My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 224 Strong alliance
The soldiers tied up all the thieves who had left the city and set them aside.

Then, Shan Xiongxin led the rest of the group into the village.

When they arrived at the mansion in the very center of the city, it was already engulfed in flames, and they couldn't see what was happening inside. Fearing that the fire would spread, Shan Xiongxin ordered his men to put it out. They made firebreaks and fetched water, and after a lot of effort, they finally managed to extinguish the fire.

Only after the fire was extinguished did the soldiers dare to enter. They searched and rummaged through the interior and finally found a charred corpse.

Shan Xiongxin moved to another location, summoned many officers, and ordered them to search the village to see if there were any escapees. He also ordered the officers to release the elderly, weak, women and children who had been taken hostage, and to execute all the strong thieves!
These thieves had been entrenched in Bailu Mountain for many years, committing countless evils and taking countless lives. Therefore, even though they had surrendered, Shan Xiongxin was too lazy to let them go. Besides, he had already promised the county government that he would hand over some heads.

Feng Li sat down with him in the courtyard, but this time Shan Xiongxin dared not sit in the seat of honor. No matter what Feng Li said, he insisted on sitting facing him.

"Lord Feng, I am a crude and uncouth man. I have diligently practiced martial arts, but have never had the opportunity to use them. I am honored by your favor, Lord Feng, and have been ordered to come to Hedong. However, I am not capable enough, and I will have to rely on your assistance in many matters. I hope you will not find fault with me. If I have done anything wrong, please feel free to speak frankly."

Feng Li quickly replied, "I am here on your orders, young master, and I will do my utmost to assist you, Captain. You need not do so."

After exchanging a few polite words, Shan Xiongxin finally spoke, saying, "Today we captured Bailu Mountain Stronghold. I think this place is easy to defend and difficult to attack. With such a stronghold, it can hide many soldiers and civilians. The terrain is dangerous and connects three places. I want to use this place as a base to gather the dead and establish a large stronghold. Then I will send troops to advance to various places in Hedong. I wonder what you think, Lord Feng?"

Feng Li hesitated for a moment, "Young Master only ordered me to provide provisions and supplies, maps and terrain information, and assist the captain. What specific strategy is required?"

"Lord Feng, the Marquis has entrusted this matter to me. I only regret that I am not knowledgeable enough and I am afraid that I may have overlooked many things. I hope you can help me!"

Since Shan Xiongxin had said so, Feng Li didn't hold back any longer and said, "I think this place is not suitable as a base."

"Oh?"

"This city is fortified and strategically located, suitable for hiding troops, but not for pacifying the people."

"The mountain road is steep, and there's only one path. It's surrounded by dense forests, making it difficult to develop. It's manageable now with few people, but if more people enter the mountains, transporting supplies will become extremely difficult, and we'll be easily discovered. If the captain were to station several thousand men here, I'm afraid it would attract the attention of the Eagle Banner Prefecture."

"What about Gongshan?"

“Gongshan can indeed be cultivated into fertile land, but it is too close to the city, surrounded by many villages and farmlands, and the mountains are full of manors and hunting grounds, so I’m afraid it won’t work.”

"That"

Feng Li stood up, walked to the door, and said a few words to his servants. A moment later, a servant brought several maps to the door, and Feng Li spread them out in front of the two men.

"Captain, look here. This place is called Baodu Mountain. Baodu Mountain has wide roads that lead in all directions. It can be used for fertile fields and large stockades. There are no cities or villages around it. One side leads to Hebei, and the other side leads to Taiyuan. If we use this place as a base, and with places like Yangtou Mountain that can serve as outposts, I think this place is the most suitable place to establish a stronghold."

Shan Xiongxin nodded slightly and then asked about the situation of the other mountain strongholds, which Feng Li was able to answer.

Shan Xiongxin and Feng Li finalized a detailed plan, using Baodushan as the center and gradually expanding outwards. Several mountains suitable for Tibetans and soldiers were marked.

Feng Li said earnestly, "I will do my utmost to assist the captain, providing provisions, livestock, artisans, and ironware. If the captain deems Baodushan suitable, I will immediately send men to begin transporting supplies towards Baodushan."

