Chapter 27: Settling Scores and Ties

Human beings are creatures of intense desire, driven by their cravings. Everything we do is ultimately aimed at satisfying these desires; whether it concerns food, clothing, housing, or transportation, the fundamental motivation is the same. For Wang Li and his men, their desire is simply to provide a good life for their families. Because they believe Lin Shize can lead them to achieve this goal, they are willing to submit to his command. In turn, Lin Shize consolidates their strength for his own use; he is like a giant, a colossus whose body is composed of over a thousand souls.

The Hero Village has officially embarked on an era of vigorous construction. However, Zhang Jiawen, this giant of a man, is far more formidable than Lin Shize. Three scouts report every movement within Lin Shize’s camp to Zhang Jiawen. Upon learning that Lin Shize is leading his soldiers to build up the Hero Village, Zhang Jiawen gains a new perspective on the young man. He remarks to Sun Zheng, who stands beside him, "He is a cunning little fox. Believe me, once these houses are finished, his soldiers will owe their loyalty to him alone. His methods are truly brilliant."

Sun Zheng smiles. "I am more interested in the gadgets he invented. Transporting military rations in winter is difficult, and the sleds he designed are perfectly suited for the task."

Zhang Jiawen laughs heartily. "I know you want to give him a hand. Very well, if these sleds prove useful, I will credit him for the contribution."

"What a miser," Sun Zheng thinks to himself, smiling and shaking his head, pretending not to hear Zhang Jiawen’s grumbling. "He acts so cautious about granting a little merit, as if he really thinks this battalion commander is a small-minded man." He can see that Zhang Jiawen truly values Lin Shize.

However, Lin Shize’s current situation is far less optimistic than Zhang Jiawen imagines. The soldiers' families have arrived, and if Liu Wu hadn't brought them back, Lin Shize would have mistaken these walking corpses for mutated zombies. They are draped in ragged, threadbare cotton clothes, swaying as they walk with sunken eyes and vacant expressions. The soldiers weep as they press bowls of hot porridge to their families' lips, and the entire Hero Village is permeated with a heavy, sorrowful atmosphere. Lin Shize hides in his room, unable to bear the sight of such human misery.

"Old Liu, take the men and get their families settled immediately. The firewood is ready; keep the rooms warm and report any problems at once." Even the regular border troops struggle to get enough to eat, let alone the families of these veteran soldiers. With the rations provided by Zhang Jiawen barely lasting long, Lin Shize must find a way to feed these thousands of people. This is a far greater challenge than anything he has faced before.

Back then, a dozen of them could hunt in the mountains and stay half-fed. Now, even if these thousands of people were to strip the bark off every tree on the mountain, they wouldn't last a few days.

"If we can't get enough to eat, then we rob!" Lin Shize slams his fist on the table and shouts with all his might.

"Rob!" Liu Wu’s eyes light up, and the others in the room are filled with excitement. In the chaotic environment of the borderlands, there is no production to speak of; everything they have in the Hero Village now has been taken by force. They have developed a morbid obsession with pillaging.

Lin Shize continues, "Break the troops into smaller units. Each of you will lead a hundred-man team to take turns going out on raids, while those remaining in camp continue their drills. I don’t care if you hold wealthy households for ransom, kill bandits, or strike at the Mengla tribes—as long as you go out, you must bring something back. Grain, silver, weapons, armor—I don’t mind if you bring back too much, but I won't be happy if you bring back too little. If you come back empty-handed, I’ll be cursing your ancestors. Half of the spoils go to the camp treasury, and half stay with you. Whether or not you get rich depends on yourselves. But I have one requirement: do not harm the common people, and do not bully the innocent. Anyone who violates military discipline will be executed without mercy!"

Lin Shize says the last sentence with ironclad resolve. His men may be a pack of wolves, but they must not be beasts who stop at nothing.

"Understood!" the men reply in unison. After all this time, they know Lin Shize’s temper—he is laid-back about trifles, but when it comes to matters of principle, he is merciless.

As the men disperse to prepare, Zhao Dahu enters and says, "Chief, someone from the main camp has arrived."

Lin Shize replies, "Oh? Send him in."

A messenger enters, salutes, and says, "Commander Lin, the Battalion Commander has ordered that Feng Mu, the Magistrate of Feng County, is guilty of treason and colluding with the enemy. You are to lead your men to arrest him immediately and confiscate his assets for the state."

It is as if someone had brought him a pillow just as he felt sleepy. Lin Shize affectionately drapes an arm around the messenger’s shoulder and asks, "Brother, you know I’m running an independent camp here. The county seat is so far away, and my men will have a hard time. Did the Battalion Commander mention any rewards?"

The messenger steps back discreetly—why does this Battalion Commander sound like a bandit chief? "The Battalion Commander said that ten percent of the confiscated assets will belong to you. And I have brought your unit flag."

Lin Shize immediately drops his playful demeanor, straightens his clothes, and solemnly receives the banner. A ferocious black wolf head howling at the sky is embroidered on the bright red flag, and the three characters "Sky Wolf Battalion" radiate a chilling intent to kill.

Lin Shize says, "Please tell the Battalion Commander that we guarantee the mission will be completed."

After the messenger leaves, Lin Shize quickly calls for Liu Wu. "Old Liu! Old Liu, we have business. Take two hundred men to Feng County and clean out Feng Mu’s house."

Zhao Dahu asks from the side, "Chief, isn't ten percent too little?" He had expected Lin Shize to haggle, but he accepted the terms immediately.

Lin Shize strokes the flag and says, "The Battalion Commander has sent the banner; the silver doesn't matter. What is 'too much' anyway? Old Liu, be clever when you go. Any gold or jewelry that looks... of poor quality, just slip it into your pockets."

Liu Wu’s eyes widen. A moment ago, he said it didn't matter, and now he is telling him to embezzle the spoils. "Chief, you want us to steal?"

Lin Shize slaps the back of Liu Wu’s head and retorts, "Steal? What an ugly word. Would we do such a thing? That’s called 'pilfering'! Besides, if we send the low-quality goods to the main camp, how will the Battalion Commander reward others in the future? It would be shameful. We are doing this for his own good."

Liu Wu rubs his head. "But how do I know which ones are of poor quality?"

Lin Shize looks at him with exasperation. "Whatever you pick up is poor quality! Don't you understand that?"

Liu Wu laughs. "Understood, Chief!"

Lin Shize stretches his back. "Come on, Dahu. Let’s take some men to pay a visit to Lin Feng. It’s time for all of this to end."

A group of fifty men marches imposingly toward the Lin estate. Seeing the approaching force, the people at the Lin estate rush to bolt the gates. Lin Feng looks at Lin Shize with a gloomy expression. "Lin Shize! What is the meaning of this?"

Lin Shize smiles. "It means nothing more than that I intend to hang your head on the city walls of the border, so that all those who betray their own kind can see what happens."