Chapter 15: Repel External Threats by First Securing Internal Stability (Part 1)

  That night, Xiao Si quietly left the secret dock of the Chao Tian Gang alone and disappeared into the thick night fog of Jiangzhou. Everyone thought he went out to gather information or find a so-called feng shui treasure land, and should be back soon, but who knew that until the third night, there was still no sign of him.

  Within these few days, the chief of the Chengdu headquarters, Yu Zhongshi and others, as well as masters from various branch offices, will arrive one after another. The secret pavilion will also be converted into a public gathering place for receiving heroes from all over.

  Yu Zhongshi and Zhao Baichuan personally led hundreds of escorts, porters and members of the Chao Tian gang into the ruins of the Jiangzhou branch bureau, which had been burned to ashes, to collect the remains of the victims wrapped in white cloth, preparing for burial after passing the seventh day.

  Regarding the series of actions taken by the Biaoju, Longteng Manor remained unresponsive, quietly observing with a cold eye, waiting for the seven-day deadline to arrive. When the time comes, they will inform the Biaoju that if they do not hand over Xiao Si or refuse to surrender him, they will start killing people.

  On the fourth morning, a dusty and disheveled Xiao Si finally reappeared in everyone's sight.

  He yawned continuously, his eyes were bloodshot, and he was dozing off even while walking. His cheeks had sunken deeply, and his originally neat clothes were now wrinkled all over with holes and tattered strips.

  No one knows where this guy went for three days and three nights without showing up. But looking at his appearance, it's even more miserable than a beggar.

  He came back and fell asleep, lying in bed for more than ten hours before waking up. Then, without even washing his face, he swept away a whole table of food like a whirlwind, and after regaining some consciousness, he went to take a hot bath.

  Just lazily walking out of the bathroom, a guard came forward and said: "Diao, the head of the escort, people from Chang'an Branch arrived half a moment ago. Now everyone is gathered in Geng's room preparing for a meeting, Chu asked me to invite you."

  Xiao Si's spirit was lifted upon hearing the words, he didn't think he could see Wan'er so soon, and hastily quickened his pace to arrive at the stone room where Geng Nan Yi was recuperating.

  In the stone room, more than 20 people sat around the bed, including Xia Peiheng and his wife, Geng Shaohua and his wife, and Wan'er. Yi Bo was ordered to stay in Chang'an and did not come along.

  On the other side sat Zhao Baichuan, Long Zaitian, Qiu Junyi and others, who were all familiar old faces.

  Chu Lie sat under the leadership of Yu Zhong Shi, the head of the Hui Tong Bureau, and saw Xiao Si'er walking in. He hastily beckoned: "Brother Xiao Si, come sit here with me."

  Actually, Xiao Si really wanted to sit next to Wan Er, although there were no empty seats left, but somehow managed to squeeze in and make it more crowded.

  Naihe Chu Lie opened his mouth, and Xiao Si's face was thicker than the city wall of Jing Shi. In front of many righteous elders sitting upright in a dignified manner, he didn't dare to fight with Wan Er for a chair.

  He was still a bit sleepy, and after sitting down with a thud, he couldn't help but let out another yawn.

  Yu Zhong Shi looked at Xiao Si and said: "Xiao General, I represent the thousands of brothers in Tong Bao Bureau to thank you for generously donating the Nanhai Ling Ao Golden Elixir to save Brother Geng. Please accept my bow!"

  He sat in the chair, facing Xiaosan, bowed his head and thanked him, then straightened up and continued: "In three days, it will be the seventh day of the deadline set by the old witch. To rescue the captured brothers and family members of the escort agency, and to avenge the dead souls, I have invited everyone here today to discuss together and come up with a strategy to uphold justice! Since ancient times, evil has never overcome righteousness, no matter how arrogant the old demon is, he cannot escape justice..."

