Xiao Yunfan took a look at the drawing and said: "Brother Luo, what is shown on this patrol map is a shift map, but the location of the prisoners is unknown." Luo Jiutian said: "You said this, brother, I never thought of it. , but all the people who have been appointed as Inspectors have been replaced, and the replaced people have also been transferred to other places by the court. This patrol map was drawn by me personally not long ago. "
Xiao Yunfan nodded and said with a smile: "Brother, I have a way to get the internal structure diagram of this prison. I don't know how big brother plans to save people?" Luo Jiutian said: "Speaking of rescuing people, I asked Xiang Ying to find thirty people elsewhere. A top master. There are at least a hundred jailers guarding the prisoners. If we want to rescue people from here, we can only attack by force."
Xiao Yunfan shook his head and said: "If there is too much noise for a strong attack, it will inevitably alert the patrol guards." Luo Jiutian said: "Does my dear brother have a better way?" Xiao Yunfan said: "Brother, do you have a map of Chengdu Prefecture here? Luo Jiutian said: "Well, there is no ready-made one. We have to ask Xiang Ying to find someone to buy it on the black market."
After the two discussed it, Xiao Yunfan hurriedly got up and took Mi to the Wuhou Temple to meet the Rat King. Luo Jiutian led a team of people to meet with several state officials.
The case of the Feng family's rebellion shocked both the government and the public. According to common practice, after the governor reports to the court, he needs to send someone to escort the prisoner to the capital and hand him over to the Three Law Departments for trial. However, due to many tasks such as arresting salt lords, eradicating bandits, and providing relief to local disaster victims, there is a real shortage of manpower. They had no choice but to temporarily imprison the Feng family and wait for the capital to appoint someone to handle the matter. This gave Xiao Yunfan and the others a chance.
In a secret house on the outskirts of the city. The courtyard was heavily guarded outside, the house was brightly lit, and three people were sitting in front of a round table. Luo Jiutian walked into the house under the guidance of an entourage. With a smile on his face, he said to the three people at the table: "The common man Luo Jiutian comes to meet the three adults."
A man in red clothes with a face like a full moon stood up and walked over, helped him up and said, "Brother Luo, there is no need to be polite. Get up quickly." The person who spoke was Xu Yuantai, the governor of Sichuan, and the other two were respectively It was Li Yingxiang, the commander-in-chief of Sichuan, and Zhou Guanghao, the inspector general.
Xu Yuantai picked up a wine glass and said, "Everyone, let's have a drink first. Let's talk about business later." As he spoke, the four of them clinked their wine glasses together and each drank. Xu Yuantai stroked his beard and said slowly: "Since I took over Sichuan, I have relied on you for everything. The case of the Feng family's rebellion is not very important at the moment. People from the court will arrive soon. Instead, Songpan and Mao from northern Sichuan The area around the state is the real trouble." As he spoke, his eyes shot at Luo Jiutian's face.
Luo Jiutian smiled and said: "Master Futai has a destiny, it's just a matter of dogs and horses." Xu Yuantai winked at Li Yingxiang, and Li Yingxiang said loudly: "Brother Luo Xian, Master Futai cares about the people of Sichuan, and he is very considerate to you merchants." Preferential treatment. Youdao repays kindness, now is the time to show your loyalty."
Luo Jiutian guessed what General Li was thinking, and immediately laughed, clapped his hands three times, and Xiang Ying and his two attendants were outside the door, each holding a brocade box in their hands. Xiang Ying opened the first brocade box, which contained a century-old ginseng tree. The other two boxes were opened, one was a finely carved jade horse, and the other was a Song version of "Jiannan Shiga".
Luo Jiutian pointed at these treasures and said: "This century-old ginseng is dedicated to Master Futai by this villain. Sir, filial piety is the most important thing. This century-old ginseng is just for Mrs. Tai's care. General Li is galloping on the battlefield with great pride." This jade horse is most suitable to be presented to the Commander-in-Chief, as a good horse will lead to success and good news will come frequently.
Zhou Yingcha always loved the past and admired the sages. The villain specially found this Song version of "Jiannan Poetry Manuscript" from elsewhere to present it to you. "
The three of them each got a treasure and naturally smiled. Li Yingxiang said: "Brother Luo is very good at doing things. I like this horse very much. However, if you give me another thing, I will like it even more."
Luo Jiutian said: "But according to the orders of the adults, I will definitely do my best to do it."
Li Yingxiang said: "I want one hundred thousand stones of rice." Luo Jiutian glanced at Xu Yuantai, then looked at Zhou Guanghao, and said with a smile: "You are just kidding me. One hundred thousand stones of rice, the market price is two hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver. Even if a villain tries to sell iron, he won't be able to raise so much in one time."
Li Yingxiang's face darkened and he said: "The official wants you to do something to reward you. How can I allow you to push back and block me?" Xu Yuantai stroked his beard and smiled and said: "Brother Luo, I know you will be in trouble with this matter. But Sichuan is large and small. I never ask you how much oil and water there is in the water and land terminals.
