Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 129 Leading the Beast
The road outside Anping City was quiet and deserted.

As the weather warms up, rats occasionally poke their heads out and start looking for food.

Suddenly, the ground began to tremble slightly. The mouse that came out to look for food looked around vigilantly and quickly dived back into the hole.

The big trees on both sides of the road also began to tremble slightly, and suddenly a large ball of snow fell from the branches.

With a loud sound of horse hooves, the knights appeared on the road.

These people rode on fine horses. Some were covered in full armor, some were wearing cloth armor, and some were bare-armored. Some held bows, some held spears, and some held knives. There were various weapons and different armors.

It looked like a ragtag group put together at the last minute.

But they were not in chaos at all when they were galloping on the road. They were not running randomly. Even when they were riding their horses, they were marching in a line. There were four knights in each line. They kept a distance from each other, maintained the same speed, lowered their bodies, and moved forward quickly.

These nearly a thousand cavalrymen advanced as a whole. No one fell behind and there was no confusion. The sound of their horses' hooves all had the same rhythm.

Tian Zilie and Potorafu followed at the end. Tian Zilie stared with wide eyes at the knights galloping ahead.

Potalafu's face was full of pride.

"How is it?"

"Although we no longer have pastures, armor, or slaves to serve us, we have never fallen behind in this training!"

"If we can get all these people to wear armor, we can kill 100,000 foreign soldiers!!"

Tian Zilie frowned and said nothing. The Xianbei cavalry was a little different from what he had imagined. In his impression, although these Hu people's armies were ferocious, most of them had no order, could only fight recklessly, and did not understand military formations.

But at this moment, it seems that these people not only know how to form a battle array, but are also very orderly, even more orderly than the county soldiers in Liyang and Cheng'an. When they move as a whole, they have completely lost the wildness of the Hu people and are extremely obedient!
Tian Zili was very worried about this.

If the Xianbei knights who had been idle for many years were like this, how fierce would the Xianbei knights in Jinyang who had not been idle until now be? ?
Thinking of his original plan to control Cheng'an, raid Yecheng, and pacify Jinyang, Tian Zilie hurriedly shook his head.

Sure enough, my brother was right when he told me not to act rashly.

Even if he could bring tens of thousands of people out from Cheng'an, they would not be enough to withstand a single charge from these people.

The cavalry charged all the way, even causing riots in the distant Anping County.

In the past, if only a few dozen of them came out, they would cause a huge disturbance. But now that they had a thousand people out, the commotion immediately made everyone in Anping uneasy. In a short moment, several city gates of Anping were closed, and the county and prefecture governments were in chaos.

Inside the county government office, several people held back Cheng Zhe who was about to go out.

"Mr. Cheng! You can't leave! You can't leave! Those bandits have come out in full force. With over a thousand people, I'm afraid something big is going to happen!! You have to find a way, you have to find a way."

Cheng Zhe's face was dark and he gritted his teeth.

"I don't care about the Xianbei people. If they want to come, let them come. If they want to rob, let them rob. The governor doesn't care about them, so why should I care?"

"Let go of me!"

The warrior swung his hands vigorously, and the two clerks were thrown flying out.

Several others rushed over and held him tightly.

"County Secretary, we can't let them attack the city! The crime of forcing the people to rebel is too serious, and the court will definitely investigate!"

Cheng Zhe was so angry that his teeth were itching.

You can't bully people like this.

These Xianbei people usually bully and do all kinds of evil. They are no different from robbers, they just rob things everywhere. However, the current governor dare not intervene.

If it was a Xianbei governor like Lou Rui, there would be no need to be afraid. He could just take his men out, capture the leader and beat him up, or kill him directly. However, a Han governor like Lu Rui would not be suitable for doing such a thing as it would be easy to be misunderstood.

Apart from anything else, the Qinghe Cui family, which is also one of the super clans, is very experienced in this regard.

At first, Cui Hao was asked to compile the national history. He called everyone in the book "barbarians" and "Qihu". He even turned the book into a scripture stone and erected it outside the city for everyone to see. Then the Qinghe Cui family was killed, and their relatives also suffered. They have not recovered until now and are still licking their wounds.

