Chapter 44: Random Shipping Again
“Your Majesty, I see that Teacher cares quite a bit about you…”
Seizing these three local rogues as guides, not long after, crossing through layers of mountain paths, the Imperial Army successfully found Fufeng Camp.
The camp was built against the mountain, surrounded by a round log palisade on the outside. Higher and sturdier logs were used to build watchtowers on both sides of the camp gate.
The trees were deep and dense, making the inside of the camp indistinct.
The bandit minions in the watchtower sensed danger. Alertly looking around, they saw several birds fly up from the bushes for no reason and felt something was wrong.
Just as the minion was about to jump down from the watchtower to report to the Big Boss, he heard a familiar voice. Looking down, the Second Dragon Head was standing trembling under the watchtower.
“Second Boss!”
Where was the prestige that the dark-red-faced Zhu Wu usually had?
Zhu Wu shouted with a trembling voice, waving at the watchtower, “Why don’t you quickly… open the camp gates! The Imperial Court’s Amnesty Envoy has arrived and wants to see the Big Boss!”
—”What!?”
That single phrase “Imperial Court” was enough to scare hearts into cracking.
Although Fufeng Camp was located in the mountains, they guarded the official road for robbery, so their news was not blocked. Naturally, they knew the Emperor was young but his methods were ruthless—killing people and peeling their skin to make drums was a trick even mountain bandits couldn’t come up with.
Now the Emperor wanted them to surrender. At the end of the mountain road, the Imperial Army was closing in.
The mountain road was narrow, and the queue of soldiers was long; from a distance, their numbers seemed countless.
No wonder the usually brave Second Dragon Head was scared into disarray!
The minion scrambled and crawled into the camp to report. “Big Boss! Big Boss!”
The wretched shouting resonated through the bandit camp, and the minion’s back gradually disappeared.
The front gates of Fufeng Camp opened wide!
Inside the camp, the Big Boss was about forty years old, a wax-faced man with stubble, wearing a broken hat and a tattered sheepskin coat, his face full of wrinkled vicissitudes.
Led by the Big Boss, standing behind him were the Lady of the Fortress, the Second Boss, the Third Boss… and the camp’s minions and cooks, all coming out to await orders.
This Fufeng Camp had quite a few hands.
When the Big Boss stood there, a motley crew of seventy or eighty people gathered behind him, each holding a bizarre assortment of weapons.
Only the Second Boss, just released from the Longwu Army formation, still had his big ring-blade stuck in his waist, but he showed absolutely no intention of using that weapon to fight.
Just now, he had seen Duke Ying, Xie Qianli, and Vice General Lian Qing up close—each and every Qin soldier was mighty and upright.
And the several crossbows that had been aimed directly at him!
The cold star-points of the arrowheads were densely packed…
The Second Dragon Head’s scalp was still tight, and he took half a step back.
His foot happened to step on the Third Dragon Head’s shoe, provoking the young and aggressive Third Dragon Head. “Zhu Wu! You coward, do you still want to be my Second Brother?”
Zhu Wu clearly didn’t intend to maintain his dignity as the Second Brother. At this moment, he recalled the Youlong E (Swimming Dragon Glaive).
Last year, he had followed the Green Ox Army in rebellion and fought the Imperial Army at a place called Shequan.
Shequan had high walls and deep moats; it was easy to defend and hard to attack. It was a rare city that the Green Ox Army could fully control. The even harder part about Shequan was that inside the city, there was an urn city (barbican).
If attackers thought the city was breached and led their troops into Shequan City first, they would fall into this urn city and be attacked by arrows, rolling logs, and stones from the inner city. Like catching a turtle in a jar.
Xie Ji’s vice general, Lian Fuzhang, didn’t know about the inner urn city and led his army charging in. Immediately, the outer gates closed. Surrounded by walls on four sides, flying arrows fell like rain.
Everyone thought they could make dumplings out of Lian Fuzhang.
Unexpectedly, a team broke in from the outside smashing the gate. The outer city gate burst open. The inner city defenders thought more people had come to deliver themselves to death and rejoiced.
But the general leading that rescue squad rode extremely fast. Leading his men, he braved the rain of arrows to rush to the front, first receiving Lian Fuzhang, then turning back toward the outside of the urn city.
The Green Ox Army refused to let them go and sent troops to chase. The pursuing soldiers surrounded them, but those who got close were all flipped to the ground. Approaching meant almost certain death. A blood-stained semi-circle formed around that silver-armored general.
