Chapter 39: Negotiation and Deterrence

The arrival of Qian Gui and his fellow merchants was like a stone dropped into a calm lake.

Although they had temporarily settled in, the outside information they brought made Chen Wen even more vigilant.

Sure enough, after just a few days, new trouble came knocking.

That day at noon, the southern watchtower sent a signal again.

This time they were not refugees, but three men riding skinny horses, wearing askew hats, slinging waist knives, with a roguish air.

They swaggered to a spot a hundred paces outside Jiao Tu Zhen's gate.

The leader, a scarred brawny man, raised his voice and shouted toward the walltop:

"Hey! Person in charge inside, come out and answer!"

"We are from Black Wind Stronghold!"

"I heard things have been lively around here lately?"

"You've gotten hold of quite a few good things?"

"Our chief said, to make a living on this turf you gotta know the rules!"

"Each month you'll tribute three hundred shi of grain and fifty jin of salt, and Black Wind Stronghold will guarantee your safety!"

"Otherwise, hehe..."

The scarred man patted the knife at his waist, the threat obvious without words.

The militiamen on the walltop, hearing this, instantly glared with anger!

They all turned to look at Chen Wen and Zhang Cheng, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

Black Wind Stronghold is a medium-sized bandit force nearby, with several dozen members.

Usually they bully the scattered villages around, but I never expected they'd now extort Jiao Tu Zhen itself.

Zhang Cheng's face flushed red with anger, and he said in a low voice:

"Brother Wen, these scumbags! Let me take some men out and drive them off!"

Chen Wen's face remained calm; he raised a hand to stop Zhang Cheng.

His eightfold insight let him instantly judge that this was more like a probe.

They only sent three people, clearly not here to fight to the death, but to scout Jiao Tu Zhen's strengths and reactions.

"Open the gate, I'll go out and meet them."

Chen Wen said lightly.

"Zhang Cheng, take a squad of brothers and form up inside the gate, await my orders."

The village gate slowly opened; Chen Wen, alone and empty-handed, stepped out at a steady pace.

He wore no armor today, just a clean coarse cloth short jacket.

Yet his steps were steady, his eyes sharp, naturally exuding a dignified aura without anger.

Seeing only a young man step out, apparently the leader, the scarred man...

first stared in surprise, then showed a contemptuous smile:

"Yo? Just you? Kid, have you grown up yet? Can you call the shots?"

Chen Wen planted himself ten paces from them, calmly sweeping his gaze over the three.

Finally his gaze settled on the scarred man:

"I am the one in charge of Jiao Tu Zhen."

"I've never heard of Black Wind Stronghold's rules."

"Our grain and salt are saved bit by bit by the town's folk, earned with blood and sweat..."

"Why should we tribute you?"

The scarred man hadn't expected such firmness, and gave a feral grin:

"Why? Because of the knife in my hand!"

"If you're smart, you'll get your stuff ready quick, lest the old boys get violent—then not a chicken or dog will be left!"

Chen Wen's lips curled with a hint of coldness:

"Draw knives? Go ahead and try."

His words had not yet faded.

Suddenly, from behind the gate inside, came a unified, roaring shout:

"Kill!"

Only seen inside the gate, Zhang Cheng led twenty militiamen, holding gleaming spears or waist knives.

They formed two neat horizontal rows, eyes icy, killing intent surging as they stared outward.

These militiamen had undergone training and combat tempering under Chen Wen's eightfold effect.

Although their gear wasn't top-notch, they bore the fierce spirit and strict discipline forged in blood and fire!

Far beyond what ordinary bandits can match!

What further shocked the three scarred men was, on the walls on both sides,

who knows when dozens of archers appeared, bowstrings half-drawn.

Cold clusters of arrows glittered in the sunlight, locking them firmly in their sights!

In an instant!

The three scarred men felt as if countless venomous snakes were staring at them, their backs instantly drenched in cold sweat.

Their former arrogance vanished, faces turned ashen, and the hands gripping their knife hilts trembled slightly.

They had no doubt that, should this young man before them give a single order, they would instantly be shot into porcupines!

Chen Wen gathered his eightfold aura, his gaze like a blade's edge sweeping over the three:

"Black Wind Stronghold wants to collect protection money? Fine."

