Chapter 114: Unexpected Visitors
Chapter 114: Unexpected Visitors
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Lu HaiKong's establishment of a bandit fort was a covert operation, as exposure to the authorities would undoubtedly lead to suppression. While an immediate siege might not ensue, the crackdown would commence swiftly. At the very least, Lu HaiKong's efforts to gather and support the common folk would face significant challenges.
It was common knowledge that the government held some credibility, and even the slightest demonization of Lu HaiKong's bandit fort could deter the timid masses from approaching. If the authorities were to announce a crackdown, it would undoubtedly cause unrest within the fort.
Consequently, Lu HaiKong could not openly spend his money on purchasing large quantities of food. He lacked the necessary channels and had to avoid exposing his identity and the existence of the fort as much as possible. At least until his power base was firmly established and the refugees fully accepted the fort, it was best for Lu HaiKong to proceed with caution.
However, Lu HaiKong wasn't overly concerned about the food supply, as he still had control over Hei Feng Camp, and Li Xiong had completely submitted to him.
With Li Xiong's support, Lu HaiKong could rely on Hei Feng Camp's resources for a while. His only worry was what to do if the fort was exposed and the Bingzhou officials imposed a comprehensive blockade.
Lu HaiKong had two options: either cultivate crops for self-sufficiency or find an alternative route that the Bingzhou officials couldn't block, incorporating a significant portion of the population into his system.
Lu HaiKong and Wang Jun had a rough plan for this, and if successful, establishing themselves in Bingzhou would be no issue. However, discussing these plans was premature, and for now, Lu HaiKong needed to focus on the tasks at hand. Until Li Xiong returned from the Xianbei Tribe, Lu HaiKong's plans were merely theoretical.
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As Lu HaiKong worried about food and the fort's future development, a cavalry unit arrived outside Hei Feng Camp.
This cavalry unit was small, consisting of only about thirty riders. However, their equipment was worth enough to arm a thousand infantrymen, each with a hundred-forged steel spear, a ten-stone strong bow, fish-scale armor, and an exceptional warhorse. The total value of their gear exceeded thirty to fifty thousand, making them the epitome of extravagance, even Lu HaiKong wouldn't dare to flaunt such wealth.
Whether it was sheer confidence in their strength or a lack of concern for their movements, Wang Ti had noticed their approach before they arrived.
It was unusual for someone to boldly block the entrance to a bandit fort, as it was typically the other way around. Wang Ti, however, kept the gates tightly shut, opting not to engage the cavalry unit with sheer numbers.
Although Wang Ti lacked Lu HaiKong's scouting abilities, his martial instincts warned him against provoking this cavalry unit. Even if he could defeat them, it would likely come at a heavy cost. Assessing the vast disparity in equipment, Wang Ti doubted he could prevail, even if he committed all his forces.
As they approached the tightly shut gates of Blackwind Fort, the leader of the cavalry, a rugged-looking man, frowned and removed his helmet, revealing a disgruntled expression. He shouted, "Li Hu, what's going on here? Don't you see me? Why are you keeping the gates closed? Have you forgotten your brothers after all these years?"
"I heard that your Blackwind Fort is quite something, but when my cavalry arrived, you were so scared that you wouldn't even open the gates." As he spoke, a hint of satisfaction appeared on his face.
Wang Ti was taken aback. He vaguely knew that Li Hu was the former chief of Blackwind Fort, which meant this cavalry unit was not a friendly force.
"Take him down!" Wang Ti's first instinct was to eliminate the enemy.
However, the enemy's strength was clearly superior, and a direct confrontation would be unwise. Wang Ti paused for a moment before responding, "The Chief and the Second-in-Command are currently away on a delivery and haven't returned yet. May I ask who you are, sir? They should be back in a few days, so perhaps you and your men could wait inside the fort?"
"On a delivery? This kid has really made it big. He's found a good opportunity and is so diligent, even in this cold weather. In that case, I won't disturb you further. Just tell Li Hu that I, Zhang Xiong, will come back in half a month to discuss a big business deal with him." Zhang Xiong seemed to have no doubts about Wang Ti's words and, after speaking, immediately turned and left with his men without hesitation.
Zhang Xiong and Li Hu were from the same hometown and had once been bandits together for a period, but at that time, Li Hu had not yet risen to prominence. Their bandit group led a difficult life, and Zhang Xiong, unable to endure the hardships, left and headed to Dingxiang County. Coincidentally, a prominent family, the Wang Family, was recruiting, and Zhang Xiong, with his impressive skills, was successfully chosen.
Although Zhang Xiong was accepted, his humble background made life within the Wang Family challenging. Despite his exceptional abilities, promotions were hard to come by.
It wasn't until recently that a young master from a branch of the Wang Family took notice of him. This young master selected Zhang Xiong to lead his private cavalry squad, and Zhang Xiong's fortunes soared.
The young master was truly extraordinary. At just seventeen years old, after his bedridden father passed away, he resolutely sold off his assets within the Wang Family, converting them into cash. With this money, he left the Wang Family and, within just three months, established a town with a population of ten thousand.
Even though he had already left the Wang Family, his remarkable achievement prompted them to include him in their family records.
Zhang Xiong's mission this time was at the young master's behest. Zhang Xiong vaguely understood that his young master seemed interested in the trade route to the Xianbei Tribe that Li Hu controlled. However, his timing was unfortunate, as he hadn't been in touch with Li Hu for some time and was unaware that Blackwind Fort had already been taken over by Lu HaiKong.
As soon as Zhang Xiong left, Wang Ti immediately dispatched a messenger on horseback to inform Lu HaiKong of the day's events.
(End of Chapter)
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