Chapter 225: Two Hundred and Thirty-Three, Is My Son Brave?

Two Hundred and Thirty-Three, Is My Son Brave?

At the foot of Mount Dagu, by a memorial archway.

Ouyang Rong was originally preparing to rush to Zhe Yiqu to take a boat, but he ran into Yan Liulang and his group who were leading the Longcheng commoners to take refuge.

Seeing that Yan Liulang and the others had strange expressions, Ouyang Rong became nervous and immediately asked a series of questions.

"A-Shan?"

Ouyang Rong's expression was stunned at first, but after hearing it, he breathed a long sigh of relief.

"Fortunately, A-Shan is there!"

But immediately, Ouyang Rong frowned slightly, "But why did A-Shan come back so quickly? Wasn't he supposed to send people back to Nanlong for me?"

He whispered a sentence, his expression both worried and happy.

Regardless, before Ouyang Rong returned, the fact that Liu A-Shan could stand up in the county government to stabilize the situation in his place was, after all, a piece of good news among the many bad news at the moment.

After finishing the details without missing anything, Yan Liulang looked ashamed and lowered his head:

"Magistrate, it's my uselessness. In the end, Brother A-Shan had to stand up..."

"It's nothing, everyone has their own duties! Liulang, just do what you are supposed to do."

Ouyang Rong comforted him and turned to look at the green wolf smoke among the distant mountains.

He lowered his eyes and muttered:

"I don't know if A-Shan received the letter sent by the Junior Sister. Knowing that I'm back, his mental pressure should be a little less..."

"Also, Liulang said that A-Shan is preparing to rescue materials for the water gate at Peng Lang Ferry, but this time, times are different. The rising water of the Yunmeng Marsh upstream has a reason, and it is right under our noses."

"The most urgent task should be to go to Mount Xiao Gu to stop the Xie family from casting the sword before the rising water approaches the threshold of the Di Gong Zha and collapses it..."

Ouyang Rong nodded, and his gaze retracted from the direction of Mount Xiao Gu at Butterfly Creek.

He looked around.

He saw that at this moment, it was not just Yan Liulang's first batch of commoners who had arrived at Mount Dagu.

From all directions, batches of commoner migration flows were gathering at the foot of Mount Dagu.

It should be the county magistrate's handwritten letter that Liu A-Shan issued on Ouyang's behalf, which had been distributed to various places. The commoners in the towns upstream and downstream, led by local worthies and clan elders, were rushing here one after another to take refuge.

Having experienced the evacuation from the last rising water of the Yunmeng Marsh not long ago, the Longcheng commoners were relatively familiar with it, and the resistance to retreat and take refuge was reduced.

The most important thing was the prestige accumulated by a certain radish county magistrate during these days.

Ouyang Rong did not stay at the foot of Mount Dagu for too long. After clearing his thoughts, he comforted the elders and fellow villagers who gathered around and enthusiastically supported him.

Ouyang Rong turned to instruct Yan Liulang on some precautions regarding the commoners taking refuge.

"Liulang, hold this place firmly. I'll go to Zhe Yiqu to find a boat first!"

He took a fast horse from the constable, flipped onto it lightly, whipped the horse, and his figure went far away.

Zhe Yiqu, Songlin Ferry.

"Are they really that honest? This doesn't look like this brat's style. Mao Jin, are you sure he didn't bring any government soldiers to ambush us?"

"Master, no, he just rode a horse over. Besides, the boats are in our hands. We'll take the waterway later; what kind of pursuers could he have to block us?"

"Hmm, that makes sense."

Xie Ling looked sideways, not expecting the hostage threat plan to succeed so smoothly.

But thinking about it carefully, the people and things in this world are sometimes not as tortuous and bizarre as written in novels. Where do so many children of destiny and people who can foresee things like a god come from?

Under the dazzling sunshine of the morning.

Here, Xie Ling was whispering and discussing with Mao Jin behind him.

Xie Ling, leading the Xie family retainers and the private soldiers borrowed from Boss Li, had already boarded the bow of the boat at the ferry.

And on the river beach directly in front of them.

