Twenty or thirty dead bodies were strewn across the avenue, which looked particularly sad in the heavy rain. The pouring rain hit the ground, making a constant crackling sound. The splashing rain stars were scattered in all directions, mixed with the blood on the ground, making the victims
The blood-soaked ground became even muddier.
A group of cavalry came galloping through the heavy rain.
On the first horse sat a big man, wearing a black jacket with a slanted collar and a red lacquer armor. Everyone was wearing an awning, covering most of their faces. The big man jumped off the horse and walked quickly to the body.
Next to him, he took off the awning and looked around with squinted eyes. He saw a human head! Not far away, it was all alone and soaked in the rain. The big man stepped forward, picked up the head, and wiped off the mud and water on it.
, a flash of light suddenly flashed in his eyes. The corners of his tightly pursed lips were slightly raised, revealing a smile.
"Afu, you're back!"
He murmured, the smile on his face getting wider.
"Commander Qu, what kind of hero did this?" A bearded man stepped forward and asked in a low voice. He curiously looked at the corpses on the battlefield. From the corpses that were intact but bleeding from all the orifices, he saw
A clue came out, "This group of people is not simple!"
"Yeah, it's not easy!"
There was also a look of doubt in the big man's eyes.
Because he also saw that among the people who robbed people, they were probably not idlers.
Ah Fu, where did you find so many good players?
"Commander Qu, a corpse was found in the forest ahead. It seems to be an officer."
"Take me to see it."
The big man immediately strode over, and soon he saw a war horse standing quietly by the roadside. There was a corpse behind the horse, with a rope around its neck, and the other end was tied around the horse's neck. The corpse was obviously
He was strangled, but before he died, he was dragged by a war horse and ran wildly, so that he was completely unrecognizable at this moment. Many parts of the body were exposed to white bones, and there were obvious signs of fractures.
The big man didn't recognize this man, but the bearded man next to him recognized the origin of the corpse.
"This guy seems to be the one who caused trouble outside the county jail yesterday... Qu Shuai, the helper your friend hired is really cruel! Although this guy was strangled to death, he also suffered a lot. If
Without deep hatred, I’m afraid most people wouldn’t do this.”
The big man nodded.
Ah Fu is definitely a ruthless person!
Back in Zhongyang Town, he could kill Cheng Ji without anyone noticing, and then pretend to be as if nothing had happened. If he hadn't caught one of his own, he probably wouldn't have revealed any flaws.
He had seen Ma Yu, but it was just a quick glance. How could he clearly see Ma Yu's appearance?
Not to mention that Ma Yu was dragged beyond recognition, even if he stood in front of the big man intact, the big man might not recognize him.
At this moment, a thunderous sound of horse hooves came from the distance.
"Commander Qu, officers and soldiers are coming!"
The big man with the beard ran forward and whispered in the big man's ear.
"withdraw!"
Without saying a word, the big man immediately ran over and got on his horse. However, as he sat on the horse, he hesitated for a moment, turned to the big man with curly beard and said: "Old Zhou, looking at the situation on the battlefield, Lao Cao and the others should not have gone too far. We think
Let's lead the officers and soldiers in a circle and give them some time to escape. In this way, Zuoqiu and I will take a few people to the north, and you will take a few people to the east. Let's spread out the officers and soldiers... and get rid of the officers and soldiers.
After that, we will gather in Laojun Temple. If I don’t come back when it gets dark, you can rush back to the sun."
"Qu Shuai..."
"No need to say anything further. Let's go our separate ways."
After the big man finished speaking, he led a dozen people and galloped towards Jiyang.
The big man with the beard hesitated for a moment, turned his horse's head and said, "Brothers, let's go!"
A group of people split into two groups in the heavy rain, and soon disappeared into the vast rain... About a cup of tea later, a group of cavalry appeared outside the battlefield.
The leader was surprisingly none other than Chen Jiu.
When he got the news in the Nine Girls City camp, he immediately ordered his troops and rushed over.
A cavalry force was drawn from the camp, with a total of more than 300 people. Logically speaking, a cavalry force should be around 500 people, but the nature of the cavalry army is different from that of the infantry. Not to mention the rule of Jingzhou
There is already a shortage of horses. Even if there is no shortage, the Nine Women's City camp cannot bear too many cavalry troops. After all, the cost of this cavalry army is too staggering. It can gather 300 cavalry troops, which will be a huge blow to the Nine Women's City camp.
As far as the camp is concerned, it is considered the limit.
Chen Jiu's face was gloomy. Looking at the corpses on the battlefield, a flash of anger flashed in his eyes.
"We must not let these thieves go. They are so arrogant... If this spreads out, won't others laugh at me for having no one in Jingxiang?"
To be honest, Chen Jiu didn't want to bother chasing and killing them. But he knew that the Cao Ji family was the people Huang She was bound to win. Although until now, he still didn't know why Huang She had such a deep hatred for this family.
