(twenty four)
The dilapidated place of Lingcheng has suddenly become a lot more lively for some unknown reason in recent days. Checkpoints were set up in places where government officials were not usually seen patrolling the streets and guarding the city, and suspicious pedestrians and merchants were searched and questioned.
Those government servants stood in front of the ruins, waving their swords and flexing their muscles, showing off their power, which made them look a bit like strong thieves.
They were patrolling the streets and alleys very energetically, forcing ordinary people to take detours as much as possible. This place of the former dynasty that has long been forgotten by the world can no longer remember that such martial law measures were implemented.
Officials and Taoist priests wearing various uniforms were hidden in the market. If a bird flying in the air could be shot down to see what happened, I am afraid no one could use the trick of a golden cicada to escape from its shell.
Even in this embarrassing situation, Zhao Kuo was still planning to leave Lingcheng. Among them, I am afraid that he knows that he has several lives on his shoulders, and he would never dare to stay in this embattled place and wait for the truth to be revealed, so he might as well take a gamble.
When Chuang is about to leave the city, there will be room for maneuver in everything.
Indulging in such a dream of success, no one would give up hope easily. So Zhao Kuo hired another carriage and planned to escort his wife back home the next day on the pretext of fulfilling the wishes of his friend "Mr. Li".
This reason was not only natural, but also gave Zhao Kuo himself a good reputation and left a good impression in front of the officials. It can be said that he achieved multiple things with one stone.
It seems that everything is so logical and natural. At least in the eyes of the rich man, that was the fact.
After experiencing the tragic failure in Xiahe Town, Zhao Kuo did not seem to have gained any wisdom. Faced with this seemingly perfect strategy, he did not leave a way out for himself like Bai Feng did. He might even have made a hasty decision without even considering the failure of the strategy.
Zhao Xiaomei and Ajuan, who were often by his side, also gave some words of advice to make Zhao Kuo think again. It's just that this guy is as stubborn as a gambler, so it doesn't help in the end.
Just like that, when the plan was implemented, it was an early morning like any other. The only difference was that there were many unfamiliar faces on the streets and in taverns and inns, places where travelers must pass. They all seemed to know each other, had frequent contacts with each other, and often exchanged news.
In the post house where Zhao Kuo and others lived, it was surprisingly quiet. Only two or three white-faced Taoists were left playing on the chess table in the corner of the lobby to kill time.
This chess table is carved from granite. The reason is that the owner of the post house loves chess, so he put a chess table and black and white pieces in his small shop, and played chess with others for fun in his spare time. Even Zhao Kuo once played with He played one game.
The white-faced Taoist priests thought that no one would come and go in this early morning. Unexpectedly, not long after the chess pieces were placed, several people came one after another to the private room upstairs.
The rich man who came first had met them yesterday, and he greeted these white-faced Taoists respectfully, explained the reason, and said he wanted to send his friend's wife back home.
The Taoists saw that the young man was followed by three girls and an old man, all carrying baggage, looking like travelers and merchants. Especially the frail-looking woman with tied hair in blue clothes. It was this woman who had a conflict with their leader yesterday. He immediately pulled out the long sword on his waist and stepped forward to block the way.
"Isn't this Mrs. Li? How can you withstand a long journey with such a fragile body?" One of the Taoists asked: "Don't blame the small road for not knowing the big picture. It's just that the city gate is sealed now. If you don't have a stranger like you, I'm afraid I won't be able to get out of this mausoleum city if I pass the customs decree!"
Seeing this, Zhao Kuo hurriedly stepped forward, bowed and begged: "Fellow Taoists, there are always other ways to make things easier for the villain, right?"
"Yes, yes, it's just..." The Taoist rubbed his palms, looked at his carefully maintained hands, and replied helplessly: "We Taiping Taoists deal with the government all day long, and we have to ask for some money. When you do it up and down, don’t you think so, sir?”
"Oh! Yes, yes..." Zhao Kuo immediately took out more than a dozen taels of broken silver and replied: "Fellow Taoists, this is all I have with me. Please take it first. I will go after I settle down." I offer incense at the Taoist temple to thank Taiping Dao for its kindness and help!”
