The heavens are happy

Chapter 280 Father and Son

Under the night, the whole city of Taizhou is brightly lit.

There are patrolling soldiers and guards coming and going in the city, and patrolling with torches and swords can be seen everywhere in the magistrate's yamen.

The walls around the yamen are reinforced with barbed wire to prevent intrusion.

In the backyard, Li Qi was sitting on the main seat, while Liu Chong was standing below with his hands down.

Li Qi sighed: "Why are so many people missing all of a sudden? Can they be found?"

"My lord, these veterans in the army are our scouts scattered outside to monitor the movements of Zhang Shicheng's army, but they all disappeared suddenly. According to my subordinates, they should have encountered an accident. My lord, I'm afraid Zhang Shicheng will do something. Otherwise, he won't clear my Taizhou scouts for no reason!"

Li Qi nodded in agreement and said: "I just don't know what kind of conspiracy Zhang Shicheng is planning. If this thief will not be eliminated for a day, I will be by my side like a light, and I dare not even sleep peacefully!"

"By the way, my lord, do you think that letter is true or false?"

There was an open letter in Li Qi's hand on the table. He put his hand on the envelope and patted it lightly, and then said: "A few days ago Zhang Shiyi came to vote because he was desperate and had a close personal relationship with you."

"However, even Zhang Shixin and Zhang Shide are thinking of coming to you now, no matter what, I still feel a little unbelievable!"

Liu Chong didn't take it seriously.

"My lord, it is clearly written in this letter that Zhang Shixin and Zhang Shide had a falling out with Zhang Shicheng because of Zhang Shiyi's death. In addition, Zhang Shicheng doesn't trust his brother very much, and only trusts his confidant general Zhang Shicheng. Wen, and at the same time distributed all the military power in the hands of Zhang Shide and Zhang Shixin to Zhang Wen."

"In addition, according to the intelligence sent back by the spy, Zhang Shide fought Zhang Shicheng with a knife on the school grounds, and even Zhang Shixin was seriously injured. It seems that Zhang Shicheng is indeed unpopular. His biological brother also turned against him!"

Li Qi nodded and said: "Although that is the case, if there is a fraud in it, wouldn't it be?"

Liu Chonggong cupped his hands and said: "My lord, our spies in Zhang Shicheng's army also personally sent back a secret letter to prove it, not to mention the letter of surrender written by Zhang Shixin himself. You also know that Zhang Shicheng is narrow-minded and suspicious. In any case, as long as Zhang Shixin's letter of surrender is in front of Zhang Shicheng, I believe Zhang Shicheng will definitely not let him go, I don't think Zhang Shixin has the courage to lay out this situation with his own life!"

Li Qi hesitated and said: "This"

"My lord, what are you worried about?"

Li Qi smiled, waved his hands to cover up his embarrassment, picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip.

"Liu Chong, I'm not afraid of your jokes. Now Zhang Shicheng is looting everywhere, but our Taizhou City is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and we can still protect a piece of peace. But if we really take in Zhang Shixin and Zhang Shide, I'm afraid it will happen. Enrage Zhang Shicheng! At that time, Taizhou City."

Liu Chong sighed and said, "My lord! To be honest, don't blame me! Zhang Shicheng is looting everywhere now, definitely not because he can't take down Taizhou City, but because he doesn't want to lose troops, let alone anger the court, but he Looting everywhere to search for wealth, the army will become stronger and stronger in the long run."

"When his strength reaches a certain level, Taizhou City will be hard to protect!"

"What's more, Zhang Shicheng acted so arrogantly, because he liked the imperial court's helplessness, and maybe he still had the idea of ​​recruiting security in his heart!"

Li Qi nodded frequently when he heard that, yes, Zhang Shicheng might really have the idea of ​​recruiting peace in his heart, and he didn't want to fight Taizhou City because he didn't want to completely tear himself apart with the court.

Li Qi naturally understood this in his heart!
Liu Chong said again: "When the time comes, Zhang Shicheng will continue to be his general after being recruited, and he may even be promoted to a nobleman with additional merit, but what about my lord? My lord, you sit back and watch Zhang Shicheng's rebellion and fail to achieve an inch of merit. I'm afraid the court will find it in time."

Li Qi gasped, and a trace of panic flashed in his eyes.

Liu Chong continued: "At that time, once the imperial court orders Zhang Shicheng to settle down, if he wants to settle him, he must make room for him. Looking at the entire southeast, only your lord, the prefect of Taizhou, seems to be the most suitable for Zhang Shicheng. With this time Based on the experience and lessons learned, the imperial court will not allow Zhang Shicheng to lead the army alone, and will not give him a civil post, is there anything more suitable than the prefect of Taizhou?"

Li Qi suddenly stood up.

