Chapter 71: The Assault on Ten Kings Stronghold!

After Li Yun became the captain, he was technically supposed to serve under Magistrate Jiang. However, as Captain Li was a benefactor to the county magistrate’s family, Magistrate Jiang wisely refrained from asking questions and, in particular, had no involvement in managing the anti-bandit squad. Once the squad earned the magistrate’s support and gained control of its own finances under Li Yun’s command, the yamen constables within the office essentially ceased to have much to do with Magistrate Jiang.

Even without the meager monthly stipends from Magistrate Jiang, these constables could still make a good living—and indeed, they thrived. Now, after several months, the yamen constables—especially those in the anti-bandit squad—even in the presence of the magistrate, would consider whether to obey his orders or Captain Li’s, let alone heed Magistrate Jiang.

“Our captain mingles directly with the magistrate! And you, Fourth Master, who are you for us to care?”

Once outside the city with his retinue of constables, Li led them straight toward Ten Kings Stronghold. The distance was not insignificant; it was nearly dusk by the time they reached the foot of Mount Lingyang.

Mount Lingyang was vast, with a peak named Ten Kings’ Peak, upon which the stronghold sat. It was a secluded summit, difficult to find without a guide—let alone to attack.

Upon arrival at the mountain’s base, Li Yun dragged Sun Shouli forward, pointing to the black silhouette of the mountain in the night, and asked, “If we take the mountain path, how long will it take to climb up?”

Sun Shouli, having steeled himself to atone with merit, answered crisply, “About half an hour, but the path is steep; those unfamiliar with the mountain would find it hard to climb.”

Li Yun smiled. “Good. Shortly, you’ll lead a group up the mountain path, while I go via the main road into the stronghold.”

He paused, then asked, “Roughly how many people are left in Ten Kings Stronghold now?”

Sun Shouli thought for a moment. “Sir, originally there were one hundred thirty-seven bandits in the stronghold. At the last battle on Mount Cang, at least half were lost, and some fled. There should be only sixty or seventy left on the mountain now. However, Ten Kings Stronghold is different from others—most of the bandits have families living with them, numbering over two hundred people. Among them, some of the youths are already thirteen or fourteen and quite fierce.”

Li Yun stroked his chin. This was indeed unlike Cang Mountain’s stronghold, where most were bachelors. Here, most had families. That was the advantage of a large stronghold: with enough hands, they could capture people and even build a small town’s population atop the mountain.

Only now did Li Yun realize why, during the fierce battle at the foot of Mount Cang, the men from Ten Kings Stronghold fought so desperately and, even after heavy losses, could still retreat in an organized fashion around their chief. Their families were on the mountain—they had no choice but to fight to the death for Old Master Tong.

With this in mind, Li Yun patted Sun Shouli’s shoulder and asked with a smile, “Do you have family up there?”

Sun Shouli shook his head. “I find the women up there too coarse, so I’ve never married.”

Li Yun laughed quietly, found a large tree, and sat down with his back against it, closing his eyes to rest. “Alright, sit and rest a while. Soon enough, you’ll be busy.”

Sun Shouli looked at Li Yun curiously. Now that they’d reached the mountain’s foot, what was this Captain of Qingyang County waiting for?

…

It was nearly midnight before Sun Shouli finally understood. A group of sixty or seventy men crept quietly from the distance, stopping before Li Yun. The leader climbed up the slope and called out, “Second Brother.”

In the torchlight, Sun Shouli saw the leader’s face and turned pale, shuddering with fright. He recognized this man! Two months ago, the second chief had captured a young man from Cang Mountain’s stronghold, severed his arm, and afterward, it was this very young man who carried the injured back down the mountain. To leave the stronghold that day, he’d suffered greatly—forced to kneel upon entry and slapped dozens of times by the second chief.

Sun Shouli spun around, glancing at Captain Li under the torchlight. So that was it! Not only had Ten Kings Stronghold colluded with the authorities, but Cang Mountain Stronghold had long been in league with Qingyang County’s officials. No wonder the constables had arrived so quickly during the big fight! It all made sense now. The crows across the world are equally black.

As Sun Shouli stood in a daze, Chief Li clapped him hard on the shoulder, nearly sending him sprawling. “What are you daydreaming about?” Li Yun frowned. “Did you hear what I just said?”

Sun Shouli stammered, shaking his head. “Sir… I was distracted and didn’t hear.”

Li Yun frowned and continued, “These are righteous militia from Qingyang, assisting the authorities in suppressing bandits. Tonight, you’ll lead them up the small path. Understood?”

Sun Shouli glanced at Liu Bo and groaned inwardly. You call these people militia? Nevertheless, he nodded quickly. “Yes, sir, I understand.”

Liu Bo slung an arm around his shoulder, grinning. “Mister Sun, is it? Have we met before?”

Sun Shouli swallowed hard and shook his head. “No, no.”

Liu Bo truly didn’t remember him. He nodded and said, “Alright, let’s go up the mountain, then.”

Sun Shouli took a deep breath and led the way, with Liu Bo following behind as they ascended along the narrow path.

Meanwhile, Chief Li stood up from beneath the tree, resting his spear on his shoulder, and addressed the constables in a low voice, “Let’s go. We’re heading up as well.”

So far, all the anti-bandit actions had involved cooperation with these so-called “militia,” and the constables were well used to it. At his words, they all replied in unison, “Yes, sir!”

Led by Li Yun, the group extinguished their torches and made their way up the mountain trail toward Ten Kings’ Peak.

The ascent went smoothly; Li Yun didn’t spot any bandits on watch. The only difficulty was traveling the mountain paths in the dark, and it took nearly an hour to reach halfway up Ten Kings’ Peak.

The stronghold was now within sight, only four or five hundred paces away. The large stockade hung no lanterns, and the latter half of the night left it in utter darkness.

Li Yun frowned slightly and beckoned Li Zheng over. “Skinny Monkey, something’s off.”

Li Zheng nodded. “Second Brother, it’s not right. Normally, with the stronghold so prosperous, some arrogance would be expected. But after such a heavy blow, they should be on high alert.”

“Second Brother, their men are either lying in ambush, or they’ve gone to that side path!”

Li Yun considered for a moment. “Shall we scout ahead together?”

Li Zheng grinned. “No problem for me. I could walk these mountain paths with my eyes closed.”

Thus, Li Yun ordered the constables to stay put, and then, together with Li Zheng, crept along the mountain path toward the stronghold.

After a hundred paces, Li Zheng sensed something amiss. He slipped quietly back to Li Yun and whispered, “Second Brother, there are men hidden in the bushes on both sides of the path—a lot of them. They know we’re coming!”

Chief Li narrowed his eyes. “Looks like someone tipped them off—very quickly, too.”

“Skinny Monkey, go down and tell Chen Da and five or six others to each light three or four torches and approach the mountain slowly. The rest should ascend from both flanks.”

Chief Li planted his spear by the roadside and drew the saber from his belt, taking a deep breath.

“Come with me. Let’s clear out those lying in wait on both sides!”