Living in a place like Lu Liang Mountain, everyone had a shadow of the past in their hearts. The situation was already unstable in many aspects. The Liao people and the border army attacked them one after another, and resources were already scarce. There were people who wanted to cultivate the land, but it was normal for people to be killed and things to be robbed after they planted the crops. No one would choose to rob others with a knife from the beginning, but they could not survive. Those who survived were starving, and there was no possibility of them taking the right path, so they could only go out with a knife.
Villages and stockaded villages with a bit of strength could defend their own land, plant some food, and raise livestock, but the land was not fertile. In the shadow of the Liao people and the border army, there were also the local people who coveted them. Everyone around them did not have enough to eat. If they were slightly better off, there would be more people who coveted them. The more people coveted them, the more protection they needed, and the higher the cost of survival. The higher the cost of survival, the fiercer people could only become, and in the end, it would become a vicious cycle. Everyone had been hungry before.
Lu Hongti was crying now. Everyone knew that she was gentle to her people, but they did not think that it was weakness. Even though she did not say anything harsh, the people around her could hear her determination in her eyes. Of course, such words could not move the people who were already sitting on the other side. Lu San and the others only hesitated for a moment before they gritted their teeth. "What beautiful words are you saying? You just don't want to go! I'm not a coward. Since I'm defeated today, if you want to … "
"But I'll let you live." On the other side, Lu Hongti interrupted him. "Remember what I said. I'll let you live this time, and only this time …"
As soon as she said that, there was an uproar. Lu Hongti closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her voice was released with her inner force. Her voice was neither fast nor slow, and in a moment, it almost suppressed all the noise. "I don't know how many of you respect me, and how many of you don't. This time, I'll let you live. Not only that, I'll also let you go! If you think what Lu San said makes sense, bring your family, luggage, and leave this place with Lu San … "
She raised her head and pointed in the direction of the stockaded village in the distance. "If you think the market is good, then follow them to conquer the world. If you meet anyone who wants to rob or kill, then kill them all. Follow your rules, and ignore a woman like me! If you leave today, we'll settle our scores again. Those who stay are my, Lu Hongti's, family. Abide by the rules here and listen to a woman like me. I don't care … You can live, you can eat … "She smiled." You can be human … "
"But if you stay here after tonight, you'll be a two-faced person. I'm a woman, so my abilities are limited. However, if I want to kill someone, you won't be able to hide even if you run to the ends of the earth. At that time, I'll definitely kill you, and then I'll kill your entire family so that they won't suffer in this world. I mean what I say. "
The night wind blew the skirt of the woman holding a sword in the square. The surroundings were silent at first, and then there was a slight commotion. People whispered to each other. It was rare to see something like this in Mount Lu Liang. After all, no matter which stockaded village it was, Lu San and the others would be dead for sure. But now, the other side actually gave the other people in the stockaded village a chance to choose. Wasn't it like breaking their own wings?
But it had to be said that at least some people in the crowd were tempted. After all, in the past, the Green Wood Stronghold had united the surrounding villages only because they could "eat". When people joined, they might not be completely clear about the situation of the Green Wood Stronghold, but after eating their fill, their minds would become active, and they would begin to consider whether it would be good to be under the control of a woman, whether the Stronghold Master was a little too soft, and so on.
In the slight commotion in the surroundings, the rebellious people who thought they were going to die were even more shocked. While puzzled, they began to discuss. In front of the crowd, the tall man standing next to Lu San, after confirming that he would not be killed, looked at the situation around him, and suddenly gritted his teeth and stood up. "Well said. Why should we leave the stockaded village? Now, the power of the Green Wood Stockaded Village is ours. Why can't you …"
"Brother Li!" Lu Hongti just coldly interrupted him. "If you say another word today, I'll immediately kill you, and then personally send sister-in-law and niece on their way. Do you believe me?"
She swept her gaze over the man surnamed Li, and then at a woman holding a baby in the crowd on the other side. After silently watching for a moment, she walked to the side and waved her finger. "That's it. Send them away. The others who want to leave, leave tonight. Pack up your things and bring dry rations. "
The crowd was surprised at first, and then it became noisy. Some people ran over as if they wanted to change Lu Hongti's mind, and some people began to talk about other things. But in fact, some of the arrangements had been made before. Lu Hongti's most trusted subordinates had already begun to send people away. Lu Hongti ignored the noise of the crowd. She walked to a rock on the side of the small square and sat down. The night wind blew, and the firelight and starlight mixed together. Half of her body was covered in blood, but she didn't care. She just closed her feet, pulled up the hem of her skirt to cover her shoes, and tilted her head to look at the stockaded village in the night.
