It had been two days since the thunderstorm. The sky had cleared up, and all things were growing on the land that had lost its winter atmosphere. When the carriage stopped at the inn, the big shot from the capital got out.
In the recent period, with Sipinggang as the center, the nearby towns and villages have not been peaceful. Of course, such unevenness can only be felt by those with a keen sense of smell. For ordinary people, it is only in nearby towns.
There are a little more bandits in the area, and there are a few bloody cases occasionally. If they don't affect your family, you don't need to worry about it. After all, if on weekdays, some gangsters beat their heads to pieces in the villages and towns,
There are all of them.
From the perspective of the people in the green forest near Sipinggang, or the people involved, starting from the sudden attack of Tie Tianying Zong Feixiao and others on February 11, the next few days were really bloody, and everything was covered with soldiers. Five days
time
, the nearby towns have actually been plowed back and forth several times by people from the Ministry of Punishment. Not only the absconding remnants of the Yongle Dynasty were swept away, but some nearby underworld figures and people in the green forest were also greatly affected. Although Sipinggang was nearby,
Although they are all places of peace, there are actually several relatively stable bandit villages in the surrounding mountains. This situation is actually the norm everywhere except Jiangnan, the richest place. They do not usually hurt people casually.
The most common thing people do when it comes to their lives is to collect protection fees from passing escort teams. Of course, sometimes it is inevitable to go wild. Under the tremendous pressure these days, several bandit villages have been forced to disband and flee.
What ordinary people think is the deterioration of public security and the riots of the Green Forest people is another situation for another kind of people. For them, even if the current incident affects one party, it is not even a trivial matter.
, sometimes taking a look is often for a special result. Zuo Houwen, who just arrived here, is one of such people.
As the person in charge of the Zuo family in the capital, the cousin of the great scholar Zuo Duanyou. He came here more because he happened to be on the way. For him, all he cares about in the complicated situation over the past few days is just a simple word.
Just: "How's the situation?"
"The remnants of Yongle led by Fang Baihua are at the end of their fight. Although they are still on the run for the time being, Tie Baotou and Zong Baotou have mainly blocked the southwest escape route. They have been narrowing their circle in the past few days. I believe it won't be long...
…”
After getting off the bus, Zuo Houwen walked towards the inn. What greeted him next to him was Fan Zhong, the third chief arrester of the Criminal Department who arrived yesterday. At this time, there were a total of seven chief arresters of the Criminal Department, and now three of them have gathered.
At this point, Fan Zhong had a close relationship with the Zuo family, so he was summoned by Zuo Houwen. However, after he spoke a few words, Zuo Houwen waved his hand as he walked away.
"How are Fang Baihua and Fang Qifu? Master Wang's people will take care of them. How about the accounts?"
Fan Zhong nodded: "The one who brought the accounts north this time was Deng Yuanjue, who was known as Baoguang Tathagata. This man was one of the four generals when he was under Fang La, and was quite troublesome. But now they are deliberately making a noise, and they have already
We have cut off our path. Now Fang Baihua
They are in the southwest, while Deng Yuanjue and other bandits are in the north. It seems that they are planning to go to the capital and make the accounts public, creating an opportunity for Fang Baihua and others to escape. But... it is unlikely that they will escape.
It will probably take three to five days at most to see the outcome."
"How do you feel, Mr. Fan, about the reliability of the accounts?"
"This... I dare not speak nonsense, but it seems that there are many people who care about this matter."
As he was talking, Zuo Houwen had already arrived at the back of the inn. A servant girl was leading the way and opened the door to the decorated room. Zuo Houwen waved his hand and motioned for Fan Zhong to come in and sit down. His face was simple, but his movements were astonishing.
But he had an aura that no one could question. After Fan Zhong sat down, he waved his hand to let the maid go out, and then personally poured Fan Zhong a cup of tea and placed it in front of her.
"Since everyone wants it, it's a good thing. Mr. Fan is the best at this. As an outsider, I won't say anything more. The implications of this account can be big or small. It has something to do with my Zuo family.
But it’s not big after all, but...it’s better to fall into your own hands than to fall into someone else’s hands, so Mr. Fan will take care of everything.”
Fan Zhong took the tea and drank it. When he was about to leave, he remembered something: "I wonder how long Mr. Zuo will stay when he comes here this time?"
"It will take about two or three days to wait for your good news. What?"
"Well, recently, there has been a mix of dragons and snakes nearby, and it's really not peaceful. The Ministry of Punishment's big call scared some people away, but after all, Fang Baihua and others have bounties on their bodies, and there are also many green forest figures who have come here in the past few days.
