Sweep Yuan

Chapter 129 Chang Yuchun Righteously Subdues the Bandits

"Anyone else? Hurry up, let's all go!"

In the dead of winter, Chang Yuchun, the acting commander of the "labor camp," went shirtless, revealing his strong muscles, and challenged his men. However, of the nearly four hundred men in the camp, apart from the dozen or so who had already been knocked to the ground, not a single one dared to utter a sound.

"it is good!"

Chang Yuchun is already tall and has long arms, and his appearance alone is quite intimidating. His ability to take down challengers in an instant is even more "convincing".

"Since you don't dare to go up again, then you have to listen to me! No matter what your previous status was or what you did, you are all my soldiers now. I only have one request—if I charge at you, I'll charge at you. Can you do that?"

"can--"

The soldiers of the "labor camp" were told that they would be required to serve as a suicide squad in the next siege. They had also been suffering from the hardships of building the city walls, and their morale was extremely low. Although they had been subdued by Chang Yuchun, their reply was still weak and listless.

Chang Yuchun knew he had established his authority today, and to gain the soldiers' trust, he could only rely on future actions. However, still not satisfied with their low morale, he immediately glared and roared:
"You all look like women who haven't eaten for three days! Can't you speak louder?! Ugh—"

The final roar was no longer human; it sounded more like the howl of a prehistoric beast ready to devour its prey. The soldiers of the "labor camp" shuddered, fearing Chang Yuchun would drag them out and beat them. Their faces flushed red as they replied:
"can!"

The western expeditionary army was led by Wu Liujin, the valiant commander. To ensure the smooth flow of military orders, Shishan gave him the post of garrison commander (Sun Xun, who was guarding Wuhe County, was also granted the post of garrison commander), and sent Feng Guoyong, the Attendant Gentleman, to accompany the army on the expedition to assist Wu Liujin in handling important military and political affairs.

The entire army consisted of four battalions: the Fenwu Battalion, the Second Battalion (commanded by Tang He), the Sixth Battalion (commanded by Sun Deyan), and the "Labour Forced Labor Battalion" (acting commander Chang Yuchun), along with three hundred supplementary soldiers. In addition, there was a part of the supply battalion and some civilian laborers who accompanied the army to transport money and provisions, bringing the total number of people to about three thousand five hundred.

Shi Shan needed to stay in Haozhou City to handle important military and political affairs. Gradually delegating power to his subordinates to lead troops in battle was also a set strategy. However, since it was the first time that his subordinates had led a large army in battle, he was still a little worried and made many demands on Wu Liujin before the expedition.

For example, it was emphasized that capturing cities was only the first step, and winning over the hearts of the people and establishing a stable regime were the ultimate goals. Wu Liujin was required to listen more to Feng Guoyong's opinions on civil affairs, but when dealing with the powerful families who resisted the righteous army, he should be decisive and ruthless to eliminate future troubles.

For example, training troops is for fighting, and fighting is also for training troops. The Sixth Battalion and the "Labor Camp" both came from Dingyuan. Without experiencing bloodshed, it is difficult to lose their true colors. In this battle, we should make full use of their role.

Among the many forces under the Red Flag Battalion, the Rongjun Society, based on the Chulan Station soldiers, has the deepest ties. Wu Liujin rose from a low-level station soldier to become the commander of a large army. He is also the most loyal to Shishan, but he also has his own ideas.

Wu Liujin participated in the Battle of Luqian River, so how could he not know the true nature of the Dingyuan rebels?
Sun Deyan's Sixth Battalion was at least carefully selected, and although its morale was low, with the Fenwu Battalion in command, it could at least do something.

The "labor camp" was originally composed of disbanded Dingyuan rebels, whose physical condition was much worse. They were also punished for causing trouble and were used as suicide squads. They were purely cannon fodder to exhaust the strength and energy of the defending troops. You can't expect such a team to have any combat power.

Therefore, when Chang Yuchun went into the "labor camp" alone and "persuaded" his subordinates with his fists and feet, Wu Liujin just watched coldly.

Upon observing from the sidelines, he immediately understood the intricacies of the situation.

Despite his loud and boisterous demeanor, and seemingly simple-minded nature, Chang Yuchun was surprisingly skilled at managing his subordinates.

This person reorganized the "labor camp" organization, appointing his former defeated subordinates who had challenged him as squad leaders and platoon leaders, on the grounds that these people "had guts" and were stronger than the rest of the "cowards who wouldn't dare to utter a single fart".

