Chapter 1359: Heroes Come to Join

This day, where Erxian Manor was located, over a hundred cavalrymen rode over.

Shan Xiongxin walked out nervously to greet them, asking respectfully: "My Erxian Manor is law-abiding and kind to the people, I don't know..."

The leading officer waved his hand, not letting him continue, only saying: "The General is coming."

"General?"

"Duke Wang!" The officer was impatient with Shan Xiongxin's lack of insight.

"Duke Wang is coming?" Shan Xiongxin widened his eyes, "At this time..."

The officer shook his head and said: "Prepare food for 1,500 people. The General will arrive in half an hour."

"Yes, yes, yes." Shan Xiongxin hurriedly responded, then ordered people to open the manor's main gate, let the servants go out to clean the streets, and sent people to purchase, set up large pots to boil water, prepare horse feed, and also mobilized the surrounding commoners, all getting busy.

The troops who arrived first didn't just watch, letting people watch the warhorses, and more than half of them followed the Shan family to get busy. Even these soldiers who were working together had sharp eyes; they had to watch the boiling water, watch the vegetable picking, and watch everything.

Shan Xiongxin saw all this in his eyes. He didn't feel disgusted, nor did he dare to feel disgusted, just feeling Wang Yan's difficulty...

Before long, the Wang family steward here brought a large group of people over, handling many chickens, ducks, geese, and pigs, slaughtering them on the spot under the gaze of the soldiers.

Everyone was discussing, all talking about things related to Wang Yan, curious about what Wang Yan looked like. A large group of young children also popped out, jumping and playing everywhere, occasionally a few little brats causing trouble, getting beaten and crying, and for a time it was extremely lively...

More than half an hour passed, and Wang Yan finally arrived late.

Another team of cavalry opened the way, and only then did Wang Yan's figure appear.

He was riding on a tall warhorse, in front of him were two pretty little girls, and on his neck was a little boy with a tiger's head and brain.

Behind him was a slowly moving convoy, and all kinds of things of a whole family. Behind that were the remaining troops. Most were infantry, and the rear guard was cavalry.

"Duke Wang!"

Shan Xiongxin hurriedly trotted to greet him, having great awareness.

Wang Yan waved his hand: "We are all brothers, don't do these empty things. Come, take my son."

Casually picking the little boy off his neck, he threw him to Shan Xiongxin as if throwing something. Shan Xiongxin hurriedly caught him, not having time to sigh at seeing Wang Yan being a father like this for the first time, when he saw the child he caught giggling non-stop, as if he had played a very fun game.

"The brat is tough."

Wang Yan smiled, then dismounted, handing the two little girls and the boy to the little maid who came up from behind. Waiting for Qionghua to come out, he met with Shan Xiongxin, and the women followed Shan Yingying into the manor.

"Why did Duke Wang come here?" Shan Xiongxin asked with concern.

"It's been a month since the fighting stopped, haven't you heard a bit of wind? Full merit not achieved, great clans counterattacked, I was kicked out of Daxing."

"Uh..."

Shan Xiongxin indeed didn't know this result, "With Duke Wang's instructions, I have already contracted my forces, and the news is not smooth. But right now, it is a great blessing that Duke Wang can keep his life. Where is Duke Wang going?"

"Beiping."

"That is really taking a lot of detours. Especially now that Duke Wang is in a dangerous situation, it is better to go to Beiping early and be in the army."

"The army is not necessarily safe." Wang Yan chuckled, "Why did I come to your side? It's to see which great clan is still bold enough. To tell you the truth, on this journey, I encountered three ambushes, and the largest one even gathered more than three thousand people."

"Then they..."

"Naturally, their whole families were wiped out, otherwise I would be dead."

The great clans hated him to the bone. Even though the fighting had stopped, even though they knew he had a thousand guards, even though they knew he was a peerless fierce general himself, they still wanted to gather some troops to surround and kill him.

