Chapter 141

The escort team continued on their journey and only slowed down slightly when night fell. They arrived at a village in the countryside to lodge for the night. How could there be an inn in the village?

Only the members of the escort team pitched their own tents and set up a camp.

Zhang Xiaohua pulled Zhang Xiaohu aside in private and whispered a lot to him. Zhang Xiaohu smiled and patted his head, saying, "It should be fine here. Look, we've set up camp at the entrance of the village. It's densely populated here, so even if someone harbored evil intentions, they would have their reservations. Besides, it's only our first day out, so of course we'll be vigilant and be careful. If I were to rob someone, I would definitely choose a deserted area in the next few days."

Zhang Xiaohu paused for a moment before continuing, "Also, this route has been taken by the people of the escort agency in the past. The campsites along the way have all been used in the past. Don't be fooled by how fast the convoy is moving today. In fact, we've been controlling our speed. If there are no other accidents, the entire situation will be under our control. Moreover, don't be fooled by Escort Leader Luo's laziness. He's actually an expert in the escort agency. He's extremely experienced."

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua's indignant expression, he said, "Alright, just wait and see if you don't believe me. It's a good opportunity for you to learn more. When you grow up, you can also become an escort leader in the agency.

Oh, right, we've been busy these few days. How's your wound? "

Zhang Xiaohua rolled up her sleeves. Her wound was almost healed. Zhang Xiaohu was relieved and said, "It's good to be a child. If it's an adult, you'll have to rest for a few more days."

Then, he thought of something and asked, "Also, Xiaohua, your right hand …"

Zhang Xiaohua knew that her second brother was thinking about her injury. She smiled and said, "It's almost healed. I feel that the fingers on my right hand are more nimble now and I can use some strength. It seems like I'm just short of being able to clench my fist completely."

After he finished speaking, he raised his right hand and reluctantly made a fist in front of Zhang Xiaohu. When Zhang Xiaohu saw this, he repeatedly said, "Good, good." His eyes were wet.

Thinking about it, it made sense. She brought her younger brother out to mingle, and because of her, her younger brother's right hand was crippled. No matter how she looked at it, her younger brother's right hand was obviously getting better, and it seemed that it would soon recover to its original state. How could she still be as calm as water?

Surging emotions was the right way to go!

At the same time, he also had a trace of worry in his heart. The doctor who looked at Zhang Xiaohua's hand was a veteran doctor of the Lotus Escort Agency. He had been in the agency for several decades and had treated countless injuries, bones, pulses, and internal and external injuries. His eyesight was extremely accurate. He had said before that Zhang Xiaohua's hand would never recover. Naturally, this was the accumulation of several decades of experience, so it couldn't be wrong. He didn't know if his younger brother's recovery had exceeded his expectations, or if Zhang Xiaohua's hand had already recovered to the point where it couldn't be recovered anymore?

However, Zhang Xiaohu immediately calmed down. No matter how the doctor looked at it, Zhang Xiaohua had already recovered to such an extent that it had greatly exceeded his expectations. Whether or not he could practice the fist technique was another matter. At least in the future, he wouldn't have any problems. Finally, Zhang Xiaohu's heart relaxed a little.

After exhorting Zhang Xiaohua a few more words, Zhang Xiaohu went to busy himself with his own matters.

The escort team set up camp in an extremely methodical manner. It didn't take long for them to get up. Zhang Xiaohua didn't help at all. After asking about Zhang Xiaohu's tent, Zhang Xiaohua took some things from the carriage and put them all into the tent.

Not long after, Yuan Changqing came to call Zhang Xiaohua. Ever since he found out that Zhang Xiaohua's food allowance was going to be deducted, Yuan Changqing took even more care of Zhang Xiaohua. Whenever there was something to eat or drink, Zhang Xiaohua would look for him. Naturally, Zhang Xiaohua didn't stand on ceremony and followed Yuan Changqing to eat and drink.

That night, Zhang Xiaohua slept very soundly. When the sun rose and he opened his eyes, the first thing he said was, "Second Brother, was there a robbery last night?"

Zhang Xiaohu didn't know whether to laugh or cry when he heard that. He knocked him on the head and scolded jokingly, "Are you still sleeping?!"

After breakfast, the escort team set up camp and continued on their journey.

