Yuan Tiangang was an official at any rate, so of course he was reluctant to serve as Chen Yingliang's staff and master, but considering that as a county magistrate, losing the county seat is equivalent to losing land, and if he is not careful, his head may fall to the ground, and Chen Yingliang patted his chest and promised to replace Yuan Tiangang He was active in the imperial court, tried his best to keep Yuan Tiangang's head, and promised that as long as Yuan Tiangang assisted Chen Yingliang to make further contributions, he would immediately try to get Yuan Tiangang to re-enter the official career and resume his official position. Yuan Tiangang, who was born in poverty and had nowhere to go, hesitated again and again Finally, he finally accepted the invitation and stayed in Qiao County to help Chen Yingliang in his tyranny.
So, just like that, Yuan Tiangang, who is almost as evil as Zhuge Lao Yao and Liu Bowen in the legend, became Chen Yingliang's accomplice and lackey. He never dreamed that he could get such a talented lackey. Tiangang is extremely thick, it can be regarded as undressing clothes and pushing food, which moved Yuan Tiangang, who is not yet well-known, and felt that Chen Yingliang was a good person, so he quickly integrated into the role of Chen Yingliang's aide. And using his county magistrate experience, he quickly shared a lot of government affairs for Chen Yingliang—of course, Chen Yingliang needed Yuan Tiangang to do far more than that.
After Yuan Tiangang quickly adapted to the role of Chen Yingliang's aide, the time has also entered the first month of Sui Daye's tenth year. It was the first time to celebrate the New Year in this era. Of course, Chen Yingliang made a lot of jokes—for example, showing off the calligraphy left by the dead ghost Chen Yingliang , wrote a couplet with his own hand, and asked his servants to post it on the gate of Tongshou Mansion. Only then did he know that there is no couplet in this era. During the Chinese New Year, peach charms should be hung on the door. , Leng said that he was setting up a new style to sweep away the old customs, replacing peach charms with couplets to save money, and forcing his servants to paste couplets that appeared hundreds of years in advance on the door, which created some topics in Yongcheng County.
The next thing is to pay New Year's greetings to the boss. Although the actual power in Chen Yingliang's hands is greater than that of Xu Minlian, in order not to live up to his facts and to create a hypocritical image of respecting his boss's elders, Chen Yingliang still made a special trip to Qiao County to greet Xu Minlian. To pay New Year's greetings, at the same time, it is necessary to win the relationship with Xinbian Junbing to celebrate the New Year, buy people's hearts by asking for warmth, give out a little money and food to condolences to the lonely old people in Yongxian City, put on a show and play to create a person who loves the people, I am very busy, and I am very busy. Some popular support. Especially those lonely and widowed old people who received Chen Yingliang's money and food, they all cried bitterly, crying that their fate was good, and they met Chen Yingliang, the Qingtian master, but they didn't know that they became the best supporting role of the Sui actor Chen Yingliang, helping Chen Yingliang Deceived countless innocent people who did not know the truth.
While paying New Year's greetings to others, Chen Yingliang, who has become the governor of Qiao County, of course also kept accepting New Year's greetings from his subordinates. In order to please Chen Yingliang, who held the power of assessment, the officials of Qiao County and the seven county magistrates all went to Yongcheng one after another. To give Chen Yingliang New Year's greetings, the magistrate of Shansang County, which is farthest from Yongcheng, came the earliest. He gave Chen Yingliang a gift first, and then went to Qiao County to give Xu Minlian New Year's greetings. The people under the rule vent their anger and revenge, and accept the people's fat and people's anointing that they have scavenged from the people. A certain actor.
