RPAGF Chapter 1037 Interception
Chapter 1037 Interception
"I heard that Lord Zhang prefers quiet. Although I had already received word that you were resting at the post station, I dared not come forward to disturb you. I am truly sorry!" The visitor was very polite and knew how to conduct himself and speak well.
Although Zhang Ping'an was of a much higher rank than him, he needed to ask for a favor, and it concerned his own grandson, so he couldn't act too arrogantly when facing the Li family.
Both sides were eager to befriend each other, and the atmosphere instantly became harmonious.
That evening, the Li family stayed at the post station for a simple meal. Although the dishes were certainly not as good as their own, it depended on who they were eating with. Anyone with a brain could understand the value of a regional military governor.
After resting for most of the day, Cui Ling and his men had arrived near the Xuzhou post station and were waiting in the woods not far from the gate. Most of the Li family members were military officers who guarded Xuzhou, so they had a lot of guards and attendants with them. They were all outstanding soldiers with exceptional skills.
Cui Ling didn't want to run into them head-on. His mission this time was to eliminate them completely. Besides, he only had thirty-one people with him, so he couldn't make too much of a fuss. The safest thing to do was to get the job done quietly.
They waited until the moon was high in the sky, but the Li family members still didn't come out. The group was covered in bites while hiding in the forest, feeling really frustrated.
"They're inside drinking, eating, and bragging, having a great time, while we're stuck here feeding mosquitoes. It's so unfair! How much longer will it take to get better?" someone grumbled.
Cui Ling glared at them and said, "Shut up! Look at you all, getting fatter and lazier with every bite you take. You're nothing like the elite troops you used to be. I think it would be better if you got sucked by mosquitoes and lost some weight!"
Upon hearing this, everyone dared not speak anymore and stood silently.
That's actually a bit of an exaggeration; only true close followers would dare to be so casual in front of their master.
Cui Ling was also annoyed, but there was nothing she could do but wait.
It was past midnight when there was finally some noise at the entrance of the post station. The man from the Li family was drunk, his cheeks flushed, and he was being helped onto his horse by his men.
Looks like they're leaving.
Cui Ling breathed a sigh of relief; finally, she wouldn't have to keep feeding the mosquitoes here!
After a while, when the Li family's group had gradually gone into the distance and the lights in the inn had gone out, Cui Ling knew that it was time.
With a gentle wave of his hand, his men entered in batches, each quietly taking charge of dealing with the patrols and night watchmen, their roles clearly defined.
Then they scattered strong liquor around the inn, took out tinderboxes and threw them out to cut off their escape route.
In an instant, flames rose up. "Alright, Master."
Cui Ling nodded, "Let's wait and see, we'll catch them like turtles in a jar later."
The group was initially very cautious and prepared to leave after finishing their business.
However, ever since Zhang Ping'an had that nightmare, he has become wary and, with Xiao Yu'er, set up many traps inside and outside the house that are difficult for ordinary people to find.
He had also been on the battlefield and served as a Privy Councilor for several years. All his tactics and defensive methods were the experience summarized by his predecessors, and he knew far more than the average person.
As soon as the fire started, he sensed something was wrong. Just as he was about to get up, he heard a sound coming from the doorway.
"Master, they've set a trap!" No one was going to be fooled; someone quickly noticed.
But it was too late. The trap had been destroyed, and suddenly a tinkling sound of a copper bell rang out at the door. The sound wasn't very loud, but in the quiet night, it was enough to alert someone to something amiss.
Cui Ling looked closely and realized that a string of small bells hanging from the roof beam had a very thin silk thread tied to its tail and buried in the crack of the door. As long as someone approached and touched it, the bells would ring.
Because it was well concealed and the method was clever, it went unnoticed.
Cui Ling felt a little regretful. If they had discovered it a moment later, the fire would have been big enough, and they could have saved a lot of effort.
"Who is it?" someone shouted from inside the room, followed by the sound of footsteps rushing toward the door.
At this point, Cui Ling stopped pretending. He made a snap decision, gave his men a signal, and the group simply broke down the door and entered.
The man who opened the door was well-fed. Over the years, he had learned some martial arts skills and carried a musket, so he could easily withstand a few blows. He wasn't too surprised to see someone setting a fire, proving that the master's guess was indeed correct.
As soon as the commotion was heard, the accompanying guards quickly rushed over, some rescuing people and others putting out the fire.
"Protect the master and the others!" he shouted loudly after finishing his meal and defending himself.
After Zhang Ping'an got up, he first protected Zhang Lao Er and Xu Shi, and then retreated to the next room where his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson were.
Both father and son know martial arts, especially Xiaoyuer, who was taught by a martial arts master from a young age, so his skills are quite formidable.
While protecting Li and her children, they were also able to kill enemies.
"Are you from the military?" Zhang Ping'an asked after taking a closer look. Although it was a question, his tone was certain.
Seeing that the enemy's attacks were deadly and that they had set fire to the place, clearly aiming to take their lives, Zhang Ping'an no longer hesitated. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he suddenly took out a fuse from his pocket and released it into the sky. With a "bang," sparks flew in the sky.
This means they're calling for reinforcements. Cui Ling was somewhat surprised, not expecting that Zhang Ping'an would make such thorough preparations in Xuzhou, a place he was completely unfamiliar with.
During the fight, Li was accidentally slashed on the shoulder, but she endured the pain without uttering a sound. Holding her youngest son in her arms, she hid behind her husband and guards, trying her best not to hold them back.
They then used the tea from the table to wet a handkerchief and covered the children's mouths and noses.
The children were still young and were suddenly frightened. They pouted, on the verge of crying, and dared not move.
The longer it went on, the more obvious Zhang Ping'an's decline became.
He used to carry a lot of gunpowder with him for self-defense, but the heavy rain a few days ago caused the gunpowder to get damp, and most of it could not be lit, losing its original power.
Cui Ling had also anticipated this. Many of the firearms he carried were wet and basically useless, so he could only rely on close-quarters combat.
As for muskets, he didn't even consider using them. These things are basically only available in military camps now, and every one of them has a provenance. Using them would expose his identity; it would be too obvious.
"What's going on? Good heavens, how can there be such a wicked person?" Xu clutched her chest, her heart pounding with fear, still not understanding what had happened.
On the contrary, Zhang Lao Er quickly calmed down and was even able to suddenly strike the other party.
Just as everyone was struggling, finally, there was movement outside the door again.
"Who dares to run wild on my Xuzhou turf? Let your Grandpa Li see how many lives you have to offer!"