Chapter 295: The Battle of Longyan (18)

With the activist civilian laborers taking charge, everything became much easier. They packed all the valuables from the Silver Vault into chests, sealed them with strips, and tied them onto the pack horses along with some other valuable odds and ends.

Once preparations were complete, the caravan guards began escorting the pack horse train down the mountain. This procession carried not only the goods and wealth, but also the mysterious figure Nan Wang, who returned to Xiancheng sitting on a sedan chair.

After the nearly two hundred men who stayed behind thoroughly searched the bandit stronghold again, about one hundred and fifty of them gradually shouldered all the bulk goods and headed down the mountain — grain, blades and spears, pots and pans, everything was taken away.

Among the final fifty who remained, the core consisted of two technical specialists Ding Liqiu had specifically sent from the Coal Mine Site, along with some coal miners.

These two were among the earliest Hangzhou immigrants to Dayuan. Nowadays, the first batch of literate immigrants, along with those who originally had technical skills and later diligently studied language and mathematics, have become specialists in every trade. They've taken out loans for houses, loans for wives — all of them are Success Persons now.

These two here today were BP Experts. When the pack horse train came up the mountain, it had hauled up materials from the mine.

After dividing the remaining fifty men into two crews, the BP Experts began directing their men to bury the charges.

There were two blasting points: one on the ridge in front of the stronghold gate, and the other at One Line.

The miners first used tools produced in the Kiln District — steel drill rods, crane-beak picks, and the like — to bore one row of blasting holes into the ridge. Then the technicians personally buried some Silica Clay in the holes.

This type of Dynamite was invented by Nobel and is extremely well-suited for mine use: absorbing Nitro Oil with Silica Clay yields an efficiency five times that of black powder. Although its power is less than pure Nitro Oil, the main drawbacks — Nitro Oil's sensitivity to shock and temperature, and the difficulty of transporting it — are also effectively eliminated.

After the Dynamite and Nitro Oil were buried, the men retreated to the One-Line Mountain Pass. The next moment, the charges were detonated.

A chain of booming, thunderous roars echoed through the endless wilderness. A column of dust and smoke shot up from the ridge, and great heaps of stone cascaded down like a waterfall, quickly Revealing an enormous breach over thirty meters long in the original spot.

Feeling the faint tremor beneath his feet, the technician who had silently counted the blasting holes shouted, "The last cannon didn't fire!" and then called for everyone to retreat into One Line.

If this were at the mine, someone would now have to go clear the malfunction — a clearance job with a very high fatality rate, where people often rode the Earth Plane. But today, this dud shell could be left alone. From this day forward, no one would ever come here again.

When the first crew withdrew into One Line, they discovered the second crew was also ready. So everyone continued retreating along the road. Once they reached a safe distance, they followed the same method and detonated One Line.

The road down the mountain was long, and the one who kept turning back at the rear of the column was Li Qianhu.

Watching the already blasted ruins of the One-Line Defile, a certain someone could not help but sigh repeatedly. The Yantou Stronghold Bandit Gang, whose vicious reputation had spread far and wide, whom he had never dared provoke — had been entirely poisoned to death by Short-Hairs' Double Agents just like that. The inside story, all its eerie and uncanny aspects, made him feel Cold and Shivering just thinking about it now.

What shook him even more was the BP Operation. From now on, even if someone else wanted to take up banditry on this mountain, it would be impossible to use this strategic pass to stage a comeback. This method of eliminating the roots and cutting the weeds was simply too bizarre, too extravagant, leaving Li Qianhu endlessly sighing in wonder.

The matter of Yantou Stronghold had, in truth, already been settled the moment those bandits raised their wine bowls. Everything after that was merely a mopping-up operation.

In fact, as a secondary front in the overall Bandit Suppression Campaign strategy, Yantou Stronghold had not been allocated many "Resources" — at most, just Nan Wang and some "Joint Defense Team members."

