Volume 1 Chapter 7: Rescuing Big Brother

  Qiao Anbang and Qiao Wulang led Cao Er and a dozen or so family servants, riding their own fine horses, heading northwest, soon leaving Yeli Village behind, arriving at the foot of Longshan Mountain.

  As a spoiled son in his later years, Qiao Anbang learned nothing else, but he did learn many things that ordinary people couldn't touch, including horseback riding. He even had a membership card for the horse riding club, so it was natural for him to be skilled at horseback riding.

  As for other servants, since they often accompanied Old Master Qiao or Young Master Qiao to the countryside to collect rent or handle affairs, they also learned how to ride horses early on.

  Watching Qiao Anbang's skilled horse riding, Qiao Wu, who had grown up with him, was puzzled and thought to himself: "Third Master wasn't even interested in horseback riding before, it seemed like he gave up after falling a few times, how is he now more skilled than me?"

  Because of the urgency of the matter, Qiao Wu didn't ask much either.

  …………………

  As soon as they arrived at the foot of Longshan Mountain, they saw Yalixi waiting by the roadside. Qiao Anbang dismounted and walked up to her, asking: "Are all the things ready?"

  "Everything is ready, sir..." Yali's words were left unspoken as she realized her mistake, and she awkwardly stuck out her tongue.

  Qiao Anbang didn't have the mood to appreciate Yali's cute appearance at this time, and immediately turned around to say to the crowd of family members who had already dismounted their horses: "Brothers, you've all been hastily gathered here, I'm sure you're all very curious?"

  Everyone looked at each other in confusion, indeed, they were all preparing to eat dinner just now, and after receiving the notice from Butler Qiao Wu, they hurriedly followed Third Young Master out on horseback, without knowing what had happened.

  Seeing everyone nodding, Qiao Anbang said in a serious and deep voice: "To be honest, I just received news that my brother An Guo is now surrounded by bandits on Quan Mountain, and he is in danger. As his brother, I must rush to rescue him immediately. What I want to tell you is that the journey ahead is perilous, although everyone works for the Qiao family, but I don't want to force anyone. If any of you are afraid, you can leave now, and I won't stop you."

  "If anyone is willing to go with me to rescue my brother, from today on, he will be my brother, a lifelong brother. If one day my brother is in trouble, I, Qiao Anbang, will definitely rush to his aid without hesitation. And if any of you lose your life for this cause, the Qiao family will definitely take care of your loved ones!"

  Qiao Anbang's words shocked the Ding family, they really didn't expect such a thing to happen, and everyone started discussing it in hushed tones.

  After a moment, Cao Er spoke up: "Normally Master and Young Master have been kind to me. Two years ago when my mother fell ill, it was Master and Young Master who gave me money and found a doctor to cure her. From that moment on, my life belonged to the Qiao family, to Young Master and Master. Now that Young Master is in trouble, I will risk my life to rescue him. Third Master, I'm going with you, please take care of my mother at home."

  "Alright! Cao Er, from today on, you are my brother, your mother is my mother. Even if I don't return, the Qiao family will still take care of your mother until the end!" Qiao Anbang said loudly with a stern expression.

  "Cao Er is right, normally the master and young masters have taken good care of us. During festivals and holidays, they have given us many benefits. Whenever someone in our household has a problem, the master and young masters will help without hesitation. We cannot forget such kindness for the rest of our lives! I, Gou Sheng, am also willing to follow Third Young Master to rescue Second Young Master!" Another house servant also recalled past events and immediately raised his hand to express his support loudly.

  "Third Master, I'll listen to you completely. Whatever you say, we'll do it. Even if we die, we won't frown!" Wang Gen also hastily chimed in.

  "Hmm! Well said, Gen Sheng. I apologize for any wrongdoing towards you in the past, please forgive me. From now on, I'll treat you as a brother!" Qiao Anbang nodded in response.

  "For the young master, I went too!"

  "I'm scared too, but I'll go! At worst, it's just death. The Qiao family has given us face, we must hold on to it!"

  When they saw someone taking the lead, others followed suit in loud voices. Of course, they were not because of Qiao Anbang's few oral promises that they gladly agreed, but because the Qiao family had indeed treated them well over the years. Most of them went to save Qiao Anguo with the idea of repaying kindness.

  "Brothers! From today on, we are brothers, the closest of brothers! I, Qiao Anbang, thank you on behalf of my big brother and the Qiao family!"

