It had been three days since fighting the Canal Defense Battalion. In just a short three days, Pang Zi had almost formed a habit of waiting for a while at the intersection west of the village every day at sunset. Pang Tianshuo and several other brothers were sent out by Pang Zi to contact several bandit gangs in the Taihang Mountains, hoping to find a temporary place to settle down in the west. In these few days, Pang Zi also studied the geographical environment of Nangong County. To the east was Tianjin, the old nest of the Beiyang Army; leaning over there was sending oneself to death.

Going south was the Shandong Canal area. There were extremely many forces on this line. These forces were not kind people; no one could accept a large group of forces with horses and guns suddenly appearing on their territory. If Pang Zi took his brothers there, they could start fighting without even going too far. Moreover, one reason why Pang Zi absolutely couldn't go east was that the Fifth Division of the Beiyang Army was located in Jinan Prefecture. Pang Zi avoided the Beiyang Army like the plague, let alone taking the initiative to lean towards the organized Beiyang Army.

Going north wouldn't work either; the north was the scope of the Capital. Taking the initiative to lean over was even more seeking a dead end.

Only going west to the Taihang Mountain area was where the Imperial Court's power was weak. If the brothers really hid in the mountains, the official troops might not really be able to find them. But hiding in the mountains had a big problem: grain and supplies could not be effectively replenished. It was almost winter soon. If Pang Zi rashly took his brothers to run into the mountains, it would only be waiting for the end of freezing and starving to death.

Pang Zi's plan was simple to say: find a bandit gang to settle down in the Taihang Mountains. Pang Zi would take a large amount of supplies and go west, buying some grain on the way, so that they could hide in the Taihang Mountains for a winter. Although Pang Zi fought the Canal Defense Battalion, the official army couldn't stay in Xingtai for a few months no matter what. Unable to find Pang Zi's whereabouts, they would withdraw sooner or later. After spring starts, Pang Zi would talk about returning to Nangong County. Although the Escort Agency definitely couldn't be done, it was a winter anyway. Pang Zi could completely make many preparations. In winter, contacting Big Brother Wu Xingchen in Shandong and starting a career with those brothers in Shandong was also possible.

But until now, all this was just imagination in Pang Zi's heart. From Nangong County to the Taihang Mountains, a round trip would take at least seven or eight days. Pang Zi felt it would take the Beiyang Army ten days to half a month to arrive at Gaojia Village. He prepared to train the brothers well in these five or six days. After all, future days wouldn't be as relaxed as escorting goods.

Pang Zi took the horse team to drill outside the village every day. Charge, return, return, charge. Brothers not only had to train formation but also had to train firing guns. Pang Zi felt distressed about ammunition. The more than two hundred people as the backbone under him now had three hundred guns, but only pitifully few more than three thousand rounds of ammunition, mostly captured from the Canal Defense Battalion. Shooting practice could only be carried out with old-style muskets. In these years, for all armed forces, getting a few muskets was certainly not easy, but what was harder was guaranteeing ammunition supply. Even for old-style muskets, ammunition was not so easily replenished. After two or three days of training, many guns had run out of ammunition.

The common people of Gaojia Village began to evacuate to other places under the persuasion of the thirteen members of the Peasant Association. Pang Zi saw with his own eyes Old Man Jing Tingwen standing in the yard of a peasant family who refused to leave, saying in the loud volume unique to old people: "You say you don't leave; what are you afraid of? What are you after? Those things you want to protect now, the official soldiers won't leave you anything once they come. If you are taken away by the government, redeeming you back will cost fifty taels of silver no matter what. Are you paying this big money for that little money?"

The old man spoke reasonably. Moreover, five years ago, official soldiers raged in Gaojia Village; everyone still remembered the situation at that time clearly. Although they didn't want to lose a penny of the things at home, when the common people weighed the gains and losses, they still felt leaving was best.

Two Peasant Association members had relatives in the Prefecture City. They volunteered to take the common people to the Prefecture City. But not many people followed them. The journey to the Prefecture City was long. Taking the whole family, and taking so many household items, how could they run that far?

Most people went to avoid it at relatives nearby in ten *li* and eight villages; some also went to Shandong. In short, the work of the Peasant Association was considered fruitful. Three days passed; except for a few families of villagers who refused to leave no matter what, as long as they were willing to leave, Peasant Association members definitely got them away.

