Chapter 42: Using Heavy Punishment in a Chaotic World (Seeking Votes and Bookmarks)

  Yan Liang's delighted expression soon subsided a bit.

  He doesn't like it when others talk conditions with him, that feeling is similar to being threatened.

  "What conditions does Bening have? I'll listen and see."

  Yan Liang's tone was calm and he readily agreed without hesitation, showing a servile attitude of "as long as you can defeat me, I'll agree to anything".

  Man Chong clasped his hands together and said: "My first condition is to ask the General to show mercy, spare Cao Zhen's life."

  It's indeed this condition.

  The favored one's momentary mistake led to Cao Hong becoming a captive, and with a sense of guilt in his heart, he wanted to plead for Cao Hong, which was also a kind of compensation.

  As for Cao Hong, Yan Liang was so angry that he slapped him twice, but did not think of killing him.

  After all, it is best to avoid another conflict with Cao Cao for now and conserve our strength to reap the benefits of others' efforts.

  Leave Cao Hong with one life, it can be used as a hostage to make Cao Cao have some concerns, and also can sell a favor to Man Chong, why not do it.

  Yanzhu zi zhuan le ji zhuan, Yan Liang bian bai shou dao: "Kan zai Bo Ning de mian zi shang, wo jiu ren na Cao Hong yi ming bai shi."

  Translation:

  He rolled his eyes a few times, then waved his hand and said, "For the sake of Bo Ning's face, I'll spare that Cao Hong's life."

  "Thank you, General." Man Chong's face showed a hint of joy, and after a pause, he continued: "As for the second matter, I, Man, have always had my own set of rules for governing, and I hope that you, General, will not interfere arbitrarily."

  "What rules does Bo Nong have?" Yan Liang asked curiously.

  "Be strict with the law and don't bend it for personal reasons." Man Chong replied succinctly.

  Yan Liang smiled, and Man Chong's eight words were exactly in line with his own intentions.

  Cao Cao, a hero of his generation, emphasized the rule of law in governing the country and the army. As a result, officials and civilians under his rule strictly adhered to the law, and his administration was clean and just. The troops he trained were also well-disciplined and followed orders.

  Similar to Yuan Shao, Liu Biao and Liu Zhang etc., these lords governed their states with leniency, resulting in the local tyrants and bullies disregarding the law, bringing harm to the common people.

  Blind benevolence and tolerance will only lead to more chaos, how could Yan Liang not understand this principle?

  Yan Liang valued Man Chong so much because of his strict law enforcement, which was one of the important reasons. Now that Man Chong has brought it up himself, Yan Liang doesn't need to remind him.

  Yan Liang smiled and said: "In a chaotic world, severe punishment is used. How could Yan not know this principle? Put your mind at ease, as long as you handle matters according to the law, I will absolutely not interfere."

  Man Chong's expression changed slightly, and he was actually a bit stunned.

  In fact, Man Chong's second requirement was made with the last hope of trying to "embarrass" Yan Liang, forcing him to give up on subduing himself.

  Yuan Shao's governance of Hebei was very strict towards the common people, but lenient towards officials like Yan Liang and powerful clans.

  Under Yuan Shao's indulgence, the aristocratic families and powerful clans were lawless, wantonly annexing and oppressing the common people, who were poor and weak, suffering unbearable hardships.

  Man Chong thought that Yan Liang was from Hebei, and his body had also been contaminated with the habits of Yuan Shao's governance. He intended to imitate Yuan Shao in governing the seven counties of XinYe.

  But what made Man Chong surprised was that Yan Liang agreed so readily, as if his request had met with his approval, and Man Chong's heart could not help but be shaken.

  "In a chaotic world, harsh laws are needed... Isn't this exactly what Lord Cao often says? Who would have thought that Yan Liang, a mere warrior, would actually share the same views on governance as Lord Cao? Could it be that this Yanzi is also a hidden hero?"

  The surprise in her doting gaze gradually gave way to a few more parts of respect.

