Chapter 14: The Thief Becomes a Neighbor

  The mansion next to the residence of Madame Cheng Bi was another large mansion. This painted city was originally a prosperous place, and many wealthy families in the capital had villas here. In the spring when the grass was green and the autumn when the air was crisp, they would come to their villas for a short stay, tread on the green grass, enjoy the breeze, go on excursions, and hunt, which was much more pleasant than being in the capital.

  This mansion is different from Ren's villa and Cheng Bi's mansion, the courtyard is not so luxurious. This was originally a place where Bai Ziling, a big merchant of Lu State, used to do business in the south and north, store goods, and there were many warehouses built in the manor, which were usually empty, and there were few people left to guard, only two old men with their families took care of it. At this moment, this White House villa has been occupied by others.

  On the platform, seven or eight big men sat on their seats, with a square table in the middle. Behind the table, a big man lay down, propping up his elbow, listening to them talk. This big man had eyebrows like sleeping silkworms, cheeks like knife cuts, thick lips, and a dense beard under his chin. Although he was just lazily lying there, his whole body exuded a kind of wild beast-like power, making people feel a sense of reverence.

  He wore a robe made of hemp, with his two feet bare. A young servant boy had one of his feet resting on his thigh and was using a file to trim his toenails.

  That burly man opened a pair of piercing and intimidating eyes, looked around, and asked: "You all heard what Chu Cai said, we only have three days. Xiao Yi, are your carriages ready?"

  That Xiao Yi's husband had a long scar on his face, from the left eye down to the right lip, like a ferocious centipede, looking extremely fierce. Xiao Yi replied: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I have already prepared 100 carriages, just waiting for your orders."

  Dahan nodded and asked, "Mo Fengji led the way by climbing over the wall of the Cheng Mansion and setting fires everywhere to create chaos. Gu Junhai led the main attack force. Junhai, Ren Jia's general, is known for his bravery and has always been confident in his military strength. He underestimated you because he thought you were just a small group at the front gate. Now that you're leading the main attack, you need to prepare early. Have you gathered all the troops?"

  "This sturdy General Guo was not inferior to the giant lying on the ground, with a beard that reached straight back to his ears. Upon hearing the giant's inquiry, he replied: 'Your Majesty, my troops have already arrived at seventy percent, and sixty or seventy more are rushing over, expected to arrive within these two days.'"

  The Great Han smiled slightly and said: "Very good, Liu Wei, Li Xuan, you two are in charge of the left and right fake attacks, dispersing the enemy's forces. At that time, I will lead the strong soldiers to break through the back wall of the Ren family, and I will personally block the enemy. Ye Yu is responsible for transporting away the armor and weapons, Zeng Yan is waiting at the city gate to respond, after leaving the city immediately transport into the mountain valley, destroy the car and kill the cow, bury the weapons. Xiao Yi, take your people on the road at this time, swaggering through the market."

  All the warriors responded in unison, Chu Cai's eyes rolled over and asked: "Your Majesty, how should Ren Jia sisters be dealt with?"

  The great Han glanced at him and smiled: "Having taken his wealth, must he also take his life?"

  Chu Cai's face revealed a greedy expression, and he chuckled: "The more beautiful and charming, the more lovely and delicate, that is a place famous for producing beauties. The emperor may not know, but I have seen it with my own eyes. Those Ren sisters are all stunning beauties, born with flower-like faces and moon-like complexions, their bodies exuding charm..."

  The big Han pointed at him and laughed: "Don't beat around the bush, are you planning to keep these two women as concubines?"

  Chu Cai smiled and said: "The humble one's meaning is... those two women are so beautiful, it would be a pity to abandon them. The emperor should have such sisters by his side to serve him. Hehe, if the emperor takes the Ren family sisters, just give their beautiful maids to the humble one as a reward, and the humble one will be satisfied."