Pang Zi waited at the intersection west of the village until it was getting dark before he was about to return to the village. But he saw Chen Tianhua pushing a wheelbarrow coming out with a large group of people. Having been in Hebei for almost a year, Chen Tianhua's skill in pushing a wheelbarrow was still not very good, just no longer twisting and turning. Looking closely, he saw this group of people were the families of Peasant Association members.

Unknown why, Pang Zi felt a somewhat desolate flavor in his heart. There were fewer and fewer people in Gaojia Village. The once lively village was now almost silent at midnight, making people feel an unspeakable discomfort. Since the quarrel last time, Pang Zi had deliberately avoided Chen Tianhua somewhat, but at this time he didn't want to continue sulking. Pang Zi stepped forward and said: "Mr. Chen, you are almost finished leaving?"

Chen Tianhua said calmly: "Five or six households of common people are left. I see their meaning is that if our Peasant Association people don't leave, they won't leave either. That's just right; we leave first. Tomorrow, we go to persuade again. Seeing Peasant Association people all gone, if they still refuse to leave, I have no way either."

After speaking, Chen Tianhua suddenly said to Pang Zi: "Brother Pang, thank you for keeping the agreement these days. Completely not coercing the common people. I thank you on behalf of everyone."

For Chen Tianhua's "understanding," Pang Zi could only smile bitterly.

Just preparing to say something, suddenly a brother rushed over hurriedly. Pang Zi knew something happened. He asked Chen Tianhua: "Mr. Chen is not coming back?"

Seeing Pang Zi lost the anger of previous days, Chen Tianhua also smiled and said: "I'm not leaving now. Nothing else tonight; I'm sending everyone off. Probably can come back at midnight."

"Then where does Mr. Chen live now? Still in the Peasant Association?"

"Yes, there are still some things to handle there. Uncle Jing and I are both there."

"Good, if I have time, I'll go find Mr. Chen to talk." Pang Zi finished speaking and left with his brother. Chen Tianhua continued to push the wheelbarrow and walked out of the village with Peasant Association members.

"Big Brother, someone ran away again!" The comer was Gao Songling; he said anxiously, "Doing this is not a solution either. Brothers know to leave, but we stay here doing nothing; everyone is impetuous."

Looking at Gao Songling's anxious appearance, Pang Zi thought in his heart, *you* are impetuous, right? But this was not the time to say this. Pang Zi and Gao Songling arrived near the jujube forest behind the village together. A dozen people were surrounding three brothers. Faintly heard brothers arguing, "When did Big Brother Pang cheat us! Old Three, running away like this, are you worthy of Big Brother?"

"The Beiyang Army is attacking immediately. If not running now, when to run?"

"Eating meat and drinking wine every day, are you confused from eating? Why fear the Beiyang Army coming? We have guns and horses; why fear them?"

"Can having guns and horses win against them? If we could win, what would Big Brother Pang prepare to run for? Just fighting a battle with the Beiyang Army here directly, wouldn't it be fine?"

"Beiyang Army has about the same number as us; we can win."

"Beiyang Army has tens of thousands; can we withstand it if they all come up?"

Listening to the fierce quarrel of the brothers, Pang Zi's face couldn't help twitching.

Pang Zi hadn't thought about letting villagers stay with him, but the events of the Gengzi year gave Pang Zi a profound lesson. Acting with companions not of one mind, the unlucky one is oneself. So he tolerated the retreat of the villagers. But nothing has only positive effects. Seeing villagers leaving in large numbers, the hearts of the Escort Agency brothers floated. Pang Zi knew these people very clearly; insisting on keeping those who want to leave is also a scourge. Pang Zi simply said upfront, as long as horses and guns were handed over, Pang Zi gave these people money and let them go.

In these three days, more than thirty people left like this. And a dozen tried to escape carrying guns and horses. Pang Zi had guarded against it long ago. Before these people ran far, they were caught. People were dragged back and beaten in public. Then Pang Zi still gave them money and let these people get out.

But as time went by, the brothers who wanted to leave privately didn't decrease. In the morning and afternoon, there were people trying to leave privately carrying horses and guns. To be honest, Pang Zi couldn't say he didn't understand these people. If he were in this position himself, he would definitely be like these brothers, leaving with horses and guns. In these years, having horses and guns means having power; the principle is the same everywhere.

