It was already dark, and there was a clear sound of chums outside the small skylight. The horse thieves in the prison all fell asleep in the straw pile. It was still cold in early spring, and the snow had not subsided, and the prison was cloudy and tide.

However, thieves are divided into different levels. Zhang Mao not only has a single cell, but also a wooden bed and a quilt that has been covered for many years. His situation is slightly better. However, the quilt is hard, wet and heavy. If someone is weak and weak, it will probably make the quilt exhausted.

If it is not covered with a quilt, it will be cold. If it is covered with a quilt... Is this also called a quilt? Although Zhang Mao was a big thief, he was a wealthy man from a wealthy family since childhood. He had never suffered such hardships. A quilt made him move around hatefully, but he couldn't sleep.

At this moment, there was a sound of footsteps. Zhang Mao thought it was a prison guard who was patrolling the night. He didn't care, but the footsteps stopped in front of his prison door. Then someone took out the key. Zhang Mao turned his head curiously and couldn't help but sit up in shock.

Jiang Bin was standing at the door in military uniform, holding a food box in his hand, and a prison guard next to him was unbuttoning the iron chain. The door opened, and Jiang Bin stuffed silver into the jailer's hand, whispered a few words, and then stepped into the cell. The prison guard closed the door from behind and locked it again.

Zhang Mao pulled the iron chain and sat cross-legged on the bed without saying a word.

Jiang Bin walked to him with the food box, placed the dishes on the bed, took out two large bowls and placed them on it, took out a small wine jar from the bottom of the food box, filled the wine bowl, and then sat cross-legged on the bed.

The cousins ​​sat opposite each other, silent for a while, Zhang Mao picked up a bowl of wine and signaled to Jiang Bin. The two of them gently clinked glasses, and then poured a bowl of wine. Wiping their lips, Zhang Mao sighed lowly. He pressed his knees and wiped his eyelids: "Brother, I am a Xiangma thief, you are a Bazhou guerrilla, you shouldn't have come."

"Brother, don't say those outspoken words to me, come and have a drink!"

Zhang Mao smiled deeply, opened his eyes and took the bowl. He touched Jiang Bin locally, drank it all again, and then asked, "My home has been confiscated, right?"

"I haven't taken care of it yet. The imperial envoy has limited staff and I am worried about me. I rely on his people to escort the team back to Bazhou. I have been organizing for most of the day and it's too late. Now I've trapped the house, and tomorrow... Is it hard to say. What do you need me to do?"

Zhang Mao didn't raise his head and smiled faintly, "Money and beauty are passing by, and what is gathered and dispersed is ordinary. It's nothing."

Jiang Bin sighed softly, handed the chopsticks to Zhang Mao, and while cooking dishes for him, he said, "Brother, I was so shocked that I heard about you. It's late at night, so I saved it from visiting you first. Brother, are you... really a horse thief?"

Zhang Mao took the dish and filled it into his mouth, with a smile in his eyes, and said calmly: "What do you think?"

Jiang Bin shook his head: "Impossible! My cousin's family has been a wealthy family in Bazhou. I remember when I was a child, my mother and I came to your house to visit relatives. At that time, your land was endless. It was a famous wealthy family in Bazhou. If you don't lack food and clothing, do you have to do this turnaround business?"

Jiang Bin asked tentatively: "Are you... those who threatened you to do things for them and drag you into the water? If so, you told your brother, I am also considered a guerrilla general in Bazhou. And I have old friends with Duke Weiguo. I will fight this lawsuit for you."

Zhang Mao laughed happily and said, "Okay. I am worthy of being my brother Zhang Mao. Haha, brother, let me tell you the truth. Not only is I a thief, but I am also a thief in the land."

He stroked his beard and smiled and said, "Don't blame my brother for not telling you before. This matter is not good for you. My ancestors were an ordinary herdsman from the Three Guards of Duoyan. He couldn't survive outside the pass, so he fled to the Central Plains. The court placed my family in Bazhou and divided it into four acres of land, which was considered a place to live. If we talk about farming and doing business, how could we compare to the Han people? We were defeated in a few years. Why did we buy such a large family business? Huh?"

Jiang Bin was dumbfounded and murmured: "Can it be...can't it..."

