Nine idlers

Chapter 26 Veteran Zhang Xun

Seeing that the atmosphere became more and more tense, the veteran beside Zhang Renjun obviously didn't want things to go back to the original point, so he winked at Zhang Renjun and told him to step down first, and then he looked businesslike and refused to give Xu Changqing Any opportunity to joke, instead of Zhang Renjun, said: "We have considered all the things that Mr. Xu has considered, so we have already requested the British Consulate General in Guangzhou to search Mr. Xiao En's carriage, and we have obtained consent." Said Then he took out various documents from his arms, handed them to Xu Changqing and said: "I hope that after Mr. Xu has read it, he will not find any reason to prevent us from searching the carriage, otherwise we will be deeply suspicious of the actions of Mr. Xu and the Chen family. Chen Weng will not be willing to make an unpleasant scene."

Xu Changqing took the document and looked at it carefully, and there was indeed nothing missing. After returning it to the person, he asked casually: "Dare to ask the name of the commander-in-chief, so that the students can have a chance to make friends?"

"Mr. Xu is too polite! This officer, Zhang Xun, is just an unknown person!" The veteran said bluntly: "Since Mr. Xu has read the documents and there is no problem, please let us search for the car!"

"Of course, of course!" Xu Changqing nodded, changed his voice, and said with a smile: "But this time, my young master Fan met a bandit halfway and was overly frightened. May I go and have a look first, so that my young master Fan can calm down?" , so as not to be frightened again?"

Zhang Xun and Zhang Renjun looked at each other, and felt that since Xu Changqing had agreed to search the car, it would take a while, so they nodded and agreed.

Xu Changqing walked to the carriage, opened the curtain slightly, and saw Chen Fan sitting in front of the carriage with a pale face, looking a little anxious, but the two wanted criminals of the court looked calm , as if on an outing.Chen Fan saw Xu Changqing from the raised corner, and was about to stand up immediately, and scolded him for agreeing to search the car, but when the words just got to his throat, he was quickly pushed back by Xu Changqing's sharp gaze.Xu Changqing didn't talk nonsense, reached out and took out two invisibility talismans from the universe in his sleeve, and flicked them onto the legs of the two calm court criminals, and whispered in an unquestionable tone: "Swallow the talismans for me!" , No matter what happens later, don't talk, don't move!"

After finishing speaking, Xu Changqing put down the curtain, walked slowly in front of Zhang Xun, and the two people in the car picked up the folded invisibility talisman in their hands, stunned for a moment, raised their hands to signal Chen Fan not to say more, obeyed Xu Changqing's words, and swallowed it. go down.

After the two swallowed the talisman, Xu Changqing naturally felt it. He put his hand behind his back, pinched his sword fingers secretly, and used his true energy to stimulate the power of the talisman in the air, and then said to Zhang Xun: "Master Zhang, my young master has already Yes, please!"

As he spoke, he motioned to the people next to the carriage to pull up the curtain, and the situation inside the carriage was fully displayed in front of everyone.I saw that the seat where the two wanted criminals were originally sitting was empty, and only Chen Fan was sitting there in the entire carriage.

"Impossible! This is impossible! They are clearly inside, and I have seen them with my own eyes before!" Zhang Xun was startled when he saw it, and hurriedly climbed into the carriage regardless of the surrounding reactions, and rushed into the carriage to check it himself. He wanted to step forward to stop him, but was stopped by Xu Changqing, signaling him to be calm.

I saw Zhang Xun carefully searching every inch of the car up and down, and even knocked on the carriage base three or four times to check if there was a mezzanine for Tibetans, but let him search inside and out. I couldn't find anything related to those two people.The only thing that surprised him was that Chen Fan's face was both surprised and puzzled, as if he had seen something extraordinary. Reminiscent of Xu Changqing's confidence at the moment when he opened the curtain, he felt that this kind of The situation must have something to do with Xu Changqing, and I thought in my heart that I still underestimated Xu Changqing too much.

Not only the officers and soldiers of the Qing court were surprised, even those who knew the situation inside the car were also surprised to see all this, especially Xiao En almost cried out, but luckily he covered his mouth and looked in admiration Looking at Xu Changqing.Everyone present only noticed that the two people in the carriage disappeared, but no one noticed that when Zhang Xun searched the carriage, there were some places that he would always subconsciously avoid. The look on the chair.

The situation in front of him clearly left the officers and soldiers of the Qing court speechless. Zhang Renjun looked at Zhang Xun, a veteran who had rushed over from Beiping to assist him, suspiciously, and seemed to be asking for his opinion.At this moment, Zhang Xun jumped out of the carriage with a livid face, walked up to Xu Changqing, cupped his fists at him, and said, "Mr. Xu has a good trick! Zhang is convinced!"

