Chapter 495: Escape
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Deputy General Zhong said, “General, this letter came at the right time.”
If he didn’t know for certain that they hadn’t been able to contact the outside world since half a month ago, Deputy General Zhong would have thought that this was arranged by Qi Haoran to increase the success of their operation at night.
Qi Haoran understood what Deputy General Zhong meant. The arrival of this letter was undoubtedly the best reason for him to do so. For the sake of his wife and child and to survive, it was not unbelievable for him to make a deal with the bandits.
Qi Haoran said, “Call a smart kid to send the letter down and ask our men to rest while there’s still time. When I go down the mountain, the entire camp has to be on guard. If I don’t return, it’s up to you guys to surrender or escape. Anyway, they’re not Tartars. There’s nothing to be ashamed of if you have to beg for mercy in order to survive.”
Deputy General Zhong lowered his head and left.
In the evening, not long after the sky turned dark, another letter appeared in Lin Man’s hand. He scratched his head and, unable to make up his mind, threw it to Liu Dahei and asked, “Is Qi Haoran serious? Isn’t he afraid that we’ll report him?”
Liu Dahei handed the letter to his assistant, who whispered the contents in his ear. After pondering for a moment, Liu Dahei said, “It won’t do us any good to turn him in. It’s mutually beneficial for us to reciprocate. However, we still have to discuss this carefully. We can’t agree to everything he says. Besides, he has to leave something behind. Otherwise, what if he turns against us later?”
When Lin Man heard that, he agreed. “Then let’s ask him to come down the mountain and have a chat.” He turned to his deputy and said, “Find a nimble kid to hang up the oil lamp on a random tree in the southeast. Bring some people to pick up Qi Haoran. The last time we saw that kid, we thought that he was a silkpants who was still wet behind the ears. Who knew that he was so capable? These ten-odd days have been damn exhausting.”
Not long after, an oil lamp was hung on a tree in the southeast. When the people on the mountain saw it, Qi Haoran heaved a sigh of relief. Since the other party had relented, they had a chance.
He turned around and nodded slightly at Deputy General Zhong. Then, he led three men down the mountain.
Fei Bai followed closely beside Qi Haoran, gripping the hilt of the saber at his waist tightly.
Qi Haoran glanced at him and said in a low voice, “Relax. I’m there to negotiate, not to fight. Why are you holding that thing so tightly?”
Only then did Fei Bai loosen his grip slightly.
When Qi Haoran saw Lin Man and Liu Dahei, the first thing he wanted to do was to read his beloved wife’s letter.
Prepared for this, Liu Dahei handed the letter with the child’s handprint to him.
Qi Haoran did not expect such a surprise in the letter. He looked at the small claws on it in a daze, his eyes slightly moist. Then, he hurriedly put the letter away and looked up at the tent. He widened his eyes and said, “Then, then let’s start the peace talks.”
His voice was hoarse and different from his slightly deeper voice from before. It was a little mellow.
Was he crying?
Lin Man and Liu Dahei looked curiously at Qi Haoran’s eyes, only to see him staring at them with widened eyes. However, they still saw the moisture within them. Lin Man clicked his tongue in his heart, surprised. On the other hand, Liu Dahei was suspicious. Why was a general who had killed Jin soldiers and been to the battlefield so sentimental?
No matter how suspicious Liu Dahei was, the negotiation started.
Lin Man and Liu Dahei were very satisfied with the deal that Qi Haoran proposed. However, there were too many bandits on the south road of Jinghu. When the time came, Qi Haoran might not be tasked to encircle their two groups. Hence, the contract stated that once Qi Haoran did not lead troops or if it wasn’t Qi Haoran’s men that was surrounding them, he would be obliged to provide them with the latest information on the activities of the soldiers. It was limited to military operations against Liu Dahei and Lin Man, and he needed to tip them off five times.
Qi Haoran thought for a long time and finally agreed.
After both parties reached a consensus and signed the contract, Qi Haoran’s official seal came in handy. After stamping the contract and discussing the specific actions that would follow, Qi Haoran filled his stomach with snacks from Lin Man before heading back up the mountain.
When Qi Haoran returned to the mountain to inform Deputy General Zhong and the others that they would be taking action the next day, everyone felt relieved and went to rest. The higher-ups knew that they had gained a chance at survival, so although they were on guard tonight, they felt much more at ease. However, the soldiers below did not know this. They were merely 30% full from their dinner and did not know how much rations they had left. As time passed, they became more and more desperate and terrified. There were even people weeping softly at night.
The next morning, seeing that the camp did not distribute food, the soldiers gradually became terrified. Qi Haoran gathered everyone and said, “We’ve depleted all rations in the camp.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the soldiers’ faces turned pale.
“But we also now have a new chance of survival. It should be our last chance of survival.” Qi Haoran stared at them as he said, “According to the scouts, the bandits below are also exhausted. They decided to gather for the final attack today. When the time comes, there will be a brief opening on the gentle slope to the west. If we can rush over, we can survive. If not, we have to stay here forever. Brothers, do you have the guts to rush out with me?”
Everyone looked at Qi Haoran in silence. Qi Haoran said, “This time, I’ll be at the front. I’ll pave the way for you guys regardless of whether we live or die. Let me ask you again, do you have the guts to rush out with me?”
This time, everyone remained silent, but their gazes gradually became firm. Everyone opened their mouths and made a “yes” gesture.
According to the rules of the army, such confidential matters could not be uttered out loud at such a critical moment. Therefore, even if everyone wanted to answer him, they could only express it with their eyes.
Qi Haoran looked back at them and punched his left chest with his right fist. “For survival!”
The soldiers silently beat their left chests with their right hands and lowered their heads.
Qi Haoran immediately got someone to sneak to the west side of the gentle slope. That was what he had discussed with Liu Dahei and Lin Man last night. Once the agreed upon time came, the bandits would retreat. Qi Haoran would then rush out with his men, but it was impossible for Qi Haoran to completely trust Liu Dahei and the others. Hence, he asked Deputy General Zhong to bring his men to cover the rear. This way, it would not be so easy for Liu Dahei and the others to go back on their word and scheme against them. When the time came, they would have time to retreat.
Qi Haoran’s plan was excellent. Almost as soon as the other party’s men disappeared from their sight, he secretly rushed out with his soldiers…
Lin Man looked at them and asked, “Are we really going to let them go like this?”
“Do you have the ability to keep them?”
Lin Man remained silent.
“Then why bother to keep them? I’m very satisfied with the conditions agreed upon last night.”
Lin Man pursed his lips. “Then why are you here so early in the morning? I thought you were going back on your word.”
“I’m here to watch the show and see if he really trusts us so much.”
“What’s the conclusion?” Lin Man asked curiously.
“The conclusion is that Qi Haoran is indeed not stupid.” As Liu Dahei spoke, he turned around and left. “Tell the people below to put on a more realistic show. As long as no one dies or becomes disabled, it’s normal to make them bleed a little.”
Qi Haoran and the rest rushed out of the encirclement in one breath. In the end, they collapsed to the ground panting in disbelief.
The soldiers sat on the ground in a daze. They managed to rush out just like that? This was too simple!
However, Qi Haoran couldn’t rest since he had to seize the time to arrange for defenses. He called Deputy General Zhong over and asked, “Where’s the nearest supply point? We have to get something to eat.”
Deputy General Zhong immediately said, “There’s a large village 25 miles south. We should be able to replenish our supplies there.”
Qi Haoran turned around and glared at him.. “If I find out that you have such thoughts again, I’ll chop you up!”
