Chapter 42042 Xie Hou, please don’t let your father down…
After Xu Dong chased out, the man in black on the opposite side showed no intention of escaping, but kept fighting with him.
He let out a loud "Puh!" and finally realized what was happening. He cursed, "Damn it, I fell for the trick of luring the tiger away from the mountain."
He finally managed to escape and hurriedly returned to the backyard with a group of people, ordering people to search for him in a big way.
Xu Dong was just pretending to be there. When he stopped in front of Xie Zhan's house, he shouted loudly, "Lord Xie, there's been a thief in the governor's house. I'm afraid you've been assassinated. Why don't you send someone in to investigate carefully?"
There was no movement inside. Xu Dong's eyes flickered slightly.
Just as he took a step forward, the door suddenly opened.
The torch dimmed Xie Zhan's face. He sneered, "Why? Commander Xu, are you acting like this because you're worried I'll be assassinated, or because you suspect I'm harboring a thief?"
Xu Dong rubbed his hands together and said awkwardly, "Look at what Lord Xie said. I'm concerned for your safety. You're a trusted official of the court. If anything goes wrong, I won't be able to explain myself to His Majesty. So, I hope Lord Xie will do me a favor and ask my brothers to go in and look for the thief."
Xie Zhan made way for him and glanced at Xu Dong. "Since Commander Xu cares so much about me, how can I refuse your kindness?"
Xu Dong gritted his teeth secretly but didn't show it on his face.
He raised his hand, and then about seven or eight people came in.
In less than a moment, everyone looked grim and shook their heads at Xu Dong. Xu Dong clenched his fists and almost choked to death with a mouthful of blood.
"How's the search going?" Xie Zhan asked calmly.
Xu Dong felt depressed, but he managed a smile: "I think the thief has escaped. Since he didn't harm the Marquis, I can rest assured."
While the two were talking, the governor Dong Xiong, who had hurriedly arrived after hearing the news, apologized to them.
Xu Dong sneered, "You are guilty. A governor's mansion this large should be impenetrable. How could an assassin have gotten in so easily?"
Dong Xiong broke out in a cold sweat and wiped his forehead with his sleeve. "This... This is truly my negligence. I frightened you two. I am so ashamed, so ashamed!"
He covered his face and cried sincerely.
His heart was already in his throat, and he was muttering to himself that he knew nothing, nothing, and it was better to pretend to be confused to save his life.
"It's late, I hope you two adults can rest early. I will conduct a thorough investigation tomorrow and give an explanation to Lord Xie and Commander Xu."
Xie Zhan frowned and said nothing.
Xu Dong snorted coldly, "The Governor had better keep his word, but don't deceive Lord Xie and me."
Dong Xiong agreed with a guilty conscience.
This drama finally came to an end tonight.
_
The next day, Dong Xiong invited Xie Zhan, Xu Dong and his staff to the study to discuss the strategy of suppressing bandits.
He was the first to speak: "I am very familiar with this stronghold. It is surrounded by mountains on all sides. If our people attack directly, they will suffer heavy losses. They won't even be able to cross the outer edge of the stronghold. It is really not advisable."
Xu Dongsi said, "Since the mountain stronghold is easy to defend but difficult to attack, let's hold it for a few days and nights. I don't believe the people in the stronghold can go without food and water forever."
Dong Xiong said worriedly, "Commander Xu, you don't know. The reason this village has been so difficult to attack for so many years is that it's like a small paradise. The men, when they're not busy, work in the fields, while the women raise silkworms and weave cloth. The food they've stored is enough to last us for several years."
"Damn it, this doesn't work, and that doesn't work. What do you think we should do? Does His Majesty want you to eat his salary for free?" Xu Dong slammed the table and jumped up.
Dong Xiong immediately shut up and looked at Xie Zhan.
He couldn't defeat the hot-tempered Commander Xu, but there were definitely people who could handle him.
With his temper, he can serve the emperor wholeheartedly. Why can't he be promoted to Chang'an soon?
Dong Xiong sighed softly, thinking that he just didn't have the opportunity and his talent was not appreciated.
Xie Zhan frowned: "Commander Xu, please be patient."
Then he pointed at the detailed map and asked Dong Xiong, "Where is the stronghold's defense most strictly guarded?"
"Since it's the main gate, they have people on duty every day, with a sentry every three steps and a guard every five steps. I feel ashamed to even mention it."
