Bohai County is across the river, but there is only a thin layer on the south side of the river. For example, the county seat of Putai County is on the opposite bank, but more than ten miles outside the city is the border between Dengzhou and Qizhou. In this obviously artificial administrative triangle
District, in fact, in an area that is closely connected economically, culturally, and geographically, there is a wealthy family similar to the families of Xu Dalang, Shan Dalang, and Wang Wulang, whose surname is Cheng.
The resume of the Cheng family is basically the same, except that Cheng Dalang is a little older, so his great-grandfather and grandfather were just independent military leaders in the Eastern Qi Dynasty, and his father became a feudal leader.
Official...and this also forced Cheng Dalang himself to take on the dual roles of a good man and an evil boy.
Belongs to a little five generations older.
In fact, because of Qin Bao, Zhang Xing had often heard of this man's name. It was said that this man had supported Qin Er in Dengzhou in his early years. It was even because of this man that Qin Er and Xu Dalang met.
And in Wang Wuzhuangzi, I heard about it many times.
However, Cheng Dalang, who was older than Wang Wulang, Xu Dalang, and Qin Bao, came to the fore very late this time.
The reason is self-explanatory. His family is in Dengzhou, and the Dengzhou camp is at the other end of Dengzhou. No matter how the three expeditions against Dongyi collapsed without a fight, no matter how people's hearts dispersed, the saint's chariot and hundreds of thousands of troops
Right in front of you? How dare you act like a fool?
Aren't you afraid of being trampled to death by someone?
That is to say, Shengjia hurriedly crossed the Huaihe River, and then he quickly invested in his family's resources and used the local cavalry tradition to form a team of several hundred cavalry to "protect the hometown."
The cavalry came and went like a breeze, coupled with the scale and proper management of hundreds of cavalry, it quickly demonstrated Cheng Dalang's influence and personal ability.
Probably because of this, just a few days after the cavalry was established, Cheng Dalang suddenly received a bunch of inexplicable invitations.
It's really a bunch... There are letters from Xu Dalang, Wang Wulang, and Shan Dalang from the upper reaches of Jishui River. Although they were sent separately, they all invited him to join some kind of deposed dragon gang and sit as a big leader... And they all
To point it out, the two leaders who call the shots in the gang are Li Shu and Zhang Xing, two big shots with world-wide expectations. Whether they want to maintain a stable position or do big things, this strangely named gang is inevitable.
.
At the same time, there are some subtle differences in the attitudes of the three letters.
Xu Dalang is very sincere, and he vaguely wants to win over Cheng Dalang to join him, increase the voice of the leaders in the gang, and counter the feeling of the two leaders; although Shan Dalang also has this intention, he is obviously condescending and seems to be afraid of him, Cheng Dalang
He grabbed the position; while Wang Wulang only boasted about the ability of Mr. Zhang, saying that great things would surely come true.
Boss Cheng was noncommittal about this matter. His home was in Dengzhou. How could he not know who Mr. Zhang was and what he had done? As for Li Shuhe's rebellion, there is no need to say more. Other than that,
, he can also probably realize that the three heroes in the upper reaches of Jishui can jointly believe that the Deposed Dragon Gang, which has two of the most famous rebels joining it, may indeed have something to say... However, it is still too far apart at the moment.
, so I have nothing to think about for the time being.
In addition, Wang Hou, the Zhishi Lang of Yimeng Mountain in the south, Gao Shitong of Hebei Province, and Sun Xunzhi also invited him to join the team. But towards these people, Boss Cheng's attitude was reversed... He really looked down on these people, especially
They gained power for a moment, gathered tens of thousands of young men, and then became arrogant, but they didn't know that they were destined to be suppressed by the imperial court first... But the problem is that these people are right in front of you, and you have to pay attention to it, just in case they really gather 100,000 or 200,000 troops
The sweep comes, do you vote or not?
Therefore, you need to be as perfunctory as possible.
In addition, people from the government were also calling him.
People in Dengzhou call him, people in Qizhou call him, the county government calls him, and the county town calls him... This is very confusing.
After all, Boss Cheng was described as rough, but he was very careful and understood the development of the situation. This is not to say that the Wei Dynasty was not worth betting on. It was not impossible for the officers and soldiers to easily sweep away these bandits when they came back, but at that time, these local officials
It's hard to say whether they are the same people as before.
