"Sister Sun, I know you're doing this for my own good, but I can't turn back now."
Sun Mo smiled. "Honestly speaking, in this era, I don't feel that there's anything bad about being a bandit. The prerequisite is that one must have a grand ideal!"
"Ideal?"
Sun Erniang was confused by Sun Mo's words.
"Sister Sun, I'd like to trouble you to help me collect the personal information of the Bright Mountain bandits, especially those who have a deep grudge against the landlords."
Sun Mo pleaded.
"What do you want?"
Sun Erniang's expression immediately became vigilant and suspicious.
"Don't misunderstand, I just think that since we're going to be bandits, we have to be the best in the world!"
Sun Mo explained in a low voice, telling them the plan.
The more Sun Erniang listened, the more shocked she became. In the end, her gaze was filled with disbelief when she looked at Sun Mo.
It was just a kidnapping. Was there a need to be so meticulous?
"Sorry to trouble you, Sister Sun!"
Sun Mo cupped his fists.
"Leave it to me!"
Sun Erniang took care of everything.
Because she was a woman and beautiful, Sun Erniang was very popular among the Bright Mountain bandits. It was very easy for her to ask about things.
In the past, Sun Erniang didn't care about the matters of others and had a cold image. But now, in order to help Sun Mo, she took the initiative to come into contact with those bandits.
Two days passed. Ye Biao was sitting on a chair in the Loyalty Gathering Hall, drinking tea as he watched the bandits arrive one after another.
For this kind of kidnapping, there was no need for a lot of people. Twenty would be enough.
Late in the morning, Ye Biao put down his teacup.
"Is everyone here?"
Ye Biao was the second in command. He was very good at fighting and had courage.
"That scholar didn't come!"
"Don't tell me you're scared?"
"I heard that the bandit's nickname is Swallow Li San. He killed Pang Jili and massacred the Hundred Beauties Restaurant. Could it be fake?"
Everyone discussed animatedly.
"Don't talk nonsense. Brother Sun is not afraid. He just … just slept with her!"
The pork was too expensive, so he explained loudly.
Although they were all bandits of Bright Mountain, there were still factions among them. Pork was expensive, and they followed Sun Erniang on missions. This time around, they followed Ye Biao because they wanted to take care of Sun Mo.
Now that he saw Sun Mo being looked down upon, he felt extremely unhappy.
"Yo, you're calling me big brother already?"
Someone mocked.
"Let's wait for another ten minutes. If he doesn't arrive …"
Ye Biao didn't finish his sentence, but everyone knew what he meant.
If Sun Mo wanted to find an excuse to avoid this operation, his head would be chopped off and thrown into the lake to feed the tortoises.
"I'll go take a look!"
The pork noble walked out of the hall.
"Brother Gui, where are you going?"
Sun Mo came. The smile on his face was even more dazzling under the sunlight.
"This birdman is really f * cking good-looking!"
Upon seeing such a handsome Sun Mo, many people cursed in a low voice. (You are a guy who can clearly rely on your looks to make a living. Why did you come to Clear Mountain?)
Being a bandit is fun!
Pa!
Ye Biao slammed his palm on the table and looked at Sun Mo with a gloomy expression. "Although we are bandits, we have to follow the rules when we act. If not, if we mess things up, we'll lose everyone's lives!"
Ye Biao couldn't care less about who Sun Mo was. He wanted to show off his might to suppress Sun Mo first!
The bandits were loyal to each other, but those who could become the boss were all capable of fighting and had experience.
"Brother Biao, don't be angry. I only came late because I wanted to earn more money. I didn't do it on purpose."
Sun Mo explained.
In truth, he had intentionally come late. If not, how would he be able to attract everyone's attention?
As expected, the moment they heard that they could earn more money, everyone immediately became spirited.
"Tell me, how do you want to earn more money?"
"You really believe it? He's just finding an excuse to avoid punishment!"
"Little Six, why are you not accompanying your mother? What are you doing here?"
