Chapter 192

The ninth day.

Translation: "The ninth day."

The news that Horse Shop County had fallen reached Hu Shan Cheng, instantly sparking a massive uproar.

The news that Horse Shop County had been captured reached Hu Shan Cheng, and in an instant it stirred up a huge wave of shock.

The news that Horse Shop County had been captured reached Hu Shan Cheng, and in an instant it stirred up a huge wave of shock.

What?!

Translation: "\"What?! \""

Horse Shop County has been seized by a group calling themselves the Verdant Army!

"Horse Shop County has been taken over by a bunch of people calling themselves the Verdant Army!"

We're doomed—someone here is rebelling!

Translation: "\"We're doomed, someone's rebelling here! \"" Or "It's over, we have rebels here!" We'll translate: "\"It's over, we've got rebels here! \"" Keep tone.

What's there to fear? We can barely get by in this world.

Translation: "\"What's there to fear? This world is barely livable anyway.... \""

Such news can't be contained; people fleeing the outskirts of Horse Shop County will spread the word, and throughout Hu Shan Cheng everyone is talking about it.

Such news cannot be blocked; people fleeing the outskirts of Horse Shop County will spread the word, and throughout Hu Shan Cheng everyone is talking about it.

Yan Buji gave a faint smile and went straight to Li Fang's residence.

Yan Buji smiled faintly and went straight to Li Fang's residence.

By the time he returned, Li Fang had already gone to the gate to greet him personally, and immediately invited him inside.

Translation: "By the time he arrived again, Li Fang had already personally gone to the gate to greet him, and immediately invited him inside."

"Yan Sir..." Li Fang looked at Yan Buji with a complex expression.

Translation: "\"Yan Sir... \" Li Fang looked at Yan Buji with a complex expression."

If Jia Zhen hadn't come in person two days ago to tell me about this and let me know that Yan Wang possessed combat ability beyond that of an ordinary officer, then upon hearing that someone had rebelled, I would have immediately prepared to flee with my family.

If Jia Zhen hadn't come in person two days ago to tell me about this, and also let me know that Yan Wang possessed combat ability beyond that of an ordinary officer, then upon hearing that someone had rebelled, I would have immediately prepared to flee with my family.

But on second thought, given Yan Wang's insight, he could hardly be just a peasant.

Translation: "But upon further thought, since Yan Wang has such insight, he could hardly be called a mere peasant."

Besides, his martial prowess is evident—perhaps we could actually get involved in the mine's business?

Besides, his martial prowess is evident—perhaps we could actually get involved in the mine's business?

"Li Fang, I know you have many worries now. But I want to tell you that living in this world means taking a gamble. Do you think the Governor would want those connected to him to be weak? At least you ought to give the Governor a good impression."

"Li Fang, I know you have many worries now. But I want to tell you that living in this world means taking a gamble. Do you think the Governor would want those connected to him to be weak? At least you ought to give the Governor a good impression."

"Or else, Li Fang, you guard this little plot of Hu Shan Cheng, and now there are rebels—forcing you to flee your home and rely on others; how could staying at home be comfortable?"

"Or else, Li Fang, you guard this little plot of Hu Shan Cheng, and now there are rebels—forcing you to flee your home and rely on others; how could staying at home be comfortable?"

After Yan Buji's two sentences, Li Fang's expression shifted.

After Yan Buji's two sentences, Li Fang's expression shifted.

On one hand it's about climbing the social ladder, on the other it's about the family's foundation, and most importantly, if we believe he can truly suppress the Verdant Army rebellion, then the mine represents an endless source of wealth!

On one hand it's about climbing the social ladder, on the other it's about the family's foundation, and most importantly, if we believe he can truly suppress the Verdant Army rebellion, then the mine represents an endless source of wealth!

Together, these three things are the secret to a family's lasting prosperity!

Translation: "Put together, these three are the secret to a family's enduring prosperity!"

Li Fang gritted his teeth: "What does Yan Sir need this old man to do?"

Li Fang gritted his teeth: "What does Yan Sir need this old man to do?"

"Give me money and wealth, and I'll ward off disaster and bring you blessings." Yan Buji said with a smile.

Translation: "\"Give me money and wealth, and I'll ward off disaster and bring you blessings. \" Yan Buji said with a smile."

