Chapter 7: Bullying

  After returning from the back mountain, Hu Meng tied all these fish with straw and hung them on the beam of his collective dormitory. Because these fish had been stabbed by Long Chen and were already dead, it was impossible to raise them, so they could only be hung outside to drip blood first.

  But this thing happened because of that fish, in the camp everyone was eating dry rations every day, and even the officers were craving for the fish, let alone the soldiers. That morning, Zhao Ming heard his subordinates report that Hu Meng had hung many fish on the beam in front of his house. At first, Zhao Ming didn't believe it, thinking that getting fish was not so easy? But he couldn't help but trust his subordinates' guarantees and came out to take a look himself.

  "This kid is quite something, where did he learn such skills? He's brought back so many fish. Whoever sees this will get a share, whoever sees this will get a share."

  Zhao Ming walked to the front of Hu Meng's house and looked at Niu Er, who was playing by the door, and said: "Where did you find these fish? They're really big and fat."

  Niu Er was startled awake and saw that it was Zhao Xiaoqi, so he hastily put on a smile and said: "These fish were all caught last night from the stream in the back mountain."

  "You're really good at this, you've managed to get so many in one go." Zhao Ming's words already had a clear meaning, which was "with so many, can't you just give me a few?"

  If Hu Meng were here, he would probably be very generous and give Zhao Ming a fish. But Niu Er is an idiot and didn't understand the implication of Zhao Ming's words. He even nodded his head in agreement: "Yes, yes, heh heh."

  Seeing this guy being so uncooperative, Zhao Ming furrowed his brow, and the subordinates beside him grew even more impatient.

  "Adult, it seems this guy didn't take you seriously at all."

  "Yes, this is so uninteresting, I think he's intentionally trying to annoy us."

  Zhao Ming's face sank, and he nodded slightly to his left and right. His men immediately understood, stepped forward, and took the fish from the beam.

  Niu Er was so angry that he hastily got up and blocked their way, "What's going on here? Why are you snatching our fish?"

  "Get out of here!" A soldier who was fighting for fish punched Niuer's abdomen.

  Niu Er didn't expect that the other party not only snatched fish but also dared to hit people. They were all soldiers, who was afraid of whom? Niu Er also had a strong physique and immediately grabbed the guy who made the move and started wrestling with him. The two rolled on the ground again, still scratching and pinching each other. Niu Er, who was slightly taller, was at an advantage.

  "Hey, a fight! Lezi has arrived and the surrounding soldiers have all gathered to watch. Chinese civilians have always had the tradition of watching excitement, and these soldiers who are bored every day in the military camp regard this as their only pleasure."

  As the crowd grew larger, Zhao Ming feared that things would get out of hand and walked directly to where the two were fighting. He kicked Cow Two in the waist with one foot, causing him to curl up his body. The person who was originally wrestling with him took advantage of the opportunity to beat him viciously.

  "Alright, got the fish, let's go." Zhao Ming stopped the subordinate who was still fuming.

  Several of his men nodded and ran over to take down all nine fish from the beam. Zhao Ming had originally meant to just take two or three, which would have been enough for him to eat without looking too greedy. Hu Meng didn't say anything either, what's the big deal about taking two fish? But it seemed that his men had been stirred up by Niu Er and they ended up taking down all the fish from the beam.

  Zhao Ming naturally didn't want to lose face by having his men hang the fish back, that would be too humiliating. Even if Hu Meng found out later, what could he do? Zhao was a trusted aide of the General's flag, what was Hu Meng anyway? Later, when he returned, he would just have some fish soup made for his own general and mention it in passing, and this matter would be settled.

  Hu Meng and others actually went to exchange things with others, thinking that Long Chen was about to become his own general, so he had to perform well as a new confidant. The brothers all gathered their silver money and decided to go to the camp to buy two small fire-burning wines from Wine Lang, so that when Dragon Brother officially took office, they could also celebrate. With these fish as the main course, everyone would have a little wine to drink, and the atmosphere would come out.

  Who knows that when everyone comes back, they see Niu Er crouching on the ground. Hu Meng is in a hurry, throws the wine jar to his left and right, and goes forward to check Niu Er's condition. This look is not serious, only to see Niu Er's face with purple and green marks, and his complexion is pale, constantly inhaling cold air.

  "Who's the one who killed him!" Hu Meng roared in anger, but by this time, the soldiers who had been watching the commotion had all returned to their homes. Hu Meng and Zhao Ming were just small flags, and it was none of the big-headed soldiers' business to get involved in their affairs, so they quickly retreated back inside.

  "Sir, the fish...the fish...was snatched away by Zhao Ming, I'm useless, couldn't protect the fish, I'm useless."

  Noticing Hu Meng's return, Niu Erqiang forced himself to speak up.

  "Zhao Ming, you beast, dare to hit me!" Hu Meng gritted his teeth and bit his lower lip hard, "This time, I'll settle all old and new accounts with you together!"

  Zhao Ming relied on being General Ruan's confidant, and in this group of small flags, he always thought he was superior to others. He often bullied Hu Meng, but since General Ruan stood behind him, Hu Meng could only swallow his anger. However, this time not only did the other side snatch away all his fish, but also beat up his subordinates, which was a blatant slap in Hu Meng's face.

  "Hmph, Zhao Ming you scoundrel, don't you know the heavens are about to change? Yet you're still so arrogant. I'll see how you die this time!" Hu Meng didn't mention that Long Chen was about to be promoted as his new chief officer, he wanted to first thoroughly familiarize himself and solidify his position before speaking out. At this moment, Zhao Ming still doesn't know that the person he relies on has already changed.

  "Let's go, we'll carry Cow Two on our backs. We're going to find the adults!" With a loud order from Hu Meng, he and several of his men carefully lifted up Cow Two and headed towards Long Chen's house.

  Long Chen was in the room fiddling with his own weapon, this guerrilla team didn't issue anything else, but knives and swords still had to be done one by one, well, that morning Long Chen was notified to go and get one.

  Actually, the forging technology at that time was already quite advanced, but the knife he received was really not good. Just by feeling it in his hand, he could tell that this was definitely a product of cutting corners and reducing costs. He took out his own short knife and lightly knocked the two blades together, and to his surprise, his own knife had become dull.

  "You're trying to trick me with this sword, haha, I'll be more careful when we spar next time." Long Chen didn't dare strike a few more times, or the new sword he had just received would be ruined.

  "Dragon Brother, Niu Er was beaten up!" Before even reaching Long Chen's room, one of Hu Meng's underlings started yelling at the top of his lungs.

  Long Chen put away his sword and stood up, but a hint of gloominess appeared on his face.