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Whether it was the "Chaofeng" dead soldiers under Jiang Xiao or the Nanyang pirates under Hu Xiao, they all suffered heavy casualties under the indiscriminate attacks of the Jin Yiwei.
The number of "Chaofeng" dead soldiers under Jiang Xiao was nearly two hundred at first. However, due to the large-scale roundup by the Song family, the "Chaofeng" organization did not dare to stay in Nanjing. Most of the dead soldiers had already used the sluice gates and rivers. Escaped Nanjing City.
However, the sluices and rivers in Nanjing City were not easy to pass, and there were still more than 70 "Chaofeng" dead soldiers left behind who could not escape in time, so Jiang Xiao simply broke the boat and led these "Chaofeng" dead soldiers to directly raid Huo Zhengyuan's temporary residence, and then While chasing Hu Xiao, they encountered a fierce attack from the Jin Yiwei, killing and wounding twenty or thirty people one after another.
Therefore, there are currently only more than forty "Chaofeng" soldiers under Jiang Xiao's command, which can be said to be greatly reduced in strength.
However, compared with Hu Xiao's Nanyang pirate bandits, who only had three survivors, Jiang Xiao still had a clear advantage in strength.
It stands to reason that with such an obvious advantage, when Jiang Xiao and Hu Xiao are now trapped in the Nanjing Shantang, Jiang Xiao should have taken the opportunity to capture Hu Xiao alive, torture him continuously, and put an end to it completely. The feud between the two ended.
But it is a pity that even under such circumstances, Jiang Xiao was still helpless towards Hu Xiao.
The reason is simple. After Hu Xiao chased Jiang Xiao and hid in the Nanjing Shantang, he showed off the fire oil can he had prepared in advance.
Afterwards, Hu Xiao began to threaten Jiang Xiao, claiming that if he was attacked, he would immediately use the fire oil can in his hand to set the Nanjing Shantang on fire. The Jinyi guards and Nanjing garrison outside the Nanjing Shantang saw the Nanjing Shantang on fire. , will inevitably charge in regardless, and in the end it will be a situation where both sides are doomed, and both sides are doomed.
Ironically, after Jiang Xiao hid in the Nanjing Shantang, he also threatened the Jin Yiwei and the Nanjing defenders in this way. He also declared that he would set fire to the Nanjing Shantang and die with all the hostages in the Shantang. He threatened him with Hu Xiao. The rhetoric is almost indistinguishable.
At this time, facing the same threat from Hu Xiao, even a decisive and scheming person like Jiang Xiao was helpless for a while. He could not make up his mind to take the opportunity to take revenge, so he had to suppress the anger in his heart and allow Hu Xiao to join him. Hiding in the Nanjing Shantang, he watched Hu Xiao lively in front of him, and even had to cooperate with Hu Xiao to overcome the current difficulties.
What's even more hateful is that even though Hu Xiao has seen Jiang Xiao's suppressed anger and is very aware of the precarious situation they are in, he still continues to tease Jiang Xiao regardless of it, and constantly tests Jiang Xiao's bottom line. .
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Just as Lu De was walking towards Nanjing Shantang to prepare for "negotiations", Jiang Xiao was standing on the roof of the lobby of Nanjing Shantang, carefully observing the surrounding arrangement of the Jin Yiwei and the Nanjing garrison with a very serious expression.
And just when Jiang Xiao was seriously thinking about how he and the "Chaofeng" dead soldiers should escape and break out, Hu Xiao also climbed onto the roof and stood not far from Jiang Xiao with a smile.
Seeing Hu Xiao's appearance, Jiang Xiao's eyes quickly glanced at Hu Xiao's hands, but found that Hu Xiao did not hold the fire oil can and fire folding box at this time, so he could not quickly light the fire in the Nanjing Shantang. His eyes immediately In a flash, terrifying murderous intent emerged!
But Hu Xiao also quickly noticed Jiang Xiao's strong murderous intent, and immediately waved his hand: "Third brother! Don't do anything! My three companions are all staring here without blinking. They are also holding fire oil cans Be prepared at any time. Once they find out that you and I are doing something, they will set fire to this shrine without hesitation, and the two of us will still die together!
Although your martial arts skills are superior to mine, it is impossible to defeat me in a short period of time. Moreover, we are standing on the roof without any obstruction of vision around us, so if you want to take the opportunity to attack me, you will never be able to hide it. In the eyes of my three companions, I advise you not to act rashly. Once a misunderstanding is caused, it will be irreversible! "
After hearing this, Jiang Xiao's eyes flickered for a moment, and he finally suppressed the murderous intention in his heart again. He no longer looked at Hu Xiao, but turned his head and continued to observe the changes in the situation outside Nanjing Shantang.
In fact, Jiang Xiao did not dare to look at Hu Xiao more. He was worried that if he looked at Hu Xiao a few more times, he would completely lose his cool and kill Hu Xiao without hesitation. In the end, he would personally ruin himself and "Chaofeng". "The dead soldier's last chance of survival.
