Zhang Fang headed directly to meet the bandits. After bringing them over, he planned to lead the bandits to raid the treasurer Yang. Although he was unsure exactly how many dead soldiers Meixian housed, he knew that when Yang and his group withdrew, they would not only take a large amount of weapons and supplies but also a substantial amount of money. These carts filled with goods were a burden, and their pace would undoubtedly be slow. Even if they couldn’t capture the rebels in one go, if they could disrupt the crowd and seize the supplies, no matter the amount taken, it would certainly cause trouble for the other party.
Old Chen stayed at the city gate, repeatedly pondering the events of the night. The more he thought, the more confused he became. Zhang Fang wanted him to trick Yang into leaving, seemingly unrelated to the matter of borrowing boats. Even if he couldn’t deceive Yang, Old Chen felt that as long as he entered the city, he should be able to find a way to borrow a boat. Why did Zhang Fang insist he trick the people inside the city into leaving?
If Yang and his men were deceived and left, wouldn’t that leave the city with no leaders? Was it possible that Zhang Fang wanted to enter the city and become the boss? Take over as the city lord?
Quickly, Old Chen dismissed this speculation. After all, Zhang Fang had a chancellor as his father. If he could successfully send news back to the capital this time, Zhang Fang would gain merit and surely be able to return to the capital to continue living the life of a young master. Why would Zhang Fang need to occupy the city and become the boss?
So, what exactly was Zhang Fang planning to do?
Old Chen couldn’t figure it out.
Until Zhang Fang brought back a large group of people. Once Old Chen saw them clearly, his scalp tingled again. While he still couldn’t guess Zhang Fang’s intention, he felt inexplicably fearful, sensing that whatever Zhang Fang was about to do was definitely going to be significant!
After knocking out the wealthy merchant Jia and tossing him aside, Old Chen ran over to Zhang Fang and, staring at him intensely, lowered his voice to ask, “What are you planning to do?”
Zhang Fang pulled Old Chen aside and whispered, “You will take these people into the city, help Treasurer Yang, and then leave traces along the way for me to receive your news.”
Old Chen:！！！
This kid has gone mad!
“You want to set a trap for them!” Even though Old Chen had killed many people, he had never felt such fear. The cunning of an intelligent person is far scarier than taking a few lives! With just one or two schemes, a large group of people could be wiped out. Thousands of lives hinge on a single word, a simple decision!
“Do you know how many people they have? How dare you think like this!” Old Chen was so anxious that his facial expression twisted as he gripped Zhang Fang’s hand tightly.
Zhang Fang remained calm as he said, “You will let me know.”
Old Chen shook off his hand, stepping back in anger, his hands wildly grasping at his hair. Rather than being angry, he was terrified. The young man before him exuded a temperament that warmed like the spring sun, like the gentle summer breeze, or like the bright autumn moon. Yet, Old Chen felt that he was like a reaper of souls! Such a calculating person is the most terrifying!
“What if I refuse?” At that moment, Old Chen looked at Zhang Fang with murderous intent, his fingers slightly bent, seemingly ready to act.
Zhang Fang steadily replied, “The people I brought are all yours. The people under me aren’t here. You can kill me, but you cannot stop me from doing what I plan to do.”
Old Chen truly wanted to tilt his head back and roar, banging his fists on his forehead. How could he, a bandit leader, fall into the hands of such a person!
Zhang Fang said earnestly, “I told you I would give you a chance to be a hero. Before they leave, take the people and follow them.”
Gritting his teeth and glaring at Zhang Fang, Old Chen truly wanted to strangle him.
In the end, Old Chen relented and followed Zhang Fang’s orders, taking ten men into the city to find Treasurer Yang.
When he returned, Treasurer Yang was surprised and asked, “Didn’t you leave?”
Old Chen answered, “The outside is all water, and the stronghold has been flooded. There’s nowhere to go back to. I thought it would be best to stay in Meixian until the water recedes before leaving. What are they doing?”
Quickly changing the subject, Old Chen pointed at the horse-drawn carts.
Treasurer Yang didn’t want to deal with him and simply said, “In that case, stay in Meixian! I need to send something outside.”
Old Chen immediately interjected, “But it’s all water outside, and it’s going to flood soon. Are you planning to relocate? I’ll go with you!”
Examining Old Chen with suspicion, Treasurer Yang suspected that Old Chen had deliberately turned back to follow them. After all, it’s all flooded outside; it must be hard to leave, which is why Old Chen would return.
Despite being one of their own, and with not many people, Treasurer Yang thought it over and decided to let him join.
“Alright. You can come with us.”
Old Chen followed closely behind Treasurer Yang. Despite being one of their own, Treasurer Yang wasn’t completely at ease, so he sent Old Chen to follow Captain Liu instead.
Once the gold was loaded onto the carts, Treasurer Yang ordered the convoy to depart. At this hour, their movements were quite loud; even if they disturbed nearby households, nobody dared to come out and pay attention.
After waking up Jia the wealthy merchant, Zhang Fang gathered information about the merchant companies within the city. It was nearly dawn when Zhang Fang led his men into the city to control the city gate first. Then they went to observe the other gates. The south gate was wide open, indicating that Yang and his group were retreating through that direction. After securing the three remaining gates, Zhang Fang headed towards the county office.
Though the majority of people had already left, Treasurer Yang still retained a few individuals to guard the county office, responsible for monitoring the gold mine.
Zhang Fang suddenly burst in with his men, startling those in the office.
After a brief scuffle, those few were bound, and Zhang Fang began to interrogate them.
These individuals were unwilling to reveal anything about the gold mine, even choosing to die rather than cooperate. During the interrogation, seven of them committed suicide, leaving only one alive.
Zhang Fang could only lock this person up and keep a close watch, taking full control of the area in Meixian.
Mu Qing and the others rescued many trapped individuals, and after daybreak, they brought these people back to Meixian.
Zhang Fang opened the city gate to accommodate the disaster-stricken citizens.
Hao Zhuang and Shi Houdi finally met Zhang Fang, and upon learning that Meixian was entirely under Zhang Fang’s control, both of them were shocked. Zhang Fang was a criminal, yet he had carved out a path for survival even in adversity! He even seized control of a city! Meixian was a place with a gold mine!