??Wang Chang got two temporary official positions before coming to Xu County from Guanzhong.
The identity of an envoy is naturally public. As a tribute envoy for the General Hussars of Guanzhong, he expressed congratulations and paid tribute gifts to the emperor Liu Xie. The other identity is a secret mission from Youwen Si.
Actually speaking, these two identities are superficial, because everyone knows that as an envoy, he is actually a sentinel to a certain extent.
Even though Fei Qian and Cao Cao are opposed to each other, on the surface they are still the same family.
Both sides built post houses specifically for entertaining envoys, to accommodate envoys like Wang Chang. And because there is such a special post house, many official documents and other documents from both sides are transmitted to each other through this post house.
This is somewhat similar to the embassy of later generations.
Of course, neither Fei Qian nor Cao Cao was so naive as to think that the other party would tell him everything honestly, so they collected information within the default range, which of course became the basis for the cooperation between the two sides. A potential job for an exchange within the country.
??As for Wang Chang and other things that are hidden under the identity matryoshka, it’s hard to say...
The weather these days has been extremely sunny.
?The sun was shining brightly and there was not a cloud in the sky, but this sunshine did not make everyone feel comfortable, especially those Cao soldiers who were monitoring Wang Chang and others outside the post house.
?Because the weather was clear, the visual distance was very far. These Cao soldiers only needed to stand far away on the high platform of the sentry tower to see the movement of the courtyard and gate of the posthouse in the distance.
Why surveillance? Why not just arrest him? "A soldier said impatiently, "Aren''t they enemies? Why go to all this trouble? 』
"You don''t understand this..." said an older soldier next to him, "This is called the envoy of two countries who are at war without killing each other..."
『The **** is not beheaded, who was the one who was beheaded last time? ” The young man was still a little unconvinced.
‘Who is that? Oh, you mean the one in Runan last time? ” The elder nodded and said, “Isn’t it clear that the two countries are at war? It''s a "country", so the last time the Yellow Turban bandits in Runan were considered a **** "country"? Hey, here it comes... people are here! Watch carefully and recognize the person! 』
?? I saw a group of cars arriving in front of the gate of the post house, and then a dozen people came out of the post house and went to the gate to greet Wang Chang.
Welcome the king’s envoy! "A middle-aged man in the lead led everyone in bowing hands and saluting.
??Wang Chang didn''t put on any airs, but quickly got out of the car, "Are you Chen Guanling?" 』
It is down there. ” Chen Bin, the commander of the post house, nodded.
??Wang Chang''s mind quickly recalled the files he had read in Chang''an...
Chen Bin.
?Chénliu people.
The face is white with three long beards and no scars.
?Due to his poor family, the young man traveled around Guanzhong with the caravan, and later entered the Shoushan Academy. After passing the examination, he got the job and was transferred to Xu County as the postmaster.
?Wang Chang bowed his hands to Chen Bin in greeting, and then Chen Bin introduced Wang Chang to other staff in the post house.
The files he saw in the Youwen Division came to Wang Chang''s mind one by one, and then his eyes touched a guard on the side, nodded slightly, smiled and showed humility to Chen Bin, and left. Entered the gate of the post house.
??This is specially used to entertain official figures from both sides, so there are not too many idlers. The inside of the post house is also relatively clean and tidy, with trees, shrubs, ground walkways, etc. I don’t know if it was cleaned on a daily basis or if it was a temporary general cleaning. Anyway, there is no debris or dirt.
??Chen Bin led Wang Chang inside. When he reached the main hall, he asked Wang Chang to take a seat again.
?Wang Chang invited Chen Bin to sit at the top table together, and the two of them showed humility again.
The people around him stood silently, either watching the show or comparing each other. Anyway, after Wang Chang and Chen Bin sat down together at the top, the rest of the people took their seats on the left and right.
??Chen Bin once again introduced to Wang Chang and others the staff and related facilities in the post house, and also generally described the current situation in Xu County. Wang Chang also introduced the people he brought with him, and then talked about the follow-up work arrangements. The simple meeting between the two parties ended. Everyone left one after another, and everyone was busy with their own affairs. He just stayed. Chen Bin and Wang Chang were in the hall.
