Chapter 63: Ambush

The sun kept rising, and the temperature slowly climbed.

Looking out, the low yellow-earth hills below stretched on endlessly, bare and entirely of yellow earth; the mountains and hills had very few trees or wild grasses, with only the occasional withered tree in sight. The sun beat straight down onto the yellow earth, and the heat surged upward, making people feel especially parched and hot, particularly since everyone was wearing thick, heavy armor at the moment.

Below the hill lay an official road, winding its way into the distance.

On this slightly elevated hill, Wang Dou was gazing far into the distance, the desolation of the northern lands spread out before his eyes.

Wang Dou wore the iron armor seized from the Later Jin army, which made his frame appear even more broad and solid; at his waist hung the heavy sword also taken from the Later Jin army, along with his bow and arrows. Beside Wang Dou, Han Chao, Han Zhong, Gao Shiyin, and Zhong Diaoyang all stood solemnly with hands on their blades, each also clad in iron armor. Nearby were their warhorses, snorting from time to time.

Behind these men, three squads of Jingbian Fort battle soldiers stood in solemn silence, arrayed in three rows. Not only did the several sword-and-shield men in each squad all carry shields and wear thick iron armor, but even the spearmen in each squad were today clad in iron armor and leather armor, every one of them fully armed.

Besides the three squads of battle soldiers, there was also a squad of fierce-looking men carrying various weapons, each holding a horse by the reins — they were the night scouts led by Han Chao.

Apart from Wang Dou, whose expression remained calm, everyone from officers to common soldiers had flushed red faces — whether from the sun or from excitement, none could tell — and they simply panted heavily, for soon they would carry out an earth-shaking deed.

The yellow earth all around was silent. Watching the sun climb higher and its rays grow fiercer, Wang Dou, who had stood motionless all this time, suddenly spoke: "Brother Han, are you certain that Du Zhen will truly pass this way?"

Han Chao stepped forward, clasped his fist, and said: "My lord, this humble one dares affirm that Du Zhen and his party will certainly pass along this official road!"

"This humble one has already investigated thoroughly. Du Zhen's newly taken concubine gave birth to a baby boy last month. Du Zhen has always doted on her and long ago declared that on the child's full-month day, he would hold a grand banquet in her home village of Wujiagou to celebrate. This humble one has received word that the full-month banquet is tomorrow, and Du Zhen will set out early this morning. On this journey, besides himself and his household retainers, his close followers — Wu Shan, Du Gong, Xiao Daxin, and Xie Ciyi — will all accompany him."

"From Shunxiang Fort to Wujiagou, this is the only official road. They have no other route but this one!"

Wang Dou gave a cold snort: "Perfect — we'll catch them all in one net!"

Since the die was cast, he would go all the way! Du Zhen was unrighteous, so he would be ruthless in return. Du Zhen wanted to move against him and seize his property, touching the deepest taboo in his heart — he would simply eliminate him physically and see who was more ruthless!

Once Wang Dou had decided to act, he had Han Chao carefully scout every detail of Du Zhen's situation. After learning that Du Zhen would head to Wujiagou today, Wang Dou decided to set an ambush along the road. After killing him, they could conveniently pin the blame on bandits. Lately, more and more bandits had been entering Bao'an Department, rampaging everywhere — they would make perfect scapegoats.

Han Chao was a night scout who had spent these years stationed at Shunxiang Fort and long since knew the surrounding terrain like the back of his hand. He suggested making the move here. Wang Dou had also surveyed the terrain: the official road was flanked on both sides by hills, and not far ahead and behind lay a valley mouth — once inside this place, escape would be difficult.

Moreover, for several li in every direction, this area was uninhabited. The nearest settlement, Fangjiagou, was over five li away, but at the end of last year, Fangjiagou had been massacred by bandits from Siliangliang and was now an empty stockade. This place was ideal for an ambush; there would be no accidental leaks of information.

For this operation, besides several combat-capable officers, Wang Dou had mobilized three squads of battle soldiers and one squad of night scouts. These men's interests were all tightly bound to Jingbian Fort, and they regarded Wang Dou as their master — their loyalty was beyond doubt. Moreover, their families all resided within Jingbian Fort, indirectly serving as hostages as well.

The group had traveled through the night to get here. To ensure absolute certainty, Han Chao's squad of night scouts would not join the battle but would be used for pursuit, to ensure every last one was killed and none escaped. Killing an official was no small crime; if even one man fled and word spread, it would cause a huge uproar, and at that point, Wang Dou would seemingly have no choice but to take to the hills as a bandit.

For this ambush, besides using bows and arrows, along with greatswords, spears, and other weapons, Wang Dou had no intention of using matchlocks. Jingbian Fort's matchlocks were far too distinctive and could easily be traced afterward. Bows, arrows, spears, and the like, however, were now in common use among bandits as well and would be far harder to investigate.

The sun climbed higher and higher. The Jingbian Fort party waited in silence. Near the hour of si, Wang Dou heard the sound of hoofbeats — Du Zhen and his men had arrived.

……

On the official road, Du Zhen rode a sturdy horse, leading his party forward.

Riding abreast with him were Wu Shan and Du Gong. Not far behind him, Xiao Daxin and Xie Ciyi each rode horses as well. Before and around them were the dozen or so household retainers Du Zhen kept at the fort, every man clad in armor. From the time they left Shunxiang Fort until now, the bumpy journey had left everyone somewhat weary, and with the fierce sun beating down on their bodies and faces, they all sweated continuously, struggling just to control their reins as they advanced.

