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Chapter 291: Choice, who dares to stop me? !

The Qilin Army set out from the capital of Zhongzhou and followed the water flow to the eighteen states in the south of the Yangtze River. They went with the flow along the way, which saved a lot of energy. The speed should have been very fast, but because of the wars fought everywhere and the actions of Li Guanyi's troops were publicized.

Along the way, people came to surrender. Not to mention whether the ships prepared earlier could accommodate all these people, the endless stream of people coming to surrender greatly reduced the Qilin Army's marching speed.

When Li Guanyi left the academy, most of the original disciples of the Mohist school followed him. They were able to use local materials to build new simple mechanical ships, and they could also spend money to buy large and small ships.

This resulted in a significant increase in the number of people when they just left Zhongzhou. On the water, the Mohist giant mechanical ship led the way with the Qilin Army flag erected on the deck.

Behind them were the Mohist mechanical ships, and then ordinary merchant ships, and even fishing boats and deck boats, all of which had civilians on board.

This brought up another problem, that is, different ships had different speeds. Mechanical ships were propelled by mechanisms, but merchant ships needed wind power. As for the common people's single-board fishing boats, they relied on manpower to support them.

But just when Li Guanyi had a headache, a loud laugh suddenly came from the river. The laugh was desolate and magnificent, as if it was connected to the heaven and earth, and it carried an indescribable heroic spirit:
"The water of Canglang is clear, and can wash my hair with it."

"The water of Canglang is turbid, but it can wash my feet."

The fisherman on the fishing boat put down his fishing rod, took off his hat, and stood up where the water and the sky met. He was a man with extremely broad shoulders, slightly gray hair, and a strong figure. Suddenly, a wind blew and waves rose.

The big man flew into the air, raised his hand and a dragon appeared, chanting continuously.

The blue transparent dragon circled and dispersed the strong wind. The entire river was turbulent, but many boats were stable. The slightly older man just walked on the water, with extraordinary spirit.

The common people all thought they had seen the Dragon King, and many of those who fished in the water turned pale.

Then they saw the Qilin Army general wearing a Taoist robe walk out.

The old man came over and turned out to be pushing the golden mountain and overturning the jade pillar. He just half-knelt on the ground.
The dragon behind him lowered his head and said solemnly:

"Kou Yulie, meet the lord!"

"I, under the orders of Mr. Yan Daiqing and Mr. Yuan Zhi, am leading my navy to join us!"

Everyone who saw this scene was speechless. The young man who had eaten with them and behaved in a plain and simple manner now had an indescribable spirit. Kou Yulie arrived early and led the naval captains of the Qilin Army.

"Mr. Yuan Zhi guessed that the lord encountered such difficulties."

"But I also know that the lord will not abandon these people, so he sent us here. He said that although different ships have different speeds, if the main ship is the core, and the ships in different areas are all staffed by captains, the large and small ships will be connected with ropes and chains."

"The outside is pulled by iron chains, and the inside is connected by the spirit of the military formation."

"Then we can all retreat as one."

"That's why we're here."

After the joining of the Wrathful Scale Dragon King Kou Yulie, the fleet's speed was finally maintained at a standard level, but it still failed to reach the theoretical limit of water transport speed.

Because ordinary people kept rushing here after hearing the news.

The noble families were furious and planned to use force to keep the people here. At this time, the Emperor of Zhongzhou personally issued an order: "What the people do is natural. They are the people of the world, not your people."

"Li Guanyi is my General of Heavenly Strategy. Please do not stop me."

Because of the previous autumn hunt, the heads of the royal family's branches were shot to death by the powerful official with magic weapons, and the royal family was in a panic. In Zhongzhou, there was Ji Yanzhong, a generous elder at the level of a grandmaster. In the past few days, Ji Zichang worked hard and bravely to reform the royal family and take back power.

