Chapter Forty-Five: The Relentless Struggle

“Boss, they really were a diversion! These people are cunning! We almost fell for their trick!”

The bearded man laughed heartily. “Boss, how did you figure it out?”

The bandit leader pointed at the grains scattered beneath the cart and sneered coldly, the scar on his face twisting into something even more menacing.

“When we inspected earlier, our knife accidentally cut open one of the sacks.”

The bearded man was overjoyed, his voice brimming with excitement. “Boss, this grain must amount to over ten thousand dan! If we seize it, our brothers who owe debts can eat for years!”

“Dream on!”

The Crown Prince scoffed, his voice sharp with anger. “Do you even know who we are? These ten thousand dan of grain are distributed by the state treasury for the disaster victims of Lihuai County. How could we let mountain bandits like you steal them?”

The bandit leader’s expression grew tense; his eyes narrowed, fixed fiercely on the Crown Prince.

He knew well that in these times, only the state treasury could produce such a vast amount of grain; this convoy was likely military.

To rob the military’s provisions was to oppose the very court.

But mountain bandits like them always lived with their heads tied to their belts, surviving day by day, taking risks that only outlaws dared. They feared neither the court nor its threats.

The bandit leader gave a harsh laugh. “Let’s see whether we’re dreaming or not! Brothers, move in! Take the grain!”

At his command, every bandit surrounding them raised their heavy mountain blades and surged forward.

Gu Li sat inside the carriage, hearing the deafening shouts outside and the clash of weapons; the battle had clearly begun.

Unable to see what was happening, she lifted the curtain to look out, but as her hand touched the fabric, she was pushed back inside. Then Lie Chang’an’s steady and gentle voice sounded: “Stay inside the carriage. Don’t come out.”

Gu Li’s heart trembled inexplicably; her hand fell away, and she sat back down.

The carriage lightened just after; Lie Chang’an must have returned to the fray.

Gu Li sat inside, her palms damp with cold sweat. Jasmine and two attendants tried to comfort her, but their trembling voices only made her more anxious.

After some time, the sounds of fighting outside began to fade. Just as Gu Li thought it was over, another wave of shouting erupted.

“What’s happening?”

Unable to see anything, Gu Li’s anxiety mounted, her voice quavering.

Jasmine pressed against the curtain, her voice barely holding back tears. “More bandits have come to reinforce them. The soldiers are barely holding on.”

Gu Li hadn’t expected so many bandits. The soldiers guarding the grain weren’t few, and judging by the number of bandits earlier, victory seemed possible.

But after one round of fierce fighting, surely many soldiers were already wounded or dead; those remaining must be exhausted. How could they withstand a second wave of fresh, reckless bandits?

“How are the Crown Prince and General Chang’an?”

“General Chang’an is unharmed, but the Crown Prince seems to be wounded.”

“What? My brother is hurt?”

Gu Li, alarmed, lifted the curtain to look outside, but Jasmine pressed her down firmly, pleading, “Princess, the swords outside have no eyes. Please, do not go out.”

No sooner had she spoken than a bandit charged the carriage with his blade raised, only to be swiftly cut down by General Chang’an. Blood splattered, turning Jasmine pale as she desperately held the curtain, shielding the princess from the gruesome sight.