"Father, let's talk about business, I have to leave." Wei Yuzhen couldn't stand in front of these two dishonest people, an old man and a young man.
"Junior sister, please walk slowly." Dong Shuheng did not dare to say anything more. If Old Wei knew that his daughter was kidnapped while he was dating, the old man might chop himself with a knife.
"Shu Heng, what do you think about this?" Wei Yuan asked.
"I think this matter was not caused by the Taiping Army. Currently, the Taiping Army in Yangzhou is not well-defended and has no ability to attack. Moreover, Gaoyou is not on the only road between Yangzhou and Tianjing. There is no need for the Taiping Army to waste its troops.
In Gaoyou.”
"So, I think this was a spontaneous act by a group of water bandits. The Taiping Army's successive victories made many bandits see the weakness of the Qing army, and they might want to fish in troubled waters," Dong Shuheng analyzed.
In fact, Dong Shuheng also thought that these people might have come to target his own people. It was just that he happened to meet Miss Zhizhou, and today's incident happened on the spur of the moment.
"Report to Lord Zhizhou, the prisoner has woken up, the doctor has treated him, and his life is not in danger now." At this time, a police officer in his early 30s came to report.
"Oh, Capt. Zhang, did the prisoner confess?" Wei Yuan asked.
"After the prisoner woke up, he refused to speak. Because he is now weak, we dare not use severe punishment for the time being." Zhang Hutou replied.
Wei Yuan turned his head and glanced at Dong Shuheng and said: "Shuheng, come with me to take a look!"
The group of people arrived at Zhizhou Mansion's cell, and Dong Shuheng smelled a foul smell from a distance.
The water bandit was locked up in a separate cell, with two guards guarding the door. When he entered the cell, he saw the water bandit lying on a straw mat with his eyes closed, unmoved even if someone came in.
.
"It seems that this gangster still has some backbone. I have a gentle way to make sure he talks." In the prison cell, Dong Shuheng said to Wei Yuan. After hearing Dong Shuheng's words, the water gangster's eyes twitched twice with obvious disdain.
.
Dong Shuheng asked Capt. Zhang to bring in a wooden bed, move the prisoner onto the wooden bed, and fix his limbs, waist, and neck to the wooden bed with ropes. He also had some yellow papers and pieces of paper prepared.
A basin of water.
Zhang Captou has been working in the government office for a long time, but he can't figure it out. However, seeing that Dong Shuheng is a student of Master Zhizhou, he dare not say anything more.
"Brother Zhang, thank you. I'll treat you to a drink another day!" Dong Shuheng said politely to Zhang Captou. Zhang Captou was also very sensible and didn't dare to say anything.
"Brother Zhang, please take the brothers down to rest for a while. I will stay here with the teacher." Dong Shuheng said again.
After Zhang Captou led the people away, Dong Shuheng first covered the water bandit's face with a piece of yellow paper, and then slowly dripped water on it. The water soaked the yellow paper, and the water bandit's breathing gradually became difficult. After a while, he died.
After the yellow paper was sucked to pieces, Dong Shuheng put another one on top, and the cycle continued.
The water bandit thought to himself: "I just put a piece of yellow paper on me, just to make him confess. I really think of myself as a great immortal." But he soon regretted it. As the yellow paper thickened layer by layer, the water bandit became more and more excited.
The bandit's breathing became more and more difficult, and fear slowly grew in his heart. This was more terrifying than being put on the gallows. At this time, the water bandit would rather Dong Shuheng killed him directly. At this time, the water bandit was thinking
It's: "Is there some kind of spell on the yellow paper? Why can't I breathe? Damn it, this guy is casting a spell on me!" Nowadays, most people are still very superstitious. Some people are not afraid of death, but are afraid of ghosts and gods because they are afraid of death.
Still being tortured.
The strength of the water bandit's struggle on the bed became weaker and weaker. Dong Shuheng smiled evilly, it was almost over.
Wei Yuan watched quietly from the side. He knew that Dong Shuheng had many bad ideas.
The yellow paper was gradually uncovered, and the water bandit was panting like a fish out of water. Anjing stared at Dong Shuheng as if he were an evil ghost.
"Name?"
"Zhao Shuigou."
"Place of origin?"
"Tianshui, Anhui."
…
…
The water bandit Zhao Shuigou no longer dared to pretend to be a big-tailed wolf. He reported all the things he knew. He and another water bandit came to find out when the Dong family's regiment training would arrive in Gaoyou on the orders of Lai Da, the Qiaojiajian water bandit leader.
Unexpectedly, when I was following Dong Shuheng, I accidentally discovered Miss Zhizhou. I thought that if I could capture it and take it back, I would do a great job...
Sure enough... Dong Shuheng felt clear in his heart.
"Hmph! This group of water bandits is very ambitious. How many people do you have?" Wei Yuan asked the water bandits.
"Sir, there are more than a thousand men from the old camp, and there are three to four thousand newly joined young men. Our plan is to capture Gaoyou City, and then kill the team. The boss said that the team is all
There is nothing to be afraid of if you have never seen blood. When the time comes, you can use this to join the Taiping Army, and then everyone can become a high official."
Dong Shuheng smiled, and Wei Yuan looked at Dong Shuheng and also smiled.
"Shu Heng, come and write your confession and ask him to sign it. It should be written that the long-haired naval army and five thousand people want to attack Gaoyou City."
