Three thousand miles in exile

It was a sunny day, Mr. Lin was wearing a brocade gown embroidered with silver leaves and trimmed with silver leaves, and the bodyguard with the scar personally opened an umbrella, and walked out of the Fushou Tower surrounded by several bodyguards.

Guards outside the building have already brought a horse, and it seems that they are going to travel.

The shopkeeper of Fushoulou sent him off tremblingly, and did not ask the remaining guards until Mr. Lin's team had gone far away. "Excuse me, Mr. Lin, where are you going?"

Zhang Xiaoman, who was left behind, folded his hands and said nonchalantly: "Our son said that he would go up the mountain to find wild ginseng for the old man himself."

The shopkeeper was startled and quickly waved his hands. "Impossible, there is a wild boar king in the surrounding mountains. Ten years ago, the county magistrate issued a death order to prohibit the people from entering the deep mountains."

Zhang Xiaoman gave him an angry look. "Can you stop our son? How can you serve a distinguished guest with your wink?"

The shopkeeper looked embarrassed.

"Seeing that you have been serving well during this time, let me show you the truth." Zhang Xiaoman said with a broken mouth.

"Going up the mountain to search for wild ginseng is just for others to see. Our son made a small mistake and asked the master to send him out to practice. This will not let the stewards with the team see the son's diligence and go back to the master."

The shopkeeper suddenly realized.

Zhang Xiaoman is a servant who doesn't know what to say, and others don't ask him, but he talks non-stop.

"How is it possible for our young master to go into the deep mountains and old forests? At most, he will walk around the periphery of the forest. Just wait and see, he will definitely be back in two or three hours."

Soon, what Zhang Xiaoman said was relayed to Mr. Chen intact.

"Do you need to send someone to follow?" the yamen servant asked in a low voice.

Master Chen thought about it. "No need, I guess they don't have the ability to enter the mountain. If they are found out and offend this master, the trouble will be even greater."

Master Chen is very confident, the dense forests around Shanyin County can be visited by just a few outsiders if they want to.

What they have to do now is to wait quietly for this master to leave Shanyin County. Master Chen thought in his heart that at most half a month this family member would not be able to stay.

at the same time.

"Boss! No one is following us." Wei Chenggui rode to catch up.

"Very well, follow the plan." Liu Zhan said.

The troops were divided into two groups. Song Fenglin led Li Xiaolian and several guards around the forest, while Liu Zhan, Wei Chenggui and Guo Donghu entered the mountain.

Liu Zhan had already arranged for another person to wait in the forest.

At Huang Wushi, he brought a dozen soldiers from Orion to meet Liu Zhan, and Wangcai, who had already ruled the Qiyun Mountain, was also with him.

"You guys focus on finding the mountain cols with water sources, take Wangcai to identify the way, and write down the water sources when you find them, and note down the surrounding villages one by one." Liu Zhan arranged.

Clasping fists at noon. "The subordinate understands."

After searching the mountains for several days, Liu Zhan quickly grasped the general situation of the surrounding villages under the jurisdiction of Shanyin County, and Song Fenglin drew the village information into a map based on the geographical environment of Qiyun Mountain.

During the day and night, the two reasoned and ruled out the simple map, and finally delineated a rough range.

Liu Zhan said: "These three villages are the most suspicious. They are all located in the mountain depressions in the north of Shanyin County, surrounded by dense forests and almost isolated from the outside world. However, these three villages have no roads and no rivers leading to the outside of the mountains."

Song Fenglin thought. "It doesn't necessarily mean that there are no rivers. The snow on the mountains in Kaichun melts, and many streams that were originally dry will overflow into rivers. When the water is deep, it is not a problem to use bamboo rafts and small boats."

Liu Zhan was enlightened immediately, and there was no need to transport silver out of the mountain every moment, just a fixed time period every year to complete the handover with the Yan family outside the mountain, and this is the time when the snow melts in spring!

Early the next morning, Liu Zhan and Song Fenglin split into two groups as usual. Song Fenglin led people around the periphery of the forest to divert their attention, and Liu Zhan entered the depths of the forest to join Huang Wushi and others.

This time the goal was clear, and the group went directly to the dense forest in the northern col of Shanyin County.

Entering the outskirts of the col, Zhang Xiaoman, who was in front of the row, brought two sentries back to report. "Boss, there are people stationed in front. There are traps all around. We were almost discovered."

