After walking a few steps, his face became more and more ugly, and his steps became faster and faster, almost running.
When I came out of the gate, I almost bumped into Wei Xuanzhen.
"Brother Xiao, what's wrong with you, why are you so panicked? Where's Ma Liang, have you dealt with it?" Wei Xuanzhen asked.
Xiao Kai hurriedly got on the carriage and said: "Let's get on the carriage first."
As soon as Wei Xuanzhen came up, Xiao Kai hurriedly urged the coachman to start.
"Brother Xiao, what happened?"
Wei Xuanzhen asked anxiously. This was the first time he saw Xiao Kai so panicked.
Xiao Kai said solemnly: "Ma Liang wanted to inform Wu Chengsi, but I killed him."
"Since you've already been killed, why did you—"
Xiao Kai gritted his teeth and said: "Even Ma Liang betrayed us, do you really believe that the other eight families will not betray us?"
Wei Xuanzhen's face turned pale and she said: "During the discussion, something was wrong with Ma Liang. He went to report it, so I'm not surprised. The other parties had no objections during the discussion, so they shouldn't betray, right?"
Xiao Kai said: "Ma Liang is a straight-tempered person and never holds back what he has to say. Others are different from him. They may object in their hearts but don't say it out loud."
Wei Xuanzhen felt cold sweat break out on his forehead and said hurriedly: "Didn't you ask your secret guards to keep an eye on them? If others betray, they should come and report it, right?"
Xiao Kai said coldly: "The other people are more alert than Ma Liang. They probably guessed that I sent people to keep an eye on them and would use other means to report the news."
"Then...then what should we do now?" Wei Xuanzhen said in a loud voice.
The expression on Xiao Kai's face was uncertain. After a while, Fang said: "Go back to the house immediately, take your family out of the house, don't take anything with you, and take the third secret passage in the south of the city to leave the city."
Wei Xuanzhen lost her voice and said: "Our family's money hasn't had time to be sent to the palace yet!"
Xiao Kai gritted his teeth and said: "You leave a few capable men in the mansion. If no one informs you, let them send the money to the palace as planned tomorrow morning and present it to the emperor."
"What if someone snitches on you?" Wei Xuanzhen stared.
Xiao Kai smiled bitterly and said: "Then... give up."
With a "bang" sound, Wei Xuanzhen punched the car wall with a look of anger in his eyes.
Xiao Kai said bitterly: "Brother Wei, don't worry, half of our family's money belongs to your Wei family!"
Wei Xuanzhen stared at his face for a long time, shouted "stop", got off the carriage, mounted a fast horse, and left with his people.
Two-quarters of an hour later, Xiao Kai arrived at a narrow street in a carriage.
The street was narrow and the carriage drove very slowly. When it came to a dilapidated garden, the carriage finally stopped.
Xiao Kai first ordered people to carefully observe the surroundings, then got off the carriage and entered the broken garden.
Although this narrow street and the main street outside the gate of Song Guogong's mansion are in the same neighborhood, they are far apart.
No one would have thought that an abandoned garden in a narrow street that had been sold for many years without any interest was actually separated by a wall from the back garden of the Duke of Song Dynasty.
Xiao Kai came to a rockery in the abandoned garden and walked around to the back of the rockery. In front of him was a gray wall with peeling paint.
Pressing the mechanism on the wall, the two guards pushed hard and the wall was pushed open.
Passing through the stone wall, the exit is the back garden of Xiao Mansion. This exit is also located behind a rockery and is guarded by guards. When Xiao Kai saw those guards, he knew that the house was quite safe.
He immediately issued an order for all family members to leave the mansion through the stone wall.
The plan to evacuate the mansion had been shared with all family members a few days ago, and the Xiao family had already made preparations in advance.
After getting the order from the master of the house, he came over quickly.
Xiao Kai saw the two guards behind his youngest son carrying two chicken coops, and the roosters inside kept crowing, and he felt angry in his heart.
He pulled out a guard's waist knife and stabbed it towards the chicken coop, quickly killing all four roosters.
Master Xiao said in a trembling voice: "Dad... you... you... what are you doing?"
Xiao Kai said angrily: "This is an escape, not a picnic. If you don't obey me again, I will break your legs!"
"Little brother, now that the whole family is in trouble, my father is already worried enough. Why don't you make him angry, okay?"
The person speaking was the eldest daughter of the Xiao family, who was about the same age as the second daughter of the Wei family.
The young master of the Xiao family pouted, snorted, and passed by the wall.
Miss Xiao came to Xiao Kai and said, "Dad, Butler Ping just asked me for help and wanted to stay in the house instead of Butler Guo. What do you think?"
