When he heard the visitor announcing his home address, Zhao Yun actually felt a sense of joy in his heart, as if he had lived in Hedong for thirty years and Hexi for thirty years.
Although he was just a military prince when he was under Gongsun Zan, after arriving at Lu Ying, Xiao Guan showed his power in front of others, and he had a brilliant record of killing Xia Houdun and shocking the world. Even Lin Mo wanted to train him as a commander-in-chief. .
It is natural to receive envious looks from others, but there is no such feeling of satisfaction as having accomplished one's ambition and being looked up to by those who looked up to him when he was young.
There is no way, because there are not many old friends around, just Zhang Xiu. He is a senior brother, and in terms of achievements, he was once a prince.
The Zhen family is different. The name of the Wuji Zhen family is well-known throughout the Northern Kingdom. When he was in Changshan, although Zhao Yun was not a refugee, the Zhen family gave people a sense of superiority.
In the entire Zhaojia Village, no one would be envious after hearing the name of the Zhen family. Some people once entered the Zhen Family Chamber of Commerce and worked as grooms due to nepotism and returned to the village with their heads held high.
But now, the Zhang family of the Zhen family has to leave the city in person and wait for him on the post road. Even Brother Yun can't help but feel a little relaxed in this state of mind.
He would not feel that he was being treated rudely just because a prostitute came. On the contrary, Brother Yun felt that this was the greatest sincerity of the Zhen family.
Because after the death of Zhen Yi, the head of the Zhen family, the financial power did not fall to the brothers, but was taken over by the Zhang family.
It’s not like Zhen Yi’s brothers have never fought over each other. They couldn’t stand the fact that they had five good daughters, and each one was better at marrying than the last. Especially after Zhen Mi married Yuan Xi, the Zhen family’s strength became such that even the local prefect had to give in to the three. existence of points.
It's a pity that Zhao Yun couldn't accept the Zhen family's kind fists.
The reason is simple. When the Northern Expedition to Youzhou passed through Wuji, the Zhen family also asked to meet Lu Bu and Lin Mo, but they were rejected. Zhao Yun didn't know the reason, but there must be something mysterious about the people they didn't meet.
Of course the Zhen family didn't come here to congratulate themselves on their meritorious service. They probably couldn't knock on Lu Lin's son-in-law's door and chose to please themselves instead.
"No reward for no merit, our army has no contact with the Zhen family. Thank you madam for your kindness. I accept it. Please take the food and wine back with you." Zhao Yun refused coldly.
"General Zhao doesn't know something. In the past, the Black Mountain bandits in the Taihang Mountains often plundered, and the Zhen Family Chamber of Commerce's fleet was damaged from time to time. Now that General Zhao has eliminated this great harm, not only the Zhen family, but also the people of Zhongshan are grateful to the general."
Zhang is still very good at talking, but Zhao Yun knew in his heart that Lu Lin had a grudge against the Zhen family, and he did not want to get involved in this matter. He still shook his head and said: "Madam, our army is marching in a hurry this time, and it is not convenient to carry it." It’s better to take these drinks and food back with you.”
At this time, Mrs. Zhang was a little at a loss. She probably didn't expect that Zhao Yun, a martial artist, would be unmoved by so much food and wine. You must know that these things do not need to be charged to the treasury but belong to his headquarters.
As long as you are willing, it is not impossible to turn it into private ownership.
Just when Zhao Yun was about to give the order to move forward, Guo Tu spoke up and said with a smile: "General Zilong, the Zhen family is quite famous in the Northern Kingdom. Now that Wen Hou and Lanling Marquis are dominating the Northern Kingdom, they want to compete with the Northern Kingdom." When you are close to someone from aristocratic families, if you are too unkind, it will only make other people feel intimidated."
Zhao Yun turned to look at Guo Tu, "It turns out to be you. I asked how the Zhen family knew the route and time of our army. It was probably because of the benefits of the Zhen family."
But there is some truth in what Guo Tu said. The Zhen family has good relations with all major aristocratic families. If they do something too embarrassing, other people will also have opinions. Zhao Yun hesitated for a moment, waved his hand and said: "Take a rest for a while. Some people come and bring everything."
"Here!"
Zhao Yun dismounted, and the sergeants at the rear also began to take action. The Zhen family brought a lot of food and wine, and seven or eight hundred people came to barely make up the cart.
At this time, there was some emptiness in the rear area, and the journey was hard. After getting the acknowledgment from Yan Liang's eyes, Man Chong, who was shackled, no longer had anyone to look after him.
After all, Man Chong's movements are restricted now, and with Yan Liang by his side, who would worry about him running away? Obviously, the food and drinks in front of him are more attractive.
