Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 276 Freshmen
Liu, Hengzhou, Shaquan City.

Four knights appeared on the official road, one leading the way and three following behind him, staggering towards the city.

Just after crossing the county boundary, we saw the post house on the roadside.

An official led several postmen and blocked the entrance to the road.

The four of them stopped.

The official bowed and asked, "Where have you passed?"

The leader was a young man, not very old but looked quite elegant. He looked at the knight beside him, and the follower skillfully took out the pass, dismounted, and handed the pass to the official.

The clerk picked up the pass and began to compare them one by one.

Comparing numbers and identities.

"The Chief of Changping County is going to Sizhou to visit relatives."

"It turns out to be Wang Changshi, I'm sorry."

The clerk smiled and handed the pass back to the other party, and then asked:

"Lu Ping."

The knight had no choice but to hand the pass to the other party again. The clerk checked the records one by one and said, "Wang Changshi, it took you half a month to get here after you left Pingshu. Where have you been in the meantime?"

"The weather was too hot, and I got sick on the road, so I couldn't walk for too long. I rested as I walked, and so I walked much slower."

"I see."

The clerk nodded, looked at the knights again, then stamped the pass, handed it to them, saluted, and stood aside.

Several people set off again.

As they walked along the road and got a little further, those knights became extremely angry.

"Liu Taozi is so tyrannical!"

"This is a cruel method that even Shang Yang couldn't match!"

Wang Changshi frowned and whispered, "Don't be so loud. Just hold it in!"

The knights took a deep breath and their faces turned red.

Wang Changshi looked ahead and said without turning back: "I have told you so many times, no matter where you are, even in a dream, don't say these words, who knows if anyone will hear them?"

"The lighting plan has been implemented until now, but there has been no results, all because of carelessness!"

"More than 800 people came here, how many are left for us to use?!"

Several knights lowered their heads.

Wang Changshi looked around again, changed his words, and continued, "This visit to the family must also be taken seriously."

"I remember that we have many relatives in Shaquan, at least twenty relatives, but we have lost contact with them. Let's start looking for them in the city. Even if we find them, we don't need to meet them directly. Report to me first."

"only!!"

The crowd walked along the official road and finally arrived at the city gate. After being checked again, they finally entered the city.

Shaquan is a small town.

The city walls are low and there are not many people on the roads.

Their group was quite conspicuous here, so Wang Changshi had no choice but to lead everyone to the nearest guest house first.

After showing your pass, you can stay there. The rooms in the guesthouse also have corresponding grades. The more money you pay, the better the room.

Everyone settled down and put their belongings away, then Wang Changshi sent a few knights out to explore.

Their visits to relatives along the way were actually to find the spies they had sent out. At least they wanted to know what the other party was like.
The knights searched the city for two days, and finally, a knight brought good news.

He met a merchant in the city who spoke with a Sizhou accent. When he asked him questions, he said that he had fled from Sizhou with others not long ago and lived in Houjia Village outside the city.

Wang Changshi immediately left the city and asked several woodcutters along the way to determine the location of Houjia Village before leading everyone there.

Liu Taozi's rule was a hell for the bandit troops under Wei Xiaokuan.

The numerous dedicated clerks scattered across the country and the improved and almost harsh systems and laws made it almost impossible for thieves to survive.

Even when asking for directions, they dared not leave any traces.

Wang Changshi and his companions walked for two days and approached Houjia Village. Then one of the knights went in to ask for water and check the whereabouts of those people.

The knight spoke with a fluent Sizhou accent, which immediately aroused the curiosity of many people in the village.

Of course, the villagers were still very welcoming. When they learned that the other party was also from Sizhou, they invited him to their home for a treat. After chatting for a long time, the knight finally decided that this was the place they were looking for! !

When the knight returned, his face was filled with excitement.

They traveled all the way from Changping to Sizhou, but gained nothing along the way. Now that they are here, are they finally going to make progress?
At night, the village was quiet inside and outside.

Wang Changshi led the knights and walked on the small path in the village. They walked very carefully without making any noise.

The village is quiet and peaceful at night.

Occasionally they could hear dogs barking, which made them afraid to move.

The sounds of babies crying were heard in some courtyards, and people quickly began to coax the children and hum local songs.

They tiptoed to the outside of a courtyard. Wang Changshi looked around and asked, "Are you sure this is the place?"

"I saw it clearly when I came here during the day. That person was definitely Zhao Kuseng. He looks exactly like the portrait you have there! I saw him walk in here with my own eyes!!"

Wang Changshi slowly took out a dagger from his arms, and several people followed suit.

Wang Changshi's face showed excitement, joy, and indescribable anger.

"We'll block his mouth later to prevent him from waking up others, and then we'll find out the situation. If he's a traitor, we'll kill him! He has the contact information of everyone in Hengzhou, and we must not let it fall into the hands of the enemy!"

"only!!"

Instead of opening the door, the few people came to the low wall on the south side, jumped onto the wall nimbly, and landed quickly.

