Chapter 45

The news that the entire village of Linjiazhai had been massacred by bandits quickly reached the county. When County Magistrate Lu Jinxin received this report, he fell to the ground, his face ashen.

A village of over a hundred people had been massacred by bandits, and such a major tragedy had fallen into his hands. It was easy to imagine that his future was basically ruined.

The short and plump Deputy County Magistrate Zhao, upon hearing the news, hurried over. Seeing the County Magistrate's dispirited appearance, he quickly comforted him, "Your Excellency, the most urgent task now is to immediately report to the prefectural city and request troops from the garrison to suppress the bandits. Additionally, we must immediately gather the county's constables and militia, and ask Mr. Mei to dispatch the local defense forces to search for the bandits."

"The bandits are not stupid; after committing such a major crime, they must have already fled," County Magistrate Lu sighed deeply.

"Your Excellency, whether the bandits have fled or not, we must take action after such a major incident," Deputy County Magistrate Zhao cautiously reminded the County Magistrate.

County Magistrate Lu, upon hearing this, understood the implications. Indeed, now was the time for remediation. Even if the people of Linjiazhai could not be saved, he still needed to take action to show the higher-ups, such as the Prefect, the Circuit Intendant, and the Circuit Inspector, his efforts. He also needed to show the local gentry and common people his actions.

"Yes, yes, Deputy County Magistrate Zhao, you write the report now and submit it to the Prefect's office, the Circuit Intendant's office, and the Circuit Inspector's office. I will immediately go to Shen Village and ask Mr. Mei to dispatch the local defense forces to search for the bandits. By the way, isn't the cavalry led by Master Chunjiang and Liu Jiye stationed in Queen City? They are closest to Linjiazhai. Send someone to Queen City immediately and ask them to go to Linjiazhai to handle the aftermath and search for the bandits."

Although Deputy County Magistrate Zhao had once suffered at the hands of Li Chunjiang and Liu Jiye, he did not forget their powerful backers. He quietly reminded County Magistrate Lu, "Your Excellency, Master Chunjiang's cavalry has only been established for a little over a month and may not be capable. Moreover, Master Chunjiang is a member of the Li family. If he is sent out and encounters the bandits, and something goes wrong, it might be..."

County Magistrate Lu slapped his forehead, realizing that Li Chunjiang was not just any local defense force leader. He then said, "Forget it, we won't have them search for the bandits. Send someone to notify them to stay in Queen City and protect it from the bandits."

After the County Magistrate left in a sedan chair for Shen Village, Deputy County Magistrate Zhao immediately called the chief clerk to write the report to the Prefect, the Circuit Intendant, and the Circuit Inspector, as well as the Huangzhou Garrison. He then called the sedan bearers and personally went to Queen City.

When Deputy County Magistrate Zhao arrived at the cavalry camp in Queen City, he saw the nine-headed bird banner flying high in the camp, looking very impressive.

"Stop, this is a military camp, no unauthorized entry."

The sedan chair was stopped at the camp gate, with several local defense forces blocking the way. The sedan bearers originally wanted to scold them, but seeing the cotton armor with copper studs, the matchlock guns, and the sabers, they swallowed their words.

"Gentlemen, I am the Deputy County Magistrate, and I have urgent official business. Please let me through to Captains Li and Liu," the fat man lifted the curtain of the sedan chair, glared at the sedan bearers, and then smiled at the fully armed local defense forces. Even the fat man's heart skipped a beat when he first saw these guards.

He did not expect the local defense forces to be so well-equipped.

A guard entered the camp and returned a moment later.

"Please follow me."

Inside the camp, on the parade ground, Li Chunjiang and Liu Jun each wore a cotton armor. The custom-made cotton armor was lined with silk and reinforced with copper studs, with a fist-sized copper mirror on the chest and back. They also wore eight-petal iron helmets and copper belts, looking very impressive.

On the parade ground, the two flags' six squads were lined up neatly, and the two flag commanders' personal squads and the artillery squad were also in position. The central flag's military guards, night watchmen, flag bearers, doctors, and veterinarians were also ready.

All the soldiers wore cotton armor, iron helmets, and iron mesh boots.