Yan Liang dismounted, walked quietly to Man Chong, untied the rope and said in a low voice: "Climb down into the reed marsh and walk through the dense forest on the west side. No one will notice you."
After saying that, he remounted his horse and deliberately made some noise in front of him, so no one paid any attention to Man Chong.
Of course, Man Chong didn't take action immediately. He just looked at Yan Liang from a distance, as if he still didn't believe that he would play such a big role for himself.
What kind of crime is this for releasing an enemy general privately? It is considered a minor crime to say that it is collaborating with the enemy. Even for a capable general like them, once the matter spreads, no one can protect him. After all, if even such a crime can be wiped out, then What's the use of military law?
It wasn't until Yan Liang stared at him fiercely in the distance and motioned for him to leave quickly that he was dragged by Yan Liang by Lu Jun, and slipped into the reed swamp beside him through a blind spot in his sight. No one really noticed him.
Man Chong slipped away, but everyone seemed unaware of this problem. They were still immersed in the smell of wine, and they all looked forward to relaxing after entering the city.
Yan Liang looked at the dense forest to the west, his eyes a little blurry. Even when Wen Chou walked to the side, it took him a long time to react, "Brother."
Wen Chou stared at him and said nothing.
"What happened to brother?" Yan Liang has a way of pretending to be stupid.
"You want to die, don't you?"
Faced with Wen Chou's cold questioning, Yan Liang looked stunned, "Brother, why did you say this?"
"Do you really think Zilong is just a decoration? Let me tell you, he can't get out of this forest. The only way to survive is to retreat into the army."
Ah this
Yan Liang's heart suddenly sank, had he been discovered? "How did you guys know?"
Wen Chou snorted coldly, "If Zilong hadn't opened up a team of two thousand people, do you really think that everyone is blind? I ask you to use your brain when doing things in the future. Zilong doesn't want to embarrass you and me, otherwise this will be If this matter is reported to Marquis Wen, I will have to kill you!"
Hearing this, Yan Liang subconsciously touched his neck, thinking it was Yi Shi Man Chong. It turned out that everything was under Zilong's control.
This, this, this, my God, I have to thank brother Zilong for his righteousness, otherwise my life will be lost and my brother will be hurt as well.
Yan Liang swallowed and thought of the Liao God who regarded the two brothers as his own.
One is Zhang Wenyuan and the other is Zhao Zilong. Why are the brothers in Lu Ying so heroic?
"Brother, things are different now than before. In the army, you can follow your own temper. But whether it is Marquis Wen, Wen Yuan or Zi Long, they are very kind to us brothers. Don't let their hearts be chilled." Wen Chou said sincerely. Sighed.
"Hey, what's the big deal, I know, I know." Yan Liang waved his hand carelessly.
Although he looked impatient, Wen Chou could tell from his eyes that he actually found the same sense of belonging as himself in his heart. After the two looked at each other and smiled, they stopped talking and both looked at the reed marsh in tacit understanding. The dense forest behind.
I hope Man Chong can make a wise choice.
"General Zhao didn't give me a chance to speak at all. This matter still needs Mr. Guo's mediation." Mrs. Zhang came to Guo Tu's side feeling a little disappointed.
I originally thought that Zhao Yun was just a warrior, and it was absolutely impossible for him to refuse the wealthy Zhen family in the North. After all, how could anyone in this world not love money.
Although Guo Tu had not been in Lu Ying for too long, he could also see that Zhao Yun had a lot of weight in front of Lu Lin's son-in-law. If nothing else, the battle with Xiao Guan alone was the most successful one. Oh God.
As long as he opens his mouth, the things the Zhen family has to do will definitely not be difficult.
Who would have thought that Zhao Yun could remain unmoved by the bright gold? It was unexpected.
I can’t figure out why the people in Lu Ying are so different from those in Yuan Ying.
"It's best if the person he brought from Xuzhou speaks, otherwise I won't be in direct conflict with Zuo Rong. Although this guy is a despicable villain, he has the trust of Marquis Lanling. If I disagree with him, Lan Ling will Most likely Linghou will favor Zuo Rong."
This matter is as long as a piece of cloth.
The reason why the Zhen family bribed Guo Tu to get closer to Zhao Yun was entirely because of one person, Zuo Rong.
Ever since Lü Lin's son-in-law took over the Northern Kingdom, Zuo Rong held the official position of Langya Prefect but stayed in Jizhou for a long time, doing what he was doing, plundering the trade routes.
Relying on Lin Yunwen's relationship, this guy took over more than half of the Zhen family's business in Qingzhou, and all of it was taken over by the Zuo Chamber of Commerce.
