Chapter 109: Decision

The dim study in the Governor's Mansion, sandalwood incense curling, yet could not conceal the tense atmosphere permeating the air.

Prefect Zhao gripped tightly the dossier Li Wenqing had presented, his brows furrowed.

His small eyes narrowed to slits, shooting sharp light, staring straight at Li Wenqing.

"Sir Li, is everything written in this dossier true?"

"Do these Heifengzhai bandits truly intend to submit to the Imperial Court?"

Prefect Zhao's voice was low, as if squeezed from deep in his throat.

Li Wenqing straightened his back and replied calmly:

"Reporting to Prefect, everything I have said is true."

"I personally went to Heifengzhai with Mr. Jiang and talked all night with Lin Xiaodong."

"I reasoned with him and appealed to his emotions, ultimately persuading him to accept amnesty."

"Huh, reason and emotion?"

Prefect Zhao gave a cold snort, showing contempt on his face.

"Would these murderous, looting bandits even listen to your reasoning?"

"Or perhaps you've fed him some bewitching soup?"

Li Wenqing's expression unchanged, he answered calmly:

"Prefect, with your discernment, these mountain bandits turned to banditry mostly out of necessity."

"Now the world is in chaos, the people cannot make a living; they merely seek a way to survive."

"A way to survive? Killing, arson, abducting women—is that also a way to survive?"

Prefect Zhao slammed the table hard, making the water in the tea cup splash out.

"In my view, they are nothing but lazy good-for-nothings who refuse to improve—troublesome peasants!"

"They should all be arrested and beheaded!"

Li Wenqing silently sighed; Prefect Zhao is indeed a stubborn old fogey.

It seems convincing him to accept amnesty will not be easy.

He took a deep breath and continued:

"Prefect, the Imperial Court's great army is currently suppressing the bandits."

"If we can pacify Heifengzhai, it will not only reduce casualties,"

"but also deter other mountain bandits, preventing them from acting rashly—surely a double gain?"

Prefect Zhao fell silent; he is no fool and naturally understood the meaning behind Li Wenqing's words.

Yet he remained uneasy, for Heifengzhai is no ordinary bandit gang.

"They are brutal and cunning, capable of any evil; if they renege after amnesty, would that not be letting the tiger return to the mountain?"

He turned his head to the silent Advisor Tang beside him and asked in a low voice:

"Advisor Tang, what is your opinion on this?"

Advisor Tang stroked his beard and spoke slowly:

"Prefect, in my view, this amnesty plan is feasible, but should not be fully trusted."

"Oh? How so?"

Prefect Zhao's interest was piqued.

Advisor Tang smiled slightly and said:

"Although Heifengzhai is willing to submit, its chief Lin Xiaodong is no good sort; we must guard against him."

"I suggest we first agree to the amnesty, but station troops in Heifengzhai to prevent any change of heart."

Prefect Zhao nodded, finding Advisor Tang's suggestion very much to his liking.

He looked at Li Wenqing and said:

"Sir Li, did you hear that?"

"I can agree to pacify Heifengzhai, but must follow Advisor Tang's advice and station troops as a precaution."

Li Wenqing felt a surge of joy and quickly replied:

"I understand; I will surely convey the Prefect's meaning to Lin Xiaodong."

……

Inside Heifengzhai, Lin Xiaodong was discussing the amnesty with Zhang Hu and others.

"Big Brother, will Prefect Zhao really agree to the amnesty?"

Zhang Hu asked with some worry.

Lin Xiaodong gave a cold chuckle and said:

"He has no choice! The Imperial Court's great army presses upon the border."

"If he refuses, we will fight him to the death!"

"By then, even this prefect won't have it easy!"

"Big Brother is right!"

The others echoed in agreement.

Just then, a bandit rushed in panting and reported:

"Big Boss, someone down the mountain requests an audience, saying they are an envoy sent by the Imperial Court."

Lin Xiaodong's eyes flashed with sharp light as he said:

"It seems Prefect Zhao has already made his decision. Quickly, let him in!"

Moments later, Li Wenqing and Jiang Xiaomu entered the Ju Yi Ting together.

"Stronghold Chief, long time no see."

"Jiang Xiaomu smiled and clasped his hands."

"Lin Xiaodong returned the salute with a hollow smile, and said:"

"Mr. Jiang, what brings you here this time?"

"Jiang Xiaomu didn't beat around the bush and said directly:"

"Stronghold Chief, Prefect Zhao has already agreed to grant amnesty to Heifengzhai, but there is a condition..."

"Lin Xiaodong's heart clenched, and he asked:"

"What condition?"

"Jiang Xiaomu paused, then slowly said:"

"The Imperial Court wants to station troops in Heifengzhai to prevent you from harboring ulterior motives."

"As soon as he said that, the hall erupted in an uproar."

"What? Station troops? This clearly shows you don't trust us!"

"Big brother, we can't agree! This clearly is just trying to turn us into their puppets!"

"Let's fight them to the death!"

"Lin Xiaodong's face darkened; he never expected Prefect Zhao to propose such a condition."

"This isn't amnesty at all—it's basically a disguised house arrest!"

"He looked at Jiang Xiaomu and asked coldly:"

"Mr. Jiang, is this your idea?"

"Jiang Xiaomu shook his head and said:"

"Stronghold Chief, you've misunderstood; this is Prefect Zhao's intention."

"However, I think this might not be a bad thing..."

"A good thing?" Lin Xiaodong laughed in anger.

"Mr. Jiang, are you just teasing me?"

"Jiang Xiaomu still wore a smile, speaking unhurriedly:"

"Stronghold Chief, don't rush; let me explain in detail..."

"He leaned in close to Lin Xiaodong and lowered his voice to say:"

"Stronghold Chief, think about it: with the Imperial Court's great army pressing the border, how long can Heifengzhai hold out?"

"Even if Prefect Zhao didn't raise this condition, where could you flee?"

"Lin Xiaodong fell silent; he had to admit that Jiang Xiaomu's words made sense."

"Jiang Xiaomu continued:"

"Better to surrender than to make a last stand; at least you can save your lives."

"As for the Imperial Court stationing troops, you needn't worry."

"As long as you sincerely submit, the Imperial Court will naturally not mistreat you."

"Moreover, you can use this time to secretly build up your strength..."

"Lin Xiaodong listened to Jiang Xiaomu's words, and his heart began to waver."

"He turned his head to look at Zhang Hu and the others, and asked:"

"Second brother, what do you think?"

"Zhang Hu and the others exchanged glances, unable to decide for a moment."

"Finally, Zhang Hu plucked up his courage and said:"

"Big brother, I think... we should just agree."

"Better to live in disgrace than to die honorably; as long as the green hills remain, we need not fear running out of firewood."

"Nonsense!"

"A bandit with a thick face jumped up, pointing at Zhang Hu and cursing:"

"Second Boss, you're being too cowardly! When have we ever feared the authorities?"

"Even if the Imperial Court's great army presses the border, if we fight to the death, we might still have a chance!"

"A chance? What chance do you have?"

"Zhang Hu retorted without showing any weakness:"

"With just a hundred or so brothers, what do we have to fight them with?"

"You..."

"The bandit's face flushed red with anger, yet he could find no rebuttal."