Chapter 511 Embers (3)
Due to heavy rain, sewage overflowed on the streets of the flat county town. This is a small county on a tributary of the Grand Canal that mainly focuses on fishing. When the carriage passed by, fish scales and internal organs were everywhere soaked in the water. The fishy smell may have weakened under the wash of the rain, but it was still clear. If you smell it, you can imagine what the scene would be like here on weekdays.
On the way here, Ning Yi had already asked about Chongping's situation. It is said here that people make a living from fishing. In fact, in addition to fishing and distribution, this county is mainly engaged in the pickling business, and the pickling materials are mostly dead fish. Those that had died not long ago but were not yet rotten could no longer be sold, so they were dragged here and salted into dried fish.
Although the world at this time is far from as good as that of later generations, there are still many people who are willing to eat the fish that just died. But if you say it out of your mouth, dead fish will not sound good after all, so the small business in this county can be regarded as treading on a gray line. Now that it's gray, people don't pay too much attention to it. On weekdays, it smells so bad that people of certain status are reluctant to come here, so it has become a haunt for green forest people.
Ning Yi and others came here this time to find a person in charge of the Secret Investigation Department. When the convoy stopped outside a small courtyard on the side of the county town, the person was busy packing a basket in the yard. Overturned dead fish. Seeing the motorcade stop here, the other party quickly picked up a few dead fish on the ground and threw them into the basket, then wiped his forehead and came over here.
After exchanging code words and asking for names, Ning Yi and others determined that the person in front of them was Hao Jinhan, the person in charge of the Secret Investigation Department. He was one of the first members of the Secret Reconnaissance Department. He was sent to the Liao Kingdom for a three-year detailed operation mission, and was placed here only after he returned. At this moment, it seems that the middle-aged man in front of me is probably in his early forties. Although he is dirty and smells faintly of dead fish, at first glance, he looks like an ordinary old farmer who works all day long, but his figure He is calm and has a quiet aura in his eyes. Although the arrival of Ning Yi and others makes him somewhat embarrassed, he still feels reliable.
The Secret Reconnaissance Department was established at the beginning of the war against the Liao Kingdom. This group of people had military positions. The other party's position was a chief, with seven people under his command.
"Sinong, Yaomei, Sanzi... and several of my apprentices have all gone out today to deliver goods and explore the surroundings. Inside... uh, a humble and shabby house. , Sir, please make do with it, make do with it..."
After confirming each other's identities, the other party welcomed Ning Yi and others into the yard and entered the room, which was indeed quite simple. There were dried fish hanging all around, and there wasn't much light in the room. Hao Jinhan lit the oil lamp, then lit a fire in the stove and started to boil hot water for the guests. After Ning Yi and others said "one of our own" and went to help, he went out, picked up some dead fish from the sewage in the courtyard, and put them back into the basket, and then moved the basket of dead fish back to the opposite room.
He didn't waste much time. He simply changed his clothes. When he came over, he already had a lot of information in his hand.
"Mr. Cheng, these should be what you want. Several nearby states and counties, the transfer of government officials, officers and soldiers in recent days, and some scattered information. I...I haven't sorted it out yet, you can take a look first."< br>
“This is great.” I heard that Fang brought these, Ning Yi took them with a smile, looked at the beginning, "Mr. Hao, do you have a nearby map?"
"Yes."
Hao Jinhan nodded, I brought an old map from the next room.
At this time, everyone had just entered the house. Some people were carrying things, and some were helping to carry and boil water. Ning Yi took the stack of information and sat down at the table in the room. He turned back and said, "Mr. Hao, how accurate is this map?"
"Sixty to seventy percent is accurate. If there are some inaccuracies or undrawn points, even the villain will know it."
"That's great." Ning Yi smiled, "Just ask Mr. Hao to talk to you Let me push together to see what happened in the past two days. Come and sit down.”
At this time, Hao Jinhan’s head and hands were still covered with the smell and mucus of dead fish, although it didn’t look like it. The procrastinating person was a little hesitant at this time. Ning Yi smiled and waved his hand: "It doesn't matter, we are pressed for time and we have to race against time."
