"When the Cao family planned to build two rivers, they kept Suizhou in order to contain Jinghu and separate Huaixi and Nanyang from Hanzhong."
Although the remarks of a local scholar from Guofu County were mentioned in the letter sent from Jiangzhou, he stood up in the hall and talked eloquently. His expression made it seem that these words were his own insights, "Things have changed as things have changed."
, the situation changes at any time, the Cao family's base in the west of Qin was attacked by the Northern Yan army, and the fatigue showed. At this time, the Cao family was forced to bow their heads, close to Jiangning's canonization, and became Jiangning's ministers again. Now they are eyeing Suizhou.
Those who are loyal include Hu Wenmu, Liang Chengchong, and Dong Yuan. Ma Zhen boldly asked Luo Shuai if the Cao family lost Guan Shaanxi, would the Cao family hope that Suizhou would fall into the hands of Luo Shuai, Hu Wenmu, or Dong Yuan?
, in the hands of Liang Chengchong?"
Ma Zhen hit the point with his words, and Luo Xiancheng nodded slightly, admitting that he was right.
Although the forces around Suizhou all have their own systems, they are all still dominated by Jiangning. Suizhou is a different kind among them. Emperor Yongxing also appointed Xu Jue to Suizhou at the beginning, but Liu An'er learned from his mistakes.
, and Jinghu officials have always been arrogant towards the Changle Army, and there is a lot of internal controversy over the recruitment of the Changle Army. How can Luo Xiancheng dare to accept the recruitment?
During these times, Luo Xiancheng only went to Suizhou and Xiangyang to shrink in order to keep peace with the surrounding vassals.
However, the reason why we were able to live in peace in the first two years was not because Suizhou had strong soldiers and horses, but because the Cao family sent troops to invade eastern Sichuan.
On the one hand, after the Cao family occupied the east of Sichuan, in order to prevent the Cao family's troops from leaving the Three Gorges in Jinghu, the troops were mainly concentrated on the western front for defense; on the other hand, before the Cao family digested the two rivers, they needed Luo Xiancheng to occupy Suizhou, and Xiangyang was the gateway between it and Jiangning.
buffer between.
The situation has changed drastically now.
Although the Cao family won a great victory in Qingyang, the Beiyan cavalry directly invaded their hometown and stabbed them into their hometown. This makes people worry about whether the Cao family can defend the Guanzhong area. Once the Cao family cannot defend Guanzhong, they can only retreat to Hanzhong and Liangchuan.
Who else could give Xiangyang and Suizhou next to Hanzhong to a force that might fall to Beiyan at any time?
Now that Jiangning truly acquiesces to the fact that the Cao family occupies both Sichuan and Hanzhong, and joins forces with Cao to fight against Yan, the stance of the various vassals against Xiangyang and Suizhou will become consistent.
"Suizhou has strong soldiers and horses, with 200,000 soldiers and horses. If anyone has bad intentions towards Suizhou, let him do it!" Wang Xiang sat aside and sneered, "Is it possible that Liang Chengchong led a mere 20,000 soldiers and horses to attack Suizhou? My family
Are you still trying to flatter Mr. Han to save you?"
Wang Xiang was one of the few scholars in the Changle army. He was from the same hometown as Luo Xiancheng and had been selected for the imperial examination. However, he had no money and connections and was unable to enter the official career. After Luo Xiancheng officially launched the coup, he sent people to kidnap Wang Xiang and his family.
He was kidnapped by his family and forced to join the gang as a bandit.
After Wang Xiang joined the army, he took care of military affairs for Luo Xiancheng, and his influence in the Changle army was actually deeper than that of Zhong Rong.
Chen Hansan sat leaning on his desk and looked at Wang Xiang with squinted eyes. Even though Wang Xiang looked at him through the crack in the door, he was not angry!
Ma Zhen said: "Shuai An moved to Huaisi and joined forces with the Red Coat Army, with three to four hundred thousand soldiers and horses. What will be the final consequences?"
"Master Ma is embarrassed to mention this. If it weren't for your family's contribution, how could the girl in the red coat have surrendered to the East China Sea Fox?" Wang Fang said sarcastically.
Mentioning this issue, Chen Hansan couldn't help but darken his face, and Luo Xiancheng scolded Wang Xiang: "How many years have passed, why are you still bringing this issue up? It's really disappointing!"
"Prime Minister Wang made a mistake, Mr. Han San, please don't take offense..." Prime Minister Wang apologized to Chen Han San, cupping his fists.
