Chapter 1775: Capture Them All
Chapter 1775: Chapter 1775: Capture Them All
"County Captain Tang brought the county’s arrest documents, stamped with the county government seal," Zhang Zhong added.
Qin San Lang listened with a cold laugh, thinking that Tang was quite skillful; he came and claimed authority over the county government right away, making it easy to handle matters.
"How many soldiers did he bring?" Qin San Lang asked.
Zhang Zhong thought for a moment, then replied, "There are only over a hundred soldiers, and the remaining two hundred or so are disguised as farmers."
However...
"You Xi sent a message saying that Tang gathered many refugees during the chaos, trained them, and kept over six hundred thugs in Lishui Village, with a few hundred more from various villages’ populace, totaling not less than fifteen hundred in his hands."
"There are also Huang Chief Commander, Company Commander Jia, Company Commander Qian, and the Bian Family from the prefecture, all having manpower in Gaoshui County; these groups have hundreds more at hand."
"He is sworn brothers with Troop Commander Qiu, and although his troops suffered hundreds of deaths, he’s still got over six hundred soldiers available."
The little one in the room listened, and his small body shook like a sieve, grabbing Gu Jinli’s hand and asked, "Aunt Gu Er, will we be chopped to death?"
There are so many people; even if each took a swing, they could chop us into mince!
Gu Jinli smiled, "No, with your Uncle Qin around, the ones getting chopped will be County Captain Tang and his group."
The voice carried pride, making Qin San Lang, standing at the door, curl his lips... He was Xiao Yu’s pride.
But the little guy didn’t believe, "Really?"
He knew Uncle Qin’s people were formidable, but from his visit yesterday and earlier this morning, he observed the village’s forces and reckoned they just totaled a thousand. Yet, there were over a thousand of accompanying relatives and children.
If a fight broke out, the soldiers would be strained protecting their kin, leaving little chance to spar with County Captain Tang.
Gu Jinli noticed the boy counting on his fingers, mumbling calculations aloud, and the expressed numbers seemed worrisome because his eyebrows were furrowed tight.
Gu Jinli remarked, "You don’t believe."
The young one looked at her, hesitantly replied, "Aunt Gu Er, it’s not that I don’t believe, it’s just... we might really not stand a chance."
He patted his scrawny side, where only ribs remained visible, "But don’t worry, Aunt Gu Er. I’ve been through a lot and can take care of myself and help look after the soldiers’ kids."
Perhaps worried Gu Jinli would think Wen Rong and the others are useless, he added, "Brother Rong and Little Yan Tai can help care for the soldiers’ kids too!"
Gu Jinli laughed, rubbed his bald head, "Just take care of yourself, don’t worry about these. Your Uncle Qin is skilled; he can win this fight. If not, we can use poison!"
She had plenty of strong knockout drugs.
Thinking of this, Gu Jinli exited the room and told Qin San Lang, "Use the drugs; it’s quick and efficient."
Qin San Lang surprisingly agreed, "Alright."
Gu Jinli was a bit taken aback, "So readily? I thought you’d have the soldiers fight a bit to train them."
They hadn’t fought for months; without drilling, they might grow rusty.
Qin San Lang smiled, looked at her, "We can fight, but it’s best without drawing swords... The troops are here to combat the Rong people, not meant to turn against our own people. Besides, the soldiers in the Northwest belong to General Xu. Truly killing Gaoshui County’s troops might lead us to be blamed for fratricide, even if justified."
Gu Jinli nodded, understanding, "You’ve thought it through well, then let’s use the drugs."
She added, "But Lin Changyou must die!"
Lin Changyou violated Wen Qiong; unknown is excusable, but now known, she can’t let such a beast roam free.
Qin San Lang nodded, promising, "Yes, I’ll have him beheaded."
Xiao Yu felt sick from the vile act yesterday; killing the last beast would bring her relief.
Qin San Lang glanced at Zhang Zhong, commanding, "Go find Qing Pu for the knockout drugs, poison them from afar, bind them after they’re dizzy, and guard them. Drag Lin Changyou out separately for public execution."
"Yes!" Zhang Zhong accepted orders and left.
The little guy pleaded, "Aunt Gu Er, Uncle, can I go find Brother Rong? He’ll be delighted to see Lin Changyou executed."
Gu Jinli nodded, "Go ahead."
"Thank you, Aunt Gu Er, thank you, Uncle." The little fellow saluted them with his palms together, then began leaving backward.
Gu Jinli pulled him aside to teach, "Don’t walk like this afterward. You’re not a servant. When you’ve finished saluting, you can turn around and walk straight away. Walking backward is for servants before their master, or subjects before the Emperor, understood?"
The little one furrowed his brow, after a moment digesting Gu Jinli’s words, "Got it, normal walking when saying goodbye to elders."
Gu Jinli smiled, nodding, "Correct, you’re very clever."
The little guy grinned, "I’m not clever; Aunt Gu Er and Uncle are kind."
If it were before, those masters and their servants wouldn’t allow him and his mother to walk normally; they’d have to hunch backward, with his mother even kneeling retreating... the masters’ servants said they were filthy things, only suitable for such mannerisms.
Finishing his words, the little guy saluted them once more and turned to run off.
Qin San Lang watched and nodded, "Learning fast, he’s smart."
Then he looked at Gu Jinli, "I’m going to discuss with Xie Cheng and the others; Xiao Yu should rest first. We’ll find Tian Dahua’s body on the mountain after binding County Captain Tang and his cohorts."
Gu Jinli nodded, "Alright, don’t worry about me; I’m already fine. Go handle your tasks."
Checking her complexion, Qin San Lang felt somewhat at ease, yet he still held her hand, sending her back to the room before turning to leave.
He sought out Xie Cheng, Zhang Yan, and others, exited the courtyard together, and joined Uncle Niu, Company Commander Jin, and others to lead troops toward the village entrance.
They hadn’t gone far when the sound of galloping hooves approached the village; County Captain Tang was furious, brazenly leading troops into Chong Village.
Bu Fang and Han Sansong led dozens of Shield Soldiers, using Iron Shields to form defenses, retreating while blocking Tang’s forces from advancing swiftly.
"Bold rebel troops, detaining my government officials is one thing, but daring to block me from entering the village and demanding justice! Do you think defeating the Rong and earning battle glory lets you act so arrogantly?!" County Captain Tang, a robust man in his forties, sat astride a tall steed, wielding a Nine-Ring Broadsword, angrily cursing the soldiers.
He was followed by a squad of cavalry, each ready with bows drawn aimed at Bu Fang and his men.
Further behind were Tang’s infantry, also with bows drawn, aiming their arrows at Bu Fang’s group, evidently prepared to shoot first.
More shamefully, a large group led Tang, dressed in rags—villagers who sought refuge with him.
These villagers, unarmed, rushed at the forefront, risking lives to clear Tang’s path. If Bu Fang and the troops dared kill them, they would be killing civilians—an unforgivable crime!
Seeing this, Qin San Lang’s face darkened, instructing Zhang Tu, "Order the poison attack."
Zhang Tu immediately waved the Military Flag, signaling flag codes.
Zhang Zhong and soldiers lay ambushed along the roadside trenches. Seeing the flag signals, they promptly ordered, "Poison attack!"
Whizz, whizz, whizz!
Hundreds of packets of poison flew from the roadside into County Captain Tang’s ranks.