Chapter 40 Military Governor Zhao, the Betrayer

Fengqi County.

It was under the same jurisdiction as Qingshui County. As the county governor had a close relationship with the empress dowager, he thought about gathering a batch of rare items from Fengqi County for the empress dowager and presenting them as a birthday gift.

When the county magistrate in Fengqi County received this order, it became a blatant reason to amass wealth.

Fengqi County’s county magistrate took this opportunity to amass wealth in Fengqi County. Because of this matter, countless people were sent to the county jail, and many of them were innocent people.

The bearded leader and Li Gui were the prison guards in jail. Even they couldn’t stand it anymore, so they simply opened the cell with a few trusted brothers and released the innocent people who were caught. They were thoroughly wanted by the county government.

And so, they embarked on the road of escape. While they were hiding from place to place, they happened to encounter the birthday gifts sent by the county governor to the capital city. They took advantage of the guards’ carelessness to steal the birthday gifts and escaped again.

During their escape, they met people who could not live anymore, as well as orphans and widows who had no one to take care of them. Because the team grew larger and larger, it became harder and harder to hide.

In the end, they were caught up by the government bailiffs. After losing a few of their brothers, they unknowingly escaped to Qingshui County and dived into the Black Wind Mountain, and they barely survived.

Then, Qingshui County’s county office received the county governor’s order to suppress the bandits.

When Chen Zhiyuan and Xiahou Yong heard this, they were so shocked that they could not speak.

Walking out of the door, they asked a few women with children. After verifying that what Li Gui said was true, the two of them were completely silent.

“Brother Xiahou, what do you think we should do with these people? They are all good people from the neighboring county. They were forced to become bandits.”

Chen Zhiyuan observed Xiahou Yong’s expression and sighed.

Xiahou Yong didn’t say anything, and Xiao Douzi shook his arm. “Brother Xiahou, Uncle Big Beard, and Uncle Li Gui are good people. Don’t hand them over to the bad county magistrate. I beg you…” “Sigh… Brother Chen, what do you think we should do with these people? If we hand them over to the authorities, we won’t be able to live with our conscience. But if we don’t catch anyone in the raid, we won’t be able to get past the county governor and the county magistrate. Is there any way to get the best of both worlds?”

Xiahou Yong let out a long sigh and raised his head to look at Chen Zhiyuan again.

“No, Brother Xiahou, this group of people are commoners, but there was originally a group of true bandits in Black Wind Mountain. As long as we capture them, we can report after we complete the mission.”

Chen Zhiyuan continued with some calmness, “Xiao Douzi and the others accidentally entered this place, and the mountain stronghold here was already built, and there was no one here. This means that the previous group of bandits must have received some news and retreated in advance. Our next task is to find them!”

“Yes, this brother is right. When we came here, this stronghold was already there, but there was no one. Uncle Big Beard thought that it was a residence that God gave us.”

Xiao Douzi also opened her mouth to verify the authenticity of this information.

“Oh? If that’s the case, then it’s easy to handle. But now, how are we going to find these bandits? In this vast mountain, it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack!”

Xiahou Yong’s face lit up for a moment then he became troubled again.

Since those bandits had received the news in advance, they must have fled to other places long ago.

“Brother Xiahou, don’t be discouraged. As long as we hold our temper and slowly search, we’ll eventually find some traces left behind.”

Chen Zhiyuan comforted him instead.

There was still more than a month before the three months given by the county governor was over. They had plenty of time. Anyway, they had recovered the birthday gifts, so the rest could be considered minor matters.

“Alright, that’s all we can do now. Brother Chen, please inform the big beard leader to let these people continue to live here. After we’ve dealt with the real bandits, we’ll see if we can move them to the foot of the mountain. I’ll talk to Xiao Douzi.”

Xiahou Yong nodded and raised his head to speak to Chen Zhiyuan. “Alright, I’ll go now.”

Chen Zhiyuan agreed and left Xiahou Yong to comfort the frightened Xiao Douzi. He immediately found the big beard man who had just been tied up and personally untied him. He told them his decision.

