Tianyun Mountain, Yunshi Stockade

  Just as the sentinel said, Yang Shuo Ming had gone to Mount Tianyun to "pay his respects".

  "The scenery of Yunshan on this day is indeed different from other places."

  Yang Shuoming, dressed in military uniform, looked at the distant civilian houses and said with emotion as he watched the smoke rising from their kitchens.

  Unlike the dirty bandit den crowded with many villainous-looking rascals that Yang Shuo Ming had imagined, the stronghold on Tianyun Mountain was actually a very quiet and elegant place.

  The mountain stronghold of Tianyun Mountain is called Yunshi Stockade, which was built on the mountain with huge bluestone slabs forming a high and sturdy stockade wall, as well as ancient forts inside. A peak resembling a woman's breast protrudes northward, shrouded in mist, making it impossible to see the highest point of the breast-shaped peak, giving people the feeling that the sky ends here. From the mountain slope, a stretch of giant stones and cypress trees with twisted trunks like giant arms are scattered all over, between which are layers upon layers of houses, all lit up with lanterns. Along the nine-bend river surrounding the mountain peak, large patches of courtyards are densely packed, these ancient and fragrant courtyards seem to be in disorder but actually have a hidden order, with a strong atmosphere of life. Far away, over the stone arch bridge spanning the river, there is an open space like a square, where a theater seems to have been set up, and a play is being performed, although it's very far away, Yang Shuo Ming can still faintly hear the sound of opera music and people's laughter.

  The village in front of us, Yunshi Village, is said to be a mountain stronghold, but it's more suitable to say that it's a prosperous and bustling town built beside the mountain.

  "Isn't the scenery of Luanshi Mountain, where you are from, also unique?" Tang Jing, dressed in a white silk robe, stood beside Yang Shuo Ming and smiled quietly, saying, "I heard that your place just got electricity, but we don't have it here. At night, it's still pitch black."

  Under the efforts of Yang Shuo Ming, a small power plant that makes full use of local natural geography and technical conditions has been born in Shuanglong Town, ending the history of no electric lights in this remote area.

  "These will no longer be a problem later." Yang Shuo Ming turned his head to look at him, saying with utmost sincerity, "As long as we work together."

  After hearing Yang Shuo Ming's words, Tang Jing couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

  "I gave myself the nickname 'Surprising Heaven' to motivate myself, with the goal of accomplishing something earth-shaking in the future." Tang Jiong looked into Yang Shuo Ming's eyes and said, "But I never thought that there would come a day when I'd retreat to the mountains and live as an outlaw." As he spoke, he bent down and picked up a stone, flinging it far away into the misty mountain valley. "When the world is governed by justice, one appears; when the world is not governed by justice, one hides. The ancients were indeed not deceiving me. Now, I just want to live as a hermit here, guarding this small plot of land on Tianyun Mountain until my old age."

  Yang Shuo Ming listened to his words and couldn't help but smile slightly.

  "The Tianyun Mountain is really beautiful, my Luanshi Mountain can't be compared with this place at all. The Didi Cave Mansion is just a desolate ancient castle, but your place is simply a fairyland cave mansion in a dream." Yang Shuoming said with a smile, "To be honest, I don't want to leave after coming here."

  Yang Shuo Ming noticed that Tang Jing appeared somewhat nonchalant, but was actually listening attentively to every word he said.

  "But have you thought about what would happen if this dream is shattered?" Yang Shuo Ming's words suddenly took a turn, "In today's world, wanting to be a recluse isn't as easy as it was in ancient times."

  "Yes! Hiding all the time is not a solution." Yang Shuo Ming's words struck a chord in Tang Jing's heart, he straightened up, sighed, and looked at the distant mountain village, nodding his head.

  At this moment, a lithe and beautiful girl appeared beside Tang Jing.

  "Dad, it's time to patrol the mountain." Tang Jiemei looked at Tang Jing and handed him a delicate leather whip. She turned her head and glanced at Yang Shouming's neat gray-blue military uniform, seeming somewhat puzzled.

  Looking at her slightly hostile eyes, Yang Shuo Ming smiled slightly and didn't speak.

  Tang Jing noticed Tang Jiu's gaze and smiled at Yang Shouming, "If Commander Yang doesn't mind, would you like to come with me for a horse ride? We can also take a look at the scenery of Yunshi Stockade."

  "Alright." Yang Shuo Ming agreed readily.

  After a period of hard practice, his horsemanship is now basically flawless. This time he came to Tianyun Mountain on horseback.

  Tang Jiang's patrol of the mountain was one of his daily necessities. On the one hand, it was to show off his military power to other mountain masters, and on the other hand, it was also a protective action for the ordinary people living here. After Tang Jiang drove away the small bandits occupying Tianyun Mountain, he did not harass the common people, but instead protected the passing travelers and merchants. Upon learning of this, people from nearby mountains came to Tianyun Mountain in droves, seeking protection and stability. Tang Jiang designated a large area near Tianyun Mountain as a living area for the mountain people. Because they could get Tang Jiang's protection without being disturbed, the place quickly became prosperous and bustling, known far and wide as a paradise. As more and more mountain people gathered, an extremely large market town was formed around Tianyun Mountain.

