Chapter 150

This was the County Magistrate's deliberate act, precisely reporting the time and the beheading site, letting the angry populace come to vent.

Since these bandits are going to die soon, we might as well let the civilians vent their anger before they die—it'll also win the magistrate some favor.

Translation: "Anyway, these bandits are about to die; better to let the populace vent their anger before death, which will also earn the Prefect some goodwill."

Sure enough, that's what happened—when word got out, people flocked to the streets on their own, clutching stones, rotten eggs, and other things.

Translation: "Indeed, that is exactly what happened; upon hearing the news, the crowd spontaneously came to the streets, holding small stones, rotten eggs, and the like."

Upon seeing the situation, the soldiers hastily moved a few steps away from the bandits they were guarding.

Translation: "Seeing this situation, the soldiers quickly stepped back a few paces from the bandits they were escorting."

That move acted as a signal, and instantly a torrent of objects flew at the bandits while insults rang out across the street.

Translation: "This action served as a signal; the next moment, a barrage of objects rained down on the bandits, and curses echoed throughout the street."

"You beasts, a bunch of fatherless bastards—go die!"

Translation: "«Beasts, a bunch of bastards without parents, go die! »"

"These beasts ought to be sliced to death, cut into a thousand pieces!"

Translation: "«These beasts deserve death by a thousand cuts! »"

"When they die, they'll descend to the eighteenth level of hell, climb the Blade Mountain and plunge into the oil cauldron."

Translation: "«When they die, they'll go to the eighteenth level of hell, climb the Blade Mountain and plunge into the oil cauldron. »"

"Return my daughter's life…"

Translation: "«Return my daughter's life…»"

The bandits hung their heads, struggling to move forward; they'd been locked up for two days without a drop of water, their limbs still in shackles, making it impossible to walk any faster.

Translation: "The bandits lowered their heads, trudging forward with difficulty; they had been imprisoned for two days without water, their limbs still in shackles, making even a faster pace impossible."

The things thrown at the bandits differed: some were foul-smelling rotten eggs, others carried chamber pots waiting for the perfect moment to douse the bandits, and still others used slingshots to hurl pebbles.

Translation: "The objects hurled at the bandits varied: some were nauseating rotten eggs, others came from people holding chamber pots, waiting for the right moment to splash the bandits, and still others brought slingshots loaded with shattered stones."

The troops had long been instructed to let the people vent their anger and not to intervene.

The soldiers had long been ordered to let the people vent their anger and not to stop them.

Translation: "The soldiers had received orders early on to let the populace vent, not to interfere."

If a few bandits die before reaching the execution site, it doesn't matter; there are plenty more.

Translation: "If any bandit died before reaching the execution grounds, it wouldn't matter—after all, there are dozens of them!"

Many expert slingshot users in the crowd took aim at the bandits' eyes or lower body, pulling the sling to its maximum before letting go.

Translation: "Many skilled slingshot users in the crowd aimed at the bandits' eyes or lower body, often pulling the band to its fullest before releasing."

Soon the bandits were howling in pain—seven or eight were struck down by stones before reaching the execution site, and the rest were all injured.

Translation: "In a short time, the bandits wailed across the field; seven or eight were struck down by stones before reaching the execution site, and the rest were all wounded."

These bandits genuinely regretted it, wondering why they hadn't heeded the junior chief's advice that day, unable to restrain their lust, and now they've met this fate.

Translation: "These bandits truly regretted their actions, wondering why they hadn't listened to the junior chief that day, when they couldn't control their lower half, leading to this predicament."

Only when all the bandits had knelt at the execution ground, waiting to be beheaded, did the magistrate and governor appear together.

Translation: "Only after all the bandits had knelt together at the execution grounds awaiting beheading did the County Magistrate and the Prefect appear together."

The governor raised his hand at the clamoring crowd, and the people gradually fell silent.

Translation: "The Prefect raised his hand toward the noisy crowd, and the people gradually quieted."

"Since this year, bandits have sprung up all over the northern frontiers; these mountain bandits have looted women and children, ravaged the countryside, and their actions are despised by gods and men alike! My Shuo Fang Commandery has always had orders to suppress bandits, which is why we've managed to enjoy a few peaceful days."

Note: need to keep quotes.

"But I never imagined these bandits would stage a night attack on Ziyun City; despite the defenders' desperate fight, the cunning bandits still caused an unforgivable grave error, for which I deeply apologize."

Translation: "«I never expected these bandits to launch a night raid on Ziyun City; although the guards fought desperately, the cunning bandits still caused an unforgivable grave mistake, for which I deeply apologize. »"

"That day, the guards killed 137 bandits on the spot and captured 80; under the Great Qian law, their crime calls for execution!"

