Chapter 33 Abandoning the Lady
Bang~~~
At the foot of Cui's mountain where the Earth's Fire Lotus was hidden, the entire wedding procession from the Marquis's Mansion turned around to look at the fireworks that suddenly appeared in the mountain.

"All the soldiers in the Hou Mansion, put down what you are doing, draw your swords, and go into the mountains!"

The only general flag-taker who remained at the foot of the mountain was startled when he saw the fireworks, and then he shouted loudly.

Given his status, he more or less knew some of the inside stories of this marriage.

He also knew the purpose of General Zhao and his men's entry into the mountains and the importance the Marquis attached to this matter.

"General Flag, everyone go into the mountains?"

One of his team leaders asked uncertainly.

Just now, General Zhao Xinghan didn’t bring many people into the mountains.

Now the general wants everyone to go into the mountains.

This……

They are also responsible for guarding the soon-to-be-married wife of the Marquis!
If everyone goes into the mountains, the consequences will be disastrous if the enemy tricks them into leaving the mountains or something unexpected happens...

The general flag understood what his team leader meant.

The general turned his head and glanced at Cui Shuyun's carriage. He knew it was dangerous.

But this was what General Zhao Xinghan told him before he left.

It is the duty of soldiers to obey orders.

The general flag can only obey orders.

The general also believed that General Zhao Xinghan would not give orders rashly, let alone betray the Marquis.

The general flagman guessed that General Zhao Xinghan had a special status and might have known some information that his level was not aware of, which was why he issued this order!
If, by any chance, the general disobeys military orders and delays important matters, he will be punished by military law.

And if she obeyed Zhao Xinghan's military orders, even if her wife had an accident at the foot of the mountain, she would still have General Zhao Xinghan to take care of her...

The general still knows what is important and what is not!

I can only say that there are no complete idiots in this world!

Everyone is just considering things from their own perspective and making judgments based on the information they have!
The general turned to look at the people from the External Affairs Office.

It was discovered that after the fireworks appeared, the person in charge of the Foreign Affairs Office who stayed behind had asked the people in the Office to take out the hidden bows, crossbows and armor.

Seeing this scene, the general flag was sure that Dai Fayan, the chief steward, must have made similar instructions to the Foreign Affairs Office before leaving.

If there was no instructions, the External Affairs Office would not have taken out those bows, crossbows and armor.

The Ming Dynasty banned armor but not swords, and banned crossbows but not bows.

Possessing armor and crossbows privately is a serious crime.

According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, anyone who privately stored armor or crossbows would be severely punished. Anyone who hid three armors or more than ten crossbows would be executed immediately. Anyone who hid more than ten sets of armor or more than 50 crossbows would have his entire family implicated...

There is also a folk saying that "One class of armor can withstand three crossbows, and three class of armor can enter the underworld."

Although the Foreign Affairs Office is under the jurisdiction of the Marquis of Fu'an, it is not a regular army after all. Once outsiders discover that they are using bows, crossbows and armor privately and spread the news, the Marquis will be the one to suffer the consequences.

If there had not been an order from Chief Dai Fayan, the general flag believed that the person in charge of the Foreign Affairs Office who stayed behind would never be so unwise as to secretly take out the hidden armor and crossbows to equip themselves.

What's more, the person in charge left in the Foreign Affairs Office is Su Xiangqi, the nephew of Dai Fayan, the chief steward.

Thinking of this, the general flag became more determined in his judgment and decision.

"This is a military order. If anything goes wrong, I will take full responsibility!"

The general flag spoke firmly to the captains and soldiers of each flag.

"Yes!"

With these words, the leaders of each flag team said no more.

That's all everyone wants.

Just someone take responsibility!

Bang~
Bang bang~~
Just as the soldiers of Hou Mansion were getting ready to set off, several fireworks appeared on the mountain one after another.

This was when Dai Fayan and Zhao Xinghan, after besieging Wanwan, realized that something was not right and fired out all the emergency flares they had on.

"Boost!

The first flag should not maintain its formation, but move forward as fast as possible to find General Zhao and Chief Dai as soon as possible!

After that, we must delay the train until the large force behind arrives, even if it costs our lives!