  Xiao Si's eyelids kept colliding, and he felt like dozing off again after hearing just a few sentences. He finally understood where Xia Pei Heng had learned his ways - it turned out that there was such an old man in the family, Old Tai Shan, who never tired of destroying people with a mere mention of their name.

  Finally, after Yu Zongbiao finished his long and stern speech, Xia Peiheng coughed and said: "Everyone, a few days ago, Diao Zongbiao proposed to hold a grand funeral for the brothers who died in the agency. I think this idea is not bad. We can take advantage of the situation, pretend to hold the funeral in a strategic location, set up an ambush, and surround and annihilate those villains!"

  He unfolded a map of Jiangzhou that he had prepared early on and said, "According to this, five miles from here, there is a dam with dense forests and thick grass, where thousands of men and horses can be hidden. I suggest we use this large stone dam as the ambush point and lure the enemy into a trap!"

  He spoke fluently, pointing to the map, and said that the funeral procession should proceed in this way, the large army should be divided into ambushes, how to support and respond, and the leader's head is clear and well-organized.

  Yu Ling sat beside him, a faint smile playing on her lips, and it was clear that most of the credit should go to her, but she wanted to make her husband shine in front of others.

  Yu Zhong Shi smiled and nodded repeatedly, saying: "Pei Heng's plan is indeed flawless, I wonder if you all have any supplementary suggestions?"

  Everyone was carefully considering Xia Peiheng's ambush plan, and for a moment the stone room was silent.

  At this moment, a melodious humming sound rang out beside Chu Lie, with one long and one short note, so lively and cheerful.

  Yu Zhong's eyebrows furrowed slightly as he saw Xiao Si leaning back in his chair, head thrown back and legs splayed out to the sides, sleeping exceptionally soundly.

  He had heard Xia Pei-Heng complain in letters that Xiao Si loves to show off and disobey orders, repeatedly causing trouble for the agency, so he was somewhat dissatisfied with this young man.

  Now that the two have met for the first time, Xīao Sì is so unscrupulous, further verifying what Xià Péi Héng said was not in vain.

  He said in a low voice: "Diao Zhuangui, have you heard Pei Heng's plan to set up an ambush... Diao Zhuangui!"

  With a loud shout, Xiaosan suddenly jumped up from his seat and yelled without opening his eyes: "Thunderstorm is coming, it's raining, hurry up and collect the clothes!"

  The whole room was in an uproar, and then Xiang Siye was like a man who had just woken up from a dream. He looked around the stone chamber and slowly sat down, saying in a daze: "Strange, where did that thunder come from?"

  "Dragon in the sky hummed and said: 'Director Biao, we are discussing the life-and-death matter of killing the evil spirits and rescuing our relatives. If you want to sleep, you can go back to your own room.'"

  Xiao Si sat on the chair and stretched his muscles, smiling: "Please go on, I'm listening."

  Xia Pei Heng raised an eyebrow and said: "Could it be that Chief Miao's men are looking down on my plan?"

  "'Not enough, not enough,' said Xiao Si with a smile: 'One visit is too little, it should be at least two or three visits. Didn't Liu Bei visit the thatched cottage three times before he was able to recruit Zhuge Kongming?'"

  Zhao Baichuan smelled gunpowder and hastily said: "Xiao brother, do you think it's feasible for us to set up an ambush at Dashigou?"

  "Of course it's feasible, Tianyi is flawless!"

  He would have stopped at that, but he went on muttering in a low voice: "No cuffs and no collar, this garment is something even a turtle can't get into."

  Although he was a heroic and generous person with a steady temperament, he couldn't help but burst into a loud and hearty laughter.

  Yu Zhong Shi's face sank and he said: "Chief Escort Xia, we are all brothers of the same family, what need is there to speak sarcastically when you can speak directly?"

  Xiao Si suddenly stood up and walked to the map of Jiangzhou, pointing at Dashidu: "From here to Dashidu is more than five miles away, there are at least three places where we can set an ambush. I don't understand why Chief Xia chose Dashidu specifically. Is it because Banban Lao Yao is your son and will definitely wait obediently there?"