On the other side of the square, the old man she had greeted earlier turned around and left with his walking stick.
This was destined to be a restless night. The noise in the stockaded village continued. Some people were ready to leave, some people were discussing, and some people who had participated in the rebellion began to repent. They knelt on the side of the square and said they would stay. In the end, Lu Hongti nodded. She left the small square and went to a house halfway up the mountain. Outside the door, the old man was looking at the situation in the stockaded village in the night wind. Lu Hongti went over to help him up. "Grandpa Liang, the wind is strong. Go in."
"It's hot. I don't know if you did the right thing today. I'm afraid many people will leave."
"It'll be troublesome to stay."
"That's true. That Young Master Ning has his reasons."
"Yes."
"It's just that... with Tian Hu's subordinates doing this, I'm afraid many people will be scared away. I'm also wondering if too many people will be scared away..."
"If they really can't go through thick and thin with us, then let them be."
She helped the old man into the house. The old man nodded with a smile and patted her hand. "No matter what, you really behaved like a stockaded village chief today. Mu Li was born rebellious. He looks honest but is actually cunning. In the past, he was the best at talking. You scared him with just one sentence. Very good. "
"I learned it from someone."
"Oh?"
The old man looked at her. Lu Hongti smiled and lowered her eyes. During the time she followed Ning Yi, although she didn't talk much, she tried hard to remember and imitate Ning Yi's way of doing things. Later, she came to the conclusion that "killing an entire family" was the scariest thing to say. It was also because Lu Hongti had been practicing martial arts since she was young and wasn't very knowledgeable. Otherwise, she probably couldn't help but take out a notebook to write it down.
The village had already been prepared for this unforeseen event. Although it wasn't a flawless plan, as long as something went wrong, many people had a clear idea of what to do next. When Lu Hongti was attacked by Cao Hong, the old man had already taken control of the situation. At this time, the two of them could discuss who would leave, who would stay, and what would happen in the future. As they spoke, the old man took out the booklet given by Ning Yi from the bedside. Lu Hongti sat on a stool beside him and talked with him.
In the booklet, there was a prediction of this happening. Of course, Ning Yi could only make a rough guess based on human nature. On this mountain, Lu Hongti, as a woman, was not married. The people who could be trusted were only the few core members. This kind of situation could maintain a small stockaded village, but it was destined to encounter all kinds of things in the process of growing. This was also the reason why it was difficult for a family business to grow. There were too few people who could be trusted. These things could be made up for through the system in the future, but they had to deal with it in the early stage.
If they were to gather together and rebel, it would be easier for those two-faced people to quickly expose themselves. After that, a simple massacre would only be a way to vent their anger. At this time, they might as well take the opportunity to give them a choice. Since there was already a leader, they might as well let the stockaded village split once and eliminate these unreliable factors. After that, those who would remain would be their true people.
Of course, Ning Yi didn't expect Lu Hongti to consider Tian Hu's subordinates. It was also Cao Hong who hit the muzzle of the gun. There were stockaded villages everywhere in Lu Liang Mountain. Everyone was not afraid of anything. The Green Wood Stockaded Village killing Tian Hu's subordinates could be a big or small matter. After all, Prince Jin of Hebei Province had a huge influence. The scale of the Green Wood Stockaded Village couldn't be compared. But to a small point, the two sides were still far apart. Although they occasionally came into contact and did business, it was completely strenuous and unrewarding for Tian Hu to conquer the Green Wood Stockaded Village. Cao Hong came to the Green Wood Stockaded Village to make trouble. Although he died, it was not impossible for the two sides to negotiate.
But the matter of offending Tian Hu would cause psychological pressure to the people in the stockaded village. Some people who were originally hesitant and sitting on the fence may choose to leave at this time. Perhaps it was because Lu Hongti was a woman who valued relationships. She still attached great importance to the reliability of her subordinates. Once this purge was over, most of the people who stayed would not have to worry about their loyalty. When the Green Wood Stockaded Village expanded again, these people could become the core members. They would no longer have to worry about not being able to find a "political commissar".