  "Third Master is being polite!" Cao Er and the others also saluted with their fists. The family servants clearly did not expect that the Third Master, who was always idle and arrogant, could say such words, and they were both moved and surprised.

  "Cao Er, Gen Sheng, you two distribute these to everyone!" Qiao Anbang instructed, pointing to a pile of large knives, red-tasseled spears and other weapons behind him. These weapons were naturally taken out by Yalixi from the multi-functional flight device, including some cold weapons, two submachine guns and several hand grenades.

  "Yes!" Cao Er and Wang Gen immediately stepped forward, picked up those weapons and handed them out to the household servants.

  Qiao Anbang took over two German MP18 submachine guns from Ya Li and asked Qiao Wu and Cao Er: "Uncle Five, Cao Er, will this work?"

  Qiao Wu was extremely surprised, took over a submachine gun and said: "Young master, this is a submachine gun, good gun! Where did you get it from?" As he spoke, Qiao Wu opened the safety catch of the gun, pulled back the bolt with a clacking sound, clearly showing that he knew how to use it.

  Cao Er had been a member of the security team for quite some time, but he was still using his old trusty shotgun and some Hanyang-made guns. However, he had never seen an MP18 submachine gun before.

  Stroking another submachine gun in Qiao Anbang's hand, he asked: "Third Master, what kind of submachine gun is this?"

  "This is the German MP18 submachine gun, a product of the late World War I era, commonly known as the 'flower machine', equipped with 20-round and 32-round magazines, with powerful firepower, very practical, much more powerful than rifles." Qiao Anbang explained briefly.

  "It seems you don't know how to use it, take this! You'll know how to use it now?" Qiao Anbang took out a mirror-faced box (Mauser pistol) from his body and handed it to Cao Er.

  Cao Er was overjoyed when he saw the mirror case and nodded repeatedly, saying: "I know how to use it, I've seen Master using it before!"

  "Hmm! The three of us will each take five hand grenades, the other brothers won't get any, they can't even use them without blowing themselves up." Qiao Anbang said as he distributed the fifteen hand grenades and bullets to Qiao Wu and Cao Er.

  "After everything was arranged, Qiao Anbang paused for a moment and said: 'Alright, time is pressing, let's set off immediately!'"

  "Yes!" The crowd responded in unison and immediately mounted their horses one after another.

  At this time, Qiao Anbang turned around but didn't see Yalixi Fei. Just as he was getting anxious, he saw Yalixi Fei had already changed into a set of combat attire and was walking quickly out of the woods with a sniper rifle equipped with a scope in her hands.

  That fiery figure in a tight-fitting dress revealed its curves, making the servants drool with desire.

  Qiao Anbang looked at the sniper rifle in Yali's hand, which seemed to be a German Mauser 98K sniper rifle. Qiao Anbang asked in surprise: "Yifei, you can use this?"

  "Mmm!" Yalixi Fei smiled sweetly, nodded, quickly pulled the bolt, turned around and aimed at a tree trunk about 200 meters away, decisively pulled the trigger, "Bang" The gun rang out, accurately hitting the target!

  "That's great! With you as a sharpshooter, our chances of success have increased!" Qiao Anbang said, extending his hand to Yalixi: "Hurry up, let's get on horseback!"

  "Uh-huh!" Yalixi nodded softly, and before she could even stretch out her hand, Qiao Anbang had already pulled her onto the horseback, sitting in front of him. Immediately, Qiao Anbang urged the fine horse to gallop forward.

  Qiao Wu had many doubts and misunderstandings in his heart at this time, but due to the urgent situation, he didn't ask much and immediately led the crowd of family members to follow closely behind.

  The horse galloped at full speed, and Joe and Yalai sat on its back, feeling the scenery around them rapidly retreating. With a slight bow of her head, a faint fragrance wafted from Yalai's body, and the bumpy ride caused their bodies to be tightly pressed together, occasionally rubbing against each other, making Joe feel inexplicably restless.

  Just then a gust of cool wind blew in his face, and Qiao Anbang suddenly came to his senses. His right hand tightly grasped the reins, while his left hand raised high the whip, which cracked loudly as it struck the horse's back. The proud steed, feeling pain, suddenly accelerated its speed and galloped forward wildly.

  Qiao Wuyi and Cao Erji also urged their fine horses to speed up, and the group of riders galloped towards Qingtang Town, leaving a cloud of dust behind.