Chapter 60: Subduing the Surrendered Bandits

“To be honest, we were rather embarrassed. When the young master first asked us to plant sweet potatoes, we didn’t take it seriously and thought he was making a fuss over nothing. Who would have guessed these sweet potatoes would become life-saving food?” a few of the elders in charge of agriculture said.

“Tell everyone, sweet potatoes can be boiled, roasted, made into cakes, or cooked with porridge. Of course, you can also eat them raw after cleaning, but best not eat too many raw, or you might get worms in your stomach.” Fang Xian taught the villagers how to eat sweet potatoes.

In addition, Fang Xian also showed everyone how to store sweet potatoes: keep them in the cellar with good ventilation, and guard against rats, but overall, they’re easy to keep.

After distributing sweet potatoes to each household, Fang Xian had the surplus stored away, secretly sending some to Flying Phoenix Ridge and Southern Departure Village, and saved plenty as seeds for next year. The plan was to expand planting and promote the crop in the other two strongholds next year.

“Winter is coming. With little farm work left, we can focus on major construction in the village, especially for Crouching Tiger Village and the newcomers. Everyone must work for their food. Build more houses, reclaim more land, and reinforce the gates of the main village. Also, each peak needs its own stronghold.

Now that we’ve absorbed so many small villages, we should send Third Uncle to Qingyang City to ask Commander Hong for supplies. Without them, we can’t take the next steps.

Tell Third Uncle we need grain, cloth, horses, cattle, and a little medicine—just a bit. Make sure he doesn’t mention our sweet potato cultivation,” Fang Xian discussed the next steps with Ye Qingyun as they ate.

“It won’t be easy. I fear that as soon as he gets there, he’ll spill all our secrets. But we can ask for a high price, double our expectations as the baseline, and have him bargain for three or four times that. As long as we get more than we expect, it’s a win,” Ye Qingyun sighed and then added.

“No matter what, the newcomers now equal two Crouching Tiger Villages. If we can’t get enough supplies, we’ll be in trouble.

Once the supplies arrive, we’ll join forces with Flying Phoenix Ridge and Southern Departure Village to attack Peach Mountain Village, then demand more supplies; next, we’ll strike Thunder Ridge Village and repeat the process.

Finally, we’ll put on a show with the other two villages for the Ninth Prince, stalling for time to train our elites and ask for even more supplies.

And of course, if war breaks out between Wu and Xia, we’ll still raid Xia as planned—but on our own terms,” Fang Xian said with a smile.

Fang Xian had already quietly met with the chiefs of the villages who had submitted to Qingyun Village. Upon learning Fang Xian’s true identity, they were both shocked and delighted, and they all swore absolute silence as ordered.

Since learning that Fang Xian was the son-in-law of both Qingyun Village and Southern Departure Village, and with Flying Phoenix Ridge included, the three great villages had formed an alliance. The chiefs of the recently absorbed villages became more proactive than ever, tightly controlling their men to follow Qingyun Village’s arrangements—often more so than the original Crouching Tiger bandits.

That afternoon, led by Erniu, Fang Xian visited the home of Cao Zenglin. There were six in the family: his aged mother, his wife, and three children—the eldest ten, the youngest just beginning to speak.

Back in Crouching Tiger Village, Cao Zenglin had been a minor leader and lived comfortably. But in Qingyun Village, like the other bandits, his family received only a small courtyard, and their supplies were rationed tightly.

“Young master, you’re here.” Cao Zenglin, currently undergoing special training in the village, greeted Fang Xian respectfully with his family. His wife and children hid behind him, peering at Fang Xian with apprehensive curiosity.

“No need for formality, sit down. Is anyone in the family ill?” Fang Xian sat on a stone in the courtyard and invited the family to join him.

“My mother’s asthma is quite severe—she’s usually bedridden. The second child is frail and often sick,” Cao Zenglin replied. Since arriving, he’d learned that Fang Xian was a skilled doctor who often treated villagers, but his family hadn’t dared to seek him out, worried about being a burden.

“I had people inform everyone: if you have someone sick at home, bring them for treatment. Why didn’t you come?” Fang Xian asked.

“We didn’t want to trouble you,” Cao Zenglin replied awkwardly.

“I came to see you for another reason today, but since I’m here, let me treat your mother and your second child first.” Fang Xian didn’t press further. He examined and treated Cao’s mother and the child, then wrote a prescription for them to collect medicine at the village clinic.

“Thank you, young master.” Cao Zenglin felt genuine warmth and security for the first time since joining Qingyun Village.

“We’re all family now. No need for such thanks. Just do your part for the village. By the way, your eldest is ten—he should start attending the village school to learn to read and practice martial arts. And to improve your living conditions, you’ll have to rely on your own efforts.

Among those who came from Crouching Tiger Village, you’re at the peak of the second tier. With one more step, you could become a first-tier expert. I’ll tell you this: Qingyun Village has ways to train first-tier fighters. The question is, will you seize this chance and set an example?” Fang Xian finished with a wave.

“Young master, what I really want to know is—will us outsiders ever just be cannon fodder?” Cao Zenglin asked, voicing the fear common among the newcomers.

“Now that so many have joined, we can’t promise perfect fairness, but we will never use anyone as cannon fodder. That would be cutting off our own path.

Of course, there will inevitably be casualties in future campaigns, but the stronger we become and the more elites we have, the fewer the losses and the greater our chances of survival.

The village will gradually set up all kinds of incentives. Even if someone falls in battle, their family will be protected and their children raised.

I imagine you don’t want your three children to live like this forever. If we keep growing and build our own power, everyone will have a good life one day,” Fang Xian said with a smile.

“I, Cao Zenglin, pledge my loyalty. I will follow you unto death, never to betray you!” Cao Zenglin, blood surging with excitement, knelt on one knee and made his vow.

“Good. Starting tomorrow, you’ll join my elite training group,” Fang Xian said, patting his shoulder before departing.

In truth, most of the newcomers were just like Cao Zenglin—uncertain about their future, they acted cautiously. Fang Xian then visited Zhang Yong and other former Crouching Tiger fighters, offering reassurance and encouragement suited to their families. At last, he stirred their fighting spirit and helped them begin to see Qingyun Village as their new home.

“How are things in Qingyun Village these days?” Huang Yuantao asked as he arrived once more in Qingyang City, seeking news from Wei Qian regarding the village’s situation.