Chapter 68: Second Visit to Wagangzhai
Li Ji was injured at Qingfenggang and was rescued by Luo Shixin.
He led the remaining soldiers of the Ji Camp to a manor to stay overnight.
At this time, the purple-dressed girl, the owner of the manor, saw Li Ji coming in and knelt down.
She removed her veil and revealed her true face.
Li Ji was shocked. He never expected to meet her here.
He asked, "Miss, how did you get here?"
The purple-clothed girl cried, "On the night when Hao Xiaode broke into the city, I was taken to his room by his personal soldiers."
When Li Ji heard this, his heart beat faster. Could it be that the bandit did something to Xiuxiu?
Liu Xiu went on to say: " When he saw me, he tore off my shirt."
She poured Li Ji a cup of hot water.
"He said he could be king in the future and asked me to follow him so I could live a life of wealth and glory."
"I dodged desperately and told him directly that I am already yours."
Li Ji was stunned and looked at Liu Xiu in surprise.
"He would never believe that a rich girl like me would fall in love with a young bandit."
Li Ji thought to himself, I am now a bandit of the Sui Dynasty.
"When he saw that I was resisting desperately, he said, 'Let's leave it at that for now. Tell me when you've made up your mind.'"
Only then did Li Ji feel relieved.
Liu Xiu continued:
"He looked at the food and wine on the table and said, 'Let's eat together, then you have to drink with me', and I had no choice but to drink with him."
"My maids Chun|Shui and Qiuyue and I managed to get him drunk, then we dodged the guards and escaped from Pingyuan City."
Liu Xiu looked at the redness on Li Ji's left arm and said hurriedly, "Sir, you are injured."
Li Ji said hurriedly: "It's okay, General Luo has already given me medicine."
"Let me take another look."
Liu Xiu opened the bandage and saw that the arrow wound had basically healed. He thought, this medicine is really magical.
After a while, Thirteenth Sister brought in a few dishes.
"Bring another bottle of wine. I want to have a couple of drinks with my Lord."
Thirteenth Sister smiled and said, "Miss, as you command."
"Go get them! Ask the kitchen staff to prepare some more food and wine and send them to the soldiers outside the courtyard."
Thirteenth Sister said in a clear voice: "Miss, don't worry, I have already given the order."
Li Ji and Liu Xiu had been separated for several months. When they met today, they seemed to have endless things to talk about.
Liu Xiu asked, "Sir, you are doing well in Xingyang, why did you come to Wagang to wade into muddy water?"
"I'm not trying to muddy the waters. I want to come and seek refuge in Wagangzhai."
Liu Xiu picked up the wine glass and said slowly: "In fact, Wagangzhai is not as good as you think."
Li Ji knew in his heart that the first time he entered the mountains, Wang Lang looked down on him and often made him angry.
Later, he was almost hacked to death by his cousin Wang Qing.
This time, even though we had the handwritten invitation from Chief Zhai Rang, we were still turned away.
I also don't understand why such intrigue exists in such a small village.
I think this Zhai Facao's ability is just like this.
"I promised housekeeper Li Ai that if I don't go, it would seem that I, Li Ji, am not sincere."
"Sincerity is based on mutual trust. If they don't keep their word, why are you taking it so seriously?"
Li Ji smiled and said, "If I can't get to the mountain stronghold, won't I be laughed at by those heroes?"
Liu Xiu chuckled and patted the back of Li Ji's hand .
"Sir, you men are so obsessed with your reputation that you can't bear the consequences. You have to come to Wagang to live under someone else's roof instead of staying in your own comfortable home."
"Alas, I don't want to form an alliance with Zhai Rang, so that we can fight more effectively."
Liu Xiu laughed out loud.
"Sir, your philosophy is a bit outdated. As the saying goes, too many people means chaos, too many dragons means drought."
Li Ji asked in confusion: "Isn't there strength in numbers?"
"Xingyang has such a good development trend, but you don't cherish it. It seems that you are obsessed with power."
After Liu Xiu left Pingyuan County, she went to Xingyang to find Li Ji.
At Wangshan Restaurant, she tried to stop Li Ji from killing innocent people. At that time, Li Ji had not yet established himself in Xingyang, so she left Xingyang.
In today's Xingyang County, soldiers are farming, business is recovering, and the Chamber of Commerce has been re-established.
In terms of military, Hulao Pass has been occupied by you, Li Ji, and you have tens of thousands of men under your command. Why rush to expand?
As a young man, it is not easy to start a business.
Joining Wagangzhai means nothing but fighting and killing.
Seizing territory, stealing money, and even robbing houses.
If you are only satisfied with momentary pleasure , is it necessary for you to work so hard?
When Liu Xiu thought of this, he wanted to remind Li Ji again.
"Sir Li, I think you should go back to Xingyang to serve as your Tongshou. Although the government has not officially appointed you, it is already a fait accompli."
Li Ji was about to speak when suddenly, a horse neighed outside.
Thirteenth sister hurried in and reported:
"Miss, Lord Li's butler wants to see you."
"Lord Li is here, let him in."
After a while, Li Ai walked in.
He hurriedly saluted Liu Xiu, then knelt down to pay homage to Li Ji.
"My lord, I'm sorry to have frightened you. I have already negotiated with the law officer, and he asked me to come and take you into the village."
Li Ji looked at Liu Xiu and asked, "Miss, should I go or not?"
Liu Xiu thought that it seemed that Zhai Facao would not do anything fishy this time. Since the steward had arrived, he would let him go into the mountain to take a look.
"If you feel that there is nothing to be nostalgic about after entering the mountains, return to Xingyang immediately. Don't lose the big picture for the small."
Li Ji said goodbye to Liu Xiu and led the Ji Camp towards Wagangzhai.
When Li Ji led his men to the entrance of the village, as expected, Zhai Rang had already led all the leaders to welcome them at the gate of Wagang Village.
Li Ji entered the mountain stronghold for the second time and brought more than 20,000 people with him. Zhai Rang was very happy.
On the one hand, he ordered his steward Li Ai to strengthen military training, and on the other hand, he gave advice to Zhai Rang and persuaded many small forces to surrender and join Wagangzhai.
After a few days, Li Ji always felt that the mountain stronghold was full of dangers. In addition, Zhai Rang was indecisive, so he wanted to elect another leader.
Li Ji said to Zhai Rang: "A true man should establish three things in life: establish words, establish virtue and establish merit. Liu Bang and Xiang Yu both started out as common people, and Liu Bang later became an emperor."
Zhai Rang said: "I was originally just a lawyer, how could I dare to dream of becoming an emperor?"
Li Ji advised: "The emperor is incompetent and the people are living in misery. In troubled times, heroes emerge. This is a great opportunity for us to make achievements and establish our careers."
"Master Li, I haven't thought that far ahead?"
Li Ji took Zhai Rang's hand and said:
"With your great talent and strategy, and with tens of thousands of troops under your command, if you could sweep across the two capitals and eliminate the tyrants, how could you say you are not as good as Liu Bang and Xiang Yu?"
Zhai Rang kept refusing and said, "Let me think about it!"
Li Ji was determined to do great things. He believed that Zhai Rang had already taken the top position in Wagang and had the ability to command the support of hundreds of people.
As long as Zhai Rang raises his arm and calls for help, people from all over the world will respond.
But the result surprised Li Ji.
Just as Liu Xiu analyzed, Zhai Rang only arranged his men to do some minor looting and robbery, which was actually an act of disturbing the public.
Li Ji disapproved of Zhai Rang's behavior of only being content with robbing houses and stealing money, food and territory.
A plan gradually became clear in his mind...
