Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 496 Open the way

The brothers on the boat tied up the prayer flags, and Sun Changchun sent the remaining half to the other boat, repeating what he had just said to make sure everyone knew.

With everything prepared, Sun Changchun took a deep breath: "We're not really going to fight the government troops to the death. To put it bluntly, it's all for show for Liu Yigui and his men. So... when it comes to life and death, we should run if we can."

He dared not let his brothers show any mercy to the government troops, in case those troops did not recognize the prayer flag, they would be the ones to die.

Like Zhao Zhongliang, he was unwilling to watch his brother die.

The brothers responded.

"Then... let's do it."

At Sun Changchun's command, two boats shot like arrows, cutting through the gaps between the ships and into the battle.

Sun Changchun drew his long sword and took the lead, forcibly boarding the government's large ship.

When Liu Yigui's men saw Sun Changchun arrive with his militia, they took the opportunity to scatter and save their lives. Sun Changchun kicked one of them into the river, saying, "Whoever dares to run away again, I'll be the first to chop him up."

After saying that, he started fighting with the officers and soldiers.

"open circuit."

Sun Changchun shouted.

The guards also shouted, "Clear the way!"

The militia bravely charged forward, and their two boats collided with the government vessels. With their arrival, the previously tense situation began to tilt in their favor.

Zhao Zhongliang, who was observing the battle from a distance, clenched his fists tightly.

As Sun Changchun led his men onto the government's large ship, the brothers on another ship rushed towards the small boats where the government soldiers were. Soon, the government soldiers' small boats capsized one after another, and the people on board fell into the water.

The officers and soldiers shouted for help in the water, and nearby boats immediately went to their rescue. The lives of the officers and soldiers were more important than those of the people.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Sun Changchun jumped back into his boat and ordered his men to continue rowing forward, intending to completely break up the government troops' encirclement formation.

Sun Changchun's actions quickly angered the government troops. The leading general gathered his men and focused all his efforts on dealing with Sun Changchun. The government troops now had a new target, and the ships protecting Xia Ziqiao took the opportunity to break free from the encirclement.

The situation on the water has changed, and not only Zhao Zhongliang, but also Ge ​​Ying, Xia Ziqiao and others have noticed it.

"Let's hurry." Xia Ziqiao's guards began instructing people to row the boat forward to pass through the checkpoint.

As the ships protecting Xia Ziqiao began to withdraw, Sun Changchun and his men were completely surrounded by government troops.

"Quickly, let's go there now," Zhao Zhongliang said anxiously.

The boat had just started to move forward when someone called out to it.

"Brother Zhao Chuan."

Zhao Zhongliang turned his head and saw Liu Yigui.

Liu Yigui said in a low voice, "How many people are on your boat? Going there like this will only lead to being trapped like them."

Zhao Zhongliang frowned: "Even so, we must go and save them. I can't watch them die."

“People will naturally be saved, but we can’t just run around like this,” Liu Yigui pointed to his head, “we need to think of a way.”

Zhao Zhongliang asked anxiously, "Is there any other good way?"

Liu Yigui said, "I will lead the men through the checkpoint first, and then leave all the manpower to you. You can then go and rescue them. Don't worry about us. Just get out of here as quickly as possible."

Zhao Zhongliang's eyes lit up, but then he said worriedly, "Won't you be in danger without anyone protecting you?"

“Once you get away, you can catch up,” Liu Yigui said calmly. “Nothing will go wrong in this short time.”

Zhao Zhongliang said, "Then the third manager..."

Liu Yigui said, "I came here to call you over. The Third Manager wants to see you."

Zhao Zhongliang's gaze remained fixed on the battle ahead. He pursed his lips and said, "Now is the crucial time. I'll visit the Third Manager after this is over." Liu Yigui shook his head and said, "Do you know that our master only has ten capable managers? If you can catch the eye of one of them, you'll definitely be highly valued in the family. Many people want to visit the Third Manager, and now you have this opportunity, yet you refuse."

Zhao Zhongliang's eyes were still full of worry: "I..."

“Now I finally understand why the guards are willing to risk their lives for you. It’s because you are really good to them,” Liu Yigui said. “When the Third Manager’s boat passes by here in a little while, go up to him and he will tell you what to do next.”

Having been put on this front, Zhao Zhongliang had no choice but to agree.

After a long while, a small boat slowly rowed by.

Zhao Zhongliang couldn't help but show a surprised expression: "The Third Manager, he..."

Liu Yigui nodded: "The big boats were given to Brother Xia Ziqiao and the Fang family women. The Third Manager will leave with us in a small boat."

Zhao Zhongliang immediately understood that Liu Yigui's guards were all surrounding those large ships, and when the government officials came after them, they would naturally only focus on the large ships.

This makes it easier for the small boat to escape pursuit.

Liu Yigui was cautious, and the third manager was also a meticulous person. In order to get away smoothly, he threw Xia Ziqiao and others out to attract the attention of the government. He said he was escorting the Xia family away, but wasn't he just using them as targets?
"Go!"

Liu Yigui nodded to Zhao Zhongliang, who then straightened his clothes and ordered his men to board the Third Manager's boat. The two boats were side by side, and he was about to step onto it when he was stopped by the guards on the boat.

"Manager Zhao can wait on his own boat."

The way the guard was addressed made it clear that once he and his security team joined him, he would become a manager under the Third Manager, just like Liu Yigui. Zhao Zhongliang deliberately feigned a change in expression, then bowed softly to the people in the cabin: "Third Manager."

A moment later, the cabin curtain was lifted, revealing a gap. Zhao Zhongliang saw a hand, which should belong to a man, who was not too old, probably no more than fifty.

“You will cover the rear with the guards and militia,” a voice said. “Once we leave, you will try to slip away and go to Laizhou.”

After saying that, the curtain was lowered, and the boat immediately glided into the darkness.

Zhao Zhongliang stared at the small boat until Liu Yigui came to him again.

"The Fang family's boat will go first, and we'll follow behind."

Zhao Zhongliang nodded.

Liu Yigui instructed again: "If the imperial army comes to your aid, you should leave on your own and not do anything foolish. I know you are reluctant to leave your militia, but once you get to Laizhou, I guarantee you will be able to raise another force within six months."

Zhao Zhongliang took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, as if he had finally made up his mind, and replied, "I understand."

……

Meanwhile, Sun Changchun was caught in a fierce battle.

The long sword in his hand had long been knocked away, and now he was holding half a wooden stick.

Surrounded by soldiers, he could only see the figures of his two brothers beside him.

"fifteen."

Sun Changchun called out, but received no response.

In order to save him, Cui Shiwu himself got trapped. Just a moment ago, he could still hear Cui Shiwu's shouts, but now there was no sound.

Is the person no longer alive?
He watched as one brother after another disappeared from his sight...

But the person who was supposed to meet them never came.

He knew those people were unreliable.

Suppressing his grief, Sun Changchun roared and charged forward, but at that moment, he was hit hard on the back with a stick and kicked in the leg. He lost his balance and fell forward. Almost at the same time, a blade slashed at his neck.

Sun Changchun tried to resist, but it was too late; he could only extend his right arm to defend himself.

The pain was delayed, and the knife hovered just above him at the crucial moment.