Chapter Forty-Two: Has Someone Rebelled?

Page 1/3

“Second Brother.”

Inside the residence of Chief Li, Skinny Monkey Li Zheng placed a freshly copied list in front of Li Yun and spoke, “This is the list from the merchants of Qingyang, delivered today. These are roughly the goods scheduled to be transported into Qingyang in the next few days.”

He paused, then said in a low voice, “Second Brother, now that we’ve taken over, and no one is robbing them anymore, isn’t it…”

Skinny Monkey glanced around and whispered, “Isn’t it a bit too suspicious?”

Li Yun set aside the Essentials of National History in his hand, glanced up at Li Zheng, and smiled. “You rascal, when did you become so timid?”

“Second Brother, it’s not that I’m timid,” Li Zheng replied, sitting opposite Li Yun and lowering his voice. “It’s just that this looks a little too obvious—I’m worried they’ll get suspicious.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve already made arrangements,” Chief Li said, putting down his book. “For those who pay up, our constables will escort their wagons. For those who don’t, there’ll be no escort.”

“I’ve already spoken to Old Ninth. In the next few days, they’ll come down the mountain and put on a show or two. By then, we’ll have our constables clash with them, put on a good fight, and drive them off.”

He narrowed his eyes and added quietly, “As for those who don’t pay, with no official escort, if they get robbed, that’s none of our concern.”

“I won’t go myself this time. You go see Old Ninth, discuss the plan with him, make it convincing.”

“Hmm…” Li Yun pondered for a moment and then continued, “Remember, don’t bring Tiger. He’s not too bright—don’t let him mess things up.”

“Once this month is over and we wipe out another bandit stronghold, no one in Qingyang County will dare question the legitimacy of our anti-bandit squad.”

Li Zheng nodded. “Understood.”

He glanced at the book in Li Yun’s hand and asked, “Second Brother, why do I see you reading this book all the time lately? Is it that interesting?”

“You wouldn’t understand,” Chief Li replied, spreading the book open. “This is a truly excellent work. If Miss Xue hadn’t helped me, I might never have laid eyes on it.”

Li Zheng scratched his head, looking puzzled.

Chief Li glanced at him. “When you have time, read more books and learn a few things. Someday it might come in handy.”

Li Zheng didn’t really agree, but still nodded. “Got it.”

Chief Li stood up. “These next couple of days, go out and meet with Old Ninth. Ask him if he’s investigated the next stronghold. Once he has, I’ll leave town in a few days and get ready to act.”

Skinny Monkey was surprised. “Second Brother, it’s only been ten or so days since we raided Black Crow Mountain. Didn’t you say one stronghold a month? Why the rush this time?”

“You just said it yourself,” Li Yun replied leisurely, turning a page. “If you’re worried folks in town will get suspicious, we’ll speed things up.”

He laughed. “And when we take their money, it’ll be with a clear conscience, won’t it?”

“Heh,” Skinny Monkey said, giving a thumbs up. “Second Brother, you really are brilliant.”

“All right, off you go. If the merchants have any issues, tell them to come find me.”

“Yes, Second Brother.”

Page 2/3

Five days later, after the farce between the constables and the Cangshan Stronghold was over, Chief Li instructed the merchants in town to temporarily halt their shipments. Then, taking the main force of the anti-bandit squad, he once again left Qingyang County to suppress bandits.

This time, their target was a peak south of Cangshan Stronghold called Dragon King Mountain, which housed a stronghold of the same name—Dragon King Stronghold.

Thanks to Old Ninth Liu Bo, who had already gathered detailed intelligence, and emboldened by their recent success at Black Crow Mountain, the constables moved forward with increased confidence. Preparations for this raid went relatively smoothly.

After nightfall, the group quietly approached Dragon King Mountain, following the scouted path, inching their way up.

By the time darkness had completely set in, the group—nearly thirty strong—was already close to Dragon King Stronghold.

But this time, things did not go as smoothly as before.

