Chapter 39: The Xiahou Brothers of Pei Country

  Beixiang County, north of Guozhuang Town.

  A merchant caravan was moving slowly southward. This caravan had more than a hundred people, all of whom were wearing armor and were robust and powerful. The two young men at the front, one holding a long knife and the other a large spear, rode horses in front, with big smiles on their faces.

  Xiahou Dun's name was Xiahou Yuanrang, and he was from Qiao (now Bozhou, Anhui). He was known for his bravery. At the age of 14, Xiahou Dun became an apprentice to learn martial arts. It happened that someone insulted his teacher, and upon learning this, Xiahou Dun took up his sword and killed the person, thus gaining a reputation for his courage in his hometown.

  The man with the gun was named Xiahou Yuan, styled Miaocai, and was a cousin of Xiahou Dun. Xiahou Yuan's wife was the younger sister of Cao Cao's wife, and they had a close relationship. Before Cao Cao came to power, he had once gotten into trouble in Pei County, and Xiahou Yuan had unhesitatingly taken his place and suffered punishment for him. Later, Cao Cao set up a rescue plan and managed to save Xiahou Yuan from disaster.

  Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan led a merchant caravan from Yanzhou, heading north through Jizhou and Youzhou, and finally leaving the border to sell silk, tea, jewels and other goods in the lands beyond the border, earning profits from these transactions.

  The two of them made a fortune after traveling around and have returned from the north.

  Xiahou Dun carried his long sword, looking relaxed, "Miao Cai, we've traveled the north and encountered someone who didn't understand the market, making a huge profit, earning a fortune. This time back, we can rest for half a year."

  Xiahou Yuan shook his head and said in a low voice, "Brother, Meng De's letter says that the situation in Luoyang is not good, let us make preparations early. Meng De being an official in Luoyang, under the emperor's feet, knows many messages. He wrote to say so, it must be that something important has happened. After we return to Pei County, we will quickly recruit people and prepare for Meng De."

  Xiahou Dun furrowed his brow, his eyes filled with suspicion. He shook his head and said, "I can't fathom Meng De's thoughts. Is everything all right in Luoyang? Yet he has us brothers make preparations, making it seem as if something big is about to happen."

  Xiahou Yuan burst out laughing and said: "If elder brother could understand, he wouldn't be willing to help Meng De."

  "That's also true, that kid has been clever since he was young, we can't compare with him."

  Xiahou Dun raised his hand and shouted: "Pass the order down, let everyone speed up their journey, the sooner we return to Pei County, the sooner we can rest."

  "Yes!"

  The messenger's escort ran off to deliver the message, and the group accelerated once again.

  Compared to going north, returning south is much easier. When they went north, they were carrying a large amount of goods, and they had to prevent the goods from being damaged during transportation and protect them from being robbed. Now that the merchant team is heading south, the goods have turned into money, and they are almost only bringing dry rations, traveling lightly and easily making haste.

  Report!

  A scout came galloping on horseback and soon approached Xiahou Dun.

  In an instant, Xiahou Dun's expression turned serious.

  "What's going on ahead?" Xiahou Dun asked.

  As soon as Xiahou Dun saw the scout, his heart was lifted and he carefully responded.

  The scout stopped and reported: "Master, I just got the news. In the north of Wujixian County, there is a team with about 400 soldiers escorting 600 war horses to Xinshizhen, which is about one day's journey from here."

  Xiahou Dun's eyes lit up and he asked: "What do you mean?"

  The scout smiled lightly and said, "Master has already guessed it, but still wants to test me. Master sells silk and tea leaves to make money back in Pei County, and also needs to find a special merchant to buy horses and weapons. Now on the way back, we encountered hundreds of warhorses, why not take advantage of it? Six hundred warhorses are not a small number, even if we can't get them all, getting dozens or over a hundred warhorses would be a huge help to us."

  Shao Ti was Xiahou Dun's trusted advisor and was highly valued by him.

  Xiahou Dun's expression was serious, a hint of praise flashed in his eyes, and he looked at Xiahou Yuan beside him, saying: "Miao Cai, what do you think about the war horse?"

