145: Chapter 0145 Let's do it together

Prefect Cai Heng and several officers were captured alive by Chen Chuan and the others.

Because Lin Xiao had given orders that as long as they were willing to disarm and surrender, prisoners of war were not to be killed.

The city gate was broken; the whole process took less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

When Mu Wanying and General Wu Jinzhe accompanied Lin Xiao, riding tall horses and leading the troops into the city, they felt like they were dreaming!

It's over just like that?

Their Golden Scale Guard didn't even get a chance to show their strength!

The total casualties of the Zhenbei Army were less than a hundred, and most of them were only minor injuries!

Mu Wanying's beautiful eyes gazed at the man who looked calm and composed, her admiration for him knowing no bounds!

This was what Lin Xiao called "standardization" and "systematization"!

From the unified standards of Catapults and Cement Projectiles to the rigorous and clear division of labor in the army...

These seemingly pedantic rules and regulations shone brilliantly in actual combat!!

One must know that of the ten thousand soldiers who came, nearly half didn't even get a chance to perform!

If all thirty thousand of the Zhenbei Army were deployed, it was unimaginable how staggering their combat power would be!

"Reporting to the Great General! The two thousand-plus defenders of Lincang City have all disarmed and surrendered!"

"Assistant Minister Cai of Lincang Prefecture and over twenty officers have been brought here!"

Qin He led a group of elites and brought Prefect Cai Heng and the others before Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao immediately noticed the man in the front row, wearing black cotton clothes without any armor.

Because he had no protection, there were two bloody gashes on his body; fortunately, they weren't deep and had already scabbed over.

[Prefect Cai Heng, 37 years old, Assistant Minister of Lincang Prefecture, secular disciple of the Daoist Sect, Aptitude: yellow grade]

[Cultivation Method: Shangqing Sword Art (23 years of cultivation), a long-standing sword technique of the Daoist Sect, upright and peaceful, nurturing the sword with Qi. Grade: mystic grade]

[Entries: Unpolished Jade (Special), Capable Official, Daoist Priest]

This was the first time Lin Xiao had seen the "Unpolished Jade" entry.

"'Unpolished Jade' means this person has immense potential. If he is heavily utilized and cultivated, his future will be limitless?"

After reading the system introduction, Lin Xiao was very satisfied. This was a "growth-type" character? It exceeded expectations!

"Are you Prefect Cai Heng?"

Prefect Cai Heng looked up and saw the handsome, tall man with a gentle smile. He felt that this person was completely different from the image of a "God of Slaughter" or "God of War" he had imagined.

"Your humble servant, Prefect Cai Heng, greets... General Lin."

Prefect Cai Heng's face was dejected, but he was still very well-mannered, neither humble nor arrogant.

"You use Daoist techniques; are you from the Daoist Sect?"

What Lin Xiao was more concerned about was this person's Daoist background. He wouldn't have some mission like Su Chang, would he?

"The General has keen eyes. My parents died when I was young, and I was taken in by a Daoist master."

"Because of my dull aptitude, I couldn't enter the inner sect. Later, I chose to enter the secular world, wanting to contribute my meager strength to the people of the world."

"It's just that I failed the imperial examinations several times. With no other way out, I joined the army. Later, I was fortunate enough to be appreciated by Prefect Wu, which led to where I am today..."

As he spoke, Prefect Cai Heng suddenly knelt down and pleaded:

"General Lin, now that Lincang City is in your hands and the Zhenbei Army hasn't suffered too many casualties, could you please spare Prefect Wu's life? He..."

Before Prefect Cai Heng could finish, a loud shout came from the distance:

"Prefect Cai Heng!! You shut your mouth!!"

Several carriages were seen driving this way. The official at the very front was indeed Prefect Wu Yonghe!

Prefect Wu Yonghe was in his official uniform, his face full of righteous indignation.

Qin He and the others were about to intercept him, but Lin Xiao signaled them not to.

Lin Xiao was quite curious about what this Lord Wu, with the "Romantic Guest" entry, was going to pull.

"Great General Lin, I am Prefect Wu Yonghe, the Prefect of Lincang Prefecture. I have long admired your great name!"

"Seeing you today, you are indeed wise, martial, and extraordinary in presence!"