It is not easy for the prefect to intervene, so naturally the county magistrate needs to bravely take responsibility.

Although Cheng Zhe is a warrior, he is also aware of what is going on here.

It is neither right to fight nor right not to fight these Xianbei people.

If you beat them, you might end up like Cui Hao. If you don't beat them, these people will become arrogant.

"Mr. Cheng, if we really let these traitors do something big, I'm afraid we'll all lose our heads!"

The clerk reminded again.

Cheng Zhe's face darkened. He took a deep breath and said, "Follow me!!"

He grasped the knife at his waist and led everyone out of the county government office quickly. Cheng Zhe's father was a military officer and served as a state Sima. His father had great hopes for him, so he sent him to pass the exam and let him serve as an official in the local area. But at this moment, Cheng Zhe's heart had already cooled down. He had to go no matter what. Whoever wanted to be the county magistrate could do it. The hope of governing the country and becoming an important official should be placed on his son. He was not suitable for such a thing.

He walked out of the county government office angrily. Just as he reached the door, he saw the county magistrate, who also had a dark face, coming out with a large group of county officials. The two of them confronted each other.

They looked at each other, and in that instant, their eyes softened, with a sense of sympathy.

"Mr. Zheng!"

"Mr. Cheng!"

The two men looked at each other and sighed helplessly. Then they joined forces and walked towards the city gate together.

While walking on the road, County Magistrate Zheng said, "They are here to rob food, but where can Anping give them food? I think we will not be able to deal with it this time."

Cheng Zhe nodded, "Does Zheng Jun have any ideas?"

County Magistrate Zheng said sullenly, "No matter what, we cannot let them attack the city."

"If this happens, we will die without a burial place. The government will say that we forced the people to rebel."

"Then what should we do??"

"Borrow food."

"The Cui family?"

"Yes, let's find a way to borrow grain from Cui. Only they can feed these Xianbei people."

“Can they borrow it?”

"I don't know. This is the only chance. Would Mr. Cheng be willing to go with me?"

"We're leaving town now?"

"No, they also have a mansion in the city, and I happen to know someone there."

Cheng Zhe followed Magistrate Zheng and temporarily changed direction, not heading towards the city wall. The several minor officials around them also lowered their heads and did not try to stop them.

County Magistrate Zheng brought Cheng Zhe to an ordinary courtyard and asked someone to knock on the door. Soon, a servant invited them into the courtyard.

The courtyard was also very simple, and even had chickens and ducks. A middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance, a thick beard, and ordinary clothes walked out slowly. County Magistrate Zheng hurriedly bowed to greet him. Cheng Zhe did not know this man, but he also bowed.

The man looked quite arrogant, and although his words were polite, the disdain expressed in his brows disgusted Cheng Zhe.

County Magistrate Zheng introduced: "Mr. Cheng, this is the eldest son of the Cui family, the younger brother of Mr. Baixu, his name is Shuren."

"After Mr. Baixu passed away, Mr. Cui has been mourning here, not drinking or having sex, for three or four years."

Cheng Zhe said "oh" and didn't respond.

Cui Shuren asked, "I am here in mourning, cultivating my character, and not seeing guests. I wonder why the county magistrate wants to disturb my peace?"

County Magistrate Zheng bowed and said, "I'm here to borrow grain."

"Borrow food?"

Cui Shuren looked around and said, "I have nothing at home. I raise some poultry and grow some vegetables to make a living. How can I lend food to the county magistrate?"

The magistrate of Zheng County said hurriedly: "Mr. Cui, it's still those traitors! They have mobilized more than a thousand people this time, and they are coming out in full force. They are heading for Anping City. If we don't give them food, I'm afraid there will be a big chaos!" Hearing this, Cui Shuren's face remained calm.

"The thieves don't do farming. Every time they come, you give them food. Isn't that like cutting meat to feed the wolves?"

"Aren't the traitors so rampant right now just because of your cowardice and tolerance?"

County Magistrate Zheng said awkwardly: "Mr. Cui, please don't say that. We just want to solve the current emergency."

