The Most Romantic of the Three Kingdoms

Xun You, under the **** of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, galloped overnight and arrived in Linxiang the next morning.

As the name suggests, the name of Linxiang comes from the Xiangshui River. Linxiang is adjacent to the Xiangshui River and is on the east bank of the Xiangshui River, hence the name Linxiang.

Linxiang is the Changsha of later generations. There was also Linxiang in the era when Xun Zhen came, but that Linxiang had nothing to do with this Linxiang.

Although the history of the city of Linxiang is not comparable to that of the famous cities in the Central Plains and the North, it also has a long history. As early as the Warring States Period, this place belonged to Chu and was already an important food production and military location in the state of Chu. The prototype of the city was beginning to take shape, but it was Wu Rui, the king of Changsha before the early Han Dynasty, who actually built Linxiang County.

Wu Rui, a native of Poyang, was originally a Qin official. He was the first Qin official to respond to the uprising of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang. He was later attached to Xiang Yu, and later changed to Liu Bang due to Zhang Liang's persuasion. He was named the King of Changsha because of his support, and became one of the eight kings with different surnames in the early Han Dynasty. He was named the Queen of Changsha. On the basis of the old land of Chu, he built a shaped county town, namely Linxiang. .

Compared with famous cities such as Yangzhai, Yingyin, Yexian, and Handan, Linxiang is less thick, but because it has been the capital of Changsha and Changsha County for hundreds of years, it is also called prosperous. Because Wu Rui, who originally built the city, grew up in troubled times, experienced hundreds of battles, and was familiar with the way of offense and defense, so Linxiang County was located in a military important place.

After fighting with Xun Zhen for so many years, Xun You, like Xun Zhen, also developed the habit of paying attention to the military value of the place first.

He pointed his whip far away, and Gu said to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei: "Linxiang is surrounded by water and mountains, and tigers are located in the hinterland of Changsha. It is no wonder that Changsha has been ruled by Changsha for a long time. As long as this county can be captured, Changsha will be full of thieves. Not enough either.”

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei agreed.

Guan and Zhang did not read much military books when they were with Liu Bei in their early years. Later, they followed Xun Zhen with Liu Bei, and Fang began to read a lot of military books.

It has to be said that Liu Bei is really a lucky man. Guan and Zhang are not only outstanding in force, but also extremely talented in military affairs. Although they have not had the opportunity to be on their own so far, they can be seen from Guan Yu's performance in leading troops in the middle of justice and Zhang. When Fei took office as "Shou Nei Huang Wei", the means of controlling local security, the two of them have shown a certain military literacy and military talent.

Comparing the two of them with Zhao Yun, Xun Zhen liked Zhao Yun very much, but she had to admit that Zhao Yun's military skills were far inferior to the two of them.

In history, Liu Bei knew people and made good use of them. He used Guan and Zhang more than Zhao Yun, and only used Zhao Yun as a personal guard commander. There is his reason. Everyone has their own strengths. Zhao Yunzhi's strengths lie in loyalty, stability, courage, and awareness of the overall situation.

Xun You and the three galloped to the foot of Linxiang City.

The gates of Linxiang City were heavily guarded, and armored county soldiers carefully checked those who entered the city.

At this time, it is still early, and the population of Changsha is relatively small, and the thieves are in chaos, and there are few merchants and guests in the past, so there are not many people waiting to enter the city at the gate of the city. Xun You three people in the row.

Xun You and the three dismounted early, Xun You took out the talisman and handed it to the county guard guarding the gate.

The letters Xun Zhen and Xi Zhicai obtained were not only for Xun Zhen alone, but also for Xun You and Cheng Jia. Of course, they also used pseudonyms and fake places of origin, but although they were fake names and fake places of origin, they were true. The Eight Classics were issued by the county temple, so they are both fake and real.

The guards could not see the problem and let the three of them enter the city.

The three lead their horses into the city.

Because it was a newcomer to the expensive land, and the place of life was sparse, Xun Zhen was also a fugitive, so in order to avoid unnecessary troubles, and also to avoid attracting attention, the three of them did not ride horses again, but took the reins and asked someone to ask. Once you get the location of the county seat, go on foot.

