Chaojiazhuang, Jezhou, Shandong.

At the end of the first lunar month, the wind is still there and the weather has not warmed up yet!

"Fight against the strong men of Liangshan and protect my homeland, wife and children!"

"Pick up the gun, pick up the knife, and fight the strongman to the end!"

"To protect my homeland, it starts with me. Train hard and destroy the invading enemies."

…

Big red banners for suppressing bandits were hung everywhere on the tops of taller buildings in Chaojiazhuang. Some militiamen with incomplete armor and armed with sticks shouted slogans for training. The Chao flag was flying on the city, and everyone was high-spirited and determined.

The entire Zhuangzi is filled with enthusiasm for suppressing bandits!

The angel team from Bianliang City has been here for more than half a month!

Chao Gai, the real owner, was not at home. He didn't know when he would return and couldn't be contacted. The leaders, Chief Liu, Cai Qianban, and Superintendent Zhao, knew the situation but could only wait. They didn't want to be too bored, so they wandered around Chaojiazhuang.

They were old men who were used to staying in Bianliang City, and they were picky when seeing a lot of things. They thought it was just a large market town with towering walls, and there was nothing surprising about it.

I never thought that walking around in the city would actually be a good place!

Chaojiazhuang claims and registers a population of 50,000 to 60,000 people, which is similar to Yuncheng on the surface. In fact, including the floating population, there are 170,000 to 80,000 people.

With so many people gathering, food, clothing, housing, and transportation, various industries came into being. Street shops, restaurants, teahouses, gouran tile houses, etc. are found in other places.

!

At the entrance of the trading area, the tiger imprisoned in the iron cage is amazing. Many people watch it every day to publicize the deeds of Chao Tianwang. The new dramas and crosstalks in the wooden tiles have attracted countless fans.

The leg fighting game is simple and fun. You can see urchins and old people jumping on one leg everywhere. There are also footballs similar to Cuju, which are kicked back and forth on the playground. It can dazzle the big shots from Bianliang City and marvel at it.

Not to mention that Chief Liu found it very fresh, even the cold-hearted Inspector Zhao and the cool-looking Cai Qianban also found Chaojiazhuang interesting. They went out to try it out personally, and had a great time after getting the hang of it.

It's just fine for a day or two, but as time goes by, it becomes a bit boring!

Knowing that waiting was not an option, it was better to return to Bianliang City as soon as possible to resume his duties. In the end, Chief Liu believed that Chaojiazhuang was extremely determined to suppress the bandits, so he asked Wu Yong and others to convey the imperial edict, leaving the imperial edict to lead the team back.

In addition, Cai Ganban and Zhao Dujian saw that the master who read the imperial edict was returning home. No matter how unwilling they were, they had to follow.

As for the two to three thousand sets of fine leather armor, strong bows, crossbows and other equipment brought from the armor storehouse in Bianliang City, they were kept to help Chaojiazhuang suppress the bandits.

The Angel team was rejected and went home!

"Hmph, if you want to reach out to Chaojiazhuang, just wait to be chopped off!" The four major military advisors of the Chaojia army stood on the city wall and looked into the distance, with sneers on their faces.

As orders were issued, the pretense of showing off to others in the city began to resume. The first battalion of infantry and the second battalion of cavalry returned to the military camp one after another. Breweries, clothing and spinning workshops began to welcome caravans and transport goods...

…

It is not visible at all at ordinary times, but after this hiding, people were summoned to return. The trading area was completely opened, shops were opened, and it became more prosperous and lively. The leisure state was gone, and there was only high-spirited construction.

"I hope it can be delayed for a while!" Wen Huanzhang smiled and shook his head. As long as he is given three to five months, the infrastructure in Liangshan will be completed, the soil and land reclamation will begin to take shape, and the island will gradually be used.

"Don't worry!" Xiao Jiasui patted his shoulder and smiled confidently: "How can we allow others to interfere in the way of making money? Those eunuchs are more interested than us!"

"Hahaha, this is called someone in the imperial court!"

"Hey, there are so many things popping up in the court!"

A few resourceful people were talking, laughing, and sighing on the city wall.

"Several military advisors have just arrived. Brother has sent back news!" At this time, Shi Xiu, a desperate man, climbed up the city wall, took three steps and two steps at a time, came to Wu Yong and others, and handed over the note in his hand.

.

Several people said "Oh" and gathered in a circle, looking at the few words on it. Although it was very brief, the good news made everyone feel relieved.

"Well, then let the second and fifth battalions of the Ma Army be pulled to Jizhou."

"There are a lot of horses as mentioned above, and two more infantry battalions will be sent there as traders."

"There is something strange happening in the Jurchens, increase the recruitment efforts!"

"If you have no problem, then sign and give the order!"

Wu Yong smiled and led people to the sentry box on the tower, took out pen, ink, paper and inkstone to write down the order. After signing his name, Xiao Jiasui, Wen Huanzhang, and Li Zhu wrote their names one after another, and then handed it to Shi Xiu to send someone to

Issue.

This is when Chao Gai is not at home, all important orders, such as troop deployment or combat tasks, must be signed by at least three military advisors at the same time to take effect.

The news reached Liangshan, where the 2nd Battalion, 5th Battalion of Horse Army, and several battalions of infantry happily packed their bags, applied for baggage, and prepared to go out on the mission. However, the 1st Battalion and 2nd Battalion of Marine Corps had already gone ahead to collect large ships.

In addition, Lu Zhishen, Shi Xiu, Xu Ning and other generals are also busy recruiting soldiers. Since they have not been exposed yet, this operation has been carried out secretly. The wave of people who were originally brushed off have now relaxed the requirements to recruit soldiers.

Although Chao Gai was thousands of miles away, he had flying pigeons to deliver messages and give orders remotely!

