Chapter Thirty-Four: Sending Troops to Exterminate Bandits

  This was the second time Wu Jie had witnessed the arrogance of the Song army, which disregarded military discipline to such an extent that they were incompetent in battle but excelled at oppressing civilians, hardly different from bandits, and Wu Jie couldn't help but feel indignant.

  "The bandit troops will soon know how to bully us!"

  "Traitorous troops, brave ones go fight against the Liao dogs!"

  "The bandit troops saw the Liao dog and wished they had four legs like their parents!"

  Looking at He Wanquan and his entourage leaving in the distance, onlookers began to discuss among themselves, their words full of disdain.

  "Despicable people!" Hearing the mocking voices of the commoners, He Wanquan turned his head around, glaring at them with a hint of disdain in his eyes, as if a hunter sizing up his prey.

  How outrageous! They've already bullied the common people, and now they're getting even more vicious!

  "I will never provide you with weapons, it's better to let these officials and bandits suffer a double defeat!" Wu Ji looked at He Wanquan's ferocious appearance and immediately made up his mind.

  What a wonderful thing it would be if this kind of person were to die, for they are no different from bandits. In their daily lives, they have not hesitated to oppress the common people, and one less of them would only bring benefits to the people, with no harm done. If he could be made to die in this battle against the thieves, it would be a perfect outcome.

  The plan was set, Wu Ji dispelled the idea of cooperating with the garrison troops. Taking advantage of the military's easy buying and selling of arms, he got away with it for now. Wait for an opportunity to talk again later.

  XXXXXXXX

  The next day, at the county yamen, Wu Ji arrived and was stopped by Zheng Ta: "Lord Wu, come quickly. Today we discuss military strategy, you'd better learn something."

  "Thank you, sir!" Wu Ji thanked him.

  As Zheng Tai entered the house, he saw another person inside. This person was the county lieutenant governor, second only to Zheng Tai in rank. Since this expedition to suppress bandits was a major affair, the county lieutenant governor would naturally have to participate.

  The county magistrate saw Wu Ji enter, a small main bookkeeper, actually participating in such a big thing, he felt a little surprised. However, when he saw Zheng Tai and Wu Ji's close appearance, he had no expression and came forward to greet Wu Ji.

  Wu Ji returned the courtesy and sat in the last position. All the people present today were older than Wu Ji, so he could only sit at the end seat.

  The official brought tea, Wu Ji drank the tea and waited for He Wanquan's arrival. As he watched the time arrive, however, there was no sign of He Wanquan, and Zheng Tai's face looked a bit unsightly.

  After a while, it was already past the appointed time, and He Wanquan still had not arrived. Zheng Tai could no longer bear it and called over an attendant to go and urge him on.

  Before long, the bailiff returned and reported that He Wanquan was busy with military affairs and would have to wait for a while before he could arrive.

  This time, the military discussion was already agreed upon, but He Wanquan is clearly being difficult and using this as an excuse to bully Zheng Ta. Wu Ji thought to himself that He Wanquan really has a lot of nerve, not putting the county magistrate in his eyes.

  It is worth noting that the Song Dynasty emphasized the importance of civil officials over military officers. He Wanquan's status and position were far inferior to those of Zheng Taishi, who summoned him for a discussion on military strategy, but he was late, which was rare in the Song Dynasty.

  After a while, Zheng Tai sent another servant to urge him again, and the reply was still the same: He Wanquan was busy with military affairs and would come soon.

  Zheng Tai had urged him three times, but he could not bear it any longer and decided to go himself. Just as he stood up, the sound of footsteps was heard, and He Wanquan arrived with several officers.

  He Wanquan was dressed in full armor today, with helmet and armor, and a machete at his waist, giving off an even more heroic aura than yesterday. The several people following behind him were all wearing armor and carrying swords, looking quite majestic.

  "I've seen the magistrate!" He Wanquan stepped forward and cupped his fists: "This general is busy with official duties, arrived late, please forgive me, County Magistrate."

  Following the Song Dynasty's convention, He Wanquan should have shown great humility when meeting Zheng Tai, but instead he showed no respect at all and sat down in a haughty manner, not allowing Zheng Tai to speak.

  Zheng Tai was already angry in his heart, and with this matter, he became even more enraged. His face sank, and he scolded: "He Wanquan, you are just a small commander of the vanguard, why didn't you pay your respects to me when you saw me?"

  The commander of the Song Dynasty camp was a commanding officer, with 500 people in one camp. His status and position were far inferior to Zheng Ta, the county magistrate. Zheng Ta wanted He Wanquan to perform the grand ceremony, and He Wanquan really had no choice.

