Shu Chen

Chapter 101 Invisible
But Zheng Pu, who heard the bad news, traveled day and night all the way.

In a hurry, he didn't follow the official road of the post post, but chose some small roads to take shortcuts.

And the people around him are only the followers of Qi Yacuo and Fu Qian.

Originally, Fu Qian didn't need to come here.However, this kid is very stubborn and has a special status, so it is not impolite to go with him to pay his respects.

Unexpectedly, when surrounded by thieves, Fu Qian became Zheng Pu's reason for not daring to act rashly.

There were more than a dozen thieves in ragged clothes and pale faces. Although there were four or five of them holding on to hunting bows, Zheng Pu thought that with the bravery of the beggar's house and his own practice of swords all the time, it was not impossible to break out of the encirclement suddenly.

However, it is difficult to protect Fu Qian comprehensively.

He was only twelve years old, with a little beard on his upper lip, and his life had not yet begun.

Zheng Pu couldn't let him compromise here.

In particular, these thieves seem to have no intention of hurting others.

"Leave the horses and money on your body, and let you pass!"

When the thieves came around, there was a thief with a bow who seemed to be a small leader, and said loudly.

He was very sincere, he didn't ask Zheng Pu and the others to lay down their weapons, but he also scolded the rest of the thieves to give up an empty path, signaling Zheng Pu and others to leave on foot.

Conscience still alive?
Or are these thieves the mountain people from nearby villages?
As soon as he heard the words of the thieves, such a thought flashed in Zheng Pu's mind.

Without him, because Prime Minister Zhuge Liang ruled the country strictly by law, he never condoned bandits and road bandits.

Let these thieves go back, Zheng Pu only needs to find the government, and the county guard will definitely report to the prime minister, requesting to send troops to exterminate them!
Therefore, if the thieves are licking blood, for their own survival, they should directly shoot Zheng Pu and the three of them to death during the siege!Destroy the corpses and wipe out the traces again!

Let the government have no way of knowing that there are thieves and bandits here.

In fact, when Zheng Pu heard the thieves make a noise, he felt lucky in his heart.

He intends to give in temporarily, abandon his horse and his belongings, and escape first to save his life.

As for his majestic general of the Xuanwu Army, he was robbed by more than a dozen thieves. If he spread the word, he would lose face and become the laughing stock of others.
According to his disposition of vengeance and negligence, how could he swallow this breath? !
As long as he can go back alive, he must ask the prime minister for orders, and lead his headquarters in person, and dig three feet into the ground to kill these thieves!
To repay today's shame!

Ah, no!

It's him who is dedicated to serving the country, how can he turn a blind eye to the bandits and leave them to continue harming merchants and travelers and poisoning the common people? !

Naturally, he was also angry with himself.

Having been a leader for so long, because he didn't want to arouse criticism from others, he never deployed soldiers to establish a personal defense department.

Today, if there are more than ten parts accompanying them, not to mention being besieged by these thieves, twice as many will be killed before approaching!

"Wu Na Pedestrian, if you don't want to leave, you will be shot and killed!"

Seeing that the three of Zheng Pu didn't move, the little boss roared again, and shot an arrow in front of the three of them as a warning.

The trembling arrow tail made Zheng Pu's pupils shrink rapidly.

Not fear, but shock.

The arrows used by the people are all decorated with poultry feathers.

Even hunters in the mountains, who hunted pheasants, geese, mandarin ducks, etc., would sell the feathers that can be decorated with arrow tails to the government or wealthy households for profit, which is definitely not as extravagant as self-use.

And the arrows used by the bandits are exactly the same as the military-made arrows!
Are these thieves fugitives from the army? !

If it is true that he was a fugitive in the army, the governor of Guanghan and the captain of the county can all be resigned for crimes and move five hundred miles according to the law!
Knowing the importance of the matter, Zheng Pu quickly put his sword back into its sheath, pushed aside the guard in front of him, Qi Yacuo, "Thank you for not killing this strong man! I'll leave soon."