Zhang Mao said: "That's right, my ancestors were thieves, a lone thief. Later, when they made a name for themselves, they collected some people, many of whom were from the Wuliang tribe who moved in the first place, and they robbed them everywhere. My ancestors became the leader of the thief, and the Zhang family's wealth was accumulated like this. I went out to do business and did this business without any money. Do you think I was really doing business and making a small profit?"

Jiang Bin was speechless and couldn't speak for a while. After swallowing, he said, "God, I really didn't expect... But you have such a huge real estate industry now, and you still have to do this headless business. If you had stopped it, why would you be today?"

Zhang Mao laughed and said, "Brother, the foundation is big, and the expenses are big. My elder brother is not good at farming and financial management, nor does he know how to buy, sell and do business. He just sits in vain? What else can he do if he doesn't do this business? Haha, don't regret me, my elder brother enjoys all his life, and his wealth and honor that others can't enjoy in his life, and he will not lose money!"

Jiang Bin said: "You are not losing money, what should you do if the Zhang family is in the middle of the army?"

Zhang Mao smiled and said, "I am a thief, not a rebellion. At most, I will confiscate the property. My two sons, the oldest, are only nine years old, and will not be implicated. If my brothers are willing, please help me raise them."

After Zhang Mao said sadly, he raised the bowl and took another bite.

Jiang Bin gritted his teeth, swept his eyes out, and lowered his voice: "Brother, no matter whether you are a good citizen or a thief, I know you are my brother. I will find a way to save you!"

Zhang Mao was shocked and stared at Jiang Bin in surprise. Jiang Bin looked resolute and did not blink his eyelids.

After watching it for a while, Zhang Maocai whispered: "You are a guerrilla general with a bright future. If you save me, you will have to become an imperial prisoner. Wandering around the world with me, aren't you afraid?"

Jiang Bin said firmly: "Brothers are so righteous. If you care about these things, will you still be a good man?"

Zhang Mao's eyes flashed for a while, and he shook his head slightly and said, "Good brother. In order to save me, you would rather give up a bright future. With a brother like you, I will die in peace. One person does things and one person is responsible for me. I can't mislead you. If you have this kind of heart, that's enough!"

Jiang Bin said anxiously: "Brother, I am sincere. You were arrested this time. Not only was it an ordinary crime of horse theft, but it also attacked the imperial envoy's convoy. That was a death sentence from Lingchi. How could brothers be their own officials with peace of mind?"

Jiang Bin said: "There are guards from the imperial envoy outside the prison, and I can't transfer them. I just arrived in Bazhou and had not been able to do anything in the officialdom. Although I brought a few loyal brothers here, I asked them to follow me to do such a traitor. First, I couldn't bear it, and second, the things around me were easy to handle, and they might not be willing to follow me in such a big deal. I think...

Your mansion covers hundreds of acres of land, and the officers and soldiers can't bear to see it. Tonight I sneak into your underworld, rescue my two nephews, and send them out of the city first. Tomorrow morning, the imperial envoy sends someone to ask you to escort you out of prison when you pass the court. This is the only chance. I will prepare horses in the dark and then rob you. With your and my martial arts, you will definitely be able to fight out of Bazhou."

Zhang Mao thought about it and shook his head firmly and said, "No!"

Jiang Bin said anxiously: "Brother!"

Zhang Mao still shook his head: "No! I am a thief, you are a general with a bright future. It is unkind to drag you to the end of the world with my life! So many brothers were arrested and I broke out of Bazhou alone to escape and left them alone. That is unrighteous. Zhang Mao is a man who stands tall and upright. If he does such an unkind and unrighteous thing, even if he escapes, what kind of face will he have to live between heaven and earth?"

Jiang Bin rubbed his hands and said, "Oh my stupid brother, aren't these people your subordinates? Doing things is like tucking your head on your waist bag. If you really die, you will be able to bear the will of yourselves and you will not blame others."

"No. Zhang Mao just recognized the word "righteousness" throughout his life. For loyalty, what is the only life? Besides, you can't stay in Bazhou. It's okay to just rely on you and me. With two little babies, the officers and soldiers can escape and intercept them?"

