Chapter Fifty-Three: Dividing the Spoils

Let us begin with Feng Xiaobao, who gained a beauty, and Yang Chengxian, Cheng Boxi, and Lü Yingbu also received beautiful women.

Lü Yingbu fought against Zhang Yongping, who was wounded by an arrow. Lü Yingbu, unconcerned, launched a fierce assault. When Zhang Yongping could no longer resist, he resorted to cursing, calling Lü Yingbu shameless.

“In these times, the shameless are many—we have comrades in arms!”

Meanwhile, Yang Chengxian, Cheng Boxi, and Yang Debiao joined forces to attack the “Ghost Axe” Qiu Shenyang, overwhelming him without a shred of guilt.

When a man is shameless, he is invincible. Lü Yingbu wielded his Fangtian halberd like a sea dragon, aiming for Zhang Yongping’s vital points.

Almost at the same moment as Lü Yingbu stabbed Zhang Yongping, Qiu Shenyang was struck down by Yang Debiao’s blade, left defenseless, and finished off by the combined weapons of Yang Chengxian and Cheng Boxi.

The “Mighty God General” Tian Shi saw the situation was hopeless, feigned a move, slipped away from Yang Deyong, and escaped into the mountains, becoming the only survivor among the seven great bandit chiefs.

But his future was uncertain. His enormous size made him easily recognizable, and he would struggle to evade the authorities and wandering warriors pursuing him.

Of the bandits who fled New Capital Mountain, perhaps one or two managed to escape, but all the rest perished, save for a seductive young woman.

Her veil was removed, revealing an enchanting face—though a bit disheveled, her beauty was undiminished.

She was likely the cause of the incident—the concubine of the old capital official who had been killed.

She was alluringly feminine. Cheng Boxi nudged Yang Chengxian and said, “What do you think if I surrender my maidenhood to her?”

“You’re still a virgin?” Yang Chengxian sneered. “Didn’t you lose it to the dancer at Zhaowu Pavilion?”

“Get out of here!” Cheng Boxi plotted, intent on claiming her, hoping his brothers wouldn’t compete.

Once the bandits were slain, the loot was gathered:

Each person carried twenty or thirty gold ingots; in total, they obtained five hundred ingots, each weighing half a pound—about five taels, totaling 2,500 taels of gold. With one tael of gold exchanging for ten taels of silver, the value was 25,000 taels of silver, or roughly 25,000 strings of copper coins.

This was immense wealth. Consider that the bounty for the bandit leader Xia Fuyao was 1,000 strings, but these gold ingots were worth twenty-five times that. Enough to purchase three or four mansions in Luoyang.

Property in Luoyang was scarce and prices high. Thus the saying, “Murder and arson brings a golden belt,” rang true. Feng Xiaobao’s year of hard work selling medicine barely earned this sum, but now a single battle brought it all.

The Luoyang-Changan road was rich, and the bandits of New Capital Mountain were loaded, but in the end, their efforts were wasted, working for others for nothing.

Besides gold, there were jewels and ornaments worth over five thousand strings!

And the bounty for heads—by custom, whoever kills claims the reward, and it’s not divided.

At last, there was the old capital official’s concubine, who called herself Miss Yang.

Thirty thousand strings worth of gold and jewels glittered temptingly, reflecting the greed in everyone’s eyes.

If not for their location on the main road, where passersby might overhear, Yang Chengxian, Cheng Boxi, and Lü Yingbu might have fought each other.

How to divide the spoils?

Lü Yingbu spoke with false righteousness, “I’ll take three, you take seven. I believe Miss Yang suits me well, worth a hundred strings—count it as my share!”

She was only a woman—a “comrade” claimed her, and though not exceedingly beautiful, Lü Yingbu spoke first. Cheng Boxi was about to agree, but Yang Chengxian objected, “You fancy her, so do I. I prefer this mature type. Your price is too low—make it three hundred strings and add it to our account!”

Neither Lü Yingbu nor Yang Chengxian regarded Miss Yang as a person—just a possession. She was merely a concubine, lacking rights. Had she been the official’s wife, it would be different.

In truth, Yang Chengxian’s interest was almost accidental, but Lü Yingbu’s persistence made him suspicious.

Within Feng Xiaobao’s trio, Yang Chengxian acted as strategist, always thinking ahead. Lü Yingbu’s insistence made Yang Chengxian unwilling to let go.

As they argued, several wandering warriors approached, two or three stopping nearby, coveting their spoils.

The longer the night, the greater the risk. Fortunately, Feng Xiaobao returned. Hearing the situation, he sensed something was amiss and confronted Lü Yingbu, “Are you trying to compete with me?”

Strength decided all. Lü Yingbu had to reply, “I wouldn’t dare!”

Had Feng Xiaobao not arrived, Lü Yingbu might have fought Yang Chengxian. But with Feng Xiaobao present, to attack them was suicide.

“That settles it. She counts for five hundred strings, and she’s ours!” Feng Xiaobao pronounced, raising the total value, granting Lü Yingbu more money and appeasing his discontent.

“Brother Feng, may I speak with you privately?” Lü Yingbu whispered.

Feng Xiaobao called Yang Chengxian and Cheng Boxi over. Lü Yingbu looked awkward. Feng Xiaobao impatiently said, “There’s nothing that can’t be said in front of them—they’re my brothers. Speak your mind!”

“Before I speak, you must promise me thirty percent of the proceeds!” Lü Yingbu demanded.

Feng Xiaobao’s expression changed. “Then there’s nothing more to discuss. Let’s divide the spoils now.”

Lü Yingbu persisted, “You don’t even know what you’re refusing—it’s a shame!”

“What’s mine is mine!” Feng Xiaobao snorted.

He left no room for negotiation. Lü Yingbu could only sigh in regret.

Regretfully, the prize slipped away—regret that his strength was lacking.

...

They divided the spoils according to their shares. Gold was straightforward, but jewels were harder to value. Time pressed, so they resorted to a crude method: blindfolding a person to distribute them at random, leaving it to fate.

The division was swift. Feng Xiaobao collected the bandits’ heads. Lü Yingbu offered, “I’ll sell Zhang Yongping’s head to you for six hundred strings, and the others for eight strings apiece.”

A bandit chief’s head was worth eight hundred strings; ordinary bandits’ heads, ten strings. He discounted them for quick cash and safety.

Feng Xiaobao would claim the rewards, while Lü Yingbu left quickly.

Cheng Boxi shouted, “Why don’t we give you half price for the rewards?”

His suggestion met no objection from Feng Xiaobao and Yang Chengxian.

Everyone had plenty of gold now and cared little for the bounty. They wanted to cash in and withdraw swiftly from this whirlpool.

Lü Yingbu said with a forced smile, “You’re stronger than me, with better connections. You don’t fear trouble—I do. Give me some face!”

Cheng Boxi snorted, “We’re even more afraid than you. After all, we have seven shares to your three—our money exceeds yours, so we’re more fearful!”

Everyone insisted they were afraid. “Give me some face!” Lü Yingbu pleaded again.

Ultimately, Feng Xiaobao granted him face, calculating the gold ingots according to six hundred and eight strings, handing them over to Lü Yingbu.

Lü Yingbu packed his things, thanked them, bid farewell, and hurried off, never to return to New Capital Mountain’s camp.

Several wandering warriors followed them at once.

May Lü Yingbu journey well,

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