Chapter 1464 – Overthrow Nie Liang, Attack Yang Tao, Sword Pointing to the World (4)
The waters of Zhangzhou are crisscrossed, with bandit strongholds plaguing the area, resulting in the common people suffering greatly.
When Yang Jian was still around, he led his men to raid numerous bandit strongholds in Zhangzhou.
He always charged to the front lines, beating the bandits until they cried for their mothers and saved countless common people from their torment.
Because of this, Yang Jian earned tremendous respect in Zhangzhou. After he was killed by Zhao Shao, thousands of people mourned for him. Yang Tao could firmly hold Zhangzhou and, after eliminating the fake emperor, develop with a group of loyal ministers—all thanks to the contributions of his father, Yang Jian.
Yang Jian is gone; some people mourn his loss, while others celebrate his demise.
These people are not just Yang Jian’s political enemies but also the bandits he had suppressed.
The bandits around the Zhangzhou region aren’t mere ruffians. Some were forced by circumstances to become outlaws, but many were “hereditary.” Their ancestors were bandits who forcibly took women as wives and made them bear children. When those children grew up, they inherited their fathers’ profession, robbing passing merchant ships, oppressing the common people, and abducting virtuous women to bear their children…
As the bandit population grew bolder, they became influential. During their peak, they even colluded with local officials, who secretly enjoyed bribes from the bandits, turning a blind eye to their actions. Some corrupt officials would even warn the bandits of impending danger!
After generations of accumulation, the bandit forces became a malignant tumor attached to Zhangzhou.
With a straightforward character, Yang Jian had no patience for their bribery. Throughout his life, he fought hundreds of water battles and destroyed about a hundred strongholds, with countless bandits falling under his blade. Some bandits, despite their stubbornness, ended up with their graves covered in knee-high weeds; others, admiring Yang Jian, willingly joined his ranks, marching with him in campaigns north and south.
Yang Si sighed lightly while sitting on the deck. “It truly is a pity for such a hero to die at the hands of a petty villain like Zhao Shao.”
The mountains on both banks were rolling and picturesque, with mist swirling among them while the wind filled his wide sleeves and tousled his hair. It gave him an inexplicable feeling of transcending to a higher realm. He stretched lazily, looking quite content, yet his words carried a hint of malice.
“Zhao Shao was underestimated back then,” Yang Si remarked. “If it weren’t for him, a hero like Yang Jian wouldn’t have been wasted so easily.”
Regardless of the chaos or stability of the times, a person like Yang Jian deserves accolades.
“Indeed, Yang Jian was a true hero,” Li Yun nodded in agreement. “It’s a pity our fate was so brief, only crossing paths a few times back then.”
Li Yun and Yang Si donned luxurious attire; the former appeared as a well-bred lord, while the latter resembled a sheltered young master.
They dressed this way to lure nearby bandits into a trap.
Yet, the nearby bandits were elusive, and with nothing happening, they became bored and started chatting with Qi Kuang about famous figures from Zhangzhou to pass the time. Qi Kuang’s favorite was his former superior, Yang Jian—he gushed about him with a thick layer of admiration. He recounted stories from Yang Jian’s youth, talking for an entire hour, which led to the prior reflections of Yang Si and Li Yun.
To entice the bandits, Li Yun and his group disguised themselves as a mercantile caravan. To ensure the bandits didn’t miss the word, they spread rumors early on about transporting a large quantity of grain to Zhangzhou at a high price to make a fortune from the war.
Some bandits, who prided themselves on being “righteous thieves” or proclaiming a code of conduct, despised these merchants, making it easy for them to take the bait.
At first, Li Yun was puzzled and didn’t grasp Qi Kuang’s deep intentions.
“So… will they really take the bait?”
Ten thousand stones of grain are just grain; what’s the point of advertising “sold at high prices in Zhangzhou”?
Yang Si clicked his tongue and sneered, “Han Mei doesn’t get it. Even bandits are people at the end of the day; who doesn’t care about their reputation? Robbing the common people doesn’t give them any glory, but robbing unscrupulous merchants earns them a sense of heroism. Those ‘righteous bandits’ love targeting wealthy merchants for their raids—they get the spoils and a reputation.”
With this explanation, Li Yun understood.
However—
“Bandits are still bandits; no matter what the victims did, robbing someone of their property is a crime. How can they think they’re doing good?” Li Yun frowned, looking like he could squish a mosquito with his expression. “No matter the excuse, it’s just a thin veil of shame.”
Yang Si laughed heartily.
“Your viewpoint isn’t wrong, Han Mei, but ordinary folk are easy to fool!”
Qi Kuang chimed in, “The military adviser is right; many self-proclaimed ‘righteous thieves’ in the Zhangzhou region specifically target wealthy merchants, claiming to ‘help the poor by robbing the rich’. They ‘protect’ local fishermen from other bandits, turning the grateful fishermen into their fans. Some fishermen even actively inform the bandits or set up altars to honor them…”
Li Yun shook his head. “This is quite a wonder; the common people are really too gullible.”
Yang Si said, “Han Mei, this story teaches us a lesson; can you guess what it is?”
Li Yun thought for a moment before uncertainly replying, “Reputation?”
Yang Si smiled and clapped his hands. “Correct! Whatever you do, you need to drape a good reputation as a banner over it. As long as the reputation is strong enough, even if your actions involve murder and robbery, the common people will think you’re right and applaud you.”
Li Yun remarked, “Sir, you’re encouraging bad behavior.”
Yang Si chuckled. “Encouraging bad behavior? Who am I to teach? Just look at our leader; she’s the expert!”
Doesn’t our own leader do bad things like this every time?
Li Yun’s expression darkened. “We cannot discuss our leader behind her back.”
Yang Si waved his hand. “Even if our leader hears, she wouldn’t mind.”
At that moment, Li Yun perked up, catching a whispered phrase.
“No, she has a lot to say about it.”
Li Yun shouted, “Who’s hiding there?!”
Oh no—
Busted!
Li Yun sprang up, kicked open the door, and yanked out the person hiding behind it by the collar like a cat.
“Strong man, great strength!”
Clearly caught red-handed, the person not only showed no shame but even applauded Li Yun.
Han Mei, the little angel, truly is a fine man; his strength is enviable as he effortlessly lifted someone weighing over a hundred pounds.
Yang Si couldn’t hold it in and snickered, while Li Yun’s face turned red, and Qi Kuang, though not laughing, had a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Li Yun twisted that person’s arm behind their back, scolding, “What were you eavesdropping on just now?”
