Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 148 Old things
If we follow the old example, it would be discussing heroes over plum wine.

However, Cao Cao and Liu Bei were both cheerful and talkative people in the past, while Zhu Wen and Yang Xingmi were the opposite.

There are only a handful of heroes in the world, and the two felt there was no need to list them all.

After sipping a little wine and saying what needed to be said, there was nothing more to say.

The mutual respect and admiration between them, as expressed in their eyes, was already evident in their gazes.

Yang Xingmi's gaze suddenly fell on Tian Jun.

"Brother Zhu, your wife Tian is truly a beauty."

Tian Jun, who was pouring wine into her mouth from a large bowl, was somewhat bewildered, wondering why this icy young man would suddenly say such a thing.

Zhu Wen asked, "So what?"

Yang Xingmi said calmly, "A girl like this is much more likable than Hua Wang. A true man doesn't compete for another's love, so I wish you both a long and happy life together. But if you two break up in the future, Madam Tian can also consider me."

Upon hearing Yang Xingmi's words, Tian Jun was completely stunned, yet she didn't know how to rebuke him.

Many people have pursued her, but none have had Yang Xingmi's looks and demeanor.

But to say such things in front of Zhu Wen, even if it's just being straightforward, is going too far!

"While Young Master Yang's words are frank, they are somewhat inappropriate." Zhu Wen was not annoyed, but simply smiled.

“It’s really not appropriate,” Yang Xingmi sighed softly, “but after ten years apart, I can’t keep it to myself.”

Tian Jun blurted out, "Who knows you!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly seemed to remember something, and her expression changed instantly.

"The boy I saved when I was ten years old... was it you?"

Tian Jun suddenly felt a little unsure of herself and said awkwardly.

Zhu Wen had already realized that Yang Xingmi was very similar to the type of man Tian Jun had described to him when she was drunk before he and Tian Jun started dating—

Cold on the outside but warm on the inside, aloof and icy, dressed in black.

It turns out it really wasn't a coincidence.

"The hatred for the murderer of my father is irreconcilable. I was burdened with a blood feud at the time and could not leave my real name. I am truly sorry."

He recognized Tian Jun from the start, but Tian Jun didn't recognize him.

From their conversation, Zhu Wen also learned about what happened ten years ago.

Ten-year-old Tian Jun rescued a blood-covered boy and hid him in her room, secretly saving food for him every day. The boy also gave Tian Jun some pointers on martial arts.

A few days later, the boy left without saying goodbye, taking with him one hundred coins that the Tian family had hung on the roof beam, and leaving a note: "I have run out of travel money and do not wish to steal, so I have borrowed this temporarily. I will repay you a thousandfold in the future."

If the story ended here, it would just be a tale of a farmer and a snake. Tian Jun was then subjected to a severe scolding from her grandfather and aunt.

But a month later, a hundred strings of cash suddenly appeared in the Tian family's storage room, which was equivalent to a full twenty months' salary for Captain Tian.

One hundred strings of copper coins weighed over five hundred catties, and no one knew how these coins were transported in silently.

Team Leader Tian's anger instantly turned to joy, and he shouted for a long time that his fourth sister should marry such a good husband.

But after inquiring everywhere, they couldn't find any news of the boy, and with their daughter still young, the Tian family gradually forgot about the matter. Occasionally, when it was mentioned, they would sigh and say that perhaps that handsome young man was truly a fox spirit repaying a debt of gratitude.

“I guessed you must have had something important to do at the time…” Tian Jun sighed, “Who is your enemy?”

“Kang Chengxun,” Yang Xingmi coldly uttered these three words: “He embezzled my grandfather’s war merits and even killed someone to cover it up.”

Kang Chengxun was the old general who once led the suppression of the uprising of Pang Xun, the leader of the Ming Cult.

All four generals participated in that battle. Kang Chengxun only received credit for overall command, but the Pang Xun Rebellion, which once shook the world, was indeed crushed by this man.

It is not surprising that Kang Chengxun did such a thing—haven't there been few "famous generals" with similar misdeeds in the Tang Dynasty over the years?
Zhu Wen pondered for a moment: "So the mutiny in Hedong ten years ago was actually orchestrated by Brother Yang?"

Ten years ago, Kang Chuangui, the military governor of Hedong, and his entire family were killed in a mutiny. He and dozens of his personal guards were hacked to pieces by the mutinous soldiers, and their mansion was looted. The court did not dare to carry out a major punishment, but only executed the ringleaders, and issued an order that "the killing of the military governor was a temporary act, and everyone should be at peace and not worry." Yang Xingmi calmly said, "Kang Chengxun killed my father, so I will kill his only son and his entire family, so that he, an old man, will bury his young son."

