Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 600 A small meeting at Anshui Ferry
In the restaurant,
In the back kitchen on the first floor, the shopkeeper went downstairs, and after hurriedly explaining to the waiter, he stewed a large pot of braised pork for the two generals upstairs, then prepared a brazier, took some charcoal, and prepared to go upstairs for the two generals. The generals lit a fire, and finally went to the cellar to have a look, and brought some good wine to entertain them. After all, the two generals gave a lot of money, so they had to wait well.

After the shopkeeper hurriedly found the charcoal for the brazier and turned around to leave, the waiter put a pot of chopped meat on the ground and walked quickly to the door of the house. Looking out through the gap in the door, he saw relatives from Hexi and Hedong counties. The soldiers sealed off the restaurant, and even the courtyard opposite the corner door in the backyard of the restaurant was guarded.

The waiter hurriedly closed the door, picked up the meat on the floor, walked to the back kitchen, poured a basin of raw meat into the pot, and whispered;
"Master Baihu, when my subordinates just went to deliver food on the second floor, they have already found out that the two men, one is General Peng from Hedong County, entertained General Dong from Hexi County. They seemed to want to discuss something, and they were very strict inside and outside. ”

"Humph, what else can we talk about? It's just about the capital city and the trip south to Anhu camp. It happened to be blocked by heavy rain today, so we have an excuse. You go back and go upstairs with the shopkeeper and listen carefully. What words did they say,"

The person who spoke turned out to be the chef who was stewing meat in the back kitchen of the restaurant. He had a round body and chopsticks in his hands. He quickly picked out a large piece of meat from the pot, blew on it with his mouth, and stuffed it directly without caring about burning his mouth. In the mouth, the thick soup flowed from the corner of the mouth, and was directly wiped clean by Baihu Yixiu. As if it was not enough, he picked up another piece and started eating.

"Yes, sir, I understand, but sir, the time limit given by the court is five days, and tomorrow is the last day. It is still raining heavily outside, so I am afraid that they will miss the time."

Seeing the hesitant look on the little flag officer dressed as a waiter, Baihu chuckled.

"There are enough ferries and naval escorts. Get up early and we can transport all the people there in three hours in the morning. As long as they reach the other side, what do they have to worry about? Go ahead and give you one."

After saying that, he picked up another piece of meat from the pot and put it into the waiter's mouth.
"Yes, my lord."

The waiter swallowed the roasted meat and went to the warehouse to bring in some coal, preparing to follow the shopkeeper upstairs.

The shopkeeper smiled with wrinkles on his face, and his robe was patched. He was not from a wealthy family, he earned hard-earned money.
"Hey, I'm an old shop owner. It's not easy. I dare to ask the shopkeeper, what big things have happened in the capital these days!"

The shopkeeper added some charcoal to the brazier, and then used a wooden stick to stir up the flames to make the flames bigger.
Peng Shiying had a smile on his face when he heard this. It's best this way. There is still one day left before the deadline. Tomorrow, he will bury the pot and cook early and spend time in Anshui early. The deadline in the afternoon will definitely not be too late. He looked at Dong Dawang who was still feasting. , I took a cautious look in my heart, and it looked like I couldn’t trust anyone when I went south.
"Brother Dong, there should be no problem in coming tomorrow. What do you think?"

The old shopkeeper thought about it carefully, and it seemed that merchants traveling from north to south were all talking about the rumors about Jia Jianing's mansion in the capital, but they didn't know whether they were true or false.

Peng Shiying suddenly asked,
"Shopkeeper, look at the heavy rain. Can we ferry across the river tomorrow?"

"Alas, what Brother Dong said is wrong. Although my younger brother is a few years younger than my elder brother, the old wounds left by the battles back then are difficult to eradicate. This time I went south and endured the pain. The wind and rain can't touch me. Otherwise, your body and bones won’t be able to resist any movement, hey.”

