Chapter 234 Is My Son Brave?
At the foot of Dagushan Mountain, next to a memorial archway.
Ouyang Rong was about to head to Zheyi Canal to catch a boat when he encountered Yan Liulang and his group, who were leading the people of Longcheng to seek refuge.
Seeing the strange expressions on Yan Liulang and the others' faces, Ouyang Rong became nervous and immediately pressed them for answers.
"Ah Shan?"
Ouyang Rong was taken aback at first, but after hearing the explanation, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness Ah Shan was here!"
But then Ouyang Rong frowned slightly, "How come Ashan came back so quickly? Wasn't he supposed to be sending someone back to Nanlong for me?"
He whispered something, his face showing a mixture of worry and joy.
In any case, the fact that Liu Ashan can temporarily step in and stabilize the situation at the county government before Ouyang Rong returns is a piece of good news amidst the many bad news.
After recounting the details in great detail, Yan Liulang looked ashamed and lowered his head.
"My lord, it's my fault for being useless. In the end, it was Brother Ashan who had to step up..."
"It's alright, everyone do your job! Liu Lang, just do what you're supposed to do."
Ouyang Rong offered a word of comfort, then turned to glance at the blue smoke rising from the distant mountains.
He lowered his eyes and murmured:
"I wonder if Ah Shan received the letter from his junior sister. Knowing that I'm back should ease his pressure a bit..."
"Also, Liu Lang said that A Shan was preparing to salvage the sluice gate supplies at Penglangdu, but this time, things are different from before. The rising water level in Yunmengze upstream has a reason, and it's right under our noses."
"The most urgent task is to get to Xiaogushan and stop the Liu family from forging swords before the floodwaters reach the threshold of the Digong Sluice Gate and collapse..."
Ouyang Rong nodded, turning his gaze away from the direction of Butterfly Creek and Little Lonely Mountain in the distance.
Look around.
It was observed that Yan Liulang and the first group of people had arrived at Dagushan.
From all directions, waves of migrants converged at the foot of Dagushan Mountain.
It was likely that Liu Ashan, acting on behalf of Ouyang, issued the county magistrate's letter, which was then distributed to various places. People from towns and villages along the upstream and downstream routes, led by local elders and gentry, flocked here to seek refuge.
Having learned from the previous evacuation experience during the flooding of Yunmengze, the people of Longcheng have become relatively familiar with each other, and the resistance to evacuation and refuge has decreased.
Most importantly, it's the prestige that this lousy county magistrate has accumulated over the past few days.
Ouyang Rong did not linger at the foot of Dagushan Mountain for long. After sorting out his thoughts, he comforted the elders and villagers who had gathered there to support him.
Ouyang Rong turned to Yan Liulang and gave him some instructions regarding the precautions for the people to take refuge.
"Sixth Brother, hold this place firmly. I'll go find a boat at the Broken Wing Canal first!"
He took a fast horse from the constable, nimbly turned over, whipped the horse, and rode away.
...
Zheyi Canal, Songlin Ferry.
"Is he really that honest? This doesn't seem like his style. Liu Fu, are you sure he didn't bring any soldiers with him to ambush us?"
"Master, no, he just rode here on horseback. Besides, the boat is in our hands. We'll be traveling by water later, so what kind of pursuers could he possibly have to block us?"
"Hmm, that makes sense."
Liu Zian glanced sideways, surprised that the hostage threat plan had succeeded so smoothly.
But upon closer reflection, the people and events in this world are sometimes not as convoluted and bizarre as depicted in historical novels. Where do so many chosen ones and those who can foresee everything come from?
Under the dazzling morning sun.
Over here, Liu Zian was whispering and discussing something with Liu Fu behind him.
Liu Zian, along with his family servants and private soldiers borrowed from Boss Li, has now boarded the boat at the ferry dock.
And on the riverbank directly in front of them.
Liu Zilin was leading a group of subordinates, escorting officials and merchants such as County Magistrate Diao, as well as the people of Longcheng as hostages.
