The servant brought the cup of tea, Ma Zhouyan greeted him with his hand, and said with a smile: "Unexpectedly, brother Dalai and brother Zhonggui came so early. I thought they would have to wait until after the Lantern Festival."
Chang He rarely showed a real smile, "It's been three years since we said goodbye... Why is Prince Bin here?"
In his early years, Chang He built a fortress in his hometown to protect himself. Ma Zhou traveled to the Central Plains. The two hit it off and became friends from then on. In the fourth year of Wude, the Central Plains was pacified. Ma Zhou formed a grudge with the Cui clan of Qinghe and entered the customs angrily. It was Chang He who gave him his mount.
They exchanged money for each other, and the two had a deep friendship.
Er Zhu Yichen sat aside and sipped tea slowly. From the corner of his eye, he glanced at the two people who were chatting happily. He knew Ma Zhou very well, but he didn't expect that he and Chang He were old friends... Is this a coincidence?
"So that's it." Chang He said with a smile: "The Duke of Guantao County is actually a disciple of King Bin..."
"That's all, how can you dare to call yourself master and disciple?" Ma Zhou vaguely guessed Li Shan's intention of letting him and Chang He rekindle their old relationship. He shook his head and said: "Li Huairen is a man with astonishing poetic talent, good plans, and scheming.
Everyone in the city belongs to the upper echelons. That day, I just briefly explained the meaning of the scriptures, exchanged some drinks, and chatted to satisfy my hunger. How dare I call myself a teacher?"
Er Zhu Yichen smiled and interjected: "Of the fifteen scriptures selected by Chang'an to take the test, only Li Huairen passed them all. This must be a single step."
Ma Zhou laughed and said, "It's just luck. With his talents, regardless of his knowledge of classics and calculations, he will definitely be a Jinshi... Looking at it today, even if he goes to the Xiucai Department, he will probably not be able to get into high school."
"I've heard about the name of the Duke of Guantao County for a long time." Chang He was quite happy to see an old friend, and he was an old friend next to Li Shan, who was in charge of the Daizhou Governor's Office. "Now King Bin..."
After Ma Zhou pondered for a moment, he smiled bitterly and said: "There is no one available for the Duke of Guantao County. I will serve as a clerk and take care of things for him...such as Xia City, wine shops, etc."
"Isn't this overkill?"
"Don't dare." Ma Zhou waved his hand and said, "Although the Duke of Guantao County is young, he is quite ambitious. If there is a good opportunity in the future, there may be a chance to become an official."
Chang He was a little regretful. It seemed that Ma Zhou was not particularly valued by Li Shan... But Er Zhu Yichen on the side was cursing that he would have to pay more attention in the future. This guy told lies without changing his face. Of course he knew that in Li Shan
Under his command, the most important ones are Ling Jing, Su Dingfang and Ma Zhou.
After chatting for a while, Er Zhu Yichen asked about the Yanmen War. Ma Zhou, who knew Li Shan's plan, was a little wary... After all, this was a confidant of the East Palace, and he was the Sima of Daizhou, so there was a natural gap between him and Su Dingfang.
"On the fifth day of the first lunar month, Yugu set up troops to go south and drove the people of Yunzhou to attack Yanmen Pass..." Ma Zhou sighed: "It is said that the Turks killed hundreds of people wantonly and blood flowed into rivers. The situation was very miserable."
"Yugushe?" Er Zhu Yichen frowned, "Is this guy here to seek revenge from the Duke of Guantao County?"
Chang He also remembered that it was Li Shansheng who captured Yu Gushe the year before last and exchanged him for Li Daoxuan, the King of Huaiyang.
Ma Zhou nodded slightly, "This will force the county prince to go out and fight..."
"Even if Chuluo Khan and Jieli Khan were tyrannical, they would not end up like this!" Er Zhu Yichen snorted coldly, "For such a method, God will punish you!"
Ma Zhou and Chang He were both a little surprised by Er Zhu Yichen's attitude.
"The county magistrate will not go out of the fortress, right?" Chang He changed the topic back, "Although the weather is getting warmer, the ground outside the fortress is still covered with ice and snow. As long as we hold on to the city, I believe the Turks will retreat soon."
