Martial Arts Across the Heavens: Becoming a Martial God Starting from the Big Boss in Tangshan

On a vacant lot temporarily cleared in the city center, a simple platform has been erected.

Chen Wen, Yan Zhendong, Lin Shirong, Liang Kuan and others stood on the stage.

Below the stage were piles of sacks, all of which were grains moved from the Qian family's granary.

The most prominent spot on the platform was occupied by the county magistrate and Manager Qian.

Their henchmen were also tied up nearby.

Even Xie Si and several yamen runners were tied to one side of the platform.

We are ready to wait for the people to arrive so that we can immediately begin the public trial and seek justice for everyone!

However, everyone had been waiting for a long time, and most of the day had already passed.

Not to mention the common people standing up to publicly try corrupt officials and treacherous merchants, there wasn't a single person near the high platform except for the Blood Flag Army.

Many people stayed at home or hid on street corners, secretly peering at the high platform, but none of them dared to go over.

Lin Shirong rubbed his hands anxiously and whispered:

"Captain, nobody's coming! The food's all out here! Why isn't anyone coming?"

Liang Kuan also craned his neck to look:

"Did we look too fierce and scare the villagers?"

"Should we go and urge them again?"

They simply couldn't understand it.

These people were afraid before, but now that the corrupt officials and unscrupulous businessmen have been caught, they can no longer harm the people.

Why are those people still afraid to come over?

Yan Zhendong couldn't help but sigh when he saw those people hiding in the shadows or peeping from behind windows:

"Alas, the world is like this. The common people probably still think we are pirates, so of course they dare not come out."

He had seen many similar situations when he rebelled back then, so he was already used to it.

Moreover, their Blood Flag Army was newly established, and even the imperial court had only just learned of their name.

Let alone expect these ordinary people to trust them.

If they hadn't entered the city without harassing the people...

If it weren't for the attraction of food.

I'm afraid the entire population of this city has already fled; that's the norm.

Yan Zhendong thought for a moment and looked at Chen Wen:

"Captain, why don't we have someone forcibly bring the people here?"

"Although it's not the right thing to do, as long as the people see what we're doing and know our purpose, they will definitely stand on our side."

Lin Shirong, Liang Kuan, and others also nodded subconsciously.

That's right, once people know they are a rebel army, they shouldn't be afraid anymore.

Chen Wen simply waved his hand gently:

"No rush, just wait."

"If people don't trust us, we can't act recklessly. Time will tell."

Although everyone felt helpless, since Chen Wen had already spoken, they had no choice but to obey.

Time passed little by little.

Finally, an old man leaning on a wooden cane shakily emerged from the alleyway.

His eyes were fixed on the grain sacks on the platform, as if he had used up all his courage to inch closer to the platform, but then he dared not go any further.

Once there's a first one, there's a second, a third...

Driven to desperation by hunger, people gradually gathered from all corners of the country.

Most of them were ragged, emaciated, and filled with fear, but they were truly in dire straits.

Even though they were terrified, they all came out for a bite to eat.

The crowd gradually gathered, but it remained eerily quiet, with only heavy breathing and suppressed coughs.

Seeing that most of the people had arrived, Chen Wen stepped forward and said loudly:

"Fellow countrymen! Today, my Blood Flag Army has come here not to plunder, but to rid the land of this scourge!"

"The two kneeling figures on the platform are, firstly, a corrupt official who exploits you and colludes with unscrupulous merchants; and secondly, a treacherous merchant surnamed Qian who hoards and speculates on grain, driving up prices and causing widespread famine!"

Before he could finish speaking, Manager Qian suddenly struggled to raise his head and shouted with difficulty:

"Fellow villagers! Don't listen to these pirates' nonsense! They're here to rob and kill!"

"If you watch them rebel without resisting, when the imperial army arrives, you will all be criminals who have betrayed the cause! Your entire families will be executed!"

The county magistrate, tears streaming down his face, also shouted:

"Yes, yes, yes! I... I am an official appointed by the imperial court! Come quickly and save me! There will be a great reward afterward!"

"If you join the bandits, though the world is vast, there will be no place for you to hide!"

This threat immediately caused a panic and commotion among the crowd.

Many people turned pale and instinctively backed away.

Chen Wen sneered, his voice suddenly rising and drowning out all the noise:

"The imperial court? What is the imperial court anyway!"

He raised his hand and pointed towards the port.

"See those big ships billowing smoke? That's the foreign fleet! In Foshan, our Blood Flag Army wiped them all out, ships and crew!"

"As for the officials of the imperial court... the Guangdong Naval Commander, a first-rank official of the Fucha clan, his head is probably still hanging at the Foshan dock right now!"

"We've killed foreign fleets and high-ranking officials of the imperial court. What are we afraid of that imperial court you talk about that only knows how to collect taxes and levies?"

"Our Blood Flag Army is dedicated to overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and exterminating foreigners!"

These words immediately caused a huge uproar.

"Were those foreign ships really stolen?"

"Admiral...that's an official even higher than a prefect, isn't it? My God..."

"They really dare to rebel! They even killed foreigners and high-ranking officials!"

The people were all startled and couldn't help but start talking about it, their fear mixed with disbelief.

They believed that pirates killed and robbed.

They dared to attack even foreign fleets and high-ranking officials of the imperial court. This is something that ordinary pirates would never do or dare to do!

Xie Si, standing on the side of the stage, was shocked, and the last trace of color drained from his face.

Admiral Fucha?! That's one of the highest-ranking military officers in the South!

These traitors are incredibly audacious!

The county magistrate and Manager Qian were terrified upon hearing this, and their last bit of reliance and hope completely collapsed.

He collapsed to the ground, crying and begging for mercy:

"Hero, spare my life! Your Majesty, spare my life! Silver! Grain! Women! I'll give you everything! Just spare my dog's life!"

Chen Wen completely ignored their disgraceful behavior and turned to face the crowd:

"Fellow villagers, the purpose of setting up this platform today is not to flaunt our military strength, but to hold a public trial for criminals!"

"These corrupt officials and unscrupulous merchants have been running rampant in the city for years, committing heinous crimes! What are their crimes? Who has been victimized? Today, we invite you all to testify in public!"

However, he was met with a suffocating silence.

The crowd kept their heads down, their eyes darting around, no one daring to step forward, and no one even daring to look the bound masters and officials on the stage in the eye.

Years of accumulated power and fear have seeped into his very bones.

Lin Shirong, Liang Kuan, and the others were extremely anxious, but there was nothing they could do.

Liang Kuan couldn't help but whisper:

"Why aren't they saying anything? Are they just going to let themselves be bullied?"

Chen Wen sighed softly. In that sigh, there was helplessness, compassion, and a profound understanding.

"Master Yan, do you see? The people are not enlightened, and the shackles in their hearts have not been removed."

"That's why I didn't immediately start a rebellion."

"What we need to do is not just kill people, but also 'awaken' them."

Chen Wen shook his head, but did not give up.

His gaze shifted to Xie Si on the side of the stage, and he suddenly spoke:

"Thank you, Officer Xie."

Xie Si looked up blankly.

Chen Wen simply said:

"You tell me."