The river outside Cuiliu Castle has frozen, and the desolation of winter has obscured everything. Only the sun can bring the remaining comfort to the creatures on this land.
A Ming was leaning under a tree by the river, biting a dead stem.
Across the river, Liang Cheng passed by on horseback. When he saw A Ming, he reined in the reins.
A Ming closed his eyes and pretended not to see it.
Not long after, a shadow blocked the sunlight from shining on him. He opened his eyes helplessly and looked at Liang Cheng standing in front of him.
"Listen to them, you have been practicing archery with the master this month?"
"Any advice?"
Liang Cheng shook his head, " No."
Then, Liang Cheng took out a bag with raisins from his pocket and handed it to A Ming.
The warm winter sun shines here, and underneath the frozen river lies the restlessness of looking forward to spring.
The cold wind is mixed with the smell of almonds, and despite the cold and bitterness, it seems that you can also taste a little sweetness.
Raisins,
Two men,
One is sitting and the other is standing,
This scene seems to be frozen. Oil paintings always allow people to make more associations.
A Ming looked at Liang Cheng,
and said:
"Are you sick?"
"Fangcao asked me to take care of you. "It's for you."
A Ming did not reach out to take it, but said:
"Do you know that you take a shovel and a broom to sweep the raisins back after they are dried?" Will you wash it after drying it?"
"No?"
"No"
Liang Cheng reached out and grabbed it. After taking a handful, he sat down next to A Ming and started chewing.
"You don't mind being dirty either." A Ming said with a smile.
"There may not be many things in this world that are dirtier than the two of us."
One is a vampire, and the other is a zombie.
They are all evil and gloomy existences, a kind of "dirty" that goes beyond ordinary dirty things.
"Can't you tell, you still have low self-esteem?"
"I admit that I have low self-esteem, I am really afraid of the dark."
"You are today Are you really sick? You want to laugh me to death?"
"Fangcao said you are in a bad mood right now, so let me comfort you."
"You like it. "No."
"That's right. The daughter of the Jiedushi family is seducing you, and you are still sitting there. Hey, are you interested in women?" Not interested?"
"Usually when they talk about this topic, you are bound to me."
"..." A Ming.
"Six Niang told me that she is very optimistic about Fangcao's potential and asked you to talk to her girl if you have time and talk things over."
" Me and her, everythingNo. "
"You killed my father. "
"It's as if you didn't kill the girl's mother. ”
“It was Mowan’s hand. "
"Oh, sorry, no, what does Siniang mean? "
"I'm not asking you to fall in love with Fangcao. Although this is ancient times, unrequited love for a little girl is not a big deal. In future generations, confession and broken love are all common things. . ”
“Is this Siniang’s original words? "
"Yes, Si Niang thinks that you have to help cut off the little girl's mind. If you let go, there will be nothing wrong. She wants to cultivate Fangcao. "
"Okay, I'll talk to Fangcao in a few days. "
"Well,"
"Then, I won't eat the raisins. If you want to eat them, take them away and eat them slowly. What are you doing sitting here? ”
“I’m just a little curious and want to ask, how does it feel to practice archery with the master every day? ”
“Oh, I understand. A Ming suddenly realized, "Are you here to see my joke?" ”
“Yes. ”
“Then I’ll talk to the Lord and ask you to accompany him to practice archery tomorrow. Don’t you understand?” ”
“Different. ”
“What’s the difference? It’s hard for you to be shot to death anyway. ”
“For archery practitioners, when their arrows are shot out and hit the target, they will be bounced away, or they will be shot into the arrow and fall into the flesh. But the difference is huge. ”
“Hehehe. "
Liang Cheng handed his water bag to A Ming,
"It's dry, I need to drink more water. "
"Shameless. ”
“I want to see it. "
"Despicable. ”
“I’ve already laughed, why don’t you make me laugh even happier? "
"Ruthless. "
"Hurry up, I have something else to do. I have to go to Nanwang City to collect equipment, money and food. ”
A Ming reached out and took the water bag,
pulled out the stopper,
and drank several sips,
When drinking water, A Ming did not let the water leak from his mouth, but after a while, his clothes began to get wet.
Liang Cheng shook his head when he saw this.< /p>
said:
“It’s so miserable. ”
“Are you satisfied? "A Ming put down the water bag.
Liang Cheng shook his head again and said:
"Next time I will change the water tank for you to drink water. I want to see the fountain. "
"..." A Ming.
