The night wind was cold, blowing on my face, although it was gentle, it turned into a soft finger.
The horse under his crotch was not too fast. Cao Peng lifted the scarf up, and he felt an indescribable excitement in his heart. Can someone's blood boil when someone plots against them? The answer is very clear... Cao Peng doesn't know the reason either.
I just feel that by taking this step, I will officially integrate into this era.
Holding the steel knife under the ribs tightly, a man is just killing someone!
"arrive!"
Deng Ji reined in his horse in front, then turned over and jumped off his horse.
Wang Mai and Cao Peng stopped one after another, raised their eyes and saw the outline of Jiyang City looming in the night.
Along the road leading to Nine Girls City, there were dozens of carriages and horses, as well as more than thirty people parked. Judging from the way these people were dressed, they should be Jiyang prisoners. There were coachmen on each vehicle, and more than thirty prisoners stood there.
Next to the carriage, everyone looked bad and weak.
"Afu!"
"Um?"
"Look over there."
Looking in the direction of Wang Mai's finger, Cao Peng saw several prisoners huddled behind the car to avoid the cold wind.
"What's wrong?"
"Isn't that guy Ma Yu?"
There was a lantern hanging on the carriage, and the light was not very good.
However, if you look vaguely, you can still make out some outlines.
Cao Peng really didn't remember Ma Yu's appearance clearly. When Ma Yu came to make trouble that day, Cao Peng was still talking to Kuai Zheng in the county town. When he returned, Ma Yu and others had been captured, so Cao Peng didn't
Paying too much attention to each other. If Wang Mai hadn't recognized him, he really wouldn't have known that Ma Yu was among them.
"Old man, you're fine."
Cao Peng jumped off his horse, walked up to Deng Ji, held his hands in greetings.
The person responsible for handing over to Deng Ji was Kuai Zheng's old housekeeper. Seeing Cao Peng's attire, the old housekeeper was also slightly startled.
"Mr. Cao, what are you..."
"Haha, I want to tell you that I am going to Nine Girls City with my brother-in-law.
You also know that my brother-in-law is an honest man, and my sister was afraid that he would suffer a loss in the military camp, so she asked the two of us to accompany her. I wonder if it would be convenient for me to add my two names to the roster? I heard that,
Those who are summoned can take their retinue with them."
"Ah, what's so difficult about this?"
The old housekeeper chuckled and immediately ordered someone to bring the roster and added the names of Cao Peng and Wang Mai on it.
"Young Master Cao, please don't be offended. It's not because my county magistrate is unreasonable, but it is an order that cannot be violated. You also know that Huang Bing Cao Shi holds the state herding tiger talisman, and all local governments must try their best to cooperate. Officials below the county magistrate can directly
Recruitment... The order from Huang Bing Cao Shi was sudden and without any warning. However, my county magistrate said that it might be a good thing for Deng Zuoshi to accept the recruitment this time.
He has talent, but lacks opportunities.
You won't achieve much if you stay in this small Jiyang County. If you go to Jiu Nu City, you may gain some credit in the future."
Kuai Zheng didn’t know what was going on!
This further proves Cao Peng's suspicion that Huang She summoned Deng Ji, fearing that Xiang Zhuang was dancing with his sword and was targeting Pei Gong!
"A real man should serve his country. What grievances are there? But my father-in-law has passed them... What happened to these carriages, horses, and these prisoners?"
"The cart is loaded with grain, grass and baggage." The old housekeeper explained with a smile: "This time Jiu Nu City gathered troops, the required grain, grass and baggage were borne by Jiyang County and Yuyang County. Two days ago, Huang Bingcao
Shi also sent someone to say that they were short of some hard laborers.
Therefore, thirty-seven people were urgently transferred from the prison and punished as a city of nine girls.
It just so happened that Deng Zuoshi was summoned to go there, and they were all escorted by him. When we get to Jiunu City, someone will take over these thieves and prisoners, so don’t worry, sir."
"I see!"
Cao Peng looked as if he suddenly understood and glanced at the prisoners scattered beside the baggage vehicles.
Deng Ji obviously did not pay attention to the condition of these prisoners. He was holding a list and checking the food, grass and baggage items on the carriage.
Cao Peng changed his mind and said with a smile: "Old man, I have a grudge, and I hope you can help me."
"Oh? Master, please speak."
"You see, there are so many chariots here, except for the driver, there is no one escorting them.
The three boys have to look after the carriages and escort the prisoners along the way. If there is any negligence, they may be prosecuted if they don't get to the barracks."
"Well...it is indeed troublesome. Our Jiyang is different from other places. Since Liu Jingzhou took over, Jiyang has not stationed soldiers and horses. In other places, there are local braves available, but our Jiyang is not good.
Looking for someone. And at this critical moment, we really can’t find anyone.”
"I have a little idea. Take some strong ropes, connect the two ends to the two carriages, and then put the ropes into loops, one for each person, so that thirty-seven people will be fixed between the two carriages.
.In this way, prisoners and prisoners are connected to each other by ropes. If someone wants to escape, they will be implicated by others. Even if these thirty-seven people escape at the same time, they will still be dragged down by the carriages and horses."
