Chapter 20: The Qinling Bandit

  The town had only a few households, but there was a large enough market, apparently specifically for providing supplies to traveling merchants. However, the market was empty, and even the guys standing at the inn's entrance looked somewhat surprised when they saw a large team of horses and carriages coming in. The guys efficiently received the merchants and quickly met Liu Ze's requirements.

  The shopkeeper tapped on his abacus, looking at Liu Ze with a hint of surprise: "This guest officer, aren't you going to Hanzhong?"

  Liu Ze found it somewhat strange, as this was a deliberate question. There was only one road to get here, going through the Ziwu Valley to Hanzhong, with no second choice of route available. Nevertheless, he still politely bowed his head in respect. "Indeed."

  "Is this your first time visiting the Valley of the Morning Sun?"

  "Not bad."

  "It seems you can't leave now."

  "Why is this?"

  "Half a month ago, the government sealed off the Ziwu Valley and prohibited anyone from passing through."

  "Can such things really happen?"

  "It wasn't those thieves who caused the trouble, from last year to last month, there were over a dozen robberies in a row. At first, they only robbed without harming people, but later on, they simply killed and looted. The worst was the case of Wang Laoban at Yuantong Warehouse, where 64 lives were lost."

  It seems that Lao Si Jia and others in Luoyang City were right, there are indeed robbers on the road.

  "Why didn't the government troops go and annihilate them?"

  The shopkeeper shook his head and said, "To wipe out the bandits in Qinling is like searching for a needle in the ocean. Moreover, I've heard that the leader of the bandits has exceptional martial arts skills, and none of the officials dare to go there to die. They can only seal off the Ziwu Valley and prevent merchants from passing through. Sir, I advise you to turn back, considering your young age, don't lose your life in these desolate mountains."

  Hearing that the bandit chief was highly skilled in martial arts, Liu Ze's interest was piqued. He truly wanted to engage in a contest with the bandit chief. So he said: "Don't worry, shopkeeper. A few bandits are nothing to me. I have urgent business to attend to in Yizhou and cannot be delayed. But how can we get through with those government soldiers blocking the way?"

  "It doesn't matter if the officials and soldiers are bribed, as long as they are given a few silver coins, they can pass through. But does the guest really have the confidence to deal with the strong bandits?" Hearing Liu Ze's fearless words about the strong bandits, the shopkeeper couldn't help but look at him in a different light.

  "Don't worry, old chap, without a diamond drill bit, I wouldn't dare take on ceramic work."

  "What's 'Golden Steel Diamond'?" The shopkeeper really didn't know what Liu Ze was talking about, and he muttered to himself.

  Liu Zeshun said a sentence that no one in this dynasty could understand, and he himself secretly smiled, without explaining, cupped his hands and said: "Thank you, old sir, I'll take my leave."

  He was about to leave when the shopkeeper hurriedly called out to him: "Sir, your caravan can't get through Qinling Mountains."

  Liu Ze was taken aback, and the shopkeeper continued: "The Qinling Mountains are high and treacherous, with steep and difficult roads. The narrowest part can only allow one person to pass through, so a large cart like this cannot get through at all."

  Liu Ze secretly thought it was not good. He had thought about this problem, but he hadn't experienced it before and didn't know how to deal with it. It seemed that there would be a lot of trouble. He hastily asked: "What should we do then?"

  "No problem, our store specializes in renting Qin mules, which can carry heavy loads over mountains and ridges. You can pawn your horse carriage at our store, and after returning from Hanzhong, you can redeem it by returning the Qin mule." The shopkeeper said with a smile.

  Liu Ze listened and let out a breath of relief. He then proceeded to complete the formalities for renting a mule, unloading all the iron tools from the cart and loading them onto the mule's back.

  Zhang Fei looked at the short and small black donkey and got angry, his own tall and large horse was exchanged for these inconspicuous things. The shopkeeper smiled and said: "Don't look down on this Qin donkey, it's all thanks to it that we can cross the Qinling Mountains."

  Twenty carts of ironware plus ten carts of other goods required a full hundred Qin steeds to finish loading, and Liu Ze set off from the small town towards the Subnoon Valley.

  At the entrance of the valley, there was indeed a group of soldiers stationed. Seeing the approaching merchant caravan, they loudly shouted: "Listen up, merchants ahead! The valley is now closed to traffic. Anyone who disobeys will be killed without exception!"

  Zhang Fei was enraged upon hearing this, and said: "What a nuisance! If you have the ability to eliminate bandits, then go do it! But if you don't have that ability, yet still dare to shout loudly here, truly asking for a beating!"

  Liu Ze knew his temper was fiery, so he blocked his way: "Younger brother, don't be rash, a small moment of intolerance can ruin the whole plan." He turned to Jian Yun and said: "You take a few taels of gold over there and ask them to make some concessions."

  "Alright." Jian Yong then took five or six taels of loose yellow gold and put them in his sleeve, walking forward.

