Chapter 30: The Iron Cavalry Chills the Bandits' Hearts (Part 2)

At the third watch of the night, all was silent, but the candlelight still flickered in the study. Chen Ju had not yet gone to sleep, sitting across from Liu Xian. Two cups of hot perilla drink still steamed on the table, the faint and soothing scent of the medicinal herbs spreading through the room. The Song people loved tea, but they also enjoyed medicinal soups known as "yinzi." Chen Ju's favorite was to drink a cup of strong perilla drink after nightfall, adjusting the ingredients according to the weather to nourish his body. At nearly fifty, he still had a full head of black hair, thanks to his daily care.

"Everything arranged?" Chen Ju asked Liu Xian solemnly, his kind face revealing a hint of ruthlessness. The last time he had planned so cautiously was six years ago when he had to deal with a jinshi graduate who was a chief clerk. The time before that was eleven years ago when he had to deal with the magistrate of Chengji County. Now, he was targeting a penniless scholar, but his expression was even more tense, as if he were on the brink of a precipice or walking on thin ice, more so than when he faced the two jinshi graduates.

"Rest assured, Supervisor! This time, we have Xue Ershiba and Dong Chao accompanying Han San. They are both skilled in martial arts and loyal to you. Over two hundred miles, there will be plenty of opportunities to take care of him." Liu Xian looked at Chen Ju humbly, "What do you think, Supervisor?"

Chen Ju lifted his bowl and took a sip of the hot perilla drink, then raised an eyebrow and asked, "That's all?"

Liu Xian was taken aback and asked softly, "...Do you think Xue Ershaba and Dong Chao can't handle Han San?"

"Handle Han San?" Chen Ju repeated, his tone questioning. His face suddenly changed, and he slammed the bowl down with a loud clatter, spilling the perilla drink and shattering the thin blue porcelain bowl. Liu Xian jumped up from his chair in fright.

"Are you underestimating Han Gang?" Chen Ju's brows furrowed with anger, and he pointed at Liu Xian's nose, scolding him harshly, "Look at the plan you came up with. Did that monkey fall for it? He's smarter than a fox! Two people won't do a thing. He can get Wang Wu and Wang Jiu to kill Liu San, can't he also win over Xue Ershaba and Dong Chao?"

Liu Xian hung his head, unable to respond. The idea to have Chen Ju show kindness to Han Gang during the day was his, the sycophantic military advisor. If Han Gang dared to appeal, he would surely receive a beating. With his frail body, just a few blows would kill him. If Han Gang died in the county office, who would dare to challenge Supervisor Chen? But Han Gang had readily agreed, rendering all their tricks useless. They couldn't just beat him now; Han Gang had powerful connections.

Chen Ju scolded for a long time before stopping, looking at the useless household clerk with disdain. He no longer expected any good ideas from him and said, "Send a message to the Mosxing tribe, telling them to take action. Han Gang's group only has thirty people; the Mosxing tribe should be able to handle them."

Liu Xian hesitated, "Robbing on the road... the Mosxing tribe might not dare to touch official goods!"

"Then they'll freeze this winter. They won't get a drop of wine, a bolt of cloth, or an ounce of cotton from me!" Chen Ju's wealth came not just from exploiting the countryside; his family's business secretly controlled the trade rights of several tribes. This was the main reason he could easily come up with tens of thousands of strings of cash. He snorted, "They did it two years ago; why can't they do it this year?"

"I understand!" Liu Xian responded softly. Many tribes in Qin Prefecture relied on highway robbery for extra income. While few dared to rob official goods, many merchants and travelers were often targeted, and the Mosxing tribe was no exception. Two years ago, they had mistakenly robbed military supplies, causing a big commotion. They escaped investigation only because they left no witnesses. Chen Ju had seen this and used it as leverage.

Chen Ju tapped his fingers on the table, a fierce look in his eyes. He didn't feel secure with just the Mosxing tribe. Even a rabbit can kick an eagle, and a lion isn't always sure of catching a rabbit: "Send another message to Gangu, telling the one-eyed supervisor Qi to be ready. If the Mosxing tribe backs out, we have a backup plan."

The most challenging part of escorting military supplies was not the treacherous roads but the officials who inspected the goods upon arrival. If the four-day journey from Qin Prefecture to Gangu through the mountains was as dangerous as the pass at Tongguan or the difficult roads of Shu, then the supervisor Qi Duyan in Gangu was like the gate to hell.

