Chapter 412: Chang'an Junfu has only wrong names, but no wrong numbers
In front of other people, the Chu people could hold their heads high and call themselves barbarians. They were arrogant.
You look down on us, so how can we look down on you?
In this vast world, only the Chu people are descendants of Zhu Rong! We have the blessing of the Great Witch! We are the noble race of the Golden Crow! All non-Chu people are lowly!
But the Qin people are different.
Wang Jian led 600,000 black cavalry and crushed the fire of life of the Chu people, so that the Chu people could no longer burn in front of the Qin people.
They could not say the word "lowly" to the Qin people, who were also called barbarians by the world.
Liu Bang, Xiao He, Fan Kuai, Cao Shen, Xiahou Ying, Lu Wan, and Zhou Bo. Among these seven people, Liu Bang was the oldest, but was less than 30 years old.
They inherited the pride of the Chu people when they were born, but when they were approaching thirty years old, this pride that they had brought with them since childhood was shattered to pieces by Qin Jian!
It was fine in the past because the Qin army was far away in the west. The area outside Hangu Pass was said to be Qin territory, but in fact it was under the control of other places.
Even the nearby Han area, the Qin State did not have enough manpower to manage it, let alone the Chu area, which was considered an outlier in the world.
They could not see the Qin people's contempt, so they just ignored it. If the fire did not burn the eyebrows, they just ignored it.
Today, this contempt, this look that the Chu people should have when looking down on the world, truly appeared in front of the seven people. It was no longer far away in the horizon, but right in front of them.
Since meeting Ying Chengjiao, the seven of them have been happy most of the time.
The relationship between the master and his retainers is the most unreliable one of subordination. When the master is prosperous, three thousand retainers sit on the lintel of the door, and when the master is in decline, only a few birds peck at the front yard. This is a common thing.
The lord has very little control over his retainers, who enjoy maximum freedom and can come and go as they please.
Therefore, except Liu Bang, everyone else easily responded to Ying Chengjiao's recruitment.
Being a retainer with no restrictions, earning ten gold coins a month, and receiving rewards from time to time? Where can I get such a good thing?
They were not convinced by Ying Chengjiao. His lavish spending did not prove his ability, it only proved his good background.
But for the sake of the golden glory, they are willing to bend their backs. Ten gold coins a month is a salary they dare not even dream of, and this is the pinnacle of their lives.
If things don’t go your way in the future, just leave!
Flattery and applause are just for show. Who takes who seriously?
When the Qin army in distinctive armor stood opposite the seven people under the order of Ying Chengjiao, the seven people suddenly woke up.
The victim in front of him was a descendant of the Qin royal family who destroyed the Chu State. He was one of the most noble people in the world! He was the brother of the Qin emperor!
Liu San always boasted that he was the king's younger brother, which made them resistant to the word "king's younger brother" and lost their awe.
Ying Chengjiao set up a large cauldron in Pei County and pretended to cook to death Liu's father and mother. If they had really cooked them, the seven people would have been trembling with fear and would not have dared to overstep the limit in the slightest.
But Ying Chengjiao did not do it, and instead gave Liu Bang a big gift.
Before Liu Bang could achieve any success, his father Liu Lao Taigong was promoted to Duke of Pei, and his hometown Pei County became the fiefdom of the Liu family. He became the leader of the Liu family's revival and will be remembered forever by the Liu family.
Instead of being frightened, the seven people were delighted - the lord not only gave them money, but also gave them fiefdoms, which was great.
Today's Liu Bang is tomorrow's them!
The favor to a saint is so great that the saint will feel like he is carrying a mountain on his back and will always want to repay him.
He was very kind to the seven people of Pei County. Except for Xiao He, even Liu Bang felt that his lord was weak and could be bullied, and wanted more.
This is not the result that Ying Chengjiao wants.
What he wants is the founding team of the Han Empire, not seven pieces of trash.
He never thought that if he could control these people and prevent them from causing trouble, the Qin State would be safe.
What he has always wanted is for Qin to become strong, so strong that the remnants of the six kingdoms would feel despair, and so strong that no villain would dare to plot against Qin!
And this requires talents, massive talents from all walks of life.
Ying Chengjiao was very rich, and he could keep a hundred retainers who lived a life of idleness and waited for death without going bankrupt, but why? Why did the farmers starve to death while the foxes and rats in the city grew fat?
If these seven people only knew how to flatter and curry favor with the powerful, and just stayed under his tutelage and waited for death, then what was the point of these twenty years of planning?
The purpose of casting the net for twenty years is to catch big fish, not to pick up garbage!
If he really continued like this, he would not only let himself down, but also the farmers and Mohist disciples who had devoted twenty years of their youth to him.
Yes, I gave it to you, and next is Wei.
These seven people took the gold and must become gold!
Ying Chengjiao's eyes were cold.
"Can you see clearly? Can you see clearly what you look like?
"A butcher who kills dogs, a groom who raises horses, a gambler who loves to gamble, a thug who loves to fight, a jailer who manages prisons, a rebel who plots rebellion, this is what you look like!
