The atmosphere within the Huang Mansion was tense,a palpable sense of unease settling over the gathered gentry members.Their laughter had turned to hushed whispers,the joy of their earlier schemes now overshadowed by the realization that Cao Cao's response had been more decisive than they had anticipated.
"Furthermore,within the Huang Mansion,we have confiscated the correspondence records between the Huang family and the Heishan bandits,"Li Dian announced as he proffered a stack of letters.
Cao Cao swiftly perused them,his face lighting up with elation.Initially,he had intended to fabricate evidence of the Huang family's collusion with the Heishan bandits as per Lin Yu's counsel.To his surprise,these genuine letters now presented an incontrovertible proof of the Huang family's traitorous connection with the brigands.
"Escort all these people to the city-gate square!"Cao Cao commanded.Immediately,Li Dian and Yue Jin led the soldiers to herd the members of the Huang family and other noble clans towards the city gate.
Both the Huang family and the other noble clans were renowned and influential in Dongjun.Their being led through the streets under military escort drew the attention of the entire populace.
By the time Cao Cao and his retinue reached the city gate,a vast crowd had already assembled.Virtually the whole city had turned out to witness this spectacle.
"Fellow citizens!"Cao Cao surveyed the crowd and proclaimed in a resounding voice."Pray,be silent.I,your Prefect,have an important announcement to make!"
His voice instantly hushed the clamorous throng,and all eyes turned towards him.
"Today,I received word that the Huang family,Hu family,and other noble clans have conspired with the Heishan bandits,who have been wreaking havoc in Wei Jun and Dongjun.Hence,I led a detachment to search their residences personally!"
As soon as Cao Cao finished speaking,a murmur of disbelief rippled through the crowd.
"How could this be?"
"Master Huang is so affluent.How could he be involved with the Heishan bandits?"
"Humph,why not?"
Noticing the people's murmured remarks,Cao Cao's brow furrowed.Observing this,Dian Wei stepped forward and bellowed,"Silence!"His voice was so thunderous that it immediately quelled the crowd.
Cao Cao nodded approvingly and continued,"These letters of correspondence with the Heishan bandit chiefs Yu Du,Bai Rao,and others were discovered within the Huang Mansion!With evidence this conclusive,they must be sentenced to death according to the law!Men,prepare for the execution!"
Li Dian and Yue Jin directed the soldiers to hasten forward and force all the members of the Huang family and several other noble clans to their knees.
With a series of sharp swishes of the blade,the air became thick with the sanguine mist of death as heads tumbled to the ground.
Whether they be common mountain bandits or the dreaded Heishan bandits,they all lurked in the mountains,subsisting on plunder and wreaking great havoc upon the common people.The Huang family,as a noble clan,had long oppressed the common folk,and now,having colluded with the Heishan bandits,their downfall elicited no sympathy from the masses.Instead,the people clapped their hands with glee.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
"From this day forth,as long as you abide by the law and live in peace and contentment,I,your Prefect,vow that you will be free from any molestation!"Cao Cao declared with fervor.
"The Prefect is truly wise!"
"It is our honor to be under the Prefect's governance!"The common people cheered with unrestrained excitement.
Cao Cao had first introduced a series of policies for the people's benefit and then eliminated the noble clans that had oppressed the people and colluded with the Heishan bandits,thereby winning the hearts of the people with ease.
...
"Sir!Sir!"Cao Cao burst in,his excitement palpable as he rushed into Lin Yu's room without so much as a knock.
Lin Yu,who had been taking an afternoon nap,was jolted awake.Rubbing his bleary eyes,he quickly inquired,"Prefect,what has transpired?"
"All is well!"Cao Cao laughed heartily,his exuberance causing him to almost dance."I just dispatched men to raid the Huang family and Hu family.Do you know the extent of the wealth we seized?"
"I've no idea,"Lin Yu replied,shaking his head.
"Look,sir,behold for yourself."Cao Cao handed him an account book.
Lin Yu casually leafed through it,and his eyes widened in astonishment."So much?!"
Merely from the dozen or so noble clans in Puyang County,the property seized from their estates amounted to nearly five billion!
This was staggering.Had he known earlier,there would have been no need to consider tomb-raiding.Raiding just a few noble clans would have sufficed!However,after the initial shock,Lin Yu mused that when the Mi family sent Mi Zhen to marry Liu Bei,the dowry alone was two billion.The combined wealth of these few noble clans in Puyang County was only twice that of the Mi family's dowry.Seen in this light,it was perhaps not overly astonishing after all.
"No wonder you've always advocated suppressing the noble clans.It seems these noble clans truly deserve their fate!"Cao Cao said,his tone seething with indignation.
He had previously served in the imperial court and was well-aware of the depleted state of the national treasury.Now,with the imperial court in decline and famine-stricken people scattered throughout the land,these noble clans were hoarding such astonishing wealth.How could he not be enraged?
"With this wealth,Prefect,you need no longer worry about military funds,right?"Lin Yu jested.
"Sir is right!With this money,we can recruit another large army!"Cao Cao chuckled,then,as if suddenly remembering something,he hastened to add,"By the way,sir,we also found the correspondence records between the Huang family and the Heishan bandits in the Huang Mansion.Alas,that wretch Huang Silang escaped!"
"Oh,is that so?"Lin Yu took the letters from Cao Cao's hand,pondered for a moment,and then said slowly,"Since Huang Silang has ties with the Heishan bandits,he will surely flee to the Chaoge region to seek refuge with them this time.I fear the Heishan bandits will soon descend upon Dongjun to cause mayhem!"
"This is a predicament!"Cao Cao's countenance grew solemn.He had fewer than six thousand troops at his disposal.If he were to make a last-stand defense of Puyang County,it might be possible.But Dongjun was more than just Puyang County!Once the Heishan bandits attacked,with only these five thousand troops,it would surely be insufficient!
"Prefect,fear not.If the Heishan bandits dare to come,we'll ensure they come but never return!"Lin Yu smiled serenely,his confidence radiating.
Seeing Lin Yu's composure,the anxiety in Cao Cao's heart dissipated somewhat.
...
In the Heishan Mountains outside Chaoge City.
A horse was galloping madly from a distance.The man on its back was in a state of panic,casting nervous glances back over his shoulder from time to time.This man was none other than Huang Silang,who had fled from the Huang Mansion.
Suddenly,the horse beneath him let out a pitiful neigh and crashed to the ground.Huang Silang was thrown into a daze.Before he could recover his senses,a group of burly men emerged from both sides of the path.
They brandished swords and knives,pressing the cold steel against Huang Silang's neck.Startled,Huang Silang quickly shouted,"Stop!We're comrades!I'm here to see your chief Yu Du!"
The men were slightly taken aback,but they nevertheless bound Huang Silang tightly and hauled him into the mountains.
Before long,the group arrived at a mountain stronghold.Huang Silang was unceremoniously tossed into a hall.When he regained his wits,he saw a large,fierce-looking man seated on the dais,eyeing him with a narrowed gaze.
"Master Huang,what brings you to my humble stronghold today?"The speaker was Yu Du,the chief of the Heishan bandits.
"Chief Yu,you must help me!"Huang Silang,upon seeing Yu Du,pleaded as if he had found his salvation.