Chapter 368: Mission Rewards
Chapter 368: Mission Rewards
September 25, 2017
The campaign against Lu Hai Kong began in June 182, and two battles were fought over the course of a month.
From Lu Hai Kong's initial contact with Zhang Li to the fall of Jiuyuan County and Zhang Ran's intervention, followed by Hai Kong's appointment as Governor of Yanmen Commandery and Wang Jun's assignment as County Magistrate of Qiangyin, it was already September 182 when everything settled.
After meeting with Zhang Yi, the minor eunuch also made his way to Qiangyin, where he encountered Wang Jun, posing as Lu Hai Kong.
Although all aristocratic families knew that Hai Kong was the leader of the bandits, not many had actually met him. Thus, Hai Kong could push Wang Jun forward to take on the role of County Magistrate, albeit just in name.
Only under these circumstances could Hai Kong ensure that his bandit forces would not be affected by changes in his identity.
Wang Jun became the County Magistrate, while Hai Kong continued as the leader of the bandits.
After the minor eunuch delivered the imperial edict at Hai Kong's side, Hai Kong generously spent two million gold to send him away. With that, the situation at Hai Kong's side was finally stabilized.
Almost immediately after the minor eunuch left, Hai Kong's system prompt sounded once again.
"Congratulations on completing 'The Bandits' Fury'."
"You have conquered two county cities, slaying 19,331 imperial troops have been slain, and your mission evaluation is [Superior]."
"You have obtained a Legendary Chest."
"You have gained a chance to randomly enhance the rank of a troop type."
Hai Kong realized that his mission evaluations had been consistently [Superior], and each time, he received two to three rewards.
This time, he received two rewards, and with this Legendary Chest, he now had a total of two Legendary Chests (one from the previous mission that he hadn't opened), three Golden Treasure Chests, one Silver Treasure Chest, and a chance to enhance the rank of a troop type.
This campaign yielded significant rewards. Unfortunately, they lost a Mechanized Iron Tiger and a Tomb Guardian Legion Summoning Token, and Lu Bu's escape left Hai Kong feeling a bit disappointed. However, there was nothing he could do about it.
Moreover, Hai Kong noticed something unusual about Lu Bu's escape, wondering if there might be a hidden setting in the game related to fate.
Fortunately, through Zhang Ran's intervention, Hai Kong had temporarily cleared his name, and the situation had stabilized. Li Xiong was also busy restoring the bandits' business operations.
As a court official, Hai Kong need not worry about Lu Bu seeking revenge for now.
Back in Jiuyuan County, Ding Yuan had just returned and was busy dealing with the aftermath of the raid.
Upon assessing the losses, Ding Yuan found that his wealth had been plundered, and half of Jiuyuan County's riches had been taken. Learning of this, Ding Yuan struggled to contain his anger and almost confronted Hai Kong.
It was clear that Hai Kong was behind this, and the bandits who opened the gates of Jiuyuan County were undoubtedly under Hai Kong's command. They had even entered Jiuyuan County when they were in Qiangyin County.
Based on this alone, Ding Yuan was certain that Hai Kong was involved. Furthermore, all the skilled craftsmen, such as blacksmiths and carpenters, in Jiuyuan County had been abducted, and strangely, despite the invasion by the Xiongnu, there were almost no cases of killing and pillaging.
When did the Huns become so civilized? If they take action, they always resort to burning, killing, and pillaging without any scruples.
This incident is definitely Lu Hai Kong's doing, and Ding Yuan is willing to stake his life on it!
After settling the matter in Jiuyuan County, Ding Yuan intends to use his connections to have the Zhang family surround and suppress Lu Hai Kong. With Jiuyuan County raided and his son almost dying in Lu Hai Kong's fort, Ding Yuan has a massive grudge that he must avenge.
However, just as Ding Yuan plans to take action, news arrives from Jinyang.
'Lu Hai Kong has been promoted to County Magistrate of Qiangyin for his achievements in suppressing bandits.'
Upon receiving this news, Ding Yuan almost chokes on his own blood. Achievements in suppressing bandits? What a joke! Lu Hai Kong himself is a bandit!
Zhang Yi might be able to tolerate such absurdity, but Ding Yuan certainly cannot. He immediately sends a letter to He Jin.
In Ding Yuan's opinion, this must be a scheme concocted by Zhang Yi and Lu Hai Kong. Ding Yuan firmly believes that with He Jin's influence, he should be able to deal with a mere bandit like Lu Hai Kong.
However, his letter seems to have vanished without a trace, as He Jin doesn't even bother to respond.
Zhang Rang uses the attack on Jiuyuan County against Ding Yuan, and he secretly slanders Ding Yuan in front of the Emperor, blaming him for the incident because Ding Yuan, the Prefect of Wuyuan, is his man, and he had recently plotted against Zhang Yi to promote Ding Yuan.
In the version of the book, there is no mistake!
With this incident occurring, the most critical point is that Zhang Rang received the news before He Jin, which puts He Jin in a very passive position before the Emperor.
Under such circumstances, would He Jin treat Ding Yuan well? However, Ding Yuan is, after all, someone He Jin has invested a lot of effort in supporting. After a few days of cold treatment, He Jin finally replies with a letter filled with rebukes for Ding Yuan.
Before He Jin's reply, Ding Yuan also learns that Lu Hai Kong has established a connection with Zhang Rang. Upon understanding the situation, Ding Yuan immediately realizes that in addition to dealing with the Zhang family, he has gained another enemy—one he had never taken seriously before.
But by this time, Lu Hai Kong's position is already solid, and Ding Yuan has no means to deal with him.
Unable to take revenge on Lu Hai Kong, Ding Yuan can only retreat to Wuyuan Prefecture, licking his wounds and nurturing his forces while waiting for the next opportunity to rise again.
However, having missed this chance and unexpectedly facing Lu Hai Kong as an enemy, Ding Yuan's next rise to power is uncertain.
Fortunately, he still has an exceptional warrior like Lu Bu by his side.
As Ding Yuan licks his wounds, the Fu Clan Tribe travels across the grasslands with the resources plundered from Jiuyuan County, leading over a thousand skilled workers.
Their journey is neither fast nor slow, skillfully avoiding all Xianbei territories and taking a long detour around the mountains. Due to the heavy load and the number of people, it takes them a considerable amount of time to return to the grasslands near Lu Hai Kong's fort.
But it won't be long now. Lu Hai Kong has dispatched the Black Wind Legion, and once they arrive, the Fu Clan Tribe will flee, leaving the resources for the Black Wind Legion to claim...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
