Chapter 130 — Yunmeng (1)
The few troublemakers were tied to the trees and each received thirty lashes.
Hu Da obeyed the order and sealed their mouths. They only managed weak, muffled groans. After a dozen lashes, their foreheads were covered in cold sweat, their eyes blank, and some fainted halfway through.
Xie Jing said in a deep voice, “Bring some spring water. Douse them awake and continue.”
Hu Da responded, taking the mountain spring water from someone nearby and splashing it on them, forcing them to endure the remaining lashes.
The others gathered around to watch, and for a moment, the forest fell silent.
Xie Jing scanned the surrounding people and said coldly, “If anyone tries to flee at the last minute, this will be your fate!”
The surrounding people murmured assent, their voices barely audible. When they looked at Xie Jing again, the previous contempt in their eyes had disappeared.
After teaching them a lesson, Xie Jing didn’t let the punished men return to Sichuan. They remained tied to the trees as a warning. Without needing reminders from the Xie family, the other families kept a close watch on them, fearing they might escape and endanger everyone. The harsh punishment also intimidated some of the hired hunters and escorts, who dared not make another mistake.
Xie Jing then asked, “Who is familiar with the mountain paths around here?”
The bespectacled youth from before stood up, speaking eagerly: “My family has traveled these mountain paths for years. I’ve been through the canyon twice.” He brought over two men, looking honest in their forties. “These two once traveled the canyon with my family’s caravan. My legs aren’t good, so I’d be a burden. Master Xie, it would be better to take these two—they can help a bit.”
Xie Jing inquired briefly. Both men were indeed experienced. He chose one, taking him along with Hu Da, Wang Su, and a few others to scout the canyon.
Xu Jun stayed nearby, resting, and did not stop them.
The three hundred people were divided into several circles. At the core were the leaders sent by each merchant family, mostly young, though a few senior managers accompanied them. Xu Jun, however, sat alone at the center, and no one dared approach him.
The group rested and spoke in low voices, discussing the Xie family quietly enough that their words were only partially audible.
“Did you see? That kid just now not only looks like Xie Siquan, but strikes just as fiercely!”
“I heard he’s Xie Siquan’s nephew?”
“How can a nephew have the same surname as his uncle? Must be… an illegitimate son.”
Someone whispered this, and the surrounding people didn’t dare respond. Some cast covert glances toward Xu Jun, leaning forward to whisper: “Aren’t you afraid Xu Jun might hear you? Stop saying that.”
“He and the Xie family head may not get along,” another explained. “Back then, Xie Siquan did everything to keep Xu Jun around, even damaging Xu Jun’s reputation, claiming Xu Jun had eyes for the Xie family. But all these years, who has seen Xu Jun’s wife?”
People exchanged glances—they really hadn’t.
“You mean… the Xie family used a beauty trap?”
“I don’t know about that. All I know is Xu Jun’s been working hard all these years, and never got any reward, just benefiting the Xie family,” the man clicked his tongue. “Back then, the Xu family came to Sichuan with wealth and power. Could Xu Jun accept being beneath someone else? I say he’s been pressured by Xie Siquan all these years, and this time, he finally couldn’t take it—”
“What?”
“That Xie Jing, Xu Jun did it deliberately.”
He leaned closer, gesturing toward the mountain path. Such a risky scouting mission—none of the other families dared take this hot potato, but Xie Jing went.
This young master of the Xie family bore seven or eight similarities in appearance to Xie Siquan. The other families had experienced internal struggles and were aware of the estate’s dynamics. They collectively drew a breath: “Xu Jun is usually kind… he wouldn’t, right?”
“Who knows? It depends on how Xie Siquan treats Xu Jun.”
The others fell silent.
With Xie Siquan’s temper, few could tolerate him. Younger sons who dared ask their uncles or fathers about past matters often suffered at Xie Siquan’s hands, enduring losses both openly and secretly.
The crowd watched Xu Jun in secret. Xu Jun remained calm, waiting for Xie Jing.
Meanwhile, at the canyon, Xie Jing and his group scouted from a distance, roughly mapping the terrain. While cautiously investigating, they noticed fresh marks in the mud—shallow ruts from a cart, no more than a day old.
Wang Su said, “Few carts—no more than two—and they weren’t loaded. Probably just people inside.”
