The daily struggles of divorced women in ancient times

Chapter 117 Water Bandits

Something must be wrong when things are out of the ordinary. Xia Mianwan pondered and asked, "Which towns are they?"

"The towns of Huaishui, Yangting, Jumen and Tanshui are the only places I have been to recently." Xiaowu replied.

Xia Mianwan's heart sank. Could it be that they were pirates from Japan?

One side of these towns is close to the sea and they all have docks. If they are really Japanese pirates, all the people in Yanzhou will suffer.

"Prepare the car, we're going to Chen's house." Xia Mianwan was unwilling to stay even a moment longer. This matter must be notified to Chen Suzhi first.

The Chen Kingdom was strong before, and Japanese pirates invaded year after year. They would rob when they couldn't get business, and then run away and come back again. The navy of the Chen Kingdom was very weak, because when the ancestor emperor wanted to build a navy, he was already old, and eventually died.

The Japanese pirates are very good at fighting on the water, so Chen State has always been disturbed by these pirates in recent years. However, these pirates never came so early in previous years. I don't know what happened this time.

Xiaowu sent Xia Mianwan to Chen's house, and waited for Chen Suzhi with Xia Mianwan.

Seeing Xia Mianwan and Xiaowu rushing over so anxiously, Chen Suzhi asked, "Why are you so anxious? What happened?"

"Master Chen, I'll let Xiaowu talk to you." Xia Mianwan said.

Xiaowu then told Chen Suzhi what he had seen in the past few days.

After listening to this, Chen Suzhi frowned.

"It's still a bit hasty to say this. Normally, the wind at sea is not right at this time of year, and the Japanese pirates will not attack in large numbers at this time." This matter is definitely not as simple as it seems.

Xia Mianwan was a little hesitant, not knowing whether to speak out what was in her mind.

"Madam Xia, if you have something to say, just say it. There is no need to hesitate." Seeing Xia Mianwan hesitate, Chen Suzhi quickly expressed his opinion.

Xia Mianwan hesitated for a long time, organized his words in his mind, and finally said: "Master Chen, the Japanese pirates did not actually invade in large numbers. They just disguised themselves as refugees and sneaked into Yanzhou. Many refugees have a long and dangerous journey, and it is difficult to get their passports. Pretending to be refugees is actually the easiest to detect."

The matter has already been made clear, and Chen Suzhi doesn't understand why Xia Mianwan has to say it again.

Xia Mianwan saw that Chen Suzhi looked puzzled, so he sighed and said, "Master Chen... How could the Japanese pirates know to disguise themselves as refugees?"

Chen Suzhi felt like he had just woken up from a dream.

Yes, how could the Japanese pirates know to disguise themselves as refugees?

Even the ordinary people in Yanzhou City were unaware of the news of the severe drought in the north, so how could the Japanese pirates know about it?

“…Someone leaked the information!”

Xiaowu and Chen Suzhi said in unison.

Xia Mianwan frowned and pursed her lips and said, "I'm afraid this person is an insider."

Chen Suzhi nodded. Ordinary people might be able to make a guess based on rumors, but for such a big thing, if there was no confirmed news, how could the Japanese pirates enter the city and make arrangements based on guesses? There must be a traitor!

Chen Suzhi couldn't sit still any longer and went to find Zheng Xiaoyun immediately.

"Master Chen, if not, you should look for Master Pei first."

Chen Suzhi paused, "Madam Xia, I know about the conflict between you and General Zheng, but... General Zheng holds the military power. No matter what the situation is, in the end we have to rely on the troops in his hands."

Xia Mianwan said, "If it is Zheng Xiaoyun who is at fault, then for today's incident, you have sent Zheng Xiaoyun a lifeline."

What Xia Mianwan said made sense, so they changed direction and headed for Pei Mansion.

"Sister Xia, is the threat of water bandits very serious?" Xiaowu has been in Yanzhou for all these years. Because of the strength of the State of Chen, he has never really encountered water bandits invading and robbing Yanzhou. Therefore, he did not know that Yanzhou has actually suffered from water bandits for a long time.

Xia Mianwan smiled bitterly and said, "The Japanese...are cruel by nature and enjoy killing people. The Huanglin Army is massacring the city, but if the Japanese pirates gain the upper hand, they will use all kinds of cruel means to have fun, and no one, old, weak, women or children, will be spared. Therefore, enemies like the Japanese pirates can only be killed, and there is no need to surrender!"

Xiao Wu then realized the seriousness of the matter, "What would happen if there really is an insider?"

Xia Mianwan said coldly: "Using a tiger to get its skin, what do you think?"

"Then what should we do?"

Xia Mianwan took Xiaowu and walked quickly along the street to the Kitchen God's Courtyard.

"Xiaowu, the Kitchen God Courtyard is in a remote area, and there aren't many people there. Go get a few capable people to keep an eye on the refugees coming into the city all day long, and let them live here. As for you, take Xiaoqi and Xiaoba to the four towns to see how many pirates have come in. Remember, everything should be done with survival in mind, and don't rush into anything."

"Yes!"

"Also, I have a bad feeling. If... Zheng Xiaoyun is one of the people who colluded with the Japanese pirates, then if the pirates succeed, I will die. You find a few strangers and hide them near my house to see if there are any secret guards watching me all day long. I don't know why, but I always feel that... the situation is not good." Xia Mianwan gave Xiaowu instructions.

Xiao Wu looked at Xia Mianwan in shock, "You said Zheng Xiaoyun... would betray the country?"

Xia Mianwan responded in a low voice: "It's not impossible. The current emperor is pressing him hard, and if he does it cleverly, he won't be discovered at all. He shouldn't be coming for me, his target should be Pei Yanxu. Now, Pei Yanxu and I are grasshoppers on the same rope. No matter what, as long as the pirates win, I will die. Do you understand?"

Xiaowu still doesn't understand.

The matter was of great importance, so Xia Mianwan was willing to explain it more clearly so that he would know the seriousness of the matter.

"Because once Zheng Xiaoyun commits treason, it means that all the previous moral constraints and court constraints will no longer work on Zheng Xiaoyun. Once these constraints are no longer effective, I will be like pork on the chopping board to Zheng Xiaoyun."

Xiaowu's expression also became serious. No matter what, Xia Mianwan couldn't be in trouble.

"Sister Xia, don't worry, I will definitely do whatever you ask me to do!" Xiao Wu said solemnly.

"I believe you."

Xia Mianwan looked up at the sky not far away, and saw a storm coming...

……

Pei Mansion.

"Are you serious about what you said?" Pei Yanxu slammed the table and stood up.

Chen Suzhi shook his head. "At present, I have only heard what Madam Xia said. I still need to verify the details."

Pei Yanxu thought for a long time and finally said, "Just act normal in this matter. Don't have your people follow me. I will send another secret guard. Madam Xia is right. Zheng Xiaoyun is indeed the most likely person."

Chen Suzhi was very surprised: "Do you also think Zheng Xiaoyun will betray the country?"

Pei Yanxu said calmly: "Otherwise, why did the emperor let me go on a tour to Jiangnan?"

"So, you brought the emperor's secret guards?" Chen Suzhi was surprised.

Pei Yanxu carefully examined Chen Suzhi's expression, then smiled slightly and said, "Suzhi, there are some things you must never do!"

Chen Suzhi's face froze, "What are you talking about?"

"It's a warning!" Pei Yanxu's eyes were sharp at this time, and there was a sense of strength in his eyes.

Chen Suzhi finally didn't dare to look directly at him, and lowered his head and said, "I know."