Chapter Three: Array Formation

  Just as the big fist of the sand pot was about to hit, Wang Wu shouted: "Stop!" Er Dezi angrily retracted his fist, but roared at Xiaomei: "Er Niang, what are you doing talking to a man again? Don't you have any shame?"

  Wang Wu also walked over, his face as stern as water: "A female escort on the outside must take care of herself. Whatever happens is what you asked for. Don't think about following us again next time, go back!"

  The little beauty's shoulders shook, her lips bitten tightly. She turned around and ran away. Xu Yifan had a nosebleed, but didn't know what to say. Wang Wu walked over with a stern face, sizing him up for a moment before forcing a smile: "Kids don't understand things, let's not take it to heart... Earlier, I was talking to Er Dezi about surrounding the car, how should we arrange it?"

  Xu Yifan shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Fifth Master, I was just talking nonsense. Your noble escort agency is powerful and strong. Don't take the nonsense of a down-on-his-luck person like me to heart."

  Wang Wu shook his head: "I think it makes sense... Our usual way of doing things may work for small groups of bandits, but when a large group attacks, we can't take care of both the front and back. And nowadays, they often use foreign guns, so our old ways really need to be changed. The most important thing is, I think today's plan isn't right, not right at all..."

  The night wind seemed to have suddenly turned cooler, and the flames on the surrounding bonfires were suddenly pulled very long. Xu Yifan pinched his nose in surprise, looking at this late Qing dynasty tycoon. He, however, had a serious expression. Whispering to himself: "Too quiet..."

  By his side, Er Dezi was also infected, cautiously looking around. The night had already shrouded the entire sky and earth, with a heavy darkness all around. Occasionally, a donkey let out a low bray, even the autumn insects in the grass seemed to have lost their voices at this moment.

  Wang Wu solemnly bowed his hands to Xu Yifan: "Please enlighten me."

  The result of the teaching was that Xu Yifan finally completed his first command in this era. According to the memory of the movie book, more than 100 vehicles were arranged into two circles inside and outside. The mules were all unloaded from the cars and placed on the innermost layer. The cars were connected by leather straps between them. In the innermost part, a high platform was built with stacked cargo boxes. That Erdanzi was said to have the best eyesight and was sent to the top.

  Xu Yifan also emphasized to Wang Wu that this night watch formation was not a solo fight for his bodyguards. There were foreign guns. They all relied on the carriages, forming a circular defensive circle. About half of Wang Wu's bodyguards had guns, and what was surprising was that most of Da Shengkui's cart drivers had guns. However, most of them were single-shot iron Sakai, Berdan, and other old-fashioned rifles. According to Xu Yifan's suggestion, in a group of ten people, an old hand would be chosen as the commander, and they would only open fire with unified commands, so that they could form sufficient firepower. A dozen or so Winchester-style repeating rifles were concentrated together. Wherever there was a sign of being breached, they would reinforce that area.

  This paper talk of array, can let Xu Yifan happy not also music. He didn't think he would encounter any fatal situation. Da Sheng Kui and the people of Hui You Bao Ju also thought so. If it weren't for Wang Wu's always serious face, Da Sheng Kui Ku Lun's store manager also supported Wang Wu. I guess no one will rush to deal with this matter after a day of hard work.

  General Uriah's fourth wife, although she had never appeared, his steward was furious at the commotion and even let the madam's carriage be surrounded in the middle, with sweaty porters all around. Wang Wu just said calmly, "Tonight might be the most dangerous time." They were so scared that they didn't dare to make a sound.

  It wasn't until ten o'clock that everything was finally settled. Everywhere was filled with complaints and grievances. Everyone's gaze at Xu Yifan was somewhat unfriendly, making him feel a chill run down his spine from time to time. Wang Wu followed closely behind him, directing the dispatch of about a dozen cavalrymen in all directions. Only when the dust had finally settled did Xu Yifan rub his nose and say to Wang Wu, "Master Five, isn't this a bit too much? I was just talking nonsense, look at how you've gotten everyone all worked up..."