The Red Spear Camp, as the main force of the suppression campaign, had always focused its primary attention on Lin Shiwan's Bandit Gang at Duima Ridge. The remaining resources also had to be devoted to intelligence gathering, leaving little energy to spare for matters at Yantou Stronghold.

Fortunately, nothing went wrong. The "Chemist" comrade was very effective — over at Yantou Stronghold, they collectively kicked the bucket, greatly lightening the burden on the main force here.

Let us turn back time to yesterday morning, the moment Li Qianhu led the Joint Defense Team members on their Departure.

At that time, Wei Yuan hastily received Li Qianhu outside the Rear Palace, then handed him over to Ding Liqiu to deal with, before Wei Yuan himself hurried back to the Command Post.

The Command Post was a scene of bustling activity today: soldiers carrying great blades, long spears, and Bird Blunderbusses were everywhere; Staff Officers and clerks moved back and forth, forcefully creating an atmosphere of grim solemnity before battle.

After entering, Wei Yuan strode over to the table where the maps were laid out. He first nodded left and right in apology, then declared loudly: "Magistrate Li from the Thousand-Household Office has already led his men to Yantou Stronghold. If he does not seek outright victory, holding Ma Shixia at bay for these few days should not be difficult."

"Thus, the moment has arrived. The Red Spear Camp will Depart tomorrow morning, and attack Duima Ridge the morning after. This time, we are Determined to catch the Bandit Gang in one sweep and return peace and prosperity to the elders of Longyan!"

As these resounding words fell, Wei Yuan's fist Smashed down onto the map on the table, and a thick aura of an anti-Japanese war drama emanated from him.

At Wei Yuan's single command, the several squad and platoon leaders gathered around the table acknowledged the order in unison, making the entire script appear very professional — including the ancient-style maps on the table and walls, which lacked contour lines and any standard markings.

Seeing his subordinates' fighting spirit surging, Wei Yuan was very satisfied. He nodded, waved his hand to dismiss the meeting. Once everyone had dispersed, Wei Yuan summoned the only "N" person present at the meeting: Wang Yuanzai, Chief Wang Zhubao.

After stepping outside with Chief Wang Zhubao, Wei Yuan led him toward the parade ground while expressing his profound gratitude — during this period, Old Wang had clearly become the County Yamen's model army supporter, providing all kinds of vigorous support to the troops.

Wang Yuanzai, for his part, was naturally all modesty at this moment.

As they talked, the two arrived at one side of the parade ground: here sat two Bronze Cannons of the pounder type.

"Old Wang, these two great cannons were secretly transported here after dark, precisely to give Lin Shiwan a nasty surprise when we assault the bandit stronghold." Wei Yuan lightly patted the gleaming cannon barrel of the bronze cannon twice as he spoke. "You absolutely must not drop the ball tomorrow — the conscripted Civilian Laborers must give it their all!"

Wang Yuanzai chuckled in reply: "Rest assured, Great Boss. These laborers down below — so long as they're given sufficient Foot Money, there's not one who won't give it their all!"

"Hahaha." The two men laughed aloud together.

After discussing the cannon matter, they went to an inconspicuous side room in a side courtyard: the Double Agent Su Tieqiang was waiting inside.

Upon seeing Su Tieqiang, Wei Yuan first solemnly informed him that the troops would Depart tomorrow, then ordered him to swiftly return to the bandit stronghold to gather intelligence. When the Troops arrived tomorrow night, he was to find a way to make contact with the forces and report the bandits' latest movements.

Su Tieqiang immediately agreed without the slightest hesitation.

Highly satisfied with the Double Agent's attitude, Wei Yuan promptly produced a ten-tael Gold Ingot as a reward. Then, in front of Chief Wang Zhubao, Wei Yuan once again promised a large sum of Reward Silver. Thus, both host and guest were thoroughly pleased.

After sending off Chief Wang Zhubao and Su Tieqiang, Wei Yuan returned to the Command Post once more. By this time, Lin Dajin — the simple, honest chicken seller dressed in a neat homespun short robe — was already waiting for him.

