My younger brother Lü Fengxian

Chapter 252: Subjugating Cao Xing

"Ok?"

"What's going on?"

Seeing this, Lu Yi was speechless.

"Your Excellency, please spare his life!"

Just as he was hesitating whether to continue leading the charge, Chen Gong and Gao Lan, who had actually passively captured the group of bandits, saw this and were worried that Lu Yi's sword was too fast and would kill all the captives, so they hurriedly came up with Cao Xing.

"Why is this?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yi immediately ordered to stop the charge.

The soldiers of the Xianzhen Camp, who were full of fighting spirit, demonstrated good military qualities at this moment.

It has completely transformed from a caravan guard into a capable army.

After receiving Lu Yi's order, although he felt a little unwilling, he still obediently reined in his horse and stopped, waiting for Lu Yi's next command.

"The thing is like this..."

After Chen Gong successfully calmed Lu Yi down, he immediately explained the whole story in a few brief words.

"You mean, after the bandit leader heard that you were members of the Lu family caravan, he surrendered on his own initiative?"

Lu Yi was also a little surprised when he heard this.

This familiar feeling seems a bit like déjà vu.

Thinking carefully, a handsome face immediately appeared in my mind.

"Why do I feel like I'm seeing Zhen Yi?"

"Where is the thief leader now? Bring him up here to talk!"

Lu Yi suppressed the strange feeling in his heart and gave an order to Chen Gong. Then Cao Xing, who had surrendered voluntarily, was brought to Lu Yi's horse.

"Are you the bandit leader who has been occupying Pingcheng for many days?"

"Why did you surrender upon hearing my name?"

Lu Yi looked at the bandit leader who came up to him and then knelt down in front of him obediently, and asked with a little confusion.

"I heard that you were coming to attack, and I dared not resist. I only regret that I did not know about it in advance. Otherwise, why would you personally lead the troops to attack? I will tie my hands and throw myself in front of you!"

Cao Xing was extremely excited when he saw Lu Yi, who was just as heroic as the rumors said, and the nearly a thousand mighty armored cavalrymen behind him.

"Oh?"

"Who are you? Why do you know my name?"

Seeing that the bandit leader seemed to know him, Lu Yi asked curiously.

"I am from a county near Pingcheng. My name is Cao Xing. I have loved wielding swords and guns since I was a child, especially bows and arrows. I have often heard of the reputation of your two brothers before. You are the best heroes in Bingzhou. Now, after the Battle of Pingcheng, your reputation has spread throughout Hebei. You are already recognized as the best hero in Hebei."

"Your Excellency fought in the Battle of Pingcheng and saved the people from disaster. You are truly a hero. I have always admired you, but I regret that I have no chance to see your true face."

"Today I get to see the true face of a hero, I have no regrets even if I die!"

When Lu Yi saw Cao Xing's excited expression, he already felt like one of those fanatical fans of his in his previous life.

"Cao Xing?"

Suddenly, Lu Yi came back to his senses and immediately realized that the Cao Xing in front of him was most likely one of the eight generals under Lu Bu in history.

Historically, when Hao Meng rebelled, Hao Meng's subordinate Cao Xing, who despised Hao Meng's betrayal, led his people to defeat Hao Meng and helped Lu Bu put down the Hao Meng Rebellion.

He is a loyal minister who can be compared with Cheng Lian.

Moreover, he is an expert in martial arts, especially archery.

During the battle with Cao Cao, he once shot an arrow into the left eye of Xiahou Dun, a general under Cao Cao, forcing him to utter the famous saying "Father's sperm and mother's blood cannot be discarded". He then pulled out the arrow and swallowed his own left eye, which was an amazing feat. It can be said that he had outstanding military achievements.

He is a rare and powerful general.

However, after Lu Yi traveled through time, although Hao Meng still died in rebellion according to the trajectory of his life, he missed the talented Cao Xing.

Lu Yi once felt a little regretful about this.

Unexpectedly, Cao Xing would fall into the trap today. This can be regarded as a special connection of fate.

"I see!"

Lu Yi suddenly understood what was said.

"Since you know my name, you should know that I hate criminals the most. You have occupied the mountains and robbed merchants. Now that I have captured you, you should beheaded as a warning to others. However, considering that you took the initiative to surrender, I believe there must be some reason. Do you have anything to say?"

Although Cao Xing is a talented person, he also has a very good character.

However, this man was now openly following the enemy, and it would be inappropriate for Lu Yi to accept him without asking any questions. Therefore, Lu Yi decided to give Cao Xing a chance to defend himself.

Cao Xing, who had always had a fanatical look on his face, immediately had his eyes filled with hatred and rage when he heard this.

