Listening to what Li Mingjie said, Li Minghai looked at the younger generation behind him, and suddenly said: "I see, the eldest brother said so, and the younger brother finally understood." Since the eldest brother has made a decision, the younger brother should obey it, and there is no point. ”

Li Mingjie took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "In addition, I am betting, betting that Zhao Jun can defeat all the princes in the end, and King Zhao will eventually reign in the world." At that time, we will also benefit from this. Of course, that's a long way off. However, if today, the other princes are no longer the opponents of the Zhao army, this is an ironclad fact. ”

Hu Le landed on the shore and took a long breath, and the humid weather finally became dry, which made his mood feel a lot better. From a distance, there were some people standing not far ahead. Hu Le knew that these people were the people of the Li family in the East Building who had been introduced by the bandits of the Righteous Army who had surrendered before.

Although Hu Le has only been with him for more than ten days, Li Mingjie knows very well that now in Donglou Town, I am afraid that there are no less than 100 people who are arranged by the Jieyi Army. Li Mingjie also knew that not far from Taihu Lake in the north, more than a dozen large armed merchant ships of the Jieyi Army were roaming on the lake. In addition, in Donglou Town and the surrounding towns, there are other horses and horses hidden in the Jieyi Army.

Li Mingjie knew very well that on the surface, Hu Le was only a few dozen people, but in fact, how could the dignified and righteous army sailor general come here single-handedly? If he, Li Mingjie, dared to have other ideas, Hu Le could quickly evacuate until he waited for the warship. Of course, Li Mingjie will not do that. There was a river bandit who wanted to take Hu Le during the negotiation to blackmail the righteous army. As a result, they were all killed by Zhao Jun.

In short, you can accept the envoys sent by the Jieyi Army to persuade you to surrender, or you may not accept them. But if you dare to attack those who have been sent to persuade you to surrender, you will surely die. Of course, if you don't accept surrender, you can go ashore and beg for a living. Of course, if you can confidently avoid the attack of the Jieyi army, you can also continue to wander the waters of Taihu Lake.

Water bandits are water bandits after all, they have never been able to compare with regular water masters, and of course, they do not dare to fight against water masters. Therefore, most of the places visited by Hu Le before were surrendered to the Jieyi Army, and some of them sold their warships to the Jieyi Army, and their subordinates chose freely, and the leaders of the water bandits chose to live another life. Of course, some of them were also wiped out by the Jie Yi Army. The reason why so many water bandits surrendered was not because the water bandits were all soft bones, but because of Hu Le.

Part of it was because Hu Le knew a lot of bandits in the eastern waters, and part of it was because he saw that even the bandits could be generals, so they were also moved. Even if you know, there are many rules for the righteous army. The surrender of these water bandits also made a lot of profits for the Jieyi army. Although the Jieyi army did not confiscate their private property, some of the food and other goods looted by the water bandits were sent by these leaders to be dealt with by the Jieyi army. After all, for them, after taking refuge in the Jieyi Army, food has no effect on them.

Seeing Hu Le appear, Li Mingjie and others greeted him with a smile. Hu Le also knows something about the Li family in the East Building, so he is relatively familiar with these people. The two sides met quite well. Li Mingjie did not invite Hu Le into his mansion directly, but welcomed Hu Le in a small manor not far from the town.

Of course, this is not because the Li family despises Hu Le, but to avoid suspicion. Hu Le also understood what the other party meant, and he did not object. Outside the town, along with the roads, it is easy to observe if there is any situation, and besides, you can leave at any time. Because of its proximity to Taihu Lake, this Donglou town is often visited by merchant ships, so it is also a relatively prosperous town, and it can be said that it is a small city. Since it is called a city, it is natural that there are simple city walls. So, it's safer to be outside the town than inside the town.

Looking at the polite appearance of the Li family, Xu Wenle, the captain of the Jieyi Army Sailor next to Hu Le, was also a member of Hu Le's ordinary young water bandits before, and this name was changed after he joined the Jieyi Army. However, because he is literate and studious, he is now promoted to the position of school captain, responsible for assisting Hu Le and various bandits to persuade them.

