Autumn is crisp and cool, and the sun is warm and breezy. A large number of fish began to swim upstream from the south of the Yangtze River, and the fish in Luoshui became fat and abundant.

This is really good news for Xue Shao, who has recently become addicted to fishing. He decisively moved the fishing field from the pond in the backyard of his home to Luoshui.

Princess Taiping took care of herself and socialized every day, and she didn't bother to talk about him. Xue Shao fell quietly, and after finishing his official duties every day, he would inevitably pick up his fishing rod and go fishing. On days off or holidays, he would even float on the boat for a day or two without going home.

Due to his frequent appearances recently, the boatmen and porters at the wharf and harbor all knew Xue Shao. As long as Xue Shao appeared, they would always come forward to greet him. Xue Shao would politely return the salute one by one, just like an ordinary fisherman. From time to time, he even jumped on a fisherman's boat to see their harvest and ask them for fishing tips. Sometimes it takes half an hour to talk, and maybe a little wine and a light meal on the fisherman's boat.

For these lowly ordinary people, Xue Shao, a horse of the dynasty and a generation of famous generals, is as high and unreachable as a cloud on the horizon. Xue Shao's closeness and easy-going behavior surprised them and made them very pleased. So, whenever Xue Shao asked or requested, they all helped generously.

For example, ask for a little bit of market news.

Xue Shao believes that there is no more authentic voice than hearing it with his own ears. Over the past few days, he has heard a lot of valuable news from the mouths of these most ordinary and lowly people. For example, the people of Luoyang hate the most, except for those cool officials who harm people everywhere, is the black-hearted prime minister Wu Youning, who has accumulated excessive wealth. In addition to corruption and bribery, the land and real estate in Luoyang and Chang'an were forcibly occupied by Wu Youning. The fat and ointment he looted almost did not lose to the treasury. There are countless people who have been ruined and killed because of his forcible seizure. Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, officials have been politically clean and honest, even the officialdom during Wu Zetian's reign was very clean, and there were few corrupt officials. Wu Youning can almost be regarded as the "first giant greed" since the opening of the Tang Dynasty.

Some time ago, in order to cater to and curry favor with Wu Zetian, Wu Chengsi collected or made auspicious rui everywhere. For example, the stone that Luo Shui picked up was arranged by Wu Chengsi behind the scenes. These truths will never be disclosed to the imperial court, but there is no impermeable wall in the world, and the people have already passed on the details of Wu Chenghe's affairs in great detail. Moreover, Wu Chengsi himself is a womanizer and a "wife fetish". In the past few years, he has snatched more than a dozen beautiful wives and concubines from ministers, officials and even ordinary people. Whoever doesn't obediently give it up will have to wait for the framed criminals to be ruined. Many cool officials in the pastoral courtyard and Yushitai are not only Wu Zetian's henchmen, but also Wu Chenghe's close henchmen. This has long been no secret to both the government and the opposition.

Wu Zetian may or may not know about these bad deeds of the Wu family's sons and nephews, in short, no one dares to publicly denounce Wu Chengsi and others now. Because everyone knows that now that the new dynasty is established, it is at a time when the emperor wants to vigorously cultivate the power of the Wu clan. No matter how talented, virtuous and ugly Wu Chenghe, these people are now the emperor's favored ministers and rebels - they will die if they touch it.

But in the hearts of the people, this account is remembered clearly. It's not that you don't report it, the hour has not yet come.

It rained a little lightly on this day, Xue Shao put on a hat and a coat, and went out fishing without moving. Guo An, Zhang Cheng and Wu Yuan had already set up the fishing boat and were waiting for him, and Xue Shao boarded the fishing boat and immediately rowed offshore. There were several fishing boats fishing nearby, and when they saw Xue Shao, they greeted him one after another, and some people threw fruits across the water to invite him to eat.

