C254

Huaiyang.

When Tang Yin led the group to Huaiyang, County Head Yu Tao personally went out of the city to welcome them. After meeting, Yu Tao slipped away and ran over to greet Tang Yin. His attitude was extremely humble, as if he had seen his master.

Tang Yin was the County Head and Yu Tao was also the County Head. Although the two of them held the same rank, the difference in strength was huge. The former carried over five hundred thousand soldiers while Yu Tao was currently the commander in chief. Even his group of twenty thousand men that were temporarily formed had been disbanded the moment their Pingyuan Army reached the level of Huaiyang.

In addition, Tang Yin's current identity was also very special. Even though he was called the County Head, he actually controlled three counties. Strictly speaking, he was now considered the leader of a power that had its own territory.

Accompanied by Yu Tao, Tang Yin was invited into the County Head Palace.

It was not difficult to see the inklings of a County Head just by looking at his residence.

Yu Tao's County Head Palace alone had around two to three hundred people. With just one County Head s, they simply could not support so many people, and in actuality, he had never even paid for them. These Domestic Servant s all had a formal arrangement, they were soldiers of their own counties. They were paid by the government every year, and Yu Tao used his means to bring a portion of his soldiers back to his own home to be his servants. He did his work and guarded the house for them, and he didn't even need to fork out a single cent for them. Looking at his official residence, it was located in the center of Huaiyang City and took up more than ten acres of land. With an acre of sixty square meters, this huge mansion should be at least a thousand meters large, with a huge courtyard house located in the middle of the courtyard, floor to floor. There were many courtyards, and if no one brought it, people who came for the first time would have to get lost inside. In such a huge residence, the interior decorations were unambiguous. The tall buildings could be seen everywhere, whether it was the overall layout or the subtle decorations, it was all meticulously crafted by a skilled craftsman.

After following Yu Tao through the main entrance of the County Head Palace, and looking at this short stretch of road, Tang Yin's impression of him had already started to drop.

In the main hall of the residence, a feast was already arranged. Yu Tao invited Tang Yin to the seat of honor, while he sat down next to his hand, and laughed: "I have prepared a feast to welcome Master Tang, do not be courteous, Master Tang does not hesitate to enjoy it!"

Tang Yin lowered his head and looked at the dishes on the table. The wine was a good wine, and when it was placed in the pot, a strong aroma of wine wafted out.

How much did it cost? This was the first question that came to Tang Yin's mind.

In the past, he wouldn't place too much importance on money, but now, it wasn't an easy task for him to support his 500,000 troops. Everyday, he had to spend all of his money, and Shangguan Yuanji and Zhao Hui were already suffocated from the pressure of this 500,000 strong army. The two counties were tightening their belts, but Yu Tao was the one who drank good wine, ate good food, and raised his glowing face.

At this time, Tang Yin became even more certain of his decision.

He was extremely annoyed by Yu Tao, but Tang Yin did not reveal it on his face. He smiled and said: "Master Yu is too courteous, you and I are of the same level, there is no need to address me as an official!"

"Huh?" Yu Tao continuously waved his hand, and said with a face full of smiles: "Master Tang is not only the head of a county, but also the Former King's personal Northern Field General.

"Ha ha!" Tang Yin laughed, and did not speak any more nonsense. He asked casually: "Master Yu, how much tax do we get from the Jinguang County every year? How much food is there? "

"This …" Yu Tao did not expect Tang Yin to suddenly ask about this. Frowning, he thought for a while before saying uncertainly, "The taxes are around seven to eight hundred thousand gold, the rations … Grain … "It should be around a few million stones, right …"

Tang Yin could not help but roll his eyes. He was asking him, but he was asking himself instead. However, if what he said was true, then Jinguang County s could be said to be taxed eight hundred thousand gold every year, and grains could be produced in the millions of stone. It could be said to be a large county, and could completely relieve the pressure on their side.

He nodded and said, "Alright, I understand. Master Yu, eat your meal! "

"Yes, yes, yes!" Master Tang will go first! " Yu Tao sat on the mat, nodding his head and bowing.

Tang Yin picked up his chopsticks and quickly started eating. From Tang Yin's expression, it was hard to tell if he was happy or not. Yu Tao didn't have any confidence as he turned his head to look at the butler standing by the side of the door. The butler understood and hurried out of the hall. Not too long later, he returned with several young ladies dressed in gorgeous attire.

The smile on Yu Tao's face became even wider, and his fat cheeks piled up as he squeezed his already small eyes into two small slits. He then said to Tang Yin with a smile: "Master Tang, these are all courtesans from the official's palace." While speaking, he waved his hand towards the girls, and said: "Hurry up and attend to Master Tang's meals!"

"Yes sir!" "Yes!" The geisha responded one after another, cackling as they surrounded Tang Yin. It was rare to see such a young, handsome and illustrious official like Tang Yin, so the singing whores did their best to curry favor with him. They surrounded Tang Yin, some gave him wine, and some even gave him food.

