lovenovelstory Chapter 146 News of the massacre of the Zheng family reached Wagang, and Wagang dispatched troops.
Chapter 146 News of the massacre of the Zheng family reached Wagang, and Wagang dispatched troops.
"How is it?" After looking for a while, Lü Xiao finally spoke, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery.
"Did your ancestors send you any revelation or come to your rescue?"
None of the Zheng family members dared to answer; only heavy breathing and suppressed sobs could be heard.
Lu Xiao gently tugged at the reins, turned his horse around, seemingly preparing to leave.
Just as he was about to step out of the palace gate, he left without turning back, saying:
"Yuanqing".
"exist!"
Pei Yuanqing carried two hammers, his voice booming like a bell.
"Since the ancestors of the Zheng family refuse to appear, then..." Lü Xiao's voice was calm and unwavering.
"Send these unworthy descendants to meet their ancestors."
"Alright! It should have been done long ago!"
Pei Yuanqing grinned, his eyes flashing with ferocity, and brandished two enormous silver hammers as he pounced into the hall like a tiger.
Hammers flashed, and blood and flesh splattered everywhere.
"What's with all this ancestral worship? A bunch of wooden plaques, it looks so unlucky!"
Yuwen Chenglong grew even more impatient, snatched a torch, and casually set fire to the hanging curtains, wooden window frames, and piles of scriptures.
Dry wooden buildings and fabrics ignite instantly when exposed to fire, flames rise and spread rapidly, producing thick smoke.
Lu Xiao rode his horse slowly away from the burning palace and came to the open space in front of the manor.
Behind them, flames shot into the sky and screams gradually faded away.
Before them, the manor gates were already wide open, and tenants had rushed over from all directions upon hearing the news.
More and more local residents gathered, crowding at the doorway and perching on the wall.
Watching this once high and mighty behemoth that controlled their lives and deaths collapse with a roar, a faint sense of pleasure and a restless desire arose in their hearts.
"Your Highness, there are more and more people; it looks like things are about to get chaotic."
Yuwen Chenglong caught up, pointed to the dense crowd outside, and looked somewhat worried.
Following his gaze, Lü Xiao indeed saw greed gleaming in the eyes of many commoners.
"Ignore it." Lu Xiao withdrew his gaze, his tone indifferent.
"Have the brothers carefully inventory and seal up any valuables, land deeds, and other items."
"As for those heavy objects that they can't move, loose pieces of cloth, and ordinary grains, let them take them if they want."
Let this person taste the sweetness of plundering wealthy and powerful families, and he'll become wild with ambition from now on.
If the world is in chaos, the first thing they'll think of is the easy prey nearby.
The Red Vanguard Army methodically took control of key locations and inventoried major assets.
However, the guarding of some outlying courtyards and scattered supplies was intentionally or unintentionally relaxed.
Soon, the first daring tenant rushed in, grabbed a piece of loose coarse cloth, and ran.
With someone taking the lead, the crowd instantly erupted in excitement.
The sounds of smashing, fighting, and excited shouts rose and fell.
In the crowd, Cheng Yaojin, wearing a straw hat, skillfully squeezed his way through.
His big eyes darted around, but his gaze kept drifting towards Lü Xiao, who was directing his soldiers.
He pulled his straw hat down low and nudged a thin man next to him with his elbow.
"Old You, did you see him? The one riding the red horse in the middle, isn't that Lü Zilie?"
The fat man's voice was very low.
The gaunt man, You Junda, squinted, examined it carefully, and nodded.
"It's him. I never expected this kid to be so ruthless, daring to slaughter even the Zheng family."
The fat man chuckled twice, then said nothing more, only pulling his straw hat down further to conceal the glint in his eyes.
At this moment, the atmosphere inside the Hall of Righteous Gathering in Wagangzhai was completely different from the bloodshed in Xingyang.
Several key figures from the Zheng family's main branch were sitting together with Li Mi, Wang Bodang, and other leaders of Wagang.