"You can stand on your horses in front of my Qin cavalry without being shot to death by arrows, not because you are so powerful, but because of me! I accepted you as my retainers and changed your faces! That's why you can be so willful!"
Ying Chengjiao's words were as cold as ice, piercing the hearts of the seven people, including Xiao He who was not named.
“What I can give to you, I can take back.
"Even if I leave you, I will still be the Lord of Chang'an of the Great Qin Empire. Think about what you will be like without me.
"There are many people who want to be my retainers, so many that even Pei County can't accommodate them all. If you can be accepted as my retainers, you will know how many people will envy you in the future.
“I don’t want to say that this is your luck.
"I am not a money-giving boy. I recruited you because there must be something about you that attracted me. Today I will tell you that I am attracted by your potential.
"Do you see the guy riding the black tiger over there?"
The seven people looked in the direction where Ying Chengjiao pointed and were shocked.
It was the first time they saw such a big black tiger, and also the first time they saw someone who could tame such a big black tiger.
Fan Kuai, who was the most vicious person and had killed countless dogs, was also nervous when he saw the two-meter-long black tiger with yellow stripes.
I'm afraid even a great wizard can't tame this tiger? It's too big...
Not to mention them, even Ying Chengjiao, who had experienced top-level special effects, was shocked when he saw it for the first time.
The impact of getting up close and personal with the king of beasts, who is as tall as an adult and lying on the ground, is much greater than watching virtual things through 3D glasses or VR glasses.
"His name is Zhao Gongming, he is a Qigong practitioner, almost a god, and he told me that you have great potential.
"Mr. Xiao did not take what I just said seriously, but I did take your words seriously. I believe that you will become warriors capable of defending a place in the future, so I recruit you as my retainers.
“I will give you one year first.
"Within a year, if your growth rate does not meet my expectations, I will settle accounts with you. If you eat from me in this year, you must spit out, and if you take from me, you must return.
"Don't take too much, Li Ben-kun. Five cents a month is enough."
Lu Wan, who loved gambling, knew everything about paying back money, borrowing money, and interest. He couldn't help but raise his head when he heard this.
Five cents is not enough? I earn ten gold coins a month, and I want to exchange them for fifteen gold coins. How can it be more shady than this? Ten out and fifteen back!
"Lu Wan, you seem dissatisfied. But the interest is too high? If you are dissatisfied, just tell me. I am not an unreasonable person."
Lu Wan looked at his good brother Fan Kuai, the last person who listened to Ying Chengjiao's words was almost blown to pieces.
So he shook his head desperately and dared not say a word.
Ying Chengjiao looked around, and no one dared to look him in the eye.
“Since no one has any objections, then it’s settled.
"If you can pay me back in a year, I will consider myself blind and admit defeat. I will not embarrass you and will let you go.
"If you can't pay, you can use something else as collateral. Arms and legs are half a gold coin each, and the head is more expensive, worth five gold coins.
"Of course, I am not a stingy person. If the changes satisfy me, I will give you a reward of 200 yuan. Do you understand?"
The seven people looked pale and nodded vigorously.
Xiao He was a little hesitant and wanted to ask, "What kind of situation should I reach to satisfy the king?"
The word "satisfied" is so subjective.
There was no standard. Even if he became a general after a year, Ying Chengjiao could still be said to be dissatisfied.
In the end, Xiao He held back.
Although the current situation showed that this lord had the greatest goodwill towards him, it was still unknown how much goodwill this lord had, and he could not afford to take the risk.
If he really became a general and played an important role in the court, life and death would not be so humble.
Xiao He thought silently.
This is exactly the result that Ying Chengjiao wanted.
If he doesn't set standards, these people will desperately squeeze out their potential, work hard for their own lives, and fight just to stay alive. He is looking forward to seeing how far these seven people will grow in a year.
If one of the seven people really grows to a point where he cannot control them by then, that would be the best. He never intended to control anyone.
Recruiting talents is his job, while employing people is his brother's job, since he is not the emperor.
Guiguzi touched the horse's mane on his crotch.
After not seeing you for a few months, Your Majesty has grown a lot. You use both kindness and severity, which is good.
I just wonder how many of these seven people, except Chidi and Pojun, can live up to everyone's expectations.
The future is not static. The general trend is unchanging and the details are uncertain.
Ying Chengjiao glanced at Guiguzi Wang Xu, who was riding his horse slightly to the side.
"Lord, you are trying to sneak away from such a long distance?"
Guiguzi rode back silently.
Seeing that the seven people all had nervousness and lack of confidence on their faces, there was a hint of despair in the eyes of Xiahou Ying and Cao Shen when they looked at each other.
Is this too much?
Ying Chengjiao hesitated for a moment, pointed at Guiguzi and said to the seven people:
"You may not believe me or Zhao Gongming, but do you not even believe Guiguzi? If you did not have extraordinary potential, how could Guiguzi, who has lived since King Wu defeated King Zhou and is already a half-god and half-immortal, stay in Pei County?
