In a bandit stronghold, the bandit tasked with surveilling Jin Feng rushed into the boss’s courtyard.
“Boss, Jin Feng has left Xihe Bay.”
“Are you sure?”
The boss put down his steamed bun and looked up.
“I saw it clearly. Not only Jin Feng but also his guard team and ten armoured female soldiers,” the bandit said. “There was also a carriage, likely carrying other women, but I couldn’t see who they were.”
This bandit had been forced by his hunter father to practice archery from a young age. Though his archery skills were poor, his eyesight was exceptional, able to distinguish a rabbit’s gender from a mile or two away.
The boss trusted his report and, after a moment’s thought, asked, “Do you know where they’re going?”
“No idea. Couldn’t find out,” the bandit said, shaking his head. “The villagers in Xihe Bay treat outsiders like thieves. I sent a few beggars, but they couldn’t even enter the village. There are patrols at night, and key areas are guarded day and night. No way to get close.”
“This Jin Feng is cautious.”
The boss knew mountain folk stuck together and could do little about it.
“But I noticed their warhorses were loaded with packs, and the carriage had a lot of luggage, even a big pot. Looks like they’re going far,” the bandit added.
“Twenty guards and a pot?”
The boss’s eyes flickered with thought. “Got it. Go claim your reward.”
“Yes, sir!”
The bandit bowed and backed out.
The boss tapped the table, thinking, then shouted toward the door, “Old Nine, take some men to watch the Xichuan and Guangyuan roads. Find out where Jin Feng is headed.”
He agreed with the bandit’s analysis. A trip to Jinchuan County could be done in a day, so no need for a pot. Jin Feng must be going far.
“Got it.”
The man at the door agreed and ran off.
The Sichuan-Shu region was full of mountains, with few roads leading out. By watching the main roads, they could roughly guess Jin Feng’s destination.
Soon, Old Nine returned.
“Boss, Jin Feng took the Guangyuan road. Probably heading to the county city.”
“A round trip to Guangyuan takes at least four days, maybe longer if they linger…”
The boss slapped the table. “Saddle up. We’re going to the county!”
Half an hour later, the boss and a few trusted men rode into Jinchuan County, heading straight for a residence marked “Zhao Mansion.”
The gatekeeper at Zhao Mansion seemed familiar with the boss, leading them inside without question.
“Old Nie, is the master home?”
The boss handed his reins to a Zhao servant and asked the gatekeeper.
“The master’s at the county office. He hasn’t returned yet,” the gatekeeper replied. “Does the boss have business with him?”
“Urgent business. I can’t go to the county office. Run over there and tell the master, if he’s not busy, to come back,” the boss said, slipping a piece of silver into the gatekeeper’s hand.
The gatekeeper pocketed the silver and smiled. “Wait here, boss. I’ll go to the county office and inform the master.”
The Zhao Mansion was only a few dozen metres from the county office. Soon, a middle-aged man in a county lieutenant’s uniform entered the courtyard.
The county lieutenant’s role was to command the local militia.
The militia was a mix of modern police, reservists, and armed police. Beyond maintaining local order, in times of war, if regular troops were depleted, the militia would join the battlefield to reinforce them.
Without regular troops, the militia was the county’s main armed force.
“Master!”
The boss and his bandits stood up in the front courtyard.
“Old Ghost, didn’t I tell you not to come to the county unless necessary?”
Lieutenant Zhao frowned, displeased. “And riding in so openly, as if you want everyone to know?”
“Sorry, master. It’s urgent. I couldn’t be discreet,” the boss said, clasping his fists.
“What’s the matter?” Lieutenant Zhao asked.
“Jin Feng left Xihe Bay for the county city,” the boss said.
“Oh?” Lieutenant Zhao’s eyes lit up.
“Master, Jin Feng took Xihe Bay’s elite with him. This is the perfect chance to attack Xihe Bay,” the boss said excitedly. “Just give the word, and I’ll rally the men now.”
Lieutenant Zhao stroked his chin, pacing the courtyard silently for a long time.
The boss, knowing he was thinking, waited patiently despite his impatience.
Finally, Lieutenant Zhao stopped.
The boss clenched his fists, certain a decision had been made.
As soon as Lieutenant Zhao gave the order, he’d return to the stronghold and gather men to attack Xihe Bay.
But to his surprise, Lieutenant Zhao shook his head. “We can’t touch Xihe Bay.”
“Why not?” the boss asked urgently. “Master, if we take Xihe Bay, Iron Can Mountain’s territory will be ours!”
“With Jin Feng gone, Xihe Bay will be on high alert. You can’t sneak in quietly,” Lieutenant Zhao said, glancing at him. “With your men, do you think you can storm Xihe Bay?”
The boss’s breath caught, and he shook his head quickly.
He’d once watched Iron Can Mountain’s attack on Xihe Bay from a nearby hill.
That battle was unforgettable.
Hundreds of bandits, swaggering one moment, were smashed to a pulp the next.
Giant crossbow bolts skewered bandits like candied fruit.
Those who remained were trapped by spiked caltrops, unable to move.
The Iron Can Mountain bandits, who had dominated western Jinchuan for years, were crushed without even seeing their attackers.
His own stronghold had fewer than a hundred men. Attacking Xihe Bay was nearly impossible.
That’s why he’d come to Lieutenant Zhao.
“Master, my men alone can’t do it, but if you lend me three hundred troops, I guarantee I can take Xihe Bay,” the boss said through gritted teeth. “If you support me in claiming Iron Can Mountain’s territory, I’ll offer five percent of the annual tribute to you.”
Iron Can Mountain used to give Master Zhou three percent, the standard rate.
The boss’s offer of five percent made Lieutenant Zhao’s heart stir.
“Old Ghost, have you really thought this through? If this goes wrong, it’s your head!”
“I’ve thought it through!” Old Ghost thumped his chest. “Fortune comes from risk. We live by the blade. If my head falls, it’s just a scar!”
“Since you’re set, I’ll give you twenty archers!”
Lieutenant Zhao said.
“Twenty archers?”
Old Ghost’s face darkened. “Master, are you joking? How can twenty archers take Xihe Bay?”
“I’m not giving you archers to attack Xihe Bay. They’re to kill Jin Feng!”
A glint of ferocity flashed in Lieutenant Zhao’s eyes.
