The night was alluring and the autumn wind was serene. After secretly meeting with Lu Qiaoshan, Su Wenfang left the camp from the side. Looking back, the Wu Xiang army's camp was solemn and orderly. The light from the torches was like a reflection of the sea of stars in the sky.
The situation had become complicated. Of course, this complicated situation had already appeared a few months ago. Now it was just a little more complicated.
Although he was prepared, Su Wenfang still felt his scalp go numb.
"Lu Qiaoshan's attitude is ambiguous. It seems he wants to stall for time. If he can stall the Huaxia army this way, of course he will be happy. "
The group of people left the camp on horseback. On the way, Su Wenfang and Hunchback Chen talked in a low voice. This once cruel and merciless hunchback swordsman was now 50 years old. He was Ning Yi's bodyguard and later led the Huaxia army's internal military law team. His position in the Huaxia army was not low, even though Su Wenfang was Ning Yi's relative by marriage and respected him.
The old man with half a head of white hair no longer had the sharpness of the past. Compared to many years ago, his gaze was much gentler. He pulled on the reins and nodded. His voice was slightly hoarse as he said, "The soldiers of the Wu Dynasty, who wouldn't want to?"
"I have considered whether he would sit back and watch the situation develop, or even push the leader. But previously, if Li Xiannong and the other scholars wanted to cause trouble, the Wu Xiang army might not dare to follow us because they have been in contact with us for a long time. But now it seems that Lu Qiaoshan might not be thinking this way. He looks like a smiling tiger, but he might have a bottom line. "
"You mean …" Hunchback Chen looked back. The glimmer of the camp was already behind the mountain in the distance. "What he is doing now is fake. Does he really want to force his way through?"
Su Wenfang nodded. "Of course not, but there are 100,000 people, Uncle Chen."
"Then it is time to let the people in the south see some wind and rain."
"I still hope his attitude will change."
Each place had its own situation. The southwest region had been peaceful for three years. Although the days of the Hua Xia army were not too good, compared to the bloody battle at the Little Cang River, it could be said to be peaceful. Especially after the trade route was opened, the power of the Huaxia Army extended along the trade route and covered the four roads of the gorge. When Su Wenfang and the others acted outside, the army and the government turned a blind eye, so it was not dangerous.
But this time, the Imperial Court finally gave the order. Wu Xiang Army went with the flow, and the nearby authorities had already started to put pressure on the Black Flag Army. Su Wenfang and the others gradually retreated, turning their activities from the light to the dark. The form of the battle also began to become clear.
Whether Wuxiang Army would act or not was the most crucial part of the entire situation.
*****
It was a hot and humid autumn night, but the lights were still on. Under the light, there was a letter that was still being written.
"Brother Cang Zhi Xian,
I have received your letter. I know that the situation in Jiangnan is smooth, and the people are united against the Jurchens. My court has a virtuous Crown Prince and a virtuous Prime Minister. If this continues, the revival of the Wu dynasty will be possible.
Ever since I came to the southwest, the people's hearts were ignorant, and the situation was difficult. But with the help of all the virtuous people, the situation has been broken. In the southwest, everyone knows the evil of the Black Flag Army. Brother Cheng Maoxian spoke of righteousness to the Ni chieftain at Liang Mountain, and it was very effective. Today, the barbarians also know what is right and wrong in the world. Although it is a barbarian land, there are also righteous people fighting against the Black Flag Army, burning their fields and cutting off their trade routes. The Black Flag people are trapped in the mountains, uneasy. Brother Cheng Maoxian's contributions to the Wu dynasty and the world are not as good as you.
Although the situation is clear, there are still hidden dangers. Wuxiang Army's Lu Qiao Mountain has its own troops and is in a dilemma. Its attitude is hard to tell, and it has dealings with the Black Flag Army. And today, under the Imperial Court's orders, Lu Qiao Mountain, in the name of a general outside, has stationed his troops outside the mountain and is not willing to advance an inch. This kind of person is either slippery or rough, it is difficult to conspire with them on important matters. Brother and the virtuous people, we cannot sit and wait. No matter what Lu Qiao is thinking, we must persuade him to advance and fight the Black Flag Army.
Fortunately, this time to the west, we are not only accompanied by the virtuous people of Confucianism, there are also martial artists and heroes who know what is right and wrong. What we are doing is for the sake of the Wu dynasty, the prosperity of the world, and the peace of the people. If there is a disaster in the future, I hope that Brother Cang Zhi will send money and valuables to the families of the following people, so that their descendants and brothers will know why their fathers and brothers once risked their lives. Because our country is in danger, we cannot fulfill the sin of filial piety, so we kowtow here.
