Chapter 1778: Chapter 1778: The Note

Bian Family’s Housekeeper glanced at Qiu Troop Commander and replied, "Exactly. After we saw County Captain Tang and the others being captured, we even ran to the village entrance to inform those soldiers that it was County Captain Tang, the sworn brother of Lord Troop Commander. Yet, those soldiers said, let alone a sworn brother of a Troop Commander, even if Lord Troop Commander came personally, they would still capture him without hesitation."

With a bang, Qiu Troop Commander heard this and was enraged, "Those soldiers really said that? It’s simply rebellion!"

Bian’s Housekeeper nodded, "Word for word, I personally went to ask, heard them say it myself. The man who said this was Zhang Zhong, a flag leader under some Company Commander."

"Seeing that they showed no respect to you, Troop Commander, I told them, County Captain Tang did nothing wrong, that the land in Gu Family Village indeed belongs to the Qian Family. You’ve seized the Qian Family’s land, captured Elder Qian, and after Qian Family went to the county government to report, County Captain Tang brought soldiers to uphold justice for Qian Family."

"But they wouldn’t listen. Seeing my reasoning was sound, they instantly became angry out of shame, brought their soldiers and took action... Luckily, there were Bian Family Protectors blocking, so I only suffered minor injuries; otherwise, I fear I wouldn’t have made it back."

Listening to this, Qiu Troop Commander was furious, looked at Bian’s Housekeeper, and saw the bruises still on his face, evidently caused by a beating, proving his words true.

"Lord Troop Commander, I beg you to avenge the Qian Family, rescue our Old Master! Our Qian Family does have the contract and land deed, it’s recorded in the government office’s contract files. They’ve seized the land and taken people, it’s utterly conscienceless, boo hoo hoo..." A young woman, leading a four-year-old boy, knelt outside, crying mournfully and secretly pinched the little boy.

The little boy cried out in pain, wailing loudly, appearing very pitiful.

Qiu Troop Commander frowned and pointed at the woman, "Who is this?"

Bian’s Housekeeper said, "She’s Elder Qian’s second wife... In the sixth year of Jingyuan, there was a Northwest drought, and Qian Family fled for a famine. Elder Qian’s wife and children died en route, and this Mrs. Xiao Zhang was later married."

Having heard about the Northwest’s drought and famine, Qiu Troop Commander had seen many refugees; hearing this, he looked at the weak woman and child kneeling outside, thinking of their master being captured with his fate uncertain, his resentment towards Qin San Lang grew stronger.

However, he wasn’t entirely foolish; he asked Steward of County Captain Tang, "Qian Family said they have the house contract and land deed in Gu Family Village, and it’s filed in the government office; where is this contract? Where is the government office’s files? Bring it all, this General wants to see!"

Having evidence is crucial to suppress that group of unreasonable rogue soldiers.

Steward Liu heard this and immediately knelt down, choking as he said, "Lord Troop Commander, I failed in watching over the county government, causing the files to be lost. I deserve to die ten thousand times; please kill me!"

Squad Leader Wu beside him heard, also knelt down, "Lord Troop Commander, it’s not Steward Liu’s fault; I failed to protect the county government, allowing the ruffians into the Civil Affairs Office to steal the contract files, I deserve to die!"

"What are you saying? The government office’s contract files are lost?!" Qiu Troop Commander was shocked, rushed over, kicked both Steward Liu and Squad Leader Wu, and cursed, "Useless, worthless things; Second Brother Tang entrusted the county government to you, and you lost such crucial things!"

They didn’t want to lose the files; they aimed to burn them, erasing all evidence beyond doubt.

Steward Liu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, beginning to counteraccuse, "Lord Troop Commander, the contract files must have been stolen by that group of rogue soldiers... Qian Qiwen was captured, Qian Family’s house contract and land deed were also taken by them; the government office’s contract files became the only evidence proving Qian Family purchased Gu Family Village. Now, without evidence, those rogue soldiers can use false contracts to reverse black and white, plot to seize Gu Family Village’s estate!"

Yesterday, Lin Changyou came to the county to inform them that the group had the house contract and land deed for Gu Family Village from decades ago, showing these are real Gu Family villagers returning, and this time, they’re harming the original owners.

County Captain Tang realized it was bad; this must be handled well, or Gaoshui County’s anomaly gets exposed, he’ll not only fail in profiteering but also lose his life!

In the past few months, County Captain Tang grew bold under Qiu Troop Commander’s support, feeling proud to have a sworn brother as a Troop Commander calling him Second Brother Tang, convinced of his competency, personally led troops to assault Gu Family Village.

However, he failed!

But the situation reached this point; Steward Liu and others could only drag Qiu Troop Commander into the mess, attempting to have Qiu Troop Commander dispatch troops to fight those rogue soldiers, covering the mess, protecting themselves.

Indeed, after hearing, Qiu Troop Commander was extremely angry, cursed, "A group of rogue soldiers, merely having achieved some battle merits, dare to bully the civilians like this; if this General doesn’t slaughter them, won’t they commit even greater wrongs in the future?!"

"Everyone, declare this General’s orders, a hundred men stay to guard the county, others immediately proceed to Gu Family Village, kill the rogue soldiers!"

Qiu Troop Commander promptly assembled troops; Company Commanders and Chief Commanders under his command immediately went to carry out the orders.

Steward Liu, Bian’s Housekeeper, and others were grateful, saying, "Qiu Troop Commander, County Captain Tang having a sworn brother like you is his fortune, Gaoshui County’s civilians having a Troop Commander like you protecting, is also great luck!"

In their hearts, they mocked Qiu Troop Commander’s foolishness, blindly trusting County Captain Tang; had Qiu Troop Commander been wiser, County Captain Tang wouldn’t dare continue this harmful business.

Qiu Troop Commander waved his hand, took out Gaoshui County’s map, stared at Gu Family Village’s location for a moment, formulated a suppressing strategy, once troops were assembled, ordered Company Commander Tong, "Old Tong, you guard the county; if those rogue soldiers come to steal from the government again, shoot them immediately, don’t be courteous!"

"Yes." Company Commander Tong responded, but pulled Qiu Troop Commander aside, causing Steward Liu and others’ hearts to race... This surnamed Tong was one of the two Company Commanders they failed to win over, now pulling Qiu Troop Commander, is he about to warn him?

If so, don’t blame them for being ruthless; they still have hundreds in Lishui Village!

However, Company Commander Tong didn’t expose anyone, only said, "I’ve heard that group uses poison; take antidotes with you, eat it soon as you’re near Gu Family Village to avoid falling into their poison."

As he said this, he handed over a pouch of antidotes to Qiu Troop Commander and glanced at Company Commander Xiao Yue.

Company Commander Xiao Yue didn’t return his gaze, but his hand resting on the hilt tapped three times, indicating he understood.

Qiu Troop Commander was pleased, said, "Old Tong, you’ve thought well."

After putting away the pouch, he mounted his horse and commanded, "Move out, suppress the rogue soldiers!"

Several hundreds of soldiers immediately moved out, heading towards Gu Family Village.

From County Captain Tang’s capture, Bian’s Housekeeper’s report, to Qiu Troop Commander leading troops to Gu Family Village, although it was a swift march, by the time they reached Gu Family Village, it was already dark.

Company Commander Xiao Yue rode over to remind, "Lord Troop Commander, it’s time to take the antidote to prevent the rogue soldiers inside from releasing poison."

And added, "Take the antidote given by Company Commander Tong, after all, it’s his sincerity."

Qiu Troop Commander had other antidotes, without this reminder, he wouldn’t have taken it, nor would he have seen the note inside the pouch.

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