The annual tax is based on the lowest in each province. If you say that you can't afford these 100,000 shi of rice, I won't believe it. "
Luo Jiutian sighed: "It's not that ordinary people are unwilling to serve the imperial court, but I really can't come up with these 100,000 shi of rice at the moment." Zhou Guanghao interjected: "Who wants you to come up with it in one day? Mr. Li just put this I have given you instructions in advance. As for the time of preparation, Mr. Futai and General Li will tell you in detail."
Luo Jiutian looked at his thumb and said: "To be honest with you all, our Chishui Gang gave us 20,000 shi of rice for disaster relief last year. At that time, Master Xu said we were borrowing it. To this day, the officials have not returned a grain of rice to the poor people." . ”
Xu Yuantai took a sip of tea and said: "The whole world is the land of the king, and the shores of the land are the ministers of the king. You are a subject of the Ming Dynasty, and you should contribute to the court. Your 20,000 shi of rice are borrowed from me, but you really want to Will the imperial court repay you? The Chishui Gang is under my nose. I really don’t think I know what you are doing.
Just because of Yan Chongxiao's contacts with the Feng family, I can report you to the court for treason. A mere 100,000 shi of rice will be exchanged for your Chishui Gang to have peace. You, Brother Luo, don't know the pros and cons of such a transaction. "
Luo Jiutian saw that there was something in Xu Yuantai's words. It seemed that the Chishui Gang had something to do with the officials. At that moment, he broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly said with a smile: "What did you say, sir? Didn't I just say that, but it depends on your orders. I wonder if Mr. Li is in a hurry for this food?"
Li Yingxiang picked up a piece of fat meat and chewed it in his mouth and said vaguely: "Of course, the sooner the better, I will give you a month." Luo Jiutian nodded and said: "Okay, but the villain has your say first, how much can I raise for you?" It’s just how much, try your best.”
Li Yingxiang reached out and slapped the table hard and said: "Don't play tricks on me. One hundred thousand shi of grain cannot be missing." Luo Jiutian smiled bitterly and said: "Okay, I will try my best."
When Xu Yuantai saw that General Luo Jiutian agreed to raise military rations, he softened his tone and said: "That's right! Brother Luo is a Jianghu man, the most heroic. As long as we are in Sichuan, no one will dare to touch your Jinsha Gang brand. I said Lao Li, why don't you give me a toast to Brother Luo? This hundred thousand shi of rice is indeed a generous gift."
Li Yingxiang laughed and said: "What Futai said is absolutely true. Brother Luo, we soldiers are all straight-tempered. Don't take it to heart because of the few angry words I just said. I ask you for these 100,000 stone grains to protect your health." Sichuan is peaceful. Once the current situation in Sichuan is turbulent, your business will naturally not be easy. Come, brother, give you a drink."
Luo Jiutian smiled apologetically and said, "It's rare for Mr. Li to show his respect. It's really embarrassing for a villain." He drank the wine in one gulp. He poured himself another glass and toasted to the three of them one by one.
The next day, Luo Jiutian went to the inn to meet Xiao Yunfan secretly. As soon as he entered the room, there seemed to be a worried look on his eyebrows. Xiao Yunfan said: "Brother, what are you worried about?" Luo Jiutian briefly explained the matter of the general's request for food and salary. Xiao Yunfan slapped the table and said: "They are too bully."
Luo Jiutian sipped his tea and said calmly: "Brother, my eldest brother is different from you. You are a prodigal son, but I am often entangled in worldly affairs. The Chishui Gang seems to have a big family and a big business, but this family's business belongs to the imperial court, and the imperial court wants us Only by living can we live. Many times we act based on the opinions of those above.
None of us dare to offend these worms that eat the royal grain. Because their relationship is so intricate that if you're not careful, you won't know which deity you've offended. Although the Chishui Gang has several backers in Beijing, the old gang leader will not visit them unless absolutely necessary. There are many sufferings that only people here know. However, this incident did us a big favor. "
Xiao Yunfan said: "Brother, do you mean to mix these people into the food transport team and take them out of the city?" Luo Jiutian smiled and said: "Xiandi and I thought of a place." Xiao Yunfan immediately showed the topographic map of the prison Take it out and mark the prisoner's cell.
It turned out that when the Rat King saw that Xiao Yunfan kept his promise, he immediately sent many rats and rats to investigate the cell. It was based on what those mice said that Xiao Yunfan drew the topographic map of the cell. When Luo Jiutian saw that every detail of the picture was revealed, he wondered: "Where did you get this picture from?" Xiao Yunfan smiled and said: "There is a saying that secrets cannot be leaked. I don't need to worry about this brother."
Luo Jiutian pointed at him and said with a smile: "When did your boy become so mysterious?" Xiao Yunfan said: "I also read the map that eldest brother sent to my brother. It's not as good as us..." Luo Jiutian said: "Wonderful! Excellent! Just do as you say."
