Three Kingdoms.

Chapter 3279: Be prepared for danger

 Outside Wujun City, Gu's Manor.

　　A group of people were sighing long and short.

 The tone can be high or low, and can even form a chapter of an aria.

Different from the miserable appearance on the front line, the entrance to Gu's manor is now bustling with activity, crowded with many carriages and horses.

In the past, when these people came to visit Gu Yong, most of the Gu family's managers would stand in their way. After accepting the assassination, they would politely say that they were not feeling well, happened to be away, etc., and then send a return gift and ask the people to go back. .

Today is different from the past. When news of the changes on the front lines of Jiangdong’s east-west expedition came, the sensitive children of Jiangdong’s gentry and country squires also smelled something different and came to pay a visit to Gu. Gu Yong had not been seen before, but now he finally opened the door to accept guests. Although on the surface he still said that he would not talk about state affairs, but only talked about daily life, had some light meals, and enjoyed some beautiful scenery of mountains and rivers, but this was already a strong feeling for a thoughtful person. signal of!

 The place where Gu Yong entertained guests was the flower hall of the side courtyard.

This hall is built near the water, facing the lotus pond. It is three bays wide, open to the north and south, and closed by gables on the east and west. There is a spacious platform in front of the hall, and in front of the platform is a deep pond. There is a rockery in the pond, lotuses are planted, and some red carp are raised in the water. From time to time they run to the edge of the pond, swaying and flipping their tails, making some ripples. Just like those nobles in the flower hall, spitting inexplicable bubbles.

Gu Yong did not wear a crown, but wrapped his head with a piece of brocade silk. He was also dressed very casually and chatted casually with the visiting guests.

The Jiangxi Expedition was unfavorable. No matter which angle you looked at it, it seemed that it should be a sad and sad thing. However, in the flower hall, since state affairs were not discussed, there was no such thing as sadness.

 It was really just casual chatting, not a word about important matters of family and country.

 The flower hall was filled with servants and maids.

 Everyone here was chatting and laughing, and it seemed that every gap in the flower hall was filled with joy.

 As for who said something to whom, or what was discussed, or what was heard, it actually doesn’t matter.

 The important thing is that people are coming.

 Then, who didn’t come?

Just like the leader may not remember who is toasting, but most likely he will remember who the **** dares to come and toast?

Everyone knows now that this is taking sides and comes with an attitude.

After a while, Gu Yong stood up, coughed twice, and said loudly: "The sun is shining brightly today, the wind is gentle, and the scenery is so prosperous that it is really rare." It is a blessing to gather together with all the sages to talk about the elegant friendship. I have prepared a small banquet, but I am too simple and indifferent. Please bear with me. 』

 Everyone responded one after another.

While everyone was laughing, one of Gu's housekeepers came to Gu Yong's side quietly, as if he was going to pour water for Gu Yong...

Gu Yong’s eyebrows moved.

The steward of the Gu family nodded slightly, and then said nothing. He just gave Gu Yong more milk and water, and then went back.

After a while, Gu Yong pretended to change his clothes, walked down the hall, turned around the back corridor, and saw the housekeeper standing in the corridor with his arms folded.

　　　　Who is coming? ” Gu Yong asked.

 The housekeeper held out three fingers.

 The third son of the Zhang family.

 Zhang Fen.

Gu Yong snorted, "I guess it's him too." Coming from the main entrance? 』

The steward shook his head and said, "You came in through the corner door." It has been arranged in the side hall. 』

"uh-huh. ” Gu Yong nodded.

In the current situation, it is definitely impossible for those who are directly related to Zhang Zhao to show up here. Only Zhang Fen, who is known as a "ignorant and unskilled" prodigal, seems to be able to do the thing of coming to the Gu family. .

 In fact, Zhang Fen is not just a man of debauchery. He also has certain attainments in machinery and equipment. It is said that he is credited with the design of Jiangdong Army's new battleship...