Everyone was making a ruckus and didn't have any rules. Someone saw a handsome young man standing beside Sun Mo and couldn't help but feel curious.
His name was Little Six Zhong, and he was a very filial son.
When other people came to Clear Mountain, they were all alone. At most, they would bring their wives and children along. However, this young man was carrying a blind mother and didn't even feel that it was a burden.
"Tell me, tell me!"
Ye Biao had a hint of mockery in his eyes. He wanted to test Sun Mo's character. If Sun Mo spoke nonsense, he wouldn't be polite.
"I've already understood that the main source of income for our Clear Mountain Rebel Army is kidnapping. Our targets are mostly the sons of wealthy landlords in the countryside. Some give ransom, some don't, but even the landlords who give ransom are only a few hundred taels. Up till now, this is your biggest business."
Sun Mo spoke frankly with assurance.
He even purposely described the bandits as a rebel army just to make it sound better.
"Che, what do you know? This is called casting a long line to catch a big fish. If we squeeze the landlords dry in one go, what will we eat in the future?"
Ye Biao spoke in disdain, mocking Sun Mo for being short-sighted.
"In any case, those landlords won't be able to run away. Their money will be ours sooner or later! "
The bandits applauded and cheered.
"Hehe, yours? You guys are just afraid that if you force them into a corner, they'll do something desperate! "
Sun Mo's lips twitched. "Also, I've always felt that only what is in your hands belongs to you."
Everyone fell silent.
Actually, everyone understood that Ye Biao was just using this excuse to console himself. They really didn't dare to offend those landlords.
In this era, the landlords didn't lack wives and sons. Other than those who couldn't bear children, who didn't have a nest of children?
If you kidnapped someone and extorted half of their property, only a fool would give it to them!
Therefore, everyone stopped when it was appropriate. If they asked for a few hundred taels, the landlords would accept the loss. The bandits of Bright Mountain also had a tacit understanding. At the very least, they wouldn't find trouble with the landlords for the next few years.
"It's easy for you to say. For something like money, it's not easy to obtain it even if you snatch it!"
Many people sighed.
Although they were doing business without any capital, it wasn't possible for them to make huge profits with a small capital. Even if they didn't screw up, they wouldn't be able to earn much.
"That was in the past!"
Sun Mo poured a cup of cold water and drank it slowly. "In the future, we have to change the way we earn money. For example, this time, we'll open a manor. The wealth that a landlord has accumulated for over 100 years should be enough for us to eat and drink well, right?"
If one wanted to make people work for them, they had to tempt them with benefits.
Many people were moved, but there were also people who were worried.
"Kidnapping is too low-end. I won't do it. This time around, I'm going to open a manor. Those who want to get rich, come and register with me!"
Sun Mo looked at Ye Biao. "Other than paying 30% to the village, the remaining amount will be split equally among those who participate!"
Everyone immediately broke out in discussion.
"Sun Mo, don't act recklessly!"
Ye Biao was a little shocked.
"How can I act recklessly when it comes to getting rich?"
Sun Mo pretended to be aggrieved. After that, he looked at everyone. "I know that there are some among you who became bandits and dragged down their families. Some of you were forced to do so, but I won't force you guys. Let's do this voluntarily. Now, go and tell your close friends that we're going to get rich!"
Everyone hesitated.
"I'll say one last thing. All of us have become bandits. If we're caught, we'll be forced to abandon the market. In the end, we didn't even get to eat the most expensive food and sleep with the most beautiful girls. Don't you guys feel that you've suffered a loss?"
Sun Mo spoke vehemently and smashed his cup onto the ground.
He was a great teacher and wasn't too proficient in stirring up people's hearts.
"Damn, let's do it!"
"If we don't die, we'll live a long life!"
"F * * * them!"
Everyone immediately went to call their friends.
"..."
Ye Biao felt a headache when he saw the situation spiraling out of control. However, he was sure that Sun Mo wasn't a spy.
Which spy would dare to be so crazy?
