The Zhu family escorted Zhang Miao up the road with great momentum. Not only the people of Luming County got the news, but the bandits far away on the mountain also saw the news.

In the past, they were concerned about the government and acted more restrained. Now that they saw Zhang Miao and others being taken away, they attacked several small mountain villages around Luming County at night.

He Lianjun got wind of the news. He took off the fast horse tied at the door and was about to go find Zhu Tianci. Unexpectedly, as soon as he put on the saddle, he heard the fast horse roaring and the sound of horseshoes clattering not far away. He looked up.

It looked like it was Zhu Tianci coming on horseback.

Zhu Tianci raised his riding whip at him from a distance. As soon as he landed, he grabbed his shoulders and said, "Have you heard about what happened in Stone Village last night? Without Zhang Miao, these bandits are happier."

He Lianjun looked at his dusty appearance, took a private look, and invited him into the house.

Yu Qingzhi poured him a bowl of hot water, and just as he was about to go out, He Lianjun stopped him: "You are not an outsider, there is no need to go out."

Zhu Tianci held the porcelain bowl in his hands and pretended not to see it.

He Lianjun asked: "I also heard someone say something, and I accidentally understood the situation. What is going on?"

Zhu Tianci drank half a bowl of water in one breath, calmed down, and then said: "This morning, a man covered in blood came to see me, saying that he was a farmer in Shitou Village, and that bandits broke into the village last night.

, and stole most of the property.”

He Lianjun frowned: "I didn't expect that by punishing Zhang Miao, we would actually let them have a loophole. This matter was caused by us, and we cannot stand idly by no matter what."

"That's exactly what I mean." Zhu Tianci put the bowl on the table, "Now several surrounding villages have organized a group of strong men to take turns to keep vigil, but in today's world, it is difficult to eat, and there are less people to work.

hand……"

He Wanyue was listening outside. She could no longer hold back. She suddenly broke in and said, "What about the magistrate's soldiers? Why not bring them in?"

Zhu Tianci pulled a stool for her: "The magistrate's soldiers only serve the magistrate. If the magistrate is not seen, they will naturally not be able to send troops."

The only solution now is to find a county magistrate as soon as possible.

But how can a trustworthy magistrate be found so easily?

He Lianjun frowned and asked, "Brother Zhu, do you still remember Gu Yuanyou?"

Zhu Tianci raised his eyes and instantly understood what He Lianjun meant.

Gu Yuanyou was their childhood playmate. He met Yuanyou in middle school last year and had not yet started working in a real job.

"He is not qualified enough, how can the official department release him?" Zhu Tianci slapped his thigh, "The official department is also greedy. A big official like this in Luming County would have to give them five hundred taels at least.

Only then can you let go!”

"How about giving them five hundred taels?" Yu Qingzhi suddenly interrupted.

Seeing that He Lianjun and Zhu Tianci were looking at her, she explained, "These five hundred taels are not to whet their appetites, but we are in Luming County now. Instead of waiting for the officials to send people, we might as well take the initiative."

, develop your own power."

Zhu Tianci hesitated.

It wasn't that the Zhu family couldn't afford five hundred taels due to their overwhelming wealth, but he had never been accustomed to this unhealthy practice of taking money for bribes. However, Yu Qingzhi's words made him a little shaken.

Exchanging five hundred taels for one of your own is not a loss-making transaction.

Seeing his expression change slightly, He Lianjun continued: "It will take some time before Yuan You takes office. Brother Zhu, the soldiers under your command can come out to block him first."

"Okay, then I'll do as you say!" Zhu Tianci nodded and looked at Yu Qingzhi with a smile, "These are all wool harvested from me. My brothers and sisters are not allowed to leave me a meal?"

Yu Qingzhi's pretty face turned red instantly: "Liu, don't talk about one meal, even ten meals is not a problem!"

He Lianjun slapped Zhu Tianci on the shoulder: "I'll kill another pig for you and eat it."

