Chapter 1310: The Presented Scholar Wants to Rebel?

By this point, the horse bandits had been thoroughly repelled, and the tense atmosphere had completely dissipated. Sun Chuanting, still gripping his long weapon, walked back; the blood spattered across his body was plain to see. Thinking about how he had just stood his ground, unmoving, facing the horse bandits' charge head-on—what kind of nerve did it take to hold firm? No one dwelled on it much. They simply swarmed over to fawn on him. The Sun family had held scholarly honors for generations, and this generation had produced a Presented Scholar, making them a great clan of Dai Prefecture. Now, with hundreds of ferocious, battle-hardened men in his hands, if you didn't curry favor with such a powerful magnate now, when would you?

The several shopkeepers who had earlier been discussing splitting the Sun family's expenses were now thinking about something else entirely. If the Sun family's private troops could be hired to escort them beyond the passes in the future, wouldn't they have nothing to fear from horse bandits? They would also have the confidence to deal with those overbearing Mongol tribes. Although they went to the steppe to do business, those Mongol tribes, relying on their numbers of men and horses, often threw their weight around to take advantage, even half-robbing, half-buying. Many had suffered losses. If the Sun family's force stepped in, who would dare act out? For this kind of insurance and backing, spending some silver was well worth it!

In truth, many were now coming to their senses. The Sun family guards' conduct was, nine times out of ten, intentional. Even this trip beyond the passes was likely deliberate—all to have a fight with the horse bandits, all to display the Sun family guards' prowess before everyone. The Yanbei Trading Company, which had proposed the guarantee, was probably an accomplice.

They were all businessmen; weighing pros and cons was instinct. Realizing they had been used as bait, there was nothing to be angry about. Not to mention they were still on the steppe, with the Sun family controlling their life and death. Ultimately, everyone on this trip had earned a fortune with zero risk, and they had also found a way to earn steady money safely next time. Moreover, no shopkeepers, clerks, carters, or guards from any company had been killed or injured. For this, they owed gratitude. For the sake of long-term interests, they needed to use this opportunity to cling closer.

Toward everyone's fawning warmth, Sun Chuanting remained very indifferent. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he arranged for everyone to reorganize the caravan. The steppe was certainly not safe, and the further south they went, the more secure they felt. Everyone knew this was serious business, so after a few polite words, they all went to sort out the carts, horses, and goods. Whether they understood the situation or not, everyone was beaming with joy.

The Sun family side, however, paid no attention to the carts, horses, or goods. The guards who had just fought gathered in a tight circle, with someone loudly lecturing inside. Curious people from the other merchant companies went over to listen but were rudely shooed away. Faintly, they could hear discussions about what was right and wrong in the recent battle. Those who heard this couldn't help thinking to themselves: it's just the bloody business of killing and fighting, yet they're treating it like scholarly study. How interesting.

The rest of the journey saw no further complications. The recruited Mongol herders were also very docile. With them around, the horses captured on the battlefield were well cared for. Everyone understood in their hearts that regardless of whether there were still informants or spies among these recruited herders, after this battle, they would be wholeheartedly devoted to working for the Sun family.

Traveling south from Xiashui Lake, they had to pass through a mountain river valley before entering the Datong border pass. This was the traditional trade route between Datong and the steppe. Once out of this river valley trade route, the other side was Datong Garrison. Although they were about to reach Ming territory, everyone in the caravan grew tense again. This mountain valley was densely forested with complex terrain, always a region where bandits and outlaws lurked.

Everyone knew the origins of these bandits. It was inconvenient for the Mongol tribes of the steppe to operate here, but the Datong border troops were nearby. It was very simple for them to do whatever they wanted. That was why, when leaving the pass, one had to bribe thoroughly; otherwise, safety truly could not be guaranteed. Even so, there were many cases where the money was taken but the job wasn't done. Anyway, if some people died beyond the border pass, it was beyond the reach of the law, and there was simply no way to hold anyone accountable.

Roughly halfway through, they encountered government troops. A force of over three hundred men, led by a Company Commander, with full uniforms, armor, and banners. Just by their bearing and appearance, one could tell they were genuine. They directly blocked the Sun family caravan, claiming they were on patrol outside the pass to check if any Tatar spies had infiltrated the merchant group.

The shopkeepers and managers in the caravan understood perfectly well the intent of these several hundred government troops. They were here to take advantage and loot. If they only wanted to extort money under the pretext of an inspection, they could have done it right before or after the border pass. Why would they travel so far beyond the pass? It was clearly a plan for murder and robbery. But these were government troops; they couldn't be treated like the horse bandits. The best response right now would be to reveal Sun Chuanting's status as a Presented Scholar. However, outside the Ming king's domain, the title of Presented Scholar really wasn't enough to intimidate anyone.

Sun Chuanting's response caught everyone off guard. He directly stated that these government troops were here to kill and rob, and if they had the skill, they could try to take it with their blades. The moment he finished speaking, before the soldiers could turn from shame to rage, the Sun family guards formed a neat line, raised their long spears, and charged out.

Who could have imagined they would attack without warning, completely disregarding the soldiers' official status? The over three hundred government troops were caught off guard. Before Sun Chuanting's guards even reached them, they scattered in a chaotic rout. But in this mountain valley, fleeing wasn't so easy. Many were speared to death on the spot, their blood staining even the riverbank red. The Company Commander's horsemanship was also mediocre; he hadn't run far before the pursuing Sun family mounted guards caught him and dragged him back.

