CHAPTER 101: CHAPTER 101: RAIDING THE SALT WAREHOUSE

The river outside Fu Ze Village.

"One, two, three, lift."

"One, two, three, lift."

Zhang River paced back and forth along the riverbank, holding a whistle stick.

In the river, hundreds of men stood in the water, ten men each holding a waist-thick log, squatting down, lifting it up.

The river water had already risen past their waists; if they couldn’t lift it up when they squatted down, they’d get water in their mouths and choke.

"Sweat more in training, bleed less in battle. Twenty more, hurry up."

Seeing someone slacking, Zhang River jumped directly onto the log being lifted by the group, almost causing them to fall into the river.

"Looks like I’ve been too lenient with you. Heard that while I was away, someone reported Captain Hu to Brother Mo. The training I’ve given is indeed too light." Zhang River stomped his foot and shouted, "Died, have you? Lift it up for me."

"One, two, three, lift." The ten men lifting the log, with Zhang River on top, mustered all their strength and lifted it up.

Finally, twenty log lifts were completed.

Zhang River said, "Alright, come ashore, rest for a quarter of an hour, prepare for the next phase of training."

No one dared to express any dissatisfaction.

Because once a hint of grievance was voiced, training would be extended, as they had already experienced in the morning.

No matter how discontent, they could only grit their teeth and endure.

They trained until the sunset before ending the day’s exercise.

After dinner, the soldiers dragged their weary bodies, ready to leave.

At this moment, Chen Mo and Hu Qiang appeared before them and said loudly, "Don’t rush to leave, I’ll give you an hour’s rest, and after an hour, 9 p.m., gather here."

Gather at 9 p.m.?

The Divine Brave Guards had varied expressions, the clever ones guessing that there might be additional training at night?

Despite being puzzled, no one questioned.

In these days, obedience to higher orders without dissent had become ingrained in their minds.

"Yes."

After responding in unison, everyone quickly went back to rest.

Zhang River hurriedly found Chen Mo, inquiring about the situation.

Upon learning about the plan to seize the salt warehouse, Zhang River was not afraid at all, but rather excited, saying, "Brother Mo, let me go with you."

"No need."

Chen Mo waved his hand and instructed, "The village needs someone to stay behind. This time, I’ll take seven hundred people; you stay with the rest to guard the village. If anything unexpected happens, immediately lead the villagers to the mountains."

"Yes."

Despite feeling a bit unwilling, Zhang River nodded in agreement.

After giving instructions, he also returned to lie down for a while, restoring his spirit.

...

One moment before 9 p.m.

With Han Anniang’s help, Chen Mo put on armor.

Though called armor, it was hardly armor at all.

It was made from the fur of some animal, forming leather armor to protect the chest and back, covered with interconnected bamboo pieces outside, and thin iron sheets embedded at crucial points like the chest.

There’s some defensive capability, mainly against ordinary arrows, but not against crossbows.

Indeed, it was something stripped from the body of a county’s defense army; naturally, their armor couldn’t compare to elite troops; how good could it be?

If the defense army could all wear iron armor, how strong would the elite troops be?

Finally, Chen Mo picked up a Tang Blade and fastened it to his waist.

"Sister-in-law, I’m leaving," Chen Mo said.

Han Anniang nodded.

Watching Chen Mo walk out of the master bedroom, Han Anniang rushed to hug him from behind: "Uncle, be careful."

"Hmm."

After bidding farewell to Han Anniang, Chen Mo went to the stable, took two "pottery jars," and mounted his horse.

These days, the chestnut horse had grown a bit fatter under his feeding.

Riding out of the courtyard, Chen Mo arrived at the center of the village, where Zhang River, Han Wu, Hu Qiang, and others were already lined up waiting.

Seeing Chen Mo in armor and carrying a blade, even the dullest among them could guess that something major was happening tonight.

Standing before them, Chen Mo wasted no words, directly saying, "Tonight, we’re attacking the Qingtian County salt warehouse. Kill any official soldiers who dare resist."

"Yes."

They responded in unison, but none showed fear; some even seemed eager.

Among them were some who had killed and seen blood, braver than ordinary villagers.

Chen Mo nodded with satisfaction and instructed, "Han Wu, lead a team to bring over all the mule carts, donkey carts, and ox carts."

Soon, two mule carts, two donkey carts, and two ox carts were brought over for hauling the spoils.

Chen Mo exchanged a glance with Zhang River, squeezed the horse’s belly, drew the Tang Blade from his waist, and shouted, "Move out."

...

Fu Ze Village was far from the Qingtian County salt warehouse. Under the bright moonlight, the Divine Brave Guard quick-marched and reached the location at midnight.

The salt warehouse was built on flat ground half a mile from the Salt Lake, with official soldiers patrolling outside and a watchtower erected, where someone held a crossbow, scanning around using firelight.

Chen Mo and his party stopped in a paddy ridge not far from the salt warehouse, lying down, hiding their forms utilizing the night.

After rushing for over an hour, Chen Mo didn’t order an immediate attack, instead letting the soldiers rest for a while.

A quarter of an hour later, Chen Mo said to Hu Qiang, Han Wu, and seven squad leaders, "Later, I’ll be the first to charge out. When I unleash the Immortal Technique and you hear a thunderous explosion, charge at once; anyone who misses the timing will face military punishment."

"Yes."

Chen Mo took out a pottery jar he carried, then bent over to stroke the horse’s face, and his expression turned cold. He pulled the reins, squeezed the horse’s belly with both feet, and the chestnut horse beneath him let out a neigh, darting toward the salt warehouse.

"Who goes there?"

The soldiers atop the watchtower quickly spotted the charging Chen Mo, shouted, and struck the golden gong.

The soldiers patrolling below immediately formed ranks upon hearing the gong, and the crossbowmen took aim.

"Who goes there? Stop!"

The soldier atop the watchtower took out a crossbow, aimed at the charging figure, and pulled the trigger.

"Whizz!"

However, Chen Mo’s actions were swifter. He ignited the gunpowder pottery jar’s fuse using Solar True Qi and threw it towards the arrayed soldiers.

The pottery jar brushed the crossbow arrow.

When it appeared above the soldiers, the fuse burned through and exploded violently, a sulfurous gunpowder smell accompanying thick black smoke, and then shattered pottery shards, iron pieces, and stones within the jar blasted out, scattering destructively in all directions.

"My ears."

"My eyes, ahhh..."

A chorus of wails rose.

The arrows from the watchtower were caught by Chen Mo, who drew his Tang Blade and swung it fiercely.

"Boom," a loud crash, and the watchtower collapsed.

Behind, Han Wu witnessed this scene, feeling his blood boil, turned back, and shouted, "Attack!"

"Attack!"

Seven hundred Divine Brave Guards charged towards the salt warehouse.