Chapter 50

Liu Jun was different from scholars like Li Chunjiang. Having lived two lives, especially after his military service in his previous life, he truly understood the ways of the world. One profound lesson he learned was that one should not keep all the benefits to oneself, especially when one's strength is not strong enough.

This anti-bandit operation, where they managed to kill over thirty bandits and capture more than ten, including the bandit leader, was already a remarkable achievement. With this alone, their Nine-Headed Bird cavalry could make a name for themselves. However, they also had to know when to stop. Not only would continuing the attack on the bandit stronghold likely result in significant losses, but even if there were no losses, Liu Jun could not let Li Chunjiang lead the troops to attack again.

The massacre at Lin Family Village escalated the situation. It was no longer a minor incident involving a few thieves but a serious crime that could be reported to the Three Boards of Huguang, or even to the provincial governor. This was a terrible situation for the magistrate of Macheng County, the troops of Huangzhou Garrison, and even the prefecture of Huangzhou, as well as the various Dao offices responsible for defense and inspection.

When problems arise, they must be solved.

The best way to remedy the situation was to immediately eliminate the bandits and atone for the sins with merit. Therefore, the Nine-Headed Bird cavalry could not attack the bandit stronghold in Qiting. Doing so would not be a merit but a disaster. The credit for eliminating the bandits must be given to Macheng County, or even the Huangzhou Prefecture and Huangzhou Garrison, or at least under their command and leadership.

"Gongji, I think we should immediately ride to Shen Village and report the results of tonight's battle and the intelligence about the bandit stronghold to Mr. Mei."

"Shouldn't we report to the county at the same time?"

"No, we will report to Mr. Mei, and then Mr. Mei will inform Magistrate Lu." Liu Jun emphasized this point. Reporting directly to the magistrate without informing Mr. Mei would put Mr. Mei in an awkward position. However, if they reported to Mr. Mei first and then had Mr. Mei inform the county office, the situation would be entirely different.

This way, their battle could be considered a victory under Mr. Mei's command. Although the local militia failed to prevent the tragedy, they quickly eliminated the bandits and discovered the bandit stronghold. This would place Mr. Mei and the Baosheng Fort militia in a more favorable position.

Once Mr. Mei informed the county office, and the county office reported to the prefecture, the magistrate could also be seen as responding swiftly. In short, a simple change in the order of notification could make a significant difference.

"Shall we leave first, and the troops return to Queen City later?"

"No, we won't return to Queen City. Have everyone go directly to the county."

After a brief discussion, Liu Jun and Li Chunjiang descended the mountain, mounted their horses, and set off for Shen Village with a small group of servants.

Shen Village, the base of the Baosheng Fort militia.

Although it was late at night, the fort was brightly lit, as if it were daytime. With such a significant event, the entire militia was mobilized. The Night Watch and several cavalry units were dispatched to search for the bandits.

The main army, the mobile units, and the artillery units all received orders to gather at Baosheng Fort, ready for action. The fort was filled with militia members, and Mei Zhihuan was thoroughly enraged.

This was a grave insult, something that could not be tolerated.

"Report, the Taiping Township unit has arrived as ordered."

"Report, the Guishan Township militia has arrived as ordered."

...

One by one, the militia units arrived, turning Baosheng Fort into a massive military camp, with the sounds of men and horses.

"Have you found any traces of the bandits?" Mei Zhihuan, who had broken his usual routine to wear his red-lacquered mountain-pattern armor, a phoenix-wing helmet, and a sword at his waist, was pacing in front of the map, his iron armor clinking.

"The Night Watch and the cavalry have not reported back yet; there are no traces found so far."

"Have all the militia units arrived?"

"Only the Nine-Headed Bird cavalry from Queen City has not arrived as ordered," reported a servant in iron armor.

Mei Zhihuan frowned, "Why haven't they arrived?"

The servant lowered his head, "The servant who went to deliver the order just returned. He said that before dusk, the Nine-Headed Bird cavalry had already set out south, claiming they found traces of the bandits and were going to eliminate them." The servant himself found it hard to believe this news, but since the servant who delivered the order reported it, he had to report it truthfully when asked by Mr. Mei.

"Hmph, they found traces of the bandits and went to eliminate them on their own? Ha, that's too funny." A commander from the main army sneered, "We couldn't find the bandits with so many people, but the Nine-Headed Bird did? And they claim to be going to eliminate the bandits? I bet they're just hiding out of fear."

Someone else chimed in, "If they really had the ability to find the bandits so quickly, why didn't they detect them earlier? Why did the Lin Family Village get massacred? Where were they at that time?"

"Enough, stop it," Mei Zhihuan waved to stop the mocking from his subordinates.

Although Mei Zhihuan had a high opinion of the young men Liu Jun and Li Chunjiang, he did not believe they could find the bandits so quickly and boldly attack them. The Nine-Headed Bird cavalry, despite its impressive name and the financial support from Li Chunjiang, which allowed them to be better equipped than other militia units, had only been established for a little over a month. Two young men leading a group of new recruits on a rash attack was a cause for concern. If they didn't find the bandits, it would be better, but if they did and charged in, Mei Zhihuan was worried.

"Send a cavalry unit immediately to Queen City to find the Nine-Headed Bird cavalry. Find them and bring them here."

The cavalry was dispatched, but Mei Zhihuan was still worried. He admired these two young men, and it was rare to find such promising young people. If anything happened to them, especially Li Chunjiang, who was the most talented scholar of the Li family and about to take the imperial exams, how would he face it?

Unable to sleep, he spent the entire night in the hall, staring at the map, waiting for news.

As dawn broke, a servant entered.

"Any news from the Nine-Headed Bird?"

"Not yet."

"Any news about the bandits?"

"Also not yet."

Mei Zhihuan sighed deeply, his face weary.

"Mr. Mei, you haven't slept all night. It's already morning. Go back to your room and rest. I'll inform you immediately if there's any news," the servant advised. Mei Zhihuan nodded reluctantly and slowly walked to the back courtyard. After washing up, he lay down, and as fatigue overcame him, he fell into a deep sleep.

"Master, Master."

Mei Zhihuan woke up to the shouting. He opened his eyes and saw the old servant calling him.

"What time is it?"

"It's still morning. You've only been asleep for about a quarter of an hour," the old servant replied. "Master, Captain Mei wants to see you."

Mei Zhihuan rubbed his sore eyes, "Send him in."

The captain of the household guards strode into the bedroom, "Mr. Mei, we have news from the Nine-Headed Bird cavalry."

"Oh, where are they?"

Captain Mei replied, "The Nine-Headed Bird cavalry is heading to Shen Village."

Mei Zhihuan nodded, "That's good, as long as they're safe."

Captain Mei's expression was complex, and he smacked his lips, "Mr. Mei, the cavalry that returned with the news said that the Nine-Headed Bird cavalry just fought a battle with the bandits."

Mei Zhihuan sat up abruptly, his voice rising, "What did you say?" He thought that if the Nine-Headed Bird encountered the fierce bandits, they would likely suffer a defeat.

Captain Mei continued with his complex expression, "According to the fast horse report, after the Lin Family Village massacre, Li Chunjiang and Liu Jun immediately sent people to track the bandits and found them hiding in a dilapidated temple, Xing'an Temple, not far from Lin Family Village. Then, Liu Jun and Li Chunjiang led the entire Nine-Headed Bird cavalry to Xing'an Temple. After dark, they launched a surprise attack and won a decisive victory!"

Mei Zhihuan's eyes were full of disbelief, "How many bandits were there?"

"A total of fifty-three fierce bandits!"

"Did the bandits escape when attacked?" In Mei Zhihuan's view, perhaps the bandits fled when the Nine-Headed Bird attacked, which is why they won.

"No, Mr. Mei. The cavalry reported that when they encountered the Nine-Headed Bird cavalry, they were coming from the south, their armor stained with blood, and their horses were carrying thirty-nine bandit heads. Behind the horses, there were fourteen captives. Additionally, they rescued several women from the bandits!"

"This!" Mei Zhihuan's mouth opened wide, unable to close it.

"This is impossible!" Although Mei Zhihuan was a scholar, he was skilled in archery and horsemanship from a young age. He had fought pirates in Guangdong and bandits in Gansu, and in recent years, he had organized the local militia to eliminate many bandits. The bandits who massacred Lin Family Village were not ordinary bandits.

Fifty-three fierce bandits against a newly formed militia of over a hundred, Mei Zhihuan did not believe the Nine-Headed Bird could win, let alone achieve such a good result, with thirty-nine bandits killed and fourteen captured.

He suddenly thought of an important question and asked urgently, "How many casualties did the Nine-Headed Bird have?"

Captain Mei hesitated for a while before replying, "Three were seriously injured, but not in danger of death and not disabled. The rest had minor injuries."

"How many were killed?"

"None."

"How many?"

"No one was killed." When Captain Mei said this, he himself did not believe it. He thought the cavalry must have made a mistake. Over a hundred new recruits fighting fifty-three fierce bandits, killing thirty-nine and capturing fourteen, with no one escaping and only three seriously injured, with no deaths, was simply impossible. It must be a mistake.

Or perhaps the Nine-Headed Bird did not fight fierce bandits at all.

Mei Zhihuan was also shocked by the casualty ratio. He glanced at Captain Mei's skeptical expression and was suddenly struck by a thought.

"What are you thinking?"

"Nothing."

"Tell me what you're thinking."

"I find it hard to believe such a casualty ratio. I think either the cavalry made a mistake in reporting the casualties, or, or."

"Or what?"

"Or the ones killed were not the bandits who massacred the village, or they were just ordinary bandits, or just a group of vagrants!"

Mei Zhihuan's face changed, and he slapped the table beside the bed, "You suspect the Nine-Headed Bird cavalry of killing innocent people to claim credit?"

"I'm just speculating!"