"Stop! If you take one more step forward I will shoot!"
When Qian Shaobai came to Nantang Village, he saw a circle of earthen walls outside the village. It could be seen that the earthen wall was made of rammed mud wrapped in straw. This method of wrapping the earth with thatched grass is very popular in the water-rich countryside.
Wild lands are often used for building dams.
On the inside of the earthen wall, there are several watchtowers, which are much cruder than the earthen wall. They are almost just wooden frames, and can only accommodate one village warrior on top.
At this time, the Xiang Yong who could not even draw his bow was staring at Qian Shaobai nervously and shouting loudly, attracting everyone in the village.
There was a burst of erratic steps and discussions, and several villagers emerged from behind the earthen wall. When they saw Qian Shaobai, they asked: "This... hero, what do you do for me?"
Now Qian Shaobai has changed into a slightly outdated attire with arrow sleeves and a sword on his back. He has changed from a scribe to a swordsman and warrior who travels around the world, which naturally arouses the suspicion of the villagers.
"I came from the north. After walking for a long time, I feel hungry and thirsty. I want to buy some food." Qian Shaobai said loudly: "Don't worry, I have money and I won't default on my bills!"
The leader of Xiangyong behind the earthen wall saw the Tianxia silver cake in Qian Shaobai's hand. He was dazzled and quickly asked the village chief beside him: "How is it? Do you want to let him in?"
"He's carrying a sword on his back. He looks like he's a gangster, so he's not easy to mess with." The village chief said he was older and looked worried.
"So what if he carries a sword on his back? He is alone." The leader of the Xiangyong pouted, and dozens of Xiangyong behind him were holding spears and pitchforks: "If this guy dares to take action, he will be shot to death."
"You don't understand." The village chief waved his hand: "He said he came from the north. Now the north is full of puddles and mud ponds. The Zujiang River is so wide that you can't see the other side. There have been no ferries for a long time. This kind of people dare to be alone.
The only person who travels alone in the world is a swordsman with magical powers."
"The swordsman still wants to eat?" The leader of Xiangyong was not convinced: "If they really have magic power, they will come to a poor country like ours these days? The noble master has invited them back to eat and drink well, so why do they need it?
Spend money?”
"Are you keeping an eye on his money?" the village chief asked in a low voice.
"Didn't you say that he is alone? Invite him in later, everyone will swarm over and knock him down, and the money will belong to our village." The leader of Xiangyong was eager to give it a try: "Anyway, there is no county magistrate to care about it. Death these days
What’s a passerby? Just dig a hole and bury it.”
The village chief was still hesitating, but the leader of the township brave said: "I'm afraid you have forgotten something. Liuyezhai will send someone to our village to borrow food in a few days. This kind of thing will never end, and we can't fight it.
They can't give away all the food in the village, right?"
As soon as these words came out, the village chief understood that if their village wanted to maintain stability, they could only pay money and food to Shiliang Twelve Villages. If they wanted to maintain the livelihood of the villagers, they would have to suffer from these passers-by.
"Open the door." The village chief was helpless. In this world, if you don't eat people, they will be eaten up by others.
Seeing the mud-smeared wooden door slowly opening, Qian Shaobai looked calm. He had long heard the whispers of these villagers and didn't think it was unusual that he was about to be surrounded and killed.
The four major floods of the Zujiang River in ten years, especially the breach of the embankment this year, have caused eight counties in the southeast of Xiong Country to be fragmented by floods, directly cutting off traffic, and many counties have almost become isolated islands in the ocean.
This situation has made the already rampant banditry out of control. Villagers like Nantang Village can no longer sustain their livelihoods by farming and fishing alone. It is not enough to rob and kill the few passers-by, and even rob and kill county officials.
Go to civil servants in various places, or attack nearby villages and towns.
Some hungry villagers have resorted to killing people and eating meat. All court laws and government decrees are completely invalid in places where floods have occurred.
Qian Shaobai was sent to assist Guan Shiping and work with the imperial officers and soldiers to restore the laws of these unclaimed lands. However, before that, the giant bandits occupying the mountains and rivers must be eradicated, so that the follow-up matters can proceed step by step.
"I don't know what to call you, hero?" As soon as they entered the village, the village chief and several village heroes came forward.
"My surname is Qian, and it has more than one character." Qian Shaobai said with a smile.
The village chief was stunned for a moment, thinking how much this hero's parents loved money that they would give their child a name like Qian Duo?
"Master Qian, please wait a moment. I have asked someone to arrange meals." The village chief led Qian Shaobai to sit down in the house, pretending not to care and asked: "I just heard that Master Qian is from the north.
?I wonder what the situation is like in the north? Has the Zujiang flood receded?"
"It's still the same ghost. It rained heavily last night and it won't stop!" Qian Shaobai complained: "I think we can only wait until autumn and winter to see if God will reward us."
