Chapter 367
Chapter 367
Shen Lang crouched before the Western merchant, the owner of the shop he had just visited, and spoke.
"Is it really a tradition in your country that sons-in-law and dogs are not allowed in shops?"
The Western merchant, trembling with fear, shook his head.
"Are sons-in-law in your country truly branded on the face, sent to the army as slaves, and abused until they die?"
Again, the Western merchant vigorously shook his head.
"Then you lied to me."
The merchant didn't know whether to nod or shake his head at this question.
"I am a merchant who came to Zhenyuan City under the orders of my king. You... you can't touch me."
He stammered.
"I am the great bandit Gou Duhuan. What does your king matter to me?"
*Damn you, then what was all that talk about sons-in-law just now!*
"Kill them all!"
At Shen Lang's command, the warriors raised their hands, and then their blades fell. Dozens of Western merchants were all killed. Only the merchant who had declared that dogs and sons-in-law were not allowed in his shop remained. He trembled all over.
*Is this pretty-boy City Lord a madman? This is Zhenyuan City. The Su Clan's stronghold. The Marquis Zhenyuan's estate is only a few dozen li from here. Is this guy insane?*
Shen Lang looked at him and asked,
"You're the one who said I should be subjected to the Human Lantern. Do you know what that is?"
The Western merchant trembled so violently he wet himself. Of course, he knew what kind of punishment the Human Lantern was. Shen Lang shouted loudly.
"Send word to all the people of Zhenyuan City to come and witness the punishment!"
A short while later, Shen Lang's cavalry galloped through the main streets and small alleys of Zhenyuan City, shouting loudly.
"Men and women, young and old of Zhenyuan City, people of Yue! The Western merchants who oppressed you are all dead. The harmful Western warriors are all dead. Now, the last remaining great Western merchant will soon face the punishment of the Human Lantern. The execution will take place at the gates of the City Lord's estate, so everyone, come and watch!"
***
Two hours later.
Thousands of citizens living within Zhenyuan City gathered at the City Lord's estate. Zhenyuan City was much larger than Xuanwu City, with tens of thousands of residents, so this crowd represented about a tenth of the population. The Western merchants, as lackeys of the Su Clan, had wielded immense power. Thus, even though Shen Lang had killed all the merchants and their warriors, the majority of the people dared not show their faces. How severely must they have been tormented to not even dare to come out when their oppressors were all dead? Who among the common folk wouldn't want to see a rare and entertaining spectacle like the Human Lantern? Yet, they couldn't bring themselves to come, fearing retaliation from the Su Clan later. Well aware of this, Shen Lang was satisfied with the turnout of several thousand.
"Light the fire!"
The order was given, the punishment of the Human Lantern was carried out, and the Western merchant was engulfed in fierce flames.
"Well done!"
Someone in the surrounding crowd of onlookers shouted first, followed by a second cry, and soon a whole group was shouting along. They all seemed enraged. Seizing the moment, Shen Lang stepped forward and shouted in a loud voice.
"Zhenyuan City is originally a city of our State of Yue, so why were Westerners allowed to trample on everyone's heads and act so arrogantly? Why did they become high and mighty, while you were forced into hard labor? How many people did they capture and enslave each year? How tragic it is that they forced you to sell your sons and daughters through usury every year! They have mountains of gold and silver piled up in their homes! I am Shen Lang, the Lord of Zhenyuan City. From this day forward, I order that all the silver hoarded in the homes of the Western merchants be distributed to you. Their wealth belongs entirely to the people of Yue. I will search the homes of the Western merchants, confiscate all their wealth, and return your share to you. If you're worried about being recognized, cover your faces with black cloth and come with me to seize their fortunes!"
Immediately after Shen Lang finished speaking, a tremor powerful enough to shake the ground erupted. Over two hundred of Shen Lang's female warriors led the thousands of Zhenyuan citizens, storming one by one into the Western merchants' shops and raiding their homes. The female warriors and the citizens plundered every last piece of gold, silver, and treasure from the homes of the merchants who had been the Su Clan's lackeys. In that short time, the entire city of Zhenyuan erupted with astonishing fervor. Countless citizens of Zhenyuan, their faces covered with black cloth, followed Shen Lang, rushing into the Western merchants' stores and looting them without restraint.
What is the way of heaven and earth? It is said to be taking from the excess to supplement the deficient. In truth, this was not a righteous act, but for Shen Lang to completely shake the entire Baiye Commandery in a short time with only a few hundred people, he had no choice but to use the most ruthless and unimaginable methods. Moreover, the Western merchants had all made their fortunes through illegal trade. They were the very people who, with the Su Clan's backing, had made the people of Yue shed tears of blood.
The number of people following Shen Lang grew and grew until it was countless. In the end, they became a surging tide, an unstoppable wave that submerged the entire city of Zhenyuan. In the blink of an eye, Zhenyuan City was plunged into darkness, as if a total lunar eclipse had occurred and consumed everything.
***
Around dusk, Su Lin returned to Zhenyuan City and was left utterly speechless, completely dumbfounded.
*D-damn it! How long have I been gone for something like this to happen? I only went to the Marquis Zhenyuan's estate, it's only been a few hours! Did the regime in Zhenyuan City change in that time? Dozens of Western merchants and hundreds of their warriors have been wiped out, and all their shops have been looted and emptied. How much have we lost? Shen Lang, you massive troublemaker. To cause such a huge storm in just one day.*
Su Lin felt his head go numb. He was now facing a huge problem. Su Lin roared in fury.
