Chapter 27: Kill the Chicken with a Cow Knife
Today's second update, collect it and see if Lao Bai can still make a comeback, please help, charge!!!
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The salt smugglers who were running and rushing forward had their chests and heads pierced, and the weapons in their hands, even if they chopped down, would only chop at the air. The bamboo poles stabbed flatly with all one's might, combined with the speed of the salt smugglers' run, this force was truly not small.
Six or seven people running in the front, not one was spared. The person at the very front was even directly poked and sent flying by a bamboo pole. The people closely following behind were all dodging and weaving, their footsteps suddenly becoming chaotic. Those holding the bamboo poles took another step forward in unison and stabbed again with all their might.
Continuously moving forward three steps, more than a dozen salt vendors fell to the ground. Although the bamboo pole was flat-headed, this strike hit them right in the chest and head, causing unbearable pain, leaving them unable to move.
Qiu Dahai and the remaining dozen or so people were startled, pulled their legs and ran towards the back. After running a few steps, they found that the other side did not take advantage of the situation to catch up, but instead retreated a few steps and stood still on the spot. Qiu Dahai and his men stood there at a loss, completely unsure what to do next, but if they were to make another move, they didn't have the guts.
Qiu Dahai has traveled extensively throughout the south and north, gaining some experience. Looking at these villagers holding bamboo poles, their demeanor clearly resembles that of elite government troops. Thinking about this sends chills down his spine. Suddenly, he thinks of a question: the Ling Shan Garrison is nearby, and he's never taken them seriously in his smuggling operations. Has he come looking for trouble this time?
At this time, someone on the opposite side shouted again:
"Qiu Dahai, don't pretend to toast but not drink and then be forced to drink a penalty cup. Let me ask you again, did you agree with what was said earlier?"
After careful consideration, agreeing to it wouldn't be a big deal. He could just keep half of the salt and then go back for another shipment. However, Qiu Dahai felt that he was also a well-known figure in the private salt trade of Laizhou, and all parties wanted to save face. Being threatened by this poor man who couldn't even explain himself, and admitting defeat like this, was just too humiliating.
At the time of polishing, someone behind him suddenly pulled his collar, and Qiu Dahai, who was still polishing, turned back impatiently to scold, but when he turned back, he saw that his subordinate was trembling with fear, pointing forward with his hand, opening and closing his mouth but unable to speak. Qiu Dahai turned back in shock, only to see the person opposite him had already reversed the bamboo pole, removing the bundle of cloth tied at the end, now pointing the other end towards them.
The other end was a sharpened bamboo pole, which looked somewhat comical, but being pointed at by these sharp ends, even the most fearless salt smugglers were scared to the point of standing their hair on end. Those who had fallen to the ground were frantically crawling backwards, if they were stabbed in the body, it would be a bloody hole. Chudahai's mouth was agape as he stood there, until someone behind him gave him a hard push and he finally came back to his senses, shouting loudly:
"Just do as brothers said, everyone eats this bowl of rice is not easy, everyone gets rich, everyone gets rich."
He turned around and scolded loudly:
"What are you still dazing around for? Quickly take it down! Don't just move half of it, move everything!"
Looking at them so cleverly, a person came out from the side of those holding bamboo poles, carrying a small bag in his hand, walked to Qiu Dahai and handed it over with a smile, saying:
"Old Qiu, this is thirty taels of silver, for seventy-two loads of salt. You won't be at a loss, don't look so glum. Go back to the salt yard and buy some more next time, we won't make it difficult for you."
Listening to this condition, Qiu Dahai let out a sigh of relief. The other party was not unreasonable and left some room for himself. Looking at the young man who came over, he was only in his early twenties, with a dark face and rough hands and feet. From his appearance, it could be seen that he was a villager from the seaside. Seeing that the silver was of good quality and quantity, Qiu Dahai's mood improved somewhat. He politely asked:
"This brother, I've been walking on this salt road for almost ten years, and it's the first time I've seen brothers who can fight like you guys. Where are you from?"
This had some implications of probing into someone's private life. The young man didn't evade the question either, and with a smile, he began to speak:
"Old Qiu, we'll be dealing with each other for a long time to come, you'll find out slowly, hurry up, I still need to collect these salt goods!"
On a high slope not far away, Li Meng was watching everything that happened on the road. The salt vendors who had been calm and composed were now dejectedly pushing their carts in the direction of the salt yard, while another 40 or 50 people emerged from the side of the road, pushing chicken cars and carrying poles to transport the salt away.
"Those who received salt were all beaten like this, if we go..."
Li Meng glanced at his side, Wang Hai was excitedly talking to Zhao Nai, and the other young salt carriers standing behind him were also clenching their fists and rubbing their palms with excitement. This time, they took action against the group of salt bandits, Li Meng brought all the people out, but didn't send them all out.
Instead, he arranged for Chen Liu to lead thirty men in blocking the road and forty men to ambush by the roadside, while he himself led the salt transport team of relatively elite young and strong men to be ready to provide support at any time.
Things went very smoothly, and the lightly armed bamboo pole holders easily defeated the salt smugglers who were more in number and armed with knives and axes. This miraculous feat made everyone look at Li Meng with a different gaze.
This time's arrangement can be said to be successful, got salt, the people in the salt cooking team have gained some actual combat experience, and everyone has increased their confidence, especially the carefully selected salt transport team. Those who saw that they were not as good as their own people who fought so well, if they themselves went forward, would they not be even stronger? The confidence in their hearts is even more sufficient.
What others see as mysterious is actually not complicated. With sufficient training and discipline, these young people naturally have combat effectiveness.
Moreover, the people trained by these methods of training modern army's physical strength and formation - although they have only been trained for more than a month - are really killing chickens with a bull knife when dealing with these private salt smugglers who are more like small merchants. The process of fighting made Li Meng smile bitterly.
In Qiu Da Hai's view, the row of salt vendors looked neat and tidy. In Li Meng's eyes, they were crooked and twisted. When the salt vendors rushed over, two people in the back had their bamboo poles fall to the ground, and those who held them horizontally were also uneven. Otherwise, some would not have been stabbed in the chest, and others would not have been stabbed in the head.
There are still a few steps to go before dawn, some fast and some slow. If it weren't for the flat salt vendors being a motley crew, they would seize the chaos of this formation, counterattack, rush forward, and victory wouldn't be decided so quickly. This battle is not suitable for using spearhead tactics, besides, the other side is just a group of salt vendors transporting salt. If we kill them, it will provoke public outrage, not to mention who will provide us with supplies afterwards.
"Li, how's my boxing?"