There is a stream in Linxiang County, which runs through most of the county from north to south, and the county seat is to the west of the stream.

Xun You and others entered the city from the north. Not far from entering the city, they heard the sound of water, looked up, and saw a stream with clear water flowing out of the ground, gurgling southward. They walked along the river bank, passed through half of the county, passed the "city" in the county, and not far ahead was the county seat.

When passing by the "city", Xun You stopped and looked inward for a while. The city was not lively, but it was not deserted either.

Zhang Fei said: "I heard that the Marquis of Wucheng was outstanding in martial arts, but I didn't realize that Wenzhi was also outstanding."

Since Weijun went south, they have passed through many counties. Although Xunzhen has never entered, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and others sometimes go into the city to buy food and daily necessities. In contrast, Changsha's market Not the most lively, but also in the forefront.

Xun You had little contact with Guan and Zhang, but he knew that Xun Zhen attached great importance to Liu, Guan, and Zhang, so he was very respectful to Guan and Zhang, and did not treat them with martial arts. He smiled and said, "Yu In the time of peace, martial arts may not be obvious, but in times of rebellion, martial arts is the foundation of governing the people. As long as martial arts are prominent and the place is peaceful, then it is not difficult to seek civil governance, just choose one or two worthy officials. Can."

Zhang Fei nodded and said yes.

Zhang Fei always came to pay respects to high-ranking officials. On the way that night, Guan Yu and Xun You didn't talk much, but Zhang Fei and Xun You talked a lot.

After walking outside the "city" gate, and after a further distance, on the west bank of the stream, the Changsha Prefecture appeared in front of me.

This area is a prosperous area in the county, there are many historic sites, and scholars live together.

Many nobles in the county live together on both sides of the stream and in the "li" around the county house. On the opposite side of the county house and on the other side of the stream is the Changsha Royal Palace left by the Changsha king of Wu Rui's lineage, also known as the Wuwang Palace, the palace of the county. To the west is the former residence of Jia Yi.

During the reign of Emperor Wen of the former Han Dynasty, Jia Yi served as the emperor of Changsha when Wu Zhu, the fourth grandson of Wu Rui, was the king of Changsha, so he has a former residence in Linxiang.

Jia Yi was a great Confucian and a famous official in the former Han Dynasty. He proposed to the court to cut vassals and monopolize the state to cast money. Although he was not reused when he was Emperor Wen due to conflicts with the heroes and dignitaries at that time, after his death, he was not reused. Emperor Wu was valued by the court, so his former residence was properly protected.

When Xun You was in Yingyin in the past, he heard that there was a "Jia Yi Ji Gong Stele" in front of Jia Yi's former residence in Changsha, which was engraved by the former Han Dynasty for Ji Jia Yi's achievements. When Xun Zhen left Wei County, he once said to Xun You, Cheng Jia and others that "there are three immortality", such as Jia Yi, who is truly a well-deserved immortality.

Xun You really wanted to see this monument and pay tribute to Jia Yi at Jia Yi's former residence, but now was not the right time, he suppressed his thoughts, handed over the reins of his mount to Zhang Fei, adjusted his clothes, and patted the bottom of his shirt. He went to the stream to wash his face again, then he held his sword and held his chest out, walking in a well-behaved manner, and came to the gate of the county house.

Before he could open his mouth, he saw a person walking out of the school beside the door and quickly approached him. He was dressed up as a small official who was fighting for food.

The person who greeted him was probably very polite because he saw that Xun You, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were all high-spirited and not like ordinary people. It was a pity that although he was polite, Xun You couldn't quite understand what he was talking about, because it was a dialect.

Fortunately, after hearing Xun You speak Luoyang Zhengyin, this pavilion chief is also an official of the court, but he also understands some Luoyang Zhengyin. Xun You spoke.

Xun You asked, "Is Wucheng Hou in the mansion?"

The head of the pavilion did not answer Xun You, but instead asked: "Dare to ask the famous name of your steps, I don't know why you want to see the lord of the county?"

"I am an old friend of Marquis Wucheng."

"So that's the case, but it was unfortunate that I came down here. The mansion was not in the mansion and went to the military camp outside the city."

"Go to the military camp?"

"Exactly."

