Chapter 19: Searching for Husband 3

  Li Gang felt that Liu Shanhe's words made a lot of sense, so he said: "Alright, since Mayor Liu is being sincere in yielding to me, then I, Li Gang, won't be polite either."

  Li Gang dared to say so, naturally relying on his own strength and numbers. Seeing that his plan was about to be foiled, he was also very pleased in his heart. As a result, including his subordinates, those people couldn't help but let their guard down.

  Then Li Gang followed Liu Shanhe's directions and walked towards the empty space in the woods. A faint, almost imperceptible cold smile floated to the corner of Liu Shanhe's mouth.

  "Alright, Liu Tingchang, we've arrived at the designated place according to your instructions. How about it, shall we get started quickly?" Li Gang looked at Liu Shanhe's eyes, seemingly a bit anxious.

  "Oh? Start? What are you starting?" Seeing that the other party had already arrived at his designated location, Liu Shanhe couldn't help but sneer.

  "Liu Tingchang, didn't we just agree on that earlier? What, do you want to go back on your word?" Li Gang, not a good person himself, heard Liu Shanhe's words and his eyes widened involuntarily.

  Seeing this expression on his face, Liu Shanhe couldn't help but burst out laughing, and then he turned to Li Gang again: "Li Zhuangshi, do you think we can just let go of the territory we've been operating for so long and hand it over to you? Is that possible? I can ask you a question, do you know how that dog's mother died?"

  "What? You dare to humiliate me! Brothers, get ready to take action, first chop off this Liu guy's head!" Li Gang didn't know the depth of the situation, although his heart was also muttering incessantly. But since things had developed to this point, it wasn't good to say anything more to Liu Bang. It was better to take the initiative and strike first. But how could he be a match for Liu Shanhe?

  Those who followed Li Gang, as soon as they heard Li Gang's order to take up their weapons, quickly raised the weapons in their hands. The momentum was far beyond that of Liu Shanhe's men, who were holding tree branches. Liu Shanhe saw the regular combat weapons in Li Gang's men's hands and felt a pang of envy. However, he shouted loudly without showing any emotion: "What are you waiting for? Don't give them a show!"

  As soon as Liu Shanhe's voice fell, a group of nets descended from the sky and quickly covered almost all of the forty or fifty people. At the same time, six or seven people jumped down from the trees like savages, holding weapons made of branches in their hands, and together with the others, they quickly surrounded Li Gang and the people he brought with him.

  Things have evolved to this point, and insightful people can see at a glance that if Liu Shanhe wants to get rid of those guys who have been caught in the net, it's actually very simple. Those guys who were caught in the net are now panicked and flailing about inside, but the more they struggle, the tighter the web seems to bind them, making it impossible for them to move.

  "Everyone, stop moving! If you don't listen, we'll kill you all! Everyone, stop moving! If you don't listen, we'll kill you all!" Zhang Ping shouted loudly first. And indeed, Zhang Ping's loud roar was effective, those guys who were covered by the net didn't move anymore, and their eyes showed an unbelievable gaze.

  "Liu...Liu Bang, what are you going to do?" Li Gang's eyes showed a hint of fear, and even his voice was trembling.

  "What are you doing? Hmph, Li Zhuangshi, you think you can just barge in here with your large following and take over our territory? Is this what you call a righteous move? We were originally going to welcome you warmly and work together on great things, but instead, you're being so arrogant! It's truly unbearable! If you can still turn back and sincerely submit to us, I might spare your life. But if you continue to hesitate, don't blame me, Liu Ji, for not being polite!" Liu Shanhe's momentum suddenly surged, as if even the heavens and earth had changed color along with him.

  Liu Tingzhang, Liu Tingzhang, alas, it's all because I didn't recognize the greatness of Mount Tai, it's all because I didn't recognize the greatness of Mount Tai. You are a magnanimous person, sir, and you don't hold grudges against petty people like me. Please, Liu Tingzhang, have mercy on me and spare my life! From now on, I will never dare to treat you with such disrespect again! Li Gang immediately put on a flattering face.

