Chapter 83: You Are Not In Exile You Are Clearly Traveling!
Chapter 83 Ambush
"They're coming!"
The Black Mountain bandits hid beside the valley, watching the long line of people in the distance, instantly becoming alert.
"According to the information we obtained earlier, that Chen family is sitting in the carriage. As long as they're not dressed as court officials, the people in the carriage are from the Chen family."
Brother Hei spoke, his face showing a murderous intent. "Once we find the Chen family, except for Chen Yuan's daughter, kill everyone else."
He also took out a portrait. "Take a good look at what they look like. Don't be unable to recognize them when the time comes."
...
"Hurry up, once we pass that valley, we can rest."
They had been traveling continuously for the past two days, even resting late into the night and waking up early in the morning.
This made not only the prisoners exhausted but also the constables, who were starting to feel the strain.
"Snap!"
"Hurry up!"
Suddenly, a whip lashed out at one of Chen's servants, causing him to stagger. The servant turned back with an angry glare, only to be met with another lash from the bailiff.
"What are you dawdling for?"
The bailiff didn't care about the servant's glare. "Move faster! You're the slowest ones here!"
The servants dared not argue back. In fact, due to some fallen rocks ahead, the road had narrowed, causing everyone to slow down.
"So many people, the carriage won't move for a while!" Chen Yi endured the pain in his back and explained.
"Humph, not my problem!" The bailiff sneered. "Who do you think you are? You're just exiles, yet you're riding in a carriage?"
"Either walk now, or I'll whip you until you do!"
Clearly, anyone with eyes could see that the bailiff was just picking a fight.
But knowing that didn't change anything. They were prisoners; they couldn't possibly retaliate against the constable.
Chen Yi bit his lip but didn't say anything more. The carriage wouldn't move for a while, and they couldn't just leave their master behind and walk away.
"Shua!"
The constable lashed out again.
"That's enough!"
Chen's entourage got off the carriage. "We'll walk!"
With that, without even glancing at the bailiff, they walked away with their servants.
The bailiff was stunned to see the Chen family abandon the carriage like that. He started to understand why the Zhang family had been wanting this carriage for so long, even willing to pay a high price for it, yet the Chen family had refused to sell it no matter what.
Now they were giving it up so easily?
"Fools!"
Thinking that they might have given up the carriage to protect their servants, the constable sneered even more.
He completed the task given by the captain, even though he hadn't expected it to be so easy.
As soon as Captain Sun learned of the news, he came to the carriage, sneering. The Chen family had come out, so he had plenty of ways to deal with them.
But before that, it was better to get rid of the carriage.
So, Captain Sun looked at his men, who immediately understood. Looking at the prisoners, he called out again.
"Anyone want this carriage? You can buy it if you have money!"
With that, a man rushed over.
"I, I want it!"
Captain Sun turned to look, and it was Zhang Yiquan, holding his arm as if it were injured.
"You want this carriage?"
Captain Sun tapped the carriage, scrutinizing him.
"Yes."
Zhang Yiquan nodded eagerly. He had wanted it since they left the capital. Unfortunately, the Chen family had refused to sell it, even at a high price. He had tried to get other constables to help him buy it, but they had all been bribed and hadn't even seen the shadow of the carriage.
During the previous riot, he had thought about inciting the prisoners to kill the Chen family and then taking the carriage for himself.
As for escaping?
He wasn't stupid. Otherwise, he wouldn't have become an Assistant Minister of Revenue. He knew that escaping was impossible. If he tried to escape, it would be a dead end.
So, he never thought about escaping, only about killing the Chen family and taking the carriage.
Unfortunately, he had been thwarted by an eagle, which had clawed him and nearly crippled his arm.
Now, unexpectedly, he had a chance to get the carriage, and he was naturally excited.
Seeing Zhang Yiquan so excited, Captain Sun also smiled. This was good too. He could extort some money.
"Five hundred taels, and the carriage is yours!"
"What?"
Zhang Yiquan's smile froze on his face, unable to believe it, thinking he had misheard.
"What's wrong?" Captain Sun's tone changed. "Do you want it for free?"
Zhang Yiquan wanted to nod, but he quickly shook his head. Free was the most expensive. He understood this principle, but sometimes he couldn't help but want to take advantage.
But now, there was no advantage to be had. He didn't want to bleed too much. "Captain Sun, five hundred taels is too much. I really can't afford it..."
Captain Sun's face darkened at his words. He had already prepared to escape, so he planned to make some money first. That way, even after he escaped, he could live freely.
After all, he wouldn't have any more opportunities to make money in the future.
So, he wanted to drive away the Chen family, use their carriage to make money, and then, first deal with the Chen family, so he forced them out of the carriage.
Second, he could use the Chen family's carriage to exchange for money.
Captain Sun didn't answer, but looked at his men, who immediately understood. They looked at the prisoners around them and shouted again.
"Who wants the carriage? Those who have money can buy it!"
The prisoners turned back to look, surprised to see the Chen family's carriage. Many of them were curious.
Some of them were gloating. The Chen family was finally unlucky.
Some of them were tempted. Inquiring about it, they found out that it cost five hundred taels, and they immediately gave up on the idea.
For a while, no one came forward.
"Damn it!"
Seeing that no one was competing, Captain Sun frowned. Five hundred taels wasn't expensive for them corrupt officials. Even if they looted the family, there was still savings. Not everyone was penniless.
Chen Yuan: I feel like someone is mocking me!
In fact, these people did have money, but they couldn't take it out. They were worried that Captain Sun was testing whether they had money. If they did, he would just rob them.
Secondly, they didn't believe that Captain Sun sincerely wanted to sell the carriage. What if they paid the money, but Captain Sun didn't give them the carriage?
Moreover, this was the Chen family's carriage. What if the Chen family came looking for them later?
They knew very well that the Chen family had connections with the bailiffs. Many bailiffs had been very polite to the Chen family before.
No one competed, and Captain Sun could only turn his gaze to Zhang Yiquan.
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