The huge war machine in Chaojiazhuang is quietly operating!

…

Around midnight, the weather was a bit gloomy!

On the Xunyang River, several old trees on the bank have bare branches, and the crows of the crows are particularly sad. Next to the dry reeds, a fishing boat is swaying in the water!

In the cabin, a man with a sinister face and a fierce look read a letter: "Brother, please listen to my younger brother's advice! I don't feel at ease with that bowl of rice on the river. Now brother, I am commanding two thousand men and one hundred and eighty men here.

How majestic is this warship? It trains when it is said to be trained and patrols when it is said to patrol. How majestic is it? Now, my mother is also in the family compound, and she is very happy.

But I always think about my brother, don’t do bad things again, the prodigal son will turn around. I saw other people’s brothers in piles, the three men of the Ruan family, the four dragons of Taihu, but I, Zhang Shun, am alone, but I have brothers and a big brother..."

The man didn't know the words, but he could recite it after reciting it dozens of times. He read it from beginning to end, from end to end, and sighed helplessly.

He is Langli Baitiao's biological brother Zhang Heng, who is famous in the surrounding area!

He has a body of seven feet and triangular eyes, a yellow beard, red hair and red eyes. He is famous on the Xunyang River. He rushes into the waves like a water monster and leaps over the waves like a flying whale.

I am not afraid of bad water and strong winds, and my soul is frightened by the presence of dragons. The sky is full of misfortune and harms all living beings. I live at the foot of Xiaogu Mountain, and the ship's fire trumpet spreads across the sky.

He was in trouble these days. Some time ago, someone came to him and handed him a letter. He read the contents of the letter several times before leaving. Being wary by nature, he specifically asked a deceased friend to confirm.

Who doesn't want to live a better life?

Zhang Heng also thought about it, but he knew that the sin was serious!

Zhang Heng is a native of Jiangzhou. He grew up at the foot of Xiaogu Mountain. He worked as a punting swagger on the Xunyang River and was nicknamed Chuan Huo'er. He and his younger brother Zhang Shun dominated the Xunyang River and often killed people and robbed people of wealth while ferrying to the center of the river. Later, Zhang Shun

When he went to Jiangzhou to sell fish teeth, he started ferrying alone by the river as a private businessman.

Over the years, I have killed as many as eighty people, if not a hundred!

Although he was violent when he did it, he would still feel uneasy about his conscience afterward. He would even wake up from his dream when he thought about going to hell and suffering in the future.

When Zhang Heng first received the letter, he wanted to go to his brothers, but then he thought about whether he had committed many sins and King Chao Tian would turn against him afterwards. His brothers were alone and could not speak at all.

Thinking of this, he has been hesitating and tangled. He wanted to go, but he didn't dare! Now he took out the letter again and murmured, thinking about whether to go or not?

"Boatman, please ferry my mother and I across the river!"

Zhang Heng was in trouble again when he suddenly heard someone shouting outside the boat and interrupted him. He folded the letter and put it in his arms, leaning out half of his body to look outside.

Two people stood by the river, carrying packages on their backs, their faces full of dust.

A young man with a grown figure and a handsome face was supporting an old woman.

"Brother, could you please ferry my mother and son across the river?"

"Okay, hurry up and get on the boat to take shelter from the wind." Zhang Heng nodded from the young man, got out of the cabin, picked up the oar and rowed to the shore. He greeted the mother and son.

I don’t know how many times I have said this sentence in the past few days! It is still a free ferry, maybe it is a discovery of conscience, or maybe it is a subtle atonement for the past.

In short, I didn't do business with any wealthy customers.

The handsome young man said "Okay" and helped the old mother get on the boat. He put the package containing clothes on the wooden board and helped her sit down. He also took out dry food and bamboo tubes filled with water.

"There are hot pots and hot meals on board." Zhang Heng said and started to push the boat.

"Thank you, brother." The young man smiled gratefully at Zhang Heng. Then he entered the cabin. After a while, he filled the rice bowl with hot water and served his old mother.

"Are you from out of town?"

"Yes, my younger brother's surname is Xu, and this is my mother. All the food money will be paid to my elder brother."

"No, you're in luck, the ferry is free for the last few days."

"Oh, brother, aren't you preparing to ferry..."

The young man also filled a bowl of rice and chatted with Zhang Heng, asking and answering questions. Maybe the old woman was not in good health, or she choked after eating too quickly. She kept coughing, the rice bowl was unsteady, and the rice soup was spilled.

All in one.

When the young man saw this, he quickly put down his bowls and chopsticks and wiped them for his mother. Seeing that the wind in the river was a bit strong, he took out his robe and put it on his mother's hands, and started busying himself.

"Son, my mother is really useless when she's old. It's also because your father died early and you don't have any brothers to help you. Traveling all the way south from Hebei to this place has exhausted you."

"Mother, don't say this, give birth to me and raise me. This is what a son should do." The young man's nose was sore and his eyes were red, he picked up a bowl and fed his mother.

Zhang Heng, who was rocking the oar at the bow of the boat, looked at this scene with his posture a little stiff.

The old woman's words reminded him of what his mother once told him: "Son, when your brother grows up, he will be able to help you in everything."

At that time, I was only seventeen or eighteen years old, and my brother Zhang Shun was only twelve years old. I also remembered that at that time, I was simple and kind, but I was a bad person. At this point, I can't look back.

"Come on, I'll give it a go!" Zhang Heng thought of his past experiences, of King Chao Tian's generosity and righteousness, paying to compensate the families of the victims, letting go of the blame and reusing himself. Finally, he thought of his brother's loneliness and his mother's expectations, and finally he thought of his brother's loneliness and his mother's expectations.
Chapter completed!