More than ten days had passed, but there were no signs of robbery. They didn't even have the chance to camp out in the open. Zhang Xiaohua became increasingly suspicious. If Ou Yan hadn't taken the shortcut that day, would others have had the opportunity to sneak up on their campsite?

The further north they went, the colder the weather became. The cold wind on the road also became stronger. The huge triangular flag embroidered with the word "Lotus" crackled in the wind.

On this day, they happened to be traveling on one of the few mountain roads. The escort team had already slowed down and was advancing slowly.

Zhang Xiaohu also stayed behind and followed Zhang Xiaohua's carriage slowly.

Zhang Xiaohua looked at the snow-covered shrubs on both sides of the road in boredom. She thought to herself, "Isn't this the perfect environment for a robbery?

Will the mountain bandits appear? "

Just as she was thinking, she heard a hurried sound of a gong. A loud voice shouted in front of them, "I planted this tree and opened this mountain. If you want to pass through here, you have to pay the toll!"

Zhang Xiaohua's eyes lit up and she shouted, "Someone is robbing us?!"

Zhang Xiaohu glared at Zhang Xiaohua helplessly and said, "Why are you so happy when you hear that someone is going to rob us?"

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said, "We met some mountain bandits last time. There were more than ten of them and they played with us in a best of three. It was quite fun. Besides, don't we have dozens of people in our escort team?

Why would we be afraid of them?

Wouldn't we be able to defeat them in a few moves? "

"Gosh ~" Zhang Xiaohu thought to himself, "So Xiaohua wants to watch the show."

Zhang Xiaohu rebuked, "Last time, you encountered a dozen or so bandits. You can't say that there are only a dozen bandits. Although our escort team has a lot of people, if there are hundreds of bandits, how can we deal with them?

Didn't you and I end up as captives? "

"Ah ~ I see." Zhang Xiaohua exclaimed, "Then what should we do?

Who knows how many bandits there are? Are there any strong ones that even Second Brother can't defeat? "

At this moment, Zhang Xiaohu comforted him, "Xiaohua, sit in the car. I'll take a look in front. I think Escort Leader Luo has already gone over."

Zhang Xiaohua was not obedient and begged, "Second Brother, take me with you. I want to see the mountain bandits that only appear once in a hundred years. Is that okay?" She was actually acting coquettishly as she spoke.

Zhang Xiaohu looked at this younger brother that he doted on. He thought for a moment and said, "Alright, come and sit behind me. But remember, when we get there, don't say a word."

Zhang Xiaohua immediately jumped down from the car and ran in front of Zhang Xiaohu's horse. Zhang Xiaohu bent down and reached out to grab his hand. With a tug, he pulled him up and made him sit behind him. Then, he whipped his horse and slowly walked to the front of the convoy.

The convoy of twenty carriages was quite long. The escorts and guards of the escort agency were all armed and protected the convoy tightly. No one was like Zhang Xiaohua who went to the front to watch the show.

Zhang Xiaohu whipped his horse and walked to the front of the convoy. He was not in a hurry to go forward. There was an empty space in front of the convoy and a few escorts had already rushed over. Escort Leader Luo, who usually looked lazy, was riding at the front of the convoy. He kicked a long spear in his hand and looked calmly ahead.

Zhang Xiaohua secretly poked her head out from under Second Brother's armpit and carefully looked forward. When she saw the situation clearly, she couldn't help but gasp.

Unlike the last time, there were more than ten people and a few horses.

In front of the convoy, there were over a dozen burly men holding various weapons sitting on tall horses. They looked at them coldly, and behind the horses, there were over a dozen burly men who were also holding weapons. They all stood calmly, as if they were in a neat formation. They did not have the laziness of the bandits that he saw last time. Moreover, what made Zhang Xiaohua the most nervous was that there seemed to be many people hidden in the trees on both sides. They seemed to be surrounding the entire convoy.

Zhang Xiaohua asked softly, "Second Brother, what should we do?

There are so many people, I don't think we can fight them. Should we start fighting?

You have to be careful, why aren't you holding a weapon? "

At this moment, Zhang Xiaohu seemed to be unusually quiet. He said softly, "Xiaohua, don't say anything. Just watch quietly."

Zhang Xiaohua immediately shut her mouth when she heard this.

Indeed, at this moment, Escort Leader Luo, who was standing in front of the convoy, moved. He shook the reins and let the horse slowly move forward until it reached the center of the empty space. Then, he cupped his fists and said, "May I know who are the people in front of us? Please come forward and speak."

