Chapter 63: The General Slayer

  The next day at dusk, Di Lie, Guan Zhongyong and others, who were exhausted and covered in dust, finally arrived at their destination - a small village called Wang Li Zhuang at the foot of Fenglong Mountain.

  Before entering the village, Gaoliang had already been sent to inform them in advance. Otherwise, during this sensitive period, the sudden appearance of such a large group of people would likely scare the remaining villagers of Tianping Village into fleeing in all directions.

  The one who came to greet them was a man in his forties, with an ordinary appearance and a pair of downturned eyebrows that gave off a gloomy impression. This person was Liu Tiechui's older cousin, named Liu Erping. In the competition for the position of village head, he and Guan Zhongyong had the highest voices. However... Heaven have mercy, Liu Erping was only because he was the older cousin of the village head, and also because of his relationship with the elderly people in Tianping Village, that he was considered for the position. As for his ability... saying it was average would be flattering him.

  Liu Erping was born into an ordinary tenant family, illiterate, introverted and lacking in insight. He wasn't leadership material to begin with, otherwise he would have taken the position of head of the household long ago, and Guan Zhongyong wouldn't have had a chance.

  To be honest, Liu Erping didn't want to compete with Guan Zhongyong either. He also knew he wasn't the material for a village head, but he couldn't resist the persuasion of the elderly in the village: If you don't become the village head, the foundation your brother fought hard to build will be taken away by outsiders. So, he had no choice but to reluctantly hurry along with the ducks on the rack.

  Liu Erping was amazed as soon as he saw Di Lie and his men, for everyone was riding a tall and sturdy horse, with a brand on the horse's buttocks indicating that they were military horses. After his initial shock, Liu secretly thought to himself: "Could it be true what Gao Liang said? Did these good fellows really defeat a group of Jin soldiers? Otherwise, where did they get so many fine horses, which are even military horses?" This was before he saw the sharp blades and armor hidden in Zhang Rong, Jia Hu, Meng Wei and others' bundles, or else he would have been even more shocked.

  Entering the small earthen house's front yard, both sides exchanged greetings and then sat down cross-legged on several worn grass mats. The yard wasn't big, already with seven or eight people from Tianping Stockade sitting there, now squeezing in over a dozen more made it seem crowded. In comparison, Di Lie brought even more people.

  Liu Erping originally wanted to ask clearly whether Di Lie and others were going to join the partnership. If they were, they would have to set up an incense table and go through a whole set of entry rituals.

  However, before he could speak, Guan Zhongyong cut to the chase: "The matter of Master Da Zhai being ambushed by Golden Dog has already been told to me by Gao Liang on the road. Master Da Zhai's kindness to me doesn't need to be said, everyone can see it. I'm heartbroken and determined not to fall behind anyone else. But I believe Master Da Zhai's spirit in heaven would never want to see us so downcast. Now that our village has suffered great disasters and lost all its elite members, if we don't rally now, this Tianping Village will be annexed by other villages sooner or later, even if Golden Dog doesn't destroy it. That would truly make Master Da Zhai's efforts go up in smoke."

  Guan Zhongyong is indeed a talented military officer, although he is only a minor ninth-grade martial official. His vision and military strategy are not comparable to those who only know how to plunder and rob, yesterday's thieves and today's righteous army. He immediately pointed out the key point and grasped the initiative of the conversation.

  As expected, Liu Erping and the others immediately grasped the attention, and in unison asked: "Then, according to your opinion, what should be done?"

  "Gu Zhongyong said in a deep voice: 'As the saying goes, a snake cannot move without its head. At present, the top priority is to elect a new leader to lead everyone through this difficult time.'"

  Those old folks in the village not only burst out laughing, but also asked: "Haha, so that's what the second master's high opinion is... Then who does the second master think can take on this new role of village head?"

  Guan Zhongyong's face was calm and serene, as if he hadn't heard the ridicule of the crowd, but instead spoke out a solution that had been on his mind for a long time: "The great leader died under the treacherous plan and sword of Jin Jiang Alang. This blood feud cannot be shared under the same sky. Guan's intention is that whoever among the Tianping Mountain bandits - including the new recruits today - can kill Alang and avenge the great leader, will become the great leader of Tianping Mountain!"

  Guan Zhongyong's words left the crowd at Tianping Village stunned and speechless for half a day.

  That's right, this is indeed the most standard solution in the Jianghu, and it's also the most acceptable method. But the problem is, who is Ah Lang? Jin Jun's fierce general, Luan Cheng's guardian general, and even the main general with 3,000 troops. How can you kill such a person?

  Want to kill him on the battlefield? No way, not even with 30,000 to 50,000 troops. The entire Taihang Mountain has nearly a hundred strongholds, and I'm afraid they don't even have that many troops. So it can only be done through assassination, but according to the reconnaissance of the Taihang Righteous Army some time ago, this Ah Lang is actually not used to living in high buildings and big houses. The empty city gate tower of Luanzhou Prefecture is vacant, he doesn't live there, but instead goes to the military camp to set up his tent and rest. In a strictly guarded camp, how can you carry out an assassination? I'm afraid even if you have many lives, it's not enough to fill the gap.

  After a long while, Liu Erping said bitterly: "Elder Second's words are not wrong. If anyone can kill this Golden Dog and avenge our Great Leader, I, Liu Erping, will be the first to kowtow and thank him, and sincerely invite him to become the new leader. However...this is indeed as difficult as ascending to heaven! Previously, Fu Dazhu of the White Horse Mountain stronghold had also sent people to try, but the result was that more than 20 elite subordinates died, and they couldn't even break through the gate of the Golden Army's camp..." The crowd at Tianping stronghold nodded in unison to confirm the truth of this news.

