Chapter 1659: Lu Nan and Yuan Ke

Just as the tension was mounting, a loud shout suddenly came from the entrance: "Stop arguing, Chief Lu is back!"

The moment these words were spoken, the clamorous atmosphere cooled somewhat. Everyone instinctively turned their gaze toward the entrance, where a tall, upright figure slowly emerged from the dim tunnel.

The newcomer was around thirty years old, with a short beard on his chin, a rugged face, and a futou headwrap atop his head. He wore a well-fitted brocade robe, and a piece of green jade was set into his belt. He looked less like a horse-bandit chieftain and more like a young master from a scholarly family. Yet, as if tempered by wind and frost, a sharp edge lurked between his brows, carrying an imposing aura that commanded respect.

This man was none other than the founder of the Mingsha Bandits, "Lu Nan."

With Lu Nan's return, the scene became strange and awkward. Even Gan Cheng, who had been shouting the loudest moments before, had his arrogance dampened. "Lu Nan" wore a grave expression, his sharp gaze sweeping across the crowd. After a long moment, he suddenly burst into laughter, as if unaware of what was going on, and asked: "What's all this? Why have all you chiefs and brothers gathered in such force, so indignant and incensed!"

Seeing this, Gan Cheng stepped out from the ranks and said directly: "Brother Lu, we've been trapped in this valley for months now. This doesn't match our original agreement. Brothers can't hide here forever, can they? You owe us an explanation! Also, what about those goods we seized back then? Shouldn't they be distributed by now? We brothers risked our lives, not to hide like rats and snakes in these desolate mountains. We're all about to go stir-crazy. You should show some understanding!"

Upon hearing this, "Lu Nan" narrowed his eyes slightly, nodded, and said with a light smile: "Well said, Brother Gan is absolutely right! We joined forces and pulled off that great deed—we've long since shared life and death. If brothers have concerns, they can be laid out openly. Why all this saber-rattling? If we're not careful, we'll only hurt our own harmony. Come now, put away your weapons!"

As he spoke, "Lu Nan" made a gesture, and many of his subordinates around him lowered their weapons. Seeing this, Gan Cheng likewise gave a signal and had his men put their weapons away.

"Let's all sit and talk!" "Lu Nan" stepped forward familiarly, grabbed a stool, and sat down with his long legs, then said to Gan Cheng and the others: "I can understand Brother Gan's feelings. My return to the mountain this time is precisely to discuss our next move with you brothers!"

"Oh!" Seeing "Lu Nan" so accommodating, Gan Cheng and the others relaxed their expressions and cupped their fists: "Please, speak!"

"Lu Nan" took his time, casually unhooking the wineskin at his waist and taking a drink, before speaking calmly: "This time I went out, I mainly sounded out the situation outside. The impact of the Kara-Khanid envoy incident—I'm sure I don't need to spell it out; you all know it well enough in your hearts.

It thoroughly enraged the imperial court. The official armies of the Hexi and Yulin circuits in the northwest have nearly emptied their garrisons to hunt down heroes of every stripe across the region. In just a few months, countless forces have been uprooted entirely. The heroes of the northwest have suffered grievous losses this time.

Therefore, you should all count yourselves fortunate. If not for this refuge, how many of you sitting here would have survived the court army's brutal suppression? That remains unknown.

However, after all this time, the official armies have grown somewhat exhausted. They've been returning to their garrisons one after another and easing off on the purges. The situation outside has improved, and the heat is gradually passing.

That's why I've returned to the mountain—to bring you brothers good news. We can leave the mountain now!"

"Is that true?" Hearing this, Gan Cheng's eyes lit up at once, somewhat taken aback.

"Lu Nan" smiled faintly and nodded: "Of course! As for the goods Brother Gan mentioned, it's time they were distributed among the brothers. Later, per our original agreement, each unit will share out the spoils!"

"Excellent! Brother Lu is indeed straightforward!" Gan Cheng burst into laughter, and the others chimed in with agreement.

"Lu Nan" continued: "Additionally, on my way back to the mountain, I took a trip to the Wen Pool in the northwest and found the defenses there lax—a fine place to strike. It's one of the most notable salt pools in the northwest, remote in location and lightly guarded. If we can raid it, we'll both strike another blow at the court and pocket a considerable fortune. Are you all interested?"