"Even if I am accompanying my master to practice archery, it is not appropriate to wear hard armor. Wearing soft armor shouldn't be a big problem, right? At the very least, they won't be shot into briquettes. ”
“I wore leather armor. "
"And then he was shot like this? ”
“The Lord has injected the blood into the arrow. ”
“Oh? "
"This tone is a bit strange. I seem to hear your excitement. "
"It seems that Fangcao is really not suitable for you. You are not in a low mood. The more you are ejaculated by the master, the happier you are. ”
“I know we are both very dirty, but don’t say such ambiguous words, which will make me feel so dirty that I can’t stand it.” "
"If I remember correctly, Ding Hao once said that the release of Qi and blood is a sign of entering the eighth-level warrior. ”
“Yes. ”
“So, the Lord is indeed a martial arts wizard in this world. ”
“It’s still early, but I have already figured out the way. I feel that in a few months, I will be able to release Qi and blood smoothly, and by then, I will almost enter the eighth level.” Taste. Compared to the general cultivation speed of people in this world, the Lord is indeed a genius. ”
“Thank you for your hard work. "
It's really hard, and I will be shot for a few more months. This is the rhythm from winter to spring.
"There is no way, isn't everyone waiting to upgrade? . ”
“By the way, there is one more thing. "
"Say. ”
“Who told me that the reason why you were chosen by the Lord as a target for archery practice was because you overheard the Lord’s inner monologue? "
"Is there the kind of person who walks to your bedroom bed and leans against your bed to talk to you... eavesdropping? "
"Although I don't know the specific situation, I can probably guess that you were pretending to be asleep at first and didn't remind the master that he went to the wrong room. "
"Is this my fault too? ”
“The Lord cannot be wrong. ”
“Yes, it’s my fault. "
"I'm a little curious. Did the Lord's monologue that day say anything about us? ”
“You know, you were the first to ask me this question. ”
“Oh? "
"Fan Li never expected this to happen. Xue San knew that he was a big talker and I wouldn't know what to say if he asked me, so he didn't ask me. Si Niang has a close relationship with the Lord and there is no need to ask this question again. "
"Where is the blind man? ”
“The blind man had been a psychiatrist before, but he didn’t come to ask, because he knew that anything may be real when it is in the stomach, but once it comes out of the mouth, it will no longer be there.” Real things will also be adulterated.
Sometimes, it is intentional adulteration, and sometimes, it may be that one has been deceived without even knowing it. "
"You mean, my lord..."
"I didn't say anything. You are a zombie. Tell me, is Shatuo Queshi conscious now? ”
“Yes. "
"That's okay, Fan Li can say anything without thinking, because that's his personality, but we are different. From now on, we should be more polite to the Lord.
In the past, when the blind man forced the master to practice martial arts, he was a little too impatient, and you even used your nails to dig in.Lord. "
"So, you just whitewashed yourself? "
"I have always been loyal to the Lord. If I were not loyal, would I willingly accompany the Lord to practice archery for a month? ”
“Did you get shot by an arrow? After all, why did you even lie to yourself? "
A Ming raised his head,
sighed,
looked at the sun above his head,
said with emotion:
“For life. "
…………
"Brother Zuo, why are you like this? "
Zheng Fan said in shock.
"Brother Zheng, can you put the smile on your face away and ask me again with concern? "
"Sorry. ”
“Alas. "
Zuo Jiqian leaned on crutches and motioned to the two men behind him to deliver the gifts he brought in.
"Brother Zuo, come in and sit down. "
Zheng Fan welcomed Zuo Jiqian into the fort.
Fangcao brought two cups of hot tea and some snacks and left.
Zuo Ji Qian glanced at the layout inside with some curiosity, and said with emotion:
"Brother Zheng is such an elegant man, even the inside of the fortress is so uniquely decorated. ”
The furnishings and decorations in the Baozhai hall are all luxurious, and there are even famous calligraphy and paintings hung.
This is not a “Zheng’s House”, this is Cuiliu Fort!
Moreover, when he came in, Zuo Jiqian also noticed that the money and materials for his project had just been approved, but if the construction really started, it would have to wait until the spring thaw, but the Cuiliu Fort here It has been built, and the area is really big.
Not to mention hundreds of people, there is no problem if thousands of people can live in it.
After all, Zuo Jiqian was a child of a noble family, and he still knew how to act appropriately. He believed that the construction of Cuiliu Fort was probably inseparable from the relationship with the Zhenbei Hou Mansion, so he did not ask about the construction of the fort, but took this as a reference Start by decorating the hall for entertaining guests.