Xu Wenle left the camp with Hu Le and wandered the waters of Taihu Lake for more than 40 days, of which he only returned four times. Along the way, he directly visited more than 30 mountain and water bandit water villages, and also had contact with more than 60 water bandit leaders. Among them, Xu Wenle can be regarded as having seen the difference between the sailors of the Jieyi Army and the water bandits in the past.

Especially at the very beginning, Hu Le, who was a water bandit, defected to the sailors of the Jieyi Army, and also shot and ambushed various water bandits, sweeping away more than ten large and small water bandits, and more than 1,000 people were killed. It stands to reason that this kind of behavior, for the water bandits, and for Hu Le, is definitely a quick kill. For accompanying Hu Le to persuade him to surrender, Xu Wenle was also trembling.

Along the way, every time he accompanied Hu Le to land on a boat and negotiated with Zhushui Village to persuade them to surrender, Xu Wenle was afraid that people would not see him, so he would kill them directly, and he was also worried that the people who were good to talk about would suddenly fall into cups, and countless knife-wielding men would pour out from behind the screen to chop them into meat scraps, and he was even more afraid that everyone was drinking tea and eating wine in a good manner, and suddenly he covered his throat and rolled all over the ground and poisoned. This kind of scene is something that storytellers often say.

To be honest, along the way, Xu Wenle felt like a live fish being dragged to the cutting board, waiting for the knife to chop off with his eyes open, this kind of fear is really not something that people can bear. Especially on the eighth day, when meeting with the leader of the fifth bandit, the other party actually attacked directly, wanting to take them down. That time, Xu Wenle could feel the fear of death. However, it was also that time that Xu Wenle learned to kill.

However, it was also after that time, there were no more water bandits who dared to attack Hu Lezhengda, and as for the darkness, the sailor warship that followed Hu Le was not for decoration. For Xu Wenle, that time made him a real naval captain, a naval sergeant. People are like this, once they think through and let go of it, the fear in their hearts will recede like a tide, and suddenly disappear without a trace. Regarding the next situation, Xu Wenle thought about it calmly.

Hu Le and Li Mingjie had a detailed discussion very smoothly, the Jieyi Army is now very strong in the waters of Taihu Lake, and the Li family also has the intention of surrendering. Therefore, the negotiations between the two sides were very fast. The Li family in the East Building was willing to surrender to the Jieyi Army, and hundreds of water bandits under their command also joined the Jieyi Army. In addition, the Li family also officially moved into Songjiang Prefecture to settle down.

"Brother Li, since you have agreed to be included in my righteous army, then act as soon as possible. Now the Qi army has also begun to persuade the water bandits in the waters of Taihu Lake to surrender, if you know that you have a connection with our Jieyi army, I am afraid that ...... In addition, when we meet today, I'm afraid that even you and I can't guarantee that we won't be discovered. Therefore, Brother Li should arrange it immediately, take away what can be taken away, and abandon what can't be taken away. As long as people are there, everything else outside the body is nothing. After negotiating the details, Hu Le said to Li Mingjie in a deep voice.

Li Mingjie said with a smile: "General, don't worry, we have been prepared long ago. Besides, how can people like us leave everything here? Actually, here, there is nothing to pay attention to at all. ”

Hu Le smiled: "I see, for you, this is just a target to put on the bright side. Alright, you act as soon as possible, and I'm going to go to the western town of Newbridge to convince the other one. In the future, in the waters of Taihu Lake, except for the sailors of our Jieyi Army, there will be no other fleets that can participate in the war. ”

"Newbridge Town? The general is talking about the Xu family in Xinqiao Town. However, as far as we know, this Xu Yangcheng is a jealous and greedy person, and he is also related to the county magistrate of Wuxing County. The general wants to persuade him, but I'm afraid it won't be easy. Hearing this, Li Mingjie said in a condensed voice.

