Chapter 2396 Large and small circles


    Taixing six years.


    The stars move, the sun and the moon shuttle.


    ·The fierce fighting and constant fighting between people seems to never end.


    Among them, the collision and integration of various circles are inevitable.


    bang! Boom! 』


    ??The small courtyard of Zuixian Tower was full of people, wearing long and short coats. In the venue, there was not a charming dancer, but a storyteller. The tambourine started beating, and the storyteller said with emotion, "Today I will tell you a story about the Zhao family who is corrupt and perverts the law, and colludes with big families to oppress good people..."


    The storyteller is talking.


    A scholar walked downstairs with a frown on his face.


    ??The people in the middle of the courtyard, following the storyteller’s narration, all started laughing. For them, although they cannot see a corrupt official fall with their own eyes, they can hear that a corrupt official was taken down and then led to the guillotine. Especially when the corrupt official falls from a high place, it will naturally cause these ordinary people to vent their emotions. .


    Zhao’s son, also has today! 』


    ?The storyteller banged the tambourine, like a war drum of conquest, causing everyone in the venue to cheer.


    ?The scholar walking in the corridor upstairs let out a long breath, then arrived at the door of a private room, slightly motioned to the guard standing at the door, and walked in. Behind him, there was a loud and noisy denunciation in the courtyard downstairs.


    Brother Zhao is here? 』


    "Come! Brother Zhao, drink, drink..."


    ?Several scholars in the elegant room greeted him.


    Brother Zhao also pretended not to care much, forced a smile, and bowed his hands to everyone. Others in the elegant room also smiled and responded to him.


    The fate of the Linjing Zhao family has been determined and cannot be changed. Whether these storytellers tell it or not, it actually doesn''t matter to the people of the Linjing Zhao family, because those who are killed are killed, and those who are caught are caught. , no matter how much these storytellers described it, the Zhao family in Linjing could no longer hear it.


    Even if I heard it, there would be nothing to say.


    But other people are different.


    ?For example, the Zhao family is not "Linjing".


    ?The sound of "Zhao''s Zhuzi" was like a thumping fan on their faces.


    ?For example, "Brother Zhao" just came in.


    『Brother Zhao』Zhao Jue is not too old and has not yet entered middle age, but he is relatively old in the elegant room. Just a little older, one or two years old at most.


    Of course, because he is older, he may not be able to be called brother. It is just because Zhao Jue had a good status in this circle before that he was called "Brother Zhao" by others. But now, obviously, some people think that He, Zhao, is not worthy of being called "brother".


    In the circle, whoever loses the right to speak loses everything.


    "What did you say…"


    『How…possible…』


    "whee…"


    There is also today...』


    ?This kind of rustling sound can be heard not only in the courtyard, but also in the elegant rooms.


    Zhao Jue’s forehead felt a little painful. He originally didn''t want to go out, nor did he want to come to this party, but the problem was that he could refuse once or twice, but he couldn''t refuse all the time. This is how it is in the mutual social circle of the noble family members. It is normal for them to be unable to participate temporarily. Everyone is sick or has some inconvenience. However, if a person does not participate for a long time, then this person will become very angry. He quickly disappeared from this circle...


    It takes a certain amount of effort to come back again after disappearing.


    What is the circle for?


    Exchange of benefits.


    Whether it''s news or materials, they are all interests. They exchange with each other. With a word, tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands can be exchanged. With those who dig in the soil, a big money There are two completely different concepts of saving a lot of money.


    So if it does not appear for a long time, then Zhao Jue’s original position, or Zhao Jue’s part of the market, will be divided up by other people.


    Brother Zhao...what''s wrong with you? "A person sitting near Zhao Jue asked with a faint smile and a face that seemed to be concerned.


    ??The people who were chatting, laughing and drinking among each other suddenly became quiet and exchanged glances with each other. They may not all have any special ill intentions towards Zhao Jue, but after all, this is the way the circle is. It is normal to chase the rise and kill the fall, to support the good and suppress the bad. Various situations have occurred in other families before. Is it possible that everyone should show mercy?


    Zhao Jue raised his head, put down the hand rubbing his forehead, and looked around slightly. His expression was somewhat complicated, and his mind seemed to be no longer in this elegant room. He seemed to be looking at the people in the elegant room, and seemed to be looking at the people in the elegant room. Looking at other places, "Haha... clever..."


