Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 22 Noble Man
Diao's mansion was very large, occupying almost half of the neighborhood.

The gatehouse has high walls, blue bricks and red pillars, a red door with high steps, and two stone beasts squatting under the stage.

There were watchtowers and arrow slits built high on the walls, with servants patrolling inside and five armored soldiers standing in front of the gate...

They were just a second-rate aristocratic family, yet they were so extravagant, not to mention the top noble families such as the Taiyuan Wang family, the Langya Wang family, the Yingchuan Yu family, and the Chenjun Xie family.

In the face of absolute strength, any struggle is futile, as the power of the two sides is simply not on the same level.

In fact, the Diao family has never taken the Liu family seriously.

It was just one of Diao's nephews who was dealing with Liu Yu.

Even so, Liu Daogui had racked his brains to deal with it. This contest was not fair. If he was not careful, the Liu family would be doomed.

"This... is too big." Meng Longfu's face also looked ugly.

Liu Zun, who had been shouting for war and killing, remained silent.

Everyone in the group was ready to die, but when they arrived at the gate of Diao's mansion, they suddenly found that they couldn't even get in. The few soldiers in front of the gate were enough to make them suffer.

These five people were definitely not comparable to the mob from last night. Each of them was tall and strong, standing straight with alert looks on their faces and murderous eyes.

In Jingkou City, the only army with such momentum could be the Northern Palace Army.

As a powerful family in Jingkou, the Diao family would of course recruit many soldiers from the Northern Palace.

Like the Tianshi Dao, the Beifu Army also has complex factions. Each general has his own followers, and the followers are only loyal to the generals. As long as these generals are won over, the Beifu Army under his command will serve you.

The soldiers of the Northern Army also need to eat and live, so it is normal for them to seek refuge with the Diao family.

At this moment, a burst of laughter came from the east. Liu Daogui looked in the direction of the sound and saw that it was Diao Zhan and his group who had returned, carrying wild sheep, rabbits and other prey in their hands.

Diao Zhan was still riding on his tall horse, looking very proud.

Seeing them laughing and chatting with their followers made Liu Daogui suspect that he was hallucinating.

"This..." Liu Zun and Meng Longfu were both stunned.

Normally, since their people had died, they should have sought revenge on the Tianshi Dao.

"Did we all sleepwalk last night?" Meng Longfu couldn't believe it.

Liu Zun slapped himself in the face.

Liu Huaisu's face was strange. "There are two possibilities. First, Diao Zhan is concerned about his reputation and dares not speak out. Second, the Diao family is strong on the outside but weak on the inside and dares not offend the Tianshi Dao. That's why they try to make a big thing small and a small thing nothing..."

Liu Daogui said: "Seventeen of them died..."

"The death of seventeen servants is not as serious as the death of seventeen livestock. The Diao family is rich and powerful, so how could they fight to the death with the Taoist priest for a few livestock?" Liu Huaisu made friends with scholars and knew best what they were thinking.

The two hundred years of pampered living during the Wei and Jin dynasties had alienated them from the common people. In the eyes of these noble families, the common people were not human beings at all, but basically livestock...

Liu Daogui was speechless for a while.

At this time, Diao Zhan saw the crowd huddled under the willow tree in front of the Diao residence, but he did not recognize them as the opponents he had fought last night. He raised his whip arrogantly on his horse and said, "Get out of here! Don't pollute my house!"

"You bastard..." Liu Zun cursed in a low voice and was about to step forward.

He was held back by Meng Longfu.

Those Northern Army soldiers have stepped forward to greet Diao Zhan.

Diao Zhan just cursed casually and didn't want to argue anymore, so he quickly returned home.

"There's a saying in the Book of Changes: The caterpillar bends to seek trust; the dragon and snake hibernate to preserve themselves. The Diao family is not someone we can fight against." Liu Huaisu whispered.

Liu Daogui knew what he said was true, "Everyone, please wait outside for me to come in alone."

How can you catch tiger cubs if you don't enter the tiger's den?

The bargaining chip that can be used now is the Tianshi Dao.

There is no room for two tigers in one mountain. The infiltration of Tianshi Dao into Jingkou undoubtedly infringed on the interests of the Diao family.

But I have no idea how much effect it can have.

I just hope that the Diao family can show some leniency, or that I can meet Liu Yu to find out whether he is dead or alive.

A real man can bend and stretch, and he will bow his head until his strength allows him to do so.

Diao Zhan also knows that a wise man never suffers a loss in front of him.

It is never too late for a gentleman to take revenge. If something really happens to Liu Yu, this revenge must be taken. Liu Daogui will continue to fight with the Diao family until the death.