Jiang Bin stood up excitedly, grabbed Zhang Mao's hand, and said tremblingly: "Brother, if you sit down and watch you beheaded, how can I survive between heaven and earth if you let me? Listen to my land. Tomorrow, the imperial envoy will definitely interrogate you. I will find a way to save you. Brother, the kung fu is better than me. As long as you leave the cage, no one can trap you.

My elder brother has been in charge for many years and there are always a few hiding places. He took his nephew to hide for a while, avoided the wind and then left the country. If my brother is not careful... I am not careful..., my elder brother, I will adopt my nephew to the Jiang family. My Jiang family is the only one who can inherit the incense and fulfill my filial piety, that is enough. I will prepare now!"

After saying that, Jiang Bin turned around and left, seeing that he striding hard, he did not hesitate. Zhang Mao's heart was shaken, and all the doubts that had not been too much were faded. He jumped off the couch in one step, and the iron chains roared, and his five fingers barely grabbed Jiang Bin's shoulder: "Come back! Sit down and talk!"

Jiang Bin broke free and said, "What else do you say? Listen to me, I'll go back and prepare now."

Zhang Mao pulled him back, pressed him to the head of the bed, and said, "Sit down for me! I said, I, Zhang Mao, will never do the matter of running for my life alone. Don't miss yourself in vain. I am here, they can save their lives temporarily. If I run away, the court will take their anger on these brothers and will behead them all. Tell you the truth, 70% of these caught people are not my subordinates. They attacked the imperial envoy for me, but now I have escaped alone. Wouldn't it be ridiculed to the same origin on the Tao?"

Jiang Bin was stunned and said strangely: "What? Seventy percent of them are not your subordinates? What... Where does this start?"

Zhang Mao sighed and said, "This matter is a long story, and I won't hide it from you. My family's foundation is big, the expenses are too much, and the business is not accessible. This is not enough to do without a business. But after all, after all, I have been here for a hundred years and have been concerned about the local affairs. So from a long time ago, I have dismissed most of my subordinates, leaving only a few confidants, and only do one or two tickets a year to avoid exposing my whereabouts. Hey! If this continues, the government may not pay attention to my existence.

Once, I went to a family that I had made a good move, but when I entered the door, I found that someone had already taken action before me. Under my nose, I had an unknown origin and the same origin on the road. How could I be careless about this? I investigated openly and secretly, and found a wealthy family that was easy to deal with, and finally caught up with the traces of those people. The so-called "no fight" and no acquaintance, after a battle, my leader and I became sworn brothers.

They are all horsemen in Bazhou, with excellent martial arts and great equestrian skills. Because of the harsh horse politics, they were forced to make a living, so they had to secretly become thieves. I mainly steal, but I was discovered and used force. But they really robbed them, coming and going like the wind, relying on force. So they were once regarded as bandits, and I was a thief, and they were the real horses.

The thieves are all local people. If they know each other well, then if there is a mistake, the government will follow the clues and find out everyone. Therefore, these thieves are very smart. Since the idea of ​​making a thieves, they have begun to absorb people and take a slogan of men and horses, and their subordinates are not sensational to each other. In this way, no matter who is caught. If you can't stand the punishment and rebellion, it will not affect others. This is safer than being a lone thief, so I brought my people into it."

Zhang Mao smiled bitterly and said, "Oh! Who knew that I was a thief and didn't show my strength. In the end, I lost my hand because of the great backer I made. There were not many confidants in my area. In order to save Zhang Zhong, I borrowed some people from my sworn brothers. They were captured because of me. I couldn't save them, and I must never abandon them!"

Zhang Mao sighed and patted Jiang Bin on the shoulder and said, "Brother, a real man does something and does not do anything. Although I am a family of thieves, there are also thieves. Zhang Mao will never do anything to sorry for his brothers. It's just a death. What's so great about it?"

After Zhang Mao said that, he sat cross-legged and said frankly: "You come to see me today. I am very happy. Come. Let's have a drink tonight. From tomorrow, you don't come. With your relationship with me, it's too late to avoid suspicion."

He smiled disdainfully and said, "Although we are robbers, we are open and honest, and we are open to our brothers, and we speak the word "righteous". If we say it is insidious and despicable and profit-oriented, it is the officialdom. You are a guerrilla general at a young age. Don't leave a handle for the jealous villain!"