The county magistrate of Shansang, which is farthest away, came the earliest, while the county magistrate of Chengfu, the second farthest, Deng Zhexuan, came the latest. It was not until the tenth day of the first lunar month that he led a group of followers to Yongcheng to pay New Year greetings to Chen Yingliang. Du Zhexuan also knew that I came too late, so not only did I give you the best gift, but I also pleaded guilty as soon as I saw Chen Yingliang, "Tongshou, forgive me, I planned to come to congratulate you on the third day of the first lunar month, but there was a murder case in the county. , caused a sensation in the whole city, and involved a lot of seriousness. In order to investigate the case and calm the people, the officials took a lot of time, so they came late. Please forgive me."
"Magistrate Deng is welcome, business is important, it is right for you to put public affairs first, how can I blame you?" Chen Yingliang pretended to comfort, ordered Deng Zhexuan to get up, and said in an extremely hypocritical way: "Actually, Magistrate Deng came It doesn't matter if you don't come, as long as you feel like it."
"As long as the gift arrives." Chen Yingliang added a big truth in his stomach, asked Deng Zhexuan to get up again, and then asked casually: "What happened to the murder case? Has the real culprit been caught?"
"I got it, I got it." Deng Zhexuan nodded quickly, and introduced: "It was a rogue in this county, because he coveted the deceased's property and robbed the house, and after being discovered, he changed the robbery into robbery and killed the family. A family of six, who were so devastated that even the baby in the swaddle was not spared, caused a sensation in the whole city of the father of the city. It took a lot of time and effort for the officials to find out the real culprit. .”
After the report was over, Deng Zhexuan added in order to show his merits: "It's also a good thing that the officials have grasped this case tightly and strictly investigated the people who entered and left the city. Otherwise, that rascal would have planned to flee to the city with the stolen goods According to his account, he has some relatives with Wang Erhei, the rogue Wang Erhei from Ruyin County, and he plans to flee to a neighboring county to join his relatives, and become a bandit from a thief."
"Well done, write this matter in a detailed official document and submit it. I will ask the court to focus on him, be a model to alert the world, and I will give you a first class during the assessment." Chen Yingliang nodded in satisfaction, and then ordered: " County Magistrate Deng, Chengfu County under your rule borders Ruyin and Huaiyang counties. The bordering area is hundreds of miles away, with high mountains and dense forests, and sparsely populated. It is the natural nest of thieves and bandits. Once you find anything abnormal, you should send troops to punish it immediately, and report it to me immediately, and you must not be negligent and give the thieves and bandits a chance to become big. The matter is of great importance, and you must keep this in mind."
Deng Zhexuan repeatedly agreed, expressing that he must bear in mind the teachings of his superiors, and would never give the thieves a chance to grow up in his own county. He accepted it without hesitation. However, at this moment, San Gouzi, Chen Yingliang's old neighbor, walked into the living room quickly, and wanted to say something in a hurry, but because he was taught by Chen Yingliang, he didn't dare to speak directly like before, and he hesitated to speak all over his face. Seeing his nervous expression, Chen Yingliang asked, "What happened?"
"Reporting to Tongshou, something happened." San Gouzi cupped his hands and replied, "Ma Sanbao fought with one of Deng County Magistrate's entourage. The fight in the front yard didn't count, and he ran to the martial arts field in Xikuanyuan to continue the fight. , and... , even moved the real guy!"
"what?!"
Hearing this, Chen Yingliang was of course taken aback, and Deng Zhexuan jumped up on the spot, pale and screamed: "My entourage fought with Chen Tongshou's people? That entourage of mine, why did they Want to fight?"
"I don't know." Sangouzi replied truthfully: "I was guarding the second gate, and Ma Sanbao was fighting with that man in the front yard, so I don't know why they fought. I only knew about it when someone told me."
Deng Zhexuan complained even more, but Chen Yingliang got up silently and walked west across the courtyard. Of course, Chen Yingliang was not afraid of what happened to Ma Sanbao, the only general under his command, but he was worried that Ma Sanbao would lose his life if he lost his hand. . Seeing Deng Zhexuan over there, he hurriedly followed along with San Gouzi, begging God and Buddha in his heart, begging his followers not to hurt Chen Yingliang's people, even if they were beaten to death by Chen Yingliang's people, don't touch them A vellus.