The soldiers' helmets were topped with red tassels, and the flag poles held by the squad leaders had small red flags fluttering, with small red flags also on their helmets, looking neat and orderly.

When Deputy County Magistrate Zhao followed the guard to the parade ground, he saw this neat and solemn scene. Seeing the fluttering flags, the neat armor, and the matchlock guns, long swords, and bows, he was amazed.

When he first saw the guards at the gate, he thought they were just a few elite Li family retainers. He did not expect that the entire nine-headed bird cavalry, over a hundred people, were all fully equipped and elite, especially the six cannons he saw.

He saw nearly a hundred people divided into ten squads, but only six in the center, each with twelve people. They were fully armed, standing straight like statues, not a single one whispering.

Deputy County Magistrate Zhao had never seen such a disciplined force. Even the elite cavalry of Mr. Mei in Shen Village might not be as neat.

"All stand at ease!" Liu Jun shouted.

Over a hundred people responded with a loud and整齐的吼叫：“虎！”同时，所有人右脚同时重重地在地上一踏，然后立定，赵胖子和轿夫们都吓了一跳，似乎整个地面刚刚都颤抖了一下。

刘钧转身向李春江行了一礼，“麻城县保生堡乡团九头鸟马队装备完毕，请百总大人示下！”

李春江一直处于一种兴奋震惊之中，他没有料到，在他追查贼匪的这段时间里，刘钧居然已经把九头鸟马队训练成了这般整齐，远远超过了他的想象和预料。

好一会，李春江才反应过来，眼前这支严整的队伍就是他的兵，就是他的九头鸟马队。他有些兴奋地点头道，“好，好，好。”他一连说了三个好，才恢复了些激动的情绪。

“九头鸟马队的弟兄们，你们都是我麻城县的乡勇，是子弟兵。我们建立之初，就是为了守护一方乡土。而就在昨夜，一伙毫无人性的强盗，一伙畜牲，他们洗劫了林家寨，将那里屠杀一空。你们说，我们能容忍吗？”

“不能！”场下众人齐呼。

刘钧扫了一遍众人，喝道，“我没有听清楚，大声点。”

“不能！”百余号人撕声大吼。

那吼声震天，李春江非常满意。

“是的，绝不容许，对这些畜牲，我们必须制裁，我们必将他们剿灭。今天，我们将出兵进剿这些毫无人性的贼人，告诉我，你们害怕吗，畏惧吗？如果有人害怕，有人畏惧，那么现在站出来，你可以留下。”

所有人都如标枪一样站在场上，没有一人畏惧退给。

“很好，非常好。既然大家都愿意随我一起前往剿贼，那么我也在此立下赏格。每击杀一名贼人，赏银二十两，每击伤一贼，赏银二两。若能生擒贼人，同样赏银二十两，若能击杀或生擒贼人头目者，赏四十两，若能击杀或生擒贼首者，赏银百两！”

场下的一众乡勇们心跳都开始加速了。赏格不再是平时训练时的几分几钱银子，而是几两几十两甚至是百两。这样的赏格，确实能让他为之拼命。

“此外，战阵受伤者，轻伤每人赏银二两，重伤五两。若是伤残，抚恤二十两。若是战死，给抚恤五十两银。”

这个抚恤一出，越发免去了众人的后顾之忧，更坚定了他们拼命博杀之心。

“其余的我不多说，大家战场上各凭表现，银子早已经备好，有能力的就凭本事来挣！”

刘钧上前一步，高声道，“现在解散，给你们一刻钟再整理准备一下，半刻钟后集结出发。”

赵胖子这时才想起了自己来的目的，连忙向刘钧二人跑去。

“春江公子，继业公子，二位请留步。”

“什么风把赵县丞吹来了?”