The third flag keeps the formation and moves forward! Maintain the fighting power!

After we find General Zhao and the others, we will need you to form the main force!

All members of the Seventh Flag dispersed and monitored the surroundings.

Be careful not to be ambushed or plotted against!"

The general flag bearer is quite capable. Although he is anxious, his arrangements are well organized.

"Young people from the Foreign Affairs Office who know a few tricks, forget about the carriages and supplies, take the crossbows and go up the mountain!"

Su Xiangqi, who stayed behind at the foot of the mountain, finally couldn't help himself when he saw the fireworks asking for help one after another.

He gritted his teeth and decided to give up protecting Cui Shuyun and the betrothal money, and let Cui send her relatives to guard the place himself.

He was going to lead the few combat forces of the Foreign Affairs Office into the mountains.

The person in charge of the Foreign Affairs Office who stayed at the foot of the mountain was Dai Fayan’s nephew, Su Xiangqi.

Before Dai Fayan went up the mountain, he had a vague feeling that the process of handing over the Fire Lotus would not be smooth. You could call it a businessman's sixth sense or Dai Fayan's suspicion!

Anyway, Dai Fayan feels this way.

For safety reasons, Dai Fayan forcibly suppressed Su Xiangqi's request to go up the mountain.

Let Su Xiangqi stay at the foot of the mountain.

He also hinted that if Su Xiangqi could no longer do anything and sensed an unstoppable danger, he should abandon the baggage and supplies, abandon Cui Shuyun, the future wife of the Marquis' Mansion, and abandon his status related to the Fu'an Marquis' Mansion...

escape!
The further away the better!

And live in anonymity for the rest of your life.

Being able to make such a suggestion was already beyond the rules for Dai Fayan, who is now the head of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Fu'an Marquisate and the president of the Xuzhou Chamber of Commerce...

Once outsiders know about it, then...

From this we can see that Su Xiangqi is indeed Dai Fayan’s nephew and the descendant that Dai Fayan values ​​the most.

Dai Fayan really treats Su Xiangqi as his own son.

Because of the relationship between Su Xiangqi and Dai Fayan, there were many secrets concerning the wedding reception. Although Dai Fayan did not state them explicitly, he did not deliberately hide them from Su Xiangqi.

Su Xiangqi had a vague sense and guess about the real purpose of this wedding reception and what the Marquis really valued.

Su Xiangqi knew that the things that General Zhao and his uncle were going into the mountains to obtain were definitely more important to the Marquis than Cui Shuyun, the wife who had not yet married him.

Su Xiangqi also understood Dai Fayan's hint.

There were fireworks one after another on the mountain just now.

Su Xiangqi knew that it was his uncle Dai Fayan who told him: Danger, run away!
But my uncle treated me like his son, so how could I ignore the danger to him and flee in disgrace, hiding my identity...

If Su Xiangqi really acted according to Dai Fayan's suggestion, he might be able to keep his life...but Su Xiangqi knew that he might have to live in guilt and regret for the rest of his life!

“It’s not the end yet, we can’t give up, we absolutely can’t give up!

The guards of the Marquis’ Mansion have entered the mountains!
Their fighting power is not low!
With the addition of General Zhao and others, we may not necessarily lose...

Even if I lose!

The worst that can happen is death...

There's a big scar on my head...

Eighteen years later, I am a brave man again...

Uncle, you must wait for me. This time I will come to save you!"

It was with such determination and awareness that Su Xiangqi took the only combat power of the Foreign Affairs Office and resolutely went into the mountains after the main force of the escort team left.

It was precisely because he had no regrets in death that Su Xiangqi ignored the safety of Cui Shuyun, the future wife of the Marquis' Mansion, and took away the only remaining combat power of the Fu'an Marquis' Mansion.

You have to know that because the guard force of Fu'an Marquis' Mansion is very strong, the wedding team sent by Cui family is really just to escort the bride to the Marquis' Mansion to witness the wedding. Except for those people who followed Cui Zongji into the mountains, the rest of Cui family's wedding team has no combat power at all.

If an accident happens.

