Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3279: Beware of Danger

Outside Wujun City, Gu’s Manor.

A group of people were sighing for long and short moments.

The tones are high and low, and can even form a section of an aria.

Different from the miserable scene at the front line, the entrance of Gu's manor is now bustling with many carriages and horses.

In the past, when these people came to visit Gu Yong, Gu's steward would most likely turn them away. After accepting the business card, he would politely say that he was not feeling well or was not here by chance, etc., and then give a return gift and let the visitor go.

Today was different from the past. When the news of the incident on the front line of the Jiangdong expedition came, the sensitive sons of the Jiangdong gentry also smelled the different flavor contained in it and came to visit Gu. Gu Yong had never seen anyone before, but now he finally opened the door to welcome guests. Although on the surface he still said that he would not talk about state affairs, but just talk about family matters, eat some simple meals, and appreciate some beautiful mountains and rivers, this was already a strong signal to those who were interested!

The place where Gu Yong entertained guests was the flower hall in the side courtyard.

This hall was built by the water, facing the lotus pond. It was three large rooms wide, open from north to south and closed by gables from east to west. There was a spacious platform in front of the hall, and in front of the platform was a deep pond with rockery, lotus and some red carp in the pond. They would run to the edge of the pond from time to time, swaying their tails and splashing ripples, just like the sons of the noble families in the flower hall, spitting inexplicable bubbles.

Gu Yong did not wear a crown, but just wrapped his head with a piece of brocade. He was dressed very casually and chatted casually with the visiting guests.

The unsuccessful campaign in the east and west of the Yangtze River should have been a sad thing no matter from which angle one looked at it. However, in the flower hall, since no one was talking about state affairs, there was no question of being sad.

It was just idle chat, not a word about national affairs.

Servants and maids were flowing in the flower hall.

Everyone present was chatting and laughing, and it seemed that every crevice in the hall was filled with joy.

As for who said what to whom, or what was discussed or heard, it doesn’t really matter.

The important thing is that people came.

  Then, who didn’t come?

Just like the leader may not remember who toasted him, but most of them will remember who dared not to toast him?

Now everyone knows that this is about taking sides and it is about an attitude.

After a while, Gu Yong stood up, coughed twice, and said in a clear voice: "Today the sun is shining brightly, the wind is gentle and the weather is beautiful. Such a beautiful scene is rare. It is a great honor to gather with all the wise men here to chat with us. I have prepared a simple banquet, but I hope you will forgive me for the inconvenience."

Everyone responded.

When everyone was laughing, a steward of the Gu family quietly came to Gu Yong, as if to pour water for him...

Gu Yong's eyebrows moved.

The Gu family's housekeeper nodded slightly, then said nothing. He just added some water to Gu Yong's bowl and went back.

After a while, Gu Yong pretended to change his clothes, went down the hall, turned around the back corridor, and saw the internal steward standing in the corridor with his hands in his sleeves.

"Who's here?" Gu Yong asked.

The steward held up three fingers.

The third child of the Zhang family.

Zhang Fen.

Gu Yong snorted, "I guess it's him. Coming from the main entrance?"

The internal steward shook his head and said, "He came in from the corner door. He has been arranged in the side hall."

"Hmm." Gu Yong nodded.

Under the current situation, it is definitely impossible for those who are directly under Zhang Zhao to show up here. Only someone like Zhang Fen, who is known as an "unlearned" playboy, seems to be able to do something like coming to the Gu family.

In fact, Zhang Fen was not just a man who only knew how to spend his days in debauchery. He also had some knowledge of mechanical devices. It was said that he had contributed to the design of the new warships of the Jiangdong Army...

Gu Yong turned around the small garden, passed through the gate, and arrived at the side courtyard.

From a distance, I saw Zhang Fen standing at the entrance of the side hall, pulling the newly-bloomed peonies of the Gu family...

"Hand..." Gu Yong was startled and quickly stretched out his hand to greet him, but it was too late.

Zhang Fen had already plucked the peony flower and inserted it into his ear, "Ahahaha, what a beautiful flower, a beautiful peony!"

Seeing Gu Yong coming, Zhang Fen stepped forward and saluted, "Today I am able to see Gu's peony, it is indeed extraordinary! It is said that peony is the most precious among flowers! At the beginning of spring, all things come back to life, and all flowers compete for beauty, but only peony blooms late, as if the precious ones come later, and not competing is the best. Its posture is elegant and luxurious, colorful, like a pile of brocade, gorgeous and incomparable. Its appearance is layered, like a fairy's veil, swaying in the wind, graceful and charming. "

"This flower is like a pearl in the palm of your hand, adding color to the surroundings, standing alone and proudly above all the flowers, showing its extraordinary demeanor. Its gorgeous color, its graceful posture, and its rich fragrance are all unmatched by flowers in the world. It can truly be called the best among flowers!"

