Chapter 502: Meeting Again
Editor: Atlas Studios
On the way here, Huaiyuan County had long been occupied by bandits. Therefore, they had even made a big detour to avoid the bandits in Huaiyuan County. So why were they heading there now?
One had to know that they only had a little more than 200 men with them.
Although the regiment commander of the 2nd Division had doubts in his heart, he turned around and quickly gave the orders. Qi Haoran nodded slightly. The reason why he had chosen this guy to follow him was because he was the most obedient and the least talkative among the five regiment commanders. He knew what to ask and what not to ask.
In the army, one only needed to carry out the orders of the higher-ups.
However, Fei Bai did not have such self-awareness. He followed beside Qi Haoran sneakily and asked, “Master, why are we going to go to Huaiyuan County? What if we’re caught?”
“We’re just a small group of bandits. Who will catch us?” Qi Haoran said nonchalantly, “Don’t worry. With me around, you guys won’t die.”
Fei Bai widened his eyes and asked in a low voice, “Master, when did we become bandits?”
“When we change our clothes,” Qi Haoran said as he found a set of patched clothes from the cabinet in a commoner’s house. He took off his clothes and changed into them. Then, he patted his stomach and said, “How is it? Do I look like a bandit who robs houses?”
Fei Bai shook his head. “You look like you were robbed by bandits.”
Qi Haoran kicked him and said, “Go and bring the pot ashes over. I’ll do a good job disguising myself. Oh right, you have to change your clothes too. From today onwards, you won’t be my servant anymore, but my lackey. You have to call me ‘Chief’ in the future, understand?”
Fei Bai turned around and brought the pot ashes over, wanting to talk him out of it. “Master, even if you want to investigate where those people went, there’s no need to pretend to be bandits. If those old scholars in the Imperial Court find out, won’t they impeach you?”
“If they want to impeach me, go ahead. I don’t care. Do you think I’m willing to pretend to be a bandit? I have no choice. Since those people went through so much trouble to bypass Yungui to enter Jinghu, they definitely didn’t go there just to take a walk or slaughter a village. After Jinghu is Lin’an…” Qi Haoran stopped talking. After a while, he continued, “Other than Huaiyuan County, the other areas are still under the control of the Imperial Court. Because of the bandits’ rampage, patrols have been strengthened everywhere. It’s very difficult for so many strangers to pass through the areas controlled by the Imperial Court, but it’s different in places other than here.”
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“Although the bandits have occupied the city, they don’t have complete control over it. Furthermore, they are disorganized to begin with and belong to different factions. It’s very easy for them to sneak over with a few hundred people.”
“But since they’ve been gone for two days, they should have passed Huaiyuan County by now. Then why are we still going to Huaiyuan County to pretend to be bandits?”
“Who said that I’m going to be a bandit in Huaiyuan County? Huaiyuan County is just a springboard. Nowadays, other than the Imperial Court’s army, there are most bandits in Jinghu. In some aspects, the information sources of bandits are faster and more comprehensive than the Imperial Court’s army. I think if I can have a place among the bandits, perhaps I can get the bandits to help find these people or even kill them?”
Fei Bai opened his mouth wide and stuttered as he tried to stop him. “F-Fourth Master, isn’t this too massive a scheme? Why don’t we follow the traces obediently? At most, everyone won’t sleep anymore. If we work harder, we’ll be able to find those people. As an official, you’re bringing a group of soldiers disguised as bandits and entering the bandit’s nest. If you’re discovered, things will be bad. You haven’t even seen Young Master yet.”
Qi Haoran had always been a person who was good at listening to his subordinates’ opinions. Hence, after thinking about it carefully, he finally felt that his idea was more beneficial than harmful. Hence, he said firmly, “I’ve made up my mind. Hurry up and change your clothes. Also, call everyone over.”
Qi Haoran wanted to do a general mobilization before the battle. The soldiers, who had changed into the clothes of the commoners, stood in front of the large square. With all kinds of messy clothes and a slightly dispirited expression, there was an obvious, defeated look about them. If it were in the past, Qi Haoran would definitely be so angry that he would kick them. But now, Qi Haoran was very satisfied. He felt that the soldiers did not have to pretend. If they were dragged out like this, they would look just like a group of bandits who had been scattered by the Imperial Court’s army.
Qi Haoran told them about his idea and gave everyone instructions on what to say in the future. “I know that this mission is hard on everyone. After all, it’s a little unbelievable for a soldier to pretend to be a bandit, but compared to bandits, the West Xia soldiers are undoubtedly more detestable…”
The soldiers at Jinghu had only heard of how terrifying the Hus were, and how infuriating and hateful they were. However, they had never fought with the Hus before, and had never even seen them before. Therefore, their hatred for them only stopped at the fact of their massacre of villages and various rumors.
However, Qi Haoran used the facts he had experienced to tell everyone that once the Hus entered the pass, the commoners would have no way out. This directly raised the honor and difficulty of their mission by three levels.
When the soldiers heard this, they were both worked up and afraid. In the end, they even tried their best to hide the expression on their faces. According to Qi Haoran, they were as dispirited as before, but after hearing Qi Haoran’s words, it was difficult for them to be dispirited.