Translation: "«That day, the guards beheaded 137 bandits on the spot and captured eighty; according to Da Qian law, their crime warrants death! »"

"Execute them on the spot!"

Translation: "«Execute them immediately! »"

"No sooner had he spoken than the governor produced a pre-prepared document, signaling an aide to post it at the market gate; it bears the governor's seal, is kept on file, and must also be reported to the Crown Prince and the King of the North to ensure everything is proper and compliant."

Translation: "«As soon as his words fell, the Prefect produced a pre‑drafted document, signaling the attendant to post it at the market entrance; it bears the Prefect's seal, is kept on file, and must be reported to the Crown Prince and the Prince of the North to ensure everything is proper and compliant. »"

"Hearing this, the crowd burst into applause, shouting excitedly."

Translation: "«Hearing this, the crowd clapped in unison, excitedly shouting aloud! »"

"Good!"

Translation: "«Good! »"

"This is truly the parent-official we commoners need!"

Translation: "«This is truly the parent‑official of us commoners! »"

"My daughter, you can finally rest in peace… sob…"

Translation: "«My daughter, you can finally rest… sob…»"

"Seeing the positive effect, the governor immediately pressed his advantage, saying: \"This time the bandits' rebellion destroyed many houses; Shuo Fang Commandery will fund the repairs so the people can quickly regain peace. \""

Translation: "«Seeing the positive effect, the Prefect immediately pressed on: «This time the bandits' rebellion destroyed many houses; Shuo Fang Prefecture will fund the repairs, ensuring the populace quickly regains peace. »»"

"Actually, the money came from the governor's own pocket; he had the soldiers tally the damage, and the number of destroyed houses wasn't large."

Translation: "«In fact, this money comes from the Prefect's own pocket; he has already had the soldiers tally the damaged houses, which are not many. »"

"Many were just broken doors; fixing them wouldn't cost much, and it would give him a good reputation—why not do it?"

Translation: "«Many are merely broken doors; repairing them costs little, and it also gives him a good reputation—why not? »"

"This remark made the people cheer and leap for joy, instantly hailing the governor as a great and just magistrate."

Translation: "«These words made the crowd cheer even more, for a moment calling the Prefect a great and just magistrate. »"

"The executioners had long been ready; upon receiving the governor's order, they all grasped their beheading swords, took a sip of wine and sprayed it on the blades, then prepared to begin."

Translation: "«The executioners had long been ready; upon receiving the Prefect's order, they all grasped their beheading swords, took a sip of wine and sprayed it on the blades, then prepared to act. »"

"Since public beheadings are rare in Ziyun City—hardly one per year—there are only five executioners, so each must today chop off roughly a dozen heads on average."

Translation: "«Because executions are rare in Ziyun City, there are only five executioners; thus each must today behead roughly a dozen heads on average. »"

"To keep the blades from curling, each executioner prepared at least three beheading swords."

Translation: "«To prevent the blades from chipping, each executioner readied at least three beheading swords. »"

"The time has come! Carry out the execution!"

Translation: "«The time has come! Carry out the execution! »"

"Following the governor's cue, the magistrate finally got a chance to step forward."

Translation: "«Under the Prefect's indication, the County Magistrate finally got a chance to appear. »"

"When the moment of life and death arrived, many bandits wept bitterly, repeatedly kowtowing to the governor begging for mercy."

Translation: "«When the moment of life and death truly arrived, many bandits wept bitterly, kowtowing repeatedly to the Prefect in plea for mercy. »"

"Please, sir, spare my life!"

Translation: "«Please, sir, spare my life! »"

"I know I was wrong; we too are subjects of the Great Qian dynasty!"

Translation: "«I know I was wrong; we too are subjects of the Da Qian dynasty! »"

"I will reform, don't kill me! Please!"

Translation: "«I will reform, don't kill me! Please! »"

"No one would believe what these bandits say, because they know the bandits aren't admitting fault—they just know they're about to die."

Translation: "«No one would believe the bandits' words, for they know the bandits aren't admitting fault—they merely know they are about to die! »"

"Just as the executioner raised his sword, a city guard soldier rushed in to report: \"Report to the governor and magistrate, those bandits have come back! \""

Translation: "«Just as the executioners raised their swords, a city guard soldier hurried forward to report: «Report to the Prefect and County Magistrate: those bandits have returned! »»"

"\"What? \" the magistrate exclaimed, his face showing shock, and he quickly rose to look at the captain."

