Deer family.
"Mr. Zhu went to the provincial capital and said he wanted to persuade 200,000 Qing soldiers to retreat." Lu Zilin chatted with Lu Taiheng.
"Mr. Zhu is a scholar. As the saying goes, when a scholar encounters a soldier, there is no explanation." Lu Taiheng shook his head, "Mr. Zhu, I'm afraid he may be in trouble this time."
"It's not bad, Mr. Zhu was chopped with a knife if he didn't make trouble." Lu Zilin was a little gloating.
"Mr. Zhu is a scholar after all. He has a bookish spirit and dares to sacrifice his life for righteousness. But he just can't see the situation clearly." Lu Taiheng used his knowledge to evaluate Mr. Zhu.
"Just now Jiaxuan asked Lu San to drive, and they went to the provincial capital." Lu Zilin was always paying attention to Bai Jiaxuan's affairs.
"Going to the provincial capital? You want to stop Mr. Zhu, but is it still too late?"
"I'm afraid it's enough, Mr. Zhu has left long ago."
"In all things, don't force yourself to be the first. If you shoot the first bird, there will be no good end." In Lu Taiheng's eyes, Mr. Zhu is in danger but not good.
provincial capital.
Governor's Mansion.
Bai Jiaxuan, Zhou Qiang, and Lu San are here.
As soon as he arrived, Bai Jiaxuan jumped out of the donkey cart and rushed straight to the gate, looking like he was not afraid of death.
Zhou Qiang had quick eyes and quick hands and grabbed him, "Brother Jiaxuan, you can't be reckless."
"What?" Bai Jiaxuan was in a hurry to see Mr. Zhu and couldn't think of anything else.
Zhou Qiang didn't say anything, but took a few steps forward and shouted, "Please let me know that Mr. Zhu's wife and brother from White Deer Academy are here to find Mr. Zhu."
"Mr. Zhu's brother is here? Please come quickly!" The gatekeeper had already received the order and was waiting for Mr. Zhu's brother to come.
"Please." Zhou Qiang spoke and pulled Bai Jiaxuan in.
Bai Jiaxuan still looked confused.
Lu San was watching the donkey cart outside.
Zhou Qiang and Bai Jiaxuan entered a simple and elegant room.
The furniture inside is exquisite and has a literati atmosphere.
A middle-aged man wearing a brand new military uniform was looking at Bai Jiaxuan, "A strong man, he is indeed a strong man!"
"Where's my brother-in-law? I'm looking for my brother-in-law." Bai Jiaxuan said it was his brother-in-law, and he didn't seem to understand any etiquette.
As the son of the patriarch of Bailu Village, how could Bai Jiaxuan not understand any etiquette? This can only be because Bai Jiaxuan is in a hurry and doesn't care about anything.
"Your brother-in-law went to fend off the Qing soldiers alone." Governor Zhang said. After speaking, he looked at Zhou Qiang, "Who are you?"
"I am Zhou Qiang from Bailu Village. I am accompanying Brother Jiaxuan to find Mr. Zhu." Zhou Qiang replied.
"He is a spiritual young man." Governor Zhang said politely.
"My brother-in-law has left already? How long has he been gone?" Bai Jiaxuan continued to ask recklessly.
"We left before dawn. I sent a platoon of soldiers to escort us, but your brother-in-law stopped us. He said that as long as one of his brothers accompanied us, it would be fine."
"His brother?" Bai Jiaxuan didn't react for a moment.
"Mr. Zhu is talking about you." Zhou Qiang patted Bai Jiaxuan on the shoulder, "Mr. Zhu has calculated that you are going to follow."
"My brother-in-law figured out that I was coming?" Bai Jiaxuan was a little stunned.
"Yes, I just don't know why Mr. Zhu asked you to accompany him alone to retreat the Qing troops?" Zhou Qiang said.
"I don't know either." Bai Jiaxuan looked confused again.
"Then are you going?" Zhou Qiang asked.
"Go, my brother-in-law asked me to go, I will definitely go." After Bai Jiaxuan finished speaking, he turned around and left. He was reckless again.
"Wait a minute." Governor Zhang stopped Bai Jiaxuan, "I have arranged the horses, can you ride a horse?"
"Yes." Soon, Bai Jiaxuan rode away.
Zhou Qiang stayed behind to wait for news. Governor Zhang arranged the guest room.
