Chapter 9 Chapter nine

Jin Hui laughed: "Don't worry about that, if you follow him, no one will dare to say no to you." "real?" "Of course." At this point, Jin Hui interrupted: "Brother, you have no children now, why don't you accept a foster son, so that you can have someone to take care of you by your side." Wang Jian turned to San'er and asked, "I'd be happy to let you be my son, are you willing?" After hearing this, Gan San'er said happily, "I'm an orphan now, and no one wants to take it. You are a good person, and you can take me in and give me a bowl of rice. As long as you don't starve, I'll be your son forever!" With that, he pushed the stool away and kowtowed a few times.

The fourth year of Qianfu (877) was a year of chaos.Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao continued to attack cities and counties. Shandong, Hubei, Henan... Almost the entire Central Plains and Kanto region became the battlefield of this vigorous peasant uprising army.Li Xuan's court could only keep dispatching troops and generals, besieged, relieved, and besieged again... A series of edicts of appeals were sent across the river, and letters of persuasion to surrender were sent to Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao. Just after noon that day, Wang Jian, Jin Hui, Li Shitai, Zhang Jie and several other generals were planning the next strategy, when suddenly a long report came from outside the tent: "Report to the military lieutenant—Master Jiedushi sent someone to the court The imperial edict is to be circulated by all the lieutenants of the military academy." A soldier knelt before the tent and attached a letter.

Wang Jian handed over the letter to Jin Hui for him to read.Jin Hui got the imperial edict and read it: The heavens and the earth cannot tolerate chaos and discipline; it is the grand ceremony of the emperor to punish crimes and hang people.Looking at the past dynasties, and counting the previous dynasties, there were fathers and men called soldiers, who committed crimes based on evil, or were suspicious of counties and counties, or harmed living beings.At the beginning, the fox pretends to be an owl, and pretends to be invincible; then the bird burns and the fish dies, and it ends in nothing but ruin...

Just after reading a few sentences, Zhang Jie yelled impatiently: "This goddamn emperor writes all the edicts in such a manner that I don't understand them on purpose. Brother Guangyuan, please focus on the key points, the little emperor wants to Let us do something?" Jin Hui roughly read the edict and said: "I think the emperor's intention is to appease the bandit leader Wang Xianzhi. Myna, look at this sentence: 'If Wang Xianzhi and the bandit leaders can wash their hearts and repent, and disperse their soldiers and rest their troops, the state capital where they live If you surrender, you will be named and heard, and the court will discuss the award...'"

Although Wang Jian couldn't read a few words, he also leaned forward. Under Jin Hui's guidance, he carefully read and read the few lines of words, and said to himself: "It is said that there is no turning back when you open a bow. "What Wang Xianzhi committed was treason, and if I were him, there is absolutely no reason to surrender. Don't those high officials in the court understand this? Now that the thieves are in full swing, why would they think of this way of appeasement?" Jin Hui said: "I guess, this is probably what Prime Minister Wang Duo meant. Not long ago, Wang Xianzhi, the governor of Ruzhou, was captured alive by Wang Xianzhi. This Wang Liao is the younger brother of Prime Minister Wang Daren. Think about it, his brother died in the grass. In the hands of the thieves, recruiting security is the best way to save the life of Wang Cishi. Otherwise, if the grass thieves are in a hurry, killing a few captives is as easy as crushing a few bedbugs? Also, don’t forget, the grass thieves Although Xianzhi moved to the north and the south and conquered the city, after more than half a year, he should be able to understand that it is still a bit difficult to shake the Tang Dynasty with his strength. Why did he rebel? On the surface, he seemed to oppose the court's injustice, but in terms of selfishness It's not because you want to be rich and prosperous. Now that the emperor is willing to let go of the past, he can also be promoted, so why not do it?"

Wang Jian nodded, feeling that Jinhui's analysis made some sense: "But I don't know if Huang Chao and other thieves have the same thoughts as him. If they are all willing to be appeased, that's good; if some are willing, some If you don’t want to, then there will be disagreements among these grassroots thieves, and at that time, we will fight each other, and our battle will be easier!" At this time, a sergeant suddenly came to report: "Report to General Jin, there is a red-faced man who claims to be from Chang'an and wants to see you." "The red-faced man? Could it be Qianyu... What's the matter with him?" For some reason, Jin Hui suddenly had an ominous premonition, and he couldn't help being startled: "Let him in quickly!"

