Cao Peng was keenly aware that Zhou Cang's face seemed to change slightly.

It was a look of surprise, although it was fleeting, but it was discovered by Cao Peng. Instinctively, Cao Peng immediately realized something...... "What does this Lei Xu have to do with you stealing horses?" ”

Deng Ji asked in a deep voice.

Hu Ban hesitated for a moment and said softly: "Lei Xu is not a local, probably came here last year. The villain didn't know him at first, but because of a chance, the villain had a conflict with them, and then he got acquainted with Lei Xu. Lei Xu's skills are very good, and the villain is not his opponent at all...... But he didn't embarrass the villain, and he was also very bold. The villain gradually became friends with him, and often helped him inquire about some news. Lei Xu also rarely led the crowd to rob the road and harass the neighbors around him, so he ...... Around the end of last year, Lei Xu suddenly asked the villain if he could get horses.

The villain didn't know what was going on, so he told Lei Xu that my father was the head of Gaoyang Pavilion, and people often rode by or stayed at the pavilion. Lei Xu said, let me help him get some horses, and promised the villain to get him a horse, and he will give the villain a lot of money.

The villain is usually idle, but seeing his father getting old, he still has to stay here and work, and he doesn't even have a field.

Although the villain is not good, he is not an unfilial son. So I thought about it and agreed to it. However, I didn't steal the horse at first, but when a merchant on a horse came to the pavilion, I would try to tell Lei Xu...... Later, he became more and more bold, so he joined forces with a few brothers who were usually good and set traps to rob horses on the way. Originally, everything was normal, but Lei Xu suddenly found the villain some time ago, saying that he asked the villain to help him get fifty horses as soon as possible. He also said that if he could get it, he would give me 500 yuan. ”

Deng Ji's heart moved, and he glanced at Puyang Min.

Pu Yang Min also showed a contemplative look, stepped forward and said, "Uncle and grandson, there seems to be something abnormal here. ”

Deng Ji nodded and continued to ask, "Then what happened?" ”

Hu Ban looked bitter, "The villain is also a ghost, and when I think that there are five hundred, it is enough for me and my father to spend, and I can also ask for a daughter-in-law, so my father can be relieved, so I agreed." However, in the past six months, due to the plundering of merchants in the past, there have become fewer than before. Even if there was a guest passing by, it was all with a large group of followers...... No matter how bold the villain is, he doesn't dare to run to death...... Originally, the villain wanted to find Lei Xu to push the matter.

Unexpectedly, Lei Xu's face changed. He said that if the villain is not solved as soon as possible, he will go to the government to lift the villain's bottom, and his father will be affected. The villain is also difficult to ride a tiger and cannot shirk. This day is getting closer and closer, and Lei Xu is urging more and more tightly. In the evening, when the villain saw several adults living in the pavilion, he moved his mind and passed the news to Lei Xu. Lei Xu sent his brother Lei Cheng over to help the villain steal the horse. I thought that the adults had rested after a day's journey...... Unexpectedly, he was discovered as soon as he made his move. ”

"I'll kill you brute!"

When Hu Hua heard this, he was furious, and he was about to rush over with a bamboo cane and beat Hu Ban violently.

No wonder I often hear people say that the vicinity of Gaoyang Pavilion has not been very safe recently. Many of the guests who often pass by here suddenly don't show up.

It turned out that his precious son did a good thing.

For an honest man who has been a pavilion chief all his life, what Hu Ban did made Hu Hua extremely sad.

Hu Ban knelt on the ground, not daring to move.

The thumb-thin bamboo cane was drawn on his body, leaving blood edges in his wake.

"Uncle, uncle, uncle!"

Deng Ji saw that Hu Ban was about to be killed, and hurriedly stepped forward to stop him.

You say this family is pitiful? It's really pitiful!

But aren't those passers-by who were robbed by Huban pitiful? No wonder Ah Fu just said that poor people must have something to hate.

One can imagine what the consequences will be for those passers-by who were robbed by Huban.

"Mr. Puyang, what do you think?"

Pu Yang Min showed a deep groan, and asked, "Hu Ban, how many horses have you made for this Lei Xu?" ”

"Before and after, almost twenty horses."

Hu Ban replied pitifully: "The situation is not very stable at this time, and there are not many single guests. At first, there were a few batches of large number of guests, and I just reported the news, and I didn't know if Lei Xu had done it. However, the villain has been to Lutaigang and noticed some conditions on the mountain. Under Lei Xu's hands, there should be a hundred and ten horses, presumably he has done it, otherwise he would not have obtained so many horses. ”

"Then do you know what Lei Xu wants so many horses for?"

