The devil is coming

Chapter 453 Night Road
Situ Lei is a legend. Even if his successive defeats at the Snow Customs in his later years were taken into account and the barbarians entered the customs, it is still impossible to completely deny the brilliance of his life.
The emergence of legends always needs stepping stones and foils.
The place where Situ Lei made his fortune was in Zhennanguan.
This bastard, who was not valued at first, accumulated rich military exploits and prestige by winning consecutive victories against the Chu people at Zhennanguan, and then he was able to return to Yingdu to fight with his two brothers in the temple. A showdown.
Zhennanguan corresponds to Shanggu County of the Chu people. This is also the battlefield where the Chu and Situ families have fought several times. Due to frequent wars, the population and various industries in Shanggu County are not very developed. Many places can even be said to be extremely desolate.
Not only did the Jin people come in to plunder them, but when the Chu army went out on an expedition, they would also frequently recruit local people to serve the army. Under this kind of double exploitation by both the enemy and ourselves, it would be damned if Shanggu County could still become rich.
Originally, when the Chu people captured Zhennanguan and the Qingluan Army entered the Jin Dynasty, the people of Shanggu County wept with joy, thinking that they finally no longer had to suffer from the war, and that as border people, they could enjoy the hinterland. The treatment of the common people.
Unexpectedly, news of the defeat on the front line came. The Yan people, who had been defeated in the early stage, suddenly defeated the barbarians and captured Yupan City. In the end, the Yan people's troops pointed directly at Zhennanguan Pass.
The war between Yan and Chu was about to break out. This atmosphere completely dampened the confidence and enthusiasm of the people in Shanggu County for their future life.
The most obvious point is,
In this inn next to the post road, the boss was listlessly calculating, and the waiter was leaning there and taking a nap.
It's not that there are no guests in the inn, but the guests in the inn also have the same mood.
The imperial court ordered the requisition of grain to support the army ahead.
In order to save trouble and cost, the method of exchanging salt for grain was adopted, which meant that Chu merchants were encouraged to purchase grain from various places and then organize the transportation. After arriving at the border, when you handed over the grain, the court would give you salt, which was equivalent to giving You have a certain share of the qualifications to sell salt.
This naturally attracted many merchants to organize caravans to transport grain. However, when everyone worked hard to bring the grain, the court suddenly changed its mind. The originally agreed upon salt quota suddenly dropped by nearly [-]%, while the remaining The remaining [-]% needs to be filled with other things.
Good guy, in this way, after deducting the costs, these merchants actually ended up with a net loss!
The reason is that Chu State is nominally a monopoly on salt and iron, but in fact, the big nobles from all over the country have the right to self-develop salt and iron in their fiefdoms, and some can even make money privately.
The Chu court had just recovered from the Rebellion for the Progeny, and the treasury was already empty after some internal strife. Mi Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue originally wanted to use this method to reduce the pressure on the court to support the front line, but the salt allocated by the Ministry of Revenue was not enough. In name, it is the salt field of the imperial court, but in fact most of it is within the fiefdoms of the great nobles.
Now the nobles quit and immediately began to make noises. Under pressure, the Ministry of Revenue had to modify the strategy.
The great nobles felt that they could "relieve the troubles" for the country by "ruining the family and relieving the trouble". If they accepted half of it, they were considered extremely conscientious and loyal to the emperor, and they also gave face to the court and the regent;
After some mediation by the Ministry of Finance, half of the Shiobei share was saved, which could be regarded as continuing the matter and maintaining the dignity of the court;
As for whether the merchants responsible for transporting grain make money or lose money, that is not what the big men care about.
It's a loss, it's definitely a loss, but you really have no place to reason. The imperial court changes its orders overnight. Does it need your consent?
At the same time, it's not enough if you don't sell it. Maybe you have to transport the grain back again, and the loss will be even greater!
As for the people sitting in this inn, most of them were merchants who were transporting grain there, and everyone was very downcast.
"Are you used to this meal?"
Sitting in the corner, a man asked the handsome boy sitting next to him.
"It's okay, I'm not that squeamish. Didn't I eat the steamed buns you sent me before?"