When Jiang Bin heard the robbers talking about righteousness and the officialdom of profit, he was sarcastic, and his face became hot. However, when he looked up and looked closely, Zhang Mao looked concerned and sincere, obviously he really believed in his wishes.

Jiang Bin grabbed the wine bowl and drank it all, pondered for a long time, suddenly raised his head: "Since my brother is determined not to leave, my brother has come up with another way. Since he is willing to die together, why not live with them?"

Zhang Mao was stunned and said, "Shensheng? How can we save so many people from going out?"

Jiang Bin said: "Why should I save you? Can't you let the imperial envoy take the initiative to release you?"

Zhang Mao's eyes froze and he said, "What does it mean?"

"Since the rebellion is death and the obedience is life, it is better to... surrender to the court!"

As soon as he said something, Zhang Mao's eyes suddenly became as sharp as an arrow, and his iron palms were already standing like a knife.

Jiang Bin seemed to have not realized it and continued, "Brother, I have understood what you said just now. Brother is a thief for generations and takes this as his career. Your sworn brothers and their subordinates are Mahumen from Bazhou. They took risks because they could not survive. Speaking of which, there is no unsolvable hatred with the court, just to seek wealth?

Duke Wei wanted to completely eliminate the horse thieves in Bazhou, give the people peace and achieve a perfect result, but even though he designed to capture his elder brother, he could not do this. At the same time, it was impossible for the elder brother and the captured men to escape. Since this is the case, why don’t the elder brother submit to the court? With your martial arts and skills, you are afraid that the career will not be smooth..."

Before he finished speaking, Zhang Mao's expression changed and he was angry and said, "Stop talking! Do you think Zhang Mao is a greedy person who is afraid of death?"

He paused and suppressed his anger and said, "It's a good thing you are my brother, and you're planning for me again. I just think you haven't said this. If you change someone, just because he looks down on me, Zhang Mao, I want him to splatter blood for five feet!"

Jiang Bin was not afraid and said in a deep voice: "Brother, you misunderstood me. I am not asking you to sell friends for honor, help you escape from the cage, or advise you to surrender to the court, brothers think that the land can only allow you to escape this knife. Why are you thieves? My brother is a family of thieves. He was born as a robber and never thought of finding another job. In fact, with your current connections and industry, you can be a peaceful and rich man. Why are those horses thieves? They can't survive. Isn't it that simple? Is it to practice the way for heaven?

Duke Wei wants to eliminate Xiangma, Bazhou, and make a great contribution. Why don’t you give him this contribution? I am not asking you to join the court to wipe out Xiangma, but I want you to persuade your brothers to accept the court's amnesty. Wei Guo is helpless and will definitely agree to this.

Since it was a pacification and he had to follow the court, he always had to find a way to resettle the land. Those ordinary horse households divided the land and did not have to be robbed anymore. And the eldest brother and several sworn brothers would be recruited as officials by the court. If they became officials, wouldn’t it be better to be bandits? After all, Duke Wei wanted to prevent the horses from appearing in Bazhou again, and the eldest brother, you just wanted to live a good life. In this way, wouldn’t they all achieve their wishes?”

When Zhang Mao heard this, his face gradually faded away, and he slowly lowered his head, his face was unstable. Jiang Bin said, "Brother, you should have heard of the four major bandits in the East China Sea. They have been fighting against the imperial court for many years, and they have killed ten times more officers and soldiers. So what?

Among the four major enemies, the snow cat and the sea dog were slaughtered, but Bai Xiaocao, who was sincerely surrendered, has become the chief officer of the governor. The four major enemies in the East China Sea robbed at sea. They have all the people and goods, and they have committed great crimes. The court can give grace and forgiveness, and they have also entrusted important tasks. What are the big brother afraid of?"

Zhang Mao went silently to see the loud horse thieves in the cells on both sides. They curled up and snuggled together, resisting the cold, like local dogs with low life, pitiful and humble.

"Then... how do you want me to surrender? How can I convince a few of my sworn brothers?" Zhang Mao stared at Jiang Bin and asked suddenly.