"Haha, brother Peng, I don't take advice seriously. I was going to follow my family in the north and south. Now I have finally settled down. I have been recuperating for several years. The pain in my body is really unbearable. I just don't know what the rules are for brother Peng. Brother, I will definitely obey."

"Back to the general, don't worry. Although it's raining heavily, it won't delay the general's schedule tomorrow. As the saying goes, the rain doesn't last long. There are rivers here, and there's no need to worry about the accumulation of water on the official road, so we will definitely be able to do it tomorrow. Cross the river."

The old shopkeeper touched his beard and murmured,

"General, you're welcome, and I'm not just bragging about it. Although this restaurant is inconspicuous, it's almost twenty years old now. The family needs to be fed by business travelers."

I saw two waiters from a shop carrying a load and carrying a large brazier with charcoal in it, which was burning red. Then the room became obviously much hotter, and the two generals looked much better.

"it is good,"

Dong Dawang didn't ask about the march at all. Instead, he asked about the rumors in the capital. Peng Shiying suddenly realized that this was an oversight.

Dong Dawang wiped the grease from the corners of his mouth and swallowed the food in his mouth. After several days of rapid marching, his mouth was already a little dull.
"Well, you're right. The deadline is too tight and it's a rainy night. It's really worrying,"

The restaurant manager came up from downstairs.
"Two generals, it's cold. The younger one brought a brazier to the two generals to warm themselves up."

He looked up at the shopkeeper in the hall and asked again,

And on the second floor,
The atmosphere was quite harmonious. The stormy night was a good day for drinking. The two tested each other out. Peng Shiying touched the wine cup and asked,
"Brother Dong, do you have any advice for this trip south?"

"I don't dare to speak nonsense about the important matter that the general asked about. There are many things happening in the capital, but now there is really something that the general should be interested in."

As soon as the words came out, Dong Dawang was a little stunned. He was amazing. He was indeed Zeng Weilun's confidant. The two exchanged words, but neither of them could find out what they wanted. For a moment, the atmosphere was a little solemn.

Dong Dawang touched his elbow with an embarrassed look on his face, which made Peng Shiying sneer in his heart. He was still in pain. He couldn't lead the army but still didn't want to come. He was overacting.

"Shopkeeper, this general is new here and I don't understand some things yet. It seems that the shopkeeper has been running a restaurant here for a long time."

at this time,

"Oh, then you should talk about it carefully. Come and reward me!"

"Yes, General."

The deputy general Li Zhe beside him immediately took out ten taels of silver from his arms and handed it over. The old shopkeeper took it in his hand and thanked him repeatedly.
"Thank you, General, for the reward. The little old man didn't make up these words himself. It was discussed by merchants from the north. The changes in the sky and the earth a few days ago were a warning from heaven. Now there are rumors in the capital that it is the head of the Ningguo Mansion who invited a It was caused by the immortal master casting a spell in front of the house. As for whether it is true or false, I don’t know. "

"What, the Jia family of Ningguo Mansion, how is that possible!"

Peng Shiying, who was sitting in his seat drinking wine, was so shocked that he spat out a mouthful of wine when he heard this. He shouted out loud that it was impossible for the Jia family to do such a thing. In the past, it was said that there were people practicing Taoism in Ningguo Mansion, but they did not go there. After visiting the Taoist temple outside the city, why did he return to his house with great fanfare? He looked at the shopkeeper in confusion and asked,
"Then do you know where you invited the immortal master?"

"Back to General, I don't know. It's just word of mouth from passing merchants. I don't know what the specific situation is."

The shopkeeper was a little at a loss. He didn't know if he had said something wrong. He didn't dare to look up at the two generals. When Peng Shiying saw this, he stopped asking questions and waved his hand. His third brother Le Shi, who was closely beside him, also took out ten taels of silver and handed it over. Then let him go down. After the others left, Peng Shiying asked,

"Brother Dong, do you believe it or not?"

