Heading north from Changze Town, there are two mountains. Their slopes are not steep, nor are they a dangerous or notorious gathering place for bandits. However, during the previous dynasty, an earthquake occurred, forming a mountain pass between the two mountains. This pass, with the mountains acting as natural barriers, became a strategic location that was easy to defend and difficult to attack. The group of bandits occupied this area and engaged in robbing and looting travelers.
Initially, their actions were small, merely demanding tolls for safe passage. The authorities remained oblivious. But over time, their appetite grew, and their activities escalated. By the time the government noticed, it was already too late to take action against them.
Reporting to the imperial court and sending troops to eradicate the bandits at this point might not have been a major concern. However, unfortunately, the local officials were rather dense.
They believed the bandits were merely causing minor disturbances and wouldn’t dare to escalate further. In such places, if things were to get out of hand, the imperial court could easily dispatch a general to quell them and wipe out their mountain stronghold1A place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack.. Everyone understood this straightforward logic. As long as they kept a low profile, they could live peacefully, for every mountain stronghold had its own unstable elements. It wasn’t worth resorting to major conflicts. If they did, their mountain hideout would undoubtedly be destroyed.
So, the local officials turned a blind eye and even provided some cover for the bandits. As long as they didn’t create major trouble, they could be dealt with locally. The bandits were also shrewd and understood the government’s stance. They even paid their respects on the first and fifteenth of each month, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship.
This group of bandits was opportunistic and had chosen a strategic spot in Changze Town. It was the closest bandit stronghold to the capital, promising substantial gains. As long as they acted cautiously and raided some silver, it was enough to sustain their livelihood.
Unfortunately, their greed grew over time, and their actions became erratic, lacking discipline. They began to treat this place as their own territory, forgetting that despite being farther from the capital, it was still under the emperor’s rule. Being arrogant without consequences would only lead to their inevitable downfall.
Qin Yuanxi didn’t know where he was being held captive. His eyes were blindfolded, leaving him bound like a zongzi2A kind of Chinese dumpling made of glutinous rice, stuffed with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves.. The only thing he could touch was the silk quilt beneath him, which felt rather good. At least it was better than the inn’s beddings. From this, he could tell that this bandit hideout was rather luxurious.
“Phew.” Qin Yuanxi tried to move but eventually gave up as he couldn’t break free.
He started pondering.
He wasn’t even sure if he was inside a bandit stronghold or somewhere else entirely. He couldn’t determine whether this place was indeed a bandit hideout or just given that title while serving as a refuge for some people’s private guards.
In such a remote location, the possibility of hiding and training private guards far outweighed the likelihood of it being a bandit hideout. Who would dare rob travelers here if there were no backing forces? That would be foolish.
Qin Yuanxi didn’t believe these people were foolish.
He leaned towards the possibility of this being a scheme orchestrated by some individuals. It wasn’t about being paranoid; after all, his identity and position were here. If he were just an ordinary young noble being robbed, he could accept that. But being an emperor, captured here?
If not a scheme, then what?
He had another conjecture: this trap wasn’t only set for him; it was likely to catch Zhao Tuo as well!
What was Zhao Tuo’s identity? Before leaving the palace, Qin Yuanxi had seen his token. He was the Grand General Zhengyuan, a one-rank Protector of the Country. What kind of status and position did he have?
And yet, surprisingly, he had no plot armor3A character’s indispensability to the plot of a novel, game, movie, etc., making the character impossible to kill or eliminate.? Why? When this thought struck him, Qin Yuanxi shivered. If Zhao Tuo was affiliated with him, a puppet emperor, how could a dead person have plot armor?
So, it’s highly likely that this so-called chaos caused by bandits is not targeted at him, but rather at Zhao Tuo, who came out with him!
The more Qin Yuanxi thinks about it, the more possible it seems. If Zhao Tuo was the puppet emperor’s man, then, without adequate protection, taking the emperor out of the palace would make Zhao Tuo responsible for rescuing him in case of any accidents. Whatever life-and-death situation arises in this situation would be considered his loyal duty towards the country. On the other hand, if the emperor encounters any mishap, it would still be Zhao Tuo’s negligence and failure to protect him. In either case, Zhao Tuo is the one taking the risk.
As Qin Yuanxi contemplated on this, the reasoning became clear. That’s why they haven’t pursued them during their extended absence from the palace. As soon as the right time comes, they could easily design an accident, and their objective would be achieved.
Conspiracy, it’s all a conspiracy. Qin Yuanxi shivered as he felt a chill crawling up his spine. He wondered if the effects of the medicine hadn’t worn off yet as he drifted off to sleep, once again in a daze.
Meanwhile, Zhao Tuo followed the map provided by the old physician and arrived through a small hidden path. With his military experience and keen observation skills, he carefully spied on the brightly lit hideout, especially the bustling scene at the central hall.
