xymnovel Chapter 58 Sending Troops to Suppress Bandits
Chapter 58 Sending Troops to Suppress Bandits
As summer gradually arrives, the temperature is rising considerably, and the sun is becoming increasingly scorching.
It was another sunny day, which seemed like a good omen.
Outside Yanggu County, the dirt roads that used to be frequented by ordinary people were now crowded with many more.
Yang Chengde flattered with a smile, "With the county magistrate personally taking charge, victory is assured. It seems that my 'stubborn ailment' that has plagued me for years will soon be cured."
Li Chong was quite pleased with himself: "As the head of this county, my duty is to seek the well-being of the people of Yanggu. What are mere bandits worth? When I return from suppressing the bandits, I will surely implement benevolent policies and bring peace and stability to the people!"
His confident demeanor was so perfect that no one could detect the slightest flaw in his demeanor.
That's the good thing about being young; even if you make boastful claims or say big things, most people will believe you're being sincere.
Otherwise, how could the phrase "youthful arrogance" exist?
A hint of disdain flashed in Yang Chengde's eyes, but he continued to flatter him with a respectful expression.
Behind Yang Chengde, the clerks of all ranks in the Yanggu County government followed closely behind, singing praises to Li Chong.
Although Yang Chengde did not give any orders, countless people in the government office had received benefits from Li Chong in recent days.
It's just saying a few nice words; it's beneficial without costing anyone anything, and no one will feel bad about wasting a few words.
Looking at the lively crowd in front of him, Fu Shun felt utterly bored; he was too lazy to even pretend anymore.
Li Chong was no pushover, and Yang Chengde was no pushover either. Caught between the two, he, as a county magistrate, had little room for advancement.
All Fu Shun wants now is to protect his own little plot of land; as for the future, he'll deal with that later.
"Once this kid falls, let's see if he'll still be so smug." Fu Shun sneered. "By then, that guy surnamed Yang will probably be jumping up and down again, and I'm afraid I won't be able to keep my tribute. We'll talk to this kid about it then, and he'll probably see the situation clearly."
With his mind focused on planning for the future, Fu Shun inevitably became somewhat distracted.
"The deputy county magistrate? The deputy county magistrate?"
Coming to his senses, Fu Shun looked up and saw Li Chong calling to him with a smile.
Seeing him come back to his senses, Li Chong shook his head and sighed, "It's a real pity that County Commandant Fu couldn't go with me to suppress the bandits this time. If County Commandant Fu were here, I would have had one more helper."
Fu Shun curled his lip, thinking to himself, "If I really went with him, would you agree? He hasn't even seen the person yet, and he's already acting like he owns the food."
Clearly, Fu Shun thought Li Chong was worried that someone would share the credit.
Forcing a smile, Fu Shun said against his will, "I am also quite sorry, but unfortunately I am not feeling well. The doctor said I need to rest for a few days. I can only wish the county magistrate a victory in advance."
Judging from his brisk pace, he was clearly not telling the truth, but no one present would expose him.
Li Chong waved his hand and smiled: "Since it's what the doctor said, then there's nothing we can do. County Commandant Fu, take good care of yourself. When I return victorious, we'll have another plan. All the archers in this county were trained by you, so your contribution is indispensable."
Fu Shun chuckled inwardly, thinking that the young man deserved to be taught a lesson.
He immediately added a few more humble words.
The group escorted him for a while longer before Li Chong stopped. "Gentlemen," he said, "even a thousand miles of farewell must come to an end. Military matters are of utmost urgency, so let's stop here. Please remain seated in the county office and await my triumphant return."
Everyone present, whether sincere or feigning, bowed in unison.
"We await good news from the county magistrate."
Li Chong waved his hand, stepped forward, and sat down in the carriage.
With a crack of the whip, the carriage sped forward, followed by hundreds of yamen runners and archers jogging after it.
Then, several hundred laborers carrying supplies followed closely behind.
Watching the main force depart, Yang Chengde smiled and looked at Fu Shun: "Fu, do you think the magistrate's trip is likely to succeed?"
Fu Shun scoffed, disdainful of answering the question.
Throughout thousands of years of history, when have we ever heard of a general leading troops into battle by horse-drawn carriage?
Moreover, there was a delicate little maidservant in the carriage, and her personal servant also followed along.
This isn't a place for fighting a war.
"The county magistrate is a highly accomplished scholar in the imperial examinations; he should be able to defeat the enemy in one fell swoop."
After giving Yang Chengde a perfunctory reply, Fu Shun mounted his horse, flicked the reins, and spurred it back to Yanggu, leaving Yang Chengde behind to inhale his exhaust fumes.
Upon seeing this, a fleeting shadow of gloom crossed Yang Chengde's eyes.
Just then, someone handed him a note from behind.
Upon opening it, Yang Chengde's lips curled into a smile: "Very good, send someone to Zhu Family Village...wait."
After thinking for a moment, Yang Chengde changed his mind.
"I'll write a copy by hand and send it to you by fast horse."
As for the original document, Yang Chengde wrote down its contents and put it in his pocket.
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Inside the carriage, Zhong Mei tried her best to curl up so that her little feet wouldn't touch Li Chong.
She wrinkled her nose and said with dissatisfaction, "You're supposed to be a county magistrate, yet you can't even sit properly. You're crowding me."
Li Chong tried to sit up straight, a wry smile on his face: "I don't want to either, but the carriage is so bumpy, I really can't sit still. I'll just have to hold on a little longer."
Seeing Zhong Mei's cautious demeanor, and knowing that he was indeed feeling uncomfortable, Li Chong thought for a moment, then, holding onto the carriage wall, lifted the curtain.
"Erlang, run faster, try to get to Zhu Family Village before sunset."
Since we're going to have a bumpy ride anyway, we might as well go for a short, sharp one and increase the intensity.
Wu Song replied in a gruff voice, "Okay."
With a flick of the reins, the horse pulling the carriage ran even faster.
As evening approached, the group finally arrived at Zhu Family Village, where Zhu Zhicheng and his family were already out to greet them.
"The magistrate's presence at Zhu Family Village is an honor for this humble servant. A banquet has been prepared at the village; please, magistrate, take your seat."
Seeing the so-called "large army" behind Li Chong, Zhu Zhicheng's smile became even more genuine.
After a day of forced march, this ragtag group, which could hardly be considered a ragtag army, had long lost its formation. Upon reaching their destination, they all wished they could just lie down on the ground.
Moreover, even without counting, Li Chong knew that many people must have fallen behind along the way.
Seeing the so-called bandit suppression team in this state, how could Zhu Zhicheng not feel at ease?
Li Chong's legs were also a little weak. He supported Zhong Mei with one hand and forced himself to exchange pleasantries with Zhu Zhicheng.
Although Zhu Zhicheng was old, he was meticulous in his actions: "Your Excellency has come a long way and has had a hard time. You can rest at the manor tonight and continue your journey into the mountains tomorrow. In addition to the banquet, I have also arranged to reward the troops. We must make sure that the soldiers have a good meal."
The killing is about to happen. Li Chong can't die, but the others might not. Someone has to die a satiated death.
Zhu Zhicheng couldn't help but think to himself that he was still too soft-hearted.
Oblivious to Zhong Mei's hardship beside him, Li Chong put his arm around her and said with a smile, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Master Zhu. I was hoping to act swiftly and catch the bandits off guard. But it's not too late to have a good meal first before we march."
Zhu Zhicheng said with a sincere expression, "Please, Your Excellency."
Li Chong, supporting Zhong Mei, staggered into the manor.