"Haha, brother Peng, no matter what you say or what you say, it's all just a mouthful of people. Now it's not us who believe it or not, but whether the court and the palace believe it or not. The Jia family in the capital was once the head of the Eight Princes, although it is not as powerful as before. , but there are many old friends and relatives, and I also heard that the direct descendants of Rongguo Mansion are still serving under Wang Jieshuai of Jingying. What do you think of Ningguo Mansion? "

Although Dong Dawang was doubtful about what the shopkeeper said, it didn't look like he was telling a lie. Even if it was true, His Majesty would probably have some concerns as the Supreme Emperor was here, but he didn't know the specific matter and couldn't judge.

"Brother Dong is right. If the imperial court really wants to punish the Ningguo Mansion, then the legitimate son of the Jia family will definitely be implicated. Time is tight to lead the army south, so I don't think so."

Peng Shiying said it in an obscure way. The reason was that the imperial court was gathering guest troops to go south, and the coach was an in-law of the Jia family. If there was really a problem, how could His Majesty still use him? It was just that Dong Dawang took the wine cup and poured the wine into his hand. Then he rubbed his hands and said with a smile,

"Brother Peng, I don't speak secretly. What you want to ask is that if something really happens to the Jia family, then the court will definitely change the coach. Wang Jieshuai is an in-law of the Jia family. Our soldiers and horses from the two counties of Hexi and Hedong used to be here. The old Duke of the Jia family works for me, and life may not be better if he changes people. Since the purpose is the same, it would be nice to make a verbal agreement between the two of us. "

Peng Shiying was also unambiguous, staring at Dong Dawang without blinking.

"Changing commanders before battle is a taboo for military strategists. It is impossible for the court not to know. Of course, things are unpredictable. Since Brother Dong mentioned it, brother, I naturally agree. We have made a verbal agreement to watch and help each other. When we arrive in the capital, if Brother Dong is willing, he still remembers Daliang. Chenglu Jiedu envoy?"

"Lu Daiyuan, of course he is no stranger. However, Brother Peng, times have changed. He has long been a military governor, and the generals he has appointed are justifiable. Unlike our two families, it may not be what you and I want."

Dong Dawang didn't know about Daliang City's Jiedushi envoys. In the early years, the three of them had made meritorious deeds. The old prince had promised the three of them that they would report to the imperial court and be granted the title of Jiedushi envoys.

But in the end, his eldest brother Chu Guozhong never got what he wanted. Instead, the one who was granted the title of Jiedushi was Lu Daiyuan, who had not performed as well as he had done. How could he be convinced? Lu Daiyuan was even talked about by his eldest brother for a long time.

"this,"

Peng Shiying paused and said what he said was right. Things in the early years were constantly being discussed. Regarding the matter of being granted the title of Jiedushi, his eldest brother Zeng Weilun once said that someone was obstructing him. This person may be Lu Daiyuan. This person cannot be trusted.

"I understand, brother, what you said is not unreasonable. I originally thought that the three families would discuss it, and the troops would account for half of it. I always have the strength to protect myself. After all, the imperial court's troop dispatch regulations involve soldiers from seven families. Brother, I am afraid of my subordinates. The brothers died inexplicably.”

These words were so heavy that Li Zhe and Leshi, the deputy generals of both sides, looked at the two of them with ugly expressions. It was obvious that the imperial court did not want to lose the strength of the Beijing camp, so it transferred them to fill the gap. The job of sending people to death fell to them, the guest troops. on my body,
However, for the rebellious people in the south of Beijing, the White Lotus Sect was brave and fearless in death, and now the Taiping Sect is raging. Even if the equipment is not as good as the imperial officers and soldiers, I am afraid that their combat power is not necessarily inferior. At that time, the number of casualties was unknown, and my own military strength was unknown. How long can I last?
Almost everyone in the room thought of one word, kill with a borrowed knife!
"Brother Peng, let me tell you a thoughtful word. Now we are just like Clay Bodhisattvas crossing the river. We work as swordsmen and fish as meat. We can only act according to the situation. When it comes to the battlefield, if we don't fight desperately, the Taiping Religion will not ask us where we come from and whether we can do it. Live and wait for God’s will! It’s night, go back early, tomorrow won’t be too late!”

