Delong

Chapter 176 The Knight's Walk (6)

Bohai County is across the river, but there is only a thin layer on the south side of the Dahe River. For example, the county seat of Putai County is on the opposite bank, but a dozen miles out of the city is the border between Dengzhou and Qizhou. In this obviously man-made administrative triangle In fact, in an area that is closely connected economically, culturally, and geographically, there is a Dahao family, surnamed Cheng, similar to the families of Xu Dalang, Shan Dalang, and Wang Wulang.

The resumes of the Cheng family are basically the same, except that Cheng Dalang is a little older, so his great-grandfather and grandfather were only independent leaders in the Eastern Qi Dynasty, so his father can be regarded as a leader of the frontiers. Official... And this forced Cheng Dalang himself to assume the dual roles of a good man and a wicked boy.

Belonging to a little five generations older.

In fact, because of Qin Bao, Zhang Xing had heard of this person a lot. It was said that this guy had supported Qin Er in Dengzhou in his early years, and even Qin Er's fate with Xu Dalang a long time ago was also because of this person.And on Wang Wu Zhuangzi, it has been heard many times.

However, Cheng Dalang, who was older than Wang Wulang, Xu Dalang, and Qin Bao, appeared very late this time.

The reason is self-evident, his family is in Dengzhou, and the Dengzhou camp is on the other side of Dengzhou. No matter how the Three Expeditions to Dongyi were defeated without a fight, and no matter how people's hearts were scattered while walking, the sage's royal driver and hundreds of thousands of troops Right in front of you?Where dare to be a moth?
Aren't you afraid of being trampled to death by someone?

That is to say, when Shengjia crossed the Huaihe River in a hurry, he hurriedly took out his family resources and used the local cavalry tradition to form a team of several hundred cavalry to "protect his hometown".

The cavalry came and went like wind, coupled with the scale of hundreds of cavalry and proper governance, it quickly demonstrated Cheng Dalang's influence and personal ability.

Probably because of this, Cheng Dalang suddenly received a bunch of inexplicable invitations within a few days after the cavalry was built.

It's really a pile... There are letters from Xu Dalang, Wang Wulang, and Shan Dalang from the upper reaches of the Jishui River. Point it out, the two leading figures in the gang are Li Shu and Zhang Xing, two big figures who bear the world's expectations. Whether they want to stand firm or want to 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 vaguely wants to win Cheng Dalang to hang around with him, to increase the voice of the big leaders in the gang, and to fight against the feelings of the two leaders; although Shan Dalang also has this intention, he is obviously condescending, as if he is afraid of Cheng Dalang Stealing the position; and Wang Wulang, just bragging about the ability of that Mr. Zhang, saying that great things will happen.

Regarding this matter, Boss Cheng was noncommittal. His family was in Dengzhou, so why didn't he know who Mr. Zhang was and what he did?As for Li Shu and the rebellion, there is no need to say much.In addition, he can also probably realize that the Dragon Gang, which can be recognized by the three heroes in the upper reaches of Jishui and joined by the two biggest rebels, may indeed have something to say... But, at present It's still too far away, so I don't have much thought for the time being.

In addition, Wang Hou, Zhishilang Wanghou of Yimeng Mountain in the south, Gao Shitong and Sun Xuanzhi in Hebei also invited him to join the gang, but Boss Cheng's attitude towards these people was reversed... He really didn't like these people, especially He gained power for a while, and after tens of thousands of young and strong people became arrogant, he didn't know that he was destined to be suppressed by the court first... But the problem is that these people are right in front of him, and he has to pay attention to it. Sweep over, do you vote or not?

Therefore, instead, it is necessary to perfunctory as much as possible.

In addition, people in the government are also calling him.

People in Dengzhou call him, people in Qizhou call him, the county government calls him, and the county town also calls him... This is very embarrassing.

After all, Boss Cheng has a rough description, but he is as careful as a hair, and he knows the development of the situation clearly.It's not that the Great Wei court is not worth betting on. It is not impossible for the officers and soldiers to easily wipe out these bandits when they come back, but at that time, it is hard to say whether these local officials are still the same people as before.