Qi Haoran didn’t expect his mobilization to be so effective, so effective that it backfired on him. He could only guide everyone while sweating profusely. The corners of Fei Bai’s mouth twitched when he heard that. He said in a low voice, “Master, how about this? The more you try to guide them, the messier it will be. All the more, everyone won’t know what to do.”
Qi Haoran sighed and nodded. He waved his hand to signal for everyone to set off for Huaiyuan County.
Two days later, they rushed along the main road to the entrance of Huaiyuan County. There were bandits standing at the entrance in all sorts of positions, impatiently letting pedestrians into the city. When they saw one or two suspicious people, they waved their sabers to stop them and checked them up and down before letting them in.
Qi Haoran brought his men and stopped not far from the city gate. Having long discovered them, the bandits guarding the gate sent someone back to find someone who could manage the situation before stepping forth to receive them.
Qi Haoran and his group were too eye-catching, with more than 200 of them gathered together. They were dressed in tattered clothes and looked a little dispirited. In this place where bandits wreaked havoc, it was easy for someone to think in the wrong direction.
Sensing that they were all bandits, the bandit guard walked up to them and asked with a good attitude, “Where did you come from?”
Qi Haoran sized him up before looking up at the plaque at the city gate. Just as the bandit guarding the gate frowned, Fei Bai immediately smiled and bent down to say, “Big Brother, please forgive us. Our chief is still young, so his temper is a little bad.” As he spoke, he took a piece of silver and stuffed it into the other party’s hand.
The bandit guarding the door raised his eyebrows slightly and pinched the silver in his sleeve. Then, he looked up at Qi Haoran and said with a faint smile, “Chief? Looks like we’re on the same path. I wonder where this young hero is from? What are you planning to do here?”
“Brother, please forgive us.” Fei Bai pulled the bandit guarding the door to the side and said in a low voice, “Our stockade originally had more than 2,000 people, but some time ago, we were inexplicably surrounded and attacked by the Imperial Court. Everyone was scattered, and only 200 of us managed to follow our chief out. We suffered heavy losses, so our chief is in a bad mood. Please forgive him.”
“Hmph, I’m willing to forgive him, but the bandit chief in this city isn’t as easy to talk to as me. I say, aren’t you too bad at picking your master? He appears to only be in his teens? Men at such a young age are the most impulsive. Won’t you be screwed under the leadership of such a person?”
Fei Bai only chuckled.
The bandit guarding the door did not say much. He only waved his hand and said, “Now that the useless officials of the Imperial Court are fighting with us, you came at the right time. Our chief will probably take you in. However, you should tell your chief to restrain his temper. There are only 200 of you. What’s there to be arrogant about? I alone only have 50 people under me…”
“Yes, yes. How can we compare to you who are working for a big shot? You’re so much better than us even though you’re a small-fry…”
The bandit guarding the gate didn’t understand the hidden meaning. He nodded in satisfaction and said kindly, “There are a total of three chiefs in the city now. You’re lucky to meet Chief Liu on duty today. He’ll probably come to see you personally later. You guys can stand on the left side of the city gate first.”
Fei Bai still wanted to find out more information. Previously, they had clearly heard that Huaiyuan County was ruled by a bandit chief with the surname Yang. How did it become three bandit chiefs now?
However, the bandit guarding the door clearly did not want to reveal anything else, perhaps because Qi Haoran’s attitude had provoked him. So, he waved his hand and returned to his post.
Fei Bai could only return to Qi Haoran’s side and tell him the news in a low voice. “Master, there seems to be a change in Huaiyuan County.”
Qi Haoran replied in a low voice, “We’ll act according to the situation. If something goes wrong, everyone, retreat into the forest.”
Everyone passed down the message one by one. After half an hour, although the team was still dispirited, everyone’s backs were secretly tense, and they were prepared to rush out at any time. At such a tense moment, Fei Bai could not help but exclaim, and his eyes widened in surprise.
Liu Dahei also looked at the 200-odd people opposite him in surprise. Then, when he met Qi Haoran’s calm eyes, he raised his eyebrows. The bandit guarding the door was suspicious and asked nervously, “Chief Liu, do you know that person opposite you?”
“Yes, I can recognize him even if he turns into ashes.” After saying that, Liu Dahei cupped his hands at Qi Haoran and said, “How have you been, Young Master Qi? It’s been a long time since we last met. I wonder how you’re doing now.”
This was obviously a hateful reply, causing the bandit guarding the door to shrink his neck in regret. If he had known earlier, he would not have been so enthusiastic about welcoming the group.
However, Qi Haoran’s expression was calm as he said, “I’m doing better than Chief Liu. Recently, I’ve been thinking about Chief Liu and Chief Lin. Unfortunately, I left in a hurry and forgot where to contact you guys.”
After knowing that Qi Haoran did not go back on his word, Liu Dahei’s expression improved a little. Then, he sized him up with interest. “Where did you come from? Why do you look like you’re being bullied? Tell me who did it. I’ll help you bash that fellow up.”
“No need. I like to do it myself. If Chief Liu really wants to help, then help me find someone.” The more Qi Haoran spoke, the smarter he felt. Now, it felt as if Liu Dahei’s appearance here was not so annoying anymore.