Rice is a kind of existence between stir-fried vegetables and steamed rice. It is not hot yet. It should be steamed in large pots and bowls early.
The rice is also covered with a layer of soybean paste, which is so satisfying.
When I asked if there was anything else to eat, the waiter said there was none. He also smiled and said that the owner was planning to close the inn in ten days. Even the cook had already been fired. The reason why the waiter was still here was Because he and his boss were from the same hometown, they had to go back together.
Therefore, the inn now only provides this kind of food and tea, and even the wine is gone. Because food is expensive, the price of the wine shop has also gone up, and the shopkeeper is worried that he will not be able to sell it after he comes in.
Fortunately,
The princess is really not squeamish;
All the way from Zhou County, I first hired people to go by myself, and then followed the team of other grain transport merchants. It was not easy to eat or sleep in the open, but it was still a tiring journey, and the princess did not complain at all.
Every night before going to bed, I remember to give Uncle Zheng some foot-washing water to wash his feet.
The princess ate slowly,
I looked up at Uncle Zheng,
asked:
"Why don't you eat?"
"I'm not used to it."
"………"Princess.
this moment,
The princess is really confused, who is the princess between herself and him?
After dinner, it was getting dark outside, so Uncle Zheng took the princess upstairs.
Because the inn is about to close and the owner is preparing to evacuate, there are no beddings in the guest rooms, so you have to bring your own. As for the room fee, they only charge a nominal fee.
After laying down the bedding, Zheng Fan took out the iron box, took out a cigarette and put it in front of his nose.
"If you want to smoke, just smoke."
The princess knew it was tobacco.
Uncle Zheng shook his head and said, "It will leave a smell on your body."
"You are so cautious."
"It's not just so that we can go back safely."
"Yes, my uncle."
"I'll find someone to deliver the grain and grass we brought tomorrow morning, and then we'll go into the mountains."
Zhennanguan is the choke point from Jin to Chu, but it does not mean that it is completely impossible to pass through Zhennanguan.
It's still passable, but the road is very difficult and not suitable for soldiers and horses at all.
"Well."
The princess lay down obediently and began to rest.
Uncle Zheng also lay down and closed his eyes.
Because there is no other demon king around except Mowan, Zheng Fan has to consider and arrange many things by himself. The identity of this grain transport merchant was arranged by the Fan family before, but on the way eastward, Uncle Zheng No one from the Fan family was contacted again.
Firstly, as you go eastward, the influence of the Fan family begins to decrease; secondly, Uncle Zheng doesn't trust anyone now.
At this time, the princess with her eyes closed said: "It is said that there are many wild animals in the mountains, and there are also groups of thieves."
"It's not a big problem." Uncle Zheng said.
I still have this bit of self-confidence. No matter what, I am still a sixth-grade warrior.
"Ah."
The princess really started to rest and her breathing became even.
Uncle Zheng also put aside other thoughts in his mind and fell asleep.
...
Early the next morning, Zheng Fan got up, found a merchant who was also on the road, delivered his own grain, settled the account with Lifu who had followed him from Zhou County, and let them go back.
Later, Uncle Zheng took the princess directly from here to the north instead of east, and entered the mountain.
Occasionally resting along the way, he was still on the road most of the time. When night fell, Uncle Zheng found a cave to camp.
The green python swam over, opened its mouth, and dropped a large piece of deer leg meat.
A few days ago, Zheng Fan and the princess were walking on the road, and the green python was following at a distance in the forest. After entering the mountain, it could be revealed, but it really didn't like Zheng Fan, so it left the venison behind. Then he turned around and wandered away again.
Uncle Zheng lit up the fire, briefly processed the venison, and started grilling it.
The princess is checking the soles of her feet;
"Is it a bubble?" Zheng Fan asked.
"Well, kind of."
Zheng Fan took out a needle, roasted it on the fire, handed it to the princess, and said, "Pick it carefully."
The princess took the needle and couldn't help complaining:
"You should walk slower today."
The princess is a golden girl. It is her first time to go into the mountains. The mountain road is not easy to walk, so it needs a process of adaptation. However, Zheng Fan pulled her along today and walked very quickly and urgently.
