My country, you can pinch it

Shamen Pass is not the biggest pass in Dashun, but it is the most dangerous one, because the other side is the Xiongnu who are watching.

The Marquis of Xiling, who was stationed at Shamen Pass and kept the Xiongnu out, was the hero of the entire Northwest. In this area, Marquis Xiling's reputation was even louder than that of the emperor.

It is a pity that there is no successor in Xilinghou's mansion. His son either died in battle, or died of illness early due to his injuries, leaving behind only a few girls. .

As for women, no matter how loud they blow, how can they be compared with men? I'm afraid that the Marquis of Xiling deliberately created momentum in order to frighten the world, after all, he is already old.

Zhao Bufan naturally thought so too, but today's battle directly told him what a frog in a well is.

"I'm ignorant and ignorant." Zhao Bufan admired, but then he hesitated.

"Just say what you have to say."

Zhao Bufan: "Yes, I think that no matter how powerful General Shang is, he commands the refugees like magic soldiers, but this is not a confrontation between two armies. In Yongliang City, Lu Wanshan has plenty of ways to immobilize you and these refugees!"

Liu Ke smiled, "Why did I want to move him in the city?"

"That……"

"Naturally, we should end him as soon as we meet, so as not to let the tiger go back to the mountain." Fang Jinling added with a smile.

Zhao Bufan was startled, he thought quickly, and soon understood Liu Ke's plan.

King Ning is coming, Zhizhou has to welcome him no matter what, it is indeed the best opportunity to move Lu Wanshan, but...

"Even if he deserves to be hacked to death, he can be an official of the court. Even if His Highness is a lord, he cannot be executed at will. Although this move is very satisfying, it is difficult to convince the public in the end. If his old department is in trouble because of this, His Highness will rely on these refugees. What about a mere thousand soldiers? Don’t forget that the Zhang family and the Hu people will definitely be in the way, not to mention impeachment to the imperial court, it will be a future trouble for His Highness.”

Before he knew it, Zhao Bufan was already thinking from Liu Ke's point of view.

Fang Jinling and Liu Ke glanced at each other, obviously the person who wanted to kill Lu Wanshan the most was Zhao Xiucai, but unexpectedly, it was he who persuaded Liu Ke to think twice.

"Then what should Zhao Xiucai mean?" Fang Jinling asked.

Zhao Bufan said: "Naturally, the evidence of the crime is convincing, leaving people speechless, so even if he is killed, His Highness will act on behalf of the heavens, and there is nothing to blame. This is the evidence..."

Liu Ke took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it over, "Look."

Zhao Bufan took it over and took a look, then looked at Liu Ke in surprise, "It turns out that His Highness has already prepared."

Liu Ke twitched the corners of his mouth, looked at the smiling Fang Jinling and said, "This was written by Lingling. I didn't expect it to be so thoughtful."

Zhao Bufan immediately looked at Fang Jinling with admiration, and the latter said with a smile: "Speaking of which, this should have been prepared for you. If the suppression cannot be suppressed, we will use this as a negotiation. Please raise your hand and let us go under the city gate. Lu Wanshan's head is regarded as sincerity, I did not expect my sister to be so brave."

Zhao Bufan was startled when he heard this, and raised his hand, "You are actually the son of the Shang family?"

Fang Jinling replied: "I originally followed my sisters back to the Xilinghou Mansion, but I was weak so I rubbed against His Highness's carriage along the road."

"I see."

Fang Jinling asked, "How does Zhao Xiucai feel?"

Zhao Bufan carefully looked at the listed criminal evidence, and said: "Although the criminal evidence is detailed, it lacks sufficient evidence. It is not difficult for Wanmin to petition. Your Highness wants to bring Lu Wanshan to justice. These refugees are definitely rushing to stamp their fingerprints, but... ..." Zhao Bufan sighed, "In order to enter the city, hundreds of refugees were shot and killed under the city wall. I saw many of them, but so what, this order can be passed on to the mob to endanger Yongliang City and gather people to riot. If you have to order, you can get away with it.”

"Zhao Xiucai has great insight."

"The People's Petition and us can be the icing on the cake, and Lu Wanshan can make things worse, but it can't be a fatal blow."