Sun Jian was skilled in the military and had little interest in civil affairs, so he put all the affairs of the prefecture into the hands of Cao Huanjie and others, while he himself was in the barracks for eight out of ten days.

Xun You asked, "Then when will Marquis Wucheng return?"

"It's impossible to say. Sometimes, Fujun can stay in the camp for five or six days."

When Xun You came, there was no barracks outside the county. The water in the west of Linxiang and the low and wet ground were not suitable for camping and garrisoning troops. I thought that the barracks were either in the east of the county or in the south of the county. Xun You asked, "I don't know if the military camp is in the east of the county or in the south of the county?"

"The lord of the government is very strict in governing the army, and outsiders are not allowed to enter the camp. Even though he is an old friend of the lord of the government, I am afraid that he will not be able to enter the camp."

Xun You hesitated for a moment, and said in his mind, "The Marquis will arrive in Linxiang at the latest tomorrow, and I can't stay here and wait for Marquis Wucheng." Yin said, "So, do you dare to help me find a Marquis Wucheng? Just tell him: An old friend of Runan is visiting."

The pavilion chief hesitated for a moment, and said, "My duty is, I can't leave the gate without permission, so I will find someone to inform the ruler."

"Thank you very much."

The head of the pavilion went back to the school, called someone to inform Sun Jian, and then came out to invite Xun You and the three to sit in the school and wait.

Seeing the courteousness and enthusiasm of the pavilion, Xun You knew that this must be because he claimed to be an old friend of Sun Jian, and thought, "It seems that Marquis Wucheng has a high prestige in Changsha." He also thought that the pavilion was very respectful to him. He was polite and enthusiastic, but he still did not dare to leave his post without permission, and thought, "Wucheng Hou was born in the army, and he not only managed the army strictly, but also the government officials."

The higher the prestige, the easier it is to hide Xun Zhen; the stricter the rule, the less likely it is to leak information.

Xun You put down his snacks and thought again: "Yun Chang and Yide are both majestic men. If they stop outside the mansion for a long time, they will attract the attention of others." So he agreed to the invitation of the pavilion chief and greeted Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. Join the school together.

The pavilion head personally poured hot soup for the three of them and accompanies them attentively.

This school is facing the gate of the county government. Apart from gossiping, Xun You, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei have to look at the buildings of Changsha county government.

Compared with the prefectures in Yangzhai, Handan, and Yexian counties, the prefectures in Changsha County are a little shabby, not as tall and majestic as the gates of the prefectures in Yangzhai and other places, and the colors painted on the walls are not as good. The walls are also not as tall as those of the prefectures in Yangzhai and other places.

I don’t know when the walls of the Changsha County House were built. Probably after Sun Jian took office, he was busy hunting thieves and training soldiers, and he didn’t think of repairing it. feel.

The area of ​​Changsha Prefecture is also not as large as that of Yangzhai and other places, and the buildings in the mansion can be seen across the walls, and it is also much less than the buildings in Yangzhai and other places.

After looking at the size and appearance of the prefecture, you can see the officials who entered the prefecture.

Although the scale and appearance of the Changsha prefecture are not as good as those of Yingchuan, Zhaoguo, and Wei prefectures, the clothing and accessories of Changsha prefectures are not much different from those of Yingchuan prefectures. This is not surprising, most of the people who can be expelled as county officials are the children of the local families, and they are naturally rich.

Linxiang's barracks is in the east of the city, not far from the city, and because there are few people on the road, the road can be galloping, so it didn't take too long to see a group of knights running along the stream bank, running across the street, and quickly passing by. Stone bridge, to the gate of the county.

I saw the person in the front with bright armor and bright armor, showing off his power and majesty. Although he was far away, he could still feel the aura of a ferocious predator, but it was Sun Jian.

Xun You rushed out with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, hurried to Sun Jian's horse, bowed and bowed.

Sun Jian looked and saw that the person who was bowing down was Xun Zhen's nephew Xun You, but there was no hint of surprise on his face.

He got off his horse on one side, hurriedly helped Xun You and the three of them up, and said with a laugh, "I heard that an old friend of Runan is here, and I knew it must be your Majesty!"

