Ji Ling recognized his master, and Zang Ba, who looked a little hesitant on the sidelines, was filled with complicated feelings.

Logically speaking, as a bandit who fled to the East China Sea, he should quickly accept the olive branch offered by Tao Ying, but for some reason, Zang Ba always felt that Tao Ying did not look like a wise master.

Of course, in Zang Ba's eyes, not to mention Tao Ying, even Tao Qian, the governor of Xuzhou, did not look even remotely heroic.

"Following hastily will lead to regrets too late in the future!"

In order to avoid being accused of betraying his master and seeking glory in the future, the cautious Zang Ba secretly made what he thought was a wise choice in his heart.

Therefore, when Tao Ying interacted with Ji Ling, Zang Ba only regarded himself as an outsider watching the show silently, without saying anything.

Sun Guan was always on the same page as Zang Ba. Zang Ba did not express his position. Even though he was deeply moved, he could not speak out easily. He was worried that it would damage the friendship with Zang Ba and make it difficult for Zang Ba.

"Brother understands."

Tao Ying glanced at Zang Ba and Sun Guan, smiled, and stopped trying to persuade.

After all, a strong and twisted melon is not sweet, and Tao Ying does not want to attract a wolf into the house.

Besides, with Ji Ling, he has picked up the key card to heaven. Thinking about Yuan Shu crying and fainting in the toilet in the future, this will make Tao Ying happy for a long time.

"If you cut off your father's penis again, it will be considered treasonous."

Tao Ying, who warned himself to be content in life, secretly gave up on Zang Ba and Sun Guan.

But Zang Ba failed to make Tao Ying get his wish.

"Zhongtai, this opportunity for Governor Tao is rare. Don't waste your kindness."

Sun Guan was very moved by Tao Ying's solicitation, but he couldn't figure out Zang Ba's thoughts, so he hesitated to speak. Zang Ba saw everything clearly.

Although Zang Ba was very satisfied with Sun Guan's attitude, Zang Ba didn't want to let Sun Guan leave regrets and estrangement in his heart, let alone influence Sun Guan's choice, so he simply spoke out.

"Zhongtai will first go to Taishan County with Taishou to serve. After Ba has settled his father, he will wait for an opportunity to return to Taishan and follow Taishou Tao."

Of course, Zang Ba was not innocent in persuading Sun Guan to agree to Tao Ying's recruitment. His Xiao Jiujiu also played well.

First, if he hinders his brother's future and later spreads it to other brothers, Zang Ba will be a bad person.

Secondly, if both of them refuse, Tao Ying's face will not look good. This can also save Tao Ying's face.

Thirdly, Zang Bahao stood behind his brothers to observe Tao Ying's behavior in Taishan County, his courage, and whether he was worth relying on.

"Your Majesty, please accept Sun Guan's obeisance!"

Sure enough, following Zang Ba's "strong recommendation", Sun Guan bowed his hands gratefully towards the "understanding" Zang Ba, turned around, knelt on the ground in front of Tao Ying, and performed the ceremony of acknowledging his master.

"Hahaha, there should be a Zhongtai, and great things can be expected!"

Sun Guan's unexpected turn of events made Tao Ying overjoyed.

Tao Ying pulled Sun Guan up, the ecstasy in his heart was unabashedly displayed on his face, and he patted Sun Guan's shoulder again and again with a weak hand.

I don’t blame Tao Ying for losing his composure, it’s actually Sun Guan who is too important to Tao Ying right now.

With Sun Guan, Cao Cao's future governor of Qingzhou, he can naturally bind the "Four Big Bandits of Mount Tai". This is a buy one, get four free deal.

Wu Dun, Cao Cao's prefect of Licheng.

Yin Li, Cao Cao's Dongguan prefect.

Sun Kang, Cao Cao’s Chengyang Governor

These three people are all Zang Ba, Sun Guan's friends, especially Sun Kang, who is also Sun Guan's brother. As long as Sun Guan comes forward to recruit them, several former Taishan thieves who now have no fixed place will definitely come to serve.

Tao Ying blurted out that "big things can be expected", and this "big thing" was directed at this group of people.

As for Chang Xi, who was also in the same group, he also served as Cao Cao's governor of Donghai. However, he rebelled repeatedly, first against Tao Qian, and then against Cao Cao twice. In the end, he was beheaded by his old friend Yu Jin himself.

"For such a capricious villain, let's forget about it. If you keep him around, he will definitely be attacked."

Sun Guan's direct recognition of his master made the wily and miscalculated Zang Ba feel sour in his heart.

Zang Ba's original intention was just to let Sun Guan follow Tao Ying to make a living and make a career, while using Tao Ying's identity to find a job, while waiting for opportunities to observe and find a better way out.

Now that things are like this, Zang Ba can no longer remind Sun Guan.

Besides, it's too late to say anything.

"Maybe, this is God's will!"

Zang Ba doesn't want to stay here anymore. After all, he is the only outsider here. It's not appropriate to stay any longer and there's nothing good to say.

"Prefect Tao, Ba has been away from home for a long time. Dad is the only one at home. I'm afraid that Ba will be worried about him, so I'll leave Ba alone for now. When Ba is dead and I have no worries, I can come to Taishan County to meet you again. I hope the governor won't blame Ba for not knowing how to appreciate him."

Tao Ying's harvest today has been overloaded. It doesn't matter whether Zang Ba defected to the governor Tao Qian in the end or came to Taishan County to join him.

"For the time being, the meat is rotten in the home pot, so it's not a pity."

