Chapter 31: The Iron Cavalry Chills the Bandits' Hearts (Part 3)

"Damn your mother! Don't think that just because you killed Liu San, Grandpa is afraid of you..." Dong Chao rolled up his sleeves, ready to give Han Gang a taste of his own medicine. Han Gang was ruthless enough, and the methods he used to kill Huang Daliu and Liu San were unimaginable to the ruffians in the city, but Dong Chao was no coward. Those who had long been in the city's underworld valued ruthlessness, never showing weakness or shortness of breath, or how could they stand in the world?

Just as he was about to step forward, his elbow was grabbed. Turning back, he saw Xue Ershiba desperately signaling him. Dong Chao's face changed several times, and finally, he let out a heavy snort, spat on the ground, and retreated. Xue Ershiba smiled at Han Gang and also retreated to sit down.

Seeing Dong Chao and Xue Ershiba back down, Han Gang felt a chill. Their ability to endure the moment showed that they must have some plan. However, his goal of provoking them had been achieved. Once the people sent by Wu Yan arrived, and they left the city, he would have his own means to deal with them. Still, Han Gang was somewhat anxious. If the people sent by Wu Yan did not arrive, he would have to face Dong Chao and Xue Ershiba alone. Although he had self-preservation methods, with only a few cards left to play, he felt uneasy.

Han Gang lowered his head, intending to check the cart and the mule again to pass the time. Suddenly, he heard a rapid and heavy sound of hooves coming from behind, as urgent as thunder. Turning back, he saw a cavalryman galloping towards the supply convoy.

"Finally." Han Gang felt a great weight lifted from his heart. The alley they were in was not a main road and was rarely used except for military supplies. This cavalryman was clearly coming for the convoy. He straightened up, dusted off the dirt on his clothes, and looked up at the sky, which was still gloomy: "It's about time to set off. The weather doesn't look good!"

Dong Chao spat at Han Gang's side, thinking, "It's not your family's dog. You can't just come and go as you please." He sat on the ground, refusing to move. Xue Ershiba, however, noticed the rider's aggressive demeanor and jumped up, circling around Han Gang to shout at the rider: "Who are you?"

"It's your grandpa!" The rider shouted back from a distance, his voice sharp and his temper clearly not good.

The voice was familiar, and the figure was recognizable. Han Gang felt the identity of the rider was on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't quite place where he had seen him before.

The rider quickly approached, and Dong Chao recognized him first, jumping up in surprise: "Wang Shunchen, how can it be you? Why are you here?"

Wang Shunchen didn't say much. When he was close enough, he pulled the reins, and with a flick of his wrist, the whip cracked, leaving a bloody mark on Dong Chao's face: "Is my name something you can call?"

Dismounting, Wang Shunchen directly addressed Han Gang: "You're heading to Gangu City, right? I've been ordered to deliver a secret message to Gangu, and it's on the way. Consider yourselves lucky to have me protecting you."

"Thank you, Sir!" Han Gang nodded, not knowing Wang Shunchen's rank but assuming it was high. As he spoke, he stared at Wang Shunchen, feeling a sense of familiarity but still unable to recognize him.

Dong Chao covered his face, blood seeping through his fingers. He was a tough guy from the city, a ruffian who had been promoted to the county office by Chen Ju. Despite being caged for a long time, his ruffian nature hadn't changed. He was already resentful after being forced back by Han Gang, and now, after being whipped, he was even more furious. He shouted at Wang Shunchen: "Wang Shunchen! You ride, we walk. You're not part of our group!"

"The road is wide, and I can walk as I please. Do I need to report to Chen Ju?" Wang Shunchen retorted.

The tone was familiar. After a few more looks, Han Gang suddenly realized who it was. He was the patrol officer who came to rescue him that night when he was in mortal danger, the one who shouted angrily outside the door!

Wu Jiepan kept his word. Two days ago, Han Gang asked him to arrange a bodyguard, and he indeed sent someone, a brave and capable man.

'So it's him...'

In the Song Dynasty, names like Yaochen and Shunchen were very common, like the names "Liberation" and "Sunward" in the early days of the People's Republic. These names were inspired by the admiration for ancient virtuous rulers.

Wang Shunchen's name was ordinary, but his appearance was distinctive. His face was large, almost twice the size of an average person's, and his arms were long, almost reaching his knees. His broad, stone-like body was topped with a somewhat ugly face. He had a bushy beard, round eyes, and when he glared, he resembled the legendary Zhang Fei.

However, Wang Shunchen's weapon of choice was not the long spear but the bow and iron cudgel.