While talking, I saw a person covered in dust walking in hastily.This man was not too tall, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, and his face was as red as wax. "Qianyu, it really is you!" Jin Hui recognized this person at a glance.It turned out that Zhang Qianyu used to follow Jinhe and lived in Jinfu for a long time, he was about the same age as Jinhui.Although Zhang Qianyu has always regarded himself as a servant, Jin Hui has always regarded him as a brother and is very polite to him. When Zhang Qianyu saw Jin Hui, the handsome seven-foot man couldn't help but blurred his eyes with tears: "Master... I can count on finding you..."

Jin Hui couldn't help but "thump" in his heart, thinking badly: Zhang Qianyu has been in Chang'an all along, this travel-and-dust servant obviously came from Chang'an, could it be that something happened to Mr. Zheng's residence? "What happened to Mr. Zheng?" Jin Hui asked hurriedly. "Master, it's not Master Zheng, but our master... passed away..." "What did you say?" Jin Hui didn't react suddenly, he stepped forward and grabbed Zhang Qianyu's hand, "Say it again?" "Our master, Mr. Jin... passed away..."

a bolt from the blue!Jin Hui was stunned: "Impossible! It must be impossible! My father is so strong, how is it possible?" Wang Jian hurriedly helped Jin Hui to sit down on a chair, and asked Zhang Qianyu, "Where do strong men come from?" "I come from Chang'an." "The old general of Jin has been disarmed and returned to the field, how could the strong man know..." "Alas!" Zhang Qianyu couldn't help sighing, "The thing is like this: Half a month ago, Mr. Zheng was at the court meeting, and the emperor promised to summon my master back to Chang'an, so Mr. Zheng sent me and General Meng to Xu Zhou, please return to Beijing. When we arrived at the old house, the master had just passed away for three days... The old housekeeper said that he sent people everywhere to find the young master, and it was too late to even report the funeral. I went to the Zhongwu Army in Xuzhou to inquire. , Knowing that you are going to fight in Jiangxi, young master, that's why you rushed here without stopping...Young master, I found you with great difficulty, you have to go back quickly..."

"Brother, in that case, I plan to get up and go back to Xuzhou immediately. It is said that a filial son has served filial piety for three years, but now that the country is in crisis, I think my father will understand my situation. But this trip will take two months at least. Sun can’t help the starling, and... the supervisor may have to trouble you..." "I'll go with you!" Before Jinhui could finish, Wang Jian cut him off decisively, "Your father and son have been separated for seven years, and it's time for you to fulfill your filial piety after the reunion. If I rob the prison car, I won't even miss the last meeting..."

