Shushan: Extinction

Chapter 219 Counterattack
After hearing what Gong Tianwu said, Cui Ziyang opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, then smiled bitterly and said:

"it is good."

Then he said to Cui Xiaoyi:

"Sister, it's nothing. It's because I haven't seen the world before, that is, business disputes."

Gong Tianwu also said at this time:
"Mom, look at the sweat on my third uncle's head, go and serve him a bowl of soup first."

Cui Xiaoyi was half-believing and half-doubted after hearing this, so she went in to serve the soup directly.

After Cui Ziyang drank half a bowl of soup without any appetite, Gong Tianwu ate half a bowl of rice and gnawed three sheep's trotters before following Cui Ziyang out.

After leaving the Marquis' Mansion, Cui Ziyang frowned and said:
"A caravan we sent out yesterday was robbed of its goods and horses, and the porters and their assistants were driven back with their ears cut off."

Gong Tianwu said:

"Didn't you ask Hasar's people to escort you?"

Cui Ziyang said:

"Because they were only responsible for delivering to Matou Mountain, which is only about a hundred miles away, and the buyer was in a hurry, so they decided to take the familiar trade route, so we didn't look for them."

Gong Tianwu said:

"Have you found the person who did it?"

Cui Ziyang said:

"Of course, the other party did not hide their hostility and directly sent a middleman to deliver a message to warn us, but it is difficult for us to sue the authorities for this."

Gong Tianwu said:

"who is it?"

Cui Ziyang said:

"Tianji Business Gang."

Gong Tianwu frowned:
"I've heard about this Shang Bang. It seems that the backer is just a fourth-rank minister. How dare such a backer come to confront the Marquis' Mansion?"

Cui Ziyang pondered and said:

"In other words, the mastermind is still hiding behind the scenes?"

As the two talked, they walked quickly and hurried to the warehouse. They found blood on the ground. Fortunately, the injured men and porters had been taken care of.

Cui Ziyang frowned and said:

"I am also responsible for this. A few days ago, the Tianji business gang used loss-making prices to steal several of our customers. I just thought that harmony brings wealth, so I didn't take it to heart."

Gong Tianwu sat opposite him, his expression calm, as if the disturbances in the outside world had nothing to do with him. After a few seconds, he said:

"What is coming will eventually come. The cake of Sansheng City is only so big. We have come to this point. Even if we do nothing, we are still blocking the way for others."

Cui Ziyang said angrily:

"The Tianji business group is determined to make things difficult for us this time. Not only did they steal our customers at a low price, they also intercepted our goods and even..."

He said this, his tone paused, and a hint of anger flashed in his eyes:
"They even cut off our guys' ears and released them. It's clear they want to fight us to the death!"

Gong Tianwu did not respond immediately. He just raised his eyes slightly with a very indifferent look, then picked up the teacup and took half a sip.

"Uncle, why did the Tianji Merchants suddenly target us? Have you found out anything?"

Cui Ziyang shook his head and sighed:
"We haven't found out the reason yet. But they said, 'It's either me or him,' and it's clear that they want to fight us to the end."

Gong Tianwu pondered for a moment, and a trace of coldness flashed in his eyes: "Since that's the case, let's take a step back first and retreat to advance."

Cui Ziyang was stunned: "Retreat? How to retreat?"

Gong Tianwu said calmly:

"From today on, Cuiji Warehouse will give up all its business and suspend all large-scale transactions. We will only do small business. At the same time, spread the word that our capital turnover is not smooth and we are unable to compete with Tianji Merchants."

Cui Ziyang frowned even more tightly when he heard this:

"Retreat? If we retreat, won't that make them even more arrogant? I'm afraid the morale of our guys will be dispersed!"

Gong Tianwu raised his hand to signal, his tone still calm:

"Uncle, we are retreating not because we are afraid, but to paralyze them. Since the Tianji Merchants dare to provoke us so blatantly, they must have something to rely on."

"It hurts more to hit someone with a fist that is pulled back. Let's give in first and let them think we are scared and let down their guard. At the same time, let Second Uncle go to get information and find out their details."

Cui Ziyang was silent for a moment, the anger on his face gradually faded, replaced by a trace of thought. He nodded slowly:

"You have a point. I'll arrange it right away."

Gong Tianwu sneered:
"We won't keep retreating. We'll find out their true colors and expose their true colors before we deal them a fatal blow."