Xie Shigui was leading a group of subordinates, escorting hostages such as County Magistrate Cai Qin, officials, merchants, and Longcheng commoners.

They were confronting Ouyang Rong, who had come forward alone.

At this moment, seeing Ouyang Rong cast his gaze over.

Xie Ling took the lead in turning his head and nodded slightly to his subordinates.

To show sincerity.

He saw that on this group of official ships moored at the river beach pier, the Xie family retainers and bandit private soldiers who were holding weapons and controlling the boatmen seemed to have received instructions, one after another putting away the weapons in their hands, each jumping off the boat vigorously.

More than half of the official ships were liberated.

Only three ships remained in the hands of Xie Ling and the others, and the retreating Xie family retainers and bandit private soldiers also boarded these three ships one after another.

Xie Shigui looked back, received Xie Ling's signal, and said coldly to Ouyang Rong, who was dusty and haggard in the distance:

"Drop your weapons and throw them on the ground. Walk over alone. We will release the hostages; we keep our word. If you dare to have any small movements."

Xie Shigui looked sideways at his subordinates.

The Xie family retainers guarding the hostages around them opened wooden barrels one by one, pouring the Burning Heaven Jiao Oil inside onto the heads and clothes of Cai Qin, A-Qing, Mother Xie, and the others.

These Burning Heaven Jiao Oils were accidentally discovered by Xie Ling and the others in the cabin of the official ship. Presumably, they should have been the batch captured by Ouyang Lianghan and the Longcheng County government at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

It was just right to borrow them.

The private soldiers behind Xie Shigui held torches, loosened the shackles, pushed the terrified hostages forward after they were splashed with oil, and whipped them to drive them.

Seeing this, the officials, merchants, and Longcheng commoners hurriedly ran forward.

In the distance, Ouyang Rong untied the long sword from his waist, took out an object from his bosom, and handed them both to a government office runner who ran back first.

His expression was tired, and he moved forward alone.

Looking down from a high place, a rather strange scene appeared on this rather wide and empty river beach:

On the left half of the open space on the river beach, a group of commoners were crowded and fleeing in a panic, running toward the front, trying hard to stay away from the green-clad men holding torches behind them.

On the right half of the open space on the river beach, a slender figure, alone, empty-handed, was going against the current, walking silently toward the gathering place of the green-clad thugs holding white blades by the water.

The atmosphere was unusually solemn.

Among the fleeing crowd, some people couldn't help but look sideways.

"Mag... Magistrate."

Officials like Cai Qin stumbled, slowed their pace a bit, their faces full of guilt.

"Master, don't go!" A-Qing was in tears, but was pulled back by the servants of Meilu Garden who had quick eyes and fast hands.

But just at this moment, a sorrowful cry that had not been expected suddenly sounded behind A-Qing:

"My son! Don't go, don't go! Come back, Dalang! Come back, woo woo woo!"

A white-haired old woman rushed out from the fleeing crowd on the left side of the river beach.

She ran desperately toward the figure of the young county magistrate wearing an official uniform.

This sudden scene appeared particularly prominent on the relatively quiet river beach at this moment.

A-Qing, who was originally full of clear tears, was stunned. Cai Qin and the others behind were also full of confusion—wasn't the Magistrate's mother long dead?

Standing on the bow of the boat, Xie Ling, who was watching coldly, frowned, his expression impatient.

Xie Shigui was holding a big knife, preparing to lead his subordinates to catch Ouyang Rong. Seeing this, he snatched a torch from his subordinate and stepped forward with a hideous smile.

"Lighting a lamp in the latrine—courting death!"

Ouyang Rong, who was moving forward, suddenly turned around and pushed the Mother Xie who had rushed in front of him to the ground.

Without looking back, he continued to move forward.

Xie Shigui snorted coldly, threw away the torch, and stepped forward with his subordinates to tie up Ouyang Rong, who had surrendered without a fight, with five flowers and tied him up.

The group retreated in an orderly manner to the three official ships left on the shore.

The white-haired old woman, covered in Jiao Oil, fell and crawled, reaching out to the front:

"My son, don't go, don't go! We can't repay the noble's kindness. Come back, come back, woo woo woo..."

