Chapter 312: Returning Bandit Soldiers
Fang Wushang spread out a map on the table and leaned in with Bai Yuan, the two of them and Li Dao Xuan studying it in detail as if they were planning a chess game where every piece might suddenly turn into a knife.
The surrendered bandit leader, Fan Shan Yue, had accepted pacification in He Yang County. After his defeat and submission, his forces did not vanish into the wind. Instead, they fragmented into countless small groups, scattering like broken beads rolling in every direction, each heading back toward their hometowns.
Most of them returned to villages and towns within He Yang County itself. However, a significant portion dispersed toward adjacent regions, including Bai Shui County, Cheng County, and Han Cheng.
Fang Wushang's finger traced along the mountain ridge forming the border between He Yang County and Cheng County. The line he drew from north to south was slow, deliberate, and heavy, as if he was carving warning marks into the land itself.
"Bai sir," Fang Wushang said, voice steady but serious, "every village along this entire line is at risk of being attacked by these pacified bandit remnants. They will 'take grain' under the excuse of returning home."
He paused, then continued.
"I will coordinate from the center. Wherever the bandit pressure is strongest, I will reinforce. But under normal conditions, every village must rely on your militia defense. You must assign instructors properly across all villages and towns so each area is held."
Bai Yuan nodded immediately. This did not require explanation. He already understood the weight of it.
His eyes moved from north to south across the map.
The first village that caught his attention was Zheng Family Village. That place had already seen blood. Fan Shan Yue's forces had once clashed brutally there with Gao Village militia. Suifeng Xiong and Er Chun had both died in that land. It was entirely possible that the same route would be used again as an entry point into Cheng County.
Further south lay North Temple Village, Shi Family Ravine, Half Ravine Village, North Slope Village, Zhang Family River Village, Spring Ravine Village, and Chang Family River.
The list was not just geography. It felt like a chain of pressure points waiting to be squeezed.
Fang Wushang tapped a spot on the map again.
"Spring Ravine Village. I will station myself here. I can respond quickly to any village under attack."
Bai Yuan nodded.
"Then I will dispatch militia forces to all other villages. General Fang, you can rest assured."
Fang Wushang's expression remained serious.
"These pacified bandit troops are different from ordinary bandits. They have already been formally submitted under imperial pacification. In name, they are now legitimate subjects, white-status civilians. Right now they are only on a 'returning home journey'. Because of that, we cannot initiate attacks or block them. We can only respond once they commit crimes. That is the difficult part."
Bai Yuan's brows tightened.
"I understand."
And he truly did.
In the past, when Fan Shan Yue's men climbed toward Zheng Family Village, Gao Village militia could simply roll down logs and stones without hesitation. There was no need for discussion, no need for justification.
But now, if the same people climbed the mountain road under the banner of "returning home," any preemptive attack would immediately be seen as unjustified violence. The moral position would collapse instantly.
This was not just a tactical problem. It was a legal and moral trap disguised as a road home.
Li Dao Xuan also frowned slightly.
This was exactly the kind of situation where hesitation meant losses. And losses meant his "little workers," the village units he had painstakingly built, would die unnecessarily.
While they were speaking, Fang Wushang's troops finally caught up from behind. More than a hundred soldiers arrived, panting heavily, sweat pouring as they bent over.
"General Fang… we… we finally arrived…"
Fang Wushang glanced at them.
"Good. We are done discussing. We move immediately to Spring Ravine Village."
He slapped his horse and shouted.
"Ride."
And just like that, he was gone again, charging alone down the road like a man who believed waiting was a sin.
The hundred-plus soldiers froze.
"Wait, again?!"
Their protest had no effect. Fang Wushang was already a shrinking dot on the horizon. With no choice, they dragged their exhausted bodies forward and continued marching.
Behind them, one officer sighed deeply.
"I kind of miss the days when Commander Cheng was still here."
A crossbow squad leader muttered.
"Yeah… Commander Cheng was calm. Reliable. He didn't just run off like a mad arrow."
From somewhere deep in the forest, Cheng Xu sneezed violently.
"Ah-choo!"
He rubbed his nose.
"Who is talking about me behind my back?"
Meanwhile, Gao Village had already been preparing for war. Their original plan had been to march into Huanglong Mountain and crush Wang Zuogua's bandit forces directly. But now the situation had changed.
The new threat was not an entrenched enemy. It was scattered returning bandit remnants, moving through civilian routes under legal protection.
That made everything worse.
Cheng Xu emerged from the forest after Fang Wushang and his troops had fully left.
"Zheng Family Village is definitely the key defensive point," he said. "I will lead the main militia force of Gao Village and stay there."
Bai Yuan nodded.
"Zao Ying's cavalry can remain as central response forces. No need to station them in each village."
He paused briefly.
"I will return to the county and bring the newly formed county militia. We will split them into groups of two hundred and assign them to each village along the route."
Li Dao Xuan suddenly spoke.
His voice was calm, but it carried authority that cut through the discussion like a blade.
"Bai Yuan, your problem is not that you cannot defeat these returning bandits. It is that you cannot openly attack them. Being too close to them will be dangerous. You must maintain distance."
He continued.
"And at the same time, you must intimidate them. Make them understand that the moment they see you, they should not dare to act."
Bai Yuan's spirit lifted slightly.
"That is exactly what I think as well. However, I am not yet sure how to intimidate them effectively."
Li Dao Xuan answered without hesitation.
"Demonstrate force."
Bai Yuan blinked.
"Specifically…"
Li Dao Xuan pointed toward Gao Village.
"Bring your militia to Gao Village. Let the forge workshop equip them with proper weapons. Fully armed. Fully armored. Let them look like something that should not be approached lightly."
Bai Yuan understood immediately.
Li Dao Xuan continued.
"Also, food. Enough food is essential. Transport large quantities of grain into those villages. When the returning bandits arrive, feed them. Let them eat until they are full so they do not turn their blades toward civilians out of hunger."
Bai Yuan bowed deeply.
"Dao Xuan Tianzun is truly merciful."
Li Dao Xuan's expression remained unchanged.
"But remember this. Some of these men have been in Fan Shan Yue's rebellion for over a year. They are no longer farmers. They are killers. Some will take advantage of food, then demand more and more. Anyone like that, kill them immediately. Hang their heads as warning."
Bai Yuan straightened.
"I understand completely."
He mounted his horse immediately and left toward the county with several attendants.
At the same time, San Shier began organizing grain transport teams. But the terrain was difficult. Many villages were remote, mountain roads unpaved, and water routes nonexistent. Everything had to be moved by manpower using carts.
It was a massive logistical burden.
Li Dao Xuan suddenly had an idea.
"San Shier. Go to the prison. Divide the convict labor into groups of one hundred. Each group will transport grain to assigned villages. Once delivery is complete, give each group a weapon. They will then guard the grain."
San Shier smiled immediately.
"This is actually a good plan. If those returning bandits behave, fine. If they dare touch our grain…"
He chuckled darkly.
"That would be suicide."
Then he hesitated.
"But what if they escape halfway and steal the carts?"
Li Dao Xuan replied simply.
"I will be watching."