"Master Ouyang, go ahead. There's no need to send him away. Guard the city well. You can prepare some drinks. When I return after the victory, I will give a big reward to the generals."
Early in the morning, the morning light covered the bow deck of the ship about to set off, as well as the dock below with red flags fluttering. On the deck, Wang Lengran was dressed in a Confucian shirt, with a long sword across his waist and standing with his hands behind his back.
It is in sharp contrast to the red scarf soldiers in full armor standing on the bow of the ship.
Obviously, he is dressed like a handsome Confucian general.
The Governor Wang raised his head at a 45-degree angle, as if bathing in the morning light, and said calmly to Ouyang Rong and his party on the shore below without looking back.
Ouyang Rong took the lead and stood at the front of the officials. He couldn't help but take a second look at Wang Lengran's "glorious" back.
Okay, okay, I approve of you for showing off.
Just pretend it's okay, don't die, you'll give away 2,500 elite soldiers for nothing.
Ouyang Rong suppressed his complaints and slightly cupped his hands:
"Waiting for the good news from Mr. Wang, by the way..."
He pointed at three large ships not far away. On the deck of one of the large ships, Qin Heng's heroic figure could be vaguely seen wearing a war robe and holding a dry knife in his hand.
Ouyang Rong reminded:
"I have prepared some strong oil and loaded it into three ships. This oil is very special. It comes from Hu State. With good wind, it can burn on the river and burn enemy ships...it may be useful to Lord Wang."
Wang Lengran couldn't help but turn around and looked at Ouyang Rong, who looked calm:
"I didn't expect Sir Ouyang to provide help. He was very interested...Didn't Sir Ouyang object to aiding Jishui County before?"
Ouyang Rong nodded: "Attitude is attitude, responsibility is responsibility, one code equals the other."
Wang Lengran observed his calm expression, nodded slightly, reluctantly clasped his fists, and saluted.
The lead boat where Wang Lengran was on slowly started to move.
A large fleet full of Jiangzhou elite soldiers left Xunyang Ferry and sailed down the river toward Jishui County in the southeast.
Wang Lengran, accompanied by Sun Yu, Qin Heng and other lieutenants, rushed to aid Jishui County.
After they left, in addition to the civilian auxiliary soldiers recruited, there were only 500 elite soldiers left in Xunyang City to defend the city.
Ouyang Rongxiu watched the fleet disappear at the end of the river in the independent river breeze.
As the chief officer, he did not move. Yan Liulang, Chen Canjun, Yuan Huaimin and other officials in Jiangzhou Hall in the rear did not dare to move first and waited patiently.
Yan Liulang glanced at Ming Fu's back.
Twenty barrels of Burning Sky Dragon Oil, divided into three ships, were ordered by the Ming Palace yesterday to be transported from Shuangfengjian overnight and handed over to Qin Heng and other Zhechong Palace soldiers who were about to leave the city.
Yan Liulang received this order last night and was a little puzzled.
However, the Ming Mansion said that Jishui is indeed in a key position and it is best to rescue the siege. However, if there is a trick, Wang Lengran will lose everything, which is not good for all the soldiers and civilians of Jiangzhou City. Burn more Cai Qin and Zhu Lingxu ships. , or it would be good to bring back more soldiers.
"Mingfu is really conscientious of its duties and puts the overall situation first..."
Yan Liulang said to his heart, with sincere admiration in his eyes.
Ouyang Rong raised his head and glanced at the sun, then suddenly looked back:
"Chen Canjun, immediately informed the city gate defenders and the Xunyang Ferry Boat Company that at 2:00 noon today, the city gates and ferries were closed. Xunyang City implemented a strict ban and strictly controlled entry and exit. Strange business travelers and outsiders were not allowed to enter the city...
…”
Ouyang Rong methodically issued the order to close the city.
Now that Wang Lengran has left, Ouyang Rong has the final say in the entire Xunyang City, taking charge of Jiangzhou Hall on his behalf.
"Yes, Lord Changshi!"
Chen You accepted the order and retreated.
"Yuan Sima..."
Ouyang Rong turned his head to speak, but suddenly he seemed to catch a glimpse of something in his peripheral vision and became quiet.
