Chapter 105: Cloud-Piercing Stronghold Is Very Empty

Yan Huaiwen unexpectedly distributed the silver first.

Old Pine Mountain had been home to mountain bandits for years and had accumulated some wealth.

Adding in what they had looted from the disaster victims, the total came to several hundred taels.

The disaster victims were given one tael of silver per household.

Such a generous hand stunned everyone.

After distributing this large sum, not much silver remained.

Unexpectedly, Yan Huaiwen gave the rest to the mountain villagers.

Both the disaster victims and the mountain villagers received something.

Only those who had put in the most effort received just three dou of grain as a reward.

This made both the disaster victims and the mountain villagers uneasy.

After that, the grain distribution went much smoother.

Everyone felt that since they had received silver, distributing grain per person was acceptable.

Besides, Scholar Yan’s group had taken nothing.

The reward for killing the mountain bandits was not counted in this.

Everyone knew how to weigh things in their hearts.

As for the remaining belongings, they were laid out for the women to search through—after all, they would recognize their own possessions.

Yan Huaiwen had stated upfront that if anyone falsely claimed items, their previously distributed silver and grain would be confiscated.

The villagers stood by, supervising them.

The village men, carrying bamboo crossbows and wooden clubs, stood there expressionless, staring at them.

Terrifying!

Being able to retrieve even part of their belongings was already fortunate. Many things had been discarded by the bandits as worthless.

Afterward, some odds and ends remained. With everyone’s agreement, Yan Lao’er collected this pile of scraps…

So pleased!

Yan Huaiwen: …

He tried to maintain a calm demeanor.

A loss for words!

The disaster victims who were in a hurry to find their relatives asked for the locations they were headed to and Scholar Yan’s name before setting off.

The others had decided to follow Yan Huaiwen’s group.

Yan Huaiwen gathered the villagers together.

He asked, “Were any of the Cloud-Piercing Stronghold bandits left alive?”

Yan Lao’er replied, “Two lucky ones survived. I already questioned them. The one on horseback was their Second Chief. The First Chief took people to make a delivery and hasn’t returned yet.”

“I remember the Cloud-Piercing Stronghold didn’t have many bandits,” Yan Huaiwen looked at Uncle An.

Uncle An quickly confirmed, “That’s right, only a few dozen, with three chiefs. If we count the ones who’ve died these past days, a good number are already gone.”

Indeed, they hadn’t realized until they counted—what was supposed to be the fiercest bandit gang in the mountains had lost more than half its members at their hands.

And considering the ones the First Chief had taken to escort the captured disaster victims…

Hiss! The Cloud-Piercing Stronghold was practically empty!

Yan Lao’er’s eyes sparkled as he looked at his elder brother.

Old Yan, Old Yan, look at me! Are you thinking what I’m thinking?!

Yan Huaiwen’s lips curved slightly but quickly returned to normal.

“They have been plundering the roads and trafficking disaster victims—Cloud-Piercing Stronghold is behind it all. Eliminating them would rid the mountains of a menace and make the roads safer for future travelers.”

“No need to say more, let’s wipe them out!” Yan Lao’er rubbed his fists, eager to go.

The villagers also chimed in.

Some even whispered, “I wonder if Cloud-Piercing Stronghold has a lot of grain?”

“They have to eat too, so they must have some. Maybe we can get another share of grain?”

Yan Huaiwen shook his head with a laugh.

The villagers only thought of grain, but his brother Tianyou was probably eyeing their ill-gotten wealth.

Don’t think he hadn’t noticed—when they distributed the silver earlier, Tianyou had stared without blinking.

If Yan Lao’er knew what his elder brother was thinking, he would surely protest.

Was he that shallow?!

He was just curious about how much wealth they had.

Besides, those bandits really didn’t take care of their silver—it had turned black!

And their copper coins weren’t exactly clean either…

Yan Huaiwen took a dozen people with him.

With only a few bandit stragglers left in the stronghold, that was enough.

“Dad, why is Uncle going again?” Yan Yu asked curiously.

Yan Lao’er lamented, “I kept saying I’d go, but your uncle wouldn’t let me!”

Yan Yu clutched her stomach. “Stop, Dad, I just ate! Don’t make me laugh—hahaha!”

Her father’s expression and tone were just too funny. She couldn’t hold it in.

“Yan yu, I’m going to call you Cui Da-bo!” Yan Lao’er deliberately teased.

He knew his daughter hated that old-fashioned name.

Yan Yu groaned, “Dad! Please, call me Yan Xiao’er! Even just Xiao’er is fine. Outsiders think I’m a boy—hehe!”

When the truth was revealed one day, it would be so funny to see their shocked faces!

“Xiao’er? Are you a tavern runner?”

“Yes, yes! Dad, you’re the boss, Mom’s the boss lady, and I’m the little runner!” Yan Yu laughed, playing along.

“Yan Xiao’er, go ask your mom what she wants for dinner. I’ll trade for something.”

“Got it!”

Li Xuemei had just finished lunch and was strolling to digest.

Qi’s sister-in-law accompanied her, chatting as they walked.

“Ma Luo’s third son is taking care of it. When I went over, he said he’d bring it to your place when it’s ready.”

Speaking of meat, Qi’s sister-in-law remembered something else: “Some of the mountain villagers heard from Uncle An and the others that they could trade herbs or grain with us. They’ve been asking a few times now. They even want to trade for some of that horse meat—can you believe it? Mountain folks short on meat, when wild chickens and rabbits are all over the place!”

Li Xuemei laughed, “Not necessarily. Maybe they just haven’t been able to catch any. Lately, it’s been getting hotter, and the animals might not be coming out much. Even we have to find shade to stand comfortably.”

Qi’s sister-in-law agreed, “That’s true. This sun is brutal—stand under it for a moment, and your scalp burns like fire. Feels like my hair is about to catch fire.”

“Are we running low on water?” Li Xuemei asked.

“We are,” Qi’s sister-in-law considered her own supply and what she knew of others. “Everyone wants to eat soupy meals, and both adults and kids are drinking more water. I used to pack one bamboo flask per person, which lasted a whole day—sometimes even had leftovers. Now, two flasks aren’t enough.”

Thinking of her three bottomless pit brothers-in-law, Qi’s sister-in-law sighed, “I swear, I’ve been married for years, and I still don’t know how much they need to be full. No matter how many big steamed buns they eat, I never hear them say they’re full. It’s like they can eat endlessly.”

Li Xuemei pondered for a moment and said, “People with great strength usually have big appetites. Otherwise, where would the energy come from? Plus, look at their heights. Our villagers are all tall, but Qi Da-ge, Qi Fourth Brother, and Qi Fifth Brother are even taller. Since they work hard, they must burn a lot of energy, so they eat more.”

“Better not ask—it just makes you hungrier.” Qi’s sister-in-law laughed at herself.

“They should eat more meat. Meat is filling—it’ll help.” Li Xuemei also laughed—three bottomless pits indeed.

“Meat, huh…” Qi’s sister-in-law pondered. “Back in the village, we never dared to think about eating meat. But now, hunting in the mountains is pretty convenient. Maybe I should have them search for game—eating meat would save grain.”

“Mom! Dad wants to know what you’d like for dinner. He’s going to trade for something.”

Wild vegetables and fruits were a given, and some people still had leftover game from previous hunts.

“If they have those sour wild fruits from last time, get some.” Li Xuemei was already craving them.