The order came down at once, and because the powerful minister Qin Wuhou was too arrogant and ruthless, as soon as the soldiers of the Qilin Army heard that someone wanted to surrender here, they would come in numbers. A few days ago, the Zhao family just didn't believe it.

That day, the people were detained and not allowed to leave.

Seeing the Qilin Army soldiers coming, they became angry. The eldest son drew his bow and shot those untouchables to death. He then led the crowd to kill the two Qilin Army soldiers so that there would be no evidence against them.

Those two soldiers both had cultivation at the second level of heaven.

In ordinary troops, one can become a sergeant as long as he reaches the entry level, but in this armored heavy cavalry, a second-level genius is a single-soldier fighter. Although they are two armored second-level warriors with enough family background, they were severely injured. However, after all, they were warriors who had experienced many fierce battles. They managed to escape on dragon horses wearing heavy armor.

On the second day, five hundred heavily armored cavalry arrived.

Led by Ling Pingyang, one of the most famous cavalry generals of the time, this noble family was trampled to pieces and the eldest son was shot dead. After that, no one dared to stop them. However, Li Guanyi's reputation as a powerful and domineering official became more and more famous and spread more and more widely.

When they reached the water pass through Zhongzhou, many aristocratic families, nobles, generals, and even some common people with good family backgrounds gathered at the pass, whispering to each other, but looking at Li Guanyi and others.

The sound of flowing water was as loud as thunder, and the voices of people whispering became quiet involuntarily. Everyone looked from afar and was shocked. However, they saw in the waterway a huge Mohist mechanical ship with a very deep draft. Even if it was not as good as the Four Spirits-class treasure ship, it was also a main battle-level mechanical ship.

Behind this huge ship, there were countless other ships connected by iron chains. A vast dragon image was circling in the sky. Every ship was full of people. On the leading ship, a halberd was pointing to the sky, and above the halberd hung a scarlet flag, fluttering violently.

Ling Pingyang led a thousand cavalrymen and galloped along Jiang'an like thunder.

Vast and magnificent.

"My Lord, come and open the way!"

Rather than saying that the Qilin Army was holding the people hostage as rumored, it was more like the generals and princes were on a tour. The Zhongzhou border guards did not dare to stop them and quickly allowed Li Guanyi's troops to pass through. Their momentum was magnificent and their reputation grew.

But from now on, it will be a real test——

Ahead is the territory of Ying State.

Li Guanyi led tens of thousands of people, and almost all the ships in Zhongzhou were bought up by Wen He. In addition, a group of Mohist students in the academy worked tirelessly to build new mechanical ships.

The requirements for the mechanical ship were even lowered to the point where it could carry people.

The environment was not very good, in fact it was quite crowded, and every time we arrived at a place, we would stop and rest, and then set off again the next day. Although the speed was much slower this way, we could bring as many people as possible.

The number of people is increasing, and the composition of the personnel is becoming more diverse.

There are truly poor people who cannot survive in their original places; but there are also those who have committed crimes in the local area, owe money and don't pay it back, or have made enemies in the local area. Ruffians who want to take advantage of others have also mixed in, and among them are even diehard fans of the major families.

But they were picked out one by one by Wei Xuancheng.

This guy's eyes seem to have some magical powers. He can find any problem and then trace it back to find the cause.

Master Wang Tong's disciples, led by Fang Ziqiao, Du Keming, Wei Xuancheng and others, formulated simple management rules and laws for the journey. After the rectification, those who stole things or intended to commit crimes were all found and dealt with according to the law.

The rest of those who have made contributions will receive different rewards.

So the spies sent by the noble families saw that this group of refugees, which they should have regarded as a mob, had a measured advance and retreat, set up camps, and there was no chaos. Men worked, women cooked, and children gathered together, and students taught them literature and martial arts.

"The laws are strict, and no one is harmed wherever they go."

People in aristocratic families have always believed that they are of the same blood. Throughout the dynasties, even if there are grudges between aristocratic families, when outsiders challenge the status of aristocratic families, aristocratic families from all over the country will help each other.