He confronted Ouyang Rong, who had come forward alone.
At that moment, Ouyang Rong looked over.
Liu Zian turned his head first and nodded slightly to his subordinates.
To show sincerity.
On the official boats docked at the riverbank, the servants of the Liu family, who were armed and controlling the boatmen, and the bandits and their private soldiers seemed to have received an order. They put away their weapons and nimbly jumped off the boats.
Most of the official ships were liberated.
Only three ships remained, still in the hands of Liu Zian and his men. The Liu family servants and bandit soldiers who had retreated also boarded these three ships.
Liu Zilin glanced back, received Liu Zian's signal, and coldly said to the travel-worn and haggard Ouyang Rong in the distance:
"Disarm and throw the weapons on the ground. A person will come over. We will release the hostages. We mean what we say. If anyone dares to make any trouble..."
Liu Zilin glanced sideways at his subordinate.
The servants of the Liu family, who were guarding the hostages, opened wooden barrels and poured the Burning Heaven Dragon Oil inside onto the heads and clothes of Magistrate Diao, Aqing, Liu's mother, and others.
These Burning Sky Shark Oils were accidentally discovered by Liu Zian and others in the cabin of the official ship. They were probably the batch that Ouyang Lianghan and the Longcheng County Government had seized during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
It's perfect to borrow it.
The private soldiers behind Liu Zilin, holding torches, loosened their shackles and pushed the terrified hostages, who were now drenched in oil, forward, whipping them away.
Upon seeing this, officials, merchants, and ordinary citizens of Longcheng hurriedly ran forward.
In the distance, Ouyang Rong unfastened the long sword from his waist, took something out of his pocket, and handed it to one of the constables who had run back first.
He looked tired and walked forward alone.
Looking down from above, a rather strange scene unfolded on this rather wide and open riverbank:
On the left half of the open space on the riverbank, a group of people hurriedly and frantically fled, scattering forward and trying to get away from the men in blue robes holding torches behind them.
On the right side of the open space on the riverbank, a tall, solitary figure walked against the current, empty-handed, towards the gathering place of the blue-clad thugs wielding white blades by the water's edge.
The atmosphere was unusually solemn.
Among the fleeing civilians, some couldn't help but glance sideways.
"Ming...Ming Mansion."
The county magistrate and other officials staggered, slowed their pace, and looked ashamed.
"Master, don't go!" Ah Qing cried, but was stopped by the quick-thinking servants of the Deer Park.
But just then, an unexpected and heart-wrenching wail suddenly rang out behind Aqing:
"My son! Don't go! Don't go! Come back, my dear son! Come back!"
An elderly woman with white hair rushed out from the fleeing crowd on the left side of the riverbank.
He ran headlong toward the young county magistrate in his official robes.
This sudden scene stood out particularly on the relatively quiet riverbank at that moment.
Aqing, whose face was originally covered in tears, froze. The county magistrate and others behind her were also confused. Hadn't the magistrate's mother passed away long ago?
Standing at the bow of the boat, Liu Zian, who was observing the scene with a cold eye, frowned and looked impatient.
Liu Zilin was holding a broadsword, preparing to lead his men to capture Ouyang Rong. Upon seeing this, he snatched a torch from one of his men and stepped forward with a sinister grin.
"Lighting a lamp in a latrine? You're asking for it!"
Ouyang Rong, who was moving forward, suddenly turned around and pushed Liu's mother, who rushed in front of him, to the ground.
Without looking back, keep moving forward.
Liu Zilin snorted coldly, threw away the torch, and stepped forward with his subordinates to tie up Ouyang Rong, who had surrendered without resistance.
The group retreated in an orderly fashion to the three official boats left on the shore.
An old woman with white hair, covered in shark oil, stumbled and scrambled forward, reaching out her hand:
"My child, don't go, don't go! We can never repay the kindness of our benefactors, come back, come back, waaaah..."
Liu's mother wanted to give chase, but was held back by Magistrate Diao and others.
