Chapter 173 Attacking the Mountain Stronghold

Xiao Ning: "Then why don't you stare at others in a daze?"

Shen Zhiyi: “…”

Of course it was because he was observing Xiao Ning.

But he couldn't say that.

Shen Zhiyi lowered his posture, “Before… let’s just consider it my fault. I will pay attention in the future. I also hope that General Xiao can restrain his subordinates in the future and stop saying such nonsense.”

Xiao Ning didn't intend to let it go. "From now on, if General Shen stares at me blankly, no one will say anything nonsense."

Speaking of this, Shen Zhiyi became angry, “If you weren’t on the palace road…how could anyone say such nonsense!”

Xiao Ning touched his chin and glanced at Shen Zhiyi playfully: "Speaking of which... I remember that it seemed that the gentleman next door helped me at the beginning, so why is it you, Master Shen, who spread rumors about me?"

Shen Zhiyi: “…”

He saw that this guy didn't think there was anything wrong with what her subordinates said!

Why are you pretending with him here?

If she doesn't remember what happened on the palace road, he'll die!

You took advantage of him and you're still acting stupid here!

Sooner or later he will kill this guy!

Otherwise, it will be difficult to get rid of the hatred in his heart!

Shen Zhiyi glanced at Xiao Ning coldly, flicked his sleeves, turned around, and strode out of the tent.

Xiao Ning looked at his back and rolled his eyes.

Loading!

Who are you showing off these big sleeves to?

Night falls quickly.

Xiao Ning led eight hundred people and headed up the mountain in the dark.

When he reached the first sentry post, Xiao Ning made a gesture.

Swish swish——

Several sounds of arrows breaking through the air were heard. The bandit on guard heard the noise and turned around to check the situation when he was pierced through the throat by an arrow.

Then came the second and third...

Soon they arrived at the bandits' lair.

It was late at night and the village was very quiet, with only the deliberately subdued footsteps of Xiao Ning and others.

Xiao Ning made a gesture.

The eight hundred people instantly split into ten small teams and dispersed in all directions.

Those people had cold blades pressed against their necks while they were sleeping. After waking up, before they could even scream, their mouths were blocked with rotten rags and they were strung together one by one with hemp ropes like beads.

Because Xiao Ning wanted to capture him alive, it was inevitable that there would be some noise, which was enough to wake up others in the quiet night.

A light flickered on.

The awakened bandit leader hurriedly put on his clothes and came out, only to be met with a dense barrage of arrows.

The man holding the bow was wearing armor and was obviously an officer.

When he first encountered a chaotic time and there was no way out, he had no choice but to pull a group of brothers up the mountain, burning, killing, looting, and quickly building up a force.

On this mountain, he is no different from the emperor.

There are fine wine, women, and food. The chaos outside has nothing to do with them, and they don't want to get involved. They just want to live in peace in a corner!

But after only a few days of such a peaceful life, the court sent people to suppress the bandits?

Regardless of so many rebels, come to his little corner...

The bandit leader wanted to resist, but he was being pelted with arrows. He swallowed hard and didn't dare to move. He was doomed to lose. He didn't want to be shot like a hedgehog before his death. It would be too ugly...

At this time, Xiao Ning said: "Put down your weapons, otherwise, I will kill you without mercy!"

A clear voice echoed in the night sky.

The bandits who had been holding their weapons and trying to confront the officers and soldiers head-on suddenly became weak.

They became bandits just to survive.

Now that they are facing the regular army, their struggle will only delay their death.

Since laying down their weapons would give them a glimmer of hope, they stopped struggling. What if they could get this glimmer of hope...

Soon, the soldiers drove the surrendered bandits to the open space in the center of the village.

The bandits only numbered a few hundred, and most of them were women and children...

Xiao Ning didn't let them bring the women and children over.

"General, what should we do with these people?"

The soldiers looked at her, not understanding why she wouldn't just kill them.

The bandits also looked at her. In the moonlight, the young man in armor and with an expressionless face looked very handsome.

But such people can decide their life and death.

They waited anxiously for the verdict.

Xiao Ning whispered a few words to Li Yuan. Li Yuan looked at her in surprise, then clasped his fists and went down to arrange for people to separate these people for questioning.

Anyone who commits adultery will be put to death without mercy.

Kill innocent people without mercy.

Those who rob the people of their money and food will be punished with fifty strokes of the cane.

Those who have not violated these three items will be incorporated into the army and treated the same as others.

As for those who were beaten with fifty sticks but not put to death, they were also incorporated into the army, but their treatment was simplified and they could make meritorious contributions while serving their sentence.

There were so many of them that by daybreak they had all been counted.

Most of them were honest farmers with wives and children. Even if they became bandits, as small soldiers, they would not have the opportunity to commit adultery. After all, good girls were meant to be reserved for the head of the family.

As for murder and arson... they don't have the courage.

They just followed to strengthen their forces, help out, and transport food and supplies.

A small group of people...that is, the bandit group that is in charge of the village.

They raped countless young girls and young women, and even the wives and concubines they forced into marriage were women they had raped before.

Xiao Ning asked people to ask the women for their opinions. Only a very small number of them said that the other party treated them well and wanted to continue living with them. Most of the women screamed and wanted to kill these bandits.

After making everything clear, Xiao Ning signaled the soldiers to carry out the execution.

The wailing sounds echoed throughout the village.

Those who were beheaded were beheaded, and those who were beaten were beaten.

Only a small number of people who had just come up the mountain and whose hands were not yet stained with blood stood aside, watching the bloody scene with lingering fear.

Because they heard that Xiao Ning wanted to incorporate these people into the army, the soldiers held back a little when beating them. It was painful, but they would not be injured to the point of having difficulty walking, or even be seriously injured to the point of death.

Xu Chong walked up to Xiao Ning and asked in confusion, "Why would the general want to recruit these bandits?"

Xiao Ning said, "The rebels have taken control of the city and are expanding rapidly. If we don't recruit more people, how can we fight the rebels?"

Xu Chong: "Don't we still have us..."

Xiao Ning said speechlessly: "Alright, go cool down!"

After killing and punishing them, Xiao Ning gave them some sweet treats: "After you join the army, your military achievements will determine your status as a hero. If you achieve military merit in the future, you may be granted a title of nobility or a chancellor, and bring blessings to your descendants!"

The bandits who originally hated her were all stunned when they heard this.

Will people like them also have the opportunity to be granted titles of nobility and become prime ministers, and bring blessings to their descendants...

Not to mention that they were deeply tempted, even their wives and children were tempted. If they were not forced to do so, how could they be willing to become bandits?

They are all living for the sake of survival...

Now that the stronghold had been destroyed, they had thought they were doomed, but unexpectedly, this young general was willing to give them a chance to survive... and even change their fate...

Although you might die in a war, but... what if?

What if I survive?

What if I can achieve great achievements and benefit my descendants?

No one can predict which will come first, accident or military achievement...

That's all they are now. Why not trust this person? She seems so trustworthy...

It's completely different from those officials.