Today, those participating are: Jiangnan hero Zhan Shao, Hangzhou former constable Lu Xuanzhi, Jiaxing Jian Mingzhi … "
The lantern light flickered as Long Qifei's brush danced about. There were only names written on the paper. He knew that these names would leave traces in the future, making people remember how many people risked their lives and risked their lives for the sake of the Wu Dynasty's prosperity.
After writing this letter, he attached some banknotes before sealing the envelope and sending it out. After walking out of the study, he saw some people waiting outside. There were scholars and martial artists among them, and their gazes were resolute.
"… In the southwest, the Black Flag Army is powerful, but it is not the most important thing. However, since the Wu dynasty went south, the army has grown. The Wuxiang army and Lu Qiaoshan have truly covered the sky with one hand. Although this matter has the assistance of the prefectural magistrate, everyone must understand the importance of this matter. Therefore, I will say one last thing, if there is anyone who withdraws, I will not hold a grudge … "
The night wind whimpered and passed through here.
*****
On the morning of the second day after negotiating with Lu Qiaoshan, Su Wenfang sent members of the Hua Xia army into the mountain to convey the attitude of the Wuxiang army. For the next three days, he was intensely negotiating with Lu Qiaoshan.
There was not much progress in the negotiations. Every day, Lu Qiaoshan would come over with a smile and chat with Su Wenfang. It was just that he was not willing to give in to the conditions of the Hua Xia army. However, he also emphasized that the Wuxiang army would definitely not become enemies with the Hua Xia army. He stationed the army on the outskirts of Liang Mountain and did nothing every day. This was proof.
The search for the Black Flag Army by the outskirts was getting more and more intense. However, this was also carrying out the orders of the Imperial Court. Lu Qiaoshan admitted that there was not much he could do.
"This time, the most important part of the matter is still in the capital." During one day of negotiation, Lu Qiaoshan said this. "His Majesty has made a decision and order. As officials and soldiers, how can we go against it? The Hua Xia army has dealings with many officials in the Imperial Court. If we mobilize these people and abolish the order, then the siege of Liang Mountain can be solved. Otherwise, we can only continue to be in a deadlock. It is not that we are not doing business, it is just that it is more difficult than before. Honorable envoy, it is already good that there is no war. Everyone is already having a hard time … As for the situation in Liang Mountain, no matter what, Mister Ning should first get rid of the Mang Mountain Tribe. With the strength of the Hua Xia army, this matter would be as easy as flipping your hand … "
Lu Qiaoshan smiled apologetically every day. He vividly displayed the image of a bureaucrat who did not want to do anything. Speaking of the situation in Liang Mountain, since the Mang Mountain Tribe was broken up, the Hua Xia army, who was an outsider, seemed to be helpless. Su Wenfang did not know much about the situation in the mountain, but he could feel the tension day by day. He had heard Ning Yi tell him the story of boiling a frog in warm water.
"Lu Qiaoshan does not have good intentions." One day, Su Wenfang told Hunchback Chen about the situation. When Hunchback Chen tried to persuade him to leave, Su Wenfang shook his head. "However, even if he wants to fight, he will not kill the envoy. It is safe to stay here. If he goes back to the mountain, there is nothing to do."
After he said this, Hunchback Chen naturally nodded. The white-haired old man did not care about being in danger, and in his opinion, what Su Wenfang said was reasonable.
After another day, the one who negotiated with Su Wenfang was the military advisor, Zhi Junhao. Both sides discussed all kinds of details, but in the end, they could not reach an agreement. Su Wenfang could clearly feel that the other side was delaying, but he could only talk here. In his opinion, there was still a chance to make Lu Qiaoshan give up his resistance. As long as there was a chance, it was worth his effort.
That afternoon, not long after he returned, Su Wenfang was thinking about the new excuse he would use the next day. Suddenly, there was a noise outside his courtyard.
The sound of swords clashing could be heard. Some people were shouting, some people were roaring, and some people were screaming. While he was still in a daze, Hunchback Chen had already entered through the door. He was holding a knife with blood on the blade. He grabbed Su Wenfang and said, "Let's go!" Su Wenfang was dragged out.
Su Wenfang did not know any martial arts, so he stumbled along the way. Inside the courtyard, including Hunchback Chen, there were a total of seven Chinese soldiers. Most of them had experienced the battle at Little Cang River, so they were all holding their weapons. Outside the courtyard, the sound of footsteps and galloping horses could be heard. Many people rushed into the courtyard. Someone shouted, "I am Jiangnan's Li Zheng Dao!" and was killed by a knife.
Hunchback Chen dragged Su Wenfang and ran toward the secret path they had planned. The fire was already burning behind them.