Yuan Huaimin and other Jiangzhou officials noticed that Ouyang Rong turned his head slightly and looked sideways at the crowd of onlookers outside the pier, wondering what had attracted his attention.
"What are you looking at, Lord Nagashi?"
Yuan Huaimin and others were curious.
Ouyang Rong remained silent and silently watched the familiar Persian businessman among the crowd of onlookers leave.
This Persian businessman named Li Li, who was a retainer of the Wei family and was once Wei Shaoxuan's lackey, was actually in Xunyang City. He also came to Xunyang Wharf today. Apparently, he was also here to see Wang Lengran off.
But just when Ouyang Rong turned around and noticed him out of the corner of his eye, the Persian businessman had already turned his back and walked towards the low-key carriage waiting by the roadside... without noticing Ouyang Rong's gaze.
"nothing."
Ouyang Rong withdrew his gaze and shook his head.
Immediately, he glanced at Yan Liulang, who, like him, also noticed Li Li's figure and looked askance at the low-key carriage slowly leaving on the street outside the crowd.
When he was in Dragon City, Ouyang Rong once wore a mirage mask and disguised himself as Wei Shaoxuan. He contacted and misled Li Li.
Later, Yan Liulang was also sent to investigate this Persian businessman.
Therefore, Yan Liulang also knew Li Li and knew his general identity.
But Li Li didn't know that Ouyang Rong and Yan Liulang had known him as early as Longcheng.
This may be the reason why Wang Lengran came to see Wang Lengran off without any precautions today.
Ouyang Rong and Yan Liulang looked at each other in tacit understanding.
After a while, Ouyang Rong looked calm and led Yuan Huaimin and his party of officials back to the main hall of Jiangzhou.
Yan Liulang's figure disappeared.
I don’t know when I retired and where I went silently...
In the main hall of Jiangzhou, Ouyang Rong patiently arranged all the matters for the city's strict preparation. The officials below had their own division of labor, and even the old salted fish Yuan Huaimin was busy.
Ouyang Rong turned to Miaozhen.
I originally wanted to look for Rong Zhen, but this cold girl in palace clothes came and went without a trace. I couldn't find her and I didn't know if she was in the city.
Ouyang Rong looked calm and applied to Miaozhen to suspend the construction of the Donglin Buddha for a few days.
Wait until the governor Wang returns with his soldiers and everything is safe, then we can continue with the statue making.
The latter looked at him without changing his expression:
"Lord Chang Shi, please take care of it. The statue is a major matter for the court, so don't delay it for too long."
"good."
After the discussion, Miaozhen left without stopping.
Ouyang Rong was used to these cold and arrogant female officials in colorful clothes.
He glanced at the sun outside the door and saw that Yan Liulang, who had gone to follow someone, hadn't come back yet.
Ouyang Rong left a long entourage behind, waiting in the main hall, then turned around and went out, boarded the carriage, and went to Xiushui Fang.
Ouyang Rong got out of the car at the gate of Xunyang Prince's Mansion, which was busy with traffic, and immediately saw the figure of Magistrate Diao waiting not far away.
"Mingfu."
"Let's go in."
Magistrate Diao looked a little nervous and looked around: "There seem to be a lot of people visiting today."
"It's okay. It's been like this lately. The prince may not see them. Let's go."
Ouyang Rong glanced at Magistrate Diao, explained casually, and took the lead into the gate of Prince Xunyang's Mansion.
The two of them walked into the palace under the envious gazes of the visiting scholars and envoys.
Magistrate Diao looked like Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden, looking around with curiosity and awe.
When he met the maids and slaves, he quickly looked at them seriously and did not look away.
And for the female officials, doctors, and Magistrate Diao who occasionally passed by, they looked cautiously.
This solemn and solemn residence of the Prince of Dazhou, which attracts much attention from outside, still has a layer of supreme imperial power in the eyes of Magistrate Diao, who has been at the grassroots level of Dazhou for a long time.
If there is no suitable person to introduce him, this is not something that a seventh- or eighth-grade local official like him can walk into.
He asked cautiously:
"Mingfu, is your prince free today?"
Ouyang Rong laughed: "He and Dalang have always been free, maybe even fishing. Don't think of them too busy."