Gu Yong laughed dryly twice, his mouth twitched with some pain, and then glanced at the internal manager.

The internal manager can only bow his head.

  Who could have thought that Zhang Fen would start fighting right away?

Gu Yong invited Zhang Fen in and the host and guest sat down.

Zhang Fen deliberately picked the flower again, put it in front of his nose and sniffed it vigorously, "Ah, it smells so good, (╯▽╰) It smells so good~~"

"Hmm!" Facing Zhang Fen's rogue appearance, Gu Yong also had a headache, "Why does Mr. Zhang have to be like this? If you have something to say, just talk about it properly. Why ruin my beloved things?"

"Oh?" Zhang Fen pretended to be surprised, "I never thought... it was... what a shameless boy, I am guilty, guilty..."

Gu Yong waved his hand, "Mr. Zhang, if there is nothing else, I will leave. There are guests in the front hall, and we cannot wait for them."

Although he said so, Gu Yong had no intention of getting up. He just stared at Zhang Fen.

Zhang Fen stopped smiling and slowly became serious. He threw the flowers in his hand on the table and said, "Envoy Gu, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should say it or not."

"Hmph." Gu Yong gestured with his hand.

I'm already here, and you still ask me whether I want to be a paddler or not?

Can I say I can't be the one and still take it away?

"Kill the four thieves!" Zhang Fen said in a deep voice.

  Gu Yong's eyebrows suddenly jumped!

The four thieves mentioned by Zhang Fen are Jin Qi, Mao Gan, Chen Pu and Zu Shan.

The atmosphere in the side hall suddenly became almost frozen.

If Zhang Fen had just pinched Gu Yong's favorite flower before, then it would be like slapping Gu Yong in the face or pulling off his loincloth.

Previously, in order to raise money, food and labor to send to the front line, Sun Quan did not hesitate to let the people of Jiangdong suffer and endure longer. After all, it was for the great cause of Jiangdong and for a better future. Therefore, the price of food in Jiangdong remained high and ordinary people were displaced.

That's right, killing the goose that lays the eggs.

The eggs were later taken away by Sun Quan and sent to the front line.

  So, after taking the eggs, what about the remaining chicken?

In the blink of an eye, all that was left was chicken feathers and a few bones.

Gu Yong narrowed his eyes and stared at Zhang Fen, neither agreeing nor denying.

Just like some big gangs in the later Mi Empire, if they had no connection with any PD, congressman, or company, and were just a pure and simple little white flower, would they have the soil to grow in the garden?

Clan bandits, mountain bandits, they are all bandits.

White gloves, black gloves, gray gloves, all kinds of gloves.

  Even those who sell seafood need someone to protect them, let alone such a big bandit?

"It was my Zhang family that was blamed for all the abuses. At that time, my Zhang family didn't even have a bite of meat to eat!" Zhang Fen said slowly, "Now that you've been criticized, you can't ask my Zhang family to pay for the meat you ate, right? As a human being, you have to speak with your conscience!"

Zhang Zhao was previously responsible for providing Sun Quan with the logistics, food and labor needed for the Western Expedition.

Gu Yong smiled, "Oh? That's not right. But I don't know how much meat to prepare? How many people are there in Mr. Zhang's family?"

"Ahahaha," Zhang Fen laughed, "It really doesn't matter whether there are many people or few people... What's important is... Hahahaha, I heard that usually when people divide the meat, they have to get the last piece of meat before it can be considered theirs. I wonder if Mr. Gu agrees with that?"

Divide the meat?

"Mr. Zhang's words do make some sense," Gu Yong said with a smile, "but I haven't done this kind of work, so I'm not in a position to comment."

"Oh?" Zhang Fen pointed in the direction of the Gu family's flower hall, "Could it be that those people brought their own wine and meat to the Gu family's banquet?"

Gu Yong narrowed his eyes, "Mr. Zhang really loves to joke... Now that the blade is in someone else's hands, I have no say in how much the points are."

"Ah, this blade is getting blunt very quickly!" Zhang Fen yawned, "Either I need to sharpen it or I can just get a new one."

"Are you serious?" Gu Yong asked.

Zhang Fen laughed and wiped the tears from his eyes, "Mr. Gu is really... But, Mr. Gu, although this knife is blunt, it can be used to kill people... So these four thieves, who are causing trouble in Jiangdong, disturbing the people, and killing innocent people... Shouldn't they be severely punished to calm the people and follow their will? After all... If this knife is always held in the hand, bloody, who would come to get close to it?"

