The Fourth of the Eight Great Thieves, Wang Jiayin

Last year's harvest was poor, and the family originally had little surplus grain. Now, it is the time when the old grain is exhausted and the new grain has not yet been harvested

Hearing what the yellow weasel said, Wang Jiayin then took a piece of meat and started eating. Apart from the talkative yellow weasel, the rest of the group remained silent.

Wang Jiayin, having filled his stomach, raised his head and, gazing at the indistinct figures in the firelight, said softly: "If you do not wish to continue, you may withdraw now. As long as you stay until noon tomorrow, you can return home. After that, we shall have nothing to do with each other!"

Wang Jiayin said: "I will definitely make his family suffer a complete downfall!"

In the group of swordsmen, there is a Zhang Shengtian, who is a relative of Zhang Xicai. He owed money that he could not repay, and this scoundrel abducted Zhang Shengtian's daughter. That very night, he intended to harm her, but unexpectedly, the young woman was fierce and ended up fatally striking her head against the corner of a table.

The water that was just poured left little trace on the ground, only a slight moisture remained at the roots of a few seedlings under his shadow

A chicken can provide a feast for the whole family, worth its weight in gold

Everyone responded in unison, as they were originally old subordinates of Wang Jiayin in the Nine Borders Army, naturally following Wang Jiayin's lead

Three days later, Wang Jiayin was no longer troubled by hunger, but the worries on his mind only increased...

A group of people silently infiltrated Zhangjiazhuang. At this moment, the night was deep and quiet, and in the years when everyone was enduring hunger, the desolate village was devoid of even the sound of barking dogs

Wang Jiayin reached out to touch his eldest son's tender face and said, "Let's go home; Father will always find a way."

The seedlings with finger-length leaves droop without a trace of vitality, merely standing lazily on the yellow earth, stretching out towards the distance from beneath their feet

If cutting off that thing under my hip can fill my stomach, I would be willing to do it!

Huang Pizi said: "According to your instructions, elder brother, Yang Wazi has driven the sheep from Zhang Xicai's home into the mountains. By now, Zhang Xicai should have already discovered it. Rest assured, he will send more people to the mountains to catch Yang Wazi"

Wang Jiayin said with a bitter smile: "If there are no crops growing in the fields, the soldiers will have no food to eat"

Zhang Shengtian gritted his teeth and said: "We must kill him!"

In broad daylight, the sky is clear and bright, and no clouds can be seen in any direction; only the blue of the sky is so vivid that it makes one's eyes feel green

Father, what happened to him

A man, eight feet tall, came back to life after eating a bowl of porridge. Once the yellow weasel opened its eyes and confirmed the people around, it grabbed Wang Jiayin and said: "Brother Wang, there is no way out!"

Take me to meet Zhang Shengtian

Wang Jiayin said expressionlessly: "There is no way out for me here either"

Everyone knows that if the actions they are to undertake tonight are revealed and come to the attention of the authorities, it would be a capital offense punishable by death

With the yellow weasel leading the way, everyone quickly entered Zhang Shengtian's dilapidated home

After speaking, Huang Pizi plunged the dagger into Zhang Shengtian's chest. As Zhang Shengtian exhaled his last breath, Wang Jiayin was the first to jump into the pit

After waiting for a moment, Wang Jiayin saw that no one stepped back, so he drew a long knife from the firewood carrier, cut his palm, and let the blood flow onto the ashes, whispering as he inhaled the acrid smell emanating from the fire.

Zhang Xicai's donkey has been killed by me

Wang Jiayin handed the meat to his son behind him and coldly asked Huang Pizi: "Have you diverted the swordsman in the Zhang family's courtyard?"

The eldest son sat down heavily on the stone by the ground, only to jump up again from the scorching earth, without uttering a sound. He merely cast his gaze upon the wilted seedlings and said softly, "Father, there are many people in the family, and the food is insufficient. Let my younger brother stay at home; I will enlist in the army to procure food."

The yellow weasel sneered, "First, let's fill our bellies before discussing anything else"

Wang Jiayin saw the yellow weasel stumbling and said with a smile: "Have another bowl of porridge!"

The yellow weasel also cut its palm, letting the blood drip into the ashes, and lowered its voice to roar: "My grandfather's father and mother have already starved to death. When I returned home, the flour jar was as clean as if a dog had licked it.

