After hearing Tu Dun's words, Zhang Liwei immediately understood that all his dealings with his second brother Yu were known to Zhao Shu.
As someone who had witnessed Zhao Shu opening an altar to practice magic and summoning ghosts and gods, Zhang Liwei knew very well that Zhao Shu was a master of magic. The private meeting between the two had most likely been exposed and could no longer be concealed.
"What is the purpose of Zhao Changshi saying these words?" Zhang Liwei asked cautiously. He had accepted the recruitment before, and indeed he had been instructed by his second brother to lurk in Jianjia Pass. It was best to get close to Zhao Shu.
, get the news nearby.
"You don't need to be in a hurry to test me. Just talk about those prisoners." Although Zhao Shui admired Chi Yundu, he did not dare to be careless. He had to be extremely careful about his secret dealings with Chi Yundu, otherwise he would be discovered by outsiders.
, I’m afraid it will cause a catastrophe.
Rather, even if Zhang Liwei's identity as a spy of Chiyun City is known, and Zhao Shui has close contacts with him, he will inevitably be subject to suspicion. Nowadays, there are not a few people who want to impeach Zhao Shui and bring him down.
.
"In my opinion, there are probably not many prisoners in Jianjia Pass who are actually from Chiyundu." Zhang Liwei replied: "It would be better to say that the term "remnants of the rebellious party" is difficult to judge."
Zhao Shu was slightly curious, but his face was still salty: "Why do you say this? Is it possible that some people are ordinary people during the day and are gangsters at night?"
Zhang Liwei mustered up the courage to raise his head and look directly at Zhao Shu: "Isn't it so? If the government hadn't sent people to press hard everywhere, why would everyone have to cause trouble?"
Zhao Shu listened to the other party's words and smiled lightly: "That's not necessarily the case. There are people who are not educated enough and are wanton and violent. In remote places with poor mountains and rivers, it is also easy to have unruly people and bandits. Not all faults can be simply attributed to them.
Corrupt officials."
Zhang Liwei explained: "In those days, Chiyundu gathered refugees and stragglers to reclaim the ownerless wilderness to support themselves. They served the people when they were busy and served as soldiers during war. This is extremely ordinary. Is it really like what the court said, that we all
Are they a group of bandits going on a robbery spree?"
"Your Qiao Zhang Village did not move to Huaxu Kingdom with Chiyundu, why did you join them?" Zhao Shu asked instead.
Zhang Liwei was silent for a long time, shook his head and lowered his head and said: "If Zhao Changshi had come to Qiaozhang Village five or six years earlier, wiped out the rat demons for us, and split the shrine with a thunder, I probably wouldn't have joined Chiyun City.
.
I am not a person who knows books and is polite, but I can still tell the difference between good and bad. With Chiyundu’s help, Qiaozhang Village can live a life of food and clothing. Even if the government goes to the countryside to levy taxes, we have learned from Chiyundu.
Learn how to deal with it.”
"The imperial court regards you as a rebellious party, so why are you taking the risk of being recruited?" Zhao Shu asked: "Just like letting the young people in the village flee into the mountains before, you can use this method to fend off the government's recruitment."
Zhang Liwei did not answer directly, but said: "Zhao Changshi, I can see that you are different from others in that you really think about the people. When you killed the rat demon in Xinglong County, even Chi Yun saw it.
"
"Oh? Listening to what you said, are you planning to invite me to join Chiyun City?" Zhao Shu smiled slightly.
Zhang Liwei was stunned and quickly replied: "That's not true."
Seeing him like this, Zhao Shu waved his hand gently: "Okay, I know you are just trying to find out information for others, so let the person in charge behind you come to see me."
Zhang Liwei became cautious: "Zhao Changshi, if you really want to know Chiyun City, I'm afraid you can't stay in Jianjia Pass and wait for someone to come to your door."
"What? Are you worried that I will set up an ambush to harm you like the imperial court did back then?" Zhao Shu asked back.
"After what happened back then, it shouldn't be surprising that Chi Yun is on guard." Zhang Liwei cupped his hands and said, "Please forgive me, Zhao Changshi."
"If I lead my troops out of Jianjia Pass, firstly, you won't trust me, and secondly, it won't be easy for me to explain to others." Zhao Shu knocked on the table and said, "But what if this is your Chiyundu trap?"
Zhang Liwei did not quibble and said bluntly: "If Zhao Changshi doesn't trust us, there is no need to force it. It's just that Chiyun asked me to bring a message to Zhao Changshi. They admire you very much for your deeds against the evil forces alone by the Cangshui River.
.”
Zhao Mo stared at the other party for a long time, and finally said: "I will find a reason later to let you lead the troops to leave Jianjia Pass. You take my charm and go to the contact person in Chiyundu. I will naturally know where you are going."
Where is it? When it gets dark, I will go over and see you."
Zhang Liwei quickly bowed and replied: "Since Zhao Changshi has a way, it would be the best."
…
The next day, Zhao Shu went to the altar and practiced for a long time. He found the group of prisoners who had escaped from Caishi Mountain, so he ordered Zhang Liwei to take 800 soldiers to the swamp where the prisoners were hiding.