  Guan Zhongyong remained unmoved and insisted, "Just because it didn't work before doesn't mean it won't work in the future. Previously, the nineteen villages were on high alert, and the Jin army in Luancheng was naturally heavily guarded. Launching a surprise attack would be difficult to succeed. But now that the allied forces of the nineteen villages have been defeated by Ah Lang, the threat is gone, and Ah Lang's vigilance must have decreased somewhat. Perhaps this is our opportunity."

  The crowd at Tianping Village looked at each other in dismay, whispering to one another for a while. After a long time, Liu Erping finally spoke up: "Since the Second Master has made up his mind, let's discuss it and choose a day to enter Luan City to see if there's an opportunity to be taken advantage of. We all agree with the Second Master's words, whoever among us can kill Ah Lan will be pushed as the leader of our village!"

  "Alright! It's settled then." Guan Zhongyong slapped his thigh, stretched out his right hand and gave Liu Erping a high-five, and the matter was decided.

  The plan was set, Guan Zhongyong didn't go to join Liu Erping and others in their discussion, but instead took Di Lie and his group directly out of the village. As they reached the village entrance, Guan Zhongyong glanced at the crowd and said to Di Lie: "Can I have a few words with Your Highness alone?"

  Di Lie nodded, signaling Ah Shu and Zhang Rong to wait in place, then walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Guan Zhongyong to the small stream at the village entrance. Before Guan Zhongyong could speak, Di Lie said: "Although you proposed the assassination plan, you know you can't do it yourself. This plan was tailor-made for me. Isn't that right?"

  Guan Zhongyong nodded calmly: "Not bad, to assassinate a Jin army general like Ah Lang, just relying on us, there's not even a one in ten thousand chance. But Your Highness is different, I've heard the Yang brothers say that you have an astonishing divine skill, able to kill from a thousand paces, and it's impossible for gods or ghosts to defend against... Moreover, Guan has personally witnessed it, and indeed it's a divine technique. So, I think... if Your Highness can accomplish this great task, not only can you rightfully take control of Tianping Fort, but also establish your reputation among the more than 100 large and small forts in Taihang. This will be greatly beneficial for your future development."

  "Why?" Di Lie stared into Guan Zhongyong's eyes, "Don't you want to be the master of this Tianping Fort? Yet you're so painstakingly making plans for me?"

  Guan Zhongyong sighed and shook his head: "Today's situation, Your Highness has also seen it. Guan Mou is absolutely impossible to be the leader of this stronghold, otherwise it will inevitably lead to the division of Tianping Stronghold. Using Ah Lang's life to determine the position of the leader is the best solution. As for why I want to consider Your Highness... Firstly, it is to repay the kindness of saving my life; Secondly, because Guan Mou thinks that Your Highness is a rare talent, who can establish a career in a short period of time, which is something Guan Mou cannot do no matter what; Most importantly, Your Highness has strong strength... Although Yang brothers did not reveal how many people and troops Your Highness has, in Guan Mou's opinion, it will not be weaker than the first of Taihang stronghold - Baima Mountain stronghold Fu Dachang's strength. Since Your Highness has such strength, if you don't take the position today, can the people of Tianping Stronghold still get a good deal in the future? Rather than being forced to surrender and take the position in the future, it is better to let Your Highness peacefully take over the people of Tianping Stronghold. This way, it can also be considered as Guan Mou repaying the kindness of the former leader."

  Di Lie stared at Guan Zhongyong for a long time, nodded: "Can't see it, you still have some political brains, just for your hard work, I'll take this job."

  Guan Zhongyong let out a long breath and solemnly bowed: "Guan certain represents the brothers of Tianping Fort, thanking Your Highness."

  Di Lie smiled lightly and said: "I've taken over your stronghold, should you be thanking me?"

  Guan Zhongyong said seriously: "Tianping Stockade has a superior geographical location, with strong walls for defense, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. It is the most famous stockade among all the stockades in Taihang Mountains. Liu Dazhai took over as the leader of Tianping Stockade because he was quick to take action, which had already caused dissatisfaction among other stockades. Many have been secretly eyeing this place, but no one dared to make a move due to Liu's relationship with Fu Zhai, the leader of Baima Mountain Stockade. Moreover, Tianping Stockade itself is not weak... But now the situation has changed completely. With Liu's death, the stockade's strength has been severely weakened. It is said that Fu Zhai is also unable to take care of matters due to his injuries... Now all the other stockades have been defeated by Ah Lang and suffered heavy losses, they all retreated back to their own stockades to lick their wounds. Once the Jin army retreats, the other stockades will surely make a move. With Tianping Stockade's current weakness and lack of Fu Zhai's protection, the outcome is predictable... But now with your arrival, at least we can ensure the safety of our people in Tianping Stockade... You should know that the mutual annexation among the stockades in Taihang Mountains is extremely bloody..."

  Di Lie nodded and didn't say anything else, patted Guan Zhongyong's shoulder, and turned back.

  Guan Zhongyong couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy, and chased after him to ask: "Your Highness, how do you plan on proceeding?"

  Di Lie didn't say much, only saying: "You send me two brothers who are familiar with the terrain of Luan City, and then arrange for the people I brought to be settled. However, there is one thing, even if I can succeed, it's possible that I won't be able to bring back Ah Lang's head for you."

  Guan Zhongyong hesitated for a moment, thought about it and said: "Without human heads to offer sacrifices, the effect is slightly worse. However, being able to eliminate this evil creature is already a stroke of luck, I think everyone won't be too demanding."

  Di Lie lost his smile and said, "We're discussing how to take the life of a Golden Army's Ma An level general here, while this person has just slaughtered nineteen of your Taixing villages, with blood flowing like rivers. If others were to hear about it, I'm afraid they'd think we've gone mad. Hahaha..."