What Li Guanyi did has shaken the foundation of the family.

Therefore, when he and his party arrived at the border of Ying State, a statement had already been made: "What Li Guanyi did was exactly that of a despicable and shameless person. He brought the people with him to protect himself."

"It is precisely because all the heroes in the world are kind and generous that they would not send troops to stop Li Guanyi just because he brought the people with him. This man took advantage of the kindness of the heroes in the world and took these people as a shield."

"That is why the heroes and generals who did not bear to attack were truly benevolent."

"Li Guanyi, what a mean person you are!"

The person who said this was a man of clear thinking, who was able to deduce cause and effect. A famous scholar named Sui Lingbo was amazed when he saw this. He immediately understood that this noble family said this just to throw dirty water on others, as they were afraid that their own people would also go along with it.

Sui Lingbo immediately went to the village and saw that some people had already brought their families and were planning to leave the village to join Li Guanyi's Qilin Army. The villagers wanted to stop them, but it was difficult for them to stop such a big thing.

Some people were willing to move even if it meant giving up their houses and fields.

If you ask, it's the Night Cavalry, which is famous all over the world. Although they are heavily armored cavalry, they are very good at galloping and attacking. That night, they have conquered many cities and started fighting. No one knows when they will come.

Sui Lingbo asked: "Don't you know that Li Guanyi is a fraud?"

The old farmer replied: "Oh, it has indeed been publicized."

Sui Lingbo asked in confusion: "If that's the case, why do you still want to go?"

The old farmer grumbled and said, "I see that you are also a learned person. Let me tell you a story. When I was young, there was a well in the village. The water in the well was sweet. Some people said that it was left by the gods and drinking it could cure all diseases."

"It can cure all diseases, but it's true that it tastes good and it makes you strong, so everyone goes there to get water to drink."

"But later, the masters in the city said that the water from this well was not good. There was some blood in it. It tasted good to drink, but it would actually shorten one's lifespan. Gradually, people stopped going there to fetch water."

"But the master fenced off the well and built a big yard, so no one can drink the good water."

Sui Lingbo asked: "What does this mean?"

The old farmer rolled his eyes at him and said, "What the old man said may not be true."

"But when the gentlemen say something is bad, it doesn't necessarily mean that the thing is bad. It's just that these gentlemen in silk and satin don't want you to do something."

“We just can’t read.”

"We are not blind." The old farmer muttered.

Sui Lingbo asked, "Aren't you afraid that it will be just as the noble families claim, that Li Guan is just using you as a shield and doesn't treat you as human beings at all?"

The old farmer laughed: "What a joke."

"As if we are not being oppressed here."

He pushed the wooden cart and used his shoulder to push Sui Lingbo, the famous scholar, out of the way, cursing, "You sour old scholar, get out of the way! Don't block the road!"

Sui Lingbo was stunned, then just smiled and didn't take it seriously.

In August of the eleventh year of the Tianqi reign, the Qilin Army and the people entered Ying State. Among the people from all over Ying State, there were also refugees who fled and wanted to join the Qilin Army. As a result, the officials of Ying State were all furious. Unlike Zhongzhou, the bureaucratic families in Zhongzhou had very little control over the people.

However, Ying State had extremely strict requirements on its people and almost did not allow them to move away from their place of residence. However, there were always people who lost their land and families for various reasons and became landless, propertyless and houseless refugees, wandering around everywhere.

These people have no land, no way to cultivate the fields and grow food, and they cannot pay taxes, but they still have to spend money on disaster relief. In the past, Ying officials did not like these refugees. They were unwilling to give them land.

After all, this land belongs to their family.

They can't possibly cut the flesh out of their own bodies.

We can't just abandon it completely.

They simply kept these refugees from starving to death, turning them into a cheap, free labor force. But when these refugees saw hope in life and planned to leave, they realized the problem.

