Chapter 11 Chapter 10 Beastly Beastly, Killing Innocents with Poison and Burning

When the fire was at its peak, there was almost no gap in the wall that was not occupied by the fire, and even the watery Chinese toon tree was burning.The fire waves in the center of the village rose tens of feet high like a tsunami, and some tens of kilograms of wood were thrown high by the hot air, flying all over the sky, and the smoke shot straight into the sky. The sound of collapse, and the wailing of dying people, the screams of pigs, dogs, cattle and sheep, were almost covered by the impenetrable fire waves so that no sound could be heard... In this way, the wealth created by the four thousand villagers in Xixi village and generations has been reduced to ashes...

The book continues from the previous chapter, but it says that Yang Lilu pretended to agree to Xian Yihao's head to seek peace, but Yang Xiangwan couldn't see through it for a while, and shouted that he had been fooled after Yang Lilu left. Zhu Yunhan was puzzled and asked, "Could it be that Yang Lilu's request for peace is fraudulent?" Yang Xiangwan nodded and said: "He didn't come here to ask for peace, but to find out the truth under the order of Yi Hao. We should kill him, so that we can persist and cause psychological fear in the village." "To find out what's true? What truth do we have to find out?" Zhu Yunhan still didn't understand.

Yang Xiangwan sighed: "Yi Hao didn't know the details, and thought that many of us came to attack the village. Now, Yang Lilu only sees our three leaders. After returning, he will discuss with Yi Hao and mobilize thousands of villagers to join the battle. " Zhu Yunhan beat his chest repeatedly. Zhang Yunqing asked: "What should we do next?" "Retreat." Yang Xiangwan only said two words. "Absolutely not!" Zhu Yunhan objected, "We came from a long way, wouldn't it be embarrassing to go back in such a despondent way?" Zhang Yunqing also echoed: "Even if the goal cannot be achieved, we should open a gap and kill a group of people, so that the brothers will be more subdued psychologically."

Seeing that the two leaders held the same point of view, Yang Xiangwan stopped insisting, and said: "If you want to attack, the lights are dark tonight and you are not prepared. Once you attack and the terrain is unfamiliar, it will be us who will suffer. Why don't you withdraw the brothers and sleep?" Take a nap, rest your mind, and act after dawn.” Zhu and Zhang had no objection.Immediately ordered the evacuation of the siege, and sent people to a nearby village to borrow a ladder. In the early morning of the next day, Zhang and Zhu merged into one unit, and the front troops carried ladders, preparing to break through the gap from both ends of the village and enter the village to kill people.I don't want the other party to be prepared.

Launched two attacks in a row, both failed.Zhang Yunqing became angry for a while. After dinner, he took the lead with two guns in hand and led his troops to attack from the west. Zhang Yunqing's unafraid of death inspired a group of desperadoes, and they rushed under the wall in a ladder formation.Zhang Yunqing took the lead in setting up the bamboo ladder, and while stepping on the ladder, he shouted: "Brothers, it's time for the bloodbath of Chen's village, go!" "Come on—" shouts joined together. While climbing, something suddenly flew out of the fence, and when it landed, the disciples behind Zhang Yunqing screamed in pain and dared not move forward.

"Mother sells x!" Zhang Yunqing cursed, and was about to order the gangsters to follow him up the wall, when a burst of unbearable heat burned on his face, causing him to roll down the ladder in pain.Stretch out your hand to scrape, the roasted surface will be wider, and a piece of skin will be scraped off.It turned out that some hot porridge was at work. Porridge and stones flew out like raindrops, and the bandits in front cried and cried, hugging their heads and retreating. Xitou's attack failed again, and many people were injured and scalded. Zhang Yunqing's right cheek was also burnt to a large extent.

Withdrew to the post station, Yang Xiangwan thought it was not appropriate to take it by force, so he used fire attack instead. Throughout the afternoon, the bandits Zhang and Zhu urged the gangsters from the headquarters to go to neighboring villages to grab dry firewood, kerosene, and pine oil. It was night, the moon was dark and the wind was high. According to the direction of the wind, Zhang and Zhu led their troops to touch under the wall with dry firewood and other combustibles. They suddenly lit torches and threw them into the village. The oil is thrown over.This time the village is on guard again.The fire was splashed with water, and there was a lot of rain in May, so the fire attack failed.

The gangsters had nothing more to do.Zhu Yunhan had no choice but to agree to retreat.Zhang Yunqing said worriedly: "After several confrontations, I know that Yi Hao is not someone to wait for. There is only one way for us to retreat. What if he sends someone to attack?" Yang Xiangwan agreed with this point of view, and decided to continue to attack the village after dawn, without showing any signs of retreat.Just in case, they secretly sent people to nearby villages to grab quilts for spare. At dawn the next day, another small-scale attack was launched at the main gate, and at night, another attack was launched.On the eve of the retreat, Zhang Yunqing reminded: "Before departure, brother Xiangwan made a calculation, saying that there is no time to attack in the near future, and that we will not be able to get help from various gods until October. It makes sense. Last night, if it was October , the sky is dry and things are dry, attacking with fire will surely accomplish the job. So, tonight, I will ask Brother Xiangwan to do some calculations."

Yang Xiangwan nodded, closed his eyes and counted with his fingers, then suddenly turned pale with shock and said: "The disaster star in the east is on duty tonight, it will be a disaster!" Zhu Yunhan was surprised at first, and then said: "I don't think so." "What basis do you have?" Yang Xiangwan asked dissatisfied. "You are too young to know the world." Zhu Yunhan snorted contemptuously from his nose. Zhang Yunqing felt that Zhu Yunhan had an unusual story to tell, and immediately asked: "Master Zhu, what do you say?" Zhu Yunhan nodded and told a legendary story about Yang Lilu making a fortune in Dagou'ao.

