Under the sky

Chapter 175: People’s support ([-])

The shackles brought by Ming unknown were quickly cuffed to the horse bandits.At first, the villagers were still hesitant about releasing the horse bandits. Village Chief Niu said some calming words:
"What are you afraid of? Hero Ming is here."

The villagers were apprehensive, and Brother Xue, the fourth brother, and other horse bandits also seemed to be intimidated. They had just escaped from death, and they were grateful and wary of the kind villagers.

The two groups of people stared at each other in embarrassment for a long time, and no one knew what to say.

The young man named Xu Liang shook off the shackles on his hands and feet. They didn't feel heavy when they first put them on, but they were not used to them. The "clang, clang, clang, clang, clang" sound seemed to remind them that they were criminals.

"Is there anything you can do for us?" Brother Xue spoke first, "We don't know how to farm and we have to learn. Please be patient and teach us more."

Village Chief Niu scratched his head: "If anyone has rough work to do, feel free to do it."

Everyone looked at each other, and after a while someone said, "My window is broken, who can help me?"

There happened to be a man who was building a house in the bandits' den, and he raised his hand and said, "I can do carpentry and repair houses."

The couple took it, and Widow Zhao said: "There are piles of grass growing in my backyard. I am a widow, and I am so tired that I can't straighten my waist."

Someone whispered: "Where are the weeds growing in piles?"

This naughty talk made a few frivolous people laugh. No matter how gentle Widow Zhao was, she could not tolerate offense, so she said: "I don't need to, so as not to gossip to others."

Village Chief Niu was afraid of hurting his friendship, so he hurriedly said: "You idiot with a bad tongue is talking nonsense! Sister-in-law, you don't have... lack of manpower at home. I see that your yard is a bit messy. Find a helper." After a few words of advice, Widow Zhao then led people to help.

With the beginning, everyone was free to ask for help, whether it was carrying water for irrigation, moving sundries, doing farm work, or building fences to prevent wild animals. Each of the nineteen people had their own arrangements.

Ming unknown said to the village chief Niu: "There are still some things to discuss with the village chief about these people."

Village Chief Niu admired the hero so much that he asked what he had to worry about.

"The chain is only temporary. The days will be long in the future, so you have to take care of it. The first one is where to live." Ming said unknown.

Village Chief Niu said: "I think so too. There are not many people in the village, and there are many old houses. They are just in disrepair and cannot be protected from wind and rain. They need to be repaired."

Ming said unclearly: "It has to be repaired, and someone has to watch over it."

Village Chief Niu nodded: "This is it."

Ming said unceremoniously: "There is one more thing, please note that the village cannot tie them up for the rest of their lives. They have to give them some money to work and buy some things. When their viciousness changes, the shackles can be removed."

Village Chief Niu nodded hurriedly: "Of course! Of course! We also have to be nice to others. If we can become a family in the future, let alone other things, there will be nineteen more people who know kung fu. Even if they become a nursing home, the village will have enough confidence."

Ming nodded uncertainly: "That's right."

After saying this, he returned to the rooftop viewing platform.Looking from a distance, we can see that a camp has been set up on the other side of the river. This team arrived at Lengshui Beach yesterday, but did not cross the river. They are far away from the original camp across the river.

Surrounding the large army camp in Lengshuitan were densely packed refugees from the south.

Lingling City never made any move. Ming Wuxiang thought that he might be able to see the mountains on the other side more clearly, but he would definitely not be able to see them all like this.Or maybe it can, but both sides must have sent spies up there, and it's not as peaceful as Niushan Village.

It's just that it's too far away to see carefully.

He thought of Li Jingfeng's eyes. It would be convenient to have eyes like that.

Is Li Jingfeng still alive?Has he left Kunlun Palace?Where is he now? Can I see him in Jiangxi?

If Li Jingfeng were alive, he would definitely go to Jiangxi and try to kill Stinlang in order to find Peng Xiaobei's grandson.Maybe he knows Yang Yan's whereabouts?But even if he asked, Li Jingfeng wouldn't tell, but that's not a big problem.

