Family practice: all members of the villain

Chapter 400 Relieving Difficulties at Both Ends, Unpredictable Mind

October 1332, 26 in the New Yu Calendar
In Xiapi County, contrary to the violent storms in Longxiang County, the sky here is cloudless, and the sunshine in the sky is not strong. But strangely, the earth has become cracked, and countless lakes and rivers have dried up. , the grass and trees on the ground are drying up in patches, not to mention the food, the growth of weeds is very worrying.

There are not many pedestrians on the streets of the county town anymore. Even outside the county town, the temperature is so high. In a place with densely populated buildings like the county town, the temperature is only high but not low. Naturally, people dare not go out and hide. Find ways to beat the heat at home.

Different from the quiet streets, in the City Lord's Mansion in Xiapi, two groups were arguing fiercely. City Lord Cao Keyuan was sitting above, listening to the argument between the two groups with a gloomy face.

"Master Cao, it's the sixth day. We can no longer distribute food to other counties. If this continues, the remaining food in the county will soon be exhausted. By then, the remaining five counties will be saved. If there is chaos in our county, the higher-ups will definitely be blamed. of!"

"If we don't save the five counties and let them cause chaos, we will all be blamed."

………………

"Master Cao, don't think about it, just report it directly to Daocheng and ask the head of the family to make a decision.

Our Xiapi County is along the river and is an important grain-producing area in the four prefectures of Hexi Province. All the food on weekdays is used to supply other places. We don’t have much food left for ourselves. We don’t know how long this severe drought will last. At present, We can still rely on the surplus grain to survive, but as time goes by, we will definitely not be able to survive. I have calculated that it will be a month at most. Within a month, if the people can no longer go out to farm and harvest rice normally, the second quarter of this year’s grain harvest will definitely be gone. , then it will not only be as simple as starving to death, but the entire Hexi Road may be affected, and then we will really become sinners. "

The people who were arguing all fell silent after hearing the last words of this person. Then they lowered their heads and pondered for a moment, and then they all nodded slightly in approval.

Cao Keyuan did not express his approval. Instead, he turned around and looked around at everyone. His expression flashed slightly and he asked softly:

"Why, do you also think there is a problem with this severe drought?"

Everyone looked at each other. After a long time, one person took a step forward and said with a guessing look: "This season is not the dry season, and the sun in the sky is not abnormal. It is said that there should not be such a serious drought. The water level of the ancient river is sufficient. After descending hundreds of meters, all the rivers and lakes in Xiapi dried up. This is a rare occurrence in a hundred years, so how could it be such a coincidence that we happened upon it?"

One person took the lead, and others followed suit.

"Don't talk about hundreds of years. I have checked the county annals of Xiapi County. Drought like this has only occurred three times before, and all three times were in the last years of Emperor Wuzong."

"There are rumors that the water level of this ancient river has dropped only in our section. All other river basins are normal. This news cannot be confirmed yet. If it is confirmed..."

Everyone fell silent for a while.

If the water level of the entire Gujiang River only dropped in the Xiapi section, then they would not have to worry about drought, but would have to worry about other more serious things.

Cao Keyuan looked at everyone and said with a slight flash of expression: "The people from Xuanting Division said..."

Seeing that everyone's eyes were focused on him, he continued: "It rained heavily for five consecutive days in Zhaoyang and Nanping. The situation along the river is the most serious. The entire county of Surabaya has been flooded, and the flood has already moved towards Longxiang County and the other four counties. It’s over.”

"what!"

"Torrential rain for five days in a row?"

"This………………"

………………

Xiapi County belongs to Jianye Prefecture. As far as they know, the severe drought has affected Jianye and Xingnan Prefectures. Now they learned from Cao Keyuan that floods are actually occurring in Zhaoyang and Nanping Prefectures. Everyone is worried. He suddenly sat up from the chair, his face full of surprise and horror.

Although the four prefectures in Hexi are relatively large in area, they are nothing compared to the thirteen prefectures in the world. Because the four prefectures all have a large area along the river, and the climate environment is roughly the same. Two prefectures suffer from droughts and the other suffers from floods. No matter how it sounds, it feels outrageous.

The faces of more than ten people soon became as gloomy as Cao Keyuan's.

If they had just speculated that there was something wrong with this drought before, now they can be sure that this drought is by no means an ordinary natural disaster...

"The people from Xuanting Division said... City Lord, have you already contacted Daocheng?"

Suddenly, one person realized something and asked Cao Keyuan with a joyful face. The others immediately realized that Xuanting Division and Qiancheng Division were not affiliated with each other. The two agencies had no contact at all unless there were special circumstances. Cao Keyuan would not talk to Xuan Keyuan for no reason. It was right to contact the court secretary, how could he get the news from Xuan Tingsi?

