Lin Zheng also came to investigate the situation, staring intently at Zhang Fang.
Zhang Fang solemnly told Uncle Xing, “I’ve discovered a group of bandits. They have committed atrocities, burning, killing, and looting! I must act on behalf of justice! I will lead all the righteous people to eliminate these bandits!”
Lin Zheng: ???
He widened his eyes, looking terrified and confused at Chief Chen. Hadn’t the largest bandit group in Jiangzhou already been brought under Zhang Fang’s control? Where was there still a need to deal with bandits?
Unless, Zhang Fang wasn’t planning to deal with bandits, but rather with people like Yang Zhu and others…
In an instant, Lin Zheng’s mind clicked. He thought he’d figured out the truth. Zhang Fang was using the pretext of getting rid of bandits to target that group of rebels led by Yang Zhu!
Uncle Xing knew that there were bandits in the Jiangzhou area, but he wasn’t aware that the people following Zhang Fang were the local bandits. Zhang Fang also hadn’t told him about the plan to eliminate them, merely saying that these people were hired by him.
Learning that the bandits were nearby sparked an idea in Uncle Xing. They had over two hundred hired men, most of whom had some martial skills. If they took this group to eliminate the bandits, the credit would go to Zhang Fang! If this mission succeeded, Zhang Fang would achieve merit and could return to the capital!
Without thinking much, Uncle Xing excitedly asked, “How many bandits are there?”
Zhang Fang looked at Chief Chen and replied, “At least a hundred. They say they are quite fierce. Perhaps these bandits learned that Yang Zhu had already left, so they are heading to Meixian to pull off a big score.”
Uncle Xing angrily scolded, “A bunch of scoundrels! How audacious they are! Young master, with so many of us, we can wipe them out! With merit, you can seek pardon!”
Zhang Fang responded eagerly, “Yes! Uncle Xing, that’s exactly what I’m thinking! If we succeed in eliminating the bandits, I can reunite with my father!”
Uncle Xing, even more anxious than Zhang Fang, personally ran to encourage the hired martial artists, motivating them with the promise of rewards for those willing to fight the bandits! If they succeeded, each person would receive hefty rewards!
Hearing it was for a just cause, and with Uncle Xing’s generous offers, they agreed to join.
Zhang Fang summoned Lin Zheng into the room to explain a few matters. He needed to lead everyone to capture Qi Wang while leaving the rear to Lin Zheng.
Lin Zheng’s eyes lit up. Regardless of whether Zhang Fang could come back or not, he would be in charge of Meixian. Once Zhang Fang left, he could take the Lin family to grab a fortune and then escape!
Lost in these pleasant thoughts, Lin Zheng nodded vigorously, saying, “Young Master Zhang, don’t worry! I will keep a close watch on Meixian! I absolutely won’t let chaos ensue!”
Zhang Fang looked at him with a half-smile and said nothing more before opening the door and stepping out.
Lin Zheng couldn’t help but grin.
However, once Zhang Fang left with everyone, Lin Zheng couldn’t smile anymore. This was because Hao Zhuo and Shi Houde had been assigned from the mine and were now watching Lin Zheng closely. His expression immediately fell, and the little schemes in his mind evaporated; he had to honestly continue fulfilling Zhang Fang’s tasks. Not only did he need to manage Meixian well, but he also had to investigate the situation in Meixian over the years.
After a long day of travel, that night Zhang Fang and his group arrived at Qinglan Mountain. This place was not suitable for an ambush, as the proximity to the official road was filled with farmland, with the forest far beyond the fields.
Chief Chen suggested that they move further into the hills where ambushes would be more feasible.
However, Zhang Fang said, “We will stay right here.”
Yuan Quan, Chang Bao, and Mu Qing couldn’t understand why Zhang Fang chose this location.
Uncle Xing also urged Zhang Fang, “Young master, it would be better to find a place thick with trees and grass for the ambush.”
Zhang Fang, with a serious expression, said, “First, send people to scout the movements of those bandits. When they are close, we can hide in the fields to ambush them.” It was precisely because this area was farmland that it could evoke a sense of relaxation.
Everyone present was taken aback. Clearly, they hadn’t expected Zhang Fang to arrange it this way. After the autumn harvest, the rice paddies were barren, making them unsuitable for hiding.
Zhang Fang had his own methods. He planned to set traps in the nearby fields along the official road.
Though many were dissatisfied, they did not voice their complaints while working through the night.
Once the traps were set, Zhang Fang handed a few bags to Chief Chen. “Disperse the contents of these bags evenly around the traps.”
Seeing the gold-containing stones inside the bags, Chief Chen looked surprised. Was Zhang Fang trying to lure Yang Zhu and others into the traps with these gold ore stones?
“Will this even work?” If it were Chief Chen, he would certainly be blinded by greed and fall into the trap. But for Yang Zhu and those who had been mining gold illegally for so many years, this temptation wasn’t substantial, and may even raise their suspicions.
Zhang Fang said, “Just do your job.” Implying he shouldn’t ask too many questions.
Chief Chen, speechless, took the bags to the nearby field to scatter them.
Zhang Fang pointed to the area around where the traps were set and told Uncle Xing, “Have people dig shallow pits here suitable for hiding. Fifty people can ambush here. Another fifty will ambush at the fork up ahead. The rest of the men will ambush in the woods ahead.”
After listening to this, Uncle Xing showed an expression of joy and praised, “Young master, you are truly clever! In this way, those bandits won’t be able to escape!”
This time, it was either Qi Wang falling into Zhang Fang’s hands or Zhang Fang falling into Qi Wang’s. Therefore, Zhang Fang absolutely couldn’t let the opponent escape! They set ambushes both in front and behind, leaving Qi Wang with no way out!
When Chief Chen returned from scattering the gold ore stones, he felt relieved knowing that Zhang Fang had more plans in mind.
Yuan Quan and Mu Qing led a group to ambush in the field. Chief Chen and Chang Bao took fifty men to ambush at the fork in front of Qinglan Mountain. Zhang Fang led the remaining hundred or so men, hiding deep in the woods at the back. First, they would let Qi Wang mess up in the fields, then press forward, causing more chaos. By the time they retreated to the woods, Zhang Fang would lead his men to intercept. Qi Wang would inevitably be left with few men around him, giving Zhang Fang a solid chance to defeat them.
That night, hiding in the woods and not being able to light a fire made it very uncomfortable. Uncle Xing was particularly concerned for Zhang Fang, repeatedly advising him to find a safer place to wait comfortably for the outcome.
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