They couldn’t see the face of the general leading the rescue clearly. Only later did they learn that was Xie Ji’s son. That heavy weapon of his was snowy bright all over, heavy in texture. Zhu Wu, in the arrow tower, had a deep impression of it.
That Swimming Dragon Glaive had been right beside his head just now, ready to smash his skull at any moment!
With a clang, Zhu Wu dropped the big ring-blade.
Fear spread rapidly through Fufeng Camp!
The Big Boss looked back, his hands shaking too. The other minions retreated and shivered. The bandits all looked outside the camp—
The Chief Envoy for Amnesty wore crane-patterned official robes, his face like jade, smiling.
Behind this high official was the Longwu Army troops, stretching so long the end couldn’t be seen. The Imperial Army had absolute military suppression.
“We…” The Big Boss’s throat choked, his tone difficult.
The Third Boss couldn’t lose face by surrendering. He shook his blade vigorously, stiffened his neck, and shouted, “We… we can be killed but not humiliated! What the hell are we afraid of him for!”
But the Lady of the Fortress took action, throwing the blade the Third Boss was gripping far away.
Third Boss: “Big Sister!”
“Shut up.”
The Lady of the Fortress was young and smiling. She bowed in greeting, the large red velvet flower at her temple trembling with her movement. She asked with a beautiful smile, “Officers and soldiers, the wind is strong in the mountains. Shall we talk inside the camp?”
Inside Fufeng Camp, Zhongyi Hall (Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness).
“There are seven items and eighteen articles in the amnesty terms. Surrender weapons, dismantle the mountain fortress, disband the troops within the camp. The court offers two paths: one, be incorporated into the army for service; two, open up wasteland and farm on the spot.”
Zhu Zhao discussed the details of the amnesty with the Big Boss and his wife.
Of the couple, the Lady looked like the one in charge, though she appeared more than ten years younger than her husband. She was socially adept, entertaining the amnesty envoys.
The husband asked practical questions. “Lord Chief Envoy, please understand clearly. In recent years, there were rebellions everywhere, and the court taxes increased year by year. My family truly had too many mouths to feed, so I took a few brothers to occupy the mountain and fell into banditry. That was out of absolute helplessness. I wonder how our status will be calculated in the future?”
Ying Xi stood there flipping through Fufeng Camp’s account books.
The accounts weren’t completely clean; they had lives on their hands, but no kidnappings. Mostly robbery of silver followed by immediate release.
Before entering Zhongyi Hall, Ying Xi took the time to observe the composition of Fufeng Camp and found that the bandits’ wives and children were also in the camp. Behind the camp, there should be a few acres of thin fields opened by Fufeng Camp themselves. Bandits and farmers were very much combined.
He is the Emperor; he cannot be black and white, Ying Xi thought.
He must use Fufeng Camp as an entry point to make the various bandit strongholds on the Southern Xiaoshan Road understand clearly, preferably accepting amnesty peacefully. Ying Xi nodded.
Zhu Zhao then said, “Those who join the army will have military status; those who farm will still be registered as good citizens.”
The Big Boss obviously let out a long sigh of relief.
The Big Boss still had concerns, lifting his loose eyelids. “Those ten or so acres of fields behind the camp…”
Zhu Zhao: “Dismantle the camp. The land will be distributed by the court to those willing to stay.”
“Then opening wasteland…”
“It is currently mid-spring. The court will provide basic guarantees. If you are diligent, you can still catch the autumn harvest,” Zhu Zhao answered.
Willing to ask ceaselessly about settlement details, with every sentence about farming—this bunch of mountain bandits was worth reforming. Ying Xi secretly pursed his lips and sighed lightly.
He had been tossing about all day too.
Twilight was approaching dusk. He hadn’t eaten for two meals, and he was a bit dizzy.
The physical weakness finally overshadowed the excitement of being released from the Imperial Palace. Ying Xi’s knuckles turned white, and his brow gradually locked tight.
Fortunately, Zhu Zhao understood his condition very well. Observing that Ying Xi was unwell, he said warmly, “Disciple.”
The unfamiliar address caught Ying Xi’s attention. Ying Xi answered slowly, “I am here.”
“With General Lian Qing accompanying me, you go tell the Firehead Camp to cook tonight. Open a few more tables. This official wants to invite the brothers of Fufeng Camp into the military camp for a visit. Afterward, you go rest first; no need to pick me up,” Zhu Zhao said.
Ying Xi nodded. When he stood up, his body swayed a little.