It is no exaggeration to say that these people at the foot of the mountain can only wait to be killed!
"What are you doing?"

A smart and sensitive member of the Cui clan stopped Su Xiangqi who was about to lead the team into the mountains.

Fireworks appeared one after another on the mountain.

The first fireworks signaled that the Marquis’s guards were entering the mountains!
Although the Cui clan members who were escorting the bride had some objections at the time, when they saw the young men from the Foreign Affairs Department taking out hidden armor and bows and crossbows, they felt that there was still a certain protective force at the foot of the mountain, so the Cui clan members did not say much!

After all, the elders of the Cui family also went into the mountains and also needed rescue.

Of course, in reality, the Cui clan members who came to escort the bride did not dare to say anything! The guards of the Marquis' Mansion who came to pick up the bride were regular troops.

After the formation, there were swords and guns everywhere, full of murderous aura.

The common people always have a certain degree of awe towards the soldiers.

Afterwards, several fireworks appeared one after another.

Let’s look at the actions of the people in the Foreign Affairs Office led by Su Xiangqi.

Even a fool would know that something happened in the mountains!

Although there were still some elders of the Cui clan in the mountains, most of the people in the Cui clan's wedding procession who stayed behind at this time thought that it would rather die than let their fellow Taoist die.

They didn't want these young men from the Foreign Affairs Office armed with bows and crossbows to go into the mountains. After all, they were the only remaining garrison force at the foot of the mountain.

As soon as these young and strong people from the Foreign Affairs Office left.

The defense force at the foot of the mountain is almost non-existent. Once any unexpected incident or emergency occurs, we will be at the mercy of others.

"What are we doing? Didn't you see it? Go into the mountains!"

Su Xiangqi said in an impatient tone.

"You can't go into the mountains. If you go in, what will happen to Sister Yun?
She is the future wife of your mansion.

If something unexpected happens, can you afford it?"

The Cui clan members who blocked the road were not stupid either, they knew to use Cui Shuyun as an excuse.

They could only use Cui Shuyun as an excuse, so that the Cui clan members would have a legitimate reason to keep these young and strong men armed with bows and crossbows.

"Aren't there still you guys?

Aren’t you responsible for escorting the bride?

Now that the bride has not yet arrived at the Marquis's residence, you who are escorting the bride should also do your part to protect the lady!"

Su Xiangqi became more and more impatient, but considering that this was after all the patriarch of the future wife of the Marquis's Mansion, he forced himself to defend himself patiently.

Su Xiangqi is still too young. Although he is decisive, he considers too much and is still a little hesitant when doing things.

In this situation, if it was Dai Fayan, he would just...

"us?
We are simply going to the Marquis' Mansion to bear witness, we have no martial arts skills, and we have no weapons..."

At this point, the Cui clan member who was speaking rolled his eyes, as if he had thought of something.

“You can go into the mountains!
Take off your armor and leave your bows and crossbows behind, and we will allow you to enter the mountains..."

As the Cui clan members spoke, their eyes were fixed on the crossbows in the hands of the young men from the External Affairs Office and the armor on the leaders.

Especially on Su Xiangqi.

That was the life-saving private goods that Dai Fayan prepared for his nephew Su Xiangqi using his personal income.

The armor is fine, the whole body is black, and it is a little reflective.

It's obviously a high-end product.

“Instead of expecting others to protect you, it is better to have life-saving armor and crossbows in your own hands!
This is the way to save your life!

And after getting the armor and crossbow, you can also try to see if you can steal it!
This set of armor and crossbow both look extraordinary!

It’s a great thing that can be passed down from generation to generation!
Even if you buy it, it will definitely be worth a lot of money!

Moreover, the clan leader took away so many clan elders and relatives. If something unexpected really happened in the mountains...

I can use the weapons of the young and strong men in Fu'an Marquis' Mansion to arm the Cui clan members present and convince them to listen to me!

When I return to the Cui Clan, I can also take a look at the positions of the elders and clan leaders, or even the clan leader..."

The Cui clan member who tried to stop him looked at the superior armor on Su Xiangqi's body and the excellent crossbow in his hand, and then looked at the weapons in the hands of the other young men in the Foreign Affairs Office and the Cui clan members behind him. The more he thought about it, the more excited he became, and the better it seemed...