The fishing boat floated along the Luoshui River and left the city. At the entrance of Luoshui Village, where the waterway goes out of the city, there are officials from the capital water supervisor and water officials to guard and investigate. Guo An put up a big flag with the word "Xue" on the bow of the boat, and the water gate was opened and directly released. Not far from the village, the boat pulled up a sail, and Zhang Cheng and Wu Yuan became boatmen and began to support the boat. The speed of the fishing boat has increased several times, like a barracuda speeding through the water, constantly overtaking the cargo ships and passenger boats that travel from north to south.

That is, I walked for a day and a night. The small fishing boat slid into a small branch river with a barren water on all sides. When he arrived here, Xue Shao began to officially fish. The sea bass in this place is the largest, fattest and densest, and the sea bass silk fish is the favorite of Princess Taiping.

Guo An also took a fishing rod and sat next to Xue Shao, and began to toss in a hurry.

Xue Shao looked at him and laughed, "Guo An, who is known as a fisherman, actually doesn't know how to fish?" ”

"I really wouldn't." Guo An smiled, "Let me jump into the water to catch it, that's a little more convenient." ”

"Fishing, it's not really for fishing." Xue Shao smiled, "I can still afford these few pennies and a pound of things." ”

"I don't really understand." Guo Andao, "Pei Gong used to love fishing, and now Xue Shuai also loves fishing. Is this just a coincidence? ”

"Perhaps!" Xue Shao smiled and said, "Fishing is a test of a person's patience, and you need to be calm and concentrated. This is also one of the most important qualities that a person who leads troops to fight a war needs to have. ”

"Scouts need that quality too." Guo An shook the fishing rod, "I also practice!" ”

"Ahh

There was a scream from behind him, and Guo An's fishhook hit Wu Yuan's buttocks. Xue Shao laughed, "Guo An, you fisherman is really extraordinary, you can catch a big guy with a hook thrown on the shore!" ”

In half an hour, Xue Shao had already caught six big bass, and the smallest one was more than two catties. The sea bass caught is kept in the cabin with live water, and when they return home, they are still alive, and it is the best way to make silk.

"Xue Shuai, today's harvest has been quite rich, will you return?" Wu Yuanlai asked.

At this time, it was time to go back. But today Xue Shao smiled indifferently, "There are a few more big ones, wait a minute." ”

After catching three more fish, a small black canopy boat turned out of the harbor ahead. There was no sail to support the boat, but the speed was extremely fast, obviously coming from Xue Shao's side.

Xue Shao smiled slightly, "Zhang Cheng Wu Yuan, do you see it?" You still have to practice the kung fu of supporting the boat! ”

Guo An stood up, planted the Xue Zi flag on the bow of the boat, and said, "They have practiced for a lifetime, and they can't stand up to the boatman opposite." ”

Zhang Cheng and Wu Yuan were not convinced, and Guo An smiled: "The boatman who can support the boat for the water overlord Hongmen Gate, do you think it will be an idle person?" ”

Zhang Cheng and Wu Yuan were stunned for a moment, "Helian Guchuan?!" ”

At this time, someone from the boat on the opposite side had already stood up, wearing a black and white robe and clasping his fists and worshipping, and the voice came from afar like a bell, "Helian Guchuan, meet the master!" ”

Xue Shao smiled faintly, "I haven't seen you for a long time, come and talk!" ”

"Guchuan is better to be respectful than to obey his fate!"

The two boats connected and boarded the bridge, and Helian Guchuan walked over.

Xue Shao patted the position where Guo An had sat before, "You should be good at fishing, right?" ”

"Yes." Helian Guchuan answered simply, sat down happily, and cast the hook very skillfully to fish. Guo An and the others all went to the stern.

"I've been on the expedition for more than a year, how is the situation in Hongmen?" Xue Shao asked.

