Dominating Martial King
Chapter 297 - 297 207 February Debating Martial God Machine Request for Subscription _2

297: Chapter 207 February Debating Martial God Machine (Request for Subscription) _2 297: Chapter 207 February Debating Martial God Machine (Request for Subscription) _2 Sheen Zhou sighed softly and looked towards Xishan, “I have thought of solutions, such as dispatching grain from Cangwu County, but the nine hundred li mountain path is winding and rugged, with costs extremely high, five times those of Xishan.”

“I also had people sneak grains into Xishan along with those hunters, using the back paths.

However, West Mountain Hall checks very strictly.

They ignore the West Mountain hunters but are exceptionally cruel to my Sheen Family’s subordinates, resulting in more than twenty deaths to date.”

When he spoke of this matter, he thought of Lu Pingyuan.

When Lu Pingyuan served under Liu Dingtang, he didn’t think much of him.

But once he joined Chu Xisheng, he felt that this person was truly talented.

The whole Xishan area was impregnable.

Long Heng also frowned deeply, “This lad is indeed malicious!”

What are the consequences after the West Mountain bandits are sealed off?

In times of hardship, they will not hesitate to attack those West Mountain hunters, extort their money, and seize their food.

Chu Xisheng not only wants to force the West Mountain hunters into submission and to voluntarily hand over Peace Money, but also to win over their hearts!

The hunters won’t think too much about it; they will only see the bandits of Xishan becoming more and more excessive towards them.

If not for the shelter of West Mountain Hall, the bandits would exploit them indiscriminately and even drive them to ruin.

The hunters can only beg Chu Xisheng for rescue and ask him to collect the blood tax.

Unless the Sheen Family can control those West Mountain bandits and refrain from seizing the hunters’ food and wealth.

But if mountain bandits could be ordered and refrain from harming the locals, they would not be called bandits.

However, Long Heng came here today precisely to solve this problem.

“How about starting with the Dan Family.”

Long Heng appeared thoughtful, his eyes revealing a puzzled look, “They are so bold!

Daring to take over the financial resource of the Lord County Captain in Xishan and set up checkpoints.

Isn’t Dan Chiling afraid of Iron Banner Gang’s defeat and being held accountable by the Lord County Captain afterward?”

If Dan Chiling had any sense, he wouldn’t have sealed off those three mountain paths so tightly and would have left some leeway for himself.

But Sheen Zhou just gave a cold smile, playing with the teacup in his hand, “That’s where you’re wrong.

Just last night, Dan Chiling sent thirty thousand taels of Demon Silver to the Prefectural Governor.”

So what if the Iron Banner Gang falls?

The Dan Family, compelled to submit to West Mountain Hall, have the protection of the Prefectural Governor.

Why would they care about Sheen Zhou’s opinion?

They clearly see that by that time, whether or not Sheen Zhou still has the money to hold the position of ‘Xiushui County Captain’ is questionable, so why wouldn’t the Dan Family do this deal?

Long Heng was momentarily stunned, then his mood became extremely complex.

He was both helpless against the Prefectural Governor’s greed and admiring of Dan Chiling’s cunning.

Long Heng then settled his emotions, his eyes showing a trace of severity, “If soft methods don’t work then let’s be hard.

Dan Chiling, trying to block the three passages with his family’s power, is overestimating his capabilities.

We might as well have several gangs of bandits from Xishan forcefully burst through the passageway together to teach them a lesson.”

Upon hearing this, the corners of Sheen Zhou’s lips slightly lifted, his expression ironic.

He pondered – does this really still need to be said by you, Long Heng?

He slightly shook his head, “I have already been planning this matter, but I have to wait for the right moment.”

What is the best moment?

Of course, when Chu Xisheng’s rescue comes too late.

Otherwise, with Chu Xisheng’s Vengeful Blade Intent blocking those narrow mountain paths, it would truly be ‘one man holding the pass, ten thousand unable to open’.”

The bandits inside Xishan, however numerous, would not be enough to slaughter.

※※※※

At the same time, in the south slope of Xishan, there is a small village called ‘Ji Family Village’.

A seventeen-year-old hunter, Ji Yuan, looked at the several bandits who had burst into his house with a mixture of rage and helplessness.

These men, like wolves and tigers, rummaged throughout his house.

They carried away his family’s bags of rice and took down several strings of game meat and smoked meat that were hanging under the eaves.

They also took away the animal skins he had dried.

They nearly took away all the belongings in those thatched cottages, even not sparing the oil and salt from the kitchen.

Among them was a stalk of Dragon Blood Grass, a main material for secret medicine that Ji Yuan had risked his life to gather.

This was his hope for future promotion to Eighth Rank.

Their lives as deep-mountain hunters were difficult, largely because of the high-priced salt and grains from outside, causing oppressive exploitation by external merchants.

The game meat and furs they hunted could not fetch a good price, but the salt and grains, as well as the saltpetre sold in the mountains, were twice the price of those outside.

However, they had much more convenience than ordinary people in terms of cultivation.

To break free from this impoverished life, cultivation was the only way.

Ji Yuan clenched his molars, his hands bulging with veins, pondering whether to fight back desperately?

He had a cultivation level just below Eighth Rank, swords and bows were on him, and he had the power to fight.

However, three red-clothed bandits stood in front of Ji Yuan, each holding a blade.

One of them smiled amiably, “Young man, no need to be so tense, we brothers are only seeking wealth.

The stock in the stronghold is low, so we’re here to borrow a bit from everyone.”

He glanced at Ji Yuan’s sword-handling hand, his eyes slightly narrowing, “Young man’s cultivation is admirable, but you need to think it through.

We, over eight hundred brothers from White Cloud Village, could easily flatten your little village.”

“You might be able to fight well, but it’s not necessarily true for your family.

If you don’t want them dead, then behave yourself!

You can earn back what’s lost, but if people are gone, then everything is gone.”

Ji Yuan didn’t speak, but his feelings of injustice and anger intensified.

However, when he turned and looked towards the corner of the courtyard, his heart tightened slightly.

There, Ji Yuan’s widowed mother was holding his sister, both huddled in the corner, shivering.