Chen Hansan could only pretend to be generous, and said sadly: "Shuai An was blinded by lard paste at that time, and he wanted to recruit An, and he even secretly discussed with Huaidong to lend me Chen Hansan's head as an additional head;
And my son-in-law fell under the knife of the old thief Yue. The old thief forced me to play against Huaidong and use An Shuai's head as his head. Brother Wang Xiang, tell me, what should I do at that time?"
Who knows the inside story of the Xuzhou Incident? But Liu An'er was killed by Chen Hansan. This cannot be false.
Prime Minister Wang just reminded Luo Xiancheng not to forget this matter, and he didn't care about Chen Hansan's quibbles?
Chen Hansan clasped his fists towards Luo Xiancheng and said: "Han San knows that he has done stupid things, which has chilled the hearts of his former brothers. Han San can't borrow a single soldier, so he doesn't blame others! If Suizhou is in trouble in the future, Suizhou, a small enemy, will
That's all if you can block it. If the enemy is very powerful, please send someone to Luo Shuai to tell him. Even if Han San is serving in Jiangzhou, the three thousand men under his command will still obey Han San's orders. Luo Shuai will be able to see Han San's sincerity.
That's it!" He stood up and was about to say his final farewell. When he spoke sincerely, his eyes filled with tears, as if Xuzhou had really made him suffer a lot.
Chen Hansan wanted to leave in anger, but Ma Zhen refused to give up his last effort: "Yue Lengqiu's troops crossed the Yangtze River and occupied Yicheng. In a few days, they will march west to Huangmei and Qichun, while Huaidong will send troops from western Zhejiang to attack
Shangrao and Jiangzhou soldiers and horses can only be transferred to the south for reinforcements. It was called Chizhou at that time. If Jinghu is free, the first one will unite with Nanyang and Huaixi to attack Suizhou..." Seeing Luo Xiancheng's expressionless face, Ma Zhen said with hatred, "
It is said that among all the commanders, Commander Luo is the most discerning, but I didn’t expect this to be a lie." He stood up, waving his sleeves and following Chen Hansan in his farewells.
"Hahaha," Luo Xiancheng laughed loudly, and the fat on his face trembled, "Master Ma scolded me well, but whether I am blind or sight, it still depends on how the three brothers Han behave in the future?"
Seeing that Luo Xiancheng changed his tone, Chen Hansan said happily: "From now on, I regard Marshal Luo as my father and brother. If I violate this oath in the future..." He pulled out an arrow from the decorative quiver hanging on the pillar,
He hesitated and said, "If he violates this oath in the future, he will be shot like this and he will never be reincarnated!"
"Why are you making these poisonous oaths? I'm just joking." Luo Xiancheng propped up his fat body and motioned Chen Hansan to sit down and talk, and said, "I have thought that the surrounding vassals and Jiangning will not think well of me.
Rather than calling Qichun and other places Jinghu and occupying Chizhou, it is better to give them to your brothers. You go to Qichun and ask Han Laoban to obey your orders from now on. In addition, you can draw five thousand athletes from Suizhou to go to Qichun with you.
Spring, the future life and death, prosperity and wealth will all be arranged by you; as for food and grass, Suizhou is also short of food, so I can only lend you two thousand cars - Han San and Ma Ye have said bad things about Jiangzhou these days.
, I guess Jiangzhou will not be stingy either..."
Chen Hansan had long guessed that Luo Xiancheng would not be able to completely give up control of Qichun and other places, and that Han Laoxian and other big bandits were really involved in following the state. In order to get Suizhou's 5,000 soldiers and 2,000 carts of food and grass, Chen Hansan had to agree.
Luo Xiancheng drove the nail of Han Laoban into the depths of Qichun.
"You all follow your brother's arrangements." After recognizing his father and brother, Chen Hansan affectionately called him "brother."
When the king wanted to speak, Luo Xiancheng waved his hand and said, "I've made up my mind, so I'm going to do it."
****************
The discussion was frustrated, and Wang Xiang returned to his residence still indignant. However, although Luo Xiancheng was slow to make a decision, no one else could change it once he made up his mind. Although Wang Xiang was dissatisfied with Suizhou's loan of military rations to Chen Hansan, he was also very angry.
It's helpless.
At this moment, family members came in to report: "Master Zhou has arrived in Suizhou!"
"Oh," Wang Xiang was already in a very depressed mood. Hearing that his old friend came to Suizhou, he immediately cheered up and told his family, "Go and invite Zhou Bin to your house quickly, and prepare a banquet..."
The Changle Army was established in Suizhou. Although Suizhou was rich in products, salt and iron were still in short supply. Although the surrounding forces imposed a strict blockade on Suizhou, it was profitable, so merchants dared to risk beheading and enter Suizhou to follow the Changle Army.
trade.
