Zhao Zheng was naturally overjoyed. This would undoubtedly make his martial arts school more famous and its strength greatly increase. Naturally, I am very grateful to Ximen Shan and Feixiang for giving them such a good opportunity in the martial arts school.
Zhao Zheng immediately agreed and promised that in each village, he would send a capable disciple to teach martial arts. He and the deputy director Qian Yi would also take turns to go to each village to teach. When the villagers saw Zhao Zheng agreeing, they were overjoyed and thanked him. This is something that is beneficial to both of them, and there is naturally no obstacle to it.
Feixiang continued: "The martial arts school and the escort agency know many people in the city and are the best informed. I would like to ask you to inquire about the situation of the Boat Gang, and then we will discuss countermeasures together. It is best to negotiate with them and ask them not to Oppress the people. In this way, a bloody battle can be avoided. What do you think?"
If you can do it without using swords and guns, there will be no casualties, and of course everyone has no objection. But whether the boat gang can agree is a big question.
Feixiang thought that no matter what, she had to give it a try, as it was a courtesy first and then a fight. Zheng Lang suggested gathering everyone tomorrow and going directly to the Boat Gang to have a showdown with them. If they don't agree, destroy the boat gang first.
If the people behind the boat gang want to take revenge, we will contact the various martial arts factions to deal with them together. Zheng Lang believed that the various factions in the city had long been dissatisfied with the Boat Gang, and he estimated that those people did not dare to blatantly become enemies of the entire Nanyang Wulin.
Zhao Zheng disagreed with Zheng Lang's statement, but agreed with Feixiang's opinion, thinking that it would be better to avoid a fierce battle. After all, the martial arts school is the strongest. Since they support Feixiang, others cannot object and have no choice but to agree.
Seeing that many people were reluctant, Ximenshan knew that they were worried about the boat gang seeking revenge, so he said that Zheng Lang's statement made some sense, and said: "Mr. Zheng, the escort chief, said so. Why don't you all act separately as Feixiang said just now. I will go to the boat gang alone to express my reconciliation and see how they will respond."
However, everyone unanimously opposed it and believed that going there would be extremely risky. Feixiang also disagreed and thought it would be better to report the matter to the Nanyang Prefect and ask the government to come forward and make demands on the boat gang.
But many people believe that the government must have been bribed by the boat gang, and the government will ignore the matter. Everyone debated endlessly, but there was no conclusion, so they had to put it aside for the time being.
At this time, night fell, and Hongxing had already held a banquet to entertain everyone. After the banquet, everyone discussed for a while before returning home.
Peach Blossom Village, which was lively just now, suddenly became quiet. Hongxing then had time to discuss with the villagers about burying the murdered villagers. This is their private matter. Ximen Shan and others are outsiders, so it is naturally inconvenient for them to participate.
Early the next morning, everyone had breakfast. Hongxing asked Ximenshan how to deal with the captured boat gang members. Just as Ximenshan was about to answer, someone came to report, and the boat gang members asked to see He Hongxing.
Everyone found it strange, and Hongxing immediately said angrily: "These thieves actually dare to come looking for death. Let me arrest them first."
But Ximen Shan said: "Mrs. He, wait a minute. The two countries are at war, so I won't kill the envoy. You might as well listen to what he has to say before making a decision!" Hongxing nodded in agreement and asked someone to bring him.
After a while, the visitor was taken to the hall. Hong Xingjiao shouted: "You are so brave, you actually dare to come to die!"
The man was somewhat courageous. After greeting everyone with neither humility nor arrogance, he said without changing his expression: "Madam, why should you be angry? I'm just a nobody who spreads the word."
Ximenshan asked coldly: "What message are you here to preach?"
The man said: "The leader of our gang wants to make peace with you. I wonder if you are willing?" When everyone heard this, they were naturally surprised and wondered what kind of medicine the Chuan Gang was selling.
Ximen Shan looked at the man and asked immediately: "Tell me, what do you want?"
The man replied calmly: "The leader of our gang hopes that you can let our people go. We promise that we will not disturb you from now on. If you are interested, you can send someone to our gang to discuss it in detail!"
Hongxing's face darkened and she asked, "What will happen to you if we don't agree?"
The man shook his head and said: "Our gang leader has not explained this, so I don't dare to talk nonsense. However, my gang leader has said that if none of you dare to go, then let's let the matter of peace be over."
Ximen Shan immediately said: "Then you go back and tell your gang leader, we will send someone over later and tell him to prepare to welcome you!"
Ximenshan turned to Hongxing and said, "Mrs. He, let him go back and report the news!"
Although Hongxing didn't know what Ximen Mountain meant, she trusted the Ximen family very much, so she waved her hand and asked the man to leave.
After the man left, Hongxing asked hurriedly: "Senior Ximen, do you really want someone to talk to them?"
Ximen Shan smiled slightly and told everyone that this was an opportunity. He thought that since the boat gang proposed to negotiate peace, they definitely didn't want to make things final. Another reason is that they are concerned about these captured people and want to get them back through negotiations.
The boat gang also knows that if this continues, both sides will suffer. Ximen Shan thought he could take the opportunity to find out what they wanted. But Hongxing is worried that the boat gang has some conspiracy, which may be detrimental to those who go to negotiate.
