Beautiful step by step

Chapter 186

After the secret booklet was sent to the capital, the two hibernated again. During this month, Wei Wei's belly grew a lot. Before, she could use her dexterity to overcome the inconvenience in movement, but now she couldn't at all.

Fortunately, during this period of time, the investigation was almost the same, and they finally found out the pirates' lair after following the vines.It turned out that these Japanese pirates did not land on the coast when they robbed, but had been hiding in the territory of Day Viet, relying on the southern water system extending in all directions to roam around.

The Wa Kingdom was already deeply influenced by Dai Viet, and the Japanese pirates stayed in a certain place for a long time and were gradually assimilated.Not only are they no different from the locals in terms of food, clothing, housing, and transportation, but they even learn the local dialect very similarly. At first glance, there is no difference at all.Not only that, Japanese pirates mixed with local water bandits.Even if some nearby villages were harmed by people, the government would never be able to find out which force did it.

After disembarking from the boat in Xuzhou, from the Sun family to the chief envoy, to the Japanese pirates who were under the minions of these officials, it was easy for them to find out all this through secret visits.But it doesn't count if these things are found out. If the Japanese pirates are not eradicated, the coast will be restless.

However, Yan Heng can't ignore this matter, after all, he went to the south of the Yangtze River this time with the apparent purpose of crusading against the remaining Japanese pirates.Now that they have come to the last step, they are stuck at this step.

Jiangnan government soldiers can't count on it at all. They have been suppressing bandits for many years, but the banditry has become more and more serious. Anyone with a discerning eye can see the problem.

Yan Heng was able to take over the military power in the northwest because firstly, he was a combat hero with prestige in the army; secondly, Emperor Qinglong personally appointed him, which was justified; thirdly, it was just in time for the major event of the reconstruction of Youzhou City, and he was able to unite the hearts of the people.The right time, place and people allowed him to regain military power so smoothly.

But what does he have in Jiangnan?The name of the imperial envoy?
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon on the border of the south of the Yangtze River, there may be an old fox who lived in a different courtyard after he retired.It is enough to make them stumble behind casually.

Now this situation can only depend on themselves, so for the past half month, they have been living in a small fishing village by the Hongze Lake, checking nearby.

The people in the fishing village are simple and honest, and the way of making fish is even more unique.I don't know what secret recipe they used, but the fish soup they made only has umami taste without the slightest fishy smell. Wei Mao, who has never eaten fish since she was pregnant, can finally feast her mouth.

Fish soup can't be drunk for nothing, and when they go fishing, she will help them take care of their children.After taking it for a long time, I also folded two willow branches to teach them to write and draw.Seeing her teaching children how to read, the villagers were even more happy, and the neighbors quickly became closer.

After getting acquainted with each other, there are not so many scruples about some things.Finally, once, when she was sewing fishing nets with other fishermen's wives, she heard them say that the water bandits in the lake were a little nervous recently, because the imperial court sent a very powerful general to suppress the bandits.When others mentioned the officials of the imperial court suppressing bandits, their faces were even more repulsive.

"Isn't suppressing bandits a good thing?"

The wife of the highest-ranking patriarch bit off the suture in her hand, shook the fishing net, and said resignedly: "If you want to really suppress the bandits, we will definitely welcome them with drums and gongs, but those real bandits are cunning, and no court officers and soldiers who spare their lives can catch them. Every time we come to suppress bandits, it’s not us ordinary people who are suppressed.”

All the crows in the world are black!

Wei Wei remembered the crimes listed in the imperial decree when Wu's family was convicted.Among them, the one who bears the brunt is not selling officials and nobles, but beheading civilians privately as the head of the enemy.Unexpectedly, the general who suppressed bandits in the south of the Yangtze River would ignore the lives of ordinary people in order to complete the task.

When this chatter was aroused, everyone talked a lot.There are no outsiders here, and there are not so many scruples when talking.The moment she was thinking, someone had already mentioned the few people in the village who were going to be water bandits.

"I heard that Qilang is highly regarded by the leaders, and their leaders can talk to the Japanese pirates in the lake. Thanks to his presence, our village has had a good life in recent years."

"Yeah, it's just a pity for Shichiro. What a clever child, it's a pity that he was born to the wrong family. If he was born in a wealthy family who can afford to read, he will definitely become a success."

Carrying a fishing net, the needle and thread in Wei Wei's hand did not move for a long time.It turned out that this is how the Jiangnan water bandits came. Because of the inaction of the government, ordinary people couldn't bear to be disturbed by it, so they could only do the opposite, sending their own people into the water bandits to protect their relatives.

Without being forced to a certain extent, who's good child is willing to become a bandit.

When the sun was setting and Yan Heng came back with the fishing boat in the village, she closed the door and told him all the things she found out.After she finished speaking, Yan Heng was not surprised at all.

"Ah Heng knows?"

"Well, the reason why I came back late today is because the fishing boats went to deliver some salt and lamp oil to the water bandits who lived in the lake. The villagers also told me about this on the way back. Let me work for the water bandits."

"Serve the water bandits, then you can wait for the opportunity to lie dormant and kill them all. Did Ah Heng agree?"

Looking at Wei Wei's belly, Yan Heng shook his head: "Ah Mao is old after all, and these water bandits are not heinous. If it weren't for their restraint, the Japanese pirates would have become even more rampant these years. Just like what Ah Wei just said Shichiro, it really counts that he has done a good deed."

