Chapter Fifty-Three: Beheading

  The bandit camp has become a sea of fire, the bandits have no way to go up to heaven or down to earth. Except for a few people who took advantage of the chaos to escape, the rest rushed to the lake and jumped in. The northerners are not familiar with water, looking at the endless lake, they are hesitant to advance or retreat. Those who know how to swim have already jumped into the lake to escape, while those who don't know how to swim were pushed by their comrades behind them and fell into the lake. At first, they still shouted for help with their heads above water, but after a short while, they disappeared without a trace. The big and small bandits cried out in despair, wailing loudly. With the government army pressing in from behind, the desperate rogues huddled together and jumped into the lake, seeking companionship even in death. For a time, the lakeside was filled with the sounds of people falling into the water and crying for help.

  "By the order of Commander Xu, surrender your arms and you will not be killed! Those who surrender will be spared!" Just as the bandits were in a state of despair, the government troops behind them shouted out in unison. The bandits, upon hearing this, did not hesitate for a moment, immediately dropped their weapons and knelt down to the ground. In that vast open plain, thousands of bandits fell to their knees like receding tide, crying out for mercy.

  Xu Wei did not dare to be careless, and the number of rebels was several times that of our troops. Once it was discovered that the Jingwei camp had only a few hundred men and horses, and someone else took the lead, there would inevitably be chaos. Therefore, he ordered the soldiers to form a encirclement on the lake shore, and also sent people to collect military equipment. Ma Tai's cavalry unit watched from a distance, and as soon as something changed, they immediately charged and killed.

  "Down with your heads! Anyone who moves will be killed!" The soldiers' voices were stern, ordering all the rebels to kneel down and not look up. At the same time, they quickly collected the weapons with both hands. Xu Wei stood in front of the cavalry, still holding his knife in a fighting stance. It was not yet time to rejoice, as any carelessness could lead to the loss of all previous efforts. Before long, the soldiers finished collecting the weapons and reported back, but did not find any trace of the rebel leader Wang Shan. Just as they were regretting this, two men came running up, dragging a third person with them, with Li Guan following behind, holding two knives.

  He went before Xu Wei and knelt down, reporting: "Your humble servant has captured the bandit leader Wang Shan!"

  As soon as the words were spoken, everyone in the audience was shocked! Is this disheveled and dirty man really the notorious bandit king Wang Shan? Xu Wei's heart skipped a beat with excitement, and he blurted out: "How did you know he was the bandit king Wang Shan?"

  "The adults know, Wang Shan and the little people are from the same hometown, although they don't know each other but recognize each other's appearance, it will never be wrong." Li Guan said resolutely. It turned out that he and Wang Shan were both from Wuqiang County, although they had no dealings with each other, but Wang Shan was previously paraded in the streets for theft, and later should have been sentenced to exile for murder, but was exempted after his clansmen bailed him out, so he recognized him.

  "Gentlemen, please be wise! The little man's surname is Liu, because he was the second son in his family, people call him Liu Er. He is a native of Yanzhou, and was forced to join the bandits by robbers, drifting here, absolutely not the leader of the gang! Sir, have mercy and spare my life!" The person sitting on the ground suddenly raised his head and shouted. Xu Wei saw that he was covered in dirt and couldn't see his original face, so he ordered the soldiers to wipe away the mud from his face and examine him carefully. Li Guanyan's words were indeed true, it was really Wang Shan.

  That man still argued and refused to admit he was the leader of the bandits. Xu Wei held a knife in one hand and dragged him with the other, pulling him to the lake shore, putting him under the torches, ordering him to surrender and identify the rebels. In an instant, public sentiment became agitated! Almost causing a mutiny! The originally calm and obedient rebel kneeling on the ground suddenly stood up, loudly cursing, some even rushed forward, wanting to take his life. The soldiers of the Jingyuan camp used rifle butts and knife handles to violently strike back, only then suppressing the situation.

  "Xu Wei, previously this fellow slaughtered innocent civilians, and all the brothers who infiltrated the enemy camp saw it. If Vice Commander Xu doesn't believe me, he can ask them!" Li Guan said. Xu Wei immediately summoned the more than ten soldiers who had infiltrated the enemy camp, and they all identified that person as Wang Shan, roundly cursing him for being devoid of humanity and slaughtering innocent people indiscriminately. Wang Shan saw that he couldn't deny it, was shocked and lost color, and collapsed to the ground in a heap.

