect Wang control him? The prefect seized the explanation and withdrew his troops for two days?"
Xu Dalang finally regained his composure at this time, and then thoughtfully asked: "So, this person has a false reputation?"
"No." Zhang Xing answered calmly. "I saw with my own eyes that this is a top-notch smart guy."
"That……"
"Let me ask Xu Dalang one more thing. Why is the Eastern Territory called the Eastern Territory, the Central Plains called the Central Plains, and Hebei called Hebei?" It was obviously an explanation, but when Zhang Xing spoke again, it seemed strange.
"Of course..."
"It's not just a natural area... If Hebei is separated by a river, how do we distinguish the Central Plains from the East? What about Jianghuai?" Zhang Xing asked seriously. "And why did Li Gongju and I emphasize beforehand that we would not allow you to cross the border to Liangjun and Xingyang?"
"It's the court that split the road." Xu Dalang forced himself to think carefully, and then he gave the correct answer.
"It's the imperial court's separation." Zhang Xing nodded with his hands behind his hands. "Since Emperor Bai, the world has always had a three-level system of prefectures, prefectures and counties. When the Wei Dynasty unified the world, the late emperor first abolished the prefectures and changed them into prefectures and counties. Then the current sage changed them into prefectures and counties, but There are also the governors of the prefectures, the princes who lead the counties from afar, and the fifteen supervisory censors who patrol the local areas. They have changed and abolished the changes. Even the Jingan Taiwan patrol team also has a theory... No matter how it is divided, Liangjun and Xingyang to the west and south, as well as Nanyang and Huaiyang, etc., are all part of the so-called Central Plains. In the imperial court, they all belong to the so-called Kinki land overlooked by the Eastern Capital. They are on the same level as Guanlong and always run away. It won’t work… This is why we have not touched Liang County at all for the time being, and also why we don’t want to continue causing trouble in Ji County.”
Xu Dalang completely woke up.
He is a smart person, and he knows everything at once.
To put it simply, different regions or regions are not responsible for a group of people in the court, and the level of attention is not the same.
If it were normal, if you rebelled, no matter how far away you are, the Wei Dynasty would just push you out with tens of thousands of soldiers.
However, isn’t this half of the world reversed? Isn't the imperial court half paralyzed now? So, even if they are only a few dozen miles apart, your rebellion in Dongjun and your rebellion in Liangjun are not the same weight in the eyes of the court.
If you take control, you may be able to gain a few more months of respite.
In fact, Xu Dalang has no doubt that Wu Jingfeng, who is higher than Zhang and Li on the black list, must be the first thorn in Dongdu's eyes now, because the place where he rebelled is in Nanyang, and he is about to destroy Nanyang. Okay... Dongdu is temporarily short of troops. If Nanyang is not pulled out, they may not come to depose the Dragon Gang.
As for Hebei, in fact, we shouldn’t have come here. Aren’t Zhang and Li (and maybe Xu Dalang himself) obsessed with defeatism, thinking of running away to Hebei after failure? So even though he knew that Jijun and Weijun had special status in Hebei, he still couldn't resist the temptation of Chanyuan.
This is a natural transfer base on the other side of Dongjun.
But something happened.
"So..." Xu Dalang came back to his senses and responded seriously. "It's not that Mr. Zhang is unintelligent, but his powers and responsibilities are limited... He is in charge of Xingyang and can only control a few counties in Kinki!"
"If he could control the Kinki counties, we would have been beaten half a month ago! How can we still be so comfortable now?" Zhang Xing shook his head. "In my opinion, it's good that he can control half of the county in Xingyang and make himself feel more secure! Kinki is under the control of Uncle Cao himself! He doesn't dare to return to the Eastern Capital... return to the Eastern Capital in his capacity. If he wants to cause trouble, Uncle Cao will not tolerate him! And by sitting still, he has confirmed the predicament of losing power in his own family. Whether it is Kinki or Hebei Jijun, they will naturally despise him more and more! "
Xu Dalang sighed slightly.
This is the problem. It's not that he is not smart, nor that he cannot understand the logic, but that he does not understand the rules of the game at the top, and it is difficult for him to adjust his vision to a higher level to see the problem for a while.
But he is only in his early twenties, and he will have enough opportunities to see things from a high perspective.
"A dragon swims in shallow water and is tricked by shrimps; a tiger falls flat and is bullied by dogs." Seeing that the flag was put away, Zhang Xing concluded with Xu Dalang. "No matter how smart and capable Mr. Zhang is, he can't resist meeting such a saint and goes directly to Jiangdu. What should he do? The overall situation is not with him, the fortune is not with him, and the foundation does not belong to him. He can control it with his power across the river. The Governor Wang put all his energy into dealing with us, which I would say is already extraordinary. And we should be bold enough to be like shallow-water shrimps with dragon beards!"