  Liu Shanhe, based on his experiences in the 21st century and his interactions with various people after crossing over, had developed a discerning eye that could accurately assess others. Liu Shanhe could tell that this guy was absolutely not a good person. However, he couldn't kill him today because it would make others think he was narrow-minded and unsuitable for gathering followers. So, Liu Shanhe immediately put on a smiling face and said to Li Gang: "Li Zhuangshi, haha! Don't be polite, don't be polite! I, Liu Bang, am not someone who can't tolerate others. As long as you're not looking down on me, this place may not be big, but it's still enough for us brothers to hang out!"

  In this way, Liu Shanhe cleverly used his plan and finally incorporated the more than 50 people brought by Li Gang into his own team. When reorganizing these people, Li Gang had proposed to let his 50 or so men form a separate combat unit, but Liu Shanhe did not allow it. Liu Shanhe was not stupid, if he followed Li Gang's idea, it would still be equivalent to the 50 or so people brought by Li Gang maintaining their connection with him, and it would be easy to form an opposing force against Liu Shanhe, such a losing deal, Liu Shanhe naturally would never do.

  So Liu Shanhe simply divided the fifty or so people brought by Li Gang into three batches, and assigned them to Zhang Ping, Hu Gan, and Hong Qi's teams, dispersing their combat effectiveness, making the fighting capacity of the fifty men completely dissolve into his own troops, thereby greatly enhancing his own combat effectiveness.

  "Girl, I'll find a chance to get rid of you sooner or later!" Liu Shanhe had his own plans for Li Gang's existence. Yes, he was waiting for the right moment. But who isn't waiting for the right moment? Wasn't Li Gang doing the same thing? Maybe that guy was still thinking about an even more ruthless plan than himself!

  For Liu Shanhe, the opportunity to get rid of Li Gang had finally arrived! And it was a good one. One day, Liu Shanhe suddenly received a report from one of his trusted informants that Li Gang was secretly discussing something with some people. Upon hearing this, Liu Shanhe was shocked. Although he also thought that Li Gang was not someone who would stay calm and quiet for long, and would eventually cause trouble. But what Liu Shanhe did not expect was that the guy was so impatient, and had made his move so quickly!

  Thinking of this, Liu Sen's heart was filled with rage. However, in order to grasp the true tone of Li Gang's betrayal on the spot, Liu Shanhe still decided that this matter should be handled slowly.

  "Come on, follow me!" Liu Shanhe led several brothers in the direction that brother had just mentioned, and they moved forward cautiously. The forest was dense and dark, with no sunlight penetrating through. The interval between the trees was dim and deep, making it a perfect place for secret hiding. Finally, Liu Shanhe heard a voice that sounded like someone speaking in a low tone: "We can't stay here any longer, I've long known about this Liu Bang, he's narrow-minded and short-sighted, it's hard to achieve great things with him. I think we should leave early and plan something bigger."

  Although the other party was speaking in a low voice (for fear of being heard by others), Liu Shanhe still recognized that it was Li Gang's voice. It's not suitable for ordinary people to delay. Liu Shanhe saw that there were five or six people on the other side, while he had only three or four people here. He was afraid that if they were startled, these guys would become enraged and jump into a fight, and if it really came to blows, wouldn't he suffer greatly?

  Having thought of this, Liu Shanhe whispered a few words to one of the brothers, who quietly turned around and went back along the original road. After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the brother returned quietly again and said to Liu Shanhe: "General Liu, I have told Zhang Ping, Hu Gan, and Hong Qi according to what you said, and they will make arrangements quickly."

  "Ah, good, well done!" Liu Shanhe gave the brother a nod of approval and then continued to listen in on Li Gang's conversation: "Alright, we shouldn't delay any further. We'll set out tonight."

  "Hmm, okay, we'll all listen to you, after all, aren't you our messenger?" one of them replied.

  "But what if we're discovered by Liu Bang?" another guy said with some concern.

  "What to do? Let's fight it out with them! Anyway, we're all going to die!" This was Li Gang's voice. The guy seemed to be getting desperate! However, as soon as he said the words "Anyway, we're all going to die", Liu Shanhe couldn't help but laugh, because he felt that this sentence was very familiar. After thinking for a moment, damn it, wasn't this exactly what I said when I was inciting everyone to rebel?! It seems that this sentence is still quite popular!