After surveying, Xie Jing quickly ordered a return.
Back at camp, he reported the canyon findings to Xu Jun.
Xu Jun asked, “What do you think?”
Xie Jing replied, “I’ll follow your arrangement, Second Master.”
Xu Jun shook his head and looked him straight in the eye: “I want to hear your thoughts.”
Xie Jing paused, then said, “I scouted the canyon and found carts that were likely robbed. The bandits probably left them to transport silver out of Sichuan. They wouldn’t take a detour; the shortest route is the canyon.”
“If we wait to strike while they’re transporting silver, they likely won’t come out in force.”
“I’ll take a few people and sneak in at night. One fire, and they’ll be forced to respond fully.”
Xu Jun looked at him. “You plan to go up the mountain tonight?”
Xie Jing nodded, then surveyed the people around him and Xu Jun, calmly stating: “Most of these people are workers and salt laborers. They’re strong, yes, but they won’t risk their lives. They’ve never killed anyone. If we take them up slowly, they’ll panic before reaching the top. Second Master, we need a swift attack—no delays.”
Listening to Xie Jing’s analysis, Xu Jun offered a few supplemental suggestions, but did not object, as before.
Xu Jun was highly perceptive and understood Xie Jing’s plan immediately. Though risky, it was indeed the fastest and safest way—safe for the three hundred, not the scout team led by Xie Jing.
Xu Jun asked, “How confident are you?”
Xie Jing thought briefly: “Five or six out of ten. If it fails, I’ll retreat after testing the situation.”
Xu Jun nodded: “Good. I’ll send a hundred men to the canyon’s forest to support you. The rest remain at the high ground. Remember—don’t go too deep. Watch for falling rocks.”
Xie Jing agreed and prepared to leave.
Xu Jun called out: “Do you know why your uncle allowed you to go?”
Xie Jing guessed: “To handle the rough work, help the Second Master?”
Xu Jun pointed to the plain silver earring on Xie Jing’s ear and said in a low voice: “Not everyone can wear this. You came to establish authority—you must not tarnish the Xie family’s name in Upper City.”
Xie Jing lightly touched the earring, smiling: “Rest assured, Second Master. I understand.”
He wasn’t naive. The way the Xie family treated him in recent days, along with seeing only a few wear single earrings along the way, had given him a hint.
The earring meant one thing:
From today on, he would protect his uncle and the Second Master.
Xu Jun watched as Xie Jing sent several people ahead and only smiled faintly once they left.
The team sent to suppress the bandits consisted of young family members. Xie Siquan intentionally gave Xie Jing more responsibility. The more people involved, the better they could observe everything. They knew it was dangerous, but also an opportunity—establishing authority here meant solidifying their foothold in Sichuan.
Xie Jing took a group ahead to scout, leaving most at the canyon entrance, waiting until dusk to begin the ascent.
He chose experienced hunters, two of whom were professional hunters. He had them set up small, non-lethal traps along the way. Some were nervous, stumbling as they walked, but Xie Jing didn’t scold them. To one hunter who did well, he whispered: “Set up more traps nearby. If I haven’t returned by midnight, meet us at the canyon entrance.”
The hunter nodded repeatedly.
Xie Jing arranged everything and had Hu Da and the others take torches along the western cliff to look for opportunities. He and Wang Su led a few along the bandits’ path.
After some distance, they came across a ruined temple. The walls were mostly gone, patched with branches and other makeshift materials. The heavy wooden doors, though chipped, were intact and tightly closed. Light and faint voices were visible inside.
Wang Su and the others found a quiet corner to climb over the wall, but suddenly they heard voices—two drunken bandits relieving themselves near the wall.
Xie Jing and Wang Su each took one, snapping their necks. With a crunch of bone, both went limp.
Xie Jing said, “Find two similar-sized men, change into their clothes, and enter from two directions.”
Wang Su obeyed. Xie Jing climbed over first with one man. He moved silently, making almost no sound.
They scouted two rooms in the dark. Suddenly, voices echoed from the courtyard. They split, rolling into shadowed corners.
The approaching men caused cold sweat to form on the guards’ brows, hands instinctively reaching their waists, ready to protect Xie Jing at a moment’s notice.