The three of them jumped into the courtyard and looked forward.

In the darkness, the courtyard was full of people.

I estimate there are more than twenty people.

Some of them held ropes, some held daggers, and some held sticks.

Zhao Kuseng was sitting on the stone steps at the door. His expression could not be seen clearly in the darkness, but he was staring at Wang Changshi and the others.

Wang Changshi and several others wanted to escape immediately, but those strong men had already pounced on them. No one dared to shout. After a fight, Wang Changshi and others were pinned to the ground and could not move.

Zhao Kuseng slowly stood up, walked in front of them, and then squatted down.

"You smell too much like the Zhou people. I can smell it even without getting close to you. I knew this day would come, this day."

Zhao Kuseng's voice was a little low.

Wang Changshi gritted his teeth and asked in a low voice: "Zhao Kuseng! The general has been very kind to you! How dare you betray him?!"

Zhao Kuseng turned around and looked at his own house, then looked at him again, "Prince, please don't forget that I am originally from Qi."

"Back then, my family members were killed by the Hu people, so I surrendered to Zhou to avenge my family members."

"It's good that you still remember! It was the Great Zhou that took you in, are you going to be ungrateful now?!"

Zhao Kuseng's expression was complicated.

"My Lord, please look at the frontier."

"General Wei is really good to us exiled Qi people, but what about others? Just before arriving at the border, one of our brothers was inexplicably killed on the Guizhen Road. The crime was that he did not pay his respects in time. How is this different from the original Qi State?"

"But it's different at the border. Under General Wei's rule, have you ever seen a Hu noble who dared to kill people indiscriminately?"

Wang Changshi's face flushed. "With such harsh laws, naturally no noble would dare to rebel. But do you know how much it costs to get here from Changping?!"

"I don't know about that. I only know that here, the people can survive."

"The government will really grant land to people, and those with skills can become craftsmen. The city will not levy taxes indiscriminately. Although the officials are powerful, at least they are willing to act according to the law."

"Nonsense!!"

"You are traitors! The general has been very kind to you all! But you dare to do this! Liu Taozi is really a villain. He bribed you with dozens of acres of farmland. It is really hateful and shameless. You are all as despicable as Liu Taozi."

Zhao Kuseng frowned suddenly, "Enough!!"

His voice was a little loud, and a fire suddenly lit up in the house.

Zhao Kuseng signaled everyone to take these people to the prison, while he went to comfort the people in the house.

Zhao Kuseng soon appeared in front of Wang Changshi and others again.

Wang Changshi continued to insult.

He felt that there would no longer be villains like Zhao Kuseng in the world.

They were desperate and it was the general who gave them a way to survive. Now they dare to betray the general like this! Zhao Kuseng listened to his insults and said coldly: "General Wei took the initiative to send people to welcome us, take us in, give us food and drink, and train us, all in order to use us to collect intelligence and help him deal with Qi."

"Over the years, we have traveled around to collect information for General Wei and spread nursery rhymes, which can be regarded as fulfilling his instructions."

"But General Wei is different!"

"He didn't give us meat or money, but he gave us 40 acres of farmland. However, he didn't ask for anything from us!"

"He doesn't want us to do anything for him."

"General Wei has done us a favor, and we have repaid him. General Wei has done the world a favor, so how dare we go against him?"

"You don't have to worry. I never told them anything, nor did I reveal any secrets. We are just farming here and living as ordinary people."

Zhao Kuseng said, and looked at Wang Changshi again, "You don't have to insult me ​​anymore."

"We won't kill you either."

"You are just a few people, you can't kill us. If you want to report to the government, go ahead. We don't care. Qi and Zhou are no different. The wicked are in power, the traitors are rampant, and the people are suffering. Only here is the true destiny!"

"Go back and tell General Wei."

"We can't continue to work for him. If he doesn't want to let us go, then we should tell the local authorities about our identities."

"But no matter what, we will never be enemies with General Liu again."

Listening to Zhao Kuseng's words, Wang Changshi was stunned.

He was different from people like Zhao Kuseng. He was a Zhou person pretending to be a Qi person, and his family background was not low.

Therefore, many times, he was unable to understand the thoughts of the people under his command.

Just like it is now.

He didn't know what Liu Taozi had given these people to eat that made them look like such horrible things.

Back then, these were cold-blooded killers who killed people without blinking an eye. They were killing people everywhere in the territory of Qi, causing sabotage and conducting secret investigations. They were all experts in the bandit army.

How come it has become like this in less than half a year under Liu Taozi's command? ?
Zhao Kuseng looked at the stunned Wang Changshi and smiled bitterly.

"You can't understand, can you?"

"Why?"

"General Wei has treated you to delicious food and fish, and has rewarded you for every contribution. He has never looked down on you just because you are from Qi. Why would you betray such a commander?!"

"My Lord, when I was thirty years old, I lost my family and suffered humiliation that others could not imagine. Since then, I have been dead, and all I have thought about is revenge."