A grass bandit in the winter almost wiped out all his will and persistence. He finally met the Ming Lord. Such a good opportunity was in sight, and he could avenge his wife and sister, but...he could not help but squeeze the paper in his hand, There was a deep unwillingness in his eyes.

Seeing this, Fang Jinling said, "There is another one, that raising bandits is a capital crime."

Zhao Bufan nodded: "Everyone knows, but it doesn't mean they can be convicted."

"Then what if we can find evidence?" Fang Jinling said, looking at the exiles, "I heard that the fourth and fifth sisters shot and killed several bandit leaders, but I believe there are still many among them. Zhao Xiucai should be able to recognize some of them." Come on."

When Zhao Bufan heard this, he immediately frowned and said, "But His Highness once said that if you forgive the sins of all the refugees, you must break your promise?"

Fang Jinling was taken aback when he heard this, and couldn't help but said: "Isn't it just forgiving the crime of offending His Highness? The previous burning, killing, looting, murder and robbery should be investigated or not."

Liu Ke was about to explain, when he heard this, he laughed immediately: "That's right, Ling Ling still understands brother." He took a deep look at Fang Jinling, and then his eyes fell on the refugees, with disgust in his eyes, and said coldly, "The refugees were killed Forced to be helpless, it’s fine to turn grass into a bandit, but those gutter rats are doing this kind of head-losing thing, why should I forgive you? Scholar, what do you think?”

"Your Highness is wise, I just heard that you intend to find them all?"

"What's so good about voluntarily being a bandit?" Liu Ke hesitated as he spoke, "I'm afraid it won't be so easy to find out."

Fang Jinling said: "This cold and famine has starved countless refugees to death, but these bandits must have no shortage of food and clothing. Just look at their appearance, as long as they are strong, ferocious, with countless scars, and they have swords in their hands. Thick cocoons can probably confirm that they are real bandits."

Liu Ke said: "My lord asked Luo Yun to specifically ask the soldiers to pay attention to this kind of person during the inspection. When the time comes..."

However, Zhao Xiucai said: "Shang Xiaogong is right. It is true that the bandits do not lack food and clothing. The appearance is just in case. And..." He said here, only a wry smile, "How to distinguish between refugees and bandits, some refugees are no different from bandits."

Thinking of the dozens of corpses of merchants lying under the col, the topic became unreasonably heavy.

Fang Jinling said: "Even if you want to accept him, you can't have this kind of person, otherwise you will be like a black sheep, dragging down the entire team..."

Before he could finish speaking, a gust of wind suddenly blew, and in an instant, Liu Ke pulled him into his arms, and the wind lifted their cloaks, intertwining them together.

Everyone's eyes were squinted, only Fang Jinling had a sore nose, staring at the golden dragon embroidery in front of him in a daze.

After a while, when the strong wind passed, everyone regained their strength.

"Oh, it's getting late, Your Highness, it's cold and windy here, why don't you go back to the camp first." Xiao Tuanzi waved the wind and sand in front of him, and couldn't help persuading him.

"Young Master Shang is not in good health. It is true that you should not stay for long. Nothing will happen to the refugees for the time being. Your Highness can rest assured." Zhao Xiucai turned his back to the wind just now, and now he slowly turned around.

Then they saw two people embracing each other, er, specifically Liu Ke held Fang Jinling's head and buried him in his arms, firmly protecting them.

For some reason, Zhao Xiucai felt strange when he thought of Liu Ke's natural greeting and support when Fang Jinling came, and seeing his current posture.

This must be too good...

"Your Highness, let me go. The wind has passed, and the young master cannot be blown." Xiaotuanzi hurried over to dust off Liu Ke's body.

Liu Key let go according to his words, lowered his head and asked, "Ling Ling, are you alright?"

Fang Jinling raised his head slowly, looked into Liu Ke's concerned eyes, and then shook his head slightly.

In fact, Liu Ke used too much force just now, causing his nose to hit his hard chest directly, and it still hurts sorely, but Fang Jinling was not so ignorant, and instead comforted: "I'm fine, thank you Your Highness...cough cough... "

Suddenly, his throat felt dry and itchy. Although he hadn't eaten the wind and sand, the cold wind penetrated through every hole, which had already aroused his weak body, and he started coughing.

