Zhang Zhiren did not give an immediate reply, but came to his daughter's house in person that night to discuss the matter with them.
"Father, you are here. Is Mo Yan's case not going well?" Zhang Ling welcomed Zhang Zhiyuan into his home. Seeing that the old man looked bad, he couldn't help but become worried.
"That guy just talks hard. There should be nothing wrong with him for now. It's just that the situation is delicate now. If you stay in there for a long time, it may be more dangerous than good." Zhang Zhiren said. The Chen and Xiao families joined forces. If the emperor can't manage things, the prince will be forced to make another decision.
If he gives in, Xu Qinghan, who has always insisted on reducing the vassal status, may be severely punished.
"What should we do?" Zhang Ling asked anxiously.
"Aren't we here to find a solution? Is Xiaoxue here? Ask her to come with us."
"Oh. I have been shutting myself in my room these days. Let me call you."
"Well, then I'll wait in your study."
"Grandpa." Xu Muxue's face was as cold as ice. Ever since she heard the bad news about He Qizhou, she had always had this expression no matter who she faced.
Zhang Zhiren said: "Let me tell you the truth. Xiao Jixiong came to me just now and wanted Xiao Jihuai and Xiaoxue to get married as soon as possible."
"I won't marry!" Xu Muxue's answer was decisive.
Zhang Zhiren said: "Listen to me first and explain the Xiao family's conditions. Then, if you really don't want to marry, then don't marry."
Seeing that Zhang Ling and her daughter were noncommittal, Zhang Zhiren continued:
"Xiao Jixiong said that if the two families get married, they will definitely negotiate with the Chen family to drop the charges against Xu Qinghan, and will try to reinstate his official position. There is no doubt about this. No one wants their in-laws to be criminals.
Officials, they also have this ability;
The second condition is that Xu Qinghan's proposal can be properly promoted and the matter of increasing taxes on Wang Tian's land can be discussed. If the tax is slowly increased to 30% of the average land tax within ten years, they can still accept it;
The third condition is that no matter what happens in the future, the Zhang and Xiao families will share weal and woe. This time the Xiao family will not ask for a new dowry, but will add two thousand taels of gold to the betrothal gift to show their sincerity.
The last condition was a bit false. It was proposed by Xiao Jihuai. He said that he could mobilize all his forces to find the murderer of He Qizhou. He also knew that Xiaoxue could not let go of He Qizhou in her heart yet. If she agreed to get married, he could wait for Xiaoxue to slowly change her mind.
"
Zhang Ling saw a slight change in Xu Muxue's expression, frowned and asked, "Does the Xiao family have any requirements? What did grandpa say?"
Zhang Zhiren shook his head and said: "There are no other conditions. The old man thinks Xiao Jixiong's proposal is very good. It's just that Xiaoxue will decide whether to marry or not."
Zhang Ling said: "Grandpa sent a letter to Xiaoxue, and he wrote one sentence: People cannot be resurrected after death, and women must not have short ambitions."
Zhang Zhiren said: "Father also told me that marrying into the Xiao family should be the best choice..."
"Stop talking, I'll marry you!" Xu Muxue said coldly.
"Xiaoxue, mother didn't force you. If you don't marry, mother won't blame you at all." Zhang Ling hurriedly hugged Xu Muxue, because she always felt that Xiaoxue's expression was a bit scary.
"Don't worry, I will live well. When do they want to get married?" Xu Muxue still had the tone of the living dead.
Zhang Zhiren sighed and said: "The Xiao family wants to complete the marriage while their old master is still alive, so it is best to get married before the end of June."
"Okay." Xu Mu dropped the word and walked back to his house without looking back.
…
On June 22, the second year of Daqi Dingbei, He Qizhou stayed in Shiquyi for a full twenty-one days. He had recovered from the altitude sickness a few days ago, his injuries had stabilized, all his bones had grown back, and his skills had almost recovered.
At 60%.
The mountain road leading to Tuyuhun had been repaired a few days ago. Although He Qizhou was clamoring to leave, he still had to rely on chance. Today, a businessman from Meizhou happened to be staying in the town, preparing to sell porcelain, tea and other goods to Xining. He Qizhou
He became their "cart driver" and set out early tomorrow morning. If everything goes well, he could reach Xining in five days.
These days, He Qizhou has a clear understanding of the situation in Shiqu Town. He has also interviewed the officers who were assigned here due to the Xifengkou case one by one, and confirmed that it was indeed the general who ordered the troops to withdraw, and that the others did not retreat from the battle.
.
Bai Yong is also from the Military Academy, and is currently at the peak of the Eight Meridians. Maybe he knows that there are experts in Shiqu Town, and senior officials in the local county will try their best to send their children to learn skills, so Bai Yong's power is still far away
It's far more than just this town. But his conditions for accepting disciples are extremely harsh, and he has only a few direct disciples.
Xin Leshan was the first disciple he accepted, not because Xin Leshan was the younger brother of the governor of the prefecture, but because this post soldier was willing to endure hardships and would not bully others. Later, the post soldier was promoted to the rank of commander of the border army and commander of the sentry.
, a hundred households, became the head of a local town, and married the daughter of a prison officer. In order to stay here, Xin Leshan even fell out with his brother and pushed for the position of chief arrest in the state capital.
