A rapid, relentless clatter of hooves approached from the distance. Han Shuo, who was inspecting the construction work on the city wall, saw Knight Commander Valklan galloping anxiously toward him on a tall warhorse.
Valklan leaped off his horse and jogged to the foot of the wall in front of Han Shuo. Looking up breathlessly, he said, "My lord, the caravan transporting war chariots and other equipment from Sea Mist City was intercepted by several bands of bandits. The bandits sent word that they won't release the people or hand over the chariots and equipment unless we pay fifty thousand gold coins."
The bandits roaming the route between Sea Mist City and Brettel City were small in number. When Han Shuo had ordered this equipment from several trading associations through Phoebe, he had not only warned them to watch out for the bandits along the way, but also told Valklan in advance to send men to meet and escort them. By Han Shuo's judgment, those small bands should not have dared to attack. Now, hearing Valklan's report, he asked with a dark expression, "Are you saying several bands of bandits joined forces to do this?"
Valklan looked somewhat embarrassed and nodded. "That's right. A single band certainly wouldn't have dared, but five bands joined forces this time. The caravan's guards simply couldn't hold them off. My lord, those damned bandits are asking to die. I'll lead the knights in the city out at once and wipe them all out."
"Wait!" Han Shuo snapped, stopping Valklan from acting rashly. After a moment's thought, he asked, "How many people knew we'd purchased those chariots and equipment?"
"The soldiers sent out to meet and escort them knew. What's wrong, my lord?" Valklan was puzzled, unable to understand why Han Shuo had suddenly brought