Chapter 62

Soil erosion is the reason for the natural disaster in the northwest, where the damage is most severe. Rain cannot be retained, fertile soil cannot accumulate, and it can also cause landslides and mudflows. Once a drought occurs, the land dries up in a short time. Such a place is no longer suitable for human habitation; instead, the people should be relocated, and shrubs and small trees should be planted to conserve soil and water, gradually restoring the land's vitality.

Such matters are difficult to accomplish even in later times, let alone now, at the end of the Ming Dynasty.

Liang Xing rode up to Zhang Han's right side, pointed to a mountain range, and said in a deep voice, "Master, that's where the Zhou brothers' stronghold is, less than ten miles from here."

Zhang Han followed his gesture and could only vaguely see a few villages built along the mountainside, with no sign of people. On the way, there were many pedestrians on the official road, and some were passing by in carriages or on horseback. Seeing Zhang Han's group, they all looked with curious eyes, and many recognized them as the guards of Heyu Sheng. Most of the people who traveled this road were merchants, and it would be strange for anyone not to recognize Heyu Sheng. However, they were also puzzled as to why so many guards were out today without any vehicles in sight.

Zhang Han looked at the misty mountains and murmured, "Can Zhou Wu and Zhou Bin come out?"

Liang Xing had no confidence and subconsciously replied, "We said this morning that we would escort the master to Zhangjiakou, and we also passed the message through Liu Dequan's people. The distance is so short, and the Zhou brothers have been planning to deal with the master. They won't do nothing, right?"

Wang Changfu then rode over, heard Liang Xing's words, and nodded, "Master, I reckon they will be waiting at Fangjiatai ahead. The official road there is uneven, the mountains are blocking, there are no houses on either side, and it is far from the military fort. Even if the soldiers come, they won't make it in time. As long as these two aren't completely stupid, they will definitely be waiting there."

Zhang Han's spirits lifted upon hearing this. To be honest, he had led many group fights and was not afraid. Today's matter was like a battle, and he was unfamiliar with military tactics, so he felt less confident.

Some people might be able to fight after traveling through time, but Zhang Han knew he was far from that.

"What should we do then?"

Wang Changfu glared and said, "We still use the previous method. A few of us go ahead. You can't see people on these surrounding mountains, but they can see you. With fewer people, they dare to set an ambush. If they see a large group from afar, they might not dare to come. To lure them out, it would take a lot of effort."

"Alright," Zhang Han gritted his teeth, "I'll follow your advice and continue forward."

Wang Changfu then grinned and returned to the formation.

The nearly thirty people at the front were half from the Lahu background and half from the footman background. Those from the Lahu background were mostly Liang Xing's subordinates, while those from the footman background were under Wang Changfu's management. The seventy or so people at the back were mostly footmen, with only a few from the Lahu background, led by Yang Qiu.

The two groups were several miles apart, but a fast horse could cover the distance in about two hours.

If Zhou Wu's scouts were not sufficiently trained militarily, this trick would be enough to deceive them.

...

A bit earlier, after receiving the news that Zhang Han would be heading to Zhangjiakou, Ning Yicheng sat by the window in his study and hastily wrote a short letter.

He knew that although Zhou Wu and Zhou Bin could read, their literacy was limited, and there were no scholars or advisors in the bandit stronghold. Therefore, the letter was brief and straightforward, simply informing Zhou Wu that Zhang Han had decided to go out with a group, and the number of people was not small. It was not surprising that he was being cautious, as the mountains around Zhangjiakou were full of bandits, unlike the area within Datong Town, where bandits were rare. Only in the area around Shahu Kou did the horse bandits become more numerous.

After finishing the letter, Ning Yicheng handed it to a trusted family member and instructed, "Deliver it to Zhou Wu at Daliang Mountain immediately. Ride a fast horse and don't spare the horse. Make sure it is delivered as soon as possible."

After the family member left, Ning Yicheng thought for a moment, called for his official robes, and went to see Lai Tongxin. He also had someone notify Li Mingda to meet at the deputy general's residence.

...

"Shizhai, this really puts me in a difficult position."

Lai Tongxin and Ning Yicheng, along with Li Mingda, were sitting opposite each other. In the past half year, Lai Tongxin had clearly gained more weight, his belly protruding even more. He was slightly out of breath just sitting still, and looking at the two men opposite him, he said, "Zhang Han's connection is Deputy Envoy Zheng, who is about to become the military commissioner. If this matter really escalates, how can I explain it to my superiors? If things go badly, I might lose my position."

