137: Chapter 137 Su Bai, do you want a concubine?

Could it be...

He suppressed the excitement in his heart and continued to ask, "Do you know how to mine the Spirit Stone Mine?"

Upon hearing this, the prisoner was stunned for a moment.

Immediately after, a light like never before suddenly erupted from his cloudy eyes.

He suddenly raised his head and grabbed Su Bai's arm tightly.

"M... My Lord! A... Are you from the government? Are you here to save us?!"

Su Bai looked at his eyes full of anticipation, and he already had the answer in his heart.

He nodded and slowly said, "Yes."

"I am here to save you."

"Waaah!"

Upon hearing this, the prisoner could no longer suppress the grievances in his heart.

Like a child, he hugged Su Bai's leg and burst into loud sobs.

In the dungeon, the other prisoners also raised their heads one after another, looking at Su Bai in disbelief.

When they confirmed that Su Bai was truly from the government, the entire dungeon instantly erupted into earth-shattering cries.

That was the despair that had been suppressed for too long.

Su Bai watched them, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

It was like searching for something high and low, only to find it without any effort.

He was worried about not being able to find professional Spirit Stone Miners.

He didn't expect to find them in this bandit den at Piled Rocks Ridge!

Truly, heaven is helping me!

An hour later, the battle was completely over.

At Piled Rocks Ridge, of the two hundred and thirteen bandits, except for the First Boss, Shi Dang, who was captured alive by the joint efforts of Ma Lie and Zhao Ding, all others were executed.

Not a single one escaped.

On Su Bai's side, there were no injuries at all.

At the cost of zero casualties, they completely wiped out the notorious Piled Rocks Ridge bandits.

This was an unprecedented great victory.

A glorious victory worthy of being recorded in the history books of Yunzhou.

When Su Bai returned to Yunzhou City with the captives, the seized spoils, and the dozens of rescued Spirit Stone Miners, the entire city was in an uproar.

When Yunzhou City came into view, Su Bai pulled on the reins.

The sound of horse hooves gradually subsided.

Outside the city gate, there was already a sea of people.

"It's General Su! General Su has returned!"

"Oh, great and upright official! You have removed a great scourge for our Yunzhou City!"

The cheers of the common people swept in like a tsunami.

Flowers and fruits were thrown into Su Bai's procession as if they were free.

Ma Lie and Zhao Ding were riding on their horses, their faces flushed with excitement.

When in their lives had they ever received such treatment?

Su Bai looked at the boiling crowd before him, nodding frequently to acknowledge them.

Yet, in his heart, he was as clear as a mirror.

The warmer these cheers were, the more venomous the eyes hidden in the shadows were.

When a tree stands above the forest, the wind will surely destroy it.

The crowd automatically parted to both sides, clearing a path.

At the end of the path, the Yunzhou Prefect, Li Han, dressed in a brand-new official uniform, walked up with a glowing face.

"Oh my! General Su! You have truly given this official a huge surprise!"

Before Li Han even arrived, his hearty laughter had already spread throughout the crowd.

He walked quickly to Su Bai's horse and actually reached out his hand, intending to help Su Bai dismount.

"My Lord, you flatter this subordinate too much!"

Su Bai quickly dismounted, looking somewhat overwhelmed by the favor.

"Not at all, not at all! You, Su Bai, are now a great hero of our Yunzhou City!"

Li Han held Su Bai's hand tightly and patted the back of his hand firmly.

"Let's go! Back to the prefectural office! This official wants to celebrate your achievement!"

Inside the main hall of the prefectural office, it was decorated with lanterns and festoons, full of joy.

Li Han sat high on the dais, and in front of all the officials of Yunzhou City, he heavily rewarded Su Bai.

"For his meritorious service in suppressing the bandits, Su Bai is awarded one thousand taels of gold and one hundred mu of fertile land!"

"Additionally, there is a large seven-courtyard mansion in the east of the city, originally left behind by that corrupt official; it is now bestowed upon you to serve as your residence!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole hall was in an uproar.

A seven-courtyard mansion.

That was the largest residence in Yunzhou City, besides the prefect's office!

This Li Han really spent a fortune.

Su Bai hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you, my Lord, for your great kindness! This subordinate will surely serve you with total devotion, even at the cost of his own life!"

Night fell.

The prefectural office was brightly lit.

At the victory banquet, Su Bai reported the process of annihilating Piled Rocks Ridge to Li Han in every detail.

When he heard that Su Bai had rescued several Spirit Stone Miners, Li Han, who was originally holding his wine cup with a smile, suddenly shook his hand.

Most of the wine in the cup spilled out.

"You... what did you say? Spirit Stone Miners?!"

The surrounding officials also perked up their ears.

Spirit Stone!

That was a good thing; one could never have too much of it.

Su Bai pretended not to notice Li Han's loss of composure and replied respectfully.

"Exactly. This subordinate also stumbled upon them by chance in the dungeon of Piled Rocks Ridge."

"Good! Good! Good!"

Li Han said the word "good" three times.

"This matter is of great importance; absolutely no word of it must leak out!"

"Pass down the order! Regarding today's events, whoever dares to leak a single word will be executed without mercy!"

The banquet ended.

Using the drunkenness as an excuse, Su Bai declined the invitations of his colleagues and went straight back to his newly acquired seven-courtyard mansion.

As soon as he entered the door, he immediately restrained the drunken look on his face.

His eyes became clear.

"Ma Lie, Zhao Ding!"

"Here!"

"Immediately place those miners secretly in the cellar in the backyard and send people to guard them strictly!"

"Without my order, no one is allowed to come within half a step!"

Su Bai ordered in a deep voice.

He knew very well that these miners were now a piece of fat meat.

Countless eyes were staring at them.

He had to keep them firmly under his own control.

After settling everything, Su Bai had just picked up his teacup to moisten his throat when a knock came at the door.

"Lord Su, the Prefect requests your presence."

Su Bai paused.

Could he not wait even this long?

He put down the teacup and adjusted his robes.

"Understood, I will go right now."

Inside the study.

Li Han stood with his back to the door, his hands behind his back.

Hearing footsteps, he turned around.

On that round, fat face, there was an inscrutable smile.

"Brother Su, you've arrived."

Li Han pointed to the chair opposite him.

"Sit."

Su Bai sat down as instructed, and after sitting, he asked, "I do not know what instructions you have, my Lord, for summoning me in the middle of the night?"

Li Han did not answer immediately.

He walked to the desk, picked up the teapot, and personally poured a cup of tea for Su Bai.

"Brother Su, how old are you this year?"

Alarm bells rang in Su Bai's heart.

What is this old fox up to?

"Replying to you, my Lord, this subordinate is twenty-two this year."

"Twenty-two, that's not young anymore."

Li Han sighed and said earnestly.

"A man needs to start a family and establish a career before he can truly settle down."

He suddenly leaned close to Su Bai and lowered his voice.

"Su Bai, do you want a concubine?"

At this, Su Bai's mind went blank for a moment.

He raised his head and looked at Li Han in front of him with a strange expression.

It was really hard to imagine that the dignified Prefect of Yunzhou City would call him over at this hour just to give him a concubine?

Su Bai hurriedly stood up and bowed to Li Han, saying, "My Lord, please do not tease this subordinate."

Li Han said, "Hey! How can this be teasing?"

"General Su, do you know how serious the situation of the refugees in the entire Yunzhou City is right now?"