Chapter 851 Unexpected Zhang Gong
Liu Liang was a little confused.
Why didn’t I get the news in advance?
Then a Hu girl put a robe on him and said, "Mr. Lang, it's a little cold in the mountains early in the morning, so you'd better wear an extra layer of clothing."
So Liu Liang thought about it: How long have I been staying in the mountains?
After calculation, it seems to have been more than ten days.
Persuading the barbarians is one aspect.
On the other hand, the mountains and water here are good, so the quality of Hu Nu is slightly higher than those outside.
So it is very reasonable to stay a few more days.
After Liu Liang figured it out, he immediately turned around and ordered the people he brought over:
“Pack your things now, I’m going out!”
“Mr. Lang, where are you going?”
“Go to Dunhuang and find the Zhang family!”
The tone was very loud, but when Hu Renqushuai, who had been following him, heard this, his body was shaken, and then he was stunned again, and he said with a smile:
“Liu Langjun, I will **** you there!”
“Be low-key, keep a low profile, don’t attract attention, pick the best warriors in the clan, not too many.”
Although the Han army has not yet entered Dunhuang, it has not even reached Jiuquan County in the east.
But according to Liu Liang's observations in the past few months, Liangzhou is now in a state of collapse at any time.
After the news of the Battle of Xiaoguan spread throughout Liangzhou a few days ago, it defeated the will of resistance of most people in Liangzhou.
So once the news spreads that the Han army has entered Liangzhou, chaos will definitely begin outside.
So having more guards is not a bad thing.
“I understand, I understand, I will make arrangements right away.”
Hu Renqushuai quickly agreed and turned around to make arrangements.
It is nearly ninety miles from Sanwei Mountain to Dunhuang City, not far, not too close.
Liu Liang and his party hurriedly and slowly arrived at the gate of Dunhuang City. They saw that although there were sergeants checking suspicious people coming in and out, the city gate was still wide open, so they breathed a sigh of relief.
Obviously, Dunhuang City did not implement martial law because the Han army entered Liangzhou.
Thinking about it, there is no sign of the Han army in Jiuquan County to the east, and Dunhuang has not yet closed its city gates.
The only troublesome thing is that Liu Liang's team is not only mixed with barbarians, but even Liu Liang himself is half-barbarian and half-Han.
So he was naturally subject to intensive inspection by the city gate defenders.
Unexpectedly, when the other party heard that Liu Liang was going to Zhang Mansion, he immediately waved and let him go without even bothering to say any more words.
Liu Liang, on the other hand, felt that under such circumstances, the defenders of Dunhuang City were still so lax, and they really didn't know how to live or die.
Unexpectedly, when he arrived at the gate of Zhang's house, he was stunned and stunned.
Without him, it turned out that the front door of Zhang Mansion was already full of carriages and horses, and it was so bustling that people outside couldn't squeeze in even if they wanted to.
Liangzhou is in a precarious situation. As the biggest local snake in Dunhuang, Zhang Jiajia Zhang Gong is also the captain of Wuji School in the Western Regions.
Although he is nominally in charge of the Western Region, he can't stand up to his high moral character and respect.
So anyone with some status would have thought of ways to deliver name cards to the Zhang family early on.
Whether Liangzhou can be defended is a very important question.
Of course, more importantly, what should we do about Dunhuang?
After the death of Ma Ai, the governor of Dunhuang, there was no county magistrate. What's even worse is that rebels from Jiuquan and Zhangye in the east were advancing on Dunhuang.
The people of the county at that time recommended Zhang Gong to take charge of the affairs, so that Dunhuang would not suffer from the war.
Although the Han army has not even arrived at Jiuquan County yet, everyone knows that the situation at this time is far more severe than it was then.
In this situation, if you don’t look for Zhang Gong, who else can you look for?
Xu Miao?
No kidding, I heard that Wuwei is being attacked from both sides by the Han people. Whether he can escape with his life in the end is still a question.
So, outsiders cannot be relied upon, and in the end we have to rely on our own people in Liangzhou.
The news has been coming from Wuwei for several days. Those who are qualified to enter the Zhang Mansion have already entered.
