books44 Chapter 698 Disaster
Chapter 698 Disaster
Chapter 698 Cataclysmic Disaster
Wang Wenzhou said viciously, "The government has offered a reward for us? Really? Has Zhu Youjian forgotten the pain of his past wounds? His little brat is still in Hanshan! If I die, his little brat won't live either!"
Wang Lin quickly said, "I don't know what happened either. Yesterday, I overheard the guards talking outside the door."
Seeing that Wang Wenzhou was about to get up, Wang Lin quickly asked, "Husband, what are you going to do?"
Wang Wenzhou said, "Help me out of bed, I need to talk to the villagers."
"My lord, it's best not to go. What if..." Sheng Lan quickly went over to help Wang Wenzhou, she was a little worried.
Wang Wenzhou laughed and said, "Jian Fengyu, don't you know me? Don't worry, I can make even white seem black. With me here, we'll definitely turn this into a safe situation!"
The two babies helped Wang Wenzhou get out of bed.
"Knock knock!" Sheng Lan knocked on the door.
The door opened, and the guard outside asked, "What is it?"
Wang Wenzhou looked the guard up and down. He was seventeen or eighteen years old; in later years, he would be considered a precocious teenager.
Wang Wenzhou smiled slightly and said, "It's nothing. I just woke up and wanted to thank my savior in person. May I ask your name, young man?"
"My name is Fang Ziming."
Wang Wenzhou said with a smile, "Xiao Fang, could you please pass on my message that I would like to see your village chief?"
"No, my grandfather is discussing something with someone and doesn't have time to see you!" Fang Ziming shook his head repeatedly.
Sheng Lan secretly tugged at Wang Wenzhou's clothes and whispered, "Sir, they are heartless, so they can't blame us for being unjust. Should I kidnap him and use him to threaten the villagers so they can let us go?"
Wang Wenzhou thought for a moment and nodded.
Seeing that Wang Wenzhou agreed, Sheng Lan suddenly reached out and grabbed Fang Ziming's clothes, pulled hard, and tripped, causing Fang Ziming to fall to the ground.
Just as Fang Ziming was about to get up, Sheng Lan's dagger was already pressed against his neck.
Because she was impersonating Jian Fengyu, Sheng Lan, who originally didn't know martial arts, has become quite skilled now because she practices martial arts regularly.
"What do you want to do?" Fang Ziming asked hurriedly.
Wang Wenzhou said with a smile, "Xiao Fang, don't be afraid. We just want to talk to your grandfather. Hurry up and call for help!"
"Slap!" Sheng Lan slapped Fang Ziming hard across the face and said sternly, "Call for help now, or I'll slit your throat and you'll be dead!"
"Help! Someone help me!" Fang Ziming shouted immediately.
Suddenly, the door to the main house in the courtyard opened, and an old man rushed over with seven or eight people.
Wang Lin pointed to the old man and said softly, "Husband, he is the village chief, Fang Yuda."
Fang Yuda cupped his hands in greeting and asked with a wry smile, "Why is this, distinguished guests?"
"Hmph!" Sheng Lan snorted coldly and said sharply, "Let us go right now, or next year on this day, it will be the anniversary of your grandson's death!"
Fang Yuda looked at Wang Lin and said sternly, "Madam, when you came to the village for help that day, we helped you carry the patient back to the village without saying a word. That day, the mountains were blocked by heavy snow, and we were just passersby. We did this, and this is how you treat us? It's truly disheartening!"
"Men! Get your weapons! I want to see who dares to hurt my son!" Fang Hongbo shouted, and soon several strong men, armed with shovels, hoes and other handy tools, coldly stared at Wang Wenzhou and his group.
Wang Wenzhou quickly said, "Gentlemen, please don't be impulsive! I will never forget your life-saving grace. However, I heard that you are going to send us to the government. To be honest, my identity is special, and it is not easy for me to see the officials!"
In truth, Wang Wenzhou felt that as long as he revealed his identity, even local officials wouldn't dare to do anything to him. However, Wang Wenzhou was afraid of suffering in silence, which was why he didn't want to meet with the officials. After all, he was on someone else's turf, and he had just survived an assassination attempt; he might be secretly killed, which would be incredibly frustrating.
"Hmph!" Fang Hongbo snorted coldly and said fiercely, "Father, this Zhou Wen is definitely a thief. Otherwise, the county magistrate wouldn't have offered a hundred taels of silver as a reward for him. We saved his life, and he still treats Ming'er like this. We should hand him over to the authorities!"
"Zhou Wen?" Wang Wenzhou frowned. Why was he called Zhou Wen? Was it the work of someone who wanted to kill him? Or was it a false name that Gao Guiying used when reporting to the authorities to prevent his identity from being exposed?
Fang Yuda cupped his hands and said, "Young Master Zhou, we have no past grievances or recent enmity. In fact, we even saved your life. I only have one grandson. I promise to let you go, but please do not harm my grandson!"
Wang Wenzhou was at a loss. Although the snow had stopped, it hadn't melted yet. The three of them were unfamiliar with the area, surrounded by a vast expanse of white. Which way could they go? Even if they knew the way, the authorities were still searching for them, and they didn't know whether the authorities wanted their lives or wanted to save them.
"My lord?" Sheng Lan looked at Wang Wenzhou, waiting for his instructions.
Wang Wenzhou thought for a moment, then cupped his hands in greeting to Fang Yuda and said, "Mr. Fang, to be honest, I am not Zhou Wen. My name is Wang Wenzhou, and I am the Earl of Xinjian in the Great Ming Dynasty. Of course, my reputation as an official is not good; my colleagues in the bureaucracy call me 'Mad Dog.' But the people of the Great Ming all call me Wang Qingtian (Wang the Upright Official)!"
"Ah!" Fang Yuda and the others were completely stunned. The villagers, who had lived in the village for generations, were considered to have seen great figures and experienced much in life if they had ever seen a county magistrate in person. They never expected to see Wang Wenzhou, a truly important figure from the Ming Dynasty!
Sheng Lan and Wang Lin were also surprised, unable to understand why Wang Wenzhou would admit his identity. Wasn't this making things even more dangerous?
Wang Wenzhou said with a wry smile, "I will certainly repay the life-saving grace of Mr. Fang and the others. However, given the current situation, not only am I unable to repay their kindness, but I might also bring utter disaster upon the villagers!"
I fear you may not believe me, so I will speak the truth. I have come to Sichuan this time on the Emperor's secret orders to persuade the rebel Zhang Xianzhong to surrender. However, there are always some bad people in the court who do not want the people of the Ming Dynasty to live in peace and prosperity.
They opposed surrender, so they sent assassins to kill me. Now I don't know who ordered the bounty on my head. May I ask, Mr. Fang, how did you learn of the government's bounty?"
Because Wang Wenzhou's statement was so shocking, Fang Yuda was stunned for a moment before he reacted. He quickly said, "Hongbo, you speak!"
Fang Hongbo nodded and said, "Because of the heavy snow, we went out yesterday and hunted two wild boars, which we then took to the city to sell. When we entered the city, we saw a portrait posted at the city gate with a reward for your capture."
"Oh!" Wang Wenzhou nodded, and said with a wry smile, "Mr. Fang, I'm afraid I really will bring utter disaster to your village!"
"What do you mean?" Fang Yuda asked in surprise.
Wang Wenzhou said in a serious tone, "The reward notice for me is in the name of Zhou Wen, not my real name. It is very likely the work of someone who wants to kill me. If you send me to the yamen, after I die, not only will my subordinates and family not let you go, but the Emperor will also not forgive you."