Xu Dalang, who was relieved, nodded heavily.
In the afternoon, the news that Wang Huaidu agreed to meet arrived at the ferry outside Puyang City at the same time as the news that the rebels had directly broken into Dongping County.
Zhang Xing did not hesitate and crossed the river again with Xu Dalang, and then met Wang Huaidu in casual clothes on the embankment on the outskirts of Linhe County, Ji County in the evening.
The latter was accompanied by at least seventy or eighty capable men with armor, crossbows, and spears, and they only watched from a distance on horseback.
"The one in the middle is Wang Huadu, and the one on the left is Meng Shanggong. If I say a few words to him, maybe I can shake him." Xu Dalang pointed at one of them.
"Don't worry about him. After we finish talking about a few words, let's go whether it's successful or not." Zhang Xing waved his hand in reply, stepped forward directly, and called each other from a distance. "Your Majesty, I killed Zhang Han that day to eliminate thieves from the world. Your Excellency has the responsibility to defend the land and is acting in self-defense. It's me who invites you this time. Why should you worry? If you believe me, please come forward and say something privately..."
As he said this, he actually took more than ten steps forward alone and stood on the embankment.
Wang Huaidu waited and thought for a moment, then slowly drove his horse forward, but he did not get close to him, and he did not dismount.
Zhang Xing didn't care and asked directly: "My lord, the one who forced you to send troops should be Mr. Zhang, right?"
Wang Huaidu didn't say a word, just nodded and twisted his beard.
"Forgive me for being blunt, the emperor and the saint stand on both sides. If it is the counties in the east and north of Hebei, they can also move in your majesty's name, and then rely on the soldiers and horses of the Youzhou and Hejian camps to push the two generals Xue and Li Come to compete with the emperor's uncle, but the prince is in Ji County, how can he hide from the emperor's uncle? At this time, doesn't the prince know how embarrassing Zhang Xianggong's position is?" Zhang Xing came to ask sincerely, and walked forward by the way. Two steps.
Wang Huaidu nodded again, and his expression softened a lot... It was obvious that this young rebel came from the central government. He was so sharp that he was not the same as those rural tycoons... In fact, the entire Ji County Shang Xia, I have never seen anyone who knows about his difficulties and speaks out.
"I heard from acquaintances in Dongdu that Mr. Zhang is already preparing to go south to Jiangdu with the queen. At this time, the prince is just perfunctory. Why does he have to fight with us to the death?" Zhang Xing continued to ask, and by the way, he went to Jiangdu. The first two steps.
"It is my responsibility to protect the land. Chanyuan is under my rule after all." Wang Taishou finally spoke.
And with this opening, Zhang Xing knew that the matter had reached seven points.
"This matter is actually simple." Zhang Xing said with a smile. "I will let a local man from Chanyuan come out to be the leader, pretend to surrender and return to the prefect Wang, and change the flag of the Wei Dynasty again. Then the prefect does not have to come to attack. I also promise that the deposed Dragon Gang will never interfere with any military or political interference. Without going outside Chanyuan County...how can Xianggong Zhang force the prince like this?"
Wang Huaidu was slightly startled.
"Even if Chanyuan is short of money and food, it can be included in the consumption of military rations." Zhang Xing continued to persuade.
"But if the secret of this matter is revealed... it's Uncle Cao Huang's place..." Wang Taishou spoke again, still a little embarrassed.
Zhang Xing didn't tolerate the other party, so he laughed directly: "Prefect Wang is only afraid of Uncle Cao, but isn't he afraid of us rebels? To be honest with the prince, yesterday Li Shu and Li Longtou had successfully invaded Dongping County, Yuncheng changed hands, and Juye Zeliu The old army of Wan San Zheng has surrendered... This matter can be known by a little inquiring downstream... So, as long as we want, we can cross the river at any time, and we will die together!"
Wang Huaidu sighed and immediately asked seriously: "Then why don't you come directly?"
"Of course I'm still afraid of alarming Uncle Cao." Zhang Xing confessed frankly. "But I am definitely not afraid of your 10,000 or 20,000 county soldiers, Governor Wang."
Wang Huaidu was silent.
"Prefect Wang." Zhang Xing suddenly took two steps forward and spoke. "Prefect Wang can't trust me, right?"
"You thieves, I am an official..." Wang Huaidu sighed more and more.
If that's the case, what are you doing? And I'm getting closer and closer, why don't you run?
Zhang Xing was speechless, and without delay he smiled like a flower: "Let me make an oath! Prince, please be patient... I will get my sword..."
Since you are a thief, what's the use of swearing?
Wang Taishou was speechless. He watched the opponent who had been forced seven or eight steps away pull out an unsheathed sword. He grabbed the horse's rein tightly and prepared to turn back immediately to prevent being kidnapped.
But the other person's next words grabbed him hard.