Yes, these days he was trapped in Taizhou City. On the one hand, he was afraid that Zhang Shicheng's soldiers would be unable to fight. On the other hand, he was thinking that Zhang Shicheng would not dare to attack Taizhou City anyway. He just had to wait for a while until the court took action, and Zhang Shicheng would naturally be dealt with. .

But he forgot what would happen to him, the prefect of Taizhou, in this way.

Moreover, recently, the people behind him have faintly conveyed to him the news that the imperial court is extremely dissatisfied with him.

good!We must find a way, it is best to be able to solve Zhang Shicheng by ourselves, and then ask the court for credit.

Otherwise, I'm afraid his black yarn will not be guaranteed!

Seeing the flashing light in Li Qi's eyes and the rapidly shaking mustache, Liu Chong hurriedly stepped forward and said, "My lord, you know that Zhang Shicheng not only plundered the wealth accumulated by the Tianying Sect General Altar for many years, but also these days Zhang Shicheng Going to the local area to loot everything, only robbing gold, silver, treasures, military equipment, food and wages, directly destroying the families of many local tycoons, and the wealth obtained is more than tens of millions?"

"It can be said that Zhang Shicheng is the richest man in the southeast now. If your lord destroys Zhang Shicheng, then the wealth will be lost."

Hearing what Liu Chong said, Li Qi only felt a flicker of frenzy in his eyes, and his breathing was a bit rough.

yes!wealth!
The wealth of the Skyhawk Sect has already moved his heart, and he couldn't wait to instigate Zhang Shicheng to attack the Skyhawk Sect, not to mention the wealth of the entire southeast plus the wealth of the Skyhawk Sect?

With this money, I can live freely for the rest of my life. If I spend this money in the court, what kind of high-ranking officials and rich salary can't be exchanged for it!

Li Qi made a quick decision, patted Liu Chong on the shoulder and said, "Liu Chong, what you said is right, hurry up! Take someone out of the city to meet Zhang Shide immediately. Doesn't the secret letter say that he will come to vote after midnight today? Don't bring too many troops, don't get too close to Zhang Shicheng's barracks, return quickly when the momentum is wrong, and prevent the enemy from plotting!"

"Yes! The general obeys orders!" Liu Chong was overjoyed, "Don't worry, my lord, this time no matter what, I will definitely bring Zhang Shide into Taizhou City alive!"

Li Qi patted him on the shoulder and said: "General Liu, please, I will show you my merits when you come back from victory!"

After Liu Chong left, Li Qi sat on the chair alone, drinking tea proudly, with uncontrollable joy in his eyes and the corners of his mouth.

First came Zhang Shiyi, although he did not save his life and died in the chaos, but Zhang Shicheng's morale was bound to be hit hard.

Zhang Shixin and Zhang Shide also want to abandon the dark and turn to the bright. Once these two arrive, Zhang Shicheng's various arrangements, various defenses, and various secret methods will be known to him at that time.

Not only that, but the most important thing is where is Zhang Shicheng's plundered wealth stored?Where are you hiding?
How does Zhang Shicheng plan to use his troops?I know where to attack from, the delivery route of the grain road, etc., and I will not be able to deal with Zhang Shicheng at that time.

If he wiped out Zhang Shicheng head-on, not only would he be successful in suppressing the rebellion, but the most important thing would be the mountain of treasures!Thinking about this, Li Qi's breathing was a bit heavy.

But at this time, Liu Chong is the most dependent person in Taizhou City. This person is a talent!Knowing the basics of military affairs, knowing how to advance and retreat, it seems that I have to find a way to win over Liu Chong and let him use him for myself.

The so-called money touches people's hearts. In addition to giving Liu Chong an official title, he must also share some wealth with him.

It's time to reward him with some beauties, young man!As the saying goes, heroes are saddened by beauty.

It's a pity that I don't have any suitable daughters in my family, otherwise, it would be more reliable to choose one to marry Liu Chong.

Moreover, he must find a way to support another person in the army, so as to prevent Liu Chong from growing stronger and becoming another Zhang Shicheng.

In the dark night, Li Qi sat in the magistrate's yamen, stroking his beard and thinking, the light in his eyes dancing with the candlelight on the table.

At this time, Zhang Shide was running wildly in the dark night. He was already injured, and after tossing all night, he escaped from prison and escaped for his life. Since he was imprisoned, he hadn’t eaten anything except the food Zhang Shixin sent him. , all supported by a will.

In the distance, cavalrymen with torches were shouting and searching. Zhang Shide hurried forward with a cat on his waist, but suddenly he staggered and tripped over the dry grass on the ground.

He panted heavily, looked back and panted heavily, and barely stood up with the knife leaning on him.