Hu Le said in a deep voice: "Really? I don't know much about the Xu family. However, in his hands, there are more than 100 large and small ships, as well as more than 800 water bandits. The important thing is that many of the ships in his hands are special ships for sailors, and if they can be persuaded to surrender, it will be a good thing for our Jieyi army, which can not only expand our strength, but also weaken the strength of the Qi army. If we don't go, we will be co-opted by the Qi army in the future. But, as you said, this operation needs to be guarded. ”

Li Mingjie suddenly said: "General, since you are not familiar with this place, then let me and my eldest son Li Xingyan follow you, and the right to guide the general." In addition, just in case, I have a dozen fast horses here for the general to use, just in case. Although the general was relieved, because the Zhao army did not prohibit the southern merchants from trading with the north, it was not uncommon for large families to raise horses in the territory of the Qi State, and it would not deliberately make people suspicious. ”

Hu Le smiled: "It's okay, this can also help me and solve the problem of water bandits in the north of Wuxing County faster." ”

After settling the Li family in the East Building, Hu Le took Li Xingyan with him, returned by boat, and then traveled west for half a day, stopping at the boat in the north of Xinqiao Town. Since the target here was on the shore of the lake, there was no small boat rotation, and the six armed merchant ships that accompanied it also arrived here, and when they arrived, it was already close to evening.

Of course, like the Li family in the East Building, Hu Le had already sent someone to inform the other party before he arrived. Like Donglou Town, on the berm a few miles away from the town, Hu Le and the others saw those who greeted them.

"Coming so far to greet you? And so many people? Hu Le couldn't help frowning, the other party did this, it was easy to expose the target. After all, dozens or hundreds of people greet someone on the embankment, and that's very conspicuous, especially since they are also particularly conspicuous figures in the local area. As he walked forward, looking at the reeds next to the lake embankment, Hu Le couldn't help but secretly blame the other party for being careless.

The two sides are getting closer, and they can almost see the expressions on the faces of those people on the other side, Hu Le is thinking, and when he is going to preach with each other after the meeting, Xu Wenle and Li Xingyan next to him almost shouted in a deep voice at the same time: "My lord, be careful!" ”

"Huh?" Hu Le was immediately stunned, and then his face turned cold, his hand couldn't help but hold on the handle of the knife on his waist, and asked urgently: "What?" What's the situation? ”

"My lord, in the reeds on the right not far ahead, there is an ambush!" Xu Wenle said in a deep voice, and then looked at Li Xingyan beside him, surprised that the other party also saw the same problem, and his right hand couldn't help but hold on the hilt.

"Ambush?" Hu Le immediately listened attentively, and then his face turned cold, and he took out a curved bow and arrows from his horse, and pointed an arrow at the target he found.

"Ah......h At the same time, Hu Le also found that among the Xu family members who greeted him on the other side, there was also a commotion, and then several people came out with knives.

"Hateful, as your father said, this Xinqiao Xu family is not worthy of a new appointment. Let's withdraw, quick! Hu Le immediately understood what was going on, turned around and galloped. Because the samurai who was ambushing did not expect to be discovered by the other party, they did not expect that the other party would all come on horseback. So, they couldn't catch up for a while. When they chased the lake, they found that Hu Le and the others were already waiting for the big boat cruising around.

"Boy, okay, I didn't expect you to be quite alert! You can even spot these bastards! Hu Le patted Li Xingyan's shoulder with a smile on the boat, and said in a deep voice.

Li Xingyan said with a smile: "I have also traveled in the lake with my father and others, so I always have a sense of vigilance for such a situation as the reeds. Seeing the abnormal shaking of the reeds and the reflection of sunlight in them made me realize that there was something wrong with them. ”

"Yes, Xu Wenle, it seems that you have a companion!" Hu Le said with satisfaction. Then, he changed into leather armor and a long knife on the ship, and prepared for war. On the other side, Xu Wenle and the others and the sailors on the ship also began to change their outfits at this moment, with complete armor and equipment, and changed from sailors to sailors.

