Qingzhou.Pingyuan City.

Tao Ying ordered Hao Cishuai to station more than 3,000 Wuhuan soldiers outside the city. Under the protection of Yan Liang and Sun Guan, they slowly entered Pingyuan City, which is governed by Pingyuan County.

Pingyuan City is no different from small and medium-sized counties like Gaotang, Yimu, and Gonggao. Pingyuan City is high and deep, and it is the seat of Pingyuan County (country).

Nowadays, there are a thousand elite Xuanjia troops stationed in the city, and Sun Guan is still in charge. Even if it is besieged by tens of thousands of Yellow Turban bandits, it will be enough to last for several months.

Not long ago, several counties on the west bank of the Yellow River in Pingyuan County were basically defeated by tens of thousands of Wuhuan rebels and Zhang Chun.

But only Pingyuan City was safe and sound under the guard of hundreds of Han troops led by Pingyuan Prime Minister Chen Ji and local powerful private soldiers.

What it relies on is not the large number of soldiers and generals, nor the strategizing, but the tallness and solidity of Pingyuan City.

"My lord, the thin young man in front is Pingyuan Ling. He has come to greet my lord!"

While traveling, Sun Guan promptly reminded Tao Ying.

"Tao Qiuhong?"

Tao Ying's heart moved and he looked up at a young man in his mid-twenties who was standing at the city gate and looking towards him.

The young man has an elegant appearance, clear and bright eyes, and a hint of masculinity in his elegance.

"As expected!"

There are still some people standing around Tao Qiuhong, who should be officials from Pingyuan County Sheriff's Office or Pingyuan Lingfu.

Tao Ying glanced around and noticed several other handsome young men. However, after comparing them, Tao Qiuhong was the best if only in terms of appearance.

"Red flowers, green leaves, clearly distinguishable!"

When Tao Qiuhong was among them, he instantly felt like he stood out from the crowd.

After taking two quick steps, Tao Ying's lips curled up into a smile, and there was a hint of approval in his eyes.

"Mr. Zilin is a man of eloquence and eloquence, and a contemporary scholar. I have long admired him!"

Tao Ying, who was full of smiles, stretched out his hands towards Tao Qiuhong.

"I am truly lucky to meet Mr. Zilin today!"

Tao Qiuhong turned a blind eye to Tao Ying's outstretched hand. Instead of greeting him immediately, he took a step back, cupped his fists and bowed, saluting Tao Ying.

"Tao Qiuhong, the commander of Pingyuan, pays homage to the Marquis of Jinan!"

Tao Ying was not angry at Tao Qiuhong's actions, but a flash of approval flashed in his eyes.

"As expected of someone who claims to be smarter and farsighted than Hua Xin, his words and deeds are truly impeccable!"

Although Tao Ying didn't pay much attention to these red tapes, he was not surprised by Li Li, and he was still very happy with it.

"Zilin, you and I are both surnamed Tao. We were the same family five hundred years ago, so there is no need to be so polite!"

Tao Ying hurriedly changed his outstretched hands to support Tao Qiuhong's shoulders, and joked with a smile.

"Although you and I are both surnamed Tao, you, Tao Zilin, are famous among the great men for your talents; I, Tao Ying, am known to the world for my mediocrity!"

"However, chicken head and phoenix tail, regardless of whether they are abandoned or submissive, they are both number one!"

Tao Ying's words were both true and false, and there was no shortage of self-deprecating jokes, which made Tao Qiuhong and the group behind him smile. For a moment, they felt less strange and more close to each other.

"The Marquis of Jinan is both civil and military, he is really too modest!"

"General Wei Yunsun, Wu Zhilue, has both civil and military talents!"

"The Marquis of Jinan is both civilized and military, and yet does not lose the character of Tao Shijun as a benevolent gentleman, which is rare in the world!"

……

Tao Ying's self-deprecation would have been approved by Tao Qiuhong and other plainsmen a month ago.

But now, even if Mi Heng slandered Tao Ying in front of them, they wouldn't even believe it.

"Ashamed, you have over-praised all the sages, over-praised!"

The praise from everyone made Tao Ying feel extremely embarrassed and couldn't feel any complacency.

If it weren't for the cheating device of "Prophet", he wouldn't have the courage to stand in front of these people and discuss their merits.

"Marquis of Jinan, these are all talents from my Pingyuan County."

Tao Ying's people-friendly and low-key manner made Tao Qiuhong secretly breathe a sigh of relief, and his good impression and expectations for Tao Ying rose to another level.

"This is Wang Lie and Wang Yanfang!"

After exchanging greetings, Tao Qiuhong introduced the people who were standing up to Tao Ying.

"Wang Yanfang, the most filial and kind person?"