"I don't want to cause trouble. Didn't the food and grass we brought with us along the way to hide others' eyesight be handed over to our colleagues today?"
"Yes what's the matter?"
"I delivered some money, but I can't guarantee it..."
"Isn't it?"
"These days, if you dare to do business, where are the innocent people? Do you still think that the people of Chu are simple and honest?"
"It sounds like it wouldn't be like this in your country of Yan."
"It's all like this, it's all like this. This is how I made my fortune earlier by robbing others."
"I didn't expect Mr. Hirano to have such a history of making a fortune?"
"Actually, it has always been like this. It just sounds like I felt that I was losing my position by robbing some local and wealthy people in Wubao. But in fact, I was robbing later, but it became robbing a country and robbing a royal family, and I became a big tycoon. ”
"It seems to be the truth."
"The venison is roasted. Wash your hands and eat."
At this time,
The green python went away and came back, opened its mouth, and a human head fell down.
The princess' eyes narrowed, but she was not so frightened that she screamed.
Uncle Zheng stepped forward while chewing the venison and turned the head over with his feet;
"It's actually the owner of that inn. It seems he knows that I have money on me and wants to make another fortune before I close the inn and go home."
The princess said while eating the venison: "Then he is following really closely. We are all walking in such a hurry today, and we can still keep up."
"Well, so, I have to go check it out and let your snake lead the way."
"Xiaoqing, lead the way." The princess ordered.
"Xiaoqing?"
On weekdays, Uncle Zheng always calls him "your snake", but he really doesn't know the name of this snake.
"What's wrong?" the princess asked in confusion, "Is there something wrong with the name?"
"Is there another white snake?"
"never seen it."
"Then you can ask about it later."
The green python led the way and soon found two corpses in a low-lying area.
"Hold the crossbow and I'll go down and take a look."
The crossbow was bought by Uncle Zheng on the way. Although the Chu State has salt and iron control, because the nobles have greater autonomy in their fiefdoms, many nobles sell weapons for profit.
This kind of crossbow is imitated by the military. Although it is not as good as the regular crossbow, it is enough. Previously, a merchant who was transporting grain in a place wanted to buy some for self-defense. After asking around, I bought some more so that I could bargain. , Uncle Zheng also accepted one.
Zheng Fan took out his knife and slid it through the gap. He was surprised to find that there were weapons and bows and arrows next to the two corpses.
One headless corpse should belong to the innkeeper, and the other corpse with the head still on it belongs to the waiter.
Uncle Zheng silently put the bow on his shoulder, and at the same time reached out and groped the innkeeper for a while. This was a subconscious habit. Killing someone without searching them always felt like there was a lack of a sense of ritual.
result,
Touch and touch,
Uncle Zheng took out a token.
By the moonlight, the mark of the fire phoenix can be vaguely seen on the token.
Uncle Zheng shook his head helplessly and could only say that he was very unlucky. When he walked to the 99th step of a hundred steps, he actually ran into the hidden stake of Fengchao.
Since marching along the way, it can be seen that the Chu people are doing their best to pursue and intercept the two groups of soldiers and horses in the direction of Mengshan and Qishan. There is basically no pursuit on the east road.
Uncle Zheng thought he could go back safely this time, but things went wrong again.
We can only hope that the innkeeper just felt that his temporary harvest was a bit suspicious, so he chased after him with his men to have a look, without sending any message to the Phoenix Nest attendant behind him.
"Hey, ask your big snake to come down and see if you can eat them all. A porridge and a meal are hard-earned, how can we waste them."
"It's full. It can't eat anymore. If it's too strong, it won't be able to go on the road and go into hibernation."
"Then you come down and we will dispose of their bodies together."
The princess came down, and then Uncle Zheng dug a hole, and she dragged the corpse and threw it into it.
After everything was taken care of, Uncle Zheng put his hands on his hips and gasped.
In winter, the soil is frozen hard, so digging holes is really tiring, and even digging with a knife is not easy.
"When I get back, I have to ask someone for some bone-melting water or something. I won't have to be so tired next time when I destroy corpses and eliminate traces."
