Chapter 4, Ambush (Part 2)

Your Highness, it is quite dangerous outside; let us return this time.

The leading thief laughed heartily.

If this group of damned contraband contains the subsequent items, then the harvest will be even greater

Zhu Qing swallowed hard with difficulty

To achieve victory unexpectedly is possible. If one cannot catch others off guard, how many would survive? Perhaps some would, but it would not be me, nor would it be you

Zhu Qing's forehead was once again beaded with sweat

Zhu Qingming understood, and Wang Ju also understood. No wonder the court has been unable to eradicate this band of robbers, no wonder they have never suffered a defeat, and have always been victorious in their attacks, striking with precision every time

No wonder

"Don't be afraid, there are more of them."

"Going back is no better than living in hell." Despair was evident in the woman's eyes as the wind blew, lifting the dust-covered hem of her garment, making her appear particularly pitiful

The mistress curled her lips in disdain, making a dismissive gesture. However, both the master and servant fell silent.

Before the ambush, he watched it two or three times, but it was not from horseback. Could it be that the villagers discovered the ambush?

Private businesses cannot be exposed, and they likewise cannot be exposed

A large group of bandits has descended again, he murmured, "Manager Zhu, the bow is drawn, it must be released. At this point, there is only fighting left. Otherwise, if this group of bandits discovers their ambush and organizes, all those associated with the *Tushu* will face certain death without a burial place."

However, the knife and bow cannot prove anything; if there are connections, even common people can obtain them

However, this character for 'thorn'... is for the officers and soldiers of the Zhenwu Camp

It is no joke; if this group of mad bandits discovers the ambush, it is uncertain how many lives would be lost

At that moment, a flurry of feathered arrows shot out densely from the bushes on both sides of the mountain path

The five strong men had not anticipated that a group of mules was boldly lying in ambush among the bushes on both sides of the hillside. After they finished whispering, the leader looked at the mountain path, which was in disarray; nearly one hundred single-wheeled carts were scattered haphazardly. Below the hillside, many villagers were fleeing, and upon seeing five tall horses carrying bandits charging down the mountain, they hurriedly scrambled into the forest.

The two individuals spoke in very low voices

The villagers in the stockade carry bows made of mulberry wood. However, the black lacquered bow is not made of mulberry wood; it, along with the yellow and white birch bow and the hemp-backed bow, constitutes the four standard types of bows used by the Song army at present. Moreover, all four types of bows are genuine composite bows

Because they are originally the forbidden troops of the court, without a bandit lair, when they go out they become bandits, and when they come in they become soldiers, where can one go to suppress them

To engage in private trade with the Xixia people, it is essential to manage these local guides. Consequently, they are well aware of every transaction, and if they cannot seize something, they will accept a bribe; if they can seize it, they will do so. Moreover, due to their thorough understanding, they are precise in their actions.

However, regardless of the outcome of World War I, his employer may encounter difficulties

If we had escaped quickly just now, the loss would only have been this one thousand guan of money

Wang Ju'e felt a slight bead of sweat forming on his forehead as he quietly gazed outside. There were words he dared not speak, fearing to disturb the people on the mountain path outside. He then turned his head to look beside him, where Wang Quan was sitting, and further away were his second uncle Wang Wei and other villagers.

Wang Ju looked at Zhu Qing, wondering if Zhu Qing was regretting it at this moment. After all, it was merely some private goods. If there were no other valuable items, just salt alone would not be worth more than 1,000 guan.

At this moment, his heart was in his throat, and the surroundings were very quiet, almost allowing him to hear his own heartbeat. He turned to look at Zhu Qing beside him, who was even more frightened, with large beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

They spoke in very low voices, and Wang Ju could not hear them, but he shot them a fierce glare.

Several individuals were veiled, a fact well known to all. Their manner of eating was quite unseemly, inciting deep hatred not only among the common folk who labored like mules, but also from officials and local gentry. Even those from across the mountains shared this disdain, thus it was imperative to avoid exposure. However, one man, feeling the heat, lifted his veil and wiped the beads of sweat from his brow

Indeed, he is an extraordinary young man, just like the illustrations in the book

The resources of the Western Xia are scarce, yet they are not entirely devoid of value. For instance, there are livestock, furs, felt blankets, and medicinal herbs, particularly the rhubarb produced in Ganzhou, as well as blue salt. Additionally, there are items obtained from the Uighurs, such as jewelry, cotton, frankincense, and myrrh, along with the swords and fine bows produced by the Western Xia itself. A fine bow from the Western Xia can be worth several hundred coins in the market, nearly dozens of times the value of a Song bow.

