Chapter 159: I’m going to raid their home and get revenge!
The reason they betrayed us, isn’t it because they didn’t get paid enough?
If we can retrieve the unpaid military salary from before, they would even be willing to take a beating!
After all, we have to endure it every year, isn’t it just a little bit?
They are all soldiers, tough and can take a hit!
Big Bull noticed everyone’s expressions and knew that they were tempted, so he nodded and said, “Alright, we’ll do it your way! But if I catch you going back on your word, I won’t spare you!”
“Don’t worry, you won’t get the chance!”
Lin Beifan smiled and said, “Now, you can leave. I’ll give you one day. After one day, the court will issue a wanted notice to capture you! Think about how to save your own life!”
Big Bull nodded with a solemn expression.
He also knew that having killed a high-ranking official of the court and leading soldiers to rebel, the court would definitely not let him off.
Now, giving him a chance to escape was already going easy on him.
But he also believed that he wouldn’t be captured so easily.
He not only had to survive for himself, but also for his brothers.
Only by staying alive and avoiding capture could he deter others, ensure his brothers’ safety, and get the treatment they deserved.
So he turned his head to the others and said, “Brothers, I’m leaving. Take care!”
“Boss! I’m coming with you!”
“Boss!”
…
Everyone was reluctant to part.
Big Bull hugged a few people tightly, patted their backs, and laughed, “I’m not going forever! Don’t worry, we’ll have a chance to meet again!”
Then he looked back affectionately at his brothers who fought side by side with him, waved his hand, and decisively walked into the forest.
“Wait!” Lin Beifan called out again.
“What else?” Big Bull turned back.
Lin Beifan took out a silver ingot and threw it over.
Big Bull caught the silver ingot and asked puzzledly, “What does this mean?”
“Our court rewards and punishes accordingly. Although you have committed unforgivable mistakes, you have also made contributions to our court! This money is the military salary that was owed to you before, consider it as travel expenses!” Lin Beifan explained.
Big Bull deeply looked at Lin Beifan, “Now, I somewhat believe in your promise!”
“In addition, let me advise you, don’t join other warlords and don’t commit treason or illegal acts again, otherwise you may end up facing your own brothers with swords!” Lin Beifan said.
“Don’t worry, I definitely won’t!” Big Bull accepted the money and looked back at the others one more time before boldly venturing into the forest without turning back.
The rebel soldiers continued to confront Lin Beifan, providing cover for Big Bull’s escape.
Until an hour later.
Lin Beifan laughed, “Is it enough now? With his skills, he should be able to run quite far in an hour. Even if we send people to pursue him, it would be difficult to catch up!”
The rebel soldiers looked at each other and finally felt relieved.
“Now, drop your weapons! Then, cross the river in groups of ten, with ten groups forming a team!” Lin Beifan commanded.
“Clatter…” The weapons all fell to the ground.
Then, the rebel soldiers crossed the river in batches of a hundred.
“Now, let’s enforce military law. Each person will receive ten lashes, and once it’s done, we’ll issue the withheld military salaries!” Lin Beifan said.
Immediately, ten rebel soldiers fell to the ground as an official carried out the punishment.
“Ah, ah…” The sound of painful screams filled the air.
Everyone couldn’t bear to witness it.
The young princess couldn’t help but say, “Lin Beifan, let’s just forget it. They were forced to do this…”
Lin Beifan’s face turned cold, “We must punish them! Although there were reasons behind their actions, they still violated military discipline and betrayed the court. These are unforgivable sins! So not only must we punish them, but we must do so severely to make sure they remember this lesson! In the future, they won’t repeat their mistakes!”
After one round, the backsides of the ten rebel soldiers were covered in bloody wounds, almost half-dead.
“Alright, punishment is over, welcome back to the army!” Lin Beifan had someone bring a basin of peculiar-smelling medicine and said, “This is a high-quality medicine for treating injuries. Apply it and your wounds will heal in a few days!”
“Also…”
Lin Beifan took out several large silver ingots, giving one to each person saying, “This is the military salary owed to you by the court. Keep it!”
Although the punished rebel soldiers were in pain, they were overjoyed inside.
With trembling hands, they gently held the silver ingots and expressed their gratitude, “Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir…”
“No need to thank me, this is what you deserve!” Lin Beifan patted one of them on the shoulder and smiled. “After you recover, return to the barracks as soon as possible. The country needs you, and Great Wu needs you!”
Looking at Lin Beifan’s radiant smile, the rebel soldier’s gaze became trance-like.
Is this really the detestable corrupt official everyone talks about?
The other punished soldiers saw this and also became excited.
“We really received our military salary! So much money!”
“I want to go first in the next round!”
“Let me go, you can wait in line!”
…
Everyone scrambled to get in line.
Although the sticks were still heavy and they still screamed in pain, the atmosphere on the scene was not solemn at all, but rather joyful.
Because after getting beaten, they would have money to take!
Almost a year’s worth of military salaries, how much money was that? It was enough to improve their lives!