But as the leader of the Escort Agency, even if Pang Zi could understand the difficulties and reasons for brothers doing so, he couldn't accept such things happening.

Gao Songling suddenly saw Pang Zi stop his steps. He asked strangely: "Big Brother Pang, what's wrong with you? Those few boys are just ahead."

Pang Zi sighed helplessly. Just now he didn't feel excited at all. What could he do going over? Nothing more than like treating others, slapping the gang of boys a few times, then giving money to let them leave. Recalling the appearance of those brothers when leaving these days, holding back grievances one by one, even looking at him with resentful eyes. Pang Zi didn't like making a scene with brothers like this at all. Everyone worked together for almost half a year; how much friendship was in it. Doing this once, don't think about meeting again in the future.

"Songling, you go. Give them money, let them get out. I don't want to see them again." After speaking, Pang Zi turned around dejectedly and went towards his own courtyard. But he heard Gao Songling behind him sigh.

Although he also wanted to explain clearly to Gao Songling, Pang Zi didn't want to do so. What should be said was finished long ago. Go to Taihang Mountains to hide. Next spring, or even without waiting for next spring, everyone can go to Shandong to join Wu Xingchen and other brothers. Pang Zi didn't hide any of these. Everyone is strong and sturdy now; in that place Shandong, they can definitely achieve something big. But no matter how Pang Zi said it, there were brothers without confidence. Pang Zi was too lazy to say this again.

Not walking far, he heard the shouting of those few brothers coming from behind, and then Gao Songling shouted: "You useless bunch, take the money and get out for me."

*Tianshuo, come back quickly.* Pang Zi sighed in his heart.

After Pang Zi returned to his home, he couldn't fall asleep lying on the bed no matter what. Originally a good situation, how did it become like this after fighting a victorious battle? Even at this time, Pang Zi didn't want to admit that fighting the Canal Defense Battalion was wrong. If not fighting the Canal Defense Battalion, being extorted, the team of the Escort Agency would lose hearts just the same. Wanting to mix in the way (*Dao*), one has to prove one can suppress the scene. Otherwise, the people below will definitely have other ideas.

If the Beiyang Army were like the Canal Defense Battalion, it would be fine, Pang Zi couldn't help complaining. In that case, he completely didn't need to fear that gang of waste. But having seen the Hejian autumn maneuver of the Beiyang Army with his own eyes, Pang Zi knew deeply this was just a dream of his. He tossed and turned, fearful and uneasy in his heart. Finally fell asleep, but had a dream. The soldiers and horses of the Beiyang Army killed their way over like a tide. Before fighting, Pang Zi woke up with a start.

Outside was completely silent, only the chirping of insects in late autumn. He was upset and couldn't sleep anymore. Simply got up to go out for a stroll. Sentries had been set up in the village. But most people had fallen asleep leaning against the wall; even those not asleep were drooping their heads non-stop. Pang Zi was too lazy to pay attention to them. Now the Beiyang Army couldn't arrive at this time either; letting these brothers take a nap was nothing terrible.

Went to the stable, and went to the place storing weapons. The brothers in these two places were quite energetic. Seeing Pang Zi come, the brothers greeted hurriedly. Pang Zi just perfunctorily said a few sentences and left.

Wandering around, he arrived at the village entrance, but saw there was actually a little light at the Peasant Association. Although only a little, in this dark and silent night, it appeared so conspicuous. Looking up at the sky, it was probably late at night. Could it be that Chen Tianhua had come back? Pang Zi wanted to turn his head back to sleep, but couldn't get rid of the attraction of this little light no matter what. Thinking for a while, he still walked towards the Peasant Association.

The door of the Peasant Association room was ajar. From outside, the crackling sound of the abacus could be heard inside. Pushing the door open, he saw a candle lit on the table in the room. This candle was obtained by Pang Zi. The three people at the table were startled hearing the sound. Seeing it was Pang Zi coming in, Chen Tianhua, Pang Cheng, and Jing Chunzheng all looked surprised.

"Everyone hasn't slept yet." Pang Zi said with a forced smile.

"Brother Pang, you haven't slept either," Chen Tianhua said.

"Can't sleep." Pang Zi couldn't help sighing. Perhaps feeling his topic was too heavy, Pang Zi forced up his spirit and asked, "What is Mr. Chen calculating?"