Translation: "««What? » the County Magistrate exclaimed, his face showing shock, and he quickly rose to look at the captain. »"

"The captain also stood up and asked the guard soldier: \"What's the situation? Report quickly! \""

Translation: "«The captain also rose, asking the guard soldier: «What's the situation? Report quickly! »»"

"\"The bandits who had fled the city that day have now returned and are attacking the city gate! \" the guard soldier reported truthfully."

Translation: "«The bandits who fled the city that day have now come back fighting, and are currently assaulting the city gate! » the guard soldier reported truthfully. »

"\"Upon hearing that the bandits were assaulting the city, the captain immediately grabbed his weapon, bowed to the governor and magistrate, and said: \"I'll go check the situation; please, governor and magistrate, remain calm and don't panic. \"\""

Translation: "«Upon hearing that the bandits were attacking the city, the captain immediately grabbed his weapon, cupped his fists to the Prefect and County Magistrate, and said: «I'll go check the situation first; please, Prefect and Magistrate, remain calm. »»"

"The governor nodded in agreement; seeing this, the captain immediately mustered men and ran toward the city gate."

Translation: "«The Prefect nodded in assent; seeing this, the captain immediately mustered men and ran toward the city gate. »"

"The people's hearts, just calmed down, suddenly panicked again; even a few turned and fled toward their homes."

Translation: "«The populace, just calmed down, suddenly panicked again; even a few turned and fled toward their homes. »"

"\"These thieves have gall! \""

Translation: "«These bandits have gall! »"

"\"The governor angrily slammed his fist on the table, thinking: \"All this effort of mine might be for nothing! \"\""

Translation: "«The Prefect angrily slammed his fist on the table before him, thinking: «All this effort of mine might be wasted! »»"

"\"Beads of sweat appeared on the magistrate's forehead; unaware of the situation at the city gate, he felt anxious. \""

Translation: "«Beads of sweat appeared on the County Magistrate's forehead; unaware of the situation at the gate, he felt anxious. »"

"\"The several dozen guards accompanying the governor formed a tight ring around him, standing ready to await news. \""

Translation: "«The dozens of guards the Prefect had brought formed a tight ring around him, standing ready to await word. »"

"\"Even among the people, many clever individuals saw this and thought: \"Going home to wait is nowhere near as safe as staying by the governor's side. \"\""

Translation: "«Among the populace, many perceptive individuals saw this scene and thought: «Going home to wait is safer than staying near the Prefect. »»"

"\"Thus a group of people moved closer to the governor, hoping that if the bandits attacked, his guards could repel them. \"\""

Translation: "«Thus a group of people moved closer to the Prefect, hoping that if the bandits attacked, his guards could repel them. »"

"\"Quite the opposite, the bandits, feeling the relief of having survived, had many of them kneeling on the spot, gasping for breath. \"\""

Translation: "«The bandits felt the opposite; the sense of having survived a disaster caused many to kneel on the spot, gasping for breath. »"

"\"One bandit shed useless tears, choking out: \"Big… big chief has come to save us! \"\""

Translation: "«One bandit shed tears of helplessness, choking out: «Big… Big Chief has come to save us! »»"

"\"Another bandit exclaimed joyfully: \"I knew the big chief wouldn't abandon us! \"\""

Translation: "«Another bandit exclaimed joyfully: «I knew the Big Chief wouldn't abandon us! »»"

"\"Only the bandit who had followed the White-foreheaded Tiger for a long time looked worried; he knew well the strength of the Tiger's Lair, that day's casualties were horrendous, and since he and his comrades had been captured, the Tiger's Lair's fighting strength now likely numbers less than a hundred. \"\""

Translation: "«Only the bandit who had long followed Bai'e Hu showed worry; he clearly knew the strength of Menghuzhai, which suffered heavy casualties that day, and since he and his comrades were captured, Menghuzhai's fighting force is likely now under a hundred. »"

"\"After taking a deep breath, he muttered to himself: \"Big chief, you shouldn't have come! \"\"

Translation: "«After taking a deep breath, he murmured: «Big Chief, you shouldn't have come! »»"

Outside the city gate, Bai'e Hu rode ahead on horseback, with several people holding a round log close behind, to be used for smashing open the gate.

During the day the city gate is normally wide open; just now the soldiers on the wall, seeing the situation turn unfavorable, hurriedly closed the gate.

And Bai'e Hu wants to seize this chance; while the obstacles inside the gate have not yet been fully placed, it is the best moment to smash the gate in one go.

If this chance is missed, the soldiers on the wall only need to keep shooting arrows, and they can rain down arrows to kill us all.

"Ram it!"

As the distance to the gate closes, Bai'e Hu raises his great sword and charges; the next moment the log flies straight into the gate.

"Dong~~"