“Haven’t they found Mr Feng yet?”
In the camp, Jin Feng looked at Zhang Liang.
Compared to more than four thousand bandits, Jin Feng was actually far more worried about Mr Feng.
Bandits were nothing but a disorderly rabble. When profit beckoned, each one charged faster than the last, yet the moment things turned sour, they fled just as quickly.
If they had not trapped Qing Munan this time, Jin Feng would have had countless ways to deal with them.
But Mr Feng’s mind was deep and he was masterful at swaying men’s hearts. This time he had rallied over four thousand bandits; next time he might gather even more.
One can thieve for a thousand days, but one cannot guard against thieves for a thousand days.
Once a man like that set his sights on you, peaceful days were over.
So when coming to Wulang Mountain, Jin Feng’s first objective had been to rescue Qing Munan, his second to eliminate Mr Feng. The bandits themselves were the very last consideration.
Unfortunately, even after the battle ended, there had been no sign of Mr Feng.
“No. I just had someone question the captured bandit chiefs. Mr Feng said two days ago that he had business elsewhere, left Wulang Mountain, and never reappeared.”
Zhang Liang continued, “I reckon he realised the bandits couldn’t beat us and slipped away early.”
“If that’s the case, why didn’t he take the bandits with him?” Da Liu asked. “With several thousand men as a foundation, plus Mr Feng’s skills, he could thrive anywhere he went.”
Qing Shan County lay in the north-west corner of the Western Sichuan Route. A few hundred li north lay the Jingzhao Route, and a few hundred li west was Tubo territory.
Given the current state of Great Kang, even if you beat Captain Xiao to death he would not dare lead troops into Tubo.
“Mr Feng might have abandoned the bandits because they were too conspicuous and would slow his escape. For a man like him, gathering four thousand this time means he can gather four thousand again next time, or more.”
Jin Feng pondered for a moment, then said slowly, “The second possibility is that Mr Feng has some other scheme and deliberately drew our attention to Wulang Mountain…”
Before Jin Feng could finish, Da Liu exclaimed, “This fellow raided Xihe Bay once before. Could he still covet it and have lured us out so he can strike again?”
“If that’s true, it actually saves us trouble.”
Jin Feng smiled.
Before setting out, Zhang Liang had already considered this possibility.
He had not only left sufficient men to defend Xihe Bay but also ordered Zheng Fang to bring another batch of veterans back from Cat Cat Mountain.
By now the fortifications around Xihe Bay were nearly complete. It was practically an iron barrel.
Unless Mr Feng brought another four thousand bandits, success was impossible.
Thanks to the propaganda of the Zhongming Group, almost every commoner in Jinchuan County now knew that reporting bandits to Xihe Bay earned generous rewards. Let alone four thousand men, even forty could not approach undetected.
Having followed Jin Feng for a long time, Da Liu had grown attuned to his moods. One look at Jin Feng’s expression told him the village was prepared.
“That only leaves the first possibility you mentioned, sir. Mr Feng got scared, thought the bandits would slow him down, so he left them here to block us while he escaped alone.”
“We never located Mr Feng in the first place. If he wanted to run, we wouldn’t have noticed anyway, so I think the first possibility is unlikely.”
Zhang Liang said, “I still believe the second is more probable. Mr Feng has some other plan.”
“If he dare not touch Xihe Bay, what else could he be after?” Da Liu asked.
“That we don’t know.”
Zhang Liang shook his head.
“If we don’t know, then we find out!” Jin Feng declared. “Brother Liang, send word to Xiao Yu. Tell her to set everything else aside and hunt for Mr Feng with full effort!”
There were five suppression teams in total. Because the first was led by Qing Munan, Xiao Yu had been most at ease with it and had concentrated her efforts on the other four, remaining mostly in the neighbouring counties.
“Understood. I’ll arrange a messenger straight away,” Zhang Liang nodded.
No sooner had he spoken than the guard outside the tent ushered Xiao Yu in.
The battlefield truly was the best place to train new talent. Though Xiao Yu had only recently taken charge of Zhongming Group Two, she had grown remarkably fast.
Now Jinchuan County was covered with her informants. Not just bandits; even village thugs and ruffians had become much more restrained.
From childhood Xiao Yu had mixed with the village women and understood their minds perfectly.
To those women, bandits were like floods or wild beasts, while local thugs were annoying mosquitoes. They might not kill you, but you met them every day and if you let your guard down they would take advantage.
So when Xiao Yu went out to recruit informants, she had specially told the women in every village that if thugs bullied anyone and there was solid proof, Xihe Bay’s suppression teams would deal with them too.
They might not be treated as bandits and arrested, but a thorough beating was unavoidable.
This was exactly why Xiao Yu’s network had expanded so smoothly.
Among the women of Jinchuan County, Jin Feng was now the most famous, with Xiao Yu, the “Women’s Captain”, a clear second.
Back in the village she had always been quick and energetic; after this period of tempering she had become even more decisive, striding with the bold bearing Qing Munan once had.
“Hey, speak of the… speak of Xiao Yu and Xiao Yu appears.”
Jin Feng laughed. “Xiao Yu, have you learned to hear on the wind? How did you know we wanted you?”
“As soon as I heard what happened at Wulang Mountain, I hurried toward Qing Shan County, hoping to supply some intelligence. Looks like it wasn’t needed.”
Xiao Yu immediately began self-criticism. “I’m sorry, sir. I failed in my duties. Not only did I not find Mr Feng, I didn’t even discover he had gathered so many bandits. Please punish me!”
“You certainly have many failings this time. We will decide the punishment when we return. Brother Liang and I will follow the bureau’s regulations.”
Jin Feng was pleased with her attitude but had no intention of letting her off.
A mistake was a mistake. If no punishment followed, who would take rules seriously in future? Why have rules at all?
“Yes, sir!” Xiao Yu did not argue. She lowered her head obediently.
“Punishment can wait until we’re home. Right now, find Mr Feng for me as quickly as possible!”
The thought of being targeted by a man like Mr Feng made Jin Feng feel as though a cold, slippery viper were crawling up his back. He could not feel at ease.
“I already made arrangements on my way here.”
Xiao Yu said, “Right now, in the surrounding counties and the prefectural city, the chamber of commerce clerks, Zhenyuan escorts, and all my informants are searching for him.”
“Well done.”
Jin Feng nodded with satisfaction.
Xiao Yu was born for intelligence work. Now she no longer needed instructions; she knew exactly what to do.
And Zhang Liang had also displayed impressive military talent this time, which delighted Jin Feng greatly.
Thinking of this, Jin Feng could not help glancing outside.
Qing Munan had taken this setback hard. She had been back for ages, yet she still sat on a rock with her head bowed, lost in thought.