But to take over someone else's job, he must serve them. There seems to be nothing surprising about Cao Ji's family. I only heard that Cao Peng was valued by Pang Degong of Lumen Mountain and wanted to accept him as a disciple. But what can he do? He Lumen
Is it possible that Shannan would turn against the Huang family of Jiangxia because of such a little Cao Peng?
Chen Ju said there was no pressure at all!
The current situation is that Huang She must eliminate the Cao family and Deng Ji quickly.
If Chen Jiu couldn't even do this, he would never be able to gain a foothold in Jiangxia in the future... Therefore, he personally led a team here and vowed to kill the Cao family.
"Chase me. If I don't kill these thieves, it will be difficult to eliminate the hatred in my heart!"
Chen Jiu gnashed his teeth and roared fiercely in the heavy rain. From the horizon, there was a muffled thunder. The rain seemed to be getting heavier and heavier, and thunder and lightning were brewing in the thick clouds.
The Taoist temple at the foot of Fenghuang Ridge is also known as Laojun Temple.
It is located on the edge of a remote valley, with relatively high terrain. Standing in the Taoist temple, you can have a bird's eye view of the main road, and the view is very clear.
But the incense in the Taoist temple is not good.
Especially during the Yellow Turban Uprising, because Laojun Temple was once a foothold of the Yellow Turban Army, it was raided by the government troops. Nowadays, the Taoist temple has long been dilapidated, with the gable walls collapsed and almost turned into a ruins. However, although it is dilapidated, it is still a shelter from the wind.
Sheltering from the rain is still possible.
Cao Peng and his family met Deng Juye and Mrs. Hong in Laojun Temple.
Madam Hong held Zhang and Cao Nan's hands and couldn't help crying for a while.
"His aunt has suffered a lot from you!"
Mrs. Hong and Deng Juye cleaned the main hall of Laojun Temple very clean and found thick withered grass to use as beds.
As the saying goes, three women make a play.
Madam Hong, Mrs. Zhang and Cao Nan were sitting together. Once they started talking, they could no longer hold back. Especially Mrs. Zhang and Cao Nan, who have been frightened these days and their spirits have reached a limit. Don't look at it.
They looked very strong on the surface, but in fact, they could hardly bear it anymore. Especially after witnessing a killing that was not huge but extremely brutal, the two women's nerves were about to collapse.
Now sitting on a dry haystack, hearing a familiar voice, I couldn't help but burst into tears.
Sometimes I cry, sometimes I laugh...
It lasted for half an hour before it gradually stabilized.
Deng Ji sat next to Cao Nan and hugged his wife tightly. After Cao Nan cried and laughed, he fell into Deng Ji's arms and fell asleep...
On the other side, Cao Peng took out Jinchuang Medicine and Zhixue Powder to treat Cao Ji's injuries.
The injuries on Cao Ji's body were all superficial wounds, not too serious. He didn't care about it himself, but he couldn't bear to refuse Cao Peng's filial piety, so he sat down and let Cao Peng handle it for him.
"Brother, you are so lucky!"
Dian Wei couldn't help but sigh, which made Cao Ji suddenly feel proud.
"Afu, how have you been doing these days? Uncle Sun's arm..."
Cao Peng lowered his voice and told Cao Ji exactly what happened after the sunset gathering.
He said with some shame: "It's all the children who caused the trouble. If Miss Huang and I hadn't been close, our family wouldn't have suffered this disaster."
Cao Ji frowned slightly, and after a while he sighed softly and said, "I can't blame you. Just because of all this trouble, we are now impoverished and have nothing. Along with your Uncle Ju Ye and your Aunt Hong's family,
The three of us have to wander around with us. Peng'er, have you ever thought about what we should do in the future? There is also no news about your uncle Meng, so we don't know what's going on."
Dian Wei listened and laughed loudly.
"Brother, what do you have to worry about? Come with me to Xudu. Although a certain family is not a big figure, they can still ensure that you have enough food and clothing. Besides, your family is all capable people.
...My uncle and grandson are calm in times of trouble, and little Ah Fu is not a thing in the pool. My master is very thirsty for talents. He has told me many times in private that he just hates that there is no one around him. When the time comes, a certain family is willing to be the introduction.
I'm here to help you and your family find a future for me. I can't say whether you will be rich or wealthy, but it's a hundred times better than staying in a small place like Jiyang."
Although Xudu is not as long-standing as the old imperial capitals like Luoyang and Chang'an, it is after all the place where the Han Emperor moved the capital, far from being comparable to Jiyang. Moreover, during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Nanyang County was also considered the hardest hit area, with endless banditry.
In the Yuzhou area where Xudu is located, due to the strong resistance of Liu Chong, the king of Chen at that time, the Yellow Turban Army in the Runan area was ultimately unable to go north to join Bo Cai and other troops.
Therefore, the worst-hit areas in Yuzhou are limited to Runan and southern Yingchuan County.