“I have always felt that life needs a sense of ritual, especially for those of us who tie our heads to our waists. We may not be around one day, so we need it even more. Live every day seriously. ”
“That’s right, Brother Zheng, brother, I almost never see you again this time. "
"I was about to ask, what happened to Brother Zuo? "
"I feel ashamed to say it, because Brother Zheng took the lead, so a while ago, many of our forts, more or less, took the initiative to send troops to wander around the south.
Everyone else was fine. They wandered around and came back again, and made some gains. Of course, it was naturally not as impressive as Brother Zheng when you captured the city with a hundred horses.
Brother, I am also itching. I also brought a few hundred cavalry to go to Qianguo to hit the grass valley. Brother Zheng, you should be able to understand. As a warrior, it depends on what others can do. It's really hard to hold back when he leads the troops to attack him but shrinks back.”
“Understand, understand. "Zheng Fan nodded seriously.
It seems like Zuo Jiqian must have failed.
"But, brother, I'm going to recite the words and walk through the Suibao. Not long after the group arrived, they happened to encounter a cavalry group from Chen Zhen, with more than a thousand cavalry.
However, I was not afraid at the time. I thought that I would finally be able to fight with a real gun. In terms of cavalry fighting, I, Dayan, have never been afraid of anyone, but who knows that after the confrontation, there will be another one. The cavalry of the Zhigan Kingdom rushed out and caught me off guard.
I’m not afraid of your jokes, Brother Zheng. I almost ended up in Qian Country for my life.
Finally, I managed to save my life and come back. Of the hundreds of riders I took out, less than a hundred came back. The loss was huge. ”
Zheng Fan also sighed,
He was thinking in his heart,
This loss should not be the most important. With Zuo Jiqian Regarding the background of the Zuo family, there shouldn't be much of a problem. The biggest problem is that Jingnan Marquis turned a blind eye to the fact that the Baozhai privately sent troops to molest the countrymen.
The purpose is to create border friction, put pressure on the Qian country, and at the same time let the Qian country station more troops on the border.
But if you go out and wander around, it will be a waste. , but you have collapsed and become a wanderer.
You came back with a beating on your head.
I wonder whether you are going to put pressure on the people of the Qian country or seek help from the people of the Qian country. Confidence?
In fact, Zheng Fan’s previous deeds gave them an overconfidence. It is true that the Qian people’s armaments are depleted, and it is true that the Qian people have not fought, but there are still broken ships. There are three nails.
Furthermore, compared with the Jingnan Army, the border troops that Qian Guo can pull out are indeed a bit useless, but the problem is that the troops in each fortress plus the troops in Yinlang County are Soldiers, it actually does not belong to the Jingnan Army system. It is similar to the difference between the Central Army and the local security corps during the Republic of China.
This is also the case in Beifeng County, the Zhenbei Army and the local garrison. The gap between them is really too big.
At the same time, even if the barbarian soldiers under Zheng Fan's command, their equipment and riding and shooting skills are lost to the Jingnan army, it is estimated that the same number will be higher than that of the Jingnan army. The Southern Army was no match for Zheng Fan's Cuiliubao Police Station.
Looking at Zuo Jiqian who was sighing there, Zheng Fan expressed concern on his face, but he was quite gloating in his heart.
Who told you that you really don’t regard the Qian people as human beings at all?
At this time, Zuo Jiqian finally explained his purpose of coming,
“Brother Zheng, it is said that, In three days, the new commander-in-chief of Nanwang City will take office. At that time, we and other guards will go to Nanwang City to report their duties. This time, brother, I made this mistake and lost the face of my Yan people. Brother, I really feel guilty. No, but brother, I have always wanted to regain my place in the battlefield.
If I want to take advantage of the new commander-in-chief and want to establish my authority, please give me a nice word, Brother Zheng. ”
Zheng FanSomewhat unexpectedly, he said:
"Brother Zuo, what you said is too exaggerated. Brother Zuo and I have taken knives and experienced life-and-death friendships together. Whenever you need anything, brother, I will I will definitely not say a word.
But, brother, I am humble and humble. If this trustworthy commander doesn’t even sell the face of your Zuo family, brother, what do I say next to you? What's the use? "
The Zuo family should have status, and the status is not small.
Because Zheng Fan met Jingnan Hou and chatted with Zuo Jiqian for a few words after learning that Zuo Jiqian was from the Zuo family.