At the same time, the public opinion of the local people and the heroes of the rivers and lakes must also be considered. Everyone is against Wei, and you, Cheng Dalang, are the court eagle dog?

It can only be said that the county government and the surrounding counties in the south of the Dahe River can barely cope here, without losing their dignity.

"What is this?"

The rainy season and the sweltering heat have passed. In the early autumn, the sky is clear and clear, and a small group of bandits have been wiped out. Cheng Dalang, who returned to his manor, took half a day to properly handle the general affairs of his [-] cavalry team and settle down neatly... How to reward and punish, How to appease the casualties, how to replenish the horses and ordnance are all troublesome things... But after finally turning back to the back hall, before he had time to take a rest, the old man in the manor sent a letter.

Frankly speaking, Cheng Dalang, who has a white face and a black beard, is already numb to these letters.

"It's a letter from Hebei. It is said to be a letter from the officials of Bohai County, but for some reason, the person who sent the letter has both an official attitude and a heroic look..." The old man who was holding the letter was Guan Yan. Also used to the scene.

"Of course it's from Jing'antai." Cheng Dalang sighed, took the letter directly, and tore it open on the spot. "It's hard to say here in the Eastern Territory. I'm afraid that Hebei will have to listen more to the Eastern Capital in the future. The black ribbons in Jing'an Terrace will start to tremble in the local area..."

Before he finished speaking, Cheng Dalang directly pushed the letter aside, and simply stopped reading it.

The old man knows the severity and doesn't ask too many questions.

On the other hand, Cheng Dalang himself had worked a lot outside, and at this moment, in front of his confidants, he couldn't bear it any longer: "Where is Bohai County looking for me? Then it’s all right for me to order some weapons, but he actually asked me to kill Zhang Jincheng with him? Zhang Jincheng has 5 people, and he himself is also a master of the arteries and veins. Who knows what it looks like now? I Hundreds of people riding on him, five or six thousand strong, how to destroy him? Does he regard me as 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 came from!”

The old man can only apologize.

After Cheng Dalang scolded in one go, he still couldn't let go of his hatred, and he rolled up Duanjiang Zhenqi again. With just a wave of his hand, he raised the letter on the case in mid-air, and then cut it in half. Then he collapsed in his seat, and picked up a Bowl of warm tea sneered:
"I made it clear today, even if I jumped off the podium naked, I wouldn't be able to fight Zhang Jincheng with Li Silang!"

The old man can only nod.

However, as the cut letter slowly fell to the ground, a clip flew out of it. Cheng Dalang could ignore it, but the old man couldn't. He bent over to pick it up, and handed it to the increasingly impatient the master.

Cheng Dalang was holding the tea, squinting his eyes, only looking at it in the hands of his confidant, Du Guan, but just looking at it, but he was completely stunned, and he didn't even change the posture of serving the tea.

After a long while, the man put down the tea slowly, took the folder carefully, read it twice, and then asked, "Did this fall out of this letter?"

"Yes." The old Du Guan said one thing.

"Do you know what is written?" Cheng Dalang continued to ask.

The old man just shook his head.

"This is the letter from Zhang Sanlang, who killed Nan Ya and frightened the emperor away, asking me to rebel with him, asking me to join his Dragon Gang...but it's in this letter?" Cheng Dalang seemed a little dazed, But a little careful. "How many people sent the letter? How long have you been here? Where are you now?"

"A person, I've been here for four or five days, and I'm still waiting for a reply in Zhuangzi." Old Du Guan hurriedly responded. "Supplied as usual."

"Ten taels of silver, a bucket of rice every day... cook at home?" Cheng Dalang also panicked.

"Yes..." Old Du Guan became more and more nervous. "But something went wrong?"

"I don't blame you if I missed something." Cheng Dalang immediately got up and squeezed the clip. "Take me to see this person quickly."

The old man can only hurriedly follow.

"Forget it, don't come." Cheng Dalang walked out of the back hall, and suddenly turned back to warn.

The old man 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 is well-known in the East, saw the messenger, who was eating on the top of the wall...white rice with green vegetables and bacon...it looked delicious.

Then he was spying on his own cavalry.