At the same time, the public sentiment of the local people and the public opinion of heroes in the world must also be considered. Everyone is against Wei, but you, Cheng Dalang, are the imperial eagle?
It can only be said that the county government and the surrounding counties south of the river have to deal with it without losing their dignity.
"What is this?"
The rainy season and sultry heat have passed. In the early autumn, the sky is clear and crisp. After a small group of bandits were wiped out, Cheng Dalang returned to his manor and spent half a day to properly handle the general affairs of his 500 cavalry team and arrange them neatly... How to reward and punish,
How to comfort the casualties, how to replenish war horses and ordnance, are all troublesome... But after finally returning to the back hall, before I had time to take a rest, there was a letter from the old steward of the manor.
Frankly speaking, Cheng Dalang, who has a white face but a dark heart and a long beard, has become numb to these letters.
"It's a letter sent from Hebei. It's said to be an official letter from Bohai County. But for some reason, the person who sent the letter has both an official appearance and a heroic appearance..." Lao Duguan, who was holding the letter, looked like a hero.
I am also used to the scene.
"Of course they are from Jing'an Taiwan." Cheng Dalang sighed, took the letter directly, and then tore it open on the spot. "It's hard to tell here in the East. I'm afraid the Hebei side will have to listen to Dongdu's greetings more in the future. Jing'an
The gangsters on stage are trembling locally..."
Before he finished speaking, Cheng Dalang directly pushed the letter aside and stopped reading it.
The old man knows the importance and doesn't ask too many questions.
Cheng Dalang himself, on the other hand, had been working much harder outside. At this time, in front of his confidants, he finally couldn't bear it anymore: "Why is it that Bohai County is looking for me? It's just an envoy from Dushui. The envoy from Dushui asked me to guard the warehouse.
Then he just promised me some weapons, but actually asked me to go and kill Zhang Jinscale with him? Zhang Jinscale has 40 to 50 thousand people, and he is also a master with a clear ren meridian. Who knows what it will be like now that he has become a force? I
How can he destroy a family with a few hundred men and five or six thousand men? Does he think I am a famous general in the history books, or does he regard himself as a marshal in the history books? I don’t know where this nerd comes from!"
Lao Duguan can only apologize.
Cheng Dalang finished cursing angrily, but still didn't understand his hatred, and rolled up Duanjiang Zhenqi again. With just a wave of his hand, he raised the letter on the case in the air, and then cut it into two halves. Then he collapsed in his seat and picked up a
Wan Wencha sneered:
"I made it clear today that even if I jump naked from the podium, I won't be able to fight Zhang Jinsheng with Li Silang!"
The old man could only nod.
However, as the cut letter slowly fell to the ground, a clip actually flew out of it. Cheng Dalang could ignore it, but Lao Du could not, so he leaned over to pick it up and handed it to him, becoming increasingly impatient.
's owner.
Cheng Dalang was holding the tea, squinting his eyes, only looking at the hands of his confidant Lao Duguan. However, after just one look, he was completely stunned, and his posture of serving the tea did not change.
After a long while, the person slowly put down the tea, carefully took the clip, and then read it twice, and then asked: "Did this letter fall out?"
"Yes." Lao Duguan said.
"Do you know what is written?" Cheng Dalang continued to ask.
Lao Duguan just shook his head.
"This is the letter from Zhang Sanlang, who killed Mr. Nanya and scared the emperor away. He asked me to join him in the rebellion. He asked me to join his deposed dragon gang... but it's actually in this letter?" Cheng Dalang seemed a little confused.
But he was a little cautious. "How many people delivered the letter? How many days have they been here? Where are they now?"
"A man has been here for four or five days, and he is still waiting for a reply in Zhuangzi." The old governor hurriedly responded. "It is provided according to the usual practice."
"Ten taels of silver, a dou of rice a day...make a fire to cook at home?" Cheng Dalang also panicked.
"Yes..." The old governor became more and more nervous. "But it was a mistake?"
"I don't blame you if I miss something." Cheng Dalang stood up immediately and held the clip. "Take me to see this person quickly."
Lao Duguan could only follow in a hurry.
"Forget it, don't come." Cheng Dalang walked out of the back hall and suddenly turned back to warn him.
Lao Duguan understood and stopped immediately...but after a while, he still followed.
Cheng Dalang just shook his head helplessly.