Liu Zhan said. "How many people are there?"

Zhang Xiaoman answered. "Two people."

Liu Zhan thought about it. "It's dealt with. Take Wangcai and drag the body into the woods to pretend to be attacked by a wild beast. Chenggui, you can bring someone to do it."

Wei Chenggui embraced the order.

The fact that someone is stationed there proves that they have found the right one. The purpose of Liu Zhan's trip is only to find out where the silver mine is.

At this time, the heavy snow on Qiyun Mountain had not completely melted, and the forest was dripping wet.

A series of footprints were printed on the half-melted snow, but it only took half a day for the snow to melt and there were no traces.

Liu Zhan was not in a hurry to go deep, but first looked for the stream formed by the accumulation of snow water, and soon he saw the stream still storing water at the bottom of the mountain depression.

Seeing that the color of the stream was green with black, Liu Zhan grabbed a handful of silt from the bottom of the stream, and the color of the silt was abnormal at first glance.

Although he does not have enough chemical knowledge, Liu Zhan knows that there is no pure silver mine in the world, and half of the silver mines are accompanied by other minerals, such as lead.

The refining of silver ore is also a process of removing impurities, which eventually flow into the streams near the mine along with the sewage.

Liu Zhan already had a plan in his mind, and a plan took shape in his mind.

The next day, the news that Mr. Lin from Siyang was leaving quickly spread throughout Shanyin County.

Mr. Lin was in a bad mood because he couldn't buy 300-year-old wild ginseng. He didn't want to stay in this remote place for one more day.

The bodyguard's followers arrogantly cursed in Fushou Tower, until Lin Ji's caravan set off and left Shanyin County, Fushou Tower was relieved.

No one found that the Linji caravan entered Zhangtai County after leaving the boundary of Shanyin County.

Liu Zhan and his party still entered Zhangtai County in the name of the family caravan.

Although Liu Ruqin, the county magistrate of Zhangtai County, surrendered to Liu Zhan, Liu Zhan still didn't know about this person. The silver mine matter was a big deal and Liu Zhan naturally had to keep it from him.

However, the Linji caravan entered Zhangtai County with a low profile, found an inn and stayed quietly.

That night, Liu Zhan and Li Xiaolian rode back to Wuyuan County overnight to dispatch troops, while Song Fenglin stayed with Wei Chenggui to support them.

On the same night, Yan Qirong's cousin Yan Qixiu quietly left Jinyang City with a group of people.

Every April and May alternate a few days is the day when the treasures come out of the mountain, which is the most important day of the year for the Yan family.

In previous years, the head of the family went to preside over it in person. This year, due to changes in the situation in northern Xinjiang, the generals Yan Qirong and Yan Qiliang could not leave Jinyang, so others went to Baoshan to preside over it.

Yan Qixiu is not a direct descendant of the old lady Yan's lineage, his father is the concubine born of the old lady Yan and his concubine.

His lineage is no different from being transparent in the Yan family on weekdays. If it weren't for the disaster of the Yan family, such an important errand would not be his turn.

Ever since he received such a big errand as the host of Baoshan, Yan Qixiu felt as if he was in the clouds.

You must know that when he went to Baoshan, he just stuck a little fire consumption and kept it for his own use, which would be enough for his lineage to squander.

Yan Qiliang lost the Cangxia Plain and was not punished, Yan Qirong took over as General Dingguo, even the powerful Prince Rui and General Zhou Chan couldn't touch the Yan family, what did they rely on?Of course it is silver!

Twelve years ago, the head of Shanyin County discovered that the treasure mountain was dedicated to the Yan family. The old man Yan who was still alive at that time asserted that the treasure mountain could keep the Yan family prosperous and prosperous for more than ten generations.

This is the Yan family's biggest reliance, and now this reliance will be presided over by him, Yan Qixiu!

Yan Qixiu can wake up from a dream with a smile.

Seeing Yan Qixiu's appearance, the steward who accompanied him felt very disdainful. How could Mrs. Yan really let a concubine take charge of Baoshan?

It's just a temporary expedient measure, if the bastard is restless and the steward snorts coldly, Mrs. Yan has personally said that if the bastard is not available, she will be sent away and replaced with someone else.

