Chapter 2: Spitting Contest

In May of 884 AD, on the official road fifty li southwest of Bianzhou (modern-day Kaifeng)At this moment, the sound of drums and shrill suona horns came, Li Ke used raised his single eye and saw that the army had arrived under the city of Bianzhou. Many people were beating drums and gongs, apparently welcoming him. 。At the front of the Bian army, a general rode a tall black steed, his eyes scanning the scene with anticipation. 。This man is exactly Zhu San mentioned by Li Ke'yong, the Jiedushi (military governor) of Xuanwu Army, Zhu Wen. 。Upon first seeing Zhu Wen, people would immediately be struck by his two thick eyebrows that looked like upside-down "8"s. 。Indeed, the two eyebrows were quite peculiar and even eerie. They resembled two broomsticks, almost filling Zhu Wen's entire forehead, and even sweeping towards his temples. 。Those who disliked it called it a demonic appearance, grotesquely ugly. Flattering courtiers, however, said it was an auspicious face that would sweep across the world, invaluable and noble. Sun Simiao lived to 141 years old, and he had two such longevity eyebrows. 。Below those two inverted "eight" shaped eyebrows, there are two eyes that never stop rolling and twitching, as if to say the owner of these eyes is always restless and uncertain, or perhaps they will never trust anyone. 。Further down, the center of her face was marked by a large, prominent bulbous nose. However, her brow bone was unsteady, almost giving off the impression of soft, decaying flesh. 。Underneath his garlic nose, a thick black beard grew with unusual density. Each hair was as sharp and straight as a needle, piercing forward. 。Li Ke used didn't understand the art of face reading, but seeing Zhu Wen so ostentatiously welcoming him, a smile finally appeared on his face. Lightly tapping his snow-red horse with his legs, the horse started trotting towards the city gate. 。Under the city gate, Zhu Wen saw Li Kuang arrive and hurriedly greeted him with his generals, saying with a laugh: "Dear brother, wise brother! My foolish elder brother is sincerely welcoming Grand Marshal Li's arrival!" Li Kuang heard this and felt uncomfortable—he didn't even mention Wang Mang fighting to the death to save you Besides, he couldn't stand Zhu Wen's two thick eyebrows like brooms on his forehead, so he deliberately sighed and said: "I fought against Huang Chao, only to restore the country and seek peace for the people..." 。"Little did he know, along the way, he discovered that Brother Zhu's administration of Xuanwu Town was far from good. It can be said that the people's livelihood is withered! Brother Zhu, Li sees that you are not doing a very good job as an official!” After finishing speaking, he patted Zhou Dewei on the shoulder and said, "Yang Wu, is this true"

As soon as these words were uttered, both armies were taken aback. Especially the Shatuo army, they were completely at a loss: What's wrong with the Minister Meet and slap the host in the face As for the Bian Army side, those with violent tempers already had their hands on their swords, and their eyes were fixed on Zhu Wen, as if they would make this ignorant Shatuo brat bleed on the spot at a single command. " 。

Zhu Wen although didn't want to make a scene, but upon hearing Li Kuang use these words, he was also taken aback: "I don't know where my wise brother got this from"

Li Kuang waved his hand: "Along the way I saw, good farmland has become wasteland, there is a family of four, who starved to death in this wasteland!"

The military supervisor Chen Jingsi also spoke up: "This subordinate has also seen it with my own eyes, it's truly heart-wrenching, heartbreaking..."

The soldiers of Hedong recalled the tragic scenes they had witnessed on the road earlier, and they all lowered their heads. 。Zhu Wen observed Li Kuang's demeanor and facial expressions, sensing that his words were genuine. For a moment, he was at a loss for words. 。Ge Congzhou immediately chimed in, "My household official is newly arrived, naturally..."Zhu Wen's mind was as slippery as an eel. Before Li Kuang could refute, he had already devised a countermeasure of "retreating to advance." He immediately stopped Ge Congzhou and, using an extremely somber voice, said, "What my virtuous brother has said about the tragedy is indeed Zhu's fault in governing! Zhu does not dare shirk responsibility! However, today, I stand here before the fathers and elders of Bianzhou, and before the soldiers of Hedong. I guarantee that one year from now, if Bianzhou still has uncultivated land and starving people, Zhu will not wait for my virtuous brother to hold me accountable. I shall come here myself and accept the punishment of heavenly retribution!" He gestured with his hand toward the ground, indicating this as the future "site of heavenly retribution," while his eyes shone brightly, looking at Li Kuang with unwavering determination and sincerity. 。But in his heart, he thought: Want to have a verbal spar with Zhu You're too young!

