"Master, Liu Jin recruited a group of Jianghu scum to act as hawks and capture many of our Jianghu comrades. What should we do?" Deng Chang, Zhu Gui and others saw that things were not in harmony and returned to Laojun Temple for help.
They also fought against those hawks and dogs, causing casualties to each other. Originally, they wanted to rob the prison, but the prison was tightly guarded, with one post every five steps and one sentry every ten steps. Even if they could break in, it would be difficult to get people out.
"Struggle is cruel and repeated, and there will be sacrifices if you fight. After all, this is not a dinner party, but a rebellion, a revolution, and putting your head on your belt." Xiang Nan sighed.
"However, the general direction of the struggle is correct. Liu Jin sent martial arts people to collect taxes, which already explains the problem." Xiang Nan added, "The salaries of those martial arts masters are much higher than ordinary soldiers. This also shows that , his governance costs are increasing. And as long as his governance costs are greater than his benefits, he will not be far from collapse."
"Those Jianghu comrades should be rescued, but we must try to avoid greater sacrifices." Xiang Nan added, "After all, if I were Liu Jin, I would be prepared for my comrades to come to rescue me, and I would definitely set up layers of layers in the prison. Ambush."
Deng Chang, Zhu Gui and others all nodded, "Master, what should we do?"
"Contact Taoist Master Ling and ask him to help collect intelligence. We must know ourselves and the enemy so that we can win every battle." Xiang Nan said, "In addition, strengthen the defense of our Laojun Mountain. I'm worried that after those comrades are caught, if they can't hold it back, they will Confess our Tai Chi Sect. By then, Liu Jin may have troops to suppress the situation."
"Master is right." Deng Chang nodded and said, "It's a pity that we let those bandits go. Otherwise, they would still be able to stay as helpers."
"It's useless to stay. Most of those people are oily. They cheat, cheat, and save their lives. They are fine when fighting with the wind, but they fall behind when the wind goes against them.
Leave them here, I'm afraid they'll sell us. Xiang Nan waved his hand and said, "If Liu Jinzhen sends a large army to wipe out, then we will bring all the surrounding people up the mountain." They are even more willing to fight to protect their homeland, parents, wives and children. "
When Deng Chang and others heard this, they all nodded.
…
Xiang Nan then went down the mountain with Junbao, preparing to eradicate the scum of the world and the court's hawks, and cut off Liu Jin's arm.
The two of them first came to Taoist Ling's house outside the city.
"Most of the experts Liu Jin invited were those who lived in the green forest. Liu Jin forgave their crimes and asked them to lead their minions to collect taxes and plunder grain. After the plunder, they divided the account into 28 cents.
Those green forest people were naturally happy, so they openly robbed. Not only did the people under the rule suffer, but even local wealthy people and passing merchants were robbed and extorted, and good people were killed while taking credit for their merits. As a result, people are now filled with resentment and complaints. "Taoist Ling said to them.
Xiang Nan nodded, this is a bit like the Age of Discovery, when the Queen of England issued privateering licenses to pirates. Although it is very effective against enemy countries, it also poses a threat to the country's shipping.
Because once pirates get a taste of the sweetness, they can't stop at it. In the end, not only the enemy country, but also the ships of the country will be attacked.
Those green forest people are by nature vicious and brutal people who burn, kill and loot. Liu Jin reused these people and asked them to help him rob, help him collect taxes, and help him fight against rebellion. The result was definitely seeking the skin of a tiger and raising a tiger to cause trouble.
"I originally thought that those people were all good people, but they just learned martial arts and sold their goods to the emperor's family. They just had different stances. I couldn't bear to kill them." Xiang Nan smiled, "Since they themselves are members of the Green Forest, If you are a gangster, good and evil cannot be reconciled."
Taoist Ling nodded, "Although God has the virtue of good people, even a seasoned Taoist like me can't see what these people do. It's better that you show mercy and save them as soon as possible."
…
Xiang Nan and Junbao then guarded Lijiazhuang outside Luoyang City.
According to Taoist Ling's information, a group of thieves from Ehugou will come here to collect taxes this afternoon.
Sure enough, in the afternoon, a group of people came in force.
Riding a big horse and carrying a big flag, they were majestic, menacing, and filled with smoke and dust.
The reason why they did not hide their hiding place and were so blatant was actually deliberately inviting people to kill them.
At that time, they will be able to fight back.
Liu Jin issued a reward order, and a rebel thief would be rewarded with 500 taels of silver. This was much faster than robbery.
Especially the head of Ehugou, who is said to be the descendant of the Five Tigers Broken Gate Sword. His sword skills are domineering and ruthless. After more than ten years on the Green Forest Road, he has rarely encountered an opponent, so naturally he feels a bit arrogant.
Deng Chang and others had fought against him, but they didn't get much advantage.
After this group of people entered the village, they immediately kicked down the doors and looted the houses.
However, the people had already fled to the mountains after hearing the news, so after searching, they only found Xiang Nan and Jun Bao.
They didn't hide or hide, they were just sitting in the middle of the village.
This is called the boldness of a skilled person.
"Master, there are still two villagers left." When the minions saw them, they immediately stepped forward and surrounded them.
"Nonsense. Are these villagers? They are obviously rebels." The head of the family immediately cursed when he saw Xiang Nan and Jun Bao.
"Yes, the villagers are not valuable, only the rebels are valuable. One rebel is worth five hundred taels of silver." Immediately the clever minions agreed.
"That's right, rebelling against a thief means rebelling against a thief!" Upon hearing this, the minions followed suit.
"Haha, come on, catch these two rebels for me." The big boss immediately said loudly, "If you collect taxes and get nothing, it would be a good idea to catch these two rebels for business."
"You said we are rebels, what evidence do you have?" Xiang Nan couldn't help but said angrily when he saw this.
"I said you are a rebel, so you are a rebel." The leader sneered.
"You know that if you falsely accuse someone of being a traitor without any evidence, you should be killed according to the Ming Dynasty Law. Your relatives will be punished," Xiang Nan said loudly.
"Hahaha, talk to me about the laws. I have an edict from Eunuch Liu. Eunuch Liu is the heaven here, and I am the law here." The headmaster laughed.
Seeing Xiang Nan's refined manners and fine skin and tender flesh, he thought he was a rotten Confucian scholar, so he was willing to tease him a little.
"The boss, if he talks nonsense in front of Eunuch Liu, let's cut him down." Ehugou Military Advisor suggested, "In the past few days, people from Heifeng Village, Leijiabao, Yinmachuan, and Jinlong Gang have arrested They were good at exploiting their merits and received a lot of silver rewards. After the incident was revealed, Eunuch Liu was already a little unhappy. Why not behead them? Two heads are worth fifty taels of silver."
"It makes sense." When the boss heard this, he was convinced.
After Liu Jin used tricks to capture many heroes, the remaining heroes did not dare to act hastily. Therefore, it is not so easy for these eagle dogs to catch people.
But they have already tasted the sweetness of arresting people. A rebel thief only gets 500 taels of silver. Who wouldn't be surprised? Therefore, he arrested good people and pretended to be rebels to receive rewards.
Liu Jin believed it at first and rewarded him generously. Later, more and more rebels were arrested, hundreds or even thousands of people were arrested in a day, and his pocket could no longer support it. When he asked more carefully, he found that almost all of them were good citizens. Naturally, he became unhappy and beat them several times.
If this was not the time to employ people, he would probably have become furious.
So it's better not to get into trouble with him and be cautious. Cutting off the head would only earn fifty taels of silver reward, but it was still better than angering Eunuch Liu.
