Cao Hao never felt that time passed so slowly, rising and falling, the weather was fine, and it was no different from ordinary times.

Li Tingchen sent news back every time, and the Kang brothers sent people to plunder Zhang Yuhui of Yiyang Zhixian County. Xiaowangzhuang outside Yiyang County is where the Kang brothers are located, and there are mobs that protect the Kang brothers and resist the officers and soldiers, and they have been pacified.

Seeing this, Cao Hao's heart sank. It was not an inevitable consequence, he could have intervened, but he chose to stand by.

It was not until the eighth day of the seventh month that the governor finally came.

Zhang Shengzuo sent three hundred Fu Biao, and together with the town standard, went to Yongning Shenzhi Village to hunt down the thieves.

Shenyan Village is Li Zicheng's old nest in his early years, and it is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Because they retreated to the front of the stockade and occupied two county seats, the Kang brothers were equipped with guns and weapons. Of course, this is indispensable for the preparation of the White Lotus Sect in the early years.

Yin Yuqi, the commander-in-chief of Henan Prefecture, was the commander of this crackdown.

Cao Hao and him met for the first time, but Yin Yuqi's attitude was very respectful, and he said that he had already received the mention of the sixteenth elder brother.

Regarding the killing, Cao Hao was not interested in watching the battle, but Cao Song and the guards had already shouted for a few days. Except for Cao Song and a guy named Ercheng, the other three are all new guards and have not seen blood yet.

Cao Hao didn't want to be a villain, he was willing to be a favor, and kicked these people to Yin Yuqi's side for training.

It's just that before they left, he left Cao Song and explained a few words.

Cao Xiang doesn't like literature, only martial arts. Even if the northwest is not peaceful now, the soldiers who can be used are limited. The military position of the imperial court, guarding the place, is mostly a move in front of the line.

"If you go outside, you must first settle inside", this is not Cixi's patent. Since the Manchu Qing Dynasty entered the customs, when facing tens or hundreds of times the number of Han people, the sharp blade of the imperial court is to appease the same.

"Do you know what you do? What should I do on my own? Cao Song didn't understand what his brother meant, but he looked at him a little depressed, but he was really unaccustomed, and said with some concern: "Big brother, do you want to change the doctor again?" The doctors here are all like Mengren, don't delay the eldest brother's illness. ”

It turned out that he looked at Cao Hao's medicinal residues and saw that there were no valuable medicinal materials in them, so he said so.

Cao Hao just used the excuse of "sick" to sleep well for two days, and did not hide it from Cao Song. Cao Song was dead-eyed, and only when his brother didn't want to worry about him, he held on.

Cao Hao looked at this younger brother, a little speechless, and sighed in his heart. Maybe it was because I protected him too tightly that he was able to retain this kind heart. However, if he is the head of the family, if he has some progress in his career, he must choose the path he wants to take.

Cao Song saw that Cao Hao was silent, and he didn't know where he said something wrong, and he was a little worried. Cao Hao stood up and patted the new armor on Cao Song's body, and wanted to say a few words of encouragement, but when he said it, it changed his taste again: "At all times, you must know that peace is the most important thing." I don't want you to hear the world, but if you are healthy all your life, my brother will be happy. ”

Cao Song was like a warrior who was on the first expedition, his eyes were shining, he nodded heavily, and said, "Well, my brother knows, my brother just wants to save Xiao Si from it, and he won't be strong with others, so he won't let his brother worry." ”

Until this time, he thought that Cao Hao's "illness" was because he was worried about Cao Xiang. Cao Xiang was in the bandit village, and the prefect's yamen had already followed people for two days, and he didn't know how.

Watching his younger brother's back go away, Cao Hao smiled bitterly. With a surname like Cao Song, if it weren't for the protection of Cao Yin and Cao Hao's father and son, he would have been devoured alive a long time ago.

Let's go, see how Cao Song chooses. If he doesn't seek fame, what if he protects him as a rich man? The whole family can't live so tired.

Seeing that Cao Song's figure was out of sight, Cao Haofang turned around and went back to the house, just in time to see Jiang Jian coming out of the wing.

"My lord, in addition to Xiaowangzhuang, Li Tingchen burned Shangwangzhuang and Chenjia Village." Jiang Jian's voice was heavy, and he folded the paper in his hand and sent it to Cao Hao: "The number of dead people is not known yet. ”

"Xiaowangzhuang is where the Kang brothers are located, what about Wangzhuang and Chenjia Village?" Cao Hao glanced twice, and asked about the reason for Li Tingchen's massacre, which was not mentioned above.

"There is the richest man in Yiyang in Shangwangzhuang, and there are people in Chenjiazhuang who make equipment privately." Jiang Jian replied.

Cao Hao listened to this, and was really speechless about this Li Tingchen. When is this time, he doesn't want to quell the civil unrest and reduce his crimes as soon as possible, but also to make money first in the name of "suppressing bandits".

This person is innocent of death.

* Yongning County, suburb of the mountains.