  Xiahou Yuan said: "A heaven-sent opportunity must not be missed."

  Xiahou Dun no longer hesitated, his long knife swung once, and he ordered: "Go and investigate again, figure out their route of advance, and prepare to ambush this group of people. Six hundred war horses, this is a number we have never possessed before. Once they are all taken down, our hands will grasp a huge power."

  The scout immediately retreated and continued to reconnoiter.

  Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan exchanged a glance, then led their troops onward.

  ……

  Ye County, the county magistrate's residence.

  In the hall, five people gathered: Zhū Shòu, Xún Chén, Tián Fēng, Xīn Píng and Xīn Pǐ.

  Five people clinked their cups together, what a lively scene.

  The dishes had gone through three rounds and the wine had gone through five flavors, and Zhuo Shou's face already had a hint of redness. With a smile on his face, he said: "Everyone, the news from Wuji County has been passed back. On the day Wang Lei arrived in Wuji County, he encountered an attack by the Black Mountain bandits. This Wang Lei is not a timid person either, and after asking the Zhennan family for 300 guards, he led his men to the city gate to meet the enemy. He single-handedly captured the Black Mountain bandit Du Yu, defeated the Black Mountain bandit Zhang Yan, and scared off thousands of Black Mountain bandits. What do you think, isn't it impressive?"

  Xin Bi burst out laughing and praised, "Wang Lei's martial arts are beyond doubt, but about this matter, I find it unthinkable, with doubts in my heart. The Hei Shan bandits could have launched a strong attack on Wu Ji County, why did they retreat?"

  "I don't know either, maybe it's just luck."

  Tian Feng stroked his chin and said, "Three points of luck, seven points of strength. Luck is also a kind of strength."

  Xun Yan's tone suddenly changed, and he asked: "The governor and his brother, the prefectural magistrate, appointed Wang Lei as the county magistrate of Wuji County with the intention of borrowing a knife to kill someone, so that Wang Lei would not leak the news. But after Wang Lei arrived in Wuji County, he defeated the Black Mountain bandits, subdued the local gentry, and pacified the people's hearts, making a name for himself as the county magistrate. The prefectural magistrate's plan did not succeed, what does he intend to do?"

  Ju Shou chuckled lightly and replied, "I've already persuaded Governor Zhou to stop paying attention to Wang Lei."

  "Oh, how can we convince him?" Tian Feng asked.

  Ju Shou smiled and said, "I told the governor that Wang Yue is already the county magistrate of Wuji County, an official under his jurisdiction. With this identity, Wang Yue will definitely be on the same page as you, sir, and won't reveal secrets openly, so there's no need for the governor to pursue it further."

  Xin Ping's face wore a smile, "The county magistrate has a good eloquence, one word can kill a person, one word can save a person."

  In short, Zhuo Xu could only smile wryly.

  This remark was originally a small suggestion made by Ju Shou, which almost cost Wang Lei his life; now another remark from Ju Shou has saved Wang Lei from danger and freed him from Han Fu's suspicion.

  Xin Pi said: "I have been observing Wang Lei's actions, this person is not simple, and in the future, he may become a figure."

  Xun Chen lightly laughed twice and said casually, "Wang Lei is indeed a good person, but his road is still very long and needs to be observed. Some people have good luck and also have the ability, but their life is not long, that can't be helped. To have good luck, a long life, and sufficient ability, that's what it means to be a superior person. Wang Lei has just started out, talking about the future is still too early."

  Tian Feng's tone suddenly changed as he said: "What do you think about the situation in Luoyang?"

  Zhuo Xu's expression suddenly turned serious, and he even lowered his voice: "The great general was killed by the eunuchs, Luoyang is in chaos, and Dong Zhuo of Xiliang has entered the capital, making things more complicated. As for the current situation, I don't understand it."

  Xun Can nodded and said, "I have the same feeling, it's already hard to see through. A few days ago, I received a letter from Xun Yu, he said that everyone in Luoyang is in danger, the situation is very complicated."

  Everyone expressed their own views and discussed what happened in Luoyang.