Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 166: Killing people and thieves is difficult to kill karma

Geng Jing turned his gaze towards Pingshan Hu, a hint of hesitation appearing on his face.

Because if we follow the theory of centralized power, from various perspectives, it would be too easy for Pingshan Hu to die a hundred times.

But if we talk about loyalty and righteousness among the lower classes, Geng Jing seems to have to let Shanhu go for the sake of past ties.

Geng Jing was still hesitating, but Pingshan Hu was already extremely shocked and furious. He drew his sword, pointed at Xin Qiji and shouted, "Are you going to start a fight during the military meeting?"

To be fair, Pingshan Hu's action was justified a month ago.

Yelu Xingge and Shi Baiju even slashed at each other with knives in front of Geng Jing, which was just a fun thing for everyone to watch. After the quarrel, they went home to their mothers and nothing happened.

However, with Geng Jing's prestige growing and his power becoming increasingly centralized, if Pingshan Hu dared to draw his sword in front of Geng Jing again, it would be like seeking death.

This does not mean that Geng Jing will let the soldiers execute him or kill him directly, but that the people gathered around Geng Jing will naturally fight back against those who challenge Geng Jing's authority.

Ye Shichan stepped forward and held down Pingshan Hu's knife-wielding right arm: "How dare you, scumbag, act so presumptuously in front of Jiedu Geng?"

Pingshan Hu was so frightened and angry that he wanted to pull his arm back, but a big hand held his left shoulder again.

Yelu Xingge said with a smile: "Master Ping, please do not start a fight or hurt anyone's life."

Pingshan Hu was actually pinned down on the spot by two men. His confidants behind him wanted to step forward to save him, but they dared not move as they were stared at by several people.

"Ping up the mountain barbarians, yesterday's deeds are today's retribution." Xin Qiji drew his heavy sword and walked slowly forward: "Yesterday's cause is today's result. When you allowed the Taishan bandits to plunder the people on both sides of the Anzi River, you should have thought about today!"

Pingshan Hu originally thought that Xin Qiji would say that he wanted to eliminate a villain for the Tianping Army, or he might say that he would kill anyone who dared to draw his sword in front of Geng Jing, but he really didn't expect anything about the people on both sides of the Anzi River.

What? You said you want to uphold justice for the people? Haha.

Pingshan Hu felt a sense of absurdity in his heart, but the next moment he was terrified of dying in such an absurd thing. He subconsciously looked at Geng Jing, wanting him to do justice for him, and even wanted to beg for mercy.

"Geng..."

Just as he uttered a word, a heavy sword came down on his head.

The sharp sword pierced Pingshan Hu's right neck, cut through his left rib, and cut off his head and left shoulder.

Yelu Xingge grabbed half of Pingshan Hu's body with some disgust, showed it to the generals, and then threw it to the ground.

Xin Qiji threw the bloody sword to the ground and bowed to Geng Jing: "I killed first and reported to the governor later. Please punish me."

Geng Jing looked at the heavy sword and felt a surge of anger for no reason.

Yes, even though the generals joined forces to maintain Geng Jing's authority, he was still angry.

Because Geng Jing thought at this time that even if Pingshan Hu was offending the commander, he should be the one to decide this person's life or death. How could you, Xin Qiji, interfere?

It’s okay for Ye Shichan, but it’s hard to say whether Yelu Xingge came forward because of Geng Jing or to assist Xin Qiji. People’s hearts are hidden, so it’s hard to say.

Today, Yelu Xingge can suppress Pingshan Hu for Xin Qiji. Can he suppress Geng Jing for Xin Qiji tomorrow?

Today, the generals of the Tianping Army can sit back and watch Xin Qiji kill the Shanhu. Can they sit back and watch Xin Qiji kill Geng Jing tomorrow?

At this moment, Geng Jiedu suddenly recalled what Zhang Anguo had said a few days ago.

"When it comes to rebellion, it's never a matter of whether or not you can do it, but whether you can do it!" At this moment, Geng Jing's fear of Xin Qiji almost reached its peak.

But he still hid all his emotions deep in his heart, laughed without leaving any trace and said: "This guy should have died long ago. The reason I kept him alive was to establish the authority of you, Wulang, the chief secretary of the army!"

Xin Qiji expressed his gratitude again.

Geng Jing continued, "But Wulang, I still don't understand. I remember Wulang was always ambiguous about the future. How come after traveling with Liu Dalang for several days and meeting the loyal and righteous army's Wei Gong, he's so impatient? Did these two people say something to you?"

Xin Qiji was silent for a moment, then he sighed and said, "Jiedu, they certainly have spoken to me and worked with me before. But that's not why I made up my mind."

"Oh?"

"When Liu Dalang and I first met, bandits under the command of Pingshan Hu were rampaging and slaughtering the village. We fought side by side, killed all the bandits, and rescued a girl named San Ya."

The generals of the Tianping Army didn't understand why Xin Qiji would gossip, but when they heard that it was related to Liu Huai, they all held their breath and listened carefully.

"San Ya has been kept in the Xin Army's supply camp. Liu Dalang has been taking care of her in his free time, and I've also been there a few times."

"When I see San Ya, I often think that even if her entire family has perished, I will still treat her as my own. After we settle down, I will personally teach her how to read and write, and how to play the game of chess, calligraphy, and painting. Liu Dalang and I might even compete to become her adoptive father, but Liu Dalang is always talking about worldly affairs, so I'm sure he won't be able to win."

"Keep her in the boudoir until she's 28, then find her a good husband. It doesn't matter if she's rich or famous, just someone who loves you both."

At that time, the world was peaceful, and Liu Dalang and I would spend our days flying eagles and fighting dogs, drinking and having fun. When San Ya gave birth to her first child, I would stop competing with Liu Dalang and let him become her godfather.

Geng Jing listened intently: "Then this girl..."

"Dead." Xin Qiji shook his head: "He died a few days ago."

Geng Jing was immediately stunned.

"It's not just Sanya. The governor, the sergeant I promoted from humble beginnings, the attendant I grew up with, the personal guard who once saved my life, the little girl I risked my life to save with my best friend, they all deserved a happy ending. They all deserved to live a good life."

"But these people, in the days following the night we were raided, all disappeared inexplicably. They shouldn't have died in such an inexplicable way."

"Jiedu, when we started the rebellion, all we wanted was to keep everyone alive. Now, what I'm doing is to help more people survive," Xin Qiji said earnestly, "If we didn't know where the road ahead was, it would be fine to just die in confusion. But now that we know and don't act, then if the Jin army comes again in the future, will so many more people die?"

"For the sake of those who have died and those who are still alive, Jiedu Geng, we must do something practical."

"Shandong has become so corrupt that if we, the capable people, don't save them, we are killing them!"

Geng Jing stared at Xin Qiji for a long time, then let out a long breath: "Wu Lang, your words today are not only a heartfelt confession to me, but also to all of you present here. So I'm going to be honest with you as well."

A moment of solemnity.

"Liu Dalang is capable, and the Zhongyi Army is also very powerful. Naturally, our Tianping Army should learn from them." Geng Jing carefully considered his words, "But we can't achieve it all at once, because the Tianping Army's foundation is completely different from that of the Zhongyi Army. What they can do, we may not be able to do..."

At this point, Geng Jing seemed to be a little stuck. After a long silence, he spoke directly: "Specifically how to do this will need to wait until I meet with the Duke of Wei of the Loyal Army."

All the generals in the tent bowed their heads.

Today's military meeting started off well but ended badly, but it also allowed everyone to see Xin Qiji's determination, so the trip was worthwhile.

(End of this chapter)