webnovelvip Chapter 147 Oh, why didn't the righteous and loyal Qin Qiong come?
Chapter 147 Oh, why didn't the righteous and loyal Qin Qiong come?
Their Wagangzhai now has a large and powerful army, numbering tens of thousands. Against a few hundred cavalry, the advantage is on our side!
If we can seize the opportunity to capture or even kill Lü Xiao, we can not only save the Zheng family, but also greatly boost the prestige of Wagang and strike a blow to the arrogance of the imperial court!
Seeing the eagerness of his generals to fight, and noticing the earnest gaze of the old man surnamed Zheng, Li Mi noticed...
Thinking of the immense benefits of defeating Lü Xiao, greed and fear battled in his heart for a moment, but he finally mustered his courage and made up his mind.
He took a deep breath, regained some of his composure, surveyed his generals, and began to assign them commanders:
"Wang Junke, Xie Yingdeng, Qu Tutong, Qu Tugai."
"You shall immediately muster your elite cavalry and infantry and rush to the aid of the Zheng family in Xingyang!"
"We must surround Lü Xiao. Capture him alive if possible, but if not, kill him on the spot!"
"Yes, sir!"
The generals whose names were called responded with a resounding roar, each one eager to get started.
Before long, war drums thundered and horns blared in Wagang Village, and troop after troop of soldiers quickly assembled.
Led by Wang Junke and others, they marched out of the mountain stronghold in a grand procession, raising clouds of dust as they sped toward Xingyang.
The land of the Zheng family in Xingyang.
The Red Guard soldiers were taking inventory everywhere, while the manor and its surroundings had become a feast for the local people.
Cheng Yaojin, You Junda, and their group mingled in the surging crowd, watching this crazy scene unfold.
The people carried furniture, hugged cloth, and shouldered sacks of grain.
Some people even got into fights over a bronze incense burner, their faces filled with greed and excitement.
"Old Cheng, look, everyone's grabbing it, let's not just watch!"
"Didn't you always say you wanted to get your mother a comfortable soft couch? This is a wealthy family; how could we be without one?"
You Junda nudged Cheng Yaojin's arm and whispered.
Cheng Yaojin's large eyes had already been lingering on those exquisite artifacts, and upon hearing this, his heart itched even more:
"Yes! I still need to snag a few of the best brocade quilts for my mother! Let her enjoy some luxury too!"
They settled in a new place, where conditions were harsh, and they were in dire need of these household items.
"Brothers, follow the flow of people in, and hurry up!"
"Remember, only move the large, heavy furniture and items that don't look very valuable."
Cheng Yaojin lowered his voice and gave instructions to the dozens of brothers gathered around him.
They absolutely refused to touch gold, silver, valuables, calligraphy, paintings, or antiques.
Even if the government troops turn a blind eye, they still need to know the rules and not risk offending the authorities!
"Understood, Brother Cheng!"
The brothers nodded.
Soon, this group of people also poured into the manor along with the crowd.
Cheng Yaojin spoke eloquently, but once he entered the secluded courtyards that had not been affected by the fire, his eyes widened in disbelief.
Even the courtyards where Zheng's collateral descendants or stewards lived were furnished far beyond those of ordinary wealthy households.
He led You Junda and a few others, specifically targeting secluded courtyards with few people.
As soon as they entered a small courtyard, they were met by a burly man of unusual height and build, whose appearance was quite different from that of people from the Central Plains. It was Ao Yu.
Upon seeing Cheng Yaojin, a complete stranger, swagger in, Ao Yu immediately stepped forward and demanded, "Nissler water?"
Cheng Yaojin was taken aback at first, then his eyes lit up and a plan came to mind.
Good heavens, does Lü Xiao have such an extraordinary person under his command?
Judging from his appearance, he probably isn't very bright.
He immediately put on a warm, harmless smile, leaned forward, and tried to get close to her in rapid-fire Mandarin:
"Ziji Ren, Ziji Ren, Lu Zilie's bear!"
