Chapter 7: The Yellow Sparrow Lurks Behind Only for Gold

Xiao Ming did not provide much explanation, chuckling softly, and pulled out a handful of gold leaves from his pocket, placing them in Gu Shouzheng's hand

Seeing a large group of people exiting the city gate, Xiao Ming called out to Gu Shouzheng and urged him to bring out the prepared cart. They headed south and soon reached the southern gate. Ahead was the Qiantang River ferry, where soldiers were stationed. Xiao Ming directed Gu Shouzheng to turn the cart westward, his familiarity with the terrain stemming from his later knowledge of Hangzhou. Although there have been significant changes, he was very clear about the remnants of the old city wall. After a brief assessment, he knew which direction to take. The southern gate of Hangzhou city generally remains open; at night, many carts exit the city to dispose of household waste, and a large quantity of vegetables, fruits, and seafood needs to be transported into Hangzhou from the Qiantang River ferry. Therefore, the southern gate of the city does not close.

Yang Zhen stepped forward and said softly, this person's tone was deep and naturally carried an air of authority, as if he had been in officialdom for a long time

What are you talking about, Brother Xiaoming? Seeing Xiaoming's hurried demeanor, Gu Shouzheng was quite puzzled

At night, the city gates of Hangzhou were closed. Yang Zhen stepped forward to call out, and the soldiers on the city wall naturally recognized Judge Yang, opening the city gates to let the three of them enter the city

Ah? Is there really such a good thing? Gu Shouzheng was half in doubt.

When Gu Shouzheng saw the full box of gold, he was also stunned and speechless. Although he still had some hesitation about whether the assets of the cult should belong to the government, seeing that Xiao Ming did not take it seriously at all, he chose to follow Xiao Ming's arrangements.

"Brother Xiaoming, what brings you here! How have you returned?"

Moreover, it seems that the first leader of the Ming Sect mentioned in the book is Fang La. Could it be that the leader referred to by the left envoy is indeed Fang La? By the way, the winter of the year 1120 appears to be precisely when Fang La's peasant uprising took place

Damn it! Xiao Ming decided not to get involved in this matter; what he cared about was the gold in that secret cellar, which amounted to dozens of kilograms! Thinking of those shiny golden items, he couldn't help but drool, feeling like a big money fanatic.

The three individuals quickly departed in a determined direction. After running a considerable distance, they turned back to glance at the direction of the temple, where faint red light and smoke were rising. Xiao Ming did not dare to delay and led the two others swiftly towards the city of Hangzhou

Continuing west along the riverbank, after turning past a dense forest, they reached the pipeline. Xiao Ming remembered the route and instructed Gu Shouzheng to drive the horse-drawn carriage to stop behind the hillside of the church. A roaring fire had already ignited ahead, and the faint sounds of shouting and neighing could be heard.

The imperial troops have actually all withdrawn, leaving no one to guard the place. A group of people is escorting the captives and taking the statue back to the city to claim credit. The entire temple has been destroyed, everything that could be burned has been set ablaze, and all that remains on the ground is a pile of headless corpses, their heads taken away to claim military merit.

Xiao Ming turned his head to look at him: "Who are you?"

Looking around to ensure no one was present, Xiao Ming leaned closer to Gu Shouzheng and whispered, "Brother Gu, a fortune is being bestowed upon you. Did you not wish to expand the business of the smelting workshop? Were you not lacking the funds to purchase high-quality ore and coal from Yanzhou? Haha, now all of that has been resolved for you"

Yang Zhen nodded and said, "I have a way, please wait a moment." After saying this, he turned and slipped into the woodshed. A moment later, he returned and said to Xiao Ming and Luo Wen, "Alright, let us leave quickly"

Xiao Ming climbed onto the roof and observed his surroundings. Indeed, his judgment was correct; before the second watch, a long line of torches emerged from the government office and the garrison. The Hangzhou Prefecture had three thousand auxiliary troops, and with the addition of local militia and various constables, there were approximately five thousand men. This time, more than half of them were dispatched, and in an instant, lanterns and torches illuminated the entire city of Hangzhou, accompanied by the chaotic sounds of chickens flying and dogs barking.

Ah! This is exquisite purple willow leaf gold. Brother, where did you obtain it?" Gu Shouzheng also had his eyes shining brightly as he excitedly asked.

