In the fifth year of Yonghui (654 AD), September 17, seven quarters of the hour.

The dark dungeon door opened, and the slightest light came through, and Wu Kang's pupils shrank, gradually adapting to the light. More than a dozen big men forcibly pulled him up, tied him again, and tied the rope into a dead knot. After careful inspection and repeated confirmation, two horizontal knives stood on the neck, pushing and pushing and escorting out of the dungeon.

The jailer didn't lie last night, he was going to be escorted to the execution ground, and the corners of his mouth pulled out a wry smile. I didn't sleep all night and reviewed it deeply, and I ended up today, just because I was too tolerant of women. Today's wind and sun are beautiful, the temperature and humidity are suitable, and the sun is close to noon. It also confirms the inner speculation that as a Wuzhou assassin, he is familiar with the process of executing criminals.

At noon and at noon, it is not a legal requirement, but an agreement. The ancients were basically superstitious, believing that killing people was a "yin thing" and that yin qi was harmful to people. Therefore, beheading and hanging, choose the time when the yang energy is heavy. It was twelve o'clock in the afternoon, and between two o'clock in the afternoon, the yang energy was heavy and suitable for killing.

The ancients also believed that the yang energy was the heaviest at three o'clock in the afternoon, and the prisoners who were executed at this moment were directly scattered. The three souls and seven spirits are scattered, and they can no longer enter the reincarnation, and only the heinous ones will be beheaded at three o'clock at noon. The rest will bypass the three moments, leaving behind the souls of the prisoners so that they can be reincarnated. Looking at the current situation, if you want to ask and cut it at three moments, you hate it so much?

After experiencing the sea of corpses and blood, he can see everything, without panic or other distractions, but he can't let go of his daughter. The brothers are all elite soldiers, and they are not afraid of the plague, let alone death. If the princess can escape, she will not implicate her family, and she has earned it.

Abandoning the distracting thoughts in his heart, he glanced to both sides, and the people of Taoyuan were also very quiet. There are both old and weak women and children, all of whom have yellow faces and thin muscles, and some of their faces are vegetable, which is the result of long-term malnutrition. There is no resentment in his eyes, and he doesn't shout and kill, just make a cameo appearance as a melon-eating crowd.

In the hands of a few children, the strange stone aroused his idea. There was a slight pause in his footsteps, a thrust of his shoulders, and a staggering step forward. Barely steadied his body, too lazy to look back, people are knives and I am fish and meat.

Soon came to the execution ground, dug a big pit at the foot of the mountain, and saw that the situation was going to be buried alive, which was a bit heroic. Dongfang built a simple bamboo platform, and five leaders sat down. The pock-faced man is in the middle, his face is full of horizontal silk meat, fat and strong; The four old horsemen have ruddy complexions and are full of energy, and they are not short of nutrition. In fact, this is normal, even in primitive societies, there is a gap between the rich and the poor.

In the crowd next to the rostrum, there was a strange gaze, full of unbearable and sad, it was the stinky girl. learned from the jailer that Ma Yan's name was Gu Li Zhe, who was the leader of the inexplicable valley, and the woman was his only daughter. The jailer said that she had persuaded the elders to let the others go, leaving me to be the husband of the village.

Gu Li Zhe is very fond of his only daughter, and he obeys his words, but unfortunately the four elders are resolutely opposed. Is it a capital crime to rob the imperial court and exterminate the family, let it out to ventilate and report the news, and wait for the officers and soldiers to encircle and suppress it? There was no way to break it, and after a few days of consultation, it was decided to kill them all.

