Chapter 178: Longtan and tiger's den, sweep the couch to welcome each other
The cities of Chang'an are a fertile wilderness between mountains and rivers. There are Xiongguan guarding the west and four cities in the east, which can serve as barriers.
Because they all belonged to Tongzhou Prefecture before the corpse transformation, these four cities were collectively called the Four Cities of Tongzhou, namely Tongchuan, Luoxi, Changxin, and Bonan.
Ever since the news of the army of zombies attacking the city came, people in all cities in Chang'an have been panicked. After the initial burst of looting, the business of market vendors has dropped a lot, and street shops have no intention of operating. There are few pedestrians.
In the four eastern cities, all the high-profile households have closed their doors to thank customers, leaving a deserted appearance.
But in fact, the residence of the Chen family, the richest people in Bonan City, has been quite lively in recent times.
Guests often dress simply and come through the back door regardless of their status to visit Chen Fan, the head of the Chen family.
“Recently, the people under King Takeru have noticed rumors circulating in the city and signs of uneasiness among people. They have found us people and hope that all the shops under our names will reopen, set an example, and call on the public. ,appease "
In the living room of the Chen family, a group of people were sitting. They were all middle-aged men wearing soft-footed turbans and narrow-sleeved round-neck robes. Some were holding tea cups, and some were holding tea cups. He was playing with the jade pendant in his hand, each thinking a little anxiously.
“Their words are very harsh and their attitude is very tough. They seem to be very confident about the war on the front line. Should we put the planning aside for a while and then inquire more about the battlefield in the west? News from the side?”
"I sent my family members to the west to investigate. The zombie army attacked the city several times, but they were all repulsed. On the contrary, King Wu De also sent some elite soldiers to search and spy outside the city. The situation is very good..."< br>
“This is wrong. King Wu De and the others can hold on now because of the Burning Sky Treasure Jade. However, there are only a few Burning Sky Treasure Jade in Prince Wu De’s palace. Jade, the army of living corpses is endless. After killing so many times, every time they attack the city, there will only be more than the last time. "
These people usually have a lot of money! , the power is not small, they shout in front and back when going in and out, and they behave calmly. Now, when it really involves their wealth and life, they gather together, talk in various directions, and their attitudes are vacillating and indecisive.
Chen Fan has bright eyes, thin cheeks, and a long white beard. He looks very knowledgeable and wise. His neatly manicured nails are lightly tapping on the table next to him.
Tuk!
When everyone heard the sound, they all turned to look at Chen Fan.
"Everyone, what was our original plan?"
Chen Fan spoke slowly, asking and answering questions, "Spreading so much news overtly and secretly to encourage everyone to leave the city , because nowadays the war is fierce and dangerous, and no one knows how many living corpses are coming from the northwest. If only one or two families escape from the city, Even if there are hundreds of servant guards, they may not be able to guarantee their own safety."
"So we need a large number of people to go out of the city together as our barrier. Even if something bad happens, as long as we can run away. It’s enough to be faster than the common people.”
The people here felt a little embarrassed when they heard what he said so straightforwardly.
Someone coughed lightly and said: "My family also sincerely wants to lead the people to escape together. It is really dangerous to stay in the city now. If we can successfully escape across the Yellow River, we can even go along the river and escape to the coast of the Bohai Sea. We can advance or retreat." It’s much safer if you have more margin.”
"Exactly!"
Someone else echoed, "Even if we can't take everyone away, as long as there are enough people out of the city, there will always be a few who can go with us to the end. If we arrive If it weren't for us to help them show the way, those ordinary people would The common people left the city and couldn't even identify the direction."
Chen Fan chuckled and said, "Look, don't you all understand that what we are going to do is both public and private. , it is beneficial to the small family and everyone.”
"Getting everyone out of the city and escaping as soon as possible is our only way to survive. At this time, King Wu De's subordinates are coming to stop us, and they want us to do the opposite and appease the people. You say, they are What are you thinking?”
Someone sighed: "Why doesn't King Wu De agree to arrange for everyone to evacuate? We all know that this is the way to survive, can't they see it?"
"The bigger the family fortune, the harder it is to give up, and the harder it is to save. Have a sense of luck.”
