"Don't forget..."
Before Zhang Huai could finish speaking, an arrow pierced his chest.
"Take all these women back. Leave ten men to guard various locations. Without the county magistrate's order, no one is allowed to approach! The Zhang family's wealth belongs to the government. If any of you are not afraid of death, just take a single coin and see if I have the ability to raid your homes!"
Looking at Zhang Huai struggling on the ground, Lu Ying showed no mercy.
Even at this moment, Zhang Huai still couldn't believe that he was actually going to die like this.
Lu Ying gave him no chance, not even caring about the things in his hands!
It was only now that he suddenly realized how naive he truly was.
If he had known this would happen, he should have acted directly back then, and with thunderous force, sent Han Mo to hell.
His hesitation had directly cost him his life.
"Take his head with you, let's go!"
In less than half an hour, the grand Zhang family manor had turned into a hellscape.
Including the old, weak, women, and children, all the male members of the Zhang family were slaughtered, except for two accountants.
These brutal methods completely pacified the archers who had harbored some hidden intentions.
As it approached the fourth watch, all the concentrated fighting strength in Neihuang County was gathered by Han Mo five li outside the city at Liu Jia Po.
"My lord, why don't I go? You should return to the city to hold the fort and coordinate everything."
Hearing that Han Mo intended to lead the troops personally, Wu Jie hurried to dissuade him.
"Defending the city is your forte. Moreover, with only those old, weak, and sick, defending this city is not an easy task! It's getting late, so let's leave it at that. Don't say any more!"
Han Mo patted Wu Jie on the shoulder and said seriously.
"But what if..."
"Alright, I'm not that easily harmed. Moreover, if it comes to a fight, my martial arts might not be much worse than yours! Besides, aren't they still with me?"
Han Mo spoke while pointing at Jiang Yan and Wu Lin.
"Then my lord, you must take care!"
Wu Jie took a deep breath. He understood that no matter what he said now, Han Mo would not change his mind.
Indeed, as Han Mo said, time was running out for them. If they lost the advantage of a surprise attack, it would likely turn into a long and arduous battle.
"Brothers, I'm sure you're all curious as to why I've gathered you here so late!"
Han Mo spoke as he walked to the front of the formation.
Although some intelligent individuals had already guessed what Han Mo intended to do, the vast majority were still clueless.
"I have just received orders from my superior. The imperial army's bandit suppression force has been waiting in the periphery for a long time. Tonight is the night Li Mao'er dies!"
"I know that many of you here have some sort of connection with him. Therefore, to avoid any involvement later, I have specifically asked Lord Xu to grant you an opportunity to be vanguards. As long as you bravely charge forward tonight, not only will all past transgressions be overlooked, but each of you will also be rewarded with fifty guan!"
"Fifty guan!"
The imperial guards from Bianliang were fine with it, as fifty guan was not much to them; it was at most a few months' pay.
However, for the Xiang Army from Neihuang County, this was a truly colossal sum.
Compared to the elite troops of the Upper Four Armies, their treatment was extremely poor.
"My lord, the imperial court has been owing us our military pay for over half a year. Can the reward money you mentioned be trusted?"
Despite Han Mo's eloquent speech, the troop leaders were still somewhat hesitant.
"Of course, it's trustworthy. Your military pay from the imperial court has long been in place, but it was all embezzled by people like Zhou Ding and Zhang Huai! I believe you already know that I have sent people to apprehend them all, and their assets will be confiscated immediately. Do you still worry about not receiving the reward money? Besides, just look at the horses beside you, what are you afraid of?"
Han Mo spoke while pointing at the herd of horses not far away.
To gather these horses, the bailiffs who wanted to curry favor with Han Mo had scoured the entire Neihuang County overnight to provide them with six hundred horses!
Although these horses were not warhorses, they were suitable for riding!
"Those damned bastards, they eat meat and drink wine every day while forcing us to eat husks and weeds!"
"Damn it, what's with all the nonsense? We soldiers, don't we make a living licking blood off the blade? Lord Han, just tell us, how much reward money will we get if we chop off Li Mao'er's dog head?"
Jiang Yan, who had long been mixed into the ranks, shouted loudly at Han Mo.
Although Jiang Yan and his men did not have military status, the wars they had experienced were far beyond what these rookies in front of them could contend with.
These people did not understand patriotism; the best stimulant for them was the bright yellow copper coins.
"Hahahaha, well asked! Lord Xu Churen, the Pacification Commissioner of all routes in Hebei, has offered a reward of two thousand guan for Li Mao'er's head. I will add another thousand guan! Whoever chops off his dog head will receive a reward of three thousand guan in addition to the usual promotion! The twelve generals under Li Mao'er are each rewarded with one thousand five hundred guan. Come and claim it if you have the ability!"
"My lord, are you serious?"
Money moves people!
Under Jiang Yan's guidance, Han Mo's few words had completely ignited the soldiers' enthusiasm.
After several years of turmoil, the entire Hebei was already in poverty.
These few thousand guan of copper coins were no longer just money to these soldiers; with this sum, they could provide a stable life for their families.
Compared to this hand-to-mouth existence, death seemed less frightening...
"Look closely, this is the Jade Ruyi bestowed upon me by the current Emperor! This is an imperial gift. If you don't trust me, do you not trust the current Emperor?"
Han Mo gave Xu Fengnian a timely wink. Xu Fengnian quickly unbuckled the pack he was carrying on his back.
He carefully opened the box and took out the Jade Ruyi.
Under the torchlight, the Jade Ruyi seemed to come alive. Coupled with its status as an imperial gift, as soon as it appeared, the soldiers immediately dropped their guard.
"I won't force you. Weigh your own matters carefully. Whether you stay in the city and await the imperial court's later reckoning or follow me to kill for honor and fortune is up to you! Those willing, step forward, drink this bowl of wine, and let's fight to our heart's content with me!"
Seeing the desire in the soldiers' eyes, Han Mo drew his sword and strode forward.
"Damn it, I'm not going to eat husks and weeds anymore. That bastard Li Mao'er, if you don't dare to go, I do! With the imperial army of over a hundred thousand outside, what are you afraid of!"
Jiang Yan spoke as he strode forward, picked up a bowl of wine, and drank it down.
The elite death warriors following behind him immediately strode forward and each picked up a bowl of celebratory wine and drank it down.
Following that, the imperial guards also stepped forward and picked up their wine bowls, drinking them dry.
Slowly, more and more soldiers joined the expeditionary force.
Finally, the last soldier chose to join the expedition.
"Alright, you can go back! The defense of Neihuang is entrusted to you!"
After Han Mo finished speaking, he mounted his horse and led the way towards Li Jiazhuang...