Chapter 141: The World Has No Room for Benevolence and Righteousness

"My Lord, the superior officer has issued an order that the prisoners remain unrepentant and are likely to cause a massive rebellion. We are to slaughter the captives under the cover of night so we can report it as a military achievement."

"Slaughter the captives?"

Li Yi was exceedingly astonished. Pointing at the terrified and panicked prisoners, he said, "There are three thousand captives here."

The government soldier said indifferently, "This is the order of our superior. This subordinate is merely acting in accordance with instructions."

Having spoken, he stepped forward to urge the captives to move faster.

A middle-aged captive seemed to sense something. Without hesitation, he snapped his wrist to break free from the ropes, his face filled with panic as he tried to flee.

However, government soldiers surrounded him on all sides.

He had barely run a few dozen paces when a government soldier struck him down with a long spear, crying out for mercy with a face full of terror.

"Exalted military officers, this humble person is not a bandit. I am merely a traveling peddler who was coerced by the bandits. I beg you, spare my life."

The middle-aged captive knelt on the ground, kowtowing desperately.

Yet the government soldiers completely ignored him. Dragging him to the roadside like a dead dog, they drew their waist sabers.

The middle-aged captive sat paralyzed on the ground, terror covering his face, his eyes dilated in utmost fear.

Without a moment of hesitation, the soldier kicked him down, thrust a waist saber straight into the middle-aged captive's chest, and then slashed fiercely, severing the head with its expression of utter despair.

Seeing the soldiers commit murder, the surrounding captives instantly plunged into chaos.

The soldiers stepped forward one after another, using long spears and waist sabers to suppress them.

The screams, pleas, and curses of the captives blended together, turning the entire scene into a human tragedy.

"Stop."

Li Yi stepped forward to block the soldiers, shouting aloud, "Hold your hands for a moment. I will go pay my respects to the Administration Commissioner and beg him to rescind the order."

At that moment, a squad of cavalry galloped up.

He Renlong, who led them, saw Li Yi and sneered, "I wondered who was causing a disturbance, and lo and behold, it is you."

Seeing that He Renlong was in charge of the massacre, Li Yi's heart sank.

Nevertheless, for the sake of those three thousand-odd lives, he cupped his fists and said, "Commander He, slaughtering captives brings misfortune. Furthermore, these captives are mostly refugees coerced by the bandits. Please delay your actions and allow me to seek an audience with the Administration Commissioner."

He Renlong sat upright in his saddle, looking down at Li Yi from on high with a face full of mockery.

"Slaughtering captives is an order issued by the Administration Commissioner. What kind of thing do you think you are, daring to order me around?"

Beside him, Gao Laoshi's face darkened as he gripped the hilt of his saber, staring intently at He Renlong.

Li Yi pressed down on Gao Laoshi's hand, signaling him not to act rashly.

Seeing this, He Renlong felt an immense sense of gratification in his heart.

Pointing his riding crop at Li Yi, he arrogantly said, "You, Li Yi, are hardly qualified to make me spare these captives. Wait until you actually secure a written decree from the Administration Commissioner before you put on this hypocritical display of bodhisattva-like compassion."

Li Yi said calmly, "Slaughtering captives is inauspicious, and the imperial court will not condone it either. Commander He, what you are doing will only provoke the wrath of both gods and men."

"Trying to frighten me, are you?"

He Renlong glared, his expression fierce as he said, "Those rules are worth a damn. With the backing of the Administration Commissioner, what does bearing three thousand human lives matter? They are nothing more than a bunch of damned, lowly commoners. I refuse to believe anyone truly cares about them."

With that, he lashed his riding crop fiercely against a nearby soldier, cursing angrily, "What are you dazing off for? Drive these lowly wretches to the earthen pit. I am still waiting to go back and drink."

Urged on by He Renlong, the soldiers drove the captives forward with even greater brutality.

Many who refused to cooperate were directly cut down with a saber, leaving their twitching corpses to lie in pools of blood while no one cared.

