[R18] Will drink wine – “About Wine” Chapter 136 [English]

Chapter 131 Spider Web

It is now the end of June, and the trip is scheduled for July.After Shen Zechuan left, the staff retreated, and Zhou Gui asked Kong Ling: “Why do you insist on letting Tongzhi go? Chazhou is so chaotic, and if Tongzhi has a problem, Cizhou will have no way to explain to the Marquis. I originally thought you would go, disguised as a caravan on the way, and we can still have some friendship with Luo Mu, the capital of Chazhou.”

Kong Ling drank herbal tea, nodded after hearing the words, and after swallowing it, said: “Now let’s go with Zhi. We can also disguise ourselves as a caravan on the way, and be accompanied by royal guards. It will be safer than our own plan.”

Zhou Gui pointed at Kong Ling and said: “You are so smart but you are confused for a moment. You know that… with such appearance, how can you disguise yourself as a caravan? Anyone with a sharp eye on the road can tell something unusual at a glance.”

Kong Ling held the tea leaves in his mouth. He looked at it for a moment and felt that Zhou Gui really didn’t understand. He said, “You are an honest man. Let me ask you, from the reconstruction of the Cizhou garrison to the current planning of the tea state business, which one was not suggested by Tongzhi? Cizhou has really taken advantage of others, but there is no such thing as freeloading.”

Zhou Gui said: “I don’t understand? I understand! The military expenditure is still not enough, so we use food to supply the imperial army, and then send the Beiyuan hunting grounds there. Isn’t this just a repayment? I have been kind to Cizhou, and Cizhou is doing its best to pay it back.”

Kong Ling swallowed the bitter tea leaves and said: “We can’t make it now, and we won’t be able to make it tomorrow. The Marquis repelled the Luoshan bandits, leaving plenty of time for Cizhou to rebuild. Now we can’t even supply 20,000 forbidden troops with half-year’s military rations. Beiyuan Hunting Ground is sent over, and I tell you, it will be the camp and school of the forbidden troops in the future. No matter how we plan it here, inIn the eyes of others, Cizhou has already become a member of the imperial army.Moreover, once the business in Chazhou starts, how can you repay Tongzhi?And Tongzhi said that he would send Qiao Tianya to protect me, so who is Qiao Tianya? He used to be a Jinyiwei Tongzhi in Qudu.In previous years, when we entered the capital, we not only had to get off the sedan to salute, but also stepped aside to give way.He protects me, how can I really bear it?When we get to Chazhou, is it Qiao Tianya who is in charge or me?So I said you are really honest.”

Zhou Gui had never been a capital official, but he had served in Zhongbo from the beginning.He’s teacher was also a nobleman of He. Zhou Gui worked as a grain supervisor there, and he did a good job and was very knowledgeable. Teacher He loved talents, so he betrothed his daughter to Zhou Gui. Zhou Gui therefore avoided a lot of filth in the officialdom.He was later promoted to the capital of Cizhou based on his seniority, and his official career was smooth until the defeat of Zhongbo.He is not like Liang Miaoshan, who was stepped on by the officials of the famous family and could not afford it. He has not suffered that crime, so he really doesn’t understand many twists and turns.

Zhou Gui was stunned when he heard this, and said hesitantly: “I’m worried too. You bring people to discuss business, and I have to worry about your safety. The garrison has just been built, and the imperial army has left. The only ones who can do anything right now are the Jin Yiwei around Tongzhi.”

Kong Ling said: “At first, Tongzhi said that he wanted to stay in Cizhou because we couldn’t trust the Forbidden Army at that time. Before the Marquis left, you and I had no doubts about it, but Tongzhi still stayed. He is like “moistening things quietly” in Cizhou. I’m afraid he made a plan before entering Cizhou, and it’s too late for you and me to wake up now.”

After getting along with Zhou Gui these days, he only felt that Xiao Chiye was not easy to talk to, but he was very neat in handling things and gave him all the face he deserved. He was a person who kept his words in plain sight.But Shen Zechuan was different. When talking to them, Shen Zechuan sat at the top of the table, but he was very polite to the staff. He even addressed Kong Ling as “Mr. Cheng Feng” and was willing to discuss everything, which made people think that he was humble and respectful, and polite and virtuous.As time passed, Zhou Gui had already lost his guard.

Zhou Gui stood up, still holding the robe in his hand, and was speechless for a while.No matter how slow he is, he understands that Shen Zechuan is taking Cizhou into his pocket by offering such help.He said in a daze: “Tongzhi… If you are really willing to let Cizhou return to its former state, then it doesn’t matter if I give this state capital to him.”

