ca-book Chapter 142 Mid-Autumn Festival Black Fire
Chapter 142 Mid-Autumn Festival Black Fire
【My lord is the most powerful】
After entering the county palace, Qin Xiang, the new master, entertained Jian Hao and others well.
The butler in the mansion is capable, although they have just arrived, the banquet has been prepared early, it can be said that they have done their best.
This made Qin Xiang feel at ease gradually.
There were no elders present, and the three brothers were not restrained. They ate a few words while eating, and had a relaxed and happy meal.
Then he talked about the disaster in Qinzhou.
The steward of foreign affairs bowed and replied: "The water level in the river has dropped rapidly, and most of the wells for drinking water have dried up. The crops either withered or failed to produce food. The victims could not live in their hometowns and flooded into the city..."
"What can the state government do to deal with it?"
The butler raised his eyes to observe Qin Xiang's expression, and then replied: "A few days ago, it was said that the imperial court wanted to allocate money for disaster relief, and the grain shops in the city either suddenly raised the price of grain, or said that there was no grain to sell. Now not only They are penniless refugees, and it is difficult for us urban residents to buy food!"
Qin Xiang frowned.
The housekeeper sighed, and continued: "Fortunately, there are rich households who open warehouses to release grain and donate porridge and millet, so they won't starve to death."
Qin Xiang clenched his fists and said to the two teenagers: "I have a granary in the suburbs of Beijing, and I have about 50 shi of millet in stock. It may be inconvenient to transport all of it. Why don't you sell it for money in the capital and then come to Qin to buy grain—— Haohao, Muxi, I don't have anyone available around me now, so I'll leave this matter to you!"
An Muxi clasped his fists, and solemnly responded, "Brother, you are serious. Although I have no experience in this, I will definitely do my best!"
Xiao Shizi said carelessly: "Since you have no experience, why don't you let the prince do it, the prince is the most powerful, he will definitely be able to do it well!"
After speaking, he nodded affirmatively.
Looking at the undisguised affection in Xiao Shizi's eyes, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince couldn't help but be stunned—once, how much he wished Haohao could look at him like this.
An Muxi followed up very naturally: "Yes, His Highness Prince Ping has many capable people, and selling rice is just a trivial matter to him."
Qin Xiang regained his composure, nodded with complicated emotions, and sighed: "If Brother Ping Wang is not busy, then I will be busy."
Xiao Shizi waved his hand, "Not busy, he has nothing to do every day, every time I go to Prince Ping's Mansion, I see him nestling in the Phoenix Courtyard."
Haiyan silently complained for His Highness King Ping.
God knows, the prince of his family specially sent someone to watch on the wall, and once he heard that the young prince was coming, he would immediately stop the discussion and return to the Phoenix Courtyard; in order to spend more time with the young prince, he waited for the young prince to fall asleep before getting up to review the official documents every night; Occasionally going to the camp is always going back with the stars and the moon...
"I have nothing to do every day" or something, my confidantes are not convinced!
However, no matter how dissatisfied, Haiyan could only hold back his strength—as a person in the same position as His Royal Highness Prince Heping, he knew very well in his heart that everything the master did for the little prince was willing.
Haiyan's mental activities are extremely rich, but Xiao Shizi didn't notice it at all.
At this time, he had already discussed with An Muxi enthusiastically about donating money and food, "I have collected a lot of big ingots before, so I can buy a few carts of food. Although it is not much, it can be used at the top."
Qin Xiang quickly said: "Don't care how much it is, it's good to do your part for the common people."
Haiyan sent someone to pass the news back to Prince Ping's mansion first, so there is no need to rush back.
After resting overnight in Anjun Palace, Jian Hao and An Muxi embarked on their way back to Beijing.
***
On the mountain road, two teenagers walked side by side.
Behind him, a group of guards led the horses and followed unhurriedly.
It was mid-autumn at this time, and the leaves all over the mountain were half yellow, spreading thickly on the road, and the distant mountain peaks were dyed red by frost leaves, layer upon layer, very beautiful.
Xiao Shizi shook An Muxi's hand and asked, "There is a poem written by a poet, what is it called 'Stop and sit in the maple forest at night, frost leaves are red in February flowers', have you heard of it?"
An Muxi shook his head, "I've never heard of it, but I feel very good when I hear it now."
Xiao Shizi nodded, "I think so too."
Then, at the same time fell silent.
Xiao Shizi couldn't help laughing, "One of us never reads, the other only reads military books, and we are talking about poetry!"
An Muxi also raised the corners of his lips, and there was a bit of warmth in his cold voice, "If Xiao Lizi was here, she would be able to say a thing or two."
Xiao Shizi nodded approvingly, "He is the only one among the three of us who has studied well, and it can be regarded as a face for the brothers."
Everyone in Haiyan followed behind, listening to what the boys said, they couldn't help smiling.
