CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 54: BANDIT SUPPRESSION (PART 1)

"Boss, the government soldiers are here."

"They are just five miles away from the village. The scouts reported back that they’ve brought siege weapons. They’re clearly planning to catch us all in one fell swoop!"

"We should run!"

The people in Black Pine Village were in a state of panic.

This had happened before. When Prince Nanyang brought troops to eradicate bandits, they would flee at the first sign of trouble. The unlucky ones would get caught and killed, while the lucky ones managed to save their lives.

This time, the boss insisted on confronting the Commandery Princess. Now, as the army approaches, they’re about to get trapped.

Zhu Yidao also regretted it. However, as the boss, he absolutely couldn’t lose his composure at this moment. Otherwise, it would turn into a chaotic mess.

Zhu Yidao glared and shouted angrily, "Why panic? Follow the old rules, leave fifty people to guard the village gate, and the rest split into two groups and enter the tunnels."

Being a bandit means having your head hanging on your waist, ready to lose your life at any moment. Those left to guard the village gate were almost certainly going to die.

No one wanted to do it. They had to draw lots; the unlucky looked as if mourning a dead relative. Those who drew escape lots breathed a huge sigh of relief, quickly gathered some clothes and food, and like rats, scurried into the tunnels.

There were two tunnel entrances, one in the kitchen and another in the warehouse.

Zhu Yidao shouted, "Everyone split up into the tunnels, I’ll cover the rear."

The bandits, busy with escaping for their lives, didn’t even have time to cheer.

After all the bandits entered the tunnels, Zhu Yidao quietly turned and went to his own room, lifted the bed, revealing yet another hidden tunnel entrance.

This was the third tunnel, and also Zhu Yidao’s real trump card.

The dozen or so following Zhu Yidao were all his closest confidants.

"Boss, we’re just leaving like this. What about all the women in the village?" One of the bandits licked his lips, full of reluctance.

Zhu Yidao, full of anger, kicked over: "At a time like this, what women are you thinking about? Get out through the tunnel first."

"Boss, where are we hiding?"

"Are we going to hide in that mountain hollow from last time?"

Zhu Yidao’s eyes flashed with ferocity: "No, we are going down the mountain to capture that little minx. Otherwise, this anger in my heart is hard to dispel!"

The confidants were startled: "Boss! That’s the Commandery Princess, she surely has guards with her."

"Aren’t we just going to our deaths if we go with so few people?"

Zhu Yidao, blinded by rage, and holding contempt for the Nanyang County Princess, twistedly laughed: "I’ll hide for a day or two, wait for the village to be breached, for the military camp’s defenses to relax, then I’ll grab her. With the Commandery Princess in hand, I’ll demand tens of thousands of silver, then escape to Jiangnan, buy a big piece of land and become a landlord. Spend the rest of my life in ease and prosperity! What do you say, do you dare to take a risk?"

Those with timid hearts wouldn’t make good bandits. The dozen or so bandits, each one used to licking blood off the blade, felt their blood boil and desire rise upon hearing this.

"We’ll listen to the boss."

"Losing our heads is just as big as a bowl scar, we’ll risk it!"

Zhu Yidao grinned broadly and was the first to enter the tunnel. The rest of the bandits followed one by one.

Thunk, thunk, thunk, the tunnel entrance quickly closed. The bed returned to its original state.

...

The bandits scattered and fled, while over here, Qin Zhan and Liu Hengchang had already led their men to attack the village.

The bandits left to guard the village gate stared in horror as tall siege carriages were erected outside the gate, their scalps felt like they were about to explode.

It’s over!

Their biggest reliance was the terrain and the tall village gate, which might hold for two or three days. But now, two siege carriages as tall as the village gate had been set up, and cloud ladders were mounted. Dozens of armored archers crouched on the sturdy carriages. There were also many strong men wielding long spears and swords, exuding murderous intent.

And there were catapults, loaded with boulders, several people pushed together, and the boulders flew up, crashing heavily into the village. One unlucky soul was hit by a boulder, didn’t even have time to scream, and was crushed into a bloody pulp.

The bandits’ hearts faltered, and they lost all fighting spirit.

Outside the drums thundered like lightning, arrows rained down, and people were already climbing the cloud ladder.

Leading the charge was a man, black, tall, and strong like an iron tower. He held a long knife, and as soon as he landed on the village gate, he swung the knife fiercely, splitting a bandit in half. Blood splattered everywhere, internal organs scattered on the ground.

Immediately, a bandit got so frightened that he fell straight off the village gate.

The iron tower-like Tao Da jumped off the gate and finished the fearful bandit with a single strike.

Archer Xiao Tian, crouched on the siege carriage, performed just as expertly, shooting arrow after arrow with steady aim. He cleared the threats around Tao Da.

Soon, one personal soldier after another climbed onto the village gate, jumped into the village, and fought with the bandits. The fifty bandits left to guard were completely disheartened, facing such formidable warriors who were like gods of death. The bandits quickly collapsed.

In an instant, the village gate was breached.

Liu Hengchang and Qin Zhan who stayed behind to command, hadn’t even personally attacked.

Seeing this, Qin Zhan let out a proud grin, "You train soldiers for a thousand days to use them in one. The lads didn’t disgrace the Commandery Princess!"

Liu Hengchang smiled, discreetly flattering: "General Qin’s men are all brave and fearless elite warriors!"

Those responsible for attacking the gate were all from the Personal Guard Camp. Qin Zhan accepted the compliment unabashedly: "They’re decent. Tao Da being the first to breach the gate, claimed the first achievement. Xiao Tian led the archers for cover, and his contribution will also be acknowledged after the battle."

"The Third Camp also consists of valiant men, transporting siege equipment over such long distances, assembling swiftly without delaying the assault. They are all commendable!"

Liu Hengchang, humbly low-key: "General Qin and General Meng are loyal and bold, skilled in leading soldiers. I’ve learned a thing or two and benefited tremendously."

Qin Zhan laughed heartily, patting Liu Hengchang on the shoulder: "General Liu, don’t be so modest. Your abilities, neither I nor Old Meng can compare."

"However, there’s one thing I’d like to remind you. Although young, the Commandery Princess is determined and decisive, much like the Prince in his days. A leader like her is worthy of our full support and respect."

"Don’t overthink, stay in the military camp, and serve the Commandery Princess. She will not treat you poorly."

Liu Hengchang: "..."

This rough and careless fellow was surprisingly astute, seeing through his subtle thoughts.

Liu Hengchang chuckled dryly a few times: "General Qin, you jest. I’ve never thought of leaving the Personal Guard Camp."

"It’s best if you haven’t. Focus on your duties, and your future will definitely be bright." Qin Zhan laughed again: "Also, don’t be so estranged. We’ve been working together for a few years now, I’m a few years older than you, just call me Brother Qin."

Liu Hengchang quickly changed his address, calling him Brother Qin.

At that moment, the village gate was breached.

Qin Zhan immediately stopped the idle talk: "Let’s get inside quickly; these rascals shouldn’t be so bloodthirsty that they harm the innocent."