Chapter Twenty-Two: Pointing

  When Lü Shì finished expressing his thoughts, Tiān Xīng's foot tapped excitedly on the stool, he rolled up his sleeves, and with a heroic air, raised his wine bowl, loudly saying to everyone: "Come, come, for our brother to be able to win in the upcoming great event, we'll drink this bowl!" For a moment, the heroic spirit was fully displayed.

  Now, Guo Tianxing is very satisfied. This time, the troops have Zhao Dahu's face in it. It was unavoidable to send troops. If they didn't move, they would lose credibility on the rivers and lakes, and if it spread, they wouldn't be able to stand in the same way. However, sending troops would result in heavy casualties, all for the sake of one person's favor and righteousness, and it would also be impossible to explain to the mountain stronghold's old and young.

  Now it's settled, let's send troops. This will not only fulfill the brotherly loyalty but also obtain Zhangjiabao's money and grain to get through the winter. In front of the old and young in the mountain stronghold, it can be considered a famous teacher. If according to Lv Shi and Zhao Dahai's words, really taking down the weak county town again, not only will we achieve great fame in the midst of the bandits, but also obtain countless supplies and rations. In this way, we can recruit soldiers and horses, gather more refugees, expand our own power, and by then, even a small group of government troops won't be able to withstand us.

  Lü Shiyan has already ignited the passion of the heavenly soldiers, and what follows is to give them a good idea. After all, they are all poor people, and now the heavenly soldiers are just a bunch of undisciplined refugees who can't even survive, without discipline, organization, training, or equipment like knives and guns. When it comes to battle, they're just fighting for food and survival, taking lives with no capital to fight with.

  Look at the people outside, when they hear that they are going to war, their expressions reveal their inner thoughts. How can such a numb and spiritless mob accomplish anything? Not to mention attacking the county town, even if they were to charge into Zhang's village, as long as the villagers of Zhang's village resist with all their might, as long as they hold on for a while, waiting for everyone's energy to be exhausted, it will end in a disastrous defeat with rivers of blood.

  I am originally kind-hearted, how can I just watch those women and children die in vain in the battle?

  For the sake of conscience and for the brothers and common people under Tian Xing's rule, it is better to come up with a plan to reduce some damage.

  At the moment, Lu Shijie smiled and said: "The eldest son is generous, righteous and benevolent, truly unmatched in this generation. However, how does the eldest son plan to arrange the troops this time?"

  "What more can be said? For the sake of brotherhood, and for the survival and growth of our mountain stronghold after this, we will go all out, no holds barred." The second master declared with grandeur.

  "It's exactly this principle." Tian Xing raised his wine bowl and loudly echoed, "My mountain stronghold currently has 4,000 troops, leaving a few hundred to guard the old nest, while the rest will go all out to battle."

  "Good, this is the true color of my brother! Come on, let's finish this bowl!" Zhao Dahi exclaimed excitedly. With 3,000 troops, Zhao Dahi was also full of confidence. He raised his wine cup and clinked it with Guo Tianxing, then downed it in one gulp.

  Lü Shi shook his head with a smile and said, "Elder brothers, I have something to say that might hurt your self-esteem, but it's something that must be said. I don't know if I should say it or not."

  Zhao Dahai involuntarily furrowed his brow. It was always at times like these that the Tianxing army would launch a surprise attack, so why stir up more trouble?

  "Sir, what would you like to say?"

  "I have come to ask the master of the house, how many of the brothers who went out this time are old and weak and unable to fight? And how many are truly brave and capable warriors? How many swords and guns do we have? I hope the master will tell me the truth."

  At that time, Guotianxing was speechless and tongue-tied, this fake Guotianxing didn't have the mood or ability to take care of it, if you really ask about these things, he really can't answer.

  It was the second master of the house who stood up and answered Lu Shidao honestly: "As for Mr. He's words, our mountain stronghold can deploy 3,000 troops, among which about 800 are brave warriors, most of the equipment is wooden clubs, with only about 300 knives and guns, and even fewer siege engines, armor and protective gear, you see, only the master and I have them, while others just wear tattered clothes." At this point, his expression turned gloomy.

  Lü Shi had read historical books and understood the situation of the dynasty at that time. At that time, every time the peasant army attacked the city wall, it was led by the old, weak, women and children. Firstly, to consume the enemy's defensive equipment; secondly, to reduce the idle people in the mountain stronghold who ate food; thirdly, to let those strong and brave men see their relatives die in battle and produce a bloodthirsty desire for revenge. This is the current strength of the stick, which looks like it covers the sky and earth, but actually only a few hundred can really fight, and most are still old and weak.

  Lv Shi smiled wryly and said, "Actually, attacking Zhang's fortress is just as I said, it's all about being unexpected. Why do we need such a large army? Moreover, those old and weak people are our mountain stronghold brothers, how can we bear to see them die in vain?"

  "Is there any other way?" asked the second master. But as soon as he understood what Lü Shiyu was saying, he immediately regained his composure and asked: "Could it be that you have another plan, sir?"

  "Of course there is a way." Lü Shi smiled and said, it seems that he really can't help but use his golden fingers to help these kind-hearted heroes.

