Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 59 Shi Pu escapes
Sima Yi, the founding emperor of the Jin Dynasty, had a famous saying: If you can fight, fight; if you cannot fight, defend; if you cannot defend, flee; if you cannot flee, surrender; if you cannot surrender, die.

With Shi Pu's intelligence, he naturally understood that now there was no way to fight or defend.

He didn't want to surrender to the bandits or die.

Then Shi Pu should at least arrange a decent exit for himself.

"Beautiful fairy." Shi Pu rubbed Chaoying's face and said with a sigh: "It's a pity that I couldn't get you today."

"Pooh!"

Chaoying, who always had a gentle expression, finally revealed uncontrollable anger. She opened her mouth and spit in Shi Pu's face, splashing a bright red on it.

This is because Chaoying decisively bit the tip of his tongue.

This blood should have interfered with the vision of ordinary people, but Shi Pu seemed to be completely unaffected.

He disappeared like a flash of lightning: "Miss Chuoying, I like you more and more."

"Unfortunately, I already have a wife at home. So I swear that one day, I will make you willingly become my concubine."

After saying this arrogant words, his hands were once again covered by the gleaming cold steel claws.

This pair of steel claws is usually hidden in the sleeves and can be quickly equipped and removed.

Facing the surging wolf pack, Shi Pu was not afraid at all and moved forward.

The steel claws instantly dug into the skull of a green wolf, and blood and brain matter spurted out.

Shi Pu jumped onto the body of the blue wolf, and then jumped with force, like a frog, and landed on the back of a huge black wolf next to him.

A pair of steel claws dug into the wolf's flesh, causing it to howl in pain.

"A true hunter, even when surrounded by tigers and wolves, will never give up his hunt." Shi Pu gave Zhu Wen a strange smile, licked his lips, and dug his hands into the wolf's flesh. "I, Shi Pu, grew up in the mountains between Qing and Xu. You, Zhu Wen, may be good at making friends with animals, but I have had to rely on hunting them to survive since I was a child."

The big wolf in pain felt the pain go straight into its head, and a powerful pressure forced it to turn around.

"Some say it's hard to get off a tiger. But for me, riding a tiger or wolf is like returning home."

"The sky is vast and the wilderness is boundless. Who is hunting in this world?" Shi Pu raised his voice to the sky and said, "This hunting match between you and me is only the first time, but it will not be the last. It is normal for hunters to fail occasionally, but the prey will never have the last laugh."

"Zhu Wen, next time we meet, I will prepare the best trap for you."

As he spoke, Shi Pu used the excruciating pain to control the black wolf beneath him, forcing it to jump wildly. Shi Pu's legs, however, clamped the wolf's body like a pair of steel pliers, and he rode tightly on its back, motionless as a mountain, gradually moving away.

Wolves generally do not attack their own kind, especially those belonging to the same wolf pack.

When the tribesmen were restrained by Shi Pu, their brains were obviously not enough and they didn't know how to respond. They just let Shi Pu drive the black wolf with violence, break out of the wolf pack, and go away.

Everyone present was stunned. Only Zhu Wen stared at Shi Pu's back from afar, his voice drifting away on the mountain breeze: "This nonsense of trying to make amends is meaningless. Before you leave, General Shi Pu, why don't you leave the name of your friend?"

"Yang Xingmi. Yang Xingmi of Luzhou." Perhaps out of dissatisfaction that the advice failed to help him win, Shi Pu said this name.

Anyway, Zhu Wen must not have heard of it.

Zhu Wen nodded, thoughtfully.

Zhang Liang, a famous official in the early Han Dynasty, was considered by Liu Bang to be "able to plan strategies from within the tent and win battles thousands of miles away."

Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, also possessed the wisdom and strategy to "make decisions thousands of miles away."

This young man named Yang Xingmi was able to fight with him from thousands of miles away through Shi Pu's hands. He was indeed an opponent that should not be underestimated.

Shi Pu was defeated because his on-the-spot performance was still clearly suppressed by Zhu Wen. However, if Yang Xingmi had been there in person, the situation would have been very different.

When Pu disappeared into the night, Zhu Wen said to Lan Suting, "I suddenly feel that the four marshals who once suppressed an era may soon become a thing of the past."

Except for Xue Shuai Qi Kerang, the undefeated myths of the other three have not yet been broken.

However, as the Yangtze River's waves push forward, the old generation is replaced by the new generation. The emergence of outstanding young people makes people feel that the era of young people will come much faster than expected.

At this time, Zhu Wen certainly did not know that the name Yang Xingmi would become an invincible whale wave on the Jianghuai River in the next twenty years, and would even swallow up his most elite troops in one breath.

Zhu Wen ordered his men to give the wolves some cooked meat as a reward for their selfless help. They ate heartily in the Taoist temple, and high and low wolf howls of joy were heard one after another.