Chen Tianhua laughed: "Calculating the money of the Peasant Association. I'm leaving tomorrow. Before leaving, no matter what, I have to calculate the money of the Peasant Association clearly."

Regarding these words of Chen Tianhua, Pang Zi felt very puzzled. In his view, since the Peasant Association was run by Chen Tianhua, the money of the Peasant Association and Chen Tianhua's own money were not much different. At least Chen Tianhua should preside over the distribution. So Chen Tianhua refused to distribute the Peasant Association's money to Pang Zi; Pang Zi could understand. Unexpectedly, Chen Tianhua didn't think so. This really exceeded his expectations greatly. But Pang Zi didn't come to talk about money originally; he didn't want to say much either, lest Chen Tianhua be suspicious.

"Once Mr. Chen leaves, I'm afraid he won't come back, right?" Pang Zi asked casually.

"Within half a year, I will definitely return to Nangong County with other comrades." Chen Tianhua answered decisively.

Hearing this, Pang Zi felt his mood was very complicated. Unknown why, although these words sounded very outrageous, Pang Zi didn't doubt Chen Tianhua's determination. Unlike Pang Zi, Chen Tianhua was not forced away because of offending the government. As long as the limelight passed, Chen Tianhua could come back anytime. And once Pang Zi left Nangong County, don't expect to come back in a year or two.

Thinking of this, Pang Zi felt very depressed. When the villagers left, not a single person gave Pang Zi a friendly look. Everyone's eyes were full of blaming gazes. As if Pang Zi committed some heinous crime. Thinking of this, Pang Zi felt very dissatisfied. Did everyone forget that he earned so many benefits for everyone? He just made a mistake out of necessity, and everyone looked completely unforgiving. Now even Chen Tianhua, an outsider, could easily stay in Nangong County, while he, a local, couldn't instead.

The more Pang Zi thought, the angrier he became. He felt waves of discomfort in his heart, unable to stay in this room anymore. He turned and went out, but heard Chen Tianhua shout: "Brother Pang, wait." Then Chen Tianhua chased out.

"Brother Pang, when do you leave?" Chen Tianhua asked.

"Have to wait a few days."

"Brother Pang, I advise you to leave in these one or two days."

In the dark night, Chen Tianhua's expression couldn't be seen clearly, but the tone of these words was very sincere. Pang Zi was in a bad mood and said coldly: "Mr. Chen doesn't need to worry; Beiyang probably can't catch up with me yet." After saying these, he suddenly became suspicious, "Could it be that Mr. Chen got some news again?" Chen Tianhua got the news of the Canal Defense Battalion moving out earlier than Pang Zi; Pang Zi suddenly remembered this matter.

Chen Tianhua knew what Pang Zi referred to in his words. He didn't feel he had any problem, "I didn't hear any news. Just Uncle Jing said, if the Beiyang Army moves out, they can arrive in about five or six days. Now three days have passed. I think Uncle Jing, as an elderly person, thinks things more thoroughly than us. I think Brother Pang might as well listen."

"Understood!" Pang Zi dragged his voice. He originally wanted to come to the Peasant Association to relax, but didn't expect to provoke a bellyful of anger instead. Pang Zi left angrily.

The next day, the only four remaining members of the Peasant Association were at the main gate of the Peasant Association. Chen Tianhua carried simple luggage, "Uncle Jing, if you see the Beiyang Army coming, leave quickly." He was very puzzled and worried about Jing Tingwen insisting on staying in the breeding farm.

Jing Tingwen laughed: "Young man, you don't need to worry about me. I am an old man; I couldn't live for many days originally. The Beiyang Army won't want my life."

Looking at Chen Tianhua's unreleased appearance, Jing Tingwen patted Chen Tianhua's shoulder, "Young man, your uncle I ate more meat in this half year than added up in this life. Very good. I'm still waiting for you to come back, continuing to follow you to eat meat. Don't worry."

Chen Tianhua knew he couldn't persuade Old Mr. Jing Tingwen. And even if he stayed in Nangong County now, there couldn't be any progress. Hurrying back to ask Chen Ke for reinforcements was the serious business. All that should be explained these days had been explained. Chen Tianhua carried his package and bid farewell to the Peasant Association members. He mounted the mule and stepped on the return journey.