Boom! Boom! Boom!…
The dull sound of drums shattered the morning calm of Tieguan Mountain.
Under the decadence of dandy generals, many Dakang armies had abandoned morning drills.
If regular troops were like this, bandits were even less disciplined.
Even a large-scale bandit group like Tieguan Mountain didn’t train in the morning, typically sleeping until mid-morning.
“Who the hell is that, making a racket so early!”
In a mud-brick house, the small leader Shuanzi glanced at the faint light through the door crack, cursing irritably.
Though he’d been beaten by Jin Feng yesterday, the boss had rewarded him with money and two women. He’d been up half the night, sleeping soundly with one on each side, only to be woken by the drums, thoroughly annoyed.
“Brother Shuanzi, it sounds like the muster drum…”
One of the women, also woken, whispered.
“The… muster drum?!”
Still groggy, Shuanzi felt as if doused with cold water, instantly alert.
He leapt from the bed, pulling on his trousers in a few swift moves, grabbing his shirt and running out without putting it on.
The muster drum was a military tradition. When it sounded, no matter what you were doing, you had to assemble at the training ground immediately.
Anyone not there by the third round of drumming would be executed!
It was akin to an emergency muster whistle in later armies.
But bandits didn’t drum for reaction drills. They only sounded it for major events requiring a full gathering.
When Shuanzi reached the training ground, many bandits were already there.
Like him, many were still pulling on clothes.
Before the third round, halfway through the second, all the bandits had gathered.
Though many were dishevelled, each held their weapon.
Boss Liu Jiang and the second-in-command were satisfied with their speed, nodding repeatedly, confident about the future.
Tieguan Mountain was already the second-largest bandit stronghold in Jinchuan, attracting many vagrants yearly.
In a few years, Liu Jiang was confident they could overtake the top-ranked Heishuigou bandits, becoming Jinchuan’s greatest bandit force ever.
With this confidence, Liu Jiang left a few dozen bandits to guard the stronghold, mounted horses with several leaders, and led hundreds of bandits down the mountain towards Xihewan.
Shortly after they left, a smoke column rose from a ravine a few li from Tieguan Mountain’s entrance.
A second later, another smoke column appeared from a gully over ten li away.
In Xihewan, Jin Feng had just woken when Zhang Liang rushed into the courtyard.
“Xiao Feng, there’s a smoke signal from Yehuling, a black one. It means all the Tieguan Mountain bandits have moved out.”
Zhang Liang said urgently.
On the day the textile factory stopped, Jin Feng had sent veteran hunters to hide in the mountains and monitor Tieguan Mountain.
Without phones, Jin Feng used smoke signals for timely communication.
“So they’ve all moved out. It’ll take them hours to reach Xihewan from Tieguan Mountain. Why the panic, Brother Liang?”
Jin Feng, unperturbed, picked up a specially made willow twig, dabbed it with salt, and mumbled while brushing his teeth, “Is the village entrance ready?”
“It’s ready!” Zhang Liang nodded.
“Then what’s there to worry about? Just wait for them.”
Jin Feng rinsed his mouth and called out, “Brother Liang, eaten yet? Join me for a bite.”
Perhaps infected by Jin Feng’s calm, Zhang Liang’s anxiety faded. He smiled, waving his hand.
“Food’s ready at home. I’ll eat there.”
But after leaving, he headed towards the rear mountain.
Clearly still worried, he planned to arrange the veterans there first.
After Zhang Liang left, Guan Xiaorou, Tang Dongdong, and Runniang emerged from the kitchen.
“Dear, are the bandits coming?”
Guan Xiaorou asked nervously.
Jin Feng and Zhang Liang hadn’t spoken loudly, so the kitchen group hadn’t heard clearly.
“Yes,” Jin Feng nodded. “Probably around noon.”
“What do we do?”
Fear crossed Guan Xiaorou and Runniang’s faces.
Tang Dongdong, as calm as Jin Feng, hugged them both, smiling reassuringly.
“Don’t worry. Since Brother Feng knew the bandits were coming and is so calm, he’s surely prepared.”
“Dear, is that true?”
Guan Xiaorou looked up at Jin Feng.
“Winter’s the smart one.”
Jin Feng smiled and nodded. “The bandits won’t get into the village, but to be safe, after breakfast, veterans will take you and Xiao’e to hide in the rear mountain. You’ll come back when it’s over.”
Though confident in handling the bandits, Jin Feng had planned for Guan Xiaorou and the others to hide in the rear mountain to avoid any mishaps.
Not just them, the villagers would also be notified.
“No, I want to stay with you.”
Guan Xiaorou shook her head.
“I’m not leaving either.”
Runniang added.
“You’ll distract me if you stay.”
Jin Feng ruffled their hair. “Be good.”
“Alright… fine.”
Guan Xiaorou hesitated but nodded.
Runniang blushed and lowered her head.
Seeing this, Tang Dongdong pouted.
“What’s with your mouth, Winter?”
Jin Feng ruffled her hair too. “Get me a bowl of rice. I’ve got work after breakfast.”
Used to this, Tang Dongdong went to the kitchen, bringing out a bowl of white rice porridge and two small dishes.
Runniang had risen an hour early to cook the porridge, thick and soft, just the right temperature.
Paired with crisp, refreshing side dishes, Jin Feng’s appetite surged, downing two bowls.
By now, news of the bandits’ approach had spread, and the village was in chaos.
No one complained about Jin Feng anymore. Villagers grabbed valuables and fled to the rear mountain.
After a hearty breakfast, Jin Feng was about to check outside when Qing Muluan burst into the courtyard.
“Sir, the village says bandits are coming. Is it true?”
Qing Muluan’s eyes sparkled as she asked.
You’d think she was awaiting a lover.
“Yes,” Jin Feng nodded. “Are you ready?”
Many soldiers, like Qing Muluan, got excited before battle, believing themselves invincible, destined for glory.
But the battlefield’s brutality often left them terrified, some even wetting themselves.
Jin Feng worried Qing Muluan was this type.
“I’ve been ready.”
Qing Muluan gripped her black knife’s handle, her voice trembling with excitement.
“Good. Find Brother Liang and hold your position.”
“I won’t let you down, Sir.”
Qing Muluan clasped her fists confidently and ran off.
When the sun reached its peak, Zhang Liang ran to the smelting workshop’s door, informing Jin Feng the bandits were three li away.
“Finally here!”
Jin Feng set down his tools and stretched lazily.
