The Great Ming in the Box-Chapter 108: Never Go to Gaojia Village After Dark
Cheng Xu exclaimed, “Holy crap! This weird-looking catapult actually works? How did you manage that?”
The deputy inspector, equally stunned, remarked, “Just like that, Bai Family Fortress now has ten catapults. The more bandits swarm us, the easier it is for these catapults to hit them.”
Cheng Xu snapped, “Idiot! How many men could catapults kill? Their real value is breaking the enemy’s spirit! Those bandit thugs are already a disorganized mob. In battle, they refuse to charge headlong. Just hurl a few large stones into their ranks with catapults, and the rear units will falter. Meanwhile, the reckless fools in front keep surging forward, splitting their formation clean in half. We’d crush them both easily.”
After a pause, he shrugged dismissively and scoffed, “Even splitting them though, trapping the head and tail from aiding each other—our current forces plus Bai Family Fortress’s militia still couldn’t stop that army.”
Compared to the catapults, that bizarre giant train intrigued Cheng Xu more. It was colossal and intimidating. Even a two-zhang catapult could be transported on it. Using it to move troops or supplies? That’d be…
He recalled the last time he’d seen it—when the giant train had barreled through Little Overlord’s rebel ranks, scattering bandits like rag dolls. Cheng Xu secretly marveled: Now that’s the real game-changer.
Unfortunately, it was too clumsy. Rough terrain rendered it useless. Earlier, when leaving after delivering the catapult, just turning around took ages—agonizingly sluggish and awkward. If I were commanding against it, I’d seize that moment when it pivoted. Order soldiers to storm aboard and butcher whoever’s driving it.
Enough. Bai Family Fortress can’t hold anyway.
His mind stayed fixated on fleeing. While half-heartedly discussing defenses with Bai Yuan, he ignored every word said. Over two hours later, mealtime arrived. The Bai Steward started distributing rations to soldiers, and Cheng Xu readied himself to mooch a meal.
Suddenly, that rumbling sound echoed once more.
Grabbing two steamed buns from the Steward, Cheng Xu gnawed at one while climbing to the watchtower. Scanning the noise’s source, he saw the peculiar giant train returning…
Bai Yuan hurried outside once again to greet it.
Gao Chuwu and Zheng Daniu parked by the gate, beaming. “Lord Bai! The Deity sent us bringing a second haul of treasures.”
Curious, Bai Yuan looked: This time, it carried a bunch of colorful giant crossbow vehicles. These were the exact 1:200 models Ningyang Toy Company had specially customized for the “Daily Life in the Tiny Kingdom” theme—part of their collaboration with Li Daoxuan on the TikTok Little Yellow Bike project. Li Daoxuan had delivered ten more to Bai Yuan.
Made mostly of plastic yet mirroring ancient giant crossbows, Bai Yuan and Cheng Xu grasped their design instantly—no explanation necessary.
Bai Yuan cheered, “Thanks to the Deity! More fortress-defying marvels!”
Cheng Xu also thought, Giant crossbow vehicles beat catapults for defense. Catapults rely on luck, but crossbows? Pinpoint accuracy. Still… what sorcery are these bolts?
Turns out each bolt was plastic-blunted, childish playthings. Cheng Xu shook his head wearily.
Bai Yuan gestured calmly, “Fear not—the Deity blesses with mercy. Though blunt, we sharpen them. Slice bamboo tubes to cap the tips.”
Instantly, villagers chopped thick wood bamboo, capped the dull arrows, then sharpened the other ends—turning frivolous toys into lethal spikes.
Since giant crossbow vehicles couldn’t arc shots like catapults, they couldn’t lurk behind walls; they needed mounting atop. But they were significantly smaller and lighter. Coordinated villagers hoisted them onto the fortress wall with heave-ho shouts, installing them along the parapet.
Cheng Xu scanned left and right. Unknowingly, Bai Family Fortress now boasted ten catapults and ten giant crossbow vehicles. Eyes widening, he slapped his forehead awake. “Huh?! How can this cramped Bai Family Fortress hold more siege equipment than a border army general?”
Beside him, the deputy inspector also gaped, whispering shakily, “General… doesn’t Bai Family amassing all this… constitute treason?”
Cheng Xu tilted his head, considering solemnly. Privately forging armor? Undeniably treasonous. Hoarding firearms? Also treason. But siege weapons? Never heard of such an accusation—utterly beyond his knowledge.
After scratching his head forever, he murmured, “Who knows. Why stress? Stronger fortress only helps us. If it blocks the bandits from Chengcheng County, that’s ultimately my credit. I could just claim I organized villagers to build these siege weapons.” He smirked coldly. “Pocket the glory? Why brand Bai Family a traitor? Pointless malice. Not my style. Unlike those spineless, -snitching scholars—sons-of-unmentionables types.”
The deputy inspector nodded dutifully. “What the general says is wise.”
Awkwardly chatting, both stared as that giant train outside painstakingly turned once more and rumbled away.
Cheng Xu’s curiosity surged. Approaching Bai Yuan, he probed, “Mr. Bai, where did that enormous train come from? Where did these siege devices arrive from?”
Bai Yuan answered plainly, “Transported from Gaojia Village.”
“Gaojia Village?! Again?” Cheng Xu’s mind flashed with both visits—dawn and later—his skin suddenly prickling. Voice tense, he asked, “Mr. Bai, which Gaojia Village? The daylight one or… the night one?”
Bai Yuan, baffled: “Gaojia Village has different day and night forms?”
Cheng Xu explained, “First time, nearing dusk—I saw a colorful wall. Inside, villagers stared back frenzied and strange. Another time, daytime… saw a sturdy fortress. That’s where I claimed Zheng Yanfu and Zhuang Guangdao’s heads…”
Bai Yuan chuckled lightly. “Oh! General Cheng witnessed the same Gaojia Village both times. It just… shifts. Rapidly. Constantly moving, shape-shifting itself. As for Zhuang Guangdao and Zheng Yanfu? Overreaching fools who tried raiding Gaojia Village at night. Heh—did they think high Jia Village allows nighttime strikes?”
Bai Yuan wasn’t lying; every word was true.
But to Cheng Xu, those words sounded wholly unnatural. Shivers ripped up his spine.
Nearby, the deputy inspector also paled, sweating cold.
The two retreated aside. The deputy rasped, “General… Mr. Bai implies—it’s safe by day. But at night? Gaojia Village becomes a village of ferocious ghosts… All those slaughtered bandits…? Ghosts did it.”
Cheng Xu wiped rivulets of sweat. “After sundown, steer clear of that haunted ground. Whatever you do!” He shuddered involuntarily. “Never want to meet my… grandmother there.”
Chapter 108: Never Go to Gaojia Village After Dark
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