When Yan's group entered Shanyin County, they did not enter the county seat, but directly entered the mountain.

In order to protect Baoshan for so many years, no roads have been opened to enter the depths of the dense forest. The snow on the mountain has melted so much that it is difficult to walk under the feet with dead leaves and muddy mud. Horses will inevitably get stuck when walking.

The steward wanted to show off Yan Qixiu's power, and deliberately prevented his servants from going up to help.

Yan Qixiu was glamorous at the beginning, but soon after entering the mountain, his feet were covered with mud and his head was covered with sweat. When he saw the steward and the others watching with their hands folded, he cursed angrily.

"Don't come here to help fourth master!"

"Please forgive me, Fourth Master, I can't take care of myself." Yan Qixiu was furious at the pretentiousness of the servants.

Old Madam Yan is a strong mistress, she controls the back house of Yan's mansion tightly.

Grandpa Yan had only two concubines who were born after his concubine, and his concubine was born after his concubine's grandson. In terms of seniority, all concubines were inferior to concubines, except for the rich clothes and jade food, the concubine was an idler who could not even be called a servant in Yan's mansion.

This cowardly Yan Qixiu has really had enough, his purpose of coming to Baoshan this time is to get a piece of the pie, and now that the direct line is useless, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Yan Qixiu kicked the servant in front of him to the ground with a grim expression.

"I'm still your master if I don't use it in the house. How dare a group of slaves dare to show favor to Fourth Master? Without Fourth Master's handprints, who can transport Baoshan out of you? Just rely on you bastards? Pooh!"

The steward's face was very ugly.

Yan Qixiu said arrogantly again: "It only takes a few days to transport the treasure mountain, which of you can afford to delay the important matter? It's up to you?"

The steward was startled, he really didn't expect that the fourth master who used to pretend to be a fool in the mansion had such a side.

"I'm going to the fourth master of the Baoshan area soon, so I don't have anything to be afraid of. Can you go back and change in time?" Yan Qixiu laughed, and then he said something even more astonishing.

"I know what the old lady wants you to guard against me. Such a big treasure mountain is inexhaustible, and the annual output is so much. I'm afraid it's wealth that you won't be able to accumulate in ten lifetimes. "

"Fourth Master, I don't eat alone. If you listen to me, everyone can share a little after the matter is completed. If you can't get along with Yinzi, you have to tell the old lady. I don't care. Anyway, I am a bastard. At worst, I will be sent to separate the family. It's over."

In previous years, when the head of the family came to preside over it himself, at most they could get a few rewards as servants in charge. Yan Qixiu directly made this point clear.

Let's do the money together and take it together, and don't talk about being loyal. Just a fraction of this huge amount of money can enjoy a lifetime of wealth.

Just ask, who can not be tempted?

The steward's expression has changed several times, and the servant is also watching the steward's attitude.

If you want to deduct part of the money, you have to change the accounts. The accounts on Baoshan are all in charge, and it is very easy to do things if you really want to.

The person who keeps the accounts is the steward, and the person who draws the deposit is Yan Qixiu. As long as the two cooperate properly, some of this huge amount of money can be deducted.

And the steward is not afraid of Yan Qixiu turning his face and denying others. Without the steward, Yan Qixiu can't do it alone.

"Please calm down, Fourth Master, it's because I'm too young to see Mount Tai." The steward immediately handed over his hands and apologized. "From now on, fourth master is the master, and he can do whatever the master says."

As the saying goes, money can make a ghost run the mill.

Yan Qixiu snorted and got on his horse. "Come and lead the horse for my grandfather."

The steward immediately gestured for the servant to go forward and lead the horse for Yan Qixiu.

Yan's Treasure Mountain is located in the deep valley of the forest, surrounded by mountains on all sides, and the mine and refining workshop are all in one place.

There is no road leading to the mountain here, except for climbing the mountain, we have to wait for the alternate days of April and May every year to go out of the mountain by bamboo raft.

This river, which only appears for a month and can only transport goods for a few days, leads from the col to the back mountain of Hengkeng Village at the foot of the mountain.

Every year at this time, the county magistrate of Shanyin County sent hundreds of soldiers up the mountain to support them in the name of encircling and suppressing wild boars. Because Yan Hongji, the county magistrate of Shanyin County, was old, his son Yan Qixin was the one who came to rescue them a few years ago.