"Bone melting water?"
"Well, Sir Wei used it."
"Who is Lord Wei?"
"A viscount from Yan State has dozens of wives."
"Then you can't imitate him."
"Ah."
"I can't write the name of the imperial edict." The princess joked with a smile.
have to,
Uncle Zheng's "tiger's body was shaken" remarks at the beginning, but now it has become a joke for the princess.
"Let's walk forward and find a place to rest."
I can't stay here for the time being, I have to stay away.
The princess did not complain and followed Uncle Zheng on the starry night.
"Uncle, I found that you are very precious about your life. Are you like this on the battlefield as well?"
"The victorious generals on the battlefield all have one thing in common. Do you know what it is?"
"Good at strategy?"
"No."
"Strong in martial arts?"
"Not at all."
"what is that?"
"Didn't die in battle."
"………"Princess.
"When a person dies, there is nothing."
"If you cherish your life so much, why do you still come to see me in Bieyuan?"
"Because I am willing to risk my life for you."
"Although I know it's a lie, it still sounds quite satisfying."
"As long as you're happy, okay, I'll carry you."
Uncle Zheng bent down,
The princess obediently got on Uncle Zheng's back.
"Am I heavy?"
"Not too light."
"You said you like fatter and purer people, but you can't dislike me."
"When a man talks about being fatter, he means that his flesh is in the right place; when he talks about being pure, he means that he looks good even without makeup."
"Absurd."
"It makes sense after all."
In the woods late at night,
Uncle Zheng carried the princess on his back and continued to march,
The green python seemed to have sensed some crisis, and began to scurry around from time to time, as if to escort them.
By the time it reaches midnight,
Although Uncle Zheng was already sweating, he still had no intention of stopping because he instinctively wanted to stay away from the place where the two Phoenix Nest attendants died.
"Help, help, help..."
From ahead, there was a shout.
Uncle Zheng was stunned for a moment, and the princess said, "I heard a sound."
"I'm not deaf."
Because this place is in a canyon, it is impossible to go around it. It would be equivalent to turning back, so Uncle Zheng decided to continue walking forward.
at last,
A burning bonfire appeared in front, and a woman was hanging from a tree next to the bonfire. The woman's clothes were somewhat torn, her hair was messy, and she was struggling there.
At this time,
The woman found Zheng Fan and the two of them and hurriedly called for help:
"Hero, help me, please save this little girl. The little girl's home was attacked by bandits. They killed my husband and my parents-in-law, and tied me here. Please save me, please save me, save me." ………”
The woman looked anxious.After seeing Zheng Fan, it was like seeing a savior, struggling and shouting even more vigorously.
Uncle Zheng looked at the bonfire and said,
Look again at the woman hanging on the tree,
Listening to the woman's cry for help again,
With emotion:
"conventional."
"Buzz!"
A crossbow arrow shot out from Uncle Zheng's head.
"puff!"
The woman hanging from the tree was hit by an arrow, her head lowered, and she died.
Uncle Zheng admired sincerely:
"can."
The princess on her back put away her crossbow and said:
"I wanted to shoot to break the rope so I could let her down, but I didn't expect the shot to go wrong."
"pretty."
Uncle Zheng stretched out his hand to weigh the princess on his back, and squeezed hard on the lifting position with both hands.
Road:
"No need to explain, well done."
finished,
Uncle Zheng planned to continue on his way, completely ignoring what happened when this woman appeared here.
The woman was tied up, with her hands, feet and head hanging down, her body swaying slightly under the tree.
The wind in the canyon was a bit strong, and there was a slight echo, like the low whistle of a beetle.
however,
When Uncle Zheng just passed under the tree with the princess on his back,
The woman who had obviously been shot to death by the princess earlier,
But suddenly he slowly raised his head,
He looked at Uncle Zheng and the princess diagonally below with livid faces.
The mouth is split,
The tongue sticks out in an extremely exaggerated way,
He asked in an extremely depressed and hoarse voice:
"Why...why don't you save me?"
------
I was overdrawn a few days ago, and I'm a little sluggish today, so I'll just update it. I'll try to write more tomorrow.
(End of this chapter)