“Tomorrow, people from Dongshang Shutai will come to visit the envoy Wang. There may be some sarcastic remarks... The envoy please don’t worry about it...” Chen Bingong cupped his hands and said, “If the envoy Wang has no other instructions...”
?Wang Chang was stunned for a moment, "Rice?" What''s the meaning? 』
Chen Bin said with a smile, "Most people in Shandong are arrogant and regard Guanzhong as Xirong, so... But the etiquette is still good, but the words may be a bit... Maybe this is also Shandong''s strategy, deliberately irritating, disrupting our position, and... I hope the envoy can understand and not fall into such a treacherous trick. 』
In fact, it was not only Cao Cao who treated Fei Qian''s envoys like this. In the history of the Three Kingdoms, it may be considered a tradition for envoys to ridicule each other. Zhang Wen had a debate with Qin Mi when he visited Shu. When Zhang sent envoys to Wu, he joked with Zhuge Jin about the title of the country. Some envoys even mocked the monarch in person. The ridicule was ridicule, or they deliberately provoked each other to test the opponent''s strength. To obtain more information, this can be regarded as an interesting phenomenon in the history of diplomatic relations between the three countries.
?Wang Chang nodded to express his understanding.
??Chen Bin paused for a moment, and then said to Wang Chang with a smile: "Wang is engaged in this, Guanzhong... everything is fine?" 』
??Wang Chang noticed the change in the name Chen Bin, and then he also noticed that Chen Bin seemed to be caressing the jade pendant around his waist intentionally or unintentionally. He couldn''t help but said with a little surprise: "Director Chen... Could it be..."
?? Chen Bin saw that Wang Chang''s eyes fell on the jade pendant, and his eyes were strange, so he took off the jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Wang Chang. Wang Chang took it and took a look. On the inside of the jade pendant, there were eight small characters engraved on it, "If you accept it, you will be a gentleman, and you will achieve great success." If you are an ordinary person, you will probably think it is a blessing sentence. After all, this sentence does have the meaning of blessing.
However, only those who know the Wen Division know that, except for those officials who are in public places, most of the other people who are active outside do not have the seals and ribbons of the Wen Division, but are similar to those produced by Chen Bin. Such small items.
For example, the jade pendant that Chen Bin took out is already a very obvious "hint". Perhaps it is because Wang Chang''s identity is relatively safe, or perhaps Chen Bin has received relevant instructions before, so he took out the relevant instructions. This jade pendant has the saying "A gentleman will achieve great success if he allows it".
There are also some more hidden artifacts, such as the sentence "The East is known for a moment", and some other sentences, which are relatively less straightforward. Basically, it is not the case for people within the Wen Department. Will know these codes too well.
?At the same time, these objects that represent status are not necessarily jade pendants, they may also be wood carvings, or embroidery on money bags, etc...
Before Wang Chang came to Xu County, he always thought that the so-called curator Chen Bin in the post house was just an ordinary clerk, not someone from the Wensi, and the one who looked a little deep The deputy director is also the commander of the guard, and the man named Chang Fang is from the Youwen Department. It turns out that Chen Bin is the real leader.
??Chen Bin said with a smile: "It''s just virtual and real." 』
Wang Chang suddenly realized. Indeed, if Chen Bin hadn''t proactively revealed his identity, even Wang Chang would have thought that Chen Bin was just a cover and the person covering Chang Fang. Who would have thought that Chang Fang, who often acted in secret, was actually a cover, while the real person in charge was upright. Wandering around?
After confirming each other''s identities, there seems to be a bit more intimacy between the two people.
??Chen Bin gave Wang Chang a brief introduction to the current situation in Xu County.