Zhou Bin is a private businessman who has entered Suizhou frequently in the past two years - Wang Xiang's youngest son suffered from heatstroke last year and couldn't find a cure after seeking medical treatment. A small coffin was arranged in the house. Zhou Bin presented the strange medicine afurong, and he was cured after one dose.
Save a life.
During the chat, Prime Minister Wang learned that Zhou Bin was from Shangzhou, and they became even more intimate with him.
Zhou Bin claimed that he went to Shangzhou as a businessman when he was a boy, and later started a business of smuggling salt in Weiyang and Jiangning. He injured an eye during a fight, but somehow escaped with his life. Wang Xiang sent people to Weiyang and Jiangning to inquire about the news, and he also
There is indeed such a number one person, and he has left all the salt and iron. From then on, he has no doubts about Zhou Bin - for more than a year, Zhou Bin brought many important supplies to Suizhou many times to make profits, and Wang Xiang invited him every time.
Come and meet at the house.
After an hour of burning incense, the family led Zhou Bin in.
Zhou Bin has a shriveled look, his left eye is white, and there is an inconspicuous scar under his eyebrows. He doesn't look evil. If he hadn't changed into a silk shirt, he would have looked like an honest businessman who was injured by the soldiers.
I half thought that he was a private lord who took advantage of the world and led a dozen desperadoes all over the world.
"I'd like to thank you again for your concern, Mr. Wang." Zhou Bin walked into the hall and bowed, "Is the young master still in good health? I thought last time that Mr. Wang said that the young master should be old enough to learn swordsmanship. I am blind.
I found a good thing from Luzhou. Sir Wang, please take a look at it first..." He asked his entourage to bring in a large box, and the top one was a sword inlaid with silk and jade.
Wang Xiang was born in Xiwen and worked as a bandit for many years. He also liked swords and guns. At first glance, this sword looked very extraordinary. He held down the machine and pulled out the three-inch blade. The cold light penetrated his bones and he praised: "What a good sword! How could it be better?"
Every time I ask Mr. Zhou, you will spend a lot of money."
"What are these?" Zhou Bin squinted his eyes and smiled more like a harmless old farmer.
"More. However, blind man, I want gold and silver. These are fun and useful things. I can bring them here to everyone to ask for favors. In fact, they don't cost much..."
Wang Xiang laughed and said, "Then I'll accept it politely." He told his family to prepare for the banquet.
Sitting at the banquet, Zhou Bin asked: "I heard from Lao Yi that Mr. Wang was unhappy when he came back from the meeting today. Could it be that Chen Hansan and Luo Shuai have borrowed troops?"
Prime Minister Wang suddenly became alert, stared at Zhou Bin, and asked, "How do you know this?"
Chen Hansan has done so many evil things and has formed irresolvable feuds with Huaixi and Jiang Ning. Suizhou doesn't want to fall out with Jiang Ning yet, so Chen Hansan and Ma Zhen's affairs in Suizhou are kept strictly confidential. Zhou Bin has just entered Suizhou.
Knowing that Chen Hansan borrowed money to become a soldier, how could the Prime Minister not be suspicious?
Zhou Bin didn't panic and said with a smile: "Master Wang, how much of a secret do you think this is? I'm a blind man and I'm out to run around in the world. It's not good if I don't have good information. Besides, Chen Hansan is going south to seize Qichun, iron, salt
Oh, mules, horses, medicinal materials, other than borrowing them from the state, where else can we get them?"
Wang Xiang felt relieved after thinking about it. Chen Hansan had been entrenched in Huaishan for more than a year, and he would go to occupy Qichun and other places. Naturally, he would also communicate with daring private lords like Zhou Bin. He was too sensitive.
.
After Zhou Bin explained this, Wang Xiang dispelled his suspicion and said to him: "If Luo Shuai doesn't listen to his advice today, he will suffer the consequences in the future! No matter how high Chen Hansan's profit is, I suggest that Mr. Zhou should be less involved.
"
Zhou Bin said: "Master Wang's concerns are indeed reasonable. The private gangsters who often walk around Huaishan are often silenced for no reason. I can't afford to offend Chen Hansan - besides, I am old.
When I go back this time, I will close my sword and retire, and I won’t do this business of licking blood from the edge of my sword..."
"How can that happen? Master Zhou, if you stop, the salt supply in Suizhou will be reduced by 20%!" Wang Xiang asked in surprise, "If Jiangning is tighter in checking, Master Zhou can move his family to Suizhou.
I went to Luo Shuai to recommend Mr. Zhou as the Salt Supervisor, and the money and profit will be calculated as before. I can leave the running business to others..."