After saying that, let the subordinates throw down the money on their bodies, and strode towards the vacated road.

But he didn't want to, before walking a few steps, the little leader of the bandit bandit thought for a while, and then hurried forward.

"Clang clang!"

The saber was unsheathed again, and Zheng Pu quickly stood in front of Fu Qian, angrily reprimanded, "How dare you not believe what you say?"

Needless to say, the retinue Qiyacuo.

He had already leaned forward, with his toes half buried in the ground, as if he was about to rush up and fight to the death.

But the behavior of the little boss was once again puzzling.

He actually dropped his hunting bow, stretched out his arms to show hostility, and moved forward step by step.

After approaching Zheng Pu for five or six steps, he stared wide-eyed and looked around for a while, then bent his knees, knelt down on the ground, and kowtowed repeatedly, "The villain didn't notice, and offended Sang Yuan Zheng Lang, a death penalty! A death penalty!" !"

uh~~~~~~
With such a change, everyone was stunned for a moment.

Zheng Pu is no exception.

However, he quickly responded.

"Sangyuan Zhenglang" was what his relatives called him when he was teaching in Shifang Sangyuan in the past.

However, the children of a bandit have also been educated in the mulberry garden?

Moreover, this place is Mianzhu, which is hundreds of miles away from Shifang, why is he here?

Waving his hand, signaling Qi Yacuo not to be impulsive, Zheng Pu stepped forward to help the man, and asked doubtfully, "I don't know who the strong man is? Why do you know me?"

"The villain is Zhang Qing, who is from Shifang with Zheng Lang."

The thief who was lifted up had a face full of shame, and his voice was like a gnat, "There are two sons in the family, both of whom were educated in the mulberry garden, and that's why I knew Zheng Lang." Just now the villain was far away and couldn't really see Zheng Lang's face, so he dared to offend him. If Zheng Lang has hatred, he should be held accountable, and the villain will never dare to say anything."

As soon as this remark fell, Zheng Pu immediately felt relieved.

In this world, Li Shu's temperament is still very simple, and it is rare to avenge kindness.

After thinking about it for a while, he felt that this person's conscience was not lost, and he was not like the kind of vicious and vicious person who kills without blinking an eye, so he took his hand and walked over, sat down on the stone, and asked softly, "Since you are from Shifang, why did you send your son here?" Sang Yuan was educated, so he must have been a common people in the past, why is he reduced to a bandit here now?"

Perhaps, the reputation of the Zheng family in Shifang is quite good among Li Shu.

It was fine if Zheng Pu didn't ask, but as soon as he asked, the man who was over seven feet tall suddenly had red eye circles and tears streaming down his face.

Burying his head in his hands, he sobbed for a while before explaining the reason intermittently.

He was originally from the head of Guizhou with nearly a hundred acres of land. He had three children in his family. Although his life was poor, he could still live on food and clothing.

It's just that the weather is unpredictable.

For some reason, his eldest son got a strange disease, which lasted for three years.

After repeatedly seeking medical advice and medicine, life at home was difficult. Not only did he sell the farmland, but he also found a large family in the county to borrow a lot of money.

However, in the end, his eldest son died of illness after receiving no treatment, and his daughter was dragged by a wealthy family to work as a maid to pay off debts.The mother-in-law also died in the cold winter wind and snow because of excessive grief and suffering from hunger and cold.

He was inexplicably sad, but he had no choice but to take his second son to live as a slave to the big family.

However, God did not stop being harsh on him.

His daughter, who had only been a servant girl for half a year, was repeatedly bullied by the prodigal son of the rich family, and committed suicide due to unbearable misery.

Even the corpses were thrown in the wilderness.

Hearing the bad news, as a father, how could he bear it?

Hiding the second son in the wild, he himself stealthily lurks in the Tao with a sharp blade, and when the prodigal son passes by, he instantly slashes him with his hands!

The vengeance has been avenged, but it is impossible to stay in Shifang.

He had no choice but to flee to Mianzhu County overnight with his youngest son, and attached himself to a clan brother who had already passed the fifth service.