Cui Shuren shook his head, "You still don't understand. I feel uneasy when the thieves hurt people. I have no regrets about using food to rescue the people. I can even go bankrupt to save the people!"

"But is giving food to those bandits the best way to save the people?"

"These people are ferocious beasts. The more you fear them, the more rampant they become. You fed the beasts this time and are planning to flee, but what about us? We can't go anywhere else, so we have to continue feeding these beasts. If we don't feed them, they will hurt people. Is that right?"

Cui Shuren questioned sternly, but County Magistrate Zheng was speechless.

In fact, this is true. They really haven't thought about what to do next. He and Cheng Zhe just want to deal with this time, and then leave here as soon as possible! !
Of course, he couldn't say it directly. County Magistrate Zheng lowered his posture again, "Mr. Cui, we are helpless against these bandits for the time being. Your Majesty has just ascended the throne. If bandits break into Anping, what will we do? I'm afraid it will be harmful to the entire Boling. Please help us this time, just this once."

Although County Magistrate Zheng was very humble, Cui Shuren was unmoved. He sneered and said, "Governing thieves and stabilizing people's livelihood, aren't these what the county and county governments should do?"

"Even if the government wants to hold you accountable, they should hold you two accountable. Do you think I will be arrested and held accountable for mourning here?!"

Cui Shuren was completely impolite at this moment.

County Magistrate Zheng looked a little unhappy, but he did not dare to attack the person in front of him.

Cheng Zhe could not help himself and wanted to get up and leave, but County Magistrate Zheng secretly touched his thigh and told him not to act rashly.

See it’s almost cooked.

Cui Shuren just smiled and said, "I speak frankly, so don't mind me."

"Alas, I am from Anping after all. How can I not care about Anping's affairs? Let's put it this way. Let's not talk about lending grain to the bandits. But if the bandits cause damage and cause the people to suffer, I can help them on behalf of the government. I will send people to give them porridge and give them some benefits so that they can survive. How do you think?"

County Magistrate Zheng really wanted to curse at this moment.

The Cui family should bear at least half the responsibility for the rebellion of these Xianbei people.

In the eyes of County Magistrate Zheng, they were simply a group of people. The Xianbei people were responsible for the destruction, and the Cui family was responsible for the aftermath.

The Xianbei people looted everywhere and bit the civilians viciously. When the civilians lay on the ground unable to move, the Cui family would pull them up, put them into their stomachs, and let them rest in peace.

County Magistrate Zheng stood up and said, "Okay, okay. The governor doesn't care about this matter, and neither do you. In this case, why not open the city gates and let them rob as they please? Anyway, they have been to the county and prefectural offices many times!!"

"Okay, okay, I've already said it, this has nothing to do with me, and no matter what they do, it's not my fault!"

Cui Shuren looked up, not caring at all.

Magistrate Zheng gritted his teeth and was about to walk out when he saw a county official rushing in with fear and trepidation. He paid his respects to Cui Shuren and was startled when he saw the county magistrate.

County Magistrate Zheng sneered, "Why did Recorder Cui come here?"

The county official hesitated, "I came to report to you what happened outside the city!"

He shouted, "Duke Zheng, the bandits did not come to surround the city. They all went to the parade ground! They just went in."

Hearing these words, everyone present was stunned.

Zheng Xianli and Cheng Zhe looked at each other.

"Parasite?"

"What are they doing on the parade grounds?"

Cheng Zhe frowned and said worriedly, "Could it be that the new Dugu Jun provoked these Xianbei people? This is bad, this is bad. I think he is a straightforward person."

County Magistrate Zheng immediately covered his head and said, "It's that stupid county lieutenant!"

"Oh no! Could this guy have gone to ask the Xianbei for food?"

"If the Xianbei killed the county official."

County Magistrate Zheng's face suddenly turned desperate.

Cheng Zhe suddenly thought of this, and this was the reason why it was so difficult. Killing the Xianbei people would cause trouble, but letting the Xianbei people kill officials would cause even more trouble.
County Magistrate Zheng quickly looked at Cui Shuren again, "Mr. Cui! Please help me. I really don't have enough manpower here. I need a thousand, no, eight hundred people. Please lend me eight hundred people and I will go and get the county lieutenant out."