Zhang Yunqing sighed endlessly: "No wonder Mei Manniang once told me that when the time came, she asked me to do something..." Zhu Yunhan stroked his beard, glanced proudly at Yang Xiangwan and said, "Yang Lilu is also familiar with Zhouyi and Bafeng. He often wears a pair of bamboo hexagrams on his body. Whenever there is something difficult to decide, he must make a calculation and make a few hexagrams before doing it." The final decision. He is going to intercept us tonight. How can there be no reason for such a big event? If he does a divination, he must know that the disaster star is on duty in the east, and we will definitely not pass. Could it be that he deliberately went to the mountain to feed mosquitoes , Being disturbed by poisonous snakes and beasts?"

Yang Xiangwan felt that what Zhu Yunhan said made sense, so he turned his attention to Zhang Yunqing. Zhang Yunqing said, "Let's go tonight." The three leaders agreed and began to retreat.Bandits all wear cloth sandals, which are made of strips of cloth and are more than ten times more durable than ordinary straw sandals, but they are expensive.Due to insufficient time, only fifty or sixty quilts were snatched. At midnight, the team entered the most dangerous place in Xuefeng Mountain.There is a deep stream at the foot, and a cliff with a thousand feet above the head. There are waterfalls pouring down, making a loud noise.Being in it, no matter how brave you are, you will be horrified.Zhang Yunqing was startled, and couldn't help saying: "If someone shuts the sheep here and yells, who would dare not submit obediently?" Zhu Yunhan took it and said: "Yanglilu made its fortune here back then." "Is Dagouao in front?" Yang Xiangwan asked. "Yes. Dagou'ao used to be a long and narrow valley." Yang Xiangwan turned his head and said to Zhang Yunqing: "The road ahead is the most dangerous, so brothers should soak the quilts with water." Zhang Yunqing retreated to the back and organized the gangsters to put the quilt under the waterfall and soak it in water.The quilt was soaked in water and folded up on the head to withstand bullets. Walking through the cliff is Dagouao.After passing Dagouao without encountering the enemy, the gangsters relaxed.Who would have thought that as soon as he entered the Dagou'ao Canyon, there was a sudden burst of gunfire, and the bandits walking in front were caught off guard and fell into a pool of blood. Zhang Yunqing ordered to hide, but there were cliffs on both sides of the valley, and there was nowhere to hide, and all the more than one hundred men and horses were exposed to the shooting range. Zhu Yunhan beat his chest and yelled, "God will cut me off!" Zhang Yunqing discussed with Yang Xiangwan and decided that they would share a wet quilt, and those who didn't have a quilt had to rush forward with bare heads. How many. Yang Xiangwan reminded: "The death of a few people is not a big problem, but the gun cannot be thrown away!" Zhang Yunqing gave orders: "Every brother who has covered himself with quilts has the obligation to pick up his guns!" Just like that, the ones in front rushed forward with bare heads, and the ones behind walked with their quilts on their backs.Bullets roared overhead, and although some had pierced through the quilt, their lethality had been greatly weakened. The canyon is the gate of life and death, you can survive if you rush through it, and stay here forever if you don't.Fortunately, there were not many people on Yi Hao's side, and the weapons were not sophisticated enough. In addition, the loss was not too big.After passing the valley, Zhang and Zhu counted their headquarters separately. Only seven or eight people did not come over, and they threw away three Hanyang-made rifles. The first danger was over, Zhang, Zhu, and Yang still did not dare to neglect, they were careful all the way, and kept the wet quilt on their bodies.It wasn't until dawn, when they came to Shuangbiyan, on their own land, that the gangsters returned to normal and breathed a sigh of relief. In the morning, both Zhang and Zhu went to the tip (eat) and had a rest in Dongkou Town.The three chiefs were drinking in the private room of the inn.After drinking for three rounds, Zhu Yunhan said to Zhang Yunqing: "The stream is too difficult to attack. If you don't give up on the way, you can attack it yourself in the future." When Zhang Yunqing heard this, she felt quite uncomfortable, and looked at Yang Xiangwan for help. Yang Xiangwan said in a dissatisfied tone: "Master Zhu, thanks to the fact that you are still Senior Lulin, if you let the brothers hear such words, what will they do? If you spread it outside, you will be ridiculed and looked down upon, even you The fame that the ancestors already possessed will also be destroyed!" Zhu Yunhan blushed and sighed: "I have no choice but to say this. The river is too far away from us, and expeditions are difficult to win in history. Back then, even Zhuge Liang returned without success." Yang Xiangwan sneered and said, "We can count as an 'expedition' when we hit the stream? Master Zhu's vision is too short-sighted. Heroes in history, like Qin Shihuang, did not have the concept of an 'expedition' in his mind, because he took the general Everyone in the world regards it as their own territory. What's more, Xixi is only the territory of Wugang County." Zhang Yunqing: "Brother Xiangwan said it well. A man has a broad mind and looks at the world. Although he does not dare to regard the whole of China as his territory after doing this business, he must