Coming out of the village, it has been three days, and Cao Hao and Jiaojiao have not yet walked out of the mountain. Although Jiaojiao is not as good as the lady of the family, she is also raised by a small and petite body, and the most important thing is the double and a half sized feet.

Why do you say that it is half a size foot, because she bound her feet when she was a child, and in the past few years, she has let go of it a little bit, and she can walk normally, but it is not good to walk long distances.

The mountain road was originally difficult to walk, and Cao Xiang was also embarrassed here, plus he was lost, and he didn't go far in three days. But after all, it's a man, it's better; Jiaojiao gritted her teeth and said that she would never be able to walk again.

These two days are accompanied by each other, Cao Xiang and Jiaojiao, one is called "cousin" and the other is called "cousin", and they are polite. Even if you rest at night, you are all frank and open, and there is no exceedance in the slightest.

Perhaps it was for this reason that Cao Xiang did not find Jiaojiao's abnormality. It wasn't until she couldn't hold on anymore that Cao Xiang found that her shoes were already dark red and soaked with blood.

"What is this?" Cao Xiang squatted down, looked at the embroidered shoes that could no longer be seen in their true colors, and frowned and asked.

Jiaojiao's face turned white, cold sweat flowed on her forehead, she still squeezed out a little smile, and said, "Cousin, I'm tired, can I rest?" As she spoke, she tucked her foot into her trouser leg.

Cao Xiang looked at the unrecognizable shoes, as well as the dried blood stains on the white socks, where else did he not understand.

"Jiaojiao girl, your feet are ......" Cao Xiang raised his head and saw the water flashing in Jiaojiao's eyes.

Jiaojiao is still smiling, but it makes people uncomfortable.

Cao Xiang sighed, stretched out his hand, and held Jiaojiao's shoes.

With just a light touch, Jiaojiao had already let out a cry of pain, and her face showed a look of pain.

"Sister, my cousin has overdue." Seeing this, Cao Xiang said in his mouth, wanting to take off his delicate shoes.

"Hurt ......" Jiaojiao's body stiffened, and finally couldn't help it, and burst into tears.

Cao Xiang's face also turned white. In the shoes, the socks were all soaked with blood, not to mention, the soles of the feet had ulcerated and suppurated, and the shoes looked oozing.

Jiaojiao closed her eyes tightly, clenched her fists, and endured the pain.

Cao Xiang didn't know why, he only felt an inexplicable anger in his heart, and roared: "Why didn't you say earlier, your grandmother entrusted you to me, why can't you make people worry?" ”

Even if Jiaojiao is sensible, she is just a girl of fifteen or sixteen, these days she followed Cao Xiang out, and she has always been silent, and in the face of Cao Xiang's accusation at this moment, she did not defend herself, but just cried silently, with a look of despair on her face.

As the daughter of the Kang family, from the time her father and uncle arrived at the cottage, her fate was separated from the path of Miss Boudoir. The world is difficult, without the protection of father and brother, how can a woman settle down?

Thinking of this, Cao Xiang felt pity in her heart, and she yelled at her with some regret.

Looking at the "red socks" on Jiaojiao's feet, Cao Xiang didn't say anything more, but sat next to Jiaojiao.

It wasn't until Jiaojiao wiped her tears that she heard him say: "In Luoyang City, I already have a wife and a son. Although outsiders see her as a concubine, I only regard her as my wife. ”

Jiaojiao didn't know why Cao Xiang said this, she didn't interject, she listened silently, and heard Cao Xiang say again: "My family is in the capital, I am a banner person, I am the concubine of the family, my father died of illness five years ago, and my mother is in the hall." Last year, my mother-in-law set up a marriage for me, and the other party was a young lady from the Guogong Mansion, who was originally going to be sent to Henan Mansion to get married, but it was delayed because of filial piety, and I would return to Beijing after my term of office expired. ”

"Your identity is a little unusual. Although your grandmother is merciful and compassionate, how easy is it for you to be a woman and live alone? I will tell you who you are. I hope to think of a way to avoid future troubles. If you don't feel wronged, I'm willing to take care of you; If you don't want to enter the house and are willing to live freely, I will treat you as your own sister. Cao Xiang said.

Men and women are not at the same table at the age of seven, even if Cao Xiang abides by the rules, but the lonely man and widow always hinder the delicate name, so Cao Xiang said.

In fact, it is already a violation of the law for the magistrate to take the daughter of the people in the area under his jurisdiction as concubines, let alone a woman who has a relationship with the "anti-thief".

An unbearable one made Cao Xiang lose his peace of mind.

Even if he knew that it might affect his future, he couldn't be ruthless; It seems that he still asks his uncle and cousin to deal with it, so that he can not only take care of the stubborn girl in front of him, but also avoid hidden dangers. It's just that on the side of Green Chrysanthemum, Cao Xiang felt a pain in his heart and was a little stupid.

When Jiaojiao heard this, she couldn't help but be stunned, her face flushed, and she said for a while: "Cousin, cousin ......" Speaking of this, she couldn't help choking up and crying: "I'm so afraid of ......"

yes, can she not be afraid? It's just a little girl, and she's been going through such a thing for a few years.

