Chapter 007: You were originally a beautiful person, yet you have become a thief
I knew you would never abandon me
After speaking, he threw the sword in his hand, forcefully pushed Xiong Tingbi forward, and fell off the horse in the process. The moment he hit the ground, he turned around and sprinted at full speed, plunging into the waters of the canal in the blink of an eye, diving underwater and swimming forward at full speed. When he resurfaced, he was already several dozen meters away from the shore. However, Xiong Tingbi remained stationed at the riverbank, and he waved his hand amicably, continuing to swim quickly to the opposite shore.
Can you ensure that all the military households in Liaodong are free from hunger and cold, and can eat their fill just like during the time of the Taizu? Can you guarantee that all soldiers receive their full military pay? Can you ensure that the generals in Liaodong do not conserve their strength? You are unable to accomplish any of these, so what gives you the confidence to turn the tide? At most, you will just retreat into your shell; do you dare to command the armies to engage in field battles? Then you will watch as the wild boar skins continuously capture one fortress after another, until only Liaoyang and Shenyang remain, standing alone in a land that has lost everything, facing a group of refugees who have lost everything.
Even being a thief is better than serving in the military under a thief, is it really glorious to serve in the army of our Ming Dynasty? Even Qi Wuyi had to bow and scrape before a third-rank civil official, didn't he? Moreover, even if you go to Liaodong, you won't be able to defeat the wild boar skin. Who knows, one day a failure might provoke the wrath of Heaven, and then a decree would be issued across the nine borders, leading to both of us ending up on the execution ground!
Do not go
In this area, he was unfamiliar with his surroundings and could not think of any place to go. After hiding for a while in the nearby woods and watching the soldiers searching for him conduct a perfunctory search before leaving, he returned to the canal side.
Yang Xin readily agreed
Do you really want to go
There will be plenty of opportunities in the future, even if one simply sits here without moving, in ten years, there will still be opportunists knocking at the door
If Yang Xin accompanies him to Liaodong, then the Tianjin military authorities will naturally cease their pursuit. Once he achieves merit on the battlefield, Xiong Tingbi can use this to exonerate him
Yang Xin's wolf-like howls once again echoed over the canal
Yang Xin performed a bodybuilding pose, showcasing his still not very strong arms, and confidently said
Having spoken, he reached into the cabin to take out the oar
However, Yang Xin now has no way to go.
Huang Ying said irritably
In fact, he is somewhat conflicted
Leave!
He lay in the reeds with a stem of grass in his mouth, gazing at the canal ahead
"Nonsense, at the end of the day, you are merely cowardly!"
Let me show you what a real man is!
From this angle, one can see some scenery that is usually not visible. However, it is unfortunate that Huang Ying immediately realized this. She quickly stepped back two paces while covering her clothing, then fiercely jabbed him in the ribs with a long pole. Yang Xin let out an exaggerated scream and swiftly flipped into the small boat
However
Yang Xin stood up without hesitation and took off the old jacket that originally belonged to Huang Zhen.
Be careful
Yang Xin smiled
Xiong Tingbi stated
Just say whether there is a way or not
The surrounding soldiers erupted in anger, and even Huang Zhen and the old steward couldn't help but wipe their faces in unison
Then why should I go with you
What do you intend to do
Ultimately, his official position is sufficient
When he was selling his services under Li Chengliang, he had already thoroughly understood the intricacies of the Ming Dynasty. It is possible that he even has insiders within the army. Do you believe that one day, those Liaodong generals who have been in close contact with him for many years will, at a critical moment, open the gates of Guangning from the inside for him?
Huang Ying shot him a silent glare, then turned her back to him, using the long pole to guide the small boat in its turn. Yang Xin admired a certain part of her that was slightly raised, and with a sudden stroke of the oar in his hand, the small boat began to accelerate forward in the murky river water.
Yang Xin said
Ultimately, the desire is to fight against the enemy
Where to go
Previously, Yang Xin had also inquired with Huang Zhen about the identity of the individual who had been disfigured, and it was found to be from the Fu family of Dongchang. However, the highest-ranking member of the Dongchang Fu family, Fu Guangzhai, was merely a deputy commissioner of the inspection department and had died many years ago. Currently, the Fu family does not have any members who have achieved the degree of jinshi; there are only a few who have attained the status of juren and are serving as minor officials outside. They are merely a commercial family, considered a top gentry in Dongchang, but once outside Dongchang, they hold little significance. Such a family would not dare to openly confront a high-ranking official like Xiong Tingbi. Although Xiong Tingbi is currently the Vice Minister of the Dali Temple, upon entering the capital, he will directly serve as the Right Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War and Governor of Liaodong, which is a position of significant authority.
A large number of soldiers appeared on the opposite side, chaotically boarding two rowboats
On the river ahead, Huang Ying was searching around while rowing the small boat.
At least five or six days are required, as one must queue to pass through the Hexi Wuchao Pass. This cannot be rushed. Even with Wang's boat, it would be of no use, as there are hundreds or thousands of boats blocked there
You were originally a beautiful person, yet how did you become a thief
Moreover, this is under the condition that everything remains unchanged
He lay there and said
Coward?