Lu San saw Bai Jiaxuan riding away outside, and wanted to stop him, so he shouted, but Bai Jiaxuan ignored him.
Fortunately, Zhou Qiang was at the side and did not leave.
"Xiao Qiang, why did my young master ride away?" Lu San asked hurriedly.
"Mr. Zhu asked Brother Jiaxuan to accompany him to retreat from the Qing troops."
"What? Go and retreat the Qing troops?" Lu San was dumbfounded.
"Yes." Zhou Qiang looked in the direction of the Qing army camp. There is so much murderous intent over there.
Mr. Zhu is a mortal who dares to act like this, which is worthy of praise.
"What can we do?" Lu San looked anxious, "What about Mr. Zhu?"
"Mr. Zhu has already taken a step ahead, riding a carriage. Brother Jiaxuan can catch up with him on horseback." Zhou Qiang looked at Lu San, "Third brother, don't worry, this is all Mr. Zhu's arrangement.
Mr. Zhu set out before dawn.
Before setting off, he left a message asking Brother Jiaxuan to accompany him to retreat from the Qing troops.
Mr. Zhu had already figured out that Brother Jiaxuan was coming.
Mr. Zhu is an expert and acts with reason. "
Zhou Qiang explained what happened in detail.
"Yes, Mr. Zhu is fascinated. There must be no problem with his arrangement like this." Half of the worry on Lu San's face disappeared.
"Third brother, go back to the village and send a message, saying that nothing is wrong. You will go back in a few days. I will wait for news here."
"Okay, I'll be right back." Lu San immediately drove the donkey cart away.
Zhou Qiang did not go to the guest room to rest, but walked around Chang'an City.
Because of the war, there were very few pedestrians on the road, and even those who were there were in a hurry. Many shops were closed.
But there is a place that is very lively.
Teeth line.
Here, there are disaster victims who cannot survive and have to sell themselves.
There are also businessmen who want to sell their shops and houses.
A few days ago, the Qing Yamen was revolutionized and there was chaos for a while.
Now, the Qing soldiers are back and chaos is brewing again.
Due to this commotion, some businessmen wanted to sell their shops and houses and leave Chang'an City.
Zhou Qiang has been paying attention to the shop and house for some time.
Prices have been falling recently.
Zhou Qiang had an idea and wanted to take advantage of the situation.
Zhou Qiang had just walked to Yahang.
"Boss Zhou, you are here. The prices of the shops you are looking at have been reduced again today. Do you want to take a look again?" A young man hurriedly greeted Zhou Qiang.
Zhou Qiang has been here a few times, so we know him.
"Is it cheaper again?" Zhou Qiang showed an expected smile.
"Yes, it's almost half the price again, don't you think?"
"Half the price? Call the landlord, we can talk about the business." Zhou Qiang plans to buy a shop and a house in Chang'an City.
This time he came to the provincial capital with Bai Jiaxuan, mainly to take advantage of the war and buy a few shops and houses at cheap prices.
"Okay, I'll be here soon."
Not long after, the homeowner came.
"This is a chaotic situation, maybe there will be a war tomorrow." Zhou Qiang took the opportunity to lower the price again. This is his normal operation. It would be strange if he didn't lower the price.
"Normally, the price in my shop would not be this. Today it is a lot cheaper. It cannot go any lower."
"I heard that you also have a big house? If I buy it together, what's the price?" Zhou Qiang continued to bargain. He was sure that the person in front of him was going to leave Chang'an. He will try his best to take advantage of lower prices.
Just when Zhou Qiang was busy buying a house and a shop.
Bai Jiaxuan caught up with Mr. Zhu on horseback.
"Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law!"
After hearing this, Mr. Zhu jumped out of the carriage and looked at Bai Jiaxuan with a smile on his face, "I'm thinking it's time for you to arrive too."
"Brother-in-law, are you really going to the Qing army camp?"
Mr. Zhu nodded and called to a few soldiers, "Okay, you all can go back." He said to one of the leaders: "Go back and tell Governor Zhang that my escort has arrived."
"Okay, Mr. Zhu, take care." The soldiers all left.
The carriage remained.
Bai Jiaxuan led the carriage and continued to move forward with Mr. Zhu.
"Brother-in-law, I heard Governor Zhang say that there are 200,000 Qing soldiers, can you stop them?" Bai Jiaxuan was a little worried.