Those who are not qualified to enter are waiting outside the house.
Liu Liang finally understood why the sergeant at the city gate let him go so easily when he heard that he was going to Zhang Mansion.
He looked at the crowd in front of him, gritted his teeth, and ordered his followers to squeeze a way for him.
It’s midsummer now, so it’s easy to get angry.
In addition, everyone is worried about the situation in Liangzhou and feels anxious.
Not to mention that most people in Liangzhou are generous people. As soon as someone pushes them, someone will cheer loudly:
“You mother-in-law! Why are you squeezing? Are you in a hurry to attend a funeral?”
Liu Liang was also anxious. When someone scolded him, he scolded him back without being outdone:
"I have something to see Duke Zhang, and it involves the safety of Dunhuang. If I don't give way, I'm afraid it's not me who will be going to the funeral, but you guys!"
At this time, everyone noticed that Liu Liang and his party were all tired from work. They knew that they were coming from the east to spread the news, so they reluctantly moved out of the way.
At the same time, someone else shouted loudly:
“This gentleman, what news is there from Wu Wei?”
Liu Liang said, "I just came out of the mountains. Can I have any news about the bird?"
He squeezed forward without looking back, and said impatiently:
“Xu Miao is almost dead, what news can there be?”
In normal times, if someone dared to spread rumors like this at the gate of Zhang Mansion, that would be a life-threatening act.
But Liu Liang was very confident at this time. Even if the Zhang family knew afterwards that he was talking nonsense, so what?
There is a big backer behind him.
Liu Langjun, who was severely beaten by society in the past few years, has long understood the truth:
These days, if you want to go sideways, you either have to be awesome, preferably to the point of being awesome, like a certain country bumpkin.
If you are not so awesome, at least the thigh you hold must be awesome.
In the past, he thought his master was very awesome, but later he realized that he had thought too much.
Honestly awesome adults are no match for real awesome bumpkins. The truth is that cruel.
Although this story is a bit sad, if you really want to turn over, just being sad is useless.
So Liu Langjun closed his eyes, stamped his feet, turned around and hugged Zhen Feng's thigh.
It's a bit disgusting, but Feng Tubolo's name is really useful.
At least in Liangzhou, it is really useful.
For example, Liu Liang knew that just because Zhang went to Longyou for a walk and returned safely in the end, the Zhang family would not do anything to him who had Zhen Feng's thigh on his back.
Liu Liang's unscrupulous talk now caused an uproar among the people around him, and many people's expressions began to change drastically.
Even the concierge of Zhang Mansion came out to greet him and asked cautiously: "May I ask where the gentleman comes from? Do you have a name card?"
“No!” Liu Hanzi said crisply, “Just tell Mr. Zhang that a certain surname is Liu and that he came to the house a few days ago.”
When the concierge heard this, he took a closer look at Liu Hanzi and felt that this man seemed a bit familiar.
It’s just that there are so many people visiting these days, how can the concierge remember them all?
In addition, the Liu Liang in front of him was disheveled, and his body still faintly exuded the fishy smell unique to the barbarians, mixed with the sour smell of sweat, which was really unflattering.
Looking at the imposing man in front of him who claimed to be Liu, the concierge weighed it in his mind and finally said:
“Please wait a moment, Mr. Liu Langjun.”
Of the Langjuns surnamed Liu who have visited the house recently, Mr. Zhang was most impressed by only one, and that was the one with the same surname as the Emperor.
Zhang received the report from the concierge and immediately asked Liu Liang to be admitted to the mansion.
Thinking of the crowd outside the house again, he couldn't help but feel curious and asked tentatively:
“Your house seems to be quite lively today! I wonder if there is any happy event?”
"Liangzhou is in turmoil and the officials are uneasy. How can there be any joy?"
Before the servant leading the way could answer, another person's voice suddenly came from ahead.
Liu Liang looked up and saw that it was Zhang himself who came to the inner arch to greet him.
“I’ve met Mr. Zhang.”
“Liu Langjun please.”
Zhang led Liu Liang into a side room, served tea, and then continued:
“The two counties of Wuwei and Zhangye are in war, and news is cut off. Now rumors are spreading in Dunhuang and people’s hearts are floating. So the Dunhuang elders gathered in the front hall to discuss how to preserve Dunhuang.”
