C17 Who Is the Spy

Two days later, as the Yang Family compound was in the midst of a heated recruitment, an official letter arrived from Chen Song, ordering him to rush to the prefecture gates at noon in the beginning of the month to discuss the matter of exterminating bandits with the gentry. Yang Lin couldn't help but smile, thinking that Chen Ze was really quick with his work, getting his father settled so quickly.

Early in the morning, Yang Lin brought Yang Hu, Yang Bao, and more than a dozen servants to the prefecture. When he arrived at the prefectural manor of the prefecture, he was shocked. At this moment, there were already more than a dozen squire waiting in the main hall of the Residence of Great Defend.

As it turned out, not only did Lord Taishang invite Yang Lin, Xu Chu, Li Shuang, and Wang Da, but he also invited twelve gentry from the other six counties. The one thing these gentry had in common was that they all lived in Little Flood Mountain and suffered from those bandits.

"Lord Grand Guard has arrived."

Following the yamen runners' shouts, a tall middle-aged man walked into the main hall of the Imperial Guard. This was Chen Song, the head guard. He walked expressionlessly to the seat behind the official's desk and sat down. He swept the audience with his stern gaze, and then slowly began to speak.

"Gentlemen, the reason why I called you all here today is to discuss how to eliminate the bandits from Little Flood Mountain. At present, in Little Hong Mountain, there are four large bandit groups, Zhang Jie, Wu Da Ming, Old Wang, and Liu Er Gou. They are robbing and robbing homes, killing and arson, committing all sorts of crimes, all of you may have been harmed by them. "

"In order to ensure the safety of the citizens, I have decided to recruit brave villagers and exterminate bandits. Each of your sixteen gentry will recruit fifteen hundred men, armed and equipped themselves, under the command of the county commanders of the Grand Guard. They will eliminate these bandits by the end of the year and let everyone have a comfortable year. "Do you have any questions?"

"No, my lord."

The squire seemed to be prepared, and when he heard the question, he knew it was just a facade. Although they were talking about exterminating bandits, who could say no? Furthermore, everyone had been deeply affected by the bandits, so exterminating them was indeed a great thing.

"Fine, you have five days to recruit the village's brave men. In five days, the county army will come to your village and lead the village's brave men to annihilate the bandits." Everyone, hurry up and go back and prepare. "

Chen Song stood up after he finished speaking and waved to everyone before turning around and walking out of the hall. Yang Lin couldn't help but sigh in his heart. This Lord Protector's efficiency was quite high. He was able to explain everything within a few sentences without wasting a word.

"High, it really is high."

Yang Lin secretly nodded his head, this Great Guardian was truly brilliant. Asking the sixteen squire families to contribute, he only sent the commander-in-chief with him to war. He could eliminate the bandits at a cost of not even a single cent, and he could also earn a large sum of money.

"It's not hard to have fifteen hundred village men, but where can we get weapons and equipment?"

"That's right, those bandits are sharp with blades and spears, and they also have armor. Even with our bow and arrows and hunting knives, I'm afraid we are not a match for them."

"I don't have much time. Even if I invited the blacksmith to do it, it would still be too late."

"Don't the soldiers have weapons? I wonder if you can sell some to us? "

"I'm afraid that won't do. The weapons of the county guards are strictly forbidden to be owned by the commoners. Who would dare to buy them?"

Outside the main hall of the Residence of Supreme Protector, the nobles began to discuss amongst themselves. There were archers and hunting knives, but compared to the weapons of the bandits, they were still far behind. It was no wonder that the gentry were worried.

When Yang Lin saw Xu Chu, Li Shuang, and Wang Da, he stepped forward and greeted them. A few of them stood together and began to talk about weapons. Just as they were speaking, a few servants suddenly walked over. They walked up to Yang Lin and the others and cupped their hands towards them.

"Old masters, my family's young master wants to invite you all over to discuss something with him."

Yang Lin and Xu Chu knew what was going on, so they followed the servants. As for Li Shuang and Wang Da, they had no choice but to follow as well. The few of them followed the servant into a small tavern. He pushed open the door to a private room. It turned out to be Chen Ze who was sitting inside. He cupped his hands to everyone and invited them to sit down.

