PDLP Chapter 221 Justice is in the hearts of the people
Chapter 221 Justice is in the hearts of the people
It is not far from Shiqu to Shizhou, and a fast horse can get there in one day.
Qin Liangyu's carriage was of course not as fast as a horse, and it was not until the afternoon of the next day that it arrived in Shizhou.
Before entering Shizhou City, Qin Liangyu came across a small village on the way and saw many people gathered at the entrance of the village, as if they had encountered some difficulties.
Qin Liangyu ordered the convoy to stop temporarily and sent people to inquire, only to find out that it was the soldiers under Zuo Liangyu who were looting nearby.
Now they have looted the neighboring villages and towns. If nothing unexpected happens, the disaster will befall here in half an hour at most.
The villagers were in a panic. The younger ones went out with their families to seek shelter, leaving the elderly and weak who were left with nothing but to wait quietly for their fate to come.
Qin Liangyu frowned slightly when she heard this. Although she had long known that Zuo Liangyu had committed many illegal acts, when she actually saw with her own eyes the miserable plight of the people in his garrison, she was shocked.
Seeing that there was still time left in the day, Qin Liangyu got off the carriage and talked to the old men and women.
Seeing that Qin Liangyu was dressed noble and was followed by soldiers, the old men were a little afraid at first.
But seeing that Qin Liangyu was of similar age to them and spoke gently, they soon became familiar with each other.
"Madam, it's better for you to leave this place as soon as possible. Those soldiers are not easy to deal with.
These people come in groups, and if they encounter a rogue, they will not even spare the county magistrate’s family.”
An old man kindly reminded her, implying that with Qin Liangyu's twenty or so guards, there was no guarantee that she would not be robbed.
Qin Liangyu refused to retreat. She waited while getting to know the situation from the local villagers.
"These soldiers claimed that the court did not pay them, and even the county magistrate had nowhere to turn to.
Well, to be honest with you, madam, when the bandits passed through here before, they did not rob as much as these soldiers.
They won’t leave us a single grain of food, but I’m old and have lived enough. There’s nothing to miss these days.”
The bandits pass by like combs, while the weapons pass by like rakes, it is like that.
As he was speaking, he saw hundreds of soldiers running towards the village like guerrillas.
These people held knives in their hands and hung spears on their shoulders. Chickens, ducks and other things were hung on the end of the spears and they laughed wildly.
Some soldiers were holding a rope in their hands, with a woman tied to the other end. The woman was in dishevel and looked particularly miserable.
"Madam, you'd better leave quickly. It's too dangerous here." The old woman advised again.
Qin Liangyu remained unmoved. The twenty or so white-pole soldiers behind her were already filled with righteous indignation, and their hands holding their weapons were trembling slightly.
A moment later, the group of soldiers gathered around, led by a pockmarked man in armor.
"Well, I am Cao Lianshun, a guerrilla under the command of the Earl of Ningnan. Where did you come from, an old woman? Do you think I can stand up for these unruly people?" The pockmarked man pointed at Qin Liangyu with the sword in his hand.
"I am Qin Liangyu, what if?"
Qin Liangyu stared coldly at Cao Lianshun. Even though he was old, he had fought in battles for decades, and his ruthlessness and cruelty were undisguised.
As soon as Cao Lianshun heard Qin Liangyu's name, he immediately wilted.
Qin Liangyu was not only the pillar of Chongqing Prefecture, but also had a great reputation throughout Sichuan, Huguang and other places.
After Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong entered Sichuan, they conquered cities and seized territories. Only Shiqu was sandwiched in the middle, like a mainstay.
Last month, Zhang Xianzhong led 10,000 elite troops to attack Shiqu, but after a fierce battle that lasted until the afternoon, with hundreds of corpses left, he retreated in disgrace and never dared to attack Shiqu again.
"It's Madam Qin. I wonder what brings you to Shizhou?" Cao Lianshun said, bowing in a formal manner.
"Aren't you afraid of God's punishment for what you have done?" Qin Liangyu did not answer his question, but pointed at the dilapidated villages around them and asked.
"You are wrong, old lady. We have our own difficulties. The court does not provide us with salary or food. If we do not rely on ourselves, are we going to starve to death?"
Although Cao Lianshun was intimidated by Qin Liangyu's reputation, he quickly calmed down. In his opinion, no matter how powerful Qin Liangyu was, she was already old.
This is Shizhou, their territory. Qin Liangyu's twenty or so men will never be able to do anything to them.
Moreover, I heard that One-Eyed Horse came to the military camp yesterday, apparently to ask for help.
Since he needed a favor from them, Qin Liangyu probably wouldn't dare to be too harsh on him.
“The state of affairs is difficult, but even so, does that mean we can rob the people?
Be self-reliant, what a great way to be self-reliant!
Sooner or later, I will kill you." Qin Liangyu stared at Cao Lianshun and said.
“Oh, you are so arrogant, old lady, but you don’t have the authority to do so.
We have received military orders from Lord Bo, brothers, don't you agree?"
Cao Lianshun said to the soldiers behind him, and the soldiers echoed him one after another.
“I advise the old lady not to meddle in other people’s affairs. Now that she is old, she should just stay at home and enjoy her retirement.
Why do you insist on standing up for a group of irrelevant people when the court won't think well of you?" Cao Lianshun advised.
Everyone knows your contribution, Qin Liangyu, but so what?
Even if all your family members died in the war, even if you have made great contributions to the court, what has the court given you?
After decades of fighting, she is still an old woman.
On the other hand, their commander-in-chief, General Zuo, although not as famous as Qin Liangyu, is now the Earl of Ningnan. The comparison between the two is really regrettable.
Cao Lianshun's words seemed to be good advice, but they were actually full of sarcasm.
Qin Liangyu certainly understood what Cao Lianshun meant, but she still said:
"Justice is in the hearts of the people, and a soldier like you won't understand.
Leave here, or fight me."
After saying this, the guards behind Qin Liangyu all drew their swords, and even when facing enemies that outnumbered them by several times, none of them retreated.
Now Qin Liangyu did not have the power to kill these soldiers. In fact, she did not even have a formal official position and was considered a commoner.
But even so, she would never allow this group of ruffians to cause trouble under her nose.
A true general lives facing death.
Cao Lianshun did not dare to doubt Qin Liangyu's determination, let alone take action.
What a joke! If Qin Liangyu died at his hands, One-Eyed Ma and the White-Spear Soldiers would never let it go.
Although the White Spear Soldiers are few in number, if they become ruthless, even their leader Zuo Liangyu will have to avoid their attack.
It was not worthwhile to provoke such a big Buddha for such a small village. Thinking of this, Cao Lianshun could only curse his bad luck, waved his hand and left the village with his subordinates.
After Cao Lianshun left, everyone in the village and town knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Qin Liangyu in gratitude.
Almost all older people have heard the legend of Qin Liangyu.
Now they see that women are indeed as good as men. Qin Liangyu saved the lives of the entire village, so everyone is naturally grateful.
"My fellow villagers, please be patient for a few more days.
I will never allow those people to continue to do evil.”
Qin Liangyu didn't say anything extra. She continued to move towards Shizhou City with deep worry.
When the carriage arrived at the gate of Shizhou, Zuo Liangyu had been waiting for a long time with several of his generals.
Qin Liangyu closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
When she opened her eyes again and lifted the curtain of the carriage, her expression had become friendly.
"How dare I disturb the Lord Earl who is here to greet me in person? It really puts me in an honor." Qin Liangyu got off the carriage and said humbly to Zuo Liangyu.
……