?Wang Chang nodded and suddenly asked: "What decision does the emperor...have now?" Is this Prime Minister Cao as domineering as the rumors say? 』
??Chen Bin smiled and said, "It''s not necessary to be domineering, but it''s true to be authoritarian." If you are engaged in a job where you can meet the emperor and have questions, you might as well be more careful..."
?Wang Chang nodded, "Well, thank you for reminding me, I will pay special attention to it." 』
"The words and deeds of people from Shandong, especially those from Yingchuan, are relatively different from those in Guanzhong. Since the king has come here, on the one hand, he represents the lord, and there must be no cowardice in his actions. On the other hand, On the one hand, we should not be too radical and make the situation worse... Wang Zheng must be clear about the appropriateness of this, so I won''t say more... In Yingchuan, everyone is not united. If Wang Zheng has something to do, he might as well Let’s start from this direction…』
?Wang Chang nodded, indicating that he was taught.
??Chen Bin talked about some more matters, and then said that he would prepare a welcome banquet for Wang Chang in the evening, and asked Wang Chang to rest first, and then left.
In the next few days, Wang Chang, with the help of Chen Bin, has been conducting a general inspection of the entire Yingchuan situation, the current political situation, economic development, military system, and the operation of the people''s economy. These inspections were mixed with attending banquets of various Yingchuan noble clans or celebrities, talking with these people, and exploring each other''s thoughts.
At the same time, Wang Chang was also received by Xun Yu. Xun Yu said that Cao Cao would arrive in Xu County in the near future and the celebration would be held as scheduled. He also asked Wang Chang if he had any needs and if he needed any additional subsidies.
?After Wang Chang’s observation, he had a deeper understanding of Xu County, or Yingchuan. Wang Chang would record these cognitions in detail every night...
Wang Chang felt that in Yingchuan, or Yuzhou, or even in the wider Shandong area, the vigor and enterprising spirit of the early Han Dynasty had been basically exhausted, and basically all the people in Shandong expressed their expectations. Peace, I hope that the chaos in the Han Dynasty will subside soon, but they don''t seem to have the courage to give up everything to fight for this kind of peace.
Such a situation made Wang Chang feel that the people in Shandong were very contradictory.
The people of Shandong seem to be very proud, which may also be called arrogance. They always express the glory of their ancestors, the inheritance of the family, the accumulation of history, etc. At the same time, they regard themselves as the orthodox Han Dynasty, and there are more remote areas in Guanzhong. , always upholding a condescending attitude, but behind this attitude, there is a trace of fear...
Many sons of the gentry, and even some ordinary people in Yingchuan, believed that the military actions against Xu County were treasonous and unthinkable. Of course, their thinking also had roots, whether it was Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, or Neither Fei Qian nor Fei Qian really attacked Xu County. Even if they were in danger for a while, they were "repulsed" in the end.
??They either attributed these victories to themselves or attributed them to the emperor''s role, but they did not attribute them to the soldiers and soldiers...
This is very strange, but it seems to be reasonable.
This psychological sense of security and self-absorption has weakened their sensitivity to changes in the outside world, making them mostly satisfied with the current situation and believing that this confrontation will continue. Some even think that it will be more effective in the future. Good for Shandong.
?This mentality may also be an important reason why they are unwilling to accept Cao Cao, or are unwilling to completely surrender to Cao Cao. After all, they are more proud of their "literary skills" rather than the "martial arts" that they have abandoned...
On this day, Wang Chang wore casual clothes and walked out of the post house with only a few guards and headed towards the market in Xu County. He was wearing an ordinary Gebu robe today. The color was almost similar to that worn by the guards around him. It was also the type of robe that ordinary people in Xu County often wore.
As soon as Wang Chang went out, he noticed two men dressed as farmers under the corner opposite the post house, following them from a distance. He knew that these two people were sent by the Cao family to monitor him, and he was not surprised at all. He continued to walk slowly along the street with his face as normal.
The tracking and monitoring of diplomatic envoys is almost a tacit behavior on both sides.
??These days, when Wang Chang attends banquets in Xu County, he often feels some eyes following him, no matter where he goes or who he talks to.