Cao Keyuan shook his head slightly and said: "On the third day of the severe drought, when news of the disaster came from the other five counties, I had already reported it. I had already read the county annals of Xiapi County, counting back more than 1000 years. Such an inexplicable The drought has never happened before, and I’m afraid we can’t solve it with our methods, so we have to ask Daocheng to send experts over.”

"Master is wise!"

Everyone suddenly beamed with joy when they heard Cao Keyuan's words. They were also officials of Xiapi County. If this kind of thing was not handled properly, they would be punished by the Daocheng. Reporting it in time would at least prevent some criticism, so Cao Keyuan was considered a helper. them.

Cao Keyuan looked at everyone and shook his head slightly inadvertently.

After all, people are different. Speaking of which, the more than ten people in front of him have the same cultivation level as him and are all at the master level. But in terms of eyesight and foresight, these people are more than one or two grades behind him.

There are four prefectures in Hexi, two prefectures are suffering from drought and two prefectures are flooded. With such an unusual situation and the current situation in Hexi, Cao Keyuan has seen too many things. To be precise, he has seen it since the Hou family unified Hexi Road. There are many signs.

Xiapi County is separated from Dajin by an ancient river, and Longxiang County is separated from Hedong by a Tongtian River. Just from the unique positions of these two places, as long as you are well-informed and have a sharp mind, you can see the drought this time. And floods, what happened.

This is obviously an attempt by the major holy places in Hedong and the Great Jin Dynasty in the north to exert pressure and coercion on Hexi. There may be some other purposes hidden in it. Only the senior officials of the Hou family in Daocheng know about it, but the pressure and coercion of this, Almost certain.

The Jin Dynasty wanted to go south, and the major holy places in the east of the river would not allow it. Hexi was caught in the middle right now, and the choice he made was crucial.

"City Lord, General Gao Changlong has arrived outside the county city!"

A voice came from outside, which woke up Cao Keyuan, who was deep in thought, and the officials of more than ten counties and cities. Everyone looked shocked and hurriedly walked out.

"Everyone, please quickly join me and open the city gate to welcome General Gao!"

Everyone nodded and followed behind Cao Keyuan to greet him.

In fact, most of them who can serve as chief officials in Xiapi County are from Qiancheng Division, and their status in the Hou family is not too low. After all, there are only more than 20 counties in the entire Hexi Road. However, compared with those from Daocheng, Moreover, Gao Changlong, who had been the commander of the Red Flame Army for a long time in the Hou family, was a bit unsatisfied.

The Hou family is currently commanding the second master, Hou Yucheng. Who doesn't know that other than him are the three brothers of the Gao family. The elite Chiyan army in Hexi is the most important leader besides the second master. The three Gao Changlong brothers are all in the Yin and Yang realm now. Even if they don't look at their status but just their cultivation, they should treat Gao Changlong with respect.

When Cao Keyuan led a group of people to the city gate, he was shocked when he saw the indistinct number of Red Flame Army outside the city gate. Everyone behind him, including the people behind him, also looked stunned.

It's not that they are afraid. As members of the Qiancheng Division of the Hou family, they have not seen the Red Flame Army once or twice, mainly in Xiapi County. They have never seen so many Red Flame Army, even after they just captured Jianye Mansion. When they came to take over Xia Pi County, there were only thirty to fifty thousand Red Flame troops at most. Looking at it now, there must be at least hundreds of thousands...

How come, so much at once?
"Who is the city lord of Xiapi County, Cao Keyuan?"

The city gate is open at this moment, but the Red Flame Army outside has not entered the city. Only a small group of about a hundred people has entered the city. The leader is a tall and steady person, followed by nearly a hundred people, all with cultivation levels in the four directions. There were even some Yuandan realm masters and above. When the leader saw Cao Keyuan and his party, he immediately frowned and shouted loudly.

Seeing this group of people, Cao Keyuan already knew the identity of the leader. He hurriedly ran forward, bowed and said: "Xiapi County, City Lord Cao Keyuan, pays homage to General Gao!"

Gao Changlong looked at Cao Keyuan, nodded in honor at first, and then looked around the city gate of Xiapi County. He saw that there was no one except the city guards on duty. He nodded slightly and took out a book from his arms. While handing it to Cao Keyuan, he said:

"I heard that you used food from the county to help the victims of the disaster in the five counties of Xiapi. The owner of the family is very pleased. The people in Hexi are one, and only by helping each other can we help each other. If you are an official, you must benefit the other party. The owner has something to say, I am in Hexi. The city lord, everyone should set an example for you. This is a reward from the clan. In addition, the army has brought all the food for this disaster relief. We will put it outside the city. After the army leaves, you will organize people Come out and carry it!”

Cao Keyuan first glanced at the classic in his hand, and when he saw the four words Thousand Needles Heavenly Sword Technique written on the cover of the classic, a look of ecstasy suddenly appeared on his face.

Not only Cao Keyuan, but all the officials of Xiapi County who followed him also had a look of horror in their pupils when they saw the words "Thousand Needles Heavenly Sword Jue". Then they looked up at Cao Keyuan with extremely envious expressions on their faces. look.