"Even if it's fishing, it wouldn't be good if we just walked in without giving a notice."
"Well, it's true that there was no notice. I forgot. I usually just go in directly. I'm used to it."
Of course Ouyang Rong didn't say that he just climbed over the wall and entered at night.
As for now, it was even more convenient. After the crisis that night was over, he could enter at will during the day. However, he could no longer climb over the wall and had to go through the main entrance. For a while, he was still a little uncomfortable with it.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at a wall that was getting better and better, and Ouyang Rong smiled sheepishly.
Magistrate Diao couldn't help but say:
"But as the governor of Jiangzhou, the Ming Dynasty walked in directly, it would be too... well, even the governor has to pay homage respectfully, so the Ming Dynasty still has to avoid suspicion."
"It makes sense, but there is no need for it now. Your Majesty has taken over the job of appeasing the Ambassador of Jiangnan Province. He will bring you in to report on your work and let him appease and reassure you. No one can tell you what happened."
Ouyang Rong said seriously.
Magistrate Diao: "..."
What's going on with this inexplicable and very reasonable feeling?
Ouyang Rong gently patted Magistrate Diao on the shoulder:
"Master Diao, don't think so much. The prince and the prince have always remembered the fact that you took the lead in offering auspiciousness. It's just that they left in a hurry and didn't have time to thank you.
"Speaking of which, you are also an old member of Longcheng. Don't think of yourself as an outsider."
Magistrate Diao choked with sobs: "Ming Mansion, the prince actually remembers..."
Ouyang Rong nodded and said nothing, everything remained silent.
Magistrate Diao looked moved.
He looked at Ouyang Rong, who was taking the lead and was walking in front, and couldn't help but feel filled with emotion.
I thought that being an eighth-grade county magistrate would be the end of my life. My head would turn gray and my butt would not be able to move.
Unexpectedly, when I met a truly noble and benevolent person, I was half forced and half admired. I gritted my teeth and followed him to control the floods in Longcheng and defeat the Liu family. As expected, I made the right choice.
Now, not only has he been promoted to the chief official of a county, he has even climbed up to the rank of Qiandi. There is a vague opportunity to follow the dragon...
Ouyang Rong personally identified him as an "old man from Dragon City". Walking on the corridor of the solemn and noble palace, Magistrate Diao couldn't help but straighten his waist.
After a while, he entered the depths of the palace and saw the servants and maids around him. There were fewer people in the palace. Magistrate Diao came closer and whispered:
"In the Ming Dynasty, the lower official was incompetent and lost to the rebels. He did not have the ability of Jishui County Lieutenant. Although he escaped from Longcheng, before leaving, the lower official had already sent Miss A Qing and Liu Mu to the village adjacent to Yunmengze.
We ordered people to look after them in the remote mountain villages, which are isolated from the rest of the world and cannot be affected by the war."
Ouyang Rong nodded slightly: "Liu Lang mentioned it, thank you for your hard work."
"It's not hard work. You should. Not only are you helping the Ming Dynasty, brothers Ah Shan are heroes of Longcheng. Naturally, we can't let anything happen to the families of heroes."
Magistrate Diao looked serious and his tone was sighing.
Ouyang Rong was silent.
They were speechless all the way, and when they came to the study, Ouyang Rong led Magistrate Diao to meet with King Lixian of Xunyang and the prince Li Fusu.
The father and son treated each other with courtesy, which made Magistrate Diao feel flattered and heartbroken.
After a while, at noon, only Magistrate Diao was left to eat in the palace. Ouyang Rong was busy with work and was about to leave. Halfway through, suddenly Yan Liulang came to him.
"Ming Mansion, it's that Li Li, but he's smart and I can't get too close to him. He left Xunyang City before the city was closed at 2:00 noon. It looks like he went in the direction of Jishui County.
.
"And I went to investigate the people near the house where he lived before, and found out that Li Li had been in Xunyang City for at least two months. People often lived in that house. Sometimes, Li Li's carriage would appear there.
Near the Governor's Mansion, especially in the past few days, it has been particularly frequent..."
Ouyang Rong nodded calmly.
After a while, Yan Liulang retreated.
