Chapter 312: Returning Stragglers
Fang Wushang pulled out a map and began to analyze it in detail with Bai Yuan.
Gao Jie had been pacified in Heyang County. After his forces disbanded, they would splinter into countless small groups. The majority would return to their various villages and towns within Heyang County, but some would head back to places like Baishui County, Chengcheng County, and Han City.
Fang Wushang’s finger traced the mountain ridge along the border between Heyang County and Chengcheng County, moving from north to south.
"Mr. Bai," he began, "all the villages along this line could potentially be raided by these pacified bandits, seeking provisions."
Fang Wushang continued, "I'll be in the center, providing support. Wherever the bandit forces are strong, I'll go there to reinforce. But ordinarily, all villages will rely on your militia to defend them. You need to properly assign militia instructors to each village and town, ensuring they hold their ground."
Bai Yuan understood this without Fang Wushang needing to elaborate.
He looked down the map, tracing from north to south. The first he saw was Zhengjia Village. Gao Jie had once fought a bloody battle with the militia there, and Suifeng Xiong and Er Chun had both fallen. It was highly likely his men would once again use Zhengjia Village as an entry point into Chengcheng County.
Further south, he noted Beisi Village, Shijiagou, Bangou Village, Beipo Village, Zhangjiahe Village, Quan'gou Village, Changjiahe...
Fang Wushang reached out and tapped Quan'gou Village on the map. "I'll be stationed here, ready to support other villages at any moment."
Fang Wushang explained, "These pacified bandits are different from ordinary brigands. Officially, they've accepted pacification and are recognized by the imperial court as 'civilians.' They're merely 'returning home.' Therefore, we cannot actively block or attack them. We must wait until they begin to cause trouble before we can intervene. This is a very tricky situation."
Bai Yuan frowned. "Indeed!"
Before, when Gao Jie's men scaled the mountains to attack Zhengjia Village, the Gao Family Village Militia didn't need to waste words; they simply rained down rolling logs and boulders. But this time, it was impossible. When they scaled the mountains, they couldn't be attacked, because they were "returning home," not "attacking." If the militia attacked, they would lose moral standing and legal justification.
This put them at a significant disadvantage!
What if the bandits used the pretext of "returning home" to first climb the mountains, bypass the natural defenses, and then suddenly launch an assault? That would truly be impossible to guard against.
Even Li Daoxuan couldn't help but frown.
He had to monitor this situation constantly, without missing a single detail, or he risked losing many of his own little people.
Fang Wushang and Bai Yuan had been talking for a long time when his hundred-plus soldiers finally caught up, each one breathless: "General Fang," one panted, "we... *huff*... we've finally arrived."
Fang Wushang replied, "Oh? Good that you've arrived. Mr. Bai and I have finished our discussion. Now, proceed immediately to Quan'gou Village."
With that, he slapped his horse's flank. "Giddy up!"
Once again, he galloped off alone towards Quan'gou Village.
His hundred-plus subordinates cried out in unison, "What? He's off again?"
Their protests were in vain; Fang Wushang had vanished from sight. The hundred-odd soldiers had no choice but to continue their march towards Quan'gou Village.
The Vice Inspector couldn't help but sigh deeply. "I truly miss when Inspector Cheng was still here."
The Archer Squad Leader chimed in, "Isn't that the truth? Inspector Cheng Xu was truly excellent, alas! What a pity he was killed by the Embroidered Uniform Guard."
"Achoo!" Cheng Xu, hiding in a distant grove, sneezed. "Who? Who's talking about me behind my back?"
Gao Family Village was already mobilizing for war, preparing to march into Huanglong Mountain to confront Wang Zuogua. Now, hearing that the Heyang County bandits might scatter and come their way, they simply shifted their focus to the Heyang bandits instead.
Cheng Xu waited for Fang Wushang and his entourage to depart before emerging from behind the trees. "Zhengjia Village will undoubtedly be our primary defensive point, so I shall lead the main force of the Gao Family Village Militia and remain garrisoned there."
Bai Yuan nodded. "Zao Ying's cavalry squadron can remain as a central reserve, and there's no need to station them in every village. I'll consider this... I'll make a trip back to the county seat and bring over the newly formed large militia there. We'll deploy them in groups of two hundred, stationed at the villages along the line."
Li Daoxuan suddenly spoke. "Bai Yuan, the difficulty you face now isn't that you can't defeat these returning stragglers, but that you cannot actively engage them. Mixing with them would be extremely dangerous. You must be careful to maintain distance. At the same time, you must use your formidable strength to intimidate them, so that they dare not cause trouble when they see you."
As it turned out, Gao Yiye had just arrived beside them, allowing Li Daoxuan to give direct orders.
Bai Yuan's spirits lifted upon hearing this. "I had a similar thought myself, but I hadn't quite figured out how exactly to intimidate them."
Li Daoxuan replied, "Simply display your military might."
Bai Yuan stammered, "This... specifically..."
Li Daoxuan explained, "Lead your militia to Gao Family Village. Have the Craftsman Well equip them with weapons and gear. Everyone should be armed to the teeth. When the returning stragglers witness their imposing presence, they'll be utterly cowed and naturally won't dare to cause trouble."
Bai Yuan had a flash of realization.
Li Daoxuan continued, "Furthermore, grain! Ample grain is the key to stabilizing these people. Immediately transport large quantities of grain and stockpile it in these villages. When the returning stragglers arrive, provide them with full meals, so they won't raise their blades against the villagers out of hunger."
Bai Yuan bowed deeply. "The Heavenly Lord is benevolent."
Li Daoxuan warned, "Gao Jie has been stirring up trouble in Heyang County for over a year. Some of these stragglers have long since transformed into bloodthirsty thugs, incapable of returning to farm life. There will undoubtedly be those who take advantage of our generosity, eat our grain, and still demand more...
"Any such individuals are to be executed without exception! Hang their heads for public display."
Bai Yuan's spirits sharpened. "I understand everything now."
He mounted a horse, taking a few household retainers with him, and sped towards the county seat. At the same time, San Shier began preparing grain transport teams. Moving grain to the villages along the border was no easy feat.
Most of these villages were remote; no cement roads had been built, so the grain could only be transported over mountains and valleys using handcarts, pushed by manpower...
Organizing a large group of people was essential.
Li Daoxuan had a sudden inspiration. "San Shier, go to the prison. Organize the labor reform prisoners into groups of one hundred. Have them transport the grain to the various villages. Once they arrive, issue each of them a weapon and have them guard the provisions."
San Shier instantly grasped the Heavenly Lord's meaning and chuckled. "That truly is an excellent strategy."
"As for those returning stragglers, if they have no ill intent, then all is well. But if they dare to meddle with our grain, hehehe... that would truly be 'seeking their own demise.'"
"However," San Shier still had a slight concern, "what if these people abscond with the grain carts midway through the transport?"
Li Daoxuan replied, "I will be watching."
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