"Furthermore, to establish a foothold in these areas, you'll inevitably need to make contact with the locals. I'll also help you make those connections and try my best not to provoke hostility from the government."

Shan Xiongxin repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

With Feng Li's help, many things became much simpler. Qingzao Village is not yet able to feed itself and still needs Li Xuanba's assistance. To occupy various mountain strongholds, they also need to wait for food supplies. But now, Shan Xiongxin doesn't need to worry and can just focus on reclaiming the various mountain strongholds!
Just as Shan Xiongxin decided to hold a grand banquet to celebrate the victory, Feng Li whispered, "Captain, don't rush to drink. There's something else that makes me uneasy."

"Oh?"

“I heard from people who knew the situation about Wang Junkuo that he was cruel, vicious, fickle, and untrustworthy. Even his own fellow villagers hated him. How could such a villain be willing to die to protect his subordinates and elders?”

"You mean?"

“Such garrison towns usually have secret passages and cellars for hiding and escape. The Qi state is most skilled at this. It’s impossible that their garrison towns didn’t have them.” Night gradually fell.

The mountain stronghold also became quiet.

At this moment, a strange noise suddenly came from the ruins on the east side of the mountain stronghold.

Then the ground shook, and a wooden door hidden in the muddy ruins was lifted up.

Wang Junkuo carefully crawled out of the cellar, lowered the hidden door, and gently covered it with soil again. Then, carrying his sword, he crouched down and slowly made his way out.

This was the only way he could think of to survive: to pretend he was dead and then escape when the enemy was off guard.

He was extremely familiar with the village and the mountain. Under the cover of night, the enemy dared not move, while he could move freely and was fully capable of escaping from the mountain.

He anticipated that the enemy, having just ended their battle, would be celebrating and wouldn't have many people patrolling the area at night.

Just as he had expected, the village was exceptionally quiet under the cover of night.

He proceeded cautiously until he reached a city wall, where he could vaguely see figures moving about.

Wang Junkuo did not make any rash moves and waited until the footsteps on the city wall stopped and the surroundings were completely silent. Only then did Wang Junkuo walk towards the wall ladder and carefully walk up the city wall. The gate of this garrison town was very sturdy and heavy. He could not open the gate by himself. Even if he could, the noise would be too great. The only way was to escape from the city wall.

Although the city wall was high, he was prepared; he had thick ropes wrapped around his waist.

When he tiptoed to the city wall, it was pitch black, and in the distance, there seemed to be several soldiers sitting.

Wang Junkuo breathed a sigh of relief, quickly untied the rope around his waist, and prepared to descend the city wall.

"My lord!! Why did you leave without saying goodbye?!"

Someone shouted.

Wang Junkuo was shocked and dropped the rope in his hand. He looked around.

As the torches gradually lit up, he saw Shan Xiongxin, fully armed, and soldiers dressed similarly. More and more torches appeared, and the soldiers surrounded him.

Shan Xiongxin looked at Feng Li and said, "Feng Jun is truly a man of great talent! If it weren't for you, this fellow would have really escaped!"

Feng Li said with a smile, "I just thought this was strange, but I didn't expect that I was right."

Looking at the densely packed soldiers around him, pointing at his own crossbow, Wang Junkuo was deflated and helplessly dropped the sword in his hand.

"Even this couldn't be avoided."

He looked at Shan Xiongxin and said, "General, some time ago I offended your authority and was filled with fear that you would not forgive me. That's why I acted that way. I have practiced martial arts since I was a child and have some skills. If you are willing to forgive my crime, I am willing to serve you faithfully."

Shan Xiongxin sneered, "I heard that the old chieftain here also took you in. I wonder where he is now?"

"Do it!!"

The soldiers leaped forward, and Wang Junkuo could no longer resist. He was quickly subdued and pinned to the ground. Shan Xiongxin drew his knife to kill him, but Feng Li stopped him. "Captain, don't be hasty. Lock him up first, find out some things, and then deal with him."

"Alright! We'll do as Feng Jun says!!"

(End of this chapter)