"How much?"

Translation: "\"How much? \""

"Let's go with the rations for a hundred men for three months." Yan Buji said.

"Let's go with the rations for a hundred men for three months." Yan Buji said.

"Impossible! I can't come up with that much money!" Li Fang's face darkened—was he really treating himself as a sucker?

"Impossible! I can't come up with that much money!" Li Fang's face darkened—was he really treating himself as a sucker?

Yan Buji chuckled: "Li Fang, don't rush—I didn't say you have to pay alone; you can bring in a few partners. After all, can the Fang family alone easily swallow such a huge venture as the mine and then profit smoothly?"

Yan Buji chuckled: "Li Fang, don't rush—I didn't say you have to pay alone; you can bring in a few partners. After all, can the Fang family alone easily swallow such a huge venture as the mine and then profit smoothly?"

As soon as Yan Buji said that, Li Fang's eyes lit up instantly.

As soon as Yan Buji said that, Li Fang's eyes lit up instantly.

If we consider the profits after acquiring the mine, then indeed his family alone couldn't consume it all.

If we consider the profits after acquiring the mine, then indeed his family alone couldn't consume it all.

There's definitely a share for the Governor in this; otherwise, without official backing, who would dare to privately mine ore?

There's definitely a share for the Governor in this; otherwise, without official backing, who would dare to privately mine ore?

And with this connection, even if we bring in a few partners, we'd still be in charge—no fear of not making money!

"In that case, sir, give me two days and I'll surely gather the full rations for you!"

"In that case, sir, give me two days and I'll surely gather the full rations for you!"

"With someone like Li Fang, a loyal subject who loves his country, saving the people from water and fire, our Great Xuan will surely be able to rally again!" Yan Buji said with a smile.

"With someone like Li Fang, a loyal subject who loves his country, saving the people from water and fire, our Great Xuan will surely be able to rally again!" Yan Buji said with a smile.

Li Fang thought to himself, "Yan Wang really is a remarkable person; it's rare to meet someone so shameless in speech."

Li Fang thought to himself, "Yan Wang really is a remarkable person; it's rare to meet someone so shameless in speech."

With Li Fang's support, Yan Buji quickly secured the rations and began recruiting troops and buying horses.

With Li Fang's support, Yan Buji quickly secured the rations and began recruiting troops and buying horses.

Yan Buji held the title of Centurion, and with the uprising of the rebel army in Horse Shop County, recruiting troops was not difficult; soon he gathered a group of able-bodied youths from the nearby villages.

Yan Buji held the title of Centurion, and with the uprising of the rebel army in Horse Shop County, recruiting troops was not difficult; soon he gathered a group of able-bodied youths from the nearby villages.

These able-bodied youths originally didn't want to join the army—who would send their good sons off to die?

No choice—Yan Buji was offering too much.

No choice, Yan Buji was offering too much.

As for weapons and equipment, Yan Buji also began commissioning the blacksmiths in the city and nearby villages, gathering them together and demanding they produce the gear within a month!

As for weapons and equipment, Yan Buji also began commissioning the blacksmiths in the city and nearby villages, gathering them together and demanding they produce the gear within a month!

"Don't blame me for not warning you—if you delay suppressing the rebels, I can't guarantee the gear on your shoulders will stay on you!" Yan Buji gave a cold chuckle.

"Don't blame me for not warning you—if you delay suppressing the rebels, I can't guarantee the gear on your shoulders will stay on you!" Yan Buji gave a cold chuckle.

Flying the official banner, these blacksmiths naturally dared not defy.

But Yan Buji had only obtained the rations, and if he also had to purchase weapons and equipment, plus the conscription expenses, it would not be enough to sustain three months.

But Yan Buji had only obtained the rations, and if he also had to purchase weapons and equipment, plus the conscription expenses, it would not be enough to sustain three months.

However, Yan Buji didn't need much time; after training these farmers for half a month, he planned to lead them to join forces with the government punitive troops from a few other counties.

However, Yan Buji didn't need much time; after training these farmers for half a month, he planned to lead them to join forces with the government punitive troops from a few other counties.

The County Magistrate of Hu Shan Cheng, having received the news, had already begun arranging this; seeing that Yan Buji intended to go, he naturally assigned the task to him.