Wang Jiayin scooped a ladle of water from the large vat, gulping it down with a splash, and after consuming that ladle of water, the feeling of hunger intensified

Wang Jiayin sighed and quickened his pace homeward

The youngest son, unsteadily carrying a load of yellow liquid, slowly walked up from the bottom of the ditch. As soon as he entered the field, he eagerly poured the muddy liquid onto the ground

The whole family, under the blazing sun, carried water buckets as they walked home, and many fellow villagers were also heading home.

Wang Jiayin looked up at the sky and smiled silently for a moment, then said softly: "Are you suggesting that we go and steal this chicken leg?"

Wang Jiayin looked at the yellow weasel and said, "Who else have you told about this?"

Wang Jiayin waved his hand to send his two sons away, then straightened his body and looked at the weak yellow weasel, asking: "What are the rules?"

Huang Pizi chuckled and said, "I will ask my brothers for help, Old Zhang, take care!"

This goal has been achieved, yet now he must worry about the livelihoods of more than 1,000 people

In times of good harvest, the people of the northwest would always sing a line or two with joy after a day's labor. Now, however, everyone seems as if they have been struck by frost, lacking energy and spirit

Wang was somewhat hesitant, and upon seeing Wang Jiayin's grim expression, hurriedly left

Wang Jiayin thought for a moment and said: "Zhang Xicai's family is immensely wealthy, having raised no fewer than one hundred swordsmen to guard the estate. Moreover, with the high walls of the Zhang family courtyard, it would be quite difficult to breach them"

Wang Jiayin coughed lightly and said: "Our manpower is still insufficient. The situation has escalated, and we cannot afford to engage in a protracted battle. Once we open the door to Zhang Xicai's house, we must shout for the people of Zhangjiazhuang to join in the looting.

This time, the grandfathers are not fighting for the emperor, nor for the wealthy landowners, nor for the generals; they are fighting for ourselves

He has always believed that his plan was excellent, yet he is unaware of where the problem lies, which has led him to become the number one rebel in Fugu County

Everyone responded in unison and continued to eat the unfinished donkey meat with their heads down

The younger son shook the yellow weasel; seeing it not move, he asked his father

The yellow weasel climbed up from the foot of the mountain and knelt on one knee to report: "I report to you, great commander, that I have already ascertained that the Liu family in Huangshi Town, Fugu County, is facing immense public resentment, and it is possible to launch an attack!"

As soon as Wang Jiayin returned home, he saw a person lying at his doorstep. He hurried over and turned the person over, only to discover it was his former comrade, Huang Pizi.

All owners, do not target the coarse and clumsy possessions of the Zhang family, but instead take the lightweight gold, silver, and valuables, then seize the mules and horses of the Zhang family. Take advantage of the chaos while the Zhang family is being plundered, and leave overnight!

A bonfire is blazing fiercely, and the yellow weasel, which was as lifeless as a dead dog in the morning, is now sitting behind the fire, devouring something with great enthusiasm, while speaking animatedly with saliva flying, to the people gathered around the fire.

Looking at the nearly 1,000 people gathered in the valley, he sighed once more. He remembered that he had only wanted to resolve the difficulties at home and, by the way, provide a meal for his old brothers from the past

The yellow weasel drew out a dagger and said with a sinister smile: "I will help you take revenge by violating Zhang Xicai's wife!"

I can't go on living...

As the clock struck three, Wang Jiayin covered his face with a black cloth and carefully checked the black cloth on his son Wang Meng's face. He whispered in his son's ear: "Stay close to me, do not stray a single step."

The yellow weasel propped itself up and stood up, impatiently making its way outside

Huang Pizi glanced at Wang Meng and Wang Bao beside Wang Jiayin, who did not speak.

After we entered the Zhang family residence, we swiftly defeated the swordsmen of the Zhang family and threw torches and similar items into their house, causing chaos within the Zhang family.

This matter has already been discussed with Zhang Shengtian, and he has agreed

Wang Jiayin glanced at his hardworking son and shook his head, saying, "There is no hope."

Father, there is no water in the pond

The millet porridge has been served, clear enough to reflect a person's silhouette, with a few strands of shredded meat mixed in.

Zhang Shengtian, who had a broken leg, sat quietly on a clay bed. When he saw the crowd enter, he lifted the bedding, revealing a dark, deep hole.

The yellow weasel gritted its teeth and said: "Why should we starve while they wear silk and satin, feasting on delicacies? Just because his father is a eunuch?"

Even in sleep, the yellow weasel's desire for food has not diminished in the slightest; since its mouth first touched the bowl of porridge, it has been unwilling to let go.

