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  Xiao Huanqiu brought back thirty trusted soldiers from the military camp, just as Chen Yuan said. He married ten concubines before having a son. This son was Xiao Huanqiu's lifeblood.

  He bought a house in Yanjing for his son and the boy's mother, who was his eighth concubine, to ensure their happiness and safety, fearing that women from other houses would harm his son over property issues.

  It can be said that he is suspicious, and he himself thinks that he has thought too much. But for the sake of his son, thinking more is always right.

  Today is the child's birthday, and the child is eight years old. Except for two birthdays when he didn't come back due to war, every time he comes to celebrate with his son. Every time after that, thinking that his son has grown one year older, his heart is always especially happy.

  Walking on the streets of Yanjing, looking at the brightly lit self-house courtyard in front, Xiao Huangqiu couldn't help but burst out laughing. The little concubine knew she would definitely come back, so the wind lanterns were hung high at the door.

  I can see my son soon, this little guy should have grown taller again. In two more years, I can take him to ride a horse, teach him archery, teach him to fight, and let him become the bravest knight of the Khitan people!

  The soldiers behind him were also followers of Xiao Yuanchu for many years. As they approached the gate, all thirty of them suddenly reined in their horses and stopped at the same time.

  Xiao Yun Qiu always drops them off here when they return home, never allowing his soldiers to approach his own doorstep. This time, a trusted aide asked an extra question: "General, the situation has not been good lately, do you think we should leave two brothers at the door?"

  Xiao Yunqiu's eyes were fixed on a hotel next door, with a puzzled expression.

  The confidant knew what he was thinking and immediately said: "General, when we came back last time, there was no wine shop here."

  Xiao Congqiu dismounted his horse and did not return home, but instead walked towards that wine shop.

  The wine shop was very small, the tables and chairs were all half new, there were only a few guests sitting inside, the second child was leaning lazily against the door, and the boss was also on the counter with a listless look. When several people came over, the second child finally pretended to be energetic: "Ah, several military masters have come? Hard work, please go inside."

  Xiao Congqiu looked around after entering the door and asked: "Just opened a new shop?"

  Xiao Er bowed his waist and said very respectfully: "Going back to Master Jun's words, it's not that he just started, this has been going on for three months now."

  Just then, a wine guest wearing a Qidan herdsman's clothing shouted loudly: "I say old Li, also put more firewood in the stove, this icy weather and snowy day, with the door open, want to freeze people to death?"

  The shopkeeper smiled and said: "Alright, I'll add it right away, I'll add it right away."

  After finishing speaking, he hugged a bundle of firewood and put it in, then walked over to Xiao Yunqiu and others and said: "Military masters, don't stand at the door, okay? Come in and warm up."

  Xiao Huang Qiu looked at him: "Is he a Song person?"

  The shopkeeper nodded and said with a smile: "I am from Song, but I plan to stay here in the future. My sister is married to Liao, so I followed her here. General, come in and have a drink?"

  There were also several other drinkers in the wine shop, which made Xiao Congqiu feel that there was nothing wrong with this place.

  Think about it, the people I'm dealing with now are Yelü Zhongyuan's men, Song people, they should be at ease, right? Turning back to face the more than 30 Khitan soldiers following him, he said: "It's cold outside, let's just have a couple of drinks here. Open the door and we can see my family's entrance, if there's any movement inside, we'll also be able to hear it."

  This was a win-win situation, and the Khitan soldiers were also very happy, they all found tables to sit down, although the cold wind still seeped into the wine shop without putting down the door curtain, but compared to standing outside, it was much more pleasant. As soon as the shopkeeper brought up the wine jug, the soldiers couldn't wait to take a couple of sips to drive away the chill from their bodies.

  Xiao Congqiu walked alone towards his home, stopping in front of the door. He adjusted his clothes using the wind lamp hanging on the door, wanting to present himself perfectly in front of his son. From head to toe, he carefully examined himself. Only after confirming everything was fine did he start knocking on the door.

  Before, every time he knocked on the door, his son's cheerful voice would come from inside, but this time, what made Xiao Congqiu a little unexpected was that it was quiet inside.

  His eyebrows furrowed immediately, and he couldn't help but think: "What's going on? Could it be that I came back too late and the child has already fallen asleep?"

  It's impossible to think about it, the child's mother would let her son wait for her return. With some doubts in mind, his hand knocked on the door ring again.

  A footstep came from inside, getting closer and closer. Xiao Congqiu heard clearly that it was a man's footsteps, very light and very fast.

  His hand involuntarily grasped the hilt of his own knife.

  The door opened and a very refined middle-aged man stood in front of Xiao Congqiu, bowing his fist with great courtesy: "General Xiao, I have been waiting for you for a long time."

  Xiao Cong Qiu would not have stepped inside if he didn't know what was happening inside. He looked back at the wine shop nearby, where thirty soldiers he had brought with him were sitting, which gave him some courage: "Who is it? Why are you in my house? Where's my son?"

