On the hillside of Lingtai Mountain, there is a high platform facing the mountains, with golden tiles and earthen walls, flying corners on the roof, and a line of sandalwood on the table, floating in the air along with the air current.
Lin Mo glanced at Zhang Long, who was a little nervous in front of him, withdrew his gaze, picked up the tea cup in front of him, and tasted it gently.
"Lao Zhang, you might as well speak up if you have something to do. If I can do it, I won't refuse."
He put down the tea cup, looked at the sea of clouds that rolled and relaxed, and said calmly.
Zhang Long had a shaved head at this time, with six fragrant scars on his head. This was a Buddhist dress, and his temperament was much calmer than at the beginning.
Hearing this, he looked at Lin Mo in front of him with a complicated expression.
I sighed softly in my heart.
I never expected that in less than two years, the other party would change so much.
This change is not only in appearance, but also in temperament and even status.
Who would have thought that a disciple with a very low sense of presence in the Lingxi Villa would, in a blink of an eye, become a Taoist-level figure in the Lingtai lineage of the Lingtai Sect, and even own a large temple?
At this speed, even though he had expected that the other party might soar into the sky, he never thought that this day would come so quickly.
But fortunately, although the other party is not what he used to be, he seems to be a person who misses the old relationship.
Despite my busy schedule, I am willing to take time out to meet with him.
It was a huge blow to his heart.
"Speaking of which, I really need to trouble Old Lin with something...Senior Brother Lin," Zhang Long said in a solemn voice.
"There's no need to be so divided." Lin Mo said calmly. He didn't like the sudden change of names for his former friends and old friends.
"Haha, it's all the same, it's all the same." Zhang Long smiled and shook his head.
"This matter must start with my family.
As you know, my family originally had a good momentum, and in the city where I live, I have some background, and I can barely be considered a wealthy family.
And I have many younger brothers and sisters, and the relationship is also very good. When I joined Lingxi Courtyard and then entered the Lingtai sect, I wanted to maintain the relationship between brothers, friends and brothers..."
Lin Mo nodded, he naturally knew this. When they left Huaiping, the group had a farewell drink and confided in each other. Zhang Long said this.
"You mean, something happened to the family?"
His thoughts were floating in his mind and he asked softly.
"I knew I couldn't hide it from you." Zhang Long smiled bitterly.
He looked at the slightly green tea in the teacup in front of him, looked at the tea leaves floating in it, and sighed slightly:
"To be honest, it is indeed the case. During the last Taizhou expedition, the chief officer of the city where our clan was located happened to be a senior brother from the Zhengyi lineage of the sect. He took office during the first Category A selection and was recruited during his term.
In order to fight against rebellion, the junior brothers and clan members fully cooperated.
It’s just that you know afterwards, Senior Brother, that the Allied Forces were defeated in the Battle of Taizhou. By now, Junior Brother’s clan has lost several percent of its power and is in a state of decline. It is precisely because of this that many outsiders have coveted it, and they have no choice but to come to find Senior Brother.
.”
Zhang Long said truthfully, feeling a little aggrieved as he spoke, with a look of unwillingness on his face.
"That Zhengyi disciple is also dead? If not, just look for him."
Lin Mo heard the words and clarified the context of the matter, but he was a little confused.
"Besides, I remember that the imperial court has a regulation similar to sacrificing family protection. Your situation should be in line. Moreover, with your identity as Lingtai Sect, Lao Zhang, you dare to take action. Could it be that you have some background?"
"Well, that senior brother is not dead, but he is seriously injured. He is still in seclusion to heal his injuries and cannot be contacted at all. And the regulations on sacrificing family protection that you mentioned are there, but..." Zhang Long was about to say something again.
end.
He glanced elsewhere and his voice became a little lower:
"But there are conditions. They must hand over part of their property to the government. It is ostensibly for temporary custody and will be returned when a new poker master emerges in the clan, so as not to rob people of their wealth.
If you calculate it carefully, this part is the majority. After all, there are many mouths up and down, and those outsiders, you may not even be sure, they have the support of the government behind them..."
Lin Mo was speechless. After hearing this, he only felt that some government officials in Huaizhou looked like they would be finished sooner or later.
Don't they know that there are examples like the Zhang Long family, where someone responded to the call and eventually became a martyr, but as a result, the family was not protected and ended in defeat, which will greatly reduce morale?
If this continues, only a fool will sacrifice his life for the court.
"How do you want me to help you?" He asked after thinking about this.
Zhang Long clasped his hands together and said in a more solemn voice: "Senior Brother, please give me a message."
Lin Mo's current status can, to a certain extent, represent the will of the sect. Naturally, some local officials dare not disobey him.
After all, the imperial court and Lingtai Sect are now in the honeymoon period.
The reason why he couldn't protect the family was because he didn't have enough weight.
"Okay, I will give you a greeting note later, just take it." Lin Mo nodded. "But no matter what, as long as you are still here, it's fine. If you give up a few belongings, just give them up. As the saying goes, a thousand pieces of gold are gone."