After Xiao Kai was betrayed by Ma Liang, he became even more suspicious and said coldly: "Just follow the original plan and let Guo Yang stay."
Miss Xiao nodded and went back to pass on the order.
Not long after she left, she suddenly ran back with her skirt in hand, followed by Butler Guo.
Xiao Kai's heart sank, knowing that what he was most worried about had indeed happened!
"Father, what's wrong, King Zhou personally led his men to surround our mansion!"
Xiao Kai kicked the wall hard, took a few deep breaths, and said: "You guys should evacuate quickly. Butler Guo will also leave. Take the second secret road in the south of the city to leave the city. Don't go to Hanshan Pier. Go to Luoping Pier instead."
'!"
"Father, what about you?"
"You go first, I'll be right back!"
Miss Xiao agreed and hurried towards the rockery.
Xiao Kai then ordered one of his confidants to rush to Hanshan Pier as quickly as possible and ask the big ship there to be transferred to "Luoping Pier". He also ordered someone to inform the Wei family of the news.
After everything was arranged, he led the guards through the wall, pressed the button, and left the abandoned garden.
He did not go directly to the south of the city, but went back to the street where his residence was located, changed into casual clothes, and came to a teahouse.
Through the second-floor windows here, you can clearly see the gate of the Song Dynasty Duke's Mansion.
Soon, a group of people came out from the gate of the palace, and the leader was none other than King Wu Chengsi of Zhou.
After seeing the person beside him, Xiao Kai patted the window eaves and said coldly: "So it's you!" That person was none other than Yu Long.
He ordered the four 'secret guards' behind him: "You four stay in the city. I want you to kill Yu Long at all costs!"
"yes!"
At the gate of Xiao Mansion, Yu Long touched his nose and said with a wry smile: "Your Highness, King Zhou, Xiao Kai is as cunning as a fox. He must have prepared a secret way out of the city in advance. It will be difficult to catch him."
Wu Chengsi said: "Catching him is the second best thing. Do you know where his money is?"
Yu Long was surprised and said: "What money?"
Wu Chengsi's heart moved: "Is it possible that the Xiao Wei family did not tell other families about the treasury?"
After pondering for a while, he said: "General Yu, do you know why I want to deal with the Xiao family and the Wei family?"
Yu Long hesitated for a moment and said: "I heard from Xiao Kai that the imperial court has been fighting wars for many years and the treasury is empty. In order to maintain the Western Rebellion camp, you decided to cleanse the family and obtain money."
Wu Chengsi snorted and said, "So that's what he told you."
Yu Long said hurriedly: "I saw that he was lying at that time, but I was intimidated by the power of the Xiao family and did not dare to question it openly."
Wu Chengsi said solemnly: "The reason why I want to deal with these three families is because they stole the national treasury, which resulted in the emptiness of the national treasury."
Yu Long's expression changed slightly and he said: "He, how dare they steal the treasury?"
Then he yelled: "These two bastards, it's no wonder that when every family encounters problems, they always have money to help solve it. It turns out...it turns out that their money comes from the treasury!"
Wu Chengsi narrowed his eyes and said: "So, the heads of the other major families don't know about it?"
"That's right! He never mentioned it to us!"
After saying that, he hesitated again: "Maybe he quietly told the Dugu family and the Yuwen family, which family has always had the best relationship with him."
Wu Chengsi held his chin and thought for a moment, then looked up at Yu Long and said: "General Yu, your contribution this time is not small. I have decided to transfer you to the Xitu Camp and serve as a general. Are you willing?"
Yu Long said happily: "Thank you for the promotion, Your Highness. I will definitely kill the enemy bravely in the future to repay Your Highness for your kindness!"
Wu Chengsi smiled and said: "There is another matter at the moment. I would like to use the help of the general. I wonder if General Yu is willing to handle it for me."
"Your Highness, just ask!"
Wu Chengsi said: "I hope General Yu can contact several other masters and tell them about this matter, and then tell them that whoever can catch Xiao Kai will be rewarded heavily by me!"
Yu Long made a loud promise and was about to leave. Wu Chengsi called to him and asked him to take a team of Jinwu Guards with him to prevent him from having any accidents.
After he left, Wu Chengsi ordered Su Qingjie to lead a thousand gold guards to Hanshan Pier to block the retreat of Xiao Kai and others.
After waiting outside the door for a long time, a personal guard came out of the Xiao Mansion and said with cupped hands: "Your Highness, the Jinwu Guards have searched the Xiao Mansion and dug out two secret rooms, but no property was found."
Wu Chengsi's face sank and he said: "Keep looking, even if you dig three feet into the ground, you have to find it for me!"
The guard took the order and went in again.
