"Thump... thump... thump..."
"Splash!"
In Houqiu County, Donghai Prefecture, hundreds of Snow Bear Army soldiers rushed forward. The chaotic soldiers, wealthy households, gentry, and even the onlookers all thought they were about to be punished. But to everyone's surprise, the hundreds of Snow Bear Army soldiers were not holding weapons. Instead, they carried bags of rice and poured them into the boiling iron pots.
In moments, the aroma of rice wafted into the air, making one's mouth water. Many residents of Houqiu County had not smelled rice for a long time, let alone tasted fragrant white rice. As the boiling iron pots overflowed with fragrance, everyone's stomachs rumbled, and they wished they could rush forward and snatch it.
The imposing presence of the Snow Bear Army armored soldiers instilled fear in them, preventing them from acting rashly.
"This Governor..." Yan Pinglianghou, General Jianzhong, Grand Governor of Donghai, and Prefect of Donghai Prefecture, Zhou Fugui, said to the residents of Houqiu County, "How could I not know the plight of Houqiu and the other two counties? How could I not know the suffering of the people of Houqiu County? How could I not know the difficulties of the people of Donghai Prefecture? Years of war and widespread epidemics have left the people with little food for the night, few clothes to cover their bodies, and no medicine to treat their illnesses. The people are so destitute, and my heart aches. When the epidemic occurred in Houqiu and the other two counties, I immediately thought of how to provide relief to the disaster victims and quell the epidemic. However, procuring food, medicine, and organizing personnel, all of which take time and my utmost effort. I finally managed to gather some grain, medicine, and other supplies, which were about to be transported here. Yet, you have committed such an act that angers both heaven and man! With no food to eat and no medicine to cure illnesses, you were afraid, you were pitiful, so you plundered everywhere, caused chaos everywhere, and even abducted women. How do those you plundered and abducted feel? Aren't they afraid? Aren't they pitiful? Do they deserve to die? In times of chaos, every household struggles. Why must you push them so hard? Those who sow chaos will surely reap chaos for themselves. Do you think you will have a better life by plundering randomly like this? I fear you will die even faster and live even more miserably."
"Grand Governor!"
"Grand Governor, we know we were wrong, we deserve to die!"
"Grand Governor, spare us!"
"Grand Governor, we were misled!"
Zhou Fugui's earnest words deeply moved the chaotic soldiers, and they also understood his intentions. He led his troops here not to kill, but to save the people. Therefore, they kowtowed like pounding garlic, some begging for mercy, some admitting their guilt, and some making excuses.
"Misled?" Zhou Fugui nodded and waved his hand.
"Get out!"
"Kneel down!"
Some Snow Bear Army soldiers and generals entered the crowd holding their halberds and dragged out the members of the Little Vehicle Sect who were mixed in. Two soldiers held down each one, forcing them to kneel before Zhou Fugui.
After receiving the urgent report from Suo Da'cheng, Zhou Fugui immediately understood. After defeating and capturing these chaotic soldiers, he conducted a rough screening and apprehended over a hundred members of the Little Vehicle Sect who had incited the rebellion.
Due to the time constraints, Zhou Fugui could not completely screen them. There were certainly those who slipped through the net, and some of those brought out might have been wrongly accused. However, at this moment, Zhou Fugui could not afford to worry about such details.
At the city gate, by the moat, among those who were beheaded and displayed, there were also members of the Little Vehicle Sect, as well as chaotic commoners. They had committed many evils and were therefore executed to deter the chaotic soldiers.
"Take them away!" Just as everyone thought Zhou Fugui was about to kill again, Zhou Fugui glanced at these members of the Little Vehicle Sect and gave the order.
Executing over a hundred wicked individuals was enough. It was enough to deter the wicked, and Zhou Fugui had other uses for them.
"People of Houqiu County..." After the members of the Little Vehicle Sect were taken away, Zhou Fugui said loudly to the crowd, "Among you, there are the innocent, and there are those who have committed crimes. I should have meticulously screened and punished their evil deeds. However, heaven has a benevolent heart, and humans have compassion. Moreover, there are reasons for the events. Therefore, I can temporarily spare you and let bygones be bygones. But from now on, anyone who commits a crime and falls into my hands will not be forgiven lightly. I hope you will take this as a warning and act wisely!"
"We dare not, we dare not!"
"Grand Governor, we will never dare again!"
"Grand Governor, you are a living Buddha!"
"Grand Governor, you are our reborn parents, and we will remember your mercy of not killing us for the rest of our lives!"
"Gracious and upright official!"
"..."
For these people to be pardoned for all their crimes after facing certain death was something that was simply impossible before. Rebellions had always been deeply feared and hated by the imperial court, to the point of gnashing their teeth and wishing for their complete eradication, regardless of which dynasty. Therefore, after quelling a rebellion, there would invariably be a large-scale slaughter and mass executions. Those who were not killed would be demoted to outcast status, including their families. Men would be slaves for life, women would be prostitutes for life, and their children and descendants would continue to be slaves and prostitutes for generations, never to rise again. The methods were exceptionally bloody and cruel, especially under the rule of foreign dynasties like the Xianbei Yan Kingdom.
