Shipin Dalizheng

Li Dequan felt a surge of blood rushing through his body, his head was dizzy, and his steps were unsteady. Although he was five feet tall, he had the aura of eight feet.

The veteran soldier walking with Rong Dahai took the opportunity to give Rong Dahai a heads-up, "See? Did you see who's the most powerful among our Rong family's new soldiers?"

Without waiting for Rong Dahai to reply, he began his own analysis, "In terms of combat prowess, Senior Wen is second to none in the world. In terms of power, Eunuch Li represents His Majesty in oversight."

"So they're both equally powerful?"

"Wrong. It's the young uncle's compliments that are most powerful."

After wasting most of the day, 70% to 80% of the rice bags in Cui's rice shop had been moved away. Rong Tang ordered his men to load two large carts of food and water, and bid farewell to Xiaoxian and headed south.

Because the two carts carrying supplies were not moving fast and considering that his men were a little tired, Rong Tang did not urge them and let the horses move slowly.

Li Dequan was still in a daze, unable to recover. "Young Master, you won't meddle in local affairs wherever you go, will you? We haven't crossed the river yet, and we can't afford to delay."

Rong Tang didn't even tell him that the path he chose was less traveled, and if he really wanted to meddle in other people's business, he wouldn't even be able to leave Kyoto.

"Eunuch Li, why do you think we're in such a hurry to cross the river?"

Li Dequan wanted to say that he was trying to seize the imperial seal, but he changed his story and said, "Of course, it was to save the people of Jiangnan from disaster."

"Hey, Eunuch Li, let me ask you, what is the difference between the people in Jiangnan and Jiangbei?"

Li Dequan could not tell the difference. They were all common people. After the unification of Dai Viet, there was no distinction between people from far and near.

"Since the purpose of our military deployment is to rescue the people, what difference does it make where we rescue the people? The last time I passed through here, the people here were already in dire straits. If we don't help, we'll starve to death. Eunuch Li, we are also accumulating national fortune for Dai Viet."

Li Dequan praised, "I know why He Daban admires you so much. You have a mouth that can even deceive the dead. You deserve your unlimited favor. Please tell me the truth. What did you give to the Cui family's shopkeeper that made him so secretive?"

Rong Tang touched the object in his arms and suddenly smiled, "What is it? It is a warning from heaven to the Cui family, and also a salvation for the Cui family's eldest son."

He looked towards the northwest. The sky there was gray. Was Cui Xingzhou still trapped there?

When it was dark, they arrived at the outskirts of a small village with few people. Youzi came back and said that there was no human habitation for dozens of miles ahead and suggested that they camp and rest there.

As the number of people increased, the number of scouts increased from one to five, with Zi as the team leader.

The kitchen staff set to work preparing meals. Those without assigned tasks split into two groups: one half learned the secret codes from Rong Tang, and the other half trained in martial arts with Old Wen. Rong Tang aside, Old Wen hadn't earned his silver ounce easily. Seventy or eighty people had kowtowed to him, and he suddenly felt a strong sense of responsibility. He felt like he would be unworthy of the silver ounce if he didn't teach them everything he knew.

Suddenly, a cool breeze blew, and while it felt comfortable, an experienced person shouted, "No, it's going to rain."

Sure enough, it wasn't long before the northwest sky darkened and raindrops as big as beans began to fall. The recruits scrambled to clean up the pots and food. Although they had managed to do so before the rain got any heavier, they had nowhere to hide.

Because the marching tent could not withstand such heavy rain.

Rong Zhan came to ask Rong Tang for advice, "Master, let's go into the village and find a few huts to shelter from the rain."

Rong Tang was already half wet. It was okay for him, but the food couldn't get wet. He immediately ordered, "Enter the village."

Coincidentally, this village was the first one they encountered after coming out of the mountains. The hunter who had hosted them that day was still there. He knocked on the wooden door and recognized him after a while. "Are you the distinguished guest who stopped here four months ago?"