Liu Liang is not a fool. When he heard Zhang Jiu's words, he naturally knew that he was explaining on the surface, but in fact he was showing himself the capabilities of the Zhang family.
Just seeing Zhang say this, Liu Liang smiled.
Only those who are on the weak side need to show their strength.
Like myself, even if there are lice on my body, I don’t say anything, why don’t I still sit in Zhang’s mansion and face the Zhang family’s son face to face?
“Mr. Zhang, you and I are both sensible people. You know what I want to do when I come here today, and I also know that the Zhang family doesn’t have much choice.”
"Let me tell you straight. Although I am not from Liangzhou, I also know that most of the Wei troops in Liangzhou are gathered in Wuwei County. Now in Wuwei, there is no way forward and no retreat."
“If Jiuquan and Dunhuang counties were really able to save Wuwei, the elders of Dunhuang would not gather in the front hall of your mansion.”
“If Zhang Gong really wants to preserve Dunhuang and prevent his father and elders from suffering from the war, why not take this opportunity to return to the Han Dynasty?”
"If you hesitate a little and wait for the military power to lose, how can Master Zhang think that the two counties of Dunhuang and Jiuquan alone can stop the tens of thousands of elite soldiers of the Han Dynasty?"
Liu Liang originally thought that what he said was reasonable and well-founded. Moreover, the Zhang family was suppressed by Xu Miao in his early years, so he was afraid that he might have been swayed for a long time.
So even if you can't make the other party respond on the spot, you can at least make the other party's heart flutter.
Without thinking about it, his face was calm and he said slowly:
"Liu Langjun, my father has the final say on such important matters. If you tell me, it will be useless."
Liu Liang was startled: "May I ask where Mr. Zhang is now?"
“My father is ill and cannot see guests.”
After Liu Liang heard this, he was initially 70 or 80% sure, but suddenly he was 30% or 40% sure.
The Zhang family seems to have other plans?
As soon as he saw Zhang, he picked up the tea cup, blew the tea leaves gently, then put it down again and continued:
"I'm afraid Liu Langjun has neglected something. My father is the captain of Wuji School in the Western Regions, and he is in charge of the affairs of the Western Regions. How can he take charge of the affairs of Liangzhou?"
At this point, Zhang sighed again: "Otherwise, how could the Dunhuang elders have been debating in the mansion for almost three days and still not come up with a charter?"
After finishing speaking, Zhang stood up and cupped his hands: "I have to go to the front hall to greet you. I cannot stay with you for a long time. Please forgive me."
Then he called his servants and said, "Mr. Liu Lang is an honored guest in my house. You must serve him with all your heart and soul, and you must not slack off in the slightest."
Liu Liang didn't expect that this person would leave immediately, so he felt anxious.
Without the help of the Zhang family, the effectiveness of the Hu people's response to the army would have been greatly reduced, let alone the officials in Dunhuang.
He stood up immediately and shouted to Zhang who was about to step out of the threshold:
“Mr. Zhang, Feng Junhou has something to say to Mr. Zhang.”
Zhang Jiu, who had his back to Liu Liang, flashed a happy face and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He took a breath to calm his mind, and then turned around:
“I wonder if Feng Junhou has anything to say to Liu Langjun?”
Liu Liang was silent.
Zhang understood, and retreated, then closed the door. Then he sat down again and looked at Liu Liang: "You and I are the only ones here. Mr. Liu, please speak."
Liu Liang, who thought he could convince the Zhang family with his sharp tongue, couldn't help but feel a little frustrated:
You still have to lift up the support behind you in order to be able to suppress others!
But this thought only passed by for a moment, because the most important thing at the moment is what is in front of you.
"Feng Junhou once said: Liangzhou's powerful people may regard the Qiang and Hu as beasts and drive them like livestock, causing the Hu people to accumulate resentment and continue to rebel, affecting the people."
“Maybe for selfish reasons, he is willing to associate with the barbarians, forget his ancestors, abandon Chinese clothes, and be despised by others.”