Hearing this, a red-faced, square-faced man among the mountain bandits on the opposite side also urged his horse to move forward. The two horses only stopped when they were close enough. That person also cupped his fists and returned the greeting. "I am Yang Shuo, the Big Boss of Withered Grass Mountain. May I know how to address you?"

Escort Leader Luo said, "I am Luo Ruihe, the Escort Leader of Lotus Escort Agency in Ping Yang City. My bodyguard is just passing by, please be magnanimous."

The leader of the mountain frowned and said loudly, "Oh, so it's a friend from Misty School from afar. Please hold the flag and take a look."

When Escort Leader Luo heard that he had met the person in question, he was happy to follow the rules of the underworld. He said, "Chief Yang, please wait a moment."

Then, he turned his horse back and walked to the front of the convoy. He shouted, "Please hold the flag!"

Thus, the two escorts beside the first carriage dismounted from their horses and came to the front of the carriage. They respectfully took down the escort flag from the carriage and walked to Escort Leader Luo's horse to hand the flag to him. Escort Leader Luo held the flagpole with both hands and waved it in the air. Then, he turned his horse and returned to the empty space in the center of the convoy. Chief Yang, who had been waiting for Escort Leader Luo, examined the escort flag carefully and nodded. Then, he cupped his fists at the escort flag and said with a smile, "You are indeed a friend from Misty School. This Yang has neglected you. If you have time, please come to the stronghold for a chat."

Escort Leader Luo smiled and said, "Of course, of course. I came and went in a hurry today and didn't have time. If I pass by next time, I will definitely pay you a visit."

Chief Yang said, "Then please have a safe journey, Escort Leader Luo. This is the token of our stronghold. You may travel for five hundred miles."

Then, he shook his hand and threw a small token over. Escort Leader Luo smiled and said, "Thank you very much. There is a small token of our appreciation on the back. Please accept it, Chief Yang."

Chief Yang nodded and said, "Thank you, Escort Leader Luo.

This one will not see you off. Have a safe journey. "

Then, he cupped his fists again and returned to his camp. He said a few words to the people behind him and the dozen or so horses followed him back into the forest.

Escort Leader Luo also turned his horse back when he saw the bandits leave. He gave a few instructions to the escorts behind him and then gestured for the convoy to continue moving.

Zhang Xiaohu saw the convoy move and brought Zhang Xiaohua back to the back of the carriage. However, Zhang Xiaohua refused to get down and clung to Second Brother's horse. Zhang Xiaohu said helplessly, "Let's ride for a while more. When I reach the front, you have to return to the carriage."

Zhang Xiaohua nodded profusely.

By the time Zhang Xiaohua and the convoy passed through the empty space, the entire convoy had already passed by. Zhang Xiaohua saw the escort that Escort Leader Luo had instructed earlier with a bag of items in his hand. He rode to the bandit's side and handed it to a bandit who was guarding there. The bandit took the bag and weighed it in his hand. He smiled and cupped his fists at the escort before he left. The escort immediately rode back to the front of the convoy.

Zhang Xiaohua was puzzled. She asked Zhang Xiaohu in a low voice, "Second Brother, why is this robbery so strange?

They don't kill each other, and they don't even play two out of three games. Why did they just let it pass? "

Zhang Xiaohu smiled and said, "What do you think robbery is?

Is it just fighting and killing? "

Zhang Xiaohua said, "If they don't fight and kill, how are they going to wait for the loot?"

Zhang Xiaohu was not surprised and said, "Haha, there's nothing strange about it. I thought the same as you at first. The first time I encountered a robbery, I was so nervous that I was sweating. But after a few more times, it's always been the same. All bark and no bite. Only now do I understand what's going on."

Zhang Xiaohua asked curiously, "Is there an inside story?"

Zhang Xiaohu smiled and said, "Actually, it's very simple. Bandits rob people for nothing more than money, and there's a method to it as well. If they just fight and kill, they'll be at a disadvantage. As the ancients say, killing a thousand people will hurt eight hundred of your own men. There's a price to pay for killing. If you can get ten thousand guans of riches for each kill, then it's naturally worth it. But where would you find such a good business?

Let's not talk about this road of yours. If people often die here, the merchants in the future will take a detour. If they don't take this road, won't you lose your source of income?

Moreover, every time you fight and kill, how many brothers do you have to risk their lives for?