After Zhao Shu handled various military affairs during the day, he recuperated in the quiet room of the palace at night, and asked He Dangguan to guard him outside. He left a message to ignore official duties tonight and not see the guests. After leaving a clone in the quiet room, he left quietly.
Arrived at Jianjia Pass.
Zhao Shu did not go directly to Zhang Liwei's location, but stopped at several places outside Jianjia Pass to pay attention to whether anyone was following him.
Jing Shi, who was sent to Jinding Division by Liang Tao, is also in Jianjia Pass. Although Zhao Shui once saw through her spying on him in the dark, it is dark now, so it is hard to say whether she also took advantage of the darkness to hide.
If the news of his private meeting with Chi Yundu was discovered by Liang Tao, Zhao Shu really didn't know what kind of trouble it would cause, so he had better take more precautions.
Zhao Shu put down the paper crane at a temporary stop. If someone was following him, he might approach the place and visit, so that he could sense it.
After trying a few times and confirming that no one was following him, Zhao Shu began to lift his body up, and once he was far away from Jianjia Pass, he immediately soared into the sky.
When he saw the firelight of the camp from a distance, Zhao Shui knew that it was the soldiers and horses led by Zhang Liwei. He did not show up in a hurry, but lowered himself down, grabbed the Lingwen Divine Iron Order and knocked it lightly.
After a while, the officials and soldiers of Lutan arrived one after another, and even Yuan Wujiao popped up from the nearby canal.
"Go and check around to see if there is any ambush or following. If you notice the monk's aura, don't disturb him and report back quickly."
Zhao Miao gave an order, and the officers and soldiers dispersed in all directions, like the cool breeze blowing on an autumn night.
Not long after waiting, an officer reported back: "Altar Master, there seems to be an extraordinary aura in the woods in the northeast. We dare not approach rashly. Zhang Liwei was also wandering nearby, but did not find any ambush."
Zhao Shu understood, he withdrew his troops and flew quietly to the woods in the northeast. He gestured and made a seal. The talisman on Zhang Liwei's body flew out of his arms, and the baby swallow returned to its nest and fell into Zhao Shu's hands.
"Zhao Changshi! Are you here?" Zhang Liwei exclaimed.
Zhao Shu nodded slightly, looked at the roots of the big tree aside, and said, "Fellow Taoist from Chiyundu, you might as well show up."
"Marquis Zhenming has good eyesight." The soil floated between the roots of the big tree, and the figure of the second brother slowly emerged from it.
"Hiding in the ground?" Zhao Shu said: "My fellow Taoist has practiced Earth Escape very well, but he is not as good at controlling fire and making smoke as the monk Chiyundu."
Brother Yu lightly dusted off the dust on his chest: "Does Marquis Zhenming think that Chi Yundu can only control fire and make smoke?"
"That's not the case." Zhao Shu said, "I have met a Chiyundu monk who is proficient in air restraint and has great magical power. His name is Yang Liujun. Do you know him?"
Brother Yu's face changed slightly, and then he nodded slowly: "Of course we know each other. In terms of qualifications, I am similar to him, but in terms of cultivation, I am not as good as him. It's a pity."
"I haven't asked fellow Taoist Gao for his name yet." Zhao Shu held his hand.
"There is no need for a high surname. My surname is Yu. I am the second in my family. I don't have a good name. I am too lazy to give myself a nickname or a nickname." Second brother Yu said.
"That's Fellow Daoist Yu." Zhao Shu didn't care: "I just didn't expect that Fellow Daoist Yu would take the risk of leaving Cangwu Ridge and come to the vicinity of Jianjia Pass. There are also occasional detectives in this area. Fellow Daoist Yu
It might be bad if you show any signs of it."
Although it is late at night, the moonlight tonight is bright, reflecting the confident look of the second brother: "I'm afraid those scouts don't have such keen eyesight, not to mention that Marquis Zhenming and I are taking huge risks to meet here.
What?"
"Now that the military situation is uncertain, I have to take risks." Zhao Shu said with his hands behind his hands: "I know that you, Chiyun, have been hiding from Cangwu Ridge in recent years, but you have your manpower in the towns and villages. I don't want to fight with Jiuli
When the country is fighting, we have to worry about being attacked from behind by you Chi Yundu."
"Does Marquis Zhenming view our Chiyun City this way?" Brother Yu asked back: "The people who attacked Chiyun City and massacred the civilians were the officers and soldiers sent by your Huaxu Kingdom's court!"
Zhao Shu sighed slightly: "How can I control what happened back then? There were indeed things wrong with the imperial court, but now it is no better than before. Jiuli Kingdom is a big country with hundreds of barbarians. How can Chiyun just sit back and watch them treat the people of Huaxu Kingdom?
Are you planning to develop swords and weapons?"
The second brother Yu said: "Hou Zhenming, have you forgotten that our Chiyundu was not originally a subject of your Huaxu Kingdom? We just learned that the troops in Shouyang Mountain of the Five Kingdoms could not last long.