At the bow of the boat, Ouyang Rong was escorted to Liu Zi'an. Liu Zilin seemed to squint and say something. Ouyang Rong, who had been silent until now, did not answer. Suddenly, he turned around and shouted loudly to the crowd on the riverbank below:
"Magistrate Diao, take the official boat to Penglang Ferry!"
"You all run quickly to Dagushan Mountain, don't look back, don't come to save me! Go to Dagushan Mountain, there's 'someone' waiting for you there..."
Liu Zian's gaze suddenly turned cold.
Ouyang Rong's mouth was immediately gagged.
Receiving a signal from his second brother, Liu Zilin stepped forward without making a sound.
He stood on the bow deck, looking down at the crowd, and addressed them:
"Ha, you really think he's a selfless hero? How naive, he deserves all of this!"
"The numerous floods and dam collapses in Longcheng County, including today's flooding, are all thanks to him!"
"Ouyang Lianghan has offended the Dragon King of the underwater world!"
Liu Zilin spoke with righteous indignation, his voice carrying a seductive, persuasive quality:
"Have you all forgotten that when this man took office, he fell into the river and nearly drowned? The Dragon King was kind-hearted and only gave him a warning, sparing his life. Who would have thought that after he recovered, he not only did not repent but also recklessly controlled the waters, offending the Dragon King! As a result, the whole of Longcheng County was affected, and everyone became a victim."
"If you don't believe me, look at today. Even on such a sweltering day, the Yunmeng Marsh upstream is still flooded. This is the Dragon King's wrath! This boy has committed heinous crimes and has incurred divine punishment!"
My older brother said that.
Killing someone is nothing compared to destroying their spirit.
The real, satisfying revenge would be to ruin Ouyang Lianghan's reputation and leave him filthy.
"Our Liu family is merely acting on behalf of the Dragon King; our Liu family is the one who will save you!"
"The Liu family came today not to harm anyone. Look, you are all unharmed."
"We just wanted to find the culprit so that the Dragon King of the Water wouldn't take his anger out on us. So Ouyang Lianghan deserves this retribution. What do you have to feel guilty about?"
"And think about it, if he wasn't guilty, why would he step forward? Giving up a promising future and wealth, are there really such selfless people in this world? Who are so willing to risk their lives?"
Liu Zilin's voice echoed throughout the silent hall.
Ouyang Rong had a cloth bag stuffed in his mouth, but he held his head high, as if he were grinning.
Liu Zilin's face twitched slightly, but he subtly shielded the official figure in disdain behind him.
He suppressed his anger and calmly waved his hand at the silent crowd on the riverbank, saying:
"Alright, everyone, you can all leave now."
Liu Zilin turned around and snorted coldly.
Liu Zian, who was standing to the side with his sleeves tucked in, nodded at him, seemingly in affirmation and praise.
"Let's go, set sail quickly, and get back to Jianpu as soon as possible."
Having obtained the offerings, Liu Zian didn't want to linger for a moment. His face was filled with undisguised excitement as he returned home laden with his spoils.
The three hijacked boats on the riverbank slowly sailed away and soon disappeared from Butterfly Creek.
On the riverbank, the abandoned crowd fell silent, seemingly lost in some kind of confusion.
The mother's heart-wrenching sobs made the atmosphere even more silent.
“Mother…” Aqing walked over blankly, seemingly puzzled.
Just then, a yamen runner approached dejectedly and handed over two items.
"Miss Aqing, this is what Lord Ming entrusted to me to leave for you and Aunt Liu before he left."
Aqing, startled, reached out and took a long sword and a small packet of oil paper.
Put down the longsword and unfold the oiled paper.
On the paper, two cooled sesame cakes lay quietly.
The pretty young girl trembled slightly.
...
Ouyang Rong encountered this large, strangely-looking group of soldiers returning from Zheyi Canal halfway between Dagushan and Songlingdu.
"Lord Diao, what's going on here?"
Ouyang Rong paused for a moment, then looked at the disheveled County Magistrate Diao at the front of the crowd.