Those who seek fame and fortune, or there are hidden clues arranged by other people, including... people from the Right Prime Minister's Mansion and the Secret Investigation Department... Although there are not many, it is inevitable that there will be complications. Zuo Gong is staying here, so please be careful and take care.
"
Zuo Houwen nodded and smiled: "I understand, thank you, Chief Fan, for reminding me." After the incident at Sipinggang, Fang Baihua and others were chased and blocked in this area. Some Green Forest people were driven out, but there were more.
I came here from different channels and could barely open one and a half.
The Heroes Conference is here. The reason why Fan Zhong came here is for this reason. However, the Zuo family has a profound background, and Zuo Houwen naturally has experts to protect him. It is enough to just mention it, but one of them caught his attention:
"The Secret Investigation Department is also here. Who is here?"
"There are not many people. There are about twenty people who came. The leader is a scholar named Cheng Zhouhai from the Prime Minister's Mansion. They came late and their roots are not deep. They can't find out too many things. They are quite abiding by the rules.
. Then Cheng Zhouhai can’t do much. Now he has to visit Tie Bao for the first time every day. It’s called ventilation. In fact, he may be trying to make excuses. But... he can’t find out too much.”
Zuo Houwen nodded: "I understand. Cheng Zhouhai... I have heard that he is Qin Siyuan's disciple, and he is not simple. Just be careful."
"Yes." Fan nodded and was about to leave, but then hesitated, "Xiaoguan heard that the Secret Investigation Department's affairs on Lulin's side are now being handled by a person named Ning Yi. I heard
It is said that this person acted in an eccentric way. When Zuo Gong was in the capital, he didn’t know..."
"He's just a man who wants to get rich." Zuo Houwen smiled and tapped the table with his fingers casually. "Maybe it's because of this that he acts more ruthlessly. Qin Xiang is good at using this kind of people, but he is not a gentleman.
The way is not on the stage, so don’t pay attention to it.”
"Yes. I'm leaving."
"Go ahead."
The exchanges between the two parties were casual. After Fan Zhong left, Zuo Houwen frowned slightly. Then he shook his head to clear his thoughts.
***************
In a small town, matters related to the life and death of hundreds of people only occupy a small part of Zuo Houwen's thoughts. But for the people involved, it requires life-saving arrangements and efforts. As time goes by
As time went by, the situation that had once become chaotic began to become clear again.
Leaving aside the few people who were completely dispersed, at least on both sides of the crowd, one side was led by Deng Yuanjue and An Xifu, holding account books and showing an attitude of heading north. The other side was still led by Fang Baihua. This group
People were fighting and fleeing, suffering heavy casualties. They wanted to cross the southwest hills and enter the branches of the Dabie Mountains in order to gain a chance of survival.
However, in just a few days, the whole situation changed very quickly. From the night of November 1st when Tie Tianying and others took action, the subsequent pursuit and escape never stopped. The joint efforts of several states and counties
On the one hand, the hunt was to dig out the bandits who had been scattered, and on the other hand, the fighting was going on at any time. Fang Baihua and others were changing directions and hiding their traces.
Tie Tianying and Zong Feixiao are also desperately mobilizing troops and generals amid the chaotic and complicated messages. Information on people who are arrested, dead and injured every day, or green forest masters who mysteriously appear, are gathered one by one.
They were overwhelmed. Being able to sort out the clues and finally suppress the traces of the two groups of people within a certain range was enough to prove their experience in this area.
When all the information became clear again, everyone understood that the matter would only be revealed in the next day or two. There was certainly a possibility of Fang Baihua and others escaping. But this possibility was already quite slim.
When the water dries up, the fish will die. For Fang Baihua and others, this is exactly the situation they are facing now. When they were suddenly washed away, there was still room for people in the surrounding counties and counties to move. However, when time passed, the iron
Tianying and Zong Feixiao led everyone to gradually sort things out.
, there were fewer and fewer places to move around. In just a few days, the only way out for them was to escape to the southwest into the mountains, but at this time, there were also many obstacles in the direction leading to the Dabie Mountains.
It happened to be the focus of defense for the Iron Sky Eagle people.
And these things are also understandable to them.
The afternoon sun shone on the rocks in the mountains and forests. When he looked up at the sunshine, Du Sha pursed his lips. The blood on his pale face floated for a moment, and then returned to the terrifying paleness.
He only has one hand left.
It took only two or three days after his arm was broken, but he was able to wake up, speak, walk, and even raise a knife to kill again. The thin man in front of him seemed to have another incredible demon supporting him at this time.
, even when Luo Bingren sent water, he weakly and firmly made a decision: "Go and tell the princess... we are not leaving."
