The Courtyard House: The Little Red Devil Returning from the Peninsula

Chapter 124 Xie Baoqing Delivers Silver

The next morning.

The sentries at Baimaling brought in a man.

The man was riding a gray mule, wearing a black cloth turban and a gray cloth jacket, with two cloth bags on the mule's back.

The bag wasn't heavy, but it jingled as it swayed along.

The sentry stopped the man at the entrance of the regimental headquarters.

"search."

The man dismounted from the mule, spread his arms, and let people search him.

The guards pulled a short knife from his waist and a homemade pistol from his boot.

The short knife was homemade, and the iron pipe of the homemade gun was welded crookedly.

"Is there any more?"

"That's all, that's all."

The guards took off the two cloth bags, opened one of them, peeked inside, and looked up at Zhao Weiguo.

"Commander, silver dollars."

Zhao Weiguo squatted by the door, wiping his gun, without standing up.

The man stood in the middle of the courtyard, one eye peeking out from under his black turban, and looked around.

He saw Zhao Weiguo squatting on a rock cleaning his gun. He was not very old. He was stunned for a moment, but quickly composed himself.

"Which one is Commander Zhao?"

Zhao Weiguo put the bolt back in, pulled it back, and made a click.

"I am."

The man took a step forward and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Wolf Three, the second leader of Black Cloud Stronghold. I was sent by the chief, Xie Baoqing."

Zhao Weiguo stood up and leaned his gun against the wall.

"Come in and speak."

Wolf Three followed Zhao Weiguo into the cave.

As he entered, the first thing he saw was the flag on the wall.

The four characters "White Horse Iron Brigade" are written on a red velvet background with yellow tassels.

A Japanese officer's sword hangs on the left side of the flag, its scabbard gleaming with cherry blossom patterns.

A list was pasted on the right side of the flag, written with a brush, with names densely packed together.

Wolf Three's gaze lingered on the knife for a moment before returning to its original position.

There was another person sitting inside the cave dwelling.

Zhao Gang, holding an enamel mug and drinking tea, watched Lang San enter, but neither got up nor spoke.

A map was spread out on the table.

The paper that Zhao Weiguo and Zhao Gang were looking at just now had a faint mark on the surface where the Black Cloud Ridge was pressed repeatedly by fingers.

Wolf Three paused for a moment when he saw the Black Cloud Ridge marker on the map.

He recovered quickly and placed the cloth bag on the table.

The bag wasn't tied tightly, and a few silver coins peeked out, gleaming white under the cave lamplight.

The sound of chopping wood came from the yard, one dull chop after another, like striking wet wood.

"Commander Zhao."

Wolf Three said, "The Boss knows about yesterday's incident. His men were ignorant and blocked your way. The Boss sent me with some small gifts to apologize to Commander Zhao."

He patted the cloth bag.

"One thousand silver dollars. The boss's intention is that from now on, we'll each go our own way and keep to ourselves."

Zhao Weiguo glanced at the silver coins on the table but didn't touch them.

"The third leader of the Wolf Clan."

"I dare not accept such praise."

"How many people did you stop on that road to Black Cloud Ridge?"

Wolf Three was stunned for a moment.

"Commander Zhao, what's this?"

"Caravan? Ordinary people? Transporting grain?"

Wolf Three's smile froze for a moment.

"Commander Zhao, that's all in the past. The chief said we won't touch the people from White Horse Ridge anymore."

Zhao Weiguo pulled the map towards the center of the table and pointed to the location of Black Cloud Ridge.

"This road connects Shuangbaigou, Baimaling, and is also a trade route to several counties to the south. Locals use this road to go to the market, grain transport teams use this road, and messengers also use this road."

He raised his head.

"If you stay on the mountain all day, this road won't be safe. It's not my business whether you stop me or not."

Wolf Three's smile vanished.

"Commander Zhao, you can't say that. Hundreds of brothers from Black Cloud Stronghold eat on the mountain. If you don't let us take this route, what will they eat?"

"Go down the mountain and rejoin the regiment; the Independent Regiment will give you a unit number."

Wolf Three paused for a moment.

"Commander Zhao, to put it bluntly, Black Cloud Stronghold has mountains, guns, and over four hundred men. It's not something any random team can take down."

Zhao Weiguo pressed his finger on the edge of the map, not in a hurry to speak.

Zhao Gang placed the enamel mug down beside him, making a soft sound.

"Black Cloud Stronghold has over four hundred men, how many guns?"

Wolf Three glanced at him.

"Enough."

"How much is enough?"

Zhao Gang asked, "Thirty articles? Fifty articles? One hundred articles?"

