Chapter 4: Spoils of War (Part 2)

As Sima Tai shouted, everyone’s attention turned to him, eager to know what was going on. Seeing this, Sima Tai’s face grew even tighter, almost turning blue. He felt he had failed the Liu Camp and knelt down, ready to kowtow to Liu Yuxing, saying, “I’m so sorry, everyone!”
Even Liu Yu didn’t understand what was happening. Fortunately, Jiang Ningxue had some experience interacting with people from the same circle. Seeing this, she quickly bowed deeply to Sima Tai, saying, “Sir Sima, why go to such lengths?”
Liu Yu also realized what was happening and supported Sima Tai’s arms, saying, “Sir Sima, let’s talk this through calmly.”
The more enthusiastic Liu Yu and Jiang Ningxue became, the more guilty Sima Tai felt toward them. “It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have spread rumors without thoroughly investigating the situation. The official army is still inside Haiyang City and hasn’t moved yet!”
Everyone’s expression changed immediately. Sima Tai knew he had brought great disaster upon the Liu Camp. Though he cared about his reputation, he was also a brave man who took responsibility.
“Because of my recklessness, the Liu Camp has encountered great trouble. I’ve checked carefully—these Vietnamese soldiers were transporting opium to Haiyang City. There’s no conflict with the Liu Camp. I’m truly sorry, everyone.”
Hearing this, the people of the Liu Camp grew anxious.
No matter what had happened, a feud had been formed. Although the Vietnamese official army seemed weak, they were still a well-organized force of a nation that could mobilize thousands of soldiers at any time and even seek help from the Qing army.
Due to Sima Tai’s rash actions, the Liu Camp had inadvertently provoked the Vietnamese soldiers, and trouble was likely to follow.
Jiang Ningxue, who was usually gentle, saw Liu Yu still stunned and speechless, so she repeatedly urged him, “Sir Sima, why be so modest? We whole Liu Camp are deeply grateful for your sense of justice. If there’s anything we can do for you in the future, just give us a command.”
Sima Tai was moved to tears, but then the second-in-command suddenly shouted, “What did you say? Opium?”
These two words shocked everyone. Earlier, because they had offended Vietnam, no one had realized anything. Now that Sima Tai had regained his senses, he said, “Yes! They’re transporting opium!”
This opium wasn’t just a drug—it was also extremely valuable!
Vietnam had lifted the ban on opium over a decade ago, and it remained under government control. Yet, both in rural areas and cities, opium had become increasingly popular, even becoming a third form of currency alongside gold and silver, with high credibility. You could use opium as cash.
Some tribes in remote areas didn’t even recognize gold or silver. If you wanted to trade with them, you had three options: opium, cloth, or salt.
Now that the situation had changed, everyone in the Liu Camp started asking eagerly, “How much of this contraband? How much?”
Sima Tai had been panicked earlier, but now he became excited. “I asked. It’s a huge amount! Exactly two thousand pieces! Two thousand taels!”
It was as if things had taken a dramatic turn, and everyone’s thoughts changed.
Liu Yu’s eyes sparkled with excitement—this was his first big fortune!

He forced himself to stay calm, but his breathing still became uncontrollably heavy, with countless thoughts swirling in his mind. Jing Shi Yi and a few others rushed over and found the loads; as they sorted through them, they shouted, “That’s right! It’s contraband! High-quality opium!” The somewhat experienced Vietnamese officer knelt on the ground and cried out, “Gentlemen! Gentlemen, let’s discuss this properly. This is Lord Guan Qi’s private property, and our entire army’s pay depends on it.” “Gentlemen! Let me make a decision—take thirty percent, and leave something for us to live on.” “Well… then take forty percent, or half… half is fine… Or maybe take sixty percent and leave forty for us. This is the hard-earned money of hundreds of soldiers!” His hands trembled nonstop as he cried and shivered, “Please leave thirty percent for us, at least some residue!” “Bang!” Liu Yu struck him with the butt of his gun, knocking him unconscious. “Since we’ve offended them, let’s offend them completely!” On Liu Yu’s side, everyone was so excited they could hardly contain their dreams. Ever since retreating into Vietnam, they had endured enough hardships. Two thousand taels of opium—what a huge fortune! Including Sima Tai, there were only twenty people in total, and each would get a generous share. “Great! Now we can finally get new clothes—so great!” “Brother, don’t rush. Let’s save a share for Uncle Liu and the other two first.” “That makes sense. This time we can even leave something for the old camp. Hehe, my wife has long wanted some cosmetics—now we finally have the money.” “I was shot by the foreigners the day before yesterday, and today I fought at the front with Miss Jiang Ningxue—shouldn’t I get a bigger share?” “Sure, everyone can see how hard you’ve worked.” “Finally, this day has come! Tomorrow we’ll catch a big pig for everyone to eat and drink!” Even Jiang Ningxue imagined her favorite new outfit, while Sima Tai showed noble sentiments: “Great! As long as my two brothers get their share, I don’t mind. Let’s hurry back before the government troops catch up!” The captives of the government troops were tied tightly to a big tree, with a pile of copper coins scattered beneath them as their travel funds: “We won’t make things hard for you—take this as your fare!” The atmosphere was lively, and a few people volunteered to carry the two loads of opium, which weren’t heavy at all. They prepared to return to the old camp when Liu Yu suddenly said, “Wait!” The entire group stopped. After such a victory, his authority among them was extraordinary. Sima Tai eagerly called out to him, “What’s wrong, Young Liu? Let’s hurry back. If we don’t leave now, the soldiers will catch up, and we won’t be able to keep the opium.” Liu Yu murmured to himself, “Do we really have money now?” Sima Tai replied, “Of course! Two thousand taels of contraband—enough to last for a while!” But Liu Yu had his own thoughts: “What should we do with the money?” Everyone had their own ideas, but having already expressed them earlier, they felt reluctant to speak up again. Only Jiang Ningxue said, “Of course, we should think about our own family first!”

“But it’s only twenty thousand taels of opium—how long will that last?” Liu Yu had seen many nouveau riches in his later life. This time, his back bent completely: “There’s an urgent matter—I need to ask Sir Sima for help! Please, Sir Sima, must you agree!”