Chapter 188 Young Master

Yan Ermei, also known as Yongqing, was born in Juren. He had a quick mind and was very good at planning. He was often used under Shi Kefa's account. However, Shi Kefa's talent was mediocre, and he often looked forward and backward, unable to make decisions on the fly, which made Yan Ermei useless.

Seeing that Shi Kefa was unwilling to accept it, Yan Ermei retreated and sought the next best option; "Maybe you can send someone to Kaifeng to investigate."

He added: "The thief Ying is extraordinary. When he defeated the thief, he killed a stranger under the thief. Why don't you come forward and ask Master Zhang to go away."

Shi Kefa felt that it made sense, so he nodded and said, "Yes."

So he summoned his adopted son Shi Dewei and said, "Take my name card and go to Songfeng Temple to invite Master Zhang."

Shi Dewei did not dare to neglect and hurriedly invited Zhang Zhenren.

Before Zhang Zhenren arrived, while Shi Kefa was chatting with Yan Ermei, someone came to report: "Sir, there is a messenger from Kaifeng asking to see you."

Yan Ermei's expression changed and she looked at Shi Kefa.

Shi Kefa said: "Call in."

I brought someone in casually, and the person bowed his head and said, "Young man, Zhu Twelve of Prince Zhou's Palace, pays my respects to Mr. Shi."

Shi Kefa waved his hand: "Are you from Prince Zhou's Mansion?"

Zhu Twelve bowed again and said: "The villain is personally accompanied by the Crown Prince of Zhou."

Shi Kefa nodded slightly: "You are here to see me, but what important matter does Prince Zhou have?"

Zhu Twelve said: "I have a letter from the Crown Prince, please read it carefully."

Then he presented a letter and handed it to Shi Kefa, who personally followed him. Shi Kefa took the letter and looked at it, frowned slightly, and then handed the letter to Yan Ermei.

Yan Ermei read the letter and said happily: "Sir, what a great opportunity!"

He said: "The troops left behind by Ying Yi are only three thousand. The main force has been transferred away. The prince of Zhou and others are in charge, and the city can only be broken with the palm of a hand. Please give me your orders. Sir, if you give me five thousand troops, I will definitely defeat them." Take back Kaifeng!"

Shi Kefa waved his hand, first dismissed the messenger, and then said to Yan Ermei: "Earlier, it was the head of the Zhang family in Kaifeng who contacted me. Now, the crown prince of Zhou, there are still loyal people in Kaifeng city. But how can we mobilize troops without an order? What's more, how can we determine the movements of the rebels based only on a letter from the Crown Prince of Zhou?"

He looked at Yan Ermei and said deeply: "The rebels have taken over Kaifeng, and Kaifeng will be in dire straits. Whether it's the head of the Zhang family or the Crown Prince of Zhou, they all hope that Master Wang will kill the thieves. To do this, they can fabricate news just to lure Master Wang there. You must be on guard against it.”

He also said: "Suppressing thieves is not something that happens overnight. You must prepare everything before you can destroy the enemy. Acting hastily now is not a good strategy."

When Yan Ermei heard this, she sighed secretly in her heart.

Great opportunity, miss it!

He said unwillingly: "The traitor Ying took over Kaifeng, set up official offices, established order, resettled the refugees, and cultivated wasteland. He is no longer a traitor. He just took over Kaifeng and has not yet established a stable foothold. If he wastes time, he will gain a firm foothold." After winning the hearts and minds of the people, the situation is over!"

Shi Kefa didn't know this truth, but he couldn't make a decision, so he still refused on the grounds that he couldn't mobilize troops without orders.

Said: "The soldiers and horses must not be tampered with. However, Yongqing's previous suggestion was good. Let's explore it first."

Yan Ermei was speechless.

Liangjiu said: "In that case, the student is willing to go to Kaifeng with Master Zhang to have a look."

Shi Kefa hesitated for a moment and agreed.

So he ignored the messenger from the Crown Prince of Zhou and refused to respond. Not long after, Shi Dewei led a Taoist priest in his thirties with a clear demeanor to Shi Kefa's house.

Shi Kefa went out to greet him with thoughtful etiquette, and said: "Young Master has arrived in Xuyi, and the flowers are shining brightly. It's a pity that I, the official, are busy with official duties and have neglected Young Master. I hope you will forgive me."

The Taoist smiled softly, returned the salute and said, "I don't dare, I don't dare, I'm exaggerating."

"Young Master, please come in."

