Cui Ying 'er was alone and had not had a good bath in the past few days. As soon as she settled down, she immediately took a few buckets of well water to boil for a bath. There were a lot of firewood in the mountains. After Cui Ying 'er boiled the water, the temperature in the room rose and became warm.
She poured the boiling water into a simple bathtub with a smooth interior and pine bark on the outside. After adjusting the water temperature, she walked to the door and opened it. She saw Yang Hu with his hands behind his back, pacing in the courtyard with a heavy heart. The snow under his feet made squeaking sounds.
Cui Ying 'er thought he was still thinking about how to assassinate the emperor. She could not help but angrily say, "It's so late. Why aren't you coming in? Do you want to eat something? "
Hearing this, Yang Hu strode into the room. Cui Ying 'er waited for him to enter the room and locked the door. Her pretty face was stiff. She coldly looked at Yang Hu and said, "You still haven't given up? In the capital, because of your stubbornness, more than two hundred of our brothers died. Today at Li Clan Village, if not for the Tartars who happened to capture the village, we would all have died there. Haven't you woken up from your dream of being the emperor? "
Yang Hu irritatedly said, "Don't interrupt these things. The heroes of the three mountains and five peaks gathered under my banner because of this. It's easier said than done to turn back. Even if the Maitreya Sect lied to me, can't they rule the world? Hmph, aren't they also plotting a rebellion? Are we not as good as those evil Daoists? "
Cui Ying 'er angrily said, "Continue your big dream." Saying this, she turned and walked into the room.
Yang Hu asked, "Don't you want to eat something?"
Cui Ying 'er sneered and said, "If you can eat, then eat. I have no appetite. I'm going to take a bath."
Yang Hu heavily snorted and sat down on the chair. Under the light, his eyes flashed as he was still thinking about his own matters.
Cui Ying 'er took off her robe and placed it on the chair. She immersed herself in the tub and frowned. She tiredly sighed.
The heat seeped into her delicate skin, and the steam rose up, making everything under the light hazy.
Her sparkling and translucent skin turned pink under the hot water, and the water rippled. Her beautiful long hair was immersed in the water, like a dark cloud dispersing, covering her beautiful body under the clear water.
Her figure was still impressive. Her skin was white and smooth, and her breasts were tall and plump. Her tender red nipples were protruding and alluring. Her full and translucent breasts were trembling under the water, creating a deep and alluring cleavage. Her ink-like hair swayed gently with the flow of the water. Her slender waist and round navel were faintly discernible under the water. Her hair was like a cloud that was rippling with the water …
Yang Hu lifted the curtain and walked in. When he saw his wife's beautiful bathing posture, his gaze couldn't help but freeze. He suddenly couldn't bear to say the idea he had just made up his mind.
Although Cui Ying'er's martial arts skills were superb, that place was, after all, a dragon's pool and a tiger's den. In order to send her away and provoke her to go to that kind of place, if something happened to her …
Thinking of this, Yang Hu couldn't help but hesitate. Cui Ying'er saw him staring at her in a daze, and her thoughts went astray for a moment. She snappily said, "If you're done eating, go and rest. I don't want to see you. I'll sleep alone tonight."
Hearing this, Yang Hu was furious. He glared at her and said, "Don't forget, you're my wife!"
Cui Ying'er's pretty face was stiff and she didn't say anything. Her pair of limpid eyes just stared at him coldly.
Under her gaze, Yang Hu gradually lost his courage. He avoided Cui Ying'er's burning eyes and suddenly retorted angrily, "In the capital, you caught Yang Ling, but you didn't kill him. You've never been soft on soldiers before. Now that the Maitreya Cult hasn't shown up, your plan to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight has failed. Why didn't you take the opportunity to kill Yang Ling when he climbed up the mountain and fell into the cave? Who can tell if he fell to his death or if you killed him? Why did you save him? "
Cui Ying'er snorted disdainfully. She raised the tip of her nose and said, "Don't forget that if Yang Ling hadn't kept his promise today, we would have been chopped into meat paste by thousands of soldiers and horses with just one order from him. Are we not as good as soldiers who keep their promises? We roam Jianghu openly and clearly distinguish between kindness and hatred. Just because he showed mercy in front of the tavern, shouldn't I save him? "
Yang Hu smiled strangely and said, "Yes, there were thousands of arrows and guns. I also thought I would die without a doubt. I didn't expect him to show mercy."