In the nearby mountain col, gathered at this time were the last dozens of people Fang Baihua could take with him, and most of them were injured. Making such a decision at the moment was a bit emotional, but Du Sha said this
Then Luo Bingren understood his reason. In a sense, he had been waiting for Du Sha or someone to say it.
So he went to tell Fang Baihua about it. Sitting in the shadow of the strange rocks, the equally haggard but determined middle-aged woman looked up at him, then stood up with a spear in her hand. At this time, someone was already talking next to her.
"What are you doing! Luo Bingren! You bastards are going to retreat! At this time!?"
"Shut up!" Fang Baihua scolded the person next to him, looked at Luo Bingren, and then at the several Ba Dao members around him, "You know, at this time, the only way to survive is to go southwest and into the mountains."
"That's not true." Luo Bingren smiled, "The princess also knows that if you hold each other together at this time, you will die early. If you are alone, there are few people, but you may fish in troubled waters and leave a life."
What Luo Bingren said, in fact, everyone understands that the biggest purpose of Tie Tianying, Zong Feixiao and others is to capture Fang Baihua. Although the search for those who are scattered is also strict, there are always a very few people.
, could get away with it. In the past few days, some people have actually realized this and chosen to leave alone.
——Of course, most of them will still be captured and killed. As for the ones left behind, most of them are Fang La, a die-hard loyalist under Fang Baihua. The uprising failed, the rescue failed, and many of his companions were killed or injured. If it happens again,
If they leave alone, they will have nothing, not to mention, the chance of survival if they leave alone is not great.
But as for the reason why Ba Dao and others want to stay, everyone will understand it after a while.
Because Liu Xigua is missing.
Two days ago, Liu Xigua, Fang Shuchang, and Qian Luoning went out to inquire about the situation. This was originally one of the top martial arts masters in the team. Later, Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning came back and told Lu Yu about Lin Echan. It was expected that they would leave first.
After that, the west
Xigua must have been able to run away, but later it was discovered that he had fallen into the trap and Xigua never came back. When they were transferred that day, Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning felt guilty and chose to stay and wait for clearer news. It is said that they later became friends with Zong Feixiao.
Hand, wounded and left.
The next day, during a close encounter with a group of Sikong Nan's men, the news came out that Liu Xigua was defeated by Lin Echan and had been killed by their leader and his body was thrown into the river.
This news came out after they captured a few of them and forced them to interrogate them. It is not without credibility. Only the fact that they were dead but not their bodies gave people some hope. However, at this time, there was still no news. Du Sha and others
, and didn’t want to leave anymore.
Fang Baihua couldn't say anything. Not long after, the afterglow of the setting sun shone down, and the people in the valley were divided into two groups. One group went to the southwest, and a few people in the other group stood in the light. Looking back at the way they came, they didn't know what to do.
Where to go...
*****************
A large group of officers and soldiers quickly walked through the mountain roads. On the nearby foothills, Zong Feixiao was riding a horse and watching everything.
The positions of Fang Baihua and others have been almost determined. The next step is to sweep away one after another. He is unwilling to disperse his strength to alert the snake. Without overwhelming power, even if he wins, it will be easy to rush these people again.
Scatter. The opponents are all masters. Once they are dispersed, there are very few people who can be captured. Only by surrounding them with overwhelming force at once can the battle be completed.
Anyway... they have reached despair. At this time, without severe external stimulation, the remaining people should still stick together.
In one day... or at most two days, the matter will be over, and they can go to Beijing to show their merits.
As long as there will be no side effects...
He calculated the situation again in his mind, including Sikong Nan, Lin Erchan, the people on Fang Baihua's side, Deng Yuanjue's force that suddenly came out, and the green forest and grass gathered around this time, and even the secret agents.
The small group of people in the company... After thinking about these one by one, I confirmed again that there should not be too many factors beyond calculation involved.
And just as he was passing through this mountain ridge, a team of more than 20 people gathered in a small town more than ten miles away here was moving forward. The leader was probably in his forties, with a strong build and superb martial arts.
One of Tianying's deputies is the head catcher named Tian Li. They came here today for a piece of information, but just now they had an encounter with another group of people outside the town.
Right now, people around me are talking about this.
"Brother Tian, what is the background of that scholar just now? He has been coming in and out of our camp every day for the past two days."
"There are only about twenty people from the Secret Investigation Department here. They can't get much information. They want to talk to us. Why are you so curious? In this business, don't ask around when you have nothing to do."
"No, I heard that this man is from the capital... We are just wondering why a scholar would get involved in such a thing. The world is not peaceful right now. Is he tired of living..."
