Chapter 480 Living with Dignity
Who could have imagined that the Crown Prince of Da Qi would dare to personally lead his troops to block them at their doorstep, and that the veteran general under his command shot their leader to death with one arrow, instantly destroying their morale.
They were defeated miserably.
Xiao Yanci jumped off the warship and strode towards Lu Zhiran. He faced the rising sun, with a hint of pride and satisfaction in his eyes and brows, as if he was asking for credit and reward.
"I'm glad I have fulfilled my mission. Are you satisfied, Princess?"
The sea breeze blew across his blood-stained cuffs, but it couldn't blow away the burning light in his eyes. He was like a wolf that had just brought back its prey and was determined to come close to its owner and wag its tail.
A hint of pride and tenderness also flashed in Lu Zhiran's eyes.
"It is a blessing for the people of Da Qi to have a prince like you."
Her fingertips brushed against the still-dry blood on his armor. "This vast land must ultimately be entrusted to someone who can bring peace and prosperity. Ah Ci, you've done a great job."
The sea breeze blew through her hair and brought these whispers to his ears, which were more important than any reward.
On the other side, Lin Zheng was also asking for a reward from Jiang Nansheng.
He inadvertently revealed a slight pain, but pretended to be strong and said: "It's nothing, just a minor injury."
Jiang Nansheng saw all his tricks, but fell for them.
"Come in, I'll bandage you up."
Lin Zheng followed her and went into the house obediently.
The Saker Falcon flew a few circles in the air and wanted to come over to beg for food, but Lin Zheng gave it a glare and it immediately flew away.
In this battle, Xiao Yanci led his army to capture the Black Tiger Gang's lair "Iron Claw Bay", beheaded 86 people and captured 53 people. The Black Tiger Gang's leader "Fanjianghu" was shot dead by Gu Qishan with an arrow.
The one-eyed tiger wanted to jump into the sea to escape, but was hit by the waves and hit the rocks and was captured.
More than 20 women and children were found on the island. They were all sold or kidnapped here, and their lives in the bandits' den were very miserable.
Many women gave birth to children, but for the sake of their children, they could only live numbly.
They thought the days ahead would be like this forever, with no end in sight, but unexpectedly, the imperial navy came and rescued them.
When the women learned that they were rescued and could return to their homes, they cried loudly, feeling mixed emotions of sadness and joy.
Can they really start over after such an experience?
Even if I return home, I will definitely be pointed at and talked about, and I will not be able to hold my head up.
Some people with strong personalities simply committed suicide by slitting their own throats.
These pirates have all been killed, and their great revenge has been achieved. There is no need for them to continue living in this world.
There were also such a group of women and children on Chijiao Island. Xiao Yanci didn't know what to do with them, so he temporarily had someone take care of them and feed them well.
Now there are more than twenty women and children in Tiezhua Bay, and Xiao Yanci brought them all to Chijiao Island.
In the past few days, Lu Zhiran has been thinking about how to accommodate them. Today, she gradually had an idea in her mind.
"Your Highness, leave them to me."
Xiao Yanci nodded without hesitation.
As both are women, it would be most appropriate for Lu Zhiran to handle this matter.
These women and children were very vigilant, and Xiao Yanci was also worried that there might be pirate spies among them, so he always sent people to watch over them.
Lu Zhiran stepped into the room, and the low sobbing stopped abruptly.
The women and children in the room huddled together, looking at her with fear and terror in their eyes.
There were more than forty women and children on the two islands, the youngest of whom was only thirteen years old. At this moment, they all had haggard faces and numb eyes.
They were wrapped in coarse linen clothes that the navy had temporarily found, but they could not hide the scars on their hands, feet and necks.
When Lu Zhiran saw this, an indescribable anger and pity welled up in his eyes.
At this moment, she understood Xiao Yanci's determination to lead the troops personally.
These pirates really deserve to die. If we don't get rid of this cancer, the people of Da Qi will never have peace.
Lu Zhiran spoke slowly, "Don't be afraid, everyone. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has already wiped out all the pirates from the Blood Shark Gang and the Black Tiger Gang. No one can bully you anymore. Soon, our warships will be back in Quanzhou. You will be free and will see your families soon."
These words made the frightened women laugh and cry.
"Freedom? Where do we even have any freedom? Our bodies are dirty, and there's no going back!"
"We are like withered flowers and withered willows. If we go back, we will be drowned in the pond."
"My family sold me onto the ship. I have no home to return to."
These words were like a knife, stabbing into Lu Zhiran's heart.
Cui Fu and Dan Yan also looked reluctant.
"Those beasts are the ones who deserve to be drowned! I am the Crown Princess of the Great Qi Dynasty. As long as I am here, I will never let you suffer any injustice again!"
Lu Zhiran looked determined as he slowly looked around at them.
"I will ask the official matchmaker to prepare a marriage registration. Those who wish to return home will receive travel expenses, and those who wish to marry must sign their names. I will never allow your families to sell you in marriage at will. If you are homeless and willing to follow me, Jinxiufang is in need of embroiderers. Anyone willing to learn will receive a monthly stipend, so you will have no problem supporting yourself. If you are disheartened and don't want to enter the secular world again, there is a Qingliang Nunnery in the capital where you can practice Buddhism with your hair uncut. From now on, we will either be accompanied by mulberry, hemp, needlework, or by the green lamp and ancient Buddha, and we will never see blood again."
Lu Zhiran's words finally made the woman, whose face was as pale as death, show some movement in her eyes.
Some people couldn't believe it and stammered, "Can we really survive?"
"Not only can you live, but you can live with dignity and integrity. These experiences are not your fault, and no one can blame you. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince went through untold hardships to rescue you from the devil's lair, and he will not let you fall into such a miserable situation again."
A young woman in blue cloth hugged the swaddling baby tightly in her arms, her eyes filled with sorrow and contradiction.
"Then what about these children? Will they be able to live upright lives in the future?"
The rest of the women who gave birth to children all looked at their children with expressions of either heartache, pity, or disgust.
Lu Zhiran was silent for a moment. "These children will all be registered as 'Haining citizens', and their past will not be investigated. If you are unwilling to raise them, the court will raise them and guide them into the right path."
Those children were young and ignorant and had no idea what was going on.
The older ones had more ripples in their eyes.
They knew that their fate would be completely reversed from this moment on.
Someone let out a low sob, and the others followed suit. The sobs were so deep and suppressed that Lu Zhiran felt her heart ache.
Cui Fu and Dan Yan's eyes also turned red.
Compared to these people, their lives are simply too good.
The young woman in blue cloth held the child and kowtowed to Lu Zhiran.
"I thank you so much, Crown Princess! I have no way to repay you, and I am willing to follow you into Jinxiufang. As for this child... he shouldn't have come into this world, but since he is here, and has met a kind person like the Crown Princess, it is his blessing. If he stays with me, he will only bring trouble to me."
At the end of her speech, her voice was choked with sobs, but she still managed to finish her words.
"Please ask the Crown Princess to take him in, give him a bite to eat and a set of clothes to wear, that will be enough."
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