“What! Do you really want to let me go? I robbed the county governor’s birthday gifts that were going to be sent to the capital. How are you going to explain to the county magistrate of Qingshui County if you don’t catch the bandit leader!”

The big beard leader looked at Chen Zhiyuan in shock and asked in disbelief.

“This is what I’m telling you now. You stumbled into this place by accident. It turns out that there was a group of real mountain bandits. They were the ones who stirred up trouble in Qingshui County. This time, the county magistrate thought that they robbed the birthday gifts, and the old and new grudges were taken into account together. That’s why he was determined to make me eliminate them. You guys have to be even more careful living here. Be careful that they don’t come back. Of course, we will also look for their traces and strive to completely eliminate them!”

Only then did Chen Zhiyuan tell the truth about the big beard man’s mountain stronghold.

“I see. I thought the heavens were rewarding us with this stronghold, but it turns out that these thieves haven’t gone far. Thank you for your reminder, Constable Chen. I’ll be extra careful.”

The big beard leader felt a lingering fear and immediately knelt down on one knee. He cupped his hands at Chen Zhiyuan and said, “I can’t thank you enough. Constable Chen, you are like our birth parents. Please accept Zuo Xiucheng’s bow.”

“Master Zuo, what are you doing? Please get up! The ways of the world are difficult, and the people are innocent. Master, you’re also pleading on behalf of the people. I can’t accept your bow.”

Chen Zhiyuan quickly helped the big beard leader up from the ground.

“Constable Chen, you care about the people so I am relieved by your words. Please feel free to ask if you need me in the future!”

The big beard man stood up and patted his chest to assure Chen Zhiyuan. Then, he said with embarrassment, “My name, ‘Zuo Xiucheng’, was given by my mother. It’s a little too delicate. I can’t even say it myself. Constable Chen, just call me Big Beard from now on.”

“Haha, Master Zuo, you don’t have to be so polite. Xiucheng is a man’s name. I even saw a general called ‘Li Xiucheng’ in a book. He became a famous general!”

Chen Zhiyuan laughed.

He was not spouting nonsense. At the end of the Qing dynasty, the famous Taiping Army general and Loyal King Li Xiucheng had beaten the Qing army until they were completely at a loss.

“There’s actually such a thing!”

When Zuo Xiucheng heard that, he was shocked.

Outside the door, Xiahou Yong and the excited Wang Shan walked in.

“Hahaha, Chief, I’ve finally found something on that old fellow! When you guys just went up the mountain and haven’t even sent back the news yet, that old guy already wanted to release the pigeons. I guessed that there must be a problem, so I rushed up and pressed him down. I’ve already sent people to tie up Zhao Dengming and his subordinates. Quick, look at what’s written on it!”

Wang Shan laughed loudly and handed a thin piece of paper to Chen Zhiyuan. Xiahou Yong also came over.

Chen Zhiyuan opened the paper, and the small words on it appeared one by one.

“Chen Zhiyuan is no longer in the camp. Xiahou Yong has also led his troops up the mountain. The camp is empty, and there are many provisions. Come and intercept the camp tonight! Tch! Tch!”

After reading the small words on the paper, everyone present had shocked expressions.

“Good! This old fellow is indeed black-hearted. Chief, Commander Xiahou. From the tone of his words, it’s clear that he is colluding with the mountain bandits. I will go down the mountain and chop him up!”

Wang Shan was so angry that he laughed instead. He turned his head and was about to go down the mountain.

“Old Wang, come back.”

Chen Zhiyuan hurriedly called Wang Shan and asked, “Is the pigeon still there?”

“Yes, I have nothing against the pigeon!”

Wang Shan turned his head and was stunned. “Good! Leader Zuo, I will have to trouble you. Please put on a good show with General Xiahou later. The problem of the Black Wind Mountain bandits will be solved tonight!”

Chen Zhiyuan looked at Xiahou Yong and Zuo Xiucheng and told them his plan.