Shi Kefa led the way and led the Taoist into the hall, where the guests and hosts were seated.

This Taoist, Zhang Zhenren, whom Shi Kefa called the Young Master, was from the lineage of the Heavenly Masters of Longhu Mountain. He was the son of the Heavenly Master, so he was called the Young Master.

Although Master Zhang is only thirty years old, he already has quite a lot of magical powers due to his family heritage. In addition, as the son of the Heavenly Master, he has a high status. No matter where he goes, he is always a guest, and no one dares to neglect him.

Master Zhang came from western Jiangxi and arrived in Xuyi a few days ago. He settled at Songfengguan in Duliangshan outside the city. Shi Kefa also hosted a banquet at that time.

Xuyi and Sizhou, facing each other across the Huaihe River, one in the south and one in the north, are important places guarding the entrance of Hongze Lake. The Huaihe River comes from the west, enters Hongze Lake, exits from the east, and reaches the sea. Hongze Lake is the most important distribution center in the southern section of the Grand Canal.

As the governor of water transportation, Shi Kefa often stayed in these two places after inspecting water transportation.

After serving tea, they chatted for a while, and then talked about Kaifeng.

Speaking of Ying Yi, Shi Kefa was very angry: "I thought this person was also loyal to the emperor and patriotic, but I didn't expect that he was ambitious. Now that the thief has been removed and replaced by another, he has become self-reliant, and the disaster is great."

Master Zhang smiled and said, "Have you seen this person before?"

Shi Kefa shook his head: "I've never seen him before. This person's sudden appearance caught people off guard."

Master Zhang nodded slightly: "This person is self-reliant, and he is really bold. I wonder how you will respond? He is based in the Central Plains. If he sends troops to the east..."

Shi Kefa sighed: "What the young master said is exactly what I am worried about."

Then he said sternly: "The lineage of Longhu Mountain has been granted the title of Heavenly Master, and the emperors of all dynasties have never neglected it. I cannot act rashly here, but I have something to ask, young master."

Master Zhang's eyes flashed: "Sir, if you have something to do, you might want to talk to me."

Shi Kefa said: "Only sporadic news came about the Kaifeng incident. In order to know ourselves and the enemy, I begged the young master to go to Kaifeng to have a look. The thief was quite capable. I heard that even the strangers who broke into the thief's group were killed by him. Only the young master He has great supernatural powers, and he may be able to see and hear something.”

Then he introduced Yan Ermei: "Yongqing is a close confidant of the lower official. I am willing to accompany the young master."

When Master Zhang heard this, his mind changed and he secretly thought that he was about to go to Kaifeng and his party, so he nodded: "I am about to go north for this trip, so I might as well drop by."

Shi Kefa was overjoyed and thanked him profusely.

Master Zhang said: "But we still have to go back to Songfeng Temple to say goodbye to Master Songyun."

"It should be." Shi Kefa naturally had no objection.

So Master Zhang stood up and said, "That's it, Pindao, farewell." Then he said to Yan Ermei, "Sir, Pindao is waiting for you outside."

After Master Zhang went out, Shi Kefa took Yan Ermei and gave him some instructions before saying goodbye. Yan Ermei left with Master Zhang.

The two of them left Shi Kefa's mansion one after the other, neither riding horses nor riding in cars. The young master was in front, strolling leisurely, while Yan Ermei was behind, chasing closely. When we arrived at Songfengguan, we were exhausted and out of breath.

The young master smiled and said, "There are a few donkeys in Songfeng Temple."

Yan Ermei was ashamed.

The young master smiled and said, "Mr. Yan is not a cultivator. It is not easy for him to keep up with Pindao. Sir, go and rest for a while. After Pindao says goodbye to Master Songyun, he will set off northward."

Yan Ermei is incompetent.

So he ordered the Taoist boy to take Yan Ermei to rest, while Master Zhang went to see Master Songyun.

Master Songyun is over eighty years old, with a face like a child and hair as white as snow. He has a childlike face with crane hair and is also a practitioner.

Seeing Master Zhang come back, Master Songyun twisted his beard and said with a smile: "Then the Governor of Water Transport invited Master to come. Is there something big going on?"

After Master Zhang met with Master Songyun, he sat down and said with a smile, "Sure enough, something happened. The Governor of Water Transport would like to invite the juniors to go to Kaifeng to have a look at the man who stands out from the sky and to find out what's going on with him."

Master Songyun couldn't help laughing when he heard this: "Isn't it just what you want?"

The young master smiled and said, "That's why I agreed."