  Liu Shanhe felt that the timing was about right, so he shouted loudly: "I think it's not necessary to wait any longer! Why must we wait until tonight? A real man should do things openly and honestly, why are you hiding and sneaking around?"

  Liu Shanhe's sudden shout was like a thunderclap in the nine heavens, stunning those people into staring blankly. The expressions they had just now were frozen on their faces for a long time. However, when they discovered that only four or five people, including Liu Shanhe, stood up from the nearby grass, they finally put down their guard. Then Li Gang's face also eased a lot, and he said to Liu Shanhe: "Liu Bang, I've brought forty or fifty men for you too. As for the other troops, I don't want them anymore. Today, since we met by chance, let me say one more thing - give me way, okay? We're not on the same path after all. I'll just take these few brothers and leave. How about it?"

  Actually, Liu Shanhe never had the idea of killing them, because although it would have given him a chance to vent his anger, it would not be beneficial for his long-term development. So, Liu Shanhe said loudly: "Alright, I agree with you. However, Li Gang, I also want to tell you that don't think this is because I, Liu Bang, am narrow-minded and can't tolerate others, so I'm pushing you away! Some things are better said clearly in front of our brothers. What do you say?"

  As soon as Liu Shanhe's voice fell, dozens of people emerged from all sides, almost simultaneously - Zhang Ping, Hu Gan, and Hong Qi had already crept up according to Liu Shanhe's plan, all shouting loudly "Kill Li Gang, kill Li Gang, kill Li Gang". The sound was loud and clear, echoing in the mountains and forests for a long time.

  Li Gang's face turned white again in an instant. He knew that it seemed he was doomed to die today.

  "Alright, brothers! We can't kill Li Gang's... after all, he was forced to come here with us, and like us, he hates the cruelty of the Qin Dynasty. It's just that people have different ambitions and paths, so we can't work together. Alright, Li Gang, today we've made things clear in front of everyone. It's not that I, Liu Bang, won't tolerate you, but this temple is too small, and your presence is too big, it can't hold you! You can leave, take the brothers by your side with you! Go quickly! Today we've made things clear in front of everyone. It's not that I, Liu Bang, won't tolerate you, but this temple is too small, and your presence is too big, it can't hold you! You can leave, take the brothers by your side with you! Go quickly!" Liu Shanhe said again, without getting tired.

  "After a while, Liu Shanhe said to everyone: 'Brothers, I, Liu Shanhe, don't have any great abilities, just one thing - that is, I am willing to share the joys and sorrows with my brothers, travel together on the road, and live and die together. All those friends who have been with me know this characteristic of mine, which is absolutely in line with the hearts of my brothers. Therefore, if you are willing to follow Li Gang's brother, I, Liu Shanhe, will not make it difficult for you; if you are willing to continue training here with me to prepare for future events, I, Liu Shanhe, welcome you with both hands clapping. Everyone can choose freely.'"

  After Liu Shanhe finished speaking, the entire mountain forest was quiet, and only the sound of the wind blowing through the trees could be heard.

  Li Gang only then truly realized Liu Shanhe's magnanimity, feeling that this person was indeed a character, and couldn't help but regret his own actions. However, since he had already done the deed and taken this step, it was too late to say anything. An arrow shot from a bow cannot be turned back! Thinking of this, Li Gang let out a long sigh, clenched his fist towards Liu Shanhe, then turned around and left, quickly disappearing into the vast forest. The several brothers he had brought over stood there in a daze for a while before finally coming to their senses, looking around in all directions, then quickly returning to their own squad.

  The Li Gang incident has finally come to an end.

  Li Gang's arrival, although it brought him a lot of trouble, also brought him more than 50 people, greatly strengthening their power. From this point on, Liu Shanhe still had to thank Li Gang. Especially those people Li Gang brought with him, most of whom were equipped with regular weapons, greatly increasing the combat effectiveness of this small unit. With these forces, he could firmly occupy Mangdang Mountain and use it as a base for further development and expansion. It seemed that his own days of making a name for himself had finally begun!

