Chapter 112: A Favor to Ask

Shi Jianduan, the head of Flying Cloud Stronghold, had been wounded by Zhao Hu’s crossbow bolt and now found himself staring down the barrels of several repeating crossbows. He realized instantly that he had fallen into a trap set by Xiao Ding and the others.

"I—I’ve been played by you..." Shi Jianduan’s left hand trembled, and his voice wavered with it. "Zhao Hu, ever since you came to the mountain, I haven't treated you poorly. Yet today, you collude with outsiders to do this to me. I—I..."

Shi’s voice was filled with indignation. He was consumed by resentment; his martial arts had not even been put to the test, and yet he had been ambushed. He regretted his own negligence, which had allowed him to walk right into Xiao Ding’s scheme.

"Chief Shi, regret is useless now. Tell your men to lay down their weapons and surrender," Xiao Ding said, gesturing at him with his crossbow, making it clear that if Shi didn't comply, he would be shot.

Shi Jianduan understood that his life was now at the mercy of their bolts. Even if he hadn't been wounded, he stood no chance against so many weapons aimed directly at him.

"Very well, I agree. I surrender," Shi said helplessly.

"Order your men to drop their weapons and squat by the wall," Xiao Ding commanded.

"Did you hear him? Do as he says!" Shi shouted to his subordinates.

The bandits, seeing their usually formidable leader covered in blood and unsure of the severity of his wounds, already harbored thoughts of retreat. Upon hearing his command, they dropped their weapons one after another and huddled by the wall.

"And those outside—tell them to lay down their weapons and surrender as well. No resistance," Xiao Ding instructed.

"Wang Si, go out and tell Wang Dahu that we have surrendered to the authorities. Tell him to lead the brothers to drop their weapons and offer no resistance," Shi ordered one of the men by the wall.

"Yes, Chief!" The bandit named Wang Si ran out of the hall.

Xiao Ding then stepped out, took a signal flare from his bag, and lit it. It shot into the sky like a firework and exploded. Before long, Lieutenant Yan arrived with his soldiers, storming the stronghold and capturing all the bandits. Zhao Hu pulled the bolts from Shi’s body, bound his wounds with strips of torn cloth, and shackled him.

Shi Jianduan offered no resistance. His limbs were injured, making movement difficult, and he knew that Xiao Ding’s group was armed with crossbows that left him no room to maneuver.

The soldiers not only rounded up the bandits but also looted the stronghold of all its supplies. Every item of value was packed up and taken. Before leaving, the soldiers set fire to the buildings, burning the entire stronghold to the ground. Seeing this, Xiao Ding was reminded of the "Three Alls" policy from his past life during the foreign invasion of his homeland; he mused that the soldiers of this era were every bit as ruthless.

The massive contingent marched back toward Luoxia County. On the way, Zhao Hu approached Xiao Ding and said, "Brother Xiao, I have a favor to ask."

Xiao Ding looked at him curiously, wondering what could be so mysterious. "Speak your mind. I'll see if I can do it."

"Brother Xiao, I know you are on good terms with Magistrate Hu. I want to ask you to intercede on behalf of two men," Zhao Hu said with a fawning smile.

"Intercede for whom?" Xiao Ding asked.

Zhao Hu pointed to two men among the shackled bandits. "Those two are Li Gui and Lou Qing, my good brothers. They have long wanted to leave the bandit life but never had the chance. I’m hoping you can ask the Magistrate to spare them so they can come work as laborers at your estate."

Xiao Ding looked at the two men. They didn't appear to be wicked, so he nodded. "I’ll try, though I don’t know if the Magistrate will grant me the favor."

Upon reaching Luoxia County, Magistrate Hu was overjoyed to hear of their decisive victory, his face beaming with a delight that surpassed even his joy at passing the imperial examinations.

"Oh, Brother Xiao! I truly did not misjudge you! To have crushed the Flying Cloud Stronghold without drawing a blade—you are a general of both wisdom and courage!" After hearing Lieutenant Yan’s report, the Magistrate grabbed Xiao Ding’s hand and wouldn't let go, showering him with praises and lamenting that he lacked such talent in his own administration.

"You are too kind, Brother Hu! I merely did my humble part to assist you," Xiao Ding replied modestly.

"Not at all! You deserve every word. I once sent men with the Commander to suppress them, only to return in shame with heavy losses, which severely damaged the government's prestige. For you to settle this with a mere stratagem without losing a single soldier—if that is not the mark of a great commander, what is?" The Magistrate looked at Xiao Ding with genuine admiration and submission.

Xiao Ding did not want to dwell on the topic. Seeing the Magistrate in such high spirits, he tentatively asked, "How do you intend to deal with these bandits?"

"These scoundrels have committed many atrocities and must be punished severely. I will interrogate them one by one and pass judgment based on the severity of their crimes. In any case, the ringleader will certainly face death," the Magistrate replied, speaking with the confidence of an experienced official.

"Brother Hu, I have a favor to ask," Xiao Ding said, seizing the opportunity.

"Brother, ask away. If it is within my power, I will not refuse," the Magistrate replied readily.

"There are two men named Li Gui and Lou Qing among the captives. They are good friends of Zhao Hu and have long wished to leave the stronghold but were trapped. They are commoners who were forced into banditry. Since they were merely low-level foot soldiers, could you perhaps show mercy and give them a chance to turn over a new leaf?"

"Oh? So you are pleading for those two small-time thugs?"

"That is my intention," Xiao Ding replied.

"By rights, since you are asking, I should agree without hesitation. However, this involves a legal case. I must wait until I have held court and interrogated them before making a decision." The Magistrate paused, his expression turning solemn. "While I may not be the most incorruptible official, I refuse to act against my conscience. In legal matters, I have always been fair. You may not know this, Brother, but in all my years of service, I have never accepted a bribe."

Hearing this, Xiao Ding realized that this cunning old fox was, in fact, an upright official. It explained why he lived in such a dilapidated house behind the yamen and why his household goods were so worn. Even the reward money he had given Xiao Ding had been meager—it was because he truly had no money.

It seemed the Magistrate would not grant this favor as a personal gesture. The fate of Li Gui and Lou Qing would depend on their own records. He only hoped they hadn't committed too many heinous crimes over the years.