Early June.
As the scorching sun became more and more fierce, on the way from Handan of the State of Zhao to Bairen of the State of Zhao, every village along the way was filled with empty houses and dilapidated houses, but there was no sound at all.
A skinny villager man leaned in front of the wooden house with a face of despair. The clothes on the man's body were as tattered as strips of cloth.
Hearing the sound, he turned around and saw carriages driving slowly in the distance, one, two, or three.
The man's eyes were full of emptiness.
Hearing the sound of the wheels turning, the man lowered his head and did not dare to look for fear of being whipped by the guards beside the carriage.
He was already used to carriages.
Now in this village, the villagers have already eaten up everything they can eat. Even the edible tree bark has been eaten. Things that can be repaid, such as clothes, have been exchanged for money. Even the wives and children are no exception. To these passing merchants.
The unsold children were either eaten or disappeared, secretly abducted by other hungry people.
An hour later.
Several carriages drove slowly to a huge city, and the word "Boren" was clearly engraved on the city gate.
Inside the carriage, Bai Yan reached out to lift the curtains and looked outside.
Bairen is located on the main route from Handan to Daijun and Beidi. It is also the place where Li Mu settled his family.
Wu Gao and Qu Yi, who were riding in the same carriage as Bai Yan, were both silent at this moment. Their minds were full at this moment and they were still immersed in what Bai Yan had just said.
There was a great famine at the end of the year, and human flesh was used as food for humans. But there was a wife who did not want her husband and children to starve to death. She took the initiative to sell herself in the market and gave the money to her husband to escape from the famine. When the man found out, he went to the market to look for her. When the man found her, he saw his wife hanging in the market with only her arms.
The man took the child behind him and went to a paradise, and finally settled down and never married. After the man died, his descendants were wise and enjoyed prosperity and wealth.
Bai Yan said it was just a story.
However, both Wu Gao and Qu Yi suddenly thought of what Bai Yan once said, as long as the grain and millet are sent to Daidi to help the people of Daidi, each stone of grain and millet will be less than 150 yuan.
Compared with five hundred yuan per stone, this is undoubtedly nearly one-third less.
The Xu family clearly saw the famine in Zhao State, and Xu Zixiao even brought grain and millet to Zhao State. He should have made profits like other merchants and nobles, so why did he go through all the trouble to transport grain and millet to Zhao State, but was willing to do so? Throw away so many benefits.
Because of Gongzijia?
Impossible, they all know that Xu Zixiao is definitely not short of money because of Gongzi Jia's face.
Thinking of this, the two of them looked at Bai Yan. In their eyes, even though Xu Zixiao did not admit it, they were certain that Xu Zixiao must be the descendant of that man.
Half an hour later.
Among the many carriages, only Gongzi Jia went to visit Li Mu's mansion. Because there were too many people, visiting them all without authorization would easily cause discomfort.
Therefore, Bai Yan and his party left Bairen directly and arrived at Julu Ze first two hours later.
After the carriage stopped.
Bai Yan got off the carriage, and Gongzi Jia's retinue had already brought the long bow over and handed it to Bai Yan.
Bai Yan took the crossbow and arrows and carried them on his horse.
This Juluze was once a huge lake with an endless view. It was once known as the most beautiful scenery in Zhao land and was the hunting ground of the Zhao royal family.
At the far end of Julu Ze is the famous Sand Dune Palace.
King Wuling of Zhao once starved to death in that sand dune palace.
Bai Yan took the horse rope that was brought over by his subordinates.
It was Gongzijia's idea to go out hunting, and half of his purpose was to worry that Bai Yan, the young disciples of the Qu family and the Cai family would get tired of playing in the Handan restaurant, so they might as well go out and have fun, and then go back to enjoy themselves.
The other half of the reason is because of the arrival of another person.
Young Master of Wei State, Wei Fake!
Speaking of this Wei Jie, Bai Yan heard it mentioned inadvertently when he was in Qi State and then in Linzi.
It is said that Wei Jia is the eldest son of King Wei. Everyone in the Wei Kingdom knows that Wei Jia loves dogs more than his country. In Wei Jia's eyes, his beauty and power are not as good as a dog.
At one time, Bai Yan still didn't believe how such a person could exist in the world. However, when he passed by the Wei State from Qi State, he really saw how the people of the Wei State mocked the Wei Master and secretly called the Wei Master "Wei". mastiff'.
After arriving in Qin State and meeting more merchants and nobles, Bai Yan also got to know this Wei Mastiff better.
Mastiffs are a unique breed of dogs. Wei Jie had an entertainment agency under his command, which carefully selected fierce dogs for support. Eventually, the dog breeds were passed down from generation to generation, becoming more and more powerful. There is a legend that all fierce dogs in the world are not as good as Wei Mastiffs.