After the army set off, Chang Yuchun, who had a horse and could have ridden as a commander, walked with his comrades. He also encouraged the troops from time to time. Under his leadership, the originally lifeless "labor camp" gradually came to life.

At that moment, Chang Yuchun rode up to find Wu Liujin.

“Commander Wu, the Dahong Mountain is just ahead. We’re going to camp nearby tonight anyway. There’s a gang of bandits in the mountains who have been causing trouble for the people of Huaiyuan Township. Let me lead the troops to wipe them out and boost the morale of the ‘labor camp’ soldiers.”

Haozhou is less than 100 li from Huaiyuan. If the army moves quickly, it can arrive in two days. The expedition did not consider the rear transport of food and fodder, nor did it need to worry about bandits blocking the way. Wu Liujin did not want to cause any trouble.

But Chang Yuchun mentioned that the bandits "harmed the villagers" and "boosted morale," which made him somewhat tempted. If the "labor camp" dared to fight desperately, the other camps would suffer fewer casualties. Eliminating the bandits who "harmed the villagers" would also help win over the hearts of the people of Dingyuan.

"How many strong people are there? How much time do you need?"

Chang Yuchun knew that Wu Liujin was already interested, but he was worried that he would waste time, so he said:

"There are only about a hundred men. I know this area very well. It only takes an hour to walk here. If we can find the bandits' lair, it will be a matter of a single encounter. If we can't find it, we'll retreat. It won't delay tomorrow's siege."

Upon learning that the bandits numbered only about a hundred, Wu Liujin worried that the bandits had already fled and dared not fight the Red Flag Battalion soldiers.

How many people do you want to bring?

Chang Yuchun had clearly considered this issue as well, and decisively replied:

"Just bring fifty. More than that will make it inconvenient to walk on the mountain path, waste time, and scare away the bandits."

Having witnessed Chang Yuchun's unparalleled archery skills, Wu Liujin was not worried that he would suffer at the hands of a hundred or so strong men, and said:

"We'll camp tonight on the northeast side of Dahong Mountain. You go back now and pick your men. The rest of the team will be temporarily managed by Officer Feng. If you don't return by nightfall, I won't send anyone to look for you."

"Order!"

Chang Yuchun immediately led Feng Guoyong back to the "labor camp" on horseback. Before they even got close, he shouted:
"There's a band of strongmen up in the Dahong Mountains ahead. I have some connections with their leader, and he's helped me a lot in the past. Now that I've gained Marshal Shi's favor and risen to prominence, I need to guide my brothers and show them the way. Who among you is willing to come with me into the mountains for drinks and persuade my brothers to go down and join Marshal Shi?"

"Me!"

"Me too!" "Me too!"

We'll be arriving in Huaiyuan tomorrow, and the suicide squad will be at the forefront. They might die at any moment, but before they die, they can go "into the mountains for drinks" with Commander Chang. Such a good thing, why wouldn't they rush to do it! The soldiers of the "labor camp" were instantly ignited with passion.

Even if we die facing the sky, at least we can have a decent meal today!
"You can't all go. My brother's family isn't well-off; we can't afford so many people eating and drinking. I only need thirty. Those with short legs, don't come. See that big jujube tree over there? The first ones to get to the tree are the ones I'll take! Ready, go!"

With just a few words, Chang Yuchun managed to persuade a group of daredevil laborers to run away at full speed. Feng Guoyong stroked his beard and nodded, thinking to himself that the marshal was truly good at recognizing and employing people, and that the "labor camp" might really be able to seize the initiative in this battle.

"Hahaha! Alright, alright, you short-legged donkeys, you can't even catch the fish when you want to eat meat. Okay, you follow Congshi Feng, set up camp when you get there, and I'll bring back some leftover wine and cold meat to reward you."

Chang Yuchun ultimately selected only forty-two men, armed with long and short weapons and carrying their own banners, and they entered the mountains.

In the Dahong Mountains, the bandit scouts had already discovered that several thousand troops were passing by at the foot of the mountain. They hurriedly returned to the stronghold to report to their leader, Liu Ju. Liu Ju had less than three hundred men under his command, so how could he dare to provoke such a large army? He immediately ordered his men to close the stronghold gates tightly and forbid anyone from going out.

The man was praying that the people below the mountain were just passing by and wouldn't cause him any trouble when his scouts reported that "a group of people has already entered the mountain."

"How many of them are there?"

"Less than fifty."