at least regard Xiangxi as his home. This time we attack Yi Hao. From a simple point of view, it is revenge, but from a more profound point of view, it is to expand our territory! The experience last night made me deeply feel that we need to expand our territory too much. The fear and trembling embarrassment of being in other people's territory , It hurt me deeply. I vowed to bloodbath Chenjiazhai and control the river! With this land, we can expand to Qianyang, Huaihua, and Jishou!" "Vigorous!" Yang Xiangwan clapped his hands in praise. "Eat a pit, gain a wisdom." Zhang Yunqing continued, "With this experience, I have enough confidence in attacking the creek! I can issue a military order to Master Zhu and promise to take the Chenjiazhai before the Spring Festival this year." Come down!" Zhu Yunhan put down his wine glass, raised his beard and said, "Do you have any tricks up your sleeve?" "It's not a clever plan," Zhang Yunqing looked at Yang Xiangwan, "We both wrote down our own plan to break the village on the handboard, and then showed it to Master Zhu. If they are the same, then we will decide to implement this plan." Zhu Yunhan became interested, and immediately called the bartender to fetch pens and ink from the accountant, and asked Zhang and Yang to write in the palms of their hands.Sure enough, the two wrote the same word - fire. "Heroes really see the same thing." Zhu Yunhan had no choice but to nod in agreement, "Then attack with fire." Zhang Yunqing added: "However, we have already used fire attack once, and the opponent must be prepared. Maybe they will build a water fortress from outside the fortress. In this way, the difficulty of our fire attack will increase." Zhu Yunhan frowned and said, "Wouldn't it be a waste of time to attack with fire?" Zhang Yunqing continued: "The overall conditions are favorable to us. The seven or eight hundred houses in Chenjiazhai are all wooden structures, and most of the roofs are made of fir bark, and they are adjacent to each other. As long as the fire spreads to a certain extent, they will be extinguished as soon as they want." No! The point is that they must be rendered inextinguishable in the first place. It seems impossible to use traditional methods—” "That's right!" Zhu Yunhan interjected, "Not to mention that we only have a few hundred or so people, there are more than a thousand people throwing torches into the village, even if more than four thousand of them are pouring water, it won't make a fire." Zhang Yunqing sneered and said to Yang Xiangwan: "Brother Xiangwan, you must have a plan to break the stronghold, can you tell me?" Yang Xiangwan hesitated to speak, but finally, he thought it was better not to speak.As shrewd as Zhang Yunqing, it is impossible not to think of that step, and to say it, it seems that he wants to stand out.He shook his head: "Xiangwan is so talented and inexperienced, I can't tell." Zhang Yunqing nodded.His original intention was to test Yang Xiangwan. If Yang Xiangwan was the one who liked to express himself, he would not be suitable to be someone else's subordinate. Zhu Yunhan asked Zhang Yunqing: "By the way, what clever plan do you have, why didn't you tell it earlier?" Zhang Yunqing smiled: "It's too early now, Master Zhu will know about it on that day." He intentionally kept him in the dark. After the banquet was over, it was already evening, and Zhu Yunhan and Zhang Yunqing led their troops back to their lairs. When Zhang Yunqing returned to Yanziyan, he and Pu Hu'er couldn't help but have some flirtations.The next day, Zhang Yakou was called to inquire about the progress of the house. Zhang Yakou answered one by one, and still stood there in a daze after answering, Zhang Yunqing asked, "Is there anything else?" Zhang Yakou said: "The young master is too naughty. He beats people and grabs things every day. He is only eight years old, and he wants teenage children to follow his orders. A few days ago, Tan Xiaohu, the 12-year-old son of tenant Tan Licheng, and the young master In a fight, the young master lost, so the young master ran to Tan's house and smashed the pot and stove; a stone water tank could not be smashed, so he squatted on it and took a shit. I taught him, and he said—" "What else did he say?" Zhang Yunqing stared. "He also said that he is the master of the master, he can only control me, I have no right to control him." "Haha! Hahaha..." Zhang Yunqing couldn't stop laughing, and turned to Pu Hu'er proudly, "Did you hear clearly? My son has been so promising since he was a child. This is called a tiger father without a dog!" Teach Zhang Yakou a lesson, "Do you think a good boy is as honest as a log? This is a world where the strong prey on the weak, and he is bullied by others! He refuses to eat or dress. You can remind him that he caused trouble in the village. Find me!" Zhang Yakou exited hesitantly. After Zhang Yakou left, Yin Dongbo, who was in charge of staying behind, came to report the situation of Yanziyan to him.Zhang Yunqing recounted the whole process of attacking Yi Hao from the beginning.Yin Dongbo nodded after hearing this and said: "Fire attack is of course the best, but the opponent's defense is too strict, and local methods will not work at all. What is the magic method of Master Man?" Zhang Yunqing asked back: "If the task is entrusted to you, what do you plan to do?" Yin Dongbo pondered for a moment, and said, "There is no other way than lighting the fire with kerosene!" Zhang Yunqing nodded: "You are smarter than Zhu Yunhan, I am going to burn the