He will transmit the first nine edges
Yang Xin said maliciously
He stood up and patted his backside, saying
Yang Xin nodded affirmatively
When the wild boar skin soldiers are at the gates, they will coordinate from within and without, and then you will lose both Liaoyang and Shenyang
How many days will it take for them to arrive in Tongzhou
In fact, the pole is faster than the oar
A maximum extension of five days is sufficient
Fortunately, I do not have nine clans
Yang Xin said with a look of relief
There is still the Hexiwu Customs ahead
This item is only unsuitable for deep water, but in shallow waters, using a pole is much faster than using a paddle
Say whatever you wish, you are still a respectable official. I will offer you one more piece of advice: it is more important to first cleanse the internal traitors than anything else
Huang Ying looked at him in confusion
It is said that wild boar skin is not a common item
Yang Xin still did not know whether he was deceiving himself by putting down the sword, and then with another command, he concluded that the two of them were not familiar with each other after all
However, he did not really run far away
Five minutes later
What are you still looking at? Let's go!
"Xiong has almost forgotten that you are a fugitive slave. With such skills, why not serve the country? Currently, the Jurchens in Liaodong are causing chaos, and the court is in urgent need of capable individuals. Xiong is entering the capital to meet His Majesty, and it is highly likely that I will be appointed as the governor of Liaodong. If you are willing, you may accompany me. As for the crimes you committed previously, if you can achieve merit on the battlefield, Xiong can ensure that they are completely erased. Wouldn't this be better than wandering among the grass and weeds?"
He can indeed accomplish this
This angle is excellent
Huang Ying said
Yang Xin inquired
Moreover, his paddling speed, with Huang Ying steering the boat, will certainly exceed that of those paddling alone
Huang Ying said
Huang Zhen at least does not dare to take him with him now, because Xiong Tingbi will definitely notify the checkpoints ahead to capture him. He is indeed not easy to recognize, but Huang Zhen's ship is very recognizable
Uh, it has already been deployed
Yang Xin lay on the ship's railing like the mermaid in Pirates of the Caribbean, raising his head and speaking with a serious expression
Who knows whether his little butterfly can flap its wings and bring about some changes! After all, in this era of the Ming Dynasty, any change is far better for the Chinese nation than merely repeating the original schedule.
Huang Ying said with a smile
Xiong Tingbi stated
Yang Xin said
So by that time, how far do you think you are from the transmission of the Nine Borders?
Xiong Tingbi sneered coldly
There is a triangular marsh, from the triangular marsh head north along the Feng River, bypassing the eastern side of Wuqing, this waterway can lead all the way to Majuqiao. Large ships certainly cannot navigate this route, but this small boat can, although you will have to row all the way there
At this moment, he had gradually reached the riverbank of the canal under the coercion of Yang Xin. The soldiers dared not approach and could only pretend to be vigilant in front. Meanwhile, the old steward and Huang Zhen exchanged a meaningful glance with Yang Xin before quietly leaving. A few soldiers initially attempted to stop them, but once the old steward revealed his identity, they promptly and tactfully allowed them to pass, as this matter had nothing to do with them.
Yang Xin hurriedly fled
Shall we not go to the capital
There are many spies among the refugees
The Grand Canal stretches from Tianjin to Tongzhou, a mere 186 kilometers, and the Fenghe River runs almost parallel to it. Given this, the maximum length would be this distance, and even if it were longer, it would not be by much. A solo paddler can typically maintain a speed of 50 kilometers per day during long-distance continuous navigation, allowing him to reach Majia Bridge in four days. Those who have solo paddled across the Pacific Ocean have managed to sustain such a speed for seven months, covering 12,000 kilometers. So, why would he not be able to paddle to Majia Bridge in four days?
He said
Yang Xin said
Xiong Tingbi turned and left
Uh, build the slave.
Let us row our oars, as the little boat pushes aside the waves
How do you know that Bear is useless
Where else can we go? Ahead, they are all waiting to catch you. We definitely cannot pass through Hexiwu, so let us return downstream to Sanjiao Diao.
Huang Ying exclaimed in astonishment
Xiong Tingbi stated
This is the only toll station on the North Canal, which is also heavily guarded, with as many as thirteen official gates. Moreover, it is blocked by a floating bridge, leaving only a single passage in the middle. As long as Huang Zhen is on the boat, he cannot cross the river to Xiwu, and the wound on his face, which has not yet healed, serves as his calling card. As for the old steward, he would not dare to wade into this murky water. If Xiong Tingbi were truly the governor of Liaodong, he would only be slightly lower in rank than their master, and a mere steward does not have the courage to bring such trouble to his master. Huang Zhen also cannot abandon this business because of Yang Xin; the cargo on that boat is worth much more than his own. Furthermore, he cannot stay here either, as the Yang Village inspector will soon be dispatched.
After all, traversing back to the Ming Dynasty to fight against the Jurchens is as justified as going back to the Anti-Japanese War to combat the Japanese. Moreover, if one were to reach Liaodong, there might be a chance to carve out a path. Xiong Tingbi still has a few years of service left; serving as an officer under him could lead to opportunities, and becoming a figure like Mao Wenlong wouldn't be bad. However, the issue is that this would mean enduring the disdain of the civil officials. The principle of civil governance over military affairs in the Ming Dynasty will not change. The thought of potentially becoming a sycophant to those peculiar individuals is something he finds utterly unacceptable. Furthermore, one cannot rule out the possibility of encountering a round and plump figure one day. The vigilance of the Ming civil officials towards military generals far exceeds that towards the Jurchens. Mixing within the institutional military offers no prospects; whatever one wishes to pursue must contend with a group that holds one back. Conversely, living freely among the grass and weeds aligns more with his desires. As for the future, he believes it will unfold as it may; after all, the Ming Dynasty can still last another ten years before chaos begins, and ten years is ample time to accomplish many things.