I can't bear to see a beauty grow old and a hero past his prime. As long as Xu Xiao is alive, I won't send my troops south. I won't let Xu Xiao's reputation be tarnished!
Bah!
When Hsu Fengnian opened his eyes and saw the white sky, he couldn't help but laugh when he thought of the conversation between the Beimang Empress and Xu Xiao. It couldn't be called a war of words. The Northern Mang Royal Court would always leak out some rumors from time to time, and the empress who was over fifty years old had never concealed her special feelings for Xu Xiao. There were rumors that the empress had secretly visited the Liyang Dynasty when she was young and had met Xu Xiao once. There were even rumors that they had an earth-shattering, short-lived marriage. The officials of the two dynasties were skeptical of the former, but naturally, very few people believed the latter. It was mostly spread in the marketplace and countryside. No matter how much the court officials of the current dynasty disliked Xu Xiao, they all scoffed at the rumors. Of course, Xu Fengnian didn't believe it even more. He slowly stood up, stretched, and shook his head. When he turned around, he saw Wang Dashi jogging over. Along the way, he secretly crossed his fists in front of his chest to strengthen each other. Unfortunately, it was only a rough embryonic form, and he was still thousands of miles away from reaching a higher level. After seeing Hsu Fengnian, Wang Dashi whispered, "Guest Gongsun said that Boss Xiao found a few bandits on horseback last night and attacked them with his sword despite being stopped. We don't know when he will be back. Miss said to wait for half a day. If he doesn't come back, we will have to go to Liucheng first."
Hsu Fengnian smiled and asked, "You left the dead branches for me last night. Aren't you cold?"
Wang Dashi's honesty was immediately exposed. He blushed and said, "There are many rules in our faction. Moreover, the master may not teach you real skills. He often says that he will wait a few years before he can settle down. You will forget after a while. When the time comes and you ask about it shamelessly, the master will say that you won't be able to accomplish anything in a few years and that you are not a talent that can be cultivated, so he will put you aside. In the end, it's because I didn't give you enough money. "
Hsu Fengnian couldn't help but laugh. "You're actually not that stupid."
The young man scratched his head and blushed. He mustered up his courage and said, "Young Master Xu, you're different from those masters who only want to pocket money."
Hsu Fengnian, who never rejected flattery, laughed heartily and said, "Good taste."
The members of the Fish-dragon Gang gathered in groups of three to five and looked at Wang Dashi with all kinds of eyes. Some despised the coward Wang Dashi for being too flattering, some envied their junior fellow apprentice for being on the General's Mansion's boat, and some wondered why the descendant of a general surnamed Xu was so happy to talk with Wang Dashi. Generally speaking, those who were young and impetuous would not be nice to this Young Master Xu. Those who were older and had experienced some things in the Jianghu seemed to be reserved, but in fact, they still hoped that Young Master Xu would take the initiative to exchange a few pleasantries and give them a way out. They would then squeeze out a smile and try to get close to him. Unfortunately, this young man surnamed Xu was too arrogant. He even ignored them when they were almost at Liusheng. This made many of the members who hoped to form a good relationship with the General's Mansion angry.
Hsu Fengnian glanced at the members of the Fish-dragon Gang. "When we return to Lingzhou, you won't have a good life."
The young man forced a smile. His smile was slightly bitter, but he didn't have the confusion and fear he had before. This young man was the only one who fought side by side with Liu Nerong at the last moment of the Falling Horse Pass. He didn't know if he was comforting Young Master Xu or himself. He pursed his lips and said softly, "It's okay."
Young people were like a new bow. They wouldn't know how much potential they had until they were pulled to an exaggerated degree by life. Hsu Fengnian stood on a high slope and looked towards the north. Between the Falling Horse Pass and Liucheng, there was a Yanhui Pass. The ownership of this isolated city was unclear. Neither father nor mother loved it. The two dynasties tacitly didn't send any officials to be stationed here. Instead, it became a rare and bustling big market. The residents of the pass had long trained their ears and eyes to see far. When the war between the two dynasties rose, they would disperse, and when the war stopped, they would gather. They were happy and unfettered. Further north of Yanhui Pass was Beimang's territory without any suspense. It was heavily fortified. Every five miles, every ten miles, and every hundred miles, it was repaired and improved year by year, forming a distinctive and complete military defense system.
