Chapter 6: Weize (Six)

Weize immediately suppressed the cheers of his brothers, saying, "Brothers, let us speak frankly. Since we have intercepted the grain convoy of the Qing demons this time, upon our return to Yong'an, we will likely be ordered to march immediately. If the brothers do not receive any promotions this time, no one should harbor any other thoughts. If the brothers are promoted, I must first emphasize that my approach to military affairs is based on whether one can accomplish tasks. Once appointed as squad leaders, the allocated rations are naturally due, but under my command, a squad leader may not necessarily command four men. This is not because I do not allow my brothers to hold positions, but because if the battle is not fought well, one’s life is at stake! If life is lost, what use is there in holding an official position!"

Yet Wei Ze, as usual, despite his fatigue, persevered in starting a fire. At this moment, the brothers of the Qing army stationed at the rear did not pursue, and Wei Ze began to slice the cured meat. This cured meat was made from the legs of fat pigs, and Wei Changrong displayed astonishing potential, managing to carry four large pig legs all by himself

Oh? Shall we ambush once more? The brothers immediately became invigorated.

Then a brother regretfully said: "Unfortunately, the Qing army did not bring any wine this time; otherwise, we could have seized some back."

In the Qing army's grain transport team, Kelongduo looked grimly at the bandits hidden in the mountains and forests. Many people in the world can speak the official language, but to hear such distinctly Beijing-accented curses in the impoverished and remote mountains of Guangxi was far beyond the imagination of the imperial guards. Although the distance was great and the voices were somewhat noisy, making it hard to hear clearly, the local dialect and the specific insults were unmistakable to the guards who had been away from the capital for a long time. Who were these people with strange hairstyles and a Beijing accent? Kelongduo could not fathom it.

As Wei Ze began to cut the meat, the brothers, disregarding their fatigue, took out bamboo tubes to pack the slices of cured meat that Wei Ze had cut. They happily secured the bamboo tubes with long grass and placed them beside the fire. In these times of hardship, if a family's main dish during the festive season was cured meat, it indicated a good year. Having achieved a great victory this time, everyone was naturally overjoyed, and among the spoils was cured meat, which made the brothers even happier. As the rich aroma gradually wafted from the bamboo tubes, many brothers were already showing signs of salivation. This time, having achieved a great victory, everyone was naturally overjoyed, and among the spoils was cured meat, which made the brothers even happier. As the rich aroma gradually wafted from the bamboo tubes, many brothers were already showing signs of salivation. Even Wei Ze, who had been maintaining his single-shot knife and had started to study the double-barreled pistol, couldn't help but glance at the fire a few more times.

Therefore, Zhang Yingchen quickly said: "Brothers, let us hurry and transport these spoils back to Yong'an, so that our families can naturally have salt to eat. With Wei Sima here, if we strike the grain transport convoy of the Qingyao once more, we will no longer have to fear running out of salt!"

This statement was immediately met with the agreement of most of the brothers, who all echoed, "Indeed! It is good to have wine!"

Colondo was about to say something more when the injured royal guard Wang Feixiong spoke up, "Brother Colondo, let's not pursue them for now. Don't underestimate those little bastards; they might really be up to some tricks!" Wang Feixiong did not pull out the bullet lodged in his shoulder, and his expression was quite pained at that moment

Seeing that the imperial guards did not insist, Liu felt a great weight lift from his heart. He had originally thought that if Colonel Du continued to pursue, he would have to firmly refuse in his capacity as the commander of the grain convoy. Although the imperial guards were close to the emperor, they could not directly command the grain convoy. Pursuing and capturing the rebellious thieves was not the responsibility of the convoy. If there were a major incident with the military supplies, the commander of the Northern Camp, the recently reinstated former Guangxi governor, Lord Xiang Rong, might not dare to kill the imperial guards, but he would certainly dare to execute the commander of the grain convoy. Although the imperial guards were close to the emperor, they could not directly command the grain convoy. Pursuing and capturing the rebellious thieves was not the responsibility of the convoy. If there were a major incident with the military supplies, the commander of the Northern Camp, the recently reinstated former Guangxi governor, Lord Xiang Rong, might not dare to kill the imperial guards, but he would certainly dare to execute the commander of the grain convoy.

Colondo glared fiercely at the general and said, "Those rebels have carried quite a lot of things; at this moment, they cannot possibly escape. If we do not pursue them now, are we preparing to allow their escape?"

