RPAGF Chapter 1038 Escape from Death
Chapter 1038 Escape from Death
Everyone turned to look and saw that it was the lieutenant who had been serving the man from the Li family during the meal. He had just sent his master back to his residence when he turned around and saw the distress signal coming from the post station. Without thinking, he immediately led about a hundred elite soldiers over.
Upon seeing Cui Ling and his group dressed in black, he was not afraid at all. Instead, his eyes became even more excited. He rubbed his hands together, eager to try his luck. This was a great opportunity to make a name for himself!
If one can gain Zhang Ping'an's favor, one's future career will definitely be much more successful.
I'll give my master a surprise when he wakes up, hehe!
As they were thinking, the lieutenant, a rather large man, suddenly started laughing at the door, leaving Cui Ling and the others puzzled.
The lieutenant's men, however, were already used to it.
"General Li, save me!" Little Fish reacted quickly, shouting loudly as soon as he saw people arriving. "These thieves set fire to the place at night, intending to assassinate an official of the imperial court. Seize them immediately!"
"Don't worry, Young Master Zhang, watch us," the lieutenant said, returning to normal. He patted his chest and spoke in a booming voice before stepping forward to meet the enemy.
Sparks flew as the swords clashed.
In terms of individual combat strength alone, he was indeed no match for Cui Ling. However, the deputy general brought a large number of men after seeing the distress signal flare, and they cooperated well with each other, forming small formations to fight the enemy. Moreover, the elite troops of Xuzhou were not to be underestimated, and it was only a matter of time before they repelled Cui Ling and his men.
Zhang Ping'an looked around and exchanged a glance with his son, both seeing relief in each other's eyes. Then, he helped his family members and quickly retreated outside the door.
Cui Ling was left stuck in the arena, unable to advance or retreat. The more he fought, the angrier he became. He uttered a harsh threat: "Do you know who I am?"
"Damn it, I don't care who you are! Even if you're the Heavenly King, a dragon has to coil up and a tiger has to lie down. This is Xuzhou, not a place where you can run wild. Humph! I advise you to quickly admit defeat and submit to the law, at least you can leave with a whole corpse. Otherwise, don't blame your Grandpa Li for being impolite!" The deputy general was a rough man, and he felt much better after cursing these few words.
They got more and more excited as they fought!
While fighting, he turned around and shouted to Zhang Ping'an, "Lord Zhang, you've been frightened. I'll handle things here. You should go and rest at the Li family's main residence!"
His words carried a hint of seeking credit.
In this time of crisis, Zhang Ping'an naturally wouldn't cause trouble for others. He nodded and said, "Thank you, General Li! After this is over, those who came to help today will be richly rewarded!"
Goodness, those words were like a shot of adrenaline, boosting the morale of not only the deputy general but also everyone else.
Having finished eating, he had already slipped away to the side courtyard to bring out the carriage. With a "whoosh," he stopped at the door and urged, "Master, Old Master, Old Madam, please come up quickly!"
Zhang Ping'an quickly helped the elderly couple onto the carriage and then helped take the two children up with them.
At this moment, Zhang Lao Er and Xu Shi dared not ask any more questions and helped to hold the two children in their arms.
Little Fish helped Li Shi into the car, saying, "Be careful of your head!"
Li was already sweating profusely from the pain, clutching her injured shoulder and gritting her teeth as she tried to hold on, saying defiantly, "I'm fine."
Once the family members were all on the vehicle, Zhang Ping'an quickly and quietly instructed his son, "I'll escort them to the Li residence for refuge first. I'll leave this place to you for now. I'll be back shortly. Remember, absolutely do not let the Li family members have any contact with these men in black. There are still three usable muskets. I'll leave two for you. Any questions?"
Little Fish pursed his lips, a sharp glint in his eyes, and shook his head: "No problem, Dad, leave it to me. I'll make sure they never leave alive!"
"Alright, let's finish this quickly. Luckily, it was this deputy general who came to the rescue. If it had been that eldest son of the Li family, things wouldn't have been so simple. He's a sharp-witted fellow." After saying that, Zhang Ping'an sighed, lifted his robe, and got into the carriage.
Xiaoyuer turned around decisively and led the other half of the group back into the inn to help.
With his wife, children, and family all safe, he had no more worries.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the carriage was quiet, with the occasional sound of two children sobbing.
"Grandpa, are we running for our lives? Why are we running? Why are these bad people trying to kill us?" Little Zhang Heng asked, his eyes brimming with tears, his expression stubborn, his little fists clenched tightly.
Xiao Zhangzhuo, who had been feverish and weak, seemed to have regained consciousness, but was not as lively and active as usual. He quietly nestled between his mother and brother, with a hint of fear in his eyes.
Zhang Ping'an didn't rush to answer the two children's questions. He first took out a bottle of medicine powder from his pocket and handed it to Xu Shi, saying gently, "Mother, please help Li Shi apply the medicine first. We'll call a doctor when we get to the Li residence."
Then he turned to look at Li and said reassuringly, "Hang in there a little longer, we'll be there soon."
"Yes, Father, actually I don't feel much pain anymore," Li nodded in reply, but the cold sweat on her forehead betrayed her.
"You're just too strong-willed, like your father. The more intelligent a person is, the more troubles they have, and the more things they have to bear," Zhang Ping'an sighed casually.
As he drew closer to the Li residence, he thought for a moment and decided to give everyone detailed instructions:
"After settling you in at the Li residence, I'll head back to the post station to check on things and help Xiaoyuer and the others. The Li family will definitely ask you why you were attacked. Just pretend you don't know anything and put all the blame on me and Xiaoyuer. If anyone is unreasonable and pries in, you don't need to put on airs like noble ladies. We'll discuss everything after Xiaoyuer and I are safely back at the Li residence!"
Upon hearing this, Li's eyes became serious. "Father, I understand. Grandparents and children are all in my care."
He paused, then added, "Everything should be done with the greater good in mind!"
Zhang Ping'an knew immediately that Li was overthinking things, and just as he was about to explain, they arrived at the Li residence.
"Don't overthink it," Zhang Ping'an hurriedly reassured him before getting off the bus first.
At this moment, people from the Li family came out to greet them, accompanied by maids and servants, clearly knowing that there were female relatives accompanying them.
Zhang Ping'an couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "The Li family is truly meticulous."
As Zhang Ping'an had predicted, the Li family treated them with great care and respect, welcoming them into their residence before inquiring about what had happened at the inn.
Zhang Ping'an evaded the question with a few words, dismissing him on the grounds that it was not appropriate to disturb the host's rest in the middle of the night.
After settling his family at the Li residence and leaving some guards behind, he returned to the inn after eating his fill.
When they returned to the inn, the situation had changed drastically. The walls were charred black, but the fire had been extinguished, leaving only the acrid smell of smoke.
There were countless corpses on the ground. Apart from the fact that most of Cui Ling's entourage had died, even many of the elite troops that the deputy general had brought with him had perished.
Little Fish stood to the side with a grim expression, covered in blood, carefully wiping the musket in his hand.
"Where is the leader?" Zhang Ping'an asked, frowning.
The lieutenant, panting, wiped the blood from his face and replied unwillingly, "He got away, damn it!"
"He escaped, but he'll probably be crippled for life. The musket shot missed his brow and hit his right eye instead," Xiaoyuer added casually.
"He actually got away," Zhang Ping'an muttered to himself, his hands behind his back. Then, with a wave of his hand and a wistful yet magnanimous expression, he said, "Oh well, he got away, so be it. He spared his life, and we escaped with our lives."