"The Secret Investigation Department always does some weird things. We still don't know what they do." Tian Li sneered, "It's not surprising that a scholar has never been exposed to these things and always wants to intervene.
.In the past, when I was working on cases, there were too many scholars who didn’t understand anything and insisted on pointing fingers. When they died, they wouldn’t even understand..."
"But having said that, Brother Tian, there are quite a few people involved in this matter. The man named Lin Zongwu also said that he wanted to challenge Zhou Tong. Is that reliable?"
"You are qualified to challenge Grandmaster Zhou. If you want to win, forget it." Tian Li smiled, "But speaking of it, there are too many masters around this time. Just for our side, I, Tian Li, am usually in the arena.
It's considered top-notch, but now we have to line up a seat, and even the top ten in terms of skill can't get in... Fang Baihua's side, although a little embarrassed, is still the same.
Top. Fang Baihua is powerful in her own right, let alone Baoguang Tathagata and Deng Yuanjue. I may not be able to stand up to one of the three of them. Liu Dabiao, the domineering sword... Her father is really powerful, even if he challenges Zhou Tong, he won't be afraid.
The kind of person who is vague. Although Liu Xigua is a woman, her skills are not inferior to Fang Baihua's. Unfortunately, I heard that she was killed by Lin Zongwu..."
He paused: "As for Lin Zongwu, he used to be called Lin Echan. He was the Demon Buddha more than ten years ago. He was very powerful. When he became famous, I didn't understand anything... Wang Nanda was also qualified to challenge Master Zhou.
Yes, they also have a lot of talented people. They are very strong... As for the Green Forest people who came to join in the fun this time, it seems that there are many good players. Let's get together with these people to compete.
, it’s just a little bit worse... But to be honest, if I encounter these people when working on a case on weekdays, I always take a detour, and this time there are too many people... Like the Secret Investigation Department, a scholar is just a pure
I just wanted to watch the excitement...but there is no need to offend him. He is from Beijing after all, so I just said hello to him, which was considered friendly. To give him face, so that we can meet each other in the future..."
At this point, Tian Li stopped, looked ahead, and then lowered his voice: "It's almost done, just ahead."
He winked at everyone, and the group of detectives immediately stopped chatting and dispersed around and to the front. After a while, they surrounded a small courtyard.
Everyone hid under the wall. Just as they were about to hit the door or climb over the wall, suddenly, there was a loud noise from behind the courtyard, and the sound of breaking the door was accompanied by the sound of weapons clashing. Someone was shouting: "Catch him..."
"It's the Tyrant Sword Bandit..."
"Don't let him run away...ah——"
Everyone rushed over there immediately, and those who rushed out from inside were Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning, who had been recovering here for two days.
The sun tilted slightly and turned red. There were still a few hours before the expected but unexpected battle. This was just a small episode in the drama caused by the Seven Buddhas near Sipinggang, but
A moment later, Tian Li, who was not an important participant, was shocked by a scene that he had never expected.
That was what happened after chasing Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning, who were still injured, for a few streets. At that time, everyone had already made a plan to pursue them. After Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning recovered from their injuries, they still had astonishing emotions.
Skill, they chose to avoid the attack at first
Rui, the strategy of encirclement and consumption. After the battle, the warning gong sounded in the town. Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning ran to a street. When they saw people coming to kill them in front and behind, they chose a side road to escape.
Then, they seemed to see someone.
The two of them raised their swords to kill at the same time. The figure disappeared over there, and only a few ping-ping sounds were heard. The intensity was shocking, and a beam of sword light flew into the sky, but it was Fang Shuchang's sword that was beaten into pieces.
Two pieces flew out, and the next moment, Fang Shuchang was completely knocked out. He vomited blood and sprinkled it across the sky. He rolled on the ground a few times and lost consciousness.
Qian Luoning shouted. Everyone had rushed to the intersection and looked over there. Surprisingly, there was only one person fighting with Fang and Qian on the street. But at this moment, when that figure simply confronted Qian Luoning
After Ning used a few moves, he suddenly pushed with two palms
On Qian Luoning's body, the two palms hit one in the chest and one in the lower abdomen. They seemed to be silent, but the body moved forward extremely fast. Qian Luoning's steps seemed to have left the ground and rushed half a foot away.
The street suddenly hit the earthen wall on the roadside.
The earthen wall collapsed, smoke billowed, and Qian Luoning's body fell into it. There was no sound for a moment. The figure who was fighting with the two leaned over and threw aside the steel knife on the ground. He stood up, took out a handkerchief, and wiped it.
Wiped the blood on his face.