Of course, this was also in line with Wang Yan's thoughts. Yang Guang just told him to leave Daxing quickly, but didn't say when he would go to Beiping to take office. Coupled with Qionghua's great interest in sightseeing, he took the team and swayed slowly, not fast or slow, inspecting the situation in the Central Plains that had been ravaged by the small war along the way, as well as the various industries of his old Wang family.

More importantly, it was to show his presence in front of these great clans, to show off his power, and to see who else was unconvinced.

Thus, along the way, there was blood and wind.

Wang Yan didn't say more, but kindly greeted the various busy people, chatting and laughing, asking how life was, whether there was any influence from the previous catastrophe, and who else was bold enough to bully them.

Although the scale of the rebellion wasn't that magnificent, and overall, the government army was in a dominant position, and the great clans' troops were all pressed and killed.

But because the scope of the fighting was too wide and too large, and the great clans were still desperately trying to sweep up the commoners, it was absolutely impossible to say there was no influence. Especially the farms of the old Wang family, which belonged to the well-known wealth.

The biggest loss in this battle was Wang Yan. The uprisings in various places mostly came to Wang Yan's farms to wreak havoc.

However, these people who ate with Wang Yan were not eating for nothing. The adult men were farming during busy times and practicing martial arts during idle times. And there were militia in the manor, as well as disabled old soldiers, guiding the people in the manor to practice military formations, which was no problem.

It was just one point that was at a disadvantage, which was the prohibition of armor, making it hard to break defense in fighting.

But without armor, there were more sophisticated weapons, long spears, bows and arrows, etc., and coupled with years of organized martial arts practice, eating and drinking well, and protecting the property and lives of themselves and their families, the combat effectiveness was still very strong.

As long as they withstood the first wave, it would be much better later, and there would definitely be some casualties. Xiao Mei had already made arrangements for these things, and they had all received generous compensation.

The crops and the like were destroyed, but the old Wang family's grain transport fleet from overseas had never stopped, and it was getting bigger and bigger, transporting large amounts of grain back, covering most of the Central Plains, ensuring that their own people had food to eat, and also stabilizing the grain prices in the Central Plains.

It could be said that before the fighting started, Wang Yan had considered various aspects, even including Yang Guang's possible fear leading to giving up halfway.

Not politely speaking, this time it was Yang Guang who let him go. If Yang Guang couldn't think it through and insisted on his Wang Mouren's head.

Then at this time, Wang Yan wouldn't be here, but sitting on the dragon chair of the Daxing Hall, studying who to kill next, and how to quickly flatten the great clans...

After talking to the villagers for a long time, and under Shan Xiongxin's nervous following, he checked everywhere in Erxian Manor.

"Old Shan, your family has so many warhorses?"

Wang Yan stood with his hands behind his back in front of the stable, looking at the pile of horses inside.

"There are many people in the family, and when fighting before, some people came to attack my family. After a few battles, I captured many warhorses that I hadn't had time to deal with."

"Is that so?"

Wang Yan raised his eyebrows, pointing casually at one of the horses: "Why does this yellow horse look so familiar to me? It seems to be the one of Shuba's?"

Shan Xiongxin was already sweating like rain. Under Wang Yan's gaze, he difficultly cupped his hands to plead guilty: "Duke Wang, please forgive me. Shuba is indeed here. Previously, the great clans rose in rebellion, and the government army was everywhere suppressing bandits and rebellions, killing anyone they saw with weapons. It was truly a great catastrophe.

I carry the title of the leader of the green forest in the thirteen provinces. At such a time, heroes from all directions... mountain bandits from all directions all ran to me. Before the fighting stopped, some people dispersed here, and many had nowhere to go, planning to wait for a period of time to observe. Previously, Second Brother Qin came here to deliver official documents on the orders of the King of the Mountain, and Princess Yu followed to play, passing by the manor..."

"This Shuba, why hide from me?" Wang Yan shook his head amusingly, "Let's go, take me to see these heroes from all directions, what kind of quality they are."