The two of them talked for a while about the aftermath of Tian Hu's death. Lu Hongti suddenly remembered something and asked: "Grandpa Liang, 'that place' hasn't been affected, right?"
"It seems not, but let's go and see."
"En."
Lu Hongti nodded her head, lit a torch, and went out with the old man holding the booklet. They turned around a short path in the forest behind them. In the open space in the forest, there was a building that seemed to be half built. This thing was not affected by the chaos. The old man opened the booklet until the last few pages. As usual, he looked at the drawings. Lu Hongti frowned. "I was too impatient. If I had known earlier, I would have built it later. Someone might have seen it during the past few days …"
The old man shook his head: "It's okay. It's such a simple thing. How can they know what it is used for? I just don't know … … whether this thing is useful or not … … "
"He said it should be useful … …" Lu Hongti looked at the building and reached out to touch the stones on it. "He didn't say it clearly, and we don't have enough materials here. But I think … … we should build it first … …"
Two months ago, a few days before she bid farewell to Ning Yi, Ning Yi came to her one day and said: "I have something. It's not difficult to make. I don't know how useful it is, but I don't mind giving it a try. The materials you can find now may not be enough, but you can make one based on it first. When there's a chance, you can try it again. En … … it looks like this … … "
Ning Yi gave her a few drawings to look at. "You still have to be careful with this. Try not to let it fall into the hands of others."
The sound of the wind came from the forest, shaking the light of the torch. As the light swayed, it illuminated the words and drawings on the booklet. Because the paper was not big, the words were densely written and only used for presentation. At the corner where the old man's finger had snapped off, there were four words that started it. That was, 'Earthen Method of Steelmaking'.
A faint light spread out in front of them. The empty ground was dark, and there was only a silhouette. It was an unfinished stone wall …
... Half a blast furnace!
The mountain wind blew through the forest, blowing past the old man and the woman, passing through the mountains. Gradually, it sounded like the roar of thunder …
*****
When the wind blew, specks of light could be seen.
The crowd that had dispersed from the Green Wood Stronghold was divided into different groups, and dispersed towards the mountains. On this side was the largest group led by Lu San and Li Li. Looking back, the light of the torches of the Green Wood Stockade was hidden in the mountain forest on the other side. It was like another world.
After coming out of the stronghold, Lu San and Li Li were not the only ones gathered at the front of the group. Back then, when they wanted to start the rebellion, it was not something that could be organized by just two people. There were a few others who also participated in it. Some were good at martial arts, some were smart, and some were able to speak. At this time, they stood up. At this moment, they were looking at the flames of the Green Wood Stronghold. Their hearts were filled with unwillingness, but they could not return.
"What do we do now?"
"In the mountains around here, the Green Wood Stronghold has the best terrain! If we can take it down today … "
"What's the use of saying this now! I'm going to go to Chen Daxing. There, I can eat meat and drink wine, and I won't be as sentimental as this woman … "
"I can't take this lying down! Everyone in the stronghold has a share. Now that we have been driven away, are we going to just let it go like this? "
"If you are still alive, then say goodbye! Can you beat the woman of the Lu family? Can you beat her? Now that we have come out, one man can hold the pass against ten thousand people. Can you beat the Green Wood Stronghold? "
"I thought there would be more people who left …"
As the leaders, each had their own opinions, but in the end, most of them could not take this lying down. Lu San's son had already been killed in this incident. The group behind him dragged the corpse of the young man. His eyes were red, and his expression was somewhat dazed. "I won't let it go like this. I'm going to go to Tian Hu's side and tell him that General Cao has been killed …"
"So what if you tell Tian Hu! Lu San and Tian Hu can't care about what happens here. What can he do if we take down the Green Wood Stronghold? We won't get many benefits even if we lose our troops! "
"Do you think we are unlucky today?" On the other side, Li Li looked around with a cold expression and said, "Liang Bingfu and Lu Hongti, this pair of old and young, have long planned this. Didn't you think of it? As soon as we were in trouble, they immediately came to kill us. They have long wanted to drive us away! "
His words stunned everyone, and then they came to a realization. "Liang Bingfu must have planned it … That old thing is really astute and farsighted …"
"It's not Liang Bingfu. He's not that powerful …" Li Li shook his head.
