The Blessed Beauty Returns with a Dimension-Chapter 957 - 933: Overwhelming Victory

"Brother Li, is the salt on the market all like this?"

"There are two types of salt on the market. One is the private salt we’re trading right now. The other is called snowflake salt, which is much better than the salt we usually consume. It doesn’t have that bitterness and is much whiter and more transparent.

That snowflake salt is more expensive, costing ten taels of silver per pound, something only the high-ranking officials and wealthy can afford. For ordinary folks like us, naturally, we can only eat this kind of salt."

Li Tieniu was surprised that Jiang Xiaoxiao was asking about this, could it be Jiang Xiaoxiao is not an official’s daughter?

Jiang Xiaoxiao’s heart stirred; in reality, making salt isn’t a complicated process.

Snowflake salt is just refined salt; after simple filtering and processing, the price skyrockets.

The profit is so high, naturally, it’s lucrative.

It truly is an industry with exorbitant profits.

Looking at these people risking their lives, it’s really heart-wrenching.

Countries under monarchical rule are like this, especially in chaotic times.

Everyone hit the road.

The return journey was obviously not peaceful.

There were several suspicious-looking bystanders following behind them, neither too fast nor too slow, not too far or too close. Once they reached a treacherous part of the route halfway, bandits finally appeared to block them from front and back.

Everyone was suddenly in a panic.

It wasn’t that they hadn’t encountered bandits before, it was because everyone had somewhat anticipated it along the way. Because of the anticipation, they felt a bit flustered when they actually encountered them.

Li Tieniu drew the machete from his back.

Lin Dawang also hurriedly organized people for defense.

Jiang Xiaoxiao, however, was calmly assessing the opponent’s numbers.

Indeed, there was a large mass of people.

This was an era where numbers could determine the outcome, sheer numerical superiority.

Altogether, there were at least two hundred of them on both sides.

"Everyone should know what to do, take action, don’t panic."

Jiang Xiaoxiao shouted, at this moment.

Clearly, the usual discipline training played a huge role, the people quickly rallied around this shout.

"One... two... three!"

Just as Jiang Xiaoxiao’s voice dropped, everyone swiftly pulled out a red cloth from their pockets and tied it to their arms.

The people pushing the carts seemed to hear some kind of command, quickly pushing the 18 carts together, forming a cart formation in the middle.

The others didn’t bother about the carts, forming countless small groups of three around the carts.

"Brothers, times have been tough for us lately, leave these salts behind, and we won’t harm you. You’ll be free to leave unharmed. Otherwise, I’ll make sure you leave your lives here today."

A fair-faced, black-bearded bandit arrogantly sat on his horse, pointing his whip at everyone.

Among the bandits, there were surprisingly more than a dozen horses.

These horses were clearly the bandits’ possessions, and far off, several large carts could be seen.

It seemed they were prepared to take the salt and transport it back using the carts.

From their preparation, it was clear someone had scouted the location beforehand.

Li Tieniu glanced at Jiang Xiaoxiao, who nodded in response.

"Dream on, if you’ve got the guts, come at us. Otherwise, stop spouting empty threats. Us grandfathers wouldn’t be in this trade if we were afraid to risk our lives."

The fair-faced, black-bearded bandit laughed.

"Alright, you’ve got some backbone then. Fine, today I’ll end your miserable lives. This time next year will be your death anniversary. Brothers, charge! Let’s feast on rich pickings, all at once. Attack!"

With a wave of his machete and a squeeze of the horse’s sides, the dozen-plus horses charged head-on, with over a hundred bandits following closely behind, directly targeting Li Tieniu, Lin Dawang, and their group, weapons brandished.

In their eyes, the private salt traders held silver, glittering silver, in their hands.

The fair-faced, black-bearded bandit galloped forward but was suddenly met with three red tassel spears stabbing towards the horse’s belly, forcing him to make the horse leap up.

Riding a horse had its advantages, and those daring to rob on horseback naturally had their skills.

He dodged the three red tassel spears, then brought his machete down hard on an oncoming spear shaft.

He laughed heartily.

"With such paltry skills, you dare show off in front of me? Prepare to die."

The next moment, the three red tassel spears directly brought him down from his horse.

Indeed!

In just the time it takes for incense to burn, the battle cries shook the air, scaring the bandits around them.

Seeing all the horse-mounted bandits brought down.

It didn’t even take the time to drink a cup of tea, with just a few exchanges, they were taken down, and those horses became masterless. The remaining bandits were helpless against the elusive red tassel spears, with nowhere to run or hide.

Watching their brothers die before them, pierced through by spears, the rest were terrified, turning to flee.

Lin Dawang and Li Tiezhu were on a killing spree, almost unable to rein themselves in, wanting to pursue.

They were stopped by Jiang Xiaoxiao.

"Don’t chase desperate foes, watch out for traps."

Though they were a bit regretful, they obeyed orders and returned to clean the battlefield.

Combining the two villages, over fifty people fought, with only 15 sustaining minor injuries, three severely injured but not critically. The severe injuries occurred due to panic and lack of coordination with teammates, leading to friendly fire.

Most of the 15 minor injuries would be fine with simple bandaging.

After checking casualties, Li Tiezhu and Lin Dawang were delighted, as this was their most successful trip ever in private salt trading.

What are injuries?

So long as no one died, it was a blessing. Usually, in private salt trading, at least a few lives are lost. Losing a dozen lives isn’t uncommon, yet this time, not a single death.

They had driven off over two hundred bandits, especially making Li Tiezhu happier as he had managed to gather all the horses and carts.

Two horses were unfortunately lamed in the forelegs by their red tassel spears.

Ten horses remained intact, which were an invaluable asset, as their village had neither horses nor oxen.

There were also 12 very sturdy large carts.

Lin Dawang was envious, feeling they had scored a major victory, not only suffering no loss but capturing horses and carts from the bandits.

What did this mean?

They had instantly upgraded their capabilities.

"Mr. Lin. This victory went well for us. Perhaps we should divide the horses and carts, making it easier to transport the salt back to the village than pushing those wheelbarrows."

The temptation of the horses and carts was undeniable, and though embarrassed to directly suggest dividing the spoils, it was also a reminder to Jiang Xiaoxiao that their Lin village contributed too.

Jiang Xiaoxiao nodded, "Everyone quickly hitch the horses to the carts, transfer the salt over. The rest should return the wheelbarrows to the salt field."

Li Tieniu and others arranged for around ten people to return the wheelbarrows, while the rest carted the salt back to the village, encountering only curious lesser bandits on the way who dared not approach after assessing their demeanor.

Traveling with horse carts for private salt trading was something unprecedented in their experience.

Usually, such a team indicated significant backing, and the small-time bandits wisely avoided provoking them.