Not far away, more than 20 people from the Secret Investigation Department were quickly arriving.
Tian Li opened his mouth and stared dumbly at the figure of the scholar in robes in the smoke. Because Fang Shuchang spit out blood on half of his face when he flew out, and he wiped it again at this time, causing half of his face to become strange
When the subordinates of the Red Secret Investigation Department came over, they looked at this scene with some dumbfounded eyes, but the scholar just said coldly and simply: "Arrest him."
The young man named Cheng Zhouhai looked here. For a moment, a friendly smile appeared on his indifferent expression: "What a coincidence, Mr. Tian."
"You...you..." Tian Li frowned, his thoughts a little confused. He was now a master in the green forest, and most of the detectives around him understood the level of skill of Fang Shuchang and Qian Luoning.
Just now, they thought that there were only about twenty people from the Secret Investigation Department.
I can't get involved in this matter, but judging from the scene in front of me, this young man's skills have reached an advanced level, and the few moves he just fought with Qian Luoning are really exquisite and heart-wrenching. At this time, the secret agent
In their eyes, Si's existence suddenly turned into a vicious wolf lying on the side.
Sure enough, I heard that the Right Prime Minister is shrewd, and the Secret Investigation Department actually sent such a person. He is really not easy to mess with... With this thought in his mind, everyone in the Secret Investigation Department over there had already tied up Fang Shuchang and Qian.
Luo Ning. The man named Cheng Zhouhai over there said gently: "Captain Tian seems to have something to say. If you and I have something to say, please don't be polite."
Tian Li swallowed: "These...these two people are actually being hunted by our Criminal Department..."
"Oh?" The other party's voice paused, and after a moment, he tilted his head with an intriguing expression, "So, you are going to..."
The words came slowly: "... seizing food from the tiger's mouth?"
After a moment of silence, Tian Li suddenly laughed: "How could it be possible, how could it be possible, Mr. Cheng misunderstood, misunderstood..." He decided that based on his own level, it would be better not to negotiate with the leader of the Secret Investigation Department for the time being...
******************
When the sunset turned orange, Chen Fan finished feeding Ji Qian'er the last mouthful of porridge, and then looked at the sunshine.
Sometimes, perhaps it was destiny's luck. In two days, when he was determined to die, the expected pursuit did not come this way. Chen Fan himself knew how to treat injuries and take medicine. In two days,
The time that hung on Ji Qianer's life also made other things begin to become clear.
Putting down the porridge bowl, he placed Ji Qian'er's mandarin duck knife on the inside of the bed. Ji Qian'er's hand showed a somewhat cheerful smile.
"I'm leaving."
"Now?"
Ji Qian'er looked at him there.
"I guess it's almost time..."
Two days were enough for him to go out and collect some information, including Fang Baihua's approximate whereabouts, including Deng Yuanjue, An Xifu's, the general actions of the Criminal Department, Si Kongnan and others, and even the disappearance of... Liu Xigua.
The water was almost dry and the fish was about to emerge from it, so he had no reason to stay.
Although it is said that if he chooses to stay out of the matter, both he and Ji Qian'er may survive. No matter how you look at the things outside, it seems that there is no possibility of recovery. But sometimes, a man has to do something knowing that he cannot do it.
Ji Qian'er also understands these.
"Xiaofan..."
"Um?"
"Master said before that if a person is going to die, he must hold his head up."
"..." Chen Fan was silent for a moment and smiled, "I have no intention of dying... but if I really want to die..." He tilted his head.
Ji Qian'er also smiled: "Xiaofan, my family member is also dead. If you go too, don't worry about me. I will kill a few more people and then catch up with you."
Chen Fan laughed silently, but he was slightly affectionate and nostalgic. After a while, he said: "Sister Qian'er, I remember when I was young, I watched you practice swordsmanship, and then wanted to defeat you. I started later than you, but
Now I'm better than you... I can walk very fast, if you want to catch up, you have to hurry up."
He took a breath, and then suddenly said: "But, don't believe this impossible thing again after seeing my body. Someone calculated it for me when I was a child, saying that I was a general who succeeded in killing ten thousand bones.
How could I die before I was invincible? After all, you are a woman, and your experience is still shallow...I'm leaving, take good care of your injuries..."
When listening to him speaking, Ji Qian'er smiled and closed her eyes, turning her head inwards. Chen Fan waved his hand and walked towards the door. Not long after, when Ji Qian'er turned around, the setting sun had swallowed up that determined back.
There is a piece of orange...
The night is falling, and the mountains and forests are sneaky.
The wind howls...
***************
I originally wanted to update before twelve o'clock, but unfortunately I couldn't make it in the end...