Volume 10 Chapter 148

Shao Yu knew that the Cai family was in charge of the overall situation even if he didn't know the situation of the eight counties in Ningbei. He thought Cai Gui was just an unknown person in Feng State, but he didn't expect that he was from the Cai family. Tang Yin must have sent him to accompany Shao Jun to show his intentions. Read the full text.

He looked at Li Ting beside him, and then said with a smile: "I didn't know it was Mr. Cai, I'm sorry!"

Cai Gui smiled and said: "Shao, you are too polite!" After a pause, he said seriously: "Abandoning darkness and joining the light is the only way out for Shao. If you continue to stand on Shao Fang's side, you will be killed by him sooner or later."

Shao Yu pretended to be surprised and asked: "What do you mean by this, Mr. Cai?"

Cai Gui said: "Shao Fang killed the Shao family in order to protect his orthodox status. Do you think Shao Fang can tolerate you?"

Li Ting continued: "But not long ago, the king specially sent a document to Xishan County, praising you for being loyal to Mo The country, the loyal and good people who are loyal to the king. "

Cai Gui smiled and said, "Can't Mr. Li Ting see that it is Shao Fang's appeasement strategy? Now Shao Fang has to use troops against Yuguo on one hand, and fight against my Dafeng on the other hand. What he fears most is internal chaos. He is now appeasing Lord Shao, hoping that his backyard will not catch fire. Once he is free, I am afraid that Lord Shao will follow the footsteps of many of his fellow clansmen who were killed! "

"Yes, yes, yes!" Shao Jun hurriedly echoed: "Lord Cai is right, my nephew should think twice before acting!"

Shao Yu's brain is not comparable to Shao Jun. How could he not think of what Shao Fang is thinking?

Betraying Shao Fang and turning to Fengguo is indeed a way out for him, otherwise he would not welcome Shao Jun so grandly. The key is that the matter is of great importance. The decision he has to make now is related to the life and death of the entire Xishan County and his entire family. He has to consider it carefully. He will not express his attitude until the last step. In his opinion, the best way now is not to offend both sides and leave two options for himself. No matter who wins or loses, he will not be forced into a dead end.

Shao Yu's idea was strongly supported by his trusted adviser Liu Ting. Liu Ting believed that he could not openly break up with Shao Fang, nor should he blindly stick to Fengguo.

He looked embarrassed, shook his head and smiled bitterly at Shao Jun, and said: "Uncle, it's not that my nephew doesn't think about the feelings of the same clan, but my nephew also has his own difficulties. This matter... my nephew has to think carefully again."

Shao Jun was very satisfied that he did not reject his surrender outright. How could he dare to force him too hastily? He said repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes! After all, this is a major event related to my nephew's future, and it is right to think carefully."

Cai Gui sighed secretly. Does this Shao Jun still know which side he is on? Now he roughly understood Shao Yu's thoughts. He wanted to be a fence-sitter, leaning on both sides, not offending either side, leaving himself two ways out. Such people are the most difficult to deal with. Fortunately, he had anticipated such a situation and made corresponding preparations.

He smiled slightly and said meaningfully: "The tree wants to be quiet, but the wind does not stop! Lord Shao thinks of his friendship with Shao Fang, I'm afraid that Shao Fang will not show mercy to Lord Shao's men!"

Shao Yu and Liu Ting frowned at the same time and asked: "What do you mean, Mr. Cai?"

Cai Gui said slowly: "Han Zhong and Yuan Tian did not run east or south, but ran west and fled to Xishan County. Is this a coincidence or a premeditated plan? No one can tell..." He stopped at that point, deliberately leaving room for Shao Yu and Liu Ting to imagine.

Shao Yu and Liu Ting were stunned, then laughed and said, "The terrain of Xishan County is dangerous, and it is reasonable for the two adults Han and Yuan to seek refuge in Xishan County."

"Really? Then let's wait and see!" Cai Gui said with a faint smile.

Shao Jun and Cai Gui visited Xishan County and were warmly received by Shao Yu. The latter treated them as guests of honor and sent special people to protect and serve them, so that they could live safely in Fengyang.

However, during the time they lived in Fengyang, although Shao Yu treated them with good wine and food every day, he just didn't mention the business and never made his attitude clear. It was obvious that he was delaying, hoping to make a choice until the day when the situation was clear. If Fengguo was sure of victory, he would accept Shao Jun and Cai Gui's surrender and turn to Fengguo. If Moguo won, he would not suffer any loss. At that time, he would kill Shao Jun and Cai Gui and take their heads to Shao Fang to claim credit. Anyway, no matter who wins or loses, he has a way to go.

Cai Gui knew Shao Yu's thoughts very well. Shao Yu wanted to delay time, which was exactly what he wanted. On the other side, Zhenjiang was not as calm as Fengyang. The rumor that Xishan County had turned to Fengguo spread like wildfire, and the rumors were everywhere, making people panic. At this time, the spies of Tianyan and Diwang secretly found Taifu Zhang Rong again.

That day, Zhang Rong had just returned home after the court was dismissed. Before he could sit down, the servants in the mansion came in to report that there were two middle-aged men outside who claimed to be businessmen asking for an audience.

