Chapter 15: Hua Yin Lurks with a Million Troops

  Shi Jin looked at everyone kowtowing on the ground, and if he still pretended to be modest at this point, it would only make him appear hypocritical and ungrateful. Shi Jin was naturally straightforward, thinking that as long as he could live up to the expectations of his brothers in the future, it wouldn't be a shame to let them make him their leader. So he quickly helped the three brothers up and told everyone to get up.

  Everyone saw Shi Jin like this, although he didn't say much, but each of them knew in their hearts that this was a promise. With such a strong man joining the partnership and leading the brothers to fight together, with the wealthy Shi family's support behind him, not to mention that life would become more and more prosperous, even if the government soldiers came again, they wouldn't be afraid of him.

  Everyone in the Shaohua Mountain was delighted, at least now they have something to look forward to. As soon as they thought about making a big splash and achieving great things on the rivers and lakes, having a day of triumph, somehow, the excitement in their hearts turned into boundless energy, even if for the time being, they didn't know where to apply it.

  This matter was settled in this way. After the ceremony, Shi Jin was led by Zhu Wu and others from inside to outside, examining the majestic Mount Shihuashan.

  Originally, the Shouhua Mountain was divided into two jurisdictions: the front mountain and the back mountain. The back mountain was where the families of the mountain stronghold lived, as well as the logistics supply depot for food, grass, and troops. It was a very important place. Therefore, there was only one small mountain path that led directly to the back mountain.

  The small road is not steep, but it's so narrow that three people can't walk side by side. The path winds its way up, with a watchtower every few hundred steps. Halfway up the mountain, there's a mountain pass gatehouse, with an arrow tower on either side, guarded extremely tightly. From here, exiting the gate and descending the mountain, after going twenty li, you can arrive at Shijiazhuang.

  In front of the village, there are departments and offices that maintain the operation of the mountain stronghold, arranged in a radial pattern with the Gathering Hall as the center. On one side, there is a large flat area that can accommodate thousands of people, which is used for daily training of soldiers. To the right is the Point General Platform.

  In front of the village and down, it was built with large bluestone slabs. There were many arrow towers on both sides, and the camp was surrounded by a gate at the halfway point. The arrow tower was arranged in a horn-shaped formation, and further down was the mountain gate, which had a forward sentry pass and two camps guarding it. From here, you can go up to the main road, and heading south is Huayin County.

  As the history progressed, roughly around this Shouhua Mountain and within a radius of ten miles were all clear in his mind. He then led the crowd back to the camp, gathered all the leaders, big and small, and had them sit in order in the side hall. He transformed Master Wang's various military tactics into flexible strategies, picked out the key points and told everyone, and arranged deployments for the next few days' defense and construction matters.

  On the same day in the afternoon, the troops were redeployed. Soon after Chen Dalin was ordered to defend Shijiazhuang, 300 strong men from Shijiazhuang arrived at the village and stored 500 dan of rice in the warehouse. Then, under Zhu Wu's command, they started repairing the fortifications from the front gate of the outer camp, using bricks and stones to reinforce both the inner and outer walls, increasing the thickness by two zhang and the height by ten chi. The repairs continued all the way to the back mountain gate, including the watchtower. Tens of thousands of workers were organized by Zhu Wu in an orderly manner, and it was expected that the work would be completed in about seven or eight days.

  In Shijiazhuang, when Chen Da arrived, the people of Shijiazhuang had already started building a fence according to the blueprint. Chen Da chose several important places and set up camp. On the third day, Shi Si Shu brought back pig iron from Heigouzi, one cart after another, like a coiled snake, arriving at the village. From then on, the sound of clanging metal echoed through the night, as they worked in shifts, the noise carrying far and wide.

  Huayin County Government Office

  "Old master, the Shi family village has indeed surrendered to Shao Huashan. In just a few days, they have built a stronghold in Shi family village, not only stationing Shao Huashan's ruffians but also day and night manufacturing weapons. It seems like they really are going to rebel!"