Zhu Wen's eloquent speech and outstanding performance instantly elicited enthusiastic cheers from the people of Bianzhou. Even the soldiers of Xuanwu Army and Hedong Army couldn't help but cheer for him. After all, most soldiers came from farming families. Hearing that Zhu Shang was going to develop agriculture and care for the people, they naturally developed a liking for this "broom-haired" minister . 。Li Kuang was also speechless when blocked by Zhu Wen. 。Of course, the heavens and earth have already been condemned. You, a mere mortal, can your accusations be greater than the wrath of the godsSeeing that Si Kong was speechless and embarrassed, Zhou Dewi hastily bowed to Zhu Wen and said: "Zhu Shi's bold words are truly commendable, reaching the heavens themselves! I am in awe." 。Zhou Mo always had a habit: he not only listened to what people said, but also observed their actions! He wanted to see what the General would actually do. When everyone heard Zhou Dewei say those six words "listen to his words and observe his actions," they were indeed struck speechless. They all wondered how they could be so easily swayed by the official's flattering words! Although no one spoke, Zhu Wen clearly felt the military and civilians’ affection turning into a sense of watchful waiting. 。Suddenly, a fire ignited in my heart. The popular support and morale that I had so painstakingly built up were now being crushed by this black-faced brute. 。Though he was still polite on the surface:

"Brother Li Kuang, I don't know this General Zhou," Zhu Wen paused here, looked at Zhou Dewei's red robe stained with war dust, and smiled, "But could it be the famous Red Robe General Zhou Zhenyuan who is known throughout the nine states"

Li Kuang laughed: "Brother, you have sharp eyes, he is indeed Tie Linjun使Zhou Zhenyuan" 。"Zhu Wen nodded slightly, appearing calm on the surface, but in his mind he was thinking rapidly. Wasn't it just starving to death four commoners Even Li Ke use, a veteran general who has fought many battles with bloodstained hands, comes before me acting so sympathetic! Where is your compassion You are clearly speaking indirectly! Zhou Dewei is even more arrogant, wanting to "observe his actions"! Very well, I'll play along, let you have a good show!"He smiled faintly: “ Zhenyuan! You said you wanted to see how I would act Lao Shi! Take people to find that family of four and bury them properly!”The general Shi Cong clasped his hands and bowed. Zhou Dewei hurriedly said, "My lord has already buried them. Since there were no coffins in the army, they simply dug a deep pit and let the family rest in peace." 。Zhu Wen's face hardened: "This is unacceptable! The dead are paramount. How can we bury them hastily Lao Shi, go find some coffins and give this family a proper reburial!"

Shi Shuchong led several cavalrymen away in a cloud of dust.

Only then did Zhu Wen smile at Zhou Dewi and say, "Zhenyuan, what do you think of Zhu's conduct"

Zhu Wen probably hoped for praise from the other party, but Zhou Dewi instead said, "Although Dewi is just a rough man in the army, I have also heard the saying that 'a lavish funeral is inferior to frugal upbringing.'"

The dead are gone, but I hope that in the future the phase can take care of the people under his rule and prevent starvation from happening again. What else is there to say about virtue and power

Ge Congzhou felt that he should help the lord share his worries, so he chimed in and said, "Lord Zhenyuan's words are a bit too harsh! When my master first came to Xuanwu Town as phase, even if he had abundant resources, he still needed to cultivate and nurture the people gradually, step by step. It is impossible to achieve everything at once! My master has already promised that after many years, there will be no more starvation in Biandi.

Li Sicong has been entrenched in Taiyuan for more than a year. Could it be that Hedong is already prosperous and peaceful

Zhu Wen smiled and said: "Hedong is bitterly cold, and the deaths of commoners from freezing are probably unavoidable" 。

From Zhou's words, Ge turned the verbal sparring match into a battle on He Dong’s turf.

