Chapter 40: Despite all the precautions, a little fox was missed! ...

"Wait." Guizhier interrupted.

She counted the time on her fingers and asked, "Did the young man who caused you to be thrown to the ground have a red tassel spear?"

The bandit widened his eyes in surprise.

"You, you guys are in cahoots with that brat? Just tell me earlier!"

The captives were heartbroken and indignant. If they had told us earlier, we would have taken a detour. These days, the world has changed, and bandits have become a vulnerable group.

Guizhier lightly supported her chin with one hand, rubbing it subconsciously, as if thinking about something.

"It's the big boss, the big boss is here!"

With a cheer, the bandits tied to the donkey cart suddenly became agitated, with gratitude and shame mixed in their eyes.

Guizhier raised her eyes.

An old horse came diagonally across the path. The man on horseback gripped the reins tightly, his movements somewhat clumsily. His hands were rough, strong, and covered with calluses.

The man's face was covered with a simple linen cloth, his clothes had long been washed and faded, with several patches on them, and two axes were pinned to his coarse belt.

Who could have expected that the famous Black Wind Demon was actually a simple and honest-looking farmer.

"Wait here, and run to the city if anything goes wrong." Gui Zhier instructed Liu Qianjin and others to keep an eye on the hostages.

She stepped lightly, leaped up and flew around like a feather, intercepting the Black Wind Evil from a distance.

There are some issues that she needs to discuss in person.

"Sir, be careful!" Wang Pu was full of worry.

No matter how harmless he may appear, he is still a bandit leader.

All bandits burn, kill, rob and commit all kinds of evil. Wang Pu could even imagine his hideous face.

The scholars were all nervous and anxious, their throats moving slightly.

If it weren't for you, sir, I would have wanted to grow wings and fly to the city gate to ask for help.

Unexpectedly, after just a short conversation, Guizhier flew back.

"Sir, how is it?" The scholars rushed forward.

Guizhier stroked her felt hat. She was wearing an old blue cotton robe with a cross collar, which made her look like her clothes were fluttering in the wind.

"One hand pays the other hand delivers the goods." Gui Zhier shook the newly received silver note in her hand.

The silver note has a fine texture, the paper is slightly yellowed, and there is a red stamp on the back.

That is the mark of Huitong Money House, the second hard currency in the northern territory of Daliang, besides gold and silver.

"Ah!" Wang Pu opened his mouth wide and held the bamboo stick tightly.

What, the bandits really paid the ransom?

Guizhier kicked the prisoner a few times and threw him to the ground without any mercy, stirring up a cloud of dust.

She laughed and scolded cynically, "You little thieves, turn over a new leaf and don't bother me again next time."

Ignoring the cries of pain all over the ground, Guizhier directed the coachman into the city.

The sunset glow has changed from orange to rose, and with the setting sun, the gate of Laicheng is about to close.

Before it got dark, the army rushing to take the exam from Linghe County, Zhenbei Prefecture, officially entered the city of Donglu.

On the way to the inn, Guizhier saw that everyone seemed to be hesitant to speak, and she found it funny.

"Why, do you think that I, sir, have earned ill-gotten gains?" She blinked.

"Your servant, your servant wants to ask, that bandit is an unforgivable criminal, how could he be so obedient and take the risk to save people?" Liu Qianjin almost said the wrong name.

To avoid being exposed, she spoke and acted cautiously along the way.

Now, I'm really curious.

"They are all hardworking farmers and peasants from neighboring villages. When their land was enclosed, they became refugees." Guizhier explained calmly.

It turned out that the Dong Lu region did not suppress land annexation.

Therefore, the bureaucrats and powerful families used various means to seize the common people's farmland and occupy their livestock and houses.

However, all good citizens registered in the Daliang household register need to pay taxes.

Where does rice and millet come from?

"We can only be slaves and servants. If we don't want to, we will be homeless. No wonder so many people gathered together and became bandits." The scholars murmured.

They vaguely felt that something was amiss, but couldn't put their finger on it.

As a "three-term veteran" among the candidates, Wang Pu is more familiar with the law and points out the loopholes incisively.

He asked righteously, "According to Daliang law, only farmers who receive land are required to pay two dan of fine rice and two pieces of cotton or silk each year."

If you lose your land, you are no longer considered a farmer who has received the land.

"It is better to have no books than to believe them blindly." Gui Zhier smiled and said, "The road is long, don't rush, just feel it slowly."