  Xia Peiheng angrily said: "Diao Zhuangbiao, what do you mean by this?"

  Geng Nan Wing lay on the bed, sighed and said: "What Xiao Si brothers meant was that we were so focused on plotting against Ban Lao Yao, but didn't think that the other side could also set up an ambush to intercept and kill us along the way."

  Xia Peiheng was stunned and involuntarily looked at Yuling.

  Yu Linglong's face was slightly red as she asked: "Xiao brothers, in your opinion, where should the ambush be set up?"

  Xiao Si thought for a moment and said: "I'd better go back and wash up before bed, otherwise I'll just be annoying everyone if I stay here."

  Xia Peiheng shouted: "Diao, the leader of the escort, over a hundred brothers in our Jiangzhou branch have died, and dozens more are on the brink of death. You don't think about avenging them, but instead come here with your sarcastic remarks, it's really chilling!"

  Xia Xiaosi was about to speak when he heard Yuanyu say loudly, "Chief Xia, I recall that day when Duan Zhentian humiliated you with sarcastic remarks and ridicule at the Long'an Bureau. You forced a smile and didn't say a word. Who stood up for you and defeated Duan's arrogance? And who risked their life to duel Duan on Crossroads Slope, ultimately emerging victorious and establishing our bureau in Chang'an City?"

  She blushed and gazed at Xia Peiheng with a cold, clear gaze, saying slowly: "You may be able to forget these things, but the more than 100 escorts and porters of our Chang'an Escort Bureau will never forget!"

  The clear and pleasant sound fell, and the stone room was silent as a crow and sparrow.

  Xia Peiheng's face turned red and white, unable to speak.

  Xiao Si's heart was filled with joy and he couldn't help but want to hold Wan Er in his arms and reward her properly. If she hadn't spoken up, he wouldn't have known that his image in the eyes of the people at the Chang'an branch was so brilliant and majestic.

  Yu Zhong Shi opened his mouth and said: "Geng Zong Biao, what do you have to say?"

  Everyone's eyes were fixed on Geng Nan Yi, who was lying in bed. His face was pale and haggard, and he looked at Chu Lie, Wan Er and Xiao Si before slowly responding: "I believe that Brother Xiao Si has already made up his mind."

  The light in Yu Zhong's eyes dimmed, and Long Tian asked, "Brother Geng, how can you be so certain?"

  Geng Nan Yi looked at Xiao Si, a warm smile on his face, and said: "Who saw the look on Brother Xiao's face when he came back this morning? For three whole days and nights... I don't know what he did, but that doesn't matter. Because I know, he is my lifesaver, Geng Nan Yi, and also a good brother who can be trusted with our lives in Jiangzhou Branch!"

  Chu Lie slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "That's it! I've had enough of this nonsense! Anyone who dares to say another bad word about my little brother Si will be cut off from me immediately!"

  Qiu Junyi smiled and said, "I'm not a member of the escort agency, so I shouldn't be speaking out of turn. However, many people present remember that if it weren't for Xie brothers' ingenious plans and willingness to sacrifice themselves, we old folks would have lost our lives at Tiger Gorge Inn long ago. It's easy to blame others, but before opening your mouth, you should think about what you've done yourself."

  Zhao Baiquan burst out laughing and said, "That's right, my life was saved by Xiao Ge. This is after all our Chao Tian Bang's territory, I don't want to hear anyone speaking ill of Xiao Ge again."

  Yu Zhongshi and Xia Peiheng were stunned, even Xue Xiaosi himself was shocked.

  He looked at Geng Nan Yi, who had just returned from the Ghost Gate, and then at Chu Lie's angry face, as well as Qiu Jun Yi, Zhao Bai Chuan, Geng Shao Hua, and Wan Er... He couldn't help but wonder: "Are they talking about Lao Zi or Confucius?"

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