In the next two days, four more small bandit groups were wiped out by the Xihe Bay suppression teams.
But the suppression teams also suffered casualties.
Under the arrangement of the mastermind hiring the bandits, a trap was set for the team led by Dazhuang. While the suppression team fought one group of bandits, another group charged from behind.
The suppression team’s battle formation had veterans in front, female soldiers behind, using crossbows to cover the veterans.
Enemies suddenly appearing from the rear panicked most of the new female soldiers.
Even though Dazhuang changed formation immediately, four female soldiers were still killed, and two male soldiers too.
Dazhuang was utterly enraged, leading the veterans into close-quarters blade combat with the bandits.
In fighting spirit and coordination, the bandits were no match for the veterans. After nearly half an hour of desperate struggle, the suppression team finally routed them.
But the losses were heavy.
Only two female soldiers survived. Of twenty male soldiers, twelve remained, all injured.
The only surprise was the seemingly frail female medic Xiao Wei survived and even helped the veteran in front of her kill two wounded bandits.
With such a major incident, continuing suppression was impossible. Even returning alive was uncertain.
Only one female soldier and the medic could move freely.
Five or six badly injured veterans could not walk.
Luckily, Xiao Qingzi, who escaped on horseback, met another suppression team nearby, preventing total collapse.
This was the greatest loss since the veterans were formed.
Managing veterans militarily meant rewards and penalties.
Jin Feng rewarded the brave veterans and female soldiers. Families of the fallen received pensions.
But for the captain Dazhuang, who underestimated the enemy, Jin Feng was strict. He removed him from duty and noted twenty military lashes in the ledger, to be publicly administered after recovery.
The day Dazhuang’s team withdrew, the suppression teams recalled by Zhang Liang also returned to Xihe Bay one after another.
After nightfall, carts quietly left Xihe Bay under moonlight.
Meanwhile, at the Wei family restaurant in Jinchuan county seat.
Same private room, same county lieutenant Zhao and two gentry.
All three were flushed from drink.
They were overjoyed today.
Suppressed by Jin Feng for so long, they finally turned the tables and struck back.
“Old Peng, your method is truly brilliant!”
Master Zhu thumbs-upped, reeking of alcohol. “The suppression teams were arrogant, right? Today we wiped one out. Jin Feng scared like a stray dog, hastily recalled most of them. So satisfying.”
“Hahaha!”
Master Peng laughed heartily.
“Don’t celebrate too soon. Jin Feng’s teams aren’t fully withdrawn yet. Rejoice when they are.”
Lieutenant Zhao remained somewhat sober.
“Sir, rest assured. Tomorrow I’ll gather two more bandit groups, wipe another so-called suppression team. I don’t believe Jin Feng can hold out!”
Master Peng smiled. “I hear Jin Feng promised pensions for dead veterans, not low either. Let’s kill more this time, see if he can afford it!”
“Jin Feng is cunning. After today’s loss, he’ll learn. Better quit while ahead, lest you fail and lose more.”
Lieutenant Zhao warned.
“Each suppression team is just thirty-one, including eleven women.
Small bandits abound in Jinchuan. If we spend enough, hire more each time, promise more silver, destroying them is easy.”
Master Zhu said, “If Jin Feng fears deaths, he’ll withdraw everyone, stay quietly in Xihe Bay!”
“Wait… Old Zhu, that gives me another idea!”
Master Peng said, “Why not bounty the suppression team veterans’ heads? Two liang silver per female soldier, four per male, ten for a small captain. No need to hire. Bandits will kill them themselves!”
“Old Peng, great idea! If the bounty is high, not just bandits, maybe even those lowly folk will act!”
Lieutenant Zhao rarely praised Master Peng. “Jin Feng wants to buy hearts? If he finds commoners killing his men, will he still recruit them?”
“Yes, Sir analyses deeply. Old Peng’s plan kills two birds!”
Old Zhu flattered both. “I’ll arrange it tomorrow!”
The three praised each other, drinking until midnight, then helped by maids to guest rooms.
…
Black Water Gully was Jinchuan’s largest bandit group, over a thousand strong, entrenched north of the county. They collected annual grain, occupied two official roads, set checkpoints, charged merchants tolls.
Annual tolls exceeded grain collections.
With this silver, they recruited more, expanded territory, becoming Jinchuan’s biggest tumour.
People hated them deeply but were helpless.
But today, someone finally acted against this tumour.
Setting out at dark, travelling all night, Zhang Liang arrived outside Black Water Gully before dawn.
Black Water Gully was a valley, named for a black stream running through it.
From above, it looked like a boat sharp at both ends, bulging in the middle, flanked by high, steep cliffs narrowing rapidly at north and south.
The bandits built small gate towers at both ends. Guarding these kept them safe.
But as Zhang Liang said, this was their strength and weakness.
If both ends were locked, the bandits were fish in a barrel, unable to escape.
But this had never happened. They never believed anyone would dare.
So when Zhang Liang arrived, south gate guards were lax. He set up catapults and heavy crossbows on high ground. Bandits noticed nothing, still sleeping against the tower.
But Zhang Liang’s goal was not a few guards, so no immediate attack. He waited silently.
After over half an hour, a faint whistle came from the north.
“That oaf Tie Niu finally reached the north gate!”
Zhang Liang stood, signalling behind.
A signal arrow whistled skyward.
The guarding bandits woke to the arrow, peering from tower doors.
Next second, arrows whistled in, hitting all exposed faces.
“Bad news, someone is storming the gate!”
Surviving bandits ignored the tower, shouting as they rushed into the valley.