Ma Zhou hesitated, paused, and then whispered: "The county magistrate has a benevolent heart and has witnessed the Turks killing the people. I'm afraid that may not be..."
Chang He's eyes narrowed. It was really not a wise move to choose to fight at this time. Just as he was about to speak, there was a noise from outside. A man came quickly and lowered himself and whispered a few words in Ma Zhou's ear.
Ma Zhou looked a little surprised and strode out. Chang He and Er Zhu Yichen looked at each other and followed behind.
Walking all the way to the gate of Xia City, Chang He and Er Zhu Yichen looked a little nervous and couldn't help but touch their waists. There was a dark crowd outside the door, and they couldn't even see the edge.
Hundreds of young men, either armed with spears or sabers, or leading mounts and carrying big bows, looked from a distance and saw that there were still young men coming towards the horses.
Chang He glanced at Ma Zhou, who looked calm, and knew that it was definitely not a mess.
Several burly and powerful young men knelt on the ground, "The Turks were wreaking havoc and killing. I heard that Li Langjun summoned the people to rush to Yanmen Pass. I am willing to follow my husband to kill the enemy. I also ask for your permission."
"Are you all from Yunzhou?" Ma Zhou asked a few questions before he said seriously: "If you move to Daizhou, how will the county magistrate treat you?"
The leading man knelt down on his knees, straightened his body, and said loudly: "It's spread all over the county. I have never seen such parents in my life..."
Before the big man could say anything else, Ma Zhou said loudly: "Although the county magistrate is no longer the Ming Dynasty, he is in charge of the prefectural governor's office. Those who were killed were you and other villagers, and even more so the common people under the county magistrate's rule."
The big man raised his voice and said: "I am a fellow countryman, but I am even more of a gentleman!"
"The Turks are tyrannical and slaughter the people. Your Majesty is willing to go out to attack the enemy. We are willing to accompany the army and kill the enemy to protect you!"
Ma Zhou in the front is persuading Qing Zhuang, while Chang He and Er Zhu Yichen in the back are both deep in thought.
Regarding Li Shan, who has become famous in the past two years, Chang He has a rough judgment in his mind. He is a young man who is very good at meeting people and is also very good at looking for opportunities... He can gain His Majesty's trust and transform from acting as a county magistrate to being in charge of Hebei Province.
Four continents can prove it.
But what I saw today is that this man is very capable, he is in a dangerous situation, and people from the county flock to him... He is very popular among the people.
Er Zhu Yichen stroked his beard and looked at the hundreds of young men who were constantly asking for battle. He felt strange but also satisfied.
The commotion didn't end until nearly dusk. Ma Zhou wiped the sweat from his head, took a drink of water from the servant, and then said with a wry smile: "After Li Huairen opened up trade routes, he attracted a large number of Yunzhou people to move to Daizhou.
, Granting land to a house, this is the end of the kindness..."
"Such a great kindness should be repaid." Er Zhu Yichen said with a smile: "But... will the Duke of Guantao County really go out to fight?"
Ma Zhou shook his head, "I don't know."
"You two are here for the first time, so let's rest for a few days before talking..."
Ma Zhou laughed and said: "The general manager of Bingzhou, Rencheng Wang, has sent reinforcements to Yanmen Pass, so there will be no loss."
Er Zhu Yichen and Chang He looked at each other. Logically speaking, the official document arrived in Daizhou years ago, and when they arrived in Daizhou, they should go to Yanmen Pass to report.
Ma Zhouyan said with his hand: "In the past few days, you two have temporarily settled in Xia City. The General Manager's Mansion has not yet been completed... There will be a banquet tonight to welcome you two."
After the banquet, Ma Zhou deliberately stayed with Chang He. The two said goodbye and had a good conversation...until they heard the sudden sound of horse hooves fading away.
After hearing the steward's report, Ma Zhou's face looked a little ugly, and he forced a smile and said: "Sima Daizhou... is quite impatient."
Chang He only knew Zhu Yichen and blinked without speaking.
Ma Zhou pondered in his mind that Daizhou Sima, who was nominally in charge of a government and even the military power of several states, rushing to Yanmen Pass at this time... would it have an impact on Li Shan's plan?