"Jian Bukong, that is Jian Bukong's flag..."
When Jia Lang saw the red pennant with black characters floating on the grassland, he shouted excitedly. The three words "Jian Bukong" on the pennant seemed to have a special magic to all the rangers - so far, that name still firmly occupies the first place in the "Hero List of Rangers of the Han Empire", and in just a few days, the number of enemies killed under that name has reached more than 400 people, which is truly enviable and awe-inspiring. At this moment, there is almost no ranger who enters the Gulang grassland who does not know that name.
"Brother Zuo, will Jian Bukong also participate in this operation?" Mao Taishun stepped on the stirrup, straightened his body, stood on the horse's back, and tried his best to look towards the place where Jian Bukong's flag was flying. Unfortunately, this place was still seven or eight hundred meters away from the place where the flag was flying. Moreover, there was a hustle and bustle in the middle, with more than ten thousand people gathered there, and the sounds of people shouting and horses neighing.
“Of course. Didn’t I say that today’s operation was organized by several famous figures? It’s not surprising that Jian Bukong is here…” Zuo Yuquan answered while looking out.
Yan Liqiang and his companions were late to today's gathering. By the time they arrived at the grassland outside Baishi Pass, most people had already arrived. Most of those who came here were rangers, but there were also a few "militias" with over a thousand people. The so-called "militias" were not militias at all. The people riding on horseback did not look like good citizens. Some had broken hands and feet, scars on their faces, some looked ferocious, some wore eye patches and had bald heads. The weapons they held were also varied, but the only characteristic was their ferocity. With more than 10,000 people gathered here, it felt very agitated.
In addition to Jian Bukong's flag, there were other flags of various colors flying here, the flags of rangers. Yan Liqiang could recognize, besides Jian Bukong, there were also a few named Sihai Tu, Lou Qisha, and Xueying Gongzi. All the rangers who could fly flags were big names among the rangers, and had many followers. As for the flags of the so-called "militia", they were all names of mountain tops, such as "Wuniuzhai", "Jiandao Mountain", "Longwang Cave" and so on, which were full of the atmosphere of the rivers and lakes.
Yan Liqiang and his companions did not arrive early, so they could only line up at the back, stop their horses, and wait with everyone else. Because they arrived on time, they did not have to wait long, less than half an hour. The sun had just come out, and more people came one after another. From the front of the team where several flags were erected, a rough and loud voice came from there. They could only hear the voice but not see the person. Instead, there was just a fluttering flag and a crowd of people.
"Hello, brothers. I am Jian Bukong, the convener of this operation. Thanks to the kindness and recommendation of you brothers, I will be in charge of this operation temporarily. Now it's time to set off. I will just say a few words to everyone. Just two points!"
Although it is the name of a person and the shadow of a tree, as soon as Jian Bukong's voice was heard, the noise in the team of more than 10,000 people suddenly died down. Even if there was still a little noise, it could not cover up Jian Bukong's voice.
"First, everyone is participating in this operation completely voluntarily. No one is forcing anyone, so everyone is left to fate. From now on, anyone can withdraw freely at any time, and no one can stop us. Although we have made a lot of preparations, things on the battlefield change rapidly and no one can fully grasp them. If we have an accident or are ambushed by the Shatu people and the Heijie people, everyone can decide what to do at any time. As a ranger, you can't stand being restricted, and I certainly won't restrict you!"
"Secondly, the target of the operation is clear to everyone. It is the salt lake on the Gulang grassland. Now the salt lake is in the hands of the Black Jie people. We have to kill the Black Jie people guarding the salt lake and bring back their heads. According to reliable intelligence, there are only five or six thousand Black Jie people guarding the salt lake. As long as we go there, we will be able to kill them all. Whether we get the heads or not depends on our ability. The rule of this trip is that whoever cuts off the head belongs to him, and the other spoils are distributed in the same way. Whoever holds it in his hand will own it. If there are any disputes, come back to negotiate and resolve them. If it doesn't work, we will follow the rules of the martial arts world. Anyone who dares to snatch and fight on the spot, or punch or knife those who are traveling with him, even if he is treacherous, we will deal with him according to the rules of the martial arts world!" Jian Bukong's voice paused, then suddenly increased, rumbling, and it was obvious that he used his internal strength. "Are you all clear about the two points I mentioned?"