"This sword is the Jinglong Sword. When His Highness King Qi was serving as the Shaocheng of Fusi in the western town of Jing'an, I was the deputy inspector of his subordinate Fulongwei and was always a confidant." Zhang Xing looked at the Wu in his hand. Sheathing the sword, he sighed slightly, startling the two people in front and behind him at the same time. "Before the Three Expeditions, Your Highness was afraid that the world would change, so he entrusted this sword to me."
"King Qi..." Wang Huaidu couldn't hold it back and panicked. "King Qi gave you this Dragon-Shocking Sword? Is this the Dragon-Shocking Sword?"
"Of course." Zhang Xing stretched out his sword and pointed at the river beside him without any unnecessary explanation. "If the prince doesn't believe me, I will use the Jinglong Sword to draw my true energy and point it at the river as an oath... How about that?"
Wang Huaidu was stunned and silent - this was actually because he was confused by the information variable of King Qi, and he was going to pretend to be confused and agreed. The saint and the emperor's uncle, plus King Qi, the water was too muddy.
Zhang Xing, without hesitation, released the Ice True Qi. The True Qi rolled over the ordinary Jinglong Sword in his hand, brought up a sword light, and then pointed at the river:
"Today, Zhang made an oath by Dahe. Within a year, if the prince sits in Jijun for one day, the Dragon Gang will be deposed for only half a step in Chanyuan. They will do good to the prince day and night. If there is any violation of the oath, Dahe will bear witness." Swallow me into the waves and bury me dead in the belly of the fish!"
As soon as the words were spoken, Wang Huaidu was about to speak. Unexpectedly, the wind suddenly picked up on the river, and the waves piled up and rolled eastward.
People in the distance didn't know, but they were surprised and held up their clothes. Only Wang Huadu and Xu Shiying, one behind the other, were dumbfounded. Even Zhang Xing panicked and quickly put away his sword and hurriedly picked it up.
Fortunately, the wind didn't stop even after sheathing the sword, otherwise it would have been scary.
"That's what you said?" Zhang Xing calmed down and struck while the iron was hot.
Wang Huaidu hesitated for a moment and responded in a low voice: "Actually, there are two things..."
"Your Majesty, please speak." Zhang Xing, who sheathed his sword, immediately stepped forward and hugged the opponent's horse's neck shamelessly, speaking sincerely. "The prince has something to say, and I should do my best to help the prince with his worries..."
"There is a man named Li Tingwen, who was formerly stationed in Dongjun County Heishou. He fled to Xingyang and was sent by Xianggong Zhang to deliver messages... From time to time, he would travel between Jijun and Xingyang, and would also go to Dongjun to inquire about news... He is in the camp now and if he wants to retreat, he is a problem." Wang Huaidu suppressed his discomfort and told him in a low voice.
"I understand." Zhang Xing responded immediately. "When the prince returns today, we will tell him that we have a messenger for the prince, and we are going to use the Bai family's second wife, the wife of the former East Commander Dou Bing, to threaten the prince to withdraw the army... He will only let him come to Puyang City overnight to inquire about the whereabouts of Mrs. Dou. That’s it, leave the rest to us.”
Wang Huaidu nodded, and suddenly he was stunned: "The second lady of the Bai family is really still with you?"
"The second lady of the Bai family is related to me," Zhang Xing remained shameless and looked as normal as ever. "I originally wanted to stay here to avoid the chaos of the army, and my life was very good... However, my place was not a long-term solution. After this incident, I asked Bai Erniang to cross the river by herself, and then I would have to trouble the prince to send her away. Go to the British Duke's place, that is, Taiyuan, the prince's hometown... Uncle Cao also has a prejudice against the British Duke, so there is no need to send him to the Eastern Capital as a hostage."
Wang Huaidu was stunned again and again, feeling confused for a moment, and then he could only nod his head and wanted to turn back.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Xing was so enthusiastic that he grabbed the horse's head and asked, "What's one more thing? Please make sure that I let you share the worries of the elders."
"Oh." Wang Huaidu finally woke up and said immediately. "My third brother Huaiji... suddenly resigned from office more than ten years ago and left home. Since then, there has been no news. It is said that he went to visit the real dragon god... You have the Jinglong Sword, and maybe you have some connections. If you have a chance to meet me, He, please shout for me and ask him to go home as soon as possible... When I see anyone with a path to spiritual practice, no matter who they are, I will tell them about this."
As he said that, he actually looked a little sad.
Zhang Xing is incompetent.
In this way, before sunset, both guests and host had a great time and left.
In the evening, Xu Dalang personally took charge. As soon as Li Tingwen entered the city, he was captured directly before he arrived at the residence where the two mothers of the Bai family lived. Then, he hung his head at the city gate all night as a warning to others.
ps: I wish you all a happy Children’s Day, eight hours late!
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