Chapter 095

Chapter 095

Xiao Ye and Sun Dian could go to the city to rest, but Xiao Zhen still had plenty to do.

Apart from border strongholds and some important prefectural cities, local county towns were not allowed to maintain troops. They could only mobilize a certain number of able-bodied civilians in case of emergencies. However, when each county was established, a designated area near the walls on all four sides was reserved for barracks. These barracks were usually empty, but during wartime, the magistrate could arrange for temporarily recruited able-bodied men to be stationed there, ready to defend the city at any time.

Although the four barracks were not large, they had everything necessary—soldiers' quarters, granaries, armories, and stables. If squeezed, each barracks could accommodate a thousand soldiers. In the cold winter months, this number would increase as soldiers could sleep outdoors during the warmer seasons.

Xiao Zhen, Xiao Yan, and Zhang Wengong led their subordinates, bringing over two thousand prisoners, mules, horses, and spoils of war to the southern barracks near the south gate.

Xiao Zhen first gathered Zhang Wengong and the brothers from Imprisoned Dragon Ridge and said, "Everyone remembers the story we're going to tell when we come down the mountain, right?"

This was the explanation Xiao Ye gave to the old man kneeling under the city wall. Though it wasn't foolproof, it could pass muster. The people of Wei County wouldn't care too much about the truth, and the government, preoccupied with its own troubles, wouldn't have the energy to investigate.

"Second Master, don't worry. Sun Ge has checked us several times. We've memorized it perfectly before we were allowed to come down the mountain."

Xiao Zhen smiled. "It's all for the safety of everyone in Lingshui Village. You've all worked hard these past few months. Since the rebels just suffered a defeat and won't dare to come back anytime soon, I'm giving you three days off. Go back to the village and reunite with your families. Those who have settled down in the mountains can bring their wives down to meet the family. Come back to the city by dusk on the tenth day."

The young men from Lingshui Village were eager to return home. Upon hearing the order, they all looked at Zhang Wengong. "Are you coming with us, Zhang Ge?"

Zhang Wengong looked at Xiao Zhen.

Xiao Zhen said, "I need to give Zhang Wengong some instructions. Everyone, disperse now. Remember to be back by dusk on the tenth day, or it will be considered a violation of military discipline."

The men had long been accustomed to following orders in Lingshui Village and agreed, mounting their mules and horses and setting off joyfully.

Xiao Zhen asked Xiao Yan to keep an eye on the surrendered soldiers while he took Zhang Wengong to the council hall and asked, "How is Old Zhou doing lately?"

Zhang Wengong replied, "Second Master, don't worry. Old Zhou is in good health. The brothers left behind in the mountains are reliable and steady."

Xiao Zhen nodded. "Go back to Pine Village first. Have lunch with your family before returning to the mountain. Married women can follow their husbands down the mountain; unmarried ones can return home. Bring all the children left behind by the bandits to the city and send them to the Infant Relief Hall. If any women are unwilling to part with their children, let their small families decide. As long as they're not afraid of raising tigers, we won't force them."

Zhang Wengong asked, "What about the food and fields in the mountains?"

Xiao Zhen replied, "Bring all the food, weapons, and mules that can be used. Later, I'll ask Sun Dian to talk to Uncle Sun. He will select reliable people from the village to guard Imprisoned Dragon Ridge. Next spring, we'll send people to plant crops. It's a good place, and we might need it again in the future, so it's best not to let it go to waste."

The men in the village, the young and strong serving as soldiers, still had some men in their forties and fifties who were skilled at farming.

As long as conditions permit, no farmer would let their land go fallow. Those helping to farm in the mountains would also receive a share of the harvest in autumn.

Zhang Wengong asked in a low voice, "Second Brother, does this mean the government won't stabilize by next spring?"

Xiao Zhen replied, "Ever since Li Gang's rebellion spread, various counties in the north have seen uprisings, including some officials and generals. The border troops must prevent the tribes from the grasslands from invading, and the thirty-thousand-strong army of Duke Dou must guard against Dongling and Xiliang moving north. They have no time to deal with civilian rebellions."