The royal family members of various vassal states, the young masters who love sensual dogs and horses, and wealthy businessmen are all proud of leading a Wei Mastiff through the market.
"Oh~! Oh~!"
When Bai Yan heard the barking of the dog, he turned around and saw Wei Jiu leading three huge dogs out of the carriage in the distance.
"Zixiao, let's go deer hunting first."
Qu Yi came over at this time and spoke to Bai Yan.
Qu Yi and Wu Gao were both holding long bows and holding horse ropes like Bai Yan at this moment.
While talking.
Qu Yi also heard the dogs barking and saw Wei Jia in the distance, his eyes full of displeasure.
In fact, not only him, but also Wu Gao and other noble clan disciples looked at Wei Jia with a flash of displeasure in their eyes.
Among the carriages leaving Handan on this trip, Wei Jia was the only one who did not want to sit with others and regarded dogs as humans.
Even Cai Sui, who was a member of the Wei family, could not get on the carriage.
Qu Yi looked at Wei Jiu at this moment, and his heart was full of ridicule. If the Wei country was handed over to Wei Jiu in the future, it would be destroyed sooner or later.
"Walk!"
Bai Yan turned to look at Qu Yi and said with a smile.
Although Qu Yi was much older than him, during this period he, Qu Yi, Wu Gao, and Cai Sui all had some friendships, and their relationship with each other soared. We can't say they wear the same pants, but they are good friends. It definitely counts.
If there is an opportunity in the future to go to the Qu family, I am afraid that my uncle will be shocked and dumbfounded when he sees him staying with Qu Yi.
Get on your horse.
Bai Yan, holding a crossbow, rushed along Julu Ze with Qu Yi and Wu Gao.
However, when leaving, Bai Yan and Wu Yun, who was being served by the maid holding an umbrella, looked at each other.
Among the many women, Wu Yun turned her head and looked in another direction when she saw Bai Yan's gaze.
Bai Yan also turned his head and looked forward.
For hunting.
Almost no man could refuse such an outing, especially the famous noble disciples, whose families would hire someone to teach archery from an early age.
After all, apart from hunting and socializing with other gentry children, every gentry child will become an official through connections when they reach adulthood, and will even go to the battlefield if a war breaks out.
The elders of the noble clan all know these two points, so when they have resources, they will never be stingy with the children of the clan when it comes to hunting.
In Juluze.
Due to drought, the water level in Julu Ze has receded by an unknown amount compared to previous years. Birds and animals from the surrounding mountains and rivers are all exposed to view when they come to Julu Ze to drink water.
Bai Yan, Qu Yi, and Wu Gao came to the jungle. After tying the horse rope, they quietly sneaked to the edge of the forest.
Watching the deer drinking water in the distance.
Bai Yan quietly raised his bow and arrow, and together with Wu Gao Quyi, aimed at the deer.
Following Qu Yi's words, the three of them fired arrows at the same time.
Among the three people, Bai Yan and Wu Gao shot, but the position was too far. The deer escaped with the arrow. On the other hand, Qu Yi shot the deer in the neck with an arrow.
"color!"
Seeing this, Bai Yan and Wu Gao looked at each other and said to Qu Yi.
Qu Yi had a bright smile on his face at this moment.
within the next half day.
Bai Yan didn't gain much either. After all, no one is perfect. In terms of bows and crossbows, Bai Yan had one of the few shortcomings.
This is something that has been destined to be unable to catch up with others since birth, and even Bai Yan can't do anything about it.
Bai Yan didn't ask for too much.
In Bai Yan's heart, he was somewhat fortunate that when he was training riding skills in Yangcheng, he also occasionally practiced bow shooting. Otherwise, if he failed to hit a single arrow, it would really make people suspicious.
After sunset.
Bai Yan and his party returned to the camp where they arrived with their harvest. Many of their followers had already set up tents.
Because Wei Jie insisted on returning to the hunt, it was difficult for everyone to say that they wanted to go back.
After an afternoon of hunting, Qu Yi shot a deer and got nothing else. But one deer was enough for many people to eat, and they even couldn't finish it.
Bai Yan and Qu Yi were grilling meat while looking at Wei Jia who was surrounded by Cai Sui and others in the distance.
Although Wei Ji is not a good person, the three Wei Mastiffs are indeed fierce. It was because of the three Wei dogs that Wei Ji had just hunted two deer today.
"I heard that Mr. Wei feeds dogs with people. Is it true?"
Bai Yan turned to look at Qu Yi and asked in a low voice.
Hearing this, Qu Yi looked around and nodded.
Qu Yi then told Bai Yan that in Wei State, the lowest price for Wei Ji's dogs was four hundred gold, and as long as someone bought Wei Ji's dogs, Wei Ji would ignore them and go there himself, no matter how important the matter was. Negotiate with buyers.
