Huan Rong

Murong Chong arrived in Xuyi for many days and entered Nancheng for the first time.

Different from the west city, the buildings in the south city are neat and uniform, overlooking the rows, separated by two steps from each other, and even the direction of the door opening is exactly the same.

Walking on the long street paved with stones, hearing the sound of horseshoes and seeing the soldiers patrolling the city, Murong Chong frowned, his heart sank continuously.

"Your Highness, those few are Qiang people."

The carriage passed by a team of soldiers, and some guards recognized the totems on the backs of their hands, and they couldn't help but whispered, "There are not many people in this department, but they are very brave. I used to be stationed in Yangping, and I recognize their totems."

"Qiang people?"

Murong Chong opened the car window and looked at the state soldiers passing by. It was a little far away and he couldn't distinguish the details of the totem. The only thing he could be sure of was that the Han people didn't have this habit. With such patterns on the arms and backs of hands, they were probably barbarians.

"Youzhou recruited Qiang soldiers?"

It's just that he is allowed to do business, but now he is recruited as a state soldier, which is really unexpected.

"Huan Rong."

Muttering two words, thinking of what he had seen recently, thinking of his uncle's advice, Murong Chong took a deep breath and told himself to calm down, but his mood was disturbed, his confidence was diminished, and he suddenly had some doubts about whether he could complete this mission No bottom.

Dian Kui led the way, but he didn't pay attention to the conversation behind him.

It is not a secret that Youzhou recruited Qiang soldiers. Everyone in the neighboring states and counties knows a little about it, and there is nothing to tell.

So what if Murong Chong knows?

Now Yan State is dead, Ke Zuhun's family is dead, and the whereabouts of Yan Lord is unknown.Murong Ping fled to Rouran, and Murong Chui and Murong De occupied Goguryeo. No matter which side, it did not border Jin.With the Qin family in the middle, going south to plunder is even more unthinkable.

At this moment, several parties started to fight, and the tussle continued for several months. There were many big battles and small battles. It was hard to say who would win and who would lose.Under such circumstances, Murong Chong arrived in Youzhou in secret, and he must have something to ask for, and more than [-]% dare not make a fool of himself.

If you dare, let alone run away whole, you won't even be able to get out of Nancheng!

The wheels creaked on the stone road.

After passing several rows of neat wooden houses and crossing two stone bridges, they finally arrived at the Assassin's Mansion.

Dian Kui got off his horse, strode up the stone steps, and explained a few words to the healthy servant waiting in front of the door.The latter nodded, turned around and rushed into the mansion.After a while, there was a sound of footsteps coming from inside the door, followed by a burst of clear laughter.

"The king of Zhongshan came from a long way, so let us welcome you from afar."

Accompanied by the words, a slender figure appeared behind the door.

Compared with the battlefield, his face is still handsome, but his stature is much taller.

It's jet-black in a bun, without a crown, but only a kudzu scarf.Dressed in a blue robe, with a jade belt tightly around her waist, a ring of jade is hanging down, carved into a double fish pattern, the end is extremely exquisite.

Murong Chong jumped off the carriage, surprised by Huan Rong's enthusiasm.First he was stunned for a moment, then he clasped his fists and said, "If you want to interrupt me, how has Mr. Huan been?"

Huan Rong smiled more cordially, stepped forward to hold Murong Chong's hand, and said: "Your Highness is concerned, Rong has always been good."

This trick was learned from the same envoy Xi Ci.

In order to show closeness, it doesn't matter whether you are familiar with it or not, just grasp it and don't let go.

Murong Chong's trip is for the market, even if he is not used to Huan Rong's enthusiasm, he has to grit his teeth and accept it, and he cannot turn his face in public.However, he couldn't practice enough, his cheeks trembled, and his smile was a bit forced.

Huan Cishi didn't take it seriously, and held his hand even tighter.

Sharpening the knife and preparing to slaughter the sheep, you should be kind before you cut the knife, so that the fat sheep will not be vigilant, realize that the trap is dug in front of him, and run away.

A cooked duck cannot fly, and a fat sheep that falls into the pot cannot escape!

Huan Rong pulled Murong Chong, smiling kindly, as if seeing an old friend.

If they didn't know the inside story, no one would have thought that before that, the two had only met once, and as far as the process was concerned, they were not very "friendly".

Back then, Murong Chong had been brought back to the Southland long ago if Sima Huan had taken him away.

Huan Rong felt resentful for a while, gritted his teeth with hatred for his scumbag father.

Thinking about it now, if Murong Chong hadn't escaped, probably nothing happened today, and he didn't even have to kill a fat sheep if he wanted to.

Every drink and peck, everything has a cause and effect.

For Huan Rong, things turned a corner, and the fruit is not bad.

