Chapter 1474: Persisting in Delusion
Chapter 1474: Chapter 1474: Persisting in Delusion
Vice General Fang, upon hearing this, was even more impressed with Qin San Lang. This young man was truly clever, living with clarity, cautious in his actions, and aware that he should keep a low profile after achieving great success.
Vice General Fang said, "Which Military Offices in He’an Prefecture do you want soldiers from? Give me the list as soon as possible. I will take it to the Capital, and as long as the officials of the Capital City Ministry of War approve, the generals of the Northwest won’t be able to take your soldiers away."
Even if you have the ability to gather soldiers, if you can’t hold them, higher-ranking generals can easily transfer your men away, leaving you with nothing in the end.
"Thank you, General. By the latest noon tomorrow, I will give you the list of soldiers." Qin San Lang did not immediately provide the list to Vice General Fang because he wanted to discuss it with Xie Cheng and Niu Dabao first.
However, when the company commanders and the Chief Commanders of Yongtai Prefecture heard this, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Since Qin San Lang wasn’t reaching into He’an Prefecture, they could benefit from the dispersal of troops and felt very grateful to Qin San Lang, growing increasingly fond of him.
Therefore, when Vice General Fang mentioned allocating the bandit village’s grain, horses, weapons, livestock, and carts to Qin San Lang, the other company commanders and Chief Commanders, though envious, did not feel jealousy. They laughed heartily and said, "Company Commander Qin saved our lives and led us to great success. He deserves more reward; this is what Company Commander Qin is entitled to!"
Vice General Fang laughed upon hearing this, "It’s good that you think this way."
After the bandit incident, the Kangrong army of each prefecture was more united than before.
Vice General Fang looked at them and earnestly said, "The reason we survived this time, besides thanks to Company Commander Qin, is also because we finally united our forces. The Rong people are fierce, like demons. Only by working together can we turn defeat into victory! Remember not to be selfish; if everyone looks out for themselves, the outcome will be total annihilation!"
Vice General Fang’s words made the people present solemn.
Qin San Lang first clasped his hands in salute and said, "I remember, and upon reaching the Northwest, I will certainly unite with everyone to defeat the Rong people!"
The other company commanders also clasped their hands and voiced their resolve to work together.
Vice General Fang looked at them, nodded, and felt a sense of relief.
"General, is Ding Dong still alive?" Qin San Lang asked. Although he severely injured Ding Dong during the bandit attack that night and pinned him to the ground, he avoided the vital areas, so Ding Dong should still be alive.
Vice General Fang nodded, "Your Doctor Dai is skilled and saved Ding Dong’s life. Why, do you want to see him?"
Qin San Lang replied, "Yes, I would like to meet him."
Vice General Fang noticed the bloodshot eyes of Qin San Lang and originally intended to send him home to rest. However, since he wanted to see Ding Dong, Vice General Fang naturally wouldn’t stop him, "Company Commander Liu, go bring Ding Dong."
"Yes." Company Commander Liu responded, taking over two full quarters before returning.
Vice General Fang was angry and said to Company Commander Liu, "Company Commander Liu, why did it take so long?!"
His tone was not friendly, considering Qin San Lang and the others were about to fall asleep from exhaustion. Why did you take so long without the need to pursue the bandit leader up the mountain, not knowing how to care for people by collecting the spoils here?
Company Commander Liu felt wronged and explained, "General, it was because that boy Lu Chong threatened to kill himself if I didn’t bring him along to meet... Company Commander Qin."
Then he turned to Qin San Lang and said, "Company Commander Qin, don’t be angry. Uncle didn’t want to let that rascal Lu Chong see you, but he hit the wall and broke his head, and Vice General Fang still wants to escort him to the Capital, and he cannot die."
Qin San Lang said to Vice General Fang, "General, let Lu Chong come in."
Since Lu Chong wanted to see him, he would see him. Was there any reason to fear Lu Chong?
"In that case, bring Lu Chong and Ding Dong in." Vice General Fang agreed.
"Yes." Company Commander Liu immediately brought in Ding Dong and Lu Chong.
Upon seeing Qin San Lang, Lu Chong’s eyes widened in rage, and he shouted angrily, "Qin San Lang, you scoundrel, why did you hide your strength? You are harming me!"
If he had known that Qin San Lang and the Gu Family hid such formidable forces, he would never have foolishly besieged the Gu family, leading to total defeat.
With a thud, Company Commander Liu kicked Lu Chong to his knees and scolded, "Lu Chong, do you have any shame? Everyone in more than half of the camp knew about Ding Ge and your wife’s affair. You knew about it too, yet instead of helping us deal with Ding Ge, you took the Ding family’s gold and colluded with the Ding family and bandits against us. And now you have the nerve to blame Company Commander Qin? Are you still a man?"
Though what Company Commander Liu said was accurate, Lu Chong, already in such a state, didn’t care about face anymore. He just wanted an excuse to show he wasn’t so incompetent.
"Shut up, Liu. You’re a turncoat, what right do you have to criticize me?!" Lu Chong spat at Company Commander Liu, then turned to curse at Qin San Lang, "Qin, you freeloader and hypocrite, I won’t let you off, nor the Gu family, that..."
Bam!
Just as Lu Chong was reveling in his cursing, Qin San Lang kicked him over.
Qin San Lang’s eyes were full of intense murderous intent as he glared at Lu Chong, "You have no future!"
A defeated subordinate who still thought there was a future, but he wouldn’t give him the chance to rise again.
"Hong Dao, cut off his tongue and disable his hands." Qin San Lang ordered.
"Yes." Hong Dao immediately drew his knife, took a few steps towards Lu Chong, and with a swift motion, dislocated his jaw, cut off his tongue, and with a flick of the wrist, slashed Lu Chong’s hands, severing the tendons.
Qin San Lang’s order was too frightening, and Hong Dao’s actions too swift. By the time Lu Chong was disabled, Vice General Fang and the others finally reacted, their faces pale with fear, "San Lang, this..."
This treatment of Lu Chong wasn’t good, considering he was already captured and considered a prisoner.
Qin San Lang responded, "Vice General Fang, Lu Chong is treacherous and has a strong sense of revenge. Once he reaches the Capital City Ministry of War, he might falsely incriminate us. We can’t afford to be unjustly accused and die because of him. Cutting off his tongue and disabling his hands ensures he won’t speak nonsense or write false testimonies against us."
"Company Commander Qin is right!" Company Commander Liu, having experienced Lu Chong’s treachery, confirmed, "Just now in the county government jail, Lu Chong threatened me by mentioning my past association with Ding Ge. When I dismissed his threats, he then resorted to hitting the wall. Lu Chong is too good at turning against people; we must guard against him!"
Listening to Qin San Lang, Vice General Fang and the others felt he did the right thing.
Niu Dabao, seething with anger, charged forward and used his knife hilt to beat Lu Chong repeatedly, cursing, "You heartless scoundrel! Little did San Lang know that you felt sorry for your Sister Tang that he even brought back Mrs. Cen’s ashes for you, and yet you, this beast, still thought to harm us! You are a father — for the sake of your daughter, your parents, your family, can’t you stop being stubborn? Your stubbornness will only bring harm to your whole family!"
While they were waiting for County Magistrate Chou on the mountain, San Lang followed Xie Cheng’s suggestion and sent someone to the cabin at the foot of the mountain, cremated Mrs. Cen’s body, and brought back her ashes with plans to take them back to Lu Tang’s hometown.