The reverie was interrupted by heavy drinking, and the scene was suddenly chaotic, and the thieves roared and roared, pushing the Wu soldiers into the pit. The archers fired arrows from outside the pit, forcing back the struggling militia, bleeding and wounded. Wu Kang's eyes were split, he was dying, and he looked up to the sky and roared: "Stop for the time being, I have something to say, I can solve your problem." ”

The sound was like thunder on the ground, Gu Li stood up, and the scene was chaotic again. After about ten minutes, the scene gradually quieted down, and the thieves gathered around the five leaders and stopped outside Zhangxu. The leader exchanged glances, and Gu Li folded his face with disdain: "You are just a grain officer, what problems can you solve, and what problems do we have?" ”

Wu Kang was not afraid, neither humble nor arrogant: "You are all fugitives, or Yongye Tian is annexed, or the mouth is not enough." couldn't afford the rent, and couldn't even live, so he fled into an inexplicable valley. There are few people in this place, there are many fields, they can be self-sufficient, and they can eat enough. However, the population is growing, and the arable land will not increase, and it will no longer be able to feed you. ”

The scene was quiet for a moment, the five leaders exchanged glances, and Wu Kang talked eloquently: "The output of the fields is not enough for the population to consume, and there will be famine." If it is not bad, you will be desperately short of food, and some will even starve to death. Otherwise, he would not risk his life, leave the paradise, and rob the imperial court. ”

Gu Li was silent, and said after a while: "You are right, there is indeed a famine in the inexplicable valley, and some people are indeed starving to death. We are forced to take risks, blaming you for your own bad luck. Tell me your solution, if you can solve the famine, everything will be easy to say. ”

Wu Kang didn't answer, and continued to reason: "Robbery cures the symptoms but not the root cause, after this batch of grain is eaten, the famine still returns." How do you deal with it, do you want to rob again? From the honest and simple people, to the thieves who robbed their homes, did they let the future generations bear the infamy? ”

The melon-eating crowd was silent, Gu Li jumped like thunder, pointed at his nose and roared: "You don't have to worry about this inexplicable matter!" Tell me your way quickly, and if you are alarmist, you will be buried alive! ”

Wu Kang scoffed and began a tirade: "Population growth cannot be contained, the number of fields is limited, and we can only start from two aspects." First, increase the yield of grain per mu, so that the limited field can produce several times the grain; Second, vigorously develop industry and commerce, earn a large amount of copper money, and buy grain to solve the famine. ”

Looking directly at Gu Lizhen, his words were chiseled: "Wuzhou tries to plant Zhancheng rice, which can be sown in spring and harvested in summer, sown in summer and harvest in autumn, and harvest twice a year." The ears of rice are longer than those of Tang rice, the grains are fuller than those of Tang rice, and they are more resistant to waterlogging and drought, and the yield is quadrupled than that of Tang rice. The imperial court vigorously introduced and tried to plant in Wuzhou, and the rice seeds have arrived in Wuzhou Cang. I am a grain official in Wuzhou, and the rice seeds are under my control! ”

The meaning is self-evident, as long as I am let go, I will give you rice seeds. Everyone was shocked, they had never heard of rice harvested twice a year. If this is true, three years of food a year will surely be produced, and the famine will be solved.

The people who ate melons talked a lot, the four elders were noncommittal, and Gu Li folded his face with disdain: "This statement is too unbelievable, everyone present has been farmers for generations, and they know more about farming than you." Your words are too false, how can I believe them? ”

This question is easy to answer, such a grand event of showing his face, Li Jiu can't wait for everyone to know. The official document had already been reported to the states, and Wu Kang came as soon as he opened his mouth: "The imperial court has notified the states, you can send someone to investigate, I believe that in Haozhou City, you can get accurate news." ”

After another long discussion, Wu Kang's mind was racing, searching for the information in his mind. After about half an hour, Gu Li folded and spoke: "Regarding Champa rice, for the time being, I believe what you say and say something else." Inexplicable valley wilderness, what is valuable, what is the treasure for money? ”

Wu Kang glanced around, couldn't find the children, pondered for a moment and said lightly: "On the way just now, the stone that a few children played with was the famous mica. It can make paint, it can make paper, and it is one of the Tugong in Haozhou. ”

The crowd was shocked again, they didn't know the mica, but they knew the meaning of Tugong. The offerings handed over to the imperial court in various places are all local specialties, and they are all ridiculously expensive. Gu Li frowned slightly, and whispered to Gu Niangzi. In less than two minutes, Gu Niangzi held a few pieces of mica and brought them to him to display.

