Chapter 146 Guo Jia Impersonates Xun You

After some fooling around, the three of them sat down again.

Xi Zhicai pulled out a few strands of hair and said, "I really hope you two will stay. Look at me, it's only been two months and I've become what I am now."

Xun You looked at Xi Zhicai with sympathy.

Guo Jia said disdainfully: "Who can I blame for my lack of talent and knowledge? It's just a small Jiujiang County. How many people can it have?"

"Oh, you make it sound so easy." Xi Zhicai pointed to a pile of bamboo slips beside him and said, "That's one of the things I have to deal with today. You are so capable, come and help me deal with it."

Guo Jia picked up a bamboo scroll and read, "From Village 133 in Shouchun County, eighty-three people left, eighty-two returned, and one person is missing..."

Guo Jia immediately frowned and said, "Let the people below handle these trivial matters."

Xi Zhicai asked with a smile: "Let the people below handle it? Do you know how the people below should handle it?"

"If one person escapes, all the people involved will be punished and beheaded in public!"

"This kind of thing happens every day. Do we have to kill all the people below?"

Guo Jia could not help but ask, "What else? If we don't kill the chicken to scare the monkeys, everyone will follow suit, how can we govern?"

Xi Zhicai shook his head and pointed at Guo Jia, saying, "You are so radical in everything."

"That's not as good as you." Guo Jia retorted: "I usually live within my means and never borrow money from others."

Xi Zhicai had no idea how to describe this critical attack.

Xun You had to come out to smooth things over: "Okay, both of you, let's talk business."

This time, Xun You wanted to have a comprehensive understanding of Yangzhou and really needed Xi Zhicai's guidance.

Otherwise, you would be like a headless fly and would not be able to cover such a large area in a year.

Hearing Xun You's request, Xi Zhicai asked in surprise: "Gongda, tell me the truth, does Wen Ruo have any intention of joining the army?"

Guo Jia was also very interested in this matter. However, in his opinion, Xun You would definitely not tell him everything, as this was the final detail that even he had not asked out.

Unexpectedly, Xun You not only spoke out, but also explained in detail Xun Yu's worries and troubles.

"It should be so." Xi Zhicai sighed, "Wen Ruo has a heavy responsibility, it's not easy for us to come alone."

Guo Jia was very unhappy and said: "They are all excuses!"

Xun You and Xi Zhicai just thought it was a child throwing a tantrum and ignored it.

Xi Zhicai was only 29 years old and Xun You was 34 years old. They were indeed a generation apart from Guo Jia, so it was normal to have such thoughts.

But Guo Jia became even more upset, and an idea of ​​playing a prank came to his mind.

Although Xun You gave Xun Yu's answer, Xi Zhicai still asked expectantly: "Gongda, what do you think?"

Since Xun Yu couldn't get it, Xi Zhicai would definitely not hesitate if he could help his lord get Xun You and Guo Jia.

In fact, Xi Zhicai was also very conflicted inside. He didn't want his good friend to suffer, nor did he want to disappoint his lord. It was difficult to be both loyal and righteous.

Faced with the inquiry, Xun You did not answer directly, but said: "I need to know Jin Yangzhou's ambitions before I can answer your question."

"What is the lord's ambition?" Xi Zhicai carefully recalled the past, but was shocked to find that Mao Jinmao had never mentioned this matter.

Xi Zhicai said helplessly: "I can't help you with this question, Gongda should ask the lord himself."

Suddenly, Guo Jia seized on Xi Zhicai's weakness and shouted, "You are so good, Xi Zhicai!"

"Selling out friends for glory!"

Xi Zhicai was caught in a dilemma and finally could only sigh.

Xun You patted Xi Zhicai's shoulder with understanding. The two looked at each other, understood each other's eyes, and couldn't help but feel a sense of mutual sympathy.

This made Guo Jia feel sick: "I'm hungry, Xi Zhicai, is this how you treat your friends?"

The sumptuous lunch lasted until the evening.

During this period, Guo Jia always seemed very dissatisfied, asking for wine and drugs.

Xi Zhicai explained seriously: "Alcohol is prohibited in the army. Drinking during the ban period will result in death."

Then he advised: "Fengxiao, Wu Shi San has serious side effects, you should take less."

"Look at me. Ever since I gave up taking Wu Shi San, my waist and legs no longer hurt. I don't even feel tired after handling this busy official business for a whole day."

"Even if she's a beauty, hehe..."

Guo Jia's eyes lit up and he asked, "Where is the beauty?"

Xi Zhicai wanted to slap himself twice. Why did he talk so much? He was having fun at his own expense.

Jinmao does not control the daily life of its management team so strictly. As long as they spend their own money and do not commit any crime or disturb others, they can do whatever they want.

Therefore, the more developed entertainment industry in Yangzhou is brothels and related industries, and most of the industries here are assets in which Jinmao has invested.

If you don’t make money, you’re a bastard!
Based on the experience of later generations, the entertainment industry in Yangzhou is diverse, and if one lacks beauty, one must make up for it with talent, which is a true reflection of the situation.

The charges range from high to low, so that officials can afford it while soldiers cannot. Even wealthy people and gentry can afford it.

Even at the same time that Jiujiang County was developing military farms, its entertainment industry began to expand, focusing on keeping up with the times.

Xi Zhicai naturally had to use high-quality food to entertain his good friends, and this meal would probably cost more than a year's salary.

Fortunately, he hasn't spent much in recent years and can afford it.

Xi Zhicai sent people to invite the courtesan of Shouchun County and several golden flowers to perform.

