014 The Archer Disguised as a Man
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Jiang Qingyun saw the figure carrying a bow and arrows, moving with the agility of a wildcat. She swiftly climbed to the rooftop of the wooden watchtower behind her, found her footing, and immediately drew her bowstring.
Whoosh—
A scream echoed from a distant rooftop.
Whoosh—
Another scream followed.
The arrows streaked like meteors, not aimed precisely, indicating an exceptional instinct for archery.
Jiang Qingyun felt a touch embarrassed. An amateur escort had better archery skills than a professional like herself. No wonder her father always claimed her marksmanship was terrible.
After a short while, the archer leapt down from the second-floor roof.
Jiang Qingyun did not hesitate and quickly pulled out several silver ingots from her pouch.
“Take this.”
The archer approached with quick, shuffling steps, lowered their head, and accepted the silver.
At the moment the silver changed hands, Jiang Qingyun felt the touch was soft and delicate. She couldn’t help but scrutinize the person more closely—and was shocked to find they had no Adam’s apple.
Her gaze dropped lower—flat across the chest.
...
“Look up!”
Unexpectedly, the person not only refused to look up but also turned and walked away. In her fluster, Jiang Qingyun’s eyes caught the figure’s silhouette, revealing her true gender—the round and ample backside plainly evident.
Jiang Qingyun was stunned!
Beside her, the escort leader Jiang Deshun hurriedly mustered courage to explain:
“Please forgive our embarrassment, Lord Jiang. This is my daughter Jiang Nan. She grew up within the escort agency and usually trains with her senior brothers in archery, spear, and staff. She’s a bit wild. Her archery skills are nothing compared to yours—just showing off in front of a master.”
“I see~”
Jiang Qingyun nodded thoughtfully.
“Your daughter’s archery is superb. Have her follow me closely and protect me at all times.”
“...”
Across the Southern City Military Office, thirty operational squads launched attacks everywhere. It was like an ice cube dropped into hot oil, sizzling and crackling—the entire Southern City was ablaze with excitement.
Many townsfolk gathered, their faces alive with excitement. Compared to danger, they cared more about the spectacle.
The government was arresting criminals—what a thrilling show.
The once-mighty local bullies were now tied up with a single rope, obedient as lambs.
“Sir, there’s a gang called Weigetang holding a courtyard. Two squads of our men have failed to capture it.”
“Let’s go. Take me there.”
...
Tofu Alley, a narrow lane not far from the capital’s central axis.
Over fifty escorts crouched at the alley entrance, hearts pounding, yet no one dared rush in.
Bang!
A gunshot rang out!
Jiang Qingyun’s excitement surged—bandits! They had guns!
Nearby lay an escort with a face pale as paper, the only one hit by a bullet from earlier incense stick’s time ago.
“Quick, carry him away and find a doctor. The Military Office will pay for his medical expenses, plus twenty taels of silver for treatment. If he’s disabled or dies, I’ll add another twenty taels as compensation.”
“Thank you, sir.”
The escort leaders nearby were moved to tears with gratitude.
...
At that moment, four other commanders arrived, and the five city Military Office chiefs gathered together.
The Eastern City Military Office commander was dumbfounded:
“We came for a banquet. What are you doing?”
Jiang Qingyun, clad in armor and helmet, smiled at the four:
“Today’s bandit suppression should be a joint effort of our five offices. I especially wanted to share the credit with my four brothers, but—”
“Brother, may we speak privately?”
The five stepped aside, whispered, and after some bargaining, all joined the battle.
“What exactly does Weigetang do?”
“Smuggling luxury goods. Their leader has many connections within the government—an influential figure. Usually low-key, but like a biting dog that doesn’t bark.”
The Weigetang gang guarded a courtyard house with gray brick walls and a tightly shut gate. Shadows flitted atop the walls, occasionally firing shots outside.
Jiang Qingyun ordered, “Concentrate archers, prepare shield carts and shields.”
...
“Charge!”
Four makeshift shield carts led the way, thirty archers behind them, followed by ten spearmen—such a formation was considered lavish for urban bandit suppression.
Jiang Qingyun stayed back, observing from afar.
Bang! Bang bang!
Birdshot hammered against the shield carts, dust rising.
Inside the courtyard, the gang set the study on fire. The leader roared, “Grab your weapons! Once the cannon fires, we break out together. Whoever escapes, escapes!”
...
“Release arrows!”
A rain of arrows rose from behind the shield carts, falling into the courtyard.
“Fire again!”
“Break the gate!”
The elm wood gate crashed down.
“Brother Jiang, it’s done. Let’s go in,” the Eastern City commander said eagerly.
“Advance.”
Jiang Qingyun rose from behind the shield and strode forward. The small Weigetang, despite some fighting skill, was no match.
The archer Jiang Nan silently followed, eyes fixed on the courtyard wall. Suddenly, she kicked Jiang Qingyun’s side.
“Sir, be careful.”
...
Boom! A plume of white smoke erupted opposite.
Gunpowder filled the alley, several people fell to birdshot, chaos ensued.
Indeed, Weigetang was extraordinary—they had smuggled in a small French cannon.
The careless Eastern City commander was pierced through his armor by birdshot, bleeding profusely, quickly succumbing.
Weigetang began their breakout attempt!
Jiang Qingyun, knocked down and lying behind a shield cart, naturally avoided this disaster. Her waist hurt, but her mood was excellent.
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The presence of fierce bandits in the Southern City confirmed Jiang Qingyun’s correct judgment.
The Qing court had entrusted her with more power and allowed her to expand the Southern City Military Office. Minor deviations in behavior could be overlooked.
...
Jiang Nan, unremarkable across the chest, now unleashed her prowess.
She rose repeatedly, loosing arrows like shooting stars, continuously killing many foes.
Jiang Qingyun’s eyes flicked to Jiang Nan’s round, plump backside. He raised his foot and with a strong kick, easily sent her tumbling forward.
He shouted:
“Danger!”
“Retreat! Quick, retreat!”
The panicked men scrambled back.
Fortunately, the archer’s volley kept them at bay.
Amid the smoke, it was clear some Weigetang members had escaped, their numbers unknown.
Jiang Qingyun was a seasoned strategist—like leaving a piece of gauze at the appendix removal site for ease of a second operation.
...
After one incense stick’s time—
“Brothers, charge into the courtyard!”
The men surged like a tide, clearing the battlefield and seizing loot.
Two quarters later,
“Sir, we’ve seized three muskets, one bow, two quivers of arrows, six swords, eleven spears, and one small French bronze cannon.”
Everyone gasped in unison. This was no mere gang—it was practically an army.
Jiang Qingyun remained calm and composed, drafting the bandit suppression report on the spot.
Jiang Nan shyly approached, “Sir, why did you kick my backside so hard just now?”
“You were standing so high, I was afraid you’d get shot!”
...
Evening.
The operation ended with astonishing results.
A total of 56 gangs were eliminated, 130 gang members killed or wounded, over 500 arrested, 332 weapons confiscated, and 12,000 taels of silver seized from raids.
The commotion was so great that before the report could be submitted, the Forbidden City sent envoys to inquire.
At the Qianqing Palace gate.
Shunzhi Emperor, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, and senior ministers gazed thoughtfully at the small French bronze cannon recently brought by the imperial guards—this was a serious matter.
Shunzhi roared, “Investigate! Find the origin of this cannon.”
That very night,
The Forbidden City was on high alert, brightly lit.
The Yellow Banner guards thoroughly searched the inner court, turning over every bed in every palace, fearing hidden assassins.
Cavalry were dispatched toward Datong to scout, determined to uncover Dorgon’s movements.