I hope this war won't last too long so I won't miss it.

He turned back and looked toward the village.

Maybe a little longer wouldn't hurt, he wasn't in such a hurry.

■

"Why did Master Yin come so quickly?" Lan Shengqing asked.Yinjiabao, who was far away in Hezhou, arrived faster than Baoqing's Tianyun faction, and there were as many as 5000 people, almost eighty of Yinjiabao's troops. This was equivalent to letting go of the border defense against Qingcheng.

It turns out that Lan Shengqing only summoned support from nearby sects after arriving at Lengshuitan, but Yin Molan had already organized his troops before he learned that the border was invaded.He judged that Lingling was a place that Dian Cang must seize. When he led his army to set off, the Tianyun faction had not yet received Lan Shengqing's military order. If not for Yin Molan's steady and steady advance, slowly advancing to maintain the vigor of his disciples and taking into account the food supply. Unobstructed, I am afraid that I will arrive at the battlefield earlier than Lan Shengqing.

"What about Qingcheng's border defense?" Lan Shengqing asked.

"Headmaster Shen sent a letter to Shaolin, saying that he supports the headmaster as the leader of the alliance." Yin Molan said, "If anything happens, my two brothers can handle it, and I will stay in Hecheng."

Yin Molan's wife Shen Fengjun is Shen Yuqing's sister-in-law, and she and Shen Congfu and Shen Miaoshi who are stationed in Bozhou and Jianhe are brothers and sisters of the same mother. With this relationship, Yin Molan can gather all the troops from Hecheng and come to Lengshuitan. rush to the rescue.

On the other hand, although the world had some doubts about the Qingcheng incident and suspected that Shen Yu had usurped his father's power, Yin Molan had different ideas.Shen Yayan came to Hezhou City to investigate Qin Manyao's case. He vaguely smelled some problems. Perhaps the changes in Qingcheng were not as simple as outsiders thought.

Lan Shengqing had heard that Yin Molan was steady, but he didn't expect that he was quick-witted. He was worried about food and whether to attack Lingling. With these 5000 people, he was very confident, so he said: "The Lord Yin Molan is coming from afar to help, and the soldiers are tired." , rest for a day, then cross the river tomorrow to join the army and wait for an opportunity to counterattack Lingling."

Yin Molan shook his head: "I don't plan to cross the river yet."

Lan Shengqing was surprised: "You won't cross the river? How can you join the army?"

Yin Molan shook his head: "Let's wait and see from the other side first, use our horns to look at the situation, and then move."

Ying Chenghu said: "Across a river, the main stronghold is under attack, and you are too late to save it."

Yin Molan said: "When Dian Cang attacks, the main stronghold must be able to defend itself. If the main stronghold is lost, I will withdraw. If we want to attack Lingling, I will lead my disciples across the river to help. If not, I will wait on the other side." "

Ying Chenghu was dissatisfied and asked: "You didn't come to rescue the main stronghold after it fell, but you wanted to retreat? Who will the disciples of Yinjiabao listen to?"

Yin Molan said: "The disciples of Yin Family Fort obey the command of Yin Mou, and Yin Mou obeys the command of the deputy commander."

Lan Shengqing said: "Since you are listening to my command, please ask Master Yin to lead his disciples across the river. We will just wait for Baoqing Tianyun's leader Cui to arrive and take back Lingling in one go."

Yin Molan still said: "I won't cross the river."

Ying Chenghu was furious: "Are you following orders?"

Even though Lan Shengqing had a mild temper, he was also dissatisfied and asked, "Why don't you stay in the river?"

"I don't know the reason yet." Yin Molan replied.

These words made Lan Shengqing even more anxious, so he said: "You have no reason and you don't obey orders. What does this mean? Are you coming to watch a show?"

Yin Molan said: "Zhuge Ran is a smart man, he knows how to advance and retreat, and he is as powerful as Dian Cang. He is the one taking command. Since Lingling has been captured, why not take over Qi Yang in one go?"

Ying Chenghu said: "He attacks in one go, and there are always some casualties. He is too greedy to swallow and needs to rest."

