“I haven’t seen you in a few years, the changes here are really big.￥f,”
"Oh oh oh~ There is such a thing. Let's talk about it. You must talk about it and listen."
"You haven't seen what Longqi City looks like now. It's just a lively big market. There is also a Taoist temple located on one foot. Do you know who is worshiping there?"
"Besides Lao Tzu, Zhuang Tzu and Lie Tzu, and the Four Sacred Beasts, is there anything new and novel besides that?"
"Hey, I guarantee you won't even think about it even if you think about it."
"Ha, could it be that those 'rice thieves' from the Zhang family in Hanzhong passed the tradition here?"
"You would never have guessed that what they worship is actually the Taoist tradition of Taiping Dao, as well as the statues of Zhang Jiao and his two brothers."
As a result, the only sound left in the room was the sound of gasping for cold air.
Arrogant, really too arrogant, even more arrogant than the group of "rice thieves" entrenched in Hanzhong.
"Is it true that he is worthy of that Li Zhoumu? No one will ever be able to guess what his real thoughts are."
"But I think it's normal for such a Taoist temple to appear in such a remote place even if you don't know about it."
"Is this really the case? Don't forget who the governor is here and who owns that market."
"Ah ah ah, I can't continue thinking about it. Anyway, we are already strangers to this place."
"Yes, we may have been forgotten here long ago."
After sighing casually a few times about the changes in my hometown, the conversation between several people finally got to the point.
"Ahem, was the recruitment operation going well this time?"
"Unexpectedly... it didn't go well. Because we encountered a situation that was beyond our expectations."
"What's going on? Is someone offering higher conditions than us, or is it because of other reasons."
"Because we were unlucky, we encountered a few small shrimps from the Xiliang Army who started a rebellion. As a result, they recruited those restless Qiang people. Later, the troops sent by the Bingzhou Army to counter the rebellion recruited them away.
A large number of Qiang people are also quick-thinking but don’t think those few shrimps can make anything happen. As a result, now, there are not many options left for us to choose from.”
"I thought I could recruit more people here. Unfortunately, our previous relationships have basically been severed. Otherwise, it shouldn't be such a troublesome thing. But this is the path we have chosen. There is nothing to regret.
of."
"But in this way, the role we can play in that civil strife is extremely limited."
"Yes, those Qiang Di have no good opinion of either of the two parties, and both parties also lack trust in them. They came here to recruit people, but they encountered this result again. Our era is indeed coming to an end.
What?"
"Ahem, why are you so discouraged? Maybe the turning point is in the corner that we haven't noticed. As long as we think carefully, we can always find that glimmer of hope, no matter how small it is, it can still give us hope of life."
"Your Majesty is right. Maybe we are too impatient. Maybe there was something wrong with our previous ideas. All the young people in the tribe have left. But since this is a border city, there must be a lot to lose to protect the caravan.
Wandering guards, as well as former caravan guards who had to become bandits for various reasons. These people may be more likely to become powerful warriors by simple young people, even if recruiting them may take a lot of effort. But for us
There is really no shortage of time and energy.”
"It's true to hear what you said. What you said reminded me of the times when I led my family's caravan to practice in border cities when I was young. Although there is no family's help behind us this time, we have left our hometown all these years.
You’re not just messing around!”
"That's right, that's right. We don't lack the capital for activities now, so we can recruit those homeless guards first. It doesn't matter even if they don't have enough ability. Anyway, we have a group of elites ourselves, and those guys can be trained to be better.
Okay, if not, use it as cannon fodder. Then pretend to be a caravan to lure those horse thieves and bandits, as long as we can get a few people to surrender. Our mission this time can basically be completed, and it is completed very beautifully~!"
"Also, if I think about it carefully, when I left the city, I seemed to have seen a very familiar face outside the city. I couldn't remember it just now, but now Shijiang, you mentioned things from your youth like this
, I actually thought about it."
"Oh? I can also meet old friends here. This is really an unexpected surprise."
"Old acquaintances, yes, old acquaintances. Speaking of which, some of you should have seen this guy before. Even if you haven't seen them, you should all have some impressions. Their family is also famous in Jincheng. It can be said that everyone knows everything about it.
No one knows where he is."
"No one knows, no one knows... Apart from that Korean date, how could there be anyone else?"
"Ahem, Yang Gui, you should be talking about the Jincheng Qu family who live in the Qushan area in the north."
"It turns out it's the Qu family. It's like thunder piercing my ears. It's like thunder piercing my ears."