    "Um? Brother Zhao...what are you..."


    "Haha..." Zhao Jue smiled, and then his face jumped, as if something was about to come out from under his face, and he tried very hard to control it, "...if I say, we all calculated and thought wrong. , everyone... I mean, everyone... has been calculated... calculated completely, what do you think? 』


    …" There was silence for a while, and no one answered.


    "Half a year ago, a year ago, think about it, you might as well think back for a moment..." Zhao Jue looked out the window and murmured, "Haha, haha, Linjing Zhao family is certainly the most ruthlessly calculated, but Where else? Hanzhong, Sichuan and Shu, and you and me..."


    『This…Brother Zhao means…』


    That’s what I mean. "Zhao Jue pointed out the window with his hand, pointing at the ordinary people who were listening to the storyteller in the courtyard, laughing and cursing at other times, "Look... everything is here... laid out on the table. Above all, they are placed before you and me! Play together and clear it all together! Haha, I just want to understand now... I just want to understand now..."


    ??Zhao Jue seemed to be a little uncontrollable. He raised the wine bowl on the table and said, "Heroes! Haha, respect Hussar! It’s just...it’s just a plan...』


    ??Zhao Jue raised his head to drink, while other people in the elegant room looked at each other. Some were slightly thoughtful, while others looked around blankly.


    Zhao Jue took a deep breath, finally raised his head and smiled. "I''m sorry, everyone, I lost my temper a little bit... Please forgive me..."


    ??The man near Zhao Jue quickly helped Zhao Jue refill the wine bowl, "Since Brother Zhao has gained something, why not... share it with my younger brother?" 』


    ??Zhao Jue turned his head slightly, looked at the person nearby, and then his eyes turned around again, "You... you didn''t think about it?" 』


    『Yes, please give me some advice from Brother Zhao...』


    “Ah, yes, please give me some advice, Brother Zhao!” 』


    『Brother Zhao, please give me some advice! 』


    The twitches and tremors under Zhao Jue''s face softened, and he smiled slightly, "Well... since you want to know, then Brother Yu will show his shame and barely say something... This hustle rider''s skills are far-sighted... No wonder the Linjing Zhao family fell. Destroy...Everyone, you might as well think about the time before last year when we planned..."


    …|●`|σ…


    Battle after battle and bloodshed again and again, thousands of people who originally lived in the land around Guangling were either robbed or relocated.


    Vacant and abandoned villages and towns exude a strange and lifeless atmosphere in the dusk.


    In the mountains and forests, there are occasionally traces of birds and animals.


    ??A squirrel stood on a branch at the edge of the forest, holding a nut in its arms, seeming to be gnawing on it, or looking at the villages left behind by humans.


    Grass and moss have spread inside the village...


    The two of them are the vanguard of nature.


    ?These circles that originally represented human beings will quickly deteriorate as soon as human activities disappear, and then once again become a paradise for various animals and plants in nature. Human beings themselves are still creating forbidden areas of life and consuming the territory opened by our ancestors.


    It is like the lower phase water connection.


    The territory is not large, but the disputes are not small.


    『Ahhhhhhh——』


    The crazy shouts gathered together, making everyone''s eardrums almost useless.


    The bright red color is at the feet, in the hands, in the eye sockets, and on all objects reflected in the pupils.


    The ladder leading up to the city was pushed forward in the madness, and then got caught on the lower city wall.


    The light of the sword and the light of blood flashed repeatedly at the top of the ladder. Jiang Dongbing pushed the ladder crazily, but the strings on the ladder were all Cao''s troops, like candied haws covered with ketchup, clinging to the city wall. It couldn''t be pushed at all.


    One of Cao''s soldiers stretched out his hand and climbed up on the battlement of Xiangxiang. Just as he was about to climb into the city, a flash of sword flashed out. Zhou Tai chopped off the hand of Cao''s soldier with one knife, and then kicked the soldier''s severed hand. Cao Jun kicked down the city.


    Where are the others! What about everyone else? ! 』


    Facing the captain next to him who had half his face covered in blood, Zhou Tai yelled with his eyes widened. Before the captain could answer, Zhou Tai had already rushed to the edge of the battlement and stuck his head out. Take a look.


