Transmigrating to the Song Dynasty: Water Margin Business Management

Huang Qi's death was quickly discovered, and just as everyone was shocked and furious, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from behind. Amidst the flying dust, a group of people rushed in like a whirlwind, instantly surrounding Wu Yong and his men.

The leader of this group was a majestic general named Xiao Lie. He was tall, with a cold and stern face, and his eyes exuded a murderous aura.

"Stop moving!" Xiao Lie shouted, his voice booming like a bell.

Zhao Tianming and the others quickly stood back to back, watching the sudden encirclement with vigilance.

Wu Yong stepped forward, cupped his hands, and asked, "May I ask, General, what is the meaning of this?"

Xiao Lie sneered: "Hmph, I am here on the orders of the Deputy Privy Councilor to arrest you bunch of traitors!"

Zhao Tianming glared at him angrily: "Traitors? Everything we did was for justice and for the people, how can you call us traitors?"

Xiao Lie said disdainfully, "Stop with your sweet talk. Huang Qi's death is inextricably linked to you. Come back with me obediently for trial, and perhaps we can spare your lives."

Shi Xiu shouted, "We will never go with you! Huang Qi has committed numerous evils and deserves to die!"

Xiao Lie's face darkened: "How dare you! You dare to be so presumptuous. It seems you won't know your place unless I teach you a lesson."

Having said that, he waved his hand, and his soldiers raised their weapons and advanced.

Zhao Tianming shouted, "Brothers, prepare to meet the enemy!"

The two sides were on the verge of a fight and the atmosphere was extremely tense.

Just then, Pang Wanchun stepped forward: "Wait! General, there must be a misunderstanding. We are confronting Huang Qi to expose his crimes, not to oppose the court."

Xiao Lie snorted: "I don't care about any misunderstandings. The orders of the Deputy Privy Councilor cannot be disobeyed."

Pang Qiuxia said, "Does the general really want to serve villains and not distinguish right from wrong?"

Xiao Lie was slightly taken aback, seemingly touched by Pang Qiuxia's words, but quickly regained his cold expression: "Don't say anything more, I only know how to carry out orders."

Yang Xiong couldn't help but curse, "You stubborn fool!"

Xiao Lie immediately ordered the archers to form a battle formation and aim at Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong.

At this moment, Pang Wanchun was furious and pointed at Xiao Lie, shouting, "You corrupt official, you can't distinguish right from wrong, and you're aiding and abetting evil!"

Xiao Lie looked closely and recognized Pang Wanchun, saying, "So you're a rebel under Fang La! Men, listen to my command, this Pang fellow is indeed a band of rebels!"

Pang Wanchun sneered, "You blind fool! We are working for the well-being of the people, what does it have to do with Fang La! If you dare to make a move today, you will be infamous for eternity!"

Xiao Lie remained unmoved and shouted, "Release the arrows!"

At Xiao Lie's command, "Release the arrows!" In an instant, a rain of arrows shot towards Zhao Tianming and his men like locusts.

Pang Wanchun shouted, "Watch out!" He brandished his longsword, deflecting the arrows aimed at him and his sister. Pang Qiuxia was not to be outdone, nimbly dodging the arrows while simultaneously wielding her longsword to parry the approaching dangers.

Zhao Tianming, Shi Xiu, and Yang Xiong fearlessly charged towards the government troops amidst the rain of arrows. Zhao Tianming, wielding a longsword, flashed his blade, slicing through the incoming arrows while simultaneously thrusting his sword at the government soldiers. Shi Xiu and Yang Xiong also displayed their skills, fiercely fighting alongside the government troops.

"Kill!" The shouts of battle were deafening, and the two sides instantly descended into a chaotic melee.

However, the government troops were numerous and well-trained, with archers providing continuous support from the rear. Although Pang Wanchun and his men were highly skilled in martial arts, they were ultimately outnumbered.

Zhao Tianming was wounded in several places, his clothes stained with blood, but his eyes remained resolute, and his sword never faltered. Shi Xiu's arm was struck by an arrow; he gritted his teeth, pulled it out, and roared as he continued fighting. Yang Xiong's leg was also slashed, but he endured the excruciating pain and swung his weapon with all his might.

Wu Yong observed the situation from the rear, his heart filled with anxiety. He knew that things couldn't continue like this; if they didn't retreat in time, everyone's lives would be in danger.

"Fight and retreat! Do not linger in battle!" Wu Yong shouted.

Hearing Wu Yong's shout, Zhao Tianming replied while fighting the enemy, "Understood! Brothers, retreat!"

The group began to fend off the soldiers' attacks while slowly retreating.

Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia, brother and sister, stood closely around the crowd, protecting them from attacks coming from all directions.

"Brother, watch out!" Pang Qiuxia saw an arrow flying toward Pang Wanchun's back. She leaped forward and used her body to block the arrow.

"Qiuxia!" Pang Wanchun cried out in distress, his eyes filled with anger and worry.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Zhao Tianming and others killed off the surrounding soldiers and pulled Pang Qiuxia to a safe place.

"I'm fine, brother, let's go!" Pang Qiuxia said, enduring the pain.

The group fought and retreated, gradually putting some distance between themselves and the government troops. But Xiao Lie was not about to let them go so easily; he kept urging his soldiers to pursue them.

"Chase them! We can't let them get away!" Xiao Lie shouted.

The officers and soldiers surged forward like a tide, closely following behind the crowd.

Zhao Tianming and his men fought as they retreated, but their strength gradually gave out.

Wu Yong was extremely anxious. He looked around at the terrain, hoping to find a place to hide.

"There's a valley ahead, we can hide there first!" Wu Yong shouted, pointing to the distance.

The group ran towards the valley.