  Xu Wei's heart was overjoyed. This one charge not only broke through the enemy camp, captured the bandits, but also took alive the leader of the rebels, Wang Shan. It can be said that they achieved a complete victory!

  "Among these thieves, there are not a few who were coerced into joining the gang, and many more who were forced to become outlaws due to poverty. How do you think we should deal with them?" asked Zhang Qing, deputy commander of the Jingwei battalion.

  Xu Wei gazed at the thousands of surrendered bandits kneeling on the ground, but did not respond for a moment. The Jingwei Camp was currently in the midst of recruiting and expanding its forces, having recently achieved great success in Shandong. If they didn't take this opportunity to expand their ranks, when would be the next chance? Moreover, most of these people had turned to banditry out of desperation or due to threats and enticements. Handing them over to the imperial court would only result in them being sent to the military as punishment, so why bother giving them away cheaply? Besides, transporting and escorting these thousands of people was also a daunting task; if something went wrong and they escaped, they would eventually return to their bandit ways. My militia camp may not be treated as well as the imperial army, but at least we are fed and paid by the court, and our military achievements are rewarded. Why not recruit them on the spot? However, there is one condition: although most of these surrendered bandits are innocent civilians, there are also many who are guilty of serious crimes and are vicious villains; if they were to be incorporated into the army, I fear they would be a corrupting influence.

  Just as he was thinking, suddenly a loud voice came from among the rebels: "Sir, aren't you from Xu's village in Xiatian County, Shandong Province?"

  The guard struck him down with a stick, knocking him to the ground and ordering him to kneel. The bandit refused to comply, struggling and shouting: "There is a hero in Xu's village, a veteran general of the Western Army, guarding the border and famous far and wide, can you recognize him?"

  The soldier wanted to beat him with a stick again, but was stopped by Xu Wei, who ordered him to bring the man forward. He asked: "Do you know Xu Taigong?"

  That man was beaten badly, leaning on one shoulder, gritting his teeth and replied: "My old father at home was originally a soldier of the Western Army, and he had been through thick and thin for many years. Every time he mentioned Tianfu, he would stand up straight, wailing and crying. Since you are surnamed Xu and are a prominent figure from Daming Prefecture, I suppose you know my father. We are all doomed to die, but I beg of you one thing: this bandit king has killed innocent people and committed countless evils. I implore you on behalf of the wrongly dead to behead this bandit and display his head publicly!" As soon as he finished speaking, the surrendered bandits again shouted in unison, with countless people crying out "Kill Wang Shan" and kowtowing to Xu Wei without stopping.

  Zhang Qing said in a low voice, "Wang Shan has more than 10,000 followers and is causing chaos in Shandong. If we can capture him alive and bring him to the Eastern Capital, our merit will be even greater." How could Xu Wei not understand this logic? But seeing that everyone was furious at the moment, he thought to himself that if he wanted these bandits to sincerely surrender, he had to make them know that Xu Wei and they were of one mind!

  "Execute!" With a resolute tone, Xu Wei gave the order without hesitation. "Behead the bandit leader Wang Shan on the spot!"

  Several soldiers rushed forward, dragging Wang Shan, who was like a dead dog, to kneel in front of the crowd. Two men held his arms, one pulled his hair, and another robust man with a tiger's back and bear's waist held a crude knife. He spat on his palm twice, wiped the blade on his shoe sole, and prepared to strike. When Xu Wei nodded, the big knife fell! The mournful cry was so sad that it made people change color. The knife got stuck in Wang Shan's neck but did not cut off his head. Wang Shan endured the pain and cried out in grief. It turned out that the executioner hated Wang Shan's behavior and intentionally made him suffer more pain.

  "Have mercy! Just give me a quick death!" Wang Shan struggled with all his might, biting through his lip and causing blood to flow freely. But he was helpless, pinned down by two soldiers who held him immobile. The knife that had been pressed against his neck was still clutched in the executioner's hand, ready to strike at any moment, promising an agony beyond description.

  "I'll give you a quick death!" Xu Wei's voice fell, and with a fierce swing of his scimitar, he struck down at the same time!

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