Chapter 94: You, Deserve It Too
Five hundred prisoners marched out of the city, armed. Outside the gate, they formed ranks, standing ready.
Yang Xuan rode out.
“Greetings, Magistrate Ming!”
All five hundred knelt on one knee in unison.
From the city wall, Qian Mo squinted, observing, “They seem much more respectful now.”
His adjutant beside him said, “Taiping County is far from peaceful. Previous magistrates tried to leave as soon as they arrived. This one, however, looks like he intends to take his duties seriously. But to maintain lasting peace, he must have an army.”
Mentioning this, Qian Mo spat disdainfully. The cold air thickened his spit, causing it to drip onto his chest. He hastily wiped it off, irritated. “We have only fifty men. Last time we fought the horse bandits, casualties were severe. I’ve petitioned the prefecture to send reinforcements.”
“Any news?” his adjutant asked.
“Yes.”
“What news?”
“Handle it yourselves.”
Qian Mo said in disappointment, “They won’t care about this. I’ve heard some places recruit their own warriors.”
“How will those soldiers be fed?” the adjutant chuckled. “The court won’t approve.”
Qian Mo said coldly, “Then they’ll collect taxes themselves to pay their keep!”
“Stand firm!” Yang Xuan commanded, standing at the front of the formation.
Time passed, and some began to fidget.
Yang Xuan pointed at one man. “Hit him!”
Old Wang charged in and administered a brutal beating.
“This is the first lesson I’m giving you!” Yang Xuan said coldly. “First is to obey orders. Second is to obey orders. Third, damn it, is still to obey orders!”
Silence fell over the ranks.
Half an hour later, Qian Mo on the city tower was moved.
Bang!
Someone fell stiffly to the ground.
“Carry him off. He’ll have meat broth later!”
Bang!
Another collapsed. Yang Xuan sneered, “Old Wang, beat him so badly he doesn’t even recognize his own mother!”
Old Wang happily charged in again.
“Ah!”
Amid the agonized screams, Yang Xuan mocked, “A person who loses consciousness falls stiffly. They can’t extend their hands to protect their face. Your fake fall is too obvious.”
Zhuque gloated, “Fake fall? Has Professor Bu ever faked one?”
Time slipped by.
An hour passed.
“Dismissed.”
At Yang Xuan’s order, the men eagerly scattered.
“Ah!”
Someone screamed in pain at every movement, “My knees, my legs—numb, numb!”
“Walk slowly!”
Yang Xuan himself felt numb.
“Old Wang, why aren’t you giving the young lord a leg massage?”
Yi Niang watched from behind, full of concern.
“No need,” Yang Xuan shook his head.
He needed a team, and these five hundred criminals who had survived in this wicked city were his best foundation.
They were unshackled, yearning only for freedom.
What if he added a bright future to that? How would they respond?
Yang Xuan smiled.
Behind him, the newcomer Jiang Zhen quietly returned.
Entering the county office, he encountered Zhen Siwen coming out.
“Old Jiang, where are you headed?” Zhen Siwen asked casually.
Jiang Zhen replied sincerely, “II'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.