  Jian Yun stepped forward and bowed, saying: "May I ask the gentlemen soldiers, why is this valley prohibited from passing through?"

  At the mouth of the valley, there were five men. The leader, a squad leader, said impatiently: "The bandits at Taibai Ridge are rampant and have killed countless people. For the safety of passing travelers, the Prefect of the Capital has issued an order to prohibit anyone from passing through the valley until the bandits are cleared out."

  "When can we pass through?"

  Wu glared at him and said: "You ask me, who should I ask? Quickly retreat, otherwise you will be convicted of the crime of being a bandit."

  "Gentlemen, we have urgent business to attend to in Yizhou. Please let us pass." As he spoke, Jian Yun pulled out the five or six taels of loose gold from his sleeve and handed it over to the sergeant. "A small token, not enough to show our respect, please help us out, sir."

  Wu Zhang weighed the gold in his hand, and a sly smile spread across his stern face. In the Eastern Han dynasty, a soldier's monthly salary was only 200-300 coins, so this 5,000-6,000 coins was equivalent to two years' worth of salary. "Alright, I'll let you go since you have urgent business to attend to, but if you encounter bandits, don't blame me for not warning you." With a wave of his hand, the four soldiers parted to make way for him.

  Jian Yongdao said: "Thanks for your trouble." He turned around and waved his hand. Liu Ze saw it, and immediately ordered the mule team to move forward into the valley.

  The danger of the Subu Valley is not in vain, just a few miles out, the road becomes rugged and bumpy, and narrow places can only accommodate one person and one mule.

  Zhang Fei was still indignant about what had just happened: "Those five bastards, why don't I go over there and give them a good beating with my fists? That'll teach them to get out of the way."

  Liu Ze and Jian Yong exchanged a smile, Liu Ze said: "Younger brother, if you want to fight, the opportunity will come soon." He ordered his men to distribute dozens of ring-headed knives, one for each person. The mule team lined up in a row, Zhang Fei was at the front, and he took the lead, Jian Yong who didn't know martial arts was sandwiched in the middle, Liu Ze also arranged two men with good martial arts skills to protect him closely. He ordered all the Qin mules to be connected head to tail, and not to disperse.

  At nightfall, they would find a spacious place, tie all the Qin horses together in one spot, form a circle around them, and divide the men into two shifts. The first half of the night was patrolled by Zhang Fei's team, while the second half was guarded by Liu Ze. Such arrangements were seen by Zhang Fei and Jian Yong, who admired them greatly.

  After two days, everything was calm and peaceful. The Taibai Ridge had already been passed, but no robbers were seen anywhere. Not only robbers, but not even a single person's shadow was seen. Liu Ze felt somewhat disappointed, thinking that maybe it was because the government had blocked off the Zi Wu Valley, those robbers had lost their business and moved elsewhere. After all, robbers also need to eat, this place is desolate and uninhabited, they can't get gold, silver, or wealth, and the robbers have no way to survive.

  In the midst of thought, a faint cry suddenly came from the front, followed by the sound of golden spears. The long and straight mule team also became alert. Before long, the fellow in front rushed over to report that bandits had appeared ahead, and their leader was already fighting with Zhang Fei. Liu Ze hastily ordered the dozen or so fellows at the rear to gather together and protect the rear team, lest the robbers launch a sneak attack from behind. He himself immediately rushed forward to support Zhang Fei.

  Zhang Fei and the bandit leader had been fighting for over thirty rounds, but neither could gain the upper hand. Liu Ze looked at the bandit leader, who was robust and powerful, with a leopard-like head and piercing eyes, his face dark and menacing. He wielded a pair of iron short spears, dancing them around with a whirring sound. Liu Ze couldn't help but feel astonished, for Zhang Fei's martial arts skills were such that there were very few people in the Three Kingdoms who could exchange blows with him for thirty to fifty rounds without falling behind. Although Zhang Fei was still young and had not yet used his trusty spear, the bandit leader's skills were indeed exquisite, his spears wielded with great power and precision. Who would have thought that among the unknown robbers in the wilderness, there would be such a heroic figure?

  Liu Ze grasped his sword in hand, shouted "Halt!", flew forward, struck out with one sword, and separated the two of them.

  Zhang Fei burst out laughing and said: "Black-faced thief, how's that? Do you admit defeat?"

  The bandit leader's face turned even darker when he saw that he had another helper, and said: "Black charcoal head, if you're a good man, let's have a one-on-one fight. Otherwise, it's the same as before - whoever loses will kowtow and call the other grandfather."

  "Good! Come on, come on, let's fight another hundred rounds!" Zhang Fei shouted loudly, brandishing his sword and preparing to charge forward.

  Liu Ze stepped forward and saluted with his fists: "I am Liu Ze from Zhuo County, passing through this precious land. May I ask the hero's surname and great name?"