Under the sky

Chapter 277 The Bad Omen

The hexagonal snowflake mark in the mirror is a little faint, adding a touch of age.

"Throw some sand." Maier motioned to Monduk, "This will make it less likely to be discovered."

The two grabbed a handful of sand and rubbed it on their faces repeatedly to confirm that the marks were not damaged. Then they got up from the sand, pulled their horses and rode towards the distant group of refugees.

It started more than two months ago that they would be here.

■

Spring of March, 91st year of Kunlun Era

Knowing that Hilidegg was rescued, Yang Yan was very angry. He felt that he was being played by Gulthas. He gave up the Vulcan Scroll, but in the end he still couldn't kill Hilidegg.Wang Hong said that if he had known this, it would be better to collect the books and release them, at least to get a profit.

This leads to another question: Since Gulthas can save people, why would he exchange the Vulcan Scroll?
Yang Yan said that this was proof that Gulthas despised himself and that he was teasing himself.Wang Hong said: "Gulsasi's age shouldn't be so fun."

"Who said that? I have seen a grandfather who is still very playful in his eighties!" Yang Yan retorted, but Wang Hong was too lazy to argue with him.

Yang Yan's reputation in Batu is growing, as shown by the graffiti in the dark alleys.Wherever there is an image of the Son of God, no one will dare to add anything to the image of the Son of God.

Tucker made no further moves.The calm did not last long. First, Wang Hong noticed uneasiness on Gao Leqi's face, so he asked Yang Yan to ask Gao Leqi.

"It has nothing to do with the Son of God, it's just trivial matters." Gao Leqi replied.He has never wanted Yang Yan to get involved in political affairs. He hopes that Yang Yan is a spiritual leader, not someone who can really control political affairs.

Yang Yan remembered what Hillidegg said. He was at the center of the struggle, but not at the center of power.

"Everything you do is related to me." Yang Yan said, "It will do you no good to be on guard against me. Besides, maybe I can help."

Gao Leqi thought for a while before informing Yang Yan and Wang Hong.

First, at the end of last month, wheat increased by [-]%, which had little impact. However, the price of highland barley also increased. In just ten days, the prices of all grains increased. As the chief executive, Gao Leqi could not help but notice this. thing.

Maybe Yang Yan doesn't understand the complicated government affairs, but the increase in food prices is something that even a fool can understand.Although the Yang family is not poor, they are not well-off either. From time to time, Yang's mother complains about the price of rice and vegetables.

"Isn't this a very common thing?" Yang Yan asked, "My mother used to complain about price increases and bad harvests often happened."

"It doesn't matter if it's only for a short period of time, but this is what the consul must pay attention to. And the price of all food has increased, which is too strange." Gao Leqi said, "There is a proverb in Guan that food is the first thing for the people. I have made an appointment Have a meeting with all the princes."

"I want to know what's going on." Yang Yan said, "Don't forget to tell me the outcome of the meeting."

This meeting did not yield many clues. All the princes agreed in unison that the price increase was due to the increase in the price of purchased grain.

"At this time in previous years, people would stock up on food in preparation for the Sri Yanabhata Festival, and prices would have risen." A prince said, "And it has not rained so far this year, and the villages also want to stock up. If If the harvest is bad, they can sell it at a good price.”

"A lot of refugees have gathered near Nabu Batu recently," Prince Bailey said. "We must send more guards just in case. This keeps food prices high."

"Refugees?" Gao Leqi wondered, "Why do refugees come to Nabu Batu?" As soon as he finished asking, he suddenly realized that when he reported to Tucker, Yang Yan was also at the table, and he told Yang Yan all these words. Yan.

"The refugees gathered in Nabu Batu because of the Son of God."

"Me?" Yang Yan was confused.

"The Son of God pardoned the refugees." Gao Leqi said curiously, "This makes them hopeful."

"Drive these refugees out." Tucker knew the harm caused by rising food prices to the people. He was not stupid enough to take it lightly. "Let prices stabilize as soon as possible."

It doesn't seem too serious.Yang Yan thought of another thing, so he approached Huck, who was practicing sword skills with Balder.

"I want to send you to do something." Yang Yan said, "I want to find that person..." Yang Yan couldn't remember the name of the refugee leader, "The refugee leader you followed before."

"Uen," Huck said, "I don't know whether he is dead or alive. What do you want from him?"

"My sword." Yang Yan said, "Find a way to find my sword. I will entrust this task to you."

