gnovel Chapter 34 Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin, along with their families, came to seek refuge.
Chapter 34 Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin, along with their families, came to seek refuge.
Upon hearing the words "water bandits," Lu Yong's heart stirred slightly.
In Jiujiang County, on the surface of the Yangtze River, at this moment, he almost subconsciously thought of two names—Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin!
Gan Ning is currently with Liu Biao, so it's unlikely he'll appear here.
However, he needed to confirm this first, so Lu Yong asked, "Do you know who the bandit leader is?"
The scout shook his head and said, "I don't know. When I asked them questions, they didn't say a word."
Liu Bei looked at Lu Yong and asked, "Huai'an, do you have any ideas?"
Lu Yong withdrew his gaze from the river and replied, "My lord, allow me to first investigate the situation."
"Take Wenxiang with you and be extremely careful," Liu Bei said without asking any further questions.
Lu Yong, accompanied by Xu Sheng, rode forward with the scout.
After walking for about three miles, the river suddenly opened up.
Lu Yong reined in his horse and looked around. He saw dozens of small boats sailing downstream on the Yangtze River.
The boat is narrow and long with a very shallow draft, making it easy to tell that it is a fast boat used by river pirates that can dock at any time in shallow waters.
On the largest ship in the middle, two people stood side by side.
The man was over nine feet tall, with broad shoulders and a thick waist, and his whole body was covered in bulging muscles.
The other man was more than half a head shorter than him, with a well-proportioned figure and a resolute face.
Upon seeing the two men, Lu Yong had a better understanding of the situation.
He said to Xu Sheng, "Wenxiang, go and call out to them, ask if they are Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin from Jiujiang."
Xu Sheng turned his head, looking incredulous, and asked, "Strategist, how do you even know the river pirates on the Yangtze River?"
"I overheard someone mention it when I was in Shouchun last time."
Lu Yong casually replied:
"Although they were river bandits, they robbed the rich to help the poor and never harmed ordinary people. They could be considered righteous men of the area."
Upon hearing this, Xu Sheng stopped asking questions, dismounted, and walked to a higher point on the shore.
He cupped his hands to his mouth, mustered his strength, and shouted loudly, "Are the newcomers Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin from Jiujiang?!"
The two men on the large ship were clearly taken aback.
A moment later, a rough voice echoed across the river: "It is indeed Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin! Are those on the shore Liu Bei's men?"
Xu Sheng glanced back at Lu Yong, his eyes seeming to say, "You predicted it again!"
Lu Yong spurred his horse forward a few steps and said loudly, "I am Lu Yong, military advisor under Liu Yuzhou. Would you two brave warriors be willing to come ashore for a chat?"
On the river, Zhou Tai looked at Jiang Qin.
When they saw a fast horse turn and ride away on the shore, Jiang Qin had already guessed that it was probably Liu Bei's scouts who had discovered them.
When he saw that the visitors had only brought two people with them, he knew in his heart that he must have guessed correctly.
The ship was getting closer.
He suddenly narrowed his eyes, his gaze lingering on the leader for a moment longer.
The leader was dressed in a scholar's robe. He was very young, only in his early twenties, but there was a sense of certainty in his eyes.
The attendant behind him was riding a horse about half a head behind, in a guard-like posture.
But looking at that man's broad shoulders and long arms, with a longbow on his back, his imposing presence was in no way inferior to his own or Zhou Tai's.
The fact that such a person would willingly serve as his bodyguard shows Liu Bei's trust and care for him.
During this period of time,
As Liu Bei's reputation soared, those around him also gradually gained fame.
Especially the young strategist whom Liu Bei appointed,
Furthermore, with the exposure of events such as intercepting Cao Cao's army and ceding Xuzhou,
Its reputation gradually spread to Huainan.
Therefore, Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin have recently heard a lot about Lu Yong's deeds.
Jiang Qin raised his hand to signal the fleet behind him to stop, and ordered the boat beneath him to slowly approach the shore.
The bow of the ship touched the shore.
Jiang Qin was the first to leap down, followed closely by Zhou Tai.
The two men approached Lu Yong and bowed in unison, saying, "Greetings, Army Division Commander."
Lu Yong dismounted, his gaze sweeping over the two men, a slight smile playing on his lips as he asked:
"My lord is not far away. Would you like to come with me to see him?"
Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai exchanged a glance, then laughed and said, "Why wouldn't we dare!"
The two ordered their men to stay put and then followed Lu Yong and Xu Sheng back the way they came.
They hadn't gone far when they saw Liu Bei.
At this moment, Liu Bei was helping a young woman hold her child.
The child was only about three years old and was sleeping soundly on his shoulder.
When Liu Bei saw Lu Yong and Xu Sheng return, followed by two strangers, a glint of light flashed in his eyes.
He apologetically handed the child back to the woman, straightened his clothes which the child had crumpled, and hurried forward with two guards.
"Strategist, who are these two?" Liu Bei asked impatiently as he approached.
Lu Yong stepped aside to let the two men pass and introduced them: "My lord, these two are Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin from Jiujiang. They are righteous men who rob the rich to help the poor on the river."
Before Lu Yong could finish speaking,
Liu Bei clasped his hands in a salute and said, "I have long heard of the names of you two righteous men!"
Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin exchanged a glance.
next moment,
Two bandit leaders who had terrorized the Yangtze River for years simultaneously knelt on one knee, clasped their hands above their heads, and...
"Jiang Qin, Jiang Gongyi!"
"Zhou Tai, Zhou Youping!"
"Having heard that Magistrate Liu led the people across the river, we have specially led three hundred brothers under our command to join us!"
from now on,
We are willing to turn over a new leaf.
"I would gladly give my life for Lord Liu, even unto death!"
Liu Bei was overjoyed and strode forward, taking each of their arms in his own.
He lifted them up with force, and said in a gentle voice, "It is my good fortune, Liu Bei, to have two righteous men join me. Please rise quickly!"
However, Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai remained completely still.
As Liu Bei was wondering,
Jiang Qin raised his head, a hint of hesitation in his eyes, as if he was weighing how to say what to say next.
Seeing this, Liu Bei asked with concern, "What are your conditions, Youping? Please speak freely."
Hearing Liu Bei's words, Jiang Qin finally made up his mind and spoke:
"My lord, we are still taking in over a thousand families and refugees at our camp."
They are all refugees who have come south from the surrounding areas or from the Central Plains in recent years to seek refuge.
We know that survival is not easy in chaotic times.
Thinking that I could help them if I could, I kept protecting them.
In times of chaos, many refugees had nowhere to go.
It was common in chaotic times to rely on local powerful figures, mountain bandits, and river pirates for survival.
The "bandits" of the late Eastern Han Dynasty were essentially armed refugees, mostly composed of fishermen, hunters, bankrupt farmers, and war orphans.
Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin occupied Ruxukou for several years, taking in some refugees.
Furthermore, most of his followers also had families.
These people were Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin's logistics support and entanglement.
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei couldn't help but be slightly moved.
Fearing Liu Bei would refuse, Jiang Qin couldn't help but clasp his hands in greeting again and said:
"I have heard that 100,000 people from Xuzhou have volunteered to follow our lord south."
I humbly request, my lord
Let's give them a place to stay!
Liu Bei now finally understood why Lu Yong had called them righteous men.
"Gongyi, Youping, you can rest assured."
Once we've settled down in Danyang,
Everyone you take in will be properly taken care of!
I, Liu Bei, hereby pledge my life to both of you!
Liu Bei's voice was exceptionally warm and gentle, seemingly possessing a magical power that could quickly draw people in and influence them.
This burly succubus is starting to unleash her power!
There were no beautiful promises, nor any carefully crafted flowery words.
Just that one sentence brought tears to the eyes of Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai.
They had considered clearing their name before.
However, many officials they approached ruthlessly turned them away, and some even sent troops to suppress them.
All the cold shoulders, grievances, and worries he had endured over the years were finally released at this moment.
Seeing this, Liu Bei stepped forward, opened his arms, and pulled the two of them into his embrace. He patted their backs forcefully and said, "It's alright, cry if you want to."
Seeing the two tough men crying like children, Lu Yong finally couldn't help but speak up:
"You two don't need to be too sad."
"This world not only has warlords in times of chaos, but also heroes who risk their lives for the people of the Han Dynasty!"
"As long as we stand firm, we will naturally be able to create a peaceful and prosperous world for the people of the Han Dynasty!"