Han Xiufeng and his party rushed to Wanfu Bridge, followed Han Bo, who was guarding Wanfu Bridge, to outside Yangzhou City through Daqiao Town, and found Wang Jiansheng who was guarding outside the city and more than 80 coolies who turned out to be salt in Taiba.

Originally, he planned to let Yu Qinghuai and Li Zhiyong lead the coolies to Yizhen with Wu Wenming, but Wu Wenming saw that the coolies were not only without weapons, but also had pale faces and thin clothes, and looked like beggars, so he regretted it again, saying that he could go back alone. People looked down on him, so Han Xiufeng had no choice but to let Yu Qinghuai and Li Zhiyong take a few family members to Yizhen with him.

After sending Wu Wenming and others away, Han Xiufeng and his party, Han Bo and Zhang Guangcheng's cousin Zhang Guangsheng, rushed to the canal, one by one, three rooms and two rooms, six in front and six in front, and the antique yard. As soon as they walked into the nanmu hall with four pillars and five beams, and octagonal lotus petals and Ruyi pattern stone foundation, Han Xiufeng asked curiously: "Who is this yard?"

"Reported to Mr. Han, this yard is a salt merchant's industry. He goes to our jiaoxichang every year to buy salt. After a while, he becomes friends with his brother. At first, I didn't bother him, and I didn't know that his family was here. I happened to meet him on the road the day before yesterday, and only knew that his family was here, and he planned to take his family to Shao Bo to take his family away for a while, leaving only an old servant to take care of the house." Han Bo turned around and looked at Wang Jiansheng, and then said, "I thought that Brother Wang would arrive, and Mr. Han would arrive soon. I couldn't have a place to stay, so I begged for shamelessness, but I didn't expect that the person agreed at once."

Han Xiufeng pondered: "Go to Shao Bo and stay away for a while, Shao Bo is as dangerous as it is."

"He knew that the reason he went to Shao Bo was because there were relatives there. He said that if the bandits killed Shao Bo, he would take his family and relatives to Qingjiangpu with his family."

"He can take it and let it go, much better than the salt merchants in the city who are waiting and watching or even looking for luck."

“That’s true.”

Han Xiufeng took the tea brought by Wang Jiansheng's family and asked again: "Brother Wang, where are the young and strong men recruited by Lu Daming and Liang Liu from Taiba to stay at night?"

"A dozen people live in the front yard, and the rest live by the river," Wang Qianli paused and added: "This salt merchant has money. Not only does he have this big house, but he also has more than a dozen rooms by the river. It turns out that he rented it to someone to do small business, specializing in the business of boatmen and sailors on the river. I heard that the bandits were going to kill them, and all those who did small business ran away, and the dozen rooms by the river were empty."

"Have you gained these two days?"

"Yes, I'm going to report it." Wang Qianli took out an account book from his sleeve and couldn't help but smile: "Yang Dianbang is missing, and the soldiers of Caobiao are headless. Many Caobiao's green camp soldiers have already run away. We came late and only met dozens. As long as we were given a hundred cents, they would be willing to sell us swords, guns and even outfits. In the past two days, they collected two horses, six bird guns, two guns, forty-two knives, sixteen cotton armor, more than thirty jackets, forty-two iron helmets, more than three hundred kilograms of lead and more than one hundred kilograms of gunpowder."

"So, all the Green Camp soldiers in Caobiao ran away?" Han Xiufeng asked solemnly.

"It's all gone!" Zhang Guangsheng took over the conversation and said with a bitter face: "Now there are only more than 200 green camp soldiers from Yangzhou camp and more than 100 people from the salt camp in the city, as well as several yamen runners from the yamen."

"Where is Zhang Yiguo, where is Zhang Yiguo?"

Han Bo quickly put down the teacup and said helplessly: "Master Han, as soon as I received your letter, I went to Zhang Yiguo and checked out his words. As a result, I heard that he seemed to be very close to the deputy general Zhu Zhan'ao. Zhu Zhan'ao gave him a lot of swords and guns. He raised some food and money from the gentry. He was leading the more than 300 village heroes he recruited to practice in Taohua Temple, intending to intercept the bandits in Taohua Temple."

"You didn't mention that we were planning to guard Liaojiagou?"

"I didn't mention it, he was very pedantic, I didn't dare to mention it."

"It's good if you didn't mention it." Han Xiufeng looked around and said, "Everyone, the news of my coming here will be leaked. If it is known to everyone, then we will really be desperate to save it."

"None of us said that, and no one except Wu Wenming knew that you were here." Zhang Guangsheng said hurriedly.

"Wu Wenming is fine, mainly because he can't let the men in Yangzhou city know." Han Xiufeng signaled Pan Er to spread the map and said with a frown, "To be honest, before coming here, I really planned to deal with the bandits here or Daqiao Town first, and then retreat to the east bank of Liaojiagou. But when I came, I realized that no matter whether it is here or Daqiao Town, almost all those who can run away ran away. Not only can't help us, but the bandits will even turn against each other when they come. I guess the Fairy Temple is the same. So we can't listen to Xu Laogui, we have to make a long-term plan."