As he said this, he glanced at Cui Ying'er and hesitated for a moment. But the words of the big-tailed wolf were like a poisonous thorn in his heart. It was really a fishbone stuck in his throat, and he had to spit it out. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "It's just that when he framed and killed 200 of my brothers, he was ruthless and merciless. Now he's kind and soft, but I don't know why he showed mercy."
Cui Ying'er raised her eyebrows and said angrily, "You … what nonsense are you talking about?"
Yang Hu also said angrily, "Did I say something wrong? When you came out of the cave, even Lang Er and the others could see that there was something wrong with your expression. Do you think that I'm blind? "
"I …" Cui Ying'er was embarrassed and angry. Thinking of the situation in the cave, it was a secret that even her husband could not tell her. Two peach blossoms appeared on her cheeks and she was speechless for a moment. When she came out of the cave, she looked bashful because Yang Ling was hugging her in the cave and she accidentally kissed him on the lips. How could she tell her husband about this?
Yang Hu was only slightly suspicious at first, but when he saw her like this, his suspicions grew. He could not help but angrily walk in front of her and said with a sneer, "Hehe, a man and a woman alone, a soldier and a bandit. Not only did they not look like mortal enemies, but they even looked like they were in love and the concubine was in love. Did they really think that the cave was their bridal chamber?
Haha, if one day the soldiers caught a thief in a bed, it would really become the biggest joke of the Ba Zhou's underworld. I, Yang Hu, would be so proud! "
"Bullsh * t …!" Cui Ying'er unleashed her female power and suddenly stood up from the water.
The hot water surged, the steam rose, and the spring scenery was revealed.
The water flowed down her curvaceous body and flowed into the enchanting ravine. Her breasts were plump, her waist was slender, and her breasts were as white as snow. Her snow-white breasts protruded strangely, forming two snow-white and firm breasts. They were smooth and glistening, like fine jade. The breasts were perfectly contracted to the tip, forming two bright red fruits.
The wonderful parts of her naked and proud delicate body were fully exposed. Her two perfectly straight thighs glowed pink, and there was not the slightest blemish that emitted heat. Her slender waist that could not be grasped with one hand accentuated her round and firm buttocks that were extraordinarily plump and perky. They were like a full moon, adorned with sparkling water droplets.
She grabbed a towel and draped it over her body, saying hatefully, "You're too obsessed with power now. You're no longer the righteous and generous Jianghu big brother from back when you were just a small mountain. You're always thinking about how to be an Emperor, and you're hilariously imitating others to come up with schemes and schemes. You have great ambition but little talent. You don't look like an Emperor even if you put on the imperial robe. I think your eyes have been blinded by power. You're almost blind even if you're not!"
Yang Hu was infuriated by her rebuke. He immediately forgot that she was far more powerful than him and raised his hand to slap her!
Cui Ying 'er sneered and slashed horizontally with her palm. As soon as the two palms touched, she immediately changed the chop into a entanglement and took advantage of the momentum. With a splash, water droplets filled the sky. A white shadow flashed in the water, and Yang Hu felt his shoulder sink. An extremely slender, smooth, and muscular thigh pressed down on his shoulder, pressing him against the side of the wooden barrel. Only the towel slipped down. Yang Hu was so angry that he laughed and said, "I'm not as skilled as you. You might as well just kill me and take my head to the imperial court to receive a reward. Perhaps you can also be conferred the title of Lady of Imperial Mandate."
Cui Ying 'er was so angry that her delicate body trembled. She pulled back her legs and sat back down in the water. Her beautiful wet hair contrasted with her white and rosy face, and her cheeks were already streaked with tears.