Chen Fan sneered, "King Wu De wants us to appease the people, just to rely on our rear to support those fighting on the front. I'm afraid he regards all of us as his private property. How can he give up until he is truly defeated?" Family property? ”
"Even if we are really defeated, with his martial arts and his elite soldiers, his group will definitely be the fastest to escape. When the time comes, we lose the opportunity to escape and we will become the backstop."
< br>Chen Fan let out a long sigh and spoke sincerely. He said, "Everyone, King Wu De and the others have more opportunities than we do. If we don't run away now, we can run away later. But we only have such a small window of opportunity. If we hesitate and miss it, we will lose a lot." , too late to regret it.”
"That's all I have to say. If you are still planning to suspend planning or withdraw from our circle, I will not force you to stay. I just have one thing. Please do not leak our affairs to those who withdraw."
Everyone looked at each other with firm expressions.
"Don't worry, Mr. Chen, we are not blind people. We can see where the real way out is and we will never quit!"
"Yes, we I will never quit, and I will continue to send people to spread the news among the markets."
"I will tell my family to do it more secretly, more frequently, and to increase the heat faster, and get out of the city in one fell swoop. ! ”
Everyone stood up one after another and said goodbye to Chen Fan.
Chen Fan had a look of relief on his face and gave gifts one by one. From time to time he would hold the hand of someone and give gentle instructions.
After everyone left, Chen Fan stood outside the living room, stroking his beard and murmuring: "They are all good people. I wish there were people like you in the world."
"Hehehe, such a person is certainly easy to control, But it would be a bit boring if the whole world was filled with such short-sighted people.”
A deep voice reached Chen Fan’s ears from the backyard, and only he could hear it. None of the surrounding servants reacted.
Chen Fan walked around the living room, followed the corridor, and walked to the backyard.
His backyard is not extravagant, but it is built very smoky.
Garden with plum trees, octagonal pavilion, stone tables and benches.
On the gravel path outside the pavilion, you can place an oven to warm wine and barbecue.
The tile eaves beside the wall were expanded two feet into the wall during construction, forming a sandy area at the base of the wall to protect against rain. More than 20 black ceramic pots were placed along the base of the wall. The wine jar is sealed with red cloth and tied tightly.
At this moment, sitting in the pavilion, a middle-aged man in a gray gown with gray hair and a lazy temperament, with fair skin but green nails, was sitting there, tasting warm deer blood wine.
"Brother Bai is here again, he is so elusive."
Chen Fan stepped forward, sat in the pavilion, and said, "Brother Bai must have been in the city recently. You also know that our affairs are going smoothly."
Bai Zhongtuo smiled and said: "Indeed, I never thought that these people could be easily fooled by your statement, and they wanted to take advantage of the civilians in the city. To act as a barrier and encourage civilians to flee out of the city together, we can’t even use the other methods of building momentum and inducement.”
“They are all local snakes operating between cities in Chang’an. , you don’t need to go out to do business. When encountering big events, you will be too afraid of certain things in the outside world, and you will be too optimistic in some places, so it is especially easy to handle.”
Chen Fan picked up the jug, poured himself a glass, and explained, "But for those who dared to travel with the caravan in the past years, I spent a lot of painstaking efforts, secretly classified them into categories, and prescribed the right medicine to make them think they had an advantage. Take the initiative to leave the city first to avoid bad things if you stay in the city."
"Of course, this is the case. Human-like carriages, horses, and ships also have some inconspicuous problems, and probably no one can reach their destination."
Bai Zhongtuo nodded and said: "That's it, these local snakes, although they are invisible to the outside world. I don’t know, but because I focus on running local industries, I have more ways to spread rumors and it’s more difficult. Being suppressed. Brother Chen has indeed worked hard, and our Bai Palace will never forget this achievement.”
“However, Du Yuanzhen was able to create the method of refining the Burning Sky Baoyu, and Du Wentong was also very skillful. , although the battlefield to the west has already restrained their minds, when the people here came out of the city in large numbers, there were still some We may respond in time and mobilize manpower to suppress the situation."