Wolf Three did not answer.

Zhao Gang then asked, "Of your four hundred-plus people, how many were just captured and brought up the mountain last month? How many sought refuge here because they couldn't survive? How many dry meals are enough to feed the village?"

Wolf Three's expression changed.

There were footsteps approaching and stopping outside, as if someone stood at the door for a moment and then walked away.

"Commander Zhao, we've come to apologize."

"I accept the gift."

Zhao Weiguo said, "Take the silver dollars back with you."

Wolf Three was stunned.

"Commander Zhao?"

"I won't accept it. This money is tainted."

Wolf Three stood in front of the table, his face alternating between pale and flushed.

Zhao Gang added from the side.

"Third Boss Wolf, take this message back. Go down the mountain, rejoin the main force, undergo investigation, and the Independent Regiment will give you a unit designation. This is an ultimatum, not a bluff."

Wolf Three glanced at Zhao Gang, then at Zhao Weiguo.

His gaze finally settled on the map on the table.

The location of Black Cloud Ridge is marked in great detail on the map, including not only the main stronghold, but also the locations of the secondary stronghold and several outposts at the foot of the mountain.

His fingers clenched the cloth bag.

The wind blew in from the cave entrance.

"I have delivered the message."

Wolf Three said, cupping his hands in a respectful gesture, "But whether the Chief listens or not is not up to me."

He picked up the two cloth bags, and the silver coins jingled inside them.

He paused at the doorway.

"Commander Zhao, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

"explain."

"There's someone locked up in the village."

Wolf Three said, "He's from Shandong, Wei Dayong, nicknamed 'Monk.' He fought the Japanese for several years and used to serve in the Central Army. The boss wanted him to join, but he refused and has been locked up for almost two years."

Zhao Weiguo looked at him.

Why are you telling me this?

Wolf Three did not answer this question.

"That man is no ordinary soldier. If you really want to take down Black Cloud Stronghold, you'll need him."

He left after he finished speaking.

The gray mule brayed once in the yard, its hooves pounding on the gravel, and made its way out of Baima Ridge.

After Wolf Three left, Zhao Weiguo and Zhao Gang sat in the cave for a while.

Why did he bring up monks?

Zhao Gang asked.

"Two possibilities."

Zhao Weiguo said, "First, he's not truly on Xie Baoqing's side and wants to use us to stir things up. Second, Xie Baoqing sent him to test us, to see how much we know about what's going on in the village."

Which one do you prefer?

"The first one."

Zhao Weiguo said, "He lowered his voice when he said those words before he left."

Zhao Gang picked up the enamel mug and took a sip.

"So what are your plans?"

Zhao Weiguo did not answer.

He stood up, walked to the entrance of the cave dwelling, and called out.

Gardenia.

Gardenia came out of the cave dwelling on the west side, wiped her hands, and walked over.

"Commander."

"Go and investigate the situation at Black Cloud Stronghold."

"What are you touching?"

Zhao Weiguo returned to the table, pointing at the map with his finger.

"How many men and how many guns does the main stronghold have? Where is the secondary stronghold, Wolfskin Stronghold? Where are the three outposts at the foot of the mountain? Ask about the surrounding villages, salt routes, hunters, and caravans—ask everyone you can."

Gardenia looked at the map and nodded.

"A few days?"

"Is five days enough?"

"That's enough."

"There's one more thing."

Gardenia looked at him.

"There's a man named Wei Dayong locked up in the village. He's from Shandong, and his nickname is 'Monk.'"

Zhao Weiguo said, "We need to find out where he's being held and what his situation is."

"Should we save them?"

"Let's see how things go."

Zhao Weiguo said, "Don't rush into action. Let's figure things out first."

After Zhi Zi left, Zhao Gang put down the enamel mug.

"Of the two things you just mentioned, touching the village and touching the monks, which one is the most important?"

Zhao Weiguo rolled up the map.

"Monk."

Zhao Gang looked at him.

"You've never even seen the face of someone who's been imprisoned for two years?"

"Wolf Three said that guy fought the Japanese for several years, even served in the Central Army, but refused to join them, so he was imprisoned for two years."

"Just because of this?"

Zhao Weiguo turned his gaze back to the map.

"A village of over four hundred people, surrounded by mountains and guns—aren't you thinking about how to fight it, or how to save one person first?"

Zhao Weiguo stuffed the map into the canvas tube.

"The plan to attack the village is obvious. The manpower, weapons, and terrain are all there; we have a plan. But there's a capable fighter locked up inside; we can't let him die there."

Zhao Gang looked at him for a while.

