Chapter Thirty Various Thoughts

  "Get them! Seize back Zhang Fu's wife!" Zhao Er-Lu immediately shouted loudly on the right side of the troops.

  The rest of the people followed him and shouted together, all of them were bandits. This matter had been bullied to the head, naturally could not be soft, let alone after the victory of Zhaojia Fortress, their confidence began to swell violently, thinking that they could go anywhere in this world, no one asked how many people were on the other side, and the crowd was excitedly shouting together.

  Xiao Tianjian was very satisfied with the current morale of these people, so he nodded and said: "You're right, we're also doing this, can't let others ride on our heads and pull shit, since they're not benevolent, then we can't be polite to them either!

  Jiang Fuzi is our own brother, today he's in trouble, we absolutely can't just sit back and do nothing. No matter if it's him or you, no matter who it is, if someone is being bullied, a Xiao won't just sit back and do nothing!

  "Brothers, grab your gear and follow me to settle the score! Give yourselves an hour's rest, let the women quickly make some flatbread. Each of you bring three days' worth of food, and one person prepare a bamboo tube with hot water! Yang Mantun, go prepare some herbal medicine, don't wait till it's too late! Do it now! Dismissed!"

  "Yes! Boss!" The group of people, after hearing Xiao Tianjian's words, were even more moved in their hearts, feeling that following such a leader was refreshing and wouldn't ignore subordinates who had troubles. Some people thought to themselves, "In these chaotic times, being able to meet such a leader is worth giving one's life for." Therefore, everyone immediately responded loudly, then dispersed with a whoosh, each busy preparing to leave.

  This time going out to do things, it's not about attacking some village, but rather to deal with their peers. Since the ones holding the sticks are all fugitives, everyone naturally needs to be more prepared. Xiao Tianjian himself also made some preparations, taking out the cotton armor he had seized and putting it on his body.

  Although this cotton armor is a bit tattered, it's still better than nothing. The damaged parts have been mended by Hu Yue'e with needle and thread. Even the missing iron plates inside were replaced by an ironworker from Zhaojiabao, who made a few new ones and attached them with copper nails. It can be considered a usable hanging iron cotton armor now. The only thing lacking is a helmet to protect the head. I suppose those government soldiers must have lost their helmets while fleeing in disarray. What a pity!

  Xiao Tianjian also brought that long gun, hung a waist knife at his waist, and wore his two short axes, then jumped up and down twice, and had a bit of a majestic momentum. Unfortunately, there was no mirror to reflect his current outfit, which made Xiao Tianjian somewhat regretful.

  As for them going out to fight, the women left in the old nest were worried, fearing that their husbands or fathers would not return. They made pancakes for them while helping them pack their things, and some of the women even burst into tears.

  Hu Yu'e also actively helped Xiao Tianjian prepare things, filling his bamboo tube with boiling water. Her face was filled with thick worry, and she opened her mouth several times, but couldn't say a word.

  As for Hu Yue'e, Xiao Tianjian felt quite helpless. Although he had refused to take her in and made it clear that he would not marry her, Hu Yue'e still actively stuck around, treating herself as if she were Xiao Tianjian's woman. In the face of Hu Yue'e's behavior, Xiao Tianjian felt like he wanted to hit her but couldn't bring himself to do so, and similarly, he wanted to scold her but couldn't bear to.

  He also knew Hu Yuejiao's thoughts, just wanting to find a man she could rely on in this chaotic world. Now her worry was that after going out this time, she would die outside and no longer have a man to rely on.

  Xiao Tianjian gathered his things and looked at Hu Yue'e, who was kneeling in front of him with her head bowed. He opened his mouth but didn't say a word to comfort her. With a sigh, he strode out of the cave.