Ouyang Rong frowned:
"Will the Wei family provide help? What kind of support will it be... So, is this the source of Wang Lengran's confidence... No wonder he looked so confident this morning.
"This Wei family has gone to great lengths to compete for the position of chief military officer of Jiangzhou Road, even putting the overall situation of the imperial court and Jiangzhou's safety and security on the back burner..."
He lingered in place for a moment.
His face showed contemplation. After a while, Ouyang Rong did not leave the palace. He turned around and went to a boudoir somewhere. He came to the boudoir.
"Why are you here, Senior Brother?"
Before I saw her, I heard her voice first and was pleasantly surprised by her beautiful voice.
Xie Lingjiang was seen walking out of the spring curtain tent, looking like he had just woken up from a nap. His long, silky hair was scattered around his shoulders, and his pretty eyes were a bit lazy and confused. He walked quickly and naturally held Ouyang in his arms.
Rong's palm.
Ouyang Rong couldn't help but smile, and then he turned serious and asked, "I have something to ask of you."
"Oh, you won't come if you have nothing to do, right?" She pouted her pink lips, looked at him with squinted eyes, and then nodded: "Okay, let's talk quickly."
Ouyang Rong said a little embarrassedly: "Junior sister, please help me go out of town to do something."
"Where to go? What's going on?"
Sensing Ouyang Rong's serious attitude, Xie Lingjiang's anger immediately dissipated and he sobered up a lot.
But she didn't wait for an answer. The next moment, Xie Lingjiang felt someone gently hugging her delicate body. Xie Lingjiang couldn't help but feel soft and soft, and her pretty face flushed. Just when she was nervous and expecting,
The three thousand black hair draped on the shoulders was held up by a big hand.
Ouyang Rong was half-cradling Xie Lingjiang, and the beautiful lady was limp in his arms. Ouyang Rong turned over his hand and took out a red rope, and while carefully tying her hair, he said seriously:
"Junior sister is going to Jishui County to follow Wang Lengran and the others. If there is any important military information ahead, we will report it back as soon as possible. I am not worried about the others, and I still need you to go.
"But you must be careful on the road. If there is danger, don't force him. The main thing is to run away. You know, don't worry about saving face. Safety is the most important thing."
He rested his chin on her green-haired head and chattered.
Xie Lingjiang listened silently to his ramblings. The palm-sized lotus face was more beautiful than a flower. She was a little emotional, but she tried hard to hold it down:
"Okay, I know...I remember everything you said."
The two looked at each other for a while, couldn't help but embrace each other, and stayed tenderly for a while before reluctantly separating. After they separated, Xie Ling Jiang Hong lowered his head and straightened his messy breast and collar first, then frowned and seemed annoyed.
She nudged someone as if to scold him for causing mischief, but her eyes were soft, not blaming him at all.
Not long after, Xie Lingjiang changed into white men's clothing, tied up her hair with a red rope, and carried a sword.
Ouyang Rong watched silently.
Waiting for Xie Lingjiang to leave,
Ouyang Rong couldn't help lowering his head and sniffing his shoulders and fingers.
Afterwards, I smelled a faint fragrance of orchid.
Fragrance has been associated with women since ancient times.
In this world, there are actually only two kinds of female scents.
One is that as soon as you get closer, you can feel that a woman with a strong fragrance is always tacky no matter how beautiful she is.
There is also a kind of woman, when you stand with her, you don't feel the fragrance at all. Only when she leaves, you will be aware of it and smell a faint fragrance that seems to be there or not. Only the back of the beauty is left, and the fragrance floats in your heart.
, which makes people feel disappointed.
Ouyang Rong was a little distracted.
But suddenly, for no reason, I thought of the slender figure in the underground palace who once hugged her knees and sat on a long sword.
What kind of feminine scent does she have?
Ouyang Rong shook his head slightly, feeling a little guilty.
Now, why do you suddenly think about such a thing?
Immediately, he lowered his eyes:
"Should I tell my junior sister about the embroidery girl? It's not good to keep her in the dark. But if I know about it, will I be angry? But my junior sister is broad-minded and she shouldn't be jealous... Okay, this sentence
Pretend I didn’t say anything…”
As if remembering something, he shook his head and muttered to himself: