Chapter 361: The Trove of the Iron Cloak Highwaymen! (1/2)
Chapter 361: The Trove of the Iron Cloak Highwaymen!
Those men had gone through many battlefields, and their contributions to the empire were considerable. On top of proper compensation, Wang Chong wanted them to be honored as soldiers in death as well, even if they didn't die on the battlefield.
Even if the Bureau of Military Personnel rejected his request, he would appeal to King Song and big uncle to have them agree to it. And the current him did indeed wield such influence.
Hong!
Suddenly, a loud rumble sounded, and Wang Chong swiftly opened his eyes. From all around, the surviving cavalrymen leapt off their mounts and kneeled respectfully on the ground.
”Thank you, lord!”
”Thank you, lord!”
”Thank you, lord!”...
Bright and loud voices echoed in the air together.
Upon seeing this sight, Wang Chong was stunned for an instant before a smile crept across his lips. After which, the smile withered into momentary bitterness, and no one except for Bai Siling noticed it.
The only one who could understand the plight of another soldier is a soldier.
Wang Chong wasn't exactly a soldier, but he was their commander.
He knew what they were thanking him for. They were appreciative of what he was going to do for their fallen comrades. In that instant, Wang Chong suddenly felt the cogs of time spinning backward, and in a dazed moment, it felt as if he had returned back to his previous life.
He remembered his closest aides who had accompanied through innumerable battlefields. They had put their lives on the line to fight alongside him, and eventually, in the final battle, despite the hopeless situation, they still plunged in like moths attracted to the flame, disappearing with a bright burst of fire...
Those memories brought up an incomparably bitter feeling to Wang Chong.
A light breeze blew, brushing against Wang Chong's hair. At this moment, he had no idea how deep of an impact his gestures and expressions had on Bai Siling.
There was something oddly disharmonious about the sight. Such deep bitterness should have never appeared on the face of a carefree sixteen-year-old. Bai Siling couldn't imagine what kind of experience a person must have gone through to display such emotions.
Thus, Bai Siling stared at Wang Chong's side profile, and for a moment, she was dazed.
She had finally uncovered the identity of the young man before her, but she felt like she had barely scraped the surface of the mystery, as if there were even more secrets wrapped around the young man.
It seemed like he had buried them deep in his mind, unwilling to reveal them to another soul.
”Who in the world are you?”
Burying her face in her knees, Bai Siling found that her hair and her heart were in a mess.
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After resting and organizing their forces, Wang Chong led the group down to the base of the Iron Cloak Highwaymen.
Iron Cloak Li was already dead, and military advisor Zhou An had been killed as well. With this, the feared Iron Cloak Highwaymen who once ruled the region vanished from the face of the world.
However, there was still one important matter to be done; harvesting the spoils of war!
Given the years the Iron Cloak Highwaymen spent dominating the road between Longxi and the capital, the wealth they had accrued would surely be astounding. Furthermore, the bandits and highwaymen who went to join them would surely offer a portion of their fortunes as a gesture of ”sincerity”.
It would be a waste to miss out on this easy wealth.
Bai Siling galloped up to Wang Chong's side and asked, ”Wang Chong, do you think that the highwaymen might return to plunder their base especially, since Iron Cloak Li is dead?”
”I don't know, but I wouldn't exclude such a possibility,” Wang Chong replied.
”Ah! Then won't we be making a wasted trip?” Bai Siling frowned.
”Haha, it isn't as simple as you think. Do you think that Iron Cloak Li wouldn't assign any trusted aides to guard his wealth? While it is true that we have killed Iron Cloak Li, those fellows guarding the base can't possibly trust them that easily. And most importantly of all, does your Bai Clan leave your wealth in the open, such that anyone can take it away as and when they like?”
”Are you asking for a beating? Can't you speak properly?” Bai Siling rolled her eyes. This fellow had a way with words that made her really want to pummel him.
”Hahaha. In any case, trust me on this. Iron Cloak Li's treasure vault can't be breached that easily. Those fellows ahead of us can help us whittle down their forces, saving us the effort later on,” Wang Chong replied leisurely.
”!!!” Bai Siling stared at Wang Chong as if she was looking at a monster. Only in this instant did it dawn on her why Wang Chong wasn't anxious in the least. It turned out that he was intending to make use of those defeated highwaymen to do his work for him!
”You sure are a monster. Those who dare to stand against you will probably end up schemed to their death. I really don't understand how a person as young as you who probably hasn't stepped out of the capital before could possibly know so much! You know, I am starting to feel relieved that I didn't go with Xu Gan and Huang Yongtu at the very start, or else I would probably have been done in badly by you as well,” Bai Siling remarked.
Beside her, Xu Gan and Huang Yongtu heard those words and their faces turned sheepish. Bai Siling sure knew how to pluck at their wounds.
But still, they were indeed blind to be unable to recognize the other party for who he was, despite the many signs. They could only resign themselves to it.
”Don't worry, Siling. How could I possibly bear to scheme against a beauty like you?” Wang Chong chuckled leisurely.
It was just a casual response on Wang Chong's part, but Bai Siling's face turned crimson in embarrassment, and she immediately raised her fists in response.