"Ahh Yours! Xu Wenle smiled and handed Li Xingyan a set of his own armor and equipment, so that he could prepare for the battle. They knew that since the other party had already begun to attack Hu Le, it meant that the other party was related to the Qi army, and it was very likely that there were other means.

Sure enough, when Hu Le and the others were about to sail away, when Hu Le and the others came before, they found that the seven or eight fishing boats scattered on the lake saw two large merchant ships that seemed to be docked waiting for goods, and they all tore off their camouflage and came over to intercept them together.

The sailors of the Jieyi Army, who had already been prepared, naturally would not be knocked down by these means, and the sword and shield hand erected a large shield on the bow of the ship, and the arrow cluster hit the skin shield with a dull dull sound.

"Damn, this is an iron-armored arrow for strong archers in the army, and sure enough, the Qi army intervened. Double shields on the bow of the ship! Pay attention to the protection on the side side, watch out for the enemy throwing arrows, and prepare to shoot back! The bed crossbow is also ready, so that these bastards can see how good we are. Hu Le ordered angrily. Because the ship has just begun to move and is still adjusting its direction, although it has the advantage of taking advantage of the ship, it is at a disadvantage at the moment.

Although Hu Le was extremely angry, he did not despise the other party, but paid more attention to the other party's every move and the situation of the surrounding lake. Since these people dare to plot against themselves, it means that their methods will definitely not be simple, and with these more than 100 strong bows alone, they can't help Hu Le and others who have armed merchant ships.

Sure enough, when the archers saw that the arrows did not work, they immediately prepared to throw fire canisters and shoot rockets. If it weren't for the fact that Hu Le's warship was big and tall enough, he was afraid that the opponent's fire oil would quickly burn the surface of the lake and then burn the warship.

However, these intercepting soldiers may not have expected that Hu Le and the others would find the ambush and escape smoothly, so their interception methods were like this. At this moment, on the several armed merchant ships that had raised their sails and were ready, the bow of the ship had been covered with lacquered cloth, and the front of each large ship revealed four bed crossbows that had been wound up a long time ago.

The three-bow bed crossbow was fixed on the deck, and a bed crossbow was operated by five people at the same time, and the iron cluster of giant arrows as thick as a giant spear flickered with a deadly cold light, and after shooting, it rubbed the air and made a sharp sound of breaking the air. As the enemy fired the second round of arrows, four crossbow arrows, one pierced a fishing boat and two fell into the water, but the only one shot pierced the three ambushes from the chest, abdomen to thigh.

Hu Le watched the opponent's archers constantly being shot through by crossbow arrows, and even flew away with them, he couldn't help but snort coldly, and also made the soldiers on the ship fire crossbow arrows in time to increase the blow to the other party.

Although the crossbow is slow to open the string, the bow power is so great that it is beyond the reach of ordinary foot bows, and at a distance of sixty steps, only scale armor and plate armor can effectively prevent the shooting of the crossbow. Although the enemy soldiers were all armor-piercing, there were very few scaly armor-piercing, and there was no big shield to protect them, and there were more than 20 crossbows on each warship here, and dozens of ambushes were immediately shot.

And among the intercepted ships, although there are two large ships, but how are they opponents of armed merchant ships. Although this armed merchant ship was not equipped with a small catapult, there were many bed crossbows that should have been there. The other party's two big ships transporting goods were directly suppressed by the two big ships under Hu Le's command, and even the people above didn't dare to show their heads at all.

A moment later, the intercepted enemy ships, except for the two large ships that were able to escape because of the ease of evasion, the rest of the fishing boats on the armor were all dead under the bed crossbows and crossbows of the Hule armed merchant ships. Hu Le's loss was only two soldiers wounded, and there were more arrows on the ship.

"My lord, it seems that no other ships have come to intercept it!" Xu Wenle reported in a deep voice.

Hu Le sneered: "They didn't expect us to find out about their ambush, they originally thought that they would take us down or kill us when we met." Therefore, the ambush army here is nothing more than a means of prevention. ”