"Tsk, if the adults hadn't mentioned it, you, your stupid brain, would have been able to think of it and still look like 'that's how it is'."
"Hey, I've been away from home for a long time. I forgot about it for a while. I just forgot."
"Ahem, although the Qu family does have a lot of power in Jincheng, we are all 'dead people'. Even if we meet in person, I'm afraid we can only respond vaguely. It's really not worth the trouble. In fact, Lotte
The plan is quite good and very maneuverable. With our current strength, it may be a little slow, but those guys probably won’t be able to tell the winner for a while.”
"Your Excellency, you don't need to be so cautious. It's also my fault that I was impatient and didn't speak clearly, so I gave you this misunderstanding."
"Ahem, it seems like it should be something worth noting to be able to give you such confidence. It's really worth talking about."
"Yes, sir." After noticing that everyone's attention was focused on him, the middle-aged man named Yang Gui said: "Actually, there is only one person worth noting, and the way this person is dressed...
"
"Ahem, the only two members of the Qu family who deserve our attention are Qu Yi and his younger brother Qu Yan. Qu Yi is now the Sizhou General under Li Zhou Mu, and he has a distinguished status and is in a strategic and sensitive place.
It is impossible to come here on time - no matter in any capacity. So the only one who can appear here and make Yang Gui feel strange is Qu Yan."
"My lord, you are right, it is indeed that boy Qu Yan."
"Ahem, this guy is very ambitious, but his ability is not outstanding. Compared with you, whether it is personal bravery, ability to command troops, or the flexibility of his mind, he is only between the two. However,
Only with good luck, relying on his clan brother
The relationship with Li Zhoumu has climbed to the high branch, allowing the Qu family to leave the quagmire of Jincheng in time. Logically speaking, no matter how bad it is, with the support of his brother and the various contributions he has made over the years, he can still make it.
Got a good spot.”
"There is no doubt about my lord's vision. But it would be strange if this is the case. Unless I have mistaken the person, this boy Qu Yan and I are wearing the same costume. He looks like the leader of the caravan's guard. What?
It looks like
I suffered some kind of disaster and became depressed, which made me think that I might be able to gain some unexpected rewards by getting in touch. Now it seems that Yang Guimeng is the one who is wandering. If adults hadn't woken him up, he would have almost missed the business. However, this quyan is dressed up like this.
.Could it be a scam?”
"Ahem, that's not necessarily the case. As I said just now, Qu Yan is an ambitious person. His ambition obviously exceeds the scope of his abilities, so even if he makes any choices that are beyond common sense, it will be difficult to think about it.
It’s nothing strange.”
"That means we can't contact him even more. Otherwise, it wouldn't be bad if he gets involved in any trouble."
"Ahem, we can't draw such a conclusion. Although this Qu Yan is not very capable, he is lucky and has not encountered any setbacks along the way. One of the reasons is the support of his brother Qu Yi. The second is Li Zhoumu's care.
, If this Qu Yan is not a ruthless person, he should be grateful to these two people, and he should not be resentful."
"Then why does he appear here dressed like this?"
"Ahem, it's hard to say. After all, we are too far away from Bingzhou. How can we possibly guess what that adult is thinking. But it doesn't hurt to have a little contact. In any case, there is no fundamental connection between us and Bingzhou now.
There is a conflict of interest on the matter, and there is still some tacit understanding on the matter of annihilating Han Wenyue in the past. At least Qu Yan should not yell at us to kill us."
"Then let me come. Since I can recognize him, maybe he will also recognize me. If nothing happens to me, everything will be easy to explain. Once the other party makes any changes, everyone will not be trapped in it.
into passivity.”
"Ahem, that's fine. It's all thanks to you, Yang Gui. However, don't be too impulsive. Be careful in everything."
"My lord, you can rest assured."
On the other side, Qu Yan, whose identity was recognized, also did not let go of the clues that made him confused because his reason kept emphasizing to himself the impossibility of the matter. He had not even entered Longqi City yet.
He ordered his capable men to follow Yang Gui from a distance to explore where the other party was staying.
So, when both of them had some ideas, hooking up with each other, oh no, dating became easier.
A few jugs of turbid wine meet happily, and many things in ancient and modern times are discussed with laughter.
"I really didn't expect that Brother Yang, you are actually still alive. Although you and several other participants all disappeared after Han Wenyue died, and there was no trace of your body. This is not normal, but there is no trace of you.
, so I can only think that you all died at the hands of Han Wenyue. But later I noticed that your family didn’t seem to make any big deal about your death. Even your wives disappeared one after another. In fact, I was a little worried at that time.
