Chapter 730

Pan Yun couldn't help laughing: "Still, my lord Yu has the broad-mindedness to face death without fear."

Yu Qian: "I'm not entirely fearless—that's why I asked Captain Fang to garrison Yushan County. If Song Dalin goes back on his word, Captain Fang will immediately lead troops to flatten Sanhu Village."

"The amnesty has been announced throughout the county. If he breaks his promise, he'll be despised by all the people. Then, if he tries to rebel again, it'll be harder than climbing to heaven."

Pan Yun: "Brilliant!"

Song Dalin would never go back on his word—he'd already prepared everything.

Yesterday, Seeing Miao Zhen brought the money and grain, and he immediately distributed it all to the men.

Whether they went home or not, everyone got one tael of silver and ten catties of rice.

"There isn't much here, brothers—you all know we're broke. Even these things came from Master Pan. He gave them so you won't go home empty-handed!" Song Dalin said. "Ten catties of rice is your food for the journey. One tael of silver is your proof to your families. When you get home, live well. If you still can't make ends meet and need to find work elsewhere, keep your eyes open—don't let yourselves be tricked into mines again like this time."

The crowd all responded in unison!

Only then did Song Dalin wave his hand, and the men lined up to collect their money and grain, then packed their belongings, ready to leave tomorrow.

The two neighboring landlords had been locked away in a distant place, far from the road. This time, they heard the crowd's shouts but couldn't make out what was being said.

"Are they leaving?"

"Is it amnesty? Didn't Master Pan say they'd offer amnesty last time?"

"Damn, this place is too far—we heard nothing at all."

Soon after, the door creaked open—Song Dalin pushed it open with a sharp slap and stepped inside.

The landlord's entire family shrank together.

Song Dalin placed his hands on his hips: "These past days, thank you, Master Wan, for your hospitality. We're about to leave, so I came to catch up."

Master Wan stiffened: "What… what is there to catch up on?"

"Plenty. You're a landlord. I used to be a tenant farmer. About farming—we've got a lot to talk about. Master Wan, I heard you're stingy…"

By the time Pan Yun and the others arrived, Master Wan had already agreed to Song Dalin's demand: reduce rents by twenty percent for his tenants, and become brothers with Song Dalin.

Of course, it was one-sided.

Because Song Dalin was happily slinging an arm around Master Wan's shoulder, while Master Wan was black-eyed and swollen-faced—only forcing a smile when Song Dalin turned to look at him.

Song Dalin even pulled Master Wan along, enthusiastically introducing him to Yu Qian.

As a well-known local landlord, Master Wan was known to Cai Cheng and the County Commandant.

The two men met Master Wan's gaze, then silently looked away.

Song Dalin grabbed Master Wan's wrist: "Come—swear before Master Pan. As long as you live, you'll charge tenants no more than fifty percent rent. Break this oath, and the Mountain God will strike you down with lightning!"

Master Wan pleaded with Cai Cheng and the Commandant, hoping they'd save him.

Yu Qian frowned: "Fifty percent? What was his rent before?"

Song Dalin: "Seventy percent."

Yu Qian: …

Yu Qian's expression softened, but his gaze was sharp. He nodded kindly at Master Wan: "Since you've agreed, swear it. Good—Cai County Magistrate and the Commandant are here to witness it."

Pan Yun stepped forward, drew a talisman in the air, then tapped her finger onto Master Wan's forehead. She nodded: "Swear."

In that instant, a chilling coolness surged from his forehead straight to his core. Deep in his soul, he felt—somehow—he would be bound by whatever he said next.

Master Wan's lips trembled, but no words came out.

"Hmm?" Song Dalin pinched a fold of fat on his waist and twisted hard.

Master Wan shrieked: "I swear! I swear! As long as I live, I'll charge tenants no more than fifty percent rent!" Pan Yun corrected: "Maximum fifty percent. No extra demands on tenants…"

Master Wan wept: "I swear! As long as I live, I'll charge tenants no more than fifty percent rent, no extra demands! If I break this oath, may I be struck by five thunderbolts!"

Pan Yun nodded in satisfaction, gently soothing him: "The oath is sealed. It's over now. I see your face is flushed, your ears full and round—you're a long-life sign. You'll easily reach seventy. Relax. Relax."

"Really?"

Pan Yun nodded firmly: "Really."

Master Wan exhaled, still sad—but less so.

Yu Qian looked at Cai Cheng and the Commandant, signaling them to produce the amnesty document.

Cai Cheng quickly handed the stamped amnesty document to Song Dalin: "Song Dalin, now call out your men."

Song Dalin glanced at the document—he couldn't read it—so he passed it to Wang Xiaojing.

Wang Xiaojing examined it carefully.

It wasn't so much an amnesty document as an amnesty decree: bearing not only the County Magistrate's seal but also Yu Qian's Imperial Envoy seal.

He quickly glanced up at Pan Yun.

Pan Yun had already scanned the document, and gave him a slight nod.

With this paper, should any official later try to settle scores, Song Dalin could use it to protect his men.

Wang Xiaojing folded the document, signaling it was valid.

Song Dalin called out—and people emerged from all around the village, gathering quickly on the open ground at the village entrance.

Yu Qian scanned them—he saw the same two hundred or so he'd met two days ago in front, but those behind were obscured by the crowd.

Song Dalin wasn't afraid of them seeing.

The first five or six hundred were all leaving with him—they'd all smeared their faces, let alone those behind.

Tattered clothes, matted hair, beards unkempt—no parent could recognize them at a glance.

Seeing their packed belongings, Yu Qian was surprised: "What's this?"

Song Dalin said: "Once you've seen it and found no problem, I'll let them go."

Yu Qian asked: "How do I know you won't regroup later? The best way would be to register your names, so our county office can visit later…"

"Regroup for what?" Song Dalin snapped. "We have no land, no fields. Do you think all these people will just stand around starving?"

He said: "My lord, we're not fools. Most of my men are from Yushan County—we're all fellow villagers. Without land, we survive by raiding. But in this small county, who isn't related? Who could we possibly rob?"

Yu Qian said nothing, only staring fixedly at Landowner Wan.

Song Dalin waved his hand and said, "Landowner Wan is different. In our county, there aren't many landowners as stingy and thoroughly corrupt as he is. How long can he support us?"

Landowner Wan: …

Pan Yun cleared her throat lightly and smiled, "If my lord trusts me, perhaps entrust this matter to my supervision—I will ensure they never gather again to harm the countryside."

Yu Qian: "Not just in Yushan County—they must not gather and travel elsewhere to endanger the Great Ming's state."

Pan Yun nodded: "Good. I will absolutely not let them endanger the Great Ming's state."

Although she omitted the first half, Yu Qian focused entirely on the second half; seeing Pan Yun willing to supervise, he lowered half his guard.

Lu Yuan had also secretly counted the numbers and whispered, "There are roughly two thousand six hundred and fifty people—very close to the estimate by Commander Fang. We've also checked the village; no one was left behind. The rest are all villagers from Sanhu Village."

Only then did Yu Qian nod and say to Song Dalin, "I'll speak a few words to them, then we'll disperse." (End of Chapter)