Chapter 201 Fang Ziming's Decision
"Look, what's that!"
As one soldier exclaimed in surprise, the others looked in the direction he pointed.
Two bright red cloths fluttered in the wind atop Lianshan Mountain, their outlines resembling two people who had fallen there.
But it was too far away to see clearly; all I could see were two streaks of red.
"Why are the bandits hanging two red cloths? Are they admitting defeat?"
"I don't think so. If they were to admit defeat like this, what would be the point of arresting people?"
"It looks like there are two different people to me!"
"Are your eyesight really that good? How could you tell it was a person from that far away?"
"What else could it be? You can't just hang two pieces of cloth there to show off, can you?"
The whispers of the officers and soldiers reached the ears of the martial arts practitioners, arousing their curiosity.
But because they were so far apart, they couldn't tell, but their intuition told them that there must be two people hanging there.
Xie Xing and Xue Jiang walked side by side to the outside of the tent, intending to go to Magistrate Pang to discuss their next move. Hearing the discussion, they couldn't help but look up at the top of Lianshan Mountain.
Martial arts practitioners need to train their concentration, so their eyesight is often better than that of ordinary people, and their ability to distinguish things is also stronger.
The two of them glanced at it and immediately realized that what was hanging there was not just a red cloth, but also two people!
They exchanged a glance, the meaning unspoken.
The tiger descending the mountain is forcing the government to withdraw its troops!
If two people fall on it, the longer they stay there, the greater their chance of survival.
It's just past noon now, and the sun is blazing overhead.
Even if the winter sun isn't hot, prolonged exposure to it is still unbearable.
Moreover, these are two women, making it even more difficult for them to get through this.
Actually, the most difficult thing is the loss of physical strength and the night several hours later.
The nights on Lianshan Mountain are extremely cold; the two of them would freeze to death there even before midnight.
Xie Xing turned to look at Xue Jiang, his expression somber, and asked, "Is he forcing us to choose?"
"Maybe he's just angry!" Xue Jiang's expression was somewhat sad, as if he didn't want to face what was about to happen.
Although they went to discuss it, the outcome was predictable: the government would not retreat.
If the troops were to withdraw because of these two women, thus missing a golden opportunity to wipe out Lianshan, then the county magistrate of Yunhe County would be punished by the imperial court.
He wasn't sure if Fang Ziming could really be so ruthless.
"Don't stop me! I'm the son of Magistrate Fang. Let me in. I need to get some answers from County Lieutenant Pang!"
A commotion arose outside the main tent.
Fang Bowen was stopped by soldiers outside the camp and prevented from entering, so he kept making a fuss.
Why were all the others caught, but his own sister was still in Xia Shan Hu's hands?
How are these people supposed to do their jobs?!
Before he arrived, County Commandant Pang had already instructed him that he needed to discuss the policy of suppressing the mountain bandits with others, and that he should not see anyone who came.
Especially Fang Bowen!
Although the leading officer was somewhat wary of Fang Bowen's identity, he still maintained his composure when it came to important matters. He said politely, "Young Master Fang, please return to your tent and wait for news. Our superiors are busy with official duties and have no time to see you for the time being!"
Fang Bowen didn't care about any of that. He was only thinking about his sister still being held by the bandits. He said angrily, "What do you mean 'no time right now'? I'm here to discuss official business with him. Let me in!"
"Young master, you see, I was just doing my job, why are you making things difficult for me! I will see you when you are done!"
"Finished with your work?" Fang Bowen found his words laughable. "My sister is dead or alive, and instead of arranging a rescue, what is he planning to do? Attack the mountain? What about the people who were captured?"
He felt uneasy, sensing that these people had ill intentions and didn't seem to have any real purpose in saving him.
Xie Xing and Xue Jiang walked to the tent, greeted the soldiers, and went directly into the tent.
Fang Bowen became even angrier. "Why can they go in, but I can't!"
“Young master, these two are the ones Lord Pang is looking for. They may go in.”
"No, I don't care about myself, I want to go in and participate in the discussion."
Fang Bowen did not realize that at this moment he was completely unlike the image of a son of an official, and was just like a shameless country bumpkin.
"Fang Bowen!"
A shout made Fang Bowen's expression change as he looked at the newcomer.
Fang Ziming arrived dressed in a blue official robe and wearing an official hat, giving him a serious appearance.
Beside him was a man in a green official robe, whose posture was more subservient than Fang Ziming's; judging from his attire, he was probably an eighth or ninth-rank official.
Upon seeing this, everyone present knelt down to pay their respects to the county magistrate, except for Fang Bowen, who remained standing in place.
"Father, you've finally arrived. Uncle Pang, he..."
Before he could finish speaking, Fang Bowen interrupted him, "Shut up!"
His face darkened, and he shouted sternly, "Kneel down!"
Fang Bowen didn't understand why his father was so angry and wanted to explain.
Fang Ziming repeated himself, shouting, "I'll make you kneel down!"
Fang Bowen was confused, but he could feel his father's anger, so he could only grit his teeth and kneel down.
Fang Ziming gave him a cold look and said loudly, "Fang Bowen is disrupting order. Drag him away and give him twenty strokes of the cane as a warning to others!"
Fang Bowen's face showed disbelief, not understanding why his father was treating him this way. "Father..."
"Say another word and get five more lashes!" Fang Ziming didn't give Fang Bowen a chance to explain, and had him dragged away immediately, as if he were very ashamed.
How could he not feel ashamed? The person next to him was Magistrate Su of Pinghe County, who had come specifically to suppress the bandits, but seeing his son causing such a ruckus, he felt that he had completely lost face!
Upon hearing the noise, the person inside hurriedly came out and bowed to the two.
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