Ximen Shan smiled faintly and said: "It is indeed possible. But if none of us dare to go, it means that we are afraid and would be showing weakness to others. They have so many people in our hands, so I understand that they dare not take action easily. In my opinion, let me go there alone. If they can make them promise not to invade the villages from now on, this is a temporary solution. After we figure out how to eradicate them completely, this The problem was easily solved.”
Although everyone thought Ximen Shan was right, they were unwilling to let him take the risk alone. Although Ximenshan is highly skilled in martial arts, he is nearly seventy years old after all, and everyone really cannot bear to put such an old man in danger.
But Ximenshan insisted on going because he really wanted to solve the problems here as soon as possible and chase Feiyun and Wu Zetian. Ximen Shan knew that there were many people on the road who wanted to assassinate Wu Zetian. If these people succeeded, he would be betraying the trust of his friends.
Luo Chuan knew what Ximen Shan was thinking, and immediately said: "Master, we all understand what you mean. Since this is the case, then Feiying, Feixiang, I, and I will accompany you. Even if they have bad intentions, they will With our Ximen family working together, we should be able to escape unscathed."
Luo Chuan secretly thought that Feiying and Feixiang had gained much knowledge and fighting experience after their recent training, and they had swords to protect themselves. Once in danger, Feiying and Feixiang should have no problem protecting themselves. Ximen Shan thought for a while and nodded in agreement with Luo Chuan.
Hongxing hurriedly persuaded Luo Chuan not to take risks. But Luo Chuan insisted on going and remained unmoved. Everyone couldn't resist the Ximen family, so they had no choice but to agree. Ximenshan asked Hongxing to rest assured that they would be fine.
Hongxing admired the martial arts of the four Ximenshan people very much, and felt relieved when she saw that Ximenshan was confident. However, she said that if the Ximen family had not returned by afternoon, she would ask Zhao Zheng and Zheng Lang to take people with them to the Boat Gang to ask for someone.
Ximenshan agreed with Hongxing's suggestion, but refused to agree with her idea of letting Zhao Zheng and Zheng Lang go together. Ximenshan said that this was to prevent the Boat Gang from playing tricks. If Zheng Lang and others were in Taohua Village, even if the Boat Gang came to attack, they would not be able to succeed easily.
After Ximenshan finished explaining, he left Taohua Village with Luo Chuan and the others. Hongxing and others were sent to the entrance of the village and told them to be careful. Hongxing also gave Ximenshan a small bag, saying that it was a detoxification pill that she carefully refined and could detoxify hundreds of poisons.
Hongxing asked Ximenshan and others to take an antidote pill before they came to the boat gang, so that they would not be afraid of any poison from the other party. Hongxing believes that in terms of martial arts, the opponent is definitely no match for the Ximen family. But if the boat gang secretly poisons, it will be hard to guard against. Only then did Hongxing give her treasured detoxification pills to the Ximen family.
Ximenshan was overjoyed and quickly thanked Hongxing. Then the four people from Ximenshan jumped on their horses and went straight to the boat gang on the river. Along the way, Ximenshan and Luo Chuan discussed various ways to deal with accidents. The distance from Taohua Village to the main hall of the Boat Gang is only more than twenty miles.
The four people from Ximenshan quickly arrived near the main hall of the Boat Gang, got off their horses, took the antidote pills, and left Fei Ying to respond in the woods outside. Ximen Shan strode forward with Luo Chuan and Feixiang, directly to the entrance of the boat gang's main hall.
The three people from Ximenshan looked up and saw that the main hall of the Boat Gang was on a small island about five feet offshore. There was a small bridge connecting the island to the river bank. There is a tall city wall on the island, and there are several boats wandering around the island. There are many people standing on the city wall, all holding strong bows and crossbows.
A black flag was erected on the city wall, with "Nanyang Boat Gang" written in four large white characters on it. On the bow of the boat on the river, there were many gangsters holding swords and guns.
The three people in Ximen Mountain took a closer look, thinking that the terrain here is dangerous and easy to defend but difficult to attack. Once these people encounter danger, they can destroy the bridge at any time and completely cut off the connection with the shore. If you lose, you can always get on the boat and escape. Luo Chuan thought to himself that it was lucky that he didn't attack rashly, otherwise the casualties would have been heavy.
The three people from Ximenshan watched for a while and then came to the bridge. There are about ten people guarding the bridge, all of them are burly and strong men. When they saw the three people from Ximenshan arriving on foot, they immediately shouted: "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
These people obviously did not participate in yesterday's battle, so they did not know the three people from Ximen Mountain. Luo Chuan stepped forward and said, "Go and tell your gang leader that Mr. Ximen is here to talk to him on behalf of Cheng Taohua Village!"
When those people heard the words Peach Blossom Village, their expressions suddenly became tense, and their right hands involuntarily grasped the handle of the sword at their waist. When Luo Chuanliang saw this, he knew that they must have heard the gang members who escaped yesterday talking about the power of Liu Ximen's family, and that's why they were so nervous.
Luo Chuan smiled slightly and said immediately: "Brothers, don't worry, we are not here to fight with you today. It was your gang leader who invited us to negotiate. Just go and report it!"
The man then put his hand down from the handle of the knife and said, "In that case, please wait a moment, three of you!" He turned his head and whispered a few words to the person next to him, and the man quickly turned around and ran away. .