"I'm afraid it will be like the past two years, with floods followed by drought. Locusts flew everywhere and ate up all the crops." The village chief also sighed.
"Oh? It seems that you have not had a hard time these years?" Qian Shaobai took the opportunity to ask.
"Let's make a living." The village chief said: "Fortunately, our village is located in a high position. The polder has blocked water in the past two years, so we have had some harvest. We raise some chickens and ducks and try some meat during the Chinese New Year."
Qian Shaobai smiled and said: "I have a big appetite, so I'm afraid it won't cost you anything."
"The visitor is a guest, so it's a big deal to say this." When the village chief saw Leader Xiang Yong, he frequently signaled with his eyes, but he just waved his hand quietly, and then continued to talk to Qian Shaobai: "By the way, Qian Daxia came to the south to
Doing something big?"
"I'm also here to make a living." Qian Shaobai said: "I heard that the Twelve Villages of Shiliang are recruiting heroes from all walks of life to share gold and silver and eat wine and meat together, so I plan to go there!
"
As soon as these words came out, the audience outside the room became restless. Qian Shaobai glanced at it and said with a smile: "What? Did you scare everyone?"
When he said this, Qian Shaobai slapped a silver cake on the table and embedded it directly into the wood, which showed his strength.
This immediately calmed down the malicious people, and the village chief also immediately changed his expression: "Master Qian, don't be angry, we country people have never seen the world... What are you looking at? Why don't you hurry up and hurry up the cook?
?”
After calling away the gang of villagers who were about to take action, the village chief relaxed a little. He knew very well that this Qian Daxia was no ordinary person. If he really wanted to fight, he would be the first to suffer disaster if he was close at hand, even if there were dozens of them.
If Xiang Yong surrounds him, I'm afraid they won't be able to deal with him.
Rather than incurring casualties, it is better to compromise, even if this Qian Daxia wants to seek refuge in Shiliang Twelve Villages.
Thinking of this, the village chief suddenly thought of a way. This Qian Daxia seemed to be very capable. He might be able to get a leadership position in the Twelve Villages of Shiliang in the future. If he entertained him well,
Nantang Village may have a backer among the Twelve Villages, and it can also avoid blackmail from other bandit villages.
"Is it true that Master Qian is going to seek refuge in Shiliang Twelve Villages?" the village chief asked cautiously.
"Is there any lie?" Qian Shaobai immediately saw that the village chief had fallen into the trap: "It is rumored that the Twelve Villages of Shiliang have controlled the Shiliang River and set up docks along the river, with hundreds of miles of camps. Many officers and soldiers have defected.
They are not just thieves in the market. Even if the imperial court orders you to be safe in the future, the big and small leaders can also be granted official positions. It is a business that is sure to make money without losing any money!"
The village chief smiled apologetically, and then said: "But I heard that it is not easy to join Shiliang Twelve Villages. Hero Qian can't go empty-handed, right?"
"I understand the rules of the rivers and lakes. You need to vote for a certificate of honor!" Qian Shaobai pointed at the sword on his back: "To be honest with you, I killed more than a dozen families on the way here."
The village chief's legs and feet trembled when he heard this, and he did not dare to ask whether this was true or not. He had to say: "Master Qian misunderstood. The Twelve Villages of Shiliang are heavily guarded. They are always wary of new faces from outside. Master Qian is alone."
If a person goes to seek refuge, he is afraid that he will not be able to get in, so he needs someone to recommend him."
"Oh? These rules are quite strict." Qian Shao rolled his eyes and said with a smile: "The village chief told me this, could he recommend me to the Twelve Villages?"
The village chief himself certainly did not have such great ability. One of the twelve villages sent hundreds of minions, and the whole village was extremely frightened. The people of Nantang Village spoke softly, and their words were of no use at all.
"In two days, Liuye Village among the twelve villages will send someone to borrow food. If Qian Daxia can show off his skills in front of the leader, he will be appreciated," the village chief said.
Qian Shaobai held his chin and nodded: "Well, this is a good way to save you the trouble of searching for it."
"I just don't know, can Master Qian..." The village chief hesitated to speak.
"Are you afraid that I am not capable enough?" Qian Shaobai raised his finger, and the long sword on his back unsheathed and flew by itself, circling like a fish in the small room. The cold sword light illuminated his four arms.
.
The flying sword was returned to its sheath, and the village chief was speechless with his mouth wide open. He was glad that he did not let Xiang Yong make a move, otherwise if the swordsman were to take action, no spear or pitchfork could stop the flying sword.
To the ordinary people of the Xiong Kingdom, the masters of immortality who wield flying swords and call upon the wind and rain are far away, but they are not unfathomable. There are many rumors of masters appearing and disappearing in the towns and villages, and it is even more common for quacks and magicians to show off their illusions.
.
However, once he saw the flying sword technique with his own eyes, the village chief still felt that his horizons were so wide open that he even lost his mind.