Wu Kang looked at it carefully, secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and said chiseledly: "The white one is muscovite, which can make mica paper, which is more expensive than Shuzhong Jinhua paper; The yellow one is phlogopite, which is the main raw material of yellow paint and cyan paint. You can sell mica directly, and I can also make paper and paint, and I can make a lot of copper money. ”

Everyone was moved, this was the hope of survival, and the old horsemen were dumbfounded. Gu Li couldn't hide his excitement, and the waste stones all over the mountains turned out to be earth for mica. He is a native of Haozhou, and knows that mica is Haozhou Tugong, and is called "blood mother" by the people. Whenever the government collects it, the people usher in calamity, and countless people die in the mines.

Wu Kang struck while the iron was hot: "You killed us because of the shortage of food, and you don't want to waste it on us." I can make a poisonous oath that as long as we are given a way to live, before the fifty carts of grain are exhausted, I will use mica to earn back fifty carts of money and buy ten or a hundred times the grain. ”

It's a bombshell again, the people who eat melons fry the pot, this blueprint is very beautiful. Gu Niangzi's face flushed, and she quietly went to Gu Li to turn around, not knowing what to mutter, and looked here from time to time. A few minutes later, the five leaders left for a moment to discuss countermeasures.

Gu Niangzi stepped forward shyly and kept saying something, but Wu Kang couldn't listen to half a sentence. Close your eyes and wait, waiting for the choice of fate, waiting for the final verdict. The crowd gradually dispersed, and the thieves armed with swords and arrows surrounded them. The militia who were pushed into the pit also quietly climbed up and stayed behind the big guy.

After half an hour, the five leaders came, and Wu Kang slowly opened his eyes. Gu Li frowned and stretched out two fingers: "I can spare your life, but there are two conditions. First, take my daughter as my wife, stay in the inexplicable valley forever, and never leave. ”

Gu Niangzi bowed her head shyly, Wu Kang's face sank like water, and she nodded lightly for a long time. Gu Li continued: "Outsiders come to the Inexplicable Valley, and if they want to settle here, they must pay a letter of surrender. You are all officers and soldiers, and you can't be an exception, do you know how to vote? "Love you eBook

Wu Kang knows that he has watched the movie of the same name, the star-studded scene is grand, and he has heard the theme song of the same name. In the old days, when you went up to the mountain to be a bandit, in order to show your determination and not betray, you would kill someone casually. Dedicating the head to the organization means that someone has a life in his body, and he will not go to the government to be high-profile, and the head is a vote.

This is not a matter, in order to save the brothers, innocent people can be killed indiscriminately. Just as he was about to nod his head and agree, Gu Li said lightly: "The people's votes can be unlimited in status; You are officers and soldiers, and you can only be officers and soldiers who vote for your name. Five hundred and twenty-six people, we can't afford to raise them, so we only keep half of them. ”

In an instant, as if struck by lightning, Wu Kang's eyes widened, the monstrous anger was fleeting, and his body trembled slightly. Gu Li glanced at him, raised his voice, and said, "Half of you will be pushed into the pit; The other half took matters into their own hands and buried the people in the pit alive. ”

The scene was eerily quiet, except for heavy gasps and monstrous rage. Gu Li stared at Wu Kang and gave an ultimatum: "Either all or half dead, you are a prisoner and you are not qualified to bargain." You are their ruler, and their life and death are up to you... Give you half an hour to think about it. ”

"It won't take half an hour, I've already decided", Wu Kang's face turned pale, and he couldn't help choking: "You have an altar, there must be a soothsayer, I want a stick and a bamboo stick." To remove the 'Zhongping' signature, it is necessary to sign 261 and 263 to sign. ”