I heard that the purpose is to test whether the other party truly loves Wei Mastiff and whether he has the talent to breed it. If not, no matter how much the buyer pays, even if it is thousands of dollars, Wei Jia will not sell the dog.
Feeding dogs with people means that after the deal was concluded, Wei Jie held a dog feast for the departing Wei Mastiff and allowed the Wei Mastiff to kill an unarmed swordsman and devour it on the spot.
"No wonder I heard that among the Wei people, and even in the Wei court, there are many people who don't like Wei Fake."
Bai Yan turned to look at Wei Jia in the distance and sighed.
"No matter what happens to the people of Wei and the officials of Wei, Wei Ji will definitely succeed to the throne and become the king of Wei in the future."
Qu Yi also said with emotion.
Late at night.
Among the women, because Wu Gao was there, Wu Yun and other girls and young women all knew about today's carriage.
When I heard the story from Bai Yan's mouth.
These sentimental women couldn't help but be moved, and they all burst into tears.
The love between husband and wife is so touching!
Especially that wife.
"No wonder I heard that Mr. Xu said that as long as he gave it to the people, he would get a hundred and fifty yuan less!"
"Yes! There must have been natural disasters and droughts in the Zhao Kingdom. The Xu family remembered what happened to their ancestors, so they came to the Zhao Kingdom with food and grass without hesitation!"
"I am afraid that if this were not the case, the Xu family would definitely not offend Qin for no reason!"
Beside the bonfire, a young woman chattered to each other, wiping tears from her pretty face as she spoke.
Wu Yun turned her head. She also had red eyes, staring blankly at Bai Yan's back.
Ancestor of Xu Zixiao.
Ever experienced something like this? No wonder.
Night.
Accompanied by laughter and laughter, everyone had enough to eat and drink, and happily entered the camp to rest.
As the night gets darker.
Bai Yan was sitting by the campfire. In the dark night, he vaguely heard some obscene sounds, but Bai Yan didn't pay attention to it.
Today, many people, worried that the night would be dull, brought their women with them.
Those women are different from those young women. Most of them are people who redeem themselves in restaurants and take them with them after they are redeemed.
Looking at the night sky.
Bai Yan suddenly heard movement in the distance.
"Someone, be careful!"
"Watch your surroundings!"
Everyone in the camp heard the attendants sent by Gongzi Jia constantly screaming in the night.
After Bai Yan heard the noise, he stood up quickly and frowned.
"what happened?"
At this time, Qu Yi also walked out of a tent carrying some undressed clothes and hurriedly came to Bai Yan's side.
"Someone is attacking the camp!"
Bai Yan looked at the dark night in the distance and said softly.
Bai Yan didn't understand who was so brave.
"Attack the camp?"
Qu Yi opened his eyes when he heard Bai Yan's words.
Before Qu Yi could say anything.
"ah!"
Screams suddenly sounded all around, and then countless black figures were seen running into the camp from the night.
Bai Yan and Qu Yi saw this and quickly retreated.
Before retreating, Bai Yan took out a suitable firewood stick from the bonfire.
"Kill them!"
"kill!"
Young Master Jia's retinues drew out their swords one after another and charged towards the black figures.
At this time, Bai Yan saw that those black figures were actually all hungry refugees.
Bai Yan knew it.
It is very likely that these refugees followed them during the day and waited until night before taking action.
In the camp, more and more people were awakened by the sound of silence.
Bai Yan frowned slightly.
Suddenly, from the corner of his eye, he saw several figures rushing towards the young women's tent in the distance. Bai Yan thought about it and walked towards the direction of the sound.
Seeing this, Qu Yi quickly followed behind.
In the dark night.
Wu Yun, holding a sharp sword, looked around with rapid breathing. The screams of the maid and the frightened voices of other women made Wu Yun look wary.
"Give me the sword!"
When a voice came to her ears, Wu Yun turned around and met a man in the night.
Listening to the familiar voice, because of their previous interactions, Wu Yun immediately recognized it as Xu Zixiao, even under the moonlight.
"Watch out!"
By some mistake, Wu Yun handed the sword in her hand to Bai Yan.
Then Wu Yun felt that her hand was being held by someone in the dim night, and every time a black shadow rushed towards her, she fell to the ground in an instant.
Under the dark night.
Wu Yun looked at the figure holding her, feeling the warm hand on her hand, and her heart gradually began to throb.
Watching some people being rescued by Xu Zixiao.
She didn't expect that Xu Zixiao's swordsmanship was so powerful.
I don’t know how long it took.
After dozens of people died, these refugees began to leave the camp under cover of night.
When the camp is quiet.
Gongzijia's followers quickly took torches and checked the surroundings.
Afterwards, these retinues were full of joy. Fortunately, most of the refugees just snatched the belongings in the carriage and the leftover venison in the camp.