Where does Sun Jian have an "old friend" in Runan? He followed Zhu Jun to discuss the Runan Yellow Turbans, but he was not a scholar, and he had not had much dealings with the nobles in Runan. The reason for making friends in the air is mostly general friendship, and there is no deep friendship. After so many years, they have broken contact with each other early.

To say that the only old friend who can get along with Runan is only Xun Zhen, who was with him in the same year as Runan's Yellow Turban.

Xun Zhen is now wanted by the imperial court, and Sun Jian knew about it, so after receiving the report from the county officials that "the old man of the government and Runan is visiting", he immediately guessed: "Could it be that Zhenzhi came to vote for me?" The righteous obedience of the drill rushed back quickly.

As soon as he saw that it was Xun You, he immediately knew that he had guessed correctly, patted Xun You's arm repeatedly, and laughed happily.

Seeing Sun Jian laughing happily, Xun You was completely relieved.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, who were standing behind Xun You next to Sun Jian, saw that they were both majestic and burly. : "Who are these two gentlemen?"

Xun You introduced the names of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei in a low voice.

After seeing each other, Sun Jian led the three of Xun You into the mansion, and when they arrived at the back house, he ordered to back away and asked Zhou Tai and others to guard the outside, and not allow other people to approach. Then he asked Xun You, "Where's Zhenzhi?"

"I just crossed the Wei River last night, and I can arrive tomorrow at the latest."

Sun Jian was overjoyed and said, "I will welcome him personally."

He has always acted resolutely. At that time, he was going to call Zhou Tai and others in, and he planned to order them to prepare the car, and now he was going to welcome Xun Zhen.

Xun You felt that it was not suitable for him to greet him in person, and just as he was about to persuade him, Sun Jian himself woke up, swallowed the cry that was almost out of his mouth, patted his forehead, and said, "No, I can't greet him in person. In this way, I Let my wife and brother Wu Jing go to welcome Zhenzhi!"

Sun Jian couldn't go out to greet him in order to avoid attracting the attention of outsiders. After all, he was the prefect of a county. If he went out to greet Xun Zhen in person, it would inevitably be too noisy. Wu Jing was his wife and brother, so Wu Jing would go to greet Xun Zhen. Can represent his mind.

Immediately, Sun Jian called Wu Jing, explained a few words, and ordered him to take people to the city immediately to welcome Xun Zhen.

Wu Jing came back from the barracks with Sun Jian. When he saw Xun You just now, he was surprised. He heard that Xun Zhen was coming, and his expression changed. He seemed to have something to say, but he looked at Xun You. The three of them swallowed their words, answered their promises, and left the room.

Xun You noticed the change in Wu Jing's complexion, and his heart moved, and he smiled and said to Sun Jian, "To avoid going bad, I will also go with Wu Jun."

"There is only one way, so why do you go wrong? Gongda, Runan farewell, I haven't seen you for many years, I not only miss Zhenzhi, but also you! Since you came first, you can't leave! I want to be with you tonight. Sleep on the couch and share the past.”

Sun Jian's radiant enthusiasm could not be denied, Xun You had to agree, but added: "This time, most of the people who came south from my clan father are from Ji, and Wu Jun does not recognize them. I can stay, then I will ask Yide and Yun. How about going along with Wu Jun?"

Xun You and others privately called Xun Zhen "Jun Hou", but Xun Zhen's "Yingyin Hou" title had been removed by the court, so in front of Sun Jian, he renamed Xun Zhen "Clan Father."

Sun Jian smiled and said, "Gongda, I haven't seen you for many years. You are still so cautious! Well, it's up to you."

"There is one more thing I hope to get the permission of the prince."

"What's the matter?"

"This time, there are quite a lot of righteous followers who came south from my clan father. If they enter the city together, they may attract the attention of the county people, so..."

Before Xun You could finish speaking, Sun Jian knew what he meant and said with a smile: "Want me to write a handwritten letter so that Zhenzhi's righteousness can be temporarily sent to the barracks outside our county, but?"

"Exactly."

"This is easy!"

Sun Jian immediately wrote a military order and gave it to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

Xun You took the opportunity to send Guan Yu and Zhang Fei out, and said softly to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei: "Just now, when Wu Jun heard that my father is coming, I saw him change color. You two must be careful and careful along the way. Empress Hou, be sure to report this matter."