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a hearty laugh behind him, and Lin Pinglang laughed and said: "The bamboo sticks that the big guy wants are two less than the total, if it is not bad as expected, it is for me and Qian Shun." I committed a murder case in Wuzhou, and I was able to catch up with the amnesty, and my luck was definitely not bad. That life lottery, I'll fight for it myself! ”

Qian Shun also smiled: "If the big guy wants the brothers to decide life and death by luck, then ensure absolute fairness." All the brothers present have fought against the rebels, fought against the man-eaters, fought against the plague, and have long put life and death on the line. That life lottery, I will fight for it myself! ”

Wu Kang pulled out a smile, and the laughter grew louder and louder, more and more presumptuous. Striding onto the mound, he glanced at the brothers, and shouted almost roaringly: "We, the soldiers of Wuzhou, dare to face any adversity, and are never afraid of death. Junko is right, to ensure absolute fairness, I will draw lots with my brothers. Sign life, sign death, life and death have their own destiny. ”

The brothers shouted a tsunami: Wu Gong said well, life and death are in peace... We, Wuzhou soldiers, have never been afraid of death... Eighteen years later, another hero...

For a while, the crowd was excited, Wu Kang's eyes were slightly red, it was my incompetence in command, and I was sorry for you. If there is an afterlife, the grass ring should be set to make up for the sins of today. Thinking of this, he turned around suddenly, Ling Yan stared at Gu Li Zhe, and said calmly: "Either you don't prepare, or two hundred and sixty-four, you are not qualified to bargain!" ”

The invisible murderous and evil spirit, everyone was frightened, and the people who ate melons subconsciously retreated. Gu Li's folded face sank like water, and he knew during the fierce battle that these were elite soldiers. When the plan was achieved, 100 villagers were killed in the battle, and the other side only suffered more than 20 casualties.

Thanks to the mysterious woman, they were captured, otherwise the more than 600 villagers would have been wiped out. These people will stay at most half, and if they can't control more, it will affect my status.

Thinking of this, he ordered his subordinates, and at the same time made up his mind to hold the wedding as soon as possible. When the mica is mined and exchanged for a large amount of grain, there will be no worries. I have only one daughter, and I am sure that my son-in-law will be the leader, and he will be obedient.

Gu Niangzi came over with a sticker, the two thieves loosened their ties, and Wu Kang was calm. found that there was a stick, and then looked at the woman's eyes in anticipation, and immediately knew it. He sneered twice, turned sideways to face the brothers, and drew casually without looking at the sticker, and the frightened Gu Niangzi was terrified.

When I got it in front of me, it was actually signed, naked irony. Gu Niangzi snatched the bamboo stick, Wu Kang snatched the stick, and came to Lin Pinglang. Pinglang pursed his lips, lowered his head and opened his mouth, and took out one.

Wu Kang looked at the bamboo stick, secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and displayed it in front of his eyes, which was also signed. In front of the thief, the two thieves looked at each other and untied him. Pinglang flashed murderous aura and quietly glanced at the big guy, but he had to smile helplessly.

understood what he meant, waited for half of the people to loosen their ties, and fought desperately with the thieves. This is unrealistic, thieves are not stupid, they must be fully prepared. They have crossbowmen, and we are bare-handed, which is no different from sending them to death. So far, keep one and think about it in the long run.

threw away the bamboo stick, and in front of Qian Shun, his mouth was relatively smelly, and he only took out the signature. Wu Kang is very pleased, as long as his right-hand man is there, he will be fearless. When he came to the militia, he put on a helpless smile: "Brother, let's smoke one." ”

The militia nodded first, then bowed their heads, and it was a sign. Wu Kang shut up, not knowing how to speak. If you are mentally prepared, your heart will still hurt and you will still drip blood. The militia saw the bamboo sticks clearly and smiled miserably: "My name is Zhang Chuanjiang, Lanyi Township, Jinhua County, from Zhangli Village. ”

Wu Kang nodded, and spit out "I'm sorry" for a long time. The two thieves stepped forward, and Zhang Chuanjiang stared at them, revealing deep disdain. Throwing the sentence "Nai Weng will walk by himself", stepped on the mound in two steps, resolutely walked into the dirt pit, sat cross-legged and closed his eyes to recuperate.