Liu Ju grabbed a wine jug from the side, ready to smash it at the clumsy henchman, but then hesitated, reluctant to part with his ever-present treasure, and cursed:
"You son of a bitch, can't you report the number of people first, then their movements? Then we'll investigate!"

This group must be the rebel army that occupied Haozhou last month, called the Red Flag Battalion. I heard they just defeated the government troops. They're probably going to attack Huaiyuan this time. Are they going into the mountains to ask for directions? There are people down the mountain, so they can't really come looking for trouble with me, Old Liu, can they?

Liu Ju was troubled. He picked up the wine jug, took a swig, smacked his lips, and then thought that if the Red Flag Battalion captured Huaiyuan, his life would probably be even more difficult. This made him even more worried.

"Ugh!"

Before long, another group of scouts returned, bringing news that the Red Flag Battalion had arrived at Erliang Mountain.

Once you cross Erliang Mountain, you'll see the gate of the mountain stronghold. This group of people didn't take any wrong turns after entering the mountain; they went straight to their own stronghold!

Liu Ju immediately realized that the others had come to find him. If it was a blessing in disguise, he couldn't escape it. He dared not take any chances anymore and quickly mustered two hundred men to go down the mountain to meet the Red Flag Battalion troops with unclear intentions.

"It's you!"

The two groups met halfway up the mountain. Liu Ju felt that the commander on the other side looked familiar from a distance and immediately exclaimed in surprise.

"Hahaha, it's me!"

A few days ago, Chang Yuchun was on his way to Dingyuan to join Marshal Shi when he passed through Dahong Mountain and encountered Liu Ju and his men who had successfully robbed him and were returning to their stronghold.

Seeing that Chang Yuchun was exceptionally fierce and that the stronghold was in dire need of powerful fighters, Liu Ju decided to "help his brothers live a better life."

Chang Yuchun, alone, pretended to agree to the bandits' demands. When the bandits were in sight of the stronghold's gate and their guard was down, he suddenly attacked, knocked down Liu Ju, stole his mount, and rode away.

Liu Ju suffered a great loss and swore in front of his henchmen, "If I see this man again, I will make him pay."

As it turned out, when Liu Ju actually saw this mighty man today, he immediately deflated – Chang Yuchun was backed by the Red Flag Battalion, and he couldn't afford to mess with him!
"Brother, I gave you a fine horse, so we have some relationship. Could you spare your life?"

Chang Yuchun was determined to gain the credit for being the first to scale Huaiyuan City. He couldn't even muster enough archers to cover his ascent with his poorly equipped "labor camp" soldiers. He had to take down the bandits of Dahong Mountain today. How could he allow Liu Ju to play tricks?
"What nonsense are you spouting, Chief! I am already a vanguard officer under Marshal Shi. Today I am here to thank you for the horse, and to help my brothers live a better life. What future is there in staying in these mountains all day? Pack your bags and come down with me!"

Having said all that, Liu Ju knew he really couldn't stay in Dahong Mountain any longer. But after only a few days of carefree living, he was now going to be under the control of the Red Flag Camp, which made him somewhat unwilling.

"Brother, let's be lenient when we can. My village has at least a few hundred people. If a fight breaks out, you probably won't come out on top either."

What's the use of having a lot of people?

Chang Yuchun, too lazy to correct Liu Ju's false report of the number of people, pointed to the distant cliff and said:
"Boss, look at the persimmons on the top of the wild persimmon tree on that cliff. Do you think I can shoot them down?"

Liu Ju was secretly alarmed. There was only a small tree on the cliff, with a lone persimmon on its top, which was easy to spot. But Chang Yuchun was probably more than a hundred paces away from that tree. If he could hit it, that would be terrible!

Before Liu Ju could answer, Chang Yuchun dismounted, drew his bow and nocked an arrow, and then a loud shout rang out:
"go with!"

Just as the arrow left the bowstring, a mountain breeze swept by. Chang Yuchun seemed to have anticipated the effect of the mountain breeze. The arrow seemed to have eyes, drawing a strange arc and pinning the persimmon to the cliff. Liu Ju was so shocked that his mouth was wide open and he couldn't close it for a long time.

"How high are your walls? Can they stop my arrows?"

Liu Ju recalled how Chang Yuchun had defeated him in one move that day, and now, seeing such a divine archer, he realized that if the other party really intended to kill him, he would probably already be dead. He quickly dismounted.

"I'm convinced! I'm convinced, brother, please give me a hand!"

(End of this chapter)