Bai Zhongtuo drank the deer blood wine and smiled softly, "So, it is best if we can blend in among the people amid the chaos in the city. Make a surprise attack and kill the masters mobilized from Chang'an, defeating this important force."
Chen Fan's face changed slightly and he said: "If we want to attack Princess Yuanzhen, I'm afraid we don't have the strength."
"Don't say it's you. Even our Prince Bai's Mansion may not have been able to attack Princess Yuanzhen in the west." Apart from facing the battlefield, how many people will be allocated, but it is different now."
Bai Zhongtuo looked excited, "Have you ever heard of facing the wall? A centuries-old monk who was the best master in the northwest, Zen Master Haha?" Chen Fan pondered for a moment: "I have long admired this famous name..."
"No need to pretend, you probably haven't heard of it, but I can tell you that fifty years ago, he was a guest of the three major military governors in the northwest, and he was also my father’s master.”
Bai Zhongtuo said, "It turns out that he has been living in seclusion in Songshan Mountain for these years. He met my father not long ago and brought two overseas experts with him. My father happened to ask me to help you with the matter of the four cities in Tongzhou. . ”
I heard that this Zen Master Haha was once Prince Bai’s master. Chen Fan was really pleasantly surprised and asked quickly: "I wonder when the Zen master will arrive. What are his preferences?"
Bai Zhongtuo stood up and said: "You come with me."
Chen Fan walked with him and stopped a few steps out of the backyard. He was actually outside the kitchen door of Chen Mansion.
The two wooden doors in the kitchen suddenly opened, and a tall man wearing a jeweled crown, a mustache, and a gold bracelet came out.
This person's skin color seems to be normal, but his eyes are blood red and his joints are vaguely blue and black, and the disguise is very careless.
The other man has a sharp mouth and monkey cheeks. He is about five feet tall, but he is carrying a long-handled weapon. The top of the weapon is wrapped with linen. It looks like a gun or a halberd. He is leaning against the door frame and seems to be facing the kitchen. The taste is also a bit impatient.
"This is Prince Fukurai of Silla Kingdom and Takada Jubei of Fuso."
Bai Zhongtuo introduced a few words, but Chen Fan's eyes were already looking deep into the kitchen involuntarily. at.
Two rows of large stoves and eight iron pots were stir-frying and stewing. His cook seemed to have turned a blind eye to the three strangers who suddenly appeared, and was fully displaying his cooking skills. The fragrant oil smoke filled the whole place. kitchen.
The big table next to the stove was already filled with dishes, and there was an old monk eating happily at the table.
The old monk wore a loose gray cloth monk's robe. He was tall but very thin. The skin on his face was loose, his eyes were swollen like fish bubbles, his chin was smooth and beardless, his teeth were neat and fine, and he had a mouth full of food. Glossy.
The dishes on the table are all made with ingredients that are always available in the Chen family.
Just a piece of brocade fish has the head of a sea bream, the back of a seabass, the body of a carp, and the tail of a parrot fish. It is half-steamed and half-fried. It always tastes the most tender when you eat it with chopsticks.
And the portion is just right. Before you get tired of eating, you can already taste a new taste and think about the next chopstick.
That peony dish originated from the early days of the Wude Dynasty when the Empress came to power. It was the first dish in the Luoyang water banquet, and it took a lot of effort to prepare.
First cut fresh and crisp radish into thin strips, mix with silky mung bean flour and gravy, steam it, stir it into ice water, then use crab sticks, sea cucumbers, ham, and bamboo shoots, mix it with The cold silk is steamed thoroughly.
Use freshly slaughtered old hens of sufficient age, add the best Mangshan fresh mushrooms, make a soup stock, mix with sesame oil, and pour it on the filaments.
Then, after the eggs are cooked, fry them in a pan. You don’t want the white meat yolk inside, just the golden layer of skin fried outside. Cut and match them into the shape of a peony flower, and put them on the The soup bowl is in the middle.
When such a hot dish is served, just looking at the color and being hit by the aroma will whet your appetite. After entering the mouth, the mellow aroma is also crispy and sweet. The more you eat, the more you feel it. Refreshing and refreshing.