Chen family village with kerosene!" Yin Dongbo said again: "Burning such a big village, where can we find so much kerosene?" Zhang Yunqing is very confident: "There will be a solution when the time comes. Is there any news from Mei Manniang?" Yin Dongbo glanced at Pu Hu'er quietly, and replied: "Two days ago, she sent the housekeeper Deng Jihua to the village to look for you. She said she had something important to discuss." Zhang Yunqing nodded: "You accompany me tonight." Zhang Yunqing said that he was going to Mei Manniang's place, Pu Huer stood up from the chair, and her high-heeled shoes deliberately stomped on the floor loudly. Yin Dongbo retreated, Zhang Yunqing came to the inner room, and held Hu Er's shoulder: "Are you jealous?" Pu Hu'er rolled his eyes at him: "This is not jealousy, it's a natural expression. By the way, you don't mention other women in front of me in the future. Out of sight, out of mind, out of ear, out of mind. The woman you mentioned is so Disgusting!" "nausea?" "Isn't it disgusting? She's still coquettish after a long time. If I don't talk about it, I feel like throwing up!" Zhang Yunqing stroked Pu Hu'er's hair: "You are right, I am young, so I shouldn't sleep with a half-aged lady. But, you have to be considerate of my difficulties. She helped me when I was most difficult. I still owe her 10,000 oceans. This time I will ask her again." Pu Hu'er looked at Zhang Yunqing with flickering eyes: "Don't talk about her, please? I don't like to hear it. As long as you stay a foot away from me, I have nothing to say about what you want to say or do." Zhang Yunqing nodded: "Okay, let's talk about something else." Pu Huer asked again: "Is your son eight years old?" "Yes. Would you like to see him?" "I'll see him sooner or later. I'll see if he's used to him. I wonder if he'll recognize me as a stepmother." "With me here, he dare not deny it. Do you think my education method is not good?" Pu Hu'er was silent. Zhang Yunqing sighed: "I have seen through people, they are even more stupid than animals. For example, I can't live anymore, so I ask the rich for money and food. If I beg, he will look down on me from the bottom of my heart; if I borrow, he will consider my opinion. What good is he? If he steals, he will suffer a lot of flesh and blood; if he robs, he will be resisted. If I kill him with a knife in his hand, he will kneel down and beg for mercy, and take the initiative to give me the things .” Pu Huer nodded: "Humans are indeed the cheapest species in the world." "Therefore, my son would rather let him become a murderous devil than a poor beggar or thief." Putting his arms around Puhu'er: "You help me have a son, and let him inherit the throne in the future." My business!" After dark, Zhang Yunqing led several followers into Mei Manniang's mansion. Zhang Yunqing left his entourage outside.Only bring Yin Dongbo inside. Mei Manniang was sitting on the couch smoking opium, while the old housekeeper Deng Jihua was busy making cigarettes. Yin Dongbo knew that Zhang Yunqing brought him in just to deceive others, not because he had something to do.He greeted Zhang Yunqing knowingly and followed Deng Jihua away. There were two people left in the hall, Mei Manniang raised her eyelids to look at Zhang Yunqing, put down her bong, got up and walked into the inner room. Zhang Yunqing understood and quietly followed. Mei Manniang, who came in first, reclined on the mahogany couch.Zhang Yunqing asked: "I heard that Mei Manniang sent Steward Deng to Yanziyan to look for me. I don't know what is the important matter, so I came here today to ask for advice." Mei Manniang said: "I know you are fascinated by the coquettish vixen. I'm fine, so you won't come over?" Zhang Yunqing said with a smile: "My mother is overhearted. If I am heartless, I will never forget you. It is true that I went to the stream a few days ago. I really didn't intend to neglect you." "Go to the stream? Why didn't your men tell you to go to the stream?" "To tell you the truth, this trip to Xixi was a secret operation, for fear of leaking the news." Zhang Yunqing then told the whole story of going to Xixi. Mei Manniang listened without saying a word, and when Zhang Yunqing mentioned "Dagouao", her face showed a look of distress.After Zhang Yunqing finished speaking, she asked tentatively: "Man Niang, there is something I want to discuss with you." Mei Manniang nodded slightly. "To this day, I still owe you a large debt. You once said that when I can fulfill your long-cherished wish, we will be even. Please tell me what your long-cherished wish is .” Mei Manniang sighed: "I said, when you become a real man, I will tell you." "You think I'm too tender, I'm afraid I can't take on important responsibilities, don't you?" Mei Manniang was silent. Zhang Yunqing smiled and said: "Actually, I already know it if you don't tell me. This time I heard a very thrilling story in Xixi: a few years ago, a Juren from Shanmen Town was appointed as the magistrate of Huaihua, and he passed by Xixi to beat dogs when he left office. Ao met Guan Yang..." Mei Manniang looked at Zhang Yunqing in surprise: "You... who did you listen to?" Zhang Yunqing said calmly: "This story is widely circulated around the river, and it is known to all women and children. It is almost an open secret!" Mei Manniang couldn't hold back her tears and said, "That magistrate is my father-in-law. He has been pampered and pampered all his life, and he has never been so frightened. His body was originally very strong, but he died a few days after