The Helan City ghost poked his head out cleverly: "Is there any meat to eat?"

The group of people chatted and laughed and ate their lunch.

When Zhu Tianci returned to his mansion, he began to arrange this matter.

The next day, Zhu Tianci appeared in the He Family Courtyard with great joy: "Don't tell me, it's really useful. Yesterday, I sent the silver coins to the officials. They gave me the news that it will be available within ten days."

Gu Yuanyou takes office."

He Lianjun was about to go out with a knife on his back. Hearing what he said, before he could say congratulations, he saw another boy staggering over. He looked anxious and frightened and said: "Sir, the batch of goods we went to Longzhou was taken.

The bandits robbed us!"

"What?!"

Zhu Tianci's expression changed: "That's goods worth a thousand taels, and these bandits just robbed them?! Where's the escort chief?"

"All our escorts who were transporting goods have gone to guard the mountain village, leaving only a few strong men. They are outnumbered and tricked by them." The young man was filled with anger. Only then did Zhu Tianci see that he had a lace hanging behind his ears and a scar on his neck.

What a big bruise.

When Yu Qingzhi saw it, she picked some herbs, crushed them and wrapped them in gauze and handed them over: "Wrap them first."

The boy looked at Zhu Tianci and saw that he didn't say anything, so he took it and thanked him repeatedly: "Thank you, Miss."

"It seems that they have found out your details and made it clear that they want to trip you up." He Lianjun felt a little annoyed. He had caused so many losses to Zhu Tianci in a row, and he hated these bandits even more.

At this time, an old man came in tremblingly from the outside, holding a cloth bag in his arms. He opened the bag at the crack of the door, revealing a corner of the snow-white satin inside: "Is it this batch of goods that was robbed, sir?"

Zhu Tianci looked over, and he was very familiar with the exquisite embroidery on it. A thought arose in his heart, and he asked: "Could there be villagers involved in it?"

The old man shook his head. He walked into the courtyard with a cane and held the cloth. He handed the cloth over. As soon as Zhu Tianci took it, he heard a "pop" and the old man knelt in front of him: "Master, you are a good man. It's me."

I did something wrong."

Zhu Tianci and others looked at each other in confusion and quickly pulled him up. Only then did they know why the old man took the initiative to bring the silk and satin.

The old man's surname was Xu, and his son's name was Boss Xu. There were no bandits around Luming County, and the two of them made a living by farming. Although they didn't earn much, they were happy. Boss Xu even married a wife.

However, in recent years, taxes have been heavy. Mr. Xu and Mr. Xu couldn't get together the few taels of silver even though they had emptied their family resources. They left early in the morning and came back late. They had just told the county government to give Tongrong a few days of grace, but who knew that when they came back that night, they saw

Boss Xu’s wife and children died at home.

"Why don't you report to the official?" He Wanyue asked.

Old man Xu's expression became increasingly sad: "The person who killed my daughter-in-law and grandson was someone from the county government."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone fell silent.

Old Man Xu took out another piece of tightly wrapped rag from his waist. He opened it carefully and found some white pieces of silver inside: "This is the silver my son sent me. In addition to paying taxes, I, Old Man Xu, can't do anything."

Not much to say, Mr. Zhu, I give these to you, and I beg you to let my son go. If you are not desperate, who would..."

Who would embark on such a path where everyone calls for beatings?

Yu Qingzhi's eyes fell on the piece of silk and satin, and she said thoughtfully, "I think most of these bandits took this road of no return involuntarily. Boss Zhu, why don't we start from here?"

Zhu Tianci and He Lian both looked over and said in unison: "Do you have a clever plan?"

Yu Qingzhi rubbed his chin: "The bandits in Luming County have only appeared in recent years, and they should also be diligent farmers. Although they can make a living through robbery, I think if they have to choose, they also want to rely on their own hands to make a living.

of life.”