Horses are very precious to the Central Plains.

It seems that Zhou Cang fell into the grass and soil back then, and there were only dozens of horses under his hands.

Lei Xu suddenly wanted so many horses, there must have been some plan. Otherwise, if he does this, it will be easy to attract the attention of the government.

Hu Ban said: "This villain really doesn't know. ”

"So far, you are not honest, you don't say it, you don't say it!"

Hu Hua rushed over, raised his bamboo cane and wanted to hit again.

Hu Ban hugged Hu Hua's leg and cried: "Dad, I really don't know. I just want you to have a better life, I don't think about it that much. ”

It seems that Hu Ban really doesn't know.

"Big head!" Deng Ji said suddenly.

Xu Yi hurriedly stepped forward and intervened: "Huh! ”

"Are you familiar with General Xiahou?"

Xu Yi nodded and said, "Uncle Xiahou has a good relationship with my father, and I have met him a few times. ”

"You set off overnight and went to Chenliu. Tell General Xiahou about the matter here...... Let's just say that Lei Xu is a bandit. ”

"Whoa!"

Xu Yi hurriedly walked into the house, and after a while, he was dressed neatly.

He put on two entourages, explained to Cao Peng, handed over the rest of the entourage to Cao Peng's command, and then took advantage of the night to leave in a hurry.

"Mr. Puyang, what should I do with these people?"

Pu Yang Min glanced at Hu Ban and the others, sighed, and said to Hu Hua: "Hu Hua, around here, can you heal the gentleman?" ”

"Uh...... Yes! ”

"Ah Fu, send two people, ride a horse with Hu Hua, and bring Mr. over."

Cao Peng agreed, and entrusted the matter to Deng Fan.

Deng Fan called two entourages and left with Hu Hua. Looking at the wounds all over the yard, Cao Peng also sighed. Even if Hu Ban confesses honestly, according to Xiao Dulu, this guy will inevitably be stabbed. Thinking of this, Cao Peng shook his head and turned around to find Zhou Cang.

As everyone knows, Hu Ban has been paying attention.

When he saw Cao Peng shaking his head, he immediately knew that something was wrong.

He also knew that what he had done was too big, so big that he didn't even believe in himself, and he could be spared.

However, he had another hope. Cao Peng's previous words made him see a little light. If even Cao Peng doesn't help him, then he will die!

"Little boy, little boy stay."

Hu Ban knelt down a few steps, shouting on his face.

Cao Peng stopped and looked at Hu Ban.

"Little boy, the villain just remembered something."

"Huh?"

"Two months ago, I sent a horse to Lei Xu. Lei Xu's interest seemed to be very good that day, and he left the villain and Xiao Wu to eat and drink. ”

Little Five?

Cao Peng's surname is very good.

He remembered that the young man who made the rake seemed to be called Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu was also a lot more sober at this time, and was knocked out of internal injuries by Cao Peng, which made his face look bloodless.

Seeing Cao Peng looking at him, Xiao Wu nodded again and again.

"It is true, the villain can prove it."

Cao Peng looked at Hu Ban again, "You go on." ”

"When eating, Lei Xu asked the villain about Yongqiu's condition. He also asked me what kind of rich people there are in Yongqiu, and how are the guards in Pingyueli. The little boy also knows that the villain is usually an idler and wanders around. Whether it's Yongqiu or Yuxian, the villain is quite familiar. So the villain told Lei Xu what he knew, 1510, and Lei Xu also rewarded the villain with money. ”

Cao Peng raised his head and stared at Deng Ji.

Deng Ji stepped forward and asked, "What is the unusual movement of Lei Xu recently?" ”

"Back to the adult, the villain is just helping Lei Xu do things and take money...... Actually, I didn't know much about him, so I didn't pay attention to it. ”

"You think about it, think it through.

Lei Xu, what strange things did they say, or what strange behaviors did they do? ”

Hu Ban frowned, and shook his head after a while.

"Adult, villain knows one thing."

Xiao Wu suddenly interjected.

"Say!"

"About ten days ago, Lei Cheng went down the mountain to have a drink with Brother Huban. Brother Hu Ban happened to be absent that day, and the villain accompanied Lei Cheng...... He ate too much wine at that time, and told the villain that Chen Liuren was too poor and really didn't have much oil and water. also said that the villain stayed here and had no future.

The villain asked him through the strength of wine, where is the future?