At this moment, the sound of horseshoes of the cavalry was also heard ahead, Zhang Shide quickly lay down in the grass, quietly hid behind a tree, and looked at the cavalry in the distance.

As the horses got closer and closer, Zhang Shide was relieved to see only a dozen knights wearing Taizhou city costumes. It must be the people who came to meet Liu Chong.

He quickly stood up and said, "Is it General Liu Chong's? I'm Zhang Shide!"

At this time, one of them immediately shouted: "Is it Zhang Siye? I am waiting for General Liu Chong to meet Zhang Siye!"

"It's me! It's me!"

"General Liu Chong is right behind, Fourth Master Zhang quickly follow us."

And the shout here also alarmed the cavalry who were chasing after them.

"There are spies from Taizhou City to respond, don't let the enemy go, kill!"

Zhang Shide staggered to the front, and quickly jumped behind one of them. The leader of the cavalry ordered: "Hurry up, take Siye to see General Liu Chong, and the rest will follow me to stop the enemy and cover Siye!"

Then he led the cavalry and fled in all directions, yelling to attract pursuers.

Zhang Shide, who was on horseback, felt relieved until now, and finally waited for Liu Chong to come to meet him, the second child really didn't lie to him.

But then doubts arose in his heart, how did the second child get in touch with Liu Chong?

At this moment in Zhang Shicheng's camp, he was gathering soldiers, and the sound of running and shouting could be heard everywhere.

In the large tent, Chang Ying stood at the bottom with her hands down.

Zhang Shicheng walked up to him, patted him on the shoulder and said: "Zhang Wen now has three battalions in the army. This time, I will take him out to fight, and only the second child is left in the battalion. To be honest, I still can't trust the second child. Tonight's I always feel a little confused about the accident.”

Chang Ying raised her head suddenly, a chill flashed in her eyes, "You mean the second uncle?"

Zhang Shicheng waved his hand, "It's just a guess, it's hard to say, I hope the second child is fine! But we have to guard against it!"

As he spoke, he took out a token from his body and handed it to Chang Yingdao: "Ying'er, this is the token for dispatching the black armored guards. I will give it to you. All the wealth we plundered these days will be kept secret by you." Placement. You know that as a father, no one can trust you, only you!"

"Also, the Huiyi camp is full of masters recruited from the rivers and lakes. These people are all wild and unruly. I can only use gold and silver treasures to win them over for my use, but these people will never be loyal to us. , it will definitely be unreliable at critical moments, so you must keep these treasures safe, and remember that you must not reward them too much!"

"why is that?"

Chang Ying is a little puzzled. In his opinion, these people are all greedy and lustful. If they want to make these people work for him, they can only do what they like to win over them.

Zhang Shicheng sighed and said, "Do you know why the masters I recruit are second- and third-rate ones, and I seldom recruit first-rate masters?"

Chang Ying hesitated: "Could it be that first-class masters are hard to buy with money?"

Zhang Shicheng said: "No, let alone first-class masters, so what if they are master masters? Martial arts masters also need to eat, drink, and drink. Martial arts cheats, natural treasures, weapon skills, basic necessities, food, housing and transportation, which one does not cost money? The more heroes spend money The heavier it is, the more famous the hero is, the harder it is to spend money."

"The reason why I didn't recruit first-class masters is because their martial arts are too high to control. I can also use their weaknesses to control second-rate masters. But if a first-rate master sees so much wealth, not only will he not Be loyal to me, on the contrary, I'm afraid that you will have evil thoughts in your heart and suffer from it."

"I see!" Chang Ying nodded.

Zhang Shicheng said: "Your skill and prestige are not enough to deal with them, you can only try to lure them with benefits, but you must not show off your wealth too much. You must always show benefits and prevent them from having other thoughts."

Chang Ying wondered: "But with you in the town, they don't dare to think about it. The left and right are just going out to fight, why?"

Zhang Shicheng's words both inside and out had the meaning of arranging funeral affairs, which made Chang Ying feel uneasy.

Zhang Shicheng looked back at him and said, "This time, I have a bad feeling in my heart, so I will explain it clearly to you so as not to be surprised."

Chang Ying asked anxiously, "What happened?"

Zhang Shicheng shook his head and said: "It's just a feeling. Maybe I'm too sensitive, but you don't have to worry too much about the second child. Although he is good at scheming, he is powerless. I arranged for the Bai family The two brothers are guarding him tightly, as long as he makes a slight change, they can take him down directly, so you don't have to worry too much."

"Yes, father."

"Ying'er, my father provoked too many enemies in the early years. After my wife and children were all killed that year, I didn't dare to let the enemies know where my family is? Therefore, I have fostered you all these years. Outside, even if I take you by my side, I dare not recognize you, do you hate being a father?"

(End of this chapter)