Chapter 401 Arrival in Xiangzhou
Xiangzhou!
Martial arts heroes gathered together.
Merchants and the wealthy flocked to the area.
"What happened? Why are so many martial arts figures here?"
“Look, that’s Yue Feng, the chief of Black Wind Stronghold. His stronghold has over a thousand people.”
"And there's also the young master of Qi Hai Manor, Mo Jie, a young hero."
"Stop looking. Even the richest man in Xiangzhou is here. These poor bastards are nothing."
Outside the inn.
The people pointed and whispered about the figures inside the inn.
Occasionally, I'd see an arrogant person being thrown out, and I'd secretly chuckle to myself.
You guys don't know yet, do you?
"I heard that Doctor Wei's wife was kidnapped by bandits, and these people came to help," someone explained.
"Which Doctor Wei?"
"Who else? Besides Wei Shuyu, the head of the Ministry of Commerce, who else is worth our Xiangzhou's richest man personally waiting here?"
"Wei Shizhong's son?"
The people were shocked to hear this.
Wei Shuyu's deeds had gradually spread throughout the Tang Dynasty.
However, the news of his dismissal from office had not yet reached Xiangzhou.
"Wei Langzhong is in charge of the Ministry of Commerce, so we can understand why those merchants came."
"What are these江湖人士 (jianghu figures) doing here?"
Someone asked, puzzled.
"You just don't understand..."
Even江湖人士 (jianghu figures) are short of money. With so many people under their command, how can they survive without a good source of income?
"Take the Black Wind Stronghold leader for example, do you think he wants to become a mountain king?"
"He only became a bandit because he couldn't make a living in the mountains."
"Now, as long as we get in touch with Doctor Wei, we can easily slip some money to him through our fingers and that will be enough to ensure that the entire Black Wind Stronghold will be well-fed and clothed."
Wow.
Upon hearing this, everyone realized it was indeed true.
At the end of the Sui Dynasty, warlords vied for power, and wars broke out everywhere.
Many people who could not survive turned to banditry.
After the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, although some mountain bandits were subdued and wiped out, there were always some people who were unwilling to accept the Tang Dynasty's offer of amnesty.
"Magistrate Liu has arrived."
As a voice rang out, everyone was startled.
Even the county magistrate has come; this is getting interesting.
The image of officials and criminals sitting at the same table is thrilling to even think about.
"I have met Magistrate Liu."
Inside the inn, everyone clasped their hands in greeting to Liu Chun.
"You're too kind, everyone..."
Liu Chun smiled and clasped his hands in a fist salute, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over the Black Wind Stronghold leader and his entourage.
"We are all here today for the same purpose: to rescue Madam Wei."
The tone shifted abruptly: "Do any of you have any news?"
Everyone kept silent.
Can news be spread casually?
That's something I could use to gain Wei Shuyu's favor!
"I wonder if there is any news about Chief Yue?"
Seeing that no one answered, Magistrate Liu turned his gaze to Yue Feng.
If you can't control others, can't you control a bandit like me?
"No!" Yue Feng said coldly.
"Chief Yue."
Liu Chun still smiled and said, "I am here today mainly for the matter of Madam Wei. If you cannot provide useful information, I have reason to suspect that you have come to Xiangzhou with ulterior motives."
Wow.
Is this a threat?
The crowd couldn't help but watch the spectacle unfold.
"Are you threatening me?" Yue Feng's face was full of murderous intent.
"I am an official, you are a thief!"
Liu Chun continued to threaten, "Is it okay for me to arrest you?"
Yue Feng's expression suddenly turned cold.
He gripped the blade, feeling an urge to simply take Liu Chun hostage and escape!
"Doctor Wei has arrived."
Just then, a voice rang out from outside the door.
Upon hearing this, everyone rushed towards the city gate.
The two snorted coldly and then left one after the other.
At the city gate.
Wei Shuyu was dressed in black, riding a fine horse.
Beside him, Xue Rengui carried a halberd and wore an extremely flamboyant white robe.
The people of Xiangzhou took a closer look...
'Dr. Wei' is indeed incredibly handsome.
Magistrate Liu jogged forward, clasped his hands in a salute to Xue Rengui, and said, "Greetings, Physician Wei."
Doctor Wei? Are you calling me?
Xue Rengui, who had just dismounted, was stunned.
"I am not Wei Shuyu."
Xue Rengui pointed at Wei Shuyu: "He is."
"..."
In an instant.
A flock of crows flew over the entire city of Xiangzhou.
