Chapter 74: Easy Capture of the Base

Bulu Huige was the leader of the Bulu Hutatar tribe; although his tribe was not among the strongest on the steppe, the Hutatar Alliance to which he belonged was nearly the most powerful force on the steppe, comprising seventy Battalion Commander—equal to any other power—and after delivering the Jin’s great enemy Anbaohai to the Jin, they had firmly clung to the Jin’s side.

At this time, the Hutatar tribe carried itself with an air of supreme dominance on the steppe, and Bulu Huige, as one of the six chieftains of the Hutatar tribe, was at the height of his glory.

This day marked the annual tax collection season again. Bulu Huige first took his nakir to collect taxes door to door, for without his nakir, the herders would always weep and wail, delay and resist—only after the nakir gave them a good beating would they obediently hand over their taxes.

These wretched peasants are utterly unreasonable. Their ewes survived only by grazing on my grassland, and I merely ask for the lambs they produce—yet they act like this. Clearly, I’ve let them live too comfortably lately; I must tighten their hides from time to time.

But right now he had more pressing matters: taking cattle and sheep to the Jin market to exchange for supplies—salt, tea, iron tools—all things he desperately needed. Of course, it would be best to trade for a few fresh Han female slaves, preferably ones who had once come from wealthy families.

Upon returning to the tribe, Bulu Huige immediately ordered his brothers and nephews summoned to the great tent for a meeting. One of his nakir hurried to remind him: “Master, the elders have already been waiting in the great tent since they learned today was the day for collecting cattle and sheep.”

Bulu Huige sneered inwardly: “These bastards—when I assign them tasks, they’re half-hearted, but when it comes to receiving cattle, sheep, or slaves as rewards, they act like wild dogs.”

Thinking this, Bulu Huige let out a cold snort and stepped into the great tent.

As soon as he entered, Bulu Huige was stunned speechless by what he saw. His gaze fell upon his brothers and nephews—all bruised and swollen, tightly bound like lambs awaiting slaughter. Seated on the main seat were two youths, watching him with mocking amusement, as if savoring a meticulously staged play. A strange mix of fear and rage surged within Bulu Huige.

“How dare you treat my family like this? Do you know who I am? I am the leader of the Bulu Hutatar tribe, one of the six chieftains of the Hutatar. Do you think I can’t have my five hundred nakir storm in and tear you all into pieces with a single order?”

No sooner had Bulu Huige finished speaking than Guo Jing appeared before him in an instant—*slap!*—a palm strike across his face so forceful it nearly knocked him unconscious.

Bulu Huige stared in disbelief at the boy. Since childhood, only his father had ever struck him; since his father’s death, how many years had passed without a single blow? This boy dared to strike him—strike one of the six chieftains of the Hutatar?

Before he could speak, another palm struck him—this one sent him sprawling to the ground. Guo Jing stomped hard on Bulu Huige’s abdomen—one stomp, two stomps, three stomps...

Bulu Huige felt his insides crushed, his intestines torn—he tried to beg for mercy, but the pain left him unable to utter a single word. By the time Guo Jing finished, Bulu Huige was barely alive.

After beating Bulu Huige, Guo Jing clapped his hands impatiently: “Ugh, you’ve got to be beaten before you’ll listen properly. All of you are just born to be whipped.”

“Alright, Brother Guo, I’m sure these people are now willing to listen to us patiently. Aren’t you?” Nie Huaishang smiled faintly as he scanned the nobles, all bruised and swollen. At the sight of his gaze, they immediately cried out: “Yes, yes, we’re very patient!”

“Since you’re willing to listen, let me explain our identities and our purpose here,” Guo Jing said, clearing his throat solemnly. “First, we are proletarian revolutionary activists. Our goal is to establish a revolutionary base and form a proletarian government. We’ve come to you because we hope you, as enlightened individuals, will support us.”

Bulu Huige understood not a word of the earlier remarks, but he grasped the final part: they wanted his help. Still, the way you ask for help is a bit violent, isn’t it?

“Um, Hero, what kind of support do you need from us to establish your revolutionary base?” Bulu Huige asked cautiously.

Guo Jing smiled slightly: “You’re so eager to ask about the needs of the revolutionary base—clearly you’re an enlightened individual. Since you say so, I won’t be modest.”

“First, our proletarian revolutionary government is one where the people rule themselves, so slavery is forbidden—all slaves must be liberated, and no one may restrict their freedom. Second, our revolutionary government serves the people, so we will divide the tribe’s pastures equally among the herders. Moreover, to ensure the people’s standard of living, we will distribute livestock, salt, and other necessities. Fourth...?”

Everyone present turned green. They had assumed these two bandits merely wanted money—but now they realized the thieves intended to seize everything they owned.

Finally, Bulu Huige’s younger brother, Bulu Husi Ming, could no longer contain himself. He roared at Guo Jing: “You take away our pastures, our cattle and sheep, our wealth—what are we supposed to do? How are we supposed to live?”

“Ah, that’s not how you put it. You’re enlightened supporters of our revolutionary cause—how could we let you die? After the revolutionary government is established, we will distribute cattle, sheep, and pastures according to your household size. We’ll also provide farming tools free of charge, monthly subsidies, and if you encounter hardship, the revolutionary government will do everything possible to assist your family. Of course, if you’re willing to join the revolutionary government and participate in the revolution, we welcome you wholeheartedly.”

No sooner had Guo Jing finished than Bulu Husi Ming roared: “These pastures, slaves, cattle, sheep, and wealth were accumulated by our ancestors over generations! How dare you give them to those wretched peasants? I’d rather die than agree to your demands!”

Guo Jing was stunned by Bulu Husi Ming’s outburst. He turned to Nie Huaishang: “Huaishang, does he think I’m inviting him to dinner?”

Nie Huaishang nodded: “What can you do? Your tone is so gentle, your face so innocent and honest—anyone would mistake you for someone inviting them to dinner.”

“Oh, I see.” Guo Jing suddenly understood. He turned to Bulu Husi Ming: “You just said you’d rather die than accept my terms. Then go ahead and die.”

Without hesitation, Guo Jing raised his horse saber, its blade gleaming coldly. He drew a deep breath, then swung—there was a scream, and Bulu Husi Ming’s head rolled to the ground, blood spurting everywhere.

“If you’re not an enlightened individual, then you’re my class enemy. Against enemies, I show no mercy—I will eliminate them by any means necessary.” Guo Jing smiled coldly, pointing his saber at the crowd: “Now tell me—are you enlightened individuals, or are you my class enemies?”

“Don’t kill me, don’t kill me! We agree to your demands! Please don’t kill us!”

“We’re enlightened! We’re all enlightened individuals! We’re all enlightened individuals!”