——With such a real and unpretentious master, they, who are subordinates, can also feel more relaxed and comfortable.
Unexpectedly, it is still too early to say this.
When he reached Calabash Valley, Xiao Shizi stopped suddenly.
Haiyan was startled, thinking that there was an ambush again.
Who knows, Xiao Shizi suddenly said: "Do you still remember the cottage last time?"
Seeing Xiao Shizi ready to move, Haiyan felt an ominous premonition for no reason.
He originally wanted to find a reason to coax them over, but who knows, the guy next to him immediately said: "Subordinates remember, speaking of it, the drought is so severe this year, I don't know how they are..."
Xiao Shizi rolled his eyes and said on a whim: "Let's go over and have a look. If they can't survive, we can still ask someone to bring some food over."
When He Qing heard this, he looked at Haiyan with sparkling eyes.
Haiyan had no choice but to say: "This subordinate will send someone to investigate."
Jian Hao shook his head, "Let's go together, anyway, you have asked someone to go back to report the news in advance, so we don't need to rush back to the capital in advance."
The most worrying situation still appeared!
Haiyan groaned inwardly, and persuaded on the face: "Second master, before going out, the master specially told me that the situation is chaotic now, and you will return to Beijing immediately after sending people away, you—"
Xiao Shizi frowned, a little unhappy, "I'm not his canary, so I can't decide this matter myself?"
With a cold face, he turned the horse's head, and said coldly: "Little Yogurt, let's go!" After speaking, he clamped the horse's belly tightly and ran ahead.
An Muxi followed without hesitation.
He Qing glanced at Haiyan worriedly, and whispered: "No wonder the second master is unhappy, we have indeed exceeded the norm."
Haiyan frowned tightly, and felt a lot of self-blame in his heart.
He looked at Xiao Shizi's back, and repeatedly ordered, "Send a letter to Master Feige to report this matter. Mingzi, you rush back to the capital immediately and report to Master face to face. The rest of you, go into the mountain with me to protect Second Master." !"
Everyone responded in unison, "Yes!"
Ahead, Jian Hao and An Muxi turned around a valley one after the other, and An Muxi drove forward, keeping pace with Xiao Shizi.
He seemed to be thinking for a long time before he opened his mouth and said, "Haohao doesn't need to get angry."
Xiao Shizi turned his head and grinned slyly, "Don't worry, I'm just pretending!"
An Muxi froze for a moment, with a puzzled expression on his face.
Xiaoshizi nuzzled, "If I hadn't behaved better, would it have gone so smoothly? I know they are worried about me, but don't even think about it. I already have a son, so I can't do what I want?"
An Muxi breathed a sigh of relief, and said solemnly: "Haohao is not a canary."
Jian Hao smiled, "Don't worry, I'm sensible, a village full of old and weak women and Confucianism, what else can happen? Now that I think about it, I won't feel at ease if I don't go and have a look."
An Muxi nodded, "I'll accompany Haohao."
Jian Hao smashed his arm with his fist, "Good brother!"
Behind him, Haiyan and others quickly caught up.
Haiyan purposely ran to Jian Hao's side, and respectfully apologized, "It's my subordinate who overstepped, please punish the second master."
Jian Xiaoshi imitated His Royal Highness Ping Wang's usual appearance, and said flatly: "There is no need to punish, do your own duty."
Haiyan was stunned for a moment, then bowed and said: "Yes!"——How do you feel...is there anything strange?
He Qing followed the two children to that village before, he had a good memory, and soon found a road that had been trodden by carts and horses.
Haiyan felt a little wary in his heart.
An Muxi couldn't help taking two steps forward, protecting Xiao Shizi behind him.
When Jian Hao asked about the name of the village, He Qing had no memory at all, "If my subordinates remember correctly, there are no plaques, banners, flags and other things on the gate of the village."
An unnamed village, which is even more suspicious.
【Cottage with great background】
Originally thought that it should be a deserted village with extremely difficult life, but unexpectedly, it is now full of cars and horses, and it is very lively.
Just like what He Qing described on the road, the gate of the village is built with tall wooden pillars, and there is a watchtower on each side with sentry posts on it.
However, at this moment, the gate of the village was not closed tightly, but was completely opened, and dozens of strong men in bunts pushed flatbed carts and filed in.
Jian Hao and the others hid far away behind a broken wall, just in time to avoid observation from the watchtower.
Looking at the scene in the village, He Qing revealed a surprised expression, and said in a low voice: "The last time this subordinate came, it wasn't like this. Could it be that all the men in the village came back because of the festival?"
Jian Hao fell down the slope, staring at the scene in the village without blinking, and asked Xiao Xiao instead: "Are you sure we went the right way?"
He Qing looked affirmative, "There are so many mountains here, there are few pedestrians, and this is the only place where people live within a radius of ten miles. It must be right."
At this moment, a young boy in thin clothes rushed out of the village.Followed by a thin and frail little girl.