Wu Kang didn't dare to look at him, forced himself to calm down, and forcibly emptied his mind. Discard the bamboo sticks, send them to their comrades-in-arms, and endure the suffering. Finally, the bamboo tube was empty, Wu Kang stood on the mound, looked at the meditation brothers, clenched the shovel in his hand, and the green tendons collapsed from the roots.

For a long time, he led the brothers outside the pit to kneel down and bowed three times. Bite the tip of the tongue, shovel the soil, and spill the head into the pit. For a while, the dust was flying, the brothers in the pit laughed wildly, and suddenly a militia shouted: "Brothers, sing the "March of the Wuzhou Soldiers", I will take the lead..."

The singing voice is neat and loud, and the lyrics are unbearable, but they are so beautiful. Wu Kang walks the dead, mechanically wielding a shovel, no heart like a knife, only endless hatred. Hates Gu Li's father and daughter, hates everyone in the Inexplicable Valley, and the woman who escaped...

In the backyard of Haozhou City's Thorn Mansion, there was a screeching noise, and Li Yuanying, the king of Teng, rushed into the room in an instant. Seeing the cracked porcelain bowl and the hot goat's milk all over the floor, he was anxious and concerned: "What's wrong with you in Xincheng?" My heart hurts again... Come on! ”

Xincheng frowned, covered his heart with his left hand, looked at the broken fingers, and wanted to cry for a while. The slaves and maids were in a mess and hurried over to bandage them. Xincheng shook off his hand and anxiously asked King Teng: "Is there any news of Wukang, has the militia been assembled, and when will it leave?" ”

Seeing her so haggard, King Teng was also distressed: "Moming Mountain is full of poisonous miasma, the mountain people dare not enter, and the bad people are opening up the road. It will take time to dispatch troops, and by tomorrow afternoon at the latest, the militia groups of Zhongli and Dingyuan counties will assemble; Jiyin and Zhaoyi County militia will arrive at noon the day after tomorrow. ”

Xincheng shook his head again and again, crying in his vocal cords: "Since last night, my heart hurts so much, Kang Lang must have had an accident." I can't wait any longer, I will set off at noon tomorrow, and Uncle Wang will tell Qin Tingshi that if something happens to Wu Kang, I will not let him go. ”

King Teng pouted, pitying Qin Tingshi very much, and even more pitiful for his niece. sighed lightly and comforted softly: "Yesterday, Shi Tai divined, Wu Kangji is a celestial person, and he will be able to turn evil into good fortune." Uncle Wang doesn't want to see him, and he obeys his ability, so he will definitely be safe and sound. ”

Xincheng still shook his head, tears falling in his eyes: "Uncle Wang, you don't know, he is very emotional, if something happens to the militia... He will hate me for the rest of his life and will never forgive me! Uncle Wang, go quickly, hurry up and urge Qin to assassinate Shi. ”

King Teng is helpless, and he is not your concubine, so what if he doesn't forgive? You are a princess and he is a minister, what qualifications are you for? Even if they are all dead, what are they worried about, they are soldiers.

instructed the slave maid to clean up, prepare hot milk again, and said earnestly: "The matter has come to this, and it is useless to be in a hurry." Seeing your emaciated appearance, Uncle Wang is very worried. Xincheng, you also know that the saint loves you the most, and he will definitely anger Wukang. For his sake, and for your sake, eat more. ”

The hot milk was delivered again, and Xincheng was stunned for a moment, completely ignoring the heat, picking up the bowl and drinking...