No matter how Emperor Yan plans to attack the family members next, no matter what Jingnan Hou’s attitude towards the family members is, in short, in this context, Zheng Fan does not think that a person may not be allowed to leave the family. The commander-in-chief of the family's face will give him face.
Although Director Zheng kept claiming that there was someone above him.
But that’s just to fool others, but you can’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a person now.
"Brother Zheng, you really have to help me, otherwise..."
At this time, Zuo Jiqian actually took the initiative to leave his seat and walked to Zheng Fan, pretending to kneel down .
Zheng Fan was shocked,
and then so shocked that he seemed to have forgotten to reach out to help and stop Zuo Jiqian from kneeling,
Zuo Jiqian’s knees were bent. Half of the position,
"..." Zuo Jiqian.
Damn it, why don’t you help me!
Zheng Fan continued to look shocked, and was still in shock.
Zuo Jiqian was embarrassed.
The atmosphere in the hall was a little stagnant.
"Plop!"
Zuo Jiqian closed his eyes and knelt down.
Zheng Fan immediately stood up and said in surprise:
"Brother Zuo, what are you doing? You and I are brothers who have experienced life and death together. If you have anything to say, we can't talk about it properly. Does it have to be like this?"
He was verbally shocked, but he still didn't lift his hand.
Zuo Jiqian took a deep breath and said:
"This time, only Brother Zheng can really save me."
As a child of the family, you were selected by the family to serve as an official and ate up the family's resources. If you lose your official position, it is equivalent to a waste of the family's investment in you, not to mention the family elders. Those peers who are jealous of you will not let you go easy!
"Brother Zuo, tell me clearly, who is the new commander-in-chief who dares to deny your Zuo family face like this?"
Xiao Dahai, the former commander-in-chief of Nanwang City, is dead. Inexplicably, Zheng Fan couldn't tell whether he died of natural causes or...
Then, the prefect of Nanwang City was assassinated at Xiao Dahai's funeral.
According to the system, the commander-in-chief of Nanwang City is the immediate superior of the garrison of these fortresses, including Zheng Fan.
But the current situation is that the Marquis of Jingnan has moved the Jingnan Army into Nanwang City, taking charge of the overall situation and having some military power.The meaning of intervening in a place.
But the new Nanwangcheng commander-in-chief selected by the imperial court is still coming. His duty is to command the local security group.
"This new commander-in-chief moved from Beifeng County to the right."
"This, Brother Zuo, is really not a brother. I shirk it. In fact, brother, I am in Beifeng County." I don’t know many people in Fengjun.”
“Brother Zheng, you are the only one who can save me this time. This time something happened to my brother, and Marquis Jingnan didn’t even hold him accountable. , this is to make it clear that the new commander-in-chief is selling out to save face when he takes office.
This new commander-in-chief was famous for being selfless and selfless in the local area in the past few years, and he was the most daring to deal with the children of powerful people. As a member of the Zuo family, not only can I not be able to help me this time, but it may even harm me."
"Brother Zuo, this, I really..."
"Brother Zheng, I heard that you were the captain of the Hushang School in Hutou City, Beifeng County?"
"That's right."
"Isn't that right? Are you right? The new commander-in-chief who was moved to our place also served in Hutou City. Brother Zheng, you should know him."
"Wait... ..." Zheng Fan stopped Zuo Jiqian, took a few breaths, and asked: "Is the new commander-in-chief's surname Xu?"
"Exactly, Xu Wenzu, whose courtesy name is Mingzheng, because he likes punishment the most. Punishing the children of powerful people, known as Ming Zhenggong."
"His..."
Comrade Shenhai, have you been transferred here to be my immediate boss?
Zuo Jiqian looked surprised and said, "It seems that Brother Zheng and this Xu Mingzheng know each other?"
Zheng Fan nodded and said:
"We know each other."
"Brother, has this matter changed for the better?"
Zheng Fan sighed and said:
"Brother Zuo , In fact, you can send someone to Hutou City to inquire."
"What?"
"Everyone in Hutou City knows that this Ming Zhenggong and brother, The power is the same as fire and water."
"Ah!"
Zuo Jiqian fell to the ground immediately. He originally thought he had caught a savior lobbyist, but he didn't expect to catch a disaster star. .
"Well, then, Brother Zheng, isn't it difficult for me?"
Zheng Fan reached out and rubbed his face,
with a sad look on his face. Said:
"Brother Zuo, I am in trouble too."