Zhou Bin shook his head: "I have been traveling around Weiyang, Jiangning, and Luzhou these days, and the news has changed a bit. Has Mr. Wang noticed it?"
"What did you notice?" Wang Xiang didn't know what Zhou Bin meant by suddenly mentioning this.
"How long does Mr. Wang think the She family can sustain in Jiangxi?" Zhou Bin opened his mouth and asked.
"Master Zhou is worried that the war will soon reach Suizhou?" Wang asked instead, and comforted him, "Master Zhou does not need to worry about this. Suizhou has strong soldiers and horses. Even if Jiangning pacifies Jiangxi in the future, Suizhou will only be able to recruit peace...
…”
"I heard that Luzhou will also form a stronghold for joint defense, and Jingzhou, Jiangxia and Hanzhong will soon take action," Zhou Bin said. "There is also news that Jiangning's newly appointed Privy Council has requested that Huaixi
Nanyang, Jinghu and Hanzhong have all drawn 10,000 elite troops, approaching Suizhou and Xiangyang. On the surface, they are preparing for the attack in western Zhejiang after the autumn, and guarding against any actions on Suizhou's side, but once the net is tightened, there will be no more
Relax," Zhou Bin said. "Back then, Liu An'er was so powerful in Xuzhou. Wasn't she choked to death by a net? Not only the blind man, I want to back off, but other private businessmen may also have other plans. It's just that I want to retreat.
I won’t come if others don’t come, and I will never tell you in advance. I, a blind man, am so taken care of by Mr. Wang. If I don’t say goodbye, I can’t help my own conscience!”
Wang Xiang knew that what Zhou Bin said was right. Liu An'er originally said that he was betrayed by Chen Hansan. In the end, he stayed in Xuzhou for too long. The retreat routes from the north to the south were blocked by Huaidong and the Liang family who occupied Shandong at that time. He was forced to
Accepting the recruitment, then when he was careless, he asked Chen Hansan to kill him with a trick?
Suizhou claims to have 200,000 troops, but the number of soldiers and generals is still not comparable to that of Huang Jue's army at its peak. It is for this reason that Wang Xiangcai increasingly opposed and supported Chen Hansan's establishment in Qichun. Suizhou is really carrying the burden.
If you don't go there, you still have to accept recruitment. If you support Chen Hansan to establish a foothold in Qichun, it will inevitably increase Jiangning and Huaixi's dislike of Suizhou. Furthermore, they are even more worried that Chen Hansan will repeat Xuzhou's old plan.
They had known each other for a long time and were not so wary of Zhou Bin. Moreover, Zhou Bin had made up his mind to quit and did not agree to stay in Suizhou as an official. He asked Prime Minister Wang to have something to say and wanted to find someone to talk to. He sighed and said
: "Well, I also want to persuade Luo Shuai to find a way out for the future, but the Changle Army has such blood on its hands. Even if it accepts the recruitment now, it will inevitably be purged in the future. Haven't the lessons of Liu An'er and Chen Hansan been enough?
"
"The person in charge in Jiangning now is Duke Chongguo. Even the girls in red coats are married to Duke Chongguo as concubines. In my opinion, as a blind man, Duke Chongguo can be trusted..." Zhou Bin said.
"Master Zhou, you are also confused." Wang Xiang shook his head and laughed, "Master Zhou, look at Suizhou's front and rear, how can it be connected to the territory of Chong Guogong? If Suizhou really wants to invest in Huaidong, Jinghu, Huaixi, and Hanzhong
, Nanyang, aren’t you determined to attack Suizhou and divide Suizhou’s territory first? If you only take an official from Jiangning in name and have a good relationship with Huaidong, how big of a difference will it be compared to now? "
"Could it be that Luo Shuai and Mr. Wang are waiting for the people from the north to come over?" Zhou Bin asked in a low voice.
"Bah, Mr. Zhou, don't look down on me!" Wang Xiang said angrily.
"..." Zhou Bin chuckled and said, "I am not a blind person talking about these things alone. Before the Xuzhou War, the Yan envoy's entry into Suizhou was really something that could not be concealed from others..."
"That was purely Zhong Rong's mischief. Luo Shuai was just a little hesitant," Wang Xiang argued. "When the Yan envoy came, I told Luo Shuai that if anyone is not good, he will throw himself into the wild dog?
Zhong Rong has eaten human flesh and his evil deeds are too deep. He knows that no one will spare him if he surrenders to Jiang Ning, so he is determined to surrender to Hugo!"