he came back. Before he died I ran around to invite famous doctors, and even sent a fast horse to Changsha to invite foreign doctors. My father-in-law said: "No, no doctor can cure me. My three souls and seven souls are all thrown in Dagouao. I can invite Dao Xinggao The monk can take my soul back, maybe there will be salvation.' I followed his words. At that time, the most famous monk in Wugang was enlightened. Talking before the sick bed, what was said, "Three souls and seven souls are stored in one's own heart. The heart is healed by the heart. Others can't take back the soul. You can only get rid of it by yourself. Forgetting fear is recovery." I asked him why he didn't do it. He said: "Do it It has no practical effect, but can only comfort the soul. Your father is a man of knowledge and reason, and he does not believe in such deceptive tricks." A few days later, he told me again: "Your father is obsessed with obsession. He always said that the three souls and seven souls are no longer possessed. I'm afraid the disease is difficult to cure.' In a fit of anger, I dismissed him, and not long after, my father-in-law died..." Zhang Yunqing frowned, and asked: "Then realized that the monk is the one from Ma'anshan?" Mei Manniang nodded: "It's him. I don't think he has much ability, but he has a great reputation. Famous monks from as far as Nanyue Mountain and as far as Emei Mountain came to study scriptures and practice Zen. I think that he retreated to the barren mountains and wild mountains because of his empty name and lack of morality. Otherwise, how could my father-in-law be cured to death by him? On his deathbed, the father-in-law repeatedly told him that he must give up the property. Get it back, or you will die with regret. After the father-in-law died, I will be left alone." It has been many years since the incident, and when it is mentioned now, Mei Manniang is still sad.Zhang Yunqing felt quite strange, and asked: "After your father-in-law died, did you go to find that property?" Mei Manniang nodded: "Of course I looked for it. But there has been no whereabouts. A few years later, a rich man suddenly appeared there, and I knew it in my heart. I sent someone to investigate and found out that the robber who robbed the money was called Yang Lilu. He was guilty of a thief. Afraid of my revenge, in the name of preventing bandits, he built a wall in Chenjiazhai, built a blockhouse, and bought more than ten guns to form a self-defense force." "Your family is powerful, and there are relatives in the upper echelons who are well-armed. Why don't you use your power to order Yang Lilu to be dealt with?" Mei Manniang shook her head: "My father-in-law's property is ill-gotten wealth, and this matter must not be disclosed. Once it is made public, it will shame the reputation of our ancestors. To be honest, it is a pity to lose it with my family's wealth, but it is not enough. It hurts a lot. What my father-in-law is afraid of is that once the gangster makes the matter public, his reputation will be ruined." Hearing this, Zhang Yunqing understood eighty-nine points in her heart, deliberately set up a trap and asked: "If someone captured Yang Lilu for you at that time, how would you deal with him?" "Cut him to death!" Mei Manniang gritted her teeth, "If you can catch him now, I will watch him die Ling Chi with my own eyes!" Zhang Yunqing smiled slyly: "Since you don't care about this property, and he didn't ruin your father-in-law's reputation, now that time has passed, why do you still hate him so much?" Mei Manniang was startled, she knew that she had slipped her tongue, and fell into a trap. Fortunately, she was experienced and experienced in the world, and she was facing a lover, so she calmly replied: "This is my privacy. Although you have already guessed it, but I can't tell you." Zhang Yunqing's throat twitched: "I wish you could tell me yourself!" "I will tell you personally, including many secrets that you can't guess. But, it must come to that day—I will tell you everything you want to know in front of you and Yang Lilu." "The day won't be long. That's why I'm here tonight." "Are you sure you can break the Chen family village?" Zhang Yunqing nodded seriously: "I'm sure enough. I'm going to attack with fire, but I need a lot of kerosene. Only you can help me with this!" "How much do you need?" "The more the better, at least three thousand catties." Mei Manniang thought for a while and said, "In Shaoyang, I opened a shop selling kerosene for the oil company. Three to five thousand catties is not a problem. Is the journey from Shaoyang to Xixi four to five hundred miles safe?" Zhang Yunqing said confidently: "As long as you are willing, I will have a way to transport it back." Mei Manniang still worried: "From Shaoyang to Longhui, it is Chen Guangzhong's territory. He is a big warlord, and he allows you to pass through?" "I will visit his pier. I know a friend who can recommend me to meet Chen Guangzhong." Mei Manniang nodded and said, "That's it, I'll exchange five thousand catties of kerosene for a living Yangli stove. However, if the matter fails, I will not only charge for the kerosene, but also double what you owed me before." repay!" "It's a deal." Zhang Yunqing stretched out his right index finger to pull the hook with Mei Manniang. "It's a deal." Mei Manniang repeated, who would have thought that her fingers hadn't been hooked, her whole body softened, and she melted into the hot wave of the young man... Before dawn the next day, Zhang Yunqing led his entourage