Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 311 - 2: Kindness Does Not Command Troops, Zhao Xing’s Choice_2

Chapter 311: Chapter 2: Kindness Does Not Command Troops, Zhao Xing’s Choice_2

Following the order, figures from the Inspection Bureau immediately took to the sky and vanished into the night.

Zhao Xing noticed that Long Xiao seemed troubled and asked, "Why don’t you go rest for a bit?"

Long Xiao grimly replied, "Do you think I can sleep now? Among the people you reported, several are brothers who fought and lived through life-and-death situations with Old Chen and me."

"That was six years ago," Zhao Xing said calmly. "Now, are you still sure they are your brothers? When you saw them again, didn’t you feel something different?"

Long Xiao stayed silent. As a sword cultivator, his sword heart was clear. A year ago, when he met old acquaintances one after another, he indeed sensed some changes in his brothers, but he didn’t want to think about it.

"Can you tell me, do they still have a chance?"

Zhao Xing remained silent.

The fact that he started here indicated that his choice was definitely not one of compromise or turning a blind eye.

Whether you execute one or a thousand, you would still offend people.

In this line of work, there was no such thing as a perfect solution.

Unless Zhao Xing was willing to destroy his future and give everyone a light sentence.

But that was absolutely impossible.

Without any kinship, why would Mr. Zhao ruin his future for these scoundrels?

"I’ll tell you the truth."

"Without me, they would be doomed anyway," Zhao Xing said. "The Military Realm has been gathering evidence of their crimes, and they finally launched the operation once the investigation was thorough, unless..."

"Unless the Marquis protects them, right?" Long Xiao said, his face showing a glimmer of hope. "Yes, no matter how powerful Qiu Mingyi may be, he’s no match for the Marquis."

Zhao Xing shook his head and said, "Hong Tai, current Middle Barrier Captain of the Divine Might Army, seventh-rank. Previously served as Land Register Commander of Tao County in Xier County for five years, before rejoining the Divine Might Army after its reorganization. Crimes: raped fourteen individuals, forced five to their deaths. After the Marquis Boping resumed office and transferred him, he killed all families of the fourteen victims to cover his crimes."

"Qi Shan, current Middle Barrier Captain of the Divine Might Army, secondary seventh-rank. Previously served as Pinghuai Commander in Fubu County, Xier County, for three years. Set up illegal checkpoints, took bribes from foreign merchant guilds totaling 3.42 million taels."

Long Xiao’s face turned pale, his eyes burned with rage: "These bastards, how could they be so, so..."

Zhao Xing saw this and stopped reading further.

Yes, the Marquis Boping could protect these people, but if he did, it would prove he was too merciful!

Mercy does not command troops; strict discipline does. This was the basis of Zhao Xing’s actions this time.

If Yang An truly protected those scums, Zhao Xing would spare no cost to escape and pledge allegiance elsewhere.

Because it contradicted his understanding; an army without strict discipline could never achieve great fame.

It would mean that either he remembered wrong, or something went terribly wrong with Yang An in this life.

In conclusion, not only the court but also the Divine Might Army was observing Zhao Xing through this mission.

Zhao Xing was also evaluating the Divine Might Army, wondering if it was worth joining.

Though he favored Old Chen and felt aligned with him, fundamentally, the Divine Might Army was under Yang An’s command.

.....

Xier County, Changshui Camp.

Hong Tai was patrolling the camp, holding a scepter and wearing armor.

The task of night patrol should not fall to a captain, but for some reason, tonight he felt particularly uneasy.

"Could Lanjiang be unusual? But I haven’t felt any shift in the seasons or the climate; it’s just the routine changes of the four seasons."

"Liu Ming, prepare a flying boat for me; I’m going to patrol Lanjiang!"

Hong Tai shouted to his guard.

But no one responded.

The night was silent, a bright moon rose, but this moon was behind a dark gold figure.

"Judicial Yin God Fan Wujiu?!"

Hong Tai’s hair stood on end, a chill ran down his spine, and a sense of doom overwhelmed him.

A flying boat did come, but it was approaching from outside.

"People from the Inspection Bureau, and they even brought Judicial Yin God from the Military God Temple?!" Hong Tai’s unease reached its peak.

