Green Mountain
Chapter 405 - 323. United in hatred against the enemy

Chapter 405: 323. United in hatred against the enemy

When the Zhang Family’s carriage passed through Xuanwu Gate, the Five Cities Military Department on duty didn’t even bother with inspections, and stood even straighter than usual.

Brother Pao and Er Dao were left in front of the inn, while the six carriages that went in different directions did not head toward the Yulin Army Commander’s Mansion but eventually gathered in Cheng’en Temple Alley beside the Pottery Factory.

Inside the carriage, Xiao Man asked curiously, "Second Sister, where is this?"

Zhang Xia, masked, sat upright in the carriage, quietly reciting scriptures without answering. When they arrived, she alighted on her own and gestured for everyone to follow.

This place was in a remote corner of the southwest inner city, with Cheng’en Temple to the north, Stone Lamp Temple to the south, and a few houses in between creating an especially serene atmosphere.

Zhang Xia walked to the door of a house and knocked three fast knocks followed by two slow ones. Someone from inside opened the gate.

The Yulin Army filed in one after another, and saw more than a dozen men who hadn’t slept standing in the courtyard with a fire pit, roasting two legs of lamb over it.

When they saw Zhang Xia enter masked, they immediately stood up, greeted her with their hands cupped in silence.

Chen Ji recognized these people.

When they left Luocheng City earlier, they were in the group, and Zhang Zhuo had mentioned that these were all Death Soldiers of the Zhang Family.

Zhang Xia entered the main hall and found a four-fold Xuan paper to spread on the table. She picked up a brush, quietly reciting scriptures while casually drawing a map of Zhengxi Fang and marking names such as Baishun Alley, Hanjiatan Alley, Rouge Alley, etc.

Multitasking.

Chen Ji waited quietly on the side, and seeing Chen Ji not hurry, the Yulin Army also restrained their impatience. Brother Pao and Er Dao exchanged glances and waited aside.

When the map was finished, Zhang Xia finally spoke, pointing at Li Shamao Alley on the map: "Heji placed eighty-four people here, sixty-three in Hanjiatan Alley, twenty-one in Stone Alley, and forty-two in Wangguangfu Slant Street..."

The Yulin Army simultaneously looked at Zhang Xia, seemingly surprised by how Zhang Xia had observed so many details while appearing to just join the bustle.

Li Xuan, masked, said in a deep voice, "Their forces are concentrated around Li Shamao Alley. Are they guarding against us?"

Chen Ji said calmly, "Heji lost in arm wrestling but does not intend to concede Li Shamao Alley. They are not defending against us but against Furui Xiang."

Li Xuan nodded: "No wonder there are so many people."

Chen Ji pondered, "When we go again tomorrow, we can’t attack from Li Shamao Alley. Since Heji doesn’t play by the rules, we won’t be bound by formality either. Beat them down exhausted, drag them down, and create a local advantage."

However, Li Xuan suddenly said, "We can practice our skills without necessarily being enemies with Heji and trying to crush them. We don’t know who Heji relies on; if the ones behind them surface, we may find it hard to manage."

Zhang Xia gave Li Xuan a glance. She knew Chen Ji meant practicing, but the purpose was far beyond practice. To take over the Silver Coin interests in the Eight Great Hutongs, Heji must be brought down and crushed underfoot.

After a moment’s thought, she said, "We must crush Heji, or how else will we know how desperate enemies react? Now, everyone exercises some restraint, not daring to start a massacre, but the real battlefield isn’t like this—it must reach a fever pitch to complete the final step of training, otherwise it’s just child’s play... As for how to end it, we’ll deal with that later."

Chen Ji responded with a hum, echoing, "This array is something new. We must place ourselves in danger to see if it is of great use."

Li Xuan mused, "Makes sense."

Duobao and the others showed some excitement: "Ever since we returned from Guyuan, the daily routine rotation has been quite uneventful. We finally have something to do, let’s start with those troublesome Heji."

Li Cen chimed in, "After crushing Heji, let’s take on Furui Xiang!"

Li Xuan glanced at them, "Is it a great honor for us to fight those ruffians? Stop clamoring."

After speaking, his gaze returned to the map: "Perhaps there will be more ruffians in Li Shamao Alley tomorrow. Where should we enter to fight?"

Chen Ji and Zhang Xia simultaneously pointed to one side of the map, confidently saying, "Here."

...

...

After discussing the tactics, Zhang Xia began selecting individuals one by one.

She pointed at Qi Zhenzhuo and said, "Your thirty people will be divided into three teams. The foremost spearman must be decisive and should be replaced if you can’t manage."

Qi Zhenzhuo hesitated to speak; he intended to refuse but knew he was at a loss for words.

Zhang Xia then looked at the three crossbowmen, "You three couldn’t play your part today, could you?"

The three Yulin Army men nodded, "We could only support with the long spear but seldom found opportunities."

Zhang Xia thought for a moment, "Use the Cowhide Slingshot to shoot iron balls first; your job isn’t to kill but to harass. If any companion falls into danger, you must support from afar."

She then looked at the screening hand holding a trident, "Your role is to cover the middle four spearmen as they kill; don’t have too strong a killing intent yourself, lest it disrupts the formation."

Duobao raised his hand, "Instructor, I have something to say. The bamboo is too soft; when the branches brush the enemy’s face, it only serves as interference. If the enemy is determined, they charge right through. I’ve tried several times to fend off their axe, but the bamboo is too soft to hold up, and it becomes bald after a few chops."

Chen Ji explained, "The bamboo originally should be soaked in tung oil, with the front end tipped with iron, and the branches smeared with poison like arsenic, to have a deterrent effect. Also, I wanted bamboo that was one zhang six chi long, but the North doesn’t have bamboo that long, compromising its deterrent force."

Zhang Xia suddenly said, "Switch to iron ones."

Duobao’s eyes lit up.