This member of the Cui clan is a little clever.

But alas, not much!

He didn't even think about whether the Cui clan would obey his orders as he wished...

He didn't even think about whether there were any elders left in the Cui clan, and whether his ability could support his ambitions...

Not to mention that the elders and clan members who went into the mountain all have descendants living at the foot of the mountain and in the clan land. If they knew that he had stopped the rescue team from Fu'an Marquis's Mansion from going into the mountain, resulting in the death of the Cui clan leader, elders, and clan members, would they unite to deal with him?
The Ming Dynasty ruled the world with filial piety. Even if it was just for the sake of face and to better inherit the legacy left by their fathers, the descendants of the elders would unite to make him look bad!

There are also questions such as how Fu'an Hou will retaliate after learning the news.

The Cui family members, who were feeling very happy, didn’t consider these things!

Ok!

Don’t consider these!

Did he really think that Su Xiangqi would obediently give him the armor on his body and the crossbow in his hand?
Stop being funny!

That was Su Xiangqi's reliance for rescuing Dai Fayan.

as predicted…

Chirp~~
With a muffled sound, Su Xiangqi directly shot out the crossbow arrow in his hand.

The crossbow arrow was so fast that before anyone could react, the dreaming member of the Cui clan had already fallen to the ground screaming.

"what!"

With a scream, the Cui clan member fell to the ground.

Blood was gushing from his thigh.

“You~~~”

His beautiful dream was shattered and he was shot. The Cui clan member was so excited and angry that he was speechless for a moment.

"What?"

"What?"

"What do you want to do in Fu'an Marquis Mansion?"

...

Seeing the leading member of the Cui clan being shot and wounded, the other members of the Cui clan who remained at the foot of the mountain suddenly became furious.

This was also due to the fact that the young Su Xiangqi was not decisive and ruthless enough.

If Su Xiangqi directly shot and killed a few of the Cui clan members who were leading the group, the remaining Cui clan members would most likely not dare to make trouble.

After all, those who are not afraid of death are a minority.

Of course, there is also a very small possibility that the remaining members of the Cui clan are brave warriors who are not afraid of death and are determined to fight Su Xiangqi to the death.

Chirp~~
Chirp~~
Chirp~~
Su Xiangqi directly took the crossbow from his companion and shot arrows continuously, piercing the thighs of several of the noisiest members of the Cui family!
There was a sudden wailing on the ground.

The other members of the Cui clan were finally frightened.

I couldn't help but take a few steps back.

“Everyone be quiet!

This time I am going to rescue General Zhao and the chieftain and elders of your Cui clan. If anyone tries to stop me again, I will no longer consider you as members of my wife's clan and will shoot you directly!

Anyone else from the Cui family who tries to stop us will be shot to death!

I take all responsibility!
let's go! "

After scaring the Cui clan members, Su Xiangqi turned around and said to the young and strong men from the Foreign Affairs Office who were following behind him.

He then took the selected young and strong men from the Foreign Affairs Office and went directly into the mountains, no longer entangled with the remaining members of the Cui clan.

Although some of the remaining Cui clan members were brave and some were foolish and were still cursing in low voices, at least no one dared to stop them openly.

Su Xiangqi and others simply ignored those who were cursing in their whispers.

Su Xiangqi didn't care. He just wanted to get into the mountains as soon as possible to rescue Dai Fayan.

The other young and strong people in the Foreign Affairs Office simply didn't want to cause trouble.

After all, those people are all Madam's clansmen.

If you kill or injure them, there's no guarantee that your wife won't take revenge on you later or in secret.

Didn’t you see that even Su Xiangqi, Dai Fayan’s nephew, only dared to injure but not kill the Cui clan members who tried to stop them.

They don't have Su Xiangqi's background.

They still have to make a living in Fu'an Marquis's Mansion!

It’s better not to offend anyone if you can!
This is the impact that the leader Su Xiangqi's lack of courage to kill has on his subordinates.

　pS: As promised, there will be more chapters for the solar terms. There will be more chapters for the beginning of spring.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)