Arriving at Xikuayuan, on a specially tamped martial arts arena, Ma Sanbao, holding a horizontal knife, was fighting a man with a spear, and there were many servants of the Chen family and Deng Zhexuan's attendants watching the excitement. Chen Yingliang wanted to stop, but he shut his mouth abruptly, and stopped Deng Zhexuan's scolding in time - because Chen Yingliang, who knew some fighting skills and sword skills, suddenly discovered that Ma Sanbao, who could barely be regarded as a famous general in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, was actually fighting with that The man with the long gun played evenly, and didn't have much upper hand at all.
When the two of them fought carefully, Chen Yingliang, who was short of generals, began to look happy, because the man with the long spear was really skilled. He could dance with a nine-foot long spear like a tiger, piercing, stabbing and stabbing. Chen Yingliang, who knew two or three moves in the dance of Guns and Flowers, was a little dazzled, and couldn't tell where his spear was pointing. Although Ma Sanbao is the future Great General Zuo Xiaowei of the Tang Dynasty, he can't take much advantage in front of him. He tried to cut people at close quarters but was forced back by the man with the spear, and was almost stabbed by the spear at one point.
Seeing this scene, Chen Yingliang was of course even more delighted, but he couldn't remember what kind of famous generals there could be in Qiao County in this era, who could fight on equal terms with Ma Sanbao? Unable to restrain his curiosity, Chen Yingliang finally spoke, and shouted: "Stop! Stop it!"
The swords and guns stopped, Ma Sanbao, who was very agile, was the first to jump out of the battle circle, gasped and saluted Chen Yingliang, and then impatiently said to Chen Yingliang: "Young master, this kid is fine, he passed the examination."
"What assessment?" Chen Yingliang was momentarily confused.
"Is it the assessment of your talent recruitment list?" Ma Sanbao asked confusedly. It was not until Chen Yingliang asked for more details that Ma Sanbao introduced the story. Because of the rumor that Chen Yingliang had posted a list to recruit talents, after arriving at Tongshou Mansion with Deng Zhexuan, he immediately inquired about the specific situation from Chen Yingliang's personal soldiers. When he came back from the school field outside the city, he stopped Ma Sanbao to ask for an assessment. Ma Sanbao had a little fight with him and found that his skills were not bad. With later things.
After hastily introducing the general situation, Ma Sanbao couldn't wait to say again: "Young master, this man's skill is really good. Although the villain has been teaching martial arts for a day in the military camp, he is not physically strong enough to do anything for him for a while, but the villain estimates that even if he I have enough physical strength, and I am afraid I can't beat him without thirty or fifty moves. Also, the spears and long weapons he is good at, in our new army, there is just a lack of such a person to teach spears."
"Yes, yes, but please use wooden knives and wooden guns in the next assessment, and don't scare me again!"
Chen Yingliang reprimanded in a low voice, then turned to look at the man with the spear, and found that he was about the same age as Ma Sanbao, both in their twenties, with silkworm eyebrows, big eyes, bronze complexion, and a very sturdy expression. With a burly figure and wearing an official uniform, he seemed to be a small official under Deng Zhexuan's command. Chen Yingliang nodded in satisfaction, and then asked, "What's your name?"
"Zhu Can, the head of Chengfu County's yamen squad, has met Master Tongshou!" The man with the long spear saluted Chen Yingliang Jishou with a very respectful attitude.
"Oh, so it's Zhu Can and Zhu Bantou." Chen Yingliang smiled and nodded, but halfway through the nodding, Chen Yingliang's face froze suddenly, because Chen Yingliang suddenly remembered that this Zhu Can in front of him was also a famous historical figure in "The Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties". He also appeared in the middle school, and he was far better than Ma Sanbao in history. He once became the overlord of one side, was once canonized as King of Chu by Li Yuan, was once named General Longxiang by Wang Shichong, and once called himself the emperor! It's just that Chen Yingliang never imagined that this Zhu Can is now under his command.