  "Stop your damn crying, it's like I'm going out to die this time! It's really unlucky! Get the hell away from me, our boss isn't an ordinary person, can't you see that? Our boss has brought over a dozen brothers, and we've already killed more than 20 government soldiers. What's the big deal about dealing with a few local bandits? Pack my flatbread properly and wait for me to come back. This time when I come back, I'll also earn some reward money!" A newly joined man from Zhaojia village scolded his woman, carrying his long gun as he walked out.

  There were also some people busy polishing their weapons. Although Xiao Tianjian had always reminded them to pay attention to maintaining their own weapons, thinking that they would be going out to do things soon, some people still wanted to sharpen their knives and guns a bit more, so as to have an extra guarantee.

  Anyway, they now have enough weapons, Xiao Tianjian tacitly allowed those long gunners to carry a waist knife at their waist, and when necessary, one more knife can provide an extra layer of security.

  In less than an hour, everyone had finished their preparations and came to the small school field outside the cave. Without being instructed, they formed two rows of horizontal teams, each puffed out their chest, waiting for Xiao Tianjian to speak.

  Xiao Tianjian took a look at his subordinates, old and new, totaling only twenty or so people. However, after this period of training, they already had a hint of momentum. At least in terms of obedience, these people had begun to get used to executing his orders without hesitation, which made him feel somewhat reassured.

  As for the future battle, Xiao Tianjian is still relatively optimistic. Although his subordinates have not been in this line for a long time, they are more disciplined than ordinary sticks and have greater combat effectiveness when fighting. The new recruits, although just starting to train, also need to be let go with real knives and guns to see blood and mature.

  He is now worried that when the war starts, there will be people like Li Ma Zi who will cause big trouble.

  "So, Xiao Tianjian stood in front of the team again and emphasized to them: "Brothers! Some of you have been following me for a while, but some of you are new here. Today is your first time going out on a mission. You've all seen that when we're in battle, only by sticking together and listening to my orders can we survive. If you're afraid of death and want to escape, you'll die even faster! I'm repeating this again today: anyone who deserts the battlefield will be killed. This is our rule! If you want to live, you have to fight with your life. If you want to get paid, you have to earn it by fighting with your life! I, Xiao Tianjian, am never stingy with rewards. Whether or not you can get them depends on yourselves!"

  If a brother unfortunately dies in battle, you can rest assured that I, Xiao, will burn paper money for you every year to send it to the other side. Your wives and children don't have to worry either, as long as I, Xiao, have food to eat, they won't go hungry. I'll take care of them for you!

  "Tiě tóu, you come and supervise from the back. Whoever retreats at the critical moment will be beheaded on the spot! Does everyone understand?"

  "Got it! Boss!" More than 20 men shouted in unison, using all their might. Although the words were rough, they were sincere. When doing this kind of thing, one must be prepared to die. Anyway, there's no turning back now, let's do it!

  Tie Tou's excitement was somewhat trembling, Xiao Tian Jian could say that he trusted him the most, and now he let him come to supervise the battle, which meant that he had already regarded him as his most trusted subordinate. So he stepped forward to receive the order, with a bit of majesty, he pressed his hand on the hilt of the knife at his waist, and fiercely swept his gaze over these people.

  These people are all a little afraid of Tie Tou, everyone knows that Tie Tou is the first person to follow Xiao Tian Jian, and this guy usually does things quietly, rarely speaking, giving people a very oppressive feeling, also with a fierce momentum. For Xiao Tian Jian's orders, it is executed without any discount, sometimes when someone is found to have privately disobeyed Xiao Tian Jian's orders, he will immediately step forward and scold them loudly, pulling them out to be dealt with by Xiao Tian Jian. So everyone has some respect for him but keeps their distance. Now that Xiao Tian Jian has let him supervise the battle, no one thinks that Tie Tou will show mercy later on, so they all felt a chill in their hearts, and even more dare not have any other thoughts.

  Shi Rang still took on the role of vanguard, riding his horse out of the mountain ahead of time to investigate the movements of Sha Erbao and his gang at the Mountain God Temple in Nanfang Town. Xiao Tianjian followed closely behind, led by Feng Gouzi, hurrying towards Nanfang Town.