"Who can avenge me?"

"Your enemy is Qi State!!"

"No, my enemy is not Qi."

Zhao Kuseng lowered his head and looked at Wang Changshi.

"My enemies are people like the Rajah who ignore us, the untouchables. My family members died at the hands of people like you."

"Our lives are worthless in your eyes. If we can do something for you, we should be grateful."

"The only person who can avenge me and us is General Liu."

"I saw with my own eyes those evil thieves who exploited the people. He sent people to chop off their heads and hang them on the city wall."

"The county magistrate of Sizhou was arrested by General Liu for illegally collecting taxes and destroying his family. He froze to death in the wild. His body is still tied up in the suburbs for the officials to see clearly."

"Under his rule, at least there won't be people like me anymore"

"Wang Changshi, please go back."

Zhao Kuseng waved his hand, and the strong men let go of his hands. Wang Changshi struggled to get up, staring at Zhao Kuseng angrily and gritting his teeth.

But the knights around him seemed a little dazed at this moment.

"If you let me go, you will definitely regret it."

"Qi is about to be destroyed. It's not too late for you to regret now. If you insist on not changing your ways, you will be the first to die when Qi is destroyed! By then, there will be no place for you in this vast world!"

Wang Changshi looked at the rest of the people again, "And you. If you are willing to wake up, I can take you away."

Zhao Kuseng laughed again, without any fear in his eyes.

Wang Changshi waited for the others to speak, but after a long time, no one spoke.

Wang Changshi turned and left angrily.

Zhao Kuseng watched the other party climb over the wall and leave, then waved his hand and said, "Go back, be careful, don't go out alone."

The sky is bright.

The little kid had already appeared in the yard. He fetched water with great effort and started to make a fire.

After a long time, Zhao Kuseng finally came out. Looking at the food cooked by the little guy, he laughed and ate happily.

After the two of them finished their meal, the little kid picked up the wooden box and followed Zhao Kuseng out the door.

"Trimming hair~~Trimming beard~~"

"Trimmed my hair!! Trimmed my beard!!"

Zhao Kuseng's voice was hoarse and powerful, while the little baby's voice was crisp and sharp.

Every time Zhao Kuseng shouted a sentence, the little kid would follow suit.

Two people, one big and one small, were walking on the path, shouting along the way.

They walked out of the village and headed towards the city, shouting along the way. Finally, when they passed a village, a man stopped them, asked the price, and then asked Zhao Kuseng to help trim his beard.

He was a young man with a light and messy beard.

He just sat on the small chair with his head raised. The little kid soaked a piece of cloth in hot water and handed it to Zhao Kuseng, who gently wiped the other's face.

"Are you preparing to go to the county town?"

"Yes, I have to report to the school tomorrow."

The young man looked a little shy.

"Okay, I'll give you some beard to make you look more mature"

"Good, good, very good! Just do it as you see fit."

Zhao Kuseng began to use the scissors to gently shave his beard. The little kid stood aside and watched attentively.

"Grandpa! You haven't repaired this place yet!"

"I know"

"Grandpa! Here! Here!"

The young man glanced at the doll beside him and laughed, "Is this your grandson?"

"Yes, yes, the adopted grandson~~"

Soon, the young man stood up, and the little boy took out a bronze mirror and showed it to him. The young man tilted his face left and right, his eyes lit up, and he raised his head a lot. He smiled and nodded, looking particularly satisfied.

"My father-in-law has great skills! His hands are really steady, and he repairs quickly and well!"

"You have been using a knife for thirty or forty years, right?"

Zhao Kuseng took the money and replied kindly, "Yes, I have been shaving people's heads and facials for many years."

The young man thanked him again and left happily.

Zhao Kuseng continued walking on the road with the little kid.

"Did you see it clearly just now?"

"You have to study hard. If one day I am too old to work, you will have to rely on this skill to make a living."

"See it clearly!"

"Don't worry, Grandpa! When you get old, I'll trim your beard!"

Zhao Kuseng bent over, squinting his eyes leisurely, and the little kid followed behind him, holding the wooden box with difficulty.

The two walked along the country road, slowly heading towards the county town in the distance.

A gentle breeze blew, carrying with it two shouts.

"Trimming hair~~Trimming beard~~"

"Trimmed my hair!! Trimmed my beard!!"

ps: I was too embarrassed to see anyone, the noise was so loud that I specially asked an electrician to help me take a look. After the electrician came, he turned off the power and checked the air conditioner. Later, he thought it was the water pipe, then suspected the heating, and then thought it was a problem upstairs. He was busy for a long time but found nothing. He was ready to contact the property management, but finally found out. It was a mouse toy used by their cat. The toy was thrown under the desk and kept buzzing. I can't forget the expression and eyes of the electrician when he looked at me at the end.

The only thing I’m thankful for is that I haven’t looked for property management yet.

(End of this chapter)