    Xiaxiang Shuiguan''s defensive surface was not wide, and Cao''s army swarmed in.


    There are only so many people left! General! All the other brothers are dead! Cao Jun rushed up just now..." The captain, half of his face covered in blood, shouted from the side, "The forks are not enough! Beheaded by Cao Jun! And the rolling stone wood has also been used up...General, general! We need reinforcements! Reinforcements! 』


    Outside the city wall of Xiangxiang City, Cao Jun’s offensive was like a sea wave, one wave after another. However, inside Xiangxiang City, although there were still men, they did not dare to use them!


    Zhang Yu''s escape forced Zhou Tai to face an extremely bad situation.


    Either kill all the Guangling soldiers and laborers who surrendered, and then be forced to face Cao Jun''s counterattack with less than a thousand soldiers, or take the risk and let these Guangling soldiers and laborers assist, and at the same time be careful that it may happen at any time. The rebellion that arose…


    ??If you choose the first one, if no reinforcements arrive, it means that Zhou Tai may have to give up at any time, otherwise the Jiangdong soldiers with less than a thousand soldiers will definitely not be able to defend.


    If you choose the second one, there may be a risk of internal and external outbreaks at any time in the next phase. The more urgent the Cao army''s attack is, the more likely these Guangling troops will rebel.


    When Zhou Tai killed some of Guangling''s surrender troops, but still hesitated and did not kill them all, Cao''s army arrived.


    Zhou Tai captured the title of Prime Minister. This was his merit, but it also meant that it was his burden.


    Compared to the whole of Xuzhou, or Xiapi, Xiapi is a very small circle. Under normal circumstances, even taking a second look or paying attention to it for a moment would be a mistake, but at the moment, Zhou Tai couldn''t leave. Inescapable confinement!


    At this time, the defenders of the Jiangdong Army can be said to be the more elite soldiers in Jiangdong. Because they have received special care from Sun Quan, Zhou Tai is very concerned about the daily training of his private soldiers, as well as the soldiers'' weapons, food, and wages. They are relatively sufficient and have high morale. Facing Cao Jun''s attack, these Zhou Tai soldiers will not be timid and run away, but that''s it. After all, there are only so many people. As the casualties continue to increase, sooner or later they will Consumed.


    ?The defense of Xiangxiang City was not very good before. Even after Zhou Tai captured it, he spent a whole winter repairing it, and it was only upgraded from shabby to so-so.


    The city defense feels like it could collapse at any time.


    But it hasn’t collapsed after all…


    Zhou Tai didn''t know how long he could last. He just felt that the embarrassing situation in front of him seemed to be a sign very early on, but he didn''t think of it at that time.


    Even earlier than the appearance of Zhang Yu.


    Zhang Yu’s escape only accelerated this change…


    Fierce and turbulent shouts, blood and flames intertwined. Zhou Tai stood in the circle of Xia Xiang, nervous, worried and sad.


    …(╬￣俣)=○…


    ??If the Han Dynasty was a large circle, then Xu County would naturally be the core circle of this dynasty.


    In other words, it has been the core.


    ??And the core circle of Xu County is naturally not in Chongde Hall, but in the Shangshutai Building of the General''s Mansion.


    The hall inside the Shangshutai is spacious and bright.


    The furnishings inside are also elegant and elegant. The lacquered surface of the table is eye-catching, and the white-coated mat is soft and comfortable. Behind the screen and outside the window lintel, it was also quiet, and there was no appearance of a five-hundred-swordsman hiding there. However, Shen Yi still felt an invisible pressure, which seemed to be surrounding Shen Yi from all directions, with vigilant and scrutinizing gazes. Touching every hair on Shen Yi''s body and every expression.


    ?A stream of cold sweat broke out from Shen Yi''s head and body, then rolled down the back of his face and wet the Baimao seat.


    Shen Yi gritted her teeth, closed her lips tightly, lowered her head and held her head in her mouth. The knuckles of her hands folded inside her sleeves were a little white.


    Xun Yu is as immovable as a mountain.