However, these two dishes can only be regarded as mid-range dishes on the Chen family's banquet. They are not too conspicuous among the luxurious dishes carefully prepared on the table.
As the saying goes, you can see a leopard in a tube.
Just from this table of dishes, we can also see the luxury that Chen Fan enjoys in every aspect of his daily life. Even in this era after the corpse transformation, he can actually bring together delicacies from all over the world. On some table.
The Chen family can have such an industry, thanks to the rapid reconstruction of government offices in the cities of Chang'an after the corpse mutiny, and thanks to the prosperity of these decades.
However, precisely because his family has a big business and is so prosperous, he knows how to put personal profit first in everything.
The army of living corpses in Baiwang Mansion attacked the city, and there was an endless supply of soldiers. The advantage was too great.
In this case, why not surrender?
Yes, living corpses want to eat people. The diet of the princes, princes, princes and grandsons of the Bai Palace is no different from living corpses, but Chen Fan knows very well that a sane leader will never Content to just rule the mindless zombies.
Whether it is for future food rations or for the authority to rule, as a living person, the Chen family has great potential in taking refuge in Prince Bai's Mansion.
Besides, since Prince Bai has a way to become a sane living corpse, the Chen family may not be able to become like that in the future, so there is no need to worry.
Therefore, not only must you vote, but you must also vote early and well, get ahead of those who may have the same thoughts, and show your own ability.
But no matter what, Chen Fan has been dealing with Bai Zhongtuo who only likes to taste blood for a long time, and it is inevitable that he will feel a little stressed.
Suddenly seeing the old monk looking at the living food, Chen Fan couldn't help but feel a great sense of intimacy.
"Master, do you also eat these...things for ordinary people?"
Chan Master Haha looked up and smiled kindly: "My body and bones can no longer reap the benefits of eating these things. , but I have the taste of these things in my memory. Using these things to chew delicious memories is much richer than sucking the blood of ordinary people.”
Chen Fan quickly praised: "Master is really profound."
"Sophisticated, haha, Buddha is to be able to do what others cannot."
Chan Master Haha suddenly said, "You are inciting the people When will it be enough to leave the city?"
Chen Fan was stunned: "That's right. It’s hard to say, it might be enough now, but we need to get some relief from our families and act like we’re going out of the city first, so that we can move the people around us and then the whole city.”
Haha Zen Master understood. Said: "Then you go and spread the news now, and try to get them out of the city tomorrow morning."
"So urgent?"
Chen Fan was a little surprised, "I just met with them, and their tone of voice was not so urgent. It is better to rush things at the last minute than to let things happen naturally."
Haha The Zen master smiled and said nothing.
Chen Fan looked at his smile and felt an inexplicable chill behind his back. He did not dare to ask more questions and said hurriedly: "If it weren't for some difficulties, how could it be that Mr. Chen is of great use and has the ability to serve Prince Bai's Mansion? ? I’ll do it right away!”
When Bai Zhongtuo saw Chen Fan leaving, he was a little confused: “Master, what’s going on?”
"When I was eating just now, I felt some changes."
Zen Master Haha said, "You should also know that all the zombie demons in the world were originally supposed to go to Chang'an. I am very quick, so I met your father first. , but then I felt that the guidance in my mind had changed again and turned into a person."
"What is so important about this person is not yet clear. It is known that after setting off from the coast of the Bohai Sea and heading west, the direction he just stopped was probably at Songshan Mountain. I am afraid he met an old friend of Lao Na, but... this person is continuing westward. "
Bai Zhongtuo actually had that guidance in his mind, but he was already near Chang'an, so both guidances were still there, but they seemed less clear.
Even if it is clear, it is probably impossible for ordinary corpse demons to judge whether the target stayed in Songshan or Luoyang.
In his mind, he sighed at the strength of Zen Master Ha Ha, and at the same time realized: "This person can knock down my old friend Zen Master, no matter what method he uses, he is a big threat, so we have to take action before he arrives..."
< br>“No!”
Haha The Zen master clasped his hands together, recited the Buddha's name silently, and smiled kindly, "It's impossible for the other person to act much earlier than the other person's footsteps. I just want that person to happen to encounter this turmoil!"
(End of this chapter)