To make an example of them and deter anyone from challenging Black Water Ditch in future, the chief bandit leader spared no expense this time. He promised all the bandits three taels of silver for each enemy killed.
Under heavy rewards there must be brave men. The bandits, desperate for silver, charged madly towards the southern mountain pass.
But as soon as they reached the pass, several spear-like arrows flew from the small tower, piercing the bandit crowd like lightning.
Those hit sprayed bursts of blood mist and collapsed to the ground.
Viewed from above, the dense mass of bandits was ploughed into bloody paths by the arrows.
When had the bandits ever seen such a sight? The front wave, forgetting the reward, instinctively turned to flee back.
Unfortunately there were too many bandits, all shouting and pushing. Those behind had no idea what was happening ahead and kept surging forward.
The narrow mountain pass instantly descended into chaos.
At that moment, several more streaks of light shot out.
Dozens more bandits fell.
The already chaotic pass became even more disordered.
More bandits began fleeing back.
Those at the rear finally realised something was wrong and stopped pushing forward.
Only then did the bandits leave bodies strewn across the ground and retreat from the pass.
The two hunters watching the battle from a distant mountaintop were completely stunned.
In their eyes, the ferocious Black Water Ditch bandits now fell like straw, a great swathe of them.
The survivors scattered in panic like startled rabbits.
“This… this…”
The short hunter swallowed hard. “Who threw those spears just now? What incredible strength.”
“You joined the army by the water and never saw this thing. It’s called a heavy crossbow.”
The tall hunter said, “I saw it twice while facing the Tanguts in Liangzhou, though I never got to handle one.”
“So this is the legendary heavy crossbow. I heard that Mr Jin of West River Bay used heavy crossbows and some kind of stone-throwing cart to defeat the Iron Pot Mountain…”
The short hunter’s eyes widened suddenly. “The one fighting the Black Water Ditch bandits, could it be Mr Jin?”
“Besides Mr Jin, who else in the entire Jinchuan would dare storm Black Water Ditch’s gates?” the tall hunter said. “It must be him.”
“If it’s really Mr Jin, that’s wonderful!”
The short hunter, like a fan meeting his idol, spoke with trembling excitement. “The Black Water Ditch bandits are finished!”
“I heard that after Mr Jin wiped out the Iron Pot Mountain bandits, he promised the people of West River Bay that as long as he remained in Jinchuan, he would never again let bandits collect annual tribute. It’s said that to this day, there are no bandits west of Jinchuan.”
Hope shone in the tall hunter’s eyes. “If Mr Jin really can destroy the Black Water Ditch bandits, that would be perfect. We wouldn’t have to pay tribute any more.
If that happens, I’ll set up a longevity tablet for Mr Jin at home and kowtow to him along with the ancestors during festivals.”
“Then you’d better find some good wood in the forest and prepare that tablet!”
The short hunter laughed. “If Mr Jin could destroy Iron Pot Mountain, he can certainly destroy Black Water Ditch.”
“I’m not so sure.”
The tall hunter pointed below. “Look carefully at the small tower. There are probably only a dozen or so people. You’ve served in the army, tell me how they can wipe out so many bandits with just that.”
“I don’t know, but I believe that since Mr Jin sent only this many, he must have a plan.”
Though he had never met Jin Feng, he had complete faith in him.
“I hope so.”
The tall hunter did not entirely agree with his companion, but knowing the other saw Jin Feng as a benefactor, he refrained from arguing.
At the same time, he prayed in his heart that Jin Feng could indeed destroy Black Water Ditch and bring peace to the surrounding people.
The short hunter glanced down once more, then pulled the tall one. “Come on, let’s check if there’s a wild boar in the pit!”
“The bandits lost so many men, they won’t let it rest. There’ll definitely be more fighting soon. You’re not watching?”
“I can’t help with the battle, watching is pointless. Better to check the pit. If we caught a boar, I need to deliver it to the bandit-suppression team quickly.”
The short hunter said happily.
“You’re mad. You’ve been tracking that boar for nearly two months, finally found their den, and now you want to give it away?”
“The suppression team are my benefactors. Let alone one boar, I’d give them a tiger!”
With that, the short hunter dragged the reluctant tall hunter into the woods.
…
The county office, Wei family restaurant.
Master Peng rubbed his brow as he left the room.
He had drunk too much last night in celebration, and now his head felt like it was splitting.
But he remembered yesterday’s plan and had not dared to sleep in.
Yawning, he called to the house slave guarding the stairs. “Go fetch Mr Feng.”
Mr Feng was a failed scholar he kept on retainer, his dog-headed strategist.
Useless at study but full of dirty tricks.
He had arranged the hiring of bandits to intercept civilians and ambush the suppression team.
The slave agreed, but before he could descend, a middle-aged man hurried over.
“Oh, Mr Feng, you really know my mind. I was just sending for you and here you are.”
Master Peng smiled. “Come to my room. Last night I thought of a great idea, let me tell you…”
But Mr Feng interrupted urgently before he could finish. “Master, something terrible has happened!”
“What is it?” Master Peng’s heart lurched.
Mr Feng was usually meticulous about propriety. He would not interrupt unless it was an emergency.
“At dawn I received word that Tiger Head Mountain and the West River Bay suppression team had clashed. I immediately sent men to Double Hump Peak, and sure enough, our Double Hump Peak had the team too!”
Mr Feng said bitterly. “I sent more to Black Water Ditch, they haven’t returned yet, but I reckon it’s the same.”
He had been searching for the suppression team, hoping for another ambush. Instead of finding them, his scouts saw Qing Mulan fighting Tiger Head Mountain bandits.
“How is that possible?”
Master Peng shook his head in disbelief. “Didn’t we confirm it? Jin Feng has at most a few hundred usable men. Tiger Head, Double Hump, and Black Water Ditch together have over two thousand. How can he fight?”
“Jin Feng isn’t fighting directly. He just sent men to use heavy crossbows and stone-throwers to block the mountain paths, trapping the bandits inside unable to emerge.”
Mr Feng said, “The men I sent back reported that the path down Double Hump Peak is nearly dyed red with blood. The bandits are terrified!”
“This…”
Master Peng’s face paled with fright. Forgetting whether County Lieutenant Zhao or Master Zhu would be angry, he ran to pound frantically on their doors. “Sir, Old Zhu, wake up quickly! Something huge has happened!”