"Chen Tongshou, let me introduce you." Deng Zhexuan also spoke, pointing at Zhu Can and introducing: "I told you about the murder case before I got off the job, and the murderer was captured by this leader Zhu himself."
Zhu Can straightened his chest, and the stiff expression on Chen Yingliang's face also loosened a little, and he said with a smile, "Please stand up, Mr. Zhu, you are so skilled and have made great contributions to the local government. I like it very much. Come here and take five taels." The gold reward will be given to Bantou Zhu."
Chen Yingliang's soldiers agreed and immediately went to collect the reward. Zhu Can was overjoyed, and hurriedly thanked Chen Yingliang, and asked cautiously: "Chen Tongshou, the villain heard that you are making a list, and want to recruit some warriors to serve as the county soldiers. General, the villain has practiced martial arts since he was a child, and he has also been taught by an expert, I don’t know..."
"Bantou Zhu's skill is really extraordinary, I like it very much." Chen Yingliang interrupted Zhu Can with a smile, and said kindly: "Magistrate Deng just said that you are a capable general under his command. The border is also the junction of the three counties, and there are constant thieves around, which is the most important thing, so after you return to Chengfu with Magistrate Deng, you must be on duty with your heart, and you must not disappoint Magistrate Deng and my expectations of you .”
Ma Sanbao was startled, but when he was about to speak, Chen Yingliang stopped him with his eyes, and he closed his mouth helplessly, feeling very puzzled. Zhu Can was disappointed, so he had to accept his order honestly. Chen Yingliang smiled again and told Deng Zhexuan: "Magistrate Deng, after you return to Chengfu, you must also make good use of this leader Zhu. If he makes more contributions , you must report to me immediately, and I will reward you very much."
Deng Zhexuan nodded and bowed in agreement again and again, and Zhu Can also rekindled some hope, thinking: "Chen Tongshou still wants to observe whether I am worthy of reuse? That's not right, if he wants to observe, he should keep me by his side Wouldn't it be easier to observe closer?"
Zhu Can was baffled, and Ma Sanbao, who had already fought Zhu Can, was even more baffled. After Deng Zhexuan led Zhu Can to leave, Ma Sanbao of course immediately went to Chen Yingliang. He saluted and asked, "My lord, that Zhu Can is quite skilled and proficient in spears and spears. He is the talent we are in short supply at present, and he obviously wants to work for you. Why do you push him out of the door? Isn't that true?" Your usual behavior?"
Chen Yingliang was silent, and after a long time, he slowly said: "Three treasures, have you found that this Zhu Can is a little unreliable? He is too eager for quick success, and also a little unscrupulous?"
"What?" Ma Sanbao was taken aback for a moment, and then he replied in surprise, "No? You didn't see it, my little one? Young master, you only met him for the first time, why do you think he is unreliable and unscrupulous?"
"I can see it from his contest with you." Chen Yingliang said in a deep voice: "Today you fought against him, I can see that your physical strength is a bit weak, and I can also see why you didn't kill, but he treats you the least bit." They didn’t show any mercy, and all the moves were done with all their strength. I still remember that he wiped your ear with a shot. If it was solid at that time, you would be dead.”
"Hearing what you said, this Zhu Can seems to be a bit ruthless." After being reminded by Chen Yingliang, Ma Sanbao realized that Zhu Can was a bit too ruthless at that time, and then Ma Sanbao said: "But I am fighting with him. The contest is to compare who is faster and who is more ruthless, is it normal for him to be a little more ruthless?"
"It's not normal, it's absolutely not normal." Chen Yingliang shook his head, and asked back: "Sambo, if you and I go to Pei Ju's house, and then you fight with Pei Xiang's relatives, you will use something that can hurt people and kill you." Real swords and guns, do you dare to be like Zhu Can, who will show no mercy and may kill his opponent at any time?"