If you come back again, there will be hope if there are people around."
"You come back after all your money has been spent? Lao Lin, you always have some thought-provoking words to say."
Zhang Long touched the fragrant scar on his head and smiled bitterly.
"It's just that many times, when money is lost and people are lost, everyone understands the principle of eradicating the root cause. The weak have no right to choose."
Lin Mo was speechless. Looking at the once high-spirited Zhang Long in front of him, he didn't know how to comfort him.
In the forty-ninth year of the Great Zhou Dynasty, late July.
Yuzhou's Yujian was broken, and Hengfo Moko from the Thousand Feather Realm came, and Huaiyuandao, the Huaiyuan Marshal, led his troops to attack Yuzhou's quelling the rebellion.
A county was destroyed in one day, but in less than three days, Yanyu, Shuiyuan, and three counties were defeated in a row.
Tai Hou Tai'an Ming led his troops to defeat the enemy and escaped into the mountains and forests, missing where he could be found.
The power of the Yuzhou government was officially destroyed.
After Taizhou, Yuzhou fell one after another.
The world was shocked.
Huaifu City.
"Lord Niu, can you wait for me and report the matter here to Lord Dutong in advance?"
"It's really not that I don't want to help. Brother Zhang Min, you have to know that today is the holiday period, and Du Tong is not in the yamen at all. Besides, everything in the yamen needs to go through procedures.
If you want to apply for protection from the families of fallen martyrs, you must first prove that someone in the family actually died in the line of duty, go to the Ministry of Household Affairs to get a seal and ask for proof, then go through the property entrustment there, and finally apply to the capital court.
If I help you, I will be overstepping my authority, but I will lose my hat!"
In the courtyard, a man in official uniform with a wide forehead, big eyes, and wide eyebrows sighed softly, shook his head and said.
As he spoke, there was a trace of impatience hidden in his eyes.
"Master Niu, six elders of our clan have been missing since the Battle of Taizhou. The Ministry of Household Affairs asks for proof. How can we prove it! And I, Zhang, can do the property entrustment, but every time I go there, there is no one.
, what should I do if I wait!"
On the other side, the person who spoke previously suppressed the grief and anger in his heart and continued to speak in a deep voice.
But when I saw the person in front of me with his blindfold becoming more and more impatient, and the ronin who kept wandering around the door, I felt sad and angry, and then worried again.
Finally, he gritted his teeth and took out an empty stone ring from his arms.
"Master Niu, you are well-informed and kind-hearted. If you can, I hope you can point out a clear path!" He said and handed the ring forward.
Mr. Niu, who looked upright in front of him, was startled, took it without any trace, weighed it, and his eyes became deep.
"Xiao Min, I do have a good heart and want to help you, but you have to know that the rules are here..."
Zhang Min gritted his teeth, took out another empty stone ring, and handed it over respectfully.
Master Niu sighed softly when he saw this. While sighing, he shook his head, but the corners of his mouth subconsciously raised.
Take the ring.
"That's all, I'll help you deal with the White Wolf Gang on this matter. As for the Ministry of Household Affairs, if you really don't have proof, then hand over more property and make up for it, and get the decree issued as soon as possible, and you'll have peace of mind.
Don’t be reluctant to part with it, no matter how good the property is, there must be someone around it.”
Master Niu said earnestly and with deep feeling.
Halfway through, his eyes lit up and he looked at a woman behind Zhang Min.
The woman was only fifteen or sixteen years old. She had two braids and her skin was as fair as porcelain. When she saw him, her eyes blinked under her brows and she hid timidly behind Zhang Min.
"This is my sister Zhang Rou. She is truly the queen of the country and makes people pity her."
Master Niu shook his head and said.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Min took half a step forward and blocked Master Niu's sight.
Say nothing.
Master Niu chuckled, shook his head, and looked at Zhang Min seriously.
"Xiao Min, you don't want Xiaorou to be bullied in Huaifu City in the future, right? So, make a decision early."
Without stopping, he walked straight out of the yard.
Zhang Min didn't say a word when he saw this, he just stepped forward and closed the door.
Huh...huh...wow...wow.
A low whimper sounded.
Several more men and women with sad faces walked out of the room.
Judging from the appearance, he is somewhat similar to Zhang Min and Zhang Rou.
"Why are you crying? Stop crying." Zhang Min glanced at the person, turned to Zhang Rou, who had shed tears at some point, and said in a low voice.
The wind howled not far away, and on the big tree in the corner, a cicada was chirping carefreely, which made people upset.
"Second brother, what should we do? Is it possible that grandpa and the others are not dead?" A youngest man walked out, pouting, but with a hint of hope in his eyes, looking at Zhang Min,
"Otherwise, why wouldn't the Ministry of Household Affairs allow us, Ms. Zhang, to apply for a death certificate?"
Hearing this, Zhang Min was speechless.
In the Battle of Taizhou, Huaizhou suffered heavy casualties.
There are even more missing people.
