CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 71: PLANNING

Can’t deny, Han San’s words do make sense.

The officials in the government office, they don’t value their lives at all.

Now that this matter has happened, if the government knows, they definitely won’t let them off.

Even their families and children...

Thinking of their families and children, someone panicked and said, "I heard that crimes like these implicate one’s family. Now that I’ve run, my wife and kids at home..."

"And my wife and kids, the government’s people will surely capture them."

"No, I must go back and take my parents with me."

"..."

The crowd immediately became agitated.

Seeing the situation getting a bit out of control, Han San shouted, "If you all go back like this, you’re just walking into a trap. For all we know, the government is already aware and waiting for you to fall into their hands."

"Then what should we do if we don’t go back? We can’t just watch our wife and kids being taken by government officials." A middle-aged man said.

"Yes, we can’t just ignore our family." The crowd echoed.

"What’s all this noise about?"

The people from Da Han Village began to shout, then stood beside Han San, backing him up.

The twenty or so people from Da Han Village, all had blood on their hands from the official soldiers, and not only that, they were all wearing the soldier’s armor, gripping their sabers.

Standing together, they managed to intimidate three to four hundred people.

Han San, with his big stature, clad in armor, holding the official saber, seemed very imposing. He thumped his chest and said, "Don’t worry, I have a plan. You all going back separately won’t work. We will descend together, and then bring your families into the mountains to become bandits. With so many of us, even if the government has laid an ambush, we can watch out for each other."

The people exchanged glances and thought this might work.

Seizing the chance, Han San added, "Since you think it’s doable, from now on, you must all listen to me. Don’t worry, the Celestial Master Army from the north is coming soon. We’ll stay in the mountains for a while. When the Celestial Master Army arrives, we will join them. Maybe then we’ll not only survive but also have a good life."

"Han San, as long as you can bring my wife up the mountain, I... I’ll follow you."

"Same here."

"Same for me."

"..."

"Good, since the brothers value it so much, I, Han San, will not shirk the responsibility. But since we’re deciding to become bandits in the mountains, there must be no shortage of food. Tell me, whose family outside the city has enough food?" Han San laughed loudly and said.

At these words, the crowd was shaken again.

In these times, who outside the city still has plenty of food?

"My village has one household, definitely not short of food." At this moment, someone stepped out of the crowd, trembling a bit, and said.

Han San glanced at the person: "What’s your name? Which household in your village has a lot of food?"

"My name is Liu Shu, from Fu Ze Village. The Chen Family in the village, they have big meals every day, definitely not lacking in food." Liu Shu said.

"Fu Ze Village’s Chen Family?" Han San squinted his eyes.

The people beside him from the same clan seemed to remember something and whispered, "Third Brother Han, isn’t An Niang married to the Chen Family in Fu Ze Village?"

Hearing his companion’s reminder, Han San gradually recalled and said, "You’re talking about the Chen Family, Chen Hong’s family?"

"Chen Hong..." Liu Shu muttered, suddenly remembering Brother Mo’s brother is named Chen Hong and said, "That’s right, it’s Chen Hong’s family."

But no sooner had he finished, Han San’s face changed: "Damn it, that’s my niece’s husband’s family."

On hearing this, Liu Shu’s expression changed, his face turned pale, and just as he was about to beg for mercy, Han San continued, "But since you mentioned it, it’s true that the Chen Family seems quite wealthy indeed."

Han San wasn’t too concerned about Han Anniang, thus his memory of the Chen Family stayed at the point where they spent a lot of money to marry his niece Han Anniang, so in his eyes, the Chen Family was indeed a "big household."

Subsequently, Han San put on an appearance of righteousness and said, "But for the sake of the brothers not going hungry, it doesn’t matter even if it’s my niece’s husband’s family, I’ll ask Chen Hong for some food; they should agree."

Saying this, Han San also remembered something and said, "But I heard that Chen Hong is dead?"

Han San looked at Liu Shu with confusion.

"Chen Hong is dead, but his younger brother is still there. I don’t know what happened, but his brother Chen Mo seems to have changed, and people in the village say he has become a Martial Artist master." Liu Shu said while glancing at the people from the same village.

"Indeed, Brother Mo has recently become very formidable. He can not only take on more than a dozen people alone, but he can also kill wild boars and bears." Someone from the same village said.

To this, Han San was unimpressed; what about a Martial Artist master, the Centurion they killed before was also a martial artist.

With so many of them, were they afraid of one person?

Besides, they were relatives, maybe by then, that Chen Mo might even join them.

...

Chen Family.

In the cellar.

The two families had just had dinner.

The environment in the cellar is certainly not as good as above.

To save water, the used bowls and chopsticks were just wiped clean with a rag and had to be kept separately to avoid mixing them up and using someone else’s the next day.

Han Anniang, still wearing an apron, was chatting with the Liu Clan, Mr. Zhang, and Lady Zhang.

Song Min was playing with Zhang River’s child Bangtou.

Chen Mo was instructing Zhang River in practicing with the blade.

The Tang Blade whirled through the air, creating a gust of wind; the nearby candle flames flickered slightly.

After practicing with the blade, during a rest break, Zhang River said, "Brother Mo, since Third Han killed officials affecting you to be implicated, those who escaped into the mountains with him, wouldn’t their families be implicated too..."

Chen Mo nodded.

"How many people would the government need to catch, our village..." Saying so, Zhang River fell silent.

They were hiding in the cellar, but there were so many villagers above.

Not to mention saving them, Zhang River thought they could at least give them a heads-up in advance.

Chen Mo knew what Zhang River wanted to say, he lifted the Tang Blade, with the blade parallel to his eyes. His fingers gently caressed the blade, his cold, sharp eyes reflecting off its smooth surface: "Don’t worry, I will take action."

"Shhh..."

The blade was sheathed.

Chen Mo watched the flickering candle flame.

Winning people’s hearts can only work when the situation is most critical.

Just then.

Some dirt fell from above.

The cellar was reinforced, so they didn’t worry about it collapsing.

Chen Mo narrowed his eyes: "Someone’s above."

Zhang River was startled: "Government officials? They came too soon, we just talked about it this afternoon, and they’re here by evening..."

Han Anniang and the others who were talking immediately fell silent.

Song Min sensibly covered Bangtou’s mouth, gesturing with a "shh."

Chen Mo raised an eyebrow. Given his deterrence in the village, not many dared to come to his house, especially with the lights off now, only government people would.

This was indeed way too fast.

"Sister-in-law, stay here, don’t move, I’ll go up and have a look." Chen Mo picked up the Tang Blade and said to Zhang River, "Shui, come with me."