Kong Ling looked at the night outside. A gray moth was attracted by the light from the study and rushed to the eaves, but crashed into the spider web hidden between the eaves.

Kong Ling was silent for a while and said: “Zhou Gui, it’s time to get rid of the word ‘prefecture’. As soon as Hai Liangyi died, the moderate faction in Qudu was attacked by students, and they could no longer maintain the Zhou Dynasty on their own.”Peaceful people.The world is falling apart. If Qian is a ‘deer’, then Cizhou is a ‘rabbit’. Without the wolf and fox as a guarantee, Cizhou is the meat in the eyes of the jackals in Zhongbo.You and I are powerless to resist it.”

Zhou Gui and Kong Ling were classmates when they were young. They had been friends for many years. It was rare for him to take things so seriously, so he said: “I know your good intentions, and I just hope that you can live up to your expectations today… I am afraid of such people.”

Kong Ling thought of the night when he met Lei Changming. Shen Zechuan changed his mind whenever he asked, chatting and laughing among the crowd of swordsmen, telling the truth in every word, and even his eyes showed frankness. Not only did Lei Changming believe it, but he also believed it.It was after that time that he began to evaluate Shen Zechuan.

Kong Ling withdrew his gaze and said slightly worriedly: “Tonight I showed off my sharpness too much. I have already crossed the line. I’m afraid my colleagues will remember me. I am your master and I shouldn’t show off in front of my colleagues… You should be more careful in the future.”

* * *

The two of them had a deep conversation in the study, and Shen Zechuan returned to the house.Ji Gang had already rested, and Shen Zechuan returned to the courtyard without anyone disturbing him.He passed the corridor and saw Fei Sheng and his people keeping vigil in the courtyard.

After Shen Zechuan entered, Fei Sheng relaxed slightly.Qiao Tianya shared some of his few remaining tobacco with Fei Sheng. After a while, he saw that the lights in the main room were out, so he asked someone to put out the lanterns in the courtyard as well.

“If the Marquis is not here, it will be difficult for the master to fall asleep.” Qiao Tianya stood under the tree and whispered, “It’s not good to sleep either. If you hear any noise in the second half of the night, don’t let anyone come in and disturb you.”

Fei Fei turned his head and knew what was going on.He moved the cigarette away, breathed into the night, and said: “I understand, the tea stone sinkhole is a nightmare, thank you.”

Qiao Tianya didn’t twitch, he put his arms on the tree trunk, listened to the frogs in the pond for a while, and said: “You have been idle for so long. Master thinks it is a pity to be a guard. There are two tasks. I will ask master to give you the badge tomorrow morning.”

Fei Sheng knew very well that Shen Zechuan was going to use he, but he had no intention of putting he in front of him, at least he couldn’t replace Qiao Tianya.He smoked for a while, puffed his pipe a few times, and said with a smile: “Okay, I’m looking forward to it. But tell me, what’s the mission?”

Qiao Tianya looked at Fei Sheng and said, “Tingji, it’s an easy matter.”

Fei Sheng said: “What is the other one?”

“Two of the Zha Lei family, especially Lei Changming, want to report his life story to the master.” Qiao Tianya smiled, “Asking you to handle this matter is a waste of talent. Originally Ding Tao was also good, but he is young and afraid that he will not do the job lightly, so he still has to find you. You are an expert in this field, how about it?”

Fei Sheng also laughed, nodded and said, “As long as it’s the master’s order, there’s nothing that can’t be done.”

Qiao Tianya continued: “I have something else I would like to ask your help for.”

Fei Sheng twirled his pipe and said, “You and I are brothers, you’re welcome. What’s the matter?”

Qiao Tianya retracted his arm and said, “I would like to ask you to check the whereabouts of a person for me when you send someone out to take notes.”

Fei Sheng took notice, looked at Qiao Tianya and said, “Who?”

Qiao Tianya said: “Yao Wenyu.”

* * *

It was midnight and the Imperial Guards had not rested yet.

Wu Ziyu drank milk tea with Chen Yang, and the military doctor gave him medicine. He just squatted on the ground and asked Chen Yang: “What is the second master’s plan?”

Chen Yang sorted out the roster of military craftsmen in Bianbo camp and said, “That’s a matter decided by the master. Why do you ask me?”

Wu Ziyu said: “You and I are old acquaintances, and you don’t want to tell anyone?”

Chen Yang checked the roster and looked at Wu Ziyu leisurely, saying, “If you want to talk about personal relations, we will drink tea and eat meat here. If you want to talk about military affairs, I have to call you the general of the camp first. If you mix the two, what on earth will I answer you?”