Lai Tongxin didn't care about killing a dozen people; they were just low-level commoners with no connections. It didn't matter to him even if he had Zhang Han's entire family hanged, as long as he followed the rules, no one could criticize him.

But now, Zhang Han was no longer at the bottom. He had connections with the military commissioner and the general, and this year he had also sought the favor of the governors of Xuan and Da and the Three Borders, and had a good relationship with the Shanxi general. Two superiors were now involved with Zhang Han, and such a person was no longer someone he could handle casually.

Moreover, Zhang Han regularly gave him a substantial bonus, and Lai Tongxin was quite pleased with this cash cow. He certainly didn't want anyone to harm him.

Ning Yicheng leaned forward, his eyes full of dark intent. His interests were deeply intertwined with the Fan family, and the Fan family had suffered a series of setbacks recently, which also reduced Ning Yicheng's benefits. This was a minor issue; the more serious matter was the impact on Fan Yongdou's grand plan.

"Sir, Zhang Han's background is all about his money. Once he is gone, his business can be taken over by the Fan family. It's just a matter of setting up branch stores, hiring guards, and the Fan family's capital will make them more trustworthy. Now, the Fan family is just waiting for this opportunity to act. Once Zhang Han is gone, the Fan family can take over all his businesses. The key is that Zhang Han must not be left alive, and even if he seeks help, we cannot send troops... Mr. Li, you explain this to the deputy general."

Li Mingda looked tense. He had been struggling under the shadow of Zhang Han and Heyu Sheng, with both grain and other trades being fiercely competed for by Heyu Sheng. Even Fan Yongdou had no solution, let alone him, a branch manager.

"Lai Sir, my master said that the annual profit from smuggling will be at least 100,000 taels, though it will require significant expenses in various places and a substantial capital investment. However, you will receive at least 10,000 taels per year, and possibly 20,000 to 30,000. My master knows that you currently receive several thousand taels from Heyu Sheng each year, and he assures you that the Fan family will offer several times more."

Fan Yongdou was truly making a significant investment this time, as it was crucial to eliminate Heyu Sheng and Zhang Han.

Zhang Han was now seriously affecting Fan Yongdou's plans. In Datong, the Fan family was already suppressed, and Xinping Fort was the stronghold of Heyu Sheng, where they dominated both civil and military affairs. The most serious issue was that Zhang Han had shown interest in Zhangjiakou. If he could establish routes in the eastern and western regions of Xuanfu and the Jizhen Liaodong, the Fan family's decades of planning would be in vain. The future smuggling business would face a formidable rival, which Fan Yongdou could not tolerate.

Lai Tongxin, the deputy general, was the greatest support for Heyu Sheng in Xinping Fort. If his elite household troops did not come to Zhang Han's aid during the bandit attack, the success rate would be greatly increased. To eliminate Heyu Sheng, Fan Yongdou was willing to make a significant investment. A deputy general could be bought for 10,000 to 20,000 taels per year, a price that could buy the loyalty of five or six deputy generals.

"Are you asking me to give up the silver I already have for the silver you promise?" Lai Tongxin hesitated but was still tempted. He lazily called a captain of his personal guards and instructed, "Take all the household cavalry out. Go through Zhenning, Zhenkou, and Zhenmen, and return via Wuyaokou Fort, patrolling the forts along the way."

"Yes, sir."

The captain acknowledged and turned to leave.

The Xinping Road under the jurisdiction of Yanghe Dao had many military forts, each with its own garrison. The largest and most elite garrison was Lai Tongxin's, with his 200 household troops. These troops were the foundation of his power as deputy general. A few thousand northern invaders could be repelled by these troops alone. Once they were sent west, even if Heyu Sheng reported an emergency, Lai Tongxin could only send foot soldiers, and by the time they arrived, it would be too late.

This move, though not an outright refusal to send troops, would still achieve the desired effect for the Fan family, and it would not completely alienate Heyu Sheng. Lai Tongxin, who looked like a fat, clumsy pig, was actually quite shrewd, which is why he could navigate between the Fan and Zhang families, maximizing his own benefits.

Li Mingda sighed inwardly, knowing that this was the best they could achieve. He stood up, bowed, and said with a faint smile, "On behalf of my master, I thank the deputy general."

Ning Yicheng also stood up and, after a few words with Li Mingda and Lai Tongxin, quietly said to Li Mingda, "Don't worry. Zhang Han is just relying on the legacy of his ancestors and the connections in Puzhou. He has achieved some success by chance, but his subordinates do not respect him, making it easy for us to buy them off and reveal his plans. This shows that his foundation is not solid, and he is just a lucky opportunist. We have been planning for years, and we cannot let this small man ruin our grand plans!"