Section 9, Counterattack (II)

Holding the order from Nong Mengfu, Long Qian immediately sent someone to collect the silver, firearms, and ammunition. At the same time, he took over several warehouses. Nong Mengfu was in charge of the black soldiers in the stronghold, who were already in a state of panic. Long Qian's takeover of the warehouses aligned perfectly with the black soldiers' sentiments, and they promptly handed over the warehouses to pack their belongings. By transferring the warehouses to Long Qian, Nong Mengfu considered it as fulfilling Sun Dewang's orders. He repeatedly reminded Long Qian to burn the supplies before retreating, and then he also left.

The weapons of the Eighth Brigade are inadequate; there are too few firearms, and the ammunition is nearly depleted. Long Qian fixed his gaze on Sun Dewang's eyes and made the first demand

At this time, the sun was already high in the sky, and the cavalry had left the square in front of Guangming Temple. A dozen large carts carrying women creaked as they started moving eastward. The square was filled with people running about in a state of panic, with shouts and curses rising and falling. The figure of Farmer Meng quickly blended into the crowd and disappeared.

A few days ago, the Sixth Team had been held back and not utilized, leaving the rear guard as a matter of course. However, the Sixth Team is the foundation of the Zhou brothers, which is different from the Eighth Team that is neither close to the grandmother nor favored by the uncle. Sun Dewang still provided the Sixth Team with an opportunity to escape; as long as the Eighth Team held out until midnight, the Sixth Team could safely retreat either to the east or to the south.

Furthermore, please have the captain take away the injured members of Team 8. They are all good brothers from the makeshift team, and leaving them behind will cause the brothers who are holding the rear to feel disheartened

Gunfire finally erupted in the direction of Tianmen. Long Qian ordered the two teams that were transporting grain and cloth to drop their supplies and return to Duoduo Zhai. It turned out he held a glimmer of hope that the government troops would not launch a final assault on Guangming Temple today, allowing him time for a more composed arrangement. It seems that Cao Kun would not grant him this time. While grain is undoubtedly important, rest and preparation before the battle are even more crucial.

The valuable and easily portable items in the warehouse have already been taken away, leaving behind only heavy and cumbersome objects and books. Long Qian ordered the members of Teams One and Two to select the tools for digging trenches and to move the food to the hidden location at Duoduo Zhai as much as possible. Currently, no one is overseeing his Eighth Team.

Do not leave now. Distribute the guns and bullets assigned to us. Each squad will receive 3 guns and 600 bullets, which should be given to those who are skilled and reliable. Gather your teams and stand by. Squad leaders, take care of your squads; section leaders, take care of your sections. Anyone who dares to flee will be dealt with on the spot! Mingyuan, Lushan, you two immediately gather your people and hide the food from Duoduo Village, placing it in the vegetable cellar. Act quickly! Guozhu, take your squad and escort the incapacitated wounded to Guangming Temple to hand them over to the fifth leader. Mingyuan, Lushan, you two immediately gather your people and hide the food from Duoduo Village, placing it in the vegetable cellar. Act quickly! Guozhu, take your squad and escort the incapacitated wounded to Guangming Temple to hand them over to the fifth leader. Those who can move should follow us. Jin Guo, Long Qian is keeping an eye on a section leader named Song Jin Guo under Wang Mingyuan. You and Jiang Yun go find the ground flour, head to the big kitchen to make pancakes, and try to make as many as possible; we need to take them with us to eat on the road. By the way, you should go to the brothel village and bring those women to help. No one is managing them now. Tell them that the government troops are coming, and they will not have a good end. If they follow our eighth squad, they will survive. You and Jiang Yun go find the ground flour, head to the big kitchen to make pancakes, and try to make as many as possible; we need to take them with us to eat on the road. By the way, you should go to the brothel village and bring those women to help. No one is managing them now. Tell them that the government troops are coming, and they will not have a good end. If they follow our eighth squad, they will survive. The rest of you come with me to find the fifth leader to collect supplies. Hurry! Move out.

There is nothing more to discuss; we will follow the captain's lead. Wang Mingyuan said calmly

When Long Qian returned, he informed the squad leader and the sergeants about Sun Dewang's arrangements. Lu Shan immediately began to curse, "How utterly ungrateful! They want us to die for them! They truly do not regard us as human beings!"

"Certainly, I will instruct Nong Mengfu to leave you as many bullets as possible"

If Long Qian declines or opposes... Sun Dewang has prepared extreme measures, which is to eliminate this individual! The saying goes, "Compassion does not govern troops, and righteousness does not manage finances; being indecisive is absolutely unacceptable!" Now, someone must make a sacrifice, and the only one who should sacrifice for the entire camp is Long Qian's Eighth Team. Along with the books.

