I was a conman in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 405 Thieves and Soldiers Are Hard to Distinguish

Chapter 405 Thieves and Soldiers Are Hard to Distinguish

"Lord Wang, do you think I should go and meet him?" Yu Tao asked.

Wang Wenzhou laughed and scolded, "Brother Yu, you're really smart all your life but foolish this time! You kidnapped me, and He Renlong asked you to meet him. You still dare to go? You're doomed if you go. He Renlong must want to skin you alive right now. Oh no! This is a diversionary tactic! Babies, babies, hurry back and let's make a run for it."

Yu Tao nodded. He had initially thought that with Sun Chuanting leading a large army, he might really have to fight to the death. He hadn't expected Wang Wenzhou to be so cooperative. It was as if Wang Wenzhou wasn't a hostage, but a kidnapper.

After packing up, Yu Tao and his team set off overnight.

Because their commander, Zheng Jiadong, had not yet returned, Deputy General Qiao Heguang was in a dilemma, unsure whether to intercept him or leave with Wang Wenzhou.

Qiao Heguang cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Zhang Jiao, and said with a wry smile, "Madam, what exactly do you mean? We were all sent by Sun Chuanting to protect Lord Wang, so why are you treating us like this?"

Zhang Jiao coldly ordered, "Sisters, listen up! If they dare to take another step forward, shoot them immediately!"

The female guards drew their bows and aimed at the Ming soldiers opposite them.

"Yes, Madam!" the girls answered in unison. Wang Wenzhou's female guards were originally Dorgon's men, so they felt no psychological pressure about shooting down Ming soldiers.

"Madam! You must give this humble general an explanation, otherwise I will have no way to face Lord Zheng when he returns!" Qiao Heguang said helplessly.

Zhang Jiao said disdainfully, "That old dog Sun Chuanting is meddling in other people's business..."

"Sister Zhang Jiao, let me explain this to General Qiao." Wang Ying quickly interrupted Zhang Jiao. Zhang Jiao was really adorably silly. It was fine for Wang Wenzhou to say these words in front of his own family, but to say them in front of so many people was going too far. If it got back to Sun Chuanting, Old Sun would definitely be furious.

Wang Ying said in a serious tone, "Lord Qiao, it's like this. My husband has urgent official business to attend to, so he set off overnight. Your mission has been completed, and Lord Wang does not need your protection. You can go and report back to Lord Sun Chuanting."

Qiao Heguang shook his head with a wry smile. What was going on? Lord Wang's subordinates were treating them like thieves, yet they were protecting the kidnappers who had kidnapped Lord Wang as they escaped. Qiao Heguang really couldn't understand what Wang Wenzhou was thinking. Since Wang Wenzhou's wives and concubines had all said so, Qiao Heguang had no choice but to comply and quickly ordered his men to return to camp to rest.

Zhang Jiao said, "Sister Ying, let's go."

Wang Ying nodded.

"Sisters, let's go!" Zhang Jiao commanded.

At Zhang Jiao's command, the female guards immediately turned their horses around and chased after them.

Qiao Heguang stared at the dust billowing ahead and muttered to himself: "Lord Wang, are you sure you can tell who is the thief and who is the soldier?"

Wang Wenzhou rested his head on Liu Rushi's lap, feeling rather unhappy. The carriage lacked shock absorption, making it very uncomfortable. He felt dizzy and showed signs of motion sickness, and didn't even want to engage in any sexual activity in the carriage.

Liu Rushi gently pressed Wang Wenzhou's shoulder and asked softly, "I don't understand. Even without Sun Chuanting's help, we could have safely rescued you on our own. Why did you insist on being kidnapped by Yu Tao and the others?"

Wang Wenzhou said helplessly, "Zhu Youjian, that good-natured man, doesn't want to kill all the rebels and wants to grant them amnesty. But Zhu Youjian didn't consider that the generals who are suppressing the rebels on the front lines don't want amnesty to succeed. If the rebels surrender, their military achievements will be wasted. Right now, the court is not short of money, and the generals are eager to beat up the rebels, grab credit and rewards. Fame and fortune are right in front of them."

"If I were to openly discuss the matter of amnesty with Gao Yingxiang, even if these generals didn't openly oppose it, they would still resort to underhanded tactics. In the midst of a battle, a few soldiers could turn me into a pincushion; those bastards are capable of such a thing," Wang Wenzhou said, cursing.

Liu Rushi frowned and said softly, "It can't be that bad! Wang Wenzhou, you think too badly of human nature! Throughout history, there have been far more loyal and patriotic people than those who surrender and betray their country."

"Heh!" Wang Wenzhou sneered, "Ruru, what can I say to you? You're very clever, but also too naive! Take the Mongol conquest of the Song Dynasty for example. During the Battle of Yamen when the Song Dynasty fell, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians jumped into the sea and committed suicide. These were all loyal and patriotic people, but they all died!"

Liu Rushi's expression changed.

Wang Wenzhou continued, "Those who survived either surrendered to the Mongols, becoming their henchmen, or even serving as officials in the court, or became their subservient subjects. In a sense, those who were loyal to the emperor and loved their country became extinct! After the Battle of Yamen, there was no more China!"

"Nonsense!" Liu Rushi said irritably, "Isn't my Great Ming Dynasty Chinese? According to your theory, everyone now is a descendant of traitors! Nonsense! Sometimes temporary submission does not mean permanent submission. Although the Mongols ruled us, they were eventually driven out of the heartland of China under the leadership of Taizu."

"Ruru, you win!" Seeing Liu Rushi's face darken, Wang Wenzhou dared not provoke her any further. After all, he was feeling unwell and needed Liu Rushi's gentle comfort.

Suddenly the carriage stopped, and due to inertia, Wang Wenzhou rolled off Liu Rushi's lap.

"Oh my god!" Wang Wenzhou scrambled to his feet, lifted the carriage curtain, and cursed, "Hey Yu, what the hell do you mean? Trying to get me killed?"

Yu Tao hurriedly urged his horse forward and said helplessly, "Lord Wang, please get out of the carriage and take a look. The road ahead has been blocked by soldiers, and they won't let us pass."

Wang Wenzhou frowned. What exactly was Sun Chuanting trying to do? He had already written to him, telling him not to get involved, but the old man insisted on meddling. He was really annoying.

"I'll go take a look!" Wang Wenzhou jumped off the carriage angrily.

Wang Wenzhou went over and said angrily, "I am Wang Wenzhou, the imperial envoy. Who are you subordinates? Bring your general here."

The Ming soldiers on the other side were ready with their weapons at the ready, their bows and arrows aimed at the bandits around Wang Wenzhou.

"Lord Wang, please wait a moment, I will go and invite He Renlong and General He right away."

These Ming soldiers were under He Renlong's command. He Renlong came to lure Yu Tao away, but Yu Tao did not fall for it.

A moment later, He Renlong spurred his horse over. He quickly dismounted, ran to Wang Wenzhou, knelt down, and said, "This humble general, He Renlong, greets Lord Wang."

"Xiao Long, what do you mean? Your soldiers are treating me like a thief, not letting my troops pass. What, are you planning a rebellion?" Wang Wenzhou asked, cursing.

He Renlong's expression changed, and he hurriedly said, "Lord Wang, this humble general is only following orders. Lord Sun Chuanting has ordered that no one may pass without his written permission."