Chapter 180 – Let’s Be Chuunibyou Together (2)
“Clear out the bandits?”
Meng Hunyun found it hard to believe. These bandits were so troublesome that even the government couldn’t be bothered to send troops to deal with them, leaving them to wreak havoc. Who would have guessed that the Young Master would actually want to take on such a task? But… where would they find the manpower?
“Well, you don’t need to worry. Since I dare to use the few people I have to stir up this matter, I naturally have absolute confidence.”
Jiang Pengji wasn’t foolish. Rounding up bandits was dangerous business; one slip could cost lives, perhaps even all the manpower she had. So, if she was willing to do it, it meant she was 100% sure. Simply put, she was very calculative; she wouldn’t engage in a losing venture.
Meng Hunyun didn’t understand what kind of card the Young Master held to be so confident in confronting the bandits.
However, he soon found out why. Jiang Pengji pulled out a folded piece of bamboo paper the size of a palm and handed it to him.
“Unfold it and see; perhaps you’ll understand why I’m so confident.”
Meng Hunyun followed her instructions and turned the bamboo paper around, finally finding the right angle to view it.
He was almost shocked enough to drop the bamboo paper. As the former magistrate of the Meng Clan, he held his composure but carefully refolded the paper with utmost caution, treating it like a precious treasure.
Though it was just a blueprint, to Meng Hunyun, it was indeed invaluable!
“This… this drawing…” Meng Hunyun was not very literate, but he could read some characters. Having been a magistrate for many years, his insight and experience surpassed that of an ordinary warrior.
At first, he couldn’t figure out what the drawing depicted, but as he carefully read the annotations, an enormous idea suddenly rose in his heart, making his veins tremble. He felt a deeper trust in Jiang Pengji, which only reassured him further.
He was no longer the once illustrious magistrate, facing the lowest point in his life. He had even contemplated death.
But real men born in this world, who wouldn’t want to make a name for themselves and leave their legacy?
Jiang Pengji’s previous words had hit the sore spot in Meng Hunyun’s heart.
He didn’t have the arrogance of others, thinking it beneath him to be a subordinate to a child. Instead, he felt that Jiang Pengji had faith in him, and in a way, he was also betting on her loyalty.
With a broad mind and a grand ambition, even with no power or influence, he was worth a hundred times more than certain lofty nobles.
Who could say that this nameless young man wouldn’t one day shake the entire region?
Meng Hunyun’s thoughts were entirely consumed by the blueprint Jiang Pengji had given him. This blueprint was the same one she had shown Xu Ke—the design for a bow and crossbow.
Even Xu Ke, who didn’t know much about this, could see its value. How could a skilled warrior like Meng Hunyun fail to recognize it?
“This thing… has it already been made?” He struggled to suppress his excited voice, fearing he would embarrass himself.
Jiang Pengji regretfully shook her head and said, “The craftsmen are still working on it. Although the bow and crossbow are feasible, the wood needed is quite finicky; if it lacks the necessary toughness, it won’t unleash its full power, and the range will be shorter than expected.”
Meng Hunyun felt a minor disappointment, but it wasn’t too disheartening.
“This bow and crossbow is significantly smaller than usual, lightweight, and extremely suitable for fast-paced combat.” After understanding the blueprint’s content, Meng Hunyun became lively and realized why Jiang Pengji was so confident in her plan to eliminate bandits.
Training a soldier to be an expert marksman is not only time-consuming but also demands very high requirements from the trainee—vision, strength, and situational awareness must all be present.
If a painstakingly trained soldier got injured in battle, suffering arm or vision issues, that person would be practically done for.
That naturally meant that the considerable investment in training would go to waste.
However, if the bow and crossbow described in the blueprint were made, even ordinary soldiers could become comparable to sharpshooters with slightly less training without expending as much energy, manpower, or resources.
Moreover, how many sharpshooters capable of hitting a target a hundred paces away existed in the world?
With these bows and crossbows, the craftsmen could produce as many as needed and rapidly train shooting-minded soldiers!
Moreover, because they were lightweight and easy to carry, soldiers could easily take provisions and arrows with them while navigating thick forests.
Before those bandits got close, they would already be turned to Swiss cheese by crossbow bolts.
No wonder the Young Master was so confident; others attempting to clean out the bandits would pay an exorbitant price.
Yet, Meng Hunyun still found one aspect confusing.
The bandits were already so disregarded that even the government couldn’t be bothered; why would the Young Master want to pursue this?
In response, Jiang Pengji pondered for a moment and said, “To tell you a white lie, I’d say your Young Master is a living Bodhisattva, punishing evildoers is our duty, no excuses. But to tell the truth… it’s definitely not that simple.”
Meng Hunyun: “…”
“The truth is… raising an army requires money. Your Young Master is penniless and has nothing left. How could I have the spare change to recruit some strong young men?” Jiang Pengji huffed. Meng Hunyun maintained a calm demeanor, but inside he felt a peculiar sensation. She continued, “Most of those who have turned to banditry are young people unable to make a living. While they have some issues, we can’t condemn them all with one stroke. If we pick carefully, we might find a few good seeds.”
Meng Hunyun: “…”
He bought her reasoning.
Jiang Pengji, with a joking expression, suddenly turned serious. “As for another reason, it’s just as I said earlier. Allowing bandits to gather and grow their power means that when the chaos in Cangzhou Meng County reaches here, their hearts will likely become restless. Rather than wait to face swarms of bandits later, it’s better to seize the moment, divide and ruin the connections between each bandit stronghold’s interests.”
Meng Hunyun’s expression turned solemn. “The Young Master has far-reaching thoughts.”
Jiang Pengji added, “But it’s true that I’m broke.”
Meng Hunyun: “…”
He felt a strange sense of being in too deep.
Scratching his head, the serious former magistrate flashed a hint of confusion but quickly suppressed it.
He had just committed himself to a new master and needed to achieve some accomplishments to prove himself; how could he misunderstand the Young Master so greatly?
Thus, he buried that peculiar feeling deep inside.