Zhu Wen was, of course, very clear about what his subordinates were thinking. So he used the great river to make a point. 。Li Ke used said, “Thanks for the reminder, brother. I was so busy dealing with demons and supporting the state that I didn’t pay enough attention to people’s livelihood.” 。Upon returning to Beijing this time, I will definitely devote myself to agriculture and live up to the expectations of the people. 。During the Tang Dynasty, there were three capitals: Xijing Chang'an, Dongdu Luoyang, and Beijng was Taiyuan. 。But Li Ku used did not say Taiyuan but said Beijing, implying that Taiyuan's status was far superior to Bianzhou. 。Similarly, my status is far above yours, Zhu Wen. 。

Ge Congzhou coldly smiled and said, "My family's prime minister said that there would be no starving corpses in the fields a year later. Li Sicong, dare you make such a promise"

Li Kuang was taken aback. This general really made it difficult for him.

He started wielding weapons at a young age, becoming a military officer at 13 and the leader of all troops at 15, earning the nickname "Flying Tiger". Even during his busy fifteen-year military career, he still found time to get married and have children. 。When it comes to warfare and killing, Li Ke used feared no one. But when it came to governing the people and managing affairs of state, such as teaching farming and cultivating crops, he thought it was nonsense. Today, he encountered a family of four starving by the roadside, which finally touched his heart of compassion. He is also an honest man, so he publicly blamed Zhu Wen for this. 。Unexpectedly, Ge used Zhou's spear to attack Zi's shield, turning Feihuzi into a mute. 。Other generals from Hebei, though they didn't believe Zhu Wen's promises, wouldn't have been able to boast about their future achievements a year later. These honest men were not good at making empty promises. 。Besides, even if they wanted to brag, it wouldn't be their turn. 。

Chen Jingshi, the military governor of Hedong, was quick-witted. He hurriedly added fuel to the fire: "Haha, the two generals, you are both pillars who fight bravely on horseback and protect the people when off it. Now, you are both vying for the well-being of the commoners, which is truly a blessing for our Tang Dynasty and the people!

Needless to say, after I meet your Excellency, I will certainly report truthfully the imposing manner of both marshals.

“If that’s the case, Zhu使相, would you allow me to return here a year from now with my personal cavalry”As soon as these words were spoken, the Bian army soldiers all glared angrily. Although vassal towns didn't have the same clear territorial sovereignty as a unified nation, the arrival of foreign troops in the capital of a vassal town was clearly a provocation! Furthermore, the one leading them was Xue Tieshan, commanding Li Kuang’s personal cavalry – implying a desire to trample upon Xuanwu Was this not an insult to Xuanwu, claiming it had no defendersUpon hearing Xue Tieshan's outrageous words, Zhou Dewi quickly tried to smooth things over: “Ah,使相, Iron Mountain’s intention is simply to see with his own eyes a year from now if this land truly has no barren areas and its people are starving.”Ge Congzhou retorted bluntly: "No need for the general of Zhenyuan to speak further! A year from now, Ge will also ride across Taihang, drink water from the Fen River, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Hedong!" If Xue Tieshan’s words only caused ambiguity, then Ge Congzhou's left no room for misinterpretation. 。The white-robed general, Shi Jingcun, urged his horse forward and shouted to Tong Mei, "If you wish to drink your fill of the Fen River, first ask my silver spear 'Mei Hua'!" Xue Tieshan also roared, "I have the Ghost Head Knife at my disposal!"Zhang Gui'ba, another great general of the Bian army, bellowed at the same time, "You think you have a better weapon with your spear My Tiger Courage Silver Spear is right here!"Both sides were composed of young and powerful warriors. Had they not been awaiting orders, someone would surely have spilled blood on the spot by now. 。Only then did Zhu Wen roar, "Silence!"

The generals of the Bian army glared resentfully before falling back. On the He East side, the generals ceased their argument after Li Kuang handed them a signal to halt.

