Chapter 370: Enforcing Family Law

Baifeng nodded: "Yes, that's right, it is about the Golden Autumn Gathering. You have been in charge of this matter, so you know the progress best. There are only a few months left now, but our teams haven't gone very far. After living the good life for too long, everyone has become a bit slack and is unwilling to take risks. This simply won't do."

Baifeng then turned around, sighed, and returned to his chair to sit down: "You also know that whether it is the Suiren Clan or the Xuanyuan Tribe, or even Chiyou and the Sanmiao Tribe thousands of miles away, they are all constantly expanding. Their progress is rapid, and they are all staking their lives on it."

"But look at us; we are too steady. Over these years, we have been steady and solid, and our foundation is strong enough, but our speed is still too slow. Our territory cannot compare to that of the Suiren Clan and the others. I even had the audacity to say that under Heaven, all land belongs to the King."

"But as this King, how much land do I really have?"

"Therefore, I must find someone who is brave enough and possesses a fighting spirit to lead a team to find that gathering location for Huaxia, or at the very least, find a few more human tribes to incorporate."

Xiong also understood Baifeng's meaning; he was that candidate now, but he was unsure if he still had the courage of a warrior to venture deep into the Wasteland.

Baifeng continued: "My original plan was to select from those young people. For the sake of status and power, combined with their hot-blooded nature, they naturally have that drive. But after all, they are young and lack experience."

"As a result, with this incident involving Shaoyin, I have no choice but to send you out. Firstly, I trust you and your ability is sufficient. Secondly, it is to shut everyone's mouths; otherwise, they might not be satisfied with this punishment result."

Xiong squeezed the muscles on his arm, then smashed his chest a few times with his fist. He knelt on one knee and said to Baifeng: "King, I am not old yet. My body is still strong; even if it meant killing an ox, it would be no problem. This mission must be carried out by me, no matter what. Beyond atonement, I also want to open up greater territory for our Huaxia."

Baifeng nodded with gratification: "With your words, I am much more at ease. For these two days, go home and spend time with your family and children first; they must be terrified now. After you return, settle everything that needs to be settled. I will order people to prepare the supply caravan, and once everything is packed, it will be time to set off. No matter the final result, even if you return empty-handed, you must return before deep Winter."

Xiong bowed again, then rose and retreated.

Baifeng rubbed his head; this matter was considered successfully resolved. The Golden Autumn Gathering was truly too important for them, because the gathering meant population and abundant produce. What Huaxia lacked most now was population. Only with enough people could they truly utilize this land.

The verdict for Shaoyin and Xiong had already been posted publicly. This was the first case of juvenile delinquency and also the first case involving an official, so everyone was very curious about how it was judged. After the notice was posted, everyone saw it and felt that this punishment was completely fine. They had thought that such high-ranking officials would not be punished, but they did not expect that they were penalized after all.

After Xiong returned home, he took out his hidden leather whip without a word. He had not used this whip for many years, but now he had to return to the fray.

Several women were terrified and at a loss, but they had no say and could only hide in the house to watch.

Second Tiger and Third Tiger were both scared stiff, and Fourth Tiger was wailing. Several daughters were pushed to their mothers' sides; although they did not have to be beaten, they had to watch and were not allowed to leave.

Shaoyin knew that even if he escaped legal punishment, a beating from his father was inevitable. After this incident, his mindset had matured a lot, so he very consciously walked over and lay down on the long bench Xiong had prepared.

The whip in Xiong's hand was raised, but then lowered. He did this back and forth several times, which only scared the women half to death. Shaoyin had already heard the sound of the whip being raised, but for a long while, he felt no pain. He guessed that perhaps his father could not bring himself to do it.

So he said very calmly: "Father, please strike. This is what I deserve. You don't have to—ah!"

Before he could finish his sentence, the whip whistled through the air and lashed onto his buttocks, kicking up a cloud of dust. Xiong said with an angry tone: "You think I'm feeling sorry for you? I just haven't decided how many lashes to give yet. Too few won't vent my anger, and I'm afraid you won't learn your lesson. Too many, and I'm afraid you won't be able to stand, and it would be too easy for you if you can't go to the Pasture to work tomorrow."

Then another lash came down: "In the Chaotang, if I didn't also feel ashamed and if the occasion wasn't inappropriate, I would have broken your legs long ago. Someone like you still wants to ride a horse? Huh?!"

Xiong aimed at the buttocks and lashed out intermittently for six strokes, stopping only when he saw blood seeping out.

Then Xiong called for the women to lift Shaoyin down and told them to help him to the Hospital to treat his external injuries. What he wanted to do was to make him suffer pain, but not to injure him.

Shaoyin endured it the whole time. His face went from flushed red to pale. He only let out short screams, but did not cry throughout the process.

Xiong felt that the anger he had suppressed for several days had been vented a little. He then pointed at Shaoyin and said: "Don't think that this matter is over just like that. I tell you, every year on this day from now on, I will give you a lash to make sure you remember this lesson firmly, until the day I die."

Shaoyin did not answer, but with trembling legs, he bowed to Xiong, and was then helped to the Hospital by his mother and a concubine.

Xiong watched Shaoyin leave, then dropped the whip, walked into the courtyard, and picked and chose under the willow tree. He selected a willow branch that was just right, snapped it off, and then looked at the remaining three brothers: "Next, come over."

The boys were very scared, but Erhu still took a step forward and obediently lay on the chair.

Xiong spoke first to educate them: "Although the King let you off, you all have responsibility, and not one of you can escape. Today I will make you learn your lesson, and make you remember firmly that not everything can be done as you please."

Then he began to lash them without mercy. After eight lashes, the willow branch snapped.

Xiong threw away the broken branch: "You are done. Reflect well at home before school starts. Apart from working and studying, you are not allowed to do anything else. Next!"

Erhu got off the chair tremblingly, walking with a slight limp, but that was just from the pain. He only suffered some superficial injuries, just redness and swelling.

Seeing that Second Tiger was not too badly off, Third Tiger was not as fearful and obediently lay on it. Xiong also picked a willow branch that was shorter and thinner than the previous one, and let Third Tiger go after it snapped as well.

No matter how young Sihu was, Xiong still had to beat him, otherwise it would be favoritism, and it wouldn't make him learn his lesson. Therefore, he chose another willow branch to conduct a profound education.