Chapter 6: Loss of Goods

Xue Yun replied, "What my grandfather means is ... ... "

Xue Yun said: "The child obeys your command"

Xue Yun said: "Who among us is responsible for grandfather?"

Finally, I arrived at the junction of Hejian Prefecture and Cangzhou before noon. The terrain here is flat, the view is expansive, and it is also the essential route to Hejian Prefecture

Chu Qianhu took the list of meritorious individuals written by Old Master Xue, while behind him, the captain of the Jinyiwei held a box of silver presented by Old Master Xue, and then he stood up to take his leave

In the late hours of the night, Xue Yun and Xue Er were resting when Qian Kai approached and said: "A servant has reported that my elder brother has caught up with the robbers. The robbers are currently transporting the goods away, and there are too many of them to take action. We need to hurry and go."

Xue Er said, "This must be the reinforcements for the bandits, what do you think we should do"

Xue Er said: "The young master has left Cangzhou, so we can only head to Hejian Prefecture. However, it's a bit closer to take a shortcut. We will set off at dawn and wait by the side of Hejian Prefecture."

Old Master Xue said in a low voice: "Yun'er, there is something I need to tell you. Your uncle Qian Kaiyun lost a shipload of goods in Cangzhou when he came to the capital. Our family has been in business with your uncle for some time. The authorities in Cangzhou have reported the matter and conducted an investigation, which has yielded some clues. It is feared that it may be the remnants of the White Lotus Sect. Several hundred people have gathered, and the local government in Cangzhou is unable to do anything about it."

Xue Yun hurriedly entered the residence and happened to encounter Old Mao, casually handing him a string of coins: "Take this and use it; there will be benefits for you later."

On that afternoon, Xue Yun, along with Xue Er and Qian Kai, set out from their family estate outside the capital. Xue Wu, Xue Liu, and a dozen or so servants, along with another dozen young and strong farmhands, were waiting there, totaling about thirty people. Once everyone had gathered, they mounted their horses and galloped southward along the official road towards Cangzhou.

Old Master Xue said: "Then I will have Xue Er accompany you. You must treat him as if he were your own family. Can you do that?"

Old Master Xue observed that the guests had departed, and then said to Xue Yun: "Commander Luo Sigong has given me face; it seems that the first merit of the proud and resilient report will inevitably fall to a guard, and this is all thanks to your efforts, Yun'er"

More than thirty riders, led by Xue Yun, charged towards the enemy ahead. The opposing forces had not yet grasped the situation when the warhorses were already upon them

Xue Er said: "Useless fellow, you don't even have the courage to reclaim your own belongings that have been taken away."

Xue Hetushu.com.com said: "Master Qian, you should send someone to notify your people to prepare. Once we have defeated the enemy here, we will launch a two-pronged attack on the convoy."

The crowd shouted: "Kill the enemy, victory for all, victory for all, victory for all"

Qian Kai said: "Can we make it in time"

Of course, it is your responsibility. Qian Kai is a businessman and is not skilled in warfare. Would it be acceptable for Xue Er to be your deputy? Qian Kai also nodded in agreement.

Xue Yun said: "We will first use the cavalry to break through them, and then intercept the convoy. We still have time if we act quickly."

The crowd shouted: "Fight to the death against the enemy, and never retreat. We share life and death, and we share both fortune and misfortune."

Xue Yun hurriedly saluted Lord Chu, the captain of the Jinyiwei, and noticed four Jinyiwei lieutenants in flying fish attire standing straight behind him, each holding a beautifully embroidered spring knife.

"Yun'er, your father and several of your brothers hold official positions. Your two brothers are not capable, and I know that your martial arts skills are exceptional, which justifies Qi Bo's efforts. I hope you can undertake a journey to retrieve the items. Eliminating the remnants of the White Lotus Sect will also relieve the Emperor's worries and contribute to the court's achievements" said Old Master Xue

Lord Chu recounted the matter in detail: Yesterday, four criminals were sent to the Jinyiwei's Northern Pacification Division's prison, awaiting severe punishment. Under the threat of harsh torture, two women and Li Qing confessed everything they knew, while another Tatar, Jilezhan, had become a madman, spouting nonsense. The leading Tatar learned from the young woman that they were personal guards of the captive chieftain Nurhaci, accompanying Li Qing, Jilezhan, the deceased Zhang Quan, and another Tatar. The five had come to the capital to make contact and gather intelligence, but unfortunately, with the death of the leading Tatar, the investigation could not proceed further.

