Chapter 43: Little Xie Spreads His Tail
“Wuwuwu, the new skin is handsomely layered, big wolf dog…”
The next morning, the three armies assembled.
The spring light shone brightly on the white robes and silver armor of the Longwu Army. The ranks were magnificent to behold, filled everywhere with the piercing glare reflecting off armor plates.
Since the Emperor claimed illness and did not come to see them off, the Chief Eunuch of Weiyang Palace, Yujing, was sent to proclaim the decree on his behalf. The Chief and Deputy Envoys received the decree, and the Amnesty Mission departed immediately.
The winding procession kicked up a layer of flying dust on the road.
The Deputy Envoy rode a horse; the Chief Envoy rode in a carriage.
Between the warhorse and the carriage, there was a distance that was neither too far nor too close.
But that distance had been deliberately adjusted. If they went at the speed of the Longwu Army’s forced march, the carriage would absolutely not be able to keep up.
Lian Qing looked like he wanted to say something but stopped.
“We are displaying the Imperial Court’s majesty; there is no need for hurried behavior,” Xie Qianli said.
“N-no, General…” Lian Qing’s pupils reflected a snowy brilliance. What left him dumbstruck was the Yingguo Gong’s armor.
Emperor Yuantai had pre-ordered adult-sized battle armor for Xie Qianli, exceeding his actual age at the time.
That suit of silver armor featured vivid beast-head shoulder guards and heavy plating with patterns like relief sculptures. The polishing was superb; both the material and practical value were the peak of Great Qin. Because the cost was so high, it couldn’t even be promoted among the military high command.
Lian Qing vaguely felt something was wrong but couldn’t quite say what.
When he saw that the snow-white warhorse had been swapped with a brand-new, shiny set of tack, the strange feeling almost burst through the top of his head.
Grandpa Falcon was staring strictly at Lian Qing.
Lian Qing said with a trembling voice, “Yesterday, the General asked this subordinate to prepare carriage cushions.”
“Mm, not needed for now,” Xie Qianli answered.
“Your Maj—” Lian Qing hurriedly lowered his voice, “That person is riding with Mister Zhu, acting as Mister Zhu’s attendant. His food and lodging are exactly the same as the Dishi, so there is no need for the General to take special care.”
Xie Qianli pursed his lips.
Lian Qing: “Teacher and student can still talk in the carriage cabin. It’s much better than coming down to get stained with dust or listening to our vulgar language.”
Xie Qianli picked up the reins. The silver helmet pressed down on his momentarily furrowed brows. A cold, bright silver glow pierced into Lian Qing’s head, and Lian Qing fell silent.
The strong wind made the willow trees along the official road rustle loudly; the wheat seedlings had grown to calf height.
Xie Qianli rode his horse to the carriage window. Through the window:
“The people’s lives are bitter. To make a living, commoners have given birth to various trades.”
“There are bandits in the mountains, so the civilian world hires escort agencies to deal with them. Some protect goods, some protect people. The forms of escorting also differ.”
“For example, the Mighty Escort: the flag bearers shout the agency’s slogan loud and clear. The escorts are formidable figures, and the wilderness bandits let them pass out of fear.”
“There is also the Benevolent Escort: the escort flag is lowered halfway, lowering their own status, hoping the passing bandit strongholds will give them face. And there are Silent Escorts: showing no flag and shouting no slogans, passing through the road quickly and urgently.”
“Xiansheng, drink tea.”
“Many thanks.”
The pearl-like voice inside the carriage paused. The teacher and student were getting along harmoniously.
Mister Zhu was learned and elegant, and Ying Xi was diligent and eager to learn. Compared to the travel-worn state outside, the inside of the carriage was a school of cool refreshment.
Xie Qianli’s gaze fixed on the silhouette in the carriage window.
That window suddenly opened.
He felt a moment of panic, his heart skipping a few beats, and hurriedly bowed his head and cupped his hands on horseback. “Xiansheng.” He had to hide Ying Xi’s identity from the outside and could not address him casually.