However, although Jiang Xiao no longer paid attention to Hu Xiao, Hu Xiao pressed his nose against his face. After discovering that Jiang Xiao no longer intended to attack him, he gradually closed the distance between him and Jiang Xiao, and finally even put an arm around him. On Jiang Xiao's shoulders, it was as if the two of them were still close and sworn brothers.
"Don't push yourself too far. I am not a scholar who is looking forward and backward, but a common man! When a common man is angry, his blood will be splashed three feet! I never care about the consequences!"
When Jiang Xiao warned coldly, his body once again showed a terrifying murderous aura, as if he would take action at the next moment.
But Hu Xiao understands Jiang Xiao's character very well - since Jiang Xiao didn't take action directly just now, as long as the prerequisites remain unchanged, Jiang Xiao will not change his mind temporarily.
Therefore, Hu Xiao finally just took back his arm on Jiang Xiao's shoulder, but he still looked like a rogue who didn't care. He shook his head and sighed: "Although the situation in front of me is a narrow escape, it also reminds me of the time when the eight of us brothers The scene of joining forces to face the enemy! In those years, how famous were our "Eight Owls"? The Six Gates also spared no effort to hunt us down. How many times were we in danger? Fortunately, third brother, you are resourceful and can lead us brothers with you every time. Save the day!"
Just when Hu Xiao was sighing like this, he found that the murderous aura bursting out of Jiang Xiao was getting stronger and stronger, and he had obviously reached the limit of his endurance.
So, Hu Xiao slightly shortened the physical distance between the two, but still kept flirting with Jiang Xiao, and said: "Hey, although I was the nominal boss of the 'Eight Xiao Xiaos' back then, I was just a bit older. No matter how old you are, my martial arts, intelligence, or prestige are all inferior to yours! In fact, I myself have been saved by you several times... Whether you believe it or not, I still remember your kindness. I have always regarded you as my dearest brother!"
Hearing this, Jiang Xiao finally laughed angrily, turned around and stared at Hu Xiao, and asked slowly: "Oh? You will still be grateful for my kindness? Treat me as your closest brother? So you will bury him with your own hands. He betrayed the 'Eight Owls', betrayed me and six other brothers to the government, and then fled overseas alone while the government was hunting us down?"
During the questioning, Jiang Xiao's tone was soft and cold, and his right hand reached uncontrollably to the weapon position on his waist.
However, after Hu Xiao saw Jiang Xiao's performance, he felt secretly happy.
The reason why he keeps teasing Jiang Xiao is of course not to stimulate Jiang Xiao to attack him, but to lead Jiang Xiao to ask questions like he is now, asking why he betrayed the "Eight Xiaos" back then.
After Jiang Xiao raised the question, Hu Xiao found an opportunity to quibble;
After Hu Xiao’s quibble, a debate will occur between the two;
After the two sides started to debate, it became a situation where the public said the public was right, the mother-in-law said the mother-in-law was right, and both sides were wrong;
When Jiang Xiao had a subconscious feeling that "he was also at fault", Hu Xiao would bow his head and admit his mistake at the right time, saying that he was willing to pay any price to apologize, which would allow Jiang Xiao to vent part of his hatred and give him a little relief in a short period of time. Reduce hatred.
Of course, Hu Xiao knew full well that with Jiang Xiao's temperament, he would not let him go no matter what.
But as long as the hatred in Jiang Xiao's heart is slightly lighter, Hu Xiao can gradually weaken Jiang Xiao's inner resistance when he cooperates with him, and then he can take the opportunity to show his effect to Jiang Xiao. For example, after Hu Xiao cooperated with Huo Zhengyuan during this period, he also mastered There is a lot of key information that can be traded with Jiang Xiao.
In this way, Hu Xiao can find more opportunities and find out how Jiang Xiao wants to break out of the encirclement next.
After chasing Jiang Xiao and hiding in the Nanjing Shantang, Hu Xiao discovered that this was indeed the retreat prepared by Jiang Xiao. He had arranged people in advance to control the manager and sponsor of the Nanjing Shantang, the imperial merchant Ge Zhenye.
Hu Xiao believes that since Jiang Xiao chose Nanjing Shantang as his retreat, he definitely did not just want to take hostages. He must have conceived a comprehensive plan including escaping and breaking out.
In order to find out Jiang Xiao's follow-up plan, and to prevent Jiang Xiao from abandoning him when he escapes from the encirclement, Hu Xiao must ease the hatred and get closer to Jiang Xiao. As for the grievances between the two parties, there is no need to settle them after he escapes from the encirclement. Late.
Of course, because Jiang Xiao has an extreme and tough personality, if you want to ease the hatred and get closer to him, just bowing your head and admitting your mistakes will never have any effect. You must use some skills.