"It's clear, it's clear..."
"Understood… "
"understood… "
The team of more than 10,000 people answered in a noisy manner, but their voices were loud and sounded very impressive.
"Okay, since everyone has heard it clearly, I won't waste any more words, let's set off now..." Jian Bukong was very straightforward and made things clear in just a few words. With the flags in front fluttering and the sound of hooves ringing, he rushed directly forward. The people behind him looked at him and urged their rhinoceros horses to follow the ones in front.
More than 10,000 people rushed forward, the sound of horses' hooves was so loud that the grass on the ground was shaking. The momentum was extremely shocking. Although it looked a bit loose and not as neat and disciplined as the imperial cavalry, it also had a unique aura.
“Brother Wang, do you think there will be any accidents in this operation?” After the team had been running on the grassland for a while, Mao Taishun saw that there was no one around. He rolled his eyes and deliberately approached Yan Liqiang on his rhinoceros horse. He whispered to Yan Liqiang, “I just heard what Jian Bukong said, and I feel a little uneasy. There are so many people participating in the operation this time, and the news may have leaked. Do you think the Black Jie people will make any preparations?”
“Let’s just follow the others and retreat if we see something wrong!” Yan Liqiang smiled and glanced at Mao Taishun, blinking his eyes. “Brother Mao is worried that the Black Jie people will respond after knowing this news. Then, has Brother Mao ever thought that Jian Bukong, who is ranked first on the Ranger Hero List, is definitely not a fool? Since he dared to go there in person, he must have some confidence in me. This time the commotion is not small, and the Black Jie people may indeed know about it. Since the Black Jie people may know about it, will someone on our side take advantage of their own tricks and set up a trap for them? After all, there are more rangers and teams entering the Gulang grassland than just the ones in front of us?”
Mao Taishun was slightly stunned, then licked his lips, "After listening to what Brother Wang said, it is indeed possible. In this case, as long as we are not ambushed or surrounded by enemies several times our number, there is actually no need to be nervous..."
Yan Liqiang nodded, "I think so too. Let's see how many heads we can get this time. Although it may not be many, the risk of this operation is relatively small, so it's not a loss..."
"Not bad!"
Yan Liqiang actually knew about this action organized by Jian Bukong and other rangers a long time ago, and someone had already reported it to Yan Liqiang.
In fact, this operation has two goals. One is the salt lake controlled by the Black Jie people, and the other is the troops in the Black Jie camp who may reinforce the salt lake. The goal of the more than 10,000 people led by Jian Bukong is the salt lake. Long before this, several troops had left Baishi Pass in advance and ambushed on the road between the Black Jie people and the salt lake. The 10,000 cavalry sent by the Ganzhou Army also participated in this operation. There are several other teams. As long as the Black Jie people dare to send troops to support the salt lake, the ambushed troops will eat up the troops supporting the Black Jie people. This is the most typical siege strategy, killing two birds with one stone. The person responsible for passing the news here to the Black Jie people is the Black Jie people on Situ Feixing's line. Jian Bukong is a partner "selected" by the Qiyun Guardian Office among the rangers...
If this operation is successful, the salt lake on the Gulang grassland can be seized from the hands of the Black Jie people. In addition to gaining a lot of heads, Jian Bukong's reputation will be further enhanced with the publicity of the "Han Empire Times".
The most crucial point is that once the salt lake on the Gulang grassland is taken, the end of the seven Shatu tribes will really come. Even if they can gather together, without salt, the people of the seven Shatu tribes on the Gulang grassland will not be able to hold on for long...
The progress of this people's war is faster than Yan Liqiang imagined!
(End of this chapter)