The two walked into the mansion, the accompanying guards were a few steps behind, did not take off their sabers, and never left the state soldiers by their side.

"Your Highness, this way please."

Huan Rong personally led the way and invited Murong Chong to the guest room.

There are low couch futons in the room, six vertical screens are unfolded, auspicious beasts roar, auspicious clouds soar, and flowers, birds, insects and fish are lifelike.Standing against the wall is a wooden frame, on which there is a tripod incense burner, and new incense is burning in the frame, and the fragrance is now wafting.

After the two sat down, a servant immediately brought cakes and tea soup.

Compared with restaurants in the city, the pastries in Cishifu are more exquisite and taste better.

Murong Chong took one bite at a time, without any scruples, and quickly ate half of the plate.Youzhou is Huan Rong's territory, if you want to kill him, you can do it directly, there is no need to poison him.

Holding the lacquer cup in his hands, Huan Rong saw Murong flushing the chopsticks non-stop, eating extraordinarily happily, he couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly, and the smile lines around his mouth deepened.

With a plate of snacks, a plate of sprinkles, and two cups of tea soup to eat, Murong Chong put down the bamboo chopsticks, took the silk cloth from the servant, and wiped his mouth casually.

"Thank you for your hospitality."

"Your Highness is welcome."

"I have known the envoy for a long time, so it might be unfamiliar to call me that." Putting down the cloth towel, Murong Chong said with a smile, "If you don't mind, you can call me Feng Huang."

"Good!" Huan Rong clapped his hands and said, "Feng Huang can also call me to respect."

"Respect?"

"Rong has been crowned in advance, and the Lord of the family bestows words of respect."

Huan Rong explained with a smile, secretly thinking in his heart, since we haven't seen each other for several months, this one really has changed a lot.The plan of slaughtering fat sheep may not be as easy as imagined, and needs more care.

After using pastries and tea soup, Murong Chong coughed and got back to the topic, "A month ago a sea ship came to Jialuo, carrying iron utensils for food and goods."

Knowing that he couldn't get around the other party, Murong rushed straight to the point and directly proposed the goods he wanted to trade.

"Oh?" Huan Rong's smile didn't change, motioning for him to continue.

"The flag of Youzhou was hung on the boat, and the captain even said that he was ordered to go to sea by Jingdao." Murong Chong stared at Huan Rong, and said solemnly, "Yecheng was destroyed, my uncle and I were forced to move north, and we were exiled in Goguryeo. Survival was difficult. Now we meet with swords and soldiers again, the need is huge. If you respect the ironware in Daokeng, the price is negotiable."

Huan Rong didn't speak.

In fact, he was biting his cheek hard to avoid laughing out loud.

The ancient population was very talented, no matter the Han people or the Hu people.

Murong Chong's expression was sincere, but unfortunately there were not a few truths in his mouth.

Before Yecheng was destroyed, Murongchui had already led his troops northward.If he and Murong De and Murong Ping hadn't left Ye City one after another, leaving Ye City's defenses empty, even if the Qin Clan could break into the city, they would have to pay a considerable price.

Living in Goguryeo, the difficulty of survival is even more nonsense.

If the King of Goguryeo had known in the sky, he would probably jump out of the ground in anger and yell at his nephew and uncle Murong. Did he confound right and wrong, confuse right and wrong, and talk nonsense?Have it? !

But what the market says is true.

Huan Rong had previously traded cattle with Murong Chui, and he knew that the other party was neither short of money nor food, but lacked weapons.

Before the destruction of Wandu City, the Goguryeo people set fire to the weapon depots and grain depots, and destroyed a large number of weapons that could not be burned, and even threw them into the water.

After the Xianbei soldiers entered the city, they robbed countless gold and silver treasures, but there were very few weapons and armor.

If enough time is given, Murong Chui can summon artisans, manufacture weapons in large quantities, and arm the army.However, Murong Ping and Rouran marched into the army, determined to swallow him and Murong De.There was really no time to delay, so the dead horse could only be used as a live horse doctor, and Murong was sent south, hoping to buy weapons from Huan Rong.

Sarcasm is sarcasm, you have to do business when you come to your door.

Thinking of the overcrowded storeroom, the assassin Huan pondered in his mind how high the price should be to be worthy of the rice consumed for each meal.

Huan Shijun fell silent, and the smile on his face gradually disappeared.

Murong Chong's heart was pounding, unable to understand the other party's mind, he gritted his teeth and said: "Envoy Huan, Chong has something to say."

In a hurry, the address was changed accordingly, from "respecting Tao" to "shijun", which was a great sign of weakness.

"please say."

"Before Chong left, my uncle said that as long as the king is willing to buy armor and weapons, gold and silver are not a problem. Whatever we can do, let the king speak."