"In the past, people were forced to go up the mountain, not only because of taxes, but also because of the lack of ability of Zhang Miao, Wang Yuan and others. The economy in Luming County was tight. Instead of rectifying and improving the economy, they pressed harder. Now Mr. Gu is about to take office.

Let’s give them a promise.”

Yu Qingzhi has a systematic way of telling the truth and speaks with sufficient confidence, which makes everyone a little suspicious.

The economy can't be driven by just a few people.

However, He Lianjun patted Yu Qingzhi on the shoulder and said with some encouragement: "There must be truth to what Qingzhi said. I think it is feasible."

"This is a promise you made yourself. When that boy Yuan You takes office and finds such a big mess, it has nothing to do with me." Zhu Tianci waved his hand and followed He Lianjun.

He Lianjun got on his horse and looked at He Wanyue handing over the three-edged fork with a worried look on her face. After a pause, he waved his hand: "Since you are going to deliver a promise, you must show an attitude. I will not take this three-edged fork."

Now, you and Qingzhi are happily at home waiting for me to come back."

"With my Zhu family soldiers here, Sister Wanyue and my sister-in-law can rest assured. Even if I, Zhu Tianci, die, I will leave my elder brother alive." Before Zhu Tianci could finish his words, He Lianjun hit him on the shoulder.

"What bad words did you say!"

.

In the village in the mountains, Boss Xu was sitting in the middle, with Wang Wu at the top. The four brothers above him in the family were all beaten to death by Wang Yuan and others. Naturally, he hated the officers and soldiers with great hatred.

He weighed the bracelet in his hand and squinted at the candlelight: "It's still a rare item. How many taels of silver can this thing be sold for?"

"How many taels? You have been here for a long time, and I still think you are an expert." Bai Laosi snorted lightly, "With this quality, dozens or even hundreds of taels are more than enough!"

When Wang Wu heard this, he held it even more preciously: "This person named Zhu is still rich. In the villages we robbed before, if we could find a few coins, it would be a high price."

As he said that, there was a sudden movement outside. A minion ran in with a big knife and said aggressively: "The boss, named Zhu, is here! It's just outside the village!"

Wang Wu and others sat up in excitement: "You came here so quickly? How many people are following you?"

The follower said: "There is no one! There are only two people, He Lianjun and Zhu Tianci."

Wang Wu glanced at Bai Laosi and didn't understand what kind of medicine Zhu Tianci was selling in the gourd. They took off their swords and rushed out with a few minions.

He Lianjun and Zhu Tianci were indeed sitting on their horses outside the village. Seeing Wang Wu and Bai Laosi leading people out, Zhu Tianci got off his horse and asked, "Are you the one who robbed my goods?"

Zhu Tianci spoke with a noble air. Before Wang Wu could answer, he became timid. Bai Laosi said "Bah, bah" twice and made a big move with his sword: "So what if it's me? Your Zhu family has so much money, is it possible?"

Do you still need our trip?"

Zhu Tianci sneered, and a group of well-armed soldiers appeared out of nowhere.

"My Zhu family naturally has money, and our soldiers also have the best guns and armors. This batch of goods is worth tens of millions of taels of silver. I earned every penny steadily. I don't steal or rob, and I am no better than you who are not worthy of the spotlight."

powerful?"

With the intimidation of the government soldiers, the attitudes of Bai Laosi and the others were obviously much more polite. Boss Xu followed them and suddenly said: "Who doesn't want to make money cleanly? Do you think we are willing to come and go in the wind like this at night?"

Bai Laosi and Wang Wu stopped him: "Boss Xu!"

Boss Xu burst into tears. He wiped away his tears and looked at Bai Laosi: "The second boss earned unconscionable money from robbery. With this money, I can't sleep well at night."

Seeing that Mr. Xu had lost his morale, Bai Laosi stopped pretending and said sternly: "If I'm not down-to-earth, do you think I'm down-to-earth?"


Chapter completed!