"It's not just General Zhong," Zhou Bin said calmly, "People like Wei Zhang, Ma Kuixiong and others all thought of joining the popular and spicy food in the north. Of course, man will not do his own good, and God will destroy him. Even if Mr. Wang
You also have such thoughts, there is nothing to be embarrassed to say!"
Wang Xiang glared at Zhou Bin, said angrily, and pointed at the door with his hand: "I have been friends with Mr. Zhou for a long time. Every time I drink for pleasure, I have a lot of joy and sorrow. If Mr. Zhou still wants to use words to insult me today, then the past friendship
Just forget it.”
"Master Wang, don't be upset," Zhou Bin said with a smile, "I would like to ask Master Wang, if the Yan soldiers come and Commander Luo and General Zhong surrender, I'm afraid that Master Wang will be unable to help himself.
!”
"I have worked hard for Luo Shuai these years without any merit. It will not be a problem to seek freedom in the end." Wang Xiang said.
"Then Mr. Wang is really willing to watch a wild dog ravage this great country with its iron hooves?" Zhou Bin asked.
Wang Xiang realized that Zhou Bin's tone suddenly changed. He looked at Zhou Bin blankly, pressed the edge of the table and asked, "Did I take a wrong look at Mr. Zhou?"
In the past, Zhou Bin was a private tycoon who only sought money in his dealings. He commented that all forces were above him and had no preset position. However, his position was exposed with just "a slut" and he was completely different from his past self.
However different.
Zhou Bin didn't panic, put down the wine cup in his hand, and looked at the king: "What do you think, Mr. Wang?"
Some of the private gangsters who travel to and from Suizhou are spies from other forces who have infiltrated to get information. Wang Xiang also knows it very well, but he cannot ban it. Otherwise, Suizhou will be cut off from the source of salt and iron, and the problem will be even more troublesome - but he has not done so before.
I thought that Zhou Bin would also be an informant sent by a certain force.
It can only be said that Zhou Bin concealed it well, and the amount of smuggled salt was quite large, which indeed solved part of Suizhou's salt problem. Agents like Jinghu and Huaixi sent to Suizhou could not tolerate the inflow of such a large amount of illicit salt.
Suizhou. Of course, Zhou Bin's cover-up was also deep. Wang Xiang sent people to find out his roots, but no doubts were found.
Prime Minister Wang closed his eyes and thought for a moment. There are only two possibilities. One is that Zhou Bin is hiding very deeply, and the other is that Zhou Bin has recently been bribed by other forces and sent here as a lobbyist...
"Master Zhou has found out Mr. Wang clearly. If you have anything to say, you might as well say it directly." Wang Xiang said in a cold tone. Since he has been deceived by Zhou Bin, the previous friendship is just a joke.
"Dong Chongguo asked the blind man to come and greet Mr. Wang." Zhou Bin said.
"What evidence is there?" Wang Xiang asked. There were too many intrigues and intrigues. Wang Xiang did not dare to listen to Zhou Bin's words. If his words were wrong, it would be fatal if they reached Luo Xiancheng's ears.
"Chong Guo Gong will cross the river to Yijiang this afternoon. I want to come to Suizhou's informant in Juchao. News will come in two days," Zhou Bin said. "We will know the truth and falsehood then."
Wang Xiang was right to think about it. How could another spy know Lin Fu's itinerary in advance?
"Then you still don't know what Lord Zhou is called in Huaidong?" Wang Xiang asked.
"My colleagues in the Military Intelligence Department of the Privy Council all call me Blind Zhou, so not many people know Zhou Bin's name," Zhou Bin said.
Wang Xiang said: "Luo Shuai has already made up his mind about lending military rations to Chen Hansan. I cannot persuade him to change. Apart from this, what else can Master Zhou teach me?"
"Lord Wang, blind man, I have kept this secret from you for so long because I had no choice. If I hadn't known Lord Wang's character, my lord would not have allowed me to reveal my identity to Lord Wang this time," Zhou Bin said. "The Privy Council also has a consensus.
Mr. Wang, Luo Xiancheng and Zhong Rong were not on the same path, and they were all tied up when they first joined the bandits. Even after he joined the bandits, Mr. Wang still had his conscience intact. In everything he did, he tried his best to advise Luo Xiancheng to settle down and not disturb the people.
The fact that Suizhou has been able to recover some of its vitality today is mostly due to you, Mr. Wang, and my lord sees all of this. Mr. Wang, there is really no need for you to follow them all the way, and end up harming your descendants!"
"I'm just a literary thief. I don't have the power to tie a chicken, and I don't have half a soldier capable of fighting. I can't help myself. What can I do?" Wang Xiang smiled bitterly.