Gu Yong was silent for a long time, "This matter cannot be decided by one person."

Zhang Fen laughed, "I heard that Mr. Gu has beautiful flowers, wine and delicious food here, but I wonder if I can tell you a little bit about it?" Gu Yong stood up, "Don't mind if I treat you poorly."

After saying this, Gu Yong bowed to Zhang Fen, then left the side hall and signaled to the steward inside, "Give us a good treat."

The internal manager promised not to mention it.

Gu Yong walked forward, thinking, and when he passed the corridor, he whispered: "Go and send a message to the three families... Let's meet tomorrow night..."

In the dark corner of the corridor, a shadow was swaying, and it seemed that someone bowed to Gu Yong and then disappeared.

……

……

The place that Gu Yong chose to meet the representatives of the three families was in a Taoist temple.

Compared to the bald monk, Gu Yong felt that the local Taoists were better.

The Taoist temple is located between the mountains and forests, with a cliff on one side and a slope on the other, so anyone who comes can see it from a high place. Although the Taoist temple is not very popular during the day, there are still many people who come and go to burn incense and pray to the gods, so Gu Yong and others in casual clothes will not be too abrupt and obvious.

It was getting dark when we got to the top of the mountain, so it was quite normal to stay in the guest room of the Taoist temple on the mountain for one night and go down the mountain the next day at dawn, and no one could find any problem with it.

Moon on treetops.

Gu Yong sat quietly in the guest room.

I don't know how long it took, but a shadow moved under the corridor, "My Lord, everyone has arrived."

"Yeah." Gu Yong responded, stood up and walked out of the guest room.

Outside the guest rooms is a long corridor.

It is very quiet in the Taoist temple.

Gu Yong walked slowly in the corridor. The wooden planks under his feet were loose, so they made some creaking sounds that rippled in the night.

Taoism developed in Jiangdong Wu earlier than Buddhism.

For example, Ge Tianshi's alchemy school is very famous in Jiangdong.

It was just that due to the Yellow Turban Rebellion, under the influence of the three Zhang Jiao brothers, some people in Taoism were regarded as dangerous elements and were suppressed for a while. In addition, Zhang Lu was trying to unify Hanzhong, which made the local princes wary. However, as the Yellow Turban Rebellion was quelled, the impact it brought gradually dissipated, and the disputes in the world changed from chaos to a state of balance, and the local suppression of Taoism was no longer so strict...

Outside the door of the rear hall, a Taoist priest bowed with one hand.

Gu Yong stopped and returned the greeting.

The rear hall of the Taoist temple enshrines the God of Xuantian.

Xuantian God is also known as Xuanwu Emperor, Yousheng Zhenjun, etc.

The late Eastern Han Dynasty was a period when Xuanwu's status rose, so there was nothing wrong with worshipping Xuantian God in Jiangdong.

After Taoism was formed, it revered the first of the seven Xuanwu stars, namely the Dipper, also known as the Southern Dipper, because of the belief that "the Southern Dipper is responsible for life, and the Northern Dipper is responsible for death."

Initially, Xuanwu was just a guardian god in Taoism, but as people's faith in him continued to strengthen and deepen, his duties and status became more and more prominent, and he eventually became a great god worshipped by Taoism.

From a certain perspective, it is obvious that the fact that Xuantian God finally ascended to the throne of the Emperor of Heaven relied on the faith of millions of people, and it was also a reflection of the people's will...

Gu Yong stood at the back door, looking up at the statue in the temple.

The light from the eternal lamp in front of the statue shines on the statue.

"Excuse me, Taoist priest, are there also equal divisions among gods and immortals?" Gu Yong asked softly, gazing at the statue.

The Taoist priest chanted "Wulian Tianzun" and said, "There are equal parts. Those who practice to become the upper immortals will fly into the void, merge into the formless body, grow together with the Tao, and never have to face the calamities of the number of disasters. The upper immortals will ascend to heaven in broad daylight and live in the upper palace, where there is an infinite blessed land. The middle immortals can build palaces in the air, drink flowing clouds and eat essence, and travel thousands of miles in a single thought. The lower immortals often live in the palaces of famous mountains and caves, command the ghosts and gods of the three realms, and manage the life and death on earth. The lower immortals will also be promoted to heavenly immortals after their meritorious deeds and calamities. This is the difference between the upper and lower immortals."

Gu Yong nodded, but shook his head after a moment, "If you are an immortal, you can't avoid busy work, managing ghosts and gods, worrying about life and death..."