Looking behind him, he saw that there was barely enough space in the small courtyard for both men and horses. Furthermore, the sight of these people dressed in various styles and armed with swords and knives only added to the fear. He had heard that life was tough elsewhere, with bandits gathering. Could this noble young man have become a bandit too?

Rong Tang knew at a glance that he had misunderstood, and did not explain his identity to him. To ordinary people, officers and soldiers were sometimes no different from bandits.

There was no need to tell him about the war. The main battlefield of this war was in Jiangnan, and such a remote and uninhabited area would not affect them. They should just live in peace.

"Oh, we were passing by here on business, and it happened to rain, so we came to your house to stay overnight. We will take care of our own meals, and we just want to borrow a tile to keep out the rain."

The hunter felt relieved a little. Although he didn't believe that this group of people were doing business, since they said so, he might as well believe it.

What's more, this noble man didn't treat me badly when he passed by last time. With the little money he gave me, I bought coarse rice and grains, which helped my family get through the lean period, although we are still in a difficult situation now.

On the way to find a place to stay, Rong Tang also heard that the hunter was still optimistic and happy about the rain. Although it was already autumn and the best time to plant crops had been missed, if they sowed some more rapeseed, they could still harvest a lot before winter. As long as the people did not starve to death, it didn't matter what they ate.

That night, about a hundred people were scattered in more than ten dilapidated huts in the village, and at least they and their horses were not exposed to the rain and had to sleep in the open air.

Rong Tang and his four bodyguards naturally stayed in a small room. They all went out, and after Rong Tang had changed his clothes and stood at the door facing outside, they went in and changed together. This caused a few Jianghu men across the street to laugh and say, "We're all men, why are you so shy, boss?"

Rong Tang simply ignored them.

Fortunately, everyone had more than two sets of clothes to change into, so no one had to spend the day wet. Those who had the conditions lit a fire to dry their clothes, and those who didn't had no time to worry and just hung up the wet clothes to dry.

Rong Zhan and the others found a long pole and placed it across the middle of the room, and hung all the wet clothes on it, just enough to create an independent space for Rong Tang.

Unexpectedly, Rong Tang couldn't fall asleep. As soon as he closed his eyes, Cui Xingzhou's appearance appeared. His handsome face, with eyes that were half compassionate and half cold, stared at him silently.

He asked Cui Xingzhou, "Master Cui, have you been redeemed? Your people once caused countless deaths of starvation among the people of Jinzhou. Today, I am opening your granaries to distribute grain to you! Even if they may not be particularly willing, at least they haven't strongly objected."

Cui Xingzhou still didn't speak.

"Cui Xingzhou, Buddha can't save you, and neither can I. You have trapped yourself."

As Rong Tang spoke, his hands fumbled with his Buddhist beads, he chanted the mantra of rebirth, and muttered incessantly until Rong Zhan called him, "Master, Master!"

Rong Tang opened his eyes, leaned against the wall, and twirled the Buddhist beads in his hand.

"Ah, I can't sleep. I keep dreaming about Cui Xingzhou."

Rong Zhan's face was strange, "Master, it's dawn."

It turned out that he was not asleep, but had been dreaming and reciting scriptures all night. Rong Tang suddenly felt embarrassed, "I'm sorry for disturbing your rest."

"That's not the case. The master's chanting really helps me sleep. Wanli fell asleep while on guard duty.

Rong Wanli's face flushed, "It really is...it helps me sleep."

Buzzing, he just...

The rain was still falling outside, which was good for the long-dry land, but not good news for their march. Fortunately, they were not going to rescue the besieged city, so a day earlier or later would not make much difference.

It was a rare day off, so Rong Tang arranged the day's tasks: study, practice martial arts, practice martial arts, and study.

Li Dequan lived in another courtyard not far away. After breakfast, he came to his place for a stroll and complained about the terrible route he had taken. If he had passed through a bustling and prosperous provincial capital, he could have stayed in an official's house, or at the very least, become a local gentry, eating delicious food, drinking spicy drinks, and sleeping in a soft bed.