My lady, I'm going to rebel.

"what?"

This question directly confused Han Zi, "Why do you say that, brave man?"

Mu Zheng was shocked to realize his own mistake and smiled awkwardly: "No, I had a brain seizure. My name is Mu Zheng, from Langya Haiqu."

Although Mu Zheng looks calm on the surface, his heart is in turmoil.

Can you not be excited?

According to historical records, when Liu Xiu was studying at the Imperial College in Chang'an, he started a business partnership with his roommate. They bought a donkey to pull goods and earned their first pot of gold.

And that classmate’s name is Han Zi!

Also from Lanling.

But what puzzled him was that Han Zi should have been studying in Chang'an during this period, so how could he appear in Haiqu?

"Strong man..."

"Call me Mu Zheng."

"Okay, Brother Mu Zheng. I need to ship this batch of goods to Bohai County. The journey is long and dangerous. I see that you are very skilled, so I would like to ask you to protect me for a while. Don't worry, the wages will not be small."

Mu Zheng glanced at the team behind Han Zi. He had so many warriors with him, so why would he need to hire bodyguards? It seemed like he was trying to make friends with him.

Coincidentally, that was exactly what he meant.

"Hey, what's the point of talking about hiring? I'm going to Donglai, and we're all going the same way. If you don't mind, just let us brothers come along and have a meal. As for the commission, forget it. Let's just consider it as making friends."

"friend?"

"Correct!"

Han Zi was delighted when he heard this. As a businessman, it would be a good idea to get to know a few chivalrous men, especially those with great martial arts skills.

But he was still worried.

"I wonder what kind of weapon you usually use? I have a dagger made in Luoyang that I can give to Brother Mu."

this?

Mu Zheng thought about it and took it.

The minds of ancient people were simpler than those of modern people.

Only after receiving the gift will the other party feel at ease.

Sure enough, when Han Zi saw Mu Zheng take the dagger, his smile became more natural.

"Xiao Han, are you familiar with Chang'an?"

Mu Zheng wasn't used to being addressed as "brother," so he blurted out a modern slang. Han Zi was taken aback, then shook his head, "I've never been there. That line is mostly run by high-ranking officials, and it's usually run by the elders in the family."

Hearing this, Mu Zheng felt puzzled. In history, Han Zi was a poor scholar who went into business with Liu Xiu precisely because of financial difficulties. But from what Han Zi said, his family background was not bad.

"Then you haven't thought about going to Chang'an? Especially this year?"

"My family has been in business for generations, and we've never thought about becoming someone's retainer."

Before the imperial examination system, the first condition for the common people to rise to prominence was to become a retainer of an aristocrat, and then be introduced to the court by the aristocracy.

Since Han Zi said that he had never thought of becoming a retainer, he naturally had no plans to go to Chang'an to study.

"So in Zaozhuang... Oh, no, is there anyone named Han Zi in Lanling?"

"As far as I know, no!"

Mu Zheng was completely depressed. It seemed that this Han Zi was the Han Zi he knew, but he did not go to Chang'an to meet Liu Xiu.

Is it that history is unreliable, or is there something wrong?

In this way, Mu Zheng and Han Zi gradually became familiar with each other during their conversation. The caravan moved slowly, and Gong Wen and the others didn't know how to ride horses, so they were still on the mountain road until dark.

However, the mountain trail also has its advantages, which is that you can have a snack at any time.

With a whoosh, Liu Yu shot an arrow, piercing the neck of a pheasant. Just as Gong Wen was about to start a flurry of praise, Zheng Chao signaled for silence, then drew his bow and arrow, pinning a hare to death on a tree.

This archery skill made Han Zi feel more and more that he had a unique vision.

"Brother Mu is surrounded by capable people!"

"No, I think Brother Han's warriors are all-rounders. They all carry swords and bows, and they are not afraid of attacking or defending from a distance."

"Hahaha..." Han Zi just smiled but didn't respond.

Mu Zheng ignored him and just kept his head down to clean up the chickens and rabbits. While he was busy, he kept feeling that someone was staring at him. He turned around and saw a man looking away.

It's him?

The Han family caravan had a total of ten escort vehicles, each equipped with an escort leader named Chen Zhiman.

Ever since Mu Zheng joined the caravan, Chen Zhiman had been very cold towards him. He didn't even take the initiative to greet Han Zi when he introduced him.

Mu Zheng frowned.

He didn't understand why Chen Zhiman kept staring at him. Was he suspicious that he was planning to take over the goods? Or was he worried that he would take over his position as the head escort?

Mu Zheng turned his head calmly and pretended not to see it.

Soon, the aroma of barbecue wafted into the air.

Everyone sat together and chatted about everything under the sun, and soon the topic came to the Haiqu riots.

"I heard that the Lu family's rebel army and the Langya County troops have been in a stalemate for several days and are currently negotiating peace."

"Ah? General Lu is going to bow his head?"

"Who knows? After all, the court is very sincere. The emperor has granted the land in Mingtang, so the Lu family is worth it."

Grant thatched soil to the Mingtang?

Mu Zheng's heart skipped a beat. He finally knew how the Lu family was defeated.

When Wang Mang encountered problems, he liked to play the game of comforting others. He gave the thatch and soil that symbolized the fiefdom to the princes. On the surface, he said, "I recognize you, you are a prince of a region," but in fact, there was nothing.

Without fiefdoms, gold and silver, power, or military authority, by the time the enfeoffed princes realized what was happening, their power had already been disintegrated.

However, Mu Zheng didn't care about this. This was the course of history and he couldn't change it.

After the meal, Chen Zhiman, the escort leader, began to arrange for the night watch. But his first decision was to let Mu Zheng and the others have a good sleep, saying that they were temporary hires and not to bother them any more.

Mu Zheng was too lazy to refute this. But just as he was half asleep, he felt someone poking his arm.

It’s Han Zi.

Seeing Mu Zheng wake up, he made a gesture of silence and signaled Mu Zheng to follow him with his eyes.

Mu Zheng looked around. The night watchman was dozing off, while Han Zi walked very lightly, even tiptoeing.

Mu Zheng hesitated for a moment and then followed.

The two of them came to a dense forest. Seeing Han Zi hesitated to speak, Mu Zheng took the initiative to speak: "Tell me? What can I help you with?"

Han Zi was surprised: "Brother Mu knows that I have something to ask for?"

Mu Zheng smiled and said, "You have so many warriors under your command that you don't need to hire any more bodyguards. And you even gave me a precious sword as a gift. Aren't you just trying to make me feel guilty?"

Hearing this, Han Zi looked embarrassed: "Brother Mu is too smart, and my little idea is really clumsy."

Mu Zheng didn't respond, but just stared at Han Zi, obviously waiting for him to speak.

Han Zi stopped talking: "Brother Mu, someone wants to kill me."

Mu Zheng was startled, "Who?"

Han Zi glanced in the direction of the camp and whispered, "Chen Zhiman!"

It's him?

Mu Zheng finally understood why that person was always observing him secretly. He guessed that he was worried that he would ruin his plans.

"What do you want me to do?" Mu Zheng asked.

Han Zi didn't expect Mu Zheng to be so straightforward, and was slightly surprised. "Are you willing to help me? You know, this is dangerous. If you..."

"Just because you gave me this dagger, I would agree." Mu Zheng interrupted Han Zi. Of course, the real reason was not just because of the sword.

"Okay. Brother Mu is straightforward." Han Zi no longer hesitated, "I need you to help me kill him. After the task is completed, I will definitely reward you handsomely."

Han Zi approached Mu Zheng and explained his plan in detail...