Insufficient balance

  "The sun sets in the west, and the north wind blows at dusk. Swallows and sparrows feel the dawn, and the eaves call out to their mates. Although the wild geese are far away, their mournful cries are not what I desire. Noble people abandon those who are flawed and of low status, while inferior scholars often harbor deep worries. The emotions of the multitude are entangled with external things, and in sympathizing with others, one forgets to cultivate oneself. Sighing over this for a long time, my heart is filled with longing..."

  Xue Chongxun had just stepped out of the cabin when he saw Zhang Jiuling standing tall at the bow, reciting a poem with his head raised. "The emotions of the masses are entangled in external things, and one forgets to cultivate oneself." This sentence struck Xue Chongxun as particularly true to life, and he thought to himself: Could it be that he is thinking of those corrupt officials who have gone astray?

  Only Zhang Jiuling on the bow of the ship had a melancholy face, but the expression in his melancholy was firm. That firm thing is probably the ambition in his chest? To support the universe and bring peace to the world. This is the common ambition of many officials with faith, perhaps Zhang Jiuling also has such an idea.

  Pacifying the world, many people's idea is to return home in glory on the day of great achievement, leaving a good name for oneself and one's descendants, and being remembered for generations; some are for building merit and establishing a career to obtain a fiefdom of thousands or tens of thousands of households; of course, there are also those who do it with a heart of great kindness and compassion, sympathizing with the common people.

  No matter what the intention is, and no matter if it's limited by the times, Xue Chongxun actually has a lot of respect for them. At least they have pursuits and goals, and believe in something, unlike later generations, where many people just pay lip service.

  Xue Chongxun himself felt a bit ashamed, he thought carefully and didn't think he could reach such a state... Of course, sometimes he would be moved, but what's the difference between thinking and saying, and actually doing it? If one really had to sacrifice their own interests, even their life, just for a word of righteousness, he asked himself if he could do it.

  The grain transport fleet passed by Sanmenzhen, and the dozen or so guards left on the shore by Xue Chongxun also boarded the ship. Then he bid farewell to his acquaintances, for those who accompanied the grain transport fleet were going west, while Xue Chongxun was heading east to Luoyang, and they would be parting ways soon. Xue Chongxun only waited until the boat reached the side of the main road before getting off to continue on his journey by land.

  The weather is fine, everyone is chatting on the deck, and Zhang's uncle and nephew thanked him repeatedly.

  At this time, a small boat was sailing over from the west bank of the Yellow River. Xue Chongxun glanced at it unintentionally and didn't pay much attention to it. However, unexpectedly, just then, an arrow suddenly shot through the air with a "whooshing" sound, and someone on the deck covered their neck before falling into the water with a loud splash, shocking everyone.

  "River bandits! Sound the alarm!" someone shouted loudly.

  Fang Yu rushed up and protected Xue Chongxun back to the cabin. The people on the deck scrambled to find a place to hide, momentarily in a state of panic. These wealthy households who were requisitioning grain were mostly good citizens, although they had hired some strong men skilled in martial arts for protection, but if they really encountered something big, it would be more than they could handle.

  At this time, someone on the small boat opposite shouted loudly: "The front is blocked, you can't get through. If you want to live, listen to us and dock your boat first. We only care about wealth, not killing!"

  A few people gathered in the cabin, with anxious hearts. Someone pointed at a group of bandits that had just appeared on the riverbank and said: "At least over a hundred armed river pirates, all fugitives...and this group of people dared to move the imperial grain boat, it's definitely not just these few people. If we provoke them, won't innocent people be killed or injured? Zhang's family, you'd better make a decision quickly."

  Zhang Yueyan frowned and said, "We can give them money, but the ship is loaded with imperial taxes, including grain and silk. If they also rob us of our grain and silk, we will not be able to deliver as promised, which would be a capital offense!"

  Another person pondered, "Our guards are not few in number, but they are scattered among the various boats. If we could gather them together, we might be able to put up a fight against the river bandits. The key now is to assemble our men."

  "Can the thieves still give us a chance to prepare? If there's any movement, they'll be killed on board first. At that time, the scene will be chaotic, and those people we hired may resist desperately for their lives, it's just a small matter of money."

  At this time, the bandits outside were shouting again, threatening that if they didn't get ashore soon, they would take action. The people on the boat were even more panicked and urged Zhang Yue-ran: "Zhang's family, you'd better make a decision quickly!"

  Xue Chongxun took a glance at Zhang Jiuling. He didn't say anything, apparently also an outsider. Those who have strategies for governing the country may not necessarily have quick wit.

  Seeing that the people on the ship were all inexperienced, Xue Chongxun couldn't help but sigh: "It's really a scholar rebelling, ten years won't be enough, you're so slow and hesitant, what opportunity do you have left? Do you still need to hesitate about this kind of thing? Bandits are blocking the way and robbing, you have knives and bows, can you just surrender with your hands up, then wash your neck clean and wait for the government to ask for punishment? Alright, I'll take care of this matter in consideration of Li Gui's face. Moreover, these ships are transporting taxes for the imperial court, if I don't take care of it as a official, my reputation won't be good when I go back. I have eighteen men under me, each one is excellent, people without any skills can't even mix into my team as the Marquis of Weiguo. How many people on this ship know martial arts?

  Zhang Yue said: "About twenty or thirty people, all with weapons, but no helmets or shields."

  To ease the atmosphere and calm them down, Xue Chongxun smiled and said: "Isn't this nonsense, helmet and sword? Do you really want to rebel?"