…
Princess Taiping and Wu Youji stood outside the door of Gu Xuguogong's mansion, watching the Jin Wu guards carry boxes of copper coins and gold and silver items into the carriage, with smiles on their faces.
Wu Youji said with some regret: "I didn't expect that you and your second brother would be working on such a big case during my absence in Chang'an."
Princess Taiping smiled and said: "You are really good at choosing a time to come back. Just after you came back in the afternoon, your second cousin sent you here to catch up with this good guy who ransacked the house."
Wu Youji touched his nose and said, "What kind of job is confiscating a house?"
Princess Taiping snorted: "You don't know how abominable these three families are. They not only stole the treasury, but also assassinated the queen mother and framed the second cousin. Isn't it enough to relieve your anger by confiscating their homes?"
Wu Youji said angrily: "How courageous. Are the Queen Mother and second brother okay?"
Princess Taiping smiled and said: "Of course it's okay. The queen mother and second cousin are not so easy to deal with."
Wu Youji said coldly: "It's a pity that the Wei family escaped, otherwise if I had caught them..."
At this moment, a Jinwu Guard general came running up on horseback and said:
"General, there was a horse-drawn carriage collision just now on the main street of Yongningfang. According to the Wannian County police report, one of the parties is from the Wei Mansion."
Wu Youji's eyes lit up.
General Jin Wuwei continued: "The government officials came forward to inquire, but were knocked down by the Wei family guards. They abandoned their carriages and rode southward. I have ordered my subordinates to pursue them."
Wu Youji got on his horse and shouted: "Taiping, I'll leave this to you, I'll go arrest the Wei family!"
He slapped the horse's butt and galloped away with a group of people.
The Jinwu Guards searched the whole city for the Wei and Xiao families, and the news soon spread throughout the city.
After hearing the news, the other major aristocratic families were all panicked. They each hid in their mansions and closed their doors tightly.
Dugu De was wearing armor and holding a spear, standing in the center of the courtyard like a door god.
There are more than twenty guards around him, all of whom are fully armed. As long as the Jinwu guards break through the door, they will fight to the death!
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Dugu De's face changed slightly, he clenched his spear and looked toward the door.
After a while, a voice came from outside the door: "Brother Dugu, I am Yu Long, open the door quickly!"
Dugu De looked happy and hurriedly stepped forward and opened the door.
When he saw the Jinwu Guards behind Yu Long, his expression changed drastically, he thrust his spear forward and said sternly: "It turns out you betrayed us!"
Yu Long swung his sword and opened his gun, saying anxiously: "I didn't betray Xiao Kai, it was Xiao Kai who betrayed us!"
"Asshole! If it hadn't been for Brother Xiao's care over the years, your family and our family would have declined long ago. You betrayed your friends to seek glory, and you still dare to slander Brother Xiao?"
Dugude stabbed him again.
Yu Long seemed to be injured, his movements were stiff, and he almost couldn't dodge the shot. Fortunately, a Jinwu Guard general next to him waved his gun to block it for him.
"Xiao Kai stole the treasury and was investigated by His Highness the King of Zhou. Do you know this?" Yu Long shouted as he backed away.
Dugu De was stunned for a moment and stopped moving his hands.
Yu Long added: "With him were the Wei family and the Xue family. The three families shared the stolen money equally, but kept us in the dark."
Dugu De gritted his teeth and said, "Do you have any evidence for what you said?"
Yu Long said angrily: "Think about it for yourself, why the Xiao Wei family has always had endless money to spend on everything these years. Why do they suddenly have a close relationship with the Xue family? Why does the Wu family suddenly want to deal with them?"
Dugu De's face turned green and red, and he was a little unbelievable for a moment.
After a long while, he said in a low tone: "My son injured Xu Jingzong's eldest grandson and was imprisoned. He spent a lot of money to persuade the Xu family to show his favor. Was it the money stolen from the treasury?"
"Does that need to be said? The Xiao family doesn't have much property. The Wei family store has been losing money over the years. How did they get so much money?"
Dugu De looked up to the sky and roared, and with a roar, the spear hit the door hard. The shock caused his mouth to crack.
Yu Long put the knife back into his waist, walked over holding his left shoulder, and said bitterly:
"I personally participated in what happened in Furong Garden. When I was in trouble, Xiao Kai didn't care about my life or death at all. If my daughter hadn't found King Zhou, I might have died in Dali Temple."
Dugu De covered his face with his hands. After a long while, he put down his hands and said, "Why are you injured?"
Yu Long hummed: "He is Xiao Kai's secret guard. If I reveal Xiao Kai's secret, he will naturally not allow me to live."
Dugu De took a deep breath and said, "Are you coming to me to arrest me?"