Upon hearing this news, Gan Cheng and the others exchanged glances, then said hesitantly: "We've long heard of the Wen Pool, but can we actually succeed?"

"Lu Nan" smiled faintly: "Brother Gan isn't getting cold feet, is he? We killed the Kara-Khanid envoy delegation and wiped out an entire company of Hexi official troops. A mere salt pool—what's there to fear?"

Stung by this goading, Gan Cheng's eyes widened, and he immediately declared: "It's just the Wen Pool! If Brother Lu plans and leads, I'll follow!"

"Excellent! Brother Gan truly is a hero who roams the Gobi!" "Lu Nan" clapped his hands: "Everyone here bears a blood grudge against the court. At this point, only by uniting and working together can we survive in this great northwest. United we live, divided we die—I hope you all understand this principle. As for the minor frictions from before, let's not dwell on them!"

The Tale of the Immortal Tree

"Brother Lu is so principled and righteous—I have nothing more to say!" Gan Cheng chuckled.

"Also, knowing how hard life has been in the mountains, I've brought back fifty jars of fine wine, stored in the stronghold, for all brothers to drink their fill. Later, bring out all the grain in the stronghold—we'll celebrate! Tomorrow, pack your gear, ready your weapons and horses, and leave the mountain to pursue great things together!"

"Hear, hear!"

A dispute among the rebel bandits was dissolved by Chief "Lu Nan's" few words. Soon, the entire camp grew lively, preparing for a hearty meal and a bout of heavy drinking.

"Lu Nan" walked over to the scholar. Compared to the composed and magnanimous demeanor he showed before outsiders, "Lu Nan's" face now wore a slightly sinister look.

"If the chief hadn't returned in time, I fear I couldn't have held these fierce bandits in check!" the scholar sighed in relief.

"You've worked hard, Master Zhang!" "Lu Nan" said consolingly upon hearing this: "These men are all unruly and defiant types, the hardest to keep in line. Holding them down for this long is already quite an achievement!"

Master Zhang nodded, recalling the negotiation just now, and said with a slightly grave expression: "Chief, has the situation outside truly eased?"

"Lu Nan" smiled bitterly: "Not that easily. By killing that envoy delegation, we've stabbed the court where it hurts. They won't simply let it go. If they can't catch us ringleaders, no matter how many horse bandits they wipe out, the northwest authorities will have a hard time answering to the court. Especially those bloodhounds of the Wude Office—they have keen noses and won't let a single clue slip. They're determined to find us. Outside is anything but safe."

"If that's the case, then why did the chief...?" Master Zhang couldn't help but ask, puzzled.

"You saw how Gan Cheng's lot behaved just now. If I hadn't taken measures to appease them, we'd likely have had a mutiny on our hands!" "Lu Nan" said quietly.

Master Zhang fell silent, then asked: "We still need a solution. After we leave the mountain, what does the chief have in mind?"

"Lu Nan" pondered for a moment, his gaze growing increasingly dark. After a long pause, he said coldly: "These horse bandits may be fierce, but they don't obey discipline. In the end, they're nothing but roving bandits and swarming ants—they can't accomplish anything great. Our alliance was only ever a means to an end. Now that the deed is done, continuing to work with them only increases our danger! As for attacking the Wen Pool—that's a path to certain death, merely a tale to deceive them!"

"The chief plans to shake them off?" Master Zhang frowned, seeming troubled.

"Lu Nan" said calmly: "Not just shake them off—I intend to settle this whole mess once and for all!"

Hearing this, Master Zhang couldn't help but start: "The chief means to...?"

"Lu Nan" instructed in a low voice: "Notify our people. During tonight's celebration, keep everyone in check—no one is allowed to get drunk. Also, there are some narcotics in the storehouse..."

At this, Master Zhang could hardly fail to grasp "Lu Nan's" intentions. His brows knit tightly, and he said hesitantly: "These men are all stout fellows, each one fierce and formidable. Isn't it a pity to...?"

"If they can't be used by me, then they'll only become a menace! They committed such a great crime yet have no self-awareness at all. They couldn't even endure a few months—how could they last long!" "Lu Nan" said disdainfully.