She raised her head and closed her eyes tightly. "Ever since I, Cui Ying 'er, married you, have I ever done anything to let you down? Fine, since you see me in such a bad light, then just kill me and live your dream of being the Emperor in peace. "
Yang Hu had never seen her cry with grievance. He couldn't help but panic. His anger was immediately thrown to Java. He said helplessly, "Don't … don't cry, I … I … Alas!"
Yang Hu paced around the room like a trapped beast. He reached out to wipe the water droplets off his face and fiercely punched the brick bed. "Ying 'er," he said angrily, "I, the dignified chief of Ba Zhou's Lulin, have suffered heavy losses, my mountain gate has been destroyed, and my reputation has plummeted. If the news that Old Taoist Liu is a member of the Maitreya Sect spreads back to the stronghold, it will be even worse for me. Do you think you can control those unruly men just by relying on your martial arts? I … Do you know the difficulty in my heart? "
Cui Ying 'er slowly opened her eyes. Her heart softened when she saw her husband's painful expression. She gently persuaded, "Brother Hu, if you don't want to be the leader, then don't be. Let them fight for it. The stronghold is deep in the forest and has never been searched by the soldiers. Why don't … we go back to the stronghold and live peacefully.
Originally, in Bazhou, I thought that all the soldiers in the world are worthless goods that cannot withstand a single blow, and that all the officials in the world are black-hearted corrupt officials. Only now do I know that not all the officials in the imperial court are corrupt officials, and the troops of the imperial court are not that easy to defeat. The Great Ming's destiny has not ended yet. "
Yang Hu glared at her and said, "Go back to the Cui family stronghold? I, Yang Hu, am a man. How can I hide under a woman's pants to make a living? I'm so ashamed. Father-in-law promised you to me because I'm a famous figure in the Lulin. If I go back like this, how can I live in the future? I haven't avenged the blood feud of more than two hundred brothers. How can I explain it to their orphans and widows?
You said that you and Yang Ling are not selfless, and I believe in your character. But you let him go last time, and it's a fact that he let you go today. Is it too much to say that you guys flirted with each other on Mount Baishan? Those brothers of mine have all seen it. If they go back and spout nonsense, how can I face others? "
Cui Ying 'er couldn't help but say in a fit of pique, "I, the Red Madame, am a man of my words. If I didn't cheat, then I didn't cheat. What else do you want me to say to make you believe me? Do you want me to bring up Yang Ling's head before you will believe me? "
Yang Hu's eyes lit up. He rushed over and held her hand tightly, saying, "Good idea! Killing Yang Ling is killing two birds with one stone. Ying 'er, think about it. Although the Maitreya Sect lured me into the capital, the one who killed him was Yang Ling's men. Killing him can be considered an explanation to the stronghold. And this way, the rumors will fall apart, and your innocence will naturally be restored. Whoever dares to talk nonsense again, I will dare to chop off his head! "
Cui Ying 'er was shocked and said hesitantly, "Yang Ling … is a good official. Today, he was the one who saved our lives. Repaying kindness with enmity, I … How can I do this?"
Yang Hu said, "Both good and bad officials are our enemies. The two hundred brothers were killed by him, right? The mountain gate was destroyed by his soldiers, right? You spared him once, and he spared you once. Whatever gratitude you have, we are even. "
He took two steps forward and held Cui Ying 'er's hand. He said sincerely, "Wife, I, Yang Hu, don't have the face to return to the stronghold with my tail between my legs! People's words are like knives. I don't care about other things, but if someone insults your innocence, how can I tolerate it? Are you pretending to be deaf and not hear those rumors? For me, for you, now we can only settle for the next best thing, and that is to kill Yang Ling! "
Cui Ying 'er's heart was in a mess. Her husband spoke so frankly, and his suffering was also the truth. Even if she had to climb a mountain of swords and plunge into a sea of flames for him, why would she even frown? But killing Yang Ling …
Yang Hu saw her hesitation and said through gritted teeth, "Ying 'er, what kind of person is Yang Ling? What does it have to do with us? We are mounted bandits, bandits from the outskirts of the forest! Don't tell me you still want to talk about righteousness with the soldiers? If you don't go, I will bring my brothers and kill my way back to Datong tomorrow. If I can't find the emperor, I will kill my way into the imperial envoy's residence! I am a man, and I would rather die here openly than return to Bazhou to be ridiculed by others. "
After he finished speaking, he suddenly stood up. Cui Ying 'er grabbed his wrist and said in a trembling voice, "Don't … If … If Yang Ling dies, are you really willing to return to the stronghold with me and live with me forever? Are you willing to give up your ambition of conquering the world?"