Shan Xiongxin let out a long sigh, resignedly taking Wang Yan to the backyard, stopping in front of a large wing room, and opening the door.

Quiet, extremely quiet.

Quiet to the point where you could hear a needle drop.

Wang Yan stood with his hands behind his back in front of the door, looking up and fanning the wind in front of his nose: "It's fine for you bunch of killing embryos and rough men, why let Princess Yu, a woman, stay here and smell your wine stench?"

"Duke Wang..."

Looking at Qin Qiong, who stepped forward to greet him with a look of shame, Wang Yan waved his hand: "It's okay, you are also worried about the safety of these people, which is understandable. But I am not a person who loves to kill. I still trust the character of you two. Being valued by the two of you, although these people have some problems, they are not guilty of death."

Hearing Wang Yan say they had problems, several people showed dissatisfaction. Wang Yan's gaze swept over, smiling and saying, "Why, heroes, you are not happy when you are told?"

"You are not happy when you are told either." Someone muttered.

Wang Yan looked over, only to see a bearded, burly man.

So Wang Yan smiled and beckoned: "Come, come, come, all come out, don't be stifled inside. It just so happens that we are about to eat, let's have some activities before the meal, let me see how much weight you heroes have, and you still dare to bare your teeth at me? You go first."

"You are a great general, I won't fight you. What if I break you and you trouble me?" Cheng Yaojin leaned back, but was kicked out by the person behind him.

Cheng Yaojin turned his head and glared: "Damn it, who kicked me?"

Wang Yan saw Cheng Yaojin turn his back, so he kicked him on the butt.

"If you don't dare to fight, then get out of the way, don't be an eyesore here."

"Hey..." Cheng Yaojin was angry, went into the room and took his axe out, "Let's say it first, we are just sparring, you can't hold a grudge. I heard people say you hold the most grudges."

"All slander, I am the most magnanimous. Come on."

Cheng Yaojin smiled and approached with his axe, looking loose, and asked Wang Yan if he wanted to take a weapon. After reaching Wang Yan, he fiercely swung his axe and slashed over.

"Split your forehead... pick your teeth... pick your ears... take your feet..."

Wang Yan didn't counterattack, just walked and dodged with a smile on his face.

Seeing that the three axes couldn't build merit, Cheng Yaojin recited his formula again.

"Just these three and a half axes?"

"Enough to hit you."

Wang Yan shook his head amusingly, then dodged the forehead split again, got close and kicked him away with a whip leg, smashing into the crowd.

Cheng Yaojin threw the axe, baring his teeth and holding his stomach: "I underestimated you, you can fight better than Yuwen Chengdu."

"Didn't you hear Princess Yu tell you? When Yuwen Chengdu was seventeen, he was tied to a target by me and shot with arrows?"

Thus, everyone's eyes looked at Princess Yu, who was standing gracefully on the side.

Princess Yu smiled and nodded: "It is indeed true. Duke Wang, Yu'er has always been unwilling to talk too much about such things."

"You should talk more about such things."

Wang Yan said jokingly, as if he had just reacted, "So the imperial grain was robbed by you a few years ago?"

"Huh?" Cheng Yaojin was startled, and without saying a word, he shook his head and denied it repeatedly, "No, no, Duke Wang, look at how honest I, Old Cheng, look? I can't even rob well, how could I rob the imperial grain? Look at him, Duke Wang, he has a heart, it must be him who did it."

Cheng Yaojin pointed at people casually, and it was a man wearing a scholar's robe with a long beard.

Seeing Wang Yan look over, the man cupped his hands to greet him: "Xu Shiji has met Duke Wang. The imperial grain is already a thing of the past. Duke Wang is magnanimous, so don't scare us little people."

Xu Shiji was a ruthless person, born in a landlord family, first went to Wagang Mountain, then followed Li Tang, was given the surname Li, and later Li Shimin ascended the throne at Xuanwu Gate, avoiding the taboo of "Shi", becoming Li Ji, one of the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion. He lived a long life, living until the time when Li Zhi and Wu Zetian were in power.