  County Magistrate Liu was drinking tea and listening to this report, his heart suddenly racing with anger, he took a deep breath and choked, coughing repeatedly. He had something to say but couldn't get it out. A nearby maid saw him and rushed over to pat his back to help him catch his breath, but unexpectedly, she was pushed away by County Magistrate Liu in his agitation.

  County Magistrate Liu glared at County Captain Sun, who had come to report, and after a pause, scolded: "What's the use of saying all this? By now, who doesn't know they're rebelling? Do I need you to tell me?" County Magistrate Liu hastily stood up, walked around with his hands behind his back, and muttered to himself: "But why hasn't the Huazhou Prefectural Governor made a move yet?"

  A few days ago, I had already written the document and sent it up through someone. Could there be some omission or mistake in it? Magistrate Liu's mind turned over twice, feeling very uneasy, so he hastily returned to his study. After a short while, he rushed out again, dressed and ready to go. One hand tightly grasped a sealed letter, the other held a brocade pouch.

  He walked up close and carefully handed the letter to County Magistrate Sun, saying seriously: "You must set off immediately, personally deliver the documents to the prefectural governor, don't go through the yamen, you must directly submit it to the prefecture." As he spoke, he also handed over the brocade pouch to County Magistrate Sun's hands. County Magistrate Sun weighed it in his hand, roughly several tens of taels of silver. Such a reward made him feel delighted and eager to set off immediately.

  County Magistrate Sun thought to himself, County Magistrate Liu said at this point: "Here are thirty taels of silver, you take it and give some to the gatekeeper and the little messenger who transmitted the message, ask for a letter of introduction and then come back. There is another matter arranged."

  Sun County Magistrate only realized then that he had misinterpreted the situation due to his own one-sided feelings. It was like a basin of cold water being poured over his head. Just as he was momentarily stunned, Liu County Commander became impatient and angrily shouted: "Still not leaving quickly!"

  Sun County Magistrate quickly stepped out of the government office, thinking to himself: If I had abandoned you that night at Shi Family Village, how would you have survived until today and still be so arrogant? What's more, without my silver, first taking ten taels from me, what else can you do? With such resentful thoughts, he returned home to drink tea, then mounted his horse and slowly set off on the road.

  Hua Prefecture

  Huazhou Prefect Wang Yuantong was sitting at the top of the meeting hall, holding a cup and saucer, his eyes slightly closed, taking a light sip, savoring the flavor, looking very carefree. The several military officers sitting below him were staring blankly at the ground, their faces numb and quietly waiting.

  In the council hall, only the majestic soldier sitting below the prefect spoke up: "Those thieves are nothing to be feared now, they're just some street rascals, why must the prefect be so cautious!"

  Wang Yuantong slowly put down his cup and said, "Director Meng, the bandits have taken over Shijiazhuang. Originally, it wasn't a big deal, but last time you and I transferred that Li guy, and we lost many men and horses. The Tuanlian Envoy has already questioned us about this. If there's another mistake, not only will our official hats be lost, but we'll also be punished and exiled. Isn't that just asking for trouble?"

  Meng Du's mind was racing, and upon hearing this, he indeed couldn't help but consider his own situation first. He said: "Although it is said that way, shrinking back like a turtle isn't an option either. In the future, when they become powerful, we will definitely be blamed by those above!"

  Wang Yuantong listened and instead of looking worried, he smiled: "Don't worry, today we gather everyone here, it's for this. I have a plan, come."

  As soon as Wang Yuntong's face turned mysterious, Meng Dujuan quickly leaned in closer.

  The soldiers below looked at the two whispering, and Meng Du's face gradually became joyful, but it was unknown what they were saying. Only to hear Meng Du finally clasped his fists and said: "The prefect's wonderful plan will bring peace to the world! I'll go take care of it now." And with that, he led the soldiers away.

  As soon as the two military officers left, only Wang Yuan Tong was left in the council hall. He looked at Meng's back view going far away and thought to himself: "Meng, you pretend to be obedient on the surface, this time I will let you know my ability!"