Helian Guchuan said: "A year ago, Hongmen's power was mainly limited to the area of Fenshui, Luoshui, Qinshui and Guanzhong, where the Yellow River is in the middle stream. Nowadays, seventy percent of the wharves and ports of Yongji Canal have been planted with our flags, and if the master goes to Hebei again, he can use our ships to transfer military rations. This can save a lot of manpower and animal power. ”

"The rich land of Jianghuai Yangzhou in the south is the place where we spend the most effort. Now the Yangtze River, Yongji Canal and Hangou are all under control. More than half of the counties in Jiangnan Prefecture pay grain taxes, and they will rent our boats or ask us to escort them along the way. ”

"In addition, the center of Hongmen will always be in the two capitals of Guannai. At present, except for the official ships of the imperial court and the private paintings of the eunuchs, all merchant ships, fishing boats and passenger ships within the two capitals are all within the Hongmen control. But the master has a rebuke, but he commands. ”

"Well done." Xue Shao nodded approvingly, "Princess Taiping's silk, did you help him purchase and transfer it?" ”

Helian Guchuan smiled, "It's rare that the princess has this Yaxing, and Guchuan's work should be done by dogs and horses." ”

"I don't want to bother you easily, she's welcome." Xue Shao smiled and said, "Whether it is the Tang Dynasty that established the capital of Chang'an or the Great Zhou Dynasty that established the capital Luoyang, Cao Yun is very important. You had the merit of escorting the assassination of Li Xiantong back then, and the current emperor has a good impression of you and Hongmen, so the official offices at all levels and the state and county yamen will give you the greatest convenience. However, you must also know how to be proportionate and restrained, and you must not be frivolous and rampant, and you must not do things that harm the heavens and the people. But if he commits the wrath of the people, he shall not live for his own iniquity. ”

"The master's teachings, take them to heart!" Helian Guchuan replied earnestly, "Guchuan once went to death row and squatted in prison, and he also followed a famous person like Di Gong to gain a lot of knowledge. Guchuan will cherish his blessings, and he will know how to measure himself. ”

"That's good." Xue Shao smiled and nodded, and said, "Did the four people I left you last time come today?" "Those four brothers are already the masters of the Hongmen Hall, and they are in charge of the important affairs of the east, west, north and south halls. Because the journey is too long, only two people have come today. Helian Guchuan replied.

"Tell them to come to me."

Helian Guchuan stood up, put his finger in his mouth and whistled.

After a few moments, there was a surge at the bottom of the water, like a huge water monster swimming at a rapid pace. Suddenly, countless white shadows leaped up from the bottom of the water, and they all stood on the boat of Helian Guchuan, clasping their fists and worshipping.

"Zhao Qi Fan Zhen, meet the master!"

Guo An, Zhang Cheng and Wu Yuan all laughed, "Brother Zhao and Brother Fan, I haven't seen you for a long time!" ”

"Brothers, you want to mess with me!" Zhao Qi Fan Zhen was very surprised.

"Come here, let me see." Xue Shao beckoned.

Zhao Qi and Fan Zhen were both born very white, not like a chivalrous man but like a scholar. They walked across the boat. He bowed his hand very humbly.

Xue Shao nodded and praised, "Shibei has been impressed for three days, not only have you two become the hall masters of the leading party, but even your underwater kung fu has reached the peak." ”

"The master is false."

"Didn't we all learn these little tricks from our masters?"

Both hall masters are very modest.

Xue Shao looked at the people on the other boat and asked, "Who are they?" ”

Zhao Qi said: "Back to the master, it is the Eighteen Ospreys of Hongmen, also known as the Eighteen Fishing Eagles. All of them are extraordinary, and they are all top masters of the green forest waterway! ”

"How is it compared to you?" Xue Shao asked.

Zhao Qi smiled modestly, "It can only be said that each has its own strengths and weaknesses." ”

Helian Guchuan explained on the side: "The scouts under the command of Hall Master Zhao and the master are better than the marching army. The eighteen fishermen walked the rivers and lakes and wild roads, and they were first-class assassin killers. Their methods are absolutely unguardable. ”

Xue Shao narrowed his eyes slightly, and said in his heart that Helian Guchuan was thoughtful for me. If it really pushes me too hard, these fishing eagles might really be able to rewrite history.

"Zhao Qi Fan Zhen, from now on, you will take turns to contact Guo An. From time to time, I will give you some tasks. Xue Shao said, "Helian Guchuan, Hongmen must be vigilant and cautious recently. Someone, going to war with us. ”

"Obey the master's orders!"