But only a quarter of an hour later, Cheng Dalang, who was famous in the East, saw the messenger, who was eating on the wall...white rice, topped with vegetables and bacon...it looked quite delicious.
Then he was peeping at his own cavalry.
Cheng Dalang watched below for a while and became a little hesitant. This did not mean that he was afraid of society, but that the other party was like this. It was probably the same person, but he had wronged himself to this extent, making a fire by himself in his own village.
After four or five days of blending, he seemed to be looking for something to do with him...and he, Cheng Dalang, was unwilling to get entangled with the other party too early and get involved in right and wrong.
Besides, is Zhang Jinscale that easy to beat?
What good does it do to you?
But now that things have happened, it would seem ridiculous to try to cover it up... So, hesitation returned to hesitation. After a moment, Cheng Dalang still raised his hands towards the person on the wall from behind:
"Cheng Zhili has seen distinguished guests. In the countryside, the family members were careless and did not entertain well, making the distinguished guests laugh."
The man on the wall, that is, Zhang Xing, turned around and smiled after hearing this, holding a wooden bowl: "I thought your name was Cheng Zhijie... It turns out that your name is Cheng Zhili. If you are called Zhili, why are you so ignorant?"
"It's none of the master's business." The old steward hurriedly came forward and bowed to apologize. "It's because I don't recognize the distinguished guest and I have lost my etiquette... I can't apologize to the distinguished guest."
"What do you care about if you don't provide good hospitality?" Zhang Xing took a mouthful of rice and just laughed. "I'm not a member of a noble family. I don't know how difficult farming is... A bucket of rice per person per day is good, and it can even out some.
Exchange some soy and vinegar meat and vegetables for the local farmer... You are very considerate to both parties. I just said that he is irrational, not that he does not know etiquette and complains that he has been treated harshly, but that he does not know the truth and clearly understands that the old capital
Even though I’m doing the right thing, I know that some people in the world have bad tempers and don’t know who I am, but I let you, a young man, come out and take advantage of me for no reason. How can I be like Cheng Dalang, who is famous in the East for his all-around good looks?"
"Your distinguished guest has misunderstood." The old man hurriedly explained again. "Just now, my eldest son specifically asked me not to come with him. I was afraid that I would miss his official business, so I was willing to come over to apologize... But I underestimated your noble guest's magnanimity.
.”
Cheng Dalang didn't know how to interrupt.
However, he also saw that people who are kind will not come, and those who come will be unkind.
"That's alright." Zhang Xing said with a smile. "For the sake of the old governor, I'll let this matter go... But please come back, the old governor. I have a beheading deal with your eldest son.
"
That person knew that he was about to talk about business next, so he could only leave in a hurry.
As soon as the person left, Zhang Xing used his chopsticks on the wall and said, "Cheng Dalang, come up and talk."
Cheng Zhili knew that the other party was turning his back on guests and was speechless, but he still flew up and sat on the wall with the other party, and then handed over his hands again:
"Dare I ask, but Mr. Zhang Sanye of the Dragon Sword is in person? I'm ashamed, I'm ashamed!"
"Good bacon." Zhang Xing didn't answer, just picked up a piece of bacon, waved it in front of the other party, and then chewed it whole.
"There are no good things in the countryside, which makes the distinguished guests laugh." Cheng Dalang was startled for a moment, knowing that the other party had defaulted to his identity, and became even more uneasy.
"Don't laugh at the farmers' bacon and wine. In good years, there are enough chickens and dolphins for tourists." Zhang Xing continued to eat while sighing. "I am originally a farmer in the north. How can I not know the hard work of farmers... There is bacon, there is rice, that's it.
The best thing... On the contrary, Cheng Dalang is always staring at this, but as Lao Duguan said just now, he seems to underestimate me. Or maybe you, Cheng Dalang, are a suspicious person, and you are afraid that I am cheating on such small things.
, so you come here to test again and again?”
Cheng Dalang could only shut up.
"Cheng Dalang actually doesn't need to be so careful or pretend." Zhang Xing continued to hold the bowl and chopsticks to point out the manor. "I've been here in your village for four or five days and I've already seen that.
The system, both yours and Xu Dalang's are at the top, far beyond those other powerful people. I saw these hundreds of riders today and I admire them even more... The so-called distinction between subject and object, clear responsibilities, producers and defenders are in their own place.