Yang Hu said happily, "Of course, when have I ever lied to you? Wife, do you agree?"
Cui Ying 'er made up her mind and said through gritted teeth, "Fine! I will break my promise this time and bring Yang Ling's head back to see you. Tomorrow morning, I will think of a way to sneak back to the city. "
A trace of pride flashed in Yang Hu's eyes, and he hurriedly said, "Datong's security must be even tighter now. How about this, ask Fifth Uncle and you to pretend to be father and daughter. Not only can we cover our identities, but we can also take care of each other. Tomorrow morning, ask Xiao Laosi to use his identity as the head of security to write a note for you and think of a way to sneak into the city. I will bring my brothers to move around nearby and attract the attention of the soldiers. After the matter is done, we will meet at Xingzhuang's Julong Inn. "
Cui Ying 'er's heart was conflicted. She had agreed to kill Yang Ling, but not only did she not relax, her mind was in a mess. She silently nodded and constantly comforted herself in her heart, "He is my husband, I can't watch him walk the path of being deserted by everyone. I'm sorry, Yang Ling, I'm really sorry … "
Yang Hu found an excuse to send her away. Thinking about how dangerous the place was, he couldn't help but nervously say to her, "Wife, remember, if things don't work out, as long as the news of the assassination of the imperial envoy gets out, we will be able to account to the stronghold. So … you must not be rash, I … I'm worried something will happen to you."
Hearing Yang Hu's words, Cui Ying 'er's heart relaxed, "If it's just to create a false impression of the assassination of the imperial envoy, it's not difficult. Why don't I beat him at his own game? I can coax my husband back to the stronghold, and there's no need to really harm Yang Ling's life."
She turned to see the deep concern in Yang Hu's eyes, and her cheeks couldn't help but feel a little hot. She secretly said with shame, "How can I put him in such a difficult position for an unrelated person? Forget it! Do I still want to be some hero thief? If God gives me the chance to make a move, then … it is God's will. Sigh, you're on your own … "
※ ※ ※
Yang Ling found an ox cart and brought the Empress of Man Duhai into the city, heading straight for the Acting Prince's fu. When the Acting Prince heard that this unremarkable old woman was the famous Man Duhai of the grasslands, he hurriedly ordered the housekeeper of the Prince's fu to specially clean up a side courtyard for her. He assigned four little eunuchs and four palace maids to take care of her food and drink. He also repeatedly exhorted that the news must be kept strictly confidential and not the slightest bit of information must be leaked.
After making the arrangements, Yang Ling returned to the courier house. He thought that he should report to Zhengde about what had happened in the past few days, but he didn't know if he was still following Tang Yixian around.
Yang Ling took off his large cloak and handed it to the imperial bodyguard. He then whispered to Zhang Yong, "Gong-gong should go back and rest first. When it's convenient, call me. We have to report this important matter to His Majesty."
Zhang Yong nodded his head and said with a smile, "We will, Daren can rest assured."
He also knew that the Emperor had been running around with that little girl surnamed Tang for the past few days and had never seen him so attentive to a woman before. He knew that this young lady was very important in his heart, so Zhang Yong did not dare to slight Tang Yixian in the slightest.
Moreover, this time Zhengde did not make a fuss about going out for a stroll. It could be considered a pleasant surprise. Zhang Yong also wanted to be at ease and wished that the Emperor would stay in the courier house all day.