Dong Shuheng immediately understood that if this matter could finally be confirmed, it would be a great achievement. By then, both himself and the teacher would be able to make further progress.
After getting the confession, Dong Shuheng quickly followed Wei Yuan out of the prison cell. This place was so smelly that it was really not a place for people to stay. When leaving, Wei Yuan looked at Zhang Captou meaningfully and said: "Zhang Debang, this person is no longer useful.
Already."
"Yes, sir, I know what to do." Zhang Debang is also an old man, and he quickly understood.
"Shuheng, how many troops do you have now?" Wei Yuan asked Dong Shuheng on the way back.
"This time I brought more than 1,300 people, two infantry battalions and three companies from the teaching battalion. Oh, this battalion and company is an organization I modeled on the Western powers. All soldiers are equipped with muskets."
"Oh...I heard that you also hired foreign instructors. I will definitely go to your camp to take a look when I have time someday." Wei Yuan said. He knew that this apprentice was well versed in foreign affairs, but military training was not just what he said.
It's not just about spending money to buy equipment, you will definitely be able to build a strong army.
"If you were asked to fight against this group of water bandits alone, how sure would you be?" Wei Yuan continued to ask.
"Master, originally I was only 50% sure, but now that we know their plan, I am 90% sure." Dong Shuheng said confidently.
Wei Yuan didn't know much about the comparison. He thought he was incompetent in military affairs. Maybe this time he could test Dong Shuheng's ability.
"Report, Lord Zhizhou, there are ten representatives of Gaoyou gentry outside asking for an audience." This was a report from a police officer.
The two looked at each other and smiled, saying to themselves: "It came so fast!"
"These iron roosters can't sit still so quickly." Wei Yuan joked, "You stay away for a while, I'll go see them." After saying that, he went to the central hall, while Dong Shuheng went to the back garden.
After a while, ten representatives of the gentry in rich and colorful clothes were brought over. The leader was He Zhangcheng, the head of the salt merchant He family. Seeing Wei Yuan coming, everyone stood up and worshiped: "Come in, Master Zhizhou."
"You all are highly respected by me, Gaoyou. Why don't you come to me to discuss anything?" Wei Yuan asked.
"Lord Zhizhou, we heard that the bandits are going to attack Gaoyou, but I don't know if this is true." He Zhangcheng asked.
"It's true." Wei Yuan said and took out the confession and passed it on to everyone one by one. In fact, there was one aspect of this confession specifically for them to see.
"This... what should we do? Five thousand thieves! Master Zhizhou, you are the official of Gaoyou, you must make the decision for us." After everyone saw it, their faces turned pale. They can run away,
But the industry cannot escape Gaoyou City. And everyone has heard about what the bandits did in Yangzhou City, and it was only the rich people like them who did it.
"Don't worry, everyone. I have already sent a letter to Mr. Qishan and Mr. Yang, the governor. I believe they will come to rescue me in Gaoyou soon. The bandits are coming. I swear to live and die with Gaoyou City!" Wei Yuan said calmly.
.
Seeing the old god Wei Yuan looking at ease, everyone felt even more unreliable. Counting on the Qing army was afraid that the day lily would be cold. Who wants you to live and die with the city? You are the second old man, your official uniform is patched, and you don’t have any at home.
What property!
"Lord Zhizhou! Far water cannot quench the thirst of the near. At this time, we still need to organize a regiment to go to the city to help defend." He Zhangcheng said, "Sir, we and other common people are willing to contribute funds to recruit regiments." This was what they had agreed on in advance.
, the so-called spending money to eliminate disasters, anyway, this money is shared by each family after discussion. At this time, there is no time to talk to Zhizhou.
"But where can I recruit regiment members in such a short period of time? Besides, the regiment members have no training, lack of weapons, and have little fighting power!"
"What should we do?" Everyone looked at each other and whispered to each other in low voices.
At this time, an old man said: "Who said there are no soldiers available?" Everyone looked around and saw Hu Naikang, the mayor of Xiejia Town, hiding in the crowd and saying.
"There is currently a regiment training army stationed in the east of our Shijia Town. After many days of observing this army's diligent training, Lao Lao has to run five kilometers every day and practice for more than half a day. It has excellent equipment and everyone is equipped with muskets. The discipline is strict.
I have been stationed outside the town for many days without any harm to the people of my town, and I also helped pave roads and build bridges in the town."
When everyone heard this, they all looked at Lao Hu with disbelief. What did the soldiers of the Qing Dynasty look like? Didn't they have any clues?
Lao Hu, are you talking nonsense again?
"Ahem..." After a slight cough, Wei Yuan interrupted: "The regiment you are talking about came from Dongtai and was going to pay the bandits to Governor Yang. It was just passing through. How can it be used?"
Everyone was disappointed again.
"However, you said that this is an elite soldier, which is indeed true. Alas... the key is that they will not obey the orders of their officers!"
Everyone's mood was like a roller coaster. It is really not easy to find an army that can protect oneself and abide by the rules these days.
"No, stay, you must keep this army, it is related to your wealth and life!" Everyone looked at each other and thought in their hearts.
"In this way, I will sacrifice my dignity and go with you to convince the other party's leader to see if the other party can stay in Gaoyou for a few days." Wei Yuan said.
Everyone immediately had a backbone and agreed to go to the Shijia Town barracks in the afternoon.