Chapter 81 (1/2)
Fang Zhengzhi had always believed that he was knowledgeable about robbery. As the saying goes, professional people would do professional things. But, the conduct of these mountain bandits in front of him caused him to feel very pained.
A successful person had to be with the right people, in the right place and at the right time.
Usually, the right time referred to information, its practical usage could refer to intelligence, news etc. These bandits didn't even show a slight bit of interest in him, and robbed him just like that. Naturally, they lost the right time.
As for the right place, that didn't need any mentioning. Not digging a few traps was already the dumbest of moves. Once they met, all of their archers had revealed themselves, hence whatever strategic location they had had disappeared.
The only advantage was people, after all, they had more people…
Fang Zhengzhi was sure that these mountain bandits in front of him weren't very experienced.
Then, the question came.
To directly disperse them, or… wipe them out?
Looking at the colour of the sky, it seemed to be already getting late. If he continued to journey at this time, he had to journey at least five miles to reach the Wan County, furthermore, he still had to find an inn afterwards. It was going to be rather troublesome...
”Brother mountain bandits, h.e.l.lo! Young master me had to rush when leaving the house, hence didn't bring much money. I only have a hundred taels. Other than that, I have thirty broken silver pieces. If brother mountain bandits don't mind, you can have them!” Fang Zhengzhi thought of something, and very generously fished out a hundred tael silver note and a bag of broken silver pieces from his pocket.
”Young master? Which family's young master?” The bandit leader was at least rather vigilant. Those in his profession had one rule, that was to eliminate the roots completely. Hence, he quickly seized the ”profound theory” within Fang Zhengzhi's words.
”Ha ha… brother bandits are only conducting a robbery, why must you know young master me's family background?” Fang Zhengzhi smiled faintly, with a mysterious look on his face.
This caused the bandit leader to confirm his thoughts. This youth in front of him had to be some important family's young master, if he was robbed today, there would definitely be consequences next time.
When he thought of this, the bandit leader thought of killing.
”Looks like brother bandits feel that it is too little? No problem, five miles in front would be the Wan County, the boss of the money farm there and my father are acquainted. Hence, I will be able to borrow fifty thousand silver notes to give to brother bandits as ransom, what do you think?” Fang Zhengzhi smiled inside, but on the outside, a trace of fear appeared on his face.
”Fifty thousand silver notes?!”
The bandit leader was taken aback, getting fifty thousand taels just like that… this was a huge bargain! If they really could get that, they would definitely turn over a new leaf, and not live the bitter life of robbing anymore.
When the surrounding bandits similarly heard Fang Zhengzhi's words, their emotions began to stir up. The hand holding the sabre of a few whose hearts weren't as strong began to tremble.
Fifty thousand silver taels!
How could they not be stirred up?
”Why must we believe you?” The bandit leader quickly changed his thought. The ”fat lamb” had already reached his mouth, how could he give it up? But, even though he was excited, he could at least still rationalise.
”My words are naturally trustable, but if brother bandits don't believe this, it's indeed inevitable. Else, you can send two people to escort me, so everybody can relax!” Fang Zhengzhi quickly suggested an idea.
The leader bandit thought for a while, then seek the opinions of the surrounding bandits, and finally nodded.
”Alright, we will do as you said!”
The transaction was smoothly completed. All the archers naturally lay down their weapons. Then, two bandits wielding short blades also surrounded Fang Zhengzhi, one on the left and one on the right.
Fang Zhengzhi was actually rather cooperative. Leaping off from the Silver Scale Horse, then looking at the colour of the sky, he seemed rather regretful and blinked a few times at the bandit leader.
”Brother bandit, look, the sky is already dark. I have to travel so many miles of mountain roads, can I have something to eat as nourishment?”
”Now, we are the ones robbing you, but you want us to give you something to eat?” The bandit leader felt that no matter how he thought about it, this request seemed rather uncomfortable. He was the one robbing!
Since when did robbers give their victims food?
”Young master me is weak and sickly, without any food… how can I travel five miles of mountain paths? You definitely can't let me ride my horse, right?” Fang Zhengzhi gazed at the mountain path ahead and seemed very grieved.
”This…” The bandit leader was somewhat hesitant.
He naturally couldn't allow Fang Zhengzhi to ride his horse, if he ran away, who could catch him?”
”Brother, what are you scared of! This kid is so weak that he can almost be blown away by the wind. It wouldn't be too late to bring him back to the mountain stronghold and have a good feast, then sending him to the Wan County tomorrow.” A bandit with a small beard instantly came over.
”How can we allow outsiders to enter the mountain stronghold?” The bandit leader's tone changed.
”Brother, we are going to be rich tomorrow, what do we need the stronghold for?”
”Hmm… that's true!” The bandit leader understood. The feeling of have fifty thousand silver taels, yet still remaining the mountain king of this tiny mountain was indeed too sullen.
As he thought, the bandit leader quickly felt at ease.
”Alright, bring him back to the mountain stronghold!”
”Thank you, brother bandit!” Fang Zhengzhi instantly expressed his grat.i.tude. Such ”broad-minded” people were exactly the ones he liked. The sky was darkening, and he still had to find an inn!
Furthermore, no matter how small a mosquito was, it still had meat. Even though the bandits were still rather inexperienced, they definitely had some housing.