Huan Rong frowned.

What Murong Chui said?No matter how you look at it, it doesn't look like this person's style.Or is it that the situation is urgent and has to be done in this way?

"This matter, alas!"

Huan Rong deliberately sighed, put on a look of embarrassment, and said with a wry smile: "To tell you the truth, I invited you over to the mansion this time for the purpose of business. But, Rong originally thought that Fenghuang wanted to eat silk, but unexpectedly It's armor."

"As an official of the imperial court, Rong is in charge of peace. Ordinary goods are nothing more than weapons and armor. I dare not take them lightly. If others find out, not only will my official position be lost, I am afraid that I will be escorted to the capital and imprisoned."

If you want to charge a high price, you must have a foreshadowing.What's more, let the fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered understand that even though he holds a long knife in his hand and is ready to cut the flesh and let the blood out at any time, in the final analysis it is out of necessity, which is very embarrassing!

Murong Chong wanted to curl his lips.

Can't sell weapons?

Go cheating!

It really can't be sold on the market, what's the matter with the sea ship docked in Garo?

Huan Rong shrugged his shoulders, one size counts for one size, about this matter, Rong didn't know in advance.After knowing it, the ship was already sailing on the sea, and it would not come even if it wanted to be called, so it could only be let on.

However, those who dare to sell goods have been punished, and they are not allowed to go to sea for half a year!

"Envoy Huan, Chong sincerely wants to do this business." Murong Chong knew that Huan Rong was an excuse, so he had no choice but to lower his figure as much as possible and put on a more "sincere" attitude.

Whether he secretly gritted his teeth, only he himself knows.

Huan Rong sighed twice, wondering: "Feng Huang, it's not that I deliberately make things difficult, it's just that the matter is very important, and if there is a slight mistake, it will not end well."

"Don't worry, Jingdao, I swear to the gods that I will never reveal this matter."

Huan Rong still shook his head.

Murong was in a hurry, and asked directly how much benefit should be given, Huan Rong nodded in agreement.

After repeated blunt words, he was finally "moved" by Murong Chong's sincerity, and the assassin Huan began to let go.

"It's too obvious to sell weapons and armor in a separate market."

"What does Jingdao mean?"

"In the past few days since Feng Huang entered the city, he must have seen many caravans from the north."

Murong Chong nodded.

"Youzhou Fang City is prosperous, and everyone in the neighboring states and counties knows a thing or two. There are countless merchants who come and go in and out of the city every day. They buy silk and pearls and other things, and transport them to Beidi City for sale." Keep talking, waiting for the other person to respond.

After all, Murong Chong was not a fool, he knew the elegant meaning when he heard the string song, and immediately guessed the purpose of envoy Huan.

"Respectfully, when you go south this time, besides iron wares, you are also interested in white sugar silk and exquisite wooden wares." Murong Chong said earnestly.

It's convenient to talk to smart people.

Envoy Huan laughed.

The most important problem was solved. In the following time, the two had a friendly discussion on the quantity and price of the market goods.

The so-called one party is willing to kill, the other party stretches its neck to ask for the kill, the negotiation process is extremely smooth.

As long as he could buy weapons and armor, no matter how high the price was, Murong Chong would still not blink.

To put it bluntly, money is something outside the body, you can grab it after you use it up.That old thief Murong Ping has a lot of money, he is richer than Tao Wei, as long as he wins, he will have everything, no matter gold or silver.

If it is not enough, directly grab the Rouran Royal Court.

The dignified tribal leader, even if he lives in a tent, can find three melons and two dates if he rummages carefully.

The matter of gold and silver was settled, Huan Rong took advantage of the opportunity to propose another condition, Murong Chong frowned on the spot.

"A strong man?"

"Yes." Huan Rong nodded and said, "I heard that there are Han people in Goguryeo. If we can send them to Youzhou, we can increase the leather armor."

After a hundred years of war, the people in the Central Plains were displaced. Goguryeo and the northern tribes took the opportunity to plunder the border, and many Han family sons became sheep slaves.Murong Xianbei occupied Goguryeo and went to war with Murong Ping. In order to improve the chances of winning, it should not be a problem to release a group of sheep slaves.

If you don't have it in your hand, you can also grab it.

The Rouran tribe participating in the battle, as well as Shiwei who is swinging left and right, are good targets.

"What if the Chinese surname is not enough?"

"Rong has a salt field in his hands, and needs a large number of strong men." Huan Rong said indifferently, "If the surname is not Han, he can be sent to the salt field as a slave."

cruel?

The world is like this.

The longer you stay in this era, the harder your heart becomes.What's more, compared to the people of the Han family who became sheep slaves and might lose their lives at any time, he just guarded them and put them in Yancheng to work, which is considered kind.