Seeing Lin Dajin, Wei Yuan spoke to him gently: "Dajin, have you made up your mind? Tomorrow, on the way to Duima Ridge, are you willing to guide the army?"

Lin Dajin replied in a tone that showed he had long been Resolved: "This humble man owes his present life entirely to the General's grace. Tomorrow, Dajin will surely serve the General with all his might — no second words!"

Hearing this, Wei Yuan patted Lin Dajin's short shoulder with emotion: "Ah, it's still one's own people who are reliable. Dajin, rest assured, once the deed is done, I guarantee you'll have a hefty Reward Silver to take!"

"Many thanks, General." Lin Dajin knelt on the spot and kowtowed three times to Wei Yuan.

"Get up, get up." Wei Yuan bent down to help Lin Dajin to his feet, then said to him: "Go back and get ready. You'll spend tonight at the Military Camp and Depart with the column tomorrow."

After a pause, Wei Yuan added with a chuckle: "Come early — when you do, I'll let you watch a Shadow Play."

Lin Dajin nodded excitedly: he knew these Short-Hairs possessed a Glazed Slate, inside which were some vividly lifelike shadow figures — sometimes singing opera, sometimes fighting. Lin Dajin always managed to loiter and catch a few glances. He was no stranger to P.

With all preparations complete, the great show began.

At exactly midnight that night, Lin Dajin, who had just been watching a bit of Suppressing Bandits at Wulong Mountain on P, was roused from bed and brought to the Command Post.

The Command Post was already brilliantly lit.

And the moment Lin Dajin walked into the Command Post, he keenly noticed something unusual: all the Short-Hairs soldiers had switched to a Strange Arquebus made of a red-colored wood. The great blades, long spears, and Bird Blunderbusses he had grown familiar with these days had all vanished without a trace.

Upon seeing Lin Dajin, Wei Yuan, Sitting In the main seat, let out a long laugh and asked: "Brother Dajin, is everything settled at home?"

"Reporting to the General, everything is settled."

"Mm, looks like the brothers have coordinated well too." Wei Yuan said something odd, then nodded and signaled a subordinate to hold a P screen before Lin Dajin. "We're about to Depart — can't sleep. Let me treat you, brother, to another look at the shadow play."

"About to Depart? Wasn't it settled that we'd move out tomorrow?" Sensing something was off, Lin Dajin felt doubt in his heart, but because his established character was simple and honest, all he could do at this moment was flash a simple grin and glance up at the Glazed Slate.

After that one glance, Lin Dajin's face first filled with Panic and disbelief, then immediately afterward he caught himself, his expression quickly steadying. Having completed this high-difficulty face-changing act, Lin Dajin looked up at Wei Yuan as if nothing had happened at all.

Wei Yuan, meanwhile, leaned back in his chair and asked teasingly: "Wu, Master Wu, seeing the Great Boss right here, aren't you going to say hello?"

What was displayed on the screen was precisely the digital photograph of Ma Shixia, the Great Boss of Yantou Stronghold.

Lin Dajin's face at this moment was a complete mask of question marks, as if he simply had not understood a word Wei Yuan was saying.

Wei Yuan smiled and shook his head, then snapped his fingers. The next moment, Lin Dajin's voice from the Yantou Stronghold Bandit Gang meeting immediately came from inside.

"Th-this, this, this—" Hearing his own voice come out of the Shadow Play Box, the already incoherent Lin Dajin finally lost his composure.

"Blue was the spy I sent in. Chief Wu, your spy fell for it." Wei Yuan continued cheerfully, "Mm, let me tell you one more thing — the entire Yantou Stronghold gang has already been poisoned to death by the Blue Great Master, just this afternoon."

"Ah!" Knowing he had no chance of survival left, Lin Dajin made as if to lunge, but he was immediately knocked unconscious by the short club that smashed over from behind him.