No, he had to quickly go and tell the second head!
...
"Open a manor? Pay 30%? "
Head Qiu chuckled. "Just let him do it!"
Only a fool wouldn't be willing to do it.
"Release your hands and let him do it!"
Head Qiu instructed.
At the same time, the first head also learned of this matter. For a time, he hesitated, feeling that Sun Mo was a troublesome person.
As for Third Head Lu, he directly rushed toward the Loyalty Gathering Hall.
When he arrived, he saw that over 50 people had already gathered here. Most of them were bachelors who wanted to eat their fill. There were also a few who wanted to let their families eat more. Hence, they were prepared to follow Sun Mo and do something big.
"Brother Sun, you mustn't!"
Head Lu directly came before Sun Mo. "If you do this, the imperial court will send troops to wipe us out."
Kidnapping was a small matter, but attacking a manor would be considered a rebellion.
"Third Head, from the way you address me, could it be that you're still concerned about your identity as a scholar? Remember, we're bandits now! "
Sun Mo looked at Head Lu and immediately understood. This fellow was forced to become bandits and hoped to clear his name. Hence, he tried his best not to create trouble.
Swoosh!
Head Lu's countenance turned pale, feeling very awkward.
"Our brothers have all become bandits. We might be captured and beheaded tomorrow. In the end, we still have to live our lives like this. It's too aggrieving!"
A single sentence from Sun Mo caused a commotion to break out.
"This time around, we don't seek to be rich. We just want to eat our fill and sleep with a woman!"
Sun Mo roared, "Brothers, let's descend the mountain!"
"Descend the mountain!"
"Descend the mountain!"
"Descend the mountain!"
For a time, all the bandits shouted with excited expressions, their voices reverberating through the air.
Sun Mo took the lead while the others followed.
"Elder Brother Sun!"
Pork Gui was so agitated that his face was covered in sweat. He directly squeezed through the crowd and followed behind Sun Mo. He felt that Sun Mo was an idol worth following.
Sun Mo felt bitter in his heart when he heard the footsteps behind him.
To talk about ideals with a bunch of people who hadn't received much education and talk about overthrowing the oppression of the feudal dynasty, wasn't this nonsense?
Who would understand?
Money and women were the motivation for everyone to work hard.
A total of 56 people followed Sun Mo, using a total of 12 fishing boats.
"Sun Mo, aren't you being a little too rash by doing this?"
Sun Erniang also came. She looked at those bandits and was filled with worry. "These people are usually lawless people. You should choose them carefully."
Her hidden meaning was that these people didn't want to be disciplined.
"There's no need for that. What I want are such tough people!"
Sun Mo explained, "If one wants to take down a village, other than scheming, one must also rely on bravery. I need these good men!"
Good men were easy to listen to, but they were actually a bunch of scoundrels who couldn't control themselves and wanted to rob others. The destructive prowess of such people was the strongest.
For Sun Mo's first battle, he naturally had to set victory as his goal. In the future, after he gained some reputation, he would then have the qualifications to choose people and build his own team.
Taking advantage of the time they were traveling, Sun Mo called Zhong Xiaoliu to his side.
"Whether or not you can take revenge for your father and younger sister will depend on your performance!"
Sun Mo had inquired about it. Because Zhong Xiaoliu's family couldn't repay the high-interest loan they owed to the landlord, the landlord took away all their fields and Zhong Xiaoliu became a tenant farmer.
In the end, because he couldn't repay the money he borrowed to treat his old mother's illness, his younger sister had to be dragged away to repay the debt.
His father naturally wasn't willing to see his beloved daughter falling into a pit of fire. In the process of dragging her away, she was injured by the landlord's butler.
A few days later, she died.
A few months later, he heard that his younger sister was disobedient. When she was serving the landlord, she scratched him and injured him. In the end, she was sold to a brothel.
Zhong Xiaoliu went there to demand an explanation, but he was beaten up. In a fit of anger, when the butler came to collect the debt, he used a kitchen knife to chop him up. After that, he brought his mother up the Clear Mountain.