Lei Cheng said some personal names, but because the villain also ate too much, he couldn't remember too much. I only vaguely remember, what Lumei, what Cheng, and another one called Xuezhou. ”

"Xue Zhou?"

Deng Ji and Zhou Cang exclaimed almost at the same time.

Cao Peng looked at the two of them suspiciously, "What's wrong with Xue Zhou?" ”

"Xue Zhou is the biggest thief leader in Guangling."

"Huh?" Cao Peng was taken aback, "Xue Zhou, is it a Guangling thief?" ”

Zhou Cang spoke at this time: "Xue Zhou was originally Qingzhou Qu Shuai, I have heard of his name. However, he is not a good person, so his reputation is not very obvious. After the defeat of Taiping Dao, the He Yi and He Man brothers gradually replaced Xue Zhou, and many people thought he was dead. However, He Yi and He Man were beheaded by Cao Gong, and his subordinates were replaced by Qingzhou soldiers, but he didn't expect this Xue Zhou to be alive. ”

"Xue Zhou, is it Taiping Dao?"

Cao Peng looked at Zhou Cang in surprise.

He really hadn't heard of such a person, but He Yi and He Man, he knew a little bit about it.

"Uncle Zhou, then you also know Lei Xu?"

“…… Kindness! ”

"Who is he? Is it also Taiping Dao? ”

Zhou Cang scratched his head and smiled bitterly, "Childe is really right...... Lei Xu was originally a handsome man under Bocai's account, and he was very cunning. Na Bocai, who was also a fierce general under Zhang Mancheng's tent, was later killed by Huangfu Song in Yingchuan. Lei Xu's whereabouts are unknown. ”

Later generations often said that the Yellow Turban Rebellion was the key to shaking the foundation of the Han dynasty.

Now it seems that it is not unreasonable.

How many years has it been since the Yellow Turban Uprising? The Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out in the first year of Zhongping, and now it is the second year of Jian'an, which is 13 years long.

During this period, the Han family experienced twists and turns.

The ten permanent servants were in turmoil, Dong Zhuo was in chaos, and the princes rose up.

But this Yellow Turban Rebellion is like a weed, burning endlessly...... Cao Peng looked at Deng Ji and then at Pu Yang Min, and the three of them couldn't help but show bitter smiles.

What to do?

In the minds of the three of them, such a question arose at the same time.

Deng Ji knew that Haixi was in chaos, and in those files that Xun Yu gave him, he repeatedly mentioned a bandit named Xue Zhou. At first, Deng Ji thought that this Xue Zhou was just an ordinary bandit, and he was terrific and stronger. But since he dared to recruit Lei Xu, it shows that this person's plan is not small. has experienced the Taiping Rebellion, and he is also a party commander, this person is afraid that it is not simple.

If Deng Ji was full of confidence before, then at this time, he began to tremble a little.

And Puyang Min thinks more: Guangling County, which is the territory of the Guangling Chen family. The Chen family can be said to have a high prestige in the local area. Xue Zhou was wreaking havoc in Guangling, and even had to recruit troops? What does this mean! This shows that Xuezhou is in Guangling County, and its foundation is not shallow. The fact that a Taiping thief can take root in Guangling County is a strange thing in itself. The people of Xuzhou have a very strong sense of xenophobia, and Xuezhou is not only a foreigner, but also an anti-thief, and a thief in Guangling...... It's a little weird inside!

If Xue Zhou has no backer behind him, I am afraid it will be impossible to gain a firm foothold in Guangling.

But in Guangling County, who can make the Chen family bow their heads?

Even Lu Bu and other tigers, who have elite soldiers and fierce generals, have great respect for the Chen family. This answer is about to come out!

Could it be that when he went to Haixi, Deng Ji's opponent was Chen Deng?

Puyang Min couldn't help but be a little apprehensive! A foreign county order, a local wealthy family is too guarded, this strength gap is inevitably too big.

Yourself, do you still want to wade in this troubled water?

Thinking of this, Pu Yang Min suddenly subconsciously glanced at Cao Peng.

originally thought that Cao Peng would show a nervous look, but Pu Yang Min found that Cao Peng looked very calm.

Could it be that the old man is really old? Can't even compare to a small doll?

Where benevolence goes, righteousness takes course!

Since I'm not even afraid of a little doll, what am I afraid of?

That's it, the food of the king, the matter of loyalty. Since I promised Xun Wenruo, I will accompany Uncle Deng to this sea of swords.

Thinking of this, Puyang Min immediately showed a calm look.