The County Magistrate of Hu Shan Cheng, having received the news, had already begun arranging this; seeing that Yan Buji intended to go, he naturally assigned the task to him.

"Brother Yan, the Verdant Army has a full thousand troops; even if we add the garrisons of a few other counties, we'd only have four or five hundred, and besides, the one commanding the troops this time isn't my father—going there would likely cause more trouble." Jia Zhen implied.

"Brother Yan, the Verdant Army has a full thousand troops; even if we add the garrisons of a few other counties, we'd only have four or five hundred, and besides, the one commanding the troops this time isn't my father—going there would likely cause more trouble." Jia Zhen implied.

Yan Buji smiled faintly: "Since I dared to make that promise to you all, I naturally don't fear the battlefield!"

Yan Buji smiled faintly: "Since I dared to make that promise to you all, I naturally don't fear the battlefield!"

It's not a question of fear—you've only trained this briefly; what if the commander looks down on you and uses you as expendable cannon fodder?

Could you really single-handedly wipe out an entire army?

Jia Zhen stared oddly at Yan Buji, then sighed: "Since Brother Yan has made up his mind, I won't say more. Please come to my house in a few days; I'll personally see you off."

Jia Zhen stared oddly at Yan Buji, then sighed: "Since Brother Yan has made up his mind, I won't say more. Please come to my house in a few days; I'll personally see you off."

"Good!"

Translation: "\"Good! \""

Yan Buji pondered for a moment; although he had anticipated the appearance of the Verdant Army, he hadn't expected them to muster a thousand-strong force in such a short time.

Yan Buji pondered for a moment; although he had anticipated the appearance of the Verdant Army, he hadn't expected them to muster a thousand-strong force in such a short time.

Even if most of that army were likely conscripted refugees and bandits, the authority to suppress this rebellion does not lie with us, so it's highly likely we'll be used as expendable pawns.

Even if most of that army were likely conscripted refugees and bandits, the authority to suppress this rebellion does not lie with us, so it's highly likely we'll be used as expendable pawns.

But this also fits Yan Buji's intention—he knows they must fight, and naturally he couldn't expect farmers trained for half a month to suddenly exhibit great combat power; that would be unrealistic.

But this also fits Yan Buji's intention—he knows they must fight, and naturally he couldn't expect farmers trained for half a month to suddenly exhibit great combat power; that would be unrealistic.

But winning isn't actually that hard.

Translation: "But to win, it's actually not that hard."

"Big Brother, with just our few people, will we really not be wiped out?" Little Brother Liu Shan said.

"Big Brother, with just our few people, will we really not be wiped out?" Little Brother Liu Shan said.

Liu Shan's remark is normal; his hundred men have no combat formation, they'd struggle against ordinary bandits, let alone suppressing rebels.

Liu Shan's remark is normal; his hundred men have no combat formation, they'd struggle against ordinary bandits, let alone suppressing rebels.

"I have my own plan, but this is our first time in battle—preserving our lives is most important, understand?" Yan Buji said with a smile.

"I have my own plan, but this is our first time in battle—preserving our lives is most important, understand?" Yan Buji said with a smile.

"Still, Big Brother, we just need to tag along this time, right?"

"Still, Big Brother, we just need to tag along this time, right?"

"Yeah, after going we still have to follow others' orders; otherwise we should just bring a gift?"

Yan Buji chuckled.

Yan Buji chuckled.

Battle isn't that simple; the rebels dare to occupy Horse Shop County, and the mine's high ground is easy to defend but hard to attack. These county towns, bearing the Governor's death orders, have commanders who wouldn't even dare to mix in.

Battle isn't that simple; the rebels dare to occupy Horse Shop County, and the mine's high ground is easy to defend but hard to attack. These county towns, bearing the Governor's death orders, have commanders who wouldn't even dare to mix in.

Perhaps the Governor will even send people to watch them, to prevent them from staging a fake battle.

Perhaps the Governor will even send people to watch them, to prevent them from staging a fake battle.

In that case, on the surface the Governor's people will not interfere in command, but in reality we don't know whether it is really their commander who is in charge or the Governor's people who are in charge.

This point is the key to Yan Buji's turnaround!