Free Web NovelChapter 202: Chapter 202: Negotiation
Walking ahead, Liu Pingkang learned about the situation and was so surprised his jaw almost dropped.
They had dealt with these bandits before; they paid a toll to pass, but today was odd—they weren’t here for money but for something else.
"Brothers, is there some misunderstanding?
I’m in a hurry to complete a task over in Lingnan. I hope you can be accommodating." Liu Pingkang stepped forward, ready to skillfully slip them some silver notes, but unexpectedly, the bandits blocked him with a knife.
"Brother, I know it’s hard for you guys, but life’s tough for us too.
The whole family’s depending on me to get by.
My sister’s had it rough, just widowed and causing a fuss at home.
As her brother, I must think for her. Just leave those few men with me, and this trip will be over.
After all, they’re just convicts; losing a few won’t be much of a problem for you. Let them stay as if they died, and I’ll ensure your passage three times."
Bai Suihe would give a thumbs up if they were here; even bandits have a business sense, knowing how to create a package deal.
"How many sisters do you have?" Liu Pingkang knew he’d just pointed out five men, and the request was very unusual, so he added.
"I only have one sister," the bandit said with some sadness, "the sister our brothers cherish so much, but fate hasn’t been kind.
As her brother, I must plan for her."
"No need to take five then," Guo Baoshu, who had shrunk to the back, asked with dissatisfaction.
The bandit gazed at Guo Baoshu with shining eyes, "If you come back with me, I’ll only take you."
"Why is that?"
"He’s from a decent family and on duty, much better than those convicts. I don’t want my nephew to be born burdened and dragged down by them."
Gu Kaichen was almost infuriated—this was an insult to him. He was a scholar, how could he not compare to a mere escort?
"As for why five men, I want my sister to have choices. If she likes them all, they can stay, just in case. I don’t want her burdened with a reputation of being a widow-maker."
Liu Pingkang realized they were taking five men back as backups.
"Your sister a widow-maker?"
"Nonsense, who’s spreading rumors?" The bandit, hands on hips, looked furious.
There was muffled laughter from the crowd; this bandit wasn’t too sharp, forgetting his own words.
"Boss, you just said it," a sidekick quickly stepped forward to whisper.
The bandit felt awkward, waved his hand, "I said that impulsively, forget it.
Rest assured if they come with me, I won’t mistreat them.
After you mark them as deceased, they’ll be villagers with us."
Gu Kaichen and the others simultaneously rolled their eyes; they’d rather be exiles than stay with bandits.
These bandits wouldn’t even realize when someone would take them down one day.
No wonder the boss’s sister was widowed, even with a hundred husbands, if brought out every day to rob, she was destined to be a widow.
Liu Pingkang cleared his throat, "Brother, your request is too difficult, I truly cannot agree, as I can’t block the talk of the town.
I’m here to finish a task, don’t push us to make the worst decision, maybe ask others instead."
Liu Pingkang intended to shift troubles eastward, to pass this barrier first.
Others who dared to take this road must have either enough strength or hired an escort agency.
"If you don’t leave anyone today, we’ll make you leave something else, otherwise don’t blame us for taking action." Thinking of his sister’s grievance, the bandit boss ordered his men to prepare for action, "I pointed out those earlier, be gentle, no missing arms or legs."
"Yes," the bandits were excited, starting to rush forward with knives, Liu Pingkang directly drew his knife to block them.
"You bunch of rabble, don’t you see the current situation? Go up that little hill and take a look at how many of us there are."
The bandit leader was stunned, apart from the escorts with weapons, he hadn’t considered those convicts.
One clever subordinate, without waiting for the boss, climbed the little hill.
Looking at the endless line behind, the subordinate couldn’t help but swallow, "My god, how many are there? I think I even see the escort agency flag."
"Boss, this is serious," the subordinate stumbled back, whispering what he’d seen.
The bandit leader was sweating; they’d kicked an iron wall this time.
No wonder they hadn’t been thoroughly searched ahead, why didn’t anyone inform them so they could avoid it?
"Didn’t expect this brother to have companions this time, but my proposal can still be considered."
Liu Pingkang looked at Gu Kaicheng and the others, well-groomed yet honest looking, no wonder they fooled the bandits.
If these guys were taken back, the boss’s sister wouldn’t remain widowed, but she’d live shortly.
"Please, brother, let us pass," Liu Pingkang sighed, wanting to trade these people for peace, at least for the next few years on this route.
But as he said, he couldn’t block the public’s opinion.
Plus, with the Third Prince behind the Gu Family, who knows when they’ll be vindicated, coming for revenge would be dangerous.
He pressed the ten taels of silver notes into the other’s hand, at the next post station, he’d definitely consult the shopkeeper about raising prices, otherwise, they’ll suffer losses on this trip.
"Alright," the bandit was sensible, never fighting a losing battle, instructing his men to make way. freewebnσvel.cѳm
With two brothers in front, they collected toll from every carriage passing by.
Everyone was used to the "toll," those avoiding trouble obediently paid silver.
When it was the Gu Family’s turn, Gu Kaichen remained hiding behind Gu Kaiping.
"Why not reconsider, my sister is quite lovely." Seeing Gu Kaichen, the bandit leader was still unwilling to give up, "With my sister, you won’t endure this exile.
Our environment here is better; if you end in Lingnan, you’d regret it when it’s too late."
