A debate contest in the midst of war sounds incredible, but if you understand it as a political and diplomatic gathering under the blessing of a great master, it becomes easy to understand. And on this basis, the spiritual practice system derived from the vitality of heaven and earth is vaguely

It is probably connected to some metaphysical things, so it is natural that the great masters, as the mortals closest to the nature of the world, want to take the opportunity to discuss some theoretical things.

The only problem is actually safety guarantee.

Back in reality, the situation is different in all aspects... People such as Xue Changxiong and Li Ding, although they are actually separatist, they still have an inertial political connection with the Wei Dynasty, so they are in the process of obtaining sponsors.

Apart from Zhang Bofeng's safety guarantee, he was not too worried about Cao Lin's attitude.

That is to say, Zhang Xing, the chief of the gang, and Bai Hengqiu, the British public servant, will feel guilty.

Therefore, Bai Hengqiu chose to avoid it - this seemed to verify a certain theory that the British Duke was actually not at the level of a great master. Otherwise, why would he be afraid of Cao Lin and not dare to come to the neutral place of Hongshan in Hebei?

Think about it, how could it be so easy for a Grandmaster?

The owner of the hut, Wei Shengji, had claimed a few years ago that he was about to become the twelfth Grand Master, but it turned out not to be the case until now. There are even rumors that the reason why Wei Shengji chose to accept the order to go north to fight against the Wu Clan army was because he was

Stuck in the realm, he took the initiative to enter the world and tried to use war, the most common means of escalation, to find opportunities.

Of course, this is a tangent. Back to Zhang Xing, after learning that the British minister would not attend the meeting and that Wang Huaiji was willing to participate in the guarantee, he was completely relieved from the perspective of personal safety, and others were also relieved.

But there is still a small episode.

That is, while the vast majority of people quickly voted and agreed that Zhang Xing would personally lead the team to participate in this rally, the deputy commander of Jiangling Xingtai and the left-behind internal affairs manager Chen Bin firmly opposed this... How should I say?

This is just a small episode, because now, everyone has gradually come to know Chen Bin’s personality. He is an extremely pragmatic, conservative and utilitarian person.

The mentality of Zhang Xing, Wei Xuanding, Xiong Bonan, including Cui Suchen, who are addicted to talking about politics, seeking recognition in front of others, and pursuing ideal display are worthless in this view. That is to say, Xie Minghe's diplomacy can have a little surface.

works, but is actually still useless.

However, this is only the objection of Chen Bin. The other big leaders in Hebei have already agreed, and Zhang Xing is also preparing to continue to participate in the meeting.

So far, according to various plans that were finally discussed, there is only one situation that will make them stop attending the meeting, that is, Cao Lin will not go to Hongshan after knowing that the British Duke refuses to go, and will take the opportunity to march into Wei County

, the trend of Wuyang.

Of course, this is a situation that needs to be observed. Just be prepared and take advantage of the situation.

And in fact, this scene did not happen. Even Zhang Bofeng noticed this and specifically conveyed the news to Zhang Xing through Li Dingxiang that Cao Lin would continue to attend the meeting.

So, early in the morning on the 24th of the first lunar month, the spring rain stopped and the south wind continued. Xu Shiying, Wang Shuyong, Jia Yue, Xu Shiren, and Niuda's five battalions of soldiers and horses had arrived in Weijun and Wu'an counties north of Qingzhang River in advance.

, at the junction of the three counties of Wuyang County, leaders Zhang Xing, Wei Xuanding, Xiong Bonan, Cui Suchen, Zhou Xingfan, Wang Xiongdan, Ma Wei, and Jia Runshi were escorted by a battalion of soldiers and horses to the west.

The mountains are advancing.

Hongshan is located in the middle of the mountains in the west of Hebei Province, stretching for hundreds of miles, spanning Xiangguo County, Wu'an County, and Wei County. Zhang Xing and his party first traveled westward in Wei County, and arrived at the southern end of Hongshan Mountain that night, and then set off.

Heading to the main line of Hongshan Mountain in Wu'an County in the north.

Among them, Wang Xiongdan led Zhang Xing's headquarters to stay directly at the foot of Hongshan at the border point to further serve as a support point. The escort who actually followed Zhang Xing and others along Hongshan into Wu'an County was only two to three hundred people, and there were also

There was a patrol of cavalry.

