The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 176
The moon was missing and hanging high in the sky, the moonlight was hazy, the gods' tablets were almost burned out, leaving only the embers of the charcoal fire, and the light in the ancestral hall slowly dimmed.The air was filled with the lingering smell of blood. Bodies with wet blood stains were hung inside and outside the courtyard walls, and even on the walls. Injured salt soldiers lay groaning in pain in the hall of the ancestral hall.

After a fierce bloody battle, Jia Huan and others successfully repelled several attacks by the thieves, but they also paid a heavy price. Four salt soldiers died and three were seriously injured. Now they can still stand up and fight. , there were only 12 people left, and even the bravest Iron Tiger received a cold arrow in the leg. Fortunately, it was only a scratch, and he could continue to fight with a little bandage.

As the attackers, the losses were naturally greater. They left more than a dozen corpses and injured more than 20 people, six of whom were seriously injured. Therefore, the two pirate leaders responsible for leading the team were furious.

One of them is a bearded man holding a machete and wearing only a sleeveless jacket. His name is Zhang Xiaobei, nicknamed Sai Zhangfei. He is famous for his bravery and fearlessness of death. He sits in the fourth place on Dulong Island. His subordinates all call him Fourth Master.

There was another guy who was holding a folding fan and dressed as a scholar. His name was Shen Guan. He was originally from Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. Because he failed to study and was in debt, he took refuge in Gu Sanmazi, a big salt lord. Although this man failed to pass the county examination in the imperial examination He couldn't pass either, but he could write and do math, and he was considered a big intellectual in the pirate den, so he was put in high regard by Gu San Mazi.

It is said that Shen Guan's character was not good to begin with. After taking refuge in Gu San Mazi, he became more and more depraved. He was determined to help Gu San Mazi do evil, actively made suggestions, and acted insidiously and viciously, so he got the name Poisonous Scholar.

For example, this guy once led a way to plunder the Ningbo area, and even "visited" his hometown, killing all his former creditors and their entire family, and taking the women back to the island to ravage him. He also led thieves to attack the school he once studied at. In the academy, he humiliated his teachers and classmates, and finally made the teacher angry to death. What he did was simply outrageous.

It is said that evil will be punished, but this poisonous scholar Shen Guan not only did not receive retribution, but also gradually became the seventh master of Dulong Island, eating well and drinking spicy food every day, and living a happy and carefree life.

A few days ago, Fourth Master Zhang Xiaobei and Seventh Master Shen Guan received a mission. They led the two bows of the ship and lurked along the coast of Yancheng County, preparing to attack Lin Ruhai and his party who came for inspection.

Because the matter was so important, Gu Sanmazi sent out a team of Japanese pirates that he usually supported. He planned to pass all the responsibilities to the Japanese pirates after the incident was completed. After all, Lin Ruhai's identity was extraordinary. Killing him would definitely attract the attention of the court. , if the imperial court launches a brutal attack, Dulong Island may not be able to withstand it. As a result, the first wave of Japanese pirates failed to complete their mission, and Zhang Xiaobei and Shen Guan had to lead the attack themselves.

"Old Qi, you have so many ideas, come up with a solution quickly. The losses in the attack are too great and it's not worth it. Moreover, more than a dozen Japanese have died. They are all too damn good at it and will never charge in again." Si. The head of the family, Zhang Xiaobei, faced Shen Guandao angrily.

The poisonous scholar Shen Guan stroked his beard under his chin, his sinister eyes rolled around, and suddenly his eyes lit up and he said: "Okay, can't we just knock down the courtyard wall?"

Zhang Xiaobei's muscles had grown to his brain. Hearing this, he slapped his forehead and said, "Lao Qi, it's your uncle's idea. Why didn't you tell me earlier and do it like this?"

This guy rolled up his sleeves and was about to call his brothers to do it. Shen Guan said contemptuously: "The courtyard wall is very strong. It can't be done with just your hands. You have to find a big piece of wood to smash against."

Zhang Xiaobei said in astonishment: "Where can I find big wood?"

Shen Guan said in a tone that was overwhelming with his IQ, "Idiot, there are a lot of wood in those collapsed huts. Let's look for something suitable. If it doesn't work, just tie a few logs into a bundle."

Zhang Xiaobei wasn't angry either. He slapped his forehead and said, "What a great idea, kids, hurry up and find some wood."

The boy Shitou had been squatting in the dark on the wall to keep watch. Seeing the thieves outside looking for wood everywhere, he jumped down from the wall and quickly came to Jia Huan to report: "Third Master, the thieves are looking for wood everywhere. I don't know what to do." What to do?"