"But the imperial court doesn't allow it. Ah Heng, look at the water bandits who came out from the nearby villages. They collect villagers' offerings, clean up the waterways in the lake, and protect one side's safety. Is there any difference between what they do and what the imperial court does?"

Not at all, Yan Heng shook his head.If this matter were really brought up, the imperial court would rather have a group of incompetent Jiangnan soldiers than tolerate the existence of this group of uncrowned king's water bandits.

"If you want to protect the water bandits and wipe out the Japanese bandits, there is only one way."

Yan Heng's pupils narrowed slightly, and he glanced at the flickering candle beside him: "Ah Mao means to..."

"Ah Heng also thought of it, Zhaoan. We have come all the way, even if we didn't go to the Yamen, we have seen many Jiangnan officers and soldiers. Let's not talk about whether they listen to your orders, even if they really listen to you, dare you use them? But these water bandits It’s different, Ah Heng went to see the villagers today, and he should know better than me. If you really want to fight Japanese pirates, they are safer than officers and soldiers.”

He knows himself and the enemy, and he knows that it is better to fight Japanese pirates with water bandits.But this is not easy to do. Why are these water bandits forced to go to Liangshan?Can they help the court now?
It was very difficult, but looking at Ah Mao's trusting eyes, Yan Heng still nodded: "Let me try."

Then he got up and went to the patriarch's house. The small courtyard where he lived was not far from the patriarch's house, and he became familiar with it after half a month.When the meeting came, he was immediately invited up to sit in the hall with the patriarch.

He didn't disclose his status as an imperial envoy, but only mentioned it on the sidelines, but the patriarch rejected him without even thinking about it.

"We flat-headed people don't want much, just a peaceful life. What kind of life did the village live in the early years? Not only did we have to let the Japanese pirates plunder, but we also had to find ways to complete the task of suppressing bandits for the government soldiers. Although the water bandits have a reputation It doesn't sound good, but face is more important than face in life."

Putting down the teacup, Yan Heng persuasively said: "If the Japanese pirates can be wiped out, the children of the clan will no longer have to become bandits."

The patriarch took a deep look at him, and said in a distant voice, "I have lived for so many years, and I ask myself how good I am at seeing people. When you and your wife first came to the village, the first time you met each other, I knew that you were by no means ordinary people. After working together for the past few days, I probably know that you have no malicious intentions, so I took you to have a look today."

The patriarch's wife added tea to the two of them, and she also looked helpless: "You and Ah Mao are good people, especially Ah Mao, the children in the village like her very much. We know that you have been checking these things, and we know that you are a group of people. I want to help everyone out of good intentions. But it’s not that the court has never been a good official before, but after a few years of peace, it resurfaced, and the revenge is even more terrifying. Now it’s very good, and everyone has a peaceful life.”

Yan Heng had expected that his identity would be found out. After all, he and Ah Mao just put on a slight disguise on their faces, and some of their daily habits and behaviors did not change.They hide in the dark when investigating other matters, and the time they stay is so short that most people can't see it, but this time they have lived in the village by the lake for half a month, and getting along with the villagers day and night, it is easy to show their flaws.

"I really can't hide anything from the patriarch. These days, my husband and I live in the village. I am grateful for everyone's care. If you need it in the future, you can give this token to Tongyuan Trading Company in the city."

Leaving an unremarkable wooden carving to the patriarch and his wife, Yan Heng and Wei Wei packed up their things and left the village overnight.The matter has been found out, and it would be embarrassing to stay any longer.

And the patriarch and his wife also stayed up all night. Whoever wants their own well-behaved children to become water bandits, they have nothing to do.He went to deliver things yesterday, and he heard that the general sent by the court this time is young and promising.Thinking of the handsome kung fu practiced by the official in the village, he faintly felt that he had lost a god-given opportunity.

It was just dawn, and the patriarch, who couldn't sleep, walked to the lake, and saw familiar boats parked there, and several young and strong people who had gone out of the village came back covered in blood.Qilang, the most capable, was even missing an arm and a leg, and was wrapped in a roll of white silk in the boat.

"Patriarch!"

The visitor limped ashore, walked up to him and knelt down with a plop: "Those Japanese pirates are simply not human. They robbed our water village for no reason. They suddenly attacked in the middle of the night, and the brothers inside were dead or wounded. Qilang He went even more to protect everyone."

Qilang is his grandson and the smartest child of the Lin family.As a neighbor, the patriarch almost watched him grow up.

The trembling palm of his hand covered his heart, just in time to touch the wooden token left by Yan Heng last night.He regretted not falling, and at the same time, he knew better that what he had to do now was not to regret, but to remedy it in time.

After calling the clan elders to discuss for a while, he asked people to row a boat and take a shortcut to the city.Hurrying quickly, finally stopped Yan Heng at the gate of the city.

In fact, Yan Heng had already arrived in the city after rushing all night, and he came out of the city this time to welcome the two princes who came here by order.The three parties joined hands at the gate of the city, and reached an agreement after a short while.

The two princes went to transfer Jiangnan government soldiers, and Yan Heng went to a nearby village to recruit water bandits.As for Wei Wei, she took the initiative to stay in the city to inquire about the news because of her limited mobility.

(End of this chapter)