He has always wanted to retrieve Wild Fire, which was a relic left to him by Peng Xiaobei.He had no ability before, and after becoming the son of God Sa, he had no clues for a while. In addition, he had been recovering from his injuries for several months. When he heard that the refugees were gathering outside Nabu Batu, he sent Huck to inquire about the news.

"I told Tucker to send thirty soldiers, led by you."

"Me?" Huck opened his mouth wide and said nonchalantly, "I...I will only be led."

"There is a squad leader who will help you. If you encounter difficulties, you can ask him." Yang Yan said, "You are my confidant. You can't just be a soldier. You must be a squad leader, a captain, and a soldier supervisor." He photographed He patted Huck on the shoulder and said, "You have to be strong to protect me."

As soon as Huck heard Yang Yan's words of encouragement, he immediately cheered up and puffed his chest out: "I am willing to sacrifice my life for the Son of God!"

"That's not necessary." Yang Yan said, "I heard that there are many refugees gathering outside Batu, but they are hiding in Tibet and running away when they encounter the escort. You are also a refugee, so it is easy to find them."

Ha Ke said: "But Wuen is a believer of the Yanavata sect. If he doesn't believe in the son of the Sa god, he may not come near Batu, and he doesn't know if he is dead."

"It's easier to find out information among refugees." Yang Yan said, "As long as the knife comes back, anything can be said. Spread the word, as long as any refugee brings back this knife, I will pardon them, restore them to civilian status, and will also give them The reward is just like you.”

Huck said hurriedly: "This will make them fight over this knife."

Yang Yan said: "That's not necessarily a bad thing." He really didn't like this group of refugees who kidnapped him and almost burned Wang Hong to death.

Balder listened to them talking and suddenly said: "I want to go too."

Yang Yan frowned: "What are you going to do?"

Balder said: "I practice swordsmanship all day long and have no experience. I want to become a good warrior and protect the Son of God."

Yang Yan said: "You have to ask your sister."

Balder puffed up his chest and said, "I'm a man, and men don't have to ask women to do things!"

Yang Yan smiled and said, "I have to ask your sister about everything I do. Why are you so bold and dare not ask?"

No matter how much Balder begged, Yang Yan asked him to ask Wang Hong. Balder had no choice but to beg his sister, and as expected, he got scolded.The brother and sister had a heated argument, and Wang Hong angrily yelled, "It's enough for you to take good care of your parents. You are not missing to protect the Son of God!"

Balder said: "If you don't say anything, your parents will know that you are fighting against Gulthas!"

Tucker seized the prison department and arrested Hillidegg. The matter was so big that Wang Hong couldn't hide it even if he wanted to.Balder said: "I want to be a useful person, otherwise how can I protect my parents!"

Wang Hong first felt that what he said was reasonable, but secondly she couldn't win over her younger brother, so she had to agree, and asked Huck to take good care of her younger brother. If there was danger, she must protect her younger brother.

Huck said: "Balder is very brave. I will protect him like my own brother."

Balder then reported it to his parents. Although Mira was worried, Monduk agreed: "We can't be a burden to our daughter. Balder must be a brave warrior."

With his parents' permission, Balder and Huck set out together.Wang Hong was still worried and asked Tucker to send twenty more guards, and a team of 50 people set out to find wildfire for Yang Yan.

I don't know how long it will take to come back from this trip, and Wang Hong doesn't have to worry about it.Half a month passed suddenly, and it was April in the blink of an eye.The palace guards sent by Tucker to drive away the refugees had little effect. The refugees formed groups of thirty, fifty or a hundred people and fled when they saw the guards, and then gathered again when the guards left.This method of driving away is ineffective, but if a large-scale raid is carried out, a huge amount of combat power will inevitably be invested. At this time of tension between Arien Palace and the Priesthood, if a large number of palace guards or prison officers are used to drive away the refugees, they will undoubtedly lose sight of the other.

Grain prices have risen instead of falling. They have increased by more than [-]% compared to last summer, and the trend is getting worse.

"What's going on?" Gao Leqi summoned the princes again.

"We can't lower the price." Prince Bailey said, "It's April, not a drop of rain has fallen, and the Sri Yanabhata Festival hasn't even been held yet."

As if to deliberately add insult to injury, after the last snowfall at the end of winter, there has been no rain for several months.There was originally little rain outside the pass, and drought-tolerant crops were planted. However, if things go on like this, the harvest of the slave fields around Batu will be greatly affected. If the rivers also dry up, the consequences will be disastrous.

