Before the weeping old women and young women could react, they were forced out by long knives.
No matter how much they cursed or scolded, the soldiers remained unmoved, their faces dark and refusing to budge.
The young masters from various families, who were as if they had lost their parents, were pushed together, quickly registered, and then lined up to set off.
Originally, Li Laosi had also found dozens of horse-drawn carriages, thinking of registering a batch and sending a batch to the dockside military camp.
But he was also annoyed by the current situation.
Why bother with carriages? Let's just walk and give these young masters a good beating.
Otherwise, it will be harder than climbing to heaven to plaster this mud onto the wall later!
Sure enough, when they heard that it was a long walk of fifty or sixty miles to the dock, everyone refused to go.
Not to mention the loud crying and wailing from the family members, there was also a young master lying on the ground refusing to get up.
"Let me die! I can't get there!"
"This is murder! They won't let us ride in a carriage and insist on walking; this is tantamount to taking our lives!"
"I want to file a complaint with the Emperor!"
"Help! Grandmother, help! Mother, help!"
The soldiers stepped forward and kicked and punched them, striking them with their scabbards, but they still couldn't make these mangy dogs obey.
After Li Laosi and Li Yong whispered a few words to each other, Li Yong went to find a lot of ropes.
Any young master who refused to obey was bound by the wrists, tied to the back of a horse, and forcibly dragged away.
They kept up with their feet and walked to the dock.
Those who can't keep up will be dragged behind the horse!
As for whether you'll suffer severe injuries, or whether you'll live or die, that's entirely up to you!
Everyone had initially thought that the law wouldn't punish everyone, but after seeing several unfortunate young masters dragged into the mess and used as human brooms, no one dared to question it anymore.
Even with tears in their eyes and legs trembling, the young masters obediently lined up and began their journey to the dock.
In less than half an hour, the city gate became completely quiet.
The things that everyone had prepared were scattered all over the floor in a mess.
The women, young and old, felt as if their hearts had followed the children; they cried so much that their makeup was ruined, and they looked more disheveled than beggars.
Someone couldn't help but ask, "What's the name of the general leading this group? Who's he from? That's incredibly ruthless!"
"Yes, they really don't give any face at all. These are all children from different families. How can they be treated like livestock..." Others also complained, wanting to scold but afraid that if word got out, the children would suffer even more.
Someone specifically sent a servant to inquire about it.
The clerks in the Ministry of War were dismantling the thatched sheds, and of course they were happy to have such a good opportunity to make money.
So, having received their hard-earned money, they started talking.
"The general leading the team is named Li Qiusheng, the fourth master of the Li family of Suijintan, who is also the father of Princess Kangle!"
"Don't think that just because he's the princess's father, he got his position as general through connections. That's not true at all!"
"General Li followed Marquis Xinting on two northern expeditions, killing more than two hundred enemies and making numerous outstanding contributions. He earned this generalship through his own hard work!"
"Yes, I heard he was born with superhuman strength and is exceptionally brave. The Marquis relies on him highly, and he's even known to the Emperor!"
“I just saw it with my own eyes. The wooden pole that Sun San’er and I were holding onto fell down, and General Li lifted it up with just one hand.”
"Exactly, exactly, and they were all smiling, not looking down on us for being useless at all."
What was supposed to be a proper investigation turned into a praise session for the lower-ranking officials.
Everyone was even more frustrated after receiving the news.
Although the Li family held titles and were newly wealthy, they hadn't really taken them seriously before.
After all, their families have accumulated wealth over a hundred years, which is incomparable to the humble origins of the Li family!
As a result, their precious child ended up in someone else's hands and could only be manipulated and treated as they pleased... What a twist of fate!
Are they really going to try and curry favor with the Li family?!
Regardless of their individual thoughts, whether they are happy or angry.
It is said that Li Laosi led his soldiers and drove these young masters and new recruits for a full day and night before finally arriving at the dock.
It's only a little over fifty miles, this speed is practically comparable to that of a tortoise!
Li Laosi's face had turned ashen with anger, while Li Yong and the soldiers looked utterly exhausted.
Although they could beat and scold them without hesitation, these young masters were all exhausted and lying down; they couldn't really behead them one by one...
Instead, they have to help keep watch at night to prevent wild animals, insects, and snakes from eating these scraps lying in the wild.
Upon hearing the news, the Marquis brought Jiang Cheng to the camp gate to wait. When he saw the disheveled appearance of Li Laosi, Li Yong, and the others, he laughed.
The Marquis asked irritably, "Didn't I tell you you could beat and scold me as you pleased without holding back?"
Li Laosi waved his hand weakly and replied, "It's mainly because these lazybones would rather be whipped than walk. I can't just beat them all to death!"
Li Yong also stared wide-eyed and complained, "I've really learned something new! This is just walking, and it's like it's going to kill them. If they were on the battlefield, without food or water, and facing a powerful enemy, they'd probably scare themselves to death first!"
Jiang Cheng sneered, "They're bullying us, convinced we can't take their lives. But when we're actually on the battlefield, with barbarians chasing us with sabers, they'll probably run faster than anyone else! They'll wish they had eight legs!"
"That makes sense!" The Marquis nodded and ordered, "Let them change their clothes, have a meal, and get some sleep. Tomorrow, normal training will begin. Anyone who disobeys will be dealt with according to military law. If necessary, kill them! I will take responsibility for any consequences!"
"Yes, Your Excellency," everyone replied in unison.
At this moment, the Li family's carriage arrived at the camp gate. It turned out that Li Zhensheng had come to unload the boat and brought his little niece along to play.
Jiayin was just looking at the fruit saplings, medicinal herbs, and spices her brothers had brought back, and she couldn't help but jump over and hug the arms of the Marquis and her father, showing off, "Godfather! Father! My brothers found me fruit tree saplings. Next year at this time, I'll treat you to the fresh fruit!"
"Alright, as long as you have fun." The Marquis ruffled the little girl's hair.
Li Laosi sighed, "I'm afraid I'll have to deal with these good-for-nothings for a while. You stay home and behave yourself."
Jiayin looked at the recruits who were almost collapsed on the ground from afar and mocked, "They're really bad, they can't even compare to the older brothers!"
"That's right!" Li Yongqi cracked his whip. "Jiaxi and Jia'an are much better than them!"
After exchanging a few more words, Li Zhensheng took his little niece back to Xindu, and the Marquis, who had business to attend to at the palace, also went along in the carriage.
Li Laosi, Li Yong, and Jiang Cheng were left to continue worrying about these new recruits...
It's truly autumn now.
In the fields, hardworking farmers are everywhere, rushing to harvest the fruits of their year's labor.
The men wielded sickles, the women pushed carts to transport goods, and the elderly and children brought water and food, watching the clothes being dried and sorted.
Even toddlers who had just learned to walk were tied to big trees in the fields, babbling and making noise, just to join in the fun.
The Li family's carriage moved quickly. Li Fu had been waiting in the small courtyard in the west of the city. He was very happy to see his master return and to have something to use again. The whip in his hand cracked crisply from time to time!
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