As Taifu, he was highly valued by the king. There were many guests visiting Zhang Rong's mansion every day, both acquaintances and strangers. This was not uncommon. However, Zhang Rong was in a bad mood today. The Mo An coalition forces were unstoppable in Yuguo, but the Feng army's advance in the north of Moguo was also unstoppable. The war in the north was tight, Shao Fang was furious, and the court was tense. As an important minister, Zhang Rong also felt the pressure.

Hearing the name of the visitor was unfamiliar to him, Zhang Rong waved his hand in annoyance and said, "No, no."

The servant who brought the news handed a piece of paper to Zhang Rong and whispered, "Sir, the person who asked for an audience said that after seeing this letter, you will naturally meet the two of them."

"Oh?" Zhang Rong took the paper and unfolded it. There were only a few numbers on it: I am willing to give a thousand gold coins, just to see the master of the imperial tutor.

Zhang Rong's biggest weakness in this life is greed. Seeing that the person was willing to give him a thousand gold coins, his heart suddenly moved. He stood up and said expressionlessly while walking back, "Take the two of them to the study."

"Yes! Sir!"

The servant who brought the news agreed and ran out.

Zhang Rong changed into casual clothes and waited in the study for a short time. The servant brought in two middle-aged men in their forties from outside.

The two men were quite clever. When they saw Zhang Rong, they hurried forward, bowed deeply and respectfully, and said, "I am Liang Ren (Liu Yang), and I am honored to meet you, Lord Zhang."

"Yes!" Zhang Rong sat on the couch without moving. He just glanced at the two men casually, then lowered his head and continued to read the scroll in his hand. At the same time, he asked casually, "What do you two want to see me for?"

The two middle-aged men who called themselves Liang Ren and Liu Yang looked at each other, and the former said, "Lord Zhang, I am sorry to visit you because I have something to ask for."

Zhang Rong was not surprised at all. Most of the people who came to him had something to ask for. Are you two businessmen?"

"Yes, Lord Zhang."

"What business?"

"Horses. "Liang Ren whispered back.

It's a horse dealer! Zhang Rong put down the book and looked at the two of them again. At that time, those who could be horse dealers were all powerful big businessmen, and they made huge profits, so money was naturally not a problem. Zhang Rong, who had always been greedy for money, also keenly realized that his opportunity to make money had come.

"Tell me, what do you two want to ask for?"

"This..." Liang Ren and Liu Yang seemed a little hesitant, hesitating, and did not speak for a long time, his eyes wandering, and occasionally sweeping around.

The cunning Zhang Rong understood what the two meant. He waved to the servants on the left and right, sent them all out, and then smiled: "If you have any unspeakable secrets, you can say it now."

"But..." Liang Ren and Liu Yang cast their eyes on the two personal guards behind Zhang Rong.

Zhang Rong looked back and said calmly: "These two are my retainers and my confidants. There is no need to worry too much, but it doesn't matter if you say it. "

Hearing him, Liang Ren finally spoke up: "Master Zhang, Brother Liu and I are actually doing horse business with Feng Country." After saying that, he looked at Zhang Rong without blinking, waiting for his reaction.

Zhang Rong's face changed at first, but soon returned to normal. He sneered and said: "You two are so bold that you dare to sell horses to the enemy country. You deserve to be killed!" Although he said so, there was no angry expression on Zhang Rong's face, and the guards behind him had no intention of arresting Liang and Liu.

Liang Ren and Liu Yang looked at each other, and the latter took out a roll of paper from his arms, held it in both hands, and walked towards Zhang Rong. At this time, a guard behind Zhang Rong stepped forward, blocked him, and then took the roll of paper in his hand, flipped through it for a moment, and found nothing unusual, then turned around and handed it to Zhang Rong respectfully.

Zhang Rong took it, untied the thin rope on it, unfolded the roll of paper, looked down, and looked at it. OK , it turned out to be a stack of silver bills rolled together. He glanced at the first one, which was a silver bill of 1,000 taels. He casually pulled out another one, also a silver bill of 1,000 taels. He didn't need to look closely. The whole stack of silver bills was 1,000 taels. A rough estimate showed that there were more than 20 silver bills, which means that this was more than 20,000 taels of silver.

What a big deal, taking out more than 20,000 taels of silver at once, these two people are really not simple! Zhang Rong remained calm, rolled up the silver bill again, put it gently on the table, patted it with his hands, and asked, "What does this mean?"

"25,000 taels of silver is just a gift for the first meeting between me and Mr. Zhang. As long as Mr. Zhang is willing to help me, I will give you another valuable gift. "Liang Ren said with a smile.

Zhang Rong's eyes rolled around, his mind turned rapidly, and he was silent for a while. He turned back to look at the two guards behind him, asking with his eyes whether they knew spiritual martial arts. When Liang Ren and Liu Yang just entered the study, the two guards had used insight. When Zhang Rong asked, they shook their heads very affirmatively, indicating that the other party did not have spiritual martial arts.

Seeing this, Zhang Rong was relieved, raised his hand slightly, and waved it out. The two guards understood and walked out of the study. When the two of them left, only Zhang Rong, Liang Ren, and Liu Yang were left in the study. Zhang Rong said with a smile: "Now, you two can say whatever you want, right?"