Yu Long said: "I just said that the King of Zhou only targets the Xiao family and the Wei family. As long as you don't follow them to go against the King of Zhou, he will not arrest you."
Dugu De smiled bitterly and said: "We were really deceived by Xiao Kai this time. Fortunately, you came and told me, otherwise I would have been confused and given up our great family fortune."
Yu Long said coldly: "Brother Dugu, we can't let Xiao Kai go so easily."
Dugu De was silent for a long time and said: "Since you told His Highness King Zhou everything, didn't you catch him?"
Yu Long said in a deep voice: "This thief is more cunning than a fox. When King Zhou and I rushed to Xiao Mansion, their whole family had already escaped."
Dugu De thought for a moment and said slowly: "Since he found out that the plan was leaked, he probably won't go to Hanshan Wharf again. As far as I know, he also has a secret wharf outside Chang'an City."
Yu Long said happily: "Then what are you waiting for? Let's go out of the city to catch him together!"
Dugu De suddenly said: "Brother Yu, should you be rewarded by His Highness the King of Zhou for informing you this time?"
Yu Long snorted secretly and said: "Your Highness said that after catching Xiao Kai, we will discuss the merits and reward him."
Dugude asked the Jinwu Guard general next to him: "Brother, is this true?"
The general was upright and said bluntly: "General Yu has been transferred to the Xidian camp by the prince and has been named a general."
Yu Long blushed and said: "The prince just mentioned it and hasn't received the seal yet. If Xiao Kai can't be caught, he might forget about it when he gets angry."
Dugu De snorted and said: "Brother Yu, you have already received such a big reward. If Xiao Kai is caught later, should you give up this credit to your brother?"
Yu Long said angrily: "Brother Dugu, if I hadn't vouched for you in front of the prince, I'm afraid the Jinwu Guards would have come to your house and ransacked your property."
Dugu De said: "Well, if we catch Xiao Kai, how about sharing the first prize between the two of us?"
Yu Long actually wanted to take the lead, but Dugu De had already noticed his intentions. If there was a stalemate, Xiao Kai would be able to escape, and no one would be left behind.
"Okay, I'll share the credit equally between you and me."
Dugu De immediately gave an order and ordered someone to bring his mount. He picked up the spear and ran out of the city with Yu Long and Qianniu Guard.
Luoping Pier.
Xiao Kai stood under the night, with three large ships behind him ready to set off, but Wei Xuanzhen still didn't arrive.
Miss Xiao came up behind him and said, "Dad, we can't wait any longer. If the Jinwu Guards come after us, we won't be able to leave."
Xiao Kai said in a deep voice: "Daughter, you have to know that if the Wei family is gone, we will never have a chance to make a comeback."
"But the Wei family hasn't arrived yet. I'm afraid he's been caught. What will happen if he confesses here?"
Xiao Kai was silent for a while and said: "Son, as a father, you are cautious. If you can't help but take risks, you will never take risks. But this time is different. We must take this risk!"
Just then, I heard the sound of horse hooves, and a horse came running towards me in the darkness.
Xiao Kai hurriedly looked towards the man. When the man came closer, he saw clearly that it was Dugu De.
"You, why are you here?" Xiao Kai was surprised.
Dugu De gritted his teeth and said, "Brother Xiao, you are indeed here."
Xiao Kai said in a deep voice: "Answer me, why are you here!" As soon as he raised his hand, dozens of guards behind him raised their bows.
Dugu De said angrily: "Not long ago, the Jinwu Guards suddenly broke into my mansion. I escaped over the wall. Then I escaped all the way out of the city and ran to Hanshan Pier, only to find that there was no ship there!"
Xiao Kai frowned and said, "Then how do you know I'm here?"
Dugu De said coldly: "Have you forgotten? You asked me to help you transport a batch of ordnance. The destination is here. I couldn't see the ship at Hanshan Pier, so I guessed that you were here."
Xiao Kai narrowed his eyes and stared at Dugu De, and suddenly shouted: "Fire the arrow!"
Dugude hurriedly dismounted and hid behind the horse. At this moment, a cry came out: "Kill!"
A Jinwu Guard of several hundred people rushed out of the darkness. The feet of each horse were wrapped in cloth, and they made very little sound when they stepped on the ground.
Xiao Kai roared angrily: "Stop them." He pulled his daughter, turned around and ran towards the ship.
However, when he was still ten feet away from the ship, he suddenly heard a scream from beside him. He turned around and saw the tip of a spear piercing Miss Xiao's chest.
"Xiao Kai, where else do you want to escape?"
Turning around, he saw Dugu De standing on horseback behind him, staring at him with a murderous look on his face.
Xiao Kai pursed his lips a few times, and finally turned into a long sigh.