"Sir, it is you who led me to bravely fight against the enemy." Liu, the general, immediately corrected his inappropriate words

Hearing Wei Ze talk about his family in Yong'an City, the originally lively atmosphere became somewhat subdued, and many brothers put down their chopsticks

Having his brothers advise him, Kelongduo recalled the fierce battles with Fang He - Tu - Shucai, and felt that sending this group of terrified green camp soldiers to pursue would likely be futile. Despite the lingering anger in his heart, Kelongduo ultimately said: "Then it shall be so. Quickly gather the troops and send someone ahead to the checkpoint to deliver a message, asking them to send soldiers to receive us. Additionally, Brother Wang, bear with it a little; I will help you remove the bullet head right now"

With Wei Sima leading us, we fear no one

Wei Ze shook his head and said, "First, we need to send the salt and gunpowder we have seized back to Yong'an. The city is in dire need of these supplies. We cannot be the only ones here enjoying them while our families in Yong'an have no salt to eat!"

Hearing these words, Zhang Yingchen felt quite excited. He shared the same sentiment; Wei Ze's courageous performance on the battlefield had completely dispelled any doubts Zhang Yingchen had about him. Moreover, Zhang Yingchen's family was also in Yong'an City. If Wei Ze could lead his brothers to achieve more victories, Zhang Yingchen's family would naturally have more access to salt. With everyone able to disrupt the Qing army's supply lines under Wei Ze's leadership, the likelihood of the Qing army breaching Yong'an would be greatly reduced

Upon hearing the news of a promotion, everyone erupted in cheers

After passing the loyalty examination, these believers and their families all joined the Taiping Army. In other words, everything that the believers owned now belonged to the Taiping Army, and if they were to leave the Taiping Army now, they would have no home to return to.

At present, the families of the Taiping soldiers are all in Yong'an City. Zhang Yingchen can understand why the old Taiping soldiers react so strongly when Wei Ze mentions his family in Yong'an. The brothers have seized cured meat and salt, and they are enjoying their meals at this moment. However, the families of the brothers in Yong'an can only eat "bland food," living a life with little salt and few vegetables. At such a time, if one can still eat happily without concern, it can only be said that that person has lost all conscience

What a fine knife! Wei Ze praised as he carefully spread the grease that had adhered to the single-edged knife onto the blade with a piece of white cloth. This single-edged knife was seized from the man in the yellow jacket, who had used it to effortlessly sever the long spear thrown by Wei Changrong. Wei Ze had noticed this knife at that moment. Just now, he used this knife to slice cured meat, and it felt as if he were cutting through rubber. It required some force, yet it allowed for remarkably precise cutting. Just now, he used this knife to slice cured meat, and it felt as if he were cutting through rubber. It required some force, yet it allowed for remarkably precise cutting.

Even though I hold great respect for Lord Kolondo, I mustered the courage to retort: "My lord, I have been ordered to escort military provisions. When encountering rebels who rob the military supplies, I naturally must fight bravely... to kill the enemy. However, those rebels have already fled. If I were to pursue them, I might fall into their trap of luring the tiger away from its mountain. In that case, I would be beyond redemption, no matter how many times I die!"

However, Wei Ze did not pay much attention to the matter of eating meat. He sheathed his well-maintained sabre and drew out the captured double-barreled pistol. This double-barreled pistol was not a matchlock but a flintlock. It relied on a spring mechanism to fire, allowing for immediate shooting as long as the powder and bullets were loaded, which was significantly superior to matchlock guns. Capturing this sabre naturally filled Wei Ze with immense joy, and the intricately decorated double-barreled flintlock pistol was indeed his means of survival.

Zhang Yingchen is a minor leader of the Tiandihui in Yong'an City, who joined the Taiping Army only after it captured Yong'an. In recent days, he has learned quite a bit about the Taiping Army, and veterans like Wei Ze have all joined the God Worshipping Society. Anyone wishing to join the God Worshipping Society must first dedicate all their possessions to it. By dedicating their assets, the God Worshipping Society can ascertain the loyalty of these individuals. To prove their commitment, most new members even sold their own land.

"Everything shall be in accordance with the arrangements of Commander Wei!" the excited soldiers replied almost in unison

If the number of rebels is not twenty, but rather forty or even sixty, then including the guards such as Colonel Long, the grain convoy today would likely not have a single person escape with their life. Colonel Long is also considered a person of great courage; thinking of this, a sudden surge of murderous intent arose in his heart. He turned to Liu, the commander of the escorting troops, and commanded loudly: "Send someone to pursue them immediately! We must not let this group of rebels escape!"