Lan Shengqing said: "There is news that he returned to Dian Cang to attend the funeral."

Yin Molan nodded: "That's it."

Lan Shengqing said: "Since I have no doubts, then Lord Yin..."

"I'll stay on the other side." Yin Molan still shook his head, "No matter what the deputy commander says, Yin will never cross the river unless he wants to attack Lingling."

Ying Chenghu shouted: "What is this? You don't even listen to the words of the deputy commander? Are there two leaders when we are marching and fighting?"

Yin Molan said: "I think they want to wait for us to gather. Maybe I am wrong, but I want to wait and see for a while."

Although Lan Shengqing was dissatisfied, he had no choice but to do so. Yin Molan was the head of the Yin Family Fort. Dealing with him would not guarantee that the 5000 people would not mutiny, so he asked: "It's just that Lord Yin Fort doesn't want to cross the river. Does the army have food?" "

Yin Molan replied respectfully: "Yes."

"The main village is short of food now, so please ask Lord Yin Fort to send some food." Lan Shengqing said.Tens of thousands of refugees stood outside the camp, coming daily to beg for food.

Yin Molan still shook his head: "The food in Yinjiabao is for the disciples. If they want to fight, they can't give a grain of rice to the people."

Lan Shengqing finally couldn't hold back anymore and stood up with a slap on the table: "Yin Molan, do you still listen to my orders?!" Yin Molan bowed and said: "No matter what the deputy commander says, I will not take the food to provide relief. Refugee." When he said this, there was no impatience, neither pride nor groveling on his face, only determination.

"Hand over the food, and I'll let you stay on the other side." Lan Shengqing said, "There are people from Hengshan outside. We can't watch them starve to death in vain."

"It was Dian Cang who killed them, not Hengshan." Yin Molan was still neither humble nor arrogant, but he had no intention of letting go.

Lan Shengqing took a deep breath and calmed his tone: "In that case, Lord Yin rushed to Baili to rescue him. Thank you for your hard work. Lan is in need of a think tank. Please ask Lord Yin to stay in Dazhai temporarily to discuss important matters."

Yin Molan's expression changed and he raised his voice slightly: "The deputy commander wants to imprison Yin?"

Lan Shengqing said: "I'm just leaving Lord Yin to discuss military affairs. The leader should find a camp to send Lord Yin to rest, and send someone to protect him."

Ying Chenghu called the guards, but Yin Molan had a livid face and did not resist. He followed the guards and left with dignity.

Lan Shengqing responded to Cheng Hu and said, "Send someone with my token to have the troops from Yinjiabao cross the river to meet up, and then transport the grain over."

Ying Chenghu received the order and took a few of his cronies across the river to the Yinjiabao camp.The person who replaced Yin Molan was An Yujin, the master of the Yinjiabao Military Hall. He looked to be in his early forties, about the same age as Yin Molan, about seven feet and five inches tall, with sparse hair.When he saw Ying Chenghu arriving, he stood up and greeted him respectfully: "Master Ying, please be well."

Ying Chenghu took out the token and said: "Master Yin Fort will stay in the main stronghold to discuss military affairs with Deputy Chief Lan. I will bring military orders and let the Yin Family Fort disciples cross the river to join forces."

An Yujin frowned and asked, "The leader hasn't come back?"

Ying Chenghu said: "Military affairs are urgent, send me to act as agent."

An Yujin said awkwardly: "This won't work. The leader is not here, so we can't move."

Ying Chenghu said solemnly: "This is Deputy Leader Lan's order."

An Yujin was confused: "Of course I recognize it, but the master ordered to stick to it. All the disciples in Yinjiabao only listen to the master's orders. If the master doesn't come back, if I transfer the disciples, I will definitely be punished."

Ying Chenghu said angrily: "You think Deputy Commander Lan can't ask you for your crime? You delayed the camp and delayed the military plane. Can you afford it?"

An Yu was confused now: "I can't do anything if the deputy commander asks him to accuse him. This transfer will definitely lead to death."

Ying Chenghu became even more angry and said sternly: "Then I will kill you now!"