Zhang Yong walked to the rear courtyard. The imperial bodyguard then said in a low voice, "Daren, Liu Qianzong has returned and is waiting for you in the study."
Ever since he had arrived at Datong, Liu Biao had switched from being in the light to being in the dark. He was specifically in charge of scouting for information and was not usually stationed at the courier house. If he came to see him, it must be something important. Yang Ling hurriedly turned toward the study. Seeing him return, Liu Biao immediately stood up. Yang Ling said, "Sit, sit, there is no need to stand on ceremony. How is it? Is there any news?"
Liu Biao expressed his thanks and sat down. With his hands on his knees, he said, "Daren, this lowly officer is currently investigating the matter that you have ordered. Right now, there is an extremely suspicious person. However, he plays an important role in Datong and has a special status. When it comes to him, unless he reveals his identity as a member of the inner faction, the investigation cannot continue. That is why this lowly officer has come to ask for instructions from daren."
Yang Ling was moved. He asked, "Which matter is he involved in? Who is he? Is he in the bureaucracy?"
Liu Biao said, "Daren, this person's surname is Wang and his given name is Long. His family deals in cattle, horse, fur, jade, jewelry, tea, salt, and medicinal herbs. He is the richest man in Datong. The entire left side of Hualei Street is his property. It was originally called Wang Ban Street. Now that his influence is growing, his mansion has been jokingly called 'Wang Fu' by the commoners."
Yang Ling knew that he had more to say, so he listened quietly. He heard Liu Biao continue, "The buyers of the livestock in Lijia Village are from the mainland. They are … are the housekeepers of the Marquis Of Shouning's residence. At the end of last year, the Marquis's residence purchased another two hundred hectares of land. That is why they sent their housekeepers to the north to purchase cattle and horses. The supplier is Wang Long. Because his goods are also concentrated outside the city, they arranged to trade at Lijia Village. Only the two of them know about this matter.
There is no reason for the Marquis Of Shouning's residence to have secret dealings with the Tartars. Wang Long, who has become the richest man in the area in just over a decade, is the most suspicious. Furthermore, military shoulder armor, saddles, horseshoes, helmets, and even weapons. Although no one has publicly requested to buy them, Wang Long has purchased a large number of semi-finished products to make the corresponding military equipment. Furthermore, he does business outside the Great Wall, and his mules and horses frequently leave the Great Wall. Only he has the conditions to transport these things out. Of course … Old Han also has the ability to do so. "
Liu Biao said this with a smile. Yang Ling also laughed and said, "Continue."
"Yes, Daren!" Liu Biao said, "Now that the war is urgent, Daren, you should go to the front to patrol. All the generals guarding the city must pass the imperial envoy's pass. Ordinary people cannot enter the Great Wall. However, this lowly official has investigated. In the past few days, there has been a jade merchant surnamed Bao who has left the Great Wall.
This merchant surnamed Bao has a close relationship with Wang Long. Selling jade here is not very profitable. It can be said that the reason why he is able to stand firm and not fall is because of Wang Long's support. Moreover, his personal bodyguard who never leaves his side is a Mongolian called A 'Man. "
Yang Ling frowned. "Two armies are fighting at the front, and he still has a way to leave the Great Wall? What a great skill! "
Liu Biao let out a bitter laugh. In a low voice he said, "Daren, do you know that when a high-ranking military officer takes office, he only has two important tasks? One is to guard against the Tartars going up the Great Wall, the other is to guard against the soldiers going down the Great Wall. If he really wants to leave the Great Wall, it is actually not difficult. "
Yang Ling was puzzled. "Guarding against the Tartars going up the Great Wall, I understand, but what do you mean by guarding against the soldiers going down the Great Wall?"
Liu Biao said, "Daren, trading with the Mongolians can be extremely profitable. An ordinary iron pot, a small bag of salt, or the lowest grade of tea bricks are not worth much here. But from the Mongolians, they can be exchanged for large amounts of silver, expensive animal hides, or rare medicinal herbs.