“Yes, this student retires.”
Ying Xi exited Fufeng Camp’s Zhongyi Hall.
The evening glow was intense. It was clearer in the mountains; the clouds and mountains connected naturally.
His steps were unsteady, followed by a rising sense of panic, and because he thought of Zhu Zhao’s consideration, memories of the past surfaced.
Back then, Zhu Zhao was the only medium through which he could communicate and pass information to the outside world.
He respected his teacher and valued the Dao. He had once trusted Zhu Zhao incomparably. Who knew Zhu Zhao would actually betray him?
Even if a traitor treated him well again, Ying Xi only took it as a disguise. He didn’t care for it.
But recently, the sounds of “Student” and “Teacher” called back and forth made him unable to distinguish between the past and reality.
His emotions were knotted, his throat blocked tight.
Finally, Tian Tong suddenly spoke, pulling his mind back to its original place. [Your Majesty, I see that Teacher cares quite a bit about you. Will you take him into your harem after eliminating Li Yilong?]
“Take him where?”
Tian Tong: [Hehehehe~]
Random shipping again!
Ying Xi was speechless. He went to the campsite to contact the Firehead Camp. Coming out from the place where fires were lit for cooking, the Longwu Army was stewing meat tonight, with flatbread and porridge.
The bandits coming to visit would surely be moved by the Longwu Army’s treatment. Turning over a new leaf to protect the country was surely a better future than harming a region.
When Ying Xi came out, he carried a lingering scent of smoke and fire.
Outside the Firehead Camp, many handcarts were parked. It was said that the cooks set up camp to cook normally, but during wartime marches, they pulled large pots, cooking while running, following the troops to prepare food. When they reached a resting spot, they could eat immediately.
Ying Xi found it rare and looked at them repeatedly. The handles of the handcarts were worn shiny, showing they were not mere decorations. Marching was so difficult.
As an Emperor, if he willingly confined himself to the deep palace, how could he easily see these sufferings of the people?
Ying Xi became even more determined to gain more knowledge.
“Great General!”
“Lord Duke!”
Ying Xi was still looking at the handcart on the ground when the soldiers coming and going behind him issued loud greetings, all saluting solemnly.
Ying Xi looked back. It was Xie Qianli personally inspecting the camp, followed by many officers he didn’t recognize at all.
Xie Qianli was arranging with his subordinate soldiers that when the bandits came to eat, they should squeeze in stories, proclaiming the court’s benefits and encouraging them to join the army on the spot.
The soldiers nodded solemnly, afraid of showing slack before the Duke of Ying. Under the setting sun, these few silver-armored youths gradually approached.
Ying Xi’s heartstrings slowly tightened.
Leave? Not appropriate.
He was not the Emperor right now. Turning his head to leave might cause dissatisfaction among the Longwu Army soldiers.
If he stayed, even if he was the Dishi’s attendant, he must bow to Xie Qianli.
Now that he was away from home, Ying Xi didn’t mind lowering his status.
But in that instant, he thought of a long detail: having known each other for more than ten years, even when trapped in Fanglan Hall, he had actually never bowed to Xie Qianli.
“…”
His heart felt like it was grabbed by an invisible hand and squeezed softly.
Ying Xi pressed his lips tight, feeling very blocked inside.
By this time, Xie Qianli had already walked in front of him. His silver armor was bright as snow. He paused; how could he know Ying Xi appeared in the Firehead Camp?
The two were a few steps apart. Xie Qianli was secretly astonished. The military officers all cast their gazes toward Ying Xi. Ying Xi took an unnoticed breath.
Just as he was about to lower his head to bow, Xie Qianli spoke first, “Hold out your hand. I have a task for you.”
Ying Xi looked up.
His gaze moved from Xie Qianli’s chest to his face. Seeing the other’s solemn tone, he could only extend his left hand. Then his arm suddenly sank.
A whole black falcon pressed onto Ying Xi’s left arm. With Ying Xi holding it, it was inconvenient to bow anymore.
The setting sun disordered the light in Ying Xi’s eyes. His heart felt tight and heavy. The black falcon stood on his forearm, trembling with excitement, feathers fluttering chaotically, making sounds like a pigeon.
“Gu!”
“Gugugu!”
Xie Qianli’s tone was flat. “I wish to send a message to Your Majesty reporting the amnesty situation. Take it down and feed it full.”
The black falcon flapped its wings in ecstasy.
“Gu! Gugugu! Gugugugugu—”
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