"Our grain trucks are often robbed by refugees," said Prince Dai Zhuo, another son of Prince Hu Gen. "The losses are very heavy."

"Why do refugees dare to rob grain trucks? Your escort team is so small?"

"The refugees gathered together and lingered outside Batu," Bailey said. "There are dozens and dozens of them, and together there are hundreds. When the number of people increases, there will be a shortage of food. If people have nothing to eat, they will lose their courage." He is strong and dares to do anything."

Dai Zhuo said: "We can only send more guards, which will cost more money."

"If we don't drive them away, even the trade routes will be affected," Bailey said.

"What do the refugees do with goods?" Gao Leqi asked, "Can they still sell them for money?"

Gao Leqi became suspicious. He never doubted the greed of these nobles.The rise in food prices has aroused public resentment, especially highland barley, which is one of the staple foods outside the customs and has seriously affected people's livelihood.He summoned the inspector Woolf and asked him about the price of grain. Woolf replied: "I checked it. Judging from the account books, their expenses have indeed increased. I can't stop them from raising prices reasonably."

"You think it's okay?" Gao Leqi asked. "If the account book is true," Woolf replied, "But it is not difficult for them to falsify, especially since they are all princes. Chief, you know, it is difficult for me to threaten them."

Bad news comes one after another. Yu Zhengping, one of the second consuls, reported on the recent public complaints in Baduli: "Food prices have increased by [-]%, and public complaints are boiling, but this is not the most troublesome."

Gao Leqi knew that the situation was deteriorating, so he called Tucker, Yang Yan, Wang Hong, and even Maier to discuss the matter.

"It's April, the Beginning of Summer has passed long ago, and it hasn't rained yet." Gao Leqi said worriedly.

"It looks like the good weather will continue for a while," Tucker said.

Does this guy know how serious the matter is?Gao Leqi stroked his forehead: "If it doesn't rain, the harvest will be bad this year. There will be a drought in the first year of the Son of God's return. What do you think the people will think?"

Tucker sensed the seriousness of the situation: "I have heard that there is a Yanavata Festival that is only held in May."

"But food prices were not so high at that time," Gao Leqi said. "I suspect there is something wrong."

Yang Yan said: "Do you think the Priesthood is manipulating food prices? Can they do it?"

The Priesthood can't do it, but the nobles can, and Tucker's brothers are a bunch of bastards...

"Maier, take a team of soldiers to the refugees to find out the news." Gao Leqi said, "See if they really robbed the grain truck."

"No." Maier shook his head. "The refugees are very wary of the escorts, and I don't want too many people to know what I do. I just go alone. At most, I can bring one follower and find a way to blend in with the refugees."

"Who are you taking?" Yang Yan asked.

"He is about the same age as me. This is very dangerous. I hope he is more stable." Maier mused. "He needs to be good at martial arts and able to keep his breath. Monduk, he is very suitable, he is old enough, and he is stable."

"No!" Wang Hong objected, "My father is just a farmer, he only knows how to farm!"

"He knows martial arts," Maier said. "He is as good as three or five guards."

Wang Hong still refused, and Yang Yan said: "It's better to listen to uncle's wishes."

That's why Munduk and Maier appeared in the wilderness of Batu.

"Why did you ask me for help?" Monduk and Maier rode together and asked before walking towards the refugees. "There are many experienced and stable soldiers in the palace guard or prison department."

"Weide, who was guarding the black cell, died. He was assassinated by a robber in front of a gambling stall in a sheep dung pile. The robber said he was taking gold to gamble. I recognized Weide. He was a conscientious man and did not know how to gamble. There’s no gold either.” Meyer said, “He should have been murdered, but I found no evidence.”

Monduk was shocked: "Do you think it was Hillidger who did it?"

"I was the one who caught Hilidegg." Maier said, "He will probably seek revenge on me. He has a buzz and there are many people who spy on his secrets, so I have to be extra careful when acting alone."

"You will never betray your daughter. I can rest assured that I will act with you."

The refugees soon discovered them and immediately became alert. Many of them had mounted their swords, and Maier raised his hands to show that he was not hostile.

The other party's scout quickly ran towards the two of them.

"Who are you?" the scout shouted loudly.

"My name is Munduk!" Munduk also shouted loudly, "I am the scout of Huck's team!"

As the horses approached, the two men each raised a hand to show they meant no harm.The scout stepped forward and saw the refugee marks drawn on the two men's eyes, and saw that there was no one else behind them, so he relaxed his guard a little.