Mother Xie wanted to chase, but was pulled back by Cai Qin and the others.

At the bow of the boat, Ouyang Rong was escorted to Xie Ling. Xie Ling seemed to squint and say something. He, who had been silent, did not answer, but suddenly turned his head and shouted loudly to the crowd on the river beach below:

"County Magistrate Cai, take the official ships to Peng Lang Ferry!

"You guys run fast too, go to Mount Dagu, don't look back, don't come to save me! Go to Mount Dagu, there is 'someone' waiting for you there..."

Xie Ling's gaze on the side turned cold.

Ouyang Rong's mouth was immediately blocked.

Receiving the signal from his Second Brother, Xie Shigui stepped forward calmly.

He stood on the deck of the bow, looking down from a high position, and said to the whole scene:

"Heh, do you really think he is a hero who sacrifices himself for others? Naive, this is all what he deserves!

"The collapse of the water gates in Longcheng County several times, including today's rising water, are all thanks to him!

"Ouyang Lianghan has offended the Long Wang at the bottom of the water!"

Xie Shigui was righteous, with a seductive voice that was enticing:

"Have you forgotten that when this brat took office, he fell into the river and drowned? The Long Wang was kind-hearted and just gave a warning, sparing his dog life. Who would have thought that after he recovered, not only did he not repent, but he also governed the water recklessly, offending the Long Wang! As a result, it harmed the entire Longcheng County, and everyone became a victim."

"If you don't believe it, look at today. On such a hot day, the Yunmeng Marsh upstream is still rising. This is the Long Wang's anger! This brat is guilty of heinous crimes and has angered the divine punishment!"

Big Brother said.

Killing people is nothing; punishing the heart is the top-tier operation.

Making Ouyang Lianghan infamous and covered in dirty water is the real refreshing revenge.

"Our Xie family is just acting on behalf of the Long Wang. Our Xie family is the one who saves you!"

"The Xie family came today and didn't want to hurt anyone. Look, aren't you all unharmed?"

"We just want to find out the culprit so that the Long Wang at the bottom of the water will not vent his anger on us. So Ouyang Lianghan deserves this retribution. What do you have to feel guilty about?"

"And think about it, if he wasn't guilty, why would he stand up? Giving up a bright future and wealth? Is there really such a selfless person in this world? Not cherishing his life?"

Xie Shigui's voice echoed in the silent scene.

Ouyang Rong's mouth was stuffed with a cloth bag, but he held his head high, as if grinning and laughing.

The facial muscles on Xie Shigui's face twitched, and his body calmly blocked the figure in the official uniform with contempt in his eyes behind him.

He suppressed his anger, said to the silent crowd on the river beach, and waved his hand calmly:

"Alright, disperse."

Xie Shigui turned his head and snorted coldly.

Xie Ling, who was hiding his hands in his sleeves on the side, nodded to him, as if affirming and praising.

"Go, start the boat quickly, return to the sword shop quickly."

The sacrifice was in hand. Xie Ling did not want to stay for a moment, his face unable to suppress his excitement, returning fully loaded.

The three hijacked ships by the river beach slowly sailed away, and after a while, they disappeared on Butterfly Creek.

On the river beach, the crowd left behind fell into silence, as if lost in some kind of confusion.

Mother Xie's heartbreaking sorrowful wailing made the atmosphere of the whole scene appear even more silent.

"Mother..." A-Qing walked over blankly, as if puzzled.

But at this moment, a government office runner walked over dejectedly and handed over two things.

"Miss A-Qing, this is what the Magistrate left for you and Mother Xie before he left just now."

A-Qing reached out in a daze, took a long sword and a small package of oil paper.

She put down the long sword and opened the oil paper.

On the paper, two cold oil sesame cakes lay quietly.

The delicate girl trembled.

Ouyang Rong met this large group of people returning from Zhe Yiqu with a strange atmosphere halfway between Mount Dagu and Songling Ferry.

"Magistrate Cai, what are you guys?"

Ouyang Rong was stunned and looked at County Magistrate Cai Qin, who was gray-faced in front of the crowd.