From the theories on paper to the real society, scholars still have a long way to go.

The sound of dogs barking could be heard from the deep alley, and an inky curtain hung down from the sky.

The lanterns emitted a faint light, and the flickering flames swayed as three cars drove over the cobblestone road and slowly drove towards the inn.

In the darkness, Guizhier's face was blurred, and an interesting smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

The banknotes were not taken for free, she showed Heifengsha a clear way out.

"According to what you said, the young man knew that you had no backing, and that he was after money, not life, and would help good people in need, so he spared your lives."

"Do you know who that young man is?"

"If you surrender with your entire village and join the First Army of the Northern Border Defense, do you think the Major General will recruit you?"

Guizhier took a deep breath and fell into memories.

At that time, the young man complained about the hardships of taking up his post in the snow-capped mountains. His voice was as clear as a flowing spring, but it was filled with a hint of bitterness and grievance.

I think he already knew that the people along the way were not just ordinary bandits, but people who wanted to kill him.

Despite all the precautions, a little fox was missed!

Guizhier raised her eyebrows slightly, her eyes showing a complex look.

No wonder, no wonder when she took out the blueprint for making the repeating crossbow, as a major invention, it had to be reported to the court according to the law.

The superiors turned a deaf ear and dumb.

In this small northern territory, there is not a single good person among the civil servants and military generals.

Guizhier bit her back teeth.

Outside Lai City, darkness shrouded the jungle, and tall trees stood quietly.

The branches and leaves rustled gently in the night breeze, and the young man in his nightgown blended into the moonlight.

He leaned against a thick branch, his long black hair casually tied up, looking a bit free and unrestrained.

Under the tree was a divine horse, its body as white as snow.

"Xueying, be good and stay here for half the night. We will go into the city tomorrow." The young man was playing with a leaf in his hand, his eyes as bright as cold stars.

After being tempered in the military camp, his youthful figure became more compact and smooth.

"H-ah Qiu!"

A long yawn had not yet ended, but ended with a sneeze.

"Who scolded me?" the young man muttered. "I just took advantage of the two days off to come out and find someone."

The moonlight shone through the gaps between the branches and leaves, falling mottledly on his handsome face.

The boy squinted his eyes and leaned against the tree to sleep.

The next morning.

As the morning light breaks, the Laicheng market wakes up quietly.

Peddlers carrying their loads hurriedly took up advantageous positions, and the doors of the shops along the street began to creak.

"Here are freshly baked buns with cabbage, radish and pork filling. Would you like one, sir?" The shop owner pinched the folds of the buns skillfully.

The steamer is steaming hot, and the breakfast is ready to welcome guests.

On the gradually bustling street, a little servant with a brown birthmark on his face was excitedly exploring here and there.

"Look, little lady, it's a sugar figure!"

"This silk is so bright and colorful. I want to make a new skirt."

"Alright, alright, it's just a market. There are plenty of them in the central city. Why are you acting like a country bumpkin coming into the city?"

Guizhier shook her head in disgust and motioned her to speak more quietly.

"How can it be the same?" Liu Qianjin, who was dressed as a servant, had sparse and messy eyebrows and very rough skin.

But her peach blossom eyes were full of an irresistible brilliance.

"This is the first time for me to go shopping by myself." Liu Qianjin emphasized the word "first time".

She raised her chin like a bird that had just been released.

Guizhier waved her hands helplessly and ignored her.

He then walked over to the board where the notice was posted and looked through it carefully.

"The Lantern Festival is approaching, and as usual, the city will light lanterns for three days to celebrate." This is the latest piece of paper.

"...Those who fail to pay the autumn tax on time shall be punished with flogging or caning as follows... Anyone who conceals the proceeds of land, property, or business in an attempt to evade taxation shall be punished upon discovery..."

After being exposed to wind and sun, the edges of the paper have become hard, rough and curled, but it is still hung in the most conspicuous place.

Guizhi'er still has her black hair tied up high today, dressed like a man.

The pseudo-human skin mask fits her perfectly, and her steps are light and steady, making her walk quite heroic.

Just looking at her from the back, her wide robe and sleeves fluttering in the wind still give her a bit of feminine beauty.

Guizhi'er pursed her red lips and stared at the notice board in deep thought.

No new notices for assisting in the arrest were seen.

It seems that Magistrate Liu still has some sense of propriety, and the matter of escape ends here.

"girl."

A sudden voice disturbed Guizhier's thoughts.

A hand rested on her shoulder.