Tao Ying's eyes lit up, and he looked at Wang Lie, who was in his late forties, gentle and elegant, and looked at him carefully.

"Filial piety comes first among all good deeds. Mr. Yanfang is extremely affectionate and filial. He is truly a role model for our generation!"

Tao Ying quickly reached out his hand and shook Wang Lie's hand, his face showing admiration and his tone full of sincerity.

Wang Lie was a filial and kind man. After studying with Chen Shi from Yingchuan, his father died of illness. Wang Lie cried for him for three years.

"If the cheap old man Tao Gongzu dies, can I continue to cry for him for three months?"

Tao Ying found it incredible when he thought about Wang Lie crying for his father for three years.

Ask yourself, Tao Ying can never do it.

"Not to mention three years, it would be difficult for me to keep crying for three months!"

Tao Ying was thinking a lot, but Wang Lie suppressed the excitement in his heart and spoke modestly.

"The Marquis of Jinan is overly praised. Emperor Shun's filial piety moved heaven. Emperor Wen personally tasted the decoction, which is the true filial piety in the world!"

"Lie is an ordinary person. He cannot be filial to the two emperors. He can only show a little love for the son of man!"

The corner of Tao Ying's mouth twitched, secretly slandering Wang Lie for being dishonest.

"You really dare to compare yourself to Emperor Shun, the founder of Chinese civilization, or Emperor Liu Heng of Han Dynasty. They were all emperors of their generation. They really don't regard themselves as ordinary people!"

"Why don't you compare yourself with Zhong Yu and Dong Yong, the two leading officials in Guizhou?"

However, internal slander comes from internal slander. Considering Wang Lie's personality, Tao Ying still believes that Wang Lie will not exalt himself in front of him.

"Every generation speaks for itself, and Mr. Yan Fang is a role model today, there is no doubt about it!"

"Besides, sir, not only is his filial piety famous throughout the country, but his good deeds are also known to the world!"

This time, before Wang Lie could humble himself, Liu Dun, the "astrologer" on the side, echoed Tao Ying.

"What the Marquis of Jinan said is true. Yanfang returned to the plains after learning and built a place of education, which greatly changed the atmosphere of the plains. Everyone did good and avoided evil. This was Yanfang's good deed!"

This is a fact, so Tao Qiuhong also nodded in agreement, adding icing on the cake to Wang Lie's "contributions".

"Even the former kings and prime ministers of Pingyuan came to Yanfang to plan and consult on government orders!"

Tao Ying glanced at Wang Lie, whose face was flushed and a little shy and uneasy, and laughed.

"This is exactly my original intention of recruiting Mr. Yanfang as the deputy director of the Qingzhou Education Department and responsible for the construction of the entire Qingzhou school!"

"I hope that Director Wang will not forget his original intention, show his ambition, live up to what he has learned in his life, and make new contributions to Qingzhou's prosperous Qingzhou education!"

Tao Ying did not interact with Wang Lie anymore. After greeting Liu Dun and others, he slowly entered the city.

At this time, when the people who were crowding at the city gate waiting to enter and exit the city heard that the Marquis of Jinan and General Wei were coming, they all stepped aside to look at the young and shameless Tao Ying curiously.

When Tao Ying smiled and greeted the people watching, he slowly walked out of the city gate. Soon, the people on both sides started talking secretly.

"Could it be that that young man is the Marquis of Jinan?"

"You can't be wrong. Just look at the new county guard and magistrate next to you and you will know that he is General Wei!"

"To be able to wipe out hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turban bandits in Qingzhou at such a young age is unbelievable!"

"Oh, no, I have to kowtow to the Marquis of Jinan. My family's land was allocated to the Marquis of Jinan!"

……

The buzz is getting louder and louder.

These days, news about Tao Ying's annihilation of the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou, allocating fields and houses to the people of Qingzhou, and relieving the refugees has spread throughout Qingzhou. The plain people who benefited are naturally grateful for Tao Ying's kindness, and some even built a shrine to Tao Ying in their homes.

"Crash..."

Almost all the people in the plains had received Tao Ying's kindness, and when they had the opportunity to express their gratitude to Tao Ying in person, they all knelt down to Tao Ying spontaneously without the need for others to take the lead.

"Little old man, thank Jinan Hou for his life-saving grace!"

"Marquis of Jinan, if it weren't for you, all five members of my family would have starved to death on the road of begging!"

"Marquis of Jinan, you have allocated fields to my family, so my family no longer has to worry about making a living!"

……

Facing the people who were kneeling on both sides of the road and sincerely crying and kowtowing to express gratitude, even Tao Ying, who had "seen the world", felt happy but also inexplicably frightened.

"Although I seek benefits for you, I have selfish motives!"
To be continued...