Chapter 1716: Chapter 32: Seizing

In this era, even in America, which would later dominate the world, industrialization and urbanization had only just begun. The entire California was still filled with the mannerism of the natural wilderness.

Galloping across the open field, Tang Zheng even saw some Indian Natives. They had brightly colored feathers in their hair and held primitive matchlock guns while chasing a herd of deer.

Riding a fine horse and leading eleven others, Tang Zheng charged forward grandly, causing passersby to stop and curiously scrutinize him.

After almost a day, Tang Zheng had already worn out six horses. Although he felt sorry for these steeds, there was no choice; every minute was precious to him now.

As a small town came into view, the mount under him was clearly unable to proceed. White foam was continuously flowing from the horse’s mouth, and its run was becoming unsteady.

“Sorry!” Tang Zheng drew out the dagger and stabbed the big yellow horse fiercely on the buttocks, trying to squeeze the remaining value out of it as much as possible.

The big yellow horse did not let him down and ultimately charged into the small town. However, just as it stepped into the town entrance, its horse hoof lost all strength, and its front legs buckled to the ground.

Tang Zheng’s feet left the stirrups, and he loosened the reins, pressing down on the horse’s head to leap off its back.

With a rumble, the big yellow horse fell to the ground, propelled by the inertia of its sprint and its over one-ton weight, sliding across the road surface like a steamroller and leaving a deep red streak.

The big yellow horse frothed white foam and struggled for a while, without even the strength to scream.

Several small town residents nearby looked on in shock at this scene, feeling incredulous. Horses were very expensive livestock, and he was wasting it this way?

“Fetch some water and get some fine ingredients to feed it!” Tang Zheng consoled the other horses, took out two hundred US dollars, “Who is willing to do it?”

At this time, this was a large sum of money. After being stunned for a moment, the townspeople excitedly rushed forward.

“Don’t slack, or if you let me know, I’ll blow your brains out!” Tang Zheng picked a middle-aged woman who looked honest, gave her the money, and walked into the town. “Where’s a place to eat?”

Although he could find it after spending some time, what Tang Zheng lacked most was just this. He could go without food and drink for several days, but the horses couldn’t; they needed rest.

“There’s a tavern in town where your horses can be tended to as well!” A townsman greeted Tang Zheng warmly, asking about his background.

“That horse is too badly injured. It’s doomed. Can you sell it to me?” An Old Man took off his hat and greeted Tang Zheng with a cunning smile. He could tell this one wasn’t short on money; that dead horse was likely unwanted, and he could take advantage of the situation.

“Alright, but answer me a few questions!”

Upon hearing Tang Zheng’s reply, the Old Man was beyond excited.

As soon as the two entered the tavern, the Old Man was already shouting.

“George, bring two glasses of fine whiskey, and have your son tend to the horses outside with the best fodder.”

“What’s the largest city near here?” Tang Zheng pushed the glass aside, “Please get me a glass of water and a lunch.”

“San Francisco!” The Old Man was apparently a bit stupid, grabbed the glass, and eagerly took a sip.

“Didn’t you notice the direction I came from? I’m heading to Salt Lake City!” Tang Zheng glared at the guy, a chill in his tone. “If your answers keep being this out of line, I’ll blow your brains out!”

“Sacramento, California State Capital!” The Old Man became solemn.

“That’s too far; a bit closer, a city with a train station!” Tang Zheng drank water, contemplating the next leg of his journey.

Only after riding did he realize that for short distances, there’s not much difference, but once the journey exceeds a day, it will fall behind the train considerably, and it exhausts too much energy.

Riding a horse is hard work, and the jolting is unbearable. If it weren’t for Tang Zheng, a regular person’s bones would fall apart.

“Vallejo, if you ride, it should take about half a day!” The Old Man replied obligingly, accompanied by a smile.

“A lowly Asian person is worth you all groveling like this!”

An untimely voice sounded, the Old Man didn’t need to look; he knew it was the town-famous punk. He clearly had his sights on this young man, ready to extort some money.

“Your lunch!” George placed a plate filled with food in front of Tang Zheng.

Tang Zheng presented US dollars, picked up the spoon, and swiftly devoured the meal.

The tall and strong cowboy saw the other party didn’t respond, couldn’t burst out, so he pushed aside a chair and walked toward the bar.

His right hand reached into his clothes, scratching an itch, intentionally coughed, and spat thick phlegm into Tang Zheng’s dish.

The people in the tavern laughed uproariously, thinking that young man would be unlucky.

“Sorry, I didn’t see you were here!” The cowboy placed his right hand on the revolver in the holster at his waist, with a clear threat.

The punk’s several brothers also surrounded him.

“Don’t be impulsive. If a fight breaks out, you’ll die. Pay some money and send them away!” The Old Man persuaded. This kid was just an outsider; even if killed, the sheriff wouldn’t care.

“Kid, if you’re sensible…”

The punk’s words were interrupted. Tang Zheng grabbed the plate and slammed it on his face.