Gu Yong turned around the small garden, passed through the courtyard gate, and entered the side courtyard.

From a distance, I saw Zhang Fen at the door of the side hall, pulling the newly bloomed peonies of the Gu family...

　　　『Hand...』 Gu Yong was startled and quickly stretched out his hand to say hello, but it was a pity that it was too late.

Zhang Fen had already pinched off the peony flower, and inserted it into his ear with his backhand, "Ah haha, what a flower, what a peony!" 』

Seeing Gu Yong coming, Zhang Fen stepped forward and bowed his hands in greeting, "It's really extraordinary to see Gu's Peony today!" There is a saying that peonies are the most precious among flowers! At the beginning of spring, everything revives and flowers bloom. Peonies are the only ones that bloom late. It seems that the most noble ones arrive late. It is right to fight without fighting. Its posture is graceful and luxurious, and its colors are colorful, like a pile of brocades, extremely beautiful. Its appearance, layer upon layer, is like a fairy gauze, swaying gently in the wind, graceful and graceful. 』

　　　"This flower is here, like a pearl in the palm of your hand, adding color to all directions. It stands alone and proudly among the flowers, showing its extraordinary magnanimity." Its gorgeous color, its graceful appearance, and its fragrant fragrance are all unmatched by flowers in the world. It can be said that he is the most beautiful among flowers! 』

Gu Yong laughed twice, twitching the corners of his mouth with some pain, and then glanced sideways at the steward.

 Internal affairs can only be kept low.

Who would have thought that this Fen would be taken action as soon as it came up?

Gu Yong called Zhang Fen in and seated the guests and hosts separately.

 Zhang Fen deliberately picked off the flower again, put it in front of his nose and smelled it vigorously, "Ah, it smells so good, (╯▽╰) It smells so good~~"

　　　『Hmm! "Facing Zhang Fen's rogue appearance, Gu Yong also had a headache, "Why is the husband of the Zhang family doing this? If you have something to do, just talk about it. Why destroy what I love? 』

　　　　Oh? "Zhang Fen pretended to be surprised, "I never thought...it turned out to be...what a shameless brat. It's a sin, it's a sin..."

Gu Yong waved his hand and said, "Mr. Zhang family, if nothing happens, I will have to excuse myself." There are still guests in the front hall, so we can’t wait any longer. 』

　　That's what he said, but Gu Yong had no intention of getting up and just stared at Zhang Fen.

Zhang Fen no longer smiled playfully, and slowly became serious. He dropped the flowers in his hand on the table and said, "Gu Shijun." I have a saying, I don't know whether to say it or not. 』

"snort. ” Gu Yong stretched out his hand to signal.

Having come here, you still ask me whether I am an oar or not?

Could it be that I said I can’t take it and still row it away?

　　『Kill the four thieves! ” Zhang Fen said in a deep voice.

Gu Yong’s eyebrows suddenly jumped!

 The four thieves mentioned by Zhang Fen are Jin Qi, Mao Gan, Chen Pu and Zu Shan.

 The atmosphere in the side hall suddenly became almost solid.

If Zhang Fen had just pinched Gu Yong's favorite flower before, then now it was like he slapped Gu Yong in the mouth or pulled off Gu Yong's crotch cloth.

In order to raise money for grain and labor to be sent to the front line, Sun Quan did not hesitate to make the people of Jiangdong suffer and endure it for a while. After all, it was for the great cause of Jiangdong and a better future, so the price of food in Jiangdong remained high. People were displaced.

 That's right, kill the goose to get the eggs.

The egg was later taken away by Sun Quan and sent to the front line.

So, after taking the eggs, what about the remaining chicken?

 In a blink of an eye, all that was left was chicken feathers and a few miscellaneous bones.

Gu Yong squinted his eyes and stared at Zhang Fen, neither agreeing nor denying.