Although they remained locked in a furious stare, the tension was palpable. 。Zhu Wen smiled faintly: "Young people have a big temper, younger brother, don't mind." 。Li Kexin hurriedly waved his hands: “You’re too kind. In fact, our two towns are far apart, like heaven and earth. We each guard one side of the country for the court.” 。Zhu Wen smiled and nodded, but fixed his gaze on Shi Jingcun and asked, "This one must be the white-robed general Shi Gongzu." 。My dear younger brother, with these two generals at your side, you truly are like a tiger adding wings! 。Li Ke smiled triumphantly: “Brother, don't let Miaoji and the others hear this.” 。Zhou Dewei also smiled and said, “ Miao Ji Lie, Yi Guang, De Huang a few are also alright, the main thing is not to let Shi San hear ” 。Zhu Wen feigned surprise, quickly saying: “You are absolutely right! I have long heard that your subordinates have thirteen valiant heroes known throughout the land.” 。"Well," he glanced at Zhou Dewei and asked, "I wonder what rank Zhou Dewei holds among the Thirteen Protectors" Zhou Dewei replied calmly, "Among the Thirteen Protectors, there is no one surnamed Zhou." 。"Zhu Wen was delighted in his heart, but on the surface he feigned surprise and asked, “Why is that Zhenyuan is both civil and military, yet he isn’t among the Thirteen Taibao Oh, my younger brother, elder brother should speak up for Zhenyuan!” 。"Ge Congzhou lightly frowned, thinking to himself that the phrase "making trouble for others" was too blatant and a bit premature." 。As expected, Li Ke said calmly: "The Thirteen Taibao are all my adopted sons. Zhenyuan is my brother, and our ranks don't allow it." 。Zhu Wen ran into a roadblock, but he didn't care at all, and laughed heartily: "I see, I see. My foolish brother doesn't understand the situation, so he spoke out of turn." 。He took another glance at the generals from Hebei, and asked again, "Well then, where are the Thirteen Taibao that Zhenyuan just mentioned"Li Ke saw Zhou Dewei, who bowed and said, "The Grand Commandant (Sīkōng) fears that the large army entering the city will cause unrest among the people, so he ordered Miao Qijie and the Thirteen Taibao to temporarily lead the army and encamp outside the city. 。

"Zhu Wen was taken aback. He also knew that Li Ke's army numbered 50,000 in total, while the city's entire force was less than 30,000. If the Shatuo soldiers marched into Bianzhou, they would easily turn the tables.

At this moment, Li Ke's rough voice boomed: "Brother, with my 80,000 to 90,000 troops entering Bianzhou, aren't you afraid that I'll raze your city to the ground If people starve to death later on, I fear you'll blame Li for it!" 。Zhu Wen thought to himself, "The Shatuo people aren't being honest either. I know very well that you are the 50,000 men" 。At that moment, he smiled and said, "Fortunately, my younger brother has considered everything. My elder brother has only heard the name of Li Cunxiao, one of the Thirteen Taibao, today. It is a pity that I have no chance to meet him." 。"Pointing at the military leader behind him, he said: "He's just like Ge Tongmei. His ancestor once held the post of Minister of War, and he himself is a remarkable hero. He wields a dazzling silver spear with a tiger head, making it dance like magic. He's both intelligent and brave, hence the nickname 'White Jade General'." 。Could it be that your fame has spread far and wide, even to the point where Li Cunxiao wouldn't come to meet you 。It's a pity, Tongmei. 。“Li Ke used saw this man was six feet three inches tall, quite imposing. He had fair skin, sword-like brows and tiger eyes. Unfortunately, he had a hooked nose, and Li Ke immediately disliked him.” 。Turning his head, he asked, "Yang Wu, do you know this man"

Zhou Dewei smiled. "Ge Tongmei is the leader of the Five Tigers General of the bandits. How could I not know him It is said that he is also proficient in military strategy and was appointed as the Grand Marshal of Military Affairs by the bandits." 。Li Ke understood, and smiled: "Then he must be a general who surrendered to Zhu Lao-xiong after the Battle of Wang Man-du." 。One sang the other followed, first cursing Huang Chao and then turning over Ge Cong Zhou’s past wrongdoings. Zhu Wen felt a knot in his chest, while Ge Cong Zhou was so angry that his teeth chattered, staring daggers at Li Kuang and Zhou Dewi. 。. 。This little rascal, he's got a big mouth. 。With no new thoughts coming to mind, Lin could relax and let out a breath. Perhaps, the little ghost was already gone.Isn't that right, it's been half a...