At the entrance of the street outside, chaos had already spread. Long Qifei excitedly looked at the encirclement in front of him. The knights charged into the courtyard, the horses galloped, and the sound of neighing could be heard. This was the first time he was in charge of this kind of operation. The middle-aged scholar's cheeks were red. Soon after, someone came to report that the resistance inside was fierce and there was a secret passage.
"Catch them, catch them … The secret passage is definitely not far, catch them …" Long Qifei shouted in panic.
The secret passage was indeed not far, but the seven Black Flag Army soldiers' cooperation and killing was terrifying. More than ten knights that charged in were killed on the spot in the courtyard.
The first Black Flag Army soldier died at the entrance of the secret passage. He was already seriously injured and tried to stop the others from following, but he did not succeed.
The second Black Flag Army soldier died at the entrance of the secret passage, which delayed the people who were chasing for a moment.
The secret passage only spanned one street. This was a temporary residence that could not be used for a large scale civil engineering project. Long Qifei, with the support of the Zi Zhou prefectural magistrate, mobilized a large number of people. Hunchback Chen dragged Su Wenfang out and was discovered, so more people surrounded him. Hunchback Chen let go of Su Wenfang, picked up two knives, and rushed into the narrow alley nearby. Although his hair was already white, the two knives in his hands were ruthless and vicious. With every step he took, a person would fall.
"Follow me." Hunchback Chen shouted like this as he and the four Chinese soldiers killed their way forward. In the blink of an eye, they had already broken through a street in the chaotic situation.
Along the way, another Chinese soldier fell, and the others were more or less injured.
"Uncle Chen, go back and tell brother-in-law the news …"
"You go back!" The old man shouted.
"I can't leave, the news is very important." Su Wenfang dragged his leg that was hit by an arrow. His whole body was trembling. It was unknown if it was because of the pain or because of fear. He almost cried as he repeated, "The news is very important …"
In front of him, there were still more people rushing over. The old man looked back and said with a sad voice, "Brothers, accompany me to kill …" Like a cheetah, he led the way. When he rushed out of Su Wenfang's sight, Su Wenfang was walking under a tree on the side of the road. Several Chinese soldiers were still fighting. Some of them fell on the way, but two of them were still guarding in front of Su Wenfang. Su Wenfang shouted, "Stop! We surrender! "
One of the Huaxia soldiers refused to surrender. He rushed forward and was stabbed to death by a spear in the crowd. Another person saw this scene and slowly raised his hand, throwing away the saber in his hand. A few Jianghu heroes walked over with shackles. The Huaxia soldier pounced forward, grabbed the long saber, and swung it. The heroes didn't expect him to risk his life in this kind of situation. Their knives and spears pierced through him, but the soldier's last knife cut into the neck of the "Jiangnan Hero" Zhan Shao. Zhan Shao covered his neck as blood spurted out. A moment later, he died.
The last Hua Xia soldier's head was also chopped off the moment he died.
Su Wenfang looked at the corpses and trembled as he collapsed under the tree. His leg was pierced by an arrow, and the pain was unbearable. Tears also flowed out. In the alley not far away, Long Qifei walked over and looked at the dead soldiers and bailiffs. His face turned pale, but when he saw that Su Wenfang was captured, his mood slightly improved.
What Chinese soldiers, they would also cry in fear.
He ordered everyone to capture Su Wenfang and called a doctor to treat him. After a while, the Wu Xiang army arrived. The leader was the angry Lu Qiaoshan. They surrounded the town and didn't allow anyone to leave. They demanded that Long Qifei hand over Su Wenfang. This was a place near the military camp. Even the law enforcers of Zi Zhou's prefectural magistrate shouldn't interfere.
Even more scholars began to rush over in this direction, criticizing whether or not the army was going to protect the Black Flag Army's rebels.
On this day, the confrontation between the two sides lasted for a while. Lu Qiaoshan finally retreated. On the other side, Hunchback Chen, covered in blood, was walking on the road back to Liang Mountain. His pursuers caught up from behind …
Su Wenfang was shackled and escorted back to Zi Zhou. The difficult days had just begun.
Long Qifei sent a letter to the capital:
"… Our side's matter has just ended. If things go smoothly, then the Wu Xiang army will have no choice but to turn against the Black Flag Army. This matter is very satisfying. Dozens of righteous soldiers have sacrificed themselves. Although they had to sacrifice themselves, it is still a pity …
… If this matter is not settled, we will ask General Lu again so that the Wu Xiang army can no longer delay. For the sake of the country, this matter cannot be delayed any longer. Even if we have to sacrifice ourselves here, we will not hesitate … "
After that, there were many more generous words.
Lu Qiaoshan returned to the military camp and was silent for a long time. He didn't discuss the impact of this matter with Zhi Junhao.
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