"Master Zongbing, thank you!" Xu Changqing smiled lightly, motioned the people beside the carriage to put down the curtain, and then asked: "I wonder if the two adults have any other orders? If there is nothing wrong, then I will take my young master home to recuperate Come!"

"Mr. Xu, why don't you work for the imperial court with such ability, and it will not be difficult to be promoted and honor your ancestors!" Zhang Xun said, trying to win over Xu Changqing.

Xu Changqing smiled and refused bluntly: "Lord Chief Soldier, you are really flattering the student! The student is an orphan. He doesn't know where his ancestors are, so how can he have the heart to honor his ancestors! And everyone has their own ambitions, and adults can't force them!"

"In that case, Zhang is leaving! I hope I will have a chance to fight Mr. Xu next time!" Zhang Xun was not angry, but smiled heartily, and led the officers and soldiers to turn around and leave together with Zhang Renjun.

Seeing Zhang Xun and Zhang Renjun leave, Xu Changqing finally heaved a sigh of relief, and couldn't help admiring: "A good general who knows how to advance and retreat, and understands the overall situation, what a pity, what a pity!"

Xu Changqing did not expect that Zhang Xun, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi and Cixi's most trusted general, would personally lead troops to arrest those two people. If Zhang Xun had not given Xu Changqing any chance just now and insisted on searching for cars, then Xu Changqing and the surrounding team's training ability would not be enough. Leave all the more than 3000 experienced officers and soldiers in front of Chen Jiachong.As long as one officer and soldier escapes, Chen Jiachong will suffer a devastating blow from top to bottom.Even though the Beiyang new army stationed in Liangjiang and the Qing court seem to be at odds with each other, it is still their duty to suppress the rebellion.What's more, being able to use this as an excuse to take over the Chen family's property in the south will do more good than harm for them.Although Xu Changqing has no real evidence, he still has a feeling that Zhang Xun deliberately let himself rescue the two people, so as to prevent the imperial court and the Chen family from completely falling apart, and instead benefit Yuan Shikai that big crocodile.

Perhaps the people in the car also heard Xu Changqing's words and nodded, and the two said in unison: "It's really a pity!"

Then, both of them were stunned for a while, and couldn't help laughing, feeling the joy of the rest of their lives after the catastrophe.

Xu Changqing asked the people around him to disperse, and then told the housekeeper: "There are mixed people in the Chen family's house. If there are spies from the Qing court inside, please send both guests to my Taohuashan Yizhuang! As for Your young master, let him go home to recuperate by himself, and don’t wander around when he’s fine, and don’t come to my Yizhuang! Also, buy him a fake braid, although it’s suspected of cheating, but it’s better than nothing. The world is still the world of the Qing court, don't cause unnecessary troubles because of some trivial matters."

Although Xu Changqing was talking to the housekeeper, he actually seemed to be teaching Chen Fan a lesson.Chen Fan could also hear the taste of it. Just because of Xu Changqing's aura of dealing with the officers and soldiers with ease and the spells he cast, the little awe he felt immediately disappeared. Regardless of his injuries, he rushed out of the carriage and shouted at Xu Changqing. Shouted: "No matter how bad I am, Chen Fan, I don't need to be taught by you, a charlatan!"

Seeing Chen Fan contradicting himself in public, Xu Changqing's heart burst into flames, thinking that he and the Chen family were almost involved in disaster because of him just now.He was so angry that he picked up Chen Fan and slapped him twice, making him ignorant, and said angrily: "What a brat who doesn't know the heights of heaven and earth, today I will teach him a good lesson on behalf of Weng Chen. You, lest you, a muddled fellow, cause trouble for the Chen family and me again!"

As he spoke, Xu Changqing was about to beat Chen Fan hard in public. Everyone around him was stunned by his actions. They had never seen him so angry, and no one dared to stop him.After Chen Deshang left, Xu Changqing was the biggest in the entire Chen family. Now he wants to teach others, even if it is the young master of the Chen family, who would dare to come forward to find him? Only the housekeeper of the Chen family was anxious like an ant on a hot pot. Don't dare to persuade.

At this time, a person in the carriage suddenly said: "I wonder if Mr. Xu can save Chen Fan's punishment for the sake of the two of us. After all, he is injured now, and if he punishes the wound for worsening, he will not be punished." good."

The words of the people in the car awakened Xu Changqing from his anger like enlightenment. He realized that something was wrong with him. In the past, even if he had a big fight with Chen Fan, he would calmly restrain himself and attack him with words as much as possible. He would never Do it like this now.He frowned slightly, and thought to himself: "It seems that the failure of luck not only affects luck, but also affects character and temper."

Xu Changqing calmed down the anger in his heart, casually threw Chen Fan with red and swollen cheeks to the housekeeper of the Chen family, and ordered him to take him home, and wait for Chen Deshang to come back.When Xu Changqing was about to drive the carriage back to Yizhuang in person, a mighty-looking man with lewd eyes walked out of the scattered crowd, came to Xu Changqing, and respectfully saluted: "The young one is Jingqing." The Pavilion Master's disciple, in the name of his family teacher, has come here to invite Mr. Xu to come over to the mansion, and the things Mr. asked for have arrived."

