Lu Tu's killing intent had not yet dissipated. His sharp gaze swept over everyone present, and no one dared to meet his eyes.
Although he has now become a squad leader and is in charge of the villages of Kuishan and Songshan, it does not mean that he is safe. On the contrary, his situation is more urgent than before.
Putting aside the fact that killing the three Wuhuan cavalrymen would certainly provoke an even more frenzied retaliation from the Wuhuan people.
Just take Zhou Taishan as an example. Even a fool could tell that he was not the kind of person who would sacrifice his own family for the greater good.
Publicly reprimanding Zhou Yabing and rewarding Lü Tu were merely means to establish authority in front of the villagers and government soldiers. This time, the feud was truly established.
Lu Tu was certainly not afraid. If he wanted to rise to power, he would inevitably have to encroach on other people's share of the steamed bun. The steamed bun was only so big. Only those who had the ability could take a bite. Only after they were full could they kick the others off the table!
Having lived two lives, he deeply understands that everything must be earned through one's own efforts and struggles, not through the charity of others.
Looking at the almost numb eyes of the villagers present, Lü Tu felt a surge of sorrow in his heart.
This attack killed more than a dozen people. These people might have been laughing and joking with them just an hour ago, but now their bodies are right next to them, and not many of them show any anger.
It seems that the corruption of the Wuhuan people and the six border towns has already bent the spines of the poor at the bottom!
Lu Tu is not a saint. He will not rush to change the situation, nor does he have the ability to do so. All he can do is survive and solve the survival problems of himself and his family!
Looking at the villagers of Kuishan Village, he said loudly, "Since Commandant Zhou has appointed me as a squad leader to manage the two villages of Kuishan and Songshan, from today onwards everyone must obey my orders!"
The six border garrisons adopted the Fubing system, where people farmed during peacetime and served as soldiers during wartime. This was an unspoken rule ingrained in everyone's bones, and no one present objected, since this was how generations had lived their lives.
"I'll follow the sergeant's orders!"
Lu Tu glanced around and asked, "Has any of you seen Zhang Bo before?"
Everyone looked at each other and shook their heads to indicate that they hadn't seen him. Only a young woman in the corner hesitated for a moment before raising her hand and saying, "Sir, I have seen him!"
Lu Tu recognized her; she was Zhang Bo's newlywed wife, and she had been brought to Wuchuan in the same batch as Song Yuxi.
Where?
"It's hanging in my well; I put it in myself."
Lu Tu waved his hand behind him: "Wu Peng, Zhao Liang, you two go and bring Zhang Bo over here!"
These two are Wu Lao Er and Zhao Lao Wu. They did nothing but follow Lü Tu and were rewarded. They received a monthly allowance of 1 guan, which was enough to buy some food to fill their stomachs.
Especially after witnessing Lü Tu's skills, he had completely forgotten his original cowardly nature, replaced by a sense of awe. Upon hearing the order, he quickly ran to Zhang Bo's backyard to bring the man over.
Zhang Bo was brought before the crowd, still arrogantly shouting, "Have the Wuhuan people left? Where are you taking me?"
But when he was brought before the crowd, and when he saw Lü Tu standing tall with a long sword in hand, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes as he asked, "Lü Tu...you brought me here?"
Lu Tu was too lazy to waste words with him and shouted sternly, "Kneel down!"
Although Zhao Liang didn't know what Zhang Bo had done wrong, Lü Tu had avenged his mother's murder, so Lü Tu's words were like a royal decree to him. Moreover, Zhang Bo was a bully who preyed on men and women, and everyone disliked him.
He kicked Zhang Bo in the knee, forcing him to the ground: "The squad leader told you to kneel down!"
"Wh...Senior? You're saying Lü Tu is a senior officer?"
Zhang Bo looked terrified and said, "Squad leader, I don't know what I did wrong? Why are you making things difficult for me? Is it because I instigated you to share the venison with everyone? Besides, you've already reprimanded Wang Hao."
The villagers present were also confused. The scene when the Wuhuan soldiers arrived earlier was so chaotic that many people did not know what was going on.
Lu Tu looked down at him condescendingly: "When the Wuhuan soldiers came before, it was one thing for you to run away, but you actually used Chen Huahua as a shield! How could you bring yourself to do that!"
Zhang Bo secretly breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this, and retorted, "I was carrying Chen Huahua and running for my life, how can you wrong an innocent person?"
Aunt Chen then pushed her way out of the crowd, grabbed Zhang Bo by the collar, and wailed, "How could you be so heartless? My little Huahua is so small, and you would grab her to shield me from arrows?"
Zhang Bo cursed impatiently, "Get out of here, you old hag! I said I was saving someone, but who would have thought that arrow would be so sharp? Since your granddaughter was hit by an arrow, it means your granddaughter is destined to die young!"
"My granddaughter didn't die young, you're lying! You're the one who killed my granddaughter!"
"You old geezer, if you bother me again, I guarantee I'll make sure your whole family is in chaos!"
Zhang Bo, used to being arrogant, wouldn't tolerate these old fogies in the village causing trouble. He blurted out his thoughts without thinking, only then realizing that Lu Tu was still there.
He gave Lü Tu an awkward smile: "Sergeant, I'm willing to serve under you. I have a jar of good wine at home, come over and have a taste later!"
This reminded the villagers of Zhang Bo's past actions, and their eyes were filled with anger as they looked at him, cursing, "Shameless! He actually used a little girl as a scapegoat!"
"How come you, a menace, aren't dead? But my husband is! God has no eyes!"
These words had no offensive effect on a scoundrel like Zhang Bo. Zhang Bo looked at Lü Tu ingratiatingly and said, "Squad leader, the wine I have in that jar is top-grade Daughter's Red wine that I stole from Wuchuan City. The taste... tsk tsk, just smelling it is amazing!"
Lu Tu approached Zhang Bo with a smile: "After hearing what you said, I really want to try it."
"From now on, I'm your subordinate. I promise to listen to you completely. I'll go get you some wine now!"
The villagers present looked at Lü Tu with puzzlement. They had always thought that Lü Tu was honest and simple-minded, and that after becoming a squad leader, he would at least not go too far, if not uphold justice.
Unexpectedly, he openly accepted gifts from Zhang Bo in front of them, and many people couldn't help but spit on him in secret.
Zhang Bo struggled to get up from the ground and impatiently shoved Zhao Liang beside him: "Let go of me! I'm going to get some wine for the squad leader. We're buddies from now on!"
Even Zhao Liang couldn't stand Zhang Bo's despicable face. If Lü Tu let Zhang Bo go, given Zhang Bo's vengeful nature, he would inevitably target him in the future.
But the next second, everyone present only saw a flash of light before their eyes, and Zhang Bo's head flew high into the air. Zhang Bo also saw a scene he had never seen before in his life. Before he could even marvel at how vast the world was, he fell into the mud in everyone's shocked eyes.
"From today onwards, anyone who harms their fellow villagers again will suffer the same fate as this scoundrel!"
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