The Taoist was a little unhappy when he saw this young master's favor at first, but later he happily accepted it, took out a fold from his fold and handed it to Zhao Kuo, saying: "With this handwriting, you can enter and exit the mausoleum at will. We, See you later.”
"See you later!" After Zhao Kuo secretly breathed a sigh of relief, he asked his younger sister to lead the critically ill "Mrs. Li" into the carriage first. He said a few more polite words to the Taiping Taoists, and then got into another carriage with Tao Wuyong and Ajuan.
Those Taiping Taoists watched the two carriages galloping on the road to Cangzhou City, and at the same time they did not forget to inform others of the changes here.
How could Zhao Kuo, who was still proud of his intelligence, know that his whereabouts had been discovered long ago, and that even the handwriting was a "trap" arranged in advance.
When they arrived at the city gate, when Zhao Kuo handed over his handwriting, the officers and soldiers guarding him immediately showed their weapons and seized their carriage.
Shaoqing, the desert golden sword looked up to the sky and walked out with a big smile, sneered at the ungrateful "Mrs. Li" in the carriage, and said: "If you hadn't been in a hurry to leave the city, I would have hardly recognized you, you stinky bitch. Come on!"
The Taiping Taoist who handed the handwriting to Zhao Kuo also followed Yin Qianchou and responded: "Master Yin, they must know the whereabouts of Bai Feng and Murong Yan. As long as they are tortured, they are not afraid that they will not be able to find out!"
Having said that, the Taoist wanted to order his colleagues to capture all the people on the carriage.
Unexpectedly, Yin Qianchou seemed a little dissatisfied with these Taiping Taoists, and shouted at the white-faced Taoist with great anger: "Here, when will it be your turn to make the decision? It was already agreed beforehand, I only want that witch , but now it seems that you Taiping Dao want to reap the benefits?"
"Master Yin, what do you say? We were ordered by master to come to help!" The white-faced Taoist shouted in a high-pitched voice, holding his head high, and replied: "How can we capture the defeated generals like these in Lingcheng alone?" Got a thief?"
"You're a bitch, what are you talking about?" Yin Qianchou heard the other party's overt and understated sarcasm and fought back fiercely.
When the two forces of Great Eunuch Mei Lin and Taiping Dao were arguing, a graceful figure brandishing two swords suddenly appeared from the carriage in which Zhao Xiaomei and "Mrs. Li" were riding.
Forced by the clothes that didn't fit her figure, the blue-shirted heroine cut off the lower half of her skirt. Then she took the opportunity to rush out with her sword, grabbing the lead and pointing at Yin Qianchou: "Yin Qianchou, watch me take it." It’s your life!”
The Desert Golden Sword, who was still arguing with others just now, suddenly felt terrified. Based on his past fighting experience, he took the knife and waved it in the direction where the killing sound came from.
"Clang!"
Sparks flickered as the blades collided, and E Feiying was pushed back a few steps.
The surrounding soldiers and Taoists surrounded the convoy under the city gate. There were also crossbowmen on high places, drawing bows and arrows. It seemed that death was inevitable.
Even a man from Beizhen like Zhao Kuo was too scared to act rashly. But E Feiying still kept steady on her horse, holding her two swords, with a heroic appearance, and looked like she would rather die than obey.
The white-faced Taoist shouted to the crossbowman on the city wall: "Catch the ones alive, don't shoot them to death!"
"Shut up, you shameless person!" Yin Qianqiu, who was standing beside him, shouted angrily: "You all get out of my way, let me take care of this woman myself!"
These words shocked everyone, but the Desert Golden Sword's temperament has always been aggressive, so they didn't know that this was just a casual play. Therefore, the besieging soldiers put away their weapons.
"Now, one on one, we can pay off yesterday's debt! Hum, Mrs. Li, I'll give you a chance to kill me!" Yin Qianchou said with a sneer, and then asked the soldiers to form a circle for the duel.
Even if the ill-groomed woman in front of her is truly invincible, she can still be respected by everyone.