However, Zhou Fugui, the Grand Governor of Donghai, pardoned them and even intended to provide them with relief. How could they not be overwhelmingly grateful and indebted to Zhou Fugui, viewing him as a reborn parent and a living Buddha?
Some of the chaotic soldiers were so moved that they cried, kowtowing to Zhou Fugui to express their gratitude. Over three thousand people kowtowing together was indeed a grand spectacle.
From then on, Zhou Fugui gained new titles such as "Living Buddha" and "Gracious and Upright Official," which quickly spread throughout the land.
"My dear heart!" Huang Daimei, who had been watching in stunned silence, exclaimed inwardly.
Huang Daimei was not calling Zhou Fugui "dear heart"... rather, she felt her own heart could not take it any longer. Upon arriving at Houqiu County, he had brutally killed over a hundred people and displayed their heads at the city gate, which terrified Huang Daimei to the point of losing her soul. It angered her, blaming him for his lack of assertiveness and his lack of benevolence. Inside the city, he had set up large cauldrons, creating an appearance of boiling people alive, yet he was boiling rice... and he forgave the chaotic soldiers of Houqiu County. This left Huang Daimei astonished and delighted, angry and delighted, surprised and enlightened. Who could endure such a thing?
At the same time, Zhou Fugui's methods of combining benevolence and might, which subdued everyone, also made Huang Daimei exceptionally surprised and intensely curious. What other tactics did Zhou Fugui possess? What kind of person was he, really?
Huang Daimei had another thought, a particularly strong one: to capture Zhou Fugui and lock him in the Huang family's private prison, and then make him talk for three days and three nights...
"Reborn parents?" Zhou Fugui shook his head upon hearing this and said, "It is still too early to speak of reborn parents! My dear villagers, I can save you for now, but I cannot save you for a lifetime. Everything depends on you saving yourselves!"
"Grand Governor, how can we save ourselves?" a chaotic soldier boldly asked.
"A good question! However, I also don't know how to save myself..." Zhou Fugui glanced at the disappointed faces and then smiled slightly, "My dear villagers, have the fields grown weeds? Food is the paramount concern for the people, this is an immutable truth! Barren land needs to be cultivated again. Cultivation leads to harvests, and with harvests, you can fill your stomachs. As for seeds, farming tools, and the like, I can promise you today that the Prefect's Office and below will provide full assistance. If anyone disturbs your farming, you can report it to the officials. If the officials do not act, you can come directly to the Prefect's Office or the Governor's Office, you can come directly to me. After I investigate, I will ensure justice for you. If anyone dares to obstruct..."
"Bang!" With a thud, Zhou Fugui struck the ground heavily with his greatsword and said coldly, "My sword, strikes down the powerful nobles and the wicked alike!"
All industries are waiting to be revived, and agriculture should be prioritized first. If people cannot even eat, how can they have the heart to do anything else?
"Grand Governor..."
"Grand Governor, we obey your orders!"
"..."
Previously, some were crying with emotion. Now, everyone was moved to tears. Zhou Fugui, from a bloodthirsty butcher, had undergone a magnificent transformation into a benevolent and upright official...
"It is time to eat now! Everyone present will have food. I will provide enough to eat today! The grain carts, medicine carts, and physicians will arrive shortly. Eat when you are hungry, and receive treatment when you are sick. I have one more request: you must wash your hands thoroughly before eating, practice frequent handwashing and maintain hygiene..." Zhou Fugui said after waving his hand.
"Yes!"
Some words were heard by the crowd with confusion, but they were so hungry that their backs were touching their stomachs. Therefore, they responded loudly and rushed towards the large pots. However, they still had to obey the Grand Governor's orders to wash their hands frequently and maintain hygiene...
"Why are you rushing? Don't crowd together, wash your hands frequently, and maintain hygiene..." Zhou Fugui shouted loudly.
"Pfft!" A "man" suddenly let out a woman's laugh, startling those who were unaware. Huang Daimei walked to Zhou Fugui's side and said with a smile, "Grand Governor, you speak from a full belly when you yourself are hungry. They have been hungry for who knows how long."
This was the first time since Huang Daimei had accompanied the army on campaign that she had shown such a sweet smile. Although Zhou Fugui could not see her entire face, he was stunned for a moment before nodding and saying, "Miss Huang, you are right. However, I have not eaten for a day and a night. How can I be considered to have a full belly?"
"If you haven't eaten, then go and eat. Who would dare stop you?" Huang Daimei said with a smile, "Otherwise, I, this humble girl, can prepare some small dishes for you and warm a pot of hot wine?"
"That would be wonderful!" Zhou Fugui also smiled.
"You wish!" Huang Daimei's smile vanished, and she gave Zhou Fugui a sidelong glance.
Zhou Fugui smiled and said no more, only watching the crowd devour the food like hungry tigers.
Having a beautiful woman by his side was quite nice, Zhou Fugui thought to himself. However, this was a special circumstance, and perhaps he would not have the opportunity to bring a beautiful woman on campaign again in the future.
When generals bring beautiful women on campaign, or even their wives and concubines to serve them, it would severely affect the morale of the army.
"Hey, hey, you guys are going to join the crowd and eat for free? Bring them over here!" At this moment, Zhou Fugui discovered that some wealthy households had mixed in with the disaster victims, and he was furious.