Sure enough, Gong Tianwu’s strategy of retreat was correct. Just three days later, someone found Cui Ziyang.

This person is the deputy head of the Sansheng City Chamber of Commerce, named He Lantian. He patted Cui Ziyang on the shoulder with a fake smile and said something like "A man of insight is a hero" and "A wise bird chooses the right tree to roost in".

Cui Ziyang was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said:

"Boss He, can you at least let me know which expert wants to do this?"

He Lantian smiled mysteriously and said:

"I know you can't make the decision on this matter. Go back and tell your master to think about it carefully. The other party has offered a high price. If you miss this opportunity, you will miss it forever."

After President He left, Cui Ziyang contacted Gong Tianwu immediately.

Unexpectedly, when I rushed over, I ran into Cui Zicheng who had just entered the room. He said with a beaming face:
"There's news."

Gong Tianwu wrote:

"Third uncle, please sit down. Second uncle, you've worked hard. Please tell me something."

Cui Zicheng sat down and said in a low voice:
"The Tianji Merchants have a batch of valuable goods that will be transported through Lao Ya Ridge from the south of the city in two days. It is said that this batch of goods is extremely valuable and they recently purchased it from other places at a high price."

Gong Tianwu's eyes flashed with a gleam of light, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly:

"I finally waited for the opportunity. Second uncle, do you know how powerful their guards are?"

Cui Zicheng said solemnly:
"They are probably also trying to prevent our retaliation this time, so they sent a lot of people, and there are many good ones among them."

Gong Tianwu sneered:
"Good hands? Haha, since they dared to cut off our guys' ears, it's time to let them have a taste of losing everything."

Cui Zicheng glanced at Gong Tianwu with some concern:
"Should we be more cautious about this matter? What if there is a big shot backing the Tianji business group? If we act rashly, we might get into even bigger trouble." Gong Tianwu stood up, walked to the window, and cast his eyes toward the night in the distance. His tone was firm and cold:
"Second uncle, the whole city is watching our reaction now?"

"The mall is like a battlefield. We need to endure it no longer. This time, we must not only intercept their goods, but also let them know that Cui Ji is not to be trifled with."

"If there really is a big shot we cannot afford to offend, why would we have to be so mysterious? If you want to step on an ant to death, would you play hard to get?"

Cui Zicheng took a deep breath and nodded:
"Okay, since you've made up your mind, I'll go discuss it with Hasar and arrange the men to make sure we hit the target in one go."

Gong Tianwu turned around, his eyes sharp as a knife:

"Remember, act fast and strike hard!"

***
As the sun sets, the sky is dyed with a layer of blood-red afterglow.

On the winding and steep mountain road, the Tianji Merchants' convoy moved slowly, and the sound of the wheels rolling over the ground was particularly clear in the quiet evening.

The convoy was surrounded by seventy or eighty skilled fighters who provided strict guarding. They marched in unison and scanned the surroundings with eyes like hawks.

Among these people, half were elite soldiers who had retired from the army. They held long swords, wore leather armor, and looked very imposing.

What is even more frightening are the eight Ming Jin masters in the caravan, and the innate master Tan De who is sitting in the carriage with his eyes closed and resting.

Such an armed force could easily repel three or four times the number of bandits, and even if they were facing the same number of notorious Naiman knights, they would still be sure of victory.

The leader of the Tianji Merchants was called Mai Qu, a sturdy bald man. He rode on his horse with a stern look in his eyes, and whispered to his deputy Lin De beside him:
"If Cui Ji's gang dares to come, they will be courting death. We have sent out all our best troops this time, and we will have to think twice before attacking even the most famous mountaintops in the green forest."

"But it's better to be safe than sorry. I've been in the martial arts world for decades, and I've seen many people capsize in the gutter. I'm telling the kids to be extremely careful."

Deputy Linde nodded in agreement, with a hint of disdain in his tone:
"What the boss said is, but Cui Ji is just a small vendor who has never seen the world. How dare you fight us head-on?"

However, they did not know that on the distant hillside, a pair of cold eyes were watching their every move.

Soon, the Tianji Merchant Gang was about to reach the top of the mountain. This was a relatively flat area with a spring bubbling out, forming a clear pool.

Normally, travelers would take a rest here, unload their cargo, and let the pack horses and mules drink some water and eat some bean cakes to replenish their energy.

However, the three porters who were leading the way in front had just reached the top of the mountain, and before they had time to catch their breath, their pupils suddenly contracted.