However, at this moment, it was not just him who was surprised. What was even more surprising than his expression were Cai Qin and the others, who widened their eyes and looked at him, who was intact.

Ouyang Rong also reacted, remembering the performance of Yan Liulang and the others just now, and was not surprised, saying vaguely:

"The one greeting the county government over there is A-Shan. He is temporarily acting..."

Ouyang Rong suddenly found that the expressions of Cai Qin and the others did not ease, but were even more dumbfounded.

However, his confusion did not last long.

The crowd parted.

A-Qing and Mother Xie walked over slowly.

Ouyang Rong saw the mother and daughter whose eyes were full of bloodshot eyes, especially the latter, who was swaying like a walking corpse. A-Qing's tears had also dried up, leaving only hiccups, her shoulders twitching.

And when this mother and daughter saw Ouyang Rong, their expressions were not surprised at all, and even a bit dazed and ignored him.

He turned his head instantly and looked around at the embarrassed and lost crowd.

His expression changed, Ouyang Rong's teeth chattered, he tried hard to bite his teeth, and asked calmly:

"Where... where is A-Shan?"

A-Qing held a moonlight long sword and a small package of oil paper.

She walked slowly to Ouyang Rong, who had stumbled off his horse, and handed him the sword and two oil sesame cakes.

Her delicate face was dazed:

"Master, save Brother, I beg you, go save Brother."

County Magistrate Cai Qin on the side also reacted at this moment, stepped forward, and interjected cautiously:

"Magistrate, Brother A-Shan, in order to save us, in order to save that batch of official ships for water control, took your place and was... was captured by Xie Ling and Xie Shigui."

Ouyang Rong's expression was dazed. He stood in place, looking down at the familiar moonlight long sword.

Before boarding the ship that day, he had personally handed this sword to Liu A-Shan.

Ouyang Rong trembled uncontrollably all over.

Everyone saw Ouyang Rong suddenly raise his palm, as if he wanted to slap himself hard in the face.

But immediately, his trembling hand stopped in mid-air, the direction changed suddenly, and he slashed down fiercely, grabbing the moonlight long sword from A-Qing's hand.

Ouyang Rong turned his head, looked at Mother Xie and A-Qing, whose expressions were dazed and hopeless, nodded, and said:

"The one who should be retaliated against and sought revenge by the Xie family is me. I did not fulfill my duty and should not have left carelessly. It is I, Ouyang Lianghan, who let you down. I will bring your son and your brother back. Otherwise, I will never have the face to see you again, or see the elders and fellow villagers of Longcheng."

Mother Xie and A-Qing, who were numb, heard this, looked up at Ouyang Rong, whose eyes were red. A moment later, the mother and daughter hugged each other and finally cried out in pain:

"Woo woo woo..."

Amidst the sorrowful crying, Ouyang Rong was like an angry wolf, rushing out without looking back. His figure swayed as he climbed onto the horse's back. He tried twice before stepping onto the horse, but immediately he was pulled by the stirrup by Cai Qin.

"Magistrate, you can't, you can't! It's dangerous to go now!"

A-Qing, who was holding the oil sesame cakes to her chest, also reacted when she heard this, ran over and grabbed Ouyang Rong's hem, her delicate face miserable: "Master... they have so many bad people... be careful."

Cai Qin immediately took over the conversation:

"That's right, Magistrate, don't be impulsive, you must be calm! Brother A-Shan certainly needs to be saved, but now is a critical moment. The Di Gong Zha doesn't know when it will collapse. It is important to transfer the commoners to Mount Dagu first. Magistrate, don't forget your duty!"

He lowered his voice again:

"And Xie Shigui's demonic words just now have caused the team's morale to be scattered... The Xie family still has many private soldiers, and I don't know where they were recruited from. You just took a few people and ran over. Isn't that throwing yourself into the net? Let's wait a little longer. A gentleman's revenge is not too late in ten years... Ouch!"

A-Qing, who was blocking the horse, was fine, but the old county magistrate's body flew two meters away as expected.

"..."

You just kicked this old man? ===== CHAPTER 226 =====