Relatively speaking, Xudu was not affected too deeply, so it is still relatively well-preserved. In this regard, Xudu is not much different from Luoyang and Chang'an, which have been hit by wars many times.
Cao Ji still hasn't figured out Dian Wei's true identity.
After hearing what he said, I couldn't help but ask: "Brother Dian, may I ask what you are doing in Xudu?"
As a commoner, he certainly couldn't know Dian Wei's name.
Cao Peng replied softly from the side: "Brother Dian is worshiped as Colonel Wumeng. He is Cao Sikong's bodyguard and is highly trusted by Duke Cao..."
"ah?"
This time, Cao Ji was shocked.
Captain Wu Meng? How big an official position is that?
"Ah Fu, Brother Dian, what kind of captain is this? How does he compare to the County Magistrate of Kuai?"
Cao Ji's words made everyone around him burst into laughter. Deng Fan and Cao Ji were in similar situations, and they didn't know how big an official Colonel Wu Meng was. But when others laughed, he also followed.
Laugh. Anyway, there is no harm in following the crowd.
At this time, Deng Ji put Cao Nan into Zhang's arms and walked over slowly.
"Dad, Colonel Wumeng and Magistrate Jiyang are not the same at all. The difference is huge!" He sat down with a smile and explained: "Brother Dian, the Colonel Wumeng, is not actually a real official, but a
A title. He is the Suwei Gong, responsible for protecting Cao Gong's safety. In time of war, with this title, he can be a general and can lead an army alone; Jiyang is a lower county, and the rank of Kuai County magistrate is only three hundred stones.
The title of brother Dian is worth two thousand stones. The two are different in nature and it is difficult to compare. However, in terms of salary alone, brother Dian, the military commander, has a salary higher than that of the prefect of Nanyang County. Nanyang County
The rank of the prefect is as high as two thousand stones."
Although the difference between rank ratio and rank truth is one word, the difference is still not small.
"Bigger than the prefect?"
Madam Zhang and Madam Hong, who were listening attentively, couldn't help but let out an exclamation.
Oh my god, he is older than the prefect, so what kind of official is he? As for what Deng Ji explained earlier, neither of them listened to a word of it.
"Let me just say, Ah Fu is so blessed. Look at all his friends, they are all capable people...His aunt, you are so lucky!"
As for Mr. Zhang, his mind has gone blank!
A month ago, she was bullied by a rich man from Zhongyang Town and had to leave her hometown.
But now, she is actually in the same room with a big shot who is bigger than the prefect? This sounds like she is dreaming...
The two women are a little stupid!
Cao Ji and Deng Juye, father and son, were also a little confused.
Fortunately, they didn't lose their composure after all, but it was obvious that they looked a little uncomfortable!
"Dad, don't be nervous, Brother Dian..."
Before Cao Peng could finish speaking, Cao Ji covered his mouth.
"You kid, how can you be so unruly? Brother Dian...oh, no, what kind of person is Dian Xiaowei? How can you call me eldest brother?"
Dian Weihun didn't care and scratched his head, "Brother, why are you doing this? Ah Fu is also my savior after all..."
"It won't happen, it won't happen!" Cao Ji shook his head like a rattle and said sternly: "This kid is ignorant and doesn't know the importance. Not to mention anything else, in terms of seniority, he at least has to call you uncle.
, How can the eldest brother be the eldest brother and be short-sighted, making people laugh at him."
uncle?
Cao Peng and Deng Ji started coughing at the same time.
Yes, Dian Wei calls Cao Ji brother, Cao Ji calls Dian Wei brother, and Cao Peng calls Dian Wei brother... It sounds a bit confusing.
But, calling Dian Wei ‘uncle’?
Cao Peng and Deng Ji really couldn't react at once.
"Dad, no need."
Cao Peng secretly glanced at Dian Wei, only to see Dian Wei, after being stunned for a moment, grinning and looking at him with his eyes.
Fuck, that’s not the case!
"Why not? Do you still want to be my equal?"
Wei Yan was squatting next to him, drinking mixed-noodle pancake soup with relish. After hearing this, he couldn't help but choked and took a mouthful of pancake soup, which squirted onto Xia Houlan's face next to him. That mouthful of mixed-noodle pancake soup
Hanging on Xiahoulan's handsome face, Xiahoulan's face was red, staring at Wei Yan, muttering in his heart: I can't beat you, I will beat you into a pig's head today!
"Old Wei, we are friends of the same generation. From now on, you should also show more respect to your uncle Dian."
Deng Ji and Wei Yan had been cooperating for some time, and he knew a little about him. Seeing Wei Yan put down his bowl and wanted to talk, he immediately spoke, which ruined Wei Yan's little plan. At this time, anyone who could support him would do so.
A back-up. Dian Wei's rise in seniority seems to be unstoppable. Deng Ji will definitely not allow another 'Uncle Wei' to pop up, otherwise it will be a tragedy.