Du Zhen wore iron armor. These past days, he had constantly felt as though someone was spying on him, giving him an ominous premonition. Coupled with the recent rampages of bandits, Du Zhen had come out today not only fully armed but also bringing all his household retainers from Shunxiang Fort.

Though the journey was tiring and carried the risk of encountering bandits on the road, Du Zhen was determined to go to Wujiagou this time. Holding the full-month banquet for his son was one reason, but most importantly, Du Zhen thoroughly enjoyed the envious and admiring looks others cast his way.

To have another son nearing forty — how could he not let others praise him a few times and let his concubine act coy before everyone? Besides, he was about to assume the post of Garrison Commander, which was also a very glorious matter. Although Wujiagou was only his new concubine's home village and not his own ancestral home, the prestige of returning home in glory was just the same.

It had not been easy. After enduring so many bitter years at Shunxiang Fort, he was finally about to sit in the Garrison Commander's seat. For this official post, how many years had he swallowed humiliation and borne heavy burdens? Thinking of past hardships, Du Zhen felt both like weeping and like bursting into loud laughter.

With joy in his heart, Du Zhen was unusually talkative today, and his usual haughty demeanor was considerably diminished.

He laughed loudly to Wu Shan beside him: "Garrison Chief Wu, today your sister holds the full-month banquet. As the uncle, have you prepared any gifts?"

Wu Shan rode his horse on Du Zhen's right, honored to ride stirrup-to-stirrup with him. His face was already wreathed in smiles, yet he still remained constantly attentive, glancing from time to time at Du Zhen's expression.

Now, upon hearing Du Zhen's words, he hastily put on an ingratiating smile and said: "It is all thanks to the Garrison Commander's cultivation that this humble one, a mere junior officer, can transfer to the post of Garrison Farm Officer at Jingbian Fort. As for my little sister, since she has joyfully borne a son, I, as the uncle, would spend my entire family fortune to prepare a generous gift. No question — her clothes and jewelry, the baby's clothes, hats, and toys, I simply bought the best from the finest shops in the department city. By my reckoning, it cost me over eight taels of silver."

Du Zhen roared with laughter: "As the uncle, you've truly broken the bank. But no matter — you're about to transfer to Jingbian Fort as Garrison Farm Officer, and Jingbian Fort grows ever more prosperous. You'll recoup this sum in the blink of an eye!"

Wu Shan grinned from ear to ear, saying repeatedly: "It is all the Garrison Commander's gracious favor that has allowed this humble one to reach this day."

Du Gong rode on Du Zhen's left. His short, stout frame on horseback looked just like a ball of meat. He cast an envious glance at Wu Shan, stroked his two sallow, rat-like whiskers, and said: "Come to think of it, that Wang Dou does have some ability. A pity he doesn't know how to adapt. When he hears he's being transferred to another fort, I truly wonder what expression he'll wear!"

Xie Ciyi rode a horse behind them. Hearing Du Gong's words, he called out loudly: "As they say, those who understand the times are heroes. Wang Dou doesn't know what's good for him — he deserves this retribution!"

Thinking back to the day he had gone to Jingbian Fort, Xie Ciyi grew angrier still. Hearing that Wang Dou was to be transferred, he secretly rejoiced in his heart, while at the same time calculating how to build good relations with the new Jingbian Fort Garrison Chief, Wu Shan. He wanted to set up a shop inside Jingbian Fort, and since Wu Shan, that scoundrel, now enjoyed the Garrison Commander's favor, he needed to get close to him.

Xiao Daxin had ridden beside Xie Ciyi the whole way with a sullen face. Throughout the journey, a smile had rarely crossed his face — whether this was his usual manner or he was scheming something sinister, none could tell. Now he said darkly: "I fear that Wang Dou is a desperate man, and the subordinates he's raised are no good sorts either. When the time comes, will he obediently transfer to another fort?"

At these words, Du Zhen's face darkened. Clearly, Wang Dou made him quite wary, especially after hearing his subordinates recount the strength of Jingbian Fort.

Wu Shan was displeased to hear this. He turned his head to glance at Xiao Daxin and called out loudly: "If Wang Dou doesn't obediently transfer to another fort, does he dare defy his superior's orders? Does he want to rebel?"

Hearing this, Du Zhen suddenly shuddered, but in an instant he acted as if nothing had happened, only stealing a glance at those around him.

Du Zhen had always valued his dignity before others; losing face would not do. Fortunately, everyone was hurrying along and had not seen his momentary lapse. Du Zhen secretly let out a breath.

The exchange between Xiao Daxin and Wu Shan silenced the group for a moment; clearly, their words had touched on a hidden worry in everyone's hearts. As they entered a hilly area and the official road grew narrower, Du Gong changed the subject and laughed: "They say bandits have been running rampant in Bao'an Department lately, yet along this whole journey, we haven't seen a single one!"

Wu Shan laughed: "That is all due to the Garrison Commander's awe-inspiring reputation — the bandits flee at the mere rumor of his approach!"

The group burst into loud laughter. Suddenly, a "Swoosh!" sounded, and a powerful arrow came flying straight at them, striking Wu Shan square in the chest and instantly knocking him off his horse.