Gongsun Yang, who was looking towards the north with His Royal Highness, carried his wine bag. There wasn't much Green Ant Wine left, so he awkwardly tied it back to his waist. He introduced the complicated situation of Yanhui Pass to Liu Nerong, who was beside him, and said, "Miss, we are still two days away from Yanhui Pass. This place is filled with all kinds of people. Many criminals who committed crimes in the south of our dynasty have migrated here. It's the same in Beimang. There are also some soldiers and generals who were stationed at the border who have left their military status for various reasons. Some are spies, and some are simply leading their brothers to do some beheading business. Most of them are fugitives who escaped from hard labor in the army. In addition, there are also those who evade taxes and abscond for fear of punishment, as well as the survivors of the Eight Kingdoms of the Spring and Autumn Period who would rather be homeless dogs than live peacefully in Liyang. Those who dare to stay in Yanhui Pass for a long time are basically not clean. It's not an exaggeration to say that the children in Yanhui Pass are cruel and merciless. Compared to the young men outside, they are much more experienced. Although we need to replenish our water and food, I think it's better if we don't enter the city with a large group. When the time comes, I'll take a few clever guys to purchase. There's no other way. The Fish-dragon Gang can't withstand the storm at all. "
Liu Nerong nodded and said, "When the time comes, I'll enter the city with Uncle Gongsun. We'll do things steadily."
Gongsun Yang said with relief, "I can't hold back my words. Miss, please don't be angry. Although you are a woman, you are born with the good qualities of a woman. You won't stick your neck out. To be honest, when the old leader handed the Fish-dragon Gang over to you, I was still worried. One reason was that I couldn't convince the others, but I was afraid that you would be too arrogant and think that the Fish-dragon Gang's current foundation was justified. If you are determined to forge ahead, you will run into a wall sooner or later. If you take over, you will inevitably lose the steadiness that is the foundation of Jianghu. After this trip, I really underestimated your ability and wisdom."
Liu Nerong blushed and said, "Uncle Gongsun, I'm actually timid. I'm not as tactful as you say."
Gongsun Yang laughed and said, "Miss, it's good to be timid, but it's not good for a newborn calf to be not afraid of a tiger. It's better for those with a strong background. If they suffer and are wronged, they can only go back to their parents to ask for help. They are not afraid that they can't make a comeback. Our Fish-dragon Gang is in an awkward position and is far from a big business. Once we are injured, no one will give us a hundred days to recuperate, otherwise, the rival gangs will kick us when we are down. Therefore, being timid is a good thing and a blessing for the Fish-dragon Gang. If Young Master Xu says that Xiao Qiang usurps the power and hands it over to Xiao Ling, who has great ambition but little talent, I dare to say that the Fish-dragon Gang, which has gone astray, can only prosper for eight or nine years at most. When the time comes, we will be finished.
Liu Nerong didn't expect that the usually taciturn Great Guest would be so humorous. She was amused and felt much more relaxed. Her eyes became brighter. Gongsun Yang nodded secretly. He felt pity for the junior who had high hopes for him. This trip to Beimang was not as simple as a carriage of goods worth 30,000 taels of silver. It was equivalent to putting the heavy burden of the Fish-dragon Gang on her shoulders in the next few years. Liu Nerong was treated as a bandit and wantonly killed by the soldiers at Tuma Pass. After leaving the pass, she was stalked by the Horse Gang. Xiao Qiang, the original pillar of the gang, was no longer alive. For Liu Nerong, who was not even 20 years old, it was a bit heavy. Gongsun Yang turned his head and looked at Young Master Xu, who he had a good impression of. Wasn't this person an additional burden for Liu Nerong, who was always in a state of panic? Gongsun Yang sighed in his heart and told himself to think in a positive direction. This experience was destined to be an immeasurable life fortune for Liu Nerong.
Liu Nerong wrapped her arms around her knees, bit her lips and looked into the distance. She attracted the attention of many young men of the Fish-dragon Gang, but she was indifferent.
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