These refugees cannot be allowed to leave.

Leaving here, we headed to the Eighteen Prefectures in the south of the Yangtze River. Unlike Ying and Chen, there had been more than ten years of war and confrontation there, and some of the land had not yet been cultivated.

These refugees will soon become good families after they go there.

Become the most important backbone force of a force.

They began to mobilize their own forces and on the one hand began to guide public opinion to lower Li Guanyi's reputation, but they found that it was difficult to be effective. Then, because of their reputation, it was absolutely impossible for them to send troops to rob and kill civilians, and they were stuck.

Wen He's strategy was successful.

Li Guanyi's move was clearly to cut into their flesh.

But they just couldn't attack.

Li Guanyi led the people across the river, but the generals of Ying State intercepted them and killed the people. If such a thing were to be known, the next day Jiang Wanxiang would be furious and send Jiang Su to directly skin the person who did such a thing to death.

In the Cangxi City of Ying State, there was a general guarding the city named Yan Baotai. He was always harsh to the people and was very serious about the annexation of land by the noble families. However, he was good at disguising himself and coped with the inspections from the imperial court in the capital of Ying State.

There had always been no trouble, but this time, when the Qilin Army arrived, the people under his command were in an uproar. When Li Guanyi's troops passed through here, he had the waterway cut off, and sent 5,000 soldiers and Mohist machinery to block them, preventing them from passing.

When Li Guanyi came out, Yan Baotai shouted:

"Where is Qin Wuhou going?"

Li Guanyi did not answer. Wen Lingjun stepped forward to return the greeting and said in a calm voice:

"My Lord is returning to Jiangnan. What is your intention, General? Why are you stopping us?"

Yan Baotai laughed loudly, and instead of answering, he laughed and said, "So you are the son of the Wen family. Your father and I were friends back then. After a few drinks, you didn't recognize your uncle. Of course, I know that the fief of Qin Wuhou of the Qilin Army is in the south of the Yangtze River."

"But this is not the place for your Qilin Army. This is the territory of my Great Ying State. This place is the border of my Great Ying State. Without the order of my lord, how can I let you leave?!"

"Stay on!"

"I will submit a letter to the court. If His Majesty orders me to leave, I will let you go. Otherwise, I will not obey your order!"

Yan Baotai's attitude was very tough. Li Guanyi and the people were unwilling to fight with them. After Yan Baotai returned, he discussed with his advisers and staff. On the one hand, he quickly sent troops and continued to send more troops to block the road ahead, not allowing Li Guanyi's troops to pass.

On the one hand, he suppressed the people under his rule, especially the refugees.

"Even if you die, you must die under my command."

"How can I let you go to Jiangnan?"

"You are just worthless lives. If you die, you die. It would be a good thing for you to be reincarnated early. But you will ruin my reputation!"

Yan Baotai was angry. His advisers asked him if he wanted to report to the court. Yan Baotai said with a stern expression, "Report to the court? Now our Great Ying State is dealing with the State of Chen and the Turks. If we let Li Guanyi go back, wouldn't that be raising a tiger to cause trouble?"

"I will be outside, and I will not accept your order!"

"This general will not have any conflict with Li Guanyi. I will not fight and kill him. I will just block his way and prevent him from leaving!" Yan Baotai sneered, "He has tens of thousands of peasants under his command. Each household has six or seven people, so there must be at least hundreds of thousands of people."

"Once we pass through Ying State, we can also bring the people with us. How many people will there be in the end?"

"One hundred thousand households? Hundreds of thousands of people rushing over with dry food, that would be drawing blood and flesh from our Great Ying State to help Li Guanyi rise. My lord, you can see this, but you can't do anything or stop it."

"As subjects, we are here to share your majesty's worries."

"This kind of thing that will ruin your reputation is something that should be done by someone like this general."

Yan Baotai said again:
"Besides, Li Guanyi's troops have more people, so there is no need to resort to violence."

