Chapter Nineteen: Racing to Qiong

Copper Mountain Pass changed hands, and Zhao Huai’an and his group stayed there for five days.

The long days of flight and fierce battles had greatly drained everyone's energy and spirit; they needed to rest and recuperate here.

During these five days, Zhao Huai’an generously provided wine and meat, slaughtering a sheep each day to reward the people. The stimulation of food and drink made the tribesmen utterly devoted to him.

Of course, during these three days, Zhao Huai’an also began teaching his few disciples the basics of military strikes and Bajiu wrestling. Although this did not immediately increase their combat effectiveness, it laid the foundation for the brotherhood’s discipline.

With meat, training, and two battles that had drawn blood, the previously shabby tribesmen began to show signs of vigor. Especially Sun Tai and Zhao Hu, who had once been armor-clad slaves, now carried the aura of warriors.

During Zhao Huai’an’s stay, the market in front of the pass opened, and on that day, a group of mountain people arrived outside the fort. Their leader was the old man Zhao Huai’an had rescued earlier.

...

Five days ago, Zhao Huai’an called the rescued old man and offered to hire the mountain carriers in their village at the price of two stones of grain per person, plus an extra sheep for every ten people.

But Zhao Huai’an’s only condition was that they had to be strong and endure hardship.

They would only stay here for five days before leaving, so to earn this wage, the carriers had to arrive quickly within those days.

Yes, this was Zhao Huai’an’s plan.

Earlier, he had discussed with Xianyu Yue and learned that the road from Copper Mountain Pass to Qiongzhou was still a mountain path, so there was no question of using large carts or wheelbarrows.

Then Zhao Huai’an thought of using the old man, who had escaped before, to hire mountain carriers once again.

Zhao Huai’an’s strategy was clear: relying solely on manpower to carry supplies, grain was the least cost-effective item. So he decided to pay in grain wages and use human carriers for transporting high-value items like armor and weapons.

Moreover, Zhao Huai’an told the old man in advance that the two stones of grain would be paid upfront, and if they reached Qiongzhou successfully, he would give them a copper coin bonus for their return journey.

Such terms were almost unbelievably favorable, but the old man chose to trust this Tang soldier because he had saved his life.

Thus, the old man agreed to return and seek out nearby mountain carriers to take on this job.

...

Returning once more to the Copper Mountain Pass market, He Bo saw that nothing much had changed, except there were a few armored warriors maintaining order.

Seeing a sentry shouting down to the camp, he said to a burly young man beside him:

“Hanwa, this is the place.”

The young man named Hanwa looked defiant and was scrutinizing the camp ahead. When he saw two smiling Tang soldiers come out, he sneered and asked the old man:

“Third Uncle,I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.