Xu Dong's face looked a little ugly, and he wished he could write a letter to Emperor Yonghui right away.
Who else could have been responsible for such military behavior except that person?
Dong Xiong continued to himself, "The people in the village are probably afraid that we will attack from the back mountain. Their defenses in the back mountain are no less relaxed than those in the front."
Xie Zhan pointed to the right and said, "Southwest side, Governor Dong, can you send someone to attack?"
"Lord Xie has a very good eye. The southwest side is the most lax in defense, with the fewest people on duty."
Dong Xiong sighed, "I've sent people to check. In this direction, there's a natural barrier, a river in the sky, keeping the soldiers out."
"Never built a ship?"
"Of course we have a boat. But it's too big and conspicuous. As soon as we sail on the river, we'll be spotted by the guards in the village."
Dong Xiong smiled bitterly, "Lord Xie, you don't know. The fighting style of this mountain stronghold is completely different from that of the army. They probably don't want to waste bows and arrows. When they saw our people approaching, they didn't shoot, but just threw stones, torches, or something else..."
He really couldn't continue speaking. Just thinking about it made him feel sick to his stomach. He had no appetite for lunch today.
Xu Dong said anxiously: "Why don't you tell me what you are throwing down?"
One of the staff members couldn't help but say, "And... there's also the manure from the latrines. When it's poured down, the smell is overwhelming. Over time, the soldiers have developed a psychological scar, and no one is willing to attack there again."
After he finished speaking, Xu Dong was no longer anxious and suddenly felt itchy.
After a moment, Xie Zhan said, "Prepare the boats and ropes, and attack at night."
Dong Xiong was stunned. It was not that he had not thought of a night attack, but he was just pretending to suppress the bandits. Since he couldn't take the city, why would he bother with so much effort?
"Yes, I will obey Lord Xie and will send people to prepare in the next few days."
Xu Dong clenched his fists, feeling heavy in his heart.
Don't blame him for being cruel on the road to the underworld.
He will kill anyone who stands in His Majesty's way.
For several days, the governor's office prepared the ships and the soldiers were ready to set off.
Just after midnight, the group went up the mountain in the dark.
A soldier went ahead to scout the way and returned a moment later to report, "My Lord, the guards at the main gate have been doubled tonight, as well as at the southwest corner."
"Have one group of troops take a detour, moving quietly, and head straight for the southwest corner. The rest of the main force will remain where they are. Once the gate is opened from the inside, we will combine our forces, attacking from both sides."
To please Xu Dong, Dong Xiong said, "Marquis Xie is right. In that case, Commander Xu should take his men and stay here."
But this person insisted on going with him, and he was completely confused.
Xu Dong sneered in his heart, what a joke. Who knew what Xie Zhan would do? He had to keep an eye on him every step of the way.
So, Xie Zhan left Han Ting here to stand guard.
When they reached the Tianhe River ahead, he stopped and asked in a deep voice, "How many people do you think are there, Governor?"
"I think there are seven or eight of them, not many."
"Okay. Send someone to shoot arrows immediately, and be quick. Before the enemy changes guard, row over and climb up using the hemp rope."
Dong Xiong was instantly inspired by Xie Zhan. With a wave of his hand, a sharp arrow flew out. The man above was yawning repeatedly from sleep, his eyes wide open in a daze. His throat seemed to be strangled, and he could no longer make a sound. He staggered twice and then fell straight back.
The small group of people did not dare to waste time. They stood on the boat and then climbed up with swift movements.
After going up and kicking the corpse, they quietly surrounded the guard post at the main gate from behind. Before the sleepy guards could react, they were stabbed in the neck one by one.
Some people turned around and stared with wide eyes. As soon as they opened their mouths, they had no chance to speak again.
In the silent valley, a heavy wooden door was slowly opened.
Xie Zhan, Xu Dong and the governor Dong Xiong were riding on horseback. Xu Dong was the first to whip his horse and charge into the stronghold.
Dong Xiong was completely bewildered. This… this, everything was going so smoothly tonight that he thought he was dreaming. He blurted out, "Could it be that this humble official is dazzled?"
"Then, Governor, do you want me to take you back again to sober up?" Xie Zhan sneered.
Dong Xiong was busy and didn't say anything.