Seeing this, Liu Ke frowned deeply, "Let's go, it's time to go back and drink the medicine, we'll talk about other things later. Tuanzi, go get the doctor and show Ling Ling."

"Yes, Your Highness. Young master, you have to take care of your health. The generals entrusted you to His Highness to take care of you. If something happens, you have to blame His Highness?" Xiao Tuanzi was worried, and he supported Fang Jinling with Chang Kong attentively. .

He left the real master behind, and Liu Ke didn't mind. In fact, he really wanted to help, but it's a pity that the public... Forget it.

"Don't talk nonsense, Eunuch Tuan, how can the sisters blame His Highness, they have been taken care of along the way."

Liu Ke retorted: "Hey, Tuanzi's words are not scaremongering. Your sister and the others are willing to help, and it's not because of you. Brother is in your favor."

Zhao Xiu followed behind, and after hearing this, he immediately understood.

The young son of the Shang family is also a think tank who provides advice and advice. It is normal for Ning Wang Lixian to take care of some people.Besides, Fang Jinling is young, so why is it strange that he treats him a little more affectionately as his younger brother?

He shook his head ridiculously, thinking he was thinking something messy.

As the sun set, each of the refugees in the long queue could finally drink the white porridge they longed for. Although it was cold, they licked the bowl as cherished as Zhao Bufan did before handing it to the next person reluctantly. .

Yes, there are too many people, and the bowls are limited. At least ten people eat one bowl in turn.Under the watchful eyes of the soldiers, no one fought for it, and no one wanted to give another bowl because they were not full, but some people refused to eat it.

Wang Mazi deliberately moved to the back. Holding the bowl, he sniffed vigorously, as if the aroma entered the stomach through the nasal cavity, as if he had already drank porridge and enjoyed the taste.

"Let's eat. With His Royal Highness King Ning here, there is still a chance to eat in the future. Don't be reluctant." The soldier who served him the porridge urged with a smile.

Wang Mazi was thin and dark, and the wooden bowl he held was brighter than him. He smelled like a refugee all over his body. What was rare was that his eyes were bright and moist red. He looked around and suddenly knelt down. He stopped: "Master Bing, I implore you..."

Liu Ke and the others walked halfway, but they saw a commotion among the refugees.

"Your Highness!" Luo Yun rushed over with his people, his expression showed a bit of intolerance, hesitation, and pity, and he pointed at the place of commotion...

At this moment, Wang Mazi was kneeling on the ground with the porridge in his hands. The porridge was completely cold, the wind was blowing from the northwest, and it was still covered with a layer of dust. There were people standing around, and some of them were kneeling on the ground obediently like him. Soldiers gathered around with guns in their hands, but they didn't look harshly at them.

When Liu Ke and the others arrived, Shang Chuqing and Shang Xiyun also happened to come here. They met each other, nodded at each other, and then walked in through the soldiers who cleared the way.

As soon as he heard the sound, Wang Mazi raised his head subconsciously, and when he saw the golden dragon in black, he immediately said nervously but humblely: "My lord, I don't want to make trouble, I, I don't drink porridge, I just want to keep it For my wife and children, please!"

As he spoke, he carefully placed the bowl of porridge on the ground, then raised his hands and kowtowed all over again.

There were many men kneeling beside him, some of them had already had porridge, some hadn't, but after what Wang Mazi said, they immediately thought of their family members who were still on the mountain, and started begging.

"I beg my lord to give you a bite. My poor wife hasn't eaten for three days. I won't eat the little one tomorrow. Can you give it to her?"

"My lord, I beg you to show kindness. The little ones are willing to be your cows and horses... Let us bring them here!"

"My lord, I beg you, take them with you and let's go into the city!"

This humble request fell on everyone's ears, and no one reprimanded them, only feeling that waves of sadness came with the dusk.

Everyone looked at Liu Ke, even Shang Chuqing and Shang Xiyun looked over. In this situation, no one knew how to make a choice?

It is already a difficult task to raise tens of thousands of mouths, plus their old and weak women and children, the whole team will be dragged down, but if they give up... the refugees who have finally been appeased will inevitably have twists and turns.

Seeing Liu Ke looking at him, Zhao Xiucai couldn't help sighing softly and nodded: "It's all true."

Prosperity, the people suffer, death, the people suffer.At this moment, Liu Ke finally realized this sentence deeply.