Zhang Wengong asked, "So, should we also recruit troops and expand our forces like the rebels?"

Xiao Zhen replied, "No, we just need to protect Wei County. Stability amid chaos."

Zhang Wengong, being the son of a village headman, understood immediately upon hearing this. Knowing the Xiao family's plan, he felt reassured and left after bidding farewell.

After he left, Xiao Yan slipped in and asked his elder brother sitting on the main seat, "What should we do with those surrendered soldiers? The old and weak are a waste of food. Shouldn't we just kill them to intimidate the rebels?"

Xiao Zhen replied, "Separate them. Put the old, weak, and injured on one side and the young and strong on the other. No killing."

Xiao Yan agreed. Since there was no urgency, he sat down beside his brother and started chatting. "Look at Sun Dian, not rushing home but going to see Sister-in-Law first. He really cares for her."

Xiao Zhen replied, "Uncle Sun knew he was alive all along."

Xiao Yan said, "But Da Lang didn't know. Isn't seeing his son more important than seeing a woman who doesn't want to marry him?"

Xiao Zhen smiled faintly and looked at him. "Don't mock others. If you were in Fourth Brother's position, you might not even bother with the act at the city wall and rush in to see Third Sister-in-Law."

Xiao Yan replied, "That's not true. I can still distinguish between what's important. Besides, Ningfang and I are married. Sister-in-Law doesn't even like Sun Dian."

Xiao Zhen replied, "Whether she likes him or not is Sister-in-Law's business. We shouldn't gossip behind her back."

Xiao Yan said, "Talking to you is no fun. Fine, I'll go do my work."

Xiao Zhen sat alone for a moment before leaving.

Xiao Mu finished training the troops and sent Qiao Changshun, Qiao Changan, Tong Gui, and other temporarily appointed officers to lead their men back to the camps. Then, he came to the southern barracks.

The surrendered soldiers were divided into two groups: half were old, weak, or injured, and the other half were young and strong, each group numbering over a thousand.

Xiao Mu stood in front of the crowd and sighed. "Like us, you were originally peaceful farmers. Unfortunately, fate has brought us to this chaotic world, forcing us onto the battlefield."

Some of the surrendered soldiers cried and knelt, begging for mercy.

Xiao Mu said, "Ideally, I would release all of you, but if I did, the rebels would surely capture you again. Even if you are forced, you would still fight against the men of Wei County. Therefore, I can only keep half of you."

The younger surrendered soldiers understood. Some were dejected, some worried about being killed, while others were excited. "Thousand Commander Xiao, I'm willing to fight the rebels with you!"

Xiao Mu waved his hand to quiet the young and strong surrendered soldiers and addressed the old, weak, and injured. "You may go back. If we meet again on the battlefield, as long as you surrender promptly, our troops will not harm you."

Over a thousand men left gratefully. After leaving Wei County, they would naturally return to their hometowns unless the rebels captured them again.

Xiao Mu then turned to the remaining thousand young and strong surrendered soldiers. "You were the rebels' soldiers. Even if you say you want to serve Wei County, you might still think of escaping. I cannot let you go back to reinforce the rebels, nor can I immediately integrate you into our ranks. However, I have some labor-intensive tasks for you. As long as you work honestly and truly commit to Wei County, you will eventually regain your freedom or fight alongside us."

Xiao Yan drew his sword and pointed it at them. "If you don't want to work, step forward, and I'll send you to your death now!"

The young and strong surrendered soldiers knelt, repeatedly assuring they would obey.

Xiao Mu said, "Lock them up first. When I find a suitable place, I'll take them there."

---

In Wei County, everyone was busy but full of enthusiasm. However, on the rebel side, the atmosphere was gloomy and oppressive.

Li Gang sat in the camp outside Ding County. The arrow in his left arm had been removed, and he was listening to reports from his subordinates.

"Your Highness, I've taken an inventory. There are currently over 15,400 soldiers in the camp. Five thousand were stationed in Ding County last night, and only about ten thousand returned with us. The remaining nine thousand couldn't have all died in Wei County; some must have fled back to their hometowns, mostly to Cheng County."