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei both knew the importance of it, so they complied with their promises.

Wu Jing walked in front, Guan Yu glanced at his back, snorted, and said in his heart: "The lord, regardless of safety, captures and destroys Ye Zhao. It is to believe in the righteousness of friends. If Wu Jingruo dares to betray the prince, I will cut him off with a knife!"

Zhang Fei said in his heart: "I see that Marquis Wucheng is only in his appearance, and he should be happy and hopeful for the arrival of the monarch. He has no objection, but Wu Jing is the wife and brother of Marquis Wucheng. ."

Wu Jing, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei took people out of the county to welcome Xun Zhen.

Sun Jian left Xun You behind, and ordered his wife and concubines to clean the backyard by himself in anticipation of Xun Zhen's arrival. He also ordered to prepare the best ingredients for Xun Zhen's reception tomorrow night. That night, he and Xun You slept together.

The next morning, Xun Zhen arrived.

Because the entourage of righteous servants and carriages carrying goods all went to the barracks in the east of the county first, and only Cheng Jia, Wei Guang and his son, Luan Gu, Chen Yi, Jiang Qin, Dian Wei, Zhao Yun, Wu Concubine, etc. followed Xun You into the city. There were only a few people, and there was only one car, so although Wu Jing was there to greet him, and the car was easy to follow, there was no movement in the county.

Sun Jian and Xun You had been waiting at the gate of the mansion.

Xun Zhen and his party arrived outside the gate of the county house, and they couldn't wait for Xun Zhen to get off the carriage, and Sun Jian strode up to meet him.

Dian Wei opened the car door, Xun Zhen jumped down, looked up to see Sun Jian, and also strode fast.

Before Sun Jian could reach Xun Zhen, the cheerful laughter was already in Xun Zhen's ears. He took three steps and two steps to meet Xun Zhen on the road, held Xun Zhen's hand, and said cheerfully, "I'll take a few steps. When I heard that it was an old friend from Yuzhou, I knew it must be you! It’s really good, it’s really good!” asked Xunzhen, “From Runan here, the journey is thousands of miles, and the journey is hard?”

Xun Zhen smiled and said, "It's not as hard as you and I in Runan in the past."

This is talking about the suffering of the war when they asked for the Yellow Turbans.

Sun Jian laughed, complaining about Xun Zhen, and said, "Why didn't you send someone to inform me in advance, I would like to welcome you, and only tell me when you are coming to Linxiang!"

"In my current status~www.wuxiaspot.com~ I am afraid that you will come to greet me."

Sun Jian couldn't stop laughing, took Xun Zhen's hand, and said, "This place is not a place to talk, come here, you and I will talk in the mansion."

Someone arranged for Xun Zhen's carriage, Wu Concubine and the two maids, Xun Zhen, Cheng Jia, Xun You and others followed Sun Jian into the mansion.

When he entered the house, Sun Jian still held Xun Zhen's hand tightly. Seeing that there were no outsiders in the house, he affectionately called out Xun Zhen and asked with a smile, "Zhenzhi, you offended Zhao Chang. Servant, being hunted down by the imperial court, come to see me, aren't you afraid that I will arrest you?"

Xun Zhen smiled and said, "If you arrest me, you will not be Sun Wentai!"

Sun Jian was overjoyed, clasped Xun Zhen's hand tightly, laughed and said to the people around Zhou Tai and Wu Jing, "Those who know me are Zhenzhi!"

Xun Zhen saw that there was a scar on Sun Jian's neck that was exposed outside the collar, and looked at it with a smile, "Wentai, I haven't seen you for several years, and you have a new injury!"

Sun Jian has always been desperate to fight in battles, and he was seriously injured and nearly died when he was attacking the Runan Yellow Turbans.

Hearing Xun Zhen's words, Sun Jian didn't take it seriously, let go of Xun Zhen's hand, touched the scar on his neck, and said lightly, "This is not a new injury, it is already an old wound, it was the attack on the area last year. left by the stars."

Xun Zhen smiled and said, "Not long after I entered Gui County, I heard people from the county say: You were instructed to book the county last year. , your heroic spirit is even better than it was in the past! Compared with Qingxiang, I am ashamed." (To be continued)