Seen or unseen, the woodcutter remains outside the door.
Having declared his identity, waiting for an audience.
How could he not be seen? Could he be hiding? This fort is only so big, where could he hide?
Besides, they are not Jurchen people, but rather heroes who have killed them...
Ding Dashan took a step forward, and glared at the soldier who came to report.
"What is this fuss about?" he exclaimed with a frown, "These heroes, who make the Jurchen people tremble with fear, coming to our place is a great blessing!"
His shout snapped the dazed crowd back to reality.
Right, although the identity of the woodcutters is somewhat problematic, at this point, anyone who can kill Jin thieves is one of us, especially such brave individuals.
"Open the gate."
"Please."
"Let's see these brave heroes that make the Jurchen people tremble with fear."
"Line up to welcome them."
Everyone agreed, and followed Ding Dashan outside, while the soldier hurried ahead to convey the commanders' orders. Actually, there was no need for him to relay them, when the group outside the castle announced their names, all the soldiers and residents of the fort flocked towards them.
News that thirty Jurchen people had been killed and were now cowering inside Kaide Prefecture had already spread, but who exactly had carried out the deed was still unclear; what everyone knew was still just the initial rumours of a countryman avenging the destruction of his family.
Upon seeing the group of people walking in from outside the castle, everyone was enlightened again.
It turned out not to be one person, but a group.
Everyone looked at the dozen or so men walking towards them; their statures varied, their ages varied, dressed in coarse clothes and straw shoes, each with an axe hanging at their waist. Regardless of age, their faces all looked dusty as if covered in a layer of loess, blurring their eyebrows and eyes, making them the kind of unremarkable people one could throw into a crowd.
Were they people from a village or a group of people sharing similar fates who had readily come together?
They indeed looked like country folks, honest and simple, and without long spears and bows like the government soldiers—was it really them who had killed so many Jurchen people?
People hiding inside the fort might not feel much, but Ding Dashan, who had seen blood on the battlefield, shivered with fear when he saw this group of approaching people from a distance.
The smell of blood.
A strong smell of blood.
All the generals he had seen naturally carried the smell of blood, but if the familiar smell of blood was from being drenched on the battlefield, then these people seemed as if they had soaked in a lake of blood.
No wonder they frightened the Jurchen people into shutting their doors with just an axe.
Ding Dashan steadied his heart and stepped forward.
"This is our Army Head." A clever soldier quickly introduced.
Ding Dashan then saw the group of people make way.
"This is our leader," said one of the men.
The leader of the woodcutters has come?
Ding Dashan and the others felt their hearts pounding rapidly again.
The army has generals, towns have feudal authority, villages have headmen, and naturally, the woodcutters also have a leader.
Capture the king first to capture the thieves; the feudal authority had always wanted to catch the leader of the woodcutters, but this leader was elusive, not even anyone was sure of his age or appearance, only known to be not young and respectfully called "Big Brother" by all woodcutters.
Who would have thought that this leader would personally come here.
Ding Dashan's palms sweated, just like when he was young and summoned by his superior for his military exploits.
Want to meet, yet also not wanting to meet.
Regardless of wanting to meet or not, other people's steps won't stop.
Ding Dashan saw a burly man with grizzled temple hair and a beard step forward.
"Hello," he said in a deep voice, "I am a woodcutter, you can call me Old Nine."
Old Nine.
This age doesn't seem too old but not young either, his eyes very sharp and fierce; Ding Dashan only dared to glance once before quickly looking away.
"I, I am Ding Dashan," he hurriedly said.
Old Nine nodded, scanning his eyes over the generals behind Ding Dashan.
The people were curiously looking at him, and felt a bit flustered as he looked back.
Should they introduce themselves?
They thought.
"Shall we go inside to talk?" Old Nine spoke first.
Oh right, go inside to talk, too many people here to speak.
Ding Dashan and the others snapped out of it and gestured to enter, dispersing the crowd as they escorted the woodcutters inside the house, while a few commanders at the back exchanged glances,
"It seems, the roles have reversed." An Army Head whispered.
And yet, they didn't feel anything was wrong.
The man who even the Jin Dogs feared naturally had a greater presence. From this point of view, his role reversal was justified.
On the battlefield, strength was all that spoke.
The others exchanged glances and followed.
Just like the soldiers standing outside, the woodcutters did not follow inside; only Elder Nine followed Ding Dashan and the other generals indoors.
But soon, Ding Dashan called someone, and two soldiers hurriedly went in to clean up the broken tables, chairs, and teacups on the floor.
"Brew some tea," said Ding Dashan, his face red.
Elder Nine raised his hand to stop him.
"No need," he said, "Time is of the essence, let's keep it brief."
This leader sure is straightforward in talking.
Ding Dashan glanced at his companions, perhaps there was no more need to introduce everyone...
"Alright then," he said straightforwardly, "Not to hide from you, Elder Nine, we were just talking about you, you guys are truly incredible."
He said while raising his thumb.
The other generals also hurriedly agreed.
"Indeed, indeed."
"In just two days, you killed so many Jin Dogs."
"The Jin Dogs are truly scared out of their wits."
They said with a laugh.
Elder Nine looked indifferent, just smiling slightly.
"It's nothing," he said, waving his hand, "Scaring them isn't something to be happy about, we want them dead."
This statement was truly domineering yet laid-back.
Ding Dashan and the others swallowed their saliva, not quite knowing how to respond.
This won't do, their demeanor was too weak; despite being of similar ages, why did they seem like love-stricken maidens in front of this leader?
It's too embarrassing.
Army Head Wang coughed lightly.
"Yes, the Jin Dogs indeed deserve death," he said solemnly, "We were just..."
"Then let's kill them together," Elder Nine interrupted and took over, slapping his thigh and standing up, "We'll attack Kaide Prefecture tomorrow night, wipe out those Jin Dogs, and reclaim Kaide Prefecture."
Is, is this a joke?
The room fell silent, as if even breathing had stopped.
Everyone looked at Elder Nine, their expressions stupefied.
What are they talking about? They had just met, sat down, and not even two sentences in, and they're talking about reclaiming Kaide Prefecture?
Kaide Prefecture.
Three thousand Jurchen soldiers.
Three thousand!
"Not quite three thousand anymore," Elder Nine said.
Fine, they killed thirty, how many are left?
Ah bah, Ding Dashan cursed internally, is this the time to count that?
Besides, what's the difference between three thousand and two thousand six hundred and seventy?
"Elder Nine, let's discuss this matter..." he stammered.
"Of course, we need to discuss," Elder Nine said, "I came here because I knew you were all gathered, so we could discuss it together."
He had actually discovered their whereabouts; the generals present couldn't help but exchange glances.
Elder Nine sat down again.
"Come, let's discuss," he said, "Act, or not."
Brother, is this called discussing? This is way too casual.
Ding Dashan and the rest looked panicked, watching the man sitting boldly in front of them as if they were looking at a tyrant about to seize a bride.
To marry, or not to marry?
No choice but to marry!