Chapter 672 - 477: The Imperial Court Army That Collapses at a Touch (Part 2)

"With his criminal record, even if he really did that, it can’t guarantee that the Zhao Family wouldn’t settle accounts with him afterward."

Seeing that Zheng Yi was resolute, the others, even if dissatisfied, did not continue to say anything.

With the addition of the Fat Man, the tasks Zheng Yi needed to do suddenly reduced by more than half.

Don’t underestimate Zheng Ya just because he’s fat like a ball; his ability to handle affairs is truly extraordinary.

After all, among Zheng Yi’s current subordinates, he really is the only one with genuine experience in handling government affairs.

The others are just feeling their way forward, taking one step at a time.

The reputation of the Mountain Bandit King Luu Dafei has already spread throughout the Eastern State.

Other bandits and thieves at most bully ordinary people who are alone.

To dare to rob a merchant convoy, that’s already a vicious person among thousands.

After all, no one knows whether the convoys on the road have any ties to the Zhao Family.

If not absolutely necessary, or without thoroughly investigating the background of a convoy, few bandits dare to directly make a move.

But the Mountain Bandit King Luu Dafei is different.

What he robs are not those solitary travelers or even merchant convoys with a small number of escorts.

The first time he made his move, he robbed the army responsible for investigating cases for the Zhao Family.

Such a significant move truly shocked the brothers on the roads of the Eastern State.

Of course, some people are very disdainful of the Mountain Bandit King Luu Dafei.

"I tell you, don’t listen to that Mountain Bandit King boasting about how great he is. In reality, the reason they did that was out of sheer necessity. Otherwise, why hadn’t they made a move before?"

Upon hearing this, the people at several nearby tables immediately became interested.

Seeing this person looking at them with a half-smile but saying nothing.

Someone immediately got the hint: "Waiter, serve a pot of wine for this brother, put it on our tab."

Once the wine was served, the person adopted a mysterious manner and said, "What I’m about to reveal are top-secret matters."

"Today, seeing you brothers as congenial, what I say enters your ears but mustn’t be spread freely outside."

"If any trouble arises, I won’t be able to bear it, and I’ll get into deep trouble."

The people gathered around naturally agreed wholeheartedly.

"Brother, rest assured, we swear not to tell anyone."

"Stop keeping us in suspense, just tell us what’s going on as soon as you can."

Under repeated requests from the crowd, the person finally lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "I say, do you know why the army of the Imperial Court suddenly appeared?"

"For no apparent reason, they’re unlikely out on a mission, right?"

The people around looked at each other, knowing very little about the inside story.

"This matter must start from several months ago." After taking a leisurely sip of wine, this person skillfully recounted the sequence of events.

By just observing his speaking manner, it was clear that this wasn’t his first time doing something like this.

"Several months ago, three sons of the Zhao Family suddenly disappeared in our Eastern State."

"Ah!"

"No way!"

"Is it true that someone had the audacity to harm the Zhao Family?"

Upon hearing this news, the atmosphere around seemed to momentarily freeze.

"You’re not pulling our leg, are you?" Someone instinctively refuted.

Another person immediately chimed in: "Yeah, this is the Zhao Family we’re talking about. If they died in our Eastern State, wouldn’t that be a massive scandal? How could there be no news about it?"

"Heh heh!" The news bearer took another sip of wine.

The nearby people, hearing such a jaw-dropping piece of gossip, despite it being somewhat shocking, couldn’t help but continue to listen.

"Waiter, bring another plate of fava beans to go with the wine, my treat."

"Serve this brother a portion of grilled lamb chops!"

To understand the inside story, the diners were prepared to spend money.

The news bearer seemed surprised by this unexpected boon.

He promptly smiled and cupped his hands to the crowd: "Thank you all for your generosity. Rest assured, I won’t withhold anything."

"Some brothers might doubt the truth of my words—after all, it’s the sons of the Zhao Family we’re talking about; if they died in our Eastern State, how could there be no news at all?"

"But think about it yourselves, how could there really be no news at all? If this matter were fake, why would those in power even mobilize Zhao Ying’s Iron Blood Guard?"

"This is one of the top-ranking armies in our Eastern State. Their sudden deployment, and abrupt entanglement with mountain bandits, is baffling."

"Meeting them is one thing, but how could such a strong army be entirely wiped out by a bunch of bandits?"

This guy’s tone was heavy, drawing everyone in.

"Hence, there’s only one truth: those who killed the three sons of the Zhao Family were these bandits."

Throughout the Eastern State, this scene played out in many places.

Originally unknown information became widely known overnight.

For this reason, Luu Dafei, who dared to act against the Zhao Family, naturally became a household name.

Countless people, upon hearing this news, packed their things.

And set off on a journey to join Luu Dafei.

Seven days later, an army set out from the capital of the Eastern State, heading straight for Tianwang Mountain.

This location was where Zhou Kunshan and his followers settled into banditry.

A massive army of three thousand troops marched with an air of unwavering resolve to crush Tianwang Mountain.

It also prompted many preparing to join Tianwang Mountain to think twice.

Though Luu Dafei styled himself as the Mountain Bandit King and had once defeated the Zhao Family’s army,

that was only a small unit after all. Now facing such a large regular army, whether Zhou Kunshan can still win is another matter.

Initially, everyone thought it would be a fierce battle between dragons and tigers.

Even Zhou Kunshan himself feared he might not win decisively.

However, when the Dog Court’s army reached Tianwang Mountain, their first attack on the stronghold was shattered.

Then Zhou Kunshan led a night raid, breaking through the enemy camp with a single charge.

He forced the commanding officer to flee in panic, leaving even the army behind.

With the commander fleeing, how could the Zhao Family’s army maintain any fighting spirit?

They disintegrated quickly.

Amid the fleeing enemy, Zhou Kunshan coincidentally captured Zhao Ying.

"General Zhao, who would’ve thought we’d meet again so soon?"

"Previously, you sent us so many supplies to Tianwang Mountain, I haven’t even had the chance to thank General Zhao yet. And here you are, so quickly bringing us more supplies."

"Today, I must properly drink with General Zhao."

Zhao Ying’s face turned as red as a monkey’s behind.

The first time he was captured, he considered it due to underestimating the enemy and being unaware of their strength.

Originally, he thought he could redeem himself this time, tearing Luu Dafei to shreds for the insult.

Yet, not only did he fail to exact revenge, but he was humiliated once more.

Zhao Ying wanted to say, "Just kill me if you will."

But, despite gathering up the courage several times, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Once everything was settled, Zhou Kunshan went straight back to the mine to consult Zheng Yi.

"Master, could there be a conspiracy here? Apart from the seven hundred folks we brought out from the mine, the others are those we’ve recruited over time."

"A force like this shouldn’t have much combat power."

"So why were we able to easily defeat the army sent to annihilate us?"

Zheng Yi found it both amusing and confusing, easily accepting the enemy, which instead made Zhou Kunshan lose confidence.

"Isn’t victory a matter of course? There is a fundamental difference between us and the Zhao Family’s army."

"If you couldn’t even win this battle, we’d better consider surrendering to the Zhao Family and the Imperial Court sooner rather than later."

"The real fight is just beginning. The Eastern King Zhao Kongqing will finally regard us as a true threat."