At six in the morning, the Sixth Team had already taken over the Tianmen defense line, and there had been no movement from the government troops. This was the final moment. Long Qian returned to Duoduo Village to summon the squad leaders and section leaders under his command, informing them of the Eighth Team's mission. In fact, many, such as Wang Mingyuan, Lu Shan, and Feng Guozhu, had already known about the bandit's decision; those with a bit of sense could guess the truth from the chaotic scene in the old camp, and close friends had also revealed key information. Everyone felt tense and flustered; with Long Qian absent, they could only wait for their mainstay to return. Those with a bit of sense could guess the truth from the chaotic scene in the old camp, and close friends had also revealed key information. Everyone felt tense and flustered; with Long Qian absent, they could only wait for their mainstay to return.

The leader has shown me immense kindness, and I, Long Qian, express my gratitude here. Time is of the essence, so I will prepare now. Please take care on your journey. Long Qian cupped his fists in salute, while Cai Chengxi merely nodded.

The leader said, the firepower of the imperial army is too fierce, the brothers are not afraid of death, but... " Long Qian added.

Xiaolongzi's request is acceptable, said Liu Yucai, "Brother, at least leave some more bullets for Team 6 and Team 8"

There is nothing more. Thank you both for your leadership. Please rest assured, as long as Long Qian still has breath, I will certainly hold out until tomorrow morning

This is not a fact; Long Qian's Eighth Brigade had more gains in Zhangjiazhuang than losses, and moreover, he hid them away without reporting the gains. Long Qian's men did not report to the leaders.

"What?" Nong Mengfu asked, blinking behind his small glasses. In the village, few people kept their braids; among the five leaders, only Nong Mengfu retained the most famous symbol of the Qing Dynasty. "Long Qian, you must not lose the people's hearts..."

"Why aren't you speaking?" Sun Dewang asked gloomily when he saw Long Qian's silence

"Don't worry about this," Liu Yucai replied to Long Qian on behalf of Sun Dewang. "You don't need to concern yourself with the wounded; those who cannot fight should be sent to the old camp to be handed over to Nong Mengfu. Is there anything else?"

Sun Dewang interrupted the conversation between the two and said to Long Qian and Cai Chengxi regarding the books, "Additionally, the two of you should go find the Fifth Master. Although the stronghold is poor, we cannot neglect the brothers who have shed blood and sweat for it. We need to distribute some gold and silver to boost morale, and you will receive a substantial share. If the battle does not go well, you must find a way to escape; that gold and silver may help you. Alright, you may go and make preparations." If the battle does not go well, you must find a way to escape; that gold and silver may help you. Alright, you may go and make preparations.

"Please rest assured, although Long Qian's life is not precious, Cao Kun is not qualified to take it away." Long Qian smiled broadly, revealing a set of neat white teeth

Well, our designated destination is Mount Black, a place we have visited countless times. You should go there to find us

Feng Guozhu also said, "The Eighth Team has always been seen as the stepchild in their eyes! The captain and the leaders have all run away; we cannot be too honest. You need to make a decision for everyone."

With Sun Dewang's instructions, the chief steward of the bandit stronghold, Nong Mengfu, provided Team Eight with ten quick-firing guns and approximately two thousand rounds of ammunition. Additionally, he gave Long Qian one thousand taels of silver and a small pouch of gold leaves. The gold leaves were crafted by the stronghold itself, palm-sized and as thin as a page of a book. Weighing about half a pound, they are very convenient to carry. Nong Mengfu stated that the gold was for Long Qian personally, and each team leader would receive a share.

The last eight teams established are destined to become Sun Dewang's sacrifices

"No, Xiaolongzi, you must live, live to reunite with us." Liu Yucai grasped Long Qian's shoulder and shook him, "The stronghold needs you, do you understand?"

"I assure you that I will complete the task, so please rest assured, Chief." Long Qian felt a sense of emotion; Sun Dewang was likely finished, retreating in such a hurry! This would lead to a collapse; once over a thousand people lost control, what would be the difference from a thousand sheep? Lost in thought, he suddenly caught sight of Sun Dewang's gloomy gaze, realizing that Sun Dewang had begun to harbor suspicions about him. He quickly added, "However, I have two requests."

