The village entrance of Xihewan had an open area, the threshing ground, where villagers held meetings.
Before the textile factory was established, at mealtimes, half the village would gather here, bowls in hand, deliberately showing off the few oil spots in their food while bragging.
Even outside meeting times or meals, children would play wildly here.
But now, the threshing ground lacked its usual liveliness, appearing desolate.
Not just here, the entire Xihewan village was eerily silent, like a ghost village from a film, without a single sound.
Only a lone wooden chair stood at the edge of the threshing ground.
Jin Feng, with Zhang Liang, walked out from the village and calmly sat on the chair.
Zhang Liang, holding a black knife, stood silently behind him.
Moments later, a jumble of footsteps sounded.
Hadn’t Zhang Liang said the bandits were still three li away?
How could they arrive so quickly?
Jin Feng frowned slightly, sharpening his ears.
Then he suddenly turned, looking back at the village.
Liu Tie appeared from a side path, holding a chopper.
Then came Li Mazi, Zhang Guzi…
One by one, men emerged from the corner.
Their weapons were varied: choppers, sickles, pitchforks, even a few with wooden sticks.
Except for the injured Hu Zi, still in the county, and his caretaker, the entire escort team was present.
They didn’t know Jin Feng’s plans or strength, yet they came, clearly resolved to stand with him against the bandits.
This surprised Jin Feng greatly.
The veterans hadn’t started formal escort duties, still training, while Liu Tie, Zhang Guzi, and others handled cargo escorts.
Knowing the dangers, Jin Feng paid them wages and bonuses nearly matching the veterans’.
Mountain folk were simple and straightforward.
Perhaps to Liu Tie and others, Jin Feng’s high pay meant he’d bought their loyalty.
Their presence, though unexpected, made sense to Jin Feng.
But what puzzled him was that after the escort team, the village head arrived with men from the brick kiln and construction sites.
Their daily wages were only two or three copper coins, comparable to city rates.
Why had they come?
And it didn’t end there. After the village head, Guanjiawan’s old clan leader arrived with a group of men.
Following him was Jin Feng’s brother-in-law, Guan Zhuzi.
Guan Zhuzi, holding a chopper, looked nervous, giving Jin Feng a shy smile before ducking behind the clan leader.
“Uncle Liu, Third Grandpa, why are you here?”
Jin Feng stood slowly, his expression complex.
“We’ve all taken your wages. It’s not right to hide when bandits come, leaving you to face them alone.”
The old village head said, “I’m old, but I can at least add to your numbers.”
Hearing this, Jin Feng’s face reddened.
Not from excitement, but from shame.
Though he’d improved the village’s life, the villagers had also created value, helping him earn money.
His plan was to test if anyone would betray him for survival or gain, informing the bandits about his recruitment of veterans or Qing Muluan’s arrival.
Tieguan Mountain’s bandits, having grown to their current scale and allied with Master Zhou, weren’t led by a reckless fool. If they knew Jin Feng was training veterans, they’d investigate before acting.
Yet yesterday’s provocation and today’s show of force with a large troop suggested no one had tipped them off.
Jin Feng was already very satisfied with this outcome.
From start to finish, he hadn’t expected villagers to stand with him against the bandits.
Yet some did.
Though not all the men came, about half did.
Jin Feng even spotted Xiao Yu hiding in the crowd.
“Thank you, everyone!”
Jin Feng bowed to the crowd, reminding them, “Don’t worry. The bandits know my connection to Lord Qing and won’t harm me. They’re just here to scare me. When they arrive, stand aside and watch. Don’t act rashly.”
Liu Tie and the others’ presence moved Jin Feng but disrupted his plan.
He worried someone might act impulsively, causing unnecessary losses.
“Oh, right, Lord Qing!”
The two village heads remembered Qing Huai.
Knowing the bandits wouldn’t harm Jin Feng, they sighed in relief, motioning the villagers to step back.
“Brother Liang, where are the men you run with? Hiding somewhere to ambush the bandits?”
Liu Tie sidled up to Zhang Liang, asking.
Other men looked at Zhang Liang curiously.
But Zhang Liang didn’t answer, as if he hadn’t heard.
Even now, no one could guarantee everyone was trustworthy.
If he revealed the battle plan and someone defected when the bandits arrived, the consequences would be dire.
Liu Tie rubbed his nose, embarrassed.
Fortunately, the bandits didn’t let his embarrassment linger. They rounded the mountain’s base in droves, approaching menacingly.
Hundreds of bandits didn’t sound like much, but stretched along the mountain path for dozens of metres, each wielding a long knife with fierce expressions, they looked formidable.
Usually, only a few dozen bandits came to collect tributes, but this was nearly their full force, far grander than usual.
Villagers, earlier full of zeal, now trembled, regretting their impulsiveness.
Wasn’t hiding in the rear mountain safer? Why play the hero?
But it was too late to retreat, so they edged backward.
Jin Feng noticed but said nothing, sitting back down, focusing on the approaching bandits.
“Big Brother, Shuanzi said Xihewan might have sharpshooters. Wait before going over, in case they ambush you.”
The second-in-command spurred his horse to catch up with the boss. “I’ll talk to Jin Feng first.”
“Sharpshooters? At best, a few hunters who can shoot. We’ve brought hundreds of men. How many can a few hunters kill?”
The boss scoffed. “Don’t worry. Even with ten times the guts, Jin Feng wouldn’t dare touch me!”
The second-in-command agreed and didn’t press further.
The group entered the threshing ground, and the boss waved, halting the bandits.
“Hyah!”
The boss rode up to Jin Feng, looking down. “You’re Jin Feng?”
