Chapter 502: Meeting Again

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

On the way here, Huaiyuan County had long been occupied by bandits. Therefore, they had even made a big detour to avoid the bandits in Huaiyuan County. So why were they heading there now?

One had to know that they only had a little more than 200 men with them.

Although the regiment commander of the 2nd Division had doubts in his heart, he turned around and quickly gave the orders. Qi Haoran nodded slightly. The reason why he had chosen this guy to follow him was because he was the most obedient and the least talkative among the five regiment commanders. He knew what to ask and what not to ask.

In the army, one only needed to carry out the orders of the higher-ups.

However, Fei Bai did not have such self-awareness. He followed beside Qi Haoran sneakily and asked, “Master, why are we going to go to Huaiyuan County? What if we’re caught?”

“We’re just a small group of bandits. Who will catch us?” Qi Haoran said nonchalantly, “Don’t worry. With me around, you guys won’t die.”

Fei Bai widened his eyes and asked in a low voice, “Master, when did we become bandits?”

“When we change our clothes,” Qi Haoran said as he found a set of patched clothes from the cabinet in a commoner’s house. He took off his clothes and changed into them. Then, he patted his stomach and said, “How is it? Do I look like a bandit who robs houses?”

Fei Bai shook his head. “You look like you were robbed by bandits.”

Qi Haoran kicked him and said, “Go and bring the pot ashes over. I’ll do a good job disguising myself. Oh right, you have to change your clothes too. From today onwards, you won’t be my servant anymore, but my lackey. You have to call me ‘Chief’ in the future, understand?”

Fei Bai turned around and brought the pot ashes over, wanting to talk him out of it. “Master, even if you want to investigate where those people went, there’s no need to pretend to be bandits. If those old scholars in the Imperial Court find out, won’t they impeach you?”

“If they want to impeach me, go ahead. I don’t care. Do you think I’m willing to pretend to be a bandit? I have no choice. Since those people went through so much trouble to bypass Yungui to enter Jinghu, they definitely didn’t go there just to take a walk or slaughter a village. After Jinghu is Lin’an…” Qi Haoran stopped talking. After a while, he continued, “Other than Huaiyuan County, the other areas are still under the control of the Imperial Court. Because of the bandits’ rampage, patrols have been strengthened everywhere. It’s very difficult for so many strangers to pass through the areas controlled by the Imperial Court, but it’s different in places other than here.”

“Although the bandits have occupied the city, they don’t have complete control over it. Furthermore, they are disorganized to begin with and belong to different factions. It’s very easy for them to sneak over with a few hundred people.”

“But since they’ve been gone for two days, they should have passed Huaiyuan County by now. Then why are we still going to Huaiyuan County to pretend to be bandits?”

“Who said that I’m going to be a bandit in Huaiyuan County? Huaiyuan County is just a springboard. Nowadays, other than the Imperial Court’s army, there are most bandits in Jinghu. In some aspects, the information sources of bandits are faster and more comprehensive than the Imperial Court’s army. I think if I can have a place among the bandits, perhaps I can get the bandits to help find these people or even kill them?”

Fei Bai opened his mouth wide and stuttered as he tried to stop him. “F-Fourth Master, isn’t this too massive a scheme? Why don’t we follow the traces obediently? At most, everyone won’t sleep anymore. If we work harder, we’ll be able to find those people. As an official, you’re bringing a group of soldiers disguised as bandits and entering the bandit’s nest. If you’re discovered, things will be bad. You haven’t even seen Young Master yet.”

Qi Haoran had always been a person who was good at listening to his subordinates’ opinions. Hence, after thinking about it carefully, he finally felt that his idea was more beneficial than harmful. Hence, he said firmly, “I’ve made up my mind. Hurry up and change your clothes. Also, call everyone over.” Qi Haoran wanted to do a general mobilization before the battle. The soldiers, who had changed into the clothes of the commoners, stood in front of the large square. With all kinds of messy clothes and a slightly dispirited expression, there was an obvious, defeated look about them. If it were in the past, Qi Haoran would definitely be so angry that he would kick them. But now, Qi Haoran was very satisfied. He felt that the soldiers did not have to pretend. If they were dragged out like this, they would look just like a group of bandits who had been scattered by the Imperial Court’s army.

Qi Haoran told them about his idea and gave everyone instructions on what to say in the future. “I know that this mission is hard on everyone.. After all, it’s a little unbelievable for a soldier to pretend to be a bandit, but compared to bandits, the West Xia soldiers are undoubtedly more detestable…”

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