Zhang Mu, a bandit chieftain lingering in the western mountainous area of ​​Mianzhu County! 【Note 1】

Zhang Mu has a lot of background.

At the beginning, it was Liu Zhang who led the army of five hundred soldiers when he was the shepherd of Yizhou.

Later, he served in Luocheng with Zhang and resisted the late emperor Liu Bei.

Zhang Ren was defeated and killed, and he was reduced to a rout.Because the road back to Chengdu was blocked, he took the remaining soldiers along the Shiting River and went to the mountains to become bandits.

Because of his poverty and strength, he did not dare to allow thieves to plunder the village.

Yes, so the government also thought the road was difficult, and never encircled and suppressed it.

After Zheng Pu heard this, he couldn't help but sigh a long time, feeling sorry for him.

In the world of the past and present, the ordinary people's homes of Li and common people only need a disease, a mountain torrent or a drought, etc., to usher in the end of the family's ruin.

Softly comforting Zhang Qing, Zheng Pu felt pity and asked again.

"You were forced to be a bandit, but have you ever hurt innocent people?"

"Go back to Zheng Lang, I never did."

Zhang Qing shook it quickly, like a rattle.

Fearing that Zheng Pu wouldn't believe it, he explained, "When we went out to rob, our elder brother once told us not to hurt people's lives. And if we succeeded in robbing one place, we need to ambush in another."

hehe~~~
This thief Zhang Mu is quite scheming.

No wonder Zhanshan has been a thief for so many years and has not been sent by the government to ask for it.

After hearing this, Zheng Pu couldn't help becoming interested in Zhang Mu.

And Zhang Qing continued to distinguish, "Zheng Lang, we are all poor people, which does not mean that we have become thieves. Therefore, the clan brother told us not to rob the poor people. It is only for businessmen who come and go, and travelers who seem to be rich. , Sedo extorts horses and money."

Even if you are poor and poor, you can't loot anything
Thinking secretly, Zheng Pu nodded lightly.

After pondering for a while, he said in a soft voice, "You have never hurt innocent people, and it is helpless to become a bandit. Why don't you be a follower by my side from now on. So that your youngest son and queen don't become bandits. "

"Little man. Little man"

Zhang Qing, who finally stopped crying, choked up again.

After murmuring several times, but unable to utter a complete sentence, he prostrated himself on the ground again and kowtowed frequently in thanks.

And the rest of the thieves, who had received their swords long ago and had been listening quietly, fell to the ground and said in unison, "Please Zheng Lang have mercy on us and accept them as followers."

Seeing this, Zheng Pu was not surprised either.

Ugh.
In an era where filial piety is the rule of the world and respect for benevolence is the principle of the world, if the world is not difficult and forced by life, who would be willing to become a bandit and shame the lintel and implicate their children?

And now that he is the assistant of the prime minister's mansion, the fact that these thieves can become retinues also means that the names of thieves can be removed.

However, he did not dare to accept these people.

It's not that they are worried about these people. They will not change their thieves and insult the reputation of the Zheng family in Shifang.

But "Shu Ke" is strict!
In particular, the laws against the embezzlement of land and the hiding of hidden households by wealthy families in Bashu are harsh.

Accept a Zheng Qing as a follower, and others will not comment on it.

If more than a dozen households are suddenly taken in as tenants, they may be slandered by good people.

He didn't want to be identified by Prime Minister Zhuge Liang as a person who was bent on personal gain because of more than a dozen people.In turn, it affects future promotion and attention.

The embankment of a thousand miles collapsed in the ant nest.

It's always good to be cautious.

However, since these thieves, Mu Shifang and the Zheng family's reputation are here to vote, even if they don't accept them, they should point out the way.

So as not to chill their heart to reform themselves.

"You all get up."

Zheng Pu, who was thinking in his heart, got up and stretched out his hands to help him, "Since I don't want to be a bandit anymore, I have no reason to refuse to ask myself to be a follower. However, to tell you the truth, I am now the general of the Xuanwu Army. The funds are all used to supplement the use of the soldiers, and I can’t afford to settle the livelihood of your family members.”