"Hahaha~" Wang Yan laughed, "I was driven out of Daxing, appointed as the General Manager of Youzhou Marching. The reason, you also know. Seeing a bunch of rabble like you at a loss, not knowing where to go, and the business of robbing houses and stealing can't be done in the future.

Although I have lost power, the brothers in the army still recognize me as the commander. The last military order I gave before leaving was to suppress bandits all over the world. From now on, anyone who dares to gather in the mountains and forests... Confucius has a saying, 'Hear the Dao in the morning, and you can die in the evening.' Xu Shiji, you tell me, how to interpret this sentence?"

"This sentence comes from the Analects of Confucius, Liren Chapter 4, meaning that if you know the ultimate truth of the universe, you are willing to die." Xu Shiji explained without knowing why.

Wang Yan smiled and shook his head: "Wrong."

"Dare to ask for advice?"

"If you know in the morning that there are people gathering in the mountains and forests nearby, then those thieves can die in the evening."

Wang Yan said the rebellious words in a faint tone, revealing a more arrogant and domineering bandit spirit in front of a group of bandits.

Looking at the group of people looking at each other, he said: "I am going to Beiping this time to destroy Goguryeo. You can't be bandits anymore, and you all have great strength, it's a pity not to go to the battlefield to fight. Pack up these two days, Old Shan, spend some money, take some travel expenses, and follow me to fight Goguryeo."

"Dare to ask Duke Wang, what if we don't go?"

Wang Yan squinted at the person who asked: "Then you are wandering bandits. Didn't Old Cheng rob the imperial grain? You are all in the same group.

A while ago when I was in Daxing, I was surrounded and killed by armored soldiers, poisoned by soldiers, my home caught fire, and assassinated by trusted aides. To retaliate against the people behind the scenes, I developed a new punishment called Lingchi (death by a thousand cuts).

Get a sharp knife, one cut here, one cut there, one cut here, one cut there, ensuring the person being punished is conscious. Someone lights a fire on the side, gets a stone slab, and signs a black dog. Cut off a piece, roast it until it is fragrant, and then feed it to the dog.

Several executioners, from the beginning of only being able to cut a few hundred cuts, after more than a month of sleepless practice, have been able to cut more than two thousand cuts so far, and the person being punished just died.

Old Cheng, tell me, how many cuts can you take?"

Cheng Yaojin looked at the smiling Wang Yan, shaking his head repeatedly, with a flattering and awkward smile: "Duke Wang, I, Old Cheng, didn't say I wouldn't go. From now on, Duke Wang, wherever you say to fight, I will fight, whoever you say to kill, I will kill. Just one problem, I have to tell Duke Wang."

"Speak."

"I, Old Cheng, still have a widowed mother at home, I'm afraid..."

"It's okay." Wang Yan waved his hand, "Isn't there Old Shan? You all bring your families here. I also have farms here, and I also have power. The county magistrate here is also my person, and there are hundreds of good men who have practiced military formations. Ordinary trouble can't fall on us.

Big trouble will only come to find me. Whoever dares to harm this side, I swear, I will dig up his ancestral grave. I will dig up the ancestors of such people and smash their bones and scatter their ashes!

That's it, everyone hurry up and do things, just a half-month deadline, bring your families here, and look after each other. If anyone dares to run, then you pray to God, don't let me find you.

Old Shan, go, get good wine and food. I am very happy to meet all the good brothers today. Let's not get drunk or return today, and communicate our feelings well. I will tell you about the dirty things in the court and open your eyes for the brothers."

"Good, Duke Wang, I, Old Cheng, love to hear these."

"Hahaha..."

Wang Yan looked at the bunch of "heroes" huddled together like lambs waiting to be slaughtered, trembling, and laughed wildly.

His laughter was more heroic than the heroes...

?? Daily thanks to the good brothers who tipped, voted for monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, and read silently for their strong support!

? (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 1360 =====