The boy happily rushed to the head of the man and shouted loudly: "Father, you are back!"
The redness and swelling in the spring days faded from the faces of the children, and their brows and eyes were full of joy.
Even so, Jian Hao recognized at a glance that they were the brother and sister who met in Gourd Valley before and exchanged herbs for arrowheads.
The leader touched the tops of the sons and daughters one by one, smiling brightly.
Jian Hao and the others focused their attention on the tightly packed flatbed trucks.
"What is that?" An Muxi asked in a deep voice.
Xiao Shizi sniffled subconsciously, and then turned pale with shock, "It's gunpowder!"
His voice was not low, not only An Muxi and the others were taken aback, but even the sentry by the gate of the village heard it.
Jian Hao made a decisive decision, "Let's go!" After speaking, he was the first to turn his horse's head around and rushed out.
Everyone else is better than him, and Jian Hao knows that as long as he doesn't hold back, he will be fine.
Haiyan guarded the back, until he ran out of the col, he was greatly relieved - at that moment just now, he was really afraid that this little ancestor would rush up to show his prestige, so he refused to leave.
At this time, the cottage was also in chaos, the leader saw that they were going to escape, got on his horse, and shouted, "Chasing!"
In an instant, several horses followed.
Looking at their riding postures, it is by no means as simple as ordinary countrymen.
He Qing turned his head and threw a dart, but the position was intentionally off by a few inches, not to hurt anyone, but to shock.
Unexpectedly, the opponent not only didn't know how to restrain himself, but raised his arm and activated the bow in his sleeve.
He Qing showed a look of shock - this is clearly the arm that they developed!Why is it in the hands of these "bandits"? !
Fortunately, the number of the other party's armies was not large, coupled with the dense trees in the forest and the rugged road, Jian Hao's side was not injured.
Seeing that the attack was unsuccessful, the other party simply chased them with all their strength. Judging by the posture, it seemed that they were going to catch them all.
Relying on their familiarity with the terrain, the opponent got closer and closer to them.
The first one who couldn't hold on was naturally Jian Hao.
His horse riding skills are average, let alone jumping on such a mountain road.It's not that he acted coquettishly and shamelessly ridden Bai Chi this time, and he couldn't hold on until now.
There was a strange sound of hunting in the air, Jian Hao looked back, and saw those people were swinging the lasso, looking at them fiercely.
Xiao Shizi opened his throat and shouted, "My lord—help!!!"
The sudden high-pitched voice frightened the opponent's horse.
Several horses raised their hooves together and neighed in panic.
The thieves quickly slowed down to appease the horses.
Jian Hao and his party seized the opportunity and forged ahead.
At this moment, heavy hoofbeats came from around the corner, and a group of armored cavalry suddenly appeared.
The leader with white feathers on his head and silver armor is none other than His Royal Highness King Ping who is as mighty as a war god.
When Xiao Shizi saw it, his strong composure disappeared immediately, and he rushed over shouting "Wow".
His Royal Highness King Ping's heart tightened, he held the saddle tightly with one hand, and with a long arm he scooped him up and brought him onto his horse's back.
Xiao Shizi wrapped his hands and feet around His Highness Ping Wang's body, and by virtue of his body's instincts, he suddenly turned into a little milk wolf.
Such a change is not due to timidity, on the contrary, the instinct of blood inheritance tells them that this is their most powerful form - if... it is not so small.
Without Qin Yuan's orders, Haiyan and the others immediately turned their horses' heads and faced the pursuers behind them.
The opponent obviously recognized the Lingnan Army's jersey, turned around and ran back without saying a word.
The leader took Haiyan's place just now, and while hastily whipping his horsewhip, he shouted loudly: "Go back and report! Hurry up!"
Haiyan sneered and rode up on his horse.
In an instant, the relationship between hunter and prey is completely reversed.
Xiao Shizi turned into a little wolf, and he still didn't forget to yell "嗤嗤" to remind him.
——They have gunpowder, don't go near the cottage!
When Qin Yuan heard this, he immediately ordered, "Enough is enough, don't get close to the cottage!"
Haiyan got the order to catch the leader at the corner closest to the village—this tall and strong man, he used himself as bait to save the lives of the other brothers.
A young boy ran out from the stockade, shouting at the top of his voice while running, "Father——"
Haiyan respected him as a man, blocked the young man's sight with his back, then tied him up and tied him behind the horse.
A strange look flashed in the man's eyes, and he shouted with red eyes, "Go back! Akashi, go back! Take care of your mother and niece!"
"Daddy! I want to save you, Daddy!"
However, the young man ran up the hillside, but was stopped by the men who fled back, and he was not allowed to take a step closer.
Haiyan glanced at the young boy expressionlessly, said "Sorry" silently, then turned cold and ordered: "Get out!"
The leading man was taken away by Haiyan under complicated sights.
"Father—" the boy knelt on the ground and cried out in a miserable voice.