Many officials escorting supplies to Gangu had to be stripped of their skin by Qi Duyan. If they paid up, it was fine; otherwise, they would receive a beating. Chen Ju and Qi Duyan were close friends, having colluded on many occasions. Asking Qi to deal with Han Gang was just a matter of a word.

"Qi Duyan is too greedy; a small amount won't move him," Liu Xian said, concerned about the money. Qi Duyan's greed was well-known in Qin Prefecture. If not for his solid connections, he would have been impeached long ago. To get him to act, it would cost more than a hundred strings of cash. "But this time, we don't necessarily need him to act. Han Gang won't get past the Mosxing tribe, but we need a backup plan."

"This money can't be spared. Better to be overly cautious than to let Han Gang escape!"

Given the current situation, Chen Ju wouldn't hesitate to spend his fortune. Although he could send Han Gang to escort military supplies, his wealth and vulnerabilities were now exposed. Only if Han Gang, the instigator, died without any apparent connection to him, could he avoid the greedy eyes of those lurking in the shadows.

Han Gang must die!

Two days later, on the 28th of October in the second year of the Xining era, the sky was overcast with leaden clouds, and a cold wind blew. The first snow of the year was imminent. It was a day unsuitable for travel, but Han Gang had no choice.

After obtaining the travel documents from the county office and checking the silver, silk, wine, and vehicles, Han Gang bid farewell to his brother, Han Qianliu. His mother, Han Aili, had already left the city with a young maid to seek refuge with Han Gang's uncle, who was a headman in Fengxiang Prefecture. They planned to return after the New Year.

Han Gang's maternal grandfather was also a headman. After the Battle of Haoshui River, where General Ren Fu and his troops were annihilated, he was urgently dispatched to Longgan City, where he met Han Gang's grandfather. They eventually became in-laws. With his uncle, a two-generation military veteran, protecting them, their safety was assured.

Watching Han Qianliu leave the city, Han Gang began his second task as a clerk.

Thirty-seven civilian laborers accompanied him, driving the mule carts. They were from the third and fourth classes of households, serving as laborers, different from Han Gang's clerk duties but equally arduous and dangerous. Additionally, two soldiers from the Changxing army, Xue Ershaba and Dong Chao, were also part of the escort. Xue Ershaba was the 28th in his clan, and Dong Chao was a common soldier. Both were known for their ruthless and fierce nature, making them difficult to deal with.

'Be careful at night, or strike first.' Han Gang pondered which strategy would be safer. His thoughts were filled with violence, and his gaze, sharp as a knife, made Xue Ershaba and Dong Chao feel uneasy, eventually leading them to glare back.

'Kill them!' After that night, Han Gang no longer valued human life. If necessary, he wouldn't hesitate to kill or set fires. He wasn't short of methods to harm people in secret. He touched the small package hidden in his chest, thinking how useful the military arsenal was, containing everything.

The military supplies for Gangu were already loaded onto the mule carts. The silver, silk, and wine didn't take up much space, and the quantity was enough to keep the three to four thousand soldiers in Gangu happy until the end of the year. The thirty-seven laborers stood obediently by the carts. Han Gang personally inspected each mule and cart, ensuring the mules were healthy and the loads were securely tied. Wu Yan's promised reinforcements had not arrived, and Han Gang was trying to delay the departure.

"Scholar Han, it's time to go," Dong Chao urged impatiently. Xue Ershaba tapped his cudgel on the ground, also eager to leave. They knew Han Gang was stalling, hoping for a change in the situation.

But Han Gang was the leader of the group, and they couldn't force him to move. If the supplies were damaged on the road, Han Gang would bear the responsibility and have to compensate. This was the most challenging part of being a clerk, and many had lost their fortunes because of it.

'Go to hell!' Han Gang cursed inwardly, giving the two men a cold look, "A well-sharpened knife doesn't hinder chopping wood. Why are you in such a hurry?"

By the time all inspections were complete, over an hour had passed. Han Gang looked up at the sky, which was now even more overcast. If they didn't leave soon, they would be traveling in the snow.

"Scholar Han, it's time to go now."

Han Gang had been dragging his feet, and Dong Chao, Xue Ershaba, and the laborers were already sitting impatiently. Seeing Han Gang finally finish inspecting the last cart, the two men stood up and urged him again.

"The weather is fine; there's no need to rush," Han Gang said, lying through his teeth.

"Bullshit! Scholar Han, you've read too many books; your eyes are blurry..." Dong Chao jumped up and started cursing.

Han Gang glanced at him, his eyes sharp as a blade, "I say the weather is fine, so it is. I have the authority. Don't think I won't kill you to enforce the military order!"