CHAPTER 471: CHAPTER 471: DEPARTURE

"Lord Magistrate, please review this." Qin San Lang handed over the defense map of the stronghold that he had drawn to Jiang Qi.

Jiang Qi took it, spread it out on the table, and scrutinized it carefully. While looking at it, he compared it with the testimonies of several river bandits. After reviewing the defense layout, he laughed in satisfaction, "You really have a knack for this. The defense map you’ve drawn is exactly the same as what’s written in the bandits’ statements."

Squad Leader Yang, Uncle Yu from the Military Office, and Old Zhong also looked at the defense map, nodding continuously.

However, Qin San Lang said, "Lord Magistrate, although I have managed to draw the defense map, Gao Tong is not a simple character. With his capabilities, he will definitely change the defense points of the stronghold after people like Gao Zhong and Gao Rui leave. We have no idea what the current defense of the Water Bandit Village looks like. This defense map can only serve as a reference; it cannot be used as a definitive target for our attack, otherwise, we might suffer heavy losses."

Hearing this, Jiang Qi and the others shuddered, "San Lang’s reminder is pertinent. A slick old fox like Gao Tong will surely change the defenses. This defense map can only be a reference. However, with this map, we will at least not be completely in the dark about the paths inside the stronghold when we attack."

Jiang Qi collected several defense maps and the river bandits’ testimonies, saying, "I will first take this map to show County Magistrate Xu and the officials from the Prefecture. Do you want to come with me, San Lang?"

Qin San Lang smiled and shook his head, "I am just a new recruit; I’d better not go. I’ll stay here to watch the bandits."

Uncle Yu sighed, "You are too modest to claim credit. This is an opportunity to meet the bigwigs from the Prefecture. Among those officials are not only Assistant Magistrate Ding but also Deputy General Lan from General Guo’s side. If you make an impression in front of them, you won’t have to stay in the Military Office; you could go to the Prefecture garrison."

Qin San Lang smiled, "I quite like the Military Office, and I prefer staying here."

After hearing this, Uncle Yu spoke as one would to a stubborn child, "You... one earns a little credit and wishes the whole world knew, yet here you are having done so much and not wanting any credit, just nesting here; you’re really exasperating!"

Qin San Lang was capable and not greedy for recognition; thus he was very well-liked in the Military Office. Figures like Jiang Qi, Uncle Yu, and Old Zhong favored him and hoped he would have a bright future, moving beyond the Military Office to become a General someday.

"Alright. San Lang is a steady young man; he has his own plans for the future. Let’s not worry too much, us old folks," said the astute Jiang Qi, who also addressed Elder Lei Wu as "Uncle." He had a vague awareness of some matters concerning the Qin family but did not probe further. He didn’t want Old Zhong and Old Yu to delve into Qin San Lang’s background either, so he called out to them, "Come, let’s go meet the officials."

With that, he left with Uncle Yu, Old Zhong, and Squad Leader Yang to meet County Magistrate Xu and others.

Inside the office where County Magistrate Xu worked, Deputy General Lan, Assistant Magistrate Ding, and County Captain Jiang were present. Upon seeing Jiang Qi and his company arrive, they immediately asked, "Did you pry the bandits’ mouths open?"

Jiang Qi nodded and relayed the information they had obtained. He then presented the bandits’ testimonies and Qin San Lang’s drawn defense map, and he mentioned Qin San Lang’s words, that Gao Tong might change the stronghold defenses, rendering the map inaccurate.

Deputy General Lan laughed, "No matter. Even if the defense points have changed, we can still use it as a map."

He then praised County Magistrate Xu, "Lord County Magistrate, for your county to hide such talent—drawing a defense map just based on the bandits’ testimonies. A person with such ability would be remarkable on the battlefield."

County Magistrate Xu accepted the compliment with humble delight, smiling modestly, "Deputy General Lan flatters too much. He’s just a small soldier from the Military Office, not some great talent."

"Lord County Magistrate speaks true. That young man has only a bit more talent in drawing than others, nothing extraordinary," said Jiang Qi, changing the subject before asking, "Deputy General Lan, Assistant Magistrate Ding, when do we plan to encircle the bandit village? As the saying goes, ’speed is of the essence’ in military affairs. Gao Zhong and his fellows have been captured for several days now. If we delay further, Gao Tong and the others will become suspicious and guard against us. If we want to strike by surprise, it’ll be much harder."

Vice Magistrate Ding sighed, "Of course this official understands, but since Lord Magistrate hasn’t sent any message, we dare not act rashly."

Vice Magistrate Ding was also anxious. If they could successfully encircle and suppress the river bandits, it would be not only a great merit for Lord Magistrate, but also for himself. And since it was relatively peaceful in the south, opportunities for such merits were rare.

County Captain Jiang suggested, "Why don’t we dispatch our men first to assemble in the Prefecture? Once the Prefecture Government Office issues the command, we can strike the Water Bandit Village, rather than waiting here and wasting time."

"This..." Vice Magistrate Ding was somewhat troubled.

Vice General Lan thought for a moment, then said, "Alright, let’s do as County Captain Jiang suggests."

Damn it, he couldn’t wait anymore either. He had no idea what issue Magistrate Liang had run into; it had been several days without any new orders.

Vice Magistrate Ding was a bit cunning. Seeing Vice General Lan agree, he said, "This official is not versed in military affairs. Since Vice General Lan has decided, then I shall follow Vice General Lan’s decision."

If Magistrate Liang were to blame anyone later, Vice General Lan could bear it, and with General Guo behind him, he would not be afraid of Magistrate Liang.

"Well then, let Jiang Qi take half of the Military Office’s county soldiers, along with a squad of government officials from the county, to follow the two lords to wait for orders at the Prefecture. I will stay at the county government to watch over Gao Zhong and the others." County Captain Jiang, being older, wanted to give the chance to the younger generation. Though encircling the river bandits was dangerous, success would mean tremendous merit.

County Magistrate Xu was a bit scared and hastily said, "County Captain Jiang, if Jiang Qi and his men leave, won’t the county government be understaffed? What should we do if river bandits attack again?"

A few days ago, Gao Zhong and his group had stormed into the county government attempting to kill County Magistrate Zou. Several Government Officials and county soldiers were injured; if it weren’t for poisoning and subduing the bandits, the county government would have been a river of blood.

County Captain Jiang reassured, "Lord can be at ease. Gao Tong is not a fool. Having already dispatched bandits twice, they will not send anyone again so soon. Besides, Gao Zhong and his men have been poisoned and are now as weak as consumptive ghosts; they can hardly rise up to hurt anyone."

He then whispered to County Magistrate Xu, "Lord, the Government Officials guarding your family also have poison, and the ladies have it too, so you needn’t worry."

County Magistrate Xu himself had also taken several packets of poison. Though using poison to repel the enemy wasn’t very honorable, compared to life, such trivial matters were not worth mentioning.

County Magistrate Xu felt relieved and nodded, "I shall follow the orders of the two lords."

Seeing him agree, Vice General Lan immediately said to Jiang Qi, "Lord Jiang, quickly muster the troops, we shall depart in four hours."

"Yes." Jiang Qi immediately took Squad Leader Yang, Old Zhong, and Uncle Yu with him to muster half of the county soldiers and a squad of Government Officials to assemble in the courtyard of the county government.

Qin San Lang and Luo Wu were both among them; the two were to join the operation to encircle the river bandits.

Qin San Lang didn’t want to go, but he was specifically ordered by Vice General Lan. As for Luo Wu, he wanted the glory. Only by gaining merit could he improve his status, protect Gu Jinxiu, and have the credentials to marry her.