Raising his eyes, he saw two people and a table inside the carriage, with ordinary tea and melon seeds—plain and unadorned.
Xie Qianli reported, “We have left the range of Chang’an City. Scouts report that bandit strongholds have appeared nearby; the bandits are right in the mountains.”
The light from the armor plates shone into the snowy brightness of the carriage.
Ying Xi lifted the curtain and was dazzled by this stream of light. His gaze swept over Xie Qianli’s entire body, lingering for a moment on his heroic, cold face.
[Wuwuwu, the new skin is handsomely layered, big wolf dog~]
[Looking at him more is good for my eyes!!!]
Ying Xi gently rubbed his temple and looked at Zhu Zhao. “Dishi, tell me, what kind of escort are we on this trip?”
Zhu Zhao sipped tea in thought, his crane-patterned court robes glowing with a lustrous sheen. He set down the teacup and said, “The ranks are orderly, the flags are distinct, and with the Duke of Ying leading the army to hold the fort, it is naturally a Mighty Escort.”
Ying Xi smiled. “Those mountain bandits will surely be awed. How could we find any trace of them?”
The Emperor was good at applying what he learned.
There was a terrifying quality in the details; Zhu Zhao was both gratified and fearful.
Zhu Zhao then arranged, “The troops will stop advancing for now. This official will personally lead a team disguised as traveling merchants to lure the mountain bandits out.”
Xie Qianli: “Yes.”
“I will go with Xiansheng,” Ying Xi said.
The Emperor’s command was beyond doubt; no one dared to stop him.
Moreover, Ying Xi hadn’t treated himself as a special person from the start of this trip. Only four people knew of his existence.
If the Dishi used himself as bait to lure the enemy while the attendant sat safely in the carriage, that would be truly strange and would attract attention instead.
The army halted.
The bait carriage drove over, carrying Zhu Zhao and Ying Xi. Two slightly thinner soldiers selected from the Longwu Army drove the carriage; it carried no cargo.
This carriage was the very one Lian Qing had prepared yesterday. Inside were soft seats, books stored under the seat boards, and cooling balm to refresh the mind and prevent motion sickness.
But Ying Xi didn’t notice these thoughtful touches.
Everyone’s attention was focused on both sides of the mountain road. The carriage moved neither fast nor slow.
Ying Xi closed his eyes, his ten fingers interlocked on his lap. In his past life, he had seen Xiongnu cavalry before he died, but he had indeed never seen bandits blocking the road.
Would those people…
“This mountain was opened by me, this tree was planted by me.”
“If you want to pass through here, leave behind money for the road!”
Just like in the storybooks?
The Emperor’s eyelashes trembled slightly, and he raised a cold, cruel smile.
Suddenly, the carriage stopped. The steed let out a long neigh, and Ying Xi opened his eyes.
Outside the carriage stood three burly men dressed in coarse cotton robes, unkempt and rough. The man in the middle had dark red skin and held a large ring-blade sword. The blade was spotted with rust, the tip stained with dark red blood that had dried long ago. His face was knotted with muscle, revealing a fierce look. The other two held hoes.
If he guessed correctly, the one holding the blade was the leader.
The two soldiers were ready to strike.
Zhu Zhao coughed lightly to stop them; this trip wasn’t just about fighting.
Zhu Zhao unhurriedly stood up and stepped outside the carriage. He wasn’t scared by this scene at all.
The dark-red-faced fellow vaguely sensed that the other party was no ordinary person and spoke in a gruff voice, “Brothers rely on the mountain to eat from the mountain. The times are hard, and money is tight. We’re borrowing a few coins from friends to spend. The road is long and the waters far; if fate allows, we will meet again to repay you.”
Zhu Zhao smiled. “Easily said.”
Today Zhu Zhao was dressed as a traveling merchant. After speaking, he took silver from his sleeve and threw it out.