  The days of hiding and running away are over, and we can now do what we want to do with dignity. Including Liu Shanhe, almost all the brothers are in a great mood. However, with more people, some problems have also arisen. For example, one of the most basic problems is the issue of food. When there were only ten or so people before, eating was still manageable, and they could just hunt for wild game and gather fruits to get by. But now, with sixty or seventy people, it's absolutely impossible to rely on hunting and gathering to feed everyone. Moreover, Liu Shanhe has also considered that a person is made of iron and food is steel - if you don't eat one meal, you'll be starving. If they don't eat well, how can this army have any fighting power? Without fighting power, what's the point of them being together? Yes, next step, he must solve the problem of food for everyone. If this problem isn't solved in a day, it means that these people, this group of people, can only be considered a group of fugitives and not a real army with fighting power. In addition, their weapons also need to be improved further. After all, there are still nearly twenty brothers using weapons that aren't really weapons, but just some clubs and sticks they made themselves. Such weapons might be okay for dealing with some bandits, but if they were to engage in a real battle with the government army, they would be useless. But where can they get better weapons? Thinking of this, Liu Shanhe couldn't help but think of that group of brothers brought by Li Gang. Ah, why not ask them how they got those weapons in their hands and solve the problem?

  At this time, Liu Shanhe sent someone to call a brother brought by Li Gang and asked: "The regular weapons in your hands, how did you get them? Tell me, our army is still in urgent need of replacing weapons!"

  "Oh, Liu Tingchang, that's how it is. The weapons we have in our hands were seized from the officials during battles. We were all poor and had no choice but to follow Li Gang's rebellion. Later, the government searched for us, but fortunately, Li Gang was clever and set up several strategies to defeat the government's officers, so we obtained their weapons."

  "Oh, I see! It seems that Li Gang is quite strategic after all! Alas, unfortunately, he has other ambitions and can't stay here to work with me. Otherwise, having him by my side would have made our team even stronger." Liu Shanhe was a man who thirsted for talent, someone who regarded talented individuals as his life's mission. When he learned about Li Gang's strategic abilities, he couldn't help but feel some regret over Li's departure.

  However, as for what that brother said about obtaining weapons by fighting against the government, Liu Shanhe knew that Li Gang had done so out of desperation. At present, his own strength was still very weak, with only 50 or 60 people, how could he dare to provoke the government? To be honest, if those government officials didn't come looking for trouble, he would already be grateful. His current strength was far from developing to the point where he could take the initiative to fight against the government.

  At that time, how to solve the problem of eating and arming became the top priority in Liu Shanhe's mind. For these two things, he was not only unable to eat well but also couldn't sleep well, sighing all day long. Because Liu Shanhe was very clear in his heart that if these two problems could not be solved, especially the food problem, then without the government coming to attack him, these people would eventually turn against each other over time, and it's possible they might even kill Liu Shanhe himself. In certain situations, people are capable of doing anything.

  Under duress, although Zhang Ping, Hu Gan and Hong Qi were consulted multiple times, a satisfactory result was never reached. What is satisfactory? That would be a method that can fundamentally solve the problem. However, although this long-term plan was not thought of, a temporary solution was discussed - robbery. Liu Shanhe considered it for a moment and made the following rules: First, unless absolutely necessary, robbery cannot be carried out. Unless they were really starving; Second, the targets of robbery could only be rich people, including wealthy merchants and landlords. Of course, if they were officials who had amassed wealth through corruption, that would be even better. Third, there are two ways to carry out robbery. One is highway robbery. There is an official road at the foot of Mangshan Mountain, which is often used by travelers. However, this type of robbery relies on luck to some extent. If things don't go well, they might not encounter a suitable target for several days. Another way is to go to the village and actively look for trouble with those wealthy landlords, making them pay "sponsorship fees" voluntarily. And as a return, if they encountered any problems, Liu Shanhe and his men would definitely help solve them. After all, nobody's money comes from nowhere.

  However, Liu Shanhe repeatedly emphasized one thing that was the most fundamental, and that was even if they were starving to death, they could not rob those poor old people. Whoever broke this rule would be guilty of a capital offense. Liu Shanhe repeatedly stressed to his brothers that they had no choice but to do this robbery because they were really in a desperate situation. But if they robbed both the rich and the poor indiscriminately, then they would be no different from ordinary bandits. Therefore, this was the bottom line, the red line, which no one could cross.