Chapter 478: Those Who Can Be Saved Must Be Saved
Chapter 473 of "The Great Ming in the Box" opens showing developments: Several leaders jumped at the news. âWang Jiayinâs main force has reached Qinshui County.âQinshui County... Keep reading!
Several leaders jumped at the news. âWang Jiayinâs main force has reached Qinshui County.âQinshui County wasnât far from the ancient ferry dock at all.
Bandits werenât a tightly organized group. Whenever Wang Jiayinâs main force arrived somewhere, other factions like Zijin Liang (Wang Ziyong), King of Disruption, Old Nan Feng, Luo Rucai (Cao Cao), Nan Ying Eighth Great King, Xi Ying Eighth Great KingâŚwere usually scattered across hundreds of miles nearby. These commandersâ troops never traveled with the main force, but never strayed too far either; hundreds of thousands bandits roamed across hundreds of miles.
Xing Honglang unrolled a map and her expression darkened. âOur Nitrifying Pond is in danger.â
There were no soldiers stationed at the Nitrifying Pond. Only a large group of salt craftsmen had secretly built a salt village there, working to harvest salt. Due to its remote location, the officials didnât bother them. But bandits were entirely different. Bandits loved hiding in desolate areas to avoid soldiers and would easily discover the salt village. Those craftsmen werenât safe.
âWe cannot evacuate the salt craftsmen,â Zhao Sheng declared. âThe alkali production factory in Gaojia Village demands huge amounts of salt. Supply must not be interrupted. So we canât remove them. But leaving them at the Nitrifying Pond during such a crisis puts them at great risk.â
Zao Ying spoke up, âI can lead the unit there first. Let the cavalry camp temporarily garrison at the salt village to protect the craftsmen. If small groups of bandits appear, I can eliminate them. If a large force approaches, I can get the craftsmen on horses and escape.â
âA fine plan!â Xing Honglang agreed. âWe entrust it to you. I will lead the infantry troops to follow.â
Zao Ying clasped her fists, left the camp, and gathered her three hundred cavalry troops. They raced like the wind toward the Nitrifying Pond. As they galloped, an unusual Clattering Sound accompanied the horsesâ movements. She turned and saw a puppet deity perched upon her horseâs tail, bobbing with its gait. Wooden parts of the puppet deity collided, creating the clatter.
Zao Ying startled greatly. âAh! Deity! When did you climb onto the horse?â
Li Daoxuan replied, âWhen you mounted.â
âWarn me next time, little girl! I would never let you sit on the horseâs rear! Iâd seat you in front, holding you securely with the utmost care.â
Li Daoxuan thought: Thatâs precisely why I sat back here. I didnât want a female gorilla embracing me. Imagine that sightâa massive female gorilla cradling a wooden puppet. Sounds like a nightmare come true!
He wouldnât utter such hurtful words directly. Lightly, he stated, âI prefer sitting here. Do not trouble yourself over it.â
Slightly flustered, Zao Ying said, âBut departing with me means the ancient ferry dock has no statue of you again. Without the Deityâs blessing, everyone will feel uneasy.â
Li Daoxuan assured her, âThey will make another one.â
Zao Ying nodded and fell silent, urging her horse onward. With the Deity riding behind her, she felt tense and an increased sense of responsibility.
After a strenuous journey, the Nitrifying Pond came into sight. Months of development had significantly built up the salt village beside it. Several thatched huts stood, alongside ponds dug for salt harvesting. A flimsy defensive bamboo fence encircled the village.
The salt made here was directly purchased by Gaojia Village at ten coins per poundâfive times more than the two coins the officials gave them. Payment could also be made in grain instead of coin. This arrangement spurred intense motivation for the craftsmen working.
Upon seeing Zao Yingâs cavalry unit arrive, the craftsmen swarmed her, calling out greetings simultaneously: âBoss Zao is back!â
âBoss Zao! Greetings!â
âWow! So many cavalry troops this time! Has something happened?â
âAre the officials coming?â
Alarmed by the cavalryâs size, the craftsmen knew trouble likely brewed.
Relieved to find the craftsmen unharmed, Zao Ying announced, âYour safety is our primary concern. Wang Jiayinâs massive troop has arrived at Qinshui County, only two hundred miles away. Boss Xing worries for your safety and sent me here to protect you.â
Deeply touched, the craftsmen expressed their gratitude, âWe are beyond grateful to Boss Xing for guarding us. With your protection here, we should be safe. But perhaps, the craftsmen brothers still at Jie PondâŚthey are the ones truly vulnerable. Jie Pond is a major target.â
Zao Yingâs heart skipped a beat. Thatâs right! While soldiers were stationed at Hedong Road next to Jie Pond, their combat prowess under the salt tax office was negligible. Wang Jiayin could crush them effortlessly. Bandits likely lacked salt too; theyâd likely plunder Jie Pond. What can be done?
As Zao Ying pondered, the puppet deity suddenly uttered, âDispatch scouts to monitor Jie Pond. Should Hedong Roadâs officials fail to protect them, the salt craftsmen might get massacred. We must lend assistance. Ordinary people within our capability to saveâwe must not turn our backs on them.â
Zao Yingâs spirits surged at his command. âFollowing the divine decree!â
Scouts were soon sent. Because Jie Pond stretched miles long, a single scout couldnât effectively monitor it. A whole squad of ten experienced scouts, all skillful in archery and horseback riding, were deployed. Donning light clothing and armed with light sabers and bows, they hurried toward Jie Pond. Arriving at the scene, the vast Jie Pond appeared calm for now; no sign of bandit activity. The scouts dispersed immediately, scattering to cover different areas alongside Jie PondâŚ
Meanwhile, at Hedong Road.
Iron Bird Flies swaggered around a military camp with his eighteen followersâan unusual sight for a salt smuggler. Incredibly, the officials treated him courteously, clasping their fists upon his arrival. âBoss Iron! Salutations!â
âWhere have you been prospering lately, Boss Iron?â
âNext time you trade salt, remember to share the benefits with your brothers!â
Iron Bird Flies returned their fist-clasping salutations, a fake smile plastered across his face. âRest assured! What feast Boss Iron enjoys shall never starve you brothers!â
The officials laughed heartily. Iron Bird Flies internally recoiled, cursing them as a bunch of greedy crooks. He entered the salt tax officeâs residence. The presiding officer lounged in a grand chair. Upon seeing Iron Bird Flies enter, his expression brightened as though beholding a sizable silver ingot. âOh! Master Iron graces my presence anew! Any profitable deals we discuss today?â