"Four old masters, according to the arrangements of the Lord Grand Guard, I will lead the commander-in-chief to kill the bandits in five days. Our task is to eliminate Big Mouth, and the rest of the bandits are to be exterminated by the other gentry. Is there anything I can help you with? "

When he heard Chen Ze say this, Yang Lin admired Lord Taishang even more. This Lord High Guardian was really a high man. He had invited so many gentry to make this brigand fight so fiercely that he could sell the weapons to the gentry, and others could not say anything about it, because the village men were led by the commander-in-chief. Who could say that they were not soldiers? Isn't it reasonable and fair to use weapons on soldiers?

"Mister Chen, all we lack is weapons and equipment. Can you help us get some?"

Since Chen Ze wanted to put on an act, Yang Lin would cooperate with him a little and act out this scene even more perfectly. Indeed, Yang Lin's words made Li Shuang and Wang Da nod. Chen Ze took the hint and smiled. He pretended to think for a while before nodding to them.

"Sure."

"Well, then, each man will have a spear, a long knife, a suit of armor, and some tents."

"Alright, I'll prepare fifteen hundred sets for each of you."

"..."

Knowing that his mission was to keep his mouth open, Yang Lin planned to capture that bandit after returning to the Yang Family compound. Under Hua Tuo's meticulous treatment, most of the injured bandits' injuries had stabilized. Over thirty bandits were already able to walk freely on the ground.

Yang Lin started with these 30 bandits and talked to them separately, asking them about the situation of Dark Dragon Mountain with its gaping mouth. However, although these guys were grateful to the Yang Family for saving their lives, none of them were willing to sell out Dark Dragon Mountain.

Yang Lin could see the fear in their eyes. They were afraid that Zhang Datou would take revenge for them, because his family was at Dark Dragon Mountain, and Zhang Datou was a vicious bandit. Their revenge was especially strong, and the bandits that betrayed him were all annihilated by him.

"Don't have any illusions, this time you won't stop until your mouth is wide open. If you tell me the situation with your big mouth, I will move your whole family to the Yang Family Manor. If you don't tell me, I can destroy your entire family too. "

Yang Lin, who had a modern interrogation method in his heart, was not discouraged. He locked up more than 30 bandits separately and let the servants take turns interrogating them, not allowing them to rest for even a moment. As long as they slept, he would wake them up and then use both the soft and hard methods, bombarding them day and night at the same time.

Such a method of interrogation was even more effective than torture. Even the trained agents were unable to endure it. No one knew how many heroes would be able to survive this ordeal. They would even obediently confess to stealing a piece of candy when they were young.

The bandits finally could not hold on any longer. There were more than thirty bandits, and none of them survived the five days. All of them began to confess. They told everything about Dark Dragon Mountain and its wide open mouth in detail. They even mentioned how its mouth was wide open while it was snoring and farting in its sleep.

It turned out that there were more than ten thousand people living in more than fifty villages in the region of Dark Dragon Mountain, with a radius of one hundred Li. Due to the scarcity of land, the mountain people lived by hunting. Most families did not have overnight food, and there were even many families living in caves.

The big mouth bandits' nest was in the Dark Dragon Mountain's Black Dragon Cave. The cave was cool and dry, and it was like spring all year round. It was a suitable place for someone to stay. There were so many caves that even the bandits didn't fully understand what was going on. Even if you surrounded the Black Dragon Cave, it would still be difficult to keep your mouth open.

However, there was still a situation that caught Yang Lin's attention. According to the bandits, although Zhang Dagao did not have a family, he had several, three of which gave birth to children for him. Of these three, two had daughters, one had a son, and the one who had a son was especially pleasing to him.

All year long, he had been living on the edge of a blade, and he had also killed many people, causing him to be exceptionally cautious. He was always on guard against retaliation, so everything about him was kept a secret. An average bandit simply didn't know the names of his bandits and where they lived.

Amongst these bandits, only one bandit named Li Quan was Zhang Dabao's trusted aide and knew some of Zhang Dabao's secrets. After a few exchanges, Li Quan finally revealed the names and locations of Zhang Ergou's subordinates, but he did not go to those homes. In order to protect his family, Li Quan agreed to take Yang Lin to find the little daffodil who gave birth to his son.

"Open your mouth wide, there's still someone in Yang Family Manor."