An elderly man surnamed Zheng, with white hair and beard and a gaunt face, slowly spoke.
"Lord Mi, if we can truly succeed in bringing peace to the world, please leave Lü Xiao to the Zheng family to deal with."
"Rest assured, this is only right and proper. The Zheng family provided timely assistance at Wagang, showing profound kindness. How could I, Li Mi, be an ungrateful person?"
Upon hearing this, Li Mi's face broke into a warm smile, and he nodded repeatedly.
Lu Xiao is nothing more than a man. If we can capture him, we should hand him over to the Zheng family for their own judgment, so as to preserve the friendship between our two families.
Now is the time to rely on the Zheng family's financial and human resources. Why not do this favor?
Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall smiled knowingly or in agreement, as if Lü Xiao's fate had been decided in a casual conversation.
The old man, surnamed Zheng, nodded slightly, seemingly quite satisfied.
Just as the atmosphere seemed harmonious, a series of hurried and flustered footsteps suddenly came from outside the Hall of Gathering Righteousness.
The next moment, the hall door was violently kicked open, and a member of the Zheng family, covered in blood and with torn robes, staggered in.
His face was ashen, his eyes filled with terror, and he could barely stand.
"Hmm?" Elder Zheng abruptly stood up, recognizing this as a member of a collateral branch of the family who had stayed behind to guard the manor. His heart sank, and he asked sternly, "Why is this happening? What has occurred?"
When the Zheng family members saw their elders, it was as if they had found a lifeline; tears streamed down their faces, and their voices became hoarse and trembling.
"Elder! Something terrible has happened! Lü Xiao has personally led the imperial cavalry in a surprise attack on our main family manor in Xingyang! They're killing indiscriminately, they're trying to... they're trying to wipe out the Zheng family!"
"What?!"
These words shocked everyone in the room.
The group, who had just been laughing and talking about how to deal with Lü Xiao, all changed their expressions and stood up.
The elderly Mr. Zheng was struck as if by lightning. He swayed and almost fell, but was quickly supported by those around him.
The smile on Li Mi's face froze instantly, and his pupils contracted.
Although he claimed he was not afraid of Lü Xiao, the illustrious military achievements and ruthless methods represented by that name had already left a deep impression on him.
Upon hearing that Lü Xiao dared to launch a surprise attack on the Zheng family's stronghold, a chill involuntarily rose from his spine, and his calves felt weak.
"Lord Mi!" Old man Zheng suddenly grabbed Li Mi's arm, his old eyes red, and said urgently.
"Our Zheng family is in imminent danger! We implore Lord Mi to send troops to our aid immediately! Wagang Village prioritizes righteousness and cannot stand by and watch us perish!"
At this moment, he disregarded the decorum of his aristocratic family and spoke in a tone that was almost pleading.
After all, Wagangzhai was the only force in the vicinity capable of providing rapid rescue.
Wang Bodang remained relatively calm. He stepped forward, his sharp gaze fixed on the messenger, and asked in a deep voice, "Did you see clearly? How many men did Lü Xiao bring?"
This is the key.
If Lü Xiao were to lead a large army, Wagang would have to think twice before trying to protect themselves.
If the forces are insufficient, then we should gather our troops and kill Lü Xiao to eliminate future troubles.
The Zheng family member, panting, tried to recall: "It seems...it seems there were only a few hundred riders! But they were extremely fierce; my Zheng family troops couldn't withstand them!"
"Only a few hundred people?"
Wang Bodang's eyes lit up.
"To act like this with just a few hundred people? How arrogant!"
"Your Majesty! This is a golden opportunity! This is the perfect chance to capture and kill Lü Xiao!"
"Your Majesty, please give the order! This humble general is willing to go!"
Upon hearing that the enemy only numbered a few hundred, the Wagang generals in the hall immediately recovered from their initial shock and became extremely excited.