Cheng Dalang looked down for a while, hesitant, this is not to say that he is socially afraid, but that the other party looks like this, and nine out of ten it is that one, but he has wronged himself to this point, lighting a fire by himself in his own village. After four or five days of collusion, it seems that he wants to find himself to do something... and he, Cheng Dalang, is unwilling to entangle with the other party prematurely and get involved in right and wrong.

Besides, is Zhang Jincheng that good at fighting?

What's the benefit of hitting yourself?
The only thing is that now, it would be ridiculous to try to cover up... So, hesitant, after a while, Cheng Dalang still cupped his hands at the person on the wall from behind:

"Cheng Zhili has seen distinguished guests. In the countryside, his family members have blind eyes and poor hospitality, which made the distinguished guests laugh."

The person on the wall was Zhang Xing. Hearing the words, he turned around and smiled holding the wooden bowl: "I thought your name was Cheng Zhijie... so it turned out that he was called Cheng Zhili. Since he is called Zhili, why are you so ignorant?"

"It's none of the master's business." Old Duguan hurried forward to apologize. "It's because the old man doesn't recognize the honored guest, and he lost his manners... The old man will apologize to the honored guest."

"Where does the old man care about the poor hospitality?" Zhang Xing took a bite of the meal, just to laugh. "I'm not a son of a noble family. I don't know that farming is difficult... A bucket of rice per person per day is good, and I can spare some for local farmers to exchange for some sauced meat and vegetables... I am very considerate to both parties. I just said He is ignorant, not that he doesn't know etiquette, complaining that he was treated harshly, but that he doesn't know reason, he clearly knows that the boss is doing the right thing, and he also knows that some people in the world have a temper, and they don't know me. How can you look like Cheng Dalang, who is famous in the East and has a good face?"

"Your honored guest misunderstood." Old Duguan hastily explained again. "Just now my Da Lang specifically asked me not to follow, because I was afraid of missing Da Lang's official business, so I was willing to come here to make amends... but this old man underestimated the dignity of a distinguished guest."

Cheng Dalang didn't know how to interrupt.

However, he also saw that people who are kind don't come, and those who come are not kind.

"Forget it." Zhang Xing said with a smile. "For the sake of Lao Duguan's sake, let's let this matter go... However, Lao Duguan, please go back, I have a deal with your Dalang to kill your head."

Even though he knew that he had to talk about business next, he could only leave in a hurry.

As soon as the person left, Zhang Xing used chopsticks on the wall and said, "Cheng Dalang, come up and talk."

Cheng Zhili knew that the other party was turning against customers, and was speechless in his heart, but he still flew up, sat on the wall with the other party, and then clapped his hands again:

"Dare to ask, but Mr. Zhang, the Dragon Slayer, is in person? Ashamed, ashamed!"

"Good bacon." Zhang Xing didn't answer, but just picked up a piece of bacon, waved it in front of the other party, and then chewed it whole.

"There's nothing good in the countryside, it's a shame for the distinguished guests." Cheng Dalang was stunned for a moment, knowing that the other party was the default identity, he became even more uneasy.

"Mo Xiao Farm's Lajiu is muddy, and there are plenty of customers in good years." Zhang Xing continued to eat while sighing. "I was born as a farmer in the Northland, so why don't I know how hard the farm is... There are bacon and rice, which are the best things... On the contrary, Cheng Dalang is always staring at this, but he doesn't care about it just now." It seems that you have underestimated me. Or, you, Cheng Dalang, are a suspicious person, and you are afraid that I am cheating on such trivial matters, so you come to try again and again?"

Cheng Dalang could only shut up.

"Cheng Dalang actually doesn't have to be so careful, and he doesn't have to pretend." Zhang Xing continued to point the manor with a bowl and chopsticks. "I've been to your Zhuangzi for four or five days, and I've already seen it. As far as the system of the Zhuangzi is concerned, your place and Xu Dalang's are both in the top ranks, far surpassing those other tyrants. I met these few people again today. Baiqi is even more admirable... The so-called clear subject and object, clear responsibilities, producers and defenders have their own positions, and there are complete communication channels, defense facilities, and security measures... It can be seen that the education you have received since childhood, It should be a serious education in the Eastern Qi Dynasty, where you get on the horse and become a general, and you get off the horse and become an official."

