Changrunli is a place name thirty miles southwest of Chengcheng County. It is a large market where villagers all make a living by making ceramics. During the Republic of China, it was changed to Changrun Town, which is also Yaotou Town in later generations, because there are many convenient areas along the river. The ruins of a ceramic kiln. The kiln has the same pronunciation as Yao, hence its name.
However, at this time, Yaotou Town was still called Changrunli. Ceramic products were fired from here and sold to several nearby states and counties. In addition, it was only five miles away from Beiluo River. There was a ferry there, and it was very busy with business travelers on weekdays. Over time, a large market was formed, and even now in the dead of winter, there are still many goods sold.
As the sun set, five fast horses galloped from the defense line of Chengcheng County. The man on the horse had a rough look on his face and was carrying something, which made others look at him and dodge. The five people ran to an inn in the market, got off their horses, and looked at the people next to them. The waiter cursed and said: "Take care of my horse, otherwise I will break your legs." After saying that, he walked into the store and took a look. All the customers inside were paying attention to them.
"What are you looking at? I have New Year pictures painted on my face," the rough guy in the lead shouted, and the guests quickly looked away. They probably knew where they were from and knew they couldn't be offended. The shopkeeper over there also hurriedly came over to serve him, carrying a kettle: "Thank you for your hard work, military masters. Let's drink some hot water to warm ourselves up. What are we going to eat today?"
"We'll serve you with some food and drinks," one of them said without raising his head. The shopkeeper had a bitter look on his face: "I'm sorry, Master Jun. There's no more wine in the store..."
With a bang, the leading man slammed the table: "How can we eat without wine! How can we open a shop without wine?"
"Hey, where are you from?" At this moment, more than a dozen well-armed strong men came outside the store door. The leader was a middle-aged man with a beard, holding a piece of grass in his mouth and asked as he looked at the five people in the store.
"You are blind, where do you think I came from?" The rough man in the store stood up and pointed at the group of men outside the door and cursed: "I have been troubled by several thieves in the past two days and have not slept. I am very angry. Beenima comes looking for bad luck."
Seeing this man's arrogance, the dozen or so people outside the hall smiled and cupped their hands instead of being angry: "Brothers from dozens of miles around have not been working hard these days, but no matter how hard you work, brother, please don't cause trouble here. It's said that It’s not a good look to go out.”
"Fuck, we people in Ruhou are like this. I can't bear to get out of here." The man in the store yelled, and the faces of the people outside the door turned dark. Ruhou is Liu Zongmin, and even Li Zicheng was afraid of giving him face. Lord. Needless to say, Liu Zongmin's arrogance was unimaginable, but the people under his command were also so arrogant.
When they heard that it was Liu Zongmin's person, the people outside the store didn't dare to offend him. They just snorted coldly: "No matter how big you are, you can't be bigger than Chuang Wang!" After saying that, he waved his hand and turned around and left. The five people sat down again with disdain on their faces, and the shopkeeper quickly said: "The military masters will order first, and I will go to another house to get you some wine."
"Boss, those people are too arrogant." The group of people who left went to sit in a teahouse opposite, staring in the direction of the inn with uneven expressions on their faces.
"Then it's not like you don't know the virtues of your lord. He is the greatest among the kings of Chuang. Even Li Guo wouldn't dare to look down on him." The bandit snorted, "Don't mess with his people if you mess with him."
"Then Ruhou is just the deputy general Quan, and Zehou (Tian Jianxiu) is the real general Quan. Then Zehou can't subjugate him?" Some people were puzzled, and the thieves knocked him: "Listen, He doesn't understand human language, Li Guo doesn't even dare to show his face, you should know who Li Guo is, right?" Everyone sighed and shook their heads. At this moment, two young men carrying firewood passed by and hawking along the street. The thieves After squinting for a while, he motioned to his men to investigate. In the past two days, a group of officers and soldiers spies had entered the country. They were killing people everywhere they passed, making people in a hundred miles around panic. The rebels mobilized soldiers and horses to chase and intercept them, but they always failed. Angry, he ordered strict precautions, strict investigation, and death-hunting.
This group of thieves is responsible for checking the passing business travelers and unfamiliar people in Changrunli area. The firewood seller is often seen, but most of them come during the day and rarely at night, so I asked my subordinates to check it out. .
To be precise, the firewood sellers were a boy and a girl, a brother and a sister. They were carrying firewood and selling it along the street, but no one paid attention. They happened to walk to the door of the group's inn and asked the shopkeeper inside if they wanted it. The shopkeeper was waiting on the five thieves. There was no time to answer them, and the waiter walked to the door and waved: "There is enough firewood in the store to burn until the end of the year. No more..."
"Hey, which village are you two from?" Several thieves came from the opposite side and grabbed the young man. The girl next to him was so frightened that her face changed color: "I'm from Dahekou..." the young man whispered with fear on his face. , the thief raised his eyebrows: "You come so far away to sell firewood..."
"The Chinese New Year is coming soon, I want to change some money to buy rice." The boy was shaking all over. The other thief looked at his appearance and said to the other person: "You are so young, you are not from that group." He said to the brother and sister selling firewood. :"let's go".
"We have to sell firewood before we can leave," the young man replied, and the thief raised his leg and kicked him: "Why are you talking so much nonsense to let you go? Are you going to leave?"
The young man quickly picked up the firewood and was about to leave, but he heard a voice: "Wait a minute!" He turned around and looked at the five strong men in the inn. He saw them staring at the thieves and cursing: "King Chuang said You must love the people as your own children. Are you trying to smear our Dashun Army or slap King Chuang in the face? You are not afraid that King Chuang will find out and kill you."
"Idiot, you are worthy of saying this." The gang of thieves couldn't stand the arrogance of these people, and they immediately became angry. The leader of the thieves in the teahouse opposite saw it and ran over quickly: "What are you doing, what are you doing?"
"Boss, are they protecting the firewood seller?"
"Protect them?" The thief raised his brows and looked at the firewood seller brother and sister. Before he could think of anything, the rugged man chuckled: "Of course I have to protect them, such a delicate little boy." If the girl doesn't protect them, how can she bully them like you?" He said with a lewd smile on his face as he looked at the firewood girl.
The leader of the thieves felt relieved, and it turned out that he was lustful, so he said: "Don't cause trouble here. You also know the military order of King Chuang. It is a capital crime to disturb the people, plunder the people, and insult women. If so, then even Ruhou can't protect you." !”
"Fuck you, who said we are going to bully others? I think they are pitiful, why don't you treat them to a meal and a drink?" The strong man cursed, and then grabbed the girl: "Come on, beauties, the big brothers will treat you to a drink." .
The girl was so frightened that she screamed and struggled hard, "Stop." The young man rushed towards her, but was kicked over by the strong man: "What the hell, don't toast me and you will be fined if you don't eat. I treat you to dinner because I think highly of you." He carried the two of them in one hand at a time.
The thieves were about to stop them, but they were stopped by the leader: "Let them go, we will just keep an eye on them. If they really violated the military order, wouldn't it be just right...hehe".
Besides, the brother and sister selling firewood were kidnapped and taken into the shop to eat with them. They did not dare to resist due to the thieves' power, so they stayed with them to eat and drink. They listened to the thieves' nonsense and jokes. The other customers in the shop only dared to lower their heads to eat and did not dare to look at them. one time.
However, there was stillness in the commotion, and the most arrogant and strong man was apologizing in a low voice: "Shopkeeper, you deserve to die for your humble duty. That kick..."