  "I have already agreed to the two requests put forward by Benning, I don't know what other excuses Benning has, he can just bring them all out at once."

  Yan Liang smiled and said, with a few words of veiled sarcasm, showing that he had already seen through his intention to make things difficult.

  Having reached this point, Man Chong still had something to say. He immediately said with a sigh: "Since the general has already agreed to these two things, from now on, Man Chong will certainly do his best to share worries for the general."

  This remark is equivalent to a formal declaration of joining Yan Liang's camp.

  Eagerly seeking a worthy talent like Yan Liang, and then adding full favor to this versatile and talented individual, one's heart would naturally be extremely delighted.

  "Come on, people! Hurry up and prepare a feast. I'm going to have a good drink with Berning!"

  Xiangyang City, Provincial Governor's Office.

  In the study, Liu Bei himself held a brush and painted a picture of a chrysanthemum on a winter's day.

  Although in the cold winter, his body is broken, he still remains noble and unchanged. As a famous scholar, Liu Biao has always used this to describe his own character.

  "Husband, take a break and have some hot water."

  A young and beautiful girl with a plump figure came in, who was none other than Liu Biao's second wife, Lady Cai.

  Liu Bei raised his cup and took a sip, gazing down at the nearly completed masterpiece on the table, a look of self-satisfaction spreading across his aged face.

  Cai's husband carefully examined the painting for a long time, and praised it: "The chrysanthemum you painted has a lot of character, the withered leaves on the ground set off the noble quality of the chrysanthemum, it's really a great work."

  After hearing his wife's praise, Liu Bei was even more pleased and smiled: "Madam can understand the meaning of this painting, it is really rare. This painting has not been named yet, why don't you think of one?"

  Cai's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she pondered for a moment before a faint smile played on her lips.

  "Why don't we just call this painting 'Chrysanthemum Wilted, Full of Sorrow'? I wonder what you think, husband?"

  "Chrysanthemum remains, all over the ground are wounds... Ah, no mistake, no mistake, just follow Madam."

  Liu Biao nodded in satisfaction and then picked up his brush to write six elegant characters on the white space beside the painting.

  Although the painting was completed, Liu Bei still felt somewhat dissatisfied and took up his brush again to make some minor repairs.

  Cai's family served beside him, and he casually asked: "I heard that the husband had sent 20,000 troops to attack Yan Liang. With the husband looking so calm and composed, could it be that he already has a plan in mind?"

  Cai was the youngest daughter of Cai Yan, a renowned scholar of the time. Born into a prestigious family, she had some knowledge and insight, although as a woman, she would occasionally ask about some military and administrative matters in Jingzhou.

  "Yan Liang is just a desperate and defeated warrior, this time the ones leading the army are De Ke and Yi Du, these two are the top civil and military officials under my command, with them joining forces, how can they not win?"

  Liu Bei's tone was extremely confident, speaking with a flourish, completely disregarding Yan Liang.

  Cai said with a hum, "Having Big Brother and Xu Chu ride out together is of course good, but I've heard that Yan Liang is also quite capable, having even defeated Cao Ren before. It's probably not easy to deal with him."

  "Hmph!" Liu Biao sneered, "That was just his luck, Madam. Do you think I couldn't handle a martial artist with less than 10,000 soldiers?"

  Liu Biao's words had a hint of displeasure, as if he was dissatisfied with Cai's questioning.

  Cai's delicate eyebrows moved slightly as she hurriedly smiled and said, "How could that be? Husband's abilities, I'm still not clear about, how can he be compared to Yan Liang?"

  Liu Biao's old face showed a hint of satisfaction, and he was finally pleased.

  Tsai's voice had just fallen when the sound of footsteps rushed in, and a guard hastily entered.

  "My lord, something terrible has happened! An urgent report from the front line says that Lords Cai and Kuai have been defeated and are retreating."

  Clang!

  The pen in his hand suddenly dropped, and Liu Biao was stunned there, with an expression of horror that instantly surged up boundless fear.