back to Yanziyan, and called Yin Dongbo, Xie Laogou, and Zhang Zuanzi to a meeting to assign work. Zhang Zuanzi was in charge of sneaking into the creek to inquire about information; Yin Dongbo monitored Zhang Guangwen's movements to guard against his secret collusion with Yi Hao; Xie Laogou was in charge of guarding the village.Zhang Yakou took care of all the affairs of Shibei Zhang's family. That night, Zhang Yunqing kissed Pu Hu'er goodbye, took out Yanziyan alone, quietly went to Mei Manniang's house, took a bay red horse, carried ten gold bars snatched from Xixiang, and flew to Wugang City in the starry night. More than two hours later, Zhang Yunqing appeared at the Yingchun Inn in the east of the city.Called to open the door, and said to the shopkeeper: "Boss, my family member has a sudden illness and has to go to the city to get medicine. My horse, please take it in and feed it. I will come in two hours." The shopkeeper said, "Now that the city gate is closed, how can you get in?" Zhang Yunqing didn't say much, she took out a big ocean from her pocket and stuffed it, and the shopkeeper stopped talking. Wugang is a famous historical city with a history of about 2,000 years. It was established as the state government as early as the Song Dynasty.Bandits were rampant at that time, and Yang Zaixing, a famous general in the Song Dynasty, led a group of green forests into the city to loot houses before defecting to Yue Fei.In order to resist bandits, the Song Dynasty began to build city walls.After several repairs, the city wall began to take shape.During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, the thirteenth son of Zhu Yuanzhang granted Wugang a feudal domain and was called "King Zhu".From then on, King Zhu took root in Wugang and inherited it from generation to generation.In the eighth year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty, the twelfth generation Zhu Wang Zhu Qibo recruited 100,000 migrant workers. It took three years to build a majestic city wall in Wugang that was fifteen miles long, five feet high, and two feet thick. Since the city wall was erected in Wugang, an important town in western Hunan, there have been hundreds of wars and disasters, but no army has ever been able to break through the city wall.During the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, Shi Dakai once led an army of 100,000 to besiege the city and fought fiercely for half a month, but he could only leave a mountain of corpses under the city wall and flee. Don't gossip.But Zhang Yunqing left Yingchun Inn and went to the east gate and shouted at the city gate.Qiu Ba, the gatekeeper on the city wall, scolded loudly: "Bold bastard, what are you, dare to tell me to open the city gate, get out, if you don't get out, I will shoot you as a bandit and beat you to death!" Zhang Yunqing cried and begged: "Master Soldier, please show mercy. My mother is suffering from a sudden illness and her life is dying. I know that once the city gate is closed, it cannot be opened casually, but saving a life is better than building a seven-level pagoda. If the master is willing to be merciful, villain There will be rewards!" Qiu Bayi at the top heard that he was rewarded, cursed and walked down from the city wall, opened a small gate on the side of the city gate that could only accommodate one person, blocked it with his fat body, and said angrily: "There is a villager!" Is it a certificate from the public office?" Zhang Yunqing said: "The little man never went to the township office because he was eager to save his mother." As he said, he took out five or six yuan from his pocket and stuffed them. Qiu Ba looked at Zhang Yunqing for a while, picked up a piece of ocean, blew with his mouth, and put it in his ear to listen—there was a "buzzing" sound, and he blew on another one. Seeing that it was true, he said in a relaxed tone : "Because you are a dutiful son, I make an exception and let you go to grab the medicine, but you have to go back quickly if you catch the medicine. If you are found by the investigators, don't say that I let you in." While agreeing, Zhang Yunqing hurried to Little Imperial City while saying words of gratitude. Wugang City is divided into two layers of city walls, the outer and the inner, and the inner city wall is at a height in the northeast corner of the city. In 1607, there was a flood in Wugang, which flooded half of the state city. King Zhu moved the palace to a higher place for safety.Build another wall around the palace.The main entrance faces south, and a palace-style octagonal building is built on the city gate, named "Xuanfeng Building". The three characters "Xuanfenglou" are written by Emperor Chongzhen, and "Little Imperial City" was originally called "Little Wangcheng". ), living in Xiaowangcheng, Wugang. Since then, it has been renamed Xiaohuangcheng.Therefore, the land has the air of a king, and the rulers of all dynasties have regarded it as the seat of the head of government. The downstairs of Xiaohuangcheng Xuanfeng is the only entrance and exit door. It is guarded by heavy soldiers, and the security is even stricter at night. Fortunately, Liu Yi lives in Zhengnan Street outside Xiaohuangcheng-a courtyard with one front and two horizontals. There are confidants Ma Bian guarding day and night with guns. It was almost midnight when Zhang Yunqing came to the gate of Liu's house, he told the gate guards that he was Captain Liu's friend, and was soon escorted by two horsemen to the living room of the wing. At the beginning, Liu Yi didn't