  To protect the people living here and to show off his military might to prevent other bandits from coming to plunder, Tang Jing would lead his troops on horseback to patrol the town every morning and evening. This had become an unwritten rule, and even a standard for the mountain people living here to grasp time. Every time dawn broke, many families heard the clear sound of horseshoes coming from the streets and started calling out to their children to get up. At night, when the horseshoes sounded again, people would close their doors, blow out the lights and rest or sleep. Of course, not everyone did this at these times, and some young men would sneak a peek through the window gaps, searching for the beautiful and elegant figure beside Tang Jing.

  Just tonight, among the troops on routine patrol, there were several knights wearing majestic military uniforms.

  "I can see that, although you're still young, you're a man who gets big things done." Tang Jing looked at the peaceful and serene village and said to Yang Shuo Ming, "I heard that you opened a pharmacy and produced a kind of miraculous medicine. No matter if they were rich or poor, all patients were treated. Now, people from all over the surrounding villages are praising your kindness."

  After hearing Tang Jing's praise, Yang Shuo Ming just smiled slightly.

  "His medicine is too expensive!" Tang Jiuniang suddenly said loudly behind them.

  Yang Shuo Ming turned around, just in time to meet Tang Jiu Mei's gaze head-on. At this moment, those sparkling eyes like a deer's were staring at him intently, the previous hostility had vanished without a trace, replaced by a hint of girlish coquetry and petulance.

  "It's fine for the rich, but the poor can't even afford medicine. And yet they're forced to work for three years without pay! It's simply extortion!" Tang Jiemei said, noticing that Yang Shouming hadn't spoken up, and continued in a provocative tone.

  "It can't be said that way, Ninth Sister." Tang Xuan shook his head and said, "Actually, Mr. Yang's actions are equivalent to indirectly helping those poor people who have no money for medical treatment. Not only did he cure their illnesses, but also taught them ways to make a living. Otherwise, Mr. Yang wouldn't have set up schools in the company and the mines."

  "It's a vocational school." Yang Shuo Ming smiled and slightly corrected Tang Jing's words.

  Tang Jiemei listened to her father's explanation and didn't say anything else, but hummed a sound, turned her head away, and stopped looking at Yang Shuoming. Yang Shuoming also turned his head around, still with a smile on his face.

  He knew that Tang Jiemei actually approved of his methods in her heart, and she said so earlier just to intentionally find fault with him, without any other malicious intent.

  Otherwise, she wouldn't have taken such a great risk to deliver the message to Xu Yuanjin during the Chinese New Year.

  "Last time, Brother Tang helped us out of a big trouble, and I haven't had the chance to thank you yet." Yang Shouming smiled at Tang Jing and said, "If it wasn't for Brother Tang sending someone to report in time, who knows what would have happened?"

  "I can't just watch as the business that benefits the country and its people, which you've worked so hard to establish, gets destroyed by ignorant petty people." Tang Jing said, turning his head to glance at Tang Jiuniang and several subordinates, "That day I didn't actually help much, mainly it was Jiuniang and a few brothers who worked hard, fortunately they didn't let those bastards succeed."

  "Thank you, Ninth Sister and all brothers." Yang Shuoming turned around, clasped his fists in salute and said sincerely.

  "Don't thank me." Tang Jiuniang turned her head to look at him, saying with a smile that was not quite a smile, "Go back and tell your wife that our accounts are settled."

  "That won't do." Yang Shuo Ming intentionally wanted to tease this little girl, shook his head and said.

  "What's wrong with that? What else do you want?" As soon as Yang Shuoming finished speaking, Tang Jiumei's almond-shaped eyes widened immediately.

  "I said no way, meaning it's not enough to just say thank you, there must be a gift. Yang Shuoming smiled and took out the box-shaped pistol he was wearing, handing it over to Tang Jiumei."

  Tang Jiuniang was clearly not expecting Yang Shuoming to do this, and she looked at him in surprise, without immediately reaching out to take it. But the few knights beside her all showed a look of envy on their faces.

  Tang Jing saw Yang Shuo Ming's action and also showed a surprised expression.

  In this era, the Mauser "box cannon" was not only an expensive and practical combat handgun, but also a very precious gift. Like "Northeast King" Zhang Zuolin, who had just accepted the Qing government's amnesty, he had used the Mauser box cannon pistol to bribe Qing military leaders many times, and was very welcomed by them. Now Yang Shuo Ming gave his own box cannon to Tang Jiuniang, undoubtedly expressing his most sincere gratitude from the bottom of his heart.

  "Thank you for your kindness." Tang Jiumei glanced at the pistol in Yang Shouming's hand and hesitated before saying, "I already have two of them, you'd better keep it for yourself."

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