However, it wasn't just him who was surprised; the others, including Magistrate Diao, were even more surprised, staring wide-eyed at his unharmed state.
Ouyang Rong also realized what was happening, recalling Yan Liulang and the others' behavior just now. He wasn't surprised at all, and said vaguely:
"The one in charge of the county government in the county town is Ah Shan; he's temporarily in charge..."
Ouyang Rong suddenly noticed that the expressions on the faces of County Magistrate Diao and the others had not eased; on the contrary, they were even more astonished.
However, his confusion did not last long.
The crowd was separated.
Aqing and Liu's mother walked slowly over.
Ouyang Rong saw the mother and daughter with bloodshot eyes, especially the latter, who was swaying and looked like a walking corpse. Aqing had also cried her tears dry, and could only sob and hiccup, her shoulders twitching.
When the mother and daughter saw Ouyang Rong, they showed no surprise at all, and even seemed a little stunned and ignored him.
He turned his head instantly and looked around at the disheveled and bewildered crowd.
Ouyang Rong's expression changed, his teeth chattered, and he clenched his teeth to calmly ask:
"Where is Ah... Ah Shan?"
Aqing held a moonlit longsword and a small packet of oil paper in her hands.
He slowly walked up to Ouyang Rong, who had staggered off his horse, and handed him a sword and two sesame cakes.
She looked blankly at him and said:
"Master, please save my brother! I beg you, please save my brother!"
The county magistrate, Diao, who was standing nearby, also realized what was happening and stepped forward cautiously to interject:
"Your Excellency, Brother Ashan, in order to save us and those official boats for flood control, took your place and was... captured by Liu Zian and Liu Zilin."
Ouyang Rong stood there, stunned, looking down at the familiar moonlight longsword.
Before boarding the ship that day, he personally handed the sword to Liu Ashan.
Ouyang Rong trembled uncontrollably.
All that could be seen was that Ouyang Rong suddenly raised his hand, as if he was about to slap himself hard across the face.
But his trembling hand stopped in mid-air, and his direction changed abruptly. He swung his hand down sharply and snatched the Moonlight Sword from A Qing's hand.
Ouyang Rong turned his head, nodded to Liu's mother and Aqing, whose faces were blank and lifeless, and said:
“I am the one who should be avenged by the Liu family. I failed in my duty and should not have left carelessly. It is I, Ouyang Lianghan, who have let you down. I will go and bring your son and your elder brother back. Otherwise, I will never have the face to see you or the folks of Longcheng again.”
Upon hearing this, Liu's mother and Aqing, who had been completely numb, looked up at Ouyang Rong, whose eyes were red and swollen. After a moment, the mother and daughter embraced each other and finally burst into tears.
"Waaaaah..."
Amidst the cries of grief, Ouyang Rong charged out like an enraged wolf, his head held high. He staggered as he climbed onto the horse's back, taking two attempts before finally managing to mount, only to be immediately pulled back onto the stirrup by Magistrate Diao.
"You mustn't, Your Excellency! It's dangerous to go now!"
Ah Qing clutched the sesame cake to her chest with her little hands. Hearing this, she realized what was happening and ran to grab Ouyang Rong's clothes, her little face full of sorrow: "Master... there are so many bad people... be careful."
County Magistrate Diao immediately replied:
"Yes, Your Excellency, we mustn't act impulsively! We must calm down! We certainly need to save Brother Ashan, but this is a critical moment. We don't know when the Di Gong Sluice Gate will collapse. It's more important to move the people to Da Gushan first. Your Excellency, don't forget your duty!"
He lowered his voice again:
"Moreover, Liu Zilin just spread some heretical rumors, and now the team is in disarray... The Liu family has many private soldiers, and we don't know where they were recruited from. If you take a few people and run over there, wouldn't that be like walking into a trap? Let's wait a bit longer. A gentleman takes revenge even after ten years... Oh dear!"
Ah Qing, who had stopped the horse in disappointment, was unharmed, while the old county magistrate's body was unsurprisingly sent flying more than two meters away.
"..."
You're going to kick me, the old man?
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