Entering the inner hall, Old Master Xue greeted Xue Yun, saying: "Come quickly to meet Lord Chu, the Thousand Households of the Jinyiwei."

Xue Yun shouted: "Kill the enemy, ten thousand victories"

Old Master Xue instructed Old Steward Mao to distribute the rewards to bring joy to the entire household: "From now on, how much money Yun'er receives will be at his own discretion, and there is no need to report back to me."

... ...

Xue Yun said, "The child can do it."

According to Qian Kai, the cargo on this ship, which includes silk fabrics, rouge, various items, and Western utensils, is worth at least 100,000 taels of silver in terms of its principal value

Xue Yun unexpectedly unleashed the Nine-Linked Pearl Arrow Technique, leaving everyone astonished. A large number of enemies in front fell in an instant, causing chaos among the crowd. Some people ran in all directions, while the leaders shouted, urging the troops to regroup and prepare for battle. However, they were not ready in time.

Old Master Xue said, "Xue Yun, you and Xue Er Qian Kai should discuss and set off as soon as possible."

Xue Yun arrived at the intersection and bought a large pancake and soy milk from a street vendor to satisfy his hunger. He took out a small piece of silver to pay, but after receiving more than a hundred wen in copper coins as change, Xue Yun had no choice but to carry the money home.

Qian Kai's face flushed as he said: "The robbers have already reached Nanpi and are about to enter Hejian Prefecture."

Xue Yun looked back at the people behind him and shouted: "Comrades, the time has come for us to fight for the Xue family and the court. The rules of the Xue family are: fight to the death against the enemy, and never retreat. We share life and death, and we share fortune and misfortune."

Xue Er said, "Carrying the goods, we cannot walk quickly"

Xue Er instructed everyone to prepare, draw their swords, and string their bows. At that moment, the opposing side also noticed Xue Yun and his group, while a long line of carts extended from the direction of Cangzhou. A large crowd coming from the Hejian Prefecture began to cheer.

The servants of the Xue family are all seasoned warriors, and even the farmhands are well-trained. In the blink of an eye, each person shot three arrows, with Xue Wu and Xue Liu managing to shoot a maximum of five arrows, while Xue Er shot six arrows.

Old Master Xue said: "Your uncle Qian Kai went with you, and over a hundred people came to his house, but there hasn't been much bloodshed. The authorities are in his charge"

Qian Kai wanted to pursue Xue Yun and set off earlier. Xue Er said, "We cannot move quickly at night; it is better to rest well for a while." He suggested that Qian Kai send someone to inform his elder brother to find a way to delay the other party if they moved too quickly.

Cangzhou, located by the sea, is an important port for north-south transportation along the Grand Canal of Beijing and Hangzhou, connecting to Hejian Prefecture to the west. Xue Yun and his men traveled over a hundred miles until nightfall, and upon seeing a dilapidated temple, they decided to enter together to rest and have some food.

Lord Chu, the Qianhu of the Jinyiwei, laughed and said: "With the arrival of the young hero, the Emperor will have another young general by his side in the days to come, hahahaha"

While everyone was resting, a large group of people, approximately three hundred, came from the direction of Hejian Prefecture, all armed with knives, guns, and clubs, surging forward in a chaotic manner

Xue Yun wielded a long spear, commanding the members of the Xue family to charge into the heart of the enemy.

Xue Yun returned home, and Xue Wu approached him, saying: "The Jinyiwei have sent someone; the old master requests that you return to the residence quickly"

However, with these three Tartars, two traitorous Han Chinese, and two women, this is indeed a significant achievement. This is why the esteemed Commander of the Jinyiwei, Lord Luo Sigong, has dispatched Captain Chu to make contact, so that timely reports can be submitted to His Majesty, awaiting the court's rewards.