Several brothers were startled and quickly drew their guns, but it was still too slow.

Tang Zheng grabbed the punk’s hair and with a bang, smashed it on the bar, swiftly pulling his revolver and pressing it against his head.

Bang, a bullet tore through the ear and shot into the wooden board.

The thug screamed like a pig being slaughtered, and the rest of the guests couldn’t stay calm either. They crouched down one after another, hiding under the tables, fearing to be caught in the crossfire.

“Could you please prepare another lunch for me, like before?” Tang Zheng said to the stunned shop owner.

“Let go of me! Do you know who my uncle is?”

Before the thug could finish his threat, Tang Zheng swiftly grabbed the whiskey glass and smashed it hard against his temples.

Crash, the glass shattered, blood gushed out, covering the thug’s large face.

The Old Man was so scared his legs couldn’t support him, and he saw the thug’s eyeball almost pop out from the blow.

“One minute. If I don’t see any food, you’ll be just like him!” Tang Zheng pointed the revolver at the shop owner. As for the thug, once released, he slid to the floor.

“Kill him!” one of the subordinates reacted, but no sooner had he shouted than a bullet pierced through his skull, blowing off his skull cap.

The distance was too close. Even with his eyes closed, Tang Zheng could blow their heads off.

Bang, bang, bang, several corpses fell to the ground.

The audience couldn’t stay calm and fled the tavern one after another. The Old Man, scared out of his wits, collapsed on the ground, regretting ever getting involved.

“You, you’d better leave quickly. His uncle is the sheriff and will kill you.” The Old Man was quite clever, using a tactic to divert attention and pretended to show concern for Tang Zheng, trying to make him leave on his own.

“I’ll leave after I finish my meal!”

With a gun pointed at him, the shop owner could only obediently serve the lunch, though his trembling hands caused a lot of food to spill.

Tang Zheng took the tray and wolfed down the food. The strong, pungent smell of blood had no effect on him at all.

More and more townspeople gathered around, peeking in from outside to check the scene. The small-town sheriff took a shotgun and fired a shot into the tavern.

The wooden ceiling was blasted open, and wood chips fell thick and fast.

Tang Zheng ignored it entirely and continued questioning the Old Man. His journey that day wasn’t just about hurrying on the road; he thought of many response strategies, and fortunately, he had answers now.

“Rush in and kill him, each will get two hundred US dollars!” The sheriff knew a rich guy had come, thinking that since he’s Asian, no one would hold them accountable if he was killed. The thought of the horses he could sell made him excited.

After eating and drinking his fill, Tang Zheng got up and ran towards a nearby window, crashing straight through it.

“He’s over here!”

In the shattering sound of glass, the townspeople shouted nervously, but soon the gunshots drowned everything out.

With Tang Zheng’s skills, confronting the sheriff was completely overpowering. Before the sheriff could see his target, a bullet pierced his neck, tearing it apart, and he fell with a thud.

Tang Zheng fired a few shots at random, scattering the townspeople like a flock of birds.

Discarding the empty-bullet revolver, Tang Zheng climbed onto a chestnut horse and continued on his way.

By the evening, Tang Zheng reached Vallejo, found out the location of the train station, and headed straight there.

There was still no train departing immediately; the earliest one was at eight in the morning, heading to Sacramento.

“Departing tomorrow morning, I suppose it’s already fueled and watered!” After finding out how many trains were at the train station, Tang Zheng couldn’t wait any longer. He led his war horse over.

“Hey, no unauthorized personnel allowed, leave immediately!” The station’s employees, upon seeing Tang Zheng, immediately tried to drive him away.

“I lost my luggage!” Tang Zheng made up an excuse, and as he got closer to the employee, he struck his neck with a hand chop.

The dark, windy night was indeed suitable for causing mayhem.

“Need an extra pair of hands? You’ll do!” Tang Zheng placed the unconscious employee on the horse’s back, and after ten minutes, found the train.

During this time, two more employees were knocked out, and now they were all laborers, wielding iron shovels at the locomotive, shoveling coal into the boiler.

Tang Zheng pointed his gun at them, watching the pressure gauge, waiting for the boiler to heat up while learning how to drive the train.

One has to admit that trains from this period were quite simple, not to mention the tracks; derailing was hardly an option.

“Okay, can we go now?” An employee with a face full of coal dust wiped his sweat and pleaded with Tang Zheng. Up till now, he was still shocked that someone dared to rob a train. Was this guy crazy? What use was stealing this thing? Can’t even sell it?

“If you leave, who will shovel coal for me? Don’t worry, once we reach the destination, I’ll give each of you ten thousand US dollars!”

Tang Zheng pulled down the valve lever, white steam spewed from both sides of the train. With a sharp, piercing roar, the train slowly started.

More and more employees were alarmed, rushed to the platform, and saw the train leaving.

“What’s going on?” The station master was dumbfounded. “Who let it take off?”

To save time and effort, Tang Zheng left only one carriage and the train head. Now, all the remaining horses were locked inside, ready for any emergency. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)