Another person approached from behind, wearing a form-fitting outfit with arrow sleeves tied at the waist. Although in prison, their eyes were bright and full of spirit

He does not care about the peasant uprisings at all. The characters in "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" who belong to the Ming Cult are all chivalrous individuals. However, all the experiences he has personally gone through have greatly changed Xiao Ming's view of the Ming Cult. This group acts in a sneaky manner, secretly plotting rebellion. That Gou Ju Ling is clearly also a member of the Ming Cult, having injected him with a strange drug that almost turned him into a monster. This group is certainly not good people.

Xiao Ming led Gu Shouzheng with their faces covered by towels, quietly sneaking into the ruins. The entire area was filled not only with the smell of blood but also with the charred scent of flesh, indicating that someone had been burned to death inside the house. Not to mention anything else, just this smell was unbearable

The sound of banging on the door echoed as Gu Shouzheng hurriedly put on her clothes and opened the courtyard door

Shut up! A young officer beside him brandished a knife in intimidation

He shook the wooden bars of the prison door, gave it a gentle push, and it broke with a sound. Xiao Ming is now very confident in his abilities, but he is still not accustomed to wielding them.

The troops were divided into several routes, heading towards Lin'an, Jiande, Jiaxing, Pingjiang, and other directions. Each route consisted of approximately five to six hundred men, with the largest route having around eight hundred men, making a direct advance towards Jingtang.

The bloody scene pierced through Xiao Ming's nerves, causing him to feel a wave of nausea in his stomach. He secretly crawled down the slope and ran to the woods below to vomit. He finally comprehended the cold and bloody side of this era. If he had previously felt indifferent when unintentionally killing someone, he could no longer accept the sight of severed limbs and corpses scattered on the ground.

Xiao Ming sighed inwardly at Yang Zhen's cleverness and led the two individuals to the wall. Both of them were exceptionally skilled; they jumped up, grasped the edge of the wall, and effortlessly flipped over. However, when they saw Xiao Ming land lightly on the ground, admiration still shone in their eyes.

"Why were you arrested? Is it also suspected that someone is rebelling?" Xiao Ming asked while working.

The three people stealthily emerged from the grotto in the cellar, and the surroundings were very quiet, indicating that the personnel in the temple had already rested. The three of them, hiding behind the firewood room near the corner gate, suddenly thought of something.

Xiao Ming pulled Gu Shouzheng into the room and straightforwardly asked him: "Brother Gu, do you want to get rich?"

You court officials should not be too complacent; our Ming Sect army will surely leave you with not a single piece of armor intact

Do either of you have anything that can ignite a fire

What the heck! How did I get into such a mess!" Xiao Ming shook his head and sighed

Today we learned that the demon has rebelled, and we must inform the authorities. How about Brother Xiao accompanies us to meet with the Guard Commander and the Prefect? Yang Zhen looked at Xiao Ming and said

Xiao Ming thought to himself: "I guess I got a good deal, the mantis and the cicada have finished their work, and the yellow sparrow comes on stage only for money! Haha!"

After seeing the two leave, Xiao Ming turned and headed towards Gu Shouzheng's forge, his mind constantly pondering the words spoken by the two earlier, "Demonic Sect!" Is that not the "Ming Sect"? The old master Jin has a specific description of it in "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," which Xiao Ming vividly remembered from when he read the novel

Brother Xiao, I have been pursuing the Left Envoy of the Demon Sect, Wang Yin, but unexpectedly fell into an ambush. Today, I am fortunate to have been rescued by you, Brother Xiao, and I am immensely grateful! Please allow me to pay my respects with a bow.

Indeed, I have been tracking the demonic cult's fiends all the way from Qiantang to this place. Just as I discovered the branch of the demonic cult here, I was captured. Today, I am fortunate to have been rescued by my brothers, and I must express my gratitude with a bow!

Xiao Ming delayed his time on the road and has now just arrived to wrap things up. In the middle of the courtyard, there are captured individuals kneeling on the ground, with several people loudly cursing, which even Xiao Ming at the top of the hill can hear

Alas! I am a good young man of the new era, who has always been law-abiding. Yet now, in this age, I have committed all sorts of heinous acts, from murder to arson. How will I face the future!