Before they could get close, a sudden blaze of torchlight illuminated the area, followed by a loud shout: “Who goes there?”

“Someone’s breaking in!”

As two shouts rang out, a third followed: “The constables are here! The constables are here!”

Chief Li’s face darkened.

Damn, these bandits have sharp ears—clearly more alert than before!

At this moment, they were still several dozen paces from the stronghold. Li Yun, already armored, took a deep breath and called out, “Tiger!”

“Here!” Zhang Hu replied.

“Charge with me!”

“The rest of you, follow us—let’s take this stronghold!”

“Yes!”

Zhang Hu cracked his knuckles and followed Li Yun. The two armored warriors surged forward, charging at the stronghold.

The others rushed behind them, howling as they stormed Dragon King Stronghold!

In an instant, flames lit up the night.

The sounds of battle echoed fiercely.

Chief Li led the way, long blade in hand, cutting down a bandit who charged at him, then rushing straight for the stronghold gate.

Behind him, the “militia” from Cangshan Stronghold pressed forward. Soon, they broke through the entrance.

But this time, the price was not small.

A constable from Qingyang fell in a pool of blood.

Several from Cangshan Stronghold were wounded, temporarily losing their ability to fight.

Enraged, Li Yun advanced, wrested a polearm from a bandit, and swept it in a wide arc, felling several foes at once.

At the same time, the bandits’ weapons struck his back. But Chief Li was armored in fine gear taken from Cangshan; he merely staggered, then turned and glared fiercely at his attackers. They were so terrified they dropped their weapons and fled.

Chief Li caught up, clubbed one down, and with a heavy kick sent another sprawling.

By now, the skirmish was nearly over.

After all, these bandits were a motley crew. With their morale broken, they scattered in all directions.

Page 3/3

Chief Li roared, “No need to show mercy! Kill any who refuse to surrender on the spot!”

“Yes!”

…

At dawn, Li Yun led his men—along with several carts of spoils and a dozen or so prisoners—down from Dragon King Mountain, returning to Qingyang.

Compared to Black Crow Mountain, Dragon King Stronghold was somewhat wealthier; nearly everyone who came along got a share of the spoils.

At this moment, not only the “militia” from Cangshan but even the constables from Qingyang no longer harbored any resentment toward bandit suppression.

After all, their chief could take on ten men by himself—following him on these “side quests” was more than rewarding.

Most importantly, the chief was generous in dividing the loot. After two raids, the constables’ purses had visibly grown heavier.

Once the militia from Cangshan left with their share of the spoils, the team returned to Qingyang. Upon arrival, Li Yun took twenty strings of cash from the haul and handed them to Chen Da.

“Keep it safe. Tomorrow, you and I will deliver the compensation to Brother Zhu’s family. If a single coin is missing, I won’t let you off easy!”

Chen Da bowed his head. “Rest assured, Chief. If even a single copper is missing, I’ll kill myself before you tomorrow!”

“Good.” Chief Li grunted. “The rest goes to the county treasury. All these bandits are to be sent to the county jail for official processing.”

“Understood, Chief,” Chen Da replied.

Having finished his instructions, Li Yun made his way to the rear office to meet Magistrate Xue.

“Magistrate, I’ve wiped out another stronghold…”

Before he could finish, Magistrate Xue cut him off.

“Thank heavens you’re back,” Magistrate Xue said, standing and grasping his sleeve with a sigh of relief.

Li Yun frowned. “What’s happened, Magistrate?”

“There’s been a revolt in the neighboring county. Several constables were killed. The prefecture has ordered us to send men to help suppress the unrest. You were away, and most of our force was gone too—”

“Revolt?” Chief Li’s brow furrowed. “Did they raise the taxes to more than five hundred cash?”

Hearing this, Magistrate Xue’s expression stiffened. He shook his head with a bitter smile. “I don’t know the details myself.”

“But as you say, that’s probably the case.”

Li Yun grunted. “Driven mad by poverty, no doubt.”

“Which county?”

Magistrate Xue sighed. “Shidai County.”