    ?In the deathly silence, Xun Yu said slowly: "Shen Duanxing, what can you say?" 』


    The wide robe is large, and the virtuous crowns are flat and stable, so that the cricket looks solemn and solemn.


    Xun Yu looked at Shen Yi quietly with a calm expression.


    "Your Majesty..." Shen Yi saluted, and just after saying two words, he suddenly found that his voice was dry and hoarse as if it had been roasted by fire. He had to swallow a mouthful of saliva, and then he felt that his voice was a little better, " I, I don’t know what you mean by what you said..."


    Xun Yu nodded slightly, as if he saw a child trying to deny it. He was not very angry, but seemed a little ridiculous, "Shen Duanxing... As you said before, in order to know the hussar equipment, you can clearly understand the "Vulcan Stone" "Cannon" and asked to see..."


    Shen Yi was silent for a while, and then said: "Your Majesty...I have indeed seen the "Vulcan Stone Cannon" with my own eyes..."


    "I have seen..." Xun Yu nodded, "I know... I am proficient... They are all different. I wonder if Shen Duanxing takes it for granted?" 』


    …” Shen Yi didn’t know how to answer for a moment.


    ???If Shen Yi’s talk about the “Vulcan Stone Cannon” was all a lie, that’s definitely not the case. After the fall of Hanzhong and Nanzheng, the "Vulcan Stone Cannon" simply became a sharp knife hanging over the heads of the big indigenous families such as Hanzhong and Shangyong. How could it be possible to turn a blind eye and not understand it at all?


    To a certain extent, Shen Yi did have some understanding of the "Vulcan Stone Cannon", and Cao Jun also hoped to obtain relevant information. Shen Yi betrayed what he knew and then tried to help the Shen family get better treatment.


    Knowledge is priceless, but it can also be valuable.


    Is this kind of behavior considered deception? It seems to count, but it doesn''t seem to count.


    Because Shen Yi never said from the beginning to the end that he knew how to make it, nor did he say that he had production drawings. He just said that he would "try his best" and "exhaustively" the information about the Vulcan stone cannon to trade on one condition. , an identity that allows Shen to escape threats.


    To the southeast of Shangyong is Fangling, and next door to Fangling is Xiangyang.


    As long as they have a relationship with Cao Cao, the Shen family can continue to have both sides, and may even become a buffer area between the two families, just like the Yang family in the Heluo area...


    The Shen family does not expect to develop very powerfully, or to intervene in the dispute between Fei Qian and Cao Cao. They just want to preserve their territory around Shangyong. Is this wrong?


    ?But now everything seems to be understood by Xun Yu.


    ??When someone told Xun Yu that Shen Yi would have information about the "Vulcan Stone Cannon", Xun Yu was happy for a moment at first. After all, the Hussars General''s new weapons were originally the focus of Xun Yu''s attention, but after he actually met Shen Yi and after a few words, Xun Yu quickly understood that this guy was a fake.


    『Please forgive me! ” Shen Yi couldn’t stand it any longer and left the table to worship, “I, I did not intend to deceive your Majesty... I do not know the specific structure of the "Vulcan Stone Cannon", but I have also sent people and craftsmen from the Hussars Army to learn about the relevant matters. …』


    Xun Yu’s expression moved slightly, and then he stretched out his hand to signal Shen Yi to return to his seat.


    Just now, Xun Yu was indeed a little angry. After all, Xun Yu needed to deal with so many complicated things at the moment, and then Shen Yi pretended to be familiar with the Vulcan Stone Cannon in an attempt to deceive him. This made Xun Yu somewhat angry, but Shen Yi''s words just now made Xun Yu angry again. Got some new ideas.


    ?Perhaps this Shen Yi, or Shangyong Shenshi, can also be put to use?


    "What? Shen Yi''s eyes widened, "Your Majesty''s intention...could it be that you want to use the Shen family as your partner?" ! 』


    ??Although Shen Yi tried to use the information of "Vulcan Stone Cannon" in exchange, it can be said that he let it slip, did not mean it, etc., after all, what is said verbally and what is written on paper are different. If you really want to become a spy on Cao Cao''s side, you must exchange letters. If you are caught...


    Xun Yu smiled slightly and said, "It''s just an exchange of what we have and what we don''t have...just like now..."


    (End of this chapter)