Chuoying was untied by two sword fairies from Mount Tai, and her expression was still a little frightened.

Although she sprayed blood on Shi Pu's face in disgust, she was still shocked by Shi Pu's calmness and the way he drove the wolf away.

She realized that as a small woman, she was just a drop in the ocean in the real game of wits.

Both the disciples of Taishan Sect and Judge Wu's subordinates had laid down their weapons and given up resistance.

Even if they wanted to fight back, they couldn't find anyone to lead them.

As for the elite scouts under Shi Pu's command, some were killed, some broke through and escaped successfully, and none of them were captured alive.

"If I had not come to your door, I would be in danger. Mr. Liang Yu is very clever and far-sighted, and has made every possible plan. Even Chaoying cannot compare to him in the slightest."

Chaoying bowed to Zhu Wen as an ordinary woman would, rather than the Taoist kowtow, showing that she was completely convinced of Zhu Wen's wisdom.

As for the line “If I had not come to your door, I would be in danger”, it comes from Zhuangzi’s “Autumn Water”, which is an allusion to the story of He Bo lamenting his inferiority to the sea god.

"Every profession has its specialties. As the commander of the grass army, strategy and planning are his profession. Sister Chaoying, however, is not a military advisor..." Lan Suting tried to smooth things over.

Zhu Wen nodded and said, "That's right. Fairy Chuoying is a master of both singing and dancing. Her talent and learning are no less than those of the Jinshi scholars in the court. She can also make good use of the allusion of 'like bamboo shoots, like lush pines'..."

Chuoying couldn't help but blush: "I am shallow and rude. I just hope that Mr. Liangyu will not take Chuoying to heart."

"That's alright, I was the one who made such a random comment on you." Zhu Wen smiled beautifully, "To become the head of the Taishan Sect on your own merits is far more noble in my eyes than relying on a man for a living."

Upon hearing this, Chuoying was overjoyed, and the joy in her smoky eyes could not be suppressed.

She understood that Zhu Wen not only did not care about her ridicule of him, but also promised her the position of the head of the Taishan Sect.

Chuoying pulled the crossbow bolt from her leg with her own hands. Blood spurted out, turning her pretty face pale, but she didn't utter a sound. After bandaging herself behind a pillar, Chuoying came out and said to Zhu Wen, "Mr. Liangyu, can we go back and talk in detail?" "Very good," Zhu Wen agreed, and at the same time ordered someone to release Tian Jun, who was imprisoned in the back.

Someone had already told him that several of Judge Wu's subordinates wanted to make a move on Tian Jun, but they were stopped by Chaoying, who said that it would not be too late to deal with this woman after Zhu Wen was caught.

Zhu Wen then ordered these people to be beheaded on the spot to serve as a warning to others.

Zhu Wen entered a small room on the second floor. There was no bed inside, only a straw mat. Hanging on the wall were a few paintings of orchids and beauties. However, the entire Moon Palace was warm, presumably similar to Madam Ah Qing's villa, with charcoal burning underground.

Chuoying's expression was very solemn: "This humble girl thanks the generals of Liangyu Camp for saving her."

As he spoke, he bowed to Zhu Wen again and offered him wine.

Zhu Wen drank it all in one gulp. Seeing that she looked quite calm, he nodded and said, "Very good. If you cling to me like you did to Zhizhen, I will look down on you."

"How dare I?" Chuoying said anxiously, "Mr. Liangyu is a man of divine character. He would not look down upon my humble appearance. How could I dare to act recklessly in front of him? As for what I did to Sister Zhizhen back then, it was only a matter of urgency."

At this moment, the woman spoke quite respectfully and appropriately.

Zhu Wen certainly knew that this was because she needed his help.

Shi Pu escaped, Cao Zixiu was captured, and Judge Wu was executed. The personnel arrangements of the Taishan Sect were all decided by his own thoughts.

Chaoying filled Zhu Wen's cup with wine again, and the amber wine liquid glowed with a hazy color in the luminous cup.

Zhu Wen took a sip and said, "Just now, someone among the people I brought with me suggested that I immediately escort Master Cao to Alliance Leader Wang for punishment."

As expected, Chuoying's expression changed slightly: "Mr. Zhu, you must know that it is easy to let a tiger go, but it is difficult to restrain it..."

Of course, Zhu Wen could see through her thoughts.

If Chaoying wants to become the leader of the Taishan Sect, Cao Zixiu must die, the sooner the better.

"Then Fairy Chaoying can tell us the reason."

"How dare I call myself a fairy in front of Mr. Liang Yu?" Chuoying sighed, "Just call me 'Madam Chuoying' or just 'Chaoying'."