As Han Xiufeng said, the major towns from Yangzhou City to Wanfuqiao were once more prosperous than the other, especially Daqiao Town, which had as many as three or four hundred shops, restaurants, inns, and money houses, but now there are not many people in the town, and almost all shops and shops are closed. Even if they are not closed, one or two friends will be left to see the shops.

The gentry and the rich shopkeepers either went to Fanchuan, Shao Bo, Taizhou and other places to avoid disaster, or went to the countryside, and all the people who did not leave were paupers. Especially those poor people who made a living on the river, they not only did not worry at all that the bandits would kill them, but they even had some expectations. If the bandits really came, God would know if they would rebel!

Thinking of this, Wang Qianli couldn't help but ask: "Master Han, what should we do?"

Han Xiufeng stood up and pointed to the map: "Everyone, we not only have to guard Wanfu Bridge and Fairy Temple, but also divide our troops to guard Shao Bo. However, these three places can be guarded by rules. If we really can't defend, we retreat to Yiling. We take the Baita River in Yiling as the boundary. Other places are occupied by bandits, but we must not let bandits cross the Baita River!"

"Baita River is only forty miles away from Taizhou!" Zhang Guangsheng murmured.

"Although it is a little closer to Taizhou, the food and grass can be used to provide assistance," Han Bo stared at the map and said, "Not only can the food and grass can be used to provide assistance, if Xu Laogui saw that the bandits had already reached Baita River, he would definitely send someone to summon the nearby Qingzheng to help. After all, it is the territory of Taizhou to the east. He speaks very well, unlike in Jiangdu."

Han Xiufeng sat down and said, "I think not only about food and grass, nor whether Xu Laogui will summon Qingzheng to help, but it is impossible for the bandits to stay without leaving troops to guard after they capture Yangzhou. Yangzhou is 80 miles away from Baita River. How many soldiers can the bandits distribute? How far can they dare to go alone?"

"Master Han, what if the bandits send troops to attack Taizhou?"

"If the bandits really send a large army, they should attack Shao Bo and then attack Qingjiangpu along Hebei."

"Fengji Cang! Qingjiang Pu is the granary in the world!"

"If I were a bandit, if I were to choose between Taizhou and Qingjiangpu, I would definitely choose Qingjiangpu, which is not only the thoroughfare of nine provinces, but also the 'Grain of the World', so that I would not delay my work in Taizhou."

Zhang Guangsheng asked in a low voice: "Master Han, do you mean we will first divide the troops to intercept them, and then retreat to Yiling while blocking them. When the bandits kill Yiling, it is already at the end of their strength. Not only can they defend them, but they can even chase and suppress them in reverse!"

"It depends on your young master. Now the only ones that can be used are your young master and the fifth troupe township heroes under Mr. Li." Han Xiufeng looked up at Wang Jiansheng, and then said, "You can see whether the dozens of young and strong men who have been recruited by Brother Wang. I will write a letter to your cousin later and tell him that after leading the brave bandits to come over for six days, the rest will be left to me."

"Mr. Han, are you planning to use these six days to train the newly recruited young and strong people?"

"It's not just about training, but also about gathering young men to dig trenches to build villages. Don't try to make some preparations every minute to stop them."

"Then Mr. Han, when are you planning to let your brother lead the village heroes here?" Zhang Guangsheng asked.

Han Xiufeng was about to speak, but Wang Jiansheng's family hurried in. As soon as they entered the hall, they said anxiously: "Master Han, the Third Young Master, Zhenjiang was trapped, Zhenjiang was captured by bandits!"

"How do you know?" Wang Jiansheng stood up and asked.

"The fugitive said that more than a dozen boats came from Zhenjiang now, and the ships were all fugitives," the family wiped their sweat and said breathlessly: "I heard from the fugitives that Yang Futai brought the remnants of the defeated generals to Jiangyin. They didn't know whether Jiangyin could be defended, so they didn't dare to follow them. They all hired ships to come here."

Han Xiufeng thought it was really unlucky. Before coming to Jiangsu to take office, Duan Dazhang and Huang Zhongyin helped write two letters of recommendation, but they couldn't use one. Thinking that the bandits had already captured Zhenjiang, Han Xiufeng did not dare to wait for news from Yizhen anymore, and said firmly: "Guangsheng, write a letter to your cousin quickly, no, no need to write a letter. You can go to Jiangyan now and ask your cousin and Mr. Li to lead the village to Jiangdu quickly!"

"After coming, we will divide our troops to guard Shao Bo and Fairy Temple?" Zhang Guangsheng asked sadly.

How could Han Xiufeng not know that he was worried that his cousin had insufficient soldiers, so he gritted his teeth and said, "Forget it, they just need to come to guard Wanfu Bridge, and as long as they can help me delay the bandits who went from Wanfu Bridge to Taizhou for six days."

