Cao Thief

Chapter 428 Sick Tiger and Evil Wolf

Hongshuiji, about 6 square kilometers, has a population of 623 households, with a total of 700 people.

Among the 36 tribes in Hongze, Hongshuiji has the largest population.Among the remaining 35 tribes, the large ones have 3000 people, and the small ones have less than 800 people, about 1000 people.Li Qi's tribe belongs to the middle class, with more than 36 people.It sounds like there are not too many people in each of these tribes.But the people of Hongze are united in their hearts. Once something happens, all 36 tribes will join the battle, and there will never be a tribe that hesitates to move forward.This is also the fundamental reason why they can gain a foothold in Hongze. The 4 tribes have [-] to [-] people, and they have learned the way of life of the Hu people. It can be said that all the people are soldiers.Even Tang Ti, the tyrannical king of Qiang, did not dare to lead his troops to provoke the people of Hongze easily.

Hongshuiji was built on the ruins of the barracks, with towering walls, it looks like a fortress from a distance.

This is not only a market town where Han people live, but also an extremely important business place in Hexi.

The merchants who come and go come and go, whether you are doing serious business or doing U-turn business, you can trade in Hongshuiji.Of course, this requires a small price... and these costs are the basis for maintaining the normal operation of Hongshuiji.As for the residents of Hongshuiji Town, they still maintain their farming customs, and they have a posture of combining soldiers and farmers.

At this time, in the government office of Hongshuiji, Dou Lan was entertaining friends from afar.

He looked at the man in the Hu suit in front of him, and asked in a deep voice: "You just said that the imperial court sent someone to contact your lord?"

"Exactly."

"Where did the imperial court come from?"

"It is said..." the man in the Hu suit scratched his head, "It seems to be some general from Beizhong. My lord didn't say it too clearly, but from the tone of his words, it seems that the imperial court sent soldiers and horses into Hexi. To focus on Hexi.

My lord was a little hesitant and couldn't make up his mind, so he ordered me to come and ask Lord Dou for advice. "

Whether it's Dou Lan or the man in the Hu suit, the "adult" does not mean "adult" in Chinese, but specifically refers to the tribe's adults.This man in Hu suit is the messenger sent by Xiutu King Liang Yuanbi.Judging by his speech and behavior towards Dou Lan, they are extremely respectful, which also shows that Dou Lan has a good prestige in the Hongze area.

Dou Lan is eight feet tall, with broad shoulders and a round waist.

He is in his early forties this year, but perhaps because he has lived in Hexi for a long time and was baptized by the wind, he looks extremely old, almost fifty.That head of gray hair draped over his shoulders, setting off his majestic physique.

He didn't braid his hair like the Huns, nor did he keep his hair in a bun like Li Qi.The hair was loose like that, and he looked like a savage.A pair of thick eyebrows, and the tiger's eyes are shining brightly.The nose looks aquiline, with a wide mouth, and a thick breath like a steel needle grows under the jaw.

"When did the imperial court send troops, I don't know anything about it."

"Well... my lord is not very clear about it, he only knew about it when two Han family warriors came to the door."

"There is such a thing?"

Dou Lan showed a pensive attitude.

A young man sitting next to him frowned, with a serious expression on his face.

"Speaking of which, I have heard something... Not long ago, some soldiers and horses entered Hexi and went straight to Lian County. Didn't it say that the Han Dynasty sent a mission to Shuofang, so I I thought those people were going to meet the soldiers and horses of the mission, so I didn't pay much attention to them. Besides, there were no more soldiers and horses sent from Guanzhong. However, there is news from Qi County that the blockade of the border has been strengthened. , making it quite sensual...

Qi county magistrate is named Cao Pi, a child with a big fart.

It is said that he is the eldest son of Cao Cao, the chief minister of the imperial court, and has a very close relationship with several major families in Guanzhong!

If the soldiers and horses of the Han army mentioned by Mr. Liang Yuanbi were those soldiers and horses who entered Hexi earlier, I am afraid that there are not many people...

Father, Ma Shoucheng is also wooing you now.The Nama family is quite prestigious in Wuwei, and has a close relationship with those hybrid Qiangs in Hexi.Rather than submitting to the imperial court, it might be better for us to seek refuge with Ma Chao. "

The young man who spoke was Dou Hu, the eldest son of Dou Lan.

Dou Lan closed her eyes and didn't rush to reply.

He thought for a while, then opened his eyes and said, "What's the benefit?"

"The Ma family is adjacent to Hexi. Ma Teng intimidated Sanfu, while Ma Chao is brave and invincible, and has a good reputation among the Qiang people. If we join the Ma family, we may be able to expand our power beyond Hongze, and then we can further develop our strength.

And the imperial court..."

The young man sneered: "There are many princes in the Central Plains, and there are endless wars.

That Cao Sikong is too busy to take care of himself now, and he probably can't devote too much energy to Guanzhong.If we belong to the imperial court, put aside the hatred between the ancestors and the imperial court, if we are attacked, will the imperial court take care of us?
I reckon that this time the imperial court sent people just on a whim.

They offended Ma Teng and Qiang Hu so much that it was a big deal and left.But if we still want to live here, it is tantamount to making enemies of the Qianghu in Hexi.At that time, if the Ma family provokes us, won't we suffer a lot? "

Dou Hu is famous as a tiger, but people are not tigers.

His words were clear and well-organized, making all the envoys of Xiutu nod their heads in agreement.

Dou Lan's eyes froze, she looked at Dou Hu, sighed after a long time and said, "Dou Hu, you still haven't seen clearly!"