赵胖子抹了把额头上的汗水，连忙道，“两位，你们这是要去剿匪？”

“赵县丞刚刚不是亲眼看过我们的出兵动员了？”

“不可。”赵胖子连忙道，“那些贼人凶悍，二位切莫以身冒险啊。”

刘钧道，“刚才赵县丞也看过我队人马装备气势，你觉得如何？”

“非常威武，实难想象，这些人一月前还只是群猎户农夫甚至和尚。”

“既然你也觉得他们很不错，那就不必再多说什么。若是赵县丞愿意同行，某很高兴。若是不想去，请自便。”刘钧对赵胖子没什么客气。

因为出兵也只是三十里外，因此并不需要携带多少辎重之类的，每个人打个包就已经够了。

何况，每人都还有一匹马，因此这次出兵其实非常轻松，算得上是轻装前进。最重的家伙，也就是那六门虎蹲炮，一蹲也不过三十六斤而已，直接就可以架在骡子上，甚至都不需要用车。

每人另外携带了三天的口粮，弓刀手携带了三十支箭，鸟铳手也携带了三十管定量火药，有这些，足够打一场战斗了。

一刻钟很快过去，各队的士兵们也都已经整装完毕，重新集结起来。

刘钧让各队长各伍长下去检查了一遍各自队伍士兵的装备，发现没有遗漏之后，便下令全军出发。最后只留了几名马夫守营，其余的全队一同出发。

左旗为前队，中旗在中间，右旗三队在后。另外夜不收则骑马在前面探路，并有军牢来回巡查队伍行进的纪律。

赵胖子虽然心里很不想掺合进此事，可最终想了想，还是坐着轿子跟在了队伍后面。

翻页上AD开始

翻页上AD结束

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The news that the entire village of Linjiazhai had been massacred by bandits quickly reached the county. When County Magistrate Lu Jinxin received this report, he fell to the ground, his face ashen.

A village of over a hundred people had been massacred by bandits, and such a major tragedy had fallen into his hands. It was easy to imagine that his future was basically ruined.

The short and plump Deputy County Magistrate Zhao, upon hearing the news, hurried over. Seeing the County Magistrate's dispirited appearance, he quickly comforted him, "Your Excellency, the most urgent task now is to immediately report to the prefectural city and request troops from the garrison to suppress the bandits. Additionally, we must immediately gather the county's constables and militia, and ask Mr. Mei to dispatch the local defense forces to search for the bandits."

"The bandits are not stupid; after committing such a major crime, they must have already fled," County Magistrate Lu sighed deeply.

"Your Excellency, whether the bandits have fled or not, we must take action after such a major incident," Deputy County Magistrate Zhao cautiously reminded the County Magistrate.

County Magistrate Lu, upon hearing this, understood the implications. Indeed, now was the time for remediation. Even if the people of Linjiazhai could not be saved, he still needed to take action to show the higher-ups, such as the Prefect, the Circuit Intendant, and the Circuit Inspector, his efforts. He also needed to show the local gentry and common people his actions.

"Yes, yes, Deputy County Magistrate Zhao, you write the report now and submit it to the Prefect's office, the Circuit Intendant's office, and the Circuit Inspector's office. I will immediately go to Shen Village and ask Mr. Mei to dispatch the local defense forces to search for the bandits. By the way, isn't the cavalry led by Master Chunjiang and Liu Jiye stationed in Queen City? They are closest to Linjiazhai. Send someone to Queen City immediately and ask them to go to Linjiazhai to handle the aftermath and search for the bandits."

Although Deputy County Magistrate Zhao had once suffered at the hands of Li Chunjiang and Liu Jiye, he did not forget their powerful backers. He quietly reminded County Magistrate Lu, "Your Excellency, Master Chunjiang's cavalry has only been established for a little over a month and may not be capable. Moreover, Master Chunjiang is a member of the Li family. If he is sent out and encounters the bandits, and something goes wrong, it might be..."

County Magistrate Lu slapped his forehead, realizing that Li Chunjiang was not just any local defense force leader. He then said, "Forget it, we won't have them search for the bandits. Send someone to notify them to stay in Queen City and protect it from the bandits."

After the County Magistrate left in a sedan chair for Shen Village, Deputy County Magistrate Zhao immediately called the chief clerk to write the report to the Prefect, the Circuit Intendant, and the Circuit Inspector, as well as the Huangzhou Garrison. He then called the sedan bearers and personally went to Queen City.

When Deputy County Magistrate Zhao arrived at the cavalry camp in Queen City, he saw the nine-headed bird banner flying high in the camp, looking very impressive.