"Only Duke Zhang, in the troubled times, tried his best to maintain peace, stop rebellions, connect the Western Regions, and pacify the barbarians. This is what a man does."
“If you are lucky enough to meet Mr. Zhang, it will be a life-long comfort.”
When Liu Liang said, "This is what a man did," Zhang was so shocked that he stood up and listened with his head down and his hands solemnly.
After Liu Liang finished speaking, Zhang suddenly raised his head, "Feng Junhou...really said this?!"
Looking at Zhang Jiu who couldn't contain his excitement, and then remembering how calm he had been to him just now, Liu Liang's lips twitched:
This Feng Tibi’s face is so impressive!
And this Zhang Jiu, has he forgotten that he suffered a big loss at the hands of others? Look at your face now, is it cool? Is that true?
"What's the use of deceiving Mr. Zhang at this time? Besides, I don't dare to deceive Mr. Zhang!"
Zhang Jiu's face became more joyful: "With Feng Junhou, the Zhang family has nothing to worry about! Liu Langjun please come!"
Liu Liang was stunned: "Ah? Where are you going?"
“I went to see my father.”
This...is done?
Liu Liang was unable to turn around for a while.
“Liu Langjun, please?”
Zhang saw that Liu Liang was not moving and urged him again.
Liu Liang finally reacted, and then glanced at Zhang Jiu with complicated eyes. At the same time, he said something in his heart: Damn! Pooh!
Zhang then led Liu Liang across the vestibule, through two arches, directly into the backyard of Zhang's house, and took him to the room where Zhang Gong was recovering from his illness:
“Sir, Liu Langjun is here.”
Liu Liang straightened his clothes, then stepped forward and saluted: "Junior Liu Liang, I have met Mr. Zhang."
Zhang Gong, who had received the news in advance, was half lying on the couch, looked at Liu Liang, smiled, and signaled: "Liu Langjun, please sit down."
“Thank you, Mr. Zhang.”
While sitting down, Liu Liang took the opportunity to secretly glance at Zhang Gong and found that his face was withered and sick.
Only those eyes were still shining, showing that the old man was still conscious.
Liu Liangliang couldn't help but feel a little worried. It was difficult for Mr. Zhang to stay in the hotel now. He wondered if he could really control the situation in Dunhuang?
Just as he was thinking this, Zhang Gong looked at Liu Liang with burning eyes:
“Although I have never met Junhou Feng, but I have just heard Liu Langjun’s words about Junhou Feng, it is like having nectar in my heart, and I feel like I have met a close friend in my life.”
"Now I only feel that seven or eight points of the illness in my body has gone away in one go. I would like to ask Liu Langjun to tell Feng Junhou: Zhang Gong is also eager to see Junhou and comfort him in his life."
Liu Liang hurriedly agreed, then thought about it and said in surprise: "Duke Zhang said, are you willing to respond to the Han Dynasty and welcome the king's master?"
Zhang Gong said calmly: "Liangzhou has been separated from Guan for several years, and people's hearts have gradually lost. Coupled with the battle at Xiaoguan, how can the mere land of Liangzhou stop the elite tigers and wolves?"
“It is really a blessing to the people of Dunhuang that Duke Zhang has such foresight!”
Zhang Gong leaned against the pillow and tried to make himself as comfortable as possible: "I dare to ask Liu Langjun, if the Zhang family devotes all its efforts to respond to the big man, what will be the benefits?"
Liu Liang said "Ah". He really didn't expect that Zhang Gong, who was well-known and admired in Xizhou, would say such words so unabashedly.
Zhang Gong, however, remained calm: "What we were talking about just now is state affairs, and now we are talking about family affairs. There is no conflict between the two now, right?"
“No conflict, no conflict!”
Liu Liang said quickly.
“I don’t have much time left, and I can’t worry about my descendants. I want to build some family inheritance for them. It doesn’t matter whether I want this face or not.”
Zhang Gong said slowly, "Feng Junhou's previous words made me willing to do state affairs, but I wonder if there are any other words that Liu Langjun should bring to me?"
Liu Liang finally felt at this time that the great reputation of the old man in front of him was indeed not obtained by luck.
(End of this chapter)