"Don't be afraid, I'll take care of you from now on." Cao Xiang suppressed the sentimentality in his heart, smiled and touched Jiaojiao's head.

Jiaojiao sobbed twice with a little shyness, nodded softly, and didn't dare to look at Cao Xiang again.

Cao Xiang's heart didn't know what it was like, but he felt that Lu Ju's smile was shaking in front of him, and his ears were his son's loud baby cry.

He got up sideways, put down the burden behind him, and opened it to reveal a clean set of clothes and socks, as well as a pair of men's shoes.

In order to hide people's eyes, Mrs. Duan did not prepare luggage for them, and only stuffed a bag of silver into Cao Xiang's hand. This set of clothes, socks and shoes was prepared by Mrs. Duan and her deceased grandson Kang Shaogeng. He only said that he burned it for his grandson, but in fact he hid it in a tree hole outside the village.

Cao Xiang opened his clothes and tore them hard.

Jiaojiao heard the movement, raised her head, and asked puzzledly, "Cousin, why are you tearing up your good clothes?" ”

Cao Xiang didn't answer, tore his clothes into palm-wide strips, and tore a few strips before stopping. Then, his face also became uncomfortable, and he said in a low voice: "Sister, maybe it hurts, and bear with it." ”

Before Jiaojiao could react, Cao Xiang had already grabbed one of Jiaojiao's ankles, but removed her socks.

This woman's feet are the most private, even if it is the name of a brother and sister, there is no one to look at the feet. Jiaojiao only then understood Cao Xiangfang's intention to mention marriage, but she felt sour and astringent in her heart, like a ball of cotton...... Not far away, in the trees.

Seeing this, Cao Jia couldn't help but snort coldly and said, "Pedantic! ”

Wei Hei disagreed with his point of view, and said in a low voice: "Men should be like this, they should be benevolent and righteous, and they should be responsible." ”

Don't speculate for more than half a sentence, although the two of them are here for Cao Xiang, but Cao Jia has no good impression of Cao Xiang, the two originally wanted to find an opportunity to take Cao Xiang out of the village, but they didn't expect that before they could find the opportunity, Mrs. Duan had an arrangement.

Lurking in the village for a few days, they already know Jiaojiao's identity.

A woman of this status can't get involved with the Cao family, let alone lead it to Cao Hao, which will only bring trouble to Cao Hao. Because of this, the two of them never showed up, wanting to see how Cao Xiang acted.

It's a good thing to sit still, in order to take care of the woman's name, he promised marriage, but it made Cao Jia a little annoyed.

Wei Hei was here to watch how this girl gritted her teeth and walked the mountain road, and there was a little respect in her heart.

"This woman can't stay!" Cao Jia said in a low voice.

Wei Hei listened and was silent for a long time before he whispered: "Gongzi has never killed innocent people, let's wait for Gongzi to decide." ”

Cao Jia glanced at Wei Hei and didn't speak, just slowly put down his hand on the handle of the knife ...... * Outside Yongning County, Shenyan Village.

Looking at the wounded soldiers who were helped down, Li Tingchen's face was ugly. What he brought with him were the soldiers who were transferred from the town standard, as well as the prefect's yamen's quick arrest officials, etc., there were seven or eight hundred people.

The first two days before arriving at the cottage, they were all like bamboos, and after arriving at the cottage yesterday, they began to stalemate.

After several attacks, they all retreated, and lost 200 soldiers. The soldiers of this green battalion, old, weak, sick and disabled, how can they succeed.

Li Tingchen regretted it, this is a hard bone, no wonder the governor yamen and the green camp yamen did not come to grab the credit.

He is in a hurry, and the Kang brothers in the village are not having a good time. The reason why they can defend now is all due to the location and the equipment in the stockade.

The officers and soldiers outside suffered two hundred casualties, and there were nearly 100 casualties in his stockade.

At present, there are not many officers and soldiers, less than 1,000, if a few more come and surround his stockade, then where will there be a way to live. It seems that if you want to break through, you can only survive if you enter the mountains.

Kang's side made a decision, so they stopped their troops and waited for the end to look for opportunities.

Unexpectedly, it was only dusk, and the sound of horses' hooves was heard, and thick smoke came from afar.

There were already heralds who arrived first, and they found the chief officer of the officers and soldiers here, and handed over the matter of the chief soldier Yin Yuqi leading the troops to suppress the thieves.

Li Tingchen was overjoyed when he heard this, although he couldn't take a lot of credit, but it was stronger than the stalemate on this side. Looking at the more than 200 dead and injured people, he didn't know the bottom of his heart.

In case the thief comes out of the village, he will have no eyes for knives and guns, and he will live a long life.

After half an hour, Yin Yuqi led more than 1,000 people from Zhenbiao and Fubiao to the barracks outside the village.

Looking at the wailing soldiers in the camp, Cao Song and several of his fellow guards tightened their faces, and their eyes looked at the stockade with a bit of fierceness.

In their eyes, lying on the ground were their robed brothers; In the cottage, there are chaotic people who should be killed......

(To be continued)