Not to mention the position, there are also complete transportation channels, defense facilities, and security measures... It can be seen that the education you received since childhood should be the serious education of the Eastern Qi nobles, who is promoted to be a general and dismounted to be an official."
"How can you say something noble?" When Cheng Dalang heard this, he reluctantly interjected. "It's a joke to Mr. Zhang."
"Don't belittle yourself." Zhang Xing continued with a smile. "According to me, after the fall of the Eastern Qi Dynasty, the Wei Dynasty was harsh in its administration. You guys had to deal with the government carefully, and at the same time, you had to work hard in the world, so you have more experience.
, I learned more, and I was able to understand the difficulties of farming, and I also understood the reason why a penny can stump a hero. In the end, I was much better than my ancestors without even realizing it...Cheng Dalang!"
"Why!"
"You and Xu Dalang are actually natural tiger ministers in troubled times, no worse than the dragons and phoenixes of Dongdu and Guanlong..." Zhang Xing suddenly commented seriously. "It's just a pity, because the Wei Dynasty suppressed it too much.
I can't help but have a more conciliatory mentality, a bit self-defeating, and not daring to express my ambitions, which seems to have no structure... This is wrong."
Cheng Dalang opened his mouth, but he didn't know how to answer it, so he could only respond perfunctorily: "Mr. Zhang seems to think highly of me, Da Cheng... How can a few small villagers get involved in so many things? On the contrary, it is Mr. Zhang who
, what happened by the Gu River shocked the world. The Prime Minister of Nanya was killed when he said to kill him, and the prefect of a county threw it away when he said to be killed. Moreover, Jingantai was forced to part ways with the emperor on the spot... and the emperor was so frightened that he ran away.
…”
"Let's not brag. I just want to ask you something." Zhang Xing, who took the opportunity to take a bite of food, suddenly interrupted him. "Have Xu Dalang, Shan Dalang, and Wang Wulang written to you?"
Cheng Zhili was stunned for a moment. After all, he didn't dare to lie. He just nodded bravely.
"Did Zhi Shilang, Wang Hou, and Bohai Gao Shitong write to you?" Zhang Xing stared at each other and took another mouthful of rice.
Cheng Dalang could only nod his head.
"Where is the local government?"
"I have written it too." Cheng Dalang felt aggrieved by the question and finally stabbed half a sentence. "Everyone has taken a fancy to my five hundred cavalry, but they don't know that my five hundred cavalry were collected by several Zhuangzi together and are used for defense.
Is it necessary to cut it into several pieces and send it over on horseback to a family of 40 or 50 people..."
"Yes, yes, I know." Zhang Xing nodded repeatedly. "But in today's world and situation, do you still want to be alone?"
Cheng Dalang sighed: "But you can't be aggressive and force others to do inappropriate things, right?"
"What is inappropriate?" Zhang Xing caught the other party's words and asked. "Is it inappropriate to be a thief, or to follow the government against people's will, or to join the Deposed Dragon Gang and then help Li Silang, the envoy of Dushui, to fight
Is Zhang Jin's scale inappropriate?"
Which one do you think is inappropriate? Cheng Dalang was speechless, but he could only shut up.
"Cheng Dalang, you have two difficulties now." Zhang Xing finally finished his last bite of rice, put down the wooden bowl on the roof, and analyzed it carefully. "The first one is that you probably know in your heart that in a short period of time, Gao Shitong
, Wang Hou and his men will take advantage of this big wave to come and sweep across the prefectures and counties, but with your knowledge, you know that they will not last long. The Wei army will come sooner or later, so during the ebb and flow, you will not
Know how to maintain your position; the second is that your father is still the head of a county, and when he comes to your position, he is ambitious for fame, but he is weak and has few soldiers. Although he has talents, he cannot express himself... Yes or no?
"
Cheng Dalang laughed dryly: "It will be whatever Mr. Zhang says."
But after laughing, he immediately became solemn, because what the other party said was indeed clear and clear, and it was indeed this matter.
Zhang Xing seemed to ignore the other party's jokes and just continued to persuade: "Now there is an opportunity that allows you to do more than one thing with one stone. It can not only perfuse the court on the surface, but also prevent you from being ignored by the heroes of Hebei and the East in private."
Abandonment can also make you arrogant and self-improving, so why can't you do it?"
