Chapter 451 Chapter 4 The Dog Lover

The aroma of roasting wolf meat attracted five or six dogs who were abandoned by their owners, and waited for Xu Kou's mercy.When they entered the village that Jucun escaped from, they were not friendly to Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong. It was not until they lit a bonfire to roast the wolves in the open space between the village houses that the attitude of the crowd changed from showing teeth and claws to docile. This wolf also brought on its own misfortune, it joined forces with other hungry wolves to attack the two, was slapped to death by Kou Zhong, and dispersed the pack of wolves. On the way here, waves of refugees rushed towards the direction of the Yellow River. It was sad to see, but there was no ability or method to change their plight.

Xu Ziling used Kou Zhong's Jing Zhongyue to cut off the wolf meat and distributed it to the dogs, letting them feast on it with great joy.At this time Kou Zhong came to him with two jars of rice wine and sat down, said with a smile: "As expected, I found two jars of privately brewed rice wine, it tastes much better." Xu Ziling glanced at the dogs lying on the four sides to rest after eating, and sighed: "They are also victims of the war." He took the rice wine from Kou Zhong. Kou Zhong pulled up the altar stopper, took two sips, gasped and said, "Good wine!"

Xu Yuling said: "We keep the wolf meat, how many days do you think they can eat?" Kou Zhong’s eyes fell on the wolf’s meal which was eaten by a quarter of the dog, and he said: “Should we have to suffer for two more days? Alas! I’m so sad to tell you, let’s eat the dry food we carry with us instead! We will give away all the wolf meat Give it to them. These dogs are like our two brothers, and they don't fight over food, which is really rare." Xu Ziling said: "If it's just a big piece of meat, they might compete for it. Let me cut up the wolf meat and distribute it evenly, so as to reduce their friction."

Kou Zhong showed a thoughtful expression, watching Xu Ziling's saber up and down to make arrangements for the dog, a deep and unspeakable feeling surged in his heart, he handed the wine to Xu Ziling and said: "Your trick is not effective for people, otherwise Li Shimin will They won’t attack Yuwenhuaji, and the Turkic people don’t need to covet the big piece of fat in the Central Plains.” Xu Ziling took two sips and said: "Because people's thinking is much more complicated, and their desires are endless and never satisfied. Even if the world is superior, it's just because they have other ideals. It doesn't mean that they have nothing to ask for and will not do anything else. think."

Kou Zhong said, "So what about Young Master Ling?" Xu Ziling sat down with a wry smile and said, "What I desire most now is to avoid the suffering I see before me, and not have to think about the future fate of the dog. Doomed not to survive. But even if my people can avoid it, my heart cannot." Kou Zhong seemed to have something to say, but he didn't say it.He took out the dry food that Yang Gongqing had prepared for them and handed it to Xu Ziling. Xu Ziling shook his head and said, "I'm not hungry!" Suddenly his eyes flashed. Kou Zhong became alert at the same time, raised his eyebrows, and said in a deep voice: "Where is the expert coming, please show up and meet."

A burst of long laughter resounded among the trees behind the village, and only someone said: "Brother Kou and Brother Xu really deserve their reputation. The younger brother has always claimed to be good at hiding, but he still can't hide it from you two." At this moment, the hairs on the necks of the dogs stood on end, and their throats made a "huhu" sound. Xu Ziling hurriedly stopped, and walked out from the forest alone, giving people the feeling of bravery and tenacity. His complexion was dark and his appearance was simple. The electric light flickered, showing a superb skill, just like a real farmer.

I don't know whether it was because of his leisurely posture or Xu Ziling's stoppage was effective, the dogs stopped roaring and stopped being on guard.Two of them came forward to sniff him, the man smiled, reached out and stroked their heads, and said happily: "They are all good and tame dogs, it's too pitiful to be abandoned here!" His expressions and words all had a sincere taste, which made the two of them have a good impression of him. Kou Zhongdao: "Brother, sit down and talk." The man sat down cross-legged on the other side of the bonfire, and said: "Little brother Zhang Jinshu is the charge pawn under Yan Wang Gao Kaidao."