At this point, Zheng Pu raised his hand again, stopping the crowd's uproar caused by disappointment.

"I haven't finished my speech yet, so don't make any noise."

After everyone quieted down, Zheng Pu said again, "Although I can't afford to take care of you, the court can. If you trust me, I can ask the court for instructions on your behalf, so that you can be spared the crime of being bandits, and the Hanzhong County Fertile land, the painting is enough for your family to have enough food and clothing to teach it! What do you think?"

After the words fell, everyone was silent, looking at each other in surprise.

On the other hand, Zhang Qing, who had already calmed down his emotions, spoke up for Zhou Xuan, "Zheng Lang, they don't believe Zheng Lang's words, but they dare not trust the court."

uh~~~
It's clear.

These people, more or less, suffered injustice before they became thieves.

It is also understandable not to have too much hope for the imperial court.

Immediately, Zheng Pu made a gesture of great emotion, and said loudly, "I swear by the lintel of the Zheng family in Shifang, if the imperial court does not grant you land, I will let you cultivate the land of my Zheng family! I will let you share the wealth of my Zheng family! "

It also surprised everyone.

Immediately, they all bowed to the ground, and uttered the words "Wish to Believe" and "Zheng Lang's Benevolence and Righteousness" like thunder.

Yizheng Pu couldn't help laughing in his heart.

He admits that he has never regarded himself as a saint, let alone act like a saint.

The reason why it is so convincing is that today's Hanzhong County is uninhabited for hundreds of miles, and there is no chicken crowing for thousands of miles.Not to mention the resettlement of more than ten households, the land grant for tens of thousands of households is more than enough.

And adding households to the country is what the prime minister Zhuge Liang likes to hear.

That being the case, why should he worry about making an oath for everyone?

Afterwards, it was Zheng Pu who told himself that he was about to go to pay tribute to Qin Mi, and let everyone go back to clean up their belongings before helping the old and the young to find him.

Well, Qin Mi is a celebrity in Shu.

The place of burial is unknown to everyone in Guanghan County.

However, before Zhang Qing left, Zheng Pu asked him to help bring a message to Zhang Mu, the chief thief.

It's about recruiting: "The king is a soldier who serves the country and protects the people. How can he become a thief? If you want to get rid of the name of a thief, although I am not talented, I am willing to find a way out for you. Either as a general, or as a rich man, whatever You come to interview and choose yourself."

After all the thieves said their goodbyes and left, the three of Zheng Pu walked hurriedly again.

And Fu Qian beside him, while on the way, took the time to ask, "Sir, will the thief chieftain Zhang Mu come to have an interview?"

"Will do."

Zheng Pu's face was full of conviction, and his voice was a bit ferocious, "How dare he not come!"

"Hey, why are you so sure, sir?"

Hearing this, Fu Qian couldn't help raising his eyebrows, his eyes were full of surprise and bewilderment.

Then there was a light tap on his head, and Zheng Pu's somewhat harsh voice, "Think about it with "捭阿结·Quan Pian"!"

"Hey, I understand!"

When pondering for a while, Fu Qianfang suddenly realized, and said with sincere admiration, "Sir, it is really unpredictable to plan and conspire!"

Of course!

Just now, Zheng Pu had already quietly plotted against Zhang Mu.

With the reputation of the Zheng family in Shifang, coupled with the benefit of the imperial court's innocence and granting land, it broke the foundation for Zhang Mu to gather people as thieves.

Let me ask, how many people can live without food and clothing with land and houses, and continue to be thieves who are precarious?

If he doesn't come, then wait for everyone to betray their relatives!
Ah! ——
[Note 1: Zhang Mu, a bandit in Mianzhu, Guanghan.In the fifth year of Jianxing, the prime minister entered Hanzhong. He led thieves to steal military funds and plunder officials and people, and was beheaded by Zhang Ni, who was then the county captain. 】

(End of this chapter)