Wu Ziyu put on his clothes and said, “Well, let me make it clear to you. The second young master wants to go to the east to fight against the invaded Sha San Camp. I don’t think so. This can’t be done. The Libei Cavalry currently in Bianbo Camp is my team. We are not the forwards. We are the escort team at the battlefield. It’s okay to play with the Eagle Division, but we have to fight against the Viper Division. I’m sorry, I will lead my people back immediately.”

Chenyang nodded and said, “I’m sorry I won’t send you far.”

Wu Ziyu clicked his tongue, he looked impatient and said, “What are you doing?”

Chenyang put down the list and said, “Send this to my master, and he will reply like this. If you want to leave, you can, just go.”

Wu Ziyu said: “I said leave, not because I am afraid of fighting with the Viper Tribe, but because I can’t afford to fight at the moment. Why use an egg against a stone? The war horses and military craftsmen in the Bianbo Camp are valuable materials from Libei. What’s the benefit of spending them here with the Biansha people? Send them to the Northeast Grain and Horse Road as soon as possible. We will have the support of Liuyang’s three major battalions, and it will be too late to turn back.”

“There’s enough time,” Xiao Chiye opened the curtain, bent down and came in, wiping the water on his hands, and said, “How did you come to this conclusion? Tell me.”

As soon as Xiao Chiye came in, Wu Ziyu felt that the tent was much darker.The military doctor packed the box, saluted Xiao Chiye and exited.

Wu Ziyu was a little embarrassed and did not dare to continue looking at Xiao Chiye.

Xiao Chiye threw the handkerchief to Chen Yang, walked around to the stove and sat down.There was still warm milk tea on it. Xiao Chiye hadn’t had it for a long time. Gu Jin came from behind and poured a bowl for Xiao Chiye.

As soon as there was silence in the tent, Wu Ziyu felt very uncomfortable.When he made mistakes in front of Xiao Jiming, he was not as depressed as when he was in front of Xiao Chiye.

Xiao Chiye took a sip and asked Wu Ziyu: “Is there any fresh milk?”

Wu Ziyu shook his head hastily and said: “No, just this pot, I’ll save it later to satisfy Bian Boying’s craving.”

“Is there any rough tea?”

Wu Ziyu said “Hmm” and said, “How can we not have refreshing things? There are plenty of them in the granary. If you like them, I’ll have them packed for you.”

Xiao Chiye then raised his elbows, looked at Wu Ziyu, and said, “If you stand here all night, I will still leave before dawn tomorrow morning. If someone hits you and runs away, aren’t you Libei Iron Cavalry?”

This was the second time today that Wu Ziyu heard Xiao Chiye say, “You Libei Iron Cavalry.”

Wu Ziyu didn’t know who “Lan Zhou” was. Hearing this tone, Xiao Chiye didn’t worry about the war and thought about giving tea to others.He couldn’t bear it anymore and blurted out: “Second Young Master——”

“I don’t call you Second Young Master when talking about military affairs. I am Xiao Ce’an, the Governor of the Forbidden Army. I asked you if you were a member of the Libei Iron Cavalry, but you never answered me affirmatively. There is no separate ‘escort team’ in Libei, only the Libei Iron Cavalry. Your soldiers ride on the same horses as the forwards, and wear the same long swords as the forwards.” Xiao Chiye stared at Wu Ziyu, drank the milk tea, and then mocked, “Is this what Libei’s general is good at?”

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The six states of Zhongbo are: Cizhou, Dunzhou, Duanzhou, Dengzhou, Chazhou and Fanzhou

The eight cities of Qudu are: Quancheng, Dancheng, Chuncheng, Tuncheng, Dicheng, Jincheng, Wucheng, and Cuocheng

The five counties of Qidong are: Cangjun, Chijun, Cejun, Chujun, and Bianjun

Huaizhou is behind Luoxia Pass and northwest of Quancheng.Hezhou is south of Fengshan Campus, and its edge can be connected to the mountains of Suotianguan.Although these two states are also called “states”, they are not within the scope of Zhongbo. Please refer to the previous military ration case.

Yuzhou is in the west of Jue, and there are Baima Prefecture, Qin Prefecture and Thirteen Cities in the west of Jue, including two major ports.

The twelve Biansha tribes that have appeared so far include: Eagle Tribe, Gouma Tribe, Viper Tribe, and Eagle Tribe.

Referring to Chapter 043 of the previous volume, the Huiyan tribe first mentioned by Ce’an has defected to Dazhou and is a small tribe operating on the edge of the mutual market.

The current camps in Libei are: permanent camp, Bianbo camp, Sha first camp, Sha second camp, Sha third camp and Liuyang camp.