"Okay, whatever you say."

Five days later.

Gardenia is back.

She didn't come back alone; she brought a hunter with her as a guide.

The hunter waited at the foot of the ridge, but did not go up to White Horse Ridge.

Gardenia went into the cave by herself, took off her hat, and found that the brim of the hat was covered in dust.

"Commander."

Zhao Weiguo was reviewing the training reports from each battalion when he looked up at her.

"Sit down and talk."

Gardenia did not sit.

She stood in front of the map and drew lines on the paper with her finger.

"Black Cloud Stronghold, led by the chieftain, has approximately 410 men. They possess fewer than 100 spears and muskets; the rest are muskets, broadswords, and spears."

Zhao Weiguo listened.

"The secondary stronghold is in Langpigou, about six li from the main stronghold, with about eighty men and forty-odd guns. Lang San controls that stronghold."

"Aren't Wolf Three and Xie Baoqing on the same page?"

"no."

Zhi Zi said, "Wolf Three joined later; he originally had his own group. Xie Baoqing put him in charge of the deputy stronghold because he wanted to transfer him out of the main stronghold. Things are lukewarm between them; they each manage their own affairs."

Zhao Weiguo nodded.

Gardenia tapped the map three times with her finger: "There are three small outposts down the mountain, each with about twenty men, used for sentry duty. One on the east, one on the west, and one at the southern crossroads."

After she finished speaking, she marked the location on the map and took a step back.

Zhao Weiguo glanced at the markings on the map and rubbed his chin with his finger.

"Not many guns."

"There aren't many guns, but the village is well-built."

Zhi Zi said, "The main stronghold is on the cliff top, and there's only one road leading up to it. Stone walls line both sides of the road, with gun emplacements. A direct assault would result in heavy casualties."

Zhao Weiguo stared at the mountain road for a while.

There was a few seconds of silence.

"Where is that monk?"

Gardenia took a piece of paper out of her pocket, on which she drew a simple location of a prison cell.

"He was imprisoned in an earthen dungeon in the northwest corner of the main village. The dungeon was made of stone, and two men guarded the entrance."

"Can you fight?"

"That's what the hunter said."

Zhi Zi said, "He said that monk had been locked up for almost two years, chained to a pillar, his hands and feet in shackles. Every two weeks he was taken out for some fresh air, and he never ran away during those times."

Zhao Weiguo looked at her.

How did the hunter know so much?

"Hunters used to bring them game."

Gardenia said, "He said that once he saw a monk taking over his duties, and he threw two bandits who were guarding him to the ground. After throwing them, they didn't run away, but went back to the prison."

Zhao Weiguo listened without saying a word.

"Can we connect?"

he asks.

"Disaster."

Gardenia said, "The earthen dungeon is inside the main village; outsiders can't get in."

"Then let him come out."

Gardenia looked at him.

"When attacking the stronghold, let him move from the inside."

Zhao Weiguo stood up and took two steps inside the cave.

"No rush. Wolf Three and Xie Baoqing aren't on the same page, so this loophole can be used. The monk being inside can also be used."

He paused for a moment.

"This time, we'll rescue the monk first, then wipe out Black Cloud Stronghold."

Zhao Gang listened from the side without interrupting.

He only spoke after Zhao Weiguo had finished speaking.

"Who do you plan to send to rescue them?"

Zhao Weiguo looked at the gardenia.

Gardenia did not avoid his gaze.

"I'll go. But I need a reason to get in."

Zhao Weiguo thought for a moment.

"Isn't Wolf Three short of money?"

Gardenia understood.

"You want me to pretend to deliver the money?"

"No money."

Zhao Weiguo said, "Send the message."

He walked to the table and picked up a cloth bag.

The silver coin bag that Wolf Three left behind yesterday was empty; he had it emptied but didn't return it.

He placed the empty cloth bag on the table.

"Go tell Wolf Three that the Independent Regiment doesn't accept silver dollars, but they do accept intelligence. Make him trade intelligence about Black Cloud Stronghold for his life."

Gardenia took the cloth bag.

What if he refuses?

"Then you can feel your way in yourself."

That evening, Zhi Zi changed into casual clothes, tucked a short gun into her waistband, and stuffed a cloth bag into her bosom.

Zhao Weiguo stood at the entrance of the regimental department, looking at her.

"Is five days enough?"

Gardenia pressed down on the cloth bag.

"In less than five days."

"A few days?"

"Three days."

Zhao Weiguo didn't ask any more questions.

Gardenia mounted her horse, its hooves clicking a few times in the darkness before disappearing into the night.