In recent days, Jin Feng dared not leave his home.
Whether villagers or outsiders, as long as they were willing to work, Jin Feng found them jobs.
Children unable to work received one meal a day.
For many children, this was the first time in their lives they could eat their fill.
On the first day of meals, many children stuffed themselves until their bellies were round and lay on the ground unable to move.
This moved many outsiders. Whenever they saw Jin Feng, they dragged their children to kowtow to him, refusing to rise until the children had bowed three times.
Though Jin Feng had been in Da Kang for some time, he still could not grow accustomed to such rituals of kneeling. He hid in the laboratory, venturing out as little as possible.
…
In the county seat, County Lieutenant Zhao and the two gentry gathered again.
“Jin Feng has gone too far. The textile factory is fully staffed, yet he keeps taking people. He clearly intends to steal everyone from our territories.”
Master Zhu slammed the table in fury as soon as he entered. “Lately, more and more from my area are going to Xihewan!”
“Who is not suffering the same? The first batch of lowly commoners went on their own, but seeing Jin Feng still recruiting, they returned to drag others along.”
Master Peng added, “Two villages in my territory are nearly empty.”
County Lieutenant Zhao’s face darkened ominously.
His territory bordered the former Iron Can Mountain bandits most closely, and the most people fled to Xihewan from there.
“I sent men to observe. Xihewan is packed with people now. Those without housing simply build thatched sheds outside the village.”
Master Zhu said, “What is Jin Feng after? He cannot possibly employ so many, yet he feeds them all.”
“You understand nothing. Jin Feng is buying hearts!”
County Lieutenant Zhao said, “How much grain does it cost to feed a few people? But it earns their lifelong gratitude. He may not need them now, but later he will. Then they become his most loyal pawns!”
“You are right, my lord. My scouts report Jin Feng gives them all work. Those wretches toil like dogs yet remain deeply grateful to him.”
“That is Jin Feng’s method!” County Lieutenant Zhao sighed.
“Lord Zhao, Old Peng, we cannot just wait.”
Master Zhu asked cautiously, “If all else fails, shall we go to Xihewan and negotiate with Jin Feng?”
“Jin Feng is a madman. Division Master Zhou went to Xihewan and never returned.”
County Lieutenant Zhao rejected the idea without hesitation. “You go if you want. I will not.”
“Nor I!” Master Peng shook his head quickly.
“Then you two propose a solution!”
“Actually, I have thought of one.”
Master Peng glanced outside to ensure no one eavesdropped, then leaned in and whispered his plan.
“Old Peng, you truly are full of wicked ideas. This is brilliant!”
Master Zhu laughed and gave a thumbs up. “The commoners go to Xihewan willingly. Government troops cannot intercept, but bandits can. That is their trade!”
“At this point, we have no choice.”
County Lieutenant Zhao nodded slightly. “Have your men act cleanly. Leave no trace for Jin Feng to seize, or we are in trouble.”
“Rest assured, my lord. I will route it through several hands. The bandits who act will not even know who ordered them. How could Jin Feng investigate?”
Master Peng thumped his chest in guarantee.
“Then proceed as you say. Old Peng and I will make arrangements too.”
County Lieutenant Zhao considered, then agreed.
…
Xihewan now bustled with activity everywhere. The laboratory was one of the few quiet places.
Hiding there to draw plans or research fragrances with Guan Xiaorou and Wan Niang when they visited, Jin Feng found enjoyment in it.
But today, he had to go out.
Tang Xiaobei received word that two female shopkeepers had sold out their soap and returned to the county seat. She needed to oversee the chamber of commerce.
With too much happening in Xihewan lately, Jin Feng could not accompany her to Guangyuan. He instructed A Lan to take more men for protection.
After seeing Tang Xiaobei off, Jin Feng returned to the laboratory, only for Zhang Liang and Zheng Fang to arrive.
“Mr Jin, there is a Yang River Village north of Jinchuan. Today, three families from there, twelve people in total, set out together to join Xihewan, but they were ambushed by bandits on the way.”
Zheng Fang sighed. “All twelve were slaughtered!”
“And then?” Jin Feng asked.
Bandits were rampant in Da Kang. Roadside robbery and murder happened daily.
If it were simple banditry for gain, Zheng Fang would not report it specially.
“I thought it was just murder for profit and paid little heed, but passing merchants said this was the second ambush they had encountered in days.”
Zheng Fang said, “Bandits who rob usually seek wealth and rarely kill. I sensed something amiss and sent men to investigate.
Sure enough, several such killings occurred recently. All the victims shared one trait…”
“They were all coming to join Xihewan, correct?”
Jin Feng interrupted, his voice low but laced with chilling intent that Zhang Liang and Zheng Fang both felt.
“Yes,” Zheng Fang nodded. “I suspect someone targets us, so I returned to report, Mr Jin.”
“This is no longer suspicion. It is as obvious as lice on a bald head. They target us deliberately!”
Jin Feng turned to Zhang Liang. “Have fewer people come to join us in recent days?”
“Yes, no one has arrived for two days.”
Zhang Liang nodded. “I thought no one wanted to come. Now I know bandits are behind it.”
Jin Feng rarely lost his temper now, but hearing this, he clenched his fists in fury.
Xihewan already had plenty of outsiders. Jin Feng felt it was enough.
But he could not accept bandits using such methods to stop people from joining Xihewan!
“Old Zheng, have you identified which mountain stronghold the bandits come from?” Jin Feng asked coldly.
“The bandits are cautious and ruthless. They leave no survivors. We cannot tell who they are,” Zheng Fang shook his head.
“That complicates things. Even if we want to suppress them, we do not know whom to target,” Zhang Liang said.
“What complication?”
Jin Feng said, “There are only a few roads to Xihewan. Station a twenty-man team on each road to patrol. If they encounter bandits, eliminate them all! If outmatched, retreat and summon reinforcements. I refuse to believe a band of bandits can defy the heavens!”
“Mr Jin, this may not be wise,” Zheng Fang hesitated. “Iron Can Mountain’s territory is only west of Jinchuan. Doing this means stirring trouble in other major bandits’ domains. It breaks the rules…”
“I am exterminating bandits. What rules do I follow?”
Jin Feng glared at Zheng Fang and roared, “Not only will I exterminate them, I will take their heads for bounty! Anyone who dares block you, wipe them out!”
