Kazekage Ninja: The Rise of the Hidden Sand-Chapter 160 - 55: Molding Sand into a Solid Mass

"Rest assured, my lord, sit peacefully on the Yuezhi Peninsula. Within six months, our Sunagakure will surely exterminate these stubborn bandits! I guarantee that your five billion ryo in taxes will be fully recovered."

Jinghang patted his chest, confidently making a promise.

The daimyo of the Land of Wind was so moved that he shook Jinghang's hand, tears glistening in his eyes.

"I rely entirely on you, my dear minister. This year's military budget, I will immediately order..."

"Ah, my lord, there's no need. Suppressing bandits is my duty; there's no need, no need..."

Jinghang thought to himself, "Your military budget isn't even enough for a single card game."

"It's necessary, it's necessary. Mut, bring it over!"

The retainer Mut struggled to drag over a large chest.

"This is the 15 million ryo in military expenses owed to Sunagakure this year. Lord Kazekage, take it to motivate the soldiers. This battle must wipe out the bandits; all the officials and people of the Land of Wind are counting on this tax money."

Fifteen million ryo to motivate soldiers? This time, just deploying the second division of the regular army involved over 4,000 men, which means each of us would have to go all out for just over 3,000 ryo! How could you even think of that?

Oh! So after all this, you're afraid we won't put enough effort into suppressing the bandits. But who is this little money meant to offend? Honestly, the head of the Black Wind Fortress bandit leader Kawashima Tsumi is worth 25 million ryo in the underground exchange!

Forget it, even flies are meat, and besides, if you don't take the money, they won't feel assured. So Jinghang let his companion Yamashita Tetsu carry the chest and walked out of the daimyo's suite without looking back.

"Consider this money a bonus for your intelligence department. Your department has done an excellent job recently, gathering detailed information on all the sand bandits in the Black Prince Desert. Worthy of praise, distribute this money among the brothers for a treat. However, you still need to file a report with the Anti-Corruption Bureau to avoid any trouble from Director Liangping."

Jinghang pointed at the money chest and smiled at Yamashita Tetsu.

"Thank you, Lord Kazekage, for the reward."

Yamashita Tetsu happily patted the money chest.

"Regarding bandit suppression, our intelligence department has devised a new plan that will require coordination with the regular army."

"Hmm, be specific. Let's sit down and talk."

The Kazekage also had an office in the Crystal Palace, after all, Jinghang was still the executive chairman of the Golden Sands Entertainment Group.

"In simple terms, it's about molding sand into a solid mass for a decisive blow!" ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Yamashita Tetsu clenched his five fingers into a fist.

"Come on, come on, brothers! Drink!"

Kawashima Tsumi boldly downed the strong liquor in his bowl.

The bandits below also drank their bowls dry.

The hall of the Black Wind Fortress was brightly lit, with large tables filled with various foods, very bandit-like: whole roasted pigs, whole roasted lambs, barrels of strong liquor, baskets of dried fruits... The entire fortress was filled with the rich aroma of meat and wine. Dozens of scantily clad, heavily made-up women moved among the bandits, some singing and dancing, some playing drinking games with the bandits, some flirting and joking, and some even more daring, right on the tables... It was a lively and rowdy scene.

"Hahaha! What a joy! Brothers, this great victory is all thanks to your brave efforts. No need for words, eat to your heart's content! Drink to your heart's content! Play to your heart's content! Next year, we'll be bold and take Dragonfly City, and sit in the daimyo's seat of the Land of Wind for a few days."

Kawashima Tsumi, already half-drunk, his face flushed, was full of spirit, hands on his hips, waving, as if Dragonfly City was right under his feet.

"The leader's spirit is unmatched, truly a hero of our times. The one in the Green Palace of Dragonfly City is just a mediocre person born with a silver spoon. Compared to the leader, they aren't even worthy of carrying your shoes. The leader should be the daimyo of the Land of Wind!"

Mr. Kuang, holding a drink, flattered Kawashima Tsumi, drawing cheers and applause from the bandits!

He was originally from a small country's retainer, always harboring a vision of assisting a mighty lord in establishing a new nation. Now, this vision seemed within reach.

"Hey, Old Third, why are you just drinking silently without saying a word?"

After the battle at Biancheng Station, Kawashima Tsumi valued this capable younger brother greatly, paying much attention to his opinions.

"Leader, it's not that I don't want to speak, but what I have to say might not be pleasant and could dampen everyone's spirits. So I might as well not say it."

A Zhao took a sip of his drink and said lightly.

"Damn it, what does it matter if it's pleasant or not, as long as it's good for the fortress, speak boldly."

Kawashima Tsumi said loudly.

A Zhao didn't refuse, first bowing to the second-in-command Mr. Kuang.

"Just now, the second-in-command mentioned wanting the leader to become the daimyo of the Land of Wind. In my opinion, with our current strength... it's not feasible."

The hall fell silent; indeed, what the third-in-command said was unpleasant. Everyone was in high spirits, and this was a clear dampener!

Mr. Kuang wasn't angry, putting down his drink, he said.

"Old Third, I know you're skilled in military strategy and cautious in warfare, but now Dragonfly City only has about a thousand samurai left. Taking it is as easy as pie. Are you so timid because you're afraid of the Sunagakure ninjas?"

"I don't regard those samurai at all; what I'm concerned about are the Sunagakure ninjas."

Upon hearing this, the bandits fell into thought. In recent years, Sunagakure had been strong in military power, boasting tens of thousands of ninjas, feared by major countries, let alone a mere Black Wind Fortress.

"Sunagakure and the daimyo of the Land of Wind are merely nominally subordinate. I think they wouldn't..."

Mr. Kuang tried to justify.

"Second-in-command, the situation is different now. The main force of the Land of Wind's samurai group has been completely wiped out by us. The remaining samurai can't even fill the walls of Dragonfly City. If you were the daimyo of the Land of Wind, wouldn't you seek aid from the Kazekage? Sunagakure might be planning to deal with us as we speak. Besides, we already have a grudge with Sunagakure..."

"Hmph! Let them come, I'll chop one for each that comes, ten for every five pairs."

A drunken ninja shouted, only to be silenced by Kawashima Tsumi.

"Old Third, what do you think we should do next?"

"In my opinion, we should gather strength and, taking advantage of this great victory, first unify the Black Prince Desert!"

A Zhao made a bold gesture, and Kawashima Tsumi's eyes lit up.

"The Black Prince Desert is vast, and there are many groups like ours, living by the blade. Notable ones like Sand Lizard, Gray Camel, Iron Arm, and Golden Whirlwind... there are a dozen or so. If we unify them, not only can we greatly expand our strength, but we also gain more strategic leeway. By then, the leader would be the king of the Black Prince Desert, and what could Sunagakure's ten thousand ninjas do to us?"

His words were clear and inspiring.

The bandits nodded repeatedly. This goal was achievable.

Kawashima Tsumi's eyes were already red. He slapped the armrest of his grand chair and said.

"Great! Since my grandfather's generation, our Black Wind Fortress has dreamed of conquering the Black Prince. Let's first unify the Black Prince Desert, then aim for the Land of Wind!

Today, let's enjoy ourselves. Tomorrow, we begin our actions. Second-in-command, lead a team to Sand Lizard, Old Third, you go to Gray Camel. Those who submit to me will be brought under our banner, sharing meat and wealth. Those who don't?! Take their heads! Come, Old Third, I must toast to you. With a talent like you, how can our grand enterprise not thrive!"

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