Cui Cheng and Cui Cai bought a carriage with the young master, Wang Yi.
Firewood, rice, oil, and salt were expensive in Capital City; the price of one carriage could buy three in the Anbei Four Garrisons.
While it was still light, they took the carriage out of the city.
On the outskirts, a carriage had just left Capital City.
It raced along the main road.
"Hyah!!"
Before long, two swift horses blocked the way ahead.
The servant driving the carriage started in fright. This looked like a robbery.
This was an official road, and they had only just left Capital City.
"Good sirs..."
Before he could say more, the Zhang brothers surrounded him.
"Elder brother! There's no one in the carriage."
Zhang Deming asked grimly, "What's going on?"
"Damn it, we've been tricked! Go back."
The group hurried back.
But by now, how could they possibly make it in time?
"Elder brother, what do we do now?"
Zhang Deming's face was dark.
After a long while, he suddenly asked, "What about that mother and daughter?"
"Which mother and daughter?" Zhang Dehai froze.
"The ones Gong'er wanted to defile."
"We let them go home."
"Bring them back!"
"Elder brother... this..." Zhang Dehai looked troubled. "We're right in the teeth of the storm. Wouldn't doing this just hand others something to use against us?"
"We can't worry about all that now!"
Zhang Dehai gritted his teeth. "Then I'll have people ask around about their whereabouts."
Rain fell over Capital City.
It came down fast, growing heavier and heavier.
It was as though the River of Stars had burst its banks, sending thousands of waterfalls crashing from the sky.
The water splashing off the eaves took on all manner of strange shapes.
"I'm leaving the city today."
Li Ping'an spoke