Although Hao Jinhan is also a person who has seen the world, what he saw in front of him did not seem to be consistent with his previous expectations. After a while, Ning Yi dragged him to the table and sat down. Zhu Biao and others brought warm water and other things, and he cleaned his hands, head and face a little while the others moved some boxes into the room. When Ning Yi began to browse the nearby information, seven or eight people accompanying him had gathered. Zhu Biao led the remaining ten people and began to observe the situation around them. The area was alerted.
The incident near Chongping centered on Fang Qifu and involved three factions: the government, Fang Baihua and other Fang La remnants, and the sudden appearance of aristocratic families. As far as the Secret Investigation Department is concerned, the intelligence from the government has been relatively transparent. Zong Feixiao and Tie Tianying sent many yamen and arresters nearby to pursue and intercept them. Although they were not the main force in taking down the masters, some people were killed in some places. , some places were forcibly broken through. Putting these clues together, we can roughly piece together the situation of Fang Baihua and others' escape after being dispersed.
Among the people who came with Ning Yi this time, there were a group of companions who had also been to Shandong with Ning Yi. After this period of experience, they also had good logical skills. A group of people gathered and began to summarize the intelligence. information. Hao Jinhan is a real local snake, and everyone asks him about things from time to time. He was originally a little restrained by this vigorous and resolute style, but Ning Yi's words were kind and clear, and he immediately relaxed and began to combine the information and tell himself. speculation and discuss the surrounding situation with everyone.
Part of the news was pieced together immediately...
"...In the early morning of February 11th, after the Siping Gang attack, Fang Baihua's group had been Most of them were scattered. The group of experts who appeared later and chased and intercepted them obviously had a tacit understanding with Tie Tianying and Zong Feixiao. The orders they took came from the government office, and they should be working from those big families with good backgrounds. Style, we can’t check As for the specific situation, some people in the green forest here have become very nervous, saying that someone they can't afford to offend is coming, but the specifics are vague, and most of them just heard others say this..."< br>
“There is a mixture of fish and dragons in the green forest, and everyone knows different people. The wind has been blowing everywhere these days, and some of the news is very untrustworthy. But the wind can blow for so long, I guess it is recognized by some elderly people with status. Who, and We didn't dare to talk nonsense, and it was not until later that we heard that there might be internal strife in Manichaeism, and even heard the name Wang Nanda, that we felt that the matter must be discussed with the higher-ups. Who knows what the outcome will be. Sir, he came so quickly.”
“I have heard of the name ‘Crazy Tiger’ Wang Nanda. There was internal strife in Manichaeism more than ten years ago, and Sikong Nan’s family was squeezed out. Wang Nanda He is the Right Protector, and his martial arts skills are average. There are no masters or masters to speak of. If what happened this time was just people like Wang Nanda who were squeezed out and left alone, it wouldn't be a big problem. But if the remaining Manichaeism resurrects, it will probably happen again soon. Woe." Ning Yi said, smiled, and said casually, "Oh, by the way, who were arrested over Fang Baihua's side, who are they dead, and how many are there outside, Mr. Hao? Did you hear that? ”
When Ning Yi said that Wang Nanda's martial arts was average, Hao Jinhan's eyes flickered, and he obviously disagreed. However, considering that the guest minister from the capital might have limited knowledge of martial arts, it was naturally impossible for him to say anything. At this time, he smiled and nodded, then shook his head: "That's what I'm afraid of... However, the specific situation on Fang Baihua's side has not been revealed too much. Now the news is in the hands of Zong Feixiao and Tie Tianying. I'm afraid we won't inform the local officials for a while, but... I guess not. How many people are there? I heard that Du Sha, the famous towering sword in the green forest, also had an arm cut off in this battle. He may be dead. "
"Oh?" Ning Yi's smile did not diminish. "Total Sword Du Sha, I've heard that this is a tough bandit. Ba Dao Mansion... I'm afraid it's about the same There are still some who are on the run, but it may be difficult to escape. Some people said that they saw a large iron sword in the camp where Fang Qifu was escorted, which was almost as tall as a man. , and wide, very similar to the rumored weapon of the domineering sword Liu Dabiao... Kill Liu Dabiao, Zong Feixiao and the others have done another great job.”
“Haha.”