But we must follow the glossary: Chen Wen, Zhang Cheng, Liu Du Tou, Jiao Tu Zhen, Diligence Points, x Bonus.

We must use those exact English forms. Also need to translate other terms: Black Wind Stronghold, protection fee, and the word okay.

First ask if the weapons in the hands of me and these two hundred brothers behind me are willing.

Then ask if the dozens of strong bows on our wall are willing.

Get lost and tell your chief, Jiao Tu Zhen doesn't provoke trouble, but we're absolutely not afraid of it.

If you want to scheme against us, first weigh whether you have the teeth for it.

If you're tired of living, just bring your horses over.

His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried an undeniable resolve and a killing aura.

It clearly transmitted into the opponent's ears, and also reached the ears of every militiaman and townsman on the wall.

It makes people's blood boil, and also makes them shiver despite the cold.

The scar-faced man was so frightened his soul fled, not daring to utter a harsh word.

He stammered:

Good... good! You... you wait!

After saying that, he turned his horse's head.

He brought along two subordinates equally ashen-faced, fleeing in a sorry state at full gallop.

Afraid that if they slowed even a step, arrows would come shooting.

【Successfully intimidated the bandit envoy, displayed force and resolve, leadership charm and crisis handling ability increased (x Bonus)! Diligence Points (WP)+150!】

【Current WP: 5611】

Watching the three riders' dust fade, Chen Wen's gaze grew solemn. He knew this was only the beginning.

Although Black Wind Stronghold was scared off, they will definitely not let it rest.

The strength and prosperity displayed by Jiao Tu Zhen are like a bonfire in the night, attracting ever more covetous onlookers.

He turned back to the town, and in a low voice to the approaching Zhang Cheng and Madam Wang he said:

Strengthen defenses, double the patrol teams.

Tell everyone, good days are earned by ourselves, and also defended by ourselves!

Whoever wants to come loot must first step over our corpses!

Although the townsfolk were a bit nervous, what they felt more was the heroic spirit and unity aroused by Chen Wen's words just now.

With such a leader, such militiamen, they have nothing to fear!

However, Chen Wen knew clearly in his heart!

Greater storms likely still lie ahead.

That expanding Liu Du Tou is the true grave threat.

Now we need to output each line with 【N】 and translation. Ensure each translation on a single line.

After all lines, output names list:

First ask me and the two hundred brothers behind me if the weapons in our hands agree!

Then ask the dozens of hard bows on our wall if they agree!

Get lost and tell your boss, Jiao Tu Zhen doesn't provoke trouble, but we are absolutely not afraid of it!

If you want to scheme against us, first weigh whether you have the teeth for it!

If you're tired of living, just bring your horses over!

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable air of resolve and killing intent.

It clearly entered the opponent's ears, and also reached the ears of every militiaman and townsman on the wall!

It made people's blood boil, and also made them shudder.

The scar-faced man was so frightened his soul fled, not daring to utter a harsh word.

He stammered:

Good... good! You... you wait!

Having said that, he turned his horse's head.

With two subordinates equally ashen-faced, he fled in a sorry state, whipping his horse to gallop away.

Afraid that if he slowed even a step, arrows would come flying.

【Successfully intimidated the bandit envoy, displayed force and resolve, leadership charm and crisis handling ability increased (x Bonus)! Diligence Points (WP)+150!】

【Current WP: 5611】

Watching the dust of the three retreating figures, Chen Wen's gaze grew solemn. He knew this was only the beginning.

Although Black Wind Stronghold was frightened away, they will certainly not let it rest.

The strength and prosperity displayed by Jiao Tu Zhen are like a bonfire in the night, attracting ever more covetous ones.

He turned back to the town, and in a low voice said to Zhang Cheng and Aunt Wang who came to meet him:

Strengthen defenses, double the patrol teams.

Tell everyone, good days are earned by ourselves, and also guarded by ourselves!

Anyone who wants to come loot must first step over our corpses!

Although the townsfolk were a little nervous, what they felt more was the heroic spirit and unity aroused by Chen Wen's words just now.

With such a leader, with such militiamen, they have nothing to fear!

However, Chen Wen knew clearly in his heart!

Greater storms likely still lie ahead.

That expanding 'Liu Du Tou' is the true serious threat.