  That man smiled: "It seems that General Xiao is not planning to enter the house. In that case, I'll invite General Xiao to a place where all three questions will be answered by someone else."

  Xiao Congqiu took two steps back: "Who exactly is it?"

  He took a step back, and the soldiers who were drinking immediately realized that something was wrong with the general! One of them drew out his sword: "Not good, the general is in trouble!"

  Thirty people immediately picked up the weapons around them, ready to go out and help. However, just as they had grasped their weapons, they suddenly felt dizzy and lightheaded, unable to stand up no matter how hard they tried!

  The shopkeeper at the wine shop laughed and said: "Take action!"

  The shopkeeper suddenly pulled out a short knife from behind his back, and the several customers who had been drinking earlier also stood up, each of them gazing at those Khitan people with menacing eyes.

  These thirty Khitan soldiers were the elite who had followed Xiao Yuanying to fight for many years, but even the elite were useless now. When they didn't even have the strength to stand up, facing the opponent's chopping blade, they could only futilely use their weapons in hand to block it once.

  A shrill cry rang out repeatedly, Xiao Huanqiu's face changed drastically, and he drew his own waist knife to slash at the person in the doorway.

  This knife came fast and fierce, and he couldn't help but praise: "Good knife skills!"

  He somehow pulled out a knife from his body and pinned down Xiao Yunqiu's waist knife, forcing him to take two steps back.

  That man did not pursue him, but stood at the door with his sword: "The knife method is good, but it has not yet been refined. What a pity, he's a Liao person, otherwise I can point out one or two things."

  Xiao Congqiu knew he was absolutely no match for this person after just one glance, and without a fight, he immediately fled to the side. Just as he was about to shout loudly, a figure from the wine shop had already rushed towards him: "Want to run?"

  Xiao Yunqiu heard the loud sound of breaking through the air, knowing that the person's martial arts were not below his own. He wanted to break through the interception, but it was no easy task! His heart chilled, he swung his sword to block the incoming long spear, and turned his head to look again, only to see two more figures rushing towards him, including the one in front of the door who had superior martial arts skills than his own.

  He suddenly realized that someone had set a trap for him today, and it was impossible to escape. He abandoned all defense and struck at the person blocking his way with one knife, seeking mutual destruction.

  That man's long spear also stabbed at the same time, and a loud shout came from behind: "Iron Gun! Alive!"

  Xiao Yunqiu's knife was shorter than the long spear by a length, and after the spear pierced his shoulder, the strength in his hand gradually disappeared. The knife in his hand was easily grasped by that person, and he could no longer chop down.

  A rope was immediately looped around his neck, tightening to the point where he could hardly breathe. All he could hear was the person holding the gun chuckling and saying, "Don't worry, big brother, I know."

  The ones who took action were Wang Lun, Li Tieqiang, Guo Mianshan and Zhang Hai, along with several of their trusted accomplices, who were in the wine shop beheading those Liao soldiers.

  Zhang Hai was the one who disguised himself as a servant, and at this time he drove a horse cart from the front to Wang Lun's face: "Brother, let's get on the car, I'll take care of it here."

  Wang Lun apparently trusted Zhang Hai very much, without even a word of instruction, and directly lifted the coffin onto the horse cart. Guo Mian Shan also followed in. Li Tie sat at the front of the cart, hiding his long spear under the cart, then drove the cart away.

  Zhang Hai calmly and unhurriedly went to lock the door of Xiao Yunqiu's house from the inside, then climbed over the wall himself. Then he directed a few accomplices to clean up the bloodstains and other things in the room, and carried the body to the backyard for burial.

  The tables and chairs were put away, a few sections of cabinets were added, and fabrics were placed on top. The sign at the door was changed, and the wine shop instantly turned into a fabric store.

  A few sticks of incense were lit to dispel the bloody smell, Zhang Hai looked around cautiously and felt that there was no flaw before leading his men to prepare to leave.

  One of them suddenly reminded: "Hai Ge, there are still bloodstains on the street, shall we come earlier tomorrow morning to clean it up?"

  "No need, leave some bloodstains behind, let those who investigate know that something happened here."

  The next day, no one noticed Xiao Congqiu's disappearance. The people in the military camp thought he was in Yanzheng, while the people in Yanzheng thought he was in the military camp. So it is estimated that the matter will not be discovered until four or five days later.

  Chen Yuan can now walk normally, the swelling on his face has basically disappeared, leaving only some bruises to remind others of the tragic events that occurred just a few days ago.

  The financing went extremely smoothly, and in just a few days, Chen Yuan actually received 70,000 yuan in cash. This is just the beginning, and it will slowly increase later, especially after making the first profit, I believe many people will find ways to send money to me through connections, including some big shots on the imperial court.

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