Seeing the ashamed expressions on the faces of the prisoners, Chen Yu nodded inwardly and then said, "As you can see, natural disasters are raging and the world is in chaos. Now is the time when we need people. Since you have not yet made any serious mistakes, if you can repent at this moment, I, Chen Yu, hereby assure you that I will do my best to get you a chance to reform yourself from Commander Feng."
Chen Yu's voice was firm and powerful, and the prisoners all raised their heads, their eyes gleaming with hope. They knew this might be their only chance.
“However, opportunities are not given to you for free.” Chen Yu changed the subject and said calmly, “Moreover, after you have committed such crimes, the garrison area will definitely not tolerate you. If you are truly repentant and willing to reform, I will consider placing you in other places to engage in disaster relief work or something, so that you will have the opportunity to make up for your past mistakes with your own hands.”
The prisoners looked at each other, clearly recognizing that the proposal was both a challenge and an opportunity for them.
After all, having committed such unforgivable sins, the idea of being given another chance to atone was something they never dared to dream of.
“We…we are willing!” An older prisoner stepped forward first, his voice trembling slightly, but more so firm. “We are willing to use our own hands to make up for our past mistakes, we are willing to start anew.”
"We are willing too!" the other prisoners echoed, their voices resounding in the room, filled with determination and hope.
Chen Yu nodded, knowing that these prisoners had taken the first step towards reform. He continued, "Very good. I will report your situation to Commander Feng and do my best to secure this opportunity for you. However, I need you to remember that reforming is not easy; it requires effort and a genuine willingness to confront your mistakes."
"Understood." Everyone nodded in agreement.
“Mr. Chen… that’s all we really know about Liang Zheng. We really don’t know if he has any backup plans,” one of the prisoners explained.
Chen Yu waved his hand and said earnestly, "I believe in you."
With that, he turned around, opened the door, and went out.
"Mr. Chen, how is it? Have they confessed?" Upon seeing Chen Yu emerge, a group of soldiers quickly surrounded him, eagerly inquiring about the situation.
Chen Yu nodded and said, "They are willing to repent and help us expose Liang Zheng's crimes. But they don't know if Liang Zheng has any other tricks up his sleeve."
Upon hearing this, everyone's faces turned solemn.
"Don't worry, Commander Feng is a lucky man, and he also has the strong firepower support of Li Zheng and his men. Liang Zheng can't cause any trouble, and he can't escape either," Chen Yu comforted him.
His words were full of confidence and decisiveness, which made the soldiers relax their tense nerves a little.
Suddenly, a commotion arose in the distance.
I faintly heard someone shouting, "The commander is back!"
Upon hearing this, the soldiers became excited and, except for the two guards watching over the prisoners, all ran towards the granary.
Chen Yu glanced at the prisoners, hesitated for a moment, and then followed them.
"This... Old Feng, although Deputy Commander Liang is treasonous, aren't you being a bit too ruthless?" Chen Yu looked at Liang Zheng's mutilated body brought back by Feng Zhengyang and his group with a shocked expression.
"Old Feng? You call me that? Call me Uncle Feng!" Feng Zhengyang glared at Chen Yu, but quickly realized what he meant and corrected him, "No, call me Commander Feng!"
"Hehe, it's just a form of address, why take it so seriously, Uncle Feng?" Chen Yu laughed and tried to ease the tense atmosphere.
Feng Zhengyang snorted coldly, then looked at Li Zheng and said, "Why is Liang Zheng acting like this? You can ask your people!"
Chen Yu was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and asked Li Zheng with a puzzled look, "Captain Li, what's going on?"
“Mr. Chen, it was indeed me who fired the shot. I saw Liang Zheng trying to escape, and in my haste, I... used a bit too much firepower.” Li Zheng said with a wry smile.
“Nonsense! Even if Liang Zheng has committed a terrible crime, he is still the deputy commander of the garrison. He should be handed over to Uncle Feng to deal with. How could you be so impulsive?” Chen Yu reprimanded him seriously, but his eyes revealed a hint of appreciation that was not easily detected.
“I’d admit to killing Liang Zheng and take full responsibility, but if I had another chance, I would still make the same choice!” Li Zheng’s words were firm and powerful, and his eyes revealed his unwavering commitment to justice and his intolerance for Liang Zheng’s crimes.
"Even now, you still show no remorse!" Chen Yu said in a deep voice. He turned to look at Feng Zhengyang, "Uncle Feng, what do you think of this..."
Feng Zhengyang waved his hand, interrupting Chen Yu: "Li Zheng was only concerned about the safety of the garrison. Liang Zheng was already guilty, and given the urgency of the situation at the time, we can't blame Li Zheng. In fact, our garrison should award Li Zheng a commendation."
"Hehe, no wonder Uncle Feng can become a commander. Your vision and breadth of mind are far too limited for an ordinary citizen like me," Chen Yu said with a smile.
He then looked at Li Zheng and reminded him, "Hurry up and thank Commander Feng!"
Li Zheng immediately straightened his back and gave Feng Zhengyang a standard military salute: "Thank you, sir!"
Feng Zhengyang nodded slightly, then said to Chen Yu, "I can't stay with you any longer. I need to go check on those captured little bastards."
After Feng Zhengyang finished speaking, he walked towards the room where the prisoners were being held, led by a group of soldiers.
Watching Feng Zhengyang and his group leave, Chen Yu patted Li Zheng on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Captain Li, you did a good job this time."
"I was just following Mr. Chen's instructions," Li Zheng replied modestly.
Indeed, Li Zheng and the others were not so much there to assist Feng Zhengyang in pursuing Liang Zheng, but rather there to obstruct the pursuit on Chen Yu's orders.
After all, Liang Zheng was already at his wit's end and a spendthrift general. How could it have taken Feng Zhengyang and his group so long to chase him?
In order to buy Chen Yu the opportunity and time to loot the granary, he instructed Li Zheng and others to find an opportunity to create a chance for Liang Zheng to escape and to hinder Feng Zhengyang's actions, thus buying him time.
When the time is right, we'll find an opportunity to kill Liang Zheng.
After all, the main responsibility for Liang Zheng's current predicament lies with Chen Yu, and he doesn't want to send Liang Zheng to a military court because of Feng Zhengyang's pedantry.
If Liang Zheng has a chance to escape punishment, and if he ever finds another opportunity to turn things around, then he will definitely be the first one to be dealt with.
Therefore, Liang Zheng must die, either by being shot during his escape or in the midst of battle. Only a dead man can prevent him from causing trouble.
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