After entering the valley, the group used the narrow terrain to temporarily block the pursuit of the government troops.

"Everyone, take a short rest and treat your wounds," Wu Yong said.

Everyone sat down, panting heavily. Zhao Tianming, Shi Xiu, and Yang Xiong helped each other bandage their wounds, while Pang Wanchun looked at the injured Pang Qiuxia with concern.

"Little sister, how are you feeling?" Pang Wanchun asked.

Pang Qiuxia gritted her teeth and said, "I'm fine, brother, don't worry."

Looking at everyone, Wu Yong said with great concern, "This can't go on. We must come up with a foolproof plan to get rid of these soldiers."

Zhao Tianming said, "Brother Wu Yong, what's your idea?"

After a moment of contemplation, Wu Yong said, "We are currently in a valley. Although we are safe for the time being, the government troops will find us sooner or later. We might as well split into two groups. One group will attract the attention of the government troops from the front of the valley, while the other group will quietly leave from the back of the valley."

Everyone nodded in agreement with the plan.

Therefore, Zhao Tianming, Shi Xiu, and Pang Wanchun formed a group to lure the soldiers from the front, while Wu Yong, Yang Xiong, and Pang Qiuxia left from the rear.

"Everyone must be careful!" Wu Yong warned.

Zhao Tianming and the others picked up their weapons again and walked out of the valley toward the government troops.

"Xiao Lie, if you have the guts, come and arrest us!" Zhao Tianming shouted.

Upon seeing them, Xiao Lie immediately commanded his soldiers to rush forward.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Wu Yong and his men quietly left from the other side of the valley.

Zhao Tianming and his men fought and retreated, trying to buy time for Wu Yong and his men.

Finally, Wu Yong and his men successfully escaped the government troops, while Zhao Tianming and his men also managed to break free of their pursuit after a fierce battle, using the terrain as a means of escape.

"Finally, we've gotten rid of those guys," Shi Xiu said, panting heavily.

Zhao Tianming looked at everyone and said, "Let's find a safe place to hide first, and then we can discuss this further."

The group nodded and continued their journey through the mountains and forests, searching for a place to hide.

The group hid in a secluded cave. Zhao Tianming took out some wound medicine from his pocket and distributed it to the injured. While tending to their wounds, they whispered among themselves about how to evade the government troops' pursuit.

Pang Wanchun frowned, full of doubt, and said, "How did they get here so quickly? It's as if they knew our whereabouts all along."

Wu Yong said to Pang Wanchun, "Brother Pang, the situation is obvious. Huang Qi is just bait. They have invested heavily to try and wipe us out in one fell swoop. So this is clearly a trap."

Pang Wanchun and Pang Qiuxia suddenly realized what was going on. Pang Qiuxia said, "That's right, otherwise, how could such well-equipped soldiers have arrived so quickly? This was clearly premeditated."

Pang Wanchun clenched his fists and said bitterly, "These treacherous villains are so vicious!"

Wu Yong's expression was grave as he continued his analysis: "They anticipated that we would make a move against Huang Qi, so they arranged all of this in advance. We were caught off guard and fell into their trap."

Zhao Tianming gritted his teeth and said, "It's all my fault for being too impulsive and not thinking things through."

Shi Xiu comforted him, "Brother Zhao, it's too late for regrets now. Let's think about what to do next."

Yang Xiong continued, "Yes, the government troops are definitely searching for us everywhere. We need to come up with a solution as soon as possible."

After a moment of contemplation, Pang Wanchun said, "In my opinion, we can't keep hiding here. We need to find a way to move."

Pang Qiuxia nodded in agreement: "Brother is right, but there are government troops everywhere outside, where should we go?"

Wu Yong stroked his beard and said, "We must avoid the main roads and take those secluded paths, trying not to attract attention."

Zhao Tianming said, "But the path is difficult to walk, and we are not familiar with the terrain. What if we get lost?"

Pang Wanchun said, "This is indeed a problem, but it's better than sitting here and waiting to die."

Everyone fell silent, pondering possible solutions.

After a while, Pang Qiuxia suddenly said, "I remember we passed through a valley on the way here. The terrain there is complicated and easy to hide in. Perhaps we can go there to take refuge for the time being."

Wu Yong's eyes lit up: "That's a good idea, but I don't know if the government troops have set up an ambush there."

Pang Wanchun said, "No matter what, we have to go and take a look, but we should be careful."

Everyone nodded in agreement and decided to head to the valley.

Just then, footsteps suddenly came from outside the cave, and everyone tensed up, gripping their weapons tightly.

Everyone held their breath, staring intently at the cave entrance. The footsteps grew closer, and the atmosphere became extremely tense.

Zhao Tianming gave everyone a wink, signaling them to prepare for battle. Just as everyone was on edge, a figure appeared at the cave entrance; it was the child who had passed them the note earlier.

"It's me, don't do anything!" the child said, panting heavily.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and Zhao Tianming stepped forward and asked, "Child, what brings you here?"

The child said anxiously, "The government troops are searching the area. I've come to tell you to be careful."

Wu Yong looked at the child gratefully: "Thank you, child."

The child continued, "I know a hidden path that can lead you away from the government troops."

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with joy. Pang Wanchun said, "That's wonderful, quickly take us away."

The child led the group cautiously out of the cave and along a rugged path. They were on tenterhooks the whole way, fearing they would be discovered by the government troops.

After walking for a while, the child stopped, pointed ahead and said, "If we go this way, we can bypass the government troops' search area."

Zhao Tianming patted the child on the shoulder: "Child, go home now, don't come with us and risk your life anymore."

The child nodded and turned to leave. The group continued along the path, hoping to escape the government troops' pursuit as soon as possible.