In the past, when the Mi family was still in Xuzhou, the Yellow River water transport business was shared by both parties. Good guy, now that Lu Lin has taken over the Northern Kingdom, he dares to use his power to monopolize all water transport in the lower reaches of the Yellow River. The merchant ships of the Zhen family As long as you go upstream, you will definitely be robbed by water bandits.
But everyone is not a fool, and they all know that the person behind it is him, Zuo Rong.
Recently, they have even extended their hands to the territory of Jizhou, gradually encroaching on the Zhen family's business. Grain, silk, tea and even the bank's business are all being suppressed.
If this trend continues, the Zhen Family Chamber of Commerce will be doomed.
Originally, at the beginning, all the major aristocratic families were siding with the Zhen family. With their backing, Zuo Rong couldn't actually make a jump. The bad thing was that the fertilizer management rights fell to the Li family in Zhao County. Lin Mo's operation immediately shattered it. The family alliance.
The direct consequence is that all major aristocratic families are willing to tolerate Zuo Rong's misbehavior as long as it doesn't go too far.
After all, the conflict between the Zhen family and Zuo Rong was between the Zhen family and Zuo Rong. Although this guy loved money as much as his life, he would not eat it all himself. He would always leave some soup for others, so that they also He acquiesced in all his actions.
Now the only business that the Zhen family can fully control is the horse business. If this trend continues, the Zhen family will take jujube pills.
Guo Tu knew very well that Lin Mo could not be completely unaware of what Zuo Rong did, and it was even possible that it was done under his instruction.
Therefore, he did not dare to openly go to Lin Mo to intercede for the Zhen family. After much deliberation, he only found Zhao Yun.
With his weight, he could definitely suppress Zuo Rong with just one sentence.
Who would have thought that Brother Yun doesn’t love money.
This is a headache.
"Could it be that the Zhen family is really hopeless?" Ms. Zhang felt that the world was spinning. How many generations of hard work had brought the Zhen family to its present prosperity. She didn't want to ruin it by her own hands and let future generations criticize her.
"Sir, if you can save the Zhen family, you can get 20% of the bank's business from now on!"
Zhang used his trump card. The Zhen family's banks were spread all over the Central Plains. At 20%, even if they gave birth to a bunch of prodigal sons, they would not be able to defeat them all. Guo Tu took a breath of cold air.
Of course, the temptation is enough, but how to get Zuo Rong is a problem.
He was pacing back and forth in place, his mind racing rapidly. How to deal with Zhe Rong?
Of course, the most effective way to deal with a person is to find his Achilles' heel, that is, the person he fears the most.
Who is Zuo Rong afraid of?
That was Lin Mo alone. Lu Bu tried to embarrass him several times, but Lin Mo blocked him.
Suddenly, Guo Tu's eyes lit up, "We have a solution!"
Immediately he stepped forward and muttered, and heard Zhang nod repeatedly, "Very good, very good, this method is very good. If this happens, not to mention preserving the current business of the Zhen family, even the business in Qingzhou, Huanghe He also has to spit it out for water transportation!"
"So, let's do it separately."
"Thank you, sir."
There was a hint of cunning on the corners of their mouths, showing a smile that would surely succeed.
Mrs. Zhang bowed down to do the blessing and left quickly, carrying the wind with her as she walked.
Seeing that Zhang was leaving, Zhao Yun raised his forehead towards the messenger on the side, who shouted knowingly: "Keep going!"
When the passwords were passed to the rear one after another, Wen Chou sighed and patted Yan Liang, "Let's go, he should be dead already."
do you died.
Yan Liang was still looking in the direction of the dense forest. In fact, he hoped that Man Chong would come back. He always felt let down by his determination to go back.
"Let's go."
Under Wen Chou's urging, Yan Liang finally jumped on his horse, but he did not leave immediately and looked to the west unwillingly.
In the end, before Man Chong could turn around, he could only sigh deeply, pinch the horse's belly, and slowly follow the end of the team.
"General Yan." Not long after, a call came from behind, and Man Chong, who was wearing a prison uniform, was standing in the middle of the post road.
It was obviously just a stick of incense, but when he saw Man Chong again, Yan Liang felt as if he was in another world. He jumped off the horse excitedly and ran over, laughing and saying: "I thought you were dead and gone."
"I didn't get far."
Man Chong sighed, "When I leave, I'm afraid you will be implicated. The general is so righteous, so I will bear with it and implicate the general."
"Okay, okay, okay"
Yan Liang said with a smile, "It's good to be back. Have you thought clearly this time?"
"Think clearly, I will go back with you to see Marquis Wen."
Man Chong's voice was firm, and it was obvious that he had made up his mind after leaving and returning.