The yellow weasel quickly said: "I only told you."

In the evening, Wang Jiayin returned home from outside, sent his wife and young son back to her family, and took his eldest son Wang Meng to carry two loads of firewood, preparing to travel to Fugu County to sell the firewood overnight

Zhang Xicai's family is wealthy and has ample provisions

"Father, are we not going to save him?" Wang Jiayin's eldest son hurriedly approached.

Put the loach that Xiao Er just caught into it

The youngest son, full of life, jumped barefoot into a muddy pond as he passed by. While feeling around, he surprisingly managed to catch a few loaches from the muddy water, holding them tightly in his hands to show off to his father and brothers

Eldest son Wang Meng said: "Since Fugu is not feasible, I will go work at the Yulin General's Office; there surely will be food there."

Is everything understood

Now, he just hopes that someone can help him kill Zhang Xicai

The yellow weasel laughed heartily and said: "I killed the donkey from his family, and Zhang Xicai was furious, sending over a dozen people to Lan Cao village to catch me. I won't be able to return tonight"

The heavens are truly unforgiving, not only is it not raining, but even the water in the ditches is not left for the people

If you shift your body slightly, that bit of humidity will be absorbed by the scorching sun

Elder brother, I believe this matter can be accomplished; now we are just waiting for you to call upon the brothers!

Zhang Shengtian revealed a smile on his face, tearing open his clothing to expose his frail chest and said: "Hurry up and kill me, so you can be on your way!"

He touched his nose and found that the person had already fainted. Wang Jiayin said to his wife, Wang: "Make some porridge!"

When Huang Pizi saw Wang Jiayin approaching, he stood up with a cheerful smile and handed a golden-brown roasted piece of meat to Wang Jiayin

Wang Meng nodded vigorously, and for the first time participating in such an exhilarating robbery made his heart race like a drum.

At Brother Wang's doorstep, if it weren't for him giving me a bowl of porridge to drink, I would have lost my life. I am a man who has died once; as long as I can fill my belly, I am not afraid of death

Wang Jiayin casually instructed his wife and then carried the yellow weasel into the house

Sweat soaked through the clothing, and as long as one stops, it will dry quickly; the warm wind blowing against the body offers no hint of coolness.

Disaster is imminent

After leaving the village, Wang Jiayin slowed his pace and, accompanied by his son, gradually walked off the main road and into the mountains

Wang Jiayin smiled and said, "Their father is a mining supervisor, and it is only natural for them to have wealth and food."

Wang Jiayin took a deep breath and said to Zhang Shengtian: "We will help you take revenge!"

Everyone must listen to Brother Wang. Anyone who does not comply will disrupt the order, and I will be the first to show no mercy to them

Wang Jiayin waved his hand and said: "Tell your mother, there is no need to fetch water anymore. If it doesn't rain in the next couple of days, this year's harvest will be ruined. Go home, lie down in the shade and sleep, there is no need to exert this effort. Whether we can survive depends on the heavens."

Zhang Shengtian went to confront Zhang Xicai but was interrupted and had his leg broken and was thrown out. A few days ago, I saw Zhang Shengtian at the mass grave site. This guy told me that he had dug a tunnel into Zhang Xicai's house, originally intended to rescue his own daughter. Unexpectedly, his daughter died, and now with his leg broken, he has lost all hope.

Wang Jiayin tightened his belt, swallowed a mouthful of sour liquid that filled his mouth, and with great effort stood up from the ground, looking around intently.

What else can I do? I'm hungry!" said Wang Meng, the eldest son, with irritation.

Only in this way can we, as brothers, profit amidst the chaos, ultimately sacrificing our own kin, Zhang Shengtian, to take the blame, while we retreat unscathed

Zhang Shengtian laughed and said: "He has many wives, just afraid you won't be able to keep up with them"

Wang Jiayin said: "Luring away a dozen or so is too few; we only have forty-three people, and a direct confrontation with the swordsmen would result in significant losses"

Huang Pizi chuckled and said: "Zhang Xicai has inherited the habits of his eunuch father. Relying on his wealth and grain, he believes that with the severe drought in Fugu County, it is the perfect time for him to make a fortune. He is extremely harsh towards the swordsmen and has recently been lending money at exorbitant rates, seemingly enjoying it. I don't know which brothel he has connected with, but he spares no effort in pursuing the daughters of poor families, as long as they have even a hint of beauty.