Chapter Thirty-One: A Human Head is Worth Money

  After the seventy-fourth person left, the remaining three hundred or so people were silent. Xu Wei asked again and made it clear that with swords and guns drawn, life and death are up to heaven's will, and one must think carefully. After this, another dozen or so people left, and from then on, no matter what he said, not a single person wavered.

  "I'm asking you all for the last time, are you determined to be soldiers and eat military rations, engaging in this bloody profession?" Xu's voice was like a loud bell, shaking the air.

  "Yes!" More than 300 people responded in unison, their voices shaking the sky. The surrounding villagers were shocked and jumped back. Not long ago, they were still a chaotic mob, but now they finally looked like a team.

  "Good! This is a true hero! Since you are all determined to stay, I, Xu Wei, will not let you down!" With the order given, two strong men carried a wooden box over. Xu Wei jumped off the stone mill and opened the box, pulling out something from inside and showing it to everyone. At this sight, the 300 soldiers' eyes lit up - silver! Shiny silver!

  "I know that many of you have joined me, Xu Wei, due to the pressure of making a living. The first month's military pay will be issued in advance!" As soon as Xu Wei finished speaking, the soldiers immediately erupted into cheers. Great! My family is struggling to make ends meet and can barely afford to cook meals, but now I'll be able to bring home some silver! Won't my parents, wife, and children be delighted?

  When the soldiers received their full military pay with white flowers, they suddenly gained confidence! Let's do it! Follow Xu Jiu to the end! Damn it, isn't it just to eliminate the bandits? What are you afraid of? I'll risk my life to kill a few and get the reward for their heads!

  The military pay has been distributed, and the three hundred men are in high spirits, completely unafraid of the bandits at Baimagou. Many people are eagerly waiting for Commander Zhang to give the order, so they can rush over and wipe out the bandit lair! Those who withdrew from the Jingyuan camp are lingering outside, feeling uneasy, watching others receive their pay with envy. If only they had gambled on it, killing them would have been a different story!

  What made them even more regretful was yet to come. After the military pay was distributed, Commander Xu Wei's words made these runaway soldiers who were already regretful to the point of turning green with remorse want to knock their heads against the ground and die.

  "Brothers! This little silver is just a small sum of money! Now, the remnants of the bandits from Qian Niu Mountain are hiding in Bai Ma Gou. The news has been passed down that there are more than 500 bandits. We will have a hearty meal at the Jing Wei camp and set out immediately. For every one we kill, we'll be rewarded with three taels of silver! For every prisoner taken, the reward is the same! Who dares to go?"

  "Come on! Come on! Come on!" The soldiers shouted in unison, holding up their weapons. Originally thought that the thousand cow mountain gang had reassembled, there should be at least a thousand people? But unexpectedly, there were only five hundred! What's to fear? Brothers stand shoulder to shoulder and wipe out this group of bastards!

  Five of them were stunned for a while, how many people? Five hundred? Didn't they say yesterday evening... After careful recollection, the commander didn't mention the number of bandits either, only that they were from Qian Niu Mountain. Hiss, after all this fuss, there are only five hundred people!

  Zhang Qing looked up at Xu Wei and finally understood his intention. The Jingwei camp was formed immediately after the battle, and he deliberately didn't explain that it was just a remnant of the Qianliu Mountain bandits, making the soldiers afraid in their hearts. Those who wanted to mix and deceive would definitely retreat. By doing so, they drove out those who were pretending to be part of the team. The remaining people were all determined to follow him. At this time, he brought out a large amount of silver to boost morale. It was still not enough, and only then did he explain that there were only about 500 bandits in Baimagou, making the soldiers' confidence surge, and they were eager to fly to Baimagou to kill the bandits and get rewards.

  "Brothers! I, Xu Wei, have been entrusted by the imperial court to build an army and suppress bandits. Thanks to your trust in me, many of you have joined me. I, Xu Jiu, dare not make any promises except that military pay will be distributed on time, and rewards will be given without exception! When we advance, I'll lead from the front! When we retreat, I'll guard from the rear! Whoever shares a pot of food with me is my brother! Whoever fights alongside me on the battlefield is my brother!"

  Yang Yan's blood was boiling with excitement, and he couldn't help but shout loudly in his hoarse voice: "I swear to follow Commander-in-Chief to the death!"

  Three hundred officers and soldiers, their voices reached the clouds, repeating the same sentence! The sudden burst of shouting scared the children in the crowd to cry loudly. The adults were also shocked, this group of people was really a motley crew not long ago?

  "Taigong! The gate is guarded by a tiger! Jiulang will one day restore the honor of the Xu family!"

  Xu Taigong had actually been standing at the side of the field for a long time, watching his son's series of actions and sighing in his heart. After all, I am Xu Zhang's seed, born to lead troops, just a few moves, and he has stirred up this group of mobs, shouting loudly. Not to mention whether these people have received training or how strong their combat effectiveness is, just with this morale, even the imperial guard would have to take notice.

  Baimagou is located at the junction of Xiajin County, Daming Prefecture and Qinghe County, Enzhou. Although there are few people nearby, it is a shortcut to the west. Merchants traveling east and west often choose to pass through Baimagou to enter Qinghe County. In the past, when the world was at peace, this was not a problem, but now that the north of the Yellow River is in turmoil, Baimagou is frequently haunted by bandits. Not long ago, it is said that a group of defeated bandits fled here and often robbed travelers on the road. This place is at the border of two regions, and local officials shirk their responsibilities, not wanting to take care of it. Later, Enzhou sent out militia archers to surround and capture them, killing dozens of bandits before retreating in defeat. The prefect was furious and reported it to the imperial court.

  That day, the sun was like a fire, and the scorching sunlight made the earth almost spark. In the mountains and forests, the leaves were all scorched, and the cicadas cried out in desperation, disturbing people's minds. Actually, who would come to this desolate wilderness?

  Not to mention, there were indeed people on the road ahead, walking in a hurry under the scorching sun. The men at the front had taken off their jackets and were holding them in their hands, wearing only their undershirts, sweating profusely, with one hand holding a wooden knife, only focusing on rushing forward. Behind them followed two sedan chairs, four bearers with red faces, bent over, running in small steps. At the back were five or six laborers, carrying poles, closely following behind.

  Seeing a forest in front of him, the first short-bearded big man walked back a few steps and shouted at the sedan chair in front: "Madam, there is a forest ahead, let's go in and take a break."

  The sedan chair was quiet for a moment, but then a female voice came from behind: "We've been rushing on the road for half a day, everyone is tired, let's take a rest." Judging from this voice, the person in the sedan chair should not be very old. Looking at this lineup, this group of people shouldn't be ordinary folks, but that woman's voice didn't have the pampered tone of an official or rich family, instead it sounded crisp and efficient.

  The man responded with a sound and hurriedly led him into the forest. He forgot an old saying, "When you encounter a forest, don't enter."

  ....................

  The second update is here, I created a book club group, 33701828, brothers can join in and chat casually.