I suspect there may be some hidden agenda."
Although they sat together, the two of them didn't know what to say for a while. Even if Qu Yan thought about it again and again, he finally broke the awkward silence between them, but even so, the two of them still fell into an unknown state.
The point where you should say something.
Tell us about your experiences over the years?
The two people may have been considered good friends at the beginning, but let alone the fact that they have not seen each other for several years, even Yang Gui, oh no, a middle-aged man whose real name should be Yang Kui, who was sitting opposite Qu Yan.
He is regarded as a loyal minister under Han Sui, well. At least it seems so for a long time, but once the situation goes wrong, it seems that the speed of turning against him is not much slower than turning over a book... Well, this is still the surface.
It seems.
Maybe the other party has some reasons that he can't explain clearly, but just because he can't explain it clearly, there is no channel of mutual trust between the two parties.
Or to be more precise, both sides are somewhat curious about the other's current identity, and both sides also have relatively complete ideas about their missions. They are more curious and tentative about this contact.
It would be great to be able to gain something, but if there is no result, it might be better to reveal less.
If nothing unexpected breaks the awkwardness, perhaps this meeting will turn into a very simple meeting.
It's so pure that it becomes a completely meaningless waste of time.
"You are Yang Kui, the great general who served under the traitor Han Sui in the past?"
Suddenly, a young man dressed as an attendant behind Qu Yan spoke completely ignoring the atmosphere in the room.
Yang Kui looked at the other person up and down in surprise for a long time, but the young man who had only glanced at him since he entered the door seemed to have no negative emotions such as timidity or fear at all under his gaze. Of course, there was also no negative emotions such as timidity or fear.
It is easy to show timid emotions such as glaring back or being dissatisfied. With an inexplicable smile, it seems that there is something unfathomable.
Unfortunately, Yang Kui didn't know that the young man's expression at this time was a special expression he developed during this period in order to play the role of "Han Shaman" among the Qiang tribes - it looked both amiable and mysterious.
and majesty.
Although I felt that it was a bit inconsistent for a young man to act like this, the pride towards him hidden deep in the other person's eyes could not hide from Yang Kui who had gone through many hardships and ups and downs.
The other party must have something to be proud of! Even...
This was the conclusion Yang Kui made about this young man, although his eyes quickly turned to Qu Yan, who was sitting opposite him.
"Okay, now that you recognize him, let's introduce him. This is Luo Rui, Liangbi, who just graduated from Bingzhou Official School. He is a very powerful young man. Our ancestors once revised the "Taichu Calendar" together with Tai Shigong.
Luo Xiahong."
"The glory of our ancestors is used to spur us descendants, not as a means of boasting."
As for Yang Kui, although he doesn't know what the status of Bingzhou Official School is, as a powerful man from Liangzhou, he still respects scholars, especially such courageous scholars. Although Luo Rui is just a fledgling scholar.
Although he was a young man, Yang Kui still stood up and exchanged a few words with him very enthusiastically.
He seems to be even more enthusiastic than he is towards Koyeon.
However, Qu Yan was not affected at all. The old god was still there, smiling.
Although he is still not optimistic about Qu Yan's ability, his ability to cultivate Qi is worthy of praise. If he hadn't gone through many twists and turns, Yang Kui felt that he would never be able to achieve the level that Qu Yan is now.
It seems that so many years have passed. Both he and Qu Yan have experienced a lot and have grown up a lot. If they look at each other with the same eyes again, although it cannot be said that they will definitely suffer because of it, it will still be very difficult.
Some opportunities may be lost.
Thinking of this, Yang Kui looked at Qu Yan with more respect than before. Of course, after the young scholar Luo Rui knew each other by name, he was naturally qualified to sit down.
One against two, Yang Kui looked a little uncomfortable.
"Since I've all sat here, I wonder if the man behind you can also sit here? If I'm not wrong, since Yang Xianjing, who disappeared in the past, can be 'resurrected', then the man behind you can
The eyes are restrained and elegant. He should be Mr. Bian Wenxin who also disappeared after Han Wenyue's death."
"Ahem, young people actually know how to be old."
"Mr. Bian is not old at all, and he must be immortal. His magic is restrained and hidden, so there is no need to express his decrepitude."
"Ahem, I didn't expect that the talents under Li Bingzhou's command would actually make such a person willing to submit to this small caravan."
"Haha, compared to a fledgling like me, the Ko-sama around me is really aggrieved. Since Ko-sama can give up his position of 600 kilograms and is willing to be the leader of a caravan guard, why should I feel wronged?
