Bai Yulian led three thousand Marines and rushed to Qianshan County day and night.
They did not stop or enter Qianshan County, but instead went around and ran towards Izumo Mountain.
The order given to him by Fu Xiaoguan was extremely urgent. The Minister of Great Xia ordered Yan Xiwen to go deep into Qianshan County, and he was now in Xiashan Village, Huangtang Town!
This guy led people to rob the Qianshan County granary, which is very likely to attract the attention of Chongzhou Governor Zong Shiji.
Fu Xiaoguan was worried that Zong Shiji would become desperate and do something extremely detrimental to Yan Xiwen. Bai Yulian did not dare to be careless. If the prime minister of Daxia was taken hostage by Zong Shiji, it would be a big joke.
Officials from the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Justice were riding in horse-drawn carriages, and it would take them several days to reach Chongzhou. Before Zong Shiji was brought down, everything was uncertain.
"Everyone, speed up! Once we cross this Izumo Mountain, we'll reach our destination!"
…
…
Zong Shiji's convoy has already passed Izumo Mountain.
The palace soldiers were one step ahead of him, but they stopped at the foot of Izumo Mountain and did not go to Xiashan Village.
Of course, the sentries arranged by Huangtang Town Mayor Yang Wei on the mountain discovered this situation. They rushed back and told Yang Wei the news in great fear.
Yang Wei was so frightened that he almost lost his soul. He hurried out of Huangtang Town and ran down the mountain village with one foot deep and one foot shallow.
Zong Shiji got off the carriage at this moment because the mountain road here was narrower and more rugged.
"I've been in Chongzhou for so many years, but I've never been here before."
He looked up at the sky and said, "It's still sunny on the other side of the mountain, but it's raining on this side of the mountain."
"There are two worlds between a mountain and a mountain."
"It's somewhat similar to the Qinling Mountains."
Zong Tang, the chief steward beside him, bowed quickly and replied, "Master, do you still remember the Qinling Mountains?"
"Of course, the Qinling Mountains were originally very poor, but in the early years of the Great Xia Dynasty, the Jinniu Ancient Road was widened and leveled. Since then, the Jinniu Ancient Road has prospered and became an important trade route from Jiannan Road to Yuzhou."
"Even Baocheng has benefited from it. It is said that Baocheng has become prosperous now."
"This road in Izumo Mountain could use some repairs..."
He didn't finish the sentence because he didn't know how to continue.
If I had been here when I first took office, perhaps I would have repaired this road.
As for now... I don't have the mind to do that now.
"Let's go. It looks like it's going to rain. I'm afraid it will be dark by the time we get to Xiashan Village."
…
…
Xiashan Village, Li Erniu’s home.
"Master Yan, Master Yan..."
Yan Xiwen walked out of the main hall, "Mayor Yang, what's the rush?"
"Oh no, Master Yan," Yang Wei swallowed his saliva, "The palace soldiers, the palace soldiers are coming!"
Yan Xiwen was startled and frowned. "Palace soldiers? So they were sent by Chongzhou Governor Zong Shijizong?"
"Yes, it must be. Only the prefect can mobilize the government troops!"
"How many people are there?"
"I'm afraid there are three to five thousand!"
"Oh, where are they now?"
"It's at the foot of Mount Izumo."
"Didn't come?"
"...He didn't come. It seemed like he was waiting for something."
"Master Yan, they must be here because of the granary robbery. How about we all go hide in the mountains?"
Yan Xiwen grinned, "You can't hide from them if they just stay here. We'll be trapped to death in the mountains!"
"It's okay, Qishan!"
"I'm here!"
"Tell the rest of the people to prepare their guns and ammunition. If the palace soldiers dare to come... just kill them!"
"I obey your command!"
Zhang Qishan went to give instructions to the ten soldiers. Yan Xiwen then looked at Yang Wei and said, "You took the villagers to hide in the mountains. This matter started because of me, so I should end it."
Li Erniu heard this and said, "I won't leave. Mayor Yang, go ask how many villagers are willing to leave, and take them into the mountains. As for those who don't want to leave...please bring their sickles and hoes to my house, Li Erniu!"
"I've had enough. Master Yan is doing this for our own good. Even if it costs me my life, I'm going to drive those palace soldiers out of Xiashan Village!"
Yang Wei was at his wit's end. "Okay, then I'll go ask every household."
Two hours later, more and more people came to Li Erniu's house.
These were all villagers from Xiashan Village. Yan Xiwen was now familiar with them. He saw that not a single household had left, and even the women had come.
They had no weapons and only held brooms or sticks in their hands.
"Ah..." Yan Xiwen shook his head.
He was very moved, but at the same time he also knew that with only eleven people and eleven guns, he would not be able to stop the thousands of enemies rushing at him at the same time.
It will be a physical fight.
Although the soldiers of the garrison were from the Marine Corps and could indeed fight ten enemies at once, they could not withstand the enemy's large numbers.
He did not try to persuade these people to leave.
Because this is a battle to defend their homeland!
They need such a battle, and only after winning this battle will they understand that they have the right to defend their homeland.
This is using blood to awaken them, and the price is a bit heavy, but from now on, their descendants will understand this truth.
The rain still fell.
Li Erniu's house was crowded with people, but silent.
The villagers knew that this would be a fierce battle, but they also understood that even if they won, it would only be temporary because more soldiers would arrive next.
At that time, I probably wouldn't be able to stay in Xiashan Village or Huangtang Town any longer.
Even so, no one retreated because they had no way to retreat.
It was dusk.
Instead of waiting for the encirclement by the government soldiers, they waited for a group of people.
Zong Shiji, along with several guards, stepped into the courtyard of Li Erniu's house. He stood in the courtyard, his eyes falling under the eaves, and he saw Yan Xiwen sitting in front of the door!
It was indeed Yan Xiwen!
Of course, Yan Xiwen also saw Zong Shiji. In the blink of an eye, several years had passed since they last met. The young man he had met once in Jinling now had a beard and his face no longer had the vitality it once had. He looked much more mature.
"Your Highness, Zong Shiji, the Governor of Chongzhou, pays homage to Prime Minister Yan!"
Zong Shiji lifted his clothes and knelt in front of Yan Xiwen!
According to Daxia's current etiquette, kneeling has long been abolished, but Zong Shiji still knelt down.
He knelt down firmly, not caring at all about the wet mud beneath his knees.
All the villagers were shocked. Is this the prefect of Chongzhou?
Their gaze shifted from Zong Shiji to Yan Xiwen... Is this Prime Minister Yan?
What kind of official is Yan Xiang?
Obviously, this Mr. Yan is a higher official than the prefect of Chongzhou!
It turns out that Master Yan is an official appointed by the imperial court!
Yan Xiwen was still sitting there, looking at Zong Shiji, who was kneeling on the ground in the rain, for a long time.
"You shouldn't have come."
"I am late, please forgive me, Minister Yan!"
"Your crime isn't being late, but... your crime against these villagers who are starving and hungry!"
"I understand. Please, Prime Minister Yan, give me a chance to reform!"
Yan Xiwen narrowed his eyes and suddenly laughed, "If I don't give you a chance to mend your ways, will you bring those thousands of palace soldiers to kill me?"
"I dare not! I have brought some gifts to Prime Minister Yan. Please accept them!"
"Oh, show it to me."
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