Sneakingly like a cat, Zhao Tuo hid himself on the rooftop, eavesdropping on the conversation below.
“Old Sixth did well this time. The little one has tender and juicy skin; the taste must be exquisite.”
“Hehe, he was specially abducted for the boss. The person has already been sent to the boss’s room. Tonight, the boss will enjoy his wedding night. Come, let’s have a toast with this celebratory wine.”
Listening to the vulgar and obscene words, Zhao Tuo furrowed his brow and tightly gripped the knife in his hand. He came alone to rescue someone, and it’s vital not to act rashly, or else he might end up having to chop these scum to pieces!
After a while, having grasped the situation in the stronghold, Zhao Tuo couldn’t afford to waste any more time. He sneaked into a corner and held a person by the neck, quietly inquiring about the location of the bandit leader’s room. Then, after knocking the person unconscious, he found a nearby room and tossed him inside.
The stronghold isn’t large, so Zhao Tuo quickly found the right place. As he pushed the door open, a sticky fragrance filled the air, which he extinguished before lifting the bed curtain to find Qin Yuanxi, bound and laid on the bed. The incense from earlier seems to have knocked him unconscious.
“Young master, wake up. Are you okay?” Zhao Tuo removed the cloth covering Qin Yuanxi’s eyes and untied the ropes, calling out to him a couple of times before getting a response. Eventually, he resorted to pinching Qin Yuanxi’s acupoint to wake him.
“Young master, you’re awake. Are you alright?”
Feeling dizzy and with a dry throat, Qin Yuanxi shaked his head weakly, “I’m fine. Where are we?”
“Changze Town,” Zhao Tuo helped Qin Yuanxi up and gave him a brief overview of their current situation, naturally omitting the vulgarities he heard earlier.
Qin Yuanxi’s limbs felt weak, and he lacked strength, leaning on Zhao Tuo for support, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. He can’t quite put a finger on what’s wrong; there’s a vague restlessness within him, and he feels a bit warm. Inadvertently brushing against Zhao Tuo’s wrist, he sensed a cool sensation that made him wish he could absorb a little more of the chill.
However, it’s just an unconscious brush, and he can’t help but feel a hint of regret.
“You mean, this is really a bandit’s hideout? They’re truly mountain bandits?” Qin Yuanxi’s breath became somewhat erratic. Though his mind was unclear, he still asked about the possibility he had considered before, “Could it be Lu Bohuan’s men? Deliberately ambushing us here and then framing it on the mountain bandits.”
Zhao Tuo hesitated for a moment and said uncertainly, “I had the kid from the medical hall take my token to invite the stationed general here to deal with the bandits on the spot.”
“Ah?” Qin Yuanxi felt increasingly hot. He fanned himself with his hand, tugged at his collar, and looked somewhat innocently at Zhao Tuo, “Can I have some water from here? I feel a bit dizzy.”
Zhao Tuo found a teapot and poured a cup of water. After tasting it himself and confirming it was safe, he handed it to Qin Yuanxi.
Looking at the same teacup, Qin Yuanxi only noticed that he was holding the teacup just now. His mind became even more muddled, and when he took a big sip from the teacup, not only did it not relieve him, but it seemed to worsen the discomfort, an indescribable sense of unease and restlessness, and a feeling of heat in his breath.
“Young master?” Zhao Tuo also noticed his abnormality, “Let’s leave now.”
“Okay.” Qin Yuanxi felt a bit dizzy. He took two steps but his legs gave in. In the end, Zhao Tuo had to support him, and Qin Yuanxi only heard Zhao Tuo whisper something before he was placed on Zhao Tuo’s back.
A broad and sturdy back, Qin Yuanxi layed on Zhao Tuo’s back as he was carried through a few places. The cool breeze outside cleared his mind momentarily, and he patted Zhao Tuo’s shoulder, “Just leaving like this would let them off too easily. Isn’t there a granary over there? The northwest corner warehouse, let’s set it on fire before we go.”
This was Qin Yuanxi’s instinct. After all, that’s how it was usually portrayed in novels. When marching and fighting, food was essential. He didn’t care whether these people were real mountain bandits or fake ones, but their food supply was undoubtedly crucial. It wouldn’t hurt to destroy their granary while at it.
As for what Zhao Tuo said about the stationed general and the mission to deal with the bandits, Qin Yuanxi couldn’t think about so much at the moment.
So when the stationed general holding the token of General Zhengyuan led troops to enter the mountains to suppress the bandits, they could already see a sea of flames from afar, instantly drenching them in cold sweat.
“Hurry, rush to support His Majesty!”
Damn it, the Regent Prince went ahead to suppress the bandits, now how on earth were they going to explain this?
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
