#83 - After all, I still mind my own business
Wei Changtian was woken up by the noise outside at about Chou time (1-3 AM).
Dazed, he sat up in bed, put on his coat, and called out.
"Wang Er!"
"Creak~"
The door was gently pushed open, and a dark figure slipped into the room, answering in a low voice: "Young Master, I am Zhang San."
"Bandits have slaughtered a village outside the city."
Zhang San was different from Wang Er, not so verbose, basically answering whatever Wei Changtian asked.
"County Magistrate Wang has come to ask Lord Liang to send troops to suppress the bandits."
"Is that so coincidental?"
Wei Changtian was stunned, and became a little more awake: "Did Liang Zhen agree to him?"
"Not yet."
Zhang San shook his head: "Lord Liang doesn't care about this, mainly because Miss Liang Qin wants to help."
"However, Lord Cao is strongly opposed, and the two are currently arguing outside."
The Lord Cao that Zhang San spoke of was called Cao Shu, the supervisor who was "escorting" Wei Changtian to Shu Province this time.
He was definitely afraid of complications, so he was unwilling for Liang Zhen to offer assistance.
"I'll go take a look."
Wei Changtian thought for a while, and finally put on his clothes and got out of bed.
He never thought that one day he would be able to enjoy the protagonist treatment of "accidents happening even when just traveling."
He just didn't know whether what was hidden behind this was harvest or crisis.
......
Walking to the lobby of the inn, sure enough, everyone was there.
That thin county magistrate was standing anxiously beside Liang Zhen, his forehead red, even with traces of blood seeping out.
Obviously, he should have knelt down and kowtowed to Liang Zhen to ask him to send troops.
Regardless of the county magistrate's ability, his love for the people to such an extent was undeniable.
"...Miss Liang, Lord Wang, I am not a cold-blooded person, and I am equally saddened to see the people of Zhongling County die unjustly under the bandits' knives."
On the other side, Liang Qin seemed to have just finished speaking, and now it was Cao Shu's turn to express his opinion.
He looked at Liang Qin, who was looking at him indignantly, and explained in a deep voice: "But we have an important task on this trip, if something unexpected happens because of meddling..."
"How can saving lives be called meddling!"
Liang Qin reacted quickly, immediately seizing on the wording problem in Cao Shu's words.
"Lord Cao, you are an official of the imperial court, how can you say such a thing!"
"I..."
Cao Shu was speechless for a moment, while Liang Zhen happened to see Wei Changtian walking down the stairs at this time, and quickly interjected:
"Nephew, did we wake you up?"
"No, I happened to be awake too."
Wei Changtian shook his head: "I heard that bandits slaughtered a village?"
"Yes."
Liang Zhen said helplessly: "Lord Wang wants to ask us to send troops to drive away the bandits."
"This kind of thing..."
Wei Changtian smiled: "Uncle Liang, you can make the decision, what's there to argue about?"
"Ah, isn't this... Nephew, what do you think we should do?"
Liang Zhen looked at Liang Qin, and Wei Changtian immediately understood what he meant.
It seemed that Liang Zhen was inclined to help out.
He had no interest in taking people to suppress bandits proactively, but since he had happened to encounter it, he couldn't bear to ignore it.
Judging from this incident, the personalities of this father and daughter were quite similar.
Wei Changtian didn't immediately express his position, but looked at the thin county magistrate and asked: "Lord Wang, how many bandits are there? What is their strength?"
"According to the constables who came back to report, there are about a hundred people, and their strength is at most Sixth Rank!"
Seeing that Liang Zhen seemed to attach great importance to this young master's opinion, the thin county magistrate, although he didn't know the reason, "plop"ed and knelt down again, trembling as he bowed his head.
"I beg the Young Master to persuade Lord Liang to save those people!"
"This old man is grateful, extremely grateful!"
"..."
Someone nearby immediately went to help him up, but Wei Changtian still stood in place, looking at Liang Zhen again.
Seeing the latter nod slightly to him, indicating that he did have the intention to offer assistance, he said in a deep voice: "Lord Wang, we can help, but there are some things I have to make clear on Uncle Liang's behalf in advance."
"As Lord Cao said, we have an important task on this trip, and we must not lose the big picture for the small."
"Therefore, if those bandits are too fierce, and we are powerless at that time... I hope Lord Wang will not blame us."
"No! Definitely not!"
Hearing this, tears almost came down from the thin county magistrate's eyes, and he quickly kowtowed to the few people repeatedly.
Wei Changtian ignored him, but quietly walked to Cao Shu's side and lowered his voice: "Lord Cao doesn't need to worry that I will take the opportunity to escape, at worst, we can go together later."
"..."
Hearing this, Cao Shu's expression improved slightly. He looked at Wei Changtian, who had been very calm and steady since he appeared, and suddenly shook his head and sighed:
"Young Master Wei, the imperial court said that you killed Prime Minister Liu in a moment of impulsiveness. I believed it before, but now I would never believe it even if I was beaten to death..."
......
......
It must be said that Liang Zhen's hundred or so personal soldiers were indeed well-trained. It took them only about an incense stick's time (approximately 30 minutes) from being woken up to getting dressed, armed, and mounted to leave the city.
However, at this time, almost half an hour had passed since the constable returned to report the news.
Under normal circumstances, this time was enough for a group of bandits to slaughter a village clean.
And the fact was indeed so.
When Wei Changtian and others, led by the constable, galloped to the village where the incident occurred, the entire village was no longer filled with wailing and screams, leaving only the soaring flames piercing the darkness.
Obviously, they had arrived one step too late after all, and most of the villagers had already died.
Fortunately, the bandits had not had time to leave, and happened to run into everyone face to face.
It was unknown whether it was because these bandits' intelligence was too closed off, or because their long-term rampant behavior had created a delusion of "I am invincible under heaven"... In short, when they saw Liang Zhen's blue-armored soldiers, they not only did not escape, but instead roared and waved their knives, taking the lead in charging over.
"Bandits! Prepare to die!!"
Liang Qin had long been unable to contain her anger, and was the first to ride her horse into the bandit crowd, instantly slashing three or four people to the ground.
These few bandits were also brave, ignoring the injuries on their bodies, they got up and waved their knives, attempting to fight back.
Unfortunately, before their knives could slash at Liang Qin, they were pierced through the heart by several long spears, and then trampled into the dust by dense hooves, never to live again.
"Kill!!"
"Ugh roar!!"
"Protect the Miss!"
"Bang bang! Clang clang!"
Soon the two groups were fighting together. Wei Changtian did not step forward, but stood behind with Liang Zhen and Cao Shu, silently observing the situation in the field.
Liang Zhen's martial arts were too high, and he was too lazy to take action himself; Cao Shu had never cultivated, and could not take action.
As for Wei Changtian... he was seeking stability, and was unwilling to take action.
This was not killing monsters, there was no benefit at all, not to mention the possibility of putting himself in danger.
He had no interest in such an unrewarding task.
Besides, judging from the current situation, he was not needed at all.
Although this group of bandits was indeed fearless, the blue-armored army, which was superior in terms of realm, equipment, and tactics, rightfully occupied the absolute advantage, not only without any deaths, but even without a few injuries.
If this continued, it was estimated that the bandits could all be killed here in a short while.
The sound of weapons colliding became smaller and smaller, and the painful screams became increasingly thin.
Looking at the few remaining bandits, who were still falling down one after another, Liang Zhen and Cao Shu both had relaxed expressions.
Only Wei Changtian narrowed his eyes slightly, with a thoughtful expression.