He told the whole story of how he went from being a good citizen to breaking through the fort and becoming the king of the mountain, which made Chen Gong, Gao Shun, Gao Lan and others sigh.

Even the murderous intent in the hearts of the eight hundred soldiers of the Xianzhen Camp turned into sympathy and relief when they heard this.

The sympathy is because their original life trajectories are almost the same as Cao's nature.

It’s all the same poverty and the same difficulties.

When all a person's ways of survival are blocked, then crime becomes the only way for that person to survive.

If they had not met Lu Yi, their life experiences would have been roughly similar to that of Cao Xing.

Therefore, their happiness also comes from this.

"My family was originally quite wealthy, otherwise I would not be able to support myself with weapons. However, most of my neighbors in the village have no food or clothing because of the Xianbei Rebellion. The rich family in the village has full grain warehouses in the fortress, and some of the grain has even rotted, but he still hoards it and watches us neighbors starve to death, rather than selling it at a fair price."

"Therefore, I didn't want my neighbors to eat each other's children, so I led the others to kill the rich man, broke into the fortress and stole the food. Once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back. I have committed a crime and can only flee to the mountains and become a bandit."

"Today, you are leading the army to suppress the rebellion, which is your duty. Cao is the only evildoer, and the rest of the people were coerced by me. Please forgive these people and let them go home, considering that I fell into your trap!"

Cao Xing spoke, his tone becoming lonely.

He didn't expect that after finally meeting his idol, he would end up in this situation.

"I know everything that happened."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yi pondered for a moment, suddenly dismounted from his horse, came to Cao Xing, and personally helped him up.

"Although you killed people and robbed goods, it is understandable."

"However, the court has its own laws, and I cannot openly seek personal gain. I can only take you back to Pingcheng and execute you to uphold the law of the country."

When Cao Xing heard that Lu Yi still wanted to kill him, his expression did not change. He just smiled sadly.

"It is a worthy death for Cao Xing to die in your hands!"

"I just don't know how you will deal with the rest of the people?"

"As for the others, considering that they were coerced by you, I will forgive them for this time."

"But the death penalty can be avoided, but the living crime cannot be escaped. Now that Pingcheng is in chaos and the population has dropped sharply, I will incorporate them into the military settlement as residents. On the one hand, this will allow them to atone for their sins, and on the other hand, it will give them a way to survive, so that they don't have no food or clothing and die of hunger and cold."

Lu Yi nodded and promised him.

"Finally, we have found a way for the villagers to survive. Cao Xing's life is worth it!"

Chen Gong, Gao Lan and Cao Xing were also acquainted with each other. Seeing this, they were shocked and hurried forward to dissuade Lu Yi from getting up.

"grown ups!"

"Cao Xing also had his own reasons. No matter what, he saved more than a thousand people. Considering his sincerity, it would be better to pardon his death penalty."

Chen Gong advised again and again.

"Sir, Cao Xing is no less brave than Lan, and is a capable general. Now is the time for you to use him, so why not keep him in your tent and use him!"

Gao Lan also knelt down beside Cao Xing and pleaded for him.

"You..." Seeing this, Cao Xing was moved and looked at Lu Yi with hope.

"The law of the country is ruthless. As the county magistrate of Pingcheng, I am in charge of the area on behalf of the emperor. How can I be partial to someone?"

"Press it down..."

Lu Yi sighed, but still didn't change his mind.

"This……"

Chen Gong sighed upon hearing this, but still respected Lu Yi's decision and ordered his men to tie up Cao Xing, who also had a disappointed look on his face, and hold him down.

"Since the bandit leader Cao Xing has been captured, we will destroy the bandit's den today, burn down the den, and return to Pingcheng with the loot!"

After tying up the thousand captives, Lu Yi led his men to attack Cao Xing's lair.

After Cao Xing came forward to persuade them to surrender and Lu Yi promised that he would not harm their lives, all the remaining bandits surrendered.

At this point, this group of thousands of bandits was wiped out by Lu Yi in one day.

When Lu Yi returned the next day with his elite Xianzhen Camp, escorting more prisoners than the entire Pingcheng, it immediately caused a sensation throughout Pingcheng.

"The prestige of the county lord is indeed extraordinary. Such a fierce bandit can be wiped out in one day. From now on, Pingcheng will have nothing to worry about!"

When Huang Song heard that Lu Yi would return from suppressing the bandits in just one day, he was shocked and immediately led the gentry and officials of Pingcheng out of the city to welcome him.

The people of Pingcheng also felt sincere awe for the county magistrate, who had done so many amazing things only a few days after taking office.

After returning to Pingcheng, Lu Yi immediately tried in public these bandits who were originally civilians but were forced into desperate situations by evil gentry and local tyrants because they had no other way to survive.