Li Yi stood on the spot with a livid face, looking at the crying and wailing captives, yet feeling entirely powerless.

"Commander, this is undoubtedly the order of the Administration Commissioner. We would do better not to meddle," Gao Jie said cautiously.

Li Yi was not a saint; on the battlefield where it was kill or be killed, any method of combat was acceptable.

However, to completely massacre three thousand surrendered captives—many of whom were innocent commoners coerced into joining—was something he simply could not accept.

As for another reason, Li Yi also hoped to elevate his influence among the rebel forces by rescuing this group of captives, making it easier to expand his strength in the future.

After pondering for a moment, Li Yi said in a deep voice, "I am going to see the Administration Commissioner. You all return first."

Gao Jie said anxiously, "Commander, if you do this, you will offend the Administration Commissioner. A promotion is well within our grasp; why create extra complications at a time like this?"

Hearing these remarks, Li Yi looked at Gao Jie and pointed at the terrified captives.

"Extra complications? These are more than three thousand human lives, and most of them are commoners who turned to banditry only because they could no longer survive. They have already surrendered; no matter what, we cannot slaughter them. If this continues, who will ever dare to surrender in the future? Gao Jie, mark my words. Under my command, the slaughter of captives will never be permitted. Do not blame me for disregarding old ties if it happens."

Having coldly dropped these words, Li Yi turned and walked straight away.

Passing through several sentry checkpoints, Li Yi entered the central army camp to request an audience with Hong Chengchou.

Commander Yang of the standard battalion walked out and lowered his voice, "Commander Li, the Administration Commissioner is in a foul mood. You had best return."

The captives were being driven toward the earthen pit and would be slaughtered at any moment; how could Li Yi possibly turn back?

After a moment of thought, he turned and went to the encampment of the Yichuan local militia.

Upon hearing of Li Yi's visit, Wang Zheng hurriedly had his personal guards invite him in.

"Li Yi, you have achieved a great merit this time, and this old man has yet to congratulate you," Wang Zheng said with a smile.

Li Yi smiled bitterly, "I would rather forgo this great merit than see the men under my command suffer such heavy casualties."

Wang Zheng sighed, "You possess a heart of benevolence, but alas, this world has no room for such benevolence."

Li Yi had no time for pleasantries and went straight to the point, "Elder Wang, I came here so late because there is a matter I wish to discuss with you. Are you aware that the Administration Commissioner has ordered the execution of all captives overnight?"

"What? Slaughtering captives brings misfortune. Why would the Administration Commissioner issue such an order?"

Wang Zheng was, after all, a scholar and a Catholic; he simply could not accept such barbarous and cruel actions.

"Upon learning of this, I wanted to persuade the Administration Commissioner, but he was unwilling to see me. I fear my words alone carry little weight, so I wish to invite Elder Wang to come with me."

Wang Zheng said without a moment's hesitation, "In a matter such as this, this old man cannot shirk responsibility. You and I shall go pay our respects to the Administration Commissioner right now."

Inside the central military tent, Hong Chengchou was reviewing official documents.

The reason he was unwilling to see Li Yi was precisely to use this opportunity to discipline him and force him to submit.

Although Li Yi had repeatedly rejected his recruitment and had once nearly ruined his grand plans, elite troops were common, but exceptional generals were rare. Hong Chengchou greatly admired Li Yi's martial prowess and military strategy.

He understood that he would likely need to command large armies in the future, and having Li Yi assist him would be like adding wings to a tiger.

"My Lord, Elder Wang and Li Yi have come together to seek an audience," Commander Yang said cautiously.

Hong Chengchou was slightly stunned.

Though Wang Zheng's official rank was not high, he held immense influence within the academic circles of the Western learning spreading eastward.

In this campaign to annihilate Wang Zuogua, the Yichuan local militia under Wang Zheng's command had also contributed greatly. He could not afford to disregard Wang Zheng's face.

"Let them enter."

Li Yi and Wang Zheng walked into the tent.