This is not worth mentioning in front of the eight thousand soldiers of Wu'an County in the two surrounding cities and one town at the foot of the main line of Hongshan Mountain.

It was the evening of the 24th when we arrived at the foot of the main mountain range of Hongshan Mountain. At this time, the sky was already dark. Looking at the camp at the foot of the mountain, the atmosphere in the town was quite peaceful. Zhou Xingfan, Cui Suchen and others went to eat and rest early, while Xie Minghe, Xiong

Bonan, Wei Xuanding and others had known each other for a long time, so they went to meet old friends early despite the dark sky. Even Zhang Xing directly asked Su Jingfang, who was escorting and guiding the way, to take him to see Li Ding.

When the two met this time, the atmosphere was much more casual. Zhang Shiniang was also present, so they had dinner together. After the meal, Zhang Sanlang kicked Zhang Shiniang away, saying that it was a rare meeting and he wanted to sleep with Li Silang.

Although Zhang Shiniang was not happy, she could not refuse, so she had no choice but to leave, and Li Si remained silent.

However, the two of them went to the back room and did not light the lamp. They only opened the windows and smelled the lingering fragrance brought by the spring breeze blowing the fallen flowers in the courtyard. They each sat on the couch, facing each other, but for a moment they didn't know what to say.

get up.

After a while, Zhang Xing looked away from the "Feng Juan Hua Fei" in the dusk outside and spoke first: "I heard that Luo Shu actually sent someone here too?"

"Yes." Li Ding came back to his senses and answered seriously. "Wei Wenda, the number one master in Youzhou, is here, but he is only a nominal leader. The one who can really speak the truth is his attendant Shibaqi.

Two confidants, Bai Xiangui and Zhang Gongshen."

Zhang Xing immediately said "Oh", as if he was not surprised.

"Cao Zhongcheng hasn't come yet, but he is the great master and will come as soon as he says he will." Li Ding continued, more like he was out of words. "Xue Changxiong is already here, just to the east in Handan, not here.

At the foot of the mountain; Old Master Zhang is in Wu'an County to the west. He has met many local people in the past few days; Wang Huaitong and Wang Huaji are also in Wu'an, accompanying Old Master Zhang; and Feng Wuyi and Feng Gong are also here, in this town.

...There are also a lot of other people here, a few prefects here, a few generals there, and the clan leaders of the Li family and the Lu family, they are all about the same...ordinary civilians, practitioners, second-rate and third-rate aristocrats.

When the disciples came to the tent, there were even more merchants, including many merchants."

"After all, there are two great masters, and there are three grand masters." Zhang Xing laughed and said. "Even in ordinary years, it is rare, let alone the current situation? Even if you don't dare to come, you have to send a spy, let alone

I told you what I really wanted to hear.”

"Don't belittle yourself." Li Ding paused and reminded seriously. "This is still the first month. In fact, it is your gang that attracts the most attention in Hebei. It is you who broke into the Liyang warehouse at the end of the year to release grain. Be it Cao Zhongcheng or Master Zhang.

The two great masters came to Hebei because of you, and they were all influenced by you everywhere else."

Zhang Xing nodded, proudly and proudly: "That's true, I'm deeply proud of it."

Li Ding was stuck for a moment - he originally intended to remind the other party that he was a loser, but in the end the other party was deeply proud of it. What else could he say?

On the other side, Chief Zhang was not in a hurry, but continued to speak slowly, as if he was pleased with himself: "To tell you the truth, after this incident, even within our gang, it was difficult to unite a lot...many people are a little bit

I have different ideas, but I am also willing to work hard first. Taking into consideration the current situation, the atmosphere is actually much better than before."

Li Ding thought for a while and immediately shook his head: "I believe that your gang suddenly united, but I'm afraid it's not just the opening of the warehouse to release grain, but also the sudden arrival of Uncle Cao Huang in Hebei... Isn't this the case with everyone? When in danger, he will

Stay together and disperse when there is no danger."

"That's right." Zhang Xing thought for a while, but couldn't refute it, so he nodded. "But the so-called tempering is here. After a few times, you have learned it through experience, and it may not break up."

"It must be iron, and it's not afraid of being hammered." Li Ding still shook his head. "And to put it bluntly, you haven't received this hammer yet. If it does come down, you are just clay and ceramics. Instead, you will be

Broken by one blow."

