A life of two souls traveling through time

Chapter 439 5 ransom

On the top of Yanjiapo Mountain, Mu Liang and three guards wandered around the village early in the morning, pretending to be taking a walk but actually investigating the surrounding environment. Due to the order of the head of Yanjiapo, they were indeed treated as guests in the village for the past two days. Except for not being allowed to leave the village or go down the mountain, they were not restricted in doing anything.

"Master Mu Liang, we have explored the surrounding area. Except for the entrance to the village, there are cliffs everywhere." The guard came to Mu Liang from Xiaojiu and replied in a low voice.

Mu Liang just nodded, then looked down at the cliff below and sighed helplessly.

"Why don't we break out at night? We must ensure that Master Mu Liang descends the mountain safely, even at the risk of our lives!" Anyang, who was beside Mu Liang, couldn't help but speak with a look of anger on his face. However, he was patted on the head by Mu Liang as soon as he finished speaking.

"You are always so impulsive. Something will happen sooner or later!" Mu Liang frowned, glanced at him, shook his head and sighed.

"The terrain in the dense forest outside the village is complicated and there are people following us. Even if we can break out of the bandit camp, it may not be easy to go down the mountain." At this time, another guard, Liu Qi, also stepped forward and said.

"If we charge out like this, how can we guarantee that Master Mu Liang can return to Qile City safely even if we risk our lives?" Xiao Jiu couldn't help but patted Anyang's shoulder and smiled bitterly.

Anyang knew that he was impulsive and reckless again. He was speechless for a moment and just lowered his head, not daring to say another word.

"Now we can only wait for news. You must be careful here and don't show your skills easily." After a moment's silence, Mu Liang gave soft instructions. Now that he has become a bargaining chip in the hands of the bandits, he has no say. He only hopes that Lao Yan can successfully convey the message to his sworn brother.

The three people in front of him also nodded to Mu Liang solemnly.

"Brother, this is not the first or second time that we have kidnapped people. How can we be as relaxed and at ease as these guys? Are you really treating them as guests?" In the hall, Xue Gen looked from afar at Mu Liang and others gathered on the edge of the cliff and whispering. He felt annoyed and irritated, so he turned around and asked Yan Song in confusion.

"Have you forgotten what my third brother said before? The famous Li from Jiangnan has the support of ministers in the court. We would not provoke him unless we have to. We will treat him well this time, and once we get the money and let him go down the mountain, it would be best if everyone lives in peace." Yan Song glanced at his second brother who was impatient, and then explained patiently.

"Who knows whether what third brother said is true or not? If the famous Li Zhen in Jiangnan is so powerful, Li Xingyuan would not have died tragically at the hands of Jiugang Village. Besides, the gangs in all directions are rampant now, killing and looting everywhere, and even robbing the court. I heard that even the government is helpless. What are we afraid of!" However, Xue Gen still sneered disapprovingly.

"Don't be instigated by those lawless people outside. What? Have you forgotten what happened to Jiugang Village? It's better to be safe than sorry. We are just trying to make some money and protect ourselves. No matter what evil people are doing outside, as long as we don't show up, the imperial court will not target us at Yanjiapo when they want to settle accounts in the future." Hearing that his second brother was still smiling, Yan Song's ferocious face immediately revealed some ruthlessness. He glared at him again and scolded him.

Seeing that his elder brother was angry, Xue Gen put away the sneer on his face and nodded in response.

"But it's strange. The tribute from the court has been robbed, but why is there no movement from the government?" Seeing that his second brother had become obedient, Yan Song's anger dissipated, and he then said to himself worriedly.

"Wouldn't it be better if there was no movement? Anyway, the government's crackdown on bandits has always been a lot of noise but little action. Now that there's not even thunder, I'm afraid they know they can no longer deter them, right?" Xue Gen heard his elder brother mumbling again, so he also whispered.

"Send a few more people to ask around, and come back to report any movement!" His second brother's words made Yan Song even more uneasy, so he suddenly waved to Xue Gen and gave him an order in a deep voice.

"Brother, are you so nervous?" Xue Gen smacked his lips, but when he met Yan Song's ferocious eyes, he immediately turned around and fled out of the hall.

Yan Song looked at his second brother's back and shook his head and sighed. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart that if his third brother was here, he would definitely understand his worries. How could the emperor above just let the bandits run rampant? Unless something big happened in the court and they had no time to take care of it, but at the moment, he hadn't heard of any big things happening in Jingsong.

Ten days later, Lao Yan hurriedly drove the carriage back to Li Mansion in Qile City. When Li Yunye heard An Yun's report, he naturally thought that his sworn brother had also come back, so he strode out of the study happily, muttering to himself that he had come back so soon this time.

But when Li Yunye walked into the hall, he saw Lao Yan with his head lowered, leading a tall and strong stranger who looked like a bandit. Seeing An Ge's serious expression, he felt uneasy and asked Lao Yan hurriedly, "Why did you come back alone? Who is he?"

"Are you the boss of Jiangnan famous Li?" Before Lao Yan could respond, the strange man behind him pushed him away, walked slowly to Li Yunye, looked him up and down, and then sneered, "I didn't expect that the boss of Jiangnan famous Li is such a weak boy!"

