“Everyone, quiet down and listen to me.”
Jin Feng slightly raised his hand, and the cafeteria fell silent again.
This time, no one whispered below; all eyes were fixed on Jin Feng.
“The factory’s shutdown isn’t due to anyone’s work attitude, but because of bandits.”
Jin Feng said, “Yesterday, Brother Tiezi went to the county to deliver goods and ran into bandits at Copper Mountain. They stole our carts, and the remaining hemp in the warehouse is only enough for two or three days. So, I have to pause operations until I negotiate with the bandits. Then we can restart work.”
Hearing this, Tang Dongdong looked up in surprise.
In the afternoon, Jin Feng had said he wouldn’t negotiate with bandits. Why the sudden change?
But Tang Dongdong knew now wasn’t the time to ask, so she suppressed her curiosity, planning to question Jin Feng after the meeting.
“Brother Feng, how long will it take to sort this out?” Third Aunt asked, “Our whole family depends on the factory.”
“You know what bandits are like. I can’t guarantee anything,” Jin Feng said, shaking his head. “This time, the bandits were ruthless. They not only stole our goods but also beat up Brother Tiezi and the others. Huzi’s leg was broken, with the bone exposed. I can’t be sure if we can reach an agreement. Everyone, go home and wait for news. I’ll notify you when we can resume work.”
“These bandits are too vile!” a villager cursed. “Brother Feng, I heard the Copper Mountain bandits aren’t many. Doesn’t Liangzi train dozens of men in the back hills? Why not take them out?”
“Yeah, I heard Liangzi and his men get high wages. Isn’t Brother Feng keeping them to fight bandits? Why aren’t they going now?”
“Probably scared, that’s why!”
“Cowards!”
“Where’s Liangzi? Give us an explanation!”
Many villagers vented their anger on Zhang Liang and the old soldiers maintaining order nearby.
“Quiet!” Jin Feng grabbed a nearby gong and struck it hard several times. “Don’t curse Brother Liang. It’s not that they don’t want to go; I didn’t let them.”
This wasn’t a lie. When Zhang Liang heard about Liu Tie’s robbery, he immediately took the old soldiers to Jin Feng to request a fight, but Jin Feng refused.
“Brother Feng, why not let Liangzi and his men fight the bandits?” Everyone looked at Jin Feng, puzzled.
“Because the Copper Mountain bandits come from Iron Can Mountain!” Jin Feng said slowly, emphasizing each word.
The workers, who were just filled with righteous anger, fell silent instantly.
Fear appeared on many faces.
The Iron Can Mountain bandits had been entrenched in Jinchuan County for years, casting a shadow over the villagers’ hearts.
To them, these bandits were scarier than the authorities.
Bandits didn’t reason.
Every year, when collecting tribute grain, who didn’t tread carefully, barely daring to breathe?
If it were just a small band of thieves, killing them would be fine. But killing Iron Can Mountain’s men would have dire consequences.
Even if the village wasn’t massacred, many would likely die to quell the bandits’ wrath.
Who knew if they’d be among the dead?
“I’ve prepared your wages. Go collect them later, then head home and wait for news,” Jin Feng said, waving his hand as he left the cafeteria.
This time, no one said anything more.
They understood that, despite Xihewan’s bustling appearance, only the textile factory made money. The kiln and construction sites were money sinks.
If the textile factory’s goods couldn’t reach the county, Jin Feng’s funds would dry up, making it impossible to continue operations.
One by one, they went to Tang Dongdong to collect their wages, heads hung low.
Many quietly cursed the Iron Can Mountain bandits under their breath.
“Xiaofeng, how many crossbows have you and Manchun made?” Zhang Liang grabbed Jin Feng as they returned to the courtyard.
He knew Jin Feng and Manchun were crafting crossbows in the iron workshop, but he couldn’t enter, and Manchun wouldn’t tell him anything. Even now, he didn’t know their progress.
Today, the villagers’ taunts had stung, prompting him to ask Jin Feng.
The villagers’ accusations pierced Zhang Liang and the old soldiers’ hearts like needles.
They’d rather die fighting bandits than be mocked by familiar villagers.
Jin Feng glanced at Zhang Liang and the old soldiers, smiling as he answered, “We’ve made sixty new crossbows and nine portable rapid-fire heavy crossbows.”
“So many?” Zhang Liang was stunned. “With all these good weapons, what bandits do we have to fear?”
“Exactly, sir. Give each of us a crossbow. Even in a direct fight, we wouldn’t fear a bunch of bandits!” the other old soldiers said, looking at Jin Feng eagerly. “Our crossbows can kill from a hundred paces. Even if we can’t win, we can retreat and wear them down slowly!”
“You can run, but can Xihewan run? Can Guanjiawan run?” Jin Feng said. “What happens when the bandits come here?”
“Then let’s gather more men!” Tie Niu said. “We have over thirty now, and we can quickly find dozens more. With a hundred or two, all armed with crossbows, we can march to Iron Can Mountain and wipe them out!”
Just as Jin Feng was about to reply, Qing Mulang appeared at the door with Amei, pointing to the study.
“Enough, stop talking. I have a plan. When the time comes, I’ll let you know,” Jin Feng said, waving off the old soldiers as he entered the study.
“Sir, the information you wanted is back,” Qing Mulang said, plopping into a chair without waiting for an invitation.
“Pretty fast,” Jin Feng said, ignoring Qing Mulang and handing Amei a cup of water. “Good work.”
The journey from Xihewan to Jinchuan wasn’t short. Jin Feng had thought Amei wouldn’t return until the next day, so her quick return made him worry she hadn’t gathered thorough information.
“Sir, I wouldn’t dare slack on your orders. I rode hard the whole way,” Amei said, taking the cup with both hands and gulping it down.
Once she sat, Jin Feng asked, “So, is Master Zhou from the Zhou family?”
“Yes,” Amei nodded. “But he’s from a collateral branch. His great-grandfather was a concubine’s son of that generation’s Zhou family head. After that head died, his great-grandfather moved his family from Bianjing to Xichuan. By Master Zhou’s father’s generation, they settled in Jinchuan County, with less and less contact with the Bianjing clan. They only return for major clan events. In Master Zhou’s generation, he hasn’t been to Bianjing in twelve years.”
“A collateral branch?” Jin Feng felt a slight relief.
“Sir, I told you I’d dig up everything about his last three generations. Didn’t lie, did I?” Qing Mulang said with a smug grin.
“Is the information reliable?” Jin Feng asked. “This is very important.”