Being abandoned by Cao Cao was a huge blow to him. Even from a strategic perspective, rescue is indeed unwise and may even cause turmoil in Jingxiang. However, an abandoned son is an abandoned son, and this cannot be changed no matter what. .
Therefore, what Yan Liang did was not only righteous in Man Chong's view, but also healed the scarred heart.
No matter what kind of person Lu Bu was, no matter what temperament Lin Mo had, Yan Liang alone was worthy of him staying.
What's more, Zhao Yun was also kind to him. Not only did he not use punishment, but he was also quite respectful.
"Hahaha, great, we have another brother in the future. Come on, follow me to meet Zilong first!" Yan Liang excitedly pulled him forward and ran forward.
On the way, Man Chong asked in confusion: "General Zhao is really strict in managing the army. When he saw me escaping and returning, the soldiers didn't do anything strange."
Ah, I'm embarrassed to tell you this. Yan Liang smiled and didn't explain.
When Zhao Yun met Man Chong, Yan Liang was acting as an interpreter. The general meaning was that Man Chong had now learned from the pain and completely figured it out.
I just want to tell Zhao Yun that after all, we have not let you down because of your kindness to us two brothers.
Zhao Yun, of course, was also very happy. Although Yan Liang and Wen Chou were powerful generals in the world, as the previous generals of the 700,000-strong army in the Northern Kingdom, it was obviously impossible for them to serve as his deputies. He needed a few competent deputies.
Man Chong is definitely the best choice.
Moreover, the position of the governor was not very high. With his current position in Lu Ying, it was not wronging him to have Man Chong follow him as his deputy.
It's good to be brave and resourceful. If you encounter difficult problems in the future, you will have a counselor by your side.
What trouble is there, such a person can still stir up trouble.
This time, after all the hard work, I finally got a satisfactory answer, which is good.
"Thank you to General Zhao and General Yan for not giving up. They treat me like brothers and sisters. I will definitely repay the favor the next day." Man Chong knelt down on one knee, bowed his hands, and performed a military salute.
"From now on, we are all our brothers." After Zhao Yun helped him up, he personally brought him a war horse, and even took off his own cloak and tied it to Man Chong's body, at least to block his prison uniform.
Man Chong was really flattered by this kind of treatment.
Along the way, Zhao Yun was also chatting with him all over the place, deepening their understanding of each other.
When the conversation was almost over, Zhao Yun deliberately revealed that he wanted him to be his lieutenant. Sure enough, Man Chong agreed happily, "General, I think highly of you, so I will serve you!"
but"
Zhao Yun frowned, "It's nothing. If Boning has something to say, you might as well say it. I'll do it for you if I can."
Man Chong was similar in temperament to Gao Shun. He was a paralyzed man with a stern smile. He held up his hands and said, "General Zhao has a great reputation. It may be difficult for the next person to take the job. If the general is trustworthy, I am willing to recommend another person, who will definitely be able to relieve the general's worries."
"oh?"
Now Zhao Yun became interested and raised his eyebrows: "How is this person's talent compared to you?"
"Whether it's military strategy or bravery in battle, he beats me several times!"
Man Chong's determined expression made Zhao Yun's heart tremble.
Zhao Yun was obviously a little suspicious of a strong man who could instantly unite the spirit of a turbulent army and withstand the onslaught of a victorious army. He actually said that someone was several times more talented than him.
"He is in the army. I will write a letter to my senior brother immediately and ask him to deliver it!"
Zhao Yun only thought that he was one of the prisoners of Cao Cao's army. He never wanted to be full of favors but shook his head, "This person is in Yanmen. I originally planned to recommend this person after meeting Cao Cao, but..."
He didn't say anything else. He sighed and shook his head, and then said: "If the general agrees, I will write a letter to him later and order him to come for an interview. But he has no official status now. If he can keep the appointment, he will come here." , I hope the general will give me a chance to make an exception."
It's not impossible to make exceptions in the military, but you also have to pay attention to the issue of convincing the public.
If someone has no official status and no meritorious service, it may not be justified to be appointed as a deputy general.
Man Chong probably saw Zhao Yun's doubts and bowed: "General, don't worry, as long as there is another battle, if the general favors him at his discretion, he will definitely show his authority in the army and earn meritorious service!"
Are you so confident?
Zhao Yun looked at Man Chong with a determined look on his face and nodded slowly, "Bo Ning can rest assured that Marquis Wen will not bury talents."
Although they were chatting away from side to side, Zhao Yun was already a little lost in thought.
If Man Chong is telling the truth, then he will be able to gain two capable lieutenants at once, and the day when he can stand alone will not be too far away.
His talent is several times greater than that of Berning. I really look forward to it.
(End of chapter)
