The rebel army's foremost master craftsman forged a million iron pylons!

Hearing that they had come to apologize, Li Tian was somewhat surprised, but he thought that Qiao Sanniang's matter could not be delayed any longer and a solution had to be found.

Anyway, Wolf Head Fortress is their own territory, so they're not afraid of whatever tricks Lai Sheng wants to play.

"Lower the suspension bridge!" Li Tian ordered Zhao Yong, who was standing beside him.

Crunch!Crunch!

As the winch turned, the suspension bridge was slowly lowered.

Lai Sheng entered with a dark face. In his eyes, Li Tian's group of soldiers guarding the fort were no different from the refugees, just a bunch of shrimp soldiers and crab generals. He didn't even care about Master Zhou, let alone him.

I've come here today with money to apologize; I'm truly aggrieved.

"Lai Sheng has met with Corporal Li!"

The two sides met in the small courtyard. Qiao Sanniang had been instructed by Li Tian to hide early on. Lai Sheng bowed to Li Tian and then took out the silver that Master Zhou had given him.

"My master Zhou said that the brothers have come all the way from Nankai City, braving the wind and sun, and this two hundred taels of silver is a tribute to them."

"However, my master Zhou also said that he knows Qiao Sanniang is in Wolf Head Fortress, and he hopes that Li Wuzhang can give him face and hand over Qiao Sanniang."

After saying this, Lai Sheng straightened his back and looked at Li Tian. He still maintained that Li Tian was nothing more than a lowly border soldier in his eyes.

Li Tian took the silver. It was heavy in his hand. He weighed it in his hand and found it to be about two hundred taels, enough for his brothers to live on for a while.

This was the normal life of the border troops at that time. The military pay was not necessarily generous, but the local gentry and chieftains would often send some tribute, depending on which piece of land you were assigned to.

"I'm grateful for your kind offer, Master Zhou." Li Tian smiled slightly. "I'll personally deliver some game to you when I hunt some in the mountains another day."

Li Tian didn't know what Master Zhou was planning, but since the money had been delivered, he couldn't keep a straight face, so his words were quite sincere.

Lai Sheng's heart warmed, and he immediately asked, "What about Qiao San Niang?"

"What, Qiao San Niang?" Li Tian asked, puzzled. "Steward Lai, is there some misunderstanding? Didn't I tell you that Qiao San Niang isn't at my Wolf Head Fortress?"

"You bastard..." Lai Sheng felt a surge of anger. Li Tian, ​​how dare you take the money and not do the job? All that hard-earned money has gone to waste.

"Master Zhou's money isn't so easy to take!"

Lai Sheng made a sinister threat, then put on an arrogant expression.

"My master Zhou also said that if Li Wuzhang refuses to hand over Qiao Sanniang, he will bring the money to my Zhou family village this afternoon to redeem Qiao Sanniang's indenture."

"That woman was bought by Old Master Zhou for three hundred taels of silver; that money can't be wasted!"

The meaning was quite clear: Master Zhou not only wanted to take back all two hundred taels of silver he had given him, but he also wanted Master Zhou to pay an additional one hundred taels before the matter would be considered settled.

Li Tianxin knew that although it was a chaotic time, there were still certain laws in place, especially since Nankai City was the rear area of ​​the righteous army.

This week, Master Zhou has become very close to the generals in the rebel army. If he cannot get back the indenture, Qiao San Niang will never be free.

"Alright, then at noon today, I will personally go to your Zhou Family Village to retrieve Qiao San Niang's indenture."

After careful consideration, Li Tian agreed to go. Upon hearing this, Lai Sheng visibly breathed a sigh of relief, and without even bowing, turned and left.

As far as he was concerned, he was just there to deliver a message. What Master Zhou would do next was none of his business. However, Li Tian's ungrateful behavior today had made him grit his teeth in hatred.

"Li Tian, ​​let's see when you die!" Lai Sheng cursed inwardly.

Crunch!Crunch!

The drawbridge at Wolf's Head Castle was raised again to welcome and send off visitors; this is a daily routine at Wolf's Head Castle.

Although the military camp had made Wolf Head Fortress a place of great renown, Li Tian felt it was no different from a vacation.

"Sergeant Li, what should we do about this?"

As soon as Lai Sheng left, Wu Laoliu, Zhao Erbao and the others came out of the house. They had heard the conversation between Li Tian and Lai Sheng clearly. Since Li Tian insisted on protecting Qiao Sanniang, then Qiao Sanniang was one of their own.

Of course, you can't send your own people to foreign affairs.

"Since Master Zhou has kindly invited us, let's go to Zhou Family Village and take a look, and while we're at it, let's resolve this matter for Third Sister."

Li Tian laughed.

"Are we really going to give them three hundred taels of silver?" Wu Laoliu was a little unhappy. As a carpenter and the head steward of Wolf Head Fortress's finances, it was absolutely impossible for him to take out silver.

"There's no need for silver." Li Tian smiled and shook his head. "I heard that Master Zhou is in the salt and iron business. I have a way to make him earn ten times more than three hundred taels of silver."

"This connection is enough to get back Qiao San Niang's indenture."

Three thousand taels of silver!

Hearing this, Wu Laoliu and the others were somewhat surprised, but no one asked any further questions. They now had an almost blind trust in Li Tian, ​​and they would do whatever Li Tian told them to do.

It wasn't just because Li Tian killed six imperial cavalrymen, but also because the weapons he forged earned their complete trust. In this chaotic world, nothing is more important than following a good leader.

Following a good leader is like having several extra lives.

"Who's coming with me this afternoon?"

At this moment, Li Tian suddenly asked a question.

"I'll go!"

"I know the roads in Zhoujiazhuang well, I'll be the corporal's guide."

Zhao Yong stepped forward. He knew his own identity. Ever since he participated in the assassination of Li Tian and was pardoned by Li Tian, ​​he had been out of place in this team. Now was the perfect opportunity to break the ice.

Li Tian glanced at Zhao Yong, who was about 1.78 meters tall and rather thin, but with bulging muscles on his bare arms and calluses on his hands.

Especially around the base of the thumb, the calluses are an inch thick, which must be due to holding a knife for a long time.

"Alright, the rest of you stay at the camp to guard it. I'm going to Zhoujiazhuang with Zhao Yong now."

After making some arrangements, Li Tian and Zhao Yong set off for Zhoujiazhuang.

They didn't ride horses, because Zhoujiazhuang was only a dozen or so miles away, which could be reached on foot.

The sun was high in the sky. Li Tian and Zhao Yong walked side by side. Li Tian carried his broadsword on his back and his crossbow was hanging on his right arm.

Zhao Yong carried a large bow on his back, a quiver at his waist, and a ring-pommel sword on his right side.

The two walked at a leisurely pace.

Before long, they arrived at a place surrounded by mountains. It seemed to be a valley, with mountains on both sides and a road in the middle. A cool breeze blew by, which was more refreshing for the two people who were traveling in the hot weather than eating an ice pop in June.

Li Tian looked around, took the large sword off his back and placed it on the ground, then said to Zhao Yong.

"Zhao Yong, we're only two miles from Zhoujiazhuang. Sit down and rest for a bit."

Zhao Yong looked around and, finding no danger, took off his ring-pommel sword and sat down next to Li Tian on a large blue stone.