Because what suddenly appeared before their eyes was a rain of arrows! ! More than thirty archers fired at the same time!
One arrow, two arrows can still try to dodge for them, but in the face of such a scramble, these three people can do very little.

"Enemy attack!!" As soon as one of them shouted, an arrow pierced his throat.

The other two hurriedly raised their arms to protect their faces, but the rain of arrows was like locusts, instantly submerging them.

Two of them were killed on the spot, and the other was shot by five or six arrows and fell to the ground, groaning in pain and twitching.

It was obvious that the people who intercepted here were from Cui’s warehouse.

The screams coming from the front undoubtedly made the people of Tianji Merchant Gang nervous. As they were well-trained, they immediately blew the horn and responded immediately.

At least thirty people rushed forward, and the dozen or so people in the lead all held up shields without exception. However, after two rounds of arrows fell, screams were heard from these people, and at least a dozen people rolled on the ground.

The leather armor they wore and the shields they held high were completely useless in the face of the rain of arrows.

Why is this happening?

This is because although the bows used by these archers are ordinary, the arrowheads are recast.

At this time, Gong Tianwu had a certain amount of financial resources and strength, he absorbed the earth's technology and concepts and improved the arrows in all aspects from material to design, with the power increased by at least 30%.

In the era of cold weapons, once casualties exceeded 10%, the morale of the troops would quickly drop to the bottom.

The armed force of the Tianji Merchant Gang is no exception.

"This...how is this possible!"

Leader Tian Ji's face turned pale and his eyes were full of disbelief. He had never seen such a terrifying arrow.

Seeing that the battle ahead deteriorated to almost uncontrollable in just a few breaths, the eight Mingjin masters who were used to hold the box and the innate master also took action together.

They will not make the mistake of adding fuel to the fire, but will fight with all their might.

The eight Ming Jin masters rushed out swiftly like tigers descending from the mountain.

"Hmph, mere archers dare to block my Tian Ji's path?"

The finale of the innate master, Tan De, snorted coldly, his figure flashed, and he rushed to the top of the mountain like a ghost.

Of course, the dispatch of this group of experts was beyond everyone's expectations. At this time, Gong Tianwu was hiding in the shelter on the top of the mountain and said to Hasar:

"let's go."

Hasar nodded and stood on a huge rock, holding an ancient horn in his hand.

He took a deep breath, put the horn to his lips, and blew it violently.

"woo woo woo woo!!"

The low trumpet sound echoed in the mountains, like the roar of an ancient giant beast.

As the horn sounded, a dozen warriors with superb archery skills appeared on horseback. What they held in their hands were no longer the ox horn bows commonly seen on the grassland, but crossbows with long bow arms!
The cold light of the crossbow arrow flickered in the setting sun, which was particularly dazzling.

These dozen or so special crossbows were the latest products developed by Gong Tianwu. Most of their parts were made by ordinary craftsmen who were recruited, and only a few of the core parts were made by Gong Tianwu himself.

In this way, Gong Tianwu's workload will be greatly reduced.

The design of this war crossbow draws on the technological concepts of the Earth, and the refined demon tendons used as the crossbow string provide amazing power.

Combined with the earth's pulley set technology, the pulling force of the crossbow is far beyond ordinary weapons, and the range and penetration power have reached an amazing level.

Not to mention that the arrowheads are made of demon claws, demon teeth, demon bones, etc. The arrowheads are glowing with a faint cold light, as if they can devour all life.

Of course, these ten or so people are also the core elite gathered by Gong Tianwu. They are officially named Wulou Guards, which is equivalent to the personal guards. They have also practiced the Wulou body and mind method, and their strength is visibly higher than that of other people.

"Release!" Hasar gave the order.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

The specially made crossbow arrows shot out of the air at such a speed that it was difficult for people to react. Although the eight Ming Jin masters were very skilled, five of them were still shot under the dense rain of arrows, and three of them fell to the ground screaming.

"What kind of arrow is this?!" The remaining Ming Jin masters were horrified and dodged quickly.

However, the group led by Hasar did not stop. The second wave of crossbow arrows followed, aiming directly at the innate master Tan De.

The innate master sneered, and his figure flashed like a phantom, avoiding several crossbow arrows.

However, just when he thought he had victory, another crossbow arrow with a sharp whistle suddenly shot out, so fast that he could hardly react and calculated his dodge angle.

(End of this chapter)