Hong Chengchou stood up with a smile on his face, walked over to the desk, and said, "Why has Elder Wang come so late at night?"

Wang Zheng glanced at Li Yi, cupped his hands, and said, "Administration Commissioner, this old man has heard that you have given the order to slaughter all the captives. I wonder if there is any truth to this?"

Hong Chengchou's expression became somewhat unnatural.

Slaughtering captives was hardly a commendable act, and sending He Renlong to execute it in the middle of the night was meant to minimize trouble. He had not expected the news to leak out anyway.

Shooting a cold and piercing glance at Li Yi, Hong Chengchou said in a deep voice, "Regarding the matter of the captives, this official was driven to it by necessity. Three thousand bandits consume vast amounts of money and grain daily, and if anything went wrong, it could easily trigger a military mutiny. Even if handed over to local officials for resettlement, their bandit natures remain unrepentant; once the main army departs, they are bound to rebel anew. It is for this reason that I reluctantly issued this order."

Wang Zheng shook his head and said, "Administration Commissioner, slaughtering captives brings misfortune. Furthermore, these captives are all destitute refugees and subjects of the Great Ming. While resettlement may be difficult, we cannot simply resort to wholesale slaughter, for it harms the harmony of heaven."

"Elder Wang is mistaken. I was ordered to annihilate the bandits for the very purpose of stabilizing the situation. Only by killing these bandits as a deterrent will the common people dare not turn to banditry, and the government troops can achieve a lasting solution. In the face of the grand situation, a certain amount of bloodshed is unavoidable."

Left speechless, Wang Zheng looked toward Li Yi standing nearby.

Just as Li Yi was about to speak, Hong Chengchou said impatiently, "Commander Li, this is a matter of state and military importance. You are merely a lowly sixth-rank military officer; it is not your place to speak here."

A moment later, Li Yi and Wang Zheng walked out of the central military tent.

Wang Zheng sighed, "The heart of the Administration Commissioner is as hard as stone. To achieve a permanent solution, he is determined to drive the bandits to extinction. It seems no one can persuade him."

Thinking of those three thousand wailing and despairing captives, Li Yi felt utterly exhausted in both body and mind, yet entirely helpless.

After pondering for a while, he bade farewell to Wang Zheng, returned to his encampment briefly, and then headed once more toward the central camp.

Inside the military tent, Liu Zhongzhou was somewhat surprised to hear of Li Yi's visit.

The two of them bore grudges against each other; why would Li Yi suddenly come to visit him so late at night?

Driven by curiosity, Liu Zhongzhou granted Li Yi an audience.

Upon entering, Li Yi bowed and saluted, saying, "Inspector, this subordinate is visiting late at night because I have a favor to ask."

Liu Zhongzhou said in a cold tone, "This inspector is bound by law and duty and has never done personal favors. Commander Li should take his leave."

This remark was entirely hypocritical, for the very reason Liu Zhongzhou had previously subjected Li Yi to all sorts of obstructions was due to the requests of Yan Zibin and Ai Yingjia.

Yet at this moment, he put on the air of an upright and impartial official enforcing the law.

"Bring it in."

At Li Yi's low shout, two soldiers of the Crush-Gold Army carried in a large chest.

Liu Zhongzhou had initially worn the expression of an incorruptible judge, but upon seeing the chest brimming with gold and silver jewelry, his heart skipped a beat, and his eyes filled with greed.

Giving a slight cough, he stared fixedly at the gold and silver treasures and asked in a low voice, "What is the meaning of this, Commander Li?"

Li Yi stated bluntly, "The Administration Commissioner has ordered the execution of all captives. Elder Wang and I feel that slaughtering captives brings misfortune, but the Administration Commissioner clings stubbornly to his course. My purpose in coming here is to ask the Inspector to step forward and persuade him."

Liu Zhongzhou had not expected it to be this matter. He asked with a face full of confusion, "Are there relatives or friends of yours among the captives?"

Li Yi shook his head.

"Is it that you want to recruit soldiers from among the captives?"

Li Yi shook his head once more.