know who was visiting late at night, so he let go of the concubine in his arms with great reluctance, got up from the bed, and cursed while dressing.When I came to the living room, I recognized Zhang Yunqing at a glance. I was taken aback, turned away from the left and right, pointed at Zhang Yunqing's nose and said, "You are so brave, you dare to come to the door yourself. Aren't you afraid that I will catch you and ask for credit?" Zhang Yunqing smiled: "It doesn't matter, if the captain thinks that capturing me is more valuable than keeping me, just order the left and right to tie me up." Liu Yi sat down opposite Zhang Yunqing: "I don't have time to joke with you. Tell me something quickly. If people know that I'm dating you, it will be a big deal." "Don't worry, captain. I don't even know that I'm here. I really have something to ask of you." Zhang Yunqing took out twelve gold bars from his pocket and put them on the table. When Liu Yi saw so many golden bars, his eyes immediately shot green.But he knew that what Zhang Yunqing asked for was not a trivial matter when he took out so many valuable things.He turned to Zhang Yunqing: "What's the matter?" "I'm going to do a business recently, transporting 5,000 catties of kerosene from Shaoyang to Qianyang. It's Mr. Chen's territory. These ten slivers are the passage fee, and the other two are the hard work of the captain." Liu Yi understood in his heart that if the current price was met, ten gold bars would be enough to buy five thousand catties of kerosene, and Zhang Yunqing must have another plan for transporting kerosene.But as long as there are benefits, he can't control too much, so he agreed immediately. Zhang Yunqing waited for Liu Yi to accept the gold bar, and said: "There is one more thing to ask. In my mind, Mr. Chen is the hero I admire the most. If the captain of the general can recommend it on his behalf, I will be grateful in this life!" Liu Yi nodded and said: "This is just a trivial matter. However, the current situation is turbulent and difficult to recognize. Once someone gains the upper hand and dominates the world, I will remind you to follow the time and turn to the light." "Then please." Zhang Yunqing got up and said goodbye, "It is not suitable to stay here for a long time, the captain stays." Zhang Yunqing still went out of the city by the same road, led the horse from Yingchun Inn, and rushed back to the mountain gate overnight. Back at Yanziyan, I saw that Puhuer was still waiting under the lamp, not yet asleep.When the husband and wife met, Zhang Yunqing told the story, and Pu Huer learned that Liu Yi had accepted the gift, so he felt relieved and said: "In our line of business, it will last long if we have a line with the government. The two backers Liu Yi and Chen Guangzhong It can’t be less, and we will have to spend more money in the future.” Zhang Yunqing nodded and said, "You think of a place with me." It was night without words.After half a month, Zhang Zuanzi came back from the stream and reported the news of Chenjiazhai.As Zhang Yunqing expected, Yi Hao expected that Zhang Yunqing would use fire to attack, and he is leading thousands of villagers to dig a canal, bring water into the village from the west end, and dig a one-foot-wide, three-mile-long tunnel along the foot of the wall inside the wall. In Dashuizhen, a two-foot-long and one-foot-deep ditch was dug in the center of the village to prevent the fire from spreading and affecting the whole village. Two months later, the five thousand catties of kerosene provided by Mei Manniang had arrived in Shaoyang from Changsha.At that time, Zhang Yunqing's house had been completed, and its structure was exactly the same as that of Mei Manniang's. The difference was that the interior design was very complicated, and it was like entering a maze for the first time. A passage is formed between the walls, extending in all directions, and one can escape calmly in case of a situation.In addition, there are gun towers built in front of and behind the house, which can control enemies attacking from all directions. The original plan was to raise the beam in October of the lunar calendar and have a grand banquet for the guests.It was during this time that Zhang Zuanzi obtained information that Yi Hao might come to sneak attack on the day of Zhang Yunqing's banquet.Therefore, Zhang Yunqing changed the date of offering incense to after the Spring Festival. The agricultural proverb says: There is an Xiaoyangchun in October.It means that in October, the weather is fine and suitable for winter planting. Zhang Yunqing does not engage in winter planting. Since May, he has been waiting to take advantage of the great opportunity of dry weather in October to set fire to Chenjiazhai. September is here in the blink of an eye.Zhang Yunqing quietly sneaked into the garden to contact Zhu Yunhan to discuss important matters.Yang Xiangwan proposed to add another force.This hit Zhang Yunqing's heart, and he agreed to unite with a bandit team.It took a while to think about how to get the kerosene to the creek.Care must be taken in this matter, once the other party discovers the secret, Yi Hao and Yang Lilu are likely to abandon the village and flee, which is tantamount to a waste of work and will not achieve the expected purpose. Finally, Yang Xiangwan came up with a way: make a batch of special wine barrels, fill the lower section with kerosene, and the upper layer with a few catties of shochu, and then transport them in batches. Five thousand catties of foreign oil needs