Therefore, robbing also requires skill. If you can avoid fighting, then don't fight. Even if you don't get much money each time, as long as you get something every time, then won't you be able to make a long-term profit? "

Zhang Xiaohua nodded thoughtfully and said to herself, "As the ancients say, there are three hundred and sixty professions, and every profession produces its own master. As a bandit, you also need to have a professional eye."

Zhang Xiaohu continued, "When merchants travel on the road, they're usually aware of the risks. If they don't have much money, then they're naturally not too afraid of bandits. When they encounter bandits, they just have to offer some money.

If they have a lot of money, then they'll have to find someone to protect them. An escort agency just happens to be doing this kind of business.

Bodyguards of an escort agency followed the same logic as bandits robbing. Both of them had to pay attention to harmony and wealth. If one were to blindly use force, then the bandits would not be able to get along with you. Then, the escort agency would cease to operate because it would not be able to withstand constant fighting and killing. Therefore, the most important thing in an escort agency was to maintain one's reputation.

If your reputation is big enough, then many bandits will know your signboard. Naturally, they'll look out for each other when they encounter you. "

"Look out for each other?" Zhang Xiaohu was a little stunned.

"Yes, look out for each other. In other words, the escort agency will give the bandits some money according to the value of their bodyguard's belongings as payment for passage. The bandits will accept it with a smile and let you go. Just like today, you didn't have to worry about being harassed by bandits for five hundred li," Zhang Xiaohu explained.

Zhang Xiaohua didn't understand and said, "Second Brother, when you put it that way, it sounds like we're friends."

Zhang Xiaohu blinked and said, "Snakes and rats are a family. Hehe, that's how it is."

Zhang Xiaohua asked again, "If there's no escort agency's protection, then what if the merchants are willing to give so much money?"

Zhang Xiaohu smiled and said, "If there's no escort agency's protection, then the merchants are like a piece of braised pork. Who wouldn't want to eat them in one bite? Why would they care about the little benefits you give them?"

Zhang Xiaohua asked again, "Then there were so many bandits just now. If they all came at once, then our escort agency probably wouldn't have been able to deal with them. Wouldn't they have eaten them all in one bite?

Even if there were some casualties, it would have been worth it. "

Zhang Xiaohu smiled and said, "Then we'll have to talk about another aspect. There are big and small escort agencies and their strength is uneven. If it were a small escort agency, then there would naturally be this risk. However, our Lotus Flower Escort Agency is backed by the Misty School. To put it bluntly, we're just a tool for the Misty School to amass wealth in the escort agency. They might be able to eat up the entire convoy, but then they would have to face the Misty School's thunderous retaliation.

That Misty School is a famous sect in the jianghu. They could just casually send some of their disciples to wipe out the entire nest of bandits. How would they have the guts to do that? "

Zhang Xiaohu became excited as he spoke. He swallowed his saliva and continued, "There's another point. For these bandits to be able to take over the mountain and call themselves kings, they can't do without the support of the nearby jianghu sects. And this sect should have an escort agency similar to the Lotus Flower Escort Agency. If they don't give us face, not only can the Misty School eliminate these bandits, they can also know the bandits within their sphere of influence and rob and kill their escort agency."

Zhang Xiaohua nodded and said, "I understand. Actually, to put it bluntly, martial strength is still the most important thing. If you're strong, then everyone can talk it out and part ways. Harmony breeds wealth. If you're weak, then you can only swallow your broken front teeth.

That's right, does that mean that the bandits of Xi Cui Mountain are backed by the Misty School? "

Zhang Xiaohu smiled and said, "I don't know about that. But Xi Cui Mountain is too small. Even if they want to rely on the Misty School, the Misty School won't pay them any attention."

Zhang Xiaohua sighed and said, "Ai, this jianghu is too complicated. It's really hard to explain."

Then, Zhang Xiaohua said happily, "If that's the case, then wouldn't the escorts of your escort agency be very safe? You don't have to risk your lives?"

Zhang Xiaohu smiled bitterly and said, "How can it be as free and unfettered as you say?

There will always be bandits who don't know their limits and come to rob us. Being an escort agency is a profession that licks blood from the edge of the blade. Don't you see that the agency has to recruit new bodyguards and escorts every year?

Then where did the old people go?

But I'm only an escort right now. It's not my turn to do these kinds of things. "

Zhang Xiaohua listened and was silent in her heart.

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