Chapter 14: Slaughter them all, leave no one alive!

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei followed the plan and won a great victory in their first battle.

The bandits of Laoyaling were indeed ambushed and annihilated on the mountain path.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Black Wind Mountain also surrendered.

Two bandit leaders were beheaded on the battlefield, more than 200 enemy soldiers were killed, and nearly 300 were captured.

After the war, the spoils of war were tallied, and the haul was quite substantial.

The total amount of various grains, including millet and beans, was nearly 800 shi (a unit of dry measure). Although some of them were damp and stale, it was enough to supply the entire army for more than a month. There were also some side dishes such as pickled vegetables, coarse salt, and dried meat.

Nearly a thousand strings of loose Wuzhu coins, of mixed purity. Gold and silver utensils and scraps were valued at approximately two hundred strings. More than fifty bolts of various types of usable cloth.

There were over two hundred weapons, including spears, swords, and axes, most of which were crude and needed repair. There were forty bows, over two thousand arrows, and five crossbows, all of which were unusable. There were dozens of leather armors and shields, barely enough to be considered anything. There were fifteen mules and horses, eight oxen, and five large carts.

However, what to do with these prisoners became a problem.

Liu Bei hesitated: "Many of them were forced to come up the mountain. The ringleader has been eliminated. Why not give them some money and food and let them go home?"

Jian Yong immediately objected: "Xuande, no. Our army is short of manpower. These men are brave and strong. We should select the capable ones and incorporate them into the ranks, which will also replenish our forces. The captured grain is enough to feed them."

Zhang Fei shouted, "I think it's good! They're tough guys; they'll be useful after some training!"

Guan Yu didn't speak, but his brows were furrowed, clearly indicating his concerns about incorporating the bandits.

With differing opinions, everyone naturally awaited Liu Liang's decision.

However, Liu Liang gave an answer that was different from everyone else's.

Liu Liang said, "These people cannot be released, nor can they be taken in."

The tent fell silent.

Zhang Fei, impatient, asked, "Sir, please tell me frankly, we can't release it, and we can't take it back. What should we do then?"

Liu Liang uttered only one word: "Kill!"

"What?" Everyone was stunned, especially Liu Bei, who was shocked.

Zhang Fei's eyes widened. "Kill them all?"

Liu Liang repeated, "Kill them all, leave no one alive!"

Seeing everyone remain silent, Liu Liang said, "There are two reasons. First, they are habitual bandits, not ordinary people. They came to the mountains to become bandits, and they all have pledges of allegiance. They have plundered villages and towns before. If we let them go, they will only go back to their old ways and continue to harm the local people. If we let them go today, they may go elsewhere to kill and rob tomorrow."

"Secondly," Liu Liang looked at Jian Yong and Zhang Fei, "their bandit nature is hard to change. These people are undisciplined and fierce, they don't understand military discipline, and they only care about their fists. Incorporating them into the army will only corrupt the atmosphere and disrupt morale. They might disobey orders in battle, or even defect in the face of the enemy. It's not worth ruining the foundation of the entire army for a few men."

Liu Bei's expression changed repeatedly.

His adoptive father's words made perfect sense, but the massacre of surrendered prisoners still weighed heavily on his mind.

Liu Liang continued, "Our army has just established its authority, and it is time to use severe punishments. Only by completely eradicating the bandits can the people truly feel at ease. Burying these deserving criminals alive will deter other villains and make the army understand that military law is merciless. As for benevolence and righteousness, we should talk to the people, not to these bandits."

Guan Yu then spoke up: "What you say, sir, though harsh, is indeed the right principle for governing an army. The intrusion of bandits into the camp will do more harm than good."

Zhang Fei scratched his head and said, "Sir and Second Brother are right. I've changed my mind. These bandits really should be killed; keeping them alive is just asking for trouble!"

Liu Bei remained silent for a long time, then said after thinking for a while, "The ringleaders have been executed. Among these people, there may have been those who were coerced into becoming outlaws because they had no other choice. Killing them all would be against the natural order. Lock them up first, investigate them carefully, and deal with them according to the severity of their crimes. If there are any who can be redeemed, we might as well give them a way to reform and live."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei immediately shouted, "Brother! Lock them up? That would cost so much food to keep an eye on them! Interrogate them one by one? That would take forever! If you ask me, none of these thieves are good people, let's just get it over with!"

Jian Yong frowned as well: "Xuande, this matter cannot be delayed. Although our army's food supplies have been replenished, we now have hundreds more mouths to feed, and we also need to divide our troops to guard and interrogate them. This is indeed a burden. Perhaps..."

"My mind is made up," Liu Bei interrupted Jian Yong. "I'd rather expend more resources and effort, and even have some incorrigible troublemakers among them, than indiscriminately kill them all! There might be some promising talents among them, or perhaps some whose actions are truly excusable. This matter need not be discussed further; detain them and investigate them first!"

Seeing that Liu Bei had made up his mind, Guan Yu said no more, only saying, "In that case, the imprisonment and guarding must be strict, and the screening must be careful, so as not to let the cunning fools get away with it."

Zhang Fei muttered a few words, but seeing Liu Bei's serious expression, he had no choice but to swallow his words and turn to arrange the place to imprison the people.

Liu Liang stood aside and did not continue to insist on the suggestion of "massacre".

Liu Liang was very clear about his own role—a strategist.

He suddenly understood why Liu Bei, the Imperial Uncle in history, was always on the run, always losing things, yet there were always people who would follow him to the death.

This almost obsessive "benevolence" is, in this chaotic world, both the heaviest burden and perhaps the most unique political capital.

......

News of the great victory in suppressing bandits in Zhuojun quickly reached the prefectural capital.

This caught the attention of Zou Jing, the Commandant of the Vanguard, who was in Youzhou overseeing the defense against the Yellow Turbans.

Zou Jing personally went to Zhuojun to inspect the troops. Seeing that Liu Bei's army was well-organized, in high spirits, and that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were brave, and that there was also an elder like Liu Liang, who was "well-versed in military strategy and thoughtful," he couldn't help but admire him greatly.

After examining the genealogies of Liu Bei and Liu Liang, he became quite convinced of their lineage as descendants of the Prince of Zhongshan.

Zou Jing said to Liu Bei, "Lord Xuande, you possess both great ambition and talent. Your gathering of this righteous army is truly a blessing for the nation. The current governor of Youzhou is none other than Liu Youzhou. Liu Youzhou is a descendant of the Prince of Donghai, a legitimate member of the imperial clan. He is kind and benevolent, and deeply loved by the people of Youzhou. With Lord Xuande's talent, if you were to gain Liu Youzhou's appreciation and promotion, and be given a formal title, your future would be limitless. I am willing to introduce you to him."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei was greatly encouraged.

Liu Yu!

He was the governor of Youzhou, a high-ranking official from the imperial family, and had an excellent reputation.

If I can gain his approval, my claim of being a "descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan" will no longer be just my own opinion, but will have official backing. From then on, I can truly travel the world as a member of the imperial clan, and it will be a hundred times easier to recruit talents and expand my influence!

This is an opportunity I've been dreaming of.

Liu Bei immediately wanted to agree, and even began to dream of making great strides under Liu Yu's command.

"I am deeply grateful for the Captain's kindness..."

Before Liu Bei could finish speaking, Liu Liang coughed lightly and said, "Xuande, may I speak to you in private?"

Seeing his adoptive father's solemn expression, Liu Bei apologized to Zou Jing and went to the back tent with Liu Liang.

"Father, this is a golden opportunity, why are you stopping us?" Liu Bei said urgently.