Boxes of private silver transported from the mountain were all gathered in a cave in the back mountain of Hengkeng Village.

According to the usual practice in previous years, Yan Qixin will go up the mountain a few days in advance, first to clean up the inside and outside of the cave, and second, to clear the surrounding villages to prevent the news from being leaked.

This cave is less than a hundred steps away from the stream, which forms a pond when the stream descends from the mountain to the back of Hengkeng Village. When the stream stops flowing, the pond will slowly dry up and disappear.

Yan Qixin was stationed outside the cave with his soldiers as in previous years, how could his troops be ambushed as soon as they arrived!

I saw those people were like ghosts and ghosts, their heads and bodies were covered with branches, lying in ambush in the forest without any movement, and they suddenly jumped out and beat them by surprise.

Hundreds of Yan Qixin's people were wrapped in dumplings, but they wanted to break through, but the opponents were all very brave, and the first move was a killer move, and they didn't even want to keep alive.

Not long after, the open space outside the cave was already full of corpses.

After living for 40 years, Yan Qixin has never been as scared as he is now, and he has dealt with those disobedient people in private.

But all of a sudden hundreds of people turned into bloody corpses lying in front of him, such a battle made him tremble, let alone resisting, he didn't even have the courage to escape.

Yan Qixin was tied up and pressed in front of Liu Zhan.

The military uniform on Liu Zhan's body was already stained with blood, and there was a half-smile in his dark pupils reflecting the corpses all over the floor.

"Do you know who I am?" Liu Zhan held the knife in his left hand, and knocked on the top of Yan Qixin's head with a branch in his right.

"No, I don't know..." Yan Qixin trembled like chaff.

Liu Zhan smiled. "My name is Liu Zhan."

Yan Qixin rolled his eyes and passed out, and then the smell of urine made everyone take a step back.

Liu Zhan covered his mouth and nose angrily. "Why is the grandson so courageous?"

Wei Chenggui went up and slapped him twice to wake him up.

As soon as Yan Qixin woke up, he burst into tears immediately. "Master Zhou, please spare me!"

"If you want to survive, you must know everything that I will ask you." Liu Zhan restrained his murderous intent and deliberately slowed down his voice. "Where is the silver mine on the mountain?"

As soon as Yan Qixin heard this, he thought Liu Zhan didn't know where the silver mine was, so he could be saved!

"In, in the northeast, along the back mountain to the east..." Before Yan Qixin finished speaking, Liu Zhan kicked him over.

"Dare to play tricks in front of me, Duhu took off one of his arms."

Guo Donghu immediately took orders and broke Yan Qixin's left arm without saying a word. Yan Qixin's screams resounded through the forest.

It was only at this time that Yan Qixin realized that he had been tricked, and Liu Zhan was able to ambush here, so why didn't he know where the silver mine was?Just wanted to try him out.

Liu Zhan sneered. "Where did you hand over the money, when did you hand it over, what was the process, what kind of people were there, and they told you everything in detail. If there is a half lie, my lord has plenty of ways to make your life worse than death."

"I said! I said!" Yan Qixin cried bitterly, he didn't know if the Yan family would be unlucky, but at this moment he clearly understood that their family was done.

A god of killing who dared to kill the sons of the family, what was the adopted son of the Yan family in name?

"When the water level rises to the top, the releasers on the mountain will tie the wooden boxes containing the silver to the bamboo rafts and go down the river. I... I will be responsible for leading people to squat here to respond, and the head of the Yan family will personally come to count the number. After that, they will be temporarily stored in caves and transported to Jinyang in batches.”

Liu Zhan was immediately puzzled. "Patriarch of the Yan family can get out of Jinyang City?"

Afraid that he would torture him again, Yan Qixin hurriedly confessed.

"Of course I won't be able to come this year. The one who will come is the fourth master from the Yan family. He should have taken people up the mountain to enter the account at this time, and then he will take a wooden raft down the mountain...here to count the money again."

So it turned out that Liu Zhan finally figured out how the silver mine works, and he raised his hand. "Take him down and watch him."

The more Li Xiaolian and others knew, the more they couldn't stay, so Li Xiaolian volunteered. "Brother, I will personally lead people to take the silver mine down!"

But Liu Zhan said: "Don't worry, the silver mine can't escape, the important thing now is to control all the people involved, and not let anyone out."