"No, I, I..." The village chief quickly gathered his thoughts and even changed his title: "I was wondering if the Immortal Chief would be going to Shiliang Twelve Village to help out in the future, could he say a few words of kindness to Nantang Village?
Woolen cloth?"
"I understand." Qian Shaobai laughed loudly: "You are afraid of being blackmailed by the leaders of the Twelve Villages, so you want to find a backer in advance!"
The village chief didn't care much and said immediately: "Everyone in Nantang Village is willing to serve the Immortal Chief!"
"Haha, if that's the case, then I won't be polite!"
Qian Shaobai didn't care much about this. A village that built walls to defend itself would not be able to squeeze out much profit. If he really wanted to seek refuge in Shiliang Twelve Villages, Nantang Village would be dispensable to him.
After staying in Nantang Village for two days, Liuyezhai indeed sent more than 200 people to Nantang Village. Qian Shaobai looked at the sparse formations and bandits with uneven clothes and armor from a distance, which was simply unsightly.
.
The second boss of Liuyezhai rode a skinny horse to Nantang Village. The village chief took the initiative to greet him and carried bags of grain and grass onto the car.
After a moment of greetings, the village chief said: "The second master is unaware of something. A highly skilled swordsman came to our village a few days ago. I thought that shallow water cannot keep a real dragon, and only Liuye Village can take in such an expert."
"Oh? What kind of expert would actually come to your Nantang Village?" the second master asked, pinching his goatee.
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw a flying sword flying out from the back of the house, straight into the ground, and nailed three inches in front of the second master's feet.
"My surname is Qian Mingduo. I am a descendant of Qingxi Cave in Jiyuan Mountain. I am known as the 'Feihong Divine Sword' by people in the world!" Qian Shaobai was sitting on the roof, looking proud and imposing like a disciple of the Immortal Sect.
The second master was really swayed by this move, even though he had never heard of Qingxi Cave in Jiyuan Mountain, and the nickname of Feihong Divine Sword was made up by Qian Shaobai.
"Could the Immortal Chief want to come to our Liuye Village?" The Second Master was a little confused. Among the twelve villages in Shiliang, Liuye Village was the poorest. Who would have thought that he would be favored by a cultivator of immortality?
The most arrogant of the Twelve Villages in Shiliang do worship monks and magicians. Even if they are not seen taking action on weekdays, they still have a strong reputation.
"What's the matter? Could it be that the threshold of Liuye Village is higher than the mountain, and Qian's skills are not enough to get in?" Qian Shaobai pretended to the extreme, raised his finger, pulled out the flying sword and returned it to its sheath, which made the others shocked and surprised.
.
The second master's thoughts suddenly changed and he said excitedly: "What are you talking about? Immortal Qian is coming to Liuye Village, and I can't wait to welcome him before it's too late. In this way, I will ask someone to repay the favor first, let the village be decorated, and welcome Immortal Qian to wash away the dust!"
"Okay!" Qian Shaobai laughed loudly, showing his recklessness.
…
Due to the great flood of the Zujiang River, Liuyezhai, which was originally located on a hill in the wilderness, became a strategic place surrounded by water and rivers.
Originally, there was an abandoned fortress of the Tianxia Dynasty in the mountain where Liuye Village is located. It was later occupied by bandits and after some repairs, it became a bandit village.
However, in Qian Shaobai's opinion, this bandit's stronghold was really vulnerable. There was no thatch or reed planted in the water swamp outside the stronghold as a cover, and no patrols were sent to guard it. If officers and soldiers really rushed to the shore, the bandits would have little chance of winning.
As for the repair of the fortress, it was also careless and perfunctory. They didn't even know how to use mud to bond the stones, so they relied on wooden slats to fix the rammed earth. The weapons and armor were piled up randomly, left to rust in the rain. The rest of the men were also disheveled, sitting and lying around.
Here, they are idle and dazed, comparable to the scoundrels in the market. If this kind of armaments were placed among the official army, the officers and soldiers involved would be beheaded in the most serious case, or with a hundred military sticks at the least.
It can only be said that it is fortunate that the flood of Zujiang River blocked the imperial army from sending troops to suppress them. Otherwise, these bandits would not have needed Guan Shiping to lead troops behind them, and Qian Shaobai could have wiped out Liuye Village by himself.
"Oops! Mr. Qian Xian is here, and Chen is not welcome at all, but not at all!" A strong man cupped his fists and handed over his hands. When he saw Qian Shaobai, he hurried out.
"Master Chen, I have admired him for a long time." Qian Shaobai already had a general understanding of Liuye Village after the introduction.
Master Chen invited Qian Shaobai to sit down and asked his minions to bring him some wine. After three rounds of wine with Qian Shaobai, he made some compliments and then said:
"The presence of Immortal Qian in person really brings glory to Liuye Village! There is a big event happening right now. If Immortal Qian can agree to it, there is no harm in giving up the position of the head of the family to Chen, Immortal!"