Except for the bandit leader Cao Xing who was about to be beheaded in public, the rest of the captives were stripped of their civilian status and Lu Yi was incorporated into the military settlement.

As a result, the one thousand people who were supposed to pay taxes and perform labor service to the court were erased from the official records of the Han Dynasty.

Became a non-existent person.

And the output of these non-existent people will naturally be recorded in Lu Yi's pocket.

However, Lu Yi was still much better than the local tyrants and evil gentry who had forced them into taking risks. According to the rules of the five hundred servants who had been redeemed by Lu Wu before, they would not only have enough food to eat, but if they performed well, they would not only be rewarded with money by Lu Yi, but also have the opportunity to become free men again.

Of course, even if they regain their freedom, they will still not exist in any official Han documents and will still be non-existent people.

After the verdict was announced.

Lu Yi immediately beheaded Cao Xing in public, in front of nearly a thousand people in Pingcheng and more than a thousand captives who had been converted into Lu Yi's settlements, all with different looks on their faces.

Everyone saw with their own eyes that the prisoner on the platform was beheaded after the executioner executed the crime.

However, in order to avoid the scene being too bloody and disturbing the people of Pingcheng, Lu Yi had all the prisoners in the city wear hoods so that no one could see his appearance.

In this way, no major incidents were caused.

After the execution.

The crowd gradually dispersed, and Pingcheng finally returned to peace.

If nothing unexpected happens, this small border town will slowly become prosperous with the wheel of history, and a hundred years later, it will become the capital of several alien separatist regimes.

However, because of the appearance of Lu Yi.

The history that was originally destined began to become confusing.

The certain future will eventually become completely fragmented.

……

The night gradually deepened
There was still light inside the county government office in Pingcheng.

After Lu Yi officially took office, he valued time very much and often worked late into the night to handle official business. The people around him had become accustomed to it.

They all felt admiration for this new county magistrate who was dedicated to his duties.

However, tonight Lu Yi did not check or process official documents, but looked at a hooded prisoner kneeling in front of him with great interest.

Lu Yi nodded to Gao Shun in the hall. The latter understood and immediately stepped forward and pulled off the prisoner's hood, revealing his true face.

It was none other than Cao Xing, the bandit leader of Pingcheng who was supposed to have been beheaded in broad daylight.

"Ok?"

"I'm not dead?"

After seeing the light of day again, Cao Xing suddenly reacted.

"Sir, are you not going to kill me?"

Cao Xing looked at the half-smile on Lu Yi's face who was sitting in the hall, and asked with a little excitement.

"Ha ha……"

Seeing this, Lu Yi no longer had to control Cao Xing, who had been on edge the entire day. He laughed and personally stepped forward to untie the restraints on his second-in-command fan.

"Mr. Cao is devoted to the people and is loyal and brave. He is a rare talent. I really need him now. How can I cut off my own arm?"

"what?"

When Cao Xing heard what Lu Yi said, he was surprised at first with some disbelief.

However, random emotions fell back into depression.

"But Cao Xing is now a criminal. How dare I ask for your protection and bring trouble to you?"

"Oh?"

Seeing this, Lu Yi glanced at Chen Gong and they suddenly burst into laughter.

"You are absolutely right!"

Chen Gong stepped forward, helped Cao Xing up, and began to explain to him.

"However, the guilty Cao Xing has been executed by the county lord today in front of the people of Pingcheng to uphold the law!"

"This……"

Cao Xing was unable to react for a moment when he heard this.

Lu Yi took over the conversation.

"The one standing here now is no longer a criminal, but a member of the Nine Plains. If anyone asks, I can vouch for you!"

After hearing this, even Cao Xing, who was a bit stupid, understood what Lu Yi meant.

He immediately knelt down before Lu Yi with tears of gratitude.

"Cao Xing violated the law and should have died to atone for his crime. Now, my Lord has forgiven me and given me a second life. Cao Xing is not talented, but if you don't abandon me, I will serve you like a dog and a horse!"

"Well, I'll work harder in the future!"

"I'll wait and see!"

Lu Yi was in a good mood because he had found a capable general like Cao Xing. He stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder repeatedly to show his encouragement.

"I will live up to your expectations!"

When Cao Xing saw that Lu Yi agreed to take him in, he couldn't help but cry with joy.

"Your Excellency has gained another great general. This is truly cause for celebration!"

Upon seeing this, Chen Gong and others immediately stepped forward to congratulate Lu Yi.

"Yes, today we have a great general, so we should have a feast to celebrate!"

"Everyone must enjoy themselves tonight, and do not refuse!"

"I will obey your Excellency's orders!"

……

(End of this chapter)