Zhao Liang, standing to the side, was so frightened he was dumbfounded. He kept kowtowing to Lü Tu and begging, "My lord, although Zhao Kang and I are cousins, we are not related. Please, my lord, see the truth!"
Lu Tu gave him a cold, sidelong glance: "Do you dare say you don't know what he's done?"
Zhao Liang wanted to deny it, but when he met Lü Tu's gaze, his heart skipped a beat, causing him to hesitate for a moment. In that instant, Lü Tu already saw him as a dead man.
Lu Tu shouted, "Since you knew he was doing these things all along, why didn't you report it? Knowing you're guilty and committing a crime is an even greater crime; execute him!"
Nie Yun and the others already disliked Zhao Liang, and now, receiving orders from Lü Tu, they immediately killed Zhao Liang, Zhao Liushi, and several other members of Zhao Kang's family on the spot.
The crowd erupted in uproar. No one had expected Lü Tu to be so decisive. If it were just about killing Zhao Kang, it wouldn't have been so bad.
But he actually used the principle of collective punishment, even executing Zhao Kang's entire family. This shocked everyone present, raising the level of importance of this matter to the highest level, and deepening the awe in their eyes when they looked at Lü Tu.
A thousand people gathered at the scene, but no one spoke; only the howling north wind filled the air, bringing a chilling atmosphere.
Lu Tu looked at Liu Yang and shouted sternly, "Liu Yang, Zhao Kang is the groom you chose. He usually takes your orders when transporting goods. What is your punishment?"
Liu Yang knew he bore undeniable responsibility and was filled with shame. He took the long sword from his waist and respectfully held it in his hands, saying, "Liu Yang's crimes are countless, and according to the law, he should be executed!"
Upon hearing this, Lü Tu said loudly, "Do you think I wouldn't dare?" With that, he strode forward and snatched the knife from Liu Yang's hand.
At this moment, Liu Hong and Nie Yun, who were standing nearby, widened their eyes. They knew that if they didn't grab Lü Tu now, the consequences would be truly unimaginable.
He quickly stepped forward to block Liu Yang and pleaded, "Brother, Liu Yang has many affairs to attend to every day. He has to manage the warehouse and arrange the food, drink and other necessities for all the villagers. That's how that scoundrel Zhao Kang was able to take advantage of the situation. Please, brother, have mercy!"
The other commoners, who had frequent contact with Liu Yang and knew his character, knelt down at the same time and pleaded in unison for Liu Yang, saying, "Liu Yang should not know about this matter. Please, Your Honor, be lenient!"
Lu Tu and Liu Hong exchanged a glance, then Lu Tu's face was filled with indignation: "Do you know how much harm Zhao Kang's actions will cause to other people? Can killing them alone appease public anger?"
Liu Yang's eyes were already red: "I am willing to accept the punishment!"
Upon hearing this, Lü Tu was about to rush forward again, but Liu Hong used all his strength to hold him back tightly: "My lord, you mustn't! Brother Liu Yang has rendered meritorious service in the army; his crime doesn't warrant death!"
The other villagers also became anxious upon seeing this: "Sir, it's enough that Zhao Kang is dead, Liu Yang is innocent!"
Even the 300 military slaves who were mining coal behind him knelt down at the same time, cupped their fists to Lu Tu and said, "Thank you for protecting us, sir. We are just military slaves, we are not worthy of such treatment!"
"Yes, sir, please spare him!"
At this moment, Liu Hu, Sun Kuang, Sun Meng, and the others all knelt on the ground, looking at Lü Tu with excited expressions: "Brother, please!"
Under the persuasion of the crowd, Lü Tu put down his long sword, looked at Liu Yang and sighed: "Considering your meritorious service in killing the enemy, your merits and demerits will be offset. I will take back your position as platoon leader and demote you to squad leader!"
Liu Yang exclaimed with delight, "Thank you so much, brother!"
"You're celebrating too soon! He may escape death, but he'll still face punishment. Guards, give him 20 lashes!"
Since Zhao Kang's matter has implicated so many people, Lü Tu has to sacrifice them to appease public anger. Even if the villagers plead for mercy on the surface, Lü Tu knows that they still have their own thoughts.
Hearing this, Liu Yang felt more at ease and said loudly, "Tiger, let's do it!"
Liu Hu sighed. He had already beaten Liu Yang once before, but he didn't expect to have to beat him again in front of the villagers today.
When he took the military whip woven from vines from someone else, the onlookers couldn't help but gasp!
The whip was covered in barbs; if someone were to be whipped 20 times, their skin would be torn and bleeding.
Just as Liu Hu was about to make his move, Lü Tu raised his hand and said, "Wait! Let me deal with them all at once. Xiao Zhong, kneel down!"
Xiao Zhong, who was at the back of the crowd, had seen the whole thing. He knew that Lü Tu was doing it for the other people to see. He thought he would be punished in private, but he didn't expect that Lü Tu would actually use this thing to hit him.
He's not a young lad like Liu Yang. If his old bones were to be whipped 20 times, they'd fall apart.
But now Lu Tu was calling his name again, and he reluctantly stepped forward, knelt down and said, "My lord, I know my crime!"
Lu Tu was taken aback: "I haven't even asked you yet, what crime do you know?"
Xiao Zhong sighed softly, "I was in charge of managing internal affairs, but I neglected Zhao Kang. I am willing to bear the same punishment as Liu Yang!"
"Since that's the case, I'll grant your wish!"
Nangong Huiyu, who was in the distance, couldn't help but want to step forward and persuade her, but Song Yuxi stopped her and shook her head slightly.
Nangong Huiyu asked in a low voice, puzzled, "Sister, why is my husband acting so realistically? Won't he beat my junior brother to death? My junior brother is almost 40 years old."
"My husband has his reasons. Let's wait and see. He probably won't kill Mr. Xiao."
"I hope so, but I don't think my junior brother can stand those 20 lashes."
The crowd then collectively pleaded, "Sir, Mr. Xiao is a scholar! How can he withstand twenty lashes? Please spare him this time!"
"Yes, Mr. Xiao is a good man. He's always busy helping out and even volunteered to help us reclaim wasteland. How could he be like Zhao Kang?"
Lu Tu raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet. Liu Hu shook his military whip and was about to strike Liu Yang when Lu Tu stopped him.
Everyone looked at Lü Tu in confusion, while Nie Yun, Liu Hong, and the others looked at Lü Tu with panicked eyes, wondering if he would attack them as well.
Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, Lü Tu loosened his belt, ripped off his shirt and tossed it behind him, exposing his skin to the cold wind.
Lu Tu said loudly, "Liu Yang, you have followed me to protect the village, fought in numerous battles, big and small, and never retreated once, killing eight enemies."
"Xiao Zhong, you have devoted yourself to taking care of the people and have arranged all matters, big and small, in the village in an orderly manner."
“But I neglected my duties and almost caused a serious mistake. How can I bear to punish you? I will take the punishment of these 40 lashes on your behalf!”
Upon hearing this, many people present burst into tears!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