Tang Yin also received it safely, hugging it left and right, and laughed out loud from time to time. Seeing that, Yu Tao secretly nodded his head, men were men after all, there was no man that did not like drinking and sex money. Thinking about that, he gave the butler a meaningful glance. The latter understood what he meant, and took out a Brocade Box that he prepared beforehand, and respectfully handed it over to Tang Yin, saying in a soft voice: "Master Tang, this is a treasure my old master has collected for many years. I must take it out to give it to Master Tang!"

"Oh?" Tang Yin pushed aside a geisha who was nestled in his embrace, and asked: "What treasure is it?"

Sir, please take a look!" The butler opened the lid of the brocade box and took out a crystal clear jade horse. This jade horse was carved from a piece of jade. It was over half a foot tall and there was not a single impurity in it. This was already extremely rare and the workmanship of the horse was even more exquisite. Even Tang Yin, who didn't know much about jade artifacts, could tell that this was a priceless treasure.

This Yu Tao, in order to curry favor with him, was actually willing to spend his entire capital! Tang Yin scoffed in his heart, and said to Yu Tao: "Master Yu, what are you doing? How could I dare to accept such a treasure?! "

"Ah, haha —" Yu Tao laughed loudly. "Treasures are worthy of heroes! Master Tang is a young man of few accomplishments. He is wise and mighty, of course he deserves it.

Hearing that, Tang Yin was no longer courteous, and laughed: "Then it's better to obey than to be respectful, I will accept Master Yu's kind intentions."

"Ha ha!" Seeing Tang Yin place the jade horse back into the Brocade Box and place it beside him, Yu Tao's heart ached. Since he was willing to sacrifice everything to curry favor with Tang Yin, of course he had his own reasons. After three rounds of drinking and five courses of food, he leaned over and moved closer to Tang Yin, saying: "Master Tang, why have you summoned the three counties' County Head and county chief to gather their Huaiyang this time? I wonder what's the use of it?"

This was the problem that Yu Tao was most concerned about. Ever since he received Tang Yin's documents, he had always been worried about this matter, afraid that Tang Yin would harm himself.

Tang Yin drank a mouthful of wine slowly and said: "Didn't you say in the official documents that we would discuss our plans to suppress Zhong Tian in the future?"

"That's all?" Yu Tao asked worriedly.

"Otherwise, what did Master Yu think would happen?" Tang Yin asked back with a smile.

"No, no, no! This official is just concerned about you. "

"Hehe!" Other than discussing how to deal with Zhong Tian, I will also make some changes to the County Head s and county guards of each county. " Tang Yin blinked his eyes and said faintly.

"Oh? I wonder what kind of exchange Master Tang is preparing to do? " Yu Tao immediately became nervous, and looked at Tang Yin without blinking.

Tang Yin opened his mouth as though he had something to say, but in the end, he swallowed his words. He patted Yu Tao's shoulders and laughed: "Master Yu, do not worry.

Whoosh! Hearing Tang Yin's promise, Yu Tao's heart that had risen to his throat finally returned to its original position. He held his chest, laughed heartily, and excitedly raised his wine cup as he said: "This means this official is relieved! Master Tang, this official offers you a cup! "

"Master Yu is courteous!" Tang Yin also raised his wine cup, clinking it with Yu Tao's, and finished the wine in his cup in one gulp.

After the banquet, Yu Tao still wanted to keep Tang Yin staying in the County Head Palace, but the latter politely rejected him, insisting that they go to the Tavern Palace.

Seeing that he could not keep Tang Yin, Yu Tao called all of the young and pretty geisha over, and had them accompany Tang Yin to go to the Tavern, and stay by his side to serve him. This time Tang Yin did not reject them. Although he was not interested in them, but there were so many generals under his command that were leaving home to kill the enemy.

Leaving the County Head Palace, on the way to the Tavern, Qiu Zhen quickly rode his horse to Tang Yin's side, and asked: "Master, how is Yu Tao?"

Tang Yin shrugged and did not answer immediately.

Qiu Zhen turned his head to look at the female whores behind him, and then looked at the Brocade Box that Tang Yin was carrying, and said: "Master has already taken Yu Tao's treasure, and also took the woman that he sent over, I'm afraid that in the future, you will be able to …"

Without waiting for him to finish speaking, Tang Yin said with a cold smile: "This person will definitely be eliminated by me in the future!" Seeing Qiu Zhen being stumped, Tang Yin continued: "Within the range of my control, there is no room for a worm like him!"

After Qiu Zhen heard this, he stopped smiling and nodded: "Master is wise!"

Although Yu Tao was extremely courteous to Tang Yin, giving him treasures and sending him off as well, Tang Yin actually had the intention to kill him. Tang Yin had a weird personality in the first place, his way of thinking had always been hard for others to figure out.