One of the escort officers from Jiangzhou walked over, glanced at Zhang Fang’s condition, and awkwardly said, “Maybe he ate something bad? Should we let them rest for a moment?”
“I’m in so much pain! Am I going to die? Father! I’m an unfilial son! I’m afraid I can’t return to the capital!” Zhang Fang exaggeratedly acted, his body convulsing.
Hao Zhuang’s face grew serious as he called the other escort officers over to discuss. “We haven’t been out of the city long. How about we go back now? We can’t take responsibility if so many criminals get into trouble.”
Setting off with those bandits had already made people uneasy. Now that something happened to Zhang Fang and the others, Hao Zhuang eagerly wanted to take this opportunity to part ways with the bandits.
The escort officers from Mozhou and Dou County were also afraid of bearing the responsibility, so they agreed with Hao Zhuang’s idea. Upon hearing that they would return to the city with the criminals for treatment, the Jiangzhou officers were somewhat unhappy but did not obstruct them. After all, if so many criminals got into trouble and those officials blamed Jiangzhou prison for serving food that caused the deaths, the ones responsible would still be the Jiangzhou officers.
“Keep moving!” the Jiangzhou officer ordered the bandits to proceed.
The bandits were unhappy and pointed at Zhang Fang, saying, “Why do they get to rest while we have to keep moving? They have a stomachache, and so do we!”
The group of bandits began to stir, mimicking Zhang Fang and clutching their stomachs to fake pain.
The Jiangzhou officer did not believe their poor acting, drew his sword to threaten them, and forced them to move forward.
The bandits looked reluctant, clearly unwilling to part with Zhang Fang, their fat sheep.
The sum of Jiangzhou officers and those from other places added up to more than a dozen men, all armed with knives. It was not beneficial for the bandits to resist and confront them directly. Considering this, they could only comply with the Jiangzhou officer for now, planning to find a place to counter the four officers after moving further ahead and then comeback to capture their prized lamb, Zhang Fang.
Aside from Zhang Fang, there were several women from the Lin family, including two young and beautiful girls! They had been lusting after them all along! And when the time came, they would capture the Lin family women too! As for the others, they would be killed!
Unbeknownst to the bandits, while they were scheming, Zhang Fang and his group had already stood up from the ground after they left.
“Master Zhang, were you just pretending to have a stomach ache?” Hao Zhuang and Shi Houde asked Zhang Fang, surprised.
Zhang Fang did not explain, directly stating, “Those mountain bandits will likely escape ahead and then turn back to attack us. We need to set up an ambush now!”
Mu Qing looked at Zhang Fang admiringly, filled with fervor as he said, “Great! Let’s follow Master Zhang and ambush these bandits!”
Yuan Quan and Chang Bao were also pumped up. After all, capturing criminals was undeniably thrilling!
The officers from Mozhou and Dou County were bewildered, completely unable to respond.
Throughout the journey, Zhang Fang had been keenly observing the surroundings, leading everyone to retreat until they reached a bamboo grove to set up an ambush. They would wait for the mountain bandits to return along the same path and capture them!
“Master Zhang, our Lin family isn’t skilled in martial arts. Perhaps we should stay far away?”
When it came time to put in some effort, Lin Zheng shrank back.
Zhang Fang smiled slightly and told him, “Since you can’t fight, then you can serve as bait. You all just lie in the bamboo grove and rest. The bandits will see you right away when they return.”
Lin Zheng: !!!
“Master Zhang, how about we let the older women rest in the bamboo grove? We men can hide in the shadows and ambush them.”
The other women from the Lin family were a burden, of no use at all. Lin Zheng had long wanted to shake off these encumbrances.
Seeing through Lin Zheng’s thoughts, Zhang Fang scoffed and merely stated, “Get to work first.”
Utilizing the terrain and available resources, Zhang Fang quickly devised traps and set everything in motion, instructing everyone to take action.
Lin Zheng distractedly worked on the arrangements. Among the Lin family, only the sisters Lin Yuanyuan and Lin Qiaoqiao were the most diligent in their efforts.
“If we don’t finish setting up in time, when they come back, this place will be our grave,” Zhang Fang calmly stated in a steady tone towards the Lin family members.
Lin Zheng immediately scolded everyone from the Lin family: “If you don’t want to die, work a little faster! Anyone who slacks off will be the bait!”
The members of the Lin family were terrified, and they dared not be casual anymore, all becoming serious and putting in the effort.
After setting the traps, Zhang Fang planned to act as bait himself.
Hao Zhuang and Shi Houde disagreed; their task was to protect Zhang Fang and get him to the border. They couldn’t let Zhang Fang be the bait. So they immediately tried to take him away.
“Brother Hao, Brother Shi, I am the target of those bandits. If they turn back, it will be for me. Only by seeing me will they enter the trap. If you two are worried, then just stay close to me.”
Zhang Fang’s words caused expressions of hesitation on Shi Houde and Hao Zhuang’s faces. These mountain bandits were a hidden danger, and if they weren’t dealt with, it would not be easy for them to safely leave Jiangzhou. Since the trap was already set, at least for now, the bandits certainly wouldn’t touch Zhang Fang. Once they showed up, they would still have the chance to escape with Zhang Fang. Considering this, the two could only agree to cooperate with Zhang Fang.
The Lin family members didn’t have to serve as bait and breathed a sigh of relief. However, Lin Zheng was still scared that something might happen to Zhang Fang, after all, he was the main support of the Lin family. The Lin family relied on Zhang Fang for food and clothing. Losing Zhang Fang would certainly mean a miserable life for them. Thus, Lin Zheng gritted his teeth and said to Zhang Fang, “Master Zhang, the Lin family is willing to act as bait with you! If those bandits appear, we will hold them back and let you escape first!”
This surprised Zhang Fang, but he understood Lin Zheng’s intentions. He waved his hand and said, “No need. Having too many people will only create chaos.”
The mountain bandits could strike back at any moment. Zhang Fang did not waste more time talking, instructing everyone to hide and prepare for the ambush near the traps, while he lay down in an obvious position. Shi Houde and Hao Zhuang stayed close to him, their eyes vigilant as they watched their surroundings.
hello, thank you very much for the translation. I just would like to point out that chapter 22 is not there. it says that we are at the end of the story. could you please fix that. I would be grateful. thank you again for this novel translation.