The silver drew a streak of light into the bandit’s hand. The eyes of the two bandits lit up. The black-red-faced man in the middle clearly showed greed. He shook the back of his large ring-blade, the metal rings clattering loudly. “Is there any more silver! People on the cart get down! Bring out everything valuable inside!”
Two minions approached the carriage, preparing to search it. The Emperor was inside.
The soldier disguised as a driver was displeased and immediately threw the minion several feet away. Screams of “Aiyo, aiyo” came from the grass. “Brother Zhu Wu!!!”
Hearing this, the dark-red-faced man exploded in rage, raising his blade to chop. “Do you not want your damn life?”
Fortunately, Zhu Zhao remained emotionally stable and immediately ordered the driver to apologize.
Ying Xi opened the carriage door. Together with the other driver, they wrapped soft goods and other items in a blanket and threw them in front of the bandits. Only then did the few bandits stop their movements.
Zhu Zhao smiled politely, his expression one of making peace to generate wealth. “I am traveling from Luoyang to Chang’an to buy goods, doing a large bulk trade. I have already prepaid the silver, so I don’t have much money left on me. I hope the brothers will make it convenient for us; I would be endlessly grateful.”
The silver ingots thrown out, plus the valuables in the carriage, amounted to about ten taels. They had encountered a fat sheep this trip.
The dark-red-faced man, Zhu Wu, lifted his large ring-blade and kept a stern face, gesturing viciously in front of Zhu Zhao a few times. Seeing Zhu Zhao remain unmoved, he finally took a few steps back. The two minions picked up the valuables, and then they made way on the official road.
“Get lost, quick!”
In that instant, Zhu Zhao and Ying Xi exchanged a glance, evaluating the bandits before them: using both weapons and farm tools, they were likely a combination of rebel soldiers and refugees. They sought wealth but did not take lives, nor did they keep hostages for ransom. Although the nature of their act was vile, they did not belong to the most vicious group of mountain bandits or roving rogues.
Ying Xi nodded slightly.
Zhu Zhao then said, “Wait a moment.”
The few bandits were astonished; naturally, they had never seen a traveler who hesitated to leave after being let go.
The dark-red-faced strongman held his blade horizontally. “Cut the crap!”
Zhu Zhao said, “My shipment of stone materials departs from the Imperial Capital the day after tomorrow and cannot bypass the heroes’ territory. Rather than having my partners live in fear, or offending the brothers and hurting our harmony, it would be better to say hello in advance. They will offer some tribute, and you leave a path of life for my caravan.”
What normal merchant would inform bandits of their itinerary in advance?
Zhu Wu and the others couldn’t hide their surprise.
But hearing that this caravan was transporting stones—bulky materials that made changing routes extremely inconvenient—they could understand, and even felt this merchant was sensible.
Black-red-faced Zhu Wu said gruffly, “We men don’t change our names or surnames. Second Dragon Head of Fufeng Camp, Big Ring-Blade Zhu Wu.”
Tian Tong snorted with laughter: [The Second Dragon Head personally handling business? Seems the scale of operations isn’t large.]
Ying Xi observed quietly, listening carefully, not missing any opportunity to experience the myriad states of the common people. The Emperor’s appearance and figure had been disguised so as not to give the bandits other ideas. Ying Xi clasped his hands behind his back.
The Dishi taught by personal example, continuing to smile fully.
Zhu Zhao couldn’t fake a merchant’s vulgar air, but he looked rich and cultured, praising Zhu Wu to the skies: “So it is Fifth Master of Fufeng Camp, long looked forward to, long looked forward to. Today I’ve fought and become acquainted with Fifth Master Zhu. You have an extraordinary appearance and awe-inspiring presence; I sincerely wish to make friends with you.”
Zhu Wu had once been a squad leader in the rebel army, a low military rank. Later, he fell into banditry and completely became a thug, receiving respect from no one.
Zhu Wu’s dark red face glowed with radiance.