"Brother, look over there." Mr. Zhu pointed to the endless stream of victims in the distance. "The soldiers haven't arrived, the battle hasn't been fought, and the people can no longer survive. You know that together with the 200,000 troops, we have to fight with How much military rations are required from the common people?"
"I don't know, there are a lot anyway." Bai Jiaxuan shook his head, "I said there were no disasters this year, so why are there so many victims?"
“As soon as a war breaks out, there will be rivers of blood and people will not be able to survive.
If I trade this life for not having to fight, it would be worth it. "Although Mr. Zhu is sure to persuade the Qing soldiers to retreat, it is not 100% possible, and there is a possibility of failure.
Mr. Zhu has already made up his mind to commit suicide.
"We can't help it, brother-in-law, or we should go back." Bai Jiaxuan was reluctant to let Mr. Zhu die.
"Don't worry. I've calculated it this time when we go to the Qing army camp. You will be safe and can return to where you were." Mr. Zhu was talking about Bai Jiaxuan being able to return to Bailuyuan, but he was not talking about himself.
Perhaps, Mr. Zhu himself is dangerous and unpredictable, and has a narrow escape from death.
There are very few people like Mr. Zhu who can face life and death head-on.
Why did Mr. Zhu calculate that Bai Jiaxuan could go back alive?
Don't know about this.
"That's good." Bai Jiaxuan didn't understand and thought he could go back alive. "Brother-in-law, you have been to so many places and seen the world. I have many things to ask you."
"ask."
"What should I do as a clan leader?" Bai Jiaxuan said this with a very straightforward meaning. He regarded the clan leader as something in his pocket.
Mr. Zhu was a little amused: "You asked quite straightforwardly."
"Dad said it's getting harder and harder to be the leader of the clan now. People's hearts are broken and no longer what they used to be. Moreover, there are still people who are harming you and quarreling with you about this and that."
"Don't say it's not easy to be a clan leader, life is not easy." Mr. Zhu did not answer how to become a clan leader, "Jiaxuan, are you afraid to follow me to the Qing army camp?"
"I'm not afraid of following you." Bai Jiaxuan has blind trust in Mr. Zhu.
"Just don't be afraid. This time you have opened your eyes. There are two hundred thousand tiger and wolf soldiers." As they spoke, Mr. Zhu and Bai Jiaxuan stopped and looked at the endless Qing army camp.
Lu San rushed back to Bailu Village.
"What? Zhu Juren asked Jiaxuan to accompany him to retreat from the Qing troops." Bai Bingde looked surprised.
"Yes, Xiaoqiang said that he followed the young master's family into the Governor's Mansion."
"Then why didn't you stop them?" Bai Bingde looked anxious.
"My young master didn't discuss it with me and just rode away. Master, don't worry, Xiaoqiang said, this is Mr. Zhu's arrangement. Mr. Zhu is an expert and he has his own reasons."
"Xiaoqiang is just a child. He has no hair on his lips and can't do things well. What he says doesn't count." Bai Bingde looked worried. His son-in-law didn't rescue him and even got his son involved.
"My boss, Mr. Zhu is fascinated.
He calculated that the Shaodong family would look for him.
Before leaving, I told Governor Zhang that only one person from Shaodong's family would accompany him to retreat the Qing troops.
When we went, Mr. Zhu had already left early. "
"Did Zhu Juren really arrange it in advance?"
"yes."
"If that's the case, it's better." Bai Bingde and others looked better. They all trusted Mr. Zhu.
"However, I heard on the way back that the two people who made peace in front of me had their heads chopped off." Lu San added flatly.
Lu San, a good guy, scared Bai Bingde, Bai Zhaoshi, Xiancao, and Zhubaishi half to death with just one sentence.
"Ah?" Ms. Bai Zhao said anxiously, "My poor grandson is born without a father."
"What are you talking about?" Bai Bingde choked on the smoke and kept coughing.
Xiancao touched his belly. She had a stomachache.
Qing army camp.
main entrance.
"Open the door! The commander-in-chief invites you, sir!" a middle-aged officer shouted.
Mr. Zhu motioned to Bai Jiaxuan to follow.
The two walked into the Qing army camp.
The middle-aged officer led them to a camp tent and said, "Please!"
"Where are you, Mr. Fang?" Mr. Zhu asked. He saw that this was not to meet Fang Sheng.
Fang Sheng was the commander of these 200,000 Qing troops.
To withdraw the Qing troops, one must persuade Fang Sheng to withdraw the troops.