"Why didn't you stop him? We have three Registrars, three Chiliarchs, and three thousand troops at our disposal! What were you doing, not stopping him?"
"My lord, you were not here, so no one had the authority to make a decision!"
That was true. As the local tyrant of Zhenyuan City, Su Lin had always monopolized immense power. With him gone, who would dare to deploy the troops? Not unless they had a death wish.
Su Lin shouted loudly.
"Seal the city gates of Zhenyuan completely! No one is allowed in or out! Arm all three thousand private soldiers and have them ready for battle at all times!"
"Yes, sir!"
Su Lin knew that if he didn't kill Shen Lang tomorrow, his uncle would not let him off the hook.
At that moment, a Chiliarch spoke up.
"My lord, Shen Lang has only about two hundred people with him, while we have over three thousand. We can easily eliminate them. Didn't he keep saying he's Gou Duhuan, acting in the name of justice for heaven? Then our three-thousand-strong army can surround the City Lord's estate and capture this Gou Duhuan."
Another Registrar also spoke.
"The problem is that the common people are following Shen Lang and looting everywhere. Their numbers have grown to nearly ten thousand. They are just ordinary citizens, but a large number can form a powerful force."
Su Lin said,
"They are nothing more than peasants. Shen Lang has blinded them with gold, making them temporarily lose their reason and think they've become brave for a moment. But what hope does a disorderly mob have? If Shen Lang thinks he can turn the tables relying on just over ten thousand peasants, he's dreaming. Issue the order. From now on, Zhenyuan City is under both day and night curfew. No one is to step a single foot outside their door. Anyone seen on the streets of Zhenyuan, other than patrolling soldiers, will be killed on sight, no matter who they are."
"Yes, sir!"
A moment later.
"Night curfew! Day curfew! No one is to remain outside! Return home immediately! After the gong has been struck fifty times, anyone seen on the streets will be killed! Killed without mercy!"
A hundred of the Su Clan's cavalry began galloping through the main streets and small alleys of Zhenyuan City, shouting loudly.
***
Hearing the shouts of the Su Clan's cavalry, Shen Lang was surprised and intrigued. It was truly an eye-opening countermeasure. A night curfew wasn't strange, but a day curfew as well...
Just then, Shen Lang, as the Lord of Zhenyuan City, was in the middle of giving a speech (or brainwashing) to the ten thousand citizens. They had just acquired gold, silver, and jewels, and were in a state of excitement after looting all the Western merchants' shops. At such a time, Shen Lang's words had a powerful effect, enough to make even the deaf listen. Naturally, every word he shouted was met with cheers that seemed to shake the heavens, and the people all cried out in unison.
"The City Lord's might is unparalleled! Long live His Majesty the King, long live the State of Yue!"
Shen Lang shouted even louder.
"From this day forward, no one will oppress you and lord over you! You are the masters of Zhenyuan City, and this is the territory of Yue. We are proud to be the people of Yue!"
The ten thousand citizens of Zhenyuan City repeated Shen Lang's words.
"We are proud!"
"From today, I, your City Lord, am your backer! The people of Zhenyuan will never again have to sell their sons and daughters, nor will they be taken as slaves. I have so decreed! From this day on, you are my people, and I will protect you all!"
The people cried out.
"Long live the City Lord, long live!"
Just then, the thunderous sound of hooves echoed. Hundreds of cavalry arrived like lightning, blocking the people from the left, right, and rear. Over two thousand infantrymen approached them in an orderly and threatening manner. Su Lin asked calmly.
"Are you gathering a crowd to plot a rebellion?"
As soon as Su Lin spoke, the atmosphere, which had been boiling like molten iron, instantly froze as if cold water had been poured on it. Su Lin, mounted on a tall horse, said,
"Don't think that covering your faces will prevent me from recognizing you. If even one person participates in this rebellion, their entire family will be implicated. The curfew will soon be in effect. There are thirty more strikes of the gong. If you do not disperse by the time I count to five, I will deem you all rebels and have you killed! Five! Four! Three!"
Before Shen Lang could speak, Wu Lie couldn't hold back and shouted.
"People of Zhenyuan City! That man is spouting nonsense before his death. This is the Zhenyuan City Lord's estate, and the one beside me is the true Lord of Zhenyuan City! Whether it's a day or night curfew, it can only be enforced by the City Lord's order!"
The female general Han Nuo also shouted.
"Elders of our hometown, haven't you been tormented by them enough? The City Lord is backing you, hundreds of us warriors are standing before you, and there are over ten thousand of you. Are you truly afraid of their two or three thousand men?"
Wu Lie shouted loudly.
"You have weapons in your hands too! You have hoes, pitchforks, and broadswords! Follow the City Lord and fight these beasts to the end! Take up your arms and fight for your families!
And the two female warriors drew their swords with all their might.
"We may be women, but we will stand before you! People of Yue, fight with us to the end!"
The female warriors shouted with blood-boiling passion, but an awkward silence fell over the crowd. Su Lin watched the entire scene with a mocking gaze, giving the more than ten thousand people ample time to think.
*You want to follow the pretty-boy City Lord? Fine. Go ahead. Those of you who don't value your lives, follow him.*