Come out of the post house and walk eastward. After passing three street intersections, you will arrive at the East City of Xu County. This is a market between the wealthy area and the civilian area of ??Xu County. To the north is the wealthy area. High-ranking officials and nobles all live in the north area. To the south of the market is the civilian area. Some craftsmen and Ordinary people live there, so the market is also polarized. On the one hand, there are expensive luxuries, exquisite utensils, expensive food, etc., and on the other hand, there are also cheap items. Rough and simple food.
?Wang Chang walked leisurely along the market. The closer he got to the market, the more pedestrians and traders came and went. The stalker behind him also followed not far away, not even trying to cover up his whereabouts.
· Under the premise that both parties know each other''s existence, the purpose of the tracker is no longer to secretly track the target, but to stick to the target unmistakably and prevent the target from conducting any intelligence transactions or secret activities. In other words, this type of stalker will not care whether they are discovered or not. The focus of their work is to follow the target closely and put pressure on them at all times. If they can influence the target''s actions, they can also discover some hidden clues, or The lurking personnel are naturally an extra bonus.
Very clumsy. Wang Chang commented secretly, feeling that these stalkers really had no technical skills at all, but he still carefully observed to see if anyone was deceiving him, creating some false and true tracking method, and deliberately using this kind of tracking method. Clumsy tracking methods made him relax his vigilance.
Wang Chang walked in and out of streets, alleys, and storefronts, wandering around, and then determined that there were indeed other traps. Not far behind the two clumsy stalkers, there were several people who looked like nobles. He looks like a disciple, but he is actually following Wang Chang. Sometimes when their eyes meet, he will turn his head subconsciously, pretending to look at the goods in the surrounding shops.
??Wang Chang smiled and continued to stroll around the market slowly. From time to time, he walked into the shop and seemed to be very interested in purchasing various items. The guards carried large and small bags...
"Something''s wrong, something''s wrong..." Behind Wang Chang, among the real stalkers hiding behind the two "farmers", an older man seemed to feel something strange, "Did you two notice anything?" Why do I feel like something is wrong? 』
What''s wrong? "The young man asked, "It seems like they just come to the market to buy things, and there doesn''t seem to be any problem? 』
The older man touched his beard and said, "Well...but I feel like something is wrong...wait a minute, how many people were there when they came out?" Five or six? 』
『Uh…it’s five, right? 』The young man hesitated.
Because Wang Chang and the guards wear similar robes, they are all ordinary Gebu robes. At the same time, there are many people in Xu County, Yingchuan, wearing the same color. If you don’t look at the front, just based on the back and clothes, you may not be able to tell. You can tell the obvious difference between Wang Chang''s people and Yingchuan people.
At the same time, it was the two unabashed "farmers" who were staring openly and openly in front of the post house. Then the second batch of followers followed the farmers a little further behind Wang Chang and others. position, so they were not very impressed with how many people Wang Chang left the post house with.
Go and ask, how many people came out? ” The old stalker was a little flustered. He instinctively felt that he might have missed someone, “Ask clearly! 』
Hearing this, the young man hurried forward for a while, not caring that he was exposed. When he caught up with the two "farmers", he asked a few questions in a low voice, and then came back with a somewhat unhappy expression to report: " One said it was five people, the other said it was six people... Damn it, they couldn''t even remember the number of people..."
『It’s broken...it must be six people! It must be! ” The old man stamped his feet angrily, “One is missing! One is missing! He must have left at a crowded street just now! It must be! 』
"Then we..." The young man was a little at a loss, "Then what should we do? Should we follow or look back?" 』
??The old man was silent for a long time, "No, maybe my eyesight is dazzled... Let''s just keep up... In fact, it may be five people, only five people..."
"ah? ” The young man was a little stunned.
The elder looked sideways and said, "I couldn''t count the number of people. It''s the responsibility of the people in front of me... It''s our responsibility for not following the people... Since the people in front of me told us there were five people, we followed the five people... Is there any problem?" 』
?The young man was silent for a moment, "No, no problem..."