With a clang, An Yun, who was behind Li Yunye, pointed his sword at the sturdy man's throat with a cold face.

"I'm here to pass on a message. If you kill me, the boss won't let that shopkeeper Mu have an easy time!" The sturdy man was obviously frightened by An Yun's skills. He took two steps back and said hurriedly to Li Yunye.

"What did you say? What did you do to my brother Mu Liang? Who are you?" Li Yunye felt dizzy and his head was buzzing when he heard this. He didn't know where he got the courage from, but he grabbed the sturdy man's collar and asked nervously with glaring eyes.

The sturdy man was frightened by Li Yunye's murderous look. He opened his mouth and before he could answer, Lao Yan at the side spoke first, choking with tears: "Young Master, he is a mountain bandit from Yanjiapo. We were robbed by them on the way to Mocheng. We could have taken the money and left, but we didn't expect that Young Master Muliang's identity was recognized, so they kidnapped him and took him to Yanjiapo. They want the Li family to pay money to redeem Young Master Muliang."

After hearing what Lao Yan said, Li Yunye's heart was relieved a little, but his face was still as pale as paper, and there was a lot of sweat on his forehead. When he let go of the strong man, his legs and feet felt a little weak. Fortunately, An Ge and An Yun supported him in time.

"Don't worry, sir. Yanjiaopo has always been a trustworthy person. They will not hurt anyone easily as long as they get the money. Young Master Muliang will not be in danger for the time being." Ange also comforted Li Yunye.

"That's right, Mr. Li, don't worry. We at Yanjiapo only want money and will not harm the lives of Manager Mu and the others." At this time, the sturdy man came back to his senses, bowed his hands, and curled his lips at Li Yunye.

"How much do you want?" Li Yunye calmed down and asked the sturdy man while panting.

The sturdy man didn't say anything more. He raised his hand and said, "Our boss said that Yanjiapo will not ask for an exorbitant price. We will only ask for a ransom of 50,000 taels of silver. However, the price is negotiable. We will also give Mr. Li half a month's grace period. If he fails to redeem the person within the deadline, we will deal with him on our own."

After the sturdy man finished speaking, he turned around and left without waiting for anyone to react.

"Fifty thousand taels?" Li Yunye couldn't help but widen his eyes again. These damned bandits asked for fifty thousand taels, and they still had the nerve to say they wouldn't ask for an exorbitant price? Did they really think that other people's money came from the wind?

"Young Master, Young Master Mu Liang asked me to bring you a message." Just when Li Yunye was extremely angry, Lao Yan came to Li Yunye and said.

"What are you talking about? Say it quickly!" Li Yunye asked hurriedly when he heard it.

"Young Master Mu Liang told you not to worry. He will not be in danger in Yanjiapo for the time being. You need to calm down and ask your cousin for money." Lao Yan replied without thinking. He had been reciting this sentence in his mind all the way because he was afraid that he would forget it and delay things.

"Asking for money from my cousin? What does that mean?" Li Yunye was confused and frowned.

An Ge and An Yun on the side also looked at each other, confused.

“I don’t know either. There were bandits watching at the time, and Master Mu Liang can’t explain much.” Lao Yan shook his head.

"You've worked hard too. Go back and rest first." Li Yunye was still anxious. After giving instructions to Lao Yan, he turned around and left Lutang and went to Qingyun Garden.

Although Brother Muliang was not in danger, Yanjiapo was still a bandit den after all, no matter how trustworthy it was. How good would it be to stay there? Therefore, he had to redeem Brother Muliang as soon as possible.

"Sir, I understand. Master Mu Liang wants us to bring up Censor Zhuo when negotiating the price with Yanjiaopo. Perhaps it will be able to intimidate them a little." An Ge, who followed closely behind, suddenly replied with enlightenment.

"But wouldn't it anger the bandits if you threaten them with your cousin's identity?" Li Yunye stopped, turned around and looked at Ange worriedly and asked.

"Yanjiapo has always been wary of confronting the government head-on. We might as well give it a try." An Ge also thought for a moment and said.

"Can we really believe what that bandit said about negotiating the price? It would be better to grit our teeth and give them fifty thousand taels. The most important thing right now is to rescue Brother Mu Liang safely." Li Yunye frowned. Fifty thousand taels was not a small amount. Although the Li family, as the richest family in Jiangnan, could afford it, it was also like cutting off a large piece of meat. However, Brother Mu Liang was the most important person to him, and he had to save him even if it meant sacrificing the famous Li family in Jiangnan.

"Sir, you can't do that. Bandits are always greedy. If we give them fifty thousand taels this time, we will undoubtedly be aiding and abetting the evil. Once it gets out, it will surely attract more bandits. Then they will all target us, the famous Li family in Jiangnan. Even if the Li family is the richest family in Jiangnan, they can't stand being blackmailed again and again." Li Yunye had just finished speaking when An Ge calmed down and advised him.

After Ange's reminder, Li Yunye realized it belatedly and his heart trembled. He also nodded in agreement.