Fang Sheng is Mr. Zhu’s teacher.
"Master Fang is busy with military affairs and cannot escape. Sir, please stay a night, please!" the middle-aged officer said.
Mr. Zhu and Bai Jiaxuan walked into the camp.
A banquet has been set up inside.
"Mr. Zhu has come all the way to prepare a special banquet for you to cleanse yourself from the wind and dust. You two, please take it easy." The middle-aged officer's attitude was quite good, and he left after saying this.
Mr. Zhu looked at the two heads of peacemakers not far away at the door, turned around and said to Bai Jiaxuan, "Jiaxuan, this is a table of delicious food."
Picking up the wine bottle on the table, Mr. Zhu nodded, "Wine is also good wine."
"I didn't expect that there would be such delicious food in this military camp. No wonder they all came out to serve as soldiers." Bai Jiaxuan sighed.
"I got it wrong, soldiers can't eat so well." Mr. Zhu shook his head, sat down casually, and continued: "We brothers rarely drink on weekdays, so today we are going to be wild."
"Brother-in-law, you can really find a place to be arrogant." Bai Jiaxuan looked around, "This is a military camp."
"Come on, Jiaxuan, let's eat meat and drink wine." Mr. Zhu started eating and drinking.
"Okay, brother-in-law, let me toast you." Bai Jiaxuan also ate and drank together.
One of them knew in his heart that this trip was extremely dangerous.
One of them was confused and just knew that if he followed his brother-in-law, nothing would happen.
But those who understand may not understand everything.
Confused people are not all confused.
Eat and drink for a while.
There were screams outside.
A man who had made peace was being whipped nearby.
Bai Jiaxuan couldn't help but look at the door, turned around and said, "Brother-in-law, these are really tiger and wolf soldiers. I used to just listen to the old man talking about it, but now I can see it with my own eyes."
"Haha." Mr. Zhu smiled, "Come on, Jiaxuan, keep drinking."
The dead heads outside and the sound of whipping were all due to pressure from Fang Sheng.
Mr. Zhu was under a lot of pressure.
"Okay." Bai Jiaxuan drank another drink and whispered: "Brother-in-law, what do you think these soldiers are trying to do? They don't even have to farm anymore. They eat outside and sleep outside and risk their lives. What are they trying to do?"
"Good question." Mr. Zhu nodded, but did not answer Bai Jiaxuan's words, and turned to talk about being the clan leader, "You and Lu Zilin fight overtly and secretly, and you are so clever that the common people laugh at you."
"I understand, brother-in-law, you are trying to wake me up."
"As long as you understand." Mr. Zhu drank another drink, "Brother, if I die, you can sew my head and body back together, carry them back to where they were before, and give them to your sister to bury."
"What are you talking about, brother-in-law? Aren't you sure that we can return to Bailuyuan safely?"
"I mean you."
"What?" Bai Jiaxuan was stunned for a moment, "Brother-in-law, what do you mean? Why can I go back to where I was, but you can't?"
Mr. Zhu shook his head, "Jiaxuan, come on, let's continue drinking."
Perhaps, relying on his relationship with Fang Sheng, Mr. Zhu can only 100% guarantee that Bai Jiaxuan will not die, but he cannot guarantee that he will not die.
The two continued to eat and drink.
"The morning rain in Weicheng is covered with light dust, the guest house is green and the willows are new, I urge you to drink another glass of wine, there are no old friends when you leave Yangguan in the west," Mr. Zhu sang.
Mr. Zhu not only sang it himself, but also asked Bai Jiaxuan to sing along.
Outside.
Fang Sheng came over at some point.
He did not see Mr. Zhu, but quietly listened to the song "Send Yuan Er Envoy Anxi" outside.
This poem was sung to Mr. Zhu by Fang Sheng when he went out to study.
Now, when Mr. Zhu sang this poem, he obviously had some intention and was not singing it casually.
"A real man must go through hardships before he can reach a great state." This was what Fang Sheng said to Mr. Zhu at that time.
After listening for a while, Fang Sheng left silently.
In the camp, Bai Jiaxuan fell asleep unconsciously.
In the dream, a white deer appeared, and Bai Jiaxuan ran after him. He saw that the white deer brought a good harvest.
(Let’s make a wild guess here. Bai Jiaxuan dreamed of Bai Lu, which means Bai Luyuan’s luck fell on Bai Jiaxuan.)
(End of chapter)
