The day after the Chu family obtained the permit, they quickly opened their doors to do business. On the one hand, they provided supplies to the people in the city, and on the other hand, they created the illusion that everything was the same as before for Huang Yifu. They needed to make money to survive, and the rebels needed
Winning the hearts and minds of the people can be regarded as mutually beneficial.
We lived peacefully like this for a few days. On that day, Spring Equinox was preparing to go out to inspect the store. Unexpectedly, as soon as they stepped out of the gate, they saw Caobang's carriage slowly approaching. Weng Xiaoxian and Weng Xiaoyuan jumped out of it and knelt down suddenly.
In front of her, "Mrs. Chu, please save my father!"
Shi Chunfen looked at them in surprise, and after reacting, he quickly stepped forward to help them up, "You two ladies, what's going on? What happened?"
The two men were helped up by her and soon began to cry, "Those rebels wanted to recruit soldiers from the Caobang, but my father refused to do so and has been imprisoned by them!"
"What, conscription?!" Shi Chunfen's face became solemn.
After all calculations, I never expected that the rebels would be so greedy. Recruiting troops from the Caobang would be tantamount to forcing them to help attack the imperial court. If the rebels were defeated in the future, the Caobang would be the first to be liquidated. No wonder Weng Xiong vowed to die.
Disobey.
"Yes..." Weng Xiaoyuan burst into tears, "Father said that the Caobang would rather be killed by the sword than a lackey of the rebels. This made General Huang furious and put him in prison."
Weng Xiaoxian was relatively calm, but still burst into tears, "We heard that Mrs. Chu has some friendship with the rebel leader, so we came here specifically to ask you to help us."
"We can't talk about friendship." Shi Chunfen quickly denied, "But it's okay for us to get to know each other and discuss how to save your father."
With that said, she quickly invited the two people into the house to prevent them from getting into trouble if the walls had ears.
After learning that the people from Caobang came for help, everyone in the Chu family quickly gathered together to help them discuss countermeasures.
"I'm afraid it will be difficult for our Chu family to help you in this matter." The person who spoke was Chu Shun. Since Chu Yan was arrested, although he had no real power in his hands, he had always regarded himself as the pillar of the family. Everyone related to the Chu family
Everyone has to participate in meetings, and it’s so active that it’s scary.
Almost everyone knows what he has in mind, but no one will take the initiative to point it out. They are all waiting for him to reveal his flaws.
Chu Shun looked at the two sisters of the Weng family and said frankly: "Even my eldest brother was imprisoned by the man named Huang. Our Chu family has too much to take care of ourselves. How can we help you save others?"
"Master Chu was also imprisoned?" Weng Xiaoxian looked surprised.
Although there had been rumors about this matter in Liuzhou City for a long time, because the Chu family was the first to open the door for business, everyone agreed that this matter was a rumor. Otherwise, how could they continue to do business as if nothing had happened?
"Yeah." Shi Chunfen nodded lightly. The Chu family had never thought of hiding the news.
After all, the rebels besieged the city and everyone was in danger. If the Chu family acted like it had nothing to do with them, they would easily become the target of public criticism.
"I didn't tell you outside just now because Huang has been sending people to keep an eye on us during this time. Outside the house is not a place where we can talk."
After hearing her explanation, the two sisters of the Weng family realized that they were also in dire straits, and their expressions suddenly became depressed, "So, in the huge city of Liuzhou, really no one can save my father?"
When the Spring Equinox fell silent, no words were spoken.
The old lady coughed lightly and said: "Actually, you don't have to be so desperate. Those rebels are willing to waste time imprisoning your father, which shows that they are still afraid of the Cao Gang, so they can only use this method to force you to surrender.
, as long as they don’t leave you any way to survive, they won’t give you the opportunity to ask for help everywhere.”
"Yes." Chu Run agreed: "Since those rebels want to recruit troops, it means that they are also exhausted and have no extra strength to suppress the Caogang. As long as you can keep calm, they will have nothing to do with you."
"That's what it is..." Weng Xiaoxian looked frustrated, "Can we just watch our father suffer in prison?"
"Old gang leader Weng is a martial arts practitioner. I think his body is stronger than ordinary people, so nothing will happen to him." Chu Gui interjected: "My eldest brother is a scholar, and he has no power to tie a chicken, which is even more worrying!
"
When these words came out, everyone fell silent, and the old lady's eyes instantly became dim.
Seeing this situation, the two sisters of the Weng family were quite at a loss, "I'm sorry, we didn't mention your sadness on purpose."
"Don't be stupid." Shi Chunfen said with a smile: "These are established facts. There is nothing that cannot be mentioned. I hope you can also calm down and learn to let nature take its course. As long as Caobang is not threatened by Huang Yifu, he will take advantage of you.
Any way.”
Hearing this, Weng Xiaoxian nodded quickly, "I understand."
But Weng Xiaoyuan couldn't help wiping away tears at the side, "Dad has been arrested, and the eldest brother is not in Liuzhou. The other brothers are only thinking about breaking up the family and scattering their things. We really don't know how many more days we can hold on."
"Separation?" Shi Chunquin was a little surprised. It turned out that this was what they were really worried about.
That's right, given the current situation of the Cao Gang, once they separate and go their separate ways, it will be no different than being broken up by others. At that time, Huang Yifu only needs to defeat each of them, and he will soon take the Cao Gang into his pocket.
"This is quite serious." The old lady said bluntly: "The reason why the Cao Gang is feared is because it is united enough. If you scatter your things, you will lose your most powerful weapon, and then anyone can step on you.
You kick it."
"But what can we do?" Weng Xiaoxian said anxiously: "The Cao Gang is passed down from male to female. My sister and I have almost no power in our hands. In the past, when the eldest brother and eldest sister were around, they could still protect us and kill all those brothers.
They were scolded and left, but now that one of them is not in Liuzhou, and the other has chosen to become a monk and not care about worldly affairs, we really have no choice."
When it came to "being a monk", Chu Run's eyes darkened and he took the initiative to stand up, "If you trust me, you can take me back to Caogang to help. I am confident that I can deal with your other brothers."
"You?" Weng Xiaoxian and Weng Xiaoyuan looked at him suspiciously.
Because of Weng Xiaohuan's incident, neither of them had a good impression of him. In addition, the other party was just a weak scholar. How could he possibly suppress their vicious brothers? They inevitably had reservations in their hearts.
"Just you?" Chu Quan sneered from the side and said sarcastically: "If it weren't for you not marrying the eldest lady of the Caobang, the Caobang would not be in this situation now. In my opinion, you should save it.