Half a month later, the two went their separate ways. Luo Jiutian went to the governor's house for a drink in order to avoid suspicion, and the rescue was left to Xiao Yunfan and Xiang Ying. The moon crawled out from the dark clouds, revealing half of its face. A faint silver frost spreads on the ground, and a few dog barks occasionally come from the deep alley.
Suddenly, a cry came from the palace of the famous Prince of Shu in the city: "The water has escaped, the water has escaped." The raging flames followed the roof tiles of the palace and rushed into the sky along with the billowing smoke. Everyone in the palace was panicking and running around to get water to put out the fire.
In an alley, Xiao Yunfan stretched out his hand to lift his big bamboo hat, looked towards the direction of the palace, and saw thick smoke billowing. He thought to himself: "It seems that the Rat King has succeeded."
It turned out that he asked the Rat King to help him set a fire in the palace. The Rat King arranged for some subordinates to sneak into the ancestral hall of the palace along the mouse hole. He bit off the candles on the candlesticks and knocked over several oil lamps. The flames started burning along the curtains, first on the table and then on the pillars, and the fire spread quickly.
This palace in Chengdu is called Shu Palace. The King of Shu was a vassal king entrusted by Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang. Although he had no real power, he was still a relative of the emperor. There was a fire in the palace, and all the patrol battalions in the city went to help. As a result, chaos broke out in the streets.
Thirty masters invited by Luo Jiutian took advantage of the chaos and sneaked into the outer courtyard of the prison of the Criminal Division along a secret passage. These patrolling jailers all have crude martial arts skills, so naturally they are no match for these men in black. In addition, they used incense to break the prison without any effort.
The man in black used a sharp blade to cut off the chain of the cell door, drove out all the prisoners, and gathered in an open space in front of the prison. The leader said in a deep voice: "Everyone from the Feng family has taken a step forward."
The prisoners were all frightened and had no choice but to do as they were told. They quickly found the Feng family members. Then they counted these people one by one, asked them to put on hoods, and the original criminals were sent back to prison.
A group of men in black led these Feng family prisoners and fled elsewhere along the secret passage. It turned out that during the day, Luo Jiutian frequently traveled to and from major city gates in the name of escorting grain and grass. At night, it's the same. The city guards had received many benefits from them on weekdays, and they were particularly polite to the people from the Chishui Gang. Seeing that everyone was transporting food again at night, he immediately ordered the city gate to be opened to let them go.
Everyone walked south without stopping, covering sixty miles in one night. At sunrise, everyone arrived at a valley. The accompanying leader of the men in black ordered his men to untie the people in the car. Xiao Yunfan turned around and opened the curtain and took a look inside. Several people wore black cloth covers on their heads, their hands were tied behind their backs, and their bodies were trembling. There was a fishy smell coming from the pants legs under his feet, and he was obviously very scared.
He walked in and reached out to take off the cloth covering on a person's head. A wrinkled old man said tremblingly: "No, don't kill me." The old man's appearance was somewhat similar to Feng Yuchun. Xiao Yunfan speculated that this person was probably Feng Yuchun. My brother, I couldn't help but feel pity for him.
Then he comforted him: "Don't be afraid, old man, I don't mean any harm." The old man's eyes were still full of suspicion, and Xiao Yunfan untied the rope behind his back. He then took off the cloth coverings on the heads of the other three people.
Among the three people, one is older, about forty years old, and the other two are teenagers, about eighteen or nineteen years old.
Seeing how embarrassed they were, Xiao Yunfan couldn't bear it, so he reached out and took off a baggage hanging on the roof of the car. He said to the middle-aged man: "Brother, there are some clean clothes in this baggage. Please put them on."
Then I went to check on other cars. When he took off a woman's hood in the eighth car and saw the pale and haggard face, his heart suddenly felt hot.
The woman looked at him blankly, and he immediately turned his head, not daring to look into her eyes, and reached out to take off the other people's hoods. When everyone in the car was freed from their restraints, the leader said to Xiao Yunfan: "Brother, we have to go back and recover!". Xiao Yunfan clasped his fists in front of everyone and said in return: "Everyone, please take care of me!"
They left a carriage and returned along the long road. The young and old of the Feng family were reborn after the disaster. When the old, young, women and children met, they each hugged each other and cried. Seeing that his relatives and followers were all safe, the old man walked up to Xiao Yunfan with the support of his son, and said in a trembling voice: "Thank you so much for saving me." After saying that, he was about to bow down, and the female servants behind him also knelt down. .
Xiao Yunfan supported the old man and said: "Old man, please get up quickly. Everyone, please get up too. The valley here is a secluded place. There are hundreds of acres of fertile farmland in the valley, with mulberry trees, cattle and sheep, and a house for everyone to live in. The people of the imperial court are temporarily here. You won’t be able to find it for a while. But please remember one thing: once you enter the valley, you will be isolated from the rest of the world.”