Just like some big gangs in the Mi Empire in later generations, if they have no connection with any PD, any congressman, or any company, will a pure and simple little white flower have the soil to grow in the garden?

Zong thieves and mountain thieves are all thieves.

 White gloves, black gloves, gray gloves, all kinds of gloves.

Even the seafood seller has to be covered, let alone such a big bandit?

　　　『The Zhang family was responsible for all the bad reputations I had received before. At that time, our Zhang family didn’t even eat a bite of meat! Zhang Fen said slowly, "Now that I have been scolded, I can't ask my Zhang family to pay for eating meat?" As a human being, you must speak with your conscience! 』

 Zhang Zhao was previously responsible for raising supplies and food for Sun Quan for the Western Expedition, and working as a laborer for the common people.

Gu Yong smiled and said, "Oh?" This really shouldn't be said. I just don’t know how much meat to prepare? How many people are there in Mr. Zhang’s family? 』

"Ah hahaha," Zhang Fen laughed, "it's not that important whether there are more people or less... What's important is... hahahaha, I heard that people who share meat generally have to get the last piece of meat to be considered their own. , I wonder if Mr. Gu thinks so? 』

 Divide the meat?

“What Mr. Zhang Jialang said has some truth to it,” Gu Yong said with a smile, “but I haven’t done such a business job, so I can’t say it well. 』

"oh? Zhang Fen pointed in the direction of the Gu family's flower hall, "Is it possible that those people brought their own wine and meat to the Gu family's banquet?" 』

Gu Yong narrowed his eyes and said, "The husband of the Zhang family really loves to joke... Now that the knife is in the hands of others, Gu can't say anything about it." 』

 ‘Ah, this blade will soon become dull! Zhang Fen yawned, "Either polish it again, or just replace it." 』

　　　Is this true? ” Gu Yong asked.

Zhang Fen laughed and wiped the tears that overflowed from the corners of his eyes, "Gu Gong is really too... But, Gu Gong, although this knife is blunt, it is not impossible to use it to kill people... So these four thieves are trying to bring trouble to Jiangdong." , disrupting the people, killing innocent people... Shouldn't we deal with it seriously to calm the people and comply with the will of the people? After all...if you keep holding this knife in your hand and it's bloody, who will get close to it? 』

Gu Yong was silent for a long time, "This matter cannot be decided by one person." 』

Zhang Fen laughed loudly and said, "I heard that Mr. Gu has good flowers, wine and delicious food here, but I wonder if I can tell you something?" 』    Gu Yong stood up and said, "Don't dislike Gu. Just wait and see." 』

 After saying that, Gu Yong bowed his hands to Zhang Fen as a gift, then left the side hall and signaled to the steward, "It's a good reception." 』

 The housekeeper promised not to mention it.

Gu Yong was thinking as he walked forward. As he passed the corridor, he whispered: "Go and send a message to the three families... Let's get together tomorrow night..."

 There was a shadow swaying in the darkness of the corner of the corridor, as if someone bowed to Gu Yong and then disappeared.

 …

 …

 The place where Gu Yong chose to meet with the representatives of the three families was in a Taoist temple.

Compared to the bald monk, Gu Yong felt that the local Taoism was better.

The Taoist temple is located between mountains and forests, with a cliff on one side and a **** on the other, so anyone who comes can see it from a high place. Although the Taoist temple is not prosperous during the day, there are still many people coming and going to offer incense and pray for immortality, which makes Gu Yong and others wearing casual clothes not too conspicuous.

It is getting late when you go up the mountain, so it is very normal to stay overnight in a guest room of a Taoist temple on the mountain and go back down the mountain at dawn the next day, and no one can find any problem.

 The moon is on the treetops.

Gu Yong was sitting quietly in the guest room.

I don’t know how long it took, but a shadow swayed under the corridor, saying, "Sir, everyone is here." 』

"Um. ” Gu Yong responded, stood up, and walked out of the guest room.