"I understand!"
Zhong Xiaoliu gritted his teeth. "Brother Sun, if you can help me take revenge, I'll sell my life to you from now on!"
"Don't say that. Your life will forever be yours. We must make your life more blissful. That will be the greatest retaliation to those who hurt you!"
Sun Mo patted Zhong Xiaoliu's shoulder heavily.
"Brother Sun, Brother!"
Zhong Xiaoliu was stunned, feeling extremely touched. No one had ever said such words to him before.
"Thank you!"
Sun Erniang's beautiful eyes were filled with splendor. "Xiaoliu is a filial child."
"Why are you being so polite? It's only natural for me to take revenge for my brother!"
Sun Mo mentally mused. (Actually, I have a few names on file. In the end, I chose Zhong Xiaoliu because such a person wouldn't betray me. Moreover, the Zhong Clan Manor was only over 20 li away from the 800 li lake. It would be easy for them to flee after plundering.)
When they were about to reach the shore, Sun Mo didn't let everyone go up. Instead, he got the fishing boats to enter the reed marshes and held a meeting.
"This is the layout of the Zhong Clan's manor. It's definitely not accurate, but it's fine. When the time comes, we just need to grab some servants and ask them about the exact location!"
Sun Mo took out over ten pieces of paper and distributed them to everyone.
"Erniang, bring some people and control the stables immediately. Not only must we prevent the Zhong Clan from escaping on their horses, but these horses and mules are also our means of retreat.
"Pork is expensive. Bring a group of people and be in charge of the backyard. You mustn't let a single person escape.
"Brother Biao, let's have two groups of people. Let's kill our way through the front yard first. After that, I'll leave the storehouse to you. Be careful of others setting fire to the rations."
Sun Mo instructed one by one.
The group of bandits had been stirred up by Sun Mo earlier. Now that they had sailed for a few hours, their hot blood had cooled down and they started to ponder whether they could succeed or not.
Now that they saw how orderly Sun Mo was, like how Zhuge Liang was reborn, they all calmed down.
"Then who will be in charge of Landlord Zhong?"
Ye Biao frowned.
Killing Landlord Zhong would surely give them the most benefits.
"I'm the one who suggested this. I'll definitely be the one to do such a dangerous job!"
Sun Mo looked at Ye Biao. "Of course. Everyone, don't worry. This time around, I won't take a single cent from you."
"Sun Mo!"
Sun Erniang was shocked and wanted to persuade him not to make promises recklessly.
Everyone fell silent. After all, the reason why they came out to plunder was to seek wealth.
"I treat everyone as brothers and treat you with sincerity. In that case, I also hope that everyone can cooperate sincerely. In the future, we still have to do big things!"
Sun Mo encouraged.
"Alright, I'll believe you this once!"
Ye Biao cast a deep glance at Sun Mo. This person either had great ambitions but little talent, or he was an ambitious person.
Three miles away from the Zhong Clan Manor, there was a forest. In order to not attract attention, Sun Mo's group arrived in batches.
At the same time, they also got Sun Erniang to scout for information.
Two days later, everyone had gathered. Sun Erniang also brought news that everything in the Zhong Clan Manor was the same as before.
Evening arrived.
Sun Mo, who had eaten his dry rations, stood up.
"Brothers, whether we want to eat meat or drink soup will depend on tonight. Let's go and rob the rich to help the poor, upholding justice!"
Sun Mo's debut performance had begun.
"Brother Biao, I suddenly recalled that we still don't know how good Big Brother Sun's martial arts are."
A subordinate came up to Ye Biao and reminded him in a low voice.
"If he can't fight, then he'll just die!"
Ye Biao didn't care. Sun Mo's plan was very complete. Even if Sun Mo died, he would be able to complete it. However, why did this subordinate of his start calling Sun Mo 'big brother'?
(Do you even place me, your sworn brother, in your eyes?)
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