"Where is the expensive species?" Cheng Dalang reluctantly interrupted when he heard this. "Let Mr. Zhang see a joke."

"Don't underestimate yourself." Zhang Xing continued to laugh. "According to me, after the collapse of the Eastern Qi Dynasty, the Great Wei government was harsh, and you people had to deal with the government carefully, and at the same time, you had to work hard in the arena, so you experienced more, learned more, and you can know Jiarong. Even if you are facing hardships, you can also know the truth that a penny can't beat a hero, but in the end, you are much better than your ancestors without knowing it... Cheng Dalang!"

"Hey!"

"You and Xu Dalang are actually natural tiger ministers in troubled times, no worse than those dragons and phoenixes in Dongdu and Guanlong..." Zhang Xing suddenly commented seriously. "It's just a pity, because the great Wei suppressed him too much, so he inevitably had a bit of a carefree mentality. They all seemed to give up on themselves, and didn't dare to show off their ambitions. They seemed to have no structure... This is not right."

Cheng Dalang opened his mouth, he didn't know how to answer it, so he could only perfunctory: "Mr. Zhang thinks highly of me...it's just a few small Zhuangzi, how can I get so many things? On the contrary, Mr. Zhang , The incident at Gushui shocked the world, Nanya Xianggong killed as soon as he said he would kill, and the prefect of a county threw away as soon as he said he wanted to, and forced Jing'antai to part ways with Sheng... and the emperor on the spot, scaring the emperor to run away ..."

"Let's stop bragging, and just ask you one thing." Zhang Xing, who took the opportunity to eat two bites of food, suddenly interrupted him. "Did Xu Dalang, Shan Dalang, and Wang Wulang write to you?"

Cheng Zhili was taken aback for a moment, but he didn't dare to lie, but just bit the bullet and nodded.

"Then Zhishilang, Wanghou, and Bohai Gaoshitong wrote to you?" Zhang Xing stared at the other party, and took another bite of food.

Cheng Dalang could only nod his head again.

"What about the local government?"

"I also wrote it." Cheng Dalang was aggrieved by the question, and finally stabbed half a sentence. "They all set their sights on my five hundred cavalry, but I don't know how many Zhuangzi put together my five hundred cavalry. It is used to defend the hometown. Is it necessary to split it into several pieces and send a family of forty or fifty cavalry... ..."

"Yes, yes, I know." Zhang Xing nodded repeatedly. "But in this world and the situation, do you still want to be alone?"

Cheng Dalang sighed: "But you can't be aggressive, forcing people to do inappropriate things, right?"

"What is inappropriate?" Zhang Xing grabbed the other party's words and asked back. "Is it inappropriate to follow the thief, or it is inappropriate to follow the government against people's will, or it is inappropriate to join the Dismissing Dragon Gang, and then help Li Silang, the envoy of Dushui, to beat Zhang Jincheng?"

Which one do you say is inappropriate?Cheng Dalang was speechless, but could only shut up.

"Cheng Dalang, there are two difficulties for you now." Zhang Xing finally finished his last bite of food, put down the wooden bowl on the roof, and analyzed carefully. "The first one is that you probably know in your heart that in a short period of time, people like Gao Shitong and Wang Hou will take advantage of this big wave to come over and sweep the states and counties, but you know from your knowledge that they will not last long. The Great Wei army will come sooner or later, so you don’t know how to maintain your position during the ebb and flow of the tide; the second is that your father is still the lord of a county. You have few soldiers, although you have talents, you can't spread them out...isn't it?"

Cheng Dalang gave a dry laugh: "What Mr. Zhang says is what he says."

But after laughing, he immediately became serious again, because what the other party said was indeed clear, and it was indeed this matter.

Zhang Xing didn't seem to care about the other party's gags, and just continued to persuade: "And now there is an opportunity that will allow you to achieve multiple goals in one fell swoop. It can not only perfunctory the court in the open, but also prevent you from being swayed by heroes in Hebei and the East in private." Being disgusted can also make you arrogant and self-improving, why can't you do it?"