On either side of his saddle, he carried two quivers, each containing a horn bow of moderate size but of exquisite craftsmanship, the best Han Gang had ever seen. In front of the saddle hung two four-sided iron cudgels, gleaming with oil, indicating they were well-maintained. The bow and cudgel were Wang Shunchen's main weapons and standard equipment in the Song army.

Wang Shunchen was not tall, about five feet two inches, with bowed legs that didn't straighten even when his feet were together. This was a characteristic of long-term horseback riding. His long, strong arms suggested he was an excellent archer.

"Wang Shunchen! Don't think that just because you have a military judge behind you, you can protect yourself. If something goes wrong, you won't be able to bear the responsibility!"

With Dong Chao as a warning, Xue Ershiba didn't dare to speak harshly and instead tried to reason with him, but Wang Shunchen wasn't buying it. He immediately countered: "What are you two up to? Don't you know Gangu City is waiting for this batch of alcohol? Why are you delaying? Don't think I won't kill you two. Military law isn't just for show!"

As he cursed, he swung his whip, which cracked in the air, landing on the two guards, making them roll on the ground. Wang Shunchen, known for his ferocity in Qin Prefecture, didn't fear their retaliation. A few lashes left Dong Chao and Xue Ershiba groaning on the ground, their clothes torn and their faces and hands bleeding. However, Wang Shunchen didn't use excessive force, not wanting to cripple them in the city.

Wang Shunchen put away his whip, turned sharply, and glared at Han Gang, his eyes flashing with a fierce light, his whole body radiating a murderous aura. He growled, "You're the scholar Han San who killed Liu San and the others?"

"Indeed, I am!" Han Gang smiled and nodded, finding this man sent by Wu Yan quite amusing. He was quick to act and full of curses, but Han Gang liked his temperament.

Wang Shunchen wasn't surprised that he couldn't intimidate Han Gang. After all, Han Gang had already killed three people. He admired Han Gang's decisiveness in the armory. "You, a scholar, have great courage. Chen Ju sent three men to kill you, but they ended up dead. Three lives, and Chen Ju can't cover it up. Even if the case is closed now, once the governor returns, he can still overturn it and have Chen Ju executed."

Han Gang feigned confusion: "Why do you say that, Sir? Huang Deyong and Liu San were clearly spies for the Xia bandits in the city. How is this related to Chen Yusi?"

Wang Shunchen spat. "You scholars are always so secretive. An obvious matter, and you still refuse to admit it. You did well. Chen Ju, relying on his power and connections, never treats us soldiers with respect, always ordering us around. If I met him in the wilderness, I'd skin him and throw him into the Ji River to feed the turtles."

After cursing for a while and seeing that Han Gang didn't agree, Wang Shunchen stopped and said to Han Gang, "Scholar Han, I'm just a low-ranking soldier, far from being a military judge. Don't call me that! I don't like it!"

Han Gang bowed in apology. Wang Shunchen was rough but knew his limits and seemed to be quite thoughtful. Wu Yan had indeed found him a capable bodyguard. This gave Han Gang more confidence in reaching Gangu City safely.

With Wang Shunchen's arrival, there was no need to delay further. Han Gang gave the order, and the convoy set off. Even Xue Ershiba and Dong Chao, who were kicked by Wang Shunchen, got up, bandaged their wounds, and reluctantly followed the convoy.

At the city gate, they were inspected, and then they left through the east gate, heading east. Over thirty mule carts formed a long line on the official road, with Wang Shunchen riding alongside the convoy.

As he walked briskly with the mule carts, Han Gang suddenly felt a sense of foreboding and turned back. On the city wall, a not-so-tall figure stood in the cold wind.

Han Gang's pupils contracted: "Chen Ju!"

"Really, it's Chen Yusi!" The convoy murmured.

"What is he doing here?"

"Didn't you see who's leading this time? Scholar Han San, the one who killed Liu San and forced Huang Daliu to his death. How could Chen Yusi not come?"

Hearing the low murmurs in the convoy, Han Gang smiled faintly. What could Chen Ju do now?

His greatest hope was to see Chen Ju's expression up close. Chen Ju probably never expected that Han Gang would suddenly have a bodyguard, and not just any bodyguard, but the fierce and intelligent Wang Shunchen!

The cold wind grew stronger. Han Gang wore a sheepskin vest under his outer robe, made of double-layered leather with the fur side inside. The vest was front-opening with buttons, different from the clothing of the time. It was made according to Han Gang's suggestion, cut by Han Aili, and sewn by Han Yunniang over two days. This morning, Han Qianliu delivered it to Han Gang. Wearing this vest, he felt warm both physically and emotionally.

The dark clouds that had lingered in Han Gang's heart for days had dissipated with Wang Shunchen's arrival, and his mood was as bright as the sun. Although the sky was overcast, the road ahead was clear.