Chapter 48: The Man Who Robs the Road

Chen Xie has one significant advantage: he doesn't keep all the benefits to himself. Whenever there's a profitable business, he always brings in a few partners to share the wealth. However, no matter what business he does, Chen Xie is always at the core of the profit. With this survival strategy (as Chen Xie sees it), from the governor's office in Dengzhou to the commandant of the Dengzhou naval base, everyone has some shares. The agency system ties all the local major households together, forming a massive interest group.

Therefore, in Dengzhou, anyone who targets Chen Xie and cuts off the supply from America is cutting off everyone's source of wealth, making them a public enemy of the entire Dengzhou official and gentry community.

After plotting with Mr. Yu, Chen Xie left Huichun Hall. His two lackeys waited outside, one leading the way and the other following closely behind. Anyone who dared to approach Chen Xie would first have to face Wang Qian's fists.

Even so, Wang Qian was still very worried. It wasn't a peaceful era; the world was in chaos. It was the most active period for kidnappers, bandits, and all sorts of criminals. Chen Xie's golden reputation made him a prime target, as kidnapping him would be like taking a golden mountain back. Wang Qian was very concerned and kept urging Chen Xie to hire more servants and travel by sedan chair for safety.

Chen Xie didn't listen at all. In his view, wearing a knock-off Kevlar bulletproof vest (bought online) could at least stop arrows. Unless hit in the head or neck, he could calmly pull out his pistol and fire away.

So, safety was never an issue. The real problem was transportation. He had practiced riding for a long time but still couldn't gallop. Even when riding, Chen Xie couldn't tolerate the jostling and felt that this situation needed to change. Since he didn't plan to use cold weapons as his primary equipment, he would ask Wu Qi (strongly warning that he must be called by this name) if it was possible to bring a bicycle.

The rules of this time travel were a bit strange. He didn't know how they were set, but if bearings and daily necessities could be brought, why not tires? There was no place to argue about this. Next time, he would bring some old steel rails from modern society to connect Zhangjia Village and the cargo yard. Even without a locomotive, using animals would be more efficient than using carts.

The last stop in Dengzhou was the United Business Association. As the largest shareholder and supplier, Chen Xie was very irresponsible. This was his first visit to the Dengzhou United Business Association after it opened. He only agreed to come after Mr. Liu had pleaded for a long time. There was no way to avoid it; it was the end of the year, and the accounts needed to be reviewed.

Seeing Chen Xie arrive, Mr. Liu was very happy and quickly invited him in. After sitting down, Chen Xie had Wang Qian present a clock. "This is for you. Only two were newly polished. One went to Auntie, and one to you. You have many things to do, so you need to keep track of time. By the way, bring out the ledger. I'm in a hurry, so a quick look will do."

Mr. Liu was at a loss, pulling out a thick ledger and smiling as he tossed it on the table. "Sir, I know you're busy, so I've brought you the general ledger. Take your time."

Chen Xie took it, flipped through it casually, and after a moment, closed it and said nonchalantly, "I'm done. If there's nothing else, I'll leave."

Mr. Liu didn't know what to say. This boss was truly unique. But as Chen Xie took a few steps, he suddenly stopped, turned back, and stared at the first page, muttering, "No, no!"

Mr. Liu was startled. He and his accountants had verified the ledger five times, ensuring it was correct before closing the accounts. How could Chen Xie spot an error at a glance? If anyone else did this, Mr. Liu would spit in their face. But this was Chen Xie, the divine doctor, who had shown many wonders. Could it really be wrong?

As Mr. Liu was in a state of shock, Chen Xie slapped his thigh and said, "I've got it. Your accounting method is wrong and too complicated. Let's talk about it after the New Year. I'll teach you a new method that's easy to remember and check, and it's less prone to errors."

Mr. Liu, relieved, wiped his cold sweat and said, "That would be great."

Does Chen Xie not care about the accounts? No, he cares a lot. He flipped through the pages quickly because the screen on his wrist vibrated, showing "The accounts are correct, with an error of no more than 10 taels of silver."

After the scare, Mr. Liu felt deeply grateful and saw Chen Xie off to the city gate, watching him disappear before returning. A heavy trust, for himself and for the trust, made him determined to work hard in the coming year.