  However, He Wanquan gave Zheng Tai a cold glance with an arrogant attitude: "Hmph! Lord Zheng, you are an official appointed by the imperial court, and I am also an official appointed by the imperial court. Why should I pay my respects to you? You didn't summon me just so that I could pay my respects to you, did you?"

  With a wave of his hand, he let the officer who had come with him sit down behind He Wanquan and didn't put Zheng Tai in his heart at all.

  "You!" This was a blatant provocation, and Zheng Tai couldn't tolerate it. Pointing at He Wanquan, his tone turned harsh: "He Wanquan, you're so arrogant! How dare you behave wildly in the county government office..."

  He had barely finished speaking when He Wanquan looked up at the sky: "Haha! Lord Zheng, if you have something to say, then speak; otherwise, I will be busy with military affairs."

  Regardless of Zheng Tai's reaction, he stood up and made a gesture as if he wanted to leave. The officer behind him also stood up.

  "Ah!" Zheng Ta took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and got straight to the point: "Commander He, I've asked you to come over to discuss with you the matter of eliminating the Flying Wind Bandits."

  "Exterminate the Flowing Wind Bandits?" He Wanquan raised an eyebrow, and said with a deep sigh: "Director Zheng, you are aware that the Flowing Wind Bandits have a notorious reputation. Many government troops have gone to surround and annihilate them, but what was the result? The government troops suffered a crushing defeat, with heavy casualties. Up until now, the Flowing Wind Bandits have already killed five county magistrates, and the number of government soldiers who died at their hands is not less than three thousand, more than two thousand."

  He Quanquan said that Liu Feng's thieves were extremely cruel, without mentioning whether he could eliminate them or not.

  "What are you commanding, letting the bandits wreak havoc on our hometowns? They plunder and do all sorts of evil deeds. If we don't eliminate them, then you and I will be unworthy of receiving the imperial salary!" Zheng Ta was indignant and stirred up.

  "Although the Liufeng bandits are formidable, they are not invincible!" He Wanquan's tone changed and he began to make demands: "Lord Zheng, you also know that to eliminate the Liufeng bandits, we need military equipment, clothing, and silver rewards. Without these things, my brothers will not be willing to take risks! If Lord Zheng can give me a batch of military rations, I am willing to try."

  "How much do you want?" It was impossible for Zheng Tai to let Song Jun go and destroy the thieves without giving him some silver and silk, so she asked tentatively.

  "Two thousand taels of silver and five hundred bolts of silk." He Wanquan thought for a moment before responding with the numbers.

  These numbers seem insignificant, but upon careful calculation, He Wanquan has made a huge profit. His one camp of people is five hundred men, two thousand two silver coins, which is four taels per person, and one piece of silk fabric per person, a considerable fortune.

  "You... you really dare to want it?" Zheng Tai was also surprised.

  "Lord Zheng, this is just among brothers. As the commander-in-chief, an official appointed by the imperial court, it's my duty to serve the imperial court and bring peace to the people, I won't take a single penny from them." He Wanquan first spoke eloquently, flattering himself, before changing his tone: "These brothers of mine, they have all been baptized in blood and slept among piles of corpses. I don't want it, but they can't do without it. One hundred taels of silver and ten bolts of silk for each person."

  These officers, in addition to He Wanquan, included a deputy commander-in-chief, five commanders and five deputy commanders, totaling eleven people. Each person received one hundred taels of silver, which is a total of 1,100 taels of silver, and each person received ten bolts of silk, which is a total of 110 bolts of silk.

  Although Guixian County is small, it can still afford to pay. However, for Guixian County, this is not a small burden.

  Not allowing Zheng Tai to speak, He Wanquan threw down a sentence: "If you want the brothers to risk their lives, you have to pay enough money! If you can't afford it, Lord Zheng, then go and eliminate the thieves yourself! Farewell!"

  With a wave of his hand, he led a group of officers and turned to leave.

  "..." This was a blatant threat. Zheng Tai couldn't tolerate it and tried to stop He Wanquan, but was blocked by the county magistrate.

  "Even if it costs a fortune, as long as we can eliminate the Flying Wind Bandits and bring peace to the people!" The county magistrate hastily persuaded Zheng Tai: "The Flying Wind Bandits have killed too many innocent people, what's the point of being stingy with money?"

  This makes sense, the bandits are rampant, harming the countryside. If they can be eliminated, it's worth spending a lot of money. Zheng Tai nodded slowly and said: "Commander He, three days later, the military rations you want will be ready."

  "In three days, I will lead troops to annihilate the bandits! I will not go back on my word!" He Wanquan threw down a sentence and strode away.

  Looking at He Wanquan's back, Wu Ji's eyebrows rose, as if he had come to a realization.