And they could continue being soldiers and making money!
Life was once again full of hope!
Watching the people screaming in agony yet feeling joyous, Lin Beifan sighed and said, “Actually, they didn’t ask for much! I’m just returning what belongs to them, and they’re so grateful! I really don’t understand those scoundrels, why would they even want to greedily take things that others risked their lives for? They are worse than beasts!”
Prefect Liu nodded in agreement, deeply understanding, “What Mr. Principal said is absolutely right! Some money can be embezzled, but there is some money that should never be touched, otherwise there will be consequences! However, this money seems to be yours, Mr. Principal, you paid for it…”
Lin Beifan waved his hand nonchalantly and laughed, “It’s nothing, just some pocket change! As long as it can pacify the soldiers and resolve the mutiny, what’s a small sacrifice?”
Prefect Liu admired and raised his thumb, “Mr. Principal, you truly understand righteousness. I am in awe!”
Lin Beifan smiled, “I’ll just take it again from the Ministry of War later!”
Prefect Liu exclaimed, “Holy cow!”
Prefect Liu looked at the young man in front of him in shock!
He had always heard that the newly acclaimed Lin Beifan was extraordinary and daring, not hesitating to take money from the officials. Now he finally saw it for himself!
Losing some money, he actually wanted to raid the homes of Ministry of War officials like it was nothing!
Oh, right, he heard that he already raided homes of Ministry of Industry officials before!
Twice in a row!
Magistrate Liu shuddered!
He was not just extraordinary, but incredibly audacious!
This person must not be offended!
Lin Beifan blinked and said, “Oh, by the way, Prefect Liu, I haven’t raided the homes of the General and Deputy General yet, right! The Empress ordered me to handle this matter with full authority. Later, I’ll trouble Prefect Liu to take me to their residences. I’ll raid their homes and make them bleed every time!”
Prefect Liu exclaimed, “Holy cow!”
Having easily resolved the mutiny, Prefect Liu breathed a sigh of relief and was extremely happy. He prepared a sumptuous banquet and treated Lin Beifan and others with great respect.
That evening, everyone felt right at home.
Since the most important issue had been resolved, Lin Beifan felt light and carefree. After raiding the homes of the General and others, he planned to stay in Tangzhou for two days and have enough fun before returning.
Prefect Liu took the time to accompany him.
However, as they walked along the way, they didn’t enjoy themselves. Instead, they discovered many beggars on the streets.
Their faces were dusty, their clothes tattered, and they looked extremely pitiful with their emaciated bodies.
Some of them, unbelievably, were begging as a whole family.
“Prefect Liu, look here!”
Lin Beifan pointed at a group of beggars, smiling mockingly, “From what I know, although Tangzhou may not be as prosperous as the capital, it is still a wealthy place and there shouldn’t be any problem in ensuring the people’s basic needs! But under your jurisdiction, there are so many beggars, far beyond my imagination! It seems that your governance…”
“Prefect Liu, have you been extorting and embezzling money from the common people? Confess now, or I’ll tell Empress Sister and have you punished!” the little princess interrupted.
Prefect Liu clasped his hands and smiled bitterly, “Principal Lin, Princess Yunying, you have really misunderstood me! Although I may not be a virtuous official, I do fulfill my duty and at least have a conscience. I would never ignore the people’s well-being!”
“Then can you explain what’s going on here?” the little princess asked.
“These beggars, they are all refugees from Northern Hebei. They came here to make a living! They just don’t have a place to live at the moment, so they end up on the streets! There are too many of them, and I can’t arrange for housing for all of them!”
“From Northern Hebei?” Mo Rushuang and Guo Shaoshuai were taken aback.
“Yes, they all came from Northern Hebei!”
Prefect Liu explained, “Recently, I don’t know what happened, but a large number of refugees with their families have come from Northern Hebei to make a living here! When I asked about the reason, they told me that a group of roaming bandits appeared in Northern Hebei!”
“These bandits are insatiable and extremely brazen. They often roam around robbing, taking anything of value, be it from wealthy merchants or ordinary people’s homes. Due to the frequent robberies, the people in Northern Hebei couldn’t bear it anymore and had no choice but to flee to Tangzhou!”
“Don’t the authorities in Northern Hebei take any action?” Mo Rushuang asked anxiously.
“If they were able to, they wouldn’t have fled here!” Prefect Liu shook his head and sighed, “After all, if they had a choice, who would want to leave their hometown?”
“You can seek the Prince of Northern Hebei! The prince is kind-hearted and compassionate, he will definitely not ignore this!” Mo Rushuang added.
Prefect Liu shook his head again, “I don’t know about that! After all, the prince is a prominent figure with many important matters to attend to. He might not have noticed these small issues! Anyway, let’s not talk about the prince. We should continue enjoying our time in Tangzhou and not let these matters dampen our spirits!”
Then, Prefect Liu continued to introduce the scenery of Tangzhou to everyone.
However, Mo Rushuang and Guo Shaoshuai were preoccupied and couldn’t focus.