Just like the few spies caught before, sent to the saltworks so far, except for losing their freedom, people still live well.

"I understand."

Huan Rong took the initiative to relax the conditions, and Murong Chong naturally would not refuse.

To him, apart from Murong Chui, even Murong De is an outsider, he doesn't care about life or death.What's more, the generals under Murong Ping will definitely meet one and kill the other, they are lucky to survive, it is their fate that they are sent to the south as slaves, no wonder others.

After the main conditions were settled, Huan Rong ordered people to invite Xun You and Jia Bing, and Murong Chui also summoned his accompanying counselors to discuss all the details face to face.

Due to special circumstances, the two parties did not write a contract.In order to ensure a smooth transaction, Murong Chong had to stay in Xuyi until the goods were delivered and the money was retrieved before he could go north and return to Goguryeo.

"Fenghuang stay at ease, and it is convenient to check each batch of goods. As for the delivery person, Rongzi will arrange it." Huan Rong said with a smile.

Keeping Murong Chong in Xuyi is far more guaranteed than a contract.In order to prevent Murong Chui from reneging on his debts and not collecting all the "payments", he will never let him go easily.

The reason is very simple, the nephew was ordered to go south, worked hard for him, and was detained in the south as a hostage, in exchange for a lot of weapons and armor, it can be said to be deeply affectionate.If he turned his face and denied it, and was so cold-blooded and ruthless that he allowed his nephew to die, the generals would be disappointed.

In order to fight for power, it is not uncommon for blood relatives to cut each other, which is completely understandable.

However, it is unavoidable to justify abandoning one's relatives clearly, or when the other party is doing things for oneself wholeheartedly.

Looking at Murong Chong who was sitting across from him, thinking about the upcoming gold, silver and population, Ambassador Huan was in a good mood, ordered someone to clean the guest room, and hosted a banquet to ensure that Murong Chong could live happily, smoothly and comfortably. It's good not to think about Shu.

After the banquet was over, watching the drunken Murong Chong being escorted away by the servants, Emissary Huan stretched his arms, regardless of his appearance, and stretched his waist vigorously.

Thinking about it carefully, in order to do business, he really worked hard.

However, the fat sheep has already entered the cage, and the next thing is to wait for the mutton to be put into the pot. The better days are not far away, and this "sacrifice" is always worth it.

The first year of Xian'an, December

Huan Cishi's business is in full swing, counting the money every day until his hands cramp.The employment problem in Yandu has been alleviated, and the total amount of goods produced has increased to a higher level.

In contrast, Jiankang and Gushu were not at all relaxed, and it would not be an exaggeration to describe them as jittery.

Sima Daofu held the emperor's golden seal in his hand, he was restless when he came back from Taicheng, he really hesitated a bit.In the end, he couldn't hold back and told his personal servant about this matter.It's just that the words were a little vague, and there was no mention of the golden seal, only that Sima Yu asked her to return to Gushu.

"Father is worried about chaos in Jiankang." Sima Daofu's eyes were black and black, and he had not been able to rest his head for two days, "I really don't know what to do."

"Your Highness, this is the official's kind heart." Aye persuaded softly, "Your Highness, don't let me down."

Sima Daofu clenched his fingers tightly.

"Should I go to my aunt?"

"Your Highness, there is a saying that I don't know if I should say it or not."

"Say!"

"In front of the Tai Chi Hall that day, I saw what the two princes were like, and I saw them all. I am worried for His Highness."

Thinking of the situation that day, Sima Daofu's expression changed.

"As the officials said, the Empress Dowager is unwilling to be lonely, and the two princes are going to Changle Palace. Jiankang fears that disaster will happen. If there is a day, the death of a slave is not a pity, lest I can't protect Your Highness!"

"I'm in the Huan Mansion..."

"Second Young Master is not here, Shi Zi and Third Young Master can't take care of themselves, how can they protect each other?"

Sima Daofu was silent.

"Furthermore, if His Highness is going to Guyou, if he cannot obtain the protection of Da Sima, he can also write to Youzhou." Aye said in a low voice.

"If you are worried that things will change, you can send the letter after leaving the city. With the order of the official and connected by blood, Princess Nankang will never stand idly by."

"Yes, you are right!" Sima Daofu's eyes suddenly lit up, and he stood up abruptly, clenched his hands tightly, his expression was full of excitement, mixed with a hint of madness.

"I want to write a letter to Auntie and tell Xiao Lang everything! Even if the throne is true as my father said... those two slaves will never get their wish!"

Sima Daofu's speech was so fast that Aye couldn't hear clearly, but he didn't open his mouth to ask. He just waited on the pen and ink, and when she calmed down, he wrote a letter with his own hand.