Cao Peng didn't know that in this electric light, Puyang Min was already turning a thousand times.

His heart is excited!

Because vaguely, he felt a long-lost stimulus.

Maybe this time I went with my brother-in-law, and it would be really worth the trip...... In his previous life, the criminal policeman's blood was a little boiling again. The more complicated the case, the more excited Cao Peng became.

Hercy, perhaps, is not as boring as imagined. For now, at least, he's found a place to entertain!

However, at the moment, they are still in Chenliu.

"Lei Xu's matter, what should I do?"

Deng Ji asked suddenly.

It stands to reason that this has nothing to do with him. He is Haixi Ling, not Wei Chang, nor Yongqiu Ling, even if Lei Xu rebels, it will not be Deng Ji's turn to come forward. But the problem is that since it has been encountered, it is not easy for Deng Ji to get out now.

Cao Peng saw Deng Ji's thoughts, and said softly: "Brother-in-law, if we withdraw at this time, Hu Ban and Xiao Wu ...... Even Hu Hua was not spared. Just now, we agreed to help them dredge. To be a man, you need to be true to your word. ”

Pu Yang Min not only looked at Cao Peng with appreciation, but the curves on his face became softer as they became softer.

"Uncle and grandson, the doctrine of friends is not bad, and you need to be trustworthy in your word."

"So how do you get them out?"

At this moment, Deng Fan and Hu Hua arrived with a doctor.

The doctor looked disheveled, with a little tiredness on his face, obviously in his sleep, and was woken up by Hu Hua. However, judging from his expression, there seemed to be no dissatisfaction. To a certain extent, this also shows that Hu Hua is also quite prestigious in the local area...... "Uncle, please say hello here and treat the injured." ”

"This is the duty of the little old man."

"Huban, you come with us."

Cao Peng pulled Deng Ji and Pu Yang Min and walked to the room.

Hu Ban followed behind them nervously...... "Uncle, just rest assured, Ah Fu is a good person and will definitely help your father and son." ”

Deng Fan saw that Hu Hua was very nervous, so he comforted him softly.

"This son of a...... Deserve! ”

Hu Hua cursed, but still looked at the past with some worry.

I saw Cao Peng and the others walking to the bottom of the cloister, and said to Hu Ban: "Wait here, when you are called, you come in again, otherwise you will have to move around." ”

"Whoa!"

Hu Ban trembled and bowed in agreement.

Xiahou Lan and Wang Mai waited outside the door.

Zhou Cang entered the house with the three of them, and then sat down separately.

"Ah Fu, what do you say?"

Deng Ji picked up a clay pot of water, poured a bowl for Puyang Min, poured another bowl for himself, and then drank it all.

"General Xiahou will arrive at Gaoyang Pavilion in the evening at the earliest." Cao Peng said.

Calculate the time, it's about the same.

"If Lei Xu can't wait for Hu Ban and them after dawn, he will definitely be aware, right?"

"That's right!"

"In that case, it will startle the snake...... Uncle Zhou also said that this Lei Xu is very cunning. The fact that he was able to hide for so long, and that he was unaware, showed that he was very alert. If he senses that something is wrong, he may be able to get out...... His brother died at the hands of Uncle Zhou. If Lei Xu is allowed to escape, then Gao Yang Pavilion will inevitably face the doom of looting. It is impossible for General Xiahou to leave his soldiers and horses in Gaoyang Pavilion all the time. He led the troops away, in case Lei Xu came back, wouldn't the fathers and villagers here suffer? That's our sin. ”

After a few words, Deng Ji and Puyang Minlian claimed to be.

Puyang Min himself is a native of Chenliu County, although he is not from Gaoyang Pavilion, but he is also a villager after all.

"Does that friend have an idea?"

"Hold Thunder!"

Cao Peng's words are categorical.

"How do you hold him back?"

"This, I'm afraid there will be a Laohuban."

Deng Ji was stunned for a moment, and then seemed to suddenly realize, pointing at Cao Peng, "You mean, use the room?" ”

"Yes, it's just a room!"

"But in this way, Hu Banke is in danger."

"If he's not willing to take the risk, it's a dead end."

Cao Peng's answer was even simpler, he stood up and said, "Hu Ban now has only two paths, one is nine deaths and one is lifeless. If he is willing to take this risk, then there is still a chance to live. If he doesn't want to...... Call! Then we don't have to worry about it anymore. ”

Deng Ji and Pu Yang Min glanced at each other and nodded in unison.

"In that case, call Huban in. Make the stakes clear, let him choose! ”

(To be continued)