Therefore, not only merchants, even the soldiers guarding the city often carry a bag of salt on their body, an iron pot on their head, and use a rope to leave the city to trade with the Mongolians. Two years ago, the soldiers rebelled and killed the commander. Although it was the commander who docked the soldiers' salaries, the border army does not rely on that little bit of salary to survive. If not for the commander's strict supervision, not allowing the soldiers to … "
Yang Ling understood and silently nodded, saying, "It is better to open up than to block. This official knows this as well. Just like the fishermen along the coast, many of them could not resist the ban of opening the sea to trade with the barbarians and were forced to become pirates. Ai! When the flowers arrive, we will be more generous to those who are sincere in doing business. As for those who want to rob, we will let them suffer a bit. Being so harsh will only put us in a difficult situation. "
Liu Biao continued, "Therefore, it is not surprising that the surnamed Bao can leave the city. The problem is that the cavalry outside the Great Wall are everywhere. Where can he find a buyer or seller? This is very suspicious. Moreover, the entry note was written by Wang Long, and the deputy general guarding the west gate is Wang Long's brother. Therefore, all the suspicious points point to Wang Long.
But Wang Long has a wide network of local friends. In the army, the government, and the Prince's Mansion, there are some people with great power who call him brother. Without concrete evidence, it is difficult for his subordinates to investigate further. In fact … before the war, Wang Long had just bought a large batch of leather and iron. These things are too big a target. If he really did trade with the Mongolians, he must not have had time to transport them out.
But on the surface, he is a cattle and horse seller. It is reasonable to say that he makes iron saddles and palms, but it cannot be used as evidence. But the Wang family has their own workshop. If these things have not been transported out, they must be making battle armor, spearheads, and other military equipment in the mansion.
The problem is his identity. If the investigation is not true, we will have the reputation of persecuting the local people. This will be extremely disadvantageous to Your Excellency. The border is an important place, and if there is any unrest, then … "
Yang Ling paced a few steps in the room with his hands behind his back. "Since he has such great power in the army and local areas, if he is really a spy, then he must know a lot of information. The flowers will arrive soon, and we really do not have time to slowly investigate. We must cut the Gordian knot and remove the Mongolian's eyes as soon as possible. Tell me more about him in detail. We guards are experts in the crime of innocent people. I don't believe that this really suspicious person can do nothing to him."
"Yes." Liu Biao described Wang Long's temperament, hobbies, character, and friends with great familiarity. When he was in the Imperial Bodyguard, he had been an extremely astute Lieutenant Tiqi, and with Wu Jie's guidance, he had become a qualified intelligence agent.
Yang Ling had once told him that to investigate a person, one must understand their temperament, hobbies, characteristics, family relationships, and even some unknown hobbies. Often, a small habit, a small detail that no one paid attention to, could be the gap for a breakthrough. So Liu Biao spoke in great detail. It was difficult for him to grasp so much information in a day, but considering that Wang Long was an extremely coquettish person in Datong, this was not surprising.
Yang Ling thought for a moment after hearing this, then laughed and said, "Hualei Street, Twelve Screens, haha, alright, there's a 'Flourishing Restaurant' across that street, right? Book it, and replace all the customers with your men …"
No! Ask my father-in-law to arrange for some locals on the second floor, but they must be spies and their family members who have secretly joined the Inner Sanctum. They must be reliable. Hehe, tomorrow we will be showing off our prowess and bullying the 'common people' … "
After listening, Liu Biao cupped his hands in obeisance and said with a smile, "Your Excellency's brilliant plan. Unless he doesn't fall for it, we will be acting as imperial envoys to eliminate evil for the people. Haha, with that old man standing behind us, there is no need for Your Excellency to make an appearance. Acting Prince, Inspector Hu, and Chief Inspector Yang will take the initiative to suppress all the people. No one will dare to act rashly. Your humble servant will go and make the arrangements."
Yang Ling smiled slightly. Watching Liu Biao close the door and leave, he muttered to himself, "Wang Long, if you are just lustful and immoral, I will punish you lightly. If you are really in cahoots with the Tatars … then you better watch yourself!"
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