Cui Shuren was even more proud at this moment.

He threw his head back and laughed.

"Just now, Mr. Zheng was not like this. He even said he wanted to open the city gate and turn around to leave. Why is he asking me for help now?"

"Among the branches of the Cui family, my eldest branch is the most simple and has little money and food, while the second branch is the most extravagant. Why don't you go out of the city and look for the second branch? The person in charge of the second branch is a young boy named Cui Renshi. Oh, by the way, Cui Jishu is also here, maybe they can help!"

Looking at the face in front of him, Cheng Zhe was really furious. For a moment, he really wanted to rush up and smash that face.

County Magistrate Zheng was flexible. He smiled charmingly and sat down again. "Mr. Cui, please don't look down on me. Everyone knows that the eldest branch of the Cui family is the legitimate one. If I need help, I should ask you for help. You have always been a man of integrity. Please lend me some guards and I will use them for emergencies. If this county lieutenant dies at the hands of the traitors, it will be a disaster. If the court investigates, it will be troublesome."

"I've already said that I'm not afraid of any trouble. I'm just a man in mourning."

Cui Shuren stroked his beard and said, "However, since County Magistrate Zheng has begged me so much, it would be inappropriate for me not to help."

"How about this, I will send a servant to rescue your Dugu, but the county government cannot forget this matter."

Magistrate Zheng nodded and thanked him again and again.

At this moment, another county official rushed in.

The county official had no time to pay attention to the county magistrate. He stared at Cui Shuren with a look of horror on his face and said hurriedly, "Master, this is bad! The group of Xianbei people left the parade ground, and Liu Taozi led them to our Wubao!!"

"what?!"

Cui Shuren could no longer sit still at this moment. He jumped up suddenly and looked at the county official in surprise.

"What do you mean? What do you mean by going to our house?"

"The Xianbei people all recognized Liu Taozi as their leader. Liu Taozi led them out of the parade ground and headed towards our Wubao. There were more than a thousand of them, all cavalrymen, and they were aggressive and looked like they were going to kill people."

"How dare you, how dare you, how dare you."

Cui Shuren's lips were trembling and he was in a state of panic.

He suddenly looked at the County Magistrate Zheng in front of him, stepped forward quickly, and grabbed his hand, "County Magistrate Zheng, what do you mean by this county lieutenant? What does he want to do?!"

County Magistrate Zheng came to his senses at this moment. He calmly pulled his hand away and said, "Mr. Cui, what does the matter of the county and prefecture offices have to do with an old man like you who is in mourning at home?"

He looked at Cheng Zhe, "Mr. Cheng, let's go."

Cui Shuren was furious, but he quickly put on a smiling face and stood in front of County Magistrate Zheng. "Mr. Zheng, please don't say that. The Xianbei people are not joking. They are all fierce and do things without thinking. They might attack Wubao. What does this County Magistrate Liu mean? Does he want food?"

"I'm just a small county magistrate, how can I know so many things?"

"You can ask the governor about this matter! He may know."

Cui Shuren frowned, "But the governor is not in the city. Besides, it is not easy for him to interfere in the affairs of the Xianbei."

"Mr. Cui, don't be afraid. You just said that your family is very poor and frugal, and you don't have much food. If the thieves go, they can't take anything, and they can't lose anything either. What are you afraid of?"

"If you are worried that your guards will fight with the Xianbei people, I don't think you have to be afraid. After all, you are an old man in mourning. Even if your guards killed some Xianbei people, it wouldn't matter. Not to mention killing Xianbei people, even if they killed the county lieutenant, it wouldn't be a big deal, right?"

"You continue to stay here to mourn. We two brothers have to go to the county government office to drink some tea and rest for a while!"

“No need to see me off!!!”

ps Great-grandfather Xing, Sima of Yanzhou, Qi. Grandfather Zhe, Sima of Huangzhou, Qi——Inscription on the Tombstone of Cheng Yaojin

(End of this chapter)