The Demon Lords

Chapter 525 37 Traps within Traps_1

The Skybreak Mountain range was extensive, stretching over seven to eight-tenths of the Jin State's northern region. Its vast expanse, layered with mountains, did not give an impression of steep, rugged terrain; instead, it presented a sense of spaciousness reminiscent of the East Sea.

After a day's march, under the guidance of Xiong Lie, the army made camp on a flat area in a mountain recess.

Of the three settlements they aimed to subjugate on this expedition, the nearest was a fortified village just over twenty miles away via mountain paths. It housed several thousand people, with an estimated nearly two thousand able-bodied men fit for battle.

In the military tent, Zheng Fan gnawed on a roasted wild chicken leg.

With a large army entering the mountains, those skilled in hunting naturally took the opportunity. Even with sufficient military provisions, indulging in some game was a welcome treat.

Both the Barbarian soldiers and the Jin soldiers excelled at hunting. After setting up camp, they all dispersed to hunt, undoubtedly taking a heavy toll on the local game. Upon returning, they vied to present their choicest kills to Zheng Fan.

The Blind Man sat opposite Zheng Fan, gnawing on a chicken wing, and said, "My lord, these wild people can be divided into Mature Barbarians and uncivilized men."

"Does that mean civilized and uncivilized?" Zheng Fan asked.

"My Lord is wise. That's exactly it. Those who have been influenced by the culture of the Jin land and have established trade relations with it are called Mature Barbarians. Some people in their settlements can even speak the Xia language.

The three settlements Xiong Lie had dealings with previously, the ones we are targeting this time, are Mature Barbarian settlements.

They primarily reside on the periphery of the Skybreak Mountain range, bordering the Three Jin. Because they generally follow the rules, both the Helian Family and the Situ Family tend to leave them be. Even when the Jin State army enters the mountains for encirclement campaigns, they usually bypass these groups, treating them almost as their own Jin people settlements.

Thanks to trade, these Mature Barbarian settlements were considerably better off in terms of food, iron tools, and other aspects than their uncivilized relatives living deeper in the mountains or further north in the Skybreak Mountain range. Consequently, they often used this advantage to annex and capture the uncivilized men.

Partly, this was to supplement their own population, but they also engaged in external human trafficking. The slave trade involving wild people has always existed in the Three Jin, and the Mature Barbarians contribute more to this than the Jin people themselves."

"Such extravagance, they're even engaged in human trafficking." Zheng Fan chuckled and picked up a handkerchief to wipe his hands.

"It's also because this side of the Skybreak Mountain range, and the areas near it, aren't suitable for agriculture due to the climate. So, having too many farm slaves isn't very useful."

"Hmm, we should still take them in. Our workshops could certainly use more hands."

The Blind Man nodded. "This subordinate feels the same. Often, things like gold and silver prove to be of little practical use."

At this, a guard from outside the tent entered and reported, "Sir, Chief Tufa requests an audience."

"Let him in."

Soon, Tufa Chengji walked into the tent, immediately knelt, and said, "Tufa Chengji pays his respects to you, Sir, and to Mr. Bei."

"Get up, Chief Tufa. Have you eaten?"

"I have had my evening meal, Sir."

"So, what is it?"

"Sir, I saw General Liang secretly leading more than three thousand soldiers out of the camp."

"Hmm?" Zheng Fan raised an eyebrow slightly.

Tufa Chengji quickly lowered his head and said earnestly, "May My Lord forgive me. I did not intentionally spy on the army's movements, but..."

"What's there to forgive? You are a captain in my army. If you were truly blind and deaf within the camp, that would be the real offense. Besides, with three thousand men leaving the camp, it would be difficult for anyone in the camp not to notice."

"Yes, Sir. If I may be so bold, where are General Liang's troops headed?"

"That... is not something I can conveniently tell you," Zheng Fan said.

Hearing this, Tufa Chengji gritted his teeth and said, "Sir, Xiong Lie is also missing. Could it be that Xiong Lie suggested he knew a hidden path to launch a surprise attack on the wild people's stockade on the mountain opposite us?"

"Hmm, you seem to know quite a bit. Was that a guess?"

"Replying to My Lord, it was not a guess. Xiong Lie hinted at it to this subordinate last night."

"Hinted? What did he hint at?"

"He said the Yan people are far more domineering than imagined. After this census registration, what meaning is there in you continuing as a tribe chief?"

"He's right," Zheng Fan stated.

Tufa Chengji was left speechless.

The Yan State was currently implementing a large-scale census registration. Previously, more than half of the country's population was effectively "non-existent."

The population had been concealed by large local clans, which meant that if local officials wanted to implement any policy or conscript labor, they first had to sit down and negotiate with the powerful local aristocratic families.

This policy of thoroughly surveying land and registering the populace could be said to be striking at the very lifeline of the local tyrants.

"Tufa Chengji."

"This humble one is here, My Lord."

"Stop calling yourself 'this humble one.' From now on, refer to yourself as 'this subordinate'."

"Yes, this subordinate is here."

"You are a smart man. A smart man's cleverness lies in his ability to distinguish between the trivial and the crucial. I am very pleased that you took the initiative to report this matter."

"Tufa Chengji swears eternal loyalty to My Lord and to Yan!"

"Mm."

"But, My Lord, there is something wrong with this Xiong Lie. He is definitely not guiding the way willingly this time. Even the story of him being humiliated and driven back by the wild people settlements, in this subordinate's view, was also faked by him.

Therefore, this subordinate earnestly requests My Lord to issue an order to recall General Liang. Otherwise, they might fall into an ambush by the wild people. This Xiong Lie must have colluded with the wild people."