Li Gang gritted his teeth. "Send men to chase them down. Kill the old and weak as a warning, and beat the young and strong before bringing them back!"

"How far should we pursue? All the way to their homes?"

Li Gang: "Yes, make the old and weak lead the way, and kill their families too. Bring back their money and grain. Let's see who dares to desert again!"

"Yes."

This man left, and another subordinate rushed in, kneeling and reporting, "Your Highness, we've checked the mountain roads. The troops from Wei County burned the corpses along the way but left one alive. According to that survivor, the Second Prince and Mr. Fan were captured alive by Wei County!"

Li Gang slammed his fist on the table, causing fresh blood to seep from his recently stopped wound, trickling down his muscular arm.

One of his confidants said, "Your Highness, Mr. Fan always boasts of his intelligence, yet he led us into such a disaster last night. It's bad enough that he was caught, but what about the Second Prince?"

Li Gang and his brother were originally constables in Huai County, strong and ruthless. But it was largely thanks to Mr. Fan that they managed to conspire with prisoners and kill the county magistrate, successfully starting a rebellion. Li Gang still respected Mr. Fan, saying, "We can't blame Mr. Fan for what happened last night. We all underestimated that Xiao Qianhu. Since they didn't kill the Second Prince and Mr. Fan on the spot, there might still be room for negotiation."

"Send someone to Wei County. Tell them that if the Xiao Qianhu releases the Second Prince and Mr. Fan, we'll forget about last night. I'll honor their condition of non-interference. If they don't listen, I'll lead an army of twenty thousand to attack the city!"

The soldier assigned to this task inwardly groaned. If he had known it would be this mission, he would have run slower and let someone else take it!

Despite his fear, the soldier mounted a large black mule and headed for Wei County.

In Wei County, the guards brought him to meet the old man.

The soldier knelt on the ground, trembling as he conveyed the rebel king's message.

Xiao Yan, Xiao Ye, and the Qiao brothers were amused. Xiao Ye dragged Li Zhen and Mr. Fan forward, and each of the four brothers gave them a kick. "We thought your heads were worth more. If we knew you'd only bring humiliation, we should have killed you last night!"

After saying this, Xiao Ye and Xiao Yan drew their swords, feigning to strike.

Li Zhen kicked frantically. "Don't kill me! My brother is foolish. I'll tell this person to ask my brother to bring silver to exchange for us!"

Xiao Ye flicked his sword. "Tell me a number. I'm listening."

Li Zhen looked at Mr. Fan instinctively.

Mr. Fan appeared terrified, stuttering, "One hundred taels, one hundred taels each for the Second Prince and me!"

Xiao Ye slowly moved his sword closer to Li Zhen's neck.

Li Zhen shouted, "One thousand taels! One thousand taels each!"

Xiao Yan scoffed. "Are you trying to feed beggars?"

With a swift movement, he cut off one of Li Zhen's fingers.

Li Zhen screamed in agony, "Ten thousand taels, ten thousand taels each! That's really all there is!"

Xiao Yan sneered. The wealth confiscated from County Magistrate Liu and the four wealthy families in Wei County alone amounted to one hundred thousand taels. The rebels, controlling two counties and using brutal tactics, couldn't possibly have only twenty thousand taels.

At this moment, seeing the tip of the sword approaching his hands, Mr. Fan could no longer pretend to be foolish. He said bitterly, "You can try asking for fifty thousand taels total for both of us. More than that exists, but the prince might not be willing to part with it. Then our heads will truly be useless."

Xiao Mu finally spoke, addressing the soldier. "Fifty thousand taels then. Tell your prince to deliver it by sunset tomorrow, or we'll return two heads."

The soldier trembled violently as he accepted the severed finger from Xiao Yan, his legs weak as he stumbled out.

Outside, the soldier found that his large black mule was gone, replaced by a scrawny old donkey.

Xiao Ye kicked him from behind. "Hurry up! If it weren't for the risk of delaying things, you wouldn't even get a donkey!"