Chapter 28: Wang Family Village

  After hearing Wang Huai say this, Qiao Cheng only felt a dizziness in front of his eyes. His wife was not yet thirty years old and was in her prime. If she suffered any grievances, how could she survive? The people present also couldn't help but think that these thieves were ruthless and poisonous, and it would be difficult to redeem someone with silver. Qiao Yu lowered his head and thought for half a day.

  "Big brother, I'm inclined to use force to solve this problem. These thieves are violent by nature, and even if we pay the ransom, it's not certain that we can get the person back safely. If things drag on for too long, I fear something unexpected might happen."

  Qiao Cheng also agreed with San Di's opinion, Qiao Yu thought for a moment and said: "Qian Guanjia, you accompany Big Brother back home, pretend to raise money, sell the fields, first create a momentum, relax the bandits' vigilance! I will personally lead people to rescue Sister-in-law." Qiao Cheng and Qian Tai nodded in agreement.

  Qiao Yu said to Bai Kuan, "Uncle, we can't be the slightest bit lax about the Chongqing matter. Although we've temporarily suppressed the Ge Lao Hui, if he finds out that something has gone wrong with us, it's hard to guarantee that he won't take advantage of our weakness and make a move. Everything will depend on your coordination. Also, Han Dage and Shi Shu Ban, you two must assist, be firm and decisive, can't have any soft-heartedness."

  "Master, I'll go with you!" Han Yong had always been Qiao Yu's top lieutenant, skilled in combat and rich in experience. He was also very dangerous when dealing with mountain bandits, so he volunteered to go.

  "Brother Han, you must stay in Chongqing and hold down the fort. I'm worried that others won't be able to keep things under control. Don't worry, it's just a few bandits, dealing with them is easy. I'll take all of the young guards away, the patrol police have limited combat power, and your burden isn't light either!"

  "Young master, don't worry, Old Han will definitely take good care of your home!"

  Bai Kuan grasped Qiao Yu's arm: "Shun Qing, do you think we should mobilize the power of our official positions? After all, this banditry is also their responsibility?"

  "Uncle, they're beyond hope, they've been useless for a long time. If not, Button Transmission wouldn't have let me train the patrol police. However, after I take down Tian Gang Village, I'll still need to communicate with the imperial court, lest they say we disrespect our elders!"

  Everyone knew that things were urgent, and according to Qiao Yu's orders, they all went to prepare. Qiao Yu alone kept his older brother behind: "Older brother, the soldiers I personally trained are capable of fighting against some bandits, but this time, sister-in-law was suddenly kidnapped, and I'm worried that there's a traitor in the family. If someone hadn't informed on us, how could the bandits have grasped her itinerary so accurately? And they ambushed her right on the way back to her natal home! Moreover, the guards at home were routed as soon as they were touched - it's clear that most of them are useless. Older brother, you must take this into consideration and reorganize things. If anything happens to our parents, we'll be beyond redemption!"

  Qiao Cheng also recovered a lot at this time, nodded and said: "Shun Qing, I believe in your ability, but after all, it's the first time you've gone to war, and it's hard to guarantee that there won't be any accidents. Be careful not to make any mistakes!"

  "Big brother, don't worry about my side, but you must act naturally. If there's a traitor in the family and we make a mistake, it'll be hard to prevent the thief from harming your sister! Even our actions will be affected."

  Qiao Cheng nodded and quickly mounted a fast horse with Qian Tai, rushing to the Wan family home. Meanwhile, Qiao Yu gathered his men and stood on the training grounds, addressing them: "Brothers, this time the bandits from Tianxia Village have brazenly kidnapped my sister-in-law and are demanding a huge ransom! What do you say we should do?"

  These young men have been trained for two months and have gone through conflicts with the gang, all of whom seem to be somewhat fierce, like a group of little tigers, shouting in unison: "No way, absolutely not!"

  "What should we do then?"

  "Down with the Heavenly King's stronghold! Down with the Heavenly King's stronghold!"

  Qiao Yu was very satisfied with the strong morale, and prepared guns, ammunition and dry food. Wang Huai had a deep memory of Tian Gang Stockade, so he acted as a guide. The 300-man team left Chongqing quietly and headed straight for Tian Gang Stockade.

  These young guards were just ordinary farm boys a few months ago, but now they are armed to the teeth and heading out to eliminate bandits. Each one of them seems overly excited, and Qiao Yu is also planning his first real battle. Although he had a conflict with the Ge Lao Hui not long ago, it was still in the city and didn't involve actual fighting, so this is a completely different situation. As the commander of this unit, he must remain calm, or else they will be in trouble.

  After a lot of training, the young men were in good physical condition. After a day and night, they arrived at Wang Huai's hometown, Wangjiazhuang. This place is only twenty or thirty miles away from Tianpeng Village and is a small village with less than 100 people. Wang Huai had not been here for five years and was very excited. However, when he arrived at the entrance of the village, his excitement disappeared. The small village was extremely dilapidated. It was already evening, but no smoke could be seen rising from the chimneys, nor were there any sounds of chickens or dogs. It was as if it were a dead place.

  Wang Huai entered the village and not far from the entrance, there was a dilapidated brick house, which was considered one of the best in the area. Wang Huai remembered that this was the home of the clan elder, Wang San Ye, so he went over to knock on the door.

  "Third Grandfather, Tiger is here to see you, come out quickly! Is Third Grandfather at home? Come out quickly!"

  Wang Huai knocked on the door repeatedly, but there was no response. Qiao Yu also entered the village under the protection of several guards at this time. The first impression of Qiao Yu was desolation and bleakness, as if the whole village had died. Wang Huai was puzzled in his heart, and his hand involuntarily tightened, causing a door panel that had been unrepaired for years to collapse with a loud creak.

  "Third Grandfather, you're inside, come out quickly, I'm Hu Zi!" Just then, the door of a side room was pushed open, and a pale head poked out, staring blankly outside. When he saw Wang Huai, his expression changed slightly, and the old man rushed out suddenly.

  "You're really a tiger's son! Come quickly and let Third Grandfather take a look at you. You've grown so big, completely different from when you were little."

  Wang Huai hastily took a few quick steps, and hugged the old man: "Third Grandfather, what's going on with us? Why didn't you react at all when I called out for so long?"

  "Alas, Tiger, your Third Grandfather has been bullied to the door, our Wangjia Village doesn't know when it will be gone!" The old man's eyes welled up with tears, his voice mournful and sorrowful. Suddenly, he noticed Qiao Yu and others standing behind Wang Huai, wearing neat gray military uniforms, with rifles slung over their shoulders. As soon as the old man saw this, his legs began to weaken.

  "What kind of people are Hu Zi and them?"

  "Third Master, this is Chongqing Police Chief Qiao Yuqiao, also my superior, and I'm currently serving under him!"

  "It's an official!" The old man seemed to cool down immediately, "Are you here for money or food? We have nothing left here, only this old life of mine. You can take it all! I'm done living!"

  Wang Huai did not expect the old man to be so repelled by the officials, and he had great respect for Qiao Yu. It was really impolite for Third Master to speak like that.

  "Elderly sir, although I'm wearing a black hat, I'm just a merchant. I've come here not for money or food, but because my family members were kidnapped by the Heavenly Forgiveness Village and I want to rescue them. Please don't misunderstand me!"

  The old man was surprised to hear Qiao Yu speaking so politely, unlike those rude officials. When he heard that Qiao Yu wanted to deal with the Heavenly Gate Gang, the old man suddenly looked like he had been struck by lightning and asked after a while:

  "Sir officer, are you really going to exterminate the Heaven's Wrath Stronghold, this den of thieves?"