Wei Changrong anxiously untied the long grass binding the bamboo tube, picked up a piece of cured meat, and stuffed it into his mouth. The cured meat was somewhat hot, and Wei Changrong couldn't help but suck in some cool air. However, after just a few breaths of cool air, he began to chew vigorously. No one laughed at Wei Changrong; everyone was as eager as he was, devouring the cured meat and shoveling the fragrant bean and rice mixture into their mouths.

Weize did not devour his food like his brothers did. Upon hearing this, he smiled and said, "Not this time, but it may not be the case next time. The New Year is approaching, and the leader of the Qingyao will surely reward his subordinates, so there will definitely be no shortage of wine. Who knows, there might even be more next time..."

After hearing Colonel Du's orders, Liu Bazong of the Green Camp, who had narrowly escaped with his life, said with a pale face, "My lord, we were tasked with escorting the grain and have bravely fought off the enemy. We must quickly regroup our cavalry, defend carefully, and request reinforcements as the best strategy! If these bandits intend to create a diversion, sending troops over would only fall into their trap." Liu Bazong was quite capable of command, but he had never encountered such a fierce enemy and lacked the courage to continue the pursuit. If these bandits intended to create a diversion, sending troops over would only fall into their trap. Liu Bazong was quite capable of command, but he had never encountered such a fierce enemy and lacked the courage to continue the pursuit

The brothers have all expressed their positions

We will definitely follow Commander Wei and fight well

Wei Ze would certainly not let such an opportunity slip by. He spoke loudly: "Brothers, the urgent task at hand is to quickly transport the goods back to Yong'an. As for the contributions of the brothers, I will certainly take note of them. The Eastern King has already issued orders; our Taiping Army will reward merit and punish faults. Since all of you have made great contributions, I will absolutely not overlook your achievements. Once we return to Yong'an, I will naturally report to the Eastern King. Although I cannot make grand promises to you, I will strive to ensure that each of you is promoted to the rank of Wuzhang this time." Since all of you have made great contributions, I will absolutely not overlook your achievements. Once we return to Yong'an, I will naturally report to the Eastern King. Although I cannot make grand promises to you, I will strive to ensure that each of you is promoted to the rank of Wuzhang this time.

Oh! It's time to eat! It's time to eat!" Wei Ze immediately replied. As soon as his words fell, a wave of cheers erupted from the troops

However, this matter cannot be discussed at this time. Of the more than 150 people in the grain escort team before departure, fewer than 60 remain able to gather together now. Some Qing soldiers have fled into the dense forests on both sides of the canal, and they will likely regroup after a while. Kelongdu estimates that at most a dozen of these Qing soldiers will return. Nearly half of the entire grain escort team has been killed, and not a single rebel has died in battle. Reflecting on the fierce combat of the rebels he witnessed firsthand, especially the bravery of the young man at the forefront, Kelongdu cannot help but feel a sense of awe.

The brothers of the Taiping Army fight not only for the Taiping Army but also for themselves and for their families. Once they return to Yong'an, they can continue to fight, and with the success of this battle, everyone has regained their spirits.

If the Taiping Army could replace all their matchlocks with flintlock rifles, along with bayonets, Wei Ze would be completely confident in easily defeating any Qing army of this era. Just as Wei Ze's thoughts were focused on these future military considerations, he heard Zhang Yingchen respectfully say: "Commander Wei, may we begin the meal?"

Wei Changrong, who was beside Wei Ze, paid no attention to the quality of the knife. Everyone hurriedly transported their belongings to the designated retreat camp, but they could no longer run. After the battle, everyone was already exhausted. Forcing themselves to flee further drained their energy. Regardless of whether anyone was pursuing them from behind, the brothers immediately collapsed onto the prepared straw bedding, unable to move.

Indeed! With my fourth uncle by our side, there is no demon we cannot defeat. Everyone should finish their meal quickly and get some rest; we need to hurry back first thing tomorrow morning

"Bravely fighting against the enemy?" After hearing this, Kelongdu almost burst out laughing in anger. Was this a case of the enemy bravely slaughtering? In that battle, not only did they fail to kill a single one of the highway robbers, but the grain convoy suffered at least sixty casualties. If it had not been for Kelongdu dispatching other imperial guards and personal soldiers to hold the line at a critical moment, the grain convoy would have likely been completely shattered by now

Having devoured the meal ravenously, Wei Changrong let out a comfortable sigh, "If only there were some wine, that would be even better"