"Master Han, what should I do with Fairy Temple and Uncle Shao?" Han Bo asked subconsciously.

"When all the newly recruited young men come back, you and Lu Daming will lead one hundred young men to the Fairy Temple. Brother Wang, then you will lead one hundred young men to the Shao Bo."

In front of Zhang Guangsheng, there were many things that were not convenient to ask in detail. Although the situation was not right, Han Bo and Wang Jiansheng still bowed to his orders. Zhang Guangsheng did not dare to delay for a moment, and he didn't even bother to pack up his luggage and left to Taizhou.

As soon as he left, Han Xiufeng said lightly: "Qianli, Han Bo, the Guazhou Inspection Department is located in the Fairy Temple. Shao Bo also has the Inspection Department. It is the Guazhou Inspection and Shao Bo's inspection. It is the matter of Guazhou Inspection and Shao Bo's inspection. It is a matter of Guazhou Inspection and Shao Bo's inspection. It is a matter of Guazhou Inspection and the Imperial Office to defend them. It has nothing to do with us if we cannot defend them."

"Then what do you want us to do?" Wang Jiansheng asked in confusion.

"Go and wait for a few people."

"Who are you waiting for?"

"Dan Minglun, the former salt transport envoy of the two Huaihe River who were supervising the Jiang defense affairs, Liu Liangju, the magistrate of Yangzhou Zhang Tingrui, the magistrate of Jiangdu Lu Wu Zeng and the magistrate of Ganquan County Liang Yuandi!"

"What are you waiting for them to do?" Han Bo became more and more confused as he thought about it.

Han Xiufeng said coldly: "Not only did they not defend the city well, they also paid money to redeem the city with the bandits, which made us fight against the bandits. This account cannot be settled like this. I dare to conclude that if the bandits kill outside Yangzhou City, they will definitely run to Fairy Temple, Shao Bo and other places. You will wait for the rabbits and will definitely wait for them."

Wang Jiansheng asked anxiously: "What should I wait for it?"

"Don't be tough with them. Just follow them and you can go wherever they go. Just say that Old Ghost Xu sent you to."

Han Bo suddenly reacted and couldn't help but smile and said, "Yes, yes, yes, follow them after that!"

Wang Jiansheng had never been an official, and he didn't know what was buried in Han Xiufeng's gourd. Just as he was about to speak, Han Xiufeng sneered: "The court will sooner or later know that the emperor will be furious and even ask their heads if the matter is revealed! So they must want to hide quickly and avoid the limelight, and then find a way to ask someone to help plead for mercy. When the emperor's anger is gone, he will not be able to hide. If you follow them, you have to pay the money if you don't follow them."

"It's true! Mr. Han, how much money do you think it's appropriate to let them pay?"

"This is a life-threatening money, and they are all the most wealthy officials in the world. However, Minglun, Liu Liangju and Zhang Tingrui alone would pay at least 20,000 taels, Liang Yuandi and Lu Wu Zeng alone would pay at least 10,000 taels. If they didn't pay the money, they would follow them and take them down as soon as the emperor's order arrived, and then send them to the imperial envoy for investigation."

"Which imperial envoy is given to?"

"There is no imperial envoy now, and it will be there after a while. Even if it doesn't take time, it will be sent to the capital. But I dare to conclude that they will not dare to use their lives as a joke, and they will definitely pay the money honestly."

Wang Jiansheng was happy, and he couldn't help but ask, "Master Han, what if we get the money?"

"If you get the money, go to Yiling to join me. They will not be stupid enough to talk nonsense, nor dare to confront Xu Laogui. In short, just pretend that this has never happened." Han Xiufeng smiled and said, "I originally thought of Zhang Guangcheng as a part, but his cousin didn't believe me. If you don't believe me, just forget it. We can get more points at that time."

"Thank you Mr. Han to support me!"

"It's all my own, don't be so disgusted."

Han Bo didn't expect that he would make a fortune, so he couldn't help but stand up and said, "Master Han, when will they abandon the city and escape, and where will they run to? We can't just guess. Otherwise, I'll stare in the city, so I can't let these cooked ducks fly."

"It's better to keep an eye on it, but be careful, you must not be noticed by them, and you must also be wary of the thieves."

"I know, I have a proper sense."

What made Han Xiufeng laugh and cry was that Wang Jiansheng actually learned from it and asked: "Master Han, Yang Dianbang is also a fat sheep, or a big fat sheep? Should we find a way to find out where he was hiding and then follow him?"

"Not only Yang Dianbang, he is a bachelor of the cabinet, served as the Minister of Rites, Governor of the Cangchang and Minister of the Revenue, and is now the Governor of the Cao Transportation, and is already in his eighties. The emperor will not cut off his head, at most he will take his post and dismiss his official position."

"Can't afford to offend?" Wang Jiansheng asked with a bitter face.
Chapter completed!