Cheng Dalang was silent for a moment, and finally asked helplessly: "So Mr. Zhang means, first join the Dragon Gang, and then help the envoy of Dushui defeat Zhang Jincheng?"

"Yes." Zhang Xing replied earnestly.

"I understand the truth." Cheng Dalang sighed. "Joining the Dethrone Dragon Gang, and helping the people of the imperial court to beat Zhang Jincheng, this is a knife-cut tofu with slippery sides. I can handle whoever gets up in the future...Whoever kills Zhang Jincheng and swallows him, accuses him Maybe the envoy of Dushui can give me some military supplies, which can be regarded as self-improvement, and then I will be able to survive the ebb and flow of the tide?"

"Yes." Zhang Xing earnestly nodded.

"How can you beat it?" Cheng Dalang spread his hands on the wall.

"If you don't take a look, how do you know you can't beat it?" Zhang Xing also became serious. "Just rely on one mouth here?"

Cheng Dalang was extremely speechless, who just relied on one mouth?

However, he knew that the opponent was at his most famous right now, and even an assassin with only one mouth would not be able to turn his face easily, so after thinking about it, he was still serious: "So, Mr. Zhang came here on this trip. Do you want me to follow the third master across the river to take a look at the situation?"

"Not bad." Zhang Xing answered boldly.

"But what if after crossing the river and seeing the situation with my own eyes, I still feel that I can't fight?" Cheng Dalang asked sincerely. "Will Mr. Zhang say that I'm miserable in the Jianghu?"

"No." Zhang Xing replied with a sigh. "With your pragmatism and cunning, even if you think you can't fight, you will pretend to be able to fight, and then take the opportunity to fake a fight...Let me be completely defeated and have nothing to say...But, if you really cross the river, with Cheng Dalang's Smart and capable, you 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 I still say that I can fight, but I will not take the opportunity to fake a fight."

Cheng Dalang didn't know what to say, so he could only nod his head: "I see, Mr. Zhang's kindness is on both sides... And this battle, no matter what, must be fought?"

Zhang Xing didn't know that the other party didn't believe it at all, but after he asked the other party to leave, he stopped talking.

In the morning of the next day, the two hurriedly crossed the big river, and they only walked for more than a dozen miles. Before reaching the front of Putai, after going through various passes and patrols, Cheng Dalang reined in his horse suddenly, and spoke seriously:

"Third Master, I know that you will ridicule me if I say anything at this time, but I think that with the military skills of this envoy of Dushui, he can really fight a dozen!"

"Anything is a water messenger?" Zhang Xing sneered for a moment. "This is my closest brother, the one who is the best at using soldiers in the pocket, Han Bolong's nephew, you should be a little bit awake now, but you still don't want to call out Li Siye?"

Cheng Zhili knew that he was wronged, so he could only apologize... It's easier for a person like him to keep a low profile.

In this way, he walked for several miles and came to the front of the camp at Putai. Zhang Xing did not take anyone to see Li Ding, but went straight to Putai and let him look down on the camp.

Cheng Zhili looked around, but didn't speak.

When Xiao Zhou led Li Ding over, Zhang Xing could only stop the other party: "Cheng Dalang, don't look at it, and come and meet Li Silang."

Li Ding wanted to surrender.

When Cheng Dalang heard this, he jumped over and went straight to meet him. He held Li Ding's hands in front of Zhang Xing, and said sincerely: "Cheng Zhili has met Fourth Master Li, and I am like a brother to Third Master Zhang." Intercourse, but only counted as a brave man's rules in his pocket, heard that the third master was going to do something big, so he hurriedly collected [-] horses, and the fourth master Li didn't want to see anyone, if you need anything, just ask... Cheng Dawan will die."

Li Ding looked blank, but Xiao Zhou looked at Zhang Xing in a daze.

At this point, Cheng Dalang came to see Zhang Xing again, with the same earnest words: "Third Master! There are many heroes in the world that Lao Cheng doesn't know. I can see you today. If you lose your composure, please don't be offended by the third master!"

Zhang Xing curled his lips, but kept silent.

PS: Thanks to the new leader, Master Dongfang Tuo...Happy May Day, Master!

(End of this chapter)