Hu Xiao is very clear about the personality characteristics of people like Jiang Xiao, and also knows very well what techniques he should use to deal with people like Jiang Xiao, so he will take the initiative to approach Jiang Xiao, constantly tease Jiang Xiao, and lead Jiang Xiao to question himself.
Now, Hu Xiao has successfully taken the first step.
At this time, facing Jiang Xiao's cold questioning, Hu Xiao's expression suddenly turned serious. Compared with his playful and smiling face just now, he was completely different, mainly in contrast.
After a moment of silence, Hu Xiao slowly said: "I did betray you, but I had no choice back then! If I were given another chance to choose again, I'm afraid I would still decide to betray you to save myself... In fact , in my opinion, you, the third child, are also responsible for the destruction of the 'Eight Owls in the World', and you are even more responsible than me!"
Before this, although Jiang Xiao had always wanted to eat Hu Xiao alive, and the murderous intention in his heart became more and more intense, he could basically remain calm, and his facial expression basically did not change, remaining as cold and solemn as ever.
But at this time, after Jiang Xiao heard this, he couldn't believe that Hu Xiao actually accused him in turn, and his expression finally changed, and he couldn't help but look at Hu Xiao angrily.
But Hu Xiao did not give Jiang Xiao a chance to speak, and immediately continued: "Am I wrong? Why did the Six Sects spare no effort to hunt down the 'Eight Owls in the World'? Isn't it because we people are so bad at what we do? Killing people at every turn, and occasionally provoking some big shots that we can't afford to offend! And why are we so determined to do things? Isn't it because you are taking the lead? As I said just now, although I am the nominal boss, you You are more capable and resourceful, and your brothers will obey you more, so they are not willing to listen to me, but are more willing to listen to you...
How many times did I say that we should keep a low profile and keep a low profile when it comes to getting rich? But you never want to listen! If you don't want to listen, brothers will not care about my opinion. Then the reputation of these people is getting stronger and stronger, and the government's pursuit is becoming more and more strict. Although you have strong abilities and means, you have led everyone on many occasions. Escape and turn danger into good fortune, but how long can this situation last?
In fact, even if I hadn't betrayed you back then, we wouldn't have been able to hold on much longer under the full force of the government's search, and sooner or later we would have been arrested and executed! But... I have always wanted to keep a low profile, so why should I be buried with you for your madness?
right! right! We are sworn brothers, vowing to share blessings, share hardships, and live and die together! But the premise is that you must also consider my feelings. We should consider each other, take care of each other, and try not to harm our brothers, let alone put our brothers in danger. Instead of being sworn brothers, we can drag our brothers to be buried with them with peace of mind! This is not the principle of sworn worship at all!
So I had no choice but to betray you back then. If I didn't betray you, everyone would die! After betraying you, at least I can still survive! "
While speaking, Hu Xiao also had an unprecedented expression of excitement, as if these words had been held in his heart for too long and were all sincere.
Hu Xiao spoke very quickly, not giving Jiang Xiao a chance to refute, and then said: "Tonight, you led a large number of dead soldiers to attack me without warning. Why did you fail? It's because I already knew that you must He will kill me with his own hands!
Even if Nanjing is under martial law, even if this kind of thing seriously violates the wishes of your master behind the scenes, even if you bring your men to death together, you will definitely kill me regardless of the cost and consequences! This was your style back then, and it won't change now! And I have known about your extreme temper for a long time, so I took precautions in advance, so I was able to escape from your attack!
You are such a person, always going your own way, always cautious and crazy, always putting yourself in danger, always facing death and reviving this kind of thing. I couldn't change you back then, and no one can change you. ! "
Of course, Jiang Xiao couldn't agree with Hu Xiao's sophistry and accusations, but for a while he couldn't find any words to refute.
In the end, after Jiang Xiao was silent for a moment, he just said slowly: "Betrayal is betrayal, and you must pay the price!"
Seeing Jiang Xiao's reaction, a hint of trickery flashed in Hu Xiao's eyes, and then he bowed his head and admitted his mistake at the right time: "Yes! In any case, I betrayed you and six other brothers! Since you discovered my whereabouts, , I knew that only one of you and I could survive at most, and I had already been mentally prepared! But..."
At this point, Hu Xiao changed the subject: "Our top priority now is not to kill each other. We still need to cooperate again and join forces to escape from the government roundup! After we escape from the roundup, we will naturally have a lot of time to do nothing. Settle the grudges without any worries... Third brother, tell me honestly, are you able to escape and break out?"
At this point, Hu Xiao's methods of alleviating Jiang Xiao's inner conflict have been mostly successful.
After coming into contact with Hu Xiao, the first impression of most people is that he is "slick".
But what is slippery?
Talking nonsense when seeing people, telling ghosts when seeing ghosts, good at pushing people, good at pushing things, and well versed in shifting blame. He is always slippery, making people unable to find where to start, but he can always find opportunities to take advantage of others. .
These characteristics are vividly displayed in Hu Xiao.
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