This is manageable. You may choose any tools from the warehouse. As for food and supplies, there is not much flour left, but I will provide you with some. Here’s the plan: the Eighth Team will be the last to withdraw, and the remaining supplies will be left for you to handle. Take what you can use, and burn what you cannot carry. The farmer Mengfu felt a deep pain; this stingy local landlord had always been a good steward for Sun Dewang, and over the years, he had indeed accumulated some possessions. With such a large fortune, how could it be taken away, especially given the hasty retreat? Sun Dewang instructed to destroy the items that could not be taken. The grain, cloth, and other materials stored in the old camp of Guangming Temple, as well as in Dongzhai and Duoduo Zhai, would require time for destruction. According to Liu Yucai's orders, these items could not be burned immediately, as that would send a clear signal to the government troops. It is essential to buy as much time as possible for the brigade now.

Thank you, Fifth Leader. You may retreat with peace of mind; as long as the Eighth Brigade is here, the imperial troops will not pass through Tianmen. Long Qian tucked the golden leaves into his bosom, holding the heavy silver ingots in his hand. "There are still some items; if there are any, please leave some for the Eighth Brigade as well."

The Sixth Team has been under my control these past few days, while the Eighth Team and Zhangjiazhuang have already proven the capabilities of the Long Brothers..." Sun Deming introduced the situation and the decisions made by the stronghold, then emphasized, "Brothers, after nurturing troops for a thousand days, it is time to use them. Now, we are relying on you two brothers." Sun Dewang, with red eyes, issued the task for the rear guard and stated that once the task is completed, the retreat routes for your two teams will be decided by yourselves. He then reiterated, "Brothers, after nurturing troops for a thousand days, it is time to use them. Now, we are relying on you two brothers." Sun Dewang, with red eyes, issued the task for the rear guard and stated that once the task is completed, the retreat routes for your two teams will be decided by yourselves. After breaking out, move towards Mengyin and go there to seek the main force.

At dawn, the encampment became chaotic. Teams Five and Seven hastily assembled and set off under the leadership of Sun Deming, while the remaining personnel were still busy organizing their gear. In front of Guangming Temple, more than a dozen large carts were parked, already harnessed with draft horses. The leaders' wives and children gathered noisily around the carts, while the soldiers selected the necessary supplies and provisions according to orders, creating a scene of utter commotion in front of Guangming Temple

Indeed, Captain, please give the orders. Where shall we proceed from here? www.hetushu.com.com, Lu Shan exclaimed

When Long Qian received the explicit order, the day had already dawned. Sun Dewang sent someone to summon him to Guangming Temple, and accompanying him was Cai Chengxi, the captain of the sixth team, a middle-aged man of medium build with a scar on his face.

Long Qian restrained his emotionally agitated subordinates, "Of course I have a plan. To speak frankly, leaving a rear guard is both what I anticipated and what I hope for. Following the main force may not necessarily be a good thing. Now, the lives of over 100 members of the Eighth Team are in our hands, brothers. If you trust me, Long Qian, then follow my orders and take action immediately"

Looking at Sun Dewang's expression, Long Qian made the right bet

Where would one dare? It is merely shovels, hoes, and grain. Tools are for digging fortifications, and grain must be brought for the brothers

The Old Black Mountain is an abandoned stockade located to the south of Mengyin County. Sun Dewang, lacking ambition, has never dared to entertain thoughts of attacking the county town, let alone the provincial capital

Cai Chengxi spoke straightforwardly, "Please rest assured, Chief, that Team Six will definitely hold the Heavenly Gate until noon, ensuring that it is handed over intact to Brother Long of Team Eight." After speaking, he cast a sidelong glance at the silent Long Qian, waiting for his response.

Sun Dewang personally assigned the task of cutting off the rear to Long Qian and Cai Chengxi. Liu Yucai was also present.

The bandits originally had over 1,200 soldiers. After two days of battle, approximately 250 personnel were lost, and nearly 200 were injured, among which over 100 suffered serious injuries and were unable to walk independently. In addition, there were several hundred common soldiers and dozens of women and children. The women on the mountain, aside from a few wives and concubines of the main leaders and veteran captains, were all prostitutes meant to satisfy the soldiers' desires. Most of them were maidservants and female relatives of wealthy households from nearby counties who had been abducted, as well as captives who could not be redeemed by their families, thus becoming military prostitutes. The women on the mountain, aside from a few wives and concubines of the main leaders and veteran captains, were all prostitutes meant to satisfy the soldiers' desires. Most of them were maidservants and female relatives of wealthy households from nearby counties who had been abducted, as well as captives who could not be redeemed by their families, thus becoming military prostitutes

"Hmm, you speak," Sun Dewang's expression softened somewhat; as long as he accepted the task, that was sufficient