"Lu Hongti? Impossible. "
"It's not Lu Hongti. That woman is good at martial arts, what else can she do? Back then, the old stronghold master passed the position to her because he felt that she was kind and couldn't abandon the people in the stronghold … Haven't you noticed? When did the stronghold start to change? Ever since Lu Hongti came back from the south to take revenge, she has been doing so many messy things, setting rules, and doing business with people. Didn't everyone talk about this a long time ago … "
"Yeah, I think I heard … that she got to know some expert …"
"She brought back a secret manual? I think I heard about it. "
"What expert … A scholar." Li Li said, "I've asked around. At that time, Lu Hongti didn't guard against the people around her. She didn't keep her mouth shut at the beginning, so some things could still be found out. The person Lu Hongti met was a scholar, and he plotted all these things for her. That scholar was capable, just like Liang Bingfu … Lu Hongti relied on this to expand the stronghold. I tried to find that secret manual several times, but Madam Liang Bing was too cunning, so I couldn't find it … "
"Then what do you want to do by saying this now?"
"Heh, what do you want … Do you know? A few years ago, Lu Hongti wanted to find a random family in the mountains to marry. If someone proposed marriage, she might hesitate, but she wouldn't reject them completely … Although she did reject them in the end. But since she came back from the south, she rejected all the marriage proposals. She put all her heart into the stronghold, and she didn't want to marry anyone. What did she want? Last year, when she went south for the second time, I overheard these things. Liang Bingfu wanted Lu Hongti to find that man and marry him. Lu Hongti said no, but in fact … I could see it from her expression a few days before she left … "
Li Li snorted, "She grew up in the mountains and killed people all day long. Although she looks good, what can she do? This kind of woman, once she sees the colorful world, she can't take her eyes off it … She likes that scholar, but it's a pity that he doesn't want to accompany her to this kind of place. Hey, from what I see, if that man is willing to marry her, she'll probably stay in Jiangnan as a mistress and not come back. Then we'll have less trouble. But in a scholarly family, who would want to marry such a restless woman with such high martial arts skills! "
Li Li's tone was extremely belittling. After thinking about it, everyone couldn't help but nod, "So what?"
"So what? Heh. " Li Li laughed, and then a trace of coldness flashed across his eyes, "Lu Hongti's character is very emotional. She doesn't have a family now, so she doesn't have many people around her. But it seems that she likes that man very much. You know, when she went south last year, she brought back a booklet. If you want to go to any stronghold, or go to Tian Hu to complain, I won't stop you … I want to go to the capital. "
"Ah?"
"I know that man's name. Heh, I heard it. Ning Yi, Ning Liheng, the number one scholar of Jiangning, but he should be in the capital. Haha, I heard it. I can't beat Lu Hongti, but that person is just a boastful scholar. What's more, he's the number one scholar. It's obvious what kind of trash he is. However, I can't deny that his brain is filled with useful things. We can't beat Lu Hongti, but we can catch a scholar. Naturally, it'll be easy. At that time, I'll make him wish he was dead and bring him back to Lu Liang. With Lu Hongti's character … At that time, the stockade will be ours, and the booklet will also be ours … Now, I only have one question, who wants to work with me? Hmm? "
In the wind, there was a moment of silence. Then, someone carried a knife, "I will join."
Someone next to him said, "I will join!"
"Let's do it!"
"Haha, let's see how arrogant she can be after we catch her lover!"
In the faint light, one after another raised their hands. In a moment, the atmosphere became lively. Although there were so many people around them, the road was not easy to walk from the Green Wood Stronghold. It was better now, but in winter, they would probably starve again. To build a new stronghold, it was a big problem to establish a foothold. The best way was to take back the Green Wood Stronghold. At this time, because there was a road that they could walk on, everyone's emotions were boiling.
It was still late at night. In the night wind, they looked to the south. In the wind, there seemed to be determination and ambition that even the mountains could not stop. Li Li crossed his arms in front of his chest and challenged Lu Hongti. They were indeed reckless. They should have taken hostages earlier — at this moment, they finally walked in the right direction.
Thousands of miles away, in a room in Bianliang City, Ning Yi turned over and slept soundly with Xiaochan, who was only wearing a dudou. In his arms, Xiaochan opened her eyes and blinked. She looked at Ning Yi's sleeping face in the faint light. After a moment, she smiled, pouted slightly, and kissed Ning Yi's mouth. Then, she continued to blink her eyes and yawned. She curled up in Ning Yi's arms and continued to sleep happily …
*****
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