Ma Sanbao suddenly realized, and said: "Understood, of course the younger one wouldn't dare, no matter how stupid the younger one is, he wouldn't dare to offend your patron, but that Zhu Can obviously has the guts, so you feel that his actions are vicious and unscrupulous , acting impulsively is unreliable."
Chen Yingliang nodded and said, "That's right, although the relationship between Chengfu county magistrate Deng Zhexuan and me is not as important as the relationship between me and Prime Minister Pei, I am Deng Zhexuan's immediate boss after all. Zhexuan's great power, as Deng Zhexuan's entourage, that Zhu Can didn't think about Deng Zhexuan's position at all, for his own promotion and fortune, to get ahead, he was merciless, such a person, you Do you think you can entrust the important task?"
Ma Sanbao shut up completely, and finally understood why Chen Yingliang didn't use Zhu Can when he found out that Zhu Can was a talented person, but Yuan Tiangang, who had been silent beside him, suddenly applauded, and praised: "Master Tongshou is really clever, he knows the subtleties, and steals one spot." It is rare in the world to know the whole leopard, observe people and judge things clearly."
After flattering Chen Yingliang, Yuan Tiangang suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Tong Shou, in fact, if you want to keep that Zhu Can behind today, I will definitely remind you to be careful. Tong Shou, you know, I have little knowledge of physiognomy." In my experience, I found that Zhu Can's eyebrows are full of evil spirits, and the eagle's eyes are on the tiger's footsteps. He is dedicated to killing, and his relatives will suffer from it! And once this person rises to the top, he will definitely endanger the world, affect innocent people, and may even cause countless murders!"
Chen Yingliang glanced at Yuan Tiangang, seeing that he looked serious and didn't seem to be saying this to please him, he couldn't help secretly praising Yuan Tiangang for his reputation, because Chen Yingliang refused to keep Zhu Can, the biggest reason was that Chen Yingliang knew the history and knew about Zhu Can He was the first person with a human face and a beast heart in the late Sui and early Tang Dynasties. He was capricious and cruel, but he was so cruel that he specialized in eating human flesh. He led his beast army to eat hundreds of thousands of old and weak women and children. ! Chen Yingliang refused to keep Zhu Can, but just thinking about Zhu Can made him feel extremely disgusted!
"Why don't we kill Zhu Can now, so that he won't harm the innocent in the world in the future?" Chen Yingliang had thought of this before, but considering that Zhu Can had no known bad deeds, he couldn't kill the virtuous people who came to the list. Self-destructing the voice of the people, Chen Yingliang's eyes quickly dimmed again. At the same time, Chen Yingliang was secretly worried. He felt that keeping Zhu Can under his command was like keeping a poisonous snake in his room.
At this time, Ma Sanbao suddenly spoke again, and said with a smile: "My lord, Mr. Yuan, since you think this Zhu Can looks so bad, then let's not keep him in Qiao County, and it is better to give this Zhu Can a gift." Enemy, let him harm the enemy for us."
"Give Zhu Can to our enemy?"
Chen Yingliang suddenly raised his head to look at Ma Sanbao. Ma Sanbao was taken aback by Chen Yingliang's actions, and said that his words were too childish, so he quickly apologized. I am not sure how to use the double-edged sword of the poisonous snake well, so I might as well give it to my enemy to use. Even if my enemy can use it well, with Zhu Can's cruel and vicious character, it must be an uncertain time. A bomb that could play a bigger role at any time."
At this point, Chen Yingliang told Ma Sanbao: "Sanbao, take some money and go to the posthouse, invite that Zhu Can out for a drink, make friends with him, and do two things for me. One is to invite him to the posthouse. In our barracks, we went to teach some spear moves to extract the fat from his body, and the second was to tell him in private, saying that I actually admired that Zhu Can very much and felt that he could entrust him with important tasks, just to make him Zhu Can in the future. Can is going to do more important things, that's why I don't use him publicly for the time being, so that he can feel at ease as an errand, and after a while, I will assign him important errands."