After Dong Dawang finished speaking, he threw away the chopsticks in his hand, stood up, took his deputy Li Zhe, and went downstairs to the guest room downstairs to rest. Only Peng Shiying's people were left on the second floor. Just when Le Shi was about to speak, he was Peng Shiying raised his hand to stop him.

"Be careful, the walls have ears!"

Leshi immediately looked back at the stairs, waved his hand, and asked two soldiers to guard the stairs. Then he came over and asked in a low voice,
"Second brother, why do you think General Dong is a little weird? This is a matter of mutual benefit, so why are you so resistant? Maybe we have offended them!"

Looking at his third brother who was still a little confused, Peng Shiying shook his head and pointed in the direction of the capital.

"Like me, he is worried about the imperial court. Nowadays, people from the Imperial City Department are all-pervasive and cannot be guarded against. There may even be one of their people in this restaurant.

Fifty thousand troops from our two counties are marching south, and every move is in the eyes of the court. Who can we hide from if we want to join forces? "

Peng Shiying was in a bad mood. I don't know whether it was the Supreme Emperor's deliberate indulgence or a tacit understanding. In short, after the great changes outside the pass, the people of the Imperial City Division became stronger and stronger. They were everywhere, and officials and nobles everywhere were miserable. , I don’t know how Luo Yunhou and Xi Wang responded.

After Leshi listened, he stood there dumbfounded. The second brother had always been flawless in his work. Since he knew that the court was suspicious, wouldn't he let the court know if he still met with General Dong today?
"Second brother, since you know that those people in the Imperial City Division have been staring at us, why did you still hold a banquet today and invite General Dong to the banquet? Even if they are not in the restaurant, as the saying goes, the yellow mud in your crotch It’s not shit, it’s shit,”

"Haha, the third brother is still so funny. In fact, this is what I want from the second brother. Although it's a cover-up, you have to know that the two counties combined have fifty thousand troops. His prince Teng wants us to die, but in his heart After all, I have some scruples, and with the addition of Daliang City’s Jiedu Envoy, there are many of them. This way, we have the confidence to check and balance each other, hey! "

Peng Shiying sighed and took out a disassembled brochure bag.
"This is the tip that my eldest brother gave me when we left the city. I was asked to intercept the soldiers and horses of Hexi County north of Anshui Ferry. This is what I was doing. My eldest brother was afraid that we would never come back."

The brotherhood of life and death, this is the first time to lead an army to Beijing alone. I don't have the courage of my eldest brother, and I am still uneasy. I am afraid that all the troops in Hedong will be wiped out. It is a small matter for me to die, and I will be sorry for the trust of my eldest brother and third brother.

Leshi also felt the annoyance in his second brother's heart, and offered rare comfort,

"Second brother, don't worry. If you and I are together, even if we die, we will have a companion on the road to hell. What are you afraid of? He gave the military orders. It is the second brother who decides how to fight. Although Jingnan is in chaos, just be careful.
Second brother, do you have any news about General Gu Ping in southern Jingnan? He is the one who knows the situation best over there. If he is also in trouble, this battle may be difficult. "

"You're talking about Gu Ping,"

Peng Shiying frowned and muttered: Thinking about the court newspaper, he remembered that Gu Ping led the army south to quell the chaos. He didn't say what the details were. There was an explanation for 30,000 troops.
"When we march here, it's all rumors about the capital. It's strange that almost no one talks about the affairs in the south of the capital.

But Third Brother, you are right. Gu Ping is a strong general. If something unexpected happens to him, Wang Jieshuai's trip south will be really troublesome. We can only take one step at a time. Okay, you can also Get some rest early, we have to go on the road tomorrow. "

"Yes, second brother, you should also go to bed early!"

Leshi knew that his second brother was thinking about something, so he didn't bother him. He took his soldiers back to the guest room, leaving Peng Shiying alone, drinking alone!

(End of this chapter)