It was a feeling of his crimes being fully exposed, making him want to flee.

But Hong Tai suppressed the urge.

"Middle Barrier Captain, greeting Judicial Yin God, greetings to all Inspectors." Hong Tai knelt on one knee. "May I ask what business brings you to Changshui Camp?"

"Hong Tai, you are suspected of rape and murder, wiping out fourteen families." An inspector said coldly, "By order of the Great Inspection Envoy, we are here to arrest you. Surrender now."

Hong Tai’s heart sank. Hearing the exact number of fourteen, he knew this could not be covered up.

"Nonsense, who is slandering me? I demand to see the Marquis!"

"When you get to the Inspection Bureau, you can see Marquis Boping."

.....

Meanwhile, at Middle Barrier Camp.

Qi Shan was also bound by golden light ropes, struggling on the ground.

"Slander, this is slander, I demand to see the Marquis!"

Qi Shan shouted.

.....

Throughout military camps in Xier County, inspectors appeared suddenly and struck with precision.

That night, sounds echoed everywhere.

Some refused to admit their guilt, while others confessed openly.

"I merely embezzled some military provisions, but that was in the 13th year of Jingxin. I will find the Marquis to confess and pay the fine!"

"I am on duty; the Inspection Bureau’s investigation can wait three days. What?! By order of the Great Inspection Envoy?!"

Some even tried to run.

"Swish, swish, swish~"

Zhao Xing stood on a flying boat, retracting his hand while a figure plunged from mid-air in front of him, a Nine-section Commander.

He followed a team to a certain military camp. When the inspector announced the arrest, this Military Minister of Agriculture Officer appeared to plead guilty on the surface. But he tried to escape underground.

Either the previous executions were too smooth, or this group’s strength was slightly inferior; caught off guard, the man indeed managed to flee underground.

But soon, he was bounced back from the ground by the [Endless Palace], breaking his escape skill.

Then, Zhao Xing killed him with the Rain Dripping Skill.

"Commander Zhang Ze of the Fire Camp resisted arrest and has been executed. Deputy Commander Huang Ming will temporarily take over the Fire Camp."

Zhao Xing’s voice spread around.

He then boarded the flying boat with the body.

The accompanying inspector, sweating profusely, cupped his hands toward Zhao Xing: "I have failed in my duty."

"No matter," Zhao Xing said flatly, "It was an error in the intelligence; his strength had improved. Return to the county capital."

"Yes."

....

The operation started at night and ended at the Mao Hour the next day.

11:15 AM.

Zhao Xing sat in the first seat on the left side of the Inspection Bureau hall, listening to an inspector reporting the situation.

"Reporting, sir, all teams returned at Mao Hour without error. Of 1423 arrests, 57 resisted and were killed on the spot."

"After joint interrogation by the Military God Temple and the Inspection Bureau, the remaining 1366 all confessed."

Zhao Xing nodded slightly.

At this moment, the intelligence provided by the Great Zhou Military was still reliable. Although there were minor discrepancies in strength and intelligence, the discrepancy wasn’t huge. The evidence was solid, whether they confessed or not, it was the same.

Qiu Mingyi looked down: "Zhao Xing, since these people have all confessed, how they’re dealt with is up to you. You can consider their past contributions and show leniency, as you are from the Divine Might Army."

Zhao Xing showed no expression. This old man, serving as examiner, gave him another test. This was clearly a large-scale crackdown. Not only was the Divine Might Army self-examining, but other armies were also conducting similar operations. And you talk about leniency?

He stood and saluted Qiu Mingyi: "Yes, thank you for the reminder."

Zhao Xing took the list from the reporting person. The remaining 1366 people were already categorized and laid out before him.

Now, as long as Zhao Xing marked the list, he could immediately decide their fate.

Zhao Xing picked up the list, feigned browsing and pondering for a while.

"The remaining 1366 people, based on intelligence gathered by the Military Realm, are all guilty of capital crimes."

"Under these special circumstances, we must use strict laws; heavy crimes justify the death penalty!"

Zhao Xing paused. Under Qiu Mingyi’s surprised gaze, he directly closed the document.

Then, using the Execution Order seal, he marked a "kill" insignia on the document cover.

"All 1366 to be executed immediately!"