Jia Huan's heart couldn't help but sink slightly: "If I don't want to knock down the courtyard wall, I'm going to attack with fire."

Tie Hu chimed: "It took me so long to realize that these guys are stupid enough."

Jia Huan smiled bitterly and said, "I hope they can be more stupid."

Tiehu and Shitou were silent when they heard this. Yes, it was stupid for the enemy to think of this method now, but it was not too late. The key was that they and others could not stop it and could only watch helplessly.

At this time, a faint fragrance came from behind. Jia Huan turned around and immediately met Lin Daiyu's bright, worried eyes.Tiehu and Shitou looked at each other and quietly retreated.

"It's dangerous here. Go inside the house quickly." Jia Huan said softly.

Lin Daiyu said lightly: "Father asked you to go in."

Jia Huan nodded and subconsciously took Lin Daiyu's hand and walked into the ancestral hall. When he found that the latter's hand was cold, he couldn't help being surprised and said: "Sister Lin, are you feeling uncomfortable?"

Lin Daiyu shook her head and forced a smile: "No... there is!" Jia Huan took a closer look under the light of the embers and saw that Lin Daiyu's lips were slightly white and she looked very weak. She suddenly woke up and whispered: "Yes. Aren’t you hungry?”

Lin Daiyu's face was slightly hot, and she shook her head to deny it. However, she was indeed hungry and thirsty at the moment, and her whole body was weak. She just held back and kept silent.

Jia Huan felt pity and helplessness. There was nothing here and everyone was also hungry, so he could only comfort him softly: "Be patient a little longer. Reinforcements will arrive soon."

Lin Daiyu pursed her dry lips and said, "Brother Huan, do you think there will really be reinforcements?"

Jia Huan was silent. It was already midnight. If there were reinforcements, they would have arrived long ago. With Lin Daiyu's intelligence, how could she not have thought of this.

"Brother Huan, can I ask you something?" Lin Daiyu said softly, her voice as hazy as the moonlight, and her eyes as gentle as the moonlight.

Jia Huan's heart trembled slightly and blurted out: "Sister Lin, tell me."

"If the thieves come in later, you can shoot me to death first, okay?"

Jia Huan's throat seemed to be choked by something for an instant, and he stared blankly at Lin Daiyu, who also stared blankly at him, as if time had suddenly stopped.

Jia Huan tightened his grip on the musket in his hand. The copper barrel was heavy and cold. He gritted his teeth and nodded.Lin Daiyu showed a relieved smile, turned around and walked into the ancestral hall first.

Jia Huan entered the ancestral hall and came to Lin Ruhai. The latter had obviously recovered, but still looked weak and was sitting against the wall.Zhang Yongdong, the salt transport envoy, and Lu Renjia, the Yancheng county magistrate, were at his command, and Jiang Bin, the general of the salt soldiers, was also there.

"Uncle, are you feeling better?" Jia Huan asked with concern.

Lin Ruhai nodded and said with a smile: "Brother Huan, please sit down and rest for a while. I asked you to come because I have something to discuss."

Zhang Dongtong and others were no different. Although Jia Huan was young, his talents and organizational skills were obvious to all. It was under his command and coordination that everyone worked together to repel several attacks by the thieves, so Lin Ruhai came to Jia Huan. After discussion, no one felt anything was wrong.

Jia Huan was really tired. He sat on the ground next to him and said, "Uncle, please tell me."

Lin Ruhai coughed lightly and said, "I just discussed it with Mr. Zhang and the others. I'm afraid that there will be no rescue in a short time. The only option now is to break out of the encirclement and ask for help."

Jia Huan frowned and said, "It's unlikely that the breakout will be successful!"

Lin Ruhai nodded and said with a wry smile: "That's right, but one by one they ran away. You are young and you are more likely to escape while it is dark. I am afraid that none of you will be able to escape after dawn."

Jia Huan frowned and asked, "What about asking for help? Where can I ask for help?"

Without waiting for Lin Ruhai's answer, the county magistrate Lu Renjia said first: "The Yunti Pass Qianhu Station is the closest to here. It is near the mouth of the Huaihe River. It is about forty miles away. We can get there before dawn."

"Who knows the way?" Jia Huan asked hurriedly.

Magistrate Lu immediately hesitated and said: "I know him, but it's pitch black outside and the road is not easy to recognize."

Jia Huan stood up suddenly and said, "Then please, Magistrate Lu, come with me."

Magistrate Lu shivered intelligently, secretly regretting his talk, and said sarcastically: "There are thieves outside, and we can't get out!"

(End of this chapter)