Jiang Bin was stunned and said, "This...I...I...I don't know either, uh. Brother agrees? Then...I have to go and explore the words of the Duke of Tan to see if he intends to recruit peace."

Zhang Mao was really relieved, but Jiang Bin felt guilty. When Zhang Mao saw him speaking embarrassedly, his tone was a little stuttering, and he had no doubts in his heart: "My cousin was definitely not sent by Yang Ling to lure the surrender, otherwise he should throw out a bigger bait to hold the official and make a wish to attract me to take the bait. Now he huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh

Thinking of this, Zhang Mao's expression slowed down and said, "Cousin, I blame you for your mistake for your brother. What you said makes sense. In fact, I occasionally remember that my family has been thieves for generations, and my descendants have taken this as their career, and they will never go on? But I can't think of another way out. Please test it. If Yang Ling is willing to be appeased, then... I am willing to try it!"

"What? Let's go... let you out?" Jiang Bin straightened his eyes.

After that, he was done. Yang Ling had instructed him to rescue Zhang Mao, find the thieves' nest and then catch them all in one go. However, Jiang Bin acted too much and acted too much, which moved Zhang Mao and refused to drag his brother down. Moreover, he could only let him go when he fished. Yang Ling would not agree to let him "rescue" all the thieves. This one alone, Zhang Mao would never escape with a loyal mind.

Seeing that this plan failed, Jiang Bin had an idea and started to persuade him to surrender again. Unexpectedly, Zhang Mao was really interested. Jiang Bin rushed back to report to Yang Ling. Yang Ling thought for a long time, and finally agreed after weighing the pros and cons.

Those who are in charge of the government must have a long-term vision and cannot care about temporary gains and losses. Bazhou Xiangmao robbed for a living, and there is indeed a bloody case of death on his hands. However, it seems that it is not successful to use Zhang Mao to completely eliminate Xiangmao robbery. If the Xiangmao robbery cannot be allowed to disappear, I still don’t know how many people will be harmed in the future.

Bazhou now uses thunder to eliminate three harms in a row, just like digging out three poisonous sores from a sick and weak body. It is just when it is necessary to rest and recuperate. The whereabouts of the horse thief are hidden, without a fixed mountain gate, and it is impossible to mobilize a large army to clear them out. Recruiting them is a good thing that benefits the country and the people. Those who are in the upper hand will always consider the land as a benefit, and how to choose to allow the court and the people to get the greatest benefits, rather than calculating old accounts.

In order to show sincerity, Yang Ling came to prison to meet Zhang Mao and discussed the issue of revenge. Unexpectedly, Zhang Mao proposed to let him be released from prison, and he would go to see several sworn brothers alone to convince them to surrender. This is different from Yang Ling's original plan. Although he was going to let him be released from prison at that time, he wanted Jiang Bin, a traitor. Now let him go alone? Can the Duke of the State believe that he will not escape?

Jiang Bin looked at Yang Ling worriedly, but saw Yang Ling pondering for a while, as if he had made up his mind, and smiled faintly, "I agree!"

Even Zhang Mao was stunned at this moment. He couldn't believe it and said, "Duke... believes in me so much?"

"I believe in you! Zhang Mao's words are so righteous that he is not a villain who is so righteous that he will forget his righteousness for his own selfishness! However, this matter is of great importance, and my country's Duke must not be guarded against. If you leave the prison, this prison will not be empty. I want your children to be a sanction in this prison. Regardless of whether the recruitment is successful or not, I will forgive them when you come back. If you don't come..."

Yang Ling's eyes became cold, as faint as two clusters of flames. Zhang Mao gritted his teeth and said, "Okay! Just take my son as the quality! Whether it is successful or not, Zhang Mao will definitely return here."

"Okay!" Yang Ling nodded and smiled, saying, "Bangchui, go to Zhangmao's mansion to pick up the pair of little babies, don't scare the children."

Dabangmao agreed and turned around and left. Yang Ling said again: "Jiang Bin!"

Jiang Bin was stunned. He heard this and hurriedly bowed: "Dude!"

Yang Ling raised his chin into the prison door and said, "Go in! If Zhang Mao doesn't come back, you can replace him and get a knife for him!"

"Ah?" Jiang Bin's eyes kept.
To be continued...