 Beyond the guest room is a long corridor.

 It was very quiet inside the Taoist temple.

Gu Yong walked slowly in the corridor. Because the wooden boards under his feet were loose, they inevitably made a slight creaking sound, rippling in the night.

  Taoism developed earlier than Buddhism in Jiangdong Wu.

For example, Ge Tianshi’s alchemy school is very famous in Jiangdong.

It's just that because of the Yellow Turban Rebellion and the influence of the three Zhang Jiao brothers, some Taoists were regarded as dangerous elements and were suppressed for a while. In addition, Zhang Lu was trying to unify Hanzhong, which made the local princes feel wary. However, as the Yellow Turban Rebellion was put down and its impact gradually dissipated, the world's strife turned from chaos to a state of unity, and local suppression of Taoism was no longer so strict...

 Outside the gate of the apse, a Taoist priest stood alone with his head in charge.

Gu Yong stopped and returned the courtesy.

 The apse of the Taoist temple is dedicated to the God Xuantian.

Xuantian God is also known as Emperor Xuanwu, the True Lord of Blessings and so on.

The late Eastern Han Dynasty was the stage when Xuanwu's status rose, so there was no problem in worshiping Xuantian God here in Jiangdong.

After the formation of Taoism, Taoism respected the first of the seven constellations of Xuanwu, namely the Dou Xing, also known as the Nandou, because of the belief that "the Nandou is for life, and the Beidou is for death."

In the beginning, Xuanwu was just a guardian **** in Taoism. However, as the people's belief in it continued to strengthen and deepen, its power and status eventually became more and more prominent, and it eventually became the **** enshrined by Taoism. Great God.

From a certain perspective, it is obvious that Xuantian God finally ascended to the position of Emperor of Heaven, relying on the faith of millions of people, and it is also a manifestation of the people's hearts and minds...

Gu Yong stood at the back door, looking up at the statues in the hall.

 The light of the ever-burning lamp in front of the statue of the **** is reflected on the statue of the god.

“I dare to ask, sir, are there equal parts among gods and immortals? ” Gu Yong looked at the statue and asked softly.

The Taoist priest chanted "Immeasurable Heavenly Lord" on the side, and then said: "There are equal parts." Those who cultivate to the level of immortals will soar into the void, become invisible, grow up to be the same as the Tao, and will never suffer calamities. The Immortal ascends to heaven during the day and resides in the upper palace, a land of immeasurable blessings. Those who are immortals can build palaces in the sky, drink the flowing clouds and eat the essence, and can travel thousands of miles in a single thought. Immortal beings often live in caves and palaces in famous mountains, taking charge of the ghosts and gods of the three realms, and taking charge of matters of life and death on earth. The lower immortals who have accumulated merits and calamities are also the upper immortals who make up for the devastation. This is the difference between the upper and lower immortals. 』

Gu Yong nodded, but after a moment he shook his head again, "If you are an immortal, you will have to work hard and be in charge of ghosts and gods, worries about life and death..."

The Taoist leader looked at his head and said, "Under the main road, all the dogs are mutinous dogs." 』

　　　…

Gu Yong nodded, then bowed to God Xuantian in the apse, said goodbye to the Taoist priest, and turned around to pass through the apse.

The Taoist priest watched Gu Yong leave, and then worshiped in front of the statue of God Xuantian. His eyes were slightly closed, his lips were moving slightly, and he was chanting softly. His voice was so subtle that it would have been difficult to hear it if he wasn't very close, "... Sincerely worship the ancestors of yin and yang, the origin of heaven and earth, receive orders from God, and uphold mantras and seals on spiritual treasures. Collecting books, brocade and seals, spitting out the essence of the five qi, the red elixir bag emits three rays of light. Refining the body, suppressing demons and evil spirits, making great compassion and great wishes, the great sage and great mercy, the five spirits, the five elders and the five directions God save people and protect their lives..."