Dou Hu was taken aback, "I also ask my father for advice."

"The imperial court is a sick tiger. As you said, there are many princes in the Central Plains, and there are endless wars, and there is no time to take care of Hexi... So, even if you take refuge in the imperial court, even if there is no benefit, at least you can guarantee that there will be no harm. But you Do you know what Ma Teng is? Then Ma Teng is a vicious wolf, an extremely ferocious wolf that is not well-raised."

Dou Lan stared at Dou Hu, "That Ma Teng was also a Hanchen back then, but he colluded with the Qiang Hu and established himself as king, so he has achieved today's achievements. And his friend Han Sui is also like this... He is more heart-warming than that Han Sui, If the Yellow River has nine twists and turns, you can see it. If we surrender to Ma Teng, do you think he will sit back and watch us grow and ignore it? Let me tell you, if we really surrender to Ma Teng, within three years, Hong There is no one from Hongze on the lake..."

When Dou Hu heard this, his expression changed drastically.

"Immediately send someone to inquire about who the commander-in-chief of the Han army is, their specific situation, and their whereabouts.

After you go back, tell Master Liang Yuanbi that the current situation is not clear, and it is best not to make a decision lightly.Since the people of the Han family court contacted him, they might as well get in touch with him, and by the way, they could also find out their facts and facts.But that's all... After a while, I will go to pay a visit to Mr. Liang Yuanbi, and then discuss it. "

After hearing this, the envoys of Xiutu hurriedly bowed their hands and agreed, and left in a hurry.

And Dou Lan was wandering in the flower hall with her hands behind her back, looking a little hesitant...

"Father, there is one more thing I need to tell my father."

"what's up?"

"According to the news from the investigation, the Heishui Xianbei in the Hongshagang area has been moving frequently recently, and it seems that there is a large-scale operation. I'm worried, is Tan Zhe making a big move? That guy has always been eyeing Hongze. "

"Is there such a thing?"

Dou Lan was startled, and the worry on her face became more intense.

After pondering for a while, he said softly: "Continue to order people to monitor the movement of Heishui Xianbei, and then find a way to contact the Han army and find out their truth. Hongze has been quiet for many years, and it seems that something big is about to happen .”

Dou Hu listened and left as ordered.

Sitting alone in the flower hall, Dou Lan couldn't help squinting her eyes as she looked at the clump of brilliant wild chrysanthemums outside the flower hall...

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Cao Peng thought for a long time, and finally decided to temporarily stop marching.

Li Qi's words made him have to be cautious.

Hongze's current situation made him a little undecided, and he didn't know what kind of thinking that Dou Lan was thinking, and what kind of situation Hongshuiji would be in.Based on Yin Feng and Li Qi's introduction alone, coupled with the previous hearsay, it is obviously not accurate.There are some things that you have to see with your own eyes before you can make a decision.

However, as soon as Cao Peng said this idea, Yin Feng immediately objected.

"The general supervises the town of Hexi, how can he take risks lightly?"

Cao Peng laughed immediately, "What risk is it, it's just to observe it under my rule.

Besides, didn't Li Xiaowei also introduce it?Although Na Dou Lan hated the imperial court, she always had some concern for the Han Dynasty.Otherwise, with Dou Lan's prestige in Hongze, he could become a king on his own, and even belong to Qianghu... But now, he still retains the rules of his early years, that is to say, he still has some affection for the Central Plains.When I went to Hongshuiji, I just wanted to see the situation with my own eyes.Since I want to supervise the town of Hexi, how can I know nothing about the ruler?

Thinking about it, even if Dou Lan recognized my identity, she wouldn't have any malice towards me.

Yin Feng, immediately send someone to inform Jiang Xu and Liang Kuan to meet me at Hongshuiji.I will only take Wang Shuang with me here, and you stay here, and then order someone to return to Lian County, tell Xiaowei Deng, and order him to lead 2000 people to move closer to Hongze. "

"The general wants to go to war?"

Li Qi was taken aback.

Cao Peng laughed loudly, "Who am I going to fight with? But take precautions before they happen."

But Li Qi still seemed a little uneasy, he hesitated for a moment, and said softly: "The general wants to investigate with his own eyes, but the humble officer does not object. As the general said, although Dou Lan has resentment towards the court, her heart is still towards the court. It's just that the general passed by like this, which is a bit rash. I have a plan to make the general return safely."

Cao Peng said with a smile: "I also ask Captain Li to enlighten me."

"Let the little grandson go with the general...Although he says it is tough, in fact... the little grandson is familiar with everyone in Hongshuiji, and he is a good friend with Dou Lan's son Dou Hu. The general can be wronged for a while, for In this way, the little grandson's trilogy can ensure that the general is safe. Little grandson, you can still distinguish the seriousness from the seriousness, please rest assured, the general."

If Li Ding is willing to accompany him, Cao Peng will naturally be happy.

After all, Li Ding is a coward and has an identity to cover.This is also Li Qi's little test for Cao Peng, wanting to see Cao Peng's heart.After all, Li Ding and Cao Peng were not very happy before. If he can accept it, it means that he is a person who does great things.If Cao Peng is unwilling... Li Qi will not force it either.Anyway, my own children know what kind of person Li Ding is, and Li Qi knows it well, it just depends on how Cao Peng makes his choice.

When Cao Peng heard this, he readily agreed without any hesitation...

Early the next morning, a group of people left Li Qi's tribe and headed for Hongshuiji.

(End of this chapter)