After so much careful preparation, he dug a hole for himself right from the start and buried himself in it.
Magistrate Liu glared fiercely at Xue Rengui.
Why are you, a mere soldier, dressed so flashy?
Lacking tact and overstepping boundaries...
You deserve to be just a lowly soldier.
Just thinking...
An army of over a thousand men was approaching from afar.
"This humble general greets General Xue." The leading soldier ran up to Xue Rengui and clasped his hands in greeting.
Damn it.
Wow, you're quite the expert too.
Magistrate Liu wished he could find a block of tofu and smash his head against it.
Just now... General Xue probably didn't see me glaring at him, right?
"Can you find out any information about the Wu family's youngest daughter?" Xue Rengui asked expressionlessly.
"Please forgive me, General, there has been no news yet."
The general clasped his hands in embarrassment and said, "But what is certain is that the person is still inside Xiangzhou City."
Xue Rengui nodded.
After Wu Qiqi was kidnapped, Xue Rengui ordered the city to be sealed off.
Only in, no out.
But this is not a long-term solution. It might work for a day or two, but if it goes on for too long, it could lead to a popular uprising.
"Let's go into the city first."
Wei Shuyu suddenly spoke.
The group entered the city in a grand procession.
Magistrate Liu wanted to go up and chat, but the thought that he had mistaken the person for someone else made him feel extremely embarrassed.
In particular, Wei Shuyu's unapproachable expression dispelled his idea of striking up a conversation.
But just at this moment...
A burly man blocked their way.
"Chief of Black Wind Stronghold, Yue Feng greets Physician Wei," Yue Feng said, clasping his hands in greeting.
"What is it?"
Wei Shuyu frowned.
"Reporting to Physician Wei, I know who was responsible for the abduction of the Duke of Ying," Yue Feng replied respectfully.
"who?"
Wei Shuyu then took a serious look at the other person.
"They are from Fierce Tiger Stronghold."
Mountain bandits?
Wei Shuyu couldn't help but frown.
Where is Fierce Tiger Stronghold?
"How strong are they?"
"Have you ever committed any crimes or offenses?"
Upon hearing Wei Shuyu's inquiry, Yue Feng was overjoyed.
If the other party is willing to talk, it means that they don't care about his status as the leader of Black Wind Stronghold.
"Dr. Wei."
In response to Doctor Wei's question: "The Fierce Tiger Stronghold is located on the southern mountain road. There are three leaders in the stronghold. The first leader is skilled with a long spear, the second leader is skilled with a large ringed saber, and the third leader..."
"Get to the point!"
Seeing Yue Feng begin to ramble on and on, Wei Shuyu interrupted him unhappily.
"Yes, yes, yes..."
Yue Feng nervously wiped his forehead with his sleeve.
Wei Shuyu was young, but the pressure he exerted was exceptionally intimidating...
"The entire Tiger Stronghold, including the elderly, women, and children, has about two thousand people."
"They mainly made a living by plundering and collecting tolls."
Wei Shuyu pondered.
A village with two thousand people can be considered a medium-sized village.
To conquer it, we must send in an army.
Most importantly, there were the elderly, women, and children.
After conquering the territory, should we settle them or kill them?
These mountain strongholds that survived the end of the Sui Dynasty were less like bandits.
Rather, they are more like a larger village.
"Dr. Wei."
Just then, another handsome young man walked up.
"My name is Qi Haizhuang, and I am Mo Jie. I also have something to report..."
"explain!"
"According to the investigation by my people in the village, that group of people should be hiding in the Yunhu Street area."
What is the basis for this claim?
"this……"
Mo Jie hesitated.
Because some things are not easy to say in public, because to say them would be considered immoral.
"Come forward..."
Wei Shuyu waved.
Mo Jie then stepped forward and whispered to Wei Shuyu, "We provided the weapons for the Fierce Tiger Stronghold; their hideout is right there."
Wei Shuyu frowned.
This news is a bit too general.
"I am Shen Kang from Xiangzhou, and I have met with Physician Wei."
As he was deep in thought, the richest man in Xiangzhou came up to him again.
What do you want now?
"In response to Physician Wei, I also believe that those people are hiding near Yunhu Street."
"What's the basis for that?"
"That group is quite large, and they need to take care of their basic needs like food, water, and sanitation..."
Shen Kang analyzed seriously: "In the past two days, there have been a group of outsiders buying coarse grains near Yunhu Street."
"I sent men to follow them, but they managed to shake them off."
Wei Shuyu was basically confirmed.
Wu Qiqi should be near Yunhu Street.
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