Twin Dimension Yin-Yang Mirror: Attaining immortality through the martial path
Chapter 135 - 125: Traces of Seven-leaf Tithonia, Enemies from Guangyun (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Pass)

Chapter 135: Chapter 125: Traces of Seven-leaf Tithonia, Enemies from Guangyun (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Pass)

"Gu Dashi, step forward."

"Present."

Gu Dashi still had that stone-like, expressionless face.

Zhou Ping’an still remembered this man, who had visited the Lin Residence and even his smile was forced, as if the muscles on his face were frozen stiff.

He did not care much about Gu Dashi’s expression, from the puzzlement in the Commander’s eyes, he knew the Commander himself had many questions.

However, clearly, Zhou Ping’an had no intention of clarifying them.

He simply commanded, "Organize the troops, rewrite the roster, soldiers present at the field, each go to the quartermaster, receive one tael of silver, three shi of grain, and other distributions of clothing, hats, firewood, and grass as per the rules."

Zhou Ping’an pointed at Qian Sanliang.

"You are in charge of this matter."

Next to him, Scholar Tian, who had just shown a wildly joyous expression, immediately deflated.

Qian Sanliang, however, was thrilled. Serving as a quartermaster in the City Guards might still be a minor official, but to ordinary people, he was undoubtedly considered a significant figure.

This position was indeed more prestigious than that of Protector at the Lin Residence.

Moreover, this proved to Qian Sanliang that he had caught Supplicant Zhou’s eye. If he worked diligently, what would there be to worry about his future prospects?

He wasn’t worried about performing poorly. In his youth, when his family situation was better, he had studied at a private school and learned to read and do arithmetic, far superior to the commoners.

This point was clearly stated when he was hired as the Protector of the Lin Residence, and Zhou Ping’an was certainly aware of it.

Yet, Qian Sanliang’s excitement was, compared to the other soldiers present, still somewhat muted.

Over twelve hundred men, initially in disbelief at what they heard, looked at Zhou Ping’an then at Gu Dashi, realizing neither was joking. Simultaneously, carts slowly entered the camp, beginning to unload assorted supplies and silver.

Their eyes immediately reddened.

"Thank you, my lord."

Gu Dashi was the first to bow in gratitude.

Over a thousand soldiers also started shouting with high spirits.

"Stop."

Zhou Ping’an pressed his palm down, silencing the cheers, then turned to Gu Dashi, "Select three hundred elite soldiers, together with the Protector from behind me, to capture those who did not come. Any who dare resist will be killed..."

"Yes..."

Gu Dashi’s eyes flickered slightly, hesitating only for a half-breath before loudly responding to the order. Then, calling out three hundred men, he and Tang Lin’er turned and rushed towards the barracks.

Amidst loud shouting and the clash of weapons.

About two hundred men were captured.

"Gu Dashi, you dare commit violence against me, you truly turn against heaven. I wonder how you will explain yourself to the County Magistrate?"

"And you, daring to break into the military camp, with Lord Tian’s body still warm, the new County Magistrate on his way from Guangyun, your attempt to seize power will surely not escape death by the blade..."

"Zhou Ping’an, it turns out it’s the Lin Family causing trouble, you tiny frog in a well, unable to stop the carriage, approaching your death without knowing it, laughable indeed."

The man leading them, his face blue and purple from cursing, was none other than the imposing Cavalry Commander Lei Lie.

Lei Lie had several knife wounds still bleeding, his arms twisted behind his back, his face swollen like a pig’s head.

It was unclear who had hit him.

’Huh, Lei Lie knows quite a lot.’

Zhou Ping’an had already learned from Zhang Yuanhao, the second son of the Zhang Family, that County Magistrate Li had requested reinforcements, having long promised to appoint someone else as the new County Magistrate.

This was also the reason he had lost interest in slowly earning the title of Martial Scholar to officially become the County Magistrate.

Because he had uncovered information that implicated County Magistrate’s son Li Yuankang as the instigator, he became suspicious and wanted to investigate.

As a result, he unearthed the affair involving the Five Desires Evil Art.

After the incident escalated, he simply did away with the County Magistrate as well.

What else could be done?

Of course, it was settled then and there.

Zhou Ping’an was uninterested in listening to Lei Lie’s outbursts, turning to look at Tang Lin’er.

Ergou immediately grasped his intention.

The long blade "clang" sounded as it was drawn, a cold light flashed, sweeping across Cavalry Commander Lei Lie’s neck.

A large head rolled off.

Blood gushed like a fountain.

Thump...

As Lei Lie’s body fell, Tang Lin’er loudly exclaimed, "Insolence towards Magistrate Zhou deserves death."

"There’s no need for this, we are all comrades. Just flog them with thirty strokes, expel them from Qingyang City to fend for themselves would suffice. Beheading is truly unnecessary," Zhou Ping’an said as he raised his hand, seemingly with regret.

"Did you hear that? Magistrate Zhou said, those who did not come are to be flogged with thirty strokes and expelled from Qingyang."

This time, no one misunderstood Zhou Ping’an’s intentions.

The Protector of the Lin Residence took immediate action.

They subdued the arrogant cavalry and their leaders one by one, beating their backs bloody, then loaded them into horse-drawn carts and dumped them outside Qingyang City.

Thus, the loyalty of the City Guards was secured.

Looking at Zhou Ping’an, their eyes were filled with utter loyalty; even if they harbored any thoughts, they dared not show the slightest sign.

A monthly salary of one tael of silver, three shi of grain, not to mention being many times more than that of the ordinary city dwellers, even compared to the county soldiers and even the border military, it was considerably higher.

Unless given to extravagant living, merely from food and drink, a family of three could live comfortably, with leftovers remaining.

Moreover, various additional supplies were distributed.

If the conditions became known, not only within the city of Qingyang but also the young men from ten li and eight villages would hear of it, likely crying and begging to join.

They had not seen a monthly salary for a long time, and merely getting by daily within the military camp was considered good. Occasionally, finding an opportunity to steal some grain for the family to survive famine was considered lucky.