“Fetch Mr Feng?”
Master Peng and Master Zhu exchanged glances, instantly grasping County Lieutenant Zhao’s intent.
Mr Feng was Master Peng’s specialist for dirty work, the black glove who had orchestrated all prior actions against the bandit suppression teams.
Why Zhao wanted him now was obvious.
“My lord, did you not say we must not touch Jin Feng?”
Master Zhu asked.
“Who said we would touch Jin Feng?”
Zhao shot Zhu a look, “I hear the chief of Dengtai Mountain and the chief of Heixiong Ridge are sworn brothers. The suppression team wiped out Dengtai Mountain, so Heixiong Ridge seeks revenge. What has that to do with us?”
With years in office, Zhao habitually prepared multiple contingencies. Though he had rejected Zhu’s morning suggestion to eliminate Jin Feng, he had pondered all morning.
If Jin Feng accepted talks, perfect.
If not, he needed fallback options.
Mr Feng was one such fallback.
“How wise you are, my lord!”
Peng and Zhu’s eyes lit up.
Indeed, if bandits killed Jin Feng in revenge, even Qing Huai’s return could not trace it to them.
With Jin Feng dead, Xihe Bay would fall into chaos, and the bandit siege would collapse of its own.
Mr Feng arrived promptly, and the group huddled in the room plotting for over half an hour.
“This concerns all our lives and fortunes. Tell your men to act carefully.”
Zhao cautioned.
“Rest assured, my lord. I will involve more people. No traces will remain.”
Mr Feng said confidently.
Unaware of the scheming next door, Jin Feng was discussing military strategy with Qing Mulian.
With guards rotating meals, Jin Feng did not leave the Wei Family Restaurant until three quarters past noon.
“Sir, the manager says County Lieutenant Zhao has settled our bill.”
Old Hei, temporarily leading the guards, reported.
“Fine then. Let us head back.”
Jin Feng said casually.
“Sir, it is already past noon. The carriage is slow. By the time we reach Xihe Bay, it will be dark.”
Old Hei reminded, “With the suppression teams active, many bandits bear us ill will lately. Why not return tomorrow?”
“The county seat is hardly safe either. Let us go.”
Jin Feng said helplessly.
The lieutenant likely wanted him dead. Staying overnight on his turf was riskier than travelling by night.
Lately, suppression teams remained active, scattering small bandit groups into hiding, especially along the Xihe Bay route, making encounters unlikely.
Even if met, Jinchuan’s largest bandit forces were besieged by him. With his and Qing Mulian’s guards exceeding twenty, small groups posed no threat.
Seeing Jin Feng’s insistence, Old Hei said no more and arranged the departure.
…
In dense mountain forest, two hunters, one tall, one short, struggled onward.
“Old Tang, what path did you pick? It is brutal.”
The tall hunter complained, hacking thorns with his machete.
“This route was not so bad before. Heavy rains this year made vines rampant.”
The short hunter said, “Stop grumbling. Over this peak lies the official road.”
“Hunting is too harsh. Once Mr Jin wipes out Heishuigou, I return to farming. Never up these mountains again.” the tall one said.
“Rest easy. It will not be long. Mr Jin has Heishuigou surrounded. Once he frees hands, he will crush them.”
The short hunter said firmly.
“Hope so.”
Chatting idly, they crested the peak.
The tall one raised his machete to clear, but the short yanked him back.
“Shh, people ahead!”
The short pointed downhill.
Following his finger, the tall saw a group hidden behind shrubs at the mountain base.
“Damned bandits again,” the tall muttered, “Xihe Bay patrols the official road daily. They still dare show?”
“They will not jump much longer. Once Mr Jin is free, he will deal with them!”
The short hunter asked, “Retreat or wait here?”
“We trudged so far. Retreating means another hour plus. Let us wait.”
The tall said, “Besides, a show might come. Wonder who is unlucky this time.”
The short, weary too, sat down.
Soon, another bandit group appeared on the official road.
“Are we witnessing a turf war?”
The tall said excitedly.
“Possible. With the three main lairs besieged by Mr Jin, these small fry see opportunity.”
The short craned to watch.
“Dog eat dog. Best if they kill each other off.”
The tall rubbed hands eagerly, “If they fight near exhaustion, then suppression teams arrive, pot them all.”
“Quiet, and crouch lower. What if bandits spot us?”
The short kicked the tall’s leg.
“Spot us? They cannot chase through forest.”
The tall shrugged, “Come see. Another group approaches.”
Bandit clashes were rare sights. The short stood too.
Unexpectedly, the groups did not fight but merged, hiding behind shrubs.
“Not turf then!” the tall said disappointed.
Then yet another group joined.
Over one hundred and fifty bandits now gathered at the base.
“Good heavens, three groups. They await big prey!”
The tall grew excited again, “Old Tang, look. They fell trees to block… Hey, cavalry approaches. Their target?”
The short looked. Miles away on the winding mountain road, a mounted team advanced.
A carriage sat amid them.
“No, it is Mr Jin!”
The short’s face paled.
“What? Bandits robbing Mr Jin?!”
The tall’s excitement turned to shock and fury, “Old Tang, you sure?”
“I hunted boar near Xihe Bay, saw this carriage. Besides Mr Jin, who in Jinchuan fields warhorses for a mounted team?”
The short rose hurriedly, “I must warn Mr Jin!”
“He is nearly here. Dodging bandits, we cannot make it.”
The tall grabbed him.
