Chapter 660 - 471: Strange Army (2)

For the residents of Linjiang City, today is undoubtedly a miraculous day.

They just heard in the morning that rebels were going to attack the city, and everyone hid back home, not daring to leave the city carelessly.

"Everyone stay hidden, and don’t run around recklessly." In a dilapidated house, Zhang Laoshu anxiously comforted his family.

Although the house was dilapidated, it was cleaned thoroughly. However, the most conspicuous thing in the house was the spirit tablets in the main hall, each one polished clean and shiny as new.

His wife, pale with fright, said, "Husband, what should we do? I’ve heard that these rebels are demons who kill without blinking an eye."

"A few years ago, when there were rebellions, the village of my third aunt’s family was breached by rebels. At that time, there were almost no survivors in the entire village."

The man, though equally frightened, looked at the terrified children and could only muster up the courage to comfort them, "There are the official troops here, and we are in a county town, not some remote village. The rebels won’t breach easily."

In the distance, in a magnificent mansion, the atmosphere was similarly tense.

The servants and maids were running around like headless chickens.

Master Shen sat in the main hall, heavily thumping his cane on the floor, "What is there to panic about? Mere rebels, do they really think they can make a big splash?"

"Eldest, you take the provisions and half of the servants to help the official troops defend the city."

Hearing his father’s arrangement, Master Shen’s eldest son’s face turned pale with fear, "Fath... Father, that’s the rebels attacking the city! What if..."

Mr. Shen lamented his son’s incompetence, "How did I end up with such a fool as you?"

"Do you really think those rebels are formidable? They’re nothing but a bunch of hungry wretches who can’t even lift a hoe."

"Over the years, how many rebellions have there been? Has any succeeded? Even if they have numbers, taking down the city walls is wishful thinking."

"You at least have the Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, far superior to those rebel peasants. Plus, with the garrison’s protection, what could happen?"

"But once you help repel the rebels, assisting the official army will earn you tangible merit."

Hearing his father’s analysis, Master Shen’s eldest son’s eyes lit up more and more, "Father, you’re absolutely right. I’ll go right now."

He had been too scared to move, but upon hearing about the potential for merit, he suddenly felt invigorated.

"Second brother, you take the remaining half of the servants and watch over this house for me. If you find anyone scheming or sneaky..." Mr. Shen’s eyes flashed with a cold gleam, "Kill without mercy!"

Shen’s second son grumbled discontentedly, "Big brother gets to earn merit while I’m stuck with these trivial chores. So biased."

Mr. Shen raised his cane to strike, "You ungrateful idiot."

"If your big brother earns merit, at least the court might grant him some position. If he goes to serve as an official, whom will I entrust the household affairs to later?"

Now, Shen’s second son’s eyes also began to shine, "Understood, Father. I’ll go prepare right away."

Just when Mr. Shen was feeling smug, thinking he had covered all bases,

He suddenly heard someone outside shout, "Not good! The city is breached; the rebels are in!"

Mr. Shen couldn’t believe his ears, "How could this be? Just mere rebels, how is it possible for them to breach the county town walls?"

When he finally confirmed that the rebels had indeed entered Linjiang City, it was already too late to escape.

The only thing he could do was shut the mansion doors tightly and wait for whatever might come next.

Even Hex Chengpi didn’t expect Linjiang City to be so easy to conquer.

Just sending a few Death Warriors to seize the gate and then a charge by the main army was enough to take this iron-clad Linjiang City.

"All of this is thanks to the strategist’s planning," Hex Chengpi was so happy that he could hardly close his mouth.

Tang Jianjun’s expression was very serious, "Marshal, conquering Linjiang City is nothing; the key is what we do next."

"Do you plan to use Linjiang City as a future foothold, or just intend to loot it and leave?"

Hex Chengpi, without a second thought, replied, "Strategist, your question is strange. We are ordinary people too. The uprising was out of desperation, looking for a way to survive."

"How could we be like bandits, looting and killing indiscriminately?"

Tang Jianjun nodded silently, "If that’s the case, I’ll proceed according to the original plan."

As she said this, Hex Chengpi suddenly leaped into the air, charging toward a silhouette on the roof.

This person was his sworn brother’s murderer.

Tang Jianjun was pleased with Hex Chengpi’s response. Initially, she worried that after breaching Linjiang City, Hex Chengpi might change his mind.

After all, a county town was now before them; a little looting could grant them unimaginable wealth.

In such circumstances, people’s hearts might change.

"This guy, he really has some chivalry about him," she reflected, watching Hex Chengpi fiercely battle the enemy in the air.

Tang Jianjun calmly got back to her work.

"Order! Anyone who kills civilians dies. Anyone who loots civilians dies. Anyone who dishonors women dies!"

"All military police are charged with oversight. Anyone committing any of these three offenses, regardless of their status in the Qingshan Army, will be executed on the spot."

"Any military police who conceal or cover up violations will share the same fate!"

Tang Jianjun had emphasized these orders repeatedly even before the assault on Linjiang City.

Because her teacher had once told her, an army fighting for the people, regardless of their equipment and strength, is invincible.

Whether her teacher was right or not, Tang Jianjun didn’t know, but she believed everything her teacher said.

With the City Lord and lead general fleeing, the morale of Linjiang City’s troops plummeted.

Many pretended to resist for a bit before surrendering outright.

Those who fought to the death were few, especially with both the City Lord and lead general abandoned the battlefield.

Once Tang Jianjun gained complete control over Linjiang City, she immediately sealed off the entire city.

As for the City Lord and General Changg who escaped, the Qingshan Army had no interest in dealing with them.

After all, the city was far more significant than them.

Initially, everyone expected rampant looting and violence once the rebels took Linjiang City.

But to their surprise, none of that took place.

Throughout Linjiang City, aside from the sound of the rebels issuing orders as they moved troops, there were almost no other noises.

Many curious citizens couldn’t help but peek outside through cracks in their doors.

The Qingshan Army, dressed just like regular folks and wielding various weapons, hurried back and forth, mumbling.

"Damn, isn’t this just exhausting? We’ve already been here multiple times."

"Why do they get all the good stuff? Just for opening the gate? What’s the big deal?"

"Brothers, keep an eye out. Don’t let anyone who harms civilians or loots belongings off the hook!"

As they observed, the citizens of Linjiang City were astounded to discover that this army was unlike the rebels of legend.

Not only did they refrain from disturbing the people, but they actively maintained order in the city.

Some hooligans looking to exploit the situation were caught by the Qingshan Army and promptly beheaded on the street.

"Do you think they’re just looking for excuses to kill people?" someone speculated.

After all, they had never seen nor heard of an army that cared so much for civilians.

"Probably not. I recall the one they just executed was Cen the Third, a notorious scoundrel."

Most importantly, as the Qingshan Army carried out executions, someone announced the crimes of the offenders.

"Cen the Third, looting shops, death!"

"Fang Wu, arson, death!"

"Liu Jishan, squad leader in the Qingshan Army, dishonoring women, death!"

The mention of the last name caused a stir among the onlooking citizens.