"Every day, the people and horses have to eat. His cabin has a deep draft. How much food can he carry? I heard that they need to replenish supplies every time they arrive at a place. Once they run out of food, these people will riot immediately. Can Li Guanyi control them?!"

"When the refugees under his command starve to death, it will prove that Li Guanyi's so-called benevolence is all bullshit!"

"Besides, it's already autumn. Daying is located in the north, and the climate is extremely cold. Starting this month, the weather will get colder day by day. Those untouchables are only wearing a single layer of clothing and are near the stream. In a few days, they will start to catch a cold."

"Once there's no food, and people start dying of colds and strokes, there's going to be a plague."

"Humph, Li Guanyi, Li Guanyi."

Yan Baotai said bitterly: "You want to trample on the reputation of my lord and earn a reputation for benevolence. Where in the world is there such a good place?! This general will not allow you to fulfill your wish. You will be trapped here and die, and lose this reputation!"

Li Guanyi's Qilin Army waited here for two days. Wen He and Wen Ling both sighed. With their talents, they had already seen through Yan Baotai's purpose, which was also an open conspiracy.

Wen He said softly, "It depends on what the lord wants to do."

"If we fall out, the road ahead will be difficult. The Emperor of Ying will not send troops openly or tear each other apart openly, but the king, as a national treasure, will not be as binding as a gentleman. It is natural for him to do something to interfere with us."

"After all, if it were me, I would definitely do this."

He sighed and said, "It's actually pretty good."

"After all, this kid didn't soak the bodies in the upper reaches of the river. In fact, he only needed to find the bodies of a hundred pigs and sheep, catch them in a fishing net, and put them on the river. The current would just wash them away, and the bodies wouldn't be discovered. But those of us who drink the water downstream will not be able to avoid the plague."

"It won't be long before something bad happens."

Wen Lingjun looked at Wen He as if he had seen a ghost.

Wen He smiled and said, "This move is against the will of nature. It seems the opponent won't use it."

Li Guanyi looked at the tea in his quilt. He had been drinking tea before, but after hearing what Wen He said, he suddenly felt that he couldn't drink it anymore. Li Guanyi grinned and said, "Sir, how much food do we have left?"

Wen He said, "We prepared a lot of dry food. When the people came to surrender, they also brought their own food. The Wrathful Scale Dragon King killed some fish, so if we save some food, we can still survive for three days."

Li Guanyi: "Three days..."

He sat there quietly.

On the second day, Li Guanyi asked to see Yan Baotai. Yan Baotai still stood at the gate and laughed, "How majestic is Qin Wuhou. I can't stop you, and I dare not intercept the Qilin Army!"

"You can go, I will personally escort you out of the border, but you, these refugees, must stay here."

"Don't worry. After the Marquis leaves, I will release them immediately when His Majesty's decree arrives. Hahahaha, my word is as good as gold. I will never go back on my word."

Yan Baotai's voice was very loud. After hearing this, many people looked panicked and terrified. Looking at the young man, Li Guanyi exhaled and looked ahead. Wen He, Wen Lingjun, Feng Xiao, Fang Ziqiao, Du Keming, and Wei Xuancheng looked at Li Guanyi.
Li Guanyi faced a choice: whether to abandon these people or to conflict with Ying State. Even though it would not lead to an outright war, the road ahead would be visibly difficult to move forward.

In the dead silence, Yan Baotai already had a smile on his face.

Li Guanyi sighed suddenly, stretched out his hand, and the halberd whistled. He suddenly shook his hand and threw the halberd in his hand. It broke through the air in just a moment and directly cut through the gate of the pass in front. The murderous air wave blew Yan Baotai away.

Qin Wuhou's voice was solemn and murderous, and it was heard from afar: "Qilin Army, raise your guns."

“If the people do not forsake me, I will not forsake the people.”

"Let me see who dares to stop me!"

(End of this chapter)