"No, how can I blame myna for this matter... But, I think it's better for me to go back to Xuzhou by myself. Right now, I'm fighting with the grass army, and I can't do without myna..." "Guangyuan, you don't need to persuade me anymore. Your father was very kind to me in the past, and it is reasonable for a junior to see him off, not to mention that this matter has something to do with me." Wang Jian said to Li Shitai again, "After I leave, the affairs in the army will be taken care of by my elder brother." "Don't worry about it, I will try my best to hide it from the supervising army, but you have to go back early." "It's natural. I will put a stick of incense in front of the spirit and hurry back as soon as possible. It may take seven days at most, and it may take three to five days at least." So, General Wang Jian entrusted Li Shitai to take care of all the affairs, and then changed into casual clothes and risked his life. Being sentenced to the danger of military law, Lian Ye, Jin Hui, Zhang Qianyu and his party rushed straight to the direction of Xuzhou. Just after the Slight Heat, the weather is getting warmer and hotter, and the three of them are sweating profusely due to their rapid journey, but the sweat is soon dried by the rushing wind.Since the roads were all official roads, the roads were relatively flat, and the three horses ran for a whole night for nearly seven or eight hundred miles. When the sun was rising, they arrived in Caizhou. Zhang Qianyu rested his horse outside Caizhou City, and said to Jinhui and Wang Jian, "Young Master, General Wang, I have reached a fork in the fork, and I have to go back to Chang'an." "We've already arrived here, why don't we pay homage together?" Wang Jian asked. Zhang Qianyu immediately clasped his fists at the two of them: "When I left Xuzhou, I had already kowtowed to the master. On the way to Jiangxi, I heard some rumors about recruiting envoy Song Wei. Report to Mr. Zheng. General Wang, Zhang Qianyu has heard of your name for a long time. If there is fate in the future, I would like to serve in your army. Young master, take care of yourself after I leave..." After finishing speaking, Qianyu twisted With a shout of "drive--", the fierce horse galloped, and soon disappeared from the sight of Wang Jian and Jin Hui. Looking at Zhang Qianyu's disappearing figure, Wang Jian said to himself: "This man is very loyal, he is a rare talent!" "That's right. Back then, my father also liked him very much, so he recommended him to Mr. Zheng. It's a pity that seven years have passed, but he has not been reused by the imperial court, and he has not been appointed as an official until now." "Let's go, let's try to get there tonight." Wang Jian turned his horse's head, raised his whip, and the horse let go of its four hooves and galloped away to the fork in the north. After traveling all night, the bumps made the seat numb, and the legs kept rubbing against the horse's mane. After a long time, there was a burning pain.There was no words all the way, Wang Jian and Jin Hui hurried on the road one after the other, the dense trees on both sides of the official road flashed past them like flying... After the sunset on the west mountain, the two walked for more than ten miles, and finally I saw the familiar Xuzhou City. "How far is it from here to the old house?" "It's still twenty miles away from Beicheng..." Jin Hui looked up at the stars in the sky, and could see the lights on both sides of the streets in the city from a distance, so he said to Wang Jian, "I think we will live in the city tonight." Let’s stay overnight, the horse should rest, and it’s not too late to go home tomorrow morning.” Seeing that it was indeed getting late, Wang Jian could only follow Jin Hui’s advice.The two kicked off the saddle and led the horse into Xuzhou City.Xuzhou is where the Zhongwu Jiedu envoy is stationed, and has not experienced much smoke of war.When it's the lantern season, lanterns are hung outside the shops facing the street, and the faint noises of drunk people add a trace of prosperity.Jin Hui led Wang Jian to a restaurant called "Taibaichun". "The shopkeeper—" Jin Hui yelled into the store, but no one answered.Walking into the store, a young man came out and asked politely, "Do you two want to drink, or stay in the store?" Seeing this boy's strange face, Jin Hui frowned: "Are you new here? That Gui Wa from the past is not in the store anymore?" "Hey, this master is a regular customer?" The waiter said, "Unfortunately, the shop has changed owners. The former boss Wang opened a business in Chang'an, and now our owner has taken over the shop. Take care of old customers, no, the signboard has not been changed..." "So that's how it is." Jin Hui's mood suddenly became depressed. He was very familiar with the former shopkeeper and the clerk. Every time he came here, he felt like coming home. Now that the shop has changed owners, this feeling suddenly changed. Nothing left. "Hey! Whoever runs the store, let's drink our wine." Wang Jian persuaded, "Xiao Er, just serve good wine and good food!" After a while, the food and wine are ready.Wang Jian poured a bowl full of wine for Jin Hui, and said, "I've been tired for two days, drink some wine to warm up my body, sleep well tonight, and go to the memorial hall tomorrow morning to pay homage." Hearing what Wang Jian said, Jin Hui had no choice but to raise the wine bowl. Just as he was about to touch the bowl with Wang Jian, his eyes passed