Tian Jun asked, "Who were the people who chased you back then...?"

“Kang Chengxun, that old scoundrel, was attacking Pang Xun at the time, but he had already discovered clues about my actions. However, at first he thought I was going to assassinate his son.”

Zhu Wen nodded: "Kang Chengxun is trapped on the battlefield in Xuzhou and cannot get away, which is indeed an excellent opportunity."

"After leaving the Tian family, I set a trap to kill those who were following me. I also met a group of friends in Hedong who were dissatisfied with Kang Chuangui. We plotted and instigated a mutiny to wipe out Kang Chuangui's entire family. As for that scapegoat, he was not familiar with me. He was convinced that the court would appoint him as the acting governor."

There are always some fools in this world who are willing to take the blame.

Yang Xingmi then said to Tian Jun, "The gold and silk have all been divided up by the officers and soldiers, leaving me with only heavy copper coins. Li Chengsi and Shi Yan specially sent me a carriage for this purpose. When I passed through Weizhou, I took advantage of the night to move most of the copper coins to your storage room."

It seems that Yang Xingmi was already quite strong and agile ten years ago.

"When I was a teenager, I certainly didn't do anything as heroic as Brother Yang," Zhu Wen exclaimed.

He valued keeping his promises above life and death. He always repaid kindness and avenged wrongs. Yang Xingmi acted with remarkable magnanimity and grandeur.

Tian Jun didn't know what to say for a moment.

Zhu Wen smoothed things over, saying, "Since you two are old acquaintances, I won't hold it against you this time. But if Brother Yang says anything strange in front of me again, don't blame me for popping your eyes out."

A smile appeared on Yang Xingmi's usually icy face, indicating that he was quite satisfied with Zhu Wen's words.

As they parted, Yang Xingmi suddenly took out an iron flute and played a farewell tune, which sounded like the roar of a dragon in the ocean, without a trace of gentleness, but rather like the heroic spirit of a raging sandstorm.

After the song ended, Yang Xingmi recited loudly: "Mounting the horse without grasping the whip, he breaks off a willow branch instead. Sitting on the seat, he plays the long flute, making the traveler sad."

Zhu Wen had heard his master Huang Chao recite this set of poems from the Northern Dynasties, so he naturally knew that Yang Xingmi's key point lay in the last poem.

"A strong rider needs a fast horse, and a fast horse needs a strong rider. Let's ride through the yellow dust and then decide who is the best!"

Before Yang Xingmi could speak, Zhu Wen filled in the second half of the poem, his eyes gleaming and his tone full of heroic spirit.

Their eyes met in mid-air, and they burst into laughter in unison.

Is it not a great joy to have such a confidant as a future rival?
Yang Xingmi bowed in farewell, his black robes fluttering as he drifted away.

Zhu Wen watched Yang Xingmi's figure disappear into the mountains and valleys.

Tian Jun suddenly pressed her delicate body against him: "Zhu Lang, hug me."

Her tan skin couldn't hide the intense wine red hue, and her hazy, slightly drunken demeanor only made her more alluring.

"Are you afraid I'll suspect you, so you want to prove yourself?" Zhu Wen said, "I'm not that petty."

"So what if it is?" Tian Jun sighed. "Right now, I really want you to hold me. Let's just go back to Baiyun Temple like this."

It seems that Zhu Wen isn't petty, which is why she's bothered and afraid that he doesn't care about her enough.

Zhu Wen had no choice but to put one arm around her back and lift her up by her knees with the other, so that he could hold Tian Jun in his arms. In an instant, the soft, fragrant body of her was in his embrace.

Tian Jun rested her head on Zhu Wen's shoulder with satisfaction.

"Before we get back to the camp, I want you to hold me the whole time, even when we're sleeping." Tian Jun's spoiled attitude kicked in: "The horse can't carry me, so we'll take a carriage back."

"Whatever you say." Zhu Wen didn't like showing affection in front of others, but Tian Jun seemed to like it.

This action will only make Lan Suting less happy, but she should have been mentally prepared for it.

The adventure on Mount Tai has now come to an end. Zhu Wen is about to return to his campaigns of conquest.

The road south was both difficult and long, and its dangers were self-evident.

But as the saying goes—one man must die, but ten cannot withstand him; a hundred must die, but a thousand cannot withstand him; a thousand must die, but ten thousand cannot withstand him; ten thousand must die, and he will roam the world unchallenged.

Along the way, the soldiers of the Grass Army had defeated so many powerful enemies and created too many miracles. With everyone united as one, Zhu Wen felt that there was no obstacle that could not be overcome.

(End of this chapter)