An Yujin lowered his head: "Even if you kill me, Master Ying, if the master is not here, the people who take over will not dare to leave the camp. It will be useless if you kill several people. Master Yin must know about this, and we have to wait for him to come back and make the decision."

Ying Chenghu was furious, but he also knew that killing this person was useless.If there is no leader among these 5000 people, how can I mobilize them as an outsider?Then he said: "The main account is short of food, how much food do you have left?"

An Yujin said: "The amount of food stored cannot be leaked. We don't dare to share the food if the leader is not here."

Ying Chenghu took a deep breath, kicked the desk over, and left the Yinjiabao camp angrily.

Ying Chenghu's eagerness to join forces and ask for food is justified. He can only atone for his sins by recapturing Lingling.Tens of thousands of refugees gathered outside, and food and grass could not be supplied. If there was a civil unrest and Dian Cang took the opportunity to attack, then... he simply did not dare to think about it.If even Lengshuitan was lost, he would really have to commit suicide to apologize.

After finally waiting for reinforcements from Yinjiabao, they were like a piece of iron and refused to obey orders at all.

Ying Chenghu reported the situation truthfully and asked: "Deputy Commander, what should we do now?"

Lan Shengqing was furious: "Then leave Yin Molan here! If he doesn't agree for one day, don't go back. Let's see if he can endure it or I can wait!"

Ying Chenghu said: "But if we can't get enough food and grass, we will definitely run out of food in three days."

Lan Shengqing was silent for a while and said: "Tell the refugees that the food distribution will be changed to once a day. If the food and grass are distributed for a few more days, if the food and grass cannot be provided, it will be an act of kindness and justice, and the refugees can only be driven away."

Ying Chenghu had no choice but to take the order and leave.

■

If we lose our horses, we can't know what a blessing is.

At least that's the case for the people in Niushan Village.Not only did they get back more than what was taken away - it wasn't much, but it was a huge sum of money in this poor place.

Bao Erfu didn't know how to ride a horse, so he had to learn how to ride a horse. He pulled a cart down the mountain to buy some paint, nails and various materials, and even took Wang Shu to bargain.Let’s go back and renovate the ancestral hall first, and then buy some materials to repair the fence outside the village.

You Baijin was happy. There were four more piglets in his little pig pen, two males and two females. They had agreed in advance that these piglets were village property. Even if the piglets and grandsons turned into feces, they would all be used to moisten the land of Niushan Village.

Village Chief Niu built a chicken coop in the backyard and bought ten hens that could lay eggs and ten chicks. The village suddenly felt rich.

There were also the nineteen captured horse bandits.

These 19 people get up early every day. There are only [-] or [-] households in Niushan Village. One person goes to each household to help. Whoever needs help provides two meals a day.This group of people are all young and strong, and are grateful to the villagers for their survival. They are all diligent. Even if they have lived in the bandit den for a long time and are not good at farming, they are still willing to study hard. Although it has only been a few days, it is inevitable that they are not efficient enough, which still makes the villagers' daily heavy farming work difficult. Work is much easier.Not to mention the villagers, even Lao Lizi and Xiao Lizi took a deep breath. No, there were eight more horses to help pull and plow the fields. The old oxen had nothing to do. They were idle every day, watching the villagers passing by, and saying "Moo~" "It feels so good to call out twice."

It’s just that horse feed is more troublesome. According to Brother Xue, horses will lose weight if they eat weeds, and they will lose strength after eating for a long time.However, he also said that if he settles down in the future, he won't have to rob his house, and it will be enough for farm work.

At night, five rooms were arranged, four in each room, southeast, northwest, and everyone went back to their rooms to sleep. In the house opposite the elder's house in Niu Village in the center of Dudu Village lived the leader, Fourth Brother Xue, and the two youngest One of the young men is Xu Liang, who is lame and has two legs, making it easier to keep an eye on him.

But not everyone likes this group of horse bandits.

