Chapter Five: Seizing the Provisions of Old Crippled Ma

Liu Heng wore a face of disappointment; everything had been far too simple in his mind.

According to his earlier plan, after buying off the rear camp, gaining the support of the left and right second camps would allow his scheme to unfold.

But reality dealt him a heavy blow, teaching him that seeking advantage and avoiding harm is human instinct. Even those in the rear camp knew precisely where to position themselves at such a critical moment, let alone the left and right second camps, with whom he had little connection.

Beside him, Chen Xunping said, “Why not follow my earlier suggestion? Let the Archer Camp take the lead and sweep through a few small villages. We might still be able to gather some grain.”

“No use,” Liu Heng waved his hand, “Zheng Daqiu has Shi Yunhu’s backing. He will certainly target those villages. When it comes to plunder, we can’t compare to Shi Yunhu’s Central Camp.”

Among bandits, horsemen were the most formidable. Liu Heng knew that the only cavalry unit in their roaming army was in the Central Camp, commanded by the Central Camp’s guardian leader, Ma Yunjiu.

When it came to pillaging, the Archer Camp simply couldn’t match the Central Camp with its cavalry.

“Actually… I have an idea that could solve our manpower problem,” Yang Yuan said hesitantly.

“What is it?”

Both Liu Heng and Chen Xunping fixed their gaze on Yang Yuan.

Yang Yuan explained, “Besides the five major camps, we also have an external camp. Although it’s filled with displaced refugees coerced into joining, their fighting capacity is no less than the main camps. The only problem is they haven’t been assigned grain, which is why they haven’t been integrated. If we can allocate some grain, those refugees would surely be willing to fight for us.”

“Good idea!” Liu Heng’s eyes brightened as he slapped the bed’s wooden plank excitedly.

When the mountain seemed impassable and the water endless, suddenly a village appeared in a shady willow grove.

He had nearly forgotten—the largest number wasn’t in the five main camps, but in those displaced refugee camps.

Chen Xunping voiced his concern, “But our grain supplies are limited. The external camp has at least a thousand refugees. With the little grain we have, we can’t possibly feed so many.”

Yang Yuan replied, “We don’t need to recruit all of them, just a portion. That way, grain consumption won’t be so large.”

“Good point,” Liu Heng turned to Chen Xunping. “Second Brother, I need you to make a trip. You and Yang Yuan go to the external camp and recruit three hundred refugees. Set them up in the empty space outside the Archer Camp.”

“But what about grain? The Archer Camp alone can’t provide food for three hundred people,” Chen Xunping said with worry.

“I know someone who must be hiding some grain,” Liu Heng said, “I’ll need you to keep a few men ready to transport it.”

Chen Xunping hesitated briefly before saying, “If you can get the grain, I won’t say more. Time is tight. I’ll head to the external camp now to gather the men you need, and leave four Archer Camp men to follow your orders.”

***

Soon, Chen Xunping and Yang Yuan left the tent with several archers, taking with them the baskets containing flatbreads.

Liu Heng and the remaining archers went to the rear camp’s kitchen.

The kitchen was busy preparing breakfast. There was only one cook, Old Ma the Cripple, who had to make flatbreads and wild vegetable soup. Usually, he began his work before dawn.

Upon entering, Liu Heng gestured sharply at Old Ma, “Seize him.”

Two archers stepped forward; one grabbed Old Ma’s arm and forced him down onto a shabby wooden table.

Old Ma raised his head desperately, eyes wide with panic. “Chief Liu, what do you mean? I gave you all the flatbreads yesterday!”

Standing before Old Ma, Liu Heng said, “Enough nonsense. Where are you hiding the grain?”

“It’s unfair! The grain was brought back by the Central Camp. I never hid any grain!” Old Ma shouted in protest.

“Won’t cry until you see your coffin,” Liu Heng said coldly. “Cut off his left hand. If he still doesn’t talk, cut off the right.”

Few in the rear camp didn’t know that Old Ma secretly hoarded grain. But his clan elder had been the rear camp leader, so everyone pretended ignorance.

Now, lacking grain to recruit refugees, Liu Heng naturally fixed his gaze on the hidden stores.

Among Liu Heng’s men, one pinned Old Ma’s left hand on the table while another drew a knife, raising it to cut.

Old Ma struggled fiercely but couldn’t break free. He shouted, “Don’t cut! I’ll talk! I’ll tell all!”

Liu Heng signaled the man with the knife to wait, then asked, “Where is the grain hidden? If you lie, you’ll lose both hands.”

Having already lost a leg, Old Ma lowered his head and said dejectedly, “The grain is hidden where I sleep.”

“Lead us there,” Liu Heng signaled the man holding Old Ma.

With his hands restrained, Old Ma led them to a thatched shed beside the kitchen.

“The grain is behind the firewood,” Old Ma said, nodding toward the shed.

An archer entered, lifting the thatch and some wood, revealing five neat sacks of grain stacked behind.

The archer cut open one sack with a knife, and grain poured out.

“Old Ma, you’re quite something! This is over two shi [about 200 kilograms],” Liu Heng said, lifting a sack that weighed over a hundred jin.

“Find a big cart and haul it all away,” Liu Heng ordered an archer, then added, “Release him.”

Old Ma’s face twisted bitterly. “Chief Liu, can you leave me some?”

Liu Heng frowned. “Doesn’t the Central Camp send grain every day? I’m taking all of this.”

“No, no…” Old Ma rubbed his hands nervously. “The rear camp leader is about to be replaced. I wanted to use this grain to buy peace.”

Liu Heng studied Old Ma for a moment, then said, “Fine, I’ll take the grain. Later, I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

Old Ma’s words faltered, then he grimaced. “Chief Liu, don’t joke. I heard Zheng Daqiu will be the new rear camp leader.”

“That was before. From now on, it’s me,” Liu Heng said, turning to his archers. “Come on, carry the grain out and load it on the cart.”

Old Ma dared not resist and followed after Liu Heng, muttering, “Chief Liu, this isn’t a joke. Shi Dagui from the Central Camp has already said Zheng Daqiu will be the rear camp leader. Who dares oppose Shi Dagui? So, Chief Liu, about this grain…”

Liu Heng’s expression darkened. “If you keep whining, I’ll have you killed right now.”

Old Ma fell silent, surprised at how fierce the once gentle, easily pushed-around Liu had become.

Not to mention the archers standing nearby, blades in hand, clearly not to be trifled with.

The sacks of grain were loaded onto a large cart, yoked to beasts. An archer drove the cart slowly away from the rear camp.

Old Ma watched the departing group with a face full of resentment.

Nearby, many rear camp bandits saw Liu Heng and his men hauling grain from Old Ma but dared not inquire.

Now that the rear camp had no leader, most bandits preferred to avoid trouble. Besides, the grain was Old Ma’s secret stash; even without it, they wouldn’t starve, as the Central Camp still sent supplies daily.

Leaving the rear camp, Liu Heng followed the cart back toward the Archer Camp.

Just then, a panting bandit from the Archer Camp ran up to him.