Wang Jian's side, and the hands that raised the wine bowl hovered in the air. "What's the matter?" Wang Jian put down the wine bowl, turned his head slightly, and followed Jin Hui's gaze to find - behind him was the counter of the wine shop, and the shopkeeper had already stood behind the counter at some point, while he buried his head in dialing the abacus, while From time to time, he peeked here with squinting eyes.The shopkeeper has sharp-mouthed monkey cheeks and a pair of shrewd small eyes above the bridge of his nose, which looks a little treacherous.Wang Jiandao: "It's no wonder you miss the previous shopkeeper. When you see this shopkeeper, you have a bad face." "Brother, this person looks very familiar, I seem to have seen him somewhere before." "Really?" Wang Jian turned his head to take another look, and happened to meet the shopkeeper's eyes.The man seemed guilty, seeing Wang Jian looking at him, he immediately lowered his head again. "Hey, whoever he is. A businessman who runs a shop, maybe you have drank other people's wine in other places before." Said, Wang Jian raised the wine bowl again, "We come to drink and stay in the shop, he has to serve us well. Submissive." Jin Hui glanced at the man again, but he still didn't seem to think of anything, then picked up the wine bowl, the two brothers touched the wine bowl, and happily drank the bowl full. Jin Hui wiped his mouth, and said: "I also said that when the thieves are eliminated and I become an official, my father will be very happy. I really didn't expect him to leave so fast..." "When people are old, there will always be a day, so don't be too sad." "I guess it's because my father couldn't bear the bad breath in his heart, and became depressed. If it wasn't for the eunuch Tian Lingzi, my father wouldn't be so useless to disarm and return to the field." He slammed the wine table and shouted: "Little Two, serve the wine!" Wang Jian patted Jin Hui and signaled him to calm down: "Who else is in your family?" Jin Hui shook his head: "My mother left a few years ago, and there is an older brother and a younger brother, but I haven't seen them for a long time. What about you, starling?" "I've been alone all these years. Fortunately, I have you brothers! In fact, sometimes I think we can catch up with a good time. If it was in the Taiping period, we would spend our whole life farming. In the world, only our ability and strength can be spent..." Just as he was talking, Xiaoer put another jar of wine on the table.Wang Jian filled a bowl for both himself and Jin Hui, and said, "Didn't Master Confucius say that, when a person reaches thirty years old, he can rely on himself..." "Stand at thirty." "Oh, that's right, hehe. Let's turn over the new year, that is, people of that age." As they said, the two Xuzhou men picked up the wine bowl and drank another bowl full. "Brother, there is one thing I've been thinking about all the time. What kind of person is this Huang Chao?" "I know what you're thinking in your heart. Although Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao are in the same army, I also have a hunch that these two people are not the same. We went from Xuzhou to Yizhou, and then to Hongzhou. We fought dozens of battles. , more victories and fewer losses, but we have always been entangled with Wang Xianzhi's team. It was also the Yizhou victory, you went to meet Hui Chai Cun, and the team led by Huang Chao, we have never faced each other head-to-head." "That's exactly what I mean. At present, in the Central Plains, the only team under our Supervising Army's command is fighting tough battles in Henan, but Huang Chao seems to be avoiding us on purpose. Sometimes I think, if I take that Helping the grass army, you can hide once or twice, but you can't hide for such a long time. This person uses troops very strangely, and he is not an easy master to deal with." "I'm worried that he hides from the Zhongwu Army because he wants to accumulate strength and head towards Dongdu." "It's not just the Eastern Capital." Jin Hui took another sip of wine, and slowly recited a poem: "The westerly wind is blowing and the yard is full of plants, the stamens are cold, the fragrance is cold, and the butterflies are hard to come. "If I were Qing Emperor in his year, the retribution and the peach blossoms will bloom together. "This is a poem written by Huang Chao, and many literati in the Central Plains are scrambling to recite it. Myna, listen to this sentence, it's eclectic, expressing one's ambitions, and the words can't hide his lofty ambitions. We are following this Fighting alone! Such an opponent is respected, but also frightening! To be honest, if it weren’t for the world’s minister, I really want to give him such a hero!” Jin Hui raised his wine bowl, thinking I met Wang Jian again for a bowl, but suddenly I felt my head was a little swollen, everything in front of me was suddenly blurred, and the hands holding the wine bowl were trembling unceasingly.Suddenly, Jin Hui slipped his hand and fell drunk on the table, the wine bowl fell to the ground and smashed to pieces, the aroma of the wine splashed in the air. Wang Jian also felt a little drunk, drank the remaining wine in the bowl, and yelled at the counter: "Xiaoer, help my brother upstairs..." Before he finished speaking, he felt his head spinning, and then " Bang" fell on the table.In an instant, the two of them were so drunk that they lost consciousness, and the shop was full of snoring.