On the way back, Chen Xie rode leisurely. It was almost time for the New Year, and he could finally relax for a few days. Recently, his life had been quite comfortable. In the evenings, he had the service of two soft girls, which, though not real, felt real. These two girls were constantly challenging the limits of the divine doctor.

Chen Xie was a bit distracted on the horse, but Wang Qian quickly noticed something was wrong and spurred his horse to catch up, whispering, "Sir, we're being followed." Chen Xie was startled and wanted to turn back, but Wang Qian quickly said, "Don't turn back."

Chen Xie regained his composure, trying to stay calm. Looking at the sky, it was getting dark, but it wasn't yet six o'clock. It was winter, and night fell early. Chen Xie was a bit anxious. If he were in Dengzhou, he wouldn't worry at all. But this place was over ten miles from Dengzhou and another ten miles from Zhangjia Village. Ahead was a small forest, and Chen Xie could almost imagine a group of people emerging, shouting, "This mountain is mine, this tree is mine."

Chen Xie quickly made a decision, dismounting to relieve himself by the roadside. Sure enough, a man on a donkey, head down, slowly passed by. Chen Xie pretended not to notice, and after finishing, he pretended to tighten the saddle, saying to Wang Qian and Changsheng, who had come over, "Pay attention to how many there are. If there are seven or eight, take them out. If there are more, follow me and charge forward."

"Sir, I'll lead the charge!" Wang Qian wouldn't let Chen Xie go first and quickly volunteered. At this point, Changsheng realized they were being robbed. Chen Xie showed his pistol and smiled, "Wang Qian, look at this."

Seeing this, even the fierce Wang Qian became obedient. This thing was too advanced for the people of the Ming Dynasty to imagine.

"Since Sir has a weapon, there's nothing to worry about. I don't think that forest can hide many people. With ten or twenty people, half would be shot down before they got close. Then they'd all run away in fear." Wang Qian, with his experience, knew that even the elite Ming armies couldn't withstand more than 30% casualties. How could a group of bandits fight to the last man?

After discussing, everyone felt more confident and prepared. Chen Xie loaded his gun and opened the safety. Wang Qian took out a crossbow from his back and cocked it. He had tested it; the crossbow could penetrate scale armor at thirty paces and leather armor at fifty paces. At his speed, if the opponent wasn't on horseback, he could shoot twice in fifty paces.

Chen Xie led the way, with the other two following in a triangular formation, gradually increasing their speed to a slow trot. At this point, Chen Xie wasn't worried about falling off the horse; he was riding steadily. It seemed that human capabilities were pushed to the limit. Unfortunately, he didn't have a knife; otherwise, he could have engaged in close combat. He had a pistol, but his servants didn't.

The hooves beat a steady rhythm. Changsheng, experiencing his first unexpected encounter, was a bit nervous, but seeing the calmness of his master, he relaxed and gripped his crossbow tightly.

The forest was only fifteen paces from the road, and it wasn't a large forest. Chen Xie and his group quickly passed it. When they were about two hundred meters from the forest, the bandits emerged, only about ten of them. Chen Xie felt relieved and even slowed down.

Wang Qian was also stunned. Were these people crazy? Ten people daring to rob three mounted men? He forgot that the other two weren't cavalry, and he wasn't fully armed like the Guan Ning Iron Cavalry. Subconsciously, he thought Chen Xie could easily take out three Guan Ning Iron Cavalry.

Chen Xie stopped his horse. With ten people, the horse's movement would make it hard to aim. These ten bandits charged forward silently, with a determined and fearless momentum. Their formation was well-maintained. Chen Xie raised his pistol, watching as they approached to about fifty meters.

Wang Qian had already taken out his telescope and was increasingly surprised. When Chen Xie raised his gun, Wang Qian shouted, "Sir, don't shoot! I know these people."

What? Chen Xie was stunned. Were Wang Qian and them in cahoots? No, he just knew them.

Wang Qian spurred his horse forward, shouting, "Biaozi, Shanzi, it's me! Wang Qian!"

The bandits, who were running at a steady pace to the road, stopped. Two of them quickly stepped forward. Wang Qian dismounted and rushed over, hugging the two men tightly. Chen Xie, no longer in a hurry, dismounted and waited leisurely for Wang Qian to catch up with his old comrades.

At this moment, Chen Xie didn't think much about Wang Qian's background. As long as he was loyal, it didn't matter what he had done in the past.