When Hao Jinhan mentioned “Liu Dabiao’s weapon,” Ning Yi already opened his mouth and laughed happily. The smile stayed in the air, and after he finished speaking, he laughed twice more "haha". He was sitting on a chair, but he leaned back on the chair. Then he held his chin with one hand and made a thoughtful expression. For a moment, he looked at Hao Jinhan and opened his mouth. Hao Jinhan thought he was going to say something. , but finally there was no sound.
After a while, Ning Yi opened his mouth again: "Good thing, these don't matter, but... where are Zong Feixiao and Tie Tianying now? Where is the camp? If possible, we still have to go with them They say hello, mainly... it's a Manichean thing, it can't be careless."
< br>"Just a little southwest of Sipinggang, uh... According to the map, here..."
As Hao Jinhan spoke, Ning Yi smiled as usual, but he continued to say: " ... Manichaeism developed rapidly at that time, and it was also under the protection of some wealthy families and gentry. The Kongnan family was kicked out, but that doesn't mean they are no longer Manichaeans. If they deceive some high-ranking people, the same thing will happen next. Oh, here... and the wealthy people are rich. They are nothing more than slaves and thugs. They protect such rebellious people in private, regardless of the laws of the country, and they protect them. For so many years, we have not informed the court or the government to clarify and whitewash the identities of these people. What are the intentions of these people! They are simply enemies of the court and the people..."
Ning Yi After talking nonchalantly, Hao Jinhan nodded repeatedly, but what he understood was not the original meaning of the words. The Right Prime Minister wants to promote the Northern Expedition. There are allies and opponents in the court. Led by Wang Fu, among the major families participating this time, there must be many political opponents of the Right Prime Minister. These political opponents are involved in Manichaeism. The Right Prime Minister He could use it to make a fuss. The reason why he quickly sent the news out was for this reason. At this time, the "Chengzhouhai" was coming one after another, and Hao Jinhan was probably thinking: "I really delivered the news well, the Prime Minister should be able to use it." He also went to the Liao Kingdom and promoted the Northern Expedition. Yes, although my status is not high at this time, I am happy to be able to contribute such an effort.
The group of people analyzed for a while. Ning Yi excused himself to walk out of the room. When he stood under the eaves, he was slightly absent-minded and had his fists clenched in his sleeves. Zhu Biao came from the side and said softly: "That Liu Dabiao..."
Ning Yi swallowed a sip of saliva, and then glanced at him. After a while, he said in a low and difficult voice: "I will see the corpse if I die."
Zhu Biao nodded: "Then tonight, you Go over, do you want to take action?"
Ning Yi shook his head and said nothing. After a while, Zhu Biao saw his lips move, and he opened his lips to reveal his teeth. He didn't know what he was doing. The expression on the face changed, like a smile, but also looked a little ferocious. The expression changed several times under the eaves, and finally found a seamless and warm smile.
He just smiled like that, turned around and entered the room. After a while, everyone burst into laughter in the room...
******************
In the heavy rain, the two figures were still chasing and running away.
The rain is falling on my body and I can no longer feel it. My blood is boiling and my body feels like it is burning. As he ran wildly, he could no longer feel the pain. Only the alarm that kept pushing his body to its peak was buzzing in his ears and in his field of vision.
Rushing down the grassy slope, the attack from behind had already arrived. She exchanged two moves with the opponent while turning around, and the blood in her mouth simply sprayed towards the fat face, and then her whole body grumbled. rolled down the grassy slope.
The world is spinning. When she managed to stand up from the ground, staggering, behind her was... a river.
The sound of breaking wind came from the front. She blocked it with both hands and flew into the air behind her.
The petite body spun around in the air a few times before falling into the rushing water.
The huge body chased to the river, grabbed a round stone, and swung it out with all his strength. With a bang, the stone roared and smashed open the water. The girl only felt a pain on her shoulder and her body was dizzy. The earth is spinning deeper into the water, and blood is already spreading in the water...
Can't sleep! That damn fat guy will come after me! She tried to stay awake and gritted her teeth, but her body was indeed on the verge of exhaustion.
On the river bank, a huge body rushed into the water, causing high splashes in the heavy rain. It looked like a giant bear rushing into the water, approaching its prey——
******************
At the same moment, in another mountain forest in the rain, a small episode was happening.
That was a bag of lime powder, which exploded in the air during a battle of this level... (End of this chapter)