When the people who were supposed to take over the southwest corner took their turn, they rubbed their eyes and looked at the bodies lying on the ground. They immediately shouted with red eyes: "Quick, go and call the boss. The stronghold is under attack."
The people at the main gate were even more incredulous. Before they could react, they were caught off guard by the inrushing army and were unable to resist.
The torches lit up the sky, and the screams of women and children spread throughout the village.
Xie Zhan solemnly warned: "Everyone, remember not to harm innocent people, and do not touch the elderly, the weak, women, and children."
Xu Dong turned around and said angrily, "What does Lord Xie mean? These people might be accomplices, so how can we let them go?"
"They are just some powerless women and children. Commander Xu, are you afraid of them too and want to kill them all?" Xie Zhan glared at him coldly.
Xu Dong mocked, "I've heard that Lord Xie is a killer on the battlefield. How come he's suddenly so kind?"
"How can the Tuque thieves be compared with the people of our dynasty? They deserve to be killed."
The stronghold's chief suddenly rushed out on horseback, shouting, "Since Lord Xie knew this, why did he attack the stronghold in the middle of the night? These brothers followed me simply to have something to eat and to live a decent life. In recent years, they haven't committed any murder, looting, or anything like that."
Xie Zhan curled his lips and sneered, "As far as I know, you stole a neighbor's chicken in the eighteenth year of Chengwu, got into an argument, and accidentally killed him. To escape arrest, you took to the mountains and became a bandit. You said you haven't burned, killed, or looted in recent years, but were there any in the past?"
Yes, there have been some, of course there have been some.
Before that most distinguished figure came, the village relied on this livelihood. Otherwise, how would they eat and drink? Even the vast majority of women were plundered from the mountains.
"Yes, but I refuse to accept it. The brothers in the village have long since retired and are living a decent life. Why is the court refusing to give us a way out?"
Xu Dong spat at him, "You shameless bastard! If you had been willing to go to jail and come out as a good man, I would have respected you. But now you're a complete fugitive. What right do you have to reason with us? Where is the law in your court?"
He cursed and then winked at his subordinates, asking the secret guards who had been deployed early in the morning to search the village for people.
"Yes, you are so bold. It's fine if you act so recklessly in my Qingzhou, but how dare you do evil at the foot of Chang'an and almost implicate me?" Dong Xiong pointed at his nose and cursed.
The big boss listened to their chatter, his head buzzing. How could he not know anything?
"At this point, what else do you have to say? Has Prince Zhangren been held captive by you in this village?"
The sound of horse hooves came from afar. The boss looked at the thin figure, feeling a chill down his spine and a chill in his heart.
He was deceived by this noble man and was fooled around.
When a sharp arrow pierced the boss's heart, he was thinking that he could not fulfill his promise to his brothers to lead them out of the mountain stronghold in a fair and honest manner. He could not do it, and the lives of all the brothers in the village were in danger.
Prince Zhangren looked coldly at his fallen back and laughed in his heart.
However, these bandits who committed so many evil things could die for him to atone for their sins. How could he even have the audacity to formally recruit them and let them eat the royal food?
"Who is coming? Why is he wearing a mask and acting like a ghost?" Xu Dong pulled the reins and thought about something else for no reason.
What exactly does Prince Zhangren want to do?
Crown Prince Zhangren threw his head back and laughed heartily. "My uncle is truly a good dog. I simply wish to ask, can he sit securely on the throne without the Imperial Seal? Will he be startled awake by my father's face in his dreams?"
There was an uproar all around.
Xu Dong's face turned pale as he scolded, "How dare a demon who dares not even show his face impersonate Prince Zhangren and fabricate nonsense about Your Majesty?"
As he spoke, he stared at Xie Zhan's calm face, not wanting to miss any of his expressions, but still couldn't see anything.
The north wind was howling, and as Xu Dong finished speaking, hundreds of arrows were suddenly fired from the surrounding hills, piercing Prince Zhangren's heart.
Prince Zhangren leaned back and smiled before he died, saying that his uncle had really not let him down!
Let him use this broken body, which already has a short lifespan, to give his uncle the last great gift.
The only thing that worried him was his poor Chen'er.
Prince Zhangren glanced sideways in the direction of Xie Zhan and said silently: Lord Xie, please don't let your father down and be a loyal minister.
After the man fell straight to the ground, the moonlight made the body look pale, and the sound of the wind was silent.
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