The caravan crowd was dumbfounded. They thought, shouldn't a scholar understand reason? How is he more lawless than we are? At that moment, the guards armed with bird guns opened fire indiscriminately into the woods on both sides. Screams rang out from within. Now, the caravan crowd was also enraged. Schemed against by Mongol horse bandits on the steppe, and now ambushed by government troops back here—was there no way left for them to survive? No wonder only a big shot like Wang Ziyang could do business safely. He probably had to kill his way through trip after trip just like this. They all ordered their own guards to assist, and soon the scene fell quiet.

After the Company Commander was captured and brought before Sun Chuanting, he did nothing but kowtow incessantly and beg for his life. Sun Chuanting asked a few questions, then drew his sword and cut off his head. Seeing this, the crowd felt no fear, only satisfaction.

After this incident, there were no further abnormalities along the way. Even a few small merchant caravans proactively approached, hoping to travel together for mutual protection. Just like that, they arrived peacefully beneath the border pass. Once they actually reached the border pass, things were convenient. They had made this trading trip many times, and the garrison commander stationed there had been well-fed with money. Moreover, with so many people coming and going here, there was no way to pull any tricks. If word got back to the hometowns of the various trading companies, the powerful backers above would naturally step in. Who could bear that responsibility? As long as nothing seemed amiss here, passage was always swift.

After crossing the pass, everyone completely relaxed. That Instructor Gao even drained the gourd of his wine in one go and lay down on a large cart, snoring loudly. No one bothered him about it. However, the garrison commander at the pass had his nephew send a message to the Yanbei Trading Company's manager, telling them to be careful. A Mobile Corps Commander from Datong Left Guard was coming to make trouble for them, sure to find fault and pick a quarrel. They absolutely had to be cautious.

Datong was a border garrison town. Although there was a Datong Grand Coordinator and a Datong Prefect, the military households and generals of the border army were the ones truly in charge here. The border generals were domineering and lawless. If they killed someone within the territory, as long as they covered their tracks cleanly, they had no need to fear the law. A Mobile Corps Commander was already a military officer of very high rank. If he was coming to cause trouble for the caravan, it was no small matter. They indeed needed to handle it carefully.

Just over twenty li after leaving the garrison town, as everyone was calculating where to lodge for the night, they were blocked on the road by over two hundred cavalry. Cavalry were different from infantry; they were the elite warriors of the Great Ming army. Moreover, since the Datong border army had lost many cavalrymen killed by the Zhao family army, the status of these remaining cavalrymen had risen considerably. These two hundred-plus cavalrymen were a formidable force. Under the right conditions, sweeping away and routing several thousand infantrymen would be effortless.

"You treacherous merchants collude with the Tatar slaves and intend rebellion! This is a capital crime of the highest order! This general will seize you first, then send you back to be slowly worked over!" The Mobile Corps Commander was surnamed Zhang, a scion deeply rooted in Datong's military households. The moment he opened his mouth, he slapped them with a massive accusation.

It was still far from dark, and everyone could clearly see the vicious, resentful expression on Commander Zhang's face. No one was a fool; the government troops they had encountered in the mountain valley trade route were, in all likelihood, sent by this man. However, no one was particularly afraid. This was territory under Ming law. Master Sun had already interrogated that Company Commander and had a confession in hand. If it came to a lawsuit, would a former capital official of Presented Scholar background, a magnate of the Zhenwu Guard in Dai Prefecture, need to fear some Mobile Corps Commander?

"You are a court-appointed official, a military officer of the border garrison. Instead of defending the nation and diligently drilling your troops, you instigate and condone your soldiers going beyond the pass to plunder merchant caravans, striking at the very Ming commoners you are supposed to protect. Do you know what the punishment for such a grave crime is?" Sun Chuanting spurred his horse out of the line and asked coldly in retort.

For a mere caravan leader to dare speak like this, he must be tired of living. Commander Zhang flew into a rage instantly, directly drawing his blade. The cavalrymen behind him followed suit, shouting curses and battle cries. Yet that caravan leader truly showed no fear. With a single wave of his hand, hundreds of fierce guards stepped forward directly, their long spears like a forest, their bird guns leveled flat, and over a hundred mounted troops radiating murderous intent.

What kind of formation was this? To rise to the position of Mobile Corps Commander, no matter how much of a fool one was, one could still distinguish strength from weakness. These so-called civilian militiamen and village braves before him carried a solemn, chilling aura of death. Their bird guns were held steady, the match cords already lit; they didn't look like mere decorations. This formation, this posture—even among Datong Garrison's own elite troops, few could match it. More crucially, the opponent's side also had more men...

"What... what is this?! You... you want to kill an official and rebel?!" Commander Zhang's speech had already begun to stammer, his momentum completely gone. At this moment, he somewhat understood why so few of the several hundred soldiers he had sent out to "do business" had returned.

Sun Chuanting looked at the military officer before him, his face full of anger and bitter regret. Almost gnashing his teeth, he said: "A useless, greedy waste like you—useless at suppressing bandits, useless at fighting the Tatars—only knows how to prey on your own common people. Killing you would truly be ridding the country and the people of a scourge!"

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