The old housekeeper's eyes lit up and he glanced at Cao Peng with admiration.
"Young Master is indeed very clever... I ask people to do it."
The old housekeeper immediately ordered people to go over and tie up all the prisoners.
Deng Ji slowly walked to Cao Peng and whispered: "Ah Fu, is it necessary? We are all fellow villagers, so this will be serious."
"Brother-in-law, you must not be merciful at this time. You have also seen that Ma Yu and his gang are inside... If they cause trouble on the road, or one or two of them escape, we will definitely be punished when we arrive at Nine Girls City
.Think about our own situation and sympathize with them, just to cause us trouble. If we lock them up like this, if someone dares to cause trouble, I don't mind killing them."
Cao Peng's last words were loud.
Ma Yu obviously heard it too, and couldn't help but shudder, and honestly asked the police to tie him up with a rope.
Deng Ji wanted to persuade him, but when he thought about it again, he realized that what Cao Peng said was not unreasonable.
It is actually quite troublesome to escort and punish prisoners. If one or two people run away on the road and arrive at Nine Girls City, they will definitely be punished.
This kind of failure has always been based on the point of view regardless of the person.
As long as the head is there, it counts...
Forget it, dead Taoist friends are better than poor Taoists. Ah Fu is right. Now that he can't protect himself, how can he care about other people?
At this point, Deng Ji felt that Cao Peng was more decisive than himself.
After counting the prisoners, Deng Ji marked the names on the roster and list, which was regarded as official acceptance.
Cao Peng mounted his sword and mounted his horse, purposely passing by the thirty-seven prisoners. The Nian-shou sword was unsheathed, and the cold light made the prisoners who were still in a state of agitation suddenly become much more honest.
"Thank you very much, old man. I'll take my leave later!"
"Young gentlemen, take care!"
The old housekeeper waved and said goodbye to Deng Ji and the others.
Cao Peng suddenly turned the horse's head and bowed his hands on the horse, "Old man, today is the New Year. I am here to wish you New Year's greetings."
"Ah...congratulations, congratulations!"
The old housekeeper was stunned for a moment and quickly returned the favor.
In my heart, my affection for Cao Peng became stronger and stronger.
This young master is so polite, he is worthy of being a disciple of the Lu Clan...
The sound of wheels, accompanied by the sounds of hooves and footsteps, echoed in the night sky.
Deng Ji urged his horse to line up with the first cart, while Cao Peng and Wang Mai pushed the cart at the back. At the same time, they also paid attention to the group of prisoners tied with ropes between the two carts from time to time. The old steward used a river boat.
The cable is almost as thick as a baby's arm. One rope is used for each person. It does not affect the movement and cannot easily break free. Thirty-seven prisoners staggered and were dragged forward by the carriage. Wang Mai, holding an iron-ridged spear, came from time to time.
Horses flew past them. Even Ma Yu had to be careful and follow the team closely.
Wang Mai is a desperate man, he has learned the lesson.
Cao Peng...
Ma Yu had never had direct contact with him, but she had a vague feeling that this Cao Peng was probably even more ruthless than Wang Mai!
The form is not up to the person. Even if he was tyrannical in Jiyang County, at this time, he must be honest, otherwise his head will fall on the ground.
It takes about half a day's journey from Jiyang County to Jiunu City.
Although the night wind was cool and cold, the road was clear, so we traveled very quickly.
About 12 o'clock in the morning, Cao Peng and his entourage pulled up the hill and looked up. The Nine Girls City had dimly appeared in outline, and Deng Ji breathed a sigh of relief.
"Afu, we're here!"
Deng Ji turned around and smiled, but there was still a bit of worry in his eyebrows.
Cao Peng took a deep breath and made a chest-expanding movement on his horse.
In fact, it was not an easy journey for him. On the one hand, he had something on his mind, and on the other hand, he had to support people like Ma Yu.
Now, with the destination just ahead, I can finally relax a little.
Liu Biao's management was good, and the journey from Jiyang was uneventful.
"Let's go down."
As Deng Ji spoke, he urged his horse to rush down the hill.
"Brother-in-law!"
"Um?"
"Happy New Year!"
Looking back, Deng Ji looked in surprise and saw a bright smile on Cao Peng's face.
For some reason, Deng Ji always felt that Cao Peng looked good when he smiled. There seemed to be a magic power in his smile that could calm his uneasy mood.
"Afu, Happy New Year!"
"Brother Hutou, Happy New Year."
"Haha, Happy New Year..."
The three people held their hands and congratulated each other on the hill.
In an instant, all the panic and anxiety disappeared without a trace.
"Let's go, let's check in."
Deng Ji suddenly raised his whip and urged his horse, and rushed down the hill with great courage.
The smile on Cao Peng's face faded away the moment Deng Ji and Wang bought the mountain...
Huang She, here I come!
I will stand in front of you, what other tricks can you play?
Cao Peng inadvertently grasped the steel knife with his hand, looked into the distance, knocked the flying tiger toad with his feet, and shouted: "Drive!"
When the horse was violent, it raised its hooves and neighed loudly, then roared down the hill carrying Cao Peng and ran towards the direction of the convoy!