a large warehouse, and it happens that there is a small village of about ten families near Baoyao Station.Zhang Yunqing sent people to sneak into people late at night, slaughtered more than 50 people in the village, and buried them in the sweet potato cellar on the spot.This place became their secret warehouse. During the delivery, if a passer-by bought wine and drank, this level passed smoothly. At the beginning of October, everything was ready, and Zhang and Zhu were ready to go.Yang Xiangwan asked Zhang Yunqing if he had contacted the assisting team.Zhang Yunqing said: "This kind of thing should not be early, otherwise the secret will be leaked. I must be sure of what I promised. This action is of great importance. Brother Xiangwan is still a good day." Yang Xiangwan said: "The omens of the whole October can be triumphant. I checked the gossip carefully, and the 15th will be even more auspicious." Zhang Yunqing said: "Then it will be October 15th!" On the night of October 14th, Zhang Yunqing came to Zhang Shuncai's Dazhai alone with generous gifts, and made Zhang Shuncai dizzy with some rhetoric. Then without saying a word, he commanded a hundred men from the headquarters and followed Zhang Yunqing to Shanmen Town to meet up. On the fifteenth day and night, more than 150 people from Zhang Yunqing's and Zhang Shuncai's two teams formally set off, and they meandered westward under the melting moonlight.Two hours later, they gathered in Dongkou Town with a hundred people from Zhu Yunhan's tribe.The leaders of the three parties met for a while, and then ordered the staff of the headquarters to speed up their pace and must arrive at Xi Baoyao Station before dawn. 十月夜晚天气寒凉，沿途两岸的草木挂满霜雾，绊在脚上寒彻心骨。但为了赶路，谁也顾不上这些。翻山越岭十余里后，众人全身发热，有的还把棉衣脱下。 由于路程遥远，道路坎坷曲折，拂晓时，才抵达打狗坳，与等候在此的张钻子碰了头。张钻子报告说，陈家寨内一切如常，看样子还没有察觉出外面的情况。 张云卿这才放下心来。他最担心的是对方有所察觉，然后弃寨逃亡，现在必须以最快之速度赶在陈家寨人起床前把三条门堵住。 前头的朱云汉下达了跑步前进的命令。 山寨人家一般都有晚睡的习惯，黎明正是酣睡时候。但近来陈家寨特别小心，据张钻子说，一般早晨七点钟左右，大部分寨民就已起来。 不到一个小时，抵达宝瑶驿站，张云卿下令朱云汉部、张顺彩部火速向东西两旁包抄，如有从小门逃走或从围墙爬越者，一律打死。张云卿率本部人员封锁正门。 正在此时，寨背后山坡上的号角吹响，寨内立即乱成一锅粥——果如所料，寨民手提装着细软等贵重物品的布袋准备逃走。把守正门的“自卫队”朝他们开枪射击。 张云卿立即把本部人员作扇形隐蔽，尽可能扩大控制范围。 与此同时，在宝瑶附近小寨中守煤油的二十余名匪徒听到枪声，即开始把煤油一担一担运往陈家寨正门。 陈家寨停止了打枪，寨民们也不再慌乱，自知逃走无望，安心听从指挥，与匪帮决战。 双方沉默了十几分钟，这时，寨内有一大嗓门用广播筒喊话道：“请外面的满老爷、朱老爷听着！本寨早就料到会有今日，已经做了半年多的准备与防御，你们无论采用哪种攻势都是拿不下陈家寨的。我代表本寨劝你们回去。” 张云卿用双手做成喇叭：“寨内的易豪、阳立炉听清楚！为了今日，老子也做了半年多准备！请把眼睛睁大，今日我们运来了一万多斤煤油，有足够的火力把陈家寨烧成焦土！” 寨内一下子哑了，过了很久，传来阳立炉紧张急促的喊话声：“满老爷，有话好商量。寨内四千寨民，多是安分守己的人。如果玉石俱焚，无论道义、良心都说不过去。有什么要求，尽管提出。” 张云卿哈哈大笑，问道：“你能满足我什么条件？” “只要满老爷不烧本寨，这里是全溪最富的地方，金银珠宝不计其数，我和乡亲们全部拱手奉送。贵军远道而来，无非也是为了钱财，我遂了你们心愿，双方免动干戈，岂不两全其美？” 张云卿拉下脸道：“阳立炉，你听着，今日老子不是冲着钱财而来，为的就是报仇！上次我要你交出易豪就可偃旗息鼓，你们耍了奸，没有照办。这一次除非你亲自陪易豪过来，否则我一把火把寨子烧成灰烬！” 此时，太阳已高悬天空，把地上霜溶成露水，又把露水蒸成雾。大山寨四周的山上一片红色。南风吹过，树叶零落，发出沙沙的响声。寨内沿围墙种植的香椿树，叶子业已掉光，剩下光秃秃的杆和枝。所有的房屋远远望去，无不裂开一条一条的缝，屋顶上的树皮更是干得炸裂，那样子，仿佛只需用一根火柴就可把整个大寨燃成火海。 张云卿的话很有威慑性。他的一声干咳足可以令整个陈家寨颤抖。阳立炉用近乎哀求的口气说：“我一定答应你的条件，但请你要给一点时间，可以吗？” 张云卿意在生擒阳立炉，他知道易豪不会出来，阳立炉也要不到他的人头，因说道：“我可以给你时间，但因为你前一次令人失望，对你的诺言我没有多大期望，如果你真心为你的寨民着想，为亲人着想，你必须出来与我面谈，方能显示你的诚意。” 这一次，阳立炉没有多少犹豫就走出来了，但他的胆怯和恐惧是显而易见的，他右手护在腹部，左手提着纺绸长衫，走出大门见对方没有开枪，才放开了步子。 走过一片开阔地，阳立炉因不见张云卿出来，停止了脚步。正在顾盼中，两侧突然冲出几条汉子把他按倒在地。他知道上当，想叫喊几句，口腔早被东西塞满了，手亦被反绑。 第一步计划顺利完成，张云卿狞笑着走到阳立炉面前，用手抓着他的山羊胡子说：“今天我请你看一出好戏，你要好好地看，看着你的寨子、宅院、寨民，还有你的儿女、老婆、爱妾变成灰烬！”转身下达命令，“开始放火！” 刹时，早已作好准备了的土匪，或挑油担、或持火把、或抱干柴，绕开正门碉堡上的火力，向西南的围墙墙下逼近……把干柴、火把、煤油一齐泼向寨内…… 寨内，身强力壮的男寨民不再抛掷石块和倾倒稀饭，转向救火。 接着，张云卿亲自督促第二梯队架云梯爬上围墙，向救火的人群开枪。第三梯队随后把更多的干柴、煤油抛向寨内…… 终于形成了大火势，救火的寨民被逼得步步后退。煤油一桶接一桶倒在墙内的防火渠里，油浮在水面上，沿着渠道向两边扩展、伸延，防火渠反而成了引火渠……当伸延到西北，大火借着风势爬上，上渠坎，舔着临渠的木屋，火借风威，风助火势，寨子开始燃烧…… 寨内的寨民焦急了，不顾一切救火。 这时，在北门狙击的朱云汉下令手下爬上围墙，用长勺舀起煤油，一勺勺泼向大火…… 不到十几分钟，大火已形成无可阻挡之势，呼啸着如一条火龙，在陈家寨翻滚、狂舞，把大寨变成火海…… 火光冲天，六七百栋木屋构成的火势会是一种怎样的景象啊！寨民在火势未起时仍抱最后希望跑回家救火，可是当知道灭火无望时，已被大火包围…… 一部分守在围墙边的人难耐炙热，不顾一切地爬墙逃命——。他们知道出去也是死，但死在墙外至少留具全尸。火势最旺时，围墙内几乎没有一处空隙不被大火所占领，连水分十足的香椿树都在燃烧。寨中心的火浪如海啸般扬起数十丈高，几十斤重的木料被气浪高高地抛起，漫天飞舞，烟雾直上云霄……满耳都是燃烧的炸裂声、木楼倒塌声，人临死的哀嚎、猪牛羊的惨叫，几乎被密不透风的火浪掩盖得听不出半点声音…… 看着这一幕，阳立炉脸上的肌肉扭曲着，老泪纵横，他吐去口中的泥块叫道：“放开我，放开我，我要和我的家人死在一起！！” 张云卿摇头道：“我不能放开你。” 阳立炉见叫喊无用，转而央求：“满老爷，求求你把我扔到火堆里吧。到了我这把年纪也该死了，但不能和亲人死在一起是多么痛苦的事。求求你发发慈悲吧！” 张云卿道：“我若让你死，就没必要费一番周折请你出来。不瞒你说，我是受了人之托有意不让你死的。她想见见你。” 阳立炉摇头：“我不认识任何人，没必要活着见什么人。我的亲人全都烧死了，我只求速死！” 张云卿阴冷地说：“速死还是凌迟，这都要看她的意思，我做不了主。你我本来无冤无仇，我仅仅受朋友之托。” “他、他是谁？我与他有什么冤仇，他干吗要凌迟我？” 张云卿道：“到时候你就知道了。” 大火从上午九时一直燃烧到中午火势才渐次减弱，但寨周围仍如高温火炉，无人敢接近。 眼见大功告成，张云卿留下张钻子在驿站打探情报，他按计划和朱云汉、张顺彩率部向溪纵深处扫荡。 一路上，众匪见东西就抢，见女人就奸淫。原打算血洗易豪的老家易家寨，但是已人去寨空。张云卿一怒之下，把整个易家寨烧个精光。 在溪扫荡三天，再回到陈家寨。张钻子向张云卿报告，寨子内的人都被烧成黑灰，防火渠内有百十具尸体。张钻子还说，这几天附近有不少人来看热闹，现场乱了。 张云卿最担心还有人活着。如此血海深仇，哪怕只有一个人活着，他就会报仇。历史上皇帝用诛连九族斩草除根的办法惩治政敌，正缘于此种顾虑。 本来有人在看热闹，张云卿一出现在驿站，都吓得躲藏起来。张云卿很得意，别人越害怕，越证明他的煞气和威力。 在废墟上，张云卿下令挖地三尺，把藏在地下的活人挖出来。他提防寨民把男孩藏在地窖里。 但陈家寨太宽，一下子哪里挖得了那么多？这时，有人在寨中心大叫“找到了”。 张云卿火速赶到，发现原来是一条横穿寨中心的深水圳。圳内蓄了水，水中浮了很多人，打捞起来一看，屍体都煮熟了…… 在这一场血洗中，大概要数这条深水圳最为凄惨。为了活命，他们纷纷跳入水圳，谁想火势太大，水温太高，全被煮了饺子。事后，政府有关部门派员调查，粗略数了一下，竟有六百多具被煮成熟肉的尸体。 看到这些熟尸，杨相晚建议不必再挖，因为在这样的大火之下，即使藏在地窖里也会被闷死。 离去之前，张云卿回过张望，猛然发现一个天大的疏忽——山坡上，自卫队的木楼依然完好！ 众匪大惊失色，当时由于兴奋过度，加之大火挡住了视线，谁也没有注意到那里。 张云卿心急火燎地率先爬上山。木楼中空无一物，只有一条小径穿过一片茅草地通往山后。 山后是绝壁悬崖，崖下是溪河的转弯处。崖高约百五十余丈，易豪他们除了从这里跳下去别无出路。但是，这么高的地方跳下去能活命吗？ 张云卿把身边的一块石头向下一推，石头在空中飞坠很久，然后“轰”然一声，沉入潭底，由此可知，这下面的潭很深。张云卿小时候经常在河里摸鱼，哪怕只从很低的地方跳下去，若不是头先着去，身子都会痛得难受。 朱云汉拈着山羊胡子走过来，向下一望，晕得眼睛冒花，连连摇头说：“这么高跳下去绝无路。快回去吧，梅满娘在家里等着要见阳立炉呢！” 张云卿摸着下巴，若有所思：“易豪一向老成，若无活命的希望，他干吗要跳呢？” 朱云汉吹着胡子说，“他横直死路一条，与其死在你我枪下，不如从这里跳下去，还有一具完尸，投胎转世也不缺胳膊少腿！” 离开悬崖，回到木楼前，又发现开阔地上有不少竹枝，惊叫道：“不好，易豪还活着！” 走在前面的朱云汉吃了一惊：“这……怎么回事？” 张云卿指着竹枝说：“他们临走时砍了不少竹子，想必是用来绑枪。枪跟着竹筒扔下悬崖去，不会沉底。由此可见，他们另想了活命之法。” 杨相晚说：“不管他们是死是活，我们去下游找一找。” 他们下了山，从陈家寨东门，沿小路到了下游。目下正是干季，河水很缓。他们沿着河岸向东走，走了不到五六里，在一转弯处的浅滩上，发现了几根绑过枪支的竹筒及几条破旧的棉被…… 张云卿、朱云汉、杨相晚三人面面相觑。杨相晚回过神来，深深地吸了口气：“这是第一回合的结局，下一个回合刚刚开始。”