Just when Yang Lin wanted to tell Li Quan to leave, he didn't expect Li Quan to suddenly kneel down and say another shocking thing. Perhaps he had already confessed to little Water Immortal and felt that there was no way out. If he just kept his mouth open and didn't die, then he probably wouldn't end up well.

"Oh, there's a traitor? Who is he? "

Yang Lin was shocked. He didn't expect the bandits to know how to work as spies at this time. If the bandits were to plant a spy at his side, would he still be able to sleep? Besides, he had been interrogating bandits these past few days. If Zhang Dazhi knew about this, wouldn't he be running away?

"I've also never seen him before. Usually, there will be a special person to deliver the news to him. I only know his name is Er Laizi, he seems to be a servant of the Yang family compound. "It is he who sent the letter to attack the Yang Family's compound with his mouth wide open."

"Ah, a servant?"

Yang Lin was really about to faint. He quickly ordered two servants to bring Li Jun away, then he quickly sent someone to get Yang Cheng. This news truly shocked Yang Lin. No wonder the Madam and Yang Juan had fainted just now and the bandits had come that night. It turned out that a traitor had appeared in the Yang Family compound.

"Old master, you called me?"

Regardless of whether he was willing or not, Yang Cheng respectfully called him Master Yang Lin. Yang Lin didn't stand on ceremony with him. He raised his hand and pointed to the place where Li Quan was sitting just now. After Yang Cheng expressed his gratitude, he sat down. Yang Lin sized up Yang Cheng and felt that no matter what, Yang Cheng couldn't possibly be a traitor.

"Uncle Cheng, among the servants in the Yang family compound, who is called Er Lai Zi?"

"Er Laizi, no."

"No, it can't be. Think about it."

"Really not. I can even call out the names of more than a hundred servants, but no one is called Er Lai Zi. "

"Oh …"

Yang Lin was a little confused. He believed that Li Quan was not lying because Li Quan was completely convinced of his abilities. At the same time, there was no need for him to create a traitor. However, Yang Cheng didn't lie at all. The three of them had killed so many bandits, so Zhang Dagao would never let them off.

"Uncle Cheng, on the afternoon when the bandits attacked the Yang Family's compound, which servant came out?"

"This... "We have to ask Yang Song and Yang Bai. Only they know that someone is going in and out of the Yang family compound."

"Men, go call Yang Song and Yang Bai."

Yang Lin couldn't wait any longer and immediately sent for Yang Hu, Yang Bao, He Yi, He Man, Liu Ping, Gong Du, and even Uncle Lei to send for Yang Hu, Yang Bao, He Yi, He Man, Liu Ping, and Gong Du. He would rather believe these hoodlums like Liu Ping and Gong Du than to believe his servants.

Not long after, Yang Song and Yang Bai ran over. Just as they entered the door, they saw their father sitting there and did not know what had happened. Although they respectfully greeted Yang Lin, Yang Lin did not have the slightest hint of a smile on his face.

"On the afternoon of the robbers' attack on the Yang Family compound, after the Madame fainted, who else left the Yang Family compound?"

"Ah …" That day, Chief Steward sent us to get Doctor Hua Tuo. Both of us went out, but we don't know who went out. "

"Heavens …"

Yang Lin was really speechless this time. He could imagine that the people in the yard were all panicking and running in and out of the house that day, all they were thinking about was finding Hua Tuo for his wife. No one even noticed who went in and out of the yard.

"Yang Song, Yang Bai, you two go out. From now on, none of the servants are allowed to leave the Yang Family compound."

"Sure, but someone went out just now."

"Who?"

"Yang Ping."

"Yang Ping?"

"Aiya, not good, this Yang Ping is Er Lai Zi!"

Yang Cheng suddenly smacked his head and jumped up from his seat. He let out an almost hysterical roar, giving Yang Lin a fright. In order to investigate this traitor, Yang Lin was very nervous. Being yelled at like this, he almost jumped up.

"This Yang Ping has an older brother who had a son called Lai Zi. Everyone in the village called him Lai Zi. Although he never had a son, he was also called Lai Zi. It's just that many years have passed, and the villagers stopped calling me that long ago.

"Yang Song, Yang Bai, you two hurry up and chase after Yang Ping. How can you guys catch up to him?" If they can't catch up, they must at least die. "

"Ah …"

"Ah what? Chase quickly!"

