Chapter 2: The Self-Discipline of a Thief

When Er Zhu Ying’e spoke those words, Hou Jing realized he had caused a great disaster!

She’s the Emperor’s wife!

Worse still, she has an incredibly wealthy father!

Er Zhu Rong’s name is known throughout Jinxibei!

Three hundred li of Xiurong River was once a prosperous northern land; when the Six Garrisons erupted in war, Er Zhu grew rich beyond measure—sigh~~~

This nursery rhyme, sung in Taipingzhuang, had sunk deep into people’s hearts—even three-year-olds knew it, and from childhood they vowed to steal a fortune.

The familiar melody echoed in Hou Jing’s mind, but reason quickly drove it away.

Now is not the time to think of that.

He turned his head toward the author of the rhyme and saw that, after his initial hesitation, the man had smiled.

Er Zhu Ying’e had been smug, but seeing Li Shuang’s smile, she grew uneasy.

“Escort Miss Er Zhu back to her room!”

All saw Li Shuang lead Er Zhu Ying’e inside and slam the door shut.

Outside, the crowd watched in silent admiration, feeling nothing but reverence.

Hou Jing clapped and shouted out loud.

“Our leader does what others dare not—even the Emperor’s wife… My admiration for you flows like the Yangtze, endless and unceasing, like the Yellow River bursting its banks, unstoppable!”

Inside the room.

As soon as Er Zhu Ying’e entered, she saw a huge, soft bed and instantly grew tense.

She darted to the corner, drew a dagger from her sleeve, and pointed it at Li Shuang.

“Y-you don’t come closer!”

Li Shuang looked at the trembling Er Zhu Ying’e, poured himself a cup of water, took a sip, and spoke slowly:

“You haven’t drawn the blade yet.”

Er Zhu Ying’e froze, then swiftly unsheathed the dagger.

The cold steel glinted in her face; the room’s temperature seemed to drop.

Er Zhu Ying’e repeated it again.

“Don’t come closer, or I’ll do anything!”

Li Shuang remained calm.

“What do you plan to do?”

Er Zhu Ying’e pressed the dagger to her own throat, voice sharp with fury.

“If you come near, I’ll slit my own throat—you’ll get nothing but a corpse.”

Li Shuang nearly spat out his water.

“You’re threatening me with your own life? Do you think I care?”

Hearing this, Er Zhu Ying’e felt he was right—her grip loosened slightly.

“There are many refugees in these mountains who’ve never seen a woman in their lives—not even a woman, but a corpse… they’ll do anything.”

As Er Zhu Rong’s eldest daughter, though skilled with bow and horse, she had been pampered since childhood—how could she have faced such a scene?

Hearing Li Shuang’s words, her mental defenses shattered.

Er Zhu Ying’e collapsed to the floor and burst into tears.

Li Shuang watched silently, offering no comfort; only when her crying subsided did he speak coolly.

“When you’re done crying, write a letter to your father—tell him to come and collect you.”

Through tear-blurred eyes, Er Zhu Ying’e suddenly understood, wiping her tears.

“You just want me to write a ransom letter?”

“Not a ransom letter—we’re not bandits. We merely want your father to know we’ve taken care of you. Shouldn’t he give us some compensation?”

Er Zhu Ying’e felt something strange in her chest.

“My father is Er Zhu Rong—how dare you ask him for money?”

“I am a man of principle. I make no distinctions based on status—even if Yuan Xü himself came from Luoyangcheng, he’d still pay!”

Half an hour later, the door slowly opened.

Hou Jing and the others rushed over as Li Shuang stepped out, grinning slyly.

“Leader, your methods are truly amazing—we heard everything outside! That girl cried her heart out!”

Amazing your ass, Li Shuang thought, glaring at Hou Jing—a surge of anger rose in him.

“Come with me!”

Nightfall!

Before the Gathering Hall!

Li Shuang, dressed in his robe, sat in the chief’s seat; inside, only one man remained.

Hou Jing was half-asleep—he had been dragged here and forced to stand for hours.

“A storm is coming!”

Li Shuang’s sudden words jolted Hou Jing awake.

“We’ve kidnapped Er Zhu Rong’s daughter—he won’t let this go!”

“Leader, even Li Chong couldn’t touch you—what’s Er Zhu Rong compared to you?”

“Li Chong is a river dragon; Er Zhu Rong is a local snake. River dragons are easy to deal with—local snakes are stubborn. I have three strategies: high, middle, low—which one do you want to hear?”

So the big one is coming, is he?

Hou Jing swallowed hard—whenever Li Shuang brought up his three strategies, he knew someone was doomed.

He glanced around the empty Gathering Hall, his heart sinking.

“High strategy!”

“I will pass the leadership of Taipingzhuang to you!”

Hou Jing froze.

So he caused this disaster—and still gets promoted?

Then he realized something was off.

“Then what will you do, Leader?”

“I’ll step down. When Er Zhu Rong arrives with his seventeen hundred heavy cavalry, I’ll cut off your head, then send your corpse and Er Zhu Ying’e back to him.”

Seeing Li Shuang’s half-smile, Hou Jing grew terrified and asked quickly:

“What’s the middle strategy?”

“You take Er Zhu Ying’e back to Xiurong, then let Er Zhu Rong cut off your head.”

Hou Jing was now trembling, voice shaking.

“And the low strategy?”

“I cut off your head myself, then send your corpse and Er Zhu Ying’e back.”

What high, middle, low strategies? They’re all death sentences!

“Leader, just kill me outright!”

“We’re righteous troops, not bandits—everything we do must have principle.”

Hou Jing dropped to his knees, clutching Li Shuang’s leg and wailing.

“Leader, stop this nonsense—just tell me what you want! I’ll face fire and sword, die ten thousand deaths without hesitation!”

“Hou Jing, you’ve got real insight!”

Li Shuang snapped his fingers; the hidden axe-wielders around the Hall withdrew.

Only when the shadows outside the window vanished did Hou Jing finally exhale.

“We’re old acquaintances—no need for theatrics. Here’s a letter. Take three horses—you must deliver it to Xiurong and hand it to Er Zhu Rong within one day.”

“One day? But we’re two hundred li from Xiurong!”

Li Shuang patted Hou Jing’s cheek, smiling sweetly.

“When Cao Cao chased Liu Bei at Changban Slope, he covered three hundred li in a day and night. Are your will to survive weaker than Cao Cao’s will to chase Liu Bei?”

“No! I’ve got it!”

Hou Jing swore, snatched the letter, and dashed out on his uneven legs.

Li Shuang yawned.

“Being a bandit chief… ah, damn it, righteous troop leader—how hard is this?”