In addition to Bao Erfu, who was beaten lame, another person who hated the horse bandits was Wang Shu.Who doesn’t know his ugly behavior in the past?Now that the wind has turned, he says that the horse bandits can't stay, but he doesn't dare to kill people. He says that he wants to report to the official, and he has already spent more than half of his money, and he can't vomit it out.

At this point, Wang Shu could only give orders to these horse bandits, push their noses and faces, and let them collect the golden juice compost.

Those horse bandits are not without temper. The clay figures also have a certain earthy nature. If they are really without temper, they are just hypocritical.Some people were dissatisfied, and naturally some people yelled, but Fourth Brother Xue said: "Don't say that life is now in the hands of people. Kill people if they want, and stay if you want to stay. If you want to settle down, Niushan Village is a place. Bear with it, maybe it will be a place." An opportunity to be a good person." Xu Liang said that he had offended the person first, and he should repay the lame man's leg if he hit him on the leg, so all the work of pouring gold juice and compost fell on him.

Fourth brother Xue really wants to be a good person. He always takes the lead when working and does his best.

This was a group of horse bandits. At the beginning, everyone was wary of them. They could not help but be polite in their speeches, fearing that the other party would get angry. After a few days, they gradually became familiar with each other. The village was also simple, and the two sides gradually became closer. The villagers could welcome the horse bandits with smiles and opposed taking in the horse bandits. They are also all called very smoothly.

On this day, Xu Liang raked the gold juice and returned to the house with the smell of shit. A child ran up to him. Xu Liang had long been familiar with the villagers and recognized him as the child of the Cai family next door to the village chief Niu.There are very few children in this village, and all of them are treasures in the palm of their hands. Xu Liang put the poop rake back to prevent the children from getting dirty, and asked: "What's wrong with Xiao Shun'er?"

Xiao Shun'er asked: "I heard from mother that you know martial arts?"

Xu Liang smiled and said: "It will be a little bit."

Xiao Shun'er said: "I saw that you were so majestic before, and I also want to be so majestic. Can you teach me martial arts?"

These words made Xu Liang embarrassed. In less than half a month, he was already picking up shit.But although the time spent in the village was not long, it was a peace of mind.

It's much better than living in a cave.

Xu Liang smiled and said: "I can teach you, but my brother's kung fu is not good either, so I'm afraid he'll ruin it."

Xiao Shun'er clapped her hands: "Okay, okay!"

In the evening, Xu Liang told Brother Xue about this, and Brother Xue felt it was appropriate.The horse bandit who lived with them was named Ye You. Ye You asked, "Brother Xue, are we really settling here?"

Brother Xue thought for a while and asked, "Are you unwilling?"

Like Xu Liang, Ye You was the youngest among the horse bandits. He also went out with Juyi Banner several times to collect grain and oil, but he never used force to kill anyone.Recalling the tragic situation of being surrounded and suppressed by the sect more than a year ago, the memory was still fresh in his mind. He couldn't help but shudder, shook his head and said: "Forget it. It's just that these shackles are uncomfortable. I hope they can be removed soon."

"We have only been in the village for a long time, and they will not let down their guard so quickly." Brother Xue said, "You are all children who have never fought before. I am only worried about the other brothers. If some people are unwilling to give up, they still want to make a living in the old business..."

Xu Liang said: "Tomorrow I will test my voice and see what everyone thinks."

Fourth Brother Xue shook his head: "I'm just afraid that they are dishonest."

What Brother Xue was worried about finally happened.It was the afternoon five days later. Ming Wuxi was watching the battle from the rooftop. A villager came quickly and shouted: "Master Ming, something happened! Come and take a look!"

Ming unknown jumped down from the rooftop, and before he entered the village, he heard Wang Shu shouting loudly, which shocked everyone in the village, including the nineteen horse bandits, who all came up to watch.

"Where's the axe? Why is the ax I used to chop wood missing?" Wang Shu shouted, "Who stole my axe?"

He stared directly at Fourth Brother Xue and other horse bandits.The villagers were whispering to each other, and everyone was talking. Unknowingly, the horse bandits gradually distanced themselves from the villagers. When Brother Xue realized that, except for his eighteen companions, there was no other villager around him.

(End of this chapter)