Trouble has come

The poor villagers were in a state of panic, not knowing how to escape, but they ultimately fled to the foot of the mountain. Killing a few dozen would suffice; their main target remained the several hundred stones of blue salt. If luck were on their side, there might even be other more valuable items.

... ...

Zhu Qing remained silent.

Your Highness, I am very afraid

Several mounted bandits charged down, followed by a large group of infantry rushing in from behind

They were equally nervous, but merely nervous, and did not realize that this group of bee thieves were soldiers.

Kill ... ... Kill !

Wang Ju looked outside, and soon he let out a low growl of two words, decisively making a gesture.

The mountain wind blows, and the thorny reeds incessantly strike against the cheeks, causing a slight itch and pain; of course, no one pays any attention to it

However, Second Uncle and the old clan leader Wang Quan turned their heads to look at them. Although they could not hear what was being said, it was at this moment that a divergence occurred, which would lead to irreparable consequences

The unpleasant sound of the car wheels scraping once again echoed.

The common people in the village also carried knives, specifically the simple knife. However, the term "simple knife" is a general one; the small simple knife is considered the least effective type among the knife implements of the Song Dynasty. Therefore, when Zeng Gongliang compiled the "Essentials of Military Techniques," he omitted this "agricultural tool knife." The actual standardized types of knives in the Song military included the hand knife, the dropping knife, the bending knife, the moon-covering knife, the halberd knife, the brow-tip knife, the phoenix beak knife, and the brush knife. The latter seven are all long-handled knives, while only the hand knife is a short-handled knife, which is essentially a carrying knife.

The young woman cast a glance at Wang Ju, wondering how old this little brat was—twelve, thirteen, or fourteen? He had spent time in the mountains, his skin darkened by the sun, and his malnutrition had left him thin and frail. She couldn't accurately determine his age. However, it was probably around that age. But at this age, what could one actually do?

It is another uphill journey, and the physical exertion is greater. However, compared to the benefits of transporting such a large amount of goods, this little hardship is nothing.

But there was no movement, and the two cautiously peered through the leaves towards the mountain path

Then, he swiftly drew the phoenix beak knife and struck the warhorse, which charged down the mountain at an even faster speed. This was inevitable; the mountain people's character was also fierce. If they were not killed once, they would develop a sense of "luck" the next time and would resist. As long as they instilled fear through killing, everyone would flee at the first sign, ensuring that each robbery would succeed with minimal cost.

Dozens of soldiers continued to run, but their speed had slowed down.

Wang Ju and Zhu Qing happened to see the two characters on the forehead beneath the veil: Zhenwu

This time, however, they were somewhat unfortunate, as there was an alternative among the mules

Wang Ju stared outside

Wang Ju was greatly startled

The heavens and the earth are vast, but human life is the most precious. Wang Ju said in a deep voice

There will be troubles behind, but we must get through this hurdle first

Five horses, on which sat five men, each holding a dagger. The leader, a burly man, wielded a phoenix beak knife, while two others carried black lacquered bows on their backs. The group was whispering, their words indistinct. ... Zhu Qingcai exhaled, yet the threat remained; as long as they observed carefully, they might still uncover the ambush...

The few black bandits in front continued to charge down the mountain on horseback, while the majority of the black bandits behind had already reached the front of the unicycle.

Several horses charged down from the mountaintop, swiftly galloping onto the mountain path near Wang Ju, and the leader suddenly reined in the horse.

Do not think about the troubles ahead; for now, the priority is to survive

Unlike the villagers, they, due to their smaller numbers, must each push a cart, and some, being stronger, have the responsibility of pushing two carts. After completing one trip, they must return to push a second trip

The goods must be transferred immediately

This requires a certain level of insight; the lives of the people in Wangjiazai are isolated and backward, with almost no one being literate. Even if they see that character for 'stab,' they would not think much of it