Chapter Forty-Nine: Wealth

The sun had set, and Qi Jun was pacing back and forth in his room.

After his conversation with Ah Xin, he gained a new understanding of Anqiang’s officialdom, and his view of Ah Xin, the old servant of the Feng family, had also changed. This seemingly ordinary, somewhat humble old retainer possessed a keen and precise insight into human affairs and the workings of the bureaucracy. This aroused Qi Jun’s interest in him, but also heightened his sense of caution.

Qi Jun shook his head, repeatedly reviewing the recent events in his mind.

From following County Magistrate Feng out of the city to suppress the bandits, to being forced to organize the villagers to defend against their incursion, and then joining the county soldiers in storming Panlong Ridge and slaying their chief, Red-eyed Eagle—so many changes had swept through Anqiang County and Dongling Village in just a few days. The progress filled him with joy and excitement, yet also left him vaguely uneasy.

He feared missing some crucial detail, causing the hard-won stability to once again crumble into chaos.

Standing before the door, hands clasped behind his back, he took in the light-hearted and cheerful mood permeating the county magistrate’s residence; even the faces of the household staff radiated genuine happiness.

This atmosphere reminded him of the oath-sworn brotherhood ceremony with Deng Fang in the main hall, and of the celebration on the riverbank the night Dongling Village struck water.

These were turbulent times; both officials and bandits preyed on the common folk without a shred of mercy. Qi Jun resolved inwardly that he must quickly grow his own fangs and claws to guard this precious happiness.

Sun Jiu approached along the corridor, heading his way from a distance. Qi Jun frowned, wondering what business could bring him here at such an hour.

“Master Qi, I have something to discuss with you,” Sun Jiu called out even before reaching him.

Qi Jun nodded and ushered him inside, bringing over a stool for him.

“One good thing, one… not so good thing. Which do you want to hear first?” Sun Jiu rubbed his nose, looking at Qi Jun.

“Just get on with it. No need for all the suspense,” Qi Jun replied impatiently, not in the mood for choices.

“Alright, I’ll start with the bad news.” Sun Jiu straightened and leaned in, lowering his voice. “Among the bandits left behind at Panlong Ridge, one hundred and thirty-two were killed, forty-five wounded. Our men suffered seventeen injuries—six of them serious, the rest minor. However, among the dead and captured, the second-in-command, Mountain-Splitting Leopard, was not found.”

Seventeen to one hundred and seventy-seven—such a casualty ratio was nothing short of miraculous. Last time, when County Magistrate Feng led the county troops to attack Panlong Ridge, over thirty were lost and they hadn’t even taken Shizui Cliff.

“What? Are you sure?” Qi Jun was stunned for a moment before springing to his feet. He had assumed Mountain-Splitting Leopard had died in the final melee as well.

In this life, his parents had both been killed by Mountain-Splitting Leopard; avenging them with his own hands was what Qi Jun desired most. Hearing from Sun Jiu that the villain had not been found left him utterly disheartened.

If Mountain-Splitting Leopard had not been at Panlong Ridge, then he must have taken the remaining bandits down the mountain to raid other villages, just as Sharpened Bone had done. Now that the bandit lair was destroyed, he would surely be hiding elsewhere with the survivors, making him far harder to catch. For Qi Jun and the villagers, this was truly ill news.

If Mountain-Splitting Leopard, lurking in the shadows, nursed any vengeful intent, there was no telling when this viper would strike.

If the bandit menace could not be eradicated at the root, then all they could do was remain constantly on guard, day and night—a wearying way to live.

Qi Jun immediately decided on his next goal: to find Mountain-Splitting Leopard and remove this poisonous threat once and for all.

“Don’t be anxious yet, Master, there’s also good news,” Sun Jiu hurried to add, seeing how dark Qi Jun’s expression had become.

Qi Jun, preoccupied with thoughts of dealing with Mountain-Splitting Leopard, nodded expressionlessly.

“The loot and provisions seized from Panlong Ridge, apart from what was handed in, I’ve sent all the rest to Dongling Village,” Sun Jiu said, lowering his voice.

Qi Jun froze in surprise, staring at Sun Jiu, momentarily at a loss for words. The villagers of Dongling had struggled for so long in the mire of hunger—now, with these supplies delivered, no one would die of famine again. The news made Qi Jun want to embrace Sun Jiu.

“That’s not all, Master. There’s also the gold and silver hidden away by Red-eyed Eagle…” Sun Jiu’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he leaned in to whisper, “Though Red-eyed Eagle is dead, his woman is still alive. With a little persuasion, we can find out where the treasure is hidden. Tomorrow, we go treasure hunting on Panlong Ridge.”

With this, the gloom in Qi Jun’s heart was swept away. It wasn’t greed—this wealth meant he now had the resources to build his plans. With startup funds, he could transform Dongling Village and forge the strongest anti-bandit squad.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?” Qi Jun exclaimed with delight, punching Sun Jiu lightly in the chest.

“Well… you didn’t say which you wanted to hear first…” Sun Jiu muttered, rubbing his chest in mock grievance.

“This must be kept absolutely secret. Not a word to the other county soldiers,” Qi Jun said solemnly.

“Don’t worry, Master. But we must hurry—right now, only our squad is holding Panlong Ridge, but the commander wants to hand it over to the second squad. I know what they’re thinking. We did all the counting, so who’s to say exactly how much there is? Plenty of people have their eyes on this bounty. I’ve got it all worked out—we find the loot first, move it out overnight, and let the second squad come in to an empty shell.”

“Good. We’ll do it tomorrow night. Now, tell me what you want from me.”

Qi Jun knew that since Sun Jiu was willing to share such a windfall, he must have a request.

“Heh, nothing gets past you, Master.” Sun Jiu scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed.

“Hurry up and say it. I might not be able to help,” Qi Jun shot him a look, suspecting the favor would not be easy.

“It’s really nothing troublesome. When Magistrate Feng returns, I hope you’ll put in a good word for me. Commander He is getting on in years, and I…” Sun Jiu hesitated, then lowered his voice.

Now Qi Jun understood—Sun Jiu wanted him to persuade Magistrate Feng to hand him the position of chief of the county troops.

That post was second only to the magistrate himself in Anqiang’s military ranks, and holding it meant a chance to become county magistrate one day. Sun Jiu might be young, but his ambition was considerable.

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to ask Magistrate Feng yourself? And with this gold and silver, won’t you be able to open any door?” Qi Jun replied, not agreeing immediately.

“Alas, I wish I could. But I lack connections. In Magistrate Feng’s eyes, he naturally trusts Commander He more. After thinking it over, I can only rely on you now. You’re favored by the magistrate—he’ll listen to your suggestion. I’m counting on you!” Sun Jiu stood up and bowed deeply.

Though Qi Jun disdained getting involved in such power struggles, Sun Jiu’s offer was too good to refuse.

“I’ll try, but I can’t promise results,” Qi Jun sighed, accepting reluctantly.

“Thank you, Master!” Sun Jiu, delighted, opened the door and took his leave. “I won’t disturb your rest any longer.”

Qi Jun closed the door and lay down, excitement bubbling at the thought of the bandits’ treasure. He was already planning how to use this wealth to forge the world’s strongest squad in his mind.

With weapons and tactics far ahead of their time, and proper training, even ten Panlong Ridges wouldn’t be enough to withstand him.