Chapter 140: Avoiding Bandits (Three Chapters in One)_1

Translator: 549690339

Yingbao brought Madam Wen’s carriage into the bamboo grove, stopping next to her own mule cart.

Spring Maiden was slightly surprised to see her daughter riding back on a deer, but held back her reprimand when she saw Madam Wen’s family.

“Mr. Wen, how is the situation in the village?” asked Spring Maiden.

Madam Wen said, “Everyone has taken what they could and moved to North Mountain. Our carriage couldn’t make it there, so we had no choice but to come here.”

“There’s no need to say this is out of desperation.” Spring Maiden said, “We’re all just finding refuge together. Eh? What about the other gentleman? Did his family not come with us?”

Madam Wen sighed, “They insisted on hurrying to the town, claiming it’d be safer there. No matter how I persuaded them, they didn’t listen.”

She feared that the road to the town would already be blockaded by bandits, which would undeniably worsen their situation.

After talking for a while, Spring Maiden offered to put up a bamboo shed, but Madam Wen said it was unnecessary and they’d just stay in the carriage.

An hour later, both Jiang Dalang and Jiang Erlang hurried in.

“Bandits have appeared at the foot of the mountain, and they seemed to have set fire to the houses in the village. They’ll be here soon,” they reported.

The South Slope was only three or four miles from the village, so after looting the village, the bandits might move up towards the slope.

“What about Sanlang? Isn’t he back yet?” asked Jiang Liu.

Jiang Erlang said, “I’ll go check.” He quickly grabbed his bow and quiver, and rushed out, with Jiang Dalang following right after him.

Spring Maiden was so anxious that she wanted to go out and check as well, but was stopped by Jiang Liu, “A woman like you should not cause more trouble, those desperados will take advantage of us, particularly women.”

Jiang Da Sao also said, “Spring Maiden, you stay put. If necessary, we can go deeper into the bamboo grove to find a way out, in case bandits overrun us.”

“Agreed,” said Spring Maiden, picking up a sickle and heading out of the bamboo shed.

“I’ll join you,” said Jiang Lao Han, picking up a machete and heading into the bamboo grove. Seeing this, Madam Wen’s servant hurriedly followed.

And so the three sisters-in-law headed in one direction, while Jiang Lao Han and Wen’s servant went in another, chopping away obstructing bamboo and brambles on their path.

Meanwhile, Jiang Dalang and Erlang left the bamboo grove, standing on a high slope overlooking the village.

Dense smoke was rising from several places in the village, and numerous individuals could dimly be seen running around.

“Let’s go take a look,” Jiang Dalang said, still worrying about his younger brother. He decided to approach the village to see what was happening.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Erlang, who shared his brother’s thoughts, quickly rushed down the mountain alongside him.

In the village, Jiang Sanlang was leading several dozen young men in a battle against a mob of bandits.

They were armed with iron forks, shovels, and some even sharp sickles, struggling fiercely against the attacking bandits.

But the bandits kept coming relentlessly. All of them looked fierce and brutal, armed with broadswords and long spears, and some even bows and arrows. In no time, several villagers were injured.

However, the bandits didn’t have it easy either, as many of them were injured as well.

The bandits, most of them clad in tattered rags, seemed more like local peasants, and their weapons were utterly crude and simple.

Seeing the intense resistance from the villagers, the leader of the bandits felt a sense of admiration and shouted, “Brothers! We’re just trying to survive, we don’t want to harm anyone. I see you’re all brave men, why not join us for a crusade against the corrupt Imperial Court? There’s no future for us common folks. If you follow us, you can live a life of luxury, and even be appointed high-ranking officials.”

However, Jiang Sanlang and his comrades ignored his speech. They weren’t desperate enough yet. Even if they were, they still possessed the skill of gold farming, which was far better than rebellion and risk death.

“Since you’re here for supplies, and you’ve taken quite a lot already, we kindly request that you leave our village,” said Jiang Sanlang.

Jiang Sanlang shouted loudly, “We’re farmers who depend on our lands for survival, and we can’t leave our homes and families to wander aimlessly.”

The leader’s eyes darkened and he snorted, “You have families and maybe we don’t? Brother, I respect you as a brave man. Join us now and enjoy a world united and peaceful, where everyone is equal, and no one goes hungry or cold. Isn’t that wonderful?”

“Unfortunately, I can’t agree,” replied Jiang Sanlang as he and his group retreated a few steps. He signaled those behind to draw their weapons in preparation for defense. “Mr. Leader, please spare our villagers. Life is already hard for us, and we still have to feed our elderly and children.”

The bandit chief stood with his hands behind him in the middle of the crowd, smirking, “If you refuse to see reason, you can’t blame me for being ruthless.”

He then waved his hand and commanded, “Kill them all and burn this village to the ground.”