"My dear, do you know that Cao Shixiong, a general under Alliance Leader Wang, is actually Cao Zixiu's son?"

Zhu Wen raised his eyebrows slightly. He didn't know this information before.

He nodded to signal Shadow to continue.

"It's not that Taoist priests in this dynasty can't marry, but firstly, the Taoist tradition is to be proud of not marrying. Secondly, with the exception of the family of Zhang Tianshi of Longhu Mountain, Taoist status and property are not allowed to be passed down through blood. Cao Zixiu refused to acknowledge that he had a son, so it was possible to pass on the inheritance to his son."

"Cao Shixiong is favored by Alliance Leader Wang and will definitely distance himself from his grandfather's rebellion. However, Young Master Liang Yu previously killed Alliance Leader's disciple Yan Jingming and offended many people in the Alliance Leader's army."

"Will Cao Shixiong and these people persuade Alliance Leader Wang that Master Cao's plan was designed solely to weaken General Huang's forces and prevent them from becoming overwhelmed, and that he intends to infiltrate the imperial court and do more for the Alliance Leader, and that he has no intention of betraying them?"

Zhu Wen showed a half-smile.

The skill of a lobbyist is to speak in a way that seems to be considering the other party even though it is clearly for his own benefit.

"As a lobbyist, Madam Chaoying has passed the test." Zhu Wen asked, "Are you going to personally kill Master Cao?"

"We are master and disciple, and it's not good for our reputation." Chuoying shook his head.

"Then I can't kill Cao Zixiu, otherwise his son Cao Shixiong will hate me even more. You see, I'm just following orders..." Zhu Wen looked embarrassed.

"I got it. I'll tell her later that those guys who wanted to make a move on Tian Jun were Cao Zixiu's cronies. Tian Jun had never met Judge Wu and his gang before." Zhu Wen gently twisted his slender fingers under the shadow's wandering gaze. "Then tell Tian Jun that I accidentally killed those guys. Now Cao Zixiu is right in front of her. What will this silly girl do?"

Chuoying bowed joyfully once again: "I am a weak woman, unable to survive on my own, so I have no choice but to do this. Chuoying's fate depends on my lover's thoughts."

"There's no need to say these clichés." Zhu Wen's eyes suddenly became fiery as he met Chaoying's eyes. The sudden sense of oppression made Chaoying feel a little suffocated.

Shi Pu needed to touch her body with his hands to achieve such pressure.

"As for me, I prefer to hear a woman's honest opinion. Whether it's pleasant or not, it makes me feel relaxed. For example, if you say I'm 'a lush bamboo and a lush pine tree,' I won't get angry."

Chuoying lowered her head and fiddled with her sleeves. She remained silent for a long time before she composed herself and said, "Chaoying simply feels that Mr. Zhu Wen is truly an upright gentleman. For all these years, no one else has ever been so indifferent to him."

"A gentleman? Not necessarily." Zhu Wen recalled the evil thoughts that surged in his mind when he held Tian Jun in his arms: "It's just that compared to the beauty of the face, I am more obsessed with other qualities of women."

"Madam Chuoying, there's no need to belittle yourself. You are indeed a natural beauty. But in life, the most important thing is to be yourself. It's impossible for everyone to like you."

"When I was little, I also wanted to be liked by everyone. But later I realized that being smarter or better looking than others often became a reason to be disliked. So I stopped caring about what many people think."

Chuoying seemed to understand something: "Thank you for your guidance, my lord."

She knew that what Zhu Wen said to her was also true.

It was not easy for a very smart person like Zhu Wen to tell her the truth.

As for the Taishan Sect's leader, Chaoying was relieved. Her conversation with Zhu Wen gradually became more relaxed.

After a few topics, she cleverly led the conversation to Lan Suting, asking about Lan Suting's age and birthday, as well as how she met Zhu Wen.

These words did not make Zhu Wen feel that the other party was nagging. Instead, he felt that he had found a rare confidant.

"It's only natural for Madam Chaoying to be fond of a girl as lovely as Zhizhen."

As Zhu Wen spoke, he felt as if he had suddenly found a like-minded person, and told Chaoying about Lan Suting's bravery, compassion, and tenacity.

She was originally the most fragile and lovable girl, but when it comes to responsibility and commitment, ninety-nine percent of men in the world cannot compare to her.

Seeing Zhu Wen's rare expression of joy and excitement, Chaoying listened quietly and nodded continuously.

She already knew Zhu Wen's feelings for Lan Suting.

This kind of feeling can undoubtedly be called "love", and some men and women eventually become a couple because of this kind of feeling.

However, this kind of liking is not the same as the passionate love of exclusive possession. For example, when talking about Lan Suting sucking out the poisonous sores for the soldiers, Zhu Wen would only admire her kindness and courage, without any resentment.

(End of this chapter)