I was wandering around the border between the two countries, so I reluctantly chose the seemingly stable country of Huaxu. But what was the result?"
Zhao Shu felt deeply ashamed. The imperial court of Huaxu State had committed many crimes against Chiyun, so how could he make him sincerely submit and obey? He originally wanted to persuade the other party by using the innocence of the people, but Chiyun was killed by the swords of the imperial officers and soldiers.
How can the common people be guilty?
"As long as I am in charge of Jiangjia Pass, I will try my best to stabilize the local area and prevent the army from plundering the people and harassing the people's residences." Zhao Shu reluctantly responded.
"We, Chi Yun, have seen all the actions of Marquis Zhenming, and you don't need to tell us." Brother Yu said, "Your Wu Kui army confiscated the property of corrupt officials in Qingyan County. It's hard to say what others will do.
I heard that you, Marquis Zhenming, used the rewards you received as pension money for recruiting soldiers?"
"It is indeed true." Zhao Miao sighed: "The imperial court recruits soldiers and rewards those who have made meritorious deeds with land, but when the war goes on, there must be many people who die without merit. They... they are not without merit, and the soldiers fight
It is a dangerous situation, and everyone must do their best, but not everyone may be able to behead and capture the flag. I have prepared a pension in advance to avoid more regrets in the future."
Zhao Miao's move reminded him of the veterans such as Wang Miaoshou whom he met in Chengyang County. They fought for the country, but ended up living alone and poor in their old age. Later, Wang Miaoshou helped evil spirits cause trouble, causing harm to the whole family.
.
Zhao Shu could not imagine how much trouble they could cause in the southern counties if these soldiers who responded to the imperial recruitment were not properly settled after the war and Chi Yundu was secretly making noises.
By then the foreign enemies have been repulsed, but Huaxu's own soldiers may become a more formidable enemy.
"Marquis Zhenming cares about the soldiers." Brother Yu changed the subject: "But I wonder if some of this compassion can be given to the innocent people who have become prisoners?"
Zhao Shu frowned and said, "Do you want me to let go of those escaped prisoners?"
"It's not just those who escaped, but also thousands of people in Jianjia Prison." Brother Yu said: "It is true that many prisoners had real crimes, but many of them were detained because of rumors in the market and slander from others.
Treated as a member of my Red Cloud City, he will be sent to the army and tortured for no reason."
Zhao Shu said: "I have also heard about it, but under the current situation, it is impossible for me to release a large number of prisoners. Once I do this, I don't expect to stay in Jianjia Pass."
"I understand the difficulties faced by Marquis Zhenming." Brother Yu said, "I just might as well give them a chance to get away with it."
Zhao Shu asked suspiciously: "Let them fight in battle to reduce their punishment? Although this method is difficult to implement."
"Is Marquis Zhenming worried that the prisoners will not obey the discipline and will escape once they leave the prison?" Brother Yu said with a smile: "Marquis Zhenming can rest assured that there are indeed people from Chiyundu among the prisoners who can replace Zhenming.
Marquis Ming stabilizes the situation."
Zhao Shu was shocked when he heard this, thinking that in addition to Zhang Liwei, Chiyun might have infiltrated the Jianjia Pass, and the shortcomings of Gaoping Gong's lax military management were revealed here.
"I can arrange it." Zhao Shu said: "But what I lack now is not these thousands of soldiers. Soldiers are more expensive than elites. Nowadays, several counties in the south can dispatch tens of thousands of additional soldiers at any time, especially the civilian men responsible for transporting grain and grass.
There are hundreds of thousands, but I can't expect these people to go into battle and kill the enemy. If you encounter the witchcraft and Gu masters of Jiuli Kingdom, the heretical cultivators, the mortal soldiers and horses with insufficient training will only lose their lives in vain."
Brother Yu nodded slightly: "I understand, Marquis Zhenming hopes that we, Chiyun, will all take action to help you contain the forces of Jiuli Kingdom?"
"It would be best if an expert monk takes action." Zhao Shu said bluntly: "But I also understand that you must also be on guard against Huaxu Kingdom, and it is impossible to send too many monks to assist. But I consider that Cangwu Ridge is located in the Three Kingdoms
At the junction, you all have your eyes and ears in the nearby mountains and villages. In addition, Chiyundu has been in the mountains and forests for a long time, so he wants to know the mountain trails well. I hope to get a complete mountain and forest map with water sources, roads, and terrain."
"Marquis Zhenming is so ambitious!" Brother Yu couldn't help but laugh: "If I let you figure out the terrain of the mountains and forests, wouldn't you be able to attack Cangwu Ridge by the way?"
Zhao Shuze said: "I am not ignorant. Even Chiyun can defend Cangwu Ridge. It is impossible to rely only on the mountain topography. You have an expert who has deployed the method of sealing the mountain and summoning clouds. Even Liang Guoshi cannot conquer it. It can be seen that the immortal
The method is profound. Plus there are powerful people like Yu Daoyou who are proficient in earth escape. What can I do with only a map?"