"Twenty years ago, it was the prince who asked me to send people to Pei County. Otherwise, how would I know about the seven of you? Your lives are not that valuable. It is not worth it for me to travel thousands of miles to Pei County to take them."
The seven people looked at the four moles on Guiguzi's head and were somewhat skeptical, but their emotions did calm down.
I began to believe that I was indeed a potential dragon and would be able to take off in a year.
If a person living at the bottom of society is suddenly told that he has unlimited potential and can become the top of society in the future, who can believe it?
"march!"
At Ying Chengjiao's command, two thousand Qin soldiers rode their horses and rushed towards Xiang County like a black tide.
On the city wall of Pei County.
A breeze suddenly blew up, blowing everyone's clothes and disturbing everyone's hearts. The rumbling sound of iron hooves frightened them. If these 2,000 Qin troops attacked Pei County, it would not be a question of whether Pei County could be defended, but how long it could be defended.
One day, or just a moment.
These are not Qin's main combat army, but just ceremonial guards!
Unlike the defeated look on the faces of the magistrate, county assistant, and county lieutenant of Pei County, Old Man Liu's face was flushed.
The stronger the Qin army became, the more secure he, the Duke of Pei, could sit on the throne.
"Old Master Liu, no."
The county magistrate smiled and bowed deeply.
"From now on, you should be called Pei Gong!"
The county magistrate and the county lieutenant looked at each other, clasped their hands together, and called out "King of Pei" in unison.
There was an unconcealable smile on Old Man Liu's lips.
His status was extremely high before, but not as high as the three giants of Pei County.
The county magistrate, county lieutenant, and county magistrate of Pei County were all locals, not outsiders. The three of them also had families in Pei County, which were not as good as the Liu family, but not far away.
When the Qin State selected officials, the largest nobles in a place would never be selected. Just like Han, the Zhang family secretly controlled it and had no official status on the surface.
It's a simple check and balance, but a useful one.
"No, no, what Chang'an Jun said was just a joke. I don't deserve this title. It's not what Your Majesty said."
Old Man Liu waved his hands but did not help the county magistrate up.
The county magistrate gritted his teeth.
Others may not know how powerful Chang'an Jun is, so how could he, the highest official in Pei County, not know?
Your Majesty has already accepted the offer of Marquis Lian Che, so why would you reject a small fiefdom in Pei County? With the status of Lord Chang'an! How could he fall for that brat Liu San! He is so lucky!
Looking up, there is a smiling face again.
"Whether there is an imperial edict in Xianyang or not, Pei Gong is Pei Gong."
A crowd of people came up and called Liu Ang the King of Pei. Liu Ang did not respond verbally, but he agreed with every word in his heart.
Liu's mother did not stand with her husband and accept the compliments from everyone.
She looked at the cavalry that was getting farther and farther away, and leaned against the city wall and tried to look out, hoping to find her son.
She was in tears.
"Ji'er..."
A mother worries when her son is away from home.
This farewell has an unknown return date, and it may be a farewell forever.
Outside the gate of Xiang County.
Three thousand soldiers were lined up in a row, with a four-horse royal chariot in the middle!
On the king's carriage, a man lifted the curtain and walked out. He was wearing a Tongtian crown and a black robe. His face could not be seen clearly from a distance, but his majesty was enough to make people breathless even three miles away.
As we got closer, the human-faced dragon on the chariot was hidden by the pearl curtain and could not be seen clearly.
However, the mythical black bird embroidered on the crown was clearly visible and appeared vivid as if it would fly away from the clothes in the next breath when the wind blew.
“The Emperor welcomes you personally.
"My Lord, my brother's welcoming ceremony for you is even grander than the one I put up for Liu Bang.
"What are you at this moment?"
Guiguzi pinched his fingers with a serious expression.
"I am calculating how many years have passed since King Wu defeated King Zhou, and how old I should be this year, so that I can make up for the lie for you in the future."
Ying Chengjiao laughed out loud.
Guiguzi changed the subject.
"Your Majesty, gods are immortal. Since I am half-god, I should also be immortal."
"Your Majesty, didn't you want to sacrifice your life for the cause this time? You wanted Cheng Jiao to kill you, so why are you afraid of death now?"
"It's not that Your Majesty won't kill people, but he won't kill people without reason."
Ying Chengjiao narrowed his eyes.
"Your Majesty, do you think you will have a reason to kill Cheng Jiao in the future?"
Guiguzi pinched his fingertips and a smile appeared on the corners of his mouth.
"Your Majesty, do you regret having me serve the King of Qin? It is not too late to regret now.
“Your Majesty, I did not come to Pei County to accept these seven retainers for Your Majesty.
"Your Majesty thought that the bet lured me into a trap, but how could you know that I didn't use your recommendation to enter the court?
"Have you forgotten, Your Majesty, that I am the source of trouble? In the Chang'an Palace, there are only wrong names, but no wrong titles.
"This name was given by the Lord."