  When the team first set out, everyone was still excited, but after leaving the mountain, everyone's mood became a bit tense. It wasn't until then that they realized they would be facing more than twice as many opponents. Although they were still confident in themselves, the other side had a significant numerical advantage, and some people couldn't help but feel a little anxious about whether they could win or not.

  Zhao Er Liu was one of them, although he was also considered an old brother under Xiao Tian Jian's command. His heart was always relatively lively, and during training, he was also quite diligent. Otherwise, Xiao Tian Jian wouldn't have let him serve as the vanguard on his right flank. Zhao Er Liu wasn't stupid, so at this time, he knew not to provoke Xiao Tian Jian's temper. He quietly whispered to Tie Tou behind him instead.

  "I asked Iron Head, I heard that the group of people with the surname Sha has over a hundred, can we beat them?" Zhao Erdui nervously asked Tie Tou.

  He glanced at Zhao Erduo with a slanted gaze, he had never had much of a good impression of him, always feeling that this guy was a bit too cunning. He replied in a bad tone: "I listen to Zhang Dashan! Zhang Dashan says fight, then we fight, if we can win or not isn't my problem! I only care about those who don't want to do it and want to run away, I'll chop them off!"

  Zhao Erdui felt a chill in his heart and thought to himself, "How can there be such an idiot?" This life is his own, yet he doesn't even think about his own safety first. However, Zhao Erdui didn't dare say anything more, so he started whispering to Feng Gouzi who was walking on his left side again.

  "I'm telling you, Feng Dogzi, all this trouble is caused by you! We're suffering because of you! That kind of good-for-nothing like Jing Fu, what's the point of us taking care of him? Can't beat him, can't kill him, he's just a burden to us. If he died, it would be easier!"

  Feng Gouzi was worried about this matter, feeling that it was all his fault, and he felt a bit guilty. After hearing Zhao Er Liu's words, he was originally a little ashamed, but when he heard him say such things about Jing Fu Zi, he immediately became displeased.

  "I'm telling you, Zhao Erdui, are you even human? This matter is my fault, Feng Erdou's mistake. I should be the one to take the blame and get punished, not you! And another thing, we're all brothers in this gang, but you dare to say such things?! Zhang Fuzi may not be able to fight or kill, but he's still our brother who threw his lot with us. If he's in trouble, of course, we'll go and rescue him! Don't you dare tell me otherwise! If you don't want to go, then go tell the gang leader, and let the gang leader break your legs!" Feng Gouzzi glared back at him.

  Zhao the Second Donkey bumped into two walls, feeling quite disheartened. He glared at Feng Dogzi and cursed: "You scoundrel! Feng Dogzi, you're actually trying to outdo me? Just watch me..."

  "Zhao Er Liu, shut your mouth for me! If I hear you say one more word that disrupts the morale of our troops, I'll be the first to take a knife to you! Are you still considered a man? If you're afraid, then get out of here immediately!" A cold voice sounded from behind Zhao Er Liu's back, and then Xiao Tian Jian walked up to the front of the team with big strides, his face icy as he stared at Zhao Er Liu.

  Zhao Erdui was so frightened that he trembled with fear, hastily nodding his head repeatedly, and showed a flattering smile to Xiao Tianjian, saying "I dare not" again and again, closing his mouth and no longer daring to speak.

  From their lair to Nanfang Town, it's not too far, but because the mountain road is difficult to walk, these people can't swagger on the official road, so they have to take a detour and need about a day's journey. They set off in the afternoon, and through this period of exercise, everyone walks faster than usual. By nightfall, they are less than 20 miles away from the mountain temple outside Nanfang Town.

  (No more words! Vote for me! By the way, I'd like to explain that I originally planned to update three chapters yesterday, but due to severe back pain, I didn't manage to upload the third chapter in the afternoon. Sorry about that!)