Most of the people in the camp were injured with wooden sticks and were not taken away.
Bai Yan held the Qin sword and led Wu Yun out of the night.
Perhaps because she was worried about being seen, Wu Yun quietly took her delicate hand out of Bai Yan's hand.
Bai Yan also felt it.
He walked out of the bonfire and joined the crowd.
"General!"
Wei Jie was also frightened by the refugees. However, after he was safe now, it was incredible that Wei Jie immediately cared about the people who were injured not because of his decision.
What Wei Jia was more concerned about was actually his pet dog.
Everyone looked at this scene with ridiculous expressions. Only Cai Sui had seen it before and was not surprised by it.
At this time, perhaps due to the dimness of the campfire, Bai Yan and Wu Yun saw two small black figures in the distance running towards them at extremely fast speeds.
Almost instantly, not only Bai Yan and Wu Yun, but also everyone else knew that it was Wei Jia's pet dog.
Apparently the refugees had just rushed into the camp and irritated Wei Jia's dogs. Now after the two dogs went out to bite people, they came back and saw Wu Yun who was closest to Wei Jia. They thought they were refugees and were going to bite people.
Almost instantly.
Wu Yun, who was not afraid of people, thought of the ferocious dog she had seen during the day and its fangs, and her face suddenly changed drastically, becoming extremely pale.
Just when Wu Yun didn't know how to take precautions, a dark shadow appeared in front of her again.
"Don't hurt my general!"
Accompanied by Wei Jie's horrified shouts.
The next moment, two black figures rushed toward him, the figures turned, and the sound of a hound whimpering in fear sounded in the night.
Another dark figure was already motionless on the ground.
"How dare you!!!"
Wei Jie hurriedly ran forward, protecting the group of people who kept screaming in fear. When he felt the stickiness in his hands, he saw the black figure lying on the ground again.
Wei Jie looked at Bai Yan angrily and shouted sternly.
Hearing Wei Jia's roar at this moment, everyone else in the camp was frightened. Qu Yi, Cai Sui, Wu Cheng and others looked at Xu Zixiao with worry, knowing that something serious was going on.
Xu Zixiao actually killed one of Wei Jia's pet dogs and injured another. No one in the world dared to do such a thing.
Wei Jia, who loves dogs as much as his life, will never give up!
Under the dim night.
While everyone was frightened, Bai Yan was not afraid.
"What happened just now all happened because the young master was unwilling to leave. Now that we are injured, the young master doesn't care at all. This is unkind!"
Bai Yan held a sharp sword and looked at Wei Jia in front of everyone: "Young Master's beloved dog wants to hurt Wu Yun. Zi Xiao doesn't want Wu Yun to get hurt and refuses the dog. Young Master is venting his anger. This is unjust!"
After saying that, Bai Yan turned around, stuck the sword in front of Wu Yun, and walked towards another bonfire in the distance.
"In Zixiao's eyes, Qin is attacking Zhao, but Wei does not send troops, and Young Master Wei regards us as inferior to dogs. If Young Master is angry and the dog dies, I am willing to bear the responsibility alone. After leaving Zhao, Young Master can take revenge."
Bai Yan said.
Bai Yan said these words deliberately. In Bai Yan's eyes, in this Zhao country, he is really not afraid of Wei Jia.
Even if Gongzijia learns what he said, after thinking about it, he will stand by him.
Today's incident happened because of Wei Jia, and everyone has been injured.
Compared with Wei Jia, who was of no help to Zhao and even offended so many nobles, who could afford thirty thousand shi of food and grain, Gongzi Jia was a smart man and knew which side he would take.
Wei Jia is not the King of Wei yet!
He is just a young master, and Wei Jie has nothing to say about the relationship between Wei and Zhao. The ministers of Wei will not let Wei Jie do anything because of a dog.
"You! You!!!"
Wei Jia looked at Bai Yan leaving, stretched out his hands, and his face turned pale with anger.
And all around, because of Bai Yan's words, other members of the gentry clan, regardless of gender, looked at Wei Jia with complete disgust.
They are all respectable nobles, who wants to be inferior to a dog!
In the night.
Bai Yan was sitting by the campfire. After a long time, a figure suddenly came over.
Seeing Wu Yun sitting next to him, Bai Yan knew that his actions just now brought his relationship with Wu Yun a big step closer.
Bai Yan knew clearly,
When the estrangement is over, his identity as Xu Zixiao will disappear.
It should not appear again for at least a year or two.
And he needs Wu Yun to remember him.
According to records, King Wei was the first generation dog king! In the true sense of the dog king, King Zhou's story of poaching the heart may be false, but King Wei wanted the general of Wei to poach the heart of the dog just because the general of Wei said to kill the dog, to prove that the story of loyalty was true.
(End of chapter)