To this, Master Zhang had to concede, cupping his fists in obedience.

After thinking it over, he asked again: "May I ask what the chief plans to do next?"

"Lu Nan" pondered for a moment, a slight smile curling at the corners of his mouth, and said: "Naturally, I'll find another place to lie low and bide my time! I knew the Kara-Khanid envoy incident would cause a huge uproar, but I never imagined it would have this much impact.

Now, the Kara-Khanid state, using the envoy incident as a pretext, has indeed grown restless, stirring up trouble in the Western Regions. Conflicts between the two states are constant, and war may well break out again. As for Hexi, a whole host of civil and military officials have been toppled. The court has executed many people, and the Hexi officialdom is shaken to its core—utter chaos.

One could say that our little Mingsha Bandits have already shifted the entire balance of the northwest. For that alone, we can be proud..."

"Especially since the court still can't catch us!" Master Zhang chuckled as well. He had contributed greatly to planning the attack on the Kara-Khanid envoy delegation.

"Lu Nan" mulled it over further, then instructed: "We can't stay here any longer either! Once this business is settled, have the brothers leave the mountain in batches and melt into the populace. Without Gan Cheng and his lot, we'll present a smaller target and be easier to hide.

Winter is coming, and the court army's movements will inevitably slow down. Once we weather this winter, we'll be even safer. Master Zhang and some of the brothers will return with me to Binzhou to lie low and await our moment.

The northwest is rife with contradictions—the situation grows ever more complex and ever more chaotic. For us, the more chaos, the better. The more I think on it, the more I feel great things are within reach!

Men like us will never find real opportunity in the court. Even if we did, after decades of grinding away, we'd be lucky to become a mere prefectural clerk. If we want wealth and honor, we have to carve it out ourselves!"

"Lu Nan's" plain words were filled with ambition. Though Master Zhang was infected by them, he hesitated for a moment before finally sighing: "It's just that the court is truly too powerful..."

"The court may be vast, but it's slow to react! Elsewhere, there may be little chance of success, but in the northwest—heh heh..." "Lu Nan" said confidently: "My family moved to the northwest twenty years ago. We've suffered plenty, but we've also come to understand this land. This is a place heaven has set aside for heroes to accomplish great deeds!"

Master Zhang said no more. Having boarded "Lu Nan's" ship, there was no getting off now. He could only steel himself and follow the road to its dark end.

That night, under "Lu Nan's" arrangement, an internal purge unfolded methodically. The core members of the Mingsha Bandits, under his personal command, slaughtered the old brigands and fierce outlaws to the last. Most lost their lives in a drunken stupor. Gan Cheng, who had made the court's wanted list, died a rather stifling death—when his head was chopped off, he was still clutching a wine jar.

Immediately after, amid the thick stench of blood, the remaining hundred-odd Mingsha Bandits broke into small groups and withdrew from Helan Valley.

"Lu Nan" was not actually called "Lu Nan"—it was merely an alias. His real name was Yuan Ke, originally from Jurong County in the Jiangnan circuit, where his family had been local gentry and strongmen.

Twenty years ago, when the court pacified the south and Jiangnan was recovered, during that great relocation targeting the landed gentry, the Yuan family naturally became an insignificant drop in the tide of the era. Their properties were scattered to the winds, and the entire household was relocated and resettled in Binzhou under the Guanzhong circuit.

To this day, nearly twenty years have passed. Twenty years was enough time for the Yuan clan to blend into the northwestern region, and enough for a green youth to grow into a hero—except that this hero, from childhood to adulthood, harbored a severe anti-Han mentality, and especially after his parents passed away one after another, he had even fewer burdens and attachments.

Of course, among the many powerful Han clans relocated to the frontier, those like Yuan Ke who harbored dissatisfaction toward the court were not few—but those who dared to translate that dissatisfaction into actual action were truly rare.

Through ten years of careful management, Yuan Ke had quietly built up a force among the common folk, actively traveling about, making friends far and wide, and forging connections in every direction. Because he was bold and generous by nature, he even had friends among the officialdom who lent him support.

He had even begun to organize armed bands like the Mingsha Bandits—as for rabble like Gan Cheng, they were merely tools to be used.