Ao Yu was a little confused by his words, but he understood the name Lü Zilie.
He looked at the fat man, who was smiling like a Maitreya Buddha, with suspicion.
In this rural area, does anyone still know the prince's courtesy name?
Could he really be an old acquaintance of the prince?
"Brother, you've worked hard! Here's some money for your tea, take it!"
Cheng Yaojin seized the opportunity, took out a heavy copper coin from his pocket, and stuffed it into the large, fan-like hand of the Ao Yu without saying a word.
He received the heavy copper coins, along with Cheng Yaojin's sincere smile.
This made the already simple-minded Ao Yu even more certain that this person was a good brother.
Yu Junda, being quick-witted, immediately called to his brothers behind him, "What are you all standing there for? We're all brothers, hurry up and move it!"
"Okay!"
A group of men rushed into each room like wolves and tigers, destroying tables, chairs, chests, cabinets, screens, and bedding.
Everything that could be moved was quickly and orderly moved out and piled up in the yard.
The turtle held the string of coins and watched them busy themselves, not caring about moving these worthless things.
Before long, the small courtyard was almost completely emptied.
Cheng Yaojin was completely satisfied. Before leaving, he cupped his hands to the giant turtle, beaming, and said, "Brother, thanks! See you later!"
Ao Yu nodded blankly, watching as the group of the prince's friends, carrying large and small bags, quickly disappeared into the chaotic crowd.
Just then, Yuwen Chenglong strode over: "Ao Yu, don't just stand there like an idiot! The Wagang bandits are attacking!"
The ao fish was startled and realized what was happening, so it quickly followed Yuwen Chenglong and ran forward.
In the open space in front of the courtyard, the Red Valiant Army had quickly assembled.
Pei Yuanqing slung a pair of silver hammers over his shoulder, his face beaming with eager excitement:
"Your Highness, those scoundrels from Wagang Village have come at the perfect time! I haven't had my fill of killing them yet!"
Lu Xiao rode on the swift Red Hare, holding the invincible Fangtian Halberd, his eyes filled with killing intent.
He never expected that attacking the Zheng family would lead to the exposure of the Wagang Village.
Very well, let's go see those old scoundrels first.
"Jackie Chan, the warehouse is a critical location. Leave enough people to guard it and do not let it be lost."
"Your Highness, rest assured, we've left two hundred of our most reliable brothers, with three layers of guards. Not even a fly could get in!"
Yuwen Chenglong patted his chest and guaranteed it.
"Alright." Lu Xiao's gaze swept over his menacing subordinates, and he pointed his halberd forward.
"The rest of you, mount up! Since Wagang Village has delivered itself to our doorstep, let's go and meet these heroes of the greenwood!"
"promise!"
With thunderous hooves, a crimson torrent surged forth once more from the Zheng family manor.
Lu Xiao took the lead and did not go far, but reined in his warhorse in an open area south of Dahai Temple.
The open view from this location is advantageous for cavalry deployment.
In the distance, dust billowed, and the sound of horses' hooves and footsteps, like muffled thunder, grew louder as they approached.
Before long, a large banner with the character "王" (king) came into view.
Commander Wang Junke, clad in green robes, led the dark mass of Wagang soldiers onto the horizon.
Following closely behind were Xie Yingdeng, Qu Tuxing, Qu Tugai, and other Wagang generals.
Wang Junke saw the Chixiao Army standing ready in the distance and quickly raised his hand to signal them. The army behind him slowly came to a halt.
The two sides were about an arrow's length apart, and they could clearly see each other's faces and flags.
The Wagang generals gripped their weapons tightly, their expressions solemn as they stared at the small but menacing red cavalry opposite them.
Lu Xiao sat upright on his horse, his gaze slowly sweeping over the faces opposite him, some familiar and some unfamiliar.
He spoke softly, his voice not loud, but it clearly reached the ears of the person opposite him.
"Hey, isn't this the righteous warrior from Wagang?"
"Why didn't the righteous and loyal Qin Shubao come? Why did he send you to your deaths instead?"