  Wang Wu's eyes were gloomy as he looked around, shaking his head and saying: "It's not a mess, you've arranged it very methodically. One hundred foreign guns formed a circle like this. Even five hundred horse bandits can't break in. Today I learned something from my brother."

  "Five hundred?" Xu Yifan jumped in fright. "Really five hundred horse bandits are staring at us? How...how come nobody said anything?"

  Wang Wu burst out laughing: "No one told me, brother, I've been traveling the world for over a decade. This bit of intuition was bought with blood! From Kulun all the way here, it's been too peaceful. Autumn is the season when horse thieves are most active, and I always feel like something will happen. Why do I especially feel that something is off tonight? I told you, but you won't understand!"

  He pointed at the deployment around him: "With such an arrangement, I've finally put my mind at ease. Thanks a lot! The arrangement is so neat and tidy, have you eaten rations in the big camp?"

  Xu Yifan hadn't replied yet when an old man wearing a fur-lined gown and a sable hat walked over, supported by two young men. As they approached, the old man glanced at the two of them and said in a low voice, "Fifth Master, will something happen tonight?"

  Xu Yifan took a glance at the old man, who looked still quite vigorous, with a pair of narrow eyes half-closed. He seemed to be weak and listless. But when his gaze shifted, it revealed extraordinary shrewdness and dignity. Wang Wu bowed respectfully: "Boss Han, I'm not sure what's going on, but something doesn't feel right."

  A fellow behind him whispered, "Escort agency, escort agency, it's to protect our caravan, this is good, in the middle of the night they stir us up and don't even let us sleep..."

  The old man turned his head and gave him a cold look, and the fellow suddenly didn't dare speak.

  "Alright! Old Five has been away from home for over a decade, he must have his reasons! Tell the brothers, let's get spirited tonight. Each brother gets two silver dollars. Consider it hard-earned money, go quickly!" The brothers instantly jumped up and left, soon after a shout erupted: "Thanks to Boss He for the reward!"

  Xu Yifan rubbed his nose again. This old shopkeeper is not simple. He knows the principle that outsiders cannot interfere with insiders. No wonder he can lead such a large team.

  Mr. Han's gaze fell on him again, and Wang Wu smiled and said, "Brother, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Han, the old shopkeeper of Dasheng Quilu Branch Store. All the business inside and outside the pass is under Dasheng Quilu's control. The old man used to be a lone adventurer who traveled extensively by horseback!"

  What's the big deal about Dashunrui? Xu Yifan's heart skipped a beat. Suddenly, he remembered an old Soviet movie (the Soviet Union was still a thing back then) that he had seen, which was made after Outer Mongolia gained independence and was called "Prosecution". It could be said that at that time, China had a trade monopoly enterprise that not only monopolized all foreign trade but also controlled almost all of the upper-class figures in Mongolia! By the end of the Qing dynasty, the Manchu emperor no longer went to the Summer Palace to comfort the princes of Inner and Outer Mongolia. As for what was going on with Inner and Outer Mongolia, as long as they gave a shout-out to the boss of Dashunrui's Beijing store, everything would be fine!

  This shopkeeper of Kulun is a god of wealth. Suddenly, he saw two eyes full of dollar signs on the old man. No way, he didn't have a single copper coin on him now. When people are poor, they are short-tempered.

  Han Zhanggui simply looked at Xu Yifan and said lightly: "Surrounding the car with a circular array, is this gentleman's idea? Not bad, in the future when our Dasheng Qu's caravans come and go outside the city gate, whenever we spend the night, we should do it like this."

  Wang Wu smiled and said: "Not bad, all this...". He suddenly felt a little embarrassed on his face, and asked in a low voice: "What should I call you?"

  Right, up till now, still haven't become famous yet.

  Is this considered as leaving the first mark of myself in this era?

  The wheels of history have finally begun to turn... ...muttering this sentence that looks very pretentious but has no nutritional value in his heart. Xuyi Fan smiled and bowed slightly.

  "His surname is Xú, and his given name is Yīfán."