Chapter 72: Arrival

  "Go and get Dogzi Shu and Da Niu over here, let's talk in a quiet place." Zhao Shi nodded to Deputy Manager Ding and said directly.

  Shang Yanzu wanted to ask where these horses came from, but after hearing this, he didn't dare to speak up and turned around to call someone over.

  It was still Zhao Shi's small courtyard, the rural people lived a simple life, and there were no conditions or reasons to treat guests with tea, let alone when there was only one person in the house, Zhao Shi. It was Da Niu and several others who boiled water, each person had a large bowl in front of them, everyone sat together, adding Zhao Lao San and several old villagers, the small room was packed to the brim. If it weren't for the hot air rising from the bowls, it would have looked like a gathering of heroes.

  Zhao Shi briefly mentioned the matter, glossing over the part where he tracked down the culprit for nearly a hundred miles and then went on a killing spree. However, this was enough to make everyone's jaws drop in shock. Shang Yan Zu saw that Zhao Shi had only just returned, still looking quite disheveled from head to toe, and already had an inkling of what he had been up to. But hearing it straight from the horse's mouth still left him stunned. He opened his mouth, intending to say a few words, but as he gazed at the increasingly stern lines on the young man's face, the words got stuck in his throat. Even he was unable to speak, let alone the others standing beside him.

  Especially that Deputy Director Ding, his head spinning, what kind of monster is this nephew of Zhang's? Has the Heavenly Killer Star descended to earth? At such a young age, he dares to take on twenty or so fugitives alone and still manages to get back with information. Good grief! Compared to him, all those soldiers in the county are just eating idle rations. No wonder, at such a young age, he's already been appointed as the commander of the Imperial Guard. Back then, I heard that Zhao Village had produced a heroic bear hunter, but I didn't quite believe it. Today, seeing him for myself, this nephew of Zhang's is truly something else...

  No one suspected Zhao Shi's words were false, after all those thirty or more horses were living proof.

  When they finally mentioned that the thieves were supposed to gather at Zhaojia Village, everyone was shocked and slowly came back to their senses. After hearing this, their faces all turned extremely ugly. In this village, including those salt workers, there were only about 200 people who could hold a knife or gun. If 30 or 50 bandits came, it wouldn't be a big deal, but if there were over 100...it would be a bit tricky to win the fight. And what Zhao Shi said was that there were 300 or 400 of them, so if they really started fighting, it would definitely be a losing battle.

  In the village, big or small things are all handled by Old Zhao San. At this time, everyone's eyes unconsciously turned to Old Zhao San, but he lowered his head and closed his eyes, his face full of confusion, his mind obviously not on this matter. Everyone knew that his youngest son had died on the battlefield, and it was understandable that he was heartbroken, but at this moment, seeing him in such a state of distraction, people couldn't help but feel disappointed.

  "Why don't... I think the villagers should hide in the mountains?" The speaker was Ding, a thin and skull-like deputy manager, who looked at Zhao Shi with a bitter expression. In his heart, he was cursing his bad luck, thinking that coming to Zhao's village would be a good opportunity to complete this task and get closer to Salt Monitor Lord, but unexpectedly, he encountered such bad news, which might cost him his life. The only thing he could think of was to persuade the young man to go up the mountain with him, no matter how hard it would be. It's still better than encountering those ruthless bandits."

  Shang Yanzu shook his head, "It's too late. The stone has been going back and forth for five or six days, they must be close to us already. Can't go up the mountain naked, right? Need to bring food, water, shelter, and clothes... when can we get ready? Even if we can prepare everything in time, what if we meet them halfway and there are old and young people in our group, isn't that just waiting to be slaughtered?"

  "Then let's fight them, we have so many people, it's not necessarily that we'll lose to them. Anyway, I've managed to save my life, if I die, then I die, but I can't just watch these bastards bully our fellow villagers..." Zhao Dogzi's face was red with excitement, waving his hands and showing some ferocity, but at a glance, you could tell he wasn't confident either.

  The people in the house were discussing and arguing, but no one could come up with a definite idea. It was an old man from the village who finally spoke up, "You all stop quarreling, Stone is the only official here, and he's the one who brought back the news. Let's listen to what he has to say, we'll do as he says. Don't worry about us, although we're old, there are no cowards in Zhaojia Village. Those who want to leave can leave, but this is our hometown, I'd rather die here than leave..." The Guanzhong region has always been a place that produces heroes and outstanding people, with the saying "the mountains and rivers nurture the people". The people from this region have always been known for their strong and bold personalities, and it's also a place where top-notch soldiers are produced. Although the old man was advanced in age and hadn't seen much of the world, his words were spoken with a solemn expression that even earned Zhao Shi's admiration. The crowd fell silent, and several young people immediately shouted out in agreement.

  Deputy Director Ding's face turned bright red with anger, but when he saw the young man beside him who had been silent all along, he gritted his teeth and restrained himself.

  Seeing everyone's eyes focused on him, Zhao Shi thought for a moment and said: "There is no need to be like this, what's the point of being so worked up? Those bandits aren't that formidable. Look at me, I didn't even lose a single hair, did I?"

  As soon as the words came out, someone chuckled and the atmosphere suddenly relaxed, which was exactly what Zhao Shi wanted. Whether in ancient times or now, before going to battle, mobilization is necessary. After mobilization, the mentality of the soldiers is also different. This mentality is actually referring to morale.

  Everyone's face showed a smile, even Ding, the deputy manager who didn't hide his fear, smiled. Zhao Shi scanned the crowd with satisfaction, he had already thought it through on the way here, if there was no other way, as soon as he returned to the village, he would let everyone abandon their belongings and take refuge in Niutou Mountain, but now he didn't say that, which means he already had a complete plan in mind.

