bookcurios Chapter 248 Li Gang's rebel army intercepts the grain transport convoy of COFCO Oil.
Chapter 248 Li Gang's rebel army intercepts the grain transport convoy of COFCO Oil.
In the vast western frontier of Juye, beside a winding official road, Li Gang's rebel army cleverly set up a checkpoint, like a lone eagle in the wilderness, silently guarding passing travelers and caravans. Here, twenty or thirty soldiers in rough armor stood tall, their shadows elongated in the setting sun, adding an undeniable sense of majesty to this desolate land.
These soldiers, weapons gripped tightly in their hands, their eyes sharp as hawks, casting scrutinizing glances at every pedestrian or caravan attempting to cross the road. Their duty was simple and direct—to collect tolls from passersby, the amount of which depended entirely on the mood of the minor leader stationed at the checkpoint, as if the rules of the world were contained in his smiles and anger.
The merchants passing through, whether ragged travelers or caravan leaders laden with goods, all knew perfectly well that the group before them were desperate criminals, their swords sharp enough to extinguish any thought of resistance instantly. Therefore, despite their resentment, they could only silently accept this "arbitrary" pricing, paying without hesitation the amount indicated by the soldiers, hoping only to pass safely through this threshold to the Song Kingdom.
A soldier of the militia looked at the two women walking towards him, and a lewd glint flashed in his eyes.
"Hahaha... I didn't expect there to be such a beautiful woman in this remote place. Brother, let me go up and question her."
The rebel soldier, grinning lewdly, approached the two women who were bowing their heads and waiting to pass through the checkpoint.
"Young lady, where are you headed, all dressed up so elegantly?"
One of the older women spoke up: "Replying to the soldier, I am here to take my sister to reunite with her husband. Some time ago, we were afraid to leave because of the Jin army. Now that the Jin army has retreated, we are hurrying to Chengwu County in the south."
The soldier circled the two women, his movements nimble yet tinged with a hint of ill intent. As this scene unfolded, the other rebel soldiers also turned their gazes in, their eyes flashing with undisguised frivolity.
Since they raised the banner of resistance against the Jin army, they have achieved remarkable results. Not only have gold and silver treasures flooded into their pockets, but even the noble ladies who could only admire from afar in the past now seem to have become their possessions, at their mercy.
In those days of constant warfare, the joy of victory and the greed of desire intertwined in a complex web, subtly altering the nature of everyone. They had vowed to overthrow tyranny and safeguard peace and justice on this land, but the fruits of victory seemed to inadvertently nourish the wasteland of selfishness in their hearts.
The rebel soldier sighed softly, "Alas, this world is in turmoil, with constant warfare. It is truly worrying to see two delicate women adrift in such chaotic times. Night has already fallen, and the wilderness is quite inconvenient. Why don't we provide these two young ladies with a safe haven, where they can rest for the night in our camp, and continue our journey at dawn tomorrow? Is that alright?"
Upon hearing these words, the younger woman trembled involuntarily, fear flickering in her eyes like a candle flame trembling in the wind. In contrast, the older woman appeared much more composed. Time had bestowed upon her not only mature beauty but also a calm demeanor in the face of adversity. Her face remained serene, as if she had long been accustomed to the vicissitudes and changes of the world.
The older woman parted her lips slightly, a playful smile on her face, and gently patted the strong shoulder of the rebel soldier beside her. Her words were full of humor: "Soldier, you really love to joke. My anxious brother-in-law must be waiting impatiently for you."
After speaking, her nimble fingers darted through the gaps in the package, took out a small, glittering silver coin, and silently slipped it into the soldier's broad chest. Her movements were so practiced that it seemed like just a trivial little episode in her daily life.
"Sir, it's getting late, and even the setting sun is eager to go home. We dare not delay our journey. How about you be lenient and let us pass? Once I've safely delivered my sister to Chengwu County, I'll definitely turn back and catch up with you properly. What do you say?"
The soldier felt satisfied with the heavy silver in his arms. Taking this opportunity, he boldly brushed his hand across the woman's soft back, leaving a barely perceptible flirtatious glance: "When the time comes, young lady, don't forget our appointment today. You must have a good chat with me."
He then personally led the two women toward the other party, his movements carrying an undeniable decisiveness. Only after their figures had disappeared into the distance did he slowly turn around, his steps steady as he returned to the side of the minor leader, deftly placing the heavy silver ingot on the table as if it were nothing more than a light feather.
“Brother Kui, this was given to me by that young lady just now. Look at this…” His words carried a hint of probing, and a subtle light flickered in his eyes.
The leader glanced at him sideways, a dismissive smile playing on his lips: "Tonight, you take the brothers to Wangyue Tower to relax and treat yourselves. I heard that a few new girls have recently joined the tower, and they're all quite beautiful."
As he spoke, a sly glint flashed in his eyes, as if he were filled with anticipation for the night to come.
Just then, a volunteer soldier's shout broke the surrounding tranquility: "Brother Kui, look! From the north, a grand convoy is slowly approaching."
Upon hearing this, the underling, respectfully addressed as "Brother Kui," instantly gleamed with a sharp light, like the excitement of prey before it enters the net. This was undoubtedly a generous gift from heaven, a plump lamb arriving unexpectedly.
The convoy wound its way forward, horse-drawn wagons laden with heavy loads of grain and various supplies, resembling a flowing golden river that shimmered with a simple yet resolute light under the sun. On the lead wagon, a bright red banner fluttered in the wind, bearing the powerful characters "COFCO Oils" that seemed to speak of the profound significance behind these supplies.
Just then, a man dressed as a shopkeeper approached with a warm smile and light steps. He carried a large wine jar in his hand, its glaze warm and lustrous, exuding an enticing aroma of wine, as if he wanted to add a touch of warmth to this ordinary encounter.
"Hahaha...Are you all the brave righteous brothers from Juye County? We are from the Li family army of Tangyin. We are here to deliver urgently needed supplies to Shan County. We hope you can do us a favor."
After speaking, he gently placed the wine jar on the table, and then a heavy, bulging money bag also quietly landed on the table. Its weight made it clear that it contained a lot of money, revealing his sincerity and high hopes.
The junior leader strolled unhurriedly to the front of the caravan, deftly lifting the seal of a coarse burlap sack with a flick of his finger. In an instant, a sack of glistening, enticingly shiny rice came into view; its quality was more than sufficient even to be presented as tribute to the imperial court.
Kui, the junior leader, scanned the convoy with sharp eyes. Seeing that there were only a dozen or so people driving ahead, he already had a plan in mind. He then turned to the rebel soldiers who were sitting or lying in the shade of the trees, enjoying a moment of rest, and said in a rough voice with undeniable authority: "All of you, stop standing around! Send all this food and supplies to the General. We're worried about running out of provisions!"
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper became anxious and quickly clarified, "My lord, I'm afraid you didn't hear me clearly. We are under the command of the Li family army."
Upon hearing this, Kui's eyes widened, and his tone was undeniably forceful: "Hmph, I don't care whether you belong to the Li family army or the Zhang family army. Consider these supplies as a generous gift from you. You, go back and report immediately."