"Yes, master."

Yang Song and Yang Bai answered and turned to run out. Coincidentally, Yang Lei and the others walked in and nearly bumped into them. Yang Song and Yang Bai didn't even greet one of them and immediately ran. Yang Lei and the others were baffled as to what had happened.

"Thunder uncle, you came at the right time." Gather all the village men immediately, split up and chase after the family servant Yang Ping. "If you can't catch anyone alive, you have to do it even if it means your death."

"Ah, what's going on?"

"There's no time to explain. Let's capture him first."

"Yes, master."

Listening to Yang Lin's sharp tone, Yang Lei suddenly understood his identity. Although Uncle Yang Linley and Uncle Ley called out, that was what the master called his servants. Yang Lei couldn't help feeling depressed in his heart. He turned around and walked out, and suddenly thought of the flustered Yang Song and Yang Bai. Could it be that they were also going to chase after Yang Ping?

"What happened to Yang Ping?"

Of course Yang Lei knew Yang Ping, ten years ago Yang Ping was a servant of the Yang family, he was a pretty good person. Because his family was poor, he was in his thirties and couldn't even marry a wife. Why would he run? Moreover, his home was at Yang Family Manor, so where could he run to?

"Why is Yang Lin so strict?"

Ever since Yang Lei and his son rescued Yang Lin, they had never seen Yang Lin act so sternly before. What was this matter that made him so anxious? He had been busy recruiting, training the village men, and focusing on the robbers. He didn't care about anything else. Bandits? Could it be that Yang Ping was a bandit?

"Yang Hu, Yang Bao, gather the village men and split up to chase after Yang Ping."

It was still the same figure on the rugged mountain road. The man on the horse looked behind him as if he was about to catch up with him at any moment. However, when he turned his head back for the ninety-ninth time, he saw a few familiar figures.

"Yang Ping, stop, I have something to talk to you about."

This voice could not be more familiar. Just by hearing it, one could tell that it was the two brothers, Yang Song and Yang Bai, chasing after them. However, he could no longer turn back. He knew that he had embarked on a path of no return. It was just that he did not know when it would come to an end. Now he understood that this was the end.

"Giddy up …"

Yang Ping suddenly held the horse's belly and urged it forward. The horse's hooves kicked up a cloud of dust. Now that he had seen the pursuers, his heart relaxed. He knew that he was far from being Yang Song and Yang Bai's match. The only thing he could do was to speed up and escape. Fortunately, there was still a slim chance of survival.

"Chase!"

Yang Song roared, and patted the horse's butt with all his might. The horse was so agitated that it raised its head and let out a long hiss before raising its hooves and galloping forward. At this moment, Yang Song's mood was abnormally gloomy. From his father's expression to Yang Lin's sternness, he already felt that the matter was serious. If he couldn't even trust the servant, who else would the lord believe?

On the winding mountain path, one mount was fleeing while the other were desperately chasing. Those who ran had to keep their lives, and those who chased had to keep their jobs. No one could easily give up. Seeing Yang Ping running further and further away, Yang Song, Yang Bai, and the others could not help but take down their bows and arrows.

"Halt!"

With a loud roar, Yang Ping raised his head and saw a tall figure standing in front of him with a strong longbow in his hand. He was also familiar with that figure, but he had not dealt with it for ten years. However, he did not dare to disrespect that arrow.

"Thunder uncle, please let me go. I will definitely repay you in the future."

"Yang Ping, come back with me. I will definitely plead for you, giving up my old face, and beg the lord to spare your life."

"Sigh, Master will not forgive me. "Whatever, so be it. If you die, so be it."

Yang Ping looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh. His hazy eyes looked up at the sun, but they could only see the chaotic shadows. He couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness. He suddenly pulled out his waist knife. Before the sound of the steel knife being unsheathed could dissipate, he raised his hand and slashed at his own neck.

"Pu!"

Just as he pulled out the dagger from his waist, Yang Lei's arrow flew out of the bowstring. Yang Lei had already seen through his intentions. He wanted to use his death to atone for his crimes, but if he died, wouldn't his reputation be ruined? His right hand was finally unable to lift up, but his body was still carried down from the horse.