Chang Sheng was sitting on the balcony of the palace, with a scholarly face, vaguely angry. In front of him was a leader of the iron execution platform, standing tremblingly.
"You mean that you intercepted and killed the messenger from Xishu."
"Master, I originally thought... he was a spy."
"The spy is in the dark and the messenger is in the open. He dares to deliver the letter openly and openly. Do you think there is any ulterior secret? Will you rush to meritorious service?"
"Letter." Chang Sheng frowned. After receiving the letter, his expression became even more silent.
The content of the letter was that King Xu Shu wanted to meet his lord at the border of the two countries.
"The iron torture platform has just been built. Of course, there will be many things that need to be adjusted. But I have always liked people who abide by the rules. Since you are the leader of the iron torture platform, you should know the rules."
The little leader lowered his head, gritted his teeth, and cut off a section of his little finger with a knife.
"Don't let it happen a second time. The iron execution platform is only the Lord's eyes and ears, not the Lord's knife. I hope you will understand this clearly in the future."
After just saying that, Chang Sheng hurried forward.
…
To the north of the inner city is Huzhou.
Compared with the wind and snow in the inner city, Huzhou is more severe. Within a few days, it was already covered with snow everywhere.
"Leader, we have arrived in Tongcheng."
Cao Yong shook off the snow on his body, raised his head, and looked at the outline of the giant city ahead.
Tongcheng is the administrative seat of Huzhou. According to the information, the Huo family settled in Tongcheng.
"The horse is too cold to run."
"Buried."
After burying two or three frostbitten horses, a group of ten people took a total of six or seven horses and quickly headed towards Tongcheng.
The New Year's Eve is not far away, but Tongcheng City is still lifeless. In the first two months, a rebel army broke out in Tongcheng. Although they were killed by the army later, many people fled in panic.
Late at night, there is a quaint courtyard in the south of the city.
An old man wrapped in a big cloak frowned and looked at the arrow letter handed over by the nurse.
"The head of the family didn't see the person clearly. He shot the letter and then disappeared."
"Don't make any noise." The old man said in a solemn voice.
This old man is Huo Fu, the head of the Huo family in Huzhou and the general of the Lingzhou navy more than twenty years ago.
After opening the letter and reading it clearly, Huo Fu grabbed a torch and burned the letter in the yard. Then he wrapped himself in a big cloak and walked into the house.
"What's the matter? Did he agree?" In the farmyard across the street from Huo's house, more than a dozen Night Owl warriors all looked confused.
"Boss, I've left a meeting place."
"Keep it." Cao Yong was silent for a while before speaking. Even he didn't know what Huo Fu meant by his appearance.
If they don't want to, they should notify the people in Beiyu to arrest them. If you are willing, why is there no response?
"Don't worry, I'll go to the Huo family compound myself."
"Chief, if you can win over Huo Fu, it will be a great achievement."
"It's not for great merit. The old military advisor said that Huo Fu's affairs are very important to Western Shu and cannot be careless." Cao Yong said calmly, "If something happens to me and Huo Fu is unwilling to surrender to Shu, a few of them will stay in Shu." Tongcheng, find a way to kill this person."
"Don't worry, leader!"
…
In the Huo family courtyard, the lights in the study were dancing.
Even though it was midnight, Huo Fu had not yet gone to bed to rest. He was sitting in the study, looking at the bamboo album, waiting for something.
After a while, he silently raised his head. After the wooden window shook for a while, when he turned around again, he found that at some point, a black shadow was standing behind him.
"You're late." Huo Fu calmly put down the book.
"You knew I was coming."
"If Jian Xin didn't respond, you would naturally come over at night." Huo Fu stood up and pushed away the long knife in front of him.
"Go back and tell your lord that I have already been considering surrendering to Shu."
Cao Yong entered the house, his face filled with joy.
"Sir, what you said is that you want to join me in Western Shu."
"Of course, I am originally from the south. However, the politics of Lingzhou were dark before, so I had no choice but to leave my hometown. I heard that the King of Shu is righteous, appeases the people, and exempts taxes. With such democracy, I, Huo Fu, will of course surrender."
Cao Yong was silent for a while, "I heard before that my husband hated the Shu people because of the death of his son."
Huo Fu smiled faintly, "If I didn't say this, do you think I, Huo Fu, can still live well now? This matter was originally passed down by me."
Cao Yong nodded.
"Don't forget, I am a southerner. As a southerner, I think about the fallen leaves returning to their roots all the time."
"Sir, you are righteous. I dare to ask you, sir, when are you planning to leave?"
"The King of Yuzhou is already watching me." Huo Fu frowned, "It's not difficult to get out of the city, but it's not easy to hide it from Beiyu's spies. There are more than thirty dead soldiers in my mansion. , I have trained them with my own hands, and they are extremely loyal. When the time comes, let them leave Tongcheng together with your people."
"There is an iron execution platform in Beiyu, did you know?"
"I know, there are many martial arts masters inside." Cao Yong responded.
"That's what I mean, I will bribe the city guards, leave the city at night, and then find a way to go around Dingzhou. At that time, your and my troops will join together to block the watching iron execution platform. These people, even at night , they will all stare at you like hungry wolves."
"In addition, you need to disguise yourself and pretend to be a commoner, so as not to attract the army too early. Then, tell me how many people you have there, so I can buy some clothes." Huo Fu raised his head seriously.
Cao Yong was silent for a while, "There are only four of you, come with me into Tongcheng."
"Are there really four people? That's too few. If it's not far away, you can add more helpers. I'm not afraid to tell you that the people on the iron execution platform are difficult to deal with."
Cao Yong smiled and said, "Of course, when we leave the city, there will be someone to pick us up."
"Okay, great things can be expected!" Huo Fu held Cao Yong's hand excitedly, "To tell you the truth, although I live in Huzhou, what I have been thinking about all these years is the appearance of my hometown."
"I can't get used to the meat of the northerners. After thinking about it, I like to eat the fish and rice of the southerners the most."
"It is a great joy for Xishu to have Mr. Xi Shu join us."
"There are still people watching outside. Please be careful when you leave. Tomorrow night, you and I will act together."
Cao Yonggang was about to leave.
"Right, wait a minute."
Huo Fu shouted, walked under the cabinet next to him, took out a wooden box, and took out an exquisite long sword from the wooden box.
"Although this sword is not a heavenly treasure, it is a sharp weapon. If a hero wants to kill a thief, please take it. It is a small favor from me, Huo Fu."
"How does this make."
Huo Fu's voice became firm, "After entering Xishu, you and I are colleagues and old friends. It doesn't matter if I give my old friend a sword. Besides, you have brought me a great good thing."
Cao Yong silently took the sword, raised his hands and clasped his fists, and jumped out of the window again to leave.
…
Just wait for Cao Yong to go away.
Huo Fu withdrew his gaze, looked at the bean-like lamp clusters, and fell into deep thought again.