"Which Huck?" the other party hesitated, "could it be the storm on the grassland? Can that kid also have his own team?"

"No, it's just a name collision. Do you also know Storm on the Prairie?" Monduk was surprised that he could still meet an acquaintance using Huck as a pseudonym.

"Who doesn't recognize him? That kid's name is very famous now. He is a refugee who was pardoned by the Son of God. God, I know he is good at escaping. He has changed several teams. I didn't expect that he could escape to Batuli. Let him succeed!" The man showed disdain, "Does your leader want to take advantage of it? Otherwise, this name is too cowardly."

"Don't insult our leader." Maier said, "The honor must be washed away with blood."

Maier himself didn’t expect that there would be a day when he would defend Huck’s reputation...

"My name is Rez. What do you want to do? Do you want to trade?" Rez asked, "We have furs and plenty of food. We want iron tools. Do you have arrow shafts? We are in short supply of arrow shafts."

"My name is Maier, and his name is Monduk. I heard that someone robbed Batu's grain transport team. Is it you?"

"That's Char's team," Reitz said. "I heard that they took several carts of grain and injured several lives."

"Just how many cars?" Maier asked, "I thought he would take more."

"If we can't pull them away, where can we hide them?" Reitz said. "If their team hadn't gone crazy with hunger, they wouldn't have grabbed the grain truck. Why are we gathering here? Isn't it just waiting for the Son of God to come and cry out our grievances to the Son of God?" What's the point of offending Badu? If the Son of God knows about it, it won't do us any good."

Monduk said: "I heard that someone robbed the entire grain team?"

Rez laughed loudly: "Where are all these grains stored? If you carry so much grain on the road, don't you invite people to rob you? Besides, Batu has been raiding the refugees recently, and when he encountered the palace guards, he couldn't even hide in time."

Maier asked: "Is there a large group of refugees? If it is a group of several hundred people, they will be able to rob grain trucks."

Leizi said: "Yes, but I haven't heard of them robbing grain trucks." He thought for a while and then said, "There is a Han named Wang Qile. His team is very large. I heard that there has been some movement recently."

"Wang Qile?" Maier asked, "What's the sound?"

"He is recruiting nearby refugees, and several teams have joined." Rez said, "I don't know what he is going to do, but he should be the largest group of refugees wandering around Nabu Batu. I heard His team includes thousands of people, not counting his family members.”

"Why did he gather such a large team? It's hard to hide, right?"

Rez spread his hands: "I don't know."

"Where's the grain? Will he rob the grain truck?" Maier took off the leather bag from the horse, which contained low-quality barley wine, and handed it to Rez as a sign of goodwill.Rez happily drank several sips, his throat twitching as if he hadn't drank water for a long time.

"I've never heard of such a thing." Rez asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Just inquiring for information." Monduke replied, "Our team is in the east and we don't plan to trade for the time being."

Rez suddenly asked in a low voice: "Have you ever seen a black knife?"

"A black knife?" Maier shook his head, "If we knew where it was, we would have gone to get it."

Rez sighed, "That's right. Oh, okay." He turned around and saw his team watching from a distance, so he asked, "Is there anything else?"

Monduk glanced at Maier and saw him shaking his head, so he said: "No, thank you."

The two rode back.This trip was fruitful, and I got the information I wanted almost effortlessly.Maier is right, fewer people are more convenient.

"It seems that the grain truck heading to Batu was not robbed." Maier said, "The nobles are lying."

Monduk nodded, feeling slightly uneasy.

"Just now you asked me why I was looking for you, then why did you come with me?" Maier suddenly asked, "You can stay in Arien Palace, it's very safe there."

"I also want to do something for my daughter, especially if my daughter does such a dangerous thing." Monduk replied, "She saved our family in the past, not only our family, but also the remaining slaves in the entire slave house. Now my father It’s time to devote your efforts to your daughter.”

"I know this, your daughter is amazing." Meyer said.

"Of course." Munduque puffed up his chest when he heard others praise his daughter, "She is more amazing than ten men."

"Are you as great as your daughter?" Mel suddenly asked.

"What do you mean?" Monduke was confused, and then he noticed that there were more than ten riders in fancy clothes in front of him, standing on a high place, looking in his direction from a distance.

"Seventeen...eight...twenty." Maier put his hand on the handle of the scimitar, "You must be able to deal with at least five, if there is no master among them."

Twenty riders quickly rushed down from the high ground towards them.

"Run away!" Maier shouted.

(End of this chapter)