"Stop, this is a military camp, no unauthorized entry."

The sedan chair was stopped at the camp gate, with several local defense forces blocking the way. The sedan bearers originally wanted to scold them, but seeing the cotton armor with copper studs, the matchlock guns, and the sabers, they swallowed their words.

"Gentlemen, I am the Deputy County Magistrate, and I have urgent official business. Please let me through to Captains Li and Liu," the fat man lifted the curtain of the sedan chair, glared at the sedan bearers, and then smiled at the fully armed local defense forces. Even the fat man's heart skipped a beat when he first saw these guards.

He did not expect the local defense forces to be so well-equipped.

A guard entered the camp and returned a moment later.

"Please follow me."

Inside the camp, on the parade ground, Li Chunjiang and Liu Jun each wore a cotton armor. The custom-made cotton armor was lined with silk and reinforced with copper studs, with a fist-sized copper mirror on the chest and back. They also wore eight-petal iron helmets and copper belts, looking very impressive.

On the parade ground, the two flags' six squads were lined up neatly, and the two flag commanders' personal squads and the artillery squad were also in position. The central flag's military guards, night watchmen, flag bearers, doctors, and veterinarians were also ready.

All the soldiers wore cotton armor, iron helmets, and iron mesh boots.

The soldiers' helmets were topped with red tassels, and the flag poles held by the squad leaders had small red flags fluttering, with small red flags also on their helmets, looking neat and orderly.

When Deputy County Magistrate Zhao followed the guard to the parade ground, he saw this neat and solemn scene. Seeing the fluttering flags, the neat armor, and the matchlock guns, long swords, and bows, he was amazed.

When he first saw the guards at the gate, he thought they were just a few elite Li family retainers. He did not expect that the entire nine-headed bird cavalry, over a hundred people, were all fully equipped and elite, especially the six cannons he saw.

He saw nearly a hundred people divided into ten squads, but only six in the center, each with twelve people. They were fully armed, standing straight like statues, not a single one whispering.

Deputy County Magistrate Zhao had never seen such a disciplined force. Even the elite cavalry of Mr. Mei in Shen Village might not be as neat.

"All stand at ease!" Liu Jun shouted.

Over a hundred people responded with a loud and整齐的吼叫：“Tiger!” At the same time, everyone's right foot stomped heavily on the ground, and then they stood still. Deputy County Magistrate Zhao and the sedan bearers were startled, as if the entire ground had just trembled.

Liu Jun turned to Li Chunjiang and saluted, "The nine-headed bird cavalry of Bao Sheng Fort in Macheng County is fully equipped. Please give your orders, Captain!"

Li Chunjiang was still in a state of excitement and shock. He did not expect that during his time investigating the bandits, Liu Jun had trained the nine-headed bird cavalry to such a neat and orderly state, far exceeding his imagination and expectations.

After a while, Li Chunjiang finally reacted. The disciplined and orderly troops before him were his soldiers, his nine-headed bird cavalry. He nodded excitedly, "Good, good, good." He said three "goods" in a row, then calmed down a bit.

"Brothers of the nine-headed bird cavalry, you are all the local defense forces of Macheng County, the sons of the people. We were established to protect our homeland. Last night, a group of ruthless bandits, a group of beasts, raided Linjiazhai and massacred everyone there. Can we tolerate this?"

"No!" the crowd shouted in unison.

Liu Jun scanned the crowd and shouted, "I didn't hear you clearly, louder!"

"No!" over a hundred people shouted at the top of their lungs.

The roar was deafening, and Li Chunjiang was very satisfied.

"Indeed, we cannot tolerate it. We must punish these beasts and eliminate them. Today, we will set out to suppress these ruthless bandits. Tell me, are you afraid? Are you scared? If anyone is afraid or scared, step forward now, and you can stay behind."

All the soldiers stood like spears on the field, not a single one showing fear or retreating.

"Very good, very good. Since everyone is willing to go with me to suppress the bandits, I will also set a reward. For each bandit killed, a reward of 20 taels of silver; for each bandit injured, a reward of 2 taels of silver. If a bandit is captured alive, the same reward of 20 taels of silver. If a bandit leader is killed or captured, a reward of 40 ta