"Hmph! It's just a 'saucy' fox, what kind of pavilion master do you call yourself!" Xu Changqing sneered, and said: "Go and tell your master that I will go right away."

"Yes, my little one, go and answer immediately!" The man seemed to sense the displeasure on Xu Changqing's body, and hurriedly bowed and retreated.

Xu Changqing turned around and was about to order a member of the Chen family to drive back to Yizhuang in a carriage. At this time, Xiao En, who had not left, jumped out and asked him to take the two of them to Yizhuang.Xu Changqing thought about it, and would discuss something with Sean later, so he nodded and agreed, and tied the golden bell on the braid to a corner of the carriage, and then let Sean drive the carriage away, while he himself He took a long coat from the Chen family and walked towards Wanhualou.

Zhang Xun and Zhang Renjun led their troops to Shaoguan along the way they came from. Zhang Renjun was riding on the horse, frowning, and said with a puzzled look: "Could it be that those two people were not in the carriage from the beginning? Impossible! Our secret reporter will never lie to us, after all, he can get a lot of benefits from Chen's family incident."

"Those two people have been in the carriage all the time." Zhang Xun pointed to the muddy ground, on which the indentation of the carriage passing by before was clearly visible, and said, "If there were only one or two people in the carriage, it would not be possible to press such a deep mark. .”

"Since the superior knows that the two are in the carriage, why don't you let me wait and search forcibly?" Although Zhang Renjun's official rank is much higher than that of Zhang Xun, Zhang Xun still bears the title of Cixi superior, and his attitude is naturally very respectful, saying: "With the firearms of our troops, we can completely take down those mountain militiamen in one fell swoop."

Zhang Xun asked back: "What happens after you take it? Then you completely turn against the Chen family!"

Zhang Renjun looked at Zhang Xun in confusion, and said, "Don't Lafayette want to destroy the Chen family?"

"Of course Lafayette wants to destroy the Chen family, but it's definitely not now! If we fall out with the Chen family now, the biggest beneficiary is definitely not us, but Yuan Shikai." Zhang Xun said solemnly: " If there is a complete fallout with the Chen family, with the power of the Chen family in the south of the Yangtze River and the cooperation of those revolutionary "disruptive" parties, places such as Guangdong, Guangxi, Liangjiang, Jiangnan, and Yunnan and Guizhou will be in jeopardy. At that time, the only thing the entire court can deal with is the Chen family. Only Yuan Shikai’s Beiyang new army. As long as Yuan Shikai regains military power, he will definitely use the imperial court as an excuse to annex the Chen family’s property in the south of the Yangtze River with all his strength. At that time, his power will expand rapidly, and will eventually endanger the safety of our Qing Dynasty. "

"But as far as I know, Yuan Shikai has secretly dispatched General Duan Qirui to contact Chen Deshang, and after that, Chen Deshang also sent someone to escort Duan Qirui's right-hand man, Jin Yunpeng, to leave Guangdong and Guangxi, and gave Duan Qirui a batch of firearms," ​​Zhang Renjun said. Face said worriedly: "It seems that the two of them have reconciled and are ready to cooperate."

"That's just illusions!" Zhang Xun said with certainty, "The two of them were on fire because of the political reforms back then. Yuan Shikai didn't dare to go to Jiangnan, and Chen Deshang didn't dare to go to Jiangbei. It can be unraveled in a day or two. As long as there is a chance, Yuan Shikai will be impatient to annex the Chen family, and the Chen family will be the same. As long as he does not harm himself, I hope Yuan Shikai has bad luck."

Zhang Renjun said with a dazed expression: "So that's the case. The messenger had already made a plan in his mind, so he pretended to be surprised, so that I could have a step down and maintain a balance with the Chen family."

"No, I was really stunned!" Zhang Xun was not displeased at all, and said, "Xu Changqing is really powerful, he was able to make people disappear under our noses, from the expression of the young master of the Chen family, I can be sure that when I searched for the carriage, those two people were still in the carriage! It seems that Xu Changqing's ability is far more powerful than what Lafayette estimated, and it is comparable to the Great Master." He said, thinking for a while, He turned his head and ordered: "Master Governor, after this incident, the Chen family should be more honest, so don't provoke the Chen family if it is not necessary. In addition, send people to guard the exits of the Chen family and strictly check the people who come and go. According to my advice See, these days, the Chen family will definitely transport those two people away as soon as possible, so as long as they guard the exit, they will be able to catch those two people. At that time, please remember, as long as you catch those two people, that's all. Don't involve the Chen family. I will return to Beijing today and report the situation here to Lafayette, and then I will decide how to deal with the Chen family. "