  Everyone stopped drinking and looked at Lü Shi with concern, after all, fewer people would die.

  "This time we don't need many people, think about it, Zhang's family fortress is just over a hundred militia, plus the family's servants and children, there are only three hundred, let alone this time we're not even going to climb the city wall, what do those old and weak people do? We just need to send out 500 soldiers and that's enough."

  "That's also true." Tian Xing nodded and said.

  "As long as one dares to fight, even a hundred brave warriors would be enough; what's more, we have five hundred elite brothers?"

  Looking at the excited face of Tian Xing, Lü Shi continued: "Master, I have a piece of advice. Would you be willing to listen and accept it?"

  "Sir, every word you say is like gold and jade. I'm just a rough person, how could I not adopt them? I'm afraid that sir will despise me as a rough person and refuse to offer advice, but sir has spoken, and I must listen with reverence."

  Lü Shixiao smiled and said, "We can divide our troops into two routes. The first route will be 500 strong men from the mountain stronghold who will follow me to secretly station themselves at the foot of the mountain where the soldiers are garrisoned. According to my plan, we will infiltrate Zhangjiabao. The second route will be the old and weak people from the mountain stronghold who will surround Zhangjiabao from both front and back, not letting a single person escape, in order to seal off the news and prevent it from reaching the county town. Then, we'll arrange for some people to transport the goods from Zhangjiabao back to the mountain, while the rest of us rush towards the county town. When we get there, we can either use clever tactics or launch a strong attack, depending on the situation."

  "Good idea, sir! I'll follow your instructions." Tian Xing said with a smile.

  "These five hundred brave warriors must choose the strongest and most robust people from the mountain stronghold, at the same time, collect the best weapons and cotton-padded armor."

  Tian Xing was taken aback by what he heard. He could understand the finest weapons, but why this cotton-padded jacket? It wasn't even winter, and wearing a padded jacket in battle would be cumbersome.

  Lv Shi saw the confusion of Tian Xing and Zhao Da Hai, and laughed: "The subtlety is not to be spoken, it's better for the master to bring one over, I'll demonstrate how to do it."

  Guo Tianxing stared at Lü Shi inexplicably for a long time before saying, "Someone, go find a quilt."

  The outsider was ordered and didn't dare to slack off, so he hurriedly went out to find a quilt to put on.

  Lü Shi looked at it, this cotton-padded jacket was tattered but still usable. He held it in his hand and said to the servant, "Brother, would you trouble yourself to fetch a basin of cool water?"

  Nao'er didn't wait for the master's orders, ran out, and soon came back with a basin of cold water. Lü Shijie smiled and said: "Don't be puzzled, everyone, I'm going to change into a different play."

  Everyone just watched as Lü Shì made his move.

  Lü Shi soaked the entire cotton-padded jacket in a basin, and only took it out after the water had penetrated the padding. The original weight of just one or two kilograms was now over ten kilograms when lifted up. After wringing out the excess water, Lü Shi looked around before draping the jacket over the back of a chair.

  "Everyone says this quilt can now withstand knives, guns and arrows?"

  Everyone burst out laughing with Xiāo Tiān Xīng leading them.

  Zhao Dahai laughed so hard that he cried, and it took him a long time to wipe away his tears. "Are you kidding us, brother? Is this little cotton jacket really like armor that can withstand knives and guns? Stop joking around, let's talk seriously."

  Zhao Dahi said this, and although Hou Tianxing and Er Dangjia didn't say anything, they had already looked down on Lü Shi in their hearts. Their originally respectful eyes had become dismissive, thinking: "He's still just a scholar, when things get urgent, he starts talking nonsense. A tattered cotton-padded jacket can suddenly become impenetrable to swords and guns? Really don't know how perilous the battlefield is."

  Lü Shi didn't think it was strange, but sincerely said again: "If the master of the house doesn't believe me, why not try it out and see?"

  "Since my brother is being serious, then I'll give it a try," Zhao Dahi said, taking a step forward. In fact, he was just trying to save Lü Shi's face, hoping to test himself and then everyone could have a good laugh together, but who would really take it seriously?

  "Don't let Brother go forward, but let the master of the house come." Lü Shi fundamentally did not accept this favor.

  The heavenly star reluctantly stepped forward, drew out his waist knife and said: "I'll make a fool of myself here, let's give it a try."

  "The underlings of the great master mustn't show any mercy, one slash with all their might is enough." Lü Shi said with a smile.

  The heavenly star had no choice but to stand in front of that chair and slash at that quilt with all his might.

  With one slash, the chair shook, but the knife only cut open a slit in the outer fabric and didn't even penetrate the padding. At that moment, everyone including Zhao Dahan was left with their mouths agape in shock.

  Before everyone could react, Lü Shì smiled and said: "Bring me the strongest bow and arrow again."

  "Quickly, bring me the strongest bow and arrow, I'll try again," shouted Tianxing.

  Twenty paces, three stone bows, drawn and shot, a loud arrow sound, the strong arrow flew like a meteor towards the cotton-padded jacket, the chair fell over with the powerful arrow, everyone rushed forward to look, but was even more shocked.