The Thousand Needles Heavenly Sword Technique, a heaven-level martial arts, was derived from the Falling Rain Sword Technique of the Fourth Master Hou Yujie. This was the sword technique that the Fourth Master Hou Yujie became famous for in the past. It is also a top-notch martial arts if it is placed in the Hou family's Tibetan Scripture Pavilion. Actually, it was awarded directly to Cao Keyuan...

Regardless of other people's thoughts, Cao Keyuan was filled with joy at this moment.

On the third day of the severe drought, when the city lords of the five counties came to him for help, he also called his subordinates to discuss whether to use the county's food to rescue the other five counties. At that time, many people disagreed, but he was facing a big problem. Pressure to open the warehouse to release grain.

China has had a tradition of preying on the weak since ancient times. This is true for warriors and common people, people with different statuses, and it is also true for various places.

The disaster in the five counties has nothing to do with the counties. Xiapi County has no reason to save them. This rule is the same in all the thirteen prefectures, so those who don't let him save the five counties are not bad. It's just that the rules of the world have always been like this.

The reason why Cao Keyuan opened the warehouse to release grain despite the pressure was because he saw the difference between Hexi and other places from Hexi's New Deal and the Military Registration Order.

The Hou family's attitude towards ordinary people is obviously different from other forces.

The heaven-level martial arts book in my hand at this moment has proved this very well.

"The head of the family has said that all the officials in the cities in Hexi should follow your example."

Especially thinking of Gao Changlong's words just now, Cao Keyuan was even more excited.

The Hou family is the master of Hexi, and Hou Yuxiao is the master of the Hou family. It can be said that Hou Yuxiao is the undisputed master of the entire Hexi. The words coming out of his mouth are not just a simple sentence.

With the Patriarch's words, Cao Keyuan's future future is assured!
As long as you don't act stupid and follow the steps to get involved in the Hou family, rise to great heights, or even be transferred to Daocheng and enter the upper echelons of the family, it is possible...

Cao Keyuan fell into endless reverie about the future. He looked up suddenly and found that Gao Changlong was still standing in front of him. When he saw the other person looking at him with a half-smile, he suddenly laughed twice in embarrassment.

Thinking of Gao Changlong's order just now, I had some doubts in my heart, but I still hurriedly bowed and said: "General Gao is laughing, my subordinates will definitely obey the order. It's just that the brothers have marched hard here and don't go to the city to rest, so why not just leave?"

The army brought relief food, but they didn't enter the city?
After they leave, can you organize people to move out and move food?
Why does this sound a little wrong...

"No, this is a secret march. I only informed you people. Remember, the news is not allowed to leak out, and the source of this batch of disaster relief food is not allowed to be announced in the city. We must wait until our army has gone far. come out."

Cao Keyuan looked stunned for a moment, and then seemed to realize something. His pupils narrowed slightly, and he nodded quickly, saying in a deep voice: "Don't worry, General, I will do as I am humbled!"

Hundreds of thousands of troops came to Xiapi County from Daocheng, Hexi, and they marched secretly. These two points alone can already explain a lot of problems, enough for Cao Keyuan to sniff out many clues, but Gao Changlong has already said so damningly Well, if he still thinks he is smart and says it openly here, he would be too stupid.

Gao Changlong saw the change in Cao Keyuan's expression and immediately realized that the person standing in front of him was a smart man. His expression became slightly serious. He glanced around at the dozen or so people standing behind him and said in a deep voice:
"Master Cao, and all of you, remember to keep it secret. If this matter is leaked and ruins our major affairs in Hexi, the head of the family will investigate and investigate. Everyone present today will not be able to escape. Do you understand?"

More than ten people, including Cao Keyuan, immediately bowed and said:

"Don't worry, my lord, you must remember the humble ranks!"

Gao Changlong nodded, turned around and led a group of people out of the city gate again, walking towards where the army was standing. After giving the order, the army outside the city began to bypass Xiapi County and continued to move towards the north. march.

Cao Keyuan first withstood the soldiers guarding the city and asked them to look back at the city. No one was allowed to approach the four city gates. Then he led more than ten people to watch the army quietly until all the hundreds of thousands of troops disappeared from sight. After confirming that they were far away, he turned back to everyone and said in a deep voice: "Each of you go back to the city and send people you trust to transport food. Don't reveal the source of this food at all, as well as the soldiers guarding the city gate. We will all stay in the City Lord’s Mansion for a while, everyone, please remember that today’s events must not be revealed to the outside world, otherwise you will not be the only one who will be harmed!”

More than a dozen people nodded solemnly and said, "Don't worry, sir. I will definitely remember this!"

Seeing the expressions on everyone's faces, Cao Keyuan felt relieved, and then turned to look in the direction where the army disappeared. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he began to guess in his heart the purpose of Gao Changlong's bringing hundreds of thousands of troops...

(End of this chapter)