Liu Zhongzhou was greatly surprised. "You bring forth so much wealth merely to save these captives, yet you ask for nothing in return?"

Li Yi replied calmly, "I simply cannot bear to watch."

"You are indeed benevolent, but since the Administration Commissioner has made up his mind, it is difficult for this inspector to interfere arbitrarily," Liu Zhongzhou hesitated.

"The Inspector patrols the realm on behalf of the Son of Heaven, and your calling is to cherish the people as your own children. Most of these captives are coerced refugees and also subjects of the Great Ming. If they are summarily slaughtered, it will not only cause a massive uproar but will also harm the reputation of the Son of Heaven's benevolence and care for the people. When that happens, I fear the Inspector will not be able to escape responsibility either."

Liu Zhongzhou's expression tightened. He thought for a moment, glanced back at the chest of gold and silver jewelry, and assumed a righteous posture. "Since this is for the sake of His Majesty and for the common people, this inspector is duty-bound. I shall go persuade Administration Commissioner Hong right away."

Having spoken, he waved his hand to signal his personal guards to carry away the chest and walked straight toward the central military tent.

Hong Chengchou might disregard Li Yi's persuasion and dismiss Wang Zheng's opinions, but as the Censor-in-Chief on circuit whose duty was to monitor all officials, Liu Zhongzhou's opinions were something he could not afford to take lightly.

As soon as Li Yi secured the written decree, he vaulted onto his horse and galloped rapidly out of the military camp.

The sound of hooves thundered like rolling drums amidst churning clouds of yellow dust as Li Yi raced at full speed toward the location of the earthen pit.

In the distance, he could already see dense throngs of rebel captives gathered inside the wooden palisades.

They were unkempt and disheveled, looking with utter despair toward the government soldiers who were drawing their bows and nocking arrows, many of them closing their eyes in agony.

Just as He Renlong was about to wave his command flag, Li Yi urged his warhorse forward and shouted from the saddle, "The Administration Commissioner has ordered a suspension of the executions of the captives."

He Renlong's expression changed. Pointing his command flag at Li Yi, he said exasperatedly, "Li Yi, do not ruin my good enterprise. The Administration Commissioner would never change his order."

Li Yi reined in his warhorse, brandished the decree, and said coldly, "If Commander He does not believe it, feel free to come and read it."

Furious and humiliated, He Renlong strode forward, unwrapped the decree, and had his subordinate read it aloud.

Upon hearing its contents, he stood paralyzed on the spot, utterly devoid of his previous arrogance.

Li Yi dismounted, walked forward, tore open a section of the wooden palisade with his bare hands, and shouted, "Escort all the captives back to the main camp! No one is permitted to beat or abuse the captives arbitrarily, or they shall be dealt with according to military law."

Hearing that they were not to be killed, the captives broke into expressions of pleasant surprise. Cheers and bitter cries intertwined as they vented the complex emotions of having escaped death.

Some among the captives had seen Li Yi blocking the soldiers and delaying time for them, and they knew it was because of his intercession that they now had a reprieve.

Suddenly, one man knelt before Li Yi, kowtowing with his body pressed flat against the ground as he wept bitterly, "Thank you, Benefactor, for saving our lives."

The captives around him also reacted, dropping to their knees one after another.

In an instant, all the captives in the earthen pit were kneeling on the ground, looking at Li Yi with gratitude, engraving that handsome visage deep into their hearts.

From this moment on, by rescuing these captives, Li Yi successfully won their gratitude and trust, laying the groundwork for expanding his own strength in the future.

Amidst the cheers, only He Renlong cast a grim glance at Li Yi before turning and walking away without a word.

Wang Zheng walked up slowly, looking at the intensely emotional captives, and said to Li Yi, "After today, your reputation for benevolence will likely spread across the entire Shaanxi province."

Li Yi replied with a calm expression, "As Elder Wang said, this world has no room for benevolence. If one truly wishes to rescue the people from fire and water, what is required is to reforge the universe with blood and fire and create a brand-new world."