Chapter Two: An Unexpected Opportunity

“Leader Ma, save me, save me!” Zheng Daqiu called out loudly as soon as he saw the man on horseback.

Ma Yunjiu, mounted on his horse, glanced around coldly and asked, “What’s going on?”

Before Liu Heng could speak, Zheng Daqiu, his face anxious, said, “He wants to kill me, Leader Ma, please save me!”

Ma Yunjiu, an elder from Liaodong, naturally recognized Liu Heng and said, “Brother Liu Heng, what are you all doing? We’re all brothers here; there’s no need to make such a fuss. I think it’s best to release him first. Shi Dagui is still waiting to see him.”

Upon Ma Yunjiu’s arrival, Liu Heng knew the conflict between him and Zheng Daqiu was temporarily over. Ma Yunjiu would never allow him to harm Zheng Daqiu, especially with that warning about Shi Dagui wanting to meet him.

“Since Brother Ma has spoken, I have to give face. Get lost,” Liu Heng said, backing down, pushing Zheng Daqiu out of his arms.

Zheng Daqiu staggered several steps and fell forward but was caught in time by two bandits.

As soon as he steadied himself, Zheng Daqiu’s expression changed sharply. He raised his hand, pointed at Liu Heng, and ordered the bandits beside him, “Seize him! Today, I’ll make sure he dies.”

“Enough,” Ma Yunjiu said sternly, his face darkening. “You’re wasting Shi Dagui’s time. Even if you had ten heads, it wouldn’t be enough to pay for this. Come with me now to see Shi Dagui.”

With that, Ma Yunjiu turned his horse around and urged it to leave.

Seeing this, Zheng Daqiu glared viciously at Liu Heng and growled, “Wait until I return. This isn’t over between us.”

Then he left the rear camp with his bandits, fuming.

“So those rumors were true after all,” Yang Yuan muttered, watching Ma Yunjiu and Zheng Daqiu disappear.

“What rumors? True or not?” Liu Heng asked.

Yang Yuan said, “I overheard some camp members saying that Zheng Daqiu is favored by Shi Dagui and is set to become the leader of our rear camp. Now that even Ma Yunjiu, who’s close to Shi Dagui, has personally come for Zheng Daqiu, it’s likely true.”

Hearing this for the first time, Liu Heng’s expression froze. He hadn’t expected such a major event to occur while he had been drifting in a daze these past few days.

In his memory, the entire bandit army had only five camps: Shi Dagui’s own central camp and four others, each led by a camp leader. Each camp leader commanded their troops and held one of the highest ranks within the bandit army.

If Zheng Daqiu became the rear camp leader, it would spell bad news for Liu Heng, especially since they had just clashed.

“Leader Liu, if Zheng Daqiu really becomes our camp leader, who knows what underhanded tricks he might use against you,” Yang Yuan said anxiously. “I think it’s best if we lay low for a while.”

“Where can we hide?” Liu Heng frowned.

He knew Yang Yuan was right. There were no laws in the bandit army. If Zheng Daqiu captured him, he’d be as helpless as a fish on a chopping board, at the mercy of whatever treatment the other side wanted to dish out.

“The leader of the Archer Camp, Li Shudang, is from your hometown,” Yang Yuan said. “If we hide in the Archer Camp, even if Zheng Daqiu becomes the rear camp leader, he won’t be able to touch you.”

Yang Yuan’s reminder made Liu Heng recall that he had two fellow townsmen in the Archer Camp—one a small leader like himself, the other a camp leader.

With their protection, even if Zheng Daqiu became the rear camp’s chief, he wouldn’t dare to seize Liu Heng from the Archer Camp. Then, Liu Heng could break away from the bandit army, head south to Macau, and even if the rebels took the Central Plains, his safety wouldn’t be threatened. If worse came to worst, he could escape overseas.

With this plan in mind, Liu Heng said, “Let’s go to the Archer Camp.”

Yang Yuan followed Liu Heng, carrying his wooden spear, as they left the rear camp.

The Archer Camp was stationed on the left flank of the bandit army, less than two miles from the rear camp. Before nightfall, Liu Heng and Yang Yuan arrived at the Archer Camp.

They reached the main tent without obstruction.

Before they entered, the tent flap was lifted and someone was about to step out.

“Second Brother?” Liu Heng instinctively called out upon seeing the man.

The man’s face brightened at the sight of Liu Heng. He stepped forward, clasped Liu Heng’s shoulders and laughed heartily, “Ha ha, just in time. Brother Shuheng was about to send me to find you in the rear camp. Come in quickly.”

Liu Heng was pulled into the tent.

“Brother Shuheng, our little brother Liu Heng is here,” Chen Xunping called out in his rough voice.

“Looks like our little brother caught the scent early and came on his own, ha ha,” Li Shuheng laughed as he came forward from behind a low table.

Liu Heng then noticed a wooden basin on the low table inside, filled with something dark. The aroma of meat wafted continuously into his nostrils.

Having not eaten meat for a long time, Liu Heng swallowed hard.

Seeing this, Li Shuheng smiled and said, “Don’t just stand there. This is all for you. Sit down and eat!”

Chen Xunping added, “All camps have been short on supplies lately. During the day, I took some archers out hunting. We were lucky to catch a wild boar in less than half a day. Tonight, the brothers in camp finally get to have meat.”

Liu Heng didn’t hesitate. He sat at the low table, shared some with Yang Yuan, and greedily bit into a rib.

After eating three pieces, he put down the bone and asked, “Brother Shuheng, Second Brother said he wanted to find me. Is there something urgent?”

Li Shuheng nodded slightly. “Yes, there’s something I need you to agree to.”

“What is it?” Liu Heng licked the grease off his fingers, savoring the best pork he’d ever tasted.

Li Shuheng said, “Since the Battle of Wangjia Village, your rear camp leader was killed in action. That position has been vacant for over half a month. I’m thinking of having you compete for it.”

Liu Heng looked puzzled. “I heard the candidate was already decided—a small leader from the rear camp named Zheng Daqiu. Before I came, he was just taken away by Leader Ma, who’s close to Shi Dagui.”

“That was the original plan,” Li Shuheng said. “But the leaders of the left and right camps both oppose Zheng Daqiu taking over the rear camp, so the matter has been delayed.”

Curious, Liu Heng asked, “The left and right camps have other candidates? I remember the rule was that each camp leader must be chosen from within their own camp to prevent internal conflicts.”

“They nominated another small leader from the rear camp,” Li Shuheng said, casting a strange look at Liu Heng.

“What do you mean?” Liu Heng pointed at himself. “It can’t be me!”

Li Shuheng nodded. “Yes, they nominated you.”

“That’s impossible! I’m not close to them at all. If anyone was chosen, it would be someone they could pull in,” Liu Heng frowned. From his previous memories, he had the least contact with the leaders of the left and right camps.

“No matter what, it’s a good thing,” Li Shuheng said. “I hope you’ll fight for the camp leader position.”

Liu Heng furrowed his brow, lost in thought.