Gu Yong entered the backyard, turned around the patio, and walked a few more steps until he reached a bamboo forest. The path in the forest was winding, revealing a corner of a thatched cottage.

Inside the thatched cottage, the curtains have already been drawn, silver charcoal to ward off the cold is lit, and tea soup is being cooked.

The three people who came early could not help but be a little surprised when they saw Gu Yong coming in person, and immediately stepped out of the thatched cottage to greet them.

Gu Yong waved his hand, helped the three of them up one by one, and immediately entered the thatched cottage and sat down in order.

After a short silence, Gu Yong whispered: "What do you think of Zhang Jiazi's words?" 』

 Immediately someone said, "Don't take it seriously." If we really kill the Four Mountain Kings, wouldn't it be like cutting off our own limbs? 』

 Jin Qi, Mao Gan, and Chen Pu are the four thieves of Zushan, each of whom is called the king of the mountain.

　　　"If Mr. Zhang comes in person... then that's it. Now he is just a son of the Zhang family, chatting in the fog, what kind of face is he worthy of Mr. Gu?" 』

　　　That’s right, that’s right! 』

"Gu Gong, please relax, the four mountain kings are all old, and their hands and tails are very sharp. Even if there are some shortcomings, just push them on the Yue people, won't they be wiped clean?" 』

　　　That's right, that's right...』

The three of them were chattering, no matter what they said, they all had the same meaning, that is, it was better to keep the four bandit leaders and not kill them.

 Actually, the reason why they couldn't be killed was not because the three families had any feelings towards the four bandit leaders, but because of their interests.

Gu Yong could also understand, but after listening to the three people's narration, he said: "If this... is not Zhang Gong's intention, but the lord wants to take action..."

　　　This...can't be true? ! 』

 The three of them were immediately shocked.

Gu Yong said softly: "After Zhu Junli was defeated and Lu Zijing rushed to see the lord, the lord sent more doctors and medicines to the governor of Zhou..."

　　　Is Zhou Gongjin going to lead the army? 』

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　ifier

　　　『If this is just in case…it’s still a real risk…』

　　『However, this and the Four Mountain Kings are...oh, I understand...In this case, it really gives me a headache...』

The people here are all very intelligent, especially their internal fighting skills are at full value, so they quickly understood what Gu Yong meant.

Now that Zhou Yu is very likely to take over the frontline military affairs, the unstable factors in Jiangdong's rear must be eliminated before Zhou Yu is dispatched, or at least suppressed for a while. Then the four bandits who performed "excellently" in the refugee flow not long ago , naturally becomes the primary unstable factor that needs to be eliminated.

If Gu Yong and others take action on their own and sever the connection, some connections can be cleared up. If Zhou Yu waits until Zhou Yu takes action, the involvement will be even more troublesome...

 Hence, for Zhang Zhao, who both struggled and cooperated with the Jiangdong gentry, it became a natural choice to sell well at the right time. Anyway, Zhang Zhao and the main war faction have never gotten along, so it would be baseless to secretly try to hinder the main war faction.

“But if we really lose our arms...if there is any trouble, wouldn’t we be like we were before? We can only..."

　　『Yes, Brother Lu’s death is especially before our eyes! 』

　　　Yes, that’s right! 』

"Well..." Gu Yong closed his eyes and sighed. After a moment, he opened his eyes and glanced at the three of them, "I heard... Now after King Jing of Zhongshan, Liu Bei and Liu Xuande are in Jiaozhou, appeasing the place, reducing taxes and rents, and recruiting wise men... It can be said that they have strong soldiers and horses, and they have a heroic appearance..."

　　　"Gu Gong, what do you mean..."

Gu Yong waved his hand and said: "I don't mean anything... It's just that this person should always be prepared for danger in times of peace..."

 The three of them seemed to understand something.

The bamboo forest swayed and rustled, like swords rubbing against each other, which made people feel chilly.