After conveying the Deity’s instructions, the captain had nothing left to say. He waited quietly as the porters moved the grain. Three whole cargo ships of grain would take a long ti to transport, even with hundreds of porters working together.
He’d have to stay here another two or three days before returning.
Xing Honglang, Gao Chuwu, Zao Ying, and Old Nan Feng gathered together.
“Over in Gaojia Village, they’re preparing to set up base in Hancheng on Tongguan Road,” Xing Honglang declared. “We can’t fall too far behind—otherwise, those back ho will laugh at us. Our fort is secure now. The rchants we sent ahead to Puzhou are on their way. The next step is to strike Jie Pond. The real priority is to get that salt back as fast as possible.”
Old Nan Feng wasted no words, simply clasping his fists. “This general volunteers to go.”
Zao Ying interjected, “This isn’t a battle—it’s about making contact with salt craftsn near Jie Pond. General Nan Feng, you needn’t co. Stay and guard our ancient ferry dock—that’s best.”
Old Nan Feng nodded, not pressing the issue.
Xing Honglang elaborated, “Hedong City (modern-day Yuncheng, Shanxi) on the north shore of Jie Pond has many officials troops garrisoned there. So we’ll have to sneak to the south shore. We won’t need many people for this. I’ll take Iron Bird Flies with . Instructor Zao, you bring a small cavalry unit to escort us. Let’s see… bring fifty riders with us. The remaining cavalry will temporarily be commanded by General Nan Feng.”
“Good!” Zao Ying turned to Old Nan Feng. “General, you can command cavalry, right?”
Old Nan Feng chuckled. “Of course I can! Any border army veteran knows cavalry—it’s basic!”
That was true. A garrison commander from Jiangnan might lack cavalry skills, but those from the border army were all proficient.
Everyone silently thought: Having Old Nan Feng here really put their minds at ease.
“Then it’s settled!”
The n, Gao Chuwu and Old Nan Feng, stayed to guard the fort.
The won, Xing Honglang and Zao Ying, were in charge of the mission.
Truly, won were holding up more than half the sky this ti.
Early in the morning the next day, after breakfast, Xing Honglang, Zao Ying, and Iron Bird Flies—along with fifty cavalry riders, Xing Honglang’s forty-two salt smugglers, and Iron Bird Flies’ eighteen salt smugglers—over a hundred people in total, all mounted warhorses. They rode out of the ancient ferry dock, galloping towards Jie Pond.
However…
Shortly after they left, in the woods north of the ancient ferry dock, two heads erged. These were two elite border army scouts—also called Ye Bu Shou—seasoned border troops from Guyuan.
During the Guyuan military revolt, they hadn’t followed Captain Wolf in attacking Chengcheng (where the Deity had crushed them). Instead, they’d joined the Bu Zhan Ni rebel forces.
They belonged to the “fifth squad” under Bu Zhan Ni, serving under Old Zhang Fei.
One scout whispered, “See that? Xing Honglang’s gone!”
The other scout nodded. “Judging by their direction, they’re heading for Jie Pond. It’s over a hundred li from here. Leaving this early on horseback, including ti for rest and als along the way—they won’t arrive till the middle of the night. This is definitely a smuggled salt run.”
“Heh. Once they’re gone, they won’t be back for two or three days!”
“If Xing Honglang isn’t here, then that little fort by the river should be easy pickings.”
“Exactly! They killed the Young Master—vengeance must be served. Let’s hurry back to inform Old Zhang Fei. With Xing Honglang gone, let’s crush that pathetic fort.”
“Hey, don’t forget the ship on the river. Those cannons… terrifying!”
“Don’t worry. We’ve been watching for days. Once it’s unloaded, it leaves. By the ti we notify Old Zhang Fei and he marches troops here, the ship will already be gone. Then, no ship, no Xing Honglang—capturing that flimsy fort will be a breeze.”
Having planned this, the two swiftly slipped away north…
…
With Xing Honglang gone, Old Nan Feng was the only person left in the fort with any real wit.
Gao Chuwu was hopeless—the big oaf was still joyfully helping porters unload grain from the ship, striking up conversation with people from Sun Family Village: “Hey, are you folks from Honglang’s hotown? Can you tell stories about Honglang when she was little?”
“What? She… she used to wet the bed? Wow, my Honglang had such an embarrassing mont?”
“No… you’re lying! Honglang is beautiful.”
Gao Chuwu and the Sun Family Village folks were having a lively, cheerful ti.
Old Nan Feng gave him a sidelong glance, shook his head, and steeled his resolve: It’s all up to now. Can’t ss this up. I’ve finally got this massive backer, the Deity. I’m not guarding the border anymore—back in this flowery central plains world. Barely started enjoying this good life. Don’t want to die here.
Old Nan Feng climbed the newly built watchtower, scanning the surroundings…
Suddenly, sothing flickered at the very edge of his vision—near the woods.
At this distance, the naked eye couldn’t make it out!
No problem. Gaojia Village had high-tech solutions!
He pulled a single-barreled telescope from his waist pouch and aid it at the woods.
Now he could see: two sturdy fellows moving through the trees. Judging by their clothing and gear… they looked like border army scouts. Specifically Guyuan border troops. He vaguely recognized those faces…
Old Nan Feng’s mind raced: Actual Guyuan soldiers still operating out here? Must be aligned with rebels now. For Guyuan troops, that’d an Shaanxi rebels—Bu Zhan Ni from Luochuan is the most likely chief.
He handed the telescope to two sentinels beside him. “Watch this direction. Use the telescope often. If I’m right, the bandit army will attack from here within two days.”
The two sentinels jumped. “Huh?”
Old Nan Feng snapped, “No ti for fear! We’ve got a fort, cavalry, firearms, and naval guns. This battle is ours to win. The only question is whether it’s a major or minor victory. Haven’t you always wanted to play with this telescope? Enjoy it these next two days—have so fun.”
The two sentinels bead with delight. “Understood!”
They took the telescope, marveling at it, looking east, then west, gasping “Wow!” now and then.
“Look, over there by the south bank! A big girl washing clothes. She’s pretty. Huge hips!”
Old Nan Feng’s face darkened as he snatched the telescope back. “Dammit! I told you to watch the north! What nonsense are you staring at?”
The sentinels sweated profusely. “General, we won’t do it again!”
“I’ve said it—the bandit army will be here within two days. No looking around aimlessly! Keep your eyes glued on the north!” He finished sternly, then suddenly his tone shifted. “But… their scouts just left. It’ll take them ti to report and bring the main force. That ans… a few hours of safety, at least. Heh… where was that big girl? Point her out for your General!”
The two sentinels: “……”
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