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling didn't expect to meet someone from Gao Kaidao here, they were both surprised.From this person's manner of speaking, it is determined that this gentleman is not a small soldier but a powerful minister and general. Gao Kaidao is a native of Cangzhou Yangxin. He is as famous as the "Eagle and Yang Generals" Liu Wuzhou and Liang Shidu in northern Xinjiang, and his martial arts are superb.At the end of the Sui Dynasty, people gathered to revolt and successively captured Beiping, Yuyang and other counties. He was established as King of Yan and Yuyang was established as his capital.Because of the Turks in the north, although Dou Jiande's power is far superior to him, he still dare not speak lightly to him.

Zhang Jinshu took the rice wine that Kou Zhong handed him, drank a few gulps, put down the wine jar and sighed: "I don't know if it's because the young marshal invited him to drink the wine, it tastes really good." Kou Zhong laughed and said, "Good wine is good wine." Seeing that he still did not forget to pet the dog sitting next to him, he nodded and said: "Brother Zhang loves dogs very much!" Zhang Jinshu stared at the dog with a look of love and compassion, and said: "My little brother has loved livestock since he was a child, and he likes to make friends with them, so seeing the two of you putting in so much effort for the dog, I was moved and couldn't help but come out and talk to them." The two talk."

Xu Ziling said: "Brother Zhang is indeed a brilliant figure who goes unnoticed." But Kou Zhong said: "From Brother Zhang's tone, he didn't want to talk to us, what's the reason?" Zhang Jinshu said: "I'm a guest in Wuyang. I heard the news and just wanted to catch a glimpse of the extraordinary demeanor of the two. I didn't intend to get involved in the dispute between the two and the Yuwen family. But seeing that the two are so good at serving dogs, I know If you meet someone of your own kind, then why should you be afraid?" Kou Zhong laughed and said, "Come on! Drink."

