Chapter 662 472: This Army Is Different (2)

Early the next morning, all the wealthy households in Linjiang City were surrounded by the Qingshan Army.

After that, it was house-to-house confiscation.

However, unlike previous times, the Qingshan Army, although they confiscated their properties, did not harm their lives, nor did they do anything outrageous to the women.

Even though they seized most of their assets, they left them enough to live on.

The remaining property, though not enough for them to continue their lavish lifestyle, was sufficient if they lived frugally to support their families for decades.

Those who were sensible, knowing the Qingshan Army was not to be trifled with, could only grit their teeth and cooperate obediently.

Of course, there were also those who couldn't see the situation clearly.

Among them, naturally, was Master Shen, who believed he could strategize while the Qingshan Army attacked the city, but ended up with nothing for his efforts.

"All of you robbers, stop! The Shen Family's property has been passed down from generation to generation, and we will never give it to you bandits."

As he said this, he was hitting the soldiers of the Qingshan Army with his cane.

Several soldiers of the Qingshan Army, afraid to harm the civilians, were beaten up and bloodied by this old fellow.

To stop the Qingshan Army, Mr. Shen simply lay down in front of the main gate: "You thieves, if you want to rob my family's property, then step over this old man's body first."

Though inwardly hostile to this kind of person, after all, he was an elderly man, no soldier of the Qingshan Army dared to act rashly.

Hex Chengpi, bored with dealing with official duties, perked up immediately upon hearing the news.

"Daring to act arrogant in front of me, interesting, truly interesting."

After quickly finishing his breakfast, he headed straight for the Shen family mansion.

When Hex Chengpi arrived, he heard Mr. Shen wailing and shouting: "There's no justice! Everyone come and see, these nasty robbers are revealing their true colors, starting to bully us good people!"

Even with his advanced age, his voice was strong and vigorous, attracting quite a crowd of onlookers.

The reason so many people came was also due to what the Qingshan Army did yesterday.

After all, regardless of their identity, at least these people wouldn't harm the civilians, there was no need to stay hidden at home.

"This old guy really is money-grubbing. His mansion is already surrounded, yet he still dares to behave like this."

"I say, these soldiers are quite foolish for being fooled by him."

"I don't think so. Those soldiers are just treating this old man like a common civilian, that's why they haven't acted. These people managed to break into the county; would they be afraid of an old man?"

The onlookers were all chattering, expressing various opinions.

Yet no one stood up to expose Mr. Shen.

After all, they were ordinary citizens, unfamiliar with the Qingshan Army, and dared not easily take their side.

If Mr. Shen bore a grudge against them, and once the Qingshan Army left, they would be the ones to suffer.

As Mr. Shen was thrashing about, someone suddenly called out urgently: "General, I've seen the commander."

Upon hearing this voice, the other soldiers of the Qingshan Army turned around and immediately saw Hex Chengpi approaching, and they all saluted.

"General!"

Only then did the onlooking civilians get a real look at this rebel leader.

Hex Chengpi, truth be told, was quite imposing in appearance.

Some of the onlooking citizens, upon seeing the scar on his face, quickly lowered their heads and hurriedly left.

Those who still dared to continue watching only glanced at him before not daring to look at Hex Chengpi again.

It was as if taking one more look could bring disaster upon themselves.

The captain leading the Qingshan Army team saluted: "Reporting to the general, this…" He hesitated on the wording: "This citizen is preventing us from carrying out military duties."

"I have already reported to the strategist and am awaiting the strategist's order."

Hex Chengpi frowned slightly; he was not fond of this kind of rigid procedural style.

Yet he also knew that right now, the Qingshan Army indeed needed such a methodical approach.

After all, the Qingshan Army, from top to bottom, was almost entirely composed of farmers, miners, carpenters, fishermen, and other common folk.

Despite undergoing some training, they were essentially still those common people, with very few truly having the experience or ability to act independently.

Allowing them to act freely at this time might indeed cause some chaos.

Looking at the big mansion behind Mr. Shen, Hex Chengpi smirked coldly: "Dear fathers and elders, the reason the Qingshan Army is confiscating these wealthy people's property is that most of them are unscrupulous profiteers."

"Their large mansions, concubines, servants, and vast lands—how did they acquire them? If not through forceful seizure from us ordinary people?"

"Our aim is to take back the things they forcefully acquired and return them to the poor."

"However, even though the Qingshan Army is not a group of bandits who seize unscrupulously, we do not let a single bad person off, but we absolutely will not wrong a good person."

"If this old man is indeed a good and honest citizen, we will immediately leave. If anyone dares to bully this old man afterward, the Qingshan Army will be the first to disagree."

When Mr. Shen heard this, he immediately shouted excitedly: "General, the Shen Family are good and honest citizens!"

"For years, who doesn't know that our Shen Family has been building bridges and paving roads in Linjiang City? You must be discerning and not let an honest person like me suffer."

Hex Chengpi didn't even glance at him; his eyes swept over the ordinary people. Wherever he looked, their gazes shifted immediately.

Hex Chengpi didn't mind, instead laughing heartily: "You all heard, this old man claims they are a family of good and honest people."

"The Qingshan Army is from outside and doesn't know whether this person is good or bad. Do any of you know the details of this person?"

"Is there anyone willing to come forward and explain? If you think this old man is a good person, our soldiers will immediately withdraw, and if anyone dares trouble him, they will first face military justice."

"But if this old man is not a good person," Hex Chengpi's eyes shone with a cold light, "our swords in the Qingshan Army have seen blood before."

Mr. Shen trembled all over but gritted his teeth: "Dear fathers and elders, the Shen Family hasn't done anything to wrong you in the past."

"Please speak well of the Shen Family, and we will certainly repay you in the future."

"Please don't believe the baseless rumors, to avoid harming good people."

The words sounded polite, yet there was a faint hint of threat.

Even Hex Chengpi knew it, let alone the ordinary people.

Clearly, he was warning them that if they dared to oppose the Shen Family now, once the Qingshan Army left, the Shen Family would seek full revenge.

Hex Chengpi seemed unaware of the implied threats in Mr. Shen's words, merely standing there, waiting for the people's accusations.

His army was there, and he made it clear he wouldn't let a single bad person off.

Everything that could be done had been done; if in this situation, the people still didn't have the courage to speak the truth.

Hex Chengpi felt that such people did not deserve to be saved.

As time passed by, silence reigned, with the only sound being breathing.

Mr. Shen, seeing that no one dared to stand up and accuse him, was secretly pleased: "They're just a bunch of peasants. Even if you take the county, so what? Once the Imperial Court's army arrives, won't you have to tuck your tails and run away?"

"By then, who would dare side with those peasants?"

"A rebel is still a rebel; such a simple thing is beyond your foolish comprehension."