  Zhang Yue said with concern: "Even so, there are only forty or fifty people in total. If we attack the majority with a minority, what if something happens to the Duke of Wei, will our Zhang family still have a way out?"

  "A mob of cowards, that's all. At the mention of fugitives, they turn weak-kneed. If they were really strong, what's the point of hiding and sneaking around? Why don't we see people like this killing officials and rebelling?" Xue Chongxun said, "No need to hesitate, quickly gather everyone together. Let's get things done!"

  Because the captain couldn't make a decisive decision, and Xue Chongxun was an official of the imperial court, everyone had to listen to him. He called all the strong men on the ship together and began to arrange matters.

  "Mr. Zhang is now going to give an order for the boats to slowly approach the shore and first stabilize the bandits," Xue Chongxun said to Zhang Yue.

  After Zhang Yue went, Xue Chongxun said to another person who had just participated in the decision-making discussion: "Later on the shore, you guys don't care about it, and immediately shout at all the people on the boat to rush up together. As long as there is a conflict, if the bandits fail and want revenge, why not fight with them?

  "Alright, I'll listen to Duke Weiguo's words, this matter is now on me."

  Xue Chongxun said to Yu Zhong, "The front row uses crossbows, the back row uses swords. Got it? Although they're just small crossbows, the bandits' bows and arrows aren't military-grade either, so they probably can't shoot farther than us."

  "Lord Lang, rest assured, I will definitely kill him and leave no trace."

  The boat was slowly approaching the shore, and Xue Chongxun had also made arrangements. He walked in front of the sailors again and said: "You've received your pay, so you must risk your lives! Otherwise, did I hire you to come out and play?"

  These employees, running such a long distance, are generally two or three familiar people together to take care of each other. Xue Chongxun made an educated guess that familiar people were standing next to each other and said: "Divide into two groups, divide like this, every two adjacent ones come out one."

  After the division, Xue Chongxun said to a wealthy family: "Immediately record the names of both groups. After getting off the boat, it will be divided like this. You all know that the emperor is my uncle, and whoever doesn't listen to the arrangement, I can kill a few people with ease! The first team, divide into two rows, stand behind my nine archers, they will charge at you; the second team, stand in the back, if you see your fellow villagers running desperately and feel comfortable, just run. Fang Yuzhong, you lead the knife-wielding soldiers to stand closely behind the two teams, those who retreat will be beheaded!"

  Just then, Zhang Jialang, who had just been pulled out of the water, walked out and said, "Count me in."

  Wu Lang hurriedly said, "Go back! You just came back from Yan Wang's place, what are you getting involved in? If something happens to you again, how can I explain it to your mother?"

  Only to see that Wu Lang's face was as sharp as a knife, with a dignified appearance. He puffed out his chest and said: "Uncle, don't worry, even if my mother were here, she would agree. I have been practicing martial arts since childhood, and I dare not forget the word 'righteousness' in my heart. The Duke of Wei has saved my life, and now that my family is in trouble, others are willing to risk their lives to help us. Can I just shirk my responsibility?"

  "Good!" Xue Chongxun first praised, and several capable people grasped the success of putting a tall hat on Zhang Wulang, "Wulang is so heroic, he is indeed a pillar of the country!"

  As expected, Zhang Wu Lang said with excitement: "A man's ambition lies in the four directions. I have cultivated a set of martial arts skills and was worried that there would be no opportunity to serve the country."

  Zhang Yue Ran heard Wu Lang say it's just a reason, and there's nothing that can be done about it.

  The personnel have gathered, and the arrangements are in order. Xue Chongxun stopped speaking and observed the scenery on the shore from the cabin door. At this time, Fang Yuzhong walked to his side and said in a low voice: "He Sanwa is not our own person, he was hired last year, he has an old mother at home, and a wife and daughter below, if he dies..."

  "What's the point of hiring him?" Xue Chongxun said coldly, "We're short-handed now! I let you be the head of the guards, you should know how to be a leader. Everyone is your brother, everyone calls you big brother, when something really needs to be done, who do you send to take risks? Yu Zhong, you need to teach them some discipline too, as long as you can always come up with a solution, others will obey you."

  "Yes, Lord Lang." Fang Yuzhong immediately responded.

  The boat is about to dock, Xue Chongxun shouted: "Let's talk it over, I'm the head of the grain transport fleet. I want to have a word with your big brother first. Otherwise, there will be no other way but mutual destruction!"

  A man on the shore shouted: "How about it? Brothers, just pay for the road money, and those who know what's good for them will leave the silver behind. As the saying goes, 'Leave a way out for others, and you'll meet again someday.' We have our own rules in the underworld, no need to resort to violence, let him go!"

  Xue Chongxun replied: "You can take our money and valuables as you please, but the grain is the imperial tax, it cannot be touched! If you agree, then we have a deal!"

  The shore immediately burst out laughing, this laughter was obviously slapping the face of that big brother who shouted, what rules are not nonsense? However, the man drank seriously: "What's so funny? Just do it, stop the boat quickly and get everyone off!"

  Xue Chongxun hastily said: "Yes, what are you laughing at? Hey, brother, words must be counted! If we really don't follow the rules, we'll die together, and even if we die, we'll take two scapegoats with us... No way, I can't trust your words too much. You retreat 150 steps (beyond bow and arrow range), and we'll send someone down to discuss it clearly before saying anything!"

  "Less nonsense, hurry up and get it over with, or I'll make you bleed!"

  Xue Chongxun said: "If you don't have the sincerity, then forget it. Come on, I'll see how you attack this big ship. Let's just waste each other."