Lian Yong's incident made Xu Mu feel very uncomfortable for a while. He had previously thought that he would be able to meet his old friend once the war subsided.
"My lord, I'm sorry." Dongfang Jing consoled him.
"Nothing." Xu Mu waved his hand, "Bolie, winter is coming, do you have any plans?"
Dongfang Jing hesitated, "At the end of the year, will my lord return to Chengdu?"
"No return."
Although it is not far back to Shuzhou and Chengdu, Xu Mu is still worried about leaving the front line, even in winter. Next year there will be a war with the alliance, and when winter comes this year, the situation in Cangzhou will definitely be prepared.
"I heard that Concubine Wan gave birth."
"A girl was born."
Xu Mu's eyes were gentle, and if he said he didn't miss him, he would definitely be lying. But he was guarding the country on the front line for the sake of the people and his family at the rear.
"My lord is righteous." Dongfang Jing sighed, "If we can defeat Cangzhou, my road to Western Shu will be much easier in the future."
At this time, Xu Mu had already developed the same feeling as Zuo Shiren had at the time. Cangzhou was like a high mountain, blocking the way forward of Xi Shu.
"After flying the letter, all the forces that have joined the alliance will send envoys and prepare to rush to Kezhou. At that time, the lord can also cross the river and go to Kezhou for a visit."
This attitude is necessary. Just as Dongfang Jing said, at least let the whole world see the determination to form an alliance and fight against traitors.
"Bolie, I'll leave tomorrow. I'll leave early and come back early. I'll leave the affairs of Muyunzhou to you first."
During this period of time, Xu Mu was running around all over the world for the affairs of the Great Alliance. Even Zuo Shiren felt a little ashamed at this appearance. Yesterday, he specially sent someone to deliver some valuable supplements.
"Although Huang Daochong is one of our own, no matter what, my lord, please be careful when you are outside."
"Don't worry, Bolie."
To be honest, Xu Mu did not need to go there in person to meet some envoys. But Xu Mu meant that no matter what, this matter must be taken seriously.
In addition, I haven’t seen Huang Daochong for a long time, so I just happened to take this opportunity to ask some more questions.
…
As winter approaches, the river surface begins to look lifeless. In the south of the Yangtze River, the climate is not too cold and there is no frost.
Departing from Muyunzhou and detouring again, Xu Mu finally arrived at Kezhou after a few days. While still on the boat, Xu Mu saw from a distance that his old acquaintance Huang Daochong was waiting respectfully on the river bank.
The boat came and waved to him desperately.
"Brother Mu, Lao Huang is here to pick up the boat again." Si Hu put his hands on his waist and pointed to the river bank with a laughing look on his face.
"Lao Huang is a real person." Xu Mu also smiled.
Not only Huang Daochong, but also several envoys from other allies were among them. As soon as Xu Mu's ship docked, they all followed suit and bowed excitedly.
"I have met the King of Shu."
"I have met the King of Shu!"
"It's polite." Xu Mu returned the greetings one by one. After all, he was the one who took the lead in this world alliance. Coupled with the original reputation, it is understandable that these people worship him so much.
After exchanging pleasantries, the group left the river bank and entered the state first.
To be honest, although he often comes to Kezhou, many of them are on Jiang'an. As for the Kezhou County Sheriff's Mansion, Xu Mu doesn't come often. He vaguely remembers that he only went there once.
Huang Daochong did not claim the title of king, so naturally there was no palace in Kezhou. Only one Huang Mansion was built, which was considered magnificent.
The Kezhou family is good at doing business. Under the leadership of Huang Daochong, it has now expanded its business to all parts of the Central Plains.
Just think about it, if you don't have spare money, how can you start all kinds of sophisticated tactics in troubled times?
"The visit of the King of Shu to this humble abode is really a blessing." Huang Daochong was respectful all the way.
Xu Mu knew that the old boy was somewhat dissatisfied in his heart. Whether it was Dongling League or Tianxia League, they all chose Kezhou as the place for their alliance.
But there is no other way. If we want to attack Cangzhou, Kezhou's geographical location is indeed the best location. There are still more than 40,000 naval troops on the river bank.
"The crusade against Cangzhou allowed the Huang Family Master to take full advantage of the land. I, Xu Mu, really feel bad about it." Xu Mu said in a guilty tone.
"King Shu, don't say this. I also know...King Shu has been thinking about Kezhou. If not, he would have forced Kezhou to join the alliance. Oh, by the way, I have received the previous letter from King Shu, and
I notified the people in Hezhou to find wild ginseng and send it to General Lian. But I didn’t expect that General Lian would take the first step. It’s really God’s fault.”
Xu Mu lamented in his heart.
"Master Huang is interested. In addition, the matter in the letter——"
"Tsangkuro."
"Yes, have you checked?" Xu Mu turned his head, his eyes looking expectant. It was not because he was suspicious, but because he had gone to Hezhou and Wangzhou several times, he understood better how important a person like Lian Yong was to the border.
importance.
If a bitch like Zhao Qingyun breaks his waist and sells Hezhou, one day the Beidi people will march straight in, and the entire Central Plains will be devastated.
"I found some. By chance, the news that arrived today, please ask the King of Shu to take a look." Huang Daochong nodded, looked around, and quickly handed a file to Xu Mu's hand.
Xu Mu thanked him. After walking to the corner, he silently took out the file, opened it and took a closer look. Xu Mu frowned as he looked at it.
Although what Huang Daochong found was considered a secret, it was actually not what Xu Mu wanted. The file said that when Chang Jiulang was a boy, he once hired a murderer. Although the attempt failed, Chang Silang discovered it.
He was hung in front of the house and beaten all night, almost dying.
In the Chang family, no matter the elders or juniors, they all admired the head of the family, Chang Silang. After that night, Chang Jiulang began to respect his teachers and study business and military arts seriously.
There were many secrets in the file, and Xu Mu read them one by one.
"A paranoid person." After tearing up the file, Xu Mu raised his hand and was about to do something. Si Hu, who was next to him, looked shocked. He hurriedly grabbed the shredded paper, tore it up again, and then hurried to the nearby area.
In the forest, ten or eight holes were dug and buried in batches.
"King Shu, there is one more thing." Huang Daochong said as he walked back.
"Master Huang, what's wrong?"
"Yuan Song... also sent an envoy over. But the King of Shu didn't tell me, so I didn't let him enter the state. This man seems to be called Yan Tang. He also said that he had an old relationship with the King of Shu and wanted to go to the state to ask for a cup.
Drink."
"Yan Tang?" Xu Mu's expression was strange. This Yuan Song's adopted son has had bad luck in officialdom recently.
"The purpose of asking for a drink is that I want to join the alliance." Xu Mu said with a smile, "Master Huang, please ignore him for now. If he is willing to wait, just wait for now."
Huang Daochong didn't say much and nodded seriously.
…
Outside the pass in Kezhou, a man wearing a Confucian robe stood in the cold wind of approaching winter, shivering with cold for a moment.
Originally he could sit in the carriage, but he didn't dare. He just thought that if he looked as pitiful as a woman, maybe the King of Shu would reward him with a glass of wine?