It can be said.”
"Ahem, maybe it's not because of surrender, but because Li Bingzhou has a big plan."
"Since Mr. Bian has seen the grand plan of our lord, why not come here to join him? With Mr. Bian's talent and popularity, as well as his attitude towards the Han Wen promise, even if it costs two thousand stones, it will be easy.
.As for Mr. Yang, I dare not say for sure, but if you work hard and diligently, it is quite possible to find a wife and a son in this troubled world."
"Ahem, Bian Wenxin is weak and can no longer serve the country. Although I am kind to you, it is a pity that Bian Wenxin cannot be ten years younger. Otherwise, he would be willing to be driven by Li Bingzhou. Now he only thinks about taking care of himself. He can't
I don’t want to get involved in any more disputes.”
"Haha, don't you think Mr. Bian is deceiving a three-foot child by saying this?"
Okay. The two original leaders of the meeting became mere decorations after the hidden figures behind both parties appeared. However, one of them was the real leader of the team, and the other's talent had long been trusted, so the two of them simply
It's about observing the eyes, nose, and heart. Playing with big eyes and small eyes, looking at each other and smiling, you can understand that what the other person is thinking is no different from your own.
In a small verbal confrontation, Bian Zhang finally lost to Lowry.
This is not because Bianzhang does not have sharp words to argue with the young man Lori, but there is one thing that puts Bianzhang at a disadvantage from the beginning. That is Bianzhang and the three former powerful family heads who followed him
They are not just idlers who have no money and are just waiting to die. Otherwise, they could have sneaked back to Jincheng to go home and retire.
They still want to struggle. After seeing the outside world, they also hope to use their own strength to open up a new world, and then wash away the rebellious life that was burdened by Han Sui.
Of course, we also hope to work hard to achieve a different result in this troubled world.
It is a pity that such an idea is doomed to be crazy and difficult to succeed in this era, because they who are far away from their hometown are like water without a source and a tree with no roots. Unless they choose to attach themselves to a certain prince, otherwise they lack the foundation and have no choice.
Fight against those powerful families with deep roots in the local area, and this is the fundamental reason why they finally returned here after thinking about it.
Of course, Bian Zhang can also refuse forcefully. With the strength of Qu Yan and Luo Rui, there is really nothing they can do. After all, the management over the years has not been useless. Besides, there is nothing between the two parties.
In a conflict of interests, even if the other party really rejects the other party forcefully, the other party will not go too far considering Bian Zhang's reputation in Xiliang.
But after all, Bian Zhang was still a little wary of Li Shushi and the Bingzhou Army, which had grown into a behemoth, and did not want to cut off possible future cooperation or even the possibility of returning home because of his refusal.
Therefore, in such a constrained situation, even if Zhang Yi and Su Qin were to resurrect, it would be difficult to take advantage of them.
Although it is estimated that if these two people are resurrected, they probably will not choose to help a small group like Bian Zhang. After all, the world is so big, and only big forces like Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Sun Ce can bring them the greatest benefits, right?
.
When Bian Zhang and Lori took control of the topic, the atmosphere in the whole room became much more relaxed.
And it was completely unfeeling that the two sides had just had a round of verbal exchanges.
"I really didn't expect that Mr. Bian and all of you would hide with Liu Yan and Liu Zhang in Yizhou for so many years."
"Ahem, Liu Laozhou Mu was constantly absorbing refugees from Nanyang and Sanfu. Although we were from Xiliang, we still had no problem getting a place to live. And at that time, Yizhou was also the most suitable place for us.
"
"I remember that those outsiders known as the 'Dongzhou Soldiers' have now gained considerable power in Yizhou. You don't need to go north to recruit troops at all. Or are there internal problems with the 'Dongzhou Soldiers' now?"
"Ahem, this is actually not difficult to understand. After all, from the very beginning, there have been two voices within the 'Dongzhou Soldiers': the conservative faction and the radical faction. However, because the Yizhou natives planned to expel all outsiders like us, this
Only then did the 'Dongzhou Soldiers' unite together. But this did not fundamentally change the relationship between them.
There are differences in opinions, so it is not unusual for disputes to resurface after the situation stabilizes. Although we have some strength in Yizhou, we have to prepare for a rainy day, whether it is to gain more power or just to protect ourselves.
Having more cards is a good thing for us."
"It seems that we may have considerable cooperation possibilities."
An extremely confident smile appeared on Lori's face, but Bian Zhang nodded in agreement. Even his cheeks, which were very pale due to a stubborn illness, also showed some slightly sickly blush due to excitement.