At first, Guo Jia looked at the courtesan with disdain, which was completely incomparable to the one in Yingchuan County. Then, the courtesan showed her charming side, and Guo Jia's attitude changed 180 degrees. He not only wanted to monopolize the courtesan, but also took away all the golden flowers.

Xi Zhicai couldn't bear it, so he forcibly left a golden flower and gave it to Xun You.

"Zhicai, what about you?" Xun You declined, "I don't need it."

Xi Zhicai said firmly: "Why are you being polite to me? Just enjoy it!"

Guo Jia was about to leave with women on his left and right, but when he heard this, he couldn't help but turn around and sneer: "Oh, I didn't expect Zhicai to be a saint. He doesn't even touch women. I admire you!"

Xi Zhicai smiled but said nothing.

At this time, the courtesan said coquettishly: "My dear, you don't know that the military advisor despises ordinary women like us. He is waiting for the governor to grant him marriage."

Grant marriage!

Guo Jia was no longer anxious, and Xun You was even less anxious. They all looked at Xi Zhicai curiously and said, "Tell me quickly! Tell me quickly!"

"Nothing." Xi Zhicai said complacently: "My lord wants to marry my younger sister to me as his legal wife. I have already seen her. She is definitely the most beautiful one in the Jin family!"

"She knows a little bit about music, chess, calligraphy and painting. Most importantly, she is the legitimate daughter of the lord's uncle!"

At this moment, Guo Jia felt that the girl in his arms was no longer attractive, and said sourly: "What's there to be proud of? She is just the daughter of a small family. I will marry the daughter of a rich family in the future!"

Even the courtesan could not compare to its sour taste.

Everyone knows that Jinmao's rapid rise to prominence is just around the corner, and that current weakness does not represent the future. He even betrothed his close friend to Xi Zhicai, showing how much he values ​​him!

Xun You was sincerely happy for his friend and left with his female companion. Guo Jia was so angry that he hugged the courtesan and others to vent his anger.

Only Xi Zhicai was left drinking tea alone, muttering to himself, "Otherwise, how could I turn back from prodigal son?"

...

Guo Jia and Xun You played in Shouchun County for another day, and Xi Zhicai had to urge them to set off quickly.

Jinmao is already on the way and will soon arrive. By then, I won’t be able to leave even if I want to.

Xun You had already obtained the travel route and had no objection to it, but Guo Jia had his own ideas.

After departure.

Guo Jia and Xun You had a disagreement. The point of their argument was whether or not to cross the river to the west to Lujiang County to avoid Jinmao heading north.

Guo Jia thought it was totally unnecessary, so he just wanted to go south to see what Jin Mao looked like, and even wanted to pretend to be someone else to make friends with Jin Mao.

Xun You disagreed. He thought that this was just walking into trouble and wasting Xi Zhicai's good intentions.

In the end, Guo Jia had no money and no guards, so his objection was futile and he had no choice but to follow Xun You.

However, Guo Jia did not give in. He used various excuses to seriously slow down Xun You's progress.

Xun You could naturally see through Guo Jia's intention, but he was not as decisive as Xun Yu, nor did he want to destroy his friendship with Guo Jia, so he could only let it go.

this day.

Guo Jia and others were waiting for boats at Wabu Lake to head to Lujiang County opposite.

It took three days to travel sixty miles. It can only be said that Guo Jia was too hardworking and Xun You was too good-tempered.

suddenly!

Guo Jia saw a large number of ships appearing on the lake in the east, including Mengchong warships.

He knew that this must be Jinmao's navy.

"The navy is heading north, and Jin Yangzhou is also heading north."

Guo Jia was immediately certain that Jin Mao was among the navy. His eyes rolled and a plan came to his mind.

While Xun You was out looking for a boat and was not present, Guo Jia falsely gave an order, ordering Xun's private soldiers to train on the spot.

"Haven't you eaten yet?" Guo Jia shouted as he inspected the scene, "Momentum! Shout out your momentum!"

Although the Xun family's private soldiers were confused, they still did as they were told. The shouts and screams became louder and the noise became more and more serious.

Sure enough, the navy noticed the movement here and sent some ships to check.

"Who are you?"

The person who came was Zhou Tai. After the last siege, Jin Mao first gave him a full-on package, and then, at the request of the generals, he included the merit of breaking the city in his list.

Now Zhou Tai has recovered from his injuries and returned to the team, barely serving as a scout leader, but he does not regret it. He would do the same thing again, because at that moment, he found the value of life.

Guo Jia originally wanted to impersonate his cousin Guo Tu, but then he changed his mind and thought, as Guo Tu was a direct descendant of the Guo family, how could he be mixed up with the private soldiers of the Xun family.

Guo Jia simply pretended to be Xun You and said, "I am Xun You, Xun Gongda from Yingchuan County, and I am honored to meet the Captain."

Zhou Tai waved his hand and said, "I am not a captain, just a small naval scout leader."

"You are from Yingchuan? Your name is Xun You?"

Zhou Tai had never been in the circle of scholars and did not know the fame of the Xun family of Yingchuan. However, Jin Mao would occasionally mention the Xun family of Yingchuan to his subordinates, and Zhou Tai was no exception. He knew that Jin Mao attached great importance to the Xun family of Yingchuan.

"Sir, please wait here." Zhou Tai clasped his fists and said, "I will report to the lord right away. The lord values ​​you very much. Please do me the honor."

Guo Jia regretted it. He didn’t expect Jin Mao would attach so much importance to Xun family. He must know everyone in Xun family very well. Can he still pretend?

When Guo Jia thought about the embarrassing situation after being found out, he didn't know how to end it.

(End of this chapter)