Although there are many criminals among the prisoners, the town has been kept in order by Bai Yong and others, and Wu Cha Si is also happy with it. In addition, Da Qi and Tu Yuhun are on a blind date, so there is not much to do.
He Qizhou made a rough calculation and found that there were three eight-line people, a dozen six- and seven-line people, and a total of more than forty people with four-line and above in the town. If he had barged in that day, the consequences would be really disastrous.
On June 23, before dawn, He Qizhou packed up his luggage, said goodbye to Bai Yong, went to a small town inn, and went to Xining with Meizhou Business Travel.
Leading the yak pulling the cart, I slowly walked towards the towering pass of the Western Mountains. There was a flat mountain road under my feet. I had also put in some effort.
Tu Yuhun's caravans have already entered Shu territory in several batches, and the caravan he followed was the first batch of business travelers to Tu Yuhun.
It took nearly two hours to climb up to the col at the top of the mountain. Suddenly, the eyes opened up. Endless hills, grasslands, and lakes were staggered across the boundless land. In the far distance were the undulating snow-capped mountains, like
It adds a white edge to the earth.
There is also a small town at the foot of the mountain, which looks smaller than Shiqu Town! But the road down the mountain is much straighter. It is only four or five miles away from the top of the mountain.
"Look! What is that?" The leader at the front of the business trip, who was descending the mountain, pointed to the west of the town at the foot of the mountain.
He Qizhou looked intently and saw that a few miles away from the town, about twenty riders were running madly along the business road towards the town, forming a black line of about half a mile, and half a mile behind them was
A long black line, at least hundreds of riders!
Seeing that the long black line was about to connect with the short black line in front, a few riders in front suddenly stopped, seeming to draw their swords to fight, blocking the pursuers from behind. The remaining ten riders continued to rush towards the small line.
Zhen. Zhang's black line was blocked. After a brief pause, he began to pursue again in the blink of an eye.
He Qizhou could see clearly, but the business travelers did not find so many details. He Qizhou, who was in the middle of the business travel, shouted: "The Tuyuhun people are fighting in front, let's stop quickly!"
After he called out like this, the merchant leaders also panicked and hurriedly asked the team that had just crossed the mountain to retreat back. They should return to the Qi border first, so as not to harm Chi Yu in time.
He Qizhou saw a dozen cavalry fleeing in front of him rushing into the town. Not long after, they rushed out of the east gate of the town and headed straight for the mountain col where he was. Within a dozen breaths, the group of pursuers also followed closely.
As they followed, the sound of killing was loud and smoke and dust were everywhere.
"Let's return to Shiqu Town quickly!" a coachman shouted.
"It's too late. Hurry, send people back to the town to ask for reinforcements. Let's retreat to the roadside first."
"There are only a few soldiers in the town? I hope those damn gangs are not coming for us."
"Don't worry about the goods. People should run away first. It's important to save their lives!"...
There were strange noises during the business trip, and many people abandoned their trucks and ran to the hillsides on both sides, where at least there was no way to move horses.
In the blink of an eye, the twelve riders running in front rushed up the mountain col. The riders were old and young, and most of them were gorgeously dressed. The pursuers behind them were all lightly armored, and the one closest to them was only about 45 feet tall.
Got it!
"Get out of the way! The rebels are attacking, hurry up and report!" The runaway shouted while running, asking the merchants to make way. He Qizhou, who was still beside the bullock cart, hurriedly grabbed the bull's head and stepped aside, looking at the twelve riders.
One by one, they rushed down the zigzag mountain road in Qi territory.
The pursuers who had almost reached the top of the mountain seemed hesitant and slowed down slightly. Someone behind them immediately shouted:
"Why are you standing still! Chase! Don't let anyone get away. There aren't many soldiers in this small town!"
From where He Qizhou was standing, he could already see the general shouting. When he saw what he said, he knew something was wrong and hurriedly whipped the yak parked aside. Four or five painful yaks started running around while pulling the cattle.
, blocked the road down the mountain, and the pursuers who were riding at the front could not hold back their feet. The cattle and horses collided, and several people fell off their horses. A large number of pursuers were suddenly blocked at the pass on the top of the mountain.
Everyone in the caravan, including the shopkeeper, had long been frightened and fled along the hillside towards the south of the mountain. He Qizhou was the only one left beside the truck. The general who shouted saw the twelve riders running away and shouted: "
Shoot the driver to death! Pull the ox cart away! Keep chasing!"
He Qizhou hesitated for a moment, should he go over the mountains to Tuyuhun to find Jiang Zhu, or should he return to the town to help Bai Yong fight against the suspicious rebels? When the first arrow came, He Qizhou made a decision and returned to the town!
Lowering his head to avoid the flying arrows, the man quickly rushed down the mountain! The poor yak in front of him was hit by several arrows in the blink of an eye and fell to the ground struggling!
He Qizhou did not go down the mountain along the driveway, but rushed straight towards the town at the bottom of the mountain. The steep slope and nearly vertical cliffs could not slow down his speed. He soon left the sight of the pursuers on the top of the mountain.
The pursuers on the top of the mountain dispersed a few yaks and continued their pursuit. After a brief interruption, they were separated by hundreds of feet by the twelve cavalry in front.
"There is only this small town within a hundred miles, and they can't escape!" The leader of the pursuers was obviously very familiar with the situation in Shiqu Town, but he frowned slightly when he saw the rapidly falling black figure.