  That big fellow suddenly flew into a great rage, lifted his leg and gave one kick. The young thief who was just trimming his toenails let out an "Ai yo!" and fell over on his back. The big fellow paid no attention to his cries of pain, but sat up with a whoosh and said sternly: "You scoundrel! When taking wealth don't take sex, when taking sex don't take wealth. You're lusting after someone else's beauty, do you want to entice me into breaking the rules?"

  Chu Cai's face changed and he hastily knelt down saying: "I dare not, I mean to say..."

  He hadn't finished speaking, when Thief Zhang spat loudly and shot a mouthful of thick phlegm onto his head. He lifted one foot and kicked him to the ground, glared at him with tiger-like eyes, pointed at him and shouted: "Is the Ren family someone who can be bullied at will? With my abilities as Zhang Sun, if I wanted to take their wealth, I would have to mobilize troops and make extensive preparations, fearing that I might not succeed.

  "If you were to attack the Ren household, these two women would definitely be heavily protected by the family. If you want to take them, I don't know how many brothers would have to die, and even if we managed to escape, it would be a long and difficult process. You're being seduced by beauty and putting your brothers in danger, that's unjust; knowing the enemy is strong but still harboring foolish fantasies, that's unwise! After following me for so long, you still haven't changed your ways, don't you know how to advance or retreat?"

  Chu Cai was so frightened that he sweated through his clothes and repeatedly knocked his head on the ground, saying: "Your humble servant knows his fault, your humble servant knows his fault, please Your Majesty calm your anger."

  This is the kind of person who can get along with everyone, and when he was rebuked by the master, the other thieves all pleaded for him. Zhang Yi sat down in a huff, scowling and shouting: "Thieves also have their own way, if you don't make progress like this, I'll cut off your balls and eliminate the source of your troubles."

  Chu Cai was so frightened that he didn't even dare to lift his head. Zhantui was about to scold him a few more times, when suddenly he faintly heard the sound of silk and bamboo music. He listened carefully with his ear tilted, couldn't help but pull his whiskers, furrowed his brow tightly, and asked: "What's going on? Has that fox spirit arrived at another courtyard?"

  His face turned red with rage, he stretched out his hand and slapped the table heavily, making all the cups and saucers jump: "Don't you go and find out what's going on!"

  Mo Feng and Li Xuan hastily got up and retreated, after a moment the two hurried back, reporting to him: "Your Majesty, it's not that Consort Cheng Bi has arrived at another courtyard, but rather some guest who have come to stay, bringing many armored soldiers, approximately two hundred in number. As for what kind of person the host is, it's still not very clear."

  He furrowed his brow and muttered to himself, "Two hundred armored soldiers as escort... which high-ranking official has such prestige? With them here, won't they ruin my big plan? How can I think of a way to get rid of them?"

  Although he knew that the other party was extraordinary, and there were more than 200 warriors following him, Xian Zhuang was still so calm and composed, and actually wanted to think of a way to drive the other party away. Folk rumors said that he dominated Qi and Lu, harassed the princes, and the kings, nobles, and officials were helpless, it seems that this is not an empty rumor after all.

  Mo Feng and Li Xuan looked embarrassed after hearing this. Zhan Zhi saw the look on their faces and asked, "Is there anything else to say?"

  The two thieves exchanged a glance, and Li Xuan stepped forward, clasped his hands together and spoke in a low voice: "Your Majesty, I heard that... the person who hosted the banquet is... is Zhan Huai, the Grand Master..."

  Zhan Zhe was stunned, and exclaimed: "My elder brother... he was doing well as a doctor in the capital city, what kind of guest would make him rush here? This is absurd!"

  He thought for a moment, then chuckled and said: "No harm no harm, my elder brother has always been a gentleman who upholds etiquette. Since he is hosting a banquet here, the other party must be someone he respects. If there are evil neighbors causing trouble, my elder brother will lose face. In that case, we can only ask his friends to move to a better place... Hehehe... Li Xuan, come here, I'll teach you a trick to drive them away..."