Meng Longfu said, "I'll go with you."

Liu Daogui looked at the blood on his body. He and Liu Zun had been the fiercest fighters in the melee last night, and his clothes were still stained with blood. He would only be mistaken for a bandit or a starving person. "I'd rather go alone. If there are too many people, it will be hard to explain," Liu Daogui declined.

Meng Longfu gritted his teeth and said, "If anything happens to you two brothers, I, Meng Longfu, will massacre the Diao family in this lifetime!"

"And me!" Liu Zun came up again.

"Actually, it's not that serious. The Diao family needs to have some face, so you don't have to worry." Liu Dao avoided the important issues, took a deep breath, and stepped forward.

"Who are you?" Two soldiers stood on the left and right, their voices cold.

The other three soldiers stood on the steps without even raising their eyelids, as if they had not seen Liu Daogui at all, but their hands were on the hilts of their swords, as if they were ready to rush over at any time and chop Liu Daogui down the steps.

"Liu Daogui, the younger brother of Liu Yu from the Pengcheng Liu family, wishes to see you regarding an important matter..."

When they heard it was the Pengcheng Liu family, their expressions softened a little, no longer as tense as before, but they said few words, "Wait a moment!"

A man walked into the red gate and came out quickly without even saying a word.

Liu Daogui could only wait.

I waited for an hour, but there was no movement at all.

Meng Longfu and Liu Zun were both impatient, "How long do we have to wait?"

Liu Daogui was also helpless. Even if he used the name of Pengcheng Liu family, the Diao family remained indifferent.

Not long after, the sound of hooves and rutting of wheels came from outside the alley. A strong blue ox was pulling a carriage, slowly approaching. There was a green umbrella on the carriage to block the sun, and the body of the carriage was covered with green silk. A scholar in a long robe and wide sleeves was lying lazily, holding a white and green Ruyi in his hand.

Behind him followed a dozen or so household servants, all of them wearing spotless robes with flowing sleeves, sashes around their waists, and even round-toed shoes with huts on their feet.

A man relies on his clothes and a horse relies on his saddle.

Even these servants are arrogant.

There was also the green ox, with a black brocade mud mask with coin patterns draped on its waist and back.

Liu Daogui wisely moved aside, touched his coarse linen clothes, and looked at the tattered clothes of Liu Zun, Meng Longfu and others. He couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart. The clothes of his group of people combined were not as valuable as the mud on the green bull.

No wonder so many people were willing to become slaves to the noble families. An ordinary family of five, men, women, old and young, couldn't even find enough clothes to wear. When they were entertaining guests and doing things, they took turns wearing the same clothes...

From about twenty or thirty paces away, a red-robed servant stepped forward quickly and said, "Prince Zhiyuan of Langya is here to pay his respects to my friend."

Not long after, with a creak, the red door opened wide, and a group of people dressed in silk and satin trotted up to the oxcart. "Ah, it is a great honor for Chief Secretary Wang to visit our humble home."

The scholar on the oxcart stretched himself and said, "Brother Bodao, thank you for your courtesy."

Diao Bodao is none other than Diao Kui, the father of Diao Zhan.

Liu Daogui stared at Diao Kui with a bad look.

One of the five soldiers looked over and blocked Diao Kui intentionally or unintentionally. His eyes were like two knives, and a vague murderous aura rose from the ground.

Elite!

Only the elite troops of the Northern Palace who have gone through countless bloody battles can be so alert, almost instinctively.

If he didn't have armor, he might still be able to give it a try.

With iron armor on, those who rushed forward would be courting death in vain.

There is a huge difference between having armor and not having armor, and we are facing the Northern Army!
Before coming, Liu Zun took off his armor, otherwise he would not have been able to enter the inner city, let alone get outside Diao Mansion.

The inner city is inhabited by nobles and powerful families, or wealthy merchants. It is heavily guarded and is a completely different world from the outer city.

These days, it is acceptable to walk in a busy city with a sword, but if you walk through the city wearing armor, you will be immediately captured by the patrolling Northern Army.

Liu Daogui held Liu Zun back, fearing that he would rush forward in a fit of rage.

However, although he was impulsive, he was not a fool and took two steps back.

After Diao Kui and the scholar exchanged greetings, they walked towards Diao's mansion.

One step, two steps, three steps...

They were talking and laughing, but Liu Daogui was extremely anxious. This was his last chance.

Although there was no chance to rush up and hold them hostage, it would still be possible if I went up to ask for a meeting.

But if he did this, Diao Kui would certainly lose face in front of the distinguished guests, and his brother Liu Yu would have no chance of escaping.

The higher the family status, the more importance they attach to etiquette.

(End of this chapter)