The three of them took turns to drink heavily, enjoying themselves very much. Zhang Jinshu raised his sleeves to wipe off the wine stains on his shoulders, focused on the flickering flames, and said, "The two of you have done Yuwen Shiji a great favor this time." Kou Zhong hurriedly asked why. Zhang Jinshu said: "Scholar Yuwen was trying his best to see how he could surrender to the Tang Dynasty decently, but the two of them came here at this critical moment. Of course, Shiji Yuwen couldn't wish for it." Xu Ziling listened to what the ground said was interesting, and asked with a smile: "What is a decent surrender?" Zhang Jinshu said: "The thickness of the face is determined by the level of the official after surrender." The two suddenly realized. Kou Zhong frowned and said: "Unexpectedly, Yuwen Shiji would betray his family! In this way, the defense line to the west of Wei State will be completely lost, and Yu Wenhuaji will have to flee back to Xucheng and wait for his death." Zhang Jinshu lowered his voice and said, "Not only did Yuwen Shiji not betray the family, but he made the best choice for the family." The two were at a loss when they heard it, and then they came to their senses again. Zhang Jinshu really has extraordinary insight, under the overturned nest, how can there be any eggs!Today, Yu Wenhua and the Wei Kingdom are surrounded by enemies, which is absolutely unlucky. Instead of the entire family falling with the Wei Dynasty, if the special Yuwen scholars among them surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, the Yuwen Clan could continue to flourish. In the current situation, Yuwen Shiji can definitely exchange Li Shimin for generous surrender terms.First of all, he is the son-in-law of Emperor Yangdi, and he is related to the Li family. Secondly, the Tang Dynasty was eager to capture the land of Wei before Dou Jiande's army went south. Coupled with another big gift from Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, it is even more easy for a good woman to meet a pervert. As for Yu Wenhuaji, he was doomed to die in battle because of the burden of killing Emperor Yang to seize the throne, and he would never tolerate a general of the Sui Dynasty like Li Yuan who raised troops under the banner of defending the Sui Dynasty.Moreover, the Li family has always been fighting openly and covertly with the Yuwen faction, and the rift between them is very deep. The Yuwen scholars can stay out of the matter because they are son-in-law, and the surrender is easier for the Li family to accept. Yuwen Shiji's descending to the Tang Dynasty should have obtained the secret consent of Yuwenshang and Yu Wenhuaji. Kou Zhong murmured: "Please forgive me for my shallow words, Brother Zhang ordered you to come to Wuyang for the next time, is there any special mission?" Zhang Jinshu looked lovingly at the dog who was fascinated by his caress, and said indifferently: "The younger brother was ordered by King Yan to come to see the situation of the Tang army." Kou Zhong almost scratched his head when he heard it, because he didn't know the meaning of his words, but because the matter involved Gao Kaidao's strategy, he had no choice but to suppress his curiosity and stop asking. Xu Ziling remembered something, and asked casually, "What's the situation outside the Great Wall? I heard that Xieli and Tuli are going to fight each other. Brother Zhang should know better than anyone else." Zhang Jinshu said: "The two sides have indeed fought a few tough battles. Tuli still has the upper hand, but the initiative is in Xieli's hands, because Tuli has always been far behind Jieli in strength and is unable to expand the results of the battle. According to the current situation development Going down, Jieli will invite Bi Xuan to settle the matter and quell the internal strife and division. Alas! We were caught in the middle just now, and we have a deep understanding of what it means to be right and wrong." Kou Zhong frowned and said, "Doesn't Yan Yu know that the Turkic people have tiger and wolf hearts for us?" Zhang Jinshu sighed: "So what if you know? The four troops in the frontier fortress, whether it is Liu Wuzhou, Guo Zihe, Liang Shidu, or our Yan army, the first thing is to survive. If you offend the Turkic people, they will attack them on a large scale. The Turkic cavalry Trampling under the iron hooves of the world, the cities will be turned into ruins, and the countryside will be turned into wasteland, who dares to take this risk.” Kou Zhongdao: "The Turkic army is so powerful?" Zhang Jinshu said: "The Turkic people grew up on horseback. They are born brave and good at fighting, and they are far more united than us Han people. When fighting together, it is like a god's help. They come and go like the wind. The strength of a thousand people It is enough to reach the tens of thousands of our Han army, and if it were not for the high mountains and the Great Wall in the northern border, there might not be an inch of peaceful land in the Central Plains." Xu Ziling said: "Brother Zhang said just now that if Jieli can't subdue Tuli, he will invite Bi Xuan to persuade Tuli to reconcile. Brother Zhang, do you think Tuli will accept it?" Zhang Jinshu said: "How could Tuli not accept it? East Turkic has Goguryeo and Khitan in the east, Xueyantuo and Huihe in the west. In recent years, they have become very powerful. If Jieli and Tuli fight endlessly, the first to suffer will be those who are weaker than Jieli. Due to the situation, Tuli can only withdraw when he sees good results." Kou Zhong took the opportunity to ask: "Song Jingang and the Turks invaded Taiyuan today, brother Zhang, what do you think about the outcome?" Zhang Jinshu said decisively: "If we confront each other head-on, even Li Shimin will be defeated." Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong looked at each other. Zhang Jinshu smiled and said: "You two, don't blame the younger brother for being arbitrary, this is indeed sincere. However, wars are ever-changing, and the final result cannot be determined by one or two battles. The battle between Song and Li will be the biggest test for Li Shimin. Hope He can pass, otherwise the consequences will be disastrous." The two were speechless, and they couldn't understand Zhang Jinshu's inner thoughts. Logically, he shouldn't have hoped that Li Shimin would win, but it didn't seem so from his tone. Zhang Jinshu lowered his voice and said: "I don't know if everyone in the country is a dog-loving person, so I have a feeling of familiarity with the two of you, so I am not afraid to tell the truth that all the heroes in northern Xinjiang, except Liang Shidu, were used by the Turks. Those who are not frightened by its lust, know that if the Turkic army really goes south, the people of China will be devastated, the catastrophe is imminent, and no one will be spared. The younger brother was ordered to be a bystander this time, precisely to judge the strength of the Tang army .” Kou Zhong thought that Gao Kaidao had the intention of descending to the Tang Dynasty. The key lies in whether Li Shimin can repel the indirect invasion of the Turkic people through Liu Wuzhou and Song Jingang. Gao Kaidao's mentality represents the mentality of some separatist heroes with lesser forces, that is, when the Tang army is approaching the city, they surrender before they are qualified to negotiate conditions. Xu Ziling wondered: "Why is it that only Master Liang wants the Turks to invade, and Liu Wuzhou and Song Jingang are not counted?" Zhang Jinshu said: "Among Xuhao in northern Xinjiang, Liang Shidu has the closest relationship with the Turkic people, and Liang Shidu has Turkic blood. He has long regarded himself as Turkic rather than Han." After a pause, he continued: "As for Liu and Song, if they have a choice, they will wait for the Tang army to attack Luoyang before attacking, so as to help the fishermen take advantage of it." Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling couldn't imagine that something simple on the surface turned out to be so complicated on the inside.Knowing about Yang Wenqian's conspiracy to rebel, Jie Liyun ignored Liu and Song's desire to instigate them to invade Taiyuan in the south. Unexpectedly, Yang Wengan was relieved by Li Shimin like a breath of air. The momentum expanded, suppressing the fierce flames of the prince and concubine party. Jieli originally planned to lead a large army to invade, but Tuli restrained him and had no choice but to let his minions take action. Zhang Jinshu sighed and said, "It's never easy living as neighbors with the Turkic people. Jieli's harsh demands are immoral. Today's silk and silk, tomorrow's rich and beautiful women, who can handle it?" Xu Ziling said in a deep voice: "If we can't wipe out the Turkic people for a day, we can never expect to have a happy life." Kou Zhong asked: "Brother Zhang's country of Yan is close to Goryeo, so he should know more about their affairs. I don't know what kind of person 'Master Yijian' Fu Cailin is?" Zhang Jinshu frowned and said: "Fu Cailin is already a god rather than a man in the hearts of the Korean people, full of mystery. According to the fragmentary information I got, he is a person who loves to pursue perfection. He only accepted three female disciples in his later years. , are all as beautiful as flowers, and the young apprentice Fu Junqiang is the most outstanding, and he is the most favored by him." The two heard you look at me, but they didn't expect that besides mother and Fu Junyu, there was another junior sister. Kou Zhongdao: "There is a man named Jin Zhengzong who has high martial arts skills, have you heard of Brother Zhang?" Zhang Jinshu said: "Jin Zhengzong is the chief martial arts instructor in front of the king of Koryo. He is responsible for training the imperial army. Hearing the young commander's tone, it seems that he has fought against him, right?" Kou Zhong nodded and said: "We did have a few tricks with him, the outcome is not decided, everyone broke the boat and fell into the sea." Zhang Jinshu said: "Korea and Khitan formed an alliance to fight against Xieli. The Khitan people disguised themselves as horse thieves and harassed the frontier from time to time without any worries. They caused serious harm and destruction to the people in the frontier. If it weren't for the Turks, I'm afraid they would have invaded on a large scale." Kou Zhong already had a deep understanding of this, and thought that if he wanted to unify the Central Plains, he would send his army to the north and attack the old nests of the Turks and Khitans.If the Turks and Khitan can be subdued, they can talk about the way of peaceful coexistence with the Koreans. For mother's sake, they can't use troops against the Koreans. Zhang Jinshu said again: "Looking at the leisurely posture of the two brothers, it seems that they don't care about Yuwen Shi and Li Shimin colluding with you to deal with you, but you two have a plan to deal with it?" Xu Ziling said with a smile: "We can't do anything else, but we have some experience in escaping, so we are never afraid of being tricked. Meeting Brother Zhang today will broaden our horizons and is a joy in life. I don't know if Brother Zhang will take Taiyuan as his destination in his next trip. ?” Zhang Jinshu patted his legs and praised: "Brother Xu really sees through the younger brother." He stood up, looked around at the dogs, and said: "These dogs have made me and the two of you friends, and I really can't bear to keep them here. Fortunately, I have a way to get them out of the waterway. Shipping to our place." The two were overjoyed and hurriedly stood up to thank them, but in fact they were also feeling sad about it. From this point alone, the two of them wished to make such a friend from the bottom of their hearts. When the soldiers were in panic, Zhang Jinshu was still willing to take trouble for the dog, which shows the love of this man. Zhang Jinshu lowered his voice again and said, "The fact that the two of you are going to Xu Cheng to find Yu Wenhua and settle accounts has spread widely. Brothers just wish the two of you success and settle your concerns." After finishing speaking, he took off his coat, wrapped up the wolf meat, said goodbye, and led the pack of dogs casually. The two were relieved to see it, and they parted ways on their own.