Cheng Dalang was silent for a moment, and finally asked helplessly: "So what Mr. Zhang means is to join the Deposed Dragon Gang first, and then help the Du Shui Messenger kill Zhang Jinsheng?"
"Yes." Zhang Xing responded sincerely.
"I understand the truth." Cheng Dalang sighed. "Joining the Deposed Dragon Gang and helping the people of the imperial court beat Zhang Jinscale. This is like cutting tofu with a knife and slipping on both sides. Whoever rises up in the future, I can handle it...
If I lose a gold scale and devour his people, maybe the Dushui envoy can give me some weapons and supplies, which will make me stronger and more arrogant, and then I will be better able to survive the ebb and flow of the tide?"
"Yes." Zhang Xing nodded sincerely.
"How can we beat him?" Cheng Dalang spread his hands on the wall.
"If you don't take a look, how do you know you can't beat me?" Zhang Xing also became serious. "Are you just relying on your mouth here?"
Cheng Dalang was extremely speechless. Who could rely on only one mouth?
However, he knew that the other party was at the height of his fame at this time, and even an assassin with only one mouth could not fall out easily, so after thinking about it, he still responded seriously: "In this case, Mr. Zhang is here for this trip.
Do you want me to follow Third Master across the river to take a look at the situation?"
"Not bad." Zhang Xing replied proudly.
"But what if after crossing the river and seeing the situation with my own eyes, I still feel that we can't fight, so what?" Cheng Dalang asked sincerely. "Does Mr. Zhang want to say that I am unbearable in the world?"
"No." Zhang Xing replied with a sigh. "With your pragmatism and cunningness, even if you think you can't fight, you will still come over and say that you can fight, and then take the opportunity to fake it... leaving me completely defeated and speechless...
...However, once we have crossed the river, with Cheng Dalang's intelligence and ability, he will know at a glance that this battle is actually me trying to support you, giving you a chance with all my life, and then still saying that I can fight, but not
I will take the opportunity to fake it."
Cheng Dalang didn't know what to say, so he could only nod: "I understand, everyone is grateful to Mr. Zhang... And this battle must be fought no matter what?"
Zhang Xing didn't know that the other party didn't believe him at all, but since he asked the other party to move, he stopped talking.
The next morning, the two of them hurriedly crossed the river. They only walked about a dozen miles. Before reaching the platform, they passed through various passes. After the patrol, Cheng Dalang suddenly reined in his horse and spoke seriously:
"Third Master, I know that whatever I say at this time will be ridiculed by you, but I feel that with the ability of this Du Shui envoy to manage the army, he can really give him a beating!"
"Everything is a messenger?" Zhang Xing sneered for a moment and said. "This is a person who is like a close brother to me, the best soldier in the pocket, Han Bolong's nephew, you are here, you should be a little awakened, but you are still
Don’t you want to call me Mr. Li?”
Cheng Zhili knew that he was wrong, so he could only apologize...it was easier for people like him to act in a low profile.
In this way, after walking for several more miles, they arrived in front of the Putai camp. Zhang Xing did not take anyone to see Li Ding, but went straight to the Putai, allowing this man to look down at the camp.
Cheng Zhili looked around but said nothing.
When Xiao Zhou ushered Li Ding over, Zhang Xing could only call out to him: "Cheng Dalang, don't look at it, and come and see Li Silang."
Li Ding was about to give up his hand.
When Cheng Dalang heard this, he jumped over first and faced him directly. He held Li Ding's hands in front of Zhang Xing and spoke with the utmost sincerity: "Cheng Zhili has met Mr. Li Fourth, and I am as close a brother as Mr. Zhang San."
They met each other, but he only kept the rules of a brave man in his pocket. Hearing that the third master wanted to do something big, he hurriedly gathered 800 horses. The fourth master Li did not want to go out. If he needs anything, just give him the order...
Cheng Dawan will not hesitate to die."
Li Ding looked confused, but Xiao Zhou looked at Zhang Xing with a confused expression.
At this point, Cheng Dalang came to see Zhang Xing again and said with the same sincerity: "Third Master! There are many heroes in the world that I don't know. I saw you today. I'm a little rude. Please don't take offense to Third Master!"
Zhang Xing curled his lips but remained silent.
ps: Thank you to the new leader Mr. Dongfang Tuo... Happy May Day, Mr. Dongfang Tuo!