The reason why there are so many missing people is that once it is clear that they died in the war, the government must pay pensions and provide protection.
The cost was so high that even the imperial court could not afford it.
In the end, only some people who died in the battle and whose bodies were not found can be defined as missing.
If the person does not return within the specified time, it is redefined as a sacrifice, and pensions and protection are provided.
As for whether or not his family was destroyed before providing protection, and what the outcome was, it is none of the imperial court's business.
What is the reason? Same reason.
This has spawned a large number of low-level forces, which are specifically targeting forces similar to Zhang's situation.
The imperial court turned a blind eye!
Why is this? Ordinary people can’t see clearly, but he can’t see clearly?
Therefore, if you have foolish expectations, you are a fool.
"Now, I just have to see if there is any solution from my eldest brother's side. I think eldest brother is in the Lingtai Sect. If he can come back, both the imperial court and the White Wolf Gang will give him some respect, right?"
The speaker is another woman, her eldest sister Zhang Min, named Zhang Qin.
"Of course, at this time, we must be prepared for the White Wolf Gang to jump over the wall and take action in advance. I heard that the Li family in the next street was wiped out. The young master was a member of the Beast Sect. He hurried down the mountain and saw that the entire clan was wiped out. Only
When I was left alone, I immediately went crazy."
"Sister, you don't know, the Lingtai Sect is not far from Huaifu City. I'm afraid I won't have enough time..." Zhang Min smiled bitterly.
There was not a word left.
Zhang Long has only been in the sect for more than two years, and is still an inner disciple. Even if he returns, he may not be able to help...
"I believe brother." Zhang Qin whispered.
Although the other siblings didn't say anything, they had the same idea.
Zhang Long's talent is considered to be the strongest among the Zhang family, and he may even be able to surpass the master level and continue the family's inheritance.
But when he saw that Zhang Min and others were less talented, and each generation in the clan could only provide one grandmaster, he resolutely left home and joined the Lingtai Sect, leaving the opportunity to them.
And Zhang Long did it.
He successfully joined the Lingtai Sect and became half a master a year ago, and is expected to break through within a year.
From childhood to adulthood, everything you say is fulfilled!
He had previously known about the changes within the clan and had written a letter telling them not to worry and he would handle it.
Therefore, they are always looking forward to it!
Thinking of this, Zhang Rou, who had been crying, stopped and stopped wiping her tears.
Seeing this, Zhang Min no longer said any dejected words.
I also have some expectations in my heart.
Of course, if it didn't work out, he would also decide to use money as a bribe!
At worst, as long as Master Niu is willing to spend money and obtain the protection order, the White Wolf Gang will not take action again.
When the time comes, it would be great for the whole family to go to Lingtai Sect and join the eldest brother Zhang Long.
At least, the brothers and sisters are all here...
After a moment of silence, Zhang Min spoke up:
"Let's do this. Make a plan and I'll go to the Ministry of Household Affairs to apply for the certificate tomorrow.
Then you all pack up your things tonight, get protection first, wait for the big brother to return, and finally go back to Lingtai Sect together. No matter what, no matter what, we have to start all over again!
Anyway, brothers working together can be as powerful as gold!"
As soon as these words came out, Zhang Qin and others were a little surprised.
You must know that before, Zhang Min, as the intended head of the Zhang family, always thought about preserving the property.
After all, only if the industry is there, can it obtain countless resources and support its breakthrough master.
Now if he really lets go of everything, he may have little hope of breaking through to become a master.
"The matter is settled like this. Back then, the eldest brother was able to resolutely leave home and start his own business for us. Is it possible that as your second brother, you still regard those dead things as more important than you?"
Zhang Min smiled casually and felt much better after thinking about it.
There are several brothers and sisters, and their relationship is very good, without any intrigues.
Seeing this, Zhang Rou and others didn't say anything more, just nodded solemnly.
"Okay! Then let's clean up first!"
After saying this, everyone wanted to leave.
But at this moment, several black objects suddenly came from outside the house. When they fell, purple smoke emitted.
This is……
"Poison gas bomb? Hold your breath!" Zhang Min's expression changed instantly.
I was even more horrified.
I never expected that Mr. Niu would not do anything after receiving the money!
Is the White Wolf Gang planning to strike in advance?!
But it's still broad daylight, how dare they!
Don't wait for him to think too much.
There were a large number of chaotic footsteps outside the door, as well as the sound of swords clashing.
This must be the start of a fierce battle between the White Wolf Gang and Zhang's guards.
"Young Master and Miss, the deputy leader of the White Wolf Gang is here this time. Little Bad Wolf, I will take you away first!"
A dark shadow jumped out of the house.
He is a well-dressed old man holding a golden dragon stick.
When they heard the word "little evil wolf", everyone's expressions changed.
boom!
Suddenly, the vermilion wooden door shattered.
"Let's go? Where are we going? Young masters and ladies of the Zhang family, please come and take a walk."
A rough male voice said muffledly.
The sound is like the beating of a big drum, shaking people's energy and blood, and it is very powerful at first glance.