  Those bandits said they would gather here, but there must be a beginning and an end. This is our chance, but don't get too excited yet. Although the first batch of bandits are not on guard against us having so many people waiting for them, if we let one go and the ones coming later get the news, it will be a loss...

  So, I've decided that no matter if it's a local or an outsider, for every person killed, they'll get five taels of silver. For those injured, the reward will be doubled. And for those who unfortunately die here, they'll get one hundred taels of silver...

  But let me be blunt, those who want to leave can leave now. When the time comes to get serious, if anyone dares to take a step back, I won't forgive him...

  Just as he was about to continue, a villager with an unusual expression pushed open the door and whispered a few words in Zhao Lao San's ear. Zhao Lao San looked stunned for a moment before interrupting, "Shitou, someone is looking for you outside the village..."

  Zhao Shi came to the outside of the village with some doubt, standing far away. He saw a group of people blocking the entrance of the village, and the leader, a big man, was gesticulating and arguing with the salt officer guarding the village entrance, making quite a commotion.

  Zhao Shi was taken aback, he of course knew this person, but couldn't think of why he would appear here. The man turned his head back and glanced around, seeing Zhao Shi walk out. From a distance, he burst into loud laughter, "Captain Zhao... ah, no, should be General Zhao now! Brother has come from afar to rely on you, yet these door guards still won't let us in..."

  Zhao Shi was somewhat perplexed. He was a cold person who didn't get close to anyone. The guy in front of him, Du Shantiger, had only exchanged a few words with him when they were guarding the grain together. How could he imply that he wanted to rely on himself? However, when his gaze shifted to the figures behind Du Shantiger, his eyes involuntarily lit up.

  It's just as the saying goes. When you want to sleep, someone brings a pillow. There were over 200 people, each carrying a bundle on their back, looking somewhat bloated, but everyone stood up straight, with piercing eyes and a fierce aura, and in the distance, several large carts could be seen following behind them, with more people on board...

  "Director Du, how did you get here? These brothers..." Zhao Shi quickly walked a few steps forward and said.

  Du Shanhutou's face had become somewhat dark and thin, Zhao Shi left Qingyang when this guy was nursing his wounds, he was injured by Li Jizong's hidden strength, it was not easy to recover.

  But his laughter was still so bright and loud, and when he spoke, his voice was also loud, but the smile on his face had a bitter taste. "Brother Zhao, I really am here to rely on you."

  As he walked closer, Zhao Shi's head also felt a bit dizzy. This change was too sudden, and he couldn't help but ask: "What's going on?"

  "What's going on, you just walked away with a clear conscience, you have no idea what that bastard Li Wu did after stealing your credit. Originally, the reward was 10 taels of silver per person, but when it reached the brothers' hands, it was only 5 taels left. And this is not all, the brothers fought to the death, which one wasn't a hero who risked his life without batting an eyelid?"

  But swords and guns have no eyes, this time our Xianfeng Army was unlucky, so many brothers died outside the city of Qingyang, and those who were injured are even more numerous. We, these living ones, can do without silver, but for these injured brothers... even if only a little bit of conscience is left, they will not deduct their rations. Alas, that Li Wu appeared, he can even pick out the oil from an egg, and only gave those brothers who were about to return home 10 taels of silver, damn it, what's the use of that? If it weren't for my brothers holding me back, I would have killed that son of a bitch...

  "What about Captain Li?" In Zhao Shi's impression, although Li Jinhua was a bit indecisive, he was still competent in dealing with his subordinates and wouldn't let Li Wu behave so recklessly.

  "Never mind." Du Shantiger waved his hand and said, "General Li is a good person, but isn't he one family? I went to find him several times, but didn't see General Li's shadow. Later, the doorkeepers also took some benefits from Li Wu, and even refused to let me in. My brothers' hearts are cold, so I made up my mind to forget it, this official position is not for me, no merit, still have to suffer from petty people...

  You know, brother is a family man, the family is still going well, but just can't put his heart at ease for these brothers. Later, brother thought, comrades in arms who died this time are dead, and those who are alive cannot block people's careers, let them follow us to resign together?

  "Haha, look who's here! I thought of you, brother. Although we haven't spent much time together, it's clear that you're a man of your word, with a sense of responsibility and dignity. Most importantly, you value relationships, so I've brought the brothers to seek refuge with you..."

  Here is the translation:

  "Speaking of which, he pointed back and continued: 'Don't look at my brothers, they all have injuries, but some are not serious, just need to rest and recover. They don't want to follow that Li Wu guy and suffer, so they all used their injuries as an excuse to leave. Some people have family obligations, so they went back home. Only over 200 people are left with no one to rely on, they only know how to fight for their lives, nothing else. Brother, you're not a traveling general, are you? There are 254 people here, 72 of them have physical disabilities. If you can take care of these 72 brothers, we'll give our lives to you. Assign us any task, as long as we can fill our bellies... Heh heh, brother, you won't abandon your brothers, will you?'"

  After finishing, a pair of big eyes stared pitifully at Zhao Shi, making Zhao Shi cry and laugh. However, Zhao Shi still admired Du Shantiger very much. In his opinion, most people in the world are selfish and self-interested, and it is rare to find someone like Du Shantiger who can do such a thing, even he himself cannot do it.

  He nodded without hesitation and said: "Alright, as long as the brothers don't mind the simplicity of this place, Zhao's village will be their home from now on..."