The Taoist priest bowed his head and said, "Under the great Dao, we are all straw dogs."

"..."

Gu Yong nodded, then bowed to the God of Xuantian in the back hall, bid farewell to the Taoist priest, and turned to walk through the back hall.

The Taoist priest watched Gu Yong leave, then bowed before the statue of Xuantian God, his eyes slightly closed, lips slightly moving, muttering softly, the voice was so faint that it would be difficult to hear if he was not very close, "... Sincerely worship the ancestor of yin and yang, the origin of heaven and earth, receive the command from God, hold the spell from Lingbao. Collect calligraphy and seals, exhale the essence of the five qi, red elixir bag, emit the brilliance of the three lights. Refine your body, suppress evil spirits, great compassion and great wish, great saint and great mercy, the Five Spirits, Five Elders, Five Directions God saves people and protects life..."

Gu Yong entered the backyard, turned around the patio, and walked a few more steps. He came to a bamboo forest with a winding path in the forest, revealing a corner of a thatched hut.

Inside the thatched cottage, the curtains had already been drawn, silver charcoal had been lit to ward off the cold, and tea was being brewed.

The three people who had arrived earlier were a little surprised to see Gu Yong coming in person, and then they quickly walked out of the thatched cottage to greet him.

Gu Yong gestured with his hand, helped the three people up one by one, and then entered the thatched cottage and sat down in order of importance.

After a short silence, Gu Yong whispered, "What do you think of what Zhang Jiazi said?"

Someone immediately said, "Don't take it seriously. If we really kill the Four Mountain Kings, wouldn't it be like cutting off our own hands and feet?"

Jin Qi, Mao Gan, Chen Pu, the four bandits of Zushan, each called themselves the king of the mountain.

"If Mr. Zhang came in person... that would be fine, but now he is just a son of the Zhang family. How can Mr. Gu give him face by talking nonsense?"

"That's right, that's right!" 』

"Mr. Gu, please relax. The four mountain kings are all old men, and they are very efficient. Even if there are some shortcomings, they can just blame the Yue people and get away with it, right?"

"That's right. That's right..."

The three of them were whispering, and no matter what they were saying, they mostly meant the same thing, which was that the four bandit leaders should be kept alive and not killed.

In fact, the reason why they couldn't kill them was not because the three families had any feelings towards these four bandit leaders, but because of their vested interests.

Gu Yong could understand, but after listening to the three people's explanation, he said: "If this... is not Mr. Zhang's intention, but the lord wants to take action..."

"This... is not possible?!"

The three of them were immediately shocked.

Gu Yong said softly: "After Zhu Junli was defeated and Lu Zijing hurried to see the lord, the lord sent more doctors and medicines to Governor Zhou..."

"Is Zhou Gongjin going to lead the army?"

"His body..."

"Just in case... I'd better risk my life..."

"But this and the Four Mountain Kings are... Oh, I see... This is really giving me a headache..."

The people present were all quite intelligent, especially their infighting skills were all maxed out, so they quickly understood what Gu Yong meant.

Now that Zhou Yu is likely to take over frontline military affairs, the unstable factors in the rear of Jiangdong must be eliminated before Zhou Yu sets out, or at least suppressed for a while. Then the four bandits who performed "outstandingly" in the refugee crisis some time ago naturally become the primary unstable factors that need to be eliminated.

If Gu Yong and the others took action themselves and severed the connection, they could clear themselves of some involvement. But if they waited until Zhou Yu took action, the involvement would be even more troublesome...

Therefore, for Zhang Zhao, who had both fought and cooperated with the Jiangdong nobles, it was a natural choice to sell out at the right time. Anyway, Zhang Zhao and the war faction had always been incompatible, so it was also a basic operation to secretly pull the legs of the war faction.

"But if we really lose our arms...if there is any disturbance, we will be like we were back then, and we can only..."

"Yes, Brother Lu's death is still fresh in our minds!"

"Yes, yes!"

"Hmm..." Gu Yong closed his eyes and sighed. After a moment, he opened his eyes and glanced at the three people. "I heard that... Liu Bei, the descendant of King Jing of Zhongshan, is in Jiaozhou now. He is pacifying the locals, reducing taxes and rents, and recruiting talented people... He is strong in both military and military power, and has the appearance of a hero..."

"hiss……"

"Mr. Gu, what do you mean..."

Gu Yong waved his hand and said, "I don't mean anything... but this person should always be prepared for danger in times of peace..."

The three seemed to understand something.

The bamboo forest swayed and rustled, like weapons rubbing against each other, which made people feel cold.