"There's nothing to say." Zhang Xing still smiled. "We can only look at the consequences of Hammer falling behind."

Seeing that the other party didn't care at all, Li Ding had nothing to say for a moment, and he was not stupid enough to say that he would not regret it after asking the other party.

"What about you?" Seeing the other party shut up, Chief Zhang immediately fought back.

"I?"

"Yes." Zhang Xing said jokingly. "Don't pretend to be stupid."

"Ever since you started putting grain out, my place has actually become meaningless." Li Ding said with a helpless smile. "You may be making iron or clay pots, but mine is destined to be just a pottery pot that cannot withstand a hammer.

"

Zhang Xing was slightly startled... He really didn't expect that even someone as proud as Li Ding would bow his head now, or at least admit his own shortcomings.

This is certainly a good sign.

"But don't think that this is the case." Li Ding naturally saw through the other party's mind, and continued to smile bitterly. "I am a clay pot here, which cannot withstand a hammer, but there is no guarantee that your gang is a red-hot iron that can withstand the hammer."

If you can hold the hammer, you can't pull it for a long time. When Cao Lin strikes hard after this time, all your help will be shattered... Besides, since our Wu'an place is a clay pot, the Grandmaster is the hammer.

But now that the hammer has fallen on the Red Mountain, I can only remain silent and wait until the Grand Master leaves before saying anything else. Before that, we can only do whatever the hammer says."

Of course Zhang Xing understood what the other party meant, so he was impulsive for a moment and wanted to push the other party and end the matter, but after thinking about it, he still suppressed it forcefully, but then asked with a smile: "How did it become so fast?

You were still aggrieved at Nangong Lake last year."

"It's not just me?" Li Ding took a deep breath. "After this winter and spring, it's time for other people to recognize the reality...Compared to your gang and the British public, the others are just making small fuss.

, it’s hard to become a climate.”

"So..." Zhang Xing was startled, as if he was proud of himself. "Doesn't it mean that our attack is actually the right thing? Or does the advantage outweigh the disadvantage?"

"So be it." Li Ding thought for a while and said seriously. "If you hadn't attacked Liyang and released the grain, you might still have a chance in the future, but in the end you would have lost an explanation. But now that you have attacked Liyang and released the grain,

You have won the hearts of the people and shocked the world, and you may even be beaten into a state of embarrassment by the Grand Master, but if you can survive this time, you are the masters of Hebei, and you will not ruin the overall situation just because of temporary military gains and losses."

Zhang Xing nodded, deeply convinced.

"Actually, you have to thank these two great masters." Li Ding continued. "Think about it, your Liyang grain release certainly shocked Hebei and made people look at you with suspicion. Even knowledgeable people thought that you had done nothing.

Hebei people's hearts, but uninformed people are only surprised by the commotion you caused. In this case, if it weren't for the great masters coming in droves, I'm afraid no one would know the benefits of your move, nor would they be able to truly understand this matter.

It's powerful... Only when people's hearts vibrate at the same time can things develop."

"That's right." Zhang Xing thought for a while and came to the answer seriously. "The Grand Master is the pinnacle of violence in the world. Compared with things like human heart, laws, etc., it is a simple general equivalent. Let everyone

It’s clear at once... But doesn’t this mean that our Li Yang’s act of releasing food is equivalent to the power of two great masters?”

Li Ding heard the other party's teasing and avoidance, but he relaxed a little and followed the other party's teasing: "There are three more grandmasters, so together they can be counted as three great masters."

Zhang Xing nodded, said nothing, and turned to look out the window. The wind was still blowing and the flowers were falling like rain, but this scenery was hidden in the night, and only those with higher cultivation levels could appreciate it.

Li Ding followed the other person and looked out the window again. He didn't say anything for a while, but his mind was scattered in all directions.

Since the two met in Taolinyi, and after some experiences, they felt like old friends at first sight. After returning to Dongdu, they often talked like this at night. At that time, the two of them were dormant people, with no redundant stance and no words to talk about.

Fear, it has always been the four emperors of dung and earth, the real dragon of dust, and the great master is just scraps.

Where can I be as desperate as I am now by a great master?

"Do you still remember what you said that day?" Li Ding suddenly asked after an unknown amount of time.
To be continued...