Prefect Wu Yonghe got out of the carriage, cupped his hands in salute to Lin Xiao, and complimented him loudly.

"Lord Wu, what are you..."

Prefect Cai Heng looked bewildered, not knowing why Prefect Wu had arrived so late.

"Bastard!! Look at how many people died!? This is all your doing!!"

Prefect Wu Yonghe directly lashed out: "What were you thinking!? With our meager troops, how could we possibly be a match for the Zhenbei Army!?"

Prefect Cai Heng's face turned pale. He suddenly understood something and lowered his head in silence, his hands clenched into fists.

"Lord Wu, what is all this?"

Lin Xiao pointed to the three carriages behind.

"Unload them!"

At Prefect Wu Yonghe's command, several guards moved the heavy boxes down.

Once opened, the gleaming silver, gold, stones, and paintings were dazzling!

The commoners and soldiers nearby were deeply attracted. How could ordinary people have seen so much gold and silver?!

"General Lin, please do not misunderstand. This money was not obtained through corruption or bribery. It is all the family fortune accumulated by my ancestors and the dowries of my several wives."

"As the local official of Lincang Prefecture, I, Wu, am willing to give up all my assets and donate them to the Zhenbei Army to seek peace for the whole of Lincang Prefecture!!"

Prefect Wu Yonghe knelt on both knees and kowtowed to Lin Xiao, saying with tears and snot:

"I beg the General to show mercy and not take out your anger on the soldiers and commoners defending the city. If you want to vent your anger, just take my head!!"

As he spoke, Prefect Wu Yonghe sobbed uncontrollably and kowtowed to Lin Xiao several more times.

Lin Xiao didn't know whether to laugh or cry. If he hadn't investigated beforehand, he might have actually been moved.

"Lord Wu, I have been ordered to take charge of the troops in the Six Northern Provinces to serve the imperial court and protect the peace of the local people. How could I kill the innocent?"

Lin Xiao waved his hand and said, "Lord Wu, please rise. Since this money is of clean origin, take it all back."

"Our Zhenbei Army never takes a single cent from the commoners. You, as the Prefect, are of course no exception."

When Prefect Wu Yonghe heard this, he immediately became anxious. If the money wasn't accepted, his heart wouldn't be at ease!

"General Lin! This money is but external possessions. I truly admire the Zhenbei Army for defending the country and the people. Please accept it, General!!"

Hearing this, Lin Xiao pretended to be furious and said, "Wu Yonghe!! I said I won't take it, so I won't!! Are you trying to make me break the military rules I set myself!?"

"This... your subordinate dares not!"

Prefect Wu Yonghe had no choice; he couldn't force the gift now.

Fortunately, from the current situation, his life was temporarily saved.

"However..."

Lin Xiao's tone changed: "Today, our Zhenbei Army came to take Lincang by order of the court, yet you did not cooperate well and even injured many of our brothers."

"Lord Wu, this debt... how do you think it should be settled?"

Prefect Wu Yonghe felt a chill down his back, but he was prepared. He looked at Prefect Cai Heng with a regretful gaze.

"It's only to be blamed on my lack of strict management... Assistant Minister Cai was also momentarily confused. Let me... take the punishment for him!"

Lin Xiao smiled, "Assistant Minister Cai, you really have a good superior. Lord Wu treats you quite well."

Prefect Cai Heng sighed and smiled self-deprecatingly: "General, a man should take responsibility for his own actions. This matter is entirely due to my confusion. How can Lord Wu be blamed?"

"I am willing to bear the guilt. Please do not involve Lord Wu, General..."

Hearing this, Prefect Wu Yonghe sneered inwardly. He knew that this Prefect Cai Heng wouldn't let him take the blame and would definitely shoulder it himself.

This fool is loyal to a fault and the easiest to exploit!

"Good!"

Lin Xiao laughed heartily: "Lord Wu and Assistant Minister Cai, both of you have earned my admiration. Since you are both willing to take responsibility... then die together!"

"Men! Throw these two into the dungeon and execute them at noon tomorrow!!"

"Ah!?—"

Prefect Wu Yonghe was dumbfounded, as if struck by a bolt from the blue!