I am Luo Wenzhi, the head of the local constabulary in Qiantang County," he said, with a jingling sound from his hand, pointing behind him, "This is the border inspector of the Western Army, the newly appointed Hangzhou garrison magistrate, Lord Yang Zhenyang

Both Luo Yang and the other person were martial artists. Upon seeing Xiao Ming decline, they did not press him further, but in their hearts, they had already accepted Xiao Ming's kindness. Earlier on the road, Xiao Ming had informed them of the news he had overheard, and they appreciated his humility in not wanting to take credit. Due to the urgency of the situation, they did not say much more, and with a fist salute to Xiao Ming, they hurriedly departed, saying, "Until we meet again"

Xiao Ming gestured for Gu Shouzheng to follow him, and they stealthily climbed up from behind the hillside, lying in wait at the top to observe below

The person kneeling on the ground continued to curse incessantly, when suddenly, a flash of white light appeared, and the man's head flew high into the air, with the headless body spraying blood like a fountain. The young officer slowly sheathed his knife and spat with a grim expression.

It is a long story; let us leave this place first and discuss it later

The two individuals loaded several boxes of gold, silver, and iron coins onto the cart. Taking advantage of the dim light before dawn, while the surrounding villagers were still unaware of what was happening and had come over to watch the commotion, they stealthily drove the cart back to the city.

The Mingjiao originated from Persia, originally known as the Mani religion, and was introduced to the Central Plains in the first year of the Yuan era during the reign of Emperor Wuzong of the Tang Dynasty. At that time, a Persian named Fuduo brought the "Three Sutras of the Mingjiao" to the court, and the Chinese began to study the scriptures of this religion. On June 29 of the third year of the Dali era, the "Dayun Guangming Temple" was established in Chang'an and Luoyang as a Mingjiao temple. Subsequently, major cities such as Taiyuan, Jingzhou, Yangzhou, Hongzhou, and Yuezhou also built Dayun Guangming Temples. By the third year of the Huichang era, the court issued an order to execute Mingjiao followers, leading to a significant decline in the power of the Mingjiao. Thereafter, the Mingjiao became a forbidden secret society, suffering persecution from the authorities throughout various dynasties. In order to survive, the Mingjiao inevitably acted in secrecy, and eventually, the character "摩" in Mani was changed to "魔," leading the world to refer to it as the "Demon Religion."

"This is unacceptable," Xiao Ming quickly intervened

Until just before dawn, Gu Shouzheng had been accompanying Xiao Ming, who had nearly finished vomiting. Seeing Gu Shouzheng's concerned gaze, he comforted him, saying: "It's fine, I've gotten used to vomiting. Can you go check if they have all left?"

Gu Shouzheng was simply in awe of this young man. Not only did he possess knowledge of iron smelting techniques and bibliology, but he was also well-versed and often spoke astonishing words that greatly benefited Gu. This time, he presented gold leaves of such high purity; there was no doubt that it was a good thing. Gu Shouzheng chose to unconditionally trust Xiao Ming this time.

Xiao Ming arrived at the location of the secret chamber in the back hall, surrounded by charred ruins and debris. He and Gu Shouzheng brought tools with them and, after confirming the location, they rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Before long, they had dug open the entrance to the cellar. The two entered the cellar and found it quite good! The items were still there, indicating that both parties had been rather hurried and had not had the chance to attend to this place, or perhaps the officials and soldiers were completely unaware of this intelligence.

You bunch of cursed demons, this time you have caused the death of over twenty of our brothers, I wish I could slice you all into a thousand pieces! Damn it! If that one doesn't speak clearly again, this will be the example!

The main hall and the rear scripture room have all been burned down, and the wall near the firewood room has collapsed due to the fire. It is unclear which incident caused this arson. The area is in complete disarray, and the officials and soldiers may have destroyed the walls to break in. The battle did not last long, and we are now in the mop-up phase

Xiao Ming reached out and with two loud "bangs!" broke the iron chains on the two individuals' hands. The handcuffs were tightly secured, and it seemed necessary to seek Gu Shouzheng to unlock them. Yang Zhen cupped his hands and said, "Thank you!"

The original Shanming Jing Hall is now a desolate ruin, surrounded by the remnants of unburned side rooms still ablaze with flames. On the ground lie more than a dozen corpses scattered haphazardly, and the air is thick with smoke and a strong smell of blood.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ming felt a sudden pang of anxiety at the thought of dealing with the authorities. He quickly declined, saying, "This matter was merely a coincidence for me, and I cannot take any credit for it. Moreover, I have pressing matters to attend to and cannot afford any delays, so I will not accompany you two to report this. These wicked individuals are a menace to the people and have committed numerous atrocities; I hope you will not let them escape justice"

Indeed, Brother Xiao possesses remarkable skills. This time, he has once again saved lives and deserves recognition. We will certainly recommend him to higher authorities, and his future prospects are bound to be limitless

Without further ado, you should prepare quickly, as we are about to depart soon