Moreover, as long as Tao Ying appeases the Yellow Turban bandits in Taishan County and Xuzhou is protected from the Yellow Turban disaster, Zang Ba will be useless in Xuzhou and will eventually have to defect to Tao Ying.

After all, a bunch of Zang Ba’s good brothers are all under Tao Ying’s account.

"Go ahead and wait for good news in Taishan County."

Zang Ba's departure did not cause any uproar in Tao Ying's heart. After all, in troubled times, ministers are kings, and he has not shown himself to be a good person, nor is he able to raise his arms and call for help.

……

Due to the delay in Ji Ling and Zang Ba's affairs, when Tao Ying and his party arrived at Lanling City, the sky was already dotted with stars and Lanling City was closed.

"It seems that we can only blow cold wind outside the city tonight!"

Tao Ying looked at the closed Lanling City, shook his head helplessly, and sighed while looking at the city.

"Choose a place to camp."

The city gate has been closed, and calling it a city again would be unjustifiable both emotionally and rationally. Tao Ying simply discussed with Mi Fang, Ji Ling, and Sun Guanyi, set up camp on the spot, and circled the city tomorrow morning, heading straight for Nancheng County, Taishan County.
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"Build a bonfire and bury the pot to make rice."

Fortunately, most of the thousand people donated by the Mi family were able to cook and cook. In addition, several of Tao Ying's coachmen were not hard-working people, and there were four attractive Dongguan girls who came to the camp like butterflies.

After rushing to the campsite, the activity of burying pots and making rice soon began in full swing.

"Haha, it would be even better if there were some more singing and dancing."

Tao Ying thought of the bonfire dances in later generations, and felt a little moved in his heart.

……

As piles of bonfires were lit, the area outside Lanling County suddenly became as bright as day and became extremely noisy, making the guards patrolling the city very nervous.

"Who is this?"

"Isn't it a Yellow Turban bandit or a Taishan bandit?"

"Like a vigilante group."

……

The garrison guards gathered together, watching and guarding, while talking about the identities of Tao Ying and his group.

Recently, the Yellow Turban bandits, together with various bandits from Taishan County next door, have been committing crimes frequently, making the surrounding counties and counties in panic.

"It turns out that Tao Shijun's son passed by Lanling."

Chengtou soon received the message from someone sent by Tao Ying, which made the uneasy garrison let out a long sigh of relief.

But the garrison guards did not dare to neglect and hurriedly passed the news to the Lanling County Magistrate.

Not long after, Cai Jian, the magistrate of Lanling County, and the county captain brought a batch of wine, food and grass, and went out of the city to express their condolences.

"Mr. Tao Mansion is like a gentleman. He came to the city at night without entering. He is worthy of being the envoy's legitimate son!"

Although it is not known when Tao Ying was recognized as Taishan Grand Administrator, out of respect for Tao Qian, the governor, and out of his knowledge of Tao Ying, Cai Jian came out of the city to greet Tao Ying in person.

"Mr. Wende stood out in the world for his innocence and steadfastness, and was well-known in Xuzhou. Tao Ying admired him endlessly!"

Cai Jian is from Pengcheng and is well-known in Xuzhou.

Today's Tao Ying is no longer the Tao Ying who just didn't do anything serious all day long. He has his own agenda and naturally lowers his body a lot, so he doesn't make excuses. He stands up, bows to Cai Qian, and speaks politely.<

/p>

"You should uphold your father's precepts from an early age, advocate loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, etiquette, and righteousness. Take the benevolent gentlemen of ancient times as your role models and work conscientiously. How can you dare to do anything arrogant!"

Cai Jian smiled and nodded frequently, feeling very satisfied with Tao Ying's humble behavior and unhurried answers.

"Everyone in the world has said that Tao Gongzu and his two sons are the father of a tiger and the son of a dog. I don't believe it. Sure enough, seeing it once is worse than hearing it a hundred times."

People in Xuzhou have a very poor opinion of Tao Ying, and Cai Jian has reservations.

In Cai Jian's opinion, with Tao Qian's family tradition of being a gentleman, the sons he raises will definitely not be too bad, at least there will be no problems with their conduct.

"Tao Shijun's benevolent demeanor and the door of gentlemen are indeed well-deserved. When you have time in the future, you can come to Cai's home for a small gathering."

Cai Jian sent an invitation, which shows that Tao Ying has been recognized.

Tao Ying saw from Cai Jian's eyes that his smile was indeed from the heart.

"I don't dare to ask for my ears if I want them!"

Tao Ying secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He felt very tired communicating with such celebrities.

"If you don't pretend to be right, I don't know how much blood you will lose. The reputation of the Three Kingdoms at the end of the Han Dynasty is as fierce as a tiger!"

Although he was a little afraid and rejected the criticism, Tao Ying couldn't help but lament the huge benefits that a good reputation brings.

Look at how many scholars Tao Qian captured the favor of with just the words "a benevolent gentleman".

"Oh, it would be great if my face and name could become a universal sign!"

Of course, Tao Ying was just thinking about it. He didn't dare to have such extravagant hopes. He thought he couldn't do it.

Tao Ying thanked Cai Jian for his recognition and invitation, and introduced Mi Fang, Ji Ling, and Sun Guan to Cai Jian. After a few pleasantries, it was already late at night, and Cai Jian and the Lanling County officials returned to the city.<

/p>

With the condolence wine sent by Lanling County, even though it was a little short, Tao Ying still distributed it to the entire army, which can be regarded as fulfilling his promise.
Chapter completed!