Zhu Zhao acted as if he was hurriedly confessing, but in reality, he fabricated the scale of the shipment on the spot, the physical characteristics of the lead partner, and the types of stone materials being sent: blue-white stone is hard, white marble is fine, tea garden stone is easy to carve, Shoushan stone is rich in color, Taihu stone has various shapes…
Just relying on the various stones Zhu Zhao spoke of with such authority, anyone listening would think he was indeed an insider.
But in fact, Zhu Zhao was simply extremely knowledgeable.
The Dishi had a broad memory, especially skilled in natural history, and played the role of a great merchant incomparably well.
Ying Xi listened with relish, inevitably feeling once again that he had employed the right person.
Zhu Wu now completely believed Boss Zhu’s identity.
Zhu Zhao timely offered terms: “If we cooperate with the brothers of Fufeng Camp in the future, looking after this newly opened trade route… it is rare to have such a destiny with the Second Dragon Head.”
Zhu Wu thought he could negotiate a long-term big deal. The merchant meant to pay protection fees, and in the future, Fufeng Camp would send people to escort them along the way.
The light on Zhu Wu’s face grew even brighter. Suppressing his immense joy, he slanted the large ring-blade into his belt, his voice loud and clear: “There are sixteen camps, big and small, on this Southern Xiaoshan Road. Our Fufeng Camp puts righteousness first; we can speak effectively with all the camps. Today you have the intent to make friends, consider it your lucky break.”
The two minions behind him nodded in support.
Zhu Zhao extracted key intelligence and struck while the iron was hot to probe further. Zhu Wu was indeed not shrewd, so he asked about all the bandit strongholds on the Southern Xiaoshan Road: Black Cloud Camp is desolate, White Dragon Camp is mighty, Blue Ox Camp is the most cruel and tyrannical, Peach Blossom Camp is all female bandits…
Having asked enough, Ying Xi also grew tired of listening and shook his head slightly with his hands behind his back.
Under the signal of his gaze, Zhu Zhao naturally closed the topic, a gleam of ‘the situation is under control’ flashing across his amber eyes.
Zhu Zhao took out an object proving his identity from his sleeve. “Since that is the case, I must trouble the Second Dragon Head to take this calling card of mine, report to the Chief of Fufeng Camp that I wish to visit and communicate cooperation with the Camp Lord.”
Zhu Zhao’s expression turned cold, and Zhu Wu vaguely sensed something was wrong.
The two soldiers guarded the Monarch and his teacher on the left and right. Although dressed as drivers, their faces revealed a sharp light, and muscles tensed under their clothes.
Zhu Wu’s Adam’s apple bobbed. A layer of panic floated onto his dark red face as he sensed the danger even more.
He looked down at the calling card. It was a small silver plaque with engraved characters, adorned with thick tassels.
Zhu Wu was illiterate, his expression confused. “This—”
Fortunately, one of the minions could read. He leaned in to read the front of the silver plaque, stammering, “Great Qin… by Imperial Decree… Amnesty Envoy. Rank 1a… Zhu, Zhu, Zhao. Soothing the people and stabilizing the state, settling chaos and promoting peace.”
Rank 1a!
Amnesty Envoy?
Just the official rank and duty were enough to scare the thieves half to death, and Zhu Zhao hadn’t even taken out his other identity: the Emperor of Great Qin’s Dishi.
The three bandits hurriedly turned to run.
Suddenly, a black shadow pressed down from overhead. A majestic eagle screeched in the vast sky. The falcon spread its wings and circled, trapping the mountain bandits within its gliding range. The raptor’s beak was sharp, its claws like hooks.
The eagle’s cry reflected off the mountain walls, echoing endlessly.
The bandits were already scared legless. Falling to sit and looking back, light infantry gradually approached, setting up crossbows everywhere!
It turned out the entire mountain road had been surrounded by the Longwu Army. Where were the partners transporting stone materials? There were only flags blotting out the sky and soldiers with armor shining like snow.
The Duke of Ying pulled his reins and approached. The sound of horse hooves was like a knock on the soul. From the ground looking up, the mountain bandits tremblingly saw the cold, hard contour of his jawbone.
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